Wind vs Ground (Three Horses and an Ass TP)

Front Yard

A few trees stand here, just in front of the Last Homely House. An open meadow stretches off to the north and west. The thick mat of the previous year's growth lies on the ground, dormant now, but obviously ready to renew when the season allows. Not far behind the house the trees close in to form a pleasant wood. The mat of grass here is not so thick as further out in the valley, perhaps because of being trodden on so often. Two paths lead away from the house, one southwest and one north. Down the steep bank to the south is the shore of the Bruinen.

Contents:

Menelglir

Obvious exits:

 North leads to Open Meadow - Crossroads.

 Front Porch leads to Front Porch.

 Southwest leads to The Valley Shore.

============== Lord of the Rings Calendar ==============

IC time is:    Mid Afternoon < About 4:57 PM >

IC day is:     Sunday

IC date is:    December 5

Moon phase:    Waxing Gibbous

Earendil:      Gil-Estel is not visible.

IC year is:    Third Age 3048

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RL time:        Tue Jan 12 20:39:02 2010

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[Sulgirion(#16643)]

Standing upon the lawn of the Last House is Sulgirion this afternoon, and it appears the eagle has departed the skies for the time being certainly he seems to be waiting for something...or someone, perhaps. The great feathered shape remains quite still, and only the occasional blinking of the piercing eyes or the shifting of feathers betrays any signs of movement.

 [Menelglir(#17324)]

The Squire arrives only a few minutes late of the appointed hour, coming trotting from the direction of the training grounds. His armor and helm he wears, along with a shield, and his now-mended white tunic is again donned, over his armor. But his sword he does not have--only a wooden practice sword from the training grounds. “Sir Mouse Killer!” he greets the avian, grinning broadly as he approaches, then sweeping a low bow.

[Combat(#13388)] Menelglir puts on Studded Leather Helmet.

[Combat(#13388)] Menelglir slips himself into his Studded Leather Armor.

[Combat(#13388)] Menelglir puts on Studded Leather Shield.

[Combat(#13388)] Menelglir slides a finely-crafted longsword from its sheath, the metallic hiss of metal faint but still audible.

[Sulgirion(#16643)]

“Ah, and the Mouse himself,” says the bird, as he turns his head to watch the boy approach. “Though I have never seen an armored mouse before. A wooden sword? You might have chosen better, Master squire, for I do not think it will long endure my claws or beak. But come, we shall soon find out.” Sulgirion shifts his feet a little, peering downward toward Menelglir. “Are you ready, then?”

[Menelglir(#17324)]

“But our weapons we gave to the keeping of the elves when we entered this valley. And I would not cause a scene by insisting their return now--nor would they be granted to me,” Menelglir shakes his head, then adds, “I am no mouse and I am ready. By what rules do we duel?”

[Sulgirion(#16643)]

“But surely the elves possess steel arms for training in the field yonder, or so I would imagine,” replies the eagle. “In any case, you mention rules?” He pauses for a moment, considering. “You understand of course, that I have never participated in a mock duel with a land dweller? Orcs and other fell creatures yes, but they were true fights, and my strikes were not merciful. For the sake of this spar then, I think the only necessary precaution would be to attack lightly.”

Sulgirion nods once, and turns, using his large wings to propel him skyward. He does not ascend very high, however, and he makes a few circles above the ground. “Your word--are you prepared?” The amber eyes peer below, watching for the other to make ready his sword.

[Menelglir(#17324)]

“I could have asked for steel, but it seemed to me it would not be my place to do so as a guest here,” Menelglir says, now looking with doubt at the wooden practice sword. “And further...I was afraid that with your flight and my having steel, that real harm might be done when not intended. As I have never sparred with an avian before, only men. But..I am ready.” He watches the bird ascend, then raises the sword in salute.

[Sulgirion(#16643)]

“Very well then,” nods the raptor, and as he performs his final round in the air, the wings are tilted slightly. Down he streaks like a rock, and the eyes are narrowed in concentration, seeking out a safe place to place his first blow. With startling speed the gap between human and bird is closed, and Sulgirion twists to the side to avoid a collision, lifting out the curved claws to graze lightly across Menelglir's shoulder.

You attack Menelglir with your Eagle Claws...

[Combat(#13388)->Sulgirion]

Your attack against Menelglir mildly wounds him!

