DUEL! (To the DEATH!)

[Tracy]

(No, not really)

Jamie was having a busy day. Well, Jamie was always having busy days now. While being a lieutenant and a trainer had its own laundry list of responsibilities, most of his time consuming tasks were self-inflicted. He'd always been the type of creature that preferred to stay busy, but ever since he'd been back in action, he seemed determined to make up for lost time. The first couple months had been consumed with the need to get back into the shape he was in before he was wounded.

Now, he was close to his old self. Lean, fit and strong, mostly it was just a bit of weight he meant to put on. Since he'd felt in fighting form again, he'd loaded his personal schedule with private training sessions with young recruits. As one of the more patient and friendly officers in the Patrol, Jamie felt a bit of a responsibility to take on the task of teaching some of the newest fighters. And to be honest, he had a true knack for teaching, a propensity he doubtless picked up from his mother.

There was supposed to be one more lesson before the lunch hour, but the lad had rolled his ankle at the group session earlier that morning. The young cadet had been a trooper though, showing up for the lesson anyway. Hobbling and trying to mask heavy winces of pain, Jamie had to convince the youth to skip today's session, and reassure him there would be no negative consequences for missing just the one lesson. Not seeming wholly convinced, but keen on heeding the lieutenant's orders , the youngster limped off to nurse his swollen foot.

So Jamie had some free time before lunch. His first thought was to slip up to the infirmary to visit Roseleaf, but before even walking in the door, he knew that wasn't going to work. Apparently the young lad from earlier hadn't been the only cadet to hurt himself that morning. The sick bay was brimming with the aftermath of morning group lessons: bumps, bruises, split lips, pulled muscles. Jamie had only time enough for hello and a quick kiss before he had to get out of Roseleaf's way.

So instead, Jamie went back downstairs to the training hall. The actual hall was at capacity, with most of the hares opting to train indoors because of the weather. The young officer slipped into a smaller room that was adjacent to the training hall, and was less crowded. The room was devoid of weapons. Instead, it had various lift-bars throughout, and one wall was lined with weights. Not in the mood for weights, Jamie instead just found a fairly empty area in the room to work out on his own. Keeping to himself and his own thoughts, he alternated between reps of push-ups and crunches.

[Kenyon]

Aidan lowered his saber, slipping it easily into the loop at his belt. He didn’t have a sheath for this particular weapon, a heavy one-paw saber, its one keen edge widening as it curved outward and then back inward over the last half of the blade. Metal flared from the meeting of blade and haft, curving to protect the knuckles in a way that would prevent it being used as an ambidextrous weapon. This particular saber was left-handed.

He sketched a bow to his opponent, the sort you never really saw much anymore. He was holding hopes it could be revived. Acting a gentleman should never be out of date.

“Good bout, wot?” He exchanged a few more pleasantries with the other hare as they approached the tank carved from the wall and poured water from the trough over their heads. Aidan gasped at the cold, then bid farewell and headed towards the weight room. Being off patrol had its advantages and disadvantages. He always tried his best to keep in fighting trim when at the mountain. He was so often being sent away.

When he entered the room, it was clear that he wasn’t alone. Another hare had taken refuge against the crowded training room, and was even now running through a set of push-ups. Aidan moved to assess the weights, trying to decide which to use first. “Tighten your stomach, lad. Your waist is starting to sag.” He advised, lifting a weight towards a woven rope, hooking it on the hook and lowering it gently to the ground. No need to strain a muscle. He took the wooden handles that would pull the rope through the pulley attached to the ceiling and pulled down, testing. Perfect.

[Tracy]

Jamie wasn't paying much attention to anyone or anything happening in the room, staying wrapped up in his own thoughts. The young lieutenant didn't spend much time by himself, which was fine by him. He was social, enjoying the company of others far more than his solitude. So when he was alone, his mind was actively churning. It was just lucky he didn't sit there and carry on a vocal conversation with himself like a crazy beast.

When another hare spoke to him, it took him several moments to realize it was even directed at him. His ears flicked a bit, the only visible sign Jamie gave of his chagrin at being found doing an incorrect push-up. Adjusting his shoulders and straightening out his torso, he finished his rep wordlessly. When he was finished, he pushed back, staying seated on the ground. Hunching up a knee as he took a breather, it was only then he glanced around to see who it was that had corrected him.

"Oh, afternoon Captain," he said amiably. Jamie didn't see the other hare around much. But, he supposed, neither did anyone else. Even Roseleaf never really seemed to see him around. He knew the captain was away a lot, and Jamie certainly didn't envy him that. Jamie's various responsibilities as a lieutenant usually allowed him to stay at the mountain most of the time, which suited him just fine. Travelling wasn't a hobby or desire of Jamie's. Of course he'd always do whatever was asked or ordered of him, but he preferred to be near home.

