At the Beginning(Closed/See Signup)

[Harthar]

OOC: Here is the link.
http://www.evernight.com/boards/canon_o ... &forum=4&7

[Nell]

Nell?

The voice seemed to come from a great distance, echoing in the corners of her mind. Leaning forward, the young woman reached out to stroke the bark of the tree. It was surprisingly cool to the touch. She closed her eyes and let her thoughts wander as her fingers pressed the smooth surface.

Nell? You talking to trees again?

Shaken from her reverie, she looked around. Her younger brother was watching her with an amused grin spread across his pale, freckled face.

Youre a freak, you know that?

Better a freak than a carrot top.

Gentle ribbing characterised their relationship. Although they had fought as brothers and sisters do throughout their younger years, their sibling rivalry was only a cover for the mutual affection they shared. Ruffling his wayward hair, she passed him to head back to the horses. They were not recognisably from the same clan. Alfred was already six foot in height and a broad and often clumsy child, while Nell retained a slight, but graceful figure. Her long, straight, brown tresses contrasted with his shock of orange curls and whilst his eyes danced with a sky blue twinkle, Nells were dark green pools. Her mother swore that Alfred was a changeling a joke that would haunt him at family gatherings.

They had been travelling for seven days, stopping every now and then to water the animals which carried them on their journey. A servant handed Nell her young mare before gathering their belongings, ready to move off. Ahead of them lay another twelve days of progress through the unfamiliar territory toward their destination, a small academy run by a distant uncle. There, Alfred was to learn the skills to become a warrior, an ambition he had harboured for many years. Their family had encouraged this dream of his, but did not deem him responsible enough to take complete control of his destiny. Therefore they were entrusting this distant relative to watch over his training and, much to the embarrassment of the boy, his elder sister had been instructed to escort him to the academy. Ignoring his protests at the situation, Nell had welcomed the journey, wanting to see more of the land.

When we get there, you will let me do the talking, yes? If you start to jabber, then its going to create the wrong impression. I dont want to be thought of as someone who needs taking care of. In fact, it might be better if you didnt come near the place. Maybe you could stop a few miles off...

Nell rolled her eyes.

If you think I am going to come all this way not to see where you will be spending the next few years ... and I want to meet our relative. I promise I will try not to step on your toes.

So, youre going to come all the way.

Yes. Father asked me to. I know, I know, youre old enough to take care of yourself. But I promised.

The disgruntled silence that descended on the small party did not dispel the sunshine of the day. They continued their journey along the road, through the green fields, spying small individual dwellings at regular intervals. The calm of the day soothed Nells mood and she did not notice the sign at the entrance of a sizeable estate as they passed by. However, Alfred reined in his mount to read the inscription. Looking back, she saw him, his face flushed with excitement. Returning to his side, she looked to where he indicated.

[center]'All wishing to learn the way of the warrior or rouge are welcome for the sum of 250 gold crowns.'[/center]

No.

Oh come on. Lets take a look at least.

No, you are going to the academy. Theres no point.

It cant hurt to look. It may be better. And its ... Alfred rapidly tried to think of something to persuade her. Its closer to home. That has to be good.

You just dont want the family watching you closely for the next few years.

Maybe, but ... He gave her one pleading look. Shrugging, she gave in. It wouldnt take long, after all. Alfred turned his horse into the entrance, letting Nell and the servant follow at a short distance.

[Harthar]

The days passed quietly at the estate as each day Master and apprentice worked with the weapons and trained for hours on end. They had started training many weapons at once and as a result Clydes mind was alert and getting used to so much information being pounded into his head. His body had become harder and faster, smoother in its movements and precise with most of what he did. His arms extremely tonned and yet not to muscular as to appear hulkish. He was still compact and yet tall and lithe.

Dorek split the days up more so then before. The hours that no excersice was being done he split into hour and a half workouts with thirty minute stretching and resting periods. This proved very effective because after each two hours a different weapon or class would be taught. At the end of each day they had gone through 3 weapon classes and either 3 trade classes or 3 knowledge classes.

Dorek frequently complimented Clyde's hard work and dedication to the full days work that he was getting to like the boy alot. By the end of the third day the student and the teacher were like old friends. Giving each other small insults now and then whilst also helping each other with whatever needed to be done. Dorek repayed Clyde's hard work with helping around the house and the estate. It was a learning experience for both parties.

On the morning of the fourth day Dorek set Clyde to do his excersices and then begin his training with the short bow and then went and sat upon the porch of the house with a cool mug of water.

He spotted two riders approach the estate and look at the sign. One was clearly female and the other seemed excited about what was on the sign. Dorek asumed that one was male. He stood and moved toward the two riders, one hand resting easily upon the hilt of his longsword the other had its thumb tucked neatly under his sword belt.

He looked from the male to the female and inclined his head to both.

"Welcome to the Damon estate, I am Dorek, Master Damon's Weapon Master. How can I help you two this day?"

[Nell]

As they approached the house, Nell held her silence. For now she would let her brother speak for them both as he appeared keen to not let her interfere, however she knew that eventually she would have to step in as they had a fair distance to travel that day. He may want to stop here, but she had made her promise to see him to the academy.

Arriving at the house, she stopped a few feet behind her brothers horse and smiled at the man who rose from the porch to greet them.

"Welcome to the Damon estate, I am Dorek, Master Damon's Weapon Master. How can I help you two this day?"

Alfred dismounted and managing to overcome the nerves of excitement, spoke sensibly in return.

I am Alfred Dissey and this is my sister, Nell. We were travelling to the Dissey Academy over in Triber where I was enrolling to train as a warrior. But I noticed the sign at the entrance and would like to enquire further into what training is available here.

Alfred paused a moment, his face flushed. His inexperience and youth took over his tongue and his words began to tumble out.

I want to be a warrior, to gain skills that would make me able to fight in battle with honour, to defend our lands, to ... I am fifteen years, almost sixteen. I would work hard. Its a dream of mine, an ambition, ever since I listened to stories of battle, I would work hard ... My sister is travelling with me, but she isnt staying, the servant is though ... would you accept me as an apprentice? I would train hard ... I have already received some lessons in swordsmanship, I could show you? We can pay the sum required, we have as much as three times the amount asked ...

