(West of sunberth)Blood and Sweat (CE Only)

[Sahashkalila]

Kalila was unsure of herself as she walked along the muddy road to this supposed training session, debating whether or not this was even a good idea. She had heard about this group, the Crimson Edge from Andalusia and Lyalya. A reckless band of mercenaries who were trying to increase their numbers and skills, recruiting anyone that seemed to have potential. Kalila, however, was not one for violence and even went out of her way to avoid it if she could....but she could not afford to do that, not in this city. Like it or not this place was her home now, and she had to find a way to make a name for herself....even if it meant joining a mercenary gang. At least she would never run out of people who needed a healer's hand. That was the bright side wasn't it?

She came in sight of the training field and slowed her gait to observe the others that were present, her black robes swirling around her legs, her face covered by her veil, leaving nothing but her golden eyes open to their view. She did not know anyone there as she moved nimbly through the group of strangers, both human and other worldly alike, studying each one curiously as she made her way to the obvious leader of this grisly bunch. She did not know their purposes for being there, just as they did not know hers, but she had to start thinking of them as her comrades, the people that she was going to have to know how to protect. One face stood out to her that she did know, and she inclined her head in greeting to Andalusia as she passed, making her way to the large cart and the barbaric man next to it.

Barbaric was the only way she could describe him, and her lips quirked upward in an amused smile-not that anyone could see-as she stopped near the cart, her golden eyes studying both him and the stranger sitting next to him. Typical that it would be someone like him leading this group of people, he just oozed warrior and was also an eyesore for the Dhani healer. Too many scars that were't properly taken care of crossed his skin and her eyes narrowed in displeasure before she walked up to the wagon and took a look at its contents. She wasn't familiar with most of the weapons that were there, and her eyes narrowed even further before something caught her eye. She removed one of her delicate hands from inside her robes, reaching to grasp the hilt of a dagger, more of a short sword really. She held the weapon aloft in her small hand, noting that the tip of the dagger curved inward and that it was only sharp on one side, meaning that it was better suited for defense. This would suit her purpose perfectly. She glanced back at the two men next to the wagon, earning her a curious look from them both.

"I ssuposse I will play your gamesss barbarian,"she said, her voice sultry with a hint of amusement before she inclined her head to the two and moved off to the side alone to observe the rest of the strangers there, her emotions hidden to the world.

[Ana Sol Starris]

Opening her eyes groggily, Ana rubbed them lightly and groaned at the pain behind her eyes of having of fallen asleep. The more sleep she wanted, but yet loathed to accept rest was needed. Her body lately had been being fussy with its energy lately, less of it and quicker usage than ever before but that didn't stop her from getting activities done. Turning her head to look out the flap of the tent to see the sun was already up, perhaps higher in the sky than she wanted it to be. Scrambling to get up, Ana was late for the training session! Why hadn't Wren, or even Shroud woken her up!? Grabbing her practice weapon by the handle, there would be no time to play with her hair and put it up in a bun as it usually would be. No, she let it fall past her shoulders.. Ana didn't look bad this way, but the hair that fell in front of her eyes would be a problem as she needed to see to know what she was doing. This necessity was pushed aside however as she shouted loudly into the air "SHYKE, I'M LATE!" more so out of frustration with her stupid bodys need for sleep rather than the fact that someone should have woken her up. Sprinting like a madwoman to her destination, hair flying out behind her and a frantic expression across her face, Ana only hoped she could make it in time.. Or at least not too terribly late! It did take her some time, as it was rather far out for a mad dash with the periodic stops to catch her own breath. Heart hammering against her chest, her ears, pushing itself up her throat Ana was certain she'd vomit any time soon. Yet she kept moving, even if meant walking with a pain in her side from the sprint, determined not to be unaccounted for and even if Cade beat her, or had something else nasty in mind as a punishment for her lack of promptness. Ana was certain she was going to be in for something... So why hide? They lived in the same area after all. Sighting the small group of people, Wrenmae, Cade and Mok stood out painfully to Anas eyes first and so did the other tall guy near them. Kreig was who she noticed next and then Kit and Lusa, some of the others she wasn't sure about but were most likely new members. After all, Cade was recruiting people like flys to a fire and especially with the awful storm some time ago.. They were more likely to agree after the catastrophe. Anas legs burned from the exertion but she forced herself to begin jogging again towards them, she didn't want to seem to be limping. That was when it happened, her footing gave out as she was little more than a few meters away. Tumbling in the grass and dirt with a strangled sound that could have been a thousand or more cusses at the same time, coming to a stop the blush was evident on her face, the pulsing in her body even more enounciated. Facepalming at the embarresement.. How could she have let that happen, and in front of all of them! What would they think of her now.. She cringed at the very thought, the laughter. Raising her hand at them and in a croakish voice, which she coughed into the same hand to clear her throat before waving it into the air "I..Made..It.." Rubbing her eyes, it took a few moments to will herself to turn and get up; the practice weapon gripped tightly in her other hand as she rolled to be on her knees and got up, patting herself off and forcing herself to move foward a little weavingly to be next to Wrenmae. Giving him something akin to a glare and happy smile to see him, she would look in his eyes and be taken by surprise as it was not Shroud in control this very moment. Patting the dirt off herself absent mindedly with a free hand and also trying to smooth out her air tortured hair, she didn't have the heart, nor the energy to spare for giving him a piece of her mind.. Acting rather like a frustrated tabby cat cleaning its fur. Periodically wiping her face with a dirty sleeve to get the sweat off herself, grumbling dark things as she was probably making the problem worse..

