Greetings Lords and Ladies in your high seats. Greetings fellow adventurers and seekers. Greetings brothers and sisters of the Guild Knights. My name is Askr Folkwarder, Blue Knight of the Guild Knights, I stand before you with a tale of bravery, daring and a bit of foolishness.
The evening was cool and the sky was a bright, perhaps a bit brighter than normal. The Lady Gudrun Duathal and I were in good spirits, earlier that evening we had completed our apprenticeship in the Guild Knights and been promoted to the rank of Knight. I had decided to make the long journey to Akkaio to tell my good friend Trasok Starhammer the good news. He has been a great help in assisting me in my journeys through out Yliakum, teaching me the finer techniques of strength training and now sword training since I had graduated beyond the teachings of Percival in Hydlaa. Gudrun and I moved cautiously along the road to Akkaio avoiding the occasional beast, but even more wary of the wandering bands of rogues, bandits and brigands that lie in ambush. We made the journey without incident and bursting with excitement I told Trasok of my and Gudrun?s promotion. He was very pleased with the news and kindly reminded me that I would have to keep my training up. Even though we are good friends, he is still a business man and will gladly try to sale me something any chance he can get. Laughing I agreed with him and noticed that he seemed to have raised the price of my training ever so slightly.
It was during my sword training that Narcal Burningblade, the new Knight Avatar of Guild Knights, issued his challenge. He informed all guild members that he was waiting in the Realm of Death for someone strong and brave enough to do battle with him. My interest was piqued though I knew that I stood no chance of defeating such an experienced and veteran Knight. After finishing our training, Lady Gudrun and I, left Akkaio joking about answering the Knight Avatar?s challenge. Our excitement and mirth proved to be our undoing for outside the gates two rogues were waiting for us. We quickly ended the life of one of the rogues, but the other, obviously the leader, was skilled in the arts of invisibility and bending space to his will. He proved to be a most skilled opponent and quickly sent us to meet the new Knight Avatar.
Standing upon the bridge I was immediately aware that no other Guild Knight had answered the challenge presented before them. Riding the excitement of my recent promotion and suffering the indignation of my recent defeat at the hands of such a sinister rogue, I decided to tempt fate further. I determined to demonstrate my courage and honor and be the first to step up and accept the challenge. As I stood upon the bridge, wind pressing my face and filling my nostrils with the scent of decay, I realized how futile my attempts were. Before me stood a great warrior, exuding confidence and skill and waiting for some brave Guild Knight to answer his call. As I accepted the challenge, our great leader, Master Sirunie Looseye informed the Guild that he would reward the first Knight who could defeat his second in command.
With great pride I charged forward, weapons ready and was brought to my knees by one sweep of Narcal?s sword. Demonstrating his nobility, he gave me time to recover. Other Guild Knights had heard that I was accepting his challenge and joined us on the bridge, some to watch, others to do battle. Guild Knight after Guild Knight fell by those graceful swords and I, myself, was one of them. But luck had not abandoned me, and fate had not yet tied her threads. Upon my third attempt, I finally was able to defeat the great warrior. The cavern echoed with my cries of victory. The words of praise from my comrades were like waves of ecstasy washing over me. My victory was a great shock, the youngest member of the Guild Knights defeating the second in command in single combat. We battled many more times and I was defeated more than I was victorious. But, I did defeat him again and brought him to his knees once more before I fell by his swords. On this night, the night of my promotion to Knight, I was awarded with the recognition as the Champion of the Duels. Both Narcal Burningblade and Sirunie Looseye praised and rewarded me for my demonstration of bravery, honor and skill. I have been given a great experience, one that I will remember for all my years to come. But most importantly, the nobility of Narcal Burningblade and Sirunie Looseye have solidified my respect for them and for our great guild.
Thank you to my audience for lending me your time. I hope you find the telling of the deed as exciting as I found performing the deed to be.