Sunlight sparkled off the flashing blade as it descended towards Braeth'el's head. With a deft move his dagger came up, deflecting the blow away from him. The sword's path stopped abruptly, it's wielder sliding it back around to his right in a vicious counter-attack that forced him to dodge, the sound of his second dagger's hilt parrying the blow ringing through the courtyard.
In front of him, Kyliska panted, her blade coming up again and her own feet sliding backwards as she avoided a vicious slash to her belly. She growled and charged forward again, her blade coming down and the double ring of two daggers crossing its path to stop it singing across the marble paving stones of Dayfire Estate's practice yard. Kyliska laughed, the sound low and vicious as she pressed on Braeth'el's daggers, forcing him to put extra effort in keeping the blade from his head. Muscles bulged in his arms as he forced her blade up, her body slamming into his as their weapons went up over their head.
Pressed face to face, he grinned at her and she leaned forward, kissing him for a lingering moment, the mixture of violence and passion making her blood sing, their weapons hanging over their heads. After a time he released the pressure on her sword and she took it in one hand, letting it drop beside her as they kissed again, one of his arms snaking around her waist as he sheathed his daggers.
"That was fun," Braeth'el breathed into her ear. "We should practice indoors next time..."
Kyliska nearly purred, her smirking lips parting to say something truly outrageous when a polite cough from the open curtained door leading into the estate caught her attention. She turned to see one of the servants there, the poor Sin'dorei looking extremely uncomfortable as he shifted from foot to foot, observing the lady of the house in her training leathers and Braeth'el in his cut tank top and leathers embracing.
"Yes? What is it? We're really very busy right now," Kyliska nearly growled.
"T-there's a visitor, Lady Sunblade. Er.. for Master Braeth'el. He's needed for a short time only, I'm sure," the servant stuttered.
Braeth'el nodded at the elf, giving him a wink while expertly giving Kyliska a pinch on her bottom that made her squeak and then bite her lip. "Of course. Bring them to my office if you would. I'll be there in a moment."
Reluctantly he released Kyliska, picking up a towel and rubbing it over his face and neck to remove the sweat the practice had worked up. If a visitor wanted to show up unexpectedly, he was hardly going to dress to impress. He nodded at Kyliska as he headed for the door, "I'll see you later."
Kyliska grinned and nodded herself before turning back towards the practice yard and heading for a training dummy to work off her excess energy.
******************************
Braeth'el's office was simple yet elegant enough to be impressive by Sin'dorei standards. The hardwood desk had neat stacks of paper, and filing cabinets made of fine oak stood to the right of the desk. Behind it was an armoire, the top of the piece of furniture open to display a collection of elegant wine bottles. The office itself was carpeted in a deep red that matched the lighter red and gold motif of the walls and door, and sunlight streamed in from the closed window overlooking the woods.
Braeth'el was seated behind his desk in the high-backed chair there when the door opened and the servant reappeared. Behind him walked a golden haired beauty of a Sin'dorei that he'd never seen before. The servant gave him a bow once, his voice more solid now as he announced the guest, "Dame Melsana Featherwind to see you, Master Braeth'el."
Braeth'el waved the servant away, nodding his thanks; he always hated the use of titles but sometimes it was necessary when guests were around and some of the servants wouldn't stop even when they weren't. Master at Arms indeed.
The golden-haired Sin'dorei stepped into the office as the door closed behind her and Braeth'el studied her for a moment. Dressed head to toe in gold and red mail armor that looked like it had been poured over her body while molten, it left little to the imagination. Where Kyliska was athletic and toned, this elf was lithe and wiry although she curved in the same places as his lover. He could sense a restrained agility and grace in her movements that would rival many of his rangers. The only thing that marred her beauty was a vicious looking scar beneath her right eye, the flesh there a faded pink color from whatever had made the wound.
She gave him an unreadable look before she shifted in place, removing a sack that had been slung over one shoulder and dumping it on Braeth'el's desk. He noted that she was armed to the teeth with golden daggers, a red and gold spear, and some collapsible traps strapped to her red and gold belt.
He shifted in place, reaching out to take the sack's drawstrings, his voice a rumble, "What is this then?" His question was answered a moment later when severed demon heads tumbled out and onto his desk. He could see other heads in the recess of the bags; likely demonic felhunters. He looked back up at the elf, a brow perched.
"Your estate is overrun with these creatures," she replied in a musical voice. "I've taken care of them, but your own rangers need to do a better job if you don't want your manor house infiltrated. They are hunting for something or someone on this property."