Alfred faltered, realising that he was jabbering. Nell quickly dismounted and spoke quietly in the silence.

My brother would be a good student and a credit to whomever trained him. But I should mention that our intention was to go to the Dissey Academy. She felt the look that Alfred shot at her, but continued to address Dorek. However, if he can receive as good a training under your tutelage She paused and made a decision. After all, why did her parents send her with him if they did not trust her judgement. Then I see no reason why he cannot become your apprentice. If you accepted him, of course.

She reasoned to herself that this might be better for Alfred in the long run. He would flourish and mature better without the watchful eye of the family, which would have occurred if he joined their relatives establishment. She had felt the gaze of the family on her for all her short life, and while she did not resent it, she also felt the need to become her own person. Truth to be told, she envied the freedom that was beckoning to her brother. Such opportunities were unlikely to be part of her life.

[Harthar]

The weapons master stood at ease his hand moving from his sword hilt to be crossed over his chest once he saw they would not be a threat. He nodded quietly and politely listened to Alfred speak. When the boy began his excited ramblings the master's face broke into a slight smile and he listened. He would of course accept the boy, but there was training to be done.

He turned to look at Nell as she spoke on her brothers behalf and when she had finished he was opening his mouth to speak when the sound of Clyde's boots crunching on the dirt behind him stopped him from speaking and he turned to see his student.

Clyde was shirtless and sweating and obviously had just come out of the house form his run and had not noticed the new comers because the house was not that far from the gates. But he had managed to grab a loose white long sleeve shirt and a dark blue woolen doublet from his servant on his way out. He only started to don his shirt when he noticed Nell and that she was a woman. He quickly hid his muscular, gleaming chest under the white shirt and then put on his doublet which he left open when in the heat of the day.

Dorek looked back to Alfred and Nell and then started to speak.

"I teach in most weaponry, from the short bow to knife throwing, from short swords to battle axes. You name it and I have wielded it. I am a weapons master. If you two do sign up then you will be a student with Master Damon here."

Dorek motioned to Clyde who was obviously Master Damon. Clyde merely looked to Dorek with a slight smirk and then addressed the two newcomers in a pleasent layed back tone.

"Come in, have some wine and something to eat, you are welcome on my estate and welcome to take part in the training for the price specified. Mind, that is for only basic training in the weapon of your choise, the rest of the training will require another fee. But if you are staying with us and wish to train in one particular weapon to a certain level I believe we could come to an agreement."

Clyde motioned for then to come through and to the porch with one hand whilst with the other he motioned for his servant to take care of the horses and of the newcomers servant.

[Nell]

The warm welcome and the cool shade of the interior combined to make the brother and sister relax in their new surroundings. Sipping the wine, Nell sat to the side of the room watching Alfred engage in conversation with Dorek, asking him various questions, some naïve and others more relevant, regarding the training he would receive. She liked Doreks patient manner. He would be good for Alfred and would nurture his skills. Surpressing a smile at a particularly strange question regarding the proper dimensions of a shortsword, the skill that Alfred wished to proceed with, Nell caught the eye of the young owner of the estate.

Aside from being a courteous and open host, she had not failed to notice his physical beauty. Trying to hazard a guess at his age, she had difficulty. Although he seemed years beyond her brother in maturity and experience, and despite his well-developed body - and here a flush momentarily caught Nells face at the memory of the shirtless Clyde - there was a youthful look in his face that denoted him younger than herself. Alfred would be training with him and Nell hoped any rivalry between them would be friendly. Nell smiled at their host and placed her wine goblet on the table.

Resting her arms on the same table, Nell turned her thoughts to what she should now do. It was clear that Alfred would be staying here for now and if more was need to pay for his training, then that could be easily sent for. A message would have to be sent to the Dissey Academy explaining the change in plans and she supposed that she might as well be that messenger, taking their servant with her for that journey. Her heart had momentarily leaped when Dorek had referred to the two of them joining while talking on the porch, but she had quickly dispelled the notion of herself entering training. That would not be entertained by her family. She had to forget such foolish thoughts.

The room had fallen silent. Looking up, Nell realised that everyone was looking at her.

I am sorry. My mind was elsewhere.

Alfred raised his eyes to the ceiling and repeated his question. So, it is agreed then. I will stay here?

Yes. That seems to be the best plan. I will take the servant on with me to our relatives academy to explain what has happened. And I best be making my way so I reach the next town by night fall. Nell stood and turned to Clyde and Dorek. Thank you for your hospitality. The fee will be left with my brother and letters will follow regarding his further training.

[Harthar]

Both Dorek and Clyde stood as Nell stood, it being the polite thing to do. Clyde was taken aback when she mentioned she was not staying and he wondered why. Dorek had been about to say something when Clyde smoothly cut in with a question to Nell.

"Oh, you are leaving. I thought you were both going to stay for training. The more company the better and I am sure neither you nor your family would object to you under going training. A woman should know how to protect herself even when in the company of her most trusted guards. What would your family say if you did not return to the house in good health when you could easily have defended yourself with unarmed combat, or the skills of knife throwing?"

He was trying to encourage her to stay not for the money, but more for the company. He had not talked to many women in his life and this seemed a great opportunity to get to know women, or at least this one woman. And she did look as though she would do well with the unarmed combat, knife throwing or even staff work.

Dorek took the opportunity to cut in before Clyde could say anymore.

"What Clyde is trying to say is that there are many dangers out there for both men and women and it would do both well to have some training in a weapon and defending ones self, if not to persue it as a profession then just to persue it as a reassurence that you are not 'easy meat'. And I must also say that the training makes one fit and being fit makes one think better of themselves as a person which means you can think more of others then having to think of yourself."

[Nell]

Nell listened to what was said. She sensed that their words were not motivated by monetary matters but were instead voiced for her ultimate benefit. She saw Alfred watching her, his brow slightly creased into a frown. The last thing he wanted was her hanging around. But inside a feeling was stirring that she had not felt for four years, ever since she had been banished to the domains of polite conversation and graceful society. Nell chose her words carefully.

