PM to join On the Eve of Battle

[Anchor]

58th of Spring, 512 AV The shore north of Syliras A gathering of the children of Laviku had been on the sands near Syliras for the better part of Syliras. While it wasn't uncommon for the Svefra to set up on this beach, being close enough to the city for trade and large enough to pull ashore their ships, this was the first time since the Nal'lyeo that so many of them had gathered for so long. Instead of the instruments and drunken laughter that punctuated most gatherings of this sort, the music was the thwack of wooden practice weapons, the ring of metal real ones, and the grunts of exertion as the warriors practiced their various forms of combat. It wasn't just the Svefra either. Among the tall and stocky seafarers prancing and stomping about were some whose affinity with the sea wasn't any greater than some distant glances or odd observations. Yet the call to arms and request to aid posted by the Svefra was enough to attract both those seeking adventure and those hoping to make a little out of it. With them, they brought all manners of weapons unlike the Svefra had seen before, Svefra whose favored weapons were the short blades and cutlasses of a raid. Now, in the days that the land-dwellers had been here, some of the skill and knowledge of the foreign weapons had rubbed off on the sea warriors, who were developing a new style on the boats for out on the sea. Here and there were people resting, taking swigs from their mugs as the watched their fellows spar. All were eager to get back up and fighting. They could feel something was about to happen, and they wanted to be ready for it.

[Scarlet Evony]

It wasn't long before Scarlet found herself a place to admire the sparring taking place between the sea people. For how much she disliked the classic weapon approach, she relished in observing every tackle, punch or throw practiced in hand to hand combat. From what she could tell of their style, Svefra were a bit unsteady on the ground. Must be their experience on ships. She refused to approach the training grounds, intimidated by the mass of people actually doing something.

From a distance, she observed the sparring taking place between Lia and the girl. Given credit, they could handle a blade so much better than she had seen some of the Syliran knights in the region. However, her distaste for handheld weapon combat made her steer away from her pointed out trainer, at least for now. Maybe one day she’d be prepared, but today was not going to be the day she started wielding weapons.

Scarlet looked around. She noticed Kirin, the ironsmith she had met days earlier. Probably he wouldn't remember their encounter, since it ended so abruptly and awkwardly. Instead of approaching him, Scarlet decided it would be best to climb aboard one of the ships and inspect her surroundings. She slipped past Lia as she pinned the girl to the ground, climbing aboard one of the docked Svefra ships.

The ship seemed pretty devoid of life, most of the sailors being either on the shore or in the cabins. The deck, relatively empty compared to the others she’d seen only hosted a couple of groups of fighters. One of it had been practicing armed combat using wooden swords, daggers, scimitars and cutlasses. The others seemed to be brawlers, training freely. That was enough reason for Scarlet to join the group, confident in her abilities.

“Would any of you be interested in hitting a girl with all they’ve got?” Ugh… I need to stop feeling intimidated by them. It’s all going to be okay, Scarlet. Only now did she start feeling the ground move under her feet. The fresh, salty, wind brought an increasing current of tides, making the half-docked ship rock sideways. The surprise of the moment caught the Kelvic by surprise, knocking her off her feet in the torrent of laughter elicited by the Svefra. Annoyed, she quickly got to her feet and set a more balanced stance for herself. “No, really. Show me what you’ve got.”

OOC: I don’t know if this really fits, but I figured either one of them or Lia would handle this. If this upsets the moderated sparring too much, I will edit it as to make it convenient for all of the others.

[Kirin]

The cutlass blade had been haphazardly tucked into his trousers. Once upon a time, the shortened one handed blade would have suited him perfectly, but now he doubted falling back to it. That being said, the challenge had been issued. He could hardly call himself ready to go out if he couldn't at least try to do it one more time. A trusty staff was always waiting should he fail more over.

There were countless faces to choose from in the crowd now, a few familiar, many unfamiliar, most complete strangers, and one less than ideal. Kirin already felt the pangs of being judged here, he didn't want to disappoint overly. Out of the throngs he picked out his preferred trainer, or target, or assessor or whatever else this would become. The burly Svefra was almost perfectly the opposite of Kirin. Where Kirin was short, he was tall, where Kirin was lanky, he was muscled and defined. Even Kirin's strengthened arms were put to shame.

If there was to be any finer test, Kirin had yet to locate it a midst the group and this one was plenty intimidating enough. Still, if he could at least prove himself to this one, maybe he might just yet fit in. Approaching the resting giant proved hard enough, but as their eyes met Kirin flashed out the blade of the cutlass he had been graciously provided in testament, "I was told to bring this and find someone."

Kirin continued on, his staff taking up residence along side a few other weapons. The staff was always his crutch, he used it to make himself look weaker. Raising nearly a half foot above his own head, it served to accentuate his short stature and made him look weak and feeble. When he stood fully upright, normally he would at least strike a more imposing figure. This time, with his opponent in front of him, he only seemed to look weaker, "I don't know if you're up to the task, or if there is a better candidate. But, don't take it easy on me."