Completed [The Bronze Woods]Bad tempered and Blue (Radiant)

[Milartek]

Oblivious now to what the Konti woman was doing, and indeed the whole situation itself, Artek had eyes only for the wolf girl. The sly grin, teeth flashing to reveal the slightly aggressive canines. Under under this disguise lay the power of a mighty wolf.

Needless to say Artek was completely under her spell. The complete opposite to Milartek, Artek relied purely on base desires. There were limited morals within him, if he wanted it or it benefited him, preferably both, he would pursue it. That wasn't to say he was evil. Just because he relied on his base desires didn't mean he pursue them regardless, he had control over them. Most of the time.

Here his desire was mixed with respect. This Ama was strong, no denying that. And her wolf form would likely prove a fatal match up. Still, that wouldn't stop him flirting shamelessly now, were would be the fun in that?

Much to his delight she played along, jokingly mocking him, before crawling towards him. The way she made her way slowly towards him made him feel as though he was her prey, something that she was stalking and would ultimately attack.

He liked her style.

With great effort to hide the fact all his limbs ached he made his way over and sat next to her, not close enough that their skin touched, but close enough to show intent.

She was so tantalizingly close now, even her smell reminded him of the wild. Raw, untamed. It was overwhelming. He had to concentrate on her voice when she spoke, listening hard as to not get distracted by her glistening form.

She was curiouse, and teasing at the same time, wanting to know more about him, what he could do.

He was very keen to show her what he could do.

Stop that thought right there!

[color=light blue]"The Akalak are an all male race. Warriors of renowned ability and expertise. Our bodies are our weapons, and we train them as such. When most people are still in bed we are training. When they tire and sleep we carry on."[/color]

Ok, so he was exaggerating a bit, but she didn't need to know that right? Still he didn't want to get caught out, especially by that last question. His muscles still ached from the rock, and he wasn't sure even fresh if he could lift her. But again. She didn't need to know that did she!

"As a result of this training we are strong, stronger than a human man. I have never seen how many I could throw in one go, but I have thrown enough to know its easy. Your form would be a challenge, I concede to your prowess and power within it. However that doesn't mean its not possible, and I believe I could over come it, but maybe not now when the rock has taxed some of my strength. Besides what do I get if I succeed"


He smirked a boyish grin at the question he eyes straying once more from her face.

[Radiant]

"That's commendable. I wonder if they could match to a Syliran Knight?" She teased at his pride, with the way Artek spoke, he was indeed a prideful warrior. In the back of her mind, Ama really did wonder about how would he perform against people such as Ser Wade or Ser Titus. "Knights are strong too, are you strong enough?" She extended her right hand and slowly trailed it on his chest.

"Ahaha, really?" Ama doubted it, if he was strong enough to throw her wolf form then he was indeed strong enough to throw a horse. The Kelvic didn't know very much about Akalaks like Sil did, who knows, perhaps some of then were indeed as strong as ten men. Oh, he was smart, asking for a reward. As kind and friendly she may looked, one must not forget Ama was still a predator, she got the urge to dominate the man and break his pride.

"If you succeed how about I..." She closed in and whispered directly into his ear "...let you do anything with me." She pulled back, the perpetual smirk still on her face "Provided that doesn't involve dismemberment or death of course, I'd like to keep my limbs thank you aaaand~ if I win, I can do anything to you too, how's that, warrio-?"

"Having fun, Ama?"

"!?" Uninvited, the Konti was suddenly standing beside the couple, her face smiling though one couldn't help but sensing the serious tone contained, very different from the previously cheerful air-headed Konti. "Yep, I do." The Kelvic didn't feel the need to be intimidated, besides, it was not like she was doing anything wrong.

"I see, I see, well now now, you both can't have fun with strained muscles, no?" Still keeping her cheerfully serious tone, Sil sat down and healed both Ama and Artek's body, fixing any sores and strains. "The man should be alright, I will take care of him until you two are... done." Nodding as if understanding everything, Sil headed back to the now sleeping man and sat down beside him.

