[Kendoka Sasaran] Kindred (Riaris)

by **Razkar** on December 29th, 2012, 6:00 am

Razkar righted himself quickly, the mat absorbing most of the impact. That mocking pat on the head shouldn't have hurt, but his skull as already lightly throbbing from that headbutt, and added to which...

No. Don't take it personally. That's the way of fools and amateurs and the soon-to-be-dead. This is training; learning. So learn, and adapt.

He darted forwards again, hand ax raised for a blow, then twisted his body in mid-stride so he came up on the Akalak's right, where his weapon was. The bigger man moved fast, slashing backhanded at him and turning at the same time-

-Razkar's own ax in his right hand blocked the blow, but the force of it was ferocious, and he worked it to his advantage-

-letting it spin him around to his left, left arm already cocked-

-body still spinning when he slammed his elbow into the Akalak's gut, feeling a whoosh of air leaving the man's lungs-

-and finished his spin, ending up facing him again, hand ax still moving, body crouching lower-

-smacking the Akalak on the right shin with the wooden weapon, lips already twitching to grin in victory-

-and a big, violet knee from Riaris's undamaged right leg caught him square in the breastbone.

The bone crunched and screamed and bent but did not break, impact knocking Razkar across the mat. The man's upper leg was nearly as long as his torso, after all. Pained lungs seized and screamed and only with gritted teeth and focus did he stay on his feet, hand ax already drawn back to block and blow...

An elbow in the gut and a smack to the shin, in exchange for a knee that could have knocked you back on your ass, he told himself critically. Have to do better...

by **Riaris Dovukalis** on December 30th, 2012, 12:02 am

Mizra watched the two from a far with great interest. They sized each other up, made precise attacks, and took in as many blows as they dealt out. They were learning... The size difference alone was enough to throw one off and with Razkars speed and quickness, left them both with their own advantages as well as disadvantages. Riaris could still feel the whip from the blows that he took, but it didn't take him long to regain his breath.

Razkar was obviously no amateur, and if the blows that he struck had been done with a real weapon Riaris would have felt a lot more pain than from a simple bruise. He would have to be more careful. He readied himself as the Myrian dashed forward again, slipping around to his armed side swinging his axe at his ribs again. It appeared that this man was all about making every strike a fatal blow.

Riaris jumped back, readying himself before swinging his lakan at the man's chest and delivering a slice kick towards the man's thigh. The Myrian slipped forward then, kicking the Akalak in his shin just as he moved forward, which caused him to drop down to one knee. Razkar took advantage of the down Akalak and gave him a fierce slug in the jaw. Riaris' head whipped back, taking the full blow that left him fuzzy for a tick.

Pulling himself together, Riaris quickly thrust out his arms and swinging them against the Myrian's legs to knock him off his feet. The Akalak brought his lakan in a sweeping motion towards his neck and slipped back further on the mat. Riaris glared at the man as he stood again, then rushed him, slamming his weight into the Mizara and sending him backwards across the mat.

by **Razkar** on December 30th, 2012, 12:59 am

Razkar was barely on his feet before a charging violet bull crashed into his body. He grunted as white-hot pain flashed through him, slammed backwards onto the mat. Riaris pinned him on the chest with one hand, raised lakan over his head with another.

Move. Now!

Swimming through the pain, blocking it out, bending it to his will, Razkar twisted on his back as far right as he could. Riaris's hand slid off his chest and onto the mat, his upper body wobbling uncertainly-

-at the same time Razkar slammed the hilt of his wooden ax into his left kidney and jerked his knee up into the Akalak's gut.

The twin impacts had Riaris growling in pain and he fell back from the Myrian. Razkar rolled away and managed to force himself to his feet, training weapon now visibly shaking in his hand. Riaris regarded him coldly and swept forwards, sweeping horizontally with his lakan, making Razkar sway backwards to avoid it-

-but leaving his stomach open, and Riaris planting his boot right into it.

Razkar coughed and nearly doubled over on his feet, swinging blindly to fend off the Akalak was best he could. Ripples of pain spread across his body, but still he would not drop his weapon, even as his breathing became shallow and his teeth bared. Instead, he tossed his ax to one side and switched to his gladius instead.

