An Angel Loses Her Wings (SataiRolePlayingGuy x AirAllie14)

[AirAllie14]

Anahel nodded at Maxim’s words and took her own glance at the woman. The lizard man on her radar had vanish and was now replaced with another marker. “Yeah, I noticed. I agree, we must be getting closer. Let’s keep going,” she stated and continued to walk with them.

[SataiRolePlayingGuy]

Maxim watched the woman a little longer.  Soon they would have some sort of confrontation with her.  Hopefully she could be convinced to be a guide of sorts.  The most effective thing was to show their strength though.  They walked forward, not showing any fear.  She followed off to their side, sticking to the grass, watching.  She did not know what to make of Anahel, neither human or Lanarin.  Nor any sort of beast.  She had not seen anything like it before.  She tried to get a sense of what she was, and why she was following these two humans into their territory.  But she also kept her gaze on Maxim.  For a human man to dare enter their territory.  Past experience suggested he had one of two goals...to fight...or to mate.  The later was not out of the question to Lanarin, but one had to be strong enough to be worthy.  She was not sure he was.  If he wanted a fight, they would give him one too.  She would keep following for now.  But she would stop them before they reached any of her people's settlements.

[AirAllie14]

Anahel could feel the Lanarian woman continuing to move and follow behind them. She could feel her eyes looking at her and observing her, most likely never seeing an Angel like her before. She would have to explain and demonstrate to them what she was capable of if needed. As chose to push on, knowing that they were getting closer and closer, they just had to see these people.

[SataiRolePlayingGuy]

Maxim was on constant guard.  He did not expect their stalker to attack without warning, but he was cautious, just in case.  Even with Anahel present, it was dangerous to get reckless.  "She will probably charge us soon.  Only attack if she gets dangerously close though.  She will probably try to intimidate us first...and try to figure out what you are."  He advised Anahel.  His hand remained near his sword, but he would not draw it unless necessary.  Though there was not time for Anahel to respond.  He stopped as he heard a shirt in the grass, a sound not unlike an animal's charge.

The figure stopped some distance ahead of them.  Taller than Maxim, possibly stronger, but with a still rather feminine build.  A wild look in her eye.  A hunter, observing her prey.  There were stories that Lanarin did occasionally eat humans, though Maxim had some doubt those were actually true.  She spit in Maxim's direction, it landed on his boot.  "This is not your land, human!  You are not welcome here."  She looked him over.  "You are some little lord, aren't you?  A little far from your castle?"  He had the look, someone used to luxury and comfort.  Though not as weak as some.  She could see he had some experience fighting, other humans at least.  Maxim simply stood there, waiting a moment to see if Anahel had anything she wanted to try saying.

[AirAllie14]

Anahel heard the movement in the grass and felt the woman moving through her spell until she emerged before them. Anahel watched her to see if she would try anything though she didn’t expect the spit attack. As she finished, Anahel let out a sigh and moved in front of Maxim, putting herself directly in the woman’s field of view. She rose her hands defensively saying, “please, we mean you no harm. This is Prince Maxim, yes, he is a lord of a nearby kingdom. All we would like is an audience with your people. There is a dangerous army dead set on conquering the entire land. All we ask is to be able to talk to your people and ask if they would aid us…”

[SataiRolePlayingGuy]

“Humans love to fight each other, when not fighting others.”  The Lanarin bitterly observed.  “We know the boy’s family well.”  She thought back to old history.  Generations of fighting, it was against all the neighboring humans, not just one kingdom, but there had been a number of wars between them.

She and her people had seen some of the fighting.  “We have seen the people you speak of, strange creature…”. She addressed the uncertainty of what Anahel was.  “…They are impressive for humans, strength-wise.”  She knelt down, still studying them.  “They gave you a beating…now you come beg to us for help?  You know more of us than the strange creature boy, you know we only respect strength.”  She addressed Maxim.

”My father’s fathers fought many wars with your people.  But I will do what I need to reclaim my home, defeat Vanoria.  I will do what I need to prove myself to you and your people.”  He stepped forward.  “I will fight you, if that is the only thing to convince you.”  There was a moment of tense silence.  She wondered if Maxim knew what he was he was doing.  To personally challenge her like this, had a context to Lanarin that he probably was not aware of.

[AirAllie14]

Anahel looked at the woman as she spoke and nodded. she k ew that the history between humans and the Lanarians went back far though did not know how much Maxim’s family was involved with them. She then blinked as Maxim suddenly stepped up. She was around to advise him against this However, she remained silent. From what she had been told, this seemed like the perfect way to try and win over the Lanarin.

[SataiRolePlayingGuy]

It was the way of things.  Two considerably different peoples, fighting over land, resources, other differences.  How it all started had long been forgotten, neither side was completely innocent anymore, though the humans had been on the winning of the struggle for sometime.

She kept studying Maxim.  He was serious.  He was willing to fight at least.  In pure strength she actually probably had the advantage.  She certainly had experience fighting as well.  Did he have a chance of winning though?  It was hard to say.  This was not the place though.  “Hmph, you want to challenge me?”  She asked with an amused smile.  “You will get your chance.  But if you want it to have the result you want, there need to be witnesses.”  She left it unsaid, that there might be other consequences as well.  She simply turned and walked away, expecting them to follow.  Maxim nodded at Anahel and Mirina, to tell them to do the same, as he began to follow her.  He was not sure what they would find, he did not know much about how the Lanarin lived.

