Completed [The Bronze Woods] Blades Of Justice (Markus)

[Rachel Messer]

OOCSorry it took so long, finally gett back to Rachel as I now have an AS.

"Alright, I understand, it's a longsword with shorter hilt." The instructor winked at the Knight, pushing away the ridiculous notion that the Knight would berate her for flirting with him. Even though the bastard sword was 'similar' to a longsword, Rachel imagined there were differences on how to handle them, she couldn't be arrogant by thinking she could wield it as competently as her longsword at first try.

The spar continued on, and through her teaching experiences, Rachel deducted Markus was assessing her performance while easily batting away her strikes, Rachel didn't feel intimidated or jealous, in fact, she was thrilled a busy Knight could spare some of his time to spar with a simple instructor such as her. Surely if Markus chose, he could find sparring partners far better than her.

The instructor continued her strikes as she tried her best to at least get a clean hit on his armor, she tried her three-strike-combo of two quick side strikes finished by an overhead one, but he parried every single one of them. Markus defeated her in terms of strength, agility, and experience, she couldn't rely on anything, and that was just how she wanted it, a very worthy opponent.

"!?" The instructor was taken by surprise and made a fatal - had it been real combat - mistake by missing her strike, the longsword slamming needlessly onto the ground, "Agh..." The instructor groaned when the force reverberated throughout her muscles, it was all the Knight needed to put his blade near her exposed neck, had it been a real combat, she would be dead. "..." For a few ticks, Rachel simply looked up at Markus, her breath heaving, sweat tricking down her forehead and cheek. She would wait until he retracted his blade.

"I am defeated, very well done, Ser Markus, thank you," The woman then bowed slightly, before walking to her pack to retrieve a waterskin then gulped the elifir of life called 'water' down. Then she took a few chimes to steady herself before turning back at him, this time giving an excited grin, "Would you honor me with a second round?" If he was busy and had errands to do, she would accept of course, he wasted enough time with her already, but by Priskil, she really hoped he could stay.

[Markus Andres]

A soft excited smirk crossed his lips when the two stared at each other. His blade touching her neck hairs ever so slightly. They both knew what this meant, he had won the first round. Although she had not provided the level of excitement he sought, it did not show on his relaxed expression. He carefully withdrew the blade, he did not want to nick her pretty visage with a careless motion. He could see the sweat that had appeared, he himself hardly felt it, but she had also been training for much longer than he. No doubt it would come soon enough if they continued sparring. For she was quick and a much smaller target. Markus had a lot of experience fighting smaller targets, that was the life of a knight who stood as tall and wide as he did. But they also surprised him most often, their smaller stature almost always meant they were quicker. More agile. Came at impossible angles that kept the fight live and fluid. The female Messer admitted defeat and complimented him and thanked him. One of them he could understand, the thank you, was a bit foreign to him - especially with the honesty and no suppressed annoyance in the voice. Rachel was a polite woman, that much was certain. But he had not expected it to extend so far. The knight chuckled lightly at the bizarre aspect of it all.

"You're welcome and thank you - I realized it has been too long since I last fought without a shield. My left arm is not as accustomed to the more intricate movements of the sword." Pride had never bothered Markus much, been quick to admit when he was wrong and where he could improve in the martial world. Only way he could really improve when it came down to it. Not through denial that he had errors and kinks he needed to work out of his system. She turned from him and began to fish for a waterskin. A mischievously playful smile came across his lips then.

"My former assessment was correct, you are a talented swordswoman. Very talented. On par with many knights I know." Not a compliment given lightly by the knight, but it was sincere and he nodded to the woman. Although the ulterior motive, for her to cough up the water by the sudden and unexpected compliment was still apparent by the playful smile on his lips.

She spoke again, offering a second spar and Markus did not have to think long about answering. The excited grin on her lips. The way she stood ready with the blade. The previous short bout of combat. The talent she possessed. The prospect of her becoming a future squire of his. Her beautiful looks. Of course he could not decline such an opportunity. Markus rolled with his shoulders as his face turned a little more serious, though the playful grin still placed squarely on his lips.

