THE WALKER RANCH

As he was about to say that would be fine he heard Brian shout to two men who were not taking things seriose. "Humm , trouble in the ranks" he said looking at the two men then back to Brian with a smirk " mischief during practice means lack of concentration nd that kills. " he said flipping open the catch to his own holder "well whens my turn? " he asked turning to face Brian.

"Exactly," Brian said, "That's why I'm tough on them. I feel like their lives rest in how well I prepare them. Sometimes they get really angry at me for that, but oh well. That's just part of it. Ok. I'm setting the training dummy for a series of drills. It will be designed so that if you defeat it, it will resurrect a number of times until you pass the highest level I set it at. I'm sure you've been through all this before."

Brian set the training dummy and set it to act. It snapped to attention. "Its ready whenever you are," Brian said. "Go to it."

Steven stepped out in front of the dummy his wand quickly flying to his hand as he stood ready. He looked to Brian then cast “Defodio” waiting as the spell did its job of hollowing out the dummy once done he sent “Diffindo” cutting it to shreds as he moved his wand back and forth. His eyes never leaving it for a moment as he watched it repair and attack again he dodged it now slipping off his heavy over shirt t leave him in a thinner tee shirt under witch could be seen a black out line of a bear paw on his upper arm.

'Not bad," Brian smiled. "Not bad at all. But can you battle me?" he asked. "You take a break for a moment," He said going to a cooler and opening it and tossing him a bottle of icy cold water. "I'll go get your work clothes for tomorrow night. I want you fresh when you stand up against me. " He disappeared down the stairs, leaving Steven to rest for a moment.

steven caught the bottle of water and opened the top to drink he also watched as Brian disapered. he wondered whee he had gone but at teh same time was glad. He moved around the room looking at all the equipment around the room more dummies and ropes and things all placed around the room ready and waiting for the training of a recruite..

Brian went into the closet in his own quarters and drew out plain muggle jeans, black leather running shoes--really good ones, a black leather motorcycle jacket, and a plain white t shirt. He wanted Steven to look rather plain. He wanted him to blend in. He somehow didn't feel these clothes would be all that strange from what Steven wore anyway, except they had more of a European flair than American cut clothing. It would make him fit in better. And he knew he had the size close enough that if it wasn't exact, Steven could alter them with his wand.

He went back up and handed him the bundle of clothing. "Check those out. See if that will work for you," he said, "You have to look more European than American tomorrow night. You have to fit in."

steven took the clothes and sliped off his own tee shirt . thee on his arm sat the dark tato of a bear claw foot print he saw Brian loking at it "Cherrekee worrior mark, was given it when i was married" he said quickly slipping on the shirt nd trousers "nice not much to alter " he said and with a wave of his hand he made then fit better. then he turned to Brian "so you said this time it would be you" he said looking at him as he tied the holster back arund his leg.

"Yes," Brian said, drawing his wand but leaving it in a resting position. "Do you think you can take me?" He moved into the center of the floor, and some of the other men cleared room for Brian and Steven, deciding to sit down with water bottles and watch. It was always a rare treat to see Brian duel just for practice or testing. Brian usually practiced alone or with Robert. It was just something they didn't see often. Brian was putting his own reputation as a leader on the line every time he tested a member. He had to be able to stand his ground. It was a risk he had come to know well, but if he couldn't be well skilled, then he wasn't fit to lead in Robert's place someday, as Robert intended he would. He wanted to live up to that inheritance always, and took it deadly seriously. Besides that, he held each life of each member in his hands, and that was more serious than any inheritance.

steven watched Brian and when he said could he take him he just smiled and held his wand down waiting for his first move "after you" he said in a bowing gesture" his musles tensed waiting fo the first spell to be cast he was wel aware of teh sdiance they had but ir was not for his benifit more Brians . one thing less he ahd to worry about making it easy for him to concentrat on his casting and spell defence.

Brian bowed, following the rules of etiquette, and snapped his wand up at the ready. When he saw Steven do the same, he paused and thought he would start easy. "Expelliarmus!" he fired at Steven.

Expelliarmus--disarms an opponent.