Another Day

[Raydo]

Reland noticed something change and suddenly the older Jedi rushed him. He moved faster than he has seen him previously move. He quickly closed the gap and stuck out at Reland. The first two attacks one his left side were easily blocked but the third one was stronger and aimed at hip level which made it harder to block.

He shifted his weight and ducked down a little so he could better face the attack. With both of his hands out stretched in front of him the blades met. There was no deflecting this attack. He was not the stronger of two but he had grown in strength during his training. He wouldn't be able to constantly go head to head like this but he was able to manage.

The blades moved closer to Reland as the short lock continued. Reland pushed as hard as he could in a single burst of energy. He felt the blades shift further away from himself ,and then He ducked and spun around sending a sweeping kick towards Sajer's leg. He then rolled to his left away from Sajer and sprung back to his feet.

Instead of giving Sajer time to breathe, Reland lunged at his opponent again. This time he struck once towards the right side of Sajer's body and then swung towards his opponents hands. He had been studying Shiite-cho which encouraged the use of disarming attacks. This was the purpose of his last attack. He did not jump away form the fight choosing to pressure his opponent in a battle of endurance.

 

[Tzeentch]

The tide of the duel had certainly turned in a matter of seconds. One moment Sajer was the one that had planned to assault Reland's defenses to wear him down, then he was the one forced to prevent the younger padawan from breaching his own defenses. He had managed to lock blades with his opponent, but the sweeping slash wasn't meant to engage in such a lock, so he was unable to overpower Reland before he ducked away from it, sweeping at Sajer's leg - of which he narrowly avoided when he lifted the limb, almost losing his balance in the process. However, when Reland rolled away, it was more than enough time to stabilize himself.

Once more, Reland leaped forward, swinging at his right side. The first strike was easy enough to deflect, but the second forced him to draw his hands closer to himself to prevent them from being 'lost' to the training saber, forcing the two sabers to collide with one another. Despite having the tables turned on him and a number close calls, Sajer was able to reestablish his defensive status, his offensive having been so readily quelled.

This just might turn into a battle of attrition - he wasn't exactly sure how he would fare, but if his burning limbs were of any indication, he might not outlast the vastly healthier young man unless he was careful about expending his energy anymore than necessary or if Reland was to, eventually, tire himself out.

He did not know the extent to the younger padawan's endurance. He supposed that he would soon find out his limits as well as his own.

 

[Raydo]

Sajer had reestablished his defenses but did not go back on the offensive. Reland did not let up as he thrusted forward with his saber aiming directly at Sajer's chest. He then let out three quick attacks. The first was aimed at Sajer's left shoulder, and then his right shoulder, and then his left shoulder again.

He began to slowly start circling towards the side where Sajer had his eye bandaged as he continued his attacks. This was a duel and A Sith would utilize every advantage possible, and so would Reland during this session. It was important to train to work with your weaknesses. Reland wasn't even sure if it was a weakness. Jedi could often sense things through the Force better than they could perceive things through their senses. He increased the speed of his attacks with an attack towards Sajer's Left leg and then one towards his right shoulder.

He started to feel the beginning of fatigue again. He had almost forgotten he had just finished two training sessions before this one. He could not keep this speed up for more much longer but he pushed himself to move faster and faster. He had to break through or he would be caught shortly. It was a race against time to see who could out last each other and right now it looked like Reland was having to spend much more energy to keep up his assault.

 

[Tzeentch]

Reland truly wasn't allowing him a moment's rest, was he?

The younger padawan opened his assault with a thrust of his saber and followed with three altering strikes at each of his shoulders. Sajer had managed to prevent any from reaching their targets by dragging his own saber against Reland's in its initial attack, allowing him to quickly bat the three strikes away shortly afterward.

Rather than turn his body to face Reland, of whom was circling to his left, Sajer turned his head just enough so that his lone eye would remain on his person. He hadn't delved into the Force so much that he could efficiently sense things through it, but that wasn't to say that he didn't possess any knowledge on how to utilize it either. However, now wasn't the time to use it - he desired to learn how well, or poorly, he could wield a lightsaber against a foe of relatively similar skill.

