DARYO

   Trusting on his water dance skill and speed to overcome any armored foe, Dario chooses to wear only a leather jerkin for protection. His adversary, Daegar, shows up in plate mail. The trial begins with a few attacks and parries in the middle of the Stony Bridge. Suddenly, thanks to a lucky strike, the Westerlander manages to hit the Braavosi’s weapon arm, making a deep cut that severs muscle and tendon. The wound proves debilitating to the higher-skilled Dario and balances the combat.
   The water dancer presses the attack with quick strikes, but the Hawthorne knight parries each one of them successfully. Dario tries to use his speed in a hit-and-run tactic, but Daegar is aware of the limitations his armor imposes and saves his strength. The Braavosi takes the offensive again, but his wound proves a difficult obstacle to overcome and he misses most of the attacks, even losing his sword once.
   Dario’s defeat seems certain. However, after sidestepping the Westerlander, the water dancer finds and opening and plunges his sword into the knight’s left thigh, crippling Daegar’s leg. Dario becomes confident again of his victory. Unfortunately, the Seven Gods do not smile on him, as the Burlingtons’ champion puts all his strength in one last blow. The wound prevents the Braavosi from reacting quickly enough and Daegar’s blade bites deep into Dario’s chest, spilling blood and opening a nasty gash. Already weakened by the previous wound and the stress of the battle, this final hit sucks the last bit of energy from the water dancer and leaves him unconscious.