What third wheels do in their spare time (Dignitas)

[Korgar Kinslammer]

Timestamp:Second Cycle in the Month of Immanis, Season of Winter, Era I of the Celestine Mandate, Era XV Post Fractum

The glass was half empty –or was it half full? Korgar tilted his head to the side, regarding the dirt-blemished mug with apathetic eyes. His attention was not fixed upon the smudges of grime coating the inside of the glass, but rather the diminishing golden liquid that was his ale. The dwarf’s frizzy black beard, oddly shorter on one side than the other, wiggled as his dry lips twisted into a frown.

“I swear dese mugs are bigger in Primus Gaudeo,” Korgar mumbled bitterly to himself, and he instinctively recalled the images of the foaming pints supplied by the Wheel and Wagon. They certainly weren’t bottomless, but they seemed to last a whole lot longer than the ones in Imperia. Thrusting his hands hopelessly in front of him, the dwarf fished out his coin purse, one that, he honestly admitted, was lighter than he remembered.

Turning the pouch upside down, Korgar’s frown widened as a single piece of silver clattered onto the table. “Dammit!” He cursed, slapping his own forehead as he remembered that he’d purposely left his money at the inn with Lucian and Ly’san’a to keep it safely locked away. Lucian had said, after all, that pickpockets ran rampant in the city. For a moment he considered returning to the room to collect his coins, but it occurred to him that Lucian had mentioned that he and Ly’san’a would be reconnoitering for the evening. What in blazes did that mean?

“By Cetheron’s blessed beard, what am I gonna do now…” the dwarf sourly complained, sighing finally and shaking his head. The night was still young and his comrades wouldn’t be returning for candlemarks. That left a –very- long evening with no ale at all. After several minutes, Korgar surrendered his aspirations to leap over the bar and chug one of the kegs by its tap, and he instead gathered his battle axe (which was sitting on the table beside his ale) and strapped it onto his back.

“’Ere’s ta me!” He said cheerfully, draining the remaining contents of his mug with a single swig. And with that the dwarf exited the tavern and filtered into the streets. There had to be something to do, something that would keep his mind off the sweet nectar of life –if even for a few hours at most.

[Dignitas]

Ah, the nightlife of Imperia. Or um..the lack there of. What did one do in a city such as Imperia? Where if you asked many, you simply drink. Sadly that just stopped being an option for the now 'low on funds' Kinslammer. Walking out the doors of the tavern and onto the cool cobblestone streets that were Imperia; he could see only a few souls out and about. To his right about a block down was some form yelling about something. It couldn't be made out at this distance, but sounded like an argument. No one else was there however, so the person was most likely just someone off their stool. To the right were two men laughing as they hurried in towards the bar where Korgan came out. They were both humans and seemed to already be fairly intoxicated. Other then that, the streets were fairly silent.

There were many options for Korgar however, if he wanted to find something to do before Lucian and Ly'san'a came back from their little expedition. The Westgate District, Korgar could remember hearing about somewhere, was suppose to be the entertainment area of the city. Then there was the temple district which was likely the safest area besides the Nobles district at night. The docks were completely dangerous however, and likely wasn't a good place for a stroll. Then there was Ak'dar fortress, although it was a fairly lacking area in terms of options of entertainment. So, what would the young Kinslammer seek to do? What was the order of business this darkening?

[Korgar Kinslammer]

The evening breeze pervaded the dwarf’s frizzy beard, swathing his hairy chest with a chilly kiss. Leaving the tavern behind him, Korgar’s heavy boots clattered along the dusty road as he made his way towards the Westgate Arena. Despite arriving only a short while ago to the city of Imperia, he’d heard numerous things about the coliseum. Of course, many of these rumors were dissimilar to the ones pertaining to Primus Gaudeo’s AFG Arena, but to the young dwarf, an arena was an arena.

