the walk about or rather ride about? (jamsieboy)

[Liitha]

Liitha had been dead bored for the last few weeks, coming back to Tar Valon had not been all what she had thougt it would even if she had made some new aquaintances. Thus was the reason she was now once again stuffing her sadlebags, the travel through the borderlands had made her hungry for more and she now intended to go for a longer travel seeing the rest of the world, to visit those places she had yet to see. She had another goal too, to learn more about figthingstyles, to studyt those of difrent places.

 

Closing her door behind her she walked down to the stables where her mare awaited her, fastening the bags to the sadle she hung her whip at the rigth side and then swung up. Manuvering her mare out of the yard and into the city she rode towards the harbour. She had found a boat yesterday that would bring her down to the sea of storms. She lead Yazi on board the boat herself, the mare had goten used to much considering her young age and followed without hesitation to Liithas relif.

 

In the weeks to come Liitha would keep to herself on the boat, practising in the sun untill the sweat ran so as to keep from becoming rusty. Though she was glad when she once again could set foot on soil at the landing in Tear. Avoiding the rush of the city by staying to alleys she would leave that day to camp in the moonshine come nigth. The next morning she would bathe in the sea and roast fish for breakfast before geting in the sadle, she kept close to the sea often riding by the beach untill she reached Ebou Dar and from there she started riding into the land heading towards Tarabon, she would send some reports about what she picked up as she closed to almoth plain.

 

That however was for later as she made up camp off from the a few miles past the border of Amadicia, she kept it a cold camp not wanting to atract the notice from the children, though with keeping her clothes anonymouse she hoped she'd not have any troubles with them. Combing twigs out of her long hair she started braiding it as she prepared for seteling in for the nigth.

[Wayfarer]

"You know I think you liked that girl from the other night, admit it, you had thoughts."

 

"Clearly you did, not that thats any surprise."

 

"Oh come on, she was willing, and you didn't go for it! What is wrong with you? Are you impotent?"

 

"No! I just don't sleep with every woman I meet."

 

"Well of course you don't, you're not as good looking as me, but when its offered its there."

 

"Don't mind him, he's just sore that he was second pick."

 

Cracking a smile at the last comment from Bernd, Con was only half aware of Luca and Leon as they continued arguing. Some things remained the same, no matter what they went through it seemed. Good company, especially considering the boring nature of their mission. Out to the eastern border and back to Amador with dispatches, a boring trip as Altarans knew better than to cross the border and Amadicians knew better than take to brigandage, especially against Children of the Light.

 

It was becoming dark when Con noticed the tracks, tracks that could mean a fire already built. More importantly, they were always meant to check on people traveling the road when they could. Not only to make sure they weren't in need of assistance, but to verify they weren't a danger. It was one of the reasons that Amadicia's roads were amongst the safest to be found.

 

The lack of fire as they approached was disturbing, as was the lack of people. Naught but belongings and a horse to be found. Handing his reins over to Bernd, Con slipped from his saddle and made his way over. No signs of struggle to be found, either the person was off foraging, or they were wondering what the Children were doing here. Slowly turning as he called out, Con's voice carried its unmistakable Illianer accent as he spoke.

 

"If you be out there, we do no be meaning harm, we do be simply wishing to sharing a fire but there do be none here. Reveal yourself."

 

 

Con Stavros

Child of the Light

[Liitha]

Yazi where grasing freely the mare by now knew bether then to run off, then the mare lifted her head and the moment after Liitha could hear the soft sound of hoves against mold and leaves coming closer, droping her braid she tugged her knife that she had been sharpening earlier back into her belt as she slid slowly and silently into the forest.

 

Liitha watched the four men file into the camp and one investigating it closer, the clothes and marks on them couldnt be mistacen, even with covering her traces a patrol of children had found her. Tilting her head and closing her eyes she listended for sounds of others, laying her ear against the ground she was finaly convinced just as the man aparently in lead called out.

"If you be out there, we do no be meaning harm, we do be simply wishing to sharing a fire but there do be none here. Reveal yourself." For a brief moment she considered leaving the katanas to cause less suspicion but the priced heron blades could also be the saviour out of potential trouble and she was not apt to leave them. She entered the camp to the side of the men as quiet as she had left it, her boots made of skin made as litle sound as posible against the ground. Her new favourite clothes was those of the nature and she would probably pass as a hunter and skin trader wasnt it for the handles of the two katans standing in cross over her back picked above her shoulder. Her hair that she had started braided had loosened again and framed her face before spreading softly down her back and sides, some strands over her shoulder down to her waist.

 

"Greetings, I am afraid I have collected no firewods to build a fire, but your men are welcome to do so" she hoped a friendly attitude would keep her out of trouble not like last time when she had been runing away from them from acusations of belonging to the dark, togheter with a man who walked with wolves. However that had been long from here and the peoples difrent, she had changed a lot in the years since that as well, she had grown a softer more mature look and some weigth, not to the fat side but more than the thin girl she had once been.

