Akon can be seen walking steadily out of the woods on the edge of town, hand casually on her long blackblade.
Jael was waiting there as the two of them emerged. A slight smile on his face as the two appeared, "My two favorite ladies I see." he said with a chuckle, "So Lia you are ready for my training session now?" he said in a serious tone. Though his face still held a smile.
Akon's blade was deflected by the block she had taught the ixifar the night before, following through with a solid kick to the chest to hit the ixifar with a very hard blow. "Something..." She watched the ixifar fall to the ground, eyeing her, then slowly putting her blade away, looking to Jael with those controlled red eyes of her. There was a whistful about her look as she turned her back on the Ixifar.
As Akon jumped at Lia's throat Jael moved his head back in slight surprise. He watched the short exchange with a warriors eyes, taking notes of everything that happened. He gave a smile as Akon looked to him, locking eyes with her for the second that he could. He picked up one of the bucklers he had hidden behind the rock he sat on and slid it over towards Lia, "Put it on, and take a drink of water. It will be important to stay hydrated."
Lia had hit the ground with an unpleasant grunt. She crumpled from the pain despite herself, but kept herself from doing much more than curling upward into a sitting position. Her fists pressed against the ground until her knuckles left impressions on the dirt and gravel beneath them. She locked her jaw fiercely, but glanced towards Jael as he spoke up. The Ixifar simply sat that for a moment letting herself try to dilute the pain somehow in her mind. Though, Lia did reach over to the small shield, picking it up and slowly strapping it on. With a small grunt of effort, she stood to her feet adjusting the buckler and sword in her hands.
Lia looked to Jael with a 'go to hell' expression draped across her features. "Wonderful." She replied dryly before drawing her blade back out. From the mix of irritation and frustration already pumping through her veins, she quickly fell into stance. Not waiting for any cues, she stepped around her human opponent, focusing on keeping the buckler up and ready for use. Lia could see Akon simply watching with her ever observant expression through the corner of her eye. The pain of her neck and now her chest flared up as she found herself lunging at Jael with an aggressive groan.
He yawned as he rolled his neck. Jael watched Lia as she stepped around him, falling calmly into his own position though still facing the same direction. He waited for her to start her strike before spinning around and knocking the blade side with his buckler. "I lied", he said before thrusting the pommel of his sword down at her.
The Ixifar frantically tried to catch up with his blows, being highly unsuccessful at first but eventually blocking a few. With each blow he landed, the sores that were starting fade around her body flared back up with biting intensity. Lia grit her teeth openly; her frustration level only increasing as her body slowly pulsed with pain. She somehow spotted an opening amidst his barrage and slipped her sword passed his to land a solid blow to his hip then pressed him off with her buckler.
Jael took the blow that she delivered with a low grunt and stumbled backwards as she used her buckler to force him to back off. "Good use of that buckler.", he commented before throwing a few sword swings her way. "You have a buckler, continue to use it!" he changed his stance and gripped his sword with two hands now, forcing her to use the buckler to block some of his brutal swings. There were occasional openings but his swings were fast. Essentially he was testing the strength of her arm to absorb the blows that the shield took.
She caught on to that cue relatively quickly. Lia lifted her shield up to receive each of his swings. Under more normal circumstances, the Ixifarian woman might have been able to handle each blow better than she did now. However, each swing's connection to the shield strapped to her arm sent a vibration up to her neck and a little over her torso. This made the dull throb whine out agitated. She held a consistant wince, and by the last stroke her arm was brought down and twisted a bit with Jael's sword stroke.
Jael gave a smirk and glanced in Akon's direction, "Yeah I can help train her up. I have trained and spared with many different kinds of combatants." He gave a nod back and readied his weapon, still in a two handed stance. Jael moved closer to Lia, calculating his next moves as he watched her stance. "If you would like a hand and a half weapon we could try that, perhaps it would be a good change to explore.", he waited for her answer, still expecting combat to start at any moment.
