-Conrad-
The sound of the approving roars was deafening in the enclosed space.
Looking around Conrad noticed that even the guards had joined in. The only one that he could see that didn't express their approval was the Grand Council Representative.
"Eh, wasn't expecting much from him anyway."
Ruushaan allowed the crowd to entertain themselves for a few moments before motioning for them to calm themselves and giving Conrad a respectful nod.
"Well-spoken Youngblood. Our best you shall have... BATTLEMASTER VAARLAAN! An Aspiring Bloodclaw requires your instruction and judgement!"
A deepthroated cheer of grrRAH! grrRAH! sounded out as a figure broke ranks with the crowd, the tone and cadence of which sounded like the military or sports cheers of haaOOH!
As the summoned Ruulothi stepped down to the lower floor, Conrad got his first look at him.
Battlemaster Vaarlaan looked to be roughly Ruufarrl's age, at least in so far as Conrad could estimate such things. His dark red fur was shot through with countless veins of silver. Having grown up on an untamed fringe world, Conrad recognized the markings as the outward indicators of scars under fur. "Whoo boy, this old cat has seen some shit. He doesn't just walk, he practically glides and even here, amongst those who should be his most trusted allies and friends his ears are flicking every which way. His eyes and head periodically scan his surroundings, and he never leaves his back exposed where there is any other choice. He reminds me of the retired combat veterans back home. No doubt, if he isn't THE best here, he is most definitely in the running for it."
Vaarlaan gave Conrad a respectful head bow, which he returned, then turned to give audience to Ruushaan again. Ruushaan turned and gave a nod to the security guards standing under his platform. The guards disappeared through their doors, and a few moments later came out again carrying two long, curved items. They moved to stand in front of each combatant and held the weapons out.
Ruushaan gestured to the items before them, "These will be the implements of your test. The Vorkaal blades. While these are but unsharpened training blades, they hold a current to signal a proper strike, and are still made of metal, and thus capable of inflicting injury. Please, inspect your weapons, and greet your opponent."
Conrad expected that most of that little speech was for his benefit, though there was more than enough ceremony contained in it that it didn't feel out of place. He kept the Battlemaster in his peripheral so that he could emulate his movements and, hopefully, not make any foolish etiquette mistakes. The Battlemaster reached out to grab the weapon in front of him, so Conrad did the same. As soon as the weapons were removed from their custody the guards returned to their original positions.
Conrad unsheathed his Vorkaal blade when Vaarlaan did and got his first look at the weapon itself. The blade was a curved affair, about twice as long as his own forearm, making it just a little longer than the standard machete or bush sword. It appeared as though it was meant to be held with the inside of the curve as the striking area, although both edges appeared to be ground in such a way as to indicate that they were both intended to be sharp, with the back edge fading out about an extended ricasso roughly a hand's length from the guard. It vaguely reminded him of an extended sickle or possibly even a shotel.
The problem he had was with the handle. It simply wasn't designed for human proportions and sat at a slightly odd angle to the blade. It was clearly designed as it was for the stiffer, inward facing Ruulothi hands and wrists.
"These are the Grand Standard of bladed Ruulothi weaponry. Their design has withstood the test of time, and it is still in use today with our ground troops. What do you think, Aspirant?"
Conrad realized with a start that it hadn't been Ruushaan speaking, but rather Vaarlaan. He quickly gave him his attention.
"It is quite well balanced. We once had similarly designed blades in certain places of Earth, but the use of large melee weaponry fell out of favor once we invented firearms. Nowadays we only really carry knives, though some military officers are still awarded sabers with their commission. Honestly, they look like these would if the blade was reversed. They were designed as a cavalry blade first, and later became popular with duelists after a few modifications."
The battle-scarred Ruulothi tilted his head in confusion, “Cavalry? I am not familiar with this term.”
“You never…?” Thinking about it as he spoke, Conrad realized that there likely wouldn’t be any creature that would willingly allow such clear predators to simply hop on and ride around. Nor would any of the more pacifist races really have as much of a need for it these days either.
“Cavalry were mounted units that rode on a domesticated herd animal. Such units specialized in fast movement, scouting, skirmishing and maneuvering. Later, after we started covering ourselves in metal armor due to advances in weapons and changes in battle doctrine and gear, they became known for powerful and devastating charges into enemy formations.”
