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Post by Prince Orys Targaryen on May 28, 2014 3:26:20 GMT -5
Outside Dragonstone proper, upon the rocky shore, Viserys leads combat drills among his men. Every man is a veteran, but every man must be better than that. Exercises with spear, arakh, and sword are harsh and repetitive. Every warrior's muscle must be adapted to feel natural when it flexes this position or that. Those not training for melee concern themselves with tending their crossbows and preparing for the next day. At the end of the day, Viserys sends them back to their tents. He sits with a flagon of water to enjoy the sunset and watch the dragons as other men come in to use the space to practice.
After a break, Viserys signals to some officers nearby to help join him in the much smaller training yard within Dragonstone. Inside, he examines the weaponry on display, surprised by how many kinds of swords these people feel the need to forge. He makes a crude joke in Valyrian when he sees a greatsword and expresses annoyance at the lack of arakhs on display.
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Post by Lord Jacaerys Velaryon on May 28, 2014 3:48:22 GMT -5
After his audience with the King, Valarr Targaryen headed to the training yard. Still giddy with what the King had offered him he was determined to serve with distinction. He resolved to double his daily training with the sword and other weapons. The King's squire needed to be the best of squires he thought, before gently reminding himself that he was not the King's squire until he had tamed his father's dragon.
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Post by Prince Orys Targaryen on May 28, 2014 4:06:47 GMT -5
Viserys picks up a wooden short sword and tosses it from hand to hand. It will do. Another officer chooses the same sword and takes up a stance that has more in common with dancing than sparring, while Viserys assumes the same position.
The actual matches are very brief, with every blow designed to go straight for a weak point. There is no wear and tear and mindless bashing in waterdancing, only the subtle rhythms that precede each strike. Even the longest match looks like a waltz at a royal wedding, with two figures circling eachother until some invisible cue is heard.
When they are finished, they leave and Viserys remains to watch the knights spar.
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Post by Lord Jacaerys Velaryon on May 28, 2014 4:16:42 GMT -5
Valarr watched the knights spar with great interest, taking note of their tactics and moves. A couple of fighters in particular took his interest as they appeared to move with far more grace and rhythm that what he was commonly used to. He moved closer to watch them.
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Post by Prince Orys Targaryen on May 28, 2014 4:22:35 GMT -5
Viserys notices the young man watching. "They do not have waterdancing in Westeros, no?" He smiles. "It is a poor choice in your platemail regardless. But in duel, I have seen no better art."
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Post by Lord Jacaerys Velaryon on May 28, 2014 4:27:30 GMT -5
"I have never seen such fighting before." replied Valarr. "I'm wondering how effective such a technique would be against a steel plated knight?"
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Post by Prince Orys Targaryen on May 29, 2014 20:31:33 GMT -5
"Your knights have been hammering eachother with finely crafted blades for centuries. I can't see how aiming a little better might hurt my chances of survival." He looks over the young man with visible interest. "Might you be such a knight?"
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Post by Lord Jacaerys Velaryon on May 29, 2014 22:42:48 GMT -5
Valarr shook his head. "No I am not. Merely a squire. Although the King has promised me a position as his own squire if I can successfully complete a task for him."
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Post by Prince Orys Targaryen on May 30, 2014 1:16:29 GMT -5
"Ahh, to be a king's apprentice! I was once second blade for the First Sword of Braavos. He taught me more in a day than I learned in a lifetime of killing. The bearded priests of Norvosh say that wisdom can only come through humility and service." He smiled at the pretty boy. "And experience, of course."
After a moment's silence, he gestured to the keep. "I myself desire something the king has. It is my strong desire I may earn my prize here as well."
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Post by Lord Jacaerys Velaryon on May 30, 2014 1:53:29 GMT -5
"The King does not have ownership of what I seek." replied Valarr enigmatically. "He cannot grant it. Yet he promises a great reward if I can achieve it."
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all alone and also really bored 
Hopefully going to kickstart the festival too