Closed [Antinous Training Grounds] Proper Technique. (Alex) pt.2

[Garland]

Winter 38

Garland and Alex had spent the next few chimes relaxing by the fire, getting their tired fingers off the cold and warming their bodies before engaging in a little spar.

Garland was feeling warm and drowsy around the brazier, he was warming up a bit too much. He slapped his cheeks, forcing himself to stay up. "Right, Alex. We should start training unless our patrons catch us slacking off."

Garland got up and stretched, loosening up his joints and getting ready to practice. Garland looked over to the sparring area. The area had been cleared of snow by the squire before training.

Though the squires training there would have kicked away the snow before too long. Though there are a few other sparring areas here and there, some were intentionally left with snow, and even piled it up thicker than usual. These special sparring areas were used to get squires use to winter combat, where the ground was looser and more slippery.

The smarter squires used the snow as an advantage, kicking it up or throwing it at the opponent to blind them, or simply moving to a slippery area and let their opponent's clumsiness do the work for them.

But Garland wasn't going to cover that just yet. They were going to just tackle the basics and spar normally. "Come on, Alex. Let's get ready before I fall asleep again."

[Alexander Faircroft]

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

Alex rose from the fireside the cool air something he was used too but the warmth of the fire was nice none the less. Gripping his blade in his hand he whirled it around his body as he stood up testing the balance and with his shield on his left arm he watched Garland find another spot to set up his stance in. “We should probably, though it’s more likely your patron who’ll be here, Ser Greyheart is often busy as I mentioned so I doubt he’ll be turning up unannounced.” Alex smirked though heading over with Garland onto the stony floor. A ground terrain he had a little bit less practice in than on the loose earth or the sand. He lifted his shield in front of him and rested his blade atop the shield. A simple stance that gave excellent thrusting potential and great defensive potential. However Alex was still a complete novice with his blades at this point. And as such couldn’t fully utilize the stances benefits as he’d abruptly learnt in his fight with ball.

Alex stepped around garland as he spoke moving in a small circle saying to begin before he fell asleep again. “Well let’s hope I don’t accidentally knock you out then.” A smirk across his face as he took a jabbing thrust towards Garlands torso slipping a half back step as he did trying to use his longer reach to his advantage, and stay out of the range of his opponent. His shield braced tight against his body as he did so. Turning to the side as the strike followed through, whether it hit got deflected or just plain missed Alex would be almost fully out of range of any counter stroke from a fully stationary point.

“Let’s see if you’re as good with your sword as your patron said you were.” Alex had a half smirk on his face. He’d learnt the hard way from other squires that he fought taking advantage of everything that he could. His steps trailing around garland keeping distance and circling him using everything he had to his advantage if he could get some kind of leverage to his positioning he’d have a better time about dealing with this superior skilled opponent.

[Garland]

Garland was still half-asleep when they made it to the ring. He yawned a bit, trying desperately to push back his drowsiness.

"Gimmie a se-" Garland opened his eyes in the nick of time and dodged to the side, Alex's blade skimmed the surface of Garland's chest piece, adding another scratch to the already alarming number of scratch marks on the armor.

That woke him up, if anything. He held his shield up front, keeping his guard up and his blade behind him for heavy swings. "Right, time to wake up." He muttered to himself. Alex was already out of attack range.

If anything Alex moved fast. Garland glared behind his shield, and watched Alex circle him. He was trying to find a kink his defenses. Garland made sure to keep his shield aimed at Alex.

Garland then lunged forward, using his shield as a battering ram against Alex. Regardless if the ramming maneuver worked or not, Garland would follow up with a quick backhanded slash, aiming for Alex's sword arm.

Rushing in and wasting energy was what he was told not to do during a duel or a real fight, but he needed to get his blood flowing, not literally of course. He kept on the offensive for a few for quick jabs at Alex's armor.

He pulled back after after his miniture onslaught. He didn't want to overexert himself and waste his stamina. Pushing his shield up again, and taking a stance, planting his feet firmly on the ground to keep his balance and be harder to move.