He struck her sword hard in retaliation in an attempt to knock it out of her hand. The sword clanked to the ground and Jael barreled into her pushing her down with his buckler. Once she was on the ground he stepped back, "When was the last time you ate?" He waited paitently for her answer, standing off to the side to allow her some space to breath.
Lia quickly found herself on the ground again and let out a frustrated grunt. Her blue eyes flicked up to Jael's when he questioned her. "A couple hours ago, maybe...." She sighed roughly and brushed a hand over her face. With a little effort she got to her feet, spat, and slid back into stance. Her gaze begged for him to initiate again.
"Well good, as long as you are not starving. Remember to eat much more than usual to account for the training.", he smirked as she got to her feet again and back in his stance. Jael obliged her by taking a step and another swing expecting this to start another brawl.
Lia simply nodded and waited for him to come at her. When he swung, she swiftly met the attack with a solid block--one Akon herself had shown her. Her sword arm easily slid into the next stroke while Jael's arm was stopped, landing a blow to his hip again. With an added bit of aggressive energy she followed up her attack with meeting his blade with her buckler and trying forcing it down to the side and swinging at him again, this time aimming for his side.
Jael took the strike to the hip with a smirk, he was suprised she hit him again especially with the buckler. Last time they trained Lia was much slower and clumsy with the added instrument. He let his blade go entirely at her attempt to force it down and easily blocked the incoming blow to his side. He took advantage of how off center she was thanks to the sudden forward moment she exerted with no force to hold back her buckler. After two quick solid punches to her side he jumped back and drew a parrying dagger from a underneath the back of his tunic. Jael waited to see if she would take the offensive this time, obviously enjoying their bout. "You have gotten better since the last we sparred."
Jael's blows easly jarred the young Ixifarian woman, causing her to sumble a step to catch her balance again...barily. She quickly turned round to face him, habitually readying her blade. An eyebrow cocked at his choice of weapon, and after a moment, the curious nature of her look turned into a slight scowl. She didn't respond to his comment, but rather opted to lunge for him again. Her agitation was making her impatient, which showed a bit with her movements. She swung at the human warrior with more energy now, swinging first up above, to the sides, to anywhere there'd be an opening...becoming relentless. Not stopping reguardless of if she were hit, or if she managed to hit him or not. All the while, the throbbing in her head continued to grow, until it was more than a background annoyance.
He was happily suprised by the vigor she showed in her strikes. The dagger allowed him to use her momentum to turn away most of the attacks. He easily met her shield to shield and remained mostly on the defensive as Lia continued her assult. Once in a while he would land a punch with his dagger hand though there were points where he was strugged to block finding some of her erratic movements hard to read. "Hit me with your shield Lia!" Jael shouted over the melee, "Dagges can be easily knocked away from grasp with a solid strike to the hand."
Lia winced at Jael's voice. The sound hit her ears, and left her feeling like she'd taken a few arrows to the back of the head. With an irritated yell, she swung her off hand, clutching the buckler, at him. Though, it's aim was not directed at the hand which grasped the dagger. It was a full on swing for his face.
Unable to react quick enough with his buckler Jael caught the blow with his dagger arm with a dull thud and a throbbing pain before bringing his knee swiftly into Lia's gut. The bracer acted to absorb some of the blow though Jael dropped the dagger from the reverberations that went through his arm. Holding his injured arm he recited a few words, "By my words let me be healed" (heal 4). Jael stood straight "By my words stand up and fight." (heal 4), he channeled the energy at Lia, hitting her with the spell.
As Jael's knee connected with her, she released a low gurggled moan. Consciousness started to slip from her being and her body started to fall forward. Jael's words only sounded like muffled sounds to her ears, then Lia almost gasped as the wave of healing hit her. The firey jolt of pain that coursed her abdomin vanished. The low throb that had gripped her chest dulled, as did the throb in her neck and head. Much of the soreness throughout her body eased. It wasn't enough to fully remove it, but certainly enough to make Lia feel fairly refreshed. However, she paused, lowered on one knee. Her eyes were glued to the ground as she breathed. They slowly lifted up from the ground and scanned all the way up Jael to his eyes. There was something off about her expression...what it was, was too subtle to put a finger on.
