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Post by The Sovereign on Oct 24, 2006 8:48:14 GMT
Matthew your post has been accepted. It was a good first post, and you have done well to start with the basics. You may post for the next level after 3 days.
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Post by Matthew Sparkle on Nov 4, 2006 21:19:17 GMT
Post for Page in the Swordsman division with The Sovereign
Matthew had rode Rocky to the Training Grounds that day. He tied him up on a fence and walked out to the middle of the field. There was a dummy in the middle, just as Valros had said. Matthew walked up to it and remembered the exercises that the Sovereign had shown him. He practiced for a while, then remembered his arm from last lesson. Why don’t I switch arms just until the Sovereign gets here. And that’s what he decided to do.
Matt switched to his left arm and took a swing at the dummy. It felt strange to him, but the more he practiced, the more he got used to it. He was just getting his left arm with the exercises, when he heard a voice behind him. “Starting without me, Matthew?” Matt turned around quick to see the Sovereign in from of him. “I’m sorry sir,” He said bowing. Valros smiled and explained, happily, “Don’t be sorry lad. Practice makes perfect,”
Then he saw Matt holding his sword in his left arm. “I thought you were right handed?” Valros inquired. Matt quickly switched arms and boasted, “It was just for a bit of practise.” The Sovereign nodded his head and said, “Lets get started!”
Then he pointed out the obstacle course and Matt nodded, dropped his sword and ran to it. Amazingly he found it much easier, but got a scratch on his arm from the barbed wire fence. After, he was covered in mud again and there was a huge smile on his face for finishing the course properly. “Good!” The Sovereign encouraged.
Valros’ sword was not the same as the one he had before. It was smaller and not quite as magnificent. Matt bent over to pick up his sword and saw the Sovereign begin to lunge. He quickly grabbed his sword and dodged it as the Sovereign lunged again. Matt quickly blocked it and took his own swing a the Sovereign, who dodged it easily. “Good lad,” He commented, smiling. “Where did you learn this from?” He implied. “My father,” came Matt’s reply. “He showed me this same as her showed my sister Archery,” Then the memory of Liz made his smile fade, but only for a second.
Then the Sovereign nodded and quickly lunged again, harder than the first time. Matt’s reflexes saved him as he dodged and lunged back again. For what seemed like hours Matt blocked each blow after blow. Finally, The Sovereign stood back and commanded, “Stop!” Matt stood back, his sword at his side.
“You, Matt,” The Sovereign lectured. “You have the great potential to be a good…no, a great swordsman. You must promise to take what I teach you and use it to develop you talents.” He paused for a moment, than went on, pacing in front of Matt. “You must always be diligent, prepared, agile, swift, hardworking, and most of all, chivalrous.” Then he turned to face Matt. “Can you be all those things Lad?” Matt knew this was a difficult promise, but he nodded his head and said, “I can try my hardest sir,” He said looking into the Sovereign’s eyes with confidence. “Good answer Matthew, now let me show you a few new ways to block. They may be easier than the way you’re doing it,”
The Sovereign swiftly put his right sword up and showed matt how to hold it, he was very big on explaining the details. He even went up to Matt and moved his arm to show him how to do it. His encouragement filled Matt’s head and gave him the confidence to move forwards.
“Great job Lad,” The Sovereign said, after completing the lesson. Matt dropped his sword in anguish and put his hands on his knees huffing and puffing. “Excuse….Me…Sir,” Matt asked between breaths. Valros turned around to face Matt. “Yes Matthew? Let it out!” Matt stood up strait and confident. “I was wondering if any archery is done in this-“ Then the Sovereign interrupted him. “Of course, but only a small amount. You only need the basics.
