Lightning: Depends on who you're asking. My author doesn't understand my religion very well... but then neither do I. But yes, it involves multiple gods. How many? Who knows? Perhaps the priests do. I never bothered to ask.

Derek: That... doesn't sound fun.

Lightning: it isn't.

Me: *cocks head, listening to Hetsila.*



Me: Shows what he thinks about my story.

Elanhil: *brings his sword upward, and sweeps it in wide circles, pushing it ever forward, and finally flicking it outward.* (how the white which deswords Edmund, I believe...)

Trina: Help me up, it's all ready feeling better.

Elanhil:

She ignored you like a lady should.

Wow. Now we are learning manners in here too

Roel: @Rahor You're going to have to repeat your last move. Amanda can't find it.

Me: Sorry! I should have been paying more attention to this..

Roel: *silent glare*

Me: *sigh* Well, even if my charries are mad at me, at least I had fun Saturday. Anyhow..

Kai: *ambles over to Mordir* So, how's the rebellion coming?

Cat-Dragon: *watches Merashath carefully* I think you breathed fire at me or something... but my author doesn't wish to dig back three pages to find out.

Me: *sigh*

Cat-Dragon: I do not blame you, Amanda Kondrael.

Me: That's one person, at least...

Cat-Dragon: @Kai Are all humans like this?

Kai: Yup.

Cat-Dragon: How tiresome.

Kai: Ditto.

Mordir: [Trying to clean his shoulder wound] Um, well.... It didn't go too horribly. But, it didn't go all that great, either. We tried kidnapping Shawn, but that made everyone rather angry, then I ended up pinned beneath Thysal, with Jay's sword at my neck. Some of Riniel's geckos started up an impressive fire whirlwind, but then one of them blew it away, giving a clear shot to Merashath for those who were after him and Shawn. Chayn, Shawn's dragon, nearly lost her mind trying to save her rider. Trina jumped at Merashath, which made him let go of Shawn. Now everyone's trying to regroup and recover.

Me: Breathe, breathe.

Aris: [Looks doubtful, but helps Trina to her feet] Be careful not to put too much weight on it.

Seymour: She has an interesting history- [Exclaims in surprise as another arrow strikes him] Alright, no more arrows. The object here isn't to kill me.

Me: [Is trying not to laugh] Gavin, you might want to do something now. (Like attack and have Emuna attack at the same time)

Seymour: [To Melody] Thank you. Let me just finish with these three energetic youths first.

Tounon: [Watches helplessly as his sword flies from his grip] Well that didn't go well. [Glances at Elanhil and runs for his sword.]

Me: Don't turn your back on him!

Meriak: [Shrieks in anger and lunges at Ashrai, stabbing at him with the crossbow bolt still in hand]

Me: She does. Meriak don't like light (or at least bright light, like the sun or firelight), so they live in the deepest parts of the forest. They don't have special powers, aside from smelling their prey's fear, and often making it grow by their presence (but here, that probably won't work). I'm sure Meriak will be willing to duel, when she knows Ashrai isn't one to be messed with.

Cassie: OK.... so I make my opponent do most of the work, and get him tired out first.

Me: [Just reread the part when Seymour got defeated] I don't know who had it worse, Seymour or Cory.

Tesmir: I think Kai got it worse than anyone. I'm sure getting chopped in two isn't comfortable.

Suragore: [Hisses and darts toward Zanya, mouth open]

Orrun: Does having more than one god do anything to your world? I mean, don't they clash against each other sometimes?

Rune: [Stands and stretches] I need something to do. Come, Tesmir. Duel with me. Find two other friends.

Tesmir: What? Rune, you'd be outnumbered.

Rune: [Shrugs and rotates his arms] I need a bit of excitement. I've got Beron.

Tesmir: Um.... alright. Who should I ask?

Rune: Probably someone who doesn't look busy.

Tesmir: [Looks around] Hey, Tanner, Lightning, you wanna help me beat up my brother?

Gavin: *chuckles* What?...I can't let her continue? This is pretty funny.

Emuna: *strings another arrow and aims it at Seymour's chest* So, since I'm getting kind of bored. Can we quicken the pace? I won't shoot this and you can let Brian go.