[Wayfarer]

Regarding the woman carefully, her looks and the way she wore her swords, they were familiar to him. Stepping a bit closer to her it struck him why, it was one of his old Tower Guard, Liitha. From the look on her face, she had just seen past his beard and realised who he was as well. Smiling at her, he nodded "it do be agreed then. It will be good to have someone else to be listening to, we do be plagued by Luca's nattering for days. Speaking of which" Con turned to his fellow Children "who should we have fetch the firewood?"

 

The vote was unanimous, which led to a grumbling Luca making his way through the trees in search of wood to start a small fire. Laughing as Leon called out a taunt, Con turned back to Liitha. "You do be looking like you be traveling far, and those blades do be looking rather intimidating, perhaps you do be a sellsword?"

 

Tilting her head in a nod after just recognising the old face. "Thank you they are gifts from my father" she smiled, that should provide enough explanation towards that they where inherited and the herons might not be earned by her. Con would know differently and she was pleased for him not giving her away, though she wondered what he did do with the Children.

 

"Indeed? Your father do be a man of accomplishment then to be earning such herons, and do be loving you dearly enough to be letting you bear them. Perhaps you do be worthy of them? But, that is a conversation for another time perhaps. But, if you would give us a moment to unsaddle our horses, we shall continue this."

 

By the time the chore was done, Luca had returned with the firewood and a fire was soon at the centre of their camp. The meal passed with chatter, and soon jokes at Luca's expense as the man's flirting was neatly rebuffed by Liitha, leading to Leon mercilessly pounding the man verbally, with Bernd occasionally throwing in a comment.

 

Yet it was time for sleep, and Con offered to take first watch, leaving the others to catch some shut eye except Liitha. As the last one drifted off, Con motioned for her to get up and follow him away from the camp a short distance, far enough away that they could not be heard.

 

"It do be good to be seeing you again, though I do be admitting I no be expecting to find you here. What do be bringing you to Amadicia? I no be betraying you but I no be able to betray my oath to the Children either."

 

 

Con Stavros

Child of the Light

[Liitha]

Liitha took care of Yazi while the others unsadled, checking the mares hoofs and legs for scars or bites, it would not do to have her catch something or go untreated inflicting serious damages from litle wounds. Satisfied finaly with her search she stood to see that a fire had been built and joined the children by the fire.

 

Some simple rebuffs from her soon where made into jokes by the brothers of the talkative Luca. Then it was time to break up and Con offered to take the first watch, the others filed away into their blankets. Though as she rose Con motioned for her to follow, laying enough distance between them that the others wouldnt be able to hear them Con turned.

 

"It do be good to be seeing you again, though I do be admitting I no be expecting to find you here. What do be bringing you to Amadicia? I no be betraying you but I no be able to betray my oath to the Children either."

 

Liitha nodded to buy time while desciding how much to reveal to the man, "I am but passing through, taveling to see things with my own eyes as well as studying difrent figthing styles" she tilted her head, "I have no want to cause trouble but this was the shorter rute towards Tarabon" that should satisfy him enough, guards often traveled on their own on trips to learn, there where no wrong in it and only natural. She hadnt even been in the yards when Con left but on a study in the borderlands, it was but boredom who had driven her back out of the yards and onto the road again so quick.

[Wayfarer]

Nodding Con relaxed as he responded. "So you do be earning those herons yourself, I did be thinking they be Corwin's when you did be telling the story of inheriting them from your father. Where did you be thinking to be studying in particular? Tarabon for one I gather, but there usually do be at least two countries you are meant to learn from."

 

Liitha smiled as she answered "they where a gift but not inherited, and there is yet a lot of time left to take decisions on where to learn."

 

Smiling slightly in turn, Con regarded Liitha in a not unfriendly manner. "You know, if you do be wishing to learn, the Amadicians do be having alot to teach. Like the Tower Guard, the Children do be drawing recruits from all lands, and it do be creating a distinctive style of its own. My little troop do be taking time each day to be practicing with their blades, you could join us."

 

Liitha tilted her head in aceptance, it would be one style down. "That would be fine."

 

"Excellent, and while you travel with us you do be above suspicion, unless one of the inquisitors who no be liking me do be spotting us. But, that do be unlikely, hopefully. Either way, it do be time for you to be getting some rest, it do be an early start in the morning."

 

Liitha nodded, "I can take a watch, just wake me." Liitha retreated to the camp and chose to take up the way of her father for the night, taking her blankets she climbed into the nearest tree, she would feel safer off the ground sleeping. Con might say one thing but she never knew the man to well as a guard and now he was with the Children of the Light she would just trust him so far.

