Combined Training
Richard strode out into the training yard as the early morning light made the sky grey and bleak. With his Warder Cloak stirring behind him in the soft breeze and his topknot hanging to the opposite side of his sword hilt, he stood sternly, like an impossing cliff in front of his batch of recruits. It would be another teaching day.
"Present Swords for inspection," he barked, and the blades came out of their scabbards with dull rings and clacks as the recruits scrammbled to react quickly and smoothly. He started striding around, looking for a blade that was not up to par.
He didn't smile and more importantly, he didn't speak. Everyone knew if he wanted them to run with a nod of his head or a deeper scowl. Only five runners this morning. Richard figured two of them wouldn't make it past the next week.
"As for the rest of you, take a seat," Richard said, projecting his voice more then raising it. "You're about to learn the first few sword forms that all warders know. You will perfect these. They are the most basic but most crucial to know."
Richard started to pace. He loved sword forms. He even found time to practice them now, amidst his other duties. He hoped these lads would enjoy it as well.
Kell stood at attention along with the rest of the recruits. He presented his word with pride. His adopted had taught how to sharpen a sword when he was only 8 years old. It was actually the first thing he was taught as a blacksmith. He reminisced on the times he had sat in the forge listening to the rythmic beats of the hammer while he sharpened swords for his adopted father. He snapped back to reality when he was engulfed in the shadow of his instructor. He didn't say anything and that was a good thing. He looked at Kell's sword and passed on to the next recruit. Once the instructor had passed a couple more recruits he allowed him self a silent sigh. To be honest I was a little worried that it wouldn't be enough with the shape that the sword was in when I recieved it, thought Kell.
The First Four Forms
Richard took a deep breath and fell into Leopard in the Tree. He had to force himself to stay out of The Void. He could feel his legs complain and he shook it off. Growing old was definitly not an enjoyablepart of being a Warder.
"You will learn four forms today and the most important lesson a Warder can have. Please understand that this will be very draining, but it is the way to being who we are. This stance I'm in is called Leopard in the Tree. Feet sturdy beneath you, balance centered, bent knees to keep you ready for anything. To train with, your hand will be on your hilt. This is your ready position. You should never be caught unaware in this position."
Richard took another breath and put his hand on his hilt behind his shoulder. He remembered learning this all those years ago and it took a mental push to get himself going again with the lesson.
"I will come around and check all of you after I finish. Now, from the Leopard in the Tree, you have one form open to you. Unfolding the Fan."
With a pull and a swift slash down, his sword rang free, showing the class what a devastaing strike Unfolding the Fan could be.
"Now, as you can see, it is a powerful opening, and will look different from style to style. With the placement of your scabbards, it will be an upward slice. Now, when you have gotten your initial strike and your opponent falls back, you move into this position, Lion on the Hill."
Richard held his sword in two hands, hilt near his stomach, tip just below his eye line, the blade at a 45 degree angle. He held back a sigh. His muscles complained a little, but he pushed it away again. It would have been easier to do in The Void.
"This is your main defencive posture. No arguments. Now, the final form you will learn today is this." Richard swept the blade back up with a sharp slash and carefully slid the blade into his scabbard. "That is called Folding the Fan. Only use it when you are sure your oppnents are dead. Now, these four forms will flow together. You will learn to make them flow. Everyone into Leopard in the Tree. MOVE!"
It was going to be a teaching day. A good day indeed.
Re: The First Four Forms
Kell moved into the position as fast as he could. Leopard in the tree ,he thought, beginning form..... knees bent, balance centered...... hand on hilt. He didn't feel comfortable in the stance so he stepped back a little further with his rear foot to widen his stance. Once he felt comfortable with the form, he pulled the sword from his hilt in an upward and somewhat diagonal slice. He admired the sound his sword made while escaping the scabbard.
Kell tried the Leopard in the tree and unfolding the fan forms a couple more times till he felt that he had a basic comfort with it. It would still take much more practice till he had absolutely mastered them completely. He then went into Lion on the hill. The hardest part he seemed to grasp was holding the sword at a forty-five degree angle, which of course the instructor would let him know with a slap to his sword each time he failed to grasp the concept. Cursing himself inwardly He tried it till he got the angle right and then went into the folding the fan form. the first time he missed his scabbard completely and almost cut his hand. Slow down, Kell thought to himself, try it slow first then work on speed. He tried the form a couple more times until he was satisfied that he could return the blade to his scabbard with minimal injury to himself.
