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"So yes, my daughters are going to want nothing to do with me today." Shaking his head and merely leaning back into his wife some as she was trying to help. Not that it was helping too much but that fact that she was trying was the important part. But he gave a blink. "Why are you punishing Mykorian? Send him back to his parents and be done with him." At least he didn't say feet him to the underdark critters.

He was left to entertain his brother, Lark having checked in on him already and apparently granddad had gone off somehwere. He probably knew where. Right now though, he was showing his brother how to tie his boots...or at least trying. A look up though at the familiar voice. "Kaelin? I'm awake. You can come in."

"Prideful." Shaking her head lightly before turing her attention to the hand that was placed on her shoulder. "You're not here to watch them are you?"

"No, I'm here to keep you still and out of that ring. I know you want to be here so he knows he has your support...but your bonds will force you to fight alongside him if no one keeps you from doing so. Just like whenever you have a child, he goes balistic."

"He did better the second time."

"Come along now." Thusly heading up to the stands with her.

It was like being in a lightning storm, sitting in those stands. both combatants used thier power to increase thier ability to withstand, and to deal, damage to each other. divine and arcane powers. the winds rushed, the sand kicked up in places.

Rainmare imbued his weapon with divine wrath, shielded his body with magical addition to his armor, made his body able to withstand more hurt. increased his reflaxes and strength, his wisdom and ability to channel his magics.

At the same time, Malik shieled his body with similar spells, increase his armor, though he didn't need to imbue his blood drinking weapon. he coated himself in the banshee aura, that elicted an eerie scream as it was applied. he increased his strength and intelligence, to better hit and know where to hit his enemy.

Malik's cloak flowed around him, red and the cloak itself had a liquid look with a burning red, as it if was formed in lava. Rainmare too donned a cloak of blue, looking as if it was made of water.

The sound of the first impact was like a sonic boom. Rainmare's body moved like water, shifting and flowing in agile maneuvers that seemed sometimes to defy gravity. Malik's strikes were powerful and surgically precise, the dirt that was kicked up when blows would miss giving a feel of thunder striking the ground.

Offense and defense shifted quickly and effortlessly between the two combatants, and they did strike true sometimes. sometimes they were staggering blows, other times glancing shots. Malvolence glowed brightly, and many times a thunderous sound or the spark of flame came from Nature's Defender.

Blood did indeed get spilled. most easily seen on Rainmare's armor, both shared thier cuts and bloody stabs. Malik's helm, much more form fitting, did show dented and cuts, and blood occasionally filtered through the metal. Rainmare's helm came off at one point, showing bloody hair and blood flowing on his face.

spells flew as well. the necromantic lifetaps of malik and the wardings and self heals of rainmare. clouds of poison and disease, warded away or dispelled with curative and divine magics. The Shadowkight and the Paladin indeed were two sides of a singular coin. divine knights, one serving powers dark and dangerous, the other serving light and glory.

the banshee aura's screams as Rainmare took the repercussions of striking blows that rang true with arcane pain. his divine spells of retribution clashing with shields of darkness and pain. it was a battle the like of which many would never see again, and some could only remember as long mythical stories.

Nope, he wasn't happy. She could tell by stiffening of his shoulders but she ignored it and continued pulling the brush through his hair. "Yes, they are. But Mykorian had something to do with our children and I thought you might want to have a hand in his punishment. If not, I'll attend to it myself." Keeping her voice congenial and soft so he wouldn't mistake her tone and think she was mad at him. "That's not a bad idea. He'd have to do quite a bit of work which would mean staying with Galesen at least for a little while. Faate's going to have her fair share of chores, too."

Where was Kelligrin in all of this? He'd dropped off into reverie on his father's lap, curled up into a semi-ball, his head resting on his father's forearm, his mouth opening every once in a while as he shifted or sighed. Little elves just couldn't control it.

She set the tray down on the table next to the bed and handed Malikhai a piping hot plate of food then glanced at Dhairiss. "I think this is yours..." Handing him the cider. "Careful, it's a little hot." She was picking up another plate before she froze and her face crumpled for a moment, her hand tightening on the plate until is split in half. "Oh, look at what I did..." Putting her back to him, she caught her composure and began cleaning up the tray. "No, not at all. They just don't make plates like they used to...so fragile." Turning back to him with a smile, she brushed off her hands and then settled into the chair next to the bed. "How are you feeling? You're looking not quite as purple today."

"I care not to punish surface elves, for I know only one way to punish them...and I'm sure you wouldn't be happy with me at all if I took that route." Shaking his head but barely so as not to disturb her brushing, red eyes glancing down at his son whom he adjusted lightly. "There's more than enough for them to do. Tell them to clean something to my standards...that will keep them busy for at least a week."

He brightened immediately as the cup was handed over and the spicy scent tickled his nose as he plopped on the mattress and took to drinking down the cups contents. But he blinked and gave a frown as she suddenly broke plates. "You broke it..." Turning a watery eyed look to his brother. Then he gave a whine at particular jolt and raised a hand to his temple, grasping at his hair.

