[Flashback]Between Squires[Dimitri]

[Markus Andres]

Markus was very surprised to find his blade swinging through the air. He really hadn't expected the enemy to managed to get out of that situation. But Markus, ever the opportunist and always confronting the odds in combat, didn't do the wise thing and disengage and instead tried something very dangerous. Markus leaped. Pushing almost 250 pounds worth of flesh, bone and metal into the air is no easy feat. But to Markus, who had a well-trained body supported by adrenalin, it seemed like nothing. Those 250 pounds would be directed at the tower shield. Intending to knock it aside opening him up for a follow up. The squire's sword would hit Markus', now conveniently well-placed, shield. Markus' right arm would whip out, aiming the pommel of his bastard sword at his enemy's helmet.

[Dimitri]

Dimitri saw the large armored man flying towards him. A very dangerous, risky move. A move that appeared as if it were going to succeed. Dimitri caught the force on his shield and driven down to one knee. His sword clattered uselessly off the man's shield. Dimitri tried to fight the heavy weight and momentum but knew it was futile. Then a heavy thud smashed into his helmet. His helmet skewed away but the damage had been done. Dimitri was beginning to see spots, his vision blurring, no sure how much longer he could hang on.

Having been struck in the head, his resistance beneath the shield gave out, and his torso fell backwards hard, the back of his head smacking of his grounded helmet, causing his vision to blacken. Coherent thought was lost, but the last one he had was that maybe the momentum carried the man through and over him. He could barely feel anything, see anything, his world blackening around him, his head throbbing hard. He made one last attempt at offense. He stabbed up and over his head, trying to hit something, if anything. His sword struck something, could be dirt for all he knew, and his strength fled. His shield fell to his chest, his sword arm struck the ground, and the last thing he saw was the blinding sun, as he slipped into unconsciousness.

[Markus Andres]

Markus turned to see the man go down. Wondering if he had put too much power into his strike. Wondering if he had perhaps killed the man. Markus fear went away, or rather, was replaced when the squire out of nowhere stabbed a sword in his direction. It was the last thing Markus had expected and he couldn't get his shield up in time to stop the tip from hitting his left shoulder and screech across the metal protecting him, leaving a long mark. Markus jumped a foot back in sheer surprise. "By Tyveth, that was close." Markus uttered under his breath. "Well fought brother." He watched the squire lie unmoving. The lack of a response. The general unmoving squire made Markus very worried. Markus dropped both shield and sword and ran over to the downed knight. He began to remove the squire's helmet. His eyes were closed. But he seemed to still be breathing. Which calmed Markus down a lot, that meant he hadn't killed him, at least. "Hey!" Markus shook the squire to get his higher brain functions back again. "Wake up!" He looked around for a first aid kit. Perhaps there was something in there he could use to wake the squire up faster. Or he could try the tried and tested method his master often used. Slapping him. Markus five flat fingers went across the unconscious squire's face. "Get up."

[Dimitri]

Dimitri felt something strike his face. He could hear something, as if spoken through a storm, so distant. The world was still black, but something was coming into view. A speck of light, so small he barely noticed it. It moved in closer, as if Dimitri were walking down a dark tunnel toward light. He continued toward it, the light growing bigger and brighter. He was nearing the light, trying to embrace it. He rushed from the darkness and was blinded by the light.

Dimitri's eyes fluttered open. He saw his opponent staring down at him, appearing quite worried. His head was throbbing with pain. He reached back and felt the hair on the back of his head. It was warm and damp. His skull still felt like one solid piece. He brought his fingers forward, noticing the small amount of blood. He figured the skin had broke but his head had not. He nodded at the other squire and muttered his thanks as he began to rise to a sitting position. His vision was still slightly blurred, but he shook it off. He grabbed his sword and shield and used them to pull himself to a standing position.

He checked his faculties, his strength. He figured he could still fight, so long as he didn't get hit in the head any more. He stretched quickly, then turned to his fellow squire, crouching into a defensive position. He gestured at the squire's own sword and shield. "Two hits to one, your lead, don't count me out yet. Pick up your pride and your honor. This fight isn't done"

[Markus Andres]

Markus let out a sigh of relief when his opponent woke up. Markus noticed the blood on the squire's fingers. Markus stepped away from the squire when he started getting up. "Are you sure you should get up?" The squire used his sword and shield to get up and checked his body. Or so it seemed at least. Then to Markus' admiration and surprise. Told Markus to continue the fight. Markus, who had a bit more sense in his head, and didn't have a brain rattled by his own helmet, sheathed his blade. Disregarding the mention of his pride and honor. His pride was alright, as he had knocked his opponent out and his honor told him to not fight a wounded man. "Listen, the spar is over." Markus said with an authoritative voice. "Get your wound checked and when you're healed. I will be happy to spar with you again."

[Dimitri]

Dimitri held in his anger. This fight was not over yet. He gripped his sword tightly until his fingers hurt and knuckles whitened. He wouldn't attack out of anger nor provoke his opponent but he longed to revel in their dance of blades. His head throbbed, the duet of squires would alleviate that, temporarily at least. He was dizzy, but he struggled to fight it. He ground his teeth, the edges of his vision blurring. It was like staring down a tunnel at the other squire. He saw the other squire mouth words but couldn't hear them.

He took an uneasy step toward the squire, to try to convince him to continue the fight. It shouldn't end like this, they could finish like men. He took another step forward his whole body shaking from the effort. He could no longer feel his body, the blurred edges of his vision turning black. He ignored this, totally focused on convincing his opponent. He reached out with his arm slowly, not realizing he still held his sword.

A searing pain shot into his hand, forcing him to drop his blade into the dust. He turned slowly, his dimming vision narrowing onto the face of Master Adamal. He appeared to be speaking to him, but still Dimitri heard nothing. His master was frowning, then flashed a quick smile and ducked under Dimitri's shoulder. Dimitri felt himself lead from the practice field before his world went black, and he once more drifted into unconsciousness. Adamal thanked Markus for the spar and told him he would take care of the stubborn squire.

[Archon]

Illumination of Development Markus Andres +5 Bastard Sword +4 Shield +2 Tactics +2 Bodybuilding +1 Running Lores: Using an opponent's strength against them, Know your strength, A slap counts as first aid Care to see more? : Lots of Bastard Sword, Shield, and Tactics experience for your work in the spar, and some Bodybuilding and Running for your warm up. Dimitri +5 Tower Shield +4 1-Handed Longsword +2 Tactics +1 Running Lores: Spinning Defense, Dealing with a head strike, Never giving up Care to see more? : Most experience is with your Tower Shield for your focus on it during the fight, and of course Longsword and Tactics for the spar as well. A little bit of Running for your pre-spar workout. Notes:A very action packed spar, with good creativity from both of you. Occasionally a little hard to follow the action, but such is the nature of trying to write out complex combat. PS(Dimitri: 1 – Jaelyn: 0 – Markus: 1)