Let's Get Better With Close Up Fighting

Salamandastron: Library

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Here lies the collective efforts of a few good, intellectual hares of the mountain. Over the seasons, this room, which was once little more than a storage room, has been converted into a quite functional library, filled with books of all sorts. The room is staggered with bookshelves, all crafted within the mountain, which reach very nearly to the ceiling, with only a foot or two of space above them, in most instances. And, surprisingly, the shelves are basically all full. Apparently, over the seasons, hares have donated books, and books that were previously stored elsewhere have been brought here.

Some books are older than any of the hares alive in the mountain, and, even more, some are nearly as old as the mountain, itself. These sort are usually journals and records - histories of the mountain. In fact, there is an entire section of this, in a corner of the room, which one can only get to by making their way through the maze of bookshelves to that corner, which is quite like a room in and of itself, closed in by walls on two sides and bookshelves on the two others. However, in the center of the main room, there are two tables set, and upon these books like, some open and some closed, despite the efforts of the librarian hare to keep them on the shelves.

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                 Visible Exits:

[R]ecords [R]oom [C]orner of Library

[Back] to Second Level Intersection

Flint is not usually in the library very often, but today he finds himself here and so he starts looking around the shelfs quietly.

Quinten is shepherding a bunch of leverets out, class is over and the recorder is herding them out of the library before they cause any more havoc or damage. He finally gets the last one outside and shuts the door, "Ugh... they get more rowdy every year!" He shakes his head and pauses as he turns and spies Flint, "Oh Flint good day to you, can I help with anything?"

Flint smiles a little "Yeah little ones also have interesting ways of waking one up..... just looking around, maybe a book on improving saber skills. I have been in the training room a lot, and have even kept up with my archery and went to the boxing ring few times in past couple weeks or so"

Quinten says, "Ah well sabre skills I can do," He smiled and walked past the younger hare to a cabinet and pulled open the glass doors. He reached up and pulled down a hand bound manuscript, "Here we go; this is the book I learnt the technical side of the saber from."

Flint smiles and looks at the book, "I mean....watching others is good and practicing, but not always totally helpful. I am better than I was..well by a little but that’s still good"

Quinten holds out the manuscript, "I have to admit I am very rusty with a saber myself, I can't remember the last time I picked one up. But when I was a youth this is what helped me."

Flint nods as he takes the book "Thank you sur and I will be careful with this book."

Quinten says, "Thank you Flint, I hope it is of some use to you. If not let me know there are others but I found this primer the most useful myself. Though the handwriting can be a bit hard to decipher"

Flint nods" Well, hopefully not too hard sur, I could always see if another beast can help me read it if needed. I want ta be the best I can be for the Long Patrol"

Quinten says, "You will be just fine Flint, I am glad to see you out and about as well. I have been worried about you. My office is always open if you need to chat."

Flint nods as he looks though the first page or two before answering "I...well been keeping my mind off things, but this is the Long Patrol and one just needs to always be alert and...do their best. sometime one may fail and..sometimes death happens, can’t always stop it"

Quinten says, "Indeed I am afraid sometimes we lose beasts, sometimes we lose a fight, but if we keep our heads and keep going forwards then we can succeed where others might fail."

Flint says, "Only thing is I don't want to fail again. It is not always easy to just keep going as some say it is. Thar is sometimes...time needed. But I know I still have my nieces and they need me."

Quinten smiles "No one ever likes to fail Flint, and you won't focus on moving forwards and striving to be the best"

Flint sighs, "Well least I been helpful with somethings past few days. Made sure to keep a beast safe while they checked on something on the beach"

Quinten exclaims, "Well there you are then, see you are being useful and helpful!"

Flint smiles "I...guess I am. "He seems to feel better somewhat " Guess just got too focus on..protection and being alert than noticing I did help...by the way have you heard what has been on the beach past like 3-4 days?"

Quinten asks, "No I have not heard what is on the beach? I don't go out much you know, and no ones filed anything official across my desk yet."

