Cavalry Grounds: Practice Area Open to All

[Eldrith]

For many years there has been peace. And peace is cherished. Never the less peace is no reason to let our skills go rusty. The Cavalry is opening their practice grounds to anyone, be they Rohirrim or not.
Of course Cavalry members are expected! And newly interested Cavalry Recruits are encouraged! But if a Gondorian Lieutenant wanted to test their mettle, a dwarf pick up a challenge, a Wizard come and try out his staff, an Elf wanted to show off the results of decades or centuries of practice or if a hobbit were to try weapons for the first time or perhaps re-find old skill; ... why they would all be welcome of course! And should a minion, a pirate of Umbar or a miscreant of any nature happen to sneak in, why they might have the chance to practice.. in one way or another...

Set up:

Behind wooden palisades you find three areas that are all visible to each other:

• a large oval arena to demonstrate horse riding skills

• a wide, round arena, smaller than the oval, for one on one combat

• a more narrow, but elongated third area to practice on dummies made of wood, straw and cloth, or round or square targets held up by straw bales.

There are benches around the arena's for spectators, fresh water barrels with ladles set up in each area and there are racks with weapons. You can choose sensibly for the wood/ leather practice ones or play with danger and go for the sharps. You can even bring your own! Our NPC drill master/ training advisor is named Erkenbrand! He is a veteran of many years and many campaigns. Feel free to use him to improve your skills!

Thread Rules

1) This is an area for IC roleplay
2) To make this a place that is easy for everyone who wants to interact with, there is no 'set time' in the practice arena, allowing you to practice/ play without impeding on other plays you have going on. You of course can decide if this is 'just after he got wounded' or 'right before she went off on that journey'.
3) All arenas are visible to one another so presume that you can be seen by everyone else unless you post something that would make that unlikely (In the middle of the night, hidden behind a barrel observing, etc). If you really don't want any interaction, please put at the top of your post that this is a private rp.
4) To allow you to wrap up a specific RP (a training session, an encounter, anything), please put clearly in a post if you are entering or leaving the arena. Leaving the arena will 'reset your clock so to speak' and your new entry post can be at any other time.
4)Please white out any necessary OOC comments near the end of your posts.
5) Always be kind, always obey the plaza rules and have fun!

[Rillewen]

(open)

|
Duinion & Erynneth
Archery Range
(Spring, same year as this RP)

"You should have seen her, Daddy!" Eryn sighed longingly, all dreamy-eyed as she described the beautiful horse she had seen at the market yesterday. "She's young, but she isn't like.. unbroken, you know? And she runs sooo fast! And smooth!" She widened her eyes. "I never knew a horse could run that smooth! Old Smoke sure doesn't."

Duinion smiled as he listened quietly. She'd been going on about this horse ever since she returned to their camp last night. "Did they tell you how old she is?" He asked.

"Um, about three and a half." Eryn said. Because of course, she had asked several questions of the seller. "She's so pretty." If only she had the money to get a horse...

Father and daughter arrived at the archery lane area. Duinion greeted the man running the training area and explained that they were visiting from Gondor, and that they would like to use the archery area for a little while. He assured the man that he was quite familiar with archery, being a ranger of Gondor with the bow as his primary weapon, so the guy left them to handle their practice by themselves, though he added that if they needed any help, he would be nearby.

"Ladies first," Duinion gestured for her to begin. It was still a surprise to find out that this place was open to everyone, so when he had learned about it, he was eager to come out and let Eryn practice her shooting. It gave them something to do together while they were here.

Eryn smiled as she drew her first practice arrow and readied it on her bow. "Maybe, when we get done here, we can go by the market and see if she's still there." She mentioned hopefully.

"Focus, Eryn." Duinion said with an amused smile. Of course, he didn't mention that he had already gone out this morning to see the horse in question. That he had already negotiated for a price with the man selling the filly. That he'd made arrangements to have her brought to Gondor, where she would reside in a stable until Eryn's birthday came along in a couple of months.

"Sorry." She took a breath and let it out slowly to calm her excitement, then released her arrow. It was not her best shot, but it wasn't terrible, either. It struck the practice dummy she had been aiming for, but in the hip, rather than the shoulder. She took her second shot, adjusting her aim slightly, so this time, it struck the dummy in the belly. Frowning, she readied her third shot, and tried to go just slightly higher to get the shoulder, but that one went right over the dummy's shoulder, and soared beyond to bury itself in the grass beyond.

"Good shots, but I believe you can do better. Unless you intended to hit those spots," He added with a glance at her.

"No, I was aiming for the shoulder." She sighed. "I almost got it on the last one, but I was too high."

"Only slightly." He smiled. "You'll do better next round." He spoke with confidence, knowing her skill level. He drew his first arrow and took a moment to think about which target he'd like to hit, and what part of the target.

[Rillewen]

(open)

Léolith
Sparring Area
(A separate, undetermined time/date from the prior post)

She had never been here before. Léolith paused as she looked around the training ground area which had always used to be closed off to the Cavalry members. Not anymore. For once, it was open to anyone who wanted to train here. She wanted to join them, but she hadn't expected that she'd be able to come here until she was.

Taking a deep breath, she smiled and stepped in further. She could imagine her brother spending hours here, training, practicing, learning all the skills that had earned him a place in the Third Eored. She had been young, but she remembered how excited he had been to tell them about it. Bittersweet memories, of course. Since that was how he had ended up dying. But she chose to remember the happiness, not the sorrow.

Pushing those sad thoughts out of her mind, Léolith found her way over to where some wooden practice swords rested on a rack, and she took a moment to find one that looked about the right size for her. She'd been practicing how to use a sword for the past few years. Ever since that... wild adventure she'd had, which had first made her think about learning to fight. Léored had showed her a few things to get started. Then, her cousins had showed her a little more when they visited, over the years. Hopefully, she was ready to actually join the cavalry. She just needed to figure out who to talk to about that. Until then... she would show that practice dummy how well she'd learned how to swing a sword!

[Rillewen]

(open)

|
Xyler & Dusty
Summer, sometime before Xyler's trip to Gondor
(yet another point in time)

"Well, here we are." Xyler said to his horse as they walked into the training grounds. He paused, as if expecting someone to tell him he had no business being here. But no one did that. The apprentice healer, therefore, relaxed and proceeded toward the area that was obviously a horse arena. "I hope you know what to do." He said quietly to Dusty, looking over at the horse as he walked alongside him. The horse let out a blowing sort of snorting sound, and shook his head to get rid of some flies trying to bother him. Xyler waved a hand to try and shoo them away, then turned his attention to the gate to the arena.

