Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn From: jcarl@pizza.ess.harris.com (Mathew Dawnstrider) Subject: Re: [Ga] Small talk Message-ID: References: Date: Mon, 1 Feb 1993 19:34:53 GMT >"Very well, Mathew Dawnstrider. I will give you another chance," said the >drow, the corners of his mouth curling up into a smile. Taking the man's hand, >the dark elf grasped it. Mathew smiled, and internally rejoiced at finally being able to do something that didn't make him look foolish. >"Well met, again. I am Zebron Twilight, the Silver Sword of Eilistraee," the >dark elf continued, the formal words in sharp contrast to the pre-dawn wood >they echoed off. "Well met. I am Mathew Gabriel Dawnstrider. >Sitting down again, Zebron helped with the preparations for the morning meal. >When the others awoke, they all ate, but the troupe did not eat in silence. >Instead, the route was planned, and Garriot realized that the path lead to a >mountain range, one that was familiar, yet unknown. Perhaps this was a clue >to the lost memories. Or perhaps the glimmer of hope that they were making >progress was false. Some made preparations for the long travel ahead of them this afternoon. Mathew had already prepared the horses, so he retrieved his long sword and shield to practice with. Nothing like a good morning exercise to work out the kinks. He returned to the clearing to see Alaric already warming up. Alaric was gracefully swinging his sword, his feet moving in a smooth dance. The arc of the sword left little room for a foes blade to enter. He was good! Mathew watch with interest as Alaric danced his sword dance. Mathew had been trained in the use of long sword at his training school. He was even specialized in the art of long sword, yet was not near as graceful as Alaric looked. >>The dance ended, and Alaric noticed Mathew watching him with obvious >>interest. Perhaps some sparring would help both of them. >>He smiled at the young man. "Care for a bout?" "If you don't mind me using a shield? It's part of my style" Alaric smiled and nodded "That's fine, we're not trying to draw blood. Blading only, just warming up right?." "Yep." he said as he prepared himself. Mathew joined him in the clearing. He stretched his legs a bit and smiled to Alaric. "Ready". Alaric closed swiftly and swung his blade through the air, Mathew barely had enough time to get his shield in position. "Whoa, yer fast". Alaric spun in place and his blade came into a guard position anticipating Mathew return. Mathew came on hard with no grace what so ever. He came right were Alaric expected him, but Alaric didn't expect so much strength behind the blow. Mathew was a big man and he used his strength to his advantage. Alaric blade was knocked out of position, he back stepped to avoid Mathews follow up lunge. The mock battle continued until Mathew was gasping for air. Alaric on the other hand seemed barely winded. Alaric stood back as the battle came to a halt "You have a lot of strength, as well as skill with your blade. But I can tell you have not fought often. You depend too much on your strength, and not enough on your skill. You chop through, hoping strength will beat your foes defense instead of using your skill to overcome it. You can see how tired you are from just this tactic. Notice how I still have stamina left. Don't get me wrong, you look like you could do strenuous work much longer than I could. Fighting doesn't have to be as strenuous as you make it though." Mathew listened to Alaric give a critique of his fighting ability. There was no doubt who would have won the fight had it been a real one. "I hear what you are saying." He considered his words then said "Would you mind if I trained more with you in the mornings? I have much to learn from you." They agreed to train in the mornings when it was appropriate. When their conversation was done, it was time to break camp. Mathew rode his stallion Judge ahead of the group riding as front guard. The familiars of the parties mages were flying up ahead and doing a much better job of keeping the party alerted to any problems than he was doing. >But that was not what worried the companions. The familiars and scouts had >reported no signs of animal life anywhere; the fields and woods they rode >through were completely silent, eerily devoid of beasts. They were all on >edge, unsure of what was going on, waiting for a sign, something that made >sense of it all. Mathew was also feeling very uncomfortable. He recognized this feeling from his training as a Paladin. There was evil afoot, and it was a pervasive aura getting stronger as they grew closer to Hawksholme. -- Joe Carl Jr. "It ain't what a man don't know that makes him a jcarl@jabba.ess.harris.com fool, but what he does know that ain't so." -- Josh Billings