Forging Bonds (Aleath, open)

by **Dimitri** on April 5th, 2011, 8:30 am

Dimitri took the knife carefully. He dipped the knife into the hide at the breast bone. He felt a pressure of the skin, resisting the tip at first. Then the skin gave way as if butter, Dimitri carefuly ensuring that the knife didn't plunge further than necessary into the creature. He then pulled it down the creature's body, a loud tearing noise filling the immediate area. The knife snagged occassionally, but continued onward. He kept sawing and pulling it til je reached the destination, the creature's stomach now flayed open. He'd never done anything like this before, and felt a certain satisfaction in knowing he had conquered a creature completely.

Master Adamal watched Dimitri's somewhat steady hand go to work on the deer. Looking toward the woman, "What brings you two to this area? You don't look like Sylirans, so I suspect you to be from elsewhere. Just a slight curiousity is all. Do you need an escort anywhere or anything else we can assist with?" Master Adamal never totally trusted strangers but did often give out the occassional benefit of the doubt. The two didn't appear to be a couple, but shared a tent. He congratulated his squire as he accomplished his task, as he awaited the answer to his question.

by **Aleath** on April 5th, 2011, 10:52 am

When Dimitri returned with the wood, Ishamael called us, to show how we can clean the deer. So Aleath got up and went to him. She stood next to him and watched closely as he began to explain how to cut the stomach of the deer in order to get to inner organs.

The Ishamael passed the knife to Dimitri and told him to try it. She watched the skin resisting the knife for a while. Aleath grimaced a little as it went through with a little blood. It wasn't very often she saw this. Her meals usualy consisted of fruit and vegetable and small animals. Not big like this. Dimitri did a nearly smooth cut down, the knife snagged only few times, and then they could see the organs inside. She carefully peered inside.

Then she turned to look at Dimitri and answered him. "Me and Ishamael met just yesterday. You are right, we are not entirely human. I am half Vantha and Ishamael is Drykas. I am more human than Vantha. I inherited most of my mother's traits, that's because I have blond hair and not dark which is usual for Vantha." she stopped herself suddenly. She was rambling again. To cover her sudden silence she looked at Ishamael.

"So, what should we do next? Are we going to use the organs too?" she asked.

by **Ishamael** on April 5th, 2011, 4:55 pm

Ishamael watched approvingly at Dimitiri's work. He was a novice at this but surehanded, he would get the hang of it soon enough. Smiling wider, Ishamael took the knife carefully back from Dimitri. It was then that Aleath spoke of her heratige. Ishamael's jaw dropped when she mentioned she was part Vantha. He knew little of them, except that they hailed from a distant cold land, and he had been worried about her being cold.

Smiing again he shook it off, she was kind, honest, and he trusted her, the rest could wait. Looking up at Aleath Ishamael answered her question while continuing the dressing of the deer. Well yes and no Aleath, you see most of the internal organs are unhealthy because they have fecal matter, bile, and urine in them, however the heart and liver are great for eating. So for now we will roll the deer like so Ishamael turns the deer on its side to dump out the internal organs Be careful here when you cut out the entrails.

Ishamael once again handed the knife to Dimitri, giving him another smile he continued the lesson. Know you see this muscle here, where the lungs are? Ishamael pointed it out for Dimitri to see You have to cut it much like we did the first time, blade up in a straight line, Be careful not to go too deep then remove the organs like I just did. Remember to save the heart though. After that we will hang the deer so the blood can drain. A hunter must take the kills heart so this job is yours.

Ishamael stood wiping his hands on a rag that was part of the tools he'd brought out. Turning to Aleath he gave her a smile with a twinkle in his eye. As for you my dear, How would you feel about staying here a while longer? It is a nice spot and they will need help with the deer. Is one more night okay? I promise to go sightseeing with you soon, oh and I will even sing, even though I can barely carry a tune

Standing there wiping his hands Ishamael smiled at Aleath, he liked her, he realized, she was a good companion and he wanted her to stay. Smiling wider at Dimitri and Aleath, Ishamael had completely forgotten about Adamal sitting on the log eying the two of them.

by **Dimitri** on April 6th, 2011, 6:54 am

Dimitri tipped the knife into the muscle of the deer's torso. It gave way easier than the hide did. As he pulled the knife though, he noticed the muscle was tougher to cut through. As he cut it free he opened it up. He reached in and grasped the heart and removed. He found the warm feeling of it's blood weird yet comforting in a primal sort of way. He pulled it out and looked at it. He was holding the source of life in his hand. It was powerful yet humbling. He set it aside and removed the lungs, liver, and the rest of the entrails. He heard they needed to drain it but was unfamiliar with the process.