“Have you ever held a bow?” The Sovereign asked a little while later. Him and Matt were on a different part of the training field and both Matt and the Sovereign had a bow in their hands. “Yes, but I’ve never really used it,” Valros nodded his head and said nothing. Then he raised his bow and grabbed an arrow. He let the string go, after readying the arrow, and the arrow hit a target that was not far from where him and Matt were standing. Matt stood there, shocked because it went strait through the center. “I don’t expect you to get it at first, but by the end of our next session you should be able to at least hit a target.” Matt nodded and held up his bow, making an attempt
The Sovereign’s laugh filled Matt’s head. “I meant that we would work on it later, because you do need plenty of work,” He noted. “Now off you go,” Valros said as Matt waved and left the field, leading Rocky back to the stables.
~856 words
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Nouhime Saito
Peasant
It's pointless to fight a worthless battle.
Posts: 19
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Post by Nouhime Saito on Nov 5, 2006 4:40:47 GMT
Post for Page in the Archer Division; training with Earl Christoph:
It was a quiet, peaceful day. Nouhime was laying out in the grass awaiting her teacher, when the worst thing happened to her. Her arms were spread out as were her legs, when she felt something crawling on her hand. She didn’t move, but shifted her head to look at her hand, nothing. She shrugged it off and continued to lay there. She felt it again, this time she didn’t bother with looking until it felt like it was crawling up her arm. Her head jerked to side, and her eyes widen at the sight. She bit down on her lip to help surpass a squeal, but it came to no avail. She jumped up shaking her arm vigorously and let out a scream that seemed to have scared the birds from the trees. Her eyes scoured the floor for the tiny bastard when she came across red on green. Her foot immediately came up and crashed down on the tiny bug with full brutal force, squashing the bug. She gave it a few extra stomps when she heard the sound of someone clearing their voice,
“Is there a problem, Nouhime?”
Nouhime froze and began to chew on her bottom lip nervously. She turned around with a nervous grin followed by a nervous laugh, “Bugs,” she chuckled nervously and brought her hand up to rub the back of her neck.
“Or so I see. Do they usually all scare you like that, or is it just a particular one?” he gave her a questioning look.
“Ladybugs.”
“Ah,” he looked over her shoulder to the bugs’ grave and shook his head, “So you join an army, yet your frightened by a bug?”
She nodded nervously and her eyes averted to the floor, poking her two index fingers together, “ . . . so . . . uh, what am I doing for training today?” was her attempted at changing the subject, a horrible attempt.
Earl just gave out a cheerful chuckle and pointed across the field and to a tree, “That,” he tossed her a bow, “Today, you are learning to shoot multiple arrows with just one shot and with perfect aim.”
She nodded, “And my targets?”
“Those,” he pointed with his chin to the tree once more that had four targets nailed to it, one underneath the other, “You get one shot to shoot them all. Make sure they hit in the center.”
It took Nouhime several tries until she finally hit the desired targets, though not in the center. Arrows were piled up before her, most of them far off to the sides, “I did it!” she shouted, showing clearly how proud she was of herself.
“Well, it sure did take you long enough, Nouhime.” Earl joked, “But you still have not completed your training. You’ve only succeeded in half of the work, you need to hit all the targets in the middle.”
Nouhime said nothing in return, she knew what she had to do, she was glad that she finally was able to get the arrows to hit the target instead of the floor. Her smile vanished as she turned around to face Earl, “I’ll complete this training with three more shots,” she said, her voice full of determination and pride.
Earl only nodded, “Then show me.” He handed her three more arrows, “you got two more tries after this one.”
Nouhime took the arrows from him and turned her attention back to the targets, ‘I can do this . . . I hope.’ She placed the arrows firmly on the bow string in-between the tips of her index, middle and ring finger, pushing them closer to each other as she pulled the bowstring back. She shifted her fingers closer together and gripped the wooden part of the bow tightly, holding it firmly within her hands. She stretched out her arm and pulled back the bowstring even further until she finally let go and arrows propelled off the strings at full speed. It wasn’t long until the three arrows caused three solid thuds from the targets as the arrows hitting them perfectly in the center. She smirked, ‘It didn’t even take all three tries.’ she mused as she turned to face Earl.
