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Post by Trinn on Aug 16, 2008 20:30:43 GMT -5
Smiling amiably, Will spread his hands wide as the rider addressed him. "Indeed I am, argetlam. Humbel General Kell at your service." Performing a sweeping bow, he rose and held a hand out towards the hall, inviting her to step outside. "If I'm not mistaken, I believe we have a bit of weapons training in store for you this evening?" His eyes took in the bow slung over her shoulder, and he rubbed thoughtfully on his bear. Perhaps training her wouldn't be so hard after all.
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Post by Tismri on Aug 16, 2008 20:43:00 GMT -5
Jeriah nodded at the general. She already liked him and would have smiled had she not been so sad.
"Yes, I don't have much training in anything. I taught myself years ago how to use a bow, but other than that, I've not had any proper training in anything." She stepped outside and turned toward him.
"Lead on, sir," she said.
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Post by Trinn on Aug 16, 2008 21:00:00 GMT -5
"Right. This way, then." General Kell set off down the hall, walking at a pace slightly faster than a walk. The evening was wearing on and he at least wanted to see Jeriah's skill with the bow. A few minutes passed, and the general brought Jeriah out to the training court. Since it was evening, fewer soldiers were on the field. He approached the archery range. "Allright, Jeriah. I want you to show me your skill with the bow." He pointed at the targets that were yards away. "Go ahead, have at it."
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Post by Tismri on Aug 16, 2008 21:12:33 GMT -5
Jeriah took her place in front of the target and strung her bow. She reached back to her quiver and nocked an arrow. She nearly shook her head at the sight of the large, round, brightly colored target.
This is going to be easy, she thought to herself. She took her aim and loosed her arrow. The arrow flew straight to the target and embedded itself in the dead center. She nocked another arrow and, though the wind picked up unexpectedly, that one hit the center as well. She did this with ten arrows, then lowered her bow and turned to General Kell.
"As I said, sir. I've have practice." She remembered back to all the small, fast rabbits that got into her fields at home that she could shoot and kill with just one arrow each. It took a long time to get that good, but once she was, she made sure to keep up in practice.
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Post by Trinn on Aug 16, 2008 21:29:49 GMT -5
Unable to control it, Will was smiling widely as he watched Jeriah perform. She was superb with the bow! He clapped her on the back heartily. "Well done, rider, well done!" He stared, slightly amazed, at the perfect hit on the targets. Ten arrows! And she didn't even break a sweat. "My girl, I think we don't need to worry about your archery." With a hand, he beckoned her over to another area of the field. Swords were stacked against a stand, ready for practice. Taking one up, he hefted it before turning to Jeriah. "Now we'll see how you manage with a sword." These sword were already dull, as most soldiers didn't have any magical abilities. "Pick a sword and face me!"
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Post by Tismri on Aug 16, 2008 21:40:51 GMT -5
Jeriah was pleased by the general's praise. She never expected anyone to be so happy with any of her abilities. However, when she was told to fight with the sword, all her pleasure faded. She had never fought against anyone with a sword, save those few times with Lathem. She looked carefully at the swords and picked one of medium weight. Then she turned to the general and dropped to a ready stance as Lathem had taught her, going for defensive rather than offensive. She waited for the general to make the first move.
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Post by Trinn on Aug 16, 2008 21:45:54 GMT -5
Knowing from experience never to underestimate an opponent, Will circled Jeriah once. Then, in a flash of motion, he swung his sword in an arc, aiming to disarm the girl. At least she held her stance correctly. Someone must have given her a little instruction on swordplay. Not only that, but she chose her sword wisely, carefully, picking one balanced with her weight. Very good he thought, pleased. As usual, a few soldiers gathered in a clump to watch the rider train. They always expected a good show.
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Post by Tismri on Aug 16, 2008 21:53:18 GMT -5
Jeriah fought against the general carefully, remembering the moves Lathem had taught her. She turned to face the general, never keeping her back to him. They fought for a while, but she knew she could not beat him. Still, she did her best.
OOC: since it's inevadable, you have permission to disarm me, Trinn. I gotta go soon.
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Post by Trinn on Aug 16, 2008 22:05:26 GMT -5
OOC: Oh, ok.  With a metalic cling, Jeriah's sword flew out of her hand. She had parried his first attempt, which was more than he had been expecting. "Good job! However, you have much further to go." Bending, he bent down and retrieved Jeriah's sword. He handed the weapon back to her. "Come on, shur'tugal. Lets have another round." After four more matches, in wich Will was able to disarm her, he held up his hand, signalling a halt. The sun had sunk low on the horizon. "You've done well today, Argetlam. I think in a month, you should be well on your way to a swordmaster." He smiled encouragingly, hoping to give the girl something to smile about. She seemed so sad most the time. The soldiers who had been watching began dispersing, walking away to their various quarters. A few approached Jeriah and saluted her. "Argetlam." they murmured, then continued. |
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Post by Tismri on Aug 17, 2008 9:03:47 GMT -5
Jeriah nodded to the general, for his sake trying to smile. She failed at that, but said, "Thank you, sir." She left the training grounds for her quarters, nodding to the people who greeted her. When she arrived at her rooms, Oranthor and Jahag looked at her with concerned expressions.
