Solo [Flightleader Academy] How To Be Endal

[Red Daghul]

TimeStamp: Day 1 of Winter, 512 AV

Location: FlightLeader Academy

It was the first day of winter, and also not by chance the first day that Red had decided to start his training in the Flightleader Academy. The idea had started a few months ago when Red and Daghul were talking as they scanned the land for their next prey on a hunting trip. The Endal had asked his Wind Eagle want he thought about aiming for a new goal, and the new goal would be the flightleader academy. Both had fears, as well as reason to say yes to the challenge.

The next day Red and Daghul had decided to take the challenge, and the endal made the trip and asked to be accepted. after speaking to Damien the two decided that training would start on the first day of winter as there would be a little bit less to do. After all these months the time had finally come, and a eager and possibly a little nervous Red made his way up to the Academy.

Pushing through the front doors which seemed to tower over the Endal, and spoke about a honor and glory that other endal had come to find with in these halls. It was time for Red to begin learning just how far he could go. Moving through the Grand Hall aiming his sights on the head masters office the Endal took a deep breath.

"Well" came a voice that conveyed a sense of wisdom and knowledge "I see you have found your way here early" Red was startled not knowing that Damien was already in the hall waiting for him. With a small jump he took a breath before turning around to face his new mentor "Forgive me Red, I couldn't help myself he said with a gentle laugh. Damien was a wise older man that Red had a lot of respect for, and had at a few chance visits with the man gotten lots of knowledge already now it was only going to increase.

The younger Endal laughed "I guess I am a bit nervous" letting out a half sigh Red didn't know what to say "I never thought I would reach this point".

The older man gave Red a knowing smile and gave him some encouragement "It happens Red, and shows that you really want to learn what I have to teach you" then the man gestured to a hall and said "shall we begin?" and with that Red nodded and started to follow Damien knowing that this was the beginning of a new challenge for Red.

[Red Daghul]

Damien led Red down a small hall way all the while explaining where the two Endal would start, and discussing things that Red really wanted to learn. "Now one of the main things that we will focus on is how to conduct yourself as a leader if you are to at some point take over leading a wing then you need to know the ins and out of being bot ha leader and a Endal" the man's voice was both understanding and firm in this idea.

"Of course, along with learning Tactics, Geography, and history there will be a physical side of things where you will need to put time into at least one weapon" the man stopped walking and looked back at Red "have you thought about a weapon of choice?" the question seemed to be important enough, but of course Red had already had this decided.

"The Talon sword is most defiantly my choice, though I would like to keep learning the longbow as well" the was a strong conviction as he spoke about the Talon sword as it was one of Red's favorite weapons, and already he had spent many months training with the blade, and one day the young Endal wanted to be known as a master if not the best in Wind Reach.

The older man looked at him in the eye, and a understanding seemed to be sent through his eyes "a respectable weapon" he nodded then start walking down the hall again "You will find that the academy is well suited for many different kinds of training, and though much of your training will happen here we will use other sites as well" Red nodded even though no one could see him.

Soon the two men found themselves at a door way and Damien gestured towards the room "this is the library" he took a step inside "you will spend quite a bit of time in here, and it is where we will start today" the older endal walked over to a shelve and started looking for a book. Mean while Red moved into the room letting his eyes scan the area taking in the sight of many many books of all sorts all neatly in rows on the shelves. The younger Endal had heard rumors of this place and all the knowledge it held.

"Ah, here it is" said Damien's voice as he found the book he was looking for "For today i want you to start reading this book" he offered the book over to Red. It wasn't a huge book though it looked old with a deep dark blue cover and the image of a Eagle and Rider on it "This is The Endal's Honor, and I will let you find out what it's contents say, but start reading this and I will return after a while" Taking the book then following Damien's gesture to a table and chair the younger Endal moved to take his seat and begin reading the book.

The book explain much of what he already knew about being a endal. Stuff like the duties of a endal, and what the endal start for. Most of the content in the being just talked about why the need for the endal, and how they should conduct themselves. It was a easy read, but Red guessed it was something needed to build on later. Ideas on what it meant to be a endal seemed to slowly rise, or what it meant to Red. The question of why he wanted this life seemed to be the center of these thoughts.

Why had Red wanted to be this person? What pulled his heart to the sky? This desire to be someone who protected, and who wielded the power to defend. There was something deep in Red's heart that drew him to this, and maybe some people would call it fate or destiny, but in a way those answers seemed almost like a easy way out to keep from explaining his true reasons.

