Re: Questing for a Knight « Reply #15 on Nov 5, 2005, 1:05am »
He continued at a slower pace until she began to block his strikes with fairly good accuracy, and did not increase his tempo until she was entirely ready. Three out of five times was nothing to be ashamed about-especially for her first time. The point of the exercise was to make her more aware of her surroundings, and to develop her other senses. At first, he sensed her panic, but was glad to see that she was able to mentally calm herself. Psychological strength was just as important (if not more) important than physical strength, and it took a particularly skilled knight to have both. Jenna demonstrated both qualities, and Benton predicted that she would indeed become a successful knight.
After they had engaged in the practice battle for a lengthy period of time, Benton ceased his attacks. Beads of sweat ran down his forehead, and he used the back of his hand to wipe the moisture from his face.
“You can open your eyes now Jenna,” he said gently, smiling as he spoke. “I’m proud of you. Most young squires wouldn’t be as able to defend as well as you did. With more practice, you’ll be able to predict my movements with perfect accuracy. Just remember not to panic. Even if the situation seems hopeless, there is always a way to win.”
He yawned then, and looked up at the darkening sky. They had been training for quite some time now, and Benton hadn’t realized how late it was.
“It looks like we have been training longer than I though. What do you say we call it a day? We can start again tomorrow, and I swear to you that I won’t forget this time.” He paused for a moment with a thoughtful expression. “You must be starving? As an apology for my forgetfulness, we can visit the local bakery and get a bite to eat if you like. Princess Riannah can come along to if you want. I would ask her, but I am a little afraid of royalty. She seems to like you though, so maybe you should ask her.”
Okay, so he wasn’t really afraid of Riannah, but he was a little nervous when he was around people of authority. He may have been a fearless knight, but even knight’s were a little bashful at times.
Let us run with endurance the race that has been set out before us
Joined: Sept 2005 Posts: 638 Karma: 3
Re: Questing for a Knight « Reply #16 on Nov 5, 2005, 8:18am »
Jenna was breathing heavily, smiling but exhausted as she used her sleeve to wipe her face. "Sounds good...to me," she gasped, using her sword as a sort of walking stick to stay up. She had never had to move so fast for so long in her entire life! He went over to Riannah and plopped down beside her. "We're going to the bakery to get something to eat. I know you're hungry, and so am I, so do you want to come?" she asked, her breathing beginning to return to normal as she got a second to rest.
Re: Questing for a Knight « Reply #17 on Nov 5, 2005, 4:02pm »
Riannah was indeed starving, but she didn’t need to reaffirm that fact to Jenna. The sound of her growling stomach was an obvious indication of that. She did not complain though, and instead met Jenna’s question with a smile.
“I would love to. I have to admit that I am a little famished.”
That said, she rose from her sitting position. She smoothed her hands over her velvet skirts, wiping away the dust she acquired from sitting on the ground. She really didn’t care all that much about being dirty, but it seemed like the proper thing to do. Making sure her appearance clothing was clean was more of a habit, due to the fact that she was a princess and she was trained to do such things.
After hearing Riannah agree to come along, Benton joined the two females. With the wave of his hand, he motioned for them to follow.
“Are you ready to go? I think I see the bakery around the corner.”
Assuming that they were ready, he began to walk toward the bakery, looking over his shoulder to make sure they were following. It was a quaint little shop-small, but there was a wide variety of pastries in which to choose from. Being the gentleman, Benton held the door open for his squire and the princess.
Let us run with endurance the race that has been set out before us
Joined: Sept 2005 Posts: 638 Karma: 3
Re: Questing for a Knight « Reply #18 on Nov 5, 2005, 5:12pm »
Jenna walked inside, sniffing appreciatively as the aroma wafted into her nostrils. She saw pies, fresh-baked loaves of bread, apple and cherry turnovers, and anything else you would hope to find in a bakery. There was an apple turnover calling her name, and she looked inquiringly at Benton. "Can I get that?" she asked eagerly, pointing an index finger at the delicious-looking pastery.
