[Kendoka Sasaran] Student Seeking Teacher (Charon)

by **Kashik** on April 28th, 2010, 3:50 am

31st Day of Spring

This is as true in everyday life as it is in battle: we are given one life and the decision is ours whether to wait for circumstances to make up our mind, or whether to act, and in acting, to live.

Kashik had set herself up at the Kulk as directed, and found it just her kind of place - the bartenders were cheerful and friendly, and the patrons were just this side of boisterous. She'd finished off another of her bottles of wine in celebration before heading downstairs to the tavern, and the night had been one of singing and laughter and new friends made.

She woke up with a bit of a fuzzy head, of course, but got up anyway and washed the sticky residue of wine and sweat and travel grime from her skin. Dark curls were twisted up and out of the way, and her leathers and armor buckled on, and then she grabbed her spear and headed into town to find the training facility that one of the more flirtatious Akalak men had told her of the previous evening.

She wasn't used to buildings, had no real concept of what they were supposed to look like, but as she walked up to the entrance she decided she liked this one - low to the ground, well lit, it didn't feel quite so stodgy as the inn had.

She stepped carefully through the door, unsure if she would be interrupting or if she was even allowed in here. Did they have some rule against women fighting? Who even knew what sorts of taboos she might be breaking? But this was Kashik, and while she spared a moment to wonder such things, they were inconsequential compared to her burning desire to learn. "Hello?" she called out, peering around. "Heard there might be some big strong warriors here?" she said, laughter threading her words and a good-natured smile on her lips.

by **Charon** on May 5th, 2010, 1:42 am

Her journey from the Kulk found Kashik wandering through the inclining paths and streets that made Riverfall such a distinctly different city than any other known in Mizahar. The falls constantly thundered against rocks and provided a soothing ambiance that seemed to actually help whatever headache might have been beating against the inside of Drykas' mind. Even though the woman obviously boasted a formidable will for training and learning that overrode any hangover reminding her of the previous night, the effects the Bluevein's three thousand foot race to the sea had on her were certainly welcome.

Winding her way literally up the city paths from the sea to the top tier left Kashik with a feeling like she had accomplished something this morning. As she approached the Kendoka Sasaran, the best word to describe it's appearance was squatty. It's roof did not come to a point or dome but rather a small flat area and the corners of the roof curled upwards giving the effect that some giant god may have stepped on or sat on the structures roof, pushing it down. Nonetheless, Kaskik found it fitting enough and though she thought to be considerate of any customs the Akalak may have about her entering and training, her ignorance would not keep her from doing what she set out to do. There were only two ways to figure out if she was doing something wrong: two ask and to be told. Kashik did not bother to ask.

Proceeding inside, the Drykas heard sparring and training going on in several rooms separated by thin walls that could be pushed aside to create larger rooms. Those she witnessed holding wooden training weapons were mostly children. Her spear looked to be three times the length of some of these students! It seemed that there was a single adult Akalak in each room teaching different weapons and techniques and as Kashik spoke, she happened to gaze into the room where the four children all held thin wooden poles that could be used for any long handled weapon such as her spear. All five blue faces looked up at her but none spoke. Finally, the man nodded to the children for them to take a break and as they sauntered off toward bowls of water and what looked like some sort of a wheat and oat mix, the man approached her and smiled gently. "Hello. If it is big and strong warriors you have come to find, you will have to wait another ten years or so for them to mature." He glanced over his shoulder to see the students sipping water and taking bites of whatever snack was available before returning his smile and gaze toward the woman and new face to his recollection.

by **Kashik** on May 5th, 2010, 3:33 am

Jewel-bright eyes peered around her, and when she caught sight of the children training she stopped in her tracks and stared right back at them. The butt of her spear settled to the floor beside her boot, and she watched the drill until the Master gave them leave to take a break.

She'd never seen such discipline, especially in children - gifted though she'd been, her training had been just as hoyden as she was, and she had to shake herself a little when the Akalak spoke to her. She had to tilt her head back quite a bit to look him in the eyes; she always forgot how much taller they were, and she was a bit short for a Drykas anyway.

"I... I'm sorry," she said, nodding her head a little. "I didn't realize... I didn't mean to interrupt." She offered a small smile, though, since he didn't seem to be angry with her for it. "My name is Kashik, of the Brightsmile Pavilion of the Diamond Clan. Fair winds to you," she said with a nod, her lips twisting into a brighter grin. "I was hoping to find a place to better train my skills in spear," she said, eyes flickering over to the children as they had their snack, curious and eager. "I don't suppose you've room for one more?" she asked, brows raising as she focused teal eyes back on the man in front of her.

by **Puck** on May 7th, 2010, 5:07 am

OOC :

The looming Akalak instructor twisted his neck to check his charges once more before devoting the next few moments to Kashik. "One more chime younglings, then it is back to drills." The Akalak turned back to the Drykas woman before him, fixing his eyes onto hers. He spoke once more, this time addressing the visitor, "Kashik of the Brightsmile Pavilion of the Diamond Clan, I am Sohryn Nurhahj. As for your question, yes we always have room for a new sparring partner." He smiled now, a little bit of bemusement mixed in. Nurhahj trained his students well, and fervently believed that among other Akalak students, they were first rate. However, he knew little of this woman's skill.

