[Imperial Citadel] Wielding a dagger is a dangerous thing (Grodyn)

[Veleraen]

Brightenings 21 thru 30 of Ioannes, Summer of Era XIII


The brightening was quite young as the rays of the sun had barely been able to peek through the edge of the horizon before Veleraen had gotten up from his slumber. The giant was an early waker as it had been nailed into his head from the brightening he joined the Veldar Elite that an early waker was not taken by surprise by the enemy. And so Veleraen never did wake up any later than the sun rise as it was now a force of habit.

The guards at the gates to the Imperial Citadel had just begun a shift change before Grodyn was to arrive as the brightening shift was on to carry on the duty of the night watch. Veleraen had instructed both shifts of Grodyn's arrival and that he was to be let through with no hassle as the young man was to be the Knight's trainee for the next cycle before the adventure to the isle.

In a large courtyard outside the citadel itself near one of the training courtyards was a large white tent that most people saw when leaving and entering the citadel itself. It was the home of the Giant Knight, Sir Veleraen and his bond mate Hakan. Veleraen had spent most of his military career living in a tent as there was no other real place for him to stay due to his stature. It however gave him a copious amount of privacy that a regular soldier would not enjoy in a barracks and to this Veleraen praised Aslan that it would not change.

Stretching and getting into uniform, Veleraen arose from his cot filled with renewed energy in that he was taking on the first student of his career as a Knight. He hadn't taught anyone before, but if it was going to be like anything in his learning experiences, he knew it would be rough for the young Grodyn ben Putin.

[Grodyn ben Putin]

ooc Argh! I had written an extensive reply earlier today, but must not have hit submit before i logged off....oh well, here we go again


Grodyn awoke well before dawn, guessing atleast 1 more candlemark before the sun were to rise. He was slightly chilled, and noticed that his small fire had burned itself out sometime during the night. He sat upright and looked about for Zekar, and saw the horse a short way off, calmly nibbling on the grass. Grodyn knew the horse couldn't get far, with the rope hobbles bound about his pasterns.

As the predawn light illuminated the field, Grodyn wrinkled his nose in disappointment. With the fire out, there would be no warm meal to break his fast. With that, he climbed from his bedroll and stretched. It was going to be a lovely day. That was one of the reasons he loved camping outside the city walls, instead of getting a room in the city. That, and he had little coin.

He quickly gathered his belongings, and readied Zekar for riding. He was filled with anticipation for what the day was to hold for him. He was nervous that he might not be able to impress the giant, and impressing that great warrior was formost in Grodyn's mind. He had to make sure that he got involved in this adventure. He had to make sure that he never, ever went home again.

Grodyn took a long sip from his waterskin, and when his thirst was sated, he held the skin to Zekar's muzzle. The stallion, with practiced ease, gripped the waterskin in his thick lips and lifted his thick neck high into the air, the cool liquid filling his mouth.

"Don't drink it all, you pig!" Grodyn admonished the big stallion, and fumbled for the skin. He chuckled as he retrieved it and tied it back onto the saddle, where he normally kept it. He then pulled some dried fish from his saddle bag and started to eat as he pulled himself up onto the horse.

It did not take very long for Zekar and his rider to cross the distance to the Citadel Gates. As he approached, he noticed two guards step out and position themselves in his path. He reached into his pocket and produced the visa, which he handed to the lead guard.

The guard looked carefully at the visa, then handed it back to the young man. "You are expected, Sir. Go on in. Look for a large white tent. That is where you are wanted."

Grodyn nodded. "Thank you." He then pressed his knees into Zekar's flanks, urging the horse ahead. Today, Grodyn thought to himself, today your life changes forever.

[Veleraen]

OOC: Hehe, no worries, good post


The giant had been waiting for the young by his tent and as he saw the horse and Grodyn upon the back of the fine beast, Veleraen smiled and was relieved that the young one did not arrive late or not arrive at all. It was probably one of the more disappointing things to expect: Not having a student arrive at all due to a lack of respect or disregarding such a generous offer. Committing a cycle of one's time and effort was somewhat demanding to any soldier trying to teach the art of war. Hopefully Grodyn would not be a waste of such an effort.

"Ah Mister ben Putin, glad you could make it." The deep gutteral voice of the giant resounding off the courtyard walls around them.

"Please, hitch your horse and we shall begin." Veleraen withdrew his giant sized dagger from his sheath. To Grodyn it would've almost looked like a longsword due to the fact that the blade was much bigger, but to Veleraen it was a dagger. After taking one look at the blade of the weapon as the faint light of the morning sky danced upon it, Veleraen sheathed it once again and looked at the young human.

