9th Day Spring 513 A.V. 8th Bell
The Training Grounds were an odd sight, Kreig thought as the unfamiliar feeling of the leather armor covered his torso and its accompanying leather helmet covered his head. In his right he held one a wooden longsword while his left carried a wooden shield, circular in shape and seemed to be able to protect most of his upper torso. Being made of simple wood meant it was quite light and easy for his left hand to grasp despite the old wound on its palm, though a heavier shield may need a strap of some sort to keep it held tight. These were all borrowed for use of his training and it simply felt odd.
As he looked around he could see the odd terrain shifting from rocky too soft sand to a patch of grass and so one. He could see many knights and squires training feverously to perfect their skill and a couple of ‘Weapon Masters’; instructors who have mastered their craft giving instruction to knights of varying rank…. This only increased the oddness he felt. Many of the squires were quite young, ranging from to perhaps thirteen years of age to their fledgling adulthoods. He felt so out of place amongst them but only because most of these squires and knights have been born to the order and only met few who joined at their late years and are from outside Syliras, he was told there were more but it didn’t shake the feeling of unease he felt. He wished for his gauntlets to comfort him but Natasha had told him to leave them in his chest back at the dormitory….as such to complete his leather ensemble he also had thick leather gloves ‘This….all….feels….so ….odd’ He could feel his eyes twitch and his nervousness nearly enveloping him.
“Ah, Kreig! Over here!” Natasha called as she waved at him, she wore similar armor as he did and the same type of shield and weapon, she had a soft smile on her face that belied a strictness as she waited for him on a separate corner of the grounds, ready to teach her squire in his first official lesson as part of the order “ I am glad to see you are on time, I hope you’re getting used to your new surroundings?”
Kreig nodded, his head still turning and looking around “Slowly but surely…. It’s all so different than what I’m used too… Sunberth was never this clean and well…. This is quite overwhelming if I must say so Na- Sera Natasha” Natasha grinned slightly and approached her squire, placing a hand gently on his shoulder.
“I know these past few days have been such, I’m just proud your holding up so well…. Remember, if you ever need someone to speak to, never hesitate to find me or speak to the heads of the dormitories. They can help put you at ease” The dorm heads, three women whom Kreig had recently developed a fear of, two of them were gentle but still had this air about them that was best left described at another time. After a brief shudder thinking about them Natasha took a few steps back and looked at Kreig “Alright Kreig, the training sessions with the swords in the wilderness during the previous season should have already put the idea of swinging the sword properly into you” Kreig groaned at the annoying swinging sessions and nodded “ For your first official lesson as a squire, I shall teach you how to use a shield ” She raised her wooden shield proudly as she knocked the flat of her wooden longsword to its surface “ If the sword is the weapon that will spread peace and order throughout the land, the shield is the defender of that peace. It will not simply block a foes attack, it is a weapon all of its own!” She raised the volume of her voice, a fiery glint in her eyes seemed to erupt “ Kreig, I want you to stand still and raise your shield, use it to block my attack”
Kreig nodded as he obediently raised the shield, immediately wishing it as a spar rather than some lesson. As she approached him she swung the wooden sword down with full force, the wooden shield blocking the attack but he could feel the impact through his arm, she swung again and he was forced to his knees, the impact spreading throughout his arm as his grip over the shield loosen. He gritted his teeth as he was dumbfounded by the force of the blows. Natasha grinned as she pulled stepped back and motioned for Kreig to stand, satisfied by the look on his face “ Now Kreig, can you tell me your observations from this little example?”
Kreig looked at her, unsure of what to say but after a moment or two spoke “The shield blocked the sword strikes, but I could feel their impacts….after a few hits I felt my arm weaken” He told her, rubbing his arm slightly. A look of satisfaction on her face told Kreig he answered correctly before he lowered his arm and gripped his wooden blade properly.
“ Exactly, simply blocking an attack will cause the arm wielding it to feel the weight of the blow. It can also damage the shield, which is why instead of blocking the attack the shield would be used to redirect or parry the blow…… I’d like you to attack me now, using all the force you can muster” Kreig should have seen that coming as he raised a nervous eyebrow, gripping the hilt too tightly before relaxing it. He nodded and took a battle position before charging at his patron, bringing his blade down and as it touched the shield, he could feel his arm being repelled widely as the shield pushed his blade aside. His balance off and he could see the tip of Natasha’s blade dangerously close to his abdomen “…..And your dead….. If one could parry or deflect an attack with a blade they may create opportunities in which they could strike a deadly blow” Kreig gulped at that, but he grinned internally as his interest in these things grew. In Sunberth he was to learn these same things with the sword and shield….but certain events prevented him from so
‘At least…and at long last…I’m learning them’ He thought, giving a subtle smile. But the feeling of unease never left and Natasha could see that. If anything their training schedule for the day would be light as she knew Kreig needed time to adjust, it would do no good to rush him or put him into a standard training course while he’s still adjusting. He had barely adjusted to the Wildlands when they had left Sunberth and now to a readjust to a city environment especially one so different than the scum pit that was Sunberth meant adding physical stress to the mental one he carries would only tempt a breakdown.
