Closed [Antinous Training Grounds] A Horrible Mistake.

[Archailist]

My Words | Your Words | My Thoughts

14th of Winter, 515.

"Remind me why I'm here?" The crimson knight, armoured in thick steel and fully-equipped with shield and spear pressed to his back with thick leather straps, wasn't pleased. It'd taken a lot of persuasion to pull Ser Iros out of his usual cycle of eating, sleeping and lifting weights; however Archailist knew that his patron was an essential addition to this meeting. Truth be told, he'd never felt so nervous about what should have been a completely normal battle. Alex seemed like someone who would really struggle however. Ball could be particularly... strict against people like him. Better to be safe than sorry.

"First of all, Alex wanted to meet you. Second of all, you've got super-fast reflexes so you'll be able to help me notice when something's gone wrong. Finally, if you step in with your shield and size, it should provide a little more defense when something goes wrong." Only after he'd finished his explanation did he notice he'd automatically said 'when something goes wrong' instead of 'if something goes wrong'. That didn't bode well. Even Ser Iros seemed to turn his head and glance down with a hint of concern in his steely gaze. At least what little of it he could see from under the visor of his heavy helm. "Now, did you manage to find Ser Greyheart and inform him of the small training session we wanted to have with his squire?"

"Yes, yes. I mentioned his squire, Alexander; he understood perfectly. I'm sure they'll be here in no time." As for Ball, Arch had slipped a small note under his door only asking that he meet in the Training Grounds for a new punching bag. Well, he needed to make sure the other squire was actually going to turn up, so no point trying to tell him from the get-go to go easy, not that it was Ball's style anyway. "Why are you so interested in being here, by the way? You never did mention." They might be patron and squire but Archailist was still on somewhat odd terms with his patron. In the near-year they'd spent together, the barriers of rank had somewhat dissolved. When needed, of course, he would almost always take orders from the knight. Otherwise, however? His private life was his own.

"And I won't now. Just stay with me and keep your eyes on the fight." They stood outside the entrance to the Training Grounds, just inside the shadow of the arch that led to the arenas. "Oh, and try to be nice for a change." The burly Akalak knocked the squirrel on the back with the butt of his spear for that snarky remark but otherwise remained silent. Archailist took that for affirmation. Never thought I'd even think this, but I'm gonna miss the guy when I become a knight. He might be annoying to the point of utter insanity but at least he's got a good sense of humour. Not to mention he makes things a little interesting.

[Alexander Faircroft]