[Lyalya]

Walking up to the decently-sized grouping of killers, well, soon-to-be killers, Lyalya was all smirks. Training, this was what she lived for. Well... except for the occasional thrill and accompanied night. But honestly, she refused to fall prey to anyone, and this is hope you avoid that. Becoming deadly. She craved to pull the gauntlet out and spar with that instead, but this was no battle, just training. She walked past a few familiar faces, Kalila, Wrenmae, Andalusia, Aerika, and of course, Cade. For the hulking barbarian, she gave him a wink.

Lyalya stretched her arms back and limbered up, she wanted to impress today and accomplish as much as she could. She looked through the remaining wooden weapons and found a wooden gauntlet. She tossed it between her hands, frowning at the lightness of it. However, the wood seemed sturdy and wouldn't break too easily. With a smile she backed up, practicing a few swings through the air. Not too bad.

The past few years she had trained with all sorts of people which gave her a good bit of experience, but she had never had a consistent group to spar or train with. She wanted to get the most out of this she could. She WOULD prove to be useful for something other than her beauty. Lyalya couldn't deny that her body was sexy and her face attractive, but she was a force to be reckoned with. The Crimson Edge would not call her just another pretty face.

Her long blonde hair was tied back out of her face, woven into a thick braid that danced as she moved. Her body was toned and ready for movement, ready to sweat. She glanced around at the rest of the trainees through her blue eyes, waiting with them for the fun to start. She wanted to belong here, to form an attachment she hadn't managed on the sea. Lyalya practically needed to bestow her loyalty in something, to have something to fight for. And if she happened to make a few friends and who knows, maybe a lover, Lyalya certainly couldn't complain. She was ready.

[Chamaeleon]

For the first time since she had left the open Wildlands and the dangers that lurked there, Chamaeleon was among a group of people gathered for the sole purpose of a fight. Before her stood a mass of men and women, all of different sizes and temperaments, and wondered what their purpose was. It had been three days since she had agreed to join the Crimson Edge and given herself a group to follow.

Among them she recognised few, mainly those that she had encountered in an alley and then, further on, in a bar. Wrenmae and Roka she identified easily, and she smiled at both before her blue eyes took in the others. Winged men stood near dainty girls, and two larger men seemed to oversee it all. They could have been farm animals, and those men could have been the farmers.

Stepping across the group, she approached the wagon with wooden weapons and scanned them with her eyes, reaching in and picking them up to test their weight. She.found herself comfortable with a wooden long dagger. The interesting thing about the dagger was that the blade was wavy, something that had caught her interest. The Ethaefal had chosen a simple wooden kris.

Her choice in hand, she nodded to the large men and the people gathered around the wagon, a smile on her pink lips, before stepping aside and waiting for some sort of direction to be given.

