Ivan meets up with the Fighter’s Guild before dawn. He approaches his next sparring opponent, Knight Yvette.
Ivan decides to try to different approach on Yvette. She is proud, so he expects for her to attempt quick aggressive blows. He decides that a steeled defense would probably be the best strategy with her.
His guess is correct. She comes straight at him as if she has much to prove.
Yvette’s moves are much more calculated than Blade Lukas’. Her boxing training has taught her to watch her opponents moves and react accordingly. She catches Ivan off guard and he stumbles as he almost loses his balance.
Ivan recovers with a whirling takedown. Yvette seems to be a few steps ahead, however she cannot match Ivan’s speed.
He is able to take her down quickly.
“Feel free to submit now,” Ivan winks; looking down on her with a smile.
“You wish!” She says jumping up. Again Ivan takes a firm stance and awaits her next move.
He forces her sword away with a forceful swing of his sword. Yvette is so surprised that her arms fly back and she has to use all of her effort to remain upright.
She is in the perfect position for Ivan’s next swing. However, she anticipates and deflects his swing with her sword. His sword brushes her foot, but does no damage.
Again they are face to face in ready position. Ivan is careful with his facial expression and body movements. He does not want Yvette to know what he plans on doing next.
It works. She is taken by surprise when Ivan forcefully pushes Yvette’s sword.
He completes his swing and Yvette is on her back.
Yvette cannot go on. Ivan has overpowered and out swung her. She lifts her hands in defeat. “I am not really a sword fighter anyway,” she says to justify her loss.
Next up is Knight Amice.
Using a Furious Onslaught strategy, Ivan quickly lands enough blows to put Amice on her back.
It is not long before he realizes that his strategy is a mistake. Amice is amazingly quick. He can barely recover from one blow, before she is coming at him with another.
He miscalculates her movement and ends up with a flesh wound to his side.
Ivan has no time to react before Amice attacks him with another blow.
Ivan switches to a Steeled Defense. He holds his sword out waiting for Amice’s next move.
She takes him by surprise when she moves in close and gives him a hilt smash to his stomach.
Her blow has enough force to land him on his back. Ivan lays there impressed by Amice’s skill and speed. Maybe I can benefit from this guild, he thinks to himself.
Ivan is too tired to go on. He realizes that it was a mistake to fight Yvette and Amice back to back. He had not realized how talented the two of them are. He lifts his hands in surrender.
“So what do you think Knight Captain Ivan. Are you ready to join our ranks?”
“Your fighter’s are indeed skilled, but I would like more time to ponder.”
“No problem. Take all of the time that you need. We will be here in the same place when you are ready. In the meantime, I shall like an opportunity to test your skill for myself.”
Ivan agrees to a sparring match with Lord Jude after he has had an opportunity to rest. For now he leaves to complete some of his patrols.
