8.12.1164-Dangerous Dancing (ANY)

[kendrall]

{{M'riel}}

M'riel waited as M'cleod tossed the broken staff away, taking the long staff and sliding his hind foot back to counter the weight of the staff, letting his arm follow through until the staff's end came to rest in front of the Weyrleader's forward foot, hand nearly at mid-staff. Good. That was lesson number one M'riel silently issued to M'cleod - being able to handle a weapon of your opponent's choosing. M'cleod tossed away the other half of his broken staff at Swift, then gave a smirk at the future Rider before taking a few steps forward, then sliding towards M'riel's right and bringing his staff towards his waist.

M'riel noted that M'cleod was still holding his staff in the middle with one hand. Already, the Weyrleader made a tactical error. Time to take advantage of that.

The Bronzerider snapped his wrist, reversing his grip on his own staff; then inverted his arm and hoisted the weapon up, allowing him to bring his other hand to grab hold on the bottom third while he twisted his body to the right. It would also serve him another advantage: Since M'cleod was already coming in from his right, M'riel didn't have to shift his weight around too much. His left leg would now bear most of the weight - and absorb most of the momentum supplied by Mac's swing - while he was now free to pivot on his right foot.

All M'riel had to do was simply block the attack with an expert angle block, then push away to give himself some room. But that wasn't what he was about to do. Instead, as he brought his own staff up for an angle block, he subtly repositioned it so the back of M'cleod's hand would come in direct contact with it, letting the man's strength, speed, and momentum supply enough force to inflict self-injury. That was why M'riel had chosen pecan wood for the staves. Pecan wood was much harder to work with, much more resistant to the impact of someone hitting it. At the very least, M'riel knew M'cleod's hand would go numb, and most likely cause him to drop his staff, rendering the Weyrleader's right hand temporarily useless.

M'riel also knew M'cleod would be very lucky if he didn't suffer from a fractured right hand. Granted, the Bronzerider would probably be accused of using sneaky, underhanded tactics such as this, letting his opponent inflict harm upon himself. But it was classic M'riel: No reason to expend any more energy than necessary when in a duel such as this, especially if your opponent gives you an opening. The momentum, force, and speed M'cleod put into his first swing was ample ammunition; all M'riel had to do was subtly redirect those energies elsewhere, namely M'cleod's hand coming in contact with a very hard object - M'riel's own pecan wood staff.

The future Rider had already braced himself for the initial shock, and let his own upper torso bend back slightly, then righted himself.


{{R'en}}

R'en struggled to recall who was asking him about M'riel fighting a "top knotch Raider", when it came to him. Seleti, wasn't it? R'en simply shrugged. "M'riel trained as a Guardsman. From what I remember, he made it all the way to the top non-commissioned rank before he resigned and became a Rider. He certainly didn't get that high by his looks alone." A young Bronzerider; Swift, if his memory served him well, came over in his direction, stating that this whole duel was going to be fun and that he'd take the bet. "Fair enough. Ten marks it is, then." R'en held out a hand so he could keep track of how much was in the pool; it was now up to thirty marks. Wasn't much, but hopefully someone would be bold enough to take a bigger risk by placing more marks on the duel.

R'en watched as Swift gave Seleti a wink and grinned; but when M'riel managed to cause M'cleod's hand to come in direct contact with the Bronzerider's staff, the Healer thought he heard a faint "crunch". The Healer ooohed with mock horror, then looked at Seleti and Swift both. "That's going to leave a nasty mark or two," he said sarcastically. "Probably fractured, if I didn't know any better. I'll have to take a look at his right hand after this duel is over. The Weyrleader may even have to go on medical leave for a short while." R'en couldn't help but to rub it in, giving his two temporary companions a grin worthy of a Bitran.

[Katlyn]

Seleti glared at R'en. "Don't be so sure," she said to him sharply. Mac wasn't so easily struck or beaten. Yes, she'd heard the same sound, but she was waiting to see Mac move again. Perhaps the blow had actually landed, but she wasn't willing to bet that it had. No, what was really irking her was the other greenrider's attitude. She almost kept going, but Cheyenth quickly reigned in her next comments, so she bit her tongue, at least for now. No, M'riel wouldn't win this simply because he was a good guardsman. M'cleod wasn't top of his clan for no reason.

[Mik]

{M’cleod}

The Weyrleader‘s instinct ruled his reaction to M’riel’s counter of his attack in the relaxation of his hand that gripped his staff. The resulting connection only served to send a twinge through his right hand as he allowed M’riel’s staff to bounce his own upward, already moving a slight step to his own right and crouching into a spin to avoid the rest of the staff as he extended his left leg for a sweep at M’riel’s shins. With nearly half his own staff nearest to his own body, he snatched the weapon a pace from the end with his left hand, allowing the upward momentum to sling his staff behind him while he turned his wrist enough to absorb the shock of catching the weapon.