Brian: She can get a tad bit extreme...

Gavin: *stops laughing* Emuna...seriously...I think you're good.

Emuna: *pulls arrow back further* Please.

Me: She's even scaring me...talk about mood swings.

Brian: What?

Me: It's like when you're normal and than suddenly...*gestures to Emuna*

Brian: Oh...

Lightning: *bitterly* They don't exist.

Me: Depending on what mood you're in.

Lightning: I don't believe in the gods of my sister, I do not believe in the gods of my mother, and I'm not going to have my life dictated to me by some religion I don't even understand!

Me: easy, easy. Let's not take this out on me here.

Lightning: Oh sure. You didn't do anything. Just create my world.

Me: It get's better. Trust me.

Lightning: I don't.

Me: oh. (beat) why are you here again?

Lightning: I don't know...

Derek: *watched Emuna* I wonder if he needs help.

Me: I'm sure he knows what he's doing.

Raedon: *sulks*

Me: *notices Tesmir's request and points it out to charries*

Lightning: *glares*

Me: It could be fun.

Lightning: for you maybe, and your pathaeon of gods!

Me: That's a big word for you. And hey! Hey! My gods? I don't have anything to do with them! I only have One God, I'll have you know....

Derek: You're arguing religion with a character? This ought to get interesting.

Me: @Tesmir: Give him a post or two and he'll come around. He just broods over things.

Sylvia - @Zanya: You know, you had really learn to keep your mouth shut.

Zanya - Ahhhhh! (Claws at the Suragore, then dashes off, coming to a sudden halt as she runs into Rowen) Oouf! Umm, I hope you don't mind (Climbs up his back and curls into a tense ball between his wings, watching the Suragore nervously)

Sylvia - And this is all assuming that it'll avoid the dragon.

Ember - (squeaks in agreement)

Zanya - . . . .

Ashrai - (Sidesteps the Meriak's attack and draws his sword, retaliating with a slash across her flank) I warned you.

Niarah - You need a torch or something which generates light.

Ashrai - Like I'd turn my back on her to make a torch.

Niarah - (snorts) Things have changed since the last post, hmm?

Rahor - Here we go again. (Lunges at Roel, slashing diagonally at his hand and across his torso) I have a feeling that either one of us has to surrender, or we'll have to call it a tie. You're an excellent dueller.

Me - Interesting.

Thysal - I'll say. (watches Kai suspiciously)

Tanner: *looks amused at Tesmir* What's the occasion?

Melany: Let me know when you're ready. *walks up to Mordir* Would you like me to clean your wounds?

Lumevita: *snores peacefully in the sunshine*

Kaida: Alright then, whenever you're ready terror-wing.

Stellwento: She says that but I wouldn't be surprised if her opponent is in tears be the time she's finished.

Fulgar: *chuckles in agreement*

Elanhil: *leaps forward and sticks his arm out, in front of Tounon's face.*

Trina: *leans on Aris for support, and motions towards Shawn.*

Merashath: I don't really remember either, to tell the truth...

"Yes. What do you think is the most wasteful action in a fight?"

If she is sounding like when Kimun is teaching, that is because he was using her method. Be glad he didn't use the methods of his first two teachers...

I'm in shock just thinking about it...

A dragon lord and a sorcerer. The dragon lord had a Zheighor serpent that aided in the training as well.

Tounon: [Skids to a halt, but grabs Elanhil's arm and twists]

Rune: For pity's sake, Tounon, use the lessons Rousen taught you!

Tounon: Rousen didn't prepare me for a master swordsman!

Rune: He trained you enough so you could piece it together to be able to duel one!

Seymour: [Looks sternly at Emuna] As desperate as you are, Miss Emuna. This lesson is not for killing.

Me: [Pokes Gavin] You might wanna get movin'.

Meriak: [Screams at Ashrai, brushing the sword away with her wing. She spins around, legs spread apart and one hand resting flat on the ground, the other holding the crossbow bolt. Her wings raised] Since you say you have no fear, I will have to create some. [Screechs loudly and jumps at Ashrai, trying to knock him over]

Mordir: [Looks at Melody icily] I'm fine.

