[12:39am] <14Alarice> **The noise of guests and family rolling to their beds continues for many hours in the darkness until the clock strikes three in the morning. There is only an hour and a half til dawn. ((what does he do overnight?))
00[12:40am] <04@Morgan> ((kip for a bit, then be out in time for sunrise))
[12:42am] <14Alarice> **The house stirs quietly in its sleep as the servants remove the debris of the revellry. Outside the morning is fresh, darkness slowly yielding to light.
13[12:44am] * @Morgan heads to the guardroom in search of a staff of some sort
[12:45am] <14Alarice> **A young man deals out cards in a game of solitaire
13[12:45am] * @Morgan taps quietly on the door frame
[12:45am] <14Alarice> *he looks up, then stands and salutes
[12:46am] <14Alarice> My Lord.
00[12:47am] <04@Morgan> sit down man, its too early for that
08[12:47am] [12:47am] Alarice (~ident@host86-148-83-173.range86-148.btcentralplus.com) is now known as guard
13[12:47am] * guard sits
[12:49am] <14guard> yes my Lord
00[12:50am] <04@Morgan> do you have a staff or glave I can borrow that wont be missed?
13[12:51am] * guard goes to a large chest and retrieves one, looking proud of himself
[12:51am] <14guard> Here we are, my Lord
00[12:51am] <04@Morgan> excellent, thank you. How are things down here?
[12:52am] <14guard> Quietly, my Lord
00[12:52am] <04@Morgan> frustrating as that may be, its how we want it
[12:52am] <14guard> Definately, my Lord
00[12:53am] <04@Morgan> ((glave or staff?))
[12:53am] <14guard> ((which would you prefer?))
00[12:53am] <04@Morgan> ((glave))
13[12:54am] * guard hands him a glave
13[12:54am] * @Morgan takes it
00[12:54am] <04@Morgan> how often do you men train?
[12:54am] <14guard> once a week, my Lord
00[12:55am] <04@Morgan> you find it worthwhile, lacking, too tiring?
[12:56am] <14guard> I enjoy it, but we don't do it very often
00[12:56am] <04@Morgan> you wish to train more often?
13[12:57am] * guard nods
00[12:57am] <04@Morgan> is that the general opinion among you? or yours alone?
[12:57am] <14guard> I would... but many of the others are much older.
[1:00am] <14guard> The others are content as they are
13[1:00am] * @Morgan nods
00[1:00am] <04@Morgan> who conducts the training?
[1:00am] <14guard> Grunhelm
[1:00am] <14guard> ((the sherriff))
00[1:01am] <04@Morgan> there'll be no holes in technique then... who is on duty with yourself now?
[1:01am] <14guard> Jacob, but he's ahhh... indisposed at present, my Lord
00[1:01am] <04@Morgan> indisposed?
[1:02am] <14guard> He's attending a call of nature, my Lord
13[1:02am] * @Morgan nods
00[1:02am] <04@Morgan> when he finishes beng indisposed, bring two swords and two staffs and meet me in the gardens behind the house
13[1:03am] * guard smiles
[1:03am] <14guard> Yes, my Lord
13[1:03am] * @Morgan nods nd heads out to the gardens, glave in hand
13[1:04am] * guard and Jacob arrive five minutes later, the sky warming to pink
13[1:05am] * @Morgan looks at Jacob... I wasn't expecting you to come... you need not stay if you do not wish to have some exercise

00[1:10am] <04@Morgan> its your choice, you are welcome to stay
[1:10am] <14guard> *he nods.*
13[1:11am] * guard and jacob await instructions
13[1:12am] * @Morgan puts the glave down and picks up sword
00[1:12am] <04@Morgan> one of you, take up a sword
13[1:12am] * @Morgan wanders into a little space
13[1:12am] * guard does so, following him
13[1:13am] * @Morgan turns to face the guard
00[1:13am] <04@Morgan> how long have you been training with Grunhelm?
