It was a cruel night – dark and cold, empty of emotion yet corrupted, and it stabbed Nenusidh’s warm heart like a knife. The land was giving the ranger a message – a rather bitter message at that, that there cannot be mercy. The moon was neither bold nor strong enough to best the cruel skies, and the stars were too few and much covered. The land was covered in darkness, yet despite so, there was a fragment of light within the ranger. Perhaps, since he was new to these lands, he had not lost that same light that others had, or perhaps he could not afford to lose that light he needed dearly. Either way, it was a unique night for Nenusidh for he was not used to the lack of stars – he had experienced nights where the clouds covered the beauty the stars had, but they were rare nights for him, and he quite liked the stars deeply. It was his first night in Angmar, and he wondered as to whether it was always liked this here. For, if so, then that’d take some getting used-too for the ranger.
He did not begin to sleep immediately, for much was on his mind concerning the welfare of his home and family, as well as his growing desire to investigate the orc-threat that plagued the North Downs. He did not know how long it’d take him to be ‘accepted’, but he hoped that it’d be quickly. Haste was to be needed, in his mind. And whilst he is true, care and allies are even more important. Yet, he does not realize that just yet. After a short while, weariness of the journey finally overwhelmed him and he succumbed to it. Within seconds, he was deep asleep. And he’ll need all the rest that he can get, for tomorrow would be a harsh day. Strength, and only strength, is the only thing that may be needed for tomorrow.
Leugus, the eldest watcher, with dark hair and menacing green eyes, roared inside the tent: “Come out! The Chieftain has your first challenge.”
Nenusidh’s ears rang with grogginess yet he forced himself to get off the floor and follow Leugus. Leugus has been tasked to watch and guard Nenusidh, until he has proven that he is strong enough to be granted a Fém, whether that will be quick or slow, is unforeseeable for now. Very soon, the ranger was standing alongside Leugus in front of the tall-and-mighty yet untamed Chieftain, who seemed to be with three others. One of those three was bare-chested with many scars over his body – he was bulky and full of strength, yet his eyes spoke of care and kindness thus he was less intimidating than what he would appear to be. The second man was the shortest, yet he had a long cape and two long daggers in each hand. He looked much more agile and swift… The third was a woman, she was deeply pale but her eyes were even colder and she was clearly strong and perfectly capable of protecting herself. She had a large but rather crude axe, fit for strength but not a thing of beauty.
The Chieftain grumbled: “Are you ready for your first challenge?”
“Aye.” Nenusidh said simply.
“Good.” It was clear that he wasn’t asking, to ensure Nenusidh had a choice, but asking out of courtesy. “Strength must be shown before your Fém can be given. Thus, your first challenge is to defeat, at least two of these three warriors. They’re the best warriors that Aughaire has.”
Nenusidh’s eyes lined up to meet his opponents’ and he observed them, with interest but also with determination. “They will be worthy fighters, it seems like.” Nenusidh thought. Yet, he said in a calm, grim manner: “So. Who will fight me first?”
The first man, who was bare-chested, said in a hoarse voice: “I will.”
The Chieftain said: “This is Tarran.”
Nenusidh looked around but noticed something: “You do not have a weapon.”
Tarran shook his head and smiled, “I got my own weapons. Yet, I see you have a blade. It shall be fun to see fists-against-blade.”
Nenusidh was an honourable man and did not believe in that, he took out his blade yet set it aside: “There’s no honour in that.”
Tarran said: “There is no honour in battle, only survival.”
“Nevertheless. I will fight you, in your own terms.” Nenusidh said. Perhaps, this was a foolish mistake on Nenusidh’s part, or perhaps it wasn’t. Either way, this affected the outcome of this first battle greatly, for the ranger had great skill with a sword and can fight immensely with it. Yet, he was out of his comfort-zone for he was not well-skilled with fighting unarmed. Tarran smiled and swung his fist to strike Nenusidh. Nenusidh dodged quickly and he was nimble enough to swing to the other side and land a blow on his opponent’s back. He did not see his speed and thus was momentarily knocked down.
The ranger begun to work on his next move which was to strike at Tarran’s chest, but Tarran wouldn’t give up so easily. He jumped up, grabbed Nenusidh’s arm before he could strike, and twisted it around his back. He winced in pain, but he mustered all his strength and managed to kick Tarran away, so that he was freed. Tarran smiled with amusement and circled Nenusidh: “You have potential.”
Nenusidh muttered: “Appears to be so.” He was not talking out of arrogance, but out of focus. He did not wish to be distracted, for he knew well-enough that an enemy can use one’s pride against him like poison. After a moment, Tarran timed his attack and managed to run up to the ranger and knock him down. Then, he placed his foot down onto the ranger’s chest, sternly locking him down and he said with humour: “How does it feel to be defeated?”
