Fantasy Dawn of Weisben

[Mmetafour]

"Oh, Lady Likara" Tauls smiled politely as he noticed her voice first and then her smiling face. For the first time, he felt like tonight might actually be fun. His small smile got much larger and his ears rose at the sound of her words. Kanteir, immediately recognizing her as the badger from earlier, furrowed his brow in confusion, looking around as tho there was something going wrong that he'd missed.


"correct me if I'm wrong Tag, but was she....?"


"Causing huge amounts of trouble here just hours ago?" Tauls finished and smiled slyly towards Likara "Indeed, clearly she's here for the tournament, and thus very legal this time....I hope"


The two of them bow back to her as she greets them and Tauls introduces his rather confused friend, explaining that they'd been friends since he joined the army. Of course Kanteir added on pieces about how he always had to defend him, much to Tauls' distaste.


As Likara turned to follow the two hares that he'd just been talking to, Tauls walked behind her and Kantier continued behind him, shaking his head a little "we don't want to be late for the opening ceremonies" he warned.


"Don't worry, I'm sure Lady Likara will have this all figured out in a moment. If that mouse from earlier was any indication, she knows how to handle herself" Tauls laughed, standing back as she confronted the two young boys.


@SilverFlight

 

[Mmetafour]

Ezra hated the sunset. It was his least favorite time of the day because it meant endings, the welcoming of the night when less agreeable folk roamed the streets and the countryside. He looked out the window of the inn he and his sister had been staying at for the past two nights as they rested their feet and their bodies. It had been a long journey from Sister Liana's small home back in Rhin. Now the two of them in only a few short months had traveled quite a distance, from that small cottage, up through the less conspicuous farmlands in the eastern parts of Callcaus. If they continued to move slowly and quietly through the small out-of-the-way towns, they could avoid the king's guards long enough to make it to the north, to Alvaion, the city where Liana told them to go.


He sighed against the window, his breath fogging the glass a bit as he looked out at the people below. They all walked as though they had some idea about how the world worked, but really they didn't know anything. They couldn't imagine how easy they had it being free. Or at least what passed as free here in the broken nation. It had already been hard enough dealing with the rejection of their mother, but then to all of a sudden become fugitives, to have his own sister's head marked for nothing more than a glowing eye. He hated this place.


He looked over at the empty bed in their room. With the gold, they had left they wouldn't be able to afford another night, and it was so hard to convince people they were just travelers. No one trusted the word of travelers anymore. Everyone in Callcaus seemed to have something to hide and people were quick to ask too many questions. Finding work and keeping it long enough to make a little coin was one of the hardest things they had to do during this trip. Usually, they'd work for a couple of weeks in one town, which would afford them the expenses in the next town. However, the last man they worked for began to become suspicious a bit faster than most, and they had to leave quickly lest they risked getting caught. They had barely enough left for food when they arrived here and then they had to spend a few more pieces on this room.


Ezra knew Sister Liana would give him the sternest talking to for considering thievery, but honestly, there weren't many more options left.....


He sat by the window and waited for his sister to come back, watching the door between his glances outside.


@Edin

 

[SilverFlight]

Likara was aware that Tauls and Kanteir were behind her now, suddenly she sighed and crossed her thick arms. "Look, I'll make this easy." She held up the back of her right paw. "Tag my paw, just touch it, and I'll not interfere with the rest of your evening. But if you can't, then you go home."


She knew it was childish, some part of her wondered if she had lost face in the eyes of her new friends, but she wasn't grown yet either, not really. She didn't know how to be a parent, but she did know how to cater to the boy's pride. It was such a simple task, and Ashton, though much thinner than she was, was taller and his reach was longer.


"Fine." He snapped, and started forward. Likara let him approach, her feet sliding into the defensive stance that her father had drilled into her head. Badger's are short, He had said, so we must be quick.


The boy wasn't stupid, he lunged for her opposite hand, hoping she'd turn to avoid him, exposing the other. A clever move, only Likara had read it and stepped forward rather and to the side, a deft twist of her wrist and she had grabbed Ashton's hand instead, following through to turn his arm behind him and pin it to his back, all with one paw and three steps. Ashton's target remained well away from his reach. She held him there for just a moment before his muscles relaxed and she let him step away, rubbing his wrist where she had held him. There was clearly no contest and Ashton recognized it.


"I'll likely get my tail kicked soundly in this competition." She told him honestly, and he nodded in understanding, if she could beat him so swiftly, he would likely not stand the remotest of chances. He wasn't ready to forgive her, but she knew from the look in his eyes that he wasn't going to try and sneak into the fights anymore. He took his little brother by the hand and left without a glance back.


Likara let out a breath and turned with an apologetic expression to Tauls and Kanteir. "The sons of my innkeeper. He asked me to keep watch for them." She said simply.


She gestured at the way to the center ring, where she imagined the opening ceremonies would take place. Her eyes, warm as always, now danced with an excited light.


"Master Tauls you flatter me too much by calling me 'lady', I'm a miner, and a lady as much as you are a fish!" She said it with a laugh. 


Her father had always emphasized the importance of class and rank, as a miner's daughter she was generally on the lower end of the scale in most company, though she had long since made her peace with it and by default was respectful to all unless given reason not to be. 


They reached the ring's edge and she scouted a good place for them to stand and watch. "Will you be taking part?" She asked them both, keen interest apparent in her tone. 


@Mmetafour

 

[Mmetafour]

Tauls and Kanteir watched as she spoke to the young hare. When he scoffed at her Kanteir's eyes narrowed and he began to move forward slightly before Tauls stopped him, placing his arm against Kanteir's chest. He had faith in Likara and he knew she had something up her sleeve for the boy. Sure enough she issued a challenge, speaking softly, but confidently. As she took her stance in preparation, Tauls took note, watching her. From the very beginning he could tell the brown furred bunny had no chance. However he was not without his own skill, perhaps he would make a fine knight someday, if it was his desire to peruse such things. In the end Likara bested the boy easily and Kanteir scoffed with a smirk, crossing his arms. "I like her" he proclaimed as she turned around apologetically.


