Day 60, Spring of 503 AV
Late Afternoon
The Lyceum
Late Afternoon
The Lyceum
Eri stood in the familiar setting of Master Redrux's office, looking at the wizened man expectantly. He was here as usual for his once a week lessons in Auristics from Oliver Camlach's former mentor, but this was a special week for him. Instead of learning Auristics as usual, they were going to take a break for Redrux to share with him defensive magics. When one becomes fairly proficient in it, shielding worked just as well as armour against offensive magic as well as physical attacks, and so it was only a matter of time that the Denvali recognized the strategic advantage of staying alive longer than one's opponents that shielding would confer.
It had not been easy, of course, for Redrux had been quite reticent about teaching anything other than Auristics, saying that "One must focus on one thing at a time for best results," echoing the traditional mindset of the older generation. It was not without merit, for the lethborn was actually way older than Redrux and so he could see the wizard's perspective. However, his time in Denval was limited, and he wanted to pick the intelligent man's brain as much as he could, and so he tried to see what he learn about the defensive art.
Redrux was quite against the idea, but week after week Eri had tried various methods he could. He hoped, he suggested, he begged, he complained, he whined. Now that he thought about it from hindsight, he was glad that he had done all of that while in the wizard's office where the two of them were alone. It had been highly embarrassing for Eri to continue the way he did, but in his passion for getting his way at that time he had not noticed his disgusting behaviour. Soon, Redrux was fed up with Eri's constant nagging and decided to give the vantha just one lesson in shielding to save himself from being verbally harassed throughout the vantha's stay. He made Eri promise to not do the incessant needling and whining again in exchange for that, and the vantha happily agreed.
Looking at his master who was deep in thought on where to begin, Eri could tell himself that it was worth it. Knowledge was difficult to come by, and wisdom from experienced ones like Redrux was a gem that would grant him a better perspective in matters relating to his expertise.
It had not been easy, of course, for Redrux had been quite reticent about teaching anything other than Auristics, saying that "One must focus on one thing at a time for best results," echoing the traditional mindset of the older generation. It was not without merit, for the lethborn was actually way older than Redrux and so he could see the wizard's perspective. However, his time in Denval was limited, and he wanted to pick the intelligent man's brain as much as he could, and so he tried to see what he learn about the defensive art.
Redrux was quite against the idea, but week after week Eri had tried various methods he could. He hoped, he suggested, he begged, he complained, he whined. Now that he thought about it from hindsight, he was glad that he had done all of that while in the wizard's office where the two of them were alone. It had been highly embarrassing for Eri to continue the way he did, but in his passion for getting his way at that time he had not noticed his disgusting behaviour. Soon, Redrux was fed up with Eri's constant nagging and decided to give the vantha just one lesson in shielding to save himself from being verbally harassed throughout the vantha's stay. He made Eri promise to not do the incessant needling and whining again in exchange for that, and the vantha happily agreed.
Looking at his master who was deep in thought on where to begin, Eri could tell himself that it was worth it. Knowledge was difficult to come by, and wisdom from experienced ones like Redrux was a gem that would grant him a better perspective in matters relating to his expertise.