What you say is true, but you have to understand that my family is somewhat she paused, not wishing to paint a bad picture of her home, somewhat old fashioned in their outlook. Learning to fight is not a skill they believe necessary for a woman. But maybe I could stay. I would need to write letters and have a messenger send them. But, yes, I would like to stay and learn. Thank you.

Catching sight of Alfreds scowl, Nell could not help herself. Feelings of excitement and optimism bubbled and grew, culminating in a smile that shone with happiness. At last she was making her first strike for independence. She hoped her family understood.

Reaching for the wine goblet, she raised the glass and drained it. Life was, at last, becoming interesting.

[Harthar]

A large hand thumped onto the middle of Alfreds back as Nell began to drink her wine. The youth pitched forward and turned to see Dorek standing behind him smiling.

"Would you like our servant or your own to send as a messanger?"

After the reply Dorek nodded and then motioned with his hand for them to all follow him.

"No use in standing around, or sitting around. We have training to do. I can tell that Alfred wishs to learn the short sword, I'd assume you wish to learn both one handed and two handed style of sword play, duel weapon style in other words."

Dorek looked over his shoulder at Nell.

"And what would you like to be taught in first?"

Clyde smiled and moved over to Nell, he smiled and inclined his head to her.

"I'm glad you changed your mind and desided to stay. I would not feel right letting you go without some guards to protect you from brigands and wolves. We have had some resent news about direwolves in the forest lately. And direwolves can mean that there are other, more dangerous creatures out there. But fear not, here you will get enough training to combat the dangers of the world, all you then need to do is avoid stronger enemies."

He smiled and clapped her lightly on the back of her shoulder, not hard enough to make her pitch forward nor to cause her pain. There was actually a certain care he used, he had gotten alot bigger in the last weeks and so he did not know the full extent of his strength.

[Nell]

It was certainly a different day from the one she had woken up to. Dorek was keen for them to begin and the realisation that hard labour lay ahead was dawning on the brother and sister. Nell had decided that unarmed combat would be the most useful skill to learn first, and perhaps last if more money from home was not forthcoming. With their servant despatched back home bearing letters of explanation, Nell had quickly changed into clothes more suited to training. Soon she joined the others in the field behind the house, wearing a light white shirt and her travelling breeches, her hair tied back into a tight high ponytail.

After a brief introduction to the layout of the estate, Nell began warming up her body in preparation for whatever was to come. As she reached her arms high over her head and inhaled deeply, her eyes nervously took in the obstacle course that lay in a nearby field, before she refocused her mind on extending the stretch. Exhaling, she released and relaxed, then squatted on the ground, extending a leg behind, to work on the hamstrings. Although she was an able horsewoman and relatively active, she could not remember the last time when she had purposefully exercised in this manner.

Alfred had begun before her and was now over by a tree where he was manfully attempting pull-ups, under Doreks instruction. Nell could not overhear what was being said, but she wondered if perhaps Alfred was trying too hard to impress his new guru. He certainly seemed to be turning a shade of red that clashed with his orange hair. Smiling slightly, Nell knew that at some point before the day was out she too could be an attractive shade of puce. But this was no time for vanity. Nell stood up and half closing her eyes she bent over and stretched her arms and back, feeling her muscles draw out as her shoulders and gravity dragged her head towards the ground. She was aware that to her side, Clyde was engaged in his own routine for stretching. She reminded herself that this was not a competition and continued in her own way. Dorek would correct her if needed.

Straightening up she balanced on her left leg and began to circle her right ankle, scrunching her toes within the light leather boot. She breathed in the clean air and looked towards the nearby forests that surrounded the estate. They would require some exploration later.

[Harthar]

Clyde had already had his morning warmups before Nell and Alfred had arrived so all he did was stretch his muscles to keep them warm until Dorek instructed of him what to do. He watched Dorek and Alfred for a time as Dorek told Alfred the correct way to do the chin ups which Alfred seemed to struggle with at first but after a time he was able to achieve them, but only once because by that time his face was flushed and his muscles felt like jello.

Dorek returned to them then and told Alfred to stretch his leg muscles for the run. The trainer then looked to Nell as she stretched and he seemed to approve of her stretchs offering a few other stretchs to the girl which loosened her muscles even more. The trainer saw flexibility in the girl and so he changed slightly and pushed her harder. In Alfred he saw strength, with time and much work the boy would become a great swordsman and perhaps an able tactition but both of those professions would take his life to achieve and so he would not become much else. On the other hand he was doing this for his family and partly for himself. The boy would give his family a name that his children will strive to keep going.

Dorek glanced to Clyde as he noticed the boy looking from the other students to him.

"Clyde, go and fetch the padded gloves and armour and also the wooden practice swords. Take Alfred with you if you need to."

Clyde nodded and waved for Alfred to join him. Both of the boys moved off and into a shed that had been built which now housed all of the training equipment. The boys emerged shortly after, Alfred holding the armour and Clyde taking the gloves and wooden swords. Clyde handed a pair of gloves to Nell and then to Dorek and Alfred passed the armour to Nell. Clyde then threw a wooden practice sword to Alfred and the two moved a little away from Dorek and Nell to begin their own practice.

Dorek smiled at Nell.

"Alright. Now don that armour and we will begin to get into unarmed combat. I am a very quick teacher and that is because I get my students into the thick of it. The fastest way to learn is by learning from experience and on your own by doing it. So I will throw a few punchs at you and you will block them as best you can. If you cannot block them then dodge them. When you have either blocked or dodged them then counter-attack at me."

[Nell]

Counter-attack? He has to be kidding. She hadn't punched anyone since Alfred and she used to be sprawl in mud as they fought for the right to ride the swing hanging over the river. Eight years ago? Or nine, maybe. Yet here she was, standing a few feet away from this man who towered above her, his broad chest mocking her slight frame. And he was about to throw some punches at her. Stand your ground, Nell, it's training. He isn't going to kill you.

