Completed Enter: The Squire! (Richard)

[Arkale]

Arkale pulled against the shield, but did not intend to wrench it away from the Squire's hands. Instead, he used the Squire's strength to his advantage and, using the shield as leverage, lifted his boot and delivered a kick to the Squire's armored chest. At the moment the kick was delivered Arkale released the Shield, with the hopes of sending the Squire flying into the ground.

[Richard Burke]

The kick landed, quite squarely on Richard’s chest. It knocked the breath out of him, but since he was hanging onto the shield, he only fell to his knees. He took no time to recover as he leaped, at Arkale, trying to knock him off balance with a tackle, aimed just above the knights center of mass. This was an act of desperation, and would require much of the squires energy- he had not even stopped to catch his breath.

[Arkale]

The desperation behind the lunge was evident, and as such Arkale was prepared with the proper counter. He put himself in a stable stance as the squire hit him like a sack of stones, but while the blow joslted the Knight, it did nothing to uproot him. This caused the Squire to become locked in place, in a grapple with the Mage Knight. When the Squire aimed for Arkale's upper chest, just above the Knights center of mass as well as his center of gravity. It was an attempt to bring Arkale to the ground, but it was countered by a simple shift of the feet in wo a wider position, creating a lower center of gravity, making it impossible for the Squire to topple him. As Richard exectued the tackle, Arkale raised an elbow, and smashed it into the back of the Squire's neck where the neck meets the shoulder. If the blow landed it would devestate the Squire's nerves in his arm and neck, causing them to lock up and cause some pain. With any luck, it would cause the boy to drop to his knees once again. Arkale idily wondered if this was victory.

[Richard Burke]

Richard let out a pained laugh, he had been beat. It was indeed the outcome he had expected, and he took solace in the fact that he gave it his all. He would normally have been sullen and introspective about the fight, but this was somehow different. He was exhausted, and every muscle in his body screamed in pain. The adrenaline was wearing off now. He feel on his side, still laughing, in-between painful gasps. Sometimes, Richard did enjoy a good thrashing. Richard stood up, it took a bit of effort, but he managed it. He took off his helm, and reached out his hand, in a sign of respect.

[Arkale]

Arkale followed suit and removed his helmet and tucking it under his arm. He grasped the Squire's forarm firm and smiled at him. The boy showed promise, and that was important. For not all Squire's were as effective and learned as this boy. Though he would need to do more sparring with Knights, for it was obvious that he was above his class and another Squire would not be able to keep up for long. "Tell me. Whom is your patron? After what I have seen today I ought to buy him a pint at the Stallion. He has taught you well, and you will one day make a fine Knight." Arkale smiled, truly pleased with the Squire's preformance. To further show his respect to the Squire, Arkale retireved the Boy's heater shield and handed it to him.

[Richard Burke]

The pain in his muscles slowly numbed to a dull stiffness, and he started to cool off in the temperate winter air. The chill air felt good as it filled his lungs, he had never felt like this after fighting with a squire. He grabbed his heater from the knight, and stretched, before answering Arkale. “Well, I don’t actually have a patron.” It was very uncommon to not be picked by a knight, but he had never met one whom he enjoyed sparring with. He hoped this knight had as sharp a wit as he had skill.

“I’ve never found a knight I really liked.” He elaborated out loud, trying to explain his situation that made sense. But, it was hard to explain. Richard walked to the weapon rack, and deposited the wooden weapons. The sound of other duels began to echo through the training grounds, Richard hadn’t noticed them until now.

