[Flashback]Squire Recruitment Drive (Rhuryc)

[Dimitri]

Fall 1, 510 AV

Ser Adamal and Dimitri were walking toward the Windmount Stables together. As they entered the large ten acre area, Adamal led him to a roped off area with a few Knights and a bunch of children and civilian adults standing around, and a smattering of other squires. Dimitri didn't know what he'd be doing, just that this was a sort of squire recruitment drive. Adamal had him enter the roped area with three other squires. One was a tall, gangly red-haired boy. He looked about the same age as Dimitri. Another was raven haired and shorter. The final was a dark brown haired stockier boy. All of them seemed the same age. Adamal summoned him to listen.

"We will be playing a little game with civilians, to try and get the young children interested. You will be partnered up with a civilian, and will spar against all the Rhee pairs at the same time. Five lethal points and a person is out. Both must be out. I want you to win. Do not injure the civilians. Squires, keep it to a minimum."

He handed Dimitri a wooden training sword. All of the other squires received the same.

Adamal began the announcement to the people. "Listen here! The Order of Syliran Knights has a presentation of skill for you all to enjoy. We need four people to assist in a simple war game. You will be partnered with a squire, in a simple sparring battle royale. Five lethal points, meaning head and torso strikes, will cause an opponent to be out. Last pair or man standing will be declared the winner. If you would like to participate, be at the edge of the ropes. Your partnering squire will choose from these people. All others please step back."

He approached a tall, decent looking man with long brown hair. He looked to be fairly tough and possibly a veteran of the sword. "You are my partner."

[Rhuryc]

Time off from the forge was seldom. Maybe only because he had little reason to leave the Ironworks, but those times that he did Rhuryc did not remain idle. Strolling about the city gave him a sense of purpose. This was his home. A familiar home. On occasion one stumbled upon a unique spectacle on the streets within the massive fortress, and this morning was to be no exception. With the sun in full bloom he was able to spot the crowd without issue. Interested in the commotion, the mass of a smith made his way through the causal spectators, though he kept an effort to remove himself from the front. His height, at times, left itself as a burden. Near the first few rows of spectators he stood out among the commoner. Clad in his usual thick, leather coat and dark breeches, he stood with both arms folded under his chest and his eyes forward, watching the festivity. A melee? Rare. Stupid, even, did they really want civilians to fight trained swordsmen? They were squires, sure, but what did the common Sylirian know about a sword. Something made him step forward. As one of the boys came toward the crowd Rhuryc rustled himself ahead of the others and stood with his back straight. He was heads above the rest. And he knew it. The slight stubble upon his cheek made him gruff, his muscled form beneath a sure in for beating things with a stick. It was no surprise when the lad choose him. It may have been unfair. The lot of the opponent's were smaller by quite a few years, unexperienced, but then again; they were squires, were they not? The blond shrugged in response and stepped over the ropes, his eyes darting about once he entered the 'arena'. The competition was stale. They were boys for the most part and in truth, Rhuryc felt more at odds with the other partners moving in alongside them. They were older for the most part. Victory meant something for these people. He recognized another smith from the Ironworks, although the other other two remained a mystery. Both large, built, miners perhaps. The wooden sword thrust into his hands was lacking. Rhuryc examined the splintered blade with a queer expression as he lifted it into the air, eying the balance and holding it aloft for a better view. No shield, then? Smart. No matter, Rhuryc shot his partner to be a quick glance and stood beside him, silent for the most while he awaited the melee to begin in earnest. How well were these boys trained? He doubted that Dimitri would catch that he stood precisely to the boy's right, his sword kept low and ready as if he were setting himself into a line. Although his muscles tensed, the coat did well to hide his poise, perhaps even disguising his familiarity with a blade. "On you, squire."

[Dimitri]

Ser Adamal smiled as everyone got prepared, all of the contenders with perplexed looks on their faces. He had a surprise for them. What fun would this be if it were just a whack fest? "All partners stand side to side, facing the same direction. Person on the left hold your weapon in your left hand, and those on the right hold in your right. Wait there until the assistants put the finishing touches on our little game. Do not move until you are instructed."

