Wesley
*Hanz would help himself to cheese, apples, chicken, and wine and get some rest for the day and focus on blacksmithing tomorrow.*
Anthony
*The next day would come by, with nothing special happening for Hanz. Perhaps he should seek some special interactions?*
Wesley
*Hanz would decide to go right to Frederick after breakfast to learn how to make weapons as a blacksmith.*

*"Fred, I'm ready to take the lessons of a smith weapon maker." Hanz would say standing boldly.*
Anthony
"Good. Let's get started on the specifics of forging a sword." *He said, bringing out a blank for the new apprentice to work on.*

"Take it and heat it in the furnace." *He say*
Wesley
"What sword are we making Fred?"
*Hanz would say with curiosity.*
Anthony
"Just a standard arming sword here - It is better to start small. This is a blank I've purchased from a smithery in the capital city, so all you need to do is to heat it, hammer it into piece, and then grind it sharp."
Wesley
"I see, well then lets get started."

*Hanz would be taught the many ways of making a weapon from the blacksmith for half of the day until a soldier came walking up to see what they were up to. This man right here would be the one to train Hanz on how to use weaponary.*
Anthony
*By the time Hanz is done, Hanz might've finally made his first sword - with the blank already pre-made. The soldier walked in. He looked smart, and had a broad, well-muscled frame. He was in full plate - must be someone of high status.*

"Hello Hanz, I'm informed you've enlisted in his lord's army. I am here to bring you outside and train you - How much experience you have had fighting?"
Wesley
"I be good with my fists sir but I've never held a weapon in me life."

"What are some of the weapons you can teach me?"
Anthony
"Well, if you want to be a soldier - you need to know how to fight. We expect you to stand in formation, with your spear, and poke at the enemy from behind your shield. Then you must know how to fight with a sword in one hand, and a shield in the other - it is much easier than fighting with a sword along. After that.."

"Have you learned how to use a sling in your village? If not, we could start with teaching you how to throw a fletched javelin straight, or perhaps how to use a crossbow.." *The captain explained his options.*
Wesley
"Alright then let's get started with all this I want to kill those foreign scum!"
Anthony
*After two months of training, Hanz gained some basic fighting skills. By this point, he knew how to use a sword and shield to fight, to move around and put on a set of cheaply produced but protective almain rivet armour, how to use a spear and brace it, how to use fletched javelin and throw it (not necessarily well), and how to operate a crossbow with a goat's foot lever.*

"Right! Hanz! It is your big day. Today, you'll officially become a Private under the Lord's army. But first, I want to make sure you are ready to fight. Are you ready for the practice fight, Hanz?" *The captain said after summoning Hanz to the yard.*
Wesley
"Aye sir and what weapon will we be using today?"
Anthony
"Aye. I just want to know if you can handle a decent fight. Now, you know what they say about safeties. Put on that set of almain rivet over there." *He pointed toward a mass produced set of almain rivet armour. Telling him to put it on.*



*Once he is done, he handed him a steel basket-hilted sword 0.95m long, with the enchantment of "Do No Harm" Placed on it - It prevents the weapon from doing any real damage. But make it retain force.* 

"A good training weapon." *He next handed him a kite shield that he expect him to strap to his non-dominant hand.*

*The captain draw a longsword 1.3 meters long, holding it in both hand, standing 50 yards away, it will take a turn or three in heated combat to reach him. The longsword is probably enchanted, too.* 

"First one to score a hit win - I don't need you to win, I need you to put up a fight. But you better do, because a sword-and-shield is better than a longsword alone."

