Learning From The Master [Chesire Smirk + Hahvy]

[Hahvoc The Decepticon]

Annwyl was bored. That was the best way to describe her mood at this precise moment. Not but nineteen winters, she was to become the Ruling Mother in the wake of her parents' death. And it was a role she wasn't sure fit her. Indefinitely, she wanted to learn to fight, to kill, and to defend herself and loved ones. But did she want responsibility for others? Of course not. But being a leader was in her blood and when she had command over someone, she felt it to her marrow that she could in fact-rule. But she had to contend with Vallios first and she hated his guts. Sure he was handsome and experienced with a sword (har, har) but other than that, the man was enigmatic. He had control over her duties in the wake of her parents' demise and she was perfectly set with that for now. But Beatrix, her beloved aunt, had other plans for her. And oh, how she despised that woman some days!

It had been drilled into Annwyl's brain that she was to take over after her parents either resigned or died, but she hadn't expected their death so soon-no one had. It made her heart hurt to think of how wrongfully they had been taken from her. Her baby sister-and only sibling- Talwyn was not but ten winters and would cry herself to sleep every night knowing that Mother wouldn't read to her and that Father wouldn't tell her great tales of battle. She absently rubbed the spot above her heart before she heard the bustling sound produced only by her Aunt Beatrix with all her bangles on her arms. She was a lovely woman for her age, but would never settle down with another man after the death of her husband several years past. Lovers were one thing, but pledging her heart was something she couldn't do. It was already gone.

"Annwyl! Get up. We are going to see Master Vallios for your first day of training right now!"

Annwyl couldn't suppress a sneer at the man's name as she stood, brushing down her leggings and tunic. Her clothes allowed much better movement than those silly gowns women always wore-and what she was forced to wear when they had company. Besides, her clothes helped conceal her feminine curves and allowed her to be taken more seriously. She doubted Vallios would take her seriously at all. Brushing her violet blond hair from her emerald green eyes, Annwyl was grudgingly led away to where Vallios was.​

 

[UltraMechaStalin]

"You?! Weapons Master?"

The frustrated guard spat on the floor and pointed a finger at Vallios, a look of absolute indignation on his face. The man stomped his plated foot against the floor of the training hall and then reached for his spear. Vallios sighed quietly and turned to face the interloper, waving a hand dismissively at the gathered 30 trainees. Vallios merely smirked and shook his head, clearing away the waist length mane of raven hair from his face. When he spoke, he did so with an accent that echoed the frigid tones of the northern winds.

"If you think yourself more fit for the title...Pick any three weapons. I will use them to combat you. You may choose as many weapons as you wish." Vallios responded cooly.

Every weapon in the training room was an edgeless copy, perfect for maximum training with minimum lethality. The Ahn'kir chamber guard chuckled softly and began to rummage through the weapon racks, looking for the most unwieldy combination possible, along with the most outlandish weapons. From the gathered arms he picked a Kama, a heavy broad bladed falchion, and an eight foot long chain. He set them on the bench, and then retrieved a sturdy pike, a large tower shield, and a longsword.

"Have fun with that, Weapons Master."

The guard placed mocking emphasis on the title. Vallios just shook his head and swaggered over to the selected weapons. With practiced ease he wrapped the chain around his waist and upper legs, then he retrieved the kama and settled it in his off-hand. He picked up the falchion, swung it in circles a few times and then turned to face his opponent, assuming a ready and balanced stance.

"Whoa!"

"By the gods, how can he hold such a heavy weapon like that?"

Most of the gathered trainees were new recruits, who'd never seen what being a Weapons Master meant. Even the challenger was a bit taken aback at the ease which Vallios adapted to the situation. Nevertheless he struck his longsword against his shield once, twice, and three times...The traditional sign that he was ready.

Surging forward, vallios lead the assult with his offhand. The challenger lunged and swung wide with his shield, hoping to knock the other off his feet. Vallios twisted his wrist and slammed the square pommel of the kama on the center of the oncoming shield, while kicking for his opponent's exposed knee.

The guard reacted in time to step away from the kick, surprised that Vallios had countered so readily. Once more he knocked blade against shield, taunting Vallios. Vallios took the bait willingly, coming in with an arcing slash from the falchion. The guard forced his shoulder forward and then thrust with his sword, going for Vallios' apparently exposed ribs.

But Vallios had his offhand ready. Easily he caught the blade in the curved edge of the sickle-like weapon and forced the guard's main hand high. Vallios stepped inwards and caught his opponent with a vicious elbow to the ribs, followed by a fierce kick to the chest.

