***Chapter 37***

*A week later, Lydia had kept Rowley on a strict training regime of strength training, as well as blocks. Now Lydia had to help Rowley put it all together*

Lydia: "Alright Rowley, it is time to combine all eight parts, do strikes one through four."

*Rowley stands side on, right foot forward, doing the movements but now using the elbow and shoulder: strike one; the point going from the top of the back to near his feet, then strike two; keeping the point swinging as it makes its way up to besides his head and down across to the back of the feet. Rowley then stops the blade and turns his wrist for strike three; the point making its way up and across over the head, then sweeping in a circle for strike four; the point travelling from the toes to straight in front, the D-guard handle next to his head, then bringing the handle down so it and the point are straight in front*

Lydia: "Very good, now the four blocks."

*Taking a deep breath, Rowley does as instructed: block one; sword to his left side and guard facing out, sword pointing upwards, then block two; a downwards block where the sword is pointing left and the D-guard is to his right, followed by block three; an overhead block with the guard on his left side and the point towards the right, and finally block four; the D-guard up and the blade aiming downwards*

Lydia: "You learn quickly, that is good. As if it weren't obvious, strike one is followed by block one, strike two is followed by block two and so on. After that we will continue with parries and thrusts, any questions?"

Rowley: "Yes actually; I was wondering why we never use kicks in swordsmanship."

Lydia: "Well if we kick we can have our limbs cut. Adonato and Jensine kick because they aim for the weak points and are good at seeing openings, Fasrin can kick because she can generate blades; as Lilina told me, but we only have low kicks and trapping, but I will cover that in grappling, I need Adonato to teach me dagger techniques."

Rowley: "Ah, alright. Well here we go."

*Lydia draws her sword and stands side on, Rowley mirroring Lydia as she goes through the motions; strike one, block one, strike two, block two, strike three, block three, strike four, block four; repeating this faster each time, smooth and flowing until Rowley flicks the blade down from strike four to block four and the sword slips out of his grip, the straight blade sticking into the ground. Lydia returns her sword to the rest position and sheathing it while Rowley breaths heavily before getting the sword from the ground, wiping it on his pants then sheathing the sabre. They both sit down at the table nearby and drinking chilled water*

Lydia: "You have come along quickly, the D-guard helps to overcome issues."

Rowley: "Yeah, it is quite useful. Um, may I ask something?"

Lydia: "Sure Rowley."

Rowley: "Well, I was wondering when I may get some armour. I just want to get used to it."

Lydia: "It's alright for you to just want things, no need to explain. And I am working on some designs to keep the armour you need while maintaining the agility you need, so it may be a little while yet."

Rowley: "Ah, alright, thank you for that."

Jensine: "This must be Rowley."

*Rowley is startled and looks around before seeing Jensine walk out from behind a tree*

Lydia: "Rowley sit down, this is Jensine. Jensine, as you know, this is Rowley."

Rowley: "Pleasure to meet you."

Jensine: "Pleasure to meet you too, odd sword."

*Rowley draws his sword, holding it loosely*

Rowley: "Yeah, it's really-"

*As Rowley's sword point wanders towards Jensine, she darts forward, grabbing the handle of the sword and sending a palm strike into Rowley's chin, sending him backwards and ripping the sword from his grasp. Jensine tosses the sword to Rowley who catches it*

Jensine: "Don't point that toy towards me, Little One. Lydia, where is Adonato and Lilina? I'll get the message from you later."

Rowley: "I'm not little."

Jensine: "You look quite little from up here."

Lydia: "They are inside; I believe that Lilina has completed your shin guards."

Jensine: "Thank you."

*Jensine smirks at Rowley before disabling the trap and opening the door. Once Jensine swings it open she is met by Fasrin who embraces her in a hug*

Fasrin: "Hey Jensine, It's been a while."

Jensine: "That it has Kofasrin."

Fasrin: "K-K-Ko?"

Lydia: "What does 'Ko' mean?"

Jensine: "It means powerful mage; I learnt that from a Khajiit Caravan. Anyway, let's get inside."

*Jensine and Fasrin walk inside as Rowley gets to his feet, sheathing his sword*

Rowley: "Why did she hit me?"

Lydia: "Hit? You mean tap, if she wanted to hit you, you would not be conscious. But she does not like being threatened."

Rowley: "Felt more like she was establishing dominance."

Lydia: "That too, now get up and practice everything together again. You're going to be busy the next few months."

[The universe and characters of Skyrim belong to Bethesda and associate corporations, the only things owned by my girlfriend and I are the non-lore friendly characters, equipment, and actions that are required for the story to make sense.]