Table of Contents https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/229522482/0/0 Miel tilts his head to look past us to the archway, "Well, I'd say enough of the moppets have arrived for us to get started." I follow his gaze to see that dozens of soldiers are pouring into the courtyard. "Huh," Noel puffs, "Maybe we should set up some bleachers..." "And where would we get those?" Avery scoffs jokingly. Noel shrugs. Miel turns from us to hobble back to the gathering and we trail behind him. The mustering soldiers buzz with increasing excitement as we move through them to the original gathering. Miel impatiently forces his way through the compact group as he bellows, "MAKE WAY, OR NOT EVEN THE THRALL WILL WANT TO CHEW ON THE BONES I LEAVE BEHIND!" Despite his physical condition slightly lessening the intimidation of his threat, everyone hurries to open a path for him. The inner layer of onlookers parts to reveal a circular clearing, occupied by four soldiers. One of them is lying on the ground, and another is trapped in a chokehold. It is apparent that they were brawling, but they've stopped to look at us. Arcite and Sinekis are standing on the other side of the ring. "Clear out," Miel tells the four soldiers. They oblige, joining the others, and Miel calls out, "Listen up, moppets!" Some of the audience quiets, but the sound of conversations still fill the air. Miel jabs the pavement with his walking stick and roars, "LISTEN UP!" The crowd grows silent. Miel grumbles under his breath, then announces, "The Vanguard has volunteered to participate in the Crucible today!" Several cheers break out, but are quickly stifled as Miel continues, "Dont think it's gonna be so fun for you! These three didn't get into the Vanguard just for looking pretty!" Noel feigns surprise and remarks to Avery, "Really? I had no idea." "Same here," Avery joins in, "The Consensus had us fooled this whole time." I return my attention to Miel's speech, "-chance to get some glory. If you can beat just one of 'em, you'll probably get famous. Most of you know that the Commander set the-" "First twenty-five win streak ever!" Someone hollers, cutting him off, and the gathering applauds. "Quiet!" Miel warns, raising his voice to be heard, "That means you're about to learn what it means to be REAL soldiers! Keep that in mind when they're smashing your useless skulls into the concrete!" The soldiers respond with taunts and jokingly apprehensive oohs, but Miel takes it in stride, "Feeling brave, cowards?! Who wants to go first?!" Almost every hand shoots up and the courtyard fills with clamor. Miel repeatedly pounds the end of his walking stick against the ground as he calls for order. The noise eventually dies down and Miel huffs irritably before turning to look at us. "Commander, your call," he offers, "Singles, doubles, teams of three, you name it." "Oh, let me have a go!" Noel urges, tense with anticipation. "Alright," Avery allows, eliciting a small fist pump from Noel, "Miel, pick someone for him." Miel doesn't hesitate, pointing at a man in the front row. The man points at himself questioningly. When Miel nods, he says, "But I didn't volunteer." "Why do you think I picked you?" Miel smirks deviously, "Get in here or I'll pummel you myself." The man moves tentatively into the ring, half-pushed by the people around him. Miel grabs his arm and tugs him to stand near the center, then waves for Noel to come in. Noel saunters in, putting his helmet on, and stops a few meters in front of the man. The man nervously raises his hands in an attempt at a fighting stance. Miel leans close and whispers something in the man's ear. The soldier perks up, seeming to gain confidence, and Miel walks away to observe next to Arcite and Sinekis. Everyone crowds to the edge of the circle as Miel raises a hand. "Some of you tots wouldn't last two seconds in a real fight!" He proclaims, "And the rest of you wouldn't last one second! I'm here to make sure you all learn to last at least five seconds, and this is an excellent opportunity!" "That guy's speeches don't make any sense," someone murmurs behind me. "Eyes up!" Miel brings his arm down, "BEGIN!" Noel bounces on his toes, waiting for the soldier to make the first move. The man takes large steps forward and snaps his fist at Noel's gut. Noel shifts back to avoid it then swings his arm, making the soldier stumble. Noel doesn't give him a break, punching him in the shoulder and the back. The soldier recovers quickly and spins, ramming his elbow into Noel's chest. Noel raps the soldier's helmet, then the two of them