[Andalusia]

Andalusia had to stop herself from gaping as a beautiful woman came to join their training. What kind of parents had created such a wondrous, ethereal child? She purposely turned away from the girl to keep from staring. Could someone that magnificent be human? From the amount of races she'd been meeting, she might as well be a goddess. "Could I speak to her?" she blushed, turning to the others around. She could always just speak to Roka, Kreig or Lusa, but it'd be better to meet new people before anything else.

She smiled as more familiar faces came to view. Kalila and Lyalya had showed up and had already began choosing their weaponry. She approached the beautiful blonde stranger and gave her a timid smile, "Hello." She was almost painful to look at as she glistened underneath the sunlight, and she looked very friendly as well. She clutched her swords in an awkward fashion as she stood next to the woman.

[Rail]

Rail awoke with a start that morning, slowly glancing around the empty room. Once again his master had gone out without him, leaving him to find his own entertainment. He heaved a dramatic sigh and sat for a moment contemplating his situation. He had already exhausted many of his options in the area.The thought made him chuckle darkly. Being expelled from many of the local taverns will make life a little boring for someone like him. He growled out a few choice curses as he set out for the streets snatching up his slave collar as he went. Nothing for it but to find something worthwhile to occupy his time. Once again the streets of Sunberth were a riot of sound and excitement. Rail breathed deep smelling the richness of the place, the ocean, the spices, the fish and other foods, but most of all the smell of danger, of blood. He smiled a toothy grin that set several people back on their heels and walked on searching for something to ease his restlessness. As he walked near the edge of the city he caught several familiar scents... members of the Crimson Hand. He smiled, anything with this many of the members had to be interesting. Following the scent he trotted along the western road until he finally spotted a clump of people around a large heavily laden wagon. As he approached he grinned widely, definitely something interesting. A wagon covered in practice weapons and Cade standing like he was ready to go to war. As Rail approached several members tensed, many of them hadnt met him yes so it was understandable. He approached Cade," Training huh sounds fun." He gave the boss a huge grin and leaned past him snatching up a pair of thick leather gloves to protect his hands. Rail moved to the side of the group pulling on his gloves and snapping his slave collar in place. Wouldnt want to shift by accident and cause a ruckus. He grinned at the thought as he slid down the side of a tree to await the start of the action.

[Xavior Silhouette]

The day had crawled over the night as the sky transitioned from the veiled darkness to bright clarity. With the transition came Xavior as the wind howled in his ears. He flew high above Sunberth out of range of any arrows that may come his way. His wing tip tickled the belly of a low cloud before he began to dive toward the western road. Details began to emerge as the dots of green became trees and the figures of humanoids manifested out of the fog of browns and greens of the open land beneath their feet. “Well here we go,” he said to himself as he began to slow his decent. “Time to explore this culture a bit more. Perhaps even learn more about the darker sides of human life.” He began to position himself so that he'd land feet first. He aimed for the edge of the collected people and landed with a firm thump. His long talons dug into the ground as he took a few step forward to soften the impact. His body continued moving forward and nodded to those he recognized, not that they'd recognize the Zith. He adjusted the strap that held his crossbow along his back before he walked over to the familiar acquaintance Cade. When he was within talking distance he spoke first, “I heard your group was expanding. Came down to check it out,” he looks around, “Seems to be a decent turnout provided you don't lop someone's head off again.” His voice was growled and graveled in pitch. Bestial, would be the best way to describe how he sounded and how he held his posture. “What is on the agenda friendo?” He grinned wide and looked around and noted some familiar faces.

[Daniel Alecson]

Daniel walked at a leisurely pace from the city, in no rush despite his lateness. Daniel had no real reason to be late, he hadn't woken up late or ran into any major problems. Daniel was simply running late because he felt no need to rush, he may have devoted himself to the Crimson Edge but this was simply training he wasn't expecting to get paid for it. Normally Daniel would take his training rather seriously but for some reason he didn't feel as excited as he usually was. It had been awhile sice he'd done any training, as Daniel found live combat more then enough to keep his skills sharp most of the time. Maybe the interaction with the others would get him more interested when the time came but as for now Daniel was approaching this event with his usual level of aloofness.