"Young men are always eager to fight" Tauls nodded at her "He just has a lot of built up courage? I suppose you could call it" He laughed "Then again....the longer you fight, the more you realize you really would rather do anything else...."


"Hopefully by the time you realize such things, there's still enough of you left to do anything else!" Kanteir added, patting his back.


The two of them continued with her towards the ring where people were still gathering. It would probably be a few more minutes before the opening ceremony. A couple of the knights were standing in the center of the ring. Tauls recognized them as teachers, they must've been chosen to host the event this year.


"My mother taught me all ladies are ladies, regardless of where they come from or where they're headed. She says that if I am to become a knight, I must protect not only physical things, but also the abstract, and among such things, respect. To a shield all things behind are equal, all things behind are guarded, and so it is with respect" Tauls responded to her words thoughtfully. "Although....your argument may be valid yet. I am somewhat of a decent swimmer" He smiled.


Kanteir chuckled at that, looking down into the ring as they stood at its edge. "I cannot WAIT to be in that ring, this year, that trophy is mine. It will go right on top of my chest in our room. You bet I'll be competing"


"Not me" Tauls shakes his head and waves his arm slightly "I'm just here to support my friend...er....friends" He corrects "Oh!" he suddenly realizes "Kanteir....was Lady Likara my surprise? did you know she would be attending?" He asks, but Kanteir simply laughs softly.


"No, I hadn't the foggiest idea...."


@SilverFlight

 

[SilverFlight]

"He reminds me of me," Likara admitted thoughtfully, contemplating the philosophical words Tauls and Kanteir shared. At Tauls' opinions about respect and knightly duty Likara gave him a new look of appreciation. Here was clearly more than a nobleman's son sent to a fancy school. He truly valued the ideals that came with the name of 'knight'. She laughed with Kanteir at his finishing statement. "Very well, a dogfish we have for our companion then!"


"Now now friend," She chided the big Rottweiler lightly. "You haven't won dirt yet, I may be the one to take that bauble home. Either way, I look forward to competing with you."


She nodded with understanding at Tauls' admission that he would only watch. "You are no lesser a warrior for it I guarantee that. The wisest fighters only raise arms when they must."


Likara's eyebrow lifted as Tauls' mentioned her being a surprise, but she only smiled at him, saying nothing more of it.


"I think they're about to start." She said quietly as a hush fell over the crowd.


@Mmetafour

 

[Baconhands]

Loetis' keen eyes kept an eager watch over the city, though he wasn't exactly in the position he had hoped he would be in; perched on top of a small building, standing on its edge more specifically, looking over the side and watching the mammals and the other land creatures march on down below. The aspiring merchant had underestimated the city: he thought it would be a bit more like home; less hectic and less... committed to travelling on the ground. And so, when he had taken to air, he realized how out of place he actually was. There were very few avian creatures in the city, and even those that were were certainly bigger in size and reputation than he was. They seemed natural in this place, perhaps they preferred it here more than back home. Or maybe this was their home. Loetis didn't want to make assumptions.


For all its drawbacks, however, the sparrow wasn't deterred. Businesses didn't start with downtrodden ideas and a poor state of mind; they started with optimism, and a willingness to keep going. Loetis could do that, he had a meeting with a landowner in two days time, he could deal with the city until then.


Taking in a breath, the merchant spread his wings and took a small hop off the edge of his perch, taking to flight after a couple of moments of falling. He'd been told a great spectacle was going to be happening soon: a tournament of some sort. Despite spending a lot of his life trying to avoid conflict, Loetis couldn't pass such a spectacle by, and thus he intended to take in the mighty warrior tradition. As he began to fly over the centre ring, Loetis took a look down, momentarily forgetting the pair of spectacle that had been balancing precariously on his beak. He felt them go first, and then he could see the glinting metal begin to fall to the ground. Loetis hovered, stunned that he had forgotten about them. When they hit the ground, landing in between a badger and a canine, Loetis let out a small cry and swooped down after them, landing in front of the pair of animals. The sparrow could see they had basically landed on the canine's foot.


He looked up at them, hopped a few times, nervously, in front of them, before he spoke, "E-excuse me... um... good day! Hi! I-I'm afraid I may have dropped something and... it may have hit you... I don't suppose it would be entirely... inconvenient for you to give them back? To me? Please? Preferably in one piece."


@SilverFlight @Mmetafour

 

[Kayso]

Aura worked lazily but efficiently in the fading sunset, watching as the most beautiful light of day glistened and glittered like currents of gold running through rivers in the sky. It was her favorite time of day, and it held her captivated. The leaves of a wild blackberry bush shook and sparkled and she noticed how the light looked here as well, as she plucked the ripe berries from its branches and placed them onto one of her spread-out aprons that lay upon the ground as a makeshift sack. These berries would make do for now, but wouldn't last too long. It was lucky she knew where to find them.


Well, it wasn't really luck at all.


As she stared at the light and not at the cluster of berries she was pulling from their tiny stalks, she suddenly stopped, her paw suspended in the air above the fruit, and turned her head to see what she had been doing. There, above her paw, was a fierce-looking thorn, which she would have unknowingly pricked her finger on had she not stopped. Blankly staring at the thorn, she maneuvered her paw so that she could extract the fruit without injuring herself. She moved on to the next bush, again watching the light as the sun faded from the openness of the sky, giving way to the onslaught of twinkling stars, the smallest sound of berries falling onto her apron one by one.


As Aura made her way back to the inn, several thoughts plagued her mind.


Where would they go next? Would they find work? Would they have food?