“Riding large animals into battle and hiding in armor? Hmm, I am not sure if I should be impressed or disappointed. But they do present some interesting tactical challenges. It is something that I would like to learn more of. Something to ponder later, perhaps. It would be interesting to see how your people fight now. But, to the task at hand. Does the weapon meet with your approval?”
“It does. I am ready when you are.”
“Very well.” Vaarlaan took a couple steps back from the center of the arena and turned to Ruushaan, giving a bow to show he was prepared. Conrad imitated him on the other side of the arena.
Ruushaan gave them both a shallower bow in acknowledgement before speaking again.
“Aspirant Conrad, this is a test of your abilities and commitment, with Battlemaster Vaarlaan as your proctor. It is as much a display and exploration of your personal prowess as it is a training match. Given the differences in our species, there is much we can learn from one another here. There is no shame for a loss, and the responsibility for acknowledging a wounding blow lies upon the participants. The fighting will continue until it has been called off by either you, Battlemaster Vaarlaan, or myself. Do you understand the terms of this test and accept its risks?”
“I do.”
“Battlemaster Vaarlaan. Do you understand your role as Proctor and accept the risks?”
“I do as well.”
“Observers! Do you understand the terms of the test and accept the responsibilities of being a witness to the events here today?”
“grrRAH!” The unified voices of the assembly shouted out again in response to the question.
“Then let the test… BEGIN!”
_____________________________________
“Damn he is fast!”
The match had started about as Conrad had expected, with both combatants circling and adjusting for the perceived range of their opponent. Conrad had struck first, knowing that not only was it expected, but that it would let him control the momentum for a period of time so that he could get a better measure of what he was dealing with.
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He didn’t fully commit, but rather tested the boundaries and reaction speed of his opponent while he got used to the weapon’s physical characteristics and awkward handling.
Vaarlaan seemed to be doing similar, testing Conrad’s reach and ability to disengage, something that Conrad had to learn on the fly. The Vorkaal blade’s design meant that he had to pull away to disengage or rotate the blade to the outer curve before slipping out, neither of which was a natural movement for him.
Once Vaarlaan had judged that he had enough time to adjust, he put the pressure on, which was what had led to Conrad’s current predicament. The old cat was fast.
Even so, Conrad recognized that Vaarlaan wasn’t putting much technique into his efforts, merely escalating the tempo of the bout to see if he could keep up. This at least, Conrad could do. His time with Master Silva and years of studying Escrima served him well. Starting from his footwork, he adjusted his body and shortened his movements to minimize time spent on movement and control the center of the engagement. He took a few touches before he got the hang of it, the inward curve of the blades served to nullify the standard methods he used, reaching around his guard to tag him on the shoulder and arm.
Once he had the feel for it, Conrad began to alter the angles of his defense and press on his opponent’s blade, looking to create openings. Doing this he managed to score a couple of touches himself, none of them would have been debilitating, but they made contact regardless.
Nodding in acknowledgement, Vaarlaan changed his tactics again. This time he added in movement to his attacks and defenses. He stepped in and out of range and side to side, varying the distance and angle of attack. He also began to add in more sword techniques, sometimes hooking Conrad’s sword and pulling him back in range as he moved back or creating openings by twisting the blade and slapping the outer curve against Conrad’s to knock it out of alignment.
Conrad chose not to play that game. He instead matched Vaarlaan’s darting movements and used his greater flexibility and range of motion to swing the blade in short circles and wrist flicks, keeping the tip of it moving and diving at Vaarlaan, or the back edge slashing in when he least expected it. Each time the Battlemaster tried to hook or keep their blades engaged Conrad twisted, flicked or rolled his blade to prevent it and keep his momentum going.
Vaarlaan and the crowd seemed to approve as the contest became steadily more dynamic. The cheering roars were near to deafening and Vaarlaan began to have a slight unconscious smile play across his lips.
“It must be a different kind of challenge for him, having to deal with an entirely new range of motion, but he is up for it. Even though we are trading minor touches at this point, he is still tacking me at least double what I am getting him with. That inside curve is throwing me hard… Wha-!?”