Finishing his sweep at M’riel’s shins, the brownrider danced away to the bronze rider’s left side, finishing his pivot on his right foot to spin his staff back to him, driving the end of it into the ground between himself and his opponent, using the staff’s length to vault himself backwards a few paces to be ready for M’riel’s next moves, his staff tracing a line in the churned up dirt and snow in his wake and winding up flicked to his left side and slightly forward of his stance, now leading his left foot as his left hand was his current weapon wielder.

{Swift}

Swift moved a hand to one of his inside jacket pockets and fished out the proper mark count, handing it to R’en before returning his hand to its idle perch atop his quarterstaff and returning his wild eyes to the duel before him. The bronzerider snorted at the Healer Rider’s comment of medical leave on M’cleod. “Shells, ‘at man’ll fight one handed an’ one footed if he’s gotta. He’s got a shardin’ high pain tol’rance,” he retaliated in amusement of the Future Timer’s assumptions, a good natured, matter of fact tone to his voice.

[sorra]

Randy shook her head as she watched. She didn't want to be either man at the moment. She was a guard yes, but she could see that she was going to need a lot more practice to even be close to either of the two fighting now. She might just have to see about getting one or the other to give her some pointers. She cringed as she watched them. "I have a feeling both of them may need a Healer when they're through," she said, turning back to the ones she was with. It was pretty obvious that both of them were going to have bruises.

[kendrall]

{{M'riel}}

Just as M'riel tried to set himself, his staff on the level with his own waist; M'cleod was already in motion, the Weyrleader was switching from his right hand to his left, bringing his staff up and around his body while attempting a sweep at his legs. The Future Rider had little choice but crouch slightly and jump back, arching his body slightly to avoid the two-pronged attack. His own feet nearly slid on the snow-covered ground, but he managed to recover, putting all of his weight on his legs to bring him to a crouching halt. Two near misses back to back. M'riel simply shook his head as he stood up, watching M'cleod moving to the Bronzerider's left, using his staff to give himself a few paces.

"Not bad, Weyrleader. My turn."

M'riel gave a half-turn, right foot leading with the left trailing, right hip pointed at the Weyrleader. He slid his left hand down to the end of the staff closest to his left hip; his right hand at the fulcrum. To the untrained eye, it would seem as if M'riel was attempting to use the staff as a spear, sans spearpoint. However, anyone who knew M'riel would recognize the man's unusual spear grip would allow him plenty of attack and defense maneuvers. If M'cleod still wanted to use his staff with only one hand, well...the Brownrider would have to move pretty fast, and pecan wood was somewhat heavier and denser compared to other types. It meant executing a wide swing or sweeping attack would be significantly slower, than someone who was wielding a staff from oak or a lighter wood. Plus, given the fact M'riel nearly lost his balance on the wet ground, Mac would likewise have to do his best to keep his own balance. So far, M'riel had to admire Mac's sense of balance. It was time to put it to the test.

The Bronzerider took a half-step forward, feigning a thrust at M'cleod's chest, followed up by a quick feint at the man's head before another quick thrust aimed at a spot just above the Brownrider's left knee. M'riel was intent on forcing Mac to the ground one way or the other; whether it was getting him to stumble and slip on the snow; or if the Bronzerider's staff made contact, M'riel would put a lot of force behind his thrust to get Mac's knee to hyperextend in a direction it was never meant to take, ensuring at the very least the Brownrider wouldn't be able to put any weight on that left leg of his for quite some time. If it resulted in a shattered knee or fractured femur...

{{R'en}}

"Don't be so sure," Seleti growled at R'en as the Weyrleader managed to avoid some significant trauma to his right hand. Swift likewise chimed in, handing the field medic his share of the the prize pool before commenting that Mac would fight with one hand and one foot if he had to. Randy, too, mentioned both Riders would need a Healer by the time this was over.

R'en watched as M'cleod nearly took down M'riel by bringing his staff up and around, while trying to catch the Bronzerider by his legs. He winced as his former Wingleader nearly slipped on the snow, but nodded when M'riel recovered and brought his staff to bear in a spear-like grip. R'en knew M'riel was opting for quick forward thrusts, but could also use the staff for wide sweeping attacks at the head, torso, legs, or feet. That same grip would likewise favor M'riel's speed and strength. The Healer had to hand it to M'cleod; the Weyrleader proved to be the more nimble of the two now dueling, but he'd had to perform near-superhuman feats to keep himself from slipping on the snow now that M'riel switched to a style that played to his own strengths. Such dextrous feats would be practically impossible to perform in these conditions.