He then attempted to go through all of the forms in a fluid motion. He started off slow, allowing his body to get into the rythme of the forms. Just like hammering metal, thought Kell, everything has a rythme. I just have to learn this one. He was beginning to sweat but he just occasionally wiped the sweat from his eyes and continued practicing. He would learn these forms like the back of his hand. He would be perfect. There was no room for failure.
A full day of training
Richard walked through the group of recruits, correcting little things, correcting a few major things, but for the most part just correcting. Feet placement, blade angle, grips, everyone seemed to have something wrong. It was painful but the first day of this always was.
After a break for lunch he brought them out for the biggest lesson of the day, attaining the Void.
"Alright class," he said after sitting them down, "this is the most important part of today. You're all likely a bit tired after forms all morning, but this is a million times more important then forms, and while it won't tax your body, I can garuntee you'll be drained from the mental strain at the end of the day."
Richard took a deep breath and tried to explain the most intricate, yet most basic thing a Warder did. After this many years it was so natural to him he could barely remember when attaining the Void had been a chore.
"The Void is a place of peace, a place of alertness, and a place where you are deaf to the world. You can sense everything better, move more fluid, and fight without remorse. Feelings have no place in the Void. Now, I want you all to relax. Nothing should disturb you with this. Close your eyes and picture a flame. Now take all your emotions, hate, anger, pain, love, all of it, and feed it to the flame. Let it all burn away and there is nothing left. Then you will be in the Void."
Richard tried to slow it down to the old exercise, but it came to easy now. He remembered spending all afternoon sitting there. It was all he could do not to smile at the old memory.
"When you have aquired the Void, stand to your feet and try and keep it. You will learn to fight in the Void eventually, but for now, keeping it and even drawing your blade will be difficult."
And it was more teaching and watching. Hopefully there were a few fast learners.
Re: A full day of training
Kell thought cross-legged with his eyes closed. He tried to tune everything out and focus on a flame. After a couple of hours he managed to learn to maintain focus on the flame. Now I just have to learn how to channel my feelings into it. He could feel himself sweating with the strain to maintain the flame, but he just pushed it out of his mind. He took a deep breath and tried to push all of his emotions into the flame. He could see it get bigger, but then he last his focus and dwindle down to it's original size again. After what seemed like days he managed to blaze his flame and then it was gone. At first he thought he had failed but he struggled to maintain what he had. Then he remembered in the back of his head what his instructor had told him about the flame disappearing when you into the void. The memory seemed distant yet clear. He slowly stood up to his feet and opened his eyes.
Everything seemed different. He was calmer. It was night time and it seemed that he could hear everyone's breathing, every little rustle. He was in the void. And then he lost it.
And again
Richard had stayed out till well after sundown watching the recruits slowly master the Void. It had been a hard thing for him to do, so he understood slow learners on this. Not that he told them that, but he was still well within his time line.
Rising early the next morning, he stood at the head of his recruits, inspecting more blades. He wished ANberlin was around. He figured she was busy, but sent her a small nudge through the bond. He always figured letting her know he was there was a wise choice. Only three runners today.
"Alright boys, it's going to be another draining day, but the sooner you master this, the less challenging everything else will be. Now, I want you all to find the Void again. I know you all found it yesterday and it will get easier. You will come to a point where it will be as natural as drawing your blade."
Richard started to walk amidst the group of recruits, his greying top knot and green eyes weaving back and forth as he scanned them all for innatentivness.
"When you have found the Void, get up and start to move around, still maintaining it. After you have made a full lap, at whatever pace you chose, while in the Void, move to a training dummy and start working your blade. Easy things. Just thrusts and parries. As you get more and more comfortable with the Void, start working on your Forms. You have all morning to complete this task. After lunch, it's a run around the island. Everybody get to work."
And he went back to watching. Not very exciting, but it was his job. Perhaps he would have to set up sparring matches soon. The boys were getting better. Slowly but surely they were getting better.
