|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 11:25 am
More frustration! To have come so close to hitting her mark and still missing, to feel the hair brush against her knuckles...every so lightly was perhaps more maddening than missing entirely. Before she could fix he positioning or react a spear was swept from under her legs, quite literally knocking her flat onto her back.
Laying there waiting for the air to rush back into her lungs she glared up at the elder teeth gritting together as she found herself once again unarmed and made a fool of. Once the air had rushed back unfortunately she found her voice.
"What is the point in this? I do not know how to wield a spear as you well know prentice's are not allowed to use weapons, so what are you trying to prove here? Other than to mock me and my lack of knowledge in this field." Jerarda's voice rose, it was easy to see she saw this an an unfair fight, being handed a spear and then expected to know how to use it.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 11:53 am
Yansa watched as the woman tumbled to the ground. Slowly, the elder woman crouched down, putting herself more on Jerarda’s level, not wanting to be looming over her Sister, especially now, when she was so clearly filled with anger.
”I did not require you to use the spear…” Yansa responded evenly, once Jera’s enraged rampage had come to an end. ”…it was merely at your disposal, should you choose to use it and you did. That was your decision.” How do you teach a stubborn young woman that she’s not invincible without taking away her fire?
Yansa put her own spear on the ground. ”Would you like a re-match, without Spears?” Although she was much more proficient with the weapon, the elder woman was confident in her ability to fight. The way she moved gave her the upper-hand in her ability to dodge attacks until her opponent grew tired, giving her an opportunity to land a hit of her own, usually with incredibly high rates of success.
She would do what it took to break through Jerarda’s shell. That was what she was here for.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 10:07 pm
Jerarda could of pointed out how it was assumed she had to use the spear, as all alkidikes used them in battle. How was she suppose to know that she could of just NOT used it in the first place? Grumpy at all of this Jera only huffed and then nodded her head firmly at the suggestion of a rematch.
Feeling that this would go a lot more smoothly than her fumbling with that stupid spear. Jerarda readied herself, standing in a a position that was relaxed the weight on the balls of her feet to allow easy pivoting and movement. When she claimed to have done this for most of her life this was no lie she practiced hard at it and it was the source of her pride.
Being the only alkidike that fought in this manner only furthered that pride, for she felt unrivaled in this fighting style.
"Alright then..lets go." Jerarda wasn't going to look foolish this time, she stepped in close and immediately went with a round house kick at her elder. Of course...she didn't expect Yansa to be so light on her feet either...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 8:53 am
Yansa stood as Jerarda did, standing a few paces away. She watched as her sister adjusted her fighting position and couldn’t help but smile. It was clear that she really did practice this different form of fighting. While Yansa did find it a bit strange that she didn’t simply learn the traditional ways of the Alkidikes, she was unsurprised. If anyone would rebel against the traditional warrior ways in favor of developing her one style, one that only she could be proficient in, it was Jerarda.
As Jera’s round house kick came towards Yansa, the elder danced out of the way. She too stood in a relaxed position, weight on the balls of her feet, very similar to Jerarda’s stance. The woman spun out of reach and stopped, standing again, a few yards away.
It took less energy to dodge than to attack, so Yansa would just wait… continue dodging until Jerarda wore herself down.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 9:37 am
As her foot landed Jerarda's focus and intent seemed to become quite clear. To land a hit. Moving forward she struck out with first her right fist, then her left, she was going to try and knock her opponent to the ground so help her, just like Yansa had done to her before.
Each jab wither it landed or not was soon followed by a low sweep of her legs, crouching down as she swung it around to try and get Yansa to fall. Jera was much more comfortable in her own element and you could see her practiced dedication to the skill she had developed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 8:53 pm
Yansa would be lying if she said she wasn’t impressed with Jerarda’s fighting style. This certainly was a change from their previous battle. She was fast, faster than a spear-wielder due to the close range. However, as determined as Jerarda was to land a blow, Yansa was just as determined to not be felled. After all, it was her job to test Jera’s limits, to see if she had what it took to continue along the ranks of the Alkidikes.
Jerarda’s fists occasionally grazed the older woman’s body, brushing those long dreads or catching her in the shoulder, causing Yansa to spin quickly out of the way to recover. Although Yansa had the disadvantage of not being used to battling in this way, she had experience on her side. She had been fighting for far longer than Jera and was quite capable of adapting to new situations.
As Jera crouched down, Yansa leapt up, just in time to miss the leg that passed beneath her feet. The woman jumped a few feet back, smiling brightly. At least the Prentice wasn’t all bark and no bite. Yansa couldn’t help but feel proud of her younger Sister. Although she definitely needed to be knocked down a few pegs, this new fighting style was certainly impressive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 10:09 pm
Jerarda felt herself growing more frustrated, even if she was doing exceedingly better with her own style of fighting, she could actually feel bits of her knuckles skimming the other, but no hits to speak of. When Yansa jumped to avoid her sweep of the legs she was quick to get back up.
It didn't help that she was starting to loose her energy as well was getting too fed up to continue this farce of a battle. It was becoming all too clear that this battle would most likely end with her tiring out before she could land a hit. This only seemed to spur her onwards rather than irritate her, though it did do that as well.
Kicking out again, she then swung her body around to thrust out another hit. One more, again and again, too stubborn to know when she was beaten until her swings were becoming very...wide of its mark. Breathing hard she took a step back her arms pulled in defensively, but the sweat pouring down her face only indicated that she had little left in her reserves for fighting.
