A Cut Above (Closed)

[Duffy]

A Cut Above (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpOSxM0rNPM)


http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1xpjsxfYL1r2rn38o1_1280.jpg



Closed to Solar Haven (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?25322-Adonis-Character-registration&highlight=).


The sun shone. The wind, the little there was of it, descended down the cliffs with a groan. With a long, drawn out sigh, a lone swordsman kept his gaze to the east. It was the direction of Scara Brae, the island’s capital. He expected it to be route his pupil would take to meet him.

“I’m not cut out for this,” he said to his colleague.

“Cut out for what?” the woman replied.

“Teaching…”

The grey haired woman smiled.

“Look, Duffy…,” she trailed off. The wind intensified, whipped her locks to life, and made the crimson folds of her luxurious silk dress ripple. “All you have to do is teach the boy a few sword strokes.” She rested her hands on her hips.

“It’s not what I pictured for my retirement.”

Ruby chuckled. She turned to the east. She looked out across the expansive horizon, and picked out the detail of the city in the distance. To the north, the Windlacers jutted up like rocky kings, standing over their kingdom with scrutiny. To the south, only a skeletal tree and duchy town interrupted the horizon. Its uninviting wooden palisades hid away secluded and backwards folk.

“It’s not what I envisioned either, but…,” she sighed, her thoughts racing. “It’s what we pledged to do. We promised to help those in need, and to continue to protect Scara Brae with our lives.” The promise was hollow, given their respective immortality, but being prepared to die was half the battle.

“Is teaching swordplay for the good of the island?” Duffy raised an eyebrow.

“Arden seems to think Adonis could turn out to be a good ally.”

The cumulus clouds overhead roiled, and began to peter out into whips and tendrils. The countryside was giving the duo every sign that soon, it would become quite humid, and the humidity would turn into sweltering summer ruin.

“I don’t remember Arden being in command…,” he mumbled. He bit his lip, ran his tongue over his piercings, and clicked his fingers.

“Is that appropriate?” She raised an eyebrow.

The black lacquered handle of his katana appeared. The blade formed in a shimmering maelstrom. He took it, pulled it from its Vorpal sheath, and felt completely himself again.

“For swordplay, what else is there?” He looked at the blade. He shrugged.

Ruby sighed. She strode towards the bard, ushered the sword away, and pulled up his cane so that it became a makeshift blade.

“You’ll cut the poor boy in half if you use a real weapon.” She retreated. “Besides, I’ve seen what you can do with Visla…”

Duffy had certainly become proficient with the cane since his maiming. Out of necessity, he had to learn how to defend himself with what was to hand.

“Why do I get the impression you’ll be the one teaching Adonis, and I’ll get a bum deal?”

Ruby, with far too much enjoyment, curled her lips into a content smile.

“Why change the habit of a lifetime?”

The spell singer’s laughter bounced across the reeds, lemon grass, and dusty road. Her laughter reached all the way to the ears of their muscular disciple, en route to learn a little too much about heroism and heartache.

[Solar Haven]

Adonis sighed and leaned up against a tree, as Kit was frolicking through the forest.

“ I know we came here looking for a skilled swordsman, recommended by a few people, but did we really have to waste so much gold on a ship and all that time getting here? Wasn't there good swordsman back in Corone?” Adonis thought as he looked at the sky and pushed back off the tree

“Come on Kit, we better continue, don't want to make him wait now do we? Adonis said as he continue walking west, he was told that the training area wasn't far away from the village so he wouldn't have to worry about finding a tavern to spend his nights, but he and Kit were use to spending all night in forests. They would probably end up setting up a camp and just sleep wherever they were.

The wind picked up and flowed to the east, going against Adonis. Both he and Kit knew from the feel of the wind and the way the clouds were dissipating that it would lead to a very humid day, he sighed and scratched the back of his head as he saw the exit of the forest which then leaded to the planes where they would be fighting a little ways out.

“Well, I hope this is all worth the effort in the end” Adonis said as he bent down to one knee and gently scratched Kit behind the ear. Kit cooed affectionately back at Adonis, reassuring him of what was to come. “also, don't worry if I get injured. It's bound to happen during training. I remember training with Captain Rumford, he always loved to injure me to make sure I remembered not to screw up like that again”

Adonis crossed the threshold and saw two people standing off in the distance, they seemed to be waiting for someone, they were looking his way or at least he thought they were. As Adonis got closer he realized the one with the weapon seemed to be about his age and the other seemed to have grey hair but was in a silk dress.

“They sure are an interesting couple” Adonis said as Kit jumped up on Adonis's back and climbed to his shoulder.

“I am assuming you are Duffy? The name's Adonis. Pleased to meet you” Adonis said with a bow; as his princely upbringing came out. “You wouldn't happen to have training sword's would ya? All I got is my sword” he said as he pointed to the hilt showing over his right shoulder. Just then he remembered the first think Rumford asked him before they trained 'What is your current ability?'