As Red read on through the book the their was a quote from a endal from older days that read "we do what we must. The Reach is our home, and the Wind Eagles our friends both force us to be something more then just the person we are now. This relationship drives us to become defenders, and providers" There was no name by the quote, but it stuck with the younger Endal as he thought about his own relationships to the Reach, Daghul, and the people he fought for.

Thoughts of his sister and his desire to defend her, and to help her survive had led to him strive to become a stronger person. Then I guess you might say the world had bigger plans then just that because next thing Red knew Daghul swept down into his life. A life of a Endals. This new life brought honor and glory as well as adventures that surpassed his wildest imagination.

After a while he heard the soft steps of some one walking towards the library, and with a sudden desire to take a break he found Damien walking in "I see you have made good progress into the book" his tone full of encouragement "I trust you are finding in enlightening". The older man's eyes seemed alight with... well the younger Endal wasn't really sure what it was.

Looking down at the book Red gave his findings of the book "It is..." he didn't want to make it sound like he knew it already, and it had inspired some thought provoking ideas "Inspiring to read about the idea of the Endal, and I guess brings me back to why I ever even wanted to become a Rider" all truthful and though Red still was unsure if that was what he was suppose to get from the read.

"good, Im glad you found it so" it was almost uncanny how relaxed the man seemed at the moment almost like he had done this many many times before "Follow me Red, I want to test some of your other skills before the day is over" so Damien once again took lead this time heading towards the outside.

After a little bit of walking Red found himself outside facing what seemed to be a dueling ring, but didn't really seem to have the same feel as many of the other dueling rings around Wind Reach. This one was much more simple with a more personal feel as far as the atmosphere of the area around it. Standing not far off was a woman holding two wooden Talon swords.

[Red Daghul]

"Red allow me to introduce Shubre Dyson, a very talented woman" he gave Shubre a smile and a head nod "one of the things she is talented in is the art of the Talon sword, and she has agreed to my offer to help you train in this very same art" Red was a little skeptical as he studied his soon to be mentor in Talon sword fighting.

Shubre was a short older red haired Inarta woman who if one had not been introduced to her as a swords expert would have thought her harmless. Then again that wasn't entirely true looking into her eyes there was a almost warning look there that pointed to her strength in and out of battle.

"Red, I have heard good things about you from Damien" her voice was smooth and easy going "are you ready to take your sword play to the next level" the last part wasn't so much a question then a cue to begin. Damien gave Red a grin as he handed the younger Endal a wooden Talon sword that Shubre handed him.

"Good luck" was all Damien said as Red took the wooden blade and entered into the ring.

Now in front of him Shubre wore the same grin, and Red was starting to get the feeling he was about to meet a bitter defeat. The red-haired woman gave a nod to ask if he was ready, and the Endal had no choice but to return the nod.

It was like lightning when Shubre moved her weapon through the air in attempt to bring the blade down on Red's left shoulder. It would have to, but Red wasn't a rookie at this game, and shifted his own wooden talon sword to block the on coming attack. Just as the took wooden blades made contact both released from the parry. Red bring his weapon through the air aiming for the woman's right hip while Shubre spun her blade sweeping under Red's feet.

Red felt the wooden weapon throw him to his back with force and the air in his lunges escaped way to quickly. The the motion of a blade coming down towards Red's neck made him roll away and on to his feet. To his surprise the woman was once again at him sending a jab towards his gut, so Red brought up a parry pushing the blade to the left of his body. Then the two went into a dance as blow after blow was pushed aside, and Red couldn't help the feeling that she was toying with him just a bit.

The truth was she had been asked b Damien to test Red's skills first before bringing the sparring match to a end, and so far Red had held his own other then the small mistake at the beginning of the match. Though Red didn't know just how much better she was at this then he it was about to become very evident.

After what seemed like a hour Red felt the fight take a turn for the worst as the pace picked up, and now Shubre was throwing attack after attack giving Red little to no time to find a chance to give his own attack. With a final shift in the battle Shubre pushed forward moving her leg behind Red's then bringing her blade down on his. It was a simple move, but proved fatal if that was the kind of battle they were in. Never the less it threw Red to the ground, and Shubre had her blade at Red's throat.

