Furthering your Training

[Wedge]

The afternoon sun baked off the sweat from Cairin's cadin'sor as soon as it permeated the fabric. Down to his last spear with a buckler in his left hand he circled keeping the two young aiel he trained with at the moment. Both trained on him ready to attack. They had separated do divide his attention.One jumping towards him he deflected the spear strike with his shield easily, Cairen knew this was just a feint so that the other could attack from behind. Spinning around and swinging his body and the butt of his spear low he swept across the charging man's ankles, dumping him onto the ground. He heard some maidens laughing at him falling comically down. Spinning 180 degrees again back toward the second man, he barely caught the attack with his buckler, unable to hold on with barely more than 2 fingers, the buckler flew off to the ground. He immediately went on the attack, he had to overwhelm the other man or he would not prevail. They dances in zig zags through the training ground. His breath ragged he would not stop however. All of a sudden his opponent stopped as he backed  into another man. Carin's spear stopped short of touching his opponents chest. 

 

"Well done young ones. Well done." The older Aiel had watched this encounter from the beginning  Looking at Cairin "I am Daird of the Sovin'Nai. Let me see that hand young one". Cairin did not like showing it to others, but he held out his hand for the man.Daird inspected his scarred hand. Looking thoughtfully, he handed 2 long knives to Cairen, Instructing him to defend himself. In his right hand he held the knife in a fist, pointed up. In his left, he flipped the blade downward in a more defensive position. He knew this fit better with the loss of his fingers. 

 

"I do not do this in the accepted way, but i will take your challenge Sovin'Nai".

 

Daird nodded, seemingly seeing how this different way of holding the knife might be useful. He looked at a quite maiden sitting near the others and pointed, "You, Elamie, I see that unlike your spear-sisters you know to shut your mouth on occasion. Do you think this young man a challenge? Lets see what you can do against his knives." 

 

Cairen rounded on her. The brooding maiden did not look much older than he. He would face this challenge as he faces all others.

 

 

OOC: your turn. Use any weapon you want against my knives. You can write my combat if you want. 

[Mystica]

Elamie had stood watching in silence. Her sisters were grouped together making fun of both of them equally. It wasn't meant to be insulting in seriousness, just your typical Aiel humor. Elamie wasn't participating. Many thought her incapable of understanding humor. She was conscience of her isolation among her peers. It was  a constant source of worry, but she could not risk toh in the process of figuring this socialisation thing out. Cairin stood his ground well enough against the other two, but it was clear that he would never master the Spear. Elamie didn't pitty him. She had gone on raids with warriors much more severely injured than this Cairin and knew that any disadvantage can be overcome and replaced by other advantages. You just had to look for them and not cling to the past or to that which was lost. Acceptance of the what is was very much part of the Aiel life. You did not blame the sun for burning. You simply looked for shade.

 

She heard her sisters hiss at the jab from the Sovin'Nai chief, but raised her hand to stay them. Without a word she stepped forward with one spear in her hand only. Cairin began circling her. She stood, still and waiting. Around them the voices stopped.

 

"Till first blood is drawn" she said, locking her eyes with Cairin. Would he accept? Or would he wish to press through?

[Wedge]

"Till first blood is drawn" she said, locking her eyes with Cairin.

 

The crowd had gone silent. Awaiting his response. This Elamie was more serious than most maidens. He had not seen her chattering away as if a desert bird at night. Staring into her eyes in return,  "Blood does not intimidate me. I can go as long as you can maiden." He knew she would be more experienced than he. But he could only improve by going against those better than he, not stopping the second there was a drop of blood. Cairen flexed his fingers around the handles of the blades. She nodded and attacked.

 

This Maiden could dance. Back and forth they went. Despite the short length of the blades, Cairen found them easier to move with than a spear. He could sidestep easier and swivel them any direction. The blade turned downward could be used as a short slash, a stab, or as a hook to pull a body part or spear aside while striking with the upturned blade. But the maiden's spear was fast. Jumping and striking at the same time, the edge of the blade nicked his right shoulder. Cadin'sor cut open with a bit of blood on it. Maiden's rattled spears against bucklers for her. Jumping Back she paused, and they stared each other down again.

