The Pull of the Blade (ATTN: Riahana)

[Prew]

As Prewtez crossed the Yard, his body still warm from his just finished unarmed combat class, he stopped in midstride. A woman was expertly going through the forms and not with a practice sword. No, what drew his eye was her blade. Long, sleek, reflecting the sunlight as she moved it quickly from one form to the next, it was a weapon of beauty. Not like his bastard sword, a utilitarian thing, though a deadly one. But her blade, now that was what a blademaster might wield. And that was his secret desire, to earn the heron blade.

He drew himself up to his full height of just over six feet, straightened his light grey uniform and ran a hand across his salt and pepper hair.Cautiously he approached not wishing to disturb her in midform. Instead he stood and watched until she stopped her movements.

"Excuse this humble Drin, Gaidar," he spoke hoping his voice carried a confidence he did not feel. He always felt uncomfortable around women he did not know, especially ones holding deadly weapons, "Might you tell me where I could get lessons in using such a blade?"

[Roan]

Sparring was one way to improve one's skill with the Sword, but so was practicing each of the moves. The importance of transitioning from one stance to either an attacking or defensive move was critical in the heat of combat. Being able to flawlessly go from your guard stance to parry a move, and then counter with an attack of your own without hesitation could mean the difference between life and death.

When a sparring partner was not available, or if Riahana just wanted a quiet moment to herself in the yards, she would pull out the blade gifted to her by Master Ives and start with Unfolding the Fan before moving into a guard stance and then going through each of the moves she knew. She would also spend time working on those moves that she was less familiar with, going through them repetitively until her muscles seemed to understand what it was she wanted them to do, and how she wanted the sword to move.

The Gaidar Captain often found a quiet patch of the Yards to practice, and today was such a day. She did not go unnoticed, though, as a Drin'far'ji approached and asked where he might learn to work with the one-edged blade she was so familiar with.

Turning to face the man, Riahana sized him up, "You are fairly new to the Yards, yes? Drin'far'ji Prewtez d'Grayson, if I am not mistaken." She didn't wait for a reply as she rotated the blade in her right hand before Folding the Fan to place it in its scabbard. "There are a few of us well versed in this weapon, and I happen to be one of them. I would not be opposed to showing you how to wield such a weapon. The Mistress of Training mentioned you, however, and said that you are not new to the sword. What experience and skill do you currently have?"

[Prew]

OOC: I hope this isn't overly long. I felt there was much that needed explaining.


Arching an eyebrow in surprise that a Gaidar should know of him already, Prewtez took a moment to size up the woman before answering. Ubriel Gaidar had told him that first day that there was not a system of rank here as one found in the military, yet this woman spoke with the authoritative voice of an officer. And she moved with the skill and grace of an accomplished swordsman. The few forms he had observed told him he could learn much from this Gaidar.

“No, Gaidar, I am not new to the sword. For thirteen years past I have carried a bastard sword against Murandians and Altarans. I do not profess great skill but I am still here, which is more than I can say about many I have faced,” he felt his cheeks flush. Light, but he didn’t want to sound the braggart.

“As you know, the bastard sword is well suited for combat, but it is a butcher’s weapon, not really appropriate for the grace and poise of a blademaster. I became proficient in using it one handed from horseback though when dismounted I often found that due to the longer handle a two handed technique was preferable, especially for slicing or thrusting through mail,” fearing he was talking too much, Prewtez paused, but his listener nodded for him to continue.

“I also was blessed to have received some instruction from an actual blademaster, a Saldaean that stayed in our camp for a time before passing on to the Borderlands. It was from him I learned a few of the forms. For example, I noted you Folding the Fan, a form he taught along with Unfolding the Fan. I am familiar with Apple Blossoms in the Wind and the Heron wading in the Rushes. When time allows I have been practicing transitioning from the Falling Leaf to the Wind Blows Over the Wall. However, the bastard sword is not as wieldy for such forms as the Saldaean’s blade, nor, I imagine, the one you possess.

“I have seen such a blade one other time, Gaidar. A warder I observed in the common room of an inn in Caemlyn. Several of the patrons too deep in their cups became challenging. The man did not even need to unsheathe his blade entirely. As soon as the rowdies saw the heron mark they turned away,” he looked at her for a moment, trying to decide whether to share with her his greatest ambition.

“I know it might sound presumptuous, Gaidar, but at that moment I knew I wanted to pursue the path towards earning the Heron. When drawing a blade can prevent bloodshed instead of causing it, well, I have seen enough blood in my time.”

Blood and bloody ashes! How long winded could he be? He stood silent at last and awaited her reaction.

