Kotori had called Strix to come out for a spar.  Wanting to try something different Kotori hadn’t called him to some nice flat and open sparring area but instead to the middle of a bridge that crossed over the rapids.  There was enough room on the bridge for two wolves to walk side by side but, not much extra.  It certainly wasn’t designed for a lot of wide turns but would be a nice spot to block another wolf off from crossing from one end to another.  

The sides of the bridge had wooden pillars that rose up a good forty inches with fat dense ropes slung across from pillar to pillar, down low enough to stop a pup from falling over, along with a rope a foot higher, and another rope a foot above that.  The wooden boards had been treated with some sort of oil that was supposed to help them not weaken or warp in the rain.  The bridge did get slick at points if too much water got on it from excess wind or rain.

Now the bridge had a thin layer of snow on it and it was indeed slick.  A fight on this bridge would be more dangerous than a normal spar with the potential to easily lose balance and no way to easily escape some attacks if stuck at the wrong angle.  It would be a good test for both of them.

“We’re fighting right here.  If you fall off the bridge you lose, and you’re going to be all wet,” grinned devilishly as he said that part.  “You can back up or go forward only as far as the end of the bridge.” Try to twist abound and you would potentially get caught between an attacker and the ropes.  This should be fun.  

"Kotori"

The boy of clouded greys and black follows the Sumatar out to the rapids where the pair move to cross a wooden bridge. Eyes scan the area as they stop in the middle and Kotori turns to face him. Mismatched eyes blink in surprise as the man tells him that they will be fighting here, on the bridge before the rules are quickly laid out. Strix listens while inspecting the space, trying to determine how tight of a turn he would need to make and how to use the snowy landscape to his advantage. Luckily, a storm had blown through the night before and left behind piles of snow and, while paws have already beaten down much of the powder on the bridge, it can still affect how he will fight. Looking to Kotori as he finishes speaking, the boy says, “Understood. Ready yourself.”

The familiar tingle of excitement that accompanies fighting begins in his paws as Strix swiftly sets his defenses. Legs spread and he tests the snow with his toes, testing what kind of grip he has. Once Kotori signals he is ready, the boy takes off, kicking up powder as he launches across the short distance. While Kotori may be much taller than him, the small Klein boy knows he has speed on his side. Even in the short space between them, the boy is able to gather enough speed so that, when he suddenly cuts to the right and dips his butt down to slow his pace, a wide plume of white powder is kicked up. He aims the snow at Kotori’s face, hoping to momentary blind him while, at the same time, attempting to strike out at the man’s front left leg as he pass.





Strix vs Kotori for Spar
Round 1/?
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Small
Build: Light
Skills: Master Fighter & Expert Healer
Specialty: Unarmed


"Strix Klien"

Kotori grins toothily at Strix's words, “I’m always ready Strix.” Despite the words of bravado the horned wolf quickly got into a warrior's crouch.  If he was given a second warning then he’d certainly take it.  Kotori had never tried fighting within such a small bit of space but really, he imagined that today he had the advantage.  Strix was small and that generally meant they aimed for speed over brute strength.  Right now, speed had the threat of slipping or sliding and that was all the more dangerous when the rules stated you’d lose if you fell, or slid, off the bridge.

Kotori hadn’t expected the boy to use snow flinging at him and would give the wolf marks for a good plan but, not a good enough one.  Kotori kept his head even with his shoulders, with his eyes squinted some snow got into them but not enough to fully blind him.  Kotori wasn’t worried about his sight at that moment anyway, there was only so far Strix could go and he’d already come in close.

Kotori lunged in to meet Strix, no hiding his intentions right now as he intended to simply overpower the small wolf if he could.  Kotori would bite towards the top of the neck.  His aim might be off some as the powdery snow in his eyes but the target was a large enough spot he expected to get a bite in, and even if not there wasn’t far for Strix to go to avoid a collision.   He felt Strix’s teeth bite his leg, guaranteeing he was right there to hit.