"Thanks, Sil..." Ama stood up and shifted to her wolf form, she jumped up out of the crater and urged Artek to come to her. The giant white wolf then gestured for him to knock her down, proving his boast earlier.

[Milartek]

Syliran knights pah! The boys who needed a coat of armor to be men? Surely they couldn't be a match for a well trained Akalak warrior. Artek had seen the elders fight. The moved with such grace, such fluidity, they seemed to be dancing in the air. They had true power, true mastery over their bodies.

But Artek hadn't had the years they have. Compared to them he was still a baby who had much to learn of the world. And it seemed that today was going to be one of those lessons.

He didn't register her disbelieving done as she laughed, and even if he had all thought was soon erased by the suggestive touch of his chest and the words that were whispered into his ear. The worlds erased all thought, all sense. He didn't even register the counter offer properly. Especially as they were interrupted by the Konti.

He didn't really pay attention to what she had to say.

Anything he wanted? Anything?

Before it even registered the Konti woman had her hands on him again, healing him and that same feeling of freshness washed over his entire form. Then quick as a flash the white wolf was back, and outside of the pit. Beckoning him on.

That's when it hit him. Petch.

She expected him to try and knock her down?? He was sure she had grown bigger since he last saw her in that form. Realization slowly dawned upon the young Akalak. She had every intention of going through with the bet.

Anything he wanted!

Could he lift her? Was he strong enough? Yes he was probably stronger than a man but... a giant wolf? Even Artek wasn't convinced. But he sure as petch wasn't going to waste an opportunity like this and climbed out of the crater towards the massive wolf.

Artek you fool stop! Can't you see she is luring you into a trap? Yes her offer sounded lucrative but if you can't you, we, have to do anything SHE asks! She must way more than a horse! If not two!

His doubt only re-enforced Arleks own, but still the offer was too sweet. He could do it surely?

You don't know what our body is capable of! That Konti has healed me fully, better than I ever have been before. Surely I can do it? He tried to sound confident but even he felt he was saying things his body couldn't deliver.But he couldn't back down now. No that would hurt his pride. But so would loosing!

Petch he had got himself into a bad way.

"Listen, don't just use force. Use sense. If we can lift her front legs up and get them onto our shoulders maybe we could then push her to the side and let her momentum carry the rest of her? I'm not even sure if we can lift just her front, but it might be the only way".

Artek didn't reply. But he didn't ignore either. He had no better plan, so that's exactly what he would do. He faced her head on.

"I accept your challenge, and the terms. You have challenged me Artek, no one else is that correct?

If she accepted he would crouch and grab her forelegs. If he could get them up he would try and rest them over his broad shoulders then crouch slightly and spring up and to the side, hoping the momentum would cause her to topple.

"Wysar guide me"

[Radiant]

The Konti silently kept watching the duo, surely, the Akalak was still young, could he even budge a horse-sized wolf? Sil wondered if the light brother would take over and save himself from humiliation. Ama was a gentle and kind person, that much was obvious, but she was still a wolf at heart. Some things like proud strong men could push her primal buttons, in a good or bad way depending on one's perspective. Sil patted the sleeping man beside her, somehow glad he wouldn't be waking up anytime soon.

The dire wolf stared down at the blue-skinned man. He got guts, Ama wasn't sure if he was very brave or just utterly reckless. She would find out soon enough. She barked, saying 'yes' to his inquiry. She raised an eyebrow when Artek basically grabbed her forelegs and tried to put it on his shoulders. That was very odd, he just gave her a chance to just push him down and pin him helplessly to the ground.

Ama played along until both of her front legs were on his shoulders, then she suddenly shifted her weight to the front, pushing forward, bringing the Akalak down and pinned him beneath her. If he tried to knock her down through slamming her side with a charge attack, it would go better, but he just had to try this unorthodox method with lots of openings for her to act, didn't he?