The gate took him a moment to open, then he led Dusty inside and, fumbling his grip on the lead rope as he ducked under the horse's neck to get to the other side of him, so he could close the gate. Dusty turned around with him, and Xyler had to hastily move his foot out of the way to avoid being stepped on. "Hey, watch it." He scolded. "My foot was there." He sighed, shaking his head a bit. "Come on." Dusty, however, refused to move. "Come on, Dusty." Xyler instructed, pulling on the rope. "This way." He added, pointing toward the mounting block over in the oval's 'corner'. He probably sounded silly, talking to his horse. But then, didn't most Rohirrim people tend to have a special sort of bond with their horses? He was just.. a little later getting into the horse thing.

Dusty merely looked at him with his ears angled back, as if to say, "Nope. Don't wanna."

Xyler sighed, wondering how other people managed to make this work. "Come on, please? I just want you to come over there." He explained, frowning at the horse's lack of cooperation. He was starting to wonder about this. If he couldn't even get the horse to move while pulling at his head, how could he possibly get him to go while Xyler was on his back? He was starting to think maybe horseback riding wasn't really a thing he would be able to learn, after all.

[Eldrith]

She didn't frequent this place. At least not that most people knew. It was not a complete secret exactly. It was just not talked about. Eldrith practiced when it was nearly dark and everyone had gone home. She could stay the night at the Eallníwe Inn if it was really dark when she finished her exercises and sometimes, there were a few trusted people she practiced with, including Eideard. Iron had to sharpen iron. But in general, the fact that the quartermaster actually well knew her way around a blade and more was kept quiet. Few understood why but it had been a request as she entered the cavalry. And well as a quartermaster her tasks lay in another domain. The incident in the Campian? Other tales had taken the foreground. She had traveled. And upon her return the fire had been what swept through everything. She had slipped back into life with narry a ripple. With Ea's help, she managed the inn, and made certain the Cavalry remained supplied, the buildings in decent repair and people had what they needed. A lot of it depended on trade and suppliers and she used the same skills for both. It worked out. Somehow.

She had not expected to see anyone here, not at this time. She had approached the Arena quietly as was her habit. And if a spar or training was going on, she might have backed away and returned later or another day. But this wasn't either. A young woman was standing near the practice dummies, selecting a sword. She tried a few before finding one of which the grip and the weight seemed to suit her. Good. Good materials led to success. She waited a moment, staying near the water barrel to see how she would proceed before speaking up.

"Westu Hall"

@Rillewen

[Rillewen]

@Eldrith
(open)

Léolith
Sparring Area
Around Dusk

She selected a wooden version of a two-edged sword that she could wield in one hand, or both, if needed. Just like the one her cousins had taught her to use. It was sturdy, but it bore its share of dents and dings from being used so much. Leolith carefully ran a hand over it to make sure there weren't any splintering places, as she knew that could be quite dangerous if it should break off while she was swinging it at the dummy, but there were none. She smiled to herself, satisfied with her selection.

Just then, a voice hailed her. Leolith turned and smiled. "Westu hal." She returned with a smile. She did not recognize her, but that wasn't surprising, since Leolith hadn't been in this city for long. She hadn't met anyone, yet. "Am I supposed to check in with someone, or something?" She asked, worried she may have neglected something she was supposed to do. "I'm sort of new here, I apologize if I didn't do something right."

[Eldrith]

She had been watching: the selection, the care. Someone at the very least had taught you well; one should value their tools, especially when those tools were deadly. The smile she gave you was slow but she shook her head. There was a calm assessment in her eyes, glancing from the way your hand curved around the hilt, your stature and the simple fact that.. she didn't know you. You had all the markings of one of these lands though, so there was no worry mixed in.*

"No check in is needed, the grounds are open for anyone who wants to practice. If you're coming earlier in the day and Erkenbrand's around, you might let him know you're here, but he'll notice you anyway. Most people just.. come and do what they need. I haven't seen you around before..." Which was logical considering you mentioned you were knew here. "Can I help you with anything? My name is Eldrith. Pubmistress and Quartermaster to the cavalry. After all, someone needs to make certain people eat, right?"
Eat, have the right gear, don't leave their leather tack out in the rain and then be surprised that it's moldy, though to be fair most recruits knew better than that! Only the very, very young ones, made mistakes like that. Usually people who lived here, knew how to take care of things, after all, it took a lot of work to tan a hide, and good leather wasn't cheap.

"If you want to practice by yourself though.. please don't let me disturb you."

[Rillewen]

@Eldrith
(open)

Léolith
Sparring Area
Around Dusk

The woman seemed nice enough, and Léolith relaxed a bit. She was glad to hear that she hadn't broken any rules or anything. She smiled when she was assured that the place was for anyone. The name Eideard sounded somehow familiar. Hadn't someone by that name been involved in some of the battles her brother had been through? She was fairly sure she remembered reading something like that in his journal, after their family had received his personal effects after his death.

As Eldrith introduced herself, Léolith smiled and reached out a hand in greeting. "Léolith, I'm pleased to meet you." She replied. "And no, I am new here," She admitted. "I come from the West Emnet region, near the Snowbourne river." She was intrigued that the lady was a quartermaster of the cavalry. "I.. I actually came to enlist," She added. "But, when I went into the place someone told me to go, I didn't see anyone there." She explained. "So, then I heard that people could use this practice area, so I thought I might find someone here. Or at the very least, practice a bit. I don't mind the company at all!" She added with a smile. "Have you been quartermaster for very long?" She wondered out of curiosity.

[Eldrith]

They had lost so many in the battles. Too many. Too many veterans that had left holes in the ranks. Those that had survived were now training the younger generation. And Eideard was a great teacher, though a strict one. Discipline and skill could be the difference between life and death in battle and he had seen too much death, so he worked those under him hard.

"A pleasure." She said in return, as she shook your hand. Her grip was firm as was to be expected, but she didn't try to weigh or measure your strength. She greeted you as an equal. "New to Edoras? I hope you've found a place to stay oh.. but if you are enlisting there are the barracks. Well you have found us now, and Feldmarshal Guthbrand is supposed to return within the next few days per his last missive. He is glad for new recruits"
She didn't add that they had lost so many. You would know that. Everyone knew that. But they were rebuilding and growing stronger, with sons stepping into the shoes of their fathers. And sometimes daughters too. She didn't ask that question though." I've been quartermaster for.. some time. I divide my duties between the cavalry and the inn." And Bema be praised for the gift that was Eamila, she wouldn't be able to do it otherwise.