In an instant, Lia sprang upward slashing diagonally upwards with her blade. The fiercity of her swing would easily make someone question if her motives were still on training or not...or if there was intent to kill.
Jael expected the fight to be over now as he watched Lia recover from the blow he had delt and accept the healing he offered her. Though her expression was that of a cornered beast not a defeated trainee. It was just enough to put him on edge to deal with her sudden spring into action. He barly managed to block the blow with his buckler. The scrape of metal on metal sounded off loudly in the surrounding area. "Lia calm yourself!", he managed to yell out as he braced himself for another attack.
What Lia heard exactly come from Jael's lips would probably never be known, but it wasn't what the warrior actually said. Whatever she heard seemed to set her off even further. Again she swung her blade wildly, this time trying to rip the small shield from his person to leave him exposed. Her next move would be to thrust the cold of her steel into the warmth of his gut.
Eventually her attempts succeed and he is stripped of the buckler as he attempts to fight defensivly as not to hurt her. "Lia!", he shouted as she made for his gut, deflecting the blow with his dagger. Jael stuggled to keep his balance as he lost ground to her blows.
Another swing fell, then another. Her arm raised, poised for another attack, but it remained still. Her face twitched, and recognition swirled in her gaze. Lia steped out of stance and lowered her blade some, as she looked between Jael and Akon with a confused look. "How did...?" She started to ask, more to herself than to either of the two who stood near her.
Lia jerked a bit from Jael's yelling. Her confusion clearly mirrored on her face as she studied him for a moment quietly. "Sorry...?" She chimed in, though uncertain as to what she had to be sorry for. When Akon spoke to her, it quickly drew her attention. She took the water-skin somewhat hesitently, looking to both of them as her confusion grew. The Ixifar was about to comment that she felt fine when the dull throb of her head flared back up, followed quickly by the ache of her chest. She sighed and took a couple of long drafts of water before handing it back to Jael.
Valez strolled through the forest and heard a fight occuring. He smiled and sauntered over, an amused grin on his face. He noticed Lia and Jael engaged in combat and as he appraoched he saw Akon. He bowed and leaned against a tree. His eyes gazing at the human and ixifar.
Lia's ear twitched at the sound of approaching foot steps, and she turned her head a bit to see who they belonged to. Her blue gaze followed the water elf as he positioned himself against a nearby tree after a polite bow. It took her a moment more to recall who he was, and when she did she rasied a brow. It seemed she was on the verge of saying something, but didn't act upon it.
Lia gave a dry look to her instructor, and it seemed she was gnawling on some hot words to spout back...but the firery bird held her tounge. She quietly started to do as she was told, when the water elf spoke up. The Ixifar froze, her eyes deadlocked on Valez as a mixture of shock and anger seeped across her features. Her gaze narrowed on him and she set her jaw. Her fists clentched til her knuckles went white. She unconsciously stepped towards the elf. "Excuse me?" Another step. "And good day to you too, master elf." Step. Step. Step. "Look...Valez is it?" Step. Step. She now was standing right in front of him, using her height to get up in his face. "You may be right that there isn't rest out there, but I trust my instructors' judgement. It may not be what you view is what's necessary, but last time I checked you aren't Lady Nivarian nor Jael Taydon. So. Back off."
Valez's face wore a wicked grin as the Ixifar approached him.
"Make excuses little ixifar, but dont bring your misguided convictions at my door. I made my comment. Now unless you have something to say with that blade of yours step away from someone older and wiser than you."
Akon watched with a smirk of amusement, folding her arms over her chest. She strummed her fingers over her ribs, watching the exchange casually. "I'm rather hungry myself, and tired." She squinted up towards the daystar's rays. "And arguing wouldn't exactly be resting, Lia Saxum. My advice is yours to take however. As always, the choice is yours. I am going to retire." She glanced at Valez to meet eyes with him, before turning to make her exit.
