[Flashback] Better...Stronger...Faster...(Bob)

[Xalet]

24rd Day of Summer 505 AV

Was it possible to take a weak man and make him stronger? Xalet seemed to believe so. Focus and determination, as well as a balanced diet would be the key. Of course, as the sun reached it's way above the horizon the squire had his doubts. Doubts not stemming from the potential of a man to become better, stronger, and faster, but for the potential of a man to give up. Indeed, it was easier to lay about then it was to force the body to expand beyond it's current dimensions. That took sweat and pain. Muscles burned, lungs heaved, and the skin sweat. That was the price of strength. Everything had a price, and as his Patron once told him, one could not gain something without giving something up in return.

Xalet had his equipment upon his mountainous frame, the same plate armor that had become a second skin to him as a squire. It would remain with him until the day came when he could prove to Syliras that he was a true Knight. Often he dreamt of that day. What would it feel like? What would be his goal next? One thing at a time.

For now the akalak had to go about altering his current methods of exercise to include one additional person. His Patron had taught him a great deal of ways to enhance the body, but typically they were made for one person. One in particular was easily modified to include a second man or woman. That exercise involved...Sandy. Sandy the bag. A burlap bag filled with sand. Xalet often had various tasks involving Sandy, moving it here and there, lifting it or dragging it in strange and creative ways. Sandy would get a new partner on this day, if Bob showed up.

[Bob Barton]

Xalet was not kidding. From the a distance away Bob already spotted the akalak. The same one which from the day before got him into a merry little chase and ended up with him being dunked. With the figure in his encumbering armour was another figure. Bob could not tell what it was. Its size was dwarfed compared to that of the akalak, Bob could have sworn that Xalet has brought another midget along for their so called training.

His muscles were still sore, not given enough time to rest from the day before. The chase had taken a lot out of Bob, arms feeling loose from pulling down random crates to block off Xalet and arms feeling numb from over extending his legs when running. Even his head hurt, probably from the poor landing when executing the Kneecap or maybe from the strange conversation they had. How did Bob get drawn into this training from that again?

When Bob had a few steps left he waved and tried to make himself look "strong". "I see you really want to work with the sheep Mr.Lion." Looking at the figure besides Xalet, it was actually a burlap bag. Bob shook his head. How could he mistake the limbless and headless bag as another person? "Whats in the bag?" Curious and curiouser. Besides from the bag and the akalak's standard equipment there was nothing to be seen around. Whatever harsh training the akalak had planned has something to do with the contents of the bag.

[Xalet]

"Sand." replied Xalet, dropping the sack upon the ground. It landed with a rather loudly audible 'whap', kicking up some of the dust and dirt upon the walkway they stood upon. Taking a moment to look Bob over, Xalet wondered silently if he would need to remove some of the contents from the bag. "My Patron was always skilled in working as many muscles at once as possible. I hope you brought your waterskin." he said, reaching down to grip a rope tied tightly around one end of the sack. At the end of the rope was a loop, apparently to utilize in various ways to help move or drag the sack about.

Gripping the loop the akalak dragged the sack toward one of the towers where a stairway sat leading up to the palisade where often Knights would be stationed to aid in protecting the castle-town. "You might want to stretch before we begin. The idea is to drag or carry the sack up the steps, and then drag or carry it down. As your muscles tire, your body will begin compensating by using other less tired muscles to get the job done. It's a very thorough workout."

Of course neither of them would be able to continue the task indefinitely, which was why there was something of a team effort involved, "One person drags it up to the next person, who then drags it down and switches places. You can get it to the top however you want. Drag it, carry it, push it. You can t get it down similarly, but don't just throw it down the stairs. My Patron often told me to think of it as an injured comrade, and you're trying to get them to safety."

With little more instruction then that, Xalet was interested to see how Bob fared, and thus handed the rope over to him, "Give it a shot." Once he had determined whether or not the short man could complete such a task, Xalet could find ways to make the effort a bit easier should it be too difficult.

[Bob Barton]

Sand?!? What can a person do with sand to get stronger? Bob was expecting something more from Xalet's training, like weapons or at least weights. Bob looked to the sack, at Xalet and back at the sack in disbelief. "Who is your patron?" a strange question to ask unless you are a Bob, he knows how important people sounded like when talked about. So of course the more important the person, the more you want to know them. And Bob still wanted to act tough with Xalet. Actually he forgot all about the waterskin but thats not going to stop him. "Waterskin? Who needs water?"

