((OOC: You don’t have to post as many words as I have. Feel free to go off the last paragraph only as the rest is just how she got here in the first place!))

The man she had traveled here with was a human. He was dressed in faded green pants, a dirty white shirt, studded leather armor and a brown leather cloak. He had a leather belt on with both a long blade and a short dagger on his left hip and a leather pouch on his right hip that he often rested his elbow on while he walked about or spoke with someone. He said he was a merchant by trade and had a simple wagon, or perhaps it was a large cart? Either way he had a mule to pull it and it was mostly weather worn wood that really needed a new paint job. The two wheels didn’t even match though were the same size. Inside was a wall entirely of crates and a few trunks. Among these was a mat with some rough wool blankets that looked like they might harbor bed bugs.

He seemed a decent man at least though. He said he would help her out and that he knew a place she would be able to practice her skills and learn to control her rage. She didn’t know if it was possible to control her rage and she was afraid that she might kill someone with out meaning to, an innocent. He had soothed her worries, explaining that is was a controlled environment, an arena in a big city.

After taking the night to think about it, she had agreed to go. There was one small agreement, that she would have to pay him back for the ride there, but he was so confident in her and said he would handle it and give her any extra that she soon set it out of her mind. She had ridden here in the back the wagon owned by a man called Eli S. Phinn. She had fallen asleep back there during the ride, though not anywhere near his makeshift bed and woke once they had already arrived. He nudged her awake with a quarter-staff and she clambered most ungracefully out of the back. Her cloven hooves clanked rather loudly as she landed and she looked down in surprise. Cobblestones? She paused to look around, but was already being urged inside by Mr. Phinn. The sun was not up yet, was it?

She found herself standing in a dimly lit hallway as Phinn spoke with another man in full leather and chainmail armor. He had a blade at his side and a pike in hand. She couldn’t hear much of their rushed whispered conversation. “Alright, ya can head out into the arena to warm up. We’ll be having some more formal sparring later today.” The stranger suddenly barked at her. She twitched in surprise and felt his eyes on her as she passed. “Looks a bit like some demon to me still.” She heard him mummer to Phinn as she went out the doorway he directed to her.

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The ground was sand and it muffled her steps as she walked out into the arena. She paused once she could see in the early morning light. There were others about, in all sorts of armor and armed with all assortment of weapon. All she had was the long blade on her side and a shield upon her back. Her makeshift armor was not really strong enough to block any real blow. Perhaps after this, if one could really make some coin here, she could get some real armor. Taika shifted her weight, flicked her tail slightly, and started walking again. She looked around to see if anyone really did want to practice with her.

Well, that was it. Dalin just had to train. It's been a while since Dalin had a real fight. He practiced a little with his father, back in home, but other then that he rarely had a chance to use his blade. And a horse just send him to the healing hall. For over a day.
And when you lose to a horse, you just know that you are rusty.
The sun was high in the sky, and he will have to look for somewhere to sleep soon. He doubted that the healers in the healing hall will allow him to stay there...He is not plannig on going back there any time soon.
Yet, the huge arena was right next to the hall. It must be a sign...well, ya, of course there is some logic in placing the arena next to the healing hall, but the fact that Dalin was there in the first place...Well, that's because I was beated by a horse...I just gota practice.

Upon reaching the arena, Dalin saw that it is quite huge. He stood on one of the many seats that the arena contained. From where he stood he could see many people down there, practicing. They were well armored, they had weapons clearly better then his and they were clearly better fighters.
Dalin was slightly nervous. He doubted he can beat any one those...But he did wanted to train a little. He may not survive on the streets without becoming a better fighters. Then again, he may not survive this practice...
"First time in the arena, eh?" Dalin turned around to see a tall man, wearing heavy armor and carring a huge sword. He had long, dark red hair that almost reached the floor.
"How did you knew?" Dalin replied, surprised. He didn't see this man here before...and he stood there for a minute, maybe less...

"You can tell by the look at your face...nervous, hue?" He laughed. "I was just like you, kid. unexperienced, scared...but look, this it not to the death, and the healing hall is right there...what's the wrost thing that can happen?"
Dalin stared at the man. He did cheer him up a little, but...why? he didn't even know this guy. Maybe he is looking for an easy victoy...
"Cmon, what are you saying? if it gets too scary for you, just shout and I will come to get you out of there."
Dalin smiled. Still quite surprised by the man's generosity, Dalin asked, "Look, I have to ask...why are you so nice?"
The man laughed again. "I got a fight soon...I have to do something meanwhile..."
Dalin's smile grew bigger. He raised from his seat. "So, where I sign up?"

