[Flashback]Between Squires[Dimitri]

[Markus Andres]

57th of summer 510 AV. Markus stood at attention in front of his master. Half expecting the man to whip out his sword at any time to duel his young squire. To test him. But instead, his master just looked at him with the usual scrutinizing and stern look. 'Your armor has spots with rust.' "Yes sir, didn't have the time to wo-" 'No excuses.' "No sir." Markus said. Giving his master a smile, for despite his gruff words and strictness, Markus had grown to like the man. It had also taken him a long time. 'I found you a sparring partner for today. Consider it a birthday gift.' Markus smirked. Not because he was happy for the gift. He had been sparring almost non stop for the past 30 days. After his trip to the spinning coin. But what he was smirking about, was that it had been his birthday over a week earlier and he knew his master knew that, so his master was putting on a show. Something Markus knew meant he was either about to face someone who was quite a lot better than him or, his master had some ulterior motive for the spar. Neither boded well. "Thank you sir. A generous gift" Markus said sarcastically, and added a just as sarcastic small bow to him. Markus left his masters office, alone, when he had been told of the time and place. -:-:- Markus sat on a bench at the side of the square sparring area. He was wearing plate armor. Which weighted roughly a quarter of the squires body weight, bringing him up to around 250 pounds. The ground in front of him covered with dirt. Once, according to his master, the area had had grass, but it seemed the years of squires and knights battling on top of it, had worn it all away. Leaving only dull dirt. Markus placed his helmet on the bench next to him and let his shield lean against the side as he began to work on sharpening his own blade and not the similar, except dull, blade he had also brought with him for sparring purposes. Markus took a look at his own blade and smiled. Satisfied with the condition of the blade, he sheathed it and got up from the bench. Deciding to get a warm up before his opponent arrived. Markus went down on the ground. Slowly lifting his face from the ground. Taking his sweet time pushing himself all the way up. Continuing to do a dozen push ups before taking a short break and then another dozen. Feeling satisfied with the strength in his arms, Markus jogged around the 25 by 25 feet large square sparring area. Markus might be wearing 50 pounds worth of armor, but he didn't seem bothered by the extra weight. After half a dozen laps around the square, Markus felt satisfied with the warm up he sat down on the bench again. Intending to go through the same routine should his opponent not show up within the next ten chimes.

[Dimitri]

Dimitri sat upon his bed, polishing his armor, as he did often to prevent rust. He rubbed the polish off giving his armor a nice shine. After shining his armor, he set to sharpening his blade. As the screeches filled the air a young page walked in. Dimitri looked up and the young, obviously shy boy handed him a letter sealed with Dimitri's master's emblem. "Thank you Page." The boy bowed and left. He opened the letter with the edge of his sword.

To Squire Dimitri,

I have scheduled you a sparring match today with a more experienced Squire. His master and I are friends and will consider this something of a contest. Do not let me down. I have left you a dulled sparring blade beneath your bed. Wear full armor and fight most honorably. Do not give up. Keep fighting until you win or are left for the healers. I unfortunately must attend business, and therefore must miss your match. Fight as if I am in attendance. 
Do not be a disgrace.

Your Master in Arms.


Upon finishing the letter Dimitri sighed. A sparring match would be fun, and he should be used to his master not attending his events, but it still twinged with a bit of pain. For four years he trained with his master, learned from him, but never received praise or care. If he was disappointed, Dimitri received discrete beatings disguised as training. Dimitri grew strong physically and his skills improved, but something was always missing. He reached beneath his bed and grabbed his practice sword, already shined and hilted, ready for use. He could tell by the weight and the feel it was the one he used often in practice. A familiar blade was always better.

