Fonhinqann
Gladiator Arena Main Office
Four and Three Quarter Hours before Twilight
Manalagna Hammer politely excuses himself and informs Fahinn that he plans to journey to Wanqir instead of defending his championship title in the arena.

He makes his way to the infirmary to visit with Xira, carrying his bag of gold coins and his broken scimitar.

After bowing to Xira and praising her for the difficult time he had in defeating her, Manalagna Hammer asks:

"Would you kindly tell me the tale of the Black Scythe ... or the Death Scythe ... as some would say?"

Fonhinqann
Arena Infirmary
Four and Three Quarter Hours before Twilight
When Manalagna first enters the infirmary, Xira appears asleep. The infirmary is a plain room, with several wands lined up along a shelf on one side, vials of various coloured fluids on another, and finally a wide variety of herbs and bandages on another. There is also a bed in the center of the room upon which Xira is resting. She is wearing a white nightgown, quite the contrast to the black she normally wears, and her hands have already been re-bandaged. It, along with the fact that she is in a relaxed state, softens her demeanour. Perhaps this is a glimpse of Morganna...

However, Xira quickly awakens, and the image of Morganna vanishes. "So, you're here." She says matter-of-factly.

Manalagna bows to Xira and praises her for the difficult time he had in defeating her.
Xira waves the motion aside with her left hand. "Don't exaggerate the truth." Xira says blandly, "Do you have anything else you wish to discuss?"
"Would you kindly tell me the tale of the Black Scythe ... or the Death Scythe ... as some would say?"
"Tale? What is there to tell? I got it. Simple as that. However... where is a secret." Xira says coldly, "But speaking of which..."
Xira reaches over one side of her bed and pulls forth the newly wrapped Death Scythe. As it is not being used in battle, its black aura doesn't appear to ruin its wrappings, but it can still be felt.

"You'll want this I assume?" Xira asks, her voice icy yet dry, "A trophy for defeating me?"

Fonhinqann
Arena Infirmary
Four and Three Quarter Hours before Twilight

Xira reaches over one side of her bed and pulls forth the newly wrapped Death Scythe. As it is not being used in battle, its black aura doesn't appear to ruin its wrappings, but it can still be felt.

"You'll want this I assume?" Xira asks, her voice icy yet dry, "A trophy for defeating me?"
"And What Makes You Think That I Demand Your Weapon ... For A Trophy?"
Manalagna Hammer eyes Xira suspiciously ... desiring to know more about the Death Scythe ... than Xira seems to be willing to give up so easily.

"The Trophies I Collect ... Always Have A History ... And A Song For Bards To Sing ... So Again I Ask ... How Did You Get This ... Death Scythe ... And What Exactly Is It Like ... When You Use It ... And How Long Have You Been Using The Death Scythe ...And Why Are You So Willing To Surrender It To Me Now?"
Manalagna Hammer waits for a response ... and hopefully ... an explanation ... before asking:
"What Else Do You Have To Offer Me For Defeating You?"

Fonhinqann
Arena Infirmary
Four and Three Quarter Hours before Twilight
"And What Makes You Think That I Demand Your Weapon ... For A Trophy?"
Xira shrugs, "A lot of the people before who challenged me coveted this scythe, so I presumed you'd be the same. Is that not the case?"
"The Trophies I Collect ... Always Have a History ..."
Xira nods, "And this scythe does, as does everything. This one's history just doesn't need to be told."
"Again I Ask ... How Did you Get This ... Death Scythe?"
Xira tilts her head, "You're going to have to do better than that; Ken's inquisitions were far more potent than this."
"What Exactly Is It Like ... When You Use It?"
Xira places the scythe down, "That cannot truly be described. It can only be felt, by the wielder."
"How Long Have You Been Using The Death Scythe?"
Xira tilts her head, "I suppose that isn't a secret. It has been... thirteen years? Yes, I suppose that's right. I don't pay attention to time."
"Why Are You So Willing To Surrender It To Me Now?"
Xira leans back thoughtfully and shrugs, "You've earned it, have you not? If you want it, you can have it. If you don't want it, I'll keep it."
"What Else Do You Have To Offer Me For Defeating You?"
Xira thinks for a moment, "You can have either scythe, one or the other... or... the tale, as you put it, behind one of them, and only that."

Willow accepted the box, setting down the parcel containing her second ring on a convenient surface. She took the box to her bed where she sat down. "What is it?" she asks, not that she would get an answer.

