trueltning_fury | sparring log with Chrodechild (in progress)

Entry tags:

sparring log with Chrodechild (in progress)

Who:

nightsveilqueen
When: immediately after this thread
Where: near the dojo
What: sparring!

It was a pleasant enough summer day, not too hot and not too windy. Perfect for a little workout. Geddoe led the way down the broad stone steps to the field beside the dojo, not assuming at all that Chrodechild knew where it was. He preferred outdoor matches anyway, since so many of the situations in which he found himself happened where there were no smooth floors and expansive ceilings to accommodate fighters.

"This should do," he said gruffly as they reached the spot. "I don't want you to hold back or go soft just because it's a testing spar. I need to know your skills, and how well you would work in tandem with the rest of the team." He turned his head slightly, regarding the woman over his shoulder. She did seem to carry herself like a highly-trained sword fighter. Her bearing and frank conversation made him intensely curious to see what she could do. "Questions later. Weapons first. We go until one of us is unable to continue, or until I'm satisfied and call it, whichever comes first. Deal?"

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Chrodechild quietly followed Geddoe to the field, silently approving of the location. It reminded her of some of the grounds where she trained with Meruvis, Roberto, and the others.

She listened to all he said, appreciating that he was clearly a warrior who was serious about his business, and answered simply, "Agreed."

She stepped a few feet away from him, hands at the hilt of her blades, and nodded to him in respect. She prepared to draw her blades on his mark--verbal or otherwise.

Geddoe shook out his arms and flexed his hands briefly as he stepped past to take up an opposing position, turning to face Chrodechild. He drew Wild Geese and put himself into a very basic stance, the tip of the blade low toward the ground. With his shoulders squared and head held alert, he was ready to either attack or defend.

"First move is yours," he murmured.

Chrodechild drew the Twin Blade called Flash and, in her offhand, the Black Blade, falling immediately into her fighting stance.

She circled him slightly, holding the Black Blade ready to parry any incoming attacks. The off hand blade still in place she suddenly and swiftly lunged, Flash aiming for the lower left side of his torso.

Two blades. Geddoe was immediately interested, and ready. He took a single step back in order to pivot and swing his sword hard to deflect the first blade, and then quickly followed with a reverse swing, aiming more for the off-hand blade in case it was about to circle around on him. He may not have seen it fully in his blind spot, but he was intimately aware of movement and sound, and the way fighter's bodies reacted.

She meets his blade with the Black Blade as he expects, but does not attempt a riposte.

Instead, while she pushes the Black Blade against Geddoe's sword, she spins Flash around to try to catch Wild Geese between her two blades in a disarm attempt.

Wary, Geddoe took a step back and slid easily out of range, flicking his sword up defensively before his body. Obviously, there is no reason for caution, Chrodechild is skilled enough to handle a serious challenge.

Lunging in again, he swung hard, making a direct strike left-to-right about shoulder height. It was the kind that could easily be blocked, but the strength behind it might be a surprise.

Hands still close together, she brought both blades up to block the strike, but she staggered backwards at the force of the blow. Her shoulder would feel the strain later, but she had been trained by her masters past hesitation, and quickly lunged forward with a downward diagonal swing with her off-hand weapon.

He had to twist fairly quickly and hop back in order to dodge, choosing not to parry the strike. It gave Geddoe the opportunity to collect himself and gauge her momentum, so he could be ready to defend again. He braced his back foot and placed his off hand on the pommel of Wild Geese for extra guidance.

The older man clearly knew what he was doing, and Chrodechild was pleased to be fighting such a solid warrior.

Pulling the Black Blade back close to her, she thrust forth with Flash, but flicking it aside in a double feint, hoping to get him to move in defense too soon.

Geddoe moved as little as he had to, pivoting with a forward step in order to put his blade squarely in the way of her strike. It was a testing move, because he was always wary of that second sword.

She struck his sword lightly with Flash, but then whirled it around and jabbed with it again, following a few seconds later by a jab with the Black Blade--the swift series of strikes the hallmark of the Falcon Fighting technique (the technique in this case was not enhanced by magic).

Unfortunately for Chrodechild, Geddoe had sparred Belcoot many a time and was familiar with the style. To say nothing of Yuber. With a flick of his wrist he sent Wild Geese back and forth between the two blades, his left hand leaving the hilt on the last strike. Geddoe was much more powerful one-handed, with his balance and weight behind him. He turned the block into a parry, sweeping the second blade wide enough to allow him to punch forward with his left fist.

"Ugh!" Geddoe's fist met her square in the belly, though fortunately padding softened the blow. Despite catching her off guard, she smiled, apparently pleased with his response.

She stepped back as she recovered her breath, blades held defensively, waiting for his next move.

Anyone who smiled after a hit like that (low-powered though it was) was someone to be reckoned with. Geddoe drew back with his dominant hand behind him, sword disguised by the bulk of his body for the moment. He hesitated for only a breath's pause before lunging in, left side leading, bringing the sword up last so that Chrodechild could not see its exact trajectory until too late.