"Why do you want to entlist?"
She hadn't asked if you had lost someone, but she did ask that. Guthbrand would ask the same. And would measure if he believed you were up to the task. Then give you a chance to prove him right or wrong.

[Rillewen]

@Eldrith

Léolith
Sparring Area
Around Dusk

"Well.. I haven't found anywhere to stay for the night, no." Leolith admitted, realizing she probably ought to do that before it was too late to find anywhere. "Perhaps, if I come back tomorrow to enlist, I could get into the barracks. Do they have barracks for women, though?" She suddenly wondered, unsure how many females actually had joined. Well, there must be some, since the lady in front of her was a quartermaster. That was a high-up rank, wasn't it? It sounded important. "Well, I suppose even if I don't find an inn with any vacancies, I could camp out," She smiled confidently. She knew how to camp. Mostly. She'd done it before, anyway.

She didn't ask if the inn Eldrith ran had any vacancies. If there were, she assumed the lady would tell her so when she mentioned it. But moving on, she took note of the fact that she must have been in her current position for some time. Long enough to have known many, if not most, of the people who had been in cavalry over the years.

Before Leolith could ask anything more about that, however, Eldrith asked her a question. Why? She lowered the wooden sword to rest on the ground while she considered how to answer that. She hesitated, unsure how much of her personal past to share with her, considering she'd only just met her. But it was an honest question, and deserved an honest answer.

"More than one reason," She began tentatively. "One, my brother was in the cavalry. I was even wondering if you might have known him. Leored," She glanced up at Eldrith. "He rode in the eored of the Third Marshal of the Mark." She added. Then, with a little sadness touching her voice, she went on, "He perished in the battle of the Pelennor Fields." She shifted her weight and took a deep breath before going on.

"The other reason," She looked at her sword thoughtfully as she prepared to bring up something which she had not spoken of much to other people. "Before that, several years ago, I was involved in an.. adventure, which.. led me to having to fight to save myself." She explained. "And to find my way home. It set me thinking that someday, I might become a better fighter, so that I could do more to help others who are in similar situations. That, if I could learn to fight as well as my brother, and my cousins, then I could help people who need protecting, and stop the people who would harm them."

She looked up from her sword, meeting Eldrith's eyes now. "I don't ever want to feel that helpless again. And I don't want anyone else to, either. And, I suppose I also want to.. fill my brother's shoes, in a manner of speaking." She added softly with a little smile.

[Eldrith]

"We have one set for women." There were less women who joined than men, but they'd had a steady amount none the less. Enough for a dedicated barrack. "And you happen to be in luck. I manage the inn and I know we have a vacancy. Or.." She paused for a moment and looked you fully up and down. It was a frank and open assessment. "You seem unlikely to try and murder me or Ea in our beds. I can offer you hospitality at Aern Freablod."

Eldrith said the name with the full expectation that it would be known. Lady Bereth Freblod had been of well known and noble lineage. She'd led the cavalry, in her time and the name of the Freablods were woven through the history of Rohan generations before. There was weight behind that name, and that lineage. And while Eldrith didn't claim it, she was it's caretaker.

She quieted though, as you started, carefully at first, searching for words, to tell her the reasons why. She understood grief. But grief alone would not be enough, the next though it sounded right. It was the care for others, the wish to be independent, to be strong, to stand in defense. It was what the cavalry did. And it could make you a good recruit. There were nuances, things that might need to be sharpened, but she had an almost.. hopeful feeling looking at you.

"I did not know your brother. But I am convinced he would be proud of you. Consider taking my hospitality for the night, and you can go and find the Feldmarshal on the morrow."

[Rillewen]

@Eldrith

Léolith
Sparring Area
Around Dusk

She was glad to hear there was a vacancy, but the next moment she was caught entirely off-guard. An invitation to stay at Aern Fraeblod? She had heard of it, of course, but she had never dreamed she might ever be invited to set foot in such a place, let alone stay the night. She started to stammer a protest, that she couldn't possibly impose on the Freablod family, but she only got as far as opening her mouth before closing it again. Because she wasn't sure whether it might be insulting to turn down such an offer.

She wasn't sure why she felt a little disappointment with hearing that Eldrith had not known her brother. Maybe she'd just hoped to meet someone who'd known him. Maybe she had hoped to share some memories, she wasn't sure. But she smiled to hear the woman's words, that he would be proud of her. "Thank you." She said softly, pleased by the kind words. She hesitated before giving a little nod. "Thank you, that would be very kind of you. If you're sure it wouldn't be any imposition?" She added with some concern.

She held up the practice sword though, as an afterthought. "I was going to practice a bit, though, before finding a place to sleep for the night. Would you be interested in training with me?" She asked curiously, since Eldrith had apparently also just arrived.

[Eldrith]

She would understand that disappointment. When you and lost loved someone, every little bit of memory, even held by another, was a treasure. If she'd had it, she'd be glad to share it with you and ask for memories in turn. Instead the only thing she could offer was compassion, not pity. They had lost so many during the battle. Grief was found in nearly all the families in the land, in one way or another.

"It would not be an imposition. And you can tell me about your brother." She would like to hear it, and she believed you might like to speak of it. Bring him back to you, even for a bit. "Practice with you? I am but the quartermaster, Leolith." She used the name you had given her, because in doing so, you'd made her free of it. "Shouldn't you rather I find Erkenbrand for you?"

It wasn't an outright refusal, she was observing. You didn't know of course. You weren't a member of the cavalry yet. Her.. attachment to the ranks had been a special case. She'd never been a Sperewigend. She didn't hold any command. Within the cavalry, it was her task to put food in bellies, a cover over the heads, and make sure that the gear, was in good shape. Gear that weren't weapons of course. That was each member's own responsibility.

She waited a moment, looking up at you and smiling bright and easy the way only a woman of many years, confident in who and what she was, could. it was the surface at least. And here, among Rohirrim? She felt safe. She'd proven herself over the years. Then she casually asked: "Also.. how do you feel about Hobbits?"

[Rillewen]

@Eldrith

Léolith
Sparring Area
Around Dusk

Leolith smiled to hear that it would not be any imposition. And that she was welcome to tell Eldrith about her brother. But she was slightly confused when she asked if she would rather find the Feldmarshal. "I thought you said he was on a mission, and wouldn't be back until tomorrow?" Leolith asked, unsure if she had misunderstood or misheard. "But, well, I only thought, because you were here and I thought you must have come here to practice something, and I came here to practice.." She trailed off and looked questioningly at Eldrith. Maybe she had been wrong, maybe she did not come here to practice, but rather to check on supplies or something like that. Honestly, Leolith wasn't entirely sure what a quartermaster was, nor what they did. But she didn't know if she wanted to admit to that.

