Dedicated Weapons Class (Tai'Dashan, Open to all Dedi's)

[Arath Faringal]

Arath stood in the early morning sun of the training grounds, enjoying this time of day before the tumult of the Farm began again.  Soon enough the explosions and the shouts would rumble across the cold landscape, but for now, the relative silence was peaceful. 

 

It ended all too soon though, as the Dedicated began to arrive.  They were to take part in a weapons training class.  Always a messy afair.  Too many Asha'man spurned martial weapon training in favor of Saidin.  He had taught several men who couldn't draw their sword without stabbing themselves in the foot, and he couldn't stand it.  Light willing, this class would go without incident.

 

As the dedicated began to assemble, Arath promptly shielded every one of them and gave his instructions. "Enter this storeroom and choose your weapon. Today you learn battle plan 'B'; what to do when you can't channel. Move!" As the Dedicated filed through the weapon storehouse, Arath wove his own weapons into being. Earth and Fire wove together into a pair of short blades. He used less fire than usual, since he didn't want to injure his students with the flames, but his weapons still seemed to glow a faint reddish color. An interesting effect. Weapons at his side, he waited for everyone to return. He couldn't wait for this one to be over and done with.

 

[TaiDashan]

Tai'Dashan walked briskly to the training grounds. Arath had mentioned this training almost casually over breakfast this morning, almost as if he did not care if Tai showed up. But Tai had gotten to know the man somewhat, even call him friend, and he had seen the eager look in his eye no matter how he tried to hide it. Idly Tai gazed at the clear, early morning sky.

 

I wonder what the weather will be like today. He mused.

 

~Same as it always is you fool! Bloody cold as the flaming Dark Ones heart and no wench to warm you.~ The voice inside his head cackled with maniacal glee as Tai shrugged uncomfortably.

 

Tai had almost given up trying to block out the voice. It seemed that every flaw, every thing he hated about himself had been drawn in and personified by the taint until the very opposite of his character resided in his head. He hated the voice, hated and despised it. The worst part was a part of him agreed with it, and that horrified him. Light it was him! Quickly his attention was drawn to the scene in front of him as he rounded the last corner before the training grounds. Arath was standing there waiting. Good, he was the first one here and barely a minute late as it was. Friend or no, that would not save him running laps around the grounds for being the last one to show up. Arath was a man that believed in showing what laziness could do. He was a good teacher. The fight along the razor's edge of Saidin could not afford laziness. Suddenly Tai noticed he was not alone, close on his heels other Dedicated arrived. A small secret smile, briefly danced across his lips. Apparently he wasn't the only one who did not want to be running laps. Suddenly Tai felt a shield slip into place and desperately he battered at it, reaching for the source before he could stop himself.

 

~HE WILL KILL YOU! HE COULD BE MAD AS A LARK AND HERE YOU STAND HELPLESS! HE WILL KILL YOU I SAY!~ Screamed the voice in his head. Even that voice was tight with panic. Frantically he glanced at Arath and noted his stern face. Tai fought hard to rein in the panic and fight the urge to clamor at the shield he knew would not loosen.

 

"Enter this storeroom and choose your weapon. Today you learn battle plan 'B'; what to do when you can't channel. Move!"

 

Panic forgotten, training took over and Tai moved to obey the order half before he even knew what he was doing. Shock washed away panic and he took his place in line.

 

"You light-blinded fool!" He muttered to himself as he stepped in the weapon storehouse.

 

Efortlessly forming the void, he pushed all emotion into the flame. It would do no good to let emotion rule here as so often it did in his life. Thoughtfully he hefted a sword similar in shape, weight and design to what he had been given by his mentor on his raising to Dedicated. The man had spent a week in his basement smithy being as secretive as a bloody Aes Sedai. A shadow of a grin touched his lips briefly before he turned to leave the storehouse with his sword. Arath was a friend. The knowledge brought welcome comfort if small to the days grim training ahead.