At anyrate she begins undoing the silk ribbon around the box. I wonder how much work he put into this? Willow thought as the last of the ribbon came off. She slowly opened the box.

Aqinarr City
Soldier's Barracks
Three and Three Quarter Hours before Twilight
"What is it?"
Yin smiles mysteriously, "Go on, open it."

Undoing the silken wrappings, Willow comes across an elegant wooden cube, subtly carved with the texture of bark. Opening this, Willow finds a stone. No, it is much more than a stone, faceted and shaped like a child's drawn heart. It is violet in colour, and cold to the touch, yet in the sun it shines brightly and warms quickly. Inside, the stone embraces the light, forming stars within its reaches. The stars glitter, appearing as when one looks at the clear sky at dawn. Attached to this stone is a fine mithril chain, so as to allow it to be worn as a pendant.

Yin's cheeks turn a bit red with embarrassment, "I know it's a bit improper, I mean the shape, but I couldn't think of any others..."

Yin's voice trails off, waiting to see Willow's reaction.

Fonhinqann
Arena Infirmary
Four and Three Quarter Hours before Twilight

"How Long Have You Been Using The Death Scythe?"

Xira tilts her head, "I suppose that isn't a secret. It has been... thirteen years? Yes, I suppose that's right. I don't pay attention to time."

"Why Are You So Willing To Surrender It To Me Now?"

Xira leans back thoughtfully and shrugs, "You've earned it, have you not? If you want it, you can have it. If you don't want it, I'll keep it."

"What Else Do You Have To Offer Me For Defeating You?"

Xira thinks for a moment, "You can have either scythe, one or the other... or... the tale, as you put it, behind one of them, and only that."
"Please ... Give Me ... A Moment ... To Contemplate ..."
Manalagna Hammer mulled over his choices as he stared absent mindedly in Xira's direction ... but at nothing in particular.

Four choices ... two tales ... two weapons ...

Manalagna Hammer always enjoyed a good tale ... or two ... but he could only choose to hear ... but one ...

Either Scythe would be a formidable weapon of choice ... depending upon the foe he would find himself facing ... but which one would be best suited ... for facing ... the unknown future?

Manalagna Hammer tugged thoughtfully at his silver beard ... blazing red eyes burning brightly with each possibility considered ... then he tried his best to imagine ... the toll that had obviously been exacted upon Xira these past thirteen years ... her torment ... her agony ... her seemingly complete severance from reality ... as most warriors ... would know ... such arena reality ... to be ...

"I Choose ... An Act of Mercy ... You Broke My Flaming Scimitar ... Now I Choose ... To Break Your Bond ... With Your Death Scythe ... A Fair Exchange ... Surrender Your Weapon ... To Me ... Now!"

Fonhinqann
Arena Infirmary
Four and Three Quarter Hours before Twilight
"I Choose ... An Act of Mercy ... You Broke My Flaming Scimitar ... Now I Choose ... To Break Your Bond ... With Your Death Scythe ... A Fair Exchange ... Surrender Your Weapon ... To Me ... Now!"
Xira shrugs, "If that's the case, why didn't you say so in the first place?"
Xira picks up the bandaged scythe and, almost carelessly, she holds it forth for Manalagna to take.

The scythe feels unusually heavy in Manalagna's hands, and even through the bandages, he can feel the razor sharp shaft ready to draw his own blood. It also feels cold. It is almost as though its cold feeling from it draining something from Manalagna.

Xira adds, almost as an afterthought, "By the way... if you ever come across the scythe's original owner, before me, you needn't worry about returning it. She has probably just made another."

Fonhinqann
Arena Infirmary
Four and Three Quarter Hours before Twilight

Xira picks up the bandaged scythe and, almost carelessly, she holds it forth for Manalagna to take.

The scythe feels unusually heavy in Manalagna's hands, and even through the bandages, he can feel the razor sharp shaft ready to draw his own blood. It also feels cold. It is almost as though its cold feeling from it draining something from Manalagna.

Xira adds, almost as an afterthought, "By the way... if you ever come across the scythe's original owner, before me, you needn't worry about returning it. She has probably just made another."
"So ... Does the Original Owner ... Have a Name ... or ... a Description ... So I Will Recognize Her ... Should Our Paths ... Ever Cross?"

Fonhinqann
Arena Infirmary
Four and Three Quarter Hours before Twilight
"So ... Does the Original Owner ... Have a Name ... or ... a Description ... So I Will Recognize Her ... Should Our Paths ... Ever Cross?"
Xira smiles, although there is no emotion in the smile, "If you know me, you will recognize her. We almost look alike."
Xira's eyes flicker sleepily, "My body is weary. I should let it rest."
With that, Xira's eyes close.

