Early Morning Coming Down{{OPEN; Nayeli}}

[phrostphyre]

Dawn came abruptly, in this part of the world. One moment it was the darkest part of the night, when man isn’t meant to be awake. The next, abrupt light. Two men stood next to each other on the parade ground of Castle Carvala, sweating. Blue liquid woad ran down their bare chests and faces as they argued in bellowed voices and a language not often heard in Alagaësia: Dead Gaelic, spoken once by the founders of the modern Gaelic nations and invaders of those worthy islands. They had come from a soft land, but the cold harshness and ability make a hardened warrior shake in his boots caused the Tuatha de Dannan to fall in love with it and settle there, and their descendants had inherited the wandering and warrior spirits and Sean MacLaren was no exception. Sean and the man, Robby, were red in the face as ten Gaels swept through a building that was empty, save for straw targets and servants acting as hostages. The argument of Sean and Robby was whether or not Sean was able to love a woman.
”Damn you, you can’t love! You bastard, you left your grandfather and father dead on the same battlefield! After you left, you couldn’t save your mother, younger brother, or sisters! No one will accuse you of cowardice, not after you get stabbed three times, then put your armor back on and continue to do your duty! But dammit man, you’re a cold, heartless, killing machine! All you do is kill and accomplish the mission! No mercy, no pity, just ruthless and never ending dedication to your mission! When was the last time you kissed a woman?”[/i]
”Damn you, Robby! Why bring that up?! There was nothing I could do to save them! And for Goddess’ sake, I could do nothing to make it to Castle Downy in time to get to Heather! You’re a cold-hearted prig for bringing her back to my mind!”[/b][/i] The two Gaels glared at each other, and then Robby looked away first. Glaring still, Sean moved down to the kill house from where he had been standing. It was his turn to lead the action.
He washed the runny woad off, and then reapplied more. He took up a wooden, weighted sword, shield, and wooden weighted dirk, before taking his place at second in the line of five Gaels. They would hit from the front and back. The first kicked the front door in, and then Sean was in the building, shield up. A dummy to the right of the door was brutally hacked apart by the wooden weapon, and then Sean was moving on as the four men behind him took care of any others. They swept through the building like lightning. Two minutes from the start, all dummies were dead, and all servant-hostages were in a group, handing flagons and flasks of water to the sweating men. Alagaësian was spoken for the servants, and soon Sean was talking to a Willy MacCormack.
”Hey Sean, where’s the bonny lass you’re usually with? Ignoring her for a day?”
”Nay, Willy. She’s still sleeping. I decided that I could be here with you gentlemen and take some time out of my endless day to get caught back up on hostage rescue.”
”Bring her down here and let her watch us train; she might need to know how we rescue hostages, neh?”
”Neh. I’ll just go put a shirt, and then bring her down here. She’s slept long enough, anyway. ‘Tis well after dawn. Sean downed his water, thanked the servants, and then began walking to Castle Carvala’s insides, from the parade ground. He passed several guards on the ground floor, and then began to go up the several sets of stairs from the ground floor to Lady Leilani’s chambers. The guard outside her door opened it for him, and then Sean was inside. The room smelled surprisingly feminine, like rose and lavender. On the bureau, was a pink rose. Sean ignored it, other than the fact that it meant someone had been in her room last night. Glaring at it, Sean opened the curtains to the windows and door the balcony, then whipped the curtain from the four poster bed. She twitched at the sudden light beaming into her room, and then rolled over. Raising an eyebrow, Sean poked her. She ignored him. He poked her again. Another twitch. Grinning, he put one hand on her shoulder, and then rolled her flat onto her back. This time, he poked her on the nose. Her eyes whipped open, and then a hand came up and slapped him. Still grinning, Sean stumbled back and sat on the floor, legs crossed.
”At least you’re awake, aye? It’s about ten minutes after dawn. Early to rise gets the better cattle in a raid, as the old proverb goes. Besides, what self respecting bonny, canty young lass would sleep all day? It’s a very beautiful day, to be sure. I would also like to thank Milady for the good-morning present of a loving slap to the face.” What Sean didn’t add, however, was that there was a quite visible, extremely red, hand print along his left cheek. It contrasted startlingly to the ratty brown shirt he wore, his blue eyes, fair skin, and blond hair. However, he took it good stride. It was a good day to be alive.

[Nayeli]

’introducing
{leilani richards*}
featuring--! --! ---! ---!
Come on closer, I wanna show you
What I'd like to do, You sit back now
Just relax now, I'll take care of you
Hot temptations, Sweet sensations
Infiltrating through, Sweet sensations
Hot temptations, Coming over you

It has only been mere hours ago that I had fallen into a comfortable and pleasant sleep, my dreams filled of sweetness and my thoughts still lingered on Darek Von Cleft, who I had had visit me during the night. I had watched him leave, and had gotten into my bath, washing my body with oils and such and then, clothed myself in my normal dark colored green sleeping gown. Well, it was not my normal, but since Darek had said something about me wearing green, since it made my eyes show much beautifully, I could not help but agree and put it on. My pink dress had been on the floor, not far from where the servant door was, and it was gone by time the morning sun had risen. As I slept, sounds started entering my precious dream that I did not know, the feeling of someone poking me, only saw Darek poking me in my dream.