[Arath Faringal]

Arath stood in silence as his students returned from the weapon shed. Once all were assembled he walked down the row and wove a solid strip of air over the edges of the blades, to prevent accidents and protect the weapons from his own power wrought ones.

 

"Now then, as you should all know, these weapons are not your ideal choice for combat. Therefore, this is not the most important aspect of your training. You will most likely never become a blade master here, but we do expect you to be able to hold your own against an enemy soldier. So first off, I want to see just how experienced you are. You will pair off and spar for three minutes. Your objective is to take your oponent down. Get him on the ground, disarm him, whatever it takes. I don't care if you fight pretty, or if you fight dirty. Once you are finished, I'll pick some of the best of you for a special assignment. Three minutes. Get to it."

[TaiDashan]

*OOC* I am going to RP an NPC named Dirk to fight with

 

*IC*

 

Take his opponent down eh? Tai caught the eye of a newly raised Dedicated with an axe and the two split off from the group. Dirk, he thought his name was. The man held the long handled axe like he was comfortable with it. As comfortable as Tai was with a sword. Slowly the two circled, probing for weakness with an easy grace.

 

~This whelp knows nothing of your training back home!~ The voice grated at him. ~Kill him!~

 

Ignoring the voice he feinted left with his sword a little more than he meant and narrowly avoided a nasty headache. The blade had been dulled but that didn't mean it would hurt less. Dirk wore a confident grin now.

 

As he should. Tai thought to himself roughly. You almost lost before you had begun!

 

Tai eyed the axe handle, it was long. He would be hard pressed to get within range to use his sword unless the man continued to be confident. Tai purposefully tensed up slightly, making his movements somewhat jerky and awkward and again swiped at the man almost clumsily. This went on for a few minutes until Dirk started swinging wide, opening himself up more often. He swung with more force now, arrogantly attempting to knock Tai to the floor. Pretending to turn an ankle on a rock while lunging, Tai grinned as the man took the bait. Dirk swung the axe heavily in a sideways arc meant to catch Tai alongside the head. Using his forward momentum from the lunge, Tai quickly rolled under the arc and to his feet in its wake. Dirk's face flashed surprise as Tai's blunted blade struck knee, wrist, and head in quick succession. Dirk's eyes rolled back into his head as he crumpled bonelessly to the hard packed dirt, his axe landing a span from where he lay. Tai glanced at him to make sure he was breathing and then crouched calmly to wait for the rest to finish. Breathing heavily he gazed around. It looked like he wouldn't have long to wait.

[Arath Faringal]

Arath supervised his sparring students with a pained look. Most of them weren't taking this seriously. Only a small handful of the dozen or so dedicateds seemed to show any promise. Letting them carry on for a few extra minutes he picked out those who would take part in the next part of this class. Once the choice was made he called for attention. Almost everyone immediately broke away except for a pair of Cairhienen who were too caught up in trying to kill each other to pay much attention. A small earthquake beneath them brought them around quickly enough though, and the class continued.

 

"Most of you," Arath said loudly, "are horrible. You wouldn't last 5 minutes against a farmer with a pitchfork, let alone a Trolloc or a Fade. Thankfully, not all of you are total losses. Tai'Dashan, you will stay here. Dirk, you too." He surveyed the remaining Dedicateds for a moment then pointed at another one by the name of Jakes.  "And you.  The rest of you, run a Koras lap and assemble back here."

 

Once the rest of the disgruntled class had left, he addressed the remaining three. "You all have something to offer the rest of the class. Tai, you seem to have had some prior training, and know what you're doing. Jakes, you handle yourself well. Dirk ... you do whatever it takes to win. If we could put the three of you together we'd have a decent fighter.

 

"What I want you to do then, is explain to the rest of the class when they arrive why your particular trait or ability is useful, and why it will help you to defeat me when I spar with you. I expect you to at least hold your own long enough to make your words credible."

[TaiDashan]

Tai rose from his crouch when Arath called for attention. He may be his friend, but this was training and he could expect no softness. Another trait he admired about Arath. He watched silently as the two fool Cairhienen kept on not even noticing Arath's call. Absently he reached out to help Dirk to his feet, noting out of the corner of his eye the man brushing off his coat and eyeing him thoughtfully.