 

Watching Liitha make her way up the tree, Con rolled his eyes as he watched. Clearly she had spent too much time with her father, when the man had become a new Tower Guard he'd taken to the habit. Until the cold set in anyway, that and a pair of Accepted pranked him one night while he was in the open, but he never did get the full story on that. Then again, it'd been a few years until he'd actually gotten to know the man, or most people for that matter. It'd been Daren that had helped open up. Daren, yet another friend lost...

 

Shaking his head, Con turned his attention back to duty of the watch.

 

 

Con Stavros

Child of the Light

[Liitha]

Liitha slept lightly that nigth and woke early the next morning looking down on the mist on the ground, sliping out of the tree she walked into the forest looking for a stream to wash in. On her way back she would pick up some berries and herbs.

 

The day would be passed in traveling, the sun high on the sky burning, this where gonna be a hot summer and Liitha hoped autom wouldnt be late this year, it would be good if the weather could cool down a litle.

 

At midday they would stop to ligth a fire and roast some small game they shot during the day while preparing to practise.

[Wayfarer]

Con always made sure to take a few lathes when they traveled, he had a distinct aversion to using live blades for practice. He'd seen accidents, the worst he'd heard in fact was when his old mentor was run through by one of his best friends accidentally just because they were testing out new forms. He'd never seen the point in using live blades unless he intended to use them on someone. The Saldaeans had the right idea, one should never draw steel unless one meant to use it.

 

Of course, that meant someone would be missing out today, since he planned to give Liitha some instruction along the way. Better from him than someone who might possibly suspect her and turn her in. While the Children had a number of women who had taken up the blade or the crook, there were still those who felt there was something unnatural about it. Especially if the woman was remarkably good, like Liitha would undoubtedly prove.

 

And if she remembered his skills before he left the Tower Guard, she was going to be in for a shock.

 

"Alright, Bernd you no be practicing today. Do be giving your lathes to our young lady here. I do be wanting you to be watching those two instead, Leon's cross's do be slow and Luca do be favouring his left hand, which no be unusual for him." Luca's retort was lost in the barrage that Leon and Bernd unleashed on him at once as they walked away a short distance.

 

Watching as Liitha tested the weight of the lathes, Con drew his own and held it before him, disdaining the use of the shield for the moment. Lifting his lathe high, he kept it before him, ready to swing down or across, to attack or parry. "Amadicians do be favouring a high guard, this I do be thinking comes from the Children and their fondness of horses, they do be used to striking from higher up. It do be giving more weight to the blows and it do be easier to be moving the blade down to defend than it do be to be moving it up."

 

Con's left foot was leading forward, yet both legs were bent slightly, but his stance was a little more flatfooted than others. "You do be noticing that I no be forward so far, that do be because Amadician style do be less about speed and more about control and strength. Sei'Tsorovan do be tracing some of its roots to this nation, except Amadician swordplay no be having the same level of Borderlander refinement that Sei'Tsorovan do be possessing."

 

"Now do be coming at me, as I do be defending and attacking, you do be noticing the differences for yourself."

 

 

Con Stavros

Child of the Light

[Liitha]

Liitha paid attention as Con instructed and then started picking it up moving her body into stance he had shown her.

 

Con's left foot was leading forward, yet both legs were bent slightly, but his stance was a little more flatfooted than others. "You do be noticing that I no be forward so far, that do be because Amadician style do be less about speed and more about control and strength. Sei'Tsorovan do be tracing some of its roots to this nation, except Amadician swordplay no be having the same level of Borderlander refinement that Sei'Tsorovan do be possessing."

 

Liitha nodded and her lathes went up, it was sligthly odd as they wherent fitted to her but she where past the stage where that would cause her any real trouble. "Now do be coming at me, as I do be defending and attacking, you do be noticing the differences for yourself." Liitha noded and got into movement, what she found the benefit that made her chose to take up two swords was that you could use one in defence while attacing with the other, or to strike at two places at once.

 

For the starter she chose the former, beeing ready as she moved forward to need to defend herself in this strange figthing style while still beeing able to attac, as such chosing a slightly defencive route. She kept in mind that Con was far from a beginer and lightly as skilled or more then herself, it was bether to tread with cautionousness.

 

Stepping forward and knocking her attack aside as The Boar Rushes Down the Mountain, the Tower of Morning rose as Con pressed into Liitha's comfort zone. While it had been well known that he had failed his test to become a Master of Sei'Tsorovan, Liitha would quickly understand that he had changed a great deal since he had put aside the crimson cloak for the snow white.

 

Liitha backed as Con attaced with Tower of Morning, leting it slide of on the katana she had held back and out to the side with a twist to her hand in a way not ment as much for katanas as rapiers. Changing her foots she responded by picking up the pace moving into Cat on Hot Stand. It was an advanced form that she had strugled with when she first learned it, but years of practise had seen that problem gone, rather agressive as it was few men would expect it from a female, well out of the yard anyway so she didnt expect it to have the same effect on Con as on a thoug or roughian.

