Skills Tournament: Opening Battle (open)

[Eqwina]

OOC: This is the opening battle of the tournament. This thread is open to all members of the White Tower and Warders Yard who wish to jump in and watch. Once the battle begins between our first two swordsmen the thread is closed.

 

 

The disruption in the yards for the last week had taken its toll on the trainee’s, all of whom had been excused from regular lessons until the Tournament subsided. As the battle rings were being formed, and stands erected for spectators; they had lost their focus. As the tents for healing had been set, and the lines for enrollment had started to stretch towards the Tower it had been impossible to keep them from stabbing themselves. Giving in, Thera had agreed to allow trainees to participate in this year’s Skills Tournament. The trainees were to be as evenly matched as possible, but still she’d written to the Yellow Ajah requesting that they remain near any and all trainee fighting rings.

 

The day had dawned bright and cloudless, and with the sun still dancing at the top of the Tower walls it was already sweltering hot. It is not the weather she would have chosen to open the tournament in, but all the stages had been set, the ‘men’ were ready. She had no choice but to continue on.

 

Dressing in her uniform, Thera shrugged into her coat and stepped in front of the mirror to do it up. Perhaps some of her bitterness was coming from the fact that she would be unable to participate in this year’s games. As head judge and organizer of the event she was automatically disqualified, and that grated. So much of her life was consumed with training others that she rarely picked up a weapon to test her own skills. The ache to stretch her muscles grew greater with each day. Doing up the last button she ran her fingers through her curls a few times before tying her hair loosely back from her face.

 

Stepping out into the first rays of the morning sun, she crossed the short distance from her offices to where a podium had been constructed for the presenting of awards. Already the stands surrounding the main fighting ring and stage were packed. Aes Sedai had turned out in their finery, and there were Accepted under the watchful eyes of teachers. Shop owners and citizens had come in droves, and every name enrolled in the Trainee’s books, or in the Guard’s was packed behind the stands and out of sight into the trees.

 

Many of those young men and women would take wounds as the tournament commenced, but with the aid of their patrons, the Aes Sedai, none would die.

 

Some of the younger children in attendance had seen Thera mounting the steps to the stage, and a roar filled the make shift stadium. Unable to hear even her own deep breathes in her ears, Thera walked to her place at the center of the platform and raised her arms, motioning the crowd to silence. Several long minutes passed before they could be quieted enough for her to speak. With the aid of a sister of the Green Ajah Thera’s voice carried through the entire crowd.

 

“Rooted deep within these shining walls is a well nurtured practice that the Aes Sedai have supported since time out of memory. A practice as ancient as time its self and still going strong today; it is the practice and mastery of weapons that I speak of.

 

With the help of our patron Aes Sedai the name of Warder has become synonymous with ‘The Best’. It is here that young men and women flock when they wish to be considered the Best of the Best. Ours is a partnership that has lasted through the test of time, and will always endure for buried in each heart that beats in the Tower Guards, and Warders is the knowledge of how they have been blessed by their place here!”

 

Thera paused, allowing her words time to sink in and allowing time for the cheers to die down again. She’d practiced the words she wanted to say many times, and they flowed from her mouth with ease.

 

“Today we gather to honor our long tradition of producing the best of the best with a Tournament of Skills. There will be battles in sword, and spear, battles with the bow and hand to hand combat, battles in all shapes and forms, but let each participant remember that while we raised weapons towards each other in friendly competition, it is as one that we face the world. We are brother and sisters in battle and any blood shed here in this tournament with not be with the desire to kill. For in the end we are all of one brotherhood, one family.”

 

“The rules of this Tournament are not onerous, but the adherence to the rules will be enforced with the strictest force.  Any person caught in breach of the rules will be removed from the tournament immediately. If the transgression is considered great enough they could face punishments as harsh as loss of rank or expulsion.

 

Rule 1 states that all fighting shall take place in the battle rings only. There is to be NO impromptu matches set up. Anyone caught fighting will be immediately removed from the grounds.

 

Rule 2: All decisions made by the judge are final, and are not to be questioned.

 

Rule 3: There are to be NO killing blows in any match up. We are here to test skills, not to kill each other.

