The Game of Knives and Fists [Caelum]

Needing to let off some frustration with combat training, Reven meets Caelum who helps her do just that!

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Built into the cliffs overlooking the Suvan Sea, Riverfall resides on the edge of grasslands of Cyphrus where the Bluevein River plunges off the plain and cascades down to the inland sea below. Home of the Akalak, Riverfall is a self-supporting city populated by devoted warriors. [Riverfall Codex]

The Game of Knives and Fists [Caelum]

Postby Reven Heath on April 7th, 2014, 8:40 pm

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Night 32nd of Spring, 514 A.V.

It had been three moons since she was nearly dragged off into the grasslands by traffickers. Anger over the event was very much apparent, not only for her carelessness but also because of the wounds inflicted on the knight who had rescued her. Then there was Vanator, handling fire as if it came second nature to him, but how? How could he hold it within his hands without burning himself? Was he something else, something different? Needless to say, it was obvious Reven was feeling more than overwhelmed over what had occurred. Most of all, she was upset for not being strong enough to defend herself and for risking the connection she had with the only person that truly mattered to her.

Reven let out a gentle sigh and attempted to untangle herself from her bondmate's limbs. It was most likely the second bell... It certainly felt that like it anyway as most of the Sanctuary staff and animals were fast asleep, the area almost noiseless. As Syna and Leth danced across the skies day in and day out, the memories of the event slowly settled back to her mind yet the emotions lingered. She needed to let off some steam... Falling back into her regular routine was proving difficult. The Kelvic needed proof that she could take care of herself. Reven needed to be strong, she needed to be better so that people didn't feel the need to worry. Ultimately, she needed to prove to herself that she was capable. Perfection was her expectation, unfortunately...

Weaving out of his arms, the cougar slipped away from their bed, moving to dress herself in a thin, cotton tunic, with cotton pants and her typical boots before heading out of the suite, knife strapped to her upper, right thigh. Reven sauntered silently through the halls, moving from the common room into the training area the Within housed. She had used this room before and as brief as it was, the Kelvic still remembered where the armory supplies were stored. Pushing open the door, hazel eyes glanced around at the weapon racks, noticing the battle axes, swords, maces, and spears. None of which she wanted. Stepping further into the storage room, she looked around on the tables at the leather armor suits, the shields, and then wooden barrels containing exactly what she wanted. Reaching inside, Reven pulled out five daggers that were sharpened and ready for use before stepping back from the barrel. A hand ax, hilt wooden while the metal appear cheap, rusted, settled against one of the weapon racks. Arm strength was something she lacked when it came to armed combat so handling a battle ax was completely out of the question. However, the hand ax looked easy enough and with that expectation, Reven picked it up and ventured to the above ground.

The cougar needed to hit something, maybe that would ease the irritation she felt. Her quiet steps carried her through the Sanctuary, rousing some animals for a few brief ticks before they fell back to sleep. Cool air caressed her skin, moisture from morning dew already floating about in the wind, settling on the dirt below. She found herself standing in the middle of the main courtyard where Leth's moon sat just above the horizon indicating morning would be upon them in a few short bells. The moon shined down, not as brightly as it would when it was brilliantly full but still provided enough light for Reven to see comfortably. Then the feline set down the weapons she carried and went about setting up the board that was propped up just a few paces from her. Once it was in place and a great distance from anything Reven might break, she returned to the daggers and hand ax, ready to begin her self training.

Sadly, she didn't exactly know what she was doing except for the fact that she wanted to see the sharp metal of the dagger sink into the board. Instinct called for release and if it wasn't pitch black out in the forests and grasslands, the cougar would have dared a hunt, wishing to let go of her woes somehow. Taking the hilt of the dagger, she balanced it in her hands. It was cold, slightly heavy and appearing as though it had been sharpened recently. Gripping it loosely, hazel eyes looked on at the archery board almost fifteen paces from her. She wanted to throw it, to see how much distance she could get with the blade, to see if it would be an acceptable skill to pick up. Pulling her arm back, the feline chucked the blade at the board and cringed when a loud 'Bang!' sounded through the Sanctuary. Many animals were startled awake, which was not Reven's intention, but her lack of aim and strength showed when the dagger hit the board, hilt first, and clattered to the ground.

The weight of the weapon didn't help. She could see it when she picked up another dagger to throw. It was unbalanced and even thought they could be used to throw, they were not ideal for such actions. After launching the fifth dagger toward the board, Reven sighed as it smacked against the wood and fell to the side. Moving toward the board to retrieve the items, her brow furrowed. How frustrating! She came out into the courtyard tonight to burn off steam, not add more fire to already bubbling anger. Reven cursed and grabbed the daggers, turning to head back. The forest beckon her as did the grasslands though, she learned her lesson. As much as she wanted to wander, the Kelvic couldn't.