"You're pretty good, Alex. Remember to keep a calm mind during a battle, passion and hot-headedness is good to keep you on your toes and all, but strategy wins battles, not how fast or strong you can swing your sword."

He stiffled a little laugh when he remembered his first days of training, recklessly rushing into his Patron's defenses, only to knocked back easily without even batting an eyelash.

[Alexander Faircroft]

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

With a great deal of surprise alex watched his blade slid across his sparring partners armour screeching as it did so. Alex’s one saving grade was his speed. And he could see that garland was going to be a much tougher adversary than most but somehow even now the pycons seemed worse. Alex just about managed to sink back into his form as Garland bull rushed him slamming his shield against his own planting his back foot alongside garland they clashed with a mighty ringing of steel against steel. Alex near skidded back from the sheer impact. His ears still ringing from the sheer noise. Only then did he notice Garland’s sword moving. He managed to lift his blade just in time to catch garland’s blade against the cross guard and the blade of his own sword.

Not even a moment after did Alex feel that this was a ruse as a mailed fist came slamming into his torso three times Had it not been for the steel that would have seriously hurt. Grunting lightly he pushed back against garland creating a gap between them again. Calling out after the assault Garland gave some advice he’d already figured out. Keep a level head and stay calm. He had a range advantage as usual however if garland could come in close there was a high chance that he could easily overcome his defences. Alex shifted his grip on his blade to allow two hands on the sword. One gripping the bottom part of the handle the other just below the guard. His arms now level and his shield blocking in front of him as he turned to the side. Lining up his potential swing he instead of closing in decided to fall back and gain some distance between them using a tactical retreat to gain an upper hand. With a sudden stop he’d turn and plant his feet shifting his entire torso into the weight of the swing aiming for Garland’s mid-section. If the strike hit he’d whirl the blade around trying to slip his grip a little between the strikes now wielding the sword in his left hand and slam the blade into garlands opposite side.

If the strike missed however he was likely to have put too much weight into the strike and throw himself a little off balance, in doing so he’d catch himself by widening his stance and try to pull his weight back into a more stable stance and footing. He was gambling on the fact that Garland would even follow after his tactical retreat to boot.

[Garland]

Garland saw that Alex started moving back and then started running away. It was viable tactic in a real fight to fight again another day, but this was just a spar.

He could be leading Garland to a trap, but what possible trap could he come up with, they're in an open area with no where to hide unless there's a trap in the ground. Garland couldn't see a reason for Alex to run except to maybe catch his breath.

If that was the case, there was no reason for Garland to not give chase, He followed closely, he had more experience with the heavy plate-mail and more experience running around. He caught up easily enough and was high on his heels, just when he was about to attack the running Alex, the taller squire turned suddenly and swung his sword heavily.

Garland blocked the sword in the nick of time with his shield. He thought he was safe and was about to counter=attack, but then Alex twirled and brought his sword back around from the other side. Garland couldn't block it with his shield, and he was too close to Alex to dodge back and the blade is coming in fast.

He did the only thing he could do to avoid the attack. He leaned back, almost going horizontal with only his legs supporting him. After the blade passed above his face,he fell on the ground and groaned, he was very glad he was much shorter than Alex and his height made his move possible, he pushed himself up and expected another attack with a shield or a fist or a kick.

Instead he saw Alex stumble after the attack and fought to keep his balance. Garland used this to his advantage and pushed himself forward as a battering ram again, though this time, if his attack hit he would then kick Alex's legs to try and trip him up.

If he missed or if Alex dodged he would have run passed him and his back would be open if Alex was fast enough to react.

[Alexander Faircroft]

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

The first blow connected, the full ringing and satisfaction of the strike was fully felt through his arms. As he drew back his strike changing his grip he followed through and cut air. The empty space from the force of the blow sending him spiralling around in place almost pirouetting. Struggling to regain his footing he could see garlands shield coming in like a tsunami coming to crash with the shore. Alex could feel his balance wasn’t perfect yet. Wobbling a little he shifted his weight as best he could. The shield slam knocked his weight of centre again and he felt another hard metal collide with his legs. He was falling.

