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	Allard did seem to calm down after hearing what the explosion was about. Neev circled him a couple times trying to think about what to do and where to best administer what to the man. He was an absolute wreck. He should be dead. And from the scars the man had on him, He should have been dead before. What were these Vaurk men [i]made[/i] out of anyway? Neev was worried that he might be too injured for her to heal him properly, her magic low once more and she only had so much mana potions left. It honestly wasn't healthy to fluctuate your mana back and forth between full and near exhausted repeatedly. It could cause mana sickness, and while it wasn't [i]normally[/i] fatal in most stages, it doesn't do the body well. Neev, however, in her mind, saw it as a small price to pay to be able to make sure these people could continue with their lives. 

	Mana sickness generally showed as blue veiny markings growing across the body, usually concentrated around the person's flow of mana. Using too much magic, more than what a person is capable of containing, can cause this. Normally this happens when a mage burns too much mana, however, mana potions can restore a mage's mana back to the top, allowing their body to continue. However, if a mage repeats this process too many times within a certain period, their mana capacity starts to break down anyway. A mana potion will seem less effective as their body is unable to contain as much mana. Some mages during war time have been known to completely destroy the mana networks in their bodies due to overuse, rending them of their ability to use magic, with only a few of them able to restore it while still never to the same extent as they were previously. If mana hits what is known as 'critical zero' meaning that there is zero percentage of mana in the body, the person will die. The blue mana vein markings start to show when a mage is around a quarter of their mana.

	When Neev finally saw Maeve starting to work her magic, that was when her tired mind finally clicked that she was an Isoli. Her ears flicked up, "An Isoli!" she said airily. "My prayers couldn't have been answered any better," she said as she approached Maeve. Neev was about a whole head and shoulders shorter than the Isoli, and if Maeve had an eye for detail, she may notice the  starts of mana sickness on the young mage. It was slowly creeping up the sides of her cheeks, but most her concentration of man was in her hands, which were covered in the large vein-like marks. Neev noticed that Maeve was only using a minor healing spell, so he pulled out her spell book and held it out to her. "I see you don't know much healing magic, but this is fine! Not to worry, I have a book you may use. Concentrate your mana on my book, and the enchanted contents will lift themselves from it and to you, this should help you more than just here, but maybe later too." She had a weak smile, she was obviously at her wits end and glad that someone with the ability to do some real help finally arrived, but she was couldn't stop until all that could be taken care of was seen. Even if she didn't have the mana for magic, she could still operate.

	Sahale looked inquisitively to Sev and Maeve, [color=9932CC]"local? No, not in the slightest. Neither of you have heard of Lord Calibris? Hmmm, I guess that is possible, if neither of you have left your kingdoms before recently, especially you,"[/color] he added looking towards Sev. [color=9932CC]"Tundral is not [i]too[/i] much better with communicating with the outside either. Anyways, he is a lord in the kingdom of Portea, on of the four major families, and unarguably the most powerful and wealthy of the families."[/color]

	"May Kalaja take him...," Vog hissed as he stayed focused on his position but listening to their conversation. It wasn't a very Red Saints thing to say, being the fact that Kalaja is the lord of death, but he couldn't help it. Calabris was the source of many a people's anguish, especially in Portea. Even this situation, now that things were settling down, had Vog on edge. He was worried his companion would stretch herself to thin to the point of hurting herself, but she privately gave him quite the earful and decided to honor her wishes to push herself as hard as she was, even though he disagreed with it. Not that it was quite private, there were no real doors on the temple to enhance air flow and just about everyone there heard her rebuttal. "He is nothing but a plague to what could be a great city, and should be cut out...," he added irritably.

