For the Inquisition

Mages or Templars

Haven was becoming more populated as the Inquisition army grew. I strolled through the tents just outside the stone arch that led into the small village. The newest recruits were going through their first day of sword practice. I was appalled by the dismal performance they were giving me.

"Recruit Grier." I stopped in front of a soldier. "What are you holding?" He glanced down.

"A sword, ser." He answered. I took a deep breath to fight the rising irritation.

"And?"

"A shield." I stepped forward and gripped the edges of the shield, lifting it up so he held it in front of his torso.

"Block with it." I stepped back and watched him spar with his partner. "Better." I moved on, my hands folded in front of me. "Good form, but mind your footwork." I commented on another pair as I passed. I looked up to see Cullen coming out of the gates. He smiled at me as he approached.

"How are the new recruits coming along?" He asked.

"Slow. Too slow." I scowled at the new soldiers around me. "The hardest part was getting them to respect me as their superior." He nodded.

"Recruits!" He shouted. The sounds of sparring ceased as the soldiers gathered around us. "Lieutenant Livera and I are going to show you how to spar correctly." Commander Cullen drew his sword and the recruits backed up, clearing a circle for us. I smirked and drew my own weapon.

I bent my knees and took slow, careful steps in a circle, gauging for any weaknesses. From the way he held his sword, I could tell he favored his right side. The fur collar on the robes covering his armor could potentially block his vision. I knew his left knee had problems from a previous injury he had told me about. We circled around each other, each waiting for the other to strike. I struck the first blow, feinting to the left before spinning around to strike at his right side. He blocked, our swords clanging together. I wasted no time before I performed a double hit, going first for his left shoulder then his right hip, my sword singing through the air. My feet moved of their own accord and the sword became a part of me as the spar became a dance. My boots moved over the snow with graceful precision. I pushed him back then he pushed forward again, a beautiful, dangerous performance. My blood roared through my ears and all I could see was him and my sword. It ended when I managed to hook my foot behind his ankle, knocking him to the ground, with my sword pointed at his chest. He stared up at me in awe, his mouth hanging open.

"Nice work, Lieutenant." He complemented before he kicked out with his foot, causing me to lose my balance and land on top of him, my cheek hitting his breastplate. "But never let your guard down." I pushed myself up on my hands so I could look at him. He cracked a crooked smile, our breath mingling in the freezing air. One of the recruits coughed and I realized our position, my cheeks heating. I scrambled to my feet, offering him a hand which he took to pull himself up.

"Can anyone tell me what the Commander did wrong?" I slid my sword back into its sheath as I addressed the recruits.

"His footwork was off so he was easily unbalanced." A human woman towards the front said after a few quiet moments.

"Exactly right. His defense work was impeccable. The only way I was able to break that defense was by waiting for his footwork to become sloppy. Not every enemy will be easily cut down. You have to be able to spot their weaknesses in the heat of the battle. It's a snap analysis that could mean life or death." I sighed and scanned the sky, my eyes catching on the green hole in the sky. "We're done for today. I'll see you out here after breakfast tomorrow." The recruits dispersed, each of them heading for the gates and the promise of dinner.

"You're doing well. I made a good choice." Cullen told me as I bent to pick up a fallen practice dummy.

"I'm just doing what feels right. I know what they're feeling. I was one of them once, long ago. It can be frightening." I threw my discarded scarf over my shoulder and headed for the gates.