Learning from a master (Cheshire Smirk x Erato)

[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.

Vallios danced forward, leading with his offhand. The challenger lunged and swung wide with his shield, hoping to knock Vallios from 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 kama 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 stepped forward, whipping his falchion up and then down in a rolling 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.

Vallios' stance changed abruptly, 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 that 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."

 

[Erato]

"He's the best one for the job."Aunt Betrix assured her as the two women walked down the gilded halls of the manor, the only sound save for the voice of the elder woman speaking was the tap of shoes against fine marble.
"You'll learn a lot from him if you pay close attention...are you even listening to me, Sabriel?"The matronly female sighed in exasperation as the girl in question stared out the window watching a pair of falcons flying about in search of game.
"Mm? Oh! Yes, Aunt Betrix!"She exclaimed, a small bridge of crimson staining the area beneath her eyes and over the top of her nose, spreading towards her cheeks while the elder merely tapped her foot in frustration before sighing.
"You need to stop daydreaming, Sabriel."She lectured, motioning her niece to follow her once more while the younger stole one last look at the pair of falcons; one having captured a small bird while the other held open it's mouth to await a morsel of food which before long was torn from their prey and into the raptor's waiting beak.
Sabriel's stomach knotted up once again as she followed her tutor in the direction of metal beating against metal, wincing as she knew what was to come.
It had been the thing she'd been dreading most upon being told she'd been selected to take her mother's place as Ruling Mother, even if she'd pretended the idea of learning how to handle weapons didn't frighten her or make her nerveous.
So much pressure rode on her shoulders and she was having a lot of doubts as to weither or not she could fill the shoes of such great responsibility.
Schoolastically speaking, she knew she had no problem nor was she unconfidient, but the need to be equal to or close enough in manners of weapon weilding and fighting? That was where she lacked the confidence and no doubt, her Aunt Betrix knew this well as the stern-lipped woman brought her just in time to see the challenger of the newly appointed Weapon's Master crumple to the floor.
And she was supposed to be this man's equal?! There had to be a mistake, surely there was some sort of misunderstanding or a way she could...
"You see?"Aunt Betrix whispered, opting to linger in the background for a moment with her neice at her side and pointing to the man as he addressed the students.
"A sharp mind like the weapon he weilds, let's hope for your sake, he can perform a miracle in you, girl."Before she found herself shoved forward and staring with wide green-grey eyes.
"Such wise words, Good Sir."She spoke up, her heart beating rapidly in her chest while swallowing to keep her throat from drying out.
"Though I will admit to lacking any sort of experience to holding a weapon, I am but armed with the will to learn."Forcing her face to relax and settle as she waited to see what his reaction would be.
Would he find her a simple wisp of a girl not worth the time to teach? Would he find her attitude and sudden intrusion impudent? Only time would tell....

 

[UltraMechaStalin]

"Then take your place among my students."

Vallios chuckled softly, acting as if he did recognize Sabriel for who she was. He sighed softly and reached down, retrieving the falchion. As he grabbed the weapon he widened his stance slightly, curling his forearm and tipping the weapon back so that it's weight rested snugly in his fist. He pointed with practiced ease at the class, shifting his footing as he did so, the entire right side of his body flexing as he easily used a weapon designed for two hands with but one.

"We start with the foundations. Your power, your swiftness, your accuracy, it all depends on your footing. I hold this weapon with my whole body, not just my arm. Adapt your footing, change your stance to suit the situation."

Vallios worked the weapon in a graceful arc, stopping in a powerful stance, one foot forward, bent at the knees, his right hand held high, the blade tilted backwards. He'd stopped at the apex of his swing, and had managed to freeze the motion there. With one smooth step Vallios moved backwards, maintaining that same pose. He smirked at his students, twisted the blade once around his wrist, and then resumed a relaxed stance.

"Your feet hold your body, your body holds your weapon. As such, your feet hold your weapon."

 

[Erato]

She quickly took her place in the back, not wanting to crowd the more senior students as they all watched the man before them display his skill and finesse as a warrior.
Aunt Betrix frowned deeply as she watched Sabriel take a place in the back but opted to keep silent, her harsh green eyes watching the younger female with the same sort of intensity a cat might a fish in the pond.
Then again, she recalled with a touch of fondness in her eyes, Sabriel's mother had been shy and uneasy at first as well, at times no less clumsy than a newborn foal until by and by, she found her way and proved her worthiness and her right to take her place as Ruling Mother.
Ah, child..you are your mother reborn if I were to believe in such things Aunt Betrix smiled as Sabriel took careful mental note of all Vallios said and did, watching his movements and seemingly dedicating his words to memory to be thought over later.
Desperately, she wanted nothing more than to be just like her mother; a woman who had always seemed so proud, confidient and gentle to those beneath her as well as cold and calculating to those who dared to threaten all she held dear.
Which was why it was so hard for her to accept, fathom even that so strong and tenacious a spirit had been snuffed out.

