Rome In The Sky: Daybreak

CH 12: Silver Havoc

LUKAS/AVA

'Look at Mr. Alpha, all in his element and stuff,' Lou thought.

"Effective hand to hand combat is about achieving what is known as a dominant body position."

A few cadets snickered at the phrase, unable to ignore the innuendo.

"Absolute savages, all of you," he said.

As he scanned the room, Lou made eye contact with another cadet he had only seen in passing. She was about five seven, had a blonde bob with a fringe, a deep tan, and big blue eyes, like pools, as she shot him a look and mouthed the words, "get a load of this guy."

"I know, right?" he mouthed back, and chuckled.

Lute strode back and forth on a mat.

He had a group of lower ranking Jurors observing the demonstration. The cadets were taught to simply call them 'cadre.' They were lance paladins or lower who would assist with drills.

Lou and Ave stood among the broad semicircle of cadets. On each far wall of the training hall, there were graphs and rubrics of martial arts forms, diagrams of the human body, and various melee weapons. The ceiling was high, as every ceiling in Fort Gall was, and the lights were bright, but isolated above the ring, so that shadows draped over the outer edges of the room.

"Your goal is to create an advantage over your enemy, ideally, using the ground. This means getting up and over and getting them on their back. When striking, use the soft parts of your hands and arms against the hard surfaces of the face and head, and use the hard parts against soft surfaces such as the neck and abdomen. You will try to stun, to inflict pain, or to maim your opponent. Then, you will finish the fight by using whatever means necessary. You, step forward."

Lute pointed at a sturdy, dark skinned boy standing near the front. He had the look of a St. Rage Miner, judging by the shaved head, and his dense, gnarled hands.

"Cadet Leland, it appears you're the reason for the food shortage in the western limits. What do you have to say for yourself?"

"I'm afraid I don't...know...what you mean," he said.

"Growing up, your parents clearly fed you every bit of corn on the western front, yeah?"

More snickering from the cadets.

"You're almost bigger than I am, and my parents fed me other children when I was growing up, evidently. That's what some of you have been saying, yes? Alright, cadet Leland, please step forward. Face me and show me your stance."

The boy stepped forward onto the mat and squared off. Lute took a stride forward and placed a heavy open hand on the boy's chest, throwing him onto his back.

"Get lower, please. Try again." The boy stood, squaring off again. Lute pushed him down again with ease.

"Stagger your feet so you can shift your weight without losing balance. One more time."

This time the boy put one foot forward and one foot back, sinking down a little with his hands guarding his face.

"Much better."

Lute grabbed the boy's arm, turning at the hips and tossing his heavier opponent over his shoulder. The boy struck his back and gasped.

"But, not quite there. Follow my lead. The rest of you, pay attention. If you're right handed, place your right foot forward, move your left foot back. If you're left hand dominant, reverse it. Sink down. When you encounter external force, shift your weight with it to avoid losing balance. Today you'll learn the hip toss, which you've just seen, the leg sweep..."