Reland struck out at his leg. In response, Sajer moved away from the strike, effectively avoiding the second, and faced his opponent fully once more, training saber held up to keep the distance between them.

At this point, he wasn't actually retaliating to the younger padawan's strikes. Rather, he was simply doing his best to maintain what energy he had left - so far, he was doing well by carefully combining his defensive movements and avoiding any attacks that could potentially cause Reland to tire and become fruitless should they be unable to connect.

Still, despite his efforts to prevent any sign of weakness, other than the obvious bandaging covering his form, his slow yet heavy breathing was surely audible to the other padawan - he was becoming weary.

 

[Raydo]

Reland backed off. He couldn't exhaust him attacking when it was taking so much less energy to fend him off. Patience. That is what was key. He knew letting up would give his opponent a moment to catch his breath but it also gave him a much needed moment.

He stood low in a fighting position. There was need to rush. As long as they stayed at the same level of fatigue he would be faster. His plan was to minimizes the openings he gave Sajer while waiting for him to leave himself open.

Reland took a breath. Patience. Calm. These are the true weapons of the Jedi.

 

[Tzeentch]

Reland made no attempt at his defenses - it seemed that he too was feeling the effects of pushing oneself beyond their mortal limits, if Sajer was correct in his suspicions. Even if he wasn't, it still allowed him a short respite. He was fortunate, he thought whilst suppressing the urge to cough, and thankful for it.

Even as Reland altered his form to that closer to the ground, Sajer remained still, eye glued to his opponent and waiting for him to make his own move.

His eye narrowed as he tried to stabilize his breathing and put his heart and lungs at ease - though he didn't show it so openly, Reland's use of the Force to improve upon his already superior speed was wearing Sajer down, who had to force his body to match the speed to prevent himself from being hit. Although, he suspected that it was also causing his younger foe some fatigue, at least, as well.

Whatever the case, he used the moment of peace to take in his opponent's form, careful to watch for sudden movements as time moved along. . .

Time.

Time was something he was wary of - it could just as easily change the fate of anyone, depending on the actions of those who tread within its endless torrents. In a single moment, a man could step forward, backward, side to side, up or down - in a single life, that man's life could change for the better or worse. Then, after the fact, one might look back and think what could have been different, if only he had more time...

... Time truly was unforgiving to those who weren't careful, and it was something he learned the hard way.

Just who did it favor here, Sajer wondered, as his grip on the saber tightened and his mind clouded with a memory for but a brief moment. . .

 

[Raydo]

After standing still for nearly 2 minuets neither one engaging, Reland deactivated his lightsaber and bowed. "I have to concede" said the younger Padawan. He could keep going but felt stopping here was good.

Memories of Ashara's visions running through his head. What did they mean?

"Why do you think Master Ashara let us listen in while she gave the account of her visions?" He asked the other Padwan as he moved to sit down with his legs crossed.

"I'm not special in anyway. Unless you count being mediocre at a lightsaber as special." he said laughing quietly.

 

[Tzeentch]

Sajer had not been expecting the younger man to concede despite the fact that neither he nor himself had landed a single solid blow against the other. He, reluctantly, disengaged his saber and moved out of his defensive stance. Despite a slight disappointment in being unable to see the practice duel to the end, he wasn't displeased entirely - should it had gone on for much longer, he would have likely fallen into a coughing fit.

Regardless, he turned his attention to Reland as he queried Master Ashara's choice to allow them to remain with her when she described her visions earlier in the day. Sajer readjusted his mask as he thought, ". . . I don't know. Perhaps she felt that we might learn something from it, or.." he sighed tiredly, ".. perhaps she felt that we wouldn't understand it at all."

He shook his head - he didn't know why she had allowed them to listen, and as curious as he was, he had no desire to pry into the business of those who had no desire to share. He looked over to Reland once more, "As for your skills with a lightsaber, I think you're better than you yourself seemingly believe. Although, should you truly feel that way, then strive to improve. That is the only way to survive as times grow more difficult for us.."

He paused so that Reland might reply to his previous words before continuing on. ". . . So what do you believe that you have learned during our duel against one another?"