M'riel took a half-step towards his opponent, feigning two thrusts at Mac's chest and head before driving his staff towards the Brownrider's left knee. R'en knew what his fellow Rider was up to. "Well darlin'," R'en playfully suggested at Randy, "It's a good thing I'm here, then." He then spared a glance at Swift. "Looks like you're right, Swift," the Healer retorted. "M'cleod just may have to fight one handed and on one foot."

[fireflash]

<Randy>

Tish rolled her eyes at Randy's comment silenty agreeing with what she had said. "Male provardo, nether are going to back down....typical!" she said in a hushed voice, giving Randy a sideways look and a quick conspirital wink. Having seen both men execute some moves, she wouldn't like to of said who was going to win this, in fact she was begining to think nether man would least ways not out right.

[Katlyn]

Seleti comtinue to watch as Mac pulled a typical Mac type move. But she winced at M'riel's response. This wasn't looking good for either of them from where she atood. She knew the weyrleader well enough to know that even if a blow did take him down, and she wasn't certain yet that it would, he would keep going to a point where he might get himself seriously injured. The risk was doubly so considering his frame of mind seemed off that day. She visibly grimaced when M'riel struck at Mac's leg, her grip on her own staff from earlier tightening and she took a small step forward before stopping herself. The brownrider was a big boy.

[Mik]

<Mac>

M’cleod’s keen eyes read M’riel’s motions like a book, already bending backward to avoid the thrust toward his chest. As he righted himself for the next thrust, he tried to push himself to his right, his left foot sliding on the slushy ground. The third thrust became a glancing blow to the outside of his left knee as he decided that the ground was where he was headed and so he twisted himself for a saving roll to soften the impact with the cold ground. As he finished his roll, he found his feet again, deciding that one quick swing of his staff would save his graces. With more weight on his right than his left, the burning sensation to the outside of his left knee was ignored as he had something to finish. He grabbed the staff with both hands, his right above his left and took a step toward M’riel with a swing at the bronzerider’s left side about his lower ribs. Sure his swing lacked the momentum that he had shown a few maneuvers before, but he was only looking to catch M’riel off guard if at all possible. If he had to use any underhanded tactics, then so be it, but he was not one to fight dirty when his opponent was meant to live after their duel.
~~~

<To Tish>

Duncanth watched calmly as his Rider took a roll in the slushy snow, damp patches appearing on the man’s clothing from where his brief moments on the ground had met with the snow and ice particles. {{Mine is quick. Mine is doing well,}} the dark dragon said to Tesheara smugly.
~~~