Re: And again
Kell remained standing and closed his eyes. He focused on his flame. He watched it blaze brighter and brighter and then dwindle into nothing. after about an hour he believed he that he maintained enough control to move around. He opened his eyes and began his lap. He started off walking and eventually started walking faster. He knew his body was moving but it all felt distant. He started a jog about half-way through his lap and then ran the last quarter. He surprised himself that he was able to maintain the void if after running and furthermore he didn't feel tired physically at all.
He moved over to the training dummy and pulled his sword. He concentrated very hard on the void and went through some of the simplest jabs and parrys he could think of. He was concentrating so hard that he didn't realize that he had cut his hand while pulling his sword from his scabbard. He practiced maintaining the void and thrusting and parrying right up till lunch. When he finally came out of the void he bandaged his bleeding hand, wiped the sweat from his face and caught up with some of the other recruits to get something to eat. "I can't believe how easier it was today." he said to one of the recruits.
"YA! It was alot easier than it was yesterday wasn't it." said the recruit. "I wander what's for lunch..."
"Well, don't eat it all this time." scolded Kell. "You remember what happened last time we had run after lunch."
With that they all shared a hearty laugh and continued toward the chow hall.
Re: Combined Training
Richard snorted a laugh to himsef as the boys and men rolled back in from lunch. Very few of them looked like killers, laughing and joking with each other with full bellies and happy expressions. Things had just gotten easier so he was going to make it harder. He loved spaghetti days.
"You have five minutes to attain the Void," he screamed, watching panic come to a few paces at the lack of time. "If you are not ready by the time we leave, too bad."
He got a few blank looks and he held in a smile. He moved towards the gate and waited for the five minutes to run it's course before throwing open the gate and yelling for them to start running. Those that had attained the Void would be set for this run.
The others would get to taste their spaghetti again.
Re: Combined Training
Kell was joking and laughing with his fellow recruits when he heard the instructors orders. He closed his eyes and focused on the flame. He threw all of his emotions into it as quickly as he could. He surprised when he was in the void and opened his eyes to see that he was the first to finish. It really is getting easier, He thought. He waited for the five minutes to finish and then started running. His body felt light in the void. He felt faster and better than he ever had while running outside of the void.
I could get use to this, Kell Thought, as he struggled to keep from sprinting ahead of everyone else. It was going to be a good run.
When he came in from the run and finally left the void, he felt every muscle in his body. He felt the bile building in his thoat but pushed it back down. He wasn't gonna allow himself to throw up from a run. He willed himself to control his breathing and to stay standing. It WAS a good run.
Re: Combined Training
Kell decided to wake up early the next morning and practice entering the void before his training began for the day. He calmed his breathing and focus on the flame. He poured all his feelings into it and watched it as it grew and then......just died. He was amazed at how easier it was to do now than when he first tried it. He focused on staying in the void and went through his sword drills while in the void. He continued practicing until he saw his fellow recruits come out of the barracks for morning formation. He broke his connection with the void and joined his friends, smiling at his new found success with the void.
Richard walked out of his office and looked over the training yard. This was the largest group of trainees he'd seen in a while. He didn't mind the fact that he was stuck here to train them, though he knew that would change by the end of the day. Trainees had this nack for really bothering him after a full day of training.
"Alright," he said loud enough to get their attention, "Another busy day for you. No runs, but I can just about garuntee you'll have bloodied hands and swollen knuckles by the time you're done. Today is a sparring day. Pair off and use what you have learned except for the Void. That will come later. The other Gaiden around here will be watching and handing out pointers. There will be a special suprise for those of you who can prove you've got what it takes to be a blademaster."
Richard smiled softly to himself as he watched the face brighten as the sparring swords got handed out. It would be a fun day to watch.
Re: Combined Training
The training blade felt good in Kell's hands. His warm-up session in the void had refreshed him and he felt like he was ready for anything. He sparred up with a recruit that was smaller than him. Kell had faced his kind before, where other people saw a lack of muscle and weakness, Kell saw dexterity and speed. His sparring partner would press him hard and try to use Kell's size against him. Kell decided that if he could block his blows long enough to wear him out than he would win. After all patience is a virtue, Kell thought to himself.
