To Walk a Dragon's Path, Chapter 2-Wills of a Demi-Goddess

[Lady Blue03]

Captain Elon looked grim and laid a hand on his sword hilt
"Watch your tone with her Majesty, boy," he growled.
Verloren gave him a look, "Please, Captain, your protection, however wonderful it is, is not needed with this one," she directed her red eyed glare at Calaethis, "And you! Pick up that sword! A weapon of such a fine make does not deserve to be thrown about like that," Isan and Isak glowed in agreement. The others looked pointedly at Calaethis and remained where they were; When Verloren was in a room with other nobles, only she could send them away, "Now, if you don't want my instruction on how to fight like a grown man instead of a boy with a fancy blade, then you may leave,"

Alliene glowered at the elves, "I may be drow, but my memory does extend beyond the two pleasant days I've had away from you. And these happen to be my rooms. Calaethis must have taken them without knowing. Anyway, I would like to use my bath, if you don't mind. Oh, and on your way out, don't touch the drow on my floor, he's wild," her cold eyes glinted sharply as she waited for them to leave.

[ 02-13-2003, 09:15 PM: Message edited by: Lady Blue03 ]

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

"Very well, sister of my cousin" he replied, placing the emphasis on their addopted kinship. He disliked that captain, his eyes held a challenging tone in them, he'd happily face Captain Elon. Tagnik'zerjuess flew to his hand, without him having to pick it up - his eyes were puzzled for a moment, 'Did I know you could do that?' he asked the sword silently. << Enough! Assume a guard-pose - it'll take all of my energy just to keep you from being harmed... >> Calaethis's iris's began to swirl, greeny-mists, the colour of green fire, only the pupil of remaining black, as always. In a tone that could be barely heard, even by Verloren, he murmered, "You insult me, Verloren; never have I shown you such disrespect. Rest assured, I will not forget this slight."

Tagnik began to glow as well, an arua of pure white surrounding the blade, the scales on Sssiks vress'lve a beautiful bright gold, its eyes sparkling rubies, the colour of blood. Sssiks'barra began to change colour, pulsing all the colours of the rainbow, all in metalic, and then gem, then back to chromosome, to begin afresh. Calaethis bit back an oath, he'd left his elven-chain in his chambers. "You would have me face you, unarmoured, your Majesty?" he asked, placing a sincere emphasis on her title, even though she'd asked him not to... "I have not fallen before, I would prefer to keep it that way." he continued, in a dry tone. "Perhaps you would send a servant to fetch my elven-chain, as you wish to spar with me?" his voice held nothing mocking about it, nor did his eyes, but something about him, seemed to hold comtempt for some reason, Verloren couldn't put her finger on it. Possibly it was the dragonic influence - for all purposes he was showing her the proper respect. She blinked, and looked at him closely, he seemed to be pulsing - a pale green aura, barely visable, glowing as his sword did. It was uncanny...

"Or not." he spoke, "should I fall, I'm sure you'll raise me again, my lady. Though no doubt, my cousin would have something to say about it." his eyes held a wry humor, and he completly ignored all of the gathered nobles, Elon included. Especially Elon. A voice sounded in his head, << Calaethis! What do you think you are doing?! Do not anger that captain. He is your equal at the very least with a blade, and he has had years of experince and training behind him! He is at the very least a match for you! >> 'Are you here to provide assistance?' << No My child, I am not. You got yourself into this - I shall not help you out of this - not when you speak to Me thus! >> 'Then please leave. If I am to fall here, I'd rather You were not within my mind when it happens. >> Calaethis could feel Her exasperation at him, << Child! You will not fall here! I will not allow it! >> 'Thank you Mother' came his reply. He could feel her leave. Verloren looked at him as he was conversing with his diety, his eyes seemed elsewhere, as if he was focusing on something else, almost the same when he was talking to his sword.

Calaethis's eyes snapped back, focusing on her sharply. "You plan to dual-wield when I only wield a single blade?" he asked, his eyes oddly gently, even as they were swirling, 'storm clouds' Verloren thought, 'his eyes look like storm clouds, and fire...' He was awaking more and more of his dormant dragonic blood, the very air around him felt... eerie. Calaethis raised the hilt of his blade to his forehead, and saluted her, a gesture of respect. The young elf looked exceedingly dangerous now, still the image of an elven noble, an elven prince. His jet-black hair, shoulder-lenght - shone like raven's feathers, the light shining off it. In his finery, he looked, what some, would call handsome. Pastal grey-lightblue tunic, and mattblack breeches. Tucked into Knee-high military style boots. An odd choice. His sword belt and scabbard at his waist, he felt no nervousness or loss of self confidence. That he would loose was certain. He cared not. He would show Verloren's prissy nobles, a true Elf of the Blood. He wondered where that had come from, no-one had used that in generations. He also wondered where his sudden arrogence had appeared from - no time to ponder that now. Dragon blood ran strongly though his veins - damnit, why was he thinking these thoughts?! He had a duel to fight. His eyes snapped back again, leaving Verloren to wonder exactly what he was thinking... assuming guard-pose once more, he said softly, "Whenever you are ready, Majesty..."

Tyra nodded to Alliene, "We were just leaving anyway, Matron." Sylquis already had a towel around her, and left the room. Tyra curtsied to Alliene, and continued, "Forgive me, but, I do not believe Lord Calaethis chose these rooms - Lady Verloren, she specifically directed he was to recieve these, please, forgive us if we cause offense - we were only obeying orders Matron." She dropped her eyes during her explanation, and she trembled. She curtsied to Alliene again, her eyes still wide with fright, and murmered, "By your leave, Matron" she paused, "Oh, I forgot, Lord Calaethis is downstairs I believe - sparring with Lord Aeris." with that she curtsided again, and left.