“ Kreig, I’d like you to attack me again this time” She received another nod from her student, repeating his previous action as he swung the blade, only for Natasha to push it away again with her shield and now Kreig found the wooden surface of the shield Hazardously close to his face “ And recall that I also said it was a weapon, I could use it to bash your face or push you away ” As she lowered her shield she could see the odd face he was giving her. His eyes squinting and the corner of his mouth twitched.
‘Woman, almost bashed my face in’ The brawler wished to say, but alas now that he was an official squire he couldn’t talk back to her….. or at least, he wouldn’t do so in front of the other knights. Indeed the odd feeling still lingered and as much as he focused on the lesson at hand the oddness seemed only to increase.
“Kreig….if you wish to continue at another day we could do so” Natasha looked at Kreig with concern filling her eyes, his odd behavior affecting her as well as her drive to teach him was now slowly being drained and a desire to simply let him get used to his surroundings began to replace it.
“I’m sorry Sera, I don’t wish to stop. I wish to continue…. Its just, I feel too formal” He spoke honestly “Its just that after spending an entire winter in the forest with but you, Fallon and her pet wolf. The atmosphere…..the many people….knights and squires….it’s quite maddening. And quite frankly, I miss my guantlets….I feel nude without them”
“I understand” her previous thoughts having been confirmed, the fact he was feeling uncomfortable around so many people was another issue. Kreig was a people person but an entire season in the wildlands can dull ones social skills, there was also the factor that very few people in the knights and in Syliras hail from Sunberth . The fact that most who hail from Sunberth and attempt to join the knights never seem to last long in there squire hood was also a fact that concerned Kreig, who feared that he may suffer the same fate. If his mind was left with worries or failed to find some measure of comfort their training would go slowly, Natasha had already planned it to be a short session due to expecting trouble with Kreig transitioning from a world radically different than his own…..she didn’t expect it to be more difficult than that. With a sigh she raised her shield and blade “ Let us continue then, for the next few bells we will practice shield techniques alongside improving your sword skill”
Kreig nodded as he took up a battle position, attempting to mimic Natasha’s stance. He brought his shield forward and covered most of his torso, his blade lowered and to the back. The positions of his leg still similar to when he’s but using the sword, one leg forward and slightly crouched while the other was planted somewhat firmly back and at an angle “….I’m not going to enjoy this, aren’t I?”
“ with the mood you’re in? I highly doubt it, then again dear squire, very few enjoy training at the beginning ” Natasha said as she stepped closer to her squire, swinging her sword horizontally from left to right. Kreig blocked the blow but it was a simple block, nothing special as Natasha then spun and struck from the opposite direction, only for Kreig to just give it a simple block again “Kreig, I need you to repel my blows. Move your shield once the blade and apply force to knock it back or simply redirect the direction and attempt to retaliate with your sword” Natasha said as she continued her attack, Kreig grunted as if saying ‘yes ma’am’ As he pushed away her simple sword strikes, but the push was too weak as she could easily retaliate with another sword strike and this time he blocked It normal “ Kreig, your using too little force…and If you must block try and retaliate with the sword at least”
‘I’m Sorry’ Kreig thought, despite his wishes to continue he was truly out of it. Part of him wished he was like the squires or knights who were raised in the order, Part of him wondered why he joined in the first place then he gently reminded himself that he needed a new home. He hated this maddening feeling that only seemed to make him numb. As Natasha swung her blade once more he pushed it away with the shield, but he took too long to take the opportunity to strike back as Natasha’s shield threatened to slam his body had she not stopped.
“You are far distracted Kreig, as your Patron I believe this to be my fault….. you simply hadn’t had enough time to adapt to your surroundings” She said as she lowered her training weapons and removed her helmet.
“But Sera I…”
“Kreig… please….”She interrupted gently “I know what you are too say and its not your fault, it was simply far too soon to begin training. Most squires usually start their training as soon as they come of age but they had been born here, Syliras is the first city you’ve ever traveled too outside of Sunberth. It was quite unfair of me to expect you to be ready so soon” She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder “ Young Brother, please, rest for now….use the next few days to explore the city. Use this time to sort yourself because if we continue while your thoughts are muddled and your focus strayed it will only bring harm to your mind and soul” Kreig didn’t know what to say, inside he suddenly felt like a child, lost and confused. Slowly he nodded and Natasha flashed back another gentle smile “Good, now take your equipment back to the armory. I will see you later perhaps…. Do remember to be back before the Twenty-Second bell” And with that Kreig walked left the Training grounds, his mind quite muddled. |
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by Kreig Messer on March 4th, 2013, 6:14 pm 
