((For Kore only, unless I invite you!))

Ranewen began to walk towards the outdoor arena, hoping to pass an intructor on the way. She had both of her swords in their sheaths, each on one of her hips. Her left hand rested on her sword of chaos as she looked around, stopping momentarily. First, she sat on a bench and watched a few people fencing, thinking about what they should've done, and congratulated them mentally when they made good moves. Although she was a mage, she wanted to learn swordsman skills as well. Not totally perfect it, but become pretty good at it at least.

Sighing after a while, she rested her elbow on her knee, her chin resting in the palm of her hand as she watched. Her eyes glazed over, as if she were thinking about something else, her mind wondering elsewhere. Although she sat in the shadows, she let herself be visisble. She wanted whatever training master that passed by to notice her. Maybe they would decide ot teach her something.

Where are you, Ranewen? a voice demanded inside her head. She heaved a sigh and sent him a visual of where she was. Soon enough, a man who looks about eighteen with draconish-looking features walked in. He had shaggy black hair, and lifeless eyes. He was Ryu - her shadowdragon's human form. He sat down next to her to watch. "Why did you come here?" he asked.
"Why should you care?"
"It's that boy... isn't it?" he said, smirking.
"No, you moron... Do you know what this place even is? It's the Academy of Arms! I want to improve my skills with the sword, especially the double-bladed one. Do you have a problem with it?" she growled.
"Maybe I do... Maybe I don't... You'll never know," he toyed with her, making her a bit angry. She went to punch him in the face, but his arm went up and caught her fist before it hit his face. Her jaw nearly dropped, but as to not attract too much attention, she returned her gaze to the Outdoor Arena, watching the two men fencing. She tried to ignore the fact that Renor was reading her thoughts. "S you are thinking about him..."
"Now that you mentioned him, I do. If you'd just acted normal for once, maybe we'd get a long better. But noooo. You always have to pick on me! And the funny thing is... I own you!"
"So? I'm a dragon... You're a mere human... If I wanted, I could kill you whenever I wanted. But you're lucky... you're already dead or I would've done so back in the Dragon Spine Mountains."

Ranewen growled under her breath, but she turned her face away from him. She leaned her back against his shoulder, which she knew he wouldn't move, as she looked the other way. "Sometimes, you just better shut your friggin mouth! People will be staring at us one day..."
"Too late... I feel somebody watching us already, but I don't know from where..." he said evilly, as if making fun of her as he searched to find who was watching them. "I can't find him though... He's somewhere, perhaps just out of my sight range. Or maybe I am just overlooking him..."
"Just admit it: you can't find him. You know he's there. I know he's there. I can feel eyes burning into me at the moment and I'll admit that I can't find whoever it is either. So just confess... you can't find him!" she growled at him, still looking the other way.
"I can't find him. So what? We're not all perfect..." he said, still looking around.

He was wondering along the halls, his right hand running down the walls as he walked. He went to run his left hand through his hair, but failed. He then remembered that he didn't have a left hand anymore. He sighed as he walked down the halls, now wearing a long sleeve shirt to hide the hideous mark that was left behind from the boulder.

He wandered to the fencing arena outside. He walked up to the kids who were practicing their techniques and nodded. They stopped and bowed before him, one of them handing him his rapier. Kore gripped it in his right hand and smiled* Now, when you want to counterstrike a vertical hit, what do you do? *One of the kids raised their hands and answered "Parry, sidestep, switch hands, thrust"* Correct, now I'll show you an example and you two will continue your practice.*The kid came down with a strike, Kore sidestepped quickly, tossed the rapier to his left hand, but didn't catch it, the rapier landing in the kid's hand. Kore sighed and bowed.* I'm sorry....please continue with your training. *The kids looked at Kore with worrying eyes, but then listened to his words and continued to fight.

Kore trudged to an empty fighting circle. He looked at the random weeds that grew out of the floor and sighed once more. He was soon going to be able to be accustomed to having only one arm, but the humiliation that entailed was killing him. He slowly laid down in the center of the ring and spoke only audible enough for those around him to hear.* What am I to do now...A one armed Weapons Master? I'll probably be stripped of my title and thrown into the streets....there's not much left to live for especially since now Kamahl is dead...*He looked up to the sky, tracing the clouds above him.*

She hadn't noticed that Kore was in the arena in the first place. Ryu, on the other hand, had. He smacked her right in the temple and she looked in the direction of the arena. She smiled as she heard him give instructions. As she stared, he jabbed her in the rib cage. "You said staring was rude, did you not?" he asked and smirked evilly.
"Shut up..." was all she said and she turned her gaze on him and punched him right in the side. When she looked back from their staring contest - which she lost of course - she didn't see him in the arena. Ryu watched Kore walk away and he nodded his head in that direction. He was laying down in a small arena. "Go ahead and leave.. I'll be right here..."
"I don't care if you're here or you're gone, you moron. You should know that..." she muttered and got up. Ryu used his left foot and pushed her in the direction and she stumbled a few steps. She glared at him through the corner of her eye as she slowly made her way towards the arena where Kore lay.