((Should Manalagna wish to stay at the arena and sleep, his quarters are provided on the northern end))

Fonhinqann
Arena Infirmary
Four and Three Quarter Hours before Twilight

Xira smiles, although there is no emotion in the smile, "If you know me, you will recognize her. We almost look alike."

Xira's eyes flicker sleepily, "My body is weary. I should let it rest."

With that, Xira's eyes close.

((Should Manalagna wish to stay at the arena and sleep, his quarters are provided on the northern end))
"Sweet Dreams!"
After excusing himself with an honorary bow to his vanquished opponent, Manalagna Hammer gingerly balances the Death Scythe over his right shoulder [careful not to cut himself or anyone else] and makes his way to his quarters to speak with Tenarr.

He collects his things from Tenarr, offers him 5 gold coins from his newly acquired reward and then asks:

"Tenarr ... Would You Be Able to Create a Sheath for this Death Scythe ... That Would Allow Me To Transport This Weapon ... Without Cutting My Hands?"

Fonhinqann
Guest Room
Four and Three Quarter Hours before Twilight
"Tenarr ... Would You Be Able to Create a Sheath for this Death Scythe ... That Would Allow Me To Transport This Weapon ... Without Cutting My Hands?"
Tenarr just takes one glance before he shakes his head. "As far as I know, the only way that scythe can be transported is on the back in a sling like how Xira always carried it. I tried making a case for it once... as soon as I put it on the scythe, the scythe's black aura blew it apart! Not to mention I've tried getting Xira to wear gauntlets, just to prevent further damage to her hands, and the scythe's aura totally destroyed those too!"

Tenarr shivers, "It is such a nasty piece of work... whoever made this definitely knew how to make something formidable... no one in their right mind would make such a thing; it hurts the wielder almost to the same degree as the one it is wielded against!"

Tenarr gingerly takes the scythe and puts it on a weapon stand, its black aura flickering for just a moment as it is put down.

((Manalagna Hammer is now at Checkpoint 1 - further RP and posting is optional, and if there's nothing posted, I'll just fastforward to Twilight))

Yin's cheeks turn a bit red with embarrassment, "I know it's a bit improper, I mean the shape, but I couldn't think of any others..."
Willow held the box in her hands, staring at it for a moment as she sat on her bed. The token was indeed very beautiful. She kept her head down, her long hair covering her face from the sides. Whether it was visible in her face or not, Yin's embarrassment in turn made her uneasy, causing blood to rush to her face.

"This must have cost you a fortune," Willow uttered after a pause, "you shouldn't have gone to the tr-" she interrupted herself forcibly by leaning over her bed to grab the packaged ring suddenly. She didn't try to refuse the necklace again. "Thank-you." She put away the ring, and picked up the necklace.

He's right, the shape is a little inappropriate to give to a girl who has been engaged. At least he had the sense not to get it in red. Purple, the colour of majesty, and wisdom. It isn't too inappropriate. she thought for some time on it.

"But I didn't get anything for you," she said. She took up the mithral chain delicately in her hands and put the necklace on next to the silver chain of the golden amulet that bore the lion's noble and serene features. She drew the lion amulet from her shirt, the disk of the necklace about an inch and a half wide. The two fit together nicely, with the heart's chain hanging it just above the gold medal. Who could have seen me three years ago and guess that I'd end up wearing so much jewelry? she thought to herself with a private laugh.

Then she promptly stood up and wrapped her arms around the shorter Yin in a friendly thank-you hug. "Don't move, I'll be 10 minutes at the most." With that she considered the objects remaining on her person. She left her magic bag behind and took only her money pouch and the necklaces. She wanted not to loose anymore valubles today.

Willow left the Barracks, trying to decide what she would get Yin. She avoided the place where she lost her ring, with a painful thought about the direction, and went looking for shops that might have something nice. What would suit Yin?

Aqinarr City
Soldier's Barracks
Three and Three Quarter Hours before Twilight
"This must have cost you a fortune," Willow uttered after a pause, "you shouldn't have gone to the tr-"
Yin's face turns even redder, "No, really, I felt I had to, I mean maybe to make up for all these times I've kind of barged in and challenged you..."

Again, Yin's voice trails off.