<Swift>

Swift grinned at R’en in satisfaction as M’cleod’s slip aided him in avoiding the direct blow to a vital place. He knew that Mac had skill as well as a lot of luck and both played major parts in all his history at the Weyr. Especially when Mac had interpreted his tattoo shortly after arriving at the Weyr back at Tristar. The duel that followed that confrontation ended in some broken ribs on Swift’s end and a nice bruised lip and eye, but since then, they got along decently well. Although the young bronzerider still gave D’verado a berth as he had attempted to take out Katlyn when they were heading for the Weyr and his most recent scar across his stomach reminded him every day of the Assistant WeyrlingMaster’s strengths. He noticed Seleti's movement beside him and spared a quick glance her way curiously. There history was an interesting one, too.
~~~

[kendrall]

{M'riel}

M'riel watched as Mac's left foot slid on the ground, his jab at the man's left knee glancing on the outside of the kneecap. The former Wingleader waited as the Weyrleader turned his fall into a roll, then rose back up and with both hands swung his staff towards M'riel's lower ribcage, coming in from his left. M'riel knew it was a desperation move, an attempt to catch the former Guardsman off-guard, but he had already seen that coming. Sliding his right hand back a little, M'riel brought his staff down at a slight angle and to his left, his staff making contact with his opponent's with a loud *TWHACK*.

M'riel wasn't finished, however, as he used his upper body strength to push Mac's staff far enough to his right to try and force him to lose his balance on the snow-covered ground. He then followed up with two more quick jabs towards the man's lower torso, aiming for the spot just below the lowest rib on his left side, knowing the Brownrider's staff would be too far out of position for him to attempt any sort of a block. Again, M'riel was testing Mac's ability to stay on his feet in these conditions; between his riposte and pushing the Brownrider's staff wide, effectively leaving the man vulnerable for a few seconds, and the two quick jabs at the specific spot on Mac's lower torso was almost sure to either score a hit and therefore leave some nasty bruises (not to mention make most of Mac's left side extremely sore), or at the very least cause the man's clothes to become wetter than before.

He wasn't above using underhanded tactics himself, nor was he loathe to resort to fighting dirty. But he was determined to at least prove himself as Mac's equal in combat.

{R'en}

R'en watched as Mac slipped to the ground, barely avoiding the blow meant to shatter his knee, then come back up and try a wide swing at M'riel's left. The Healer shook his head as his former Wingleader brought his own staff to bear, then push it aside to leave Mac wide open to the two quick shots at the muscle just below his left lower rib. R'en winced, his knowledge of Pernese anatomy serving him well. M'riel wasn't just going for the external oblique muscle. Below that muscle was Mac's stomach and left kidney, part of the man's intestinal tract, and at least one or two major arteries if he recalled correctly. He knew what was on his former Wingleader's mind. It was a very good thing M'riel's staff wasn't tipped with a sharp spearpoint, otherwise Mac would be suffering from a potential life-threatening injury if the Bronzerider's staff found its mark.

[sorra]

[R'en/Tesh/Swift/Seleti]

Randy hid a gasp behind her hand when she saw the hit on Mac. That had to have hurt. shards! This duel was turning violent. Neither rider should be out to injure each other seriously. She wrapped her arms around herself and watched the duel while barely hearing the others.

[Mac/M'riel]

Shayna had a hard time keeping up with Nileod as the boy was anxious to get to his father. She chuckled a bit, not really thinking about they would be walking into the middle of. She had just figured Mac would be getting some of his frustrations out and calming down some. She gasped when they rounded the bend and quickly grabbed Nileod up in her arms so the boy couldn't run into the middle. "Just what do you two think you're doing?" she demanded angrily. This was not how riders acted.

[Katlyn]

Seleti continued to watch from the sidelines, tensing up with each moment. Mac's speed was still there, that much she could tell. What wasn't there was his solid frame of mind. Whatever was going on in the brownrider's mind, it was getting him hurt. He didn't seem to be quite fast enough to fend off the bronzerider. At least, not this particular time. She'd seen enough.

The greenrider was moving as multiple things happened. First Mac swung at the bronzerider's side. It didn't have the momentum it needed to make it past a block and land on its target. There was the block then, and she was over half way there, all but sprinting towards the pair with the staff she had picked out earlier still in hand. Her next move would be the foolish move, that much she knew for certain. There was one thing the former raiders at that field knew about the greenrider, and it was that she was certainly no fighter. The advantage that she had was that this was not knowledge the bronzerider possesed.

She slid into place just after Mac's staff was forced to the side, her own blocking the jobs as she took a solid stance in front of him. Somewhere, in the back of her mind, she heard Shayna's protest from the sidelines. That didn't register completely in her mind, though, while she stared up at the bronze rider, not poised to attack, but obviously displeased with him. "Enough," she said in a soft, almost cold voice. He was proving nothing by taking advantage of an obviously distracted frame of mind.

[fireflash]

Tish was not at all phased by the scene playing out in front of her. After all men will be men and to be honest she could be quite competative herself on occasion. However, she was equally glad that Shayna had just intervened. If she hadn't it would probably of come to both men having to phiscally knock each other out in order for ether one to yeild. They both seemed to have something to prove.

[kendrall]

{{M'riel}}

The Bronzerider was taken back somewhat when a Greenrider suddenly came into view, blocking his two jabs at the Weyrleader's exposed torso after pushing the man's staff wide to the right. He'd heard Shayna's angry question, demanding to know what the two ranking Riders were doing, just out of earshot; the small, kittenish, athletic-looking Greenrider staring up at him, issuing a stern warning of her own. M'riel simply brought his own staff back in line, standing it on its end then slid his right foot back until he was in a normal, non-threatening stance. He simply nodded at the petite woman. "Fair enough," he replied, his own voice impassive. He then looked at M'cleod. "We'll consider this a draw, Weyrleader," M'riel nodded.

He didn't have anything else to say, but simply handed his staff to the Greenrider in front of him. M'riel then turned and walked over to the sidelines, past everyone and brushed past Shayna. He wasn't in any mood to talk, nor would he allow anyone to speak to him.

{{R'en}}

R'en's eyes widened as Seleti imposed herself between M'riel and M'cleod, blocking the former Wingleader's jabs with her own staff. He shook his head woefully. It was never a good thing to interrupt M'riel like that, but the field medic knew that not everyone was familiar with his rules. R'en then turned to look at Randy and at Swift. "Seems the duel's concluded in a draw," he shrugged. "I was wondering if we could donate the prize pool to a worthy cause?"

He paled somewhat when he heard Shayna's angry outcry, and winced. "Whoops. Seems someone has a little explaining to do." R'en started to watch M'riel walk towards him and the others, then past him without stopping and not saying a single word. He shook his head. "I can tell he doesn't want to talk to anyone," he mentioned to the other onlookers. "Probably would be a good idea to leave him be for now."

[Mik]

M’cleod’s move was met by a common block, yet the brownrider’s balance was still present as instead of leaving himself vulnerable to the swing of his weapon off to his left, he was not going to leave himself open, dancing in a spin in the direction of his staff to try to remain behind his weapon for defensive purposes. His spin was met by someone else as they rushed passed him and he sidestepped to avoid crashing into her, only to slide on the slushy ground and wind up on his left side with a thud at the impact. His mind registered the interference a brief moment later as she spoke to M’riel after blocking his staff. “Seleti?” he asked, moving to get up from his prone position to a crouch, then a stand, his staff left on the ground as he realized just what the greenrider had just done.

Shayna’s voice attracted the Weyrleader and he cast his sight her way a moment, seeing a sight that was both sore and delightful to his heart: Nileod. In all this chaos, he had neglected to spend time with his son, so set on trying to fill the void left in Authanth’s wake while trying to keep Taenia sane and get these new Riders to understand the ways of their struggling lives and then hoping that his twins would survive their touchy situations. It was just so hard to try to do all on his own and Shayna’s condition presented yet another problem. Obviously, his mother was the only medicine to his troubled mind now.

As the brownrider watched M’riel start to walk away, he let out the last of his steam at the bronzerider, saying, “Ya’ can’t walk away from everythin’, M’riel!” He had noticed that about the man. He seemed to avoid the toughest parts of confrontation for some reason and it got under Mac’s skin. To him, the Future Rider seemed to be more of a coward set in his ways and unwilling to bend to another’s. Faranth, he sure hoped that man did not become Weyrleader when Josiath flew.

Looking back to Shayna and Nileod, he left the circle, giving R’en a glance of disapproval at his words. “Ya’ should have a talk with yer ‘Leader ‘bout his social issues. This ain‘t High Reaches in 1364 no more,” he said, tone even and frustrated, but not staying long enough to hear an answer as his destination was already determined.

Approaching Shayna and Nileod, he held his arms out for his son, saying apologetically, “I’m sorry, ya’ two. Can I be forgiven?” He would answer R’en’s worthy cause inquiry after he made up for his actions with Shayna and Nileod. He could not have those two upset with him for too many reasons to even begin thinking about.
~~~

