Mark of the Weapons Master (ANY) [7.21.2707]

[Kendrall]

It was nearing the rainy season, and although he was looking forward to relief from the heat, he also knew he wouldn't have much time to get his latest project built. He'd spent the last several days sketching some drawings on various scraps of hide using a charcoal stick, schematics that featured a quintain for target practice and an obstacle course similar to what he'd seen back home at Nova Hold. The quintain was nothing more than a post with a revolving crosspiece; one end had a shield or target, on the other was a heavy sandbag. The exercise was simple: hit the target and avoid being pelted by the sandbag, then attempt to spin the crosspiece in the opposite direction, and switch again. G'rett had practiced on an identical quintain while growing up, and he wanted to duplicate the experience for the latest batch of Candidates and Weyrlings.

The other sketch was an obstacle course, or what some of the guards referred to as a 'confidence course'. Two poles stood on either end of a body of water, over which a rope was suspended. Further along was a large rope net, suspended high in the air, connected to a horizontal frame. That lead to a narrow set of platforms, forcing the soldier to maintain his balance as he tried to cross as quickly as possible. Finally, crawl over another beam and shimmy down a rope. Several smaller poles were set into the ground at equal distances in a row, suggesting one had to weave in between them. G'rett was fairly certain he'd have to change the order of the obstacles somewhat, but his main worry was the rope crossing. He honestly didn't know how he could stretch a rope over the entire width of the lake.

Sighing, he closed his eyes and rubbed his eyelids with a free hand. Normally the responsibility of physical training would fall to the Candidate Master or the Weyrlingmaster. A conversation with Quindara last month revealed there wasn't much in the way of that, which bothered the Wingleader. While it was a given Nova Weyr was the only Weyr on the entire continent, G'rett heard stories about how one of the Holds under its protection had always bristled whenever a Searchrider came to visit. It didn't set well with him, and he feared an uprising would happen sooner or later.

That led to another issue altogether. As far as he knew, there were only two people in the entire Weyr who were sufficiently trained in any form of melee combat: himself and Arktos. G'rett had fashioned a sword of his own design before coming to Nova Weyr, forged by his own hand. The long dagger he had ever since he was a boy, and he worked hard to become highly trained in the art of wielding two weapons at once. Spending time with the guards back home allowed him additional proficiencies with the longbow and quarterstaff, all of which G'rett wanted to present his ideas to the rest of the Leadership at some point.

There was only one problem. He had no idea when he'd be granted an audience with them.

[sorra]

Treoth laid on his ledge and watched what G'rett was doing. The brown always liked to see what was going on. And without any weyrlings yet the brown didn't have much else to do. Normally he was helping his rider keep a close eye on the weyrlings. He turned his head when he caught sight of G'fal. To him it looked like his rider was headed toward G'rett.

In all honesty though G'fal had really only been passing by. But when he caught sight of G'rett he was curious to know what the young Wingleader was up to. He looked like he was deep in thought. The Weyrling Master wasn't in a great hurry, so he changed directions and headed over toward G'rett.

"Good morning, Wingleader G'rett!" he called cheerily. He didn't want to scare the poor man by not announcing his presence. Especially when he wasn't sure exactly what G'rett was up to.

[Kendrall]

G'rett looked up and smiled. "G'fal. Good morning to you as well." Setting down his charcoal stick and hide, he stood up. He started to say something, but hesitated as if searching for the right words. "I've been thinking about how we can improve the training for the Weyrlings. Possibly the Candidates as well. But since you're here..." G'rett reached down and grabbed the drawings, then stood next to the Weyrling Master before explaining. "This is a quintain we can use for melee practice. It's nothing more than a simple wooden post with a revolving crosspiece; one end has a target, while the other bears a heavy sandbag. It's a simple exercise. Hit the target and avoid the sandbag, then attempt to spin the crosspiece in the opposite direction, and switch again."

"This other sketch is an obstacle course, similar to what I've seen back at Nova. So far the only snag I've run into is where to stretch the rope for the water crossing exercise." G'rett pointed to the lake. "If there's a narrow inlet we can find, that should help. But the water will need to be deep enough to avoid any serious injuries, but shallow enough to avoid drowning."

[sorra]

G'fal smiled at the younger man. He had always gotten along rather well with G'rett and it seemed like he was growing into quite a good rider. "To help improve the weyrling training?" he asked curiously. The Weyrling Master was always up for helping the weyrlings even more. They were like his children and he wanted to make sure they got the best possible training they could get. He didn't want to chance losing any of them to poor training. G'fal studied the sketches G'rett had made. "Hmm, that looks interesting. I could see how the melee practice could help them with their balance. And balance you definitely need to be a rider. We can't have them falling off their dragons."

