Snippet #1495698

King's Landing

The clacking of practice swords filled the sparring grounds, peppered by grunts and the occasional yowl of pain. Ser Ulfred Borander stood with three pages, each one holding a wooden sword. "There is only one way to become a better swordsman, and that is to fight a better swordsman. There are a million nuances to the movement of the blade that spell both life and death. Many a young nobleman thinks himself the blade-master with a bit of fancy foot work. Experience will change that. It will turn the most nervous and unsure fool into a prowling dire wolf or it will kill them and someone better able will step forward."

One of the pages had started to follow a passing girl with his eyes. Ulfred slapped him lightly with the haft of his wooden blade across the face. "Hopefully no young women will cross your path on the battlefield, or we are all doomed. Pay attention."

Ulfred circled the pages; adjusting a foot there, raising an arm here. After a few moments he stepped back to watch. One of the boys, a red headed and be-freckled thing was the first to falter. Ulfred's wooden blade shot out at his ankle, making him trip. The boy stood and adjusted his stance correctly. Another's arm sagged, with a flick of his wrist Ulfred disarmed him. "Pick it up."

This went on for some time, a few knights gathered a good distance away and watched intently. Gerold, the youngest spoke first. "Need he be so strict with them? They're just boys."

An older, grizzled knight by the name of Dumont spoke next, "I for one think Ulfred is being too soft on them, there will be much bloodshed to come and those boys will inherit it."

Lastly, Padrick spoke, "I was a lad when I met Ser Ulfred. Gave me the best advice I've ever heard."

"What was that?" Dumont leaned forward with interest.

"He said, "If you're fighting to stay alive, look into the bastard's eye. That'll tell you a moment before he strikes." It's kept me alive to this day." Padrick leaned back against a rail.

"That's it? No hidden wisdom? Just sounds like another geezer who thinks he knows better than everyone else." Gerold spit over the rail. "I think the philosopher general Xander said it best, "Make your sword like a leaf on the wind and you need only strike softly."

They grew quiet at that, the sounds of practice a background to contemplation. Finally Dumont spoke, "What does that even mean? Least Ulfred speaks plainly. This philosopher business sounds like a bunch of foriegn nonsense." Dumont put on a mock pious expression and said in a high, lilting voice. "Make your blade like a a leaf on the wind and get run through while composing a poem about it."