In the "Court of the Sword" -- Kzin v. Bulrathi

As the huge red sun leans west across the sky, the sands of the Coreguyi Arena are cleared of the detritus of preliminary matches to make way for the main duel, the prospect of which has drawn huge crowds from both Cothon and Gadeed, and caused many a dinar and nufdinar to be handed over to the bookmakers as bets fly fast and thick. The corpses of condemned criminals, who were offered their chance with knife and spear to survive against vicious leaping zrne, are carried from the sands, while the zrne are corralled by their handlers; fresh sand is cast over the floor of the Arena to cover the scent of blood; and in the seats above, hawkers sell sweet-wax cakes, refreshing posca, skewers of grilled meats and vegetables, and other such hand-snacks.

Finally, into the Arena stride the warrior-combatants, the champions of their respective sides in the legal dispute between the Heroic Companions of Hrrl-ra and the masters of the Migdol of the Dyers and Fish-Fermenters, i.e. the Bani Barcidae. For the former Companions, steps forth Seeker-for-Relics, a grinning Kzin warrior, unarmored and wielding his traditional wtsai-sword and a great shield (and at his side paces the gladiator Drago, armed with javelins and a light whicker shield); meanwhile, looming larger even than the tall Kzin, and gleaming in his fine plate armor, the Bulrathi warrior Kobur presents himself, carrying only his great macuahuitl warclub.

The crowd erupts in excited cheers, well-anticipating the titanic conflict that will play out on the sands below them. Many of them have silver or gold wagered on the victory of one or the other; some, including the onlooking Sesel of the Survivors of the Tel, are more interested in the legal outcome of the duel, for if Seeker can cut down his Bulrathi opponent, the Barcidae will have to withdraw their claims to assess tolls for passage on the beaches beneath their Migdol fortress (especially interested, given the Survivors' own legal troubles with the Barcidae!)

But before the combat can begin, a magistrate of the Court of the Moon rises and raises his hands, quietening the crowd. He reminds the audience of the reason for this duel--that the contestant parties were not satisfied with the arbitration of the courts, and so appealed to the final court, the Arena--the "Court of the Sword". With that, he nods to the heralds, and with a fanfare of trumpets, the duel begins!

---------

With the sound of the horn, Seeker-for-Relics immediately bounded forward fangs bared in a wild grin, snarling and screaming, following the Kzin warrior-tradition of "Scream and Leap". Against a mere man, such a show of sword, fangs, and bestial muscle might have ended the fight right there in a panic, but Kobur stood firm, raising his macuahuitl in defense and snarling back.

But Kobur could not give his full attention to the defense against Seeker, for Drago began circling broadly, hefting his first javelin in his hand, looking for an opening against the armored-Bulrathi. And so Seeker got in his first blow against his foe, using his shield for offense, trying to pin Kobur's club against his body while he thrust in with his wtsai. But even as Seeker earned first blood, Kobur smashed him back with his fists.

As Seeker fell back, shaking his head and spitting blood, Drago cast his first javelin. The missile glance from Kobur's gleaming armor, but distracting the Bulrathi. Seeing this opening, Seeker once again leapt in, pressing in close with his shield to use his sword in close, closer than the great swings Kobur needed to properly wield his club.

In the midst of this scrum, Kobur suddenly lost his footing in the sand and stumbled back, shaking his own helmed head as he sought to withdraw enough to set up properly in defense. Another javelin from Drago clattered off his back plate, and as he turned to roar at this foolish peltast, Seeker once again rushed in, striking desperately with his sword. It seemed clear to the audience that Seeker recognized that even one blow of the Bulrathi's great macuahuitl could lay him out dead, and so he was attempting to press the fight closely to prevent the warclub's use.

But Seeker was thrown back by Kobur, and the Bulrathi finally had the range to wind up a proper stroke. Instead of attempting to take it on his shield, Seeker instead cast the shield aside and leapt in again, claws bared, hoping to get in close enough with claw and fang to forestall the coming blow--and indeed, as he leapt up on the great ursine figure of his foe, he buried his fangs in the Bulrathi's throat. The deadly stroke never fell--rather, the great warclub dropped from Kobur's weakening hands as the great warrior slumped down, his blood staining both the sands and the fangs of the Kzin red.

Leaning over his fallen foe, Seeker unlaced the Bulrathi's helm and cut off one ear with his wtsai as trophy, and then took his lap around the Arena, howling his victory and raising the excited shouting of those in the crowd who supported him, and the sullen glares of the Barcidae representatives in the first rows.

---------

According to their rights in the Arena, the Heroic Companions of Hrrl-ra claimed the arms and armor of Kobur, but ransomed his body back to the Barcidae for the respectable sum of 500 dinars.

Concerning the few wagers by player-characters, both bet on Seeker-for-Relics, and so will no doubt be pleased to collect their winnings:

Persephone bet 200 dinars, and so will earn back her bet, plus 300 gold

Meanwhile, Durham of the Ringing Anvil (and more on the rumors of activity around that institution later) bet 400 dinars, and so wins back his bet, plus 600 gold