Ack, it's really been too long, Brian... LOL. This is our training ground, so we'll just muddle our way through, shall we? [img]tongue.gif[/img]

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<font color=lightblue>She stepped forward cautiously, squinting as the occasional beam of light danced upon the surface of gleaming blades on display and into her dark eyes. Tentatively, she bent down and picked an abandoned longsword off the ground. It was light, thankfully, just right for one who had steered clear of battle for many years.

Inhaling deeply, she now gripped the hilt purposefully, and a spark seemed to ignite her face; it was aglow with life. Turning, she faced her adversary.

"Alright, then. I'm ready when you are."</font>

ooc: It has. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

<font color=lightgreen>A thoughtful frown crossed his face as he examined the blades on display. He wanted something equally fast to her lightweight weapon. Deciding on a simple shortsword, he turned to face his opponent. The leather binding around the hilt was unfamiliar and yet was comforting at the same time, reminding him of days long forgotten.

Smiling mischievously, he nodded to her and took a step forward. "Let us begin."</font>

<font color=lightblue>Oh crap, why am I shaking so badly?! The adrenaline sent the blood under her cool skin into into an epileptic flow as she forced an unfazed expression onto her crumbling face... with how much success, she dared not venture to guess. It's just a game, you fool... this is just a training ground.

Yet the sight of the youngster continued to threaten her a little. Everything they said about being in the full bloom of youth was so true. He looked better, fitter and she could sense the swirl of unbattered enthusiasm that sent him into a whirlwind of vitality and agility. At a moment like this, she could only rejoice that the upcoming duel was a friendly one.

Smiling uneasily, she tilted herself forward, balancing on her right foot with her left hand gripping the blade, the tip of which was now pointed in the direction of the youth's upper torso.

"Come then!"</font>

<font color=lightgreen> Taking a deep breath, he quickly slid the length of his shortsword against her own blade to focus her attention. Small sparks ignited from the metal as he withdrew and swung at her ribs. She blocked the attack, forcing him to retreat a few steps back. Grinning to himself, he made a quick jab at her shoulders. </font>

<font color=lightblue>Sidestepping, she heard the slight whistle of the blade as it thrust into the space that previously had been her left shoulder. Spinning around, she flipped her left wrist so that the hilt of her longsword was safely out of harm's way and reached out with her right hand to pinch the youngster's left ear.

"Easy, boy. Easy." </font>

[ 06-13-2006, 06:16 PM: Message edited by: mistral4543 ]

<font color=lightgreen> His face turned red in embarrassment as he took a step back. Taking up a defensive stance, he was about to wait for the older woman to attack when the door suddenly burst open. Standing in the doorway of the barracks was a man in his late forties.</font>

<font color=gold>Hard steel eyes took in the scene of the duel and he shook his head when he noticed the flushed face of the younger man.

"Getting beat again boy?" Not waiting for a reply, he made his way to a large table with several rolled up maps. Selecting an old one tinged with brown from age he waved for the two to follow him outside. </font>

[ 06-13-2006, 07:12 PM: Message edited by: Leafblade ]

<font color=lightblue>As the captain stepped out of the dusty room, she nudged her companion and cast him a conspiratorial wink.

"You've known him for long? He looks like he could do with some exercise himself." Clearly, she found her private joke hilarious, for she could barely contain a snort from emerging from her nostrils. Slapping her right hand on the lad's back, she sauntered forward, feeling better than any day in the years that had passed.</font>

<font color=lightgreen>He smiled faintly at her joke and shook his head. "I'm not too familiar with him. I've met him on occasion, but he's always so quiet until he starts barking orders at us." He quickly dropped off the weapon he had used in their duel, and hurried outside.</font>

<font color=gold>Captain Tarnik Orman stood in the bright sunlight of midday. His graying black hair was neatly in place, and his armor was polished to the point that the sunlight glared at anyone who looked at him. Clasping his hands behind his back he waited for the mercenaries at the encampment to make their way to him.</font>

<font color=lightblue>She cringed at the armour’s reprimand, avoiding eye contact with the captain. I’ll bet he spends more time polishing than wielding a sword. Briefly, she contemplated telling him the sad truth – she was but a hired help of the past, and could offer no guarantee of a successful return – yet there was a stirring within her that quelled this impulse. How do you know, until you’ve tried? Besides, there was something about the bright-eyed stripling next to her that warmed her heart. It would be something to see how he got on with the world.

“What do you want?”

The years had not quite changed her, unfortunately. How many times had she been advised to be more circumspect in her choice of words? Exactly the number of times she had laughed the well-meaning words of advice off. She wondered how he would respond to her brusqueness.</font>

<font color=gold> Tarnik turned his hard eyes to the voice of the woman in front of him. "It would do you well woman to address me formally. We are not a bunch of petty bumpkins who do not know how to speak to their commanding officer."</font>

<font color=lightgreen>Bristling for how the captain had spoken to his friend, the young man spoke up. "Sir, I didn't realize we had joined up with the royal guards." he stared defiantly at the captain.</font>

<font color=gold>Tarnik slowly moved his gaze to the blond haired young man in front of him. "Apparently you do not know how to address your commanding officer either. In that case both of you will be sent to investigate the southern marsh southeast of here. Villages in the area have reported of strange disappearances and odd things happening in the area. I made this mercenary company to keep the people of this area safe. Both of you would do well to complete this mission." Turning away from them he busied himself with the other mercenaries. </font>

<font color=lightgreen> Snickering and chuckles could be heard behind the young man after that captain gave them his orders. "What do you all find so amusing?" He asked as he turned around to face a mercenary who found the mission particularly funny.</font>

<font color=silver> "That mission is a fools errand. Anyone Tarnik gives it to comes back empty handed and with no success to report. Gives the old stiff an excuse to kick you out." Smirking, the other man left the two to dwell on what he had said.</font>


<font color= lightgreen> "You don't think that's true do you?" he asked the woman still standing next to him.</font>

[ 06-13-2006, 10:44 PM: Message edited by: Leafblade ]