[Arkale]

Arkale looked to the Knight who had been training him, and gave him a knowing nod. The tutor nodded back and walked over to a pair of sparring squires and began barking orders at them. Advising them on how to not get killed in combat. It was an entertaining sight, and Arkale watched as the two Squires struggled to understand the basic form they were practicing. At that stage you were forced to forget your instinct and learn the proper stances and styles, then as you grew in the Knight hood you were allowed to develop new and combat oriented instincts that would not only increase your effectivness in battle, but keep you alive in the field. Arkale had only begun to skim the surface of this vast ocean that was a Knight's Instinct...then again he also has a scholar's instinct, and he wasn't sure how that would affect his growth as a Knight, but he imagined it would only assist him. He could not believe that Richard did not have a Patron Knight, for it was rather rare; however, the prospect caused the Mage Knight to grin. This could be an golden opportunity for Arkale, and he would not let this pass by. "Well...then I guess it is settled. I will patron you." The words were confident and full of promise. Arkale would treat this Squire like a son (how he viewed all Squires should be treated) and together they would learn and grow, becoming stronger and proving themselves as Syliran Knights through and through. He put a hand on Richard's shoulder. "Why don't you and I head over to the Rearing Stallion and talk. I would like to get to know my Squire before I fully take him under my wing."

[Richard Burke]

Richard quickly followed the knights gaze, so the Weapon Master had set this up from the start. It was remarkable clever, but no one has ever claimed the knights where anything else. He looked back to Arkale, who wanted to patron him. Richard had formed few bonds in his life, he was sort of quiet and introspective, which had put off many of the knights and squires he had known off. It wasn’t that he wasn’t friendly, he just never seemed to care about people past the obligatory greetings. But, the quickest way to get Richard’s attention was beating him in anything. That would light a fire in his soul, that would drive Richard to make himself better- and in the end wasn’t that what friendship was?

Arkale was certainly one of the more noble knights he had run into, right next to his parents. He also seemed to have an odd accent, one that he hadn’t run into often in Syliras, which meant that Arkale could know many things that most knights didn’t. “I accept, ser knight.” Answered Richard with a small bow, trying to be as formal as he could- it wasn’t everyday that you became a squire after all.

“The Rearing Stallion, huh?” he almost chuckled, this was going to be an interesting squire hood. “If you’re buying, I’ll tell you my life’s story.” Richard paused, “I’ll have to go by my room, I don’t like to drink in my plate.”

[Arkale]

"Well enough. If that is the case, then let's away. After all, we have much to discuss." The Mage Knight offered as he turned and began towards the third tier of Stormhold Keep, the level where the housing for mostly everyone was. Mentally Arkale began going over the duties of a Knight and what he was expected to teach his new Squire. Sure there was the proper care of weapons and armor, military tactics, mixed unit fighting, chain of command, 47 reasons to stay out of range of a trebuchet and other useful hints when facing seige weapons.... the list ran on and on. Arkale was even devloping lessons for today, but abruptly stopped when he realized that he was taking dangerous steps into becoming his father... "While we walk, why don't you tell me why you decided to join the Knights? Its always a good starting conversation to have." Arkale smiled. If he was going to train a Squire, he had better learn about the Squire's intent within the Knights, as well as his motivations and aspirations. It would help him keep the Squire focused on his goal. After all, a Knight without a goal to fight for and an ideal to protect is just a mercenary.

[Richard Burke]

Richard had often been asked “why”. It was a legitimate question, and he did enjoy the introspection the question posed. “Well,” he started, trying to sum up his life story, as they walked at a casual pace to the apartment complexes buried into the keep. “my parents are knights. No one special, but very noble, and very good parents.” This of course wasn’t a good enough reason to join, so he continued.

“My biggest reason for joining is to better myself.” He always wanted to learn, and train. “I am a follower of Eyris, more than any of the other patron Gods of the knights.” He was already drifting off into thought. He wanted to learn magic, and weapons, he wanted to read every book, explore every ruin for buried lore, he wanted to unravel the mysteries of the world, he wanted to know what caused the world to be like it was. “I would like to explore the world, and learn everything” His was quiet and thoughtful, “Any knowledge is worth finding, and sharing with Syliras, and the knights.” He stopped talking, realizing he had been talking for several minutes, or maybe it was just his thoughts. He also didn’t know which aspects this Knight followed, Arkale may be in for a surprise.