As she contemplated these questions on her own, a familiar fuzziness seeped into her head from her eyes, filling the space with the comfortable warmth it always did. She saw, in dim but quick flashes of color and shapes, a small grass-woven container, like a small bowl with a lid, that sat on the corner of a shelf, unattended. She knew immediately where this basket was, and knew immediately what was inside. Suddenly the starlight returned to flood her eyes and illuminate the inn before her. She opened the door to find no one there to greet her - it was late, after all, and the owners would be cleaning up out back. A face looked around a back corner toward the door and, seeing that it was one of their residents, turned back behind the shadowy hallway's edge, disappearing from view. Aura stood still for a moment, readjusted the sack of berries she held in her hand, and resumed walking. She passed the front counter where the manager spent most of his time, a shelf that ran the length of the counter below it, deep and dark, where she knew a small basket sat. She looked toward the hidden shelf as she walked beside the counter, stopping for a moment. They were all in the back. She was alone.


She turned her head toward the stairway to her left and resumed walking toward it.


Is this what I am to become?  She thought to herself.

 

[Kayso]

"Tell me what it says!" Stella pleaded, her entire demeanor changed now that she knew this creature could read her book. "Please?" she followed up.


Almost alarmed at her sudden eagerness, the caracal sat down next to her and pulled that book closer to the light.


"Mortal as I am," he read, slowly. "I know that I am born for a day, but when I follow the serried multitude of the stars in their circular course, my feet no longer touch the earth."


"Wow." Stella remarked.


"Indeed." the ferret replied. "This is a book about the skies. Would you like me to continue?"


"Yes, please do." Stella answered. The stars were her favorite subject.


He continued to read, and minute upon minute danced by, the spirited words flickering like the candlelight. He finished several pages, and there was a pause. "It's a marvelous language. It is the mother of all the modern dialects. As it usually is with parents and their children, this language is no longer in use. It has died, and its children live on, changing and growing. A sad and necessary cycle, perhaps like these stars." He turned his face back to the illuminated pages. "Thank you for letting me read it. It's not every day one sees these letters, this syntax. Most have forgotten it entirely, but books... Books never forget."


Stella was still hypnotized by the sound of it; by the content, the thoughtfulness that was held in the pages. She didn't want it to end. "Where can I learn this language?" she asked.


The caracal looked a little sad. "Ah. Well, I'm afraid I don't know of anyone who teaches it. I am the only one I know of that knows it, in fact. My father taught me before he died. His father taught him. All in secret. Apparently it was not favorable to know this language for a while. At any rate, I don't think I can help you." He stood to take his leave.


"Couldn't you teach me?" Stella asked. She wasn't about to let this opportunity go so easily. "You said you're the only one you are aware knows it. You're the only one who can help me, in that case."


He chuckled at this, only under his breath. "I suppose I would offer, but I'm afraid I will not have the time. I'm about to inherit a very busy occupation."


Stella slouched in her chair, the light playing upon her soft, sad features. She touched the book lightly, willing it to unfold its secrets to her. She didn't speak.


"I truly am sorry." The caracal said. "Would that I could. But regardless, I appreciate you letting me read it. Maybe I will find you again some time, when we are both in a moment of leisure. I will read to you again." And with that, he turned to leave. He didn't go far, however. He quickly turned around and made his way back to the table where Stella sat, forlorn.


"I'm so sorry miss... would you please tell me your name?"


She supposed it didn't matter. She would never see him again. "Stella. And yours?"


"Uh, Reperius." He replied with a smirk. "Friends just call me Peri, however. And you... You are a friend."


Stella watched him walk away for a moment before looking longingly at the pages of the book again, then softly closing the cover and placing it in her satchel.

 

[Mmetafour]

Tauls and Kanteir stood beside the thrilled badger and twin smiles spread across their lips as they listened to her speak about winning the prize for herself, Tauls' coming from her enthusiasm and Kanteir's from the promise of a good challenge in the fights ahead. True to her final statement, one of the knights in the center of the ring, an older bloodhound wearing beautiful armor began to unravel a parchment, drawing the attention of everyone in the crowd beyond the outer edge of the ring and even some animals who were still making their way into the ever growing crowd.


The dog cleared his throat and looked over towards an area beyond the ring where a few other animals stood in academy robes. He gave a signaling nod to one of them, a young vixen who returned his nod with one of her own, lifting her paw to him almost as though she were reaching out to him. As he spoke it was clear why, she must've been channeling some sort of magic toward him, as his voice easily carried over the entire crowd.


"Welcome! Welcome! patrons and participants to the Royal Academy of Weisben's thirteenth annual hand to hand dueling tournament!" This initial statement is flooded with cheers and whistles from all the animals standing around the ring, applause thundering over the grassy plains surrounding the school. The other knight standing beside the bloodhound, a jet black crow who stood only about a half a foot shorter than the dog beside him, smiled at the reception, his eyes scanning the crowd. He must've been the senior guard chosen to oversee defensive measures for the tournament. He stood proud and tall with his shining helmet at his side, leaning against his blade.


"Thank you, thank you all for attending! I hope you find this evenings special event entertaining and satisfying! Tonight's participants range from a few of my own students to everyone's favorite returning champion, the Pug with Power...." He barely even gets to finish saying the nickname before the crowd bellows out in chants and cheers for last years winner, who happens to be standing beside the wooden fence posts that make up the ring. "....Bolk Burnican!" He finishes as the crowd breaks into even more rapturous acclamation.


The pug, standing at about five feet, five inches was shorter than most of the other dogs who would be met in the ring, but that was perhaps his only draw back if it could be seen as such. He was in better shape than most could aspire to, which was obvious due to his lack of any clothes over his top half. Where most combatants wore at least some light armor, Bolk wore only a pair of cloth pants, his chiseled chest flexing, whether purposefully or simply naturally was up for debate. He smirked and chuckled softly to himself at the mention of his name and the applause he received, almost pretending he didn't hear it at all as he wrapped his palms in some sort of cloth, an unsheathed sword piercing the ground next to him.


