Closed Left to My Own Devices[Bolivar]

[Rodistair]

The axe wielding knight easily dodge the blow, and that was pretty much what the squire had expected, this man was well above his skill. But it was an enjoyable challenge. They were back at long range, a range that the new squire didn’t really like, and the man seemed to dodge to the sword side, it was a good choice, the longsword wasn’t the best weapon to block a huge axe with. Rodistair lept forward, just slightly to the left of center between the two, he was at mid range now, a better range for the newbie, but still not good enough to do any real damage

He stepped again swiftly, moving into to close range, keeping his shield under Bolivar’s arms, hoping to limit any sort of downward strike from that looming axe. Then he swiped in from the right, still at the torso- with as strong of a swipe as he could muster, which really wasn’t very powerful.

[Bolivar]

Playing the part of a passive partner was rather trying for Bolivar. Still it was required for him to give the kid some space when he err'd with his initial judgements. Later Bolivar could not give Rodistair any quarter but for now he would hold his tongue.

Miming a jab at the kid as he entered Bolivar's range the mixed blood mused silently while Rodistair stepped closer. Shaking his head slightly Bolivar pulled back on the hilt bash transferring the motion to a parry on his left. Once again expecting a follow through with the strike Bolivar exasperated out of annoyance realizing everything what was lacking from the kid's attack.

Lacking a follow through, shoddy footwork, a weak step in and this. This was suppose to defend him from me?

Placing himself in between the kid and his weapon Bolivar pulled hard on the Rodistair's sword arm with his left. Inadvertently or not Bolivar ended up pulling the squire towards him right into his side. Bolivar forearm between the kid's head and chest growled angrily as he spurned the kid back. Bringing up his hand to the kid's face Bolivar used both weapon and his palm to shove Rodistair back. Bolivar using only his upper body for the motion let go of the kid's sword arm as he reset into the same stance hoping the lesson went noticed.

"This ain't pell training boy. You've learned of combinations right? Vary it up."

[Rodistair]

Rodistair regained his balance, his distance was roughly where they had started before there exchange, and as the new squire gripped his sword, he could feel his blood percolating, in a mix of anger, and excitement. While no man enjoyed being tossed and jerked around, the exchange had been fruitful. The squire liked this little tussle, and he at least felt like he was learning. He studied his foe, that axe could be dangerous if he actually decided to use it on him. His footing was obviously a problem, he could see that it was making balance an issue.

‘mix it up, eh?’ he thought to himself. His sword skills weren’t the best he knew, but maybe he could improvise- scrap something together that would knock his foe off his feet, literally. He breathed deep, who knew when the next time he would be able to breath this nice crisp fresh air unopposed.

He lept at Bolivar, one swift step in, under the axe, his shield aimed at the chest, and his sword thrusting low, trying to get in-between the feet, then he swiped right, trying to take the leg, and in one swift move, arc the sword up, and around to strike at the left shoulder.

[Bolivar]

Another. Petching. Stab.

Bolivar nearly had it with that. The kid was not even consciously considering his defense. Just throwing up the shield and thinking that would suffice. That attack and that stance did not take into account how ready his shield was from hits. Shifting his position Bolivar jabbed down hard on the shield from his position before shifting sideways deftly avoiding the torso jab. Raising a eye to the unorthodox lash out to his thigh Bolivar blinked more then confused as the strike suddenly progressed to the opposite shoulder side which ended up hitting his chest. Both strikes he took. The initial followup having little merit in the squire's eyes though the hit to his chest might have translated into something worth noting. If only he didn't lead with the same petching stab.

“Eh? The petch was that?”

Exasperating obviously more miffed then anything Bolivar brought the handle of his axe between him and the kid. Once again shoving his opponent back, this time using only his axe, Bolivar shook his head in discontent with how the spar turned out. More time spent polishing his knowledge of fluid strikes and actually using his shield was needed. The sword strikes would come naturally given Rodistair's temperament but more then anything he would have to work with his shield skills. He would have to do more then hold up the shield in his hands no matter how heavy the metal was or tired he was. A slight scoff to set the tone Bolivar looked at his opponent scathingly.

“You should really stop letting me push you back like that. Raise a guard and get ready.

Either defend against this or don't. It didn't matter to me in particular. If the kid wants to leave in one piece he should heed my words.

[Rodistair]

The percolating blood in the young squire was starting to boil, he understood that the man he was facing was getting frustrated, but you were either a teacher, or you were a sparring partner. Rodistair dropped into his stance, an aggressive stance favoring movement and proactive blocking with his shield. He stood off center to his foe, his left side almost inline with his target’s left side. His shield was angled at almost 60degrees from his body, the leading edge aimed at the left shoulder. He was only two steps away, and it should only be a short dash to get into sword reach.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his blood, then he charged forward, striking at Bolivar’s left shoulder with the forward edge, and swiping at the forearm with his wooden sword.

[Bolivar]

A thought. Perhaps just ending the spar at that point would be more beneficial for the younger squire to understand. After all Bolivar had already developed his own winning pattern and he had more then caught up to the pace Rodistair had been trying to set. It was time for him to understand the merits of backing down and then confound him even more. A devastating defeat usually merited more reflection and improvement when done right.

