#fenixtj

Tex sighs "No, but the look on their face would be funny"

Holger sighs , but only a little. He is aware that enduring redcaps is just one of the many tasks Da'an has placed on trolls

"Holger, do you feel like switching things up with your practice today?"

"Si, if you wish, Lady Flamefree"

She nods. "Let's see how it goes. We can always stop. Tex, join us with your prefered weapon."

Tex looks delighted and gets himself what looks to be a hockey stick with a razor edge attached. He also get the mask

"Good choice" Holger approves "It gives you reach"

Jess nods. "Very good. Holger, practice what we were just working on together but don't be afraid to fall back on what you know if pressed. Tex, I look forward to seeing you apply what you learned this last week. Both of you remember.... this is a -practice spar-; no one gets hurt, not really. Understood?!?"

Tex sighs and wraps the sharp edge in a sock of sorts

"When you're ready, gentlemen."

"We attack each other , or you?" Holger asks her "I want to be su-"

That's when Tex charges Holger

Jess doesn't interfere, just watches.

It's an interesting display. Clearly, Tex HAS been taught how to fight, he gets his first shot in powerfully and without much restraint beyond what sparring might require and even then it was ikind of a cheap shot.

Holger recovers, and takes his own weapon putting it to work at a retaliatory strike. Tex might be a bit quicker, but Holger's reflexes have improved and he manages to block the next one.

The redcap tries to work the flanks, smart enough to try to prevent a straight hit from the troll

that said, Holger isn't going to just stand there

Jess watches, not only for where either or both might benefit from additional focus and drill, but also to observe their tempers; to see if either (or both) will let the other under their skin.

Holger takes a nasty hit, on purpose, to line up his own, and man, that counterstrike is full on! It's arguably a reckless move by the troll but then, trolls can take a lot of beating and it works, his weapon almost backhands the redcap across the floor.

Jess waits to see what Tex does.

And Tex loses his temper! He doesn't bite, not yeet, but he tries to scare the boy by making it look light he might.

Holger pales....then uses his weapon to trip the oncoming cap. Before Tex can get up, Holger positions his weapon and says "FInito, it is over."

"Finished."Jess agrees in a voice that says Done.

Tex snaps "I almost had ya! you were scared. You were scared"

Holger takes a breath, but does not answer "It is done. You fought well... though I Did not like you attacking before I knew the duel was really on"

"She said whenever we were ready. Not my fault I got ready first" Tex points out, but he calms some

Jess nods. "He's right in that, Holger."

"And yes, both of you fought well."

"Do you want to go again?"

"YEAH" Tex grins

Holger frowns "No, gracious but no. I think I am done sparring" HIs little brow folded

Jessica nods. "You've been working at this for some time today, Holger. I think you can be done for now. Both of you please work together to clean up the ring so others can use it if they wish, and go in to get something from the kitchens."

"Ah mann... "But Tex obeys

annd does Holger,but he seems to have less enthusiasm

Later...

Jessica sees the Ring is clean, but Rosa worries that that Holger didn't ask for a snack

Jess wanders her Freehold.... and if she happens on Holger.....

She does. He seems to be in a corner not doing...anything. Which is odd for the boy.Normally if it looks like he's doing nothing he's guarding

"Holger?" softly.

He looks up "Si? Is there trouble?" He shakes off his funk for that

"No. No trouble. May I join you?"

"If you wish?" he seems to demotivate a little

"Holger.... will you tell me what is troubling you?"

"Tex was right" he says "he did scare me. I do not mind if he wins, well, not much, one learns from loses, you and the Montano both say this. But.." A troubled look "But he really got to me, the scaring, the loss of limb, or hurt so I cannot be healed and could no longer protect the little contessa, and the little troubadour, and Salma? that scared me. the idea I would not be any good, no bueno"

Jess nods. "That is his gift. From his Kith, to frighten anyone so much they give way."

"But we are trolls. We are brave; we are afraid.... and we hold, anyway."

"As you did."

"But I almost did not. The.. the will of our people did not come to me then. Am I... am I not a true troll?"

Oh dear...he seems to have forgottenn that part of the birthright involves protecting charges, or upholding an oath.

"I do not think so, Holger. Our strength is also in protecting our people, and keeping to our Oaths. Did you fail there?"