 

[UltraMechaStalin]

"Combat, like life, is sudden. It is abrupt and unceremonious. You will come to recognize this as law. As such, if at any point in time you find the opportunity to strike me with one of the training weapons, take the liberty. However, you must be prepared for the same treatment. But be warned, if any assaults are made outside of this training room, I will put a swift and painful end to you. That is all for now. I will see you tomorrow, an hour before the sun rises. If you are unsure of when that will be, I'd recommend you make it a point to wake early."

And with that Vallios departed, fully prepared to defend himself against any of his students that worked up the bravado to take the challenge. His eyes swiftly scanned the room for ways to break up an assault if a coordinated effort was made. Vallios footsteps were steady and confident, the deadly stalk of a true predator. Vallios gave beatrix a nod, his silken mane of raven hair drifting in front of his face, concealing the right side. A thin jagged scar, ritualistically treated black ran from Vallios' left eyebrow all the way down to his cheek, the only flaw to his otherwise strikingly handsome visage.

A maelstrom of thoughts swirled through Vallios' head, the vision of his former teacher, and the ruling mother laying dead on the throne room floor still fresh, vivid, and so real in Vallios' mind. He let out a soft sigh and muttered a prayer for the soul of the man who'd taken Vallios, a "savage" from the cold spine of the world under his wing.

Naturally passersby, diplomats and other nobility peaked their heads in as they passed the open door to the training room, hoping to catch a glimpse of the new Ahn'kir weapons master. Vallios stuck out like a black sheep amongst a pure flock, his outlandish garb and thick, chest length raven locks marking him as an obvious outsider. He wore a pair of close fitting blackened leather leggings, and a sleeveless black leather shirt that resembled more of a harness, adorned with bone white markings over the chest.

"Move along, this business is not for the eyes of outsiders." Vallios snarled, his heckles flaring up like an alpha-wolf who'd witnessed an intruder defile his territory.

 

[Erato]

Was this merely a ploy to be rid of her so that Aunt Betrix would remain as Ruling Mother?! Sabriel tried not to look too out of place despite the fact she wore the garments more suited for a lady of the court than of a student of combat such as those around her.
Aunt Betrix hadn't bothered to correct her choice earlier as she'd been under the impression they were merely going to observe, not shove her straight into the wolf's den on the first day to take her place amongst his pack.
Amongst the pack? No, lowest wolf here has higher ranking than you do.. She sighed mentally, averting her eyes when he announced the end of the lesson and that he expected his students to...attack him?! Oh now she was sure there was some sort of conspiracy in the works against her.
And as though to further that theory, two youths standing near her began to chuckle and seized her by the elbow, swiftly dragging her opposite of the moving herd of understudies and picking up a small metalic ball.
"Go on.."The one urged his friend as he picked up another and threw the first one aimed at that dark head of the alpha wolf before placing the second in her hand.
"Hey! No attacking the teacher, you're not one of us!"The first shouted, pushing her to the floor as she stared up in horror, the blood draining from her face as she shook her mouse-brown head to deny either his words or the fact this was happening.
"Give me that!"The second one demanded, trying to wrest the ball from her hand before she shoved him back and undignifiedly staggered to her feet. Maybe fighting wouldn't be so hard after all...
*SLAP!*The stinging of her palm after it'd flown across the youth's face that had tried to take the very weapon he'd placed in her hand, felt damn satisfying as she cleared her throat.
"Brute! I came here to observe and you slander me on my first day here?"She lectured him, heart pounding and palms sweating as others paused in their exit to stare at the commotion.
Aunt Betrix returned the nod and smirked as she canted her head towards the girl she'd brought to see Vallios, pleasantly surprised to see there was a little lion in the kitten after all.
"Don't lecture me like you're Ruling Mother."The boy scowled, hand on the cheek that was still a touch warm from her strike before shoving her back to the floor.
"Pretty rugs belong on the floor for people to walk on."He sneered, poising his foot to come down on her as she held up her arms to shield herself from the blow that was to surely come.

 

[UltraMechaStalin]

Vallios twisted deftly to avoid the metal ball. He heard the confrontation, and grabbed one of the long-hafted training halberds from the weapon rack. Vallios spun swiftly and went straight for the attacking male's right knee. If, and when the blow connected Vallios would follow up by spinning the halberd above his head, catching the offender in the face with the butt of the weapon, before bringing the bladed edge down upon his chest with bone-crushing force.


Slapped? She'd slapped him? the thought made Vallios want to sigh with anxiety and bury his face in his palm. A slap did nothing! Young sabriel had a lot to learn...Maybe too much. But, this was his duty as weapons master...To train the ruling mother to-be. And somewhere, deep inside Vallios, regrets burned. Was this really the life he wanted? To be some decorated guard dog, paraded around as the fist of a noble house?

"You will show respect to the heir of Ahn'kir, or I'll rip your head from your shoulders." Vallios growled.

Yeah, attacking Sabriel in any fashion was a very big mistake when Vallios was around. His lips were curled into a savage snarl, his entire body tense and ready for battle. A righteous and primal rage burned in those vivid topaz eyes as he went through the motions of his attacks. There were no pulled punches here, and this was much more than a demonstration. If the gods were with the male, he'd be spared from at least one of Vallios' wicked blows...If not, he was surely going to require intensive care.