<font color='#0000FF'>Quarter: Tessera (Autumn) Day: 4 Year: 81377 (3) Mandrake awoke with an start after an nightmare that had been haunting his dreams for many months.Sweat streamed down his scarred face as he lifted an arm to wipe it off. thes how the hell am i meant to stop those nightmares of mine? He pondered in his mind as he swung around and got out of his bed. Slowly he snaked his arms out and leaned back as one leg stepped forward, the other leg kicked out and swung around in an perfect circle as his left arm twisted into an blocking motion whereas the other arm was straight and hard as iron as his muscle gleamed with sweat as he repeated the Warriors Way beginning stance. An small puff of breath emitted from him as he sat down and cleared his mind. Their was an slight twitch of his tail as his spirit returned to its earthly body two hours later.He rose and strode over to an hole in an wall that could be barely called an window. There he leaned out, letting himself relax an bit as he looked down to the busy street where traders and merchents alike were calling out for the crowds that gathered at the market to buy their goods. He grinned as he spotted an young 'dragon sneakily slid up to an stall and pinched an apple before the trader an old burly 'dragon could register such an movement. Its such an nice day as if fate sought to please me he thought as he grinned. He picked up his scabbard that had hunting patterns woven into its fibre. Mandrake pulled his sword where he checked for rust and imperfections. However the sword shined with an clear light as he put it back in its scabbard. Then he put on his chain mail and pulled an shirt across it to cover the fact that he was armoured. Mnay 'dragons would have buckled under the weight of such an armour but he was Mandrake the 'dragon that had such birth been destined to serve the Royal Guard of the Dre-Seynor clan that he was part of. There was an tattoo of an flaming sword that told all that recoganised it that he was part of one of the largest and most power clan that ever existed yet was one of the most kept private clan. He thanked the inn-keeper and paid his bill for allowing him staing seven nights in an room. time to leave now, i already finished my job He left the inn-house that served him well during his stay there. He walked across the market avoiding and dodging the many 'dragons that walked to and fro. He came to an stall where he purchased an water container that was filled to the brim with water, once he had his fill of water he stored it inside his mail, an glimpse caught by the sun that made it shone with white light. He gazed around him pondering where to go now looking into the crowds as if he was searching for something.</font>
<font color='#810541'>Alliah struggled through the crowds, wondering for what must have the the thousandth time that day why she was there. At the particular moment the fact she had run out of food seemed a trivial thing compared to the hords of 'dragons on every side that were constantly pushing, shoving, and jostling for a place in fron of the many stalls. She stumbled to the left as a very large female pushed her out of the way. <span style='color:navy'>Now I remember why I hate towns so much!</span> The pale coloured female regained her footing on the cobblestones only to suddenly find herself being flung to the right yet once again. She hit something behind her, causing the quarter-staff that was lashed to her back to dig into the flesh in a unforgiving manner. She ignored it, instead deeming it more important to yelled after the pushy individual cursing and swearing after him. <span style='color:navy'>"Bloody people need to learn some manners."</span> Her heavy country accent adding a curious taint to her words. She flung a quick "sorry" over her shoulder at whoever she had hit and stalked off into the crowds determined to escape the hell hole known by some as a market palce and return to the quiet forest paths she was used to.</font>
<font color='#0000FF'>Mandrake exhaled deeply as he walked with an sureness of steps that enabled him to avoid most 'dragons that were walking about hiring merecenaries for their journeys to protect them or just buying food that were famous in this town for their sweetness. He growled in anger as he felt an faint scrabbling behind his back that hailed the arrival of an thief. An professional one at that. He swung around an dagger in his hand that appeared in an instant as he lifted this scruffy young thief by his throat clear off the ground. "give back what ya have stolen" he growled meanchingly holding his dagger to the 'dragon's throat. "yes sir sir dont harm me sir i mean no harm sir" whined the young thief as he produced the stolen goods as if by magic. "great" Mandrake said with an hint of irratation as he pushed this youngster to the ground where he scrambled off the ground and ran for the cover of his brethens of thief. Mandrake resumed