It was the abrupt movement and poke to the nose that woke me completely and I felt my hand moving quickly towards the face of Sean, the blond haired, blue eyed Gaelic that swore his life to protect me. He was in my Bed Chambers, which was one of few times. He very rarely came in here unless I asked him to and this morning he was here. I watched as he set on the floor and I set up in bed, my body held no make up on it and I was not in a very good mood. I put my hands on my lap and looked at him, glaring slightly for waking me up. I was half tempted to yell at him and toss something at him, but I was not.

It was rare that you saw Sean grinning in such a way and I figured it would not be the last. He was in a good mood, which was rare for him and I tilted my head as he began to speak. His accent was strong and I did not mind at all. ”At least you’re awake, aye? It’s about ten minutes after dawn. Early to rise gets the better cattle in a raid, as the old proverb goes. Besides, what self respecting bonny, canty young lass would sleep all day? It’s a very beautiful day, to be sure. I would also like to thank Milady for the good-morning present of a loving slap to the face.” I grumbled slightly at his good-morning joy and I removed the thick bedding that was on me. Ten Minutes after dawn? I placed my feet on the ground, standing and looking down at him before moving over to my desk and picking up the pink flower. I smelt it and smiled, looking at it softly and then placing it down and going to my washing bowl. ”Why do you come to me so early in the morning? I only recently went to sleep.”

[/color] I said, not coldly, but one could tell I was not in a good mood at all.
[/blockquote][/blockquote]

Gonna take it slow babe, Do it my way
Keep your eyes on me. Your reaction
To my action is what I want to see
Rhythmic motion, Raw emotion
Infiltrating through, Sweet sensations
Hot temptations, Coming over you

’word count five. zero. nine.
’tagged Sean MacLaren
’song Come on Closer--! Jem
’post status done
’template creator nayeli

[/size]

[phrostphyre]

Sean grinned even wider under Leilani’s glare. The red mark on his cheek began to fade a little while he stood. Surprisingly, he was unarmed. This was a holdover from Hibernia; no man could go into a woman’s chambers armed. Sean ignored her question for the moment, instead moving over to her wardrobe and opening it. He began rummaging through it, showing a surprising knowledge of women’s undergarments. A chemise, stockings, a corset, and a dark blue dress landed on the bed next to Leilani, along with a dagger, a strip of garrote wire, and a pair of shoes. Sean turned, closing the door as he did, and went to the bed, and began tucking the garrote wire into his sporran as he answered.
”Ah. A secret admirer, then? The rose? I see. Anyway, get dressed. I’m here because it’s about ten minutes after dawn and a certain canty lass I know isn’t very canty. Besides, I think you might want to watch us go through a hostage rescue scenario? I promise you’ll enjoy it.” Sean winked, then stepped out the door and into the hall, leaving Leilani alone.

[Nayeli]

’introducing
{leilani richards*}
featuring--! --! ---! ---!
Come on closer, I wanna show you
What I'd like to do, You sit back now
Just relax now, I'll take care of you
Hot temptations, Sweet sensations
Infiltrating through, Sweet sensations
Hot temptations, Coming over you

What was with Sean today? I wondered as he seemed to grin at my glare. I was not use to men being in my chambers unless I asked, but at least he was not wearing weapons on him, which was good. I would rather him be unarmed and in my chambers, then armed and in my chambers. I put the rose down, right in front of the window and then moved it into the shadows. Darek could not be in the sun a lot, so I figured I could leave the rose out, since it was from him. I could not wait to see him again, my heart was beating faster just thinking about it.

After a moment, I turned to see Sean going through my wardrobe, watching as he brought everything out, even a dark blue dress. I wrinkled my nose slightly and removed the dress from my bed, bring out a emerald green one, which would make my eyes come out more. Darek would like it if I saw him today. I hoped I saw him today. ”Ah. A secret admirer, then? The rose?” I looked at him for a moment and then back at the rose. ”I see. Anyway, get dressed. I’m here because it’s about ten minutes after dawn and a certain canty lass I know isn’t very canty. Besides, I think you might want to watch us go through a hostage rescue scenario? I promise you’ll enjoy it.” I looked at him for a moment. ”As long as I am not the hostage.”

[/color] I said, looking at him for a moment.

He left and I was alone. I smiled slightly, shaking my head as I moved over to my bed. He was so cheerful this morning. Only last night he was rude, angry, even going to the point of hitting someone who had done nothing wrong. I thought about Darek and how he had nearly killed Sean, but then again, he had not. Darek was a good man, with a kind heart. I smiled slightly, pulling my sleeping gown from my body, the skin was touched by the morning sun and it felt so nice upon it. I pulled on a under dress first, which held up my breast and kept my stomach from poking out. It was white, and thin fabric around the waist and on the dress part. Then came the dark green dress, which I slipped over. Normally, I needed helping getting dressed, but this morning, it was a simple dress that slipped right over. I searched my closest for a silver belt like thing and found it without a problem, slipping the dagger in the space between the belt and my dress and then started working on my hair and make-up.