"Ready? If you are, make a step forward and I will begin my move."
Wesley
*Hanz would equip the armour first and make sure everything was on tight and properly. He would then strap a belt around his waste in order to sheath the sword. After this Hanz would grab the shield with the non dominant hand and grip it tight. Once Hanz was ready he would draw his sword and ready his shield.*

"I be ready sir let's bring it!"
Anthony
"Right! Go for it! Take me down!" *The captain said. He held his sword backward, resting it on his shoulder, while walking forward to within 30 yards of Hanz, his advance is slow, and methodical, waiting for him to do something.*
Wesley
*Hanz would keep moving which is an important thing in combat. He would grip his sword and hold his sword up. Suddenly Hanz would swing at the captains waste and then stab for the helmet. Hanz did this to trick the captain into thinking of striking from the top first.*
Anthony
*The captain made a backstep when Hanz moved forward, and then swung his sword downward, hoping to deflect Hanz's swing and then transition into a cut toward his leg. This would interrupt his planned stab...

But Hanz has a shield.*
Wesley
*Hanz would take a step back and hold his ground and regain some stamina after the hit he's taken. If one thing he's learned in combat it was to keep your energy stable. Hanz would then swing at the right shoulder and then kick at the captains chest, and then he would go for a low swing right to the face.*
Anthony
"Not bad." *The captain said after Hanz took the hit,*"Use your shield." *He made a reminder, while Hanz regained his stamina.*

*The captain once again made a defensive swing, going from right to left to deflect Hanz's shorter sword sideway. He didn't see the leg coming to his chest in time from behind the shield, and ate a kick to his upper arm. Hanz 1 - 1 Captain. Presumably, the swing would've not been executed, since Hanz just won the round.*

"Remember your training Hanz. I have a longer sword, but you have a shield, and you can block everything. **Bind** The sword with your shield, control it, and then you can hit me with your sword as many time as you like." 

*He backed off to 20 yards away, ready for a third round.*
Wesley
*Hanz would nod to the reminder and ready up again and keep moving in formation. This time he wait for the captain to swing. Here was the plans.*

*If he swinged from the top Hanz would dodge from the side and hit the sword down with his and strike him in the chest.*

*If he swinged from the bottom Hanz would parry it and smack the captain with his shield and swing at his head and then the hip.*

*If it was from the left or right side Hanz would duck and kick the captain back and go for a stabbing lunge hitting the captain in the shoulder.*
Anthony
*The captain advanced in front of him. He started circling outside of strike range, so he has time to respond if Hanz lunged forward. After ten seconds, he decided to make a strike - He expect to lose, sword-and-board against longsword wasn't a fair exchange, after all.

He move forward, and then made an overhead swing from above. His sword would be hit, and Hanz would presumably make the move for his chest. He turned the sword around, trying to parry it, only to be hit in the chest.*

"Not bad, parry with the shield next time - remember, you are fighting with two weapon against one. But you've graduated. Now... Go grab a real sword over there, and a crossbow. Don't forget the bolt." *The captain put away the longsword, taking an basket-hilted sword and shield himself.*

*He rung a bell while Hanz is away, and soldiers came to gather in the courtyard for a routine patrol.*
Wesley
*Hanz would go to grab a real sword and he would have the option to pick any as a reward but he knew the weapon he picked would be the weapon he kept. He decided to pick a cutlass which was a favorite of his. He would then grab a kite shield and report to the courtyard.*
Anthony
"Good, today we'll be patrolling out in the desert. We've received report that intruders were spotted heading toward us. We'll head toward a lake four miles from here, and then meet up with other troops to defeat the raiders. After that, we should come back here within a few days to celebrate our victory."

*The captain explained their mission. After that, the column of thirty troops marched out from the castle, led by four mounted, armored camelryman, each of them carrying a composite bow. Nothing would happen as they moved through the dried highland on unpaved road for three miles..

Vegetations are sparse, but as they neared the lake, more and more trees appeared.*
Wesley
"Aye Doyle this be it. We are going to fight the scum that invaded our land."
*Hanz would say we a prideful voice.*
Anthony
"Indeed my friend! We'll get revenge on those bloody raiders." *Doyle boasted,*"After this fight I'm going back home to retire with all the booties I'll get, and then I'll marry with my fiancee." 