	[color=9932CC]"Well put,"[/color] Sahale remarked, looking to the drake beastman. Even Sahale's face turned a bit somber to it all before he cleared his throat, [color=9932CC]"Anyway, I'm sure the chief will want to know what has happened here, but after this, I think I should stay here for the rest of the night, just in case. I will head out to see how I can help the others in the morning."[/color] Sahale looked between the small group of people before a look of shock came to him. [color=9932CC]"I'm sorry, where are my manners? I don't believe I introduced myself. My name is Sahale, it's a pleasure to meet you, [i]especially you[/i],"[/color] he finished to Maeve with a theatrical bow and a wink.
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[hider=Allanon vs Bidzil]
	Why did he have to mention what happened to Trantis, what a way to kill the mood going into a good spar. Bidzil's face seemed to drop from the smile he seemed to always be beaming with at the mention of it. [color=F4A460]"It's not... It's not the kind of motivation you want, that's for sure."[/color] Bidzil took a deep breath to calm his mind, filling his lungs to the max, which for the average human seemed to take quiet a bit more than normal, before exhaling audibly. With a nod, he took his stance and waited for Allanon to do the same. [color=F4A460]"Don't pull any punches, and I will try to keep up,"[/color] he said as his grin seemed to return. he man was older than him, sure, but to Bidzil, he always assumed first that it would mean that he was more practiced, never underestimating an opponent, complacency can take even the most skilled warriors.

	With the same burst of speed he showed earlier, Bidzil rushed in, keeping his left arm with the reverse grip on his weapon close in instead of extended out, and the right arm with the weapon resting on his shoulder. As he closed the distance, he kept an eye at Allanon's center, watching his shoulders, sword hand, and footing in his immediate peripherals.

	Allanon's expression turned serious as Bidzil rushed in. Certainly a far more reckless approach to swordsmanship than a budding swordsman should. Bidzil's speed was a great advantage, but such a careless charge would prove a poor choice against a seasoned opponent. Allanon maintained eye contact as he shifted his feet to brace for impact.

	Two-sword styles were rare, and often impractical. Chosen mostly by nobles with fanciful tastes, or performers more interested in presentation rather than actual combat. The most regularly used practical application of two-sword styles in Portea was Florentine which used a shorter weapon in the off-hand and it had a more defensive purpose than offensive. Those few that could competently use two weapons of equal sizes were monstrous duelists considering the insane coordination it took to wield each weapon without tangling them up. He knew of one such swordmaster, and as far as Allanon knew he still held the honor of being the best swordsman in the world.

	As Bidzil closed distance, Allanon drew his sword in a motion imitating an iai strike only to pivot and flank Bidzil's right side to slap at him with the side of his sword. Valentis Sword Style had been built from the foundation of four different styles. Tailored and mastered to be an unpredictable and adaptive style it was effective in all environments. Feints and sudden form transitions were his bread and butter.

	Bidzil had half hoped, that Allanon would dodge to his left. Allanon may see that despite the reckless charge, Bidzil's focused eyes never left his target. When the blow came, Bidzil would use shouldered 'blade' to swing at the strike, the the thick metal weapon clashing against Allanon's blade to knock it upward instead. Bidzil was still in his full momentum sprint, using a roll to brake and plunging his left weapon into the sand, nimbly scrambling back up.

	The rapid rush that Bidzil displayed was classic of Trantis guard, however, The tactic Bidzil applied was a bit more wild, it wasn't uncommon to see a Trantis guard come in at full sprint into a perpetrator, slamming in at full force. And for being practically metal bokken when sheathed, Bidzil seemed to have no problem manipulating his weapons at a decent pace. 

	Once he was up, he was already closing the gap between them, however, Bidzil would take a few test jabs towards Allanon, testing his opponent's reach, until instead of a reaching thrust, Bidzil pushed forward, moving in closer than what the reach of his right handed weapon would suggest, bringing a diagonal cut, coming at Allanon from his right hand low side, and drawing diagonally top his top left side. Bidzil, knowing he was close, didn't swing out right at the  beginning of his swing, instead angled his blade in close to himself until near the top of his swing to flick out his wrist, aiming a hit to Allanon's chin instead of a body shot.

	Allanon immediately disengaged when Bidzil deflected his attack. The test strikes Bidzil launched afterward were easy enough to deflect or avoid with measured steps back. He kept his reach small and contained. Each movement Allanon made was efficient and clean.

	Finally, Bidzil closed distance to strike at Allanon's chin. He had kept his movement closed and small for the moment Bidzil got close. He met Bidzil's sword with his own and redirected it to his left causing the moment to brush his shoulder minimizing the blow. Allanon used the momentum to slam his right shoulder toward Bidzil's solar plexus to stun and wind his young opponent.

