Closed Ironheart meets White Tiger (Sei)

[Altos Ironheart Coglias]

ALTOS 29th Day of Spring, 514 AV He felt just as much as he heard the wooden longsword smash into his heavy kite shield. Even with a training sword the blow had been a heavy one. Responding with a hasty slash of his own Altos swung his own sword in a clumsy horizontal swing aimed straight at Ser Logan's midsection. However, with a quick step in the Knight neutralized the swing and bashed Altos in the chest using his own kite shield. Altos tried to take a step backwards but couldn't get out of his Patron's reach in time. The force of the bash combined with his own rushed back step caused Altos to lose his balance. In a desperate attempt Altos tried to regain his balance but the heavy armor he was wearing dragged him crashing down into the ground. Altos did not try to get up but lay there trying to regain his energy. "You start out strong Altos" Even if he could not see his Patron he could almost hear the ever present soft smile his Patron almost always had plastered on his face. "However your sword style reflects that you are still more used to an axe in a fight. You almost always attack by slashing or swinging at your opponent, and that makes you predictable." Altos pushed himself up into a sitting position and struggled to stand while listening to his Patron's critique's. "However compared to your skill with the shield, you are improving" Ser Logan smirked at his squire. Altos flushed, as he knew that his shield training was progressing slowly. "Yes Ser, I'll try to work on that." He struggled to keep his tone polite. This man was his Patron Knight and he'd always been taught that you respect and obey your superior. No matter how hard it was to bend your pride to the task. Altos had tried to keep as much about his people as secret as possible. He wasn't sure how much most people knew and didn't really want to share all that much either, so the fact that his arm was better than any shield Altos kept to himself. Beside's it wasn't like he hated learning it. In fact if anything he wanted to learn it all, and as fast as could too. He just didn't like feeling inexperienced and weak, especially to non-Isur. "There is no need to rush Altos. You must be patient, knowledge comes with time and practice." Ser Logan spoke almost as if he could read Altos' heart. In all honesty he wasn't completely sure that his Patron couldn't just read his mind. Ser Logan was right though, and what he was saying paralleled the teaching's of Izurdin he'd been taught as a young child. Strength and Patience were two of the greatest virtue`s his people sought. "For now you are a squire, meaning you will ample amounts of both. Another important aspect of being a squire is meeting and training with other squires." At this Altos blanched. He'd never been good with other people, training and family had always been more important to him. As a kid he had made more friends with the adults who had been in his families training yard rather than the kids playing in the street. "Ser, I don't really see why it's that important." His Knight examined him and sighed "Altos these people are the men and woman who you will entrust your lives too. If that is not an important motivator I'm not sure what is." After a giving a hard look to Altos his kind even if a little irritating grin returned though this time it seemed to bode some ill news. "On that note, I have set up a spar today between you and the squire of a Knight called Ser Erik Barker and it's just about time they should be arriving." Altos paled, he was not ready for this. Losing to his Patron was fine, he was supposed to be better than Altos, but if he lost to this squire he wasn't sure how well his pride would the blow.

[Sei Tendo]

Sei Tendo Sei had watched the other squire train with a board expression. He wasn't exactly sure why his Patron wanted him to do this. He trained with other squires before, but this one seemed different. He seemed pretty slow. While the Kelvic liked power, which this squire obviously had, he prefered speed. Which was his best advantage. It was kind of embarrasing to watch. Ser Erik - his Patron - stood beside him, watching silently as Ser Logan and his squire trained. He surpressed the urge to yelll out "Boooring!" and watched in slinece. "Alright Sei, they've finished. It's time to enter." "Yes Ser." He responded, following behind his Patron as they approached. Before he spoke to anyone, Sei checked his equipment. Leather armor, leather boots, shortsword sheathed across his back, and shield braced against his arm. All prepared then. I hope this squire can entertain me. He drew his shortsword, and flashed his eyes at the squire. Ser Erik stepped out the way and signalled them to begin. Sei radianted the air of hunger. Hunger for fun. He raised his sword, focusing on looking directly into the other Squires eyes. "Whenever your ready."