Now something he was more than used too he tensed his back muscles upon impact keeping his form tight and his breath in him and shot out his arm with the shield throwing the weight of his arm and his shield into Garlands leg, the only one he was balancing on now. If this worked and he fell Alex would use the opportunity to stand back up and reset himself to a potential killing blow. If not. The Alex would be vulnerable. And he’d have to roll away from him before attempting to clamour back on to his feet again a distance away.

He was in a bad situation and he knew it and if garland did toon then Alex had all but lost this round. Had this been real combat he would have possibly died here, but his feints were a good choice an interesting thing to do and it worked. Perhaps he’d have to throw more of them into the mix in future. Still this was no time to ruminate on the possibilities. He had to get out of this bad situation and the only viable way was to knock garland down and get up or roll away and get up..,He preffered option one.

[Garland]

It looked liked it was over. Alex was down on the ground and Garland was ready to deal the final blow so to speak. What he didn't expect was Alex grabbing his leg and pulling him down to the ground.

Garland twisted a bit, to avoid crushing Alex by falling on top of him. Garland saw Alex stand up and get into a killing position. Garland rolled off to the left, and using the momentum of his rolls to push himself up from the cold ground.

Despite the snow and wind, Garland felt hot, his blood was flowing and his heart was pounding. Garland could tell Alex never had proper training with the sword, or at least minimal training, but he was smart, he wouldn't have pulled someone down on the ground while he was on the ground.

Garland would have rolled away, stood up and lose a good advantage. Alex was quite an opponent, Garland usually overpowered an opponent or threw feints to quickly end a match. Alex, while falling for his feints, was smart enough to compensate, changing his tactic, and trying to find an advantage with whatever card he was dealt.

Garland was little bit scared of Alex if he actually learned how to use a sword. Garland had rolled away a considerable distance. Time to do a little trick he had used on Arch a long time ago.

Garland held up his shield, looking like he was defending, he stepped forward a bit, slowly closing the distance. He was carefully unstrapping his shield from his arm as he drew closer.

When he was close enough, he dropped his shield and grabbed it by the edge. He pulled back and threw it straight at Alex. It didn't matter if Alex dodged it or get hit, as soon as Garland's shield left his hand, he would run after it, and front kick Alex before running to his shield.

Though without his shield Alex could use Garland's shieldlessness to his advantage and attack Garland, making him defend with his sword instead of running to his shield or kicking him.

[Alexander Faircroft]

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

Great-sword cost 50gm – will minus from ledger upon completion of thread grading
-----

Alex had gained ground and knocked his opponent to the floor. Success training on the loose surfaces had given him a grasp of how to use the ground to advance. He’d regained his feet and placed hiss word atop his shield again. Holding his stance above garland however as he managed to get to his feet garland had already rolled away. Damn… Alex managed to regain his footing and his stance. Used to his armour by this point he could feel the weight wasn’t much of a problem any more and as such he could feel his usual speed returning. As garland managed to stand up a distance away normally the voice in his head which had been put there by Arch and Ball and Greyheart all told him to push forwards and hold onto the advantage. Still this was only a spar but those nagging voices ate at him.

Letting garland get up he watched Garland unstrap his shield and step towards him slowly. A small glint in his eye and something about him seemed a little off. Alex was then almost blindsided by what happened next. Garland tossed his shield at him, lifting his arm quickly he knocked it aside and then he felt the boot of Garland hit him square in the gut and send him sprawling back. Alex felt his blade fall from his grip at the strength of the blow and skid back several feet. Coughing hard and trying to drink down air he looked at his empty hand. Damn…Time to use a weapon I’m even less versed with… Alex unstrapped the shield on his arm hoping that Garland would give him the same courtesy that Alex had shown him. Tossing his shield to the side unlike Garland throwing it as a distraction. Instead he went for shock factor. Reaching for the long grey bladed sword across his back he pulled the great-sword from it’s sheath. The blade glinting in the light with a dull grey edge unlike the shine of his Bastard-sword.

