Closed Double Edged.

[Alexander Faircroft]

25th Summer 516AV
Time
Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

A heated morning. Syna’s light beat down hard baking the earth hard and the sands to a simmering heat. For Alex who was usually trapped within his steel and further weighed down by the blades which adorned him, the heat was not something he thoroughly enjoyed. Since the return of his patron things had gone back to normal for the most part Alex had been out-sourced again, this time to a Ser Otor. A strange name but then he wasn’t really able to say anything there. He’d seen some of the best knights and squires have some of the strangest names, and he got on well with pycons. Far and away the strangest creatures.

Alex arrived in the training grounds just after dawn, he’d finished his endurance training which Imass had beaten into him…Quite literally. Now worn to a fine thread he sat perched upon one of the benches of the training grounds the sun starting its weary climb into the sky. Alex felt his eye lids falling heavily across his features drifting between consciousness and a state of sleep. His great sword and bow sling across his back, his arrows, dagger and bastard sword across his hips and hidden at each of his extremities a concealed dagger. Useful in an emergency. However the one skill he’d acquired but rarely allowed knowledge of was something which as his eyes snapped open he found himself using again.

The world faded into a darker pallor as Alex focused in on one of the training squires. Or at least what he assumed to be one. The slowly moving shape of a torch flickered as it moved the deep blue shape swirling light with a soft yellow racing through it. Oddly calming Alex closed his eyes again and cut off this sight beyond sight as he heard the foot falls of another heavily armoured person approaching from the stairwell. Leaning forwards and pressing his fingers into his temples he dealt with the minor head pain of slight overgiving but he was learning to control it better, the limit the throb by drawing less power to ‘open his eyes’.

[Saga]

"So you must be Alexander?" Saga had just walked up towards him already clad in his robed armor. The Akontak was a sight to see. Usually towering over everyone standing at 6'6, very fit and muscular, it was an intimidating height. With this white hair that hung towards back it was unusual to see an Akontak, much less one this big. He inspected the Squire, he couldn't tell much about him but there would be time for that later. "Your patron speaks highly of you. Said you might need help against those who wield magic. Ebonstryfe Paladin's are known to be able in both the blade and arcane arts." Saga beckoned for Alex to follow him to an arena. It was a spacious area enough room for two to train without pause. "Pick whatever weapon you wish to use. We shall train how you fair against a foe like me." The Knight unsheathed his Katana. He liked to use real blades over wooden ones, seeing as the weight and feel of the weapon was much different. Though much more dangerous, he was informed that the Squire was ready for high risk training with armor of course. Saga assumed a fighting position and waited for the Squire to choose what he would use.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

A strange sight however not one he was unaccustomed too. Seeing as Imass Alex’s former instructor of pain and misery stood at a similar height. However what threw him was the simple fact that His hair was stark white. Like fresh fallen snow against a midwinters night. Alex rose from his seated position nearly coming to the same height as the Akontak. However he fell shy by a few inches not much but enough to mark a difference between them. Of course Greyheart spoke highly of him, always making him seem bigger and more impressive than he actually was. At the mention of magic Alex instinctually took a half step back grinding his heel into the solid stonework. His eyes sharpened their focus as he closed them masking it as a blink and he glanced at the Akontak before him’s aura.

Unlike those not trained in the arcane arts his aura was vastly bigger and more ferocious like a forest fire it swelled and whirled rippling with a deep silver spotted with flecks of white and blue. With another blink his sight beyond sight ended and his winced lightly, the words of the “ebonstryfe” washing past him. He needed to know how to fight fairly against magic to counter ebonstryfe paladins. Alex knew pretty damned well what the ebonstryfe were capable of from first-hand experience in his youth. At the mention of picking the weapon Alex simply tightened the buckles on his shield flexing the fingers of his left arm and then drew the bastard sword from his hip.