The question about hobbits was so completely unexpected, Leolith blinked and stared for a few seconds. "Hobbits?" She asked slowly, frowning in confusion, trying to think. Wait, Leored's letters had spoken of those... he'd encountered a couple of them in the wars, before his death. "Holbytla?" She asked, feeling pretty certain the two words must be synonymous. "I have never seen any, but I have been curious, ever since Leored wrote about encountering some." She mentioned, curious why the lady would have asked.

[Eldrith]

'The Feldmarshall is not back till tomorrow. The Laermaegistar however will more than likely be in the barracks here adjacent. I could fetch him for you." The drillmaster's quarters were a part of the barracks but separate. He had his own entrance, and his own full set of rooms in contrast to the simpler housing for the trainee. But they were in the same building, merely separated by a wall. It was common practice to remain close at hands, in case something went amiss. While it wasn't visible, she hesitated a bit before she answered the second part. Yes, she had come here to practice but such was not.. commonly known. "My duties within the cavalry do not include the wielding of blade or spear. But if you wish, I could try, just for the evening. Erkenbrand will do you greater justice tomorrow, I have no doubt."

The smile that appeared was warm as she saw your confusion, and after that the curiosity. "Because currently the only residents of the Aern Freablod estate are myself, a stable hand, and Eamila Bolger, who is indeed Holbytla, from the shire. If you had a distaste or a fear for such, I would have recommended different lodgings."
She wouldn't have been able to offer you a room at the inn either, but she knew enough families that would have taken you in for a night or two until you had managed to see the Feldmarshal. "If you have any questions on such though.. now would be the time to ask them."

She turned slightly towards the rack and unerringly went for a short sword, made in wood and wrapped in leather, it was the exact weight and balance of the sword she preferred to use. She was shorter than most Rohirrim but clearly much too tall for a Hobbit or for anything related to them.*

[Rillewen]

@Eldrith

Léolith
Sparring Area
Around Dusk

Listening to Eldrith's explanation, Leolith shook her head. "Oh, no. I wouldn't want to disturb him this late, and I wasn't thinking of any sort of.. actual training." She blushed lightly. "I only thought I would pass some time, since I got here too late to talk to anyone official today, about joining." She explained. "If you don't wish to do any sort of sparring, I completely understand." She added, not wanting to make the lady feel uncomfortable or anything. She had been kind to Leolith in offering her a place to stay.

As far as the hobylta, she was certainly not opposed or afraid, but rather intrigued. "Why should anyone have any fear of them?" She wondered. "I admit, I don't actually know very much about them. I've only heard a little of what my cousins told me, and what I read in my brother's writing." She explained. "They sound like an intriguing people. And, King Theoden befriended one of them, didn't he? That is what Leored wrote, or something like that."

She watched then as Eldrith went to the weapon rack and chose a practice blade. Leolith smiled, pleased to see that she had decided to go for a bit of sparring after all, despite her words earlier sounding like she did not want to. "I am not really sure how good I am at this," She mentioned as a heads up. Then she looked slightly concerned. "Is there any sort of 'test' to pass? For joining?" She worried that she might not be able to pass, if there was. If one had to be of a certain skill level, she might not meet the criteria. Hopefully, there wouldn't be a test.

[Eldrith]

"People often fear what they do not know or understand" The quartermaster said, though if that was an answer to your question about the sparring or about Hobbits she could not have said herself. To you of course, it would be more than likely sound like an answer to to question why anyone would fear a Hobbit, and she smiled. It was was good question.
"I doubt they would consider themselves intriguing. I doubt most of them even would like that word. Good simple folk that minds their own business.. Though there are always exceptions." And there were bloodlines. Hobbits liked to talk about their bloodlines and their relatives, and the ties that bound them together even though in some there was an adventurous streak 'that didn't bode well'.

"The first test would be one of character and intent, but most are allowed to train from the beginning if the Feldmarshal or First Marshal accepts them. After that.. well if you were to steal or refuse to do your work, start fights, mistreat your horse or steal or anything similar in your first few weeks, that would be that. I mean you'd be heard out if there is something to say to your defense but.. " There was a shake of her head at that. The Cavalry in general was made from people who were upfront, direct, and reliable. Bonds were formed where one had to be able to trust the other. If that wasn't there...

She took a few steps back and looked at you with a faint smile. "We will keep tonight our little secret, and we shall have some passes, shall we?" She asked, with a hint of an invitation to come at her with the blade you had chosen. She stood, legs just about hip wide, her right foot forward and the practice blade lifted, held in the right hand, her elbow slightly bent, and the tip aiming vaguely towards your left shoulder, though the distance between them would be five feet at least.

[Rillewen]

@Eldrith

Léolith
Sparring Area
Around Dusk

She supposed she could understand what Eldrith was saying about people fearing things they didn't understand. Although from what she had heard, and was now hearing, about the holbytla, they sounded like a very likeable people. She was actually a bit eager to meet one of them. She wondered how many stories she would have to tell her little sister, next time she saw her. The thought made her smile.

As Eldrith explained about what sort of things to expect with the cavalry, Leolith nodded in understanding. "That makes sense." She said. They wouldn't have to worry about stealing or any other sort of trouble with her, at least, but she saw no point in commenting that. She would prove that through her actions, not her words.

Leolith smiled when asked to keep this training match a secret. "Alright." She nodded. That was fine with her, although she didn't know why it should need to be. But she was alright with keeping secrets, strange though it might be. As she watched Eldrith adopt a defensive stance, Leolith called upon her memories of training with her cousins, and she brought her own sword into a similar position before giving a little nod to show that she was ready whenever the other woman was.

[Eldrith]

They were a likable people. And Eamila was special. Underneath the worries and the fears she had after what she had been through, she was brave. And a more loyal friend one had never seen. She had seen the loneliness that was threatening Eldrith, even amidst friends here, she had chosen to lighten it. She decided to sweeten the pot a bit, metaphorically and nearly literally. "Eamila does a lot of the cooking when we're at home among us. And what they say about Hobbits and cooking is the truth. She is amazing. And she tends the gardens as well. Well, we both do a that bit. But I start earlier at the pub, and then there's the cavalry."