[Menelglir(#17324)]

The eagle might hear the youth's very quiet gasp of sudden fear as the great bird descends right down upon him, though, much like a mouse reacting to a predator, the Squire freezes--or more politely, perhaps, he holds his ground, perhaps to the credit of his training, perhaps due to sheer terror.

Likely it is the latter, for neither sword nor shield are raised in defense against the blow that strikes Menelglir's shoulder, talosn striking his hardened leather armor. It is only belatedly that he swings out against those talons, remembering at the last moment that he is supposed to counterattack.

Menelglir attacks you with his Longsword!...

...and he hits! Ouch!

[Sulgirion(#16643)]

There is the harsh grating sound of knives against wood as the Gondorian's weapon connects, and as the eagle passes he pulls the talons in closer to his feathered body. “Good,” calls Sulgirion as he wheels around in midflight, “I am glad to see that you do not turn to ice as many of my targets are oft to do. Now,” he goes for another swoop, “show me again!” The voice fades into the wind as the avian moves again to bring himself nigh the flank of the squire, though this time it is the beak that taps outward for one arm.

COMBAT - Wielded: Eagle Beak

You attack Menelglir with your Eagle Beak...

[Combat(#13388)->Sulgirion]

Your attack against Menelglir mildly wounds him!

[Menelglir(#17324)]

The young man gives a slight shudder as the eagle pulls away again, as if shaking off some fear. “I think I better understand the defenses of mice, though, now,” Menelglir calls up to the eagle before he takes a deep breath to await the next attack. This time he keeps his eyes on the diving bird--though he winces at the sight of it--and tries to drive off the attack with his shield, to no avail. The flat of his sword is sent toward the offending beak, even as Menelglir jerks his arm back as it is pecked at.

Menelglir attacks you with his Longsword!...

...and he hits! Ouch!

[Sulgirion(#16643)]

Despite any fear the lad might be experiencing, his attack strikes true for a second time, and the sword turns aside the hooked mouth. “Yes,” he says in reply , “but unlike the normal mice you hold your ground. We shall have to work on your striking fear into the hearts of your enemies, however.”

Instead of letting his path stray too far out, Sulgirion lets his momentum bear him in a tight half-circle, flying around Menelglir's back and coming again to face him from the fore. The gigantic bird halts, hovering above. Instead of lowering claws or head, the eagle flaps his wings to send mighty gale-winds on course toward the young Man.

 [Menelglir(#17324)]

Though he turns rapidly about to face the circling eagle, the wind catches at Menelglir, sending him stumbling backwards a few feet and out of range of attacking. “Striking fear?” he laughs back at the eagle. “Can mice strike fear in the hearts of their foes? Or have you determined that I am not in fact a plump mouse now? Can I say I have satisfaction in this matter between us?” he grins.

[Sulgirion(#16643)]

“Yes,” nods the avain, and his amber eyes seem to grin as he flaps his gigantic wings to remain motionless in the air overhead. "You are much too skinny for a plump mouse." Before the lad can respond to this, however, Sulgirion dives anew, and his claws lower toward the squire's shield bearing arm. “Let us see if you are as fast as a mouse!”

COMBAT - Wielded: Eagle Claws

You attack Menelglir with your Eagle Claws...

[Combat(#13388)->Sulgirion]

Your attack against Menelglir mildly wounds him!

[Menelglir(#17324)]

“Then I think that...” Menelglir starts. Certainly not as plump as a mouse, but the squeak that the Squire's words suddenly give way to is quite mouse-like.

Up goes his shield arm, half a second too late to stop the attack, the talons hitting against the leather armor on his torso. But retaliation is at hand as the flat of the wooden blade comes down toward the eagle's feathered wing.

Menelglir attacks you with his Longsword!...

...and he hits! Ouch!

[Sulgirion(#16643)]

The eagle lets forth a low squawk as the tiny wooden sword bats into his arm, and Sulgirion swerves a little more to the side as he flits around it. A loose bronze feather floats down. The great sky beast twists around again, and the wings bear him to pass left of the boy as the raptor's beak pecks for Menelglir's leather helm.

COMBAT - Wielded: Eagle Beak

You attack Menelglir with your Eagle Beak...

[Combat(#13388)->Sulgirion]

Menelglir parries your attack with his shield!

