Keso, a street urchin, Peanut, an oversized puppy arrive, following Aleksei.

Now that the time has come! Ainsley has made his way to the center of the training grounds, his steel sword belted to his side, rubicund armor gleaming under the light. He grins rather brightly toward those gathered, and lifts his voice to say, "Hey! Thank you all for coming-- those looking for training, those doing the training, and those just here to watch. Before we begin I'd like to introduce those who will be instructing today."

A brief pause is given, "Archlector Aleksei, Lord Killian Ashford, Princess Reese Grayson, Prince Luca Grayson, and myself are here to train in the use of medium weaponry. Modestly sized swords, axes, maces, big sturdy sticks, and the occasional candlelabra."

He then stretches his hand toward Zhayla and says, "Dame Zhayla is here to teach how to hit someone with giant swords, warhammers, tables if need be, or maybe life sized statues."

Another gesture is given this time in the vague direction of the benches. "Lady Tikva has also said she'd be willing to train people in how to take a punch crumpling like a piece of paper."

A deep breath is taken and he says, "There's food and drinks over there." He points wweeeeelll away from the training rings.

And then pauses for air.

Alexis moves in with Joslyn, glaive in hand and Wyrmstooth strapped to the short knight's back. Her garb is simple - a plain white tunic worn with pants in Valardin blue, the latter stuffed into her soft calfskin boots. "I just want to see what it's all about," Alexis admits, to the taller Lycene woman. "So, thank you for indulging me."

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Reese before departing.

"Anytime," Joslyn says to Alexis, beaming towards the other woman. "I figure I could use a few pointers in swordplay sometime. Probably better off using a sword on the front lines, daggers force me to get uncomfortably close to enemies with weapons far larger than mine."

Dagon arrives with some of the crowds drawn by the offer of training, though one might expect that the Sword of Maelstrom does not require introductory lessons. Still, life is always learning, and with a great deal more free time for swording now, perhaps it's as good an opportunity as any to freshen up? "Quite a good turnout," he remarks, glancing around. "And an impressive lineup of instructors."

Reese arrives wile adorned in her silvery steel plate. She is covered in lots of metal and lots of bling, looking a bit like a statue rather than a flesh and blood girl. She sure is shiny though! She has her blades with her, but the princess normally does. Reese is close to Luca, seeming to have arrived with the nimble prince.

Zhayla has come with her own assortment of weapons: she has a trident, a spear, a warhamer, and a broadsword. What she does /not/ have is a table or a life-sized statue, and she looks stricken. "I knew I forgot something!" she mock-laments after Ainsley's introduction.

Malena isn't so sure if she's in the right place. The plethera of fighters that are in the building causes her to hesitate as she comes walking in. A healer by trade, she does not seem adapt to spar but she does want to learn the basics in defending herself so she arrives, curious to see what there is to learn.

Aleksei is positively beaming. He's high-energy at the best of times, but he looks to be in a /particularly/ sunny mood today, all bright and restless and eager as people start gathering for the event. He's hopped onto the fence a few times, dropped back off, paced about. He keeps scuffing and nudging the other instructors he's closest to: Ainsley, Luca, Zhayla. Killian and Tikva. It's /obnoxious/. He has his full set of swords: plain steel, rubicund, and the alaricite that's at his hip. "It's been forever since I trained someone," he says brightly.

"Ooh." Alexis grins at Ainsley's proclamation. "I might try to meet the woman who teaches people to fight with hammers. And offer my services, however meagre they may be, to Prince Ainsley." She beams bright, giving Joslyn a small smile, and moving her way to Ainsley, sketching a bow. "Prince Ainsley, your highness. It is truly an hnour to meet you," She offers. "I'm Dame Alexis Wyrmfang. Ah, if - if you find yourself needing another instructor in how to use larger weapons..." She gestures idly at her glaive. "Well, I'd be happy to help."

Leta is here for the buffet. That, or she's here to spectate, probably, as she wanders over to the edge of the benches and leans against a fence. She's in the lighter sort of armor and a hat, rather than a helmet, a hand drumming playfully along the hilt of her sword. She lets out a long low whistle as she takes in the row of trainers, then leans back to take a glance in Tikva's direction.

Joslyn moves alongside Alexis, sketching her own bow to Ainsley. "While I am not here to learn, though I'd love to watch to see what I may pick up, I would love to offer to tutor a studen in small arms combat as well. Joslyn Manicelli, at your service," there's a wry smile as she's not quite sure if they've met before or not.

For his part, Luca the Lazy, Prince Nimble himself, arrived just in time for the event he was called to come help with, dressed in his usual lack of much style or effort in calfskin pants and worn white linen shirt. But at least his matched pair of viper-pommeled sabres dangling from duelist stays on either hip are well-cared for! He's keeping a sedate pace with one arm draped languidly around his wife, Princess Ribbons, aka Reese Grayson, and smirking a bit as he murmurs something to the pink-bladed warrior princess on hearing Ainsley's talk of upcoming training. He'll move with her off towards the fighting ring to await being called on for display or training, and for his part is watching the proceedings. Alexis' eager arrival and approach of Ainsley earns another lopsided, familiar smile from the lazy Champion prince and an upnod and wave her way while he's settling, hip cocked against Reese's shiney armor so that he looks like her shabby accessory.

With a nervous glance around, Eliana has been hovering on the outer edges of the gathering, watching and listening. When Prince Ainsley speaks, her blue eyes fall on him and she will watch attentively, looking thoughtful in her overly large, draping coat. It has the red insignia of the Inquisition on the left lapel for those who might notice. After the introductions, Eliana's gaze will fall on those the Prince introduced for 'Medium Weapons' and she begins to walk closer in their direction. Naturally, with being who she is, she'll trip over her own two feet and go down with a thud and an ooomf face planting on the ground. With a quick glance around, she'll push up and get right back up again, brush herself off and give a little smile for anybody who glances towards the clumbsy person who just fell on her face in front of everyone.

Killian has drifted in, his contingent of tagalongs seems to have grown from just a couple of animals to now include a pair of redheaded twins. The twins busy themselves with people watching and taking notes, as well as keeping Frostbite out of mischief, which in and of itself is a full time job. Meanwhile, Killian Ashford heads out towards the training area and looks around, smiling and nodding at people. He then moves to lean against one of the rails, awaiting the call upon him to be useful, but mostly just staying out of the way. He's in armor and has both swords at his side, but has taken a pair of training blades from the racks, having them at hand in case he's needed.

Ainsley laughs at Aleksei's excitedness, and gives a small dip of his chin. He turns toward Alexis and Joslyn and says, "Thank you, dame Wyrmfang, Mistress Maniceli, that's very helpful." He shifts his gaze to the stands, briefly catching the sight of the man with his walking stick. Ainsley lifts his hand in a small wave, and then turns back to the others.

He catches sight of Eliana moving forward and he says, "I think we have our first student-- Prince Luca, would you like to go first?"

Oh, there's a buffet too. Dagon heads that way while students are milling about looking for instructors, since he doesn't seem inclined to cut the line for anyone who might need the training more seriously. Also, food. Though, as he goes, he does spot a few familiar faces and makes greetings as appropriate. "Princess, good to see you again - we didn't have much time to talk while we were all digging holes and people were dropping trees and babies in them." That's definitely how that event went.

Ulf arrives, following Fergus.

Graham had decided to come and help if needed, in training others, or perhaps to learn something new. The young soldier of Stonewood looks about as the gathering seems to grow. It's a good chance at least to meet others of martial skill if nothing else.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Reese before departing.

Malena continues to wander about aimlessly, giving a curious look here and there at the offerings. She's practically a blank slate. She looks to the ring where Prince Luca and Mistress Eliana have been called. She winces for Eliana as she falls over her own feet, and feels a kinship. She's been there, done that before.

Reese smiles gently over to Dagon. "A pleasure to see you Duke Dagon." She says in his direction. She then smiles over to Luca when he is announced as the first teacher. The girl goes to find a seat. All this steel can get heavy.

Alexis gives another smile and a nod to Ainsley, and gives a quick bow to Aleksei as well. "Well met again, Blessed Aleksei." See, she learns. "This is mistress Joslyn Manicelli," She offers, by means of introduction. Making a slight wince as she sees Eliana stumble, but the woman gets to her feet again before aid can be offered and so Alexis merely offers her an encouraging smile. "I might step over to the buffet while Prince Luca teaches - he's an interesting fellow," Alexis offers to Joslyn. Then, she spots Malena, and offers the healer a bright smile and raises her hand to wave to the woman.

Luca has joined the fighting grounds.

Fergus heard there was fighting going on, so the Redrain Sword by to see what that's all about. Big damn crowd it seems like. So while he could be here to offer some knowledge on how to swing a sword, it'd be a lie to say he couln't use some help himself. Taking a year off of fighting will do that to a person. So he just kind of hang back for the time being, watching.

Luca's laziness gets put to the test right out of the gate with Ainsley calling his name. He gives Reese a sort of pained look, but leans in to kiss her on the cheek, then slide away from her. As he's going though, he turns to who is getting called on for instruction...and then as she promptly goes down. The Champion prince gives a wince, but doesn't draw more attention to it by going to help her. He just gives Eliana a sympathetic sort of gaze along with an 'after you' sort of gesture for her to head into the ring before him. As she's passing though, he's offering up some quiet words her way with a slight uplift to corner of his mouth.

Joslyn nods to Alexis. "I may join you, and see if an instructor is free to teach me the finer arts of sticking somebody with the pointy end," she says, grinning, bowing a head towards Aleksei. "Good to see you again, Brother Aleksei," Joslyn says as she makes her way towrds the buffet to watch all the training happening, awaiting a prospective student.

Eliana has joined the fighting grounds.

Armel has joined the fighting grounds.

Armel walks into the fighting grounds with his enormous hammer over both shoulders, his silver-edged plate gleaming in the light as he hums to himself. He heard there was training to be taught, and decided to lend his hand as much as he can, the large nature of his weapon showing what he might be good at teaching to a greater or lesser extent.

