Legends of Belariath
Avariel
A Story Worth Mentioning
It was an ominous day, that evening, hearing of the attack on the local Healers guild. Avariel the Torian had just returned from a refreshing bath near the woods and decided to limber up at the arena. Little did he know, or any who were there as he arrived, what was about to befall them all...
The Torian entered the arena, quickly scouting for a seat as he swept by an old sparring partner, a slave named Seth`Mane. Avariel turned about as the cat person waved rather bored and the two struck up a conversation. No sooner had they begun then, a dark shadow flew in from above and landed in the sparring part of the arena. “You pathetic weaklings why is it that you sit out instead of practicing to better yourselves” the monstrosity snarled at the men. He ran a hand, crackling with energy, through the hair on his head turning it from black to a silver color. Avariel turned from his friend, recognizing the tone and malice of the voice, and glared at it allowing the sound and the image of the creature to pierce the fiercer memories of his past. This creature that stood before him, resembled the same creatures that slew his mate and child only a year before, a Chirot. The other people in the arena seats laughed and scoffed at the man, unimpressed by his words. Look at you all, sitting around lazily, perhaps, I should show you what a little practice can do for you, he taunts to each and every person about him. A Magi named Grim growled to himself, flattening his wings behind him as he said low, I don’t like that man. The Chirot smirks then and turns towards the Magi. Obviously you know nothing of this man, for I am a Chirot and have the ability of excellent hearing. Avariel growing angry at his words yells out stepping forward slightly, Who are you to challenge the prowess and fighting ability of an entire arena
You fool, the Chirot snarls, I am Dakira. If you do not know me by name, you shall soon enough. The cat man Seth scratched lazily, what did he care, he was no warrior. Grim, the Magi, shook his head as he spoke, Your ego is bigger than your mouth can tell. I might,... but I think I can. Have you not heard the tales of late Have you not heard of the Healers Guild Slayer, his voice rose like an ill wind, The one that single-handedly broke through the guards to attack the guild and its healers from the inside! Another hero spoke up from the arena crowd, a Dark Elf by the name of Rakarth, Yeah, I know him, the Drow spoke, I watched him fight last night, a tough one. Grim and Avariel smiled both unimpressed, having never heard of the man. So tell me Dakira, Avariel said smiling as he strode forward arms extended about him, you would anger so many against you Have you an idea of the odds you are placing against you as you ramble away No matter, the Chirot said, for today you will have an opportunity to, he smiled wickedly as he paused, end my egotistic reign. Yet I know, you are all too weak to stop me alone, therefore, I DO challenge you all. Avariel starts to speak but, is cut off by the Chirot. Yes Hmm Do you have something to say Care to step up to me boy and say it to my face! I accept your challenge, came Grim’s voice. Rakarth stood up and walked down to the arenas sparring pit. Heh, I’ve fought tougher, he said as he past SethMane. Besides, if I keep sitting around, I end up like that feline over there, he laughed pointing over his shoulder at the lounging Cat person. SethMane takes a sharp jab at his pride as he rises, I can help, but I’m just a slave you know. Rakarth snaps back at SethMane, Just because you’re a slave doesn’t mean you cant fight! Avariel now stands before the Chirot, each with cold eyes staring back at one another, I accept, was all the Torian said. Well then, shall we boys, Dakira said as a crackling grew loudly in his hand, glaring evilly at the weakest of the four.
