Hello people, and welcome back to Frozen: Lords of Storm and Stone. Like His Lordship said, let's put the new stuff to use.
After they got their new equipment, Sigmund took the group to the training grounds, where some troops were currently practicing with spears and shields. Some were striking dummies made of straw and scrap wood, while other were bashing with the flats and edges of their shields. The bashes were meant to knock their targets around, or knock them back, while the edge bashes were meant to cause harm.
Thanks to the steel casing granted by Lord Sigmund himself, their shields took little to no damage from even the fiercest of blows. Even the edge strikes mostly just received a minor scratch at worst, and somehow the shields didn't weigh the troops down. Granted the wooden core was thin, and weighed little, but even a steel coating should have slowed them down somewhat...but not even that.
Kristoff immediately joined in, and he immediately shined with his vastly superior physique making the use of his shield even easier for him than it did for the others. Captain Lars needed to give him an occasional hint on how not to stand, or a warning to try not to break the dummies; Kristoff was more than strong enough to do so. Handling the spear and shield wasn't even a botheration for Kristoff thanks to the conditioning all those years he spent ice harvesting.
Regardless...he learned the hard way that it took more than strength to handle weaponry, even if it was as simple as a spear. His thrusts were quick and powerful, but lacked refinement; in a real scenario, his foes were not going to stand there and let him hit them. The real problem was that Kristoff was nowhere near aggressive enough; thrusting one time with a spear is different from doing so multiple times in one second. Speed and power were only two pieces of the puzzle, accuracy and frequency were also part of it.
He then put down the shield and tried using a spear with both hands, which was easier, but thanks to the absence of his shield, meant he was sacrificing defense. Considering that a shield protects not only the user, but the people behind the user, and next to them for that matter...that was not an acceptable loss in any way, shape, or form. The range of a spear made the defense of a shield not entirely necessary, afterall if an enemy couldn't reach you, they can't hit you.
In the meantime, Anna and Elsa went with Sigmund back to his fortress, to the room he practiced in, with all three of them wearing their respective armors.
"So now what?" Anna asked.
"You...are going to show me how good you are with a blade." Sigmund said as he removed his cloak.
"O...k..." Anna trailed off.
"Don't worry, the only thing I have in mind is you attacking me, while I stand my ground and keep you from hitting me." Sigmund said.
"Then I should probably get rid of this armor." Anna said.
"I don't advise it." Sigmund said.
"Why?" Anna asked.
"Armor takes getting used to; the more you do while wearing it, the more you'll get out of it. Besides, I can adjust it with my magic if need-be." Sigmund said.
"Good point. Let's do this." Anna said while pointing her sword at Sigmund. He then removed his flattened helmet from his breastplate, formed its proper shape, then put it on his head. He then held his sword up with both hands on the handle, and Elsa stepped back to give them more space. The two sisters then shared a glance, with Elsa nodding at Anna, and Sigmund kept his gaze on Anna the entire time.
Anna then stepped forward quickly, but Sigmund wasn't phased; he knew her sudden movement was meant to cause a flinch. Anna then lunged forward to hit his chest, but Sigmund deflected her thrust, and Anna moved back. She couldn't help but notice that Sigmund focused the power of his movement on the handle instead of the blade of his sword, which made sense considering that the bottom half of his blade was what deflected her strike, and it was a much simpler movement.
Anna then lunged forward again, and swung to his side, but Sigmund blocked her strike, and her swing to his other side had just as much luck. She then struck to his other side again, and when he blocked, Anna went for his leg...but Sigmund moved his leg to the side, and put his blade at her neck. Anna's eyes immediately widened; not only was she not expecting him to attack her...but he was faster than she thought possible.
"Never go for the legs. You leave yourself wide open for counterattacks, unless you're already ducking, or on the ground, in which case, going for the legs is likely your only option." Sigmund said.
"Noted..." Anna breathed out before Sigmund lowered his blade.
"I'm sorry for breaking my word by attacking you, but the more lessons you learn, and the sooner you learn them, the better." Sigmund said.
"I get it." Anna said.
"Good...shall we continue?" Sigmund asked.