"Oh, another lesson free of charge? You are spoiling me, miss Messer." He teased as he twirled the blade in his hand. "But of course and the honour would be mine. It is not often I get to spar with an experienced teacher." Markus dropped into a defensive stance. Right foot leading, left a half step behind. Blade raised out before him in a high guard. Prepared for Rachel to attack him. "Come and get me, Rachel."

[Rachel Messer]

As Rachel drank her water, Markus would find his hope shattered because the instructor didn't cough up her water, she simply smiled at him and expressed her gratitude through a heart-felt 'thank you'. How ironic, since Rachel was a devotee of Priskil, the Goddess of Hope. Of course, the instructor didn't realize this, she simply picked her blade up then excitedly climbed the figurative stage once more, facing Markus from a couple of feet away.

"Alright, I shall begin!" Markus offered her to strike first and honor him she shall, the blond-haired woman opted for another tactic this time, since he outmatched her in terms of strength, she had to use his size against him, the Knight was tall and wide and while Rachel was considered above average height herself, she was still dwarfed by him, no matter, size did not matter if one knew how to make use of it. Analyzing his form, as far as her swordsmanship experience allowed, Rachel swung her sword from the right, aiming at his waist, but it turned out to be a feint as she suddenly raised it diagonally upwards, changing its target to her neck. She then followed up by swiveling her body to strike his other side, but changed course in the middle, in an attempt to fool him, she suddenly changed her swipe into a stab instead.

He's very good... I have to impress him somehow. Sparring with Markus could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience so the instructor decided to go unorthodox, she had a trick up her sleeve that he didn't know yet, hopefully. The power of flux, Rachel was not that experienced with it, in fact, she was a novice, but as long as she was careful in its use, the instructor thought she would be safe, Rachel inhaled as she focused the flow of djed to her shoulder and arms, the tingling of electricity-like energy flowing through her, giving her a slight increase in strength and speed, with her flux prepared, Rachel then made a powerful overhead cleave, which was slightly faster than usual, but would be surprising to an unprepared opponent, offing their timing, but with a combatant such as Markus... she was not sure it would work, but no harm trying.

"Ha!" The instructor exclaimed as she swung her sword down, charged up by her flux, whether she hit or miss, the backlash of the magic would cause her to be stunned for a couple of precious ticks, in short, it was a hit-or-die technique.

[Markus Andres]

Markus pursed his lips when Rachel calmly moved the waterskin from her lips, his little quip had not had the desired effect. Instead a polite and modest thank you was the reply. Markus mentally shrugged it away and decided that he would have to try later and catch her by surprise. She had better control of herself than he would have thought or he had not been sharp enough in his retort. Either way, there was room for improvement. He waited for Rachel to come at him and with a firm nod he accepted her warning. The corner of his lips curling excited, to see if she had any more tricks up her sleeve. The blade swift. His reaction equally swift as he went to counter her attack. But something warned him of her intentions. The subtle shift in her shoulder? Or the arms perhaps. His sword moved to counter her intended target. Blades meeting as his strength matched and overpowered hers and knocked the blade aside. Eager to see what she could do, what tricks she had in her sleeve he stepped back to allow he to continue her assault, left foot leading now. Awkward stance, but not unusual.

She did not disappoint him.

A swivel, dangerous. But she does possess the speed~ His block negated by her gracefully using his block to actually strengthen her next attack had Markus a little more than impressed if it had been her intention. It would be easy for him to block the strike again, but it had been an admirable attempt to overcome his defence. Though as his blade swung across, her blade suddenly changed direction again. Another feign. The excitement grew on his lips. His blade swiftly came back. Knocking aside her blade again, but it had been close. Another half a tick and he would have deflected her blade into his left biceps - rather than now where it was deflected to his left side. He stepped forward again with the right foot.

Excellent! - It had been a while, too long, since Myri had bestowed him with someone outside the order with this sort of skill and innovation. He shifted his balance to his back leg and pushed her blade further away from his body. Though the woman did not cease to amaze him as he breathed in again, seeing her move again. Ready to strike again and when she struck, classic overhead chop. It would be easy to block that strike.

No. Eyes widened a bit as he saw the speed with which this strike came. It was surprising, either she had held back all this time, or there was some foul play involved. The Bastard rose, meeting the metal in a rushed defence. Meeting her blade at a sharp angle, the intended improvisation had been to not meet her strength head on. Instead let her blade lose momentum as it scrapped down his blade until it got caught against the crossguard. Something fishy was going on, that extra little of strength and speed.

