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Nergui, as a priestess, wasn't traditionally thought of as a warrior, but the dark skinned mare had developed quite the love of battle. It was convenient then, that she more often then not excelled when she found herself in such chaotic and brutal situations. Such skills were not simply owed to luck however. Nergui had taken to training as of late, alone usually, though she certainly wouldn't have minded an opponent. The targets and dummies could only offer so much of a challenge.

Black steal blade in hand, the mare was at it again as the pumpkin sun began to dip in the sky, bathing everything in deep reds and oranges. The shadows were growing, and it was only a matter of time before the dark skinned priestess herself would blend into them as she worked.

Wood splintered as she struck at the body of a dummy, and she gave a fierce cry as she tore her blade free for another blow. Again and again she chopped at the thing, until finally a vicious swing saw her scimitar clean through the neck, sending the head to clatter to the ground and roll away.

She stood there, panting, her blade still raised, and stared down at the thing, dark satisfaction pulling at her lips until white teeth blazed in the contrast of her face.

Lan wasn't the only one who hadn't expected to meet anyone else that evening. Adrenaline still high, the small cough made the priestess start, and she jerked around, blade at the ready, only to relax seconds after and let her weapon fall to her side. "Lan." In her pale robes, the conquest noble stood out brightly against the growing shadows, and even unadorned, she looked lovely.

The bow was returned, and she offered the other mare a smile when she spoke her name, nodding in affirmation. At the compliment she glanced back at the dummy, eyeing the severed stump of the neck before grinning. "Nor I, it's usually quite empty this late." Most of the horsemen would have retreated to their huts and fires, but Nergui liked the darkness.

A flick of those mismatched eyes took in the length of the other woman's bow, and the corner of her lips twitched. "Since we'll both be training anyways, would you care for a friendly spar?"

A soft smirk came to rest upon the priestess' lips as she watched the noble. "Given the choice, I'll pick close combat." Her blade, while a wonderful weapon, left her at a certain disadvantage against anything ranged. She had her shadow strike, of course, but that was a one time hit, and not to be used lightly.

Still, this was a spar, not a full on battle. She didn't see their little exchanging getting so out of control that she'd have to resort to such an attack.

Lan was an archer, trained to lead her forces from behind the front lines, never dirty her hands directly unless the situation called for it. Perhaps in theory, once, it had been a sound strategy. Now it was hindrance, Lan needing to learn close combat, how to move quicker, remain nimble while targeting- she needed to become better.

"A good choice, something I've been need to improve on." The cut was met with a wince, robe taking more damage than her pride.

HP: 43
DMG: 8

The blade cut, a tiny bit of red welling up, tinting the robes. Maybe Lan didn't give herself enough credit, but she'd rather come to her own conclusions. Growth did not end- her rising to the role of 'elder' was hardly a thing to be scoffed at, yet she would not be content with it, she doubted she could be.
"It never hurts to progress" She smiled, striking down with her bow, mindful of the string, "I did not aim to be one for contentment in a single title."


HP: 40
DMG:

Lan would not be content, she would never be happy, not with a stationary life. Not anymore anyway. That window of opportunity had closed and locked, along with her heart.

Such was a young woman's life and loss with love.

The cut went unnoticed. "And what of you? Where do you aim to be?"

HP: 39
DMG:

Power and safety. Simple goals. A bit difficult given the state of some, but overall, a modest ideal. A good thing to strive for-

Unlike her, ever shifting, ever expanding. "You are a modest mare Miss Nerugi, but I fear I am not. I doubt I will ever fall into the ranks of my fellow noblewomen when it comes to such." She was too headstrong, too stubborn, too spoiled.

Too full of pride.

"I strive for much the same, though I have begun to see a new goal in mind." Her bow strung, the arrow fired.

"I design to one day perhaps, be a general in the emperor's army. The life of a second or third wife, or even as a favored concubine would not content me. If not a general, I will strive to be one who might change the course of conflict as it were."

HP: 36
DMG: 4

"Ultimate goals?" Lan was interested. After all, some paths might cross, prove beneficial in the future- it was always wise to gather allies early wasn't it? "I am a noble by birth, and I will always be one. I can be other things, but at my core I know what I am, I am a being born from greatness, destined for greatness. Mastering battle, the arts- I will rise in the courts. Time will see to it. My efforts will see me rise. Once-" A flash of an old wound, of what she'd lost.

"Once I would have need another by my side, yet that is no longer an option. When I rise it will be by my skill and my will alone. And I have no doubts." She smiled. "A noble should never has reason to doubt after all. All the same, where does a priestess rise? As far as I knew, your kind do not have much in the way of ranks and those close to Death are well..." She trailed off and shot an arrow at Neru.

HP: 34
DMG: 3