A crowd had formed, which was to be expected given the circumstances.
Shae Vestii, still an understudy in the academy of battle, had just been challenged to a
duel by Sormme Dernst, a veteran in the war known far and wide for his prowess and
accomplishments in battle.
"Very well,"  She agreed, a wicked sparkle in her eye, "but since your interest
is purely physical, so shall be the duel.  Can we agree to no outward magic?"  By this,
she had evened the odds for herself more tham the veteran could understand, as it
wasn't so much she was unskilled with outward magic, but for an elf, she had almost no
ability to use it whatsoever.  This inability to use magic was well-known among her
classmates, but such information would not have been considered important enough to
spread outside those who already knew much of her.  "Also, should I win, what shall be
my reward?"
Sormme chuckled at her latter remark, though decided to answer in order. "It
is agreed that no outward magic shall be used, and since neither of us wear a mage's
tunic, I hardly think that tidbit holds much of a difference.  As for if you win, I wouldn't be
so much concerned with that."  He retorted with a smug smile, already invisioning how
he expected the rest of the day to go.
Shae's eyes narrowed, and everybody in the crowd who studied with her
could not help but divert their eyes for a second.  Sormme expected an easy victory, but
they knew Shae was something fiercer than he expected, both in skill and in the fortitude
to continue on through dire circumstances.  In fact, after her first few weeks at the
academy, only certified mages had ever bested her in a duel, to include their instructors,
and had to render her unconscious to achieve victory, for she did not know what it was to
forfeit.
"Humor me." she nearly hissed, "I am putting forth my body for a night of
copulation, and possibly subjecting myself to maternal responsibilities rather than
finishing my training and joining the war.  Surely you have something of nearly equal
value to wager."
He eyed her, a hint of distaste in his expression. "So be it.  If you manage a
victory, I will submit a referral upon your graduation to assign you to whichever command
you wish to go, as well as outfit you in battle dress equivalent to what I would wear to
battle, made by some of our finest blacksmiths and enchanters."
Shae considered it, quickly deciding that his offer was acceptable.  She had
far more to gain than lose now, and defeating him would only cost him a some pride, but
a small enough amount so that she would not make an enemy of him. She nodded her
consent, immediately turning to grab a sheathed, dulled sword and dagger. She
attached the sword to her waist, and the dagger to her outer thigh, noting that Sormme
opted to only use a dulled sword.
They stood approximately fifty feet from one another, the crowd encircling
them at a distance, making an almost perfect circle around seventy-five feet in diameter.
 Shae began the bow first, being the junior by far, though never took her eyes off of her
opponent.  She watched for him to begin to rise, for the moment he did the duel would
have officially begun.  Muscles tensed, she noted the first movement upwards from him
and sprung forward into a sprint.  It had little to do with surprise factor, even if he was
taking her lightly, she doubted highly he would not be on guard by the time she reached
him, even with her speed.  However, she figured her confidence would lead him to think
her foolish and unprepared for his level of opponent, and she had every intention to show
him exactly what he was looking for.
She favored ever so slightly to his left, for he was holding his sword in his right
hand, and she saw her idea had worked.  He was bracing to defend from his left as she
closed within ten feet, so as she veered suddenly to his right side, planted harshly and
struck at him, he was forced to defend off-balance, and put him on a defensive as she
did not hesitate to strike again and again, trying her best to prevent any possibility he'd
have to counter or attack, though never discounting the possibility and watching for it, for
she respected the experience he had over her.
Several blows were narrowly dodged or parried before he was able to
achieve a good footing.  As he did, she had to switch into a balanced style rather than a
pure offensive, and they danced around one another in a flurry of attacks, parries, side-
steps, and counter-attacks that many of those observing could hardly keep up with. She
slid to the side of what seemed to be a risky thrust, moving to take the advantage by
sliding around to his rear, when she felt his hand grasping her arm.  She immediately
glanced towards his sword to see he had flipped it in his hand and had it pointing
towards her again.  He went to stab at her again, forcing her to propel herself airborne,
twisting to move her body over the sword while still constrained by his grip.  She herself
avoided any contact, but the process had loosened her grip enough that when their
swords met as she was still airborne, hers was knocked free, and kicked several yards
away as it hit the ground.
Shae quickly hit his wrist harshly to free herself.  Nevertheless, without a
weapon in-hand, she was unequivocally on the defensive, forced to side-step and
backpedal to avoid his attacks.  Finally, she was able to reach her dagger, side stepping
once more before committing to a swipe at Sormme's stomach.  He spun away from it,
raising his sword to bring it down towards her.  During the brief moment his back was to
her during his spin, he failed to noticed the fact she had also continued her swipe into a
spin, and had unclipped her sheath from her waist.  As her spin brought him in front of
her, she swung her sheath upwards into his face.  He reeled backwards in pain, and was
caught again off-balance as she propelled herself into him and tackled him to the
ground.
Landing several feet from where he was knocked of his feet, with Shae
landing with her elbows in his solar plexis, Sormme was too winded to grab for her
quickly enough.  She pressed herself firmly against him to avoid his first attempt to grab
her, then wrapped her arm around the back of his neck, the dagger pressed firmly on his
throat.  Even if he wasn't winded, any attempt to move her arm or his neck would slice it
open, were the blade sharpened.  They lay there for a few more seconds before
Sormme sighed aloud.
"I concede."  He voiced humbly, Shae removing the dagger from his neck.
For the first time, he found himself looking directly into her eyes, astonished.   He
wondered how he hadn't noticed it before the duel, for they were the most intense eyes
he'd ever seen.  Even as she relaxed, they remained fierce, revealing the fact that her
being was that of a warrior, a realization that distracted him from the fact she had
lingered a moment longer than necessary before getting up, causing a short giggle from
a classmate of hers.
Once up, she offered her hand to assist him getting up, which he accepted
and dusted himself off as he got to his feet.  "Well, it seems I have to make
arrangements to get those battle garments made.  Contact me when you graduate to
ask for that referral, though do understand even with my reputation, there will be no
guarantee."
"Oh, I don't think I'll have to reminded you.  You see, the next exam is only in a
month's time, and I'm quite confident I'll pass.  As for where I'd like to go, just give your
battalion leader the refferal, telling him that the academy's top graduate would like to join
his battalion.  Specifically, under his most notable and experienced captian. "  She
voiced, thinking a little flattery would go a long way, given the circumstances, and the
surprise on his face made her smirk.  "I'm sure you can tell I'm already quite skilled,
many less experienced captains would have little or nothing to truly teach me."
"So you're requesting to train under somebody you've already bested in a
duel?" he inquired cautiously, to which Shae laughed openly.
"Do you believe me so foolish and arrogant to truly think myself better than
you?  I simply took advantage of your lack of knowledge as far as my skill went.
Besides, you are the first person to put me on a defensive without the use of magic.
Now, let's get going."
"Going where?"  He inquired again, lifting an eyebrow.  "You owe me nothing
yet, for I lost the duel."
Blushing was not something that Shae was accustomed to, nor were those
around her used to seeing it.  "Oh, I remember who won."  She quickly explained, "but
without proper measurements, how do you expect to acquire those garments.  I'd like
them waiting for me when I report to the battlefront, afterall."  She finished, the blush
once again gone, and her expression once again intense.  Without a word, he nodded,
and followed suit.