Her hot breath brushed against his skin as Ama leaned down and playfully licked his neck, her sharp teeth almost grazing his skin. She suddenly shifted to human form, replacing the pinning wolf with a naked woman lying on top of the Akalak. She propped up her chin with her hand and elbow, complete with a smug smirk.

"So, that means I won, hmmm? I can do anything?"

She did told him to try and knock her down, but she didn't tell him that she would just stand there like a ragdoll, that would obviously be too easy.

The Konti just smiled and lightly shook her head.

[Milartek]

At the bark it all began. Focused on what he was doing Artek crouched down and grasped the wolfs front legs in his big hands. Then, letting out a grunt he pushed up from his legs, heaving with his arms. His muscles screamed in protest, the vain's on his arms bulging as the blood rushed frantically around his body.

It was at this point he knew he had lost. She was too heavy.

Why had he listened to Milartek's stupid idea? Why hadn't he thought of something better? If they had both listened to the challenge properly, instead of Milartek panicking and Artek fantasizing, then maybe they would have understood that they could just try and knock her down, not throw her.

But sadly this was something they missed. And now were going to pay for it.

With a final Hrmmpphh Artek managed to get the wolfs giant legs on his shoulders. Now all he had to do was push forwards and to the side. Easy right?

It was then that he felt the pressure building in his shoulders. Little by little the weight was becoming greater. She was pushing him down! That wasn't fair! By now his legs were slightly bent at the knee because of the pressure, and he tensed them and pushed up with all his might, desperate to stop the inevitable.

His legs were shaking now with the weight, if he kept this resistance up something would surly give within them. But he couldn't loose! His pride wouldn't allow it!

But after another tic it didn't have a choice. Her full weight came to bear down her front legs and the young warrior cried out as his legs buckled and he found himself pinned and looking up at the big white face of a very smug wolf.

'I told you, you fool! Now look what has happened? Your brashness and eager to please this woman has led us to be in her mercy! You have made us to look like a foolish child'.

He didn't say anything. He couldn't say anything. Emotions soared through his mind erasing all thought. Pain. Anger. Sadness.

He knew he had been exaggerating his skills and his strength. But he thought he would be able to do more than just collapse at her feet. He tried to retreat within himself, and allow Milartek to take over, but he couldn't. He had to face up with what he had done, and face the consequences. Besides, Milartek was stopping him.

The wolf girl licked his sweaty neck, grazing he giant fangs against it, reminding him of the power within her and how vulnerable he now was. But she didn't stay as a wolf for long, and in a gentle blur the wolf was replaced by the form of the naked woman, lying on top of him.

If he hadn't of just lost this would have made his day. As it was he was too annoyed with himself to look anywhere but that smug face.

No he would not just sit there like a scorned child. She had cheated, granted she was probably too heavy anyway, but she had cheated. Also he felt a man would not have even been able to do what he had done.

"So, that means I won, hmmm? I can do anything?"

That smirk, that voice. It angered him, but something else? It was still playful. She had one and he was now at her mercy, but it seemed to be a game for her? Had she been planning this all along? He wasn't sure.

He gave a dejected nod and was tempted to say no more. But he was still a warrior at heart, and could not leave it at this. but he didn't know what to say. He wanted to scream and shout. Tell her she was a cheat and lash out at her whilst she was in her vulnerable form.

But he couldn't. He had changed.

Instead he looked her square in the eyes and tried to regain some of the bravado he had earlier, but still had a defeated tinge to his voice.

"You have one, but you put up a fight against my efforts. Something you did not mention you would do. And against the odds I did lift your front body onto my shoulders, a feet that I am sure a man could not equal. Yes you have mad me look like a fool. But I am a fool that stood in the face of Dire odds and tried anyway. Remember this as you choose what to do with me. And remember that I am young for my race, a mere 34 when my kind live to well over 300. I have years yet to train, just imagine what my strength will be then".

