niko_teen
08-03-2007, 12:33 AM
<p>The two men faced one another as the silence permeated the area. Both men stood still watching the other waiting for an opportunity to strike. Goradon had seen Teaeran fight against Zlack and took from that a mild understanding of Teaeran's fighting style. All except the Teaeran before him was not the same man who had fought against Zlack. The Teaeran who watched his every move was a calm concise person who was weighing his opponent instead of blindly charging in to do battle as he had in the fight with Zlack. </p><p>Goradon considered his different methods of attack. He could attack with a downward swing but if he connected with such a blow he could easily kill Teaeran by crushing his skull and that was not necessarily what he wanted to do. </p><p>Back in the frozen planes he would have killed Teaeran simply because he had become a feral beast but no longer was that the case. Over the past couple of days that they had been within Halas Teaeran had laughed, smiled and all around been a joy to be around, someone he could consider a friend. </p><p>With lightning speed Teaeran loaded an arrow and let it fly before Goradon had a chance to react. The blunt arrow harmlessly bounced off of Goradon's chest right over his heart. Then turning his head away from Goradon Teaeran addressed Yeenya.</p><p>"There are three things that will spell the difference between success and failure; speed, accuracy and conviction."</p><p>"Huh?," was all that Yeenya could stammer in her surprise at how quickly the fight had ended.</p><p>"I said pay attention!," Teaeran sternly scolded Yeenya as he waived the bow pointing it at her.</p><p>"I am," she pouted which brought out a new round of giggles from Rose.</p><p>Frowning at both Rose and Yeenya Teaeran turned his attention back to Goradon.</p><p>"Care to start again?," Teaeran grinned.</p><p>"I hope you don't think that that quick fire will work again," Goradon jested.</p><p>"Oh I've got more then one trick up my sleeve," Teaeran smirked.</p><p>As the two squared off against one another for a second time Goradon quickly launched an attack. He wasn't going to be made to look like a fool a second time.</p><p>There was a certain elation that came with a battle between two powerful persons. Even though the sparing match was using headless arrow shafts and wooden swords, the thrill was still there.</p><p>A delight filled smile shown on Teaeran face as he stepped to the side to avoid the downward strike from the barbarian.</p><p>Yeenya took in the movements of the two men striking and counter strike at one another. At first the moments had appeared to fast for her eyes to follow but as the duel went along the moments seemed the slow down. You could see clearly the way that Teaeran twisted and contorted his body with each movement. Compared to the relatively static movements of Goradon Teaeran seemed to always be moving, staying just one move of Goraon.</p><p>It was not per say that Teaeran was so much more powerful. More along the line of, while Goradon concentrated on his attacks, Teaeran was concentrating on not getting hit. As Yeenya watched him move she started to subconsciously dip her own shoulders and twist at her waist following along the movements the Teaeran made.</p><p>Goradon delivered a merciless downward strike that gave Teaeran no time to move out of the way. Yeenya snapped her eyes shut not wanting to see Teaeran's head be crushed by the blow but reopened them as she heard the crack of the wooden sword striking Teaeran's bow.</p><p>The combat seemed to pause as Goradon's wooden sword was held in place by the bow. Yeenya could clearly see the look of surprise on Goradon's face and grin on Teaeran's. As best Yeenya could surmise Gordon had expected his blow to strike and not be blocked. Even though he held the hilt of the sword Teaeran was holding his blow back by holding his bow aloft with only one arm.</p><p>The look of astonishment on Goradon's face seemed to feed Teaeran's grin. With the same lightning quick speed as the first bout Teaeran loaded an arrow and let and fly at Goradon's forehead. As in the first set that they had had Teaeran expected Goradon's mind to be working against him.</p><p>In the first match the Barbarian had been thinking too hard about how and from which direction Teaeran would attack from. Since his mind was working too hard to figure out what way he was going to be attack from he was too distracted and Teaeran had defeated him with one arrow shot. </p><p>As the first had raged on Goradon has been studying the manor in which Teaeran fought as well. So when the arrow leapt free of Teaeran's bow Gordon was able to duck his head to the side so that he wasn't struck head on by the arrow. Instead the arrow, without its killing steel point, scrapped across his temple and along the side of his head.</p><p>Goradon had figured that is he continued to stay close to Teaeran that he would not have been able to launch any attacks. The way that the ranger had continued on the defensive avoiding his attacks instead of counter attacking has spurred on that belief. Now it appeared that with only a bow, he was still able to launch attacks.