The sun hung high in the air, the heat beat down, and a cool wind would blow across the Salquedor grasslands every minute or so. In the Outdoor Training Arena was where most grunts and complaints could be found, the complaints of the students, working endlessley in the sun, praying for each wind to come sooner. Although he didn't exactly participate in the training that much, Aduro was found here, mostly resting on some empty supply crates. He looked up to the sun, maybe that was one that he thought too small when he was going to end it's burning. He let out a sigh as a student came up to him with a sword at the ready. Yep, Aduro could see it in the kid's eyes, he hated the lack of work that Aduro was doing. "C'mon kid, I have enough problems without having to see your ugly mug." Silex said annoyingly as he laid further down. The student took his sword in both hands and began to swing it down. It didn't take long before Aduro had his claws mounted, and the blade stopped on the claws. "If you think you can really take me on, than consider yourself lucky that I'll let you live!" He shouted before sweeping his attacker's legs from beneath him. "Pathetic!" Aduro shouted as he stood and walked away.

He walked on a bit until he reached the dual arna, inside where to fighters, their blades clashed together, Aduro just stood and watched as the swung their blades around, it seemed so foolish, already he could see at least ten points open up on the opponent with a single strike, apparently so did the other fighter who quickly took the opening but did not cause any real harm to the opponent. Aduro applauded the victor and approached him. "Not too bad, how about you try somebody with a bit more skill though. I'm Aduro Silex, and I bet you say... a hundred gold that I could beat you in a fight." He chuckled a bit as he said this, but it wasn't all he was to say, "And, I won't even use a lick of magic!" He walked back to a good position and prepared for combat, hopefully his opponent would not disappoint.

Thomas too was in the training area. Deciding to brush up on his swordsmanship with some play fighting as he called it. Nothing serious enough to get upset about if he won or lost, but enough to get him back in shape for the battle field. Winter had come and gone and spring was here so it was time to work again. He'd have to train some to get back on his 'A game' as it were. So he spent all morning and into the day sparring with many greenhorn swordsman and some even better than him. Winning losing it was all fun and games to him. A few harmless bets of ten gold here fifteen there, no skin off his back. Nature shall provide everything he needed.

"Feet apart! Sword straighter! He called to the young man he'd been tutoring for some two hours. The boy was good but asked Thomas to help him learn more so he did, for a menial sum of five gold that the boy offered, Thomas accepted and taught him a easy to learn style by the best way possible. Using it on him.

Some minutes passed and the two conversed and exchanged blows and Thomas pointed things out. Finally they engaged in a almost unfair fight. Steel met steel and the boy opened himself once too many, Thomas downed him with an under armed swipe. "Lesson over. Good job.. but you can't always win." he said as he helped the boy up, his wounded pride and a few bruises the only damage he made off for something to drink.

Thomas then noticed that the fellow had been talking to him. "Oh? A hundred gold? That's a little too steep for my blood. Let's make it fifty." he said as he wiped himself off with his wadded cloak that he sat back down on the bench nearby. He'd never faught a claw user, it'd be a learning experience. He spun his blade in hand to the left then right side and took a mid level guarding stance. with the blade held pointward to his challener. "After you." he said with a smile.

Aduro huffed a bit as he watched his opponent take his stance, this wasn't going to be easy if Aduro was lcuky. He was prepared to see what this man had to offer, and his hopes were that the man would not back down. Silex backed up a bit and began to circle. He was trying to find a good time and place too attack. Upon further inspection this man seemed to be a true fighter, somebody who wouldnt let up. "Know this, no child games! We fight until one is unconcious or one forfeits! And I don't drop a battle!" Aduro had to warn his opponent, it was only fair. He chuckled a bit when he finally stopped moving around. Okay, he was ready. he once again took his stance before charging, now his opponent knew what kind of damage to expect, or at least a sensable humanoid would.

He could feel his muscles loosen and tighten as he began to charge his opponent from across the arena. The muscles yearned for this moment, his arms reached out in front of him, ready to attack, he could feel his heart thudding againstthe inside of his chest. His eyes shot open as the adrenaline rushed through his body. His mind raced with battle tactics. He could see himelf charging his opponent with relentless force. He brought the claws close to his body before springing them forward at his opponent, he was aiming for the thigh, he could have chosen a vital point, but what fun would that be? He stopped breathing for the time it took for him to make his way to his opponent. He could barley feel the sand that he kicked into the air as his body leaned into the blow. Finally, his arm sprung forward, accompanied by a roar.

Thomas snorted as the man spoke again. "I apologize now then.." he grinned playfully. "For knocking you out." a good bluff if it was one at all. Mayhaps or not. He countered the circling, staying with his front toward his opponents. "Oh.. and it's Thomas. Thomas Falcone.. don't forget it." he said with a wink. The ranger was arrogant or just very playful? Neither. Confident in his swordsmanship, even against an unknown enemy.

He watched him, his breath was metered to a dull throb of huffs. Something to keep him a step ahead of Aduro. He wouldn't strike until the fellow was wide open and that wouldn't be too far away.

Breath in.
He charged.
Breath out.
Faster his opponent ran, wild eyes set on Thomas.
Breath in.
Almost there. The steel of the claws flashed light over his thighs as he dove.
Breath out.

Thomas whipped away from the frontal dive attack and provided his opponent with nothing but air and open space, while in the same movement his hands tightly gripped the handle of his blade he raised it, turned the flat end down and just as the head of Aduro passed his right leg with all his might he swung the flat of his two handed blade downward toward the back of his head, hoping to knock him unconscious or at the least to the ground.

Swiftly, pure instinct Aduro dropped through the air, not meeting the ground while near his opponent. He shot through the air and landed about a half yard away from his opponent. The air had become light, he rolled when he hit the ground, catching himself on his feet and quickly standing in his battle stance. "Aduro Silex." He said with a smile. "And I'd say that was a good warmp-up." He seemed to dance a bit in place as he prepared for another strike. Okay, c'mon! He thought to himself as he readied his blade for another strike. In that move he paid close attention to his enemy's movements, they were swift and strong moevements. As Aduro suspected, his enemy was not new to fighting. He took a shallow breath and stopped breathing, no frontal assaults would work. He could see that several students had gathered to see the fight, an inevitability of fighting. He let out a breath of air that seemed to spark.

His muscles moved in a swift unison, charging his opponent. It seemed at first to be a repeat of his last move until he stopped and spun just outside of his enemies range, he had to do a quickl calculation of the sword's length and his enemies so he wouldn't know for sure. he followed the spin by a quick push away from his enemy. It was a taunt, mainly rogues did this to annoy their opponents. He was hoping to throw off Thomas' perspective of him.

[Roleplay Retconned. If you don't understand I apologize.]