Kanteir's eyes almost glistened like a predator glancing over its prey "He yields this year...." He almost whispered, talking to Tauls and Likara, but in the end almost more to himself.


As Tauls smiled lightly, watching the pug and the rest of the crowd, a glimmer of something small passed directly between him and Likara, landing beneath his feet. In the center of the ring, the crow's eyes were immediately upon the bird who had begun his decent to retrieve his dropped glasses, but as he looked him over he must've decided he was simply no threat, his slightly perked feathers returning to rest. Unless someone had known him for years, they wouldn't have even noticed the quick and subtle changes in his body language.


Tauls bent down to pick up the glasses just in time to come maw to beak with the young sparrow who had just landed in front of him, causing a couple of rabbits to move aside in surprise, but many of the people in the crowd simply paid no heed to the small distraction as they cheered on their champion.


"Oh, yes of course" He smiled at the bird, dusting the glasses and then holding them out to him "Please try to be more careful, I'm almost sure that Sir Kain was upon you my friend" He nodded toward the crow, who's eye was still fixed upon the sparrow, but noticing Tauls, it wandered else where, scanning again. "That would have been....very bad"


Kantier frowned at the sudden addition to the small group, nearly jumping a bit as the sparrow suddenly swooped down to join them, and was about to say something before Tauls politely interjected.


@Baconhands @SilverFlight

 

[SilverFlight]

Likara sized the pug up excitedly. "He's built not unlike a badger." She remarked, noting his stocky, solid form. "All the better because badgers are what I trained with most." She took the time that the bloodhound used to introduce the competition, to look at the various combatants. Most were easy to pick out from the crowd as they wore light armour or thick tunics, clothes that could stand up to a beating. Likara also noticed the gleam in their eyes as they watched the champion, each thinking about ways to bring him down. Then the pug thrust his blade into the earth.


"What? He yields?" Likara asked Kanteir, surprised. Her expression changed to a disappointed frown. She had looked forward to challenging the champion. Her thoughts were drawn away when a shining object landed at their feet, followed closely by a flustered sparrow.


Likara grinned at the interaction between Tauls and the bird. "Good fortune, your specks seem undamaged." She added, shooting Loetis a friendly smile. "Are you here to see the tournament? Kanteir and I are competing, but Tauls here I'm sure would be glad to keep you company." She gave the dog a look that was both apologetic and at the same time not. She was sure he wouldn't mind having the bird watch beside him.


After that the roster for the first matches was posted and Likara gestured for them to follow as she went to find out who she would be matched with. 


"Seems like a simple elimination tournament. Pairs fight and the winner of each match advances." Out of the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse of a scruffy wolverine, eyeing the board hungrily. He had an unsavory look to him that put Likara on guard, his small black eyes shifted to her and he smiled without a hint of good humour. 


"I don't like the look of that fellow..." She said softly to her companions. "Best watch out for him."


Fortunately her first opponent was a spindle-legged greyhound, not the half-wild wolverine. There were not many who had come to watch, most she realized would be viewing the more well-known contestants, the locals and placers from last year's tourney. Likara was unknown. Before she jumped the fence into the ring she gave Tauls a wink. "Won't be long." She said cheerfully.


To her slight surprise, she was right. The greyhound, though fast and forward was sloppy, and his footwork was a mess. Likara kept low, forcing him to bend or lean forward as she stepped back and away again and again. Several times he tripped or staggered as his weight tipped to far forward, but Likara patiently waited for a clear opening. Suddenly she dipped under one particular over-balanced swipe and past his guard, landing a heavy fist in his thin stomach. A single blow and the greyhound crumpled, wheezing. He raised a paw in yield. Likara bowed to her opponent, as was her custom and shook his hand after that. No movement had been wasted, and everything had been calculated. It was how she had been trained.


Her name was advanced and she strutted back to her companions, the mumbled approval from a few of the spectators following in her wake.


"Come! Let's watch Kanteir!" She said brightly, hopping back over the fence.


Her spirit was invested completely now and she held the same level of excitement when they managed to locate the large Rottweiler's sparing ring.


((I can change anything you like Mmetafour, in case you had a plan))


@Mmetafour @Baconhands

 

[Mmetafour]

Gently patting him on the shoulder as Tauls handed the glasses back to the sparrow, he followed Likara and Kantier towards the recently uncovered board that showed the contestants of the tournament. The larger dog grinned as they moved through the crowd of other fighters, each looking to see who they'd be paired with during the first leg of the tourney. A young fox groaned as he realized he'd been selected to face the pug in the first round, throwing his hands up in agony, almost already resigned to losing, as he sauntered away from the board. Taul's eyes widened and his body shifted uncomfortably as his gaze rose up to meet Kanteir's, the Rott's gleaming smile a stark contrast to Tauls own frown of disbelief. Presented at the edge of the board was Tauls' OWN face, next to the face of one of their fellow classmates, another dog. 


"K-kanteir?" He stuttered softly, raising his ears and his eyebrows. "Why is my....why am I on this board?" He asked, half in shock and half in anger as he moved to look back up at his companion again expecting a good explanation. Kantier only smiled and shrugged a bit, slyly curling his lips up as he spoke "I added you to the roster earlier this week, put your name in for consideration. I figured as a sturdy knight, you would have the heart and the courage to stand up to me in glorious combat" Kanteir winked. "Surprise" he crooned softly, raising his eyebrows. At an utter loss for words, Tauls shot him a glare as he sighed almost similarly to the fox. Unfortunately due to the rules he now had no other choice but to compete, he was in the tournament now. The two dogs subtly eyed the wolverine as Likara spoke of him. Kanteir smirked as his eyes captured another animal to prey on in the ring and Tauls simply looked him up and down, examining the animal, defeat still scribbled across his features at the prospect of having to compete looming over him.


