The Games of Saberhaven
Querlak vs. Kaledon
        The crowds are restless in anticipation of this combat. The combatants are an interesting match. On the south end is Kaledon, a knight of the Kingdom of Freath. He is one of the least among the powerful competitors in the tournament, but his helm of brilliance is anticipated to give him an edge which might lead to an upset victory. Kaledon carries his enchanted shield today rather than fighting with two weapons, a sign that he recognizes his opponent's combat abilities.
       At the north end of the field is Querlak, a githyanki supreme leader. Querlak has a respectable grasp of sorcery as well as swordsmanship, but the fact that he wears his armor shows that he too is looking forward to the melee rather than spellcraft. The githyanki carries a giant, glittering two-handed sword of silver, and swings it menacingly as though he know what to do with it. As the announcements are read, Kaledon jogs forward into the arena, waving his sword at the audience but keeping his eyes locked on Querlak. At the other end of the field, Querlak suddenly disappears from view. Kaledon comes to a halt in the center of the arena, looking around warily and keeping his shield high. As he waits, his sword bursts into flames, ready for the attack.
       The expected blow comes sooner than Kaledon had apparently anticipated, as Querlak suddenly appears behind him and chops down with his mighty two-handed sword. Kaledon catches the motion out of the corner of his eye and moves to dodge, but he is too slow, and the blow catches his right calf. The human knight stumbles forward to try to gain his balance, but the githyanki presses the attack, striking another cruel blow to his sword arm. Grunting in pain, Kaledon returns with a strike to the githyanki's own right arm. Blood flows freely from the wound, but both knights attack once again, Querlak hitting Kaledon's shoulder above the shield rim, and the human replying with a stab towards Querlak's heart. The sword stops on the githyanki's ribs, but the wound still flows strongly with blood.
       Regaining his stance, Kaledon takes advantage of the cumbersomeness of Querlak's sword to give a quick slash to the githyanki supreme leader's unarmored face. Again, blood gushes from the humanoid's cheek, instantly covering half his face with red. Querlak responds with a broad sweep of his huge sword. The weapon itself can be heard to keen, "JEEEEEEEEEEEEEKAAIII!" as the swing takes it clear through the human's neck, sending the vaunted helm of brilliance flying to the ground, followed by the knight's noble head. The crowd erupts in a roar of cheering and applause at the spectacular kill.
       The healing clerics walk slowly onto the field, as time is of little importance now. Querlak actually seems to stumble slightly from loss of blood. The priests' healing hands seem to be useless against the flow of blood. As two carry Kaledon's corpse from the arena, two more work quickly to bind the githyanki's wounds with ordinary bandages, trying to staunch the bleeding.
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