The Games of Saberhaven
Paterno Stindlehouse vs. Ranknin Borgedder
        Cheering with the fresh excitement of the opening tournament, the crowds welcome two warriors of the forest. Ranknin Borgedder, a woodsman from a state known as the Archclericy of Veluna, in the plane of Greyhawk, steps forth from the southern door, wearing plate armor wrapped with the hide of a giant lynx. Over each shoulder is the hilt of a longsword, and he carries a light crossbow in his hands. With a flourish, he cocks and loads the crossbow in a split second, to the audience's roar of approval.
       By the northern door stands Paterno Stindlehouse, an elven crusader. His plate mail glitters in the sunlight, and despite his small stature he strikes a commanding figure. A small shield with the seal of Corellon Larethian enameled upon its face is strapped to his left arm, and his gauntleted right hand rests upon the golden hilt of a longsword.
       The ranger calls forth across the arena in Elvish. "Hail and well met!" he cries, "Join me in contest today!"
       "May the giant oaks lend us strength," returns the paladin in the same tongue. "On your guard, sir!" With this challenge, the elf draws his sword and lightly steps forward.
       As Paterno advances, Ranknin takes a shooting stance with his crossbow and waits patiently for the elf to come into range. Although the paladin is far off, the ranger holds his stance - until, all at once, the elf stops moving, confusion and frustration evident even under the shade of his helmet's visor. At this, Ranknin relaxes his stance and starts walking slowly toward his opponent, keeping his eyes trained on him all the while.
       Paterno closes his eyes and appears to enter a meditative state, but without letting his shield or sword droop. The ranger moves quietly, despite his armor, around the holy warrior, keeping a berth of about a hundred feet. Muttering arises from the crowd as they question why the paladin appears to be ignoring Ranknin. The ranger circles fully behind Paterno, and, as the crowd's hoots and whistles rise, he takes aim with his crossbow.
       Ranknin's shot goes only slightly low, whizzing toward Paterno's mailed legs. All at once, Paterno springs like a coiled snake, dodging to the left and batting the quarrel away with his shield. Wasting no breath, the elf rushes toward the ranger. Ranknin makes only the slightest defensive movements, appearing distracted, as Paterno swings wildly with his longsword. The blow barely clips Ranknin's left calf, but the strength of Paterno's arms and the enchantment of his blade draw greater blood than might be expected.
       Paterno turns toward where he felt the blow connect, but to the crowd's curiosity, he does not seem to know exactly where the ranger stands. Nevertheless, the elf raises his shield to block Ranknin's lightning-fast strike - but his timing is off, and Ranknin's sword is unnaturally sharp, cleaving through the rim of the shield to draw blood from Paterno's mailed elbow and forearm. Grimacing in pain, the elven knight strikes back, but in shifting balance to attack, he trips over his own feet, and barely catched himself from falling, missing the ranger completely. Ranknin seizes the opportunity and slips his sword inside Paterno's flailing shield arm, stabbing into the muscle of the elf's ribcage. Though his eyes bulge with pain, Paterno maintains his firm expression and steps back to regain his balance.
       The ranger tries to press his advantage, striking quickly with his longsword, but the elf moves just as fast and hacks at Ranknin's sword hand, not only bloodying the ranger's fist, but also causing his wrist to bend back until the sword point catches in the armpit joint of his armor. Paterno quickly shoves Ranknin's arm with his shield, driving the point into the human's chest. Screaming in pain, Ranknin yanks the sword out of his own torso and slashes furiously at Paterno, striking him once on the arm, just above his shield. The fury of the blow is evident, as a plate flies off Paterno's armor and blood flows freely down his side.
       Despite his wounds, the paladin draws himself up into a commanding pose, as if to speak; but before the warrior can utter a syllable, the ranger slashes low with his sword, opening a new cut on the elf's thigh. Stricken, the paladin can only attempt to defend himself with his shield, but he falls for a feint by Ranknin and the human whips around for a terrifying blow to the elf's right flank.
       Stumbling backward, the elven knight drops his shield arm to place his hand over the devastating wound. "Corellon!" he cries, but the word turns to a gargle as the ranger slashes a final blow across his throat, and the elf drops to the ground.
       Tossing aside his own sword, Ranknin curses and presses his hands to the elf's neck, trying to staunch the bleeding until the healing priests arrive. With a concerned expression, he follows the small figure's stretcher as it is carried out of the arena.
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