Meeting the patron

[Olaf]

9th spring 514 AV Today had been a nice day, he got accepted into the order. He had been given a nice room to live in, though it was shared. Not that he minded, he had enough space to store all his stuff and all. He hadn't met his room-mates yet though. Still, they were squires knights to be. They couldn't be bad people. He arrived at the training room and began looking around for his patron. “So! You're Olaf aren't you!” A thunderous voice bellowed through the room and a knight wearing the customary plate armor of the knights, his helmet in his hand a large steel shield on his back and a large grin on his face. “I'm ulfric stonewall. Your patron!” He slapped heartily slapped olaf on the shoulder. “Lets get you suited all up and train you into a knight sylir himself could be proud of eh!” Olaf was almost dragged of, his patron chattering about on most topics all the while. Olaf himself not getting a word in. He wasn't really trying though. It felt rather nice to have somebody be this happy just having him show up. Not many people, if any, other then his father were ever happy to see him at all. It was a rather welcome change of pace. They stopped at a corner, where a battered set of equipment was lying. “Lets get started. There are only a few rules to remember when putting on armor. Work from down to up and from the insides to out. So padding first and then the rest of the suit starting from the legs. I'll help ya along because it's the first time. But after that I'm expecting you to get it on by yourself.” Olaf just nodded and began hoisting himself into the armor. It was slightly difficult; But with some difficulty he managed to get inside of the suit. And quite a bit of his patrons help. “It's heavy.” Olaf remarked as he tried to move, it didn't limit his movements a lot. “Yeah, it is . But you better get used to it since that isn't all you're gonna have to wear while we are training.” His patron said with a wide grin as he pointed towards the other equipment besides him. A heavy looking shield, a crossbow that looked just as heavy and a longsword and a small quiver filled with bolts. “We'll be leaving the bolts and crossbow for now though. No sense in overdoing it on the first day right?” Olaf couldn't help letting out a breath of relief at that. “No ser Stonewall.” He said as he grabbed the shield and the longsword. Awkwardly hanging the scabbard of the longsword on the belt of his armor. His patron let out a loud laugh. “Now you look like a knight. Although one who got a bit of a thrasing. Lets go and start making you fight like one shall we?!” He walked over to one of the sparring area's and motioned him to come stand next to him. Olaf did so. “Right. Lets start with the most important thing of fighting. Staying alive. Your biggest ally is your shield. Holding it is pretty easy. He pulled his own shield off his back and demonstrated. “Put your forearm through the strap and hold the handle.” Olaf did so. His patron nodded. “Yeah that's the right hold. Holding the shield is the easy part though. Actually defending yourself with is where the real skill of fighting comes in!” “Ehm.” Olaf spoke up. Much to his surprise the talktive and active patron didn't just continue talking but stopped. “Yes Olaf?” “I know defense is important. But what about offense? Using a weapon?” olaf whinced, though his patron couldn't see it underneath the armor. His body language was still the same. Ulric howaver wasn't fazed by his question. “It's just a style of fighting. Just like my name implies I fight defensively. Letting them tire themselves out and exploiting their weaknesses when they falter. It's an easy direct and very effective combat style. Especially when you are in a group but still outnumbered. It keeps you alive as well.” “Oh. Sounds handy.” Olaf said honestly. “Indeed it is!” Ulfric laughed. “Now then lets get started with some pointers shall we? First of, always cover the majority of your body with your shield. Putting it between you and your opponent. Stand a bit sideways as well so that the shield can cover more with your body. Gives you an easier time of defending.” Ulfric explained. Motioning out the stances he was talking about as well. “It might make handeling your sword a bit harder. But that's why it's called a defensive fighting style. Attacking isn't the main focus. Also angle your shield, like I'm doing right now. Taking an attack head on only makes it harder on you. However if you angle your shield some of the force of the blow doesn't end up getting transferred onto you. You get it?” “Err. Mostly.” “Good! Then lets get some practical experience underneath your belt. Talking won't learn you everything. Don't bother to much with your weapon for now. Just hold it and focus on defending. I'll go easy on ya!” His patron said with a wide grin. A grin that let a shiver crawl downs olaf spine. Somehow he got a really bad feeling about this.