1 bell before the arranged time. The day rolled around and Alex was already ready. Six fifteen in the morning. An early time to be up but Alex was under orders to meet his patron by the training ground at the eighth bell. Alex blinked the little sleep he had from his eyes shaking himself to wake. He’d gotten some replacement panels for the armour that Arch had cracked and warped. He could feel his confidence waking and draining out through his feet. He tied off his dagger and quiver around his waist, and the bastard sword he trained with around his hip. He could feel his arm shaking. As he slipped his bow over his shoulder. He attempted to steady himself. His teeth chattering as he tried to focus. He reached his hands up and gripped two of the sigils around his neck attempting to calm himself. Calm down, take a breath it’s going to be alright. Just don’t snap. Hold it in keep your anger contained. Keep the pain restrained. His breath snaked out of his moth slowly. The brisk morning air smacked his faceas he left the squire barracks. His footfalls heavy and unsure of himself normally he’d try and lighten them to ease the weight of the armour but something didn’t feel right. Something felt off. He could feel his hands shaking under the armour but it wasn’t the cold. A few chimes’ walk and he’d be at the training grounds. All the way there he kept doubting himself. Each thought about how he was going to mess up and how he was going to do something wrong and embarrass Ser Greyheart or Arch for setting this up. He could feel the cowardice in him begging him, urging him to flee to take flight and run the other way. Still he soldiered on. Marching towards a fate he couldn’t control. “Good morning.” A cheery yet firm voice called out to him Ser Sebastian Greyheart. A knight sergeant yet a man down to earth. “Look like you haven’t really been sleeping as usual." He caught a small stripe of knowledge too it. Ser Greyheart often know about Alex’s lack of sleep and as such was not one to bring up the reasons for it. He knew some of them all too well. “Good morning Ser. I take it you spoke to Ser Iros?” Alex inquired in his usual light soft and slightly airy tone. Alex’s hand fidgeted around the hilt of his bastard sword He wasn’t used to the weapon but as arch had proven it was something he was better using than not. “Alex calm your nerves.” Clearly Ser Greyheart had seen Alex’s hand shaking atop his sword. “It’ll be alright its better if you calm yourself now than fight with nerves, the more you doubt yourself the more likely you are to make a mistake. Deep breaths and the shaking will stop.” He was right. Alex stopped his mind racing and just focused on the events to come. Several deep breaths slow and controlled. His shaking stopped. 5 chimes before the scheduled time. “Right. Now things you need to know. Ser Iros is a bit of a headstrong guy. Just be your usual self and you should be alright.” Ser Greyheart hand pressed against his shoulder and half pushed him along with his own will up the flight of stairs to the training ground. Alex could still feel a small tremor in his hand. What did he have to be nervous about this was simple training right? As they reached the top of the stairs Alex faught sight of Arch and Ser Iros. Just reaching the edge of the grounds, an odd sight the little squirrel and the huge giant of a man. Alex and Sebastian stepped up. “Good to see you Ser Iros. And nice to meet you as well Squire Archailist. Alex told me how you assisted him the other day in learning something about tactics.” Giving him a small nod and brief smile he followed on. “He’s a good lad, a bit timid but hopefully that’ll change in time.” Clapping Alex on the shoulder he half pushed him forwards. Alex abruptly gave Ser Iros a bow small not fully down to his waist but low enough to notice it. “A Pleasure Ser.” Alex’s soft voice almost non-existent as he spoke. “I’m sorry to trouble you two, and thank you for this Arch. And Ser Iros I’m sorry for taking time out of your busy schedule I just wanted to see the Knight who helped Arch get where he is.” A small smile of courtesy and respect plied across Alex’s face. Trying his absolute best to disguise the nerves that wracked him, a small aver about him but a touch of determination holding in his eyes. Arch had mentioned Ball, another pycon squire that he said could help him in getting better at combat but, the fuss and ceremony had begun to set in that this guy really was as good as people gave him to be. A solid shiver of blinding fear ran down Alex’s spine now the entire situation had set in. He almost wanted to turn tail and bolt it away but that would disgrace his patron so heheld his ground. His inner coward screaming at him now to run. Please let me come out of this not too badly hurt... He dug his heels into his boots and in turn the ground.

[Ball]

Ball stared at the note, it took him a few ticks to really let the short, terse words sink into his nexus. There apparently was a new squire that Ball hasn't had the opportunity to punch and the Squirrel wanted him to meet him. It seemed a bit perplexing to the Pycon that he was actually being offered the opportunity, most squires heard of him and turned tail pretty quickly. This one though, something screamed at Ball that there was going to be a few more people there. Knights… Patrons. He frowned and whistled at Imass, “We got training to do it seems. Well… I have training to do, you just have sleeping or huffing or whatever the petch you do when I go and train.” Ball sighed and opened the door. It was good exercise for the fluffy little mount to get out in the grounds and run around some… Mostly though, he just laid there.

Once the door was open Ball mounted his faithful furry companion and started the slow process to get up to the training grounds, eventually though he made it. And sure enough, there were two knights and two squires: one he recognized as a fellow Pycon, the other… the other looked green as petch as scared. For the love of Sylir tell me I am facing them both. When he was close he hailed the red knight as well as the other one. There were too many of them to remember who was who, not that Ball cared really. Though he nodded at the squirrel shaped Pycon as well, “Punching bag?” He pointed at Alexander with a look of quizzical amusement on his one eye. Ball sighed and unmounted his shaggy dog and looked at his fellow squire, “I have no idea what you have been told. I don't really care either. You are wearing armour, surrounded by two knights and another squire. Something tells me I am completely going to regret this and leave here squished and in need of bedrest, or they are here to protect you. I am going to assume they are here for the your protection because...” Ball held up a hand and shoved the other in his stomach and remove the note, briefly muttering the words: punching bag, the time, and training grounds. Ball nodded and looked back up at the others, End judging from the lack of Ser Pycon around, I can only assume he couldn't be found. Meaning I am not in trouble… Yet.” Ball tossed the note aside and looked at Alex.

