Swordplay

[Drache]

The firedrake didn't seem to be frustrated, his lack of weariness or apparent difficulty would simply be met with a stronger push.

"You already know how far away your opponent mussst be to meet their blade. Too far and you overtaxss your arms by trying to defend, too clossse and neither of you can ssstrike. Beware the one who moves in too clossse."

She demonstrated, first backing away and pantomiming having to reach unreasonably far to reach him, and then stepping very close to reach down and cross her blade over his and hold it down.

"Like thisss, I have your blade held down and could easily ssstrike at your head with another weapon."

Surely 'another weapon' would have meant a daggar or simply a stout fist to a normal person, but Drache demonstrated by dipping her shoulder slightly, the thick spike on her wing joint arcing around at the bard's eye. She stopped it short, however, never striking him during a demonstration before another round of sparring.

"Maintaing a proper dissstanccce is like dancccing, sssomething I'm sure you're very good at. Bring your weight to the front of your feet and keep yourself cccentered as you move to faccce me."

She moved back to a proper distance and began to circle him, her weapon pointed towards the ground.

[Raven]

As always there'd be a nod to acknowledge her words and he'd watch as she demonstrated. Not shying away, just taking everything in stride and being attentive. Ahh. Dancing. That was something he was most assuredly be good at. Not that he'd appear any more or less confident than he had during previous explanations or demonstrations.

Whoever he'd previously learnt his trade under apparently had no time for someone who'd waste time with frivolous talking or showing off. It'd be revealed more and more in his time learning under Drache. As it is, keeping poised and ready to either deflect her attack or avoid it altogether is something he could manage quite easily with his background.

Sabre would be raised once more and held in the original position that he had been shown. Eyes tracking her movements and waiting expectantly.

[Drache]

This time it appeared that the half-dragon was going to be a little less forgiving than before. She prowled around Des, her talons crunchings lightly in the scorched earth, her tail twitching thoughtfully. She changed directions without attacking for several long moments, her expression scrutinizing and a little wily. When she finally did lash out with her blade, it was a feint, a high slice towards his shoulder that collapsed down into a lower blow to catch him lightly on the hip. She didn't pause to mention the hit, simply moving on to make the same move on the other side.

[Raven]

There'd be a hmph and a flicker of annoyance across his features as the sword would slip beneath his own blade and clip him in the side. The second one would be deflected and then he'd take a step away and counter her circle step for step, waiting for her next manoeuvre.

Not that he'd look any more wary or alert than he had previously. Just as calm and almost lackadaisical as he approached everything else. Maybe that was why she was accelerating their second lesson so. The lie of the facial features would be evident, however, by the way that he holds himself. Poised and ready.

[Drache]

The half-drake continued to circle, keeping the bard moving as she swung at him in as random a pattern of the six original strikes as she could manage. High right, low left, low left, feint to the right followed by a high left, center thrust. She switched hands often and occasionally bid him to do the same.

Sometimes instead of circling she moved closer, backing him up across the training pitch. Making good use of the time, she also increased speed and the force of her blows, clanging her blade harshly across his. She didn't move to actually make a hit often, but when she did land a blow she usually said nothing.

In spite of the increased furor her expression remained stubbornly calm. Drache knew that her fuse was short and the risk of slipping into a frenzy was great. There were several times she had to stop herself from instinctively taking advantage of a hole in the bard's defense. She was impressed by his progress and decided she couldn't have asked for a better student.

[Raven]

Back to the dance that he was growing accustomed to. Blocking, deflecting, dodging away. Whirling about and switching hands. Blows that got through would be learned from, painful lessons tended to be the ones best remembered. Increased speed was not much of an issue, instead it'd be the increases of power that'd require more concentration. Straighter blocks may have worked when she was putting in less effort, more power meant that he had to angle his deflections to offset.

The bard, at least, would not be growing weary with all the exertion, if anything it seemed to improve his condition. Thriving upon the burn of activity when he so typically lounges about in calm repose. Not that it'd be mirrored within his expression, oh no, that'd be all cool, calm, collected studying of her every movement so that he can decide upon his course of action.

[Drache]

The dragoness kept at him until they reached a comfortable rhythm. They could have perhaps gone faster, struck and defended harder, circled tighter and more quickly, but there was a reason she let the motions reach a plateau and refused to go any higher. Several reasons. He would tire before she introduced something else new for today.

[Raven]

Des would be happy to continue for a long while, but even he had limits to his endurance and after one particularly protracted onslaught he'd be stepping away and raising his free hand in a bid to halt their current exchange. "Wait, wait."

[Drache]

Drache stepped back immediately and the point of her sword dipped towards the ground as she looked at him curiously and expectantly. "Yesss?"

[Raven]

"Unless you've further plans for this particular lesson, I think I'm about at my limit." He'd not sheathe his sword, of course, not until he knew one way or another. That didn't stop him from sweeping a gloved hand through damp hair, combing it out of his features. A reminder that he'd somewhat neglected his appearance of late. So many troubles!

[Drache]

"I think not," she said, fanged maw remaining open for a moment as she breathed, brief proof that she couldn't continue on forever either. Her falcion glinted as she swapped it into the other hand, the easier to sheath it. She bowed briefly, a certain sign that the lesson was at an end. Perhaps part of the lesson today was simply discovering his limit so further lessons could be planned at maximum effectiveness. Perhaps not. Either way, there was not rebuke or criticism at his request to stop for the day.

"I mussst sssay you learn quickly. Next time I think it will be time for you to learn to ssstrike back." A wink.

"If you're hungry we can have a meal," she offered, peeling out of her studded armour. This time she actually had skivvies on underneath, not that they really hid much. "If not, let me walk you back into town. I haven't ssseen much of you recccently." It was almost a pout, though her tone indicated she didn't really blame him for having his own life to live.

[Raven]

A nod of his head and a smile at her words. Sabre would be twirled, once, more experimentally than anything else and then it'd disappear back into it's scabbard. "Not today, I've business back in town that needs taking care of. I'd be glad of the company." It was a rather boring walk back after all, at least in his eyes. He'd not change here and now as he had last time.

Instead he'd just pull his duster over his sparring clothes, pull his pack over a shoulder and then wait for her before he'd make his way with her back to civilization.