Xeon
Soldier
Posts: 9
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Post by Xeon on Aug 20, 2013 18:00:39 GMT -6
Listened intently to the man's words as he followed him up and unto the ship. His mind racing over everything at once as his inward nervousness began projecting outward. The ship could be a hive for assassins! Everywhere he looked there was a hiding spot or a dark corner, and so many eagles nest to attack from above. Trying not to worry and calm himself Torman aided as he told him to have faith basically even though his new friend looked lie he could handle everything at once if he needed too. Glad they let him lead as it allowed him to conquer his inner fear. His face visibly becoming confident slightly he was even further boosted by Valcrist telling him said armor could be made although he asked for a better description as well. Choosing that moment to pipe up Xeon responded, "I have a picture of my grandfather in an armor like what I described. It was lost when he died away from home but its more or less what I would love. When we touch back here in a month would you allow me to show you it?".
Noting how Valcrist suggested that if they were capable enough he wouldn't have to show if he could use his blade or not Xeon smiled and as he told him that he hoped they loved his voice because they would be hearing it a lot Xeon actually relaxed and laughed as he said, "I am sure we won't have any problems Valcrist. And Torman... I trust you, you too Tiv. I have feeling the three of us can conquer anything that comes our way!... Well maybe not a dragon... But anything else!", hoping he sounded heroic Xeon left Valcrist's side as he cut the puppy act off. Sitting down he whispered to Torman, "I hope I didn't anger you by talking the lead Torman.".
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Torman
Fighter
Mankind will have nothing if men lose faith in one another.
Posts: 53
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Post by Torman on Aug 20, 2013 18:54:01 GMT -6
Torman smiled at his friend. Xeon's trust was very important to him and he was glad he earned it. When Xeon sat down next to him and whispered an apology for taking command, Torman smiled ever greater.
"It is no problem, my friend," Torman whispered back, "You proved yourself as a leader at that moment. I would gladly follow you and trust you with my life."
Torman leaned back and took a deep breath, "A month, huh? That is a long time in my book, but I guess its worth it."
Torman studied the merchant for a moment. The small man seemed a little nervous, but otherwise quite cheery. But something was off about him. One would think that if they could fight they would, especially if they were hauling goods along. Torman was slightly suspicious of the man, but didn't bring it up. The band of mercenaries were going to need to trust each other to do their job.
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Post by Tiv Sparrow on Aug 22, 2013 10:49:48 GMT -6
On the ship Tiv looked out into the horizon. What met his eyes was an expanse of blue, and somehow it reminded him of back home. "Don't worry Xeon," He said finally bringing back his bearings, "I trust you with my life. As well as you Torman. Being in a band of mercenaries, I believe that maybe you should lead Xeon."
He closed his eyes for a moment. "A month, huh?" He'd then say, "Quite a time to be out at sea." This is one of those times I wish I had my father's skill, He will think following with a sigh, Oh well, I guess I ought to do what I can.
He got up and walked to the starboard side of the ship and put his hands on the rail guard. "If I knew it was going to be this long I would have sent a letter back home. I wonder how they are doing back there?" He spoke to himself thinking back to his younger days, "I wonder what it is we're carrying? Probably some rather in expensive stuff."
(OoC: This reminds me a part from a game called Suikoden 4.)
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Post by Valcrist on Sept 4, 2013 8:30:17 GMT -6
Valcrist let out a long, languid, and partially comical sigh. Leaning back on the bow of the ship, or the haft, or starboard, or something. He didn't know ships. It was the wooden railing thing. This was another experience to check off his list of things he wanted to do in life, he's never been on a ship and he could already feel like he would regret it. The shaking and motion and urp... it was only going to get worse isn't it? It should have been obvious, he lived in the desert for most of his life, jumping on a ship is probably a bad idea. Still it was his bad idea, and he would defend it until he was heaving over the side of the ship in loud upchucks. Not exactly the picture of a fierce warrior. Looking up at the sky, he closed his eyes and took in a deep breath of sea air. It was kind of gross smelling, it smelled really... wet. He didn't even know there was this much water in the world, but all he could see in every direction was water and more water.
