A test of strength (Tag Merridan)

[archenstone]

Cries of both dismay and joy mingled in a corner of the dining hall where V'rael and another man stood. V'rael grinned at the other man. "Want to try again?" The Dragon Rider rubbed the back of his hand which was already slightly red from smacking the table. "I'll pass, some one's gonna take you and I'll drink to his name." The Rider tossed a single mark into the small pile of marks that had been growing and shrinking since late afternoon. V'rael had lost occasionally but he was doing this for fun and would simply lay another mark down and ask for challengers.

He looked around at the group of men, wondering if any of them would try. "You guys going to stare all night or join in?" He asked playfully.

[Rowana]

Merridan found the contest fairly entertaining. She wasn't often one to boast or display her skills, but she thought herself decent at most things. Besides, it was all in good fun and V'rael seemed a fair opponent. She hadn't arm wrestled in turns. Her most frequent opponents were her brothers who alternated between letting her win and using all the muscle they had. It might be nice to try her hand at it again and see how she fared.

"I'll take you on," she gave V'rael a wry smile. She plopped down in the chair opposite him, tossing a mark in her hand. She set it down and raised her hand. Win or lose, this would be fun! It was great to see such normal activities happening after all that had happened in the past.

[archenstone]

V'rael heard a new voice and looked at his challenger. It took him a moment but he realized his challenger was a woman who looked about his age. He gave her a open smile and settled into the seat. "You want left or right?" Some of the people watching chuckled or made comments about wrestling a woman. "Chill guys... you all had your shot." He shifted to raise the hand of her choice and wrapped the other hand around his elbow to keep it on the table in a classic arm wrestling position. "When ever you're ready..." Once she indicated she was, one of the men watching would place his hands over theirs then say "GO!" lifting his hands to signify the start of the match!

[Rowana]

"Right," Merridan cocked her head in a grin. She always found comments about her gender amusing, since she felt more like a man than a woman any day. Most of people here were starting to know her, if only by reputation, but apparently not everyone had been informed. "They're just jealous, V'rael," she drawled, waving her hand at the crowd. She raised her right hand to his and braced herself in the proper position.

At the shout of "Go!" Mer pushed with all her strength. She was pretty strong too. Turns of sword practice, hand to hand, and other training exercises had seen to that. V'rael was no push over though, so in the end it would be anyone's guess who would win.

[archenstone]

A grin spread across his face as she spoke. With an amused twinkle in eye's he replied, "Indeed." Then he had to focus on the first few seconds of the contest to see how well they matched. She had a greater strength in her smaller frame than he had given credit for and his fist had slanted an inch in her favor. Tendons bulged out from well tanned skin as he managed to even them out. His brows furrowed together in focus but his smile remained.

"It seems we're a good match, you and I.....Merridan isn't it?" He wasn't sure as they hadn't met personally but there could only be so many female brown riders. In a flicker of amusement he realized with as tired as he was she stood a good chance of beating him and strained a little harder to see how she'd hold up.