Basic Rhingorda (Private)

[Verus]

TS: Forth Cycle, Third Brightening of Kalendryas. Era XIV PF.

After a good darkenings rest at The Watering Hole where Temujin was staying, the hagrhnd had gotten up as the twin suns of Alleria were just peeking over the horizon. Getting dressed quickly, he had placed his usual weaponry about his person and heading out for the brightening. The Fitness and Bones Training training hall was a fair distance away, and Temujin set out at a well paced jog, his strides eating the distance towards his goal quickly. He wasn't necessarily in a hurry, but it helped to keep oneself in shape.

Half a candlemark later, he arrived at the training hall. Pausing to let his breathing return to normal, the rhagrhnd pushed the door open and enterred the establishment. Walking into the reception area, he unstrapped his shortsword and lay it on one of the benches. Taking the pair of knives he kept in his boots out, he laid them there with his sword and continued into the training hall. His eyes adjusted slowly to the dimply lit interior of the building compared to the illumination the suns gave off outside.

"Serale," he called out. The vysstichi had told him last brightening to come back this brightening and someone would be there to train him in rhingorda. His eyes had yet to pick up anyone, so he waited for an answer to his greeting, wondering if perhaps he was too early.

[Verus]

The rhagrhnd didn't have long to wait before he received an answer. From the back, the vysstichi came forwards. "Greetings, Temujin," the vyssie said simply. Then the rhaghrnd noticed another step forwards, a pace behind the instructor. "This is one of my assistants, Theyton Hunders, he'll be instructing you in basic rhingorda, I'm to busy to do so myself."

With that, the vysstichi left the room, leaving his assistant to walk forwards, revealing himself to be a human in his middle ages with greying hair and a nasty scar down his cheek. "Serale. Are you ready to begin the training?" Theyton didn't wait for an answer, if Temujin wasn't ready, he could leave. "I want you to jog around the room... twenty times to begin, then thirty squats when your done."

With that, the human took a seat on a bench and watched as the rhaghrnd began jogging circles around the room. The main room wasn't small, and it took Temujin nearly a candlemark to job the twenty laps and complete the squats, his breath a little ragged by the time he was fi nished.

From his seat, Theyton had counted the laps and squats that his pupil had done. Satisfied that the rhaghrnd hadn't skipped any, he stood and approached the middle of the room, beckoning Temujin to follow him. "You seem to be in decent shape, good. Rhingorda involves being fit, and by the time I'm finished with you, you'll be able to do that twice without your foolish panting. Now, before we begin, tell me why you're hear to learn Rhingorda..."

The question was pointless, Temujin had paid his two hundred crowns and Theyton would train him whatever the answer. But the human assistant was curious about these things.

Thinking for a moment, Temujin took a breath and answered. "I want to better myself as a warrior. I've learned to use a sword and bow, but there are times when I will not have those things. Time's when I'll need to rely on my fists and feet. I've been in a couple bar fights, and so far, my luck has been good, but that's against cocky drunks. I want to be able to fight and not worry about the other man's skill."

"Not a bad reason," Theyton said dismissively. "Alright then, we'll start with the basic stances. A lot of martial arts involve stability, rhingorda though, the stance focus' more on mobility. The basic stance, stand knee's bent, your lead foot slightly ahead, balanced on the balls of your feet. Hand's up, lead hand up by your cheek with the other out a little more." After the verbal instructions were given, Theyton demonstrated the stance, bobbing on his feet left to right to show the mobility of the stance. "Your turn," he said after a moment, standing straight again.

Following Theyton's verbal instructions, Temujin mimicked the man's stance. Standing with his right foot out slightly in front of the left, he rolled up on the balls of his feet. Bringing his right hand up by his cheek, he brought his left up as well, keeping it out from his face a little.

"Good, good," Theyton said simply. "Now, I'll teach you to block and evade. Evading a strike comes first, it's easier and you don't get hit. After all, hit's to your arms will hurt after a while and wear you down. Here is where the mobility comes into play. Evading is easy, step to either side, step back or duck. Any of those options can be used to evade a strike. Now, I'm going to attack, and I want you to evade my punches."

