A faint breeze moved across the grassland, sending the grasses swaying gently. Where there was bare ground, it picked up grit and dust, sending it to pile up against anything solid that got in the way. The breeze also tugged at the light brown stands of Shelendri's hair, sending it dancing. She could feel the breeze against the back of her neck and her sweaty face. It brought some relief, but she couldn't enjoy it. She shifted the stance slightly, eyeing off her target. She'd been trying to get this right for the last hour, and now she was sure she would be able to do it.
Shifting slightly again, she pushed off, heading in fast. Bringing the hilt of her sword up above eye-level, she plunged the point into her target quickly and then follwed with a kick. There was a satisfying thunk when her boot met the target.
Stepping back, she surveyed the damage. The straw dummy she had been using as a target looked rather worse for wear, with quite a bit of it now scattered on the ground. Her sword stuck out of its chest, and the place where her boot had collected it looked rather pushed in. Pleased, she pulled her sword out of it. She'd finally gotten the move worked out.
Moving away from the straw dummy, she headed for the shade cast by a nearby tree. Reaching it, she dropped her sword onto the ground and then flopped down onto her back beside it. Taking in a deep lungful of air, she let out a sigh. In the land of her birth, she had never trained this hard. The skills she'd been born with had been enough. But these lands held much more danger and she need more to be able to protect herself.
A beam of sunlight came down through the tree's canopy and fell on her sword. Looking at it, she saw that the sunlight was on the eagle motif near the hilt. Shelendri sighed and rested her hand against the leather above it. The motif had been her father's. When he had been killed, the sword had passed on to her. Before it had been, she'd never thought of herself as a warrior. Now, she didn't know.

(That was a mean trick, theres no free stuff :'( ...lol mind if i jump in?)

Standing in the fields of the Salquedor Grasslands, Heroki looked ahead to the Outdoor Training Arena. Already he knew that he would be spending a good deal of time here. This was the type of place where he was bound to find someone you could challenge his skills as a swordsman. Walking he continued to keep an eye on his sroundings. Though he wasn't expecting any trouble he didn't like to drop his guard anyway.

A gentle breeze blew past him as he walked through the entrance. He could see dozens of people coming and going. Any of them looked like they could prove to be a challenge. As he continued looking around for someone to practice with his eyes came upon a girl training with a sword on a straw dummy. It looked as if she knew what she was doing but was having difficulties with one thing in particular. As he watched he found that he skills with a sword weren't that bad at all, perhaps... He tossed the idea out of his mind for a moment and continued to watch. A few minutes later it seemed as if she had been able to do what she had wanted and she stopped to rest under a tree. Watching for a moment he decided to confront her. Walking up to her he laid his katana beside him and sat on the opposite side of a tree.

"Your pretty good with that sword, after your done resting would you like to test your skills against mine." Heroki asked. As he waited for a response he reached for his katana and holding it in front of him he pulled it out slightly looking at the blade. It was in perfect condition.

He wanted to rest it had been a good days practice he moved under the trees, he noticed a lady practicing, he watched from the shadows, his face completely hidden by his hood, the move she preformed was incredible, it was preformed perfectly. He watched as she went into the shadows the light bouncing off her sword, another man came up and issued a challenge, this should get interesting he thought. He moved closer. He was planning a nice surprise, make this fight a bit more challenging than it all ready was. If he did it at the right time he should be able to cause quite a fight

Shelendri had closed her eyes and was watching the dance of light and shadow over her eyelids, letting her body recharge itself, when a male voice sounded on the other side of the tree, issuing her with a challenge. Her eyes snapped open and she sat up, her hand firmly on the grip of the sword. Forcing herself to relax, she looked around the tree. There he was, examining his katana. She frowned. No one had ever challenged her to fight with swords before. Well, one boy when she had been a kid had, but that didn't count.
She moved so the her back was against the tree, still on her side of it. She looked up at the canopy of the tree. Should she take up this challenge? Was she even ready for it. She smiled to herself. There was no better way to find out than to test herself. She spoke over her shoulder to him. "All right then, if that's what you'd like." Her body had recovered, so she stood up and walked over to the centre of the ring, where the dummy stood. Turning back to him, she tilted her head. "Well, come on then." She kept her grip light, but firm, with the sword's tip pointed to the ground. She felt a rush of excitement flow through her. She'd never really fought anyone with her sword before. This would be fun. "My name's Shelendri, by the way. It seems only polite that we tell each other our names."

