Power and Purpose

Fern wasted no time in preparing to engage her opponent, eager and ready to show off her skills. Artorias admired her gumption, but this lesson was designed to be difficult, to teach some humility and the importance of knowing what one was capable of. With quiet astuteness, the Aegis observed Fern's form, watched while he rushed at the dummy and swung for the thin space of exposed neck. Her timing was off, her footwork too close to her foe, and her sword ended up glancing off the leather pauldron that the dummy was wearing, leaving her foe unharmed. Artorias showed no reaction while he watched Fern, simply taking in and studying her movements, actions, and choices. This wasn't a test, and she didn't need him commentating or making her feel like she was doing something wrong. Fern backed up, then tried to stab the same opening, only for her attack to jolt off the breastplate and miss its mark. Fern then tried an upward lunge. Her form was good, but once again the smallness of her target proved to be more than she could overcome. Her sword went too high, glancing off the helmet perched atop the dummy wolf's head with a sharp ting of metal on metal, almost like a taunt.

After her third attempt, Fern came back to stand at his side, looking crestfallen and disappointed in herself. She commented how he had been right in how difficult it was, and he hummed while nodding his head. "And that is the point of this lesson, Fern," he explained in calm, patient tones. "Learning a new skill is exciting. Finding yourself adept at it is thrilling. But never overestimate your abilities. Know where your strength are and where your opportunities to grow lie. It might be the difference between life and death one day." Artorias strode up to the dummy coolly, firelight eyes laser focused on his foe while he considered it. Then in a single smooth motion, the dark-furred brute lifted his paw and drew a dagger hidden within his bracer out in his jaws, driving the sharp point through the thin gap into the neck of the dummy. He withdrew the short blade and slid it back into his bracer, then turned to face Fern again, returning back to where she stood. "It took me years of practice to do what I do. Do not be frustrated or disappointed in your growth. Like your namesake, you need to grow in your own time. That's what these lessons are for."

Returning to sit beside Fern, Artorias breathed a slow sigh and decided to impart some wisdom on his apprentice. "When I was very young, I got into a fight I wasn't ready for. I thought I was invincible with my sword. I was cocky. That arrogance very nearly cost me my life." Artorias turned his gaze down to the smaller wolf, regarding her with sagacious eyes while giving her a little smile. "You know what I did? I kept training. Nonstop, day in and day out, from dawn to dusk. It frustrated me, and there were many times I chided myself for not being better. But all I really needed was time and patience with myself." Artorias fell silent then, giving Fern a few moments to process what he had told her. He didn't want her losing confidence in herself over this—but he did want her to learn the lesson it took him so long to learn himself. Patience was a virtue. "Take your time, assess your target. Not every fight needs to be ended with one swing of your sword. Some enemies require more finesse. Some more intelligence. Knowing how to fight your opponent is just as important as being strong or using the right tools." He lifted an azure paw and gestured to the dummy once more. He wanted Fern to try again.

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian" | "Corbin" | "Eira" | "Argent"