 

Tai suppressed a laugh at the indignation on the other men's faces. To be fair they weren't that bad. It was humorous to watch them all grumble as they started their lap though. The mirth quickly fled as he heard Arath's order.

 

"But I-" He started to protest. Tai bit off what he was about to say when he saw the look on Arath's face. There was no way this was going to feel good, Arath was good with the sword. Only Caovai was better. Tai had seen Arath practicing with his blade at home. Shaking his head he thought to himself just how badly this would hurt. Bracing himself as the recruits returned, he stepped out of the group. Might as well get it over with.

 

"Arath has asked me to explain why my, um...what i do, is useful." He looked at Arath, who nodded. "Well you see i made friends with a town guard in Mayne who showed me a little about-" He cut off nervously scratching the back of is neck uncomfortably. "You see, I have learned a little about the sword." He continued, wanting nothing more than to fade into the dirt.

 

"When up against a big weapon like a hammer or an axe," He paused and chuckled. "ok, any weapon.. it's gonna hurt." He grinned. "So i try to stay out of getting hit as much as possible." He stopped and thought for a minute. "Seriously though." He paused looking over the other men. "Test your opponent, find his weakness and use it against him. Show him the side of you you want him to see and strike when he least expects it." He looked at Arath helplessly. "That's about all.." He trailed off.

 

Arath nodded in what seemed like satisfaction and instructed the others to go join the rest. Tai almost flinched when Arath announced that it was time to begin. Assuming a ready stance he formed the Void. Arath grinned at him and although it was friendly it was also unnerving. Tai knew that Arath would not be fooled by his little fake out technique. Slowly Tai circled left sword dipping and coming up, dipping and coming up. Arath made a few feints and Tai quickly followed with his blade, never allowing his body to commit until the man passed a certain point. Suddenly dust flew from below his vision threatening his eyes, and Arath was there, whirling with his glowing blades. A brief moment of terror skittered across the surface of the Void and was gone as he barley deflected Arath's attack. Just as quickly as the terror, Arath retreated as well. The bloody man was grinning! Tai tensed up in spite himself, Arath was testing him. Well he would show him what he could do.

 

"Hey It's the Dragon!" He shouted foolishly and pointing over Arath's shoulder, grinning the whole while. He new Arath wouldn't fall for it, but he was hoping he might loosen up slightly at the joke. Quickly Tai danced in blade flashing to press here, dart there. But Arath was no fool and he had not lightened a bit. Easily he turned aside Tai's blows as if he were moving at half the speed. The two seperated once more and Tai tossed a grin to Arath. "It's been fun but lets stop playing and get it over with." he launched himself at Arath meaning to at least strike somewhere, at least once.

[Arath Faringal]

With a supreme effort, Arath refrained from rubbing his temples during Tai's speech.  Avoid the pointy end . . . he'd earned a few bruises for that one.

 

The apprehension was plain on his mentee's face as he squared off against Arath.  Arath didn't do much to start with.  A few simple feints and easily parried attacks.  A few wide grins to unnerve him a little more.

 

"It's been fun but lets stop playing and get it over with."  Arath only grinned again as Tai leapt forward.  Tai launched as many attacks, as quickly as he could.  Arath, wielding two blades, didn't have much of a problem parrying the attacks.  But now was his time to use Tai's own lesson to the rest of the class against him.  He slowed down his blocks just a little, allowing Tai to find holes in his defenses.  He didn't ever land a blow.  Didn't even come close actually, but Arath feigned a look of concentration, as if Tai'Dashan were pressing harder than he had expected.  And Tai played right into it, gaining confidence with each swing.