“I suggest you take your sword in hand and listen to them if they say something. Just remember, if I get between your weapon and your body. I cannot guarantee you will be safe. I can only assume that is why the two patrons are here as well.” This was the most Ball has ever said in regards to a fight, but Ball figured if the knights were here and on the Squirrel's request, it only meant that Ball's reputation far extends further outward than he expected. Ball turned from Alex and walked a bit away, giving his fellow squire a chance to prepare himself and assess the situation.

“Oh, and you get the first… Swing.” Ball nodded as he turned and looked up at Alexander, Imass the dog was already lying down beside Archailist, uncaring of the fight that is about to come before him.

Created goes to Euthisa

OOCI figured going old school post template for this one

[Archailist]

My Words | Your Words | My Thoughts

Thank Sylir the wait wasn't too long. Alex was the first to emerge from the staircase, with armour apparently either repaired or replaced since their previous battle. Following behind, a knight who he could only assume to be his patron by the firm grasp he had on the boy's shoulder. A sergeant, by the two swords at his collar. Mandatory respect made both squire and knight bow their heads in greeting. For now, Archailist took over speaking for the pair. Ser Iros seemed to have momentarily lost control over his own tongue; instead he was busy looking the young squire up, down, up again and down once more. "Yes, that's what I hoped as well. It's why I arranged this session." Alex looked nervous. "Hmm? Oh, it's no problem."

At first, when spoken to, Iros didn't seem to register the attention of two squires and a sergeant focused entirely on him. A good stamp on the foot brought his head down from the clouds, though. "O-Oh! Well, yes. Frankly, I'd come up here to see what all the fuss was about, when Squire Archailist told me about a new squire he'd met. And in all truth, I was.. expecting someone.. taller. Ser Greyheart, has your boy even seen a set of weights yet?" Of course he'd immediately turn back towards that, of all things. Then again, perhaps in the few talks they'd shared before today, his conversations on the subject of Alex had been a little.. exaggerative.

Not that it mattered. Ball was here too. He nodded back with a faint smile... and almost immediately had to resist the sudden urge to bury his head in both hands. "For petch's sake, you need to learn how to be more subtle." Sheesh, just because he was blunt in combat didn't mean he had to be so blunt outside of it as well. Ser Iros nudged Arch with the butt of his spear again but this time he wasn't paying attention. "We're not here as protection, we're here as observers." There was a small pause. "Although, yes, if things do get out of hand then I suppose we'll interject at some point." He wouldn't outright lie, that much he couldn't answer for. Before they could get out there to the fields, he took a moment to slide up next to Ball and try to down their conversation to a small whisper. Alex, his patron and Iros didn't need to hear after all.

"Look, Alex-- this squire, whatever. He's only recently come here and he's..." Archailist trailed off, waving his other hand in the air like he was trying to swat away invisible flies while finding the right words to describe Alex. "... he's in need of some serious life lessons, okay, is the best way that I can put it down. The only reason I'm here this time is.." he trailed off again but this time stifled himself and took a deep breath. "This is the first time I've seen you in combat since Nivel told us about Flux and I'm worried about you, just as I know Iros is worried about me. Or would be if I'd told him yet." Well, Iros technically didn't need to know what Archailist did or didn't know. He'd find out when Arch was ready. "We both know that one solid hit is going to break something. Flux isn't going to help. I'm not telling you to go easy on him. I'm just here to say when he's had enough."

That was about as much as he could offer, at that point. Once they were at their arena - a sandy plain, same as Alex's last battleground with Archailist - the squirrel-shaped statue backed away to the sidelines, along with Ball's mount and Ser Iros, who was busy rubbing a spot on the back of his neck. Known to none of them, he was activating his Evantia aura to focus on both Ball and Alexander. "My Sylir have mercy on us."

[Alexander Faircroft]

