Swinging Around My Little Pig Sticker [Basic Dagger - Medaerus]

[Nydardomond]

Kalendryas, Winter, Era XIV Post Fractum Paradigm: Gala of Empress Michelle held in Alleria Prime

The first day of Medaerus' weapons training required by the constabulary for all those not already possessing such skills began early on a cool, early winter brightening. Medaerus had just finished receiving his constable uniform and his gear; a steel dagger which Nydardomond informed him could be paid for from his first cycle's pay if he wished. The half-orc led the young elf through the streets of Nexus Prime toward the Arium Citadel. There, Medaerus would meet with a trainer in the courtyard and learn the basics of how to wield his new weapon without gutting himself in the process.

The wind was light yet it carried a slight chill. The sky was overcast which only added to the dark mood that seemed to surround the fortress as the two approached the main gates. A couple of constables nodded their heads to Nyd as he approached and the half-orc returned the gesture. As the two passed through the gates, they soon entered the courtyard. They were early and Nyd took the opportunity to give Medaerus a small tour of the place.

In military circles it was known, in hushed whispers and seldom rumours, as the Abyss. Everyone knew it existed but there were few who ever wanted to go there. It was not a thing most were willing to talk about. Its very existence had become a myth, a superstition. Some would talk of people returning from the Abyss and never ever being the same again. No one who went there ever spoke of their stay there. Some said mystics erased their memories of the place once they were done here, others that the memories of what had gone on down there were simply to awful for anyone to utter.

Its formal title was the Nexus Prime Imperial Gaol. It was the worst prison one could possibly find in Nexus. Here the military were crammed in with the commoners. But there was no doubt that the military were the only ones who were sent into the lower levels of the Abyss. This was the cause of their fear.

The Gaol was part of the Arium Citadel. A huge fortress placed within the city walls of Nexus Prime. It was built out of rough, grey granite. Great slabs of which had been mortared together by expert dwarven hands. It had been built to last. It was two things, a fortress and a prison. It also stood in, whenever the Governor's mansion was not good enough, as the seat of the Arium Government. It was designed to be impenetrable. It was herein that the Questioners, the most shady members of the Prefecture of Nexus worked.

The Gaol itself occupied the lowest levels of the building. Everything was below ground the only light that came into the cells came through small openings at the top of the cells, perhaps large enough for a gnome to squeeze through, but precious little else. It was a dark experience being incarcerated here. Those below ground level only got to see light whenever the guards brought meals down here. Others were granted light often enough in the well lit dungeons of the Questioners. From here screams issued throughout the building, sometimes even to be heard on the outside. Prisoners who were believed to be holding back were not treated lightly in here.

There was only one way into the Gaol, a thick, steel-bound door leading into a long corridor with another door on the other and a portcullis located in the middle of the hallways. From there steps lead down. For those who are only guilty of smaller crimes the descent ends quickly, for those less fortunate it continues down into the natural caverns beneath Nexus Prime.

A natural maze, supposedly inhabited by old inmates who have gone feral acts as a last safeguard. Eventually though the maze ends in another reinforced door. Here half a dozen guards with crossbows watch and await the arrival of new blood. Generally the only people allowed down here were other guards, Questioners and the Prefect and the Governor. So when someone other than this showed up the guards down here were generally fairly twitchy and willing to fire their crossbows at anyone approaching.

After taking the tour, Nyd brought Medaerus back to the courtyard.

"It isn't the most beautiful place one may find themselves in but for us it serves its purpose rather well. I for one prefer to be on this side of things." They made their way to a spot off to the side of the courtyard where a man dressed in a constable uniform had just arrived. He was a light-skinned human with short, dark hair and a mustache. Strapped to his chest, back, arms, waist and legs were numerous daggers of varying shapes and sizes. Next to him was a small wooden chest; open. In it there was a small selection of training daggers. Most were made of wood and blunted while a few blunt metal ones could also be seen.

