Closed Friendly Fighting (Markus)

[Luther Stone]

7th of Spring, 514 AV
Antinous Training Grounds
11th bell

Luther entered the training grounds, his armor grinding and groaning at every movement the human made. The metal suit glinted in the sun, reflecting back and shining in many different directions. The helmet which was situated atop the knight's head made him sweat, so Luther removed the item and tucked it under his arm. His hair fell into it's natural place below his ears. The locks were damp from the sweat, so Luther shook his head, sending the drops around his person.

The knight carried further on into the grounds. He passed one of the weaponsmiths, who's name he forgot, and raised a hand as if to say a silent hello. Luther walked thought a pair of knights, who scowled as he accidentally brushed shoulders with the older looking one, before saying something Luther couldn't make sense of. He just smiled and brushed it off, since it would look bad on his part if he ended up fighting two fellow knights in a place where they all came to train as one big collective.

He turned into one of the training areas, where two training dummies, an archery target were, along with two swords and a bow with some arrows left on a old, rickety wooden table. Luther ignored the weapons and instead advanced on the first immobile dummy. He drew his short sword from it's scabbard, making a short, sharp grinding sound as it was taken from it's holding place. As he drew the sword, Luther pulled the shield from it's position on his back into his right hand as the sword was held in his left. The knight smiled since it felt natural to him.

The human slowly stepped towards the dummy, sword raised, shield covering half his face and the rest was over his chest. Suddenly, he jerked the shield forward, smashing it into the dummy's face, before bringing the sword down into the shoulder of it. Luther tried to picture the dummy as a bandit who had just jumped out of a bush and was trying to kill Luther for mizas. An occupation quite a bit of the region had turned to recently, it seemed.

The sword was yanked out the dummy's shoulder by Luther before being slashed downwards across it's chest, opening it up to reveal the insides that consisted of hay, some of which spilled out onto the floor below. After that, Luther forced his shield into the chest of the dummy, forcing it back a couple of inches, before stabbing his sword into the head, where he thought the eye of an enemy might be in a proper battle. Luther exhaled deeply as he pulled the sword out of the head.

So far, so good.

"Thoughts."
"My words."
"Your words."
"NPC's words."

[Markus Andres]

The young knight briskly walked into the training area. Bastard by the hip, its smaller cousin, a cold iron dagger, just above. The shield in his left arm. The armour made the usual racket as he moved swiftly to find a place he could train. The knight needed it today. Thoughts he did not wish to dwell upon lingered in his mind and he needed to be rid of them. Training. Hard intensive training until he was so exhausted that he could barely limp back to his apartment to fall asleep was the answer. Maybe find time for a meal before he crashed. But first: Action! Eyes prowling for a new enemy. Someone he had not faced in combat before. Someone who intrigued him. Showed the extra spark of commitment or talent that Markus might feel the rush of combat once more. A pair of young squires fighting to the side. Neither had any real control of their weapons and they soon just started hacking at each other without any control of finesse. The dark green eyes went on. A master berating his squire for a sloppy defence. Sometimes he wished he could challenge ser Dyres or ser Alvikal themselves, or ser Degan. He had heard all three were formidable fighters. But there was no way they would allow a knight to duel with them, not out of the blue. But a knight could dream. Anyone. Come on. Someone new. Interesting. Show me a spark. Show me unique. A squire got caught in the side of the helmet and staggered sideways before going face first into a wall. Definitely not him. Markus saw him then. A man who ruthlessly cut down a dummy. Shoulder, torso, shield bash. Face. It was an excellent combo, some might have called it overkill. But in single combat, definitely. Ensure that the enemy did not suffer. Markus did not approach the man. Wanted to see what he had to offer other than a slash at a dummy. Markus found an empty spot by the wall. In view of the dark brown haired knight. The single silver pin giving away his rank. A fellow knight. Ought to be interesting. Still, he did not approach him. A fellow knight meant he was at least a competent warrior and probably more than that. Hopefully more than that, but time would tell. For now, he would silently observe the knight as he attacked the dummy.

OOCSorry for the delay

[Luther Stone]

Luther felt the sweat run down his face as he struck the training dummy twice more with the short sword that he'd been using throughout his session in the grounds. The slashes were becoming more familiar to him. The movement almost become like a second nature. He would run the sword across the chest before stepping to the left and coming back across over the dummy's throat with his weapon. It almost seemed Luther was enjoying brutalizing an immobile sack stuffed with hay that was held up by a post.

This is getting easier...

