[Grik Doomhammer]

The previous brightening's practice left Grik with a body of sore muscles. He felt the ache from top to bottom, and a slight stiffness. Put the pain was just an annoyance for the orc, as his race reveled in the pains associated with battle. He had left his partner after the suns had set, and went off to find the shamen that Kreul had spoken of. They had blessed his weapons and armours in a ceremony that slightly spooked the young orc. He had never been much for the magic and religiousness. But he did rever his god and the lord of battle for the orcs, and with his mark and blessing Grik did feel much more confident for the upcoming battles.

Having completed another portion of the lesson, Grik once more returned to the training grounds. He only covered a portion of the required lesson, and this day he would complete the rest. He moved towards the center of the training fields, looking for any other lone orc. At this time he seemed to be the only single orc, the others were paired up and banging on each other using the technique's that Kruel instructed. Not willing to waste time Grik took a moment to stretch out his tight muscles. From there he went on to go through the motions of redirect that he practiced previously. The three moves seemed strange to practice without a partner attacking, but it served to ingrain the movements.

As he began his last Right Direct, he stepped forward and thrust out his shield. A block and a punch at the same time, he heard a thump several times be hind him. A large Vysstichi stood behind him, with shield and shati in hand. Not the usual dark elf this one stood almost as tall as Grik though about half his girth. He was one of Kruel's assistants that usually roamed the training fields correcting errors of recruits as their leader taught. The Vysstichi thumped the ground once more and asked, 'A shame to see you without someone to attack you. I will be your partner this eve urak.'

'Set, Guard!' He shouted as he assumed his own basic stance. Grik was in for a true test this evening, it would be a true teacher testing his skills not a raw recruit.

The orc lifted his shield just in time to block a spear thrust, it showed the Vysstichi was not testing the recruit but was making him prove the battle readiness. Grik's first two blocks just moved the spear point to the sides, after a few thrusts he was able to move more confidently with his redirect. The dark elf yelled for Grik to take initiative, and settled once mroe into basic ready stance. With a grunt Grik took a step foreward lifting his shield overhead, and then dropped it down on the Vysstichi. The elf lifted his own shield and blocked the blow, and twisted sideways to avoid Grik's balled fist.

A nod signaled for Grik to restart, and the two went through this practice several more times. The orc would get closer, then not, and one time he missed severly and the elf smacked his shoulder roughly. A quick whelp of pain brought Grik's attention back. And he focused the rest of the class.

From there the two went on to practice the rest of the moves. One at a time Grik attacked, first with the Overhand Strike, following up with an unarmed attack. Then the Backhand Strike, which the thinner Elf took with more effort than another orc would. The trainer's assistant wanted to allow the orc to practice as he had been taught, for he coudl have dodged the blows and tagged Grik a few times. But that would be a future advance class...

Then they went through the last two attacks. First being the Center Strike, which was then followed by the Right Strike. As Grik got the basics of the moves down, he tried to move faster, to score a hit on the elf. To his dismay the orc was not fast enough to strike the elf. Once the assistant thought he had enough single attack practice he called for Grik to try combinations.

For this Grik stepped back, and took a breath while in basic stance. Before he could signal to see if the elf was ready, a spear head was coming for him. Grik lifted his shield, to Redirect the attack to the side and above, then attempted to punch the elf. He missed as he was too far back, but tehn stepped foreward with a Center Stike, which was quickly followed by an a flurry of blows. The Overhead, then another Center strike, a Backhand then another Overhead, that was followed by a fast punch. He grazed the elf's mouth, and a flash of anger light his partner's eyes.

The Vysstichi then attacked in his own flurry, Grik moving to block the onslaught. He did well till a Right Strike came across and banged his upper arm, Grik growled through his tusks as another flurry came. This one ended with the spear point under his chin. Grik shoved his partner back, and repeated his own attack combination. Overhead, Backhand, Center, followed by Right Hand strikes, they came faster than he had before, and with more precision. For the trainer was pushed back and a smile was begining to grow on his face.

'Good good... much better than I have seen in a fresh recruit.' He said signaling the end of the practice session. 'Perhaps if you come back from the frontlines, we can dance some more,' he said with a wicked look in his eyes as he turned and left.

Grik's shoulder slumped, and he let out a deep exhale. He was tired, more so than he ahd been in many a long era. But he also felt more accomplished than he had ever before. He battled a slippery dark elf and did well, not many on Telath could say that... and fewer orcs.