"This is Boswul, he is one of our trainers and as you can see, he has a thing for the short blades. Myself, I prefer the staff." Nyd nodded over his shoulder to the metal plated staff strapped to his back.

"I will leave you with him. Good luck and I will see you soon." Nyd nodded to Boswul and headed back toward the Gaol.

Boswul gave Medaerus a quick glance and said, "So, what was your name again?" He reached into the chest and took out a couple of the wooden training daggers.

[Medaerus]

The Gaol sure appeared desolate to the elf as he toured through it with Nydardomond, though they both tried not to show it. Medaerus did not shudder, but he came close to it. He was determined to be brave - after all, it wasn't like he had committed a crime.

When he met Boswul, his affinity for daggers was apparent. One would be suicidal to tackle him, Medaerus thoguht.

"Serale, Boswul. I am Medaerus," he said, accepting a wooden dagger and inspecting it carefully.

[Nydardomond]

"Medaerus is it, aight boy, your gonna learn how to hold that thing the right way and hopefully do some harm to someone other than yourself by the time we be done with this." Boswul's tone was gruff but not overly so and he seemed to have a slight half-grin on his face as he spoke.

"Stance and all that footwork and how you hold yourself is all fine and dandy and you be learning that soon enough. We begin though with holding that thing the right way." Boswul took his own training dagger in his left hand and placed it into his right while allowing Medaerus full view of what he was doing.

"Place the grip in the palm of your hand like this. Place your thumb along the back of the grip. Now, close your fingers on the grip, not around. Most people when they first hold a dagger close their fist all the way around it. This makes your grip stiff and hard to change." Boswul waited for Medaerus to mirror the grip before continuing his instruction.

"Now, if done right, the blade and your arm will form a straight line from the shoulder to the end of the blade when you make a cut." Boswul held his arm outstretched with the dagger held the way he instructed. He waited for Medaerus to follow along.

[Medaerus]

Listening had always been one of Medaerus's best skills. He usually didn't have much else to do in his childhood, except mope around the house or wander around town. So he would listen. Listen for news, gossip, and like topics. And ever since he was young, it felt more comfortable to listen instead of speak.

The wooden training dagger felt peculiar to the elf. He was so used to the comfortable way that his own dagger fit snugly in his palm. Oh well, it would have to do for now.

Medaerus soon realized that he had been gripping the dagger incorrectly his whole life, and at first the new hold seemed loose and alien, but as he straightened his arm to find the perfect line, he realized how well it would work. The elf then looked up at Boswul when he figured he had copied what he was showing, waiting for further instruction.

[Nydardomond]

Boswul nodded his approval. "Not bad, boy, now that is the grip you want to keep while you stick someone. But that is not all there be to it. Now watch." Boswul took his own knife, proper grip and all and swung it in front of himself while moving his right foot forward. He bent his knees and turned his side to Medaerus. He kept his left arm swinging free behind him so that it was not exposed for a possible attack. His shoulders were relaxed and at his posture appeared at ease.

"I am now providing myself as a target for you, or perhaps an opponent. The target is the part of me between my knee and the top of my head. Note that my blade is positioned in the center between my knee and head so that I may parry any attack that may come at me." Boswul demonstrated as his blade was held out toward Medaerus and hovered between his head and knee as he instructed.

"Now, show me this position and move around me in a circle while holding it. Do this many times as you must become comfortable and quite familiar with how it feels. That is the key, boy, make sure it feels right. If it feels right and it looks right, chances are then it is right." Boswul waited for Medaerus to perform the task while holding the stance himself so that the boy could model it over and over again.

[Medaerus]

Medaerus's keen eyes observed Boswul meticulously. The posture seemed strange when looked upon by the elf, but to a regular fighter it would seem a commonplace. Attentively mirroring the position, the dagger master's points became quite clear to Medaerus. The relaxed position provided for easy movement, where a tense one would seem stiff and tight.

Boswul had mentioned that "if it feels right and looks right, chances are then it is right." The stance sure felt right to Medaerus as he edged around his instructor in a slightly tight circle. The elf mentally simulated throwing a blow at the man, and him parrying it. Yes, everything felt perfect.