 

Soon enough, Tai was pressing his attacks, leaving his defenses wide open.  That's when Arath struck.  Spinning quickly to the side of a heavy thrust by Tai, Arath thrust his left blade toward Tai's arms, striking him on the wrist and making him lose his grip with that hand.  The right blade cut in low and hit the dedicated behind the knee, buckling it.  Letting his momentum carry him past the falling man, Arath spun quickly and brought his blades down on both of Tai's shoulders.  Then for good measure, dragged them across his back in an X shape.  While tapping Tai repeatedly on the head with his sword, Arath turned back to the class.

 

"Letting your opponent see what you want him too is a good start.  Making him see what he wants is where you'll find victory.  Dedicated Tai'Dashan wanted very badly to hit me, and so I let him see that he had a chance.  And for that he would have been hamstrung, disarmed, sliced open, and would have a sizeable dent in his head."  Arath dropped his swords to his sides and let Tai stand up.  He nodded to the Dedicated, letting him know he had done well.  Then he turned to his other two victims.  "Jakes.  Your turn."

 

~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~    ~

 

Twenty minutes later, two more students had been battered and bruised after equally dismal speeches, and even worse sparring matches.  Arath sighed as he looked at his third opponent, laying flat in the mud.  Very few of them showed any promise of ever being able to use a sword properly.  Arath walked over to the prone dedicated and addressed the class. "There is no room here anyone who is willing to give less than their all here. No matter your sitation, no matter your weapon, no matter your opponent, you give until theres nothing left to give. If you are up against a dreadlord, or one of the forsaken, anything less than your all is death. They won't hold back for you." He looked down at Dirk and tapped his forehead with the tip of his earthen blade. "If I had been a fade instead of your instructor you would be missing your arms instead of collecting bruises." Stepping back and looking up at the others he continued. "We may not aspire to glory, to have the bards and gleemen sing about us, but your efforts should always be worthy of a song. Be a legend in your family. And know that if you do give up in the middle of a real battle, if the enemy doesn't kill you, I will. Any questions?"

 

When nobody said anything, he let the weaves holding his swords unravel and reached down and pulled the Dedicated to his feet.  Clapping him on the shoulder, Arath sent the man back to the rest of the group.

 

"Now then, as useful as it is to know how to fight when you're shielded, you should also know how to get out of such an awful predicament. Some of you have figured out by now that shields give and bend if you push on them hard. If you push hard enough, you can break through it, but only if the person shielding you is much weaker than you are. However, there is a way to get through if the shield is tied off, no matter who did it. Everyone examine the shield between you and Saidin. You'll find a point that's . . . hard. Not the same is the rest of it. This is the weak point. It can take a while to do, but you have to work your way into that point and . . . break it. Flex. It's hard to describe, but you should be able to figure it out.

 

"So, your final part in this lesson is to break through your shields. But thats too easy. Form up with a new sparring partner and duel. You are to take down your opponent. Disarmed, on the ground, beaten. Hold nothing back. At the same time, you are to break through your shields. First man through gets to channel at the other. So work quickly. Loser's gets to run three Koras laps before lunch."

 

Arath smiled as the dedicateds launched themselves at eachother, determined to get out of the extra laps.

[TaiDashan]

Tai launched himself at Arath with zeal. He would land a hit...even if it was just one. As his blade flew he put all he had into it. He could tell Arath was holding back, not really pressing the advantage.

 

~You can do it boy! Kill him! He will kill you unless you end his life first! Tear his throat out with your teeth if you have to but KILL HIM!~ The voice screamed at him even inside the Void.

 

Tai blinked and slowed slightly as the Void slipped and shock flooded in. That was new, the voice had never been so...powerful when he was floating inside the Void. In fact, most of the time...not all but most of the time, it was silenced by the Void. Arath's blocks slowed slightly as well to keep up with him. Pushing all thoughts of the voice aside Tai renewed his attacks. Tai noticed that Arath had not picked up the speed of his blocks and obviously thought he could handle him easily. Tai knew for a fact that if his mentor and friend gave it his all he would handle Tai as easily as a babe.