"I have only a few rules as a condition to me teaching you how to use a dagger, Mister ben Putin. First off, you must address me as Sir Veleraen at all times. It is a tradition and common courtesy among the Knights and I wish to uphold that. Second, know that I teach you these lessons not for material wealth but for the greater good of the expedition coming up, so I ask that you arrive on time like you have this brightening for the rest of the cycle. Understood?" Veleraen stretched his arms slightly as he adjusted his shoulders, leaning forward and making his shoulders go back as he got a little limber. Stretching his legs and arms, the Giant instructed Grodyn to do the same as he watched the young man warm up.

"In battle, cold muscles and slow feet will get you killed. I want you to do three laps around the courtyard and then we shall begin once you are fully warmed up." Veleraen had a rigorous training planned for the young man. The giant had gone through almost the exact same training in the Veldar Elite, one of the most prestigous military outfits in all of the Empire. Now it was time to pass down that knowledge.

[Grodyn ben Putin]

"Yes, Sir Valeraen, I understand." Grodyn listened to the giant's rules. He would need to listen carefully if he was going to continue here. The giant had the same air of respect that his father had, and, though he hated to admit it, it made him feel better, and even miss his father somewhat at this moment.

Grodyn limbered up, as instructed, stretching his muscles. When he was done, he listened as Veleraen instructed him do begin running. Nodding his acceptance, Grodyn started his run. Luckily for him, physical excersion was an everyday thing.

After three laps, Grodyn came to a halt before the giant, sweating and panting, but far from exhausted. He bent over, placing his hands on his knees while he regulated his breathing. He looked up at the big man, his toothy grin flourishing once more. "What's next?"

[Veleraen]

Nodding, Veleraen watched as the young man went off and ran his heart out around the courtyard. It was somewhat satisfying to watch someone else get tired and sweaty besides him for a change.

As Grodyn came up to Veleraen the giant smiled as it seemed he was anxious to get on with the training. "Very well, unsheath your weapon Mister ben Putin." Veleraen unsheathed his dagger and rotated it in his hand letting the blade shimmer in the morning rays as they were breaking over the horizon, getting stronger with every minute that went by. "A dagger is not meant to be used in large scale battles or against foes who are heavily armoured or with large weapons such as a polearm or a mace, however the dagger has its strengths. It is small, quick, agile and can pierce many light armours at close range with enough force."

Veleraen stood before the young man his knees bent slightly, his left foot further than his right, a dagger in his right hand and his left hand out, palm out and forward. "What hand do you favour Mister ben Putin? Left or right? If it is right, like most people, you will stand like I am standing, if you are left-handed, you will stand just the opposite." Veleraen waited and watched Grodyn get himself situated and then when the Giant was satisfied the young man had, more or less, the correct stance, he continued.

"The dagger is founded on the simple thrust, twist and recover." Veleraen searched back into his memory from when he was with the Veldar Elite and Sergeant Setik was screaming at him. "Try this." Veleraen thrusted the dagger with his right hand through the air in front of him, leaning forward and taking a half step with his left foot, twisted the dagger and then recovered as he stepped backwards into his original position. "Thrust, twist and recover. Now you try." Veleraen watched and waited to see how Grodyn faired on his first lesson.

[Grodyn ben Putin]

Grodyn pulled his dagger from its sheath at the giant's bequest. "I am right handed, Sir Veleraen." Grodyn answered the soldier's query.

Grodyn watched what Veleraen was doing, listening to the instructions. He set himself up in the same stance, then thrust forward with the blade. This was easy, Grodyn thought. It was not like he had no experience with the blade. Then, at Veleraen's order, he repeated the thrust, then again, and once more. He felt good, like this was too easy, until Veleraen shook his head and physically guided the boy through the thrust, correcting the flaws in the attack that could mean the difference between killing or being killed.

Flushing, Grodyn repeated the thrust once more, this time following the giant's improved form. Looking at the warrior, Grodyn silently pleaded for approval. There was much this soldier could teach, if Grodyn was wise enough to be taught.

[Veleraen]

As Grodyn was attempting a thrust, Veleraen stuffed his left foot in between the young man from behind and tapped his right leg to make him stand with his legs shoulder width apart. "Continue." Veleraen walked around again as Grodyn kept thrusting, twisting and then recovering from it. After a while, he was satisfied the young man had a basic grasp of the thrust.

Before they did anything else, Veleraen walked into his tent and retrieved a training dummy he had procured from the Citadel. He had sent one of the squires on a mission to acquire one for him for the cycle and the young lad had done well. Veleraen picked it up with one hand and plunked it down in front of Grodyn as it wobbled a little bit on its wooden supports before it settled down.

