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[Gryhm Greymalkin]

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Jhelom, a beautiful island town, away from the hustle and bustle of the larger mainland towns and has been a place of peace and war for generations. The Jhelom Fighting Pits is the islands biggest attraction. It has served as a training area for knights and paladins, a recruitment tool for Generals of armies and militias, and it is all controlled by one man… the Pit Boss.

Gryhm and Celebrakka awoke early from their rooms at the inn, they had breakfast of ham and eggs delivered, and then both donned new armors they bought the day before. Today was a new day Gryhm had though to himself, for today was the day he began to look for new recruits for his army.

The two men walked up to the entrance to the pits, there a young woman wearing chain mail with a quill and parchment looked at the two as they approached.
“Sorry sir, but you are too old to enter.” She raised her left hand and looked at Gryhm “Nothing personal sir, but Pit Boss Gunther doesn’t want old people to get hurt while watching the fighting.”
Gryhm stopped and looked himself over “Dear girl, I am wearing armor, I don’t plan to sit and watch, I came to get in some exercise. Now be a good girl and let me pass.”
“No sir, Pit Boss Gunther will not be pleased if I let you in, and I like this job.” The woman replied.

Gryhm then unsheathed his broadsword “Time for a bit of an anatomy lesson. This is the tip of my sword, this is the hilt, this is the edge and this it the flat of its blade.” He turned and pointed to each part of the weapon “Now dear girl, the choice is yours as to what part you want shoved down your throat if you don’t move and let me pass…”
The woman looked shocked and a bit scared and decided to move. Gryhm smiled and nodded as the two men passed “See what can happen when you are nice?” he chuckled at her.

Walking into the pits, Gryhm surveyed the local talent and wasn’t much impressed, he was having a hard time looking for anyone with a certain “killer instinct”. By the eastern wall, he noticed a fairly large man instructing a few men on proper shield and sword technique. He stopped two men and asked if that large fellow was Gunther, the Pit Boss, and the two men nodded and went on with their sparring. He watched Gunther for about half an hour as the man started sparring with one, then two men. It was a shame Gryhm thought, that he may have to kill a man of his talent.

Celebrakka had come by to watch after his sparring of a few local men. “Is that Gunther?” the Elven archer asked and nodded in that direction. “Yes it is, I think its about time I get acquainted with him. Don’t you?” Gryhm smiled and the two men approached the Pit Boss

“I don’t want to be rude old man, but you need to leave the pits. Only able bodied fighters allowed in here.” Gunther then pointed to two men and waved them to escort Gryhm out of the pits.
“As much as I find this amusing, I am here for exercise. And since you found me a couple playmates. I guess its time to have fun.” Gryhm began to laugh as he donned his helm, shield and grabbed his sword. The two men looked and Gunther and the Pit Boss nodded. Both men then grabbed their swords and people began to gather around to make a human ring.

The three men encircled each other a few moments and one decided to feint attacking trying to gauge Gryhms reactions. Gryhm noticed this tactic and didn’t flinch. The crowd began to get boisterous and some began to step in closer to get a better look.
Gryhm stopped moving and stood up. He then punched the tip of his sword into the dirt floor of the pit and removed his helm. The crowd went silent.

“These men are no match for me.” He then pointed at Gunther “You on the other hand need to be taught some manners. I’ll give you five minutes to get your gear and affairs in order, and I’ll meet you in the center of the pits”

The people in the crowd looked at each other in amazement. In the six years that Gunther was the pit boss, he had never lost a non-lethal combat fight. “Fine old man, whatever you wish” Gunther replied and waved his hand in a nonchalant manner.

“He is a big man Gryhm. You think this is wise?” Celebrakka asked with a concerned look on his face.
“I’ll be fine, I’ve dealt with men his size before. Besides, I’ve been watching him, and noticed a few things he does that I can exploit.” Gryhm tugged on his gloves to snug the fit better “I noticed that he lunges the shield forward to block a sword swing, trying to bat it away. Problem is, he leaves himself wide open for a counter-attack.”
Celebrakka nodded “Good luck to you then”.
“Thank you for the gesture, but I wont need it” Gryhm smiled and donned his equipment.

Moments later, Gunther made his way to the center of the pits splitting the crowd as he walked past. He wore thick plate mail armor, thicker armor then he wore earlier. Under his helm, Gryhm arched his brow and thought, “This will take a little bit longer…”
“I am giving you this last chance to gather your things and leave my pits old man, I don’t want to have to embarrass you” Gunther cracked his knuckles before putting his gloves on.
“I’ve heard that before, and stood over that persons dead body every time.” Gryhm retorted and took a posture of a man at the ready for battle.

Gunther carried a dark red war mace and silently charged, then began swinging with bad intentions. Each blow Gryhm blocked and parried until Gunther swung and turned full circle striking Gryhm in the side of the helm making it fly off and knocking Gryhm to the ground.

Gryhm sat up and wiped his mouth and saw blood. “It’s been a long time since I’ve tasted my own blood. I’m going to enjoy killing you”.
Gunther ran up and was about to swing and Gryhm kicked out his legs from under him. Both men scrambled to their feet, but Gryhm was faster since his armor wasn’t as heavy. Gryhm took advantage and crashed his shield into Gunthers face knocking his helm off.
“I paid a lot of money for this helmet, it’s an Artifact found only in the pits of Doom itself! Gunther screamed at the sight of the large dent in his precious item.
“That is why I fight in Gentleman’s Armor, perhaps in your next life you’ll do the same” Gryhm replied.

Both of them stood up and began to circle each other, Gunther had a smile on his face and was eager to swing his mace, while Gryhm stood steely eyed and waited patiently.
The silence was broken as Gunther screamed and charged full speed again crashing his mace into Gryhms shield. Gryhm parried most of the blows, and those that got through were glancing and harmless. Gryhm batted Gunthers last blow away and finally started to counter-attack. Each of his blows were parried by Gunther, but Gryhm knew it was a matter of time… and there is was.

Gunthers arm was fully extended, as Gryhm had predicted, and he sliced his sword up behind the shield, removing Gunthers arm at the elbow. Gunther never felt the pain, but he saw his arm fall to the ground in what seemed like slow motion.
He then dropped to his knees, in total shock, and picked up his arm from the dirty pit floor. He looked at it and turned it over and over, and even tried to put it back on, hoping it would stay as if this was nothing but a dream. He let it go and it fell to the ground again.
Gryhm did nothing, he knew it was over. Celebrakka handed him a cloth to remove Gunthers blood “Do you plan to kill him?” the Elven archer asked. “No, he is defeated, and there is no need to kill him. He will serve as a better example alive then dead for those wishing to cross me.” Gryhm wiped the blood off and sheathed his weapon. The crowd began to disperse and wander off, and Gryhm took this moment to make a quick announcement.

“From this day forth, you have a new Pit Boss. My name is Gryhm Greymalkin, and I’m looking for a few good men to form an Army. An army to free ourselves from the petty Hierarchies of Kings and Queens, Emperors and Empresses, Corrupt Mayors and Governors. It is time to unite the people under ONE BANNER, ONE PURPOSE, and ONE DOMINION!”