Duncanth’s small dark head shot up at the shout from Josiath’s Rider, seeing one of his favorite people in the Acting Weyrwoman’s arms. He regarded the retreating bronzerider with the same distaste as his Rider as the man walked between himself and the people gathered there. He refrained from speaking to Tesheara as his mind focused on his Rider’s for the moment. His was in another state of burying all that bothered him to put on a smile for his Little.
~~~

“Sel?” Swift asked in confusion at the greenrider’s advance on M’riel. He had not seen that attitude in her since the day they had met and his curiosity was peaked at the meaning behind it. She had been a little edgy as of late for some reason. Maybe something happened during their roll on the island when her Cheyenth went up out of the Weyr and only his Seminth was available to win. As M’riel suddenly called the duel over, the blonde just stared after him blankly. What kind of man just walked away from something like that? Not hearing R’en’s words, the bronzerider stepped up to his Love and touched her shoulder once M’cleod and M’riel had left the direct vicinity. “Sel?” he asked of her.
~~~

[sorra]

Randy shook her head a bit. This had sure turned in a mess. She was going to answer R'en, but no one seemed to be paying attention to him. "You can tell me what you were thinking later," she whispered to him, the mood of everyone showing how on edge they were. She bit her lip, wondering just what was going to happen now.
~~~
Shayna was fuming as M'riel walked away, brushing right past her. "That is not how you act, bronze rider," she shouted after him. If she didn't have Nileod in her arms she would have gone after him and given him a piece of her mind. That and she was pretty certain Eodira would not be happy with her if she attempted running right now in her state.

She turned back to M'cleod and let him have his son. "What was that about?" she asked the Weyrleader. She had never seen M'cleod so upset before. Her voice had softened a bit as she knew the man had been through a lot. She still wasn't real pleased with M'riel though or M'cleod for that reason. She folded her arms over her chest once Nileod had gone to his father. "I'm sorry that Nil saw that. I just thought you would be up here blowing off a bit of steam. I never expected to walk in on that," she said softly. She hadn't meant to subject Nileod to that.