>>6182671The Almyran that stands at the door is as tall as you are. He is clad in expensive looking armor, and strapped to his back is a great axe of the highest quality. Flanked by several other swarthy Almyrans, he appears to be studying you closely, a wide grin plastered on his face. The patrons in the tavern watch him with bated breath, and you find that the atmosphere has grown tense. They expect a fight to break out any second, and as Uriyan begins walking towards you, several of them clear out of his way.
“Hmm.” Uriyan muses, rubbing his chin in thought as he stands mere inches away from you. “Yes…now this is what I’m talking about. You aren’t like all those other fools that travelled across the sea to be here, are you? The ones that were helplessly stuck in Solis. You’re strong.” A grin breaks out across the man’s face. “That is good! It would do me no honor to defeat weak foes. If the bards are to sing my praises, then the opponents I vanquish in this tournament must be of sufficient stature.”
>“I couldn’t agree more.” You cross your arms, squaring up with the man. “You’re speaking my language, Almyran. Though I can’t say I agree with you completely. I’m the one who will be winning the competition, after all.”“Hah!” He barks out a laugh. “I am Uriyan, one of Almyra’s Four Warlords and wielder of Helswath! My enemies fear me as the Black Falcon. Tell me your name, warrior.”
>“Tristain d’Rusalka.” You say simply. “I’m afraid there are no other titles to add at the moment.”“D’Rusalka?” Uriyan says in partial recognition. His eyes squint as if trying to recollect where he might have heard the name before. After struggling for a few moments to recall, he gives up.
“E-excuse me, Lord Uriyan” An older, portly Morfisian inserts himself into your conversation. He appears to be the tavern’s keeper. “I appreciate all the business you’ve done for us this week, I truly do. But if you could please avoid…any trouble…”
“Trouble?” Uriyan asks with confusion. The Almyran takes that moment to look around the tavern, only now noticing all the attention that was on the two of you. “Oh, I see. You’re worried that we’ll start a brawl, aren’t you?” With a hearty laugh, he pats the tavern keeper on the back, nearly knocking him over. “Fear not friends!” He addresses the room. “There will be no fighting here! As much as I’ve grown to enjoy your company, it would be a crime to deprive Princess Yulia the pleasure of watching such a grand bout!”
The drunken crowd collectively breathes a sigh of relief, before erupting into cheers for the man who has been buying them drinks for the last few days.
“You’d kick his ass anyway, Lord Uriyan!” One man shouts.
“Yeah! He don’t look so tough!” Another exclaims.
