All Apologies-Nirvana

RIP brother!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO1l-YrD9gA&list=PLSUW0GN8lNmx_PPGch9tgX2CnXtokHqLt&index=16&shuffle=204

were all crawling out of the seedy taverns...i mean woodwork...lol.  only thing thats changed is we got older well maybe someone got wiser....but not me

heard it from a friend - reo speedwagon.....yes reo speedwagon *shakes own head....*

last around spring 2012 then way back for a little while.

Stone Sour- Through the Glass

would have liked a bit more added to the epilouge at the end. a quick summary on the main characters and such!!

ps in my own little world Lan would have defeated all the foresaken and shai'tan himself...lol!!!!

Bander Zander is down to help/get some training....Infantry 4 Life

Yeps no problems I had just been reading the requirements and was trying to figure out what was needed!!!

Sweetness!!! Its time to kick ass and chew bubble gum...and Im all out of gum....*ducks head* sorry for the Duke Nukem reference....

"You caught me on a good day," "I'm going to give you one chance to walk away." Raising his voice, Mehrin added, "That goes for the rest of you, too. Walk away, and I will let you leave. Any who stay, though, will die." There was no mistaking the confidence and malice in Mehrin`s voice. He was a man that when he spoke he excepted to be obeyed. The three men from the rear began their approach. Dreyik heard commotion from the front of the caravan and knew Mehrin had already engaged. As soon as the men were about 4 feet away, out of range for their short swords but not for Dreyik`s Bladed Quarterstaff he kicked up the dirt from the top of his boot and launched to an attack trying to take advantage of his momentary surprise and reach. Sweeping his Staff low to high looking at the bandit in the center Dreyik switched his grip on the staff and pivoted off his back foot and reversed the swing and drove his blade of his staff into the bandit on the left`s chest and yanked it back out so he kept the other two from his sides and flank. This was something he had tried against Mehrin in sparring but to no avail but he could tell these men were not on Mehrin`s level.

Setting his feet he prepared for the 2 attackers to come to him and prepared a defensive stance as they attacked. Dreyik went threw the motions of defending himself as second nature. Dreyik had been accounted as a pretty good fighter but since he joined with Mehrin he truly learned how to defend himself as it was the best he could do against the seasoned warrior. The assault had been going on for what seemed like a long time but in reality only a few moments. One of the bandits swords had passed though and cut across Dreyik`s left arm drawing blood. Not a major wound but one that would drain him away sooner rather than later. Dreyik knew that he had to get on the offensive or the two would pick away at him and he would die.

Dreyik knew he had to move fast. Dreyik closed a close grip on his blade and as the men attacked he knocked both blades up with his staff and followed that up with a straight kick to the attacker on his left`s nose with all the strength he had and he heard a gross crunching sound and the men`s eyes crossed as he crumbled to the ground. And instinctively he brought his bladed sweeping behind him to block a stab from the other bandit but instead of stabbing the man opened a slice across Dreyik`s back and if not for Dreyik`s leather armor that would have felled him right there. Grimacing in pain Dreyik swung around to face the last of the men.

Feeling the blood flow down both his arm and back Dreyik knew he was almost spent. He circled with the last man and as the circled he seen the archer`s on the sides and Mehrin charging as if possessed at one of them. ``Rodan get down!!` Dreyik roared at the boy and could see him holding what appeared to be a dagger in his hands. Rodan`s eyes were darting everywhere at once and Dreyik heard him cry out Archer`s`` and turned to face him. At that point the last of the three rushed Dreyik and they engaged. Dreyik was getting tired but his heart pounding and adrenaline pumping he fought back the bladed quarterstaff becoming a blur but the last men was good and Dreyik was weakening as each second passed from the loss of blood. ``Dreyik step back!`` he heard Rodan`s voice cry out and instinctively he brought his staff up in an arching motion in front of him he lunged backwards. Then from the corner of his eye he watched a dagger flying through the air in a wobbled motion and the butt end caught the bandit in the shoulder and he swung his head quickly in the direction on which it came, and that was the opening Dreyik needed as he thrust the staff into the man``s throat and pulled it free watching him drop to the ground and Dreyik staggered to one knee he noticed the man he had kicked moving sluggishly on the ground and he drove his elbow into the mans throat as hard as he could, feeling his windpipe break. Dreyik was in pain but he knew he had to continue on...he also knew Rodan had quite possibly saved his life.

