"A Test of Abilities"

Writers: AL, Heather
Date Posted: 14th July 2014

Characters: Barenziah, Zathris
Description: Zathris tests Barenziah's defensive skills.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 7, day 20 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned; Karhal
Note: Takes place after "The Secret Between Siblings"

Barenziah

Zathris

Barenziah was more than a little nervous as she put on her pants, long
sleeved tunic, and tucked her flaming red hair beneath a practice
helmet. Overall the outfit made her look like a teenage youth, which
was exactly what she was going for. No one could know that a female
was secretly being trained by her guard brother, and secretly sparring
with the Lord Holder. She was still surprised that Zathris had not
been mad by the discovery. Sparring with her brother was one thing,
but the handsome, very manly Zathris? That was an entirely different
matter.

When she arrived at the training grounds it was empty except for the
familiar figure of the Lord Holder.

Zathris did not flaunt his skills. Granted, Karhal would most likely
be able to whip him in a fair fight, but he'd be able to hold his own
for a while at the very least. The sight of the spar earlier had
reminded him that he was out of practise, something he'd have to
remedy. The point in the session with Barenziah, however, was not to
allow him to best a woman, but to see exactly how skilled she was. He
got a sense of it from watching, but he wanted to feel her strikes,
experience her moves from the other side. It would review more than
simply watching.

He'd not used his sword in some time but generally wore for ceremonial
occasions and when he was on the road. He'd brought wooden ones rather
than it, though, along with a staff. Then there was the option of
hand to hand. Zathris planned to try all three with her.

As Barenziah approached, Zathris straightened, then tugged a second
wooden sword out of its sheath to toss at her. "Ready?"

Brief, wild thoughts flitted through her mind... Like what if she hit
the Lord Holder in the face with a wooden sword? What if she did
something to make him mad? She by no means thought she could best
Zathris, but she had learned that men mostly did not like a capable
woman.

"Ready." She confirmed, raising her hand up and catching the tossed sword.

**Just pretend he is Rynthian.** She coached herself, after all, she
loved any chance to smack her brother with a wooden sword.

"Good." That was all he warning he gave her. Zathris darted forward,
jabbing the sword toward her middle with hardly a breath between word
and deed.

Barenziah automatically stepped left and brought her own sword up to
perry the blow. Rynthian had taught her that she could make up some of
what she lacked in strength with speed. She was smaller than a man,
but that also made her faster. Still at 5'8" she had her height as an
equalizer as well.

Good. She was able to move out of the way fairly quickly and still
bring up protection in the form of her own sword. While not as fast
as Barenziah, Zathris was by no means slow. His movements were
efficient, for wasted effort would only wear him out quickly. He
twisted around, then arched his sword from across and down.

The redhead whirled and brought her sword up, her muscles tense as she
deflected the blow. Zathris's attacks were more powerful than
Rynthian's but her adrenaline gave her the extra 'oomph' to at least
hold her ground. Whipping her sword down, she stepped forward with an
attack of her own.

With a deft flick, Zathris deflected Barenziah's sword away from his
knees, then circled it around before jabbing forward toward her chest.
He was stronger than she, but the woman seemed to compensate well.

Barenziah could feel sweat trickling down the back of her neck. It was
hot and itchy under the helmet and she wished they were somewhere
private where she could take it off. Zathris's attack jarred her arms
as she blocked his thrust, feinted around him, and then spun to bring
her sword down at his exposed back.

Zathris darted forward, then turned to face her again. "Good. Very
good." He lowered his sword, indicating he had seen enough for the
moment. "How long have you been studying?"

"Couple Turns." She panted. Barenziah had wanted to prove to the Lord
Holder that women were capable, and so she had given her best...and
now her lungs were screaming for air.

With a nod, Zathris' expression turned thoughtful. "I'd like to see
how you do with a staff and then weaponless. Then I'd like to speak
to Karhal about training you and the other ladies in waiting. Perhaps
your brother can assist as well - he's done an admirable job with you
on what I've seen thus far."

Barenziah put away her wooden sword with a smile, "You mean...
Actually train and_not_ look like a teenage boy? My dreams are coming
true!" She teased with a laugh.

Zathris snorted and strode over to the staves. Both were taken, then
one tossed to Barenziah. "Most of the Southern Continent is pretty
backwards, I'll have to admit. I'm hoping to change that - at least
at Amber Hills. I've encouraged female technicians and other
crafters, though few have answered the call. Perhaps this is the next
step. Now, let's see how good you are with one of these."

Barenziah liked sparring with a staff, it was the first thing she and
Rynthian had began working together on back when he first became a
guard. A staff was also much more practical for a woman because people
rarely looked at her sideways if she was carrying one, in
walking-stick fashion, whereas a woman with a blade often received
looks of horror from other residents. Nimble hands were required for a
staff, and not as much depended on brute strength, which Barenziah
liked.

She gave her staff a twirl, "Ready when you are."

"That's what you think." Zathris' eyes glinted mischievously as he
readied his staff.

Last updated on the July 17th 2014

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"A Test of Abilities"