She had taken up a stance, and Léolith was almost mirroring it, without having to really look too closely. Which meant it came out of instinct and experience. It was a good beginning and she remembered you had mentioned having had to fight in the past. Still.. there was a moment's hesitation. Guthbrand would be on her if she damaged one of his new recruits before they'd even had a chance to get themselves presented. So, she decided on a test instead.

She shifted her weight easily to her right leg and stepped in with the left while at the same time aiming a backhand crosscut at the height of your neck. The motion however was slow, so slow that it nearly took three full seconds from the moment she shifted her weight to the moment the blade would have reached your neck, a test merely of form and how you would react. But even if you were the rankest of beginner who had never held a sword, you'd be able to just.. step back. But if you had had any training before you would so something else.

[Rillewen]

@Eldrith

Léolith
Sparring Area
Around Dusk

Leolith smiled to hear her talking about her hobbit friend with such fondness. She was already looking forward to meeting this person! She never would have imagined that she'd meet one of the holbytla folk, and yet, it seemed she was about to. Soon. But first, she had to test her abilities here in the training grounds.

As Eldrith came in with a crosscut at neck height, Leolith ducked and at the same time, flicked her blade upward so that it should catch the back edge of Eldrith's, thus intending to knock it further along in the direction it was already moving. Then, trying to move before she would have time to recover, Leolith stepped closer at a diagonal, with an attempt at using her own forward motion to aid in slashing her blade along Eldrith's ribs, if that part of her was still exposed.

[Eldrith]

Leolitch ducked and flicked her blade up, pushing Eldriths' blade further in the left to right arch, her movements a demonstration of skill. As her blade hit Eldrith's though, instead of fighting against it, Eldrith went with the motion, allowing her blade to be pushed wide to her right. Her weight shifted, from the left leg that had moved forward back to that anchoring right leg. It pulled her torso back and twisted it slightly, while at the same moment, the sword that had gone wide and back, stabbed forward, not a slash this time, to meet your forward movement and hopefully seeing you 'impale' yourself on that blade as you moved forward. The training sword of course would do no real damage.

"Good movement." She said it, even in the motion, with a nod of approval. "You know what you are doing." There had been no wild flaying about, and you had used not just your sword, but your whole body. Control the distance. Control the fight. She remained alert though, you'd reacted well.. and she considered allowing you to disarm her if there was a next movement. She didn't know you. And while she liked you well enough, she wasn't about to entrust you with secrets.

[Rillewen]

@Eldrith

Léolith
Sparring Area
Around Dusk

It was fortunate that they were moving slowly, because Leolith was not quite expecting the stab that followed. She managed to stop her own momentum in time not to get stabbed, but only just. She brought her sword down in an attempt at knocking Eldrith's sword downward, but she felt like it had taken too long for her to react. In a real fight, she probably wouldn't have come out of it very well.

She laughed lightly at the compliment that she 'knows what she's doing'. "Somewhat," She acknowledged. "My cousins taught me some, and.. well, I haven't seen them in some time." She explained. She really missed getting to play sword fighting with Gwil, but... she was fairly sure that would never happen again. "It's not as easy, practicing against my little sister. It's more... me teaching her what I can remember, rather than someone more skilled than me, teaching me things." She thought that should make sense, hopefully.

[Eldrith]

You swiftly brought your sword downward, and Eldrith allowed her blade to be knocked down, going with the motion once more and pulling it fully back. Whether it would have been in time in a real fight, was not something she would speculate on, but at the same time as she pulled back with her right side, her body following the blade so her left side faced Léolith, her left hand balled, and hopefully trying to take advantage of the momentary delay, she aimed down, trying to slam down hard on the elbow of the girl's right arm as her blade moved down. A hard enough strike there might force her to let go of the grip.

If she could though, after that motion, she would step back swiftly creating a distance between the both of them.

"You have good instincts. And a good base. You won't give Erkenbrand any headaches." There was a smile on her lips as she said it. "Then again, I am only the quarter master.."

[Eldrith]

You swiftly brought your sword downward, and Eldrith allowed her blade to be knocked down, going with the motion once more and pulling it fully back. Whether it would have been in time in a real fight, was not something she would speculate on, but at the same time as she pulled back with her right side, her body following the blade so her left side faced Léolith, her left hand balled, and hopefully trying to take advantage of the momentary delay, she aimed down, trying to slam down hard on the elbow of the girl's right arm as her blade moved down. A hard enough strike there might force her to let go of the grip.

If she could though, after that motion, she would step back swiftly creating a distance between the both of them.

"You have good instincts. And a good base. You won't give Erkenbrand any headaches." There was a smile on her lips as she said it. "Then again, I am only the quarter master.."

[Rillewen]

@Eldrith

Léolith
Sparring Area
Around Dusk

Well, Leolith wasn't expecting her to use her fist to attack, so she gasped in surprise as the sword was successfully knocked from her hand. She should have seen it coming, she told herself. She felt frustrated at herself for not seeing it in time. She dimly remembered her cousins telling her to expect anything and everything, and that an enemy might use any tactic they could, and so on. She hadn't had enough experience with fighting, though.

As Eldrith moved back to put some distance between them, Leolith picked up her sword again, then looked at her when she began to speak. Leolith expected to hear that she wasn't much good, so when she heard the opposite, she was slightly surprised. She smiled faintly. "I hope you're right." She said with a little laugh. "I.. haven't been able to practice in a while.. not since my cousins last stopped by to visit." She explained, a little sadly. "And they could not stay long, and their visits are few and far between." She sighed. "But I do try to practice as much as I can, by myself, mostly. My little sister is not much interested in sword fighting, so I rarely have a partner to practice with."

[Eldrith]

It was one thing for your cousins to tell you to expect anything and everything, but quite another thing to have the experience to handle it. It was also a dirty trick, far from what Erkenbrand would teach beginning Sperewigends. It would come with experience, with the reality of battle and using anything and everything at your own disposition. And that would make you see what was at the disposal of those you were fighting.

"You have instincts and experience. Plenty who will start of their journey in the cavalry with less than you do." Eldrith offered. While the kindness was a contrast perhaps with the lack of hesitance to take advantage of an opening during the fight, she was known to mother the cavalry members. And it was rare enough that anyone actually saw her with a blade in her hand.

"I am sorry they have not been to visit in a long while. The wars?" She asked, presuming it might have been why a pattern had been disturbed that clearly had at one time seen you in a family where it was not unusual to practice with weapons, and a family where fondness bound many with names that spoke of ties to different regions or even more. There might be other reasons of course. Still she wasn't trying to push too deeply. So far however there had been no reluctance to speaking of your kin. "And your little sister might be an avid learner, but unlikely to be the teacher you are looking for. You will get that here, and you will find if your place is to ride within an Eored or something else."