Earl shared the same smirk as she did, “very well, Nouhime,” he spoke in a supporting tone, “Though, you told me three tries, you’ve only used one. Let’s see you do the same with two more tries.” He handed three more arrows.
Nouhime slumped over and gave a protesting groan, ‘I thought hitting the targets faster would end the training faster,’ she lazily took the arrows form his hand and placed them in their proper spots on the bow string. Repeating the same process as she did before, but took a little extra time on the whole situating the arrows correctly before she finally released them, all three creating the same sound, hitting in the same place right next to the previous arrows.
“Your last try,” he spoke, tapping her shoulder with three more arrows.
“Right, then this training is over.”
“Until next time, yes.”
Nouhime nodded, as she once repeated the same process, this time she was faster than last two tries, hitting the targets just short moments after he had given her the arrows. The last arrows landed in the center, right beneath and in the middle of her two previously arrows, creating a small triangle. She turned around on her heels as she faced Earl with a forced smile, “Done.”
“Right you are.”
[920 words.]
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Post by Earl Christoph von Trapp on Nov 5, 2006 11:35:58 GMT
Good post Nohime, you have made page in the archers. But before you go changing your signature too quickly however; seeing as your first two posts have been of an excellent standard(and I have sent word to the Sovereign of this) I daresay if you returned to the recruitment office and applied for one of the higher divisions, you would be happily accepted
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Post by Elizabeth Sparkle on Nov 14, 2006 6:26:05 GMT
Post for Trainee in the Archery Division with Earl Christoph
Elizabeth walked onto the training field. She saw the Earl standing at the other end, his handsome face in the sun. She walked slowly towards him, and took out her bow. “Hello Earl Christoph.” She said, bowing. “I’m Elizabeth Sparkle.” The Earl smiled and said. “Well nice to meet you Elizabeth. You can stop bowing now, if you’d like,” She stood up quickly, rather embarrassed. He laughed a little. “Now.” He said more excitedly. “Lets get started!”
The Earl walked to a line near the center of the field. Liz saw that there were targets on the other side. There were also a few posts sticking out of the ground with apples on top of them. “Your first challenge will be hitting a target.” The Earl said, looking at her. “Have you ever held a bow before?” Liz nodded shyly and the Earl gave her a nice big smile. “Good,” Liz held up her bow and the Earl nodded. She then took an arrow from her quiver and fired it at the first target.
The arrow just hit the side of the target. The Earl nodded again and repeated himself, “Good,” Then he walked closer to Liz and told her to hold her bow up again. “Here,” He said placing his hand on hers. “You need to bend this elbow a little more.” Then he took an arrow and placed in her bow. Liz put her finger on it and the Earl adjusted. “If you put your finger a little farther up, you can aim easier.” Then he let go and said, “Fire,” as Liz let the arrow fly.
The arrow hit one of the apples and sent it flying off its post. The Earl clapped and said, “Good Job!” Liz smiled and looked at the Earl. He looked at her weirdly and said, “What are you waiting for? Amaze me again!” Liz giggled and turned around, firing off another arrow.
This arrow made it near the middle of one of the targets. It hit just off center and Liz jumped in the air, “Yes!” she said happily,. The Earl was smiled but said no further encouragement. Feeling quite confident Liz grabbed another arrow and aimed for another apple.
Sadly, this arrow completely missed the target. Liz looked at the ground, wondering what she did wrong. The Earl came up to her, a serious look on his face. “I knew you would miss,” He said. “You were overconfident so you weren’t focusing on what I told you,” Liz nodded feeling pretty stupid. Then the Earl put his hand on her arm and said, “Don’t worry Elizabeth. It is only your first practice and nobody’s perfect,” Then his smiled returned and he stood back taking his own bow and arrow. “Would you like a demonstration?” Liz nodded and the Earl took and arrow and fired it for the target that already had Liz’s arrow in it. His arrow split Liz’s strait through the middle and She stood there open mouthed. “How did you do that?” The earl turned to her smiling, “Years of Practice,” [/color]
~513
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Post by The Sovereign on Nov 14, 2006 11:02:54 GMT
Congratulations Matt, you have made Page in the Swordsmen Division. Because your training posts have been of a high standard, and I know that you are a dedicated member- I would like to offer you application for the higher divisions. If you come and apply in the recruitment office I will happily accept you. Of course, if you wish to continue training in this division that's also fine.