He was a little taken aback that she had just broken a plate too, his own plate sitting on and extra pillow in his lap. Okay...that was just odd, what just happened and what was it about? Egg shells anyone? A look to his brother. "It's okay Dhairiss, it was an accident. No one will be mad, drink your cider." And it seemed Kaelin was happier to tend to other subject...like his lack of purple. "Well...aside from my ribs I'm feeling a bit better I can actually feel my sword arm today. Good thing elves are fast healers." Cringing a little as that feeling hit him too from both parents and he reached over to pull his brother to his side at his noise. "Shh Dhairiss. Just gotta not think on it."

It was hard to watch his daughter at this point. Hell it was hard to watch the field. Both fighting with such a brutality that seemed like an extreme for such a battle. He wasn't quite sure who was winning either, but it seemed the paladin was pulling out the stops now...a frown and a shake of his head though as delicate elven ears could easily pick up the banter. That was why he agreed? Because he could still make Malik suffer? Now who was becoming what he hated? One did not right a wrong, with another wrong. And that is what was happening here.

"No, that's not fair! Self righteous surface trash hypocrite!" Not winning against her father as he held fast to her, preventing her doing anything but be absolutely furious at this point. She didn't care...after all, there was a reason she was here. A reason she allowed herself to be tormented. The difference between why she was here and Justwhysper wasn't...Malik drew his power from negative emotions, hate being the best. And the more Rainmare beat on Malik, the more that he used divine power that spoke nothing of his own skill but only of his God's in her eyes, the more of Malik's blood he drew...the more she hated him. And that what what Malik would feel from her being so close through their bond. Perhaps it may not be enough for him to win, or maybe it did give him the advantage...but it was better than sitting out of sight and out of mind doing nothing for the man she loved and gave her very soul to.

Malik was having trouble getting to his feet, and it showed, staggering a bit when he finally did. he looked over at his opponent, and held his sword out to the side. Rainmare paid little attention to the blade.

"Whatever deal you made, whatever trick you used to make yourself untouchable to those that would seek your death, I will make you regret."

Rainmare's blade was swift, and precise, and Malik's defenses were the same, but weaker. Rainmare's fist collided with his face, and sent him down again, and barely rolling to the side to avoid a swordblade in his shoulder. Malik got himself back up again.

"Big words. But you know better. you know that for every hurt you do, you're becoming more and more like me. you feel the hate, don't you. that pure hate that drives you to a path of destruction."

Rainmare's blade narrowly missed, and Malik took a chance on the offense and forced Rainmare back with swift strokes, before his offense was halted at they locked blades.

"It's not destruction. it's redemption. I failed those men. and while that happens in battle, what you did was far beyond warfare. and I will redeem those that fell to your bloodlusting insanity, or, more likely, to your twisted rituals to hand them over to the cauldron of souls for this immortality you supposedly gained."

"Now your just being generous. you think if I had the power, or even the privlage of being able to give anything to that cause that you'd have been able to win then?"

Shoving malik back a few steps, though thier swords remained locked.

"Evil turns on itself. you outlived your usefulness, and your gift made sure you'd come back anyway."

"interesting point."

Malik shoved Rainmare back and into the ground, Rainmare barely avoiding his enemy's blade, before getting up and gabbing Malik's sword are and jerking him off balance, before Malik shoulder slammed into him and drove him into the wall, before the hilt of rainmare's sword came down on his back, and knee came of to drive him off.

the respite for Rainmare was short lived, and he cried out when Malvolence drove through his armor into his shoulder, malik twisting the blade a bit.

"You may have agreed not to kill me, but I'm not bound by the same rule, paladin."

Rainmare, hit a knee, one hand gripping Malvolence to stop the blade from going further, though it's blood drinkingnature was sapping strength quickly..and drove his sword into Malik's thigh, forcing him to fall back and remove his own blade while his leg felt like it was on fire, and probably had been.

Rainmare took the opportunity to drive himslef forward, to force malik into the dirt, stumbling over him and driving his sword into malik's swordarm at the forearm, forcing Malik to let go of Malvolence.Rainmre kicked it away, and removed his sword.

"Just like last time."

Malik looked up.

"Not quite."

Malik got up and grabbed Rainmare by the throat with with his good hand, even as Rainmare's sword drove into his hip hard enough to come out the other side of his armor. Malik's antire aura turned bloodred, and hsi face controrted n anger and hatred. Rainmare screamed, letting go of his blade falling back on his knees as Malik's Harm Touch ripped through an already injured and weakened body with all the force to it he could possibly muster.

When Malik let go, Rainmare fell on his side, his armor visibly smoldering, and his body spasming, but still trying to get to his feet and fight. Malik slid Nature's defender from himself, and tossed it, ironically near his enemy while he stumbled for his own blade.

Rainmare grabbed his sword, and using it to prop himself to a kneel, one hand starting to glow a bluish gold color...before his head was forced up by Malvolence under his chin.

