Post by The Stranger on Apr 13, 2008 13:32:38 GMT -5
Janos had been practicing his aim with the crossbow for hours when Lord Beric entered the yard. The two of them had bedded down
in one of the more out of the way taverns, a place where few people stayed and even fewer asked questions. It had a small
backyard, where the stables were, but for a few dragons more the inkeep had let them train back there, and forbidding the area
for anyone else. Janos looked up at the man, and thought that for a moment curiosity appeared in his eyes. Lord Beric had been
a quiet man when he had arrived at Hellholt, his appearance adding to the fear and respect the men had for him, but stories of his
success at the second battle of Lemonwood had also reached is ear.
"Janos, where is your spear?" Lord Beric asked. Janos looked around and saw it leaning against the wall of the now empty stables.
"Over there." "Take it." Janos did as he was told. He got up, fetched his spear and returned. Lord Beric was already standing in
a combat position, his old greatsword in his hands. "I won't you to hit me. With the spear." Janos looked confused and so Lord
Beric repeated what he said. Janos nodded, and got into position. There were many combat stances, from the vulture to the scorpion,
but Janos' preferred was the viper. He stood half crouched, left leg bent and right leg stretched, spear pointing directly
ahead of him. His left arm was straight, the hand loosely holding the shaft; the power was in the right hand, which held the
spear much further back, with a power to thrust it forward. If done correctly it looked just like a viper striking at it's prey.
The two danced around each other before Janos pressed his first attack. Lord Beric easily parried but didn't counter. Twice more
Janos lunged at him, and twice more was he repelled; however, again Lord Beric didn't counter attack. Janos was beginning to think
the man only wanted him to practice his attacking skills, when The Sword of the Morning shot forward, bringing down several blows
with a speed that shouldn't be possible. Janos quickly switched from the viper to the scarab, a more defensive position, and just
about managed to hold off Lord Beric's attacks. For a moment he could breath but then the sword came screeching towards him again,
Janos deciding rather to dodge aside than to parry the attacks. That was were he faultered. As Janos sprung aside from a blow, Lord
Beric suddenly spun sideways, sword coming up with tremendous speed. Janos did not have time to bring up his speer and so he
shut his eyes. A blow did never come, and so he dared open his eyes again. Infront of his face, held in mid air by strong hands,
was the sword. Lord Beric must have stopped his blow just before hitting Janos, otherwise the man would surely be dead now.
"How...how?" Lord Beric lowered his sword and grimaced. "To be good with the sword, or any weapon, one must learn to halt his blows."
Janos nodded, thinking about that. "Now, Janos. Again."
Two hours later Janos was drenched in sweat. Not once had he been able to hit Lord Beric, and many a time he had come close to
death. He still wasn't sure wether it wouldn't be better to get some blunted weapons and train with those. He had voiced that
opinion and Lord Beric had told him that eventually they would get to it. Janos knew he wasn't bad with the spear, but if Lord
Beric was this good with a normal greatsword, how dangerous would he be with Dawn in his hands? He had seen him fight with it,
when the men from Hellholt had try to take them. It had happened so quickly; Lord Beric had been a black shade darting about,
a glowing blur held in his hands. Smiling Janos decided to take a bath. He had learnt a lot today and he was proud of it. And
somehow he could tell that Lord Beric was proud too.
Janos advances to Expert Spear
Janos advances to Noteworthy Crossbow