 

She was skilled. And he knew that she did not waste time with unnecessary pursuits. In this way they were the same.

 

"I see you Elamie, Far Dareis Mai." And he meant it, he now understood her nature as it was similar to his. He would be proud to fight along side her, but for now, he had to continue fighting with her. Barely a moment passed and he jumped back in to press her with his knifes. 

 

They had begun their dance for a moment when a shout rang out, "Up spears! Up spears, SHAIDO! Up Spears!" Cairen jumped away from Elamie and they both turned with Daird, Several maidens, and a handful of other warriors to sprint towards the attack.

 

OOC: Edited and added the attack now. While this could go back and forth, i figured it best to move us forward a step. 

Edited February 15, 2013 by Wedge

[Mystica]

OOC: Before posting further, read this post first.

 

Elamie was dissapointed in his reaction. Another one that couldn't distinguish pride from honour. She reminded herself that he was young still and that she'd had some struggles of her own with ji'e'toh. In fact, she still did at times. Though it was not known to any other than a few Wise Ones, the way of the people was not for the soft of heart or mind. It had to be hard. It had to be a struggle. How else would they be molded against what would come?

 

After testing the boy for a few moments, she pressed forward. He had some skill with those knives. She understood now why Daird took an interest in him. Would he come to the same conclusion as well and choose the Sovin'Nai as his home? She hoped so.

 

She upped her attack a little. Not the full out attack she would use in a serious combat, but it was clear that Cairin was quite skilled so he deserved a higher level confrontation. Executing a classic manoever, but with great speed, she managed to nick his shoulder. Elamie stopped and looked at the boy. First blood was drawn. She would stop here, as said before. But he wouldn't, as he had indicated. He paid her the honour of acknowledgement right before launching another attack. Sighing, Elamie prepared to pin him down in a single blow. It would bruise his pride, but pride wasn't honour and he needed to learn it. Just as she needed to learn so much still and her sisters did not hesitate to teach. Nore did the Wise Ones for that matter. Or her clan chief. Lately it seemed everyone had a lesson to teach. Here now was one with a lesson to learn.

 

"Up spears! Up spears, SHAIDO! Up Spears" the cry came and just like that their training session was over.

 

Instantly the clan rallied to them and they all set out towards the goat pens from where the cries were coming. A raid.... How many would wake from the dream this day?

[Wedge]

Running alongside Elamie towards the goat pens. The competitive nature in him burned, wishing they could have continued their encounter. He wanted to mention to her  his wish to continue training, but this was not the time or place. The group of 20 fanned out as they approached the pens. Goats gone and several bodies lay on the ground, this would not be the moment to tend to them. Short on time he only had the knives that Daird had given Him along with his normal blade he kept on his belt. 

 

Shadows on the earth popped up as the group approached. Stone Dogs meant to delay them. A spear thrust towards him that he turned aside with his knives allowing another warrior to put a spear in the Shaido's ribs. Spinning past, Cairen tossed a blade that stuck into the shoulder of another Stone Dog just before Elamie slid by and disarmed his spears. That one would live.  He felt pride in his skill this day with the blades, he would have to speak to the Sovin'Nai. They intrigued him. His sister would be glad to hear he may have found a society to join. They used to play knife throwing games all the time.... His anger flared.

 

Turning towards the remaining warriors, he ran towards the fight.

 

OOC: Quick.... been busy

Edited February 18, 2013 by Wedge

[Mystica]

Elamie raised her veil on the run without thought. Those Shaido again, she was certain. Her blood sped through her veins as she sped through the landscape towards the pens where they kept the goats. Bodies of both beast and Aiel lay on the ground. The Society leaders made a quick survey of the field, the clan chief already at the scene and they were sent off in persuit. Blending with their surroundings, the party of 20 went after the attackers. Gaishain already started tending to those that had woken from the dream and those that were injured as well as collecting the carcasses of the dead goats. By the end of the day the meat would be stored, the hides stripped and the bones boiled clean. Nothing went to waste in the Treefold Land.