Sitting under the tree it was a few moments before he got a response from the woman he has asked for a challenge. "All right then, if that's what you'd like." As she got up he continued to sit there looking over his katana. Though he had already seen that it was in perfect condition he couldn't help but look over it one more time. He had had the katana for so long it would be hard to imagine life without it. He hadn't realized that he had been absent minded for so long because soon enough the woman spoke again, "Well, come on then."

Standing up but still behind the tree he stepped out from behind it katana in hand. He noticed that the woman though already in position seemed a little on edge. He put the idea out his mind it wasn't as if it was important anyway. Holding his katana in his left hand he and the sheath in the other. Though the sheath was strong enough to use as a weapon he dropped it thinking it would be best not to use it since she only had one blade like him. As he stood there ready for the fight for the third time she spoke, "My name's Shelendri, by the way. It seems only polite that we tell each other our names."

Hiroki smiled a bit. It had been a long time since he had met someone who actually had manners. "Wow, beautiful and polite, my name is Hiroki Hayate." He stood there a little bit longer then spoke again, "Ready whenever you are, make a move."

Shelendri considered him. Normally, at this point in a fight or at some time in the near future, she would go to her shape shifting skills. But for this fight, she would only use them as a last resort. If she couldn't fight with her blade well enough not to need her shape shifting, or her magic, what good was it to have it with her? This blade had been made for battle, not show. But that didn't mean she had to fight like everyone else.
Pushing the swords tip into the ground, she used it to balance on. Lifting both legs into the air, she kicked out at his shoulder. She didn't really expect the kick to touch him, the move had mostly been to confuse him. Then, as her feet landed back on the ground, she pulled her sword up and made a fast slash at his side. She made sure not to over extend herself. It would do her no good to land a blow, then leave herself open to his counteract.

Hiroki stood there as Shelendri. Taking the tip of the blade she stabbed the ground, then balancing on the sword she attempted to kick him in the upper body area. Reacting quickly he stepped to the side and allowed her to pass by him. He was thinking of attack at that moment but as soon as she had landed she was already attacking again, this time with her blade to his side. This time trying step away from it wouldn't be to wise. Doing the same thing twice was never good but doing so this time would leave him open for again another attack. He would never get in an attack himself if that kept up.

Turning the back to the attack that was coming to his side it now came at his back. Then with his katana he lifted it high above his head with both hands then tilted it back to the blade lined up with his back. Right when he was in position the two blades collided with a clang. For a moment they stood there blades frozen. Now it was his turn to act.

Since her blade was still there he began to move his blade back to the upward position above his head still holding it with both his hands. As he did he pushed her blade along with it. He didn't stop with it above his head however he continued to keep it moving till the blade was in front of him again holding it in ready position. His sword was still between her blade and himself. Trying to catch her off guard he pushed her sword away and as he took one hand off the katana and attacked her torso area with an upward diagonal slash.

Shelendri found his move impressive. It showed that she was fighting someone who knew what they were doing. Which was good. It meant she would have a challenge. She saw his move and quickly shifted her feet. Bringing her blade around, she parried his blow, letting the blades hold crossed for a moment. Then she quickly moved her blade along his, up over the tip and down the other side. Then she made a faint at his shoulder, followed by another at his hip, then followed by the real strike, a blow at the tip of his other shoulder. After all, she didn't want to really hurt him. What would be the fun in that. And she would be able to continue fighting him if she'd aimed for his head and the blow had landed. And just to make things more interesting, she kicked out at his knees.

As his attack was parried he continued to try and come up with a way to get the upper hand. But all he could focus on was the fact that he was open to any and all attacks. He had to steady himself before he took a hit. Getting into position again he went to defend the attack coming for his shoulder. He had planed on putting more force into the block to push it away but her blade didn't even strike his as it moved back and then went for his hip. Again he tried to defend the blow by pushing her blade away but once again the attack didn't come all the way. He tried to think of what was happening. She was either worried about causing any harm or these attacks were meant to destract him from the real one. And when that one came he had thought it was another decoy. He was about to attack at the same time when he saw that the attack wasn't stopping like the other ones. With no time to bring his katana up to defend himself he did his best to move out of the way of the attack. The blade cut though his shirt but luckily only scratched his shoulder. Not enough to really hurt but enough to draw a little blood.