Re: Questing for a Knight « Reply #19 on Nov 5, 2005, 10:25pm »
Benton continued to hold the door open as his companions entered, making sure that they were safely inside before closing it. Riannah was a little annoyed, hoping that the knight wasn’t being a gentleman just because she was a princess. However, she did not show her irritation, keeping in mind that she could be completely wrong (which in fact, she was). Benton was chivalrous in the presense of most people, whether or not they were royalty or a peasant. It was simply the way he was.
“Of course you can have whatever you like Jenna,” he said with a grin. “I think you’ve earned it. Besides, I still need to make up for the fact that I forgot about your training.” Then, turning to Riannah, he presented her with the same question. “What would you like your majesty?”
Riannah managed to smile, but wasn’t really happy about the idea of somebody buying something for her. After all, she had enough money to buy the entire bakery if she wanted to, so why should the knight waste his money on her?
“No thank you. I can pay for it myself if you don’t mind,” she said, making it a point to sound gracious.
Benton shrugged, not questioning her desire to pay for her own pastry. Riannah ordered first, choosing a simple apple tart. After the baker handed her the pastry, Benton ordered for Jenna. For himself, he chose a cherry turnover. He was probably as hungry as both of the girls, considering he hadn’t eaten for at least six hours.
Handing Jenna her apple turnover, motioned both of his companions toward an empty table. The chairs were made of weathered wood, but they were well-carved and comfortable.
“Well then,” he said, hoping to spark casual conversation. “How do you think you did today Jenna? We will have to start training overtime, considering the fact that Bijorne is holding a banquet soon. Security is always a top priority at these royal events, but I think we have the ability to protect the guests, don’t you?”
Let us run with endurance the race that has been set out before us
Joined: Sept 2005 Posts: 638 Karma: 3
Re: Questing for a Knight « Reply #20 on Nov 6, 2005, 7:44am »
Jenna bit into the flaky, luscious pastry the second they sat down, unable to answer Benton's question right away. She was confused at why Riannah had wanted to pay for her own, but put that matter aside for now. When she'd finally swallowed her first gigantic bite, she said, "I like that new way of training. It's fun!" Then she laughed, half-joking and half-sincere, "And yah, I think we can easily hold off any lunatics who try to ransack this feast!"
Re: Questing for a Knight « Reply #21 on Nov 6, 2005, 1:21pm »
Benton let out a hearty chuckle, nodding his head in approval. He was pleased that Jenna felt confident in her abilities; for confidence was a vital aspect of a strong knight. He had been a little worried about her, considering the fact that they had missed out on a lot of training (his fault of course). But her obvious talent and self-assured attitude was beginning to ease his fears. She seemed to be a quick learner, and he believed that they could make up lost time with no trouble whatsoever.
Riannah finished the last bite of her tart, savoring the sweet taste of apples. Whoever owned this quaint little bakery was an excellent cook, almost as skilled as the royal cooks back at the castle. She glanced out the window, taking notice of the darkening sky.
“I should probably return to the castle,” she said, her tone somewhat regretful. She was much rather stay with the knight and his squire, but that would have been quite impossible. “People will begin to worry if I am missing, and I don’t want to cause a fiasco. Jenna and Benton, it has been a pleasure to meet you.” She then turned to Jenna, a friendly smile forming upon her lips. “Jenna, you can visit me anytime that you like. If you are going to be at the banquet, will you take the time to at least say hello? I always find these things to be extremely dull, and it would be nice to have someone to talk to.”
Let us run with endurance the race that has been set out before us
Joined: Sept 2005 Posts: 638 Karma: 3
Re: Questing for a Knight « Reply #22 on Nov 6, 2005, 2:49pm »
Jenna looked at Riannah and replied, "Yah, I'll visit you whenever I can. If I can go to the feast," (here she glanced at Benton pleadingly, putting on a 'puppy-dog' face, before turning back to the princess), "I'll definitely say hi!"