Flint blinks "Oh, well sorry but I could let you know. A seal or least that’s what I was told it was. I been escorting the healer mouse from the abbey to and from the beach to check on the seal. Its flipper was injured badly by some passing ship, the ship left the area and seems to not be returning which is most likely good. But the seal was injured, its healing now and most likely will be able to swim again in few days. A couple other hares have sort of guarded the area, just in case any foul beasts show up meaning it harm"

Quinten asks, "Ah I see well that is very good of them Redwallers to help, a seal you say? Not had a seal on these shores for a longtime."

Flint nods "Just one, no groups or anything but I am unsure if that’s odd or not."

Quinten says, "Well if it got separated from its tribe then it would be alone. They don't tend to come ashore here often"

Flint asks, "Least it doesn't pose a threat, should I look more into what happen sur? Or is that needed?"

Quinten says, "Ah well if the ship was passing by and it was an accident at sea not really our business. Unless it is apirate galleon about to bare down on us."

Flint says, "It went on somewhere further out ta sea looked like and no signs of its return, maybe if they were trouble they decided it’s best to avoid this area"

Quinten says, "Well I would say keep a look out but it is unlikely to return"

Quinten says, "It was most likely sailing elsewhere and it was just a bad accident"

Flint nods “Beasts who most likely don’t bally well care if harm others when traveling the waters. I never was on a boat in me whole life, not sure would ever want to be either"

Quinten says, "Yes well sometimes on a boat you can't actually see other beasts Flint. Do not think worst of them for that. It is a dangerous place the sea and they could well not have seen the seal."

Flint frowns "It’s..possible and from wot heard it was fairly early so maybe it was dark...sorry sur guess just, just still having some foul feelings for those foul vermin that ambushed me.....me and Windrose"

Quinten says, "I know that Flint, but you have no way of telling if they were vermin sailors or woodlander merchants from Southsward or a GOUSIM ship from Mossflower. It is best not to pre-judge"

Flint nods slowly "I...know. I guess have to be careful how judge others. I mean a monitor lizard and a fox helped me one day, another time I am ambushed by a wildcat and some rats. I mean vermin species don’t always attack I guess or mean harm"

Quinten says, "Yes, not all vermin are inherently evil, that tis also an important thing to remember."

Flint says, "How do ya bally well know when they mean harm and when not"

Quinten says, "You can't know you just have to be wary about them until they have earnt your trust."

Flint says, "Sounds like good advice, thank you sur"

Salamandastron: Common Area

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This is a large area designed for gathering and relaxing, where all the

beasts of the Mountain, whether green recruit or aged retiree, can come

together. A fireplace is set in one wall, its cheery blaze filling the room

with warmth, and a low, rustic chandelier spilling light across the

expanse. A variety of seating is strewn almost randomly throughout,

armchairs and couches, while a worn, patterned rug underfoot takes the

seeping chill out of the air. A pair of tables, each on far sides of the

space, stand in for the occasional shared snack, meal, or game.

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Flint is sitting in the common room reading a book on saber moves, how to better hold the sword and how to angle it different ways. He has on every day clothing for now

Ironically Kate is also reading a book on saber moves! Or rather she is holding a book of saber styles over a smaller and decidedly less professional fictional book as she comes into the room, one paw on her book the other finishing off a pastry.

A hare's natural heavy eating plus all the food one can eat plus a secular job has equaled one rather plump russet hare. At this point with her winter fur in full effect there is no escaping the fact that Kate looks like a furry beach ball as she walks into the room.

Flint looks up and gives a small wave "Hallo Kate, how are ya today...good hope, my day is so so " He frowns a little as he closes his own book after looking at one of the pages showing a forward blade move.

It takes a moment for Kate to pull her eyes away from her book hidden within a book, "Huh? Wha? Oh! Hi Flint." She turns back to her book then pauses, doing a double take. "Flint. Don't take this the wrong way but...how many ear's did you have the last time I saw you?"

Flint narrows his eyes and then sighs " Yes I lost an ear in a fight ok, But whats jolly well left is healing fairly well and I can still fight with just one ear and still hear just as well."