I only lightly powdered my skin and put some Kohl on my eyes, along with some green shadow to match my dress. I then worked on my hair, which was easy and only had to be pulled back from my eyes before placing a simple silver metal band around my head and then slipping on some green slippers. I looked outside my window one more and into the Garden below. I smiled, thinking of the rose and glancing at it, smiling wildly before I removed the smile and headed out into the hallway, where Sean waited for me.
[/blockquote][/blockquote]

Gonna take it slow babe, Do it my way
Keep your eyes on me. Your reaction
To my action is what I want to see
Rhythmic motion, Raw emotion
Infiltrating through, Sweet sensations
Hot temptations, Coming over you

’word count five. five. eight.
’tagged Sean MacLaren
’song Come on Closer--! Jem
’post status done
’template creator nayeli

[/size]

[phrostphyre]

Taking Leilani’s hand, Sean kissed it and bowed. He shrugged when he saw she was wearing a green dress, not the blue he had tossed on her bed. Nothing to be done for it. The Gael felt long forgotten memories of how to address a lady coming back to him, given to him by his father and grandfather in a tent on a battle field, training him for leadership of the clan. Sean led Leilani down the stairs and ground floor, ignoring the fact that he was slightly smelly. He was a soldier. If he couldn’t get out and run with the big dogs, he might as well retire. The Senior Sergeant that was Sean received nods from all the soldiers and servants as he led Leilani to the parade ground, where the “Kill house” was set up. For this demonstration, more Gaels would be brought in to act as the hostage takers. Ten Gaels sweeping through the building to twenty hostage taking Gaels. To distinguish, the rescuers would be painted with woad and shirtless, while the hostage takers would be wearing shirts. Sean removed his shirt, showing the blue woad running up and down his arms and torso, going up his neck and onto his face. Scars from battles fought long ago showed through the blue in some places, while others were clearly visible. The three from the Gala were quite visible against the blue woad and pale hair of his stomach. The twenty Gaels that were the hostage takers went inside, while the rescuers armed themselves.
Sean took up the wooden weapons he had left as he went to get Leilani. The Kill house was larger than before, to facilitate a harder mission and the larger number of hostiles. Two stories, fifteen hostages, twenty enemies, and nine men under his command. Sean invited Leilani to listen to his plan.
”Milady, please come and listen. There are twenty confirmed hostiles, and fifteen confirmed hostages. Possibly upwards of forty hostiles and upwards of thirty hostages. Robby, take five men and scale the wall. Go through an upper window or roof, and then work your way down. I’ll take the other four through the ground floor. Meet in the middle. The codeword for being dead is “Archer”. Successful kill is “Knife”. A cleared room is “clear”, obviously. Get ready. Milady, there is viewing platform near the building, along with a clerk that will keep track of the movements, kills, hostages, and deaths. Please watch there.” Sean grinned, and then moved to the door. After a few moments, he shouldered the door open, and fell upon the nearest opponent. The man screamed “Archer” after ten seconds of pitched battle between the two, ending with Sean getting his wooden sword at the man’s neck.
The Gaels swept through the building, securing the servant-hostages, “Killing” their opponents whenever the two forces met, and four minutes after the exercise started, Sean and Robby were slapping their men on the back and shaking hands as the servants and Gaels left the building en masse. The violence of action was surprising to some upon first observing, but Sean hoped Leilani would be made of tougher stuff as he and the men went through the open pipe carrying cold water from a well to the gardens, squirting each other with water as they went. Emerging wearing a clean kilt and still bare-chested, Sean felt the sun beat down upon him as he went back to the kill house to away Leilani and her judgment.

[Nayeli]

’introducing
{leilani richards*}
featuring--! --! ---! ---!
Come on closer, I wanna show you
What I'd like to do, You sit back now
Just relax now, I'll take care of you
Hot temptations, Sweet sensations
Infiltrating through, Sweet sensations
Hot temptations, Coming over you

As I came from my bed chambers, I was slightly surprised when he kissed my hand. It was not a normal thing for him. Normally he came, had a servant come into my chambers, wake me and help me dress and then, we left or he followed where I needed to go or he had already heard where I needed to be for the day, like last night. Sean was acting odd and as we walked, I thought over everything. Only a few days prior, we had spoken about how he could not court me, then the ball came and now he seemed to acting even weirder then before. I tried to push the thoughts from my mind, but it did not seem to work. As we walked, a few servants bowed to me, but I was not paying any attention to them. I was just try to put things in order in my own brain, however, the thought of seeing Darek came to mind as well. What if he was here? Oh, the thought was wonderful and I could not wait to see him. My heart was pounding in my chest as I thought about everything from the night before…