He crouched behind the caravan and began to survey the area to see how everyone else had made out, and called out to Rodan..Thanks my boy now get down now!!!!

The past few weeks had gone by uneventful except for training. Get up and spar with Mehrin, Dreyik was beginning to learn a lot from the man. Each day they spared Dreyik was leaving less and less holes in his defenses and could go a little longer then before with Mehrin before he was hit or knocked down. The man certainly knew how to get the best out of people. Dreyik was also extremely impressed even proud of Rodan as well. He was starting to pick up on Master Mehrin's instructions. His strength and balance were improving vastly. His weapons work still were lacking but the boy is still getting a little better then before. Dreyik had always gave encouragement and advice to the boy as often as he could and tried to explain to him about the "honor" of fighting and was glad that Rodan seemed to understand somewhat and the awe he had for Mehrin was being replaced.

As they were marching Dreyik noticed the man walking by the caravan and it seemed that he was very interested in it and its members. Perhaps he was hungry and just wondering if he could grab some food and run but something was tugging at Dreyik's senses. This was confirmed as Mehrin slipped back to the guards and then Dreyik himself and said. "Make sure you're ready. We'll be seeing action soon. I want you to stay with the rest of the guards, if it comes to trouble. They could use an extra hand." An hour or so later Mehrin;s suspicions were confirmed. Surveying around them Dreyik counted ten bandits, they were outnumbered 2 to 1 and were completely surrounded it. 5 at the front 3 behind and 1 to each side. Dreyik walked up to the three guards and spoke to them. "Do nothing until were attacked or Master Mehrin gives the signal. One of you to each side and the other in the center to protect Rodan or assist if needed. If engaged and you take out your opponent head to wear help is needed. "Master Rodan," Dreyik said quietly and much more calmly then he felt, "Stay up there like Master Mehrin told you and be careful." He could see the boys tumult of emotions, fear, excitement, worry and anticipation, But must of all if Dreyik was right was that he though scared wanted to help to be brave like the men. "We could use your help though my boy, if you see anymore that we haven't noticed yet call out and let us know which way as well let us know if one of us falls or gets hurt. Can you help us out Rodan?" He noticed a slight gleam in his eye, he wanted what most all boys wanted around a group of older men...to fit in, to be a part of and if things did go bad though Dreyik was very confident Master Mehrin would no matter what be able to get Rodan to safety.

Dreyik watched as everyone began to take their positions. Mehrin at the front where his 5 opponents waited, the guards one to each side and one in the middle and Dreyik took his usual position at the flank against the last 3. Not an ideal setup but it was the best he could come up with unless Mehrin had another plan. Then one of the bandits spoke, Dreyik assumed it was their leader "I won't waste my breath taunting you, so let's keep this short. Surrender the caravan, and you all walk away from this alive." Dreyik crouched down and rubbed some dirt into his hands and grasped his Bladed Quarterstaff and planted his feet quickly surveying the area around him for things he could use to his advantage. Anticipation was causing his heart to start to beat faster in his chest. This wasn`t his first combat encounter but it was the same thing every time for him. Dreyik slid his foot into some dirt so it would balance there, speaking silently to himself he repeated what he had said before to Rodan, `Staying alive and protecting your comrades is the most important things you can do in battle.`` Against the odds well all`s fair in love and war right...

Dreyik waited for Mehrin`s instruction or to be attacked...may the creator watch over us all especially the boy he thought....

Hey Welcome man...by real world Arath I'm pretty sure though not certain Quibby's question is in reference to Justin Beiber and I'd certainly chip in on your cost!!!

No problems!!! Just wondering if we've done enough yet for Dreyik to advance his WS or what more we need to do?!

Zander smiled to himself. The boy had some spunk. He certainly needed some serious work but he had some bare basics down. Now the first thing he needed to learn was his footwork.

