Let the challenge come

You walk across the central courtyard, slowly. You know what’s about to occur, but you don’t fear it. The human Fiern has given you trouble since the morning he discovered who you were, and that the Grandmaster had taken you into the school. Coming from wealth, he’s always had a lowly look on the poor like you. That you were a criminal just trying to stay alive didn’t help, and being a half-orc on top of that made it all the worse. For all of the years of him being a thorn, you try not to hold a grudge. Sooner or later he’ll learn that the only reason you’re his enemy is because he chooses that. It seems later, as he approaches you, surrounded by a pair of his goony friends.

“Karmal” He says loudly, getting in your way.

“Yes Fiern, what is it today?”

“The Phoenix Lotus is participating in a tournament with the other monks, both near and far.”

“So I’ve heard. It should be a good opportunity for all.”

Fiern interjects, raising his hand. “The grandmaster wants you to be the champion to represent us. I can’t have that.”

You speak calmly and slowly, but forcefully “that isn’t your decision to make. You should talk to him about it if you’re that concerned.”

“No, you’ve always been his favorite, he wouldn’t listen. But he sees everything. If I beat you, he’ll have to choose me instead.”

“Very well” you say as you swiftly take your quarterstaff, lightly grazing him in the head with it. “I win”

He groans in shame and fury “Is this all a game to you? Orc? Do you think this this is funny?” He asks as he takes up the challenge, trying to stike you with a knife hand thrust, which you’re able to not only deflect, but turn into a short grapple, having dropped your weapon.

“Well Fiern, it certaintly isn’t sad..” You release your grapple on him and move away from him in a hurry. He’s tall for a human, but you still have even greater height and reach than he does. He charges in, stupidly, leaving him well open for a retaliatory kick to his center. Having connected, it knocked most of the wind out of him, but not the spirit. Still standing, he takes a few deep breaths to try and regain himself, coming at you again.

Being more tactful this time, he evades your long legs, closing the distance so as to make a kick impractical. Strictly hand to hand, he tries to count on speed, hoping to move in a flurry that you can’t keep up with. You’re able to deflect most of his blows, and a few do get in, largely attacking your strong core. Once again, the young man is short sighted, having left himself open to attacks of a different sort.

Letthing him connect with two sideways strikes, you reach forward and grab him by his clothes. Instinctively, his hands move towards yours to try and break loose, with no success. You hoist Fiern off the ground, and by moving your center of gravity, lift him over you, slamming him into the ground hard. Fiern lies motionless, in pain, but still alive.

You hear the voice of the Grandmaster behind you “I suppose you feel he deserved to be embarrassed like that.”

You bow instinctively as you turn towards him “that was not my goal, Grandmaster. I simply saw a way to end the conflict easily, and took it.”

The grandmaster chuckles “You could have been a diplomat in another life Karmal. You can be honest. Fiern deserved everything he just received, and possibly more.” He takes a few steps to look down at the rival student, still on the ground.

“Young man, if you ever question my authority or my wisdom again, you will be thrown out of this temple forever.”

Turning back to you “You, on the other hand, showed that you are exactly the correct person to represent us in the tournament.”

“Thank you, Grandmaster, I look forward to the opportunity to prove myself.”

“More than that” He adds “it will be an opportunity for you at last to leave the walls of the temple." That was a surprise, you haven’t stepped foot out of here since the day you were caught. You scarcely remember what the city outside used to look like.

“That’s amazing, Grandmaster” You say with a bow “I promise I won’t let you down.”

“I know you won’t. Come, let us make our way now.” With that, you hurriedly grab your quarterstaff, making your way to this tournament, wondering what you may encounter along the way.