Falling into the same stance that Temujin was in, Theyton began his assault. He went slow, letting the rhaghrnd get a feel for what to do for different attacks. First he swung wide, his fisting coming in a swinging arc towards Temujin's head, a strike that the rhaghrnd ducked under. After, a straight punch from Theyton's other hand, Temujin stepped back. When Theyton struck towards Temujin's left side, the rhaghrnd stepped right and vice versa.

After Temujin got a feel, Theyton sped up, his strikes coming faster and faster, his breathing steady and Temujin's began to get heavier. After half a candlemark, the assault stopped.

"Not too bad, we'll work more on that later. Now, there are the blocks. When you cannot evade, you must block. Blocking is done with your arms. For a strike towards the head, bring your forearm up to block it. For a strike to the side, curl away from the blow and use a bent arm to block with your forearm and bicep. Strikes aimed at the groin, bring your hands down to catch the blow." Demonstrating each block as he gave the verbal instructions, Theyton suddenly said, "Defend yourself."

With that being the only warning, Theyton swung, a fist toward Temujin's head. Bringing his arm up, the rhaghrnd felt the impact on his forearm then fell back into the basic stance. Next came the body shot's which Temujin blocked with bent arm's as Theyton had shown. After a few more bodyshot's and a head shot, Theyton kicked out at Temujin's groin.

The blow landed, dropping Temujin to his knee's. "You assumed I was simply going to punch you, your mistake. Remember this pain, a man can strike with both feet and hands... feth, the head can be used offensively as well as the elbows and knees. Watch a man, not just their fists. Now get up, twenty more laps around the room, then twenty push up's and sit ups. " Starting to walk away, Theyton called over his shoulder, "Be here at this time tomorrow."

Pushing himself to his feet, Temujin began a limping jog around the room. Even though Theyton had left him to his own devices, the rhaghrnd didn't skip any. Twenty laps followed by the same number of push up's and sit ups. After the exercise was finished, a sweaty Temujin left the training centre to find a bath.

[Verus]

The next brightening, Temujin returned as he had been told. Entering the Fitness and Bones, he moved to a bench and disarmed himself, except for the ceremonial vhatcha that was kept in the small of his back, a knife that never left his side. Moving into the training area, he was greeted by Theyton. "Greetings. Start some laps, I'll tell you when to stop," the human assistant told him.

Jogging to wall, Temujin began at a decent pace around the room, his stride long eating lap after lap. He didn't bother counting but he was sure that he was getting close to the fifty mark when the man finally let him stop. Normally Temujin was proud of his conditioning, a soldier and warrior he was in good shape, but at the end of the laps he was out of breathe and had a pair of burning legs.

It only got better from there. "Now, thirty push ups and sit ups, then twenty five squats," Theyton informed him as he returned to his teacher.

Temujin set his teeth, he wouldn't quit no matter what trial he was put through. When he had joined the West Wardens, it had been the same thing. But he had gotten used to the work out in the end, and he was sure he would be able to come to Theyton's standards by the end of his training.

Laying down on the ground he began the push ups and sit ups, then stood. Shaking his legs out, he ducked down until his backside touched his heels then stood, breathing out on the way up. His leg's already burned and the squats were torture.

When he was done, he was breathing hard as he returned to the assistant. As he got close, the human suddenly ordered him, "Quick, defend yourself." The short order was followed by a jab towards the rhaghrnds face.

Caught off guard, Temujin danced backwards, off balance, barely dodging the blow. Falling back into the stance he had been shown the previous brightening, he was more ready as Theyton advanced and jabbed with his other fist. Ducking to the side, the rhaghrnd watched his teacher, not just the fists this time, but cautious of legs as well. For near a candlemark Theyton attacked, driving Temujin around the room. He likely could have easily hit the rhagrhnd but he did not go too fast, Temujin was already tired from the exercises beforehand.