“I am going to assume you want to know my current ability before we start? I will answer it as basic as I can” Adonis smirked as he raised his hand and a giant two feet thick wall of rock emerged from the planes between them and then quickly disappeared back into the ground, he then picked up a rock and threw it. It went at a fairly normal pace until it flickered with light and took off, sailing out of sight in a mere seconds. “Now as for my sword. I got pretty much basic training with it from Captain Rumford a few year's back. But now I will yield to your expertise”

[Duffy]

“My expertise, you say?” Duffy smirked. He immediately took to the man, and flicked his fringe from his marl eyes. “I don’t know about that. I’m afraid you’ve come with higher expectations than I can meet.”

“He gets by more on luck, a smattering of talent, and an innate ability to put up with blades in his gullet,” Ruby continued. Though she spoke with a hint of humour, she was, in truth, deathly serious.

“But don’t let that put you off,” Duffy grinned. He clicked his fingers, and upon the man’s request, he withdrew another sword for Adonis to use.

His hand, to the elbow, disappeared into nothingness. The wind continued to pick up, until its presence was an elephant in the room. The grass rolled and bobbed, and froe went the heather in between jade blades and yellow dandelions. Ruby continued to dominate the scene, her brazen eyes ever watchful.

“The best way to learn is to throw yourself in at the deep-end,” he mumbled. His pupils widened with excitement when he felt something sword shaped.

“So my mentor said,” Adonis chuckled.

Duffy pulled a wooden training sword from portal. He tossed it at Adonis, who lurched forwards and caught it with inhuman speed. He clicked his fingers. The portal vanished. Ruby stepped forwards.

“The rules are quite simple.” She pointed at Adonis. “You must strike Duffy anywhere, save his face and groin.” She gestured at the appropriate areas on the bard.

“When you’re ready,” Duffy erred. He raised his cane like a sword. He tucked his free hand into the small of his back. He gestured for Adonis to advance under the scrupulous eye of the grey haired matriarch, and the now blazing sun.

[Solar Haven]

Adonis smirked as he grabbed the practice sword out of the air, he wasn't expecting to grab it as well as he did. He immediately put the sword up in a defensive posture with his right hand, while his left hand was floating free by his side. He was about to lunge towards his opponent when he saw him flinch from pain, out of concern he stopped to make sure he was alright. When he noticed that he was fine he continued his lunge forward.

”Adonis, what are you doing? You came at me and completely ignored my sword” The Commander cried out as Adonis was on the ground holding his back. “Just because you have the speed to dodge around a weapon doesn't mean you should, if this was a real sword I would of impaled you through your back!”

“Sorry sir! I just figured that if I could get around your sword I could deliver the blow to win it before you could hit me” Adonis, with eyes closed, stammered.

Adonis's Mother, the Queen, was watching from nearby smiling. She may not have looked it but she use to be a fighter herself, she knew Adonis' move was a calculated risk some fighters do take, but with the commander. You don’t take unnecessary risks, he likes to use those against you

“I understand what you wanted to do, but you executed it all wrong. Remember Defense always takes priority. You are your mothers son, and you took her stubborn nature, so if you must use that move do it like this” He Motioned for Adonis to raise his sword in a defensive manor.

The Commander lunged towards Adonis and made his sword cross his body, perfectly blocking Adonis' as his right foot quickly struck out and knocked Adonis off balance as his left fist came around and knocked the side of his head, sending him to the ground.

“Commander! I would Appreciate it if you didn't go so rough with the prince, He is after all only ten.” The Queen called out from the edge of the sparring pit.

“Aye, your majesty! I apologize for my being so rough with the young lad” He said as he turned and bowed to the queen in respect. As he did so Adonis leapt on his back and wrapped his arms around the commanders neck. He quickly shifted his weight and caused the commander to fall over. The commander immediately put up his fore arms in a blocking manor “You got gut's kid”

The commander chuckled as he quickly, and deftly, kicked off of the ground and did a back flip. Catching Adonis off guard and sending him tumbling to the ground. Adonis quickly got back up and lunged towards the general, fists at the ready.

Adonis smirked and mirrored the way Duffy held his sword, ready for the block as his left hand made a fist half way through his lunge, ready to go for the chest. He did not want to risk going for the kick to knock his opponent off balance, for he feared he would fail and end up tripping himself.

[Duffy]

True to form, Duffy riposted the blade with ease, clashing his cane against the blunted edge so that it curved away from his body. He did not block the fist. Even before it clenched, and the muscles in Adonis’ arm rippled, he foresaw pain.

“That was silly,” Ruby clucked, shaking her with motherly disapproval. Duffy seethed, but remained vigilant and facing his opponent. “Come on now Mr Brandybuck!” She clapped her hands boisterously.

