Post by The Stranger on Jul 13, 2008 19:19:25 GMT -5
The hot Dornish sun beat down on Yronwood’s army. Clouds of dust filled the air as the men scrambled through their drills. They had been at it all morning – practicing formations, sparring, learning to move in unison and follow commands. Lord Antario sat atop his horse on a nearby hill, watching his infantry move before him. He had been amongst their ranks this morning, shouting orders and encouragement himself, but for now he simply observed. In the distance he could make out his uncle drilling the cavalry. Ser Emeros was particular about his horsemen, and not hesitant to curse his men mercilessly at the slightest mistake. Even from this distance Antario could make out Emeros easily outdistancing all the rest. He could not help to admire his uncle’s horsemanship; Antario himself was an adequate rider, but did not share his uncle’s vim and vigor for horseflesh.
Antario was awakened from his thoughts by a comment from his squire, one Velwyn Santagar. The boy was standing beside him on the hill – though perhaps it was presumptuous for Antario to think of him as a boy, for less than five years separated them in age. But Antario acted like Lord Yronwood and the boy acted like a boy, and that was really all there was to it.
“Why are we doing so much training, M’lord?” Velwyn asked.
Antario looked down at the boy from his horse. “Qorgyle has seen fit to give us precious few men. We will likely be arriving with the smallest force of any kingdom, but I mean for us to be the best trained.” Antario paused to watch his men for a moment; they were back to sparring, and he could see his uncle bringing the cavalry back in towards the main camp. “Elite may be the wrong word, given the circumstances, but I have plans for them that will require them to be able to fight without accidentally sticking one another with their spears.”
The squire frowned and said, “But is there time? I had heard that the invasion was urgent, and our allies need us.”
“Our allies?” Antario affected a puzzled expression.
“Aye, you know… The West, the Far Reach, the Riverlands…”
“Oh!” Antario smiled, as if in sudden realization, “The ones who burned our keeps and killed our smallfolk and raped our women, not two years back? Those allies?”
Velwyn did not quite seem to know how to react to that. Antario saved him the effort of having to reply by saying, “I think those allies will be able to hold out a bit longer.”
There was a pause. Antario could see his uncle was riding through the camp towards his hill now. Velwyn spoke again. “We are going to go eventually, right, m’lord?”
“Of course, Velwyn,” Antario smiled his winningest smile, “The hero always arrives just in time to save the day.” Then he spurred his horse forward through the ranks of his men to speak with his uncle Emeros.
“Uncle!” He shouted as he neared, “What do you say we show the men how real Dornishmen fight!”
Antario leapt lightly from his horse, ashwood spear in his hand and a cocksure grin on his face. The men began crowding around, for a better view. All of them were eager to watch a show and all of them would gladly seize any opportunity to lean on their spears for a few minutes.
Ser Emeros dismounted his own horse, a curved sword in his hand. Both combatants used the round metal shields that were so common in Dorne. Emeros snorted. “We’ll see if you can keep up.”
The two men closed the distance. Antario fought with a great many unnecessary flourishes and spins, and would not, in truth, recommend anyone fighting for their life to imitate him. But it had its intended effect, and soon the men were cheering loudly at each flashy thrust. Antario Yronwood was nothing if not a showman. Soon Antario found himself more pressed than he intended, however. His uncle’s fighting style was much more practical, and Antario had forgotten how fast the old bastard was. Antario judged one last swing from his opponent, sidestepped, and took out both of Emeros’ legs with a sweeping blow delivered with the haft of his spear. Practical and stylish. Antario was pleased.
He set the point of his spear lightly against his uncle’s neck, smiled, and said, “I appear to have the advantage, Nuncle,” to the cheers and laughter of the army.
Results:
Antario Yronwood gains Expert Battle
Antario Yronwood advances towards Master Spear
Emeros Vaith gains Noteworthy Sword
Emeros Vaith gains Noteworthy Horsemanship
The army of Dorne trains and drills extensively, improving in quality.
Antario was awakened from his thoughts by a comment from his squire, one Velwyn Santagar. The boy was standing beside him on the hill – though perhaps it was presumptuous for Antario to think of him as a boy, for less than five years separated them in age. But Antario acted like Lord Yronwood and the boy acted like a boy, and that was really all there was to it.
“Why are we doing so much training, M’lord?” Velwyn asked.
Antario looked down at the boy from his horse. “Qorgyle has seen fit to give us precious few men. We will likely be arriving with the smallest force of any kingdom, but I mean for us to be the best trained.” Antario paused to watch his men for a moment; they were back to sparring, and he could see his uncle bringing the cavalry back in towards the main camp. “Elite may be the wrong word, given the circumstances, but I have plans for them that will require them to be able to fight without accidentally sticking one another with their spears.”
The squire frowned and said, “But is there time? I had heard that the invasion was urgent, and our allies need us.”
“Our allies?” Antario affected a puzzled expression.
“Aye, you know… The West, the Far Reach, the Riverlands…”
“Oh!” Antario smiled, as if in sudden realization, “The ones who burned our keeps and killed our smallfolk and raped our women, not two years back? Those allies?”
Velwyn did not quite seem to know how to react to that. Antario saved him the effort of having to reply by saying, “I think those allies will be able to hold out a bit longer.”
There was a pause. Antario could see his uncle was riding through the camp towards his hill now. Velwyn spoke again. “We are going to go eventually, right, m’lord?”
“Of course, Velwyn,” Antario smiled his winningest smile, “The hero always arrives just in time to save the day.” Then he spurred his horse forward through the ranks of his men to speak with his uncle Emeros.
“Uncle!” He shouted as he neared, “What do you say we show the men how real Dornishmen fight!”
Antario leapt lightly from his horse, ashwood spear in his hand and a cocksure grin on his face. The men began crowding around, for a better view. All of them were eager to watch a show and all of them would gladly seize any opportunity to lean on their spears for a few minutes.
Ser Emeros dismounted his own horse, a curved sword in his hand. Both combatants used the round metal shields that were so common in Dorne. Emeros snorted. “We’ll see if you can keep up.”
The two men closed the distance. Antario fought with a great many unnecessary flourishes and spins, and would not, in truth, recommend anyone fighting for their life to imitate him. But it had its intended effect, and soon the men were cheering loudly at each flashy thrust. Antario Yronwood was nothing if not a showman. Soon Antario found himself more pressed than he intended, however. His uncle’s fighting style was much more practical, and Antario had forgotten how fast the old bastard was. Antario judged one last swing from his opponent, sidestepped, and took out both of Emeros’ legs with a sweeping blow delivered with the haft of his spear. Practical and stylish. Antario was pleased.
He set the point of his spear lightly against his uncle’s neck, smiled, and said, “I appear to have the advantage, Nuncle,” to the cheers and laughter of the army.
Results:
Antario Yronwood gains Expert Battle
Antario Yronwood advances towards Master Spear
Emeros Vaith gains Noteworthy Sword
Emeros Vaith gains Noteworthy Horsemanship
The army of Dorne trains and drills extensively, improving in quality.