"Now then lets spar boy." Zander would make him earn his name as his mentors did him except the name he was given was much fouler. As soon as the boy reached his ready position Zander grabbed his staff swung for a high strike and halfway through pivoted to his right and snapped his leg out to catch behind Jon's tripping the boy to the ground.

"First thing we need to teach you is footwork. Footwork is the extremely important in combat boy. Without flaming footwork you'd be dead quicker then a Trollic would cook a little boy!" Zander exclaimed.

"Now My Name is Jon put that staff down and balance on one foot till I say then the other till I say until your balance and footwork...satisfy me. Zander remembered his training he thought it had been tough..harsh but after being on the battlefield, seeing death, seeing comrades die...taking life Zander knew life and battle were harsh...so you had to be even harsher. Memories were filling Zander's head, painful ones...after a moment he buried them back deep and Zander watched as the boy began, he had a look of determination on his face.....perhaps he could make something of him yet....

Zander had always made it a habit to avoid people with money to burn as they always seemed to have their noses in the air and Zander has a habit of freely speaking his mind which usually caused trouble. But the merchant who had approached him while he was on leave had offered an impressive sum of money to train his son to use a quarterstaff. Now Zander certainly preferred to use his two short swords more then a staff but during his years of training with The Band he had trained with and against just about every weapon there was. "Flaming morning heat!" Zander muttered as he made his way to the merchants home. It wasn't the heat that bothered him but the fact that he was extremely hungover from the night before and rose early from the bed he had shared with one of the serving girls at the inn he stayed though her name strayed from his mind.

The house he made his way up to was the house of a well to do merchant. He noticed a boy out in the courtyard. That must be...what did the merchant say the boys name was again. As he approached the lad was watching him. Zander seen the eagerness on the boys face as he crossed the yard...blood and ashes he thought what did I get myself into he thought. "Alright boy I am Sgt Zander Cross but you can call me Zander I assume your the boy for the training?"

"Yes Zander my name is...."he started.

"It doesn't matter what your name is boy," Zander cut in "once you show me some promise I'll call you by your name. Now grab that bloody quarterstaff and show me what you know."

Zander lean against the tree and waited for the boy to begin.

For a man Mehrin's size and a weapon nearly the same he moved very fast. It was all Dreyik could do to try and keep the weapon from touching him. The ringing sound of the weapons clashing was a soothing rhythm in Dreyik's head. It was all defensive and after what seemed like forever though in reality it had only been a few minutes sweat was rolling down Dreyik's head and back. His muscles tensing with every clash. Mehrin began pushing just a little harder and when Dreyik tried a feint Mehrin knocked the Quarterstaff up and using the flat of the blade struck Dreyik in the ribs knocking the wind from him momentarily.

"Again." Mehrin said "And this time don't overextend your strikes when facing someone better or whose weapon is of a near size."

Dreyik nodded to the man. He was very skilled and a man of few words but Dreyik knew that Mehrin knew what he was talking about. And again set his feet. Mehrin motioned for him to begin. Dreyik slowly approached and at the last second spun, pivoting on his right foot bringing the blade whipping around at a blurring speed but Mehrin reversed his grip and spun the other way sweeping Dreyik's feet from under him as the bladed quarterstaff swung harmlessly over his head as Dreyik was falling he planted his staff into the ground and manged to flip back keeping his feet in a most impressive move but as soon as he landed Mehrin's blade was at his neck.

"It's easier to recover if you go with the momentum instead of against it." Mehrin simply stated. "Again."

And on it went back and forth. Mehrin still not going at his fullest, was still increasing his tempo. Every time Mehrin's blade, foot. fist hit Mehrin he pointed out the mistake and told Dreyik to go again. Both men had lost track of time and the sweat was pouring from them. Dreyik was learning alot and only twice and never a third time did Dreyik make the same mistake or left the same opening.

Unbeknownst to both men Rodan and the others were watching them intently. As they stopped again after Mehrin and caught Dreyik's staff and hit him with an elbow one of the guards sung out that breakfast was ready. Smiling Dreyik nodded to the man and thanked Mehrin. He walked over to grab some water to wash himself up. He threw his shirt on and headed over to grab a bite.