The attack was all punches, jabs and straight blows, uppercuts and hooks. Most of these, the rhaghrnd opted to dodge rather then block, but the occasional one met an arm placed in the way in the form of a block. At the end, Theyton stopped forwards and launched a toe kick at Temujin's groin. The blow nearly caught him off guard as it was the first that wasn't a punch. Stepping backwards, Temujin brought both hands down and blocked the blow not far from his crotch.

"Good, good," Theyton told him, stopping the attack and simply standing there. "Now, we work on a basic punch, the jab." Resuming the stance, Theyton stood there. "In your stance, the fingers of your fist should be pointed at your face. The jab is the most basic of punches, usually performed with the weaker hand as a lead into a stronger attack, a straight punch or uppercut for example. Now, for the jab, simply extend your arm, twisting it on the way so that when it reaches the full extension, the fingers are pointed down. As you punch, exhale quickly, it will give you a little more reach."

The verbal orders were given and the blow demonstrated by Theyton. "Now, the jab is for speed, you won't finish a fight with a jab so don't bother trying to take someones head off with it. It's used to create openings, daze your opponent and let you finish the fight with something else. Now, pick a practice dummy over there and try it out."

Walking over to the nearest dummy, Temujin fell into the basic stance about arms reach from it. Fist's up and balanced lightly on the balls of his feet, he lashed out. His left extended, hitting the dummy's face and pushing through until it reached the full extension before the rhaghrnd pulled it back and repeated the process, exhaling as he lashed out.

"Good, but you want to make contact when your arm is straight. Your trying to take the dummies head off. Back off a little so your fist just hits it at the peak of the punch."

Taking half a step back, Temujin began the move again. Jabbing quickly his fist made contact at the limit of his reach and rocked the dummy a little. He did this half a dozen times, mostly with his left, the weaker of his hands.

"Good, now move around a little. Left and right around the dummy. You want to force your opponent to move as you attack so they are not in a solid defensive stance. Also try combinations of jabs, for example twice with the left then right."

Jabbing twice with his left, Temujin followed the orders and quickly stepped to the left, throwing another jab with his left then right. Moving around the dummy, the rhaghrnd continued with his jabs, lefts mostly, but rights thrown into the mix occasionally, changing them up in various combinations.

The rhaghrnd continued with this for some time before Theyton stopped him. "Good, good. Now, fifteen laps, twenty squats and push ups. Same time tomorrow."

With that, the assistant left the room, leaving the rhaghrnd to perform the exercises alone before collecting his weapons and leaving the building.

[Verus]

The next brightening, Temujin arrived at the Fitness and Bones and began his routine. Setting his blades aside, he walked out on the floor, past Theyton who stood in the centre with only a nod of greeting and a short, "Serale."

Reaching the outside wall, the rhaghrnd began a steady jog, traveling around and around the room in a familiar path. He didn't know how many laps to jog, rather he assumed that his teacher would stop him when he had done enough.

Nearly acandlemark later, Temujin was panting from the exertion when Theyton finally called out, "Come here." Breaking away from his jog, the rhagrhnd walked to the centre of the room and stood before Theyton. "Now, thirty squats and fifty push ups," Theyton told him.

Without a word, Temujin stepped away from the assistant and began his squats teeth set in determination as every on was a struggle with his already burning legs. He did them though, took him some time, but he got them done. The push ups were easier, his arms having not been worked yet.

When he had finally finished the exercise, he stood once more before his teacher. But things were not done yet, Theyton had come up with a new way to work him. Picking a set of object up off the floor, he held them and commanded, "Give me your arms." Holding both out, Temujin watched as they were strapped around his wrists, peculiar metal bracer's that added a fair bit out weight at his wrists fifteen pounds Temujin judged. Once they were secured in place, his next torture began. "Pick out a dummy and practice the jab for half a candlemark."

Walking over to the nearest dummy, Temujin assumed the basic stance at arms reach, his hands up by his face. Light on the balls of his feet and his breathing still heavy from the exercise at the start, the rhaghrnd started off with a pair of left jabs followed by a right. From that simple set of jabs, he found how hard this challenge would soon become. The added weight on his arms would soon tire his arms. Setting his teeth, he continued. Left right, left left. Right right, left, right. Stepping sideways, circling the dummy as he went, jabbing away.