Leta has a few good bruises on her face, for some reason. She may have others, but they're covered up. She rolls her shoulders and stretches slowly, then pushes away from the fence and strolls over towards the buffet as well, to pick up a piece of fruit. And thus, gnawing on a peach, she strolls along and takes a look about the assorted students and trainers, before moving over in Ainsley's direction. She bows her head head, then motions with the peach, "Your Highness. Could teach folk how to swing a big a thing, or - you know, cartwheels and walking on your hands in armor and out of it and all that." she offers jovially.

Graham has joined the fighting grounds.

Eliana doesn't even seem all that embarrassed from falling flat on her face. After brushing herself off, she just goes right about her business as if it's 'business-as-usual'. It must happen so much that it's nothing she can linger on for long anymore. As she's instructed to train with Prince Luca, Eliana's blue eyes seek him out and then spy him after just a brief moment. She offers a friendly smile and begins to walk towards the area they will train, luckily (praise the goddess) she doesn't fall yet again. Slipping out of her jacket, she'll fold it over her arm and as he indicates she should preceed him, she'll walk forward, although doesn't really appear to know where to go first. His low words towards her cause her to laugh and she smiles brightly, "You can try, although I fear nothing will help." Her eyes sparkle with humor, apparently her negative qualities are all taken in stride and she finds humor in it herself.

Whisper the Snowy Owl, Frostbite the Wolf, Lisette of Ashford, Cosette of Ashford leave, following Killian.

"Hello! Hello, hello," Aleksei responds brightly to first Alexis's greeting, then Joslyn's. "Oh, I know Joslyn," he says with an easy laugh to Alexis. He has to stifle a laugh when poor Eliana goes down, but even that stifle is surprised rather than mean-spirited or anything. He just has a lot of energy today, okay. "Come on Luca!" he hollers at the Champion, like he needs cheering on to -- train someone.

Graham walks onto the edge of the training grounds at least, though he is waiting to see if he is needed or indeed just to watch the training would be good too. He does look about though for any he might recognize since its always better to have company right?

Alexis shoots Aleksei a grin, and a nod. "Well, excellent." She concludes then gestures to the table. "I'll just - get something to eat," she explains, and thenm with at least preliminary greetings taken care of, she moves towards the buffet table, and shoots Leta a smile and gives her a wave on the way. "Princess Grayson," She offers politely to Reese, as she arrives. "A pleasure to see you again." A beat, and she bows her head to Dagon as well. "My lord. I believe I saw you at the tree planting, but I don't know that I got a chance to say hello. I am Dame Alexis Wyrmfang." Gesturing towards Joslyn, since Joslyn came along, too. "This is mistress Joslyn Manicelli."

Ainsley gives a small dip of his chin toward Alexis and Joslyn once more, briefly looking aside to Luca and Eliana. He turns then toward Aleksei and raises his hand toward the Archlector, "Shall we give a demonstration, my friend? Chose your weapon type. Planchet has Threnody and Catsclaw. Though I wasn't planning to /train/ someone with those." His gray eyes are bright. He mock whispers, "Try not to embarass me too badly."

Reese removes her helm, revealing her golden locks, pink ribbons and pretty face. She seems to be rather quiet this evening. She glances toward Alexis at her wards. "A pleasure to see you as well." She says in her direction.

Dagon arrives at the buffet and helps himself to a bit of this and that. Sort of grazing, but without the grass. Once he has a few things, he turns around so he can watch the goings on in the middle of the room. In his case, it's more about watching the form of the instructors than their student's progress. The room does include some of the best fighters in the realm; who knows what you'll pick up. And spotting a few others either in the vicinity of the food or looking his way, or whatnot, he lifts a hand (now holding some pastry) in casual greeting. At Malena maybe. Sure why not! Alexis actually says hello, which makes it a little less random to greet her. "Oh, yes. I do recall somewhat. You were... I think over near the poor woman who gave birth in the middle of it, or speaking with her family? A pleasure, in any case." And he extends it to Joslyn too: "Miss."

Armel has left the fighting grounds.

Following out into ring with the laughing dark-haired woman, Luca grins a bit brighter at her taking the words in stride and so moves past to the training weapon racks soon enough. He eyes Eliana for a moment thoughtfully, apparently choosing a sword of appropriate weight and length for her, which he's bringing back with him to offer up her way. After her faceplant, the Champion prince notably doesn't try throwing the weapon to her hilt-first. Gods know who would get an eye taken out that way. "Let's see what we have to work with, eh? Actually try, so I have a good basis of what you know, I'll be fine if I take a few bruises." The Lenosian accent lilts through that last part with a touch of wryness, but Luca's settling in across from Eliana in the ring easily, drawing free one of the two viper-pommeled blades, gleaming steel, to settle into a deceptively lax stance to await her attack. He'll take a glance to Ainsley's challenge of Aleksei for display, grinning lopsidedly, but turning back quickly enough to his pupil to wait and see whether she falls on her sword by accident or not.

Joslyn beams to Alexis as she continues her introductions, smiling as she inclines her head towards Reese. "Hello Reese. Keeping busy are you?" she asks with a lopsided smirk. "Sorry I missed your tree planting, if I had known I would have come along, do my part to help," there's a little smirk, and she inclines her head to Dagon then at his introduction. "Duke Tyde," she offers. "I trust you are well."

Ainsley shifts briefly to Leta to smile toward her, "Thank you, Dame Broadbent, that's very generous of you. I'll let you know if anyone needs those." Though he squints at her face a moment. "I hope you're well."

Malena perks up when someone addresses her and smiles back at Dagon, giving a friendly look as she also helps herself to the banquet. Free food is not something to turn down. She's not so bold to address. Just a quick smile and focus on food and then turning to move to watch the action in the center.

Aleksei cackles a bit at Ainsley's mock whisper. "Don't do anything embarrassing, then!" he responds, grinning. His eyes brighten at the mention of Threnody. "Oh, hells, let's pull out the alaricite, then. I mean, we might as well, right?" He stretches his arms overhead and then glances off towards Luca and Eliana before looking back to the Grayson prince.

Continuing to watch with a lazy eye, Fergus finally steps forward. "If anyone wants a couple of pointers with with a long sword, I don't mind showing some moves." he offers out loud to the crowd. "But I ain't gonna sit up here on a fucking pedestal and say I don't need help either. Shit, I could use some help myself. If anybody is willing to show me a couple of fancy moves, or armor conditioning, would be willing to pay ya back in whiskey. Or whatever."

Leta gnaws on her peach and grins, bruises or not, then points with it at Luca. "Was practicing my fisticuffs and wrassin' and all that with Prince Luca, see? Hit my face with his Highness's elbow a couple times and all, but it was good sport, I'm just fine!" she winks her slightly less swollen eye, bows her head politely and nibbles on her piece of fruit, strolling about.

Reese has a gentle smile for Joslyn as she hears her words. "Always busy." She says and folds up the message.

Ainsley gets Threnody, an alaricite longsword from A sword crossed griffin backpack.

"Will you be instructing people, Princess Grayson?" Alexis inquires, politely again. Looking between Malena and Dagon, offering a small smile. And a rueful one follows. "I was ah, giving my respects to the Paladin of Ideals. And then suddenly babies." Okay. Maybe not suddenly. "I'm glad the Mother Mercy was there. And it must've been an auspicious sign from the gods, I wager - new lives starting at the ceremony of new beginnings?" Malena gets another little nod once she's closer. "Physician Black. You are familiar with the Duke Tyde as well, then?" She asks, with a smile on her lips. "Your clientele seems very exclusive." Looking Fergus over. "How big swords are you looking for pointers with?" She inquires. "my lord."

Nash randomly throws his walking stick down from the benches at Ainsley and then leans back and acts like nothing happened at all. Nothing to see here.

Ainsley wields Threnody, an alaricite longsword.

Ainsley checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 41 higher.

Aleksei has joined the fighting grounds.

Reese is still perched upon the bench. She lifts her gaze to Alexis. "I'm not sure. I will if there is a need. I cannot train like my husband can." She says and then glances off toward Luca and Eilana, before turning back to Alexis, giving her a gentle smile. "We shall see."

OH GOD THERE'S A STICK COMING AT HIS HEAD!

Ainsley ducks down and the stick clackers to the ground behind him. He seems to have ducked before even thinking. He blinks a moment or two and then steps back to pick up the stick. A huff is given, and he walks the stick back over to the bleachers, handing it over while getting his alaricite sword from his valet.

"Alright, Aleksei-- You ready?"

As he walks back he says to Alexis, "I think I may be teaching someone how to dodge flying sticks, sur."

Setting her folded coat down gently on the ground to the side, her Inquisitor badge facing up so it does not get dirty, Eliana makes her way towards where Luca seems prepared to begin training her. She'll watch him with curiousity, her bright blue eyes watching his every move as if it will release some sort of secret. When he offers her the sword, she'll smile and take it with an experimental grip at first, hefting it once, and then twice, her knuckles white with how tightly she's holding onto the sword, almost as if she's afraid if she holds it too lose it'll go flying somewhere. "You want me to... attack you?" Eliana says to Luca, staring at him a moment with obvious hesitation, but then the cogs in her brain begin to work again and she will nod after a moment, "Um, sure, your highness." She will take a step forward and swing at Luca. Describing this in slow motion, her swing is slow, her grip is too tight, she leaves her body completely WIDE open, and she doesn't even really aim appropriately. If she's trying to hit to the side of Luca, sure, that's a great shot, but her aim is completely off and she'll likely topple forward as the weight of the swing and the sword cause her to overbalance and fall forward again. She's not just -bad- at this, she is -horrendously- bad. Will she survive this training session? Only the Gods know!

Nash nods with a seemingly satisfied expression at Ainsley as he takes back his stick.

Malena shakes her head and denies knowing Dagon personally, "Oh no...not really. He was just being kind." She gives Alexis a bright happy smile, "I'm just here, hoping to learn some basic defense skills...like how to disarm someone and a few survival skills." She motions to the floor where Luca and Eliana are sparring, "I can also assist if anyone gets injured." Having a doctor around is handy, "And I serve the Velenosa family and volunteer at the hospital so I see a wide array of people."

Joslyn takes some of the food on offer, munching away as she watches people work, offering another smile towards Reese. "Try to take some time for yourself, though. Don't want to work too hard," she warns her with a grin, looking around at the rest of the room, watching Aleksei and Ainsley getting ready to duel it out.