[Wayfarer]

Simply stepping back from the Cat on Hot Stand, forcing her to chase with Bundling Straw. Simply parries guided her blade aside, Con's movements were only the minimum necessary required to ensure he wasn't struck. Forcing her back as The Grapevine Twines or risk being disarmed, her Tower of Morning was swept to the side by the Low Wind Rising even as Con stepped forward and shoved Ata back a few paces with his free hand before she could lash out with her other lathe.

 

Lowering his lathe to signal an end to it for the moment, Con nodded at her. "You do be getting a feel for it now? Good. We do be having the road together for awhile I do be thinking, that do be plenty of time for you to be studying it. But there do be a risk, if inquisitors do be realising that you be traveling with me for a time, it do be bringing you attention you no be needing I do be thinking. It do be up to you how long you do be traveling with us, something you do be needing to be thinking on. But for now, continue."

 

Raising his guard again, Con went several more bouts with Liitha until the time for practice was done with. Packing didn't take long, and they were on the road once more. As they traveled, Con found himself wondering how long would be safe. Inquisitors did travel the roads as well after all, and neither of them needed an incident. Liitha needed to remain unknown, and Con needed no further suspicions thrown upon him as it was, inquisitors only needed an excuse.

 

But, it would all work out, the wheel wove as it did for a reason after all.

 

 

Con Stavros

Child of the Light

[Liitha]

Liitha looked at Con, their ways would separate after this meal, they where done training for the day, and it had been 2 weeks. For once again she would camp alone come evening, but it was time to move on and get out of this conuntry before she or Con got in troubles, she wherent sure how much the children knew of Con's past but she knew they whernet exactly friendly towards citicen of Tar Valon and specialy not one with the strong ties to the tower as she had.

 

She let go of Yazi's foot, there where no stones, and all looked well. Grabing her waterbotle and her lunch she walked over to join the others with a smile.

 

Seteling down she listened to the chating and threw in a coment herself now and then, though her mind was on laying out a travel route and scedule.

 

As the meal came to an end she said her good byes, though Con followed her over to the horses. "Thank you for the help, and good luck in your future life" she smiled, she hadnt known him much other then by name in the yard, over the few past weeks that had changed if not much then at least a bit. And she counted herself lucky that he had chosen to share his experinces with her. Shaking his hand she mounted and with one last glance over at the other she spured her mare into a trot and tugged the packhorse along.

[Wayfarer]

Watching Liitha ride off, Con nodded to himself. She'd been pleasant as well as good company as they traveled towards Amador, but it had been time to part ways. The thought of them meeting again in the future crossed his mind, but he doubted it. He'd made his choice, he would not serve the White Tower. She in turn would be a fool to come to Amadicia twice, and was a fool to have come once. But, fool or not, Con said a quiet prayer to the Creator to see her safe......

 

No fresh meat today.

 

A dour thought, but it wasn't as if it were unexpected. With the travel Anton did, while he'd become a proficient hunter he often didn't have time to spend on it. Most of what he caught was more due to opportunity than persistent hunting in one spot, unless he had to anyway.

 

Regardless of nothing to cook, he had a small fire going all the same. No need to be cold out in the night, and he'd seen no tracks of people off the road, so it wasn't likely that there were brigands near. Besides, he wasn't that far from the border of Amadicia where he had come from a few days earlier, with the Children in the area there was little chance of brigands, not with the penalties they exacted.

 

As he was finishing up his meal of salted pork with some water and an apple he'd picked earlier, he looked up as a woman wandered towards the fire with her horse cautiously. Noting her weapons sticking over her shoulders, he nevertheless waved her over, his stave was at his side. "Evening! You're here to share the fire? Come, by all means. My name is Anton, and you?"

 

 

Anton Averdal

Wanderer

[Liitha]

Liitha where more then happy as she entered teritory where the border where close, she would push over tonite. She had had some luck catching a some prey as well, a wild rabbit and a grouse.

 

It grew dark before she where past the border thoug she could smell the smoke of a fire, slowly she directed her horses in on a game trail and easing forward, it seemed to be a lone man and she allowed the horses to step out of the forest.

 

"Evening! You're here to share the fire? Come, by all means. My name is Anton, and you?" Liitha smiled, it would mean she didnt need to make a fire herself. Jumping down of the horseback she loosened the prey from her sadle and tossed it so it landed beside the fire. "My name is Liitha, I'll just see to the horses and I'll join you by the fire. I had some luck catching prey a few hours ago, if you want I'll be happy to share them."

 

After checking that the horses where setled in for the nite and still in good shape she walked over to the fire, happy to see the prey already roasting on spits.

