The Epic of Dalen Grey

I had my doubts before I went to bed. I woke up and most of the soreness was gone. It was still swollen, but it was far less then before. I'm glad I went to that herbalist now, but I still miss that thirty five drakers it cost me. I plan on avoiding any more of these wounds in the future.

Something doesn't seem right. The Council of Elders knows where I live and that I'm at the Midnight Moon every night. Why haven't I been attacked more. Maybe its time I had a real talk with the real man in charge. I went and pull the lever to signal a midnight meeting in the ally way. I knew its the only place we meet that I have a chance of fighting my way out of. I wanted some real answers out of him.

In the meantime however, I figured I could make a couple of coins for myself. I don't know if I could afford to pay for another treatment.

I went to the guard headquarters once again. I was given a few choices. I took the bounty that seemed the less work for the most money. The best one I could find paid ten drakers, he must have pissed off a couple people. He was charged with various accounts of drunken fights and destroying property. He might seem like a mean guy, but I'm hoping to catch him drunk and it should make my efforts that much easier.

I found him after seaching various bars in the slums. It took alittle while to try them and it was nearing dark when I found him. I saw him lead out of the bar shortly after screaming and yelling. They almost tricked him into walking out of the door without him realizing he didn't want to leave. I met up with him in the streets Just a block away.

"You are under arrest, come willingly or you will die."

"Yous gots the wrong guy...yous wants him." He pointed to the left and there was no one around. I grabbed the shirt on his shoulders to drag him in. He knocked my arm away and took a fighting stance. I pulled on my sword and readied myself.

"So you want to do it the hard way then I see."

"Yous coward, fights me with your fists. Thinks yous scared."

"I aggree, no weapons. You are gonna regret this in the morning."

I moved in for a strike straight to his face. His body leaned back and he grabbed my arm, then I was almost thrown to the ground. He was swaying all over without any pattern I could see. This made hitting him very tough. He made a stumbling lunge aiming to punch me. I ducked low and tripped him up when he passed by. He kept his balance, how even didn't make sense to me. I tried many techniques I was taught and I still couldn't land a decent him. He used many throws and grapple techniques I never seen before. My balance was keen and I was trained in very close combat. He didn't get me to the ground once. This seemed like it lasted at least an hour but it must have been less. I was sweating in the chilled air and my muscles where getting tired. I could tell he was having the same fatigue. I was amazed at his skill being drunk. A part of me wanted to give up and let him go but I never got the chance. He fell to the ground laughing.

"Hahaha...never faces my match befores. I musss know yous name."

"Dalen."

"Daslen, yous earn rights to arresss me. I sssurrenderr."

"Come with me then. And I have never fought such an opponent."

"Spiritsss loosssen the sssoul. Names Toulic. Yous musss ssspars withs me sssometime."

I took him in to Jail and got my reward. My day ran alittle long and I was alittle behind schedule getting to the Midnight Moon that night. No one got mad however. I couldn't believe the drunk I faced, and thought about it all night. I was confused and I think I'll never understand.