Looking over to Alexis, he shrugs. "Can't say I need much help with swinging a sword, got that down pat. Can help teaching it though. Mainly, have to admit I could learn to dodge getting hit by one a little better. Could get some weight conditioning done too, need to get better at that. But teaching to swing a blade? Yeah, can fucking do that if you're looking."

Luca was actually watching Ainsley dodge a stick with a laugh when Eliana swung at him. But even so, the slippery Prince Nimble was living up to his name and almost casually leaning back the fractions of inch he needed for her training blade to clear the air past him just barely. After that, he was wrinkling his nose a bit as if he'd bitten into a sour apple. Either because of the 'highness' or because of the woman's swing. Maybe both. He's actually having to reach a hand out and catch her shoulder as she's flailing forward and almost going down again, but once righting her, he's murmuring something her way in a laugha nd slipping backwards to await another attack, this time more focused on her.

Aleksei blinks. Hey look, a stick going right for Ainsley's head. And then the Prince is just handing it back, and the priest shrugs. "I'm always ready," he says cheerfully to Ainsley, striding onto the grounds a fair bit away from where Luca and Eliana are training. He draws Chainbreaker from its sheathe in one smooth motion, twirling the sword a bit in an idle kind of fashion. "I'm sure you won't embarrass yourself," he tells Ainsley. "You've got 'Sword' in your fancy title, after all."

"Oh, well enough, I suppose," Dagon answers Joslyn, sounding... mostly convinced of the answer? "Catching up on things since I've returned to the city. It's been pleasant enough." Turning back to Alexis, he nods. "It did seem rather appropriate to the whole event. Which mitigates the discomfort of the whole thing I'm sure. As did having such able care ready on the sidelines." Likewise he shakes his head regarding the prior acquaintance. "No, but this whole event is devoted various skilled warriors meeting and taking on new students, so I think meeting some new people is in the spirit of it. Not that I'm explicitly here to teach, though I could if need be."

Aleksei wields Chainbreaker, an alaricite longsword.

Leta watches Ainsley duck a flying stick and arches an eyebrow, then glances from him to Aleksei, offering the latter a nod and a friendly smile. She continues to nibble on her peach and allows herself to wander, taking in the various training pairs with interest as her feet carry her over to the tables with food once more. She's offered her services, after all. Whistling, she stops to appraise the food all over again, but there's still a while before she's down to the peach pit. So she offers a nod to the people near the eating, eyeing Alexis and Dagon and Joslyn, and offering a polite nod to begin with. She'd say something, probably, but she's eating.

"Ugh." says Ainsley mildly, "That's why it'll be more embarassing when you plant me in the dirt." He laughs, but takes on a stance that is balanced between defensive and aggressive. He lifts his voice to say as he does so, "This is what we call 'balanced'; it will allow you some aggressive moves without leaving you completely open."

Alejandra, a snowy white hound have been dismissed.

Planchet, a young valet have been dismissed.

"And since Ainsley's geared up head to toe in metal," Aleksei lifts his voice in laughing instruction, "I'm going to be on the defensive and just sweating him out until he gets tired." He, after all, is only in partial leathers that leave him light on his feet.

Aleksei takes minor damage.

Alexis looks Fergus over. "Well, I mean," She tells him, with a grin. "I know how to use Wyrmstooth just fine. And generally I'm of the thought that you wear plate armour to battle for a reason." Rolling her shoulders. "But if we're not training each other, once I get my new set of armour made, I'm sure we could meet up and I'll grade how well you dodge blows." She offers. And then she bows. "Dame Alexis Wyrmfang. Sword of Blancbier. Well met." Her attention returning to her little group, she gives Malena a nod. "It's always good to have a medic on hand - especially for training sessions. Never know when someone's going to misjudge and run facefirst into a blunted blade." She muses. Quirking her lips at the interplay between Joslyn and Reese. "You seem to know everyone. I should obviously stop introducing you," She decides, to the former. "How do you know miss Manicelli?" She asks of Reese, and laughs a little at Dagon's comment. "Yes, the Princess did seem well prepared." She agrees. "And well, I just showed up. Offering my skills if they are needed, just enjoying the spectacle if not." She agrees with the Duke. Giving Leta a little nod. "Do you all know Dame Broadbent as well?"

Nash comments sidelong to Leta after the flying stick is returned, "It's a long story." He has an exceedingly dubious expression when he hears Ainsley's and Aleksei's explanations as he watches on intently.

Eliana does look a bit embarrassed as Luca isn't even paying attention, yet sidesteps and even helps her from face planting on the training ground again. She'll straighten up and glance around once, especially when others enter the area. Lifting a free hand, she'll tuck a loose strand of her black hair behind an ear and turn to Luca again and nod solemnly. Responding more quietly, she'll lift up the sword again and take a step back before a smirk comes to her lips and she says something else. Swinging the sword once more at Luca, it's just as bad as the first one, it's almost as if this is the first time she has ever held a sword -ever-. Really, it's like a child playing with swords and has no knowledge of any of the mechanics. She doesn't fall forward this time, but the sword does thunk into the ground and cause her to run into the back of the pommel into her own stomach, causing an oomf of actual pain to come from her. Yeah, she's a prize pupil this one. Lucky Luca!

"He'll probably win." says Ainsley with a mildly dry tone. "Because he's smart and patient, and I am not those things." There's a clear enjoyment of this to the prince, shown in the smile that gleams on his face before he slams down his visor of his rubicund helmet. His alaricite sword glints in the sunlight, as Ainsley advances on Aleksei. The first exchange of blows goes to Ainsley manages to land a small nicking glance on the priest's shoulder. In the next two Ainsley parries away the other alaricite blade, and then dodge it the next go. Moving with surprising agility for someone in a full suit of armor.

Malena shakes her head, "No, I have not met Dame Leta." She gives her a little wave and then catches herself from dropping her plate of food, "Oh my..." She looks to see what happens next between Luca and Eliana, "You're not suppose to do that right? I mean drop the sword like that."

Reese watches both of the combats, flipping her attentions between the two of them. She then looks over to Alexis as if realizing she was spoken to again. She gives her a smile. "Oh, we met a while ago. I think were sparing together with my Husband. Is that right?" Seh asks of Joslyn.

Aleksei cackles a bit. "I'm neither of those things," he says, even as his sword lifts to the ready. His brows are snapping up when Ainsley gets a hit on him right off the bat. "Look at you," he says, still grinning, and then he's carefully dodging and weaving the prince's attacks as they begin their little dance.

"Could help with the conditioning and all, your Highness." Leta says to Fergus with a smile, though the last bit's almost apologetic. She takes a small nibble to gnaw the last of the peach away from the pulp, and bows her head in Malena's direction, then shifts and looks in Nash's direction, arching an eyebrow. "Throwing sticks is?"

Sparte has been off in the background doing some of the menial tasks for the event. Making sure there are enough dummies and training supplies, arguing with an archer who insists the targets need to be located where two people are sparring, so forth. Heading back over to Ainsley, Sparte snaps a tired salute and waits to see what else is needed to keep things going.

Joslyn gives a little smile towards Alexis and Leta as she shakes her head. "I've met Dame Broadbent a little, but I don't know her nearly as well as I should," she gives Leta a smile. "Good to see you again." To Reese she nods. "Yes, that's right. We met that very same day. You were a lot of fun, as I recal, and my suggestion of ribbons to tie your hair back led to your nickname, if I recall," she says with a fond smile towads the princess. Dagon gets a nod. "Well, lets hope it keeps going well. That's all we can ever hope for, isn't it?"

"Hey, same. Need some new fucking armor, after Marian Valardin put a hole through my chest plate." Fergus remarks to Alexis with a n idle grunt. "So sure, could go for a few rounds with you once we get that done. Fergus Redrain, Sword of Farhaven. Leta's use of his title, *again*, makes him roll his eyes. "Need to break that bad fucking habit with me, lass." he utters, then nodding. "But I ain't gonna say no if someone got something new to show me. Could use tips on getting better at rolling around armor if I gotta."

Aleksei takes serious damage.

Throwing up hands in a helpless expression before tapping his walking stick a few times against the benches, Nash sighs towards Leta and answers in a plaintive tone, "I don't -want- to throw sticks at him. But how else is he going to learn to dodge unexpected flying sticks? They're an epidemic."

Ainsley and Aleksei go around, and around. The Prince gives a little bit of a laugh at Aleksei's words and he says, "Aye, you're at least smarter than I." He manages ot land a moderately hard blow on the priest's shoulder, before dancing back out of the way. He /is/ starting to breathe a little bit faster now, however. As he goes he says, "About now is when I'd get cocky or frustrated-- depending on if I was winning or losing --" This is the audience in general. "And I'd move into a more aggressive stance like..." His body language changes and the next few jabs coming up are going to be reckless-- leaving himself wide open.

Dagon waves a pastry at Leta, which is some sort of symbolic gesture for 'hello even though you're eating and can't talk right now,' maybe? Or something to that vague effect. "Hmm, who?" he wonders at Alexis, although it could be because of the surname being used in lieu of something more personal. He knows a lot of people and keeping track is sometimes a headache. Woe. "I don't see too much going wrong here," he tells Joslyn. "Well, unless people start sparring with their alaricite. Then it gets a little iffy." A little? "But I imagine most of the instructors know what they're doing, and it seems we've no shortage of medics on standby if really needed. It might even give them a chance to practice a little, too."

"I had that nickname and was wearing ribbons before them." Reese murmurs softly in response to Joslyn's words. "But that might have been the first time that I used that practical like that." She then peeks over to Dagon. "Yeah, I don't spar with Devotion unless my partner is also using Alatrrcite."

Luca is trying not to look pained. He really, really is! But it hurts in him in his soul place to see someone handle a blade like Eliana's doing, and his cinnamon eyes can't help but wince at it. Something the woman says though after her bad attempt makes him laugh though and lighten, shaking head and offering something back as he moves to lay a hand to small of the Inquisitor's back and start her over towards some training dummies. Right down to the basics it seems! He'll set her up there, moving in close enough behind her to perhaps earn a glance from his wife, but using it clearly with full professionalism, to help guide her body in a strike at the dummy once, twice, three times. After which, he'll be stepping back from her to indicate she should continue, watching how she handles it, and after a time of that, nodding and calling out. "Okay. Time enough for another while Eli keeps at that til her arm falls off. Who's next?"

