Post by Vaklu on Nov 29, 2015 8:00:00 GMT
Estval stood as it always had, a bastion of the royal family of the Jotun. It's high walls gave it a menacing mean, squatting on the cliffs that marked the northern tip of the Jotun's home island like a great beast out of legend. It's grey stone walls were tall and strong in manner of the folk that dwelt within. In the courtyard of the ancient fortress the lord of the castle stood ringed by his warriors. The din of clashing steel rang out as he sparred with three other swordsmen. His movements were fluid and precise, dancing around their attacks and sliding his own blade into gaps in their defenses with lightning speed. In less than a quarter of an hour four such trios had been defeated by the man in the center of the circle. He was barely breathing hard and looked ready to call for another group when he turned to a pair of younger giants who had been watching from the back of the group.
"Bjorn, Eldgan. You two take the next group."
"Yes sir." They answered in near unison. Bjorn was the stockier of the two with broad shoulders and platinum blond hair he kept up in a long braid. He carried a traditional broadsword and was wearing the mixed plate, chain and leather common to the Jotun. He was grinning as he entered the circle and japed with a few of the warriors that stood by.
Eldgan was tall, lanky and arrayed in a style that was closer to that of the Khatis of the southern kingdoms. A curiass of lamellar protected his torso with a long padded coat underneath that covered his arms and extended past his knees. Over his shoulder was a flintlock musket and in his belt were two pairs of pistols along with a saber. Eldgan was more somber setting aside the musket and removing the flint's from his pistols before joining his cousin.
The fight took longer than the older giant's. Bjorn was brash charging into the leading attacker and exchanging blows with him while his cousin drew his saber and "fired" a pistol at his first opponent, causing him to withdraw. The next was upon him before he could draw his second pistol. forcing him to use the one in his hand as a club. He was slowly pushed back by the older warrior. His pistol flew from his hand when he used it to block a particularly vicious blow. Eldgan struggled the fend him off with his saber and draw a new pistol. His dilemma was alleviated when Bjorn crashed into his opponent after dispatching his own. A quick draw and a 'click' was all that was needed to bring the fight to a close.
"Good job boys, But Bjorn you left your cousin on his own when he could have taken two opponents out of the fight if you'd protected him while he was switching pistols. The last one would have been a formality after that. You need to be aware of the whole battlefield whether you're leading an army or fighting in a smaller group. Eldgan you need to work on your footwork. If you insist on using those pistols in a melee you can be standing there like a ox while the enemy pushes you around. We'll work on that later."
Bjorn gave a stiff nod and a sidelong glance at his cousin. "Yes, uncle I'll be more vigilant in the future."
Eldgan had retrieved his musket and turned to his father. "Yes sir, may i go to the range now? Uncle Stae is expecting me."
Gudrik ran his hand through his hair in frustration. "Go ahead, tell him that I want to speak to him after supper."
"Of course."
The Thane was left muttering to himself as his son left the courtyard. Then he turned to shout at those milling about. "Alright you lot pair up and spar. I want to see feet moving damn it and Bjorn if you let your shield drop once more I'll box your ears."
"Bjorn, Eldgan. You two take the next group."
"Yes sir." They answered in near unison. Bjorn was the stockier of the two with broad shoulders and platinum blond hair he kept up in a long braid. He carried a traditional broadsword and was wearing the mixed plate, chain and leather common to the Jotun. He was grinning as he entered the circle and japed with a few of the warriors that stood by.
Eldgan was tall, lanky and arrayed in a style that was closer to that of the Khatis of the southern kingdoms. A curiass of lamellar protected his torso with a long padded coat underneath that covered his arms and extended past his knees. Over his shoulder was a flintlock musket and in his belt were two pairs of pistols along with a saber. Eldgan was more somber setting aside the musket and removing the flint's from his pistols before joining his cousin.
The fight took longer than the older giant's. Bjorn was brash charging into the leading attacker and exchanging blows with him while his cousin drew his saber and "fired" a pistol at his first opponent, causing him to withdraw. The next was upon him before he could draw his second pistol. forcing him to use the one in his hand as a club. He was slowly pushed back by the older warrior. His pistol flew from his hand when he used it to block a particularly vicious blow. Eldgan struggled the fend him off with his saber and draw a new pistol. His dilemma was alleviated when Bjorn crashed into his opponent after dispatching his own. A quick draw and a 'click' was all that was needed to bring the fight to a close.
"Good job boys, But Bjorn you left your cousin on his own when he could have taken two opponents out of the fight if you'd protected him while he was switching pistols. The last one would have been a formality after that. You need to be aware of the whole battlefield whether you're leading an army or fighting in a smaller group. Eldgan you need to work on your footwork. If you insist on using those pistols in a melee you can be standing there like a ox while the enemy pushes you around. We'll work on that later."
Bjorn gave a stiff nod and a sidelong glance at his cousin. "Yes, uncle I'll be more vigilant in the future."
Eldgan had retrieved his musket and turned to his father. "Yes sir, may i go to the range now? Uncle Stae is expecting me."
Gudrik ran his hand through his hair in frustration. "Go ahead, tell him that I want to speak to him after supper."
"Of course."
The Thane was left muttering to himself as his son left the courtyard. Then he turned to shout at those milling about. "Alright you lot pair up and spar. I want to see feet moving damn it and Bjorn if you let your shield drop once more I'll box your ears."