She wasn't really sure what to do, so she walked around the edge of the arena with the side of her left hand lightly following the wall. Her eyes were not on her path, but on the people practicing. How exactly did you find out whom to practice with? Most of them seemed to be veterans of sorts and the further she walked the more out of place she felt.

Taika knew she had to practice though. There was going to be a real test of skill later this day and somehow she was expected to earn Eli some coin. She had the feeling that he was going to bet on who would win. He had seen her fight before though, so he knew weather or not to bet on her. She wouldn’t bet on herself, not after watching these people. She was no professional warrior. She was not even made of the same stuff as these people… she is a construct, created to guard the Wizard Väinämöinen… Emotion clouded her mind then. He was dead and she was still here, so… Angry at that reaction she blinked away the almost-tears and looked about with a new goal. She had to pay back that demon for killing her Master. She hadn’t been strong enough, so now she needed to practice, to become strong enough and to be in control of her berserk rage that blinded her when it took over. She had to master that ability or it would never be useful to her.

Walking along the wall brought her near where a pair of men were talking. She hadn’t heard what they were saying, as she was looking for one of the practice fights to stop so she could ask one of them to practice with her. A shout caused her to turn about and see a human male standing up with a look of determination on his face. She found herself smiling a bit at his question.

“I think you need to practice first. The sign-up isn’t until about noon or so.” Still grinning a bit she waved a slight greeting to the other man with him, some type of fighter with long hair. She didn’t see the point of having long hair. Her hair went to about her shoulder blades, but she always pulled it up to keep it out of the way. She wished she could see how he fought with hair like that, and the fact it hadn’t been cut yet had to mean he was good, or just hadn’t learned his lesson yet.

The man was about to open his mouth, when a female with a horn, a race that Dalin obviously didn't know, approched them and answered for him.
“I think you need to practice first. The sign-up isn’t until about noon or so.”
"She is right, kid," The man said.
Dalin looked at the other fighters in the arena. Every one seemed to already be fighting, and the only possible opponent that Dalin could see is the woman that just answered his question.

Dalin quickly inspected her. She had a shield, and a long sword. Her gear was better, but not that much. And he didn't get to see her in action, so he wasn't sure if she was much better then him, if it all.
He did assume that she is, as it was very hard to find a worse fighter then him.
Dalin sighed. Well, but that's what I came for! I gota get better, and I should start now.

"Well, I can use some practice...Been a while since I had a real fight. And since there is no one else here to fight, would you like to practice with me? My name is Dalin, by the way."

((OOC: I hate writers block, and short posts! Sorry. :( ))

She didn't know either of them, but the reasion she was here was to practice, so there was no way she was going to turn him down. She beemed at him. "Well hello to you then Dalin. My name is Arianilma Niniane, but if it's easier you can call me Taika. I would be glad to practice with you." She moved away from the wall and turned her gaze to the arena. There was a fight ending not far, or at least seemed to be ending. The one man had just been knocked on his back and his opponate was offering a hand to help him up.

She pointed to the spot they were now vacating. "There is room there if you want. Ready?" She asked looking over her shoulder at him.

After the woman, Taika, introduced herself, she pointed at a spot in the arena that was now clear. Taika offered him to fight, and asked if he was ready.
"Sure, I am ready." Smiling, he added, "And please, try not to kill me. I am a lousy fighter."
Dalin left the outer part of the arena and entered the inner ring, where the battles take place. The two men that fought there just left.
Dalin drew his weapon. A little, rusty, dagger. Comparing to Taika's sword, just a little piece of metal. However, in close range, it may be hard to use a sword. If he will manage to get that close.

And still, that dagger was horrible. It was old, probably older than Dalin himself. It was in horrible shape, after so many years. Dalin had enough money to buy himself a new one, but he had more important things to save his money for. Food, for example. And that dagger meant much to him. His father gave him this dagger. What if he will break it while he is fighting?
As old as it is, there's a good chance it won't be able to take more than a blow or two.
I will dodge her strikes, get close to her and attack. If everything goes well, my dagger will be fine, and hopfully my head as well.

Dalin turned back to look at Taika. "Are you coming?"

