Grayell is sitting, enjoying a tea he has made in Zane's absence. He says nothing at first but studies the cup. He finishes it. places it beside the small fire and folds his legs. He pokes at the fire, watching Zane out the corner of his eye.
Alright. Show me why you feel that's the best choice.
"Well, it's nice and lightweight so I can lift it without much trouble, it's long to compliment my height and the length of my arm, and it's nice and thin, so i can use it to poke people in the vitals. I guess it's kind of like a sabre in a way."
Grayell shakes his head and removes his knife. He begins whittling a stick he has beside him, laying it across his lap.
That's one way of looking at it. Have you considered that it would offer you no defense and that your blade would be very easy to break? Should a sword be 'easier' to wield given that you intend to kill with it? What happens if they are armored? What happens if you don't know the beast's vital points? Then you may as well have a blade of grass in your hands.
No. Perhaps later, but to begin with; you need to learn how to use a real sword. This in turn will teach you how to use ALL swords. Choose again.
Zane sighs and makes his way back to the forest. He throws his first pick away, and finds one of a similar length, but much thicker and sturdy. He takes it back with him and shows it to Grayell
Grayell simply nods and says nothing. Seems he was fumbling with some rocks. After a moment of bumbling about and making a haphazard pile, he stands; dusting his hands off.
Well. Let's see what we're working with eh? I'm watching.
Zane looks at Grayell, eyebrow cocked, and then sighs
"Well, here goes nothing then, I guess."
Zane stands in a pose he'd seen a few street performers use a couple of years back, with his feet in a line, and his body turned with them, presenting as small a target as he could. He then makes a few stabs and sweeps, before the weight of the 'sword' forces him to rearrange his position to one more like normal standing
"Well, it seems that this thing is too heavy for the pose I usually play around with... But that's what I know... kinda..."
Grayell doesn't say anything. His face is a rock, expressionless - but it takes him a moment to speak.
Alright. Forget everything you think you might know. I am not going to show you a demonstration with a cup and some water and reference knowledge and such - it get's messy. But if I am going to teach you anything, you have to start with an open mind. From the start. You will HAVE to follow all of my instructions, regardless of whether you like them or not.
Now, let's see here. Ah yes.
Grayell turns and spots a large rock - a VERY large rock. It had to way a few hundred pounds or so and was very firmly planted on the ground, covered in moss. It had been there a long time and would continue to do so. A boulder of sorts. Grayell approached the rock and slammed his hand into it with some force, it affected nothing. Still the rock sat. He turned with a smile.
K. You swing your stick pretty hard. We want you to develop power. So let's see if you can move the rock with it.
Clever. Very clever. I have to admit, I was looking forward to you beating on that rock for a day or so. Would have done you good. Seems you're rather cluey though Zane.
Grayell chuckled. He had gathered his pile of rocks into his sash and was holding it as a large, heavy bundle.
Right then. Since you're too clever, guess we best take the direct approach.
Grayell takes Zane's stick and ties the heavy parcel onto it, close to where his hands would grip it. Secured in place, he hands it back. It's at least 30 pounds.
Alright. You understand mechanical advantage which is good. You're going to understand the purpose of this exercise then. I want you to bring that across your front, around the back of your head and shoulders and then across your front again. Continue from one circle to the next.
Grayell takes a seat on the rock.
When you have done this one thousand times, we will move on.
Zane looks at Grayell like he's a madman, but then sighs and takes the stick, and starts to do as he said
"Look, not gonna complain, but 1000 times? That's just ridiculous. Another quote I'm fond of is: "All you can do is all you can do, but all you can do is enough.", so seems to me like if I try and go beyond my limits, I stand a chance of hurting myself rather badly."
Zane continues to do the circles with the stick-and-rocks
Yep, quotes are a funny thing. But a quote doesn't stop you getting run through. We do this my way, or not at all. As I was taught. Continue.
Grayell removed his cloak and started to unfold it. A button here, then there, he flicked it out finally and had a large, diamond shaped cover with a a couple of flaps. He smiled, then started to whittle a stick he had gathered. One of three.
Grayell ties one end of his cloak/shelter to a tree, a few feet off the ground. He takes his newly made stakes and pins it out on three corners and then folds the flaps down. A solid tent, big enough for two. He shrugs as Zane complains.
You'd regulate your breathing better if you weren't talking. 1000 it is. Now or later, we do not move on until it's complete.
Grayell takes his knife and swipes at a nearby evergreen, taking down a branch that is rather thick with leaves. He tosses it inside his tent and goes and gets another.