Leon and Riya: How to Raise a Gnoll

Chapter 3

It had been a week and a half and Vuth wasn't getting any better, she was still causing trouble. She was refusing to listen and actively trying to goad others into fighting with her, thankfully everyone had enough restraint to not do something too bad to her. It was time for pairing up to test and see how well they were doing. Leon had decided he was going to pair Vuth with Rose for the test, maybe that would get her to see that he knew what he was doing.

Riya needed Mu's help with some of the food, so instead of her Jahga was going to be there to oversee everything. When Leon arrived at the practice grounds everyone was already there.

Leon: Okay, the first test pairing is going to be me with Sessa.

Once both of them had pulled a training spear off the rack they had gone to the middle of the field.

Leon: Remember, this is just a test to see how much you have learned.

Sessa nodded. Leon could tell she was nervous because of the occasional jitter she seemed to have. If he had to guess it was because she wasn't particularly confident in herself for some reason.

Jahga: Begin!

Leon and Sessa circled around each other for several minutes. Sessa was in no hurry to get within striking range of Leon's spear, she had seen what he did to her sister over a week ago. After a while it became clear that Leon wasn't going to leave his defensive stance, he couldn't be goaded into rushing even when purposely leaving herself wide open. A few moments later Sessa closed the gap between them but when she got within range to strike him she hesitated and flinched, giving Leon enough time to hit her across the knuckles.

Sessa hissed in pain and backed off but was able to keep hold of her weapon. After a few moments she went back in with a sweep aimed at his feet. Leon jumped over the sweep and landed in front of Sessa before aiming a kick at her right knee; she backed off just in time to avoid it.

Watching what was happening, Vuth sneered at the fact her sister was having trouble with him. How could she not have just flattened him already? Seeing what happened next gave her pause and shocked her a bit.

Sessa had gone in for another sweep this time starting from the opposite side. Leon jumped over the sweep and landed on her hand before jumping again and landing on Sessa's head before jumping down and landing behind her. Leon then struck both of her legs from behind forcing Sessa to her knees. He then had the spear pointed at the back of her neck just inches away.

Jahga: That's it! It's done!

Leon left his stance before helping Sessa stand back up.

Leon: Sessa, you're hesitating too much, you are also relying too much on just using sweeps aimed at the feet. You need to alter what you're doing otherwise you become predictable.

Sessa nodded with a defeated look in her eyes.

Leon: Hey, I'm sure you'll do just fine! You just need time to learn, that's all.

Sessa gave a small smile as they went to put their spears back on the rack.

Leon: Next is Rose and Vuth.

When they had gone to get the training spears off of the rack they were far enough that they could only be heard by each other.

Vuth: I'm not losing to some half-breed freak whose mother was so desperate she mated with some weak non-gnoll.

Rose gripped her spear hard enough her knuckles popped and there might have been slight cracking of the shaft, but she restrained herself. She had gotten tired of Vuth's attitude and how she was constantly saying awful things about her Mom and Dad when she thought no one was listening.

They took their place in the middle of the field.

Jahga: Begin!

Vuth immediately went on the offensive with a thrust. Rose jumped to the left to avoid it and responded with a thrust of her own. Vuth leapt back to avoid the attack. She then rushed back in with a sweep aimed at the feet. Rose jumped in the opposite direction the sweep was traveling to avoid it.

Rose then struck Vuth across the knuckles as hard as she could, forcing her to drop her spear. Then before she could pick it back up Rose shoved her back and then kicked the spear away in the opposite direction. Vuth let out a growl and started to bare her teeth.

Vuth lunged forward with a punch aimed at Rose's head. Rose ducked under the strike before grabbing Vuth's arm and twisting before placing Vuth's arm over her shoulder and putting all of her strength into throwing Vuth over her shoulder. Vuth was slammed into the ground from the throw, all of the wind being knocked out of her.

Rose put her foot on Vuth's chest and pointed the training spear at her neck.

Jahga: It's Over!

Vuth couldn't believe it, she had lost. Even after being helped up she just looked like she was in a daze.

Leon: Is she going to be okay?

Zhahz: I...I'm not sure.

Zhahz looked at Sessa.

Zhahz: Take your sister to the room. I'll be there shortly.

Sessa nodded and did as she was asked.

Zhahz: I will let you know if we need any help.

After she said this she left after her daughters.

It ended up how Leon had expected, Rose won with little issue. He has been training her since she was three so there was no way that Vuth was likely to win. He felt a swelling pride at seeing his daughter use what he had taught her, but also for restraining herself. If she wanted to, she could have hurt Vuth pretty badly but didn't.

Rose had an excited look in her eye.

Rose: How was that Dad?

Leon smiled.

Leon: You did great sweetie. Now, why don't we see if dinner is ready.