Blind and intending to squeeze the boy till he either popped or gave up, he let out another painful snarl when Venom smacked both of his ears, disorienting the orc as he swooned over him. He fought to remain conscious; Kerag's grip loosened around Venom, now blindly feeling up his chest, fingers touching the tip of the boy's chin, mentally figuring where his pretty face was. He arched his elbow, cranking it high before throwing his gauntlet protected hand into a punch, aiming as best he could at Venom's head.
"Dirty fighter, I like that." He offered a compliment all the while, wincing and groaning from the pain, but somehow, insanely laughing from the prospect of a worthy opponent. Perhaps he misjudged Venom after all.
Last Edit: Sept 7, 2011 12:50:02 GMT -5 by Sir Kerag
After his attack, Venom was glad to feel the orc's grip around his waist loosen up. The problem was the orc and all his weight was still over him and he was still unable to get out from a prey's position. He wondered what his opponent's next attack would be, feeling his hand searching for something. When he finally noticed what his new target was and saw the hand go up, Venom had but a second to react and turned his face to the right, raising his left arm to take part of the blow as well. The gauntlet covered fist came down with immense power striking through Venom's minimal defense and smashing his face to the ground. Blood spilling out from his mouth, Venom's eyes became blurry for a short while when they focused on his sword not too far away. He shook his head and with his right hand stretched as far as he could to try and grab his sword. His fingers crawled towards it desperately and finally pulled it closer enough to weild it once more.
Get....off...me... ogre!!!
He knew a regular punch would do little to his opponent and remembered that this was not a match to the death, so he used the butt of the sword to try and hit the orc's forehead as hard as he could.
Kerag wished his eye and ears didn't throb and burn with a particular intensity. He wished even more for his sight back, curious to see the boy's face after plowing his fist into it. It was also difficult to hear, ears ringing, senses disoriented. From what he could tell, Venom managed to avoid some of the punishment. The orc wondered how long the Commander and the Captain were going to let them keep punishing each other like this, not that he didn't mind in particular, he loved a good fight and he'd been itching to teach the red-headed swordsman a lesson. He cranked his elbow up again, ready to strike when he heard something about an ogre and then the butt of Venom's sword struck his forehead.
THUNK!
Although Kerag was as hard-headed as it got, the blow was unanticipated and it left him dizzy, disorienting him further. At this point he wanted a few moments to recover from the nasty tricks the boy was pulling on him, and he rolled over and off him, though not without throwing one of his elbows down, intending to knock the wind out of him again.
He found it difficult at first to stand, locking his legs as he ceased wobbling and panted heavily, spit flying from his lips in painful breaths, slowly regaining a hold of himself. Kerag widened his stance, hands open, arms at his sides. He wasn't going to try chasing Venom in his current condition, instead focusing on his breath, deep and slow, waiting for the boy to gain his bearings and come at him.
"Tenacious boy...come at me again." He dared, popping his neck, blood trickling down his nostrils.
As Kerag was getting off Venom and throwing an elbow to his midsection, Venom could only tighten his abdomen and expect the worse. Once again the wind was knocked out of him and his body curled up, trying to take in oxygen. When air finally began to enter his lungs, Venom coughed immensly in pain. He rolled to his side and spit out some blood before trying to get on his feet. His left leg had a funny feeling to it and made it very difficult to stand. He grinded his teeth as he used his sword as a cane to get up and drag his damaged leg. His breathing was hard and fast and his body was worn out, but he still had to prove his worth. He didn't have much left in him yet he grinned at the orc.
I must say.... you are a worthy opponent, orc... I will remember your name... Kerag... the mighty orc... Shall we finish then?...
Venom got in a defense position standing but wobbling on one leg and raising his sword in front of him again ready to continue once more.
Kerag's hearing was finally returning to him, amidst the dim ringing in the background he managed to pick up on Venom's words, his lips curling into a small smile.
"Aye, so shall I, Venom...the tenacious human. Gladly."