How went it, small one? Oranthor asked.
"Well enough," she answered, "I definately need sword training, and I have yet to test my magic skills, but other than that, I think I will do fine." She sat on a couch in the room and Jahag jumped onto her lap and purred. Jeriah was comforted by their silent companionship, glad that they were simply there.
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Post by Trinn on Aug 17, 2008 16:09:29 GMT -5
Will sighed, watching the young rider walk off. Time will heal what has been broken. he thought, his practice sword still clutched in his hand. He really hated seeing anyone so depressed. A gentle hand was placed on his shoulder, and he turned to see the face of his favorite rider, the daughter he never had.
"Don't worry, General." Elaine said his title effectionately. "The girl will be fine, eventually." Smiling, he nodded and patted Elaine's hand.
"Aye. You're right." A sudden gleam entered his eye, and Elaine smiled too. "Are you in the mood for a spar?" Her smile turned challenging.
"Always." Unsheathing her rapier, Elaine rushed him. Their blades clashed.
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Post by Tismri on Aug 17, 2008 16:20:04 GMT -5
Jeriah didn't know how long it had been until she moved again. She thought she had slept, but she couldn't be sure. She stroked Jahag until he awoke, then asked,
"What happened, Jahag? What made Lathem do such a thing?"
"I know not," said the werecat, "I do know that he was distressed in those months, plauged by nightmares. The only time he seemed to had reprieve from them was when he was with you. Those were probably the best and worst months of his life." Jahag fell silent. Oranthor awoke as well and, together, the three of them watched as the sun rose that morning.
"Well, friends, I must go. I am not sure what to do today. I think I'll head for the training grounds and see if the general is there to train me. If not, then I'm not certain what I will do..." Her voice trailed off as she rose from the couch and walked out the door.
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Post by Trinn on Aug 17, 2008 16:44:46 GMT -5
Elaine leaned sleepily against the wall across from Jeriah's door. Rather than knocking and waking the girl, she had decided to wait for her to come out. Last night, after beating the general in their duel, he had asked Elaine to train Jeriah today. He had come up with the idea of taking turns with her, so she wouldn't grow used to one style of training. Of course, Elaine couldn't object. The general was so amibale it was hard to resist anything he asked of. Suddenly, the door before her clicked, and she looked up to see Jeriah walking out.
"Ah, good morning Argetlam." Pushing herself away from the wall, Elaine inclined her head to jeriah. "I am rider Elaine. The general won't be training you today. I will be!" She laughed, "don't worry. He'll have you tomorrow." Holding out a hand, a ball of crackling gray flame came to life, hovering above her palm and gedwey ignasia. She sent the flame spiraling around her arm, past her torso, and onto her opposite palm. "Today, I will be instructiny you in gramyr, or magic, as most humans refer to it." Clenching her hand into a fist, the ball of fire extinguished.
Stop showing off, murmured Eridor's voice. Elaine ignored him.
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Post by Tismri on Aug 17, 2008 17:05:00 GMT -5
Jeriah watched Elaine's impressive display of magic. She nodded to Elaine and closed the door behind her.
"I do know some magic," she said, "Not much, just enough to make some useful things and heal cuts and things. Lath-my...friend was teaching it to me. I don't know how to fight with it or anything, though." Again, she choked at the mention of Lathem. She felt something soft against the side of her leg and saw Jahag there, looking up at her. She leaned down and patted him once, then looked again at Elaine.
"Lead on," she said.
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Post by Trinn on Aug 17, 2008 17:20:15 GMT -5
"Well, thats a start at least!" Elaine wondered absently who had taught Jeriah the magic. Shrugging the thought away, she started off down the hall. As she walked, she talked. "I won't take you to the actual training field today. That's a bit hectic when it comes to magic. I'll take you to a calmer setting." Boots thudding against the tiled halls, Elaine made her way surly down the corridor, her sheathed sword clinking while the sparse armor she wore jangled. Currenlty, she only wore a light covering of chain mail and leather gauntlets.
After a few corridors and halls, Elaine stepped outside to a small, floral courtyard. A tiny fountain in the center spit out water, and an apple tree resided in a corner, casting it's shade across the yard. A little stone bench rested underneath it. "Here we are!" Elaine spread her arms wide. "I love this little courtyard. So peaceful. Really helps the mind find a bit of tranquility." Walking to a bench, Elaine sat down on one end, then patted the other side. "Have a seat, rider." With the sound of trickling water and windblown grass, Elaine asked, "Can you tell me the premises of magic? The rules?"
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