[1:14am] <14guard> Nearly a year
00[1:14am] <04@Morgan> you're used to his... style then
13[1:14am] * guard nods
[1:15am] <14guard> I am, my Lord
13[1:15am] * @Morgan raises his sword in salute
00[1:15am] <04@Morgan> lets see how you get on wih someone else then
13[1:15am] * guard does the same. He fights well, if predictably
13[1:16am] * @Morgan backs away, lowering his sword before looking to jacob
[1:17am] <14guard> Jacob comes over
00[1:17am] <04@Morgan> your turn...
[1:17am] <14guard> Jacob fights alomst identically
13[1:18am] * @Morgan backs away again
00[1:18am] <04@Morgan> ok... have either of you had a sword to your throat?
13[1:19am] * guard and jacob both shake their heads
00[1:20am] <04@Morgan> its unnerving... any man who says he can concentrate properly when it happens is a liar. Now, I'm going to attack and you're going to show me how you defend it...
13[1:21am] * guard goes first
13[1:21am] * @Morgan swings from the right, aiming around elbow height
13[1:22am] * guard blocks it, blade pointed down
13[1:23am] * @Morgan nods, backing up again
13[1:23am] * guard waits
00[1:23am] <04@Morgan> very safe... very traditional
13[1:23am] * guard nods
[1:23am] <14guard> thank you, my Lord
00[1:23am] <04@Morgan> ok...
13[1:24am] * @Morgan stands with his sword at his side, slightly out from his body, flat of the blade towards the guard
00[1:24am] <04@Morgan> you try it on me
13[1:24am] * guard swings from the right, aiming around elbow height
13[1:24am] * @Morgan flicks his sword round and up, sending the guards blade whistling over his head, the flat of his own blade coming to rest against the guards neck
13[1:25am] * guard looks terrified
13[1:25am] * @Morgan removes the sword slowly, carefully
13[1:26am] * guard looks at Jacob a moment, then at Morgan
[1:26am] <14guard> We're not very good, are we, my Lord?
00[1:27am] <04@Morgan> You're just fine... my training goes a little further and comes from different places
13[1:27am] * guard nods
00[1:27am] <04@Morgan> before you try it... there are four potential dangers in doing it
[1:27am] <14guard> What, my Lord?
[1:27am] <14guard> *morgan spots movement by the ballroom door*
00[1:27am] <04@Morgan> primarily, and most importantly to yourself, if you dont move fast enough or far enough, you're going to get a sword in the head
13[1:28am] * @Morgan glances towards the door
13[1:28am] * guard nods solemnly
[1:28am] <14guard> That would be bad, my Lord.
00[1:28am] <04@Morgan> definitely
[1:28am] <14guard> **Molly watches him from the doorway
00[1:29am] <04@Morgan> second, if you wish your opponent to be able to speak, say you have questions... get it wrong and you might well do him an injury that prevents him doing so
13[1:29am] * guard nods again
[1:29am] <14guard> yes, my Lord
00[1:30am] <04@Morgan> third, if you dont move your arm in front of your body, you're going to ruin your trousers and stab yourself in the leg and fourth, if you forget to extend slightly, you'll chop your own nose off
13[1:30am] * guard nods
[1:30am] <14guard> I'll try to remember, my Lord
13[1:30am] * @Morgan looks at jacob
[1:31am] <14guard> *he looks back*
00[1:31am] <04@Morgan> most of what you do in a fight is instinct, something that doesn't feel right et cetera. since you weren't involved, you might be able to recall what I did that was unusual at the start
[1:32am] <14guard> J: Your sword was not pointed at him, but side on?
13[1:33am] * @Morgan nods
13[1:33am] * @Morgan looks back to the guard
00[1:33am] <04@Morgan> think back... when you started the attack, did you have a nagging feeling that something wasn't right?
[1:33am] <14guard> **Molly makes her way to the bottom of the stairs, intrigued
13[1:33am] * guard nods
[1:34am] <14guard> You seemed too relaxed, my Lord
00[1:34am] <04@Morgan> trust that instinct, always.
13[1:34am] * guard nods with a smile.
[1:34am] <14guard> I will, my Lord
00[1:34am] <04@Morgan> if you're swinging for man who's relaxed, aiming a man who's smiling... he knows something you dont, and you need to rethink it and quickly
13[1:34am] * guard nods
[1:34am] <14guard> yes, my Lord
13[1:35am] * @Morgan looks at Jacob
00[1:35am] <04@Morgan> did you wish to hve it demonstrated?
