Closed [Mithryn Outpost - The Fields]Poor Scarecrow, can't scare...

[Ball]

21st of Spring 514AV

Ball had to get himself out of the outpost, the long days and all that planting was screwing with the poor pycon’s nexus. The days were long and tedious and he could only stare at the growing groups and dirt handling farmers for so long, after the early season attack from the coyotes Ball had had much more excitement beyond him training himself in acrobatic flips and patrol duties on the wall. So here he was, the pycon managed to pull himself out of the outpost and off the wall for a whole bloody day, out in the fields he had to take a better look around for bandits both of the furry four legged kind and the two-legged large pycon variety. Thorn was lashed to the back of Imass, just above the poor dog’s tail and sticking out both sides, the sharp side Ball had taken the time to poke a rotting apple from off the ground before he left the outpost.

Ball was hoping to get some possible training in with Thorn today, but right now he had nothing he could charge at, let alone hit with Thorn from his position on Imass. A small sigh escaped Ball’s mouth as he paused beneath a pretty pathetic scarecrow, the poor thing was tilted forward and to the left, its clothes were tattered Ball noticed, and the face that was at one point brightly painted and vibrant with a cheery smile was now a grayed out façade of its former appearance. Poor guy. Shaking his head the pycon realized then that the crows and other birds that the scarecrow was supposed to deter were perched on it or swooping down and plucking up the small baby plants from the field. Not on my watch!

Ball untied Thorn from his mount’s back and yanked the apple, having the rotting flesh and fruit squish and spray rotting scented liquid all over himself, his dog, and the ground. It was disgusting. Ball wiped his face off with his hand and took hold of Thorn properly. He fumbled for several seconds with the weight of the lance before he could hold it steady.

That was when Ball realized the looming shadow that cascaded over his being, dog and all, it had a horse and rider appearance to it… That was all, the pycon could tell without turning around.

Created goes to Euthisa

[Markus Andres]

Children... Markus was leading a small group of pages from the fields. They had done their duty of the day, according to their patrons, at least, but Markus had seen a golden opportunity to use them a little more in the service of the grandmaster. Markus knew Ball was around here somewhere, in the fields helping out and learning humility.

Well, that was the official reason, but when Markus had found the opportunity to be rid of Ball for the first fifth of the season, he had leapt at the opportunity. Twenty days of peace and quiet from Ball and the squire might learn something from it - simply excellent. But a part of him had begun to feel a little terrible for sending Ball out like that. He was his responsibility and it was his job to take care of him and train him. It was gross neglect of his duties. He wore his armour and the single sword pin that signified his rank. Heavy armour to protect him from the dangers of the wild - at the same time it gave him an all important air of authority around him. Enough for the pages to follow him without questions. He had organized the three children into a simple line behind him as his horse trotted forward. His bastard sword by his hip, the dagger as well. Shield strapped to his back.

Off to the side, Markus saw Ball ride on his mount. A small dog. I will have to change that one of these days... He mused to himself. But he was pleased to see that Ball was training on his own. The squire had taken the initiative to be active. It brought a smile to his lips - it was time to up the training. Random charges and attacking whatever he saw fit was not good training. It required organization in his training. Which was why Markus had recruited the children behind him. Markus told Alluia to stop her trot and Markus paused behind Ball. No doubt his squire would see the shadow and turn around. He heard a small snicker from one of the children, but the knight levelled a stern gaze upon the child and he was quick to be quiet.

"Hello, Ball. We will be doing some thorn-training today. I brought some friends who can help set up the targets as you ride around." Markus never had much to talk to Ball about. His voice was level and polite, had a sharp authoritative edge to it.

[Ball]

Ball turned his head to look over his shoulder, even though he held no visual eye the Pycon was able to see his patron knight and the trio of young children with him... Pages. Turning his dog around the squire lifted the tip of his weapon up into the air, it wasn't just a safety precaution, it was a sign of respect. A lowered weapon would've meant one thing. Pages didn't just learn from their patrons, they learned from the squires above them.

Nodding to his patron the squire looked at the pages, one of them he had heard snicker when they saw him but the snickering hadn't lasted long apparently, cause none of them were snickering now. Turning his mount back around in a circle Ball tapped it on it's sides and allowed the dog to start off in a trot. The birds that were picking at the plants before him were going to pay horribly and it was this reasoning Ball found himself mounted and armed. Protecting the people of the outpost and their crops. Without their crops the farmers, the knights within the outpost, and the knights of the fortress beyond would surely perish.