[Wayfarer]

Anton wasn't one to say no to the offer of fresh game. Making conversation as they ate, he managed to learn that his companion by the fire was called Liitha, a name which was oddly familiar like the face. Why he couldn't say, certainly he couldn't think of any mercanery he'd known by that name. Female sellswords were... well, not rare, but approached it. He couldn't think of any bounty that mentioned a woman named and appearing so, that narrowed the means which he would have met her.

 

By the time it came to turn in, Anton found he had no answers. Time spent in thought during the first watch did Anton no good either, all that was left to do was sleep on it even as Liitha took the second watch. Some things needed time to solve...

 

Waking up to find Liitha hadn't stolen off with his things or slit his throat in the night, it was all in all a pleasant morning. Declining the offer to ride the packhorse, he offered to lead it instead as they made their way towards Elmora. He disliked riding horses, prefering to trust his own feet instead. Liitha didn't seem to mind the change in pace in return for having someone to travel with, and they made good time nevertheless.

 

It was as they stopped to have lunch that it struck Anton where he knew her from. Taking his travel rations out, he sat down next to her with an easy grin as he began on his lunch. Waiting until she took her waterskin to drink from, he timed it so she was drinking when he spoke up.

 

"You're a Tower Guard."

 

 

Anton Averdal

Wanderer

[Liitha]

Liitha looked up, how had he figured out, not that it mathered she where safely out of amadica but still she hadnt said a word about it. "Yes, gave me away" she looked on him, the way to learn was through asking so that she could avoid the same mistace next time.

"Pretty face and a pretty name." Grinning, Anton leaned back. "I've been in Tar Valon before, I ended up meeting an old friend there and he showed me around, you should know him. Aran is from your company is he not?"

Liitha leaned and looked up on the skies, Aran, why wasnt she surprised. "Yes guess he is, not one know to well thoug." They would have sligthly difrent views on life, but it was not her worry.

Laughing, Anton grinned easily as he spoke. "He knows you though, and practically everyone else on the yard. By the time I left I was able to put a name to most faces. But after so long, it took me awhile to piece it together. So, what are you really doing out this far seeing as you aren't a sellsword?"

 

She shifted her eyes over on the man, "'m traveling to gain experience. Nothing more nothing less" she left it at that, just cause the man where a friend of another guard didnt mean she had any reason to trust him.

 

"Experience in?" Anton grinned with an impudence that was more at home on Aran's face than his own.

 

Liitha shook her head "well it isnt much we do now is it, figting related things is generaly lays in any Tower Guards path, though knowing a litle about the world does no harm either"

Groaning, Anton swallowed the small morsel he was chewing on before speaking. "You know, you just told me absolutely nothing. You going to tell me or not?"

 

Liitha grabed her waterbotle to swallow the last pieces of her food. "Tell you " she smiled and rolled over laying on her side suporting her head against her hand.

 

Chuckling, Anton raised an eyebrow at her. "You know well what, why are you here instead of on the wall? You know, Aran didn't tell me you were so coy." Finishing the last of his meal, Anton laid back, putting his hands beneath his head to rest on as he looked over at her.

:

Liitha chewed on a stip of meat, " already told you, 'm gathering experience." she wondered one as Aran would exactly have told about her.

 

"La dee da." Rolling his eyes, he kept his grin nevertheless. "You didn't say experience in what though. Are you sampling the wines and ales of every tavern? What trees are best to sleep under?"

She smiled "and why is it so important"

"Because."

Liitha chuckeled and rolled over on her back looking up on the skies, "Not all questions is suposed to answered, somethings is best left unsaid" she chewed on a straw of grass thougthfully

 

Sighing, Anton shrugged at her even though he kept his smile. "So be it, I thought I'd help you but you know better clearly. Will we be traveling together at least? I'm headed to Elmora to find some work if I can."

 

She rolled her head over to the side, "Great, do you know sword work? " is she had company she could at least get some use out of her training sessions, she had enjoyed training with the CoL, though it was not how she had anticipated learning.

 

Laughing, Anton shook his head. "Swords are for nobles and thugs, there is little to tell the difference between them either. If you can't kill someone with the first inch or two of a blade, what good is another foot of steel? But blades aren't my thing, I need my people alive more often than not. Staves are the choice of a wise thiefcatcher; Easy to replace, easy to use, not so obvious."

 

She turned her head back looking up at the skies again, "All to its purposes, i can handle most weapons with descansy, the blades is my main one thoug, and the whip my second. There is always need to train thoug."

 

Grinning, Anton picked up his stave. "Well, we could have a go now if you like. But if you injure me you have to kiss me better."

