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Santiago sighed in relief, stretching out his arms as he eyed the couple of men who had agreed to spar with him. After many days on the road he was privy to a proper bath. Not in rank water soured by the stench of many unwashed bodies but a warm refreshing one. Clear and soothing. Far removed from the sea, Santiago had also taken the time to shave his gangly beard down to a neatly trimmed goatee. Gone also were the tangled locks. Though still shoulder length, he had cut enough off to pack away the scarf that held it. His hair was the nice rich brown but he knew it would not take long for the sun to slowly change the color to a sandier blonde. Who would know of Bashear Galvani here? He highly doubted Captain Morgan would report back to James about Santiago's escape. After all, the man was already paid a good amount of gold to rid James of his rival and for all he knew, Santiago was still without the use of his sword arm. To the Nine Hells with the lot of them, he thought. Someday their blades would send sparks showering once again.

He remained stripped to the waist, wanting to feel anything that got past his defenses. Some had called him arrogant back home to spar in such a manner but Santiago never offered them any explanation. If those dung heaps could not see the reason, he would not show them the way. For what good was padding yourself to cross blades? How would one better themselves if they never felt the sting of the blade? As his mother taught him, the smallest prick in the right place will bleed a man to death. She was perhaps the one of the few women that Santiago had any respect for wielding a sword. Val was also among that sparse group.

Val sat off to the side, that slightly amused smile on her face again. They had talked last evening about her God again. Instead of the talk pulling Santiago to her religion, it reaffirmed his belief that his new ability was not from above but from the world beneath his feet. Something tangible to be caught between the fingers. He had thought of asking her to fight him but decided against it. Although there were merits to fighting someone with a longer sword reach than his, he did not want to work on that at the moment. The last fight had shown him many things and he knew luck had a lot to do with his last encounter. Luck wasn't necessarily a bad thing but it wasn't something to base your whole life on.

Santiago drew his blade from its sheath, casting it aside as he whipped the scimitar in wide arches to further loosen his muscles. Rolling his head in an exercise taught to him by one of his many sword masters, he further released the tension of the past few days. He saw the men who would be sparring with him grin. In one way or another he had annoyed them during the journey. In fact the only ones who had mildly tolerated his mannerisms had been Valya and Jojo. Santiago done many things in his life to survive but out of all the races on the world, he liked his own the least. Too many humans had boosted of their great talent with swordplay only to be taught humility by him. One day he would reclaim that title properly but until then, there was this.

"Let me make one thing clear, gentlemen." Santiago started as he stared down at the two men. "I expect you to be able to score a light grazing here and there but if you spill more than necessary where I have need of Valya's talent. Let me assure you your death will be swift." One gave him a slight scowl at his words and Santiago smirked in response.

"Have at." Santiago rested back on the balls of his feet and waved his scimitar lightly in front of him in a mocking fashion. The long swords the two were wielding were of an everyday craft and did not compare to his own blade but this wasn't a contest of the prettiest sword. Unlike Santiago, they wore heavily padded coats to protect them. He judged that his hits would have to be eased up slightly nonetheless. The sword of his forefathers cut well and cut deep.

The first of the men came in with a high cut which Santiago batted away while pivoting on his toes, easily blocking the next thrust by the man. It was after this block that the second man came charging in. Santiago bent low and felt the sword whistled above his head. One quick slice and the man was staggering back, his padded coat spilling feathers. They cascaded down like snow from the heavens and he looked in disbelief at Santiago. With another man still mobile, Santiago did not take any satisfaction in the slice. Wasting no time, Santiago went on the offensive, backing the man up. His short skipping steps had the man stumbling for a few moments before he regained his composure.

Back and forth their blades clashed. Each man giving a little ground. Santiago used this parry/thrust to practice the moves shown to him and never let his eyes off his opponent. His sword arm moved like an extension of his mind without his penetrating gaze analyzing its every move. It was the eyes, he was told, that tell you what your opponent will do next. Santiago had learned a love for gambling back on the island of Castillo and it had helped him bluff his foe numerous times. This man had not the talent and when he saw his eyes shift slightly, Santiago knew it was time to move aside. Turning his body subtly, he felt the cold steel nick his belly as it slid past. The other one had reentered the fray. Merely a flesh wound but in need of a response in Santiago's eye. He reached down and grabbed a dagger from his belt and flicked it out towards the returning man. He returned the favor by drawing blood against his cheek. His sudden move made the man step back a few allowing Santiago the chance to face his previous opponent.

He smiled even as the sweat formed on his brow. He was getting his money's worth with these two and was actually enjoying the fight. He smacked the long sword wide and sent a boot out to knock the man back. He connected but barely got his dagger around for a block as the man flailed his sword towards Santiago as he fell. whirling around he crossed his scimitar and dagger in a lopsided X, effectively blocking the other's chop.