Zurik: [Smacks his unhurt shoulder] Liar. Even if she's a good guy, not doing anything about those wounds won't end well.

Suragore: [Halts when he sees Rowen, and hisses]

Rowen: [Blinks in surprise. But smiles slightly and looks at the Suragore, growling. The long bit of fur under his head (where the head and neck meet) vibrates] Come and fight us, if you dare.

Mordir: I thought we were done with fighting dragons?

Me: Ah, don't worry. Sooner or later the Suragore will back off.

Tesmir: [Smiles] No big occasion. He volunteered for a beating. I was dragged into it, and he said to find two others. [Looks at his brother] I'm not entirely sure how fair it is, but he seems rather confident.

Me: He's a big guy (not big as in fat, the other kind of big).

Tesmir: I know that. I've seen him battle. [Looks at Lightning] We can wait, if he's not quite ready. [Walks over to Shawn] How're you feeling, little miss?

Aris: Tesmir, while you're gathering up friends to beat up your brother, can you tend to Shawn? [Helps Trina walk over to the slowly growing group]

Cassie: Um... trying to knock your opponent down?

Me: What kind of training did Kimun go through?

Chayn: [Smiles softly and spread out her tail to make room for the others]

Orrun: I apologize if I upset you. A world that has more than one god is new to me. But aren't you maybe just a little bit curious if there is a god? One that made you, and wants to be a part of you?

Me: Okay, since I've been gone for forever, I'm not going to attempt reading 20 plus pages and I'll just ask. Did I miss any grand event? Oh yeah, sorry about those longs lost duels from those 20 plus pages ago.

Brian: Out of curiosity...and concern...Seymour wouldn't happen to be a dragon? Because if he is that makes Emuna's arrow pretty pathetic, but if he isn't...well...he's dead.

Me: You're feeling optimistic today, Brian.

Brian: I was just saying the truth.

Emuna: *scowls at Seymour* Fine. *loosens grip on arrow and points it to the ground*

Gavin: Do something? Like what? She. Is going. To kill me.

Emuna: *walks over to Gavin* I'm not going to kill you Gavin. *makes innocent face* Will you go to that dark corner for a second? That one with no witnesses.

Gavin Emuna...you're seriously not feeling well.

Me: well duh...assuming she's progressing in the character thread as she is progressing in the book as I write the book...you're lucky you're not dead yet.

Gavin: Well thanks!

Me:

Me: Oh, nothing major, just an epic dragon war, that's all...

Elanhil: *Yanks his arm down to Tounon's chest, and whirls around, so that he is standing behind Tounon. He lifts his blade around so it is at Tounon's neck.* Don't fight an armed man unless you have a blade or if your name is Kimun.

Trina: Shawn, are you alright? He was holding you pretty tight...

Melany: *shrugs* I may be a "good guy" but I'm also a Christian and a member of the red cross. If there is no threat to my people I'm here to help regardless.

Me: I love you Dr. Galen. You make me proud to be an author.

Fulgar: And we make you proud to be human.

Me: That doesn't mean I love my reptiles any less...

Kaida: *watches Meriak and Ashrai eagerly*

Tanner: *shrugs and gets up* Sure, I'll give it a shot. I'm not too good a team fighter though.

Zanya - Thank you, friend. (Wraps her tail around her feet self conciously) I don't know why I'm so scared . . .

Sylvia - This has been very unnerving. My friends are showing unseen sides of their personality. (Hugs a protesting Ember to her)

Me - That's the point of Character Development.

Ashrai - (Drops to the ground as Meriak leaps and darts forward, passing under her, then stands and whirls, planting a clawed kick in the small of her back, snarling) Nice try. Fancy another one?

Me - Martial artist.

Niarah - Show off.

Thysal - (smirks at Niarah) Jealous.

Niarah - I am not!

Thysal - Smitten.

Niarah - NO!

Me - Really mature, guys.

Thysal - Out of curiosity, Author, what does that say about your current mental state?

Me - (glares) Don't even go there.