And then Dorek began.

It wasn't easy for her, but then she hadn't expected it to be. As she dodged punches, sometimes successfully, sometimes taking the light blow, she kept stepping back only to be told to move in again. As she tried to throw a punch, too often she was caught off-balance and became an easy target. As her guard dropped the open door for a new attack was taken. However, she didn't quit. And she was thankful for a patient teacher who allowed her to land a few blows on an arm that moved swiftly to block, who didn't humiliate her attempts at a kick by catching her foot and throwing her over. Miraculously her confidence grew and although she was tiring, her focus remained to see the punches as they came at her, to sidestep, dodge and look for the opportunity to ...

Damn! It wheezed out of her as winded she staggered down. Stupid girl, you really think you can fight? Head down, she controlled her breathing, counted to five, then stood up. Nodding to Dorek, she readied herself for more.

[Harthar]

Dorek inclined his head toward her as she calmed herself after he had jabbed her. He had used a bit to much force on that blow he thought to himself and so he stood up straight and removed his gloves.

"Ok, by us doing that I have formulated a training scedual for you very similar to that of your brother and Clyde. Before we do anymore unarmed training we will build up your strength and speed. Your punches are hesitant and that is basically because you are unsure of yourself, when you become more confident with your ability, which will be when you have learnt more, you will be faster and use varying degrees of power in your attacks. Follow me."

The trainer led her into the obstical course and over to a pole which had leather padding covering it.

"What I want you to do is hit this pole. Aim for a spot level with your eyes or a spot level with your belly button. I want you to punch it as hard and as fast as you posibly can for about five seconds nonstop, and then I want you to slow down and punch softly at it for about ten seconds. I want you to continually do this until your arms feel like they weigh as much as a house and are on fire."

He motioned for her to began and he leaned back on another of the obsticles. Glancing over at Alfred and Clyde as they went through various sword manouvers. Clyde was teaching Alfred what he didn't know as they went along, even though Clyde was not trained fully he had reached the journey man level of training, which was the extent at which the boy wanted to learn the short sword. The boy was leaning more toward twin longswords as his weapons of choise or the Hammer.

Dorek turned back to Nell and watched her calmly as she punched at the pole, offering small hints ment to help and not belittle her.

[Nell]

Alfred was trying to not let the fact that his sister had decided to stay cloud his day. His delight at being accepted and not going to his relative's Academy had lifted his spirits. At last he felt some control over his own destiny. As he listened and practised with Clyde, his mind raced to the future when he would be acclaimed through the land as a great warrior. And yet ...

Pausing to reposition his fighting stance, he caught a glimpse of Nell going hell for leather as she punched the padded target. Damn it, why was she here. If she wasn't here, they would have the full attention of Dorek. He tried to hide his disgruntlement, but he was cursed with an open face that betrayed any emotions.

Pushing the thought away, he focussed on Clyde's demonstration of how to block a side stab. To Alfred's inexperienced mind, this guy seemed to have been training for a long time. He was an enigma so far. Friendly and open, but how did he own such a sizeable estate at his age? Envious of the freedom Clyde must have, but wondering where his family lived, Alfred noted these as questions for later. For now, Clyde was the standard that Alfred would be striving to achieve. Above all else he wanted to obtain the good opinion of Dorek and Clyde. The few fighting moves his father had shown him were standing him in good stead, but Alfred knew he had a lot to learn.

Over in the obstacle course, Nell could feel her arms shaking with the continued exertion. Her gloved hands weighed heavy and no power remained in the punches from her jellified muscles. Admitting defeat, she stopped and tried to catch her breath.

[Harthar]

Clyde nodded as Alfred picked up the block and allowed himself a slight smile. He nodded for Alfred to put up his practice sword and then with speed and strength stabbed from the side toward Alfred's side. Alfred sucked in his gut and with the twist of his wrist and a downward stroke of his hand he knocked the stab aside and halted his sword then brought it up to rest next to Clydes neck.

Clyde nodded his head and brought his sword up and pushed Alfreds down as he moved back.

"Very well done. Now... how about we have a mock fight. The best way to learn is to make mistakes, which you will end up doing as will I. Easiest way to fix those mistakes is to be forced to fix them."

Clyde then moved into a fighting stance and Alfred did the same. Clyde then moved forward quickly, his face emtionless as he focused upon the duel before him. Alfred moved his sword up to parry a thrust at his chest. The thrust was but a faint however, and with a side step, Clyde moved out of the path of Alfreds parry into counter-thrust and brought his sword up in a slice for Alfred's head. But Clyde didn't hit Alfred with the thin part of the wooden blade, instead he clapped Alfred on the head with the flat of the blade.

Alfreds anger rose within him and all thoughts of Nell vanished from his mind. He felt like the fool for being suseptable to such an obviously easy faint. He gritted his teeth and when Clyde and Alfred were squared off, he charged forward. His anger giving him speed and strength. He cut agressively for Clyde's chest which Clyde defended by taking a step back and bringing his blade around to clash with Alfred's.

Clyde stepped in to Alfred then and let his left hand take the wieght of the practice sword and of the holding Alfred's sword back. His right hand clenched into a fist and moved under Alfreds guard. The punch to Alfred's stomach was not hard, only giving a soft pain in the other man's side which forced him to step back on his left foot.

Clyde gripped his sword with both hands again and moved in, his sword sweeping for Alfred's left side. Alfred recovered quickly and brought his practice sword down to knock Clydes blade aside. He then spun on his heel and brought the pommel of the sword lightly into the middle of Clyde's chest, which with enough force would have broken ribs and winded his opponent.

Alfred then moved his hands forward and twirled the blade to reverse it. He then brought the blade back in to poke sharply into Clydes stomach. That would have impaled a person if the blade was sharp and steel.

Clyde chuckled and nodded moving back a step.

"Very well done, Alfred."

Dorek moved to Nell's side as she was overcome by fatigue. He put a hand lightly upon her shoulder and then clapped her on the back softly.