Aleksei grunts quietly at that solid blow to his shoulder, rolling back with the weight of it and trying to absorb the momentum as much as he can. "Maybe you ought to start off full-tilt from the get-go and hope to put me in the ground before you start getting tired," he suggests, grinning a bit as he at least manages to dodge the prince's other attacks.

"I met most people at the planting," Alexis offers, as a return to Malena and Leta and Reese alike. She does watch the spar between Aleksei and Ainsley with some interest, then winces as Malena points out the training session between Luca and Eliana. "No. No, you are not." There's a slight chuckle from her as Joslyn answers Reese, and she gives a little shrug. "I've head worse nicknames." Furrowing her brow a little, as she looks over at Fergus. "Well met, Prince Fergus. And ah, I'm trying to get set up, but if it's plate or chain you're looking for, I'd be happy to assist."

Nash's comment to Leta has the tiny Sword staring for a moment, blinking. And then looking overhead, in case there'll be more sticks. Shooting Dagon a little smile, and jerking a thumb at the two sparring. "You wanna tell the Paladins to put away the alaricite, be my guest. I'm going to enjoy the spectacle."

Graham has left the fighting grounds.

Landroval, the Eagle leaves, following Graham.

Aleksei takes minor damage.

Malena almost raises her hand when Luca asks who's next. But then puts her hand down. She's not even sure if she's suppose to stand in a line or something. She chews on her bottom lip and waits to see if anyone steps forward like they know they're suppose to train with Luca.

Joslyn considers Reese for a moment tilting her head curious. "Have I offended?" she asks then. "I'm sorry, it wasn't my intention," she says, offering an apologetic smile. "I save my diamondplate for things that really deserve it. The sparring ring? That's for my hairpins," she says to Dagon, gesturing the sticks in her hair.

Aleksei takes serious damage.

After Eliana's epic fail of well, swordsmanship, anyone after her should look quite glorious! She'll smile at Luca and nod in agreement to something before she's led over to the training dummies at the side. An attentive pupil, she will focus, her expression taking on a look of concentration as he shows her the basic moves first against the dummy, and then she's on her own. The first few swings at the dummy are in the exact same path as Luca shows her and she smiles to herself after seeing she can do it without killing herself or someone nearby. She'll chuckle at something Luca says and respond but focusses on her swinging, and will continue to do so until she drops over, is stabbed by her own sword, or the dummy kills her.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Fergus before departing.

Reese looks upon Joslyn and shakes her head. "No, no, I am sorry and maybe I have remebered things wrong. It was a long time ago or at least it seems like a long time ago." She says and her cheeks flush with a touch of pink.

"Sorry." Leta says to Fergus with a grin and a slight shrug, then nods over to Joslyn in acknolwedgment. "Ah. Well, I can teach you a bit. Not as well as the fellow who taught me or anything, but he does charge for it." she points out with a hand wobble. Then she reaches out and picks up an apple, twisting about to give Nash a look. "They are? Can't say I've seen a lot of flyin' sticks about, but I reckon that just makes 'em more unexpected, doesn't it? They fall off trees, sometimes. I mean, you call 'em branches then, but they're sticks, aren't they?"

Tikva has left the Benches.

Mariah, a nanny have been dismissed.

Thump, a yappy pupper have been dismissed.

Brynja steps into the Training Center once the sounds of a fight reaches her ears from outside. She surveys the crowd with a hint of curiosity before moving to get a better view of the ongoing spar. No socializing just yet.

Ainsley catches some discussion about Alaricite when he lunges at Aleksei and runs past him-- reckless attacks sending him all over the place. He huffs a moment, breathing harder and says, "Y-yeah, I only go- go against others who have Alaricite with Thr-threnody. And /only/ Silas or Aleksei." Puff, puff. He jogs back over to Aleksei and throws himself at the other man once more. Managing another hard blow.

Ainsley's attacks may be reckless, but that means they /hurt/ when they hit. Aleksei takes yet another bruising blow that leaves him momentarily breathless. "This is payback, isn't it," he says to the prince, gaze narrowing suspiciously. He, at least, is still looking pretty un-winded. And despite Ainsley clearly having a head start here, he doesn't seem to think he's out of the fight.

Joslyn shakes her head towards Reese, smiling softly. "No, it was a long time ago. Perhaps we're all remembering our own version of events," she says, returning back to her previous lopsided grin.

Aleksei takes moderate damage.Aleksei rolls stamina+willpower+survival against difficulty 2, getting 57.Aleksei remains capable of fighting despite their wounds.

Ainsley takes moderate damage.

"Oh, they're welcome to spar with it if they want. I have Reafian with me, so I could probably join in. But it does seem to increase the odds of a training injury over a lesser or even blunted weapon," Dagon now answers Leta, as their conversation escalates from waving pastries to using human language. "And we were talking about healers being necessary for the training session, and things like that." Noting Alexis speaking with Fergus now, he offers a greeting to the latter of the two. "Feeling better back on dry land?" There's a story behind that, surely. Joslyn's comment earns a laugh. "I wouldn't mind watching an all hairpin spar, if you and some other appropriately equipped lady might wish to put on." He wants to watch for purely military educational purposes. Yep.

Ainsley takes minor damage.

"You a smith as well?" Fergus asks Alexis, maybe getting a little distracted, what with all the conversations going on. For example, he can't quite tell if Leta was talking to him or Joslyn. "I'm getting my set from a Mistress Eithne. Getting a set of rubicund put together." He's about to actually ask Leta something when Ainsley appears, the memory of the boat still a bit fresh on his mind. "Ugh, don't fucking remind me of that shit. Get ill just thinking about it. The fact that I held my whiskey is a feat for myself."

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Fergus before departing.

Reese has a sheepish smile for Joslyn and she tries to cheer-up! She "I had hard time believing that hairpins could be so effective, but they can be." She says to Dagon. "Joslyn is very good with her's. I don't use small weapons at all. It is something that I probably should use one day." She murmurs.

Malena overhears Dagon mentioning that Fergus might be feeling better on dry land and just pops up with, "Ginger...it helps settle the stomach. If you take it before you get on a boat, it helps." She gives the big warrior a shy look. She looks over at Reese, "Oh, I know the basics with a dagger but never used a hair pin. I guess they're more useful than I thought."

"Not at all." says Ainsley with a small shake of his head. And then he's slamming the flat of his blade hard against Aleksei's back as he dances around the priest. Only to take a hard hit in return. While he seems to be hitting harder than Aleksei he /is/ becoming fatigued faster. He's panting as he goes now, sweating-- no doubt --underneath that rubicund can he wears.

"If you can use a dagger you can use a hair pin. They are much the same, I am told." Reese says softly toward Malena. She turns her attention to Ainsley and Aleksei watching as they spar for a few quiet moments.

Joslyn beams at the praise from Reese, nodding her head. "Oh yes, as she says. Daggers and hairpins are much the same in technique, you just bear in mind that hairpins don't have an edge, where a dagger does. A simple enough difference once you get used to it," she gives a chuckle to Dagon. "Well, if you'd like I could give you a firsthand demonstration."

Luca stays with Eliana for a time, correcting her positioning with occasional words, quipping occasional jokes her way about building up muscles by the way he's flexing an arm, then seeming satisfied she's handling her blade well enough not to get murdered by a training dummy, he leaves her for now to stalk over towards Reese again with a duelist's graceful ease. Leaning down to give the blonde Grayson a kiss on the lips with a bright grin, then quipping as he's coming out of that Dagon's way. "It's a hell of a sight to see certainly. And Jos is hands-down one of the best I've seen with them. She does the Champion's proud with the whole elegant showy unexpected fighter thing!" It's easy praise for the woman, though he's settling in beside Reese with an arm draped around her, offering up a bit lamentingly. "No one else taking me up on training yet. Though got that Inquisitor Eli started at least. I almost cried when she gut-checked herself with her own sword!" His lamentations are a little louder than they should be, carrying to the surrounding people, if not to Eliana himself. He keeps an eye out to the woman though, encouragingly nodding if she's keeping at the slashing. "You should go give her something more to strike at later if you're not training anyone, love. She's Ali's new apprentice, so she needs all the joy in her life she can get."

Leta glances over towards the fighters, "I do like to fight with sticks. But I like the big weapons, right? A big staff'll do the trick, and you can swing it properly without risking any beheadings or anything." she comments with a bite from her apple, then turns her attention back to Fergus for a moment. She's just lounging there, easily, nibbling on the juicy apple and humming under her breath.

"The Sentinel is listening!" Aleksei warns in a laughing carol -- before he's interrupted by a loud "Oof!" when Ainsley slams him in the back. It leaves him stunned and almost wavering from his feet before he blinks the urge away and collects himself. "All right, then."

Aleksei takes serious damage.Aleksei rolls stamina+willpower+survival against difficulty 34, getting 5.Aleksei remains capable of fighting despite their wounds.

Ainsley takes critical damage.Ainsley rolls stamina+willpower+survival against difficulty 15, getting 33.Ainsley remains capable of fighting despite their wounds.

Ainsley takes moderate damage.Ainsley rolls stamina+willpower+survival against difficulty 33, getting 14.Ainsley remains capable of fighting despite their wounds.

"Ooh. I've heard good thing about Mistress Eithne." Alexis bobs her head to Fergus. Smiling brightly. "And - well, I've been mending armour in all my squire years, so, when I came here I asked for admission to the Crafter's Guild and will be taking my journeyman test as soon as I can meet with Guildmaster Arterius," She explains brightly to the Northlander. Rolling her shoulders a little, letting the conversations wash over her for now, edges of her lips teasing upwards as she listens to the banter between Dagon and Fergus. "I know better than to doubt that the Lycene handmaiden is deadly with a hidden weapon." She assures Joslyn. Looking over to Leta. "How do you know this lot?"

"You did very well, ought to be proud of it," Dagon offers, quite sportingly back to Fergus. "Considering we were drinking and it was your first time. I- I mean I don't even entirely recall how the party ended. I assume I got drunk and eventually fell over while trying to limbo." And he grins back at Reese. "There's certainly something to be said for the concealability factor. No one would ever question a lady's pins, while someone might glance at me quite askew for walking into a meeting in full arms and armor." He smirks at Joslyn. "I was talking more about admiring your form from afar than playing volunteer pincushion, though I'm not *strictly* against the idea." As Luca joins them, and heaps on further praise for the pin-fighter, he comments, "Now I *really* want to see." Then a pause. "No ones taking advantage? Well, if you want, we can go around a little. I could use some work on my footwork, among other things."