[1:35am] <14guard> *he nods*
13[1:35am] * @Morgan looks to the guard
00[1:35am] <04@Morgan> hand him the sword
13[1:35am] * guard does so
13[1:35am] * @Morgan faces jacob, sword down but wrist towards Jacob
[1:36am] <14guard> *he attacks as directed
13[1:36am] * @Morgan steps back, sword spinning in a circle, speeding jacobs blade past his body before stepping back in and slapping the flat of the blade on jacobs shoulder
[1:37am] <14guard> *he smiles* very good, my Lord
[1:37am] <14guard> **Molly heads over towards them
13[1:38am] * @Morgan looks at the guard
00[1:38am] <04@Morgan> tell me wha the risks are in that parry
[1:39am] <14guard> J: chopping his head off, getting stabbed in the head, leg or nose
00[1:39am] <04@Morgan> or...
13[1:39am] * guard and jacob look blank
00[1:40am] <04@Morgan> I've brought his blade straight across my body, if I'd not stepped back I'd be half my height at worst, or juggling my innards at best
[1:41am] <14guard> *Molly smiles, close enough to hear them* Or he could feint, and whilst you're busy preparing this impressive parry, he's swung for your calf and you're busy bleeding profusely
13[1:41am] * guard and jacob bow to her
13[1:41am] * @Morgan nods, as he repeats that to himself
00[1:42am] <04@Morgan> its fairly obvious where someone will swing for, broadly speaking... for some reason, though, Eisen men think it terribly dishonourable to attack the legs
[1:42am] <14guard> *She smiles* It is not frowned upon in Avalon
00[1:43am] <04@Morgan> its not frowned upon by Claudia either... the point is well made... we prepare for our most common enemy, sadly that is ourselves... that may not always be the case
[1:44am] <14guard> *she looks to the guards* You have a very good instructor. Everything I know I learnt from him.
13[1:45am] * guard and jacob look suprised but impressed
00[1:45am] <04@Morgan> does Grunhelm still insist on facing each of you individually?
13[1:45am] * guard nods
[1:45am] <14guard> yes, my Lord
00[1:45am] <04@Morgan> with the wooden training swords?
[1:46am] <14guard> yes, my Lord
13[1:46am] * @Morgan nods
00[1:46am] <04@Morgan> good... go and fetch them... I want you two practicing. I think its time he was surprised by his students
13[1:47am] * guard and Jacob go to fetch them
[1:47am] <14guard> 11•12Morgan11• You are retraining your father's guards?
08[1:47am] [1:47am] guard (~ident@host86-150-139-146.range86-150.btcentralplus.com) is now known as Molly
13[1:47am] * @Morgan shakes his head
00[1:48am] <04@Morgan> they expressed a desire to train more often... I wanted some practice
[1:48am] <14Molly> I oft wonder if I'll ever practise again
00[1:49am] <04@Morgan> as soon as the guests leave... or around then anyway
[1:49am] <14Molly> You would still wish me to be capable?
13[1:49am] * @Morgan nods
13[1:49am] * Molly smiles
[1:50am] <14Molly> I'll leave you to your training then, liebes herz
00[1:50am] <04@Morgan> if you wish... I'm happy for you to remain if you want to
[1:51am] <14Molly> I think I'd be too tempted to ask to spar with you, if I'm honest
13[1:51am] * @Morgan nods
00[1:51am] <04@Morgan> probaly best not then
[1:52am] <14Molly> I thought there was supposed to be encouragement in eisen for training women?
13[1:53am] * Molly smiles
00[1:53am] <04@Morgan> probably, but my father might well have forgotten about it
13[1:53am] * Molly nods
[1:54am] <14Molly> Of course. Are you riding to the new settlement this morning?
13[1:54am] * @Morgan nods
00[1:54am] <04@Morgan> I've got a few things to do first
13[1:54am] * Molly nods
[1:55am] <14Molly> I'll see you then.
