Battles for the book

[jagg]

The first battle:

Jagg had been wandering the Lands, minding his own business as usual, when Kampfer crawled from whatever dark hole he’d been hiding in and began his usual threats and promises. It was more than Jagg could stand. He readied himself for battle and publicly let the Dark-Knight know he was prepared to defend his possessions. Several bystanders sent messages of concern, but this clash was certain to occur sooner or later. It couldn’t be avoided forever. So, choosing his battleground carefully, he awaited the evil one’s arrival. Jagg thought he’d been rather clever, for while he was infrequently accused of being an exceptional intellect, years of experience coupled with an amount of basic cunning had given him the idea to confront Kampfer in the barbarian Honour Circle. He grinned unpleasantly at the thought of the advantage this would give him.

Unfortunately the Dark-Knight was wise to Jagg’s ruse. Arriving outside the circle, a shouted conversation ensued, while Jagg realised he’d actually trapped himself, for there was but one way out and this was now guarded by Kampfer. “Oops.” thought Jagg. Thus there was nothing for it but to try and fight his way out. Gripping his weapon firmly, he moved out of the circle. Perhaps through Kampfer’s overconfidence, this decisive action seemed to catch the Dark-Knight by surprise. Jagg quickly unleashed confusing magic and brought his bow to bear. One exceptional shot in particular struck home and sorely wounded his foe, who only managed a few slashes in return before falling under Jagg’s assault. “Oh.” thought Jagg. “Fought dat was gonna be harder dan dat…”

The second battle:

Jagg’s victory did seem to quell the Dark-Knight’s ambitions for a little while. He was occasionally aware of his evil presence in the Lands, but at least the tirades had ceased. Jagg’s heart felt lighter than it had for many days. Perhaps Kampfer had learned his lesson and given up his quest for possession of the book?

It was too much to hope for. Several days later he was quietly recuperating in the Centre in Coral. With no warning, the Dark-Knight suddenly arrived, and spying Jagg, he demanded once more that the book be handed over. It was clearly time for another lesson! Jagg readied his equipment, and Kampfer moved out of the Centre to await Jagg’s emergence. Jagg was feeling confident. He’d seen off the Evil One with relative ease on the previous occasion, and he felt his strategy with this foe was sound. Perhaps it was his turn to fall prey to overconfidence, and doing so, he stepped through the door of the Centre…

It felt like someone had coshed Jagg’s unprotected head. Suddenly unable to move, unable to defend himself... He was dimly aware of a black dagger flashing, then the ground erupted around him and injured him grievously. Like a punch drunk prize-fighter trapped against the ropes, he couldn’t even think of avoiding or preventing the assault. Perhaps it was his training that saved him, or his great strength, for even in this state an instinct from somewhere thrust him back into the Centre. Gasping for breath, he struggled to take guard again. Kampfer loomed in the entrance, swaggering with confidence. “Are you ready to give me the book?”, he enquired mockingly. Jagg gripped his weapon once more, fury written across his face, but chased by doubt. He knew he was an awesome fighter, but the Servant of Kron seemed to have unbelievable powers at his command. Why had he not used them in the previous confrontation? Still, he bravely exited the Centre and readied himself. Kampfer emerged and again assaulted him with his terrible magics, with the same result. Powerless to defend himself, he was dimly aware of evil clawing at his very being, trying to drain him of strength. Blows and spells fell on him, but Jagg’s vision cleared long enough to loose a spell of confusion, probably saving himself from defeat in that very instant. The two combatants traded physical blows, but Jagg was staggering from the injuries inflicted while he was helpless. He sensed he was in grave danger, and groped for his granite potion… Anything to stop the Dark-Knight from gaining the book he so dearly desired.

[jagg]

The third battle:

Of late, Jagg’s visits to the Lands had been few and far between. As a result, he had had no recent occasion to defend his precious book, though he knew Kampfer would still dearly love to have it in his grasp. For safekeeping then, he kept it close by him at all times. Nowhere was judged more secure than where he could see it, given Kampfer’s insidious tentacles of influence.

