Arrows in the Trees

[Alaria]

The two arrows came from nowhere. Only moments ago Ice had barely escaped her second arrow only to roll behind a tree and fire. Kevin launched one at her as well. Both were very acurate. She had to hand it to them. They both pinned her to the tree by her clothes. Her bow dropped to the ground, and she narrowed her eyes. Snarling, she ripped one arm free of the tree and gripped Shakr'am. Another long range weapon.

Hurling it into the woods, it bounced around extremely fast against the trees. It had diamonds protruding from the silvery metal edge. Deadly if you will. This contest was about useing long range weaponry to defeat opponents. And do this she would. So far they had both escaped without being hurt. Well, by her weapons. Ice was useing Samara against Kevin. Grinning, she wiggled out of the coat and took off running in the tree tops.

Now in a sleeveless top, she scurried along through them, all the trees moving so as to hide her exact location. In an instant, she dropped down in front of Ice. Her silver eyes glittered and her blonde hair splayed about her. Beautiful and dangerous. Grinning she held out her bow and arrow, ready to fire.

Hello my King.

[Ice]

Ice was not prepared for Alaria to leap down from the trees, but when she did, it didn't take him long to draw back an arrow and point it at her. They were caught in a stalemate. Ice walked in a circle, keeping the same distance from Alaria, but always moving.

"I prefer High Lord," he said, smiling, "King sounds so. . . Southern." Try as he might, fighting Alaria didn't feel like fighting someone from the South. He would still fight with ferocity and hold no quarters, but it seemed fun at the same time.

Samara was preoccupied with Sage, and Ice doubted she would reach this stand off to break it, he would have to find another way. She had only scratched his cheek on her first leap. As she landed on the snow, she made little noise, but her strong muscles across her legs rippled with the shock of the land. As was her battle strategy, she leapt into the foliage, hiding herself once again. Waiting for another chance to strike.

[Alaria]

Alaria grinned and dipped her head, the metal circle around her forehead gleaming with a ruby gem in the sunlight. When she dipped her head, she kept her eyes on his bow the entire time. They circled each other, keeping the same distance between them. Ideas bounced back and forth in her skull.

Sorry High Lord Ice, I did not realise it sounded Southern. When she said southern, she spat it from her mouth like ill tasting food. Nothing was worse than those who lived in the south. A smile tugged on her lips. He was scarcely older than her, and here they were fighting against each other!

High Lord Ice, I assume that you want to win, eh? Still circling, she was beginning to get goosebumps. Even for a northener, this weather was rather bone chilling. The little hairs on her arms rose and the goosebumps sprang to her arms and shoulders, rippling along her body. A small shudder racked through her body and she stopped moving. Her bow was ready to fire. If she fired, she would hit her High Lord and his arrow would hit her. Both would be out and Kevin would win.

Honestly, she wasn't to fond of fighting her king. If she won, would she be imprisoned? Killed? If she forfeted, she would be made fun of by all who were watching, which currently was the Ice Warriors and Fallen Angels. She couldn't think! What if she just stood there, and let him get her out? That would be just as bad as forfeiting, because his win would be cheated. Alaria lowered her bow a tiny bit, no longer aiming for his chest. Instead, it aimed for his thigh, so that it would not kill him on impact. How she even managed to keep her bow there was beyond her.

[Kevin Sage]

Sage interchanged his bow for his spear as the encounter with Samara would be closer in range. He held it out in front of him with both hands as he watched the bushes where Samara has disappeared.

He took a chance to glace at Ice and Alaria, both of the Ice Warrior race. Sage had to admit, they were skilled. He couldn't help but smile slightly to himself as he noticed the two at a stand-still.

Truly, this was not a battle against enemies. There was no discretion within the group, just a friendly tift. Sage turned back toward Samara, she was hiding within the trees, and he was sure that she was staring right at him.

Sage had not intended to fight Samara, nor was he sure how to go about it. An animal was indeed a different opponent than Sage was used to. No matter... here kitty, kitty...

[Ice]

[ooc: Spear is a bit too close combat, but I'll let you use it, cause I don't feel like worrrying about it at the moment, and I was allowed Samara so it's only fair.Remember that for next time someone organises a long range fight though, they might not want close combat things.]

"Of course I want to win." Ice said, looking down his blunted arrow at her. He chose where to aim carefully, he didn't want to hurt her. Just hit her and she was out of the game. "But doesn't mean you should give me the win easily."

He realised how difficult it was getting to continue to hold his bow back. This stalemate needed to break at some point. Ice was mentally aware of Samara's position, and Kevin Sage's, and as he stood there, time seemed to slow. Both his and Alaria's breathing was slower, more drawn and careful. His heartbeat slower, and everything was in slow motion for him.