[Nydardomond]

Boswul made Medaerus move around in the same stance while holding his dagger with the proper grip for almost a candlemark. Medaerus was instructed to switch directions of his movement many times from right to left and back again. The entire procedure was meant to infuse it into his mind while also conditioning him; giving him a taste of what a long battle could hold for him sometime in the future.

When the young elf was sweating, even in the chill winter air, and his legs were ready to give out, Boswul called for him to stop.

"Alright, you can stop. That should be good for now. See, you need to be able to hold your stance no matter how tired you are or how much it hurts. You could very well need to keep it while stabbed an bleeding." Boswul looked up and saw someone approaching; it was Nydardomond.

The half-orc nodded to Boswul and the two constables came together and spoke for a brief moment, seeming to come to an agreement on something.

"That will do it for this brightening, boy. Come on back here tomorrow and we will continue on. For now though, I think green man here needs to orientate you a bit more on your job. So rest up, this was your easy day." Boswul gathered his things and retrieved the training dagger from Medaerus before nodding to both he and Nydardomond and then heading off somewhere else in the Citadel.

Nyd gave a soft smile and said, "I hope things are going well with Boswul. He can be a bit rough around the edges at times but he means well. It looks like the next law class is on hold due to a few scheduling and funding issues, so it may be a few cycles or so until we get one going. In the meantime however, I can give you a brief synopsis to prepare you for being on the job. Also, I wanted to talk with you about what exactly you will be doing. So follow me and we will sit and chat."Nyd led Medaerus over to a nearby bench and waited for the boy to sit down.

"Ok, first off, I have been doing some thinking about your assignment and I think the brute squad is definitely not an option. Also, considering your age, I don't think being a gate guard would go over well either since, well, honestly, it can get kind of rough and many wouldn't give proper respect to your position based mainly on your age. That leaves city patrol being the most likely assignment." Nyd removed a backpack that he carried and placed it on the ground in front of him. Opening it up, he reached in and fished around for something inside. A moment later he retrieved what appeared to be a small, leather pouch. Inside it he removed a folded piece of paper. Unfolding it, Medaerus could see a map of the city drawn out with moderate detail.

"This of course is a map of the city. I am going to start you off in Fanghorn Drop. It's made up of retired and semi-well to do craftsmen. It is a good place to get used to things as it is not overly rough but there can be a few incidents here and there. You will have the early shift from sun-up until just short of mid-brightening."Nyd pointed to Fanghorn drop on the map as he spoke.

"Your duties involve upholding the law and keeping the peace. You will learn more about that from this..." Nyd pulled a small book from his pouch; the symbol of Aelyria embroidered on the leather cover.

"This is a copy of the Annarian Code of Law with an addendum for Nexus Prime Law. Read it and learn it. Come Spring I will have the class arranged for you that will test your knowledge and decide whether or not you are fit to continue as a constable. Consider this your probationary period if you will." Nyd handed the book to Medaerus and looked at him with a serious gaze.

"Now, your duties. Nexus prohibits the wearing of the colors black, purple and red, except for people with a specific status. For instance, black is only for nobility, those failing to produce a writ of nobility will run the risk of having their black clothes torn off and being fined. The same thing goes for the other two colors. If you fail to have the necessary status for them, you run the risk of having your clothes torn off in public." Nyd smirked at the idea of having cloths torn off in public due wearing the wrong color but continued.

"Nexus also prohibits any business who is not a part of one or another of the Nexian guilds. All of that is in that book. Fines are somewhat arbitrary and you get to keep a percentage of them. Turn in the paperwork and the constabulary will figure the cut. I suggest being honest though as dishonesty comes back around and we will know. Also, don't get to crazy on fines else people will simply refuse and conflict will arise. Reasonable fines depend on the crime and who is involved. Any questions so far? I know this is a lot." Nyd indeed realized how much information there was to keep track of. It had been an era since he arrived in Nexus Prime and only a short time less that he had spent as a constable and he was still learning on the job.

