Chapter 7: Practice
Nevil walked below to gather her gear. She returned dressed in her new, but unbuckled, light blue gambeson, the tightly fitting pants of a swordsman, and high leather boots. She was carrying her steel shortswords and a training sleeve. Placing the items down with the other equipment by the pells. A beautiful day to train.
Nevil sipped water as Cirilli eagerly approached and waited.
Atalaya made her way towards Nevil, tightening the straps on her gambeson. “Are you ready to start your warm ups? I was just about to start my own. Shall I join you, or do you want me to work out of your way?”
Setting the water down as Atalaya approached, Nevil began, "Cirilli first we are going to show you the warm-up and stretching exercises that I will expect from you before each lesson or self-practice. Gaining strength without flexibility, and you're asking for an injury. Nevil leads Cirilli in sets of calisthenics and stretching. Completing the sets, "you should feel warm and loose."
"Atalaya, would you honor us by demonstrating the first and second shortsword kata for us please?"
“Of course. But I thought that you were going to be joining me for these first two. Wasn’t that our agreement for our sparring bouts?”
Nevil smiles. Feisty. I like it. “I stand corrected. That is indeed what I said. We will both demonstrate.”
“I can redo these katas after our bouts and you can explain each move then. In fact, for that it might be better if I did them at half speed.
Atalaya moves into position and asks, “Group or Individual katas?”
Nevil shakes her head as she fastens her buckles, “oh no, we can't have it be unequal. Group but silent.”
“Excellent.” Moving into position, spacing herself carefully she says, “We begin on 10.” Counting out loud to ten to set the pace, Atalaya salutes and begins the first kata. In her mind she hears her masters counting to keep the pace as she moves into and out of each position, guard, thrust, block, parry or evade. Each move flows into the next as they complete the kata. As it ends, she returns to a ready position, and bows.
Cirilli moves out of the way and sits against a crate. Nevil explains while performing the movements, "these movements are either positions of attack or defense. With repetition, they are intended to create unconscious muscle memory of positions that create the most force or positional advantage.” Nevil can't help but notice Atalaya’s form between turns. She is very good. The master would be proud. And an unfavorable weapon, my ass.
After the slightest of pauses she calls out, “Second Kata” and begins the pacing count again. On ten she bows and moves into the moves of the second kata. Seeing the attackers that she is fighting in the kata she works to keep her moves to the count as required for a group kata. She is aware of Nevil, mirroring her movements beside her, but her focus remains on the form and the moves she is making and countering. With the last move she again ends in a defensive stance. She then returns to her starting position and bows.
At the conclusion, Nevil continues, “These forms will be a foundation of your formal training. We will do them every lesson and you are expected to practice on your own time as well. When performing them, you must think of nothing else. In this way they will become meditative and will train your brain to focus in combat.”
Atalaya listens to Nevil as she explains her expectations to Cirilli. As she finishes, Atalaya smiles and says, “Okay, time to spar. Single shortsword. Same rules as last time.”
Chapter 8: First Sparring Bout, Single Shortswords
Boz saw that the kata work was coming to an end and knowing that Atalaya planned for the challenge bouts to come next, looked at Inman. “It’s time for Skarne to go below again. It’s time for us to be attending to our women.”
Inman chuckled. “This should be good.” He starts guiding Skarne towards the stairways that lead to the lower deck. “Time to enjoy yourself in your room. Let’s go.”
At a faster pace than their strolling on the deck, the three men head to the crew cabins. As Boz opens the door, Sorrow pops out of his cabin. “The girls are practicing again?”
“They are indeed, and we want to watch. Can you supervise our guest for a bit?”
“Hmm, I was hoping to watch myself. I’ll see if Annie or Ivar can assign someone to guard for a bit.” Sorrow quickly heads above and talks to Annie.
In a couple of minutes Rogelio shows up and nods at Boz and Inman and gets himself a mug of ale before he sits at the common table, a deck of cards pulled out of a pocket and he begins a game of solitaire as he watches the door.
Inman and Boz smile at each other and head back to the deck to watch the fun.
Atalaya moves into an on guard position and starts circling Nevil watching for any weaknesses or slips. Realizing that she needs to try another tactic from their last fight, she finds the rhythm of the ship and working with its movement makes a testing attack, connecting with Nevil’s side. She quickly moves back to a defensive stance.