Dropping Thorn down into position Ball allowed the dog to adjust his own speed and direction as required with a quick double tap right in front of the squire's body. His attack didn't last long cause as soon as he was in range to attack the birds took off. Growling though he returned to his knightly instructor and the crowd of pages. Once more Thorn was pointed in the air. “Ser. Py. Con.”

Created goes to Euthisa

[Markus Andres]

Markus was happy to see that Ball had learnt some of the customs of the knights. Especially that he didn't point the weapon in Markus' direction. Not that the lump of dirt would be able to reach Markus this high. But if he struck Alluia's legs and caused her to fall over, Markus would be in trouble. Probably get a leg caught under the massive warhorse and from there, Ball could turn him into a battered and broken piece on the ground. The thing sped off on its little warhound, to attack the birds that fed on the seeds. A good job for a squire. Simple and gave him something to do. He was glad to see Ball was being useful out here in the outpost. Undoubtedly once the brave squire stopped charging, the birds would resume their attacks on the outposts' plants.

What a waste.

The knight stared hard at his squire when he once more refered to him as ser pycon. It was an odd name that he had never understood, but despite efforts the thing had not ceased calling him that. He was not about to openly chastise the squire in front of the kids, that would only intensify their already tense relations. Best to let things slide when it was more pragmatic. Markus considered this a training exercise for himself as well. See if he could command these unruly and highly chaotic creature from atop the horse – Ball, of course – the children he figured would be easier.

”Children. Find any solid sticks you can and bring them here. One each. And find stones that fit the size of the sticks!”

Markus saw the children go try find sticks. It was one of the stranger orders Markus had given, but he didn't look after the children for long before his gaze fell to Ball again. Seeing if anything new had come of the squire. If he had chosen a new form, but all in all he looked like he had the last time the two had met.

”How is life at the outpost? Been making yourself useful?” Markus asked Ball and waited for a response before he would gently turn his head to the sound of children coming running towards him. Each came running back with each their stick and a stone palmed in their other hand. They had done surprisingly well considering the short amount of time that had passed. One of them had even gotten a 4 foot long stick. Looked fresh so the kid had probably torn it off of a tree. The closest kid, a blonde haired boy who was a little plump, but bright eyed and eagerly looked up at Markus. And proudly showed his catch. The other pair did likewise. A smile parted his lips at their youthful vigour. Markus extended a hand to the kids. They handed him the sticks and Markus withdrew his dagger. Alluia was a well trained horse and he was not novice, but sharpening a stick on horseback was not easy. But Markus got the job done. Three sharpened sticks with a flat end on the other side. Markus made a small indent on the flat side. Would make it easier for them to hold a stone. Markus handed back the sticks to the kids.

”Alright. Excellent. Kids, get out there and take positions. You.” He pointed at the blonde haired kid. ”Take position over there. Go.” The boy moved past Markus, got on the point. ”You there, take a position 20 steps behind him.” The dark haired boy, younger the the blonde one, but still in his early tens. Smart enough to follow orders. The last, a young brown-haired girl, perhaps the oldest of the three, but her gender unfortunately meant she was also the shorter of them. Not by much compared to the dark haired kid. ”You will be standing another 20 steps behind him.” He waited for her to get into position. ”Push the sharp end into the earth! Place the rock on top of it!” He commanded in a calm voice. The kids went through with the order, but the middle kid had trouble pushing his stick into the ground. ”Go help him, kids, then return to your sticks.” Markus saw the blonde kid eagerly run up and help push the stick into the ground. Different heights. The stones balancing precariously on top of them. Markus was satisfied.

”Right, step away from the sticks. Get a good distance, Ball here will be charging at them and try to hit the stones and knock them off. Your job is, if he succeeds, to place the stone back on the stick when he has passed.” Simple order. Not the most entertaining job in the world. But at least they were being of use to the fortress city instead of merely playing around. Plus, they could probably use a little discipline themselves.

”When you are ready Ball. Show me your training here at the outpost hasn't been for naught.”

[Ball]

As the birds returned to their feasting of seedlings and plants Ball grumbled. He didn't have time to deal with their shenanigans, his patron was here and it appears the children he brought in tow were sent to gather sticks and stones... It seemed to be an odd task for the children but when the squire saw the knight sharpening one end of each of the sticks and then notch the other end Ball seemed to gather what he was having him do. Making arrows... He is finally going to finish me off from horseback, what a coward.