The silvery sharpened blade glinted in the light and as Alex took his stance angled to deflect impacts and allow easy counters, his feet slightly further apart in a solid stance his sword level with his eyes and his shield angled downwards slightly. His knees bent ready to take a hit or explode with force. I’m possibly going to get magic thrown at me in this clash... After all this is what Greyheart wanted me to learn how to endure.
“Alright Ser Otor, I’m ready. Come at me however you feel appropriate.” He nodded slightly making sure not to take his eyes off of him as the thrum of pain from his Auristics pulsed through his head.

[Saga]

The Akontak already had a first lesson in mind. Don't give a mage too much time to cast his spells. The Squire had elected that the Knight should attack first with his bastard sword held ready and shield braced for impact. But he would see an attack like this coming. Saga arched his sword arm backwards and raised it slightly, while keeping his other free hand outstretched. Alexander was only a few meters away from him, just within range of his Reimancy. Focusing on his djed it flared within him and was able to tap in to his magical abilities. He started to release Res from his fingers in a thick liquid form. He kept his concentration on it stretching out from him and pushing it downwards just a few feet from Alex. The res seeped into the ground forming a large sphere, about half the size of the Squires shield. A trick the Akontak had used to defeat a overgiving mage in mines of Riverfall. Saga took a step single forward while pushing more Res from his hand into the ground. He could see that the Squire was ready and alert for any sudden movements. The Knight flicked his free hand upwards suddenly, and stretched the res from the ground. He angled it towards Alex's shield arm. At the same time he transmuted the res into earth, using the ground to attract to it faster. Saga called it Rock Fist, a battering ram of earth broke free from the ground and shot right at the Squires shield. The Akontak planned to use the bludgeoning attack to knock him off balance. A distraction that would leave an opening to attack with his Katana if Alex was caught unaware.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

Alex ground his feet expecting an initial flurry. However he didn’t see that as the case. Taking the time to measure his opponent he weighed up the options before seeing a thick liquid pouring from his free hand. A similar substance to one Alex had seen before. Theo had pulled some into a sphere and lit it ablaze with no spark no ignition source. However with it pouring into the ground Alex had not a single clue about what could be done with it. Alex stepped in towards Saga, the two meter distance between them easily covered in a few microseconds.

Alex tapped his fingers across the handle of his sword. And then he was caught unawares a solid slamming stalagmite of earth bolted out of the ground surging into his shield. A sold and rather underhanded tactic, then again…Mages didn’t play fair. Shifting his footing he slid back his left leading foot rolling with the impact to minimize the stress on his arm. As the hit connected Alex could see that Saga was already readying a strike with his single edged weapon the blade a slight curve to it. Given Alex’s knowledge of his own weapons it was primarily a slashing or stabbing weapon. Following up with the twist out of the majority of the impact he could still feel a large bruise beginning to form beneath the steel and in the same instance lashed out with his bastard sword. The huge reach of the blade coupled with his own reach used less as a means of attack and more as a means of keeping some sort of distance. A gap between them.

Stepping back in the same instance He hoisted his shield back in place. Three magics he now knew of that were potentially dangerous; Projection, Reimancy, and Voiding. Unsure as to which of the three was the most deadly or the most easily concealed, right now though he had to concede that dealing with Reimancy seemed the most versatile and openly violent. Rolling his shoulder lightly Alex faked a small motion of his wrist to pull a hidden blade from his left hand bracer and concealed it behind the flat of his shield hand.

Right now for Alex everything seemed to be moving a lot slower than its usual turn of affairs. He was concentrating on just one thing. Not getting hit by the big nasty spells. Alex then began to streak forwards three steps large strides landing with the heels of his feet so that if at any point he needed to make a hard turn he could. If this worked and Saga went to cast another spell Alex would throw the dagger from his hand attempting to use it as a distraction and another means of incoming danger. However whilst Saga’s own magic was seemingly without end Alex only had finite ammunition and only once chance for a surprise attack. If the distraction worked Alex would take a powerful downward arcing swing towards Saga’s sword arm and then try to disarm him of his rather unique blade.

