Imriel's Training

[Imriel Cwningen]

Day One - The Sword - 413 Words

Imriel was early for her training with Prince Arthur. She wanted to make a good impression, especially since she was nervous. Imriel was sure that she would fail miserably at her training session the first time, yet she mentally prepared herself as she walked over. She wore a blue tunic and pants and she walked with a swagger, or an attempted male swagger that she had almost mastered. Her armor was already in the barracks and she only carried her sword and bow. Though Imriel was training to be a swordsman, she knew that she would have to train in other weapons as well. Imriel remembered when she used to practice with her brother how the Master of Arms would say, "become one with your weapon. Your sword is only an extension of your arm.”

Today Imriel would go through some sword forms to demonstrate her agility and ability to handle a sword. Imriel walked onto the training field, her golden hair glistening in the sunlight. "I am here for my training, sir,” Imriel said when Arthur had greeted her.

"Good, please put on your practice armor and begin showing me what you know,” Arthur said.

Imriel donned her leather vest and vembraces and belted her sword around her waist. She stood in front of Arthur and drew her sword. The sword was heavy in her hands, but she felt like it was at home in her graceful hands that were once flawless and now calloused.

Imriel lifted the sword above her head and struck down, the tip inches from the dirt ground. She then lifted her sword two more times to demonstrate her angled cuts. From there she gracefully, yet powerfully handled her sword so that she made figure eights in the air, before turning around and striking downward, landing on one knee. She turned to face Arthur, her sword parallel to the ground as she stabbed as if her sword were a spear. The one last thing Imriel did was spin around, her hands gripping the sword as she circled it around her head and struck the scarecrow dummy, chopping off its head, yelling with power as she did so.

Perhaps it was not her best. She had faltered a bit on her figure eights and her angled slashes could have been a little sharper, but the butterflies in Imriel’s stomach disappeared as she turned to face Arthur, sheathing her sword. She hoped that she had passed her first training session.

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

Accepted a very good introduction to Imriel's abilities. You may update your signature to "Trainee" and post yournext session whenever you are ready.

[Imriel Cwningen]

Day Two - The Bow - 531 Words

Imriel had passed her first day of training. Prince Arthur had looked pleased and Imriel had to prevent herself from skipping back to her rooms. Instead, she had bowed and calmly walked back, keeping her feelings reserved. She did not want her cover blown. But at some point she would have to be honest. Still . . .

The second day of training she would present her bow skills. Targets had been placed in the training field and this time she did not have to bring her practice armor, only her guard that she would place on her right arm. Because she was left handed, she would hold the bow in her right and draw the strings with her left hand.

Once Imriel reached the training field she noticed that Arthur was late so she took that time to string her bow. This was something she had done for quite sometime and she did it with ease. Her quiver was strapped around her shoulder and her blue-feathered arrows rested inside. Finally the prince came and she bowed.

"First you will started at ten paces, then twenty paces, and then fifty. If you succeed, then you may try 100 paces,” Arthur said, looking a little cocky as he tended to do when talking about weapons and training. He was by far the best at everything. Imriel nodded and walked over to the ten paces mark.

Imriel held up her bow and cocked an arrow. She looked down the wooden shaft to the target. There were six rings. She focused on the center ring and aimed and released the arrow. The arrow flew through the air and struck true, in the very center of the target.

"Very good,” Arthur said and Imriel took her place at the twenty paces mark. This was a little more difficult. As she cocked her arrow and focused her eyes on the target she could feel her palms grow sweaty, but she took her time and did not release the arrow prematurely. The arrow flew straight and hit the outer edge of the center circle. She was shocked by her own success.

"Impressive,” Arthur said, having nothing else to say. Imriel smiled and walked to the fifty paces mark. This was the most difficult. She stood there and cocked her arrow. By this point her palms were very sweaty. She stood and held up her bow, placing the arrow against the wooden arch. She stared at the target, aiming her bow as best as she could and released, though perhaps a little too early. The arrow flew and struck the fourth circle from the middle. Not her best as she struck closer to the edge of the target than the middle. Arthur nodded, not quite pleased.

"You must not release the arrow early. Take your time. Cock your arrow, draw the string and take a breath, collecting yourself before you release,” he said and Imriel nodded. She tried again.

Holding her bow, Imriel placed her arrow and drew the string. She took a deep breath and released. This time the arrow landed in the third circle to the center. "Much better,” Arthur said. "That is all for today.”

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

Once again very good!

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