and his halberd for distance, he shattered the dreams of many would-be True Warriors during his training. His opponents couldn’t get near him.
And if one did manage to get near enough to Tar-Tan to strike a blow, he had dark, thick, rough skin that had a slight greenish tint, though it could hardly be seen, given the tattoos covering nearly his entire body. His half-ogre hide was better than most chain mail; it would take a point-blank shot from a longbow to penetrate it. He had excellent night vision, courtesy of his beady yellow eyes. His least attractive feature was the stringy grey hair he’d inherited from his ogre father; so he shaved his head clean.
It was Tar-Tan’s intelligence and aptitude for military strategy, however, which made him truly formidable. Xaro had watched the half-ogre during their lessons on battlefield tactics, and was impressed. This was not a slow-witted fighter who simply overpowered smaller men. He could lead an army.
And yet…if the half-ogre and Strongiron were ever to meet on the field of battle, Xaro’s gold would have been on Strongiron. He had heart…and warrior genes. If he lived through this final Test, he would be an invaluable ally. All three Steele brothers were very adept with swords, tridents, and spears. They had been fighting as a unit for years, and were a deadly trio in combat. The Chimera was fascinating, but frankly was an unintelligent beast. That foe was tailor-made for Tar-Tan to shine against. “I would rather face the cursed lion than deal with all three Steele brothers at once,” remarked Xaro to Lord Kensington.
“Hmmm. Perhaps.” The Lord just smiled, absently rubbing his hands together greedily. The fool profits from the gambling spawned of his pits. He will not profit forever.
Xaro would soon be identifying his lieutenants, and he wanted at least one of them to be a True Warrior. That would be his General in the days to come. Not only was Strongiron worthy, and not only did he have the admiration of the other fighters, but there were plenty of other reason s Xaro wanted him the most. Not the least of which was this: he was a royal subject in King Alomar’s and Queen Najalas’s court. Coming from a lineage of knights, Xaro reckoned it was only a matter of time and a few successful exploits before the King knighted Strongiron as well . By gaining Strongiron’s allegiance, Xaro would weaken the very kingdom he meant to attack in Kuth-Cergor’s name.
Of course, Tar-Tan could be an effective general as well. But men will follow the half-ogre out of fear; they follow Strongiron as they follow me—out of admiration. Together, with an ancient god blessing our efforts and cursing our enemies, with the King and Queen weakened, and with the status and gold of House Tuitio behind our efforts—it would be an epic conquest and coronation. Xaro had made up his mind: if he lives, Strongiron is my first choice. He could not help but smile at the idea of using a would-be Knight to bring down the godless aristocracy and their arrogant, hypocritical knights.
Lord Kensington stood up, made a few remarks, and the large battle horn was blown to start the fight between Tar-Tan and the Chimera. The Chimera was chained to large iron rings fastened to the ground, one for each paw. The clasps were opened at the sound of the horn, and the goat head bleated while the lion snarled. The beast approached the half-ogre cautiously; it did not charge right at him.
“Har! Let us see what your hide is made of!” Tar-Tan shouted at the Chimera, slashing his wicked halberd in front of the lion’s head. It wasn’t a hard swing, just a swipe to gauge distance. The Chimera was out of range by inches, and counted on an off-balance foe. It swung a massive claw behind the half-ogre’s attack, hoping to push Tar-Tan to the ground.
The half-ogre was exceptionally quick for someone his size, and his technique
And if one did manage to get near enough to Tar-Tan to strike a blow, he had dark, thick, rough skin that had a slight greenish tint, though it could hardly be seen, given the tattoos covering nearly his entire body. His half-ogre hide was better than most chain mail; it would take a point-blank shot from a longbow to penetrate it. He had excellent night vision, courtesy of his beady yellow eyes. His least attractive feature was the stringy grey hair he’d inherited from his ogre father; so he shaved his head clean.
It was Tar-Tan’s intelligence and aptitude for military strategy, however, which made him truly formidable. Xaro had watched the half-ogre during their lessons on battlefield tactics, and was impressed. This was not a slow-witted fighter who simply overpowered smaller men. He could lead an army.
And yet…if the half-ogre and Strongiron were ever to meet on the field of battle, Xaro’s gold would have been on Strongiron. He had heart…and warrior genes. If he lived through this final Test, he would be an invaluable ally. All three Steele brothers were very adept with swords, tridents, and spears. They had been fighting as a unit for years, and were a deadly trio in combat. The Chimera was fascinating, but frankly was an unintelligent beast. That foe was tailor-made for Tar-Tan to shine against. “I would rather face the cursed lion than deal with all three Steele brothers at once,” remarked Xaro to Lord Kensington.
“Hmmm. Perhaps.” The Lord just smiled, absently rubbing his hands together greedily. The fool profits from the gambling spawned of his pits. He will not profit forever.
Xaro would soon be identifying his lieutenants, and he wanted at least one of them to be a True Warrior. That would be his General in the days to come. Not only was Strongiron worthy, and not only did he have the admiration of the other fighters, but there were plenty of other reason s Xaro wanted him the most. Not the least of which was this: he was a royal subject in King Alomar’s and Queen Najalas’s court. Coming from a lineage of knights, Xaro reckoned it was only a matter of time and a few successful exploits before the King knighted Strongiron as well . By gaining Strongiron’s allegiance, Xaro would weaken the very kingdom he meant to attack in Kuth-Cergor’s name.
Of course, Tar-Tan could be an effective general as well. But men will follow the half-ogre out of fear; they follow Strongiron as they follow me—out of admiration. Together, with an ancient god blessing our efforts and cursing our enemies, with the King and Queen weakened, and with the status and gold of House Tuitio behind our efforts—it would be an epic conquest and coronation. Xaro had made up his mind: if he lives, Strongiron is my first choice. He could not help but smile at the idea of using a would-be Knight to bring down the godless aristocracy and their arrogant, hypocritical knights.
Lord Kensington stood up, made a few remarks, and the large battle horn was blown to start the fight between Tar-Tan and the Chimera. The Chimera was chained to large iron rings fastened to the ground, one for each paw. The clasps were opened at the sound of the horn, and the goat head bleated while the lion snarled. The beast approached the half-ogre cautiously; it did not charge right at him.
“Har! Let us see what your hide is made of!” Tar-Tan shouted at the Chimera, slashing his wicked halberd in front of the lion’s head. It wasn’t a hard swing, just a swipe to gauge distance. The Chimera was out of range by inches, and counted on an off-balance foe. It swung a massive claw behind the half-ogre’s attack, hoping to push Tar-Tan to the ground.
The half-ogre was exceptionally quick for someone his size, and his technique
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