Hidden Clearing Treve

:: his sword in hand, his tunic laying over a rock, the scars on his back apparent as he moves, his upper body holding a sheen of sweat as he moves, the sword swung quickly, being brought in a high arc and then swinging down, slicing through an unseen foe ::

:: turning easily with the move, his elbow brought back as if to second the strike, air rushing from his lungs with a hard grunt as he puts force into the maneuver, turning again, the sword lifts as if to parry a returned blow ::

-=leaving her guards behind... this time, close by, them allowing her privacy as she heads to another favored spot... she approached "her" clearing... far removed from any other... a look of disbelief was seen when she realized someone else was here=-

-=stepping behind a large old temwood tree, she peeked at the man, a gloved hand pressed to the rough bark as only the top of her head and crystal blue eyes could be seen...she watched as he practiced... noted the flow of his muscled form... a warriors dance... harsh thrusts... the glint of steel... engaged in a fight with an unknown foe...=-

:: the glint of steel seen as the rays of the new days light ride along the keen edge, the sword is swung with practiced ease, handled with skill as the blade comes arching up again and then with a hard turn of his wrist the keen edge glides through the air, the strike falling low as if aiming for someone's thigh ::

-=she had seen many doing just this and could tell within the first few ehns that this was a man to be reckoned with in battle... he would not fall easily to another's sword... as he turned, thrusting his sword as his unseen foe, she realized this was the man who invaded her cliffs last night=-

:: muscles flex and rolling along back, coiling along his shoulders as both hand grip the hilt of the sword, his teeth gritted as he swings, the blow driven forward to impale and then jerked as if gutting to slice his foe in two::

-=a shudder passed through her slender form... she could almost hear the anguished growled cry of pain of Talon's victim as that sword delivered those last harsh blows=-

:: raven hair falling before dark eyes, sweat beading down his face, his breathing hard though the motions continue, the sword switched into his left hand, gaining freedom to move as he turns, his elbow rising to strike at a jaw as he turns into the blow, the sword is driven finally home, sharply rising upward and into where a heart would lie ::

-=she continued watching, her eyes widened as if she were watching a real battle, a breath was held in anticipation of that last deadly thrust=-

:: turning with the completion of the move, the sword slowly lowered as he drops to a crouch, his forearms set to his knees as his head hangs, sweat dripping, breathing deeply the cool air of the day ::

-=a twig snapped beneath her foot as she slipped completely behind the tree... all that might be seen of her was the billowing of her cloak as it was caught by a gust of wind=-

-=she leaned against the thick trunk of the tree... her eyes closed as she replayed the last few moments in her mind's eye=-

:: his head lifts with the sound, dark eyes turning to the side, catching sight of the billowing cloak as he rises back to his full height, the sword brought back firmly into his grip :: Who's there? Come out now! :: his voice harsh with the shouted command ::

-=a breath was inhaled sharply when she heard him... that harsh tone... she looked towards the path to see if Darius was there but, he wasn't, she had commanded him to remain back for a few ehns=-

-=finally, pushing from the tree, she took the few steps needed to place her in view of Talon=-

-=her hood was low, hiding her face, breathing deeply, she calmed and with a quiet, graceful dignity, she approached him=- Tal, Sir... we meet again... seems you know all "my" places.

:: muscles flexed along his arm, the sword held, light glinting off the finely honed steel, grey-black eyes leveled upon the form that appeared, his gaze narrowing until her chin lifted and brought those eyes into view, his hand  slowly eased, letting the tip of the sword fall as he grinned, watching her slowly approach :: Tal, Lady. 

-=a glimmer of mirth that danced in her eyes as she remembered how they met last night in a similar circumstance=-

:: a grin creases his lips well now as he arcs a brow and looks over the clearing :: You mean my clearing?

-=laughing softly=- Your clearing? Sir, I beg to differ with you! This is my clearing... has been, like the cliffs... no one else comes here... or so I thought.

:: shakes his head and chuckles as he walks toward the rock with his tunic and pack, his sword slid into its sheath as he grabs a bota of water and turns to her drinking, he wipes his mouth as he shakes his head :: It would seem you are simply following me to all of my places, Lady. While I don't mind sharing as long you admit they are mine.

-=of course she would not speak of the times she came here as a slave girl and, stripping the wisps of silk her Master gifted her with, she practiced dancing... graceful glides over lush grass that tickled and caressed bare flesh=- I'll admit nothing of the sort, Sir

-=she glanced to the middle of the clearing and smiled, for a moment, she could see that slave girl from long ago=-

:: snorts and leans back against the rock, his chest marked well with scars, sweat still glistening off his skin as he watched her, his dark eyes turned to the clearing, following her gaze, wondering what thoughts came to her as she looked into this place he found a sanctuary :: Then we must come to another agreement it would seem.

-=laughs softly as the wind played tricks on her ears... she could almost hear the soft chiming of bells=-

You find it funny, Lady? :: arcs a brow with her light laughter ::

-=turning back to him, her head canted slightly to the side=- Hmmmm? Oh... no, Sir, I don't... just thought I heard something. You heard the sound of me saying it's my clearing.

:: grins and lifts the bota to have another drink ::

-=again her soft laughter rang out=- Sir... I do find that statement amusing... it is my clearing... no arguing it this time... it's on D'Karr land!

:: she could see the confusion come across his face, D'Karr land... he turned and looked over the clearing he had always practiced in and then back to her, dark eyes holding an almost challenging gaze :: How do you come to that conclusion, Lady?

Sir...this clearing is within the boundaries of the D'Karr properties. The Magistrates confirmed it several years ago.

With what title holding did this land become yours? :: his eyes held upon her, not wanting this to be true ::

Derikk D'Karr was my first Companion... upon his death... this land became mine... I hold it in trust for Connor.