"Oh man, I am so sorry that happened to you." Kate closes her book, a look of concern on her face. She's jaded, not heartless. "And...practicing for the next fight I see."

Flint answers "I am learning better moves by reading and by watching. I have to get better at close up fighting so...." He frowns " So I don't fail anyone again, long bow is a great skill to have but not always useful"

The portly hare raises another concerned eyebrow, twitching an ear. Her book snaps shut with a decidedly loud WUMP! "Well then, come along darlin, you can read all the books you want but you won't learn nuthin until you put it into practice." She reaches down to grab her fellow hare by the paw and drag him away, "We are going to the training room!"

Flint folds his arms over his chest “Its Flint, I won’t be called anything else thank you very much. The only one who was able to call me..well anything else was Windrose and Windrose is dead..she died and is no longer around" He frowns a little again.

"I...I'm sorry to hear that..." Kate says offhandedly, having not met Windrose. At least she thinks she hasn't met her. Still, the fall of a comrade is still felt regardless. "Well, you come with me and we will make it so people can't call you target practice eh?" Kate takes smug look, "I kin learn ya a few new moves..."

Flint looks surprised "You.....can. You know saber moves?"

The hare's eyes narrow dangerously, "Is there any reason I shouldn't know saber moves?" She says with crossed arms.

Flint shrugs and then nods "Fine then let’s go to the training room and see what you can do"

The hare chuckles, "Relax, I'm just yankin yer chain. I know very well that I am hardly the ideal long patrol specimin." She continues to speak as she walks down the hall, "Before...well...before this happened," He pats her stomach, "I was training to be a skirmisher. I was pretty darn good at it too, or at least I thought I was..."

Flint hmmms "You could always exercise more lass, training room is good for that also"

Salamandastron: Training Room

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This is the training room for the hares of the long patrol. The walls

seem to have taken a severe beating, more than likely not from stray

arrows missing the archery targets. There are several of said archery

targets lining the west wall, each with small oak stands a good distance

off to hold arrows, hang a bracer, and rest a bow on. The targets are of

simple design: a large, tightly wrapped bale of hay with a coarse paper

target on the front. A wooden mannequin, in no better shape than the

walls, is in the northeastern corner of the room. Besides that, several

wooden practice swords sit in a small pile. On the eastern side of the

room is a small, makeshift wrestling arena consisting of two mattresses

tied together. Then on the southern side of the room is a fitness area,

assembled from several pull-up bars, and a nice padded area to do push up.

Narrow, cylindrical weights (both wooden and metal) are pushed up against

the wall, along with a few straight metal bars for them to be mounted on.

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                 Visible Exits:

[Arm]ory [Out]

And you can learn to keep your guard up. We all have our problems." Kate says with a smile. Coming into the training room Kate passes a quick glance to and fro to make sure it is truly empty. "Good. Got the room all to ourselves. No one here to see you get your tail handed to you by a clerk." She says with another smile, friendly this time too! Grabbing a training saber from the rack Kate replies once again, "Seriously though. Learn to keep your guard up before anything else. So what do you know about sword play?

Flint gets a training saber off the rack "I block fairly easily. I think some of the issue was I had 3 vermin and their wildcat boss fighting me, there was an archer somewhere but I never found him and trust me I tried. The archer was hidden he ......they...whoever, they killed Windrose, she got an arrow to the back and the healer said even if I had got to her in time it wouldn't of helped much, it was still a fatal wound."

Kate only nods her head. It would be better to let him continue than interrupt with her own awkward social skills. "I'm sorry that happened to you. Windrose was a friend?" The hare takes her stance on the training floor. "What would you like to know about sword play?"

Flint answers before he gets ready "Me and her was gonna get married...." He says quietly and does a couple practice swings with the blade.

The doe's ears raise in shock, then gradually lower. "Alright then." She swings the blade back and forth before taking a stance, "Look's like you have some stress to work out so try to imagine me as a big fat vermin pirate. Yar me matey! I'm going to slice ye open and cook yer liver fer me breakfast, wot! Show me what you got!" He gestures for the hare to attack her.