He’d fought in the AFG Arena once. It had been the first time that he’d ever dueled against an unarmed opponent before a huge crowd of cheering people. The noise of the coliseum had lifted his spirit, empowering him with a vitality that he’d never known before. First and foremost, Korgar was a fighter, and there was nothing more glorious to him than going head to head against an opponent in front of a grand audience.

With both battle axes strapped in an ‘X’ across his back, the dwarf lumbered down the street towards the towering structure that was the Westgate Arena. He’d never visited the place before, but he was confident that it couldn’t be that much different from the one he was accustomed to participating in. Whistling a tune to himself while he traveled, the dwarf thought of Lucian and Ly’san’a for a moment. It was too bad that they were going to miss all the fun.

[Dignitas]

Slowly but surely as the darkening wore on the streets became less and less inhabited. Although it was still early in the evening it was beginning to feel as if a curfew was in effect as people vacated the streets for safer areas. A few still meandered down the close and cobbled veins of the city, some drunk, some running and some simply not paying attention to anything but themselves. A couple entwined passed by not to far obviously enjoying their time together, followed by a drunk who was walking in the opposite direction calling out the name of someone named "Sabine". The Westgate district wasn't too far and Korgar noticed immediately when he was in the district. The atmosphere changed a bit. The narrow streets widened out a bit, and the population on the streets bumped up a little. To the left of him was a building with bodyguards around it, keenly eyeing everyone who passed. Music, live music from the sounds of it, resonated out of a lively building to his left.

A few more steps brought the dwarf to the Arena. Its hieght and construction impressive, it towered in the darkness a testimony to entertainment and violence. It was dead this time of night, no one inside cheering or the usual array or torches lighting its exterior. Only cold stonework and the rounded shape was there to greet the dwarf. Its huge bigger the giant sized double wooden doors were closed and locked with liberal amounts of chain. Too bad too, as the arena was something many dwarfs enjoyed in Imperia. However, just barely visible leaning against the side of the buidling was a form seemingly dressed in a blue overcoat with a wide brimmed hat and feather in it. He seemed to be whisling to the dwarf.
"Hey there! Wanna see a real arena?" he hollered.

Interesting. Maybe Korgar could see some entertainment tonight after all.

[Korgar Kinslammer]

The frosty winter breeze was enjoyable. Having imbibed a few ales prior to his endeavor, the dwarf was already sweating. Although far from inebriated, alcohol had its way of inducing heat upon those it inhabited, and Korgar was no exception. Wiping the perspiration from his grimy brow, he arrived at the district housing the Arena after a short amount of time. The melodious noise of music filtered through the air, lifting the dwarf’s spirits and reminding him of the camaraderie he’d left behind in Zerdargia many months ago. Love of music, as most people knew, was a commonality that most dwarves shared. The Kinslammer Clan had cherished its own brand of tunes; in fact, they’d always said that Korgar had a fine set of lungs himself.

In any case, he wasn’t here to sing.

He paused disappointedly in front of the Arena, taking note of the knot of the chains that sealed the doorway. “Aw dammit,” He muttered, obviously frustrated that he’d arrived too late. He missed the roaring sounds of the Arena. Back when he’d fought in Primus Gaudeo, the roof had seemed to vibrate under the chorus of cheers from the massive crowds. He wondered what it’d be like in Imperia, but he supposed that he’d have to find out another brightening.

A whistle caught his attention.

“Da real arena?” Korgar asked curiously. Scratching at a scab on his head with dirty fingers, the dwarf glanced over his shoulder to the locked doorway. He wondered how the man intended on getting him past the chains, but it didn’t seem impossible that the arena contained a number of entrances. Of course, it was possible that he was reading the man’s offer entirely wrong, but how was a new dwarf in a big city supposed to know any better? Shrugging indifferently, he turned away from the Arena’s chief threshold.

“Sure ding, mate. Lead da way,” He bade excitedly. Rubbing his hands together, the dwarf could barely contain his excitement. Puffing out his chest, he readied to follow the strange man. “Ye got two Arenas in da city? Or we goin’ in through da back?” He ignorantly asked.