[Atalaya to hit= 22, damage= 5
Nevil (51/56) AC 13, Initiative 10
Atalaya (65/65) AC 15, Initiative 19]
Hearing murmurs and commentary from the men, Nevil halts the sparing with a dead serious look, "From now on gentlemen, watching has a price, sweat... the form it takes is your choice." She said, ending her words with a playful smirk.
Inman smirks back, “Oh, I’ll be doing forms with Atalaya after you finish your fun.”
Boz looks thoughtful but nods at Nevil.
Sorrow raises a brow and looks contemplative but doesn't say a word.
Both the ladies return to business. Atalaya's steps held too regular a rhythm. Nevil moved, anticipating Atalaya to be between steps as she lunged. Atalaya, unable to dodge, sweeps broadly in defense. Nevil changes the angle of attack in the lunge, locks her arm and uses her body weight to carry Atalaya’s blade through her guard. Nevil slams into Atalaya’s flank harder than Nevil would have liked. Oh, damn.
Nevil drops her blade and halts the spar, "are you alright?" [Nevil: to hit= 19, damage= 8. Nevil (HP 51) Atalaya (HP 57)]
Atalaya steps back as Nevil stops the fight. “I’m fine, but I’m missing my own armor about now. That was a solid hit.” Raising her sword up again, “Let’s do this” and she moves back into stance, waiting for Nevil to do the same.
As soon as Nevil raised her blade, Atalaya came to strike, swinging with speed. Nevil parries, but Atalaya twists her body to the side as Nevil closes the gap to push the advantage of her parry. The result is that Nevil strikes Atalaya’s thigh as Atalaya arm locks with Nevil's sword arm and twists to open an unguarded slash across Nevils back. It was awkward, and messy, but effective. The two, knowing that such close scuffles are always wildly unpredictable, quickly separate and recollect themselves.
[Atalaya to hit: 24, damage= 7
Nevil to hit: 20, damage= 7
Nevil (HP 44) Atalaya (HP 50)]
Atalaya winces. Time to speed this up a little.
After the scuffle both settle into controlled forms in a series of rapid exchanges of blows. As Nevil anticipated, Atalaya begins to dominate the bout with superior speed. Nevil misjudges the time Atalaya would need to strike a blow to her closest target of opportunity; Nevil’s hand. After landing a quick and unexpected blow to the top of Nevil’s hand, Atalaya moves to reposition. Nevil, partly out of playfulness, but mostly out of reflex, shows incredible point control, disengaging with Atalaya’s attempted parry and striking Atalaya’s most forward and unguarded body part, her trailing foot. But with Nevil’s blade near the ground, and without pause, Atalaya connects with Nevil's shoulder while retreating and dodging Nevil's wild swing to make defensive space desperate to recover her stance.
Nevil breaths quickly, "I told you. All other things even, you have me on speed alone.”
[Atalaya to hit: 13, damage= 5; Atalaya to hit: 13, damage=5; Nevil to hit: 23, damage= 7; Nevil to hit: 5, fail; Nevil (HP 34) Atalaya (HP 43)]
“We’ll see. You still got in two attacks, even if one didn’t hit.”
Atalaya circles Nevil, keeping her distance. Twice in a row, Nevil attempts attacks of opportunity, misjudging Atalaya’s distance and speed. Twice Atalaya parries and counter strikes before Nevil can extract herself.
Atalaya begins to notice a pattern. [Intelligence success 17]
After two solid hits Nevil opens the gap between them to breathe a little and shake it off, "Do you believe me now?”
It's time to stop playing. Nevil bends over to pick up a second practice sword. “Time to make it more even.”
[Atalaya to hit: 22, damage= 6; Atalaya to hit: 19, damage= 8; Nevil to hit: 12, fail; Nevil to hit: 12, fail; Nevil (HP 20) Atalaya (HP 43)]
“So you are conceding?” She glances at Nevil as she picks up the second sword. “Oh no, we break between bouts, as agreed upon this morning.” She’s tired. “If I am going to see how poorly I do with dual swords, you and I both need a rest first.” After a deep breath she adds, “And I need some water.”
Nevil laughs, "If you must hear it. Yes, I conceded, this was never a fair fight. I told you why I was reluctant to use those terms. You're a speed fighter and my armor, shield, and second weapon are taken." Nevil gestures to Cirilli, "Cirilli, this is a good lesson. Do not fight battles you can not win. Find an advantage or run." Turning back to Atalaya, “Honestly, I don't think it will be much better even with a second weapon, I still can't hit you if you're quick.”
