Back to Ossus it is then

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel had been spending a lot of time on Ossus recently. Not that she minded. She was a Youngling and Padawan here herself after she was forced to flee Coruscant when the Sith came.

It was still that time of the year when the entire world was covered in clouds. For when Ossus passed directly between its two stars, it was blasted by radiant energy from opposite sides and it went several weeks without night. Planetary temperatures skyrocketed, changing most of the surface water into atmospheric vapour.

She landed in the hangar that was cut into the side of a cliff and left her ship. Her bracelet afforded her protection from the extreme humidity, so she wore her regular robes and strode to where she was due to meet someone she’d promised to meet who may become her latest Padawan. In truth she knew little more, but if they were a Jedi and true to the light side, that’s all she needed to know.

The route to the training rooms was a meandering one across the academy grounds, winding through a labyrinth of shrubbery and detouring past carefully planned vistas, following a path of tightly placed stepping-stones that deliberately forced walkers to slow down and contemplate the garden.

The path rounded a gentle bend, and a dozen metres ahead, the trapezoidal span of Clarity Gate framed a tranquil courtyard accented by a small fountain. Sorel paused at the crosspieces. It had been ingrained into her what a Jedi must do as she enters the academy grounds. Meditate. So she closed her eyes and calmed her mind of thoughts and emotions. Once it cleared, she reopened her eyes and made her way into the Academy.

She followed the route she’d walked a thousand times before and found herself in the training rooms. She was there first, so she grabbed a training saber and performed a few warm-up exercises whilst she waited for her pupil to arrive.

[member="Tryion Rexus"]

 

[Darth Arkanus]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

Having arrived on Ossus a few days before he had comfortably found a spot to sleep for his stay when he woke up that day and looked at the time. Realizing that his potential master was probably already at the training grounds he got his robes on and looked at the mirror putting some water on his face as he woke himself up sighing soft. Putting his lighsaber on his belt he began his walk to the training room, his long strides taking him there in a good time but still he knew that he was going to get there well after her. Thinking about what she might teach him, and if she would ask any personal questions, yet, or keep it informal until we progressed. Bending the corner that holds the hall way he took a deep breath moving his way down the hallway and into the training room looking around and spotting Sorel.

"I'm sorry Master Sorel, I woke up a little late, it will be the only time I'm sorry."

He gave a deep bow to her after he had walked up to her coming back up.

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel sensed his arrival before she saw him. Over time she would recognise his specific aura – it was the way of the Padawan-Master relationship. And their connection through the Force would most likely grow too. But that was for the future, this was now.

Sorel returned his bow as he entered. She was dressed in broadly traditional Jedi robes, albeit very dark brown in shade. From her belt hung two sabers.

“Welcome. You may call me plain old Sorel if you’d like. Most do. But if you prefer the title Master, I’ll not be offended.” She smiled in a friendly manner.

“Now, before we begin today, it makes sense we learn a little about each other. And since I thought of it, you can go first. So tell me a little of yourself and then I’ll do likewise. And if you want, you can tag a question onto the end of your part.”

[member="Tryion Rexus"]

 

[Darth Arkanus]

Listening to Sorel as she talked he nodded soft with her proposal to talk about themselves gesturing towards some mats in the corner to sit down he walked over and sat down across from her sitting cross-legged on the mat as he looked at her. Sighing softly to himself he thought about what to tell and what he should leave out. Knowing better then to hide anything he decided to just tell her the truth.

"I was born on my mother's Defender class ship, my mother and father raised me there, my mother being a Jedi taught me the force, and my father being a former gladiator taught me how to use a blade. We traveled from planet to planet for years, but then one day.... my mother was taken by the Hutts, she was enslaved so me and my father went to get her, I used to force to get past the guards and walked right up to the Hutt the Purple double-bladed lighsaber of my mother at his throat asking where she was, he laughed and told me she was dead, the guards about to attack me got distracted when my father yelled fro me to run and fought them off, the last thing I heard was the yell of my father as he died. I traveled around for a whole then a old lady by the name of Shi'za took me under her wing and started teaching me in more uses of the force. I cared for her along with a protocol droid for many years until her passing. I then traveled for a while until I winded up hearing about this place...."

He looked at his potential master, sighing soft as he recollected his mind after telling his story, no matter how long ago it was it will always be hard to tell. He then nodded softly to her to tell her story.

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

 

[Sorel Crieff]

There was always an advantage and disadvantage with working with a Padawan that had been taught before. If they were outside of an established Order, Sorel had experienced bad habits or misguided views. Of course, these were also present in those that were trained at the various Academies – much was about the individual and their particular Master. So she did what she had learned to do latterly – she reserved judgement.

