A Conversation Between Swordsmen {Rhydian}

[Thimryl]

5th of Ash, Year 124, A.o.S

➸ Nerves and excitement filled the young soldier as he paced around the training ground. As Prince Rhydian had suggested, he sent in an inquiry to spar with the prince, and to his surprise he was given a response. The location was one of the training grounds used by the many military companies within the Sol'valen military. Thimryl had arrived early, and as his nerves began to engulf and devour him, he decided he would do what he normally did and practice.

Calming his nerves the best he could, he went back to the time when his mother was teaching him how to use a sword, remembering that feeling of holding one for the first time. He could hear his mother explaining how to go about training in this particular weapon. Thimryl took what he learned at that moment of his life, and applied it to his practice. First came some easy moves, first swinging the blade from right to left, up and down, which would allow him to be able to hit enemies from all sides, adding his own special flare to it.

He figured a light warm up before the real practice would be good for him, but keeping in mind that he didn't want to tucker himself out before the prince arrived. He had embarrassed himself once already this season, he didn't want to go through that again. He would move into some other moves his mother taught him, imagining facing an imaginary opponent. He could hear her time old lesson that if one unsheaths their sword then a life is to be taken. It was a necessary philosophy when it came to protecting the innocent. He doubted that he would however be any form of a worthy challenge for the seasoned swordsman. ➸

"Common Speech"
"Mythrasi Speech"
"Self-Thoughts"

[Rhydian SolKor]

Without knowing much about the petitioner seeking his time and attention, Prince Rhydian only slated half an hour for Thimryl. He made enquiries after the bold boy who’d made such a mark on the royal pavilion when he’d blustered in, but nothing of any particular note had struck him as warranting refusal of his request. Moreover, he felt rather badly for the youth. He’d gone from placing in the race to embarrassing himself in front of the bulk of the royal court of Sol’Valen along with illustrious guests both foreign and domestic, such as Rhydian’s own mother and the self-proclaimed ambassador of the ocean. A catty one, that Lord Tyrann. Though he’d never phonated the nickname, he inwardly dubbed him The Catfish.

Rhydian’s limited largesse was respectful, if not copious. He may not have offered hours of his day, but he was at least a bit early to arrive. Early was on-time for Rhydian, and so he appeared five minutes prior to the designated start-time. Unnoticed, at first, he stood by and observed in silence as the stranger went through his motions. He took mental notes of familiar techniques exploited; the faults in form as well as the better executed moves.

He would remain silently observant until Thimyrl marked his arrival, at which point he quickly spoke lest, in his surprise, Thimryl made another social faux pas and addressed him first.

“Len’Lavian.” He said, tilting his head. “Be at your ease and speak on what you hope to achieve with this meeting, that we might be expedient in the endeavour.”

[Thimryl]

➸ He was going through the motions he knew well enough to be considered somewhat skilled with a blade, but it paled in comparison to the Prince. Part of him was a bit envious of the royals. Born into greatness and given everything one could ever wish for. Part of him was envious, but the other part somewhat felt bad for most Royals. There must have been enormous and copious amounts of pressure to be great and live up to the standards and pedigree they were born into.

His thoughts were singing so loud that he never noticed his silent watcher, that is until Rhydian addressed him. Immediately he dismissed his pact weapon, wincing a bit from the feeling of the results of his impromptu practice. He gave a bow that was required for someone of Rhydian noble status, even though he was bade to be at ease. "Well...." he began, collecting his words so that he could articulate them well and precise, less he embarrass himself with verbal fumbling.

"I want to sharpen my skills. Ever since I was a child I've wanted to be a knight for his majesty, to become a warrior that my mother could be proud of, that the Phoenix King could look upon me and my deeds as a warrior and citizen and be proud. So that those of low birth as myself can be examples of Hytori greatness." he confessed watching as the sun showed brightly over their arena. His opalescent green eyes returned to Rhydian as he kneeled before the prince as he continued.

"That is why it is an honor to have the chance to learn from a Val'kor. I have looked up to your family. If I am going to be the best that I possibly can I must learn from the best....If you are willing to teach me that is. I am eager to learn anything you can spare." he finished, his gaze remaining on the floor of the training ground as he awaited to see how Rhydian would take his words and conviction. ➸

"Common Speech"
"Mythrasi Speech"
"Self-Thoughts"

[Rhydian SolKor]

Rhydian pursed his lips, clasping his hands behind his straight spine as he mildly regarded the petitioner. He considered the man's words thoughtfully. He parted his lips to speak, but paused, canting a crimson eyebrow as Thimryl knelt before him and spoke on. He cleared his throat, his eyes darting about bemusedly as he took a small step back from the gesture.

"On your knees you are at your ease?" He chided through a sigh, "Please rise." He waited for the youth to do so, before turning to pace away as he replied.

