“The Archers of Avelon wagon train rolled into the city center of Ladriford on a sweltering summer afternoon and came to a stop in front of the pub and inn simply called Paddy’s. The owner of the establishment was the Blood Bowl coach called Paddy Mick. On the morrow, they were schedule to meet his Causeway Giants on the pitch. However, tonight they were scheduled for some polite conversation with their future opponents over dinner and drinks.

The wagon train had arrived early so the Archers rested in their rooms before descending to join their hosts. As the Archers entered the room, the four Giants stood to greet their guests. Dressed in formal attire each extended a hand to the Archers and welcomed them to Ladriford. With formalities out of the way each found their assigned seat at an appropriately ogre sized table with ogre sized plates and cutlery.

From a side entrance to the ballroom, the host, Paddy Mick entered with the other guest of honor.

“Archers of Avelon, allow me to introduce you to the illustrious Morg.” He said.

“We’ve met.” Stated Morg abruptly and he moved to the head of the table.

Paddy looked a bit confused so Meldalf spoke up as he was the nearest elf. “Morg took the field against us twice. Our record against him is 1-1-0.”
Paddy took his own seat at the table and addressed Kondor. “For the game tomorrow, will there be standard weapon rules?”

Revwe answered. “He does not speak for the Archers. No. There will be no weapons at the match. An ogre dagger is equivalent to an elf sword, and an ogre mace is several times as deadly as any elven weapon. No weapons. Ogre fists are formidable enough.”

Kondor grimaced, and Paddy nodded.

Dinner opened with runts serving a first course of roasted terrier followed by a second serving of grilled stallion on a bed of greens. Morg quickly became frustrated with the cutlery while the others at the table sipped their chosen adult beverage and enjoyed a salad of leeks and rhubarb. Giving up, he dropped the utensils to the floor and picked the steak up with both hands.

Nienna glanced across the table at Giant Team Captain Wilhelm and blinked in astonishment.

“Mr. Wanderer.” She said, “You simply must provide me with the name of your manicurist.”

Wilhelm chuckled. “I tell you what. If we both survive tomorrow’s game, I will introduce you to my pedicurist as well. That runt is a master with a grinder.”

Desert turned out to be the top portion of the meal. It was a crème brule smorgasbord with the dairy for the crème provide by buffalo Paddy lovingly milked himself each morning.

By the time the night ended, the game was forgotten. No one cared that the Archers would win the match, or that the injury caused to Ortalion would cause her to miss her first game in 75 matches. No one would even care that Kydeth’s two scores would raise her to legendary status among the fans.

What mattered was that a friendship and perhaps a rivalry had been formed….. Oh, and the Archers were still undefeated vs Morg.
”