The Grey Tower

Daelar left the Soldier's quarters. He had spent all of his time lately on wards, at expense of all his other training. He really needed to de-stress. The only way of doing that that he knew of doing that was practicing fighting.

As he walked down to the yards he looked around for someone to practice with. He saw an older man, dressed as a Drin. Well, everybody else was engaged in something.

Daelar walked up, asking politely, "Would you be averse to an unarmed sparring match with me? I've been outside very little lately, and everybody else is busy."

As he left the armory, Prewtez d'Grayson touched the hilt of the sword at his side. Long, slightly curved blade, razor sharp single edge, the weapon was very different from the sword he had used for years. But trading in his bastard sword for this blade marked a turning point in his life, putting behind him once and for all his life as a cavalryman in the Queen's service. Immersed in his own thoughts, Prewtez was surprised when someone spoke to him. Even more surprising, the man appeared to be Seanchan, at least he had features the Drin had heard associated with the invaders. Yet why should anything surprise him here at the Tower?

"Spar?" he asked the polite young man, "I have a bit of time and could certainly use the practice. It seems lately I've been spending all my time on the sword or in the stables."

They walked over to one of the sparring rings. After the Drin had very carefully placed his sword to the side, he walked into the ring. It seemed he had some sort of emotional attachment to the sword- perhaps he had carried it into combat many times. Daelar wasn't experienced enough to be able to tell.

They fell into their stances and Daelar began to circle. Daelar asked, "What's your name? I would like to know who it is I'm sparring with."
Without waiting for a reply he attacked with a back leg front kick, then came down into a short stance to throw a couple of straight punches.




OOC: The kick wasn't mentioned in the Unarmed Fighting class. You bring your knee in front of your chest and snap the leg out and back, hitting with the ball of the foot. It is a good bit easier and faster than the other kicks.
You probably already knew all this, but I wanted to make sure.

Daelar's kick connected solidly with Prewtez's chest, sending the older man staggering back. The Soldier quickly followed up with two short punches that Prewtez, feigning still being off balance, was able to step back and avoid.

Well now, that kicking attack was certainly never covered in class!

Prewtez realized the man had skills beyond those learned from Ric Gaidin. What was it Riahana had reminded him? That dirty tricks were quite acceptable in combat? What is good for the sword is also good for unarmed, yes?

Prewtez smiled at the man "Nice opening, Soldier," he concentrated on his footwork and his guard, awaiting a second attack, "I'm Prewtez d'Grayson, by the way. And you be?"

He judged his opponent's stance, seeing no immediate opportunity for a counter blow. He began to circle as well, looking for a chance.

"I am Daelar Ralead. That sword you have is quite nice looking. Where did you get it?"
Privately he was thinking, For a swordsman like he seems to be, he certainly has lousy balance!
Overconfident because of his successful first attack, Daelar sprung forward, punching with abandon.

Having been caught off guard the first time with the Soldier’s banter, Prewtez was not about to fall for the same trick twice. Light! The young man must think him a fool! Well, if you underestimate your opponent you often pay the price.

As Daelar rushed his second attack he seemed to have bitten at Prewtez’s feigned clumsiness. As Ralead sprang forward, the drin dropped and rolled, coming up on the Soldier’s side as the latter punched at where he had been and delivered a sharp blow toward’s the man’s side.

OOC: I'll leave it to you to decide if the blow landed or not.

If Daelar hadn't been Seanchan, he would have cursed. He almost did anyway. He had been stupid and completely underestimated his opponent, who had rolled to the side and hit him easily with a quick and strong strike to the side.
The sharp blow coupled with his own momentum caused Daelar to crash to the ground.
Light! I'm glad Ric Gaidin taught us to fall well!

He rolled to his feet, warily. He needed to fight smart.

Daelar came forward with a punch at the head to drive him back, stepping forward and preparing for a side kick.

Daelar was good, Prewtez conceded, quick and skillful. He had fallen just as taught and was up and attacking again. Prewtez stepped back into a defensive stance.

Measure. The Gaidin’s voice sounded in his head, Judgement.

As he jerked back from Daelar’s punch Prewtez recognized that his opponent was skilled in kicking, which negated the Drin’s advantage in arm length. Anticipating a kick, he moved his arm down in an attempt to block it.

OOC: If successful, I imagine Prewtez will have a very sore arm!

Daelar's kick was blocked by the Drin's block. It wasn't the best block- it was a block, not a deflection- so he still took the force of the kick.
However, all that force did was push him backwards.

Realizing that the Drin's superior strength would give him an advantage in a prolonged close combat, Daelar followed the kick with a couple of quick punches and then pulled back.

The Drin didn't seem to be very much an attacker. Well, Daelar would try to use that as an advantage.

Prewtez staggered from the force of Daelar’s kick, his arm would no doubt sport a painful bruise, and took the follow up punches on his blocking right arm.

As the soldier stepped back, Prewtez pressed in, stepping into his left handed jab, twisting his torso for extra force, hoping to catch Daelar as he transitioned to defense. He quickly stepped his left foot back allowing him to follow his first punch with a right handed uppercut before attempting to ‘fly out’.