He was not physically remarkable for an Akalak, which was a mute testimony to his skill with the weapon he taught. Sohryn was a good listener as well, able to shift his attention from task to task and remain undivided. His eyes never wandered from their fixation on Kashik. He simply peered neutrally and at the Drykas woman, the entirety of his existence seemingly relinquished to the potential student for a fraction of a chime.

Nurhahj addressed Kashik again, "You have trained at the Tuvya Sasaran yes? Each of our students here spends the first portion of their training at the Tuvya before coming to the Kendoka Sasaran. One might find themselves hard pressed if they do not know the basic forms" He screwed up his face for a second, recalling a bit of trivia. "The first lessons are the same, no matter which weapon you later take up." On second thought, this did not seem entirely important to the Sohryn, or the conversation at hand. He shrugged his great shoulders and turned back to his students, who had returned to their drills. "Review from the first, it appears as if we have a sparring partner."

Across the room from the practicing students, Sohryn pointed to a rack of wooden poles similar to the ones the instructor's charges wielded. "We would not want you to maim anybody, exchange your spear for a practice pole." Sohryn screwed up his face as the realization of his excitement hit him. He had not so much as waited for the woman to reply. Another shrug played out on his broad figure. Oh well.

by **Kashik** on May 9th, 2010, 6:17 am

"Oh, no, I haven't... I just got here and..." She thought of protesting further, but then she realized that she was getting what she wanted - lessons with an Akalak master in spears - so it was probably better to just shut up. She had a feeling that the other children would probably make her look a fool and beat the ever-living shyke out of her, but so far as she was concerned it was just more reason to learn faster.

"Of course," she said, glancing at her spear and feeling a little foolish suddenly for having bothered to bring it. "Thank you, Master Sohryn," she said with a bright, impish grin and a bow of her head. And then she practically skipped over to the weapons rack, so overjoyed at her good luck. She settled her own spear carefully in the corner, making sure it was far enough away that no one would trip on it or hurt themselves.

She took up the practice spears one by one, spinning them and testing their balance, their length, until she found one that was the right height for her and would regain it's balance quickly after she twisted it over her hands. When she finished, she turned to find Sohryn again and quickly padded over to him, her eyes on the children's movements, bright and fierce as she tried to memorize their drills. "I'm ready," she said, smiling up at the Master, giving another half-bow since that seemed the thing to do.

by **Puck** on May 9th, 2010, 10:20 pm

Master Sohryn liked Kashik. Though she, like most foreign people coming to Riverfall for training, was ignorant in the ways of the Akalak. So it was with a bit of pity that he liked her, for she would most likely be beaten down by his students. It was Sohryn's opinion, that when in Riverfall, one does as the Akalak. Perhaps Kashik would learn a valuable lesson here. But through all this, Sohryn still liked the woman.

The instructor admired Kashik's more feminine aspects as she skipped over to the spears; although he diverted his gaze when he thought she might catch him. Instead he turned his eyes to the nearest student, speaking, "Darhylne, you shall be first." Sohryn need not bark or shout, for the student was well trained. Immediately, Darhylne snapped to attention and walked to the center of the room. These would be the hounds of war for Riverfall, discipline was paramount. As Darhylne stepped forward though, the others sought reprieve from their training in the spectacle to come. As they stopped their drills and turned to watch Darhylne, Master Sohryn reprimanded them, "The rest of you, do not cease your drills. You will have plenty of chance to watch Miss Kashik when your turn comes, albeit most likely from the floor." Sohryn chuckled.

When Kashik of the Brightsmile Pavilion of the Diamond Clan returned, Master Sohryn indicated her position at the center of the room. Sparring was what this area was designed for. The entire floor was barren, with the exception of a area with targets and dummies. It allowed the students to maneuver as much as they needed.

The two opponents were complete opposites as far as Sohryn knew. He watched Kashik, light hearted and playful. Then there was Darhylne, with a scowl of determination etched into his features. Sohryn may have pitied Kashik, but Darhylne warranted much more of the emotion than the Drykas. Darhylne was a terrible student, but not for lack of trying. Truth be told, Sohryn thought the student would be a wonderful gemcutter or metalsmith.

