deia876lat

Broken Skies

There blades clashed once more, the wielders able to feel the weight and strength of the other as metal upon metal, scraped and sliced.
Pushing, Turning and Retracting.
As Tyrhallan watched Leo back away again, he paced himself, not giving chase immediately to allow his opponent a moment of reprieve.
A smirk had flashed on Tyrhallan's face as he heard his opponent comment his move, he watched as Leo tried to circle around him.
Tyrhallan meanwhile analyzed the young man's actions.
He was trying to find an opening, trying to tempt him to reveal something, anything he could use against him.
"You wished to waltz, not I. Though perhaps you had thought to lead..." Tyrhallan spoke teasingly enjoying himself.
There weren't many that could keep up with his speed, it had been a pain for him to find instructors capable when he had ultimately too fast for them. With the few that could, he now had to hold back, because of them not being able to keep up with him anymore. Which didn't help with bettering one's self.

"I see you're good with the high guard, but what about..."

All of a sudden, the Spider dropped into a crouch and swung his sword in a wide horizontal arc, releasing the ki in his blade into the very air and sending it forth as a blade of wind aimed directly at Tyrhallan's feet.

Clever dog! Tyrhallan's thoughts flashed as he was forced to move.
Normally knights were trained to react in two ways to such attacks. Either evading the blow, but losing one's stronger position or attempting to block it, risking to injure to oneself as Tyrhallan in this case would have to literally cut away at the wind itself.
However Tyrhallan wasn't like other knights, he was the Crimson Rider, if he allowed himself to be thwarted by such an attack he wouldn't be worthy of the name Baron of the Sky. He rode the high winds.
And so Tyrhallan did neither, he dashed towards it, before he used his momentum to propel himself forward, doing a frontal flip over the blow, mimicking the Spider's crouch as had brought his blade down, knowing he might have to parry the man's follow up, protecting himself in that very fragile moment.
From the sides, one heard the whispers of the onlookers, barely speaking their thoughts aloud as they watched the match intently, holding their breaths.

Broken Skies

As for the other ranks higher than knight, no need to add an extra shield. Just have the sword(s) positioned behind the shield and there's your rank. Personally, I think blades crossed downward would look better for the knight captain. For the knight commander, it ought to be basically a combination of the senior and captain rank insignias, so crossed swords with one in the centre. I'll also say that the job of the knights isn't to command, that'd be the general's job, though they can give orders to anyone of lower rank if they want. The most valuable asset about a knight is their fighting ability, so their only job is, well, to fight. As the most powerful ki users in the military, each knight is basically a one man army so they're only ever called upon to protect someone or something very important, or destroy a particularly dangerous individual or group. Think of them as special forces and artillery rolled up into one.

@TheMerlin

No problem, I agree with you on how it looks, it is just the symbolism I looked up, with blades down means the fight is over...
(weirdly enough) And I was thinking more in terms of visibilty when in the heat of battle the blood and dirt cover the armour, you might want something else as an indicator. (Not to fight you on this, but to show you my reasoning for giving the suggestion to include it)

Whilst the Knights don't command perse there has always been this 'special treatment for them' through history most of the time because they were nobles, lesser lords to their own lord (the king). Very similar to 'the Bannermen' in GOT.
They would usually command their own people, those that lived on their lands or lived nearby.

Broken Skies

I'm fine with that, though it would have to be visible. I'd suggest it being dead center on the chest, as for differences in rank:
Display one sword for a fighter/soldier.
The Apprentice/Squire: A small shield, having to earn a Knight's Shield (thus being a shield for the nation)
Knights: A Shield with possible insignia

To possible leadership positions we could add an extra shield on the shoulder pauldron.

Senior Knight: Shield and downward sword in the center (was either in command & now in an advisory role for the younger Knight Captains or slowly rose up in the ranks, we could even alter sword positions for that if need be.)
Knight Captain: Shield with two blades crossed upward.
Knight Commander: Shield with three blades displaying the three sections (Vanguard, Midguard, Rearguard) falling under his command.
(Which I think you should add, who takes on the role of a General overseeing the battlefield and stay close to the king)

Also I didn't really want to take Omni's character, but figuring he was going to eventually start the match off as Arbiter, I might as well include it in the post. I tried to not take hold of the character and to write around it, but if I overstepped here by not asking you @Omni5876 I apologise.

