Jaelan held his blade steady. His arm was thrusted out in front of him as he silently observed the tall warrior. Sheered hair of sable reached to the shoulders matted down with sweat cradled the warrior's strong jaw. A pair of thick lips parted in silent surprise. They glimmered out at him with a small point sized mole glinting at the far corner, just to the right of the man's top bowtie lip. That small imperfection had distracted Jaelan just for a split second, but it was enough for the other warrior to masterfully flip back and pull his own blade.

It rung throughout the forest as he drew it forward, sharp end pointed at Jaelan's chest.

The almond eyes that had been staring at him openly were now narrowed into reptilian slits, mouth clamped shut into a thin line as he glowered from behind his blade.

"Very quick to reach for your sword, aren't you?"

Jaelan's brow creased at the sound of the man's deep voice. It taunted him like one would a rabbit to a trap.

"Pardon me," Jaelan lithely responded and gave his head a shake to remove the flyaway tendrils of hair from his eyes. "But it wasn't I who crept like a thief at my unsuspecting person."

"A thief you say?" Wylen snorted. His eyes continued to rake over the slender man's exquisite features with interest. "Do you happen to own this brook?"

Inwardly Jaelan winced, however he maintained an iron hold on his outward features. He was not willing to show the man absolutely anything.

"I do not, but that doesn't excuse the fact that you were indeed creeping towards me."

"I am just a weary traveler in need of a drink to parch my throat." Wylen grumbled. His tongue peeked out to lick at his chapped lips. "I have yet a long way to go and do not seek trouble from a woman faced boy."

Jaelan glowered and grit his teeth at the warrior's trite comment.

Womanly faced boy?

He would show him how such a face could skewer his heart in a matter of seconds. "I will cut you right where you stand for your insolent words."

"You?" Wylen snorted comically. He was completely aware that he was baiting the man but somehow, he found himself unable to stop or rather, unwilling to. "And what do I get if I cut you down first, I beg?"

"You needn't worry about that," Jaelan growled. He jutted out his chin and glared defiantly at the handsome warrior. "Before long your blood shall be mixing with the water of this brook, flowing down to the west where the boars shall drink it from the river."

Irked, Wylen scoffed. Who did this lanky fellow think he was?

"I think it shall be your blood painting these stones, pretty boy. I am not looking for a fight, but it seems that you are." His eyes followed as a drop of water disappeared into the navy tunic hugging the boy's chest. His tongue peeked out to lick at his lips again.

He was still thirsty.

"But…if by some chance neither of us are able to win…what then?"

"I doubt that shall happen," Jaelan grinned and dug his fingers into the hilt of his sword in barely restrained enthusiasm. "I am an excellent swordsman."

Wylen smiled, "We shall soon see."

And then he lunged. 

Jaelan blocked the attack without much effort, his nimble feet carried him quickly to the side as he swung his sword. He kicked off from a large grey stone and leapt into the air, whipping his body in an arc, he spun his blade with a war cry. It met with Wylen's sword in a tumultuous clash.

The vibrations of the metal reverberated into Wylen's arms instantly. Startled by the surprising amount of strength behind the attack, Wylen thrust his blade forwards and pushed Jaelan back before taking a cautious step away.

If it was possible, he was more intrigued by this fellow now than when he thought him a woman.

He could feel his strength from that singular blow. Again, he was amazed at how looks could be so deceiving. Who would have thought this lean, feminine looking man would have the strength of two battle trained horses? He blocked another attack and slid his foot across the damp ground just enough to let him lean back and avoid the whistling razor-sharp blade. He flipped back and gripped the stone firmly as he threw his weight into the air. His sword came up in a hidden technique taught to him by his father.

Jaelan barely managed to avoid it. He weaved his body to the side and up while his back arched as he somersaulted in the air and landed like a feline on the balls of his feet. Dust danced around them as the two warriors circled. Jaelan panted and parted his lips as he stared with newfound respect for the interloper.

The man knew how to wield a sword, and his technique deserved every bit of admiration he could muster. It would be such a shame to see his blood pouring out into the stream, Jaelan thought to himself as he spun to avoid another attack. I would very much like to learn that particular move…

"What is your name?" Wylen grunted out as he dived to the right and threw his sword into his other hand to block an attack from behind. He felt the burn in his muscles with every second that flew by.

Jaelan inhaled and sidestepped, twisting his arm to catch Wylen's sword. His body bent with the fluidity of water as he turned his head to catch the other's eye. "Jaelan of Ellos," he breathed out.

"Jaelan." Wylen repeated. He felt the name against his tongue while at the same time he pushed his blade against his opponents, lips quirked into a good-natured smile. "I am Wylen of Aldor."

