Prologue of the Prologue: Nelora Mahariel

Chapter 4: The First Armour

Summary:

Tamlen and Nelora Mahariel have just begun on their journey of becoming hunters. This day they are going to get theri first armors and first not quite training lessons.

Notes:

"Difficulties mastered are opportunities won." - Winston Churchill

The sun is high in the sky when Nelora Mahariel and Tamlen get called to Junar, their soon to be trainer.

Junar hands them 2 sets of armors. One set for Nelora Mahariel and other for Tamlen.

She accepts it gracefully. There are 2 braces, boots and the main body piece. The leather is hardened, rough and has a fresh slightly rotting smell to it, a smell that many dislike, but strangely enough not her. The stiches that keep the different bits and pieces of it together are large but strong. It is not tinted like the fine hunter's armors but she doesn't mind at all because it screams practicality for her. By the gods this is something special for her. This is her first protective garment that she does not have to share with anyone.

Junar scratches the back of his head. "I know that these armors may seem to be a little rough around the edges but they are protective enough to get you through your training."

Nel is so happy that she just wants to bounce up and down over and over again. She takes a deep breath to calm herself so she would not sound like a squealing mouse when she expresses her gratitude to Junar .Her eyes sparkle "Thanks! This is perfect."

"No problem Dalen." He looks at the two new gear admiring elves "What are you two waiting for? Gear up!"

When Nel gets back Tam and Junar are waiting for her.

"Now that Ms. Slowpoke is here... pick up some arms. A sword and a shield will suffice." He gives her a moment and then explains: "Before your training officially begins I've got to find out on what level of development you are."

She throws her right hand on her hip to add some sass to her comment: "SO what you are going to battle us?"

"Nothing that harsh. You two are going to be sparring and I'll observe. And don't worry these are practice swords, they don't cut, much."

Clearly Nel was not the only one in whose head the much part rang a warning bell. Tamlen seemes to be curious or afraid "What do you mean by much?"

He clears his throat and mutters "Well you see if enough force is applied in the right direction with the right or wrong moves then it can leave some cuts. These are still sort of swords that are made to be as close as possible to the real thing." He stops slouching and continues explaining with a clearer voice "The armor will protect you from things like that but it doesn't mean that getting hit won't hurt or that there won't be any bruises."

Nelora picks up the shield with her left hand. The thing is so heavy. It has seen some better days but it is perfect for training. She makes sure that it is on her arm sturdily enough. She then picks up the long sword. She is not really fond of those, too heavy and clunky for her tastes, she prefers something lighter that moves faster, but right now they should be on equal terms with Tamlen so Junar can evaluate their skills better. She does not know why but the feeling of pre combat jitters hits her from just gearing up.

Mahariel moves to the sparring spot and readies herself. Tamlen too arrives. They both are facing each other. Her palms are sweating slightly. She keeps her breathing nice and calm. Their shields are pressed together and the swords are at a ready to be used. They are now waiting for the start call from their trainer.

The trainer hunter grabs a chair and sits down. He gives the order: "Start!"

Tamlen quickly shield bashes her so hard that she falls to the ground. Her shield hand felt the full force of the blow. She realizes that she can't take many hits like that without it being very painful tomorrow.

It was quick. She fell on her tailbone. Waves of pain travel through her body. Damn how that hurts. She tries to get up but Tamlen has his practice sword on her neck. She had lost this round.

Junar shifts himself in his chair. He leans forward and says: "Again."

The two combatants ready themselves again. She shakes off the slight tingling in her shield arm.

Junar's voice is clear and professional. "Begin!"

Tamlen shield bashes her again. Once more her left hand gets a taste of full shield bashing force. Her arm is hurting now. This time she needs to get up faster and not be stuck in her thoughts or pain--- to late Tam's sword is at her neck once more.

Junar gets more serious and leans even more forward as if he was trying to see and analyze every tiny move they make. The usual joy and easygoingness is gone from his voice: "Get up and get ready!"

"Begin!"

She angels her shield so that the force of the shield bash would not fully hit her and that he would go off to the left side. The force is still too much and she loses her balance then Tamlen comes again with another shield bash. She falls on her back once again. The ground is bare and cool. The smell of fresh dirt crawls up her nostrils. As she lay on the ground her opponent disarms her and she has lost again.

Junar repeats: "It's like you're not even trying. Again!"

Nel's left hand is hurting a lot from being the battering ram's target and her buttocks is acing from the constant falling on her sodding arse.

"Begin!

She fails.

"Again!"

"Begin!"

She is on her back again

"Again."

"Begin!"

She fails again, again and again. Something has to change. Even if she manages to avoid the first shield bash then when Tamlen just as much as pushes her with his shield and she blocks it with hers then she loses her balance and he uses that to win. This time she'll ditch the shield.

"Get ready."

The two trainees take a fighting stance.

With a clear voice he gives the start: "Begin!"

Nelora dodges skillfully the first shield bash and throws the shield on the edge of the sparring area. She already feels lighter. Now Tamlen is charging at her again. She simply steps out of his way on the last second. Tam switches the shield bashing tactic to attacking with a sword. Nelora maneuvers her way around the blows with dance like motions and then she finds herself next to him. His sword-arm open for a pressure-point blow. She hits his arms inside opposite from the elbow with all the force she can manage with her sore left hand. He loses the strength in his arm and drops his sword. She quickly picks it up and positions herself behind him with his neck between the 2 swords. She won this one. She can still feel the leftover adrenaline rushing through her body, dulling all her aces.

Junar leans back in his chair and now says with his casual, not trainer voice: "Well done Mahariel. This is it for today."

She can feel her heart beating strong in her chest as if it was about to jump out. All of her body is filled with heat. A sweat drip drops from her nose. Her breathing is deep and heavy. Her body is trying to get enough oxygen after that exertion.

Junar stands up and says to her kindly: "You can stand down and let your opponent go."

She is surprised. Unbelievable that she had already forgotten about Tamlen being at her sword-point. "Oh, of course." She stands down. "Sorry, I forgot. This was just so intense."

Tamlen moves his shoulders in a circular motion and mocks her: "Hey I forgive you because you lost so many times today that it is taking a toll on your memory."

She kicks him in the ribs with the butt of her sword. Then she smiles brightly clearly pleased with herself and walks to the shield she threw away.

The kicked elf croaks: "Low blow."

"If it truly were a low blow then you would be on the ground hurdled up in a ball."

"You wouldn't dare."

She turns around and they have a fierce standoff just by looking in each other's eyes trying to intimidate the other person. She says something between the lines of growling and happy gloating: "Test me."

Junar walks between them and utters with his usual happy easy-going voice: "I know that sparring is very competitive but leave it for the sparring ground, will you."

Nel slightly nods, agreeing. Then they both look at Tam to see if he will do the same.

"Yeah fine. There's no way I could stay mad at Mahariel."

"Great that you kids are getting along. So tomorrow we are going to have another sparring session right here at sunrise. Do not be late!" He turns on his heel and starts walking away "Hey put away the swords and shields all nice and proper!"