 

Liitha turned her head and looked at him standing there with his stave, "when the creator becomes the dark one maybe.." she rolled onto her knees and got up slowly drawing her katanas from their sheets, the herrons glimering in the sunlight. She had come long though she knew bether then to think it to mather any, she had still much to learn. "..so thief catcher?" Those normaly had good control with their staves, thoug the weapon wherent a stranger in the yard, amongst other an old friend of her liked the weapon, and thoug she saw the use in it she had chosen to stay faithfull to her main choises made as a trainee.

[Wayfarer]

Two Katana's, Anton had noticed the herons that marked those blades which left him wondering whether his decision was a wise one. Those blades would do some damage to his stave if they struck directly. Cairhienin stavework was a fusion of a number of different sources from the surrounding nations, giving it flexibility if not the distinctness of its neighbours. He would have to favour diverting her blows rather than meeting them directly. Assuming a simple stance with his left foot leading, the stave cross his body diagonally starting high on his right and ending low over his left to guard his leading leg. He would let her make the first move.

 

Raising her katanas, Liitha descided to practice some of what Con had taught her and attacked from high. Sliding gracefully forth with her feet and moving into the attack. Trying to stab down and under the staff still keeping herself sliding away from being beaten blue and green by it, she knew well how dangerous such a staff could be.

 

Dancing back as Liitha's attack pushed him, Anton avoided those blows he could and the rest he glided away as best he could. Light but she was fast, faster than anyone he'd come across in a long time. Spinning under a high blow, Anton swept low with his stave to try and take her feet out from underneath her but the woman hopped over his blow and back, almost scoring his arm with her blade in the process. Had she pulled that blow back? Anton hoped so because he had no intention of being run through during a spar. Moving forward, Anton's attacks were mostly feints to draw her into parrying only to alternate between stave ends to try and catch her off guard.

 

Feigning to the left she attacked to the rigth just to see him catch up to speed with the attack and following up, she felt the end of the stave slide along her upper arm as she fell to the ground to avoid the blow, rolling around and up again in some distant that she closed quickly again meeting him back on the halfway. She had no time to think on her shirt though she could already feel the sweat run down her back in the heat, though she knew there would be few signs of that in the void as she was, and he had to be just as hot.

 

Sparring in the middle of the day certainly hadn't been one of Anton's better ideas. Forcing her back with a stab to her head, Anton stepped backward as he spun, having shifted his grip as he completed his spin so he was holding the stave at one end and swinging it like a club. His first blow diverted high, his second spin had his stave pushed low into the ground. Snatching it back before she could stomp it free from his grip, his hands slid down the stave as he caught the next few blows. Light but she was unleashing blow after blow on high forcing him to retreat and keep his guard above his head. This wasn't looking good at all.

 

Skipping to the left she barely diverted a serious blow to her head, and almost had him when the staff was partly grounded, but he got it back. Speedily following it up, the fight was getting as hot as the day was as she drove Anton back by Striking the Spark. She had the upper hand when she suddenly felt a serious shake through her arm and then felt the katana in her left hand twist out of her grip and fall to the ground. Looking up she saw the situation being even worse for Anton with the staff being split in twain.

 

Well, that had decided it. His staff in ruins, Liitha's other sword came up to his chest signalling her victory. Laughing, Anton sighed as he tossed what was left of his stave away. At least it was over for now, midday had not been the finest choice as he had noted before. Sweat was pouring from him which gave his tunic something to cling to. Liitha was just the same, though Anton made sure not to let his eyes stray.

 

Bending down, Anton retrieved her Katana from the ground and handed it back to her hilt first before speaking. "I think I need to go find a new stave, not to mention some lost pride. I'll be back in a few minutes." Grinning, Anton turned and headed into the treeline in the hopes of finding himself a new stave. That and to give the breeze a chance to cool him down.

 

Liitha sheated her katana before taking the one proferred by Anton, checking it thouroughly before sheating it in turn. Slipping off her shirt and wringing her shirt of the sweat, she used it as best she could to wipe what sweat was left from her. Walking over to her saddlebags, she retrieved a waterbottle that she emptied over her head, the water helping her cool down as she steadied her breathing.

 

It didn't take long for Anton to find what he was after. Freeing a heavy belt knife from his sheath, he hacked away and it was only a couple of minutes later when he emerged from the treeline with his new stave in hand. Emerged and found himself quickly averting his eyes. Not that he didn't appreciate the sight of Liitha in just her breeches and a strip of cloth binding her chest, but it wasn't exactly polite to just stare. Not that it would have stopped Aran, but then again Aran had no shame. Wandering over he took his own water bottle and sipped from it as he spoke, studying the water bottle quite avidly as he did so. "I wasn't sure about those herons until that spar, how long did it take you to earn them?"

 

Liitha turned to Anton as her hand remained in the saddlebag roaming for a new shirt. It seemed he had found what he sought. "Oh it took long enough." She started thinking back. "I must have been fifteen or sixteen when I went to the yeard, and in my mid to late twenties when I earned them herons so over a decade."

