PM to join [Antinous Training Grounds]New, but not Accustomed (Alex)

[Ferrin Al'Mandrikan]

"Speech" -- 01,Spring,516AV -- Thoughts

"Your father could have done better. I am well aware of this fact that it's your first time within these Grounds, but things are different now.Ferrin sighed heavily, swathed with metallic armour, and one who wielded a short broadsword. Beads of sweat trickled down his neck, as he grew slightly agitated of wearing the armor.

"How long did he last.. My father uncle Xander."Ferrin asked with a slight anxious tone. Xander looked over at the younger man who stood beside him, thrusting at a dummy. "Your father... Conceded quite quickly. Figured that he was one not suited for military. So, he departed away from Syliras. To where did you say?"Xander stepped forward, his strikingly black curled hair looked almost similar, if not the same as Ferrins. There was of course relation between the two. Though, there would need to be a lot more that has to be figured out.

"I was surprised to actually have seen you here Ferrin. For it was a pleasure to me to know that some in our family had dedicated their lives to The Order."Ferrin nodded simply as he tipped his blade down with despair."I see. Did you fancy my father's appearance... Erh, did you like being around him?"As he spoke the tone was still the same as his prior spoken words. Agigated.

"I understand that you are angered with your father's choices, but that anger does not need to be brought upon me. Nowz thrust parry, thrust."Ferrin grunted, but low enough to have Xander listen. Beads of sweat continued to trickle down the Kenashians neck, as he followed through the orders. Thrust, parry, thrust.The swords' tip punctured the central region if the dummy, with each thrust.

Whenever he parried an invisible attacked, he would shuffle his feet back and forth. The Kenashian kept his thoughts to himself and repeated d each thrust over and over, until he announced the stop."It looks like your doing good today... Now let's see whom we can put you up against. How about him over there. That squire."


Credits go to Aislyn

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

The first wind of the New Year. A cool refreshing breeze, not frigid like it had been the years prior and not like that morning on the first four years ago now. Alex’s fingers flexed absent minded at the memories of that day. The steel over him rocking as he ascended the steps to the training grounds. Instead of the usual helmet-less armour he wore today he masked himself behind the steel face guard. His face now shrouded behind a mask of steel. His body laced with steel and blades. His body clinking as he ascended the staircase peering over the edge he looked out over the training grounds.

Alex drew the double ended sword from his back whirling the blade around him with a slight flourish before starting to take a crack at the dummy in the corner of the grounds. He’d decided to keep going with basic training by himself. The sheer variety of blades he’d been pushed into by Ser Greyheart was staggering but Alex supposed he had a purpose for it. Alex unloaded on the dummy using the head of the blade to strike at the shoulders of the dummy and as he pulled the head back for a follow up swing he snapped the lower blade into the hips of the dummy. Following through the basic motions of the blade following through with a practised ease. Only then did he glanced over his shoulder and through the visor of his helmet caught sight of a knight pointing at him.

Clearly the condition of his armour marked him as a squire, the simple raggedness and battered form of the steel giving it away. Alex lowered his blade and walked over to the knight. Out of the corner of his eye he’d caught sight of someone he recognized. Ferrin. The man with whom, he’d shared a brief conversation sometime earlier. He’d joined the knights, good for him. Alex gave a soft smirk beneath his helmet out of sight of the others. Alex spoke in his usual soft tone but wondered if ferrin would remember something so passing as a person’s voice. “Yes Ser. How can I assist you today?” Alex spoke with a calm and readied practice to his voice, and posture.

[Ferrin Al'Mandrikan]

01,Spring,515AV

With Winter slowing to an end. Spring was right around the corner. And Spring was a new season to gain new starts. Perhaps every seasons was. Of course. The Squire that Ser Xander had pointed to was one of familiar that Ferrin had known, not quite well, but enough to know ones name. Alexander. Or Alex however he preferred of the day being. Slowly, Ferrin started to realize why Ser Xander had chosen Alexander. His exquisite training satisfied the Knight. And he gave the same look that Ferrins' own father would give when satisfied.

"Now there would be a Squire who wouldn't talk back to me. Ferrin you know I can always make things harder for you. Right?"Ser Xander chuckled with intimidation. The squire under the enclosed helmet came forth. And answered Ser Xander. "May I ask for your name Squire. Its obvious enough that you are one with the rough bumps and all."Xander replied.

