Post by opalgirl on Mar 8, 2010 1:37:42 GMT 10
Title: Odd One Out II
Rating: G
Length: 413 words
Competitor: Buri
Round/Fight: 2/D
Summary: A Kel-joins-the-Riders AU, in what is becoming a series of one-shots. Buri considers the odd one out of the new batch of trainees.
Notes: Kel didn't get tossed from page training - she just didn't go, for whatever reason. I'm in Buri's perspective, and she doesn't know why, making it so that I don't know, either.
There was never a complaint out of Trainee Keladry, Buri noticed, even when her fellow recruits were grumbling for all they were worth. The long days of training, the runs through mud and spring rains, and the evening lessons never drew a word from the girl. Even when she’d somehow gotten a face full of mud, there was nothing but an expression of grim determination.
She didn’t flinch when Sarge bellowed, and Buri never had to haul her from her bed in the morning. (Onua said the same, when it was her turn to rouse the girls). Keladry was far from perfect – her archery was passable at best, and her riding needed practice, among other things – but at least she didn’t whine. A blessing, that – if there was one thing she didn’t like, it was the whining of new trainees, who somehow hadn’t realized what they’d signed on for.
When Larse told her that he’d seen one of her trainees out in the meadow before dawn, armed with a ‘wicked-looking’ polearm, Buri didn’t believe him. If Larse was up at that hour, he’d probably had a bit to drink, and what trainee would be up at that hour? But, sure enough, when she went out at that hour of the morning, there was a figure, armed with such a weapon.
“Trainee,” she called, leaning on the fence, and Keladry spun her weapon so it rested on its butt end and turned to face her.
“Commander,” she said, her eyes widening slightly in surprise. “Good morning.”
“If you can call it that. Trainee Keladry, what is that?” Buri gestured needlessly to the weapon.
“A glaive, Commander. The Yamanis would call it naginata. Women are trained in its use in the Islands. I learned when I lived there, with my family.”
Buri whistled. “Impressive. When my second in command told me he’d seen someone out here with a polearm, I didn’t believe him. We have no call for long weapons like that – we leave that to the rest.”
Keladry shrugged. “There’s no room in the barracks to practice, and I find the practice helps.”
“Fair enough. So long as you’re still alive for turn out, I can’t say anything.”
On her way back from stables to barracks, Buri paused and watched the youngster twirl the weapon about her body, all grace and neat, fast slices. That’s why she’s not tripping over her own feet at her size, Buri thought, shaking her head. It’s the practice.
Rating: G
Length: 413 words
Competitor: Buri
Round/Fight: 2/D
Summary: A Kel-joins-the-Riders AU, in what is becoming a series of one-shots. Buri considers the odd one out of the new batch of trainees.
Notes: Kel didn't get tossed from page training - she just didn't go, for whatever reason. I'm in Buri's perspective, and she doesn't know why, making it so that I don't know, either.
***
There was never a complaint out of Trainee Keladry, Buri noticed, even when her fellow recruits were grumbling for all they were worth. The long days of training, the runs through mud and spring rains, and the evening lessons never drew a word from the girl. Even when she’d somehow gotten a face full of mud, there was nothing but an expression of grim determination.
She didn’t flinch when Sarge bellowed, and Buri never had to haul her from her bed in the morning. (Onua said the same, when it was her turn to rouse the girls). Keladry was far from perfect – her archery was passable at best, and her riding needed practice, among other things – but at least she didn’t whine. A blessing, that – if there was one thing she didn’t like, it was the whining of new trainees, who somehow hadn’t realized what they’d signed on for.
When Larse told her that he’d seen one of her trainees out in the meadow before dawn, armed with a ‘wicked-looking’ polearm, Buri didn’t believe him. If Larse was up at that hour, he’d probably had a bit to drink, and what trainee would be up at that hour? But, sure enough, when she went out at that hour of the morning, there was a figure, armed with such a weapon.
“Trainee,” she called, leaning on the fence, and Keladry spun her weapon so it rested on its butt end and turned to face her.
“Commander,” she said, her eyes widening slightly in surprise. “Good morning.”
“If you can call it that. Trainee Keladry, what is that?” Buri gestured needlessly to the weapon.
“A glaive, Commander. The Yamanis would call it naginata. Women are trained in its use in the Islands. I learned when I lived there, with my family.”
Buri whistled. “Impressive. When my second in command told me he’d seen someone out here with a polearm, I didn’t believe him. We have no call for long weapons like that – we leave that to the rest.”
Keladry shrugged. “There’s no room in the barracks to practice, and I find the practice helps.”
“Fair enough. So long as you’re still alive for turn out, I can’t say anything.”
On her way back from stables to barracks, Buri paused and watched the youngster twirl the weapon about her body, all grace and neat, fast slices. That’s why she’s not tripping over her own feet at her size, Buri thought, shaking her head. It’s the practice.