Alex mustered himself up trying to compare in even a shallow form of a knight. Even though he was trying still the chiding was getting to him and the semblance of structure he’d been holding himself with was failing at a rapid pace. Ser Iros’ comment dug into him and stung a little. Sure he wasn’t the strongest yet he was able to carry out what he needed. Still the eyes of Ser Iros cut into him like knives carving up a turkey looking for something to pick apart. The apparently didn’t have to cut too far to find something to pick at. At least arch seemed to be a little distant in his musings and wonderings as to where the other squire was. Half keeping his nose out of the conversation. Alex could almost feel the situation settling into one of tension and trepidation. A short time passed until a small dog bounded up the stairs and a smaller statue hopped off of it. Alex as a little surprised. At the fact a pycon could ride a dog. He’d have to take a small amount of time to file away. When the small pycon spoke he just called Alex two words. And those two set the tone of the entire event. “Punching bag.” Alex’s mind set all stations into full alert, his body now screaming at him to leave. If this was someone who was superior to Arch in terms of strength and not a knight Alex as terrified internally but Held a straight and passive face as best he could. His heart thumping a mile a chime. Taking a moment he tied to break away from the events and step into the field. This wasn’t going to end well. Alex took the bow from his shoulders and the belt from his waist and handed them to his patron. Pausing a moment he reached up to unfasten the leather strap with the wooden icons he wore around his neck. Tying it off again he handed that to Ser Greyheart too. “Please look after these for me. I don’t want them to get damaged.” He strained an honest smile and to act like he had confidence. Alex knowing now that pycons were less likely to be harmed by an edge than most he drew the blade at his side. Making sure to tie off the heater shield to his arm He wanted it secure and steady if nothing else. Lowering the tip of his blade he stepped into the open field of the training area or at least started to before the grip on his shoulder from Ser Greyheart tightened. “It’s not about winning or losing. Learn. No matter the outcome I won’t think less of you. A short time training against one of the longest serving squires we have. If something goes wrong I’m here. Just know that.” And with the concerned but fair words from his patron the fingers loosened as Alex fully stepped into the open space. Followed shortly after by ball. Aled nodded and gave a small bow of respect to the other squire. Alex lifted the shield infront of him emblazoned with a pair of wings and held his sword behind it, almost as if saying a prayer. Which he was. Lhex guide me. Yahal watch over me. Wysar guide my blade. And Priskil give me the hope that I walk out of this. With a slow exhale Alex brought his balde back lowering his stance keeping his shield between him and his smaller opponent. A calm innocence in his eyes held. A scene unfolded in his mind a moment in time when he truly felt helpless His grip tightened around the handle of the blade, beneath his gauntlets his knuckles flashed white. And a look of seething rage flooded him now. Taking the knowledge arch had imparted on him the other day. Treat this like real combat. Alright then. Alex stepped forwards, the days of prior training with this blade had given him a firmer sense of how to swing his sword and how to aim it. Still his skill was below basic he could at least try. And right now he didn’t care too much. If he was to treat this as real combat he’d step into this with the full mind set. He swung the blade low the tip of it skating the ground where ball stood. A single strike all he’d take towards ball if it hit he’d do the same as if it didn’t. Leaping back he’d raise his shield in front of him again peering over the top to keep his eyes on his quarry at all times. In real combat Alex shifted a little calling on an inner fire that he just didn’t have normally. The quiet airy timid boy shifted to a rage filled man. He may lose but he was going to prove that he was not going to go down easily. I’ll swing and I’ll fight till I cannot move any longer. The want me to fight for real i'll fight as i would in real battle. In the back of the training grounds Ser Greyheart had set Alex’s things down to one side and was simply watching the quiet timid boy he’d accepted shift. Resting his own hand on his sowrd and shield he stood as a silent sentinel watching the events closely to make sure that his squire didn’t get mangled nor that something happened to ball either, as unlikely as that was.

[Ball]

Ball waited for the squire to take up his sword and shield, giving him the necessary time to prepare himself for combat, Ball was already prepared so it only seemed fair. Ball studied him closely, the shield came up to protect his body, sword swung steadily from first an upward position then it shifted, almost gracefully so the blade was lowered close to the ground, tip gracing the sands, throwing up thin streams of puffs. It was in that moment Ball noticed something. This was a man that has never swung that sword in his entire life. He was going off of Ball's height alone. It was a smart move though. Ball knew this from experience that the first way to gauge their enemy was to use something they could physically see.

As the blade skated over the ground, leaving a line in it's wake as the tip grazed the sands Ball waited until it was close and pivoted so he was on the inside of the blade, it was almost too sudden to be noticed that it could have been seen as Ball being hit with the sword's edge. Ball's inner being shifted tightly, corkscrewing and twisting as he pivoted to the inside of Alex's weapon, tightening hard in his legs, building the tension needed to move forward in a speed that was unfathomable for his size.