Kotori vs Strix for Spar
Round 1/2
Age: over 1 year
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Bracers with hidden knife
Defensive Battle Accessory: Hind leg leather bracers
Companion 1: Slender mongoose, Male - Battle - Boosted
Companion 2: Snow leopard, Male - Battle
Mutation 1: Horns - Offensive
Mutation 2: Agility boost - Agility
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Juggernaut

"Kotori Fatalis"

Strix trusts his footing, knowing the amount of pressure and path to use to send the perfect plume of snow up toward Kotori’s face. The bridge does not give him a lot of room to maneuver but, as he snaps out toward the larger man’s leg, he subtle shifts his weight to bring his back end underneath the earthen male’s front end. Being small has some advantage since he can fit nicely underneath Kotori without hitting his legs. Rump hits the ground as Ko’s teeth snatch his scruff. Typical. Taller wolves always use their height to try and over power him. Anticipating the attack, Stix allows the wolf to grab hold of him before executing his own counter attack. Muscles push him upward and the boy leaps up while tossing his head backward in an attempt smash Kotori’s nose and stun the earthen male… or at least, make him release his hold on Strix’s scruff.




Strix vs Kotori for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Small
Build: Light
Skills: Master Fighter & Expert Healer
Specialty: Unarmed


"Strix Klien"

Strix was small and fast and fought like other small fighters.  Strix wasn’t the only one here who knew how often those of similar size would choose tactics.  He had a bit of Strix scruff in his mouth and as long as he didn’t let go the boy’s speed was meaningless.  Kotori wasn’t one to hold punches back or label it enough to keep hold of a scruff though.

Kotori was about to bear his weight down heavily on Strix but the yearling tossed his nose up to smash into Kotori’s snout.  Kotori’s head start to move back from habit, making the blow far milder but unfortunately, he’d also let go.  That wasn’t going to last long.

Kotori’s fangs snaked back out, lunging forward to tackle Strix, attempting to sink his teeth back into the scruff and push his weight on top of Strix to fully pin him to the cold bridge.

Kotori vs Strix for spar
Round 2/2
Age: over 1 year
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Bracers with hidden knife
Defensive Battle Accessory: Hind leg leather bracers
Companion 1: Slender mongoose, Male - Battle - Boosted
Companion 2: Snow leopard, Male - Battle
Mutation 1: Horns - Offensive
Mutation 2: Agility boost - Agility
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Juggernaut

Kotori Fatalis

 

And the winner is...

Kotori

Strix must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Strix: Attack Roll: 61 Defense Roll: 19 Agility Roll: 34 Perception Roll: 62 Total: 176 Attack[61] + 18% Bonus[10.98]: 71.98 Defense[19] + 38% Bonus[7.22]: 26.22 Agility[34] + 28% Bonus[9.52]: 43.52 Perception[62] + 18% Bonus[11.16]: 73.16 Total[214.88] + 25% Bonus[53.72]: 268.60 Kotori: Attack Roll: 97 Defense Roll: 70 Agility Roll: 86 Perception Roll: 49 Total: 302 Attack[97] + 100% Bonus[97.00]: 194.00 Defense[70] + 15% Bonus[10.50]: 80.50 Agility[86] + 10% Bonus[8.60]: 94.60 Perception[49] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 49.00 Total[418.10] + 25% Bonus[104.53]: 522.62

Kotori could get a bit zealous in a fight.  He didn’t like losing regardless of how good the enemy was.  Somehow it seemed worse to lose to a kid he was testing.  He’d bit hard and fast into the scruff, slamming his wait into Strix and pinning him firmly against the bridge.  The yearling had more fights to enter before he’d best Kotori!  He held Strix for three breaths before letting go and backing off.  They both saw the results were clear.

Still, Strix had done well in the fight.  There had been no hesitation in fighting Kotori or on the unusual location for the fight.  His movements had shown confidence in his own abilities.  “Well done  Strix Chrion Klein.  You didn’t win but you did prove yourself in the fight.”  They had many fighters but their ranks of specifically fighters were still slim which was only natural with the small size of the pack.  “I will promote you to the rank of Tuhota.  You will not only fight for the pack but be expected to help train.  If we ever raid you can expect to be in it.  If we are ever raided I expect the Tuhota’s to be at the front of the defense.”

That was the bare bones of the requirements of the rank.  “As a member of Valta, you are already expected to show well to strangers so they know the Valta wolves deserve respect.  With this rank, it is all the more important to hold to the standard.  Have pride in your blood and who you are, and act with honor and dignity.  Never let lesser wolves talk down to you nor disrespect those of higher station.”  These things might seem basic but if someone were to ever go against these rules then Kotori wouldn’t let anyone claim they had not been warned.  Kotori didn’t care for casual rebukes.  

“Congratulations.” The horned wolf grinned at the younger, “I’m glad you found Valta and have joined my pack.”

"Kotori Fatalis"