"Not bad Red, but you have a lot of room for improvement" her tone wasn't harsh, but it did sting as Red had thought himself a little it better then most. "Don't worry young Endal we shall work on that" came encouragement from Damien as he walked out to meet the two. Shubre offered a hand to Red who started to pick himself off the ground. "This is just the beginning Red, Shubre has accepted you as a student as well under my supervision of course" he chuckled as if there was a inside joke between the two.

Damien then asked Red to follow him inside and the two gave their farewells to Shubre who told Red she was looking for to seeing him improve and that he had some talent already she could really make him a true master of the Talon Sword. Then the three went their own ways, and it seemed time for the next part of day one for Red.

[Red Daghul]

Damien lead Red into the Great Hall again this time heading towards a office off the to the side of the giant room. in they went and the younger Endal couldn't help but wonder what was about to come, so far the day had been short and to the point. It didn't sit well with Red and almost kept him on edge in a way.

The two walked silently into Damien's office where he offered a seat to Red that sat across from a desk and Damien's chair. The office it's self was well decorated with a wall of book's sitting on a shelve, a picture on another wall of what Red could only guess was a younger Damien and his Wind Eagle, and then on the back wall behind the desk a window out into the skies of the surrounding mountain side.

This was it what ever Damien wanted to say he was about to begin and Red felt his gut wrench with nervousness "Well Red I know today has felt short, but I wanted to start your training with a simple question, as well as a brief test of skill with your weapon of choice". Red didn't really know what to say this was all very straight forward, but before he could respond Damien jumped in "I see that you have some skill with the Talon sword which is why I would like you to spend some of your time with Shubre to prefect you skill, and as well work on some archery so tomorrow morning you will start there"

Red opened his mouth to say that that wasn't a problem at all, but before he could Damien who was looking over some notes cut him off again "Now for my question to you Red, and i want you to think hard on this" he paused for a second which added to the longing to hear the question "Tell me, why are you here?". The question was not what Red had expected.

In his mind Red saw the question being about what it meant to be a Endal, or even about the history of the Endal and the Wind Eagles. No, neither of those for those were easy questions that most Endal should know already, but this was something more personal. Why was he here/ what did he desire to come from this? In some ways this was easy, but to put it into words was another thing all together.

"I'm... well.." the words seemed lost with in his mind.

Damien once again cut in "You have to be sure of yourself Red, never second guess what you know to be true" his words were strong, but encouraging.

"I'm here because I want to be the best I can be, I want to pull down the injustice in the world, and use my power to protect those I have failed" the words seemed to brand his heart as they were true to him. There was another side he knew that was selfish, but in truth that wasn't the side of him that drove him to the desire to better himself.

"Well my boy, I believe that you have come to the right place" his words were filled with what Red thought to be pride "you will do well, now go rest you have another big day tomorrow" and with that Red left back to his home.

[Red Daghul]

Timestamp: 2nd day of winter, 512 AV

The next morning came swiftly as the sun began to rise waking the resting Endal who quickly left his bed and made himself ready for the day. Then with out a second thought took both his longbow and Talon sword and then both he and Daghul took to the air letting the cold breeze shoot through their body, and for the rest of the flight Red and Daghul were like one.

Each movement of the Wind Eagle was mirrored by a movement from Red as he shifted his weight to give Daghul a easier turn, or drop. It was seamless, but of course at the same time it was just simple flying. Then again even simple flying could look beautiful if done right, and on this morning it was safe to say that they looked graceful in the air.

Not a hour later Daghul dropped Red off at the academy where he found himself meeting Shubre just as she was making her way there. "Good morning Endal Red" came a greeting that was almost not expected.

"and a good morning to you Shubre, I trust all is well" he found himself responding. Something about the morning had him in a good mood, and Daghul he was sure would give it over to the idea that he was getting a chance to farther his training and push himself to become the best.

Shubre explained that Damien had asked her too start Red off with training today, and that they would be meeting out back where the ring was set up just like before. After what seemed like forever of looking for the equipment needed, and of course finding a bit of food to eat the two found themselves out back in the ring ready for battle.

Shubre was holding herself in a ready stance that Red mirrored as he was well aware of this style of fighting "This next set of rounds I want you to think about adding to your fighting style more just sword play" Red gave her a puzzled look "if you want to be a better fighter then you have to learn to use all your weapons together" she moved swiftly like a river bringing her Talon sword around as if to sweep someones feet then as she turned her body through the blow brought a kick around after.