[AirAllie14]

Anahel nodded at Maxim and began to follow the woman. She had agreed, if a fight were to happen, they needed people to watch. If Maxim did win, there was no way anyone would possibly believe them. As they continued on, she walked close to Maxim and whispered, “are you sure of this Prince Maxim…”

[SataiRolePlayingGuy]

There was no certainty this would work.  No certainty he would win, or get a second chance if he did not.  There were not many options though.  "Unfortunately, it is probably the only choice.  I am looking for an army here, to convince them to fight and possibly die for me.  With the hostility they have towards me and humans in general, this is probably the only way."  Strength and willingness to fight, that was what they would respect above all else.  It time, he could try to heal the wounds of the past, improve things between their peoples.  For now though, he had to play be their rules.  He would have to follow their ways to an extent, even after he hopefully won and convinced them to fight.  He probably had to win first before he could convince them of the threat of Vanoria, what they would do to the Lanarin if they conquered them.

[AirAllie14]

Anahel nodded and saw that there was no other choice as well. With a sigh she continued on with them and just hoped that everything would work out. If anything happened, she would be ready to step in to defend Maxim as well.

[SataiRolePlayingGuy]

Maxim quietly followed their guide.  Mirina had kept quiet, though she was beginning to wonder where this was going.  Between her own experience, and limited understanding of Lanarin culture, she saw a complication.  Were there more issues to a man challenging a woman?  Was a victory for the prince going to him more than he expected, a more personal prize?  These were just guesses though.  She kept her thought to herself, though she wondered if that would help or hurt her goal to make Anahel the prince’s eventual bride and her queen, in addition to mistress.

They were lead through open lands, but their guide seemed to walk it as if following an invisible path.  Eventually they reached their destination.  “Consider yourselves lucky, we do not usually allow outsiders to see our homes.”  It had the signs of a nomadic village.  A people who would not stay put. It was a number of tents spread out, a few rings of stones marking camp fires, not currently in use.  Several figures came out eyes on them, staring intensely.  There was some hostility at Maxim, less towards Mirina, though she got some for still being a human.  There was confusion and curiosity, and some whispering, about Anahel.  They had never seen anything like her.  What stood out to Maxim though, was he saw nothing but women.  Not a man in sight.  They were called the ‘wild women’ after all, but it surprised him a little.

[AirAllie14]

Anahel continued on with the others as well and soon enough they arrived at the village. She looked around as the inhabitants made their presence known. She stood in front of Maxim a little in case there was any hostility towards him. She saw saw the looks they gave towards Marina and herself as well and really hoped that everything would go well.

[SataiRolePlayingGuy]

As the whispers spread around the village, eventually a woman came out of one of the tents.  She looked considerably older than the others, but still strong and healthy.  Maxim would not think of underestimating her.  She walked over to them, their guide looked at her rather deferentially.  Considering her an authority of some sort, but Maxim did not know much about how their society was structured in the villages, if this woman was something like a noble, or something else.

When she got close, the younger Lanarin would not look her in the eyes.  The older broke the silence.  "You brought outsiders into our village?  You let humans see...?"  Before the other could answer the older one's gaze switched to Anahel.  "...Not only humans..."  She looked to Maxim.  "Is this some offering, human boy?  Something we are supposed to eat?"  It was a genuine question.  These people had no idea what an angel was.  For all they new she was something comparable to the lizardman the young one recently killed.  He did not want to be silent for long, appear too afraid to answer, but he waited to see if Anahel quickly decided to try to explain what she was and why they were here.

[AirAllie14]

“W-what?!” Anahel gasped and quickly looked at the older woman. She didn’t know if she could explain the concept of her being an Angel so she just decided to explain why they were here. “I am not a good offering. I am Anahel, an associate of Prince Maxim. We are here seeking help. There is a terrible, strong army out there looking to conquer all of the land and we seek your help in combating them….” She explained.

[SataiRolePlayingGuy]

Maxim considered trying to explain a little about what an Angel was, but was not sure they would believe him, so he left it unspoken for now.  “You have seen the Vanorians.  The one who led us here said as much.  You have watched the battles…They will attack you too, and if they win…”. He realized he knew something that would offend them.  “They will make you the same as this one.”  He gestured to Mirina.  “They will make you their pets, their breeding livestock.”  All the faces around them were filled with disgust and rage.  The idea was the ultimate insult to their people.  To be ‘tamed’, by a human, or anything else, nothing disgusted them further.

”We would die first!”  The older one hissed.  It was not an exaggeration.  Their kind would not be inclined to surrender.  This would only take it further.  “We will deal with that when they fight us.  The little one has a big mouth, saying more than she should to outsiders.  But yes, we have watched them crush you in battle…you are that king’s son?  You come to us in desperation?  Why should we fight your battles?  Come back to us when you have an army of your own.  When you can fight for yourself.”