“Good,” Duffy wheezed. He rubbed his chest with his free hand as he took a hobbling step back. Adonis was poised, remained in his stance, and seemed entirely unafraid. It was though someone, perhaps a visceral memory, was guiding his strikes. Duffy could only smile.

“I thought you were a swordsman?” Adonis asked. There was incredulity in his voice, but also, concern. Duffy really did look like he was in pain.

The bard sighed. Slowly, he pulled up his trouser leg, revealing the bloodied shin beneath.

“I am cursed by magic older than this island.” In Duffy’s shin, a fragment of the Tap kept his otherwise immortal frame tarnished, agonised, and weak. He dropped his trouser leg. “You learn to live with it.”

“It doesn’t stop him moaning,” the spell singer interrupted. “Now, stop talking, Duffy, oubliette step,” she pointed at Adonis, “and you, stop hitting out like a school boy. Strike like you mean it, move, Thayne damnit, and move!”

Adonis looked at Ruby’s accusing finger. He looked at the fire, literal and deadly, in her pallid eyes. He turned to Duffy. Duffy shrugged, readied his cane, and prepared himself.

“The lady’s not one to wait, so I’d do as she says.” He smirked.

[Solar Haven]

Adonis looked confused. striking out like a school boy? He thought it was a pretty damn clever move. He closed his eyes and took a deep breathe as the sun beat down on him, he wasn't sure how to attack with is sword only defend.

He looked up and over at Ruby as she seemed to be getting rather impatient. Adonis readied the sword in front of him and took off towards Duffy, slashing full force across the torso. Sure it was an easy enough attack to block, but if he could hit hard enough maybe it would open up to a quick follow up blow.

As the day wore on, and the sun gained strength. The breaks between each sparring session grew shorter, Adonis was learning to tap into his warrior instincts and was learning how to implement them in a fight, with a shocking rate of speed. Each time Duffy block or parried Adonis would trust his instincts and somehow dodge or block the counter attack.

After what felt like forever Adonis collapsed to one knee, breathing heavily as Kit started making some noise. He had gone out and foraged up some food for the two of the, and had carried it back on a giant leaf.

"It would appear my companion is hungry, mind if i take a small break to catch my breath and eat with him?" Adonis' eye sight seemed to be blurring as well. either from the sweat running into his eyes or the sheer amount of energy he had exerted to try and keep up with Duffy's speed.

[Duffy]

Duffy took a step back, nodded, and gestured to the man’s companion.

“That sounds like an idea,” he said.

Adonis hobbled towards his companion, and sat where the leaf had come to a standstill. Duffy watched them prepare their food. With a furtive glance at his sister, he felt obliged to offer something towards their meal.

“Adonis, would you…,” he curled his lips. “Would you perhaps like some bread or something to go with that?” He held his cane as a cane and advanced. Ruby, arms still folded across her chest, followed him over.

“Heaven forbid, some butter, too,” she added. Her tone was dry, her wit, unrefined.

Adonis looked over his shoulder and nodded. His would have said please and thank you, but his mouth was full. As the picnic formed, the wind died. The mountains, free of mist and turmoil, caught the rising sun. With the ground a mix of granite and heather roils, and the sky pleasant and pristine, it was every bit the perfect setting.

As Duffy sat opposite Adonis, he folded his legs, set his cane down, and righted his back. He flicked the hair from his eyes. With a click of his fingers, he plucked several loaves, butter dishes, and strange looking garnish bottles from thin air. He set each down between them, and Ruby set about uncovering everything. Before long, nature’s harvest became alfresco dining, and they forgot the clash of steel and the flash of anger they had witnessed in one another’s eyes.

“So tell me a little about yourself beyond polite conversation?” Duffy asked. He buttered an olive oil pitta bread and lathered it with hummus from the Mubarak bazaars of Fallien.

[Solar Haven]

Adonis took a bite of some of the fruits and veggies that Kit had collected after he swallowed he looked up at Duffy.

"Not much to say really, i ran away from home cause i didn't believe in what my father was doing, long story short he was a tyrant. i started wandering from town to town, a drifter, before i finally decided to start picking up some jobs for money and food. Eventually i started being called upon for larger jobs then i could handle and on one of my jobs i got lost in the concordian forest and me and kit lived there for a few months before i finally found my way out." Adonis scratched his head and looked at Kit, trying to recall some important information about them two. "i found kit while trapped in that forest, well more so he found me. i had no food, no way of surviving, and this little guy shows up and just so happens be pretty amazing at foraging and hunting. it was Also quite the shock when i realized he understood exactly what i meant, i am unsure how, but he always know's what i am saying."

Adonis gently scratched kit's head affectionately as he took a bite of some buttered bread. the smell of the evening hitting his nose as a gentle gust of wind ruffled his hair and continued on.