With that thought, the cozy, quiet atmosphere that enveloped the Sanctuary suddenly felt like a cage.
Last edited by Reven Heath on April 10th, 2014, 3:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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The Game of Knives and Fists [Caelum]

Postby Caelum on April 8th, 2014, 8:36 pm

Leth drew the wild out of the ethaefal’s bones, spilling him over with the skin of the horselord he had once been. A heavy knot of braids rested at the nape of his neck and velvet dark eyes were lit up with glimmers of gold as he watched Reven interestedly. He stood where she had begun, discovered there when she turned back to stalk from her target; and when their eyes met, his face transformed into something unspeakably charming with a smile.

“Can I see your knives?” He asked politely, quite as if this was their hundredth meeting in the middle of the night to discuss matters of combat.

In fact, Caelum was often out at this hour, letting the empty world fill him while the stars were visible in the bowl of the sky. To him this was an ideal time to focus on physical training, magical practice, and private meditations. Undistracted by Syna’s soft and sultry song, he could focus more completely on the paths of all that laid before him and how they may intersect with martial necessities.

A hand came out, palm up, for one of Reven’s knives even as he eyeballed those she carried.

“These appear to be handle-heavy,” he offered after a little while. “And if I’m right, you’re starting out their throw from the wrong end. When you throw a knife, you want to do so with the heaviest end first. Unless it’s a balanced blade, of course, but you shouldn’t be practicing with those yet. They’re more difficult for the less experienced.”

The smile he wore grew rueful. “Of course, I’m not too terribly experienced myself. I know a bit more about unarmed combat, but anyone with half a brain learns their way around a knife anymore. Isn’t that so?”

They could have been in the middle of a conversation, the way he talked, easy as anything in the open air.
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The Game of Knives and Fists [Caelum]

Postby Reven Heath on April 11th, 2014, 2:28 am

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To say the Kelvic was caught off guard was an understatement. Reven flinched, startled, and fumbled for a knife to arm herself with for her eyes didn't recognize the man before her. He knew he had surprised her by the smile that rose to his features which, oddly enough, calmed her in the same way one of Van's smiles would. Frowning, the Kelvic stood straighter, trying to recover from her obvious bewilderment.

Before her stood a Drykas. She could tell from the way his skin was littered with tattoos, wind marks scrapped into nearly every inch of his flesh, and the broadness of his shoulders and torso. He did, however, look paler than a Drykas would, being out under the sun all day tanned their skin just like her's. His hair was done up in intricate knots as well, looking tangled yet kept together. Appealing and attractive.

Reven blinked. The Kelvic was very much caught off guard.

It wasn't until the man spoke that she was able to piece together his voice and smile, both seeming familiar, “Caelum..?”

Venturing out into the dark of night was not a habit of the cougar's. She would scurry from the Within early in the morning, when the first light touched the sky, enough for her to see quite clearly. Seeing the healer like this puzzled Reven. Was he like her, in some strange way?

“Oh, these?” Looking down, she examined the daggers before slowly stepping towards him and offered them up.

“Sorry if I woke you,” Reven apologized, her features appearing a bit confused by the man. He looked so different... Her hand twitched gently as she stuffed down the need to touch him to make sure he was there. The Kelvic thought he was an illusion. Caelum, the Drykas, did indeed exist for when she placed the blade into his hand, it met with solid flesh.

How odd..?

“I thought that was the problem...” She told after he explained the handle-heaviness of the dagger. He spoke to her so eloquently and friendly, polite, as if they had been friends for a long time and they were meeting, once more, to discuss matters that were more or less of significance. Reven never met with an individual like this. Not only that, but there was something about him that caught her attention in a strange way. Maybe it was his very dramatic change of appearance? Maybe it was his behavior? She couldn't put her finger on it...

Pushing past those thoughts, Reven listened to the man as he educated her on the proper way to hold the blade. Knives, she only understood a small amount, like how to aim, stab, and keep stabbing. Unarmed combat was something she knew fairly well and smiled when Caelum brought the subject up.

“Heheh, I suppose so. Obviously, I don't have much experience with them either, but I agree, unarmed combat is something I'd like to consider myself decent with.” Peering down at the rest of the daggers in her hands, Reven sighed softly. She recalled at one point, Vanator urging her to take up another form of defense. Dagger were fine but she preferred her fists. Nevertheless, the bondmate wanted this for her and so, she would do it. One way or another.

“What are you doing out here so late? Don't you sleep?” She teased lightly, with a smile. “If you're not planning on going to bed anytime soon, I could use a partner to practice with... What do you say?”

Reven was capable, at least that's the reason she was out here, to prove that. If he would accept, she would expect more from him than simple knife throwing lessons. The Kelvic knew he was skilled in unarmed combats. Was he any good? Reven didn't know but she was more than ready to ambush him, when the time was right, to find out.

It was apparent in her demeanor that she was out here tonight for more than just training. A fight called to her.
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