[Roan]

Riahana offered a small smile, "I would not say presumptuous, Drin'far'ji, but ambitious. There is nothing wrong with setting a lofty goal and striving to achieve it. . .attaining the Fancloak is its own lofty goal." She Unfolded the Fan to let him get a better look at her blade. "You have a good start on some key sword forms, though The Heron Wading in the Rushes is only meant to help with balance and footwork...using it in combat could get you killed," she replied in a matter-of-fact way.

Nodding to her blade, Riahana carried on, "Having a one-edged blade may be an adjustment to you. While thrusts are effective with this weapon, the blade excels with strikes. The slight arc of the blade lends itself to an elegance that seems out of place on a battle field. For those who've earned the Heron, it is said they can kill an opponent in one fluid strike. To wield it expertly, it is not about strength, but fluidity and transitioning from one move effortlessly to another. Knowing how to parry, counter and strike without hesitation."

The Gaidar Captain gave a slight smirk, "Forgive my long-windedness. I am sure much of this you already know as you are a seasoned swordsman. I have a proposal , though, to assist you on the path to learning how to wield such a one-edged blade. First. . .let us go through those moves you know together, and I will show you another handful of moves. We can practice moving through each of these to get you familiar with each form. Finally. . .if you are up for it, we can pick up practice blades and go through a practice spar. This will let you put what you are learning into practice, and I can assist you with your form."

Ria paused for a moment, "Does this sound acceptable?"

[Prew]

He stared intently at the blade she had unseathed. Noting the exquisite workmanship, the seamless meld of tang with hilt, the distinctive silver handguard and pommel, Prewtez knew he was seeing the work of a master swordsmith. Perhaps the only blade in his experience to rival such a weapon had been the Heron Blade of the Saldaean blademaster. In fact, he was surprised not to see the Heron below the handguard. Instead, there was a quote, though he could not make it out from his distance. A mantra perhaps? He yearned to hold it but knew he was not yet worthy in her eyes. Had this blade been made especially for her, or had she perhaps won it in a duel? Questions he could not bring himself to ask yet, for fear she might think him prying.

So intense was his study of the blade Prewtez barely caught her comment about The Heron Wading in the Rushes.

“Yes, Gaidar,” he acknowledged, “My teacher felt it was a proper form with which to begin his instruction.”

He listened as she explained about the different fighting style of such a blade as opposed to the one he had wielded for the past thirteen years, filing the information away for later contemplation.

Upon hearing her proposal, Prewtez eagerly assented. He had assigned chores at the stable he should be doing but an opportunity such as this was one he could not ignore. Better to take whatever punishment Mistress Ubriel might assign than to let this moment pass.

Retrieving a pair of nearby practice swords, Prewtez bowed to the woman.

“Thank you for this opportunity, Gaidar. I am prepared to learn.”

Taking a moment to mentally recite his own mantra Courage is not the absence of fear, courage is the mastering of fear. Fear is the little mindkiller*, master fear and I am alone in the void. He assumed the stance The Lion on the Hill, practice blade pointed directly at Riahana as he balanced on the balls of his feet and awaited her first srike.

OOC: * I hope the Herberts don't mind my reference to a Dune mantra!

[Roan]

Trading her real blade for the practice blade handed to her by Prewtez, Riahana turned to the man as he settled into The Lion on the Hill. It seemed to be a favorite opening stance of many who wielded the sword in the Yards. It was one even she was known to go to, though part of her always felt it was a bit of a flashy stance all but yelling, "Look at me and my pointy sword." The thought slipped from her, though as she pulled the Void around her. This was a learning spar, and it would be one of the first times Riahana had been teacher as opposed to student.

The Ox Lowers His Horns came naturally to the Gaidar as she settled most of her weight onto her back foot and regarded Prewtez over the hilt of the practice blade. She held the form effortlessly and kept her calm, cool gaze on the man opposite her. In one explosive moment, she went from motionless to movement, sliding into The Falcon Stoops as she executed an overhead thrust. She could have moved into another offensive form, as it was becoming second nature for her to transition from one sword form to the next, but this was not just a spar, but a lesson for the Drin'far'ji. She needed to observe how he reacted and responded to the forms she put forth towards him.

((OOC: Not at all! If Prewtez wants to know what the forms are, or see them shown step by step, he has but to ask. Ria wants to see how he responds to her strikes in both an offensive and defensive manner.))

[Prew]

As the gaidar took her opening stance, Prewtez tried to empty his mind of all but the blades. Still, as she exploded into The Falcon Stoops he barely had time to attempt a parry using the Falling Leaf. He realized that he was somehwat off balance from her initial attack but was surprised when she did not immediately follow up her advantage with what should have been a killing strike.

