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[Vasin]

Timestamp: 4th of Winter, 518 A.V.

Vasin stepped through the dusty doors of the Library having remembered his way through Stumble Alley from when he had come here with Kelski. Closing the door behind him quietly the floor creaked under his feet. It was quiet, just like last time as he hesitantly stood there for a moment. Last time he had come they had been directed to an unsorted section with maps. It had been a wonderful find, inspired him and Kelski a bit as well. It had been very different from his experiences reading by the docks or the edge of town. Here, it felt like he wouldn't have eyes on him for simply reading. Plus, he didn't have to worry about people coming right up to him when he was distracted by a passage. Even if that was what Kelski had hoped for him to inspire. Though he wasn't trusting of everyone's intentions and knew some would take the opportunity to try and take something from him while he was not looking. Plus he only had the one book, and there were many more readings here in the Library for him to explore and discover. Like a mini adventure, he mused with a small smile before taking another step in. Shelves of dusty old books line the walls, he wasn't entirely sure where to begin. He had a few ideas about what he wanted to search for but wasn't exactly sure on specifics.

[Vasin]

Vasin was not exactly well aware of the sorting system here, and he wasn't sure if there ever was one. So, he picked a seemingly random section and approached it. His eyes ran over the rows of leather-bound books, journals, and paper scrolls the lined the bookshelf. He ran his finger over their spines as he searched them looking for something to catch his eye. As he went through he would pull a book out and glance it over before putting it back. It was not what he was looking for, even if he wasn't entirely sure what he was after. So he pressed on to the next row down and did the same, looking at book spine after book spine and book cover after book cover. Until, eventually something caught his eye as he crouched there, gently pulling the leather-clad journal out. It was well worn, with rough almost faded writing on the outside. A tattered string held the journal closed as he looked it over. 'Swords and Coin by Mercenary Urija' Vasin quietly sounded out noticing that there was a previous title that the journal writer had scribbled out. Interest piqued Vasin took the book over to a table and sat it down. Then he would set himself in front of the book and sit there for a moment. He fished out his piece of parchment and writing utensil. From the same, he had used for his writings when writing down things Kelski had explained to him.

[Vasin]

Vasin would then proceed to untie the string and then open the journal up to the first page. From the very first page, he would tell each passage was dated. This was indeed someone's journal. Kinda of like the other book he supposed as he took in what he had found. Day to day life of a mercenary eh? He figured at the very least he could get into it and relate a little as he started reading that first passage. Meh, nothing really interesting. Just them talking about their job that day, guarding some store owner's delivery. Nothing exactly happened in this passage he realized as his eyes scanned each line. Maybe he missed something? He questioned himself wanting to find something useful in this first passage, it couldn't just be that right? Ah! here it is! He found something useful, a little nugget after he read the first passage again. "When I was walking by the side of the cart I made sure to walk in a big way. Really make my presence known, show myself off with an open large stride. Flashed my scabbard at this one man who stared at us too long. When I'm on escort I have to not only keep an eye out but dissuade others who are keeping an eye on me. If I look weak, then someone will attack. Learned the hard way that when you are guarding part of your job is to scare people off before they can even think of shanking you. Make yourself look bigger then you are, walk confidently if you are not, and look people in the eye without blinking. Show off the goods, but don't be cocky. I never overextend beyond what I got. Otherwise, people will know you are acting, or worse yet won't take me seriously. You have to intimidate on the go, and persuade without a word." the passage said in that one spot. Vasin found it interesting so he read it a couple more times and wrote down what he thought the points are. Walk confidently and openly, appear more dangerous then you are, look as if you are ready for scrap at any moment, and don't be afraid to flash the goods. Really basic stuff Vasin figured as he sat there, he tried to visualize what it would have looked like. He pictured himself in that situation, walking in a more confident manner while trying to scare off would-be thieves. He opened his eyes and jotted down his thoughts. Maybe he could use this when he was out on the job? To intimidate people before something escalated? To intimidate by sight without the use of direct violence. Interesting Vasin pondered before flipping to the next page.