As Alex jumped backwards Ball could be seen by the sidelining observers following the boy's backwards pedaling. The master of Pyken was doing what he needed to to make this spar fall in his control – close the gap. Ball knew as much as Archailist did that if they could close to the gap rapidly the end results was usually in their favour. The speed that Ball came out of the plume of sand was alarmingly quick. It wasn't speed from running, nor was it flux. No this was purely Ball's training in Pyken – The tension mentioned above in his legs released and Ball pushed forward using the extra force he released to propel faster. His direction was towards Alex, yet the shield was up, protecting his torso Ball knew his target locations were lower, but that sword was the problem. It gave the man the reach he just couldn't overtake right now. Not with that extra jump backwards.

Ball's speed dropped fast, the master rolled into the ground and bounced right back up, he was well within reach to strike, but instead he sat there seemingly stunned. Truth be told, Ball was a bit stunned, he wasn't sure what he was going to do at this point. That sword wasn't the only issue, this squire was given advice prior to the fight. I know I told him if I got inside of his range it was pretty much game over… But what else did he get told? He jumped backwards with the weapon extended. If I remove the obvious threat in this spar he becomes a sitting duck, if I go the way I am I become a sitting duck... He sat down in his confusion… His face screwed up in thought.

Created goes to Euthisa

[Alexander Faircroft]

Alex‘s swing skirted the edge of the ground as he swung. Sailing through the piercing it tracing it. He thought it connected with the smaller being but nothing no resistance he cut air. Still the leap back it appeared had been well timed. As the small being shot like a ballista at him but fell short thanks primarily to Alex’s back pedalling. Information! That’s what Ser Greyheart and Arch meant. Everything he learnt could be applied to any situation so he needed to keep all of it in check. Even the passing comment that if he smaller being got into his range it would spell disaster. Used that lump of jelly between your ears. Focus apply what you know. A passing comment from Ball and a recollection of the sheer amount of damage Arch did with a swing was suddenly brought to his mind. Keep that gap as big as you can boy. Use the shield if he gets too close. Arch pretty much cracked your chest plate with a single strike when he got in close. And shredded your thigh guards. His eyes followed ball but with the spray of sand from the motions they all took. He lost the small pycon in the whirling sands. A half tick later he caught sight of the small pycon cat down now partially covered by sand. Was this an ambush attack? Was it some ploy? Was he hiding simply to strike out at Alex at he Stepped around searching for the smaller pycon? Shifting his weight back onto his rear leg and using it as a brace he took another wide and low swing in a large arc. Wheeling the blade above his head at the end of the swing in an attempt to control the weight of the blade. Barely managing to hold onto the blade he brought it back to his side stepping backwards keeping ball at the tip of the sword his point of reference. Alex slid his hold on the blade back even further now granting him an extra inch or two of reach. Don’t fight with brawn fight with brain. Keep out of reach of him and he can’t hurt you. The accumulative reach of Alex with the sword as a total of almost his full height in distance. True he wasn't well versed with sword and shield fighting but it seemed that using his knowledge of events that had transpired. Alex then brought the sword back to rest on the edge of the shield peering over it. Keeping his arms in tight to his body but attempting to control a space much larger than himself. Don’t let him get close. Replaying over and over again in his mind. The squire was holding his ground but he didn’t know just how much stamina he was using swinging something that large and that heavy with one arm and with next to no practice with it. In the distance Ser Greyheart was watching closely A spark of pride begun to blossom for his young pupil. It seemed his words were finally starting to take hold in the young boy’s mind. He’d told Alex for the last forty days to open his mind and use that thirst for knowledge to help him fuel everything he did. Anything he learnt could help in any situation, especially combat. A small smirk crawled across his patron’s face. As Alex began to flip through any and all notes mentally. What else did he know? Well from watching how the pycon acted he could tell he was aggressive which showed in his statements. So he’d press the attack. Perhaps all Alex had to do was keep him at bay and expending energy until he wore himself out? Could it really be that easy? No there had to be a catch, there had to be something some piece of the puzzle that he was missing.

[Ball]

Ball watched finally seeing the situation as it truly was. That sword was the boy's lifeline currently. But he wasn't stable with it. Ball saw him trying to control the weight of the weapon as he swung it around his head, Ball was able to see the attempt to control the weapon, Ball rolled backwards away from the blade as it came down in a large arching swing. It was at this moment Ball stood, watching Alex as his body shifted into a more backward balanced stance. As Alex started to circle around Ball, the tip wavering slightly with each step Ball turned with him, watching the eyes that peered back at him from over that shield.