his journey through the market as he hid the dagger. Within minutes of having throwing the thief to the ground, an bunch of men stood threatingly holding daggers where they yelled curses and mocked him in revenge for "harming" of their members of the Mockers,one of the most professional established thiefs guild located here in the sewers of Sumundra. He was being to fell an hot burning rage swell within him. no i will not lower myself to there level but this was of no help as he roared in anger,his mane spiked with rage as he pulled clear his sword out of its scabbard and rushed torwards the men who also ran torwards him thinking to kill him in seconds. The fight was furious and intense as Mandrake scored many cut across the men who numbered six.They proved no match for him as they fled bleeding to the sewers to tend to their injured pride. Mandrake looked around him feeling many eyes upon him where crowds held their breaths as he looked around them. He slowly regained his composure as he put his bloodied sword back in its scabbard. i will get outta this damned place and tend to my sword later Soon after having collected everything that he had in his possession from the inn, he was back in the market where he was bumped into by an female that that carried what looked like an quarter-staff tied to her back. Mandrake was growing anger after the event that happened earlier. "hey you girl" he cried after her as he saw her disappear into the crowds.</font>
<font color='#810541'>OOC: Sorry about the length... (read bio for more info on Alliah and what happened. Link is over there <<<<<) IC: Alliah glanced over her shoulder. Whoever had called out to her was lost in the crowds. She yelled another quick <span style='color:navy'>"Sorry mister!"</span> into the air and continued bouncing through the crowds... literally. Her face, as always was set into a cool calm mask that hid the tangle of thoughts beneath. <span style='color:navy'>Dont I feel like an idiot! Doing exactly what I was accusing others of. I hope he isn't mad...</span> througha  crack in the crowds she saw one of the large arches that led outside of the city. She sighed in relief and quickly darted towards it. However, just before she got there a crowd pushed her back. Alliah found herself tumbling under one of the stands. The breath in her throat caught as she franticly searched for a way out. The back and sides were solid wood and the front of the stand was blocked by pendragons. The only light filtered in through the cracks between the 'dragons. She began to unconciously wimper, pushing at the individuals blocking the only way out. They didn't move an inch, only too used to people constantly pushing them in the crowded market place trying to get them to move. Alliah felt panic begin to build, childhood memories overtook reality. <span style='color:black'>The small shop was dark. The shelves had been torn from their braces, the wares lay scattered across the floor. The old wooden door lay at a 45 degree angle. Only a single hinge held it up. A large male 'dragon lay slumped against the back wall. Blood ran down his face and coated his body. His breathing was shallow but, thankfully, was also constant. The desk in the middle of the shop was half crushed. From the intact side a keening wail  was emitted. A young 'dragon was curled in the locked half of the desk. It was dark. So very dark. She didn't hear anything but her own breathing and could feel nothing but a stinging pain from her left eyes to her shoulder. "Papa? Papa! Papa, are you okay? Papa, help me! I'm scared! Help me Papa! It hurts... it hurts so badly! PAPA!"</span> Alliah trembled in her small prison, wimpering. She could feel the pain... her blue dyed scars began to ache and throb. Her voice came out in nothing but a whisper. <span style='color:navy'>"Papa... where are you. Why havn't you come for me. Help me papa. HELP ME!"</span> She screamed in terror, biting and clawing at the individuals blocking her way. They too screamed and jumped back. The pale female darted from under the stall glancing wildly at all those surrounding her. Her carefully built mask shattered as her panic filled her. It overode all senses. She needed open space. She HAD to get away! Her eyes swept around her, the whites surrounded the shrunked pupil. She was running on only a single instinct now. The most primal and most powerful of them all. Terror. Alliah pulled the staff from her back and ran towards the grandly decorated arches. Pendragons who didn't move out of her way quickly enough got pushed out of the way or whacked by the tiwrling rod. She ran out of the city and into the countryside. Not stopping until a cramp caused her legs to buckle beneath her. There she lay, curled into a ball in the middle of a field, gasping for breath and sobbing. As her senses slowly returned she began calming herself from the all out terror stricken state she had been reduced to.</font>
