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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 7585237" data-attributes="member: 143">Chapter 274Bredan’s companions emerged from the shelter of the forest’s edge and followed him out into the meadow.  Mrrik and his scouts accompanied them.  The sailors were the last, but after a look back at the trail behind them they moved to join the company.The rumbling coming from the dragonborn ranks ceased, and after a moment Natak started forward, flanked by a cohort of his warriors.  The companions were quick to note that their numbers precisely matched their own.  The ones closest to the chieftain were reds like him, with an assortment of blacks and greens making up the difference.  Some still bore obvious wounds from the fighting back at the dragonborn camp.  A small figure walked in the shadow of the chief.  They did not need Sond to be present to identify that one as the shaman.  The captain had warned them about him, and while they did not know the full extent of his powers, the fact that he could cast the tongues spell was an indication that he was no amateur.“What are the rules for this thing?” Bredan asked as he walked.Quellan translated for Mirrik, who responded, “The first one to die loses.”“I think I can remember that,” Bredan said.“Have your people fought in many duels with the dragonborn?” Glori asked.Mrrik growled something quick.“What did he say?” Xeeta asked when Quellan remained silent.“He was trying to be diplomatic,” the cleric reported.“In other words, they’re not stupid enough to agree to them,” Kosk filled in.The two groups came to a stop about fifty feet from each other.  Up close, they could see the full scale of the imposing dragonborn chief.“Gods above, he has to be at least nine feet tall,” Sandros said.“The bigger they are…” Glori began, but she couldn’t finish the comment as Natak took a step forward.  He said something in his own language.  “He offers the challenge,” Quellan said.  “One on one.”Bredan took a step forward to match him.  “Tell him I will accept on behalf of the people that he attacked without provocation or reason.”The exchange took just a moment.  “He says that coming here was enough provocation,” Quellan said.  He left out what the creature had promised to do to Bredan.From the look on his face, Bredan had got the gist of it.  “And if I am victorious, we are permitted to be on our way without further harassment.”The dragonborn made a sound that might have been laughter, but Quellan said, “He agrees.”Natak shrugged his broad shoulders and drew off the huge cloak that hung down his back.  As he did so a pair of wings spread into the air, forming an arc some fifteen feet across behind him.“If he can fly, you’re screwed,” Kosk said.“I believe they’re vestigial,” Quellan said.  “There’s no way they would support a creature of his size and weight.”The dragonborn chief turned to his shaman, bending so that the much smaller creature could reach up to his face.“Remember, they use drugs to enhance their strength and endurance,” Quellan said.“I remember,” Bredan said.“When you go to face him, I’ll boost you with a haste spell,” Xeeta said.  “It will only last a minute.”“I’ll make good use of it.”Glori strummed her lyre, and Bredan could feel a surge of vitality flow into him as she bolstered him with her own magic.  “It’s not much, but it should let you shrug off a hit or two,” she said.  “But don’t get hit.”“Okay,” he said.Quellan turned to Glori.  “Give me the ring I gave you,” he said.  “Back in the Silverpeak.”She looked at him blankly for a moment then quickly began searching her pockets.  A look of panic briefly flashed across her features before she found it.Quellan took the unadorned platinum band and gave it to Bredan.  It barely fit on the pinky finger of his off hand.  “This might mess with my grip a bit,” he said.“It’s worth it,” the cleric said, invoking his warding bond spell.  Bredan shivered as he felt the connection take hold.  “It will allow me to absorb some of the damage that you take in battle.”Bredan shook his head.  “It could end up killing us both…”“Don’t be stupid,” Xeeta said.  “Glori can heal him.  You need every advantage you can get.”“Looks like big boy is ready,” Kosk said.  Natak had stepped back from his shaman, and fresh streaks of the substance they used to enhance their warriors were now visible upon his crest and across his cheeks.  He turned as one of his warriors came up bearing a huge axe.  The blade was made of a material that was pure black.“What is that?” Glori asked.Quellan forwarded the question to Mrrik.  “He says it’s fire-mineral,” the cleric said.  “Volcanic obsidian, maybe.”“That stuff can get bloody sharp,” Kosk said.“Be careful,” Glori said.“We’ve got your back,” Xeeta said as Bredan stepped forward.  He had barely heard the last bit of their exchange as his focus had sharpened.  He’d already marked the axe, the drug-marks, and the way his opponent moved.  Every inch of Natak’s body appeared to be covered in corded muscle.  He wore no armor, but Bredan already knew that the creatures’ scaled hides were as tough as old leather.  This foe was deadlier than any he’d faced before.  He pushed that thought aside as well.  Doubts could only hurt him at this point.Natak betrayed no surprise when Bredan summoned his sword.  The monstrous features of the dragonborn made it difficult to gauge their emotions, but the young warrior sensed no fear, no battle-rage, just an intensity that bored into him like augers.  As he stared up at the approaching creature, he could feel the fear that skittered at the edges of the calm he’d gathered around him.  If he gave way to it, even for an instant, the fight would be over before it began.As he lifted the sword the weak light of the day flashed on the runes inscribed upon the blade.  He could feel the power there, power that echoed in the core of him.  Once he had feared that power, fled from it, but now he embraced it, letting it into him.  He could feel something happening as he continued to walk forward, could hear the surprised chatter of his friends behind him, but he ignored everything except the approaching foe.When they came to a halt, facing each other across twenty paces of flowing grass, Bredan was surprised to find himself looking down at Natak.  He blinked in surprise; somehow the magic of the book had caused him to grow to twice his size, until he was larger than even the huge dragonborn chief!  Even his sword had become larger, the bright steel of the blade almost as long as the haft of his enemy’s axe.Bredan felt another surge of power as Xeeta’s haste spell took hold.  But a moment later he felt something else, a feeling of power tearing at his awareness.  Instinctively he realized that someone was trying to strip his various protections.  He sought out the dragonborn shaman and found him among the ranks of the red warriors.  A slightly raised hand was the only indication that he was doing anything, but Bredan knew it was him who was behind the assault.There was nothing he could do to stop him.  But even as he felt the layered spells begin to unravel the dispel suddenly came apart.  The attack ended, and the shaman slumped back, hissing in defeat.If Natak was discomfited by the failed effort he didn’t show it.  He just stood there, his head slightly lowered, his chest rising and falling as he sucked in deep breaths.  Bredan could imagine the drug pulsing through the dragonborn’s system, inuring him to pain and swelling his strength beyond the already impressive levels that his natural gifts gave him.Bredan lifted his sword.  “I am ready…”But he didn’t get a chance to finish, as Natak abruptly leapt forward to the attack.</blockquote>

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