A fateful day dawned like any other. Jagg was taking a nap in the Chapel when Kampfer and his lackey Nrel arrived without warning. Vicars and acolytes were fleeing in a panic. Jagg grasped his weapon firmly, knowing that battle was the likely, nay inevitable, result. As usual, Kampfer demanded that the book be handed over. Predictably, Jagg refused. He shoved the book in a sack, to free his hands, but noticing as he did that the book had opened its single eye and was taking a searching interest in the proceedings. At this point however, Nrel boasted that he could lay the mighty fighter low, alone. It must have been some time since the diminutive Dark-Knight had faced some real opposition for such overconfidence to have him in his grasp. Nevertheless, Kampfer acceded. Perhaps it amused him to indulge his servant’s fancy. Perhaps he wished his minion to over-reach himself and learn how his power had yet to come anywhere close to that wielded by his master. Whatever his motivations, Kampfer indicated agreement to this plan, and they exited the Chapel to await Jagg’s arrival.

Jagg readied himself with equipment and spells. He was quite looking forward to this! He leapt from the Chapel and immediately assaulted Nrel. The little Dark-Knight fought back viciously while his master looked on inscrutably. The battle did not last long though and Jagg soon stood victorious. He turned and sauntered back into the Chapel to recover from his exertions. Kampfer arrived with a dark look on his face. Jagg knew though that the underling was one matter, his master was another. Feeling recovered, he hefted his weapon and set forth to await Kampfer’s arrival. Kampfer emerged, and as Jagg tried to recall the words to a spell of confusion, Kampfer unleashed the spell that had undone Jagg on other occasions and rendering him completely incapable of defending himself. Still, Jagg knew that there must be a limit to the Dark-Knight’s ability to disable him in this manner, so he held on, hoping to outlast Kampfer’s magical strength. The blows were wearing him down, and defeat drew nearer and nearer. Then Nrel, having recovered from the battle with Jagg and seeing that the fighter was now in serious difficulty, decided to take a hand. He struck and cast on Jagg, who immediately tried to escape but without success, then one more blow from Nrel struck Jagg down. As he fell, the sack slung over his shoulder spilled open and the book fell forth, landing in the dust with a portentous thump. Was it really pure chance that the book escaped in this manner? Or did some other influence propel it so conveniently from its place of safekeeping?

Jagg recovered groggily to sounds of celebration. In their immense jubilation, the Dark-Knights had ignored Jagg for the moment. Kampfer held the book in one hand and stroked its smooth leather cover with the other with a look of rapture on his face. Jagg knew he had only one chance to recover his lost possession. Staggering to his feet, he challenged Kampfer again. The Dark-Knight turned, a sneer on his face. “Fool”, he rasped, “I have it at last! I have no further need to battle you!” Nodding to Nrel, they prepared to depart in haste to pursue their dark plans. Then a small whiny voice piped up, causing Kampfer to pause. It obviously came from the book itself, which was once again watching proceedings intently, and it said this: “Call yourself worthy of being my master? I saw one stand against two. That proves nothing.” Kampfer glared ferociously at the book. “Do you dispute my RIGHT?!” he hissed. “I need no assistance to beat this broken fighter! He is nothing compared to the power of KRON!” and so saying, he drew his weapon and leapt towards Jagg. Again, his terrible spell bound Jagg to immobility and struck all coherent thought from his mind. Again Jagg took a beating from many blows and fearsome spells, while Nrel stood by and watched this time. As a second defeat seemed imminent, one instinct to survive came to the weapon-master’s mind, and he was just able to quaff a potion that he had heard could restore someone to complete strength… sometimes. The fates seemed against him, for it was the wrong time to take such a gamble. The potion appeared to have no effect, and Jagg managed only half a further thought “Oh Boll…” before another blow knocked all sense from him.

Kampfer had finally defeated Jagg and come into possession of the book. Who knows how this will assist his twisted plans?