Her lessons had been cut rather short by her ranch being demolished. But Connor’s willingness to accept her invitation made her smirk. She felt antsy. Not afraid, but like a live wire. Hyper alert. He prepared himself but she didn’t even see him pull his blade. In the small of his back she knew he kept one and he could snatch it quickly. It was likely a tactic he was going to use, she assumed. There was more to this game than just the mechanics. It was about predicting movements. Putting herself in a position that she could ward off a counter. Of course she was still very much a beginner. But she couldn’t have a better instructor.

She took a calming breath and stepped toward him. Several steps until she was a little further than his striking distance, or what she assumed it to be. He was larger, his arms longer. His torso able to pivot and lean further than she could hope to manage. But she was lithe and thin, a smaller target, and hopefully quicker. She would have been more hesitant about the use of real blades, but this was the commander of the immortal army. There was hardly any concern that she might actually make contact.

Her fingers holding the dagger twitched and rolled it around in her palm until the blade was facing downward, backward. She hadn’t picked up well on form and technique yet. But it was inevitable that she would do what felt more comfortable to her body. Right or not. Her other hand was held out in front of her, fingers curled slightly. Seemingly relaxed.

”Remember. Don’t go easy on me.” She said sternly. She would learn nothing by being handled with kids gloved. A smirk curled her lips, dark eyes rolling down the commander before she suddenly moved. Taking a half step back she pushed off so that she would move more to his right than a frontal attack. She wanted to avoid his left hand that could easily shove her away or thwart her charge. Instead taking the more dangerous and risky route toward what she assumed would be his blade hand. Her right hand holding her dagger would pull back as if readying for a thrust. But her other hand would attempt to snatch the fabric of his coat and give it a harsh yank. It was then that her bladed hand would thrust downward toward his back.

It all happened in one fluid quick moment that undoubtedly would look like childs play to someone with actual skill.

(Feel free to move her, contact, what have you. ^_~)

It all happened so quickly. His movements rolling together and leaving her stumbling to catch up. But in the end he had her arm hooked with his own and the tip of his blade touching her back. Dammit. She frowned but didn't answer him. Instead, her mind was already spinning. "Given all the whiskey I consume, not much."And then she moved. Pivoting she used his arm and the hold that had been used on her to rotate herself around and away from him. Not an attack or much of anything. But it felt better than admitting defeat.

She pursed her lips and stared at him, analytical. Well aware of her shortcomings. "How can I make up for my reach?" She inquired knowing he would understand. A longer blade maybe? But that would mean more weight. She wasn't weak, she did work and own a ranch. But she wasn't familiar with holding the weight of a blade. It was different, awkward for her. Holding her hand out she bounced the weight of her dagger lightly in her hand, the hilt was heavier than the blade itself but not overly. She was staring down at her blade when she spoke. A strange smile coming to her lips. "I'm determined to be at least get good enough to not harm myself."

It was hard. Waking up to the burned remains of her home every morning. The feel the emptiness of it all that had once been filled with the calls of excited horses and the voices of her men. "I feel like they blame me." She said suddenly. Still not looking at Connor. "I was the one person those men came to kill, and I survived." A short humorless laugh. "Because of you." She looked up at him then, her dark eyes boring into him. But before she could say more Solara shoved the emotions away like an unwelcome guest. It wasn't often she let the cracks in her veneer show and she wasn't about to make a habit of it. Especially not in front of Connor.

She cleared her throat and switched the blade around so that it rested in her palm. Grip outward as she moved toward Connor and held it out to him. "Show me." She said with all trace of her earlier emotion gone. In its place was the woman who didn't show weakness. The woman who was going to get her horses back or die trying.

"Show me how I should have attacked."

His words should have soothed her. Been a balm to her concerns. But they weren't. Instead, her dark eyes dropped away from him a moment, skittering away like a chastened dog. "My reasons for revenge may be more selfish than I let on." She said simply. She did want revenge for her people. But her pride had also been shaken. Someone had come to her home and taken her things, hurt her people, nearly stolen her life. It was silly noble pride that pushed her so hard. Other than those few words she didn't comment further. Deciding it would be best if the conversation dropped. Back to business.

There was no characteristic mischievous gleam in her dark eyes now. It was a serious matter at hand. She nodded as he spoke to show that she was listening. Her gaze dropping to the movements of his hands. Her breath caught when he suddenly moved in close, jabs piercing the air near her. Then he fell back and showed her an alternative. The instructions given were simple enough and she nodded. Taking her blade in hand she would mimic the action he showed her. The first time the action had been sloppy, giving even the slowest of attackers enough time to retaliate. The second time she had a better idea of how to move and a satisfied smile curled on her lips when she managed to step forward, nudge his arm to the side and twist her own so that her blade would have kissed the soft underpart of his arm all in on fluid movement. "Hopefully no one I face decides to wear chainmail." Plated armor would still be open in such a location. But mail could be worn in nearly any manner.