At the word to begin, Kell's partner lunged at him with a simple strike that was meant to do nothing more than guage his reaction. He parried it but kept himself from reacting to quickly. He wanted this guy to think that all his size made him slow. Kell's sparring partner pressed him for attack after attack. Kell managed to block most of the blows but a hard slap to his hand left his nuckles bruised. Still he waited and remained on the defense. When he noticed his opponent starting to tire he unleashed his offense in a fury of lunges and powerful slashes that left both sword vibrating violently in their owners' hands. His partner, taken aback by Kell's sudden ferocity, lost his feeting while backing up and fell to the ground. He tried to get up but instead found himself staring at the point of a sword hovering just above his face.
Re: Combined Training
Silence covered the trainging grounds at the unexpected reverse of roles in the mock training duel. A tall, obviously confident form detached itself from the gathering thrawl after pulling his former sparring partner back to his feet. "You know it does not take vast resurves of courage to confront a man of lesser skill and humiliate him." "Why dont you try me, I think you will find that my sword wil not fall as easily."
Re: Combined Training
"If you are up for the challenge, Sir, then I am always ready for a lesson in humility." Kell saluted the man widened his stance to prepare for the spar. His bruised and cut hands begged him not to.......but a challenge is a challenge and he wasn't going to get anywhere by running from them. "When you are ready, sir."
Raekal RP Admin Band OL King of Manetheren
Posts: 141
(3/27/06 12:10 pm) Reply
Re: Combined Training
Tristan woke slowly. He sat up and stretched slowly. The sun was still below the horizon, nothing more than an orange glow in the early morning sky. The Tower would be waking soon, he knew. He had watched their training, watched the recruits wake early to get berated for moving too slowly in the mornings, yawning and stumbling as they started out on morning jogs. By the end of said jogs, however, most were wide awake, stretching idly as they waited for their day to begin.
While Tristan had not taken part of the training . . . yet, he had watched, and realized that a lot of what they did was not far different from what he had learned. As the sun came up and the day really began, he watched a group of recruits learn some sword forms, their instructor's voice floating up to his window. While he had not known the names, he had known those simple stances, basic beginner forms that Sophia's father had taught him not all that long ago. He watched them all day, walking out of his room and lurking on the corners of their training grounds, running over what the instructor spoke in his mind. He needed to learn, and learn fast, and sitting around here waiting for his wounds to heal would not get that done.
Finally, the day came where the recruit came to his door and knocked. Tristan was already up and dressed, standing by his window, looking over the empty grounds. "Sir, you are to come down today. The Master of Arms has declared that you will begin training today."
Tristan nodded, turning with a small smile. "Thank you."
"You are to report in fifteen minutes."
Tristan nodded again as the recruit left, closing the door behind him. Tristan walked over to his dresser and picked up his long knife there. Staring into his reflection in the mirror, he reached over his shoulder and grabbed his ponytail. Sophia had loved his hair--he had not cut since he had been betrothed to her. He had been planning on cutting it on their marriage day, and presenting the tail of hair to her as a sign of commitment. She had laughed at his idea, but still liked it, he could tell. And, then, with one quick stroke, the knife sliced up through his hair, and it swung loose, curling slightly as it fell around his face in curtains. Laying the tail down, brushed his hair back out of his eyes and left the room.
Tristan arrived at the Yard just as a couple of men were starting their spar, and he stood behind them. He had no sword, not yet, and didn't even hold a wooden lathe in his hands, but something in his eyes made the others regard him a little . . . uneasily. He took a deep breath. Today it really began.
He had only been standing there a few moments before one of the larger men that seemed to emphasize his size by thrusting out his chest walked over. He was at least a foot taller than Tristan, and looked down at him in disdain. "So, the Cairheinin pup comes out to play at last. We thought you were too high and mighty to do this."
Tristan's eyes flickered towards the stand of wooden lathes, and he walked towards it, collecting one for himself and picking up a second. He turned and tossed it towards the man, who caught it with a laugh. "The pup thinks he has what it takes to make it here!" There was weak scattered laughter. Tristan looked around. Most were engaged in their own spars, but those that weren't were looking over in curiousity. And a few Gaidin were watching as well, studying the situation before acting.
