The party all returns the main Shav village. Brielle, Ben and Raven already made it back. Brielle is sitting by the fire with her mother who seems very happy with her return. It is pretty late by the time they get back. The rest of the party are here somewhere, but it is Arik and Violet who find themselves talking with the Shavs who are about in the camp. The leader and Ben are among them. The camp has been joined by other shavs now and their numbers are nearly doubled. One man is sitting outside a tent by himself and looks large, but not impossibly large, but he is over six food and quite muscular. He looks to be in his mid twenties.

Violet allows herself to smile a bit upon seeing the family reunited. Moving over to the trio she nods her head to them. "Brielle, did the men who captured you seem to treat that beast oddly? Beyond trying to make you its dinner of course," She asks, flashing a smile to add some lightness to the otherwise grim topic. Answers were still needed.

Arik follows along with Violet his reddish armor looking ominious in the firelight and his hand on the pommel of frostfang. He does immediately speak instead flashing a wolfish smirk from the blonde woman's side.

Brielle seems thoughtful as she listens to Violet and is clearly trying to be honest with her answer. "They seemed afraid of the beast and they treated it like well a monster, I guess. Not too oddly, but are jerks for trying to feed us to the beast." She says in Northern Shav. The leader looks to Arik. "You did well, Lord HalfShav, thank you." He says. "Still we are proud people and all are not sure about bending the knee. We have gone without silk overlords, even half silk ones for this long. That being said, you did save my daughter and you deserve a chance in this regard. Defeat our champion and we will bend the knee." He says pointing over to the very large man.

"White Fox, hear me." Arik says in a rumbling voice and a shav dialect. "Know that Halfshav and its companions saved your people. That you live on Halfshav lands. I will spare your champion if he yields in our duel. I do not need such a kindness returned." and then he draws Frostfang and tilts the blade to reflect the firelight. "Come then, let the Spirits decide." he says specifically to the champion as he all but stalks towards the man.

"Did you overhear any names beyond those the men had for themselves?" Violet asks next, nodding encouragement to the woman. She lets her conversation become quiet as the leader speaks with Arik. The blond glances over her shoulder at Arik and then over to the large man. Her lips are pursed and she tilts her head thoughtfully as she considers Arik's opponent. "May I sit with you?" She asks Brielle and her mother, gesturing beside them.

White Fox looks toward Arik, nodding in response to the HalfShav Lord. "You did and thank you." He says in response to them saving Brielle. He glances over to his daughter and his gaze seems to soften. He might even feel guilty for asking for the duel, but that fades quickly enough. He speaks in Norther Shav of course. Ben comes out and looks all excited about the duel. His large champion brother seems a little less excited, but is more than willing. He rises his full height and heads toward Arik.

Brielle looks toward Violet. "Yeah, they were Chad and Toren and are of the tribe of the Three Stones."

Violet settles down and croses her legs beneath her beside the young shav girl. "Tribe of the Three Stones hmmm?" Her eyes go to Brielle's mother and then the chieftain. "We took care of those we found, but I am sure there are more. If you are willing to let me know where they reside we can make sure to keep an eye on them. No more monster feeding if we can help it, eh?" She speaks in Northlands Shav herself, demeanor easy going. But when the duel actually moves to start she grows serious and quiet.

Brielle looks upon Violet, nodding in response to her words. "I can show you to their normal campsite." She says in her direction. "They do move about a bit, but we can probably find them."

Arik checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 39 higher.

Reese GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + huge wpn(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 49 higher.

Arik checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 54 higher.

Reese GM Roll checked dexterity(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 9 higher.

Arik checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

Arik checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 26 higher.

Reese GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + dodge(3) at difficulty 15, rolling 37 higher.

The large man is wearing leathers and leathers that are not all that great. He has a huge axe which is also is not that great. They both hit each other. They both are injured, but the fight is close. Arik's armor manages to block much of the damage he would have taken.

Arik stalks up towards the champion of the White Fox. The Halfshav Sword is not timid nor defensive, he keeps Frostfang in one hand (his left) and raises his right arm. The pair clash, Arik using his armored forearm to tip the blade and diminish the impact while cutting in with a vicious looking attempt to open the man's entrails from left to side.

Arik checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 36 higher.

Reese GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + huge wpn(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 36 higher.

Reese GM Roll checked dexterity(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 12 higher.

Arik checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 14 higher.

Arik checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 40 higher.

Reese GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + dodge(3) at difficulty 15, rolling 14 higher.

The large man is hit quite had by Arik who can get past his leathers and cause a bleeding gash. The man looks to be in pain, but he isn't yielding yet. Arik seems to be winning at this point.

Arik doesn't speak during the duel but his breath forms a haze of white fog from his helmed head. Frostfang snakes in once more the one-handed blade being wielded recklessly as he takes a swing down at the man's thigh drawing blood right before sidestepping the counter blow.

Violet sits watching with her arms crossed. Her face is concentrated on the blow by blow with faintly narrowed eyes. When Arik scores a hit she nods her head just slightly.

Reese GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + huge wpn(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 48 higher.

Arik checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 34 higher.

Reese GM Roll checked dexterity(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

Arik checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 5 higher.

Arik checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 39 higher.

Reese GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + dodge(3) at difficulty 15, rolling 23 higher.