Treoth studied the drawings through G'fal's eyes. An obstacle course! I like! That would be great fun for the young ones. Teach them trust, the brown said.

G'fal chuckled. "Treoth likes your idea for the obstacle course. He says it would teach the weyrlings how to trust their dragons and vice a verse a." His brown surprised him at times. He just never knew what Treoth was going to say. G'fal looked out over the lake. "Hmm, we'll have to look into that a bit more and see what we can come up with."

[Kendrall]

G'rett nodded slowly as G'fal studied the drawings, seeming to agree with the younger man's assessments so far. True, the quintain would help with maintaining one's balance, but that wasn't quite what the Wingleader was wanting to accomplish. But the confidence course would do exactly just as he wanted, and it seemed the other man and his Brown were thinking along the same lines.

"I'm pretty sure all of this will help, and while I welcome your comments, I'd like to get with Arktos to hear his input." Fortunately, G'rett had managed to work things out with the Candidate Master as of late, but now he wanted to know what the man would say regarding the suggested training improvements. "If nothing else, both the Weyrlings and Candidates could really benefit from what I have in mind."

[sorra]

G'fal continued to study the drawings. It all made sense to him. Anything to help the weyrlings and candidates was a good thing. Treoth rumbled his agreement. G'fal just hoped that none of them actually ever had use their training on how to use a sword and knife properly. They couldn't risk losing any riders.

The Weyrling Master nodded. "I'll see if I can think of anything. And yes, I'm sure Arktos would appreciate being shown these." Of course he knew nothing about the relationship between Kiyoni and Arktos and G'rett. Sure, he'd known about the flight, but that was about it. "I'm sure it will be a big help to the younger ones," he said. "And help refresh us old riders' minds as well," he chuckled.

[Kendrall]

"Any suggestions you can think of to improve the training would be welcomed, G'fal," G'rett replied. "As long as we can achieve an improved efficiency, I think it'll go well for everyone involved. Which reminds me, are we still teaching the unarmed combat and close quarter classes? I know most of the Weyrlings went through it at one point - myself included - but you may or may not recall how much of my free time I spent practicing with my own blades. I'm sure if we can agree on the safety measures, we can start teaching the Weyrlings on the proper use of the sword."

"I know dueling has been forbidden for about as long as I've been in the Weyr, mostly because of the risks involved to everyone. But I honestly believe with the right precautions, we should be able to pull this off. And it won't just teaching the longsword, either. Back at Nova, the guards taught me a thing or two on how to use the quarterstaff and longbow. I admit I may not be the most skilled in either category, but I'd be willing to bet a fair number of marks I've had more training than anyone else around here." G'rett had to shake his head over that one. He was almost positive he could do this successfully, if he convinced the right people. G'fal was only one of the key people he had to talk to. Arktos was another. G'rett wasn't sure if he had to discuss this with Cybele or Q'del, but he wouldn't be afraid to go to either of them.

[sorra]

The Weyrling Master nodded. "I'll think about it and see if I can think of anything else. Right now your sketches look very well thought out." G'fal shook his head a little. "Just the basics. I'm sure I don't teach as much as we used to," he admitted. He himself wasn't real profecient with a long blade. He could use his belt knife from being a Tanner and then a rider his whole life, but that was about it.

"hmm, I can see what you mean," he agreed. G'fal smiled a bit. "Oh, I remember seeing you practice out of class and I'm sure you're right. You would know more then most of us. If you get the okay from everyone else you have mine and I'll help in any way I can," he assured the young bronze rider.

[Kendrall]

"Thanks, G'fal," G'rett said, clasping the other man's forearm with his right hand. "I'll have to go over this with Arktos when he isn't busy teaching the Candidates. Just let me know if you come up with any alternatives and we'll try to get them worked in." He had to frown but nodded respectfully when it was mentioned nothing had really changed involving the unarmed and close quarters combat classes. Quindara had been right on the money, and G'rett felt it was time to rectify what he perceived to be a glaring error.

He released G'fal's forearm, then looked up in the direction of Arktos' weyr. Sighing, he picked up the hide then started to head back to his own quarters. Coth, let Arktos know I wish to meet with him at his convenience about making some changes to the training regimen. Either in my quarters or his. Just make sure he isn't busy. G'rett heard a mental grumble, as if the Bronze had been sleeping. Come on, sleepyhead, he mentally teased his dragon, but couldn't keep the grin off his face. This is important. I'll make it up to you.

...Very well, G'rett, came the sleepy but half-resigned, half-annoyed reply. Arkysk. Mine would like to speak with Yours at his convenience, when he is free. Mine wants to discuss some training improvements.[/i][/color]

[sorra]

"Anytime young man," G'fal smiled, clasping G'rett's arm back. "I will let you know if I think of anything." The Weyrling Master backed up. He could tell G'rett still had a lot on his mind. "I'll shall talk to you later then.