The anima sword he kept on his person was wrapped in a heavy leather sheath of sorts, he really needed to make a sheath for that blade. He just really never got around to it, it was especially important now that he was starting to become known by it. He didn't exactly cherish the thought of being recognized by it, and would much rather prefer to live a life of obscurity. Of course fate was all like no Valcrist, because reasons. He always found his self wound up in things so much bigger than himself, and then his silly sense of right and wrong made him do something other than just watching in abject fascination like any sane man would do. Joining the army of a country he didn't know, nor particularly like (Ilia was way too cold), joining the expedition that the first pretty girl asked him to join and eventually wind up being trained by a somewhat abusive swordsman (though Yaen was so awesome, so he didn't mind there), getting lost in Sacae and killing the chieftan of a sizable tribe because Valcrist thought his ways were harsh (he realizes the irony), getting wrapped up with an assassin and her friends and eventually running away to Ilia again with some pegasus knight he didn't know outside of the fact she and his former squeeze had a somewhat more friendly than normal relationship and then getting abandoned by her (which was funny because usually Valcrist did the abandoning), and then winding up in Bern and fighting a friggen dragon of all things, and helping said assassing from earlier escape after the attempted assassination of a person he worked for before (Valcrist really knew far too many people), and then going to a Bernese city where he might have been involved in a teensy weensy terrorist attack. He was looking forward to just sitting back and relaxing for once in his life, what were the chances something huge was gonna happen here?
"Hey Valcrist!" Someone called. "Valcrist, hey!" Someone else that sounded disturbingly similar to the first someone also called.
The twin voice belonged to, surprising no one, twins. They were identical, which was their schtick. It drew people in and interested them, he really was surprised they even let Valcrist join them for the time being considering he looked like the farthest thing possible from them. Varen Gisgan and Heygus Gisgan, Valcrist many people had a hard time telling them apart. Valcrist was not one of them, but then again Valcrist wasn't a normal person. Many people focused on what made them the same, while Valcrist focuses on what made them unique. Even identical twins weren't completely identical. "Are all the mercenaries here?" Varen questioned.
"Yeah Varen, three of them." Valcrist waved his lightly gesturing at the trio talking. "They all seem a little green, but we aren't expecting too much trouble right?"
"Varen? I'm Heygus." He sounded offended.
"No you're not." Valcrist wasn't even bothering to look at him and sighed, they did this bit often. It fooled so many people, but never him. The twins laughed.
"For Elmine's sake, how do you always do that?" The real Heygus patted Valcrist on the back with a hearty grin. "I'm not even sure why we got mercenaries, with a dragon slayer on the ship."
Valcrist groaned. "Please keep that quiet, I told you two that it's not exactly something I want to advertise." The two knew of him, partially because they were merchants and information was their trade, partially because Valcrist told them one night when he got drunk "D... do you wanna go? Come, come on man. I'm a... a dragon slayer! The lost... uhm... something..." He stuttered, spurred and then vomited after passing out. When the two told him about it he was so embarrassed he could even look at either of them in the face for days. That was what he got for drinking, his first drink too, so it was like fate was specifically torturing him to never do it again. He was happy to oblige.
"Yeah." Varen said. "Sure." Heygus finished.
"Are we ready to leave?" Valcrist asked, changing the subject.
"Oh yeah, unless you think anyone else is coming." Heygus answered as Varen went off to do something. Probably checking things, or something.
"Well considering that we're already running a bit late and the only people who bothered to answer the request was this bunch, I think it's unlikely we'll get anyone else. I'm surprised though, it seems like easy money. Maybe there's something we're not aware of?" Mercenaries were profiteering type, a mission this easy seems like something people would leap at, unless the danger far outpaced the reward. Which, admittedly, was rather meager. That's probably the real reason, they didn't put a lot of money up for this, the mercenaries were more of a formality than a necessity, since there's almost a zero chance they'll run into anything. Which of course meant they would, but that wasn't the point. Valcrist wanted to believe for once he could get out of something unscathed. Still he was beginning to get worried.
"Nah. Shipping is our business, our blood. No one knows these seas better than us." He sounded confident, and Valcrist was a sucker for confident men. He believed people with little reason other then 'they seem to know what they're doing'.
"Alright then, I'll believe you." Valcrist smiled, admittedly a bit tiredly, he was feeling a bit weary now. World weary as it were. He was kind of wanting to just go back to Nabata for the rest of his life, since all Elibe seemed to present him with was more problems.