[Dignitas]

As the dwarf looked to the locked and chained doors of the Westgate Arena the apparition in the blue overcoat and wide brimmed hat meandered over. Laughing softly, the thing shook its head. Despite the various torches hung on the walls of the arena that bathe it in a soft orange glow, the strangers face was concealed by shadow, only the shine of his teeth and the whites of its eyes shown through. "No friend. I mean, the real arena. Much better then this one. Come." he said in a helpful voice, gesturing for the short and stocky dwarf to follow.

As the two sloped off into the night, they headed away from Westgate Arena. "We um....yeah, we got two arenas. Not from around here, are you?" the stranger asked innocently and draped an arm around Krogar as the two walked in Imperia's streets. The man whistled a tune, a series of long low notes as well as some higher fast ones. It wasn't a song Krogar had ever heard before. Here and there as they passed locked houses and closed businesses the man would chuckle a bit, he seemed very jovial and in good spirits. For more then ten minutes Krogar could follow the winidng maze of twist and turns through the Westgate Arena Districsts alleyways. Here and there Krogar could swear they had passed this place already, but of course he was new to Imperia and the city did have a different look during darkening after all. Finally however, the man in the wide brimmed hat led the dwarf to a rather run down building with a rusted metal door on an otherwise unremarkable building front. "Well, this is the place" he said with a wink and a grin.

Knocking on the door three times, the man did so wait for a series of locks on the other side to be undone. When the door squeaked open on its metal hinges the inside was bitch black, save for the distant glow of torches down what looked to be a hallway. "After you friend" the wide brimmed man said, holding the door for Krogar to enter first.

[Korgar Kinslammer]

“A real arena eh? What am I doin’ ‘ere then,” the dwarf reasoned, turning from the chained entranceway to join the robed man. Korgar’s heavy boots clattered loudly upon the streets, and he hummed innocently to himself as he and the mysterious man proceeded through a series of twists and turns that left the dwarf absolutely dumbfounded as to where he was. Although he’d lived in the city for a cycle now, the young Zerdargian had, for the most part, always been accompanied by Lucian who was far more familiar with the area. Subsequently, the dwarf had never taken it upon himself to learn the ins and outs of the streets. Nevertheless, he was far more enthused about the ‘other’ arena than he was about finding his way back. He would figure that out later.

As the man draped an arm across the dwarf’s shoulder, Korgar looked upwards, trying to garner a better glimpse of his face. All he saw was the shadow projected by the man’s wide-brimmed hat, and thus he disappointedly turned his gaze away and trained his eyes ahead of him. “Yea, came ‘ere from Primus Gaudeo lookin’ fer work. Dunno what all da fuss is about people bein’ scrappy ‘ere. I kinda like it,” He languidly answered. “So tell me again, is dis place near r’ somethin’? I dun got all brightenin’ ye know.” Setting his hands upon his hips, the dwarf wore an impatient frown.

That frown subsided shortly, though, when they arrived in front of a shady ramshackle that resembled a dilapidated warehouse. “Dis is it?” the dwarf mumbled, scratching his head dubiously as the door’s safety mechanisms were quickly unlocked. Luckily for the Zerdargian, his vision was fairly keen in the darkness, and thus he stole a quick, wary glance inside before entering. Upon entering, he purposely turned to keep his back to the wall, waiting for the robed man to go in behind him and thus lead the way. The dwarf had no idea where he was going, but he was beginning to wonder if this was an arena after all.

