A Malevolent Rebirth: A D&D Story

| Holdo | Wastelands of Evergreen | Part 2 |

Thokk and Errich enter the ring, and back into their corners, they grit their teeth and grin.

The dwarven spectator walks into the room.

"Fighters I want a clean match, follow the rules...Now. BEGIN!"

Thokk charges forward with a heavy overhand swing of his greataxe, the swing slams into the stone as Errich dodges to the side. A second swing swipes past Errichs head as he leans back and the heavy ax swings above him. Errich brings his blade around and carves into Thokk's muscled calves and lightly slashes into his lower abdomen before running to Thokk's back out of view.

Thokk whips around and swings, catching Errich in his side. The impact causes Errich to slide across the stone floor a few feet before coming to a stop. A deep cut now adorning his chest, the second swing slams into Errichs shoulder and causes a spray of blood to cover the back wall and floor. Errich using his mobility backs away and stabs into Thokk's chest, before drawing the blade and slicing across his chin and ear. Thokk, in turn, makes a shallow cut against Errich's torso, before spinning around for a heavy swing, which Errich blocks, pushing the blade off and slashing into Thokk's forearm. Errich then backs away and dashes towards Thokk full speed as Thokk prepares himself and readies his ax for an overhead blow, Errich drops out of view and slides between Thokk's legs, cutting his thigh before jumping up and slamming the flat of his blade on Thokk's head.

Thokk stumbles and nearly collapses, but then his eyes shoot open. The dull brown now a burning almost glowing yellow more reminiscent of his orcish blood. He stands, whips around, and slams the handle of his ax into Errich's stomach, sending him flying into the stone wall across the room. As Errich recovers, he is too slow to react as Thokk is already upon him, and with a heavy shoulder bash into his chest, the wind is knocked out of Errich. He falls to his knees, then to his stomach, and falls unconscious. The half-orc stands bloodied above the fallen halfling, a true fight for the ages.

"STOP! THE FIGHT IS WON. YOU, SIR, ARE THE NEW CHAMP OF THE MATCHES TODAY!"

Thokk looks down at Errich, huffs, then picks him up and carries him to the bench to be healed. He then sits down next to him and waits for the rest of the party. Alain exits into the tavern and notices Thokk beaten.

"Thokk what happened?"

Thokk looks up and smiles, blood trailing down his face and torso, his tusks in full view.

"Thokk win."

He stands and walks to his room.

After a few more hours the remainder of the group exits and meets Alain and the healed Errich in the tavern, Thokk then returns from his short nap, his wounds slightly mended and sits at the bar. The group enjoys breakfast, telling small jokes, but mainly listened to the recollection of Errich and Thokk's fight with awe. The halfling ranger took on a half-orc fighter and nearly won, a surprising tale to say the least, and a memory the group will have for years to come, as they continue forth as a team.

Finishing breakfast, the group heads to the manor of the King of Holdo himself. 

Arriving at the gates the large party is stopped by a collection of heavily armored dwarven soldiers. A bulkier dwarf with thicker armor and an even thicker beard approaches the group from behind the closed metal gates with an entourage of three other dwarven guards.

"What business do ye have here?"

Alain walks forward and responds as the rest of the group sits back and deliberates on what to do next.

"We have come to hold an audience with King Holdo. We have information regarding the state of the world outside and the problems that involve not only this state but possibly this great kingdom as well."