Each of us needed time to change into our adventuring gear, aside from me, who just equipped it through my menus. We went up to my room and started getting ready. Well, Murr did.
Kron, who was only participating as a healer, sat at my room’s small circular table, reading up on how to best heal broken bones. The confidence he had in me was inspiring.
Once Murr finished putting on his magic leather pants, I threw him his black shirt. “Since I’m doing this Tank Off thing and possibly harming her, I think I’d like to know why you dislike Rava now.”
“Oh, that?” He struggled into his shirt, but I suspected that he was avoiding answering.
I nodded. “You basically got me into this situation with your fancy outfits and flaunting our leveling speed.”
“To be fair,” Kron said, “I also wanted to have fun and dress up.”
Murr winced as he finally finished getting his shirt on. “I didn't know that would happen.”
“But you weren’t disappointed when it did.”
He sighed and shrugged on his leather jacket. “Okay, listen. Remember the second time we met when you two got attacked by that dumb team of assassins?”
“How could I forget? You helped us help you.”
“Well, Rava and her friends told me that I had to track that group down and take them out to join them. This would prove I was capable enough. When I returned successful, they practically laughed at me! Then they said that they couldn’t believe I’d taken them out since they’d just been messing with me. They thought I’d realize that and leave them alone.”
Owch. “You didn’t say anything to us.”
His face reddened, and he flicked the tip of his nose with this thumb. “Would you?”
Maybe not to strangers.
“Anyway. Let’s go kick some ass!”
***
Apparently, since the inn was owned by dwarves, it was connected to the dwarven underground within the city. Directly under the building, through a series of well lit tunnels, was a small fighting arena. Mostly, it was a massive cylindrical room with support pillars and a hole dug out of its center. Of course, this was dwarven architecture, so, while I described it simply, it was anything but. There were murals on the walls that had boxy graffiti in Dwarvish. Beautiful patterns reminiscent of Art Deco were carved into the stadium-style seating. The hole was designed so those in their seats remained safe while also being able to see everything. The area was striking. I wanted to sketch it like I did in my past life.
Dos and I stood in our armor at the sand covered bottom. Rava sat on a chair behind the massive golem while Murr hopped around me while waving to the crowd to get them to cheer louder.
Meanwhile, Olin and Kron remained just outside the hole, ready to save us if we messed up. Both of them had similar grim expressions.
A dwarf, dressed in fine clothing, was lowered from a viewing box in the ceiling.
“We’re about to begin. Give her hell for me.” Murr slapped my pauldrons and sat in his chair.
“Here are the rules,” the announcer’s voice echoed through the chamber. “Each tank can win by knocking each other out, by getting the other to concede, or by injuring their opponent’s unarmed and stationary ally. No hitting to kill. If you try to murder your opponent, you’re automatically disqualified.
“Also, Allies. You must remain in the chair. If you get off it, your tank will lose. The chair needs to have at least one leg on the ground at all times. And if I see either of you two trying to pull a weird crab crawl or butt scoot with your chair, I will come down there and kick your asses myself. I will permit you to stand on it. Just keep in mind that this is a Tank Off, not a Rogue Acrobatics Exhibition. That’s on Tuesdays.”
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The crowd chuckled.
“Fighters take your places! Rogues, take your chairs!”
I double checked that I stood in the right place, then eyed Dos, who pulled out a shield and spear. He knew I was faster than him, so he decided on the weapon with the longer reach. From his glare I could tell that he wanted to slice up my pretty Elven face.
“Set your eyes on your target! And get ready to Tank Off!”
A bell rang.
I ran forward directly at the massive golem, who stood around two feet higher than me. When he neared me, his spear stabbed towards my chest. I caught it with Blood and Honor then redirected it into the ground. Before Dos had time to pull it out, I stepped on the shaft, and started running up it.
Dos’ eyes widened, but I knew he was trained to never drop his weapon. He raised his arm to attempt to unbalance my footing. More fool him. I was counting on this. I used the momentum he gave me to throw myself forward.
After rolling into a run, I darted to Rava’s chair and stabbed Blood towards her shoulder. Unfortunately, she’d been prepared and slid in her seat, so her back was where her rear had been.
I hurriedly stabbed down at her shoulder again, but the slippery rogue turned on her side, causing my blade to dig deep into the wood. Then she winked at me!
Frustrated, I was about to kick her off her chair when I heard Dos nearing me. Just before he could barrel into me, I jumped backward so far I left skid marks on the sanded pit floor.
“Samalrune! That was a shitty trick.”
I grinned at the grumpy golem. “You’re not even that good with a spear, but you’re using it against me?”
He ran at me again and started stabbing forwards with his weapon as if to prove me wrong. I backed up to avoid each swing and thrust, redirecting his attacks when I could, but mostly dodging. He used his greater size to force me back to the center of the ring.
“How can you be a tank if you can’t take a hit?” He said.
“Why should I when I can dodge?” Then I did just that, avoiding a series of thrusts using Dangerous Dodge. Once more, I backed up.
“Your partner is behind you, yet you keep allowing me to get closer. And dodging is only wasting your stamina. You’re a tank, not a rogue.”
I once again redirected his attack and stepped inside and attacked him with A Thousand Will Do.