Flux? Even as the thought entered his mind, the realization that she had used magic on him, he wasn't angry. He had done so himself in previous fights. Often had to resort to the magic to win spars. But to think she possessed it... It intrigued him. In more ways than one.

Such thoughts could wait. He would step forward. Force her arms back and their blades to screech against one another as he closed the distance. Using brute physical force to get closer as his eyes locked on her matching eyes as a part of him focused inwards. On his own djed pathways. The magic that slumbered inside pushed it into his arms large muscles. Powerful muscles. But he noticed that there was a lot of djed to move about. Way too much for him to feel safe handling. He only skimmed the surface, did not take too much from the rest of the system.

"Using flux, Rachel? One might consider that cheating." There was no anger behind the accusation, only a warm curiosity. "Two can play that game." The last word sounded a little strained as he pushed away with all his strength. Once more separating the two warriors. He stepped aside. Not done yet, feeling the sweat appear upon his brow. The introduction of magic to the fight had been what he needed. A push towards it being the grand fight he envisioned. He gave her a tick or two to recover before he would continue his assault. Blade swinging down to her right thigh. Flat side leading. Whether or not it would strike, he would relentlessly continue, unless there was a sharp shrill of pain. Blade withdrawn before striking out at her left shoulder. Push her defence. See how well she recovered. Each strike would be based on speed, not penetrating power. Though the flat sides were still leading. She might receive some red marks to show for her sparring lessons should Markus manage to strike her.

OOCSorry if I assumed too much! PM me with any problems!

[Rachel Messer]

The instructor half-expected that even with her flux, her attack wouldn't hit him, the Knight made her strike lost its momentum by allowing her sword to scrap down his, then trapped in the crossguard. For a moment, Rachel simply stared at him, giving a smile that seemed to say 'I'm in trouble, am I?'. The knight then went on the offensive, he closed the distance then forced the instructor to completely focus on defending herself, he seemed to be renewed with vigor, his movements were even more powerful and faster than before, Rachel could barely keep up with him and she was sure he was still toning down his skill.

"Hi!?" Finally, the Knight caught her off-guard in terms of social conduct, truly, Rachel was an experienced teacher who grew up in Sunberth, city of lawlessness, not much could surprise her aside from unusual things such as magic, monsters, and Gods, heck, she met a Goddess once and befriended her. However, she truly didn't expect the Knight to find out about her secret just after trying it at him once, a blush crept up at her cheeks, part exhaustion, and part embarrassment, she didn't want him to think her less in his eyes.

"I-I'm..." Rachel stammered, her trait as a worrywart person bubbled to the surface, she was worried that he would punish her, she knew how magic was treated in Syliras, she just used an offensive magic at a Knight, even in a consented spar, she was no less guilty. The woman wanted to apologize, but her tongue was frozen, Markus' calm words only added to her fear, when he spoke his last sentence however, Rachel was washed over by two conflicting emotions. Great relief that he was a fellow fluxer and didn't mind... and great despair that he would use his magic against her, returning her favor, oh by Priskil, she was not going to survive this.

"N-n... aaah!" Rachel didn't have time to protest as she tried to keep herself from being crippled, she moved her sword as best as she could, the blow to her thigh was parried, barely, Rachel gritted her teeth at the pressure, it stunned her long enough to allow Markus' next attack, the shoulder strike, to hit her clean. The Instructor recoiled in pain, then after that, it all went down to Hai, with each blow she barely parried, two more would strike her, truly if this was a real combat, Rachel would be dead a looong time ago. After red marks marred her body and face, Rachel stepped back, then stumbled onto the ground, falling on her rump, she raised her right hand, "N-no more... no more, I... I give up..." The blond panted, her breath heaving, and her muscles screaming for her to stop, the longsword she held trembled as her hand released it, sending it clattering on the grassy floor.

For her part, Rachel would simply sit there, turning her head away, refusing to look at the Knight, he had defeated her fair and square, but she was rather disappointed at herself for being defeated so quickly in their second round.