He looked about. And then registered what he was about to say and spoke once more. "Its simple. Of what I'm asking of you. This here is Ferrin. I'm only asking of a simple duel. Test each one of your two's' limits. That's what Knights are for eh?"The man smirked. Ser Xander kept his right over the pommel of the longsword that was sheathed gingerly within the sheath. "You think that you two can manage this. Whichever mat that suits you two suits me. I'll be spectating roughly."

Crisp cool winds nipped at the Kenasians neck. And what made the man even more nervous then having it be the first time that he's here. Was that the Squire didn't even take any means to relieve his helmet or state his name instantly. It was odd. Odd in many terms, though. There was a slight feeling of reassurance that hit him. But, he couldn't quite place an arrow in it. Any rings you'd have an interest on?"

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

Alex held the double ended blade steady in his right hand by his side. A soft way to his upper body as he held still. No shield, no bastard sword, no bow, and no arrows. Alex had with him his great sword and his scimitars, along with the dual blade in his hands. Nothing about him gave anything away who he was. Maybe not nothing there was still his height and his voice but those were difficult to place. Still the knights words about his name was something that Alex couldn’t not give but he didn’t have to give the full truth there. Alex nodded and responded. “Squire Sieg, ser.” Alex gave a small salute. He paused a moment before looking over Ferrin.

Apparently his patron wanted Alex to test him or perhaps it was the other way around. Alex was being used as a whetstone for Ferrin. If that was the case then Alex would have to show that he wasn’t a stone for others to use but in fact a blade to be sharpened on others. In all honesty Alex had trained in almost every environment that the training grounds had to offer now. And natural training in forest environments. Alex took a small step back before lifting his left hand. “Please feel free to choose. I’m well acquainted with all the environments.” Alex gave the blade at his side a small twirl around. The live steel flashing and catching the light. There were dummy weapons open for availability and access of squires to use. However Alex trained in full plate always as did most of the squires there. Ferrin it appeared was no exception.

Alex exhaled slowly through the helmet the full face covering offering him a narrower field of vision than he was used too without it but for the moment, at least until he felt he needed to remove it he’d keep it on and preserve the surprise. Alex was sure about one thing however. The blade he was using was unusual at the best of times, and that might have just given him enough of an edge over Ferrin to let him hold back a little.

[Ferrin Al'Mandrikan]

01-Spring-516AV

The squire that Ser Xander, Ferrins uncle had selected to duel against. Seemed a bit strange. Though, isn't there weirdness within everyone. And certainly the name Sieg was one of the uncommonly used. Ferrin was quite rare as well.

"Glad to meet you, Sieg."Ferrin pronounced with a curious tone. Ferrins earlier inquiry, was answered. And now Sieg, hadn't minded which one Ferrin would choose. He hadn't trained in the different weather scenarios, but he had been trained in a few per say. Be it, hunting or let alone physically training.

Ferrin knew, just by the muscular frame and built of this man, Sieg. He just only knew that his probability of success with winning had a slim to no chance with a man who carried a double blade. And with that double blade versing a short broadsword. Circumstances are, would be that Ferrin could win with luck if he would keep his eye out. Or, he would lose.

Losing on the first day was not Ferrins intention either. And possibly, from the acts of Sieg that man was possibly spent his time more often then not whilst within the Training Grounds. And of course, a man like Sieg versing a man like Ferrin. Odds are Ferrin could be bound to lose. On the contrary, he had been in a few battles prior. Perhaps a season back with Garland. There he met Garland and Sylvia on a hunting expedition and encountered the two while Ferrin watched the bandits.

And there was another time that he had seen Garland at the Fighters Pit. There he dueled one other squire that had somewhat of the same body build as Sieg here. But, everybody's fighting styles are different and surprising. One wouldn't simply know of what their opponent would do. They just won't."Whenever you two are ready now."Ser Xander spoke with agitation. It looked as if Ser Xander was eager enough to begin the training. While though, Ferrin was not of course.

And he was not ready. And the confidence hadn't sprouted yet.

"Ok Sieg. Let's try this closest one here."Ferrin stepped within the ring. And awaited for Sieg to do the same. Yet, the battle did not start. Yet, Ferrin had a slim chance of survival. And possibly even so, his limbs. Perhaps Ser Xander won't take it to an extremity. But, Ferrin had only known him for a short time now.

