The maid sent off the burly guy after he put down the box. I realise at this point I didn't ask for her name.
"Hey if you are helping me and all that I think I need something to call you." I direct at her questioningly.
"This ones name is Sarryn, my lord." She replies with a slight bow.
After that the maid, no Sarryn, starts unpacking the box, its now I notice that she has changed from her maids outfit into some sort of tighter fitting combat gear while she was gathering the things earlier.
I'm thrown a wooden sword, a bit longer than any weapon I've learnt to use but it isn't nearly as intimidating as a real weapon. Catching it it feels heavy as if there is some metal inside, to give it weight but I expect at most you could break a bone using it as a club. Sarryn has a similar sword that she kept a hold of and is sorting out a bit of defensive gear probably for me to put on although I still expect bruises tomorrow.
It takes a good 10 minutes to finally get some of the armour on, something about how it has to fit properly to provide protection and full range of movement. After a few more tugs at some of the armour Sarryn nods as if pleased at her work while I stand there feeling slightly restricted by this new armour.
After being given a few moments to get used to the feeling we start the lesson.
She starts addressing me, "So, I can already tell you don't have proper form with this weapon, your stances are lacking which means you likely don't know any guards. I do not plan on teaching you a style but the basics are required. She puts her right foot forward, leaning her right hand holding the sword on her thigh.
"First I want you to attack me, I want to know if you have any skills with bladed weapons." she says as she stands there, not even holding her sword up.
"Now?" I ask questioningly, wondering why she doesn't look like she is defending.
"Yes, you will find that you probably could not hit me even with a month of training."
I'm not entirely sure I'm happy with her evaluation even if it is true, so I give up the rest of my complaints and move forward to hit her right arm as if disabling her.
She however moves quickly from her resting position of hand on leg up and outwards in the direction my cut was heading for, a slight thump as our weapons bounce before she follows the movement down, throwing my sword to the side, followed by a cut upwards, stopping at my chest.
"I'm starting to believe what you said Sarryn." I state pretty honestly towards her, the reply I get is her stabbing the wooden sword into my gut pushing me back.
I start up again, throwing a few cuts here and there, each one being parried as she changes from one stance to the next like flowing water. I try a few sneak attacks and feints but the size and weight of my weapon throw off a few of my attacks and the rest leave me with bruises from where I was hit in retaliation for leaving myself open.
"Good, we can take a few minutes to rest, first I have a few comments before we make improvements. You seem to understand not standing up straight but your stance isn't wide enough and your feet aren't ordered properly, pay attention to your balance and weight, the core is important, don't forget to move your hips when you strike. Whenever our swords meet in a bind, you seem to forget that we are still fighting, which leads me to considering you learnt to fight like an assassin instead of a swordsman, when swords meet you need to pay attention to the positions of the blades, to hold your opponents blade closer to the guard on your sword, while keeping your sword further on the end." she continues on for a few minutes before checking I understood how to apply leverage using swords, keeping a firm enough grip while also making sure I kept the sword between me and the opponent.
After a drink of water we start up again, this time with me keeping some of the lessons in mind. I pay attention to her stance, she is holding the sword diagonal as I approach, seemingly wary of how much I could take away from her teachings.
I try and attack the same angle she is holding her sword to make it harder to block but it takes a single action to turn the blade slightly before using the guard of the sword to catch my strike and throw my attack to the side again before yet again stabbing me in the gut even as I attempted to step back from my failed strike.
"See you keep forgetting balance, your core will take training but you will eventually adapt. Now since you were so focused I'd recommend we take a break, it seems the young lady is a bit hungry and tired." she says directing a look at Elyn.
"Yeah, I think I should get this off and go for a walk while some food is prepared then. I comment to Sarryn as she starts helping to take off the armour I have on.
"I shall go inform the chefs then my lord, are there any preferences my lord and the lady have that I should relay?"
"Yeah sure, I don't mind any food honestly, so just make sure there isn't anything spicy for Elyn and it should be fine. Something sweet for dessert would be nice as well I think." With my reply she bows before heading in the direction of the kitchen.