Thread: Lessons with the Master (Cheshire Smirk  and  Lunar republic)

You?! Weapons Master? The frustrated guard spat on the floor and pointed a finger at Vallios, a look of absolute indignation on his face. The man stomped his plated foot against the floor of the training hall and then reached for his spear. Vallios sighed quietly and turned to face the interloper, waving a hand dismissively at the gathered 30 trainees. Vallios merely smirked and shook his head, clearing his jaw length raven hair from his face. When he spoke, he did so with an accent that echoed the frigid tones of the northern winds. If you think yourself more fit for the title...Pick any three weapons. I will use them to combat you. You may choose as many weapons as you wish. Vallios responded cooly. Every weapon in the training room was an edgeless copy, perfect for maximum training with minimum lethality. The Ahn'kir chamber guard chuckled softly and began to rummage through the weapon racks, looking for the most unwieldy combination possible, along with the most outlandish weapons. From the gathered arms he picked a Kama, a heavy broad bladed falchion, and an eight foot long chain. He set them on the bench, and then retrieved a sturdy pike, a large tower shield, and a longsword. Have fun with that, Weapons Master. The guard placed mocking emphasis on the title. Vallios just shook his head and swaggered over to the selected weapons. With practiced ease he wrapped the chain around his waist and upper legs, then he retrieved the kama and settled it in his off-hand. He picked up the falchion, swung it in circles a few times and then turned to face his opponent, assuming a ready and balanced stance. The guard had unwittingly picked two of Vallios' preferred weapons. Few knew it, but the imperial weaponsmiths had learned how to craft a falchion from Vallios' clan, and a masterfully crafted barbed chain hung in Vallios' quarters, hungry for blood and anxiously awaiting it's next chance to wreak havoc on the battlefield. This was going to end poorly for the challenger. Whoa! By the gods, how can he hold such a heavy weapon like that? Most of the gathered trainees were new recruits, who'd never seen what being a Weapons Master meant. Even the challenger was a bit taken aback at the ease which Vallios adapted to the situation. Nevertheless he struck his longsword against his shield once, twice, and three times...The traditional sign that he was ready. Vallios danced forward, leading with his offhand. The challenger lunged and swung wide with his shield, hoping to knock Vallios from his feet. A twist of the wrist and then the square pommel of the kama slammed on the center of the oncoming shield, while kick was aimed for the guard's exposed knee. The guard reacted in time to step away from the kick, surprised that Vallios had countered so readily. Once more he knocked blade against shield, taunting Vallios. Vallios took the bait willingly, coming in with an arcing slash from the falchion. Backed into a corner, the guard forced his shoulder forward and then thrust with his sword, going for Vallios' apparently exposed ribs. That kama was ready however, and it easily caught the blade and forced the guard's main hand high. Vallios stepped inwards and caught his opponent with a vicious elbow to the ribs, followed by a fierce kick to the chest. Vallios stepped forward as his opponent fell back, whipping both weapons up and then down in a rolling arcing slash that the staggered challenger barely managed to block. A loud clattering filled the hall as both falchion and kama hit the floor, it appeared as if Vallios had been disarmed... In reality that wasn't the case. It'd been a ruse, which became apparent as that chain was swiftly unwrapped. Vallios' stance changed abruptly, from the heavy centered focus of before to a more fluid and mobile step. The chain arced and cut through the air, quickly working itself into a dizzying curtain of certain death. Working both ends Vallios struck, hands spinning and twisting in the large circular links that served as handholds for the exotic weapon. Now Vallios had the severe advantage of the reach. The challenger realized that and took several rapid steps back, retrieving his pike. The guardsman continued to step back and around, waiting for Vallios' advance. And so Vallios began to strike, displaying astounding proficiency as he hurled the chain out to it's full eight foot length and then snapped it back in vicious slashes. Steel slammed against wood floor, and the metal links howled a shrill song, every strike seeming to hold the fury of a condensed storm. Somehow, through the onslaught Vallios did not tire. With every strike he worked closer, the chain shortening as both ends began to work. Eventually, the desperate guard found himself overwhelmed and he began to thrust with abandon, hoping to strike a decisive blow. No such luck found it's way to the unfortunate guard.. One end of the chain wrapped around the pike and with a wicked tug Vallios ripped the weapon free from his opponents grasp, and then released a flurry of blows from both ends of the chain. It was fortunate that the weapon was barbless, otherwise the challenger would have been literally torn to bits. When the beaten man crumpled to his knees Vallios stopped the assault and stepped back, his breathing measured and calm. He cleared his throat and turned to address the class, acting as if it had been nothing more than a demonstration. Weapons are not but an extension of the will The will to kill, and the will to survive. You must adapt to every weapon you hold, allow it to become your arms, it's blade, it's weight your fingers. Allow it's limits to become your own, and then overcome them.