[Vasin]

Oh, now this was interesting immediately Vasin found as he started to read this passage. Seems this Urija fellow had been jumped by a robber who broke into a shop at night. "So there I was, a knife to my back out of nowhere and a hushed whisper as this robber thinks he had me by the ropes. I'm not listening to him anyway, probably was just telling me to drop my sword and belongings. Probably wanted to tie me up to so he could pilfer the shop. Bastard should have stabbed me right then and there because before he could finish I elbowed him as hard as I could in the stomach. If you are going to stab someone, stab them don't talk as he was not ready for a fight. So there I am as I step forward and spin around. He is recovering quickly, and it is all going by really fast. But like really slow to you know? Anyways, I draw my sword and try to swing at him. This guy to his credit ducks and rolls back. Nimble fella, but not much power as my blow to his gut showed. So my sword slices through the air and missed, he thinks he is going to bound up and drive his knife into my gut. Instead what happens is as he is bouncing back up I kick him. Now, it's called sword fighting, yes, but in a sword fight, you cannot just use your sword. The sword as you know is an extension of yourself. It is a part of your body, and in a sword fight, every part of you is the sword or a weapon. So I kick him and he rolls to the side and finally gets up. I turn to face him and take my signature fighting post, a high sword guard! And I wait, this bastard wants me dead so I wait their eyes locked on. You need to watch for every little movement in a fight. Then I see it, an initial twitch. Bingo, he comes right at me and before I know it I am swinging down. Now, normally you would use this to parry of course. But I decided to disarm him! Get it? Well no matter, you are about to. I aim for the other side of his arm, not at it. I bring it down and slice right through in one fluid motion! This man is now screaming as his arm is lobbed off and his blood splatters all over the floor! In a sword fight you should never aim at what you are striking, but rather the other side of it my friends. Otherwise, you will stop and get yourself stuck. An opponent is never finished no matter how many partial cuts he gets. Well, unless they bleed out I suppose. Regardless he falls to his knees and I do the same thing! I behead him right then and there. Aim for the other side of the neck and follow through in one motion. Head pops off and he falls to the ground! You should have seen the look on his face!"

[Vasin]

The passage read very easily to Vasin, he imagined it from the perspective of the writer. What was trying to be taught this time was very evident. He jotted it down both in memory and paper. In a sword fight aim for the other side of your target, not the target itself, and follow through!!! he wrote jotting down a couple extra exclamation marks more then he needed. It was interesting, Vasin had never thought to do that before. He was self-taught so he always figured he just needed to thwack someone! But no, seemed there was more to it. He jotted something else down in memory and paper. Fluid motion. He had to act as if it was a fluid motion. Then, he wrote something else with a question mark 'Guard?'. He wasn't entirely sure what was meant there. Were there different types of defensive stances? Maybe it would be explored more he read.

[Vasin]

Ah, here we go! After a couple more passages he found something interesting once again. "I keep seeing these people who think they can be a mercenary just because they have an old rusty sword. All of them are trash and garbage. Couldn't fight their way out of a wet canvas sack! I've humored one or two of them with a sparring match. They all fall short of course. Turns out the majority of these people are self-taught. They choreograph their attacks way too soon! Their swings are slow! There is no method to the madness, they just think they can thwack away like someone is a log. They reel their sword back as if powering up a swing then swing away in such an unbalanced manner. That may work on a common thug, but anyone who knows their salt will rip right through them! Listen, never work with these people again. All hype no game. " Vasin read feeling a little self-conscious before he continued to read. "People need to know their guards, how to make an attack without revealing it too much, and how to not be so flat-footed in a sword fight! it's disgusting really! But I can't blame them too much, not too many people can afford an actual lesson, around these parts there are not many actual trainers. I tell them, practice makes perfect. Don't pull your sword back to much for a swing. If a sword is sharp, it will cut. We are not dealing with an ax here. So you don't need to put a massive amount of effort in. Wait for your chances, give them a nice high guard and swipe down on their exposed bits! Disarm em! hahaha. If you have a nice set of armor, feel free to take a hit from a sword. Unless they know their stuff, it won't get through. Also, always keep a spring in your step. Don't get lazy and just stand there. Bounce a little and be ready to dodge, weave, and attack. Take an aggressive position if you can friends."

