The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
The Story of Octavian
Yokuhi Sword Training
It was sunset, or it had been moments ago. I awoke ready, and feeling incredible. I walked out to the courtyard and felt the cold, crisp air on my face. I watched the newly appointed Liutenant, Baurus, and another Blade step into a small square and spar. Baurus fought well, using a strange style. He quickly and decisively beat his opponent, they bowed respectfully, and I intercepted Baurus on his way out.
"A liutenant!" I said, patting him on the back, "good to see your life's moving."
"Good to see you still have one!" He said, totally undaunted by what I was. It seemed that he had figured out that I meant no harm.
"What was that you were doing there? I've never seen a sword wielded that way."
"It's an old Yokuhi style. My father was a Blade in service to the Imperial Interests in Hammerfell. He perfected the use of a katana with the it, and taught me all he knew before he died during the Warp in the West."
"Think you could teach me a little?"
"Sure, anything for a friend."
We walked back to the sparring area and he drew his sword, holding it backwards, the hilt forward and blade back.
"Now hold the blade like this," he said, and I did it.
"Okay, now the key is to sweep up and across the chest, or to spin it twice and switch it from right, to left, then back."
He demonstrated, and I tried it. He continued to teach me techniques before I told him that I'd soon have to leave. Before I turned to go, he said, "maybe you could show me how your style matches it?"
That was a challenge, a playful one, but one nonetheless. "So, my dual swords against the Yokuhi? All right," I said, turning and drawing both, "let's play."
We both prepared ourselves, and he jumped at me, swinging his sword over his shoulder, switching hands, and coming around. I lifted one sword, then attempted a counter with another. His sword was perfectly placed, he caught both of mine on his, and shoved them aside and kicked. I spun backwards in the air, and noticed a slight crowd drawing, growing steadily bigger. I thought to myself: "I'd better give them a show."
I ran forward and jumped myself, flipping over in the air, and coming down with a crash. He dodged left and blocked the one blade he was in range of. I kicked, but he just shrugged it off and charged with a cry. He'd noticed them too. He came with the ferocity of a lion, and swung across. I blocked it, and spun, trying to land a hit with my hilt. He blocked my arm with his, and slammed with his left onto my chest. I jumped back, honestly a little winded. Baurus was a lion! He ran at me again, this time trying a low strike. I jumped over it and gave him a tap on his helmet with the blunt side of the blade. He jumped back and was open, so I ran forward and held my blades to his neck.
"You win, I concede. You'll have to teach me that sometime."
Just then, Martin and Jauffre walked up, having seen the whole thing. Martin was wide-eyed with awe, he'd clearly not seen that kind of sword skill before.
Jauffre was also impressed. "Baurus has always been a fierce fighter, but you still managed to beat him. I'm amazed! I'm glad you're on our side!" But then he added, "Now you should be getting down to Bruma, you don't have forever, you know."
He was right, and it was time for me to leave. I bowed respectfully to Baurus, and left through the main gate towards the city.