Yet when the knight handed each stick back to the respected kid that gave it over and finished his instructions Ball realized his body was tense in anticipation of smacking the man around, or at least his horse. The question was given to Ball about life on the outpost, he shrugged, there were trees, fields, coyotes... “I. Hul.Pa. Da.Mah.En.Ah.Gen.St.Ah. Cay.Oats.” ['I helped the men against coyotes.'] Ball nodded, pointing at the wall, “Fah. Um. Der.” ['From there.'] Ball didn't mention that the men he used were drunks and well into their cups and Ball had to direct the fools to defend their homes.

Shaking his head after that though Ball turned his gaze to the pages, watching one struggle a bit with their stick. The squire was ready to go over there and aid in the boy's struggles, yet Ser Pycon had the others go and assist. With the stones places in the notch Ball seen the exercise play out, he had to take down the stones from atop the sticks as he rode past... With Thorn. Gulping Ball shifted his grip on the weapon and leaned forward to his dog. Stroking the dog's neck a bit the Pycon sat back up straight, Thorn's tip angling up slightly to what he hoped was a good lineup of the stones.

One good ride through. As the children stepped away from their stones and the knight gave orders to them and Ball was when Ball sent Imass into a hard trot, not quite a run. Yet as he got closer the pycon spurred him faster and harder. As the first stone connected with Thorn's tip Ball jerked with the impact, it was a stone clashing against metal. As the stone twisted and toppled the tip scratched across the flat surface before releasing.

Unfortunately for Ball his weapon was thrown off course and as the tip released the earthen material it swung upward and back, the pycon struggled to drop it back into place, yet he rode past the second stone and stick without even touching it with weapon. The final one came in line...

Ball's lineup with Thorn was barely in par with where he needed it to be and as his weapon glanced off the top edge of the stone Ball watched it waver before toppling over off the stone. Allowing Imass to continue his forward movement for a bit longer Ball allowed the children the time to reset the stones that had fallen before Ball wheeled around Imass and went for a second pass.

This time the last stone was his first and it came crashing down with ease as he was prepared for it, bracing his body and weapon for the impact. When it came Ball recoiled his body so that the weapon slide back into position for the next stone target.

The second one remained in the middle and Ball smashed Thorn into the middle of the stone, the stone flew off to the right, bouncing off the ground and careening off into the field, disturbing some of the wildlife feeding off the seeds.

The last stone (his previous first target) was missed as the pycon realized he hadn't lined up for the stone. Instead Ball, Imass, and Thorn breezed past the whole contraption and Ball turned and settled Imass to a stop. Watching and analyzing the targets.

Two out of three per pass... Just not enough.

OOCDue to the timestamp on this thread, I am playing Ball far lower than his current 27XP in Thorn, in this thread Ball currently has 8XP in Thorn, making him a novice.

Created goes to Euthisa

[Markus Andres]

The knight watched as his squire responded. Markus was surprised and annoyed that he understood the squire with little to no trouble. Here and there a word took a second or two to decipher, but all in all he understood what Ball said. Which, for unknown reasons, annoyed him. Ball was meant to speak common, not to learn others to understand Ballish. But that annoyance and minor inconvenience was quickly pushed aside as Ball had made him extraordinarily useful in the outpost. Helped with coyotes. Markus had figured the squire would've called them furry-pycons or something equally strange, so he felt a measure of comfort knowing that Ball could call things by their correct name. He wasn't entirely hopeless.

"Good job, Ball." Came the honest compliment. Markus had had his misgivings about allowing Ball to stay at the outpost away from himself, but those misgivings had been proven to be moot. Which meant Markus had been right to give himself the break away from Ball. Seemed both of them had needed it as well. Markus gave another glance at Ball. Trying to see if the thing enjoyed its time out here at the outpost. But time was cut short.

Markus watched as Ball prepared itself and Imass for the ride. Observed as he rode at the target. Markus fought with the sword, not a lance, so he could not speak from personal experience. But he doubted anyone could help Ball train using their personal experience as a guideline. At least here, his style and regular human style had some similarities. Ball had good control of Imass, Markus could see that. Kept him under control. Didn't allow him to stray in the charge. The first hit was good. Right in the middle of the target and the stone skipped off. Markus saw the motion of a child trying to get it - his eyes widened a little. It was dangerous to go running about when they were training. But the stone had been flung away from Ball's pass. His eyes returned in time to see Ball miss the second stone.