*He said as they continued their way toward the lake. Forest were rare in Tadon-Barana, but it appears they're starting to enter one.*
Wesley
"Well enjoy that! I plan to explore the world after this maybe, or just start a new blacksmith shop or even learn magic! But hey didn't they say these raiders were from Grees?"
Anthony
"Were they? I've never thought raider all the way from Glees would come over here. I wonder what they're after." *Doyle asked. As his question finished, an arrow landed on the camel of the leading camelry. The rider dropped from his camel, rolling onto the floor.*

"ATTACK! Into formation! Shield wall!" *The captain ordered, as he scrambled forward to pull the man away from the camel. His armour protected him from the following volley of arrow. Judging by the amount of arrows landing, there were at least eight archers amongst the attackers. The remaining camelry turned away, riding behind the infantries in the column, as they scrambled into an two-men deep shieldwall.*
Wesley
*Hanz would rip his shield and sword out and get in formation. He then saw the enemy charge, not a large force but they looked tough. As one of the attackers tried to swing at his head, Hanz would duck and stab the sword under the attackers helmet in the neck killing him instantly. Then another attacker came rushing with a lance. Hanz would throw the dead body at the lancer causing him to fall allowing Hanz to rush over quickly and stab him in the neck.*

"That'll teach em!"
Anthony
*After Hanz got into formation, the scope of the attack would become clear. The arrows started to land on Hanz's shieldwall, and a group of enemy infantries - all heavily armoured in a mix of plate and chainmail, advanced toward the ambushed soldiers. They were beating their axe and mace on their kite shields, while cataphract-like horse archers followed behind them, landing one after another carefully aimed, powerful shot.*

*The formation were now 30 yards away.*

"HOLD STEADY!" 

*The camelry dismounted, shooting from behind the shield wall to not much effect.*
Wesley
*Hanz would hold steady and await orders.*

"COME ON SHOW A FIGHT YOU MURDERERS!"
Anthony
*None of the invaders were moved by his speech. Or even understood. They advanced to within twenty yards, then abruptly stopped their advances. It appeared their formation were three ranks deep, and 12 wide. All of the infantrymen on the opposite side took out a javelin, and then threw it into Hanz's formation. The hail of javelins landed on the men's shield, disrupting them.

Then they all simultaneously charged with axe drawn. One of them charged directly at Hanz, going for an upward chop down toward the top of his shield, while trying to slam him down on the ground with his own shield.

This man is wearing a nasal helmet with aventail, and a mail hauberk covering almost all of his body, except for his lower leg.*
Wesley
*Hanz would see the attacker charge him with an axe. And with quick thinking, he parry's the chop with his shield sending the axe into the air. He then put both of his hands on his sword and thrusted the blade right into the attacker's chest.*
Anthony
*The chop was parried easily, with the axe's lower edge hitting the rim of the shield. With the attacker off balance, Hanz was free to make the attack. The arming sword thrusted forward, splitting the ring on his hauberk and piercing into the man's chest. It didn't hit his heart, but the attacker dropped his axe, a look of panic setting into his face as the sword is driven deeper.*

"Ag... Ghh..." 

*The attacker started to slump down, as blood gushed forth from his wound, it seems Hanz severed a major artery.*
Wesley
*Hanz decides to mercy kill the man and finish the blow*

"That was for the town."
*He would spit in the attackers face, and then return to formation.*
Anthony
*The man dropped onto the ground. Dead. Then, Hanz would realize there was in fact, no more formation left. The charge of the superiorly-armoured attackers has broken the formation completely, and now the fight has disintegrated into total chaos. 