[Rillewen]

@Eldrith

Léolith
Sparring Area
Around Dusk

Leolith was surprised to hear that there were others who began with less experience than her. She somehow thought that people who wanted to join the cavalry would have spent time preparing for that, before they came to enlist. That was what her brother had done, anyway. That was what she had done. But, she smiled slightly to hear that apparently, she had a slight head start over some of those. Not that she intended to be smug about it, but it was reassuring.

When Eldrith asked then about her cousins, Leolith hesitated slightly as she debated how much to tell her. But, she really had no reason to not tell her, did she? Despite what her middle cousin might think, it wasn't really any sort of secret. Biting her lip lightly, Leolith tucked a bit of her hair back behind her ear and shook her head slightly. "They did go to that," She answered, concerning the wars. "As did my brother," She added more sadly. "But no, that is not why. They travel a lot, patrolling and fighting enemies.. mostly up North, in whatever lands there are up there."

She smiled faintly. "They told me a lot about the Holbytla folk, too, for they have seen them up North." She added. "They follow their father's ways, and he was a ranger of the Northern lands, who married my mother's sister." She explained. "They are much older than I am, but they come visit at least once a year, but their visits have been shorter and sparser, the last few years, but when they do come, it's always wonderful to see them." She smiled. "Perhaps, if they ever come this way, I will introduce you. You would like.. well, Gladhron, I think. He is the older brother. The younger is... not very social." She smiled slightly, because that was quite an understatement. "When they came by last, I told them of my plans to join the cavalry. Perhaps they will come around here to seek me, someday."

[Eldrith]

A few came with less experience. Some tried to prepare in a fashion, as you had guessed but.. not all had the instincts. She could see the hesitation as she asked about the cousins. The fact that they were in the war was not as much a surprise. But the fact that they were traveling, patrolling and fighting enemies..'up north' was a vague term.. Fangorn? Lorien? Even further. Considering your cousin's name. There was a sudden stillness in Eldrith as she realized. Her voice cooler perhaps.... "Rangers?"

They might or might not be. If they were she'd rather regret the offer of having you stay in Aern Freablod, but she wouldn't withdraw it. Mathen Norse. Nearly two decades and the Grey Bountyhunter's name would still make her fearful. And he.. associated with Rangers. Had he been a ranger before becoming a bountyhunter? She wasn't certain. She breathed a bit easier when you mentioned that their visits were rarer. Good. She'd have you in the barracks within a few days if she'd have to climb up the roof and fix it herself.

"They sound like.. dutiful people who fight the good fight..." It was a compliment. Or should be one. "I am sure you're looking forward to their visit. You could write a letter if you would know where to send it." Her face didn't betray anything, and aside from that moment in which her voice had a slightly cooler ring, there were no outward signs of dismay.

[Rillewen]

@Eldrith

Léolith
Sparring Area
Around Dusk

There was something Leolith didn't quite understand in Eldrith's tone when she said 'rangers'. Had she ever been 'up north' to where her cousins sometimes spent time, she might have been more familiar with how some of the Breefolk tended to be suspicious of rangers, but Leolith had never been there, and she had never before met anyone who had any issue with a ranger. Most folk in Rohan were not familiar with them at all, in fact. So she couldn't make sense of why it seemed like something changed in her tone, at that word.

For now, Leolith disregarded it. It was gone when Eldrith spoke again, and she figured it must have been her imagination, or perhaps she'd misinterpreted the tone. "They are dutiful," Leolith nodded in confirmation of that as she lowered her practice sword to her side. "And they often have stories to tell of all the adventures they've had, and things they've fought. But they are always roaming from one place to another, and as far as I know, there is nowhere to send a letter." She said sadly, but she was thinking. "Perhaps I'll ask them, next time they come, if there is someplace to send letters where they will eventually get it. But they probably won't be back again until springtime, for that's when they always come."

She paused for a second as she debated whether to say more, and then she decided to go ahead and say it. "Really, I could be wrong about this, but I think they spend most of their time looking for their sister, and they just fight whatever enemies they come across along the way." She admitted. "She's been missing for many years. I think that is the only reason they come to Rohan at all, anymore. They only stop in to see us while they're in the area." She sighed and looked at her wooden sword, remembering some of the nice times in her childhood during her cousin's more frequent visits, back then. "I miss her. She was the one who first taught me anything about fighting, in fact. Although at the time, we were only playing," She smiled faintly, then looked up. "Anyway... sorry, I have rambled a little, haven't I?" She felt bad, realizing she had talked a bit much. Perhaps more than she ought to have.

[Eldrith]

She had been up north. She'd trapped the bounty hunter who had once been a ranger. And she'd paid the price for it, with eternal vigilance. But you let the moment pass, and she herself wasn't aware it had shone through.

"You could send a letter to your home and include one for them if they pass by. It may not reach them before they reach you, but it's a chance. Though I guess your parents would of course gladly tell them where you are, so that might be unnecessary. Spring is a while away.."
Perhaps she might take a journey come spring. Leave Eamila in charge of the inn. Go to either of the Eored's and assess supplies. Or something. It was foolish, she knew it was. The chances of any of them knowing Mathen Nors were slim. He hadn't been seen for years. He might well be dead. Likely was. He was older than she, and the life he led was dangerous. And even if he returned.. what could he do? Call in a debt that was decades old? Tell a story that no one here would believe? Or would they?

"Their sister?" That question was asked gently, as she pushed aside her own morbid thoughts. "She went missing? And they are searching for her?" A persistent search for someone who was missing was usually a good thing. The thought that such a search might stretch for years, sent a shiver along her spine though. Some things were better forgotten. "Is she your age then? Or a bit older? And how did she disappear? Sharing is not rambling. And you do not have family here. Who better to share with than a woman you're going to share a roof with for a few days?"

[Rillewen]

@Eldrith

Léolith
Sparring Area
Around Dusk

The letter idea wasn't such a bad one. Leolith considered that with a slow nod. In fact, she would also be writing home now and then, so it made sense. She could send along letters to each of her family members, including her ranger cousins. That might be nice. "Yes, I might do that." She smiled as this solution was presented. Her mother would hold onto any letters for them, and give them to them when they came along next.