[Dignitas]

The glance that was taken down the darkened corridor didn't reveal much. Although small candles hung on either side of the hallway that provided some light, it didn't really illuminate the situation much. The way ahead was largely desolate, save for a wooden barrel on one side of the hallway and some trash that had collected on the floor. Most of the hallway was swamped in shadow, proving tough to penetrate even to the dwarf's eye. Certainly, it seemed like no proper arena that the Kinslammer had ever visited. If Korgar was having doubts, the inspection of the interior told him that it wasn't indeed an arena at all, that or perhaps it was the most underground-unknown secretive arena in the Empire. But, such was the way of Imperia of what the newly arrived dwafsman had seen. Much of the city had a certain look to it, and this mysterious building and hallway proved no different. It was that aurua, the disused, crumbling feel that the city promiently displayed in many of the less wealthier areas.

The man in blue however, remained adamant that this was, in fact, the place. Without hesitation the man went in past the dwarf and raised a hand that beckoned Krogar to follow. He walked with a confidence, that he was unafraid of being here or for Krogar to be at his back. Without waiting the man went down the hallway, not even sure if his visitor was following. The only question now was, would Krogar?

[Korgar Kinslammer]

Hesitance marked the dwarf’s initial reaction; however, after an unfulfilling examination of the premises, his reservations escalated considerably. He had a sneaking suspicion that the man’s alleged arena was not what most people typically envisioned, but then again, maybe that was a good thing –or maybe it wasn’t. In any case, dwarves were curious by nature, and Korgar was no exception. He loved the exhilaration of a good fight, and if he could find it here in the unseen arena then this was exactly where he wanted to be. And if not, well, he would simply leave –assuming it would be that easy.

“A’right a’right, let’s get movin’,” Korgar mumbled. Stuffing his hairy hands casually into the front of his trousers, he followed the mysterious human inside. Seeing as the man had entered without any harm done to him, Korgar ignorantly supposed that it would be safe for him to enter as well, unless, of course, the cloaked man had buddies hiding along the walls of the inside. Not discounting the possibility, the dwarf remained alert as he entered and followed the man. With his keen orbs that were capable of perceiving even in the darkest mines of Zerdargia, Korgar hoped that nothing would catch him unwarily –and more importantly, he hoped that there was nothing to worry about at all.

[Dignitas]

For all intents and purposes, passing the dimmed and darkened hallway was if anything but eventful. That long stretch went by unremarkable as watching grass grow. As the steps came closer and closer to the other side the air got heavier a bit, and the smell much staler. The man before Krogar chuckled a bit at something. However, he perhaps noticed something about the Dwarf. Maybe a hesitation or a uncertainty. He called out to his new dwarven friend "Don't worry my friend. Ain't nothin here to be afraid of. Besides having a dwarf at your back!" he quipped, with a head turn and a wink towards the Kinslammer. At the end of the hallway opened a large foyer of sorts. The floor had turned from rough hewned stone to a sandy, dirt packed affair. Before the man in the blue and Krogar laid an octagon of sorts, lowered into the floor like a pit. The pit was around eight feet high, and around the top where the two now stood was a one foot high gaurdrail made of wood, obviously to keep those from watchign a top from falling in.

Trash was everywhere, papers and food bits scattered here and there and it was obvious the large open area around the bit held many spectaters. The lighting was dim, only a single large crude metal chandeilier hung from the ceiling, contrasting greatly with the rest of the sparse environs. "Well, 'ere it is. We got ourselfs a show for tonight, but it don't start for another two candlemarks." he said, looking down into the pit. The floor of the pit was full of sand, some of it marred red and black. It seemed to be as large around as to fit a three wagons inside, plenty of moving space for fighters. From Krogars vantage point, there was a hallway down the left and a single door on the right of the large room. The north wall had some sort of mural, depicting two human fighters, one with a sheild raised the other striking it with a sword. "Ever fought any?" the man in the blue overcoat and wide brimmed hat asked. "My great grandfather started this place, been run by family ever sin...." his voice was cut off by the apperance of a small kid who ran into the large room via the hallway to the left. A human obviously, the young kid wore bright blue leggings and a red top. He had curly brown hair and a mischevious smile on his face, his eyes sparkled as he looked to both the dwarf and the man in the wide brimmed hat.