The ship began to move, the anchor weighing them down being pulled out of the ocean and the sails being spread out to the fullest. The gangplank being pulled back, and they began to set out to sea.
---
It's been a few days since they set off, smooth sailings as they say. Literally in this case, which was good news because unsmooth sailings didn't sound very pleasing. Valcrist was actually pleasantly surprised, he didn't get nearly as seasick as he assumed he would. Yeah he felt kinda uneasy, and kind of wobbly, but the whole stereotypical head over the railing vomiting all the time sort of thing wasn't happening. In fact he kept all his food down the entire time, even though the food wasn't exactly all that appealing. Hard bread and salted meats, since most fresh food didn't last long enough on voyage to be eaten. Which was sad, because Valcrist really liked fresh fruit. He never got to eat it much in the desert, for similar reasons.
He wasn't entirely sure what the mercenaries were doing, but they had to be doing something. Valcrist found it hard to do his usual exercises on the ship, and he kind of slipped and felt too unstable to run around and it was small and crowded and ech, just a hassle. So instead of doing that, he just wore his pack everywhere even when he didn't need it. To keep himself interested, since forging on a ship was kind of a no-no (fire and wooden structures didn't mesh) he drew. He was able to acquire some parchment, and some nice ink and quill at a low low price that Heygus must have been crazy to offer! Really he was sort of ripped off, but the swordsman was desperate so he went ahead and bought it anyways. The parchment was bound together in a book of sorts, a sketchbook one would say, at least that's what he always called it. He's been through many of these, he always ends up leaving it in some place or another because he has to escape because of some big stupid thing. Right now he wasn't particularly inspired, so he just drew what he saw. The mast, the ship, the sailors, nothing particularly interesting though all of it was good at a mechanical level. Nice sense of shapes and how light works and hit things, but it all felt so bored. Like sure it was a good picture, but it lacked the fire to make it great. He hadn't been able to make great art for quite some time.
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Torman
Fighter
Mankind will have nothing if men lose faith in one another.
Posts: 53
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Post by Torman on Sept 4, 2013 15:27:07 GMT -6
Torman watched the merchants speak to each other. Valcrist seemed on edge when the twins mentioned something Torman couldn't hear, but it obviously distressed Valcrist. Torman watched closely as the three continued their discussion, until one of the twins walked away. Torman didn't know which one, they were completely identical. Soon after, the boat started moving. A wave of nausea rolled over Torman as the boat began to sway more and more.
Ugh Torman thought Why can't this trip be any smoother
But whoever controlled the sea did not heed Torman and continued to slightly rock the ship just enough so it would be VERY nauseating to Torman. The fighter began to really appreciate the land.
One month of this!
---------------- Torman leaned over the railing on the ship. The rocking had gotten slightly better these past few days. He was extremely glad that they hadn't fought anyone yet or Torman would have vomited on his opponent as they fought. All he had really done was sit and twiddle his thumbs, eat, and sleep. How he wish he'd brought a book! He almost wished they could fight someone for the sole purpose of breaking up the boredom. Torman sighed. If nothing happened, then this was going to be a long month.
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Xeon
Soldier
Posts: 9
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Post by Xeon on Sept 4, 2013 19:19:58 GMT -6
Xeon remained at rest, as he smiled and listened to his companions words fo encouragement and voting him leader uttering softly, "Thank you for your trust my friends...", smiling still he witnessed the twins and recognized them immediately from their dealings with Xeon's youngest uncle Grayson and turned to avoid their attention so that they didn't notice him. This maneuver however wouldn't last for long as when they were done talking to Valcrist they called Xeon over as they walked towards the stern of the ship and began talking to him in utter unison, "Xeon... Pleasure to see you here. These your men then?", Xeon only closed his eyes gently and nodded before responding with a chide, "They are fellow Mercs but not "my" men, although they have appointed me leader. Sorry about that in advance Varen and Heygus...", the twins scoffed at Xeon's final comment and answered him together, "Oh don't worry about it lad! If you screw up we will just charge your uncle double from now on!", laughing with mighty fervor the Twins walked off and down into the hold of the boat to check upon their numerous wares that were to be peddled in Caldonia.
