Post by The Great Other on Aug 25, 2012 14:17:06 GMT -5
The day was overcast but still hot. Ser Edric still had not gotten used to the heat of Kings Landing. When you’ve spent nearly your entire life in Winterfell you are not prepared for the heat of the south.
He walked out the doors of the Gold Cloak Headquarters and into the training yard. Two men were practicing with blunted greatswords. Swinging them about like the wind was about to carry them away. A few men were practicing their bow skills at the shooting range. One loosed an arrow that nearly killed the pigeon sitting atop the wall. It looked as though more arrows were stuck in the ground in front of the stand than in the targets mounted on their face.
Shaking his head, Ser Edric made his way over to the arms rack and picked up two small wooden swords.
“You three at the range,” he yelled over to them, “raise your main hand to equal level with your chin, string hand pulls back to your ear. You must keep the arrow steady when you draw. All that shaking is what’s causing your arrows to fly like drunken ravens.”
“Yes, Ser!” the men shouted. The next arrow they loosed hit the target mere inches from the centre. “Thank you, Ser!”
Ser Edric turned his attention to the duelling greatswords in the pit. “Come you two. I will show you how far a little finesse can go. Your sword is an extension of your arm. It is part of you when you wield it. Do not throw it about like a sack of potatoes.” Edric spun his two swords about in his hands to demonstrate his control over them. “Attack me together, come.”
The two men looked at each other, slightly confused, before circling around Ser Edric to either side. The first man charged at Ser Edric, swinging his greatsword over his head like an insane warrior from the mountain clans of the Vale. Edric ducked, putting his shoulder into the man’s legs and flipping him over his head. He crashed into the other guard standing behind Edric and they both tumbled to the ground.
“You see, you can’t simply rush in and expect your opponent to let you kill him. Choose the right time to strike.” Edric explained.
Both men circled around to either side of Edric and moved in on him simultaneously. Edric stepped backwards and swept the men’s feet out from under them in two large arcs.
“If you corner someone, expect them to do whatever it takes to escape. Never underestimate a man without an option.”
The men smirked at each other as they rose from the ground. Seeing an opportunity, both men tried to trip Ser Edric with their swords. Edric’s agility proved too much for their plan, however. He did a front flip and landed with one knee on the small of the back of one of the guards and both his swords pointed at the throat of the other.
“A good plan, not a great one. You need to think more than one step ahead.” He explained. “Those greatswords are proving too much for either of you to handle. Try practicing with a sword and shield instead. Think defensively and wait for your time to strike.”
Ser Edric walked back towards the guard quarters, picked up a cup on the bench and filled it with water from a nearby rain barrel. He sat down to watch the men fight with their newly obtained knowledge.
The two guards were more patient this time. Instead of swinging their swords around like a flail, they held them at the ready. One man attacks, the other counters. Both were making clean strikes against the other and both were blocking appropriately.
Just then, one of the archers loosed an arrow that spooked a flock of pigeons on the nearby wall. One of the guards in the practice melee looked away for only a moment. Distracted the other guard made his move and struck him to the ground. He helped his brother up and both men were laughing.
“Very good job lad. You saw the opportunity and did not hesitate. And you, lad, now you see how quickly a fight can turn against you. At all times, you must remain focused.”
“Thank you Ser Edric. I will remember.” The losing guard said.
Ser Edric, satisfied with the progress his men were making, sauntered off back into the armory to return his blades and break his fast.
(Leadership improve to apprentice)
(Observation improve to apprentice)
He walked out the doors of the Gold Cloak Headquarters and into the training yard. Two men were practicing with blunted greatswords. Swinging them about like the wind was about to carry them away. A few men were practicing their bow skills at the shooting range. One loosed an arrow that nearly killed the pigeon sitting atop the wall. It looked as though more arrows were stuck in the ground in front of the stand than in the targets mounted on their face.
Shaking his head, Ser Edric made his way over to the arms rack and picked up two small wooden swords.
“You three at the range,” he yelled over to them, “raise your main hand to equal level with your chin, string hand pulls back to your ear. You must keep the arrow steady when you draw. All that shaking is what’s causing your arrows to fly like drunken ravens.”
“Yes, Ser!” the men shouted. The next arrow they loosed hit the target mere inches from the centre. “Thank you, Ser!”
Ser Edric turned his attention to the duelling greatswords in the pit. “Come you two. I will show you how far a little finesse can go. Your sword is an extension of your arm. It is part of you when you wield it. Do not throw it about like a sack of potatoes.” Edric spun his two swords about in his hands to demonstrate his control over them. “Attack me together, come.”
The two men looked at each other, slightly confused, before circling around Ser Edric to either side. The first man charged at Ser Edric, swinging his greatsword over his head like an insane warrior from the mountain clans of the Vale. Edric ducked, putting his shoulder into the man’s legs and flipping him over his head. He crashed into the other guard standing behind Edric and they both tumbled to the ground.
“You see, you can’t simply rush in and expect your opponent to let you kill him. Choose the right time to strike.” Edric explained.
Both men circled around to either side of Edric and moved in on him simultaneously. Edric stepped backwards and swept the men’s feet out from under them in two large arcs.
“If you corner someone, expect them to do whatever it takes to escape. Never underestimate a man without an option.”
The men smirked at each other as they rose from the ground. Seeing an opportunity, both men tried to trip Ser Edric with their swords. Edric’s agility proved too much for their plan, however. He did a front flip and landed with one knee on the small of the back of one of the guards and both his swords pointed at the throat of the other.
“A good plan, not a great one. You need to think more than one step ahead.” He explained. “Those greatswords are proving too much for either of you to handle. Try practicing with a sword and shield instead. Think defensively and wait for your time to strike.”
Ser Edric walked back towards the guard quarters, picked up a cup on the bench and filled it with water from a nearby rain barrel. He sat down to watch the men fight with their newly obtained knowledge.
The two guards were more patient this time. Instead of swinging their swords around like a flail, they held them at the ready. One man attacks, the other counters. Both were making clean strikes against the other and both were blocking appropriately.
Just then, one of the archers loosed an arrow that spooked a flock of pigeons on the nearby wall. One of the guards in the practice melee looked away for only a moment. Distracted the other guard made his move and struck him to the ground. He helped his brother up and both men were laughing.
“Very good job lad. You saw the opportunity and did not hesitate. And you, lad, now you see how quickly a fight can turn against you. At all times, you must remain focused.”
“Thank you Ser Edric. I will remember.” The losing guard said.
Ser Edric, satisfied with the progress his men were making, sauntered off back into the armory to return his blades and break his fast.
(Leadership improve to apprentice)
(Observation improve to apprentice)