08/07/2000

Practice Yard, White Tower, Tar Valon

Hard packed earth is ringed in by a plain wooden fence. Daily the practice
area is maintained by the pounding of young men's feet, as they are ran
about the yard or set to forms. Towards the left hand side of the yard the
thud of arrows hitting targets can be heard. The right is devoted to racks
full of practice weapons and armor. Throughout the day the harsh voices of
Gaidin urging the boys to work faster, stronger, harder can be heard. At
night the silence is almost eerie as only the cicadas come out to play
their nocturnal commentary.

A three story building is at the end of the hall, providing a place for the
trainees to live. A set of iron stairs up to the door is a favorite meeting
spot for some of the boys, to sit and rest when such things are granted.
Often they can be seen catching a meal there, to avoid wrinkled noses and
sniffs from young ladies unaccustomed to the sweat and grime they daily
generate.


Neelkan comes into the Practice Yard from the direction of the Tower
Courtyard, looking refreshed and rested as if he just finished taking a
nap. Light knows it's hard to nap in his own room, seeing as he shares it
with Sunan.

Varcel is already present, working onsimple calisthentics, working on finer
control of his strength.

Into the courtyard walks a novice dress. The lady walks with practiced ease
of an Aes Sedai though. Finding a nice seat on the fence, Wyntere grins and
decides to watch the trainees practice today.

Savren, for the first time in days, is not present in the yard, until he
comes striding in from the courtyard. Noticing Neelkan as he comes out of
the barracks, and Varcel doing something independant, he puts it all
together, "Varcel!, Neelkan!...Come here..."

Hmmm? Neelkan didn't do it! Whatever it was. But even if he didn't he kind
of ducks his head down as if expecting a punishment and looks over at
Savren. He gives a small grump outside of other's hearing range, and then
heads over towards the new Master Gaidin, dropping into a quick bow. Still
a half-bow.

Varcel drops his large rock, thankfully not on any toes, and strides over
quickly. He bows formally, and gracefully. "Savren Gaidin."

Turning her head, Wyntere notices the group gathering. Hmm.. this will be
interesting to watch. With that she remains silent.

Nodding to both trainees as the report to his summons, Savren says, "How'd
you boys like a quick lesson in unarmed combat? Perhaps, to make up for how
boring it is, I could give you a spar to progress you along even more.
Sound good?" He looks for agreement, although it does not matter if there
is any.

Giving his agreement in a small nod, Neelkan seems almost amused at the
lesson he's going to be getting. Oh, he waits for the day when they get to
teaching him something he doesn't already know... but he's not going to say
anything about it, content to just let them think he's a fast learner.
"Sounds good t' m', Gaidin."

Varcel nods obligingly. "As you say, Gaidin."

Nodding with satisfaction, Savren indicates the little clearing where he
using teaches, "Over here..." He gestures for the students to follow.

Neelkan follows after the Gaidin, folding his hands behind his back and
grinning in that mischevious little way of his.

Varcel follows quietly, taking his place.

Looking to both students Savren says, "I know how far along Varcel is in
unarmed...what of you Neelkan? You have no previous lessons...but what of
anything before arriving here? What do you know of unarmed combat?"

Blood and ashes. He had to ask. Neelkan was content to say nothing, but if
he asked... "I know a good bit, Gaidin. Punches, kicks, holds, thin's of
the like." Though no doubt his style is a lot more... rugged then what they
will teach in the Tower.

Nodding, Savren says, "Varcel...why don't you demonstrate for Neelkan what
was covered in unarmed 1. I'm sure I can give him a rough lesson for it,
since he probably knows everything already. But we'll start him off with
you, in unarmed 2." (It's part of the lesson to review lesson 1...don't
ask. ;>)

Varcel nods and proceeds to demonstrate the basics to Neelkan. He doesn't
try to teach them, just show them so Neelkan will know what he should and
hsould not have seen already.

Nodding, Savren says, "Okay...that's good enough...these unarmed lessons
are boring enough...let's get it over with so we might have a chance to
spar...." HE gestures for the boys to open their ears as he gets ready to
explain and demonstrate.