Atalaya sees Cirilli coming towards them carrying a waterskin. She looks uncertain as to whom she should approach first. Atalaya smiles as she says, “You offer that to your master first.”
Cirilli nods and approaches Nevil, holding out the waterskin. “Do you want some water?”
“Thank you, Cirilli,” as Nevil nods to Atalaya. Nevil sips and then respectfully passes the skin to her friend. “It is good to have someone to keep me on my toes. There will be no rust on us.” She leans in closer to Atalaya, “How do you think the boys will fare?”
“Well, formal bouts will severely hamper Vaz. He relies on his opponent being distracted by others or being able to sneak up on them. Sorrow… well in a normal fight Sorrow would pull out his magic and convince you that you don’t want to fight him. Inman? I don’t know. You know what he can do much better than I. I’m sure that I don’t want to get between him and one of his firebolts.”
Just for Atalaya’s ears, “Well, I'm looking forward to watching parts of the ‘show’ myself.”
Atalaya turns her face to let the wind blow across it, enjoying the cooling it provides. “We can postpone the dual sword match until another day if you want. But, I think you do not give yourself enough credit. You are fast and you hit hard. With our armor being equal today, it could have gone either way.”
“So, what do you want? A rest and a dual bout? Or, starting Cirilli’s lesson?”
Nevil grins wickedly, “oh no, if you are going to best me, I am going to make you earn it. Just let me know when you're ready.”
“Alright. Break and then dual short swords.” May the goddess help me. I have not used dual weapons since my days with Master Elaria. Atalaya takes another swig on the waterskin. She walks slowly but does remain in motion during the rest.
She walks over to the ‘boys’ and asks, “So, where are your weapons? Your armor? I thought you were going to join me in practicing the katas later, Inman.”
Inman grins, “oh, taking a break? I'd hate to miss the encore.”
Inman runs down stairs and returns after several minutes with his normal studded leather armor and scimitars. “I'm not sparing and one should practice in their regular attire.” He sets his swords down and begins his warm-up.”
Boz nods as he watches Inman get ready. Noting Atalaya’s questioning look he shakes his head, “I am not sparring with either of you. That wouldn’t work. I need to be able to sneak in when a combatant is distracted. When Nevil thinks that Cirilli is ready for two on one sparring I can join in. Until then, I’ll do some pell work, I think. But after your second bout.”
Boz looks at Atalaya, frowning slightly. “I have never seen you fight with two swords. Why is that?”
Atalaya laughs, “Because I’m much better with a long sword. Once I started mastering that, I stopped using my short sword and shield. Carrying the shield interfered with carrying my bow so I stopped using it. And I never really liked working with two swords at the same time. I either used the short sword with or without a shield or a long sword with two hands. Since getting Amaurëa I have used her almost exclusively.”
“What about you, Sorrow?”
Sorrow gives Atalaya a wink, “You don’t want to play with me.” Then glancing over at Nevil adds, “But I take her meaning about the ‘sweat’. I can bring my rapier up and do some exercises of my own with that. I’ll go get it when Boz gets his gear.”
Nevil grins wickedly at Sorrow, "Oh Sorrow, but I do want to play with you. I've never seen you with a blade. I will not have the energy for sparring with you today. But I am a far better training partner than a pell." Nevil unabashedly flirts with Sorrow, "we bought sleeves... you don't even have to play nice."
Inman overhears and looks over with a grin, "be careful brother, she used that line on me once."
Sorrow looks Nevil up and down and smiles wickedly at her. “Interesting. We’ll have to see what we can do then.”
Nevil gives Sorrow an intense look, “Interesting indeed, but Atalaya and Cirilli first.”
Chapter 9: Second Bout, Dual Wielding
[Temporary rules for the dual wielding bout. Nevil hits as she normally does. Atalaya takes a -1 on ‘to hits’ and damage, with her off hand. Minimum damage is 1. Atalaya Initiative: 13, Nevil Initiative: 20 Nevil (HP 48/56) Atalaya (HP 58/65) ]
"Ready?" Nevil asked Atalaya with a rested appearance.
“Yes, let’s try this.” Atalaya tightens the straps on her gambeson and picks up two of the wooden swords. Breathing deeply and slowly she approaches the sparring area as she runs through what she remembers about using the two swords.