[Altos Ironheart Coglias]

ALTOS 29th Day of Spring, 514 AV The squire standing across from Altos had dark black hair and green cat-like eyes, which seemed to make the already pale squire even paler. His eyes distracted Altos, he'd never encountered anyone with eyes like that before. To him they seemed to radiate some sort of in hunger, almost like that of a predator hunting it's prey. The knight who stood in between them, which he assumed was Ser Barker, moved out of the way and gave a signalling motion. The squire raised his sword and looked straight into Altos' eyes. "Whenever your ready." Irritated at being seen as prey Altos tensed, and felt rage stirring in his gut. He did not like the thought of being "prey" to this other Squire. Altos flushed as another thought occurred to him, the Knight and his Squire had joined them right as his Patron had been finishing his lecture. They both must have seen how Ser Logan had toppled him in such an embarrassing manner, and he must have looked pretty pathetic. He would have to redeem himself in this spar by winning to regain some pride, or at least he hoped would win. Meeting the other Squire's gaze straight on he gripped his sword tight in his fist and responded to the challenge he felt had been issued. "Right away then." Altos didn't hesitate and went straight at his opponent right after the words left his mouth. As soon as he got near he took a step in to get his longsword within swinging range, however his step in was slowed considerably by his heavy plate armor he wore during his practice sessions. Raising the kite shield to cover the left side of his body took a moment longer than it should have, he was still a little tired from training with his Patron despite his quick rest as he'd lain on the ground. Almost at the same time as he brought the shield up Altos attempted a clumsy slash at the Squire's shoulder and in towards his body.

[Sei Tendo]

Sei Tendo Sei observed this squire carefully, and studied his movements. He covered the distance at a decent pace, bring his shield to protect himself, his opponent also threw an inward slash with his longsword. The movements of his opponent were sluggish, forced even. Probably because he got wiped out earlier. The Kelvic lifted his shield, bracing his right foot behind him to absorb the impact of Altoss' sword meeting his shield. Sei knew what it was like to lose to your Patron, but he didn't let it bother him as much as this other squire did. Losing opened up the opportunity to correct oneself and learn. No shame in that in the Kelvic's mind. The Kelvic stepped forward, hoping to push away his opponents sword, leaving an opening to strike. He took an clumsy stab at Altoss' right leg, withdrawing his shortsword only to thrust forward with his shield. Sei took a step back and snorted. He then spoke in a bored tone."I'm Sei by the way. You are?"

[Altos Ironheart Coglias]

ALTOS 29th Day of Spring, 514 AV Altos' sword made a dull clanging sound as it rebounded and sent reverberations through his arm. It was quickly followed by a thrust to the leg and barely managed to avoid it by taking a back step when the buckler came flying at him. It struck his chest and if he had been wearing anything other than the plate armor he probably would have earned a large welt across his torso. "I'm Sei by the way. You are?" A derisive sounding snort escaped the squire's lips and his words were spoken as if he was playing with a young child unworthy of his intentions. "Altos. Altos Ironheart" The young Isur grunted back at his fellow Knight-in-training while positioning his body in one of the stances he'd been taught. He lead with his left foot the right braced behind him, therefore making himself a smaller target. Altos brought the kite shield directly in between himself and his opponent. Even if he couldn't use it well it would be a sufficient enough wall to hide behind. He let his sword hang loose in his right hand slightly pointed towards the ground. His earlier attack had been less than effective to Altos' disappointment. Now he would play the defense game. Though this Sei might not be taking the match seriously Altos was determined to give it his all.

