trueltning_fury | 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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"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."

sparring log with Chrodechild (in progress)

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