Lips grew into thin lines. Annoyed that Ball had missed the second stone. Third stone was hit, but Markus still didn't smile. He waited patiently as Ball did likewise. For the stones to be places on their sticks again. The second charge went as the first. Although it was the last rock that was not hit. Two out of three. Someone else might find that a good score. But Markus expected more from Ball. Especially if he wanted to become a knight.

"Two out of three, both times. Your problem is foresight. It appears as if you react in the moment as you near the target. If you got the time, think ahead. Know where to guide Imass. Know where to aim the lance." Markus spoke. Ball had always come off as a in the moment kind of creature. Foresight was important for any warrior.

"As for you kids, don't go running for the stones until squire Ball is done with his pass. Too dangerous." He gave them a stern scrutinizing look. Making sure they understood him before his gaze returned to Ball. "As for you. After you hit the target, get the weapon back in line. Hit and forget. Don't worry if you missed the target. Focus on the next target. Now, line up again and prepare another two passes. We'll keep this up until I am satisfied."

[Ball]

Foresight, right. Hit and reset. Hit and reset. Forget the one before. Ball watched as the kids reset the stones upon the sticks and Ball readied his mount. As soon as the last child was out of range of the stones Ball lined up Thorn with the center of the third and set Imass into a fast run, there was no speeding up this time. It was just time to do this.

Hit and forget. Reset. The first stone was lined up with Thorn and Ball adjusted to take the impact, as the control of the path was given over to his mount Ball had full faith in the furry dog and he needed his concentration set on hitting the blasted stones and not split between dog and target. The target was ten feet away and getting closer.

Imass's breathing was quickly turning into a pant, the Spring temperatures didn't go well with the dog's heavy, long, and matted fur. Going to have to shave and wash him soon, he hates that but it needs to be done. His wandering thoughts shifted his attention and therefore Thorn from being on target.

Returning his concentration to the stones Ball reset Thorn just in time for the stone and his weapon to collide. There was a loud impact as the sound echoed heavily in the air and Ball was nearly jerked from Imass's back. A quick reset of his position and Ball was already zoning in on his next target, hoping the kids stayed out of his path the squire watched as the second stone's height was taller than the first and Ball was forced to adjust body size, weight distribution, center of gravity, and Thorn's aim in just a few quick ticks between first and second.

CRACK! The impact was jarring but the stone tumbled off the stick with ease. Ball felt proud of himself, the third stone was lower, and allowed Ball to adjust closer to his normal size, but it still required him to maintain a different size and such and therefore he was forced to split concentration slightly.

Thorn's line up was accurate enough, but it wasn't dead-center like the first, this one was off to the side, just shy of missing the stone entirely. The attack sounded hollow when it connected and the stone just tipped and fell, landing awkwardly against the stick on the ground. Once the stone tumbled Ball allowed his body to slump and drop to it's standard form, the eyeless face of his being staring forward as he turned Thorn's tip upward and slowed Imass down to a trot and then after several yards of the slowed movement he had the dog sit and take a breather. This breather allowed the squire to drop from his mount's back and turn to assess his resulting pass.

All three.

Created goes to Euthisa

[Markus Andres]

There was no response from his squire at his commands. No acknowledgement. No words at all. The knight was dismayed by that fact, but he didn't pursue the matter. For despite his limited knowledge of the lump of clay's expressions. It had looked a little more focused. Concentrating on the matter at hand he hoped. Not on some piece of dirt he wanted to eat or a lump of clay he found enticing. Markus shook those thoughts from his mind, too foreign for him to even consider them. He was still having trouble getting used to the idea that Ball had a gender and wasn't an It, but a he.

Markus focused himself upon the form and stability of Ball's charge. The weapon seemed off centre at first. Unfocused. Something had shaken the foundation of his squire's concentration and it was late. Very late. That he directed the weapon in the desired direction. The rock was knocked from its pedestal and Markus nodded satisfied. There was still work to be done with the initial charge. It was, after all, the most important aspect. It was what broke the ranks of the enemy. Smashed their organisation and inflicted incredible damage to their cohesion as a unit with their front rows mangled by lances and continued volley fire from mounted archers.

