A bit of teaching [attn; Damien]

[Avyra]

Avyra grinned. Oh good. She paused, considering her attack for a moment, a moment she knew she wouldn't have in a real fight but for now, she took her time. If she hit the front, she'd probably get killed in a real fight with a man Danos' size. She didn't have enough weight to knock him down; she maybe weighed a third of what he probably did, and he was expecting her, so she didn't have any element of surprise. Now, if she managed to sneak behind him, she might have a chance. She made her move, darting quickly forward, feigning an attack at the front. She then darted around him, quickly slamming into his back with one shoulder with a soft oof. It was like slamming into a bolder. But she didn't waste any time with her next move. She hadn't planned this far, and she decided to leap for his arm and shoulder, hanging onto his back. Ha! He couldn't really reach her here!

[Damien]

Danos

Danos waited for Avyra, watching for her attack and planning for blocks he could possibly use to stop her.

So he was caught flat footed when she suddenly dashed forward, and he could appreciate her speed when she dashed around behind him. He felt her shoulder connect with his back, and he could feel the breath expelled from his lungs.

But even more surprising was when Avyra darted up on his back, the agile Novice quickly climbing up where he was unable to reach her with a grip.

Although he had never practiced this move, he knew that a person with enough time could possibly use a choke or other method to subdue an enemy.

Fortunately for Danos, he had often wrestled with other young men as a youth, and so he dropped to his knees, and rolled forward with a powerful push. This left Avyra the choice of letting go, or ending up beneath his weight.

[Avyra]

You have got to be kidding me! Avyra thought she was doing pretty well, until Danos made for roll over. Of course, she hadn't thought of that. Or at least, the thought had crossed her mind, but she didn't think he'd actually- She gave a small squeak, leaping off before she could get crushed, rolling in the sand when she hit the ground. She winced, standing, her legs shaking a bit from the effort. Her side ached suddenly, but she blocked that out, watching, waiting for a possible attack. She was far from done with this fight. However, if he came at her again, she didn't know what she'd do. If he ever got his hands on her it would be over; he could pick her up and toss her across the training yard with little effort if he wanted to, or hold her to the ground or at arm's length until she grew tired of struggling.

[Damien]

Danos

Danos lay on the ground catching his breath. He had landed awkwardly when he had rolled to the ground with more force than he had practiced before.

Once he caught his breath he was laughing, truly Avyra was one unconventional thinker, and he could appreciate that move against a man as tall as him. "That definitely caught me by surprise Avyra, and let me say that next time if you can get behind me, strike for my knee with all you have. It will bend and if I fall to my knees, our heights are no so different then," said Danos as he remembered a move Hoplin had often used against him.

He could see Avyra was still hesitant about his attacks, and he knew the fear would need to be dealt with, so he charged.

Faster than one would expect from a man of his size, but not nearly as fast as Dax Gaidin. He telegraphed two attacks, both wide sweeping punches that he aimed for Avyra 's shoulders.

She should be able to block those, and if not he knew the shoulder could take a fair amount of force without harm. Either way she would feel the contact and begin to lose the fear.

[Avyra]

His knees! Why didn't she think of that? It was a good idea; anyone who didn't suspect it would get thrown down if she managed to hit the joint with enough force. The only problem being the force part. However, it was obvious she wasn't ready when he suddenly charged her, and for the first time she actually felt fear. Who wouldn't? He was better trained and towered over her, making her feel very, very small. She knew he wouldn't hurt her, but a small voice in the back of her mind still urged her to flee and hide where this giant couldn't find her. But she didn't listen to that voice. She had to let him get close if she was to beat him, but he couldn't land a hit if she wanted to stay on her feet. She didn't attempt to block his hits; he was far faster than she had thought. The first blow barely brushed her, luckily, and Avyra tried to land her own hit in, losing focus on him for a split second. She was knocked right off her feet, the blow to her shoulder sending her into the dirt. It hurt like fire, and she couldn't decide if it was his hit or her fall that caused the pain. But it winded her, and for a second she couldn't get up, trying to catch her breath. Avyra groaned, gritting her teeth as she tried to pull herself up, on her hands and knees in the sand. She wasn't bleeding, but she knew she would be bruised for a while. Silently, she watched Danos, unsure of his next move.

[Damien]

Danos

Danos couldn't believe when Avyra didn't even try to block the blows, his first hit was well aimed to prevent harm, but he winced when he felt the second blow connect.

The blow wasn't intentionally forceful, but the difference in the sizes and her not blocking made the force strong enough to blow her off her feet and onto the ground.

Danos winced in sympathy as he saw Avyra get up to her knees and he crouched down into a squat to aid her to her feet, "That shoulder will need ice, if it gets too bad maybe even a Yellow Sister. And next time we need to work on blocking," he said concerned about his friend.

[Avyra]

Avyra gave a small cough, nodding as he spoke about possibly needing a healer. But she knew she probably wouldn't get one. As he helped her to her feet, she gripped his arm, using him to balance on shaking legs. Everything hurt, but some of it was a good hurt, the kind after you've accomplished something big. But a lot of it was sore. When he made a mention of blocking, she couldn't help but laugh. It came out as a small huff. She still hadn't really gotten her breath back. "I... do you really think I could block a blow from you, Danos?" She paused, taking his hand in hers, comparing the two sizes. "Your fist is the size of my head, and those arms of yours are nearly as thick as my waist. Even if I had perfect posture, it would take only a small fraction of your strength to knock me down." She paused. "Had that been a real fight and you were aiming to hurt me, I would probably have broken a few bones." She hesitated. "Maybe even been killed." Avyra still used his arm for a crutch, however, her legs still shaking. One even hurt to put weight on it, for whatever reason. "But I must applaud you. You're pretty scary to face head on."

[Damien]

Danos

Danos was unsure what to say to Avyra as she complimented him on being hard to face.

He was still getting used to having learned combat skills, and as he had never tested in combat, many times he was unsure where his skills lay. "I can imagine it feels like that Avyra. Light knows I would feel the same way facing down a channeler in the Yard," he said chewing his lips.

"We might need someone with more experience to show you, but I know blocking doesn't always mean taking the hit like I do. I've seen a few of the Gaidar using their limbs to deflect, twist the blow so it slides awry," Danos said as he considered the problem.

"But first, let's get you some ice for that shoulder, and some extra food. Luckily for us, Drin'far'ji can raid the kitchen as needed, I would never make it between the meals with all this exercise," said Danos as he patted his stomach.

[Avyra]

Avyra nodded, considering his idea. It made sense, but it was very risky. If she did it wrong, she'd still end up on the ground. But ice would be good, she knew, and she really didn't want to go to an Aes Sedai's office. "We could try it in a day or two. I don't think I could do anything tomorrow; I might not even be able to move. I'm aching in places I didn't think it was possible to ache in." As they walked to the kitchens, she kept a grip on his forearm, steadying herself as she walked. One of her ankles really hurt; she thought she had rolled it while she was too busy focusing on the fight. Her shoulder still throbbed, and she knew it probably looked pretty bad. She wasn't mad at him, however. It was bound to happen.

[Damien]

Danos

Danos could see that Avyra was stiff, sore, but he also knew deep down that the Novice had done exceptionally well for her first session.

"I know well how you feel, I could barely wash or feed myself after my first few days. Make sure to try some stretches at least each day till you have time for our next practice, it will make you less stiff," said Danos as he walked with his friend.