Oh and thanks for the compliment, why did you think I was posting that late? I was going through moves and swordfighting video's to at least get a bit more bearing, Tyr has been properly trained and all, have to do some reading to make him a believable Knight Captain.

Broken Skies

Personally I'd say for sake of visibility how about differences in capes.
The shorter half cape, that is draped/covering only one shoulder.

Broken Skies

Tyrhallan took the liberty of informing Sergeant Firenze of his sparring match, telling him for the time being he had command whilst he was occupied with his opponent.
Naturally the most curious of the bunch caught on and eagerly informed the others.
"Cap'n is gonna fight Spider. This is gonna be good."
"My money is on the Captain bet you 5 silverlings he's gonna make the boy eat dust..."
"Nah, I'll put my money on the Spider, I've seen him fight before, he's got some mean moves."
Tyrhallan ignored the other knights as they saw the opportunity to start a betting pool and placing bets.
His men eager to see the outcome followed quickly in his shadow as they moved towards their 'new arena'.
Here will do," Leo said as he lowered his sabre, letting it trail over the stalks of grass all around them before turning to face the Crimson Rider. "What do you think?"
His eyes ran over the desired area, following the lay of the land, the sweet early summergrass glowing golden as the wind sung through it.
He looked back at Leo and gave a single strong, weightful nod, before he watched the sun for a moment more.
Quickly the men began with setting up the ring, a large set of circles were drawn in the meadow, the grass flattened to establish the small little world Tyrhallan and Leo would contain themselves to.
A knights world.
A world wherein you waltzed with Death.
If the men did not take care and restrained themselves to a fine lined degree their dance would end...forever...
He watched Leo smirk, eagerly taking up the same guarding stance once more.
"Ready to demonstrate how a knight talks?"
Tyrhallan smiled at those words allowing a pause to fall as he moved fluidly, nonchalantly into position.
"Dalmer, tell me...What defines you?"
"What will you tell Death when Death finally shows you its face?"
"When it has had enough and is tired of all those poor fools that have had the sad predicament of being in the way of your blade?"
"Will you embrace it or will you battle it, I wonder..." Tyrhallan said as he slid his own blade out of its sheath.
As he held it up he gazed for a moment in the black abyss that reflected his image.
There were few that ever had the good fortune to see the unsheathed sword. This was due to Tyrhallan's fightingstyle and if they did, it was usually the last thing that flashed before their eyes, before they met the sharp steel of 'Fatebringer'.
As the wind changed so did Tyrhallan.
The wrist of his right arm turned and the blade rotated with it, its glint eerie, as it almost seemed that the rays of sunlight that reached the blade were slashed into a broken myriad of colours.
The predatory gaze had returned, his eyes darkened as his arm moved in a creeping pace into its position.
Starting in an open Vom Tag position he waited for the Arbiter to start off their little sparring match.
The muscles and nerves in his legs tightening and straining to literally burst into action. As soon as Arn had opened their match, Tyrhallan, true to his name, dove forwards at his opponent with a terrifying speed. Bringing in a mastercut, using his speed and momentum to swing the blade upward and tilt it. Knowing his opponent used speed in his attacks and dodges too not allowing Leo to simply block his blow.
Now it would come down to technique and skill.
As the blades collided, they sung, Tyrhallan turned his Zwerchhau inward, knowing most opponents would be too off guard by the first strike, that the follow up often was fatal.
He also knew that Leo wasn't a fool and had talent, but he would be pleased if their fight lasted for bit longer at the least.

[url](For the move youtube.com/watch?v=yejU_Cq8Qzs for those interested)[/url]

Broken Skies

Throughout history the military has always defined ranks, it would only logical to assume that even the common soldier would be able to tell who the officers and commanders would be, especially because in the heat of battle, when all is in disarray one cannot go around shouting, 'hey who is leading us?'
They commanding officers would usually display differences in outfit or symbolism to show rank.

