xtenchix: I don't plan on trolling anyone. :]
General Herbison: You'll see. :]
YuyaYunka: This basically a mini-essay to respond to you.
1. Gnarl will take out some threats, not all. It wouldn't be entertaining if it was too easy.
2. Assira can hear the Overlord the same way Gnarl can: via Tower Portal.
3. Pedophilia? In an Overlord fic? That's a little much in my opinion. Overlord is rated T after all and is meant to make fun of fair tales/fantasy/etc. The fights I plan on improving (Check out the one in this chapter). Also, is that particular R-rated fic the Minion Mistress one?
4. Gnarl is an extremely hideous dwarf, hence the hood and the extra-bushy beard. :]
AirGearisthewayoflife: Thanks for the fave! I hope you enjoy my particular brand of storytelling.
(A/N): Hello there! I'm terribly sorry for not updating earlier, but I was sick (still am) and my ability to write has been severely impeded. Enjoy this new extra-long chapter that I wrote just because I love you guys!
Disclaimer: I own my characters, not the Overlord series.
Chapter XXIII: Sabotage and open warfare
Gnarl stealthily slid inside the tent of a knight called Mumbol. He was a portly fellow with greasy hair and an ego three times his height. He was short, but brutishly strong and faster than he looked. "Definitely a problem," Gnarl thought and unscrewed the lid on one of his severe indigestion draughts. Half a cup was more than enough to keep the knight in the privy for at least a week, and Gnarl almost started to laugh as he remembered times long past, out in the field. "How nice it is to be out and about again. So much evil to cause, so little time."
Hanson stood and clasped William's hand in congratulation. The Overlord seriously considered killing the paladin right then and there, but his training had taught him to be aware of his surroundings at all times, and he noticed paladins hiding in near some of the pillars in full armor, as if ready for a fight.
The Overlord released William's hand and moved back a few steps. The paladins relaxed their grips on the multitude of weapons they possessed. "May I return to the amphitheater Your Majesty? I need to prepare myself for tomorrow's battle." "Of course. I wish you luck."
"Why do I get the feeling he suspects who you are?" Assira said. "He's a little too polite and he clearly doesn't trust you, I know enough about politics and the Royal court to know that you should start expecting a knife to the back any day now."
"I'll keep that in mind," Hanson said as he descended the palace steps and replaced his helmet. By the time the Overlord arrived to the amphitheater, a score of browns disguised as servants had set up a tent for him and stood guard. Hanson slipped inside to find Gnarl sitting on one of the chairs, looking pleased about something.
"All the possible threats to your evil majesty have been drugged. I don't envy them when they awake. Some won't be able to walk for weeks; others will be in the privy for the foreseeable future. I hope that these developments will make your victory assured. Just make sure not to eat any of the food served at dinner." Gnarl leaned back and cackled quietly. "I haven't been this satisfied in a long time. I think I'll stick around and watch the fight. It should certainly be amusing."
The Overlord took off his helmet and sat in a chair facing Gnarl's. "I've never seen a dwarf as ugly as you," he said. "Good thing you wore a hood, because the mere sight of you would have caused most of the knights to faint." Gnarl smiled from beneath his thick fake beard and slid of the chair. He walked towards a fat leather armchair with the help of several minions, moved it to the side. Beneath lay the familiar design of a waypoint gate.
"I thought it would be convenient to have easy access to the Tower whenever you wanted Sire. If you so desire, you can travel to the Tower now. The browns will guard the tent and turn away all potential visitors.
Hanson nodded and stepped on the glowing plate, vanishing from the tent. The Overlord stepped out of the pool of water that was the Tower Portal, completely dry as usual. "Welcome back," Assira said. She yawned and stretched to her full height. "Watching is always a lot more boring than actually being in the thick of it all. I wonder how Gnarl deals with it."
Gnarl appeared seconds later and ripped off his fake beard. "Now that we are in private, what happened with William?" Hanson told the minion master everything that happened in his private meeting, Assira throwing the odd word or two.
Gnarl paced the floor, drawing a circle around the duo, sunk deep in thought. "I agree with your young lady," he said at last. "Assira raised her eyebrows, but said nothing. "William probably knows, or at the very least suspects your past. Nevertheless, you must be at the tournament sire, or you will be taken for a weakling."