[Medaerus]

Boswul's persistance on the stance eventually made Medaerus tire immensly; he was not quite a seasoned warrior yet, and this was the first weapon he had learned. But determination drove him forward until he broke a sweat in the different angles of the pose. The elf was not one to give up easily, especially when he knew that he had to learn something, and learning was his favorite hobby.

When Boswul mentioned that he might be holding the pose with an open gash in his side, Medaerus started slightly inside. He had known that wielding a dagger involved harm and sometimes blood, but as his ears drank it up for the first time, he felt slightly unsettled.

Nydardomond reappeared and Medaerus straightened from his stance, not releasing the proper grip on the weapon.

Medaerus listened, one of his greatest strengths, to Nyd's words as he led him to a bench, both grateful and dissapointed that the training for that day had ended. Througout candlemarks of pondering, the elf had realized that the city patrol would most likely be the best position for him, as he was just starting out. He studied the half-orc's map with interest, never having seen one of Nexus Prime alone. When the Constable pointed out Fanghorn Drop, Medaerus made sure he memorized its location down to the very last side road leading up to it in a matter of seconds.

Next, when Nydardomond retrieved the Annarian Code from his pack, excitement sparked in the elf. All through Schola he had adorned books of every kind and shape, subject and perspective. But after the childhood schooling, he had not seen many books, and he used what little money he had to purchase food. This book seemed quite appealing to him, and he promised to finish it before his law class began.

Upon Nydardomond explaining the color restrictions, Medaerus barely restrained himself from cocking an eyebrow, but it all admittedly made some sense in the end. THe half-orc finished the conversation by going over some laws and asking if he had any questions. To the elf, the conversation had not seemed a lot of information, but he did have a question.

Medaerus thought for a moment. "What shall I do with a criminal if I catch them breaking a law...send them here? And also, I think that Roland Moonstar is planning to teach a Law and Politics class just outside of Nexus Prime the second cycle of Immanis. Could I possibly enroll in that? Roland is very educated on that subject, and I would feel comfortable around him." Medaerus suddenly seemed slightly nervous as he decided that now was the time to speak to Nyd about a certain matter. "There was another matter I wanted to forewarn you about. The Moonstars are moving to Paxia in the months to come, I suspect, and we hope to rebuild and protect it. I will also be going, most likely, because Roland expects that some sort of Constabulary might be needed there. So, I will be able to work here for the remainder of Spring, I assume, then I will most likely be moving on." The elf stared hard at the half-orc, willing him to understand his need to stick with his family.

[Nydardomond]

Nyd listened to Medaerus' questions and seemed to be more than happy to provide the answers. "Any who you deem as being in need of imprisonment, be they uncooperative or their crimes great, bring them here. Try to get assistance from nearby constables in doing such a thing if possible as few will be willing to spend time in the gaol." Medaerus then mentioned a few moments later of Roland's efforts to teach law and politics to the boy.

His response, "Of course, if you are able to gain training outside of the constabulary in such things, by all means do so. I will simply give you the required test to be sure you understand what we require our constables to know of the law."

The next bit of conversation took on a different feel for Nyd as he listened. When Medaerus had finished Nyd took a moment to collect his thoughts and then responded in a soft yet deep and serious tone.

"My boy, we all do what is necessary to find our own way in life. Each and every one of us has a destiny, a path set for us by the Gods in which we follow. Sometimes we realize this path, most of the time we only know the direction to go, not the actual road. I am a man of faith and one who knows his own direction. If yours takes you from Nexus Prime, then so be it. I will thank you for the time you spent there and tell you that after you leave, I assure you we will meet again soon." Nyd was not afraid of eye contact and was sure that he made such with the boy. His words carried his sincerity as there was little wavering his his voice and he spoke as if he had said it to himself many times over.