Ainsley takes moderate damage.Ainsley rolls stamina+willpower+survival against difficulty 49, getting 7.Ainsley remains capable of fighting despite their wounds.

Aleksei takes moderate damage.Aleksei rolls stamina+willpower+survival against difficulty 45, getting -2.Aleksei is incapacitated from their wounds.

Aleksei falls unconscious.

Sparte watches Ainsley continue to take a heavy beating, glancing around at the other people sparring and training before looking back to Ainsley. Sparte is just here to assist, but watching Ainsley take the win after going that far gets a big grin out of him.

They go around and around trading blows-- Aleksei hits a staggering blow on the already panting Prince. Ainsley staggers backward, and his eyes go wide. "Gloria be praised!" He calls out in startlement at how hard Aleksei just hit him. He continues forward again with a new sort of recklessness. Fighting tooth and nail with Aleksei, as it seems both of them are getting close to the ends of their ropes.

Nash watches Ainsley's fight and then suddenly nods with approval, stands from the bench and wanders off with his walking stick tapping as he goes.

Nash has left the Benches.

Brynja chews on the inside of her cheek as she continues to observe the fight and grunts when it appears the tide may change... but it doesn't. She looks mildly disappointed at first, but offers a few golf claps from where she was standing.

"Prince Luca. Well met. You do seem to make an excellent teacher." She offers to the man. "I might ask for a lesson of you, in a bit." She puts two fingers to the corners of her mouth, though, and gives a shrill whistle in celebration of Ainsley's victory.

Reese lifts her bottom up slightly from the bench and she leans into Luca's kiss, returning it with a caress of her lips. She keeps it very brief, but then they are around so many people. Her cheeks are left pink and then warm even more when Luca speaks of Eilana's fighting. "Oh, Luca..." She says soft and a bit long sufferingly. She watches as Ainsley wins, having a happy smile for her cousin.

Beaming at Alexis, nodding. "Well, perhaps you'll finally get a demonstration," she says with a grin, offering a nod to Dagon. "Come on down, it'll be fun," she offers with a stretch. She doesn't look dressed for combat, in her summer silks, but she certainly looks eager to begin, grinning towards Luca. "Thank you. He's seen me firsthand. Reese has as well," she grins. To Reese she does say "Well if you are looking to learn a bit about hairpin combat, I'd say I'm more than willing to impart some of my knowledge!"

Turned her attention to the end of the fight between Aleksei and Ainsley, holding her breath at the sheer athletic skill both men show in the ring. She waits till the last minute, to figure out who the winner is to shout, "Bravo!" She pauses and then thinks if you say that after a fight. She shrugs and takes another bite of her food.

"I'm proud I didn't fucking lose it. Falling over stone drunk isn't anything new. It was going it on a boat that was the hard part." Fergus grunts at Dagons, nodding back to Alexis. "That's what I hear." Getting a series of messages, he looks strangely at one, then shakes his head at the second. "Shit, I better go take care of this. A bear pelt? The fuck is going on?" Letting out a bit of a frustrated snort, he moves to exit.

Aleksei isn't panting so much as looking a bit haggard: his fatigue is from blows, not his stamina running short. Still, even after he lands that critical hit on the prince, he takes one or two more of his own, until he finally has to take a knee and lift a hand in surrender. "Good gods, Ainsley," he says in wheezing laughter. "You've been practicing. Or I haven't."

Ulf leaves, following Fergus.

"Which lot is that?" Leta asks of Alexis with a grin and cocked eyebrow, fingers rotating her apple for another bite. Her eyes drift towards Luca and she offers him a nod. "How's it going, your Luca?" that works. She's still a little bruised, and tosses her apple in the air, then takes a bite.

Ulf arrives, following Fergus.

Reese peeks over to Alexis. "Oh, I an not training right now. I am still trying to wrap my head around my lessons with Duke Gabriel earlier today, but thank you. My head is too full for anything new right now."

Luca glances up from his sprawling on Reese to give a lopsided smirk Dagon's way and a roguish wink with a quip. "Yeah, we all know what you want to see, Dags!" The Lycene innuendo is thick with this one. But when the other man's offering to take up the training, Luca's popping back up and grinning to the other. "Gods know I've swung at you enough in the last grand melee, man, so I don't mind swinging at you some more and giving some tips for how to better avoid it! Come on. I'll even do you the favor of not stripping down to my smallclothes for this fight!" With that, Luca's leaning in to lay another nuzzling kiss to Ribbons' cheek and popping back up to start towards the fighting ring again after a winking wave to Leta and a quick. "Still kickin', despite the beating you laid on me, Lee!" As he goes, he's seeing Ainsley win and giving a shrill whistle of approval for it, followed up by a teasing loud-voiced reply to Aleksei. "See Aleksei! This is what happens when you leave the Champions! If you'd been a Champion still, you totally would have won!" Yeah, cause that clearly had anything to do with it.

Ainsley is panting, a lot. He huffs out a breath and then puts Threnody away. A large breath is taken and he says, "Here, let me help you up. Gods, Aleksei that was /well fought/! It was damned close at the end there." He grins at the other man. "I need a moment to catch my breath before I train anyone."

"This lot," Alexis informs Leta, gesturing to the crowd clustered around the buffet table. Shooting a smile to Joslyn - and giving Fergus a wave goodbye. And, spotting Sparte, she gives him a wave as well, a wave for him to come join them. "You know," She muses. "I might see if she needs some bacon or something. She's fighting that dummy awfully hard." Nodding over at Eliana. And, since she IS in a sociable mood, she gives Brynja a nod as well. "Hello! Well met. Dame Alexis Wyrmfang, Sword of Blancbier."

As Luca's passing out into the ring past Eliana, he's grinning to her and offering her some more encouragement and apparently letting her off the hook if she wants to stop, given some of the hand gesture's he's making with a good-natured smile.

Malena finishes up her food and looks torn on whether to stay and be late to her shift or go. Duty calls so the healer puts down her finished plate, "Oh well...I guess I'll try another day. But thank you all. It was very enlightening." She then finishes up and makes her way out the door after saying goodbye to everyone around them.

Aleksei reaches to grasp the hand Ainsley offers him, letting the prince help haul him up. He claps him on the shoulder, grinning, and then scowls over at Luca. "I have a real job now!" he calls back at him, although he can't quite hide his humor. "I took /vows/!" Luca even saw them get taken!

Like the good little student she is, Eliana will continue to attack the practice dummy with the sword. Again and again, the same move, over and over and over again. After awhile, she will go slower, and slower, her stamina giving out on her and her arms starting to feel like noodles. She'll struggle to keep going, and then glance towards Luca to see hiim glancing her way and then nod, murmering something beneath her breath, likely because she doesn't have enough breath to speak loudly anymore. She's obviously a scholar, not a fighter, so her petite frame is having trouble hefting the sword over and over again, but she's truly giving it her best. At Luca's words, she'll nod and continue, albeit slower and obviously with some struggle, but she's not giving up yet. Her swings are getting a bit more wild though.

"Miss Joslyn, why don't you work with Reese, if she's interested? Then we get to admire both of you." Dagon makes no denials of Luca's accusations, nope. Nothing wrong with admiring good... combat form. "So yes, let's have a bought. Ah- armor or no then? Proper weapons?" As in, not the wimpy back up variety. Guess Leta's gonna get her wish. Or get it a second time. He does watch the ending of the other match, which, well, looks about as impressive as one would imagine it. "Don't know that we can give quite as good a show as those two, but let's not try and dissapoint."

Ender, a Silver Gyrfalcon arrives, following Marian.

Sparte seems to think Ainsley has things well enough in hand now, grinning over at Alexis and accepting the wave to join the others. Sparte gives Leta a nod in recogniton as he approaches, before looking over at Eliana. "She certainly does have energy in her. Good sign, that." Luca's appearance - or at least Sparte noticing him - gets another grin from the guardsman.

Luca wields Viper's Fang, an elegant two-handed Lycene sabre.

Ainsley laughs at Luca and Aleksei's exchange. He glances toward Eliana and calls encouragingly toward her, "Good form!" And then he moves to take a seat-- ending up near Alexis and company. He flops down and dips his chin toward Brynja and says, "Hallo. Ainsley Grayson, pleasure to meet you." He pulls his helmet off, and runs his hand through sweaty black curls while Planchet brings him a goblet of water which he gulps down. "Gods, it's hot." He tries-- with no real affect --to tug on his breastplate, to get some air there.

Dagon wields Turning Tyde.

Leta plants her hands on her hips and shifts to look around, then glances back to Alexis and shrugs slightly once more, a broad grin warming her face. "I don't know. Different places, right? You meet a lot of folk here in the training center, you see? Just sparring and all that. And - well, tagging along with a proper heroic knightly type, I suppose I've met some folk that way, too. Dame Serafine Velenosa takes me places." she comments on their vacations. "Guardsman Sparte!" she nods and smiles back his way. "Gave some folk some lessons too, like Master Sparte here."

Brynja inclines her head in Ainsley's direction when he addresses her. "Greetings, Your Highness." The words are spoken in a neutral tone, but her lip twitches ever so slightly. "You fight well," she compliments. She looks to Aleksei, then back to the Grayson prince. "But it looked like he was going to steal it from under you, for a second there."

Luca's finishing up with Eliana, turning back to making a dismissive wave of Aleksei's argument about vows, though it's all clearly teasing, and then turning to the ring and Dagon's preparations with a lopsided grin. "No one can give as good a show as Ribbons when she's got her fight on, but we can do what we can. Go ahead and draw rubi or steel, keep your armor if it's how you usually fight, and let's have us a proper dance. I'll give tips as I see where you stand in your footwork." With that, the Lazy Prince is drawing his steel sabre again, gripping the extended two-handed hilt with that deceptively low guard and waiting for Dagon to kick things off.