He didn't have time to dwell on the blow however as soon after she aimed a kick for his knees. Though he hadn't expect an attack like that he was able to avoid it by jumping over it. Once again his turn to act, he thought of using his speed to overcome her but at the moment he choose not to. After all she hadn't used any type of skill other then her sword why should he use that much speed. using his sword he knocked her blade to the side and went for the arm she was holding her sword in with a stab. He didn't apply enough force to go though her arm but enough to go part way in if it had landed. Right after wanting to keep up the attack he twirled around and went for her ankle on the opposite side she was holding her sword.

Michaleson watched from his position observing every move carefully, planning his move carefully, he jumped down from the tree and hid behind it moving carefully forward not to be noticed by the two fighting, the lady seemed to have more skill, so he decided his move would be on the other, he saw the perfect opportunity when the male made an attack he jumped in hoping to catch the hilt of his sword on his arm hoping it would disarm him..

Hiroki was in the middle of attacking his opponent and she hadn't even responded to the attacks when he felt as though he were being watched. As second later though he saw another quick movement. He didn't want to take his mind off the fight but not doing so might be even more of a risk. After all the fight he was in though challenging didn't depend on his life. And he had no idea what was making the other movement.

Taking his eyes away from the fighting he looked to where he had sen the movement. He almost didn't have time to react to the attack that was coming his way. He knew that in his normal speed the attack would land but at least he had a trick up his sleve that the attacker hadn't seen yet. Stopping his attacks on Shelendri he used his blurring speed to avoid the attack completely. Moving so fast that neither of them could see him much at all he appeared again behind the new opponent, his katana already at his neck. "So what do we have here some sort of assassin?" He remarked. Pressing the blade closer to his neck he spoke again, "Well speak up or I'll remove your head."

Shelendri saw the point of her opponent's sword decending toward her sword arm. She reacted on instinct. Jerking her sword arm out of the way, her other can up to sheild herself. She felt a stab of pain in the back of her left forearm, and then a kick at her ankle. Tripping, she stumbled back and fell on her behind. That would have been a perfect opportunity for Hiroki to win, but his attention was taken away from her. She was about to regain her feet, when he moved with a speed she'd never seen. And then he was standing with his sword at the throat of an unknown man. Shelendri couldn't help but let out an awed breath. Lucky for her she hadn't used his speed on her. But then, she hadn't used her shape shifting, so that might lend something to his reason.
Setting her sword aside, she held her wounded arm and stood. The wound wasn't a very bad one, but unfortuneately for her her ability with healing magic wasn't much, as of yet. She would be able to help it a bit, but she'd have to trust her body to do most of the healing.
She turned her attention to the stranger. What kind of man attacked someone caught up in a fight. The answer came to her easily. Someone up to no good. She moved closer and frowned at the stranger. "What's your game? You had no business interupting. Or attacking either of us while we were occupied, for that matter."

"bad decisions are made, this seems to do one of them". He looked around for means of escape. he had to possible ways to get out of this, he could bluff or apologies, the first seemed a better option, [/B]"I was testing your reflexes, I am not assassin, if I was I would have aimed for a better place your head, you should release me now those guards don't look to happy" he bluffed, staring over the man shoulder he saw the lady also there looking very unhappy I had interrupted the fight.

Hiroki stood there with his katana to the mans neck as he spoke. "I was testing your reflexes, I am not assassin, if I was I would have aimed for a better place your head, you should release me now those guards don't look to happy"

Thinking about it for a moment he didn't remember seeing guards when he had walked in but then again he might have just missed them. Either way he had delt with guards in the past before and he didn't care much for keeping them happy. Not knowing or caring enough to look behind him for the guards he spoke again, "Like I care if the guards are happy or not, I've delt with them before, I can handle them." Keeping in mind that he wasn't alone he thought of something else. Keeping his attention on the stranger he spoke this time to Shelendri, "Is he speaking the truth about the guards?"

Hiroki thought about the situation he was in. Though in the past he had delt with many guards he didn't want to bring all that back again. He wasn't sure what to do with this man. Killing him wasn't an option but did he really want to just let him walk away to attack him again or someone else. I guess theres nothing to do but wait for either one of the others to speak up.

he laughed, "your not going to kill me the guards are coming and your attracting a large crowd of watchers"he bluffed, he was hoping to distract him long enough so he could make his next move, he laughed again, " go on then, if you just remain here there going to get you" he bluffed, he looked towards the lady "what are you going to do just stand there, he was going to kill you, you can see it in his eyes" he said to the lady. He turned to look down at the man starring into his eyes.