No showboating or spinning or flourishes. Instead he just grinned a little wider and cracked his head to one side. Stiff vertebrae crunched back into place and he nodded.

"Good fight."

Then he threw himself at the Akalak for another clash.

by **Riaris Dovukalis** on December 30th, 2012, 4:00 am

Riaris dashed forward as Razkar did, both men stopping mid way and striking at each other. There were no more strike and retreat, no longer did they move away or step to the side. Now..they fought. Razkar swung the gladius horizontally towards his Akalak opponent, causing Riaris to jump back to avoid it. The Myrian's speed was impressive, causing Riaris to double back in order to duck and block the blade that he wielded. He moved back further, striking out with his lakan which slammed into the wooden blade with a loud clack.

Both men stepped forward with a swing that ended with their arms locking together. Razkar quickly realized that his opponent had the better end, slammed a foot into his thigh and pulled himself free. Riaris moved on him again, swinging the lakan across his chest. The Myrian blocked the shot with his bigger weapon then brought a stiff knee against him. The Akalak blocked the knee with his own and slipping a stiff jab into the man's chest afterwards.

Again they both charged, this time only using their weapons to battle. Riaris swung his lakan against the Myrian's gladius, first then after ducking a powerful fist, struck again the with the weapon as the clash continued. Riaris dashed forward in order to grapple the smaller man, but Razkar had been ready and slipped back further and out of his reach. The quick Myrian then slipped to his side and swung at his ribs with his gladius in which Riaris blocked and twisted his body to face him once more.

Riaris leaned in with a stiff headbutt knocking the man stumbling backwards but he was able to stay on his feet. He moved again, leaning in to ram his shoulder into his opponent, only for Razkar to use his speed and slip to the side and jump onto his back. Riaris stumbled forward, surprised at the bold move and instantly reached for the hand that grasped his thick neck. Using his free hand, Razkar brought his weapon in a downward motion towards the Akalak's chest. Luckily, Riaris was able to block him by grabbing his wrist as he swung him over his shoulder and back onto the mat.

"You are quite the warrior..I'll give you that."

by **Razkar** on December 30th, 2012, 4:35 am

Razkar lookd up at the grinning violet face above him... and tapped the wooden ax head against the inside of Riaris's thigh. If it had been a real ax, a swipe or even a cut there would have opened up the artery there and within three chimes...

"As you are."

The big Akalak backed up and let Razkar get to his feet. His muscles ached and felt still, sore, abused, sullied and gloriously stretched. He turned and faced the big man, a sheen of sweat over both of them and bruises already rising. The cocky grin was still there, but oddly enough, that simple compliment was worth more to Razkar than simply beating him into the mat.

Probably because Riaris was not the type to hand them out freely.

Mizra watched the Myrian raise his weapons and cross them across his chest in salute. His Akalak opponent did the same, and he walked over to them, smiling broadly and nodding.

"Good. Very good, my students." He stopped between them, hands clasped lightly behind his back, gaze falling first on Razkar. "Your form is improving, Razkar, but you must put more strength behind your blows. Muscle and power is not everything-" was it Razkar's imagination, or was there a tiny flicker of his eyes towards Riaris? -"but against Akalaks or those of similar size, form and speed may not be enough. Also, while fatal blows are your priority, when you're up against an over-sized enemy, wear them down. A longer game, perhaps, but ultimately a safer one."

Razkar nodded respectfully, always hungry for the lessons the centuries-old Akalak would teach. Mizra turned then to Riaris, gaze a touch more wry and familiar, knowing this pup of old and seeing... something in him. Potential, most likely.

But the thing about potential was, it could go either way.

"You started this fight in arrogance. Don't waste my times with denials, we both know it to be true. But as you grew to appreciate your opponent's skills, you adapted like a true warrior, respected your opponent, and fought well." He stepped forwards, eyes a shade harder. "But in a real battle, you may not have the luxury of sparring. In a real battle, that arrogance could kill you. Do not succumb to it. In addition, your power is impressive, worthy of a true Akalak... but your speed is lacking. The Myrian outpaced you for most of the spar. Only your skill with the lakan and creativity made it an even battle. But, all in all... you did well, young one."