Joslyn shrugs her shoulder to Dagon. "I mean, sure. You can fight him," she smirks. "Luca is a good fighter. Better than me, in fact, if I may be so bold," she gives a genuine smile in his direction. "Though not quite as masterful of the hairpin as I." She gives a grin over to Alexis as she explores.

Reese peeks over Brynja, giving her a smile of greeting that touches her blue eyes, but she doesn't seem to knot the woman. She then turns to Luca upon hearing his words. "No, not a show like you give, Prince Nimble." She murmurs. She peeks over to Aleksei and has a gentles smile for him. She then turns to Joslyn. "He is better than me. Better than almost anyone."

Aleksei sheathes his sword and stretches his arms up over his head again. "All right," he says, clearly a bit more lively than exhausted Ainsley. He offers Reese a quick grin for her smile and then looks about to the others. "Who wants me? For training, I mean, not just to go a round or whatever. I just went a round."

"Hello, Guardsman Fatchforth. You know everyone?" Alexis inquires of Sparte as he makes his way over. Giving Leta a nod. "Well, I tend to spend time at the Gauntlet, but I wager I'll have to come visit here more often as well." She decides. Bobbing her head to Ainsley as he joins them, she gives him a pat on that rubicund-clad shoulder. "Well fought, your highness." Then, she's setting aside her plate, and finding another one, which she piles bacon and chicken on, giving the group a smile. "Just one moment." She adds, nodding over at Eliana. "I'mma go make sure she replenishes her reserves." And, so said, so done. Moving over to Eliana, plate held out as a peace offering. "Well met. I'm Dame Alexis Wyrmfang." Bobbing her head again. "Ah, bacon and chicken is good for getting your pep back when you've exhausted yourself training," she explains, gesturing to the plate.

Given the option between removing his armor and not, Dagon, like the sea itself, follows the path of lesser resistance. Or maybe he's just too lazy to be arsed to remove it. "I'll leave it then, I suppose. And you can put on a show of dancing around me. That is what I'm here to watch, isn't it?" With the agreement on weapons, he reaches to draw the lesser of his blades as he strides out to the center area of the little training arena, although it's certainly still a fine piece of worksmanship itself. Just a moment is taken, stretching this way and that, and then he raises his blade in a salute. "When you're ready, then."

"Everyone? Oh, not really." Sparte nods to what Leta says. "But she did give me my best lessons I've had. Saved my neck a number of times I reckoned." Sparte gives a little wave as Alexis heads off to Eliana, turning to look over to Leta. "Quite the gathering. Ainsley drew a proper crowd for this."

Ainsley gulps down more of his water and smiles toward Alexis, "Thanks." And then toward Brynja he says as well, "Thank you. What's your name?" If she's said it maybe he's /really/ tired already. Or just confused. Aleksei did hit him rather hard at least one point.

Reese smiles over to Sparte. "Heya Sparte." She murmurs in his direction. She peeks between Luca and Dagon, seemingly curious about how that fight will go.

Joslyn moves over to Reese's side and looks over to her, leaning in to murmer something quietly to her.

Marian arrives at the training center, hoping to catch Luca for a training session once he's done with his recruits. She steps through the doors and looks around, surprised to see a big turn out. She looks around for familiar faces and makes her way over to Reese who's chatting with a few folks. She gives the Grayson princess a smile, "Hello there..." She grins and checks out who's on the floor.

"So it is!" Leta agrees with Sparte with a broad grin, then shrugs and pats her sword, "I reckon I'm as good as I'm likely to be with this. Could use a little more practice on my footwork and this and that, I reckon, but I've had plenty of it. Can't quite complain. That and fisticuffs, see if I do any better against Prince Luca, next time." she comments and finishes her apple, then looks about the others.

Luca takes minor damage.

Reese murmurs softly to Joslyn. She then turns her attention to Marian and has a warm smile for the warrior princess. "Oh, Princess Marian a please." She says in her direction. "How are you?"

Sparte raises a hand in a wave to Reese when he notices her, then blinking over at Leta. "Fisticuffs? You two fought without weapons? Huh... Kind of wish I'd been there to see it." Sparte considers before offering. "I'm not as good of a teacher as the prince, but I can show you some footwork. I'd suggest going to him though."

Eliana's bright blue eyes look upon Alexis as if she were a Goddess arriving to save her from the pains of hell itself. She stops her swinging and her arms hang at her side without any strength at all, it appears that even lifting the sword at this point is an effort, so she doesn't even bother. Her forehead is dotted with sweat and the petite apprentice appears to have wilted from all of this physical activity. "Ahhh...", she'll begin, pausing to breath a moment and then bow politely towards Alexis. "I'm...", pant, "Apprentice ... Inquisitor", pant, "Eliana Steinmaison... pleasure.", she'll finally get out. Then, glancing at the food, Eliana will offer a warm smile and step forward, squinting a bit as she struggles to lift her left arm to take the plate. "You are.... very kind.... thank you.", she says breathlessly. Looks like Eliana is done at this point, she's spent, and can barely hold a plate of yummy foods.

Brynja didn't readily introduce herself, so it wasn't the head trauma. "Brynja Blackwood," she replies to Ainsley after a beat. "New house. I don't have my silks or perfumes yet." Her gaze flickers belatedly to Alexis and she gives the other woman a brief once over. "Well met, Dame Wyrmfang, Sword of Blancbier."

Marian gives a shrug of her shoulders, "I can't complain." She shows off her new leather sleeves, "Look at my latest acquisition. Thanks to the help of Mistress Joslyn." She nods in Ainsley's direction, "Do they have enough teachers tonight? I've best with a sword but I do have some other skills."

Dagon takes minor damage.

Reese smiles in response to Marian's words. She murmurs softly softly back to Joslyn.

Joslyn blinks at Reese, nodding slowly. She glances up at Marian, waving her fingers towards the Princess at her mention. "Oh, yes. My pleasure, you highness," she grins over towrads Aleksei. "You certainly know how to handle yourself. I thought you had him for a moment."

"Heh, and here I thought you were here to watch the beauties like Ribbons and Jos dance about." Luca quips to Dagon, but as he's settling and the armored Tydesman indicates the start, Luca's suddenly in motion, darting in almost inhuman quick to start cutting with full furious effort and expertise at the man, knowing he can handle himself just fine and that his armor can take it. And indeed, Dagon's getting hammered about the armor, but nothing is doing anything more than rattling while Luca's left slipping strike after strike, until finally he's just a little slow after a targetted strike at the shoulder-joint of the other man and is catching a partial hit that he is spinning off from with a little grunt and a bright, wry grin cast for the man. "First to you..." After which Luca's driving in like a blur to sweep his blade hard enough at the kneejoint of Dagon's armor that it'll leave a decent bruise as he winks and finishes. "...next to me. You've got great footwork, but relying too much on the armor to keep you safe. Keep your limbs in motion more and your balance more centered after a strike or you'll leave yourself too open." And then they're going again at full speed.

"Here," Alexis offers to Eliana, wrapping an arm around her for support, and keeping her free hand on the plate, to make sure there aren't any accidents. "You've done well, so let's get you to a seat and get you something to drink with the food, mm?" She suggests. Happy to steer Eliana at a slow pace back towards the buffet table - and to find her a seat. "An honour, lady Blackwood," She offers to Brynja in turn.

Aleksei is easy to grab the attention of when Joslyn grins over at him. "Well, it's kept me alive," he says with a grin for the compliment. "I thought I did, too! Actually, this is the first time Ainsley's ever beaten me in a match, so I guess that's fair."

And since he's in armor against his unburdened dodge instructor (who will presumably be dodging a lot of things?), Dagon goes hard on the offensive, lashing out with all the speed and fury of Maelstrom's namesake. He is quick for his size and reach, and a relentless opponent, although Luca's deftness proves everything it ought to be in an instructor. Still, he is fast enough to get in a hit early on. As it continues, he fights precisely as Luca describes, as one is trained when in armor, ignoring smaller feints and slashes, entrusting his protective shell. Of course, as it is a lesson on his footwork, there is a sutble focus on the same, as he watches his opponent's movements and carefully circles, advances or retreats, or even just turns himself, so that what might be a solid hit will find an angle less favorable and be deflected instead. Sometimes it works, with blows bouncing away. Sometimes it doesn't, and he stumbles at that blow to the knee. But one learns through those stinging mistakes. "Perhaps for the next one, I'll strip down and we can truly dance around. The ladies might enjoy it, too."

Joslyn murmers one last thing to Reese with a nod before moving to join Aleksei. "Well, maybe you could teach me a few things? I have the basics, kind of. I mean... a sword is just a big dagger right?" she asks, grinning.

Ainsley smiles toward Brynja and says, "Ah, a pleasure to meet you, Dame Blackwood." He turns toward Marian and smiles brightly, all but bursting with pride. "I'm so happy! We've gotten so many people here tonight who are willing to teach other people. It's /fucking fantastic/!"

Luca takes minor damage.

Dagon takes minor damage.

Reese turns her attention to the fight between Dagon and Luca, seemingly curious. She murmured something softly to Joslyn and her expression was all somber. It seems she was whispering about something all grave. She then smiles as Joslyn goes to get teaching. She blushes as Dagon speaks of stripping. "Oh, Luca doesn't need any encouragement." She murmurs.

Dagon takes minor damage.

Dagon takes moderate damage.

Eliana looks rather embarrassed when Alexis helps her, or -has- to help her. She doesn't look embarrassed falling flat on her face, but this help, yes it apparently makes her look embarrasssed. The two women look about the same height, with Eliana about an inch taller at best. "Thank you, Dame Wyrmfang..", she says politely, able to speak a bit better now it seems. She'll walk slowly off the field, although will pause to put the sword back and gather up her inquisitor coat to hold onto it. Then she'll walk with Alexis towards the side to sit, get drinks and food, at which point it's obvious Eliana adores food, because she'll tear into it. Definitely hungry it seems. "Do they have these all the time?", she'll ask curiously, although pause when the Lady speaks to Alexis, going silent and just focussing on food at this point.

Eliana has left the fighting grounds.

Brynja lets her gaze linger on Alexis a second longer and gestures to her weapon - gleaming rubicund glaive. "I see you prefer the same weapon I wield. Perhaps one day we should see who is the better?" Brynja offers with a glint in her eye. She also had a glaive with her, strapped to her back, though significantly less adorned.

