Time of renewal

[DoS Archive]

From: dexm@aol.com (Dex M)
Date: 01 Jan 1999 14:05:45 EST

::Sitting in the arena reflecting all that has past Dex remembered the excitement and invigorating feelings as he stepped through the doors two years ago to this day. He remembered clearly cleaning his longsword and sitting in the arena 20 minutes early waiting for the officials to come. The smells of the arena were unique and singularly exotic to his competitive spirit. Watching the others arrive one at a time at first,
then in groups, Dex was nearly giddy with the promise of his first fight. A son of a small landholder in Krondor driven from his homeland by marauders, Dex had some noble heritage. He barely knew how to use the blade having spent most of his time with a plowshare and wooden staves. He needed a break and came to the arena for it.

He saw the signs some had used to indicate there desire to duel. One had caught his eye. "Sir Warin, Master at Arms" this one had some skill according to there manner of ranking and Dex was wary about crossing blades but was put a little to rest when Warin stated he would go easy on him unless Dex was ahead. Fair enough Dex thought and he accepted the challenge. So excited he could not remember the official that night but he could remember the match.

Using a rusted longsword Dex hopped in the ring and drew blade. Warin had chuckled when he saw the old thing and lunged in testing Dex's reflexes. In a panic reflex Dex blindly swung his blade sideways flat edge to deflect the attack. The official bellowed out Advantage Con. having abbreviated Dex's name. Dex then chuckled, thinking outcast wasn't far from the con standing for convict. He didn't have much time to react further as Warin swing high at
his shoulder and Dex went equally for the feet. The pain of impact hurt and Dex wondering just how bad he would get hurt doing this and asked Warin, if this was to the death.

Warin told him magic would protect them and Dex noted his shoulder healing as the moved around the ring. Having little idea of what he was doing Dex tried a parry that he had noted another dueler in another ring use and Warin braced for a hit but neither had attacked. Timidly, Dex backed up in retreat, just barely escaping another lunge from Warin. The Referee cackled as he announced that the disengaging Condextint evaded a thrust and announced 2-1
Con.

Dexter gambled wildly lunging and with a scream slashed the longsword down on the wrists of Warin who had gone to parry. Warin then becoming more cautious stepped sideways and Dex mimicked him to keep ground. He couldn't believe it, he was ahead 3-1 and the official had told him it was to five.

Gaining some measure of confidence Dex attacked low as did Warin, the slashed out again but Warin was ready. He had blocked the slash and then in reflex had cut high while Dex tried to jump back again. In that very short time it was all of a sudden tied again.

Warin remembering the earlier parry Dex had tried then slashed himself only to find the thrusted longsword to his midsection. The official stated that the match was nearing its close and Dex had the lead. Dex remember Warin's strategy decided to follow his thrust with that high parry as Warin had tried earlier. It worked and Dex found himself escaping harm from the high cut. Up by one and a half Dex cut low and tripped the laterally stepping Warin to
claim his first win.

It was the start of an addiction almost.

((Authors note: I am celebrating my two year anniversary to DoS today and I thank your indulgence in my sharing of my first duel. As a side note Warin kicked my butt later that week ))