One of the elders stood and spoke "This is a tournament in which all here are most assuredly in understanding of the rules. Do not kill your opponent, and do not try to permanently maim him or her. I know a few of you here may be mortals and merely here for the tournament, so do not misinterpret the fact that elves are immortal. They are indeed, but they can still die in battle, so if you please, keep that in mind. Those who cheat by way of extraordinary abilities assisted by sorcery of sorts will be immediately disqualified and escorted from the city..." "And get their head chopped off!" added a young elf from the crowd. The mother quickly clapped a hand over the child’s mouth, looking rather embarrassed. The elder mumbled something to his companions and continued, "Otherwise, it is a freestyle competition, and though we do have rules about hidden weapons... weapons that you carry into the fighting circle must be announced and displayed for all to see before again being replaced where the combatant keeps them." "Enough talk, we want to see the fighting!" the child had again piped in, but was quickly dragged off by his mother. Several laughs sounded out through the crowd. The elder cleared his throat, obviously not amused, and everyone silenced. "There is no particular order in which the competitors fight. It is a first come first serve bases, and those who wish may choose who they fight. Oh... and I must mention, there is a change in the plans for the formal entrance drink... it seems there is a bit of trouble lurking in the crowds and someone has informed us it would not be wise to serve the drinks... so without further speech, let us now start the tournament."

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I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

Tahlavain watched as a pair of well matched elves locked elven blades, their fight continue far past a few minutes. Every now and then one would catch the advantage and be ontop of the other, but they were well matched, and the fight went on. Tahlavain grew restless, waiting for a chance to jump in as one in a pair, and tapped the hilt of Corasar.

_________________


I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

Tahlavain flinched as the one elf stabbed the other in the leg, thus ending the pair's battle. Turning to Niell she smirked, "will you pick a partner and try out now, or will you wait till the end to challenge those still standing?"

_________________


I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

Niell sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "You're testing my patience a bit. But if you want me to fight that badly I suppose I will. Against, you perhaps?"

_________________
Evil comes in many shades...

Tahlavain grinned, "If that is a challenge, I accept" She waved a hand to the elf in charge of accepting and introducing pairs into the tournament ring. Tahlavain motioned for the strange elf beside her to follow as she walked and stood in front of the elders. She gave a low bow and produced two weapons, a long dagger, and her sword. "Today I challenge my oponent with my sword Corasar, and my long dagger." She replaced her sword to it's sheath and her dagger to the other side of her belt. The elder nodded his approval then awaited Niell's weapon display.

_________________


I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

'What are the consequences of what I've just done," Niell thought dismally. He walked into the ring and approached the elders. He drew his sword and two daggers. He was careful to hold daggers so that the runes of Mordor could not be seen on the blade.

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Evil comes in many shades...

The elders eyed the daggers and sword carefully, then nodded their approval.

Tahlavain waited within the large circle, her sword drawn, the blue gems inset in the blade sparkling in the sunlight. The over-seer nodded to them, "whenever you wish to begin..." he stepped back, keeping his distance from the area.

_________________


I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

Niell didn't move at first, his eyes scanned the area, looking for possible weak points in the ground. Maybe a place where he could gain the upper hand. The black hilt of his sword rested lightly in his grip, ready to go into defense at any moment but tensed for an offensive attack as well.

_________________
Evil comes in many shades...

Tahlavain took in his posture at a glance, placement of feet, the grip on his hilt, and the look in his eyes. She knew well that the eyes were the weakest point in giving away the next move. Deciding to strike first, she delved forward with her sword, wielding it with both hands and keeping her dagger sheathed. Stopping short, she cut down in a side arch motion, coming in across his shoulder in a left strike, then angling back to the right. She then stepped to the side, preventing any possible blows from reaching her.

_________________


I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

Niell backed away, avoiding the attack but feeling a slight breeze as the blade went past him. He made his counter attack quickly, going in an upward arc with his sword. While his apponent was preoccupied with the sword he drew one of his daggers and thrust it forward.

_________________
Evil comes in many shades...

In a flash, Tahlavain noticed the dagger and bent backwards to avoid it. As she flipped back to keep her balance, she switched to one handing her sword and unsheathed her dagger. Landing on her feet at a crouch, she waited for her opponent to attack again, sword in her right hand, held horizontal in front of her while her left hand held her dagger point foreward somewhat above her head.

_________________


I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

"You're better than I expected," Niell said as he pulled his weapons back.

_________________
Evil comes in many shades...

Tahlavain grinned, "I insisted on being taught by the best... I still have more to learn." she spoke as she angled her blade, Corasar glinted in the sun, as did her eyes. She jumped foreward, but last minute gathered her strength and flipped foward over him, crossing her blades towards him to block any upwards thrusts. She landed in a crouch behind him, point of her sword at his back.

_________________


I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~

Niell didn't move as she flipped over him. He held his sword loosely with the blade resting on the ground. When he heard her land he turned around slowly to face her. "Wonderful trick, but that's not what we're here for." He raised his sword and tried a forward thrust, keeping his dagger ready for defense if it was needed.

_________________
Evil comes in many shades...

Tahlavain blocked the forward thrust with her dagger, flaying it off to the side with a spin, and slammed hard against his dagger with her sword blade. Bringing both blades in close, she locked with his blades. Suddenly she saw the markings on his blade and her eyes flashed.

_________________


I am a pro-cycling fan! Congrats to the Young rider of the Tour de France!
~Cyclist in Training~