Sparkler and the Wolf

19. Dorian's Not Bad

He cursed all the way back to the courtyard where Krem was already waiting for him. "There you are Vint. Thought you weren't going to show."

"I was... momentarily distracted." Dorian grumbled, stepping into the training area. "I thought Bull was going to be here."

Keen smirked. "Yeah the chief was supposed to be here and then he went and challenged your elf friend to a match. He's in the tavern drinking now."

"He's drinking? But he lost."

"The chief's funny that way, but really, he did what he set out to do so to him it's a win."

"And what did he set out to do?"

"Test the elf's skills, get him out in the open, get him to stop hiding."

"I should have guessed there was a.reason beyond getting sweaty." Dorian sighed. "So how is this going to work?"

"First we work on your grip. I.thought we could start by using a plain, non-magic staff with a blunt blade tip."

"Sounds easy enough." Dorian nodded.

Krem laughed. "We'll see."

Krem handed Dorian a staff and had him work through different ways of swinging, blocking and making quick, sweeping slashes with the bladed end. Dorian did well with this part of the exercise, having learned magic in Tevinter, he was accustomed to using a staff to defend himself.

Krem then had them move on to attacking each other while both used staffs. Krem was faster at getting past.Dorian's defences while the mage was more adept at sweeping blows and moving out of range.

"Pretty good Pavus." Krem nodded as he called a break. "Rest for a bit and I'll walk you through some easy moves with a sword and then blades. Once we've worked out where your skills are strongest, you can decide which weapon to you want to continue with."

"I'm assuming this has something to do with distance?"

"You catch on quick Vint. That's part of it sure, but it's also how much control you have over your weapon. Your sword or blade is an extension of you. If you can't control the weapon, it won't be of much use to you."

"Is that why qunari name their blades?"

"It's part of it, but any more than that you'd have to ask the chief."

"What's it like working for a qunari?"

"It's different, but he's not like what you see in Tevinter or Seheron. He hasn't tried to convert me and he's never quoted the qun."

"Still, it must be odd."

"It is. But the chief's been good to me and really there's nowhere else I'd rather be. Anyway, you ready to go again?"

"Certainly."

Krem started with a short sword, which Dorian seemed to have a fair bit of control over. They went through a few paces before moving on to blades. Krem did the same thing with the blades which Dorian seemed to have much more control over. He'd not been able to balance with a shield and was constantly leaving himself open to attack.

By the time they'd determined his weapon of choice, they were both sweating profusely and Dorian had removed the robe over his armour. They shared a drink of water before readying for the next round.

"Using blades..." Dorian sighed. "If I ever need to use them... kaffas, it's going to be messy isn't it?"

Krem laughed, slapping the mage on the shoulder. "That's why I like you Dorian, always thinking positive."