</p><p>With both hands on his sword as opposed to the one that Teaeran used to hold Goradon added his weight to his own blade to push Teaeran back. Even though Teaeran had been able to fore an arrow at him Goradon was still in the dominant position.</p><p>Feigning a back step Teaeran let Goradon push his sword down toward him. It was pointless to try and push back against the power that Goradon was able to put behind his weapon.</p><p>Kicking his foot out to place it atop Goradon's forward foot Teaeran turned his bow to the side pushing the blade of the wooden sword away from him while his foot atop Goradon's didn't allow the barbarian to adjust his footing. Finding himself nearly on the ground with Goradon's mass about to crash onto him Teaeran spun his body rolling around Goradon.</p><p>Caught off balance the warrior had no choice but to crash into the door face first with the nimble ranger halfway onto his back.</p><p>Quickly disentangling himself Teaeran stabbed a practice arrow into Goradon's back while he jumped clear. Even though he'd been able to knock the warrior to the ground his strength was nothing compared to that of the barbarian's rippling muscles. If Goradon were to get a hand on his Teaeran wouldn't have much of a chance against him.</p><p>Sprinting a few feet away Teaeran skidded to a stop. Then quickly loading another arrow he pulling it to full extension watching the barbarian warrior. </p><p>Resounding laughter filled the training hall. Teaeran slackened the tension on the bow as Goradon pushed himself to his feet holding a hand over his bloody nose. Spitting out a mouthful of blood Goradon continued laughing. </p><p>"Teaeran you certainly are a crafty one," the barbarian complimented Teaeran through his chuckles.</p><p>"What happened?," Yeenya blinked. She could see the whole event playing through her mind only starting to make any sense as more time passed.</p><p>Placing the practice arrow back into his quiver Teaeran as about to start explaining to Yeenya when a heavy knock pounded on the door. A moment later a group of heavily armored barbarian warriors stepped into the training hall.</p><p>"Teaeran Sayer you are bound to come with us," one of the group announced.</p><p>"Just a moment," Teaeran commented as he walked over to place the practice bow and quiver back on the wall with the other weapons. "Rose can you show her a bit about how to move like Pummels used to?"</p><p>Rose, who stood at Goradon's side handing him a handkerchief, turned her head toward Teaeran and nodded.</p><p>"Yeenya Rose will show you a bit of how to move," Teaeran explained as he grabbed a wet wash cloth to wipe the sweat off of his face with. Then grabbing another fresh damp cloth he tossed it to Goradon. </p><p>"You coming to?," Teaeran asked Goradon as the warrior wiped his neck and face with the towel moving toward were most of his armor stood against the wall.</p><p>"As the offended party I am bound to as well or else you would be acquitted of all accusations."</p><p>Teaeran only smiled and helped Goradon fit the last few straps of his armor and grabbed a small parcel before the two left together with the armed escort.</p><p>"I don't understand," Yeenya stated to Rose. "Half the time they treat Teaeran like a prisoner and the rest of the time they let him walk around and do whatever he wants."</p><p>"It's complicated," Rose responded as she tilted her head to the side insinuation that Yeenya should come over to where she stood.</p><p>"So what, someone attacked him and he defended himself. Plus the other day in the market place half of the vendors refused to take his money yet today they send armed guards to collect him. I just don't get it."</p><p>"Like I said," Rose frowned. "It is complicated."</p><p>Yeenya only pouted in response.</p><p>"Fine," Rose frowned. It wasn't that Yeenya had ever done anything to bother her but yet at the same time Rose found it as difficult to like the young woman as it was for her to dislike her. "What do you know about tea?"</p><p>"All around he is a good person he can be testy at time but when it," Yeenya started before Rose waived her hand to stop her.</p><p>"Not that, what do you know about Tea's past?"</p><p>"I know that he is well traveled," Yeenya started before she stopped to think a little more about it. "Not all that much really."</p><p>"Nearly a hundred and fifty years ago there was a battle at the base of Kelethin where Teaeran's wife was killed."</p><p>"He was married?" Yeenya interjected.</p><p>"Please don't interrupt," Rose frowned which was met by Yeenya pursing her lips.</p><p>"He wasn't married at the time but they got married after she had died."</p><p>"That doesn't make sense."</p><p>"Do you want to know or not?" Rose complained</p><p>"Yes, I'm sorry," Yeenya apologized</p><p>"Tea's wife died and he was left with an infant daughter on the same night."</p><p>Yeenya's eye budged. She had not known that Teaeran had been married yet alone that he had a daughter as well.