For a reason he could not understand, Jaelan felt the sudden urge to grin. When he did, he could not help but notice that Wylen had grinned back. His eyes reflected kindly as he blocked another of his attacks.

"Tell me Jaelan," Wylen asked as he turned. His back bent over like a bridge as Jaelan lunged, sword forwards. "…Hmm...What would you be doing alone in the woods?"

Long hair flew behind him like a stitched shadow, he darted towards a tree. Leather boots ran up the rough bark and gave him enough momentum to flip in the air, sword aimed to slash. With a loud grunt Wylen managed to block the attack. His biceps rippled inside his green tunic from the exertion. He gritted his teeth together and then released a roar as he pushed back, flinging Jaelan and his sword away.

Jaelan caught his footing quickly and rolled along the forest floor, escaping what would have been a rather serious blow.

"Come now," Wylen breathed in, eyes crinkled at the sides as he gazed towards the panting warrior. "The least you can do is give me an answer…I have yet to even taste the waters here while you've already drank your fill."

Jaelan smirked and grew more open to this man with each passing moment. His kind eyes might have played a part in his reasoning but even so, he could not help but feel he had misjudged this warrior, Wylen.

"I have been tasked to travel up North." Jaelan leaped forwards, his sword caught the rays of light as his bright features became illuminated in the sparkling sun. "And as I am on a time constraint. I cannot dally here any longer."

Wylen ducked, his sword already aimed to strike. "That is quite the coincidence." He thrust it forwards, no longer surprised when Jaelan managed to bring his own blade to parry at the last second. "I too am traveling up North." He grunted, taking a step to the side to catch his breath. "…To…the mountain of seven...peaks…"

Jaelan stopped short and ebony eyes flashed at the warrior's words. His weapon fell to his side as he stared bemusedly at the panting man. Sweat peppered his forehead as his interest in the other intensified tenfold.

"That is where I'm headed." He said casually.

Wylen looked up, surprise reflected in his dark irises. "Wh-why are you going there?"

Jaelan grunted and sucked in his cheeks. He was never one to lie, but the journey he was forced to partake in held the lives of his clan in its fatal claws. Uncomfortable, he decided to bend the truth just a little bit.

"I am journeying alone so that I can bring back a foretold relic that will keep my clan safe from a prophesized war…apparently I, and only I alone can bring it back."

Wylen tilted his head to the side, finding the statement quite interesting.

"And why might I ask, are you traveling so far away?" Jaelan bluntly asked in turn. His sword still held tight in his hand.

The warrior licked at his dry lips. "If you would believe it…I am in search of an item that will too, keep my people safe." He stared boldly ahead, not in the least bit perturbed by his small white lie.

After all, he didn't know this man…trusting a complete stranger with the words of a prophecy brought to him by the feeble woman with unnatural blue eyes was a little much. He stood his ground and stared out at the long-haired warrior curiously.

Perhaps he was destined to meet this man...

Maybe he would be the one to lead him to this fallen sun with three thorns.

Weary, Jaelan furrowed his brow, "And what is this item that you seek?"

Wylen didn't know why the words left his lips. He wasn't even going to say them, but it was if some unforeseen force drew them from his tongue, giving them life and letting his voice ring out for all within the immediate radius to hear.

"A fallen sun with three thorns."

A mystifying relief flooded through Jaelan's veins. His limbs gave in to the light tremble while his mouth curved into a tight-lipped smile.

It was different. Their quests for divergent objects. 

"I search for the jade moon trapped in five shadows." Jaelan said without being asked. His eyes had lost their battle edge.

"Hmm," Wylen nodded. "It seems our paths were destined to cross."

"So it would seem."

The tall warrior smiled and sheathed his sword. "Then I take it you have changed your mind about killing me?"

Jaelan lowered his gaze. His cheeks flushed a little with tones of newly blossomed cherry flowers. "Well…I suppose."

"Wonderful." Wylen's grin widened, and he took a step towards the bubbling brook. "Now if you don't mind, I'll go drink this stream dry before the aching thirst kills me."

Jaelan smiled and allowed his features to return to their relaxed, natural state. "I doubt you'll be able to do that…this stream runs straight to the Ubal river."

Wylen shrugged and crouched by the stream. He all but stuck his face into the rushing water. Unlike Jaelan who had drank from its spring like a nymph, Wylen couldn't be bothered with drawing the water to his mouth. Instead, he lapped at the water like a dehydrated wolf and dunked his head into the cold liquid, swallowing in big gulps.

Jaelan laughed and sheathed his sword before running over to the oddly charming warrior. He bent down and started filling his water skin beside him.