Sarin sighed, and shook his head. He was back at the arena again, twice in one week. He was in the middle of the arena, wings fanned, tunic removed, limbering up. Ornell had asked him to come here to help train a new recruit for the Burning Fist, and he wasn't going to be unprepared this time.

His wings were a recent addition, the gold he had used to pay for it an anonymous gift. Though anonymity didn't stop him from having his suspicions as to who had sent it. Not that he was going to call her on it. It had been sent anonymously, so he wasn't one to press the issue.

He finished limbering up, and then rose slowly to his feet. His wings furled at his back, and he went into a series of katas, one to increase agility and speed. Of course, it was also to help him get used to fighting with the wings in various positions. He didn't even break a sweat, but his rapid motions had sand flying in every direction, his hair rapidly coming unbound from the tail he normally kept it in, flying out behind him as he lunged back and forth across the arena between the fences.

He didn't ACT like he detected anyone coming up, but he did, and knew that the people he had been waiting for had finally arrived. But betrothed or no, prospective 'brother' or no, they would have to wait until he finished.

Ornell came out to the arena. It was nothing like the one in Taras, but with sand all about already it wasn't that hard to make one. She walked into the area calmly and quietly to see Sarin already there. She didn't see Gibbon yet though. It wasn't a problem really though so Ornell moved along the outside of the ring and picked a spot to sit down.

As she sat, Sarin took to the air and she smiled. She had overheard a conversation regarding that and even though she was sure he knew... Ornell's smiled lingered as she watched him warm up. He was getting the hang of it. It was interesting that he had volunteered for this. He didn’t have too. Not with them all still gathering together to win back their guild hall. She had just received the letter back from Ace and a small stone in which to contact him when she needed to. She just had to be careful. She knew Ace should not come to the guild hall itself. It was harmful for him to do so. She would have to visit him after the guild once more had its hall. Then it could just be a social visit.

Almost absently she ran her left thumb along the ring on her finder. Thoughts of the guild and Ace faded from her thoughts as she watched him. His hair came loose. If he braided it, it wouldn’t do that so easily… She would have to see what that looked like later. It’s not like it wouldn’t be able to be unbraided.

The desert was calm today and the dunes were somewhat level. Gibbon had just walked over one to see the destination he was told to come to. It was an arena in the middle of the desert.

Ornell had sent him and invite to test his existing skills and teach more to him also. He didn't know for sure what he was going to do but he knew he had to be prepared. He was a fine swordsman and a good spell caster, but was that what he needed to become a Flaming Fist. Ornell put that doubt when they met in the mountains.

Gibbon arrived at the arena and entered through the main entrance. He saw a winged man in the air. He seemed to be warming up or something. He wonders if he had to fight him. Was he an existing member of the guild? Ornell sat on a side and smiled at the winged man. If he only knew why.

"Hello! I'm here. I got your invite and came quickly as I could. May I ask who he is and what is this a sparring match?" he asked Ornell trying to get a gauge on what was to be happening today in the arena.

Sarin smiled, and dropped back to the ground, folding his wings as he went. "Welcome to you, Gibbon. I am Sarin Mythros, Second Grade member of the Burning Fist," he said with a slight bow, hopping over the fence to land in front of Gibbon. "And yes, from what I got from Ornell here, it WILL be a sparring match," he said with a smile.

He looked over to Ornell, a smile on his face as the gleam of the ring caught his eye. "So. This is the potential new member, then?" he said quietly. "He seems healthy and fit enough." He smiled. "Only concern I have is his ability in combat. With your permission, I'd like to start right away," he said, and then flexed his hands, crouching where he stood.

If Gibbon looked, there was a slight aura of goodness, of RIGHT about him, almost thick enough that you could cut it with a blade. There was also an otherworldly feel about him, due to two parts of what he was: the Fire Elemental blood evident in his eyes and hair, and something else that created that aura. His wings fluttered slightly, and then went still, as he waited for Ornell's word on whether to start now or not.

Ornell's gaze shifted to Gibbon and she smiled slightly at him. Before she could answer the question though, Sarin came over. She smiled as he spoke and then she herself decided to add on to what Sarin had said. "Gibbon, you had mentioned both magical skill and fighting abilities. Spells are easy enough to test but skill is something else. That is something that has to be seen. Sarin has offered to spar with you as I have found I am simply too powerful to do a proper test of skill without making too many feel overwhelmed. We do have a proper training area in the guild's hall, but we have to win it back first. I believe we have found enough members and aid to get it back. I'm giving everyone a day's rest to prepare for the crossing. If you would like to join us the day after tomorrow you can. We would welcome the aid. There will be a few others not among our number who will show."

Her smile faded as she spoke. She meant every word she said and knew what risk there was for it. She hoped to use tomorrow to learn that greater healing spell Valen had discovered for her. She had been so busy she hadn't the time yet. She would probably need it, as much as she wished she wouldn't. A slight smile tugged at the corner of her mouth as she said, "If there is no problem with that arrangement, please enter the ring. If you would rather have something else arranged I can see what other options we have available. I'm not going to make you fight in either case. That choice is yours."

Gibbon stood listening to Ornell. She mentioned the need for skill along with magic. He had both but he need to be able to combine the two so he can better utilize his powers. Ornell mentioned a quest for there guildhall and that he could join the quest. He wasn't doing much besides pursuing his betterment of his skills. Why not join them.

"I would be glad to help you fight for your guildhall. If everything goes well here it will be my guildhall too." he smiled as he unsheathed his sword from his back. He had brought his trusty greatsword as always. "And as for having skill, I hope to prove my mastery of swordplay can impress you enough for me to be accepted. But my whole goal of joining is to be able to combine my swordplay with my vast array of fire spells. Now what else besides fighting this fine winged fellow do I need to join? Or is it best to just wait till we finish the spar to ask that?" Gibbon was a little anxious and wanted to prove that he could do anything they wanted him to do. He just wants to be trained by Ornell and her guild.

Gibbon laid his sword down and adjusted his armor and boots to ready himself for the spar. He waited patiently for either Ornell or Sarin to respond to what he asked or just to start fighting.

Sarin smiled, leaning against the railing of the arena. "First of all, thank you. For the compliment, and the offer of help."

He looked pensive for a moment. "Main thing you need to understand is that there are tasks that you can accomplish that will further your rank amongst the Fist." He paused a moment, thinking. "I am a second rank member." He turned for a moment, and then raised his fist into the air, where it burst into flame, the traditional salute of the Burning Fist.

After extinguishing the flames, he turned back to Gibbon. "When you reach second rank, you'll be able to do that as well. And at even higher ranks, you can engulf your entire BODY in flames." He smiled. "But that comes naturally as you advance."

He pushed off the railing, and smiled. "Did that answer your question well enough?" he said with a laugh.