Closed [Antinous Training Grounds]Getting Hammered(Blaise)

[Alexander Faircroft]

22nd Winter 515AV

8:08 AM

A brisk and early start. Alex has been awake for almost a two bells prior his mind preparing him for what lay ahead today. The calm pall that was set out by the soft crest of Syna over the city was abruptly shattered by the feeling of him wanting to back out as usual. Still he steeled himself. You can do this, why else would he ask you to go to training with a knight? Get it together and man up. Step out there with pride and show them what you can do. Yeah right the first chance you get to stand up you’re going to crumple like a slice of wet bread. Alex shook his head back and forth. He was going through with this and he was going to make a good impression. One way or another he was going to leave his mark today. For or for worse.

A short brisk walk had brought Alex from the quartermasters requisition hall to the training grounds. A slow feeling of anxiety began to build in him as the squire climbed the stairs of the training grounds, the echo of steel against the rock foot wells a nice respite. As Alex peered over the top of the stone landing he saw the knight before him. Ser Greyheart his patron and friend had asked him to train with a Ser Stalinsa. He would give him a defined look at how one fought with raw strength as opposed to technique like his patron was teaching him too. Still Alex thought to himself the borrowed shield on his arm and bastard sword at his hip. What was the worst thing that could happen? As if to answer him a chill wind whipped up sending a shiver down his spine. As if the gods themselves were warning him about this. Still he gripped the blade at his hip tightly. He’d been warned to borrow some training weapons for this bout just in case something happened to his own.

Stepping onto the familiar grounds now the soft shifting sands to his right, and the loose and moistened earth to his left. A small grove of trees just beyond. He stood opposite the knight on the solid stone floor. His right hand gripped around the weathered training bastard sword a dull edge but still real steel. He took a small bow a sign of respect for the knight before him. Showing the great sword he had strapped to his back. The dull edged blade occupying the slot his bow usually did, that too was borrowed for training purposes.
“Ser. I’ve come at my patron Sergeant Knight Greyheart request to train with you.” Finishing his statement in his usual soft tone he rose again slowly. An earnest look on his face. He whirled the training blade back and forth across his front to get used to the weight and the feel of a different blades construction and swing arc.

Finally he came to his usual stance the dented and battered heater shield over his left arm, pulled tight against his frame. His sword resting atop the upper edge as his eyes peered over the lip of the shield to watch his training partner, and instructor. As a sign of respect for his instructor he simply waited and watched allowing him the first move and the first point of instruction to come thorough obscured.

[Blaise Stalinsa]

Normally Blaise was one to sleep in well past the first rays of Syna's presence in the morning. Never being on for early mornings, sleeping in was one of the perks he greatly enjoyed about his rank of Knight. But not this morning, this morning Blaise was up as the last light of Leth's domain fell from the sky and just before the dawn rose. On this morning, Blaise was requested by Sergeant Knight Sebastian Greyheart to train his young squire in martial combat due to Blaise having a more 'unique fighting style' compared to Greyheart or so he was told. So Blaise found himself in the training field at this early bell. Outfitted in his training armor, along with his hammer designed for sparring combat. This hammer did not have the striking grooves nor is it as heavy, it is just a basic and rough hammer. It could still break bones and leave some nasty bruises but would not break anything too important or kill, hopefully. Taking a sip, with a face of disgust, from the coffee he had gotten himself on his way to the field to help wake him up. Blaise truly hated the taste of coffee, but it was the only thing in all the land that could truly wake him up at this early hour. Blaise waited for the squire, taking more sips from the coffee. With each one the same face of disgust was made and eventually the mug was empty and the Knight put it down, glad to have the disgusting beverage to be done and him to be awake. Only a few more chimes passed before Blaise was graced with the presence of the squire. Ser Greyheart had told him the name of his squire, but to be honest Blaise did not remember it. The squire approached him, bowed, and then spoke, "Ser. I’ve come at my patron Sergeant Knight Greyheart request to train with you.” with a soft voice. The squire rose from his bow and proceeded a few paces away and begun to warm his muscles up by spinning his sword in a manner only one so young would do. "Aye, Ser Greyheart spoke to me just yesterday about you sparring with me. I agreed, as it has been a few weeks since I have sparred with anyone. Whenever you are ready squire, we will begin." Blaise advised the Knight-to-be in his loud and strong speech. After a few more chimes, the squire took a position that appeared to be him ready for the sparring session to begin. Blaise, placed his training helmet on his head, tightened his armored gauntlets, and then hefted his hammer into his hands. Blaise shifted his feet, noticing the squire appeared to be uncomfortable with the shield in his off hand and knew this is where he would focus his attack. As the elder knight approached with hammer at the ready, the squire responded but yet held his ground. Not attacking but waiting. This would be the squires first lesson, to attack when you hold the advantage and with this thought, Blaise raised his hammer over his head and unleashed a powerful overhead stroke to begin the duel.