[Saga]

OOCI must say, your many templates are random and well done Saga was successful in catching the man unawares by his Rock Fist. He readied a slash that would hit down the shield once more. The Squire recovered a bit quicker than anticipated and was able to swing his bastard sword. The move allowed for him to gain some space from the Knight who had stepped backwards. And just as quickly he hoisted his shield once more. "Great recovery. I see Ser Greyheart was right about you. A natural," Saga noted raising his blade high above his head in a stance. Alexander covered the distance between the Knight and himself with three quick strides. He made a motion with his shield hand that Saga noticed. However he did not attack merely threw his shield up, which at the last second he could see was a veiled attack. Apparently he had taken a dagger with his shield arm that he used to throw in his general direction. It wasn't very accurate as it flew right past him. It was surprising but it didn't make him have to intercept it. There was a clang as he was able to parry the downward slash to his own left, throwing him off balance. The Squires shield arm was not braced for attack after throwing the dagger. Saga used the momentum of parry to swing his own blade at the inside of the shield. Hoping he would be able to cut clasps or hit the bottom edge, to further aggravate his shield arm.

[Alexander Faircroft]

OOCthanks man

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

The sudden strike he’d hoped might throw Saga off kilter or at the very least off balance in his actions fell short. Significantly so, not only was the strike inaccurate it was so inaccurate due to the excess weight of his shield that it completely sailed past him ringing out against the wall in the distance. However now with the loss of the element of surprise on that attack cost him. The strike which connected with his shield arm was one that sent his balance shifting slightly to the right. The glancing impact not quite enough to knock him over completely. Calling on his practice of how to stand on uneven ground or even wet sliding mud, his right leg slid further to the side and slammed heel first into the stone work.

His sword then snapped up to meet the singular curved blade mid swing, the blades biting together with the impact. It wasn’t an attack of his blade he’d used just then. No it was an intervening strike. His now free to move if bruised and severely sore shield arm came across driving the tip of the shields point in towards Sagas stomach. Hoping to at least land a strike. His arm thrummed and pulsed with pain but he was used to pain he was conditioned to pain. Something he still had as of yet to thank Imass for. So he pushed through. If he had to sacrifice this form of attack he had another couple of options to fall back on.

Exhaling slowly through his nose he would retreat backwards after this strike whether it connected or fell short, or was intercepted. He needed room to think and to plan. He knew from his own magic that using magic took a toll on the body. He just had to wonder whether his own magic was one that took a greater or lesser toll than Sagas own? Should it take less of a toll he’d have to be very careful of the spells that came his way. If it took more of a toll perhaps he could maintain his distance and bait out some more attacks. Either way he needed distance and time to plan.

[Saga]

Saga was again expecting a quick reaction after a solid stroke to the Squires shield. He was not disappointed as he regained his balance and struck forward and locked blades with the Knight's sword. Seeing an opportunity Alex reared his shield arm back and struck it towards Saga's abdomen. Seeing no easy to block it the shield hit his chest and sent him stumbling back a few feet. It hurt to some extent but it was softened and would only be a bruise. Saga could feel that there wasn't much strength behind the shield hit but the effect he was going for was working. "We need to work on strengthening that shield arm. If I were to lay a full onslaught with my magic, it could be some trouble for you," as Alex stepped back to gain some more space. "But you sure do pack a wallop. But so does this..." Knight had gained enough to space to try and cast again. He muttered in Tukant as as he stabbed his Katana into the ground begin focusing on his Djed once again, he spread his hands out in front of him and forced the Res to exit from the palm. The Akontak willed it to form a very thick ball of res in the right hand, and a thin gas like Res ball formed in the left. Saga looked at his target and focused on the burning Djed in his body which gave strength to his will. He swung his left hand at Alex, transmuting the entire ball of res into earth as soon as it left his hand. A fastball, mainly for distraction. In the same motion he willed the Res to shoot from his right hand also aiming at the human. The entire Res ball was transmuted into earth as well, making it into a large rock. But this one was slower but packed a much bigger wallop. He aimed to try and force the Squire to block both attacks with his shield once again.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

Three attacks aimed at the same spot. Three. It wasn’t co-incidence it was a tactic. He was trying to neutralize his shield arm. In the brief moments between them as Saga spoke, capitalizing on those few moments Alex took a page out of Garland and Irathia’s books. Unlacing the belts of his shield he waited a moment, hoping to use the sudden confusion to his advantage. He laxed the belt on his fore arm and held the one which normally fastened the shield to his wrist.

