Naveen

I made small talk with Maleen and Dorian, explaining the absence of the two elves. Mostly however I regarded Maleen, wondering just how she was going to take Dorian and Rina leaving her in my care. And it was Maleen who alerted me to Rina's return. The three of us watched her for a time before with a soft sigh I stood up. Dusting myself off I walked into the main camp but just far enough to remain in sight. A rack was my objective and I picked two items from it before returning.

Passing by Maleen I patted her on the shoulder and gave her a faint smile before going over to Rina. "Rina, will you come with me for a bit? I think you could use something. Please?"

Rina:

I ignored him for a moment until I found the items I was looking for. Finally I rose and looked at him with a cool gaze. “Alright,” I said steely. I tucked the bundle under my arm and followed him. My mind was ablaze with fury.

I led us a ways away from our little camp and into a small clearing. I paused on one side of it and drew one of the wooden training swords I'd taken from the rack. Impaling it into the earth I walked away from it a few paces and impaled the second one. I moved around this weapon to face her, placing my hands atop the pommel. "Spar with me."

Rina:

I looked from the sparring sword to him. “I have to change first.” I said. I had my own clothes now. I wasn’t about to spend another moment wearing baggy clothes I had died in, still stained with my blood.

“Look away. Or not. I don’t care.” I turned away from him without waiting. There was nothing left to care about modesty. I took my boots off, then the pants. The shirt still covered me to my thighs. I pulled on my own leggings that hugged my skin. I put my boots back on. I hastily undid my buttons and dropped the torn and stained shirt. I pulled a shirt over my head then a vest over that tied up the back. I cinched it tightly. Now I felt more at ease. I turned back to Talon.

I got an eyeful of her legs before I stared at the ground. I could still see clothes being discarded as she changed but otherwise did what I could to preserve her modesty. I felt the rift between us, a yawning maw that both of us stood right at the edge. It wasn't just that we'd changed, we didn't know how to handle that change that was driving us apart.

Rina:

I pulled the sword out of the ground and faced him. “I suppose this it good practice for me. I’m going to have to do this again tonight,” I said then went after him when he grabbed his. He was far better and it was clear that he was lowering himself to my level, but I didn’t hold back.

I had given her the advantage of terrain, the sun rising behind her. But that wasn't enough of an advantage for her to hold over me. I brought myself to her level, to her speed and strength. And she didn't bother holding herself back. After a heated flurry of blows I managed to slide my blade around hers and send her weapon tumbling free of her hands. Straightening I twirled my wooden weapon and nodded towards the blade. "Pick it up. Let's go again."

Rina:

I did. We fought until I was exhausted. I laid down in the grass, panting. I didn’t say a word to him. This had helped, and I was grateful, but I was still angry.

“I have to fight Dawner tonight. Brian’s orders,” I said after a long time of resting.

I panted softly beside her. I had chosen not to use any of my magic, and while I was still hardier than she was the entire process left me tired and winded. I remained sitting up while she laid down, and I gazed at the sky overhead and the pale wisps of clouds overhead.

"Why? Something must have happened for him to want that." I asked softly after she finally spoke.

Rina:

“Aero stabbed him in the arm and I kicked him in the face. He complained to Brian. According to Brian it is against the rules here to attack one another and the punishment is to face each other in a duel.” Brian didn’t care that Dawner had basically attacked me first. He didn’t care and he didn’t listen.

I looked at her sharply. I know there had to be more to the story than just that, but I wasn't going to demand an answer when she didn't offer it willingly. "I see...are you confident you can win?"

Rina:

“I can’t lose,” I said meaning I couldn’t die. Dawner was twice my size and had ten years of experience on me. I wasn’t allowed to use Aero.

I looked over at Talon. “I won’t lose. I’ve had worse matches than this one and I won those. I won’t lose this.” I was confident that I could win against him. He may have more experience and strength, but I had rage and determination on my side.

I smiled faintly, "I didn't think you'd lose." I met her gaze before continuing, "I doubt substitutions are in order either?" I raised my hands quickly to fend off her words while I kept going. "You don't need the help, but what you had said earlier had me thinking. If I want Brian to take me seriously I need to prove a point with him."

I lowered my hands and looked away. She couldn't die and I had brought the conversation around to me. It was likely something dancing in her mind. "What will happen after the duel? Will everything be alright for you?"

Rina:

“I’ll be alright. The duel should settle the matter.” My eyes traveled down from his face to his jaw to his neck and chest. What would he do if I sat up and kissed him? What if I straddled his lap?

I looked away and sat up. “Let’s go again,” I said reaching for the wooden sword and getting to my feet. I was done when I had laid on the ground panting. Now I felt like I needed the distraction again dispite being tired from the first round.

While her gaze traveled down my form my own shifted over and went the other way. I started at her hips and worked my way to her face. When she sat up I looked away quickly then right back to her face. "Again?" I questioned her choice but I picked up my own weapon and rolled to my feet. "We'll make this one quicker, we need to be sure you are rested for later."

