The Tourney at Ashford

Stepping out onto the sparring field, Alessia was with sword in hand. One, two, three, steps and then turned. Waiting was never something she was good at. It was something her master had been sure to try and remedy in his teachings but it never quite helped. It did however, teach her how to hide her impatience which was always as good. As far as her sword master was concerned, it was all she needed.

So here she stood with sword in hand, wearing a smile that showed anything but a lack of patience. Ever, and always, the image of a cool head.

Using the square for practice, Tal worked through some movements his martial instructor had been keen to drill into him. His spear slid around the side of his shield even as he hooked to the left to block an imagined attack. Stabbing out with the weapon with impressive speed and force it retracted back to his side with almost as much of each. Once again the shield moved to cover his body and he focused on imagining the next opponent.

His breatplate and chain had him sweating, but still her persisted with his practice. He did, however, pause long enough to give the woman a curious look and then a nod. Without fanfare he returned to his imagined sparring.

One, two, three. Turning about on her heel she began began another pace forward, just noticing Talieas looking at her with an odd expression. Then a nod. A light smile coming to her lips he turned back to his practice. Crossing her arms across her waist she lay one hand on the hilt of her blade. Toying with the hilt a bit so that the blade's tip drew random curves in the air behind her.

Standing there, for the time being, she decided to watch the man practice. Following his style, when he struck and how he defended himself when he did so. A lot more work than it sounds like initially.

It was a solid defensive style, favouring the protection offered by a large shield and augmented by unnervingly straight or fast thrusts of his spear. The knight, for he likely was with that breastplate, the longsword at his side and the heraldry on his shield (a white background with three hearts carried by ravens of all things), was turning slowly and seeing off foes one by one. Sometimes two would attack and he was forced to spin the weapon, striking with the base or getting in two quick jabs of the front as if it were a long fork.

And lo, he arrives! Flushed of face, but kind of eye, Ser Robar Redding attends the sparring square, in search of his angel. Spotting her, he attends! Coming to her side, but not so close as to be presumptuous, and not too far as to seem distant or uninterested.

He bows to her, and when he rises, his smile shines forth upon his fair features!

"Ah, the lady Alessia is exactly where she promises to be. I would expect no less, and let me begin to apologize one thousand times for my tardiness. How can I make it up to you?"

Robar considers the knight who shares the space with them, spotting said heraldry and making mental note of it; then his attention turns to the knights form. "Very good! Very good, indeed! You have a confidence to you that will carry you will in battle!" he calls out.

Hearing Robar's approach Alessia turned to face the man directly. Warmth in the form of a smile greeted him as he rose again, taking a step closer but no more. Maintaining the same, careful balance. Then, turning back to watch the other man in the midst of his training.

"You may do so by being sure to hold nothing back during our spar," she said, standing by his side. Her confidence infecting that smile of hers, forming it into more of a smirk.

Pausing his practice, and wiping his forehead with the back of one gloved hand, he turns to the newcomer to dip his head. "Kind flattery ser, but the lady willing to spar with a knight is more deserving of them than I, for both her bravery, her fair face and mayhaps more." So he Tal had caught at least a glance while training. He smiles at her then moves off to the side to give them space. In truth he was curious to watch, especially after her bold request.

Setting his spear easily into the crook of his right shoulder and laying down his shield he got relatively comfortable. Working off his tight, thick gloves and stretching his fingers also helped.

"She is a treasure to behold, that much is certain." He says winningly, then steps toward the other knight, holding out his hand.

"Ser Robar Redding, well met!" says the handsome young man, his chainmail glinting with his movements, his sword on his hip worthy of consideration.

"Charmers, the both of you," she said glancing from one man to the other. Saving her other comment for later, or perhaps even another time.

With a hint of surprise Tal reaches out after a brief pause to take Robar's hand. "Ser Talieas Corbray. Well met Ser Robar." Tal gave a big smile and looked over to Alessia.

"You will both be sparring I take it good lady?"