Dreyik had been startled by Mehrin's scream. It had been Dreyik's watch. He watched as Mehrin got up. The man had been tossing and turning in his sleep. The man had nightmares...most warriors who had taken life, seen the horrors of the battlefield did, but this was different the way the man acted, spoke, his mannerisms. He had had a troubled past and unless Dreyik missed his guess the man lost something dear to him. Dreyik understood the pain of loss, of how hard it was to cope...the anger, blame, grief, depression guilt. A tumult of emotions that threatened to overwhelm you and to destroy the very fabric of your being. Everyone deals with it in different ways. Some people go insane, some hide in a bottle for the rest of their days, some can cope and some need to find something to fill the void or to find forgiveness or vengeance. To each their own but it pained Dreyik to see others hurting and Mehrin didn't strike him as the type that would talk about it.

Dreyik was about to wake the next guard for his turn but he hesitated. He watched as Mehrin started a fire and began going through his motions. He watched the warrior. Watched how he pivoted his feet while in an attack sequence, watched how fluidly he switched the grip of his weapon between attack and defense. The man was a weapon and Dreyik knew he could learn a lot from him.

Dreyik waited for about an hour then walked over the Mehrin. He was in a zone going through the motions of his routine. Dreyik began to loosen himself up a bit and walked around to approach Mehrin's line of sight. "Good morning Master Mehrin. Dreyik was going to say something but decided not too, I had trouble sleeping those biscuits are tearing through my stomach and I fear for when they pass through it`. I was wondering if I could entice you into a bit of sparring I`d love to pick up some more pointers if you don`t mind.`

Perhaps Dreyik thought some sparring would help the man clear his mind.

Enjoying the view for a moment..or perhaps two Zander looked up and met the young woman's eyes. Zander was fairly certain he was gonna like this place already. "So one of the girls tells me you're a sergeant. You must be very good at fighting. I myself, am a grappling fan." she asked. Zander flashed a mischievous grin before answering "Well ain't that a bloody fine coincidence my lady, I'm very good and grappling and even better with my hands in general. And yes I do enjoy fighting and I am good at it. I serve as a Sargent in the Band and am here for some R and R. My name is Zander Cross and I think you and I could use a drink." Pulling out a chair and waving to one of the serving girls he smiled and waited for a response.

He noticed the jealous looks from other men across the bar at him. He smiled again a beautiful woman drinks a plenty and the possibility of a flaming fight or 2...Zander knew this night was going to be interesting.

"Where did you get that weapon? I've seen one before, but I thought that it was a once-in-a-lifetime thing." Asked Mehrin Dreyik paused before answering, his thoughts drifting back to his childhood training and one of the few memories of his grandfather and his quarterstaff. The memories of his grandfather were painful like those of his parents. All of which had died in service to their King...Dreyik would be the first of his line in 5 generations that wouldn't. His throat suddenly becoming dry as he responded.

"My grandfather was master of the quarterstaff he began showing me it was I was but a child. My father disagreed saying he wanted me to use the sword. But the staff felt right to me. My grandfather was killed in battle when I was 10. He was up against 3 men and had felled them all so he thought but one of the men he thought he had killed wasn't quite dead...I guess the man and rocks on his head and stabbed my grandfather in the back." Dreyik took a breath. "When my father had come back from the battle he told me the story and asked for my staff. About a week later he came back with it and the staff had 2 blades on its ends. He said the staff is your weapon but make sure it always does the job its intended to when in combat."

Dreyik was lost in thought for a moment before smiling. "So after that I began training with the bladed quarterstaff. My father was a very practical man. Always finding solutions to mistakes or problems I guess. Hopefully along our trip here me and Master Rodan," Dreyik said putting his arm around the boy "Will continue to learn from you so we can do the same, Master Mehrin." Looking at Rodan he smiled again and said. "The most important thing you need to remember Master Rodan is that in real combat the only thing that matters is staying alive and defending what's right...no matter how that's achieved." He hoped that that would soothe Rodan's notion of honorable combat...he needed to know that it wouldn't matter if he was dead or failed to help his cause or comrades.