"Okay Mister ben Putin, now we will learn the slash." Veleraen took up position in front of Grodyn and got into the same position he did last time. "Get back into the basic position that I have shown you. This time you shall hold the blade upwards instead of straight out like so." Veleraen knelt down a little and demonstrated for Grodyn as he changed his grip, slightly rotating his arm to the right and tilting his wrist upwards. "Thrust the blade forward then downward. Do not extend or go too far or else you will never be able to recover in time. Turn the blade toward your opponent, and cut up as your bring the blade back to your starting position. The idea is to make two rapid cutting motions, one going down and one coming back up."

Veleraen demonstrated as he made a few rapid motions in the air with his dagger, slashing downwards and in a fluid motion brought it upwards again and then withdrew and recovered to his original position. Repeating it one more time for Grodyn, Veleraen nodded at the young man. "Now you try. Slash! Turn! Backslash! Recover!" The giant semi-barked out, his deep voice resounding from his gut. Veleraen wanted to see the young man succeed, and success was only bred with sweat and blood, something the Giant had learned the hard way.

[Grodyn ben Putin]

While Grodyn practiced his thrust, the giant disappeared into his tent. The boy continued thrusting, concentrating on making his movements as fluid as possible. He noted with interest that the correct technique seemed to use his muscles in a way that they had not been used before. This revelation came as a bit of a surprise to Grodyn, as he thought that with all his physical prowess, he would be immune to new muscle pains. This, however, was not the case.

The giant returned, carrying a strange looking device. It had the general appearance of a man. Grodyn realized that it must be some type of training tool.

"Okay Mister ben Putin, now we will learn the slash."

Grodyn paid close atention as Veleraen explained the proper technique and demonstrated the move. When it was his turn, Grodyn stepped forward and put hmself into the proper stance. Slash! Turn! Backslash! Recover! He repeated this to the cadence of the giant's booming voice. Once, twice, three times and more. Sweat trickled down his back in the warm sunlight of the morning light. Slash! Turn! Backslash! Recover! Slash! Turn! Backslash! Recover!

[Veleraen]

After a good candlemark of practicing the slash and the thrust, Veleraen watched as the young man began to sweat. "Okay, Mister ben Putin, take a five minute break." Veleraen tossed the young man a canteen filled with water. "You learn quickly Mister ben Putin, however there is still much to learn."

The courtyard began to get a bit busier as the brightening went on and after Grodyn's break, Veleraen took one last swig of his own canteen and then clapped his hands. "Okay Mister ben Putin. One of the key things you must learn while wielding a dagger is how to parry an attack with it. Now, to do this, you must learn what is called 'The Box'. 'The Box' is an imaginary square that goes from the top of your head, down to your groin and to the sides encompassing your arms. When defending yourself from an attack, you must keep your blade point in this box."

The giant waved his dagger around as he spoke, the blade travelling from top to bottom and side to side. "Always keep your weapon between you and your enemy. Don't try to elaborate hidden dagger type techniques. If you get fancy, you get killed. So keep it simple. When an attack comes in, counter with your own blade and redirect it to one side. Do not try to stop it dead, especially if your opponent is stronger than you are, like me for example. That wastes energy that you will need elsewhere. Keep light on your feet and try to move out of the way."

"Now show me your 'box'." Veleraen stood silently and waited for Grodyn to comply as he wanted the young man to learn first hand. As soon as Grodyn got the basic box idea down, the giant continued.

"If the attack is coming in on your right, spring to your left and parry the blow to your right." Veleraen got into the basic position and demonstrated as he stepped to his left quickly and slashed through the air as if he was meeting another blade. "If the attack comes in on your left, go the other way. If high, duck. If low, spring backward. Always parry to make sure you do not get hit." Veleraen demonstrated briefly all the means of parrying and ducking, albeit a little slower than his previous instructor.

At that moment a young man dressed in the uniform of the Order approached the giant and his student announcing himself. "Sir Veleraen, Squire Nathaniel Burns reporting as ordered sir." The giant looked up and a bit to his right and took notice of the young man. "Ah, excellent timing Squire Nathaniel. This is Mister ben Putin, you shall be sparring with him this brightening, as he needs someone his size and weight, as I cannot effectively spar without a risk of seriously harming you mister ben Putin." Veleraen went back into his tent and pulled out two wooden practice daggers and gave one to each of the young men.

"Squire Nathaniel here is just a little more experienced than you mister ben Putin, however I believe with your attitude and your determination you may just overcome the challenge. First to strike three times wins the match. Best out of three matches just to be fair." The giant winked playfully as he crossed his arms. "The only way you will learn mister ben Putin is fighting first hand, no better way to test that than right now." The giant hoped that the young man had soaked everything up and was ready to put it to use. He wanted to see how much of his knowledge Grodyn could apply in a short time under a pressured situation.

Squire Nathaniel got into a basic stance, ready to defend himself against Grodyn and his practice dagger. Veleraen nodded at both of them, indicating whenever they were ready they could start their sparring session.

