[Training Thread] A Way With Swords (Samael)

[Jaquise Emittere]

19th day of Summer 510 AV The day started out pretty good for Jaq. He had gotten up early in the morning, had spent an hour focusing his mind through meditation, then made some breakfast. Zagarek, in his regular form now hovering over the camp, was rather quiet. That was his usual manner though. Silence let him think more clearly, it allowed him to focus on whatever he was thinking of. Jaq thought it might have been their most recent discussion that the being now focused on. Zagarek had asked Jaq, completely out of the blue mind you, when they would begin the search of it's sibling. To say that Jaq had forgotten about it would be a bit inaccurate, but it hadn't crossed his mind recently. Jaq's response had been, "When we're ready." The familiar was probably at this moment calculating all the ways they could get 'ready'. Quiet was quiet though, and Jaq enjoyed the peace as much as he could now. This wasn't to say the Irylid was the talkative sort, but the few times he did speak were usually to comment, a non to positively, about something Jaq was doing. It was nice to have a moment in his life where he wasn't being telepathically criticized. When he had finished his meal, which consisted of a simple jug of water, some bread and cheese, and some dried meat he had bought a little while ago at the market, Jaq gestured to the familiar. Zagarek gave no sign of having seen the movement, but the mercenary had learned long ago there was little it didn't take notice of. "Come on Zagarek, we're going to see if we can find a sparring partner in the city." The mention of sparring got the beings attention. Jaq wasn't very social, and when it came to his combat skills this went doubly so. The familiar saw it as an improvement over his usually lazy attitude and decided any hesitation on its own part might bring about that lethargic nature once more. It took a moment to compose itself, and began shrinking in size. The usual iced over appearance began to clear up, at least on its surface, and from one end a small string began to grow out. The familiar hovered over to Jaq, while changing, and wrapped the string around his neck. It then pulled the string back to itself and looped around in a knot. The process took perhaps two seconds, maybe three. With Zagarek in his sealed form Jaq bent down and picked up Memoria, his katana golem which he had set next to him while he ate for quick access, and set it on his belt. It was to hot today for his jacket, and instead wore a simple loss fitting white shirt. The sun was bright enough even in the morning to compel him to take his broad rimmed black hat to keep the light out of his ever sensitive eye. It was probably more bothered by the warmth the light provided then the light itself, being a literal chunk of ice that he could see through, but the hat helped either way. Jaq tipped his hat to the Syliran Knights guarding the gate, he was a regular passing in and out of the city treated with both suspicion and jokes about living in the forest. They knew where his tent was though, had at one point even had him lead them to it. Being that he had been there since winter and the most trouble he had caused was when he left the city a bit drunk. So while they looked upon him with suspicion anyone carrying a weapon deserved, they greeted him kindly enough. As Jaq moved through the city it became evident that most of the people he would want to talk to about sparring were not even up yet. People like him, mercenaries, swords for hire, people of fortune, usually slept late because there jobs kept them up all night. Jaq had only recently stopped doing this himself. So it was that he found himself in his least favorite place in Syliras, the windmount stables. It was a rather pleasant spot, and if it weren't for all the horses Jaq would had nothing against it. But there were horse, lots of them. Knights horses, horses for travelers, horses for the carriages. It was a mess of horses that made Jaq wary of even nearing it. Still, ti was the only place he'd likely to find the right kind of person up so early. The mercenaries who had such beasts often took good care of them, preferring not to have to buy a new one simply because they failed to take care of it properly. Jaq warily ventured into the stables, looking for anyone that didn't work there wearing a sword of some kind or another.

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

It was early enough that Sam had some free time before getting to work with other people's horses. And so he had groomed Horse from forelock to tail, unnecessary perhaps, but Horse was the closest thing he had to family in the world. His hooves were inspected before Sam saddled him and checked all his gear. Some of the leather was worn, but it would continue to serve for a while yet. He slipped the cavesson over Horse's head, having trained him without a bit ever since he was sure no further danger would follow him out of Sunberth. Finally he mounted, securing his scabbard for easy reach. Today he would tilt against dummies in the field before the knights arrived for their practice, but of course he didn't use a lance. Then again, it would do some of the knights good to watch him ride. He was a bit of a snob as far as riding went, though he did need to practice with his arms, both ahorse and afoot. With a hand on the reins for show, he turned Horse around with the pressure of his knees and caught sight of the other man. His heart sank a bit, hoping he wasn't going to have to start working early when he was hoping for a bit of fun, but he wanted to keep his job, so he nodded to the man. "May I help you, sir?"