Vaarlaan darted forward and stepped into his space and kept the aggressive pressure on, not letting Conrad get any room to recover. Desperate for some distance, Conrad waited until Vaarlaan maintained the pressure on his blade to push it out of the way… and rolled it. He had guarded with the tip down, across his body with his free hand braced on the ricasso. Once he felt Vaarlaan begin to try and push through his guard he pushed up both hands, rolling his opponents blade up, over and down. He kept the outer third of the blades in contact to prevent the tip from hooking him, and as he rolled it around, he slid the contact point closer to the guard. It was a modified Escrima technique, one that left his blade on top of his opponent’s while being on the outside of their weapon arm. This gave him a dominant position where he could turn in again and get a blow in before his opponent could stop him.
At least, that was the plan anyway.
_______________________________________
-Ruushaan-
As the match started, Ruushaan stepped forward to the edge of the balcony to get a better view, and to surreptitiously stand next to Ruufarrl, who was leaning on the guard rails to watch the match.
The Councilman remained in back, disdainful of the proceedings now that his intentions had been overruled.
The more intimate proximity to his father and noise from the cheering crowd allowed them to finally have something resembling a normal conversation without being overheard.
“He certainly is exceeding all preconceptions laid upon his people. Are they all like this?”
The Human was performing incredibly well by his estimation. Likely a testament to the martial training his father had mentioned in one of his missives.
Ruufarrl flicked his ears in amusement. “Not all, but enough are.” He turned his head slightly to look at Ruushaan out of the corner of his eye, “Are you sure this is a good idea with the puppet back there? We have an image of disdain to maintain after all”
Ruushaan snorted in contempt, “With his entitlement he can’t see beyond his own nose, and certainly can’t hear anything. I asked the guards across the way to signal if he moves to approach.”
His father chuffed in amusement, “Smart, but still risky. He is not the only informant they have. Do not get too friendly. The visible threat may be known, but there are still others in the grass.”
He sighed in frustration, “True enough.”
The match was now getting well underway. He recognized that Vaarlaan had accelerated his usual methods in response to the Human’s techniques. At times they almost seemed to mirror one another, but Vaarlaan’s experience was serving him well. Conrad was having a difficult time making headway as the Battlemaster shifted the fight to continually favor him.
Even now he was pressing in on the smaller human, forcing him to move or confront his larger opponent inside his effective range. Against a Ruulothi this was a terrifying prospect, as their claws would rend anyone who stayed in close. A fact that Conrad appeared to be well aware of and take into consideration.
His response was unorthodox.
Using small adjustments of his feet, the human countered Vaarlaan by scooping his blade up and over his head and pinning it down on the other side. But Vaarlaan had a counter to even this.
As soon as the locked blades pushed down again, Battlemaster Varrlaan dropped his sword, causing Conrad to lurch forward as he lost his balance, and swatted Conrad across the chest with a heavy backhand using the newly freed arm, sending him backwards in a tumble.
Conrad rolled with the blow, and came up to his feet several meters away, seemingly none the worse for wear. His head tilted and a predator's grin grew on his face as he stood up and began to circle again while waiting honorably for Varrlaan to pick up his dropped weapon.
"Bad move Varrlaan." Ruufarrl said, chuckling to himself, "You have opened the Traazol nest now."
Ruushaan looked at him with one ear back, "How so? He is doing as is appropriate, testing the human and pushing the difficulty higher as he would any youngblood trainee. Though I will admit that the human fights well enough."
Ruufarrl smiled in much the same way Conrad just had. "Because before that moment, the Youngblood believed this to be a contest of weapons. Now, he knows that everything is acceptable. You have not seen Humans fight, my son. When they say everything goes, they mean quite literally everything . They are walking weapons platforms."
Ruushan gave a skeptical tilt of his head, "They have no claws or fangs, nor bone spurs or any other natural weapon." Ruufarrl chuckled again and nodded at the match as the combatants closed in on one another again, "Just watch, my son. Read the material I will be giving you, and never underestimate the Humans."
_______________________________________
-Vaarlaan-
“That was unexpected. This Human moves like a blade of bloodgrass waving in the wind. His flexibility is well beyond anything I can match. Hmph. At least he has the courtesy and Honor of waiting for me to collect my weapon. Not that rushing in would have helped him any.”
He scarcely wanted to admit it, but he was impressed. He could end this fight now and give his approval. “But where is the fun in that?”