Rina:

I didn’t take it easy this time either. I knew I should conserve energy for the match later, but I had to get my feelings out. This was the only way to do it now. Talon cut it short before I was ready, but I was tired.

Later when I was getting ready Dorian came to crouch next to me. “Rina, this isn’t a good idea. You could simply walk away.” I looked up at him with narrowed eyes.

“No? Tell me what’s the worst that could happen? Not death. Humiliation? That already happened. I’m not walking away from this. But I appreciate your confidence.” I stood up and looked down at him as I sheathed my sword.

Talon:

I stayed close to Rina after our sparring. I focused on the defensive during this time as I didn't want to cause her undue injuries before her match. It wasn't always possible however and I knew I'd gotten a couple good hits in, and one had been the flat of the blade on her butt.

I finally let her be free when she prepared for her spar, I had taken another meeting with Brian but it was only as successful as the first had been. The man wasn't about to insult me, but so too he wasn't budging on anything.

Rina:

The soldiers had already gathered into a circle when I wanted into the middle of camp. Dorian stayed behind with Maleen. I didn’t want her to watch and I didn’t want anyone to think that she had assisted me in any way.

Brian was coming out of his tent followed by Talon. From the look of them I could tell they had not gained any ground. It added to my anger. My gaze sizzled when I met eyes with Dawner. There was no way I would let him win.

I could hear what people were saying, that I had lead him on, that I had left him high and dry, that I deserved to be beaten, and various disreputable names. I tuned it out.

The duel was over and done with in less than a minute. Even out of practice I was more skilled than Dawner. Not to mention speed and agility. I didn’t have a scratch on me, while He was clutching his bleeding calf.

“There Brian, are you satisfied?” I asked, looking past the soldiers to his face. “Does it please you to show off your power? To have your chess pieces fall over each other? Well I’m done. I’ve paid the debt you made up, and I’m done. I can’t fallow you anymore. Not when all you do is pit people against people. You gained your power by manipulation. That’s all you want. You don’t care about the country or it’s people. You just want to be at the top. You don’t care about the elves, or any other non-human yet you seek their aid. I can’t stand by that.” I spoke loudly so that everyone near could hear me. Brian could not stand public embarrassment.

Talon:

I was frustrated with Brian, frustrated with the confusing mess Rina and myself were caught up in with each other, and frustrated that for all my efforts I'd done nothing but waste my time when I'd wanted to be helping my people.

I folded my arms and gripped my biceps while regarded both Dawner and Rina as they stood waiting for Brian's signal. I could hear the harsh words spoken about Rina, and my hands tightened. I wanted to step in, to make a plaything of Dawner before the whole crowd. But I held myself back, tried to put on an air of aloofness.

This was a matter among humans, for human reasons. I wouldn't want any one here to step in a matter that involved my people alone, and so I couldn't do the same. I repeated that to myself over and over as the fight began. I watched with a critical eye, noting that Dawner had the better strength and reach over Rina. But she had speed, agility, and skill that far dwarfed his abilities. I could tell by the first few exchanges and moves just how it was going to end and I wasn't disappointed.

And then my brows rose as Rina turned to Brian and called him out on his faults. I turned my silver gaze to Brian, waiting to see just how he was going to take Rina's taunts. My stance shifted at the same time, just in case I needed to take action instead of just standing around watching.

Rina:

I my gaze met Talon’s for a second.  “I don’t need you, disgraced and hunted as you are.  Leave Rina,” Brian said.  He glared at me with cold eyes but otherwise made no move against me.  I still held my sword as I moved to leave the circle.  The men around me were unwilling to move until Aero buzzed around me.  I walked quickly through the camp.  It was mostly empty due to the fight.

"You are loosing a powerful asset Brian." I remarked carefully. I slowly unfolded my arms and set a hand on my hip. My eyes followed Rina as she walked away, and I tracked her so that after I was done with Brian I could go after her.

Rina:

I sheathed my sword just as I returned to Dorian and Maleen. They came up to me immediately. “Pack up. We’re leaving,” I said. I regretted now that I had not told Maleen before now that she would be going with Talon. Now it would be sudden. I had to wait for Talon to return for that though.

My mind was racing with everything I had to do now. I had to make a plan for myself and Dorian if he wanted to come. I only had a small coin purse from what Brian owed me. It was hardly enough to sustain us. We would have to find work immediately.

Talon:

I gave Brian one look, shook my head and began to walk through the crowd that now milled about. Most people moved out of my way, but a few times I had to push someone out of the way. I hesitated outside of our little camp. I knew what was coming and I really didn't want to face it.

With a deep breath I walked into the camp, moving right for Rina.

Rina:

I looked up when Talon approached and took in a deep breath. We would have to separate now. My decision to leave Brian cut our time short. Even if we weren’t together, it stung my heart to leave him.

I gave her a small nod, I could tell on her face that she was about as pleased as I was with this whole ordeal. Turning my eyes to the ground I clenched my fists for a moment then turned on my heel. "If you haven't told Maleen yet...you should. I need to grab something." I murmured the words to her over my shoulder then went off towards my tent.