Self-Defense (2/2)

Writers: Estelle, Devin
Date Posted: 15th April 2025
Series: Guarding Gil

Characters: Gilbek, Tr'vel, R'lor, R'ayl
Description: Tr'vel and Gilbek give a demonstration of unarmed combat for R'ayl and R'lor
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 4, day 3 of Turn 12

Tr'vel

R'lor

"Well, you did want something more interesting than drudge work,"
Tr'vel said. "If the Weyrleader and Weyrlingmaster are okay with it,
seems like a good use of your skills. What do you think, sir?"

R'lor was hesitant to trust R'ayl's safety to Gil. "As long as they'll
be supervised . . ."

Tr'vel nodded. "I'll be there."

"If it's acceptable then I'd be happy to help," Gil said easily. "We can
learn some other moves, too." He remembered that R'ayl had been sitting
down when he was attacked. He'd have to think how to best respond to that.

"Thank you. It's very kind of both of you," R'ayl said shyly, including
Tr'vel.

"You deserve to feel safe," Tr'vel said.

"I do feel...safer." He was still fearful of freezing, as he had before,
but he trusted Gil when he said that he'd improve with practice.

"You did well today," Gil said. "Keep it up and you'll be able to take
on even someone as strong as Tr'vel."

"Could _you_?" R'ayl asked, without thinking. He blushed in
embarrassment, but Gil just smiled innocently.

"You wanna try me?" Tr'vel said with amusement.

"Might be educational for the young lad." Gil tilted his head towards
R'ayl, but he didn't hide his own interest in matching his skill against
Tr'vel's.

Tr'vel smiled, anticipation coiling inside him. "No weapons, just
hand-to-hand."

"That's the way I like it." Gil rolled his shoulders, shaking the
lingering stiffness from his back. He glanced at the others. "If you
don't object, Weyrlingmaster?"

R'lor certainly wasn't opposed to watching Tr'vel grapple with
someone. "Not at all."

"Are you coming at me, or am I coming at you?" Tr'vel asked.

Gil thought for a moment. "Come at me first. Let's see if you do any
better without a weapon."

Tr'vel tensed, waited a moment as he calculated the best move, then
ducked low to come at Gil's middle.

The former holder turned with a backwards step, moving by instinct to
deflect the force of the attack. He knew he wasn't going to win a
contest of strength alone; if the dragonrider got a good grip on him
with that solid muscle in the arms and shoulders, he'd be finished. He'd
have to rely on deftness and agility, to find a position where his
opponent was off balance. Easier said than done, with his back still
less than supple and Tr'vel's surprising speed, but he didn't let that
concern show in his easy smile.

"See, if you watch him closely, where he looks and the way he shifts his
weight, you can anticipate what he's going to do..." The words were
outwardly for R'ayl's benefit, but calculated to tease as well.

Tr'vel's gaze swept over Gil, assessing him with just a hint of
appreciation. "Hmm, you _are_ good." Then he rushed the man, aiming to
grab his arms.

Gil ducked and pivoted again, just barely avoiding the bluerider's
grasp, though he managed to hook out a leg in an attempt to trip him.
"And you're fast." He grinned. "But not quite fast enough."

Tr'vel went down, his arms coming up just in time to catch himself.
Then he quickly rolled and got to his feet with a laugh. "A few more
like that and I might have to admit you're better than me."

"Sure you don't want to admit it now and save yourself the
embarrassment?" He balanced lightly on his feet, readying himself for
the next round.

"Maybe I like seeing you use your skills." Tr'vel was aware he was
definitely flirting now and tried not to think too hard about that. He
ducked low again, looking like he was going for a tackle, but just
before reaching Gil he straightened and went for the man's arms.

Gil had begun to sidestep the low attack and had to hastily twist away
to avoid being grabbed, feeling Tr'vel's fingers brush his upper arm as
he slipped free. "Not bad. Nearly got me there. I might have to start
taking you seriously." He circled back to face the watching riders. "You
have to be on the lookout for feints like that," he explained, hoping
the commentary would distract his opponent. "There's usually something
that gives them away - a glance, a look in the eyes..."

R'ayl watched them both with round eyes. "It's like watching a dance,"
he whispered to R'lor. "Or a blue chasing a green."

The Weyrlingmaster started to laugh and turned it into a cough. If
even _R'ayl_ had noticed it . . .

Tr'vel narrowed his eyes. The taunts were working to heat his blood,
but he couldn't allow himself to get sloppy. After a few breaths, he
rushed at Gil. This time, he sidestepped at the last moment and spun
to come at Gil from behind.

This time, Gil only had a moment to plant his feet and brace himself for
the strength of Tr'vel's grasp. He tried to shake himself free, but the
dragonrider had his arms firmly pinned. The other man's chest was solid
heat, pressed close against his back, and he felt the warmth of his
breath on the back of his neck.

"Sometimes you can be caught by surprise..." He looked up, across at the
watching pair, his breath labored as he resisted being borne down to the
ground, but there was a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Even then, there
are ways." Without warning, he dropped to one knee and lowered his
shoulder to try to overbalance and throw Tr'vel.

The bluerider grunted in surprise and went over, landing on his back.
He found himself staring up at the sky.

Gil's face appeared above his as he straddled Tr'vel's chest to keep him
from rising. His eyes met the bluerider's, though he spoke to R'ayl.
"See that? That trick can floor even a more powerful opponent." For a
moment he remained still, catching his breath, then he pushed back and
rose to his feet, offering a hand. "Good demonstration."

Tr'vel was breathing hard from more than physical exertion. He gripped
Gil's hand and got to his feet. "All right, you're better than me."

"An excellent demonstration." R'lor put a hand on R'ayl's shoulder.
"We should get back to our duties."

"Yes, Weyrlingmaster." R'ayl's eyes were still wide with surprise. This
time, it seemed the green had caught the blue. "Thank you, sir...Gilbek.
And Tr'vel."

"Happy to help. Especially if it means getting my revenge on this man
for beating me in a race the other day." Gil looked up slyly at Tr'vel.
"Until next time?"

"I look forward to it."

Last updated on the May 26th 2025

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