"Do try to take care of yourself sire; I'd hate to have to sweep your remains off of the arena." Hanson took a deep breath and got ready to leave. Before he could go, Assira hugged him fiercely. "Take care of yourself Hanson. I'll never forgive you if you die." Hanson hugged back, trying to not impale her slim frame with the multitude of spikes adorning his armor. "I won't."
The Overlord replaced his helmet and vanished into the Tower Portal. "He'll be fine," Gnarl said. "He's a survivor, that one, and probably the best Overlord in the entire four-thousand- year history of the title."
"That may be, but he's just so dense sometimes. Has he never been with a woman before?" Assira asked. "That honor will be all yours, if you so choose," Gnarl replied, his face completely devoid of emotion.
The young woman blushed and decided to take an interest in the designs on the wall. Gnarl grinned as soon as her back was turned and then gritted his teeth as laughter threatened to break through.
The Capital City was in an uproar at the tournament. Townsfolk and nobles alike streamed towards the arena to take their seats. William declared that admission would be free, so that all could come and watch, from the poorest beggar to the richest lord.
Elizabeth took her seat in the Royal box and swept the train of her dress over her legs so that it didn't trail on the ground.
"You look lovely Elizabeth," William said as he entered the box. His followers swiftly agreed with the Paladin. Elizabeth had selected a white gown embroidered with golden weave and wore a silver circlet on her head. She let her golden hair tumble down to her shoulders and absentmindedly tucked a stray lock behind her ear now and again.
The first group of champions entered the arena and saluted the King, the Princess, and then the crowd before taking their starting positions, weapons drawn. Several paladins had dulled the weapons of all present for safety, but knew that there would be bloodbath regardless.
The Overlord flexed his arms and stretched luxuriously before drawing his sword and taking a few experimental swings. Satisfied, he scanned his opponents. For the most part, they were complete pushovers, but there were a few that looked like they had been in a few battles before.
"The rules have not changed," William announced. "The fighting will continue until there is one champion left. All others must either yield, or too injured to carry on."
The crowd cheered, ready for a bit of bloodshed. William raised his hand, and then dropped it. "Begin!"
Amid the cheers of the crowd, the champions fell into fighting crouches and sized up their potential opponents. Then, as one, the ring of clashing swords was heard across the arena. Hanson easily dispatched his first opponent, some sixteen-year-old who dropped his sword on the first pass and yielded after a slap from the flat of the Overlord's blade.
Hanson shook his head and moved on. After the first few minutes, all of the inexperienced young men had been soundly beaten, leaving only a few battle-hardened knights and the Overlord.
All eight of them paced the sandy floor of the arena, some parts already stained with blood. In one movement, the battle continued, and the clanging of metal against metal resumed.
Gnarl and Assira watched the melee unfold in the depths of the Tower Portal, Gnarl watching with glee (not that disgusting show ) as the Overlord beat opponent after opponent while Assira sat tight-lipped, her hands clenched in her lap.
"Don't worry my Lady; I hired one of the best swordsmen in the history of the world to train Hanson during the five years that we were in hiding." "What happened to him?" Assira asked. "Hanson bested him and killed him. It was my final lesson to him, as well as the sword master's."
"What lesson might that be?" Assira queried. "Leave no trace or evidence that could lead your enemies to you." Gnarl replied.
The Overlord blocked a savage hit from his opponent and struck back, feeling the desperation in the knight's attacks. He began an overhead swing, but instead swung horizontally, catching his opponent in the side. The blow was strong enough to knock the other knight to the ground, his armor split open by the force.
"I yield!" He gasped out as clerics rushed to carry him out of the arena. Hanson looked towards the other duel, where two men were savagely beating one another until one claimed victory with a vicious right hook with his armored hand.
The Overlord nodded in acknowledgment of his new opponent's skill and took an offensive stance, ready to spring forward and attack. Hanson's opponent picked up his huge broadsword in one hand and readied himself. The two combatants circled one another like wolves in the wild, locked in a contest of wills.
The Overlord launched his attack as swiftly as a hawk. One instant he was circling his much larger opponent, the next flying at him. The other knight managed to raise his sword just in time to block the savage blow, but the impact jarred his arm and numbed it.
