SotFA Sidebar Story 1: Gamble

"There's no way you're betting on Orchids." Ragara Brilliant Opals said with a snort. The nails which gave her that name drummed along the bench at the training field of the Cloister of Wisdom.

Nellens Silent River gave a small smile in return and gestured to the two students circling one another on the field. The first was Cathak Incandescent Pyre, one of their stronger classmates. She casually flexed an arm as her greatsword rested lazily on her shoulder. Across from her was V'neef Gentle Ensnaring Bramble Orchids, who plucked at her bowstring absentmindedly, humming bits and pieces of a Melody as she watched a sparrow in a nearby tree.

Their instructor merely gave the signal for the match to commence. Incandescent Pyre surged forward and slammed her blade into the ground where Orchids once stood. The wood aspect had already moved, a trail of orchid petals following her in her wake as she swirled around Pyre and tapped the ends of her bow on top of Pyre's shoulder and behind her knee. The larger girl's limbs spasmed as she clumsily swung her massive sword in a wide arc. Orchids merely ducked under the blade and again tapped two other points on the larger girl's body prompting further spasms and retaliatory swings.

Yet with each exchange the swings grew more and more wild, Pyre's temper flaring until finally a storm of flames swirled around the field ripping apart the trees and wildlife in the area as she chased her foe. There was a small cry as a sparrow hit the ground. Orchid's eyes narrowed and as she tucked her bow under her right arm her left lashed out and four fingers struck Pyre's chest. The instructor's eyes widened as a black and green Thorn of essence was driven squarely into Pyre's chest, causing the girl to drop like a puppet with it's strings cut on the ground.

Silent River accepted the obol from Brilliant Opal as they watched Orchids nod and apologize profusely to an unconcious Pyre and their Instructor. Silent River gave a smug smile as he said, "Never bet against the Briar Witch"