Dancing the Forms ATTN: Riahana

[Prew]

The Gaidar Captain always seemed to bring out the best in his swordsmanship. Not that he had ever once won a round, but the way she flowed almost effortlessly from form to form was contagious. He was one with the blade now, no longer puzzling out his next move, simply reacting to the challenges she presented. He had known many a man over the years, and yes, there were even a few here in the Yard, though not many thank the light, that sought out opponents of lesser skill. They reveled in their victories, some even bragging that they would soon achieve blademaster status, yet they pointedly avoided sparring with their betters. Thus, they never seemed to improve but merely tread water as it were. Prewtez had long since abandoned his pride when it came to sparring. One learned best by testing the best. And while Riahana often reminded him there were some about the Yard that were superior to her, he found her an excellent instructor, one who always pushed him to his limits and beyond.

And now she was doing it again. Utilizing quick wrists to power her slashes from Rain In the High Wind she again had him on the defensive.

Shifting to Willow Embraces the Breeze he parried or blocked her side strikes. He instinctively knew she was seeking to wear him down and he anticipated a quick thrust was about to come. Without conscious thought but deep into the Void it was time for the ultimate gambit. His next form would either strike home or leave him terribly exposed if that failed. With his last parry of her side strike he shifted to The River Undercuts the Bank, sinking to one knee and aiming a swift slash to her abdomen.

[Roan]

The Warder Yards trained those at the Tower how to be the best they could be with their chosen weapons. Those who sign the roster to become a would-be Warder undertake drills that focus on form, muscle memory, endurance, and grace. While the idea of grace may seem foreign, it is a key component to a Warder's arsenal. With grace comes nimbleness, and both are needed for the footwork required to become a master at sparring, be it with swords, unarmed, or other melee skills.

A quick mind and quick feet can save you just as much as a perfectly executed strike. Being intimately familiar with certain forms also helps, and Prewtez was not the first to sink to his knee as he executed The River Undercuts the Bank. With the Void firmly wrapped around her, the memory of a spar with Dedicated Valadin when he attempted a similar move were not far from the forefront of her mind. Drawing from that experience, she reacted without hesitation. Had she not been as skilled or quick to respond as she was, he would have landed the blow. The tell was going to one knee, and she knew what was coming.

As Prewtez parried her last strike and sunk down to his knee, she knew he'd attempt a slash to her mid-section. To get a kill shot, his opponent couldn't be beyond his reach, or within his guard, giving the Gaidar Captain options. To parry, she transitioned into Black Pebbles on the Snow to first parry his slash with the flat of her blade, then brought the blade around for a downward strike that would have split his head if she'd been using her real blade, or given him a nasty bump of she hadn't pulled the blow to just land a tap. She was not, after all, in the habit of giving up and coming Gaidin concussions when it wasn't necessary.

"Well thought out, Ji'alantin Prewtez. If I'd been almost anyone else in the Yards, you would have likely landed the blow. While sinking to your knee can give you access to my mid-section, it leaves you open if I read the move. Attempting the same move from a standing position, in an attempt to behead your opponent, is less of a give-away," Riahana explained, still the mentor.

She rewarded him with a small smile, "You very nearly landed that hit, Prewtez. I am more than pleased with your progress."

[Prew]

The move had been executed almost flawlessly, timing and balance near perfect as he flowed into The River Undercuts the Bank, but she was too quick. Even more telling, she was too experienced. In a bat of an eye she had recognized the form and effectively countered it. He was ‘killed’ again. But this was why he sought out the Gaidar Captain for sparring. Each strike and parry was a lesson to be learned. And learn them he would. He took her counsel to heart. A standing strike might have been successful, though against her he doubted it.

He stood and tossed aside his practice sword. Two out of three never made it to three. He smiled as he spoke:
“It is fortunate the Wheel weaves the pattern so that we are reborn, Riahana Gaidar, as I swear you have taken my life at least six times now. Perhaps in the next one I shall be more successful.”

Although there were many lessons learned each time he sparred with her the one that was more important than any other, any form, was humility. More than one swordsman, even blademasters, failed to remember there was always someone better. For some this fault had proven deadly. He vowed not to make the same mistake.

“As always, Riahana Gaidar, it has been an honor,” Prewtez said as he refastened his sword belt, “Please let me know if you have need of me in the future.”

Burn me! She’s the Gaidar Captain! Of course she’ll ‘let you know’, order you more like it.

His face flushed a bit in embarrassment as he made to take his leave.

OOC: Looks like this wraps up the thread. As always, thank you for the sparring lesson, Roan.