The interesting part was that Lara had started unwrapping the leather from the staff, while stepping back with her eyes still fixed on Aevala. A sword handle emerged first, rapidly followed by a slender guard and a thin sheathed blade.<br/><br/>And then, as Aevala was going towards her tent, drawn by duty, Lara turned as a flash, drawing the blade from the scabbard. She almost glided over the Earth, utilizing the peculiar form a footwork particular to Tantara players and fencers. One foot dragging, than a small jump, and a skilled player can move a long distance, while performing skillful flourishes with the blade.<br/>The other three had also unwrapped their own blades. They all met in the middle of the clearing, touching the tips of the blades and turning clockwise, in the opposite direction to the people that were lining the circle.<br/>They moved a few steps in their own circle, keeping the tips of the blades almost like glued, before forming two couples. The tall man in black was Lara's partner, while the small woman in black - Raven - was assaulting the man in red. Obviously, the black ones represented Death, and the dressed in red represented Fortune's chosen, the Sarista - the ones that trick Death and laugh in its face.<br/>And then the blades started flashing. There wasn't much skill in the attack, but there was lots and lots of skill in defence displayed. Tantara was teaching a modified system of the usual parries, with the blade only going away from the body for split seconds, except for a flourishing deflection or to perform a strike. Additionally, these four were representing a high level of sophistication - the edges almost glided on their bodies, risking to cut themselves, yet no dress was ruined. Most Tantara performers prefer gliding the flat of the blade in this way, and novices still hurt themselves occasionally.<br/>The couples danced and bowed, deflecting dangerous thrusts and slashes aimed at the necks and wrists with almost superhuman precision, then jumping and turning in mid-air with the swordarm extended. The black couple seemed to be advancing, which raise the surprised mutters of the dancers.<br/>Suddenly, the bride and groom emerged from the crowd, a sword in hand still in their sheaths. They embraced, not paying attention to the danger four blades represented, while the black swords were trying to score a hit on them now, and the red dancers almost sacrificed their own safety to protect them.<br/>Then they drew their swords and each of them cut off the upper garment of the other. The crowd was too shocked to even mutter for a few moments. Then the garments fell and it turned out they wore red outfits below.<br/>The bride joined Lara. The groom joined his forces with the tall man in red - obviously his own brother, or young uncle, or something, for their faces were rather similar.<br/>Together, they teamed up on the dark-clad dancing partners. The three-way dances soon ended with a win for the red team.<br/>Raven lasted the longest, but the men didn't join the women against her, obviously not willing to interfere in their affairs.<br/>The musicians beated a few last notes, and all came perfectly still, then turned to bow to the crowd.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=82056.msg4218832#msg4218832">Quote from: Petrosity on 04-02-2011, 09:17:05</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">She had her own duties to attend that she had put off far too long to selfish satisfaction. Aevala gave a small nod with a wink and departed the square to her tent. Quickly changing back into her more familiar garb, Aevala left to see what the verdict was for the prisoner. <br/></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>There wasn't much change in the prisoner's condition. Upon seeing her, he actually smiled.<br/>"I hear you people are enjoying your pagan festivities. Tell me, did everyone arrive? I'd hate to think someone you invited -  maybe personally - would have missed this!"<br/>He even looks sincere. The thought of his own fate still seems to bother him not at all.