"I guess it would also help to say that i was raised within a kingdom, one that had never seen magic and had beheading as usual punishment. i confronted the king about his ruthless laws and his idea of punishing those who wronged him, there was an argument and i left the kingdom, i haven't spoken to my family since i left, besides my mother. i write to her every so often to let her know how i am doing. She never really agreed with the way my father did thing's either."

Adonis grabbed his scabbard and laid it in his lap laying his hands on it, almost intimately. "What about you two? you seem like an odd couple to be training a mercenary"

[Duffy]

Ruby scoffed.

“Oh, we’re jacks of all trades,” Duffy replied. He spoke through clenched teeth. He would wait to chastise Ruby.

“That’s the understatement of the century,” the Spellsinger added.

“I’m glad you came to us, though it was in a roundabout way.” Duffy pushed himself into an upright position, stretching his body’s ageing frame to its limit. His shin was worsening, as ever it did.

“What do you mean?” Adonis pressed. He was surprised how easily he had divulged his past, when his tutors offered so little information in return. He frowned.

Duffy chuckled. “Recent changes in our circumstances lead us to taking on freelance work. We heard of certain needs in Scara Brae, that certain people like yourselves, needed guidance.” He shrugged. Guiding others was the bard’s speciality. Even though this was swordplay, and not delivering the perfect colloquy, in theory it was the same.

The wind picked up again. He felt cold, vulnerable, and tired. He struggled to work out how best to proceed, so turned to Ruby with a meek smile and a sheepish disposition. The Spellsinger, seeing her companion’s distress, rose, stepped bravely forwards, and pointed an accusing finger at the boy.

“What he means to say is stop asking questions, know we’re the best teachers you’re going to get around these parts, and damned well sit up straight when you’re eating!”

Adonis bolted upright, in a flurry of crumbs and salad leaves, and dusted himself off.

“Oh dear…,” Duffy groaned. He stood slowly. He picked up his cane when he rose, with a low, clunky stoop, and stepped away from their swiftly abandoned picnic.

“We’re older than you’ll ever know, and wiser, and more talented than you can fathom.” This was not technically true, but Ruby shouted it with such passion it was impossible to disbelieve her. “Sword out, three steps back, and let’s see how you get along with me,” she spat.

Lucrezia, a sword with a woman’s soul bound to its blade, appeared from thin air. With fury and the Windlacers behind her, the Spellsinger advanced into Adonis’ guard thrusting expertly at his ribs.

“I’ll just…err,” Duffy flinched as their blades clashed. “Stand over here…,” he continued. His voice was so soft he was certain they would not hear him over the matriarchal condescension.

"What do you hope to gain from this?" Ruby roared.

Adonis ducked a near fatal slice through where, seconds before, his neck had been. He felt his lunch turn in his stomach, and regretted doubting their ability.

[Solar Haven]

Adonis stumbled back a few steps, trying to get some distance. He was barely able to defend himself, let alone counter attack. With each loud clang of metal he felt his head throb, and his vision blur. Soon he wasn't himself, he felt like he was watching everything happen. he could feel his emotions rising up, and his instincts moving his body on all on it's own.

Adonis dodged an attack and immediately countered, with an upward slice. But Ruby was just that much better then he was and blocked it before immediately attacking again. they had entered what felt like a matched battle, Adonis just watching her every move as his body reacted to her swings. Eventually Adonis' rusted sword gave way, he deflected an attack as the top three quarters of his blade sheered off from the stress and flew through the air, he was unsure how his sword broke. Had he used too much strength behind blocking? Had Ruby used too much strength in her attack? was it both? He backpedaled and started gasping for breath, it was almost as if he was finally able to breathe again.

The win picked up and begun to change direction, Adonis had a good hunch that a storm was coming and Kit seemed to agree as he was getting anxious and wanting to get out of the open field. Adonis stood up and brushed himself off. "Well, it appears i need a new weapon" He proclaimed while examining his shattered sword.

Just as Adonis put what remained of his sword away he was hit with an overwhelming feeling of grief, like something bad was happening. His eyes narrowed and the wind ruffled his hair as he turned around facing the way he had come. He wasn't sure what it was, but he felt like something bad was about to happen. He looked over at Ruby and Duffy, unsure if he should say what he was feeling.

[Duffy]

Ruby hesitated between a strike and a retreat. She was surprised at her own strength, least of all because in her mind, she restrained herself. With a haughty step back, she sheathed the elven sword, and rested her hands on her hips.

“It appears you do,” she echoed.

Duffy sighed. “Come on, this is pointless now.” He pointed to the east, where the storm clouds were gathering in force, and then turned west. “Let’s return to the city.” He thought to himself for a moment as the wind blustered stronger.

“Do you know a place to get a good sword?” Adonis asked. He tossed the broken hilt aside.

Ruby nodded. She returned to where they had picnicked and began to gather up her things.