13[1:55am] * @Morgan nods
13[1:55am] * Molly curtsies, and speaks softly
[1:55am] <14Molly> Take care, liebling
00[1:56am] <04@Morgan> and you

08[1:56am] [1:56am] Molly (~ident@host86-150-139-146.range86-150.btcentralplus.com) is now known as guard
13[1:56am] * guard and jacob return shortly, and look around
13[1:57am] * guard looks at Morgan
[1:58am] <14guard> I hope we did not upset Lady Forrester
00[1:58am] <04@Morgan> not at all
13[1:59am] * guard nods. They have a training sword each
13[1:59am] * @Morgan fetches a staff
00[2:00am] <04@Morgan> I'm not expecting you to be preaching this to the rest of the guard... I know older men dont like to have their routine disrupted
13[2:01am] * guard nods
[2:01am] <14guard> yes. my Lord
00[2:03am] <04@Morgan> ok... three things... you dont try any of this with proper weaponry until I've said so, emotions are left at the guard house... accidents happen and there's bound to be split lips and bruised knuckles,but there's no recrimination for it, we're trying to work together better, not best eachother.
13[2:03am] * guard and jacob both nod
00[2:04am] <04@Morgan> I dont have a lot of time this morning... so lets get at it... Jacob, you're attacking *he looks at th guard* you're defending
[2:05am] <14guard> **they start to fight. they're equally matched, and its a close call. fighting together, they don't seem to learn much*
00[2:06am] <04@Morgan> ok ok, stop
13[2:07am] * guard and jacob do so, panting
00[2:07am] <04@Morgan> you're out of shape boys
[2:07am] <14guard> *they nod
00[2:08am] <04@Morgan> we'll have to rectify that... your problem isn't your technique, its fine... you're not reading eachother
13[2:08am] * guard and jacob look puzzled
13[2:09am] * @Morgan sighs
00[2:09am] <04@Morgan> noone understand me... right... I'm going to call a strike, Jacob, you're going to make that strike but a little slower than normal...
13[2:09am] * @Morgan turns to the other guard
00[2:10am] <04@Morgan> since you know where he's attacking, you'll have opportunity to study how he moves, what muscles tense, how he breathes, before each strike. Understand?
13[2:10am] * guard and jacob nod, and do as instructed
13[2:11am] * @Morgan sends them through a few rounds of this, each attacking, each defending
13[2:11am] * guard get better, there are a few windings and scraped knuckles though, they need refinement
13[2:12am] * @Morgan calls for a short break
[2:12am] <14guard> **they do so
00[2:13am] <04@Morgan> I think I should've sent for refreshments
13[2:13am] * guard and jacob smile
[2:14am] <14guard> should we fight you now, my Lord?
00[2:14am] <04@Morgan> you think you're ready to?
13[2:14am] * guard nods
13[2:15am] * @Morgan nods and asks for a training sword
[2:15am] <14guard> *jacob hands him one*
13[2:15am] * @Morgan paces away from the wall into open space again, gently swinging the sword
13[2:15am] * guard follows
00[2:16am] <04@Morgan> Grunhelm once had some training swords dipped in lead to strengthen the sword arm
13[2:16am] * guard nods
[2:16am] <14guard> he said about that, my Lord
00[2:16am] <04@Morgan> did he tell you why he stopped using them?
[2:16am] <14guard> no, my Lord
13[2:16am] * guard prepares his stance
00[2:16am] <04@Morgan> Heinzharold gave me concussion
13[2:17am] * guard looks surprised
13[2:17am] * @Morgan salutes briefly before making ready
13[2:17am] * guard salutes also, and then swings at Morgan
13[2:17am] * @Morgan parries the swing, moving to his left
13[2:18am] * guard swings again, from the other side
13[2:18am] * @Morgan parries that as well, moving backwards
13[2:18am] * guard waits, guarding, watching
13[2:19am] * @Morgan makes a few fairly obvious attacks, swinging for the shoulder mostly
13[2:20am] * guard parries them all, showing some improvement. he feints a high attack to Morgans right, before swinging for his calf as her heard Molly mention
13[2:20am] * @Morgan jumps over the blade, swinging for the guards sword arm
13[2:20am] * guard gets hit
[2:20am] <14guard> Ouch!