[Alexander Faircroft]

The chilled wind slithered past the two. Alex stood waiting calm still. Ser Stalinsa gave up a valuable piece of knowledge willingly. He had not trained with anyone for weeks. This was possibly valuable information. Alex was ready, he’d been prepared and ready to strike for the last two hours. H was mentally ready but was he physically? Watching the Knight sink into his own fighting style. The Warhammer hefted in both hands. A heavy weapon designed for cracking open knights in plate…Now I see why he wanted me to train with Ser stalinsa…If I get hit by that I’m going to be opened like a cheap tunic. Still the older man began to close the gap. Something about him let off the cool aura of him knowing combat. The sternness and volume of his voice. Vastly different to Alex’s own.

Closing that gap was the longest few ticks, Alex’s mind flew off in a hundred different directions thinking of ways to attack. But he knew in the back of his mind that he would only get away with the barest essentials. The simplest swings. As he refocused Ser Stalinsa was already in front of him hammer hoisted high and ready to come down like a wrathful god’s judgement. The sound of impact reverberated through the partially empty grounds Alex had only just managed to step out of the way if the head of the hammer had been a little larger odds were it would have probably broken his foot. A flash of shock spread across Alex’s face. If he’d taken that strike head on…He’d probably still be able to hear his ears ringing from the strike.

Having stepped to the side almost unintentionally…Perhaps the other knights and weapon masters had been instructing him in the right direction. He stepped in with his shielded side. Flipping the blade resting against the shield over instead of the back of his hand glinting the dull clouds of the sky the fingers of his mailed hand now glanced skywards. Alex had stepped into the shield taking his masters advice he brought the edge of the blade around following the strike through his hips. Still this was a word not entirely suited for single or double handed strikes never the less Alex twisted his body through with it. Hoping praying that it would connect and leave a good impression if nothing else. Still Whether or not he connected was the major factor because if he did he’d shift backwards and put some distance between him and Ser Stalinsa again. If he didn’t connect than he’d be more or less left wide open not fully attuned to the weight of this sword yet and not fully knowledgeable about this type of strike yet.

Still it was a gamble and big risks often had big rewards. Still Alex tried to keep his mind alert for any possible fragment of information he could find that would give him an upper hand in this. Anything to help him know what to do or where to angle the next blow. Anything that would help him build some momentum against his opponent. Remember Alex…All battles are primarily fought on information. Use what he’s telling you. Twist his power into his down fall. Use anything you can to get the upper hand. Shaking off the last comment, anything could mean some pretty unsavoury things. And given where he’d been born and primarily raised…He wasn’t about to stoop to such dishonourable methods.