"Very well done. I will now tell you your training scedual(sp?) for each day. You will wake in the morning and go on the run with Clyde and Alfred. You will then eat breakfast with us all. Then you will warmup and then go to the tree and do the chin ups. Do ten for the moment and each day you will add another. After that you will put on your gloves, come to this pole and you will punch it with all your might and speed. When your arms are jellow you will return to the porch were lunch will be served. You will eat and drink and rest for a time before you will set off on doing the obstical course. Its basically made to improve speed of your legs and reflexes. You will run that until sunset. Then you will go to the tree and do your chin ups. Once they are completed you will return to the house and have dinner and a rest before taking the run with Clyde and Alfred.

This will basically fill your whole day up and make you so tired at the end of the day that you will practically want to fall asleep on your legs whilst running. This will improve your endurance in the long run and you will need endurence when it comes to you running and training with the weights attached to you.

Come along, its time for lunch. Then you will continue with your scedual."

[Nell]

Lunch was waiting for them inside the house. Grateful for the rest, Nell sank onto a carved wooden seat and looked at the food prepared. The exercise had killed any appetite she may have felt earlier but she knew it was wise to eat something. After sating her thirst with a cool goblet of spring water, she took a small helping of the carved meat and a chunk of bread. The rest of the company selected larger portions and soon all were engaged in the process of silent eating and scattered light chat. After clearing her plate, Nell reached for a small red apple. As she bit into the sweet flesh, Nell noticed the soft white skin that stretched over her knuckles was a vivid red - a by-product of the pounding that morning. Rather than feeling regret at the ruined skin, she was pleased at the evidence of the work she had done. It would soon toughen up.

Having finished the apple, Nell pushed her plate to one side, stretched her arms over her head, feeling the satisfying ache, then undid her tight ponytail. Her long hair flopped over her shoulders, glad to be released. Ruffling her hair slightly, she relaxed and grinned at the company.

So? Enjoying yourself yet? The question was aimed at the whole group, but Alfred took up the reply.

Oh yeah. Certainly feel like I have made progress already. Clyde's a good teacher. He nodded towards Clyde and smiled to show his appreciation.

Indeed. I think you made a good decision to stop here, brother. Nell leaned forward to touch Alfred's hand, but he withdrew it. Nell frowned slightly. Is something wrong?

When Alfred didn't reply, Nell gave a small sigh. Smiling apologetically at the company, she fixed Alfred with a look. I think my brother and I will take some air on the porch.

Outside in the shade, Nell folded her arms and addressed the sulking boy. Okay, spit it out. What's wrong?

Alfred hesitated a moment and after some huffing and puffing, spoke his mind.Why did you stay? I feel like you are watching me for the family. I just wish you hadn't, that's all. I love you, sis, but I want to do this on my own. Not have you acting like my guardian.

I'm not here to watch you. I am here for myself. Any feeling of me being your keeper is from your own imagination. If you don't treat me like a guardian, then it won't happen. It's your choice. I am quite happy to let you make your own mistakes. But I am not going to apologise for being your sister.

Alfred remained silent, his face turned away. Nell shook her head in exasperation. Whatever happens, Alfred, I will always look out for you, just as I hope you would look out for me. I will never turn my back on you. If you want to sulk about it, okay. Maybe one day you will appreciate having a family. From the looks of it, our host does not seem to have one. Which position would you rather be in?

Nell let the question hang in the air and turned to go back into the house, not realising some of their conversation had been overheard.

[Cymrych Hugh]

Cymrych walked the road aimlessly, kicking a stone in front of him. He was beginning to regret his decision to leave. Sure, thing had been tense and stressed at home but at least he had a bed to sleep in and food in his stomach. He nudged the sack of coins at his side. "Alot of good you are." He shook his head and continued walking. He had though that he would of reached the next town by now. He knew he had road it in under a day before but he had been walking two days now and still had not gotten there. His feet were getting sore and he was tired of the berries he had forced down the past couple days.

Cymrych's thoughts were interupted by the sound of hooves thundering up the path, coming from behind him. Not wanting to get trampled, Cymrych ducked into the bushes. A move that proved to be the correct one, for it was his father and his father's many body guard who rode up the path. He kept low and watched through parted branches as they rode past. They were no doubt looking for him. He couldn't risk continueing this way, he needed to head where his father wouldn't suspect. Turning around, he looked towards the trees of the forrest. "Well, I always wanted to see what was on the otherside of this forrest. Now's as good as time as any." So, not even giving a glance back, he headed off into the dense underbrush.

[Harthar]

The answer to her retorical question was answered by the youth standing upon the porch with an expressionless face.

"Not mine."

He was not angry nor was his annoyed or irritated he was merely stating facts. Alfred knew nothing about his life and so he was not qualified enough to answer the question. Which is why Clyde did it for him. Behind Clyde, standing in the doorway to the house was Dorek with an expressionless look upon his middle aged face. He had his arms crossed over his chest and was looking at Clyde.

Clyde moved down the stairs to the porch casually, he had adapted the smooth movements of a sword fighter in his weeks of training. He came to a stop beside Nell and he looked at Alfred.

"Believe me, Alfred, you do not want my life. You may think that living upon your own in a house of your own with your parents dead and nothing to do but to nurse your resentment for their killers, is appealing. You are wrong."

The subject changed immediately then and Clyde turned to walk up the stairs and speak to them both as he went.

"Your rooms have been repared and bells put upon your bed side tables. If you need anything, you only have to ring the bell for my servant to assist you. Sleep well. We wake before the sun has even thought of rising, for training."

Dorek moved aside as Clyde walked into the house. The Master looked from Clyde's back down to Alfred and Nell.

"Pleasent dreams."

He to moved inside and then to his room.

Clyde however had moved onto the porch on the other side of the house and was sitting within his chair looking up at the stars in the dark sky. Little pockets of light in endless Darkness. It reflected the world as they knew it. Light could not exsist without darkness to oppose it. And since Light was stronger then dark there was more of dark and less of light.

He closed his eyes then and lay back in the chair to think.