The kiss, the song, the other kisses, the expression of love, the thoughts of telling Turin and Awiti. I had to speak with my brother as soon as possible. He would understand, for it was Nayeli who I was scared to say a word to. As we finally left the castle, the cold air was harsh, but it was not nearly as harsh as it had been over the past few weeks. Sean lead me on to the parade grounds, where I saw a massive building had been constructed for this event and then saw all his men in a group, talking in their native tongue. I had picked up a few words, but very few words. I watched as Sean took up his own weapon, which was made of wood and not steel. I could tell this was training, but this would be the first training I had ever seen. ”Milady, please come and listen.” I looked at him for a moment and then approached. ”There are twenty confirmed hostiles, and fifteen confirmed hostages. Possibly upwards of forty hostiles and upwards of thirty hostages.” I listened intently, how everything was planned out and how it was close to a real thing, except the blood and gore of it all. ”Robby, take five men and scale the wall. Go through an upper window or roof, and then work your way down. I’ll take the other four through the ground floor. Meet in the middle. The codeword for being dead is “Archer”. Successful kill is “Knife”. A cleared room is “clear”, obviously. Get ready.” I watched as they all went towards their own post and he then turned to me. ”Milady, there is viewing platform near the building, along with a clerk that will keep track of the movements, kills, hostages, and deaths. Please watch there.” I nodded quickly, turning and walking towards the platform.

The man there helped me up and I watched as Sean and his men entered. I could hear everything that was going on and I listened intently to the man beside me, who spoke of everything going on. It was like, Sean had his planned so I could watch. What was this man thinking? I did not understand him sometimes, but I felt there was a reason behind this sudden interest in me. He came to my room and woke me himself, which was odd enough. Soon, it was all over and I watched as they were all laughing and smiling. I could not help but smile myself, they had all done a very good job. ”Milady.” I looked at the clerk and took his hand, carefully coming down the platform and landing softly on my feet. As they men came out after their training, they were all wearing their kilts, but they held no shirt. I could not help but blush lightly, happy I had powder on my face to hid it. As Sean came towards me, I smiled polite, but my eyes no longer held the need for him to court me. ”That was very interesting. It was fun to watch. I seemed your men enjoyed it and found it more as play then work.”

[/color] Which most people in training did anyway.
[/blockquote][/blockquote]

Gonna take it slow babe, Do it my way
Keep your eyes on me. Your reaction
To my action is what I want to see
Rhythmic motion, Raw emotion
Infiltrating through, Sweet sensations
Hot temptations, Coming over you

’word count seven. three. six.
’tagged Sean MacLaren
’song Come on Closer--! Jem
’post status done
’template creator nayeli

[/size]

[phrostphyre]

”’Bleed in training so you sweat in battle’ is a proverb I learned since I could talk. If we have fun bleeding, I don’t see why we shouldn’t bleed more. What I do want to know, is how can combat be fun to watch, even if it is training?” Here Sean fell silent. The thought of battle had taken him eight and a half years ago, to the fields of Tara in Hibernia.

Shattered men and horses lay on the ground, as broken men continued to try and stand. I watched sadly as another man was dispatched by a sword in the chest as I looked for my grandfather. His standard fluttered gaily about a mile away and to the east; the center of the battle. I shuddered and continued on my gruesome mission of mercy.
Two hours later, I found him and my father. Grandfather had an arrow through the neck and was barely alive, while Father was dead. I shed no tears, for they had all been shed last night. I closed Father’s eyes, then gently removed his seax from his belt and attached it to my own. I knelt beside Grandfather and listened to his words of wisdom, passed to his grandson on a battle field while the blood of thousands of men stained the ground for miles around.
“Listen to your heart. Be bold and noble. Honor the Goddess. Now ride for the castle, to protect what is left of my family! Ride, Sean! Ride like you are riding with Mik’ael the Champion, pursuing the Evil into the Otherworld!” I took his words to heart. I found a horse and rode. Two days later, I arrived at the Castle MacLaren. All that was left were smoking stones and ash. I groaned, then remounted the horse and rode for Castle Downy. It too, was a smoking ruin. I had been ambushed between the two castles, and fought my way through. Tears slowly falling down my face, I began walking to the nearest port. The horse had died under me, its heart giving out.
Four weeks later, I was in Tierm, and drunk out of my mind. A year later, and I was in the Savage Faithful. Sean shook his head slightly, cheeks glistening with silent tears as the weight of his past settled once more upon his shoulders heavily and fully.

[Nayeli]

’introducing
{leilani richards*}
featuring--! --! ---! ---!
Come on closer, I wanna show you
What I'd like to do, You sit back now
Just relax now, I'll take care of you
Hot temptations, Sweet sensations
Infiltrating through, Sweet sensations
Hot temptations, Coming over you

”’Bleed in training so you sweat in battle’ is a proverb I learned since I could talk. If we have fun bleeding, I don’t see why we shouldn’t bleed more. What I do want to know, is how can combat be fun to watch, even if it is training?” I looked at him for a moment, my eyes were hard, yet at the same time, showed some form of understanding. ”Training and Battling are two different thing. One is preparing you and one is killing. If you look at both with the same attitude, one day, you will go crazy and not be able to tell them apart.”

