“Possibly, sir,” Alburet replied, coming to attention.
“You sparred with them and showed them some unarmed combat techniques?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Very good,” the Commander’s eyes turned to Karen briefly before going back to Alburet. “Will you vouch for her?”
“I have trusted her with my life in combat on multiple occasions sir. I will also say she is more talented than I am when it comes to hand to hand combat.”
Nodding the Commander turned to Karen, “You have not worked to garner our favor but since he vouches for you I will consider you trustworthy for the mission to come. I want you to plant false evidence on a goblin patrol near the orc lands. If you will leave the messenger bag with us so we can set up the decoy it will take us two hours to have it ready to go.”
Karen saluted, “Yes sir.” She pulled the messenger bag out and set it on his desk.
“Very well, return to me in two hours. Until then you are dismissed.”
The duo saluted and marched out of the room. Alburet was a little surprised at how well Karen managed it. As they got to the hallway Alburet coughed quietly to get Karen’s attention. “So, why are you so good at mimicking military protocol?”
“My dad was in the service for twenty years,” Karen shrugged. “I was raised on military protocol, might be why I’ve always been a tomboy at heart.”
Chuckling Alburet shook his head, “We have two hours to kill. How about that friendly sparring match?”
“You want to go all the way back to Stormguard to spar?”
“Nope, follow me please,” he said as he led her down to Jasper. “Sir,” Alburet said, giving a salute to the Sergeant, “I need a favor.”
“What do you need, Alburet?”
“Permission to use the training room, sir. This beautiful woman is going to kick my ass there, so if you and some of the others want a good laugh come and watch.”
Jasper eyed Karen dubiously, then nodded, “Give me five minutes before you begin.”
Alburet nodded turning back to Karen, “So, about that match?”
“Oh why not,” she smirked as she flexed her shoulders. “Lead on and we’ll see if you can keep up with me.”
Alburet led her to the training room where he’d sparred with the men a few days ago. As they limbered up after setting their gear aside, a small mob of soldiers came in lining the walls. Jasper came in a moment later with a smile on his face.
Alburet nodded to the men who called out to him before he addressed the crowd. “Men, you were all impressed by what I showed you the other day. Pay attention today as I spar with this opponent. It should drive home the point of what I was trying to teach you.” He turned to Karen and bowed to her, “Are you ready?”
Karen came out to the middle and bowed in return before standing up and getting into a balanced stance, “Bring it, cream puff.”
Alburet
Human Summoner
Level 12
Strength: 17
Agility: 17
Constitution: 25
Intelligence: 38
Wisdom: 42
Charisma: 25
Health: 850
Mana: 1020
Spells:
Demon Skin-Rank 2
Demonic Retribution
Summon Least Imp
Fire Blast
Sap Strength
Demonic Haze
Summon Lesser Destroyer
Demonic Vitality
Fire Burst
Abilities:
Personal Spells
Flame Weapon
Sparring
Alburet slid forward on balanced feet, closing the distance slowly as Karen stood there waiting. He knew he had reach on her but she was more practiced than he was. He attacked, only to have her dart back out of his range. A smile came to her lips as she continued to avoid his attacks with ease. Alburet knew he was being measured and toyed with after a minute as none of his attacks had come close to landing where he wanted them or even at all.
“Well this is fun, but I think it's a bit lacking,” Karen said as the next attack missed, “let's get started, shall we?”
She came in low, attacking his knees. Alburet danced back, but felt her connect with his leading leg as he pulled it back breaking his balance. She didn’t give him a chance to regain his balance, but kept coming. He found himself entirely on the defensive, trying to block or avoid her attacks which were faster than his had been.
Alburet knew he was outclassed but he couldn't help but smile as Karen kept after him. He hadn't been challenged like this in years and he felt joy that he was being tested again. However, his thoughts reflecting on the past cost him now as she finally caught his knee hard enough to make him fall. As he dropped to the mat he tried to roll away only to find her glued to his back as her arms caught him.
She wrapped his arm and got her legs locked on him for an arm bar and applied pressure. Alburet gasped as she exerted enough pressure to cause real pain. He tapped the floor twice and sighed when she let him go.
Popping to her feet she smiled to the men who applauded her, “Thank you, gentlemen.”
Alburet got to his feet slowly and let out a deep breath, “I'm so rusty and out of my league.”
“Don't worry, I'll beat you back into shape. Two hours is what the Commander said, right?” Karen's eyes sparkled, “We can go full contact here, you know. It's not like you’ll die.”
Alburet flexed his arm as his health replenished and the pain faded, “True, but I'm at full sensors and I doubt you are.”
Karen shrugged then seemed to fiddle with the air for a second, “Okay, now we’re even. You ready for round two at full contact?”
Shaking his head, Alburet replied, “I'm so going to suffer. But yes, I accept the full contact match with my superior.” He finished with a full bow to her.
Chuckling, Karen bowed her head, “I’ll be glad to put you back together later.”
For the next hour the duo sparred. Alburet was only able to win a submit from Karen once during the entire time, while she got him well over a dozen times. Once they finished Jasper came forward and bowed to them both.
“I wonder if you would mind walking us through a few of those techniques?”
Quest: Teach the Stormguard Fort guards some martial arts
Reward: Reputation increase with all Stormguard Guard factions
Karen blinked then bowed her head, “I would be glad to.”
“We will be glad to, but a large class would not be the best. Give her the twenty best guards you have to teach.” Alburet interjected, looking at Karen who nodded.
“Okay,” Jasper replied, pointing out the nineteen lucky guards. “The rest of you are dismissed.” He turned to the duo, “Okay, myself and these others are your class.”
Alburet nodded and started off to the side to take a seat, “All yours, Karen.”
Karen snagged his shirt, “Oh no you don't. I’m going to need a training dummy and you're it.”
Sighing, Alburet nodded, “Should have seen that coming.”
A wicked smile creased her lips, “If you’re really good maybe I'll ice you down later.”
Karen spent the next hour in instructor mode, using Alburet to demonstrate the techniques she was teaching the guards. They stopped when a messenger came, calling the duo back to the Commander. “Alright, we’re done. Good job. Just practice those moves with each other until they’re second nature.” Karen said as she grabbed her gear.