[Nell]

Nell sat up in the bed., hugging her knees to her chest. Despite the aching of muscles newly used, sleep had yet to come and greet her. She worried the hem of her nightgown's long sleeve with abstracted fingers, brooding on what had happened earlier in the evening. Had she offended Clyde? His tone had seemed to be without reproach and yet the evening ended so suddenly. Maybe it had been an insensitive comparison to make, but then, it had not been one for everyone to hear, only her numbskull of a brother ...

The young woman climbed out of bed and walked over to the closed shutters of her window and after a brief struggle with the clasp, threw them wide open. The air was warm and yet she shivered as it rushed into her room. Holding the sides of the frame, she leaned out into night and inhaled deeply, willing it to intoxicate her mind and bring on sleep. She knew that she needed to rest if she was going to perform well the next day.

But, looking out on the darkened landscape, instead there was a longing, deep-rooted, to do anything but sleep. Something was calling to her from another plane that she did not comprehend and could not ignored. She found her travelling cloak and wrapped it around the thin material of her green, silk gown, pulled on her boots and headed downstairs. Moving silently through the quiet house, she slipped out the door at the back of the house, not noticing Clyde who sat on the porch in the shadows.

With steady purpose, Nell made her way towards the forest of trees that hemmed the fields of the estate, taking care not to stumble on the ground that was faintly lit by the half-moon. A faint breeze ruffled her loose hair which fell into her eyes as she moved. Brushing it aside, she continued, drawn to the tall, woody sentinels that had stood on the earth for generations. Soon, she was on a rough track that threaded its way into the forest, leaving the open fields behind. Sounds of the night were around her, yet she did not start at the owl's screech or the quick movement of nocturnal animals. A deep calm suffused her body as she was led to the heart of the woods.

Finally, she stopped, knowing instinctively that this was the place. Yet, where was she? Waiting for something to happen, for the moment to reveal itself, she stood patient. The moonlight grew stronger, casting a ghostly light about her slight figure and for a second time that night, Nell shivered and saw what had called to her soul. An ancient tree, splendid in its dilapidated state brought on by years of life, rose before her. The limbs twisted and ached, forming images of painful torture, dressed in heavy leaves. Shadows of forgotten faces were cast in the knotted surface of the bark. Exposed roots radiated out, reaching greedily for succour to relieve the pain that dwelt within.

Enchanted by its beauty, Nell stepped forward and rested a hand on the rough surface. Closing her eyes, she felt the sadness within but also the strength of a force that had existed for centuries. A murmur escaped her lips as her mind pitched backward, catching glimpses of lives long gone, too quick to caught and understood. She leaned forward, her head bowing under the weight of the spell, falling into the darkness of the past, until the images faded and were replaced by a black void. From beneath this chasm were whisperings, indistinguishable yet urgent. Another murmur as she focussed on what was being said, trying to separate the voices, to hear the message, until one voice suddenly came clear and low ...

Blood lust

Her eyes snapped open and she tried to move back.

Yet this was impossible. With a strange calm, she examined the situation which would cause alarm to many perhaps. For her hand which rested on the tree had ... changed. Where once there were slim fingers and pale skin, instead was now a grey, grooved surface extending to her mid lower arm. She had, or so it appeared, become attached to the tree. It was, she noted, an unusual position to be in. Without panic, she looked closely, straining her eyes to see the join between human and tree. There was none that she could ascertain.

Interesting ...

[Harthar]

Clyde had been sitting there in his wooden chair, thinking about the word and the stars in the dark sky and about Alfred, Dorek and Nell. But he found himself thinking mostly of Nell. She would be good at the physical methods of combat, but he knew she would be better at the more mental aspects of it, Magic. She looked like one who had patience and she was intelligent and perhaps with a few more years she would even be classed as wise.

He was just about to stand and move inside when Nell came out in a cloak, gown and boots. Clyde thought this rathar strange and so he took up his longsword, which he had set aside when he came out to sit and think, and he followed her. He stayed a fare distance behind her, but he did not try and hide from view just yet.


He followed her into the woods, his soft leather boots being placed in spots where they would not crunch or make a sound, but he heard Nell was not doing the same. He heard her feet snaping twigs and crushing leaves. He heard her stop before he could see her. She was standing in front of a great tree.

He circled around so that he could view this from side on and saw her reach out to place her hand upon the tree. She looked like she had gotten tired just by doing that, because after a few moments of touching the tree her head bowed forward and she looked slightly sad.

Suddenly she pulled back, although, she couldn't. Her hand seemed to be stuck to the tree. She calmed herself and moved closer to examine her hand, which he thought had turned a greyish color. Similar to that of the tree she was touching... no... exactly the same color as the tree she was touching.

He did not move though, he stayed behind some bushes and watched silently. Wondering what was happening. He was a patient man.

[Nell]

It was a perplexing situation. Tree and girl had become one. Despite the unusual nature of the event, Nell was surprised to find herself calmly assessing what to do next. She knew instinctively that if she tried to cut herself free, she would bleed and probably lose a hand. Besides she had no knife with her. Waiting for someone to come along seemed to be the next best option. They would note her disappearance in the morning, or even if they did not, then Clyde and Alfred would be running this way in the morning ... she assumed. She hadn't been shown the route for the morning jog yet and it could be elsewhere. And yelling for help? Well that could attract any number of unwelcome companions. Hadn't Clyde mentioned direwolves? All too late, Nell began to berate herself for her lack of foresight.

Swearing under her breath, she tried to pull away but was alarmed to see the grey travel further along her arm to reach her elbow. Okay so that doesn't work. Tentatively she touched her arm with her free hand. The rough surface could not be mistaken for anything other than ... a branch. Her splayed fingers against the weathered bark had almost sunk into the surface.

Nell looked up at the ancient tree. Well, are you going to free me or not? Of course she expected no reply. Yet the tree seemed to sway in a breeze that Nell did not feel. Closing her eyes, Nell followed her instincts and pressed against the tree trunk. Do what you will ...

