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Post by Max452 on Feb 25, 2009 21:19:14 GMT -5
Einar's facial expression was mundane, but his eyes expressed an unusual excitement that he hadn't had an awhile - it was the excitement of a challenge. The chill breeze found him and caused his long hair to ruffle and his cloak to fly behind him. "I'm glad you accepted my challenge." Einar unlaced his cloak and allowed it to fall to the ground in a slither as it revealed his twin blades; one placed upward for his right hand and the other upside down for his left main hand.
The cloak blew away, but with a flick of his tail, Stigandr stopped it and whirled it around his tail. He lifted it and placed it on his talon.
Don't hurt her, Einar. Remember, its only a spar. He told Einar with a flick of his tongue.
Einar scoffed softly as unsheathed his two swords. Bending down, he slammed his swords into the ground, and picked up some of the dirt. Rubbing the dirt through his hands, he let it fall back to the earth with ease. Clearing his throat, his sleeveless arms flexed as he pulled the swords out of the ground. Inspecting them, he muttered the dulling spell on each. He let out an unsure sigh. Its been awhile since I've used these... He thought to himself as he twirled them around in his hands, trying to refamiliarize himself with them.
The cold didn't bother him much as he glanced up at Elaine. "I look forward to see how well you've improved." He gave a playful smile. "Well then, General, I am honored by both of you." He stepped into a defensive stance, indicating to Elaine that he was ready when she was.
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Post by Trinn on Feb 25, 2009 22:26:55 GMT -5
The sight of the twin blades Einar wielded sent a thrill of anticipation through Elaine. She remembered well the flash of that steel in battle, the deadly accuracy Einar possessed. This would truly be a test of skill. She watched him settle into his stance, then slowly approached, swinging her rapier between her hands. "How much I've improved? Enough to give you a sound thrashing." she replied in friendly banter. Drifting to Einar's left, Elaine gauged her angle of attack, then, in one swift motion, lunged forward, the point of her rapier thrusting towards Einar's left shoulder.
****
Nasuada raised her eyebrows, suprised by Tenal Ka's revelation. The strange woman was a rider as well as a foreigner. "That is intriguing information." Her liquid dark eyes glanced at Tismri. "Ismrolde must be proud of her son." she stated, then returned her attention to Tenal Ka. "So, I take it you do not wish to join in this war. And why would you? This isn't your fight, after all. I could hardly force you to join. That would accomplish nothing. However, I will strike a deal with you. Stay with the varden, and our riders will teach you what they know. In return, when you feel like you have learend all that you set out to learn, return to your land and its leaders. Inform them of our plight, and a plea for an alliance. The varden needs all the help possible." Nasuada strode forward and stood before the young rider. "So, Argetlam Tenal Ka, do we have an accord?"
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Post by Tismri on Feb 25, 2009 22:40:21 GMT -5
Tenel Ka thought it over. She felt that her mother and father would both be willing to lend aid in this war, and they had more than enough soldiers. However, her grandmother would probably discourage it. It seemed a delicate situation; she was unsure just how influential her grandmother, the former queen would be at that time. But Tenel Ka felt certain that if her mother ordered it, the land would lept for their arms and fight.
Assuming that murderous bunch of cutthroats who call themselves my family don't succeed in killing my mother, she thought. She returned her focus to Nasuada.
"We have an accord," she announced, "When I return home, I shall do everything in my power to make certain the Queen Mother hears of your plight. I am certain she will come to your aid."
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Post by Max452 on Feb 25, 2009 23:52:26 GMT -5
Einar raised an amused eyebrow. "Well, let's see who'll be thrashing who." He pressed his lips together as she made her move. His eyes steadily watched her movements as he tried to study her to anticipate her movements.
Einar dodged the blade by moving to the right and pressing his left blade against hers to knock it away. As he did, he used his other blade to attack her neck - intending for a decapitation if he was serious - but at the last moment, twisted his blade so it was now angled towards her shoulder.
I said don't harm her, not to go soft on her. Stigandr frowned with annoyance. What are you playing at? He puffed out smoke from his nostrils.
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Post by Trinn on Feb 27, 2009 12:55:37 GMT -5
Nasuada smiled, pleased that Tenal Ka seemed sure that her fellow's would come to the Varden's aid. It was a relief to think that such a miracle was possible. "Good. Rider Tismri, I trust you can take care of your young friend?"
