Contest entry, Girl 'n' horse. New blood.

A full moon dominated a twinkling sky filled with dozens of colors. The stars were always beautiful, especially in the grove. The various sounds of the local wildlife added to the tranquility of the night. Yokov, Aardrin, and Rysta all sat in front of the wizards abode. Each silently staring up at the sky, their minds distracted from each others company. Rysta muttered beneath her breath as she attempted to remove her shoes. She grumbled as the muck from the days training rubbed off onto her skin.

Aardrin looked over and chuckled slightly as she tossed the first one aside. He shook his head softly, his hair gently swaying. She removed the other and placed her bare feet upon the cool grass. She sighed softly as she wriggled them amongst the blades.

"Finally getting comfy, huh?" He jeered

She only glared, her hand went to her wand. He flinched and a light smile crossed his face. Today's training had been rough, and she hadn't exactly fared to well. He nodded before Yokov began to remove his as well.

"I think I'll join you in that. These darn things get to warm for me." He grumbled laying onto his back. "You know it's nights like this that make me miss it." He sighed, his tone growing distracted.

"Miss what?" Aardrin and Rysta asked in unison. Their intrigue showing in their eyes.

"The farm life, you know? Before i was drafted i would sit out in the fields and just wonder sometimes. It was always relaxing, especially after a hard day." He halfheartedly smiled at Rysta.

Her gaze now fell upon him, he only smirked.

"Relax sorceress, i know it's been tough." He tossed a hand lazily to the side.

"Besides, didn't you live on a farm or something? I mean, you met the horse man obviously." He joked, placing his hands behind his head.

"Yeah." She sighed the memories flooding back to her. She never really went out at night, nor did she care to recall those times often. "I did, we hid a few transformed amongst our horses. It's how i met Aardrin.

"So you know what I'm talking about then right? What made you come here anyway, i mean, to find Tiernan."  Yokov shrugged as he made himself comfortable amongst the grass.

"Shok'artel vaporized my parents, would have me too. Thankfully they had sent me away with Aardrin and my grandfather. He then took me here,  grandfather stayed behind to delay them. Remained ever since." Ryta's voice nearly broke as sorrow threatened to stain her face.

Yokov only shuffled uneasily, murder was never his cup of tea. He let the Quiet settle over the group. Rysta's form shuddered with contained agony.

"Yikes, sorry i brought it up."

A silence fell over the trio, even the wildlife seemed to settle as the air between them choked any attempt to speak. Yokov waited until Rysta had recovered before he dared to even open his mouth again. He was on thin ice and he could tell. A grin broke through his lips as he planned his words carefully.

"Such a shame, seeing a pretty girl get all mopey." He teased her.

She sighed, the memories finally being pressed into the back of her mind. Her head swayed back and forth as she recovered her thoughts. She wanted to forget that outburst even happened, she hated the whole incident. "So, uhm, what made you leave?" She asked trying to recover the conversation that happened earlier.

"It was a draft, i never signed up for that crappy position. It was you're going to join or we'll do awful things to you!" Yokov ripped out a handful of grass and threw it aside. "i think it's best we drop the matter, don't want you're little head bawling again." he teased.

She landed a punch on his arm, she snickered her revenge complete. Yokov rose from his back and rubbed the arm. "mighty in magic and arms." he teased

"Did you expect anything less?" She retorted a smirk across her face.

"maybe, sorcerer's usually favor one over the other." He joked again.

The smirk widened across her face, she had the perfect way to test the newest addition to their group. The thought of a new challenger made her giddy, a smile broke her lips.

"Well, if you want to see just how mighty i am. What do you say to a sparring match tomorrow?" An energy came to life in her eyes, she loved such bouts. Aardrin was a decent opponent, but somewhat predictable.

"I don't want you hurting yourself again Rysta!" Aardrin spoke up, the concern showing in his voice.

"Relax, it's just a contest, not some pit fighting match!" Yokov's sarcastic tone rolled over both of them. "But, you're on sorcerer girl! Tomorrow, I'll have to show you a thing or two i learned in the army."