 

They came upon the Shaido group unnoticed and after a brief moment of reflection and decision making by the leads of the hunting party, the confrontation was set in. Goats scattered all over as Dragonmount and Shaido collided. Young Cairien fought well, she noticed. His disadvantage almost completely gone now that he was handling those knives. Yes, he would make a fine Sovin'Nai. Spinning around her own axis, Elamie sliced her spear across the tendons of the Shaido Maiden trying to skewer her and she dropped to the floor imobilised. Elamie was known for her ability to wound but not kill her opponents. Though she wouldn't hesitate to kill if need be. Her heart stang a little. She hated facing other Maidens. No matter what clan they were from, she couldn't help feel connected to them. But clan came first. Always.

 

Her sisters danced to their own songs and all around them Shaido dropped or were disarmed. Some of her own clan members woke from the dream, but she barely noticed. There would be time to remember them and honour them later. A red haired giant came lurching at her with a laugh in his eyes. She had just witnessed him slaying one of her sisters. This one would not survive this day, she vowed, and turned her body halfway away from him. Today, his dream would end.

[Wedge]

Cairen stepped in and out, weaving his way around his enemies and clan alike. Not having to wield bulky spears made for free movement. His long limbs reaching around and slicing anywhere he chose. The more he fought with these weapons, the more at home he felt with them. Another Sovin'Nai he did not know nodded to him as he passed, pressing the attack on a Shaido Seia'doon. The ebb and flow of the battle was speaking to him as he moved silently through, slicing into his enemy. 

 

Though many had slipped into the dream, he could see his clan beginning to step towards victory. The Shaido had been stretched thin now with the Dragonmount pressing them more. Spinning to survey the field, He saw Elamie squared off against the largest man he'd ever seen. His shoulders double the width of the maiden's. The large man lifted his spear to attack. Cairen sprinted towards him, throwing a knife like a dart. it flew into him, going deep into the back of the man's left shoulder. Pausing, he turned and pulled the knife out on his own, dropping it to the ground, then jumped into his attack on Elamie. Cairen sprinted the last few yards and joined her in this battle...

[Mystica]

She noticed Cairen rushing towards her and her dance partner. The moment the dagger hit the Shaido Elamie knew her dance wasn't over with this one. Pivotting around her axis found her side by side with Cairen. It was unusual for Elamie to double up, especially against a single enemy. No Maiden would be worth her place in the Society if she couldn't hold her own against at least three for a while. But they had been going for a lot longer than a while now and she had faced many more than three on more than one occasion. Fact was, she was slowing.

She wasn't alone though. Everyone was slowing. Dragonmount and Shaido alike. That put them on equal ground, but this giant of a Shaido she was facing was anything but equal. So she accepted Cairen joining her. The Shaido sneered at them, taunting them with insults and offers of letting them run away. Elamie could feel Cairen's blood starting to boil more and more. "Don't let him taunt you!" she barked at the boy. "The moment you let your enemy dictate your actions you have already lost. Don't mistake pride for honour!"

 

Cairen jerked his head towards her but immediately relaxed his shoulders and his countenance resumed the stance of an Aiel Warrior. Focussed and in controle. Elamie was quite impressed with the young man. He would make a fantastic warrior someday.

 

The giant Shaido roared as he charged her. A dagger flashed past her towards the oncoming menace but Elamie was already dancing towards him. Spinning her body, arms and hands gracefully, she planted two spears on either side of the man's torso. His eyes locked with hers. Everything faded in that moment as she watched him wake from the dream.

 

She turned, expecting to find the next assailant, but there were none. Taken Shaido were unclothing where they stood, while the gaishain attended the fallen wounded. The goats were herded back to their enclosure and the dead were marched off for burial.