Ferrin prepared his battle stance. One foot in back, and the other in front. His sword held with his right alligned with the foot sprouting up front. His left hand gripped onto the hilt with his right. Now, he was ready.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

Alex Followed behind Ferrin, despite the irate tone of Ferrin’s patron Alex could see that there was an apprehension in Ferrin’s eyes. A look of fear of restraint. Lex spun the sword in his hands lightly the blades refracting the light. A single spin rotating it around his hands but enough to sew a seed of doubt into an opponent. Make them wonder just how skilled he was with the blade. As Ferrin settled into his battle stance Alex took up his own but flipped from his usual His left hand forwards along with his left foot.

Alex exhaled slowly beneath his helmet the small slit visor allowing him to look over at Ferrin and take stock of his stance and his positioning. Alex smirked beneath his visor. “Alright then.” Ferrin was already in position and ready stance. Alex took advantage of this small lull he closed the gap by pivoting on his forwards left foot and whirled the rear edge of the blade towards Ferrin’s head. He was attempting to use the rear blade to distract him from the leading blade. Alex planted his right foot as he swung in. He then attempted to twist his body back and take the leading balde to strike at Ferrin’s left hip. With this one blade it almost felt like he was contiguously using two blades in tandem.

As the strikes finished hit or miss it would be an opportunity for Ferrin to take a chance to strike back. At this range Alex had the advantage of having a weapon that could attack from both sides near simultaneously however if that wasn’t working for him he could discard it and switch to one of the scimitars at his hip. However right now in this instant Ferrin had to find a way out of the situation Alex had placed him in. And hopefully Ferrin’s patron would be happy noticing that Alex didn’t hold back once Ferrin had readied himself. Most knights and in some instances even squires didn’t allow for even that, when training.

[Ferrin Al'Mandrikan]

Timestamp

Ferrin stood with his stance at ready. Prepared and focused. He took no account of his surroundings besides the man in front of him. Without distractions, he could muster a win. Though, without the quality of the training was what would be graded for. The Kenashian waited for a few ticks for Sieg, the newly met squire to formulate hid battle stance.

Ferrin stood. He watched carefully, and eyed the other man with content, but only with pure focus and reliant. Sieg already took his first offensive move towards the Kenashian. The double edged blade whirled as the man named Sieg took his foot, piveted and whirled whilst swinging. The blade aimed for his own head, but Ferrin mustered a parry. His own blade just a few centimeters away from his pupils.

With a swift sigh, Sieg swung again. This time he aimed for Ferrins' waist region. With his skills, he won't be able to parry every block, but he could usually tend to block those strikes of which that could deal serious harm to his body. He remembered the one encounter with Garland. And how he fought against the bandits that lurked within the woods.

The tall burly man with inhuman strength and abode. Squeezing the life out of Ferrins body. Fortunately, Sieg wasn't one of those large and burly men that he had been faced against. Fortunately. Though, he was quite skilled with his double edged blade. With a block against Siegs swing of his blade, Ferrin staggered back. Disgusted of the harsh filled moves.

Ferrin now stepped up about one pace more. And regained his battle stance. Thrust, parry thrust. Was the instructions that his patron, Ser Xander had given him earlier. A few Bells he's been at this now. And nowhere was where he was getting at. If succedes, he would thrust the blade against the armour plating that Sieg wore.

If it succeded, he would take an effort to swing his short broadsword at the side of Siegs waist. And if it does not succeed. Then he would definitely attempt the parry.


Credits go to Aislyn

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

Hoping to catch Ferrin off guard was something that didn’t sit too well now the basis of the strikes had been deflected and his attacks had been redirected. However the initial flurry of strikes was primarily to gauge his skill with the blade. However as he could see right now Ferrin was too fearful of disappointing his patron. Alex whirled the blade in his hands no flourish simply a motion to change grips. Alex watched Ferrin try to centre himself and form an attacking position. A short sharp swing towards his chest. Alex’s blade met Ferrins in that moment. A brief tussle over strengths and Ferrin’s blade darted down towards his wrists. Interesting he’s trying to disable my arms.

Alex smirked and loosed his grip on his blade with his right hand allowing his left to pull the blade away. The blade of Ferrin sailed down and caught nothing but empty space. Alex changed his grip on his blade again holding it to the left with his hands together. He brought the forwards edge of the blade towards Ferrin’s sword. Trying to hook the blade behind it between him and his sword. Alex’s plan was to rip the balde from his fingers with the forward edge and then set up for the round winnign stroke by placing the rear plade lightly against the back of his neck. A gamble.

