Álarr strode to the Battlefield, pausing only a moment to eye the gathering clouds. Winter was starting off cool and cloudy but with a future raid hanging in the air Álarr knew he needed to practice regardless of the weather. Summer and Autumn drove him to gather herbs and focus on his healing but now that winter was here it was time to shift his focus once again to battle. He didn't know for sure if Tyrian would call him to participate but either way he wanted to be ready.

Álarr glanced to his companions then tipped back his head and howled for an opponent.

Artur had made the long journey to the battlefield despite the season, without even a second thought about whether it would be worth the trip. Of course it was, if he wanted to master the art of battle as he should have seasons ago if the volcano and his need to stay nearby Valhalla for his sisters hadn't kept him quiescent for far longer than he should have allowed it to. He hadn't forgotten his promise to Caelia to spend more time with her, and with his decision to leave Valhalla he wanted to get as much time with her as possible. He didn't anticipate never seeing her again, but she would have her duty to her pack to think of first, while he had no intention of lurking on Valhalla's borders hoping to catch her on patrol to see her again, so it was likely that their time together would be limited. He hadn't told her yet, but his experience with Geoffrey told him he shouldn't keep putting it off. Still, he kept the comversation light and inconsequential on his part as they jouneyed, focusing on the companionship of traveling together, until they reached the battlefield. They had barely crossed the border when a call rose for an opponent, and he inclined his head towards his sister with a faint smile. "Shall we?" he murmured, but didn't wait for an answer before he stretched out into a lope.

The male waiting for him there was a little younger, and wouldn't have appeared to be anything unusual - he was a severe black and white, though his eyes were startlingly bright - except for the set of black horns that swept up from his forehead like some sort of antelope. Artur blinked, and privately wished Caelia was not there so he could nack down from this fight with his dignity intact. But she was, and he was already here, so fearsome horns or not he was going to be facing this opponent.

Fatalistically, he squared up to the younger wolf and gave him a sharp nod. It would be rude to simply jump him without warning, since it was merely a spar, so he politely spoke. "I'm Artur Adravendi. This is my sister Caelia, she is just here to watch today." He felt compelled to assure the male that they had no intention of ganging up on him, as much as Aurielle's silly rule about witnesses made it appear that way. He settled into a warrior's stance naturally, and noted with unease that the other wolf held himself just as naturally. "Whenever you are ready," he offered.

Despite whatever awkwardness lay between them, Caelia was glad to spend time with Artur. The fact that he was growing increasing detached from her and from the rest of Valhalla was painfully obvious to her, but she wasn't quite sure how to bring it up.. or whether she wanted to bring it up at all. Spending time with him was important enough to her that she didn't feel like ruining it with a conversation that she wasn't sure about to begin with. Instead, she was content too to engage in small talk, talking to him about how her training had been going, and the fights she'd won on her own trips to the Battlefield.

She was more than happy to be his witness, and an easy smile broke out over her features as a call rang out, seeking a partner. "As ready as ever," she answered him smoothly, following him toward the call. "Good luck." Not that he needed it, but she offered it quietly nonetheless as the two of them drew closer. Keeping a respectful distance, she watched the interaction. It struck her suddenly that she'd never really seen Artur hold a conversation with a stranger, and she was quiet as she observed. She had no doubt he would win, though she was eager to watch the fight unfold.

Álarr's ears flicked forward at the sound of approaching paw steps. Two wolves answered his call, both looking to be close in age. Great! The man introduced himself as Artur Adravendi and his sister as Caelia who was just there to watch. That was fine with him. Álarr preferred a one on one match to a melee. "Nice to meet you Artur. I'm Álarr Imperialis." He was given the first move and he swiftly set his defenses.

Álarr kicked off seeking to close the distance between the two of them. He swiftly dodged to his right, seeking to line up the front of his left shoulder with the crease between Artur's right shoulder and chest. He jutted his shoulder further forward, seeking to drive it into the crease and jar the limb. At the same time he sought to slam his chest into the other man's. In addition his head rotated to his left, jaws wide as he attempted to bite the left side of Artur's neck just below his jawbone.

Álarr vs Artur for Spar
Round 1/?
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Spiked shoulder harness
Defensive Battle Accessory: Spiked helmet
Companion 1: Pallas Cat, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Raven, Female - Flying
Mutation 1: Kudu horns (small) - Offensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Healer
Specialty: Field Medic

The other male introduced himself as well, and Artur internally filed the name away with a mental frown as the surname niggled at him somehow, but he couldn't quite place it. He'd have to figure it out later, as they had more pressing matters at hand. He gave the male a faint nod. "A pleasure," he said curtly, his politeness fading sharply into readiness as his attention clearly left the brief conversation.

There was a brief pause as they faced one another - and then the boy charged forward. Artur hopped sideways to his right, just barely enough to avoid the slam to his chest, close enough to probably feel the brush of his opponent's fur and definitely enough that Alarr's teeth still barely caught the side of his neck though not enough for a grip only for Alarr's teeth to draw hot furrows along the side of his neck, then planted his paws and slammed his weight sideways, attempting to slam his left shoulder into Alarr's in the hopes of throwing him over before he could recover from the near miss. As he did, Artur's own head turned to his left and, snake-like, he struck forward with his teeth aimed for the muscles along Alarr's spine.

Artur Pendragon Adravendi vs Alarr Imperialis for Spar
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Skills: Expert Fighter & Advanced Intellectual
Specialty: N/A

Álarr just missed his target, his teeth snagging flesh but failing to get the secure hold he'd been hoping for. In that moment Artur's left shoulder slammed into him causing him to stumble. At the same time he felt teeth graze the top of his back, his stumble just bringing him down far enough to miss a full on bite. Lowering his head Álarr sought to charge forward, correcting himself just slightly so that he was facing in at an angle toward Artur's back leg. With his head lowered Álarr sought to slam his horns into Artur's thigh, fangs wide he sought purchase on the other man's knee all while trying to keep his defenses in place as best he could.

Álarr vs Artur for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Spiked shoulder harness
Defensive Battle Accessory: Spiked helmet
Companion 1: Pallas Cat, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Raven, Female - Flying
Mutation 1: Kudu horns (small) - Offensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Healer
Specialty: Field Medic

The other male stumbled as they came together, the shoulder slam ironically putting him mostly out of reach of Artur's fangs. Alarr adjusted where he was pointing and charged again, and Artur noted with some alarm that his stance was exactly what a mountain sheep ram would do to attack another. Except that unlike the ram, Alarr's horns were rather well suited for goring if Artur wasn't careful. He pivoted on his forelegs, his hindquarters swinging away from Alarr's charge. He wasn't quite fast enough, for he and Alarr were fairly well matched in that respect, and pain flared along his hip where the horns had slipped along it, and lower where his teeth had nicked. Ignoring it Artur continued his pivot to face Alarr's side and slammed forward, aiming his shoulder for Alarr's tender unprotected flank. No bone there and no armor, just the skin and muscle over tender organs. In a real battle he might have tried to bite there and open the cavity; right now he just tried to slam his shoulder there to cause bruising. His jaws aimed to the other side to seek a grip on Alarr's elbow.

Artur Pendragon Adravendi vs Alarr Imperialis for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Skills: Expert Fighter & Advanced Intellectual
Specialty: N/A

And the winner is...

Alarr

Artur must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Artur: Adjusted: 105    35.7    71    5.75 Total: 260.94 Alarr: Adjusted: 114.55    94.5    2    20.9 Total: 289.94