He donned his armor, carried his shield, and placed both hilts on his hips. He began stretching to the limits of his armor's mobility. After stretching he began doing heavy lifts with his shield over his head. After his arms warmed up, he grabbed one of his swords by it's hilted blade, gripped his shield, and began jogging to the training ground. He used the jog to let his muscles remember the weight of his armor, the mobility of it, and to warm his body up. He jogged in a specific, yet slightly odd looking form. He would overexaggerate his arm motions, swinging his shield and sword, hilt upward of course, further upward and further back than many would think necessary. He did this to stretch and warm up his arms, back, and chest. Upon arriving at the sparring ground, he stopped, hopping on the balls of his feet spying his opponent prepping as well. Dimitri smiled, knowing he was about to do the dance of combat once more, his favorite moments in the world were the ones between crossed swords. He knew women would be watching but this was one thing he would not let them distract him, one thing where he didn't care about their opinions, one thing that was his, and his alone. He stepped to the middle of the sparring arena, tower shield held from chin to thigh, his sharp sword left at the entrance, dull sword drawn, as he stared with fiercely determined eyes at his opponent. He carried himself as if he were a champion among champions, exuding a powerful air that didn't match his current skills. His confidence was pure, his will steeled, and his heart rejoicing at the impending battle. He nodded at his opponent, signalling he was ready.

[Markus Andres]

Markus turned to watch the person who entered the sparring grounds. His ever scrutinizing eye went over the teenager. Quickly noticing the slight difference in height, to the strangers advantage. Longsword - roughly equal length to Markus' bastard sword. He couldn't gauge the relative physical stature of his opponent due to the armor, but the tower shield was a good indicator that his opponent was very strong. That tower shield intrigued Markus. He couldn't wait to try and fight someone using that kind of shield. And was that only the squires choice of shield when fighting dismounted? Or did he also use it when fighting mounted? If so, Markus would really want to watch this squire fight mounted. Would be a very interesting sight. "Skipping the pleasantries?" Markus said with a cheerful grin that soon vanished behind his helmet, as he slid it down over his head. Made sure it was secured, didn't want to feel a blunt blade tear out half his neck. He got up from the bench and reached down for his shield. Sliding his left arm into the strappings of his heater shield and lifting the heavy, but worn and battered shield with ease. Lifting his blunt blade with equal ease. Turning to face the other squire. Despite his initial carefree attitude, Markus had no intention of taking it easy in the spar. He wasn't going to become some second rate knight. He had come too far for that. A strong determination burned in his eyes. No time to play around anymore. It was time to get down to business and have the enemy squire lying sprawled on the ground. Markus got in range with his bastard sword. Took a step in and let his bastard sword come down from above. Aiming for the head of the squire. Checking out his reaction speed and strength. At the same time, Markus' limited vision kept his eye at the other squire's right side. Waiting for the inevitable counter attack from the right side.

[Dimitri]

Dimitri watched his opponent tighten down, and could tell he was just as serious ad himself. It will be a good match. He waited as the man stepped into range and began an overhead chop. Dimitri had a few choices. Block with shield, block with sword, parry, or dodge. He was too slow to dodge the attack in full armor, so that was out. Blocking with his sword would likely end in a broken sword and an injury. Parrying from this position would be intensely difficult.

So he pulled his sword arm down and back, planted his right foot back. He then lifted his shield and tilted it back and toward his right. This would cause it to glance off to the center of his opponents body. He would then continuing tilting his tall shield back so as to attempt a relatively low force shield strike to his opponents lower torso, as well as he punched his sword forward in an attempt at a stab in the gut.

[Markus Andres]

Markus was glad he had not underestimated his opponent's strength. Markus blade was deflected off of the shield. Markus stopped his blade but immediately regretted doing so, as he saw his opponent's blade come out in a quick thrust at his stomach. Markus lowered his left arm and angled the shield so the sword would be deflected to Markus' left side and go past him, finally pushing out with his shield, making the blade go wide. Giving him more time to deal with the battle eager squire. He accepted the strike with the shield on his right thigh. He was wearing plate mail, so he could barely even feel the strike, it was more the restriction of forward movement that bothered him. That was when he got an idea. Move forward. Markus launched his right knee into the shield. Pushing the shield up and to Markus' left. Perhaps surprising the squire, perhaps knocking him off balance. But it didn't matter much, since it was merely a distraction from Markus' blade, that he had pulled back and was now trying to slip around the edge of his opponent's shield and thrust it into his armored left side.

