Muttonhawk

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"I have only had one lesson. I am not very good," Sabine added as she passed one of the wooden swords to Peiter.

Tzirret started to stand up. "This one will get something to eat and then watch."

The bout between Sabine and Peiter started off a little awkwardly for Sabine. With only one lesson and several days to forget what she had learned, the first few clashes were made up of recalling technique, sometimes painfully. After a while, they reached a point where Sabine was actually putting up a fight, although she was still less skilled than Peiter by a clear margin.

Apart from chuckling at some of the more clumsy or clever manoeuvres on the part of the combatants, Tzirret remained quiet while chewing some raw tripe and cuts from a boar. He had to take a seat further back after a few minutes as sweat started to get flung in his direction from Sabine's hair. He was soon joined by Fendros, who sat down with Rhazii on his lap to watch the training. Rhazii wasn't ready for sleep yet as Newt was, but as he watched the fight from Fendros' arms, his eyes began to droop. Fendros held a small smile and resisted the urge to give both Sabine and Peiter tips on their fencing. He may have been a young elf, but he had trained with a sword for longer than both Peiter and Sabine combined.

The sparring ended after a Sabine took yet another hit on her knuckles after an overcommitted thrust. She had managed to inflict some bruises herself, but not more than she had sustained. From then on it was drills and instruction. Fendros decided to stay around to watch while Rhazii slept in his arms and even struck up a short conversation with Tzirret, but nothing much was discussed beyond small talk. Eventually, Fendros went off to put Rhazii to bed and join the others. Tzirret followed along after another few minutes out of boredom.

The clacking and whooshing of swords was a prevailing sound until the sun dipped to the horizon and painted the jungle a speckled orange. It would be dark soon, and Peiter and Sabine had worn each other out. This time, Sabine didn't stop out of frustration, but she knew she wasn't getting any better than she had over the past hour or so. Her improvement was limited, but perceptible.

Out of breath from a repeated drill, Sabine sat herself down and laid her wooden sword to her side. Her hair had apparently shrunk with the sweat drenching it and holding the strands together. "I think I am getting better," Sabine commented while catching her breath. She leaned back to support her upper body with her arms and tried looking up at Peiter, but ended up having to blink away sweat and hair seeping into her eyes. "How long did it take to get as good as you are?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Did you want to play out the whole bout and lesson, or just summarise it? If we do summarise, I'm not sure exactly where to skip to. I've not really got any more scenes I want to initiate for now.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Okay," Sabine answered without any protest. She turned, still holding onto Peiter's hand, and went to retrieve the practice swords.

Tzirret leaned back on his hands and watched on curiously, tail swinging from side to side behind him. He had not seen Peiter and Sabine spar before. In fact, he didn't know that Sabine did any sparring at all. "I didn't know you did sword fighting, Sabine. Since when did you two start sparring?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Thanks!" Janius said happily, "Tomorrow, then." Janius walked up to Kaleeth and sat down by her, "I think dinner sounds like a good idea."

Tzirret sat up suddenly at Peiter's reaction, expecting danger. Sabine was grinning like an idiot, but only gave a small giggle. There was some laughing from others around them that noticed Peiter's sudden panic as well, but Tzirret wasn't sure whether he should be laughing or not. "What was that spell?" Tzirret asked slowly.

"I was just practising illusions," Sabine responded innocently.

Tzirret let out a snort and smiled with his head angled forward and his brow lifted, facing Peiter. "Now you know how this one feels when you two play pranks on me."

In her way of apology, Sabine brought herself up to her knees and took Peiter's cheeks in her hands, before leaning forward and pecking a quick kiss on his lips. She was still smiling. "You can get me back for that when you learn how." Sabine glanced to one side, "Or we could practice with swords, if you like."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Anyway, I've been busy today and checking this tab every now and then. Posts might be slow.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Argh! You ruined the whole thing for me!

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ah nice. Don't tell me a thing, I haven't seen it yet.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Janius had tucked Newt in under a thin blanket at this point. If the hatchling wasn't asleep yet, he would be in a moment. When Kaleeth asked if Janius would join in the training, Janius looked up with curious eyes and shrugged. "I don't see why not," he replied, "The way you moved was uncanny, Ra'kalesh. Even if I could get a hint of it, I'd give it a shot."

The comment Peiter made about the temperature made Sabine smile, but her smile widened as she got another idea. While Peiter was going on about the searching, Sabine placed a hand over his belly button and weaved together an illusory spell for his eyes only: The perception that she was charging a bright orange fire spell in her hand instead of the green magic that made up the illusion. It was easy to deliver while touching him. The fire would be harmless, but Sabine wanted to test his sarcasm for truth. She needed to practice her illusion magic anyway.

Tzirret had the time to make a comment in return, "Hopefully they have a bathing chamber, like home."

The Jade Stream

The appearance of the grand master could not have come sooner. Kyang was fearing that either a riot would start or Liu would be forced to get beaten up - perhaps even both. Surprisingly enough, the master was very casual in his approach; it was refreshing in comparison to all the sticks in the mud that seemed to make up the rest of the school. It made Kyang smile. The surprises continued as the master actually talked the challenger away, but this surprise was not a pleasant one. Kyang let her head and shoulders fall in frustration as an additional dangerous martial artist joined the group.

A low and almost inaudible groan sounded from Kyang right up until the red head gave a greeting. Kyang looked up at him with a squint, but managed to straighten up. "How are you doing, boxer?" Kyang said with little enthusiasm, "Call me Kyang. What's your name?"

Even though Kyang seemed outwardly annoyed, she liked the prospect of going out on the town, if only to mooch some hospitality rather than sleep out on the street. Who knows? Maybe networking with these fighter types would get her an in with a job in town? None of them seemed like bloodthirsty psychopaths, at least.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

It didn't take too long to get set up, so Janius was quick to notice where Kaleeth's eyes were pointing. "Have you asked Ra'kalesh about whether he'll teach you yet?" Janius stood up and stepped closer to Kaleeth, "It looks like they're wrapping up their little meeting. I can settle little Newt in if you like."

"This one thinks he might be getting used to it," Tzirret responded to Peiter first as he laid down across the ground. "It may not be easy to sleep, but I do not feel as uncomfortable."

Sabine was sweating as much as the rest of them, but she was sitting cross-legged with her chin supported by one hand. She seemed more like she was concentrating than ready to complain.

"What is it you are thinking, Sabine? You look like this one accidentally spoke a riddle," Tzirret asked curiously.

"Mm," Sabine made a sound. It was another second before she looked at Tzirret and spoke, "I was trying to think of a potion to keep cool. All I can think of right now is something that would be so cold that it would hurt...or something that would only work if you were on fire."