 

"Thats quite awhile to dedicate to it." Looking up and seeing that Liitha was still shirtless Anton quickly averted his gaze again. "Uh... So was that all you ever wanted to be? A Tower Guard? Or was there ever the thought of being something else?" Aware that his shirt was still clinging, Anton pulled it free so it hung from him instead, leaving the breeze to take care of the rest.

 

Liitha chuckled as she understood why he behaved as he did before turning and slipping on the new shirt she'd found. It was ligth blue with some decorations and dark blue treads used to make some hawk embroideries on ths shirt. "I been daydreaming of it most my childhood. My mother was one and I wanted to follow in her steps and become a warder one day to understand her better and be more like her."

 

She buttoned the shirt almost all the way up before turning back to Anton. "Oh and I train, sleep and eat with my fellow male guards in the Barracks back in the yard. I am not your noble lady." She grinned as she sat next to him.

 

Smiling at her words, there was a genuine blush as she sat next to him. Despite being Cairhienin and having known Aran to boot, he still had a certain sense of propriety that had been drummed into him. He knew full well that if he was looking at a half naked woman that his eyes would stray, so the only alternative was not to look. But, out of the corner of his eye he perceived blue of varying shades, she was fully garbed again.

 

Turning to her, Anton shrugged with a smile on his face. "Maybe, but noble or not you're still a lady. Wouldn't be right of me to stare."

 

Liitha snorted. "You didn't seem to notice that much back some moments when we where battling. A soldier is a soldier in battle no matter. I ain't no lady, I am a soldier to boot as much as my male brethren, at dawn and dusk both."

 

Anton was surprised at the reaction he got from Liitha, but then female mercaneries could be like that as well. Not liking the idea they got special consideration, female thiefcatchers too for that matter. Like that Alianna he had met sometime ago who was from Kandor. The smile quickly came back as he responded. "Fine, you're not a lady, you're a lady soldier. Its still not polite for me to stare."

 

Liitha laughed and shook her head, "I am a sword of the tower, the duty is my husband and those..." She pointed at the katana's. "...are my babies. Too many men would fail to see that, and it would be their death. My eyes is my weapons to locate threats first and foremost. Nobility don't belong in a battle of life and death."

 

Anton wasn't about to let it go. "You may be a sword but as far as they go you're a particularly fine looking sword." That got another blush out of him but he plunged onward. "You may have just trounced me but that doesn't mean I only see your blades." Taking a sip of water, Anton decided he needed to let it go. Aran would have been killing himself with laughter off the side by now. Stupid manslut he was, Anton wasn't quite the same.

 

Liitha looked over with a smile. "Are you sure you're Aran's mate? Doesn't sound like the company he keep around." She leaned back and lay down flat out in the burnt grass and peered up at the tree tops.

 

Was she reading his mind now? Anton chuckled ruefully at the question, they were rather different after all. Then again, that was one of the reasons they had been so close. "Aran is a slut for attention. Trust me, he'll be friends with anyone if he can get five minutes of their time... Well, not really but he knows all sorts. Probably why we get along so well, I spend most of my time traveling and meeting new people. Keeps things fresh and new."

 

Liitha nodded thougthfully. "Maybe, you would know better then me about that I guess." She rolled onto her stomach and gathered her hair in a knot at the back using a cord she kept for the purpose around her wrist. She was not the young girl she once had been, but the training kept her fit.

 

Watching as Liitha rolled over, her words surprised him. Usually Aran knew everyone that there was to be found given a week. Turning about and laying alongside her, he rested his head on his hands as he spoke. "You don't know Aran too well then? Thats surprising, he usually gets to know everyone around him rather quickly. Has he truly changed so much tht he keeps to himself?"

 

Liitha shook her head, "Not him but me, I had my aim in mind for years before coming to the yard, and kept it more or less when there. I don't drink much and even less with the years, and gambling is not something I indulge in. My duty comes first, second, third and last. If there then is some time left then I spend that on myself. My life I have given to tower and duty, and it will end in duty as well." her head turned to the side, "Not exactly the philosophy of life for Aran. I dont keep many friends and he is not one of the few I do have in my circle."

 

Laughing, Anton couldn't help himself. "You don't need to drink or gamble with him, he will do enough of that for both of you." Grinning, Anton spoke on. "Still, what do you have for yourself when you do have that spare time?"

 

Her eyes lifted to the mare. "Nature, alone time for meditation, my horse, at times a good dinner and a night out with friends though I prefer the first options. Oh and good books." She looked at him. "And you?"

