“The Archers left Ladriford early in the morning a couple of days after the match against the Causeway Giants. Ortalion and Maylin each nursed serious injuries and would not be able to play in the next match. Still, that had to be expected after a game against ogres.

Fortunately, this road trip was well planned. From Ladriford, the team would travel to the coastal city of Philly Yelphia, and then on to Mangurraine. Philly fancied itself as a resort city where the wealthy could enjoy the beauty of the sea. The sun seemed to shine every day except game days.

However, this was not a natural phenomenon. Rather, the city leaders paid a wizard of the Violet Order significant gold to pool the sparse clouds. Several decades ago, Coach Ice Smooth had strolled into town with quartet of fellow vampires and a proposition. In exchange for a reasonable amount of gold, protection from vampire hunters, and thralls from the lower rungs of society, they would play professional Blood Bowl for the tourists. As the vampires wanted their nights free for their own nocturnal activities, most games were scheduled during the day thus necessitating the wizard.

Several miles from Philly, the convoy made a scheduled stop and picked up an unusual traveler. While in Ladriford, Kondor received word that Zara the Slayer was in the area and looking for an excuse to go to Philly Yelphia. He immediately dispatched a courier with a contract and instructions to meet the team outside of the city. Now, Zara climbed into the baggage cart with Kondor and handed him the signed contract.

“Thanks Kondor. This is another favor I owe you.”

A few minutes later the caravan reached the guard station on the outskirts of the city. A tall, lanky, middle aged guard inspected the caravan. When he reached the baggage cart he immediately recognized the Slayer.

He addressed her directly. “Zara slayer, you are persona non grata within the city of Philly Yelphia. You may go no further.”

Kondor stepped in. “I am the coach of the Archers of Avelon and we have a binding contract with this individual to participate in the Blood Bowl match tomorrow. The city of Philly Yelphia has a contract with the Archers to play a Blood Bowl game tomorrow against this city’s professional team. Please inform your mayor that if all of my players are not allowed to participate I will file a complaint with the commissioner granting a forfeiture of the match by Sunny in Philly. I will further request that the city’s Blood Bowl charter be revoked.”

“Wait here.” Said the guard. “I will dispatch a courier and await instructions.”

Several hours later the courier returned with a message for the guard. After reading it several times he addressed Kondor and Zara.

“Zara Slayer, you will enter the city in my custody and under my care. You will not leave my sight, but you will be protected. You must leave all weapons outside of the city, and you will spend every moment until game time in the Philly Arena Dungeon. Do you agree to those terms?”

Zara nodded and held out her hands for the guard to fit her manacles. As he led her away she shouted back to the team. “See you at game time.”

When the game arrived, the entire Archer squad was shocked at how overhyped and ineffective Zara turned out to be. In this game Nienna was the force to reckon with. She started by hurting Charlie early in the match and sending him to the bench. Later she injured the behemoth Dennis and forced him to the showers early.

As the game wore on the Coach Ice Smooth became more and more vocal. He cursed Nuffle each time a vampire bit a thrall or could not beguile an archer. When Dennis was carted from the field he shook his fist at the clouds in the sky. On this day the Coach Ice Smooth was not as cool as ice.

When the final horn sounded to end the game, the Philly fans pummeled their own team with rocks as they retreated to the locker room.

Zara politely returned to the Archer bench where she met the same guard that had taken custody of her the previous day. The entire team was then escorted to the border where she retrieved her weapons.

Zara shook hands with each of the Archers as they prepared to part ways.

“Thanks for the contract.” She said. “Perhaps I will join you another time. But this time I will bring my stakes.”
”