She hopped over the fence (which I'm assuming is there, right? lol) and landed softly on the ground. She walked towards him and knelt down, hoping not to startle him. "Hello," she whispered in his ear and sat back, hoping she hadn't scared him at all. She'd hate to have scared him on their first meeting out of a battle. She then sat down and crossed her legs and sat indian style. She rested her arms on her shins and looked down at him, waiting for his reaction.

((Sorry it's short. Lol))

*He looked over to her and quickly his his left arm. He cracked a soft smile and sniffled a bit* Hey Rae...hows it going? *He wasn't in the greatest of moods. Only one day had passed since he lost his forearm and already he missed it. He looked back to the sky, but then looked in her direction, past her, his eyes falling on a dragon-esque looking man for a few moments, then directed his attention back to Ranewen* I never really got to tell you yesterday how grateful I am for your help...I'd be missing more than my arm without it. I also never got to tell you how different you look since we first met, seems like you've grown up.,*He laughed softly, knowing she could never show age involuntarily, but he figured he'd crack a joke to show he hasn't lost his sense of humor yet.

He slowly rose to a sitting position, looking directly at her, then to her friend, then to the weapon's rack behind him. * So what have you come here for other than to say hi? If you wish, I can provide you with free practice...even though I don't know what help'd a one armed warrior'd be to you...maybe talk to Sargoth.--he's new here but he knows his stuff.

((ooc: hey don't worry I had a lil trouble making it longer as well))

"I'm doing fine, I guess... And in a way I've grown up." she said as she laughed a bit, then shrugged her shoulders and looked behind her at the weapons rack and then back at him. "Before that, Kore... I believe I have something for you that might help a little bit." She smiled and stood up, whiping the dust off her pants. "C'mere," she said and walked to the fence and whistled sharply.

Soon enough, Maral came into view. But she wasn't a lone. Behind her, was another nightmare, which Ranewen had just purchased not too long ago. She moved out of the way to let him see and leaned back on the fence and smiled. "I know nothing can replace Kamahl, but at least you won't b e lonely all the time." She nodded her head and then looked towards the weapons rack.

"As for fencing... I think you'd do fine fencing against me. I'm not as good a swordsman like yourself, you know, since I have never really decided to use them over magic. But lately, it seems, I have been using me swords more." She nodded ehr head and then looked back at the two nightmares. Maral was on her left, and the other nightmare, on her right.

Ryu watched from where he was sitting and lazily got up, walking towards them. "That why you got the other Nightmare, Rae?"
"Well, it seems that way, doesn't it?" she said and glared at him out of th e corner of her eyes. "Damn dragon..." she muttered and shook her head.

*He slowly rose to his feet, using his right arm to push himself from the ground. He slowly trodded to the fence and walked through the entrance to face two nightmares, one was obviously hers, but there was a second that she hinted that she was giving to him. He sighed and looked at her.* Maybe it cannot replace Kamahl, but I think it'd be suitable body for him to use...*Walking towards the nightmare, he patted his head and looked down to where his black diamond resided.*This seems good for me...Kore I told you I'd be back...*Said Kamahl from inside his diamond. This voice was only one that he could hear, which brought a slight smile to Kore's face.*

Ranewen, are you sure about that though? I mean, this is a fine horse--I've never seen anyone give something this valuable to someone else at a whim. *he looked at the horse, then he looked at her with a somber expression on his face.* Without my left arm, I'd be a horrible teacher, for to best utilize any weapon, you must be able to wield it in both hands, and with only my right hand, you wouldn't get sufficient training.

*He was going to say more, but the person he had seen that accompanied her came by and was obviously being a nuisance to her. When she muttered "damn dragon..." he knew something was not normal. After a few moments of thinking, he came to realize that it must be the dragon that has been with her of recent.* Ah...so you're the dragon from the forest, eh? So you lead a double life imitating a human or have you realized that your race is not as superior as most dragon's believe? *He seemed to be easily irritated as of recent and deep inside, he was itching to fight this dragon--human or dragon form didn't matter to him. He was still as inquisitive as before and wanted to learn everything he could ever learn and become the best necromancer in the entire planet--this was his goal since he learned of his powers.*

She smiled and nodded her head. "Of course, I'm sure you can have him! I don't think I would've brought him here for a pointless reason without a saddle and such. I found him I didn't by him." A smile danced on her lips as she let herself go invisble for a few moments, and then come back. "I sort of... snuck up on him, but he let me bring him this far, since he tends to like Maral." She pat her horse on her long nose and kissed her muzzle, before turning back to Kore.