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Post by Matthew Sparkle on Nov 25, 2006 18:34:50 GMT
Post for Trainee in the Dragon riders division with Lady Alianna
Matt walked into the familiar Training Field. Steel sat on his shoulder watching and waiting eyes examining everything. Matt heard something from Steel’s mind. There, it said. Matt looked the way his dragon was indicating and stood with his mouth open. In the center of the field there was a huge red dragon, whose scales shimmered in the sunlight. Beside it was a woman with long red hair and attentive eyes. Matt walked towards them, a feeling of awe coming from Steel.
“Welcome,” Said the woman in a strong voice. “I am Lady Alianna. Head of the Dragon Riders division in the Erivalian army.” Lady Alianna then put her hand on the large red dragon that stood next to her. “And this is Garnet,” The dragon nodded and Matt heard her voice in his head like he did with Steel. A pleasure to make your acquaintance. What did you say your name was? Matt was speechless but somehow seemed to blurt out his own name. “I’m Matt,” He began. “Matthew Sparkle” Then he remembered the silver dragon on his shoulder. “And this is Steel.” Steel himself flew down and seemed to be talking to Garnet.
You have a very courteous dragon, Mr. Sparkle, Garnet said and began to walk away with Steel following. “Garnet is going to teach Steel a few flying maneuvers and how to speak our language. To help him practice I want you to read to him and share everything you know with him.” Matt nodded and waited for further instruction. “Now lets begin,” Lady Alianna said smiling.
Matt soon found himself on top of a fake wooden dragon, holding a bow and being laughed at by Lady Alianna. “I guess you’ve never held a bow before,” Matt nodded as the Lady told him to get down from the dragons back. Then she came up to him and showed him how. Matt nodded at her every word, trying not to miss anything else, but he couldn’t help to find himself side tracked from hear Garnet’s voice in his head. Then once you’ve flown through and up the wind drafts like this, you can use that to plunge down at your enemies while still keeping the rider on your back, if he’s strapped in tight enough.
“Matt are you paying attention?” Lady Alianna said, hoping her student was listening. “What?” Matt said, snapping back to reality. “Sorry, I was just hearing Garnets voice in my head instead of yours,” The Lady gave Matt a strange look and then replied. “Yes, Garnet says that Steel was hearing me too. Well that can be a good thing, but I’ll explain later. Now hold up your bow and if you don’t know what you’re doing, ask Steel for help.”
Steel, Matt thought. What do I do? Then he heard the little dragon’s cheery voice in his head. She said that you need to make sure both arms are bent and that you keep both eyes open to help with your aim… Matt listened intently as Steel told him of Lady Alianna’s words then he quickly took aim and fired his first arrow.
“Nice shot!” Lady Alianna said. The arrow had hit just of the edge of the target, closer to the middle. “Now I’d like to see you fire from that dragon’s back,” Matt nodded, but the Lady held him back. “Maybe next time.” Then Matt heard Garnet’s huge footsteps and Steel flew into his arms. What did Garnet say about flying maneuvers? He asked and Matt chuckled. I’ll tell you later. “Great job today,” Lady Alianna said. And Matt bowed and left the field.
~604 words
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Post by Lady Alianna on Dec 11, 2006 20:34:32 GMT
Ok Matt, i will accept this post on the grounds that it was well written, however, it seems to me, that whether knowingly or otherwise- your post isn't very original in content.
I know its hard to think of something new to write (especially as you've had another character who had a dragon) but you're obviously creative, so next time try to think of something a bit more original. Apart from that, a good post. you can change you signature and post again as soon as you like.
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