Mizra Aqdas stepped back from the pair and bowed slightly. They returned it, and without a word he strode off. Razkar watched him as he went. He never walked, or plodded, that man. Everywhere he went, it was with the straight-backed, solid stride of an Akalak that knew his purpose in every moment. He envied that.

The Akalak and the Myrian exchanged their wood for steel and got dressed again. Once they were done, Razkar looked up at Riaris. A purple bruise was darkening his violet chin quite nicely. He could already feel a bump the size of three knuckles rising on the top of his head.

He extended his hand... and dropped ten gold mizas into the donation box inside the double doors. He'd heard that most of the money gained to keep this grand hall open was from donations. Seeing how much he had learned, how much it had given him, Razkar would have counted himself less than a man if he did not contribute.

That done, he turned back to Riaris, saw the sardonic dance in those colorful eyes, and grinned with yellowed, sharpened teeth. And for Riaris, it actually touched his eyes.

"Good journey. Will see next time."

RecieptTraining: 10gm.00sm.00cm

by **Riaris Dovukalis** on December 30th, 2012, 6:56 pm

Riaris cocked a smile as his eyes lowered down, apparently the Myrian hadn't felt the wooden lakan poking in his ribs, which Riaris then pressed against him harder and changing the look upon his face. "Things aren't always quite what they seem.." Winning the battle, if one were fighting in one, would have a goal to defeat their enemy. Of course surviving the fight would have been an even greater feat.

He backed up then, allowing the small man to stand again. His legs seemed weak and his chest out of breath. Riaris was tired, but save for a few bruises he was still ready to go. But in the spirit of good will, he allowed the match to end, seeing that his opponent had enough. The Myrian probably couldn't feel it now, but later once his body calmed he might find it hard to move at all. Riaris popped his neck and rotated his shoulders to work out the knots. It had been a fun duel, though he had hoped to test out at least one additional weapon. He supposed that could wait until another time though.

Once Mizra returned to them and offered his thoughts Riaris almost laughed out load. He couldn't believe that the older Akalak was serious, or if he was just pining over his newer student. Didn't the Akalak know? That sparing was only an exercise, it wasn't a true test of a warrior. The young Akalak arched a brow at the man's words and found himself wondering if this was a joke. Did he not know Riaris at all, did he not understand the true Akalaks way? He spoke of real battle, however there was one thing that real war had that they didn't in their spar.

Fear..

They had both chosen wooden weapons, and agreed to a simple match. That alone removed the fear of serious injury or death from either of their minds. From that point, the fight had been nothing but fun. If it were a real battle Riaris wouldn't have used as much in the way of unarmed combat and would have wielded his weapon more carefully. He would have also used his gift.. The one that would cause his opponent to feel serious pain from even the slightly cut, and from a more serious slash they may even feel as if they were going to die. But, he wasn't one to argue, especially when it didn't matter.

Instead, Riaris bowed out of respect, the same respect that allowed him to hold his tongue and not decide to show the old Akalak his true power. He turned away then, placing the wooden lakan back on the rack and retrieving his own. The finely tuned blade that held a bit of his own djed. One touch from him, and a slice from his blade and his opponent would be in serious pain, even crippling. He smiled wickly as he moved the blade over his palm. Perhaps the master of the Kendoka Sasaran had grown soft in his old age and needed to be replaced. Riaris imagined that he could take that role easy enough, after all they would all follow him soon enough. But today wasn't the day, nor the right time.

Once he had collected his things, the Akalak dropped ten mizas of his own into the box, before turning over his shoulder to glance towards the Myrian again. "I'm always around..always. "RecieptTraining: 10gm.

by **Traverse** on January 30th, 2013, 2:48 am

For the Weary Travelers

Razkar :

Riaris :

Shared Lore:
Sparring With a Worthy Opponent

Additional Notes :

Safe Travels!