"Ahhh, interesting.  A close-quarters fight - this should be most educational."  The ghostly figure nods gravely to Kanir and Borovik, and greets his new team-mate, Gwendol, with a brave smile.  You get the feeling that behind the smile, Garath is not very confident about the outcome of the fight.

"If some kindly supervisor would please release my body from its current combat against Authiel and Sonida, by conducting the termination ceremonies for that fight, I would be most grateful," he calls out, to nobody in particular.

Darn, I figured you'd be battling until I came back.

I'm going to be out of town for the rest of the week, and I'm not sure yet if I'll 'net access from the hotel or not.  If I do, I'll go ahead and post, but if not, please wait for me.

No worries, we'll set things up and if you don't have access we'll wait.

Looks like I do have access after all.

I'll go slip on my 'kindly supervisor' hat and 'conduct the termination ceremonies' for your other fight.

LOL!

As he is taking in another hearty mouthful of the dense-frothed ale, Garath suddenly seems to solidify, his shimmering image becoming tangible flesh.  He splutters, surprised, then goes into a coughing fit, having evidently inhaled what he would have preferred to imbibe.

"Ahhh - thank you, kindly supervisor!" he gasps, once he can speak again.  "Looks like I am now ready for another fight.  A pity the previous one ended so prematurely; I do believe it had great educational potential.  Ah well."

Quinlan, Garath, & Gwendol vs Team Bacon is now open.

Ready? Fight!

I would like to try my hand fighting another one worthy, I am not skilled all that much, but I would like to try my hand once more. She stands up and says to no and to everyone.  Brushing off some of the dried blood from her last fight she grins at to her self more then anything.

I'll take you on. You can choose the arena.

Very well Gildor, I hear tell that there is a temple that was lost long ago, perhaps we will cross blades and spells there soon.  I am glad there is one person not worried to fight a woman in todays society.

A lady with flame-colored hair enters the inn, dressed in ornate orange-red (but not red-red) robes. With a graceful move she sits and asks the maid for a glass of brandy. Then asks her in a half-whisper "I have heard there are people sparring here. Do you happen to know if anyone dares taking on a Maiden of the order of the Phoenix?"

"Sure, I'll give it a shot.  What's the 'Order of the Phoenix', anyway?" an elven newcomer to the arena quietly replies, and shrugged her slender shoulders.  "Oh, and where would you prefer to do battle?  I don't like the look of those caverns - far too dark for my tastes - but apart from that, I'm up for anything."

The lady turned and exposed a strange chain-like belt around her waist "The order of the Phoenix venerates the purity of fire, it cleans everything and allows a fresh start without the sins of the past." she smiled gently as one would smile with a child that asked a simple question. "Will you tell me what kind of opponent I'm facing?"

ooc: Crossroads river?

"You would be fighting an opponent weilding both blade and spell, in a perfect symphony perfected through milennia by elven masters," the lady replied with a wink.  "Though, I suppose you could call me a 'Duskblade' for short."

OOC:  Sounds fine by me.  I'm going to go to bed in a couple of minutes, if you'll set up the match, I'll post in the morning.  :-)

Same here, I'll do it in the morning. G'night.

A heavily armored figure of medium height leads a huge white horse into the training grounds. See description. She sits down, scratching the horse behind it's ears and whispers to it in Shaaran. The figure grins, then its down by it's armored shoulder, pulling off one of it's gauntlets and removing the red studded leather plate protecting the horse's huge face. The figure then scratches it's head as it leans it appreciatively towards her.

Still petting the horse, she pipes up, in an unexpectedly feminine voice, How are you all today?

A trim figure, dressed in practical yet elegant travelling clothes and sporting a shortbow across his back, materializes in the main chamber, and nods absently to those present.  He walks over to the archway leading to the yard outside, and breathes deeply of the fresh air.  Spotting Sitaka and her horse, he greets the pair, bringing two fingers to his forehead in a sardonic partial salute.

Sitaka waves distractedly, but seems mostly concerned with finding the right spot behind her horse's ear.

Garath wanders into the common area, translucent again, his body apparently engaged in battle elsewhere.  "I'm bored," he declares, to nobody in particular.  "Does anyone know the rules on starting a new fight before one's prior fight has ended?"

The youth does a double-take as he sees the recent Sun Elf arrival standing by the archway.  "Syntari en'Rhistel!  You... we... how can this... are we supposed to be in the same room, at the same time?  I thought... but... is this proper?"  his stammering fades in confusion.

Syntari snickers at the human's unease.  "So you're worried about us being seen together in public, is that it?  Relax - if we refrain from holding hands and calling each other by our pet names, I don't think anyone will ever guess...

"Seriously, kid," the Elf continues, waving aside Garath's spluttered indignation, "the Arena is an interstitial planar extrusion - you should know this, you've studied planar theory more than I have - the normal rules don't apply here.  We can fight alongside each other, or indeed even face off against each other, though I doubt either of us would learn much from the exercise."

The Elven wizard looks around the chamber, noting sadly the absence of contestants, and brushes past Garath with a friendly clap on the shoulder on his way to the liquor counter.  He pours himself a tall glass of rosebrandy and settles into a plush armchair, waiting for some people to finish their fights and return to the main chamber.

Nthretha, her silver hair dripping from a recent shower, and her clothes freshly cleaned, walks into the training grounds via the locker rooms. She pulls a stand of hair out of her face and sits down, ordering a bottle of spiced wine to drink before looking around and surveying the competition, seeming to be inviting someone to talk and perhaps challenge her.

I'm looking for a bout anyone daring to face me? (No invisibility on either side)

I'd fight you, but the lack of invisibility really only hurts me, as I can see you anyway.

Hey Lilly, wanna take on your silly bard friend?

As you wish. Which arena?