“We can get a sword then go to the docks. There’s a nice open courtyard where the guard do their drills.” Duffy helped Ruby stack bowls. He tossed them into a shadowy vault in a heap, and hoped whatever realm laid beyond would cushion the blow.

“I wish they’d drill sense into you,” she spat. She stepped away, leaving the bard to his bitterness. “Shall we walk, Adonis?” She turned to their new-found companion.

Adonis nodded.

“If it starts to rain, we’ll shelter in one of the wailing ravines until it passes," she said. She prayed Adonis would not have to discover what made them wail.

Finally ready, Duffy righted himself, set his cane onto the heather, and waited for the others to set the pace.

"That went well," he chuckled.

[Solar Haven]

Adonis smirked and looked over at Duffy as Kit kept pace beside Adonis. "I would say it went well, although i am intrigued, near the end i wasn't really controlling myself. it was almost as if my body was reacting to everything on it's own" The wind picked up as Adonis bent down and picked up Kit and coddled him like a baby in his arms.

The wind was cool and carried the scent and feel of moisture, whatever storm was coming it would soon be upon them. Although Adonis was exhausted from their day of training he couldn't help but smile. It felt like he had actually achieved something, one step closer to his ultimate goal, being able to protect those around him.

“You guy's never really said what it was you were doing out here? It's not that I doubt your ability, but you took to training me. I have no real talent or skills that can benefit people”

“We were asked by an acquaintance of ours to do this, that's all. That person wants you trained for whatever reason.” Ruby shrugged as they continued their walk through the forest.

Adonis looked down at Kit and scratched his belly. “I wonder who would want me trained? Not that many people know of my abilities. no one knows I am a prince, so It can't be that.” He looked up at the sky and let out a little smirk

“Well for what ever reason it is, I thank you. I started letting my body react the way it wanted to, almost naturally. Near the end I was able to analyze what you were doing and see through it. I just need the speed to keep up now” Adonis smirked

Ruby smiled outwardly as she was caught thinking to herself how someone so unskilled with his weapon was able to read her movement's and begin to formulate something resembling a plan. “Well, Once we get you a new sword we will have to see how well you have progressed” She said with a sense of Arrogance

Adonis set Kit down on the ground as the town grew closer. “Do either of you know where to go for a good sword here? I didn't really have time to look around town when I first arrived, I was already late enough as it was”

[Duffy]

“If memory serves, the dockland is the best place to go.” Duffy did not sound certain. He did not sound enthusiastic. He did not sound remotely knowledgeable about blacksmiths. All he knew is there were hammers and fires involved.

“He’s called Monserrat, I believe,” Ruby elaborated. She gestured wild to the air and enunciated her words. She tried to give more life and intrigue to their walk back to Scara Brae.

“Ah,” Duffy smiled. “Now I remember.”

The Monserrat family were a lucrative noble household. They owned trading ships, small businesses, and various community houses across the island. You could put faith in their goods, because…well, they were all priests. Duffy did not like priests. By default, he did not much like the Monserrat family.

“You brought a dagger from them…oh, about two centuries ago,” the spell singer chuckled. She leant back and practically guffawed. The incident she referred to had caused the bard a great deal of social anxiety. It had also resulted in the rather nasty scar across the inside of his right hand.

“Oh, don’t worry…I remember that too,” he said broodily.

The road continued to sway across the plains, carrying the party in their trite but civil conversation to their destination. Each of them had anticipated the turn in the weather when it finally arrived. The clouds darkened exponentially. The wind rose, instead of pushed into them, and then the temperature dropped several degrees in a hair’s breadth.

A fleeting nothingness.

Rain.

Duffy immediately plucked a trio of black parasols from the shadowy realm all around him. He tossed one to Adonis, handed one to Ruby, and erected his own in record time. He jostled his cane to keep himself upright, and then stood, courteous, relatively dry.

“I think,” Ruby, swore mid-sentence, “We’d better take the expedient route.” The umbrella oomph open, sending raindrops in all directions against the thick, crystal gobbets of water that began to flood the plains.

Adonis looked confused.

“How can we get there quicker?” He looked around nervously, and up at the black sky. He appeared to expect a riding beast of some description to appear. Fortunately, for him, the troupe possessed no dragons.
“Oh,” Ruby chuckled. She reached into her pocket. “Sorry, it’s a little more mundane than a flight of fancy through a summer downpour.” She tossed a quicksilver bangle to their pupil. “Put it on,” she began, “clash it against metal,” she continued, “and…”

She clashed it against the handle of her parasol, and dully vanished.

Duffy continued where she left off, as though they had rehearsed this little demonstration a thousand times.

“Off we go!”

Duffy vanished also. In their wake, nothing. A soft echo of their departure, perhaps, but otherwise, the grass bounced up as their weight rose, and the wind whipped away their sent. The moment Adonis followed suit, he would find himself expediently transported to the heart of Scara Brae’s noble district. Of course, Duffy and Ruby had forgotten to mention the brief stopover in the grandiose Buck Water Castle…but he would find that out himself soon enough. He would be dragged magically from the grand hall into Scara Brae’s capital, and then on to the docks to reclaim his blade.