Nevil fastened her gambeson across her chest, checking its lay. She swung her arms across her chest as if hugging herself a few times to loosen. Then picking up two practice shortswords she walked into some open space and waited for Atalaya to join her. "You got me a little nervous Atalaya, unfavored weapon or not, you are formidable."
Atalaya chuckles softly. “You just keep on thinking like that. That’s very helpful.”
As they reach the open space Atalaya looks around, seeing no one heading towards the fighting area and asks, “Are you ready?”
“As I am ever going to be today. Give me everything you got.”
Nevil saluted with her primary weapon and bowed with her secondary weapon. Atalaya reciprocated and both warriors lowered into a swordsmanship stance. Nevil closed the distance, not waiting for Atalaya to consider her new strategy for long. Nevil lunged with her primary blade hitting to Atalaya's right side as Atalaya's attempt to parry and repost missed. Nevil ran through the lunge and past Atalaya. However, Atalaya's blade successfully guarded her flank against Nevil’s attempt to hit her with the blade of her off-hand. A loud knock of wood rang. Atalaya was unphased, she turned to engage, trying to drive her second blade into Nevil’s back as she ran past. Nevil was not fast enough to avoid a hit, but the hit was a light graze.
[Round 1; Nevil to hit: 23, damage 5; Nevil to hit: 7, fail; Atalaya to hit: 9, fail; Atalaya to hit: 15, damage 1; Nevil (HP 47) Atalaya (HP 53)]
Atalaya kept the momentum of the turn towards Nevil and swung her primary blade in a hard long arc. Nevil's opening move proved to be overly cocky. She found herself at the sharp end of Atalaya's focus and unable to block a solid hit to her shoulder. In the turn, with Atalaya having maintained a close interval, Nevil's attempt to strike with her primary weapon fails and is easily blocked and expertly reposted into Nevil's thigh by Atalaya’s off-hand blade. Atalaya, having swung hard and deep with her primary weapon, is unable mount a defense for a flank strike by Nevil’s off hand.
[Round 2; Nevil to hit: 12, fail; Nevil to hit: 19, 5 dmg; Atalaya to hit: 18, 7 damage; Atalaya to hit: 23, 4 damage; Nevil (HP 36) Atalaya (HP 48)]
"Damn Atalaya, Well done! Time to open it up. Let's see it!"
Atalaya gives a slight smile. “I’m as ready as I am ever going to be today,” she says, repeating Nevil’s earlier comment. “Bring it on, my friend,” she adds as she gives a few feints as she looks for an opening.
Inman stops his stretch as he stands by Boz and Sorrow. He is laser focused on Nevil, "I haven't seen her dual form in years. I swear it was one of the reasons I fell for her the first time." He sits on the crate next to Boz not breaking his gaze. "It’s worth every ounce of sweat.”
“She is good at that.” Boz continues to watch. “You know, I haven’t seen Atalaya use a short sword before the last practice they had, and I have never tried to envision her using two swords.” Chuckling, he adds, “I guess I will be doing a lot more practicing or other forms of sweating if that is what it takes to watch them.” He turns his eyes to the masts and ropes on the sails. Climbing up and down those will surely produce “sweat” if I work on speed…
Seeing Atalaya working a strategy, Nevil waits in the defensive posture she normally assumes, Atalaya expertly charges, beginning a series of rapid blade strikes.
In Atalaya’s charge, Nevil misjudges the angle, instead of redirecting the lunge to the side of her body, the blade hits solidly on her shoulder eliciting a loud grunt from Nevil. But Nevil continues with the roll of her attempted block, pushing the blade that struck, off her arm and wide, while simultaneously pushing forward and weakly striking Atalaya’s chest. With Atalaya’s primary hand occupied, Nevil swings with her primary blade in a powerful arc. Atalaya is unable to parry or deflect, and Nevil lands a blow to Atalaya’s flank. Atalaya works to maintain her grasp of her left hand sword as she recovers her defensive position. She was holding back before. She’s fast. Forest Queen help me, she is fast.