Xalet ended up dragging the sack behind him, and following behind that sack was Bob. Bob might have offered to help but the faster Xalet got tired, the faster Bob could go home. And how he wanted the day to be over once he saw how high the stairs went. Xalet wanted Bob to get the sack up and down that? Still recovering from the shock he stammered out to keep things going "I-I-Injured comrade to safety you say?" Why does the sack get to be the safe one? Bob was not feeling very safe. If the sack was heavy he might trip and fall down the stairs. And there are knights, what if they thought Bob was vandalizing or messing around with their stairs? The knights don't have that much of a reputation for leniency.

Bob took the rope with a little caution like it was a lethal snake. It could be, at this point since its was dangerous as one too. No matter, he will finish this off fast. Bob held the rope behind him with both hands and leaned forward to balance his weight with the sack. Once he reached the point he thought was as far as the bag would hold him, he stuck one foot out. Then when he stamped it down he used all the energy to fuel his run and headed for up the stairs, the sack being dragged along behind him. Bob got a few steps up the stairs but that was when things got bad. The sack got stuck on the second step but Bob didn't know it, continuing his run up. The sack became an anchor and the rope bounced, jerking Bob back as he fell down the stairs.

"OUCH!" Bob yelled rubbing his ass when he reached the bottom. He knew it, he would fall down the stairs eventually. One of his hands was still holding the rope and he held it out to Xalet "Why don't you do it first and let me see how its done?" Bob didn't really care about seeing the method, he just wanted to rest because eventhough he didn't get the bag up dragging it still took its toll on his limbs.

[Xalet]

Now that was a sight Xalet remembered seeing quite a few times himself in the first person. Having taken a few spills down the steps now and again Xalet learned early on to keep himself low if he was going to drag the sack. Carrying it was a bit different, considering the center of balance that had to be distributed.

Truth be told, Bob did better than Xalet had expected. Once he started to get his muscles warmed up the Knight-in-training deteremined the feat was possible. He made a habit never to say something was 'impossible', simply choosing instead to believe that something was 'giving him great difficulty'. If Bob could even make it up one single step that meant it was possible.

"There's a couple of ways to do it, but here's how I was taught in the beginning." the purple skin responded as he gripped the rope offered to him. Xalet was thankfully naive in the cunning way Bob attempted to gain his respite, but he still had his plans set for the shorter man. Tasks and things he would have to complete...even if it killed him. Perhaps not killed, but at least make him feel like he was going to die, that was when he would see the best fruits of his labor.

Interestingly Xalet didn't even grab a hold of the rope. Instead he propped the torso-like sack of sand upward, it's own weight folding it slightly in half in the middle. Moving to stand behind it he reached down, bending his knees and wrapped his arms around where one would imagine the stomach to be if Sandy was to become a 'real boy'. Gripping his wrists with his opposite hands he linked his hold together securely and worked his way upward. The first section of the tower had ten steps in total, and that would be as far as either of them would be going. After about five steps of vertical movement Xalet leaned back and simply sat upon one of the steps, his legs not even needing to be repositioned, his arms staying at their place around the sand bag. If he needed to fall, it was simple to just fall backward onto the steps only a few hands lengths from his behind, rather than falling all the way down like Bob. "The best part is you can break, regain your grip, and continue." His demonstration came to an end and he continued the rest of the way up.

Once at the top Xalet flopped the sandbag over and waved for Bob. "Going up is the hard part, going down is easier. Use your head, you can do it however you want, just so long as it's controlled. Give it a shot." Xalet gave his first encouraging words. Those words were normally meant for himself, but if he was to get a man foreign to the idea of building his body into the task, he figured a few positive comments would be in order.

[Bob Barton]

There was only one thing someone would think about if they saw Xalet carrying the bag like that. Ok maybe that only applies to Bob since he had a little...unique thought process and the statement which went through his head was "Oh my goodness! He really does think of the sack as a fallen comrade." Somehow, it really did look like the akalak was using his big body to protect the sack from any arm. If Xalet did fall, Bob could actually see him like a cushion on the sides used to protect the sack. Bob would never do that. Comrade or not there is no way he would put himself at risk just to protect someone else like that.