13[2:21am] * @Morgan backs up
13[2:21am] * guard swings again, left shoulder
13[2:21am] * @Morgan parries it, sending it above his head
13[2:23am] * guard becomes off balance, and manages to catch Morgan's lip with the hilt of the sword. It draws a little blood. He backs up, looking terrified.
[2:23am] <14guard> I'm sorry my Lord
13[2:23am] * guard bows low
13[2:23am] * @Morgan backs away a little, wiping the blood
00[2:24am] <04@Morgan> stop that... as I said, it happens
13[2:24am] * guard nods warily
13[2:25am] * @Morgan prepares a stance again
13[2:25am] * guard does the same
13[2:25am] * @Morgan stands up straigh, lowering the sword
00[2:25am] <04@Morgan> good man
13[2:26am] * guard watches him
[2:26am] <14guard> yes, my Lord
00[2:27am] <04@Morgan> It was an accident, and they happen in training. The important thing is that you carry on if its advisable... had one of us had our senses loosened, then obviously it would need to stop immediately
13[2:27am] * guard nods
[2:27am] <14guard> I understand
13[2:27am] * @Morgan nds
00[2:28am] <04@Morgan> how traditionally noble is your lineage?
13[2:28am] * guard laughs
[2:28am] <14guard> I've never heard of any noble blood in it
00[2:30am] <04@Morgan> then this you need to understand... in a real fight, be it in war or otherwise, you cannot stop just because you draw blood of someone who happened to be born into a particular family... if its fighting for survival, his injuring you would not stop him and nor should it you
13[2:30am] * guard nods
[2:30am] <14guard> I'll remember that, my Lord
13[2:31am] * @Morgan nods
00[2:31am] <04@Morgan> there is one other thing I need to make you aware of before I attend to the thrilling duties I have today
13[2:31am] * guard watches him
[2:31am] <14guard> yes, my Lord?
00[2:31am] <04@Morgan> how many weapons do you have right now?
[2:32am] <14guard> this training sword, and a small dagger
13[2:34am] * @Morgan throws his training sword aside
00[2:34am] <04@Morgan> and how many do I have?
13[2:35am] * guard watches him carefully
13[2:36am] * @Morgan turns slowly
[2:38am] <14guard> the training sword... a concealed blade
00[2:39am] <04@Morgan> well done...now, lets ignore the dagger, since I'm not going to use it, and we'll assume the same for yours... I threw the training sword to one side, so ignoring the dagger... what weapons do I have?
13[2:39am] * guard smiles
[2:39am] <14guard> Your eyes, ears and mind.... followed by fists and feet
13[2:39am] * @Morgan smiles
00[2:41am] <04@Morgan> Excellent... noone ever made a rule, except in honour duels, that prohibited you from kicking someone in the knee... ask Claudia, she''ll testify to that. You're safer with things that extend your reach, but sometimes...
13[2:41am] * guard nods
[2:41am] <14guard> You use what you have.
00[2:42am] <04@Morgan> if you rushed at me, swinging overhand, which seems to be the accepted way of killing an unarmed man, I'm going to spin, duck and kick your knee as hard as I can... sideways.
[2:43am] <14guard> That would hurt
00[2:44am] <04@Morgan> it takes less than the weight of a canon ball to render the knee more or less useless... something to remember
13[2:44am] * guard nods
[2:44am] <14guard> I will, thank you
00[2:44am] <04@Morgan> if you're willing... I'd like to do this again
13[2:44am] * guard nods
[2:44am] <14guard> I'd be honoured, my Lord
00[2:45am] <04@Morgan> good... practice what I've shown you, but not too much... you'll be neither use nor ornament if you're too tired and battered to be on duty
13[2:45am] * guard nods
[2:45am] <14guard> I will, my Lord
13[2:45am] * @Morgan looks at Jacob
00[2:45am] <04@Morgan> your turn next time
[2:45am] <14guard> J: *he bows* thank you, ,my Lord
13[2:46am] * @Morgan picks up the sword and holds it out to the other guard
[2:46am] <14guard> *he takes it*
00[2:47am] <04@Morgan> thank you gentlemen...