"Oh, sure!" Aleksei says to Joslyn, gaze brightening. "I've never done all that much with smaller weapons, and I doubt a sword is just like a big dagger, but we'll figure something out." He jerks his chin back towards the fighting grounds, stepping in that direction and grabbing the two non-alaricite swords he brought with him. "Here," he says, tossing her a single-edge rubicund sword, subtly curved, with a wolf's head pommel. "I imagine your guard's gonna be a lot different, especially if you're used to handling two weapons at once," he starts off.

"Maybe his fancy title did help," Alexis suggests to Aleksei at his comment, shooting the man a grin. Far more relaxed in the semi-martial arena than she was at the tree-planting, it looks like. And, finally, it appears, spotting Marian, she gives the Princess a deep bow. "Princess Marian. Well met. All honour to Prince Ainsley for his efforts, eh?" She lets out a soft and happy sigh, and picks up her plate, shooting Eliana another little grin, and looking to Joslyn, quirking a brow at her, before she looks at Brynja again. "Pardon for saying so, my lady, but you seem like you'd be more comfortable in leather or mail than silks." Not that it's much of an insult, if any. And the offer from Brynja has her beaming bright. "I'd be more than happy to, my lady. I'm nursing an injury, or I'd take you up on your offer tonight." Gesturing to her arm and stomach. Any bandages presumably under her tunic.

Luca takes moderate damage.

Marian gets a messenger and frowns for a moment, it's clear that the warrior is not going to be able to stay. She takes her leave, giving her friends a wave as she heads out.

Ender, a Silver Gyrfalcon leaves, following Marian.

Joslyn grabs the blade, the weight of it taking her a bit by surprise as she gently tests it out, managing to at least easily hold it aloft. She smiles to Aleksei, nodding. "Well, I was just joking a bit, but I'm sure you'll figure something out. I've fought with a single dagger before though, so I imagine the guard would be... at least a little similar."

Dagon takes minor damage.

Dagon takes moderate damage.

Brynja nods to Alexis as she eyes the bandages wrapped around the other's torso. "Another time, then. And you're right - I'm much more of an armor and leather gal." A hint of a grin ghosts across her lips and she turns towards the exit. "I will see you both later, undoubtedly." Meaning Ainsley and Alexis, presumably.

"Fortunately, you've got a lot more reach with this--" Aleksei starts puttering about Joslyn, adjusting her stance, showing her the best way to hold and guard, going through the different thrusts and slashes she now has available to her with the larger weapon. He's an aggressively friendly teacher, even if he is a bit over-enthusiastic this particular day. But soon enough he'll have Joslyn with a working set of fundamentals!

"Fisticuffs!" Leta confirms with a nod and a grin, lips crooking as she looks in Sparte's direction and gestures to her bruised face. "Wrestling and all that, too. No weapons." she assents, then leans in, "Wasn't as fancy as with weapons. Neither of us are too good with our hands - it just went on forever, didn't it?" she smacks her lips and eyes the table with the fruit once more, pondering a while.

Joslyn allows Aleksei to adjust her guard and her stance, taking those few moments to get that extra bit of fundamentals with a gracious smile. "Well, this is certainly different," she says. "Better reach though, you're right," she considers. "So... like this?" she asks eagerly, observing her own stance.

The fight with Dagon evolves into a truly great showing of two styles of expert combat. Unarmored speed versus still quite speedy body weighed down with protective rubicund. Dagon's holding his own against Luca and not leaving Prince Nimble untouched in the bout, but Luca's dancing about the man with an almost predatory sort of smile of enthusiastic enjoyment of the fight. And every time the Champion duelist cuts at joint or weak point of armor to land a flat-bladed bruising strike for Dagon to remember him by, he's casually explaining how better to defend against it the next time. The fact the Grayson prince isn't breathing the least bit hard yet while the weight of all that armor is starting to get to Dagon is certainly telling of one of the greater disadvantages of the armor. Still, it's definitely a learning experience, albeit not an easy one.

Dagon takes serious damage.

Alexis grins after Brynja, and raises her fist to her chest in salute as the woman moves to leave. Glancing back to Eliana, too. "How're you feeling?" She asks, voice lowered a bit. And, calling out to Joslyn and Aleksei. "You want reach, you grab a big sword!" She pats at the greatsword peacebound and slung diagonally across her back, held in a leather strap rather than a proper sheath. Shooting a glance to Leta and Sparte. "Well, you always have your fists with you, isn't that what they say?"

Eliana finishes the food on the plate she was given pretty quickly and then lifts the drink. Her arm lifts up and then goes down again and she looks surprised before attempting to lift her glass to her lips again. The second time she is successful and then sighs, lowering the glass to her lap as she leans back, simply looking spent. Her blue eyes fall on Brynja as she leaves and then she looks towards Luca and Dagon fighting, watching with a curious interest. Looking over at Alexis when she speaks, Eliana will give her a warm smile, "I feel like a wet noodle..", she jests with a grin at her predicament. "I never knew this would happen. I was raised to be a baker, not a soldier..", she laughs. "Of course, I was kicked out of the kitchen, so I had to find another vocation...." She doesn't look bitter or anything, just gives a cheerful smile. "Are you excellent at sword fighting as well?", she asks, glancing at Alexis sword and then she'll go quiet again as Alexis calls out to others, watching with curiosity and a quiet wallflower attentiveness.

The fight is back and forth for a while, with Dagon scoring an early blow against his swift-moving instructor. From there, though, it is something of a matter of slowly-reversing momentum. He takes a light strike first, that while insignificant by itself, may well turn the entire thing. Ignoring it, he extends further, sure of his protection, that small sting nothing, and swings hard - and very, very wide, so that when Luca strikes back, he can really crack him hard as he passes. And if the little cut isn't the thing that turns it, surely THAT blow does. It leaves him stumbling a moment, moving a way to re-establish a little distance between the two. Dagon has a lot of reach, and he uses it when they come together again, this time waiting for the nimble instructor to strike, and giving him a hard *slap* of his bladeflat as he comes. But it's just not enough. The man recovers, and makes another strike, and eventually another, and all the while it's very clear that the Tyde is tiring in his armor. A good lesson, indeed. After so many hard blows, he lifts a hand. "Enough, it's yours. Lesson well imparted. Next time we'll definitely see about entertaining the ladies."

"You'll get tired faster, because of the weight, but you've also got more power, and the opportunity to use both hands or one--" Aleksei wields his old steel longsword to match with Joslyn, letting her attack as he guides her through, showing her defenses and then letting her mimic them as he attacks. All in all, it's a good little training session!

Sparte gives Leta an odd look. "So you spent a really long time wrestling the Prince over there, and you both ended it bruised and looking for a rematch." Sparte squints at Leta for a little while before shaking his head. "Nope, even I can catch that one. I'm gonna go somewhere I'll get in less trouble, enjoy getting more bruises." He gives a parting wave to the group, heading back towards Ainsley to check in on the event again.

Ainsley is drinking water and looking like he went several rounds with a master swordsman, while in full armor. He gives toward Sparte and gives a little wave of his fingers.

Leta is watching the training sessions, and the various bouts, but her attention returns to Sparte, with a couple of blinks, "Rematch? Oh, not any time soon, anyway!" she grins and lifts her hands in a shrug at this, though her brow furrows slightly in confusion. "Even you can catch what?"

Reese rises to her metal adorned feet and heads over to Eliana. "You wanted to learn to dodge?" The warrior princess asks. Her voice is gentle.

"Hey, ask anyone. I'm always willing to strip down, oil up, and fight people for fun and entertainment!" Luca the Lazy indeed. Luca the Lycene most certainly to his core. No shame whatsoever. Still, the man's got a good nature and he's slapping Dagon happily on the armored back as he sheathes his blade. "Good showing though! You've a fine hand for blade and it's grand armor. You'll pick up the rest well enough I suspect. Keep at it." With that, he's smiling, undrained apparently and actually seeming to enjoy all this training, asking out to Alexis as he sets eyes on her after swinging near to Eliana and Reese and giving the latter a quick kiss again. "You next for a dance, Lexi?" Oh gods, he's already mutilating her name like he does to almost everyone. He only barely met her the other day!

Joslyn nods to Aleksei, giving a smile. "Probably frees up my other arm so I can use a more defensive style, like with a sheild," she suggests. "Granted, my style tends towards avoiding getting hit," she smiles. "Thank you for the instruction," she than looks towards Alexis, a smirk as she says. "The problem with a big sword is that once I break through your guard with my little daggers, I can hit you all I want and you can't do anything to me!"

"Hey, if you can keep yourself out of the way of sharp, stabby things, all the better," Aleksei intones sagely. He claps Joslyn's shoulder in a friendly manner before turning. "Gotta run, though. Good event, Ainsley!" he calls over to the Grayson prince before he's off.

Aleksei has left the fighting grounds.

Keso, a street urchin, Peanut, an oversized puppy leave, following Aleksei.

"Ah, gods, I remember that starting out. Swords are lighter than you think, but they turn heavy in your arms after the first few dozen swings," Alexis offers lightly to Eliana. Giving her a gentle pat on the shoulder, before she picks out a bit of bacon to chew. "I'm, well. I'm decent." She offers humbly, considering her sword. "My father was a great Sword, and I was honoured to take overhis duties when he passed," She explains to the baker's daughter-come-inquisitor. "Sometimes you gotta do something new, though. How's uh, inquisitorial life treating you, miss Steinmaison?" She inquires of her. Not delving to deep into why a clumsy girl might find herself kicked out of a kitchen.

Quirking a brow between Spate and Leta again. And laughing a little at Luca. "Oh, gods. Sure. Be gentle, though. I've got burns on my arm and stomach." She warns the handsome prince. "So it won't be sparring." Looking to Joslyn, and giving a roll of her shoulder. "I'll just hug you tight, and make you blush," She teases. Okay, someone has found their confidence, it seems.

Ainsley lifts his voice and calls to Sparte, "I think Lady Blackwood would like to have someone teach her some dodge."

