Training Ground (Present Day Mittelmarch)

[Suihaden]

Remembering the second rule of defense Suihaden simply removed himself from the field of attack, and aimed a blow at Kotaro's back.

[Kotaro]

Kotaro quickly reached over his shoulder and blocked Suihaden's attack and launching a counter attack at his sword arm.

[Sir Nichtmar]

Nichtmar watches the two spar, without turning his head to Rune."

"The Jovians could very well destroy us. There are more of them. I believe they are testing our defenses."

He turns to Rune, "We must speak to Isen, to decide our next move."

Nichtmar gives Masamune a nod as he approaches.

[Suihaden]

Kotaro's sword slammed down on Suihaden's arm. Being made of wood, it numbed it from the shoulder to the fingers. With a yell of rage and pain Suihaden brought his shield down on Kotaro's head with all his force knocking him flat. His head swimming with spasms of pain from his arm, Suihaden sank to the ground. After a few moments his head cleared and he asked Kotaro, "Are you alright?"

[Kotaro]

Springing up from the ground in a heartbeat, Kotaro took his stance once again. "Worry not about me. Are you prepared to go again, Suihaden?"

[Suihaden]

Shaking his head in disbelief Suihaden grabbed his sword and faced off again. "You ninjas are unbelievable, I need to train more. On Guard!" This time Suihaden stayed on the defensive, blocking the showered blows and dodging Kotaro's quick and speedy moves by using his agility as well.

[Kotaro]

Hmm. This one has high potential, Kotaro thought as each of his attacks was dodged or parried and countered. A good addition to Mittelmarch, no doubt.

[Suihaden]

This time the fight lasted much longer, and finally terminated with Kotaro the victor. Taking a rest from training, Suihaden asked "Who are the Jovians? And why are they attacking us?"

[Rihod O'Dubghail]

A small ramshackled caravan slowly approaches the group from the west, as it draws closer those looking at it see a decent sized stout man driving it as it is be pulled by two mules. The caravan then draws close enough to the group that the man is now walking distance. He hops down from his seat, a with toothy grin on his face. The caravan has a crude painting on the side of a black shamrock with gold trim and a sword stabed through it.
The man looks curiously at the men fighting and nods, "looks tobe ya havin a we bit ov a dance now, Name's Rihod, Rihod O'Dubghail. Hawre ya foks doin taday?"

[Baethor]

Baethor raised himself from his seat, straightening his belt, leaning his rune-blade against a nearby post.

"The Jovians...are a group of humans, who sae fit to impose there ways on all other races. They believe non-humans, Such as meself, Nichtmar and our king, Isen, Are nothing more but monsters. They wish to cleanse mittelmarch of us non-humans, who they think 'ave corrupted the minds o' ye humans."

Baethor gave a chuckle and stepped slowly in between the young men in the circle, and imposed his short, yet broad frame between the newcomer and the two sparring, though not yet facing the man with the wagon.

"Tha' was good, a bit fancier then i like te' see. Kotaro, your defence needs works, ye've got holes a giant could hurl a boulder through. Yer offensive strikes are good, fast and strong. Bu ye' need to attack with more then the basic movements. Use the unconventional, if you choose to shirk a shield.

Suihaden, good footwork, but against a faster opponent, ye should always remember yer balance and center line, keep yerself focused, on yer shieldwork and do not focus on any one point o yer attacker.

Now both o' ye take a break, ge' some water."

Baethor turning now to the man who has just arrived, looking his caravan up and down, with a bit of suspicion.

"Greetin's I am Baethor Thunderblood. Ai, the young ones are having a hard time fighting like warriors, bu' i'm sure i can break them o there ways."

Baethor chuckles, stepping closer to the stranger.

"We don' see many travelers through these lands, most come through the waterways if from eryndor, or through the black gate to the east. Are ye from aroun' here friend?

[Herz'ag Malurg]

A strange thought shot to Herzag's mind.

Had they forgotten him? Among all the growth and the hullabaloo they couldn't even recognize the troll or his voice. He saunters right up to Baethor and the growing crowd. He listens in on what the newcomer and Baethor would say. Hopefully now they would include the possibly ostricised troll.

[Rihod O'Dubghail]

Rihod smirked as the troll aproached, he jerked back as if suprised,though a bit staged, in a pugilist's stance "Whoa now, yer a right big ugly one are yeh, shoul't be sneek'n up on foks all stealthy like." A few chuckles rose at the thought of a stealthy troll. He looked down at the seasoned dwarf in front of him, "Nah, nowheres from anywere neer hair, I crossed thru gatereach in doonlend, I likes ta travel so dat what brought me hair. So, where da hell am I anyways?"

*physical description- 6ft dark complected, dark hair and eyes. short cropped hair and mustache. His demeanor seems very irish but he is wearing a gray viking tunic with red accents with what looks like two goat looking things facing each other on the chest.*

[Kotaro]

Kotaro quickly sheathed his swords on his back and helped Suihaden to his feet.
"You make a good sparring partner. Most of the denizens of Mittelmarch, as well as the rest of the Land Between the Lands, use a sword and shield."

[Suihaden]

"Thanks Kotaro, Maybe I'll try some spear training later." Suihaden replied as he and Kotaro took a swig of water from their respective containers. "Thanks Baethor, I'll keep those tips in mind."

[Sir Nichtmar]

Map of Mittelmarch
ooc: you couldn't really ride your caravan where we are, you'd have to get through the main gate first, but no big deal, we'll play it out. We are in that North-West open area by the arena

IC:

The winter months are upon us. Nichtmar watches the breath of the fighters linger as they practice. His thoughts dwell on who he is. His eyes fall on the hilt of his gladius, the one he found in his grandfathers trunk. "Marius" is etched into the guard. His thumb traces the letters. The Jovians remind him of his time Rome, well in his dream of Rome. The thoughts of how evil his grandfather once was and how gentle he had become. The curse turned them in to ogres and greatly lengthened their lives. Why, he thought to himself? Why did the Land do this to them? To learn from their mistakes?
The voice of Baethor awoke him from his thoughts.

"There has only been a few small exchanges, perhaps we can still talk to them about peace. They must understand we can co-exist. We should arrange a meeting."

[Kotaro]

Kotaro nodded to Nichtmar. "I agree, sir."

He turned to Suihaden. "Shall we continue?"

[Suihaden]

After a long pause Suihaden bowed and said "Certainly"

[Kotaro]

Kotaro took a defensive stance, remembering Baethor's advice.

[Suihaden]

Seeing Kotaro would be cautious, Suihaden attacked carefully returning quickly to guard position after each blow. The fight would go to the one who made the least mistakes.

[Kotaro]

This could take a while, Kotaro thought. He launched a new attack, striking at Suihaden's weapon and spinning with the momentum to strike again at his shoulder.

[Gravein Narmolanya]

walking into the training ground gravein walks over the baethor "how are you doing breother? it's been a while you haven't missed me have ya?"