Jael gave a tierd wave to Valez as he approached. He watched the exchange between everyone and eventually had enough after the pent up arguing. He stood and walked out to force his way between Valez and Lia. "You both, stop it now. You are acting like children with their first blades. Lay down your hostilities and lets all act like adults. No one died here, the end. No true harm done, this was only a training session afterall." Jael said with a frown, attempting to hold the two away from each other.
Valez sighed as Jael approached. "Always the level headed one. That is why you are in charge of the knights and rightfuly so." Valez turned and started to walk away. "The point is mute on you Lia, as always your sword stays sheathed and as always its just as useful there as you are here."
Lia took not another moment's hesitation. Her sword was out, she cast the clumbsy shield to the ground with a satisfying thud and tossed Jael from her path as if he were a limp rag doll. Her blade was next to Valez's neck in the next instant. "I'm sorry. Say that again, knife ears. This time to my face." She hissed with a voice rich with heated rage.
Valez smiled. "Ah so the chicken has some talons. Its good to see your not just a bird waiting to be cooked." Valez pressed against the blade so that it drew blood from his neck. "Please Lia, why did you stop? Just wanted to prove a point? To rattle me? Valez doesn't rattle my dear. So ether complete your buisness or put your sword back where it belongs."
Akon walked back to the edge of the woods. "Forgot something." She muttered as she walked back out of the tree line, wandering casually up to the two. She ran a finger to gather the blood along the blade, then licked it between her lips, sucking on it with a wicked glint about her features. "Mn...elf...always delectable." She flashed her eyes towards Valez mischeviously. "But I do recall rest was in order no? So unless you intend to make Valez here your lunch, perhaps this little prattle can be saved for later?" Akon eyed Lia. "Let's go. Anger is only useful when it is channeled and chosen. You are reacting on impulse, and that impulse will only see you killed if not channeled correctly. The choice is always yours, but put down your blade, and come, Lianna Saxum." Something about Akon's tone took on that commanding hint, though it was hidden and subtle, but it had a softness to it that would hit -just- the right tone in the Ixifar's mind, one that she would only relate to.
Lia's sharp gaze flicked away from the elf's neck to her instructor as Akon tasted Valez's blood. It was hard for her to listen to the Uordeq woman as she commanded her to rest. Then the warlock continued, using the subtle ways...just the right buttons to stroke to grab the Ixifar's attention. Lia's blue eyes glared at Akon's red ones for a moment. For another moment more, it seemed she would disregard her instruction and release her rage anyways. Her hand pressed her blade harder against Valez's skin. But then, she closed her eyes and blew out a loud sigh while lowering her sword to her side. Sheathing her blade, she gave one final glare to the back of the elf's head. She looked to Jael and gave him a simple wave before pushing herself between Valez and Akon and on into the woods.
Jael shook his head at all the commotion, "If anyone hurts anyone, I am laying them out on the floor. Weapon in hand or not."
"I am good friend.", his voice picked up a little, "Actually I am better than I have ever been. As you can tell I am actually quite sober."
Jael smirked at that, extending a friend to an old friend, "Try not to start to many fights during your visit. Lia is my friend as well I would hate to see either of you hurt."
A short distance away from the group a sound comes from behind a tree. "Good day to you all." Leofrick comes around the tree and approches the group. "Her anger is getting the better of her, if she isn't careful it will consume and cloud her judgement and make the wrong desiscion, I just hope you are not the one her blade points at Akon, it will not end well... for her anyway."
Lia's figure slowly emerged from the tree line, not far behind the warlock. She rubbed the back of her neck gingerly; her face reflected an amount of dull pain. When the afternoon sun shone on her skin, one could see a great many bruises and welts. Most didn't appear too rough, save for one across her right cheekbone and a couple on her upper thighs.