"It won't do you any good this time."

Rainmare looked at Malik, barely able to stand himself.

"so sure? you can barely stand. what makes you think I couldn't throw you aside as soon as I do?"

"What makes you so sure that you can before I behead you?"

Rainmare frowned lightly. that would be a close one. While a touch could restore himself to full health and without injury, the blade under his chin wouldn't have to move much to make an entirely healthy body still very much dead.

"I want you to remember this moment. and what might have been."

Malik drew the blade away, and left Rainmare in his kneel, to which he inturn laid his hand on his breastplate,the golden and blue glow covering him and resotring his bloody and wounded body back the way it was before they had started this conflict. He stood up quite easily, holding his blade while malik was stumbling and dragging himself toward the exit.

"D'vinn!"

Malik gritted his teeth, more out of aggravation than anything else, before hefting up Malvolence and turning to face the fully healed paladin. Rainmare and Malik stood there, looking across at eachother. For a long moment, anyone watching would have believed that this conflict wasn't over yet.

But Rainmare gave a sigh, probably more frustrated and grudglingly annoyed, before he lifted his blade into a salute. Malik gave a halfassed one back, probably the best he coudl do considering his condition...and both fighter took to going out there respective exits of the arena.

"I'm glad you recognize that, Mykorian. Now, you lied to your parents, acted irresponsibly and put yourself and my own children in danger. These are very serious offenses. Not to mention if someone in the inn had accused you of stealing or something like that you would have been caught with nothing since you don't have a room here and aren't registered on the list. They would have punished you for it, regardless of your age and status." Pausing a moment to let that sink in. "When my children defy me and lie to me the punishment is quite simple. You will work in my stables for two months. You will be responsible for their feeding, cleaning, and regular care. In the even there is nothing to do in the stables, you will do whatever task that I assign to you. A month for lying to your parents and a month for irresponsibility. Any questions?"

Zykariel was not in reverie like his parents might have thought he was. Instead he was being contemplative. He'd forgone the race because attending to it while all of these things were going on just wasn't a viable option. But this whole thing had gotten him thinking and he'd finally been able to bring the memory back through reverie. The details were fresh in his mind and now he simply had questions to ask. Hopping off his boulder, he headed back for the inn, knocking on his parents' door once and then strolling inside and sitting on the edge of the bed. "Dad? Is there anything in your past that might come to haunt us?"

"Oh, well thats' a silly phrase. Sickness doesn't make you stronger, only weak. And taking a beating doesn't make the next one hurt any less. Though I suppose you eventually learn to correct your mistakes." A shake of her head and she nodded. "I hate that feeling. Most of the time it gets worse before it gets better, too. Because of the battle in the arena..." Reaching over and gently mussing the child's hair back down that he had caused to stick up slightly. "I needed a break..."

Again he shook his head. There really was nothing for him to say but to take his punishment and move on with life. Hey maybe it even meant at least one good meal a day and people to be around. "Fair enough, I can do that work. My parents always said it was important for you to repay your debts, and this is a debt of sorts."

He blinked as his elder son came in and plopped on the bed, merely pondering a moment if he was going to anger this child as well. Why not he was on a streak. But he was taken off guard by the boy's question and was quiet a moment in thought. Technically...yes. But at the same time technically no. Khaiver would damn himself if he let on that Sevilin wasn't really dead. And Khaiver was not one to sacrifice his position so easily and trivial. Walking over to the bed, he sat down next to his son. "No son, I don't think so. My past has been delt with and should be of no concern. You shouldn't need to worry about such things."

"It's supposed to mean that after all of that has passed, your body is more used to things now and will be better prepared next time such a thing rolls around." Smiling as she tried to soothe his brother, making his hair stick up all odd again and the child just giggled at her...ah to be young and have bad things bounce right off. "A break from what?"

She jabbed a finger into one of those gashes of his. "Don't be prideful. He could have killed you if he hadn't of promised not to. But I suppose I should praise you for leaving heads on shoulders. It gives merit to you as well." Pushing him to sit on a bench nearby, going about helping him out of more or less shredded armor, flicking a coat of blood from her hands from time to time. She'd be affectionate and the like all over him later when she was sure that he wasn't being a blood fountain. Being married to Malik had more or less trained her into when was the approriate time to act as thus. Repair of the body now, soothing of thoughts later.

"Well met Malik, though I myself don't approve of such a match." Shrugging and giving a nod though, "I'll get her." Getting that far off look a moment which was indicative of him using his telepathy. "Lharika, find Zahara and send her down to tournament arena. Malik's looking rather nasty in the wound department."

"At least I wore a helmet."

Oh he hated bedrest. hated it.

"And your a healer, of course we think your favorite time usage is plugging up all the holes we put in ourselves."

though looking up, mostly since he had vision again that wasn't red, despite th egash that probably would have taken his eye with it had there been no helmet.

"I lost a lot of blood, I think. But things are settled, or should be for the time being."

glancing over at Kieran.

"So...get any good notes?"