Artemis had been given new clothes since pasha Basadoni didn't want his
guild members to look like beggars. Artemis now had black pants and black
shirt with grey cloak. The clothes were good and Artemis noticed that he
enjoyed having something proper to wear for the first time in many years.
Basadoni had not given any actual tasks to Artemis and he could spend his
time pretty much as he pleased. After the first day Artemis had found his
way to weapon- and practice room. There he met Timothy Colbert.
Timothy was almost middle-aged and tall. He was in charge of teaching the art of fighting to members of Basadoni guild. He was, of course, highly skilled and could effectively use almost any weapon known. He had taught many, more than he could remember, and there had not once been any student that could match his skill.
Artemis was different. He did not only match Timothy's skill but exceeded it. The ability that this young man had was something that Timothy had never witnessed. Especially the way Artemis could learn every move that Timothy showed was incredible. Artemis only needed to see the moves once or twice before he could perfectly do them himself. And not only did he manage do them the way his teacher did, he could also improvise those moves and make them better. This way the lessons were useful to Timothy also.
Timothy knew that he could not teach this man very long, he was not skilled enough. Timothy was not envy to Artemis since he was loyal to the guild and understood his position in it. He was also very proud of the work he did and was always happy to see the skill his students had. It had only been a month since Artemis had joined the guild and started his fighting lessons but there was not much more to be taught. Especially since Timothy fought with one sword. As soon as Timothy had realised this he had went to pasha Basadoni and told this fact. Basadoni was not surprised but pleased instead and had told Timothy to continue his lessons as long as possible.
Artemis easily deflected the strikes that his teacher made. Both men were protected by stone skin spell because of safety reasons. The practice usually lasted for a long time so the spell had to be done again after a period of time. One of the guild wizards did it first but it was usual that LaValle did the needed spell later on. LaValle was not an actual member of the guild, since Basadoni didn't need any more wizards but he had not yet chosen a guild to join in. It would probably be a guild that was allied (or at least in friendly terms) with Basadoni. LaValle was smart enough not to anger the Basadoni guild by joining a hostile guild. Besides, Val Arnelan was a good wizard and had still a lot to teach. Of course the stone skin spell could only take a number of hits and it was quite common that Timothy needed an extra spell before the duration of the spell had ended.
Artemis really enjoyed these lessons. He quickly realised the beauty that his graceful movements created and came almost addicted to the feeling he felt every time he picked up his sword and dagger. The feeling that made his heart beat faster and helped him to forget everything else. Artemis could spend hours and hours in the practice room and he never felt tired or bored.
Timothy was enjoying when he noticed this. He had never had any student this skilled and this determined. The talent Artemis had could not be denied, but Artemis was also eager to learn more. Every morning when Timothy came to the practice room Artemis was already practising alone. Timothy didn't want to interrupt his student but no matter how quietly he came to the room Artemis always noticed it and that way they always started their practice.
After one practice Timothy asked Artemis in his room. The teacher knew that he had done all he could.
"You fight well" Timothy said and sighted. "I cannot teach you much longer. You are already better than I am. I only hope that you use your skill the right way."
Artemis nodded for the compliment. He knew this already but respected his teacher and his effort so he did not say anything.
"There is however at least one more thing that I can still do for you. Your sword is fine, but a warrior of your skill needs something better. The one that you carry is a bit too heavy for your style of fighting and could also be better balanced. "
Artemis examined his sword he had picked from the dead Basadoni-soldier and had to agree.
Timothy paused for a while and opened a wooden chest and picked a peace of garment that obviously held a sword in it. Timothy placed the garment to his desk and unwrapped the sword. It was a short sword and there was also a scabbard for it. The sword looked like any other sword, but one could easily tell that it was made with fine craftsmanship.
"This sword is not magical and it has no special abilities but it is a good sword. I got it from my own teacher and I have used it in battles in the past. It is light and very sharp. I believe it will fit you well. It is my gift for you, for these lessons and for all that you have taught me. Your dagger is also poor, but I cannot help you with that." Timothy continued and handed the sword to Artemis who picked it up and bowed low.
Artemis felt the perfect balance of the sword and knew that this weapon would make him even better fighter.
"Pasha Basadoni wished to see you. I met him yesterday. Perhaps it is time to test your skills in action." Timothy said.
Artemis was ready if that was the case. He placed the sword to his side and shook hands with his teacher. He then left the practice room for the last time.