<font color='#0000FF'>Mandrake had trailed behind the female silently as she walked through the crowds. He had been deeply disturbed when she been under one of those stands and started whispering crazily about her papa or something that Mandrake had'nt caught. He was even more disturbed when she burst at the 'dragons that were minding their own business andstrarted attacking them. Unfourtnately he had been one of those 'dragon that happened to be caught as she attacked every one that happened to near her in her crazed attack. Mandrake sensed there was something beneath that anger that puzzled him. He knew what it was yet the answer was eluding him. He stood observing her as his eyes narrowed at the sight of her attacking with an clear understanding of the use of the quarter-staff. He grinned as she whacked an 'dragon that was in her way. this lady is mad, maybe i should check if shes allright as nobody seems to care he thought as he saw her ran fast as through her life depended on it. Slowly he started to jog after her which changed into an whirl of speed as he kept closely behind her while keeping out of sight. When he saw that they were appraoaching the spracely forested field he abrubtly stopped and suddenly rolled to the nearest tree and leaped up into its thick branch with an precise speed and strength. There he crouched and observed the female 'dragon cry. He felt overwhelming pity at the sight of an vulnerable female 'dragon and he knew that he underestimated her for he saw her great quarter-staff attacks. Mandrake wanted to reveal himself and take her in his arm to comfort her but it was more likely she would go berserk thinking he meant to harm her. So he tensed himself as his muscle reacted to an leap that covered great distances. He was flying through the air, the wind whipping at him as he leaped then suddenly it was over he landed with an loud thud that scared any small wild creatures that was nearby. He grinned and shook his hand, running an hand through his mane. "sorry about lady it appears i misjudged my timings" he chuckled as he stood up shaking his head where his mane fell down. damn i shoulda gotten that sword wiped clean of its blood he cursed as he continued to smile at the 'dragon</font>
<font color='#810541'>Alliahs head came up as a male pendragon jumped into the clearing ahead of her. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion as she wiped the wet tear-trails from her face. [colour=navy]"You followed me..."[/color] She looked him up and down, eyes finally focusing on the bloody sword at his side. Her fragile mask cracked again as shock and something akin to fear contorted her features. She shakily got to her feet and began to back away. Her eyes trained upon the bloody sword. <span style='color:navy'>"Wha... what? Who are you?"</span> She brought her staff up. One of the ends trained on the male before her. The other steady withen her grasp. <span style='color:navy'>"Dont come near me! I know how to use this thing and I can promise you I wont hesitate to do so."</span> Her mind was still in turmoil. She was confused, scared, and feeling threatened by the 'dragon before her with the bloody sword. He too, obviously knew how to wield his weapon. He stood with an easy stance, carrying the sword in a familiar fashion. Alliah picked her ground and positioned herself in an alert, yet relaxed, stance.</font>
<font color='#0000FF'>He felt an gut wrenching turmoil as he watched her back away in fear of him. "no my lady ya misunderstood me i mean ya no harm" Said Mandrake as he looked at the sword and then it hit him. Because i have an bloodied sword she thinks i mean to rape her and kill her He thought as he slowly lowered down the sword at his feet. He came up holding his arms up in the sign of surrender. "Look lady see i mean no harm,... look iam gonna sit here and remain quiet until you feel safe" he said hesistantly as he sat down looking at the lady with an friendly warmth showing in his eyes yet he still grinned as he watched her trying to make him run away with the threat of an beating. huh i endured worse then an beating by an quarter-staff he remembered when he was ambushed with LoneShadow and an company of elite guards as they went around giving out money and help to those in their clan. Since it was wide spread it would have been an extreamly long journey but luckily his Master had known a couple of transportation spells and unfourtantely they had accidently transported into one of the "demonical realms". They had fought their way out of this with an great cost....</font>