Name: Xiantic (Zie-ahn-tick)

Race: Human

Hair: Unruly, dirty blonde, about four inches in length. Bangs hang down to just above eyebrows.  Hair is overall thick and ragged.

Eyes: Dark green with slight blue tint.  Distant and unrevealing.

Face: Small scar on left cheek.  Traces of facial hair, but not significant enough to be called a beard.  Expression is generally cold and distant. (Not so much true in the stories on this blog, but moreso something that occurs over time due to the war.)

Height: 5'8"

Build: Xiantic is shorter than the average man, but stout.  His frame could be considered comparable to a taller dwarf, but due to the lack of facial hair, and awkward stance, he is never mistaken as one.

Attire: Simple clothing, no military uniform.   He wears his loose fitting, dark brown trousers and a tan cloth shirt that he used when back working at the farm.  His clothing is stained with both dirt and blood from the battles he's been in, stains unable to be completely removed. Wears leather gloves on both hands with family crest on back of hand.

Crest: Full moon, partially covered by a fluffy cloud.  From the edge of where the cloud covers, an eye is half uncovered, as if looking at you.  The eye is not immediately noticeable unless paying attention, but has a weird feel abut it, as if it were not just part of a picture.

History:  He witnessed his father's death when he was just six years old, immediately after, fainting.  Ever since then, Xiantic has not shown much interest in being a warrior.  While his two older brothers always practiced with a sword and bow, Xiantic simply tended to his duties on the farm.  When both his brothers joined the war against the elves as soon as they were of age, he stayed behind to take care of his mom and sister.

About two years later, one of his brothers, Luce, was sent back home with one eye sliced open.  Unable to fight anymore, it was deemed he was still capable of taking care of the farm, which left Xiantic eligible to be drafted.  No more than six months later, he was recruited.  His lack of skill kept him out of direct battle for a few months, but it was soon noticed that Xiantic had a knack for surviving things he shouldn't, especially with just mediocre swordsmanship.  Not only that, those near him seemed to have a better chance at survival.  It soon was simply stated that Xiantic was both lucky and something of a good luck charm.

Name: Shae Vestii (Shay Vest-E)

Race: Elf

Height: 6'2"

Hair: Long, glossy brown hair that flows down just past her waist.  Very straight and neat, that somehow, even in rapid, jerky motions does not tangle or mat up.  Bangs are fairly long, sometimes covering her left eye, but usually brushed above it.

