Flashback Blades and Bulwarks. II

[Jayce Asher]

Spring 15th - Outside the University of Zeltiva. Jayce now thrived with a sword in his hands. His every movement was impressively well timed, with accuracy that didn't falter for an unsteady hand or unclear mind. His balance had improved, remarkably, and he could twist and turn his body in ways he'd never had imagined when he started his lessons. By now, Jayce realised that his trainer did know best - he actually realised some time ago, and it helped him get this far. What bothered Jayce, was that his pre-paid time was coming to an end, and he wouldn't be able to share the connection with another instructor until he'd built it up over a few years. In other words, Jayce knew he'd miss his nameless trainer, and couldn't stand to think of a session with a different teacher. The twisted and hunched man had taught Jayce a great deal over the seven years they'd spent together, in fact, he actually felt impressed with himself that the young man had done so well. Although Jayce wasn't keen to depart with his trainer, he knew he had a year left, and would make the most of it before they said their farewells. At the end of the day, he had definitely bettered his skills, and was more than content with the progress he'd made. Today was a beautiful Spring day. It almost felt to Jayce like he could relate to the plants that sprung up from the ground for their first time. On his way to the usual spot behind the University of Zeltiva, he noticed a yellow hued, fuzzy ball, hobbling across the grass at the foot of the mountain. Nearing the strange object, Jayce soon came to realise that it was a Pelican, beginning its moulting for the Spring seasons. Jayce hadn't seen a baby Pelican before, but it was certainly an experience, though he left it and kept walking. Arriving at the narrow grassy training ground, Jayce was shocked to find that his trainer was nowhere to be seen. Before he could bring himself to walk down the green path behind the bushes, he stopped, realising the nature of his trainer would be to ambush him as he wandered down. He swiftly drew out his sword and set his shield to his armour, and beckoned for the hooded figure to show himself. For a moment, silence... Jayce heard him coming and swung his shield around to deflect the blow. He was lucky, and he managed to bash his teacher's sword to the side with one fluent moment, following up with a powerful swing of his sword. There was a 'smack' as the flat of his blade collided with his tutor's rear-end, and he was set stumbling forward into a roll. The old man got up, dusted himself with his left hand, and positioned himself to engage in the real fight. It wasn't necessarily tense, but more light-hearted - even though Jayce knew full well that he'd be injured in this fight, no matter how well he did. With his right foot forward as well, he stood the exact way his teacher had told him to stand, years before this lesson. "Ah, you've come a long way, Jayce." His teacher meant it, it brought him great reassurance to see the man standing with a perfect posture, ready to consider every possibility. With that statement, the old fellow lunged, attempting to catch his student off guard. It almost worked, as Jayce was just about to accept the compliment with thanks. The young man was too quick though, and he always assumed a surprise attack when it came to his trainer. Their swords clashed for a little while, and they whirled around in harmony. Unlike many of their fights, this one was less equal - Jayce started to come out on top, applying his best attrition techniques to form a blend of fury and elegance. What his tutor didn't know, was that Jayce practiced keenly in his spare time as well. Soon, they both embraced the heat of the battle, putting their best efforts forward into stunning retaliations and overwhelming flourishes. As he hopped from leg to leg, curling around his teacher's shield and batting away his strikes with awe-inspiring new techniques, he felt grateful for the acrobatic ability he'd acquired. Although Jayce showed the best footwork and mobility, he tired before his teacher did. Soon, despite the cool breeze of the early spring morning, he sweated uncontrollably. His limbs ached from having to support the steel for such a while, and he wondered whether or not the fight would be concluded soon. The clashing of the blades and bulwarks echoed through the untidy University's garden, boring into Jayce's mind and adding to the pain he took from the strikes. With warning, his tutor whirled around from the right hand side with a faint, and then jousted forward with his sword into his shielding arm. In a combination of shock and pain he remained silent, gritting his teeth. Blood stained his padding as the hooded man slid his blade from out of Jayce's muscle. The trainer was merciless, and put his complete strength into his sword as he smacked the spiked shield. It added to the pain in a way that made Jayce almost regret engaging in combat. He had no idea how he'd left his left arm so vulnerable, but he didn't have time to think about it. His arm was ablaze, heat shimmered through his flesh and forced him to drop his shield. While his guard was down, a swift kick from the scarred man sent the artisan's son to the floor. Although his arm twitched and ached from the blow, Jayce couldn't decide whether the pain of the arm could outweigh the pain of defeat - he was ashamed of himself for being so reckless.

[Jayce Asher]

He stared at the grass after doubling over to face it. He felt the adrenaline surging through him, anger welling in his hazy mind, and an unclear view of the scenario as all time stopped. As the thick, red liquid seeped from his wound, the grass became rouged with Jayce's leaked passion. Hopelessness had consumed him, and he barely tried to fight the feeling of loss. As he heard the sweeps of his trainer's footsteps on the grass, he was about ready to give up. He thought he was hallucinating at first, but his vision cleared up enough for him to realise that he wasn't as crazed as he first thought. There, from beneath the light green, Spring bush, waddled a familiar sight. As it stumbled out of the brush, he noticed the baby Pelican more clearly. It made its way towards Jayce's face, until its fluffy feathers were pressed right up against his nose. That was the moment when Jayce noticed, the young bird had a red stream of blood, trickling down its side. It had shambled its way to Jayce, despite its injuries, possibly out of simple curiosity. He extended his left arm to the young creature, moving it under the brush where it was out of harms way. Then, in a final surge of adrenaline, he leaped up! It shocked his trainer somewhat, as he whirled his blade around in total disregard of the deep cut. Blood spurted from his arm, drizzling over the grass as he frantically tried to force his trainer into submission. He became more fierce in this fight than he'd ever been before - inspired to endeavor by the most unlikely of animals. The old man was pushed back, and Jayce lashed out suddenly, ripping his sword away with a final maneuver. The trainer was done, beaten, in one swing of Jayce's sword. The strike landed down on the unnamed man's cowl, clobbering him into a respecting submission. At first, Jayce towered over the old man as he lay on the bloody soil, breathing heavily as he paled from lack of blood. Soon, he fell beside his trainer, and they comforted each other in mutual respect of one another's abilities. This was the first time Jayce had defeated his teacher in a battle, and he owed it all to one injured little bird. In reality, the bird did little in the way of helping Jayce overcome his hopelessness - it was Jayce that had to find the strength to rise (though the bird did come and congratulate Jayce by cuddling up to his chest). There was a moment of triumph and gratitude when the mother Pelican swept the young chick into the air and off onto the mountain sides. "Bloody good job, Jayce." They both cracked up laughing a the hooded man tended both their wounds. This was just his teacher's humour - it had always been like that. For the moment Jayce was happy. Once they'd both cleaned themselves up and changed clothes, they met back under the cover of the trees for a conversation. It was to address the coming of the end of Jayce's training, and what the next year would be about in terms of bettering Jayce's ability - considering that Jayce already shows the potential for greatness.