10 Minute Tales

May 17 - Glory

The rumble of the gates filled the arena, prompting the crowd to cheer wildly. From one side strode a powerful dwarf warrior, heavy armour clanking as he walked in. He stared at the other side of the arena, teeth gritted behind his steel helmet. From the other side came an orc, a towering brute of a greenskin that sported a pair of axes. He wore no armour on his torso; simply a crimson leather spaulder on his left arm, and a crude gathering of leather that barely passed as a loincloth. Even his feet were bare! The orc grinned toothily, staring at the dwarf - it almost felt as though the brute was looking through him. The audience continued chanting and cheering, some for the dwarf, some the orc. The gates rumbled as they were lowered, closing them in. The dwarf gripped his shield a little firmer, grateful for what protection it could offer against this beast. A powerful horn blew through the air, the sound echoing through his whole body. It was time. The orc roared and charged in, his long legs sending him rocketing at the dwarf. The dwarf yelled a battle cry of his own as he braced his shield, most of his strength going to his legs. Even if he withstood the blow, it was likely the orc's height and strength would send him flying onto his back. He needed to fight smart, something he usually left to his smaller friend. The two axes met the shield at the same time, the sound ringing through the air - and his helmet. He had expected a powerful blow but that was something else! He staggered back, a little dazed, but quickly shook himself. The orc swung again, one axe going for his torso, but the armour was up to taking hits much stronger than that and the hit almost bounced off. This was the opportunity he needed; he steadied himself and charged in, shield first. The overhead swing the orc was using sailed harmlessly past him, and the orc soon found himself winded from the thud of the shield. He staggered back, giving the dwarf time to draw a powerful mace and swing it at the orc's knees.

"Let's see ya walk without any legs!" he roared as the mace hit home. The orc staggered from the blow, but to the dwarf's surprise, he stayed up. The dwarf looked up, shock clear in his eyes, as the orc grinned down at him.

"Orcs have been warriors for centuries, tiny man. It will take more than that to render me a cripple." He kicked at the dwarf, catching him off guard and launching him to the ground. The orc roared and ran over to catch up, leaping into the air and bringing the axes down as hard as he could. Blood spurted onto the arena's sandy floor as the crowd roared. Their bloodthirst had been sated for one more round.