Drûr 20-21, 652 DR: Rival factions of the Derékaln try to fix a fight. Dogsbutt enjoys the spectacle. Daga and Whitey deliver Mern’s poison. Many brutal fights. A happy Den Master means a hefty reward.

Continued from Fleeting Memories.

Iyldor, 20 Drûr 652

Mern arrived at the Red Cock early that evening, sitting down at the table with an uncharacteristic directness. “There will be a fight at the arena tonight. Our man, Titan is supposed to take a fall but I just received word that Skorn’s people are offering him more to win.” A small vial appeared on the table. “Make sure things happen as they’re supposed to, and you’ll get a cut of the winnings. Fail me, and you’ll lose out in many ways.” With that, Mern stood from the table and left the pub.

Later that evening as Whitey and Daga scoped the place, Dogsbutt went inside to watch the preliminary fights. Dogsbutt put down some wagers with the bookie and a ring-side onlooker as his friends entered the old warehouse through the back door. Dogsbutt watched a “bitch-duel” with two scantily clad women fighting with long curved lightweight swords. After an arena mastectomy, the battle ended rather quickly. The fight was followed by a “retirement bout” between two older oldums who’d lost their value to some local merchant. One of the men appeared blind while the other had no legs beneath the knees. The legless man was roughly hoisted up the ring-side staircase and handed a bat. As the fight began the onlookers cheered, confusing the blind man. After a few minutes someone threw a dagger onto the floor which the legless man ham-stringed his opponent with. This “interference” caused fights to erupted throughout the stands. The third fight was another woman combatant and a woman-like man. After solicitations for a weapon from the crowd, the two were armed with kælds, small hand blades that can only make superficial cuts. After a protracted and bloody bout, the woman won. The final preliminary battle of the night was between a well-armed man in black leather and a Werrid Gul. The “duel match” the hostess explained was not standard, and those losing money would not be permitted to take “cuts” from the losers. The Werrid Gul fight lasted for sometime until the monster was able to bite the man in the legs a few times. The man began staggering, leaving bloodied footprints on the arena floor. Finally the Werrid Gul slid his toothed-sword into the Yrūn’s gut and and jumped back as his bowels splashed to the floor.

Daga and Whitey broke into the warehouse through the rear door and stabbed a guard dog to death, but not before the wounded dog lunged at Whitey, opening a long bloody cut across his white forehead and left eye. After staking out the back room for half-a-watch, the two dropped through a hatch into a waiting room below where people had been talking. Investigating the lower warrens Daga and Whitey set themselves up as trainers for the Titan. The Titan was suspicious at first until they mentioned Skorn. Daga slipped the poison Mern had left them into a water jar which Clyver sipped and threw away before heading upstairs.

The main event saw the twin behemoths, Clyver the Titan and the Pounder Vulm standing in the ring breathing deeply. The hostess stepped between the two as she introduced them to the crowd. The gathered audience clapped and shouted as a fury of betting rippled on both sides of the arena. As the giants checked the straps on their spiked gauntlets, the woman ran quickly from the ring. A bell rang and the two massive opponents clashed, tearing at each other with their spiked forearms. The poisoned Titan seemed unaffected by Mern’s poison at first. He smashed and slashed at Pounder, forcing his blubbery opponent against the arena wall. The audience jumped from their seats as the wall and stands beneath them shook under the impact. Pounder lifted his arms to block Titan’s strikes, his assailant’s gauntlets ripping at his skin with every swing. The audience watched in disbelief as Pounder dropped to one knee. Believing the fight almost done, Pounder Vulm struck at the Titan’s leg, ripping skin and muscle from his thigh. Undeterred, the Titan continued his punishing flurry of strikes. Then something happened. Clyver the Titan blinked and staggered for a moment. He threw a punch too high and over-extended his arm, exposing his side. Pounder did not miss the opportunity, and threw a devastating punch against the Titan’s head. The Titan staggered back as the audience gasped. The Pounder Vulm was soon standing, crisscrossed with bloody cuts from the punishment he’d just received. The Titan blinked and stared confusedly at his opponent; he seemed disoriented and was unable to lift his arms to block as a series of strong and fast blows beat against the side of his head. Clyver the Titan stood for a moment longer before crashing to the arena floor. Silence filled the arena as Vulm’s trainer rushed to bandage the “winner”. The Pounder Vulm remained standing for a few moments as his trainer bandaged his wounds and then crumpled to the floor himself, alive but so much dead-weight. Clyver the Titan’s trainer was no where to be seen. The blood that poured from his mouth, nose, and ears soon stopped with his breathing.

Whether the “fix” had helped or not, the fight ended satisfactorily.

Irídor, 21 Drûr 652

Early the next morning, Mern arrived at the Red Cock, a wide grin crossing his face. He thanked the three for whatever work they’d managed and dropped a pouch of Aurad on the table.

Continued in Question of the Crimson Quill.

Characters

• Daga Grey
• Dogsbutt
• Whitey
• Clyver the Titan
• Grenna (Red Cock Barmaid)
• Mern Salydis (Derékaln Den Master)
• Oldrem
• Pounder Vulm
• Rita (Red Cock Barmaid)
• Solem (Red Cock Barkeep)
• Torrom

Played: 06 Mar 1999