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Write-up by: Verbal32
The Contestants
Al’Lan Mandragoran
Age: 50s
Race: human
Weapon: blade forged with the One Power
Special: none
Thom Merrilin
Age: 60s
Race: human
Weapon: knives forged with the One Power
Special: tricks of a gleeman
The Breakdown
Advantages
Lan: a BAMF blademaster will an iron will and unmatched ability
Thom: an old guy with a bum leg and some knives
Disadvantages
Lan: his love for Nynaeve could make him lose focus
Thom: he’s not Lan
How we think the fight will go:
“I don’t want to do this, Merrilin. I know what is between you and Moiraine Sedai, and for this I am sorry. But I must do what is needed, and that unfortunately requires you to die.”
“Trust me, Lan, I don’t want you to do this either. Perhaps we can talk about it. There must be another way.” With that, Thom Merrilin started walking casually towards his opponent, Lan Mandragoran. Thom knew he was grossly outmatched. He hadn’t survived this long without the wisdom to know when he’s in trouble. He needed to get close enough for his knives. Throwing them would have no chance – Lan was too quick and skilled. It must be close.
“That’s enough, Thom. I’m not going to let my guard down so you can play Daes Dae’mar and slit my throat. Your politics and sly maneuvering will not suit this fight.”
Lan drew his sword, forged with the One Power. It did not contain the mark of a blademaster – a heron. But only a fool thought of Lan Mandragoran of anything less than the most skilled blademaster alive. Thom watched Lan draw expertly and settle into a battle stance, on the balls of his feet. This was not going as planned, Thom thought. A fight was imminent, and there was no outside distraction he could use. Perhaps surprise would work.
Thom burst into action, throwing several knives that seems to appear on his person and fly through the air with pinpoint accuracy. Lan sidestepped some and batted away others with the flat of his sword. He looked thoughtful as Thom charged him, and immediately sprang into action. The Boar Rushes Down the Mountain became Cat Dances on the Wall as Thom flicked two more knives into his hands and slashed them both at Lan’s torso.
“You are very quick,” panted Thom. He continued to slash at Lan in an effort to reach him, but Lan would deftly parry and counterattack with his sword. It was all Thom could do to not be killed in one stroke. “I’ve got some tricks, though.”
Blue and red balls appeared out of nowhere and rained down on the two men. For a fraction of a second, Lan glanced at the balls, and Thom used this to score a slash on Lan’s off arm. Lan simply grunted and rebalanced himself. Another man would have shouted out, but the grunt was all that came from Lan.
“Well done, Merrilin,” Lan calmly stated. And then he truly attacked. The Hummingbird Kisses the Honeyrose ended up knocking a knife from Thom’s hand, and Lizard in the Thornbush ended with Lan on one knee and Thom with one hand. As Thom’s face paled, his head dropped a little, and Lan ended it with Plucking the Low-Hanging Apple. Thom’s head dropped from his shoulders and his body hit the ground. Lan slowly bent over to whisper above Thom’s body.
“Duty is heavier than a mountain, death lighter than a feather.”
Predicted Winner: Lan
You have until Saturday, January 28th at 9:00 p.m. PST to vote.
