I had gone into the Outback feeling relatively good. Alais was back and
safe, Artemus was oin the road to recovery after his encounter with the
bloodspeaker taint. Life at the moment was good.
It had been a while since I had fought in the Fists venue, so I was feeling
a little rusty. Removing my sword belt I walked over to one of the empty rings and made my challenge, casting my gaze around the room looking for any takers.
The first was none other than my brother's new consort, Cheyenne. I knew a duel with her could shake off some of my dueling lethargy since she was training under Stick, who is a renowned duelists in the Fists. I was right about Cheyenne being able to help remove some of my rust, took me more rounds than I expected to beat her. I finally prevailed though with a 5-2 victory. Unfortunately I made the mistake of trying for a second win. My second opponent was none other than the Archmage, Mur. I entered the ring and bowed to him respectfully. We both started out defensively. Each of us testing the other's waters so to speak. Though Mur defeated me easily and ended the match in a shut out much of my lethargy had been removed.
As I made my way to the sofa at the back of the Outback and familiar and pleasing scent drifted over to me as I sat down and thought through the mistakes I had made in my match with the Archmage. With a smile I looked up and regarded the form of Alais entering the room in her usual fashion, a swirling column of silver.
Alais and myself sat together for a while and talked of the events taking place in Rhydin and what roles we may end up taking in the grand picture. It was during this talk that I remembered the book my brother had given me to deliver to Cheyenne. The thick tome was embossed by a black rose entwined with two serpents and a dagger in the back.
Apparently the book contained information about where Cheyenne had come from. Of her family and what lineage she may have in her viens. Seeing how magic made the brand on Cheyenne's ankle bleed reminded me that if Vanion was ever to be defeated I had best become stronger in magic so I excused my self and walked to the bar.
Taking a chair beside Mur I asked if he would be willing to take me on as a student.
"Certainly." he replied.
So arrangements were made for me to start studying under him immediately. With a nod and a thanks I walked back over to Alais and we talked for the rest of the evening, well passed after all the others had departed. Glancing around it looked high time to head home if I wanted to get up early and begin my training in the Celestial Tower.
Alais was reluctant to stay the night at the Keep because she did not want Artemus and Cheyenne to feel as if we were baby-sitting them. With a laugh and my usual cocky smirk I told her....
"Artemus has his floor and I've got mine.." With another life I chanted the needed words to take us to Kurgen Keep for some much needed.....rest....
safe, Artemus was oin the road to recovery after his encounter with the
bloodspeaker taint. Life at the moment was good.
It had been a while since I had fought in the Fists venue, so I was feeling
a little rusty. Removing my sword belt I walked over to one of the empty rings and made my challenge, casting my gaze around the room looking for any takers.
The first was none other than my brother's new consort, Cheyenne. I knew a duel with her could shake off some of my dueling lethargy since she was training under Stick, who is a renowned duelists in the Fists. I was right about Cheyenne being able to help remove some of my rust, took me more rounds than I expected to beat her. I finally prevailed though with a 5-2 victory. Unfortunately I made the mistake of trying for a second win. My second opponent was none other than the Archmage, Mur. I entered the ring and bowed to him respectfully. We both started out defensively. Each of us testing the other's waters so to speak. Though Mur defeated me easily and ended the match in a shut out much of my lethargy had been removed.
As I made my way to the sofa at the back of the Outback and familiar and pleasing scent drifted over to me as I sat down and thought through the mistakes I had made in my match with the Archmage. With a smile I looked up and regarded the form of Alais entering the room in her usual fashion, a swirling column of silver.
Alais and myself sat together for a while and talked of the events taking place in Rhydin and what roles we may end up taking in the grand picture. It was during this talk that I remembered the book my brother had given me to deliver to Cheyenne. The thick tome was embossed by a black rose entwined with two serpents and a dagger in the back.
Apparently the book contained information about where Cheyenne had come from. Of her family and what lineage she may have in her viens. Seeing how magic made the brand on Cheyenne's ankle bleed reminded me that if Vanion was ever to be defeated I had best become stronger in magic so I excused my self and walked to the bar.
Taking a chair beside Mur I asked if he would be willing to take me on as a student.
"Certainly." he replied.
So arrangements were made for me to start studying under him immediately. With a nod and a thanks I walked back over to Alais and we talked for the rest of the evening, well passed after all the others had departed. Glancing around it looked high time to head home if I wanted to get up early and begin my training in the Celestial Tower.
Alais was reluctant to stay the night at the Keep because she did not want Artemus and Cheyenne to feel as if we were baby-sitting them. With a laugh and my usual cocky smirk I told her....
"Artemus has his floor and I've got mine.." With another life I chanted the needed words to take us to Kurgen Keep for some much needed.....rest....