Despite his current mood, Tauls still managed to flash a small smile as Likara winked to him, hopping up into the ring to face her opponent. He and Kanteir watched as she faced off against the greyhound, observing as she nimbly danced around her opponent, controlling his weight more than he did himself. Perhaps someone who lived in Weisben, the greyhound certainly wasn't a practiced swordsman, his movements were easily readable and loose, but in a way that caused him to fold in on himself rather than allowing him to move about freely. His skill was unrefined and off, especially when compared to Likara's quick, knowing movements. Perhaps had he been paired with some other novice, the match would have lasted for a bit, but clearly the badger was no novice and with a single punch to the stomach the greyhound was down and out, yielding to her. Around them there were polite claps and impressed nods as the contestants shook hands and Likara's face was moved up the board prompting the next match, between an older mouse and a different dog.


Tauls' smile had now grown into a complete grin as he watched her approach from the ring, still getting sparing glances from the crowd. "Wow! that was incredible" He jeered. "I wasn't expecting so much talent! I mean...I'll admit I knew you were strong and skilled after earlier, but this!" He pointed back towards the ring as they started to walk towards the sparing rings set up a short walk from the arena. The grounds of the academy were now lit entirely by the flames of the lamp posts, the sun now tucked beneath the horizon in the distance, its last whispers of purple and orange creeping across the sky as the stars began to reveal themselves.


Kanteir was busy swinging his blade at a large post. The hay stuffed animal knight was thoroughly hacked and had slash marks across its body. Kanteir, while he certainly wasn't a dancing knight, had his skills in order, his thrusts were quick and precise and his slashes were powerful and varied. Along with his long powerful arms he was the perfect idea of a strong, righteous knight. He stopped as he saw them approach, his breath heavy and yet he hadn't broken a sweat quite yet. "When I saw how good you were, I had no other choice" He grinned at Likara. "You are quite something, do you think you will be able to beat her Tauls? because if you fail, I will be pointing a sword at her instead of you" He laughs lowly.  


@SilverFlight

 

[SilverFlight]

Likara didn't pay much attention to the looks and cheers the other beasts were giving her, but when Tauls came up with his grin and his praise she felt butterflies take flight in her stomach.


"I-it's no talent...just, my pa trained me since I was old enough to throw a punch, and that fellow hadn't an ounce of experience, I could see that from his first step." She gave Tauls a sheepish smile. "I'm sure you'll do better, you being trained by elite professionals and all..."  She gave him a sympathetic look. She had caught his name on the board, and could only guess it was his friend that had orchestrated that little trick. "I'll be cheering you on."


They made their way to Kanteir together and Likara nodded her approval at Kanteir's controlled attacks. He would be sure to give any contestant a run for their money.


"Bah, I'll get knocked out before the quarters, you mark me." She waved off Kanteir's praise, still feeling the colour in her cheeks from Tauls' enthusiastic compliments.


"I don't know, could you beat me?" She echoed Kanteir's question, her eyes betraying her genuine interest in the answer.


@Mmetafour

 

[Kayso]

The sky was full of stars when Stella reached her small home that sat alone in a small canyon half an hour away from Jjiseam. Folk did not come here often, which is why Stella picked it. It was built into the wall of the little canyon just below the edge and gave her a good view of anyone entering or exiting the area, and also offered a marvelous view of one of her favorite landscapes, as well as an almost-perfect view of the skies. She opened the skylight in the top room where she spent most of her time, and lay down among her dusty cushions to look at the book again. She reached for her satchel and, pulling the book from the leather pouch, noticed something fall from its pages. Picking it up, she found that it was a small piece of paper with handwriting on it. A note. She read it:


Meet me where arrow touches talon above the Eye of Winter


Where arrow touches talon? The Eye of Winter? Was this supposed to be some sort of code? It was known to any decent navigator worth his own that the arrow and the talon were part of two constellations, the Archer and the Eagle, and that the arrow pointed to the talon of the eagle. It was also common knowledge to anyone who knew the desert really well that the Eye of Winter was a lesser-known rock formation a few miles out west in the desert, hidden among an unimpressive outcropping of rocks. When the invisible line connecting the arrow of the Archer and the talon of the Eagle crossed over the Eye of Winter, at this time of year, it would be about two hours before the sun came up. She guessed it really wouldn't be all that common of knowledge, since most people lived in the city and didn't give a fig about the stars or the rocks. But... who left her this note? It definitely wasn't there when she leafed through every page while she was in... the library! The strange caracal... Peri? He had been very interested in her book. But he didn't seem too interested in continuing to meet with her as he was leaving. If it indeed was left by him, and was about the book, then there really wasn't any way she could keep herself away from the Eye of Winter tomorrow morning. She took a moment to conclude that her curiosity would almost certainly be her undoing before she opened the book and began looking at the mysterious pages again.

 

[Mmetafour]

Kanteir put his paws against his waist, smiling at Tauls as he awaited his answer to his and the Badger's question. Tauls looked back and forth nerveously between the two of them, fiddling with his ear for a moment before opening his mouth in response, letting out a soft chuckle. "Come on guys....I doubt I'll make it to face either of you, I'm not really the best swordsman....fighting isn't really my forte..." He stated sheepishly.


"At least try to seem serious when you tell a lie Tauls" Kanteir spouted "AND try not to lie around someone who knows the truth. That little meek act can not fool myself OR our new friend" He smiled slyly, glancing over at Likara. "You and I both know you are a very talented swordsman, much better than most of the faces on that board. Could you defeat Likara? From what I just saw, I must say..." He paused for a moment, whether for imphasis or because he was seriously weighing the options was unknown. "You will certainly have a challenge on your hands." He smirked "That is, IF you ever meet each other in the arena. I cannot guarantee I will not eliminate one of you myself first"  The tall rot sighed almost as if he were already sorry for eliminating one of them and denying them their chance to fight each other.