13[2:47am] * @Morgan nods to them and turns towards the house
[2:48am] <14guard> **the house is quieter, peaceful as he walks through the sunlit corridors
13[1:56am] * Molly heads back towards the ballroom

13[1:56am] * guard and jacob return shortly, and look around
13[1:57am] * guard looks at Morgan
[1:58am] <14guard> I hope we did not upset Lady Forrester
00[1:58am] <04@Morgan> not at all
13[1:59am] * guard nods. They have a training sword each
13[1:59am] * @Morgan fetches a staff
00[2:00am] <04@Morgan> I'm not expecting you to be preaching this to the rest of the guard... I know older men dont like to have their routine disrupted
13[2:01am] * guard nods
[2:01am] <14guard> yes. my Lord
00[2:03am] <04@Morgan> ok... three things... you dont try any of this with proper weaponry until I've said so, emotions are left at the guard house... accidents happen and there's bound to be split lips and bruised knuckles,but there's no recrimination for it, we're trying to work together better, not best eachother.
13[2:03am] * guard and jacob both nod
00[2:04am] <04@Morgan> I dont have a lot of time this morning... so lets get at it... Jacob, you're attacking *he looks at th guard* you're defending
[2:05am] <14guard> **they start to fight. they're equally matched, and its a close call. fighting together, they don't seem to learn much*
00[2:06am] <04@Morgan> ok ok, stop
13[2:07am] * guard and jacob do so, panting
00[2:07am] <04@Morgan> you're out of shape boys
[2:07am] <14guard> *they nod
00[2:08am] <04@Morgan> we'll have to rectify that... your problem isn't your technique, its fine... you're not reading eachother
13[2:08am] * guard and jacob look puzzled
13[2:09am] * @Morgan sighs
00[2:09am] <04@Morgan> noone understand me... right... I'm going to call a strike, Jacob, you're going to make that strike but a little slower than normal...
13[2:09am] * @Morgan turns to the other guard
00[2:10am] <04@Morgan> since you know where he's attacking, you'll have opportunity to study how he moves, what muscles tense, how he breathes, before each strike. Understand?
13[2:10am] * guard and jacob nod, and do as instructed
13[2:11am] * @Morgan sends them through a few rounds of this, each attacking, each defending
13[2:11am] * guard get better, there are a few windings and scraped knuckles though, they need refinement
13[2:12am] * @Morgan calls for a short break
[2:12am] <14guard> **they do so
00[2:13am] <04@Morgan> I think I should've sent for refreshments
13[2:13am] * guard and jacob smile
[2:14am] <14guard> should we fight you now, my Lord?
00[2:14am] <04@Morgan> you think you're ready to?
13[2:14am] * guard nods
13[2:15am] * @Morgan nods and asks for a training sword
[2:15am] <14guard> *jacob hands him one*
13[2:15am] * @Morgan paces away from the wall into open space again, gently swinging the sword
13[2:15am] * guard follows
00[2:16am] <04@Morgan> Grunhelm once had some training swords dipped in lead to strengthen the sword arm
13[2:16am] * guard nods
[2:16am] <14guard> he said about that, my Lord
00[2:16am] <04@Morgan> did he tell you why he stopped using them?
[2:16am] <14guard> no, my Lord
13[2:16am] * guard prepares his stance
00[2:16am] <04@Morgan> Heinzharold gave me concussion
13[2:17am] * guard looks surprised
13[2:17am] * @Morgan salutes briefly before making ready
13[2:17am] * guard salutes also, and then swings at Morgan
13[2:17am] * @Morgan parries the swing, moving to his left
13[2:18am] * guard swings again, from the other side
13[2:18am] * @Morgan parries that as well, moving backwards
13[2:18am] * guard waits, guarding, watching
13[2:19am] * @Morgan makes a few fairly obvious attacks, swinging for the shoulder mostly
13[2:20am] * guard parries them all, showing some improvement. he feints a high attack to Morgans right, before swinging for his calf as her heard Molly mention
13[2:20am] * @Morgan jumps over the blade, swinging for the guards sword arm
13[2:20am] * guard gets hit
[2:20am] <14guard> Ouch!