Eyes: Deep blue.  Intense at all times as if always examining things intently.

Face: Despite years of battle, her face is unscratched and soft.  However, like her eyes, her expression can only be described as intense.

Ears: Not quite as tall and pointed as a typical elf, however not enough so to be confused for a human's.

Build: As like all elves, her body is in peak physical condition.  Her entire figure is thin, but hardly fragile.  Even a quick glance would ensure that despite her thin form, she is very formidable and strong, as every inch of her body holds lean muscle with only the fat necessary for health. In battle, she would be seen as an extremely dangerous opponent, however upon a friendly meeting, her near physical perfection would easily catch the attentions of any male, even in comparison to other elven women.

Bust: 36D (Oh, come on.  Everybody would be wondering if I didn't put it out there.)

Attire: Everything she wears is a majority leather, with some cloth for aesthetics.  The only exception is her necklace, which has small stones braided together for a chain and a larger Moon's Eye stone held in the middle(a dark black stone when looked at appears to flow rather than be purely solid in color). Her chest is covered in a tight, padded leather brazier. Her lower abdomen remains mostly uncovered to her waist.  From her waist down, she wears skin-tight leather pants.  Her gloves cover most of her forearm, leaving enough room for comfortable full range of motion in all situations.  

History: Shae Vestii was never in what was considered to be within the average. First off, and what was noted quickly, she had absolutely no skill in external magic.  About all she could do was create a small light around or near her hand, and nothing more.  For an elf, this was highly odd.  However, she excelled physically, even above and beyond that of more experienced and trained elves. It was soon suspected that all her magic was for some reason solely directed to the enhancement of physical ability (a primary reason all elves are generally more physically capable than humans, but most only use 25-50% of their magical potential in such a way, and few can purposely vary how much).  So, rather than trying to redirect it, which would take decades of practice, or perhaps even prove impossible, she focused on her physical prowess.  Every sense is higher than her brethren, her reflexes even faster, and her strength greater, and aim truer.  It is suspected that it also plays an effect on her seemingly flawless hair and physique.  

Due to her abilities, she quickly rose through the ranks of the elvish army once the elf-human war broke out.  Since mages tended to focus more on their status in their councils or houses, her lack of magical ability, and therefore, affiliations made such rise through ranks easier.  It was only five years before she was in charge of her own battalion, two-hundred strong.  Under her command, they rarely suffered a loss in battle, and for that she was given several honorable mentions by every commander she worked for, until eventually the Head General of the Elvish Army employed her and her battalion as his personal task force.  They would be sent in for more important and dire battles, claiming success in every task they undertook.  When not on a mission, they stayed as the Head General's personal guard.  

Fifty years into the war, while Shae was given a leave of absence to pay respects to her brother, lost in a raid from a hidden colony of Drow near her home city.  With the Head General's permission and support, she took the rest of her battalion to hunt down and dispatch the Drow colony, as much of a necessity for her people as it was retribution for her brother's murder.  Drow nearby never ended well, and if not dealt with quickly, could very well do more damage in a few months than the humans had the entire war.  However, shortly after accomplishing this deed, word came with news.  The Head General had fallen victim to an assassination in their absence.  However, the elves would not be leaderless.  Apparently, decades ago the Head General himself had appointed his successor, and there had not been a single voice of discontent.  Shae Vestii was to be the Head General of the Elvish Army. 

Alrighty.   This is a blog to tell short stories to spark up interest on my (hopeful) to-be book, Unregistered.  These stories will all be either small anecdotes of the two main characters prior to the start of the book, or just the world in general.  To note, in none of these stories will our characters ever interact with one another, as they first meet at the beginning of Unregistered.  However, these stories will almost certainly offer a more in-depth view at our characters and desires of theirs that may not be so evident in the books due to more pressing issues.  Also, it will definitely offer up some teasers of the world to come, and to a very observant and similar thinking individual, possible spoilers.  But I wouldn't count on it, just a possibility.

I plan on posting a minimum of twice a month, with a hopeful of once a week.  However, until perhaps next summer, it may be sporadic.  Either way, just bear with me and let me know if you're waiting.  If I know there are people wanting to read, I'll make a bigger effort to post.

First things first, I'm going to get some character profiles up.  I will start out with what I can think of at the time of the post, but it may be wise to check out these profiles ever so often.   I will highlight any changes/additions in italics, and will not de-italicize them until both a month has passed, and a new edit has come in.  So to confirm, if I edit twice within a month, both will remain italicized until the next edit.  Unless 6 months or greater passes, I will not remove italics on changes.

Well, that's it for my first post, as I want each character profile to be its own, individual post.

P.S.  All characters and ideas for world settings described in this blog are my property and for my use only.  If you would like to borrow any of the ideas on this blog, ask.