So it was time to bring the sack down. And as Bob went up he realized something. To make sure he counted his fingers mumbling to himself "Me-him-me-him..." and to double check he used his knuckles. The peaks to represent going up and the valleys to represent going down "Him-me-him-me..." and thats when he got it. If they were alternating, there will always be the same person stuck going up and always the same person going down. Bob started grinning to himself. The day is going to stay good if he can keep this favorable position to himself. Like Xalet had said, going down is easier and thats what Bob would want more than anything.

Bob took the rope from Xalet. At this point, it will be a test run to see if it works. Whether Xalet will continue alternating, which means get stuck taking the bag up while Bob will have the easy job of getting it down. With the rope Bob went down a few steps. It was probably two...no three before he felt a little strain on the rope. It was not or never. Facing his back to the sack he held the rope again with his two hands behind him. With a little tug he loosened the bag from its spot and it started to follow him.

"AAAAAAAAA!!!" Bob yelled while he was going down the stairs. As easy as it was to drag it down instead of up he forgot one thing. The sack's movement will be assisted by gravity along with Bob's strength. And so the sack started being dragged faster than ever, right behind Bob's heels. Bob didn't want to hit the sack so early. Not until he had gotten a little bit stronger at least and the thought added to the pressure which made him run faster. His eyes went off the sack and on to the stairs, making sure that each foot which went one over the other fit the space perfectly unless he wanted to risk slipping and getting smashed by the sack.

A few steps on the flat ground was followed by a "THUMP!" of Sandy kissing the floor. Somehow or another Bob was able to outrun a tumbling sack. Well, it was only ten steps and Bob had a head start but the seconds felt like long grueling hours. Elated, Bob turned back to the sack and pointed "You have to try harder than that if you want to get Bob sack!"

[Xalet]

Xalet walked down the stairs, his hands moving to either side of his head in an apparent motion to rub his temples. He had a lot of work ahead of him. This wasn't going to be as easy as he originally anticipated. "Well Bob, that..." he tried to think of a way to soften the verbal blow. Some humans were sensitive that way. In the end he just couldn't find a way, "...was absolutely terrible. Sandy is probably dying from internal hemorrhaging."

Picking the sandbag up with his large hands, Xalet literally tossed it over one shoulder, steadying it with a hand, "When you move downward and it puts pressure on you, you need to put counter-pressure against the bag. Instead of you going ahead of the bag, let the bag go ahead of you. Let it's weight bring it down the stairs, but let your grip keep it moving slowly. Keep this..." Xalet paused a moment, slabbing his abdomen with his free hand, "...tight." For a moment the akalak had to think, how exactly did he describe to someone how to keep their abdomen tight unless they had done those types of exercises in the past. Finally he determined a way that seemed appropriate enough, "It's as if you're trying to move your belly button toward your spine. It will protect your back as the bag puts its strain on you."

Slowly Xalet climbed the stairs until he was at the top. Keeping one hand on the front side of the bag, he swung it off of his shoulder and allowed his opposite hand to fall beneath Sandy, lowering himself to the ground on one knee and laying that work-out companion upon the stone. "Try again. Remember, you go last, the bag goes first. Keep it slow, keep a tight grip. Keep your abdomen tight. Quick quick..." Xalet waved him up the steps, "...the quicker you get here the quicker we can do these and get done."

[Bob Barton]

A person would get a clue seeing someone motioning like Xalet did. But not Bob, he was too busy insulting a sack for some reason. And Xalet wouldn't have to worry about softening the blow either. Bob was too thick skinned for that. "Sandy? Oh...the sack..." Gods he even named the sack? This akalak really could use some friends. "Well uhm...at least Sandy" yes he even got Bob to call it by name now "is down now. We can get...it immediate medical attention?" What was he even talking about now. Medical attention for a sack? Xalet's squireness is contagious.

And life was really really really not fair when Bob saw Xalet taking up that heavy sack on his shoulder. The akalak really made it look so easy and earned the envy of Bob. But of course the envy was only for the muscles, not his brains. Talks of Sandy and keeping tight bodies are probably from a cultural difference between the two. But Bob understood what the akalak was saying. He had seen thugs do it before in their little cock fights.

Bob sucked in his gut and puffed out his chest like Xalet instructed while he walked up the steps. Yes, the quicker they do it the quicker they can be done with it. Up there he pushed Sandy to the middle of the stairs to give him enough space in case anything happened. Xalet didn't really have to tell him to keep the sack in front. After the previous two attempts, Bob was scared enough for having the killer sack behind him as it is.

