Subject: Harp and Kal, pt 2

Kal puts the practice tip on his rapier while Harp whispers "You have any problems with us making some cash on this?" The elf shakes his head "Not as long as I get half." Harp smiles "Remember that night in Boddentown? How your dance made you almost impossible to hit? Do that again." The elf nods and Harp moves off towards the small but growing crowd of dwarves. Kal signals to Bordin and the two advance into the combat circle.

As in most combats like this the first few minutes are not really serious. Each person is trying to figure out the reach and skill of the other. Most attacks are feints and parry s, testing the foes basic speed and reaction time. Harp uses this time to move over to the watching dwarves and make a few bets. "10 gold says your guy never lays a blade on the elf. Several of the dwarves quickly accept Harp's bet and they turn back to watch the fight.

Bordin prowls around like a cat, his axe light in his hand. While Kal has never used such a large and unwieldy weapon, he is able to recognize fine craftsmanship when he sees it. Kal centers himself and he starts to hear the battle song in his head. The tip of his rapier starts to weave and bob in rhythm only the elf can hear. Kal starts moving back and forth, flowing to the music only he hears.

Bordin, deciding he has spent enough time testing the elf, moves in for some serious combat. The dwarven axe swings in a bright arc, right for where Kal is standing. But the elf is not there. (AC28, 10+11=21, miss). Bordin stumbles a bit as his axe swings beyond where he had expected. Kal's rapier snakes in and touches the dwarf on the back, the wooden tip making a loud dinging noise on Bordin back plate."One" says the elf. The dwarf tries a backhand swing, hoping to catch the elf off guard, but Kal is too quick (AC28, 7+11=18, miss) and the elf twirls away, slapping Bordin on the helmet as he goes. "Two" is the call from Kal.

Bordin turns and gathers himself again. With a roar he charges forward, his axe swinging low at the elf's legs. Harp grimaces, knowing that even with the guards on if the axe blade connects the elf will likely have broken legs. However, Kal sees the blade flash and jumps over the axe (AC28, 13+13=26,miss) just barely missing the blade. This time his rapier clangs against Bordin's breast plate as the elf spins behind the dwarf. "Three" exclaims the bladesinger. Bordin stumbles forward, swinging his axe behind him, hoping to surprise Kal. No such luck. The axe blade does not come close (AC28, 2+11=13, miss) as Kal waltzes out of the way of the blade, his rapier slapping Bordin on the right forearm as the dwarf spins around. "Four" is Kal's call.

Bordin growls and hefts his axe again. He stomps forward and launches another flurry of blows (AC28, 10+11=21,miss). Again the elf spins out of the way just as the dulled blade of the axe flies through where he had just been. Kal spins and as he moves around Bordin he slaps the dwarf on the left forearm yelling "Five". A groan goes up from the gathered crowd as they realize that their dwarf has been defeated.

OODM: I will write more tomorrow. I am going to a UD ballgame to watch them play Pittsburgh in basketball. Kevin and I have tickets.