<font color='#810541'>She flicked a lock of blood red hair from her eyes and watched as the male put down his bloodied sword. He seemed honest enough. That smirk though... Alliah relaxed her guard just a bit by shifting her weight to a more comfortable stance and holding the staff over her shoulder instead of ahead of her. She could still defend at a moments notice, but this was a less threatening posture. Then it hit her. That smirk. He wasn't afraid of her. He was laughing at her! Alliahs already frazzeled nerves jumped a bit. Her eye twitched in anoyance, although she didn't move back into the defensive stance. She was used to others looking at her staff as a child toy. It was one of the main reasons she enjoyed using it so much. <span style='color:navy'>"You shouldn't take my weapon so lightly... uh... sir. A quarter-staff can be just as deadly as a sword in the correct hands. Often even more so because others, like yourself, underestimate its usefulness. A single hit in the correct spot can leave you paralyzed, suffocating, or dead, amoung a number of other things.</span> Her eyes remained half open in the bored fashion she often wore and her voice remained light. It was a warning not a threat that she had said. She scrutinized the male. He had enough scars and enough presence that she knew he was not one to mess with. But she was also pretty sure she could give him a pretty good challenge if she had to. Even if he did hold the sword. The bloody sword. A shiver made its way down her back. <span style='color:navy'>Alliah. Its Alliah, not Lady. I've never deserved and never will deserve that honourific a title... If you dont want to...</span> She trailed off a slight flush coming to her cheeks before she pushed it away. Mentally pressing the calm mask firmly back into place. <span style='color:navy'>"What I mean is why are you here? You must want something. Your cant just be out here chasing after girls who are re-living bits of their past for no reason..."</span></font>
<font color='#0000FF'>He grinned as he observed the slight change in posture forwards him. He slowly rose, holding his hands behind his back in an slighy defensive way as he spoke " well lady if i say so i will call you lady since ya are an lady and ya do deserve such an title" as he said this he winked slyly while grinning. Then Mandrake extragratted an sweeping bow. "lady Alliah,  'tis sounds good to me Lady Alliah" he said as he finished his dramatic bow. how the hell is she so cold and defensive against me he cursed in his mind. "Lady Alliah i saw your small performance and was it funny when ya beat up some 'dragons" he chuckled "aye ya also beat me up too" He slighty bent his knee and immediately this signaled that he truely meant no harm from this slight change in posture that any warrior trained 'dragon could spot while any commoner or non-warriors would fail to see such an change. "if ya while permit me to retrieve my sword, i fear it may gather rust" there was an small hint of pleading in his voice "i got into some small annoyance in that city an while ago" he said as he felt an fresh surge of anger that he blocked as soon as it came.</font>
<font color='#810541'>OOC: Sorry its so SO short. I really had absolutly no idea as to what to write. I'll make it up naxt time. >.< IC: <span style='color:navy'>"Uhh yea... I guess."</span> Alliah eyed the male in confusion. She still couldn't believe that he came all the way out here for no reason other than to see her after her "moment" inside the city. She shivered again. Just thinking about it brought goosebumps to her flesh. <span style='color:navy'>"So, whats your name? You know mine, but I still dont know yours."</span> She paused, at a loss as to what to do next. <span style='color:navy'>"What type of 'anoyance' was it that you ran into anyway?</span></font>
<font color='#0000FF'>OOC: it aint no problem ^_- He grinned as he picked up his sword and weighed it in his hand. He looked at Alliah as he sheathed his sword back in its scabbard after wiping the blood off with an special sheet of metal made to clean an blade and make it shine with an great brightness. "Well Lady Alliah ya may call me Mandrake" he said with an proudness in his voice "as for the annoyance i wish not to make an Lady faint with tales of blood and fights, through its clear you are an warrior as iam too" He grinned and walked torwards Alliah with an bounce in his step as he held out his paw to be shook. "we know each other now and may ya shake my paw as an friendly gesture Lady Alliah" He smiled. his eyes lighting up as he shook his head to clear an stray strand of hair that fell across his face.</font>
<font color='#810541'>Alliah watched as Mandrake wiped off his blade. She nearly choked when he commented on not making a "Lady faint with tales of blood". Instead snorting with amusement. Once again he had subconciously underestimated her, although he did try to make it up by calling her a warrior. Her neutral expression was broken by a smile. Small it may have been, but it was a smile none-the-less. She found herself beginning to almost... like... this male. He had manners if nothing else. As he stood and literally bounced towards her she felt herself shrink back at the sudden forward movement. Alliah stood before Mandrake unsure of what to do. <span style='color:navy'>"A friendly gesture, huh?"</span> She hesitantly took the hand. The small smirk on her face slowly growing, not into a grin, but an authentic smile. It was decided. She liked Mandrake and his confident, outspoken personality. <span style='color:navy'>"So, what do you do? Your obviously good with the sword... although I could still kick your butt."</span> She laughed. It was a soft sound, barely heard even in the quiet of the glade.</font>