Xeon stood there and leaned against the bow of the ship with a sullen look, hoping they wouldn't divulge who he really was in one of their games of fun. Returning to the group moments later he heaved his spear up and leaned it against his right shoulder as he walked off to stare off into the distance upon the port side of the merchantine vessel. Silence like the clam before a storm emanated from him as eh became calm and at peace with his surroundings and the ships rocking which surprisingly wouldn't bother him as much as it did his companions.
For days on end and through storms, crashing waves, merriment and training Xeon De'Archel had weathered his first mission as they came upon the open sea halfway to the tip of Nabata near the port city of Hajen. The pirate concentration was lax and allowed for them to pass without a hitch as they came within a days distance of the shoreline at a massive trade city like docking area.
Mobilizing himself he headed to the large upper deck of the Vessel, wearing only his leather pants and boots as he began practicing with his spear upon the wooden flooring. Bandits, Pirates and other unwanted individuals could be upon them at any moment!... or never... either way Xeon was preparing for the potential and inevitable fate they would land upon whilst trading here. However the twins upon their exit would hire a pirate escort till they reached Caldonia's shore lines from which they could then hire another ship back.
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Post by Tiv Sparrow on Sept 4, 2013 21:18:08 GMT -6
Tiv noticed the twins approaching Valcrist, he heard what the said, but had not payed any attention as he stared at the blue sea. This is amazing... He thought as he looked at the water. He then turned around and leaned against the rail. He then closed his eyes, reviewing events that could happen in his head. But could not come up with anything but an optimistic view. "Heh, that would be too good." He whispered, "Image if we did get attacked at all." He then let out a deep sigh as the ship began to leave port.
It had been a good thing that Tiv had his hands on the rail. If he had just been leaning against it then he would have fallen into the ocean, even though the port was right next to him. "I ought to be a bit more careful." He said jesting, "Wouldn't do to fall off the boat." Surprisingly, despite the consent rocking, Tiv felt fine, he looked over at Valcrist, then at Torman. What's their problems? He asked himself as he made his way to the lower deck.
---
After a few days Tiv lied on the bag he'd brought to sleep on as he looked at a book. The book was filled with writing, his own, his brother's, his sister's, even his mother's writing. He would sit up and sigh. He had been doing that a lot frequently, myhaps he missed his home, or maybe his family? Everything had been smooth sailing, quite literally for them, not a single pirate or bandit to be found on the waters, which surprised Tiv, plesently. He shook his head and decided to go out to get air. Upon stepping onto the deck he saw Xeon, shirtless, training with his lance. "Now that's what I call determination." Tiv said as he approached him.
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Post by Valcrist on Sept 5, 2013 15:55:57 GMT -6
The mercenaries seemed restless. One of them was sighing all the time, so often really that they could probably put him behind the sails and his sighs would push them forward. Another was feeling sick all the time, which Valcrist could sympathise with. Outside of that he simply looked super bored, which Valcrist could also sympathise with. He was almost tempted to call out to him, before remembering he was trying to be all detached from these folk. Not out of disdain or arrogance, simply because he just wanted things to remain uncomplicated for once. There was also that Xeon fella, flitting around without a shirt and flinging his lance around. It was a wonder he didn't hurt anyone, it was good he kept up with his training, but it was dangerous. Still, at least he remained on his toes. That was more than Valcrist could claim, what with his just sitting there drawing for hours on end. Drawing nothing interesting, no less. Perhaps he should change his focus...
He grumbled with a small sigh, setting his pack down and closing his book with a snap and stowing it away with his quill pen and inkwell. Taking a few steps and stretches his arms high above his head, leaning back and cracking his back at the same time. He let out a stifled yawn as his body locked for a quick moment before becoming loose once more. Scratching the back of his head, feeling the hair at the scruff of his neck. I need a trim soon. It was a funny thing to think, considering he spent the majority of his childhood at war with his mother about keeping his hair long. Now he got it cut whenever it got past the shaggy threshold. Feeling his face with a curious look, he noticed something. And a shave too, while I'm at it.
"Valcrist, nice to actually see you for once." A man laughed from behind him, Valcrist whipping around to look at the source of the voice.
"Oh, hey Heygus." What an odd name, he still couldn't get over it. "I haven't seen you around much. Taking inventory or something?" Valcrist asked, nonchalantly. Of the two twins, he got on along better with Gus, though he wasn't on bad terms with Varen or anything of the sort.