She steps two steps away quickly to make additional space, but neither waits long to begin again. Nevil changes her stance. She leans more forward, arms raised higher and extended as if draped over an invisible wall. The effect is to force distance. Atalaya circles just outside of lunge range. As she does, Nevil slowly draws her arms inward to try to trick Atalaya into closing the gap and to step into range. Atalaya is not fooled, she takes one step expecting Nevil to lunge as soon as she steps forward. But Atalaya lunges ahead of Nevil, right at Nevil’s leading thigh. Atalaya blow is solid and it hits as Nevil’s lunge is in mid-arc. Nevil growls in pain. As Nevil’s lunge completes, her blade slides up Atalaya’s and rakes over Atalaya’s ribs. Nevil’s off hand simultaneously parries Atalaya’s counter and reposts to strike Atalaya's lagging thigh. Atalaya mutters a couple of words that Nevil doesn’t recognize, but has no trouble interpreting.
Again they separate to recollect themselves. The women circle each other, both breathing hard, both smarting from blows, both flush and red in the face.
Atalaya watches Nevil warily and silently as she circles with her. She’s better than she realizes. I’m in trouble here, I’m not getting in with my left hand. I need at least two good hits and to keep away from her or this is going to end too soon.
[Round 3, Nevil to hit: 16, 8 dmg; Nevil to hit: 15, 4 dmg; Nevil to hit: 21, 6 dmg; Nevil to hit: 19, 6 dmg; Atalaya to hit: 22, 9 dmg, Atalaya to hit: 12, fail, Atalaya to hit: 21, 8 dmg, Atalaya to hit: 10 fail; Nevil (HP 19) Atalaya (HP 24)]
Nevil returns to her regular stance. It's such a close match, this round will be the last. No mistakes. Nevil creeps with small irregular steps to close the distance. Then lunging again and attempting to run past Atalaya’s primary sword side. Nevil changes the attack angle to prevent a parry and rides up Atalaya’s blade and solidly hits her chest. On the run-by, Nevil catches Atalaya’s second blade in the ribs before she arcs her unopposed blade around to hit Atalaya in the back. It hits hard and loudly. Nevil now in Atalaya’s blindside, unopposed, pauses and asks between breaths, "enough for today?”
[Round 4, Nevil to hit: 20, 7dmg; Nevil to hit: 18 8 dmg; Nevil with holds stikes; Atalaya to hit: 13, 6 damage; Atalaya yields; Nevil (HP 13) Atalaya (HP 9)]
Breathing harshly and still feeling the sting of Nevil’s blow to her back. “I yield.” Atalaya says as she steps back and drops to one knee. She ceremoniously places her swords on the ground in front of her, stands and takes three steps back.
Then, as she gets her breath back, she smiles at Nevil. She stoops to pick up her swords again. Stepping up to Nevil she grasps her forearm in a warrior's hold, Atalaya grinned up at her. “That was fun. You were the formidable opponent today. No more talk about being too slow.”
Before allowing Atalaya to break the hold, Nevil pulls Atalaya close and whispers to her, "I agree... only if you agree to never bow to me again. You are my peer.”
“You misunderstand. The formal laying down of the swords ends the bout or dual and symbolizes the surrender. Had you not been my peer or had you been a foe that I had surrendered to, I would not have stood until that person gave me leave to, usually after they had confiscated my weapons.
“Sometimes it feels so odd to think we had the same master. But traditions come from many places.” Nevil contemplates out loud.
“That’s true. This one comes from my father’s village. I seem to be thinking about my time and training there more frequently. I expect that’s because of the need to see that Cirilli is trained,” Atalaya says as she reflects on what she had done. “I could have gotten by without the formal surrender, as this was really a training bout with a friend, but I also wanted to demonstrate the ritual to Cirilli.” With a smile and a wink she adds, “We were trying to demonstrate your prowess with the swords, remember.”
Atalaya ruefully adds, “My lack of practice in this method of fighting shows. The Master would be giving my off arm a series of her ‘love taps’ about now while explaining why one never starts to rely on a favored weapon or weapon style. So, I think that my pell work later today is going to be with two swords.”
Nevil smiles with understanding, “Wait until you see my bow skills. I am in no place to judge what has gotten rusty.”
Atalaya slowly made her way over towards the water barrel and filled the mug with water. Not even noticing the metallic taste from the mug, she drank the whole cup. Stooping, she pulled out the fruit bowl. Finding several slices of the oranges, she bit into one savoring the sweet tartness of the juice as she swallowed each bite. Holding the bowl out to Nevil she asked, “Do you want anything?”