<font color='#0000FF'>Mandrake waa relieved that she appeared to like him as he took her hand in an firm grip. He relased his grip and drew his sword which he placed beside him on the grass. "huh no Lady Alliah its unlikely ya will kick my butt thats if ya can catch me first" he chuckled as he took off his shirt to reveal the chainmail beneath his shirt. He laughed in enjoyment as he took the mail off and placed it next to his sword. "'Tis will be an good fight if ya be willing" he closed his eyes and nodded his head torwards as he wrapped his arms across his chest and stood tall " thats if ya want to since i will not use any weapons, lets see if ya can kick my butt with this staff of yours" He grinned widely as he tried to gain any clues about her from her reactions. He was starting to like her as he watched her smile at him. hehehe lets see if this lady is as good as she say she is, if iam wrong i will give her my chainmail armour as an offering for my foolishness He thought still grinning in happiness.</font>
<font color='#810541'><span style='color:navy'>"You had better watch it Mandrake. Thats coming awfully close to a mocking tone."</span> She whipped out the quarter staff from where it was lashed to her back and lightly tapped him on the chest, just above where is arms rested. Her eyes glinted in amusement. <span style='color:navy'>"But I'll take you up on that offer, that I will." "Dont expect me to go easy on you though. I fight to win. For the record your free to pick up your weapon at any point during this. I'm concidering you armed and dont you dare hold back on me."</span> She raised the staff from his chest and moved back a few steps. The stafff was held ahead of her, unwavering. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she took a deep calming breath, shifted her weight, and dropped only slightly into a ready stance. <span style='color:navy'>"So, what are the "winning" factors and are there any rules or is this match anything goes as long as you dont kill? Its your choice since your at the disadvantage."</span></font>
<font color='#0000FF'>He grinned and relaxed his arms at his side. It was oblivous she did not know that he was part of the Dre-Seynor clan as shown by the flaming sword tattoed on his chest. All members are required to achieve mastery of the Warriors Way as tought by the GrandMaster Persais and many others. She will be in for an grand surprise He thought as he told her that the winning term was to knock your opponent on the ground and not kill them. He chuckled slightly as he said this. He would not allow her to make first move as he suddenly dropped to his knee, arms held at his shoulder blades in the Raging Horse stance then as soon as he dropped to his knee he was in the air, preparing to kick her on the shoulder so that he could spin her onto the ground for an easy win. He knew that he was at an disadvantage but he hoped his training would see him through else he risked dishonour at being beaten by an Lady and an stern lecture from Persais if he ever heard about it so he knew he had to win but she was determined to win too so it would be intreasting for him since there is an saying that when you fight an opponent you see their true selfs and gain an knowledge of who they are.</font>
<font color='#810541'>When Mandrake dropped to his knee Alliah knew that an attack was coming. She had seen that particular stance only once before, but she couldn't quite put her finger on where she had seen it. So, by the time Mandrake had launched himself into the air Alliah was already diving to the side knowing what was coming. She spun around and launched her own attack at the larger males leg. It wasn't a move meant to take him down, but rather to see how he reacted. It was a technique ingrained in her since she beagn learning to fight. Her fathers #2 rule. Find out how your opponent acted. She brought the staff forward in a downward diagonal line. If it would hit it would hit on his hind leg... Her mind whirred. WHERE had she seen that move before?!?!</font>