*****
Eyebrows furrowed in concentration, Elaine managed to twist and bring her rapier up to parry Einar's attack. The man was fast, and she was reminded of the fear she had felt when battling him before. And, as Eridor had predicted, she couldn't help but imagine him as an enemy. Eridor had the wisdom to say nothing. Disgusted with herself, she pushed back with her sword, putting some distance between them. A second later, Elaine rushed forward, assaulting Einar with a series of slashes, thrusts, and lunges. The cold air was now a releif as the movment warmed her body.
Watching the fight between them, Eridor was at times agitated, and at others pleased. His rider moved gracefully and fluidly, but Einar was just as quick. Each time it seemed he might land an attack on her, Eridor dug his talons into the packed earth.
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Post by Tismri on Feb 27, 2009 13:28:49 GMT -5
"I can, Lady Nasuada," Tismri said. She and Tenel Ka stood and, after Tenel Ka made a surprisingly elegant curtsie despite only being able to do it one-handed, they left. They were both silent for a time as they walked.
"So, what do you think if Alagaesia and all its various people?" Tismri asked after a while.
"It's...not what I expected," the princess said, "but I think it a beautiful land with...interesting people." They walked out to the courtyard and Tismri noticed Tenel Ka glance up at the roofs. She smiled, remembering that the rooftops had been one of her favorite places at her own home. Tismri nodded.
"Go ahead, the roofs are sound here. Though you can expect to get some strange looks. Not that many people walk on top of the buildings here." Tenel Ka nodded and smiled, giving her old friend a hug before finding a suitable place to climb. Tismri smiled and shook her head a little, then made her way back to where Ismrolde and Caedus were waiting together.
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Post by Max452 on Feb 27, 2009 13:42:34 GMT -5
Elaine had blocked Einar's attack a lot faster than he had predicted.
I wanted to test her agility. That's all...and if I was serious, she probably would be headless right now...that's why I changed my attack. Einar huffed out at Stigandr. Don't question me on this! He scolded as he allowed Elaine to distance herself from him.
I'll question you however I see fit! Stigandr mumbled.
Einar ignored the retort as he drifted back to the fight. His hands twirled his blades as he awaited her to make her move. When she did, he again, unanticipated her speed. She's gotten better. He made the note as he brought his blades to block her.
Twisting and maneuvering, Einar and Elaine's blades brought sparks from the ferocity of the attacks that they used on each other. Einar quickly changed the pommel of his left sword to face up as he blocked an attack. Pushing her off, he granted himself some distance, as he changed his offensive approach. With his pommel facing down, it would be easier for him to defend and attack. Lunging, he used his right blade to strike her left shoulder shoulder again, while the other came like a scythe in a horizontal degree towards her right kidney. A lethal attack that had the ability to slice its victim into pieces. His arms crossed together as he aimed his blades towards its appropriate destinations.
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Post by Tismri on Feb 27, 2009 13:59:05 GMT -5
Tenel Ka ran along the rooftops with perfect balance, watching the streets below. Some peopel did look at her strangely, but no one insisted that she come down.
She came nearly to the edge of the city and saw a group of soldiers and a couple of dragons gathered together. She crouched down and watched as two people, a man and a woman, spar. They were both very good, and she was impressed.
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Post by Trinn on Feb 27, 2009 17:23:31 GMT -5
As the door to the study swung shut, Nasuada turned and went to her desk. Opening a drawer, she retrieved squares of parchement. With quick slashes of her quill, Nasuada wrote a short note: Rider, you will go to Surda's border and take note of any mysterious happenings. Your goal is to find the source of Gladia Celesti. If you manage this, try to make contact. -Lady Nasuada.
Folding the squares in half, Nasuada handed them to one of her nighthawks, a tall elf. "Gives these to a messanger. They are to be taken to five of our riders. Be sure two make it to the riders Einar and Elaine. Now go." Bowing, the elf turned and rushed from the room. Nasuada turned to Arya. "Its time our riders found out who Gladia Celesti is."
