Step One

"RAAAAAAH – ugh!"

"Y'know, Eyja, you almost had the jump on me this time."

"Pfft... really...?"

"Yeah. If you'd only shut up, I might've actually had to put some effort in."

"You're a prick, Karl."

"Well, you're a quick study, aren't you? Now up."

"Pfft. Not gonna offer a lady your hand? No wonder you're still single, armsmaster -- not even those handsome good looks of your's can make up for your -- Ah! No, no, no, please tell me you didn't flip me into – ahhhh. Okay. No you didn't. Just mud. Phew."

"If you think you're going to make a name for yourself on the battlefield, you'd better get used to worse than dog shit."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever... now, you said you were gonna teach me how to fight."

"Indeed I am."

"Great. So where's our swords?"

"We're not using swords."

"So... axes?"

"Uh, no. Definitely not axes. Not for you."

"What do you mean, 'not for me'?"

"No muscle to you. And look at your hands – it's not just the fact you don't have the strength or the callous, it's your build. You've the body of a noblewoman, not a shieldmaiden. We'll have to play to your strengths. Or, as it stands, lack thereof."

"Gee. Thanks."

"There's no place for pride out here. Maybe high up in your father's hall, but not down here. Not with me. Understand?"

"Yeah, I understand... asshole..."

"And call me names to my face. If you're angry, be straightforward about it. Be loud about it. Better yet, put it into your arm."

"But you said we weren't using swords."

"Aye. We're not. Not yet."

"So what are we using? Imaginary ones?"

"Funny. No, we're using these."

"Gah! By the gods, don't throw it at... what in Hel's name is this pathetic little thing?!"

"It's called a knife. Never heard of it? Super small dagger, in case you couldn't tell."

"This is... this is nothing!"

"Close to nothing, but not quite. And it's where we'll start."

"My father – your Jarl -- sent me to you so I could learn to fight. Not stab about like some idiot with a kitchen knife."

"I am teaching you how to fight. This is just step one."

"Step one? Out of what?"

"I don't know. I've found I've never stopped learning. If there is a final step, I'll probably die before I find it. Now. Come on, don't be afraid. Have at me."

"What? Have at you? I mean, I mean, uh... just... like, with the knife?"

"Yes, with the knife."

"Okay, but how?"

"However you think you should."

"Is this a trick?"

"More an experiment, I'd say."

"Um... like-like this? No no no, that's not right. Hmm... how about... no! Damn it, not like that, that's not right. Underhanded, or overhanded... um... maybe... maybe from the side, is that... hmm..."