Sylvia - (ignoring the discussion) Melany, are you from the same story as the geckos gang? Or are you from a different tale altogether?

Melany: Yes, we're the only tale our author has developed this deeply-

Me: Mostly I work in paranormal short story otherwise. Sorry, continue.

Melany: I'm from the human world but there are portals. I was one of the first modern age humans to travel to Lor-Amar.

Me: Portals are always cool...

Me: Ditto to what Elanhil said.

Tesmir: You only say that because they're what helped you figure out how to merge three world into one.

Me: ....

Seymour: No, I'm no dragon. I'm half-Elf, or a Luvarian.

Me: Which also means poor-blooded. It's not a very nice term, but most people try to associate with meaning half-Elf.

Seymour: If we're done with explaining Allarian terms, may we continue?

Me: Feel free. [Looks at Gavin] I mean. Go get Brian. Like, now. Emuna's got Seymour 'distracted', she's helping you, so run. Now.

Tesmir: [Looks up at Tanner] That fine. Aris isn't any good either.

Me: Hey, now!

Tesmir: I'll be right over once I finish getting Shawn taken care of.

Tounon: [Tenses] I'll keep that in mind. [Turns his head slightly] You're good. I enjoyed that duel.... however short it was.

Me: .... I really stink at that.

Chayn: [Looks amused] And yet you keep trying

Me: I know. I'm as bad as my characters.

Tesmir: What's that supposed to mean?

Rune: Rousen's going to have your hide, boy.

Tounon: Don't you dare tell.

Orrun: Why will everyone have everyone else's hide among Aris's characters?

Me: Because you're all trouble-makers.

Tesmir: Excuse me? I am not a trouble maker. I tend more toward being a trouble-attracter.

Rune: That sounds really weird, Tesmir.

Tesmir: [Points at me] Blame her, it's her word choice.

Meriak: [Screams in pain and turn, eyes burning with rage] I will kill you. [Repeats the same action she did last time, but this time she beats at Ashrai with her wings, hopefully blinding him of her next move, which is grabbing at his sword arm in an attempt to disarm him]

Suragore: [Roars and lunges]

Rowen: [Snarls and slashes at him, his wings unfurled, but he doesn't take flight] Be prepared if we must fly.

Gavin: Oh....right... *sneaks behind Seymour and towards Brian*

Brian: A little bit late don't you think?

Gavin: Don't back talk me. I could be sitting eating a banana you know.

Emuna: Hmm...back to being bored. *strings another arrow and aims it at Seymour's leg* If the object isn't to kill you...what is it than?

Brian: uhh...Master Seymour?...I just read chapter eleven...and...it doesn't make your future seem all too bright...

Me: It's not that bad...

Brian: Yah...but still.

Emuna: *pulls arrow back on string further* I wonder...if I nick his bone...he'll walk with a limp...si?

Me: There are two questions I have for you...1.) How did you find that out? 2.) When did you learn how to speak Spanish?...

Emuna: *stills holds arrow back* You read it somewhere and told me it once when you were trying to figure out a plotting problem with SS...and I'm not sure...

Gavin: Wait...so I got to Brian...now what? Why couldn't you just walk out from behind Seymour, lazy?

Brian: I don't know...he told me to stay...

Me: I've decided it's impossible to keep up with this.

Kai: Totally.

Roel: Thank you very much. *moves hand back so the blow is caught by his sword rather than his hand and torso* I might say the same of you. But I really would like to win this.

Kai: So the rebellion has failed. Hmmm. *jumps back into rafters and cuts his name into them with his throwing stars for fun*

Thysal - (Pointedly glares at Pirzak, showing her fangs) Fight a human, and fight with his dragon as well.

Zanya - Whatever you feel like doing, that's fine by me, Rowen.

Sylvia - We have portals too, going from Earth to the Inner World.

Me - Name needs work . . .

Sylvia - Is Lor-Amar where the geckos are from? And how did Tanner get there?

Niarah - (covers her eyes with her paws) Ashrai, I told you taunting her was a bad idea . . .

Ashrai - (Stumbles backwards, and drops his sword. Regaining his balance, he draws a throwing knife and flings it skillfully at the Meriak)

Rahor - Look out, he has more beneath his cloak!

