Great Tales of the Old Gods and Men

As Lagertha was busy cooking for the family, Jon described to her his encounter with the singing stones. ”I am in disbelief.. a thousand years has passed and no one has heard a thing from the Gods. Are you sure, my son, you heard correctly? Did you eat any of the mushrooms in the forest? ”

Jons mother was totally shocked and did not believe him. ”Mother I am sure of what I heard and felt. I need to use my time before father gets home to get better with my sword skill. If i am to take this journey, I must be ready. ” Jon was sad, but understood why his mother did not believe him. ”I will seek the combat master Gu. He is the only one at the moment who can teach me. ”, and with that Jon turned on his heels and went to his room.

As soon as he entered his room he grabbed the wooden sword leaning against his bed, rushing out of the house he sprinted as fast as his legs could carry him into Brokwood, his small home town. Soon he came to a circular fence, like a pen, it is the combat arena of the town. He saw a man with a large, discolored scar over his left eye, sitting in the sun, slowly sharpening a gleaming longsword. This was combat master Gu.

Seeing Jon walking towards him, Gu spoke ”My, is that Jon of house Berskaggr coming to my playground? What could this old man do for you, child? ” Gu said as he stood up. Jon smiled and replied ”I am here to learn from you, wise one. I have a mission and need to make sure I am ready to defend myself. ”

Master Gu grabbed a wooden sword from a rack in the shade, just outside of the small arena, he hopped over the railing quicker than one might expect. As Gu had a full white head of hair and a snow white beard, he looked old and brittle, however he, by himself 3 Winters ago, stopped an enemy charge of 30 men, with just his sword and shield. That was the day he got his scar, and his honor.

”Jon, get in Boars Tooth stance. Defend yourself, here I come! ” Holding the sword in front of him with both hands, the point at Gus throat, he felt a pang of anxiety and thought ”He is in a mood today, I hope he doesn hit me too hard, last time I was bruised for weeks! ”

Master Gu threw himself at Jon and was upon him in a flash. Using the sword in one hand, Gu threw an overhead strike. ”Parry it, son! ”, yelled Gu. Jon did, he quickly took a single step back and raised his sword, in one smooth transitional move the wooden swords clashed.

CRACK!

The force of Gus blow made Jon Berskaggrs hands go numb. Ignoring the force of the blow, Jon angled the tip of his sword down and Master Gus sword slipped off of his, as he twirled the sword in his hands, quickly putting the point at Master Gus throat. Just as he was about to say Yield the sword was knocked up and away by the bare hand of master Gu.

This would not be an easy day, as Gu was now enraged. Jon quickly slid his feet back in an attempt to get away, however he was too slow and the opponents sword slapped him in his shin. He would have lost his leg had this been a real duel.

”Do not forget to block low. Retreating is dangerous against someone at my level, just as dangerous as attacking with a stab against Boars Tooth. ” The blow still stinging on his leg, they returned to sparring position in the center of the arena.

Hours later it began to get dark, with welts and bruises all over him, Jon felt he had made great improvements to his form and fluidity. The next few days he decided to recover and practiced the moves he learned alone, adding in long-range archery when he was too tired to swing the sword.

He was very good with a bow and arrow, at 50 yards he could hit the inner ring of a straw target consistently. Jon went back to the combat master consistently, waiting patiently for his father to return. He had made great strides in just a month, with Spring quickly approaching the air was getting warmer and warmer. The ice and snow on the trees was getting thinner, the earth was slowly turning bright green with life.

His father would soon be home, and he wanted to impress him with his sword skill, so he could get his fathers blessing to complete this task given to him by the Old Gods.

This morning he gobbled up his breakfast and ran into town, sword in hand. It was a bright, yet cool morning and almost all of the snow had melted. Master Gu was in his usual place, sunning his pale skin, slowly sharpening his blade. Seeing Jon walking towards him, he stood and walked to him.

”You have made great improvements since the start of your training, just like your father when he was a boy. ”, said Gu. ” You have an affinity with blades boy. Do not let this skill go, continue to cultivate and sharpen your skills, for if you get caught with dull skills, it will matter little how sharp your sword is. Today I will teach you the 5 master cuts, passed down from scholars of the sword. Listen close and watch carefully child. ”

After a long day of training and almost beating combat master Gu, he thanked Gu, giving him a few pieces of silver for his time and walked home remembering the lesson taught to him this day.