It doesn't look like defense is a great concern of the Halfshav Sword while the exchange happens and once again he is using his right armored shoulder and forearm to tip the heavy blade the shav champion wields. It hits certainly but bruises are not missing limbs. In his free hand Frostfang comes up once more seeking an arm wound.

It quickly becomes clear that this champion is truly very good. He could stand in the spars at Compact, which is saying something considering the fighters are compact are quite amazing. They both hit his round and both are injured. He seems to be more badly injured.

Reese GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + huge wpn(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 20 higher.

Arik checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 9 higher.

Reese GM Roll checked dexterity(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Arik checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 6 higher.

Arik checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 41 higher.

Reese GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + dodge(3) at difficulty 15, rolling 48 higher.

It isn't any subtle tactic or manuver that Arik does as both hands grip frostfang and the ice like blade *fwips* through the air with a whistle and misses taking the champions throat out with the tip. "Aaaaah." Arik growls in annoyance, cloud of steam coming from his lips as he now stalks in with both hands on frostfang and an air of murderous intent in the air around him.

The fight is very close and both men dodge each other's hit. Arik is still int he lead though, being the less injured of the two.

Reese GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + huge wpn(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 30 higher.

Arik checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 18 lower.

Arik checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

Arik checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 51 higher.

Arik checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 5 lower.

Arik checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

Arik checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 40 higher.

Arik checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 2 higher.

Arik checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Arik checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 54 higher.

Arik has rolled a critical success!
Arik checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 40 higher.

Arik checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

Arik checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 45 higher.

Reese GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + huge wpn(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 21 higher.

Reese GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + huge wpn(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 24 higher.

Reese GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + huge wpn(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 24 higher.

Reese GM Roll checked dexterity(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 16 higher.

Reese GM Roll checked dexterity(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Reese GM Roll checked dexterity(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 9 higher.

Reese GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + dodge(3) at difficulty 15, rolling 21 higher.

Reese GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + dodge(3) at difficulty 15, rolling 20 higher.

Reese GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + dodge(3) at difficulty 15, rolling 17 higher.

Arik checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 26 higher.

The fight continues then for several exchanges. Three more clashes, three more brutal attempts by Arik to cut this champions throat. While he does not focus on parrying his stalking movements become lunges the man moving in the burnished flame armor with bursts of exertion. First attempt, wide. Arik growls louder, ducks his shoulder to avoid the counterblow and the second attempt, ALMOST! The champion almost flings himself back to avoid it but the off-balance nature leaves the opening and Arik has been sparring Morrighan more than enough to know what to do next.

There is no slash, no grand movement, he turns his wrist over and shoves Frostfang forward jabbing the shav's throat and then flicking it to the right sending the spray of blood out. It's done then the quick movement effectively leaving the warrior to die in the snow. "Well Fought, my brother." Arik says in northlands shav to the dying man, crouching down to thump on his chest and place the blade back in his hands if he lost grip of it. If the man begins to panic or react poorly, Arik uses his gauntled hands to keep him still from shaming himself in front of his tribe and pass with dignity. Northland dignity at least.

Violet's face is hard to read as she watches the battle. As the last move is made she lets out a breath and closes her eyes. Under her breath she murmers a prayer to the spirits for the mans soul. When she opens them again Arik has already knelt in the snow beside the dying man.

The large champion falls and like many huge men, he falls hard. Ben screams when he goes down, but quickly tries to gather himself, after all carrying is not very manly at all! Raven sheds a tear, but is otherwise composed. The leader seems impressed with Arik, sorrowful about the lose of their champion and yet he doesn't cry and he doesn't cry out. He rather, gets down on one knee, seemingly far form comfortable with that, but he still does. "We will follow you. Lord HalfShav. Please consider allowing us to stay in our camps."

Arik rises up from the fallen champion and uses his own cloak and not that of the dead to clean its blade. The Sword walks towards the leader and touches the tip to the man's shoulder before sheathing the blade. "You will stay in your camps, Halfshav does not seek to make you weak. It does not seek to change your customs. You are Halfshav and you have always been Halfshav. The lands you have lived upon have been Halfshav and your ways are our ways once more. You will send a representative back with us. They will speak with the nearest town. You will share your camps, your knowledge, and they will be escorted back. You will trade with -your- people. The people you have never known were you kin. You may keep any rites or traditions that are not taboo and you must accept the law of House Halfshav and your liege lord Duke Vercyn Halfshav. Swear to it!"

Violet turns her gaze onto the leader of the tribe. As he moves to his knee she nods her head slowly. Her gaze turns back to the Sword of Halfshav and there is a faint smile that he can see. Despite that smile she is extremely formal and moves onto her knees, back straight, and watching.

Ben and Raven go to tend over the body of the fallen champion. The Leader seems relieved that Arik's terms are reasonable and nods in response to them. He rises back to his feet. "Okay, we will do those things. You fought well and we respect such. Thank you for bringing Brielle back to us."

Arik rolls his right shoulder obviously a little more than sore from using his right side so frequently during the short duel. "Good now let us drink and speak amongst ourselves and -honor- your fallen champion. He fought well and let not your oaths distract you from his passing." he walks past the kneeling man, clapping him on the shoulder as a sign he may rise and moves to stand beside Violet not yet sitting unitl he observes a reaction.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Violet before departing.