Moving once more she did a final lash out, but when she missed her mark wildly, she found herself collapsing onto one knee. The realization she ...had nothing left...she couldn't ...win...the humiliation at..failing in front of Yasna filled her with shame and she hung her head.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 7:33 pm
Beads of sweat pearled across Yansa’s forehead, dripping slowly down her nose and from her arms. However, carefully examining your partner, watching their body language so as to guess where an attack would land, and moving out of the way, was much less exhausting than actually throwing the punches… and as Jerarda began to tire, Yansa’s job became even easier.
Her younger Sister’s swings were growing wide, to the point where, once in a while, Yansa didn’t even need to leap out of the way.
As Jerarda collapsed to one knee, Yansa too knelt down, a few feet away. She allowed silence to reign for a moment or two, not quite sure how to address the proud and now defeated woman. ”You have exceptional talent, Jerarda,” She began, sincerely. ”But it’s important to understand that there’s more to fighting than being strong.” The woman smiled gently. ”And many rules of battle apply to life as well.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 7:53 pm
Jerarda didn't raise her head to look at Yansa, so convinced she had failed her test, that she was now considering leaving her people in shame. How would she explain to Phenyo that she would be leaving..for good this time? Her posture only twitched slightly at Yansa's comment about her skills.
In her mind it had been pointless, why bother if she was going to fail anyway? Why waste all those years of practice to only end up being so easily defeated? It wasn't that she wanted to blow Yansa out of the water with her skills, but...at least if she had..landed a hit she may of felt a bit better about things.
"I ..am sorry to have dissapointed you." Jerarda started as she finally went to stand up, her knee having started to hurt from kneeling. "I can understand what you are saying...but...it doesn't change the fact I failed." There was so much more she wanted to say, to explain how she had wanted to prove herself capable, willing to fight, undaunted by the opposition.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 8:22 pm
Yansa remained on the ground as Jerarda spoke. She shook her head gently. ”You have not disappointed me in the least. In fact, your style of fighting is impressive.” This gentler, humbler side (if quite sad) of Jerarda was nice to see. It was good to know that her Sister was capable of not being so abrasive. Although Yansa felt saddened by the fact that Jera’s spirit had been hurt, it was a necessary step in the woman’s journey, were she to take on more responsibility within the tribe. She would heal from this brief set back…
…at least, Yansa hoped that she would.
”Jerarda, I have been fighting for many more years than you. One day, there is no doubt, you will be able to beat anyone you come up against, even me.” She smiled at the young woman. ”The point of this meeting was not for you to prove your strength; everyone who knows you can attest to your fire and courage. Very few of your Sisters would even have tried to fight me. The point was to show you that you are not invincible, and that’s okay. There is more to being a strong warrior than strength.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 8:34 pm
The coals of her pride were easily stoked it seemed by the compliments Yansa gave her, the only problem was thought he sparks of pride flickered in her eyes they seemed to dash out quite quickly. Moving she changed her posture, being explained to that she wasn't expected to win, but to show that she wasn't invincible humbeled her somewhat. It was like everything Phenyo had warned her about over the many years seemed to come to the forfront. All her warnings, her chiding...
Straightening up she was going to prove to both Phenyo and her elder Yansa she could over come this. It still didn't sit well with her, being beaten in such a fashion...but she swore she would practice harder...and make Yansa proud.
"I ...know I can be difficult to deal with...I...will try and ..expand myself in more than...just fighting Elder Yansa...thank you for opening my eyes." SHe murmured though she looked better, more proud as if that inner fire was coming back.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2012 6:49 am
Yansa’s eyebrow quirked curiously. Oh? So, she knew that she could be a pain… the elder woman found that quite interesting. However, as the woman continued speaking, the Alkidike could only smile.
”Jerarda, I have faith that one day you will grow to be a fearless leader. There is much to learn in the meantime, but until then.” Yansa pulled her spear towards herself, slicing her own thumb gently on the sharp blade, just enough to draw blood. ”In the meantime, I think it would serve both you and our Sisters well for you to take on the rank of ‘Blade.’”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2012 9:39 am
Jerarda listened and heartened at Yansa's belief that she could become not just a good leader but a fearsome one, one who could lead their people fearlessly into battle if the need arose. Watching as Yansa went to gather her spear and then to cut her thumb on the blade, the blood welling up at the skin.
It wasn't deep enough to bleed profusely but it was enough to show gleaming and red on the other's skin. Jerarda didn't hesitate to gather her own discarded spear and to mimic her elder, cutting her thumb and allowing the blood to pool.
What she was suppose to do now she wasn't exactly sure, but given the title of blade seemed a mix blessing. It meant she had passed her test, but not in the manner she had expected to.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 7:34 am
Yansa smiled as Jerarda mimicked her movements. Her younger Sister seemed willing to learn, so long as she was able to learn in her own way.
One hand resting on Jerarda’s shoulder, the elder woman used her blood-stained thumb to draw a lotus-shaped mark on Jera’s forehead. ”You are deserving of the title, ‘Blade,’ Jerarda. Congratulations.” It would certainly be an interesting road from this point forward. The younger woman had a lot of growing to do, but Yansa was confident that would happen.
This was just the first step.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
