Post by The Stranger on Apr 9, 2008 12:44:58 GMT -5
Ser Dwayne Ironhammer was busy training his men, when he saw the lord of the Dreadfort approaching with those two big guards of him. Don't they ever leave his side?
He had the men salute their lord, before they continued with their exercises. Ser Dwayne looked at the men, gave instructions where it was needed. He encouraged those that worked hard, and scolded those that went to hard on some of the new recruits. He noticed that Maleagant was watching them the whole time, standing there in the shadows, flanked by his two statues. Ser Dwayne donned armor himself, holding some practise fights with the more able soldiers. After about an hour, when he removed his helmet, he saw Maleagant opproaching him.
"Ser,"Maleagant said," you are a strong man with the warhammer, so i propose a few fights to test your skills."
"What my lord commands", the Ironhammer replied, "who shall i take on?"
Maleagant waved with his hand and Berenger came forwards, cold blue eyes fixed on ser Dwayne."Blunted weapons ofcourse,"Maleagant added, "we do not want any casualties."
All the soldiers formed a circle now, with ser Dwayne and Berenger in the middle. It was silentnow, for everybody knew the two guards that always followed Maleagant, yet nobody had ever seen them fight.Both men had donned light armour and where facing eachother,ser Dwayne with his warhammer and Berenger with his sword.The ironhammer opened with a blow to the head. Berenger avoided the blow, though just barely. Slow, he is to slow.Ser Dwayne immediately followed with a series of strong blows, all aimed at the head. Berenger was overwhelmed by this, and had no option but to block all the blows.Weak, much to weak, a fool's move.
Ser Dwayne showed why he was called the Ironhammer, by hammering on Berenger like he was forging a weapon. Berenger blocked all the blows, but the great strenght of the warhammer weakened him fast. Soon he wasn't able to get his guard up in time, and the warhammer struck him right on the head. The sound was heard all over the training grounds, as the big man fell to his knees.
The soldiers gave a loud cheer, and Maleagant gave the victory to ser Dwayne.
"Congratulations ser," he said after he made sure Berenger was ok, "yet it is not over yet.Now i would like to test something else.You know your men, could you please bring forth the one you believe is the best fighter?"
The Ironhammer looked around."Wendel,come forth!" he commanded.
Though he lacks a little strenght, he has good speed, and plenty of experience.
"Good," Maleagant grinned,"let us see if he is as able as he looks.Beringar, prepare yourself."
Again a circle was formed, this time with Beringar and Wendel in the middle, both lightly armored and wielding swords.
The ironhammer looked with great interest.What is Maleagant plotting, if this man is the same as the other one, Wendel will surely beat him.
And so it happened. Wendel drove the big man backwards with a flurry off fast blows.The first moments Beringar parried all the blows, but eventually Wendel slipped passed his defense, and gave him a hard blow on the shoulder. Ser Dwayne cheered along with the other soldiers, and Maleagant congratualated the soldier.
"A good fight," he said, "but i do propose one more.This time, two on two. You get to choose another man, ser Dwayne, and the two of you will fight Berenger and Beringar.
Ser Dwayne frowned at this, confused.Is that man a fool, the result is obvious.
He did as his lord commanded though, choosing Wendel again, and for the third time a circle was formed.
No sound was heard as the four men stood facing eachother.The Ironhammer nodded at Wendel, and they attacked at the same time. The two guards circled away at the last moment,both going to Wendel's right.Ser Dwayne tried going for Berenger, but Wendel stood in his path. He tried to pass him, but at that moment Beringar attacked Wendel, who had to pull back to avoid the blow, again standing in ser Dwayne's path.No matter how ser Dwayne moved, the two guards kept Wendel between them and the Ironhammer. After they avoided another blow of the soldier, they struck at the same time. Berenger went for the head, Beringar for the chest. Wendel parried the blow to his chest, only to get smacked on the head. Ser Dwayne was surprised to see his man fall down, and now the two guards came for him. Ser Dwayne tried to keep both in his view, but they kept changing positions, so that one of them was always to his back. Ser Dwayne was no match for their double assault. Now he was the one being overwhelmed, blows raining down on him until he submitted.
This time the soldiers cheered for the two guards, who never said a word, and joined Maleagant the moment they had removed their armor.Ser Dwayne removed his helmet and went to Maleagant, who had a big grin on his face.
"My lord, it was different now, where they holding back the first two fights?"
"No, all three fights they where giving everything they had,"Maleagant replied, "do you not understand what has happened?"
"I, no, not really,"ser Dwayne admitted.
I tested you on three things,"Maleagant said, "the first was your strenght.The second was you knowledge of the men you train, and the third was your view on the strenght and weaknesses of your opponents. You passed the first two tests, though you failed at the third. Apart, my guards are nothing more than mediocre swordsmen at best. But they are comrades, having fought together for dozens of years."
"I fear i still do not understand, my lord,"ser Dwayne said.
"What happens if you fight with a man at your side you do not know?"Maleagant said."You get in eachother's way, the other guy blocks your path, you can even kill your friend if you have bad luck. But Berenger and Beringar, with the experience of having fought together for so long, fight with one mind. They never block eachother, they always keep the opponent pitted between them. One strikes high as the other strikes low, making it impossible to block both attacks. Apart, they are mediocre, but together they are superb. One on one, they will lose alot. But two on two, when fighting side by side,they are practically undefeatable.
You did see their weakness, but failed to see their strenght. You chose your strongest fighter, while you should have chosen the one that fought the most by your side. So on the third test, you failed."
The Ironhammer realised what had happened, and bowed.
"My lord, this was a valuable lesson."
"Do remember it as you train your men," Maleagant said with a smile,before he went away.
results:
Ser Dwayne Ironhammer advances to novice strategy
Ser Dwayne Ironhammer advances to expert warhammer
Maleagant Bolton advances towards master manipulation