[Wedge]

Having thrown his last knife at the honor less Shaido so that Elamie could finish him, he spun weaponless around looking for another Shaido he could disarm. The chaos of battle had slowed into the ordered plodding of the post battle organization. He lowered his veil, turning back to Elamie, but she had begun moving towards the remaining Far Dareis Mai, though not joining them in their dirge for the dead. He turned to move and realized he was the only warrior without a society involved in this encounter. While any Aiel save a wise one, a blacksmith, and a child would defend their hold, he had come without thought out to attack the Shaido, and the other young warriors had been left behind to guard the empty pens and direct Gaishain. A flash of anger went through him. No, he had no Toh, if he was not needed, he would have been told to stay with the other young warriors. A test then perhaps.

 

Trotting up to catch up with Elamie. they walked silently a bit away from the group for a time. Her Ferocity and skill reminded him of his sister.... She could never be a Maiden now, but this Maiden was skilled and had cooled his temper. "i would like to train with you again one day Elamie. I have learned more on this day than in a long time." He left it at that and walked silently. 

[Mystica]

She eyed him up silently from the side as they walked. Her skill in training young ones was well known, though in her mind it was blown way out of proportion. The Wise Ones wouldn't let her show any 'false humility', as they called it, though. So she found herself training young ones left, right and center. She didn't mind, really. Just that it was kind of difficult to be by yourself when you were constantly training someone. Cairen kept silent after that remark. An admirable quality. Training with him would not be an undesirable activity, she decided.

 

"Life is a neverending stream of learning," she replied at last. "I have no doubt we shall train together again, Cairen. I look forward to it. You show real promise with those daggers and it looks like you've triggered the interest of the Sovin'Nai Leader. Have you given any thoughts to which Society you would join when you were ready?"

[Wedge]

"Have you given any thoughts to which Society you would join when you were ready?"

 

"My first-sister believes me to be destined for Seia-Doon, but....I do not feel a connection." He loved her and would do everything he could to make her happy, but this was one thing he could not do for her. "Yet, after this day, I feel as if I have had a target painted for the arrow that is my choice." He wondered if it was easier to be a woman, and only have one option. 

[Mystica]

"I see," Elamie replied thoughtfully. "The choice of a Society should not be dependent on what others expect of you, no matter how close they may be to you. It is a personal choice and one that should fit best with you and your abilities. It is good that you consider your choice inspite of expectations from others, Cairen. That shows good judgement."

 

She sat down on a piece of dried desert grass, under an overhanging rock. The shade wasn't much, but for an Aiel it was precious nevertheless. Cairen remained standing, not assuming he was invited to sit with her. She smiled and motioned him to join her. One of her Society sisters trotted over and sank down next to Elamie without a word. It was a bit intrusive, but the Maidens had their own code of conduct and Suari was a rather flamboyant one. She also was a smart one. Her bright eyes took in the situation and she settled in the typical squat, becoming a part of the rocks that shaded them. Elamie wondered how Cairen would react to all this. Suari hadn't acknowledged him and Elamie was pretty sure Cairen had never seen her before today. She had just only now returned from a mission and had instantly joined them in the battle without the travel dust having cleared her cadin sor.

[Wedge]

Squatting down, Carien opened his mouth to speak as another maiden sat with them unannounced. He snapped it shut. He preferred to talk one on one when it came to matters other than combat. He could speak to dozens about the art of combat, but he tended to be quiet otherwise. Elamie seems frustrated by her presence, but the other maiden seemed not to notice. 

 

"Well now i must see if they think I'm as right for them as I feel. I have not seen them since the battle ended. They must have been required elsewhere." His eyes darted to the other maiden. She continued to ignore the two of them. "Perhaps I should seek them out."

[Mystica]

Elamie turned towards Suari and smiled.

"I see you Suari. How fares your sister?" It was a rather personal thing to ask with Cairen there but Elamie felt that it was appropriate. She knew Suari didn't mind being personal and it would put them somewhat on even ground. Hopefully Cairen would relax a bit, being included in the personal sphere of this Maiden. He didn't know she was rather free with her personal sphere, of course. But the end result ought to be the same, she hoped.

