Do the Shuffle (Solo)

[Gunho Ma]

Winter 40, 511 AV Gunho Ma's sparring partner was a boy a year younger than him with aspirations to join the Syliran knights. It seemed a popular calling in the heart of civilization and Gunho was glad for it. He'd many people to learn from due to the desirability of the Syliran cause, it provided him many opportunities to hone his skill against men who sharped both mind and hand. His sparring mate's style was traditional, the Syliran lad favored a battered but functional kite shield and a simple wooden longsword. Gunho himself did not look so different, he too had clad himself in armor with only the absence of a helm differentiating the two combatants. The masseur wielded a shortsword, though his was steel-forged and without edge. His shield too was wrought from steel and its round surface shone to reflect its virgin state. The two circled each other, both fighters looking for a chance to strike. The swordsman led, charging shield first and sword following shortly behind in a straight thrust. Gunho responded clumsily with his weapon but his footwork was true and he was able to hastily retreat, though not without having his sword strike his opponent's in his withdrawal. The swordsman seeing hesitation stepped forward again, the Syliran was less defensive now that he was emboldened by his foray. The longsword came forward in crushing arcs and all Gunho could do was retreat and place his shield between himself and his opponent. For long periods this exchange went that way. With Gunho on the retreat, his sure footsteps the only thing keeping the swordsman from connecting and just when he thought he was at his limit, the boy's slashes seemed to wither. He power in them becoming less notable with each stroke. Seeing opportunity Gunho charged for the first time, short sword lancing into the knight's belly before the Syliran deflected the attack with a backstep and an arm to raise his kite shield. The two sparring mates smiled, relented and then dove back in again. Their game was entertaining, sword against sword and shield smashing into shield. It went like that for minutes more until the man scored his first hit - a shallow blow to the side that would have bruised Gunho if not for the protection his Padded Lamellar armor provided. "That is your first win sir!" Gunho said, relaxing his sword and dropping it's tip to the floor. The Syliran nodded and raised the visor of his helemt. "You are a hard man to catch Gunho." "Not nearly as difficult to hit as you sir. Your shieldwork is impressive." he was taking time to catch his breath. He was still not accustomed to moving in armor, nor did he have muscles that could effortlessly lift a steel shield and a shortsword, no matter how inadequate they looked im comparison to his opponent's weapon.