Immediately she was transported to the abyss of her previous vision, the words Bloodlust repeated in a chant. Almost collapsing against the tree, Nell dived into the vision letting it encapsulate her. And as she fell through the darkness, as the words elongated and distorted, other sounds of metal striking and cries of pain arose. Out of the darkness was a blinding slash of brilliant light which revealed an axe swinging through the air and a disembodied head that spiralled, spraying blood from the neck in a pattern that was almost ... poetic.

Then quiet. Darkness. A whispered voice ... Peace

Trembling Nell opened her eyes. She was kneeling at the foot of the tree. And free. Quickly she clenched her fist to check that her hand had not been affected by the ordeal. Then, not daring to touch the tree again, she scuttled a few yards away from the nearest exposed root. The images stayed with her, although she had no understanding of what they had shown her. Drawing her cloak tightly about her, she turned and hurridly headed back to the path that led out of the forest.

[Nell]

The hurried pace changed to a run, as Nell broke from the cover of the trees into the open fields. Above all else she desired to be back in the room assigned to her in the house. Back where walls and shutters could shut out the night, the moon, and the soft voices that called to her. Stumbling on the hem of her gown, she almost pitched forward onto the ground, but recovered herself and moved on.

Nell had no understanding of what had happened to her. Her family were practical folk, with little superstition and a blatant disregard for anything that could not be explained with logic. Any references to matters magical and supernatural during her upbringing had been sneered at as nonsense. Yet how would my father explain all this?

Arriving home, she looked up at the dark windows. It seemed that all were asleep in bed, where she should be. Softly she pushed the door open, and removing her muddy boots, carried them as she crept into the house. The room was in shadows and still unfamiliar, so she moved cautiously, her free hand stretched out to warn of any obstacles. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, she paused, then sat on the bottom step. She had to think carefully about the night's events. Would she tell Alfred? Would she tell anyone? And just how did she intend to get through the next day's training with such little sleep ...

[Nell]

The thought of training brought her back to her senses. She needed to sleep or she wouldn't get through the next day, at least not without looks or words of disapproval from Dorek. Maybe that was an unfair thing to assume, as so far Dorek had only shown himself to be a patient and calm man. But if she were the person trying to get a complete novice into shape, then she knew she would be displeased if she believed that full effort was not being maintained.

Grabbing her boots, Nell stood and ran lightly up the stairs, lifting her skirts out of the way of her nimble feet. About to enter her room, she heard a sound from the room opposite. The door opened and Alfred looked out, his face lit by a flickering candle, his eyes sleepy and questioning.

You still up? Where you been?

She gazed at her brother's face. It was as if she were seeing it for the first time - a stranger's face, ghostly in the pale flame. Stifling a sob, she continued to stare, then shook her head and went into her room. Alfred was puzzled momentarily, then feeling the call back to bed, he put her behaviour down to his sister being her usual crazy self and headed back to his rest.

The girl, however, did not. Instead she slowly placed her boots by the door and unclasped her cloak. Rolling it up and placing the dark material on the chair by the window, she then closed the shutters of the casement and sat on the bed. Two hours passed and she remained in that pose, save for the tears that fell silently down her cheeks. For she had suddenly understood the vision given by the tree, in that moment of seeing her brother. The bloody head that had danced through the air, severed by the lightning axe, swam before her, with lifeless eyes. And she knew that they belonged to Alfred.

[Nell]

It was a cold dawn that saw the three take their morning run around Clyde's estate. Clyde led the way, the other two being unfamiliar with the route, and he was thoughtful enough to not outstrip them even though he was capable of doing so. Alfred ran at a steady pace, taking note of the way they were heading and memorizing it for future runs. Nell, however, took little care in remembering their path, fixing her eyes instead on Alfred's heels and focussing on keeping her breathing regular as they jogged. The events of the night had taken their toll and as she had expected she lacked energy.

As the house came into view, Clyde pushed ahead to sprint the remaining distance with Alfred giving chase. He was enjoying this exercise and his enthusiasm aided his tiring legs. Reaching the porch, he grinned at Clyde before looking back to see Nell slowly jogging in.

Come on, Nell, put your back into it!

As she arrived, Nell smiled and shrugged, before bending over to try and regain her breath. She did not want him to suspect that anything might be troubling her.

[Harthar]

Clyde watched Nell as she stood there with her hand resting upon the tree. It frightened him a little to watch as Nell's hand became 'part' of the tree. He was not versed in the area of magic and so he knew not what to do. He waited and watched as she stood there, probably going over the situation in her head calmly. He saw her lips move slightly and then she moved back but she was still stuck to the tree. And then she spoke.

Well, are you going to free me or not?

There was no reply from the tree except a slightly sway in the breeze that did not exist. He then blinked as Nell seemed to look somewhere else, somewhere far away. He saw her nearly collapse against the tree but her tree arm seemed to keep her upright.

He waited for a few minutes until a breeze did come but it carried something to it. He thought he heard the word 'peace' within the wind, but he shook his head and when he listened again it was gone. Nell had been reduced to her knees at the base of the tree and her eyes opened. The hand that had not become a part of the tree clenched into a tight fist, her nuckled white. Her other hand had been releaced in the short space of time when Clyde had shook his head.

She moved back from the tree, not daring to touch it again. Clyde would have done the same in her position. He didn't move, he wanted to. He wanted to run out and put his arms around her to comfort her, but he couldn't. He kept his eyes upon her but he couldn't move.

She wrapped her cloak tightly around her and then hurried into the forest. When she was gone Clyde seemed to be able to move again. And that he did. He stood and summoning all his courage he stepped out from the bushes and walked nearer to the ancient tree. He examined it with his keen eyes and remembered a tail told to him by his servant when he was a boy about how elder elves were buried and then trees where grown atop them so that the elf's soul would go into the tree and live forever.

Clyde thought this may be the case with this ancient tree. It was delicate and beautiful but also brought awe and fear into the hearts of those who saw it. It was huge, perhaps one of the greatest trees in the forest. But then again the forest was so dencely populated with trees that this tree was hidden. Clyde let his eyes wonder from the tree and to the trees around it. He looked to their bases and his breath escaped him. He saw that the trees were placed in a perfect circle around the ancient tree. As if it were a cage. The circle of trees looked alot less beautiful then the ancient tree, but they did look more frightening with their leafless branches and the sharp ends to the branches.