 

"I see you Elamie. I see you young warrior," the latter aimed at Cairen whose name she did not know. "Marlena is fine, thank you for asking. It was a whole lot of nothing as usual. I tell you it's a good thing that one never decided to become a Maiden. Our sisters would have her run for the dying lands in a heartbeat."

 

Elamie saw the expression of shock on Cairen's face. She could almost hear him think. To speak so of one's own sibling in front of strangers.... it was bad enough to acknowledge shame in a sibling in front of friends or family but to do so in front of strangers... He blinked a few times, trying to appear as though he hadn't heared. But Suari had addressed him directly, so he could no longer ignore her in turn without being rude. Elamie smiled reassuringly. Or so she hoped.

"Don't mind Suari, Cairen. She has never quite grasped the concept of tact, much to the Wise One's frustration. You understand, Suari keeps forgetting that not everyone knows her sister is a well respected seamstress as well as the roofmistress of her Clan. Only Suari would dare speak of her so. You really should learn to be a bit more carefull in your talk, Suari."

 

"You're right, of course, Elamie." Suari replied, not in the least bit taken aback or sorry for that matter. Smiling broadly she hopped up and went to join the other Maidens who were relaxing over some water nearby.

 

Shaking her head, Elamie turned back to Carien. "The Sovin'Nai Chief is right there talking to another Chief. Lets invite him over to share our shade and water when he is finished. I would like to get to know him a bit better myself."

[Wedge]

Shaking her head, Elamie turned back to Carien. "The Sovin'Nai Chief is right there talking to another Chief. Lets invite him over to share our shade and water when he is finished. I would like to get to know him a bit better myself."

 

Standing, he looked at the second maiden. She was odd indeed. But she had acknowledged him so he had to acknowledge her. "I see you Sauri", She replied the same. He had never known her before, but he had kept mostly to himself recently. Her openness bordered on inappropriate in his mind.  But it was not for him to decide her shame.

 

Turning he saw the clan leaders looking at them just now and speaking. The Sovin'Nai leader motioned for him to wait where he was. They each looked at him and the two maidens chatting with each other. Walking over to  where they sat, the Sovin'Nai leader looked at the unlikely trio. "Sauri I see you swooping in and landing in strange places again. A maiden such as yourself could find some entertainment, perhaps with that Seia'Doon i saw you with earlier." Sauri's face blushed just a fraction at his joke and she stared him down. With nothing other than a flash of her hands at Elamie, she stood up and left. Those maidens had lots of communication even when they weren't supposed to.

 

Laughing he turned to Elamie and Cairen, "She will not soon forget that one. I'm sure she will find a way to pay me back for that one."

[Mystica]

Elamie chuckled at him. "No doubt of that. But something tells me you're looking forward to it. That's presumptious of you, Sovin'Nai. Mastering of a knife doesn't make you a Master of Maidens." The bantering between the two was lighthearted. Among the Aiel, rank didn't mean everyone fell to their face in front of them as some of those wetlanders would do. Aiel bowed to no one but choose to bestow honor and respect on those that deserved it. A Society Leader deserved respect for certain, but he could just as easily find himself the subject to a game of Maiden's Kiss as a new Society Member. Well, perhaps not just as. For one did not become Society Leader without the proper experience.

 

"How is the outcome of this raid?" Everyone knew that any raid was a drain on a Clan's resources and survival, but Dragonmount Clan was strong and big. It could take raids better than most other Clans. Their biggest threat was the Shaido Clan.

[Quibby]

"The raid?  It could have been worse.  Most of the dead and the gai'shain are young; it seems that this raid was organized and led by hot-blooded spears who were little more than children.  I recognized two older Sovin Nai helping to lead the retreat."  Daird shook his head and sighed.  "The Shaido must be growing weak or complacent if they let such ridiculous acts occur."  Daird let a moment of silence into the conversation; there was joy in battle, but there was little honor to be found by killing untested spears.  It was better to take them gai'shain and let them learn patience.