“Then you need the practice.” She replied in turn. She was worried though, and glad she knew how to heal and that the healing hall was right next store if she did… She would have to make sure he knew to say her name if she lost it. Telling him might not make him wish to practice with her and if she couldn’t practice there would be no way for her to control it. Taika waited for him to ready himself as she thought this over. If she worded it right perhaps it would be alright. What should she say then? Sometimes she went into a berserk rage? Ya, that would scare the poor guy away. So what to say? Mention the way to break it first! I want you to say Taika if I… seem to loose my mind? No, if I seem to… be caught up in the fight? To get caught up in fighting…

He turned to look back at her and asked if she was coming. Takia looked up then and nodded. Still puzzling over what she should say, she followed him to the cleared spot. She noticed the blade in his hand. It was a simple thing, and rusted. Rust on a blade could cause disease and meant he didn’t know how to take care of it. Perhaps she should teach him a bit. In the mean time, she didn’t really feel like getting sick from a blade like that. “Are you sure you want to use that? You can use this one if you promise to give it back.” She unsheathed her blade and stopped in the cleared spot to offer him it hilt first.

After quickly examining the longsword Taika offered him, Dalin saw that it was much better than his dagger. It was in much better condition, it was of a higher quality than his dagger and it was bigger. It was simply better.
The only problem Dalin had, was that he wasn't trained to use swrods, and he didn't really know how to handle one.
Well, I am not trained with daggers too...
But it was much more simple to use a dagger. Just a little weapon, not heavy, easy to handle.

I came here to learn, didn't I? Besides, a blade is a blade. I can learn how to use a new weapon and improve my skill with daggers in the same time.
Dalin grabbed the hilt Taika offered him.
"Thanks, it looks much better than my dagger. I will give it back to you after we finish."
As Dalin waited for Taika to leave the hilt so he could take it, he looked at Taika and saw that she didn't have any other weapon, at least not any that he could see.
"Ahhh, thank you but...what weapon are you going to use?"

She let the blade go as he took it from her, the weight of it leaving her hand. She took a step back, her hoof shifting slightly on the sand until she shifted her weight back on it too. Taking another step back she smiled. “I wouldn’t have you face me unarmed, though I’m never unarmed. I plan on using this.” She pulled a simple card out of where she had it stashed. It had been hidden under the strap of her no-longer-armor on her arm. The card had a blue pattern on one side and a blade on the other.

Taika was upset about her armor actually. She hoped to earn some gold here so that she could get some real armor. It was only a bit of soft padding she wore right now, no more protection then winter clothing. Deciding that would be her reward after all of this, she closed her eyes for a moment and whispered a single word, the name of the card in her hand. A longblade materialized in her hand where the card had been, mirroring the one now in Dalin’s hands except it was golden in color while the other blade was cold steel. Later, if she got the chance, she would love to learn how to duel weld both blades. She probably could swing them both in parallel, but she didn’t think she had the skill to use them separately.

Deciding it would also be unfair to have her shield, she walked over to the wall and set it down. When Taika turned around she walked purposefully to a spot just across the open area they had chosen to practice in. She held the blade in her right hand and adjusted her grip before holding it before her. Then she turned so only her right side faced Dalin, though her eyes never left him. She bent her legs slightly and then made a fist with her left hand and placed her fist against the small of her back. Now ready, she nodded to him. “Ready when you are.”

Dalin looked at Taika as she pulled out her card, curious to see what she will do with it. Dalin stood without moving, amazed to see the card turning into a sword.
Dalin saw magic only few times in his life, and magic always impressed him. Dalin hoped Taika wasn't going to use magic againset him in the battle.
Taika didn't look like a spellcaster, so Dalin assumed that she just have magical weapons and not magical powers.
The blade was golden, but other than that it looked exactly liked the blade Taika gave Dalin. And when Dalin saw Taika wasn't going to use her shield, it seemed like it's going to be a fair fight..

Hi, I might actuley win this thing...
"Ready when you are."
Ready when you are. That means that I have to be the first one to attack?
Dalin hoped he will not have to be the one that strikes first. He was better at avoiding strikes than landing them, and he hoped Taika would attack first so that he will have to chance to block her and than attack himself or even to move out of her way and attack her from the side. And it was just harder for Dalin to attack than to defend himself while he is attacked.
But it dosen't matter if I win or lose, as long as I learn from the battle - Unless I die while losing, and then it does matter...Well, better get this over.
"I'm ready."
Dalin grasped the sword tightly, wielding it in a not so skilled manner. He took a deep breath. Then, with the sword infront of him, Dalin charged.