The storm was well passed, and he had given the young warrior a chance to adjust before bringing him for a proper assessment. His scent lay well across the Armada territory, mingling with wolves of his pack. He was putting himself out there, getting to know the wolves. Sirius liked him a little more for it. It was evening by the time he had finished his patrols, and brought home some meat for the kill pile. He let his paws take him to the familiar rings of the training fields, and look out across the ocean. Tipping his head back, he let loose a soft howl. Calling the new recruit to him. "Speech"

It had been a long and busy day for Naiche. He had met several new faces, got a feel for the different members. The pack was better than any he had imagined being able to join, at least from what he had seen so far. One day was hardly enough to know all its secrets. What he had now was an image of what it appeared to be, with more time he would find out more. This was still far better than when he was alone.

Naiche had found a personal den, all he had needed was something that would keep him from rain, wind or other nasty weather. The one he found was nice, enough room he could sprawl out but small enough to help maintain it as cooler in the upcoming summer and warmer when winter would show up. Naiche lay down, imagining how he would grow stronger with determination he would do so quickly. As long as he could find time and someone to train with he would do so. It was imperative to never mess up and fail the pack. Naiche never wanted to see that result again.

Naiche heard the howl only a minute after laying down. The moderate sized would wolf stood back up straight away and left the den. Naiche left the den with a long flowing trot. He wasn't running but he certainly wasn't taking his time either. It wouldn't do to keep the warlord waiting. The beach - Naiche expected he would enjoy that view for a good period of time, it fascinated him. Once more feeling rather small he slowed his stride as he neared and then stopped standing near Sirius. "Sirius," that respectful acknowledgement of greeting. "What is it you wish?" This part was more awkward on words to say. In his band it had been family, mother and father and a lot more relaxed. Formality was expected in tone but the best choice of words, well he was working on that. Could he sound too formal or too relaxed? There were sure to be extremes on both.

The young wolf joined him in no time, and Sirius looked out across the ocean a moment longer, reveling in the view of this place he had decided to call home. He turned to the wheat-toned wolf and nodded his head in greeting. ”Thank you for coming, Naiche. Yes, it’s time we found your rank in the Armada.” he explained. He nodded his head towards the train rings dotted along the beach. The material borders were pinned to the earth in such a way that the water could sweep under them and wash clean the arenas with the rising tide. “Are you ready?” he asked, moving towards one of the rings himself, and stepping inside. "Speech"

Time to find his place? If there had been a shred of a question on how that was determined it was answered quickly enough.  He was going to fight Sirius to prove it?  Did he have to win to be of any good or just not lose too fast?  Either way, when he had first met Sirius he had been careful not wanting to start a fight with the large wolf.  Now that he could trust the giant didn’t intend to kill him Naiche found it a great idea.

Naiche followed him into one of the rings, the wheels in his mind churching at max-speed to try and figure out anyway to fight that could give him an edge.  The smaller knew the odds to win were against him, but this was not the time to believe it impossible.  Going into a fight expecting to lose would just harm yourself.  Naiche imagined he would need to surprise Sirius somehow, find a way to do something unexpected.  The wolf had surely far more fighting experience, how could he possibly surprise him?

All the thoughts rushing around and suddenly he was in the ring also.  No plan coming to his mind yet.  Well, he’d just have to wing it!  Maybe if Naiche had no set plan Sirius at least wouldn’t be able to figure out his plan of attack?  Head? Legs? Back?

When Sirius asked if Naiche if he was ready, Naiche slowed all the buzzing thoughts.  Foolish to over think.  Instead he felt the ground under his paws, felt how his own muscles shifted with the smallest of motions.  He watched Sirius closely, trying to get a feel for what the other wolf would do.  Planning a fight with too many unknowns would get him nowhere.  Acting in the now had been his biggest key to surviving while alone.  It was his senses and instinct that he would rely on now.