A detached part of Chrodechild's mind wondered at how Geddoe would handle Yula or Mourgent. Concealing his blade told her to be wary, and she spun around and to the side to avoid his strike as he lunged forward.

Unaware of exactly where the sword would land, it still sliced through her sleeve, but she continued to move forward and past Geddoe, dipped low, and swung the Black Blade toward the back of his knee (using the heavier, dull edge in a trip attempt, rather than slicing at his leg). She held Flash in defense of her open side while she completed her move.

The pass was successful, as was the strike, at least in connecting. Geddoe stumbled a little as something hit the back of his knee, and followed through. Momentum carried him a few steps away before he could regain his footing, at which point quite a bit of distance had been placed between them. He paused, panting for breath, and then lowered Wild Geese to his side.

"I don't need to see any more," he declared. "You're exceptionally skilled. Highly-trained, I'd venture to guess. We can end it here, unless you want to exercise until we both fall down."

"I... don't think that's necessary. And thank you. You're a remarkable opponent," she said with a respectful nod. She rubs her belly. "I was fearing I was getting soft. If nothing, at least being brought here, I have the opportunity to re-sharpen my skills. Not that I would wish war to return to my kingdom just so I could remain in full fighting form."

"So, what next?" She sheathed her swords, though she kept a watchful eye on Geddoe. She'd had more than one training master decide to "teach her a lesson" after she'd put her weapons away.

Fortunatly, Geddoe was no training master, just a busy mercenary. He, too, sheathed Wild Geese and stood at ease, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand. Even that short fight in the hot sun made him sweat. "Mind telling me about your background? Where you learned your swordwork, that sort of thing."

"I come from a land called Astrasia, where swordsmanship is considered to be one of the highest arts. The key technique taught is the Falcon technique, which I gather you've at least had to defend yourself from something similar before." She paused. "Astrasia is in another world, so listing my masters serves little purpose as I doubt you've heard of them. No one here seems to be familiar with world travel. But..." She paused, wondering how much she should say, feeling like it was somehow pointless to make note of her status when she was in a world where her country had no political influence. She decided she may as well tell her story, as undoubtedly it would either be mentioned or possibly even come into relevance.

"Truth be told, I am now Queen of Astrasia. I realize here I may as well claim I am queen of clouds and butterflies, for all that has any meaning to the people of this world. But the royal family is expected to be amongst the best warriors in the land. As Crown Princess my training was particularly rigorous, and began at an early age. There is no point in having a monarch who cannot defend themselves."

She paused to gather her thoughts before continuing. "I would venture to say, though, that my real training did not begin until our country was invaded. I was still young, and whisked away by my retainers. For a time, Astrasia was effectively no more, and the royal guard, the Blades of Night's Veil, became a mercenary company in order to survive, and I became its captain. We worked tirelessly to fight the Order, the people who had invaded Astrasia and many other nations; while I certainly can't say I am exactly grateful for the experience, nonetheless we are liberated and we are stronger for it, and I am stronger. War is a better master than even the highest of royal trainers, by far."

Geddoe folded his arms loosely around his middle, resting his left elbow against the pommel of his sword. "Interesting," he remarked at the end of it. "So you're another of those who've come from another world. Could be advantageous - it means you have no ties or loyalties here to get in the way." He turned as if to pace, though he only took a slow step or two. "The names of your swordmasters may not matter, but that isn't to say I have no interest in your background. After all, it doesn't matter that I've never left the Northern Continent, I still find it important to know of matters in Falena and the Islands, points south of here."

Geddoe paused, tilting his head slightly back in Chrodechild's direction. "Royalty and a fellow mercenary captain," he noted. "Will that cause us to butt heads, over differences in captaining style?"

Chrodechild nodded. "I'm meaning to consult the library on the history of this world, though a living perspective would be most welcome. I'd like to understand this world better."

In response to his question, she gave him a half-smile. "Quite probably. But I think our temperaments are such we'll be able to find resolution. And as long as it's clear on who is giving orders in the battlefield, I will follow them. Arguments can wait for when the arrows stop flying."

"Fair enough." Geddoe acknowledged the possibility with another slight nod. "I no longer have the authority of a given rank to back me up, only the trust of those who follow me. As they call me captain, that's what I'll be to them. If that's acceptable to you, then I think we'll work fine together.

"As for the history of this world..." He started pacing again, though a slight smirk was growing on his lips. "You're in a good place for it. Budehuc has pulled people from wars across time, as far back as 309 - and it's 482 now." He stopped yet again, with his back to Chrodechild. "I myself have seen a good chunk of history. I'm one hundred and eighteen years old."

"They are specifically brought from wars? That would explain the number of people I've seen who have the bearing of a warrior, if not the equipment." Her brow furrowed, but she did not voice her concerns at that time.

She started at the admission of his age. "A-are all the people of this world so long lived?"

"It seems that way," Geddoe replied. "I have yet to meet someone from another time who hasn't at least tangentially been involved in a major war of some kind. The locals, from Zexen and the Grasslands, had to go through one about six or seven years ago."

