“Ooooo! How strong you are! No wonder your guild mates rely on you so much!” Izzi stroked the large orc’s arm, feeling his muscle as he flexed for her.
“Heh, heh. Ya.”
A quick appraisal of his armor had told her he was well-geared, his weapons among the finest available, so he was an obvious target for her. Large men often had large egos to match, and Guntarr was no exception. She had run into him in the Bazaar, literally. Izzi had noticed him several times, and had heard that his guild was large and powerful. So, when she had seen him that evening headed for the Auction House, she calculated her route, and took off running towards him. She looked back over her shoulder as she headed directly for him, and slammed into his immense, plate-clad chest.
“Oof!” she had grunted as the impact sent her backwards to the ground. “That’s going to leave a mark,” she thought to herself.
The orc grinned down at her.
“Help! There’s someone chasing me!” Izzi jumped up and clasped his forearms, her eyes wild, twisting her head this way and that, looking for a pursuer. His expression changed instantly, his eyes narrowed, his jaw hardened, as he scanned the area for signs of trouble. The fighter instinct took over, just as Izzi knew it would. That, combined with a damsel in distress right in his arms, ensured an almost instant bond.
“I see no one.” He continued to look around carefully, and moved Izzi to one side, drawing his axe.
“Oh, thank you! I think you must have scared him off!” Izzi licked her lips, and tilted her head, smiling up at the huge green orc.
As the adrenaline ebbed from him, he took another look at the slim woman who had her arms wrapped around his own arm, pressing her body against his. He smiled at her. “Guntarr.”
Izzi was puzzled at this, thinking it was an orcish word she didn’t understand, then she realized he was introducing himself. She unwrapped herself, stepped back and bowed low, knowing it showed off her best assets. “I am Izzi. Thank you so much, Guntarr! You are so brave!”
His chest puffed up visibly, and he pulled himself up to his full height. “Drink?” An orc of few words, he offered his arm to her. Izzi kept her eyes on his face, and smiled sweetly, taking his arm. A few drinks later, Izzi knew how many were in his guild, their strengths, their weaknesses and the names of the Officers. Not bad considering how little the warrior spoke.
Now he was showing off. The Inn was full, with several of his rivals across the room. Izzi had seen the looks the other men had given Guntarr when they saw him with her, and used it to her advantage, discreetly calling his attention to the other men from another powerful guild. She leaned close when she spoke to him, giggled at everything he said. When Guntarr headed for the bar to fetch more drinks, Izzi caught the eye of the troll across the room, and winked at him, biting her lip. It was enough. The troll crossed the room in a few long strides, taking her hand and kissing it. The timing could not have been better. Guntarr returned to see a shocked look on Izzi’s face, and the troll practically drooling over her. He dropped the tankards and shoved the troll, sending him across the room.
The bouncers were on them instantly, demanding they take it outside. Izzi looked from Guntarr to the troll, and back again, winking at the orc, nodding slightly.
“Outside. Fight.” The challenge offered, and the troll accepted. Izzi trotted after them, eager to see them in action. It was a fierce duel, both men nearly spent by the time the orc sent a final blow to the troll, defeating him. The fight had allowed her to assess the skills of both men, as well as the gear of the troll. When his guild mates called out encouragement to Rootan, she committed the name to memory, knowing he would be next on her list.
Izzi knew that warriors liked to celebrate after a successful duel, and she had no desire to be the lucky trophy. She slipped away before Guntarr shook off the battle wooziness and turned to look for her. She sent a quick note to Lord Keland, asking for a meeting, and stayed out of sight until it was safe for her to return outside and get some sleep.