So Sorel listened and his story was a sad one. They often were and her own was not precisely a comedy, but much of the heartache she never shared. So she stuck to her standard version.

“I became a Youngling when I was about four. In truth I can’t remember that far back. I may have been three. I started at the Academy on Coruscant. When it fell to the Sith, I travelled to Ossus. There I met my first Master. A Gran. We did countless missions and sadly he died on one. I then travelled the galaxy until I decided to return here. By then the Republic’s Jedi had moved on and the Silvers were here. I found my new Master – Matsu Ike – and she developed me greatly until I was ready for the trial and I was knighted.”

She looked around the room. “So here I am, third time around. Now, back to practicalities. Given a Jedi’s weapon is a saber. And since we’re in a sparring room, tell me. What Forms have you learned and what would you like to train in now? It could be work on an existing Form or a brand new one. The only one that we can’t work on properly yet is the seventh Form. You need a grasp of all the others too and I’d need to understand a lot more about you before I placed you at risk of falling by allowing you to learn that style.”

[member="Tryion Rexus"]

 

[Darth Arkanus]

Nodding pondering her words, thinking about what he would fit his mothers lightsaber, that he took and uses to this day he would like to begin training or improving upon. Thinking about some people from the past he had heard about and what forms they used and took into account what kind of lighsaber, he leafed through his mind trying to find one that would fit. Tapping his finger to his chin thinking hard on the subject he looked at his master and nodded slightly.

"Form VI Niman, a balanced form of lighsaber combat, known as the way of the rancor or the diplomats used, most famously used by Exar Kun long before the Battle of Yavin. If that is okay with you of course?"

He looked at her, he thought it would be easy to teach because it was a combination of all the forms and it would fit hit lighsaber due to it being double bladed. He thought it was the best form to learn as of yet.

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel nodded as she listened. His logic was faultless. And as she listened, she took both sabers from her belt and with a twist, connected them. Then she adjusted the power settings for training.

“Niman. Yes, a balanced style. Less focus on the saber and more on the Force – which can be a challenge if you’re using a double-bladed weapon. The lack of a free hand makes subtlety more of a challenge and tends to telegraph to your opponent you’re going to use a Force ability. Not that this fact should stop you developing the Form. It was just a heads up.”

“It’s something of a jack-of-all-trades as Forms go. Not that you can’t become a formidable duellist – just that it’s less commonly used by those that wish to fight with sabers. In fact, one of its advantages is that others tend to dismiss its effectiveness and that alone is a factor you can use in your favour.”

Sorel stood in a wide and open stance. She held out the blade from her body in a one-handed grip, the blade angled upwards and back, while her off-hand was folded across her chest. Her feet were evenly spaced.

“This is one of the standard opening stances.”

Then she held her saber at head-height in a two-handed grip, angled upwards and slightly in, with her dominant foot placed forwards.

“This is the second.”

Finally she took a two-handed low guard, with her hilt held at waist height in both hands, blade held back and to the side, angled downwards, with her feet closely spaced.

“And the third. Now, before we spar properly, let’s see your defence. I’ll attack slowly and you should block or parry as you see fit. I just want to see you understand the zones and also the rings of defence.”

[member="Tryion Rexus"]

 

[Darth Arkanus]

Positioning his stance a little differently then she showed with his right hand behind him holding the blade with one hand his left hand placed in front of him in preparation. Using this stance he can use the force with his left hand a block the saber strikes with his lightsaber held in his left giving him a more aggressive version of the stance that still will be effective. Looking at her he raised his eyebrow slightly.

"Is this okay? It's a more aggressive version to use but it fits well with the style that is meant to be used with Niman. It gives use of a free hand to use the force while still having a double-bladed lightsaber to work with if it comes down to a more lighsaber aggressive combatant."

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel shrugged. “There is rarely a perfect answer when it comes to using a saber. Learn the basics first and the tried and tested methods and then adapt for your own use. Mix the Forms up a little if you feel the need. But remember there are different Forms for a reason and millennia of revision and perfection to allow them to arrive where they are today. But don’t be a slave to convention either.”

She cycled through the zones with him, showing him when to logically parry or block and when a vertical, horizontal or diagonal defensive move was appropriate. Then she worked quickly on the three rings before declaring herself satisfied.

“OK, sparring proper. Attack me and I shall defend. Go at whatever pace works for you. I’ll not counter, so don’t overly worry about being hit, but don’t leave yourself open to attacks needlessly either.”