"Something like that, yeah." That and a shrug was all the answer he was gonna give. "How about our mercenaries? They still alive?"
"Yeah, but they seemed bored as sin. That guy over there is running around half naked." Heygus flinched at the mention of Xeon, which wasn't unusual. He's noticed both of them did that when he talked about Xeon. It was very light, and most people would probably miss it, he was just really good at picking this sort of thing up. Normally he'd had asked the first time he saw, but once again he was trying to keep it simple and uncomplicated. So if Xeon was their long lost third brother, the king of Bern's bastard child, or the embodiment of all that is evil in the world, he wouldn't bother trying to learn. To him he was just Xeon, random mercenary, and that's all he was willing to let it be. "The other seems hopeless bored. You could probably sell him a book or something." He gestured at the man on the railing. "The last one seems depressed or something. He's over there with the shirtless guy." He finished, lazily pointing in his general direction.
"It's nice to know you have so much respect for them." He said with a roll of his eyes.
"Ugh. Sorry, I just have had bad experiences when it comes to trusting people. Namely it always backfires some way or another." Valcrist said with a sigh.
"Just don't let it interfere with your work. Do you know how hard it is to find another blacksmith or another mercenary in the middle of the ocean? I'll give you a hint, it's not easy." He said with a laugh before walking off probably to do something. Valcrist simply grumbled to his self with his new found aloneness.
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Torman
Fighter
Mankind will have nothing if men lose faith in one another.
Posts: 53
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Post by Torman on Sept 6, 2013 17:44:50 GMT -6
Torman turned around just into to see Xeon's lance come an inch from his face. His face contorted with fear as that point almost sheer a chunk off of his nose. He glared at Xeon.
"What was that about," Torman said. His anger was quickly dissolved and he was impressed by Xeon's determination to train, "Mind if I join you?"
Torman drew his axe and faced his shirtless friend, "Be better with a partner. It would help you get better instead of just wildly swinging your lance around,"
Please say yes. I need something to do!
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Xeon
Soldier
Posts: 9
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Post by Xeon on Sept 7, 2013 0:27:57 GMT -6
Noted Tiv's and Torman's interest in his training, smiling softly as he stopped and limbered up before moving a good ten paces back or so from Torman. Cracking his neck with soft pops he readied his lance but a moment later as he said with gentle coyness, "Sure you can mate! Be warned though I won't go easy.", Xeon would afford chivalry as he would give Torman time to ready up before striking at him.
His body glistened with sweat from his drills and the salt and watery air as well as sunlight only caused his sweat to highlight his defined and muscular athletic body down to the very last inch of well toned flesh. He wasn't as big as Torman and his weapon was weaker triangle wise, but Xeon was confident he would pull out the victor here, because if he wasn't, why would he bother sparing?
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Post by Tiv Sparrow on Sept 7, 2013 12:24:38 GMT -6
Tiv stepped to the side and cracked his knuckles. "Come on now guys," He said, seemingly against the idea for the two facing off, "If you want to have a fight, you got to know how to handle a crowd." As he finished his sentence he pulled out his blade and pointed it into the middle. He knew that he wasn't as experienced as the other two but, he felt confident in his ability to win. After that he flipped his sword back, and took a backhanded fighter's stance. This was how he was taught when he sparred with his father.
A smile briefly appeared on his face, "I'm ready when you two are. Let's not hold back."
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Post by Valcrist on Sept 8, 2013 5:32:01 GMT -6
Heygus wants me to get involved with the mercenaries? Fine, I'll get involved with them. He had a slight smirk on his face as he took the steps across the ship to where the three of the men had gathered, burning with the desire for battle so much so they couldn't even wait for the pirates to show up and decided to beat the crap out of each other. This could be fun to watch, but he had an idea. "So, you guys are training are you?" He crossed his arms, looking at the three of them as he came up. "You gotta let me in on this stuff, seems like fun." He added with a small laugh. His gaze drifting from person to person, from Xeon, Torman, and Sparrow.