Ryu looked at him curiously. "Well, I don't think people would like to see a dragon walking around, do they? A lot of people are still feared of my race, and the only way to conceal my identity is to change into a human." He nodded his head as if taken no offense. "Although, it'd be fun to see their horror, Ranewen would kill me before I could chase them all down." He looked over at her with a smirk, which Ranewen didn't see.

She shook her head and then realized that he couldn't do too much with his right arm. "Who ever said that you can't master a long sword with one hand? It might be hard at first, but you never know what might become of it. On the first 'you' she poked him in the chest and let her arms than cross over her rib cage. "It may sound impossible, but that doesn't mean that it is, right?" A smile came upon her face as she leaned against her nightmare, looking at him.

...Thank you. *He was sincere about this and happy that he and Kamahl would once again roam the country of Imythess.* He may like Maral now...but I don't think this horse will be the same once I do what I need to do. Kamahl will return.* He wouldn't specify how, but he was sure that she was smaret enough to figure it out.*

Yes, a good show of horror would be something. I could see the people screaming for their life.*He chuckled some and looked around.* Although you're right about one thing--get her mad and Rae will kill you in a heartbeat.

*He looked over at her and winked. Her visit sure was an pleasant suprse, and her belief in him didn't hurt either.* I guess maybe you're right, but if I were to master the swords, I will have to be strong enough to wield my two-handed sword with one hand. If I cannot do that, there is no point in continuing.*An idea popped into his head. He smiled greatly and hugged her, his right arm wrapped around her and kissed her cheek. When he backed up he wore a bright smile* I now know what I have to do. I will rally all of the teachers here and they will help me train my body to master weaponry with just one hand. The road will be tough, but the rewards will be plenty.*He bowed and shook his head* Even with a handicap, I will rise above the ranks and become the best.

Ryu walked slowly away, seeing as he wasn't needed here anymore. He walked towards the bench once more to sit down and watch the two fencing boys. They were mastering dodging the attacks the way Kore had taught them to do. He smiled as he leaned in the shadows, leaning on his left elbow. he still thought about what Kore said. Although you're right about one thing--get her mad and Rae will kill you in a heartbeat. He shrugged his shoulders, still not quite understanding what he meant. Humans... he thought grimly and shook his head.

Ranewen smiled and stepped back. "There's a the Kore I know. And believe me, I'll be here every day to watch you practice and get stronger. As for the horses, it'll be a pleasure to see the horse-that-almost-decided-to-kill-me-at-the-stables-a while-ago walk the Earth once again." She smiled and looked over at the other Nightmare and then stroked Maral's broad neck. She then looked down at her Blade of Chaos, which was sort of heavy, and to her sword of fire and ice.

"Which one would you like to start with? The double-bladed sword, or a normal sort-of-light one." She wasn't going to let him wait for the teachers to get dones with their lessons. She would help him starting now. And she would not let him back out, even if it did mean that she would have to argue with him. She took her Blade of Chaos out of its sheath and put it in the ground for ihm to choose. She then went to the saddle bag that was on Maral's back and took out her sword of fire and ice, which was wrapped up so it appeared to be no more than a map. "Your choice. I'll sue the other one. And don't be afaid to hit me." She smirked and stuck her hand through one side of the double bladed sword and then slid it off. The blood was seeping out, but she could only feel a slight tingle. Then, it seeped back in and the wound closed completely. She smiled and looked up at him.

The practice will not be easy...I will be training a lot more than just with weapons. I need to run, swim, work out, exercise--everything I can to condition myself to compensate for what I lack. If you're up to doing all that, than I guess it wouldn't help to have someone around for motivation.*He moved his left nub in circular motions a few times* And if I ever need this arm, I have a way to make up for it.*He wouldn't tell anyone his idea to create a magical, but deadly prosthetic for his missing forearm out of pure black energy*

Truthfully, I'd like to start with something very difficult. *He reached back with one hand and clasped onto his two-handed sword. He drew it slowly, holding it pointing up to the sky. After a few seconds he lost balance from the weight and the sword plunged into the arena floor. He looked at her and smiled* Eh, maybe not now, but I will be able to wield any weapon with this arm, no matter the weight. *He then drew Kilgorin from his sheathe and looked at her with a smile as she stabbed herself.* I don't think Kilgorin will do just a stab wound, but it's your call, and I'm game.*He settled into his regular fighting stance, Kilgorin pointing straight at Rae.* Shall we?

