Courtyard Gardens: Tiras Lorn, Caemlyn

Large white stone surrounds the courtyard of House Hune. Set into the western wall is the gate, leading out of the manor. The manor house itself lies to the east. A large marble portico runs down the middle of the courtyard in a north/south direction, effectively dividing the large yard in half. It is large enough to hold several wagons, and contains the stables in the northwest corner. The half of the yard closest to the manor house is contained by the portico which runs along the courtyard walls as well, and connect to the house. This creates a covered walkway to protect you from the elements; shade from the sun, and a roof to keep off rain and snow. The ground here is paved with stone, with only a few weeds growing up here and there. In the center of the paved area is a square flower garden.

Darayn, Demonder

Walking in from the back of the manor is the young Lady of Hune. She pulls a long, woolen cloak about her shoulders, staying off the chill of the autumn months; winter finding a way to tell others that it will soon be settling in. Rennar sighs to herself, studying her hand. There appears to be a puzzled expression on her features as she continues more toward the front of the grounds.

Off in the practise area of the Courtyard, one could take notice of Demonder and Darayn. Both men have their respected weapons drawn, the broad-shouldered Demonder in a poor defensive position as he attempts to block the blade of Darayn. Needless to say he has no success at doing so, though he does attempt to take a few swipes at Darayn with the thick blade of his axe. "Not bad for Blademaster..." Demonder is heard egging on.

Stepping back for the briefest of moments, Darayn allows Demonder to recover while sparing the man an appreciative nod, "Oh, thank you for the gracious words," he says wryly before stepping in once again, closing the distance between the two and holding his sword in a defensive position, allowing the otehr to move first.

Sword clanging against axe can be heard clearly throughout the Tiras Lorn courtyard. Rennar pauses a brief moment, looking to spot where the sounds seem to originate. A curious expression comes to her eyes, then something of an impish grin. "He had best be getting rid of that belly." This is said mostly to herself, the distance between them still to far for the other Lord to hear. "Else they'll be thinking he's the one having a baby." She continues with her earlier jibe. Chuckling softly to herself, she starts toward the sounds, footsteps carrying her lightly to where the two men spar.

Demonder is one of those men at arms that either hits and gets his victory or leaves himself completely open for the counter attack. The broad man holds a wide stance as he steps forward toward Darayn. Its a good thing that he is able to either ignore Rennar's words or not hear them at all. Then again, there is that brief amused smile that flashes across his features. "And apparently you're not one of those weakling Blademasters..." he states with amusement, as though having battled a dozen in the past. In truth this is the first time he's ever dualed with a Blademaster, finding any man skilled with the sword difficult enough to defend against. With shifting feet, he fakes a swing over his head, though instead moves the heavy axe down into a side swing challenging Darayn's side.

Moving with a fluid and precise grace Darayn dances backwards as the flashing axe head traces it's deadly arc through the space vacated by the blonde Hune just a bare fraction of an instant before, the air distrubed by it's passing ruffling the edges of Darayn's shirt. Flowing forward a hair-breadth behind the passing of the axe the swordsman extends his weapon with the controlled speed of a striking viper, point of the weapon racing towards Demonder's chest.

Spying the lastest moves with axe and sword, Rennar halts abruptly, eyes widening more than a touch. For the briefest of moments, fear resides upon her face as Darayn's sword glides smoothly toward Demonder's chest. It takes moments to do so, but finally she pulls her gaze away from the two, unable to bear seeing whatever outcome this will bring, even in a friendly spar, unintending to hurt others.

The momentum from the swing of the axe shifts Demonder's body ot the side. His chest slowly begins to angle away from Darayn, though otherwise the passing axe is not lifted in time for any defensive measures. For all intense and purposes, Demonder is open to the strike of Darayn's sword. The axe just rounds the other side, Demonder attempting to dodge in the direction of convenience but with no speed to defend agains the swift sword of a Blademaster.

"Smaller strokes, Demonder," the swordsman cautions, blade point held with disturbing steadiness a bare feather's width from the others body, "Unless you're gathering firewood for camp," Darayn allows with a smile as he steps back a full pace, raising his blade in polite salute.

With no cries of pain having been emitted, Rennar turns her attnion once more to the sparring session. Seeing that no blood was shed, she lets out an audible sigh of relief. Once again, she commenses her travels across the courtyard. "Good evening." She finally addresses both cousin and husband.

Even with the steady point of the sword clearly haulting at Demonder's chest, the lord takes a near stumble back as his eyes focus on the shiney tip. After a few deep breaths, Demonder manages a half smile, and a nod in both thanks and with respect. "Few people know how to defend against an axe, I typically find success in disarming them if they foolishly try to block such a wide swing." Demonder inclines his head, lowering the axe for a moment. "A Blademaster battles with a cool confidence. I must remember that." Turning his head at the sight of his wife, Demonder's features do brighten. "Love, beautiful autumn day, is it not?" Those dark green eyes shift to Darayn with a light amusement."