Taking his position behind Sandy, Bob held on to the ropes. Before he begun he kicked the sack to the edge of the steps with a little rubbing sound. Then he held on to the ropes even harder. In one swift motion he kicked the sack and keeping the foot in its momentum stamped on the ground so that the energy can help balance the sack's. Xalet was right, doing the tight thing makes it seems to take some strain off. While the sack went tumbling down, Bob leaned back and shuffled down the stairs slowly. Keeping their weights balanced until he reached the bottom. "So, is Sandy dying this time?"

[Xalet]

Xalet watched as Bob began his task. Was this what it was like to have an apprentice? Xalet couldn't help but wonder. He was so far from being a Knight that having a squire of his own was a distant fleck of a dream, not even molded into any discernible shape. The akalak's lip corners raised slightly, so slight that he couldn't even tell it was happening himself. "That's it, dig your feet in." He offered a few inspirational words now and again. Even if they felt somewhat flat coming from a person who didn't always convey his emotions outwardly, they had some substance to them.

The two continued their exercises for some time, Xalet keeping careful count of the repetitions. Xalet did indeed bring the sack upward every time, as was his intent until Bob managed to increase his muscle mass. For now working on the humans core muscles, balance, and overall fitness level would be very important.

As the sun began to rise high within the sky, the need for a waterskin became ever more apparent. The heated rays came down without regard to the efforts the men were putting in, striking their bodies relentlessly. Summer was always hot, blistering hot. Winter was always cold, dreadfully cold. There was no time for breaks when attempting to perfect the body however.

Just how many times had they gone up and down the stairs? Unless one was purposefully keeping count like Xalet, it was impossible to tell. "Go go go, lets get done before the sun reaches its highest point. Are you feeling the burn within your muscles yet? Exhilarating isn't it?" Yes, akalak's definitely had different priorities compared to humans, or perhaps this one was particularly masochistic.

[Bob Barton]

The day continued with getting the sack up and down. The inspirational words from Xalet eventhough with good intentions, sounded to Bob more like a mockery asking him why does he even bother doing these exercises when he is physically so useless? But Xalet got the result he wanted in anycase. Bob used those words and the questions in his head to fuel his resolve in seeing the day through.

Just pulling on ropes would have been boring so Bob changed things once in a while. At one time he tried going in front of Sandy, forgetting about the dangerous moments earlier on. With his body leaning on the sack, he started pulling on it so that its weight will make it go and roll down the stairs. Using his own body he balanced his weight with the sack's to control the speed it rolled down. Slowly and slowly he took each step down to give way for the sack to follow. The method was effective right until he reached the bottom of the stairs where he could no longer go down and the angle of his body put Sandy right on top of him. With the sack's weight pressing down on him, Bob could hardly even breathe and only let out a whimper to Xalet "Help...?"

Another attempt marked yet another horrible experience of sack abuse for Bob. No, it was not Bob that was abusing the sack. It was the sack that was abusing Bob as unlikely as it sounds. He went back to the method of using the rope to lower the sack down the stairs. But at this point, Bob's hands were practically quivering from being tired. How many times has he done this exercise already? When will it be enough for Xalet? The rope was also shaking now, following the movements of Bob's hands and Bob saw this as well. "This better be the last one" he thought to himself and kicked the sack off. Bob was able to keep his footing properly gripped on the stairs as he descended but after a few steps his hands finally gave up. Losing his grip the rope started to slide through his hands and Bob tried to fight it, putting more force on his legs and gripping the rope harder. "GAHHHH! IT BURNS!" he shouted in pain while he let go off the ropes and sent the sack crashing on the floor again.

Feeling the burn in his muscles? Bob thought Xalet was making a joke at his expense. Angrily he begun the last time of carrying Sandy down making a plan to make things easier. "Sandy is going to die if she does not get down the stairs right?" Bob confirmed with Xalet while positioning the sack at the edge. Without warning he stabbed the sack and poured out some of the sand from the hole until around half of it was emptied. Then he lifted the sack on his shoulder like he saw Xalet doing earlier and held on it with his other hand. The sand was still a bit heavy but it was manageable for Bob. As Bob started walking down the sack started getting lighter while a visible trail of sand followed behind him. At the bottom he had this little sly smile on his face. "Well, lets go get Sandy her medical attention now."