He could see Doyle off in a corner, dueling a man with sword and shield for his life. Before he could think of intervening, another man approached Hanz. He had a long arming sword in one hand, and a shield in the other. He wore a full hauberk, with a breastplate added on top, and a better designed helmet that covered his face and throat with a gorget.*

*He stood five feet in front of Hanz, waiting for him to make a move.*
Wesley
*Hanz would charge at the foreigner and knock the sword down with the enemy still holding it, and stab the sword into the shield with full might causing a small distraction to kick the man down.*
Anthony
*The foreigner immediately slammed his shield forward, trying to deflect the sword away, and then transitioned into a slash toward Hanz's lower leg from above, trying to immobilise him where he had no armour.*
Wesley
*Hanz would back up after this blow in order to avoid being slashed by the enemy's sword. He then got a pile of sand and threw it into the enemy's face causing a little distraction. Hanz would the slash the dominant shoulder were the sword was held by the enemy and stab at the face.*
Anthony
*The back up successfully let him avoid the blow. The man raised his shield, readying for a second strike when Hanz threw pocket sand into his face. The slash landed, but it failed to do any damage due to his armour. He immediately raised his shield, deflecting the sword away to above, and then used the resulting opening to attempt another leg slash at Hanz.*

"I'm not easy!"
Wesley
"So you speak my language ay?"

*Hanz would again jump away to avoid the leg slash but this time he backed up farther quickly, dropped his sword and shield to the ground took out his crossbow with a quick aim, and fired the arrow heading for the soldiers leg. After this he dropped his crossbow quickly and picked up his sword and shield and charged at him with his shield ready just in case of another blow.*
Anthony
"NOT SO FAST!" 
*The moment Hanz dropped his sword and shield to the ground, the man charged forward at full speed, trying to slam him down to the ground with his shield leading, and then stomped on his groin if he could.*
Wesley
*With quick thinking and since Hanz didn't have his shield he grabbed both of the hands and kicked the soldier in the chest 5 times before kicking him to the ground. He then went for his sword to possibly finish the blow.*
Anthony
*The moment he tried to kick him, he would extend his sword downward to cut at his unprotected leg.*
Wesley
"Ag!" 

*Hanz would fall to his knee after being cut. He would quickly get back up though and rush back to get his sword and shield.*
Anthony
*The man walked forward, trying to finish him off. At this moment Doyle slammed into the fight, ramming the man down onto the floor. Doyle gripped his sword, preparing for a downward chop, when the man on the ground parried it nimbly, stabbing Doyle in the neck. Doyle's eyes widened as blood flooded out of his cartoid artery, before his expression went blank.

The man is still distracted.*
Wesley
*Hanz would grab his sword quickly with rage and slice right at the neck of the enemy*

"YOU DAMN BASTARD!"
Anthony
*The enemy pulled his sword out of Doyle's neck, and before he knew it, a sword landed on his neck, cutting his head off the ground.*

*Now that he has avenged his friend, he would quickly realized that the fight has gone very, very badly. Most of his comrades were engaged in combat, wounded, or killed, and it seems there was only a few casualties on the enemy's side...

There's a stray horse running around.*
Wesley
*Seeing how bad it was, Hanz had no choice the enemy was overwhelming and he only had one chance to escape. He left his shield only taking his cutlass with him and ran to the stray horse mounting up on it and retreating to the castle.*
Anthony
*Hanz continued his flight away from the battlefield. On the way to the castle, on a particularly clear, long stretch of road, he'd spot four mounted horsemen that didn't look like someone from Tadon-Barana. All of them had bow. And none of them has seen him yet. It seems the way back to the castle is not clear.*"

*He would notice there's a saddlebag on the horse*
Wesley
*Hanz would open the saddle bag.*
Anthony
*It seems someone has stashed some loot here. The horse turned out to be a quality courser, worth 900 silver or so. The saddlebag had some gold and silver coins, worth 600 silver total, and jewelries - some of them stained with dried blood, that were worth a small fortune - 1200 silver.*

*At least this will get Hanz started on his life as a free man..*
Wesley
*Hanz would of course stash this loot and return to the castle to warn the troops of what's coming*
Anthony
*When Hanz finally found a route around the raider, it turn out the castle itself was surrounded, with around two hundred men besieging the garrison. Strangely, the camp of the besieger were also flying the flag of one of Tadon-Barana's local lord.*
Wesley
*Hanz decides to leave the castle and just desert the castle and continue his story in another tale.*