"How is your day going?" His interest was sincere, yet the question was hollow. Jamie already had a habit of keeping a professional distance from his superiors, but he was walking in a strange grey area when it came to Aidan. Given his relationship with Roseleaf, it seemed like he should be on friendlier terms with the captain. But on another level, his being Roseleaf's older brother was also a bit intimidating, naturally, especially given the age difference. With the captain always being away, Jamie hadn't really spent any time with him of late, so was still unsure how the relationship was supposed to work.

Although he was certain he was overthinking everything, Jamie decided to still wait and take a cue from the older hare.

[Kenyon]

“Afternoon.” Aidan saved his breath as he lifted the weight from the sand. It wasn’t an activity his muscles were used to, they were more used to daily practice with his various blades and regular combat than pulling weights around. But it gave him something to do, here in the mountain. Aidan hated remaining idle, but winter had come and the badgerlord had recalled him to Salamandastron. It was easy to fall into the routines of stuffing one’s face and lounging around in the fortress, easy to take what might be a short time off and lose all sense of routine.

And if he lost his routine, it could kill him in the field. He was no longer young.

Finally the captain lowered the weight for the final time, sweat showing on his fur as it hadn’t during his brief duel. He faced the other hare, Jamie. A lieutenant, and sweet on his sister, the last time he had been at the mountain. And apparently they had gotten more serious over the course of the fall. He tipped his ears courteously at the younger hare’s question.

“My day’s going well.” He said in answer, adjusting the saber at his belt. “I see you’ve recovered well.”

[Tracy]

“I see you’ve recovered well.”

"I... yes," Jamie replied slowly. "No thanks to me," he added with a brief laugh. He didn't think he could ever explain how difficult it was to do virtually nothing. That, for months, his biggest task was to lay in a bed in the infirmary and let others take care of him. It sounded so easy, but the young officer had messed up even that small task more than once. Mostly little sli-ups. Near the end though, when he thought he could handle a run down the shore, he'd earned himself a couple more weeks of supervised care. He almost went on to say his recovery was thanks to Roseleaf, but he didn't want to open the door to that conversation so quickly.

"Good t'see you back at the mountain," he said instead, changing the subject. "Can't be easy, takin' care of all the business away from home. Don't know that I'd have the stomach for it." Jamie couldn't imagine being away from his family and friends for so long. Perhaps that was one way his youth was a disadvantage. But his last trip away from Salamandastron had nearly killed him, so that had hardly warmed him up to the idea.

"Say, you have any plans until lunch? I've some free time. My last training session of the morning was cancelled."

[Kenyon]

"Good t'see you back at the mountain," he said instead, changing the subject. "Can't be easy, takin' care of all the business away from home. Don't know that I'd have the stomach for it."

The older hare’s left ear tilted in tacit acknowledgement of Jamie’s statement. The Long Patrol’s duties were to protect the shoreline and the surrounding country, but not all of her hares were suited to life far from Salamandastron’s halls.

“It suits me. The Long Patrol ranges far, and for good reason. It is a dangerous world.” And now perhaps, he would go and get one of his lighter sabers and do some form-work. It couldn’t hurt, and form-work helped speed a body, turning what was merely standard forms into second nature. But as with all good things, practice was necessary to keep up the skill.

"Say, you have any plans until lunch? I've some free time. My last training session of the morning was cancelled."

He eyed the younger hare appraisingly. If he recalled correctly, and Aidan’s memory was not in any danger of failing, Jamie considered himself and was considered quite a swordsbeast. Perhaps instead of forms, he could seek out a more entertaining form of exercise? “Actually, I do have some free time. If you’ll wait here for me…” He was gone and back in a few minutes, carrying a pair of light, one pawed swords in their scabbards. They were slender and perfectly balanced to one another, perfect examples of Sergeant Seasand’s craft. They were among the very few blades he owned that had actually originated at the mountain.

“So, ye’re a swordsbeast, aye lad?” Aidan removed the heavy saber belt, buckling the belt carrying the double swords on in its place. “Fancy a little bit of a workout, wot?”

[Tracy]

Aidan seemed a bit quiet in response, and Jamie was quickly considering dropping the conversation, not wanting to be annoying. The hare didn't consider himself overly chatty or invasive, but he was certainly more social than most of the officers in the Long Patrol. It stemmed partly from his personality – easygoing, friendly, sociable – but also from being one of the younger officers, especially for a lieutenant. Just as he was about to excuse himself from the captain, the other hare spoke.

"It suits me. The Long Patrol ranges far, and for good reason. It is a dangerous world."

Jamie hardly needed to be told that. When he was younger, he didn't much like traveling, but he could appreciate the change of scenery and the new experiences that came from the journeys away from the mountain, as long as they weren't too common. However, after his last little adventure, Jamie was pretty sure he'd be happy enough never leaving Salamandastron again. While being attacked, captured and nearly killed by cannibalistic lizards was bad enough, it was the aftermath that really sealed the deal for him. Anything that caused him to be stuck in the infirmary for months on end was something he could surely do without. He knew it was an irrational thought though, which is why he mostly kept it to himself.

