The West Gate [POST HERE FIRST]

A centurion, like the guard before at the Port, stepped forward and spoke, "And what business do you have within. We are on alert, I would suggest not visiting the city unless you have business." The guards tone was actually cheerful even if his words were a bit rough.

The necklace was a silver chain with a Lion imprinted on it, a common religous item in Aaedan, "Aye its silver. Most of jewelery is. You might not have much luck buying here, most of us keep a tight grasp on these types of things. However selling here could get you a bundle."

However a Ranger Patrol was exiting the gates, the lead ranger heard her talk and though it sounded a bit suspicous and the Ranger, a muscled woman would tell her so. "You sound a lot like a theif." Her voice was solid and aged. The woman was an very experienced soldier and an ex-archidon (police). She narrowed her glowing green eyes at Birdie waiting for a response. The response would decide wether or not she would be let into the city.

The manuever pissed off the ranger. "I am my superviser. Optio-Legate-Rex Tania Alwhin, which is a noble house." She was glaring at the suspect. "Now that you know who I am, would like to be a bit more forthright with me?" Of course unknown to Birdie, any thief from any land could come and sell their wares at the market, they would have to pay taxes and not advertise their business but Aaedan had no problem being a selling point of goods stolen from out of their territory. After all its not their problem. But Birdie, new to the Kingdom did not know this and would probably start sweating right now. Horrible luck running into a high ranking noble who just happened to be leaving the city when Birdie was trying to enter. But Birdie could still play this off and get in.

The ranger drew her longsword. Her eyes seems to strike through Birdie. "You DARE! I hearby challenge you to a duel. If you win you are clear to enter the city. If I win... well I'm good with just beating your pretty fave until its unrecognizable." The Ranger had on ranger armor which was primarily leather and unpolished steel plates. And a black cloak. Her long sword was specially forged for her. A longer tapered blade that came to a fine point. "Of course you can refuse the duel and leave."

The ranger expected the cloak throw as it is a trick she used. She caught Birdies cloak with her free hand (right) and threw it to the right side. With her sword she would take the blade and move it in a downward arch towads the right knocking Birdies blade to the left. The ranger would step forward as her opponent did and give a quick sucker punch with her right hand to Birdie's nose. A dirty trick for a dirty trick.

The ranger repeated her manuever from before an arc to the right push the blade to the left. The ranger would again step in this this time with her mouth covered by her elbow. Why? Because the ranger would step inside the opponents guard and deliver a powerful back hand. The ranger would step back a couple steps after her counter attack. "You know, I see potential in you. If you had some proper training and equipment you would be one hell of a fighter. Your technique is good but you have to use a different manuver if your opponent can counter the one your using."

The Ranger didn't see the coins coming but experienced as she was she knew an attack was incoming. The ranger closed her eyes and sidesteps, the blade barely kissing her neck. Trickle of blood ran from the shallow wound, any deep and the jugular would be severed and it would take a mage to heal her. The sidestep was not the rangers only move. Quickly and with purpose the ranger would set her blade on the crook in Birdie's arm and take another sidestep. If Birdie didn't react quick enough the razor sharp edge would slice into the flesh between her forearm and bicep, slicing important veins and possibly ligaments.

This was the moment the ranger had waited on. The moment to strike her prey. The ranger leaped into the air, avoiding the attack. But the move was not only with the purpose of avoidance but a victory strike. The ranger would come down at Birdie, her blade aimed for Birdie's right shoulder. The blade was still being used with one hand. The ranger had her free can on a dagger sheathed at the small of her back, a bit of insurance if Birdie tried to play dirty again.

The ranger puller her dagger and set it to Birdie's throat. "No I won't. Your in Aaedan. We fought a legal duel and you lost." The Ranger stood lifting the dagger from Birdie's throat and pulled her sword from Birdie's collar.

While Birdie and Tania Alwhin had focused on the fight. The Ranger company, a total of 9, had surrounded them. They watched the duel. Now that it was over the witnesses would make sure Birdie wouldn't strike at Tania. If all went well they would leave with Tania.

Tania said to the guard, "Let her in, I have no more quarrel with her." She then made her way out to the patrols leaving Birdie to her frustrating defeat.