After The Way of the Sword.
Vhalar 21, Arc 721
Doran had decided to return to the combat festival the trial after he had taught a Menochoros lesson and demonstrated one of his combat techniques, this time as a spectator. He enjoyed the atmosphere at The Proving Ground, more than he had expected. He thought that one should always try to resolve conflicts peacefully, if possible – he was his father’s son in that regard - but he enjoyed teaching and training. He believed that it was important to hone both your body and your mind.
His Eidisi friend Taelis who had helped him the trial before had decided to stay at home this time. Instead, his two assistants, Plia and Harold, who were in a relationship and even talking about getting married now, had accompanied him. Plia wanted to take part in a few lessons, although she refused to actually fight in any of the competitions. She wasn’t confident that she’d do well, even though Doran had assured her that she was good.
“She’s amazing, isn’t she?” Harold, a dark-haired human that was in his late twenties asked and smiled with obvious pride. They were sitting in a covered stand above the arena, enjoying cool drinks and snacks and watching Plia and a couple of other people try out different longsword techniques. The young half Eidisi was neither particularly strong nor fast, but she executed her attacks well, Doran observed.
“She is”, he agreed and inclined his head. “I can see her go far”, he remarked, not because Plia’s boyfriend was sitting next to him, but because he really believed that. Plia had made considerable progress since he had first started teaching her in Viden all those seasons ago. In time, she might even surpass most of the people that she was training with now.
He wanted to say more, and take another sip from his drink, when he heard someone ask, “I hope you don’t mind the interruption, professor, but we heard about your demonstration yesterday and that you are a grandmaster of the sword. We were wondering if you’d be willing to teach us. We would love to learn from someone like you.”
He turned his head and found himself facing a human woman that was in her early thirties, by his estimates, with red hair that she wore in a bun and a lot of freckles. Next to her stood a slightly younger woman with platinum blonde hair and lightly pointed ears that gave him the impression of being a little shy. Both of them carried longswords.
Doran furrowed his brow for a moment – he had said that anybody could learn his special technique given enough time, which was true, but he wasn’t entirely sure if these two women were already advanced enough. He did not wish to turn them down though. He felt honored that they wanted to learn from him, and besides, there might be something that he could show them.
With that thought in mind, he inclined his head.
“I can show you a few moves. I’ll need to have a word with Mister Foy first, of course to make sure there’s enough room in the arena, but I’ll likely be able to make time for you this afternoon”, he offered before he paused slightly and raised an eyebrow questioningly, hoping that the two that were smiling now would get the hint and tell him their names.
“Alisa”, the redhead said before she gestured towards the blonde next to her. “And this is my friend, Selene. We are very grateful”, she added in an enthusiastic tone of voice.
“I told you that there is no reason to be afraid of him”, he heard Alisa tell her friend once they made their way back downstairs – they had probably not expected his hearing to be that good. Selene replied something, but by then, they had moved even further away so that he could not make out exactly what they were saying. Shaking his head in amusement, he focused his attention on Plia again, just as the Eidisi executed an overhead swing.
Harold applauded to his girlfriend. After a moment Doran decided to do so as well.
Vhalar 21, Arc 721
Doran had decided to return to the combat festival the trial after he had taught a Menochoros lesson and demonstrated one of his combat techniques, this time as a spectator. He enjoyed the atmosphere at The Proving Ground, more than he had expected. He thought that one should always try to resolve conflicts peacefully, if possible – he was his father’s son in that regard - but he enjoyed teaching and training. He believed that it was important to hone both your body and your mind.
His Eidisi friend Taelis who had helped him the trial before had decided to stay at home this time. Instead, his two assistants, Plia and Harold, who were in a relationship and even talking about getting married now, had accompanied him. Plia wanted to take part in a few lessons, although she refused to actually fight in any of the competitions. She wasn’t confident that she’d do well, even though Doran had assured her that she was good.
“She’s amazing, isn’t she?” Harold, a dark-haired human that was in his late twenties asked and smiled with obvious pride. They were sitting in a covered stand above the arena, enjoying cool drinks and snacks and watching Plia and a couple of other people try out different longsword techniques. The young half Eidisi was neither particularly strong nor fast, but she executed her attacks well, Doran observed.
“She is”, he agreed and inclined his head. “I can see her go far”, he remarked, not because Plia’s boyfriend was sitting next to him, but because he really believed that. Plia had made considerable progress since he had first started teaching her in Viden all those seasons ago. In time, she might even surpass most of the people that she was training with now.
He wanted to say more, and take another sip from his drink, when he heard someone ask, “I hope you don’t mind the interruption, professor, but we heard about your demonstration yesterday and that you are a grandmaster of the sword. We were wondering if you’d be willing to teach us. We would love to learn from someone like you.”
He turned his head and found himself facing a human woman that was in her early thirties, by his estimates, with red hair that she wore in a bun and a lot of freckles. Next to her stood a slightly younger woman with platinum blonde hair and lightly pointed ears that gave him the impression of being a little shy. Both of them carried longswords.
Doran furrowed his brow for a moment – he had said that anybody could learn his special technique given enough time, which was true, but he wasn’t entirely sure if these two women were already advanced enough. He did not wish to turn them down though. He felt honored that they wanted to learn from him, and besides, there might be something that he could show them.
With that thought in mind, he inclined his head.
“I can show you a few moves. I’ll need to have a word with Mister Foy first, of course to make sure there’s enough room in the arena, but I’ll likely be able to make time for you this afternoon”, he offered before he paused slightly and raised an eyebrow questioningly, hoping that the two that were smiling now would get the hint and tell him their names.
“Alisa”, the redhead said before she gestured towards the blonde next to her. “And this is my friend, Selene. We are very grateful”, she added in an enthusiastic tone of voice.
“I told you that there is no reason to be afraid of him”, he heard Alisa tell her friend once they made their way back downstairs – they had probably not expected his hearing to be that good. Selene replied something, but by then, they had moved even further away so that he could not make out exactly what they were saying. Shaking his head in amusement, he focused his attention on Plia again, just as the Eidisi executed an overhead swing.
Harold applauded to his girlfriend. After a moment Doran decided to do so as well.
Notes
From the Scalvoris calendar:
Bramwell Foy has decided to hold the first event ever at The Proving Ground. From the 18th of Vhalar to the 21st of Vhalar, practitioners of various armed and unarmed combat styles will demonstrate their skills and even give short impromptu lessons. To that end, Mister Foy is looking for people that are willing to work for him for one or all four trials. Furthermore, there are competitions where people can test their combat skills, with small prizes to be won, and spectators can enjoy drinks and snacks.
Bramwell Foy has decided to hold the first event ever at The Proving Ground. From the 18th of Vhalar to the 21st of Vhalar, practitioners of various armed and unarmed combat styles will demonstrate their skills and even give short impromptu lessons. To that end, Mister Foy is looking for people that are willing to work for him for one or all four trials. Furthermore, there are competitions where people can test their combat skills, with small prizes to be won, and spectators can enjoy drinks and snacks.