[Menelglir(#17324)]

“Oh! Are you hurt?” Menelglir calls, looking aghast at the fallen feather and then up at the bird again. What he sees, of course, is a giant beak coming for his head. He ducks low, putting his shield up quickly so that bird beak meets only shield.

ARB: Menelglir has "passed" on his turn to attack.

[Sulgirion(#16643)]

The sudden concerned question summons the eagle's attention, and he likewise pauses, continuing his slide past the human as the shield bounces back his curved mouth. The avian slowly circles in the air low over the ground, peering down to watch Menelglir. The gold-brown head cocks as he answers. “Hurt? My dear squire, a single feather is naught to me. As you remember, I lost several ones from my tail to the accursed troll, but they were merely pinpricks as they were pulled out. The greater concern was given to my flight, and how their absence would affect it.” Another turn overhead, and his shadow casts out the sun for a moment. “No, I am not hurt I am most likely due for a molting as we speak. But no matter...you are not harmed, yourself?” The amber eyes peer closer inspecting the Gondorian for any signs of wounds from talons or beak.

[Combat(#13388)->Sulgirion]

You forego your chance to attack.

 [Menelglir(#17324)]

“Nothing more than a few scratches...and perhaps my dignity at cringing and ducking out of the way of your attacks,” Menelglir calls back, grinning. “I am glad you decided I'm not fit for your next meal, though. My honor is satisfied, but if you wish to go another round, I will see if I can manage not to duck and cringe. Though for what practice and against what enemy this serves me, I do not know.”

[Sulgirion(#16643)]

The avian nods. “I think, then that this is enough playtime for now. I do not wish to sunder your armor, nor cover you in feathers.” Tilting his body, Sulgirion descends to the lawn again, and the jagged claws take their rest for now in the cold soil of winter. “If anything,” says the eagle after a pause, “this spar will hopefully serve to prepare you to expect the unexpected. I assume you have not faced an assailant from the heavens?”

 [Menelglir(#17324)]

“From the heavens? No,” Menelglir says, dropping the point of the wooden sword so that it touches the ground. “Not unless you count fighting a troll four times my size. Or flying through the air and into a river far away or at least seemingly so. Though I fear I did a poor job defending against the unexpected--the troll's and your attacks.”

[Sulgirion(#16643)]

“The more you practice, the better you will learn to see the signs of such unexpected attacks, and therefore be more able to defend against them,” says the large bird. “You are trained in the ways of the ground, but it would not hurt to extend that developing skill to the sky and the threats it may bring though I do not know what they may be...trolls are not a common sight where you hail from, or at least not the last time I had flown over that land.”

He shakes his head. “Do not be discouraged, my friend. You may not have blocked all of my strikes, but you had the will to stand strong and not flee. That is what matters.”

 [Menelglir(#17324)]

“Mostly my order fights the Southrons and at sea, so no, I do not think I will encounter many trolls. Or at least I hope not--I've no desire to encounter another anytime soon.”

He stands a little taller, beamign at the compliment while at the same time he tries to hide his expression, failing miserably, though. “You've flown over Dol Amroth? What is it like? How does it seem from the air?”

[Sulgirion(#16643)]

“It is but a speck to normal eyes from such heights, but to the sight of my kin, I can see clearly the city's mighty sea-walls which protect it. The Sea-ward Tower I have beheld, and harkened to the distant call of its bell upon the salt air. There is a great castle, I can recall. The Prince's, I imagine?” Sulgirion's eyes blink, regarding the other, and seemingly amused by his excited expression.

[Menelglir(#17324)]

“The Prince's,” Menelglir answers, and something about the youth's mood shifts quiet suddenly to subdued. He pulls off his helm and pushes back the hair that clings to his damp forehead.

“Sulgirion,” the Squire continues in his now too-quiet tone, “I must return this practice sword and then tend to some tasks that Sir Gwendion has set me to. I thank you for this time, though,” he says with a bow. “It's been a valuable lesson.”

[Sulgirion(#16643)]

“Yes,” the sky creatures dips his own neck, “and I thank you as well. It was nice for a change to have a mock duel, and not have to fear about any real danger.” If Sulgirion notices the sudden change in the other's mood, the eagle does not show it. “Fare well for now, Master Menelglir. I shall see you again soon, before I depart from the Valley.”

[Menelglir(#17324)]