Sparring in the sun

Neisa felt good, if she ignored the constant tingle in her chest now. She had strode out of the goldsmith's guild with Lassi, and the little bastard of a mammet Gigi had shouted something after her which Serendipity booted him across the room for again. She didnt care, she bristled with barely contained energy. Whether the it was different method of equipping had strengthened the rings or promising to get her own back on Lassi. She felt powerful.

She would be free of these ghosts, free of the bracers. And she could punish Lassi herself. But she still had more fights to win.

"Where are we going Neisa? There are monsters out here!" Lassi's mood had changed from this morning. Her teasing exuberance had been dulled and she seemed more than a little scared as Neisa strode ahead of her.

"Don't worry, i know a spot near here that's perfect for private spars. I can take care of any monsters we might see. Now keep up." Neisa kept walking fast.

They followed the natural stone walls around until they reached a stream. Its path had cut a natural gulley through the sandstone and Neisa waved Lassi though. They carefully walked along the stream bed until the gulley emerged into a wider clearing. Here an ancient pool had worn a wide basin in the stone, a waterfall cascaded down the stone at one end and fed the stream while the high walls shaded most of the little beach that lined the river.

"Waaaah! This is wonderful Neisa! A little paradise just for us." Lassi twirled into the canyon and took in the sight with renewed joy.

Neisa bit her lip, their journey to her hideaway had gone without any harassment from the hands and she worried a little about how they would react now. She put down her bag and unbuttoned her shirt before shrugging it off, leaving her in clad in shorts and a bra.

She flexed her hands and stepped into the centre of the canyon and waited. Lassi sat down by the waterfall and watched. She didn't wait long, the hands appeared before her again first the giant hands. They gave her a little silent applause and approached.

"I did what you wanted, but I'm not showing you without a fight! I'm going to beat you both this time." She dropped into her stance and beckoned the hands to strike. They mimed bowing to her, and lunged.

Her new jewelry helped her react near instantly, she blocked a strike aimed at her core and crouched before striking up into the invisible centre of mass. She struck home, and the hands staggered back raising shaky block before Neisa closed the gap and swept her leg out, catching the ghosts ankle and dropping him straight to the floor. As soon as the ghosts back hit the floor the hands vanished.

Lassi cheered and Neisa bounced in place, looking for her next opponents. The two familiar pairs of hands appeared and clapped for her. She bowed for them and returned to a fighting stance.