*****
A grin formed on Elaine's lips as she attacked and parried. Finally, a reall contest of skill. Her only qualm was that she fought with the rapier. The sword was really quite impractical for a battle such as this. As the minutes passed by, her muscles began to protest with each strike of her blade, each time her sword struck Einar's. Then, in no more than a second, Einar had repositioned one of his swords, and aimed a devestating attack at her. As tired as she was, there would be no way to avoid both blades. Making a quick decision, Elaine twirled around, dodging the blade whistling towards her kidney. The other sword landed a solid blow on her shoulder, spinning Elaine around forcefully. Her equilibrium lost, Elaine stumbled once, then fell with a huff on her back. Stunned, she stared up at the crisp winter sky. A snowflake fluttered onto her warm cheek. The gathered soldiers watched in silent anticipation. A fierce throbbing pulsed on her shoulder, and Elaine found no will to get up. Come, Elaine, at least admit defeat with honor. said Eridor, his voice a mix of emotions. Heeding his words, Elaine managed to sit up. Hodling her sword before her, she let it fall to the ground. "I admit defeat. Rider Einar, your skill with those blades is impeccable." She smiled, feeling no shame at losing infront of her fellow soldiers, and held out her hand. "Now, will you help a fellow rider up?"
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Post by Max452 on Feb 27, 2009 18:32:17 GMT -5
Arya watched with patience and silence as Tismri and Tenal Ka left. It intrigued her greatly of Tenel Ka's presence here in Alageasia. She knew of other lands besides this one, but to actually have someone come from there? It puzzled her greatly. As she pondered about this, Nasuada was writing something on a parchment. Awaiting for her to be done, Arya watched as one of the Nighthawks took the letter and went to do as he was told...which much reluctance, she noted.
"Aye. Hopefully this new presence will be an ally and not a hinderance. We need all the help we can receive." Arya agreed.
***
Beads of sweat skidded down Einar's forehead as he watched Elaine block her kidney from his attack. Good choice, Elaine. He thought to himself, knowing that she had chosen the best defense in the situation. Better to defend the most vulnerable place when placed in that position. Pleased that he had only used half of his strength against her, he noted how much he had improved since their last battle and how much Elaine had as well. Sheathing his swords, he helped Elaine up from the floor. "If I did not possess the advantage of elven blood, you would have bested me with ease." Einar smiled as he pulled her up.
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Post by Tismri on Feb 27, 2009 22:14:11 GMT -5
Tenel Ka watched as the man smoothly beat the woman at the duel, impressed with both their skills. She had trained hard back home, but she hadn't been preparing for a war. She would be hard-pressed to match either of them with the blade, she felt.
Suddenly, a motion caught her eyes. A hooded figure at the edge of the crowd raised his bow and nocked an arrow. Tenel Ka couldn't tell who the target was, but it was obviously one of the two combatants. With hardly a second thought, she ripped one of the hard stone shingles off the roof she was crouched on and hurled it at the archer with all her exceptional strength. It hit him soundly on the forehead. He released his arrow, which went whistling past the male combatant's back. Had he not bent to help the woman up, it would have hit him.
The archer fell with a startled cry, a deep gash in his forehead. Tenel Ka climbed down from the roof and walked over to him, picking up his arrow as she went. She stopped directly in front of him.
"Assassinating someone in broad daylight is not a very wise choice," she told him calmly. The man glared at her, then at Einar.
"He should never have been accepted in the Varden. It's his fault that my family died."
"So you choose to become that which you hate?" she asked coolly. She deftly took his bow from him, then turned to an older man who she imagined had the highest rank of the people here, who she guessed was a general.
"This man just attempted to kill either him or her," she told him, pointing to Einar and Elaine, "and from his comment, I would guess him." She handed the general the archer's bow and arrow.
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Post by Trinn on Mar 1, 2009 15:44:14 GMT -5
As Einar began pulling her up, Elaine scrutinized his face, looking for elven features. Yes, there was a sharpness to his face that she had disregarded before. Eridor suddenly growled, and before Einar straightened completely, an arrow whistled past his back, thudding into the ground a foot away. Letting go of the half-elf's hand, Elaine crouched to the ground and grabbed her sword. Despite her tired muscles, she pushed herself back up and stood defensively, ready for another assault. The ground shuddered as Eridor leapt forward to stand beside her, his tail raised and neck arched. General Kell came running over as well, towards a cloaked man on his back. After him followed a woman, one arm missing. Hearing the strange woman's words, Elaine relaxed, letting her muscles go slack. The man on his back was the only attacker, someone seeking vengeance. The assassin, a brutal gash marring his forehead, stood shakily to his feet as the woman approached. General Kell reached out and grabbed his shoulder. After listening to the exchange of words, Elaine looked to Einar. "Are you allright?"
