Eda heard the clashing of metals, but did not look around. She remained centered on what she was doing. Perhaps she spent too long with eyes closed and breathing, almost as if she had fallen asleep with sword in hand and standing up. But the War Pavillion, though a place she had come to love, was difficult to manouvre. There were always too many people there. Eda, by nature, was private. Though she definitely spilled her thoughts from her mouth without stopping up the flow, usually revealing way too much, she didn't like that that happened. She preferred to be the one without eyes on her, despite her dreams of grandeur. So if she had to sacrifice some of her dignity and look as if she were standing asleep, so be it. If it helped her forget that there were strong, muscled Drykas far more skilled than her showing their proficiencies, she didn't mind looking a little ridiculous.
Eventually, she squared her shoulders and opened her eyes, this time her gaze focused entirely on the dummy in front of her. The dummy wasn't all that encompassing. Firstly, it didn't move, so there wasn't all that much of a challenge there. The dummy too only encompassed head and torso, no limbs included. It meant that it was only really used to test out strokes. Eda supposed this was a limited way to train, but she couldn't really complain. It was what she had. Shifting imperceptibly, crouching slightly with her knees bent and weight on the back foot, she held her broadsword with two hands, dead centre.
Suddenly, she moved. Tilting the broadsword onto an angle, leaning slightly to the right, she swung it in a horizontal arc quickly. The sword flashed through the air, driven by power that was not obvious on Eda's physique normally. Though now, if someone looked carefully, they could see the wiry muscles underneath the skin. The sword wavered slightly, technique that could only be bolstered by more strength and more practice, but it achieved her desired goal. The sword hit the dummy on the side, the waist, just below where the ribs may have been. The wood splintered, chunks falling onto the floor as the sword quivered in her hand upon impact, but Eda kept it still and locked into the wood with strength in her shoulders. She paused there for a moment, tension held in her body as she took in her handiwork with focused and bright eyes. Then she slouched, and with two tugs, wrenched the sword out of the quivering dummy.
She observed it carefully. The impact was strong, but the move itself was very rarely used in reality. No opponent would ever give such an obvious opening that would allow Eda to execute such a move, not unless they were a total beginner. So though it was a powerful move, and in Eda's opinion, one of her favourites, it didn't have all that much practicality in the real world. Sad, but true. At least it was a start to her training.
Finally, she glanced around the rest of the pavillion. She could feel the adrenalin pumping through her veins, already, and very little had happened. A slight smile, curving her lips to a minuscule degree, was on her face as her gaze swept the room, taking in Drykas men and women and swords flashing and--
"Sama'el!" she cried with surprise, as she spotted him watching her practice. He had a smirk on, and she guessed it was directed at her (even though she guessed wrong). A telltale blush automatically crept it's way onto her face. Not only was he a cousin to Eldon, but she had been a fool around him that day in the Sea of Grass. A small part of her hoped he was at least slightly impressed, even though she had displayed very little of skill. "Uh... hello? How are you?" She tried not to stutter, though her conversation was limited. Isn't that what mature people did? Discussed themselves through calm and collected conversation? |
by Edalene on May 2nd, 2011, 7:00 am 