Breathing a sigh, Geddoe shook his head. Unlike his days with the Defense Force prior to the war, he had no need to keep secrets from teammates (including potential ones). "No. It's a circumstance of a rune I carry. I will not age or die naturally. It's something any member of my team should be aware of."

She frowned thoughtfully. "I see. Then perhaps I should learn about this recent war. Perhaps there is some significance to it that is why everyone is being brought to this place."

"I am not very familiar with these 'runes' yet. Do they all grant such longevity? Or is yours special? I was told several 'True Runes' were here, and that they are rare."

She closed her eyes in thought, then opened them to regard Geddoe. "Speaking of artifacts... I suppose I should share if you are willing to. This blade..." she touched Flash's hilt, "... is very special. It is half of what is called a Chronicle. An artifact that reflects the... the sort of memory of an entire world. This and its twin are all that's left of that world."

She sighed with some pain, but continued. "At the moment, it's little more than a tremendously fine blade without its counterpart, which is with my sister in Astrasia. But even so it is part of a priceless treasure. Even if something happens to me, please do not let it fall in anyone's hands... especially artifact hunters. I was warned particularly against a country called Harmonia. Though what we truly need to be wary of is making sure they do not find this world's own Chronicle."

Geddoe stepped over to the fence around the dojo and leaned against it. "I've always speculated that it has something to do with True Runes in general. In that war, the Five Elements were involved." He held up his right fist again. "This is True Lightning. Only True Runes grant longevity, the rest are merely a means for anyone to use magic."

He listened to the explanation about the blade with his serious-face on, his brow lowering slightly. He remembered the twitch True Lightning gave him when it came near the Chronicle Sieg was carrying. "So they can be halved, like some True Runes, and can be implanted into objects like some True Runes. I see." His frown darkened even more. "In that case, the warning is right. You should keep it out of Harmonian notice. The less they find out about other-world travelers, the better."

At least the blade did not pose any of the proximity difficulties that the book had. Especially if it was only half of one. Geddoe felt confident that he could be near it without trouble, though some part of him remained privately wary.

"Hmm. Even these lesser runes are powerful, if they enable anyone to cast magic. In my world, there are rituals, which take a long time to perform, and there are Marks of the Stars, which are only bestowed on a certain number of people, only up to 108, should they come into contact with a Chronicle.

"I spoke to Bishop-General Sasarai--I did not tell him I possessed a Chronicle--mentioning the term, 'starbearer.' He said the Stars of Destiny gather here too. I wonder how they are noted if there are no Chronicles to grant them Marks. Or if the people of this world can bear a Mark, Star of Destiny or no."

Geddoe shook his head slowly. "None of that is my concern. I know about this destiny thing, tangentially, but I've never paid it much mind. People can change their destinies, fate is never as carved in stone as we think."

He folded his arms over his chest. He was no idiot, but his schooling on rune lore and history was done by experience, in the field, not by study. "I don't think it matters. Being noted, being marked? I wouldn't care. As long as I'm assisting where I've been asked, and taking care of the Rune, nothing else matters much to me." Geddoe's visible eyebrow crooked upward, then. "I'm sure you would find Bishop Sasarai worth debating philosophy with, if nothing else."

Chrodechild shook her head. "No, you misunderstand. That is the point of the Starbearers--That there are as many fates as the Stars, that together we can forge our own fate. We fought to protect free will, not destroy it---that is what the Order of the One True Way would have done."

She shrugged. "My Marks should at least be known to you in terms of devising tactics. I can greatly enhance a Falcon style attack, though it is quite draining, best used as a final attack or against a very strong enemy. I can summon a bolt of lightning... probably nothing compared to what you can do with something called 'True Lightning', but it's useful where my swords are not, especially since it sometimes will incapacitate the target. I can shield my allies with a magical field in roughly a 20 foot radius or so. There is another Mark which occasionally helps me strike harder, but I can't control when it activates, though it's not going to go off in a practice session."

It was important information, but Geddoe didn't know what to think about it. It was a bit too strange to him, it sounded almost as if someone somewhere had shattered every rune into tiny pieces and made it so anyone could have any shard. "Most basic missions shouldn't require the use of anything but brute force," he grunted. "It takes a seriously powerful enemy or monster before I consider breaking out a rune."

He stared at the ground a moment, and then sighed. "The choice is yours in the end, to join or not. You're skilled enough. You've done the work before. Sigurd may want to meet you, but as far as I'm concerned, there are no objections." He lifted his head, his good eye keen and sharp.

"Well, I'll certainly want to meet everyone and I'm sure they'll want to meet me. I have spoken to Jacques, who said he may be rejoining you." She paused to think. "Perhaps at some point when your group is fully assembled, we can go through group maneuvers together."

She reaches out to him, as if to clasp his hand. "Thank you for considering me--and for the excellent workout. I'm sure working with you will further my skills a great deal."

Geddoe stretched out his arm to meet her hand. "Of course. When Jacques makes up his mind, and others, we'll do something like that." He nodded curtly. "Until next time, Chrodechild."

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sparring log with Chrodechild (in progress)

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