****
Reaching out, General Kell grabbed the assailant's shoulder. His usually amiable face was now clouded with a ferocious anger. Before he could get a word in, a woman stepped forth and spoke. Kell took the bow she handed him, holding it tightly in his fist. "Young woman, thank you for your quick actions. You have prevented a certain tragedy." Then, turning a fierce gaze upon the rogue soldier, General Kell said, "I know you. You are a fine soldier, but you have fallen and shown yourself a coward. Your actons are most grave. You'll be lucky to spend the rest of your life in a cold dungeon." Dissapointment and anger etched onto his face, General Kell nodded to Tenal Ka, then, rogue soldier in tow, headed towards the castle.
*****
"Indeed. I hope our riders can teach Tenal Ka quickly. I'm eager for her countries aid. The sooner they arrive, the sooner we can take down Galbatorix. " said Nasuada, looking to Arya, her dark eyes blazing with passion. With the force of another army, the empire would surly fall.
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Post by Max452 on Mar 1, 2009 17:48:55 GMT -5
Einar heard the arrow whistle towards him - he was lucky that he bent down, but part of him wanted it to end his misery.
Stigandr snapped his jaws. Don't think like that again! He growled out. Einar shrugged and listened to this new woman and his apparent assassin. He eyed the woman's missing arm, but said nothing as General Kell reprimanded the soldier.
"I'm fine." Einar replied simply. "I just hoped that man will get the closure he needs...no doubt I did something to offend him in the past..." He watched as the General Kell escorted the soldier away.
As General Kell left, another soldier, Einar determined it was a Nighthawk, run towards him and Elaine. "A message from Lady Nasuada." He lifted up the parchment, handed it to Elaine and explained the Lady's instructions. "She expects you to leave as soon as possible." He bowed slightly and ran back to his post, anxious already that he was gone from her side.
Einar raised an eyebrow at Elaine. "What does it say?" He asked her.
***
Arya noted Nasuada's passion. "Aye. I hope they arrive soon...time is not on our side. I have heard from my trek back and forth from Ellesmeria these past few weeks that the King is planning to move soon. Eragon needs to return soon if another battle is to ensue."
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Post by Trinn on Mar 1, 2009 18:31:02 GMT -5
Elaine followed Kell with her eyes, then spotted the nighthawk coming towards them. Elaine took the parchment he held out to her, inclinging her head in thanks. Having delivered his message, the man quickly retreated back to the castle. Unfolding the note, Elaine read it over quickly, then, read aloud, "Rider, you will go to Surda's border and take note of any mysterious happenings. Your goal is to find the source of Gladia Celesti. If you manage this, try to make contact. -Lady Nasuada." Elaine refolded the note and slipped it into a side pockett. Eridor, are you ready?
The stormy dragon stretched his wings. Aye. I'm eager to be off. We've sat around here for too long. Elaine nodded, then turned to Einar. "It would seem Lady Nasuada wants the two of us to to go. Are you ready? We can afford a few minutes if you need to do anything."
Extending his neck, Eridor examined Tenal Ka. Smelling Caedus scent on her, he withdrew and looked at Elaine. She is a rider. Elaine raised an eyebrow and glanced askew at the woman. Perhaps that would explain her noble bearing.
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Post by Max452 on Mar 1, 2009 22:16:21 GMT -5
Einar listened carefully as Elaine read the letter. His jaws tightened at the words of Gladia Celesti. "Aye. All that I have is here with Stigandr and I am quite anxious to see who the leader of this Gladia Celesti is. I would like to talk with them indeed." He wondered if the leader knew of Gianna and Gladia...and maybe, perhaps the location of her burial site. He sighed, wondering what it would be like if she hadn't died. "If it would please you, we are ready to depart when you and Eridor are ready." He walked over to Stigandr and retrieved his cloak. Wrapping it around him, he shivered slightly as the winter air grew chiller.
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