#rivervale_lodge

Siv's never really beaten her mother in sparring, and that day , if it ever comes, is not coming tonight. That said, never let it be heard that a Fiona is timid, and Siv suggested sparring practice while Squire Kassidy watched so the girl could see difference in styles

"Is there some move in particular you wish to practice?" Brekke asks as she gives her practice weapon a warm-up swing. "Or do you simply wish to spar?"

"I figured a bit of spar to show a variety" Siv says "That said, the girl wants to work on her foot work "

"I do," the squire says "I'm still having trouble with moving them fast enough"

"Hm." A nod. "I will move, then." On the contrary, however, she stands ready, waiting for Siv to start.

"En guarde" Siv says with a testing thrust, very standard.

A hint of amusement at the phrase, and no movement other than an easy parry.

And the pace picks up. Speed is one of t he few areas Siv can hope to equal her mother but she's not opened up fully yet, letting the squire see the basics and then building

Kassidy observes keenly

"Now mom has reach on me, not as much as a non troll, but it makes a difference in her favor, and she vknows I want to get under her guard"

After the first parry, Brekke does, indeed move. She begins advancing on Siv at a slow and relentless pace, striking with each step. "I do know that," she says with a nod. "Can you?"

She's trying to force Siv into retreat footwork.

Siv does demonstrate some retreat actually, but there's a patter to it....and a change up as she pivots to try to flank a bit

"That's the question" Siv jabs

Brekke's been advancing in a steady line, but she responds to the attempted flanking with a sidestep that carries her out of Siv's reach again.

"She dodged? How can she dodge?" Kassidy is surprised "I mean, she's so big"

"See?" she says to Kassidy. "Establish a line, then break the line."

Siv chuckles "Expertly is how. Darn her"

A chuckle. "She was not expecting me to. That is why."

"It's true. I know mother, but mother knows I know her, and so if I assume something about her too casually she'll use that against me. Learn to make the basics excellent instinctively, and you'll be able to change your usual routine in an instant and throw things off..." Siv grows aggressive, flicking blade at her mother, only to drop and roll to the other side forcing her mother to move quick or get a stab in the leg

And this time Brekke does get tagged in the calf. She grunts at the hit, not in pain but in acknowledgment. "Good." Rather than go back to start, she continues, aiming a downward strike at Siv while she's still low.

Siv is smart enough not to directly block Speaker with Quill's blade, ,rather catching it at the hilt to deflect and scoot... fast!

Of course, Siv may be risking a broken fingerbone or two as strong as her mother is

Brekke isn't striking at full power, so the fingers are going to be bruised and painful, but not broken. And in acknowledgement of the tag that Siv got on her leg before, she is only putting weight on one leg, which limits her to pivoting in one point of territory.

So Siv can get safely out of range.

Siv says "Now see, mom is showing a wound's effect... but to be fair, In a real fight, I might be forced to switch hands as it is..." She deftly goes back "Trolls don't wound easy. We've got a lot of meat on us so to speak. "

"That's what Dirk says" The Squire nods

A nod. "It would take much more of a hit for me to lose the use of my leg, but for the purpose of demonstration..." And she tests Siv's distance with a swing of the weapon.

Siv's measured the distance well, and avoids, only to press again... more aggressive, changing from offense to defensive to back again hoping to throw her mother off

"Watch out , Lady Captain!" The girl calls

Siv does have the advantage of being nimble...but Brekke has the advantage of experience, and she knows just how deceptive a small change in angle or timing can be. Her blade swings again and again, tirelessly.

Siv has improved, gotten not just better with the blade, but more patient, but patience is not endurance, and Siv realizes that's a game she'll lose. Siv grins, and rushes her mother, and tries to climb UP her so to speak, leaping onto her mother's arm hoping to go up and tap down.... it's a fancy move that IF it works, would be a 'kill' for most, or in a troll as target case, a 'maiming'... Brekke has seen it from agile members of OTHER Kith, but never a fellow troll

It's not a complete surprise, but surprise enough that she's not able to counter it in time. The hit lands almost precisely as Siv intended, eliciting another grunt from Brekke.

"OH WOW" Kassidy says

And Siv tries to move while she can to the other side

Brekke her daughter grunt ("Did that work? Holy shit I can't believe that worked")

Brekke does not retaliate. She's a bit disgruntled that that worked on her, but only says, "Good kill."

"Thanks" Siv says, then looks at Kassidy "Now, that was an act of desperation.. and had mom been ready for it, I would be dead, easily dead, for her... in practice, of course"

Kassidy nods, jaw agape in wonder

"Mm." A nod. "And I have more tools than simple weapons at my disposal in actual combat. But this is training, and in this situation, that worked well."

"True. Primal would have entwined me up and rendered the fight moot" Siv admits

"Now, go on inside, get a cookie for yourself." Siv tells her

"YEs, Lady Captain" The girl gushes, and bows to both and races off

Brekke nods and watches her go. Then she looks at Siv. "Have you tried that in true battle?"

Siv looks to her mom "Thanks... you made me look pretty good there. I appreciate it, though that wasn't the goal"

"I did not have to work hard to make you look that way."

"She is a good squire."

"She's bright as a penny" Siv is proud. "Come on, I'll buy you a cup of coffee inside and we'll toast my good fortune" Ignoring that the coffee at Rivervale is free. Siv wondered if her mother LET her win, but no.. that's not her mother's way.

Well, not often. "Yes, coffee." And they both go inside.

(Fade to coffee)