"Julos my boy!" the man in the wide brimmed hat hollered. "I've told ya boy, you should be asleep for your schola next brightening! What are ya doing up?" The man looked to Krogar and mouthed "sorry" to him. "Kids you know, always running circles around ya!" he said in obvious embarrasment taking off his hat to scratch his head. (which revealed the same type and style of hair the boy possesed.

"Look what I got!" excalimed the boy, his eyes on both Krogar and the (obvious) father. Raising his tiny arm he revealed a key, a skelton key that was polished to a bright silver. Gasping at what he saw, the father looked flaberghasted. Giggling, the boy raced back the hallway from where he came. "By Diana!" the father exclaimed, mouth still open. "Thats the key to the animal pen. If little Julos opens that up, all of the entertainment for tonight will escape! Feth!". Without more then a sound the man in blue bolted to a run, making for the hallway the boy dissapared down. "Friend! Help me catch this very ,very, very bad son of mine, who will be in a lot of trouble once I get a hold of him!!" he said to Krogar (but more to little Julos).

Not caring if Krogar would help out or not it seemed, the man in the blue overcoat took off to catch his mischevious son before he let loose the animals, and ruin tonights show.

[Korgar Kinslammer]

The dwarf’s nerves were more sensitive than an old hag’s and that prevented him from enjoying the mysterious trek down the tunnel. His heavy boots clattered loudly against the ground, likely notifying every insect and brute in the hallway that he was approaching. Korgar thought of Lucian at that moment, arguably his only friend, and the stealth that came so naturally to the human. The dwarf envied his employer and his soft footsteps, a trait that surely would have eased the Zerdargian’s heart now. There was something about treading rowdily through a foreign area that unnerved the dwarf. Maybe it was his past experiences in the darkness or his knowledge that the shadows were conducive to ambushes. In any case, he welcomed the light at the end of the tunnel.

“By Cetheron’s beard…! Yer granddaddy musta been a king!” He exclaimed upon arriving at the makeshift arena. Peering over the ledge, the dwarf rubbed his obsidian eyes as if to dispel cobwebs of disbelief. He no longer worried about getting ambushed or jumped from behind; his attention was fully invested upon the octagonal arena beneath him. Like the Aelyrian Fighter’s Guild Arena in Primus Gaudeo, the pit was comprised of sand. Why did every arena he entered have a sand floor? He supposed that the sand absorbed both sweat and blood and thus that type of terrain was economical to maintain. Nevertheless, an arena was an arena –and Korgar wanted to be a part of it.

“Fought any wha? Humans? O’ course I fought me share of ‘em,” the dwarf haughtily replied. He failed to mention that he’d only done so on rare occasions, but that still didn’t diminish the truth of his statement.

Turning away from the spectators that dotted the stands, the dwarf blinked as a small boy came from behind. “Yer son I’m guessin’?” Korgar postulated. Not a person who was good at interacting with children, Korgar merely snorted and swallowed. He didn’t know what to say so he didn’t say anything at all. The sapphire-appareled man’s comments were lost upon him as Korgar could not possibly relate, but the dwarf feigned understanding anyway with a grim chuckle. “Dats why ye gotta hit ‘em,” the dwarf earnestly responded to the man’s comment about kids running amuck. That's how the dwarves did it anyway.

When the boy produced the skeleton key and his father panicked and chased after him, however, Korgar was quickly forced to make a decision whether to follow or not. Not knowing what else to do, he grumbled a comment about stupid kids before charging after the blue-clothed man. “Gawd. We gonna see some action or we babysittin’…” He muttered under his breath as he began to chase after the pair. His short, stumpy legs pumped vigorously as he ran. There was no way in Aeternia that he was going to let the boy reach the animal pen (wherever that was) and release the entertainment for the night. That was a show that Korgar certainly wanted to see, and he would indeed see it if he had anything to say about it -or do about it in this case.