Tristan set his feet, holding the lathe as if it was sheathed, holding hismelf in Leopard in the Tree. The man set himself in Lion on the Hill, still smirking, and began to walk forwards. Tristan waited until he was close and setting hismelf to move into a slash and pivoted on one heel, setting himself well out of the path of the coming slash even as he went into Unfolding the Fan, the lathe connecting with a meaty SLAP into the man's shortribs. The big man shook his head as he stepped back, suppressing a wince with effort. Then he came forwards again, his style growing sloppy as he grew irratated.
Tristan blew out a breath as he sidestepped, his feet sliding through the dirt as he brough the blade up in a horizontal parry to the vertical strike. The lathes met with a thunderous crack, the man's superior strength overpowering and pushing down through Tristan's defenses. He angled his blade and pushed up with the hilt, guiding his strike down to the left into the dirt. He stepped back, setting himself in Lion on the Hill again. The man turned, swinging widely. Tristan ducked under it, thrusting outwards, nicking the man's thumb with enough force to paralyze the nerve in his hand and cause him to drop the sword. THe big man stepped back as Tristan stepped forwards, the tip of his lathe under the man's chin. "I am no pup."
(Raekal Dunshain) -- First Stormleader Asha'man Bonded to Brenna Selanos (Saker Mandell) -- King of Manetheren (Rahien Shan) -- King of Arafel (Kerin Lizaile) -- Bonded to Kamariana (Tristan Du'saa) -- Gaidin in Training
Re: Combined Training
Richard watched the duels play out with a statuesque look. His eyes were the only thing that moved while the young men sparred across the yard. He remembered his days of training with Talon, and even the free for all he had done with Saker. He couldn't help but wonder how he was.
Only three of them really stood out, Tristan, the new carhiener. The boy really had done wonders against a man more then twice his size. Richard always did like cheering for the underdog.
Kell, the ex blacksmith. That man did well to keep up with the younger ones. He would be a bull by the time his training was done. Perhaps another one to train in the Path of Water.
And as much as he hated to admit it, Ivron showed great promise. The haughty young lark still needed to be taken down a peg or two, but he was a good blademan. He was now about to square off against Kell. The winner of that and Tristan would get the surpise of this event.
combined training
The small crowd of trainees parted in a quickl bustle of sidesteps and pardons as Ivron made his way forward to confront the thick shouldered man hovering over the obviously out matched trainee.
Ivron guided his blade on a lazy oblonged circle to his left side. Fingering the razor edge of the crude and off balanced practice blade brought a smirk to his usually unreadable face.
"I would have your name borderlander. Honor requires that I salute you when this concludes regardless of the outcome, and addressing you as "borderlander" just isnt fitting."
Shouldering past the borderlander and sheathing his practice blade Ivron extended an arm to the still surprised looking and prone trainee that had just recieved the borderlander's attention. Easily pulling the frail almost queasy looking lout to his feet Ivron returned his blade to him and motioned for the crowd to move to accommodate a proper duel.
Taking long purposeful strides Ivron reached to center of the thrawl and wheeled about facing his oppenet.
"your name sir...........
Richard shook his head as Ivron deftly defeated Kell. He certainly made it look easy. As much as Richard had been rooting for Kell, it didn't much matter now.
"Ivron, Tristan," Richard said with enough bark to get everyone's attention. "You both have proved to be the best of this lot. Now comes your reward, and a new challange. You both are free from chores for the rest of the week. Let this be a lesson to the rest of you, perfection will be rewarded."
A mumur of praise and grumbling went through the group. Everyone was tired, and there were many bruises. Richard held his grin inside.
"Now, Ivron, Tristan, here is your challange. I've got another student, Damien, who is nearly finished with his initial training. He has already spoken his choice to follow the Path of the Blade. If the two of you with to fight him, if could prove to be....rewarding."
He watched their expressions as they weighed their options.