[Solar Haven]

Adonis bent down and Kit jumped up onto his shoulder. Adonis sighed and hit the Bangle. He felt an immense gust of wind and the sudden feeling his body was lurched upwards while he his eyes shut tight.

The feeling was unnatural, it felt like his body was ripped up and then gently placed back down somewhere else, when he opened his eyes he was on a Balcony over looking a cliff face a majestic waterfall roared to his right. A massive drop off leading down to a river below. He turned around and saw a giant castle behind him, clearly in the noble district. The pristine glass doors sealed shut in front of him.

The gust of wind came back with the feeling of nausea as his body was ripped upwards again. Adonis braced himself as his body came to a halt again, he was dizzy and felt like puking. He slowly opened his eyes and realized Duffy and Ruby were not that far ahead of him and he composed himself and walked forward in a straight line as best as he could, slowly regaining his balance.

Kit jumped down off of Adonis' shoulder and wandered about beside him. As Adonis caught up to Duffy he turned around and noticed he was at the dock's of Scara brae, he had been here not that long ago on a cargo ship bringing supplies to the town. He turned around just in time to avoid walking into Duffy’s back. They were outside of what appeared to be a blacksmiths shop, there was a forge, an Anvil, and several troughs of water, all sitting in front of a doorway leading into the back of the shop. Just then Adonis noticed that there was no front wall, and some of the sides were missing, only the support columns to hold up the roof and rack's holding many finely crafted blades and tools.

Adonis looked around at all the intricate weapons and tools laying on the racks and bent down to scratch kit on the top of his head as they both investigated the lowest blade on the rack, it appeared to be much more intricately designed then the others, and it appeared to be much thinner then all the others.

“That sword is a beaut, but also incredibly expensive. She aint just any ol' Blade” a Woman's voice said as she stepped out from the back noticing Adonis admiring the blade along the bottom rack. “It has some kind of enchantment on it that I have yet to work out. I was told it uses the user's magic, but I have none, so it won't work for me.”

Adonis ran his fingers along the center of the blade and Glyphs began to shimmer slightly. “Appears it will work for you though” the Blacksmith said with a grin as she looked up from Adonis and noticed the two others with him

[Duffy]

The woman was Maya Whittaker, of House Whittaker. Her father, and her father’s father, were some of the most famous, and talented smiths of Scara Brae. They supplied, amongst other clients, the Royal Household and viceroys of Corone.

“I daresay he could,” Duffy said with a smile. He stood just behind Adonis, hands resting on the tip of his cane, and heart set in the moment. He understood why Arden Janelle had asked them to teach the swordsman. There was more to him than meets the eye. “He’s got a proclivity to mystery, this one.”

Ruby rolled her eyes. “What he means, Maya,” she flicked her hair from her eyes, “is he’s going to pick whatever sword he wants and get it.”

Maya chuckled. It was a deep, rumbustious belly laugh. There was little felinity in her, and her muscles rippled beneath her leather apron and her patchy blouse.

“Men,” she clucked. “If only they knew telling a woman straight got them answers quicker than buttering me up like a loaf.”

Ruby chuckled. Maya chuckled. Duffy scowled.

“But Ruby, I can’t afford this!” Adonis proclaimed. He slowly hefted the sword from its display. He turned the blade over in his hands, still awed by its artisanship.

The forge continues with a bluster. Maya, seeing her customers were yet to make a decision, went back to hammering at a still white-hot blade on the smaller of the many anvils scattered beneath the canopy. Sparks danced off her, as though she herself came from the hearth.

“I did not say you were going to pay for it,” she smiled. It was condescending, without being overly stern. Adonis mouthed his shock. “The very same individual who wished to see us train you, let us say, a mutual friend, wishes for you to be prepared for the future.”

Adonis considered this with a furrowed brow and waining pleasure. He set the sword back on the rack.

“Who?” he asked, quite flatly.

Duffy sighed. “You remember your little jaunt in the Cell?”

Adonis flashed back to the unfortunate melee. “Sei?”

The bard shook his head. “Oh please,” he covered one eye.

“Ring any bells?” Ruby chuckled.

“Arden?”

Duffy nodded.

“We’re ready now, Maya.” Ruby said politely, encouraging the smith back to tend to a purchase. She set the hammer down with a disgruntled expression, as though she resented their presence.

“So…,” she grunted. She stood in front of Adonis, as though she inspected him, and folded her tree trunk arms across her chest. Her hair, by now lose over her shoulders, glistened with sweat. “Let’s see if it works for you. The Whittaker’s don’t sell faulty goods.” She jabbed a finger at the sword. “Swing it at the dummy over there.” She pointed to a wooden soldier a little out from under the canopy.