[Markus Andres]

Rachel was a fighter. Even after his strikes hit her she kept trying to block his attacks. Successfully in many of the attempts even as hits racked her body, when pain and exhaustion took its toll more and more of his attacks made it past her defence. It was admirable to see, a girl her stature without knightly training or even squirely training keep up with him to the extent she had. But he was lost in the moment, the rush of attacking her, could not give leeway now, had to see how far she could come. Where her limits lay! She did not give up. Retreat, sure, but her blade was still working to keep her safe. The excited grin on his lips did not fade, not even when she stepped back, lost her balance and fell on her rump. The Bastard ceased moving then. Stared at her upheld hand as her words swayed him that the fight was over.

Another couple of seasons and she might give me a fight of a lifetime.

Markus could feel it in his left arm that it was not often it participated in the manoeuvres of the sword. Entirely different muscles, more subtle shifts and changes than the shield's broader movements. It had been a good workout for the left shoulder. But his concern shifted from his own benefits to the woman on the ground before him. The Bastard was sheathed in a single swift movement and he looked to her. She was exhausted, none of the injuries, bar unknown circumstances, should have been enough to injure her beyond superficial. Might bruise and be sore for a couple of days. Or until Markus brought her to a healer. But then again, such injuries might be for the best if they did not hinder her work. Remind her to keep up the training to avoid such injuries in the future. He stepped by the teacher and picked up her waterskin and returned by her side. She refused to look at him, angry? Ashamed? Annoyed? He wouldn't know until she looked at him again. Markus knelt before her, the free hand finding her longsword and it felt a little odd in his left hand as he lifted it from the grass. Balanced a little differently. But all in all pretty much like his bastard sword. Except for the hilt. He did wonder why a teacher or instructor would let her blade be tossed to the ground like that - if not because she was absolutely exhausted.

"Have something to drink, Rachel." He said, opening the waterskin and offering to pour some water for her. Trying in part to cheer her up and the other part to make sure she was okay. "The way you utilized the flux was excellent. A couple of ordinary strikes to give me a feel for your speed and strength and then unleash it in a follow up strike. Almost had me." He looked to her waterskin and a clever thought struck him. "Tell me where it hurts the most." He asked in a comforting voice and if she would answer him, he would use the cool waterskin as a makeshift ice package and apply it to dull the worst of the pain. The waterskin itself working as an insulator to keep her from getting any frost bites. Although the weather alone might be enough, he wasn't that well-versed in the art of being a doctor. Merely doing his best to help her.

"How long have you been using flux?" A very personal question, but the look in her eyes when he had mentioned the flux had perhaps been what he had been looking for earlier. A secret they could share between the two of them. Share and help each other develop in tandem. He could think of worse people to confide in.

[Rachel Messer]

The blond-haired instructor kept sitting there on the soft snow-covered floor, her hands clenching into fists, but relaxed when the Knight approached him, she watched as he tested the her longsword in his hands. It was nothing special really, just a good ol' steel craftsmanship. Idly, she wondered if she could borrow his bastard sword as well, felt with her own hands how different the grip would feel, but she was exhausted and injured at the moment, her assessment wouldn't hold the same weight.

"..." For once since their meeting, Rachel didn't respond verbally and merely take the offered waterskin, but politely nonetheless. She then drank it, simultaneously listening to his speech, "Thank you..." A great tone of relief accompanied her gratitude, part thanking him for his praise, part relieved he wouldn't execute her for using magic against him. Perhaps Markus was one of a kind, a Knight that tolerated magic being used against him, or she was an exception to him? Whatever the case, Rachel was glad. She shakily stood up, picking up her longsword then sheathed on its sheath behind her back.

"Ahaha, you are praising me too much," Rachel rubbed her arm, surely he said she almost 'had' him just to make her feel better, Rachel appreciated it however, her gnosis flared again as a light yellow glow emanated from her right palm, chipping away at her exhaustion and giving her courage, it would affect Markus as well, the very same hand reached up to hold the waterskin, a blush crept at her cheeks at being treated by a Knight, now she could get a good close-up look on his face, he was handsome, that much was obvious, but his honorable conduct was the one that attracted her the most. She had to clear her throat to avoid causing an awkward silence.

