Chapter 4 - Fight For Me

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Fight For Me
*Moonless Age chapter*

Main characters
* Ariel Val'Sarghress
* Rikshakar
* Vaelia

Related locations
* Black Dragon Tavern
* Sarghress Fortress

Related factions
* Val'Sarghress
* Val'Sullisin'rune
* Val'Kyorl'solenurn
* Val'Dutan'vir

Chapter 4 continues Ariel's efforts to find allies for upcoming attack on Mir'kiin. After being lead to the Black Dragon Tavern by her new slave, she explores her options for hiring a fighting slave.

## Summary

### The Black Dragon

The Chapter opens with a narration of the Black Dragon by one of its enslaved gladiators, Minka. He bitterly noted the establishments vile experiments and callous cruelty in the name of entertainment, as well as its strong ties to the Vel'Sharen through its main business of breeding dragons. Among the many other slaves seen fighting in the pits are the Vaelia and Discordia.

### Purchasing Vaelia

As Ariel and Faen continued their search for a warrior to aid in Ariel's quest to defeat Mir'kiin, Liriel led the group to the Black Dragon to purchase one of the many gladiator slaves. Faen soon purchased an Emberi slave-gladiator that she and Ariel had seen in a recent bout in the pits, though at the cost of much of her remaining allowance. While grateful, Ariel expressed some surprise at Faen's wealth. However, Faen replied that slaves were relatively cheap by the standards Vals, noting it was the upkeep and care of slaves that was the true expense. Dampening their cheer, Liriel noted that the slave's injuries, while allowing her to be purchased at great discount, would prevent her from being fit for combat for some time.

Ariel and Faen quickly dismissed the warning, as they believed the slave to be a warrior-princess from the Overworld and more than a match for any potential escort Mir'kiin might have. Disgusted by their naivety, Liriel informed young Val children that such a background was utter nonsense; made up by the announcer for the sake of entertainment. While she expressed contempt for the quality of Vloz'ress mercenaries, Lirel remained firm in her belief that Vaelia would be unable to match them in her present condition.

As Ariel expressed her frustration that Mir'kiin would warrent an escort when she did not, Liriel simply expressed her belief Ariel was likely a member of a minor house and not considered important enough to the clan to warrant protection. Angrily, Ariel declared her status as a Val of the Sarghress, daughter to Quain'tana herself. Amused and acting rather uncharacteristically, Liriel wryly remarked that only confirmed her suspicions. Her pride wounded, Ariel was comforted by Faen, who explained that she would have borrowed money from Yafein had he remained present. Bitterly, Ariel noted his repeated absences whenever she needed him most. As Liriel downed a generous pint of beer and returned to her normal cheerful self, Ariel wondered just what kind of slave she was.

 File:RikshakarDiscoridaRound1.png
### Rikshakar

Soon after, a bout began in the arena between two formidable combatants: The Champion Rikshakar, proclaimed a mighty "Half-Dragon" by the announcer; and Discordia, a powerfully mutated Vel'akar. As the owner of the Black Dragon, Lady Irena, watched on, she was visited by Faen and Ariel. Though irritated by the disturbance, upon learning of their Val status, Irena allowed them to take a moment of her time. As Ariel and Faen expressed their desire to speak with Rikshakar, Irena sternly forbade an outsider to enter the enclaves. She insisted that only a gladiator representing their clan could speak with Rikshakar, and only after first winning a bout in the arena. As Ariel mentioned that their gladiator was wounded, Irena permitted her to enter two gladiators if she desired. As the young children left, Irena's servants questioned her motives for such a "game". Irena callously explained that such children needed to learn the futility of their hopes, and that giving them such an impossible opportunity would make the lesson all the more painful.

The matter dealt with for the time being, Irena turned her attention back to the pits, where Rikshakar had begun overpowering his opponent. Though Discordia managed to inflict a minor wound below his eye, Rikshakar promptly finished the demon off by brutally impaling her head, then decapitating her when her body continued to struggle. As the demon's aura left the corpse, it was promptly sealed by a nether summoner for the safety of the audience.

 File:IrenaNearMiss.png
### Entering the Arena

As it would happen, Ariel's choice of a second gladiator would be none other than herself. Using her high sorcery to disguise her appearance, she entered the arena under the guise of a Sarghress mercenary, alongside the still-injured Vaelia. Their opponent was Minka, thrown into the arena once more. Above, a young drowussu watched from the stands near Faen. Disgusted by Minka's treatment, she turned her attention to Faen, introducing herself as Chirinide Val'Kyorl'solenurn and asking where Ariel had gone. Though surprised to be conversing with a drowussu, Faen replied that Ariel had left to fetch someone from her clan to fight in the pits, and was likely waiting in the lobby. Concerned and suspicious of the true "mercenary", Chiri inwardly wondered if this battle was what her Ill'haress had seen.