Tauls simply shook his head and smiled at his large friend who returned to the post, slashing at it once more. There were cheers from the crowd as another match ended and they prepared themselves to watch the Pug with Power's first match against the unlucky fox from earlier. Animals who were making their last minute snack runs, raced to get a seat as a few students began to prepare the arena for the next match.


@SilverFlight @Baconhands

 

[Mmetafour]

Ezra's black ears perked slightly as he heard his sister approach their door. He rose out of the chair he'd been sitting in since sunset and went to open it for her, peaking out into the hallway. Most of the other residents had already resigned for the night, blowing out candles and revealing the halls of light, in the darkness of dusk Ezra was nearly invisible, but Aura's white fur still stood out among the dark wooden hall.


He couldn't help but give a slight sigh of relief. He always became anxious when he was separated from his twin, like a fragile part of him was removed and he couldn't protect it, but whenever she returned and he could tell she was alright he was a bit happier. He held the door open and waited for her to make her way over, smiling a bit at the berries she had collected....well...at least they wouldn't starve....


@Edin

 

[SilverFlight]

"Modesty is a fine quality." Likara said appreciatively as Tauls tried to downplay his skill. She chuckled at Kanteir's reply.


"Listen to you two, putting me on the same level as you professionally-trained gentlemen." She waved off Tauls sheepish comments and tapped a fist playfully on Kanteir's arm. She was grinning broadly.


"Keep this up and you'll start to grow on me." but they already were. Likara had spent so many weeks traveling alone, she had hardly realized how much she missed having someone to talk to. Having friends. The noise of the crowd drew Likara's attention.


"Oh! Looks like our perilous pug has the next match. I'd like to watch how he fights."


She led the way to the rim of the arena, finding a good vantage point before calling her friends over.


@Mmetafour

 

[Mmetafour]

Noise poured over the grounds, filling the entire arena and the surrounding area with chants of the name of the defending champion. It was finally time to watch what most of the citizens had paid to see in the first place. Tauls and Kantier followed the voice of the badger as she beckoned them over to her, squeezing past eager animals as they threw their hands up and let their voices join the others in praising the pug with power.

The sun had now set and nothing was left on the horizon but the last faint hues of purple and orange that had dominated the sky just moments ago. The ring and the stands surrounding them were now being lit by the lanterns that had been placed earlier in the day. Where they had been less noticeable while the sun was up, each lantern was now a true testament to the prowess of the students practicing magic at the school. The light radiating from them was much brighter than a simple flame, illuminating the entire ring, the stands, and the entire field behind.

There in the center of the ring stood the fan favorite, Bolk Burnican, wearing nothing but the cloth pants he sported earlier and holding a short sword in one hand as he prepared for his first fight of the tournament. Although anyone looking at him would say he was by far one of the most prepared participants in the tourney, boasting a short muscle covered body and a disposition that screamed confidence, anyone would be hard pressed to find a more "prepared" individual. In stark contrast, the fox who had been unfortunate enough to be paired with him was definitely not prepared. His body language was that of someone who had already lost, his paw loosely squeezing the hilt of his sword, half in resigned despair and half in nervous fear. If the fox had any skill with a sword, or any battle training prior to entering the ring, he had apparently left it at the gate. His stance was nearly nonexistent, and a had the breeze been blowing the right way, it may have simply knocked him over itself.

Bolk scoffed quietly, looking up and down what could only be described as his prey, before a voice slowly raised up against the torrent of his own name, cheering for something else "COME ON SCRAFF! YOU GO! FIGHT AS HARD AS YOU CAN!!!" came the voice of a female from the other side of the stands. The fox swallowed and stood up a little straighter, looking into the eyes of his opponent instead of the ground beneath him.

"Perhaps we will see something interesting after all?" Kantier spoke to the Tauls and Likara, leaning towards them so they could hear as he crossed his own arms and smirked at the stand off below.

From the front of the stands the smiling Greyhound who had made the opening announcements nodded and threw forth his hand, giving the signal for the fight to begin and imminently, gathering all his courage and the slight boost that the voice had given him, Scraff the fox yelled and charged with everything he had at the pug, throwing his weight into a sharp sword swing. Despite everything he had, the swing was ill timed, and terribly choreographed and like the other experienced fighters, Bolk read it instantly, but surprisingly he didn't move in the large window he had to avoid the attack. He raised one of his hands and grabbed the blade, stopping it in the middle of its downward strike. Because of the angle of the block and the cloth wrap he had spun around his palms prior to the battle the sword didn't even draw blood. The audience went quiet for a moment, the tension of the battle cry and the charge as the battle began putting them at the edge of excitement. Time seemed to be watching the match too, forgetting to carry on for a few extended seconds before the crowd erupted again, chanting the name of their champion. The fox blinked, confused, trying to figure out what had just happened, such a turn of events not even registering with him, but the Pug had already made his move. He grasped the sword firmly, avoiding the opposite edge with his fingertips and flicked the entire blade, freeing it from the fox's paws and cascading it over into the dirt. Before the fox could even peep, the pugs other paw had found its way into his stomach and with a grunt, Scraff was lifted off his feet, the wind escaping his lungs as he flew backwards landing against his back in the dirt.

Tauls' face twisted into pain as though he had felt the punch himself, his teeth
clenching a bit as he took a sharp breath and flinched slightly in response. Kantier shook his head, his arms still crossed, looking almost disappointed in the fox. The crowd burst into thunderous applause, chanting and screaming as Bolk pointed his own blade down at the fox, who was now clutching his chest, clearly defeated, and with that, the match ended.

SilverFlight Kayso Baconhands

 

[SilverFlight]

Likara's attention was wrapped so tightly around the fight she would hardly have noticed anything around her. She grinned at the fox's mistake, cheering Bolk on when he didn't take the opening.
"Givin' us a little show eh?" She jostled Kantier playfully.
It was not a surprise to see the pug take down his opponent, but then, the tournament had only begun really. She wouldn't expect the matches to get more exciting until the last few.
"Well it was fun while it lasted. Hope you gentlemen didn't blink." Likara chuckled at her own joke as the fox lay in the dirt.
There were only a very few unhappy betters that gave up their sums, most travelers who had come for the matches, the locals apparently knew better than to bet against Bolk.
Likara looked around her as the next set of matches were announced.
She didn't hear if Tauls' name was called, the crowd was still talking animatedly but she did manage to make out her own.

