Unmotivated Deity

Jien had spent e few minutes looking over his options. There were weapons that ran the standard gamut, from spears to swords of varying types, staffs of different height, a few different sizes and shapes of daggers and even a few different styles of bows, though the bows were made of wood to allow for better flexibility. Jien picked up a spear and tried holding it to feel it's weight and center before putting it back and picking up a dagger. He gave it a quick swipe as if attempting to cut an invisible enemy but frowned slightly, having not felt any particular liking for that weapon. He liked the thought of a one-handed weapon so that he could potentially cast spells while also fighting in the martial way. If he was going to have to spend his time learning it, he figured it was best that he be able to put those lessons to use while he continued to work on what he wanted to do the most.

Jien did similar tests until he came to a weapon that just felt right in his hand. In his right hand he held a dull, grey rapier. Its weight was light in comparison to many of the other options, but it had a fair amount of reach, more than a short sword or a dagger. He felt that this style of weapon would suit what he was trying to accomplish. There were many ways for people to cast while wielding a weapon. Most used vocal chants for ease of use, while some others use a form of body casting like his father had at the City of the Gods, drawing out different sigils or runes to cast the related spells. Jien wanted to leave himself fairly open in his options for casting and the light weight of this weapon would allow him more versatility in how he would move.

Jien performed a quick slash and then a thrust with the dulled blade. Neither had any finesse since he had not particularly spent any time learning weapons besides very basic hand to hand combat when training with his father. He gave a slight nod at the feel of the blade in his hand after performing those actions before turning toward Mark and holding up the rapier. "I think I will give this a try." he stated succinctly as he started to make his way out of the shed. Mark followed closely behind him after taking a slightly heavier rapier from one of the other racks.

The rapier was definitely not Mark's forte, but he knew enough to help Jien get use to its use. If Jien decided to stick with this weapon in the end, then he would work to help Lord Losler find an appropriate teacher so that he could work toward mastering its use. He stepped out onto the field to see Jien waiting for him at the center of the brown area. Mark stepped forward and reached where Jien was before scratching the back of his head a bit. "I am not by any means the most proficient with the rapier, but I can get you started in its use. If you find you like it, I will work with your father to find you a proper teacher."

With that said Mark took a stance making sure that he was showing only his side to Jien, his front leg extended, and his back leg bent. His spare hand was put on his hip so that it was not active for this demonstration. He had Jien copy his stance to his side to the best of his ability. He then bent his front leg forward and pushed lightly on his back leg until hit straightened mostly, thrusting out with his dulled blade. The movement was simple and though it didn't appear to hold much power in the movement it was still well executed. "A rapier is less often used to cut like a longsword or a short sword and is more meant to thust. Specifically, it is best suited for use in finding openings in armor that other, thicker blades would have difficulty entering." Mark slid his back foot forward lightly until it was in the same position as it was previously, extending his forward leg once more before preforming the same thrust, bringing the power of his legs up through his torso and then through his arm to complete the motion. "You will be practicing this thrust for the time being. Once you get the gist of it, we will discuss parrying. A rapier is not good in a head-to-head block like some heavier types of blades so there is a heavy focus on redirecting the opponents attack rather than blocking it." With that Mark had Jien try and mimic his simple thrust, doing his best to correct his posture and the angle of his blade as he did so.

What neither Jien nor Mark knew was that a certain Lord was looking out at them from the large window of his study. As he watched his son attempting to learn how to wield the rapier properly memories of a certain rowdy blonde-haired, green-eyed woman were running through his head. He remembered his first meeting with her. He, much like his son was just beginning his training for the academy like all other children of the proper age. He was just starting to learn the sword when his own father had invited some of the noble children of the other regions neighboring their home to meet and train together. He could recall how though the blonde beauty looked delicate enough, her mouth was anything but and her actions spoke more of a barbarian than a fine lady.

She had worn a lose linen shirt and pants rather than a dress like the other young maidens who had come more to gossip than to train in the martial path. He remembered how one of the boys made fun of her for dressing like a boy. She had sneered at that comment and while their parents were discussing business to the side, she challenged the boy that teased her. It wasn't even a competition or a friendly sparring match. He watched as that young woman destroyed the boy that made fun of her. Her weapon of choice was an estoc, rather than a rapier but the way she used it, though two handed was similar. She had parried her opponent's blow with ease and luckily, they were using similarly dull weapons to Jien because he blade found its mark with a blow to the chest that sent the challenger rolling away with all the air blown firmly out of his lungs.

After knocking the boy back with her singular blow, she promptly dropped her blade and walked over to the boy before beating him black and blue in front over everyone. The parents, having been through the academy themselves didn't make any move to stop the fight, knowing that the sooner the children worked out their pecking order the better. She left the boy barely conscious and moaning in pain before turning to the other gathered children as if daring them to say something.

Just like that the pecking order was created, Elenore, Jien's now deceased mother became the leader of their group in a single violent exchange. After that the others started to discuss and practice as they were meant to while the adults left to discuss business in the manor. That was the start of their long friendship and ultimately the beginning of the long relationship between Lord Earl Losler and Lady Elenore Misraf. And now Earl was watching his son learn a similar style of blade, though not completely and preparing much like they had for the life at the academy. He wished that his wife would be able to watch this scene with him and hoped that perhaps somewhere out there here spirit was perhaps watching over Jien and watching him grow stronger on the path to adulthood.