Re: Questing for a Knight « Reply #23 on Nov 6, 2005, 6:53pm »
Benton nodded, not hesitating to agree to his squire’s request. They would probably be attending anyway, considering the fact that Benton would be asked to be a guard. He was a good natured fellow, and he wasn’t going to deny Jenna of enjoyment.
“I don’t see why not. As long as you train especially hard this week, there is no reason I should keep from going. I’m not your father after all,” he said with a chuckle. “If you like you can even help me keep guard.”
Riannah smiled, and her chestnut eyes illuminated with joy. She had been dreading the banquet for weeks now, thinking that she would be forced to associate with the usual assortment of pompous nobles. Now however, her viewpoint was a bit more optimistic. Although Jenna was years younger than the princess, Riannah found that she enjoyed the girl’s company.
“I will look for you there,” she finally said. “Well, I really should be on my way. Farewell to you both, and thank you for letting me watch you train.”
That said, Riannah made her way toward the door. With a final wave, she exited the shop and continued back to the castle. It was only dusk, so there was still an adequate amount of daylight left that she could find her way.
Benton waved, bidding farewell to the princess. After she was no longer visible from the window, he turned his attention back to his young squire.
“She seems like a friendly woman. I’m surprised, considering she is a princess.” He wasn’t meaning to insult royalty or anything, but they tended to be more arrogant than the average person. “Now, back to your studies. What do you think we should focus on tomorrow? What is your biggest weakness? You know better than I do what areas you are lacking in, so I think it is best that you decide what we work on next.”
Let us run with endurance the race that has been set out before us
Joined: Sept 2005 Posts: 638 Karma: 3
Re: Questing for a Knight « Reply #24 on Nov 6, 2005, 8:36pm »
"Sure, I'll train as hard as I can. That is, if you happen to remember," Jenna mutterd, partly bitterly. Then she lightened up and said, "I'll look for you to! Though it probably won't be hard to find you. And I'd love to help keep guard for a bit, once I've outstayed my welcome with Riannah!"
She waved as Riannah left, wishing that she could stay, but knowing that couldn't happen. Then she turned back to Benton and replied to his question, "I think...footwork. I can hear well enough and block and parry and strike, but I'm not very fast on my feet. I can run pretty fast, but what good is that during a duel you can't, or won't, run from?"
Re: Questing for a Knight « Reply #25 on Nov 6, 2005, 10:26pm »
He stroked his chin thoughtfully, contemplating her answer. It sounded like a logical conclusion, and he had to agree that footwork was tricky to master. Even he hadn’t fully perfected his own skills, and he was already a knight. But he was skilled enough to teach Jenna, so there was no need for concern.
“I think that is a reasonable goal. We can start first thing tomorrow morning. Where would you like to meet?” He paused for a brief moment, and a sudden thought entered his mind. “And I promise not to forget this time. Knight’s honor.”
Let us run with endurance the race that has been set out before us
Joined: Sept 2005 Posts: 638 Karma: 3
Re: Questing for a Knight « Reply #26 on Nov 7, 2005, 9:18am »
((mines short too))
"How about Sunshaft Valley? That's a good place to learn. It's nice and flat, and since I'm not all that great at footwork yet, it'd be perfect," she suggested.
Re: Questing for a Knight « Reply #27 on Nov 7, 2005, 6:27pm »
Benton nodded, making a mental note of the location. He was determined not to forget this time-as that would only further entrench his guilt. He would be a reliable tutor if it killed him, but he certainly hoped it would not come to that. If he put in the effort, he was almost positive he could prove to Jenna that he was a trustworthy mentor.
“Alright then. Sunshaft Valley it is. I’ll see you at nine ‘o clock in the morning. Once again, I promise that I’ll be responsible, so you can count on me.”
((I posted at Sunshaft Valley, so I guess you can have Jenna meet him there.))
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