Ombra della Lama

by Vedavyasa

Tutti Pazzi Per L'sfida

I was awakened by shouting guards outside of my door late in the night. Not knowing the cause of this commotion, I dressed myself as quickly as possible before opening the door. In front of me, two guards were arguing with a seemingly drunk stallion, intent on challenging me. He claimed that my methods were dishonourable, and that I would bring shame to the tribe. Such a foolish thing, this sense of honour.

I was fully prepared to accept this challenge, if only to allow me to return to my bed, but the guards informed me that any fight over a matter of honour must take place during the day and in public. It had been long since I was last in these lands, and so their customs were somewhat unfamiliar to me. I accepted the guards reasoning, and the stallion seemed to be satisfied. He trotted away, muttering unpleasantries about both my person and my tribe as a whole. I simply returned to my bed, intent on resting as well as possible.

In the morning, I was roused by the guards. They explained the rules of the contest ahead of me. I would not be allowed to wear my armour, hidden blade, or crossbow. My throwing knives were also disallowed. I had a choice between either my sword or dagger, the other weapon would be left with a second of my choosing. Fighting against an earth pony, my speed would be my chief advantage and so I chose to use my dagger. For my second, I chose one of the guards who had been outside my room. I did not know it at the time, but this was a great honour I bestowed upon him.

After a simple breakfast, I was lead to the main hall. There was a small fenced off area and a large crowd present, but I did not see the stallion who had challenged me. To my annoyance, he was announced by several other stallions before he casually walked through the doors of the hall. He had a saunter in his step, he bragged as if he was a child, and he was supremely confident. He was everything I was not.

The challenge was officially announced and sanctioned by the chieftain, marking this as a matter of honour. There would be no interruptions of any sort, the fight would be to the death, and there was to be no quarter. To make this binding, the chieftain broke bread and gave each of us a piece. By eating this bread, we accepted all restrictions and rules placed upon us. If one of us should attempt to cheat, his life would be forfeit. After this, we each drank from a small cup of wine. This announced that the challenge was willingly given and accepted, a mere formality.

After these trivialities were complete, combat began. The stallion fought much as he acted, cocksure and arrogant. He broadcasted his movements, made a show of battle. I must give him credit, once he realised I was a skilled fighter in my own right he ended the charade and fought well. Had he been facing a pony not trained as I was, I suspect he would have won. The fight lasted longer than I would have liked, but in time I left the small arena and he did not.

Unfortunately for me, I did not know what winning this challenge fully entailed. The chieftain proclaimed that I was now a member of his tribe, and as such I must abide by his standards. This was problematic. The Northern Tribes dislike the arts of stealth and the use of poison, two key components of my work. Now that I was a tribesman, I would be expected to fight openly and with honour. This runs entirely contrary to my training, and is anathema to the beliefs of any Assassin.

There was a great debate over this between me and the chieftain. I informed him that I would act as I always had, and he insisted that I cast aside the shadows. It was not until I threatened to leave him to the mercies of the false king that he agreed not to bind me by the tribal laws. By the time this was decided, nearly half of the day had been wasted. I made hasty preparations and set out in to the Wastes, intent on finding the stallion who would call himself king.

---

Translations

Tutti Pazzi Per L'sfida = Fool's Challenge

Comments

[Vedavyasa]

healthandmana.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/notdeadyet.jpg

[Dleifragcat]

And this is a classic example on why factions suck
Glad to see there's life after the long while. I personally call hiatus moments like these "Incognito Mode"

[Vedavyasa]

1088913

Factions are going to suck one hell of a lot more by the end of this little arc...

[Mr Foster]

Dun dun DUUUUN!

Well, glad to see you're back. I guess I better resume work on mine now

[Vedavyasa]

1092096

My own less-than-consistent update schedule is no excuse for you to be slippin'

[Mr Foster]

1092310 Well, I still have like 10th chapters in store. But in the meantime, I have to work on the finale of my fallout equestria fic.

[ImChangingmynameforreaso]

Chieftain: You shall not use the shadows.
Llama: I will use the shadows.
Chieftain: You shall not use poison.
Llama: I will use poison.
Chieftain: You shall fight everyone of those guys, out in the open!
Llama:
(Yes, I know it's Lama. But Llama's are so much fuzzier )

[Vedavyasa]

1099009

I'd like to imagine my little Assassin standing there firmly ordering himself not to murder the chieftain during some long ass three hour debate.

[ImChangingmynameforreaso]

1099184 Makes sense... I mean, if I was told that I was gonna go against a small army without using any form of tactics, well...... Needless to say, I wouldn't.