"Well, I..." Rachel then prepared her story, "learned it from a traveler in a merchant caravan I hitched in my way to Syliras, I was born in Sunberth, you see." For a Knight, especially ones like Markus, Rachel had nothing to hide, "He was a martial arts fighter, the man took interest in me when he saw me practicing with my blade, then long story short, he taught me the very basics of Flux, the art to direct the flow of Djed in one's body." She kept the waterskin to her pack as she walked back to her pack then slung it over her shoulder, "Should we return? I am obviously in no condition to continue, and surely you have other duties to do." The instructor then slightly bowed, "It has been a pleasure, Ser Andres, I hope we meet again soon." If the Knight had nothing else to say, Rachel would begin walking back to Syliras, trudging through the snow, wincing every once in a while, he really did a number on her.

[Markus Andres]

Markus wiped the sweat from his forehead with the palm of his leather covered hand. That last routine of attacks. Moving about in heavy armour on the slippery surface had indeed provided a challenge. Markus offered a small shrug in response to her gratitude. It was no big deal bringing her water to refresh herself with. Especially after the rough treatment he had just given her. His way of thanking her for the bit of fun and excitement she had provided after an otherwise silent and quite dull walk in the forest. She took back her blade and sheathed it on her back. Well, she was considerably shorter than he, so it made sense to store it on her back. Or scrape it against the ground if it was by the hip.

He rose with her and wondered perhaps what would happen then. He wished for another spar, but she looked barely capable of standing. Much less fight. So that was out of the picture. Treat her for the many superficial wounds he had given her? Markus mused over the prospect when his free hand tapped a finger against his jaw. Pondering what to do when he felt an odd feeling rise inside of him. It felt as if the day just got a lot brighter and he felt full of a simple confidence that the future would be okay. He looked to the woman before him, a part of him wanted to lean in and kiss her then and there. The odd influencing feeling bringing up the hope that such an action would go over well with the small hot woman. But he did not lean in, something held him back. The confusion at where the sudden optimism came from. He looked to her hand then, the same odd glow. More flux? No, he had never seen a glow from his flux when it had been used. Some sort of magic then? Or divine mark? Curiosity mixed with confusion and hope was an odd mixture.

The woman cleared her throat and he looked to her again, at the wonderful eyes. Not realizing how close the two had gotten while he had taken care of her. She begun to explain how she had acquired the flux. A simple story, but still he found it interesting. The story was short, not much to it, but he did notice that if she was a relative newcomer to the city and she had learnt it coming to Syliras. It probably meant she had only been taught about it recently. Perhaps he had been a little too quick to use his own flux against her.

The woman widened the distance between them as she got her stuff. Markus pondered if she had felt uncomfortable speaking about the flux. But he shrugged his worry aside and instead found his own shield and slung it over his shoulder. Figuring it was time for them to leave anyhow. She voiced his thoughts and he firmly nodded to her and came to her side.

"A few duties. None of them pressing at the moment, though so I can accompany you back to the city." He was still curious about that strange glow she had exhibited. Although it had been weird, it had been pleasant. Had felt good. A warm smile appeared on his lips when she spoke of them seeing soon. He could not agree more. She were a nice woman, polite and full of mysteries. The glow, the flux, the talent for her sword. Not the usual type of civilian he met.

"I would like to meet you again some day, Rachel. If not for your great company, then to shamelessly try and recruit you over a mug of ale." Markus responded as he moved beside her. "Do you need a hand? You can lean on me if walking hurts? Or I can carry your things to ease the burden." Perhaps he was being a bit too helpful, but seeing her wince as she walked did make him feel quite guilty. It had been a consented spar from both parties, but he may have gone a little overboard. The excitement and the rush of adrenaline. Not always easy to control once the blood got flowing. There was also the slightly more subtle selfish aspect of her leaning against him. A woman of her appearance, that was a rather nice prospect.

[Rachel Messer]

Rachel tried to keep her 'professional' face but it was getting clear that Markus would be the first person she let the seed of attraction grew in here, the other notable male she met in Syliras was Kreig, her brother, and Medhozic, an Ethaefal. Rachel was not interested in incest and Medhozic, while unearthly beautiful and otherworldly, was just too different in both personality and species for Rachel to have any romantic feelings on, sure she liked the Ethaefal, but as a friend. Markus though... she could see him as more than a friend, more than a Knight, even in their very first meeting, each aspects of him were fitting in her eyes, strong, honorable, polite, and not to mention, handsome.