 

Anton nodded to himself as he listened, it rarely boring to listen to other people for him. Then again, that was one of the reasons he traveled from place to place to begin with. "Traveling. Thiefcatching and other jobs are just my way to pay for it all. Don't know why, just always been curious and wanted to see what was over the next hill. Traveled through most of the lands as a result. Haven't been to any of the Borderlands except Shienar, those are the last places for me to try, perhaps even the Blight as dangerous as it is."

 

Liitha nodded and chewed on a straw of grass, "I spent a year there, then back to Tar Valon for a few months and then back on the road and now on the return home again." She smiled.

 

Smiling in turn as he looked up at her, Anton found himself glad he'd met this woman on the road. It was a shame that Aran's antics didn't amuse her, but as he'd found, Aran was a person that people either loved or hated. "Will you be glad to return home? Or will you miss the road?"

 

She thought on it a little. "Actualy some of both, there is ups and downs with the road, but being away so much it will be good to rest some as well. And it is my home where I belong for now anyway." She dropped the straw. "And you?"

 

Nodding at her answer, Anton smiled at her question. "I don't think I'll ever find a place I can stay for long. Haven't seen enough yet, not sure if I ever will. Maybe if I get lonely enough but... Doubt it even then, lucky and cursed at the same time. Always known what I would want to do, but unable to change even if I wanted to. There is alot to find if one takes the time to look, and few people ever do."

 

Liitha nodded. "Life can be short thoug so one need to do what one thinks will grant most out of life. Mine is dedicating my life to the tower, as long as I am with the guards the barracks will be my home. Should the faith find me in a bond one day then my home will be wherever my bondholder is." She closed her eyes and listened to the sound of the day, ants moving about on the ground and flies in the air.

 

Nodding, Anton fell silent as he relaxed as well, there was little else to add. He'd picked up a good traveling companion, and the road would be a bit safer for him if nothing else while they moved as a single party. Besides, it was a new person and an interesting one at that.

 

 

Anton Averdal

Traveller

 

Liitha Narshoba

Tower Guard

[Wayfarer]

It was a good week and a half they had spent traveling along the road, or so Anton felt. Most of it was spent traveling and talking, and a recurring theme in their discussions was Cairhienin fighting styles from that practiced to the highborn and their retainers to that of the streets. These discussions were often then put into practice during their stops where Anton would show her one trick or another, these were often accompanied by spars where they would then work on these different skills by putting them into practice. In fact, Anton was 'killed' at least three times everyday, and on the days they spent more time on the sparring, the number was much higher.

 

During which he had been able to subdue Liitha maybe twice, but he took it with good grace. He wasn't really dead and it was all part of the learning experience. He was beginning to understand the way that Liitha fought and was better able to anticipate her movements, the only reasons why he'd been able to fell her twice over the past few days. She was quick on her feet but he'd she liked to develop a rhythm to her attacks, when it was disrupted then she could be caught off balance for a momentum. Could being the operative word, once she'd realised what he was doing that little advantage had gone as well.

 

Anton would have been happy to continue with Liitha, they were becoming decent friends if nothing else. But something was... It was hard to explain, but it was as if he could feel something at the back of his head. Not a feeling he was used to, it was foreboding, hostile, and it had lingered with him for the past couple of days now. Nightmares of wolves hadn't helped, though why he was thinking of them he couldn't say. It had been sometime since he had visited the Wolfkin Stedding with Matronas, and while he dreamed of places he had been he rarely had nightmares about them. Most certainly nothing like this, that was for certain.

 

That was why when he woke up on this morning, he felt that it was time to part ways. Whatever it was he felt, and it did feel like it was coming for him, he wanted Liitha out of harms way. Not that she couldn't take care of herself, she'd easily proven that enough times on Anton, but this was... different. No, he'd be better off by himself, he just needed awhile to sort himself out along with whatever he felt was coming.

 

After a final spar and breakfast, they prepared to get moving. Liitha saddled and prepared to go ahead, Anton smiled as he looked up and tapped her with his stave. "I'm afraid this is where we part ways Liitha, I have business to the north whereas your path is along this road."

 

Holding his hand up for her to clasp, Anton grinned. "Its been good traveling with you, even if I did get beating every day of it."

 

 

Anton Averdal

Traveler

[Liitha]

In the week and half passed Liitha had come to enjoy the cheery company of Anton. She learned yet another style of figthing and hopefully was able to teach something back as well. In time she had needed to draw more and more on her experince.

 

And then a new morning came, a last work out and a joint breakfast before they sadled the horses. She felt the familiar touch of a stave and turned.

 

"I'm afraid this is where we part ways Liitha, I have business to the north whereas your path is along this road."

 

Holding his hand up for her to clasp, Anton grinned. "Its been good traveling with you, even if I did get beating every day of it."

 

She took the hand in a firm grasp and smiled, "You take care of yourself, it been a pleasure sharing your company" and with that it came to an end and she mounted riding off without a look back. It was something she had learned long ago to not look back but forward in such mathers.