Thysal - Who's side are you on?

Rahor - Whichever one he's not.

Niarah - Rahor, focus!

Rahor - What? Oh right! (Follows up his attack with a sharp stab at Roel's heart) So would I, really.

Me - Would it kill you to surrender?

Rahor - Yes.

Niarah -

Rahor - I might end up being the first to call a truce though.

Me - Aris, how do you manage to type such long posts?

Pernoxnix: We're not sure where we're from. There are only six of us that we know of and we knew none before ourselves. We just hatched wherever we were and eventually came together.

Stellwento: But Tanner's from New Jersey. Nix and I showed him the portal.

Emectra: Nix showed him the portal. You're the one who made it even more difficult.

Stellwento: Haha, yeah, that was great.

"That depends on how you do it. I can knock you down with one finger with great ease, if I wanted to. Or I could throw my weight against you and use strikes to do it. Which is more efficient?"

Well one part of it was when the dragon lord commanded him to run after his serpent (a zheighor, a familiar spirit more or less). The serpent was much faster than Kimun, although Kimun was already very good at running. And he took a path over the mountain, through ravines, up cliffs, etc. The trip took half the day, and the first time, Kimun completely lost the serpent before a half hour had passed.

It took him a few months, but he was eventually able to keep up for the entire run. And eventually, he became so good at running that he was able to make a run from one end of the continent to the other, which was a few thousand miles.

He was also trained in the kinetic arts. And unlike Luke Skywalker, he didn't just lift large objects and hold them in the air. He was forced to hang from the ceiling by his hands using kinetic force for hours at a time, with thousand foot drops below him.

Besides bench pressing boulders that weighed multiple tons and boring stuff like that.

And dancing. And holding himself completely immobile for days on end on a bare outcropping of rock in the middle of winter storms.

Stuff like that.

And Elanhil beat this guy???

Elanhil: --Um, right. My duel. --We may duel again if it pleases you. I enjoyed the first battle, it was excellent fun.

Trina: *smiles* Well I do suppose that is because we have won...*looks at the villains.* for now...

Merashath: *sits down and keeps a wary eye on any and all heroes.

Yes, because Kimun neglected all weapon's training for the first half of his life, and then only got training in it later from a school of war, which isn't nearly as good as mentoring. So his sword skills are masterful, but not wizardic.

Yeah, Elanhil was in training since he was big enough to be able to grasp a small wooden sword. But he is only 19-20...

A prodigy.

At the stage in which I brought Kimun in, he was over 80. He lives quite a bit longer though, well into his hundreds (I do not remember if he breaks 200 or not).

Life expectancy for humans in Menbie is about 60-70. So both were about 1/3 of their life...

Quite fascinating. An interesting coincidence.

Kai: *jumps down by Pirzak* So what's the plan? *glares at Jay*

Roel: Yikes! *knocks sword aside, but it cuts his arm anyway.* Ouch. *glares at blood trickling down arm.* You will die for this. *make two thrusts at Rahor's torso, then hopefully before he can react, makes a powerful slice at his upper right arm*

Klasina: Boys. They're so overdramatic.

Kai: How'd you get back in here?

Klasina: I've been here all along. Just was being quiet and good, unlike you two.

Kai: *sigh* Well, why don't you go make friends with some of the girls?

Klasina: Hmmmm... *wanders around rather aimlessly*

Kai: I worry about that girl sometimes.

Me: Good. I need to develop you two's brother-sister relationship thingie and just her in general.

Kai: And my part in it is being worried about her?

Me: Sure!

Kai: *groan*

Me: [To Ciela] I really don't know. I think just my talking contributes a lot.

Tesmir: So you should just stay quiet.

Seymour: [Lowers staff] We are done now, Miss Emuna. Gavin has completed his task. [Walks toward Gavin and looks him in the eye] Do you see now why it is important to get along with your friends? If you don't, tight spots can be very difficult to get out of on your own. [Presses three coins into his hand] It has been a great pleasure conversing among you three. I hope it taught you as much as it taught me.

Me: What did it teach you?