Meanwhile, Minka had managed to daze Ariel with a heavy kick to the chest after the latter had bitten him and landed a shallow sword-strike to his arm. As he advanced, Vaelia interposed herself between the two, though it would soon become apparent that Minka had another target in mind; stooping to pick up Ariel's fallen sword, he threw the blade into the stands directly at the Lady Irena, the blade lodging itself in her chair mere inches from her head. Enraged and shaken, Irena ordered the match ended and Minka taken to the lowest level of the pit.

The match over, an apparently satisfied Chiri took her leave of Faen, asking her to take good care of her friend. As she turned to leave, Faen nervously called out to her, informing her of *things* in Orthorbbae that her clan might wish to investigate. Her face flashing with momentary anger, Chiri informed Faen that her clan was well aware of the corruption, and that a purge of the school would be led as soon as fate permitted.

### Dark Intentions

The battle concluded, Ariel entered the pits and returned to her true form, motioning Vaelia to be silent as she passed. Vaelia recognized her as the darkling child who had purchased her. As the Emberi wondered what reason Ariel had to be in pits, Ariel entered the cell of Rikshakar, addressing him with the title of Vel'Cahal that the announcer had given him. Irritably, he rebuffed her attempts to purchase his services and stated that he had no time for a "drow shitling". Noting the choice of words, Ariel used her shapeshifting to assume a form similar to his own, which caught him by complete surprise.

His attention now focused in a dark manner, Rikshakar offered to aid Ariel in exchange for a kiss. Confused, Ariel acquiesced to his demand. As Vaelia watched from her own cell helplessly, Rikshakar took the kiss much further than Ariel was comfortable with, enraging the Emberi woman.

### Jer'kol's Attack

 File:VaeliaFreed.png
A short time later, Ariel returned Jer'kol's wolf to the pens, now accompanied by Vaelia. Having accomplished that chore, she bemoaned the fact the she could not locate Faen, and that Vaelia did not understand enough drow language to aid her. As Ariel returned to the Sarghress Fortress, she encountered Jer'kol in an alley. As Ariel thanked him for the loan of the wolf, noting it had helped save their lives, Jer'kol claimed that his "daughter" was not safe. Though Ariel scoffed that she was well aware of that fact, Jer'kol continued to pressure Ariel, attempting to sow doubt and distrust towards her family. As Ariel faltered, he took her into what appeared to be a hug before strengthening his grip in attempt to choke Ariel unconscious. However, Vaelia would not remain helpless a second time as Ariel was taken advantage of. Stepping forward suddenly, she drove a heavy kick into Jer'kol's face.

Enraged, Jer'kol drew his sword and moved to strike Vaelia down. Though her experience in the pits allowed her to briefly bind his blade and land another kick, her manacles ultimately limited her too greatly and Jer'kol was able to overpower her. His decision to draw out his kill and humiliate her allowed time for Commander Kor'maril to appear. Kor'maril immediately challenged Jer'kol to explain his actions, which he tried to deflect by claiming he has been disciplining a rogue slave. As Ariel shook her head, still recovering her breath, Kor'maril mockingly disclaimed Jer'kol's story, further commenting on the rumours surrounding his involvement with Syphile and her schemes.

Realizing himself to be cornered in his lies, Jer'kol attempted to take Ariel hostage as Kor'maril advanced, insisting he would take the blame if she died. However, his attention too focused on his adversary and not his captive, Ariel was able to shapeshift a nail into a claw and gouged Jer'kol painfully in the eye. Kor'maril immediately took advantage of the opening to stab Jer'kol deeply in the abdomen. As Ariel regained her composure, she noted Vaelia's wounds and how the Emberi woman had once more risked her own life to save her. In an expression of gratitude, Ariel handed Vaelia the key to her manacles, asking her name for the first time.

## Characters

### Other Supporting Characters

*This article reflects events up to Chapter 4**.***

1. ↑ Chapter 4, page 5
2. ↑ Chapter 4, page 9
3. ↑ Chapter 4, page 18
4. ↑ Chapter 4, page 24
5. ↑ Chapter 4, page 39