Permitting the couple to greet in relative privacy, Darayn merely nods a greeting to Rennar as she approaches, "And to you, Rennar," he replies warmly as he sheaths his sword with a practiced non-chalance.

"A bit chilly." Rennar answers, pulling her cloak tighter about her to prove her point. She does grace Demonder with a small kiss, a peck really, on his cheek. "All is well here?" She inquires, eyes examining her husband in a studious manner, searching for any cuts or bruises that might be obvious to the eye.

"Cousin Darayn is a skilled swordsman," Demonder insures with an amused grin. "Unlike the others, he manages to prove his skill without tearing open a silk shirt." One arm moves around Rennar's waist in a brief hug, though he does step away to set the axe back in the loop that holds it at his hip. "The lesson is much appreciated, cousin."

Darayn shrugs in silent dismissal of the compliment, "It is of no moment, Demonder," he allows quietly, although a smile tugs at the edge of his expression. "And besides," he adds wryly, "I'd imagine I might very well not be quick enough with this blade to escape Rennar's wrath should I have treated you too roughly curing our bit of play."

There is an emphatic nodding of Rennar's head at Darayn's words, "Indeed, I do not think you'd escape me... if only to simply restrict Genette's cooking..." She grins slightly, adding, "from the both of you."

Demonder visibly gets shaken by that, looking to Darayn as though the Hune could offer some help in this. "I doubt one could keep Genette from feeding the handsome lords of the manor," Demonder points out, his arm moving around Rennar's shoulders. With a wink to Darayn, he goes on. "Besides, how could I best a Blademaster without training with one?" he asks next, curious on her response to that. That typically Demonder-playful tone is there.

Darayn snorts softly at Demonder's words of bravado, "A lofty enough goal, Demonder. I would think you'd have had your fill of lofty accomplishments," he adds with a none-too-subtle glance to the Hune Lady.

Rennar gently hugs Demonder back, leaning against him slightly. She chuckles softly, "Don't tempt me. I think Genette's had more than enough of late night snacking from everyone all around." She winks playfully herself, then sobers a touch. Reaching out a hand, she presents a ring. The rounded band is plain at the back, curving in front to a pair of finely-detailed hands cupped around a golden eye. A deep blue lapis lazuli sphere has been fitted as the eye's pupil. The pale gleam of the ring's gold suggests it is of the highest purity. Although gold is more fragile and pliable the more pure it is, the ring bears no scratches or dents, and it still forms a perfect circle, as if it has never been worn in by longtime wear. "I decided to wear one for a bit." This is explained to Demonder, "When fiddling with it, I noticed the eye can press in." This is said with some surprise. "But it won't pull out or anything of the like."

"The woman certainly sees to her way, doesn't she?" Demonder's question is to Darayn, though already he takes Rennar's hand in his to take a look at the ring. His thumb moves over the jewel, and he does depress it. "Rather curious. It is pressed but holds no obvious purpose?" Demonder playfully twists Rennar's hand as he examins it closely.

Darayn's expression is moderately disbelieving, "You don't actually expect me to answer that question, do you? Not right here in front of her?" he jests before falling silent once more, allowing the two to share a moment together.

Rennar's brow furrows, and she shakes her head, "None that I can see." She gives a small shrug of her shoulders, "I would have thought it a way to open a small compartment, like some of the rings I've seen other ladies wear at court." She glances between Darayn and Demonder, chuckling lightly.

Demonder peers at Darayn with a curious undertone, smirking a touch at the response. "Well, all I know is none would bother to develop a mechanism that would allow the pressing of the jewel without some purpose," this he says to Rennar, finally giving up on the ring (or rather too quickly). "A gift," he explains to Darayn. "Renni received a box with two rings of the same size, and with no hint of where it was from."

Darayn ahs softly, "Indeed? Gifts from unknown parties," the Hune Lord muses with a distant surprisingly thoughtful expression, "Interesting. No clues to the identity of this mysterious benefactor at all, eh?"

Rennar shakes her head a touch at Darayn's comments, "The only thing I can guess is maybe it was sent to the wrong place. A messenger delivered the package and one of the staff accepted it. There were no notes, nor anything to indicate where it came from>"

"Fortunate that the botton does not prick a poison," Demonder comments with a frown, still uncertain of what to make of it. "I suppose wearing the ring is not a bad prospect. If it was not meant for you, then perhaps some day the person would recognize the jewelry. It is unique."

Darayn seems a bit dubious of those conclusions, but dismisses whatever thoughts he had on the matter with a slight shrug, "Ah well," he sighs, "Perhaps this person's identity will become known, indeed."