"You mistake honor with stupidity" those words had engraved on the Chief Munir memory. He once asked his father what was honor and he said, "Make your words actions", and he had always believed it so, but facing the dilemma of surrendering or fighting. His bones and muscles asked to fight, yet he could not deny the Liutenant words, and open battle against the Vrandteans was suicide, they were the only ones who had proved to resist the charge of the Orcs,
They have always fought them on the forest, hit and run tacticts. The Rur had always paid heavy prices when charging into their shield formations. Was it really better to fight to the death. He could not stop pondering over those words.
However did not have to think if it was right, that guy had already taken the responsability of chosing from them. He had accept to accept it, that Liutenant was something else. He had offered a way to avoid the fight, and way for his people to avoid death, and to preserve their Honor, by the way of a Duel. It was a grand move. Had he the fighting skills to match his wits. Well it was once again not his decision, he will have to watch like everyone else. He was suppouse to chose who would fight in the duel, but there was only one choice.
It felt like an eternity walking towards his Clan. Everyone was ready to fight, they had never expected the Kingdom of Vrandt would one day be at the door steps of Lonely Cloud Hill, the home of the Anrur Clan.
The man and woman from the Anrur were ready, everyone was ready to fight, they were all expecting him. Behind him was Undir, he was silent, he too must be pondering on those words. Next to him Beraka was swinging his axes as he walked. He seemed to be preparing, he was a born warrior, he bear no more question other than how to chop his opponent.
The last one, Kirin, his old friend. He had not said a thing, as usual. He would do what was asked of him, never once troubled by choices. His eyes only stared at his pride and joy, his son Undir. How do you know what to do withouth thinking my friend, The chief have always wondered.
Everyone gathered near them.
-The Vrandtean have challenged us to an Honor Duel, and we the Anrur have accepted- Everyone was quiet hearing the words of their Chief - There will be no more fight than that.
Many people relaxed when they heard those words. Had his people been frightened, when he left he was certain everyone was ready, "You mistake honor with stupidity" those words again.
-Chief what are the conditions of the Duel- Old Vinzel was right to the point
-They will leave their weapons and supplys, and march out of our forest, once we win-
-And if we lose?- Dammit Vinzel, way are you this way
-We will not lose Old Vinzel - Beraka said with a killer grin on his face - Their challenger is small, he wont have his companions to cover his sides with their shields. Let me be the our combatant Chief, I will bring his head, and honor to the clan.
-BERAKA, BERAKA - Cheers came from different parts. He was indeed their most acomplished warrior.
-What happends if we lose Munir - Vinzel did not pay any attention to Beraka and was only looking at the chief.
-We will surrender to them, Uncle- It was Undir who answered. The cheers have stopped.
-Surrender?, you accepted our fate in a Due, with Vrandteans- Vinzel was outraged- They are not Rur, they are not honorbound. We had already chosen to fight to the death Munir, you know that. You dont need to worry to make a hard decision. We are prepared to fight to the death.
-You and I had face the Vrandteans and what they can do in a head on clash, this was fight would leave the clan no future-
-I have noy always agreed with you Munir, but I have always respect you- Vinzel was almost spitting the words- You are our Chief, but it seems you have become old, this is unacceptable- Vinzel was looking at the Chief as you would look someone for the first time.
-We wont lose the Duel Old Vinzel, the Chief did nothing wrong-Vinzel lifted his gaze to face Undir- I was mad at first, as you are with the Chief. I am certain that we would defeat them in battle, I don't have a single doubt in my mind about that, that each and everyone from the Clan will fight and together we would defeat them. But there is no way we would win withouth casualties -The Chief was looking at Undir, he had the sentiment of everyone of his tribe in his chest, and yet he understood more things than many.
-We would be in a position where even the small clans could finish us, there would not be a future for us, even when we win, that is what the Chief is saying, the Duel is the best choice Old Vinzel, and we would not lose it, I offer myself as Beraka has to be our combatant- Kirin smiled as he saw his son speak.
-UNDIR, UNDIR, UNDIR- Cheers again erupted from the clan.
Vinzel sized Undir, and then nodded, he looked towards their Chief -You have have to chose then Chief, who be the one the carry our fate-
-Beraka and Undir come closer- Both warriors came in front of the Chief. The seasoned and proved warrior Beraka, or the dauntless and smart Undir. Beraka was a bit smaller than Undir, but his arms were wider. Undir was ruthless like his father, he used a single edge battle axe. He looked both into their eyes, however he had already made the choice.
-BERAKA, BERAKA
-UNDIR
The cheers from the clan were growing, both were their best warriors. The Liutenant had avoided him the choice of sending his Clan to destruction, now he only needed to chose who would defend their "honor".
-Beraka, you are indeed our mightest warrior. But you are driven by your instincts, and from the last skirmishes we can be certain our enemy is cunning. That is way Undir will be our champion. He will prove to those who dare challenge us that they can not come to our home and insult our honor- Both Undir and Beraka looked on each other- This is the Chief decision, this is the Anrur Clan way.
