A Day to Ride (Training/Open)

[Jaelyn Baroth]

Season of Spring, Day 8, 511 AV

The watchtower had flared green not many days ago, as well the weather had started to turn warmer, and so Jaelyn was heading towards the Windmount Stables for a day of training in riding and mounted combat. Wearing a full set of plate armor, and being armed with sword, shield, and spear she felt strong and capable. In about a year now she would depart Stormhold dressed as such, but at that time she would be on her Knightly Quest. As that time drew ever closer she ached for it to arrive, but she knew she had so much more to train for first. So she was coming out here to train so that when that day did arrive she would be fully prepared and capable of completing her task.

Pausing in the center of the courtyard she looked up towards the sky. The clouds were threatening rain, as one might expect for this time of Spring, but she could not wait the many days until the storms had slowed. Even if Raynard had not mentioned it to her she knew her skills in riding were not nearly good enough for what was expected of a Knight, and her recent birthday had only made it more urgent that she learn.

Lowering her gray eyes back down from the cloud filled sky she moved once more with determination towards the stables. As she walked though her eyes glanced over the various people moving about the courtyard, many who were most likely busy preparing for the coming planting and growing season.

[Dimitri]

Dimitri decided to spend time at Windoak Stables today. His master left him no mysterious notes requesting he do some obscure training, nor had he been given the day off so fishing wasn't an option either. He entered the yard, and Serena waved at him. He might not be the best at managing horses but he tried his damnedest. He approached a squire that appeared to be managing the allotment of horses today that needed a work out. "Have you any more horses that need worked? Preferably suited for combat." The squire glanced over the list, "Stall five, barn two. Good luck."

He entered the barn and walked over to stall five. Inside was a paintedmount. He approached it gently, whispering and talking to it. He rubbed it's neck and long snout, calming it and getting it used to him. The horse seemed well tempered. He walked around the side of it, his full armor clanking. He placed the saddle, tightened the fitting straps, and locked it into place. He climbed up the stall wall and slid onto the horse. He leaned down over it's neck, petting it and whispering to it. He drew his shield and sword, squeezed his knees and led it forward. Using just his knees he steered it to the yard in an easy gait. As they arrived he looked around at the many other workers, pages, and squires all dutifully training and enjoying their work. He led it further into the yard, considering whether or not to find a training partner, or go work at the dummies.

[Jaelyn Baroth]

It wasn't much longer until Jaelyn made it to the stables, and after a short conversation with a fellow squire she was directed to a horse she could use. It took her some time to remember how to properly saddle and mount the horse, it having been over a season since she had last rode, but eventually, with a only few unhappy sounding noises from the horse, she had the saddle attached properly and had made her way up and into position.

Face set with determination she guided the horse out of the stall and out into the training yard. It didn't feel as strange sitting upon the horse as she had remembered, but it did still feel a little awkward. After a few moments she carefully grasped her shield, making sure she had a firm grip on it, and then brought her spear around into a ready position. Giving a small satisfied nod at everything being right she turned her gaze towards the practice dummies, and only then noticed the other nearby squire.

Lifting her spear up in greeting she gave the boy a small smile as she said, "Good Morning. Are you here to train in mounted combat as well?" even as she asked her question she felt a little silly about it. Why else would a squire be wearing full armor, mounted on a horse, armed, and at the ready?

[Dimitri]

Dimitri smiled at the fellow squire, as his horse sidled over to her. "But of course," he smiled, his teeth a dazzling white, "I believe I've seen you around, though I am ashamed to say we haven't met. I am Dimitri Chenkov, squire to Ser Adamal Brinkaas, White Company, First Regiment, Silver Quadron." He quickly sheathed his sword, and held out his right hand, "Its a pleasure to finally meet you Sera...?"

He studied her as he extended his hand. Her brown hair fell lightly around her jaw, her eyes grey like a storm cloud but had emerald stars poking through. She had a scar on her cheek, a token from sparring? He saw she carried her spear confidently, though she looked slightly uncomfortable on her horse. Maybe it's been a while for her? He allowed himself quick glances around the yard. There was enough space for both a jousting style spar or close quarters, both he needed practice with. He hoped she would be looking for a little combat practice. His horse stomped and huffed a bit impatiently but held itself still. It after all was a trained horse and sought the same things they did themselves.

[Jaelyn Baroth]

Jaelyn shifted her spear to hold it lightly in her left hand against her shield as she took Dimitri's extended hand in a firm grasp, "Jaelyn Baroth, squire to Ser Raynard Darcy, Orange Company, 1st Regiment, Silver Quadron," a faint amusement tinged her smile as she remembered what Tolby had said about common greetings, "It is a pleasure to meet your properly Dimitri."

Releasing the handshake she took hold of her spear again, and glanced over the yard. It was not too crowded, so there would be plenty of space for them to train together, if Dimitri wanted. Turning her attention back to her fellow squire she asked, "Would you care for a partner during your training? I feel that it is much better to practice against someone moving and thinking rather than against the training dummies."

As she spoke Jaelyn could not help but to look Dimitri over. There was something in him that reminded her of her Father. It was not his hair, and certainly not the hint of facial hair the boy had. It was definitely his eyes, brilliantly blue like her Father's, but without the depth of sadness to them. She hoped she would be able to see her Father's eyes like that some day.

