What is a tournament? Is it a battle?
I tried to explain. It is, at least like one. More like a competition, though. Different travelers get together and try to hack each other apart, and whoever wins gets a prize.
So they attack each other and the strongest one gets something. Gets what? Like nice meat? More territory?
Well, I guess it differs. This one offers gold, though, which you can use to buy meat. And also items, like my axe and armor.
Tejón chuffed in response. I have enjoyed the food I’ve had since coming here. I would like to fight for more. Who do we fight and when?
I walked over and petted the beast. I guess we will fight today, then.
I told Tejón to wait for me out on the veranda while I ran a few errands. Heading out into the common room, Rodrick, the barkeep, called me over.
“Enjoying your stay here? Is the big room up to your standards?”
I gave the man a mock bow. “It exceeds my expectations, sir. That bath yesterday was epic.”
He smiled and gestured at my clothing. “And it was just in time, if I might add. Your outfit was beginning to sprout a tail when you came in.” I just smiled at his jest and waited, sensing the man had more to say. “You know, a group of travelers had a rough go of it last night. Said that some barbarian woman and Teegan Shadespar himself jumped them in an alley close by and took their gear and weapons. Just robbed them blind! You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”
I didn’t bother to hide my grin. “Not at all. However, I am sure that whatever did happen to those travelers was well deserved.”
Rodrick nodded solemnly as he said, “No doubt. No doubt. I don’t think they will stick around to find out, either. From what I heard, they barely had more than their small clothes.” He winked at me, and I began walking toward the front doors. “Hold a minute. Here’s the papers for your companion. Also, a runner came this morning and said that Wardahl wants to see you. Says he’s got a surprise.”
I thanked the man and asked him one more question before leaving: “What time is the tournament starting today?”
“Fights start at 2. You plan on giving it a go?”
A simple widening of my grin was answer enough.
Shopping was most definitely on my to-do list, and I only had so much time. I planned on heading to the arena around 1 o’clock to sign up and get ready for the fight. Since I’d slept in and had a luxurious breakfast, that only left me a couple hours.
The smith was silent when I ducked my head in, and I couldn’t immediately see Wardahl. I decided to rouse the dwarf from wherever he was hiding. “Oy! I’ve come to see the shortest man in town!”
Poking his head out from a backroom, Wardahl responded, “Yeah, yeah! I’m here. Don’t get your bush in a bind, woman.” I made to walk back and see what he was up to, but he held up a hand. “No! No one is allowed in my secret workshop. Besides, what you want is out here.”
He closed the door and strolled over proudly to a table towards the front of the forge. On it, something was draped with a soiled sheet. He gestured proudly and held my gaze, letting the tension build.
“Let me guess… You finally built yourself a woman? I’m happy for you, Wardahl. Now you can give that hand of yours a break.”
I was rewarded with a belly laugh, but he shook his head, too excited to be sidetracked. “Shut up, girl, and look.”
A tingle of anticipation ran through me as I tugged at the edge of the sheet. Then, in a flourish, I ripped it free. “Jesus Cristo! It’s gorgeous,” I said in a whisper.
On the table before me was a matching set of red armor. The wyvern scales had a rusty hue to them, but now they were burnished and covered in some clear lacquer. The fire within them shone through and reflected in the sunlight streaming through the window.
The scales had been overlapped, forming a flexible cuirass, with the front and back joined together in one piece. Two large pauldrons hung from its sides attached to full vambraces. Even a matching set of gauntlets sat folded before them.
Below the cuirass hung a skirt of scales that would replace the leather faulds. The final piece of the armor was a pair of greaves.
There was no helm, and my knees and part of my thighs would be exposed. My boots would likewise be unarmored, but it was perfect for my fighting style.
I looked at Wardahl and he nodded, answering my unasked question. Taking a step forward, I picked up armor and gasped. The entire top piece only weighed ten, maybe fifteen pounds. “God, it’s light as a feather!”
“Aye, and much of the weight is in the metal wire and leather used to bind it. The scales are a miracle of nature.”
I did the only thing any gamer would at this point: I examined the gear’s stats.
Flame of Anwar Scale Cuirass
Quality: Legendary: Armor 200
Durability 600/600
+10 Stamina, +50% Fire Resistance
Flame of Anwar Scale Pauldrons
Quality: Legendary: Armor 125
Durability 360/360
+10 Strength, +25% Slashing Damage Resistance
Flame of Anwar Scale Greaves
Quality Legendary: Armor 85
Durability 350/350
+2 Vitality, +5 Stamina,+5 Dexterity
Flame of Anwar Scale Gauntlets
Quality: Legendary: Armor 65
Durability 300/300
+5 Strength
Flame of Anwar matching set bonus: Equipping all pieces of the armor grants an additional 5% Fire Damage to attacks and 25% Fire Resistance.
Special Ability: Palisade of Flame
Palisade of Flame: When invoked, a sphere of fire forms around the wearer, blocking 100% of all incoming damage. Duration: 30 seconds. Cooldown: 24 hours.
“Holy crap, Wardahl! This is so OP!” I began doffing my leather armor in a heap on the workroom floor.
“Keep
