The sound of iron making contact with wood seemed to ring from the little clearing Galdor has chosen as his favorite thinking spot. The elf squared up with his shield with his mighty advesary. He rose his sword and struck 3 times in quick succession before lightly hopping back. The elf looked over the elm he had been practicing upon. Several cuts ran up and down the mid section of the tree as proof of Galdor's diligent training. "Heh. Quite the noble advesary", Galdor panted to the tree. "But you have yet to have the best of me!" After a short break, Galdor lifted his shield once more and set his stance to continue his training,making slight alterations to how he came at the tree.
"HAHA!! Take that scum!" Galdor retorted to the tree as he spun around to perfect his finishing blow. As he turned, he saw the dark figure standing almost too close for comfort to the elf. Galdor stmbled back startled, even going as far as raising his shield against the stranger and preparing his sword. The elf relaxed a bit as soon as he reaized it was Madam Akon, though not lowering his shield in an attempt to hide his shaking hands. "You could have warned me you know! You about scared me half to death," Galdor said with a little irritation. "Umm... Just for curiousity's sake, how long have you been watching me exactly?" the elf question with a slight hint of embarassment in his voice.
Akon had the bare hint of a smirk taste her lips as she replied monotonously. "Long enough to know that you have a good sword arm but that you leave your right side open and your left ankle vulnerable." She replied calmly, remaining just where she was, arms still folded at her back in a relaxed and observant manner.
Galdor sighed in relief. It seems she didn't catch his monologue to the "Evil Elm of Jastrey's Forest." "It's work in progress, I assure you," Galdor replied to the Uordeq. ".But there's little a tree can teach me besides striking." Galdor glanced ove in time to watch a squirrel dart up a tree with what seemed to be a mushroom in it's mouth.
"True." Akon replied. "You'll only learn from those that are better than yourself in the craft you wish to master." Akon then glanced up the elm with a bit of an amused smirk. "And I doubt that Elm is much good at swordplay." She looked back to him with subdued red eyes.
"Don't under estimate those that are below your own skill. One could gain insight by even watching creatures here in the forest" the elf said, trying to regain his composure. "I constantly come here and just watch the wildlife. How the hawk catches the rabbit or how the turtle defends against the raccoon. You're more than welcome to join me, Madam Akon.Who knows, you may learn as much as you may be able to offer."
"I've offered nothing but observation and opinion." She smiled gently. "The hawk is a master of sight and a marvelous hunter. The turtle, a master of defense. They are masters of their own arts, and much can be learned from them. Though I would also offer what ever you wish to know from me in the ways of the long blade. It was my first love, and always shall remain intertwined with my path." She replied as she looked towards the sounds of footsteps coming through the woods.
The sound of voices a short ways off the road caught her attention and Odelia diverted her path toward them, wondering if perhaps it could be anyone she had met during her last stay in Jastrey a few mesturns ago.
Two figures came into view and one turned to look toward Odelia. The human woman hesitated for the briefest moment, suddenly realizing it was the uordeq warlock she had been warned to stay away from. The other she did not recognize. But too late now to go back the way she had come without seeming rude and the warlock wasn't one she wished to offend, at least not yet. She waved a greeting at the pair.
"Apologies for the intrusion," she said as she drew closer, but not quite close enough to be within melee range. "I thought I might inquire if there was any news before I ventured into town. Jastrey was quite the town of many troubles last I visited."
"Well, everybody else has found there way into my meditation spot, might as well allow another. Welcome human," Galdor greeted warmly. "I don't believe I've ever met you before though. The names Galdor. Madam Akon here and I were just speaking of swordplay training before you arrived. You're more than welcome to come join in. The more the merrier I suppose. As far as the goings on here, I'm still trying to piece it together myself. I've arrived to this strange town not too long ago myself." Galdor glanced up to notice a raven perched upon her nest. The very nest Galdor was hoping to watch himself when the bird returned. "Looks like I'll have to wait till that bird comes back I suppose", Galdor thought to himself.
"Odelia Gray," she said, returning the introduction. She gave them a friendly smile, but still didn't get too close. "Good to meet you, Galdor. And you too, Akon."
Not overly anxious to practice her swordplay with the warlock, she caught on to something else the elf said. "So you just recently arrived, you say? Did you travel by span, by chance?"
"Once. Though, I doubt I'll be able to recall much of it. I was in quite a situation at the time and was only interested in traveling somewhere else. Though I do remember seeing a red eagle at some point that was most interesting to say the least," Galdor replied seeming to get lost in his memory of the impressive eagle. The elf snapped back to reality, "But yes, I've just arrived not too long ago I suppose."
The uordeq's red eyes landed upon her and Odelia had to force herself not to take a step backwards. Did the creature ever not look like she was contemplating how best to kill?
"Thank you," she said. "It's been an interesting few mesturns. Well, I'll leave you two to your sparring practice then. Another time I'll join you, but for now I'm anxious to set down my gear and find a pint of ale at the tavern."
The gentle rustle of a summer breeze through the canopy was all that was heard along with the clanks of metal against wood. But should the elf's eye deviate behind him, the dark draped figure of Akon was suddenly behind him, having approached silent as the shadows themselves. She watched without word for as long as it took for the elf to notice her, hands clasped behind her casually and hood drawn up against the daystar's rays filtering through the trees.