And so it began,... The Magi Grim came forward first, jumping ahead of all the rest aiming with a solid fist that only hit air as the quick Chirot laughed mocking his feeble attempt to hit him. Dakira throws his wings forward in a backwards leap sending dust flying into Grim’s face, then withdraws a wicked looking sword, throwing his wings back again into a twisting leap at the Cat person Seth`Mane. He didn’t have a chance, the vambrace guards connected with the blade deflecting it just enough to slap it hard against his head, causing him to fall to the group motionless. The other fighters advanced upon the vile Chirot. First, Avariel with a three-headed flail singing in the air towards the arm that carried that black blade, then Rakarth revealing a hidden tonfa and lashing outwards to his head. With a yank of his arm and swoop of his wings he dove between the fighters evading both attacks. But, before he could turn to face them, Grim was already releasing a gout of burning flames from his fingers aimed directly at Dakira. Yet, even then Dakira kept his thoughts about him and thrust his cloak at the Magi fumbling the flames in his hands and charges Grim with a stout fist to the face. The cloak in his arms was almost a blessing as he raised his hands to protect him, absorbing much of the impact, however, the spells power and the assault left him weakened and fatigued falling to the ground unconscious. The Torian and Dark Elf were quick to spot their moment, turning about just as he attacked, they charged together weapons flailing the air. Avariel swung for his chest while Rakart lashed for his head. As both weapons closed on their targets the Chirot simply darted forward with two beats of his black powerful wings and turned to face them as he landed with a little weight in his breath. Having to dodge so many attackers, the Chirot Dakira took a moment to regain his strength, facing the two that remained. Rakart and Avariel gave him no such chance, they advanced quickly upon the winded creature, both aiming for his midsection. The Chirot had rested enough, almost too much, the first blow from Rakart was dodged well enough but the fall of that heavy flail almost proved lethal, barely scuffing the blade he wielded as it stuck into the ground. Dakira rolled over the ground snatching the dagger and leaping to his feet to make a twisting throw of the blade as Avariel pulled his flail from the ground. The dagger embedded itself into the body of the heroic Dark Elf, sending him face first into the ground
Well, there I was, last one standing. I now realize that he had done this on purpose. Left me for last so that he could toy with me, mocking me as I stood there enraged at the fallen around me. But that didn’t matter, he was mine now, so, I did what any Torian would do,
I attacked. With a thrust of his own wings the Torian hurled himself at the man screaming with fury. But, alas as with every attempt to assail the evil one his speed and power was too great and easily avoided the sloppy assault. With a beat of his wings he leaped back and then leaped forward grasping the Torians chest and carrying him across the arena with his powerful wings. He grinned widely as his hands began to glow dragging Avariel across the arena floor. Mages are weak you think I shall not vanquish you in the name of Sheara, but in the name of DAKIRA!!! With that he threw him, yup, tossed him like a rag doll in the wind but, that wasn’t all,
His hands were still glowing and crackling as the limp feathered form arched upwards slightly before beginning it descent to the ground. At that precise moment, the Dark Chirot Mage Dakira unleashed a blast of electrical energy that collided with the broken torians frail body and guided him to a firm embrace of the arena walls.
The impact was horrendous, the crunch of bone, the charring of flesh and leather armor filling my nostrils, gagging as the sudden stop threw every breathe of air from my lungs, it was time, time to take my place by their side, having failed them once again, my world became dark then, I remember little else, except this, as that shadowy figure left he gave enough energy for each of us to survive, a cruel invitation to try again, when we were ready.
Hours passed as Seth, Grim, and Rakarth regained consciousness yet Avariel sat crumpled against the wall, will broken and body beaten. A tear left his eye to fall down his mudded face, as his eyes opened. Trying to move he lurches forward in pain, hitting the ground as he crawls to Rakarth and lays beside him heaving at the pain on his chest. The Torian slipped back into silence as people entered the arena, some helped him and his friends and others did nothing, thinking him foolish. Ryona a Fem Cat much like Seth, knew the Torian on sight and rushed to his aide, moments later they carried him on a rickety stretcher of spears and garments to the Healers in Nanthlion where they were greeted by Abreil RoseBlade and were rushed in quickly by the guard to await a healer. What the Chirot said was indeed true for few healers were to be found. But, fate had it that one was making her rounds just before departing for her home. Morrigan Steel entered the Healers guild just as Abreil motioned her to Avareils side. He was healed minutes later along with his friends. As he strove out the guild, Ryona called to him, You okay Avariel smileed, Yes I am fine now, thank you. He turned and headed out the door just to hear, Avariel, don’t be running into any more powerful mages now, okay The Torian smiled again looking back at Ryona, then the rest of his friends. Oh I will,... , he said turning his head up to the stars above the night sky, soon, very soon.