He let his words drift to silence, and Artek slowly regained control annoyed but grateful.

Alright so your good with words. I still think you should have let me yell and scram at her, but i'm willing to see if this works first.

[Radiant]

"So, Artek, tell me, you expect me to just stand there and let you do as you please?" Ama giggled, this warrior was still young it seemed, rather naive. "That would be too easy, don't you agree? Trying to toss a motionless ragdoll." She trailed her right index finger on his chest again, her face showing mock boredom. In truth, she cared about the warrior, he seemed like a good man, just rather inexperienced in the ways of the world.

Ama stood up and offered to help him up. "Young man..." The Blue-man may be older than the Kelvic in chronological age, but in mental maturity, he still had much to learn. "You are still young, you have lots of hardships ahead of you." Ama's tone was now mature and full of genuine sincerity. "You need to know that not all things are as good as they seemed to be, in most of the cases, if something is too good to be true, then it probably is." She patted his shoulder. " I admire your strength, you are far stronger than the common men, that much is true, however..."

Ama gained some distance with the Akalak, gazing at the forest scenery for a while before turning her head back to Artek, her white hair gleaming in the rainwater. "Your pride needs work, at least, one of you." She was not really knowledgeable in terms of Akalaks' dual nature, what she knew was all from Sil. "Don't think of yourself as a fool, you're much more worthy than that." A kind smile slowly curled up at the corner of her lips as she took a stance as if they were about to spar. "Because I won, here is my wish, I want you to spar with me, Artek. Show me what you can do, in whatever weapon you may choose." With the priestess of Rak'keli here, Ama was not afraid to sustain injuries should the Akalak decided to use bladed weapons.

The watching Konti smiled knowingly, so this was Ama's intention all along. She wanted for him to grow, to be strong like the Elders of Riverfall. The Kelvic must have saw something great in the young Akalak. Though it was up to him and him alone whether it was true or not.

[Milartek]

Arteks mind was afire with emotions. He was both annoyed and grateful that Milartek had spoken those words. His pride also stung, feelings of doubt rushing at him. His body wasn't as good as he wanted it to be. It wasn't as good as he talked it up to be.

The she wolf almost looked bored as she told him it would of been too easy to not resist him. This was true he supposed. And in real a foe would never just sit there and let you throw them.

The other feeling he felt, which stopped him from screaming and yelling at the wolf woman, was respect. She had power and it was clear she knew how to use her body, and that she knew her limits. It even seemed she knew his better than he did.

She stood up at that point and he took her offered hand and rose to his own feet. As she spoke next her voice seemed different. Gone was the playfulness and the childish ring she sometimes had and in its place was a voice of maturity and worldliness.

And for once in his life Artek listened to the agreed and listened to the criticism she made of him. He was young, and that offer had definitely lured him down the path of boastfulness and brashness. Still he couldn't change his nature. Could he? She took a step back and looked away whilst he waited. He was shocked to discover he was hanging on her every word.

before he had chance to think further she carried on. His pride had let him down, she was spot on, but you need pride to be a good warrior. If you lack confidence your enemy will overwhelm you, and surly bravado is most of the fight. If you look and act confident people are less likely to challenge you.

But then again this had to be backed up with skill. Something which didn't match his attitude. At the moment anyway.

She also knew about his dual personality, and surprisingly he didn't seem to mind overly. Well he didn't mind as long as she preferred him. And anyway didn't she have a kind of dual nature to? Being a wolf and human?

Don't think of yourself as a fool, you're much more worthy than that.

Maybe that is the way he had come across. In his eagerness to show of and be boastful he had lost sight of the limits of his body, and in turn dug his own grave. Arteks mind was reeling, his own nature was being questioned, and he wasn't sure if he could handle it or not, so was very glad when Ama gave him a distraction.

She wanted to spar.

He didn't say anything but just nodded. He would not make the same mistake again. Here was his chance to redeem himself. To prove to her that he was a worthy warrior. He loosened the rope that held the spear onto his back and tossed the spear to the side. He would use unarmed combat, that was the skill he was most proficient in.

