That's a shield in your hand, block with it!

[perseverances]

WHO: Cullen Rutherford and you!
WHAT: Cullen's decided to step in and get hands-on when training some of the newer recruits.
WHEN: Mid-Haring
WHERE: Training Grounds, around Skyhold
NOTES: Obviously after the Abomination attack. Apparently distractions, people falling off walls, who knows.

Cullen had been down in the Training grounds this early winter morn, for several reasons, actually. One was to make sure that they were keeping up to pace with where they should be, and two, to make sure that the older soldiers kept up their training. They did not want to be caught unprepared with anything that should happen outside or within Skyhold. They should be prepared for anything, including one of their own falling victim to anything that should happen.

A few of the newer recruits couldn't tell the hilt from the pointy-end, and even after explaining that 'you stick someone with the pointy end,' a few of them might be lost causes. Not everyone is good at first, he has to remind himself, and instead takes a sword from an older soldier to explain what he does. "Grip it firmly, but allow it to move with you. Too firm a grip could be a downfall."

He shows the recruit a few ways to stand while holding the sword, placing his feet shoulder-width apart to make sure that he plants his feet for better footing. A few good swings and thrusts, then add the shield in. You block with it, obviously, but they're used to push enemies off. The hands on approach seem to be working with the new recruits until someone asks for a demonstration, and while Cullen is all too fine to bow out, some of the elder soldiers try to egg their Commander on until he relents. Despite the chill in the air, Cullen disrobes and removes his armor as well, allowing him full movement to show the recruits his actions. They form a circle around the Commander and someone brave enough to go up against him. It's a quick battle to the spectators, but throughout Cullen is giving advice to the man up against him. The soldier ends up on his back, but with constructive criticism. More offer to step into the ring with the Commander, and in each spar, he shows the recruits what needs to be done in order to not get killed.

Feel free to watch the sparring, challenge the Commander, offer pointers to the recruits, or catch Cullen afterwards.

Comments

[perseverances]

Attempt is the key word. Many of the recruits had never held a sword before joining the Inquisition, and while he was grateful for the amount of troops they currently had - some was better than none, after all - he did worry about the state of the army. If Corypheus and his lieutenants figured this out, they would surely attack.

He finds himself nearly rolling his eyes at Zevran, but this could definitely be what he needs to show the recruits. The Commander takes a moment to wipe at the sweat on his brow with the sleeve of his shirt, then steps back, swinging his sword to loosen his arm. "Of course." A beat. "Of course, only if you can keep up."

[ombranera]

"I shall endeavor to try. Perhaps you can show me how it is done?" Zevran stepped into the circle properly, unsheathing his shortswords. It has been some time since he's faced a templar trained individual, most of his foes have been bandits, brigands, or Crows; but warriors outright? Not terribly many. A solid year of sparring with Alistair gave him a sound understanding of their basic moves.

So long as he recalls that? He should manage well enough.