Stone. Ground. Be wary of where you stand. As Saga stabbed his blade into the ground and Muttered something in a language he’d heard Imass occasionally praying in. Though he understood not a word. As the gaseous and thick residue formed in the Mage-Knights hands Alex recognized the danger. Beginning a swift pace towards his opponent. Half way across the distance the first lighter ball of stone shot at him. Again towards his shield arm. Perfect. As the stone connected with the metal he put his arm at a position where the glancing blow against the steel slab would deflect the rock and knock the shield fully free of the belts. In the same motion he swung his arm forwards releasing his grip on the front belt and launching it like a flying disc of steel aimed directly at saga’s blade. He was going to attempt to lock the blade in position whilst masking it as an attack on Saga himself.

In that moment another larger rock streaked out from the other hand. Prepared for the strike but still unsure of just how fast it would be Alex took evasive actions. Leaning his body to one side he rolled his body slightly to begin his swing noting that he wouldn’t fully dodge the stone he instead chose to co-opt it into his own attack. Taking the blow to the left shoulder he let the thick steel plating there absorb the blow and whip his shoulders around his blade streaking through the air with a concentrated fierceness. A sharp edge to his stark green eyes. As his right arm struck out with the heavier bastard sword his left snaked behind his back and slid the dagger free from its sheath. He was going to try something he’d never done before but hoped to at least give it a try. He took the left handed dagger now towards Saga’s midsection whilst already swinging the heavier more attention heavy blade towards his throat.

[Saga]

It was a design flaw that Saga despised about having armored robes. They provided great protection, but they too hard to move around in. It didn't really allow much maneuvering so dodging was a hassle. As such, the need was necessary at the moment as the Squire simply shouldered both of his Earth Reimancy attacks and powered through. He felt a bit taxed just from those castings. He obviously needed much work because the velocity did nothing to slow the Squire. Who was in the process of throwing the entire shield at Saga. At least that's where the Akontak thought he was aiming at. The shield hit the Katana protruding from the ground, the shield merely bent it backwards in the ground. The hilt pointed towards Saga and he was able to grab the hilt and pulled it out to quickly brace himself. The Squire moved fast but not as fast as he thought weighed down by the armor. Most of the moves were telegraphed to the Knight. However blocking such attacks was a different story. Alex grabbed another dagger from a sheath. Also simultaneously he lashed out with the bastard sword. The attack was awkward and uncoordinated, almost as if he had never used it before. Because Saga was easily able to guide his blade to block the dagger and timed to parry the bastard sword away from him. All without shifting his feet yet. But as soon as he parried the sword away the Knight shifted his feet forward and stabbed his blade towards the now open Squires armored chest. And stopped when the blade was maybe a foot away. "Dead." Saga paused for a second and looked at Alex before stepping backwards. "You almost had me I admit. Maybe if you had tried another tactic. The blade is where your home is. Magic is mine. However if I had used Fire instead of Earth, you would have been fried from that hit." The Akontak looked at the chinks in his iron Katana. He needed a stronger blade. Any more abuse and it might've broke under such pressure. He sheathed his blade and continued the teaching. "When fighting someone who has magic, most times you won't be able to tell before it is too late. Always keep up the pressure like you were giving me this bout. That last move you did, you might want to practice that a lot more. Good idea Squire. I'll be passing notes on to your patron Ser Greyheart. I will request too have you and Ser Greyheart patrol with me soon. Call me impressed."