*edit, DRAT! one tag - oh and typos I forgot to close! otherwise a perfect post! d'oh. *

[ 02-13-2003, 10:49 PM: Message edited by: Calaethis Dragonsbane ]

[SomeGuy]

Aeris stared at Calaethis.His eyes widened. His mind had now been filled with anger , awe , terror , and respect for the "new" Calaethis. He turned to see the captain start to unsheath his blade.Aeris ran to him and layed a hand on his shoulder. No..You should'nt , please , this is between them both , do not interfere. Aeris's eyes were dark and cold when he said this.He did'nt want someone to disturb the two. This will be something Calaethis will need to discover on his own. Aeris layed his hands to both his hilts. The dark elf knew that he may to do something in order to keep anything from happening.

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

"There is no need for that Aeris. I'm sure Captain Elon won't interfere.." Calaethis interjected without taking his eyes off Verloren, "Well my lady, do you wish me to be armoured or not...?" his tone respectful, his eyes swirling, and his dragonic blood surfacing, he looked as if the blade was part of him. In a way it was. He wondered absently what the gathered nobles thought of him, then he decided he didn't care...

[Lord High Eater of Legs]

ic:Khalraan had been wandering down the corridoor, until he came to a rather ornate door, trying the handle, he found it was locked, but was undaunted, and quickly unlocked it with his small knife, deciding against using his blade.
Curiously, he had stepped into the room, and closed the door, silently, his back to the room. As he turned around, he saw Sylquisitae bathing, and was about to exclaim his apologies, when he saw that she hadn't noticed him, so he slipped into the shadows, and watched her.
Too enthralled by the watching the young elf's perfectly formed body, he didn't notice that Tyra had entered the room. Khal watched Sylquis' beautiful, flowing golden hair slip down her back, covering her smooth body.

As Alliene entered the bathroom, Khal was shocked, but managed to make his way out, still hidden by the shadows, before the door was closed behind Tyra and Sylquis. Slipping out of the shadows, the young elf stepped out of Alliene's room after hearing footsteps walking away, however they were those of Sylquisitae's looking for lady Verloren, to find another room for herself and her sister. Thinking the coast was clear, Khal walked forward, bumping straight into Tyratria.

ooc:lb, don't interfere [img]tongue.gif[/img] just let Tyra deal with it, there was a reason Cal made Sylquis bathe again *cough*subplot*cough*

[Lady Blue03]

ooc-er well, ok [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Verloren coked her head curiously at Calaethis and shrugged,
"Very well," she handed Isak to Captian Elon and switched Isan to her left hand, "As you can see, I am merely dressed in a robe, and you in padded clothing. I suppose I could de-robe if you think that would make it fair," she frowned at him, "And this is not a duel, this is an instruction. I will not touch you with the edge of my blade unless you force me to," she blinked as Zachana suddenly broke between them clad in only a gray silk shift, dashing towards Calaethis's rooms,
"My lady has returned," she called behind her shoulder at the curious looks people shot at her(ooc-Shadow, assume she left you in your room).
Verloren cursed but took the one armed stance Elon had taught her(she is natuarlly a dual weild, as you know, but Elon taught her single), Isan at a slight angle in her bent back arm, her right arm in front of her, fingers curled slightly. Her eyes widened slightly as Avalon appeared, arms crossed under his bare chest, looking grim. The servants edged away from him warily.
Verloren's eyes were bright embers as she slid her right foot forward slowly with her hand. One handed wielding was a delicate dance, and she had learned it well. With a deft move, she brought her body forward to stand straight over her extended right leg, Isan swinging towards Calaethis's neck as she brought her right hand back to her body.

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

Taking Tagnik in one hand, Calaethis deftly blocked the blow aimed at his neck - his feet formed an "L" shape, the tip of the "L" the left foot, and the "right tip" the right foot. Wielding Tagnik in his right hand, Calaethis blocked the blow, holding the blade diagonally from right to left - then he counter-attacked; with an overhead blow, clashing on Verloren's blade, then a thrust - all practised movements - Calaethis began to dance...

[Lady Blue03]

Snorting, Verloren twirled easily away from his thrust and curved her glowing scimitar behind her to parry his blade as she completed the spin. Elon had not taught her this of course, but she always implemented her own style in her fighting. Backing off, she assumed a guarded pose, looking for weaknesses in his attack

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

Calaethis smiled grimly, his eyes still swirling with green-mistyfire. He stole a glance at Avalon, and focused back on the duel. He attacked, leaving himself open; knowing he would lose already, he saw no point in defending - against a simitar, it was death. And yet, he held back, let her think he was a total novice...

an overhead blow, followed by a horizontal arc, diagonal blows left to right, and vica versa - as one attack finished the next started, in whirlwind of blades...

[Lady Blue03]

Verloren smiled as she dodged about, not noticing the slick sheen of sweat that covered her body. She really wanted to see her sister...cutting Isan across his blade, she pushed against Calaethis's strength,
"Time to end this, cousin," she shoved back hard to free herself from him, and once more cut Isan at his neck. As Tragnik came up to block, she tossed Isan into her right hand, and the cool flat of the scimitar smacked into Calaethis's neck-a move that would have took off his head had this been a real battle. She pulled back with a smile and handed Isan to Elon, who was nodding in approval,
"You have skill, Calaethis. I hope to see that you put it to use. And next time you want to fight, go to the first floor to the training room...marble hallways are no place for duels," she nodded at Elon and was about to go see her sister, but Avalon grabbed her arm,
"My lady, I would speak with you after you see your sister,"
"Of course, Avalon," Verloren held his image in her eyes before she pulled away to her sisters rooms. He looked so tired...she could feel his eyes on her back as she walked away. The servants were shaking their head in wonder once more at their Queen's fighting skill as they dispersed.