Darius could not imagine being arrogant enough to think he could actually defeat the great Doran Thetys in combat. The man was an expert - one didn't get invited to put on an exhibition of sword mastery at The Proving Ground without earning a deserved reputation as a skilled fighter - and the bearded blond knew the man was taking things easy with him.
Even so, his eyes lit up as he swung his practice sword, thinking ever so briefly he might actually parry away the man's attack and attempt one of his own.
Alas, it was not to be.
Almost before he even realised what had happened, Doran had pacified Darius' blade and closed the gap between them. Had the pair been fighting in anger, their encounter would have been as bloody as it was brief.
It was a timely reality check, and the sailor was soon gratefully nodding as he received further instruction, making mental notes with each new piece of information.
At Doran's invitation, Darius attacked the man again, attempting to vary his strikes as best he could, while also trying to remember to relax, to lead with his foot, to turn defensive parries into attacks, to combat the fighter rather than his weapon...
It was a lot to learn, and suffice to say, he would often forget something from the list, only to focus on it the next time and forget something else in the process. But it was a start, and one he was grateful for. As their sparring session approached a full break, Darius' muscles were aching, and his tunic was damp with sweat. But he knew that he would eventually be able to sit down and reflect on the trial he sparred with the great Doran Thetys.
Even so, his eyes lit up as he swung his practice sword, thinking ever so briefly he might actually parry away the man's attack and attempt one of his own.
Alas, it was not to be.
Almost before he even realised what had happened, Doran had pacified Darius' blade and closed the gap between them. Had the pair been fighting in anger, their encounter would have been as bloody as it was brief.
It was a timely reality check, and the sailor was soon gratefully nodding as he received further instruction, making mental notes with each new piece of information.
At Doran's invitation, Darius attacked the man again, attempting to vary his strikes as best he could, while also trying to remember to relax, to lead with his foot, to turn defensive parries into attacks, to combat the fighter rather than his weapon...
It was a lot to learn, and suffice to say, he would often forget something from the list, only to focus on it the next time and forget something else in the process. But it was a start, and one he was grateful for. As their sparring session approached a full break, Darius' muscles were aching, and his tunic was damp with sweat. But he knew that he would eventually be able to sit down and reflect on the trial he sparred with the great Doran Thetys.