"Yes...we shall." Anna said before pointing her sword at him, then lunging at him, only for her thrust to be deflected again. She then continuously thrusted at her fully-armored opponent, which each strike having limited success, if any. She then ducked and thrusted at Sigmund's leg, but he only moved his leg back, and Anna moved backwards...but Sigmund didn't attack her this time.
It was clear the Sigmund's experience and discipline was as potent as ever; Anna didn't forget the time Sigmund tested Elsa's magic against his own. Apparently he was just as good with a sword, at least when it came to his defense. Elsa had seen what Sigmund could do with a sword when on the offense, and told Anna before while they were helping to build up the valley's infrastructure...but seeing it first hand was a different story entirely.
Nonetheless, Anna was not intimidated enough to give up, despite her increased breathing and heartrate. It was impossible to see Sigmund's face thanks to his helmet but he simply stood there as motionless as ever the entire time. The suspense then broke as Anna lunged forward, but then moved to the side...and Sigmund was still able to deflect her thrust.
Elsa noted how frustrated Anna was getting; she just pulled a surprise attack on Sigmund, but he was still able to keep up with her. It was as if Sigmund could see the future and prepare accordingly; how often had he seen attacks like this to have a plan for them. Anna then started moving around Sigmund, and thrusted at him repeated...and now Sigmund wasn't just deflecting her attacks, he was moving away from her. Anna then pressed her assault, sometimes by moving her sword forward quickly enough to make Sigmund think she was going to attack him, then when he moved to stop her attack, she thrusted at him for real while aiming at another part of his armor.
Eventually, she was finally able to put the tip of her sword on his collar, then Sigmund lowered his blade and took his helmet off.
"I'm quite impressed Anna. Whatever training you went through before is going to carry you further than I thought." He said.
"Thanks." Anna said.
"I also must confess I didn't take you seriously; I assumed your lack of experience would make whatever training you had suffer, but you have shown a lack of a serious flaw, and demonstrated one of the least common, yet most powerful tactics one can use in combat." Sigmund said.
"What do you mean?" Anna asked.
"First, when you were getting frustrated with my defenses, you could have easily abandoned your senses and attack me relentlessly, without regard for your safety, and I have too often seen. But you didn't; you channeled your aggression, and used it to test my defenses until you finally got past them." Sigmund said.
"I take it that's not very common?" Anna asked.
"Technically it is, but it takes quite a bit of mental conditioning, which you already have from the look of it." Sigmund said.
"Speaking of things that aren't common, what tactic did you refer to?" Elsa asked.
"She fooled me into thinking she would attack me in one manner, only to change her movement into another at the last moment. In combat, if that is done correctly...the results are devastating for whomever is on the receiving end." Sigmund said.
"That doesn't sound fair either." Anna said.
"By it's very nature...war is not fair, it never has been, and never will be." Sigmund said.
"Right..." Anna whispered.
"Am I correct in assuming that this mental conditioning I spoke of has to do with the dangers you faced in the past?" Sigmund asked, and Anna took a moment to think.
"Now that you mention it...that does make sense." She said.
"Has...the person who trained you...?" Sigmund trailed off.
"General Matthias?" Anna asked.
"General Matthias, thank you. Has he trained you mentally as well?" Sigmund asked.
"Does him not going easy on me count?" Anna asked.
"I suppose so, but I meant has he shared any wisdom in regards to how fear or rage can be controlled, or at least weakened?" Sigmund asked.
"Nothing like that." Anna said.
"I see..." Sigmund trailed off.
"What do you say on the matter?" Elsa asked.
"Only that fear is a self-fulfilling prophesy; if you fear something will go wrong, it most likely will." Sigmund said, and Elsa sighed.
"You could not be more right about that..." She breathed out.
"Elsa..." Anna said.
"I got over it a long time ago Anna, don't worry about me." Elsa said.
"As for rage...well, that depends." Sigmund said.
"On?" Anna asked.
"If it's based on something selfish." Sigmund said.
"What about this duel? I was angry because I wasn't getting anywhere." Anna said.
"But you used it instead of it using you. In other words: it didn't get the better of you, and you remained in control up to the end. That is no small feat." Sigmund said seriously.
"I know." Anna said.
"So what now?" Elsa asked.