Ivron Silverrus Andor's first
prince of the sword
Posts: 16
(5/3/06 7:19 pm) Reply
Re: combined training
Ivron heard nothing, at first, for sound did not penetrate the stillness of the void. Sensation, emotion, all that was Ivron was surrendered to the flame. It was surrendered to and consumed by it. All that remained in his mind was the weapon......both the sword that was now a mere extension of his being and the inevitably foul, sickenig, molten waves of ice that was saidin. He could feel it's pull, its unnatural draw pounding at the mental barrier he had constructed to keep its destructive torrent at bay. Slowly he pushed the unrelenting waves of nauseous filth away back to the deepest recesses of the void, and then fed them also to the flame. He knew then that he was overcome and bristling with saidin. He could feel it pulsing within him, twisting his stomach and filling him with a indescribable sense of pure power. It was unavoidable, to attain the truest sense of oneness, to fully immerse himself in the void also meant embracing the power. However embracing the power did not necessarily mean channeling. Light it did not! Ivron focused, focused not on the power but on the added perception that holding the power always granted. His eyes snapped open. Colors assailed his vision. Sound thundered in his ears. The power magnified every shade and hue of color and amplified every sound. Instantly his awareness sharpened and focused on his adversary. Standing half a head shorter than himself Kell Ayloud was a muscle bound bull of a man. His size was emphasized by the shabby practice blade gripped tightly in his bruised right hand. The blade looked diminutive im comparison to it weilder's bulk. The tattered relic took on the appearance of a long knife more than that of a sword. The man's feet were planted slightly past shoulder width apart and his sword was poised at the ready in a text book perfect execution of "lion on the hill." Without concious thought Ivron broke out into a full out sprint not feeling his weightless body instantly cover the five paces seperating him from his opponet. Timed perfectly Ivron dove deftly underneith the deadly arc of kell's intended intercept strike and executed a tight tuck and roll.The risky manuever placed him less than half a pace behind the now off balanced blacksmith. A sharp "crack" echoed off the grey stone walls of the practice yard as Ivron drew his sword, (using a self altered version of "unfolding the fan") angled the edge and connected the flat of the blade solidly to the backs of kell's knees.
With the realization that the duel had conclueded Ivron rose to his feet sheatheing his sword and turned to face kell. Dismissing the void, and in doing so also severing his connection to the sweet sickness of the one power, Ivron shuddered. It seemed as if the life had drained out of him and crept away. replaced only with drab colors and the now apparent weight of his limbs. When he spoke his words came out somewhat broken and drawn but still managed to capture the attention of the throng of trainees and warders who had gathered around to watch the spectacle.
"Kell Ayloud as the victor of this duel.............I salute your courage. In keeping with the tradition of the victor.................. I ask that you take that boy that you have beaten and show him how to properly defend himself so this does not happen to him again. That is all........ you will retain your honor."
Ivron turned to leave and was halted by the authorative voice of the Master At Arms.
"Ivron, Tristan," Master Fedora said with enough bark to get everyon's attention. "You both have proved to be the best of this lot. Now comes your reward an a new challange. You both are free from chores for the rest of the week. Let this be a lesson to the rest of you, Perfection will be rewarded. Now Ivron, Tristan, here is your challange. I've got another student, Damien, who is nearly finished with his initial training. He has already spoken his choice to follow the path of the blade. If the two of you go to fight him it could prove to be ........rewarding.
The tone Ivron used was resurved only for those plentiful opportunitys that presented themselves to get under Master Fadora's skin,(wich Ivron has quite a knack for) " Of course Maste Fadora I will make haste to locate this Damien and learn all I can from him but, alas I must decline on the omission of my regular duties. You see I am no better than these other men simply because I happened to end up on the winning end of a duel. Oh, and one more thing if I may be so bold, I have a matter of some importance to discuss with you.............. if you have the time.....sir."
Please forgive my horrible spelling and punctuation. I know I write like a third grader.sorry
Raekal RP Admin Band OL King of Manetheren
Posts: 165
(5/21/06 12:11 pm) Reply
Re: combined training
Tristan looked over at Ivron. The two had met previously, but yet there was an air of indifference that floated between the two. They seemed quite content to ignore the fact that the other existed while being impossibly courteous to the other.
He stepped forwards, his mind running to Sophia, what she had to be going through at the moment. He had to hurry. For her sake, and for the sake of Cairhein itself. "I'll do whatever you ask of me. You want me to fight this man? Show me where he is."
(Raekal Dunshain) -- First Stormleader Asha'man Bonded to Brenna Selanos (Saker Mandell) -- King of Manetheren (Rahien Shan) -- King of Arafel (Kerin Lizaile) -- Bonded to Kamariana (Tristan Du'saa) -- Gaidin in Training
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