 

[Raydo]

He still didn't know what to think about the visions and they may or may not ever find out when it meant or if it mean anything so he pushed it out of his mind for the time being.

He paused for a moment to think about the question posed to him. He quietly replied. "Patience. I could have lasted much longer if I didn't push myself to achieve a victory. Sometimes the quick path is not the best option. What about you? "

People often didn't talk about duels after they finished, but Reland saw it could be a very useful exercise. Sure the Masters usually lectured after a duel, but this was different. This was two peers sharing the out look on the same event. He would make a note to try and do it more often.

 

[Tzeentch]

"Patience is a very necessary thing that one must have for war and for peace." Sajer chuckled lightly as he thought about what he himself had learned. ".. As for myself, I've learned something about adaptation and application. A battle is ever-changing, and requires its participants to continuously alter their strategies and tactics - something I had tried to do earlier. Yet, you had quickly adapted and turned my offensive around. I believe that to be something worth noting."

"As for application.." He motioned over to Reland with his hand, ".. I had managed to apply some of my knowledge in the duel, but that didn't mean that it would so easily succeed. Also, I had noticed that you had applied the Force to make yourself faster. That was a good move, Reland."

"There is something I would like to mention though.. If you hadn't let up on your attack, you may have broken through my defenses shortly after you began - although I take pride in my knowledge and the application of it, my body is not entirely.. well, I suppose, and it was something you were taking advantage of, whether you knew it or not."

He paused, rubbing his throat - he hadn't talked this much in a long time. He supposed it was something he would have to become accustomed to as time went by.

It was but a momentary distraction, and he quickly turned his attention back to Reland. "Regardless of the outcome, it was a satisfying duel, as it benefited us both." He walked over to the seated padawan before bending his back slightly, extending a hand toward Reland as an offer to shake hands. "Sometimes, one learns more through action rather than through words or letters, wouldn't you say?"

 

[Raydo]

As the other Padawan walked towards him he stood up. He grasped his hand and gave it a good shake before letting go.

"Actions speak more than words" he gave in a thoughtful tone.

"Next time we will see the duel out to the end!" he laughed as he finished. He brushed the hair out of his face. He was not sure if this what Master Ashara wanted them to do but he felt if she had something for them to she would have told them directly. The thoughts of visions would have to wait until another day.

"I think I should go. I am meditating out in the forest tonight." He knew this meant spent a night in the cold and without food. Sometimes this would last for days at a time, but he longed for the closeness to the Force he felt in those times. "Jedi Masters rarely enjoy late students" He said with another smile. He bowed towards Sajer. "Until we meet again, friend" He turned to leave. He was sure he would deal with this Padawan again. There were dark times on the horizons and they would both likely have to progress fast.

 

[Tzeentch]

"Farewell Reland. I look forward to the time when we shall once again cross paths." He bowed, lower than he usually did, as Reland turned to depart. Rising, he put his hands behind his back, thoughts of the day's events going through his mind - it was quite the productive day with unexpected encounters.

Out of everyone that walked the halls of the temple on Empress Teta, he certainly had not expected to meet the Sage Master, nor be offered to learn something from her. The unexpected turn of events also allowed him to meet another padawan younger than him, Reland.

Sajer turned to look back at the training room that had become vacant of the presence of others, then down at the training saber he still held - it would be an opportunity wasted if he were to depart now without using the room and the saber to, at least, work on forms. After all, despite the two mock duels that had occurred that day, it did not mean that he was adept with a lightsaber. Afterwards, he might have to look into ways to improve his endurance - the outcome of a duel other than the past two might have ended with more dire consequences should he allow himself to fall prey to one of his body's weaknesses.

With a plan for the rest of the day forming within his mind, Sajer took his time walking over to the center of the room, the space more than abundant for going through forms.

He planned to dedicate several hours of going through motions with a lightsaber, gradually increasing speed as he grew more used to them. However, in order to ensure that it became stable and not forgotten, he was already thinking of ways to make time for forms in his daily schedule.

Even as his body moved, he was thinking of events far beyond this planet - if he were to survive the encroaching darkness, he would have to improve both body and mind as much as he was able to, lest he was to be consumed.