Daniel knew he needed to try and forge some bonds with his new associates. Yet Daniel was finding it a bit difficult to do, having regular companions wasn't something he was used to doing. Even on long jobs Daniel tended to keep himself apart from the other guards cause he knew that when they reached their destinations he'd likely never seen them again. In all honestly the only person Daniel had ever been close to was his father, and Alec had been dead for over 7 years now. As the training spot came into view Daniel took notice of several people and a rather large cart of wooden weapons. Daniel had brought his own weapons, they were crafted in the same fashion as his regular swords but made from wood around a metal core so as to give them a more realistic weight.

Daniel was wearing his training wakizashi on his back, in an X-shape. When Daniel came up to the group he simply took up a position near the cart, his arms crossed over his chest. Looking over the others Daniel simply stood quietly and waited for the action to start.

[Shishi]

Golden eyes flew open and Shishi was awake. Cade said he was going out to get something and the woman ended up dozing off. He told her to meet him at this time. The woman needed no one to wake her up for that. She was to see some organization called the Crimson Edge. She was nervous because she had never been a team player and sometimes the woman thought that it was nice to know she worked alone. But, Cade wanted her to be there and that was more than enough motivation. He told her where to meet him, but there was a problem. Shishi had no sense of direction.
What was the woman going to do? She didn’t even know what direction to run in. There was only one solution and of course it was a gamble. Shishi had to sniff out Cade’s scent. She didn’t want anyone to know she had another form, so she would gamble on no one seeing her before she was ready.

Shishi glanced around and tilted her head, listening. No one was around. She stripped off her clothing and laid the articles down. Within seconds, she transformed and there was no evidence she was ever in human form. She was a lioness now, a cape lioness in fact. She was in the largest of the lion bred and a cunning predator. She stretched out her body putting her muscles to use and took a sniffed for Cade’s scent. She found it instantly and her instincts told her the way. She picked up her clothing and shoes carefully so she didn’t rip them and took off.

It felt great to be a lioness at time. Paws against the soft ground and the wind in her fur made her feel free. It was a secret retreat that she seldom took part in. She could smell everything and felt more in tuned with nature and the circle of life. In this form she was not helpless, she was a killer. But, this was something she preferred stay hidden.

Cade’s scent grew stronger. It was a lovely scent that had a draw on the lioness woman and her heart pounded with adrenaline and excitement. Shishi was a mile away now and it wouldn’t be a smart bet to hold this form any closer to the destination. She tilted her head and listened. She heard nothing, but the nature around her. The woman bent her lioness form down and set her clothing on the floor. She stepped back a bit and became a woman once more. She dressed herself and ran her hands through her hair to get out the tangles. Shishi walked the remaining distance leaving her lioness form behind her.

Shishi made it to the location now. There were so many people and it set her on edge a bit. You never want to many strangers around you who were trained in combat. Judging by the amount of people she guessed she was late and she hoped Cade wouldn’t be mad. She said nothing and stood in the back observing the crowd.

There were men and woman and it seemed that everyone knew someone. Shishi felt out of place. Her eyes traveled over many casually as she was careful not to look at anyone for too long. Her eyes widened at the moment those with the wings. She stared a bit too long at a black haired man with wings. They were captivating and beautiful. Then with a sudden realization of what she was doing, she forced herself to look away.

Then her eyes found Cade. Her eyes lit up as she took him in. Then the memory of what happened between them flashed in her mind. She blushed for a moment but recovered herself quickly. Hopefully no one has noticed her there. She looked at the weapons Cade had briefly then brought her eyes back to the man. She didn’t feel comfortable coming up to choose a weapon so she stayed where she was. She smiled and hoped he noticed her.

[Leon Von Strova]

He was late, and he knew it. His black hair was now tied back to his neck as he ran up towards the others of the Crimson Edge. He nodded to Cade as he spoke softly, "Apologies. I forgot my way when I got stopped by a thief." He stated softly as he took his place. He wore a simple pair of leather gloves, his weapon of choice being his body, as he tugged his black shirt more loosely on his body. "Forgive me." He smiled, his dark blue eyes going to the others of the training group. "Good evening to you all." He sighed and then moved back to the edge of the crowd, seeming to blend end, or trying to at the very least.

A novice thief, Leon would try to use the shadows to his advantage, his dark clothes helping with that matter. He sighed, waiting for the challenge, nodding to Cade.