[Jaquise Emittere]

At the sound of another voice nearby, Jaq dipped his broad brimmed hat down to cover the majority of his eyes. Though only one of them was fake, both held the appearance of some sort of crystal or ball of ice that was unnerving to look into. It gave the appearance that Jaq might be blind, but the way he moved without hesitation it was clear as day that he could see. For a few people in the know it also marked Jaq as a magic user, and though this was in fact a small demographic it was nonetheless best to take precautions. Jaq looked in disdain upon the man riding the horse. The animal itself seemed nice enough, but Jaq couldn't look at any of the beasts without remembering a rather traumatic moment in his childhood. His father, being somewhat wealthy, had owned a few horses and an armored carriage for longer trips. Jaq had been perhaps seven or eight when he thought to try and feed one of the animals in the small stable they had. He had in fact only succeeded in accidentally spooking them. It had sadly been the first near death experience, only being saved by Raziel who happened to be passing by. Jaq attempted to shake away the memory and the feeling that came with it. Hoping to further distance himself from that, Jaq looked to the man before him atop his horse. He seemed to be the wiry sort, perhaps a little taller then jaq but a bit less solid in build. He wore a scabbard within easy reach, suggesting training in the weapon and the possible need to use it. Judging from his attitude, it seemed he worked here. However it appeared he was readying himself for some sort of practice involving the horse and his scimitar, perhaps hoping to take advantage of quiet morning. If he had this opportunity because there was nothing to do at the stables that likely meant there were few to no people here. Still, he could at least ask this man. Maybe he would be able to point a person or group of mercenaries out to him. Perhaps they would be here or later, or maybe he had seen such people in town. Keeping a wary eye on the horse, habit, Jaq answered in a polite tone, "I was hoping to find a traveler or mercenary tending to their horse. Do you know of any such people that might have expressed an interest in a sparring partner?" OOCSorry i took so long.

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

OOCNo worries. It happens. Sam considered the man for a moment. Disdain was something he was used to, having spent years of his childhood as a slave, and now working in the stables. It rolled off his back like rain off a duck's feathers, but it also informed his manner of speaking to the man. Serena wouldn't stand for her workers being unduly mistreated, but there was a hierarchy in any city, and so certain respects must be paid. He sat a little straighter in his saddle. "Betimes a mercenary will come looking for a sparring partner," he admitted. "Many of the young knights practice tilting here." A lance seemed a ridiculous waste to him, though. There were more efficient weapons with which to fight from horseback. "If you want to leave an advertisement in the office, something might come up. Or offer to practice with some of the knights. Or... well, I'm no Ruros, but if you were looking to spar this morning, I could let Horse crop the grass while we cross swords." He offered a friendly enough smile, though he half-expected the man to decline. The disdain in his voice and manner made Sam take him for the sort who saw himself as above certain people, generally people like Sam.

[Jaquise Emittere]

Jaq looked to the man with interest now, ignoring the horse in favor of putting all his focus to the person on the creatures back. Doing this made it harder to keep his eyes hidden under neath his hat, and the shade it provided did little against the glittering gem like eyes. The man didn't seem to be kidding around, and who knows perhaps he had practiced with some knights. Better yet Jaq had never fought a person who wielded a scimitar. Granted his friend Alicob, a strong Akalak he had once met on a job, had used one and Jaq had seen him do so, but there's a difference between observing a weapon in use and fighting against one. "Well alright then, I'll take you up on that offer. So long as we distance ourselves a bit from that there horse. Don't want to be surprising it." Jaq didn't know how well the horse was trained, and the possibility of spooking by fighting to near to it did not appeal to Jaq. The image of a very different horse, rearing back and readying itself to crush in his head, flash through his mind for a moment at the thought. No he certainly did not want to risk that.

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

There was really no time to put Horse away or even unsaddle him, but he knew the stallion wouldn't care so long as he was sent out to pasture. Sam slipped off the saddle to land with much more grace than he was likely to show in combat, removed his scabbard from Horse and strapped to to his back where there was less likelihood it would get tangled up in his legs. "Graze," he told the animal in Pavi and gave him a light smack on his rump. Horse frisked off, unmindful of his tack. Sam turned back to the stranger, a smile on his face. "I'm Sam. It doesn't look like anyone's using much of anywhere right now so we can spar wherever you like."

