Tabién de Valclesa(I)
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Viscomte de Valclesa; House Valclesa
Clarity of mind and soul brings clarity of passion
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Post by Tabién de Valclesa(I) on Aug 22, 2007 19:03:57 GMT -5
Having risen early as had become second nature to me, I found most of the city still slumbering. Strange to be in a populated area, I headed out looking for a quiet place, that I might keep up my skills. Having spent a good hard five years earning them, I didn't want to lose them.
In a secluded park near the city, the dew was on the grass, and a chill wind swept through the trees. Having been accustomed to training in light winter snow, I bore any cold well. I removed my shirt, and boots, and rolled up breeches a bit to give me the most flexibility. Starting off with a few quick stretches, I drew my blade in a fluid stroke, and practices my forms.
The Ch'n sword art used a Cat'yana, a long blade, usually wielded in two hands. slightly curved, and with a cutting edge on one side, they were master crafted, designed to sharpen with every cut. In some ways, the art form was similar to the Cassilline discipline, however, it was not honed for protections.
Translated, the moves followed the path of the moon: cresent slash, full moon, ebb strike and so forth. At typical practice was a year in formation cuts, 12 cycles, and over 20 seperate cuts per cycle. While better when paired off, solitary forms helped steady the mind, and hone the fluid and deadly attacks, meant to waist little energy and deliver deadly blows, and avoid attacks. The Ch'n did not wear armor, and so one must be agile and quick to survive. I bore the scars of my training with pride.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Aug 22, 2007 19:17:26 GMT -5
After more or less getting things in order with Julie and her brother but before the wedding preparations began in earnest I still had to pay the bills. Thus I was off early in my uniform for morning duty at the Palace. As ever I had my well worn sword at my hip and the one obvious dagger was in sight. Of course I kept the other two concealed in my boot tops as was my want. Aside from my uniform the scars and the blades usually earned me a wide berth aside from my clear heritage. The scar on my cheek as always a mark of some distinction as it was a clear blade scar.
As I made my way along I saw a man in the park practicing much like I did each day in my own garden. I paused to study his style as was oft my habit. As I have told many in the past I have trained from nearly birth with a blade and fancy no one style instead preferring to work with what it seems would frustrate my opponent most. This I watched the fellow a while as he displayed some very clear eastern influences in his moves. That particular angle was oft based on sweeping cuts as the swords like the one in his hand are not necessarily designed for thrusting.
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Tabién de Valclesa(I)
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Viscomte de Valclesa; House Valclesa
Clarity of mind and soul brings clarity of passion
Posts: 1,685
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Post by Tabién de Valclesa(I) on Aug 22, 2007 19:28:47 GMT -5
Finally, Full Moon Harvest. I completed the final stroke of an up swept retreat, indended to parry, that flowed into a diagonal down stroke, aimed at my imaginary opponents neck. With a quick flourish, I sheathed my blade, and bowed to my imaginary opponent, if for nothing else, out of habit. I had managed to work up a sweat as the sun rose to clear the city walls.
I turned to find myself watched. I first noted the city uniform. He must be a guard, I thought, I hope I haven't violated any rules. I called out to him as best as I could, "Forgive me, have I trespassed here?"
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Aug 22, 2007 19:38:43 GMT -5
I shook my head no and responded in my normal sedate tones "No, and even if you were I do not care. I am with the Palace and not the City." I offered the man a small grin. "I was just watching a bit as it pays to keep up the studies."
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Tabién de Valclesa(I)
Inactive
Viscomte de Valclesa; House Valclesa
Clarity of mind and soul brings clarity of passion
Posts: 1,685
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Post by Tabién de Valclesa(I) on Aug 22, 2007 19:43:54 GMT -5
I breathed a sigh of relief, the last thing I needed was to find myself in jail. I approached him calmly but swiftly. As I closed the distance, I noted it immediatly. Shahrazai. Just my luck. I repressed a sigh with a slight twitch of my eye, and asked plainly, "I'm usually accustomed to train with a partner. If you have some free time, perhaps you'd like to spar, it would be most beneficial."
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Aug 22, 2007 19:53:40 GMT -5
I noticed his twitch but when one grows up a Serpent as my lady calls me one gets used to it thus I gave no indication I even saw or cared. "Well, for now I am on my way to work and am not able to but I would be interested in doing so at a later date. I like to test against differing styles." I studied him a bit more he had a hint of my home area in him but much more I could not place and I was sure the way he came to eastern styles might make an interesting tale.
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Tabién de Valclesa(I)
Inactive
Viscomte de Valclesa; House Valclesa
Clarity of mind and soul brings clarity of passion
Posts: 1,685
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Post by Tabién de Valclesa(I) on Aug 22, 2007 19:58:37 GMT -5
"Hmmm." I suppose I'd still have a few days in the city. "If I were to take you up on that offer, how might I go about it."
For some reason, I got a gleeful thought besting kin in a duel of blades. At the very least, I could put up a good fight, and keep my skills sharp, for he seemed to be well practiced.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Aug 22, 2007 20:09:58 GMT -5
"Look me up at the Palace or just ask around. My name is Gadleaon." I did not bother with the last as well I seldom needed to I was clearly of pure family blood. I then lazily leaned against a tree with that same predatory grin on my face. I was terribly comfortable in my own skin and with my own skills and I am sure it shows.
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Tabién de Valclesa(I)
Inactive
Viscomte de Valclesa; House Valclesa
Clarity of mind and soul brings clarity of passion
Posts: 1,685
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Post by Tabién de Valclesa(I) on Aug 22, 2007 21:43:07 GMT -5
"The palace? Hmmm." Well, that would be interesting. I held his gaze for a moment, doing my best not to be intimidated, before I turned. As much as I wanted to, I wasn't going to gloat, I wanted to honor my discipline. I donned my shirt having cooled down, and put on my boots. "Well, I will try then. My name is Tabien by the way," I said returning, and offering him a hand.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Aug 22, 2007 22:01:22 GMT -5
I reached out and shook his hand my own callused from long hours with blade in hand. "Nice to meet you. I will be interested to hear of how you picked up the eastern styles it is not a usual one."
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