[Blaise Stalinsa]

Blaise's eyes never left the young squire as his hammer swung missed its target. The only sign of frustration that passed over the knight was a clinched jaw. This little squire may end up being more of a challenge than Blaise first expected. Blaise's unique fighting style relied on aggression, strength, and power. This squire would learn, if Blaise gets his way, what happens when you fight an opponent that uses their size and power to their advantage. The older man's musing were interrupted as the squire made his first move to strike him. One of the advantages to being a seasoned knight, was the ability to process combat in what could a 'slow motion'. He watched the trainee step forward, leading with his shield and following with a stroke coming from his right side and level with Blaise's belt line. The squire's form was top of the line. Blaise would need to remember to pass his praise on Alexander's form to Ser Greyheart. But for now he needed to block this strike, but how was the question. If Blaise was using his true hammer he would have no problem using the shaft of the weapon to block this strike. But he is using a training hammer, which could end up being cut in half and then he would be weaponless and be the joke of his company for losing his weapon to a squire, he was unsure. He could attempt to defect the strike using his bracers on his arms, this idea appealed a little more but still would set a bad example to the squire. 'Oh well.' Blaise thought. With his hammer still towards the ground, Blaise released his right hand from grip of the weapon. Curling his arm towards his and rotating it at the joint where his forearm meets his upper arm, the steel armor of his forearm, connected against the lower flat side of the sword. As the Blaise's motion continue, it drove the blade's cutting arc up put the tip of the blade just out of reach of the knight's armored shoulder. With this cut no longer a threat, Blaise needed to go back on the attack. To keep this squire on his heel and keep him from being about to use his speed and quickness to the full advantage, that he may or may not know he has. With sweat dripping down his face, the heavily armored knight pushed forward. With the squires sword strike missing. It through him off balance, the momentum of the swing along with using his shield arm to more force behind the blow, it left him open to a counterattack. With Alex's right side perfectly exposed, the mentor decided to teach an important lesson... the hard way. Not able to get a good strike off with the hammer, plus not wanting to break any of the squire's ribs. Blaise took another approach, turning slight to square up to his opponent and using the momentum he gain with blocking the strike with his right arm. The knight planted is right leg firmly in the ground and swung his left leg forward in a straight kick aiming him foot right above Alex's kidney on his right side.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

Alex had avoided the blow and his own was making head way towards Ser Stalinsa. A swift swing with a firm plant but what he didn’t expect was the simplistic and almost childlike ease with which ser Stalinsa parried his strike. His forearm clipped the flat of the blade and knocked his strike off course. Ser Stalinsa was showing what Ser Greyheart had recommended him for. Pure power. If it had been a weaker opponent Alex’s strike would have sailed on but the sheer raw strength of this man sent the blade flying with but a single tap. It made Alex worry what exactly he could do with a steel war-hammer. Thanking all of his gods that Ser Stalinsa had chosen to use a wooden hammer.

The reprisal came swiftly and with more force than Alex had expected. Ser Stalinsa’s left leg had found purchase on Alex’s armoured torso. Despite the steel plating and the padding beneath Alex was sent reeling back. Taking a few steps to mitigate the damage and regain his footing if not his stance. He coughed hard sending a puff of steam into the frigid air. Alex reset his stance grunting hard at the pain now burning in his right side. That was going to sting in the morning even more so than now. Alex grit his teeth and twisted his heel. Hissing out another breath thanks to the pain he reset his stance in the brief pause. Alex rolled his fingers along his blade, his mind now fully registering the power of Ser Stalinsa. Alex began to circle around him, hoping to use the constant motion and lack of motion from him to confuse him.

Once Alex had a point on his side Alex closed the gap leading in with a reeled back sword he’d shifted his blade up to in line with his body as he tried to connect with a frim shield bash. Even if the shield bash didn’t work Alex would then be in prime position to turn his body back and strike with a quick slash of his sword across Ser Stalinsa’s armour. He wanted to let him know that he fought with a technique, a precision. That raw strength would do him no good. And right now it seemed that Ser Stalinsa had more than just power, he had fore thought that Alex hadn’t quite yet learnt. Something he hoped he’d pick up in time, and from various sources.