Duffy and Ruby moved side by side, and waited expectant, to see if Adonis had learned anything at all.

[Solar Haven]

Adonis picked up the sword and slowly stood, inspecting the blade.

”A magical blade that uses the user's magic? So that means...” Adonis thought to himself as he started focusing his magic into the hand holding the sword, the very same magic that would cause the air to move into an unwall or a wall. The glyphs on the sword immediately started glowing an intense white light as Adonis smirked.

“You may want to step back, I am not really sure what this is going to do but I can tell it is a lot of magic.”Adonis slashed at the dummy. As soon as the sword connected with the dummy a jet of white magic erupted in an arc from the sword. Blowing away any loose bits of the dummy and slamming against a brick wall across the way, creating a moderate dust cloud.

“well I say it works for me” Adonis said as he slowly peered around. Just then something hit him, the town was a ghost town. No one was outside, the sky was black and a chill wind blew in from the sea. Within seconds it started pouring with rain and lightning streaked across the sky.

“Someone! Help!” A man said as he came sprinting around a corner as an arrow wedged between his shoulder blades. Adonis instinctively threw up a solid earth wall behind the man and rushed over to his side with Duffy and Ruby right behind him.

“What happened?” Adonis asked as it started to hail.

“Attack... from the... east” the man said between gasps of breathe “Goblins with an elemental... entering the city”

Adonis quickly looked up at his Teachers as he picked up the man and carried him over to the blacksmith.

“Look, I know this isn't a hospital but he can not be left out in the open. I am going to defend the city from this attack best I can.” Adonis had set the man down on one of the tables the blacksmith had out front as he took off to the corner where the man was and released his magic. The wall crumbled and Adonis saw several goblins with crossbows as well as a few smaller goblins carrying what looked like makeshift daggers.

“I guess it is time to put my training to good use” Adonis turned to say to the others as Kit, who was surprisingly nowhere to be seen moments prior, jumped up on his shoulder with a worried look on his face. “Don't worry boy, you stay out of trouble. We can handle a few Goblins”

[Duffy]

Duffy remained calm under pressure, seemingly oblivious to the growing sense of drama around him. With swagger, he lurched forwards, sword conjured from nowhere, and cane held firmly in his other hand. As he advanced, his boots scuffed the dirt, and his eyes danced with fire.

“There are never just a few goblins, Adonis,” Ruby said solemnly. She adjusted her dress.

“How many can there be?” the blacksmith asked meekly. Her tone suggested she did not want to know, but felt obliged to enquire. She picked up a hefty hammer from the anvil by her side, and tested its weight.

Ruby reflected on the last attack, which had shown signs of increasing violence and lack of control amongst the Innari tribes. She shuddered. She conjured a violin from the unknown, and cocked her neck against its rest. The antique mahogany laced with gold, and the strings were as tight and tuned as the day the elves made it, a thousand years ago.

“Pray we do not have to find out,” she said, cutting the conversation short.

Screams broke over the horizon, loud enough to penetrate the hustle and buzzle of the blacksmith district. Black smoke trailed up in a great column above the northern gate, showing signs of the goblins lapping around the walls. Ruby tried to imagine where they would meet resistance, and where best they could aid the city guards and the beleaguered Knights of Brae.

“Shall us?” the blacksmith asked, finding her strength in her hammer, and her confidence in the moment.

Ruby nodded. She played a soft low note, and then advanced towards Duffy, who by now was swarming and swirling amongst the raiding party. A knife darted, but met with a single-edged katana, and then the katana met with a goblin’s face.

“Let’s see what you’ve learned, Adonis!” the bard roared. His voice had an otherworldly presence in it, as though it were not Duffy speaking. It bounced along the eastern road, vibrated in the windows, and warmed the air. It mingled with Ruby’s song as she played, and the heavy bass of the blacksmith’s hammer as it swung, cracked skulls, and hamstringed limbs.

[Solar Haven]

Adonis stood. His new sword in hand, pointed at the ground. He took a few steps forward to advance with the group when he felt Kit's weight shift in an alarming way. Adonis looked at Kit as he was looking down an alley that broke off into a nearby street. He was about to ask what Kit had heard but the little guy jumped off his shoulder and took off down the alley. Adonis knew better then to question Kit's instinct, the many months in the forest had proven he was usually right. Adonis lowered himself to the ground and shot forward, like a coiled viper striking it's prey.

“Holy mother of...” Adonis said as he broke out of the alley and skid across the dirt street. The street was filled with panicked citizens running towards Adonis, away from something. It was hard to tell with all the citizens rushing past him but the street seemed wider then normal, almost as if it was meant for moving large wagons about. Lightning lit up the sky as thunder roared through the battle stricken city.

“It's Willem, there is something wrong with him!” A younger gentlemen stammered as he ran past Adonis.

