Sparkler and the Wolf

18. No Shirts

What the bloody blazes was that damnable elf thinking? Bull was a monster, easily outweighing him a dozen fold. Was this because of the nightmare he'd had or was it something else? No, he thought as he neared the crowd of onlookers, more likely the Bull had challenged Fenris, though why was beyond him, as was Fenris' agreement to it.

As he drew closer, edging his way to the front, he could hear them taunting each other.

"I said no magic elf."

"I'm not using magic." Fenris retorted.

"You went all glowy. How's that not magic?"

"It's part of my defences. You expect me to fight you without it?"

"I expected you not to cheat."

"It's not cheating. It's levelling the field. Your reach is twice as long as mine, or do you want to ensure your own victory with more of an advantage than you already have?" Fenris sneered.

"You're fast and I'm big. How much more level do you want this to be?"

"Fine." Fenris agreed and Dorian detected the triumph in his voice. "I won't use my markings to move faster. Though I expected you to want a challenge, not a stroll in the park."

"Ugh! You're going down elf."

"Not by your hands I'm not."

Dorian had finally reached the front of the crowd. Bull and Fenris were both naked from the waist up circling each other like angry predators. Bull let his bulk intimidate, making it seem as though he were bored as the elf circled him. In contrast, Fenris was all taut muscle and light of step. The muscles on his back and shoulders tight and well defined as he held his sword slightly down and out to the side. His eyes flicked everywhere, noting every twitch and every alteration in balance the qunari made.

All eyes were on the elf. His small stature contrasting with both the size of his opponent and his own weapon, making it seem as though anyone watching were seeing things. Yet everyone drew a collective breath when Bull brought his great-sword down in a wide sweeping arc hoping to catch the elf off guard. As though made of wind, Fenris danced out of reach, landing a glancing blow tothe qunari's shoulder as Bull tried backing away.

"What's the matter? Too fast for you to see? Want me go slower so you can catch me next time?" Fenris taunted, once again moving out of reach of Bull's next swing.

"You're not fast elf. You're scared I'm going to beat you in front of everyone."

"You've yet to land a single blow the Iron Bull. So far all I've seen is hot air."

Bull stayed silent, bringing his swordin another arc towards the elf but at the last minute turned it into a spinning attack. Fenris leapt away, ducking under the sword's path and moving across the field to Bull's back.

When the qunari's initial attack failed, Fenris swung his sword in a downward slash, then angled the weapon to catch Bull in the side.

"You're good. For an elf." Bull grunted, advancing on him.

"Better than you." Fenris retorted, never taking his eyes from Bull's face.

"So you think."

"So I've proven. You still haven't hit me."

Dorian felt his palms grow damp. He'd.seen both warrior's fight and both were skilled and dangerous, but Bull was larger and more formidable. Without using his lyrium markings, he didn't see how Fenris was going to win this.

"That's going to change elf."

"Prove it."

Bull growled as he brought his sword.cleaving through the air once more. Again he changed the trajectory and again Fenris danced away, but this time took a glancing blow to the back of his leg and Dorian's heart was in his throat.