"All right. Now continue along the targets until you can no longer make the distance."
He continues like this; despite the targets getting further, his aim becomes better, as he hadn't had the chance to practice during his travels. He is finally defeated by a target that sits a little over two hundred yards away. The other targets are littered with arrows, mostly sticking out from the bullseye.
"Excellent. Now that we have your baseline, I'll go over some finer points, work on your form a bit." Eldren proceeds to do so. They continue working until midmorning. As Azril releases his last arrow, he sees it stop in midair and fall to the ground. Turning around, he can see Kira approaching, hand outstretched and a grin on her face. "Ah," says Eldren, "I believe that means it is time for me to move onto my next lesson, and you to yours. Head over to the combat training grounds to see Zariana. I'll meet with you again the same time tomorrow morning."
He continues like this; despite the targets getting further, his aim becomes better, as he hadn't had the chance to practice during his travels. He is finally defeated by a target that sits a little over two hundred yards away. The other targets are littered with arrows, mostly sticking out from the bullseye.
"Excellent. Now that we have your baseline, I'll go over some finer points, work on your form a bit." Eldren proceeds to do so. They continue working until midmorning. As Azril releases his last arrow, he sees it stop in midair and fall to the ground. Turning around, he can see Kira approaching, hand outstretched and a grin on her face. "Ah," says Eldren, "I believe that means it is time for me to move onto my next lesson, and you to yours. Head over to the combat training grounds to see Zariana. I'll meet with you again the same time tomorrow morning."
"All right." He puts the longbow and quiver away, rubbing his already-sore muscles and fingers. He heads to the training grounds, Robin by his side.
"Excellent. Now that we have your baseline, I'll go over some finer points, work on your form a bit." Eldren proceeds to do so. They continue working until midmorning. As Azril releases his last arrow, he sees it stop in midair and fall to the ground. Turning around, he can see Kira approaching, hand outstretched and a grin on her face. "Ah," says Eldren, "I believe that means it is time for me to move onto my next lesson, and you to yours. Head over to the combat training grounds to see Zariana. I'll meet with you again the same time tomorrow morning."
"All right." He puts the longbow and quiver away, rubbing his already-sore muscles and fingers. He heads to the training grounds, Robin by his side.
Arriving, he sees Zariana standing by the weapons rack. "We're going to start with some basic drills and general techniques used by the Riders. One of the things that sets us apart from mercenaries is that we always try to incapacitate rather than smash. That can make combat much more difficult, so there are some methods you should know that can help."
"All right." He puts the longbow and quiver away, rubbing his already-sore muscles and fingers. He heads to the training grounds, Robin by his side.
Arriving, he sees Zariana standing by the weapons rack. "We're going to start with some basic drills and general techniques used by the Riders. One of the things that sets us apart from mercenaries is that we always try to incapacitate rather than smash. That can make combat much more difficult, so there are some methods you should know that can help."
"All right..." He casts a look at the weapons rack. "Which weapon should I use for this?"
Arriving, he sees Zariana standing by the weapons rack. "We're going to start with some basic drills and general techniques used by the Riders. One of the things that sets us apart from mercenaries is that we always try to incapacitate rather than smash. That can make combat much more difficult, so there are some methods you should know that can help."
"All right..." He casts a look at the weapons rack. "Which weapon should I use for this?"
"For now, whatever you have the most experience with. Once you have some practice with the techniques you need to know, we can advance from there."
"For now, whatever you have the most experience with. Once you have some practice with the techniques you need to know, we can advance from there."
"I've only ever used a bow... but I'd like to learn how to use a sword." He takes a sturdy broadsword.
Zariana smiles, "Alright, then. Tell you what, we'll work on sword basics until lunch and then we can move onto the techniques you need to know afterwards."
"I've only ever used a bow... but I'd like to learn how to use a sword." He takes a sturdy broadsword.
Zariana smiles, "Alright, then. Tell you what, we'll work on sword basics until lunch and then we can move onto the techniques you need to know afterwards."
Zariana smiles, "Alright, then. Tell you what, we'll work on sword basics until lunch and then we can move onto the techniques you need to know afterwards."
"Agreed!"
They get to work as Zariana takes Azril through the basics of swordfighting and the information he need to take into account during combat with a sword. Soon enough, it is time for lunch, and they head to the mess hall.
They get to work as Zariana takes Azril through the basics of swordfighting and the information he need to take into account during combat with a sword. Soon enough, it is time for lunch, and they head to the mess hall.
He glances around for Maicyn, but doesn't see her. He shrugs to himself and gets his food, taking a little extra for Robin.
They get to work as Zariana takes Azril through the basics of swordfighting and the information he need to take into account during combat with a sword. Soon enough, it is time for lunch, and they head to the mess hall.
He glances around for Maicyn, but doesn't see her. He shrugs to himself and gets his food, taking a little extra for Robin.
When he finishes eating, Zariana gives him a short break and then takes him back out to the practice field, where they work through more general techniques and ways to dispatch opponents non lethally.
He glances around for Maicyn, but doesn't see her. He shrugs to himself and gets his food, taking a little extra for Robin.
When he finishes eating, Zariana gives him a short break and then takes him back out to the practice field, where they work through more general techniques and ways to dispatch opponents non lethally.
His complete inexperience with swords makes the work long and slow, but he has a good sense of balance and accepts every new training technique and criticism from Zariana eagerly. The dog Robin watches lazily from the sideline, occasionally chewing on his tail or napping.
When he finishes eating, Zariana gives him a short break and then takes him back out to the practice field, where they work through more general techniques and ways to dispatch opponents non lethally.
His complete inexperience with swords makes the work long and slow, but he has a good sense of balance and accepts every new training technique and criticism from Zariana eagerly. The dog Robin watches lazily from the sideline, occasionally chewing on his tail or napping.
The lack of experience does give him a slight advantage, as he does not have to unlearn old techniques in order to learn the Riders' style, but it is still slow work.
As they reach midafternoon, Dernis approaches. "Mind if I take him?"
Zariana nods. "All yours." To Azril she says, "Good work today. I'll see you at the same time tomorrow."
His complete inexperience with swords makes the work long and slow, but he has a good sense of balance and accepts every new training technique and criticism from Zariana eagerly. The dog Robin watches lazily from the sideline, occasionally chewing on his tail or napping.
The lack of experience does give him a slight advantage, as he does not have to unlearn old techniques in order to learn the Riders' style, but it is still slow work.
As they reach midafternoon, Dernis approaches. "Mind if I take him?"
Zariana nods. "All yours." To Azril she says, "Good work today. I'll see you at the same time tomorrow."
Still fighting for breath, he manages to gasp, "Thanks, Zariana!"
The lack of experience does give him a slight advantage, as he does not have to unlearn old techniques in order to learn the Riders' style, but it is still slow work.
As they reach midafternoon, Dernis approaches. "Mind if I take him?"
Zariana nods. "All yours." To Azril she says, "Good work today. I'll see you at the same time tomorrow."
Still fighting for breath, he manages to gasp, "Thanks, Zariana!"
Dernis leads him away from the practice fields and through the complex of buildings, stopping at the foot of the hill that holds the monuments to fallen Riders. "How was your training?"