Clyde gulped and with one last look at the ancient tree he walked out of the circle of trees and his fear was gone. He glanced back and saw that now the circle of trees had closed so none could see within. This was strange and he would stay here no longer when he knew not what was happening. He began to jog back to the house.

Clyde escaped from the forest at the same time as Nell reached the house. But Clyde was forced to stop at the gutteral growl of something in front of him in the darkness. Clyde stopped dead in his tracks and looked around, his hand resting upon the hilt of his sword. But this did not help him much for within moments the direwolf was upon him. It leaped out of the darkness and onto Clyde's back. Taking him to the ground and sending the breath from his lungs.

Clyde instinctively rolled when he hit the ground and in doing so he rolled onto the direwolf and then off it. The wolf's jaws were not able to slice into Clyde's neck because of this move. The young warrior rolled into a kneeling position and as he caught his breath his right hand was brought forward and within it was his hunting knife that he always kept tucked into his belt. He held it before him, between the direwolf and himself.

Clyde slowly moved into a ready position, his eyes looking into the strangely intelligent eyes of the direwolf. It seemed to know what the knife ment and so it became more causious but it was not about to relent in its attack. It hungered.

Clyde had just reached his ready position when the direwolf leapt at Clyde. The young warrior summoned all his strength and leapt into the direwolf himself.

The direwolf had not expected this, but did not have enough time to realise what was happening because Clyde's shoulder punched into the wolf's chest and they both fell to the ground. Clyde's right hand moved back and then forward quickly in a burst of strength. The knife blade penetrated flesh, drawing blood and sliding over a bone to pierce further into the flesh.

The direwolf gave a whining sound and small howl as it tried to get away. But Clyde would not let a direwolf get away when he had the chance to kill it and perhaps save the life of someone else. His right hand pulled back and then forward again. The process continued over and over until finally the wolf's body went limp. Clyde was going to make sure the wolf was dead because he could see how smart it was. He brew back a bit and moved his knife to the direwolves' neck. It moved quickly and the wolves head snapped forward, its' jaws closing over Clyde's left shoulder, its teeth peircing his flesh and tearing the muscles in the area.

Clyde's right hand swept into the direwolves neck to slice its throat and then to be pushed into the wolves chest just over its heart. The wolf ripped a bit more of his muscle before it finally went limp again. It was dead.

Clyde rolled away from the corpse of the wolf and lay there on the grass for a few moment to catch his breath and clear his throughts. He could feel how hard his heart was beating and so he took slow large breaths to calm it.

Finally Clyde got to his feet and after cleaning off his knife he sheathed it. His left arm and shoulder were useless at the moment he realised and dreaded to even look at what damage had been done. He took the direwolves body over his right shoulder and walked slowly back to the house. He could feel his own blood running down his back and down his side and chest. The warmth of it and the cold breeze made an odd sensation.

When he had reached the house he stumbled up the porch and then within, he eyes were starting to get blurry and he could feel how weak he was getting. He let the corpse of the direwolf fall from his shoulder just as he walked through the back door.

There was the sound of glass breaking and when Clyde looked where it had come from he saw that the corpse had fallen onto a table with a vase upon it. Breath escaped his lungs and he said in a weak voice.

"I think I am wounded." Well he thought it was a weak voice. It was actually louder then Clyde thought he could have mustered.

Dorek came from his room and down the stairs, ignoring Alfred and Nell as they spoke, he came down the stairs in two and saw Clyde when he had reached the bottom. He cursed and run over to the boy just as he colapsed. Dorek's arms were around him before he could hit the ground. He picked Clyde up and jogged to the Master's bedroom. Laying Clyde upon the white sheets which would soon be red with the boys blood.

Clyde's servant came rushed into the room with the equipment needed to tend to the wounds. Dorek and the servant went to work closing Clyde's wounds and wrapping them up.

~~~~

When morning came Clyde was woken with Dorek's shout for Nell and Alfred to get ready for their run. Clyde couldn't miss a run, he needed to stay fit. He sat up in his bed and bit back a curse at the sharp pain that came from his left shoulder. He glanced down at it and saw the bandages and at that moment he remembered the direwolf attack. He would not let a few scratches stop him from training however. His teeth clenched and he pulled himself from bed and got dressed. He walked down stairs, using the railing as a support if he should need it.

He went into the kitchen and took some bread and ate it hungrily. He was injured and he knew he had lost some blood and so he needed something to eat before expending some of his energy. He also took a spoon full of suger from the large bag and ate it. Suger helped with making blood he had been told.

He then walked out and onto the porch to see Dorek looking at him with a scowl whilst pointing back inside.

"No, Clyde. You will not train today. You are too weak after killing the direwolf last night. You lost alot of blood and need the rest."

Clyde's face turned into the visage of a determined soldier. A very pale determined Soldier.

"I will be fine Dorek. I can handle training. I will sit out doing the sword work for today if that will placate you. But I want to do the run and the pull ups. I know what you are going to say and I will do the pull ups one handed. Worry not for me Dorek. If I faint from the loss of blood, then I will listen to you more oftern. But I feel up to it."

Dorek looked like he was going through a mental battle before finally his face lost all its expression and he nodded slightly.

"Very well, Clyde. Go. Train. We will see how you fare."

Clyde smiled and clapped Dorek on the shoulder with his right hand and then looked over at Alfred and Nell.

"Follow me."

Clyde began to jog, leading Alfred and Nell around the course. Once the house was back in sight, he looked to Alfred and smirked. They both got into a run for the house. Alfred won, because Clyde was feeling weaker then he was in the morning by the end. Nell was not the only one who bent over to regain breath. Clyde did the same.

When they had both caught their breath, Clyde looked to Nell and said in a soft voice.

"How was your night?"

Clyde winked at her. Hoping she would get the point that he was there and saw what happened. He then nodded over to the corner of the porch away from Alfred and Dorek who were just turning to go inside for breakfast.