"Bladework is but one of many skills you should have a mind to sharpen, Thimryl. While it is a noble art form for which I have abiding love and respect, it should not be your sole focus if you seek to serve the Phoenix King in any form or fashion. Rare are the occasions at court when I have cause to unsheathe my blade, outside of training. Those few occasions tended to be displays executed for the pleasure of His Majesty. Mercurial though our Dreaming Liege may be, he does not make a habit of commanding his guards to spar for his amusement. I am his champion, so that is different..." He trailed off, shaking his head.

"Nevermind that. My point is, you should not shirk your education in etiquette if you aspire to serve at the pleasure of royalty. Unlike swordplay, etiquette is a skill I practice at court constantly and daily anytime I leave the privacy of my quarters. A lapse in etiquette is what curried the negative attention you received at the Ash festival, not a lapse in athletic acumen.

"Having seen you practise swordplay and interact with potentates, Thimryl, I would posit that it is in politicking that you require the greater sum of instruction. Diplomacy is a very different sort of art, but one which accumulates around centres of power like those you wish to orbit."

[Thimryl]

➸ Rhydian's words clung heavily to Thimryl's ears and etched themselves into his heart and soul. As he rose he kept a respectable posture while in Rhydian's presence. His words revealed a truth to Thimryl, one he was appreciative of receiving and confounded as to how to approach his shortcomings best. He didnt know anyone who could give him the guidance he would need in such arenas. He was just some lowborn elf with no ties to anyone of importance. It was a miracle that a Prince of the realm was even indulging him, let alone imparting words of wisdom upon him.

"I see your grace. Seems I was misguided in what I thought would help propel me." he accepted, giving the royal a slight bow before straightening up. He was somewhat now deflated, and his opalescent green eyes looked up to the radiant red-headed prince. "Someone of my low birth, I wouldn't know who to seek out to gain that experience or knowledge." he began, taking a seat on the dirt floor of the training arena. "And I possibly couldn't ask you to put a word in for me, I know my place."

He could only hope that he would somehow impress someone within the court to take a chance on him. But the more he thought of it the more he was starting to realize how impossible it would be. It would take a miracle of the gods to open a way for him. He would need to work on this new information, learn what he could without a noble hand to guide him, and hopefully, one would see his potential and take him under their wing. ➸

"Common Speech"
"Mythrasi Speech"
"Self-Thoughts"

[Rhydian SolKor]

Rhydian shook his head in the negative.

"You are vindicating my point. I will help you. Lay down your arms, and let us sit and speak." The prince said, removing his sword belt and laying it down gingerly beside himself as he took a seat on the training mat and criss-crossed his legs beneath his slender torso.

"'Your Grace' is not the correct form when addressing someone of my rank. The rule of thumb for addressing a prince royal is 'Your Highness'. In my case, it is 'Your Serene Highness'. Were I the child of a king or queen, I might be a 'Royal Highness', but in most situations a simple 'Your Highness' will suffice for any prince.

"Let us go through the others forms of address you may be expected to know. Our glorious sovereign, should you ever be blessed enough to address him, should be referred to as 'Your Majesty'. This is the way for kings and queens in most realms. The form you used earlier: 'Your Grace' is to be applied to dukes. For most other secular figures of noble lineage, 'Your Lordship' or 'Your Ladyship' is serviceable. The children of aristocrats who have not yet reached their majority, may be referred to as Master and their first name. This is also an acceptable way to address a non-noble person of note, given they've no other title, such as 'Sir' to a knight. You should never say Master with their surname." Rhydian paused to let all of that sink in.

"And you are correct in not presuming that I would stake my reputation to your benefit. I scarcely know you, and you will need to know these things if you are to impress me. You will not do well at court, if you are not familiar with its etiquette. And I daresay if you wish to gain that knowledge, as you indicate, the library might be a capital place to start. There is no dearth of literature on the subject of courtly behaviour."

[Thimryl]

➸ He nodded, as he sat his weapon down and took a seat in front of Rhydian as he spoke. There was an almost tutelage cadence to how he explained the nuances of courtly manners and etiquette. "Your Serene Highness" he played in his head a few times just so he could remember it well. He did that with all the other ways of addressing that the prince shared with him. It was not lost on deaf ears everything that was being spoken.

"Impressing you would be a dream your gra......I mean your Serene Highness" he acknowledged, giving a quaint bow to the princely being before taking out a scrap of paper and something to write with. The library as suggested would be a good place to start for sure, and he would be sure to find every book on courtly practices as well as etiquette among the nobility. Looking
up at Rhydian he found his eyes welling up with tears, but ones of joy as he bowed once again. "It would be a dream come true to impress you your serene highness. I can only imagine becoming a champion of his majesty, but it's merely a dream." he meant those words.

