Pinapple

Verdict

Despite her feelings about the Watcher, it was difficult not to be intimidated in the presence of Odyn. The fiery beard was hot even from this distance, and his booming voice echoed across the chamber. Hyrdda had called it a test, rather than a trial, but with packed seats like this, it seemed like one, though perhaps they found it more entertaining, for who could anticipate what would happen?

“Welcome! Valajar!” Odyn called out. “I apologize for interrupting the celebration at our glorious victory, but the time has come to judge the bargains made on the mortals we championed to our cause, those we saved from death’s embrace and brought to these Hallowed Halls!”

Cheers erupted, boots hitting the pavement, and swords clanged against shields. It was hard for Pinapple not to feel especially small in this room.

The Watcher lifted his hands to silence the room. “Pinapple Peppercog.” He let out a warm chuckle at saying the name, “Hyrdda found you on the Broken shore. You had given your life so many could live, even felling a mighty demon to do so. She judged you worthy of my boon, and I agreed. But I have come to question how you have used it. Amongst your allies, there were those that felled far more enemies, won more glory on the battlefield. You may speak, before your advocate presents me the tales of your deeds in full.”

The gnome didn’t hesitate. It was a calculated move, one she often had to employ while working with new clients. Demand others take you seriously with confidence. “Great Odyn!” perhaps not her most sincere compliment, but there were many definitions of greatness, “It is true I did not engage on the front as much as many of the mighty valajar. But it was not my assurance of strength, or bravery, that led me to fell the beast that day I was raised into your halls. I saw victory, I knew what needed to be done, I knew what I had to do to achieve my goals, and I acted. That is my strength, Odyn, and I wielded it to scour the Legion from Azeroth’s shores, Victory before glory.” 

The cheers were less boisterous, but more than she was expecting. She turned to Hyrdda, who smiled, amused.

Her Valkyr was quite thorough, detailing every bit of coin and manpower that she had negotiated to join the war effort, every bit of intel she gathered and passed on, and detailing how that information was used and how many demons died as a result. This was in addition to her battle strategies she had worked out with Dolraan, throughout the multiple sieged targets of the campaign. All of which ended in victories, the gnome was pleased that Hyrdda seemed to be emphasizing that word. “In addition, she did what we are all called to do.” Hyrdda continued, pointing a finger at Leon. “She inspired a coward to fight, and to prepare to fight you.” She pointed toward Odyn, “if needed.” Pin shot her a angry look, biting her tongue but making a fist. For Odyn’s part, her laughed, approvingly, amused, even.

She was surprised the crowd sat and listened so long, especially Odyn, who never seemed to have much of a stomach for talk over action.
Once, Hyrdda had finished, he nodded politely, and then slunk back into his throne deliberating. Pin looked over into the crowds, picking the face of Leon out there, he was in his worgen form, she couldn’t blame him, with the tense feeling weighing down on her, she could only imagine what it was like for him to witness it. He seemed to be muttering to himself, his fists clenching.

“Very well” the voice boomed out, finally. “You have proved your valor, and I shall award you the opportunity to end your service to me and prove your glory, here, for all to see. Bring forth my champion!”

Hyrdda frowned. Leon shot up and snarled, two Vrykul lifting up their spears, which he lashed against, but one of them moved to speak to him, Pin couldn’t make out what she said, but somehow it managed to prevent him from ripping her to shreds. 

Pinapple turned to the side when an entourage appeared, a woman, in golden armor and a greatsword that towered over the gnome, seemed to be at the center of it, her golden hair waving in the wind as if it were almost planned to hit her at just the right spot. “Valarjar, you may pick your weapon.”

Pin didn’t look quite so confident at first, a greatsword of her own, perhaps. A spear, a sword and shield? She thought it all over, and then her mind wandered to… Fight nights, her taking on Wes, he wasn’t able to get his hands on her, wasn’t able to… “Great Odyn! I request combat in the most primal form. No weapons, no armor.”

The champion scoffed, laughing, “You have thrown away your only hope, little one! I accept her terms, Mighty Odyn!”

“Very well, Let us begin!”

They started out, circling each other along the ring, measuring each other up. Her foe had a low, wide stance, which was smart. Pin took in her muscles, quite defined, even when compared to her own well trained body. She was sure she wouldn’t be able to take a good hit, and sure she wouldn’t be able to push her way out of a grapple… she had to be perfect, had to be qu- movement, the champion let out a war cry and charged at her.

It was fast, so fast, letting her foe get in close the dived forward just as she saw the arms lunging out towards her, diving low, between her legs, and firing a sharp kick to her shin, causing the warrior to cry out in pain and stumble forward. Turning, the gnome latched onto her belt and up her back, and before the champion could reach back or roll, she got her arms around her neck, holding on tight. Holding on for dear life as her challenger tried to dislodge her, unable to get a good grip in her with her arms, she resorted to trying to slam her against the arena walls. The gnome’s body threatened to break against her foe’s back, but all the while, she held, and soon, the warriors movements became sluggish, before falling to her knees and on the ground.

Bleeding, half delirious, the gnome stood on her feet, and the crowd went wild.
“Glory to the victor!” His voice rang out, quite delighted.
“Tend to her wounds, she has proven her valor, and earned her return to the mortal world. May she prove an example of valor to follow!”