Willow reaches over to the packaged ring, but a glint of metal stalls her for a moment. There, on the floor by the bed, is the ring. Not the one she had sent herself, but the one that was lost. How long it has been there is uncertain, and its cool temperature indicates that it just hasn't been handled recently.

It is almost as if it had just fallen there, misplaced...

"Thank-you."
Yin's face is now quite red, and his eyes are averted. "Oh, really, it's not that much..."

"But I didn't get anything for you," she said.
Yin looks back, "Oh, you don't need to get anything for me..."

Then she promptly stood up and wrapped her arms around the shorter Yin in a friendly thank-you hug. "Don't move, I'll be 10 minutes at the most."
"Umm... OK." Yin stammers.

The marketing district... quite a busy place compared to even the docks, and Willow can't help but feel quite crowded from the immense number of people still here. She can hardly step anywhere without having to push through or otherwise ask for people to try to move out of the way. A select few merchants are beginning to pack up here and there, but the majority are just glowing with the anticipated revenue of another evening rush. This is hardly anything compared to the immense market in Wanqir, Willow knows, but it is still far too crowded. It is so crowded, she can barely see exactly what the wares are that merchants are displaying. Finally pushing through to be close enough to one vendor set up along an inconspicuous alleyway, Willow can easily consider herself quite lucky. He is an elderly man with his elegant and old cart carefully set out of the general populace's way. The cart looks like a foreign food-selling booth, with even a small roof to cover the man and any customers. It looks easily as old as the man is, if not older, with paint wearing off, and the wood underneath looking slightly worn. There is only one other customer there, a little girl who has to stand on her tip toes in order to see the merchandise. The man, old enough to be a grandfather, has a beard and spectacles, as well as relatively formal clothes, and looks upon his young customer with a sort of caring look in his old and weary eyes. His hands, as he shows the little girl various things, appear old, yet strong, and not frail. The girl is dressed in a full length dress with a floral pattern, and she has short black hair and golden eyes.

The elderly man is displaying a selection of antiquities, mainly in the form of bracelets. There is also a wooden box being sold as well that is rather wide compared to the rest of the merchandise, although what is in it cannot be seen because it is closed. It is easily wide enough to hold a bracelet, but it is rectangular, and thinner than most of the braclets there, so doesn't seem to hold a bracelet. One bracelet in particular stands out to Willow. It is slightly plain, with a silver toned appearance, but inscribed on it is an elegant symbol, almost a coat of arms. It has a longsword in the back, with a round shield in front, and upon the shield is depicted a roaring lion. The bracelet is displayed with this engraving up, so Willow cannot see from this angle what is on the back.

As a tree on prairie, Willow stood out in the crowd, though not as much memorably. It wasn't likely for people to look on and comment, she was neither particularly beautiful or outgoing. Even at this height advantage, the crowd was uncomfortable, and the wares difficult to see. Should her elbows stick out, she would bump a number of people in the head, should she try to move, she would inevitably need more room to maneuver her limbs. She never got too close to the stalls, as her body would eclipse other shoppers. Despite this, however, she knew she would prefer being exceptionally tall to being exceptionally short. If she could be overwhelmed by people bumping into her when they were a sea of bodies, there was no hope for her should these bodies drown her.

Into an alley she found herself destined, in an attempt to remove herself from the crowd so that she could locate a vendor from afar. It was a matter of great serendipity then, that the alleyway in which she sought refuge, held a small stall proffering wares the likes of which she would browse. She waited as a crowd of people passed and she strode across the alley up next to a little girl who had the opposite problem as Willow. Golden eyes, there is something you do not see everyday, Willow thought casually.

She looked through the bracelets. They were of good quality, though she was not necessarily one to judge, to her they all were beautiful. Noticing the box she wondered what was within. "Excuse me?" she asked, to garner the old man's attention. Looking down to the box she said, "Could you tell me what is in that box?"

[Perhaps more here]

Continuing on, her eye was caught and held by a particular bracelet. She liked it immediately, it seemed to be exactly what she was looking for. The inscription was simple and elegant. A sword and shield, and on the shield was a roaring lion. A symbol of power and strength, but most of all, too Willow, of patient endurance and determination. She had never personally seen a lion, but the noble beast's impression was what drew her to the golden amulet around her neck. Whether it was magical or not, it gave her a sense of fearlessness and stamina.

She checked the price determined not to let the gold count of the item deter her or disable her from purchase. She reached out and took the bracelet, examining it all over, as if to inspect for any flaw that might bring down the asking price. Truthfully, she merely wanted to see all the exquisite details in it.