Flint raises an eyebrow "That could turn out to be dangerous..trust me" He will still go to study her movements and then takes a practiced swing, not as hard as he could if she was a vermin, but he has some skill with sabers at least, just needs to get better "And how many pirates..eat beasts, though I think frogs do if given de chance"

The hare flicks her wrist, deflecting the saber with a loud CLANG. "I dunno. I've never actually met any pirates. Well, active pirates at least." Kate steps closer, her blade coming in low and circling around her body to try and land a blow on her opponent’s shoulder.

Flint blocks it, but just barely "I have seen them...fought them before with a friend of mine, but will soon were defeated and..." He goes to swing the blade at her side, angling it some "That was.wow 4 seasons now, the weasels took us to the swamp...they ended up sinking in quick sand and well my friend died and I was enslaved by toads for 3 seasons" Yep his life has been fun past 4 seasons...not.

"And then you top it off with getting your tail handed to you by me, lovely way to end the story in my book wot!" The hare angles her blade downward as she deflects the blow then comes back with an a quick jab to Flints head with the hilt of her saber while trying to stomp on his toes. Enough to cause a distraction without actually harming the beast.

Not harm? Let’s see she manages to stomp his toes and that hurts as he yells out! Then the jab to the chest, he is just lucky this is a practice blade and not a real one. Flint swings out with his own as he jumps backwards and aims for midsection. If this was a real fight he most likely be pouring blood all over the place.

Well, harm in the sense that she didn't break his toes, well...hopefully. Possibly. Or she possibly took things a little too far. Given how the hare cackles like a mad beast, giddy with excitement, it's probably because she has taken things too far. "Yar har! Ye scurvy land lubber! Wot do you think this is? A duel between honorable beasts? I'm a pirate! You want to survive? Then start using all yer weapons in a fight, not just yer swo-" The hare yipes as the blade strikes her in the mid section. She staggers backward, feigning death, "Argh! Me lovely organs! My only weakness, how did you know?" She stands up rubbing at her sore midriff, "Not a bad shot. You doing ok there buddy?"

Flint takes a couple deep breaths, "Yeah..just fine." Well his foot paw hurts but he tries to ignore it as he would have to in a fight, it’s not broke just sore.

"Heh, sorry about that. That was me getting a little more carried away than actually teaching you anything." The hare laughs, "It's been so long since I sparred...I think the last time I actually fought someone was..." Her laughter dies down, "Well, the last day I was a skirmisher actually." She readies herself lunging with a quick series of strikes, one to the hare's head, then his left shoulder, then his right, in that order.

Flint has been paying attention and it shows as he moves back and blocks the blade at his head, manages to block it at the left shoulder and the right one hits. He grumbles to himself but he is getting better and sparing does help.

For Kate this is more therapeutic than anything else. It can be seen on her eyes that it feels good to use a blade again, even if she is getting tired rather quickly. "I was (clang) training with a young buck, much like yourself. (clang CLACK CLACK clang) You know how they tell ya to always make sure yer helpmate is fastened properly in training? Well, mine wasn't and this (CLAAAANG) recruit bashes me across the skull right and proper."

Flint follows her moves and blocks and one gets him on the side, blocks another and then in leaning back to avoid a swing he misjudges how far back and keeps going with a surprised look and hits the floor and ....well training over as he is knocked out cold :P

And Then Kate promptly freaks out. "Flint...FLINT!" Oh light, she killed him. She killed flint! Or worse crippled him. "Flint you darn fool! Get up!" Panic and worry begin to fill Kate's mind. This can't be happening! Did that trainee feel like this when he knocked her out cold? When he accidently crippled her? Oh doesn't Kate feel just GOOD.

Fowl and filth language echoing down the halls Kate rushes off to find a healer...

Perhaps it's an overreaction, perhaps the buck hare is fine. Didn't mean she wasn't going to strangle him for causing her so much worry later on through...

Flint is soon tended to by a healer, he is taken to the infirm and wakes up an hour later with a slight headache, but he is fine but advised to take the rest of the day off and so he n he infirmary till the next day.