By the time that Theyton held out his hand to stop him, Temujin's arms burned like atheria. "Good, good. Your strong willed, most of my students can't go the first half-candlemark I give them when they start. Now," taking the weights of Temujin's wrists, Theyton continued. "Half a candlemark more, now weights this time."

Nodding in acceptance, the rhaghrnd waited until Theyton stepped away then resumed the stance once more. With the first jab, the rhaghrnd found out what the weights had accomplished. He had figured they would build the strength in his arms, let him hit harder. But lashing out with a left jab, he found it was a fair bit quicker then he had been with the weights and even when he had done this the brightening before. It built speed, not strength, let him hit faster.

When half a candlemark had past, Theyton stopped him once more. "Strength is good, but I would rather like to hit you five times while your taking your first swing remember that. Speed is more important then strength. Now, this afternoon we'll work on the hook. Another kind of punch." Leading Temujin back to the centre of the room, Theyton turned to him. "Hooks are a lot different then the jabs, they are used to punch from the side, trying to get around an opponents guard. Now, from the stance, you bring your fist around in a sideways arc, the two targets you are looking for are the side, and at the head. You don't hit at the full extension, rather your elbow stays crooked when you hit and the follow through." As he spoke, Theyton once more showed the punch. "Now go back to the dummy, practice the hook for a while, I'll tell you when to stop."

Walking back to the dummy, Temujin stood once more at arms reach, the same distance he did for the jab. Balanced lightly on the balls of his feet, he launched his first hook, with his right hand he stepped forwards half a step and sent his fist around connecting hard with the dummies side, stepping back into the stance as he retracted his fist. His left struck out after that, a hook to the side of the head that rocked the dummy. He continued on with the hooks, usually switching left, right, left, right but occasionally he do two or three in a row with the same fist.

After a while, Theyton stopped him. "Not bad. Now, the hook can be used in combination with with jab. A couple jabs then a hook are great to throw an opponent off balance and leave them open for a finishing punch. Now, practice combining the two punches in attacks, remember to move around the dummy, you don't want to stand toe to toe with an opponent and throw it down, that's just foolish."

Nodding, Temjin resumed the stance and focused on the dummy. He began with a pair of left jabs, the a right followed by a left hook to the head. Next came a right hook to the side, then a left and right jab followed by a left hook to the head. Various combinations came, in random concoctions as he followed his instructions, seeing what combinations felt more fluid then others.

"Good, good. Now, twenty laps, twenty push ups and sit ups, then twenty more laps," Theyton told the rhagrhnd after half a candlemark of various hook/jab combinations. Walking away he called over his shoulder, "Same time tomorrow."

As usual, Temujin was left on his own to do his exercise and collect his weapons. Leaving the Fitness and Bones, he sought out a bath house for a hot dip.

[Verus]

As he had for the last few brightenings, Temujin found his way to the Fitness and Bones training centre as the suns began their slow descent to the horizon. He arrived a little early, but it didn't really matter. Leaving his weapons on the bench he entered the training area and was greeted by Theyton.

"Afternoon. You know the drill, twenty laps and twenty squats, push-ups and sit ups. Go," Theyton told him simply.

Nodding in answer to this, Temujin began he trip around the room, over and over he ran. He was getting in better shape. Though his legs still warmed from the exertion, he was able to finish the exercise with more breath that he usually did. When he was done he walked back to Theyton to began the brightenings training.

"Now, you know how to move, how to avoid being hurt and the jab and hook. Next, we'll learn how to throw a straight punch, it'll be the most powerful move in your arsenal for the time being. Now, from your basic stance, you use your lead arm for the straight punch. Step forwards and lean your weight into the blow, throwing your fist in a straight line at the opponents head," the rhaghrnds instructor told him, demonstrating the move as he went. "Now, find a dummy and get used to the straight punch. Once your used to it, try combinations of jabs, hooks and straight punches out to see which feels more natural. A jab is a good way to set the opponent up for a knock out straight punch."