Nevil gestures with her hand to decline Atalaya's offer. Breathing hard, she instead drinks water and unbuckles her gambeson, releasing the heat. Sweat is breaking through her shirt. Cirilli is buzzing with excitement, "when do we start?" Nevil smiles, "You're next, but in a few minutes, Atalaya has spent me. Go perform one more round of warm-up. I'll be there when you're done." Cirilli grins from ear to ear and runs off to a free space to begin her stretches.
Inman, who was waiting for Nevil to finish with Cirilli, steps up, taking the practice sword from her hand. He teases, "Are you going to plant those ideas in my head and then go "play" with another man?"
Nevil grins playfully, "Oh, do I see a hint of jealousy? It's just a little sweat between friends."
Inman steps closer but doesn't say a word. His eyes are deep and unwavering. Nevil kisses his cheek, "we play later," she assured him. But his expression didn't change. "What?" she asked uncertainly.
After another awkward moment, Inman cracked a smile, "It's so rare to see you waver. I couldn't help it."
Nevil pushed on his chest, "You are awful." Upping the bet, Nevil calls to Sorrow as she glares playfully at Inman, "Sorrow, you're up after Cirilli. Inman said you can have your way with me." Nevil walked away and toward the equipment.
"Well, there's a saying. To a rapier, heavy armor is a series of holes. To a broadsword, light armor is a trip to the healers." He smirks. " Let's see how it goes."
Inman’s eyes widened and he began to laugh, "and who is bad now." He mouthed to her final glance, "You are mine." Nevil had no response but a playful glint in her eye.
Vasilya made his way over to Atalaya while she was talking with Nevil and Cirilli by the water barrels. Standing behind her and pulling her against him, one arm around her waist, he handed her a waterskin. He watched as Atalaya tipped her head back to drink from it. He saw her pleasure as she swallowed the lukewarm water. When she finished he spoke, “I guess I’ll be getting a lot of use of that new gambeson. I’m not about to miss any of your sparring. Come, sit. You have earned a bit of a rest before you start up again.” When Atalaya started to pull away he responded by tightening his hold on her, bringing his other arm around to hold her. “No, rest first, then you can do whatever else you have on your mind to do.”
“I don’t want to stiffen up before doing my katas,” Atalaya explained.
Boz shook his head. “You can do a few stretches before your form work. Later.” He maneuvered her over to some of the crates that he had been sitting on with Inman and Sorrow.
Accepting the inevitable, Atalaya sat and leaned on Boz as she continued to bring order to her breathing. After her body relaxed she asked, “So what are we going to see you do today?”
Boz hid a smile, “You want to watch me get hit with sticks? Really?”
“No,” Atalaya replied, “I want to see you avoid getting hit by sticks.” After a few minutes she added, “You said something about doing some pell work I believe. I’ve rested and it looks like Nevil is getting ready to start with Cirilli. I think she is teaching her the first of the katas. I need to help with that.” Atalaya attempts to remove Vasilya’s arm from around her, but is not successful until paying him a ‘toll’.”
Chapter 10: Cirilli’s First Kata
Nevil walked over to Cirilli with two steel shortswords. She watched Cirilli complete the last of the leg stretches against the wooden rail of the ship. Cirilli was already perspiring. Slow and lots of breaks. She's not yet conditioned to the heat. When Cirilli turned to see Nevil with steel weapons she grew concerned. "I thought..."
Nevil interrupted, "you need to feel the blade and the weight. We are not putting force behind your lesson today. Just learning the positions. Force comes in time." Cirilli looked relieved. "Oh, that's easy then."
Don't laugh, oh don't crack a smile. She has no idea how this is so much worse.
Nevil hands Cirilli a sword. "We are going to learn the rough form of the first short sword kata today. That is the only easy part." Cirilli looks up with confused concern.
Seeing Atalaya approaching, "Atalaya will help me demonstrate the finer details of each step and why they are important. The hard part is what follows, and every day after. We test and correct errors in your form by holding each position while I make adjustments. We start easy. As you grow, movements closer to perfection will be required. The goal is to have your body memorize the exact position for subconscious recall. And to build strength.” Cirilli was excited.
Nevil faces Atalaya, "Would you be so kind as to perform slow movements alongside Cirilli? I would like to stop between each one and demonstrate their function gently between each other. Then allow her to mimic the position for manual adjustment. Does that sound alright?"
“I can do that. You are starting with the first shortsword form, yes? Do you want me to make the moves at half speed or quarter speed?”
