CHAPTER I
"Again!"
A powerful voice boomed across the deck of a swaying ship. A giant hulking figure stood by a railing, watching two young men as they raised their weapons, breathing heavily from previous rounds of sparring. One seemed to be a younger version of the giant on the side, a Roegadyn Sea Wolf with a large war axe rested on his shoulder. The other was a much smaller, well built Hyur, with a long spear held at the ready, the killing tip aimed towards his opponent's heart.
The Roegadyn surged forward, with a deafening war cry, bringing his axe from its resting position on his shoulder, heaving it from right to left, then spinning with his momentum as he hefted the axe over his head and followed up with another fearsome swing.
The Hyur skipped backwards, pushing off with his lead foot, and landing on the rear, avoiding the first, and managed to crouch low, weaving under the second, striking forward with the shaft of his spear as he went. He was rewarded with a grunt of surprise as he struck his opponents exposed ribs.
Growling in anger, the Roegadyn threw his weight forward in a shoulder tackle, knocking the Hyur staggering back. The giant grinned and spat on the deck.
"Is that all you've got little Maleko?!" the Roegadyn roared defiantly.
The Hyur smiled and shook his head slowly. "I'm taking it easy on you Bhaldryss; I don't want to embarrass you in front of Fatyr(1)."
He leapt forward, bringing his spear down vertically in an overhead slam. The Roegadyn marauder Bhaldryss, was able to bring his axe up and catch the spear on its shaft, supporting the axe head with his open palm, but he stumbled from the sheer force of the blow. As soon as Maleko's feet had touched the ground, he followed through with a powerful push kick, using his hips to drive his heel forward into the off balance Roegadyn's sternum, knocking the wind out of him and sending him crashing over backwards.
Slowly regaining his feet, Bhaldryss emitted a low growl. His eyes began to blur over with a hue of red, and he stared angrily at the opponent before him. He rushed forward, swinging his axe in great arcs, all caution and safety forgotten in an angry attempt to gore the frustrating Hyur in front of him.
Maleko gave ground before the fearsome onslaught. He attempted to block one of the swings with his spear, but realized the sheer force would wear him down in no time, and began avoiding the slower blows, and deflecting the faster ones.
As he felt his foot reach the railing of the tilting ship his heart sank, he was forced to stand before the furious giant.
He could feel ocean spray on his back as he weathered the storm of iron and steel in front of him. After what felt like a life time, the Roegadyn's energy began to flag, and as the giant raised his axe over his head for one last murderous vertical stroke, Maleko slipped to his right. The axe head smashed into the railing with a splintering crash, and the axe was lodged deep into the wood.
As the Roegadyn regained control of his senses, he found himself staring at the gleaming point of Maleko's spear.
"Enough!"
The powerful voice boomed across the deck once more...
(1) Fatyr - Traditional Roegadyn word for Father.