"Are you ready for more Anna?" Sigmund asked.
"I think so." Anna said.
"Then how is your defense?" Sigmund asked seriously while putting his helmet back on...and Elsa's eyes widened; that was the same thing he said to her when he attacked her during the demonstration of their magics.
"Anna...?" Elsa breathed out, before Anna raised her sword.
"I've got this..." Anna said before Sigmund held his sword out to his side, then moved toward Anna. She stood her ground, and put her sword in the way as Sigmund swung his at her. His strike pushed her sword back to her face, but she was able to deflect Sigmund's strike at the last moment, and moved away from him as well. Sigmund then swung at her again, and Anna ducked, and moved around him...then ducked again as Sigmund turned the opposite direction and swung at her again.
Anna then retreated to the other side of the area, and stood there catching her breath as Sigmund lowered his blade and looked her over.
"Moving away from a superior force instead of facing them toe-to-toe is a wise maneuver." Sigmund said.
"It's also kind of ironic since you said someone's fears are self-fulfilling." Anna said.
"That's correct, but caution is another story entirely. Courage may be fear's enemy, but courage without wisdom can kill you as quickly as any sword. Which is precisely why controlling rage is so vital." Sigmund said.
"But not every stupid action is caused by rage." Anna said seriously.
"That is also true..." Sigmund said before raising his sword and marching toward Anna, who readied herself once her opponent started moving. Once Sigmund got close enough, he swung at Anna, then she ducked, and thrusted at his leg...and her hit landed. Sigmund then knelt, removed his helmet, looked at his shinguard, and ran his finger along the area struck.
"Are you hurt?" Anna asked.
"No, but if it weren't for his armor, my leg would be useless." Sigmund said.
"Is it o.k. that I attacked you back?" Anna asked before Sigmund stood up.
"Yes, the best defense is a good offense, and the same is true for the other way around." He said.
"So...that's it?" Anna asked.
"For now, but things will be more difficult from this point forward." Sigmund said.
"Right." Anna said.
"It's also comforting to see you taking my words to heart when I said ducking and striking the legs is acceptable." Sigmund said.
"Alright." Anna said.
"There's more to talk about, but we can discuss it later after dinner." Sigmund said.
"Speaking of which, Kristoff should be back by now." Elsa said.
"Then let's go find him and eat." Sigmund said before the trio left the room.
When they reached the barracks, Kristoff was sitting down with his spear and shield next to him.
"Kristoff!" Anna exclaimed before running towards him.
"Anna?" Kristoff asked, before Anna threw her arms around him, and he returned the embrace.
"How did it go?" Anna asked.
"Not bad for a first time." Kristoff said.
"We did some pretty serious training ourselves." Anna said.
"May I ask?" Kristoff asked.
"Oh, Sigmund showed off his defenses, he shared...alot of tips with me, and I had to dance circles around him while he went after me, then it ended with me hitting his leg. Don't worry, we were both wearing armor; he's fine." Anna said.
"I would hope so." Kristoff said.
"There is plenty more to explain, and to do in the future, but all of it can wait." Sigmund said.
"Right, now we eat. I'm starving." Anna said casually, and Elsa snickered before they went to eat dinner at Gunjar's kitchen.
When they were done, they went back to the fortress, and stopped in Sigmund's throne room.
"You know, Sigmund? I couldn't help but notice alot of the shields had steel on them." Kristoff said.
"I'm sure you felt the difference yourself." Sigmund said.
"I know steel makes them harder to break, but..." Kristoff trailed.
"I am a fairly wealthy man, but wooden shields are easier to make, and the easier it is to make, the more of them can be made, and in less time. These days my good sir...there is no such thing as too many arms." Sigmund said.
"Alright." Kristoff said.
"Did you have too much trouble?" Sigmund asked.
"Well...let's just say using a spear is harder than I thought." Kristoff said.
"This was your first time. Don't be so hard on yourself." Anna said.
"I'm not, but still...I had to ditch my shield at one point." Kristoff said.
"Then master using a spear with both hands first, then use a shield." Sigmund said.
"My thoughts exactly." Kristoff said.
"Also Kristoff...you have a sword of your own do you not?" Sigmund asked.