-UNDIR, UNDIR, UNDIR - The cheers became roars. Kirin was among the ones calling on his son name. Even Vinzel nodded in aproval.
-I will crush them Chief, I will honor our Clan, and make them regret ever stepping on our home- The cheers continued- I asked for your blessing brother Beraka, I will show them our might.
-Break him Undir, break every bone in his body, and rip him apart, may his ancestors die of shame on the day he dared asked for and Honor Duel against the Anrur Clan. I am with you and respect you brother- Beraka clashed his axes in front of Undir as a sign of respect.
The sound of raind was lost to the roaring cheers of the Anrur Clan.
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Both armys were facing each other. Almost 10,000 Anrur in front of 4,000 Vrandteans. They both have make and encirclement on the middle. From the Anrur Clan, Chief Munrir went to the middle of the center.
-The Anrur Clan accepts the Duel, and choses Undir as our Champion-
-UNDIR, UNDIR, UNDIR- The roars from the Anrur were deafning. Undir came forward as he was cheered. He carried a massive battle axe on his right hand. He was naked from the waist up, covered only with body paint. He arrived next to the Chief, he raised his axe, and the cheers grew louder.
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-Looks like you are gonna have to fight the biggest motherf*cking Anrur in history, he might have orc blood in him- Sergeant Selis said to the Liutenant Aidan as they walked to the middle as well. She had her longbow on her. The Liutenant was carryng the standard Vrantean sword, and the iconic Vrandtean shield. A big rectangular shield wich almost reached to his neck if it was standing on the ground. - We could still just rain some arrows on those f*ckers and have a nice and bloody classic Vrandtean fight.
-Its ok Selis, I will aim for his knees, you dont worry- Answer Aidan in his same calmed voice and smiled- Look on the bright side, you might get a new commander, fresh from the capital.
-Thats a recomforting idea, to guard the damn border with a pompus bastard as my boss, no thank you. You better win this and do it fast, I dont know how many strikes from that axe can your shield handle.
-If the orcs haven't break it, it will not break now- They have reach the center. The chief and Undir came in front of them.
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-The Vrandtean shield is formidable in formation, but not a weapon for for single combat. It is too heavy to use, that Liutenant however seems to have no problem whatsoever with it. Be careful Undir- The Chief made the remark to Undir. As they draw near the Vrandteans.
The Liutenant had an average size for a Vrandtean. He had really broad shoulders, wich make him look bigger. His face was young, but what he said "mistake stupidty with honor", did not match this. The Chief was certain Undir was the best choice.
During a battle Beraka was a like rage itself, his insticts guided him, but on a single duel Undir was the best. He judged with a cold head amidst the fight, but was ruthless and fast like his father. The Chief waa not sure if he had the same age as Undir, if he could best him.
Yet that Liutenant was calmed, he had been when he asked for the Duel. He asked for it, not for someone else to fight it.
-Well it was time to l see if he mistakes strength with stupidity-
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The Chief and Undir were standing infront of the Liutenant and the Sergeant. Each one had their man behind them. The rain had not stopped.
-This is an Honor Duel, as such, the combatants may only bring their weapons, no armor is allowed, as only blood may prove the validity of the Duel- The chief said as he pointed at Aidan.
The Liutenant smiled, he lay his shield on tbw ground. He took of his chainmail and legguards, this were the Vrandtean army standard. Last he removed his gauntlets, which were thicker than the regulars, he handed his gears to the sergeant.
-This is why we have not won against the orcs, we should have been fighting naked, instead on reliying on steel protections- Selis grimaced to Aidan as she recieved his gear.
-Scare them with our chesthairs, you might be a genius tactician afterall Selis- Aidan laughed-
-He is tall and should be that fast while using that axe, wait for a chance and make a quick strike- Selis said with concern all over her face.
-That is a good idea, lets hope you have not jinxed my shield and breaks apart, It needs to hold until I can make the strike- Aidan smiled at her, unsheated his sword, picked his shield and went towards the Chief.
Sergeant Selis took some steps behind with Aidan's gear on her hans. She had calmed down when he smiled at her. Nobody would say Aidan was their best fighter, however, he had never lost.
Undir and Aidan were standing a few steps apart, both at the center of the encirclement. Undir axe in hand, Aidan with shield and sword. The Chief came to them.
-Are you ready?- The Chief simply asked.
Undir nodded to the chief and grabbed his axe with both hands.
-Yes - Aidan had his shield with his left hand covering the front, and held his sword on the right, at and strike position almost at his head level.
-I Munrir, as Chief of the Anrur Clan, present this Honor Duel between Undir "Cunning Axe" champion of the Anrur and Liutenant Aidan Fields of the Kingdom of Vrandt. Should the Anrur prevail, the weapons and supplys of the Vrandteans will be left here and they shall return from were they came. However should the Vrandtean win, the Anrur will surrender. Begin.