Hanson smiled savagely as he moved back. His opponent switched sword arms and resumed pacing. The Overlord swung in a rapid flurry, his arms and blade a blur as the multitude of blows rained on the knight's defenses. The big man ducked his head as Hanson's blade cut across where his head was moments ago.
The Overlord backed off, realizing that his opponent intended for Hanson to tire himself out before ending the battle in one final strike. Under his helmet, the Overlord smiled as he prepared himself for another attack. "One more flurry and he should fall for it," he thought.
Hanson struck out once more, redoubling his efforts and putting up quite the display. His sword danced around the opposing knight, seeking gaps in his defenses. The Overlord felt his blade strike the knight a few times, but his opponent seemed to take no notice.
Hanson moved back, pretending to pant heavily. The big man took the bait, raising his sword in both hands and beginning his attack. The Overlord staggered backwards, his laughter inaudible over the clang of metal against metal. "Now, I just have to let him hit me, and this duel is over," Hanson thought.
He began to counterattack, faking desperation. The big knight stood his ground, warding off the Overlord's blows. Hanson shifted his sword just enough to let his opponent see the gap in the Overlord's defenses, praying that the knight took the bait.
The big man struck out with his broadsword and its weight slammed into Hanson's right bicep. The Overlord rolled with the blow to minimize the damage, but knew that the damage was substantial. He heard the crowd groaning, but his adrenaline influenced brain paid little heed.
The Overlord ignored his almost useless right arm and pushed himself up with his left. He grabbed his sword one handed and faced his opponent. For his part, the other knight seemed shocked that Hanson still stood, but readied himself for the Overlord's new offensive.
The big man figured that he could hold off his opponent much more easily now that his right arm was useless, but Hanson had other plans. He took a deep breath and charged forward. As the knight shifted his defenses, the Overlord slid forward and attacked from below. As his opponent shifted again, Hanson leapt to his feet and swung a savage blow right at the knight's armored head.
As the Overlord predicted, the big man's sword came up to block the blow. Then, the young Overlord reversed the direction of his blade and brought it down on the knight's outstretched leg. There was the audible crack of bone and a muffled grunt from Hanson's opponent. "Time for a bit of theatrics," the Overlord thought.
He tossed his sword up, caught it with his right hand and smashed it full force into the knight's helmet. The big man was lifted off of his feet and sent tumbling head-over-heels. Blood stained the sand and clerics ran to help the fallen knight.
The stadium erupted in applause at Hanson's spectacular victory. The Overlord knew that he had completely broken his arm and dislocated his right shoulder with the last blow but didn't care.
"Well done Lord Ryrin!" William announced. "You have won your right to court my daughter. I wish you well. You may depart to treat whatever injuries I'm sure you have." Hanson bowed and walked out of the arena.
Elizabeth was ecstatic at her favorite champion's victory. She smiled to herself fondly as her eyes followed the metal-clad figure out of the arena. William frowned, but said nothing, letting his daughter enjoy the moment.
As soon as the Overlord entered his tent, he activated the waypoint gate and teleported to the Tower. The young Overlord staggered out of the pool and nearly fell as he reached the top of the stairs. A quartet of browns helped him to his throne while Gnarl and Assira hovered nearby.
Gnarl gingerly removed the Overlord's right shoulder pauldron to look at the damage inside. Assira gasped, horrified as she saw the extent of Hanson's injuries. She took of the Overlord's helmet and placed it on the floor. The young man looked up at her, grimacing in pain. "I told you I wouldn't die," he whispered. Blood flowed out of his mouth, staining his interlocking chest plates.
Assira said nothing, just grabbed his left hand and massaged it. "Everything is going to be all right she murmured, more to herself than to the injured man in front of her. "Everything is going to be alright," Gnarl said. "The Tower Heart takes care of its own."
Before Assira's horrified eyes, Hanson's bones reformed, his shoulder slid into its joint with a wet shhplt, and the flesh surrounding the wound closed, hiding the gruesome sight. Gnarl chuckled to himself as he ordered several browns to carry Hanson upstairs. "He'll be just fine after a night's rest."
(A/N): Review if you enjoyed, and if you didn't, please provide constructive criticism to help me improve. ~RussianOverlord~