Dimitri went and moved to his partner's left. He stood there waiting, as he examined the other newcomers. All of them looked physically strong, but he didn't know if they would be able to handle a sword. They could be problems but Dimitri had faith in himself and strangely, his partner. The man wasn't built like a mountain but had an air of experience around him. An assistant showed up in front of them, holding four leather straps. "Place your legs and arms next to each other's" the young boy instructed. Dimitri moved his limbs next to his partner's, very suspicious of what he thought came next.

And his suspicions were correct. The young page quickly tied Dimitri's right leg to his partner's left. They were knotted at the shin and thigh. He then tied the squire's right arm to the man's left arm, at the forearm and bicep. Adamal continued, "Now that you are truly partners, you will not be able to remove the bands. Should you do so, you will be disqualified. Now that the rules are explained, prepare yourselves."

"ATTACK!"

[Rhuryc]

Rhuryc made no move to complain, though when the boy approached the pair he did give him a look that would shock most. One brow quirked over the the other. He watched the straps as they were fastened about his arm and leg, tightened, and left to lie. That was one way to even the playing field. Even a veteran swordsman would find it difficult to maneuver if he did not have full control of his own body. Still. Rhuryc had little patience for games. Perhaps it was a mistake standing at the head of the crowd. Nevertheless he offered his opponent a quick glance to sum up his situation. He was young. Younger, at least, and did not have the experience feel that the man had grown accustom to. Had he killed before? Unlikely. He doubted any of the squires or their current counterparts had much reason to draw blood in their lives. So be it. Truly partners? Sure. Rhuryc stepped forward. He seemed to care little for the one at his side. Instead, he forced the movement, dragging Dimitri along if he had to. He was larger. Thicker. Years at the forge did a great deal for ones physique. The weight was annoying. He brought his sword and held it out at his right side - would he have to depend on this one to guard his left? - searching as it was for the first set of opponents. From the looks of it most were fairing just as well as he was. The pair on their left could barely move whilst the one across from them took advantage of the former's inability, working in tandem to strike. All that remained was the duo on Rhuryc's side, then. He stepped. Whether Dimitri was in the mindset to help by now he cared little, either the boy would aid the endeavor or he would be dragged along. The duel was on. Rhuryc came upon his smithing compatriot and offered the man a humored grin. They exchanged nods. It took only that lapse for the offending squire to strike. His blade raised high, the wooden construct came at Rhuryc's head in a wide, sweeping assault. Clack! Wood crashed against itself as the man's weapon rose in contest, the thick edge slamming into the offending blade and sending it sailing off course far to the right. Extended, the squire had stepped over in front of his companion. In response Rhuryc shifted his right left and moved back, his body pivoting and left shoulder twisting as if to guide Dimitri forward and into a strike.

[Dimitri]

Dimitri felt his partner begin to drag him in whichever direction he wanted. This man was clear in his intentions. That he would handle it himself and Dimitri was just along for the ride. He sighed inwardly, a partner fighting by himself would cause them to lose. Dimitri moved his right leg with his partner's left, and continued in the awkward movement until they faced the smith and tall, lanky squire. The smith was across from Dimitri, the squire across from his partner. The squire made the first move, an overhead strike down toward his partner. His partner caught the wood in with a teethgrinding crack. He knocked the strike away when Dimitri found himself being slightly pulled toward the squire. What was that idiot thinking?!? Did he forget he had another opponent more pressing? The other squire hadn't managed to recover his attack yet, while Dimitri awkwardly wielded his sword in his left hand, which was normally his shield hand. His instincts tried to pull his right hand up but the band held it in place. The smith took advantage of this and lurched forward, pulling his own partner even further off balance. The mountain of a man had another distinct advantage. He was wielding his weapon in his right hand, his dominant hand. And he had the muscle to make his blows hurt. The smith however didn't seem to be too sword savvy. He swung it more like a stick than a sword, though with his strength would prove effective nonetheless. The blow made it's way toward his left ribs. Dimitri swung his sword downward, too slow to block. He managed however to strike the other blade from above. The blade's course shifted downward, striking his thigh, hard, likely to leave a bruise. That wouldn't count as a lethal blow but it hurt enough to throw him off. He swung the injured leg backwards and swung his sword up and left, just missing the man's jaw. He was now in an open stance, his sword ready, his annoyance growing with each throb of pain in his leg, at his partner.