He’d bought the sword earlier on the day, he’d used a metal cored training blade against ball earlier in the season and found that he liked the weight and heft of the blade as a last resort. Whirling the blade around his head for a show that he could control it, if only just he sought to unnerve Garland slightly with a six foot blade before the foot of handle was added in. he held the blade in two hands angling it downwards and across his body from the front his right arm bent to brace the weapon and his left raised high.

He closed in on Garland now taking a strong step in with his right foot and swinging his whole body with the weight of the blade intending to knock the sword from his hands. If the swing missed he would be wide open for a solid two ticks whilst he got the blade under control again. If he connected the strike was going to hurt like nobody’s business. If garland blocked that was a lot of force enacting on the blade he blocked with.

[Garland]

Garland had gotten his shield back and strapped it back on his arm. He watched Alex as he fell gasped on the ground, he may have kicked a bit too hard.

Alex had been weighed down by how much stuff he was carrying. He had the usually armor the squires were given, a pretty heavy sword and shield, and a huge blade on his back. It wasn't like anybody was going to steal it with so many knights and squire about, he could just leave it anywhere, it was just weighing him down at this point.

Garland was about to go in and finish the job, but Alex stood up once more, his sword had been knocked out of his hand and Garland thought that Alex would make a beeline for his sword.

Garland had completely forgotten about the huge greatsword strapped on Alex's back. When Alex pulled it out, Garland paused in his tracks and stepped back. He should have been more careful and took everything into consideration.

When Alex stepped closer and swung his large sword at Garland, he had no place to dodge, he had no time to dodge back, and ducking would leave him vulnerable to a kick to the face, leaning back under the blade like before was not an option either, he lucked out by Alex losing his balance and not having time to place his blade at Garland's throat while he was down, he couldn't risk it again.

Instead he raised up his shield to block it, as the blade connected with his shield, Garland felt the force rock him to the core and made him stumble ever so slightly.

Garland had recovered quickly enough from the attack, he had more experience recovering from getting his arse handed to him whenever he was training. He was close enough to knock Alex back with his shield and then follow up with a boot to the chest.

They were near the edge of the training area and there was a bit of shrubbery scattered about, it seemed that there was some rustling coming from the thick bushes.

[Alexander Faircroft]

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

As Alex drew the massive blade from his back garland had replaced his shield. The pair of them were giving each other too much leeway. Still he caught the minor tremble in his steps, and the half step back. Clearly Garland hadn’t been prepared for him to draw a blade of this size. Alex had advanced in the meantime. The moment his heavier thicker blade made contact he was certain the blade would be knocked from garlands hands. He hadn’t move instead he’d lifted his shield and blocked it. Still he watched the sheer weight and power of the strike send him stumbling back. The strike had connected but Garland was battle hardened. A man who could take and give blows. He’d earnt a great deal of Alex’s respect the whole fight but none more so than in the moment where he took a blow from a sword that big and barely budged.

The shunt back on his blade made Alex take a step and a half back controlling the weight of the great-sword. He then watched a similar motion to one garland had used before lifting his foot to kick at Alex’s chest before. The same move wasn’t going to work twice. And Alex let the kick come up and side stepped it. Twisting with the motion following through and using it to strike out at garland as he kicked forwards. Nothing fancy nor flashy but the bare bones basics. Pushing his full weight into the blow if this strike missed he’d go fully with the blade into the trees nearby. Only then part way through his attack did he catch a small rustle of bushes and a soft giggle coming from them.

His footing slipped and instead of going for a torso strike like he planned the blade dipped lower aiming at Garland’s leg fully intending to not hurt him he loosened his grip on the blade slightly allowing it to turn to the flat. If the blade hit odds were it’d send him sprawling onto the floor if it missed he’d be flung far off to the side form the heft of the sword. And be wide open for any strike garland wanted to try and land.