Seymour: Patience. And to be wary of deadly archers.

Tounon: Cool. Wanna go again now?

Rune: Sometimes, I just can't figure him out.

Orrun: I remember how amusing it was to watch him and Rousen. Tou certainly knew how to push someone's buttons.

Mordir: [To Melody] ...Alright, then.

Zurik: Good.

Mordir: No one asked you.

Chayn: [Smiles] You are much-loved, little one. I'm not the only one who desires to see you safe and sound.

Me: [To Shawn] You have a Kindle? Those things are awesome. I can't go online like that (going to sites other than the Kindle bookstore) on mine very long before it freezes. But it was still really cool when I found out about it.

Tesmir: You're talking again.

Meriak: [Shrieks and flies upward swiftly, bearing immediately down on Ashrai from above, clawing at his face]

Tesmir: She's a lovely creature.

Rune: Terribly civil, I'd say.

Aris: That's sarcasm, right?

Tesmir: No, it's dead seriousness. [Gets whacked by Chayn's tail, almost falling on top of Shawn] I was kidding! Sheesh.

Cassie: Throwing your weight into your opponent would be more effective. Because they might lose their breath for a minute and give you more time you finish them off.

Me: [Stares] That's an impressive training schedule he's got.

Rune: Probably wouldn't do much harm for some of us.

Tesmir: Hey, I do my fair share of training, thank you.

Gavin: *look at coins* Say...we shold have some of these in Realta.

Me: Don't start with that, Gavin, you know I loathe inventing currencies.

Gavin: *scowls*

Emuna: *puts bow & arrow away* Good...

Brian: *walks up to Emuna* A little bit of a drastic change, Emuna.

Emuna:...I don't want to talk about it. *walks over to dark corner and sits down with knees pulled up to chest*

Brian: Umm...

Me: Just leave her, she'll blow your head off.

Brian: I doubt it she'd shoot an orb at me.

Me: Let's just hope you never have to find out...assuming Gavin actually starts helping you guys instead of hanging out with your worst enem-

Gavin: *covers my mouth with hand* Shhh!!!

Me: *muffled words*

Gavin: *removes hand*

Me: For that I'm taking away your sword!

Gavin: Like you could get my sword...*looks at empty sword sheath* How did you...?

Me: You never learn.

Merashath@Pirzak: Well, for me that would be quite easy. If I were you, though, I'd hire an assassin and maim him, not kill him, in his sleep. Force him to live with a limp.

Elanhil: Very well. I will stay defensive this time. See if you notice a difference. *Raises the tip of his sword to the guard position.*

Trina: *smiles, then looks off into the distance, slightly dazed.*

Melany: *grabs bandages* Alright, let's see what the damage is...

Kaida: Be careful with the "using your weight" bit. It can be easy to take advantage of.

Derek: @Seymour: Are you alright? I can't imagine anyone with an arrow through either arm not being in some degree of pain...

Me: I'm sure his author will fix him up.

Lightning: @Orrun: my apologies. My author clearly did not warn you of the complex religions of my world. My sister believed firmly in the old religion, and my mother was a follower of the True Light. I've been curses, excommunicated and damned by more priests and religious cult followers than I can count. A great deal of power is built on religion, so it is partly my so-called blasphemy that makes me an outlaw.

"Unless they are twice your size and more physically fit than you. If you take you down with less energy, that doesn't mean it is less effective, just that it is more efficient."

Those are just samples. I didn't even mention what this sorcerer made him do.

Me: Oh my...

Trina: *Leans heavily on Aris* I- I need to sit down...

Kai: @Pirzak and Merashath-Assassin maim him in his sleep? I would rather go for the kill. Just get him to sleep, all ye other villains, and I can take it from there.

Griffin: Okay, I want another duel with Elanhil! If he beat Kimun, I must test my skill against him.

Tesra: This should be interesting...

Phillip: So that means Negraz got defeated by a guy that was beaten a 20 year old prodigy?!

Negraz: (dark look that is not contained in any of the smilies, not even this one, )

Ravork: And I challenge Kimun! He seems a worthy opponent.

Me: Looks like my charries are getting me into duels again.