**** Ok. I am really busy at the moment. But I try to write more( like it or not(). I personally would have wished to write more about Artemis' teacher but I think I can come up with something later on if I get too irritated about this short chapter. ***
Timothy was almost middle-aged and tall. He was in charge of teaching the art of fighting to members of Basadoni guild. He was, of course, highly skilled and could effectively use almost any weapon known. He had taught many, more than he could remember, and there had not once been any student that could match his skill.
Artemis was different. He did not only match Timothy's skill but exceeded it. The ability that this young man had was something that Timothy had never witnessed. Especially the way Artemis could learn every move that Timothy showed was incredible. Artemis only needed to see the moves once or twice before he could perfectly do them himself. And not only did he manage do them the way his teacher did, he could also improvise those moves and make them better. This way the lessons were useful to Timothy also.
Timothy knew that he could not teach this man very long, he was not skilled enough. Timothy was not envy to Artemis since he was loyal to the guild and understood his position in it. He was also very proud of the work he did and was always happy to see the skill his students had. It had only been a month since Artemis had joined the guild and started his fighting lessons but there was not much more to be taught. Especially since Timothy fought with one sword. As soon as Timothy had realised this he had went to pasha Basadoni and told this fact. Basadoni was not surprised but pleased instead and had told Timothy to continue his lessons as long as possible.
Artemis easily deflected the strikes that his teacher made. Both men were protected by stone skin spell because of safety reasons. The practice usually lasted for a long time so the spell had to be done again after a period of time. One of the guild wizards did it first but it was usual that LaValle did the needed spell later on. LaValle was not an actual member of the guild, since Basadoni didn't need any more wizards but he had not yet chosen a guild to join in. It would probably be a guild that was allied (or at least in friendly terms) with Basadoni. LaValle was smart enough not to anger the Basadoni guild by joining a hostile guild. Besides, Val Arnelan was a good wizard and had still a lot to teach. Of course the stone skin spell could only take a number of hits and it was quite common that Timothy needed an extra spell before the duration of the spell had ended.
Artemis really enjoyed these lessons. He quickly realised the beauty that his graceful movements created and came almost addicted to the feeling he felt every time he picked up his sword and dagger. The feeling that made his heart beat faster and helped him to forget everything else. Artemis could spend hours and hours in the practice room and he never felt tired or bored.
Timothy was enjoying when he noticed this. He had never had any student this skilled and this determined. The talent Artemis had could not be denied, but Artemis was also eager to learn more. Every morning when Timothy came to the practice room Artemis was already practising alone. Timothy didn't want to interrupt his student but no matter how quietly he came to the room Artemis always noticed it and that way they always started their practice.
After one practice Timothy asked Artemis in his room. The teacher knew that he had done all he could.
"You fight well" Timothy said and sighted. "I cannot teach you much longer. You are already better than I am. I only hope that you use your skill the right way."
Artemis nodded for the compliment. He knew this already but respected his teacher and his effort so he did not say anything.
"There is however at least one more thing that I can still do for you. Your sword is fine, but a warrior of your skill needs something better. The one that you carry is a bit too heavy for your style of fighting and could also be better balanced. "
Artemis examined his sword he had picked from the dead Basadoni-soldier and had to agree.
Timothy paused for a while and opened a wooden chest and picked a peace of garment that obviously held a sword in it. Timothy placed the garment to his desk and unwrapped the sword. It was a short sword and there was also a scabbard for it. The sword looked like any other sword, but one could easily tell that it was made with fine craftsmanship.
"This sword is not magical and it has no special abilities but it is a good sword. I got it from my own teacher and I have used it in battles in the past. It is light and very sharp. I believe it will fit you well. It is my gift for you, for these lessons and for all that you have taught me. Your dagger is also poor, but I cannot help you with that." Timothy continued and handed the sword to Artemis who picked it up and bowed low.
Artemis felt the perfect balance of the sword and knew that this weapon would make him even better fighter.
"Pasha Basadoni wished to see you. I met him yesterday. Perhaps it is time to test your skills in action." Timothy said.
Artemis was ready if that was the case. He placed the sword to his side and shook hands with his teacher. He then left the practice room for the last time.
**** Ok. I am really busy at the moment. But I try to write more( like it or not(). I personally would have wished to write more about Artemis' teacher but I think I can come up with something later on if I get too irritated about this short chapter. ***