[/color] I said to him before he went on his memory lane. I did not know it, instead, I looked around.

On my wrist, was a green ribbon, given to me by Darek. He had once worn it in his hair, but he had given it to me last night while he had been in my bed chambers. We cared about each other and I could not wait to see him again. I knew he had possible gone to seek out my brother, so I kept looking for him. He wanted to speak with him, to tell him of his interest in me and hope to gain his blessing. Turin… Though harsh sometimes like my sister, was still caring and did not judge like me. My sister… Well, she believe in a lot of things that my uncle did, but she was a bit more stronger and did not plan on allowing her power to slip from her grasp. I was sure she was still mad about Malandra acting like the castle was her home, when it was not.

I looked to Sean for a moment, seeing a tear rolling down his hard face. ”Sean? Are you okay?”[/color] I looked at him, slightly confused. I touched him softly on the elbow, though, what was once a touch that held care and slight lust was nothing more now then a friendly touch. I once had a crush over him, wanting him to court me, but now… it had faded away nearly over night.
[/blockquote][/blockquote]

Gonna take it slow babe, Do it my way
Keep your eyes on me. Your reaction
To my action is what I want to see
Rhythmic motion, Raw emotion
Infiltrating through, Sweet sensations
Hot temptations, Coming over you

’word count three. five. nine.
’tagged Sean MacLaren
’song Come on Closer--! Jem
’post status done
’template creator nayeli

[/size]

[dantieduurden]

It was only an hour after Darek had left Lady Leilani's room when he finally found a slave walking around. " Son, can you show me where the lord Turin is. " Darek asked the boy and was happily rewarded as he was led to the lord of the palace, Leilanis brother. For a few hours he spent inside with Turin just talking of war and trying to get his emotions read. When he finally found the time right he asked Turin to accompany him to the sparring field so that he could wax up on some old skills and was happy when the human had agreed.

It was twenty minutes later when they came onto a field. A small distance away Darek could see a large structure set up, probably for training in defense of a castle he though as he turned back to Turin. " Are you ready? Or would you like to stretch before we start. It is never a bad thing after all." Darek said with a kind smile as he took to extremely long curved katana looking blades and walked to one side of the field, and then stood at attention.

In the distance he could hear orders being called out and smell Leilanis scent on the air, but he would not take his eyes off of Turin. He would be a major key to there very relationship. What he thought meant everything. " I also asked you here because I do not wish the world to hear what I am about to tell you Turin. Knight to knight, I tell yo this. And honor bound I shal answer any questions you have of me, and any quests you demand I do." Darek said looking at the young human, who was just becoming a man, yet knew so much of the real world. " i have feelings for your sister, and would wish to court her. I ask you, for I know you are the least judgmental, and will think your options through instead of just denying me for my race." Darek went on as he waited for Turin to begin the spar.

[phrostphyre]

Eyes watering, Sean looked at the ground and knelt. The blue woad was running freely; it hadn’t had much time to dry, and the sweat didn’t help. Nor did the blood oozing out of a reopened sword slash. Sean ignored both in favor of letting the tears now trying to flow freely do what they wanted. The dust underneath him splattered with the liquid, and great sobs racked the large body, but he was strangely silent. The pattern formed by the tears in the dust was strangely reminiscent of a Gaelic knot work symbolizing infinity. His sarcastic streak had been held far too long in check; now it came out with a bite.

”If I was fine, I would be ripping the head off of your secret admirer. If I was fine, I would be standing and looking at you, not kneeling on the ground, shedding tears for my dead family. In fact, I never told you how I came to be here, did I? That’s a close held secret of mine. About eight years ago, I lost my father and grandfather on the same battlefield. I lost my younger brother, sisters, and mother in the burning of our castle the same day. I rode for the castle where my love lived. It too, was a smoking ruin. Love is something I’ve not been able to feel for about eight years. I don’t know if I can still love. Now do you see why I dislike the man from last night? I failed eight years ago; three times in the same week. I failed again last night. Again, three times. He represents that. I spurned your advances because I thought they were the infatuation of a noble Lady with her barbarian protector. I see now I was correct. As soon as someone else far more mysterious than I appears, you drop me like a hot potato. Except this one isn’t just from another country, is he? A whole other race, and a vampire to boot. Wings? Not a problem. You’re lost in feeling.” Sean stood. His blue eyes gleamed with an unbroken fire, but then it was gone. All that was left was a warrior that had seen much. Eyes narrowing, Sean smiled bitterly. On the Field of Tara during the battle and afterwards, he had been called “Diabhail”, or “Demon.” It was a well deserved title; Sean had slaughtered his way up and down the lines. No man could stand before the berserker; friend or foe fell to Brunhilde if they got in his way. Sean shuddered at the memories he had. Most of it was a blank, but some of it was there.