[Vasin]

Vasin read taking some things away from that passage. Obviously, this journal was meant to be shared among friends. But then he learned the idea about keeping a bounce in your step. Don't stop moving in a sword fight, and don't be flat footed? Vasin supposed he meant to not have your feet heavily planted on the ground? A spring and aggressive stand? He could practically picture it! Springing forward and thrusting with all your momentum behind it, then springing back with this so-called high guard ready to counter. Also, to be quick in your swings. Maybe he needed to sharpen his sword a bit more often? Yeah, it certainly was not an ax where a lot of effort needed to be put in. This mercenary certainly had it down. The journal itself was filled with multiple accounts of sword fights and guard jobs. But seemingly one day the passages stop.

[Vasin]

Vasin had lost track of time as he found himself buried in the journal taking physical and mental notes of advice from the book itself. He pictured himself in such situations. Imagined how he would pull it off. it wasn't a fighting manual, but it was a lot more personal. Whoever wrote this was obviously very skilled in their craft. Sitting their time had seemingly drifted away from him. But, he was on a roll for reading. Vasin then decided to find another book or journal, as he had spent so long on this book taking in all its gore-fantastic details. Tieing the book string back up he would return it to where he had found it. Sliding it into place he would start to search the shelves once more. Slowly he looked over the titles on the spine and pulled one out every now and again. Eventually, he found another book that had captured his attention. 'The Journal of Azen, Wilderness Guide' the journal was in rather a good condition but had some dull brown stains on the cover. Curious Vasin would take the journal back to the table and sit down with it, slowly opening it up.

[Vasin]

Seems this journal starts with a passage at the beginning of an expedition into the wilderness. They were sort of using the journal as half record half checklist in a way. 'Packing: Durable Water repellent, Basic First Aid Kit, Fire Starting Equipment, Backup Waterskin, Tent, Bedroll, Bow + 20 arrows, Flint and steel, Snare wire, Small compass, Fish and snare line, Fishhooks, Candles, Blanket, Needle and thread, and hunting Knife.' Then the passage went on to list various bits of edible plants in the area they were heading through. Based on past experience Vasin figured but found that it was also in list format. The actual passage started as he read further down in the book.

[Vasin]

"Got hired to take two new hunters out into the wilderness. They think they are big shots just because they went in the wildlands around Sunberth a couple of times. I asked them some simple questions, but it's obvious they have no experience in any sort of survival scenario. All they know about the shelter in tents. They don't consider safety even a little. Asked them about methods of concealment, and they said no need. Didn't even say put branches over it. Asked them about escape routes, and they said back of the tent. As if we are in an open field, and not in a confined area. Asked about protection against the elements? They said they would just kill any animals, and they doubted falling rocks or trees would happen. They should know that most predators will grab you are the night. Couldn't even be bothered to say they would want to at least put up a fire, or avoid being near a cliff or under a rotten looking tree. Asked them about flash flood, and they didn't even know what that was. Didn't know how to look for the signs of a previous flash flood. Like dry washed out areas carved into the land. Asked them how they would find water and all they said was they have water and if they ran out they would boil some. Don't even know how to dig for water, use moisture, or that you need to filter most water as well. Hope they enjoy getting sick! They also think you can just have a fire on the ground without digging a pit. I swear they want to burn alive in their sleep. I am in for a very miserable trip with these idiots, but their coin is good." the passage would read Vasin finding it somewhat amusing. But there were bits of information in there he really liked. Lots of stuff he wouldn't have thought about before when venturing out. He jotted each point they had made down in memory and on paper.