Without a word he dropped into his fighting stance, left leg forward, right leg back at 45 degrees. Legs shoulder width apart and knees slightly bent. His arms came up to guard his face, elbows tucked in, left hand brushing his left cheek bone and right hand brushing his right jaw.

He nodded for Ama to begin, as was the respectful thing to do. And respect wasn't something Artek usually offered to people.

oocI haven't mentioned taking my Lakan with me as in an on going thread I might have to give it away as another PC saved my life. Not sure how it is going to play out yet so am playing safe and not mentioning it here. hope that's ok

[Radiant]

OOCThat's okay.

Ama smiled at his non-verbal answer, he agreed to spar with her in unarmed, good, then that means she could teach him with some of her ways. Ama figured some of her techniques would work for the Akalak as well. He was a lot taller than her and more muscled, but Ama wasn't exactly lithe herself and her rather feral fighting stances would work suit him well.

"Your stance is good, from this, I can see you're not a beginner." Beginners wouldn't have the calm confidence he was emitting and the way he firmly positioned himself was the mark of a competent fighter. "Let me see if I can teach you something, first, let's see your defences." She immediately took a stance as well, putting her arms slightly wide apart and hunched down like a pouncing wolf.

"I shall begin." The Kelvic then charged at the Akalak, zig-zagging to confuse the warrior before unleashing a combo using her fists, she first aimed at his abdomen, using it as a feint to jab his face. After that, she would use her knee, alternating between high and low attacks to keep him on edge. She needed to judge how far Artek's expertise was and appropriately teach him based on his skill level.

OOCFeel free to RP Ama's actions as well.

[Milartek]

Artek slowed his breathing down, concentrating on the fight to come. Instead of rushing this he would concentrate hard, and focus on what she was doing. He only nodded when she noted that he wasn't a beginner and nodded again to indicate he was ok with her trying his defenses.

And then she began.

He stance was low, arms wide. Very aggressive. Her body was coiled and ready to pounce at him. She charged him then, zig-zagging towards him, trying to hide which angle she would take at him. His eyes were focused on her chest just below the chin. If he looked here he could see what her arms were doing, but also he could see her legs in his peripheral vision.

She reached him in quickly and soon a fist was aimed up at his abdomen. She was shorter, and so had to punch upwards. This would mean she would be less likely to hit his head, but have more success hitting his chest.

He tucked his left elbow into his ribs and leaned to the left to protect himself from the blow. However it never landed and instead a jab came at him from his right and he jerked his head back and stepped backwards narrowly avoiding the blow. Before he had time to think a knee flew up at him and both his hands came slamming balm down into it pushing it back towards the floor. Then he stepped forwards hands rising him and shoved her backwards creating some space.

But the space was closed before he could take advantage of it and again a blow was delivered to his left side. This time it connected to the arm that Arktek had tucked protectively against his ribs protecting them from the worst of the blow, and he lent back slapping the right jab away as it came towards his chin.

On every block he breather out, causing his muscles to tense and harden furthering to there Resistance. Which was a good think because as he slapped the jab away a kick was already coming for his abdomen. He jerked backwards awkwardly and the extended ball of her foot caught his stomach. but it still stung a bit.

[Radiant]

Ama judged his defenses. He was good, but not yet on her level. He was still young, with training, the white wolf could see the man growing into a very powerful warrior. Ama took a step back and gestured for him to stand down, her eyes looked up and down as she examined his form. "Good, Artek, still need polishing here and there, but it's clear you know what you are doing."

She then took a defensive stance, her arms in front of her and her feet low to make her a smaller target, making use of her shorter stature than him. "Now I want to see your strikes, come at me with all you got!" The Kelvic would not attempt a counterattack, she would be focused in blocking the blows coming from the Akalak. "See if you can hit me, warrior." She winked, a hint of playfulness coated her last sentence.