Adonis looked down the street to where this 'Willem' was slowly advancing towards him. “Kit, stay out of sight and be safe.”

“Willem! What are you doing?! Your enemy is behind you, not in front of you!” Adonis cried out as he moved the sword up to point to the sky, getting ready for the inevitable clash that was to occur. Willem stopped dead in his tracks, his head tilted towards the floor. He slowly raised his head and faced Adonis as the lightning lit up his face momentarily, Showing wide eyes full of distress. A horn sounded out and Willem took off like lightning towards his young opponent, sword pointed directly at him.

Adonis had flashbacks to his training session with Duffy and Ruby and instinct took over, he turned his body to narrowly avoid the slash as it cut open the sleeve on his right arm and caused a few drops of blood to run down his arm. Adonis smirked as he remembered his sword was not just any sword. He started focusing magic into his right hand. The glyphs on his sword lit up a brilliant hue of blue as he grabbed the hilt with both hands and swung with all his might. Water erupted from the tip of the blade and flew forward in an arc towards Willem, knocking him off balance. Adonis straightened up as another horn blow could be heard and the Swordsman quickly turned around and launched himself at Adonis with more bestial ferocity then before.

Adonis began to smile as he kept ducking and blocking the attacks as best he could but the swordsman kept scoring scratches here and there. Adonis began to enjoy the thrill of battle. He ducked under a sword strike as lightning whipped across the sky, illuminating a dagger on the swordsman hilt. Adonis grabbed the dagger and stood back up just in time to see the cry for help in the swordsman’s eyes.

“You aren't doing this are you, Willem?” Adonis asked as he ducked under another slash and spun around as the dagger he had just stolen planted itself in the shoulder blade of the distressed swordsman. He dropped to the ground and Adonis quickly kicked away the sword. “When you come to your senses, how about we spar a little bit? That was kind of enjoyable,”

He stood back up and looked around for Kit as an explosion erupted from the main wall. He quickly ducked out of instinct as he turned to face the wall. ”That was where the others were going!” He thought to himself as he quickly took off at a sprint for the wall to help with the main defenses.

[Duffy]

Duffy and Ruby crested the battlements at precisely the wrong moment. The second heel and boot slapped on the bloodied stone, the buttress became occupied by a ramshackle line of ladder tops. Nothing more than twigs and rods of birch lashed together, they vaulted Innari berserkers and sizzled shamans up and over the stone into the city.

“I do hope Adonis will be alright,” the matriarch shouted over the rabble.

Duffy, too occupied with his own safety to give concern for their pupil, could only shrug. He swung his katana up in a cleaving arc, split a goblin skull wide open, and sent the corpse back over the wall amidst a curdling scream and a counter roar of anger. He stepped back with a victorious grin, only to find two more in its place.

“You just worry about your own pretty little face,” he hesitated. “We’ve got plenty to worry about, as has the city.”

The two Innari before him were eager to prove him correct. The one to his left covered himself in scavenged armour. He wore a hauberk of broken shields and tin roofing, and carried to rusted blades abandoned long ago on forgotten battlefields. The rightmost creature was stark naked, save for a staff, and a fine layer of dried excrement. That marked him as a shaman. That marked him as a threat.

“These woods ours!” the shaman roared. He raised his staff, pointed its tip at Duffy, and urged the berserker to charge.

The twin blades crossed in a furious, but finesse less pattern. The Innari let rip a battle cry that sounded almost like a strangled cat, and they clashed blades with gusto. Duffy raised his sword, lashed one of the goblins away, and snipped through his guard with a delicate thrust. It found a weak spot. It severed an artery. It dropped the creature to the ground.

Seeing an opportunity, the shaman gobbled a ball of fire at his fallen comrade and the bard. It expanded quickly, as though feeding off the air, and covered both targets. Duffy winced at first, but quickly found the spell weak against the Tap in his shin. It protected him, but that protection did not extend to the goblin’s corpse. It tossed into the air, ablaze, and fell in a balling flame to the courtyard below. A wave of cheers rushed through the beleaguered city guard fighting back the insurgents to the walls.

“Then go back to them,” Duffy seethed. He strode forth, still with a limp in his step, and surrounded by dying embers of fire.

At that moment, Adonis appeared at the end of the thoroughfare, Willem in pursuit, and several bloodied, but hard-fighting men behind them. The sword, dancing with pale light, was held in his hand. The blacksmith’s legacy in its edge, and a magic long forgotten in the boy’s hands, the salvation of the northern wall approached.

“Duffy, Ruby!” he shouted at the foot of the stairs. “Duck!”

There was a sudden tension in the air, and as another wave of Innari mounted the battlements, Adonis felt an urge of panic, lost consciousness, or rather, retreated into his own mind, and let instinct take over. The light that filled the courtyard presided what could only be described an explosion. Dark voices taunted the city, and taunted Adonis above all others.