The tall elf stood near the edge of the outdoor fighting arena, looking around for an empty circle. Fighters of all races, descriptions, sizes, and styles were training here today, weaving a dance of steel and fists, pain and triumph. The only difference between this and a real battlefield was the lack of spells crackling through the air; magic was prohibited here. A shame, really. Seele reached up and removed his wide-brimmed hat, golden eyes automatically adjusting to the sunlight. The elf began to walk across the arena, dodging warriors moving fdrom arena to arena, shouting encouragement and advice. About halfway across the field there was a fencing circle that was clearing out, one combatant smiling broadly despite the sweat drippoing down his face and the other being carried out by the Academy's medical staff. Seele glanced around, and upon seeing no one else waiting to use this circle, jumping in.
He removed his black velvet cloak, folding it and setting it near the edge of the circle, with his hat on top. Underneath it he was wearing a solid black tunic, tied tightly around his waist with a sash, black leggings, and black boots, leaving both arms bare. Both limbs wered covered in dark scars that stood out in stark contrast to his pale, almost-white skin. THe tall elf began to stretch before realizing he was not alone in the circle. Another fighter had stepped in, bowing respectfully to the elf. "Do you wish to spar?" The human smiled at Seele, offering him a wooden training sword. "It will be a much faster warm-up."
"Only if you have the time to spare..." Seele nodded and took the wooden sword, nimbly twirling the weapon to get a feel for its weight and length. Although the sword was not his favorite weapon, he knew how to use one well. The two warriors bowed to each other, the human immediately adobting a well-practiced stance. Seele only stood there, holding the sword loosely at his side. When his opponent raised an eyebrow, Seele only nodded, challenging the man to attack with his eyes alone. So he did.
The first attack was deflected easily, Seele knocking the man's weapon up and stepping slightly to the side. With lightning speed the elf slammed a fist into the human's shoulder, throwing him to the ground. In an instant he was back on his feet, but it was still too slow. Seele unleashed a flurry of blows that forced him to go on the defensive. Suddenly the elf threw out his hand, grabbing the other man's fist and pulling him off-balance. The tip of the wooden sword was at the human's throat before he could react.
"You were right. That was a good workout." Seele smiled and flipped the wooden blade, handing it back to his opponent. The man smiled sheepishly and took it, disappearing back into the crowd. Seele shrugged and looked around, seeing several people were watching him. "Can I interest anyone in another bout? Wioth daggers this time?" His golden eyes were impossible to read, but there was a thin smile on his face.
It was a pleasant day as the sun shone brightly over head, with hardly a single cloud in the sky. The temperature was a little warm, but still the training circles were filled up, mostly by men, trying to improve their melee combat skills. Veronna normally did not come to the Academy of Arms very much, she never really found need to, but she felt like getting away from her usual routine. And Vaoulrah needed to be exposed to more combat then just watching her mother practice.
Veronna walked along the outer lines of the training circles, observing every combatant carefully. Almost every time she passed one of the circles, those who were watching or waiting saw her and bowed their heads, while some of the others looked slightly scared. Obviously some people still were not sure about her, but she did not care, she did not come here to earn anyones respect.
By her side walked Vaoulrah, who clutched her mothers pants tightly as her round green eyes looked around as all the different sounds met her slightly pointed ears. Veronna knew her daughter was still too young to do anything with swords or weapons, but being around them would help her understand them later on when she could use them.
Veronna's attire had changed considerably through the last couple of months, replacing her usual dark red tunic with a dark brown form fitting leather vest which fit like a corset with laces in the sides and front, which helped with adjustment and the whole thing with support while in battle. Her pants were cotton and black, which also fitted to her form, her knee high brown leather boots fitting comfortably on her feet. Her hair was in a braid which hung down her back. Her scimitars rested on her hips like always, but instead of her daggers hidden in her boots, they were attached on the outside of her boots, one on each leg.
Vaoulrah started to slow done, her little legs getting tired of all the walking. She cried up to her mother and Veronna looked down and smiled, picking her up while whispering some words of comfort. She scanned the area around her, and saw a circle with to fighters going at it with wooden practice weapons. She watched for a few moments, which was all the match took, as the tall, what appeared to be an elf, won in only a few seconds. She raised an eyebrow and started heading over to the winner, who was standing in the circle still.