"Of those things... I have no doubt, Highness," Dagon informs Luca, smirking a little before again adopting a more serious or at least polite tone. "Thank you for the spar and the lesson alike," he pronounces, repeating his prior bladed salute before sheathing the thing. He does have such oddly knightly affectations for a bloodthirsty Thrax. At least when he's not commenting on women with the Lycene. "I'm afraid now I am going to take my wounded pride home, perhaps so my wife can rejuvinate it." As others still are pairing up for it, he offers some quick smiles, nods, or gestures in greeting. "Dame Alexis, good to meet you. Miss Joslyn likewise." To others who already know him, well, likewise, in more general fashion. And then he's on his way.

Eliana gives Alexis a grateful look at her sympathy and chuckles. "I do hope I will regain the use of my arms again. I need to be able to write...", she says wryly, the humor showing in her eyes. "Oh please, call me Eliana, and it is going well. I have been assigned to a very strong Inquisitor, and I'm sure he'll work me into shape!", she says cheerfully. When Reese approaches to ask her if she wishes to learn to dodge, Eliana at first looks like a deer in headlights. Eyes wide, she glances askance briefly and then back to Reese again before quickly putting her drinka nd plate down and rising. "Um, yes, your highness.. please." Who is she to say no to such a magnanimous offer? "I won't need my arms, right?", she asks with a little grin, humor sparkling in her blue eyes as she lifts her arms and flops them around, showing how useless they currently are.

Sparte blinks as Ainsley actually has a training task for him. "Oh... Okay." Sparte glances around, gesturing to a quieter corner of the training grounds. The quiet is relative. Leading Brynja there, he walks her through the basics of footwork and how to turn a near dodge into a deflection. They'll be at it a while.

Joslyn waves after Aleksei, turning to face Alexis with a lopsided grin as she remarks. "Well, you already know me so well," she giggles, sauntering over towards her and leaning in to say something quietly as she rolls her shoulder back.

Reese looks toward Eliana, shaking her head. "You don't need weapons." She murmurs and reaches for her steel mace. "I am going to try to hit you and teach you how to dodge it. I will hit softly, don't worry about that." She murmurs softly.

And another peach. Leta picks it up and watches Sparte and Brynja for a while, taking a bite as she wanders over to the nearest seat on the benches, easing into it with a sigh. She crosses one leg over the other, and makes a little metalling drumming sound against her steel knee cops. "Try to disarm him! He's easier that way." the knight calls out her advice with a finger pointed in Luca's direction, then settles in and just watches the rest.

Joslyn grins at Alexis as she takes a place on the far wall, replying a little louder to her. "Glad to hear it. Plenty more where that came from."

Luca laughs to Leta's talk of disarming him, winking her way, but then calling out as he heads towards the stands near her. "It most certainly is, and I have the bruises STILL to prove it. Speaking of which, if anyone wants to train one of the trainers, I totally would learn how flail about without weapon better if anyone can teach me properly so I never get beaten on quite so badly as Leta did before."

Alexis shoots a thumbs-up after Sparte as he moves to train Brynja, then leans into Joslyn's whisper, and murmurs back to her in turn, grinning broadly as she looks to Eliana. "Eliana, then. And you've got the most important bit in place already, the will." Shooting a smile to Reese, too. "I've got faith in you both," She assures. Even if that might not be necessary. Sketching a bow to Dagon as he leaves, before she moves over towards Luca. "Alright. Show me how we do."

Alexis says, "rs"

Eliana looks at Reese and then nods, leaving her coat where she was sitting to follow Reese wherever she wishes to lead her. "I will follow your lead, your highness. I will do my best to not run into your mace.." She grins at her statement and moves smoothly behind the Princess, although her arms do not lift -at all-.

Luca's rolling his eyes when he's caught before going to make his lazy sprawl by Alexis taking up his offer. "Fiiine then. Make me work. I see how it is!" Back towards the ring goes the instructor-Luca, grinning lopsidedly for the Oathlander knight as he draws free that steel fang-like sabre again. "WHat are we having at? Blade or footwork? I assume the latter given your fondness for things practically bigger than you are."

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Joslyn before departing.

"Footwork, I figure. I know how to use the glaive." She sets it aside, and unstraps the Heirloom sword, apparently intending to go at it unarmed. "So I guess you get to chase me," She offers, with a little laugh. Looking over to Joslyn again, raising her eyebrow. "Shame Duke Tyde left. I'll do my best to look good while we... Train."

Reese has her steel mace drawn and she actually seems a bit sheepish about this. She likely doesn't want to hurt Eliana or something like that. She gestures toward the sparring ring. "So the idea is that is I am going to try and strike at you with the mace and you are going to try and dart out of the way. It involves reacting quickly and saying alert. You want to try and guess where I am going to try and hit you and react to that." She then swings out. Reese his hitting softly, intending to avoid causing Eliana any damage. She strikes slow to begin with, giving Eliana a good chance to react. Still if she is fully untrained, she might struggle to respond.

"Need to go and tend to the stew." Leta announces and springs to her feet, bowing towards the arena, then to the benches. "Was quite a learning experience, that was." she says with a smile, nodding to Ainsley, then turns and strolls on out, munching on juicy fruit.

3 Grayson Guardsmen have been dismissed.

2 Iron Guardsmen have been dismissed.

Joslyn looks up from the messenger she'd received, reading the missive, biting her lower lip for a moment before looking up to Alexis, offering a smile towards her. "I'm sure that I'll enjoy the showing all the same. Though I suppose this is for my enjoyment more than yours now, hmm?"

Luca smirks at that from the knight, casting a wink Joslyn's way and quipping out for her. "Enjoy the show then I suppose." And with that, Luca's sliding into that lazy stance of his after a surprisingly crisp sword salute Alexis' way and a quiet, formal. "En garde, as your people say." After which he'll be moving with that almost inhuman speed he's named Prince Nimble for, seeking to strike out at Alexis in short, controlled flat-bladed swipes meant to test her skill as they grow progressively more complex and swift.

Listening to Reese explain what she is going to do, Eliana nods to her solemnly and looks intensely focussed. "Yes, your highness!", she says with way too much eagerness than this situation probably warrants. When Reese begins to swing the mace her way, Eliana will turn to dodge, and immediately get her feet all tangled up in themselves and she'll just fall over. She does end up dodging it, but not because she did it skillfully, she did it by falling over and faceplanting on the training ground again.

Alexis is short and swift, but it's definitively noticeable that she's more used to letting her chain and/or plate deflect blows than trying to dodge them. And without a large weapon at hand to bat away Luca's saber, the Lycene prince marks the Oathlander knight more often than not. Still, she has some speed, and she's only -slightly- distracted by wincing at Eliana's fall.

Reese checked composure + etiquette at difficulty 15, rolling 4 lower.

Reese still has her helmet removed an so her face can be seen. She looks like a normal girl from the neck up and below the neck she is rather like a shiny statue. She watches as Eliana falls and her blue eyes widen with this look of baffled concern. She doesn't hit her again, but gives the woman a chance to rise. "Okay, lets try again.." She says and sucks in this soft breath. She doesn't giggle, but she sighs. That sigh was her losing some control and not being a fully gracious princess.

Joslyn watches the show of Luca and Alexis, enjoying the view from the slowly growing smile on her face, considering something for a moment before crossing her arms beneath her breasts, smile growing on her face.

Looking up and around as she slowly gets back up again, Eliana gives a little resigned smile. "Sorry..", she says when Reese sighs, looking a bit horrified that she made the princess sigh at her. She is quickly on her feet with some dirt on her cheek, but she can't see it and instead wipes off her clothes quickly. Then she's standing before Reese again and looking ready. "I'm ready...", she says, looking like she's about to wrestle someone from her crouched position and her arms slightly in front of her but still looking very heavy.

"Don't be sorry, this is about learning." Reese murmurs. She turns her focus over to Luca and Alexis, watching them for a moment. She then then shifts her focus to Eilana. "Okay, lets try this again." She murmurs, drawing back her mace. She tries to hit Eliana again. If she makes contact the hit will be a mere tap, not hard enough to even cause a bruise.

Mariah, a nanny have been dismissed.

Thump, a yappy pupper have been dismissed.

This time, Eliana is focussing super hard and even squints a bit with the effort of her focus. When Reese swings the mace so gently, Eliana will literally do a flying dodge to the right, launching herself to dodge it. She apparently hasn't considered that she can just sorta side-step things yet.

Luca's settling into a pace and level of painfulness in his flat bladed strikes that's informative without being sadistic as he continues to batter at Alexis time after time, correcting her stance, balance, and choices of reaction each time he lands one. There may have been just the occasional smacks thrown in for Joslyn's entertainment, but nothing that'd get him _too_ slapped for inappropriateness. Besides, he too is watching Reese and Eliana occasionally past the instructive beating, and winking at Reese encouragingly for what she's contending with and handling well.

Reese looks toward Eliana and then over to Luca. "Um..." She murmurs softly and tries to bite back a giggle. "Luca is always trying to fly and dart around like. One time...he jumped on me and swung me around to save me getting attacked by a bringer, but.." The girl then trails off. "For now try simple side stepping. The idea is to do as little as needed to evade the blow. Theatrics are people like my husband." She says and then sticks out her small pink tongue in his direction. She tries to hit Eliana again, still being gentle.

"Uh," Alexis offers to Eliana, in-between a wince at Luca apparently finding the bit of her left arm that has the bandage under her tunic. "General rule of combat, move as little as possible. Save your energy. Sidestep just enough and such." Which would probably be better advice if it came from someone who is consistently not side-stepping enough. "Ow," She adds, intelligently, as Luca pokes her again. "Okay, a little more than this," She admits, with a rueful smile. She's not smacking Luca, though, so he's doing something right. Shooting Joslyn a small smile, being just distracted enough to get poked again. "Ow."

Rising again from the ground, Eliana dusts herself off againn and smiles brightly, thinking she did an AWESOME job. She looks over at Reese then and blinks, "Ohhhhh..", she draws out the sound. "That makes much more sense than dodging and launching off of your feet. I was always wondering how people don't get all bruised up, this kind of hurts." She looks over at Alexis and smiles brightly at her, "I see, that also makes a lot of sense! Energy, conserve energy. Sidestep, got it!" She's cheerfully turning back to Reese then, looking super eager to try this NEW technique and do it properly. As Reese swings her mace again, super gently at Eliana, she'll step to the side opposite where the mace is aiming and turn her body like she saw Luca do just earlier against her without even thinking. She doesn't even fall!