A small nod answered the questions about her cousin being missing. "Years ago. Nearly ten years, I think." She took a moment to think back about that, and nodded slowly as her memories confirmed the time frame. "It's been a very long time, but yes. They still search for her, last I heard." And she would, too, if she had any idea how to do such things, or where to look, or if she thought she could do any better at it than a pair of rangers. It was a little comfort then, when Eldrith told her it wasn't rambling, and that she could share this information. She smiled gratefully, then glanced around slightly. "It is getting dark now, so perhaps it's time to be leaving here," She mentioned, figuring it would be difficult to see what they were doing if they tried to do any more sparring. But they could talk as they put away their practice weapons.

"She is.. was? about four years older than I am," Leolith answered the questions about her cousin. "I.. really don't know a lot about how she came to be missing," She frowned. She had been young then. The grown ups had not let her know many of the details about it. "I only know that.. apparently, some unknown group of persons attacked their home.. that was someplace over in the Misty Mountains, on the other side of Fangorn, if I remember right. My aunt and uncle was killed, but the boys were not at home. Gwil was apparently taken." She frowned slightly. "I know they tracked the people a ways, but eventually the trail got muddled or something, and the boys.. well, they couldn't find where it continued." She explained sadly. There were more details to the story, of course, but Leolith did not know them, so she could not offer any further information. "We really don't know if she's still alive somewhere, or not..." She concluded quietly.

[Eldrith]

"Only four years older than you... and over ten years ago.. ?" There was compassion again in that question. She would have been in her early teens.. The idea of losing a loved one and not knowing why, not knowing what happened.. at least there had not been the worry to her disappearance of an attack. She had simply left, in the night, leaving the tidy ranger kitchen and her own room next to it and slipped away. This was different. An attack. Unknown people. And then one missing. Not dead, but missing.

"It is no wonder they have never given up the search." It was unlikely they ever would. She tried to imagine even today... Eamila disappearing. She was a Hobbit well grown, who'd lived a life of more adventure than any Hobbit ever should see. The Ruffians had made a mark on her. But still.. the idea of someone coming into Aern Freablod and she would no longer be there. No. She'd not give up the search either. "As long as there is hope though.. they will not be able to give up ..." She surmised that, knew that she wouldn't have been able to in their stead either. Even now, even after well over a decade, she was still uneasy around rangers, and older Gondorians. How would it be to carry a loss that long?

Eldrith stepped forward at Léolith's suggestion, putting the sword she'd used back in the rack. It was there, just among the others without any specific markings. Anyone could use it. But she knew it. Knew it was the replica in weight, size and length of the one she used. You were right, though Erkenbrand would put you through night training as well. Unfortunately not all attacks happened by convenient sunlight. For a practice spar though and the first of it's kind, it would be seeking trouble.

"How about we make our way home, before Eamila starts to worry?" She wouldn't. She knew Eldrith spent the night at the Inn at least two evenings a week, but it was a way to move forward, to change towards a different topic. "When have you last eaten?"

[Rillewen]

@Eldrith

Léolith
Sparring Area
Around Dusk

The topic of her cousin's disappearance was always a sorrowful one, and yet, she had rarely had the chance to talk about it with anyone else. It rarely came up among her own family. Leolith told her little sister about Gwilithiel, sometimes, since she had been too little to properly remember the older girl. But her parents, and the brothers when they were there, made it clear that it was too sad a matter to bring up unless necessary. But Leolith had been young, and no one told her any of the finer details. So, her grief was a little less sharp than those who knew more.

She nodded slightly when Eldrith spoke her understanding, that she doubted the brothers would ever give up. "I'm sure you're right." She answered softly. "I wish I knew how to help. But.. well, I wouldn't even know where to begin." She shrugged as she put her practice sword away. "I would really love to be able to see her again, but it's hard to imagine it.. I don't even know if I'd recognize her if I did see her again, it's been so long. We were both so young, last time we saw each other." She sighed. They'd been about ten and fourteen, that last visit before the tragedy. Merely girls. They were both women now, if Gwil was even still alive. Leolith's memories of her face were distant, by now.

At the suggestion that they make their way 'home', Leolith's smile returned. The way she said it, it was as if it were home for them both. Even if it was only temporary for Leolith, it made her feel included, already. "That sounds like an excellent idea, thank you." She agreed, then paused to think about her last meal. "Well, I had some dried meat and crackers and things, for lunch," She answered. "But as for a proper meal... not since I left home." Her mother had seen to it that she had a good, solid breakfast before she set off. Leolith had rode swiftly, hoping to reach Edoras as quickly as possible, for she was still a little nervous about camping outside, alone, especially in an unfamiliar area. "Is there someplace I can stable my horse, too?" She asked, uncertain what to expect at Aern Freablod. "She's over by the gate, there," She pointed ahead. She had not known where to settle her beloved mare for the night, so she had brought her along, and secured her to the fence to let her graze on the grass outside the training area.

[Eldrith]

She moved towards the barrel in the corner as she spoke, lifted the lid and then dipped in the ladle that hung on a hook from it. She offered it to you first. They hadn't fought hard, merely a pass or two, but it was still good practice to drink a bit after. She had these barrels installed her, and checked them every third day, more often in summer.

"What do you remember of her? How did she look?" The question was soft, as they had been ever since the topic came up, though she waited till you drank or denied the ladle as if she wanted to give you something else to do, or focus on. There was every chance that you could help, if not exactly her, as a cavalry member you would safeguard the roads, fend of attacks, pursue those who tried to bring such evil back onto the lands. They head defeated the great evil that had tried to plunge the lands into darkness, but they had not rooted out all darkness in the hearts of humans. And others. Your cousin's tale was not unique, especially if the story she'd heard at the inn tonight was true. Something to speak to Guthbrand about. If there were new routes about these lands were people were taken, the Eoreds had to change their patrols and the Paethfindian needed to be sent out. That.. not for her to decide of course. But sometimes it was good to have the ear of the Feldmarshal none the less..


"I can definitely do you better than dried beef.. and even if I couldn't, Eamila could. There are few who enjoy the comforts of a good meal as much as Hobytla." Not just meals though. Hobbits valued a good, comfortable, simple life. And while she was far from home, Eamila had set to creating it. Which meant soft beds, a warm hearth, and a breeze that pulled through and chased away cobwebs. "Aern Freablod has stables. Small ones right now, but you may see the skeleton still standing of the earlier ones. Many years ago, they had been renowned for the horses they bred. That.. unfortunately was not something she had been able to maintain. "If you want, you can offer a swift ride to the horses we still have. I am afraid neither Eamila nor I give them the challenge they deserve."