Master Sohryn spoke again, "Right. Remember, the moment I speak after you two commence the sparring match, you are to immediately cease fighting. Points are scored by striking the opponent. Combat will not stop after a point is scored, and the first combatant to three points wins the match." The instructor looked to both people before him, and barked, "Fight!"

by **Kashik** on May 10th, 2010, 6:00 am

As the Akalak boy stepped up and scowled fiercely, Kashik just grinned and skipped up to meet him. She gave a moment's thanks that it was a child she would be fighting - not because she thought him any weaker, or easier to beat, but simply because she had grown tired of fighting taller opponents years ago, and it would be a nice change of pace not to have to strain her neck to hold his gaze.

She composed herself, though, and touched the fingertips of her right hand to the middle of her forehead in salute to her opponent. "To the third," she agreed, and a friendly smile burst upon her mouth again as if she just couldn't contain it.

The practice pole was held in both hands, and she bent her knees just a smidge. When Master Sohryn's voice rang out, she crouched down and spun the spear in her left hand - for that was her dominant one, not her right - before bring the end of it up from the floor in a lightning-quick swipe at Darhylne's right knee.

by **Puck** on May 16th, 2010, 7:56 pm

"Petch!" Darhylne cursed loudly as the practice pole slammed into his right knee. He skipped backward a few steps to the tune of Sohryn's glare, and the snickers of his fellow students. The Akalak student, having distanced himself from the source of his pain, collected himself. He blinked away the stinging tears that had involuntarily welled up in his eyes, and shrugged off the last remnants of pain. The score was 1 to 0.

Upon hearing his student curse, Sohryn had scowled dutifully. He did not speak, but made a note to admonish the undisciplined boy after the fight. Nobody stepped out of line unpunished in his class. Though Sohryn looked displeased, he could not have been happier with this woman. Though he knew Darhylne would provide no challenge to her, and that his student would learn little from the defeat, the next few children would benefit greatly from fighting this woman. To learn what it was like to fight an extremely attractive opponent, if nothing else. It could be distracting during the teenage years.

Darhylne let out a small breath as he stepped forward and thrust the practice spear at Kashik. He aimed for her abdomen, which appeared to be exposed. Sohryn raised his eyebrows in surprise, it was a well executed thrust, even if it would have been better suited elsewhere. The Akalak student, after jabbing his pole at Kashik, danced back. It was no use to play dangerously and get hit again.

by **Kashik** on May 19th, 2010, 5:07 pm

Kashik wrinkled her nose when her hit scored on Darhylne's knee - she honestly hadn't expected to pull that one off. Her surprise actually gave him those few moments to collect himself, but she was ready once he came again.

The thrust was well-executed, straight and unwavering, but such strikes were not for this part of the fight; they were best used as part of a combo, or once the opponent was injured or tired and couldn't dodge as easily. Kashik decided to show him exactly why.

She pivtoed on her right foot when he shoved the spear at her abdomen, letting pass just to her left. But it was a practice weapon, and that gave her a bit of an advantage. As she twirled, she grabbed the shaft of his spear in her right hand and clamped it against her side. With her left hand, she spun her own spear behind her and struck the wooden shaft hard, hard enough for the vibrations to sting Darhylne's hands - but not hard enough to disarm him. Disarming him wouldn't score her a point, so the moment it struck she released his spear and danced to the side.

But she didn't allow him any time to recover, or escape out of range. She lept forward, the practice weapon spinning between her hands, pressing him. Then she feinted a blow to the same knee she'd struck before, only to lift the end of the spear at the last moment to strike at his elbow instead.

by **Puck** on May 22nd, 2010, 7:17 am

Sohryn scowled again as the Drykas performed her ostentatious maneuver. It was unorthodox in the extreme to flaunt one's superiority in such a fashion. The instructor seriously considered awarding Darhylne a point for that. After all, his spear had touched her. The fact that he had not initiated the contact almost seemed unimportant to Sohryn. But his frown lessened as he considered the situation. Kashik was not trained in the Akalak ways, and this would be excellent practice for his students. Where an Akalak student would rarely perform such pretentious displays, this was apparently not something too out of the ordinary for the Drykas woman. Sohryn would let her fight as she wanted, not every opponent would be orthodox as his students.

Meanwhile, Darhylne had finally executed something correctly, though by accident. When Kashik had swung at his knee again, he had brought his spear from its horizontal position to a vertical one, like a bar running down his side. Darhylne had his elbow tucked behind the staff, and Kashik's harmlessly collided with it. After he had suprisingly deflected the blow, Darhylne closed his eyes and struck out with the bottom of his staff. The wooden end closed quickly with Kashik's leg, but its success would inevitably depend upon her recovery from the failed attack.

A silent whistle escaped Sohryn's lips, he had expected Darhylne to have been vanquished by now. The boy did not usually fight with such fervor. Perhaps he approved as much of Kashik's curvature as Sohyrn did. Attraction was an excellent motivator.