The chances of the ploy working were slim but if he could distract Ferrin long enough to get behind him then this was a done round and they’d have to reset and perhaps Ferrin would go a little harder on the offensive. It was hard to fight when your opponent wasn’t giving their all, and you were. Perhaps the presence of his patron was unnerving him and serving to distract him. “Ferrin. Get serious. If you take your mind off of the battle you could lose a lot more than the fight.” Harsh words he knew but in the circumstance Alex wasn’t going to show any mercy not at this moment. This was training and if he went easy it would come back to bite both Him and Ferrin.

[Ferrin Al'Mandrikan]

Ferrins stroke was not a surprising miss. He was just testing the man in front of him. Ser Xander had just smirked behind the ring as he walked about in circles. Examining the two as they fought sword against sword. The swipe was another miss. As his offense was not as good as his defense. Which he needed to work on. Thrust Parry Thrust. The instructions came back through his mind once again. Sieg, simply moved and dodged the two attacks. Or per say, parried and dodged.

A low breeze of anxiety spilled out of his breath. As he took a breath and exhaled at the same time. Ferrin knew and understood what Sieg was doing. It was just in a matter of the quality that Ferrin can muster to parry the strike. Sieg attempted to disarm him with his double edged blade. Almost as if it were forked between like a sandwich. Ferrin swiftly pulled out the sword before Sieg could manage to twist it out. Ferrin is good enough to know a few things or two. But, not the best with his skill level. Of course he is no master as of yet. And he still has to train with the other skills required for knight training. Or at least to know how to use. While being a Squire/Knight.

A swipe towards Ferrins neck by the hands of Sieg was merely close enough. But, a deflected attempt. Soon, Ferrin had started to pant. And the beads of sweat that had once dissipated, had now returned over his neck. His heart raced a few beats faster than before. Adrenaline had formulated within. And Ferrins hands had begun to shake. Though, surprisingly, this was the first time that he had this awkward of an energy surge.

Ferrin stumbled backwards. Harsh words had been spoken from the man. And it were only a few of which in count. But, enough to express an attention from Ferrin. He had been focused on to much of the attacks. Though, he needs to pay more attention to Siegs movements than the blade. And continue to focus more. Ferrin nodded. As the two took a tick or few "Aye, I do. I understand that your helping me. But, I have a finger grasped on the little of what I know. But, I thank you. Also, I'm not one to forego, early finishes."After he spoke. Ferrin shuffled his feet, and jabbed his blade towards Siegs, chest. If failed/succeeded, he would attempt to disarm Sieg, and closely, rasp the blade towards his neck. If succeeded.

If he would so fail, he would parry and strike back across the side of Siegs waist; where his blade wouldn't be wielded by one of his hands.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Time stamp


Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

The simplistic fact of the matter was that Alex was becoming a little tired with the state of affairs. Ferrin was holding back too much even through the counters to strikes. Denying him both the forefront slash to try and rip his weapon away and parrying the strike that was going to stop anyway. Alex whirled the blade around in his hands again pulling away from Ferrin. Adjusting his grip again and changing how he held the blade. Alex could see the exhaustion of the plate starting to creep into Ferrin he was still new to the plate mail and simply moving in that much weight was not easy let alone fighting.

What Kind of sadist was his patron to have him practicing sword techniques when he’d only just donned the plate and chain? Alex had an easy time so far and possibly would have an even easier one dodging and parrying the slower strikes form the weighed down squire. He could hear the heavy breaths signalling the last reserves of strength. Still Ferrin spoke returning a jibe at what Alex had said thanking him for what he was doing before repeating a single move again. Always towards the chest. Alex turned on his heel now using the rear blade to parry the strike and couple it with the momentum of his thrust. Ferrin’s strikes were growing predictable even attempting to follow through disarming him again with the failed strike at his torso. Alex then wheeled around using the attempt to strike at his waist. His rear blade catching the edge of the blow and adding momentum to his spin. Perhaps overshooting it a little and with his helmet he could now feel his eyes spinning as well as his head.

Perhaps a flourished finish wasn’t the best of ideas as now he was feeling sick and a little disoriented. Alex drew the fore blade up towards Ferrin’s throat again, using the flat of the blade to lead, hoping he wouldn’t notice and using the sickness he felt to make it seem like a mistake. However it was a ruse strike, no power behind it just speed. His true intent was to use the rear blade to snap forwards and strike his thigh, with Ferrin’s concentration drawn to his face.