[Jaquise Emittere]

Jaq watched the horse move away before unclasping his scabbard from his belt. He drew Memoria from it's sheathe, stabbed the blade into the ground, and moved a few paces away. "Jaq's the name. I'm normally a sword for hire." The young man seemed to be right. The place was near empty of people. That might change in a little while when the knights started showing up,k or when those with horses put up here come to care for them, but for now it seemed quiet. It was actual kinda nice. Usually Jaq couldn't help but assoicate the sound of hundreds of people going about their day with the city itself, but looking at it now it seemed less like a place of residence and more like a safe hallow for humanity. He looked to the horse for a moment. It was still in sight, so Sam wouldn't have to worry about any kind of ploy or anything, but far enough away for Jaq to feel comfortable. He had only walked ten feet away from his sword, which was now jutting out of the ground. It would only take a moment to reach an another to draw, but Jaq still felt a little odd without the comfortable weight on his hip. One of these day's he's opp to buy a practice sword of his own instead of simply using the scabbard he had. Jaq looked to Sam questioningly. "What do you think, three points, no low blows, nothing above the shoulders?" It was a small amount of points, but it would give them chance to work out whatever kinks they might have and get the feel for fighting. OOCSorry, work caught up to me. Will try and get to replying a bit faster.

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

"Sounds like a good place to start," Sam agreed amiably. It took him a moment to realize what Jaq was about with his scabbard. During his early childhood on the Sea of Grass, to be sure, he had learned with a practice sword. But as soon as they were relatively sure he wouldn't poke his own eye out, it was the real weight of a blade at all times. Forms were learned, sequences run at low speed that gradually increased until they were second nature. Then eight years had passed without so much as touching a weapon. Even muscle memory from childhood could get foggy after that much time, but there was no time like the present to relearn things, pick up where he had left off, and learn how to protect himself and his horse better than he had the last time. Rest in peace, Hasieran, he thought out into the ether. In his old dead strider's name, he included the entire pavilion. His scimitar slid out of its scabbard with a steely hiss before he planted it firmly in the turf, then turning his scabbard over and over in his hands to get the heft of it. And then he assumed a neutral pose, suspended between offense and defense, from where he could go anywhere. "Ready?" he asked with a smile.

[Jaquise Emittere]

Jaq smiled a bit at the pose Sam took. He knew only a little about scimitars, but an experienced fighter can tell a great deal from the first stance a person took. Sam had taken one that offered more options, but would take a second or two more to reach either. This either suggested extreme confidence in his speed, or a lack of confidence in his skill. The mercenary grasped his scabbard the way he would Memoria, left hand at the bottom and dominant hand about half a foot above. He took a moment to get used to the weight of his scabbard before answering. "Ready." Jaq waited a moment, then a moment more, and then the mercenary sprang forth with a simple lunge aimed at the man's midsection. With out waiting to see if he hit Jaq began to pivot on his left foot as soon as it landed in front of him. With that started on his left side and ended on his right. Hopefully, even if the man was able to deflect or avoid both shots, He would still be to busy to attempt a counter attack. Just in case though Jaq leaped back a few feet and brought his sword up in front of him, readying himself to block any retaliation. The entire sequence hadn't taken more then a few seconds, having been one action immediately after another.

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

Sam had heard that it was best to watch an opponent's eyes for a tell, but he had also heard that it was best to watch an opponent's weapon. But he was yet a novice with his blade, and at least half of his training had been to fight from horseback, further limiting his effectiveness on his own two feet. When Jaq moved, his stance altered to meet it quickly enough, though the second blow very nearly got past his guard. As it was, he had to readjust his grip in order not to lose his scabbard-cum-scimitar. There was no counter-attack yet, not even a feint. Jaq was better than him; that much he already knew. That didn't mean he would lose, of course. There were other factors in a fight than skill. Perhaps one day he would learn to wield two scimitars like one of those Eyktolian sword dancers, to become a whirlwind of curved blades, but for the time being, it was just the one. He tried to learn from Jaq's actions even as he moved methodically around, attempting to draw him out. It took less energy to deflect a strike than to strike, in general. Focusing on defense while a foe wore themselves out was one strategy. He would have to see if that was an effective strategy against this one. Somehow Sam got the assumption that his defense wouldn't be good enough to last him very long.