<div class="floatright"><div align="center">Vania</div>(http://i.imgur.com/euZTDTE.jpg)<br/><br/><br/><div align="center">Ursak</div>(http://i.imgur.com/rjcv7I0.jpg)</div><strong>"So"</strong>the chipper elf practically bubbled as they made their way from the library to the training grounds.<strong>"How'd your meeting with the headmistress go?"</strong>Vania would show annoyance bordering on anger if Pipa told her of Tharja's deception, and would eagerly pump the quarter orc for any details.  Though if it seemed she was being too inquisitive to the point of angering or upsetting Pipa, she would switch topics.  Apparently the elf was eager to please and make friends.  Her responses to whatever it was that Pipa told her would be encouraging and positive, without taking a strong stand, as if she were trying to be a sounding board and not a voyeur into Pipa's life.<br/><br/>It was a disarming thing for Pipa who had not many friends growing up to see someone so different then her trust and act so friendly so quickly and easily.  If questioned about this, Vania would shrug and gesture around them at the temple, saying they were in the same boat now, practically sisters in fate instead of blood.  It was very reassuring to Pipa who sensed no deception from the open elf.<br/><br/>They reached the gym and started, under Vania's direction with some warm up exercises and streches, some of which made strange shooting aches in muscles Pipa hadn't even been aware of.<strong>"Trust me,"</strong>the elf said as she easily flowed through several insane looking stretches,<strong> "You're going to want to do these every day.  If you're only used to one type of combat, you'll be sorry when we enter the dungeon.  It's going to take every bit of you, and if you can't bend when you need to, you'll break."</strong><br/><br/>There were more judges and acolytes about now, though they tended to keep a great distance from the contestants.  It seemed they were to be watched from afar, but not interfered with.  Still as Pipa and Vania began to exercise, starting with simple sprints across the training yard, Pipa couldn't help but notice their eyes on the duo.  It went beyond simply watching and observing, on one acolyte's face she saw something she couldn't place immediately, and only after thinking about it came to realize it was a look of respect, maybe even awe.  Again Pipa felt this strange feeling, so different then her life up until a few days ago.<br/><br/>Then Vania broke out wooden training staves and asked Pipa's indulgence with practicing her preferred form of combat first.  Pipa was sorely outmatched, but she could tell that the exercise was good for her muscles, and felt the burn in them after being cooped up in a wagon for several days.  The morning blazed by quickly and they stopped for the high sun, or noon, bell.  Taking a break beneath a shaded awning, the sweaty pair of combatants stretched out burning muscles.  An acolyte appeared almost immediately with a bucket of cool water and two simple wooden cups.<br/><br/><strong>"Keep practicing or take a break?"</strong>Vania asked as she sipped long draws of the cool water.  Pipa felt great, even in her soreness and decided they would keep practicing after their break.  So Vania sent the acolyte off to fetch a simple lunch for them.  She returned just as the ache in Pipa's muscles was really beginning to set in.  A simple affair with meat sandwiches and two types of fruit, along with another bucket of water.  Vania wolfed her meal down and began slowly stretching again until Pipa was ready.<strong>"It's your turn to choose what type of combat we practice."</strong>She said with a disarming smile.  Pipa chose unarmed combat, which earned a raised eyebrow from the elf.<strong> "I told you that I was an adept, didn't I?"</strong>She warned.  But it was really the only type of combat that Pipa knew well, so she nodded her head and began stretching.<br/><br/>Again, Pipa found herself outmatched.  But this time it was only ever so slightly.  For while it was clear that Vania was a superior fighter in terms of technique, easily throwing Pipa, dodging, blocking, and counter striking, the fact was Pipa was larger and stronger.  Pipa felt that while the elf might have an advantage, if luck were on her side, she might be able to take the curly haired elf.  She became lost in the joy of the training, learning over time some of the moves to expect from Vania and even landing a few lucky grapples, hits, and throws.<br/><br/>But their practice was broken by the sound of a rough feminine voice calling out.<strong>  "Very impressive.  But the elf moves around you like a ghik fly, you swat at where she is, and she is gone.  Aim for where she will be."</strong><br/><br/>Pipa and Vania both turned their heads to behold a green skinned woman, clad in battle leathers and cloth, and resting her hands along a solid looking falchion.  They broke, panting and sweating and looked to the woman as she approached.  The woman, obviously half orc as her features were rougher than Pipa's, nodded to Pipa alone, ignoring Vania.  There was no doubt the woman was beautiful, in a rough sort of way, along with her young age which marked her as likely a contestant.  To Pipa and Pipa alone she said,<strong> "Your ghik fly looks tired sister, would you like to spar against one who is more your equal?"</strong><br/><br/>Vania had a sour look on her face,<strong> "My name is Vania, and I am not to be ignored."</strong><br/><br/>To this the half orc did look at the elf and smirked,<strong>"Fire in this one that matches her hair then?  All right Vania, you will not be ignored.  But I was told there was another orc blooded in this year's contest, and I was eager to test her mettle.  Will you wait for me to satisfy my curiosity first?"</strong><br/><br/>Vania's face was a brief mix of conflicting emotions as she wrestled with her anger of being dismissed originally with the rather polite request.  Finally she aquesced and said,<strong>"If you give your name."</strong><br/><br/>The orc smiled but her eyes were again fixated on Pipa.  Pipa felt the weight of that gaze, knew she was being weighed and measured, as if this orc was trying to beat her in combat with her glare alone.<strong>"I am Ursak, daugher of Krarek and Simona, of the sunfury tribe.  I wish to test your mettle in combat... with whatever weapon you choose of course little sister orcling.  Unless of course you simply wish to acknowledge my dominance now.  In which case I shall test my prowess against the ghik fl.... I'm sorry.... against Vania."</strong><br/><br/>Pipa felt the weight of her words along with the gaze.  She knew little about the sunfury tribe of orcs, but from the tone it was clear that establishing dominance was an important part of her orcish tribe's culture, and could easily determine how this fellow contestant related to her over the next several months.  She felt that whatever answer she gave might be quite important in the next moment.