Vile

Chapter One

       The tavern was jumping. In the corner by the hearth a few bards were playing a catchy looping tune and firing  up the crowd. A few drunks were dancing around in a big circle, sloshing mead all over the place and tapping their feet to the infectious beat. Barmaids were rushing back and forth across the dining area, either delivering food or carrying off the dirty cutlery. The whole room radiated  merriment and stunk of alcohol. There was large table that dominated the center of the room, and was currently the center of most tavern goers undivided attention. Two figures were seated at the table, facing each other. The man closest to the door was big and gruff looking. He had round bald head with a massive braided auburn beard, muscle rippled underneath the skin of his hulking arms, strengthened from years of hauling timber. His face was sweat stained and beside him on the table was a quite large helping of gold coins. He was handed a drink from the crowd and after downing it slammed the tankard onto the table, beard covered in frothy brew. The onlookers gave a hearty round of applause. On the other hand, across the table another man sat, much more reserved. While the muscle bound brute was wearing a torn green tunic that showed off his physique this man was dressed much sleeker. He had jet black cloak trailing off his shoulders and hanging low over his head, underneath the cloak he had on a dark leather buckled jerkin and brown trousers with leather boots.  He had his head turned and was whispering to a petite female behind him. She was dressed in a white flax shirt and black trousers with moccasins. She had seen around 16 years. The cloaked figure nodded to something she said and turned to face the man opposite. They regarded each other briefly before a stout man came forward from the crowd calling attention. Every noise in the room ceased, even the bards propped their instruments up in the corner and joined the crowd. 

      "Here Ye', here ye'," The stout man called out pompously, "We shall now host the match." All the spectators gave small nods and murmurs of approval. "Here," the man said gesturing to the gruff bearded fellow," We have Gungnar Stonearm, undefeated champion of this humble town." There was brief but loud round of applause and cheers, which Gungar loathed in. "And opposite our champion sits Cypher, our mysterious newcomer." Cypher tipped the hood of his cloak, but only to whispers and some isolated snickers. There was a brief pause in the action as bets were exchanged in the crowd. During this time, the girl that had been speaking to Cypher previously slipped him a small blade which he put up the index finger of his glove. Being distracted with their own dealings nobody seemed to notice.

     Cypher and Gungnar had their arms squared up on the table, gripping each others hands. The stout man who had been presiding over the crowd earlier had a hand clasped over theirs, making sure the arms stayed level until the match started, to prevent one from having an unfair lead. The spectators were all anxious, and when the combatants arms were released they stayed mostly silent, aside from some subtle encouraging whispers. Gungnar had taken a major lead, forcing Cypher's hand dangerously close to the rough tabletop, but the as Cyphers got closer and closer to humiliation the tables turned. As they struggled, their grips on each others hands got tighter and tighter, digging Cyphers cheeky blade deeper and deeper into Gungnar's palm. The brutes face was scrunching up more and more by the second, turning a rosy shade of red. Then out of nowhere Cypher gave a burst of strength and slammed Gungnar's meaty arm to the table. The crowd was shocked, some even dropped their tankards in surprise at the sudden victory. Everybody watched as without saying a word, Cypher took his arms and raked the defeated champions pile of gold to his side of the table. Gungnar stared at him with a look of pure hatred, he was breathing heavily through his nose and pressing his fist into the table. Cypher lifted his head so Gungnar could see his smirking mouth and gave a cocky shrug. Gungnar enraged at he passive aggressive gesture launched a clumsy punch across the table, which Cypher dodged and returned with a quick blow to the oafs big nose. He reared back and gave a grunt of alarm. Cypher jumped out of his chair sending it crashing to the floor, the girl from earlier stepped up to be at his side put was just pushed aside.  Cypher shot her a glance and shook his head. This was his fight. By the time this transpired the crowd had gotten extremely riled up, some had ran for the exit and were long gone, but others seemed like they wanted to bring home a black eye with their hangover. Gungnar had recovered by now, blood streaming from his now crooked nose. He tucked his elbow and charged Cypher flipping the table in his wake. Gold pieces were sent skyward along with a few plates and utensils.  Also by this point some fool drunk had shouted "Tavern Brawl!", which only served to send the whole place into chaos.