Jogging to the training dummy of choice, Temujin assumed the basic stance, bouncing slightly on his feet. He was short for the average human, being only five feet tall. But he had power in his frame. The dummy he had chosen was taller then him and his straight punches were angled slightly up to connect with the dummies chin.

He tried out the straight punch a few times, leaning his weight into the blow and rocking the dummy. After he was used to it a little, he tried out combinations. First a pair of left jabs then a straight punch delivered by his leading right hand. Then a right, left jab combination finished by a straight punch. After some jab/straight punch combos he worked the hook he had learned into the mix. Bouncing lightly on his feet, the rhaghrnd lashed out with a series of three right jabs then a left hook followed by a straight punch. Then he began to incorporate some movement into his combinations, jabbing twice with his left, he stepped to the right and lashed out with a right hook and left jab before stepping back and throwing his weight into a straight punch connecting squarely with the dummies chin.

He tried out various combinations for a while, finding a few that felt more comfortable and fluid then others. After some time, Theyton came over to him. "Your doing well. Now, twenty laps, then the same amount of squats, push ups and sit ups. Take tomorrow off and practice on your own time. The next brightening come in early, I've got another student just learning rhingorda that your going to compete with." With that, Theyton left the room, once more leaving the rhaghrnd to complete his exercises. Rather then leave right away though, the rhaghrnd walked over to an out of the way dummy in the corner and practiced his attacks for another candlemark. His jabs and hooks followed up by a devastating straight punch. Eventually, he left, covered in sweat and though it didn't show on his face, excited about his sparring match to come in two brightenings.

[Verus]

He jogged until his legs burned and his breath was ragged, then he turned and began finding his way back to the inn he was staying at. The rhaghrnd was getting more and more used to the city and was only turned around once before finding the inn and returning to his room. Once in the safety of the room he disarmed himself, leaving his shortsword on the bed easily reachable should his room turn into not so safe of a place.

He then continued his exercise, thirty squats followed by the push ups and sit ups. When his exercise routine was complete, he stood a little more then arms reach and began striking out at the air. A series of jabs came first as he danced around in a circle pretending his target was in the middle, then his movement changed from attacking to defending as he ducked from side to side as if avoiding his opponents blows. Straightening back out he throw a right hook followed by a left jab and a straight punch. He continued this routine for well passed a candlemark, jabs and hooks with straight punches to finish the various combinations he came up with. Every once and a while altering as if he was on the receiving end of an attack, ducking imaginary punches and blocking a few of them.

He had long since been covered in sweat before he decided to finish up his attacks and wind down for the brightening. Arming himself once more he left the inn and began a steady jog throughout the city, returning to his room a half a candlemark later to finish up with a couple dozen squats and push ups.

When his exercise was complete he got a small meal at the tavern below and grabbing a change of clean clothes went to the closest public bath he could find.

[Verus]

The next brightening, Temujin arose bright and early, excited about this afternoon sparring match. Leaving the inn, the rhaghrnd ran a few laps around the city block before returning to his room and practicing his moves that he had been taught by Theyton. Jabs and hooks, dodges and straight punches, all worked into combinations to drive an enemy back and put them off balance to deliver the straight right hand that could potentially end the battle.

Only after about half a candlemark of this training did the rhaghrnd leave his room, taking a quick bath a couple blocks over before returning and ordering a light breakfast. Eating fast, the rhaghrnd went about his daily business, watching the sun in eager anticipation, waiting on the designated time that he would go and spar with this unknown student.

It was about a candlemark before he usually arrived at the Fitness and Bones when Temujin entered the training centre. He had been told to come early, thus he had. Stripping himself of his arms, he entered the training area and saw Theyton sparring with his opponent, a tall vysstichi elf.

When he was noticed the sparring stopped. "Afternoon Temujin, this is Skylar, your opponent this brightening." Theyton told him, giving the introductions to both at the same time. After a quick handshake, both opponents turned their attentions back to their teacher. "You two will use what you've learned over the past few brightenings and try to beat your opponent. You'll use headgear and gloves so that you don't hurt each other too badly." At this, the human teacher gave them each their headgear, a device that strapped to the head and protected the area around the ears but left the face open, and padded gloves. "Now,I want a fair fight, use only what I have taught each of you. May the better student win..." With that, Theyton walked to the outer part of the room and took a seat, awaiting his students to show him what they had learned.