However, we might assume that Arn simply isn't familiar enough with the knights and their officers, since they might be kept and trained separated, only seeing each other on the battlefield.

Broken Skies

Tyrhallan's eyes changed for a moment at the mentioning of the man's name and Battalion.
The fact he was still alive, was quite miraculous. Not unlike his own Vanguard Battalion they were close to the front, they usually took the hardest hits, since the main focus would be on them, unlike Tyrhallan's who were truthfully more comparable to raiders.
Knives with stealth, leaving the enemy in disarray.
The insulting string of words Arn let out would have earned him a couple of demands for a Duel if he was facing any other knight.
"Yes, thank you." He said curtly and coldly, keeping in mind that the man either simply didn't care for manners or simply wasn't aware of his own rude behaviour.
Tyrhallan wasn't going to flare up for this man's enjoyment. As far as he was concerned if the man was actively trying to goad him into a reponse then he was truly to be pitied indeed.
It also didn't contribute to the actual sparring match.
Tyrhallan wouldn't bite anyway, he stepped away from them, making sure he gave orders to his Sergeant before disappearing, though as soon as his men would hear of the Duel they would want to observe it. It was only fair that he would inform them.
"We will reconvene at your suggested location."
Undoubtedly the bets would be placed.

Broken Skies

Tyrhallan unlike Leo listened patiently to the Battlemage. He observed the shift in demeanour and carefully took a long reading look over the man, who appeared closer to him in age, but with mages one couldn't really tell.
He was a bit perturbed by the man to lecture 'him' of all people on the rules, but he chastised himself stating that he most likely would have done the same thing. Nevertheless, it rubbed him the wrong way. He would have to find out the man's name later and make a mental note of it...if his underlings ever complained about his strictness towards the rules he would drag up this guy.
Still to his surprise and that of he actually proposed to turn their little warm up into a proper sparring match.
He pondered the request not showing his immediate thoughts on the matter, unlike Dalmer who's eagerness was akin to that of dog waiting for its treat.
He turned his gaze towards the sky again as if he was listening or searching for something, before a soft exclamation of breath was given in agreement.

"Very well and considering your own contribution to this sparring match Battle Mage, you can be the Arbiter." He said as he narrowed his eyes. "After all someone has to oversee the rules and judging of the match, someone as impartial as you would do nicely."

Broken Skies

Will be fixing it immediately.

Broken Skies

"Confident as always. Some would say such confidence will not always hold up."
Tyrhallan watched the man shift to a more suitable battle stance. He could sense Leo was adjusting and raising his ki, probably as much as he was. The only difference was where they chose to send that energy.
To Tyr it was spend in a single fraction. What good were barriers and walls when your opponent was already within one's own inner circle. No way to deflect, all that was needed was one strike. It was his preferred method of fighting. Like a Viper or a Falcon swooping down with outstretched talons.
He was about to oblige Leo for once, knowing the young man’s reputation and love for the deathly dance.
It would be a good way to warm up indeed and to allow the man to lose some that unspent eager rage. That need for a fight, a gnawing feeling that would overcome every warrior, even someone like himself fell to its powers when he was not careful.
With the battle closing in on them, this might be his only reprieve before the storm.
Tyrhallan needed to silence his own troubled mind, he was about to respond when he noticed that Leo had noticed their spectators.
Or rather the mage who had been quite ready to use his magic on them.
Hearing Leo's words however made him roll his eyes in resignation, could the young man find some more wisdom in the silence of his tongue instead of using it to start another fight to release the bottled up desires. He was itching for a fight all right, by all accounts he best prevent the fool from being burst into flames.
He turned as well facing the mage and those behind him with a stern but friendly expression, holding up his hand in a gentle gesture.
"All is well, there is no need for your well-meant interference Battle Mage. Keep your watchful eye though, for I believe it will prove lifesaving in the battle to come. Be assured for I have control over this particular situation.”
To Leo he send a look of ‘Don’t goad them. This is not the time.’