"Your sword is the main tool, but your body can be used to add deadly blows to through off your opponent" she took a step closer to the Endal "remember back to yesterday when I used my foot to trip you. it was simple yet it changed the course of the battle" Red nodded then she gave a nod to say go and the battle began.

The wooden swords clashed together as Red parried a slash from Shubre, and jut as the two sword came together they were apart. The Endal's going for a close cut to Shubre sword arm, but she moved it away and threw in a kick towards Red's gut sending him back a few steps "you have to keep your eyes open for this kind of attack as well" she said in the small break as the two circled each other before sending another shower of blows at each other.

The two found themselves keeping up with each other, though it was clear that Shubre wasn't giving her full fight in. It didn't bother Red it had become clear she was the better of the two at this time, but red would see that changed one day. Throwing a kick into his own attack Red found shubre ready for the attack and rolled around his leg sweeping her practice sword under Red's foot that stayed on the ground. The ground had never felt so hard, but Red rolled back to his feet.

Leading in with his Talon sword Red started to throw wild slashes as he dodge under a attack to his shoulder, and then to the side as a punch came his way. Using his blade he pushed aside another kick as he felt the pace pick up just a bit and Red found it wasn't as hard to keep up with the speed as he threw another kick this time catching Shubre's arm and spinning her around. It would have been the perfect time to strike had shubre not gotten control and used the spin to strike at Red's shoulder. The Endal almost took the full blow, but he was able to get his sword in the way.

A hour passed before they took a break, and it was very very clear to Red that she was the better swordsmen as he could feel the bruises covering his body. Though he had taken the beating he had not left her unharmed, and she couldn't help but give this to him "You are catching on faster then I thought Red, keep it up" and she called him back out to the ring again.

[Red Daghul]

The pain that cried to his body was like the faint sound of water dripping over and over against always there but never bad enough that you had to stop what you were doing to fix it. Now in the center of the ring Red brought his wooden talon sword to the ready and gave his nod to say he was ready, but then again he had a bad feeling his ready wasn't going to be enough.

Shubre moved like lightning in the night sky one second there and the next on the other side of the sky, and Red only had a second to respond to each strike. Red brought his wooden blade to meet Shubre's own blade as they bite down on each other sounding a echo through the mountain range. There was a pattern that Red was starting to see with the way that Shubre was trying to teach him. First she started off slow, and then through out the whole battle she would slowly pick up the speed forcing Red to do the same.

Now at this point the Endal had started to pick up on her adding a kick here, or a punch there, and even though he only stopped them maybe half the time it was a improvement.

Shubre brought her sword down in a arc, and Red pulled his wooden blade up with two hands stopping the attack. Shubre had guessed as much and as the wood barked a echoing smack she threw in a kick, and to Red's surprise he lifted his foot up and push the kick down. A smile grew on Shubre's face as she spun herself around with amazing speed while dropping herself down to sweek Red's feet from underneath him with her leg.

The attack would have claimed the match, but once again Red found his reflexes had started to pick up on her attacks and he pushed off the ground jumping over the attack. It made sense the reflexes that he had trained to use against swords just really needed to be switch to more then just the weapon that his foe held. If only he had more time for that thought though, for as he made the small mistake of making this revelation he missed seeing her move to strike.

The wooden blade came across his gut leaving a stinging pain as he doubled over, and over his agony he heard a small giggle... at least that is what it seemed like in Red's head "That wasn't bad Endal, though you have to keep your mind to the task" he looked at her as he stood up holding his gut "but you are getting the point of this training you have the skill it just needs to be refined and polished. As you push harder and faster you will build more skill. Time and practice."

Red only nodded as he walked over and took a seat on the ground cleaning his face of sweat he looked to see if she would call him again to fight in the ring. They had been training for some where around 3 hours now, and Red wasn't sure if he could keep taking the beating that was being put out. To the Endal's great relief though Damien's voice was heard "Well now, I see you two have been busy" he laughed as he looked at Red "I'm not surprised to see your skill improve Red, of course you have a long way to go" it was encouraging with a bit of reality.

"Anyways Red, I want to see your skill with a bow" he had his own bow in hand, and there was a smile on his face it seemed he was going to get to show off some.

"Fair enough" Red said with his own half smile as he grunted as he stood his body wishing it could have a longer break, but lunch would come soon enough and if Damien wanted to get in some archery then so be it they would. Red once again took to following Damien as he brought him just a little ways away were he had a stack of hay set up for them to shoot at.

