Starting to work out the cobwebs [Closed]

[Roan]

Paks & Bastian

Three times. It took three separate requests to the Yellows to finally get approval to go back to the Yards in a limited capacity. She was allowed to train in unarmed combat, and take part in other physical conditioning exercises. She could also attend classes on tactics, strategy and history, but she was supposed to report back to her room in the infirmary each night.

The Ji’val tugged at the sleeves of her uniform as she headed to an area where there were usually various learning ranks were practicing their unarmed skills. She wasn’t surprised to see about fifteen different people leaving or sitting on the fence, watching a sparring match. As she approached, it seemed as if people parted ways and stared as she moved to lean against the fence and watch the current match come to an end.

When it ended, a bell tolled and most of the crowd dispersed to head off to their various classes. One of the two Ji’val involved in the spar helped his partner up and dusted himself off. Before long, it was just him and Paks left. He looked over to Paks as he pulled his long hair back and tied it at the nape of his neck, “Ji’val Liard, right?”

Giving the man a quizzical look, Paks didn’t quite smirk, “I think the only people to call me that are Gaidin who are my instructors. Paks is fine.”

The man smirked, “Paks it is. We’ve crossed paths once or twice, but it’s been a while.” He held out his hand, “Bastian.”

Paks took the man’s hand and gave a firm shake, “I know. I may not have been around much lately, but news of Lysira Gaidin taking up a spar with one of the yard’s largest Drin and her taking him on as a student gets around. . .even to the infirmary.”

Bastian laughed, “Why am I not surprised?” He tilted his head, “It’s good to see you around the Yards.” There weren’t many people who didn’t know what happened to Paks on that fateful day, even if they didn’t know her.

She stared at him for a moment before looking away and running a hand through her short-cropped hair, “Thanks.”

The large J’val studied Paks for a few moments, and then nodded to the sparring area, “Up for a spar?”

Paks was relieved Bastian didn’t seem to want to talk about her and allowed a small smirk, “Yeah, I could use a spar.”

[Roan]

Paks and Bastian, a few months later

The sun was high in the sky with little wind to offset the warmth of its rays. The unusually warm spring day led to Drin, Ji’val and Gaidin alike to shed their jackets, roll up their sleeves, or in the case of some, shed their shirts all together. There was little breeze to cool off those who exerted themselves, and a haze of dust hung over the bulk of the Yards. In one corner, two people shuffled back and forth, kicking up dust as they tried to get advantage over the other.

A small crowd gathered to watch as both Ji’val moved around each other, one wielding two daggers while the other wielded two axes. Neither held actual weapons, but practice daggers and axes that held similar weight. The woman ducked as an axe meant to hit her at neck height came in from her left, and she jabbed forward with her right dagger.

The larger man twisted his body while pulling his left leg back, and brought up his other axe to block the would-be blow. There was no hesitation as the other axe came back in a downward diagonal swing. The woman was quick, though, and stepped back as she brought both daggers up to block the blow. She knew she left herself somewhat open and went to take another step back, but the axe she hadn’t blocked came up and tapped her just below the rib-cage.

Both Bastian and Paks stopped, and the larger man gave an easy grin, “I believe that point is mine.”

Two years ago, or even just perhaps a year ago, Paks would have made some inappropriate quip, and likely done something else wholly inappropriate to make light of the situation, but this wasn’t the same Paks. Letting go a silent curse she stepped back and wiped the sweat off her brow with the back of her hand. As sweaty as she was, all she managed to do was smear the dust that settled onto her face into a muddy paste.

Bastian rumbled, “Instinct tells you to bring both daggers up for the overhand swing, but you can’t do that when your opponent also has two weapons. Trust your off-hand to offer enough of a block.”

“Against someone your size, if my blade doesn’t catch the blow, then I’m done for. That’s why I use both,” Paks countered.

Thinking to his sessions with Lysira, Bastian nodded, “My size is both an advantage and disadvantage. If you face someone as big as me, they will likely be slower than me, and certainly much slower than you. If you don’t think you can fully block the blow, then move so it isn’t as much of a threat. Either come inside my guard or step to the side.”

A Drin came over with a bucket of water and a ladle, offering it to Paks first. She took advantage and took a long drink of water before dumping a ladle full over her head. She stepped back and ran a hand through her short cropped hair, “You think I can use my speed to my advantage?”

Bastian did the same as Paks with regards to the water, and shook his head, sending droplets of water everywhere, “I do. You are quick on your feet. I’m not as slow as I once was, but you are quicker. Anyone else my size will likely be slower since they tend to count on their might to win a fight. Want to go again?”

Paks nodded, “Yes.”

Both Ji’val settled into a mid-guard stance. Bastian made no move towards Paks, and after several seconds, she took two shuffled steps to close the distance and went for a simple thrust at chest height. As expected, Bastian went to block the initial thrust, and she followed it up with an upward slash from her other dagger. Again, Bastian blocked it, but Paks didn’t relent.

The pair traded blow after blocked blow, with no one gaining an advantage, though it was playing into Paks’s strategy. They got into a rhythm, and just as Paks would have followed one blow with another, she feinted, stepped inward and brought her leading dagger around and into Bastian’s back. With the touch, both Ji’val paused.

Looking up to his pale eyes, Paks flashed a slight smirk, “I think that’s a tap.”

Giving a deep, rich laugh, Bastian stepped back and bowed his head, “It was, and a well earned one too. Shall we see who gets the best two out of three?”

Stepping back, Paks nodded, “Of course. You lead off this time, though.” She watched him as they both settled into a guard stance. She held both of her daggers with the points aimed towards him.

After about a three count, Bastian closed distance and came in with a horizontal swing at about gut-height. Paks rotated her left dagger so the blade rested against her forearm and blocked the leading swing easily enough. His left hand axe came in an upward swing, but she twisted her body to avoid the blow as dagger and axe disengaged.

Bastian learned to keep pressing an attack and pulled his right blade around in an overhead swing. Instead of blocking with both daggers, Paks moved her left arm up, using the blade to protect her forearm as the blade came baring down. As it made contact, she was aware of the other axe coming in at about head height.

Without hesitation, Paks sunk to her knees, letting the axe pass over head. As she sunk down, she thrust once more with her right hand, and managed to get the touch on Bastian just before he could bring his own axe down to her skull. Both fighters paused, and Bastian snorted, “Mother’s milk in a cup. I did not see that coming.”

Pushing herself to her feet, Paks shrugged, “You have a height advantage, but you said use your size against you. It seemed like the thing to do.”

The larger Ji’val laughed, “Effective.” A bell tolled in the distance, “That’s my queue to move on to tactics and strategy. Up for drinks later?”

Paks shook her head, “No, not tonight. I have other things I need to work on.”

Bastian tilted his head, “I don’t think I’ve seen you in Hama Valon since I’ve been raised. You work too hard, Paks. Let your guard down for a night, eh?”

Heaving a sigh, Paks turned away as she shook her head, “Some other time.”

Bastian knew a little about what happened to Paks, but not all the details. He’d heard she’d once been the life of the party, sneaking off to Hama Valon almost every night as a Drin. It was hard to imagine given how hard she seemed to work nearly every day in the Yards. “I’m going to hold you to that,” he rumbled before walking off.

Looking over her shoulder, Paks watched as Bastian headed towards the Warder Hall. She couldn’t help but let out another sigh. No one would understand why she didn’t want to go to Hama Valon...not really. Few understood the drive she seemed to have to improve her fighting skills, but the Ji’val didn’t really care.