Vallios moved forward, whipping his falchion up and then down in an arcing slash that the staggered challenger barely managed to block. A loud clattering filled the hall as both falchion and kama hit the floor, it appeared as if Vallios had been disarmed... But that wasn't the case. It'd been a ruse, which became apparent as that chain was swiftly unwrapped from his waist.

Then an abrupt change of stance, from the heavy centered focus of before to a more fluid and mobile step. The chain arced and cut through the air, quickly working itself into a dizzying curtain of certain death. Working both ends Vallios struck, hands spinning and twisting in the large circular links that served as handholds for the exotic weapon. Now Vallios had the severe advantage of the reach.

The challenger realized the advantage and took several rapid steps back, retrieving his pike. The guardsman continued to step back and around, waiting for Vallios' advance. And so Vallios began to strike, displaying astounding proficiency as he hurled the chain out to it's full eight foot length and then snapped it back in vicious slashes. Steel slammed against wood floor, and the metal links howled a shrill song, every strike seeming to hold the fury of a condensed storm.

And somehow, through the onslaught Vallios did not tire. With every strike he worked closer, the chain shortening as both ends began to work. Eventually, the desperate guard found himself overwhelmed and he began to thrust with abandon, hoping to strike a decisive blow.

But, no such luck. One end of the chain wrapped around the pike and with a wicked tug Vallios ripped the weapon free from his opponents grasp, and then released a flurry of blows from both ends of the chain. It was fortunate that the weapon was barbless, otherwise the challenger would have been literally torn to bits.

When the beaten man crumpled to his knees Vallios stopped the assault and stepped back, his breathing measured and calm. He cleared his throat and turned to address the class, acting as if it had been nothing more than a demonstration.


"Weapons are not but an extension of the will; The will to kill, and the will to survive. You must adapt to every weapon you hold, allow it to become your arms, it's blade, it's weight your fingers. Allow it's limits to become your own, and then overcome them."

 

[Hahvoc The Decepticon]

The fight before her had been beautiful and well-executed, but never would she admit how impressed she was by his weapons skill. However, her no-brained Aunt had decided to clap after Vallios stopped speaking to his trainees and drawing all the attention in their direction. Annwyl didn't mind being stared at-she was used to that- it was when she didn't draw the attention on purpose that bothered her. She sighed and rolled her eyes, positively glaring at her guardian before her eyes settled on Vallios with ferocity and distaste. If she could have managed to pass this responsibility onto someone else, she would have and it was plain to see. To say the two of them didn't get along with an understatement. She was stubborn and hard-headed and chose to fight first, ask questions later. But she was smart and read when she wasn't being bombarded with work left over from her parents and taking care of her young sister. To say she read constantly was to say the Great Library was small. It was her only other passion besides wanting to fight and die like a warrior.

"Master Vallios! What a splendid match. How goes the training of your apprentices?"

Her aunt asked without pouring too much sugar on her words. Annwyl crossed her arms and grunted quietly so as not to receive a good smack on the back of her head from her aunt. However, she didn't have much choice in what she was doing as she was turned and practically dragged towards the Weapons Master with all the guards and trainees staring at her. She sneered in disgust. She had a damned pretty face that she cursed more often than not. She was a warrior, damnit! Not some prized sow! A sharp nudge to her ribs had her looking up at Vallios as she forced herself to smile and say between clenched teeth,

"Master Vallios."

Gods, did she hate this man! And her aunt being such a suck up! Of course, this was for her benefit, but did her dear aunt have to smile so wide and invitingly?! It was disgusting. He didn't deserve such looks! He was such a bastard, after all! A mean, evil man! But only Annwyl apparently saw him for what he truly was. Her Aunt Beatrix was blinded by his charm- or whatever it was he used to ensnare all the women to beam at him like that.​

 

[UltraMechaStalin]

"Class dismissed, I did not realize the hour was so late."

Vallios turned slowly and nodded to Annwyl and then Beatrix. Per usual, he was not bearing the Weapons Masters' colors, instead he'd resigned to his usual savage style of dress, a dark leather vest, a pair of wolf fur leggings, and a well black worn traveler's cloak. Vallios towered above most of Everend's population at an intimidating 6'4 and the muscular frame of a true warrior. The frigid bite to his accent and his abnormally pale skin hinted that he'd hailed from the frigid northern spine of the world. This fact was further re-affirmed by the strange tribal mark that covered his right cheek, a thick black scar that stretched from the middle of his right eyebrow clear down to his jaw, tapering into a 3-pointed fork. However, unlike the fairy-talesque barbarians of the north, Vallios was not 'a wall of muscle and flesh', his body actually quite lithe, though every muscle was toned and corded, the rigidity of their structure leaving no doubt about the strength they held.