I see. :: knowing the house of Gold N Steel once stood about a half passang away, his eyes turn toward where it once stood, not realizing the holding stretched this far, into the places he has known since a child ::

:: pulling away from the rock he leaned against, his tunic stuffed in his pack and lifted, his sword belt slung back over his shoulder as he turns to Kerina :: Then I shall not cross your lands again.

-=she too turned to look towards where once a great house stood, withstanding the ravages of time but falling to a bitter war=-

Sir...-=a soft smile reflects in her eyes... please feel free to come here whenever you please. I really don't mind...

My thanks, Lady. :: grey-black eyes turn to the clearing, perhaps it was time to find somewhere new, the battles waged here against his brother still held fresh in his mind :: I know of another place, Lady. I will leave this one to you.

-=she now wished she had said nothing, it seemed her words had ruined the beauty of this place for him=-

Are you out for a walk, alone again? :: seeing her eyes fill with what could only be concern, the topic changed easily ::

Few come out this far... I'm here today only because I'm going over my properties to see if anything needs to be done... I've been gone from Treve for over a year... -=about that time, Darius came into view on the path that had brought her here=- No... my guards a close by....

-=her tone hardened a bit when mentioning she had been gone from Treve... her time away had been an experience she hadn't counted on=- 

It's not far out for me, We... I mean I have a camp over there, past the next rise. :: his head nodded to the right as he grinned hearing her, dark eyes finding the guard on the path bringing a chuckle ::

-=smiles=- That's your camp? I wondered who owned it... I've taken the liberty of visiting it a time or two... while on my walks.

:: walking toward her, his pack dropped to the ground as he stood before her, the bota of water again lifted to drink :: Yes, it's mine. I'm surprised you found it. 

There isn't much around her I haven't found... I take many walks and hikes...

-=Darius, now within hearing chuckled and muttered under his breath=-"She sure does!"

:: grins as he glances to the guard and chuckles :: I've noticed she wanders a bit as well.

-=her chin rose and blue eyes sparkled as a challenge was issued=- I'd like to see if you could keep up with me some day, Sir! An early morning hike perhaps!

:: laughs, letting the sound rumble in his chest, dark eyes hold his grin as well :: Is that a challenge, Lady?

It certainly is! -=Darius just rolled his eyes and the men behind him groaned loudly=-

Then I accept, for I won't have it said that I do not meet my challenges. 

Very well! Name the day... I'll choose the time and place... -=she couldn't help but grin=- To make it even more interesting... care to make a bet?

Two days from now. :: bends down and grabs his pack :: It's getting late, are you staying or do you wish company back to your house? :: knowing she has guards and will be safe if he should leave her :: A wager even? :: grins as he regards her ::

I'm not ready to go home just yet but your offer is appreciated... I still have a lot more land to go over. -=she watched as he lifted his pack and smiled=- Yes... a wager...

:: nodding to her as he slings his pack over his other shoulder :: If you find something that's not yours, just remember it's mine.

But not coin... that's too easy!

:: grins at her ::

-=her laughter rang out in the cool air=- I'll remember that!

Hmm, what do you want should you win, though you won't. It's still nice to know.

Hmmm... I'll have to think about that 

You have two days to think, as do I. Can you cook?

Cook? Me? Well... I haven't been known to kill anyone yet with my culinary skills...

Then if I win, you can cook me dinner. That's what I want.

-=chuckles softly=- Hmmm... you are a brave one, indeed!

:: chuckles and then glances to her guards who start agreeing with her :: I may change my mind.

-=a dimpled smile formed beneath her veils, crystal blue eyes sparkled above=- To make it even... when I win, I want you to cook dinner for me!

:: snorts and starts laughing :: No, Lady. You are the brave one.

-=glances to Darius with a "look" ...the man just grinned and shook his head=-

-=turning back to Talon, she grinned=- Well... do we have a bet or not?

Yes, we have our bet.

Excellent!

I will leave you to your work, don't get lost on me. I will want my dinner in two days.

-=snickers=- I'll send you a list of my favorite food you can cook! I'll pack a meal to take with us in two days...

Good luck. :: laughs loudly, his grin flashes across his face :: I can cook three things good enough to eat. And what might those be?

-=she couldn't help but respond to his laugh with a bright smile under dark blue veils=-

Snake, bosk, and tabuk.

Snake? You would kill and cook a poor snake?

Yes, they are good over coals and roasted on a spit.

If you should see a hith lurking about the DKarr camp... all fat and sassy from eating urts... leave him be!

A fat snake, sounds like dinner to me.

-=a brow arched as the warning was issued=- His name is hank... You touch that hith and you'll have me to deal with, Sir! -=her hands lifted to rest on the gentle swell of her hips and her chin stuck out a bit as she spoke of hank-=

:: chuckles and snorts, a hand lifted and held to her as he takes a step back :: I won't. I won't.

-=behind her, Darius was gesturing wildly...  he knew the attachment the Lady had to the hith=-

All right then....

-=nods=- Perhaps if you're lucky, he will go to your camp and rid it of vermin

:: glances to her guard behind her and grins and then looks back to her :: What a treat.

-=chuckles softly=- Hank is one of a kind.

I'm sure he is.

-=looking at the angle of the fading light, she reconsidered continuing her walk=-

:: glancing up to the darkening sky and then back to her :: Perhaps your travels can wait another day?

Hmmm... I agree... soon, the light won't be sufficient for my needs.

Care to come back to House Darkke and see if anyone is around? Perhaps you can find Kry and speak with him.

I'd like that. Good idea... I am anxious to get started on my duties.

:: nodding to her, he turns to the path, walking beside her, he grins at her guards and heads for the house ::

-=she walks along his side, still looking over the clearing with a smile=-