Luther stabbed his sword into the gut of the dummy and left it in there, deciding to take a break again before he tired himself out and did something stupid like winded himself or accidentally lost control of the sword, sending it flying into some poor squire's chest. That would be hard to explain. The knight removed his helmet and set it down on the table. He ran a hand through his sweaty hair and exhaled deeply. As he turned back, a figure caught his eye.

He too was clad in armor, and watching Luther. For a moment, he thought the man was a higher rank, but he was the same level as Luther. That brought a sense of relief over the knight. It meant he wouldn't have to train much harder. Then a thought appeared in his mind. It's useless fighting something that can't retaliate. A fellow knight might be better, since the last squire he'd fought had lost to Luther, easily. That was a relative saving grace.

Luther leaned on the table and shouted over to the knight, "Enjoying yourself over there?"

"Thoughts."
"My words."
"Your words."
"NPC's words."

[Markus Andres]

The unfamiliar knight continued his training. Markus noted with satisfaction that the strikes came more fluid and precise as the man's muscles got warmer and used to the powerful swings. This man might hold potential to give Markus the much needed challenge that he craved. If not, Markus would soon be driven mad by the lack of talented enemies. He missed the thrills of a great fight. Markus raised a brow when the man left his short sword in the dummy. A stunning lack of discipline coming from a knight. The man removed his helmet and Markus saw the sweaty dark hair fall. Although not a vain man, Markus had always hated what helmets did to his hair, messed up any particular style he wanted. Worse yet, was what it did to the wonderful ladies' hair. As the knight was caught in his own thoughts, it seemed that he had been made, for the unknown knight looked right at him. Markus didn't particularly mind, it had to happen sooner or later. Might as well be now, for there was a lull in the man's training.

I suppose it is time to get sweaty Markus thought with a small smile when the man shouted to him. "Not particularly." Came the honest reply, he was getting a bit bored of only watching the action unfold. "Are you enjoying your training?" Markus asked as he approached the man. But before he would let the man reply, he would continue. "Or would you prefer to fight something that retaliates?" Markus was by the table then, one hand resting upon it as his dark green eyes looked at the unknown knight.

"Name is Markus Andres, 3rd wing yellow company first regiment, silver quadron." He offered his right hand to the black haired knight.

[Luther Stone]

"Not particularly. Are you enjoying your training? Or would you prefer to fight something that retaliates?" Said the fellow knight, who introduced himself almost immediately after. "Name is Markus Andres, 3rd Wing, Yellow Company, First Regiment, Silver Quadron."

Luther looked the knight up and down. The man was easily as tall as Luther himself, if not taller. He had a pair of green eyes that seemed to stare into Luther's soul. It was something about the color green that did that to Luther. He smirked at the man before adjusting his position since he was starting to ache with the relentless weight of the armor was beating down onto his shoulders, and beginning to take it's toll. Luther rolled his shoulders in a futile attempt to alleviate some of the pressure on his body. He stretched open his palms as far as they would go, cracking some knuckles.

"Ser Luther Stone, 1st Wing, White Company, 2nd Regiment, Silver Quadron."

He smirked as he put his helmet back onto his head after being challenged to a spar by Markus. The man looked much more trained with his weapon, and a lot more battle-hardened. Luther picked up his sword and shield and entered a battle stance, seemingly ready for any attacks Markus was about to throw at him, although they'd probably easily break through and do some damage to Luther. The shield began to feel heavy in his hand, but he ignored the feeling and steeled his nerves for the incoming battle. The sword became somewhat shaky, but he again ignored it and readied himself.

This should be fun...

"Thoughts."
"My words."
"Your words."
"NPC's words."

[Markus Andres]

Luther Stone... Markus mused over the word in his head, he couldn't remembering hearing about him before although the man did not look that much older than he. Might have met him before as a squire. Markus pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the man again. The shorter sword meant Markus would have to keep him at a distance, given that he wielded a bastard sword with far superior reach, that should not become a problem. Once more Markus pushed his thoughts aside. He was here to find a fun challenging spar, to analyse and pre-determine the battle strategy before the fight would diminish the fun he would have.

Just go with the flow.

The other knight put his helmet back on again and dropped into a battle stance. But the smirk he had seen before then had told him all he needed to know. It is on. The pleased smirk that appeared on his lips soon turned into a thin line before his head disappeared into the helmet. The narrowing of the vision was not that terrible once you got used to it. The muffled sound was much harder to get used to, as all sounds including his own breath and voice got caught by the metal and vibrated into his ears, shouting orders while the helmet was down was always confusing at first. But Markus was sure he would get to know that feeling once he made it to sergeant.