exchange a few probing blows, trying to break down each other's guards. Noel gets a solid hit in the soldier's gut, knocking the wind out of him. Trying to catch his breath, the man drops to a knee and holds up a hand. "That's enough!" Miel concludes, "Get outta there, kid." Noel helps the soldier stand, and he walks out, getting encouragement and pats on the back from the others. "Noel's a little rusty," Avery observes. "It's been awhile for all of us," I recall. "Yeah," Avery concurs, "Though he's always been a gun guy." I nod my agreement. "Don't make a sound!" Miel demands the onlookers, "RAISE YOUR HAND if you want to go next!" Hands snap into the air, though some voices and hails still pop out. Miel scans them, then speaks to Sinekis. The Eliksni crosses the circle and slides into the onlookers. They part to let him through, and he comes out with a woman. She doesn't have a helmet, but a City Guard Captain hands her a makeshift sparring helmet. She stops in front of Noel and puts it on while Sinekis returns to his place by Miel. Miel inquires, "Who do you want to fight, lassie?" "Noel," the woman answers readily. "That's the spirit!" Miel approves, then mutters darkly, "Hope it lasts when the Thrall are gnashing on you." "Traveler above, Miel..." someone exhales loudly enough to be heard by everyone. "Begin!" Miel initiates. Noel and his opponent shift closer to each other. "Don't go easy on me," Noel banters, earning some laughs from the audience. "C'mon, hot stuff," the woman taunts. Noel springs to her left, swinging the back of his hand at her head. When she ducks under it, he hooks his other arm around and nicks her, knocking her off balance. She falls back into a sitting position, but kicks her legs out and trips Noel. Noel lands on his side and rolls away, then the two stand. This time, the woman goes to Noel. He throws a punch at her, but she grabs his forearm and yanks him to the side. He stays on his feet as she tries twisting him to the ground. He raises his fist to strike her when she loses the force of her pull, but she lifts her arm and throws herself into him. Her elbow jabs into his helmet and they fall in a heap. The woman plants herself on Noel and looks to Miel, knowing she's won. "Enough," Miel concludes. The woman gets off of Noel and he stands. "Who next?" She asks expectantly, rubbing her hands together and looking to Avery and me. Miel shoots her down, "Not you. Too many tots waiting in line. None of you have a chance at beating the Commander, anyway. Just stick to Noel, he's a weak little weanling like the rest of you." "Harsh," Noel gasps, scathed, and puts a hand to his heart. The woman removes the sparring helmet, tossing it to the Captain, and returns to her place. Boisterous calls and challenges explode from the crowd. Miel doesn't bother masking his pleasure, knowing that his dare worked. They'd all want to fight Avery now. Miel raises a hand and they eventually quiet down. "Now," Miel questions, "Who would like to go next?" A sea of hands wave in the air. Miel confides in Sinekis, who once again sifts through the soldiers and comes out with another woman. "Who'd you like to spill your blood, doll?" Miel inquires. The woman pumps a fist and answers, "The Commander!" Miel gestures for Noel to leave with a flick of his hand and orders, "Move it, brat. We're about to see a real fight." Noel shuffles back to Avery and me. When he's close enough he remarks, "I think Miel's warming up to me." "Not a chance," Avery disagrees. "How 'bout the lady?" Noel asks, "She seemed pretty nice before she punched me in the face." "Maybe," Avery concedes, "Girls like a man they can beat up." Noel laughs and pulls off his helmet, wiping sweat off of his forehead, then replies, "If that were true, you'd have a boyfriend. Have fun." With that, he pats her back and she steps into the ring. The audience applauds. Avery stops in front of the woman, donning her helmet. "All settled?" Miel asks. When Avery and the woman nod, he barks, "Begin!" The woman lunges at Avery with a shout and snaps her fist forward. Avery sidesteps the strike and sticks out her arm. The woman's momentum carries her into the arm and she slams down onto her back. Avery swiftly kicks her in the side and she rolls over. Avery kicks again, but the woman blocks it and shoves the leg back. Barely losing her balance, Avery gives the woman just enough time to stand before clocking her. The woman collapses again and Miel calls, "That'll do!" "Ouch," Noel chuckles, "Glad I don't have to fight her. I'd rather not have my beautiful face smashed in."