Both of Ball's hands rested as his side, calm and collected his facial expression held. There was a moment when the sword dipped towards the shield, stopping it from falling to the ground and Ball heard a soft sound of armour sliding down the sword's hilt. Giving himself slack? For another strike maybe? Ball tensed internally as he circled around, it was a lot easier for Ball to gain dizziness as he walked in such a tight circle than it was for Alexander who was sidestepping. That's when Ball noticed the issue in Alex's current stance. He was practically hugging the shield. Ball crouched down, scooping up sand into a small hand Ball gripped it tightly, grinding the grit into his clay before scooping up a second handful in his other hand and repeating the process. By applying sand to his clay Ball applied traction. Friction. Ball stepped forward, calmly.

With hands to his sides the Pycon rose them slowly to his front, “I am unarmed, yet you will not swing at me fully. I have no reach against your sword. How do you possibly think I can reach you at this moment? You are the one controlling this fight. Your reach is beyond mine, your shield is hardened steel protecting your torso large pycon child. You are the one that have me in your sights, do I scare you? Do I frighten you? Did Squirrel Pycon tell you stories? Make you worry you were facing some immensely powerful being? Did your patron give you a sense of fear before you stepping into the grounds?” Ball stood still as he smiled at Alexander. “Tell me… Do I scare you?”

Ball paused as he assessed the situation, “I shouldn't. I am small, made of clay. I can't jump as well as Squirrel Pycon over there. I don't have the reach like the big red pycon over there. Your patron over there. I don't have the skills to match his weaponry skills. You have the whole situation in your hands. Use it to your advantage. Use your strengths against your target. You have the reach, the steel. I have nothing… You read me? Nothing. I am three inches tall I have, without trying, an inch and a half at most reach. You understand that right? I have no reach whatsoever compared to yours.” Ball was hoping to give the new squire a sense of false security, hoping it would lead to a strike outward that would give Ball the weapon in his reach.

Created goes to Euthisa

OOCWe should wait for Archie to respond to our posts. I want to see what he says, if he calls out Ball's bluff lol

[Archailist]

My Words | Your Words | My Thoughts

Through it all, Arch remained still. Watching carefully with all five of his eyes, trying to run through his mind all the possibilities, the weak-points that either fighter could take advantage of. It's so lopsided. Every time he tried to turn around and look from a new angle, at the end of the day, there was just the same picture. His swings are noticeably sloppy. If I had my Py-Pole here I could counter them without too much trouble. But, the biggest question roaming through his head at that moment, was why Ball hadn't seemed to notice any of these things. Or, if he had, why he wasn't taking advantage of them? One good offensive push would have been more than enough to break through the space between man and weapon. The heater shield would be useful, if his opponent wasn't three inches tall and aiming straight for the legs. There was no doubt in his mind that one followed-through offensive move would have likely rendered Alex's defense into tiny shreds. So why wasn't he doing it?

Urgh. It wasn't a good idea at all to tell him that Alex was new. Ball must be toying with the poor lad. There was no other reason why he'd hesitate so often and keep a wide distance from a sword that could barely build up enough momentum to deal a reasonable blow. If Ball wanted to, he could likely punch the sword mid-swing and send the thing flying from Alex's hand.

At least Alex was making the most of the situation and keeping a good distance. "That's it." He wasn't talking to anyone but himself but it gave the Pycon a little bit more hope. "Keep back, sword down, tip ready. Don't worry about attacking--" He stalled mid-sentence. No reach? Ball was obviously laying down some serious bullshyke to try and convince Alex to open up. To lose all of his defense, all of his advantage and lose the spar. Here came the difficult choice; should he intervene here? He'd already told Alex about the values of deception and manipulation of the enemy. The whole reason of this exercise was to give Alex a lesson in the true workings of battle.. and true battles had plenty of deception in it. Mmf. It was truly a struggle.

But it was for Alex's good that Archailist kept his mouth firmly shut. Iros didn't catch that memo. "Stop talking and get fighting! Don't you dare listen to a word."