 

The fourth and final rules states that all participants are to arrive on time to their scheduled match, and are not to be under the influence of alcohol or any other mood altering substance. “

 

Handing the sheet of parchment with the rules on it to the young mouse haired trainee at her side Thera waited until it had been nailed to the back wall of the podium before speak again.

 

“It is with great honor that I declare this year’s Skills Tournament officially open!! The opening swords match will take place in this ring in 1 hour. All other matchup times and locations are posted throughout the yards.”

 

Stepping down from the podium Thera retreated to her office to await the arrival of her opening event swordsmen. She’d requested that they meet her before proceeding to the stadium.

 

[Visar Falmaien]

(ooc: ack I had completely forgotten about this!  Let's see if anyone would like to fight Visar?  Or if we need to can this for now you can delete my post if need be)

 

After stretching and warming up extra early that morning, Visar decided he was as ready as he would ever be.  Too much practice on the day of a tournament was a bad idea.  The fighting would be strenuous enough, should he last long enough to participate in several bouts.

 

After hearing Mistress Thera's speech, Visar inconspicuously made his way out of the crowd to her office.  Meeting her there, knowing he was one of the first to fight that day, he looked around for a potential opponent.  He looked at her questioningly.

 

"Is anyone going to fight me?" he asked her.  Perhaps his opponent had decided to do other things with their day?

[_Kynwric_]

Kyn thought the tournament as an amusement, an dangerous amusement. Originally, he had no intention of entering, but as time wore on he grew tired of hearing the question of "Are you entering?" it finally grated on his nerves enough that he sent in the requisite form and from there he'd done nothing but regret that decision too.

 

Finally the day had come and he was standing outside the office waiting on Thera to announce the first pairing when he heard young Visar pipe up with, "Is anyone going to fight me?" And Kyn's face broadened into a smile he usually only felt when fighting darkfriends, overconfident darkfriends. . It was the smile of someone about to grant their enemy their fondest wish. "Aye, someone is going to fight you Visar Gaidin. The question is, are you ready?" Kyn was arrayed in his battle gear, mail covered him from head to toe, plates were added to the more vulnerable areas such as torso, arms, thighs and legs. he'd even donned his sabatons over his boots for this tournament. His helmet was hanging from his sword hand and his shield was strapped across his back. His sword was in its scabbard, silver herons against blue leather prominent on the scabbard, and he had his dagger tucked into its usual place at his belt. Kyn propped himself against the jamb of Thera's office door and nodded to her. "Good morning Mistress," he added as he waited.

[Visar Falmaien]

(ooc: Oh Snap!)

 

Visar appraised one of the waiting candidates, already in full armor with a shield strapped to his back.  Armor with a shield...what a redundant combination, thought Visar initially, when suddenly the man seemed all too terribly familiar.  And the smile on Kynwric's face as he replied to Visar sent a chill down his spine.

 

By the Bloody Stone! Please don't make me fight him First!

 

"Aye, someone is going to fight you Visar Gaidin. The question is, are you ready?"

 

No! Visar thought briefly, but he bit down his fear and did his best to accept his fate, if it was indeed his fate to fight, and most likely lose, to Kynwric in his first match.  Was he physically ready?  He would be once he finished putting on his armor.  But was he mentally ready?  Even with lathed wood or blunt steel, his past experiences with sparring Kynwric did not allow for pretending this was all a game.  Visar could not pretend that his life was not on the line, though he trusted the blademaster's control enough to be confident that he would not die in the match. 

 

"I will be ready soon." Visar replied, and nodded to Thera before swiftly retreating to get harnessed up.  While he did not always train in plate and mail, the added protection could mean the difference between bruises and broken bones.  After securing hauberk, helmet, gauntlets, and greaves, Visar made certain his long sword was exactly where it should be for a swift and easy draw, and had his trusted dagger in its place at the other hip.  While briefly considering taking his lance as well, Visar discarded it for fear that its slower recovery would be more of a hindrance than the advantage of its reach.

 

He returned thus armed, ready for Thera's decision on the first match.

[Eqwina]

OOC: Little Rusty, but here we go!!!!

 

Thera knew that there were be more tested this day than just skill with a sword. The ability to raise arms against your friends and yet remain as such was always too hard for some of the youngest to face. There would be losses to their ranks before it was over, but in the end those who lacked the mental fitness to compete were better outside the shining walls than within.