Markus reached back and grabbed the shield on his back and pulled it over his head. The heavy heater shield held firmly in his left hand. Markus drew the Bastard in a single fluid motion. Left leg leading, right arm pulled back with the blade raised to strike the knight. Though the man gave Markus the advantage of the first strike. Curious. The first strike was, to Markus, the best thing about a fight. Markus could feel his excitement rise. Feel how his muscles tensed involuntarily and the smile that started to form at the edge of his lips.

"Let us start."

Markus took two confident steps forward, left still leading. Shield held firmly in front of him as the right arm went straight for the other man's chest. The aim was to slip past the edge of the shield and get him in his right shoulder. The attack was quick and Markus was not overly invested in the strike. Testing and probing his defence for weaknesses and how well he reacted. A simple cautionary tactic.

[Luther Stone]

The sun shone down on the training grounds, illuminating all inside and out with a yellow-orange glow. The heat beat upon the backs of knights and squires alike, warming them up, some to the point of it becoming unbearable, forcing the squires to stop their training for a few minutes just to take a moment out and recuperate and get ready to begin training once again with their bored patrons.

Markus advanced upon Luther, sword and shield raised in a defensive stance. Luther himself tightened his grip upon his own pair before moving around Markus in a circular motion. He studied his opponent for any weaknesses, although he didn't show any for the time being. Instead, he just looked into Markus' eyes through the thin slit in his helmet that allowed his to look at the outside world. Markus' eyes showed no sign of worry. Then again, neither did Luther's.

"Let us start."

The opposite knight stabbed through the air with his sword, aiming to get past Luther's shield and into either his chest or shoulder. He couldn't decide. The sword's tip made it past Luther's shield before he swiftly swung it across, knocking the rest of the sword off-course and down into the dirt. The successful block brought a smile to Luther's face, which was hidden behind his helmet before he took a step back from Markus.

Luther raised his shield again, half covering his face. It blocked his view a little bit, but it was a small price to pay for certain facial protection from his opponent's weapon. He drew back his sword before attempting a slash across Markus' chest before trying to push forward into his chest again with his shield.

Focus.

"Thoughts."
"My words."
"Your words."
"NPC's words."

[Markus Andres]

Quick.

Markus noted as he pulled back his right arm. The knight had good reflexes, it would not be laughably easy to outmatch him. Which meant more pleasure for the battle hungry knight. Though why the knight took a step back baffled Markus. Had he not the shorter weapon? Getting into close range ought to be his priority. Unless he was planning to trap Markus by having the aggressive knight. Goat him into closer and closer quarters until Markus could not wield his blade as effectively. Markus stepped in with a half step, ready to let the knight spring the trap if he had laid one. Keeping the shield between him and the enemy, sword back at his right side ready to lash out at Luther. The way he raised his shield, spoke of a very defensive minded warrior. Quite the contrary to Markus, unless of course - he was feigning.

Invincibility in the defence. The possibility of victory in the offence.

The other knight made his move. Sword went for Markus' chest. Markus tightened his grip on the straps inside the shield and pushed out with his shield when the blade came close. Meeting the strike head on and stopping it before it reached his armour. Though the next step from Luther had Markus pleasantly surprised. The knight advanced with the shield. Markus gave in to the overwhelming desire to imitate his attack. The reaction came instinctively. Close range was to the advantage of the other knight, Markus hardly cared. He was here to test his limits and feel the breath of Dira down his neck as he battled. Markus would press hard back as their shields collided. Only to step out with his right to Luther's left. Put their shields off centre and hopefully put the other knight off balance. He would twist his torso to the left. His right arm moving in a high arch to slam into the side of the other knight's helmet. His gauntlet covered his hand as it clenched tightly around the Bastard. Putting extra weight behind the punch.

[Katelyn Marks]

Due Rewards

“After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.”

― Philip Pullman

Luther Stone

Note :

Luther, if you return please update your character sheet and message me so that you may receive your rewards for this thread.

Markus Andres

Skill	EXP
Socialization	+2
Tactics	+2
Shield	+2

Lores

➢ Luther Stone: A Worthy Opponent
➢ Luther Stone: Syliran Knight
➢ Tactics: Testing Your Enemy's Defenses
➢ Seeing Through a Helmet's Visor

Shield Points: +3 for training

Comments

It's a shame this wasn't able to be finished. I wish I could give you more! Nevertheless it was a very pleasant read. A simple, straight to the point training thread. It was very well written.

If you have any concerns about your grade, please feel free to message me.