Never Again (Fight Part 2)

Writers: Yvonne
Date Posted: 13th February 2016

Characters: Taril, Japlow
Description: Taril starts planning for an evening's entertainment.
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 4, day 8 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Polson (aka Olov)

Sunstone had become a sprawl of buildings in mostly-clean stone, with dirty roads that led between them and up to the main Hold. Its population had blossomed too, and there was profit to be made from this many people. The merchant called his flit with a thought, then sent him off to find the man he was looking for. A moment later Dodger sent back a mental picture of the road that led from the docks to the Hold. Taril felt a wave of relief; it wasn't that far to go on his missing leg.

He caught up with the guard near the docks. "Japlow," he said with a nod. "Fine day, isn't it?"

The guard was a massive man in light armor that was stretched to the end of its straps. He had fine blond hair and a nose that had clearly been broken numerous times. He sighed when he saw Taril. "Calm seas and a fair wind," he said, then nodded to his fellow guard. "You go on ahead. I won't be long."

The other guard nodded, then continued on his way-- but not without a hard look at Taril.

The merchant grinned. "How fares you?" he asked.

"Well enough. My leg's healed up and I've found myself a lady whose agreed to marry me," Japlow said. "Name's Ollew, she works in the Hold."

"Congratulations!" Taril said, and he meant it. "When's the wedding?"

Japlow shrugged again. "In the fall, after harvest, I should think. Her ma's pretty insistent on waiting until then."

"Weddings can cost a lot of marks. So can dowers..." Taril leaned against his crutch and looked Japlow over speculatively. "The Seamark's coming into port next sevenday. Was wondering if you wanted to earn a few marks yourself, impress your new lady, maybe?"

"I knew it." Japlow sighed. "I'm out, Taril."

"Just one fight... I'll pay you a third more than last time." The merchant grinned. "I could also throw in a fine wedding present, when the day comes...? Something for you, something for Ollew...?"

"No." Japlow scowled at Taril. "Last time I fought Brilloc, I couldn't walk for a month. _And_ he broke my nose and three of my fingers. I'm getting married. I don't need to get uglied up any more than I already am."

"You said the wedding's not until after harvest. There's plenty of time--"

"No! I have responsibilities, I'm going to be a family man. You should know what that's like." Japlow shook his head, and his fine blond hair swished over his forehead like down. "I have to be able to contribute to the Hold if I'm going to take a wife, and the best way I know how is guarding. To be a guard you have to be fit, and I'm not going to risk Ollew turning me down because I can't walk. Brilloc is vicious. I won't face him again."

**He's serious,** Taril realized with a sinking feeling. Japlow was one of the best fighters in the Hold. More than that, the man could put on a show-- and the longer the fight and the more entertaining it was, the more inspired people were to lay bets. When Taril organized a fight he took a percentage off the total brought in as bets as a fee. He sighed. "You're sure?"

"Positive."

Taril was quiet for a moment. "I'm still going to organize a fight, and you're welcome to come-- as an attendee, of course," he added when Japlow's scowl deepened. "Anyone you'd like to see go up against Brilloc?"

It was Japlow's turn to be quiet for a moment. Finally, he nodded. "There's this new guy named Polson who joined the Guard three, maybe four months ago. He was one of the trackers that found Yarmel up in the mountains after he got eaten by a feline. Maybe you've seen him around-- the man's a mountain. He's-- tough."

The way Japlow said 'tough' indicated respect. Coming from Japlow, that was high praise. "Tough?"

The guard shook his head. "We skirmish as part of our training, and Polson's style is... I don't know who taught him, but he's fast, dirty and ruthless. He says he's from one of the outer seaholds."

"Think he can put on a show?" Taril asked.

Japlow paused. "I don't know. He fights to win."

"Think he can win, then?" Taril asked.

"I... if there's anyone in Sunstone that might be able to take Brilloc down in a one-on-one fight, it'll be Polson," Japlow said after a moment. "I wish I could say it was me, but Polson knocks me down three times out of five."

"Polson," Taril muttered. He said his farewell to the guard and turned back toward the docks. Polson sounded promising. Now all he had to do was track the guard down and convince him to put on a show.

Last updated on the February 20th 2016

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Never Again (Fight Part 2)