Santiago's smile was wide and he used his leverage to push the man away from the crossed blades. He whipped his scimitar across and followed through, leaping into the air and bringing his shining sword down into the man's shoulder. As the scimitar left it's mark, Santiago scribed an 'X' across the man's chest with the dagger before letting him fall over. Another billow of feathers tickled the air. His rhythm renewed, he deftly parried the next blow from the one he had kicked to the ground. He clutched the dagger and kept it behind him as he sent a series of vicious swings to the man. His face was set in grim tones as he moved his blade in a fluid motion. The man was in a frenzy, trying to block the flurry of blows but Santiago refused to give any ground this time. Manipulating the man's blade ever so slightly, Santiago gave it one good turn before whipping the dagger at the man.

The hilt of the dagger hit the man squarely between the eyes and he dropped to the ground along with his sword. Bending over, Santiago picked his dagger up gingerly and put it back in his belt. Satisfied with the workout, and after checking his minor wound, Santiago retrieved his sheath. With a light wipe on a sparkling white cloth, he slid the scimitar back home. One of the men was slowly standing, taking a drunken stance as he shook his head to clear it.

"I thank you for your performance." Santiago tossed a bag of coins, 5 gold each, to the men. They landed at their feet and he grabbed up his belongings, smirking at Val.

"Care to have a go, Val?" He arched his eyebrows in a knowing fashion. She rolled her eyes and just gave him a scowl.

"I need none of the lesson you vould teach."

Santiago laughed at her comment, it was becoming quite a joke between them. It was then that Jose made another appearance, gleefully climbing up to Santiago's shoulder. He played with Santiago's hair, looking sorely disappointed. He let out a cry and Santiago rummaged through his pack, pulling out a shiny apple.

"Here, mate." Jose took the apple that was offered and sloppily ate it while perched on Santiago's shoulder. "Val, I believe the road ahead is not going to be a pleasant one." He indulged in an apple himself, cocking an eyebrow as Jose flicked some of the apple's juice his way. He would not miss the monkeys endless picking at his hair now that he was clean.

"The elven ruins are wanted by many people and I wonder why I'm out here. Besides the money, that is."

Recounting his altercation with Avatar J in the stables to her, he told her also of the need to find out more about this Bandit King and why his lackeys were shacking up with Lord Aranekke. He flexed his gloved hand, nodding at the lack of pain. It had been awhile and knowing some of the strength was coming back was a small relief. He was no fool on the matter. It would never hold the weight of his scimitar again.

"In all seriousness, Val. You would do me a great honor by training with me. I like those ogres not and their reach might be along the lines of your own with that sword of yours. If I am to continue along this path, I will need to learn how to avoid their mighty swings and crush their defenses."

Santiago walked away at that, wanting nothing more than to get some rest. He had trained for the better part of the day and now as the sun set, his bed beckoned him. Modest were the quarters given and it almost reminded Santiago of being back on a ship again. Jose leaped off his shoulder and settled comfortably on the small table by the bed, curiously playing with a conch shell Santiago had found on the island he was first trained. Santiago grinned at his off again, on again companion. What a strange existence he was living. Pulling off his boots, he crashed on the bed and welcomed sleep like an old acquaintance.

Santiago woke and heard the sounds of many birds chirping loudly. He grumbled and shifted, propping himself up on an elbow. His eyes focused and he saw he was not in his bed any longer. He had he come to this place? Trees of various shapes and sizes encased him and a bed of moss was his bed. Sunlight filtered through the dark green canopy. Peeking out of the bushes, Santiago saw something. A small figure who looked vaguely like the ones he saw in the stable not but a few days past. They somehow seemed different, their bodies slowly transforming to various animals Santiago had observed in the forest while with the caravan. As they came forward, Santiago reached for the familiar feel of his sword but as he brought it to bare, a flower sprung out of his hand. His eyes widened at the sight.

"We mean you no harm." The gravely voice said. "We can explain many things. Things that you have experienced but do not know why."

Instinctively Santiago searched the forest, steeling himself against Jose suddenly appearing. When it did not, he let out the breath he did not realize he was holding. The shifting form remained and began he speech anew. Antlers sprang from his forehead only to be replaced by sprigs of a tree. His limbs shifted from the fins of a fish to the hooves of a boar. Many shapes assaulted Santiago's eyes, too odd to believe but too real to discount completely.

"You have the spirits of the land calling to you but you shield your thoughts from them. Disbelieving even as you are shown otherwise. Teach you we will but you must open your mind. Open it to the wonders around you. Only then will you be able to defeat the foes that come against you. The Great Spirit calls, heed it's words for these words will..."

"Pinch me." Santiago interrupted. The thing stared at him blankly. "Pinch me I say and prove to me that this is happening and I'm not in some rum induced stupor."

The thing stepped forward and woody digits grabbed a hold of his skin

"Ouch!" Santiago bellowed as he sat up straight. Jose flew off his chest and to a far corner, peeking out from beneath his little paws. Santiago was half tempted to throw something at the monkey but decided to climb out of bed instead. What was the meaning of that dream? Why was it so real in his mind, the image of the creature still vivid as ever. Santiago was sure he would find out soon enough. Then he saw it. A sprig of pine laying on his lap. It was no dream. Between all that was coming to pass, Santiago was beginning to wonder who was the real enemy in this all. He tried to live his life without regrets and the path he would follow next might change that forever.