The second strike, however, was a textbook example from Markus' position. The rock was solidly knocked away. If that had been an enemy, no doubt he would have felt that impact. Been skewered, or in Ball's case, had his kneecap shattered. Markus observed it a tick longer. More like the thigh. Could have torn a major artery. I might have to teach him that. Have to find a healer to help me in that regard. Learn the approximate position.

Markus knew there was a major artery in the leg. Hard to miss after all the times his blade had cut through the thigh and an enormous amount of blood had gushed out. Markus saw the last strike upon the rock. It did topple from the stick, but it had been a grazing blow. Hardly sufficient to inflict more than a passing damage to a target. Markus rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Had it been a human target, perhaps clipped the target. Enough to annoy and perhaps open a gap in a defence, though he doubted it. Still. The knight could see the tactical application of Ball intermixed with regular cavalry. Small enough that anyone would be idiotic to target him out rather than the larger horse cavalry.

"Well done, Ball. Children, feel free to reset the stones." Markus said as he rode past the children towards Ball. Emerald eyes focused upon his squire. There was a hint of a satisfied smile on his lips. There was still work to be done. Things he could teach the squire. "What is the greatest advantage of cavalry, Ball?" He asked his squire. Once more attempting to teach through Ball figuring things out for himself, let his brain - assuming he had a physical one - do the work. Promoted creative thinking rather than Markus telling him everything. Exactly the way Markus had been taught.

[Ball]

When Ser Pycon brought forth his question from horseback Ball had found himself paused, no answer came right away and the squire found himself turning back towards the stones and sticks. The young children erecting the targets once more was the sight that Ball was seeing, turning back to his patron his face screwed up in thought.

Calvary... They are the horseback lance wielding members of the order... Holding Thorn horizontal in front of him as if it was a sword Ball frowned, the weapon was still odd to hold and yet he knew it was a necessary lesson he was asked, otherwise Ser Pycon wouldn't have asked. “Cah.Vah.Ree. Bur.Ache. Ene.Ah.Mees. Lah.Ines. Muh.Uch.Ly.Ka.Eye.” ['Calvary breaks enemy's lines much like I.'] Ball's answer was a bit on the brutal wording, but the truth he spoken was there, he was not one to take niceness into consideration when he fought.

“Dey. Are. Da. Lah.Ast. An.Da. Da Fur.Est. To. Ah. Tack.Kah.” ['They are the first and second to attack.'] Ball nodded. After that he had no more else to say, he couldn't think of any other reasons for the calvary to attack or their reason to be around. All Ball cared about was himself in the heat of combat.

Turning his attention back to the stone targets Ball set his weapon up into place, lining it up with the first stone and started back into the conquest to knock them all done in a single go, without missing a move or making a mistake. Training until he was perfect.

OOCSorry for such a short and late post >.<

Created goes to Euthisa

[Markus Andres]

The knight listened to the broken common of his squire. Annoyed how easily he understood his words, still any extended conversation would leave him with a severe case of self-induced headache. Why do you do this to yourself. - But he frowned at the response. It was true what Ball said, heavy cavalry was capable of smashing unorganized lines with ease and rout the enemy with relative ease. But that was not the advantage of the cavalry. That was the product of their advantage. The other thing Ball said was not necessarily true. Markus rubbed his cheek as he gave the squire a disapproving look. Still needed work on his mental capacity. Encourage the growth of certains ways of thinking. Loyal and narrowminded when it came to the knights and not question their god given right to rule - but be creative and innovative on the field of battle. Which was why Markus asked rather than told him the facts. Sparked his thoughts, but the thing was better suited as a wrecking ball than as a commander.

One can dream He thought silently to himself.

"No. The advantage of the cavalry is mobility. We move much faster than any other unit on the battlefield. We cover a lot more ground and can strike at weaknesses before they close." Markus rode out on the field. Getting a side view of Ball and his endless charging. Pondering how much of his wisdom rubbed of on the restless squire. At least Markus could console himself with the fact that he had a squire who enjoyed combat as much as himself. Training as well. Made it easier to teach the squire the martial aspects, but the mental requirements were much harder.

"Wysar, please grant me the strength to endure." He muttered to himself and Wysar, though he hardly thought the great god would bother with this prayer. But just the thought granted him a little more patience to endure watching Ball and a trio of kids play around.