[member="Tryion Rexus"]

 

[Darth Arkanus]

Nodding going through the motions with her following her movements to fit what style he has chosen moving his hands and feet in a different way to adjust for what kind of style he preferred, his overall form matching her's nonetheless, after she went through everything she listened as she told him to begin to spar with her, nodding slightly he went back a little and took a up his base stance. His right foot out and his left foot back his double-bladed lighsaber in his right hand with his right hand poised in front of him, ready to attack or defend looking at her as he ran through motions in his head, he took a step forward and with his left hand used the force to push her back and hopefully make her surprised enough to slice across at her.

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel could barely surpress a smile. In one sense she ought to be cross with him, but in another she was simply amused. This was not a competition but a lesson in developing his saber work. But then, she considered, the Form was about using the Force as well as the blade, so she would be harsh to admonish him.

All of this flashed through her mind as she travelled backwards – the Force Push knocking her off her feet as she was simply not expecting it. As she fell, her saber deactivated with a hiss-snap and she went with the motion, completing a backwards roll that took her out of range. That was the problem with that approach, you simply pushed your opponent away from you. Had it been directed at a single leg, then it would have had a greater impact. But that was the benefit of experience over enthusiasm.

As Sorel regained her feet, her saber once more snapped into life, the golden hue of the blade reflecting off the window to her left.

“An interesting move. Unexpected, which is good. Now, let’s continue.”

[member="Tryion Rexus"]

 

[Darth Arkanus]

He watched her roll backwards and went to take a follow up approach but she interrupted getting back to her feet and commenting on the move. He nodded lightly looking at her as she got back into her stance with her lighsaber ready in front of her its golden hue in its position as they watched each other. Knowing that she would expect something like that she decided the best move was to go with the lighsaber, stepping forward and going for a slash with the front of the double-bladed lighsaber but just before she could reflect crouched fast as the back of the blade came to attempt to contact the lower half of her body.

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

 

[Sorel Crieff]

He was good, there was no denying his natural ability. But Sorel had been trained with a saber since she was little. Over two decades to be precise. And the Force flowed through her strongly due to her constant practice over time. And of course she was naturally gifted with Farsight. Of late she’ been able to apply it to combat, allowing her to glimpse moves her opponent may make, as well as outside forces that might affect the battle. At times it was so intense it was like watching the spar from a separate vantage point and in slow motion.

Not that she was here to win anything or prove any points. She was here to teach. So she would talk throughout and comment when his moves were promising or if an act left him too wide open to a counter.

“Once more, excellent work,” she said as she picked up on the feint and parried his blade away from her body. “You have a mind for duelling. Too many Padawans come in and swing the saber like an axe and expect that to suffice. Sparring is as much about the mind as the body, if not more so.”

Sorel remained balanced and alert. “My only advice so far is to consider using multiple attacks. Build up over time a catalogue of complementary moves that will flow seamlessly. An opponent need not focus too much on single attacks. You give them time to think. But a medley of strikes keeps your opponent on the back foot. Combinations are the key to winning a fight with sabers. And mixing it up. A defensive opponent is likely to be sizing you up. Seeing if you have any tells or favoured moves. Once they spot them, you’re going to struggle.”

Sorel nodded, indicating he should come at her again.

[member="Tryion Rexus"]

 

[Darth Arkanus]

Standing back up nodding looking at his master. "Thank you Master, I'm a little older then most so doing moves like that makes more sence even for someone who just received a new master, it also helps that my father was a gladiator and taught me how to use countless different types of styles and moves in attacking a opposing foe so I've been trained since a very young age as well. You tend to learn a lot when your younger because your mind is more susceptible to learning and retaining information." Nodding as she indicated for him to go he positions himself again, right foot out, right hand back, left hand out, left foot back. Looking at her he lifts her up then pulls her to him swinging with his lighsaber at her torso spinning so he hits with the back of his saber then coming back to attack with the front again.

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

 

[Sorel Crieff]

A basic understanding of sparring was never a bad place to start. Understanding momentum and when to defend and when to press an advantage. These were often difficult to teach and so she was pleased her pupil already had a grasp of these.

All he had to learn was how to apply them when using the Force. When actions were speeded up – so that the human eye would see a blur whereas a Jedi could see a move in almost slow-motion. Of course, two Jedi opposed negated the Force advantage, so they had to seek other ways to tip the balance in their favour.

Sorel was a Knight. Naturally that gave her an edge. She could use the Force more powerfully and for longer. But that did not automatically equate to a win. Countless times an Apprentice would better a Knight or even a Master. Often because the more experienced opponent underestimated his foe. Took them too lightly or rushed for a quick win. You played the cards you were given as best you could. Keep it simple was a mantra she lived by when a Padawan. Elaborate takes more time and is open to more counters.

The Padawan did just that, a Force pull and a swing at her torso at the same time. Given there was no way to avoid contact, Sorel did what she had just done and would always do. She did not look to fight momentum but went with it.