Well, silence was broken now. "Alex, don't listen to Ball and keep your defense up. He's got no range but he'll move fast to close the distance and knock you stone-cold." He took a deep breath and sighed it back out through his nose. "Keep your shield up and your sword low. If you give him any compassion you will live to regret it, that much I can promise you without a doubt." His words, shouted over to the other side of the arena, were meant for Alex alone, yet he shot Ball a glare as well. This isn't going easy on him. His accusational eyes, all five of them, soon turned back towards Alex again. Don't screw this up. By now, he didn't even know what he was hoping for anymore. Both of them needed a lesson or two, either way.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Alex’s mind was rushing past him a mile a chime, each thought coming and going at break neck speed as he watched the events before him unfold. He had the reach. He had distance. But that was entirely all he had. His short steps around ball were not meant to dizzy the small pycon but allow him room to retreat again and keep the distance that was his sole saving grace. Still he circled. Using the slow momentum of each step to give him more room to plan. The weight of the shield on his arm pulling at his shoulder, even more now that he had the weight of his blade resting atop it too. Still ball did little but turn with him. Not so much as a change of expression instead the small “man” leant down and scooped up some sand. What did he plan to do with that? Alex then was led to listen to the speech that ball had begun to cook up. Unarmed yet he wouldn’t take a full swing? No reach against the blade. No way to close the gap. Jibes and sneers to set his anger aflame. Alex’s free hand behind the shield opened and closed slowly out of visual range for any but him to see. Truth was the small pycon didn’t scare him, he terrified him. Recalling the events of just a moment Alex knew the small clay conspirator was lying through whatever constituted his teeth. “You lie. As I leapt back earlier you took off. You closed over half the gap between un in but an instant, had I not kept at range I feel strongly that I would already be defeated.” He airiness to his tone cut a firm voice called out now from behind the steel wall. There was still a solid shake to him as ball continued in his lecture. He had nothing. No advantage. Another lie. From the sheer fact that there was another squire and two knights here to look out for if anything happened. That coupled with the fact that Arch himself had told Alex that Ball was strong, not in a straightforward way but the simple manner in which he’d acted since he’d gotten here. And the two word phrase Ball used. “Punching bag.” Why not training dummy? Why those two exact words? Alex took a leap of faith and hoped that it meant that the small pycon before him didn’t need a weapon to be dangerous. The pycons own words. His reach was all he had. Alex had collected as much information as he needed to see through ball’s ruse. His circling around the small pycon gave him the briefest moment of glance at Ser Iros and arch. Within a moment after Alex’s own mind had pieced together the truth of the matter Arch spoke up. Bolting the truth into reality and securing it tight. Alex wasn’t sure what to do now. A stale mate had erupted between the two, and a war of attrition Alex was more like than naught to lose if for no other fact than he could feel his armour pulling his stamina out of him faster than he wanted. The shake in him was still there he could see his left hand almost vibrating behind the shield however that terror that need to flee had turned into the urge to fight. Give as good as you get boy. Alex toyed with the idea for a moment. If ball wanted to play on deception Alex could play that game. Since ball had arrived alex had done nothing to show exactly how he acted, perhaps this could have been a ruse the whole time? How as ball to know what Alex was truly like? Alex dropped the shield ever so slightly and instead of taking a broad arced sweep he took a long stab towards the pycon at the same time he slid his foot back ever so slightly increasing the gap between them to one where the sword wouldn’t quite reach the smaller pycon. He wasn’t intending to strike here but to test the waters. As he stepped back he hoped the smaller pycon would be distracted long enough by the tip of the blade to not notice Alex reaching to his belt for a secluded throwing knife with his shield arm. Hidden in case of emergency. If he’d gotten away with the pull of the knife he’d keep it hidden behind his shield using the blankness and hidden area of the shield he’d kept so close to his chest. As Alex landed he’s rest his sword resting atop his shield. Hoping all went well and he could still keep his intent hidden he attempted to quiet his mind. Surprise attacks only work once…After that the enemy will expect it. I want this to work but not to hit, I want him to worry about what other tricks I have hidden. Put some fear into him…Alex smiled behind the shield. Not one of malice but one of knowing that he held a possible thread of victory. Small and fragile but a glimmering glinting golden thread of hope. As much as he hoped the thread of hope could hold steady he calmed himself. A thread of hope was good but he didn’t have hold of it yet. He had no firm grasp on victory only a small possibility of one. Provided his plan hadn’t been dashed before it began. Then again he could only hope. I need to pick my moment. Wait until this is of the most value to reveal. And then capitalize as best you can.