The pace at which Vallios moved was steady and confident, no hurry to his stride. He waited silently for Annwyn or Beatrix to speak, wondering just what they had planned. Of course today was to be the start of her lessons, but Vallios wanted to make sure the two women had concocted no other plots for him...Or at least, Beatrix hadn't. He was well aware and rather amused by Annwyn's marked dislike of him. Which was odd, considering the two had rarely exchanged words until now.

 

[Hahvoc The Decepticon]

"Today her training starts. Just make sure she keeps her rotten little mouth shut, aye? Or if she can't shut it, you have permission to shut it for her."

If Annwyl could have used her eyes to kill, her aunt would have been slain on the spot. So what if she had a mouth worse than a sailor's?! She grew up around boys and they at least had treated her like an equal instead of glass. Her aunt was always so dainty with her and she despised it almost as much as she hated this man that stood before her. Despite his rugged features and demeanor and other such things that lured in the local woman, she couldn't find anything to be attracted to except his strength and skill. Other than that, he was worthless. And she had to marry him?! Well, perhaps not marry as she wasn't totally sure on the details, but it was pretty much decided that they would get married. And he wondered why she hated him so? She didn't want a chosen mate! She wanted to pick for herself! Was that so much to ask? Then again, if she had her way, she would never get married. Probably why her aunt kept her on a tight leash-well as tight as she could get it without getting bitten.

Lost in her own thoughts, Annwyl hadn't heard her aunt leave and wave good bye to Vallios. It was until the silence pressed in around her that she looked around and found that she was pretty much alone with the man she hated more than anything. She loathed him with everything she had. Giving him a rather mean look, she backed up a few steps in a slow and practiced way. She wasn't retreating or giving him ground, she was gaining space so as to better look at his face and glare at him thoroughly. After a moment, she simply said,

"I really do hate you."​

 

[UltraMechaStalin]

"That, is your choice, and a childish one at that."

Vallios reached out and slammed the doors shut behind them, the tumblers clicking locked. The doors were heavy, and shut with a frightening thud that echoed down the halls. Then, Vallios turned his back on Annwyn and slowly walked away. The doors were locked, and the keys were hanging by the window on the other side of the training room...

Vallios stood in silence for roughly a minute, looking out at the courtyard below. If Malia so much as moved forward he'd snatch the keys and push them up out of her reach. When Vallios had aligned his thoughts he began to speak, his normal purr of a voice a low growl.

"You are young and naive. Sheltered. You do not know struggle, fear, or true pain...At least, not pain outside of the emotional."

Vallios allowed those words to hang in the air, then continued speaking. If Malia attempted to interject, Vallios would just push the keys onto a higher rack, and then resume speaking. It was obvious she would not leave this room until she either listened to this lecture, or took those keys by force. This verbal lashing had been a long time coming, Vallios always frustrated by Malia's unreasonable feelings towards him.

"The loss of your parents weighs heavily upon you, I am sure. However, you were not there to see their assassination. To see them struck down by cowardly knaves...I was...I was but a minute too late."


Somewhere in the words, buried beneath the scorn and hatred there was guilt. It was obvious that Vallios took the deaths of the Ruling Mother and her Weapons Master as his own personal fault, his own failure. When Vallios had once again mustered the presence of mind to speak he continued, the conviction in his voice tangible.

"This city is a place for beggars and thieves. There is no honor amongst the Great Houses, any one of those 'nobles' would put a dagger in your back, or pay somebody to do so in the time it takes your heart to beat once. You can hate me to the very core of your being if you wish to, but that will do not bet expedite your death. My position exists for a reason, Ahn'kir pairs the Ruling Mother with a Weapons Master intentionally. We must learn to compliment each other, compensate for each other's weaknesses...Our own lives, and the fate and history of this House depends on it."

Vallios then retrieved the keys and hurled them at the door without bothering to look at where Annwyn was standing. He turned, pulling himself up to his full considerable height. When he spoke next his words were pure venom, it was obvious that Vallios would have no tolerance for her games during their training sessions.

"If you cannot accept your responsibilities and work to shape yourself for your future, get out of my sight."

The words were a challenge, Vallios openly showing that he did not believe that Annwyn had the inner fortitude to live up to the title that would be granted to her. A challenge from a rival, it was something Annwyn could surely not refuse. After all, if she walked away she would only be proving Vallios right in the eyes of most.