“I’m ready.” Even as he said it Naiche felt his heart beat pick up.  It wasn’t fear, it was that rush that came with a good challenge.  Naiche didn’t want to survive, he wanted to win.  He wanted to beat the mighty warlord.  Not tomorrow, now.
"Speech"

The Warlord looked over the small wolf, seeing the uncertainty in his eyes. The flicked of his gaze, as though he couldn’t determine where to start. As they centered themselves in the ring, the Warlord would see the expression change. Determination showing in the forefront, pushing his fear away. Good.
He had passed the first assessment, that he was willing to give it his best, despite the odds being against him. The Warlord would be hard pushed to respect a coward.

Sirius pushed aside distractions. The feel of the sand beneath his paws, the distant sound of crashing waves. The cry of a bird - Marshal, slicing through the air above them. His retractable, feline like claws dug into the sand. Finding purchase. Their sharpened points still against the shifting sand. Stillness, a breath.
Naiche gave his word, and it was like the firing gun to the Warlord. He launched himself forward, towards the smaller wolf. Aiming to collide his chest against Naiche. To bring them into close-combat. Where the large, heavy-set Warlord excelled.

If he succeeded or not, his teeth would still search for Naiche’s scruff. If he could grab it for even a moment, his strength would bring Naiche to heel. He did not use his elongated fangs. He had no desire to rip bloody holes into his wolf.

"Speech"

Sirius Fatalis vs Naiche
Round 1/2?
Age: over 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Front leg bracers with knife
Defensive Battle Accessory: Back leg bracers
Companion 1: Black Vulture, Male - Battle - Boosted
Companion 2: Snow Leopard, Female - Battle - Boosted
*Companion 3: Spectacled bear, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Fangs - Offensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Bloodletter

The time for thought was over the moment he spoke.  Sirius was charging straight at him.  Naiche strode forward as if to meet the charge but then leapt, four paws at the same time in mid-air to land about a foot to his left, turning his head around to meet Sirius head as the muscled wolf came at him.  Dodging wasn’t enough, the huge wolf still had an advantage when it came to both trying to go for the head.  Naiche launched up with his back legs, so even as Sirius was reaching for his scruff the smaller wolf was trying to get some height to bite back.  He aimed at getting legs around the massive wolf, aiming for the top portion between neck and head.  

The question of course was how far back could Sirius twist his head? Was Naiche’s body far enough back and was his head aiming for Sirius neck going to work? As Sirius would move so Naiche would try to use his hind feet to keep at the same distance.  Thanks to his limited experience he was just going with instinct, faith in himself and the need to do something.  Naiche wasn’t bothering to focus on those questions though, all his focus on was trying to connect.  The tan-colored wolf was silent, not one little growl uttered, this wasn’t about intimidating an opponent, just hurting it. He wanted this, he wanted to win, he wanted to take Sirius down.  If nothing else the desire helped confidence which helped keep his actions fast and intense.

Naiche Dauner vs Sirius for spar
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Medium
Build: Light
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Beginner Navigator
Specialty: N/A


"Speech"

The smaller wolf darted towards him, and then leaped to the side. The Warlord turned his head in an attempt to compensate for the change. When Naiche reared up, and wrapped his paws around the Warlord neck, Sirius had to bite back a laugh. Naiche was a brave, conceited little fighter, wasn’t he?

With Naiche wrapped around his paw, the Warlord would aim to surge forward. With the intent of forcing Naiche further upwards to keep his perch, and bringing his back legs in Seer’s reach.

The Warlord, ignoring his limpet, would aim for a sweeping shove of his right forepaw, aiming to knock Naiche’s feet out from under him. At the same time, driving his forward momentum downwards, in an effort to drive Naiche into the earth. He was trying to bring the man down without using his claws or teeth. To win without causing damage to the smaller wolf.

"Speech"

Sirius Fatalis vs Naiche for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: over 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Front leg bracers with knife
Defensive Battle Accessory: Back leg bracers
Companion 1: Black Vulture, Male - Battle - Boosted
Companion 2: Snow Leopard, Female - Battle - Boosted
*Companion 3: Spectacled bear, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Fangs - Offensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Bloodletter

Naiche’s back feet did manage to keep balance well enough to stay on his back, but gracefully was another matter altogether graceful, which meant he did indeed go forward without choice.  His teeth would aim to sink into Sirius neck, conveniently to both aim for balance as well as to bite his enemy.  At the same time, Naiche found himself suddenly being slung off his perch and hitting the ground.  Naiche would have tried even harder to dig his teeth in to keep his balance, of course if he were unable to bite in time it would do little good.