Nyd's tone soon after took a more authoritative tone, "For now however, you belong to the constabulary of Nexus Prime. You will go now and find rest. Return tomorrow at first light. That is when Boswul told me he would meet you here for more training. I will see you again shortly." Nyd stood and gathered his pack. He nodded to Medaerus and gave the boy a soft smile before heading off into the confines of the Citadel.

[Medaerus]

Medaerus nodded silently at his reply. It seemed sound enough, and the elf wasn't in the mood to inquire further. He then rejoiced internally at the Constable's reply to his question of Roland's small class. A test would not be too difficult - he had been through many in Schola, and learning was one of his strengths.

Then came the part about his departure from Nexus. It was through these words that Medaerus saw the half-orc's wisdom. The elf nodded his head in grateful understanding, but Nyd's suddenly change of tone shifted the mood.

Nodding solemnly, Medaerus accepted the Annarian Code and stood as his mentor did. As Nyd departed, so did he, considering his position thoughtfully.

The Following Brightening:

Medaerus jogged up to the Gaol after reluctantly leaving the Annarian Code in his room. The elf had stayed up late that night reading, fascinated at its contents. But now he had another appointment even more exciting than the pleasure of a good read - dagger training.

Striding into the courtyard, Medaerus whipped out his dagger and rehearsed the grip and stance he had been taught, utterly submerged in concentration before Boswul would arrive.

[Nydardomond]

Boswul arrived a short time after Medaerus and from the look on his face he was somewhat impressed at the promptness of the boy. "Eager to get started I see, nice, nice. Alright, we won't be wastin time so here it be." Boswul tossed a wooden training dagger to Medaerus and began the isntruction.

"Now, you be fightin with a dagger. Your opponent won't always be doin the same. So we are left with two distances; yours and your opponent's. Your distance is the one where you can attack with the greatest advantage and vice versa. So never attack unless you have your distance. So get in close before you strike else you are more open. And that my boy, is not good." Boswul took his stance and went through some motions while describing everything he was doing so that Medaerus could get the most out of the instruction.

"If you make a false attack to the head of your opponent, you can often fool them into raising their weapon to parry. This may offer you the chance to step forward and gain your distance." Boswul raised his dagger as if to defend against a head strike. He then switched roles and took a step forward to stab toward the imagined midsection.

"Always attack the nearest point on your opponent. Do this even if it isn't the part you want to strike most." Boswul stopped and turned to Medaerus.

"Now face me and take your stance. Now we will circle each other and when you see your chance, go for your distance and try to strike me." Boswul circled Medaerus with his dagger in the ready position and waited for Medaerus to try and gain his distance and strike.

[Medaerus]

Medaerus did not notice Boswul enter until he spoke. Jumping fro mhis stance, the elf stabbed his dagger into its white sheath, performing a bow so slight that he wondered if Boswul even noticed. The mentor's comment touched a deep pride inside him; the man always seemed like a stolid person.

Medaerus accepted the practice dagger and stooped into his lax stance once more. Circling Boswul with his piercing eyes searching for an opening, the elf focused on their current goal: distance. When Boswul finally took a step that seemed to have the slightest timge of unbalanced teeter, Medaerus lunged forward to feign a blow to his head like his mentor had told him about. Once the elf suspected that his master would raise his dagger to parry, he snapped out to his stomach.

[Nydardomond]

The first attempt to feign an attack failed yet Boswul called for another and then another. "Keep at it, boy. If you don't make it the first time, keep trying. Eventually you will find an opening and when you do, take your distance and strike."

Boswul called for Medaerus to continue reaching for his distance time and time again until the boy had done so a couple dozen times. Medaerus' legs were growing weary from holding his stance for such a time and moving so much but it was a fatigue that was not only draining but also pleasurable as a sign of progress.

"Using a dagger for attack and defense, it is good to remember that the aim is: without getting hurt, to wound or kill your opponent. But you need to be sure not to open yourself to such dangers in the process." Boswul tossed his dagger into the air and caught it without looking as if it were just as natural as breathing the air around him.