Master Adamal smiled, "Ah the people of the Sea of Grass and the people of the Aurora Borealis. I thought your eyes looked different. In a pleasant way of course. What brings you here then? Born here? Returning home or visiting? Are you wantingvto visit town?"

by **Aleath** on April 6th, 2011, 4:41 pm

Aleath watched as Ishamael nodded approvingly at Dimitri. He then continued with the lesson and Aleath grinned. The Drykas apparently liked to teach other people the stuff he knew, but not in a bad way. He wasn't arrogant or cocky that he knew something that the others didn't and that was what made him unique. Aleath remembered some people from her childhood who always tried to teach her something, but from them it came always like preaching.

The blond was slightly disgusted when Ishamael told them that they could eat the heart and the liver of the deer. She had secretly hoped that the organs were useless. But then he continued and he said that it was for the hunter. "That's a good thing." she quietly muttered, relieved. She watched as Ishamael gave the knife back to Dimitri and wiped his hands. She watched as Dimitri began to work. Then, as Ishamael turned at her with a smile and a question, she smiled back at him and shrugged.

"Yes, why not, we could stay a bit longer. This is a beautiful place and we could share some stories and songs." Then she laughed at his remark about his singing. "Don't worry about that, I like when other people sing and I am looking forward to your songs. Personally, I can't tell how I sing. I have never sung in front of other people. Maybe it's a good thing or they could end up deaf." she joked.

Then she looked at Dimitri's master Adamal. She smiled and blushed at his remark about her eyes. "Thank you. I like my eyes too, but that's all I like about being half Vantha." she frowned and then continued. "Well, I was just going for a walk. I tend to move between this nature and Syliras. I was born near the city. And what about you? Are you from Syliras?"

by **Ishamael** on April 7th, 2011, 3:56 am

Ishamael turned to face Adamal as he spoke, looking at the captain for a moment he then smiled. You see master Adamal I am on a journey, a sort of quest but I know not completely what I searching for, it can be quite confusing actually. Smiling again Ishamael moved a stray whisp of hair out of his Now about that song, I think Layman's Pride will do

Taking his place standing by the fire Ishamael cleared his throat and began

We rode along the long long grass, the wind whistling all around

Our shouts our cries of our victory ride could be heard for miles around. For Laman had held his own TIS TRUE!

Yes Laman won the day for us the Drykas few. Outnumbered four to one the Drykas stood without fear, for the evil horde rode ever near

The battle raged and men fell away, for the horde began to overtake the Drykas few. Yet in the darkest hour Laman came to the rescue!

Laman's Pride hard did ride to make the field in time. Their swords and spears did strike a blow to turn the tide for the Drykas few

Yet Laman's skill was unsurpassed as he led the Drykas few. He slashed and hacked and where his sword struck blood flew. The horde did flee and the men shout that the victory was he

As the men did raise a victory cry a tragedy did arise. And stray did come and lay the hero on the ground.

So now we sing to memory bring the man who did the Drykas proud

As he sang Ishamael's voice waivered and the notes were off. Finishing he smiled again and looked at his fellows a little abashed
[color=#400000]. Well now that was a bit out of my zone, perhaps some sparring or cooking for some change of pace [\color].

The sun was standing high in the sky at this point.

by **Dimitri** on April 8th, 2011, 7:23 pm

"Thank you for that lovely song. My squire will spar you. He's capable. Careful though, can't have you injuring each other." He turned to the woman, "Ah yes, both me and my squire here are born and bred in Syliras," He sat upon a rock and began polishing his blade, "So how did you two meet?"

