Snippet #2424473

Temple of the Old Gods, Outskirts of Corona

The temple itself was a beautiful monument to the gods and goddesses of old. It was a place of learning for the scholared and of trainig for those of the balde. Its arcsrecture combined soft gental curves with sharp and distinct planes, creating and ordered an peaceful environment for its acolyts. It's stone walls cast a neutral backdrop to the lush forest that made its home. Within the walls, great statues dedicated to the old gods lined the halls, and encircle the main courtyard, from which the resounding clang of sharpened steel was a common tone.

"Again!" Instructor Barak shouted at the acolyts. They stepped back into position raising their swords to eachother, and awaited the Trainers order. They were Battle Mages and Sorceress, children who showed exceptional skill at the art of magic, and untouched profession in swordsmenship. The Instructor stopped near a young girl, a noble women of house Blackwood "Strike!"

The children moved into one another like two rivers meeting together. They danced, spun, parried and countered one another. After a few movements, the children had came to a draw. All but two, the Blackwood child, and a young man by the name of Dragonmiir. The two moved with such fluidity it was almost as if they danced, but neither gave an inch to the other. Until the young boy did the unexpected, he gave an opening, allowing the Blackwood girl to land a thrust, clipping his shoulder.

"Very good Samara" Barak said clapping, but found himself slowly stopping as the whispering from the other students caught his attention. He stepped to his left, and saw that though Samara landed a blow, Dragonmiirs' rested just before her gut "I stand corrected" he smiled "Dragonmiir wins"

"INSTRUCTORS!" A voice yelled

"Children, stand at ease, I will be right back" Barak said taking off at a slow walk with another instructor to the Masters House.

The children were quick to start congratulating Dragonmiir, but the humble son of a blacksmith was quick to shed the glory to the Blackwood girl "It is Samara who deserves praise" he said walking up to her "She is the only one of you two land a blow against me" he looked at the gash on his arm

"It is not even deep" Samara said with a blush

"Still a heavy blow" Dragonmiir said clasping her arm

"Children" Instructor Barak said walking up "I am afraid training will have to be canceled for the day" the sound of carriages rolling and horses walking into the courtyard was evidence that the children's guards had come to return them home. "Your guards will return you home"

Samara sheathed her sword and turned to find one of the guards standing before her with her horse, the other four guards rode behind "My lady" the man bowed

"Sir Brian" Samara nodded

"When you are ready, we will retrieve your sister and return to the estate" he said helping Samara up

"Let me guess" she said gripping the reigns as Sir Brian stepped into his saddle "She is out hunting?"

"I believe so my Lady" he smiled

"Let us be off then" she turned to click her horse into a gallope

"Better luck next time Samara" Draonmiir said mounting his steed

"You will need it" Samara winked, and with that rode off with the family guard to retrieve her sister.