To start things off Bolivar took the initiative quickly as Rodistair started forward. It was time to test the kid's shield arm, Rodistair's attack would hit him of course but what mattered was striking first in this moment. With the extra length from his weapon it was a matter of swinging just as Rodistair entered a step too far into his range. Bearing down his axehead at Rod's center mass Bolivar knew to give just enough to leave a strong impression on the kid's shield arm. Stoically taking the attack to his side Bolivar felt the bite of the weapon's tip on his arm as he stepped deeper into the pair's range.

Moving from his usual longer distance into a mid range Bolivar rocked on the soles of his heel for a moment. Drawing back his weapon from the strike only to release it moments later. Shifting his waist with the blow while pushing forward now on his toes Bolivar directed his axe at Rodistair's sword side aiming a bit farther back to compensate the other's movements.

oocIf you need help pm me

[Rodistair]

Bolivar was much more skilled than Rodistair was, it was painfully clear in the brief time the spar had lasted, with the axe looming over the younger squire like Dira’s judgment. Rodi could feel something bad was going to happen, he could see the older squire move, and adjust. But Rodistair was already moving, too fast to stop his own momentum, all he could so was try to save himself. He angled his shield slightly, as best as he could in the time it would take for the strike to land.

The wooden axe thudded against the shield, transferring most of its energy into Rodi’s arm, pain shot up from his wrist to his back, as the blow reverberated through his body. The younger boy winced in pain, but he wasn’t done yet. The axe soon whistled again, towards Rodistair, at his sword arm this time, his over extended, and exposed sword side, there was nothing that the younger squire could do stop the strike.

For a brief tick, Rodistair felt the axe connect, then his arm went numb, he felt himself tumble helpless, before blacking out. He came too a tick later, sprawled on the ground, his arm tingling and burning where the axe struck. He hobbled, and stood up, staggering, and slowly a shyke eating grin formed on his face. He couldn’t life his arm, or move his fingers. This day was over, Rodistair dropped his wooden practice shield, and extended his good arm. “That was fun.” He called, trying to stay conscious through the pain, and the bruised pride of losing.

[Bolivar]

With that the melee ended on an anticlimactic note.

The pressure Bolivar felt with his counter initiation was negligible at best. His follow up even more so. Shaking his head in disappointment Bolivar steamed slightly. Feeling his spar with Rodistair was more irritating to him then enlightening or helpful to the young squire. Bolivar could feel the vein that popped hearing Rodistaire concede so matter of factly.

“That is it? You are fine with this?”

His eyes narrowing in barely veiled contempt Bolivar had to fight his urge to knock some sense into the boy. True by some miracle the lad did not sustain an injury from the spar but it looked like that nothing of note was imparted to the young page/squire. Patience was a cornerstone of the knight's code, courtesy as well. Slowing his haughty breathes to a calmer pace Bolivar closed his eyes as he drew his hand up. Massaging his forehead slightly Bolivar took an easing breathe before finally figuring out what to say to Rodistaire. There was too much to say given that performance but it looked like that Bolivar would be strained to part anything, much less everything, of worth to him. Though if Bolivar wanted to relay one thing to Rodistaire it would have to be...

“Fix your attitude son. What type of answer is that? Aren't you training to become a knight?”

Not even bothering with his usual sheathing flourish Bolivar freed up his hands just to place them upon Rodistair's shoulders. Looking straight at his eyes, trying to find any light of understanding or drive, Bolivar then looked at the wooden shield and the kid's swinging arm.

“Heart is in the right place bozo.”

Flicking Rodistair's forehead and squeezing his shield arm hard Bolivar hand went up with the universal signal to pause.

“But you have to use that empty space between your ears. Fill it with understanding and you shall never want. This frail arm that holds your shield. Strengthen it to such a point that you'll never tire. Then you shall never lose.”

Placing his arm upon Rodistair's head Bolivar pushed off the squire's noggin before going back to reset the distance two fighters normally took. His eyes still trying to read Rodistair's motives and thoughts Bolivar kept on staring until he was sure that the other was able to heed him.

“This spar is over. Understand?”

Sparring was already a dangerous career ending method for training. What more if one did not utilize proper sparring decorum? Whilst in the heat of battle, not quite understanding when to call it quits one's career if not life could be ended by that one fool who thought of nothing but to get one more cut in. No sooner had he exited the circle was Bolivar approached by a possible knight who seemed reproachful to Bolivar's method of dealing so roughly with one so young. A move that possibly made his seem like a white knight of sorts.

“Come along squire. I've something to teach you as well, though action. Perhaps something partially resembling manners will be shown when addressing your fellow squires.”

An eyebrow raised up at the challenge Bolivar's hand move to the hilt of his weapon. Flourishing it our deftly Bolivar nodded in return. The thought of testing his ability to hold his own against a knight was appealing. In some ways Bolivar was only a squire in name.

“I am looking forward to it Ser.”

oocMk! Done with the thread. Be sure to post it up for the gradings. I'd like some points in teaching, maybe one or two in tactics or axe. Lore wise maybe a lore about newly squired pages like Rodistair.