There was a fire to them, and if Rhydian noticed, he would see a renewed vigor in the young elf. He had something to work towards, to prove to himself and others that he was worthy. "If I had known this was the path this day would take, I wouldn't have asked to meet somewhere more casual than a training hall." He chuckled, clutching a part of his ribs that where still a bit bruised from his fall last season. ➸

"Common Speech"
"Mythrasi Speech"
"Self-Thoughts"

[Rhydian SolKor]

The prince of Aerion pursed his lips and nodded thoughtfully at the humble response and polite tone offered by the young, hopeful Hytori. Where he’d come off brazen and blustery at the festival, this receptive demeanour gave Rhydian hope that his time here was well spent and not being wasted by some hopeless knave.

“Just so.” Rhydian nodded, “But a worthy dream to guide your aspirations. Service to Sol’Valen and its resplendent Crown is a glorious purpose. If you work to become worthy of the dream, it is not inconceivable that it might be realised. But, for now, focus on the journey of self improvement. That is a trek I, myself, embark upon every day.”

He tilted his head quizzically and shrugged.

“I am not uncomfortable. This is merely another manner of training.” What Thimryl might have considered more casual may well have been less pleasant to Rhydian than an empty training chamber. He was at home here and felt very much on his own turf, whereas more social spaces often put him ill at ease.

“Are you all right?” The prince arched an eyebrow as Thimryl shifted his posture and held a hand against his torso. No stranger to bruises and soreness himself, he recognised it was likely nothing of great import, but deemed it courteous to inquire under the present circumstances.

“Were there any other matters of social Grace upon which I might comment to aid you?”

[Thimryl]

➸ Hopeful eyes looked to the prince as he confirmed Thimryl still had a chance, tears of subtle joy welling up in them. "Serving the realm has always been my passion, but part of me feels as though part of me has always believed I could do much more." he wiped them, nodding in agreement with the royal. "I will endeavor to better myself as best I can your Highness." he added.

He was glad to hear that the prince was fine with the setting, and that allowed him to relax as well, leaning back on the palm of his hands. "To be honest as a Reaver, I often find myself at ease within the halls as well, or even when I train. It relaxes me and affords me the time I need to focus." he noted, his pact weapon materializing in his hand, before dematerializing it. Closing his eyes for a moment, he inhaled the scent of the arena, before dismissing the prince's concern for his wellbeing. "Its nothing of note, I took a fall off a cliff back in searing, just dealing with a bit of soreness." He appreciated it, but it wasnt needed. He was on the tail end of his healing and would be fine if he stuck to the regiment the healers had given him for his recovery.

He straightened his posture, clasping his hands into his lap as he contemplated his next question. "I was born and raised in the deme Limánia, so to say courtly etiquette isn't my strong suit would be an understatement. However I have always been a quick learner, and my memory is pretty spot on. If possible, I would ask you to gauge my progress. I would understand if it's not worth your time, but I would respect and honor your feedback your Highness." he proposed, giving the royal a bow.

Raising his head he had a look of a child who was meeting his hero, and he leaned in. "If I could ask, what's it like being his majesty's champion? It's only fitting a member of the house of Val'kor." he gleamed, eager for an answer if the prince was so inclined to indulge him. He realized his enthusiasm was becoming out of hand and consciously dialed it back as to not embarrass himself further. He could only imagine what the nobles thought of him, if they even remembered him at all. ➸

"Common Speech"
"Mythrasi Speech"
"Self-Thoughts"

[Rhydian SolKor]

"Off a cliff, you say?" Rhydian arched an eyebrow, "How... unfortunate. I am pleased to know that you are on the mend." He pondered for a moment.

"You seem to comprehend that connections are important, but part of that is one's reputation. To know people in power is not to your benefit if their opinion of you is negative. There is a time, a place and a limit to the boons of brash behaviour. I would not say I am a brazen person. Quite to the contrary. If I behaved like a Dratori, I would not be able to serve my function. Mine is to end fights, not start them.

"Granted, I am also a prince and was born with connections you were not, so you will have to work harder to be noticed, but be cognizant of what you are doing in pursuit of connections and how it may be perceived. Doing well in a foot race observed by the luminaries of the realm? Good attention. Barging into the king's presence uninvited? You catch my drift, I'm sure." He tilted his head, slightly bemused.

"...gauge your progress how? I have not the time to give you regular lessons, nor do I think you would benefit as much from being told as from getting out and doing the work yourself. Now, you have a made a connection with me. Another thing you should learn his how to maintain those you've forged. Surely you do not wish for me to believe that you are using me for your own advancement... But I do believe this. It is an understandable impulse, but you would do well to conceal it."

At his question, Rhydian shrugged.

"'Tis an honour to serve, but that question is broader than I know how to answer beyond that."