 

Easing her sword, she paced while she waited for her first to competators to present themselves. Her arms itched to raise her weapon and she could feel the familar rush of desire to compete within her. Hopefully there would be a few worthy enough to stand against her as the days progressed.

 

She'd only made two circuits of her room when Visar entered. Looking up she gave him a tight lipped smile. "There is no one yet Visar, but they will come."

 

No sooner than she spoke did the line of those waiting grow, but the man who spoke up was not the one she would have picked for Visar to fight. His skills were honed, he was a master of her own level, but if Visar was willing......

 

Watching him walk away Thera smiled. This would be a match to remember. Once Visar returned Thera, led them both out into the waiting crowd. With her head held high she turned towards the Aes SEdai and waited for her to nod.

 

"Two of our finest fightes have stepped forward to open this years competition. They have agreed to the rules that have been set forth and a ready for battle." Turning to Visar and Knywric Thera asked them both to place their hands on their hearts. "I ask each of you to swear now that you shall do your best and be proud, whatever the outcome of this match. For you are both assests to our ranks and I am proud of both of you."

 

Once they had both sworn Thera lifted her arms and signaled them to take their places.

 

"YOu may begin when ready!"

 

[_Kynwric_]

Kyn placed his hand over his heart and swore the oath to do his best and follow the rules as they had been set forth. Kyn waited through the inevitable announcements and introductions that accompanied a formal tournament and moved to the spot indicated when Thera pointed.The maille felt good on him and his weapon and shield were in top condition, he felt good this day having prepared himself for the fight that was to come. It was unusual for Kyn to be able to prepare for a fight such as this, usually having them sprung upon him at the most inconvenient times, such as bedtime or suppertime or any other of hundreds of possibilities. At least thus far in his life he had not been interrupted when being with his wife and he sent a small prayer that that never did occur. He smiled at the thought though and realized that Visar was across from him and that changed the pleasant smile to a wry one. he cleared his mind, summoned is inner reserves, doing the last few mental exercises before battle but he kept the smile on his face and his eyes pinned to Visar. 

 

Once Thera had departed the ring and indicated the beginning Kyn fell into his simple defense, shield and sword at the ready and waiting for Visar to advance. Kyn was not about being showy, finishing with a flourish or being quick. His concern was with winning, usually winning by wearing the opponent down exhausted against his defense. They'd soon learn whether Visar remembered after Kyn's absence.

[Visar Falmaien]

Visar established himself a good few paces away from Kynwric as the formal introductions of the first match proceeded their battle.  That done, he saluted their judge, ready to intervene should the fight take a turn for the ugly.  While this was quite possible, Visar knew that closing any distance at all with Kynwric was a challenge.  The man had excellent reach and timing with his sword and the addition of a shield always presented Visar with a problem.  The blademaster had reflexes better than a cat, and wasted no movement.

 

Visar forced himself not to dwell on strategy on how the battle might play out.  There was only him, his sword, and his enemy.  As Thera withdrew from the ring, the two combatants drew their swords and made ready.  Visar, while tempted to flourish his long sword threateningly at Kynwric and dramatically for the crowds, followed suit and simply rested the flat of his blade at his shoulder.  His stance looked casual and vulnerable to an untrained eye, but he could make almost any attack and defend against almost any attack from this position by simply lifting his hilt slightly and angling his blade where it needed to go.

 

Kynwric waited calmly, a smile on his face.  Visar knew this tendency of his opponent, and ruled out charging right in as suicide.  He would proceed, but with caution, trying to draw Kynwric away from his actual target with deception.  Still, Visar waited, calming his emotions, emptying his thoughts, relying on his trained instincts to aid him.

 

As the two combatants faced each other off, barely moving, the crowd's noise dimmed to an expectant hush.  When Visar heard nothing, he moved, shuffling smoothly forward to a point he had already measured.  Kynwric did not move, knowing they were both just inches outside the distance it would take to hit with a single step. 

