The Wrestling Match

“It is a simple fight. No weapons are allowed. First one who gets wounded loses.” Zonnos states much to the other shifters’ cheer.

The shifter named Tamara lets out a howl in the hopes of intimidating her opponent. Gian ignores the attempt and calmly removes his coat and gives it to Herald, leaving him unarmored in a sleeveless white shirt. He then takes on a defensive stance opposite his opponent.

Unfettered, Tamara likewise assumes on her own attack posture, at the same time her body seems to change – seemingly growing to almost seven feet tall, her skin taking on a tougher appearance and fingers transforming to claws.

“First to get wounded loses.” The shifter repeats as she looks at her claws and shows them off to her opponent. Shouts of approval erupt from where the others shifters are.

Gian simply gives a small nod and pushes back his eye glasses.

Angered by the simple gesture the shifter pounces at the smaller human; her two claws leading the charge attack.

The artificer simply sidesteps the initial attack, and dodges with expertise the second claw.

Infuriated at not being able to connect, Tamara renews her attack, changing her tactics by getting closer. A short jump takes the shifter closer to her opponent. A raking claw of her right hand to Gian’s face causes the human to step a bit to the left to avoid it. The movement saves him from the attack but puts her into the path of the second claw which rakes towards the artificer’s midsection.

::dragonmark::

A dark blue light flares out from Gian’s arm and elaborate skin patterns appear on it just before the attack connects with flesh. The shifter’s claws bounce off harmlessly as if blocked by some sort of invisible field of force.

At that time, a gasp is heard from one of the Aereni elves.

“The Mark of the Sentinel.” Popora laughs as pleased by the revelation. “Impressive Master Lyrandar. You didn’t tell us that your bodyguard is a member of the House of Dennith.”

Taking advantage of the distraction, Gian punches at Tamara’s midsection. Taken by surprise, the blow connects but to no effect as it fails to penetrate the toughened shifter hide.

The shifters at Zonnos’ mat lets out a howl while Tamara conceitedly yells with them.

Gian raises an eyebrow and nods in understanding as if he just got an answer to some mental computation he’s been doing and goes back to his defensive stance.

::smite::

Tamara howls back and once more pounces on the human. Gian on the other hand simply thrusts out his hand towards his opponent’s chest. The two combatants finally connect for a second neither one makes a move.

::wraithstrike::

The shifters claws targeting her opponent’s face but stops just inches before reaching her target. The human however had his fingers extended and buried deep up to the palm into the shifter’s right shoulder – human flesh penetrating shifter.

The audience chamber is silent until the first drop of blood falls on the floor. It is only then that Popora gives out a hearty laugh.

“I guess I win!” The older halfling lord calls out to his offspring. “I’ll be collecting soon Zonnos, my child.”

The younger halfling bows to his father and leads the Shifters outside the chamber to take their wounded to be taken care of by the Arenai elves.

“But for now I think we have a business deal to finish.” Popora turns back to Devlin and his crew. "Captain Lyrandar, bring back my child."