He demanded next that the Specialist Sparkshower charge at him with practice spears, teaching him to brace and dig in as necessary. This she did, with charge after charge that held fast against with his shield, until twelve lances lay broken on the arena floor, the splinters hastily brushed up by the initiates. When Ebonshield asked, he complained that his shoulder was a little sore, but even this was solved simply by discarding the shield.