[Grodyn ben Putin]

Grodyn lowered his dagger when the giant gave him permission to rest. Who knew that training with such a small weapon was going to be this tough? He reached out his hand and caught the canteen that Veleraen had thrown to him. The liquid was so refreshing to him, as he swallowed the water in large, noisy gulps. He replaced the cap, and listened intently as Sir Veleraen explained the next part of the lesson, nodding his understanding along the way.

Grodyn set down the canteen and began to ape the giant's actions, forming an imaginary box with his blade. Then, as Grodyn was practicing his parrying technique, he was aware of another person approaching. He listened to the introductions, nodding to Nathaniel.

So, he was to spar with this boy, was he? Feeling confident, Grodyn assumed the basic stance. Hoping to catch the young man off guard, Grodyn lunged forward. Slash, turn, backslash, recover!

[Veleraen]

Veleraen was eager to see how much the young man had learned in just a candlemark and watched, curious to see if Grodyn would defeat the Squire or not. Nathaniel had just gotten into the basic stance when Grodyn decided to lunge forward, the young man extended himself a little too far as he lunged, going outside of his box. Grodyn slashed in the general direction of the Squire but Nathaniel jumped back and to his left as his wooden dagger parried Grodyn's own. Grodyn's follow up backslash hit nothing but air as he tried to continue it after the parry.

"Mister ben Putin, try to aim for something, do not slash in a general direction because in the end it will be futile. Also, this is just a practice match, you do not need to turn your dagger for now just because you will not actually be stabbing anyone. Although i do appreciate the effort." The giant's low voice noted as the match continued on. "Keep at it." Veleraen crossed his arms and kept watching.

Nathaniel recovered from his dodge and parry and then went on the offensive as the young man went for a slash towards Grodyn's thigh, the wooden dagger coming in fast as the young Squire gained ground and got in closer to him. Grodyn would have to have his wits with him if he wished to win this fight.

OOC: Woo, 850th post.

[Grodyn ben Putin]

Grodyn pulled his leg back, at the same time swinging the dagger down to deflect the blow from Nathanial. It threw him somewhat off balance, and he had to striggle to keep from losing his balance. Dammit, he cursed to himself. Why did he have to be so cocky. He would not make that mistake again, as he looked for a weakness in the squires attack.

He saw that Nathanial had over extended, like Sir Veleraen had warned him not to do, so he thought to use that opening. With Nathanial's right arm thrust forward, Grodyn attempted to grab it with his free left hand and pulling the man forward, while swinging his dagger downward in a viscious arc toward the man's right shoulder.

[Veleraen]

Grodyn had barely managed to deflect the Squire's attack as he jumped away in time, his wooden dagger rattling off of Nathaniel's as they met in mid air. Grodyn lost his balance but used every ounce of determination to stay on his feet. The young man made it and tried to grab for Nathaniel's arm however it was just out of his reach and he only managed to push the young Squire away briefly allowing Grodyn to recover from his dodge and parry.

"Keep on the balls of your feet Mister ben Putin, try to keep moving." Veleraen clapped his hands, trying to get the young man motivated and riled up. "Let's go!" Squire Nathaniel waved his dagger slightly in the air in front of him and then lashed out once again, not making the same mistake again and kept his attack shorter, this time aiming for the left forearm of Grodyn. It was only a wooden dagger so Grodyn didn't have to worry about getting wounded, but if Nathaniel hit him, he would be down 1-0 in blows landed.

[Grodyn ben Putin]

This time Nathanial's attack was within the box. Grodyn stepped to the right quickly, bringing his blade to bare on the other man's blade. He had just enough time to move, then bring his own blade back, aiming for the center of Nathanial's chest, as it made the largest target. Keep it simple, he repeated the giant's words to himself. The wooden blade was light, and felt comfortable in his hand. With every movement, he was gaining confidence.

[Veleraen]

Grodyn's parry just barely landed itself but not before it knicked the wrist of his left hand, scoring a point for Nathaniel. As Grodyn recovered he pulled back and then aimed quickly for Nathaniel's chest. The wooden dagger he held guided itself through the fight and managed to impact itself upon the Squire's chest. Nathaniel attempted to jump back but it was too late.

Veleraen grinned as he witnessed the fight for himself, seeing Grodyn getting the hang of it as he went along. "That's one hit a piece, keep at it Grodyn. Nathaniel! Keep your guard up!" The giant's booming voice coming across loud and clear sent a shiver up the Squire's spine as he nodded, determined to beat Grodyn to the magical number of "three", where the promised land awaited him.

Nathaniel shook his head as he tried to get back into the fight, stepping forward and got in close to Grodyn, pausing momentarily before striking out with a downwards slash at Grodyn's right arm which held his practice dagger. It was almost as if Nathaniel was trying to disarm the young man, but would he succeed?