"Parry, riposte, and thrust!"

Libe took her blade with both her hands and deflected a blow inches away from her face. Sliding her steel down the length of her opponent's sword she poised the blade to the underside of their chin, away from their armor and thrust thus into the skull. With a florish she decapitated her target. "Hmph. I don't see why you keep wanting to practice sister. A sword is of little use in the training fields."[/color] Libe's sister tossed away with straw practice dummy on her arm as she sheathed her own blade. Libe looked down at the wooden manikin trying to imagine it being a once living human, but had no imagine her her mind to make that look real. Libe looked at her sister and sheathed her own sword. [color=goldenrod]"Practice makes perfect sister. I have to keep my skills sharp no matter what."[/color] Libe joined her sister at the balcony of their family home overlooking the city of Rothenburg. The sun was about to set and people were going about their business, either closing their shops for the night or even opening their doors for late-night business. Despite the prosperity and wealth of the city there was an air of dread palatable even here in the noble district.

"Practice makes you predictable. You've already learned all I can teach you. If you get too accustomed to that, you'll never stand a chance when your opponent fights differently from me."

[color=goldenrod]"If my enemy can't fight like you, they aren't much of a threat."[/color]

"Libe, the monsters you hunt aren't knights or even human. Trying to fight them like a man will only end in your death. We don't hunt beasts with our swords you know."

[color=goldenrod]"But they'll die all the same. Man, beast, or monster, if it bleeds I can kill it. It's really not that complicated."[/color]

Libe spoke with confidence as she watched the servants of the house shuffle through the courtyard. Among them were a few of her sisters and "mothers", though none of them related to her by blood. They had only stopped by to visit as Libe and her elder sister had finally come home after a quest to deal with a potential revolt in a distant town. But in the end it was just religious fanatics trying to stir up the people into rebellion, their words falling onto death ears as they were executed for heresy. Libe was no strange to seeing an execution, though she still didn't quite have the stomach for death. She had to force herself to watch and become accustomed to the act of killing.

"I still don't believe you're ready for this, my little sister."

[color=goldenrod]"A bird will never fly if it never leaves the nest, my eldest sister."[/color]

The two looked at each other, their eyes meeting one another. Libe was darker skinned than her sister, who had a fair complexion. Their features were notably different enough that one could not tell they were siblings at a glance. Only their piercing red eyes spoke of any shared connection between the two. The La'Spada's family signature. As the two started, Libe cracked a smile. Her sister started to giggle. Eventually the two broke down into a laughing fit as their serious facade broke down and the two engaged in lighthearted roughhousing. A light tap here, a noogie there, they played like they were little boys instead of the noble women they were. Soon the two stopped after they had their fun and leaned against the stonework.

[color=goldenrod]"I'll admit I'm nervous. This would be the first time I've actually done something myself. No servants, no family, just me and my honor."[/color] When Libe spoke about her honor she lifted her enchanted blade. The magic imbue into her sword was not complex; it simply ensured that her blade would forever remain sharp, and even should it be damaged or shattered it can repair itself almost instantly. The La'Spada family rarely wasted resources on anything but practical when it comes to their equipment. Even their home lacked the usual flair that most nobility tried to flaunt, being more akin to a fortress than a home. But it also made it a castle of it's own, and practically impenetrable to assault or invasion. It was possibly the safest place in the city next to the royal palace itself. Very important in these dark times.

"As you should be. I think I've spoiled you too much by never letting you fight a battle alongside me. It pains me to say this, but I do not want you to go to this Hunting Guild. Even if the king himself endorses this organization, I don't want my precious little sister to throw herself into danger. However... I also won't keep her chained to me forever. All I ask is that you be safe, Libeccio. Listen to others, work with them, and survive. Do that for me, and you'll bring honor to our house."

Libe thought about her sister's words as she put the family mansion behind her. She had with her a few things she felt would be needed for the hunt; her weapons, her clothing, armor, and a few healing potions. Not only did Libe have her enchanted sword slung across her back but she had a few daggers hidden up her sleeve as well. They were thin, small blades, not strong enough to withstand even a glancing blow, but she can draw them quickly and stab them into her enemy's vitals before they could even realize she was armed. She could also fling them in a flash if they thought they could beat her simply by staying out of her sword's reach. Her armor was a very light chainshirt designed for all women of the La'Spada home. Made by master smiths, despite the light weight the armor was tough enough to absorb even an arrow fired from a crossbow, ensuring that the ladies of the house was always protected. The fact that it was so lightweight and comfortable was also a mark of true craftsmanship. And lastly some healing potions that Libe had carried throughout her career as a squire. Her sister often got bruised up during battles and these potions alleviated the worse of the injuries. Even more dangerous wounds like broken bones or punctured lungs could be healed with these potions. Libe only had two, so she had to make them count.

Eventually Libe would arrive to the guildhall just in time to see many of them leave. At the head she could recognize none other than Captain Drystan. Live made sure to familiarize herself with the Royal Guards, as only the best were allowed to personally protect the king himself. Libe's own sister could've been a Royal Guard but she didn't like the idea of just sitting around the castle all day waiting for danger to happen. Drystan was followed by a mishmash of other hunters so Libe guessed that he was heading to the first mark. She didn't want to miss out so she followed him onto the boat and got a briefing about what they were hunting.