Found:
Balnirar and I had our agreed upon sparring match this morning. I think I took more pleasure in it than I really should have, but I suppose that's to be expected. I needed to work out some of my anger and frustration, and this was a decent and safe way to do so.
It wasn't easy, of course. He is a dwarf, thus stronger and heavier than I, plus he's over a foot shorter than I, which required rather more reaching down than I am comfortable with. I can't complain, though: he didn't pull his punches for his taller, less hardy opponent.
I have the bruises to show for that!
There's already a large black welt on my shin, and a I'm reasonably sure that my ribs aren't in the best of health either.
It hurts, but I'm glad of it. Physical pain is easier to cope with. It distracts from the rest. Even if only for a few days, I'll be able to feel something other than my loss.
I did manage to get in a few good hits of my own, though. And I tackled him from his feet; a fact that I shall never let him forget!
We called the match a draw, but we both know the truth of the matter: Balnirar most certainly emerged victorious.
Saying that, I'm already preparing to take to the road again. The darling darrow has requested that I remain for a few more days, and for his sake I shall, but I long to be on the move. There are too many walls here. Everything that isn't stairs is, instead, a wall. It's like being in a box within a box within a box within a box.
No matter how high the ceilings are, I still feel trapped.