	Air hissed through gritted teeth as air was forced out of Bidzil's lungs, but he refused to let himself get pushed back that easily. Still out of breath, He planted his left weapon into the sand for purchase as he nearly staggered back, an using it as if balancing on a cane, he used the opportunity not to throw himself back to Allanon, but he was still fairly close to him, so he did the next thing that seemed to come naturally to him to get him away while he could catch his breath. He leaned back with the fall and instead hopped in the air slightly, drawing his legs up and shot them out, drop kicking Allanon in the chest before hitting the ground. He then gasped for air as would start to stand back up.

	Allanon barely had enough time to lean back and reduce the impact of Bidzil's kick. He received the blow and took several steps back to maintain balance. He stopped after four steps. He recovered quickly enough that he dashed to re-close the gap Bidzil created to take advantage of the moments he had. He lowered his blade tip to Bizil's chest. [color=50B1B8]"You show good potential. Let's save the rest of our strength for the real fight ahead of us."[/color]

	He was panting lightly as if he had gone for a jog. Being someone used to taking on multiple opponents at once, Allanon was well adjusted to marathon battles. He would still chose to end them as quickly as possible. He would only sheath his sword once Bidzil conceded.[/hider]


	As if by instinct, Bidzil's legs went up when the blade was lowered on him, feet clamping Allanon's wrist in between the soles of his boots. It would have been a last ditch effort to manipulate the opponent's wrist to disarm or injure the wrist, and though Bidzil wouldn't try to do such a thing, Allanon speaking up snapped him back out of his fighting mindset, his eyes now much softer and seeing that he was bested. Bidzil sighed as his legs flopped back to the ground. [color=F4A460]"Aw, fine. You make a good [i]point[/i],"[/color] he said, smirking at his own joke, however cliché it was. Bidzil put his arms above his head, resting the knuckles against the ground as he pulled his legs in once more and pushed off with his arms, flexing his back with it to hop back up to his feet quickly, weapons still in hand before sheathing  on and once again holding his left arm out, weapon in hand for the customary knuckle bump.

	[color=F4A460]"Hopefully I do a bit better then than I did now,"[/color] he said with a light laugh. Once the formality was reciprocated, Bidzil sheathed the other weapon and went closer to where some of the people stuck around to watch, including Hilde and Chihiro, plopping down on the ground and crossing his legs. He started to put his jacket back over his shoulders and put his arms through, shaking out sand here and there. He then looked up to Chihiro, [color=F4A460]"I wouldn't mind sparing again, but Allanon is probably right about saving energy..."[/color] Bidzil looked down to his hand and flexed it a couple times. It had been weeks since he had last sparred with anyone, his hand was still slightly shaking with the excitement. He thought himself sloppy. He was downed in no time flat. The spar with Allanon raised the bar to Bidzil, and though he didn't know the caliber of the swordsman he sparred with just now, he promised himself to strive to be better than him one day. After all, he would have to if he were to run into whatever destroyed his town. Those Selna guards never stood a chance... Thinking of that brought him to his next dilemma, real battles. Sure there was some getting rough with people in town when keeping the peace, but it was never a battle with real bloodshed. [color=F4A460]"I, uh... guess this isn't the best thing to bring up at a time like this but... I've never actually seen real combat before,"[/color] he admitted ashamedly. [color=F4A460]"Trantis...well... it was never really the focus of anyone's ire when it came to warfare. Most I've dealt with were common criminal types,  not bandits or soldiers."[/color]

	Hilde listened as the young man sat down. Growing up in Kalla, seeing men fight to the death to protect the town was unfortunately not so uncommon an experience. Even Hilde had helped fend off a small bandit raid or two, but it was never anything big. [color=D2691E]"It is brave of you to want to help, and you shouldn't sell yourself short. But it is a very serious decision you made coming here. These men will be fighting to kill, and struggle for life, rarely do they give up like a common theif. Skill is one thing, heart is another,"[/color] Hilde told him. She then looked to Chihiro, [color=D2691E]"I guess I could spar with you if you want, then. Though, I probably don't have enough skill to be a challenge to you,"[/color] Hilde offered.