 

Allowing a small smile to cross his face, Daird turned his attention to the young warrior that he had seen before the raid.  "As for you, young one, you handled yourself well today, both in the duel and in the battle.  You also managed to avoid waking from the Dream.  I appreciate that; I do not like the idea of my knives being handled by a dead man."

 

OOC: Sorry for the brevity.  It takes me a few posts to really understand a new character.

Edited April 16, 2013 by Quibby

[Wedge]

"it seems that this raid was organized and led by hot-blooded spears who were little more than children"

 

​Cairen's thoughts snapped to that comment immediately. He felt pride in how he fought, Even honor in defending his clan. But perhaps he hadn't earned much. He had been in combat before, but this one had felt different. Perhaps he overestimated himself on this day. But the older man had paid him a compliment and honor bringing his thoughts back into the moment. Spinning the one remaining knife he had left on his palm, he presented it handle first for Daird, "One of yours is in the shoulder of a Shaido that I saw being pulled away. If he touched your blade before he left the battle it may now be Gia'shain, knowing how the Shaido grasp for honor." He Smiled slightly, "I will find you it's equal and replace it for you."

 

 

 

 

OOC: edited a tad

Edited April 16, 2013 by Wedge

[Quibby]

"Do not worry yourself about the knives," Daird said, refusing the proffered blade.  "We are the Sovin Nai.  We have plenty more."  The young warrior seemed... deflated somehow.  As if the details of the raid had lessened him.  It was no matter.  Daird only knew what he had seen, and he had offered his opinions to the Clan Chief, but only he currently knew everything that had been reported about the raid.  He wanted to share the information with Cairen, but that would mean acknowledging the younger man's reaction to the news, which might bring him shame.  Daird had no reason to do that to the man.  Instead, he looked the man in the eyes and asked, "Do you have any thoughts about which society you wish to join?  I am willing to answer whatever questions I can about my own society and others, or I can even direct you to those who will have more answers than I."

[Wedge]

 "Do you have any thoughts about which society you wish to join?  I am willing to answer whatever questions I can about my own society and others, or I can even direct you to those who will have more answers than I."

 

Continuing to spin the knife on his hand as the other warrior spoke. Thinking for a moment he then looped the knife around into his hand and flung it to his side,impaling a small poisonous lizard that had been sneaking through the desert sand. "I have always done well with knives, but under your direction, i have learned them even more so. I wish to continue learning with the Sovin'Nai" Picking up the blade and cleaning the blood off of it, he slipped it into his belt. "If they would have me," He would not presume to already have acceptance. 

 

He did not know how to actually apply to a society. He had heard the Far Dareis Mai initiation was filled with tests and tricks. Women may do such things, men could be more direct. And he had few friends to tell him how such a thing was accomplished. "How do I go about joining a society?"

Edited April 21, 2013 by Wedge

[Quibby]

OOC:  I am really sorry for the delay.  DM's getting better, but life's getting weirder.

 

IC:  Daird smiled.  It was rare for the society leader to actually approach a potential member, but not unheard-of.  It generally occurred when it was fairly obvious in which direction a prospective would go.

 

The prospective would generally regret their decision at some point, no matter which society they chose.

 

"Each society is different," Daird replied.  "I cannot answer for the other societies, but petitioning to join the Sovin Nai is simple."  Waving his hand towards the unoccupied circle, Daird strode calmly into the center.  "In the Sovin Nai," Daird said in a clear voice from the circle, "nothing is given.  Everything must be earned, even the right to petition."  Shrugging the tension out of his shoulders, Daird lifted the veil at his neck, shielding the lower part of his face from view.  "No weapons, no quarter.  If you are to join us, you must prove that you are capable of joining us."  Shifting his stance, Daird readied himself.  The duel was always the same: a method to determine an aspirant's abilities, to gauge whether or not they were ready for the extra training that would be required of them.  Memories of the nearly contemptuous ease of Daird's first petition to the society were quickly quashed.  He had been unready, and the Society Leader had known it.