"Actually, I do have some free time. If you’ll wait here for me…"

The fairly prompt response was a bit surprising to Jamie, and it showed clearly on his face. "O' course," he replied to the retreating captain. Getting to his feet, he stretched his arms across his body and bent his knees back, limbering up. Glancing down momentarily, he smoothed out the non-existent wrinkles on his tunic before walking to the wall and taking up the saber he'd set aside. Buckling his belt around a narrow waist, he drummed his fingers on the hilt of his sword as he walked out into the training hall to await Aidan.

While still crowded, the hall had thinned out a bit from earlier. Lunch wasn't far off and many of the hares had filed off to get cleaned up and get to mealtime early for a good seat and the best food. Looking briefly across the hall to the doorway and still not seeing the captain, he allowed himself to be distracted by a pair of dueling youths. They were shy of the age to be cadets, though they may be runners. They were only using practice swords, and Jamie thought it amusing that the youngsters would be in the training hall. He supposed the weather had forced them indoors just like everyone else. The both of them had a lot of basic technique to be learned, but one lad looked promising. The other looked like he needed to strongly consider a different weapon.

"So, ye’re a swordsbeast, aye lad?"

Turning at the sound of Aidan's voice, Jamie only smiled a bit in reply. It didn't really seem like a question. Of course Jamie was a swordsbeast. When he was the age of those youths, he was already wielding a proper blade, and he never looked back.

"Fancy a little bit of a workout, wot?"

"Definitely, sah," Jamie replied, trying not to appear as excited and eager as he felt. The vast majority of his sword practice lately had been with recruits in lessons. He hardly had the time or opportunity to duel an experienced and skilled swordfighter, and even rarer with somebeast he was fairly certain was even better than himself.

When he turned to find a clear area for them to practice, he noticed the two had drawn the attention of one of Jamie's recruits. He was sure his own trainees would be curious to see how the lieutenant faired against a proper swordfighter. Jamie had to be sure not to make a fool of himself. He nodded off to their right. "Looks like some free space over there, an' those two are packin' in now, too."

[Grath]

"Definitely, sah,"

Aidan smiled slightly, shifting the hilts in his paws until his grip was comfortable. He was interested in how this match would turn out. He may have more knowledge than his partner, more technical skill, even, but in the end, it wasn’t what mattered. If Jamie just hacked and hacked until he was worn down, he could win. It was all on who could last the longest.

And he wasn’t exactly young, and he’d already spent some time exercising today. He wasn’t sure how fresh Jamie was, but he was certainly more resilient than Aidan. He looked around for the best place to spar. He hoped for a good-sized area.

"Looks like some free space over there, an' those two are packin' in now, too."

“Looks good.” Aidan agreed, leading the way. Sweeping a footpaw over the sand, he created a small level area where he did a few quick limbering exercises. At his age, a little care went a long way towards prevention.

"Ready when ye are, sah."

[Tracy]

Jamie couldn't help but notice that somehow his one recruit had turned into four of his recruits. Apparently the lad had gone and found some of his friends, making sure they would all get to see their lieutenant spar in a truly challenging duel. Trying to pretend like he didn't notice the youngsters' gazes, the Jamie bounced lightly on the balls of his footpaws, preparing himself to move quickly.

Drawing his saber, he faced the captain. It had been a long time since Jamie felt nervous before a friendly spar, but it was a good feeling. He grew up always allowing himself to be challenged by better, more experienced swordfighters, but ever since he'd been taken out of commission for all those months, he wasn't too eager to get himself walloped in a duel. Not that he was now, but he felt a little more confident he could at least hold his own now. His biggest goal before this was over was just to not look a fool.

"Ready when ye are, sah."

Jamie's ears twitched. That sounded so odd coming from a hare nearly twice his age. In another circumstance, he may've even said so. But instead, he twirled his blade underhand once to get the balance on it, then turned his body sideways. Holding his blade at a downward 'ready' angle, he hesitated there, waiting for the last acknowledgement of readiness from Aidan.

An offensive fighter by nature, once he got the go-ahead, Jamie wasted no time, bouncing toward the older hare. He swung the blade underhand again, slicing from the right. Holding a low stance, he brought his off-paw up to guide the slice toward the right, turning his body's position even as he made his first strike.

[Grath]

Aidan held his right sword in a downward, ready position, the tip pointing out away from his body at a gentle angle. The left sword pointed downward as well, though his left was pulled back, his wrist nearly level with his waist. He stood sideways to his opponent, light on both paws. As Jamie jumped forward, Aidan shifted his weight and spun to the right, his left sword swinging out to counter the movement, his right flashing inside of Jamie’s strike.

He was hoping to place his opponent off balance, not truly seeking to strike him yet. He continued his spin, his stance wide to gain the most distance. He planted his right foot in the sand, settling into a slight crouch as he watched Jamie’s reactions.