13[2:21am] * @Morgan backs up
13[2:21am] * guard swings again, left shoulder
13[2:21am] * @Morgan parries it, sending it above his head
13[2:23am] * guard becomes off balance, and manages to catch Morgan's lip with the hilt of the sword. It draws a little blood. He backs up, looking terrified.
[2:23am] <14guard> I'm sorry my Lord
13[2:23am] * guard bows low
13[2:23am] * @Morgan backs away a little, wiping the blood
00[2:24am] <04@Morgan> stop that... as I said, it happens
13[2:24am] * guard nods warily
13[2:25am] * @Morgan prepares a stance again
13[2:25am] * guard does the same
13[2:25am] * @Morgan stands up straigh, lowering the sword
00[2:25am] <04@Morgan> good man
13[2:26am] * guard watches him
[2:26am] <14guard> yes, my Lord
00[2:27am] <04@Morgan> It was an accident, and they happen in training. The important thing is that you carry on if its advisable... had one of us had our senses loosened, then obviously it would need to stop immediately
13[2:27am] * guard nods
[2:27am] <14guard> I understand
13[2:27am] * @Morgan nds
00[2:28am] <04@Morgan> how traditionally noble is your lineage?
13[2:28am] * guard laughs
[2:28am] <14guard> I've never heard of any noble blood in it
00[2:30am] <04@Morgan> then this you need to understand... in a real fight, be it in war or otherwise, you cannot stop just because you draw blood of someone who happened to be born into a particular family... if its fighting for survival, his injuring you would not stop him and nor should it you
13[2:30am] * guard nods
[2:30am] <14guard> I'll remember that, my Lord
13[2:31am] * @Morgan nods
00[2:31am] <04@Morgan> there is one other thing I need to make you aware of before I attend to the thrilling duties I have today
13[2:31am] * guard watches him
[2:31am] <14guard> yes, my Lord?
00[2:31am] <04@Morgan> how many weapons do you have right now?
[2:32am] <14guard> this training sword, and a small dagger
13[2:34am] * @Morgan throws his training sword aside
00[2:34am] <04@Morgan> and how many do I have?
13[2:35am] * guard watches him carefully
13[2:36am] * @Morgan turns slowly
[2:38am] <14guard> the training sword... a concealed blade
00[2:39am] <04@Morgan> well done...now, lets ignore the dagger, since I'm not going to use it, and we'll assume the same for yours... I threw the training sword to one side, so ignoring the dagger... what weapons do I have?
13[2:39am] * guard smiles
[2:39am] <14guard> Your eyes, ears and mind.... followed by fists and feet
13[2:39am] * @Morgan smiles
00[2:41am] <04@Morgan> Excellent... noone ever made a rule, except in honour duels, that prohibited you from kicking someone in the knee... ask Claudia, she''ll testify to that. You're safer with things that extend your reach, but sometimes...
13[2:41am] * guard nods
[2:41am] <14guard> You use what you have.
00[2:42am] <04@Morgan> if you rushed at me, swinging overhand, which seems to be the accepted way of killing an unarmed man, I'm going to spin, duck and kick your knee as hard as I can... sideways.
[2:43am] <14guard> That would hurt
00[2:44am] <04@Morgan> it takes less than the weight of a canon ball to render the knee more or less useless... something to remember
13[2:44am] * guard nods
[2:44am] <14guard> I will, thank you
00[2:44am] <04@Morgan> if you're willing... I'd like to do this again
13[2:44am] * guard nods
[2:44am] <14guard> I'd be honoured, my Lord
00[2:45am] <04@Morgan> good... practice what I've shown you, but not too much... you'll be neither use nor ornament if you're too tired and battered to be on duty
13[2:45am] * guard nods
[2:45am] <14guard> I will, my Lord
13[2:45am] * @Morgan looks at Jacob
00[2:45am] <04@Morgan> your turn next time
[2:45am] <14guard> J: *he bows* thank you, ,my Lord
13[2:46am] * @Morgan picks up the sword and holds it out to the other guard
[2:46am] <14guard> *he takes it*
00[2:47am] <04@Morgan> thank you gentlemen...
13[2:47am] * @Morgan nods to them and turns towards the house