A reply came, “It feels rather fruitful actually.” There was no hint of sarcasm or mockery there, thus Tarran and the others had a confused expression on their face, and so would I, had I been in that situation in person. Nenusidh carried on, “For I know what you’re capable of. I shall wish to have another battle in the future, if fate allows it.”
Tarran grunted: “I like this man – intriguing indeed.” He helped the ranger up.
The Chieftain said sternly, “Nevertheless, you’ve lost this battle, thus you will need to defeat Cadrant and Nuada, else you can never return here again.”
Nuada stepped forward, drew out her axe and said coldly: “I am ready to fight.” Nenusidh grabbed his blade and unsheathed it, he knew from observation of former foes that she was much less kind than Tarran, and that would no mercy, no time to ‘stop’ for her. “Let us begin.” He said. Nuada aimed to strike but Nenusidh responded with a perfect parry – Nuada did not know how much of a skilled swordsman her opponent was, and that could easily sway her to defeat. Yet, Nenusidh has only recently seen the strength of the Trév Gállorg and had no desire to underestimate his rival.
Swiftly, Nenusidh made his own attack – he slammed his blade against Nuada’s weapon which she dropped, and was distracted with picking it up, which gave him the chance to side-step and plunge his sword so that the blade was centimetres away from her neck. It must have been rather tense, for again, I was not in that situation! Nuada spat, “An outsider has bested me.”
The Chieftain was rather solemn, and he was a hard man to impress, Nenusidh observed. “That could prolong my task…” He thought, but kept that to himself. He put away his blade, and offered to help Nuada up, but her temper was as untamed as her fighting. Most warriors will know the benefit of how being calm will aid you in battle, for that focus will give you balance and precision. Yet, if the calm is worn with anger and fury, then they are a weaker warrior for it, being only powered through a fake-strength. Nuada slapped his hand away, stood up with a huff and walked back to her position – glaring at Nenusidh with shame but the desire to try again.
The Chieftain said: “It is tied between victory and defeat. It is time to face the last opponent – Cadrant.”
Cadrant smirked with the bloodlust of outsiders, drew out his long but sharp as well as crudely-made daggers. Nenusidh looked out; the only beautiful or finely-made weapon beside his own seemed to rest within the Chieftain’s belt. He was not surprised by this, for most of the people here seemed to own spears or bows, weapons of wood. Easily made, but most commonly known as tools of survival. He circled around his foe: “So… Outsider.” He emphasised the last word, to show his disgust of them. “I hope you are ready.”
Nenusidh was about to say something but as quick as a flash, Cadrant rolled onto the ground which seemed absurd but he quickly grabbed Nenusidh by the tunic and pulled him to the ground. Nenusidh knew swiftly that his foe was built entirely on speed, thus he needs to strip that away from him. He jumped up and gripped Gwennor tightly with his two hands and was locked into a stance. Cadrant side-stepped so that he was behind the ranger, and he attacked with his longer dagger by aiming to strike at his back, fortunately Nenusidh was well-adept with his senses, as are all the rangers. For his keen hearing allowed him to know through Cadrant’s grunt and fast, yet hasty, footsteps what he was planning. Thus, he managed to parry Cadrant’s attack, which shocked him due to his speed.
Nenusidh kicked at his foe’s legs to distract him, and strip away his speed momentarily. It did not work, for as Nenusidh was about to slam his blade to ensure he is down; Cadrant rotated both of his daggers together and managed to deflect the heavy blade of steel. Nenusidh was impressed with his quick timing, but that faltered quickly for he still needed to take the man down. Cadrant closed his eyes for a second and breathed in order to maintain his control, before rushing towards Nenusidh with both blades facing north – towards the ranger. He waited seconds before side-stepping and allowing his opponent to crash into the ground, he was weakened and most importantly – distracted, which caused him to be slower. He stood up, but it was Nenusidh’s turn to be quick as he sheathed his blade, performed a disarming gesture which succeeded and managed to hold one of his blades against his neck.
Cadrant grumbled, “You are good for an Outsider.”
The battle was won, and Nenusidh had completed the challenge by besting Nuada and Cadrant in battle. The Chieftain turned to him and looked at him with cold eyes, “You seem to have succeeded. So you, at least proved you are strong. This brings us to the second challenge that is needed for your Fém. The survival.”
Nenusidh was wise enough, to mean survival by living off the land and that meant he would have a chance to see the wilderness of Angmar, and how he can use his skills best in this harsh, exotic land. He saw this as the perfect opportunity to get to know the lands, and how to survive in the best way possible. Nenusidh looked up with grim eyes, and a stern tone: “What would you have me to do?”