"Your knife should be in front of you all the time like so." Boswul held his training dagger out in front of him with his grip just like that which he showed Medaerus earlier.

"All movements with the blade should be as narrow as possible. Refrain from over-extending yourself or not thinking before you strike." Boswul took a few shadow swipes and stabs with his dagger.

"Make your steps small. Take many instead of one and move in close for your attack. Take it slow as quick strikes can open you up to getting cut yourself. Keep your legs beneath you and stay balanced." Boswul moved as he spoke and took short, quick steps as he bounced lightly on his feet taking shadow strikes at various points in the dance.

"Move your feet and let the body follow. Never fling yourself upon an opponent. Staying alive and wounding the enemy should be your primary focus." A few more shadow strikes and quick, decisive steps and Boswul came to a halt.

"Now show me boy. Show me your stance and footwork, move in on me slowly and with thought. Think of where you wish to strike and find your distance." Boswul once again took his stance and faced off against his pupil as he circled and waited for Medaerus to answer his call.

[Medaerus]

When Boswul ordered him to repeat the feign-stab, Medaerus did not dissapoint him. Coming forth with a fury of the likes he had never felt, the elf's weapon flew at irregular intervals, so Boswul wouldn't find a repetitive rhythem. Feign...Stab! Feign-stab! Feign...stab! Of course, the dagger master beat him every time, but this just encouraged Medaerus more. He fought until his legs felt like they were about to buckle underneath him. He was not exactly in shape.

Then Boswul ordered him to stop, and continued with numerous pointers. Medaerus nodded as his silver eyes calculated the man throughout his demonstrations, mentally visualizing himself executing the tips. To most, it would have been a lot to take in. But for Medaerus, it was all recorded word for word in his mind as his ears drank it in thirstily.

Then a sincere tone of finality settled over the dagger master as he ordered Medaerus to summon up all that he had learned and fight him. The elf closed his eyes for a moment, adding up all of his advice and tips...then came on Boswul.

It started as circling each other - he would work his way into this, not tire himself immediately. Strike zone is from the top of the head to the waist... Narrow movements, don't over-extend... Move your feet and let the body follow... Medaerus took a succinct, misleading step to the left, as they were circling in the opposite direction, and quickly danced to the right, exacting what Boswul would expect as a feint to the head, whereas it was actually a blow to the head. Even so, the elf suspected the man to block it, and went for a stab at Boswul's side, a few speedy steps guiding him.

[Nydardomond]

Trying to trick Boswul was not an easy task and indeed he was ready for nearly anything Medaerus threw at him. What he wanted to see was how Medaerus handled himself after what training he had thus far. When Medaerus went for Boswul's side, the man brought his own training dagger down and to the inside of the boy's wrist while taking a step forward. This had the effect of knocking Medaerus' blow to the side and bringing about an immediate bruise to his wrist.

"A good strike there, boy." Boswul flashed a pleased grin. "That leads us to the next step which is there is more to that blade than just striking. You best be able to parry such an attack against you." Boswul nodded to Medaerus' bruised wrist.

"If you noticed, my arm was bent when I moved to block your strike. My block though was also a strike. This is the advantage you have with that there dagger; it be easier to do than with a bigger blade." Boswul repeated his parrying motion. His arm was bent and free moving as he swung downward and to the side while taking a step forward.

"No successful parry can be done if your arm be straight. This is another reason why your arm should always be bent, regardless of strike or parry." Boswul modeled it again and was sure to show Medaerus that the blade was always pointed toward the target, even when parrying.

"Keep your blade toward your opponent. If you don't, you be open to attack." Boswul held his dagger with the blade upward and swung it wildly. It was obvious that such a method left his entire body open to a single, well placed slash or stab.

"Now, take your stance and continue the engagement. I will strike you attempt to parry. Do not step back and keep your blade facing me. When you move to parry my strike, step toward me as if striking. This will throw off my distance and grant you yours for the immediate counter." Boswul took his own stance and circled to engage. his feet moved in a fluid-like motion and he kept his dagger facing Medaerus.