She fell back and adjusted her stance, ready to try the flourish again had the soft thud of an arrow not drawn her attention. A small arrow tossed up a spray of dirt near the two of them, tightly wrapped around its shaft and tied was a piece of paper. Solara's gaze flicked momentarily to Connor and then to their surroundings. Someone had been close, too close. But instead of sending their arrow into either of them they had sent a message. Curious. She stepped forward cautiously, pulling the string to release the paper she stepped back closer to the commander. Unrolling it so that he might see as well.

Solara nearly dropped the paper, her slender fingers tightening upon it as the elegantly scrawled words came into focus. She knew that writing...she hadn't seen it in many many years but the way the curves to the R's took off on the page was characteristic of her mother's writing. 

My Dearest Solara,

    It has been a long time, hasn't it? I still remember that day when you were so young with stars in your eyes. Riding away from my home to go be with your beloved. How did that work out for you, darling? Last I heard he had around five children, but none of them yours. But I am getting off topic aren't I? I raised you to be beautiful, elegant, the perfect noble. And what did you do with all that I sacrificed so hard to accomplish? You sold our family holdings, you turned yourself into a rancher of all things, oh and of course-let yourself become a plaything for the Commander. No one will buy the cow when you give away the milk for free my love. Oh but, you know that already. Don't you?

Solara looked as if she had been struck. Her normally pale skin taken on an ashen tone. Her mother was alive? The man at her ranch...he had said her mother had sent them. But...why? Why would she pretend to be dead all these years? Why try to kill her own daughter?

    But I am getting off topic.You survived the attack on your home. It had been my aim to save at least some sliver of our families honor with your passing. Something that may still happen. This is the only offer I will provide you, return to court. Petition to have MY lands returned to you by any means necessary. Obviously you arent above occupying a few beds to get in the good graces of  those that purchased your inheritance. Make your wrongs right child. If I do not see progress in two weeks time I will make the loss of your ranch look like childs play.

  You seem so fond of the Commander. Connor Lachesis is his name if I recall. Perhaps my men should pay his pretty little sister a visit? How would it feel to be the cause of his anguish?

 Or maybe that bastard brother of yours needs to disappear.

 The choice is yours my deaest Solara. Do not make the same mistake twice.

                                                                                                                                                                                                           ~All my love.


She was speechless. Her fingers tightening around the paper until the edges crinkled, she released it then to let it fall to the ground like the piece of trash it was. She had always known her mother was cruel. Twisted. So focused on appearances and what everyone thought of them. But to go so far as to try to erase her own daughter? A 'mistake'? She blinked against the rollercoaster of emotions that were steamrolling her one after the other. Her dark eyes eventually turning to Connor. 

Her mother had gone as far as to threaten his sister. Because of course, it would be a way to turn him against her. Indeed her mother wasn't always one to outright attack. But if you took out the supports a structure would crumble just the same. "Connor-" She said, her voice coming out chocked. She didn't know what else to say. What to do.

Solara hadn't chased her words with more. Her mind was a mangled mess of thoughts and confusion. Worries. Concerns. Her brows were drawn down over her dark umber eyes as she tried to make sense of it all. She was staring at nothingness when the soft brush against her arm startled her back to the present. She looked at Connor as if surprised to find him there. Her eyes widening but then her head dipped in a soft nod of understanding. Yes, it hardly seemed safe with their presence known. She fought against the momentary need for support, for lingering contact to perhaps calm the storm of her mind. She wasn't that person. She wasn't weak. And so the fingers that had twitched for the reassuring contact of Connor instead curled into a fist against her side and she moved purposefully toward the saddles.

She moved quickly, with purpose. Her eyes on occasion darting to the wilderness surrounding them but never hearing so much as a ruffle of leaves. She hefted her saddle up onto the stallion who snorted unhappily. Cinching it tight around his belly once he breathed out, being stubborn he had tried to make things difficult. They had hardly had long enough to breathe but at least that meant they would have little to pack up. Once she had her things strapped to the saddle once more Solara hefted herself into the saddle and waited for Connor to join her. Her dagger was once again in its sheath and her eyes peeled for danger. But it seemed on this day all she would receive was a letter that would shake her world. A death threat with a due date.

What should she do? It wasn't in her to surrender to someones will just because they tried to blackmail her. But it wasn't just her life being toyed with. It was Enzos, Connors, Connor's sister. They had been pulled into this mess because of her. Solara kept her expression forcibly blank, revealing nothing of the turbulence beneath although the quick hammering of her heart could be detected through the creamy skin of her elegant neck.

"You lead."

She didn't want to ask where they might be headed. Not wanting to give any listening ears a heads up on where to find them.

Solara had kept her eyes low, trying to avoid the commanders gaze if he did happen to look at her. Sadly he could see right through her most times, something she didn't wish for in that moment. Thankfully it took him little time to get atop his mare and with a squeeze of her heels, the soft sound of a click of her tongue, her mount followed the mare. As they moved she was struck by the impression that instead of moving around the mountains, just skirting their range as they had been. They were now heading straight into them. But still, she did not speak. Trusting Connor's judgment to lead them. Time passed, much too much time for a woman to be trapped with her own thoughts. Connor's sudden speech made her look up to see him sliding from his saddle. A small cabin that she hadn't noticed while being lost in thought, before them. Thankfully her stallion appeared to enjoy having another horse to follow. Without that she would have likely lost the commander and the paint a good half hour ago.