He smiled as the human rotated the Voorkal blade he held so that it could be used like the sabers he had described to him earlier. “Interesting, and adaptive. Not something a Ruulothi could easily pull off given the handle shape. Such a position would completely nullify any advantage I can gain by using the blade as intended. Let’s see where this goes then.”
The human quick stepped in to meet him then, his movements suddenly much more fluid as he used the now former spine of the blade to both strike and shed at almost the same time. The attacks came in a quick succession of figure eights and circles, and try as he might, he had no way now of effectively hooking Conrad’s blade. But neither did the Human have any way of bypassing his own guard.
The rapid succession of strikes put Vaarlaan on his back foot. But that was no bother, he still had a wide breadth of techniques to pull from. In fact, this seemed like a perfect opportunity to introduce a new one.
Up until now, he had only given the Human slashing attacks to think about. Now it was time for some thrusts, hooks and rakes.
He had what felt like a brief moment of success, his sword darting in for his opponent’s shoulder while only barely receiving a glancing block before the Human seemed to jump over his view.
Or rather, his view became inverted. His mind briefly realized that he was now seeing the Human’s feet rather than his head, but he didn’t even get the chance to mentally mutter, “What?” before he slammed into the ground with bone jarring force.
_____________________________________
-Conrad-
“Alrighty then, if that is how you want to play it.”
The smack had shocked him. Less because it hurt, and more because it was completely unexpected. He felt like the Battlemaster had pulled that one, turning it into a power push rather than a blow intended to cause harm.
He quickly recovered in case his opponent was going to chase him down, but he stood on his own. Vaarlaan watched him intently as he picked up the sword that he dropped.
“Ohh I got a few tricks for you Mr. Battlemaster. Including a few that you will never have considered given your physiology. Oh, this is going to be fun.”
A feral grin grew on his face, the only outward representation of the direction his thoughts were going. Conrad shifted his grip on the weapon to hold it like a traditional saber and tested the new balance, finding it to be within acceptable parameters.
“Now then. Let’s see how you like Saber fencing and something learned to beat that armor you mocked earlier.”
He moved in with intent, pushing in and gaining the advantage. His attacks now came much easier as he could completely maintain his momentum and control both the flow and spacing of the encounter. As an added benefit his opponent now couldn’t catch him with the tip of his blade anymore, as the inverted Voorkal blade met its counterpart further out of range.
He kept the pressure up and waited, knowing that Vaarlaan would need to change things up. All he needed was to get him to extend just a bit.
Finally, it came. Vaarlaan shifted his weight and drove a thrust straight at him. Still in the middle of his flow, Conrad’s blade came up to pass it to his outside right. At the same time he stepped in and turned with the pass, sliding him out of harm’s way and putting his offhand shoulder under Vaarlaan’s armpit. With his free hand he wrapped up from underneath Vaarlaan’s extended arm, grabbed it and pulled down, hard.
He was surprised by how easily the larger alien went airborne. He had expected more resistance, but then again, there was that G difference in their planets, and his opponent was taller and more forward heavy than humans.
“I mean, technically they stand on their toes, too. So, I guess it shifts their balance point and makes them more susceptible to it.”
Vaarlaan hit the ground in front of him with a heavy thud. The sheer unexpected suddenness of the throw in addition to the impact seemed to stun the Battlemaster for a moment. Rather than go for a pin or force a yield, Conrad stepped back to allow him room to recover. This was a test after all.
Vaarlaan stood up and Conrad the most incredulous look he had ever seen from a Ruulothi, and then the Battlemaster started to laugh.
His deep belly laughter echoed in the arena, an arena that Conrad now recognized had gone completely silent after he had dropped Vaarlaan on his back.
The Battlemaster dusted himself off and looked over to the balcony where Ruushaan and Ruulfarrl stood. Ruushaan in amazement and Ruufarrl with a knowing grin.
“I believe we have seen enough, First Claw. He passes.”
Again, the roar of approval was deafening. Ruushaan waited for it to fall off before speaking, “You have seen the testimony, have seen the Aspirant’s mettle, and borne witness to his passing the test. Are there any who would still argue against his appointment?”
Silence.
Not even the Council Crony dared argue in the Halls of the Nightmanes.
“Then it is decided. Conrad Mclaughlin. Welcome to Ruuloth.
Welcome to the Nightmanes… Bloodclaw”