((ooc: sorreh its short, but I gots work))

((S'all good!))

Ranewen smirked as he pointed the blade at her. Kilgorin, was what he called it. She picked up her Blade of Chaos and pointed it at him as well, running her bladed over his before stapping backwards towards the center of the ring. Seeing as he was one of the Weapon Masters, a few of the people came over to watch their little duel, or what they thought was a duel.

"Bring it on," she teased, knowing he would have easily beaten her if he had both of his hands. She wondered what he had meant by more than a stab wound, but she'd probably find out. She grabbed her own sword with her one hand, so it would be more of an even fight. The wind picked up again, and her hair blew in her face. She shook it free and hoped that he hadn't moved at her, seeing the advantage. She should tell him to wait so she could tie it back, but she could deal with it .

*As people gathered, Kore could feel their eyes burning a hole into his arm. Had it been so odd to see someone missing an forearm. But maybe it was just him and his nervousness that was making him break a sweat. Shortly he then shook his head and concentrated when Rae said to bring it on.

He noticed every inperfection of her stance and how she presented herself. He could see the slight sway in the hips and her loose hair which will cause her problems later on. As she began to blow her hair, he knew he was correct about her. He smirked and charged at her while her hair grabbed her attention. He came low at her then came up high with a diagonal swing. As he did this he smirked evily.*

At probably the last second, she brought her sword up to block his strike, sidestepped, and then swung back at him. She could see the disbelief in people’s eyes. Had they never seen a Weapon’s Master face someone they’ve never seen before? Or was it the fact that they weren’t using false-tipped swords? She decided it could be both.

After striking back, in case he parried, she jumped back to hopefully not get hit by any counter attacks. Kore obviously has underestimated himself with a light sword and being able to master himself with his only remaining hand. The people obviously doubted Kore somewhat, but when they saw that it was just a mere girl he was facing, they had to keep from laughing, thinking that she was cocky or something of the sort. Obviously, Ranewen secretly became enraged, but she kept her eyes on Kore, waiting for his next move, ready to counter, or perhaps to be hit.

Seeing as the students from the acadamy were taking light of this event, he grew frustrated. His eyes flared a dark black as he yelled at the ones around him* If you cannot remain quiet, go to your dormitories. *The students then all quieted down and watched anticpantly for who would draw first blood if at all.

Kore watched her defend herself pretty well and figured soon he would change his stance, but for now, he'll keep her on her toes. He faked charged, only taking one initial step foreward, but then his other one took him to the left. After he did that shuffle, He moved his right arm to his left side, then pushed foreward and swung it horizontally at her. He liked to play around and knew he wouldn't hurt her that bad if he connected.*

((ooc: sorreh for deh short posts))

Ranewen watched him and then saw the blade coming down at her. She jumped backwards as she parried his blow. Her sword missed his, and a slight cut got on her wrist. She didn't wince in pain, nor did any blood seep out. She wondered why that was, but she knew eventually that it would.

Ignoring it, she took a horizontal swing at his waist. He should be smart enough to move out of the way or parry it. He was the Weapon's Master after all, was he not? A few students whispered to eachother in low voices, saying that he would be able to block it. Some of them even wondered why a woman would even challenge him. Hearing one of the whispers, she glared out of the corner of her eye, but instantly looked back.

*Being a bit experimental, Kore decided to dodge her attack instead of parrying or blocking it. His feet planed on the floor, he leaned backwards to ensure the momentum of her swing spun her around and make her lose orientation. The attack missed his waist, but sliced across his chest, blood immediately seeping out. He winced in pain and the students gasped.

Standing up, he smirked and then held up his sword in a time-out position. Plunging it into the ground, he conjured a small globe into his hand. He then slammed it onto the ground between the two.

The globe exploded and expanded into a sphere of darkness. This sphere didn't harm the two, but obscured their fight so peering eyes wouldn't intrude. He grabbed his sword and saw Rae through the darkness* A little privacy never hurt anyone. *He then grabbed his sword, ripping it from the ground and charged at her, his sword now in a thrusting motion towards her midsection.*

Ranewen loked around for a moment and then heard him speak. She nodded and looked at him as he ran with his sword in a thrusting position. She decided not to move. Since this was his first fight, she wished for him to win it. And plus, she wouldn't die from it either. But she would love to see the horror on the kid's voices as they thought that she was dead.