So she wasted no effort in resisting the pull and allowed his focus to be split between two actions whilst she centred on just one. She parried his strikes and allowed her forward momentum to carry her into his body. Unless he evaded her, the soles of her boots would strike him somewhere. Her only conscious effort was to avoid his saber. He, on the other hand, had a few things to juggle. She’d made sure of that.

[member="Rukya Rexus"]

 

[Darth Arkanus]

His mind shifting quickly as he noticed her using his move against him, he calculated in his head where she was most probable to hit him and where she would go if he managed to move, he knew that if he didn't move he would get knocked to the ground by her full body weight to to her being pulled towards him and being off the ground. He spun fast avoiding her as she landed on the ground near him as he stood back up to full height looking at his master his blade in right hand placing it in both hands, going for less use of the force this time but more of a lighsaber oriented fight on his side. Looking at his master, he knew that she was more flexible and defiantly more quicker but he had brute strength on that, and cunning. These traits where the decisive factor in a lighsaber fight, he knew his odds where low, his master had years of experience in her form, but he knew a thing or two that would help him. As he placed both hands on the lighsaber he got into a more defensive stance so that when she came at him he could use both sides of the saber to deflect her attacks.

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

 

[Sorel Crieff]

To his credit he avoided her as she was pulled towards him by his own use of the Force. She landed softly, barley making a nose as her boots touched the ground. Again, her pupil was similarly ready and took up what was clearly a defensive posture.

Given he was not hoping she would attack; she did not disappoint. Firstly she wielded her own saber staff to gently probe his defences and was pleased to note he deflected her efforts with ease.

She paused a second and centred herself on the Force. What she was about to attempt required absolute focus. Once ready, she feinted to attack to her right before switching her attack to his left. It was not a clever ruse and he would spot it easily. But as his saber came to deflect her blade on his left, she deactivated her saber and reactivated it once past where his blade was defending – her hilt still moving towards his body, as was her newly activated golden blade.

[member="Rukya Rexus"]

 

[Darth Arkanus]

Deflecting her fairly weak attacks with ease he could realize that she was just testing his skills that could defend against attacks with his lighsaber and not just the force. Then, before he new it she was getting ready for faint as he went to go block it he saw her deactivate her saber, confused for a fraction of a second he realized she was trying to get past his blade. Using his other hand he quickly pushed away with her turning back and flipping backwards landing on his feet putting his hand out with his right arm with his lighsaber behind him looking at his master. Smiling soft he nodded at that sneaky move, he had never seen it done but could see the effects of a move. He started attacking with his saber hitting fast and hard hitting in all directions as she deflected his blade, using his staff to his advantage he attacked with the front and fore blade making moves unpredictable and requiring her to keep on the defense. He knew she would find away around his attack but he was just trying to keep her on edge and to show his master what he could do.

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel was once more pleased that her pupil was able to deal with the ruse. Not every Padawan would and although he was never in danger, it was an important lesson to learn. It was foolhardy to expect you knew every move and even more to believe you could fight and never be hit.

A Jedi planned for success and then for failure. Always. And success always came first.

And no sooner had he managed to avoid her attack than he went on the offensive. Sorel was comfortable in this approach. She could see how proficient he was whilst she was parrying his blows. She could look for strengths and weaknesses. For ‘tells’ and patterns of behaviour.

To his credit, he was able to mix up his moves, keeping her on the defensive. Against a fellow Padawan he would be a formidable foe – or an unwary Knight or Master at that. She was not going to underestimate his abilities, which ensured she did not make any foolish mistakes. And she was happy to keep on the defensive, her parries requiring less effort than his attacks. She wondered what his next move would be once he realised she was not going to even try to wrestle away the initiative.

[member="Rukya Rexus"]

 

[Darth Arkanus]

Seeing that she was using a lot less energy then him he kept attacking while thinking of his next move. He could always use the force to hit her with something or effect her in some way, but with his recent attacks that would seem to predictable. He couldn't keep up the attack like this, that he knew, in a real fight he would run out of energy and fall prey to the attacks of his foe. Finally he found something to do, and with a slight glint in his eye he jumped fast and kicked her in the chest doing a back-flip onto the ground and lifting her off the ground, what he would of done in a real fight was throw her against a pillar or wall but he let his master down turning off his lighsaber and walking up to her.

"I hope that spar has shown everything you wanted to see, and wanted me to learn. I hope you don't mind but I think the spar was getting... rougher then I'd like to be with you and I think I displayed enough of what I know in my combat skills to stop there for that lesson. Maybe now we could do a force lesson?"

[member="Sorel Crieff"]