Shelendri raised a brow at the stranger. "Oh really? And you could see his eyes from where you were behind him." She glanced behind Hiroki, and then shook her head. "There aren't any guards coming, nor is there a crowd gathering. Our friend here is lying, most likely trying to bluff his way out of the situation." She frowned at the stranger and steped closer. "What are we going to do with you? If we let you go, you could try to attack either of us again. But we probably can't kill you, either." She looked over at Hiroki. "I say we tie him up someplace. He's bound to be able to free himself before he straves to death, but by the time he's free, we'll have been long gone and he won't be able to come after us. But it's up to you. He's your captive." She looked down at her injury and flexed the fingers of her left hand. It hurt a bit, but not too much. She placed her right hand over the wound and used what skill she had to stop the bleeding and mend some of the flesh.

"do I look like an assassin?" he asked, he could feel the sweat running down the back of his neck, he was running out of bluffs, then an idea came to him [B]"I think I am going to be sick" , he grabbed his stomach and fell backwards onto the floor. He hit the ground with a hard thump and pain spread though his back, he curled up clutching his stomach, he closed his eyes and screwed them up tight. If this bluff worked he might just get away Scot free, if it didn't he had one last trick up his sleeve...

Hiroki listened as the stranger exchanged words, he didn't pay too much attention till Shelendri spoke to him again, "I say we tie him up someplace. He's bound to be able to free himself before he starves to death, but by the time he's free, we'll have been long gone and he won't be able to come after us. But it's up to you. He's your captive"

Hiroki thought about it for a moment. She was right with both not letting him go unpunished and not killing him. As he continued to think of weather or not to tie him up he spoke again, "I think I am going to be sick" he stated before doubling over and felling to the ground clutching his stomach. Looking down at the man it seemed pretty pathetic. He was sure that this was another bluff but he had grown tired to trying to deal with him. He had taken enough time trying to deal with him any way, Finally sure of what he was going to do he acted. With his sword in had he quickly slashed the mans arm as he laid there. Not deep enough to do major damage but enough to possibly leave a scar if not treated quickly. Finished he spoke to the stranger.

"I' knew your faking down there but at the moment I really don't care anymore. I wont tie you up but I'll be keeping an eye one you while your here. You attack ANYONE again and you'll get far worse then that slash, understand!"

He felt a sharp sting and pain shot though his arm he realized he had attacked him there was a warm trickle of blood flowing down his arm, his arms were numb but he could still fight he stumbled to his feet and grabbed his sword, he acted like he was putting it away then started to move forward as to leave but as he passed the ,am he swung his sword out at his chest with strength to cause a nasty wound he might be able to take him out then deal with the girl without the interference of fighting both at once.

Shelendri saw the attack the stranger made against Hiroki a second before it happened. Moving once again on instinct, she crossed her forarms in front of her and shouted the word 'Balla'. As a response to her move, the air between the two men whipped up into a wall of wind. The stranger's sword bounced off of it and Shelendri reached out and took hold of his arm. Her eyes held on intense expresion when they met his. "That's enough. If you keep this up, you'll give us no other option other than to kill you. Take the defeat and walk away. This isn't worth your life." Then she let go of his arm and stepped back.

It happened in a flash he barley noticed it happened until the lady was next to him "That's enough. If you keep this up, you'll give us no other option other than to kill you. Take the defeat and walk away. This isn't worth your life." she said he leered down at here, he realized that he had made a bad choice here but, he had an idea " you were having a duel, how about I duel both of you together we might learn something" he said while he sheathed his sword. He hoped he could make up for his mistakes, but deep down he knew they wouldn't accept his challenge.

Shelendri shook her head at his challenge and went closer to Hiroki. "No. Even if I wanted to, my arm's injured, and I basically don't want to fight you." With that she went over to where her sword was and picked it up. Checking it for nicks, she resheathed it. Her left arm was throbbing like a bad tooth, but not from the wound she'd suffered. Hiroki's sword was made out of steele, and all steele has iron in it. Being a druid, she always reacted to coming into contact with iron. She'd been lucky that the contact had been quick, and hadn't robbed her of her magic.
She met Hiroki's gaze. "It's up to you. But I wouldn't fight him if I was you. He doesn't seem to have any honour, and men without honour can't be trusted to fight fair. He probably has a knife hidden up one of his sleeves."