She was about to turn, when the young one spoke up.  “Anina, the boy has challenged me.”  The old one did not react for a moment, then smirked.  “You challenged her.”  She was sure Maxim did not understand all the implications.  “You have some bravery, but you do not know a Lanarin’s strength…but fine.  It will be amusing to see how much of a fight you can put up.”  She gestured for everyone to follow, as they walked towards an open space in the middle of the village.

[AirAllie14]

Anahel frowned as she heard just how stubborn the villagers were acting. She had seemed the Vanorians and what they had done first hand though, she had not seen the Lanarin in action, perhaps they would surprise her. Still, if they were formidable, it was just another reason to have them on their side. She was about to interject when Maxim suddenly did and reminded her of the fight which had been picked.

With that, she walked to the open area with them and really hoped that Maxim knew what he was doing.

[SataiRolePlayingGuy]

Maxim did wonder if it was best to draw on Anahel’s power to strengthen him.  It would be better if he could win completely on his own, but he was unsure of the strength of the girl he was about to fight.  She was young, but she had already shown her strength and experience fighting.  “She will not kill you, or seriously injure you.  But this is a real fight, try to hurt her, she will do the same to you.  You two will fight until one of you gives up.  If you somehow defeat her, I may consider your request…though it is not up to me alone.  She will…reward your victory as well.”  She stepped back.  “Drop your sword, this is fight between your bodies.  Your fists, feet, teeth, anything you might choose to use, but no weapons.”  With that warning, Maxim took his sword from his belt, and left it with Anahel and Mirina.  He faced his opponent, the two stared at each other for a moment, then charged.  The two grappled, struggling for superiority.  He was surprised, already feeling the girl’s brute strength.  Easily superior to many human men, though for now he was matching it.  He could see a thrill in her eyes, did she just enjoy fighting, or was she eager for something else?

[AirAllie14]

Anahel listened to the rules and held onto Maxim’s sword for him while he went off to fight. She knew he was capable with a sword but hopefully he was with his hand to hand combat as well. She watched as the match began and smiled as she saw him holding his own.

[SataiRolePlayingGuy]

The two struggled for sometime.  It was animalistic in a sense.  One on one, man vs woman.  It went back and forth a little, one pressing the other down, only to get free.  Each got a few punches on the other, but they just came back for more.  Maxim managed to knee her in the gut and throw her to the ground.  She grunted in pain but quickly rolled away and back to her knees, glaring at him intensely.

”Do you intend to help, mistress, or see if he can win on his own?”  Mirina asked as they fought.  As a prince, she was sure Maxim had some training in hand to hand fighting.  But the girl was strong and fought in a wild manner, a hunter of beasts, a technique meant to kill prey.  But was this something else?  Was she testing how strong he was?  The older woman said it was not a fight to the death or serious injury, but beyond that, how much was she holding back?

[AirAllie14]

Anahel looked over at Mirina and shook her head at her question, “no, this fight is between Maxim and this woman. I cannot interfere in this…. However, if Prince Maxim is on the verge of death at any point, I will be forced to intervene to save his like. I fight to protect him,” she explained, “I must see to that he remains alive…”

[SataiRolePlayingGuy]

It looked Anahel would remain out of this.  There was little reason not to trust the Lanarin that Mirina could see.  If Maxim was in danger, it would only be because of some freak accident.  The fight dragged on.  Some of Mirina's suspicions were correct.  Maxim likely did not have a chance if she did not hold back.  She was testing him though.  How strong he was, how well he could fight.  If he genuinely overpowered her, that would be even better.  But victory just required he impress her enough and put up a good fight.  He was doing well so far, but he had to prove he could do it for an extended period of time as well.

Maxim was picking it up as well.  Difference between human and Lanarin.  In a pure contest of strength, he was unlikely to win.  He was keeping up for now, but she was likely to wear him down eventually, she probably had more stamina as well.  So he kept his eyes open.  Looking for a moment, becoming the hunter himself, thinking like her.  Looking for an opening where he could find some technique for a real victory.

[AirAllie14]

Anahel smiled as she saw Maxim holding his own with the Lanarin. It was a good showing, however, she could sense that the woman was holding back. This made her frown, she wondered where this would lead. Was she resting Maxim? Would she let him win or would she push back and take the win for herself? It was up in the air at this point. Anything could happen.

[SataiRolePlayingGuy]

She was not planning to let Maxim win, there was just a context to all this none of the humans or the angel had picked up on.  Still, both took the fight seriously.  Showing signs of light soreness or bruising as they went.  Maxim was still trying to give the impression he was fighting conventionally and trying to overpower, while looking for the opening.  Eventually it came, looking like they were going into another grapple, he shifted behind her.  Taking his leg to the back of her knees, and pushed her to the ground.  He put his arm around her neck.  Going for a choke, as if a predator going for the prey.  The intention being to make her surrender before passing out, not technically going for a kill.

[AirAllie14]

Anahel’s eyes widened as she saw this and a big smile would form on her face as she watched this. It looked like Maxim was actually going to win. If he kept this up for a few more seconds, eventually the woman would pass out and Maxim would be declared the winner.