Mana Wells

The next outpost they were planning on going to was on their border. Talia said the Baron Derek was going to suggest a hunt, more to show off Valentine's power to Kurt. Baron Derek was also at the first meeting with Layla so Kurt somewhat remembers the noble.

Their ride was a small wagon, with a few troops. Talia found herself in Kurt's arms on the ride. The problem was a bear den, or something like a bear on this side of the gate. Derek was sure his men could handle it. They had about two dozen, with another wagon in front of them.

They were entering a wooded area, with a path. They had some trees fell for lumber in the area. There was some wildlife, small animals that were similar to rabbits, but fur was different, their ears shorter.

"We really only have the one den that has a problem recently," said Derek, "usually the bears stay away just every once in a while you get a more aggressive family that moves in or grows to lead."

"I'm looking forward to sitting back and enjoying the show," said Kurt, "it may not seem like it but I usually want to avoid the fight entirely. They just keep finding me."

They came to a clearing that led to the cave, the den. The soldiers got off the wagon, Kurt, Talia, Derek and a guard stayed behind. This was supposed to show off their troops' worth. They had shields, spears and formation as well as slinger in the back. Kurt had seen the efficiency Talia could produce with it.

They had two distinct formations to the left and right of the entrance, about a dozen men each to a side. A single man came close to the entrance and made a loud shout, and came back to the right formation he came from. A roar bellowed from the camber. And a large bear with brown fur with streaks of black in came out of the cave, and rushed the left flank.

The left flank held a shield formation, the shield began to glow. And a defense shield of ether appeared. Their spear pointed strongly at the creature. Three rocks grew in the air growing into larger rocks as they flew and hit the bear, who shook it off. It wasn't the boulder that Talia had shot off but impressive anyway. The bear hit the formation and two spears stuck out of it.

Then two more bears came out of the cave, splitting to both flanks, one joining the first one, one heading in alone. The formations were working, and bears were being held back. Everything happened quickly once it started.

"Watch this," said Derek.

A man had managed to sneak behind the two bears. And had a sword, and made a slash in the air. It was similar to the crescent wave, but its color and power was different. The man swung again, and a slice in the back of each of the bears attacking the left flank bursted with blood. The bear's bodies gyrated. On the right flank one the spear men made a move in front of the bear swiping attack on the formation's shield. With perfect form the spear man struck the bear straight in its skull, piercing it as he jumped out of the way of the bear's momentum. The bear crashed into the ground. One down. Two to go.

The formations instantly started to pinch the other two bears together. The moment of the battle was clearly on the Valentine clan's side.

About then a Kurt heard a roar behind him, and their vantage point didn't seem as safe any more. Kurt turned and saw a fourth Bear standing tall on its hind legs. The bear crashed down onto its two legs. Above the bear a bright light formed a wide sword and swung true and swiftly. Separating the bear's head from its body.

"What the hell, who did that?" said Derek.

"I wanted to test out the dragon's blessing, it seemed like the perfect opportunity," said Talia, "I'm surprised it snuck up on us like that."

"So you can make light swords," said Kurt.

"Well that's how it worked this time, it was only yesterday."

"Let's just keep enjoying the show," said Kurt.

They turned back to see one of the bears had fallen to the squeezing maneuver, spears stuck out of its bodies from all sides. The last one was being overwhelmed by the number of troops. They were successful. It was only a matter of time. Afterwards the troops came back.

"So what did you think of Lord Kurt," said Derek.

"I was impressed by how well your formations held even when the attacks came. And how quickly you were able to move together when you gained an advantage. There were a couple more risky attacks, but you waited until they were at least partially distracted, or moving where you wanted," said Kurt. And the men seemed to enjoy the compliments, "however, as you can see behind me, my fiancee had to kill a bear coming from behind us. You didn't scout the area well enough. Luckily no one here was hurt." Kurt felt that was fair, how could you ignore their Baron Lady and Guest being attacked directly?

"Don't be too hard on them," said Talia, "I had fun taking the bear down after all, can't live life on the side lines."

"I would have been more than capable myself," said Derek, "and don't pretend you sir Kurt weren't thinking about what you could have done."

The simple exercise was finished. No one was injured at all, Kurt didn't have to do anything. The truth was the most impressive part was the fastest, Talia's light sword just appeared and swung and it was over, it was hard to even see, just a glowing object.

Talia came up close to him again, "that was actually perfect, me just doing that in front of Derek. And just enjoying ourselves. Trust me the impression was made, don't worry you can be critical."

"As long as you're with me, make sure I don't look too much like an idiot," said Kurt.

"A girl can only do so much."