</p><p>"He felt that the best course of action was to leave his daughter with me to raise while he traveled to Antonica to seek revenge against those who had attacked Kelethin and caused the death of Aloska." Rose's facial features faded while she retold the story to Yeenya.</p><p>"During his time here on Antonica he spent a few years here in Halas with Ironwolf and his clan. During that time he along with seventy one other heroes of Halas went to fight the lady dragon Vox. Because he was one of the few who returned from fight that had vanquished the dragon he was blooded into the Ironwolf clan and made a citizen of Halas."</p><p>"How did you know about it if you were in Kelethin the whole time raising his child?," Yeenya asked after waiting a few seconds after Rose had stopped.</p><p>"He used to write nearly everyday the first few years," Rose had to blink her eyes quickly a few times as she felt them getting a little heavy as well as a touch misty. "Same as when he was on Kunark."</p><p>"Rose," Yeenya interjected into the silence that followed Rose's statement.</p><p>"What?"</p><p>"Where you and Teaeran lovers?"</p><p>"What no, nothing like that," Rose scowled. "I only took care of Crystal because I had no other choice and it is not like he would make a good father anyway. Always running off when he should have just stayed put."</p><p>"Why do you always do that?," Yeenya asked.</p><p>"Do what?"</p><p>"You always sound like you really like him then you put him down right afterwards."</p><p>"Because that man only thinks about himself and never anyone else," Rose said after only frowning for a few moments.</p><p>"I disagree," Yeenya started.</p><p>"And I think it is time to get back to training so pull off all of those pads," Rose ordered. Then after taking into account that loose shirt that Yeenya wore Rose sent her to get into her armor.</p><p>Teaeran stepped out of the changing room adjoined to the great hall where the elders would be waiting. Flexing his arms and chest a few times he missed the feel of the old leather. The Kithicor night hunter armor was the uniform he had worn when he'd first come to Halas. The magical adornments on the armor must have protected it from decay while it sat in a store room at the Ironwolf clan's home.</p><p>"Looks good on ye," Goradon grinned as he punched Teaeran in the shoulder.</p><p>"It has been a long time since I had seen fit to wear this," Teaeran said as he ran his finger tips over the imbued steel ivy vines and leaves that melded seamlessly into the leather to make a single solid piece.</p><p>"Aye it was a pain to find ye know," Goradon grinned. "Should be only a minute or two more before we're called in."</p><p>Teaeran only nodded and turned his head slowly to the side at the sound of armored boots clanging on the polished granite floors. Thrown off balance by the sight of William Winryder striding down the hall in his full regalia he coughed, caught in the middle of swallowing and trying to breathe.</p><p>"Teaeran my son," William's voice boomed.</p><p>"General," Teaeran stammered before regaining his bearings. "What are you doing here?"</p><p>"Ah," William grinned. "I was about to ask you the same thing but I'm here to enlist the held of the Halasians in defending Qeynos."</p><p>"So Kelethin has been abandoned?," Teaeran couldn't help but to let the disappointment seep into his voice.</p><p>"Shortly after you left," William stated doing his best to keep his voice and facial expressions even. "The Fer'dal, Koada'Dal, and Ayr'Dal have all relocated to Qeynos as well as the Dwarves and Gnomes. It was not just Kelethin that was lost but all of Faydwer."</p><p>"The Teir'dal followed us to Qeynos?," Teaeran asked.</p><p>"It would seem like that but here the cities of Qeynos and Freeport have both been fighting orc hordes of their own. We're adding our forces to those of the humans in an effort to save at least this small piece of Norrath even though we were not able to save our own home."</p><p>"I see so you're here to enlist the help of the Halasians to defend Qeynos,?" Teaeran asked.</p><p>"To defend Antonica," William corrected. "These hordes are not after just one citystate or one region they're out to destroy the entire world. We could really use your bow Teaeran."</p><p>"We'll see in a moment if I may be able to join you," Teaeran said with a forced smile. "I was involved in an incident of mistaken identity."</p><p>"I hope it is nothing to serious," William commented</p><p>"I over reacted myself."</p><p>"May Tunare look over her childe," William offered as a small prayer.</p><p>"If everything goes well for the pair of us I would be proud to stand at your side on the battle field," Teaeran smiled genuinely. He had his own opinions of Tunare and the other gods who had abandoned the denizens of Norrath but on the flip side of the coin there was no reason for him to rub that into William's face.</p><p>"Lets us hope so," William grinned placing his hand on Teaeran's shoulder. "I have three dozen ships in the harbor as well as any others that the elders will give to me. We make our exodus in two days.</p><p>Before Teaeran could respond the door to the meeting room of the elders creaked open and Teaeran was summoned inside.</p>