Varcel stands easy and listens.

Ears open, Neelkan watches Varcel, nodding a little as if that was what he
was expecting to see. Some of the style is different, obviously, because
the red head was a bandit. Then he turns to Savren and nods again, ready to
hopefully learn more of this style, and adjust his own to fit it.

"These blocks are good against knife attacks and hand attacks. The design
is to break the arm of the attacker. Stand in ready stance. Have someone
punch at you. Useing an outside-inside block with the forward hand, aim for
the elbow of the attacker. Using an outside-inside block, aim for the
forearm of the attacker. Only hit hard enough to let the attacker know you
hit them in practice. During a fight, hit with full force, tightening the
fist as you hit. Continue to push until bones break. This can be used on a
kick as well, but is much more difficult. They are referred to as 'snap
blocks'." Savren looks to both boys for understanding.

Varcel nods slowly, trying to visualize it.

Neelkan nods his head, understanding it almost instatly. The style does
sound slightly different, but he understands it.

"Jumpkicks. There are two jump kicks, a jump side kick and a jump front
kick. The jump front kick is for height. It's a good surprising, opening
blow but good for little past that point. Stand in ready stance, jump by
bending the back knee and propelling straight upward. Perform a snap kick
with the forward leg. Aim high. The jumping side kick is used for distance.
Shift stance, putting equal weight on both legs, your strong side still
pointed to the opponent, legs a little further out than shoulder, knees
well bent. Step forward with the back leg, push off with the front leg,
then the back to jump forward. Perform a side kick with the front leg while
in the air. Aim for the middle of the target. This should be used to close
distance quickly only. Once again, once a fight is underway, it's useless."
Savren looks to both boys for understanding.

Varcel nods again, trying to keep up and mostly succeeding.

Neelkan sighs a little for a moment before nodding. Again, he can already
picture it perfectly, and has probably done them a few times... Oh he begs
for the day they get to advanced sword and unarmed lessons, or even archery
and staff...

"Knife defense. The idea here is to defend against knife slashes and
thrusts. Stance is very important and must be maintained. First action:
Stand in ready stance, have an attacker make a horizantl slash towards some
target. Block the attack using outside-inside block, wrap the arm around
the wrist. Pivot on the back foot, using an opened-handed strike to the
elbow of the arm. Bring fist up to shoulder and begin repeated strickes to
the head until the attacker falls. Second action: Have attacker use an
over-head downward strike. Block with high-block, wrap hand around the
wrist and spin into and under the attacking arm, pulling the knife down and
towards the side of the attacker. Bring free fist up to shoulder, and begin
repeated blows to the head. Third action: Have an attacker attempt an
underhanded attack. Shape the hand, tightly, into a sharp-knife like look,
the thumb tucked in, the rest of the fingers straight. Bring it down onto
the wrist after steping to the side of the attack. Wrap the hand around the
arm and begin to attack with the free hand." Savren looks to both boys for
understanding.

Varcel nods once more, sternly telling himself to plan time to practice.

Neelkan sighs again, then nods somemore. He's Eharon. Knife defense is a
must...

"Advanced use of Inside-Outside and Outside-Inside Blocks.The
Inside-Outside and Outside-Inside blocks and also be used as strikes. When
blocking, bring the fist more forward, further into the face of the
attacker. This blocks their vision, and a good use could even bring the
knuckles accross the bridge of the nose. This can also be used as a full
strike, against the bridge of the nose." Savren looks to both boys for
understanding.

Hmm? This causes Neelkan's eyebrows to raise a little and his eyes start to
shine some. Obviously this is one style he hasn't used before, though may
have seen. He ponders for a moment, getting the description in his mind,
then nods in understanding. He could do that.

Varcel takes a moment to picture what he could do to someone's nose. Hmm.

"Now...the last part of this lesson has to do with combinations, which is
simply two or more of the techniques I've taught you here, put
together...I'm sure you got it, right?" Savren looks to both boys for
understanding.

Neelkan nods lightly in understand, pondering for a moment the different
combinations he already knows of those things.