 

Maybe Cairen was ready.  There was only one way to know.  "Come.  Let us dance."

[Wedge]

"Come.  Let us dance."

 

Cairen pulled the two daggers that he had on him and dropped them to the ground. Keeping his eyes locked on Daird, He lifted his veil and moved in an arc towards the older man. Coming to stop in front of him he lifted his arms and tilted his body as to create a smaller profile for the man to attack. Cairen did not fight with hands the way most did, he was unsure if this was an advantage or disadvantage. It just was. His scarred hand in the lead, he smiled under his veil.

 

"Yes, let us dance."

 

Immediately Daird attacked. Shifting and stepping he fended off the Sovin'Nai. Arms rolling around in order to prevent strikes to his body, legs checking and dissolving attempted kicks. After taking a few strikes, Cairen had to go on the offensive unleashing a flurry of punches to push Daird back, He attacked and was met with equal force. Slipping inside Cairen struck a shoulder and swept Daird's leg behind him forcing Daird to jump forward and roll smoothly, standing several feet away. Cairin turned to him, ready to continue....

[Quibby]

Cairen favored his unscarred hand, leading with the scarred one.  It was a habit that he would have to unlearn.  Predictability was something that could get a warrior killed.  Thoughts for another time, Daird thought irritably as he rolled above a leg sweep, coming to his feet smoothly.  Daird gave the other man a nod before advancing.  Giving Cairen time to prepare himself would only prolong the dance more than necessary, so he struck quickly.  His hands a blur, Daird struck first at Cairen's face, then at the center of his chest.  Both blows were blocked, but Cairen was unable to recover enough to completely avoid the spinning kick that caught him on the point of his hip.  The blow caused him to stagger, and Daird took advantage of the moment.  A light kick moved Cairen's right foot across his left, and a flat-palmed strike to the chest sent the other man backwards.  Whoever had taught Cairen knew how to defend against such an attack; Cairen turned the fall into a roll, then used the motion of the roll to launch himself back to his feet.  Daird gave the other man another nod.

 

Advancing again, Daird rained another flurry of blows at Cairen's upper body, which he managed to deflect.  His low kick at Cairen's knee was also deflected.  As soon as Daird's foot landed, he did the same to Cairen's other leg.  This time, Cairen caught the kick and used it as a lever to bring Daird to the ground.  Even as he fell, Daird used his free leg to catch Cairen's leg, bringing him down with him.  Levering himself backward, Daird came to his feet, prepared to face another onslaught.

 

OOC: I think we've lingered on this stuff long enough.  Use your next post to wrap up the duel.  You're still a new fighter, so victory is not possible, but give yourself a damn good showing.  If DM is still up for me tonight, I'll post your first class.

[Wedge]

Daird stood up from the ground. Internally Cairen was very pleased with himself. The leg check he used was perfect. But there was no time revel. Daird came on the attack again. Cairen swung his head up and down in large motions dodging Daird's big attacks. but he was being predictable and realized it the moment Daird tried to knee him in the chest. Absorbing the shot he shot his soulder into the older man's chest and pushed off the ground with both legs tackling him to the ground. Daird landed on his back while Cairen rolled past him onto his feet skidding in the dirt. As soon as he gained traction attacking again.

 

Daird still on the ground coughed as the ground has caused him to lose his breath, Cairen attacked as he defended himself with his feet and rolled to avoid strikes. Lifting his foot in an attempt to strike Daird's thigh. That was his moment to strike as he spun out pushing one leg in between Cairen's legs and spun. Cairen found himself instantly flipped onto his back, Daird flipping his legs and wrapping them around his arm pulling it the wrong way across the the older man's chest. He stopped short of breaking Cairen's arm. He let go and Cairen rolled and stood shaking off his arms. 

 

"i was too confident in my position with you on the ground. A lesson i will have to remember for the future."