Peiskos

Evaluation

"You expect me to believe that?"

"No. Apparently you're supposed to believe I was drowning."

Hiccup watched as Ivah twirled the staff in their hands. Sharp and smooth enough to remind him that four months ago that Hiccup had been fighting for his life on the day of the attack, but dropping it every so often that it reminded Hiccup that they had indeed lost some skills due to the lack of practice and the injuries sustained.

"I'm not so sure this is a good idea."

"I think this is a great idea!" Tuffnut beamed.

Ivah stopped twirling the staff and turned their focus to the group. It had been all the Dragon Riders, lounging around ready to see Ivah make a fool of themselves. It appeared Hiccup had mentioned to Fishlegs and he spread the word around and this meant the whole group came.

Ivah had wanted one day of solo- training before attempting to spar with the others.

Pride kept them from making that request vocal.

"What could you have to possibly teach me about combat?" Astrid rolled her eyes, her tone sharp in annoyance and Ivah lifted an eyebrow.

"Likely not much." Ivah answered calmly.

"Then what's the point of this idea in the first place?" Hiccup couldn't stop himself from vocalizing. Ivah knew why, and it was mostly to deal with the fact that he believed it to be a horrible idea and was likely looking for any excuse to get Ivah to change their mind.

Ivah however was not going to allow him to make this decision for them, or for the other Riders. Not when it was something that benefited the others.

"Soldier Astrid seems to be the most advanced out of all whom I've met. She held her stand against my Hirdskraa and it was noted in his struggle. It lies in Fishlegs, Ruffnut, Tuffnut and Snotlout to seek out improvement." Ivah turned the staffs usage from weapon to cane  and turned giving them their full attention.

"We're going to do an evaluation. Each of you, should you want to, will face me in the ring. Who's first?"

There was a cautionary look between the group before Snotlout stood up marching , his chin high and proud.

"I know you don't want to go easy on me, so don't." Ivah gets into position and watches as the boy opposite them grins.

Snotlout makes the first move and Ivah dodges. Most of the time Ivah is dodging and keeping a calm eye on Snotlout. Then his eyes seem to notice something and Ivah does not dodge blows in time. Snotlout loses track of how long they're fighting but can't help the grin on his face every time he manages to hit the "Great and Dangerous" Hersir.

Then something is different while Ivah waits for another strike and it takes a moment for Hiccup to realize that Ivah was not using the staff as an offensive or defensive tool at all in the battle.