[Dimitri]

Dimitri felt his shoulder pull as his sword was glanced away. He maintained his balance as his shield was lifted up by his opponent's leg. He saw an incoming glint of a sword making it's way around his shield. His right foot was still planted back with his left up front. His opponent was quite skilled and focused. He was also clearly innovative, lifting the shield with his leg was quite unexpected. But it would take more than a glance and a nice trick to stop him.

He let his sword arm swing out and back. He moved his right leg back behind his left and shifted his body perpendicular to his opponents. This forced his shield to turn right with him, deflecting the imminent blade off to his right with a dull clang as the two edges connected. He knew his left side, now facing his opponent was now open. As his sword reached back and down, he twisted his arm and bent his elbow and sent a driving stab, his sword shooting through the gap between Dimitri and his shield, and beneath his shield arm. The sword sped toward the area beneath his opponent's shield.

[Markus Andres]

Markus was a bit surprised at the reaction speed of the opponent. Also pleased that he was going to get a fight worth his time. Markus was for a moment, wondering about his opponent's strange stance and then watching the odd angle of attack. Markus slid his right leg out and pushed his shield down low and to his left. Pushing the incoming blade to Markus' left side, intending to trap the blade between their shields. Opening up all of the squire's back for a particularly nasty strike. Markus reversed the direction of his sword and swung it into the back of the now, hopefully, completely defenseless squire. Should the strike hit, the squire would probably feel the strike hit him, but not be injured, due to the heavy armor and the blunted edge of the training sword.

[Dimitri]

Dimitri was able to pull his sword out to not get trapped between the shields. He tried to sideskip away from the sword but received proper klang as it struck his vulnerable side. He was able to step away disappointed he had been on the receiving end of the first blow. He turned and got back into proper stance. He had been trying something different for a big hit, but knew that rarely worked. Staying steady and center was the obvious choice.

 He lowered his center of gravity by bending his knees slightly. He held his shield so it covered his torso from collarbone to shin. He crouched just a bit lower and then quickly closed the gap. He then exploded upwards and leaning forward a bit, turning his towershield into a massive battering ram. He kept his sword free to parry an oncoming attack.

[Markus Andres]

Markus felt his pride soar with the first hit connected. The enemy squire was quick to get back out of range and prepare for another little skirmish. Markus exhaled deeply and awaited the renewed assault. The squire came at Markus with the shield leading. A large shield. Lead by a stronger man. Markus couldn't absorb that strike and maintain his balance. He would have to find another way to get out of the way. Markus quickly stepped out to his right. Keeping his shield tight to his body. Feeling the shield slam against his shield. Blasting his left side back, but using his right leg as an anchor he rotated his body so it was now him who was perpendicular to the enemy squire. Markus would use the power in his enemy's ram, to power his attack. Much like how a practice dummy used the power of the attack to swing back in again. That was also where Markus had taken the idea for this particular counter. Markus, having expected to get hit, was still surprised by the power in the squire's attack. Almost enough to throw Markus off his intended attack routine. But only almost. His left foot touched the ground again, stabilizing his balance. His blade would come swinging in from the enemy squire's left side. Hoping he would score the second hit on the eager squire.

[Dimitri]

Dimitri felt his body absorb the shock as the shields collided in loud metallic ring the attracted the attention of those nearby. Not ofte was such a sound heard among the cacophony of blocked swords and slashing air. Dimitri saw his strength had turned the man sideways, then his blood ran cold. The man used his ram to fuel the blade now swinging at his side. Dimitri had fought many opponents, some weaker, some like his master leagues above him, even an equal. But this opponent made Dimitri feel like no matter what he did, he was a half step behind, a half swing shy.

He knew that being the prey he would have do something not considered standard. He didn't know himself if it would work never having tried such an insane technique. He spun. Spun counter clockwise and away from the opponent, allowing his shield to carry and lead him. This would put him out of range of the man's slashing blade. If he was quick enough his shield would smack the sword away as cleared the space. If that connected there would be a large opening in the torso of the man's sword side. Dimiti aimed an upward sweeping slash, hoping to connect with a chest, his sword arm, or if gods smiled upon him his opponents chin.