 

Well I will show him I am no easy meat!He thought. If he wanted to give it less than his all, Tai would push the advantage and strike. Even if it was just one blow he would be able to rib Arath about it over meals later. Arath was not pressing the attack. In fact he was not attacking at all. Tai thought it likely that he was attempting to show the students how good Tai was. Well he would show the other men and Arath! Paying only half a mind to his defense Tai focused on offense, attempting to strike arath. There! An opening. Tai thrust hard attempting to catch Arath in the chest....and blinked in surprise. Well he would have if he had had time. Arath deftly spun around the seeking point of his blade and struck lightning quick at his wrist. The blade hit the dirt seconds before his knee did from a second strike. Tai didn't even have time to roll away before both of Arath's blades crisscrossed his back in an obvious flourish. As if that were not enough, Arath sat tapping his sword on his head as he lay in the dirt.

 

Bloody show-off!He thought to himself sulkily. Tai noticed that Arath was addressing the other men. In spite of himself he found himself listening intently to the description of his weakness and chiding himself for it. He got to his feet and Arath nodded, just slightly but it said the job had been done well. Tai suppressed a grin as he returned to stand with the others. It was a fool thing to get excited like a puppy being praised but Arath was his friend. Plus, it didn't hurt that the acknowledgment of a job well done helped to soothe his pride.

 

"Jakes.  Your turn." Arath said, and they begun. Tai was pleased to see that he handled this man twice as fast as he had Tai. Dirk was next although held his own for longer than Jakes.

 

"There is no room here anyone who is willing to give less than their all here. No matter your sitation, no matter your weapon, no matter your opponent, you give until theres nothing left to give. If you are up against a dreadlord, or one of the forsaken, anything less than your all is death. They won't hold back for you."Tai found himself nodding. This he was well aware of and ready to give it his all. In truth, Tai always gave everything his all, even when it was too much.

 

"We may not aspire to glory, to have the bards and gleemen sing about us, but your efforts should always be worthy of a song. Be a legend in your family. And know that if you do give up in the middle of a real battle, if the enemy doesn't kill you, I will. Any questions?" Silence fell on the group of Dedicated as Arath's words hung meaningfully in the air. Tai listened as Arath continued and touched on a subject that had desperately fascinated him from the first time he was shielded.

 

"So, your final part in this lesson is to break through your shields. But that's too easy. Form up with a new sparring partner and duel. You are to take down your opponent. Disarmed, on the ground, beaten. Hold nothing back. At the same time, you are to break through your shields. First man through gets to channel at the other. So work quickly. Loser's gets to run three Koras laps before lunch."

 

Tai felt his heart quicken as Dirk locked eyes with him. He was not happy that Tai had beaten him so soundly and was eager to pay him back. With this in mind Tai threw himself at the shield scrabbling wildly for any hint of something. Dirk almost took his head off with that bloody axe before he focused on what he was doing. Desperately he felt at the shield. The whole thing was smooth as...wait...there was a line, or a crack? Tai cursed as the man almost split his skull again. He could see the man was straining at his shield as well, could see it in his eyes. If he got there first...suddenly Tai felt what he had been looking for. Following that crack he found..a point? It was like it all came together in one hard knot. Pressing the advantage he danced in and slashed quickly at Dirk hoping to buy time. Tai pushed at that spot, like a fist through a knothole. It wasn't the most pleasant but he could feel himself pressing into it. The man looked suddenly pleased and Tai surged within that knothole in panic. Almost before he knew what had happened, Tai had seized Saidin. Filled himself with the rotting life and thrown the man back a few paces. Stunned Dirk rose to his feet and Tai quickly threw a small fireball weaving more Air than fire so as to not truly injure the man. Arath had said hold nothing back, but Tai was not about to kill the man. Dirk dodged and was panicking. Tai could see it. Quickly he wove multiple flows of Air. Dirk's Axe floated out of his grip as flows bound his hands to his side, and he fell to the ground unconscious from a club of Air to the back of the head. Tai grinned in triumph until the it was cut short by concern. Could he remember how he had done it? Waiting for the rest to finish up he wove Earth into a short smooth stone to sit on. Glancing at Arath he stabbed his eyes to Dirk and grinned a wide grin.