“Neither. Position and hold. We are explaining the function of the action between each movement.” Nevil laughs, “your first lesson must have been very different from mine.”
“It seems that it was. One evening, after the hanging couches have been set up, you and I need to have a long talk about our training. I find that I am fascinated with the differences that are popping up.”
“Of course, are you comfortable with this direction?” Nevil asked with concern.
“Yes. But I am finding the differences from my father’s training very interesting.”
“It would be my pleasure.” Nevil responded.
Atalaya takes a position, with appropriate spacing between her and Cirilli and facing Nevil. When Cirilli starts to move closer, she steps aside to maintain the spacing, but says nothing to Cirilli. She assumes an at rest position waiting for the command to demonstrate respect to the instructor.
Nevil begins, "Ready, bow." All three bow to each other. Then Nevil requests the base position, "neutral guard."
Beside Cirilli, Atalaya lowers herself into a swordsman's stance and Cirilli follows. Through her previous training she has learned this fairly well. Nevil inspected her form from the front. The guard is decent. Nevil grabbed the blade tip to keep it in position, then moved Cirilli's hand just fragments of distances. "Feel that difference?" She asked.
Cirilli looks uncertain, "Yes?"
"Don't move, but watch," Nevil instructed.
Nevil moved in front of Atalaya who held the same position. Nevil spaced herself and also positioned herself in a neutral guard. Seeing that Atalaya now understood, Nevil looked to her for a nod of readiness. When the nod was given, there was an explosion of power, the slide of steel, and a lunge avoided without action from Atalaya. Nevil’s blade froze, held alongside Atalaya’s handguard and away from the cloth of her gambeson and the flesh beneath.
Nevil explained, "when this guard is held well, it offers few targets and now she has all control. Anytime the far part of my blade is controlled by the part of her blade closer to the guard, it does not matter how strong I am. She will dictate its direction."
Nevil nods to Atalaya, who slowly alters her blade angle and pace of movement and slings Nevil’s blade away. Then she follows through to gently stab Nevil's unguarded body. Nevil explained, "all of the next movements follow similar principles from different angles of defense and attack." These little adjustments make the difference in protection, and then control and power." Nevil bows slightly to Atalaya.
Then moving back to Cirilli, whose guard has drifted again, Nevil directs, "Don't move." She slowly takes the opposing stance and slowly lunges, sliding her blade up Cirilli's and directly into her upper arm. Cirilli adjusts her form, just a fraction of a distance, lifting Nevil's blade off her arm and just outside of a strike range. "Do you see now?"
“I see the difference when I moved my blade. But how do I know where to hold the blade to start with? If I had it in the right place you wouldn’t have reached my arm, right?” questioned Cirilli.
Nevil laughs, "That's why this is the easy part. We will perform these movements everyday together and I will correct you. Your body and your eye will learn until you don't have to think about it. That is the hard part and the frustrating part, because it is the painful part. But you are young and there are softer ways to learn than what some masters have done."
Nevil tells Cirilli, "Your arm may not hurt now, but we have fifteen more positions to cover. So, drop your guard and move your arm or grab water if you need. If you can't focus on the position because of the pain, you will not learn anything but hate for the craft."
Atalaya waits for Cirilli to drop her guard and then follows suit. She watched as Cirilli tried to circumspectly rub her arm as she headed towards the water barrel. Atalaya rather directly rubbed her own arm and shook it out some. “I’m going to be missing The Master’s hot tub tonight.” Are you planning to take her through all fifteen moves this afternoon?”
“Yes, if she is physically able.” Nevil looks at her bright pupil. “I think she can do it. It will go faster now that the concept is established.”
After finishing her drink, Cirilli quickly makes her way back to Nevil. “What’s the next move?” she asks excitedly.
Nevil smiles, "Well alright, let's see how far we can get. Soon you'll be doing the first kata with the rest of us."
"Atalaya, ready for guard one?" Atalaya takes position, Cirilli mimics, and Nevil makes small corrections. Not to the point of perfection, but to establish a base form. "Guard two..." and so it went.
An hour later, with many breaks along the way, all fifteen positions were completed. Cirilli was clearly tired but still full of determination.
Nevil askes Cirilli while she finishes taking a drink. "Cirilli, you feel up to putting it all together? I'll call you through it. Nevil smiles at both her and Atalaya, “but it could be your first official kata. You earned it.”