 

Visar took a single step, his blade launching off his shoulder and with a crossing of his arms, the point angled towards Kynwric's face to possibly provoke a reaction.  Visar pulled his thrust, a feint, snapping the blade quickly around in an angled cut to Kynwric's sword side.  If Kynwric blocked with his sword, Visar would have something to work with, if for but an instant, and he might be able to thrust or strike around the weapon depending on his opponent's pressure.  If Kyn moved his shield to defend, Visar might have time to strike around, but he would have to cover his head from a counter.  But if Kynwric dodged the attack entirely, Visar would have no pressure to safely measure his options, and he would have to withdraw and try again.

[_Kynwric_]

Kyn settled deep into his defense, his intention to let Visar attempt to penetrate enough to do damage. Eventually Visar found a slight opening and made the leaping slash towards it. Kyn had but split second to decide what he wanted to do, and as was his nature he merely stepped back out of the way and reset into his defense making no attempt to strike at all. He fgigured, Visar had to expect this, it wasn't as if they'd never crossed blades before and also this was a tenant of the style with which Kyn practiced. 'Let the opponent crash with the thunder of waves on the ocean' what followed that was 'and once spent force them back to the sea whence they came.' Kyn had decided to let Visar become used to the Kyn's being on the defense and not reacting in counter, right up to the point that it he became accustomed to it.

 

Once Kyn reset he gave Visar a smile and waited for the younger man to come again, his sword resting at the ready and his shield in front of him.

[Visar Falmaien]

(ooc: sorry for the wait, hope you don't mind if I finish this?)

The blademaster skillfully voided his attack, and Visar cautiously sprung back to avoid the counter.  Kynwric had reset, calm behind his defense.  Visar bit his lip, and tried again.  The Boar Rushes Down the Mountain, trying to get his blade beyond Kynwric's sword and shield.  Lightning of Three Prongs, trying to strike three times in three different directions.  Wind and Rain.  But they didn't work.  Kynwric either dodged or deflected each of them, and as soon as Visar's strikes ran out of momentum he had no choice but to spring back and try to defend himself from the feared counterstroke.

 

He tried again, and again, minutes passing, feeling like much more time had passed.  When would Kynwric end it already?  Had he had enough of toying with Visar?  Was he done humiliating him in front of everyone.  By this time Visar was winded and furious.

 

"Hit me already!" he shouted, and charged again, this time striking fully committed without much finesse of his earlier combination.  He only made two wide slashes before Kynwric struck, interrupting a planned third.  Visar barely saw it coming, and then he certainly felt it.  The man's sword crashed down upon his helm, ringing his head like a bell.  Visar's knees buckled under the blow, and he only had time to thank the Light for the helmet before Kynwric finished him off, hitting him with his shield and breaking his balance.

 

Visar staggered back and fell to the ground, his helmet rolling off in the process.  He lay there dazed, Kynwric's sword placed at his throat.  "Yield!" Visar quickly gasped, too stunned to want to fight anymore.  He knew he was beaten.

 

After the victor was pronounced, Visar went over to collect his helmet before wishing Kynwric well on his next battles.  There was a pronounced dent in the steel where Kynwric's heron-marked blade had impacted it.  If he had not had his helmet on, Visar's head would have easily been split in two.

 

"Great..." he mumbled, more bothered about having to repair the helmet than with the fact that he had lost.  Oh well, he'd have time for that later, once he recovered from the terrible headache that was beginning to set in.  Walking back over to Kynwric, Visar gave a slight bow.

 

"Well fought, as always.  Congratulations." he said simply.

[_Kynwric_]

(ooc: No problem)

 

Kynwric was sitting musing about the fight, he had done as he would always do against an opponent of skill. Unfortunately, frustrating your opponent into a fit of wild attack was not always best for the feelings of the other man involved. He was running his fingers over the edge of his blade, checking the steel for any damage from the strike to Visar's helmet, when he felt the shadow fall on him. He glanced up and nodded to Visar as he approached.

 

"Well fought, as always.  Congratulations."

 

"Thank you. You've improved greatly since last we sparred." Kyn raised his gaze to meet the other man's, but he did not rise to his feet. Their fight had been early in the first  round and he was certain that Visar would have advanced much further except for the luck of the draw, the pair fighting now for example were both of much lower skill than Visar was. "Let me know when you would like to discuss it." Kyn knew Visar would know that he meant the fight they had just had and he also knew sooner or later Visar would take him up on the offer, he had never let an opportunity to learn from his mistakes pass him by.