She stood where she was, looking at him directly in his eyes. She dropped her sword to the side and still held it by the handle, the blade sagging against the ground as she held it lazily, waiting for the blade to seep through her skin and into her body. She cringed at the thought. What if I can feel it again? But I can't die... I'll live through the pain. I'll make sure I do. He deserves a win.

Outside, Ryu wandered to the fence, but by then it was too late. The black orb had surrounded the two and he could not see in. He shrugged his shoulders and leaned on th e fence, putting his foot on it. He looked in, as if he could see through the orb. His eyes glazed over as he tried to read Ranewen's mind to see what was going on. But, she had slippery mind on so no one could enter it and he pulled out. He blinked a few times and shook his head. So stubborn... he thought and sighed angrily.

By this time, her pseudo-dragons found their way out of the Academy of Arms and they flew their way over towards where they felt Ranewen's presence. They saw the black rob and landed on the fence, curious eyes looking on. Tiu chirped as if Ranewen would hear it. A few of the students looked over, but didn't say anything. Jordison was still trying to balance himself on the fence post.

"Don't stop... Keep coming..." she provoked him, wanting him to strike her so he could win and she could see the faces on the students. With every passing second as Kore charged, she became more eager to see what they students' reactions were. Some of them would clap, others would be sad, thinking she was dead or something. And some would just say I told you so, or something of the sort. Either way, she was very eager and couldn't wait, a smirk pulling at her lips.

*Kore's thrust found home in her abdomen, making a skin crawling *schlurch* sound. Kilgorin slided through and came out of her back, blood dripping off the tip and also squirting from her back. He grew irate when he stabbed her. The sword still in her, he moved closer to her and whispered in her ear.* That was pitiful, why did you let me stab you? I cannot become better with you babying me. The next time I strike you let me strike you unopposed, you won't survive it I assure you.

*He withdrew his blade quickly from her and backed up a few paces.* Now, again. Show me what you're made of and remember what I told you.

She simply shrugged her shoulders and stared at him blankly. "I don't think you should waste your time on a simple person like me. You deserve better practice. One with a training master." She looked down at the wound as the blood slowly stopped dripping and the wound closed up, but a hole was in her clothing from where the sword entered and came out of.

She poked it with her singer and shrugged her shoulders before looking back up at Kore and stepped back as she sheated her sword. "Not only that, isn't your arm become even the slightest bit tired? Maybe we should go do something else and rest for a while." She shrugged her shoulders. Only a suggestion... she thought as she looked back at him to see if he agreed of disagreed.

"And I'd hate to break it to you, but there's only one way I can die, Kore. And that way I refuse to tell a soul." She nodded her head as she crossed her arms over her rib cage, covering the hole in her shirt. She had felt some bit of pain and it still lingered with her, but it only occupied a corner of her mind. It was nothing she couldn't handle.

Outside, her pseudo-dragons moved from foot to foot, shifting their wait from side-to-side as they looked around, wondering where Ranewen was. They eventually got fed up with waiting and lunged into the air and circled above the black dome, tryingh to see inside of it. They couldn't. They chirped almost silently, but no one answered. Not even the students. They were busy watching the black dome as if they could see inside of it. A few sighed and walked away, getting bored.

Ryu still stood there, eventually turning around. He slowly walkaed to an open area, which was quite large. He stood still for a moment and a wind picked up, and he transformed himself into a dragon - his true form. He took off from the ground, black wings letting him fly silently as if he wasn't even there. He looked down at the students as their eyes traveled from the shadow up to him in wonder, wondering where he had come from. He looked back at them and then flew towards Norwood Forest, fed up waiting for Ranewen. Let her walk if she needs to leave... he thought gloomily as he landed in a clearing.

*Kore only sighed at her treatment of him. He was surely working up a sweat, but he was not tired. He sheathed his sword and ended the globe of darkness spell. The globe instantly vanished and as soon as it did, Kore walked out of the arena and made his way inside of the academy.

He stopped at the entrance back into the academy and spoke out* You're right Rae, why do I waste my time with people who won't treat me normal anymore. One day you'll realize that what I lost will not prohibit me from doing the things I set out to do. Untill then, may your path be guided with the luck that you deserve. In the meantime, I bid you farewell. *He then continued walking inside to the academy, hoping to find someone who will seriously train with him.*

Ranewen watched him and sighed and shook her head. She turned away without a word and hopped over the fence as the students left as well. Ryu watched her but didn't make a move to get up and follow. Her pseudo-dragons, however, flew over to her shoulders and landed on each of them. She sighed once more and didn't bother looking back. Well, maybe I have to think twice about him... she thought and shook her head.

((Sorry for such a short post. I'm closing the topic. If you want me to reopen it, just gimme a PM.))