Damien gestured to a bundle of arrows he had set up for the two of them and said "Go ahead and show me what you know" it was clear he didn't want a lesson on the names of the bow, or even explaining the shot. No, that stuff was novice stuff Damien wanted him to shoot. Looking at where the arrows were, and then judging the distance they were looking at shooting about 75 feet away, and that was a good amount of space between the target and them.

Never the less Red stood body facing towards the left of the target a arrow knocked in place on the bow, and taking a breath the Endal pulled back on the string till it touched his face. Feeling the slight wind touching his left arm he looked down the arrow aiming just a bit to the left of the target, and then a little higher to call into account the distance. Taking his time Red took in a breath, and then releasing it he let his three fingers go straight.

The arrow took flight like a mighty Wind Eagle shooting out from the side of a cliff it's wings tucked in as the bird darting towards a target on the other side of the mountain range. With a thud the arrow made purchase just on the very edge of the target, and Red gave it a look as if he could have done better.

"Not bad Red, though I can see where you can use some improvement" he said as a mater of fact, and then Damien took up a arrow and with in less the a second took aim and let his own arrow fly. then with another thud the arrow took hold almost in the center of the target "You see Red it's not your form that you like skill in here rather the feel for this distance, and your bow" the older man looked down at the target "You are far from a master, but you have something" he gave a chuckle "and that's better then nothing. Try again".

For the next hour Red spent it taking his time shooting arrows down the field to where the target sat. It wasn't a the worst shooting he had ever done, but in no way was it the best. After shooting all forty he had hit some where around half. Damien didn't seem impressed, but if he thought that he had misjudged the Endal's ability in the beginning he said nothing.

After the another round of shooting where Red didn't seem to make any huge improvements Damien called it "Let's get some food, eh?" the question was there though it seemed more like a statement, but Red was happy either way with that thought as hunger had started to take hold his mind.

"Please" he said with a smile on and Red started towards the academy, but Damien had already made plans and a Dek came out when the older man waved his hand forward.

The two took seats next to a tree it was chilly, but not overly so mainly due to the fact of the volcano Red was sure. Damien pulled out some meat and handed it to the other Endal, and then took some for himself. "Tell me Red, what have you learned?" the question seemed off it was pretty clear what he had learned.

"Well this morning I learned how to develop my fighting style to include not just my sword, but the rest of my body" he paused to see if his answer was what Damien was looking for, but the older man held to his guns and only gave a look of interest in what the younger man had to say "and then with archery I guess I learned that I need more practice" he almost wanted to end it on a answer, but Red stuck to his guns.

Damien then took a thoughtful moment and answered "both true statements, but look deeper Red that is what this is about learning what is unseen. Take the time to look at all the details, and gather your thoughts about you to find a deeper lesson here" his words were full of conviction and Red had to say it was inspiring.

It was a few moments later that Red came to find that Damien wanted another answer from him, and the Endal felt a little awkward. No doubt this would be one of those times he would normally go to Daghul for a answer, or at least to think over his former answers and thoughts, but Red got the feeling that this was something he had to do himself. There must be a lesson here, or something.

It came a few seconds later as he thought about the pain in his body, and the now tired arms. It in a way came together in his mind on his own, but in others he kinda forced it "I guess if i was to look deeper I'd say that I have a lot to learn, and this is only the beginning" with that Damien smiled and gave a nod.

"And with that, and of course us finishing our lunch, I say that you had a pretty good second day" after the two finish lunch they both headed back to their other duties. Red would return to the academy after another day or two to train some more, but he had started and that is what mattered.

[Sphinx]

Red Daghul

Award

Skill	XP Earned	Lore Earned
Reading	2 XP	• First Day at the Flightleader Academy
Weapon: Talon Sword	5 XP	• Criteria to Becoming a Flightleader
Riding: Wind Eagle	1 XP	• Layout of the Flightleader Academy
Weapon: Long Bow	2 XP	• Shubre and Damian, Tutors
N/A	XP	• A Bitter Defeat
N/A	XP	• Reasons for Wanting to be a Flightleader

The Sphinx's Riddle

Nice training thread! Thank you for the glimpse into the training of the Endal. I really enjoyed it. I admire Red's humble nature.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade, please send me a PM and we can figure it out.