"This is a tournament." Ice said, looking across at her, a plan forming in his mind. "And in a tournament, I would expect you fight to the best of your abilities."

With those words, Ice turned to his side and fired his bow across the clearing to meet Kevin Sage at the same time as Samara leapt snarling from her hiding place. Ice then rolled, as apposed to diving. It wouldn't move him completely out of Alaria's line of sight, but perhaps the movement would stun her, or make him harder a target to hit. He reached desperately for another arrow as his roll sent him back to his feet at a run.

[Alaria]

Alaria could hear him, but not really comprehend what he said. He turned fluidly and shot at Kevin while his companion Samara leapt at him. Smileing, she watched him roll. There was one thing she understood. Fight to her best abilities. As soon as he stopped rolling, she chose a spot to shot at and let her arrow fly.

It made no noise in the air, but shot towards the padded armor on his right arm. As soon as the arrow left the string, she moved behind a tree. Glancing at Kevin, he saw the spear aimed at Samara as she leapt into the air. Peering around the tree, she shifted her eyes between Kevin and Ice. What to do?

[Kevin Sage]

[[*hangs head* I don't know what i was thinking! ah! sorry sorry sorry! ]]

Sage was a good twenty yards in front of the beast. As she leapt from her hiding spot, Sage aimed his spear and launched it toward her. Although not aimed for anything vital, the spear should at least clip her and throw her jump off course.

Sage managed to evade her landing area; but as he shifted, he failed to see the arrow that had been shot his way. His movement led him straight into the path of the arrow where it made contact with his left shoulder blade.

His teeth gritted together both with pain and frustration for leaving himself open. He could feel a warm tickle of blood that ran down his side. Reaching up with his right hand, he managed to pull the bloody arrow from his shoulder.

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[Alaria]

Alaria heard a gasp as Ice's arrow connected with Kevin's shoulder. A clang rang out as he was hit, and she knew it to be the bell signaling that someone had been hit. Now it was Ice and Alaria. She took a deep breathe and gripped Shakr'am in her left hand.

Help me.... She whispered in a soft prayer. Taking a giant step away from the tree, she held her bow knocked with an arrow and threw Shakr'am out. He whislted as he flew along, knocking snow all around the from the trees. The tree Ice was under came next, and its snow fell on the ground, whether or not it hit Ice, she did not know.

[Ice]

Ice only just had time to smile as he heard the gong ring across the arena. He had defeated Kevin Sage, the greatest of the Fallen Angel archers. He let a long sigh of proud happiness escape his lips before nocking another arrow, and jumping out from behind his tree just as Samara let towards Alaria, ready to finish the game.

Ice felt a sharp pain at his leg, and the game indeed finished. He hissed as Alaria's diamond weapon cut his leg, a shallow cut, but a cut nonetheless. The gong rang again and the crowd erupted into cheers. Samara, landed beside Alaria, missing her completely after diverting her course and took her position sitting next to Ice.

Ice put his arrow back into his quiver and stood up to face the greatest archer of the North. He held out his hand and looked at her somewhere between respect and pride.

"Congratulations."

[Alaria]

Alaria almost lost when Samara leapt at her. But her greatest of the long rang weapons caught Ice on his thigh, making a shallow gash. Her eyes went into fright as he moved his bow. But he was only putting it away. She had won? Smileing, she first bowed to her Lord and then shook his hand. The same hand that she had once held. A small blush creapt into her face as the crowd erupted into cheers at the new winner.

Thank you your Magesty. It was a pleasure fighting against one such as yourself. And to Kevin Sage, you were a worhty opponent as well. Her hand lingered in Ice's for a few seconds longer, and then she turned to Samara. Bowing to her, she put away her bow, raised her hand into the air, and caught Shakr'am as he flew back. Alaria tied him to her belt and then put away the extra arrows. Tieing her cape back on, she turned it color side out, so that the deep violet side could be seen. She dipped her head to Ice, and waited to see what she was to do.

[Ice]

Ice smiled as he saw her blush, but made himself not laugh. It would be disrespectful to laugh at a victor. She had earned her title, Ice said thus to her, and held her hand aloft, high in the air. Raised in victory to all gathered that day.

"And it is a greater pleasure to lose to one such as you." Ice said, looking through their hands to her eyes.

Samara gave a slight bow, lowering her head and raising it again, her expression having returned to the deceiving half-asleep look of lowered eyelids and knowing half-smile.

"The game is over." Ice said. "I myself am going to have something to eat."

He smiled at Alaria, lingering a moment longer before turning around and walking towards the nearest exit with Samara in time with him by his side.