As she got closer she confirmed that he was indeed an elf, but he looked different then others, his skin very pale and his eyes gold. She got over to the crowd that stood around the arena just in time to hear him ask if anyone wished to spar with him, but with daggers instead of swords. That sparked an interest in her, for it had been a while since she had used daggers in actually combat, she always preferred her scimitars, which were resting on her hips.
She waited a few seconds to see if anyone was going to take the elf up on his offer, but no one moved, so she pushed her way through the crowd of people who stood around the elf's circle, most of them getting out of the way after seeing who wished to get through. She got to the edge of the circle, "I'll take you up on that, sir." She said, her voice confident and strong.
She squatted down and sat Vaoulrah on the ground, "Kyorl ghil lotha uss, Usstan orn tlu xunor wun fridj natha klew'nor." She said in her native language, stroking her daughters hair. She looked up at a man standing near her, who was watching her, his eyes wide with disbelief at who was in front of him. I guess I should get out a bit more... She thought to herself. She stood up, still looking at the man who was staring at her. "Would you mind watching her for me?" She asked, gesturing to Vaoulrah. "N-no, ma'am, it would be an honor!" He said looking down at the child who looked more then just confused about what was going on.
She turned back towards the elf, sizing him up and trying to read his body language. As she looked at him, her hands unlatched the two scabbards at her hips, releasing her scimitars from her side. She then turned away and set her scimitars down, outside the circle, not worried about anyone taking them. She turned back to the elf once more, "Are we using practice weapons, or the real thing?" She asked, knowing the daggers that she carried were not very good, and probably would not do so well against finely made ones.
Seele's eyes slid over the crowd, evaluating the few warriors who looked interested in his challenge. One man in particular looked ready to step forward, unlatched the giant battle-axe from his back. Seele was about to call out to him when his face went white and he stepped back, hastily putting the axe back in its place. Seele frowned and turned, seeing that the man's eyes had been focused on the spot behind him instead of the elf himself. He took a step backwards as well in order to share the circle with the woman standing there. She wore her leather armor comfortably, as if it were a second skin, and form-fitting black leggings that allowed her a full range of movement. Seele nodded to her, still frowning slightly. Why had the other man stepped back? All around the circle he could hear the combatants murmuring excitedly, some pointing straight at his new opponent. All eyes were on her. That's strange... let's see. Seele closed his eyes as she unsheathed the scimitars, focusing on the flow of magic in the air around him. Although some of the men and women training here also possessed magical abilities, their auras paled in comparison to the supernova of power roiling in the woman. Only a few beings in Imythess possessed such power. Although he had never actually visited the Goddess of Swords before, but there were few deities that he had not studied. If what he had read was to be believed, her skill with the blade was exceptional. This would be fun. His frown instantly turning into a small smile, Seele opened his golden eyes and said, "I'm honored that you would duel with me, Goddess. I will try my hardest not to disappoint you."
"Are we using practice weapons, or the real thing?" Seele paused for a moment before reaching into his sash. From it he pulled out two daggers, the black, curved blades glinting in the bright sunlight. They were as long as Seele's forearm, the hilt wrapped in soft black leather. On each, a small rune identifying the daggers in an ancient language glowed softly. Huiginn and Muginn. Seele smiled and pressed his thumb against each rune, whispering too softly to be heard. When he removed his fingers the glow had stopped, the enchantments that allowed the weapons to fight on their own temporarily dispelled. "If you would like, you can borrow Huginn here." He flipped one blade over, deftly catching the sharp blade in between his thumb and pointer finger and offering her the dagger's hilt. "They're identical in every aspect, and well-made."
Kyrus stood in the arena, he surveyed the warriors about him seeking a challenger. He held his broad sword at the ready and called out to the assembled warriors "I am seeking and opponent, I will take on any challengers." He was an accompished swords-elf and he waited to see if any would come forth to recieve his challenge, he was in need of a good duel to sharpen his skills. He often came here to the Arena to train and improve so that he might become a better warrior.