Although he couldn't see, Kerag knew Venom was hurting about as bad as he was. Still he also knew how determined both of them were, both willing and crazy enough to push themselves for a bloody position in the Town Guard. If they made the cut, he couldn't ask for a better swordsman to have his back shaking down the underbelly of Wistvale.
He took a step forward, and then stopped, chuckling.
"I'm afraid I don't know where you are. Take your time if you must, but you're going to have to come at me."
Grayell's voice as loud and brutish with that single word and he walked forward, stopping between them both. He folded his arms, not that Kerag could see and spoke in a flat tone.
Well, you're both capable fighters. You both need a little refinement. Reckless, dangerous and full of enthusiasm. Two weeks as recruits until at which time you can take the test to be an official guard.
His tone then changed, it was more casual but a hint of spite was in it.
But I can plainly see you're both bleeding and I specifically said no blood. Being that you have defied your very first order gentleman, you're on clean up. You can start out here. I want all of this cargo, refuse and what not orderly. Then I want the hall cleaned, top to bottom, I want every crack in the stones to shine. When you're done with that, you will both be taking your time to repair and clean your weapons and sharpen them to the point that they can cut the wind from the sky. There will be an inspection in the morning, be sure to get some rest.
That is all.
Last Edit: Sept 8, 2011 12:04:18 GMT -5 by Grayell
Venom slowly but painfully lowered his body using his sword once again as a cane to sit on the ground. He nodded as Grayell gave his orders and then pulled out a healing potion from his belt to ease his pain. He then looked up at Grayell.
Yes sir. I am sorry for disobeying your rule. Part of me really wanted to hurt Kerag, whom I've come to respect now through this fight. I am glad to have dueled him and get to know him a little more.
He looks at the orc.
I apologize for my extreme actions, Kerag. Please forgive.
Looks back at Grayell.
We will do as you say and have this place cleaned up and our weapons sharpened.
Kerag bowed his head, silently receiving the reprimand and compliments. Knowing the fight was over and they both made the cut for recruits, he sat down with a great thud and rattle of plate armor, breathing a heavy sigh of relief. His muscles ached, ears still ringing, his sight only now beginning to come back to him, his blood-shot eye looking at both Venom and the Commander respectfully.
"Yes Venom and I had a score to settle so to speak, not that it justifies our actions, but perhaps it was better we put aside our differences here rather than on patrol."
He nodded his head in agreement with Venom.
"The duel went beyond my expectations for you, I see you are indeed not the boy I surmised you to be. Let us work together as brothers from here on out Venom." Kerag offered wholeheartedly, bowing his head again.
He located his broken weapon and sighed.
"That blade has served me well for decades, but I'm afraid it's beyond reasonable repair at this point. I shall do what I can, but I plan to pay the local shop a visit and buy something new, to commemorate this new stage of my journey."
Kerag bowed to Grayell, and laughed at Margrett's comment.
"Looks that way Captain, the heavy lifting won't be a problem but..." He wasn't accustomed to cleaning, but if he really wanted the position, he'd suck it up and give it his best.
Last Edit: Sept 8, 2011 17:57:18 GMT -5 by Sir Kerag
Grayell nodded to them both and then turned, walked back to the other two. He looked over their gear and then lifted Marg's hammer and handed it to her, grabbing his sword in the other hand.
Zaedus, forgive me a moment friend. I've been demanding the Captain here to fight on my terms.
Margrett, how about we show them how it's done, eh?
Grayell smirked as he slowly drew it's blade, tossing the sheath aside.
Once the potion took into affect on his wounds, Venom felt a little better to be able to stand up. He walked over to Kerag and reached into his belt for his last minor healing potion and offered it to the orc.
- How about you do the heavy cargo and I'll do the cleaning? My former sensei made me do alot of that where I came from...
His mind drifted away. He visioned his sensei in his arms bleeding and saying his last words before he passed away. Everything around them was on fire but Venom still held him close. Kerag could see that his eyes became a little teary as they stared at nothing.