The two looked each other in the eyes, the excitement and energy contained with the small spheres mesmerized the other. After the short lived staring contest the two smiled as they returned looking at the sky.


(decided to include the match because why not, fighting friends are the best.)



The next day, both stood in front of the other. The sun was high overhead, and the humid heat stuck to their skin. They had, as Aardrin requested, done their best to pad their clothing to avoid injury. The straw Yokov had shoved in his second shirt irritated his skin, but the fire of the match made it all fade away.  Aardrin watched on from the sidelines, he seemed on edge. As if he knew his healing would be needed any moment now. Rysta quickly finished securing her hair to the back of her head.

"Ready to see the sky sorcerer!?" Yokov jeered.

"Hope you like eating dirt." Rysta let a sneer break her lips.

"Fighting words all around!" He retorted.

Rysta struck first taking a low, sweeping kick at Yokov. He back stepped the blow and threw his own leg under her's. The stunt caused Rysta to drop onto her back. A determination burned within her, she would have him bested soon enough.

He sauntered over to her and extended an arm to help her up. "A bit cocky there eh?" He teased looking into her eyes once more. The emotion showing in them made his heart jump. He had seen many women in his time, but this one was exceptionally fierce it seemed.

Rysta grabbed his hand and hauled him to the ground. As they both got up, he managed a hearty laugh. "And here i was expecting a fair fight!"

She only smiled, it seemed impossible to wipe the grin from his face. Determination swelled within her once more, she was going to darn well try.

Yokov threw the first blow this time, a short, simple jab. It was an easy dodge, and left him wide open. She thrust her fist into his gut and was rewarded with a slight grunt. Yokov pressed forward through the blow, leaving each combatant with their backs to each other. they both spun around, the infectious grin plastered on both of them.

"Can you ever throw a punch." He chuckled rubbing his stomach.

"Just as well as you can toss those bolas?" Rysta teased him. She heard even Aardrin chuckle at the comment.

Yokov's expression grew stern, she seemed to have struck the note she was looking for.

He charged at her, a blow aiming shoulder height. As she stepped out of the way of the strike, she felt his leg tangle in her own. Using the momentum of the attack, Yokov threw Rysta's leg out to the side. She barely kept herself upright as they both stumbled in different directions.

"You sure like tripping people." She joked.

"Keep 'em off their toes, they're not a threat." Yokov smirked once more. He had learned a thing or two from his time as a hunter, and he planned on showing it off.

The two went at each other once more. Each tossing a fist at the other. The blows landed in their shoulder's and their fingers immediately seized the area. Each thrust a leg at the other, only to have them collide messily in the middle. Yokov ground his fingers into the shoulder of Rysta before wrenching arm about violently as she landed another gut shot. She seemed shaken for a moment, just what he needed. She pulled him forwards as he landed a swift blow in her side. The two clipped the opposite shoulder as their grasp was broken.

The match ran on the same for a few more minutes, leaving each member panting for air. A smile showed off Rysta's teeth as she looked at Yokov. "Some bite with that bark of yours." She stabbed at him once more.

He chuckled, sweat glistening in his bright blonde hair as his eyes stun with salt. The heat was finally catching up to both of them. "Aye, and your not shabby for a magic girl."  He commented lightheartedly.  

Rysta quickly wiped the sweat from her brow as she untied her hair to symbolize the match was over. She had thoroughly enjoyed the newest addition as an opponent. And the fact that nothing ever seemed to get him down touched something in her. She extended arm and stretched her hand. "Another tomorrow?" She asked between breaths.

Yokov grinned, the fire and determination shown in the sorcerer was different from the norm. Having good looks just made it all the better. The bout between them had shown him much, and he liked what he had seen.

"You bet it sorcerer." He sauntered over and firmly grasped her hand.

They both looked at each other once more and chuckled. Each seemed to sense that this was the beginning of something long lasting between them.