The pack? So they were on werebeast lands then. Before he could finish speaking words were conveyed into their minds. Solara jerking back from the suddenness of it. Even more startling was the wolf that would dart from the underbrush in a dark flourish. Her sudden appearance caused a startled snort and a sudden rear from her high spirited stallion. "Dammit!" Solara leaned as close to his neck as she could to keep her center of balance low. Her fingers twisting into his mane to keep her in her saddle. Once he was again on all four hooves she would jerk one rein back to force him to spin. Three repetitive movements later the high strung horse was snorting and breathing heavily, but no longer trying to take off and abandon his rider.

Solara patted his neck a few times and looked between Connor and the beast that she knew to be a were. Otherwise, the voice in their heads would not have existed. Solara felt the urge to snap at the beast rising in her chest but resisted it. If barely. Her emotions were already much higher than she would like them to be given the prior events of the day. Recalling the conversation with Connor she felt certain she knew who the vixen would be. Alvina. The way she spoke said that she knew him, and he had admitted that he knew her and that it wouldn't go well if he brought someone here. Well...he had been right, apparently.

Solara petted her stallions neck again and slid from the saddle. She led him over to a small tree where she would tie him firmly then turned her attention back to the wolf. "You must be Alvina." She said, dipping her head ever so slightly after speaking as if in a silent hello. "We meant no harm, it is my fault we were forced here. Apparently, my days are numbered." She sighed and ran a hand over her face. She felt so drained and overwhelmed by it all, it didn't even feel real. But it was, and that was unfortunate. "I am Solara, I run what used to be a horse ranch within Mir. Near Cendra. We were trying to regain some of my stolen stock when we were forced here." She was trying to give the woman information without laying her cards on the table in their entirety. But she saw no reason to lie about the details given thus far.

Solara crossed her thin arms and looked too Connor then. Not smiling nor revealing any hint of her normally mischievous self. She had too many thoughts rolling through her head to be so carefree. "I hope you can forgive our intrusion. If I owe reparations for trespassing I will have them sent to you." Of course her coin was rather low at this point, she was working on rebuilding. But she didn't want to be on the bad side of the werewolves either.

Solara felt as if she were watching a story unfold when she had skipped the first few chapters. She didn't recall Connor saying that Alvina had been his contact but it was possible that detail had been forgotten in her excitement. Solara's own comments were brushed to the side carelessly and she fell silent. Her thin shoulders held back and rigid although not because of the presence of the wolf. Connor was exchanging words with her easily enough and Solara used the time to study both of them. Noting the lack of tension in the Commanders form, the simple term that had silenced the werewolf's further questioning rather aptly. Her dark eyes followed the beast but remained on those brush after she had gone. Only being brought back from the recesses of her own mind when Connor spoke.

She turned to him, her expression one of confusion as she hadn't really heard him but was forced to repeat the words in her head to make sense of them. "I'm aware." At his decision to get settled she nodded and moved around his horse to get back to her stallion. Removing his saddle he hefted it up and moved toward the cabin where she would drop it beside the small stash of wood. Her thin fingers working at the trappings to pull her belongings free. It had been a little foolish to leave her bed roll back at the ranch but she had been eager to get moving. The cabin should at least be more welcoming than the cold damp earth...maybe. Figure out their next step, he had said. Little could he know that she had all but decided.

She looked back to see Connor, a fleeting glance before she twisted the latch that would allow her entrance into the cabin. For someone who had spent the last few weeks sleeping on the ground, it looked pretty welcoming. It was a bit musty but was apparently not abandoned, just not having long standing occupants. Solara sat her things down on the small table that sat near a window and made her way over to a small stove. Kneeling in front of it she twisted the mechanism that would allow extra ash to fall. A small piece of flint and metal were laying near and after gathering a bit of the provided kindling she would coax a fire to life.

She had heard his footsteps although she wasn't sure if he had entered while she toyed with the fire or not. She pushed a small piece of cut wood onto the immature fire and waited for it catch before she would introduce another. Her words came suddenly although it was something that had obviously been on her mind for a while. "You should go home, Connor." Her words were soft but firm, her aim to leave no room for argument. "I already know what I need to do." She didn't turn to look at him but calmly fed another piece of wood into the hungry cavernous mouth of the iron beast. "And it's not something you can help me with." Once she was certain the new pieces of wood had caught she swung the door shut and stood, dusting at the sooty stains on her fingers and knees.

She didn't look at the commander because she knew him. He knew her. He would see right through her in an instant and he would push at her, try to prove her decision to be lacking. She just didn't have the strength left for that today. She sighed and pushed a dark curl behind her ear, unknowingly leaving a streak of ash across her porcelain cheek. Solara crossed her arms and leaned against the wall near the stove to drink in its warmth, and to keep her from giving in to her weakness and desire to find comfort in Connor.