The elven arena stretched out before Blaylock, its massive grandstands and intricate architecture blending perfectly with the trees surrounding the immense bloodstained fighting surface. He turned around taking in the scenery before him, almost in shock at the sheer size of the grounds.

�Try not to be too intimidated by the elves style. They do everything entirely too big. They have no real sense of frugality.�

�I�ll try to remember that, Noig.�

�Please do. And please call me by my full name while we are here. If they hear you, they will take insult. Even though they don�t like dwarves, their sense of honor knows no bounds.�

�I�ll try to remember that.�

�Good, now stop gawking at the arena and prepare yourself for battle. You have precious little time before the battle starts. Use it wisely. Go over what I have taught you in the past week. Remember your training and you will come out of this alive.�

�Thank you Noignar. Not just for the training, but for everything. You have been a true friend through this. Again, not just the training these past days, but through my whole life. You have been there for me always.�

�I will always be by your side Blaylock, through all your adversities no matter the magnitude.�

�I thank you old friend. But, I can�t stop feeling that this is all my fault yet at the same time not.�

�It is your fault, just like always. But somehow I feel as though your life thus far has led you to this point and that you must do this.�

�It�s really weird. I have this tingling in the back of my neck. It almost feels like I�ve done this before. But I know I haven�t.�

�And pray you never have to again. Now get in there and fight like a man.�

�Oh, I�m a man now, am I?�

�Almost, come out of this alive and I�ll think about it.�

�I won�t fail you, teacher.�

With that, Blaylock bounded off to the spot in the middle of the arena marked for him.

Following after him, Noignar thought to himself, �You cannot fail Blaylock. The fate of every man, woman, and child rests on your victory.�

Blaylock found the mark in the middle of the arena and stood waiting for his opponent to arrive. He didn�t have to wait long. From a darkened tunnel rising from beneath the arena Eloryn entered to an eruption of cheering and applause from the gathered crowd. He coolly raised his hand in a gesture of thanks and continued to wave to the masses as he walked to his place on the battlefield.

As he approached, Eloryn�s form became clearer to Blaylock. He could see his opponent dressed in his battle armour; jade plates of elven steel fitted to his chest and shoulders glinting in the rising sun, greaves of the same green flowed into tinted leather boots, and an emerald cape was flowing in the slight breeze. A thin sheath of leather tipped in golden steel hung from his waist.

Eloryn stopped at his starting place 10 paces from where Blaylock stood. He lowered his waving arms and looked upon his rival with a curious eye. He had fought mock duels in this arena before. Some contests he fought against his mentor, others with fellow students. All of them had differing styles, but never before had he faced anyone who looked quite like Blaylock did now.

Blaylock stood erect, head held high, armored feet set apart, chest heaving deep breaths beneath his breastplate. It was the breastplate that most caught Eloryn�s eye. Elven armour was not only made to withstand the many blows of combat but also to distinguish elven warrior families. Eloryn�s armour was passed to him by his father, as his grandfather had passed it on years before. It was a symbol of family pride and honor not just something to protect during battle.

Blaylock�s armor was a plain, dull and gray. The smiths� hammer marks were hardly days old. It was obvious to all who looked closely that this armor was made for Blaylock. Eloryn saw there was no history in this armor, no honor. He felt sure he could easily defeat this human.

Blaylock broke the silence first.

�Are you sure such a small sword is appropriate for this battle? And what of your armor? Could you not find yours that you had to borrow your mothers?�

This enraged Eloryn. Never before had anyone insulted his armor or his mother. His face grew bright red as he seethed his response. He stepped forward as did Blaylock.

�This is the armour of my forefathers. It has passed from father to son for hundreds of years. You should not concern yourself with me though, but yourself.� His voice calm now, �Has your dwarven friend brought a casket for you? If not, he still has time to get one ready. I intend to make this enjoyable.�

�There is nothing enjoyable about combat, elf. Did not your sword master teach you nothing but technique?�

�My sword master wields the greatest sword in the elven kingdom, dwarf. He has taught me everything.�

�We shall see.�

�So we shall.�

Just then a hush fell over the stadium as every elf in attendance silenced their cheers. Eloryn turned his head toward a large door in the side of the stadium. From the breach strode an old tall elf. Although his age was beyond Blaylock�s reckoning he could tell there was still life in him.

�Here he is now, boy. Master Jashnah will be this match�s referee.�

Eloryn�s sword master advanced toward the two warriors with slow deliberate steps.

�A referee for a sword fight? I�ve never heard of such a thing.� Eloryn turned back to face Blaylock.

�I�m sure there is much you have not heard of, boy. Being as you have been locked away in a dwarven hole all your life.�

�I may have not have always lived above the earth, but at least I am not about to become part of it.�

�Big words from such a small boy. We�ll soon see who is the victor and who returns to the ground he came from.�

�Silence, both of you!� Jashnah threw his hand between the two bickering contenders.

�Are you here to fight with word or sword?�

Neither fighter answered.

�Then let this fight begin. Eloryn, you are the challenger. As such you are given the right to withdraw your challenge and end this now without dishonor. Do you wish to do so?�

�I do not.�

�Very well. Blaylock, you are the challenged. As such you are given this one last opportunity to deny Eloryn�s challenge. Do you wish to do so?�

�I do not.�

�Very well.� Master Jashnah turned to face the audience and raised his voice in an almost unnatural fashion. �These two warriors have chosen to end their conflict by the sword. No matter the victor, both will leave the battlefield with honor.�

Master Jashnah turned back to Eloryn and Blaylock and placed his hands upon their shoulders.

�When I say begin fight with honor, skill, strength, and passion. May the blessings of your gods be upon you both. Please return to the sidelines, master dwarf. This field of battle is for these two alone.�

Noignar bowed and turned to the nearest sideline. Beneath his breath, Blaylock could barely make out his guardians words.

�Whatever you do, don�t die out here. The world still needs you.�

Noignar walked quickly to the sideline and turned to watch his pupil and friend fight for his life against a foe he knew to be much more skilled and much more disciplined. He bowed his head and offered a short prayer to protect Blaylock from a seemingly imminent death.

Master Jashnah took several large steps away from the two combatants and raised his hands. As he dropped them, his voiced boomed through the arena.

�BEGIN!