The arena was a different one than she had fought last in, though it was practically identical, a fence around a patch of grass and dirt, no elevation.
She rolled her shoulders before slipping under the rails, her axes at her sides in sheathes on her belt. She heard the other step into the ring and turned and her jovial expression sobered. It was the wolverine, his cruel gaze raking her as he stroked the edge of a jagged short sword. It made her feel more than a little uncomfortable. His grin spread wide and crooked across his grizzled features. Likara didn't smile back, merely drew her weapons and twirled them. The mark was called and the badger rushed forward. The first clash happened so fast Likara almost missed it. Her opponent sidestepped and swung inward at the back of her shoulder, forcing Likara to twist her body and meet the blade. The axe in her other hand didn't have the reach to follow up so she spun, carrying it through and into the air where the wolverine had been. He danced back, his grin now savage. He looked triumphant already but Likara had given no sign of being bested. She rushed for him again but despite his size he dodged back out of her reach. She lunged a second time, but again he danced out of the way, almost like he was stalling for time. Likara dove again but this time side-stepping as he had, reading where he would doge and being there ahead of him. The flat of her blade caught his jaw with a loud crack and he went down and rolled. He'd lost his smile for a moment as he rose, paw on his aching mouth. Then it happened. A short wave of dizziness, a small stagger Likara only had the time to register surprise before her opponent was over her, grinning again as he brought the butt of his sword down upon her head.
When she woke again the fight mediator was holding the wolverine's hand above his head in victory. Her head danced and flashes of colour sparkled in her vision. She tried to rise but it swam again and she sank back down.
"What..?" She tried to shake the dizziness off but it clung to her like an obstinate child. Her opponent walked out of the ring and onto the next match without a glance back, leaving Likara angry and confused.
She hadn't seen the small hidden blade, hadn't seen the tiny nick it left in her side and hadn't caught the faint scent of poison on it's edge, just enough to slow, daze and let him strike a winning blow. The wolverine was now striding confidently toward his next victim.

Mmetafour

 

[Kayso]

"Hello Ezra." Aura breathed out, reaching the top of the stairs to their rented room. "Thank you." as he closed the door behind her. She placed her berry-filled apron on a small tabletop and watched as the folds came undone and spilled a few of its contents onto the surrounding space. "It's not much, but it will work for now." she smiled.
Her smile faded as she sat herself in an old chair, undoing the clasp of her bright yellow cloak from around her neck. "I'm seeing more and more of them." she remarked to her brother, who had taken a seat beside her. "They always tell me to take what isn't mine; to do things that I would never do. I haven't once done as they have suggested, but they are more and more frequently showing themselves to me. It makes me wonder... wonder if I... if I'm willing them into existence. If the visions come to me because I am asking for them, somewhere inside me." She looked for a moment as if she would cry. "But I don't want to be that way, I promise! I don't want to hurt anyone, or steal from them. I just want to keep us safe."
She looked at her brother with a hint of desperation in her face. "The sooner we get out of Callcous, the better."

 

[Mmetafour]

As the next round of matches were announced Kantier smiled brazenly, hearing his own name and Likara's. He patted both her and Tauls on their backs, stretching his arms slightly. "May the best warrior win" he pronounced, sauntering off to his designated ring. Tauls raised his eyebrows and smiled, shaking his head at his confident friend before looking over at the badger and following her. He was curious to see her match. Tauls had seen Kantier spar and fight a million and one times, half of those times up close, and observing Likara's more fluid style was a breath of fresh air.

He stood at the edge of her arena, tilting his head as his ears raised on their own. It was surrounded by a few onlookers, probably passing by to get a snack while they waited for Bolk's next match. Tauls' eyes narrowed a bit when he saw her opponent would be the shady wolverine she had warned them about, his uneasy grin a little off putting, though the badger didn't seem intimidated. "Go Likara!" Tauls cheered and clapped a bit, viewing as the match began and the two took swipes at one another. His ears twitched and turned as they did when he focused on something intently. The crowd grew slightly as more and more spectators were drawn to the intense bout.

Tauls let out a quiet celebratory "yes", balling his paw as Likara followed her foe's movements, scoring a solid strike right in his jaw. There were some dispersed groans, obviously gamblers who had sided with the more aggressive looking of the two combatants. He couldn't help but beam brightly, but his smile slowly faded as he watched her movements become sluggish. What...just happened? he thought to himself, his eyes widening as the wolverine bashed Likara's head, ending the fight. "oh no..." He let out, watching as the mediator walked into the ring and proclaimed the winner.

Tauls climbed under the railing, walking to Likara and lifting her up a bit. "that looked pretty nasty....are you alright? Guess....." His nose twitched a bit "Guess that guy...was..." He couldn't seem to concentrate, his nose picking up something and he leaned towards her, sniffing. Perhaps he was invading her personal space, but he couldn't help it when he caught something abnormal....those who knew him could attest to that fact. "Wait a minute..." He said, his fingers slipping over the fur on her left side before moving up to his nose. "This...." He sniffed again "This is Calukree bark..." He said, turning to the moderator who had nearly followed the wolverine out of the ring "Hey! This is Calukree bark! That man cheated! His weapon is laced with poison!"

SilverFlight

 

[Mmetafour]

Ezra watched his sister pour the berries onto the table, taking one and eating it, sitting down beside Aura before turning his attention to her while she explained the nature of her increasingly frequent visions. He took his sister by the arms and looked at her. "Hey....listen, you're not bad, and you're not gonna BE bad. Your visions don't make you evil or...tainted or WRONG or whatever that stupid king wants us to believe." He shook his head, before looking at the berries. "Curse this place....for making you think that...even if we DID steal....they'd deserve it" He huffed.