<font color='#0000FF'>Mandrake more or less felt the staff coming in behind him as he watched Alliah suddenly sidestep his attack. He let it connect with his hindleg absorbing the blow by placing an mind-block in his mind allowing him to ignore the pain as he wrapped his hindleg around the staff and brought his arms forward as if about to smasault in the air but in fact he was making sure that there would still be enough force to frontflip in the air as he suddenly jerked the staff closer to him while his entire body suddenly flipped forward, his hindleg still on the staff as he attempted to jerk Alliah while she had an firm grip on the staff and pull her into the air while he dived for the ground and come up rolling and make his paw into an slight pointed Knife Edge to come slashing down on Alliah while she was in the air falling. well well it appears Lady Alliah is skilled enough to dodge an fist move An grin formed slighty on his face but not enough to show his joyful emotions below the surface.</font>
<font color='#810541'>Alliah felt the staff hit Mandrake on the leg and was quite surprised. She knew the male could have dodged the blow, so what hadn't he? The ansewer came soon enough when, instead of arching toward the ground like she should of, she felt her body being tossed into the air. To her surprise Mandrake was using her staff as a lever to aid himself! She released the quarter staff just as she reached the apex of her upwards arc, allowing the smooth wood to pass between her hands. So, instead of being thrown towards the ground by her own grip and momentum she continued up a little ways longer than she would otherwise have. Below her Mandrake was finishing his turn and was coming at her with his hand at an edge. She realized that everything he had done had been planned from the start and yelped as a stinging blow hit her left shoulder. Luckly, because of the extra height gained it didn't send her crashing to the ground, only pushing her off to the side. Alliah fell just barly managing to gather her feet beneath her. She kept weight off of the injured shoulder. <span style='color:navy'>Well, I guess he has a good mind for fighting tactics. But why does his style seem so familiar!?</span> She looked around for her staff and saw it lying just behind and to the side of Mandrake. She ran for it, grabbing the staff with her good arm and flipping, swung it around, parallel with the ground, aiming to knock him off his feet.</font>
<font color='#0000FF'>Mandrake grinned as he watched his attack connect and heard her yelp. He suddenly felt an wave of guilt swamp his feelings then he turned it aside as he knew the Lady was used to those blows, she would be fine he reasoned as he rose quickly enough to see her run for her staff and swing it around at him. He stuck his arm out in an solid angle pointing inwards while his other arm came up inside that defense box of his which was vertical, the paws straight and pointed torwards the sky. He avoided yelling out in pain as the staff slammed hard into his trap that would make an bright red mark across his arm instead he placed an mind-block that was strong enough to absorb most of the pain, most not all. Then the paw inside his box-like trap flashed out and wrapped itself on the staff. "Im sorry" he yelled out as he summoned his full strength and pulled it forwards him with all his might as he attempted to steal control of the staff from Alliah.</font>
<font color='#810541'>As soon as the staff hit, Alliah knew she had fallen into yet another trap, literaly. Mandrake betrayed nothing on his face. Barely showing that he had felt the hit at all, even though she could already see a welt rising from his skin. Bile rose in her throat as she saw Mandrake clutch the trapped staff in what seemed to be slow motion and pulled on it hard. With her forward momentum already carrying her towards him and with the extra pull she had no chance of stopping herself. Her jaw clenched in determination as she flew past Mandrake landing on the ground beyond him hard. She skidded for a few feet on the wet grass before comeing to a stop. She lay there where she had fallen for a few moments before getting up. Her face as placid as ever with only the barest hint of a wince seen at the corners of her eyes. <span style='color:navy'>I... I lost... "Being knocked down was the criteria to win, right? We'll I guess its safe to say than that I've lost this match."</span> A small grin touched her face, causing the "bleeding" scar down the left side to wrinkle, as she looked at the grass in amusement. There was a trail from Mandrake to where she stood now where her body had crushed the fragile grasses. Suddenly her face fell and her eyes opened wide. She followed the trail to Mandrake and looked at him closely, studying his features. She mouthed 'Oh my god', but no sound came out. <span style='color:navy'>His moves... the techniques, traps everything! Now I know why they were so familiar! My... father. He knew every one of them...</span> Those moves... her father had known them and executed them regularily while he taught her, but not once did he offer to teach them to her. Even when Alliah had asked he had simply said that they were not his to teach and that he was unable to pass them on. She simply stood there staring at Mandrake with a shocked expression, the cold mask completly discarded from her face.</font>