[Nayeli]

’introducing
{leilani richards*}
featuring--! Turin Richards ---! ---!
Come on closer, I wanna show you
What I'd like to do, You sit back now
Just relax now, I'll take care of you
Hot temptations, Sweet sensations
Infiltrating through, Sweet sensations
Hot temptations, Coming over you

I watched as Sean knelt, worried slightly. The painting upon his skin was running down his skin, along with the sweat and tears, the blood… It was all going to the ground. The tears, I did not understand, but I reached my hand out to him, but stopped slightly, knowing that he was someone who had not liked affection at the beginning and was still not much for one now. I looked at the ground, the small puddles from the sweat and tears forming, the blood giving it all a red tent. I gulped back sickness for a moment and then his eyes hit mine and his voice was sharp as daggers.

”If I was fine, I would be ripping the head off of your secret admirer.” I was shocked by his words. How dare he speak of Darek in such a way, he was a fine man, Noble and someone who was not our enemy, but because of one dance, he came a enemy. ”If I was fine, I would be standing and looking at you, not kneeling on the ground, shedding tears for my dead family.” I was shocked by what he said. He had never said anything about his family, except that they taught him things. I looked at him confused but at the same time, full of slight surprise. ”In fact, I never told you how I came to be here, did I? That’s a close held secret of mine. About eight years ago, I lost my father and grandfather on the same battlefield.” My heart went out to him. I was not heartless and I cared for Sean, but he had shown no interest and I had found someone who had. Someone I felt comfortable with and protected by. ”I lost my younger brother, sisters, and mother in the burning of our castle the same day.” I felt pity and sadness for him.

I was shocked at what I heard next, as he continued to speak on. ”I rode for the castle where my love lived. It too, was a smoking ruin. Love is something I’ve not been able to feel for about eight years. I don’t know if I can still love.” I was stunned… Why would be people kill women and children? Most saw it as cowardly and to harsh for anything. ”Now do you see why I dislike the man from last night?” I was confused, completely confused. ”I failed eight years ago; three times in the same week. I failed again last night. Again, three times. He represents that. I spurned your advances because I thought they were the infatuation of a noble Lady with her barbarian protector. I see now I was correct. As soon as someone else far more mysterious than I appears, you drop me like a hot potato. Except this one isn’t just from another country, is he? A whole other race, and a vampire to boot. Wings? Not a problem. You’re lost in feeling.” I was completely shocked again by his words.

”I am sorry for you lost Sean MacLaurn, but Darek has nothing to do with this. You never failed. He asked me to dance and we danced, and then you come up, injured no doubt and throw a punch for nothing!”

[/color] My own eyes now held the harsh tone as my sister’s held and my voice was sharp as well. I looked him dead in the eyes, nothing in my eyes but care and kindness, but also a stern gaze. ”I did nothing more then dance with him and eat dinner.”[/color] I said to him, before hearing what sounded like blades hitting and I turned my head to see Turin and Darek, sparing. I smiled widely and then looked back at Sean. ”Pull yourself up, Sean… You have no reason to think you have failed, when you have not.”[/color] I said, before turning to the sparing ring and walking over there.

----- ----- ----- ----- -----

I had been out in the stables, talking with some other knights before they went out to patrol the city. ”With no military leadership, it is up to us to step up and work harder… And we…” The notice of his knights looking past him caused me to look as well. I nodded to Darek for a moment to indicate I had seen him and then returned to the men. ”And, you need to check in hourly and tell me what is going on. If I am not here, then return to what you were doing and return later. If you are doing something when that hour comes, continue and come back in the second hour.”[/color] The men nodded to me and grabbed their horses before heading out. ”Hello Darek.”[/color] I said to him, before we went into discussion of war and such.

It was after this, he asked if I would like to train with him in the sparring field, to make sure skills did not leave and everything was good. I nodded in agreement and we headed out, still speaking of course of the previous conversation. I stopped a few times to speak to some guards and told them to be on high alert and to not dare slack off. It did not take long after that to get to the field, which was also being used by many other people, mostly young soldiers who still needed training. I noted that Sean was speaking with Leilani and his men were near there, but as Darek and I had planned, we went to the sparring ring. I was ready to have a bit of fun. ”Are you ready? Or would you like to stretch before we start. It is never a bad thing after all." I smiled slightly, laughing a deep laugh before shaking my head. ”Worked out hours ago, I am good to go.”[/color] I said, laughing slightly and pulling out my own sword, which had been made by a great craftsman.

I looked to the sounds of shouting, only to ensure everything was okay and then turned my attention back to Darek, I took a strong stance and waited for a moment. Soon, the fighting began, our weapons hit and we were moving quickly. I knew the ring, which gave me a slight advantage and everyone had moved to give us room for this sparring match. ”I also asked you here because I do not wish the world to hear what I am about to tell you Turin. Knight to knight, I tell you this.” I nodded, knowing the sound of steel on steel would drown out the sound of his voice and only I would be able to here. ”And honor bound I shall answer any questions you have of me, and any quests you demand I do." I nodded swiftly, understanding and prepared to hear his request or possible what he wanted me to know. ”I have feelings for your sister, and would wish to court her.” I was surprised by this, but I did not move my head to look at her, kept my eyes on him, but moving in time to keep his blade from hitting my plated chest. ”I ask you, for I know you are the least judgmental, and will think your options through instead of just denying me for my race." I understood his reasoning quickly. My sister would have had him killed, but the thought was slightly outrages.