Dimitri grabbed his sword and shield after being volunteered for sparring. He went over to a nearby area and began his ritualistic warm up. He stood still and closed his eyes, about to go through his Martial Ritual #4. This ritual was for fighting against long reaching weapons like spears and polearms. Spear stabbed at shoulder height. Dimitri angled his shield so the imaginary spear would glance away. Butt of spear swung toward head. Dimitri ducked, then swung his shield upward, causing the unreal spear to angle up and away. He then countered with a stab of his sword to the gut. Stab parried, spear in a downward slash. He stepped forward, slashing upwards with his sword and punching with his shield. The spear broke, the opponent defeated. Dimitri opened his eyes after his warm up and awaited his real opponent.

by **Aleath** on April 9th, 2011, 4:02 pm

Aleath listened as Ishamael sang. Although he was not an exellent singer, it could be seen that he gave his heart into it and the story in it really captured her. When the song ended, Aleath clapped her hands a few times and smiled at him. "Well done. It is a nice song."

Then she answered Adamal's question. "We met in the forest. I was only going for a walk and looking for some place to stay for the night. I don't like staying in the city very much, you see. Suddenly a rabbit scared me and Shade. Shade went after it and when he returned, Ishamael was walking beside him. Then he also showed me some combat moves." she grinned at the memory.

Then she turned to see Dimitri's little warm up. He was as trained as Ishamael according to her opinion. He was doing various kinds of moves. Then he stopped and looked around to see his opponent. "So you want some training combat? Well, certainly not with me." she laughed and looked at Ishamael to see his reaction.

by **Ishamael** on April 10th, 2011, 10:42 pm

Ishamael made a small head bow as Aleath approved his singing, she was being overly nice, but he did not mind, she was a sweet soul he could tell. His smile grew at her comment about training, and he walked over to her slowly and put his arm around her shoulder, and still smiling patted it saying with a grin.

Now, now Aleath you have learned a little, come he will teach you how to react to unknown opponents, I will be there as well, Dimitri is obviously well trained and our combined skill sets will make it fair.

Still smiling Ishamael grinned and kept shushing Aleath as she tried to speak. As, he began to walk away, he looked over his shoulder at the two of them, and made a short comment so they knew what he was doing.

Let me find some sturdy wood for practice, it will not be good for our fortuitious aquaintance to seriously injure one another, oh and Aleath if you protest again, I will find a better way to silence your tongue.

Winking at Aleath as he made the comment Ishamael swayed into the woods to enphasize his point. Finding three different branches of significant length and strength took little time in the wood. He returned shortly with three distinct pieces, on the size of his sovnya, one approximately the length of a short spear, and another that of a sword. Tossing the two pieces to Dimitri and Aleath, he tied a string around his to make it known where the blade was represented.

Now, for the rules of this engagment. forgive the wood I know it is not true practice material but it will suffice. Now each person gets three blows. After three successful blows are landed that person is out. It will be myself and Aleath versus you Demitri. You may use your shield as is fair. Aleath remember what I showed you it will be fine. Alright ready, after this we will have to eat some deer to sooth our stomachs.

Laughing mirthfully Ishamael removed his cloak and shirt to reveal his leather jerkin underneath. The wind marks on his left arm stood out distinctly as he got into position, left foot slightly forward, knees bent practice sovnya held in front of himself with the end pointed at Dimitri.

The first move shall be yours Sir Dimitri, may honor follow your blows The large smile never left Ishamael's face as he awaited Dimitri's move

by **Dimitri** on April 13th, 2011, 7:07 am

Adamal smiled, "Dimitri, no shield, we both know it is just as deadly as your sword. And hand me your stick." Dimitri set down his shield and handed him the stick. Using a knife his master quickly shaved two sides of the stick flat, and put a dip grove around near the base. He then handed it back, "The flat sides are the flats of the blade, the rounded ends are the bladed edge. The groove is the bottom of your hilt guard. You will not cross the groove. This is sword training, not stick training, so wield it as a sword squire."

Dimitri felt the lighter weight of the stick in his hand. He could surely move it much faster than his sword, however that would risk damaging the weapon and possibly losing the spar. While he could easily fight one handed it felt weird not having the comfort of his shield. From the earlier conversation he determined that the man was a capable fighter while the woman was just learning. Following this line of thinking he darted toward the man, instinctively holding his shield arm as if his shield were there. He quickly corrected this and started the match with a gut high stab at the man. This would surely be parried but he did it more to see how the woman would react and see if he could use the two against each other.