"Don't worry, working together we're going to get out of here, we'll make it up to the north...we'll find that town Liana told us to and we'll get out of here...no one is going to stop us if I have anything to do with it" He looked out of the window at the dark town. "we should get some rest and leave before sun up...this should be enough to hold us until the next town if we eat right" He gestured toward the berries.

Kayso

 

[SilverFlight]

Likara sat up in Tauls arms, muttering an embarrassed 'thank you' at the kindness.
"I-I'll be all right." She stammered slowly. "Badger skulls are thick."
She tried a humorous grin and winced. "Ugh, Rotten toad...I'll feel this tomorrow that you can bet..." She cut herself off as Tauls began sniffing the air about her, leaning closer as he did so. She held perfectly still, wondering if this was a dog custom or something she had equally no idea about.
She was painfully aware of their proximity now and felt heat rise in her cheeks. "Er, Tauls?.."
It was then he put a hand gingerly to her side and even though he only brushed tunic and fur Likara began to feel a sting she hadn't noticed before.
"A second blade?" There was no way the wolverine could have tagged her with the one he'd carried openly.
Then her friend called the name of the poison and Likara bit back a curse. Of course. She should have recognized the symptoms.
The moderator turned but too late, the wolverine had already gone to his next ring.
Likara took hold of Tauls' arm gently. "Stop him." Was all she said.

The wolverine stepped casually into his next ring, flaunting the jagged-edged sword as he leaned on the rails. None the wiser that his trick had been uncovered. Now he waited with the practiced expression of boredom for his new opponent, he'd heard the name called; some dog called Tauls.

((do let me know if I am taking too many liberties with the story))

Mmetafour

 

[Mmetafour]

Tauls slowly lowered Likara, letting her rest as he stood up and walked toward the moderator. Some animals had stopped and started murmuring to one another after his loud declaration."I'm sorry? what did you say?" He asked, facing Tauls as the dog looked passed him at the Wolverine in the adjacent ring. "That combatant cheated, he has a laced weapon..." Tauls explained, gesturing toward the badger laying on her back. "He poisoned her with this" Tauls held up his fingers, showing the moderator the slightly green paste that had been left behind after his examination.

The moderator looked back towards the Wolverine and then at Tauls again "That is quite the accusation" He nodded, raising his eyebrows. Tauls' eyes narrowed as he exited the ring and started to walk with purpose, towards the neighboring one to confront Likara's opponent, the moderator following close behind.

"you" Tauls pointed, stepping into the ring with him "you cheated, your weapon is laced with Calukree bark venom" he accused. The wolverine grinned, although he'd been doing so for quite a while, so it didn't seem to add to the moderator's suspicion. By now, the patrons who had been watching Likara's match, along with those who had followed the Wolverine to the new arena were watching this new altercation between two competitors. "What?" The wolverine's smile slowly went away "I won that match fair and square boy" He approached Tauls closely "The moderators require your weapons be checked before you can even enter the ring" He raised his jagged sword "my blade is clean" He said, eyeing the moderator as Tauls looked it up and down. He sniffed, once again getting a bit close to the wolverine, who pushed him back slightly. "HANDS OFF BOY"

"obviously you have something hidden, your blade is clean but your body reeks of poison" Tauls said, quickly moving his hand to the hidden pocket of the wolverine where the smell was most prominent and pulling out the hidden blade as he was pushed back again. "I SAID HANDS OFF!" The large animal hissed, raising his jagged sword as he prepared to strike Tauls. The dog only had a split second to react, his own paw reaching to his sheathed sword to block as he entered a fighting stance almost instantly, but before he got the chance to act the wolverine's own arm was grasped from behind.

Kantier loomed behind the Wolverine, holding his arm in place. He stared down at the animal he had in his grasp, as he tried to move, the blade shaking in his clawed hand. "I don't remember a mark being called" Kantier voiced, clearly angry. He must've won his match already and come to check on the others before witnessing the fiasco. The moderator, who was still in shock after the turn of quick events, finally spoke. "No fighting before the mark is called, or you'll all be disqualified" At that, Kantier released the Wolverine's arm, letting it fall to his side. "You're lucky knight" He grinned "I look forward to crushing you in the arena" He said, caressing the spot the large dog had been squeezing.

"Don't be so sure" Tauls commented behind him, holding up the hidden blade to show them all. "I don't think you'll be competing after this"

SilverFlight

 

[SilverFlight]

The wolverine's lip curled, anger glowing like embers in his small eyes. "Fine. Call the mark." He hissed through gritted teeth.
Even as he said it his eyes darted sideways, evaluating escape routes, but he had not been pushed to that...not yet.
The moderator looked at Tauls seriously. "Of course accusations of foul play are not taken lightly..."
Just then a pair of tournament guards appeared, trailing in their wake an unsteady Likara, looking drawn but grave. She pointed to the wolverine.
Now he was out of options. There was a short pause then, heavy with anticipation before it was broken by the wolverine moving forward. Tauls was the one nearest and the one between him and a clear path to the exit. He went for the dog, blade coming up before he sidestepped and slashed at Tauls' shoulder, the same move he had used on Likara. A second hidden blade now tucked into his paw.
But Likara saw it this time and she called out.
"Left hand! Tauls!"

Mmetafour

 

[Mmetafour]

Tauls had watched the Wolverine use this same movement three times already, he had been expecting an attack, and he had already been tense, prepared to move if needed. Recalling Likara's own parrying movements, he sidestepped with his attacker, and watched his left hand at the warning of his friend. Tauls didn't quite have enough time to draw his own blade, but it didn't matter, he was holding the perfect weapon to strike, the hidden knife he had just procured slashed at the wolverine's own arm as he dodged out of the way.

SilverFlight