Darek, I could tell was a good man, so I did not see a complete problem, but I knew he was different, a vampire and someone who could put my sister in danger, but he was a ally and someone that over the past few days, I had learned to trust in a way. He was smart and he knew what he was doing and he was a true gentleman. ”Well… I am… Slightly shocked to hear that you have interest in my younger… Sister… I must say though, I will not allow you to court her with ease, I may have you helping me some… Just minor things.”[/color] He laughed slightly. He knew the man was from Ilirea, where the riders were, people he did admire, but very secretly and if one mentioned the riders, he quickly bashed them. ”And I am guessing that she likes you aswell?”[/color] I asked, hearing something, but not moving my own head to look.
[/blockquote][/blockquote]

Gonna take it slow babe, Do it my way
Keep your eyes on me. Your reaction
To my action is what I want to see
Rhythmic motion, Raw emotion
Infiltrating through, Sweet sensations
Hot temptations, Coming over you

’word count one. three. nine. seven.
’tagged Sean MacLaren and Darek Von Cleft
’song Come on Closer--! Jem
’post status done
’template creator nayeli

[/size]

[dantieduurden]

Darek was only to happy to begin as Turin told him that he was ready. Taking out his twin katanas he placed them off to the side and lifted the tow scabbards. " I have been trained by the riders and both of us know humans and elfs have a small advantage over each other. And thus I shall only use my scabbards so that it shall not be as painful." Darek said as he let a mage cast spells around the two scabbards. Once the mage was done, Darek lunged.

His left hand led with a powerful thrust, while his right came down in a downward slash at turins chest. Quickly retreating back, only to lunge himself again at the man. Back and forth they went talking all the time to one another,. Over there speech he could hear Leilani speaking to Sean but of what he did not know. And afraid to turn his eyes away for a second from Turin for the man had an extremely good amount of skill with his chosen weapon.

”Well… I am… Slightly shocked to hear that you have interest in my younger… Sister… I must say though, I will not allow you to court her with ease, I may have you helping me some… Just minor things.” He heard Turin say as once again he jumped away from him, circling him slowly as the two warriors gauged the other, then he lunged both scabbards at turins chest, before fainting and letting his left drop to turins knee. " Any deed would not be enough to court her. But I shall help you where it is needed. But I can not stay for fear of others finding out about this before you and your family wish to announce it. I do not wish her honor being shamed, thus the only help I may give will be from far away. Though if I am given reasons to come back here, I can easily do so." Darek sad retreating as the last words left his lips. Soon though he launched back into the battle and heard Turin speak to him. " I shall not lie, wether she loves me or not I do not know, but yes she dose show intrest in me from what I can see." Darek said as he let his scabbards defend himself from the lead attack Turin now took. " For a human you are holding up well." Darek said with a laugh. He was having much fun with Leilanis brother and hoped here friendship would only get better.

[phrostphyre]

Sean stood and watched as Leilani left. He grinned once her back to him was turned and she was firmly entrenched in her new dislike of him. When he died in battle, she wouldn’t feel as bad as if she still thought that she loved him. It might seem cruel to some, but to Sean, it was merely the cost of his life. Her love might at least warm someone who could love her back. He wiped the grin off of his face and began moving back to the Kill house. He got his seax and sword, and then buckled them on. Shirt went on, and then Sean was moving once more, this time back to Leilani’s side. He studiously ignored her older brother and her secret admirer, pretending not to notice them other than a nod to Turin.

The other man was fast with his two curved swords, but against a man using a sword and dirk, he would stand no chance. Tangle the two swords up with your own, then drive downwards with the dirk, destroying a shoulder. The opponent won’t be using that arm ever again, and then just use your sword to brute force your way in to get the killing blow with the dirk. Sean’s face showed nothing of what he had just run through, based on a minute of this Darek’s fighting style. Fast and loose, but it left him open in spots that Turin couldn’t take advantage of because Darek was there in his face, with his dual swords. Two swords were disdained among the Gaels as too unwieldy. The shield was accepted, as you could protect another with it. Sean was a member of the Cogadh faolchu, or War Wolves. They fought with shield, dirk, or in Sean’s case, seax, and sword. Spears were used in single combat for ritual or honor purposes, but that was it. Sean was pleased that this man would fall before the War Wolf style of fighting, even accounting for his inhuman speed, strength, and reflexes.