[Rillewen]

@Eldrith

Léolith
Sparring Area
Around Dusk

Leolith had not noticed the barrels until now, but she was pleased to see that there was a supply of water there, for the purpose of drinking. "Thank you," She smiled as the ladle was offered to her, and accepted gratefully. It had been a long ride, and she had become thirsty. She'd still had some water left in her canteen when she arrived, but only a little. She had thought she would be emptying it after she'd finished here, but now she had another source of which to get drink. That was good.

After drinking enough to quench her thirst, she offered the ladle to Eldrith while she considered her question. "Gwil had dark hair," She answered. "And blue-grey eyes. Just like her brother, Gwestion. Their other brother, Gladhron, his eyes are a little more grey than blue," She added. "But Gwil... well, she was slim, and.. sort of tall? To me, anyway. Their father was one of the Dunedain, and I've heard that they tend to be quite tall. But her mother was my mother's sister." She explained, trying to think of a better description. "She was... I don't know... A girl of fourteen, you know? Not still a child, but not yet a woman? I don't know how to describe her, exactly." She frowned, thoughtful. "Except, that she and her brothers all had a unique sort of accent," She added. "You can hear a trace of Rohirric, but also the elven speech, when they speak. I've always thought it sounded nice, but I've never heard anyone else speak like that."

She pondered briefly on how else to identify her missing cousin. There was more to what she remembered of her than just what she looked like, of course. "She was an excellent archer, and she was also very good with a sword. Or so it is in my memory," She mentioned. "I remember her showing me how to do different attacks and blocks and things like that, and then we would have sword duels, and it was great fun." She smiled. "She and I and the boys used to have a lot of fun playing battle games against each other. My sister was too little then, to join us, and so I was the youngest. So Gwil and Gwestion would always let me join their team and we'd usually fight against Gladhron and Leored," She grinned at the memories.

As the topic moved to the food awaiting them at the place where she would be staying the night, Leolith couldn't help but feel rather eager for one of those good meals described. "That sounds wonderful." She declared happily, feeling quite fortunate to have encountered this lady. While she had initially intended to join the cavalry and be settling into a barracks dorm by now, she was beginning to think she was better off, this way.

As for the horses, her grin widened. "Oh, I can certainly help with that!" She promised. "Though my own horse may get jealous to see me riding another," She laughed, mostly joking about that. "She will be glad to make new friends, though." She was sure that the mare would be glad for a chance to be around others of her own kind, since Leolith's family lived a bit more remotely from their neighbors, and all of her pasture mates were far away by now.

[Eldrith]

The barrels WERE for drinking, mostly. But in high summers it wasn't unusual for the men to pour entire ladles of water over themselves, which was all good and well if they remembered to take a bucket and refill the barrel in turn, which mostly they did. She took the ladle without hesitation from you and drank deeply. "Thank you."
You would be offered water at Aern Freablod later as well, and the chance to refill your canteen, and bathe, and all the little comforts that were hard to come by on the road.

Eldrith listened to your description. Gwil wounded unique.. She wondered if she was alive still if both accents would still be there. From her years here, she knew that it was hard to remove all traces of an accent and sometimes..she could see the surprise in the eyes of people traveling as she first spoke. But those around here had long been used to it. The memories you recalled made her smile. A good childhood it seemed, though it had been married by tragedy when you were not yet a woman. Twice then. In the loss of your cousin and then what you had gone through yourself.

"I would offer to ride your horse for you in recompense but... I am certain it would find the experience dull and look at you with a certain amount of reproach. And she will have good company. While we couldn't keep the entire stock, what we have still has a good lineage. And there's a donkey as well as a pony."

As she talked she moved towards the exit of the arena, realizing you likely had no idea where to go if you were newly arrived in Meduseld. And even if you did, you might not feel comfortable taking the lead. So she did.

[Rillewen]

@Eldrith

Léolith
Sparring Area
Around Dusk

Leolith laughed at the mention of Eldrith offering to ride her horse. "No, I don't think she would be very pleased at that trade-off." She said, grinning. "She and I have quite a bond, so she would probably prefer that I stick with her. But I should be able to give them all a proper bit of exercise." She promised, as she walked along with Eldrith to the exit. "No trouble at all. I enjoy working with horses." She smiled as she thought of the time she had spent with her own mare, developing their bond and all that.

"Thank you, again, for offering to let me stay here." She mentioned. She paused once they had gone outside of the training area, and retrieved her horse from where she had left her tied. She was a pale yellow colored mare with a white star on her forehad, with a gleaming coat that had clearly been well-brushed, despite a bit of dust she had accumulated from traveling. She seemed eager to meet Eldrith, stretching her nose out to sniff of her in curiosity. "This is Elanor," She introduced Eldrith to her horse, smiling. "My cousins told me that means Sun-star. And I thought it sounded pretty." She explained.

[Eldrith]

"The roof in the woman's barracks should be fixed soon. The Feldmarshal is taking it as a personal insult, somehow. I barely talked him out of going on the ladder himself. There's no need for him or anyone to fall through. We'll get an experienced craftsman and one is available in two days. Providing it doesn't rain." Eldrith added that last with a sigh.
"In the mean time, you'll be good at Aern Freablod. It's not the closest accommodation possible. That would be the inn. But no one will charge you at the estate. And you can ride into town early enough each morning. It may be no surprise but the roof of the STABLES at the barracks is perfectly fine. I am having a sneaking suspicion that the roof on the barracks didn't get damaged by rain or wind but by someone climbing on it. For reasons"



As she followed you, she smiled at Elanor, and then grinned. "It does sound pretty indeed. I'll have to walk to the inn to get Molly and then we can go home. And Léolith.. no snickering at her, understood?"
She sounded stern at that last, but there was a gleam in her eyes as she gave the warning before leaving the arena.

(OOC: Shall we continue this one in life in the Mark?)

[Eldrith]

*This time she was here, during the day. And because it was daylight, she wore neither sword, nor any other form of weapon. She merely pulled the handcart along, that would hold the larger water barrel and the small bucket. In this weather, she made certain the barrels were refilled, and not too much of the barrels was ice. Thirst was less of a problem during the winter months than the summer, but it was till something to take care of. An intense training session would demand much from anyone, and while it was less likely they would feel thirsty when it was cold, it was important none the less that the water remained nearby.
FInding one barrel nearly empty, she moved into the back of the cart, and started refilling, from the larger barrel. The place was quiet at the moment. Perhaps she could indulge.. just for a few moments after all the barrels were refilled.*