A/N: Bow to Arista for there is no beta reader before her...atleast for me. Also short chapters I need to focus on...therapy is getting intensive so gotta refocus on personal goals and my bachelors. Just don't expect long chapters from me for this one...got a looot to cover.
"One, two, tree, four, please tell me we're done." Sweat was pouring on the ground and the weather was not helping the situation.
"Twenty more reps then you can take a break. So less talk, more kicking." Bato chuckled.
"Well riddle me this sir. Do you have to eat in front of me?" Durga could smell the mutton, that was placed five feet away, as she swung at Briley holding up the punching bag. Bato looked at an invisible spot on the floor, hiding a smirk.
This was the usual affairs in the building since Durga joined Athenril's gang. The three going over a specific training regime for each fight used the top floor constantly. Nothing special or extravagant was planned seeing, as the basics were enough. Briley was not much in the looks department with his wiry frame, brown hair, and dull but the man could take a punch. Bato on the other hand was more a ginger with blue eyes, yet he was nasty with his punches. They fitted well with Durga keeping to the basics of a proper fighting stance. If you can call kicking out a knee; or punch out some teeth as 'proper fighting.' Overall, it was something all both elves had in learning in the Alienage. Durga knew better from experience herself, but she was just a lucky Shem working with Athenril. It felt odd at first, but she was ecstatic to be working with 'her' people again.
It felt like being home and the family she missed.
Briley sat the bag down shaking out his arms from holding and feeling the force of Durga's kicks. He was grinning with exaggerated movements as Durga began stretching out her sore muscles.
"So, Briley, you think I'm good enough for a one hit kill for tomorrow night?" She lay out on the floor looking pleased and exhausted.
"Well Hawke if you work on your feints and follow ups more it would have been over for any other fighter. But since this is the champ we are talking about you can go all out during the third or fourth round." He sat down next to Bato, who handed him a bowl while making one for Durga.
"I dunno Briley; I mean the champ is known to fight dirty out when big money is involved. I say you should keep to your defense and slowly wear him down through fatigue. You do have an amazing well of stamina." Durga nodded at his points going over the plan in her head.
"Still I have to make sure I don't over exert myself since rumors are all about the party afterwards." Durga took a spoonful of her meal missing the obvious eye contact between her trainers.
"What rumors and what party? Cause if Athenril is holding one I could use a party involving a pay raise." Briley grinned tearing into his bowl.
"Oh it's nothing, just heard it from the usual idiots walking by the Hangman. Talking about it as if it were not a secret. If anything I would bet it's just Athenril showing off how much money she made off the fights, going over my contract or showing me off for another extravagant event." Durga's eyes lit up with mirth at the ideas playing off Athenril's greed.
Bato grimaced at her choice of words trying to hide the obvious pain in his eyes. He pushed his bowl away moving suddenly to their first aide box going over the contents finding something important. This earned a curious look from Durga as she ate her meal with worry. Briley read the change in atmosphere decided to ease Durga's discomfort. Standing up He walked over to her seat with a stern look.
"Hawke if those rumors you heard going around are true, then we have to prepare earlier than expected for the fight. Meaning you should cut training for today and get yourself prepared." This earned a raised eyebrow in silent question towards Briley wanting to know more behind his words. "What I'm going to assume is Athenril might plan to show you off like a prize bull here and in the Free marches."
This filled the room with silence, with the occasional shuffle from Bato, clicking the aide box close with a huff before pointing out a slender finger. "It means you better start packing up to travel woman. We're going to a possible tournament."
The smile that erupted from the woman was enough to give several harden Templars a permanent smile. The enthusiasm flowing off from Durga could have been pure contact high, or the occasional leakage of healing magic. Remembering how much time there was left in the day she ran out the door saying rushed 'good nights', hurrying back to her hovel to prepare for the life changing event. Bato looked at the vacant space that a few moments ago held a vibrant woman told to go home like a schoolchild. He turned his head to Briley, who denied look at the same vacant spot, walked towards him with a grim face. Kneeling down next to him, Bato felt the pressure of his hand caress his back out of reassurance to calm him.
"Pack up Bato. We need to get ready for tomorrow night." Eyes glance around the room.
"I know Briley; just give me a minute to mentally prepare for this. I don't do well unless I'm ready."
"I know, Ba-ba, I know." Another gentle caress to ease away future tension makes Bato's back ramrod straight. Briley takes this action as his cue to leave the room giving Bato his space. He walks away towards the door opening it, knowing he won't be crossing the threshold ever again. Stopping in his tracks Briley leaned onto the doorframe.
"Bato. This will be our last job then no more." He looked behind to watch Bato open up the aide box pulling out a vial. "We need to make this on count."
Bato stared at the vial as the contents swirl with purple luminescence ignoring the other elf. There was something pleasant in watching the colors change into a full spectrum of reds and blues. Something simple and endless in it's' cycle that showed a natural change, unless shaken from an outside force
Then again, Bato did not think it was best to question on all sudden thinking.
The wind was picking up its usual smell of liquor and desperation in Lowtown tonight. Something that was more suited to Darktown's taste and its' inhabitants crawling through muck and surviving. Of course, one would have to frequent Darktown to make such an assumption of the residents and living condition. However, for Lady she made no intention of ever venturing there, unless it was to sink her jaw into whoever harmed her mistress. The wolf looked over at Durga, whom was currently going through her miniscule belongings. Some were brought from Fereldan, the rest acquired as necessities from her share of the winnings. Add all of that up and it still wouldn't be enough to reach Lady's height.
Lady only yawned placing herself atop the bed ready to act as guard- and temporary teddy bear since Durga was a sleeping cuddler like a newborn cub- for another night. This time it decided to stay vigilant due to the odd smell that set her fur on edge. Something to that smells reminded Lady of the Wilds, whenever hunters were after her and her pack.
Lady felt movement on the bed as the weight of her bedmate was fidgeting. It seems Durga could not go to sleep faster. Maybe she was just as anxious from the feeling as well. Tail twitching against a shaking leg calms the both, for only a second, before Durga lets out a small healing spell.
"Might as well be fully rested, in both body and mind. You're going to watch me aren't you Lady?" A soft growl and nuzzle are her replies. "Thanks girl. Don't know what I do without you. I probably end up insane, lonely or in the gallows. Bah, Andraste's left ass cheek don't want to sleep on a sour note. Good night Lady."
A quick snap of her fingers and the candles wisp out of existence. Lady twitches her ears listening to the breathing behind her and the eyes on the door in the corner. For some odd reason Lady feels like tightly coiled spring, waiting to loosen at the next movement. All instinct swimming under the surface for something hiding in the shadows. Another ear twitches as Durga presses into Lady like a child to their mother.
Lady remains vigilant watching over her 'cub' until this 'something' passes on. Instinct demands it.