[Sei Tendo]

Sei Tendo Sei watched Altos intently as he blocked his sword, and narrowly avoided the Kelvic's strike to his leg. The next thing Altos did amused him further. He slipped into a defensive stance. The other squire tucked his body behind his shield, a Kite Shield to be exact. The only flaw the Kelvic could assess was the position of his sword. The tip was angled toward the ground. The Kelvic smirked, grunted, and rolled his shoulders. He then looked his opponent directly in the eye. "Defense already? C'mon, at least keep me entertained." He sneered, charging Altos full force. Holding his shortsword in his right hand, he pulled the hilt back slightly behind his back, but feigned. He had a bit of difficulty flowing his moves though. Instead of using his sword, he decided to use his shield. He swiped his shield edge forcefully against Altoss', hopefully knocking it away. He then took the hilt and forced the pommel of the blade down onto his opponents shoulder. He jumped back, slipping sloppily back into his attack position.

[Altos Ironheart Coglias]

ALTOS Altos was prepared as soon as Sei started his swing, his eyes followed the sword as it was raised which allowed the shield bash to catch him by surprise. He felt the shield being pushed aside, so using all the strength of his enhanced Isurian Arm he pushed back and rammed his own Kite shield back and straight at the squire's chest hoping to push him off balance. Altos took a step in hoping to add more force to the shield bash and was struck with the pommel of the shortsword Sei wielded. His movement changed where the pommel landed and it struck closer to his collar bone rather than the shoulder which it had been intended for. Altos let out a pained grunt, he clenched his teeth to make sure he didn't make any other sound. He wasn't sure if anything had been broken but it was damn painful and there would definitely be a fair sized bruise making an appearance later.

[Sei Tendo]

Sei Tendo Sei was doing his own little celebration after his shield bash had landed, so when the other squire rammed his small steel shield with their kite shield, it threw him off balance. He grunted from the impact, realizing that Altoss' shield had connected with the side of his chest. That one hurt, but I'll never admit it. The Kelvic's opponent made a pained groan when his sword pommel struck down on his collarbone. The Kelvic was focused on recovering, so he would dodge a few moves until he gained some strength back. "Give me what you got!"

[Altos Ironheart Coglias]

ALTOS Exhaustion was beginning to creep over Altos' muscles. The effort of moving in his armor was taking it's toll slowly but surely, and he could physically feel himself moving slower, a snail's pace compared to the quick and sharp moves that the other squire was displaying. He was sure that soon even being able to stand was not something he could guarantee. Altos brought up his sword, his grip tight and the tip of the blade shook slightly as it was brought up. From the corner of his eye Altos caught sight of his Patron moving towards him but it did not register for a few moments, at least not until the Knight began to speak. "It appears my Squire has lost. I am sorry for taking up your time but this lesson in humility was something young Altos needed." The Knight's gaze fell upon Altos the look in his eyes revealing little of the what his Patron was thinking or feeling. "Or can you still fight?" The question surprised Altos and he began to open his mouth to declare that he could continue, and just as quickly clenched his jaw shut. Ser Logan was trying to get him to admit that'd he'd lost himself. He wouldn't be able to blame the loss on his Patron's interference, he would just have to accept it. Altos gritted his teeth as he tried to convince himself that he could win but deep down he knew that he had nothing left to fight with. His sword arm ached, exhaustion clung to his entire body and he could barely move in this petching heavy armor. He had lost, and that was something he couldn't change. "I... I admit... my loss" The words came out as if he'd spit them and they left a bad taste.

[Sei Tendo]

Sei Tendo Sei watched as Altos backed down, even though he didn't get far. Ser Erik shook his head slightly, but the Kelvic just sighed. He hand't been very strong, and he'd made Sei look like a master. Although the Kelvic couldn't help but approach Altos and hold out his hand. "You fought well friend. Next time we meet I expect a greater challenge from you." He said, playing his usual smirk. He then let go of Altos and walked toward his Patron before they began to leave. oocThanks for threading with me! Hopefully we can partner up again sometime.