Strapping his headgear into place and sliding his hands into the gloves, Temujin waited for the vyssie to do the same before falling into the basic stance. Bouncing slightly on the balls of his feet, Temujin let loose a pair of left jabs, more feeling out his opponent then trying to hit him at the moment. Both jabs the vyssie easily avoided by ducking back.

It was the third jab that Temujin lashed out with that he found out something rather important in this sparring match. As his blow came up short of Skylar's head, Skylar's counter jab caught him squarely in the nose, making him fall back a step. Along with the greater height of the vysstichi, came greater reach as well. There was also the agility natural to his race that came into effect to, as the vysstichi proved, following Temujin on his retreat and landing another two jabs before the rhaghrnd got out of the danger zone of the elf's limit of reach.

Shaking his head, the rhaghrnd once more began bouncing on his toes, this time deciding to wait for the elf to strike first. It wasn't long as the first the blows landing seemed to make the elf cocky and he pressed his attack, stepping in closer to throw another jab.

Ducking under this jab, Temujin came up with a vicious right hook that rocked the elf. Elves might be quicker then humans, but the later were stronger. As the elf danced backwards, awkwardly and stunned, Temujin followed him landing a left and right jab then a left hook that turned the elf and made him stagger a few steps before catching his balance and turning to face his opponent once more, not so cocky anymore.

Now both, having a feel for each other closed the gap. They were just out of range of each other and circling like a shark in the water with the scent of blood. Lashing out with a left jab, Temujin fell back as the elf counter jabbed. Again they resumed their circling.

They circled for some time, Temujin waited for an attack and Skylar not so eager to throw one after finding out the strength in the little man. Eventually though, the elf threw a jab. It was what Temujin had been waiting for, blocking with his right arm, the rhaghrnd stepped in close enough to attack. Launching a left jab he connected squarely with the elf's stomach and continued to press on. Coming even closer, he launched a series of right hooks, each landed against the elfs side and punishing the weaker race.

Dancing backwards, the elf was just about out of range when Temujin lunged in and connected with a straight punch, throwing the elf backwards and to the floor. Standing back, Temujin watched as Skylar shook the stars out of his head and pushed himself to his feet. There was a look of anger on the elf's face, he didn't like being beaten, that was easy enough to see.

Rather then carefully continue their dance, the elf charged, and threw a fast straight punch that connected squarely with the rhaghrnd head, driving him backwards but not dropping him. Continuing to press the attack, the elf connected with a series of jabs, followed by another straight punch that Temujin barely ducked. Hammering at the thin torso of the elf with heavy handed hooks, Temujin felt the elf bounce off the ground with each one of them, his breath long since driven out of his lungs. Then as the elf doubled over, the rhaghrnd lifted Skylars head with his left hand. Drawing back his right, he lashed out and floored the vyssie with a straight punch.

There was no getting up for the elf this time. There was no breath left in the creatures lungs and even with the padding on the gloves, Temujin had bloodied his nose, and quite likely broke it. The rhaghrnd was panting though, the sparring match putting more of an exertion on him then he thought it had, but then again the adrenaline that had filled him during the bout was draining as the elf stayed put, sprawling on the ground rather then feebly trying to continue the fight.

"Congratulations Temujin, you did well," Theyton told him, crossing the floor and helping the elf to his feet. Rather then being a good sport about the lose, the vyssie tore the headgear off and stormed from the room, glaring over his shoulder at Temujin as he left.

"Don't worry about him, he's got too much pride then good for him. He'll cool down sooner or later. You did well though, I'm impressed. Hopefully you continue with your training, come back sometime and perhaps I'll be able to show you another thing or two. Farewell." With that, Theyton took the gear from the rhaghrnd and also left the room, leaving Temujin to collect his things and head back to the inn, feeling invigorated over his victory.

[Kalinda]

Basic Rhingorda Approved!
+ 2 XP!