#rivervale_lodge

"For Justice!" Young Holger rushes the pell, trying to shield slam!

He has sincerity ,he has might...

he might need to center as he skitters to the left not hitting square enough

"Here, come back." Brekke says. "Try again, but first...." She helps him readjust his angle of attack. "Now...again."

He comes back.. and nods ... and this time.. he hits center! He probably felt it through the sheild more, but he doesn't complain "Bueno, that worked much better! Gracious. I could really FEEL it"

"Mm." A nod. "Again, but stay lower." She bends her knees to demonstrate. "Shield forward and up."

A nod then he pauses "Is it okay to ask questions, Chieftain?"

"It is required," she assures with a nod.

"I know what you want me to do and I will do it" He assures, "But why is that a better way? does it help me hit harder, or knock them into the sky?"

She grins. "Ah. A good question." A nod, and she demonstrates the posture she means. "Here, see...you are low, and your legs bent. When you hit, your legs push to add to the impact. Also, see..." she stands upright. "Here, the force behind the shield is arm and one shoulder. Good, but...." back to the low posture. "Here, it is arm, shoulder, and upper torso. More solid. Understand?"

"Si!" He says impressed "I have many muscles. I should use as many as I can"

"Exactly. Use them wisely, though. Not every move must be the strongest."

He nods, and goes as she directs, staying lower.. it takes him TWO tries to get it, because he over thinks the first one, but on the second try , gowing lower and then puting his legs into it, he tilts the target! he is, after all, a troll!

"Good. Now..." She picks up a shield herself. "Shove me back." She plants her feet and takes that deep stance, shield before her.

He nods then says "If I hurt you, it is nothing personal, Baroness..err Chieftain" He is still geting used to titles

She nods. "Of course. I have direct this. It is training. Go ahead."

Unblinking, he lunges forward, remebering to bend low and gives his best effort!

She stands solid. Depending on his stance, he may connect and try to push...or bounce back.

He connects! And tries to push but he makes a mistep after connecting, leg going a bit too out to the side in the shift

Which costs momenteum

And he is over balanced. She shifts her shield slightly, causing his shield to slide off, and he goes sprawling forward before her.

"Good try," she offers a hand up.

"ooof" he says "Gracious but I did not do it right" He takes the hand "Again please?"

She nods. "Low, centered," she reminds.

And she takes her stance again.

Siv is watching from nearby. She has not been there long, but she's being careful not to distract yet.

Holger tries again, and this time he holds the position properly as he hits!

"Good, now, force me back!" she encourages, her shield a solid wall.

HE PUSHES! GRRRRRR

It's possible he might lose footing if the ground is muddy

After he tries for a few seconds, she says, "Good!" and shifts enough to signal an end (so he doesn't actually lose his footing when he moves). "As you get stronger and larger, that will work better. Learn early, and it will become part of you."

He huffs then nods "Si. I will learn."

Siv says "I think we've got a contender, mom. " A smile "I was about ask if you wanted to patrol together, but maybe I should invite the young guest along?"

"Good." An approving nod to Holger, and then a look to Siv. "That may be a good idea. Holger, will you patrol with Lady Captain Siv?"

"Lady Captain?" He bows "Si, gracious! I need to learn how to patrol as well"

"Well, nice to meet you, holger, come on, I'll show you the ropes" Siv tips her hat to her mom 'Be back in an hour, Chief. I'll probably see if young Holger here likes Root beer"

It's insidious!

"Take good care of him, Siv." And Brekke tidies up the practice ring, putting things back where they belong.

"Gracious again for the lessons, Chieftain" Holger says "You will see." Proud nod "I will remember your lessons" ANd he moves to Siv's side.

Siv mouths 'sincere little cuss isn't he?' but she obviously finds the kid adorable. Then she says to the boy "First thing you have to learn is the troll patrol song.. purely optional"

His brow ggoes up, but he follows "if a song is tradition, I will learn it. "

And, unless the Chieftain wants to make a comment to her daughter about ... musical additions, off they go.

"There is NO troll patrol song. ...officially." Brekke points out before they're out of earshot.

Holger shoots the Chief one last grateful look, Siv chuckles and might mutter spoilsport... and well, off they go. Siv might play, but she'll take the patrol itself seriously. Lord knows Holger will

(end Scene)