Cirilli rubs her sword arm as she thinks about Nevil’s question. “Yes, I want to try. But maybe slowly, not like you and Atalaya do it.”
Atalaya smiles at Nevil. “I think that she can do it too.” She shakes out her shoulders and moves back into the spot she had taken to the side of Cirilli, waiting patiently for Cirilli to be ready and for Nevil to call out the form.
Nevil shouts so all on the ship could hear, "Cirilli's short sword first form." Cirilli seem startled but quickly moved as Nevil called, "Neutral guard... Guard 1.... Guard 2.... through the full form. Inman tapped Boz on the shoulder and interrupted his pell work. Sorrow had just come up on the deck with his rapier. Ivar gave the ship's wheel to Annie. Nearly everyone gathered to see.
"...and bow.” Nevil instructed at the end. She then quickly spoke to Cirilli so she could enjoy the moment, "great job, you are released until tomorrow." Then Nevil backed away, giving Atalaya a wink.
Atalaya sheathes her sword and then turns to Cirilli, a huge smile on her face. “Well done Cirilli. I’m very proud of you.” She gives Cirilli a hug and then smiling mischievously, she lifts her up slightly and twirls her around like she would a young child. As she sets her back down she repeats, “I am very proud of the work you did today.”
Boz comes up and mock punches her on her shoulder. “Good job.” He then adds something in Gurrish, {Gurrish for: Well fought Little Warrior} While Cirilli seems to have no idea of what is said, Atalaya beams and smiles at him over Cirilli’s head.
Cirilli looks around and sees that both Ivar and Sorrow have also come to offer her congratulations on completing her first kata. She drinks in their praise and allows herself to experience the love and companionship the party is offering her. But through all of this, she keeps a careful watch on Nevil, trying to judge her response to what the others are saying to her.
Nevil stands back not wanting to take any of Cirilli’s moment. We can't just build a warrior. She must be emotionally developed and secure in herself or she will be vulnerable. She needs this moment.
Nevil notices the grin on her own face when Inman walks up to her. "Not bad," he said.
"I know, she's a quick study," Nevil replies. "I meant you," he retorted. "I am a paladin," she deflected.
"Take the compliment," he added as he walked to congratulate Cirilli.
Inman approached Cirilli and shook Cirilli’s hand. She seemed very confused until Inman said, "Welcome to the club, we'll be expecting you for katas now.”
“What?” asks Cirilli. Her eyes are wide with wonder and a little bit of dismay. I’m not very good at them yet. Not like you…” her voice peters out.
“Inman is correct. As you learn them, you get to join in when we do that kata as a group kata.” Realizing that she is using the elven word for them she corrects herself. “When we do forms I mean. Kata is the elven word,” Atalaya explains. Her eyes on Nevil, she continues, “When you join us, one of us will call the position as Nevil just did until Nevil decides that you are ready to fade that cue out.”
As Cirilli moves towards the water barrel, Sorrow meets her with a full cup of water. “Drink this slowly. Your body needs it. It’s a hot day and you have worked hard this afternoon.” As Nevil approaches the water barrel Sorrow pulls her aside. I think that Atalaya is still planning to work on her own forms this afternoon. Let’s put the hammock back up. I’m guessing that Cirilli will enjoy watching her perform them. And will like it even more if you sit with her and explain what she is seeing.”
"That is an excellent idea," Nevil replies as she fills a large mug of water. She drinks a bit then hands the half filled mug to Cirilli. Nevil and Sorrow string the makeshift hammock from the fine cargo net. Sorrow springs up and lounges in the back, leaning on the ladder ropes that climb to the mast. Nevil takes the cups from Cirilli, "take your gambeson off, or at least loosen it." Cirilli’s hands fumble with the buckles. Nevil hands the cups to Sorrow then helps her, "It looks like we pushed you pretty hard today. You are going to be sore."
Cirilli breathed deep as the cool air flooded in, "That was the easy part?"
Nevil nodded as she unbuckled her gambeson and let the flap fall to the side. "A moment to learn, a lifetime to master." Nevil smiled to Sorrow, "like chess." The two climbed onto the group hammock and reclaimed their cups from Sorrow. Nevil grinned, "This is going to be fun to watch."
Cirilli says with awe, "I know; Atalaya is beautiful." Nevil and Sorrow both laughed to themselves.
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