» Thu May 03, 2012 11:28 am I was never a bully. I stood up for the weak and fought the bullies. That followed me as well. My name is Strikes As Fury
Today i work as a Sellsword, I accept contracts to help others. Killing bandit's, finding stolen items and getting rid of the Thieves. But today i got an interesting contract...
I payed for my drink and listened to the bards sing their songs. Had a bit of food. Then a man who clearly did not belong in Black Marsh walked in.
He explained to me that he had a job if i wanted it. He came all the way from The Imperial City to come and find me. He said that he believe's that the Arena has been fixed. He claimed every fight that was a sure thing was lost to "The Chosen Fighters" Who haven't lost in over a year. He said they did not have the skill enough to beat the others. No one from the Blue Team has made it past 5 fights in over a year. The man clearly was not a drunkard. He wore fine clothes. The Man through an over stuffed bag of gold coins on the table in front of me. the coins counted out to 5000.
Was this man just sore over losing Septim's from his bloated coin purse? No matter. The money was too good. 5000 Septims will pay for much more then the boat ride to Cyrodill. The boat is supposed to dock at a small port near Leyawiin in 2 days...
I woke to a horn sounding that the boat ride was over. i put on my armor and sharpened my blade. Time to head to The Imperial City. The ride i arranged to take me there was waiting for me.
So driver, Have you been to the Arena recently? He looked at me with a look of sadness in his eyes.
Yes sir i have. My father was assassinated 14 years ago. He was the Grand Champion of the Arena. i went there yesterday to pay my respects. yesterday was the anniversary of his death...
I'm.... So sorry friend. I didn't mean to upset you.
It's okay sir. It's been 14 years, I should really be over it by now.
Healing has no time period Friend. You should take as long as you need to. No matter how many years. [With a tear in his eye he replied.]
Thank you sir.
[He tried as best he could to stop his crying but he couldn't.]
But enough with the driver's problem's. Why are you going to the Arena?
Well. I was sitting in the bar in Black Marsh. A strange man walked in claiming the Arena has been fixed for over a year. He paid me 5000 Septim's to go investigate. I'm a Sellsword see.
Ah, So do you think his words carry weight?
He wasn't a drunkard. That much i know. Whether or not he's a madman i've yet to see. But 5000 Septim's was too good to pass up.
Well. You'll find out soon enough. This is the Imperial City Waterfront. This is where we part way's sir.
Thank you for the ride.
[I paid the driver 500 Septim's for the ride. Far more then i normally would. But i wanted to help him]
Alright. So with the rides to Cyrodiil and The Waterfront i still have 4000 Septim's left. Not far from the Arena now. Though night is falling. i'll have to rent a room at an inn and go to the Arena tomorrow. I walked into the Market District and found an inn. I rented a room for the night.
After a long night's sleep, i blinked my eyes awake. Today was going to be difficult. i stocked up on potions at a store, And i headed to the Arena District. After i opened the door the sight that awaited me was an impressive building filled with fighter's hoping to test their strength.
I saw the man who took bets for the Arena.
Excuse me, Who do i speak too to compete in the Arena? [The man looked at me with an evil smile] He replied with...
Yes. Go into the door to your left and speak to the Nord. [Still with the evil smile on his face he turned away]
I walked inside the building. This place was under the Arena. I glanced around looking for the Nord. I saw him standing in the corner looking around at the fighter's who were training. I didn't get a chance to approach him as he had already started to walk toward me.
He looked me over. He began to speak.
Welcome to the Bloodworks Lizard. Are you here to fight?
Yes. [I could tell he didn't want me here]
Alright Pit Dog. First, the rules of the Arena.
1.We do not take the armor or weapons of our fallen opponents.
2.You must wear your battle raiment into the Arena when you fight. Your helmet, shield, and weapon are your own choice. so choose wisely. The Arena battle's are fight's to the death.
Other then that the Arena is pretty lenient. you can use Magic, Poisons, Potions, anything.
Next. Our Hall Of Heroes. Here we have statues of our best Blademasters and Grand Champions.
This is the statue of Owyn. He saw many Grand Champions in his time. I envy him. The Blue Team hasn't had a Grand Champion since the last one was assassinated. He saw the Half Orc Gray Prince. And the next Grand Champion. The only one to challenge the Grey Prince in 10 years. He called himself Dragonheart. it was a sure thing. The Gray Prince was going to win yet again. That day. The Arena had a new Grand Champion. He never lost. The Battle Matron and the Blademaster brought in all manner of beast for him to fight. Wolfs, Bears, and Minotaur Lords. He vanished. He never died in the Arena. The Arena never saw him again. And finally the statue of Gaiden Shinji. The first Blademaster he built the Arena. He died in the 30 year siege of Orsinium.
So, what kind of raiment do you want? Light or Heavy?
I'll take heavy. [I put on the raiment, it was very heavy, Even compared to normal heavy armor. Time to fight]
So, who's my first opponent?
Alright Pit Dog. Your first opponent from the Yellow Team is a Khajiit who uses the Cracked Claw style. They call it that because when the claws pierce the skin... They tend to break off inside and cause internal bleeding. Heh. What's wrong Pit Dog? You were so enthusiastic a minute ago.
I had a Khajiit lover once. She liked to use her claws. I replied. [The Blademaster couldn't help but laugh in my face]
Well good luck then... [I walked out into the Arena, i heard the Nord say under his breath. "He's gonna die"]
The stands were alive with noise, hundreds of citizens were seated there. The announcer started to speak
Ladies and gentlemen of The Imperial City. Welcome to the Arena! Watch as another Blue Team Pit Dog is slain! Lower the gates!
Yeah. That's not okay. [The gates lowered and i saw my opponent. I saw evil in that Khajiit's eyes. Though that could just be because i might die today]
[Instead of Fighting the Khajiit decided to trash talk first]
You'll make a great pair of boots Lizard.
You'll make a fine fur pelt. Say hello to Gaiden Shinji in Sovngarde. [He tried to hit me with his claws but i deflected with my blade]
[I slashed with my sword. i managed to take off a few of his claws on his left hand. I took the opportunity to run him through. My blade wasn't strong enough to pierce his Elven armor but now he's bleeding. We parried on and on, he grew tired. Or so i thought. He flipped over me and pierced my armor with his claws. What felt like a hundred wolf bites was probably only around three claws. The Blademaster was right he broke off his claws inside me]
Ahh!! [I screamed out in pain. The internal bleeding was starting]
[I sweeped his leg. He fell over, i put my blade to his throat. And said]
You fought well. Enjoy Sovngarde. I pushed my blade into his throat. He let out a squeal of pain. And it was over [The announcer began to speak again]
The Blue Team Pit Dog managed to win one fight. Go back to the Bloodworks and rest.
[I returned to the Bloodworks and saw a surprised Nord face] The Blademaster welcomed me.
Not many will even make it past their first fight. You did a good job. Here is your pay. 50 Septim's. And drink this. It'll stop the bleeding. I'll have a healer watch over you while you rest.
[I said]
By the way. He liked to use his claws.
To be continued.
