Welcome to Gaia! ::

((James, dear, you really need to reread your posts before you submit them. You had a lot of obvious typos in that one. And instead of *audible gulp* why not just type out 'Xander gulped audibly'. Almost the same, but much better.

I'm just gonna skip us ahead a little. We don't need to spend time roleplaying our characters eating and reading.))

About two hours later the group arrived at the local Academy. It, like most of the town, was composed of slate grey bricks and designed in sharp angles and corners. The entryway was a perfect square set into the wall that surrounded the complex. When the six of them entered through that open portal the first thing that Leonard noticed was that the compound was surprisingly small, and seemed to lack a battle ground entirely.
The second thing he noticed was a well built man with strong features and well kept salt and pepper hair and beard wearing rustic clothing in practical cuts. The man was currently bent over weeding a small garden set into one corner of the compound.
The man suddenly glanced up as the six of them entered. He rose and dusted off his hands. Leonard immediately noticed the gleam of four rings on his left hand, each set with a different colored stone. The man approached them and stopped once they were close enough to converse.
"Challengers are ye?" He said. He had a deep rich voice, but it was friendly despite its gruffness. "If ye are then I'd be the one ye're lookin' for. Sage Athusk Drell, if it please you. So what can I help ye with?"

((Xander was talking with his mouth full))

"I guess we are here to watch my friend here." Xander said cautiously eyeing Cookie. "I can't wait to see a good fight."

Raolain looked around the battleground and at all the people gathering to watch. That was just as well. He rather liked the idea of destroying this fool in front of all his lickspittle townfolk. Cookie rode upon his shoulder and was being blessedly quiet for once, but then she always became intensely focused before a fight. The thought made Raolain grin beneath his cowl. After a few more moments he turned to his two companions," Well Xander? You prevailed in the last duel I saw you in. Care to try and impress me again?"

Raolain quirked a brow at that remark," Then perhaps you should stop. I'll assume Leanord wishes to wait also. Very well." He turned back towards the so called Sage and bowed, though his cowl hid the mocking smirk that went with it," It will be my honor to defeat you oh noble "Sage"." Cookie hugged herself as peals of laughter erupted from her tiny body.

Raolain gazed at the Sages familiar and quirked a brow. He was unimpressed. He shrugged his shoulder and Cookie launched herself into the air to hover inside the battleground. She zipped this way and that as she sized up her opponent.
Scalyscalyscaly!"
Raolain mounted his own pedestal across from his opponent and folded his arms into his sleeves," I understand that the aged enjoy tradition, so this is how we shall battle. Do not fail, Cookie."

Raolain merely watched impassively. He knew that Cookie could handle herself. Cookie drew her tiny blade as the lizardman rushed her and waited for his attack. As his blade swung towards her she began laughing crazily and launched like a bullet straight at his face, her blade extended and a feral grin on her face.
"Youdienowdienowdiediediehahahahahaha!!!!!"

Cookie was still laughing with wild abandon...until she smacked into an invisible wall like a bug on a window. She hung there spread eagle a moment, tiny wings twitching before she groaning and slowly slid down. Her wings began beating immediately to keep her in the air, but she weaved to and fro as she held her head as if dizzy.
"Shake it off, insect!" Raolain growled," I've hit you harder than that!"
Raolain shook his head disgustedly and mumbled quietly,"Ml'aen faer."
Cookies eyes suddenly glowed blue, and she looked around before her eyes lit on the now visible magic to her sight.
"Ooooooooprettyprettypretty!"