[Nayeli]

’introducing
{leilani richards*}
featuring--! Turin Richards ---! ---!
Come on closer, I wanna show you
What I'd like to do, You sit back now
Just relax now, I'll take care of you
Hot temptations, Sweet sensations
Infiltrating through, Sweet sensations
Hot temptations, Coming over you

I looked at Turin for a moment as I got closer, glancing back at Sean as he went to get his things before I stopped at a small fence that protected those who just wanted to watch. Many who tried just watched for the most part, of the royals like myself. I could not hear what was being spoken for the most part, but some of it I did, but it was hard to completely understand. I noticed that Sean was back at my side and I glanced at him. ”They are both very good… Turin is fearless… Darek… He is something else.”

[/color] I smiled, touching the ribbon on my wrist softly with my fingers.

I could tell my brother was not here to kill, just train and it was probably a good thing. I did not want either of them dead or hurt before me. I could tell they were talking, possible about me from the smile that I had seen on my brother’s face for a split moment. He had just gotten hit in the knee, I had see him wince, but he was once again moving away. Darek had moved back himself, but he was going forward once again at my brother and I watched carefully.

My brother was smiling, sometimes, I swore I heard a laughter that came from his lips. I glanced up at Sean once again and then back at my brother who had glanced at me and then was back into the fight.

----- ----- ----- ----- -----

People were watching as soon as we stepped into the training area. Everyone knew of my training and how well I was trained. I had fought many people, both in events and to protect myself. ”I have been trained by the riders and both of us know humans and elfs have a small advantage over each other. And thus I shall only use my scabbards so that it shall not be as painful." I smiled at Darek for a moment. I knew very well of the skills elves had and knew better of the skills that older elves possessed. They were fast and he was a vampire, which meant, he was possible faster then that. ”Thank you sir… I would not want to fall in the training arena.”[/color] I chuckled, allowing the mage to do the same to mine. I did not want to kill anyone, not today, and Darek was not here to kill.

As soon as we were done, Darek lunged and I met his sword with my own, glancing it off to the side and moving quickly left to go down at him, but he easily blocked. It was constant hitting of metal, so far, no skin had been touched. I could hear a few whispers to the edge of our fighting area, but I ignored them with ease. As I slashed at him, he moved back, away from me, but then lunged at me with his swords. I went to the left, but I felt the pain of being hit with a blunted object and winced slightly, but I did not fall, merely moved back and looked at the man. ”Any deed would not be enough to court her. But I shall help you where it is needed. But I can not stay for fear of others finding out about this before you and your family wish to announce it. I do not wish her honor being shamed, thus the only help I may give will be from far away. Though if I am given reasons to come back here, I can easily do so." I smiled slightly

The man was persistent and I liked it. I had stolen a glance towards my sister and I had seen her and Sean standing there. I could tell by the way she looked at Darek that she did like him a lot. ”I shall not lie, weather she loves me or not I do not know, but yes she dose show interest in me from what I can see." I smiled slightly as I sent a strike at him. ”Well, I thank you for not wanting to shame her, that I give you great thanks… And from what I can tell in those green eyes show holds… Those eyes that remind me so much of elf, I can see much interest from where I stand fighting you.”[/color] I said to him quickly.

”For a human you are holding up well." I chuckled lightly, nodding. ”Well, I am happy you agree…”[/color] He sent another strike at the man, moving as quickly as he could to at least land a hit, but so far, he had only gotten ahold of metal with his own.
[/blockquote][/blockquote]

Gonna take it slow babe, Do it my way
Keep your eyes on me. Your reaction
To my action is what I want to see
Rhythmic motion, Raw emotion
Infiltrating through, Sweet sensations
Hot temptations, Coming over you

’word count seven. eight. four.
’tagged Sean MacLaren and Darek Von Cleft
’song Come on Closer--! Jem
’post status done
’template creator nayeli

[/size]

[dantieduurden]

Darek was aware of being dissected in his fighting style as he went back and forth with Turin and knew right away who it was when he felt Leilani’s gaze on him. But this did not bother him, he had studied many different forms of combat, and could use any weapon in combat, the only kind he had not ever been able to fully understand was the one of the Islands. Though he had read the text, that could do little for someone who wished to master all forms of the art, and so he put on his best so for the man on the outskirts of the ring watching.

“ And I would not wish to ever see you fall.” Darek replied as they continued there dance of blade against blade. Soon Darek felt the sting of his scabbard on Turins knee and knew he had hit, quickly he jumped back, to give him both a second to compose himself without any other knowing, and to make sure he had not done o much damage. When he was happy with what he saw he threw himself back into there dance. Neither landing a blow after words. ”Well, I thank you for not wanting to shame her, that I give you great thanks… And from what I can tell in those green eyes show holds… Those eyes that remind me so much of elf, I can see much interest from where I stand fighting you.” Darek heard the words and in that split second was hit in the right hand. Before the blade could do any damage he dropped his scabbard to the ground, now only using the one in his left. “ Very good indeed.” Darek said with a grin. As he took on a completely different style of fighting. He had seen turins fighting style and could now pick it apart as he adjusted his own to that which would best Turins. From retreating he now matched Turin blade for blade, never giving an inch, only moving forward towards the man, blocking every thrust the man made. “ What is it you would need my help with?” Darek asked Turin as he kept close to the man now, he did not any to overhear what Turin next said.