"Well, if I'm not intruding in your duties, then thank you very much, " Rachel nodded as she walked by his side, if he was going to accompany her, who was she to deny a Knight's offer? "I'd love to, Ser," The instructor tried to answer cordial and business-like, but her raised tone might reveal her eagerness to see him again, to be something more than just Knight and combat instructor. "I will join the Order someday, just not now, I'm still too inexperienced," the instructor then looked away, trying to hide the warmth in her cheeks, it must be the winter wind... "I'd love to have you as my patron though..."

"..." Rachel was silent when Markus offered his help to carry her burdens, rather reluctant to rely on the Knight more, she wanted to be seen as a strong person, driven by her experiences in Sunberth, being weak meant people could push her around so it was her goal to be strong and to spread that strength to other good people, but well... she could always make exceptions to certain people. "Ahaha," She chuckled, trying to hide her embarrassment, Rachel opted for the former, she slowly, carefully, leaned her body on him, Rachel was not a short person herself, she was rather average, but Markus was tall even for a man, it felt nice though to have someone to lean on.

"Mmm..." She unwittingly cooed at the comfort of not having to walk by herself while wounded, but then raised a hand to clear her throat in an obvious attempt to hide it, "W-well, let's go to the Soothing Waters first, no? Don't want me to keep clinging on you like a child, right? Ahaha." As she was the wounded party here, Rachel would let Markus lead the way.

[Markus Andres]

"Of course you won't Rachel." Again confirming she would not be interrupting any official business. Had to check in on Ball, make sure he hadn't done anything silly. Then there was duty in the morning - things would have to develop in a very interesting direction for her to interrupt his morning patrols.

A pleased smile crossed his lips when she said she would love to meet him again. Despite his best efforts to break her defence today, she seemed to hold no ill will. None at all. Briefly he pondered if she nurtured the same feeling as he in regards to training, that obstacles only served to remind him that there were ever higher plateaus to reach - or did obstacles deter her from training? He would find no answer until he saw her again. Then again, next time he saw her he had no intention to spend his time sparring. Markus hid his frown by looking away. She spoke of him becoming her patron again, the less than honourable thoughts he had just nurtured seemed wrong in that light. If she became his squire, could he have a romantic relationship or even past relationship with Rachel? It had brought enough trouble with her that they had had both a professional and personal relationship. He would have to figure that out in the future. Before they met again. Otherwise that might spell trouble.

The woman agreed to his offer of help and he felt her arm and body press against his armoured shoulder. The soft smile on his lips with the blonde coloured head lay there. He liked the sight. She wasn't that heavy, so it wasn't troublesome for him to carry her. It would hardly be the most comfortable feeling, but it was the best he could do under the circumstances.

Almost the best.

His right arm moved behind the smaller woman. Between the backpack slung over and the weapon. His large arm easily reached around her. Found a simple resting place against her other side. Close to the hips, but only a suggestive distance to it, it was mainly against her softer side. As far as his memory remained clear, he had not struck her right side so it should not bring any pain to the female Messer. As he thought of that last name, brought a little more problems to bear in his mind. Though they seemed irrelevant. Kreig was a reasonable man - he ought not have any problems should anything more come from the theoretical ideas Markus was entertaining and nurturing.

"Oh? Soothing waters? You should buy me dinner first before you ask me to the baths." The grin on his lips a clear indicator that he understood what she meant. "But of course. And besides, I could use a warm bath to get some life back in these cold limbs- after we've tended to your injuries of course." There was a brief pause as he made sure he wasn't holding the woman too tightly. But she was a tough one and proud. The hesitation he had sensed before she accepted his help told him the latter. The former, was his assessment of the spar.

"Even after such a treatment, you would still be my squire?" He nodded impressed as a warm smile parted his lips and white teeth appeared. "You Messer's are made of tougher stuff than most." he chuckled and subconsciously he felt a twitch in his right hand. Leading the woman towards the fortress city. She had been smart, not ventured too far away from Syliras. They would soon be there between the cramped stone walls.

"Though I must say, I look forward to the day they knock on my door and tell me I have been assigned a pretty young Rachel Messer to be my squire at her request. Be it in a season or in a year when you feel ready. It matters not." - He would have shrugged to emphasize, but that would just knock her about as he leant on him.