Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2023 18:27:46 GMT -5
[for Othello Allemeade ]
A few days after Abbott’s scheduled training session had interrupted Ber’s personal one, the soldier ran into the Champion of Nevermere in one of the halls. He had the day off and was on his way back from the mess hall when the sight of the Gifted man reminded him of an idea that had been percolating in the back of his mind since the training session. Hastening his steps, Ber caught up to him and tried to grab his attention with a quick, “Hey, Othello. Do you have a second?”
Upon receiving a positive response, he began, a little awkward, “So, um, I was wondering if maybe you would be willing to train with me at all?” Ber was well aware that he wouldn’t pose much of a challenge to someone who had experienced as much actual combat as Othello had, but given his sneaking suspicion that the Champion enjoyed fighting itself, he was tentatively hopeful for easy agreement.
Still, if Othello hesitated, Ber would continue with an earnest explanation. “I was sparring regularly with Zevran, the Dresmondi, before the ball, and it was good because I got to practice finding ways to deal with Rune’s magic.” A brief pause, as he tilted his head and interrupted himself for a quick explanation. “His dyr, I mean; she can control darkness.” That wasn’t the point, and he refocused accordingly. “But he also learned how to fight somewhere that isn’t here. It made me realize that all the training we’re doing is against people who have been taught how to fight exactly like us, but that’s not what it’s going to be like in Dresmond.” He held Othello’s gaze. “I saw you at that training session with Abbott. You learned to fight somewhere else, and your fighting style is different and new. So I want to train with you, if you’re willing.”
And, though he didn’t mention it, Othello was significantly larger than Ber. If Ber could learn how to hold his own against him, then he stood that much more of a chance of surviving what was to come.