Ah! But she is teaching! Of course! And he was here to learn, best take advantage of what she was offering.

"I am not familiar with that offensive form, Gaidar. Please, would you tell me what it is called? And which defensive maneuver would best counter it? I had thought to follow up with The Wind Blows Over the Wall but you undoubtedly suspected that, no? What counter strike might you have used against your strike?

[Roan]

Riahana noted how Prewtez attempted to parry her stroke, though the attempt was slow, and somewhat clumsy. If they were in a real battle, he would be severely injured, if not dead. Ria thought to point it out, but the she could see by his expression that the Drin' knew he made what could have been a fatal error.

Offering a nod, the Gaidar Captain came so that she stood facing the same direction as Prewtez, "Of course, Drin'far'ji. You opted for a guard stance of 'Lion on the Hill.' My opening stance was also a guard stance, but it allows for a potentially powerful strike if executed correctly. The guard is known as 'The Ox Lowers its Horns,' and from there, I went into 'The Falcon Stoops.' You can move from 'The Ox' into several different strikes, but two that work very well from it are 'The Falcon Stoops,' and 'The Moon on The Water.'"

Before carrying on, Riahana moved into her opening stance, "For 'The Ox,' you put the bulk of your weight on your back foot. Notice how I hold the blade." She paused a moment before standing straight, "You could have used 'The Wind Blows Over the Wall,' though any strong parry would work if your timing is right. You attempted 'The Falling Leaf,' but you were slow to execute, which led to you being off balance."

Letting the advice sink in, Riahana continued after a moment's pause, "Mimic my movements. We will go through 'The Ox' and 'The Falcon Stoops,' followed by 'The Falling Leaf'. As we go through it, concentrate on how each movement feels. I would recommend practicing going through forms in your own time. . .the more you practice moving from one to another, the quicker you will get with those transitions. In battle, quickness is as important as strength. Both are, in my mind, key components to a swordsman's skill. You could know every form by heart, but if you are as slow as a snail moving from a guard stance to parry, then you are as good as dead on the battle field."

[Prew]

He wtached intently as the Gaidar Captain demonstrated the forms. Placing the majority of his weight on his back foot as she did in assuming The Ox, he felt how this stance would easily allow for a quick offensive strike. As Riahana smoothly flowed into The Falcon Stoops, he followed her example, delivering a sharp overhand thrust before quickly returning to his original stance. In the blink of an eye she went through the downward sweeps of The Falling Leaf, showing Prewtez how this form should have been executed. He copied her example, finding the form went much more smoothly than the one he had previously attempted.

“Yes, Riahana Gaidar, your advice is greatly valued and your skill much appreciated,” he told her, sincere in his gratitude. “The bastard sword that I’ve carried these past years is a soldier’s tool, a most lethal one from horseback I found. But a blade like that," he nodded towards the one sheathed at her side, "it belongs in the hands of an artist such as yourself. Ah, that is what I strive for, to be deserving of such a weapon.”

He paused for a moment, hoping she understood his sincerity. “Practice, that I promise. Most of the other Drin’far’ji are quite a bit younger than me. Truth be, I have no desire to participate in the hijinks and pranks many find amusing. They talk of combat as a glorious undertaking. I understand, I was like them once. But I've seen firsthand the horrors of war. That is why I shall commit myself to practice. I shall rise an hour earlier in the morning to practice the forms and and practice again in the evening, after chores. My request is that you provide me with weekly instruction, to at least check on my progress, or recommend a mentor. I doubt there is another as skilled with such a blade as you, but the choice is yours. Will you find me worthy of your time?”

[Roan]

To mentor someone with the blade? Riahana thought she'd mentor someone with the bow before sword, but as she'd spent time improving her own skill with the blade, she found a love for the fluidity of each of the forms. These days, she spent as much time going through forms as she did on the archery range.

She offered a small smile, "There are those in the yard who's skill match mine, and a small handful who surpass me. Our lesson today is not done, by any means, though I would be happy to mentor you with the blade. It would do me some good, as one of the best ways to learn a skill is by teaching. You, and any who seek my training are always worthy of my time, Drin'far'ji Prewtez."

The Gaidar Captain moved into The Lion on the Hill, "Come now. Show me how you would engage me with such a stance. Show me your offensive strikes, and see if you can get through my guard." She couldn't help the small little smirk with the last part of her statement. She knew the Drin was not completely new to sword, but she had enough confidence in her skill that she could hold him at bay if she wished.