Something or someone on the property... Braeth'el's suspicions were aroused, but not at the huntress and not for a topic he'd care to discuss with her. He studied her for a moment before replying, "And you want compensation for these I take it?"
The elf shrugged at him as if it didn't matter, and he found himself grinning at her boldness, "I don't really care. I hunt what needs to be hunted. Coin is always nice but I can make due without."
Braeth'el nodded; he liked this huntress immediately, "And whom do you work for?"
"I work for Quel'Thalas, for Silvermoon. I'm not 'employed' by anyone if that is what you are asking. I was a Farstrider for a time," she replied.
"I see. Well, you've certainly done us a service here, and I would certainly be willing to give you some coin as bounty. Further though, we could use a ranger of your capabilities amongst our forces. If you think you'd be interested in staying for a while, at least until the reason for this incursion is resolved, I'm authorized to hire staff for the House and estate," he replied.
She tilted her head, her hair like a golden curtain shimmering in the sunlight, her eyes boring into his unflinchingly. When she replied, he nearly laughed, "One hundred gold per week, plus accommodations and access to your armory for equipment repair as needed."
Braeth'el leaned forward and grinned, "Fifty a week, plus the rest."
"Eight-five or I will return to the woods," she countered smoothly.
Braeth'el nodded, enjoying himself, "Very well, it is agreed then. There is just one more thing..." He reached under his desk and pressed a magic rune, summoning the staff. "For security reasons we need to check you over."
She stiffened and then nodded, "Fine by me."
A moment later the door to the office opened and a black haired mage entered the room. Braeth'el nodded to him and then looked at Melsana, "Melsana, meet Rayleth. He is one of our apprentices here and he will be examining you."
Braeth'el leaned back in his chair, studying the golden-haired elf for a moment. There was not even a twitch on her face, not a hint of recognition. She merely nodded, her voice flat, "A pleasure. You're here to 'check me over' as Braeth'el just indicated?"
Braeth'el grinned; she hadn't even used his title, definitely someone to keep on staff. For his part, Rayleth merely nodded and then stuttered, "Y-yes, if you don't mind m-miss. I just need you to hold still..."
She nodded again and then stood where she was, her arms at her sides. Rayleth moved around her, leaning in close to study her face, his eyes lingering on that scar as if wondering what could cause such damage. His hands waved in the air in front of her as he chanted, magic trickling out across her. Her spear, her daggers, and the traps at her belt began to glow a brilliant blue color.
"Hmm, s-she has enchanted weapons, Master Braeth'el," Rayleth said nervously.
Braeth'el waved a dismissive hand, "Of course she does, she's a Sin'dorei. You know what we're looking for."
Rayleth nodded, stepping closer to the elf, his voice apologetic, "S-sorry I need to p-place my hands on you."
"Whatever. Just get it done would you?" Melsana rasped.
Rayleth nodded again, his hands on her shoulders, his fingers running down her arms while he chanted. He then moved to her sides, hands running down her hips. He paused for a moment, hesitating, his hands moving towards her belt as if something around her navel had attracted his attention but he didn't know what to do about it.
In all his life, Braeth'el had rarely seen someone move as fast as Melsana did. Her knee came up into Rayleth's crotch so hard and fast that he almost felt it. As Rayleth fell over, Melsana's hands grasped his hair and guided his face very un-gently towards the edge of Braeth'el's desk, the crack of his face hitting the wood echoing through the room. As Rayleth crumpled to the ground, Melsana's hands slammed on Braeth'el's desk, her voice furious, "You asked me to do a job as a huntress. I'm not working at a damned brothel for you. If that's what you think, find someone else!"
Braeth'el held up a hand to calm her, smirking in amusement as one of Rayleth's hands shakily clung to the edge of the desk, the apprentice slowly pulling himself upright. His nose was bleeding and his glasses were broken. When he spoke, it was with a wheezing wince that made Braeth'el cringe in sympathy, "S-she's got...no magic I can detect on her....other than...the weapons...."
Braeth'el nodded and then offered Melsana a smile, "You've passed our test. Congratulations, you're hired. You can meet with Andithiel, our ranger captain, for your assignment and quarters. I'll have someone show you the way."
Melsana stood upright, as if considering whether or not to walk out. After a moment she nodded, her voice clipped and sarcastic, "Fine. I will see you soon then, sir."
As she turned and strolled out of the room, stepping over the still crumpled Rayleth, Braeth'el could only chuckled to himself. That one was going to be trouble for sure, but certainly useful. And amusing.
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