Demons VII - Blood Runs Stale
The contender in the pit galloped around the ring with its sword and hide-covered shield, spurring the crowd with excitement. The herald trumpeted, introducing Sarang the Trampler. The dark-colored centaur threw its long head back with pride in its strength and battle prowess as it trotted to the middle of the arena. Soon, the announcer signaled Sarang's challenger, and the audience went silent.
Taereus tilted her head as the gates opened, quietly enjoying a small appetizer of Ascalonian salad.
The Headhunter stepped out from the darkness; green eyes narrowed from the bright sunlight. A dark shawl covered half his face. A leather harness now decorated his bare chest with a simple iron longsword strapped behind his back. Bandaged hands gripped the handle.
Strange? Discarded his armor for none? She wondered suspiciously as the women next to her squabbled.
“Look at his ugly scars!”
“He looks frightening, Taereus! How'd you managed to arrest him?”
“He's so thin. I'd imagine him to be a bit thicker.”
“I don't know about you, girls, but he's attractive...in a mysterious way.”
She said nothing, eyes focused onto the Canthan, who looked past his opponent and returned the glance. A flush rose to her cheeks, and she quickly stuffed it with a slice of Charr-raised beef steak.
Sarang taunted him as he circled the human. “Your puniness mocks me. I expected a larger opponent.”
“And what cruel fate that I'm paired with a centaur for my first opponent. You must have known about me, I remember some centaur calling me the Blight of the Tamini.”
The centaur paused, then laughed. “Then I'll consider it an honor to make you suffer for butchering my kin.”
“Good, then let's dance.”
And so they danced with a whirl of steel and flesh. The centaur was relentless, but the Headhunter was nimble and quick. He weaved in and out, turning his blade to block or parry, tiring Sarang out. It did not take long until blood was drawn, and the crowd cheered. Sarang snorted, shaking off droplets of blood from his thick flank.
“Tch. Such a minor cut from someone like you.”
“I'm only getting started.” The Headhunter heaved.
Feet scuffled and slid around the red sands, tainted with blood of previous combatants. Hooves stomped to and fro, followed by a rear kick to the Headhunter's side. Wheezing, he staggered back, feeling his side. Cracked ribs and a bruised kidney. He was not looking forward to pissing blood for a few days. Sarang neighed, charging towards him like an angry dolyak. He slipped to the side, parrying the blade. Ducking down, he slammed his pommel against the centaur's knee.
Sarang stumbled mid-charge, legs and weapons flying in all directions. He tried to get up, but the sharpened end of Hunter's sword met his throat. Seeing the blade rising, he bowed his head, surrendering.
The Headhunter dug his blade against the side of the centaur's neck. The crowd yelled and screamed as he turned and dashed to the edge of the arena, scaling the walls with his lean frame. Taereus stood up abruptly as he climbed over the edge, leaping over a few cowering heads. He snagged the fork from a nearby table, and swung towards her jugular.
She blocked the strike with her arm, and kicked her shin into his bruised side, and he collapsed onto the table, spilling half-eaten food and drinks. Wiping split wine from his face, he snarled with his hands tightly over the handle of a steak knife from the leg of a lamb.
“Really, Headhunter?” Taereus sighed, watching the Lionguard spilling into the arena with swords and shields.
“I've never failed a hunt.” He murmured, swiping at her with the stained knife.
“I thought you'd be a swell guy to talk to, but this? You're just acting like an uncouth brute.”
“Insult me all you want, Lady, but I will claim your hea-!”
An armored charr tackled him.
The Headhunter gave a quiet moan, biting back the stinging pain as the medic placed a poultice across his back, covering another battle wound from today’s arena. The centaur was tough, but he was tougher. He had slain a herd of its kind, and mounted their heads on markers dotting around queensdale. Of course, the Seraph didn’t like that, and rejected his application. An ice pack was placed over the side of his bruised face to ease the throbbing from the thrashing after his second failed attempt to take Taereus' life. He frowned at his prey behind the bars, taunting him with those observant blue eyes.
“Your fighting skills are strong, but unfocused. Definitely an uncouth brute.”
“Shut up.” He snarled, pulling back the icepack in his hands and throwing it at her. It clashed against the bars before she caught the bag.
“Hrm...a juvenile uncouth brute.”
“Why don’t you come in here and say that to my face?” Snatching a roll of bandages from healer’s wrinkled hands, he stood up to wrap the poultice against his skin. The Headhunter limped towards Taereus with light clinks of the chains cuffed around his ankles.
“I did. A few day ago. And again when you tried to escape from the arena to kill me with a fork.” She replied in a matter-of-factly, reminding him of the chains to his feet. “I do admire your resourcefulness. You should consider being a Lionguard.”
He frowned, pointing at her threatenly. “I’ll gut you with a butterknife and string you up with your own entrails once this is over.”
“Or you can leave your fragile ego behind, and walk away from all this. You don’t have to go through this. I’m sure you have the gold anyways to pay the bail from all the killing you’ve done, unless you’ve spent it all wastefully on earthly pleasures.”
“You’re no different, Lady Taereus.” He spat.
Her eyes widened when he spoke her true title and then narrowed. “So it was my brother who hired you. Damn asshat.”
He twitched and snorted, “Watch your language. It’s not becoming of a noble blood like you.”
“Oh, you’re bringing class into this?”
He leans forward with a smirk. She could smell the subtle pine and sweat off his musk. “What are you going to do about it? Turn me into the Ministry? Lady, you’re miles away from Divinity’s Reach for their jurisdiction to reach here.”
“I’ve shot, stabbed, and clocked you once. I can do it again.”
“But next time, I won’t underestimate you.”
She smiled, tossing back his icepack. “I’ll be ready then.”
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