Chapter 23 - Lesson Two

Aedan got up early in the morning to start his preparations for his training. He brought a bag which contained his canteen of water and a piece of bread. He then got dressed and then wore the Redeemer with him. He also got the wooden sword that Iraven left for him by the door of his room. As he was leaving he came across Maaya downstairs in the lobby of the inn. It appeared that she had heard that Aedan was training with Iraven in the plains of Alsirune just located outside the city. 

"Goodluck in your training Aedan!" She said to him cheerfully.

"Thanks." Aedan replied in a less cold manner.

"I'll make food here when you both get back." Maaya said as she saw Aedan left for his training.

Glyndwir approached the divine maiden and said.

"It appears that he is less cold to you than the others"

"Yeah. He is changing somewhat." Maaya replied.

Aedan made his way through the busy city of Alsirune. There were shops everywhere for warriors and tourists alike. He then came across the tavern in which he met Iraven. He remembered how he looked back then and felt that what Iraven told him in his fight with him was right. 

"Do not underestimate your opponent at all circumstances." He recalled Iraven saying.

He finally reached the outskirts of Alsirune and then saw the plains that Iraven was talking about. He saw Iraven there sitting down under a huge tree while smoking a cigarette. 

"Took you long enough guardian." Iraven said.

"Alsirune is a busy city. Besides I didn't even know how to get here." Aedan said 

Iraven picked up his wooden sword. He noticed that Aedan brought the wooden sword that he had left him and quite frankly, he was impressed.

"Elrond didn't notice that I left a wooden sword for him when I trained him. Glyndwir also didn't notice. You're the first person who noticed that I left a wooden sword by the door." Iraven said. "I had to force them to make a wooden sword here by using this tree. Thank goodness you did not forget." he added.

"Doesn't really take a genius to figure it out. Maybe they are just to excited to train with you before." Aedan said.

"Time to learn the basics Aedan. As you have known, before that fiasco with the Ethereal blade happen, you have a tendency to ignore the right side of your body when you fight. Regular thugs and Shade would not notice this but highly skilled fighters can notice this in an instant. Glyndwir, one of my stupid pupils, noticed this flaw and still did not beat you. In our fight I purposely kept attacking your right side to improve your reflexes there and in this training session, I will do the same over and over. In the way of the sword however you know already the principles of attack and I need not teach you there." Iraven said 

"And in addition, I will refer to you now as my idiot apprentice because it is a motivating mechanism that pushes one to his limits." he added.

"That's one hell of a motivation. Name-calling." Aedan said.

"Okay my idiot apprentice, HERE I GO!!" Iraven said as he rushed to attack Aedan.

As he predicted, Aedan would turn the left side of his body to his right to defend himself. Iraven then side stepped quickly to his right and in a swift manner he tapped Aedan's right side with his wooden sword.

"I knew you'd turn your left there." Iraven said as he moved back.

"Try not to think about my attack and concentrate more on your defense. Try to feel my energy and relax. Trust the wholeness of your reflexes not just your left." Iraven said "Okay, HERE I GO AGAIN!!" he added

Iraven rushed to Aedan with great speed and Aedan could not see him anymore but then, he tried to take Iraven's advice and relaxed. Once he did, he felt the energy flowing his whole body and there was less pressure inside him. He felt that Iraven would feint attack from his left and move to his right side which was exactly what Iraven did. Aedan successfully blocked the shot of Iraven and he countered with a right cross slash which sent Iraven flying towards the tree.

"Now you get it. It's that simple no matter in what stance your enemy is, just feel his movement with your energy and you will get to know his attacks in no time." Iraven said.

"It's like i know the movement once there is a connection between your feeling and your defense. It's like I can read the moves of the enemy." Aedan said. 

"Now let'ts try it many more times. I WON'T HOLD BACK THIS TIME!!" Iraven said as he charged on Aedan with full force.

Aedan again now tried to feel Iraven's presence while concentrating on his defense as well. He felt Iraven's energy flow and he saw that Iraven would cross slash him from the left side and then vertically attack him. Aedan defended the two attacks but then Iraven suddenly rushed to his right side and tried a thrust. Fortunately Aedan was able to reverse the thrust by spinning the direction of the sword in the opposite way and throwing Iraven to the ground. They sparred many times without holding back and Aedan actually got the hang of utilizing movements form both left and right sides of his body. Iraven was surprised that he actually remedied his problem in such a short time.

"You learn fast kid. I guess it's now time to introduce you to something called Limit Attacks." Iraven said

"Great I can't wait for this one." Aedan said as he lay down on the ground exhausted.