The brown rider turned and headed for his weyr. He could tell from the annoying prodding in his head that Treoth had a few things that he wanted to suggest and G'fal knew he'd be in for an ear full.

[Kit]

Arkysk was startled out of sleep by a message. Mine, Coth's wants to speak with you, at your convenience, the wher reported drowsily, struggling a bit with the word convenience. It was a rather big word.

Arktos wondered what G'rett could want. Now that Quindara was out of his hands, he couldn't fathom what the two men really had to talk about. He didn't dislike the bronzerider, but seeing him was just a reminder of something he and Kiyoni could never share. It still hurt a little. But it wasn't as if he could claim he had anything better to do. All but a very few of the Candidates had Impressed, and they were at lunch now. He'd given them a sevenday off of lessons to recover their spirits. "Well, tell him to come to the office then."

The wher reported this news to Coth before dropping directly back to sleep. Meanwhile, Forge, who'd been woken from his own nap by Akrysk's movement, fluttered over to the desk where his pet was sitting and nuzzled his face. The man stroked his bronze back idly.

[Kendrall]

Arkysk's says to meet him in his office,[/color] came the reply from Coth. G'rett nodded, already halfway to his destination. It only took him a few minutes longer, but he finally reached Arktos' weyr and knocked on the doorjamb to announce his arrival. Pausing for a few moments, he entered and walked over to where the Candidate Master was sitting before spreading out the schematics he drew earlier. "I've been doing some thinking," G'rett started. "I'd like to see some improvements to the overall training for Candidates and Weyrlings both."

[Kit]

Well, that was somewhat unexpected. "Oh?" Arktos replied with a raised eyebrow, glancing over the schematics on his desk. He tried, and mostly succeeded, not to bristle at the suggestion that his training plan needed improved. After all, it had been very successful to date. Not only did most of his Candidates Impress, but in the past five turns that he had been Candidate Master, fewer weyrlings had died during training as well. He was rather proud of his record.

"So, you want them to have more combat training, I see," he said indicating the quintain. "The weyr has been loathe to import any more of such training into the Candidate or weyrling program. They don't want to be seen as violent, it might worry the holders, they say. I personally think that with our history, there's no harm in being prepared, but I've never had support of the weyr leadership."

[Kendrall]

G'rett didn't flinch when Arktos bristled a little at his suggestions. It was a private victory for the Wingleader, pointing out the fact there was always room for improvements. But he had to clarify somewhat when the Candidate Master expressed his concern over the combat training. "I agree there is no harm in being prepared, Arktos. But I would disagree with you on having the Holders view us as violent. Even though we are the only Weyr on the entire continent, we have only one threat so far, and that's the threat of tunnelsnakes. Yet I keep hearing reports from the Searchriders about how they're treated when they head to Forest's Edge on Search. My fear is Deladil will go too far and harm one of our Riders. The last thing any of us need is to have an uprising on our hands."

He pointed to the drawing of the quintain. "This could be used for many purposes, and not just with the sword and dagger. This could also be used for training with the quarterstaff. Longbow training, we'd need to set up an archery range." G'rett then pointed at the drawing of the obstacle course. "The confidence course is more for physical training, but it should do the very thing it's designed for, to inspire Candidates and Weyrlings alike to find the courage and confidence they need to meet any challenge head-on." He took a step back, then spread out his hands. "I've already spoken with G'fal and he's in favor of this provided I get the go-ahead from everyone else. He's also agreed to help think of additional training methods for the Weyrlings. But I'd like to present my ideas to the rest of the Leadership at some point. Perhaps between the three of us; myself, you, and G'fal, we should be able to come to an agreement of sorts with the rest of the leadership."

[Kit]

"I'm not disagreeing with you. I do not give a shell whether the Holders fear us or not. In fact, I'd rather like them to fear us a little more, for just the reasons you suggested. Although, I'd say Deladil much too much of drunkard to worry about.. there are others..." He'd always thought that Mariusdara could use looking after, but she had children at the weyr, but there was Haidalon... Arktos shook his head to stop his woolgathering.

"We already have archery targets, actually. For whatever reason, its always been tradition to teach archery to goldriders. Perhaps in case of flamethrouwer failure," he said with a shrug. "Anyway, the targets are in storage, but that's neither here nor there. Cybele never agreed with any of my pans for combat training, and J'nel especially did not. His father was killed in a duel. Once the Weyrleadership changes, perhaps you'll have a better chance. But I have a temporary solution. You could give an optional class, for now, for Candidates and weyrlings, that I would allow them to go to, maybe a few days a week, instead of their craft lessons. And they won't be at the weyr, I know of a better place to build your obstacle course. I can show you if you like."