06-12-2009, 04:34 AM
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300+
The boy seemed to concentrate deeply, listening to her words and yet retaining that focus upon the task at hand. His mind, it seemed, had already begun its path to becoming a Knight, and the mind was the true determining factor of a warrior’s might; it was the mind that brought the discipline of the body and through it skill, but it was also that which set the warrior’s path to that hardened life of taking a life when necessary. When the orange and white male asked a question, the woad warrior approved once more: his ability to ask the question so easily spoke of his modest pride. "The point of balance," the soft melody explained, "is simply the fulcrum. It is determined by both the bade and by the placement of the hands." There was a slight pause before the woman continued. "For this technique, you should feel that the balance of each stroke comes from the lower hand and from the pommel—all movement originates from that single balance point."
For a hundred heartbeats, the woman held herself, unmoving, in that position. Her body was relaxed, and her heart was slow as she counted for them. The woad marked fae easily held that pose, her own training having allowed her body to endure long moments of strain. Under pressure, under the needs of battle, such persistence could go on for hours—of course not without the aftereffects felt once the task had been completed. The white orbs watched the place ahead of her steadily as if seeing some far out place. And she remained that way until the hundred heart beats had passed. Only when that number had arrived did she shift, rising to her full height and turning to the boy. "This would be a good way to end your own practices—by clearing your mind." There was a slight pause. While the Warrior and the Knight had done very little that day, she felt also that there had been much. She was definitely willing to continue if the boy would want to, if she had taught well. "But if you wish, we may continue—there is still much that can be done." And, of course, much that could be learned.
300+
The boy seemed to concentrate deeply, listening to her words and yet retaining that focus upon the task at hand. His mind, it seemed, had already begun its path to becoming a Knight, and the mind was the true determining factor of a warrior’s might; it was the mind that brought the discipline of the body and through it skill, but it was also that which set the warrior’s path to that hardened life of taking a life when necessary. When the orange and white male asked a question, the woad warrior approved once more: his ability to ask the question so easily spoke of his modest pride. "The point of balance," the soft melody explained, "is simply the fulcrum. It is determined by both the bade and by the placement of the hands." There was a slight pause before the woman continued. "For this technique, you should feel that the balance of each stroke comes from the lower hand and from the pommel—all movement originates from that single balance point."
For a hundred heartbeats, the woman held herself, unmoving, in that position. Her body was relaxed, and her heart was slow as she counted for them. The woad marked fae easily held that pose, her own training having allowed her body to endure long moments of strain. Under pressure, under the needs of battle, such persistence could go on for hours—of course not without the aftereffects felt once the task had been completed. The white orbs watched the place ahead of her steadily as if seeing some far out place. And she remained that way until the hundred heart beats had passed. Only when that number had arrived did she shift, rising to her full height and turning to the boy. "This would be a good way to end your own practices—by clearing your mind." There was a slight pause. While the Warrior and the Knight had done very little that day, she felt also that there had been much. She was definitely willing to continue if the boy would want to, if she had taught well. "But if you wish, we may continue—there is still much that can be done." And, of course, much that could be learned.