Martial Weaponry 201

[Arath Faringal]

Arath watched all of the matched pairs in their respective duels, taking note of the winners in each case. He paid most of his attention to Gavin and Baran, since they seemed the most likely to do something foolish. Indeed, it looked as though Gavin had deliberately avoided breaking his shield until Baran had done so. The fool. Arath had also taken note of Baran's impressive fire weave. It was a deadly weave to be sure, but it had a very limited range, and surely Gavin wouldn't be fool enough to step inside of his range without disrupting the weave first.

 

A cry from one of the other pairs drew his attention away from the more interesting duel. The fool with the mace had managed a lucky swing, and despite the cushioning weave on his weapon, he had shattered the collarbone of his opponent. It was a nasty looking break, but nothing that couldn't be repaired easily by the Healers. Confiscating both weapons, he sent the injured man off to the infirmary, his sparring partner escorting him there. No sooner was that done, then a power amplified voice rang out, calling for him.

 

As it turned out, Gavin WAS foolish enough to step inside Baran's fiery weave. He tried to protect himself by encasing his body in rock, then flinging his prison away. And he'd managed to crush a number of his bones in the process. Bloody wonderful. Siezing Saidin, Arath began several weaves. The first, Travelling, to the emergency travelling room of the infirmary. The second, a weave of air wrapped firmly around Gavin's body, lifting him from the ground, but keeping him immobilized. In a matter of moments, he was deposited onto a bed, and some of the best healers in the world began their work. Satisfied that the fool boy was in good hands, Arath turned around and went back through his gateway, where Baran was still waiting. "I believe I specifically instructed you all to not injure yourself or your partner. Care to explain what happened?"

[Grimmlocke]

Baran stood as Arath stepped back through his gateway, bracing himself for a blistering tirade on his foolishness. Instead, the Tsorovan'm'hael asked him what had happened. Surprised, Baran blinked for a moment before saluting in an attempt to stall while he gathered his thoughts. He decided that the truth would be best here, they had been in full view, and he did not have anything to gain by spreading misinformation.

 

"I...miscalculated my opponent's willingness to attack, Tsorovan'm'hael. I only sought to keep him out of striking range and distracted while I prepared a Shield. I did not expect Gavin to actually step inside the weave. Any could see that it was suicide to even try to reach me!" He thought for a moment before adding, "I believe I stand corrected on that count, now." He looked back to the pile of rocks that had been the armor that Gavin covered himself in for a moment as he attempted to recall what else had happened during the sparring match.

 

"His own defense did most of the damage, I think. I was busy trying to maintain the weaves at the time, but I know what a rock heavy enough to do damage looks like." He gestured to the pile of stone. "Still, I will try to make my strategies more...fool proof in the future, to minimize casualties." He looked back to the Storm Leader, wondering if his explanation was enough, or if the other man would press for more details, or levy a punishment on him for his inexperience.

[Clepto]

Gavin awoke in a daze. Two thoughts immediately crossed through his mind. The first was that he had lost. The second was that he was hungry.

 

He attempted to sit up in the bed he was on, and was immediately rewarded with failure. The telltale weakness and hunger he felt meant that he had been Healed, and quite extensively. Which in turn meant that he was in the infirmary.

 

He replayed the training fight in his mind, and cursed his foolishness. Jumping into the burning ring of fire was a gamble to begin with. The stone armor definitely saved his fool life, but almost killed him in the process. For all my power with Earth, I definitely need to work on my delivery if I'm going to try a stunt like that again, he thought to himself. Or, I just shouldn't try that again.

 

Poor Baran, Gavin thought, I hope he doesn't get in trouble on my account. For all that Gavin didn't get along well with Baran, this situation was most definitely Gavin's fault, and he would not have the other man punished in his place.

 

When the Healer on duty came to see him, Gavin received food, and assurance that Baran wasn't punished for this foolishness. Apparently, Gavin wasn't to be punished either, except with extra work detail on the wall. Considering himself lucky, Gavin thanked the Healer.

 

By the time he had finished his meal, he was strong enough to stand. A few moments later he could walk. Wasting no time, Gavin left the infirmary for the wall, eager to get his penance over with.