"If the three of you are going to spar, how about we make things more interesting?" He reached into his pocket, reaching for something before pulling out a small sack with a grin. "Whoever wins, I'll give them 50 gold. Right here, no tricks or catches. It's only fair right, that the best fighter gets a bonus after all. It will all give you a reason to fight as well, so you can truly test yourselves against one another. It's no fun if there's no prize in the end after all, right?" It was something for Valcrist as well, he wanted to watch them fight so he could get a better idea on how each of them moved and acted. If he was going to be relying on these folk to protect him, he wanted to make sure they were capable of actually protecting him. He wasn't an axeman, or a spearman, but he was a blacksmith and he was a watcher of battle. He was particularly skilled in observing and picking apart his opponent's fighting styles, finding holes and weaknesses within them for him to strike against. He wasn't planning on attacking any of these folk, but if he could get a better idea of their fighting styles and stances and actions he could offer pointers to keep them from getting themselves skewered. That way there's less chance he'll have to fight himself, which is the whole point of hiring mercenaries in the first place.
He leaned up against the mast, his arms crossed as he looked over the three. Hopefully they didn't actually kill each other, that would be a bummer. "So give it your all, your employer's watching." He said with a somewhat devilish look on his face.
((OOC: This 50 gold offer is completely legit, I'll ask one of the mods to transfer the funds after things are over. S'not much, but 10 free posts worth of gold is always nice, right?))
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Torman
Fighter
Mankind will have nothing if men lose faith in one another.
Posts: 53
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Post by Torman on Sept 8, 2013 9:15:17 GMT -6
Torman grinned wolfishly. Fifty gold for winning a spar. Torman liked it. If it were just him and Xeon, Torman would have won, hands down. But Sparrow was also sparring with them. That changed it. The entire weapon triangle was about to fight and only one could win. The winner would either have to be very lucky or very smart about the way they fought.
Torman had an idea. He would let Xeon and Sparrow fight it out. He hoped, and was almost sure, that Xeon would win. Then he would make his move on Xeon and win. He would need to stay vigilant, though. Sparrow could come at him.
Torman hefted his axe onto his shoulder, "Let's get started, then."
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Xeon
Soldier
Posts: 9
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Post by Xeon on Sept 8, 2013 11:21:43 GMT -6
Xeon was preparing for his new found friends and himself to have a nice, relaxing spar that still kept them on their toes, when low and behold, Valcrist came around with a an offer of fifty gold to the victor of the spar. Xeon nodded to Valcrist as he began spinning his spear from side to side slowly and steadily, matching his pace easily as he created a zero opening defense position about his person. Sliding his left foot forward and taking a partially crouched stance he stopped spinning his spear holding it horizontally behind himself with the bladed end being opposite of where it should be.
Motioning for his friends to come forward towards him he said gently, "I cannot lose if I trust my training! Come! Let's see if I deserve to be the commander through martial might as well as power of personality.", Closing his eyes for a brief moment he waited for Torman or Tiv to attack him, deciding to stick to defense and countering as his tried and true metaphorical "butter".
Thinking to himself gently as he scanned over his companions noting range was more effective against Tiv whilst parrying would be needed to fight against the brute strength of Torman, "Tiv seems to be using Lycian fencing tactics whilst Torman seems to actually be a trained ax-men, more then likely he will use horizontal slashes and vertical power attacks though... Ill need to use the entire length of my spear as well as target his legs to come out successful whilst with Torman ill need to use wide arcing slashes and feats of acrobatics... good thing I am not wearing anything to heavy.", controlling his breathing he waited with a calm exterior and expression.
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Post by Tiv Sparrow on Sept 9, 2013 16:05:59 GMT -6
Tiv looked at the other two, neither of them seemed to make a move, and would probably continue this way until someone did. That'd be boring. "Fifty gold eh? That sounds nice." Tiv said. As he finished he scoped his "opponents". So Torman uses axes. I'd should be able to beat him if I can get outside his strike range and counterattack quick enough... Tiv thought then looked at Xeon, He uses a lance... He might be a problem, all I need to do though is get close to him and stay away from the tip. Ok Tiv, you got this. Let's go!
He dashed at Torman, he knew that going against Xeon was going to be hard, but he personally thought it was better for him to lose to Xeon rather then Torman. As he approached close to him, Tiv slowed down and did a low sweep with his sword at the legs, hoping to take Torman out quickly and save most his energy for his battle with Xeon.
[OoC: Why do I get a really bad feeling about this? Like where going to be attacked as we're sparring?]
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