"I do, why?" Kristoff asked.
"Because you can train me myself and Anna in the future, and Elsa as well if she wishes?" Sigmund said.
"That would probably be best." Elsa said.
"You could also test each other again. I mean...you could maybe compare how each other uses magic, and maybe come up with something new?" Anna said.
"An excellent plan Anna." Sigmund said.
"What about weapon use?" Kristoff asked.
"All three of you could help me with that." Elsa said.
"Really?" Anna asked.
"Kristoff uses a spear and shield, you and Sigmund used swords earlier..." Elsa trailed off.
"I also have my ice axe, if that counts for anything." Kristoff said.
"Actually...that's quite noteworthy. You Kristoff have that spear, as well as your sword, and ice axe...that's two back-up weapons. Although I do advise that dagger and javelin use is added to your list of skills in the future. The more you become versed in, the more likely things are to work in your favor." Sigmund said seriously.
"Shouldn't be a problem...even though my armor took more getting used to than I thought." Kristoff said.
"Again: it was your first time." Anna said.
"I know." Kristoff said.
"And Sigmund? Did you coat all of the shields with steel yourself?" Elsa asked.
"Not all of them, but I did what I could." Sigmund said.
"What about the way you use your sword? I've never seen that before." Elsa said.
"That...is a long story..." Sigmund trailed off.
"Well, can it wait for some other time? I'm getting tired." Anna said.
"Me too." Kristoff said.
"Then I wish all of you a good night." Sigmund said before going into his war room and looking over the map.
"Aren't you tired?" Anna asked.
"Not as much as the rest of you; I confess I have more somewhat lax with my duties as of late. I do have some minor catching up to do as a result." Sigmund said.
"Do you need some help?" Elsa asked.
"I suppose it wouldn't hurt." Sigmund said and Elsa walked over to him.
"Well...good night both of you." Anna said.
"Good night." Elsa said as Anna and Kristoff left for their room.
When they got to their room, Anna and Kristoff immediately changed into their bed clothes, and Olaf jumped out of the closet.
"Surprise!" He exclaimed, and both Anna and Kristoff recoiled.
"Olaf!" They exclaimed at the same time as Anna hugged Olaf.
"Got you didn't I?" Olaf asked casually.
"Yep, you got us good." Kristoff said.
"Sorry we left you alone." Anna said, and Kristoff facepalmed.
"Sven! I've left him alone all day!" He exclaimed.
"Relax, we can do something with him tomorrow." Anna said softly.
"I guess..." Kristoff trailed off before laying down and deflating.
"He doesn't look very happy..." Olaf whispered.
"No...he doesn't..." Anna trailed off.
"I can hear every word you're saying..." Kristoff groaned before Anna climbed on top of him.
"What's the matter?" Anna asked.
"It's just...nevermind that we're in the middle of a war, I took up that spear and shield with the hopes of being able to protect not only you, but whoever else might be there with me, and seeing everyone else not struggle at all, while I was struggling quite a bit? Not funny..." Kristoff said seriously.
"Kristoff..." Anna said.
"I know, I know! It's my first day, and I shouldn't be hard on myself, well...it's kind of embarrassing to be around others who were having less trouble than me." Kristoff said.
"I was going to say that Sigmund told me that fear is a self-fulfilling prophesy. You're scared that someone might need your protection, and you'll fail them...well, that's not the Kristoff I know. Me, Sigmund, Elsa...and Sven, we all trust you, and why shouldn't we?" Anna said, before Kristoff finally saw her smiling, then returned it.
"Thanks..." He whispered before Anna kissed him deeply, then Kristoff wrapped his arms around her.
"And I don't just trust you...I love you." Anna said.
"I...kind of figured that." Kristoff said casually before Anna giggled.
"Let's get some sleep. Sigmund said he's going to make things harder later on, and I trust him too." Anna said.
"So do I." Kristoff said.
"And so do I! Wait, trust him with what?" Olaf asked.
"Just go to sleep Olaf." Anna said casually before snuggling into Kristoff's side.
Hell of a first day at Boot Camp eh? I'm joking of course but still. Anyway, things will get more intense...not going to say how though, so please Rate, Review, and Share until then. Stay tuned.