Naiche twisted so that he landed mostly on a front shoulder, back feet up but farther under him as if he was about to sit.  He would attempt to right himself even as he showed off his fangs warning that he would still attempt to fight if Sirius moved in on him.  It wasn’t much, but maybe if he had connected earlier it would do some good?  The knowledge if he had connected or not was right at the tip of his mind, all Naiche had to do was let himself think for half a second.  All his thoughts right now were snapping at Sirius if he came in.
 
Naiche Dauner vs Sirius for spar
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Medium
Build: Light
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Beginner Navigator
Specialty: N/A
"Speech"

And the winner is...

SIRIUS

NAICHE must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Adjusted rolls: 156.95 2.2 21 22 SIRIUS' total is.. 283.01 Adjusted rolls: 54.6 93 93.45 10 NAICHE'S total is.. 251.05

Naiche hit the ground as Sirius intended, and tried to come back up, all weapons out. The Warlord let him land a hit, knowing it would neutralize his fangs if he hit something soft. With an elbow in his maw, Sirius used his superior weight to drive that very paw further into Naiche’s mouth, pushing the man hard against the ground. Worsening the damage done to his elbow, but alas.

He leaned his own maw forward, and gentle pressed his teeth against Naiche’s nose. Not enough to damage, just enough to make his point. He had won this match. He released all hold of the wolf and waited to regain his own paw. That done, he leaned back, giving the fighter some space. “Not bad, and against an opponent more in your weight class, you likely would have won. Don’t forget to modulate your fighting skills match by match.” Was his advice. Taking the Warlord on head-first wasn’t generally in his favour. But then, he grinned. “Actually, if someone with my size and experience is bearing down on you, run.” he teased. It wasn’t an attack on the others abilities - sure, he had a lot to learn, but not many could stand up to Sirius.

“I’m impressed with what you’ve shown me, and I’m going to place you into the rank of Student, but it should be only short-term. Learn, work hard, and you’ll find yourself a warrior in only a matter of weeks.”

Naiche felt a moment of hope as his teeth got Sirius elbow, but it didn’t even get a heartbeat’s of hope before the elbow was shoved farther into his throat.  There he was on the ground, gagging.  For a second he actually had the audacity to snarl a bit more by frustration before realization slammed into him that he’d lost.  Sirius made it even more blunt with the teeth next to his nose.

Naiche rolled up onto his feet when free, bobbing a nod at Sirius words, “I figured my only chance was a surprise to do something besides the expected, and I figured someone my ability versus yours would have to be nuts to stay in close.” Well, his only chance not to fall right away, winning odds were pretty dang low, if not impossible.  Darting in and out sounded smarter so of course he hadn’t tried that.  That made sense, right? Heh

Training and potentially only a few weeks till warrior? Yes! Naiche could do that.  He’d train till exhausted and train some more after that to make sure.  “I’ll train, daily.” Hours and hours and hours he would train.
"Speech"

“It’s tried more than you would think” Sirius explained. Most of the wolves he tested were small, and he had doubt with a smattering of close-ranged attacks, and weaving ambushes. Naiche’s technique wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t fitting for a fight against the Warlord. His size and weight was simply too superior. However, he had gotten in a few good shots, and the Warlord was bleeding from two places.

He had modulated his own attacks to ensure Naiche did not bleed. If his student had returned the favour, Sirius would have smacked him, instead, he was pleased. He licked at his bleeding elbow. “Your hites pack a punch. Perhaps you could consider going for places like the undersides of my legs, my belly. If you go in for a hamstring, i’d be forced to work harder to ensure my defenses” he suggested.
“Good to hear” he would add as Naiche promised to train.