[Dimitri]

He smiles and nods at her, and leads the horse away, giving her time to prepare. As he sidled away he thought about he would handle a spear. Now if this weren't a sparring match she would likely strike at his horse and he would lop the head of her spear off. However she would likely be doing mostly straight jabs to keep him at range. Range is the issue, he would have to close in to get to her. He'd have to be careful, he didn't bring his practice sword, so he had to make sure he didn't accidently kill or maim her, or have the same happen to him.

Her nervousness on her horse could be her downfall. He turned his horse with his knees facing her. He gripped his sword in his right hand, shield in left. His horse impatently snorted and stomped at the ground. He raised his shield and squeezed his knees, and set his horse off at a charge, wondering if she would wait or do the same. As he neared her, he prepared the attack in his mind. If she jabbed with her spear he would glance it away with his shield and follow with an overhand slash. If she tried to bash him with the pole of the spear, and thereby opening her body up, he would get in close and punch her with his tower shield.

[Jaelyn Baroth]

Jaelyn returned Dimitri's nod, and watched him carefully as he moved away. He looked far more confident on his horse, so he had that advantage, but she had better reach with the spear she had compared against his sword. His massive shield would help make up the difference, but something that large could not possibly be easy to move around, or possibly even strike around. If nothing else, it would certainly be an interesting time training.

Watching Dimitri turn to face her again Jaelyn took a slow breath, her grip on spear and shield tightening. This was it. When the other squire started to charge Jaelyn hesitated a moment. She wasn't sure she could strike well while charging, but simply standing and waiting for the charge would probably be worse.

Giving her own horse a firm kick to start it forward Jaelyn angled her sword and shield in the direction of Dimitri. She did her best to focus on him, to try and anticipate his actions as they moved toward each other. He would most likely attack, as he was charging, but she had the reach to strike first. He would block, and then retaliate, as any who fought with a weapon and shield did. She would have to watch for and guard against that attack.

As the distance closed Jaelyn's arm tensed, and then she thrust towards Dimitri with her spear. It was not the strongest blow she could manage, or even a strong blow at that. They were sparring after all, and there was no sense in injuring each other. Still, it carried enough force that it could possibly injure if not blocked. A weak practice would do neither of them any good.

Even as she struck with her spear she kept herself conscious of Dimitri's blade, her shield at the ready to catch it when he struck. She expected him to strike back, and hoped he would do her the favor of making it a solid strike so they would both benefit from this exercise.

[Dimitri]

He watched her grip her spear tightly and charge to meet him. He knew at this speed their exchange would be a quick one. As she neared he decided to deviate from the standard taught tactics. It was practice after all, why not try something new? His training told him that the proper approach would be to glance the spear off to his left and away and return with an overhead slash. He quickly sorted out what else he could do. A straight block would severely damage his shield. If he glanced it right, it would end up either spearing him, or becoming a beam to run into.

He decided something different. He slipped his sword beneath the spear, and brought it swinging up. He intended to hit the spear on the bottom with the flat of his sword, knocking it and his sword into an upward angle. He then followed through with a crushing shield punch aimed at her torso and thigh. If it struck it wouldn't do a lot of harm being clad in full armor, but could possible dismount her. And depending on her leg armor could cause the top of the leg piece to pinch into her skin. Nothing severe but very annoyingly painful. His horse would continue to charge despite how she reacted to his attack.

[Jaelyn Baroth]

For a brief moment Dimitri's unorthodox response to Jaelyn's spear strike caught her off guard, and she almost missed his punch with his shield. By the time she noticed the shield blow she could only react reflexively, striking out with her own shield, and the two collided with a jarring impact that she felt in the entire length of her arm. On foot they would have traded more blows after, but their horses carried them apart again, and Jaelyn worked to slow her horse and turn around to face Dimitri again.

"Interesting tactic," she called out to Dimitri as she got her horse slowly lined up with her legs, "I certainly was not expecting that," and with that she kicked her horse into a charge again.

As her horse's hooves pounded against the ground of the yard Jaelyn thought of her next strike. Repeating the same blow would most likely result in a similar response from Dimitri, and there was no advantage for her there. Perhaps she could take some inspiration from his unusual attack. Lifting her spear up she slid her grip up closer to the point, leaving her with essentially a short spear. Holding shield and spear at the ready she waited for the distance to close with Dimitri. Once they reached each other she would guard with her shield against whatever attack came, and then jab with her spear at Dimitri's side as they passed each other.

[Dimitri]

Dimitri smiled, and cocked his head at Jaelyn in a manner that said she lived up to his expectations. He saw her slip her spear into a closer grip, allowing for quick jabs. He knew her target area couldn't be too large due to the new range of the spear. He figured ribs and torso were the limiters, as was his closer leg. He had an idea however. After all his last shield punch did what he intended, confusing the enemy and knocking her from her comfort zone. Now she was changing tactics, possibly ones she wasn't as well versed in.

He held his shield in the standard upright position. He squeeze his knees, and his horse lurched forward. As it galloped he prepared something completely unexpected. As he would get in striking range he would turn his shield arm so the top of his shield would angle at her head, and the bottom down toward her striking spear. If she struck her spear early it would be knocked down to the top of her mount injuring noone. If she struck late it would glance harmlessly of his shield. He would lift up with his thighs and lean into the shield giving it increased hammer power. He aimed his sword point at her left hip, either forcing her shield to not protect her head from his own shield, or to land a blow that due to her armor wouldn't hurt her, but in true combat would be crippling.