Sparring [open]
Where: Clun Manor
When: Saturday afternoon, October 23 30 (please note change)
Who: Sir James de Molyneaux and Nicolas de Beaumont, the Earl of Warwick
What: SJ and Nico recover from their sparring match
Sir James was still panting a bit as he stepped over the threshold into the Clun manor house. Nonetheless, he felt pretty good. He had held his own against an opponent a good ten years his junior, at least, and at the end was pleased to see Sir Nicolas was as red and sweaty as Sir James himself felt. Sir James thought he held his own technically, as well, though it was harder to be certain. He got his share of touches in, but that was the thing with sparring matches, especially sparring matches with a new partner: since the point was to practice and not to kill, you were both purposely pulling your punches, and it wasn’t always easy to tell who was winning, who was losing, and who was trying to be polite and not be a bully. But, again, Sir James felt like he had acquitted himself pretty well, overall, especially considering how long it had been since he had handled a sword in battle.
Now that he was in the house, he looked around to get a feel for the place. When he rode up earlier in the afternoon, Sir Nicolas was already outside, so this was his first glimpse of the interior. It was bigger and brighter and airier than the Teversal manor house, which shouldn’t be a surprise: All manor houses were bigger and brighter and airier than his own, Sir James was beginning to think, and he worked hard at not being bitter and envious over that fact. There was a substantial hall, and an upstairs. Curiously few souvenirs of the crusades Sir Nicolas had just returned from, Sir James thought, especially when compared with his own. Chairs instead of the stools Sir James had. Sir James longed to throw himself into one, but reflexively left it to Sir Nicolas in his role of host to take the lead about that. Instead, Sir James said, “Nice place you have here.” Yes, it was trite, but it was all he could think of at the moment.
When: Saturday afternoon, October 23 30 (please note change)
Who: Sir James de Molyneaux and Nicolas de Beaumont, the Earl of Warwick
What: SJ and Nico recover from their sparring match
Sir James was still panting a bit as he stepped over the threshold into the Clun manor house. Nonetheless, he felt pretty good. He had held his own against an opponent a good ten years his junior, at least, and at the end was pleased to see Sir Nicolas was as red and sweaty as Sir James himself felt. Sir James thought he held his own technically, as well, though it was harder to be certain. He got his share of touches in, but that was the thing with sparring matches, especially sparring matches with a new partner: since the point was to practice and not to kill, you were both purposely pulling your punches, and it wasn’t always easy to tell who was winning, who was losing, and who was trying to be polite and not be a bully. But, again, Sir James felt like he had acquitted himself pretty well, overall, especially considering how long it had been since he had handled a sword in battle.
Now that he was in the house, he looked around to get a feel for the place. When he rode up earlier in the afternoon, Sir Nicolas was already outside, so this was his first glimpse of the interior. It was bigger and brighter and airier than the Teversal manor house, which shouldn’t be a surprise: All manor houses were bigger and brighter and airier than his own, Sir James was beginning to think, and he worked hard at not being bitter and envious over that fact. There was a substantial hall, and an upstairs. Curiously few souvenirs of the crusades Sir Nicolas had just returned from, Sir James thought, especially when compared with his own. Chairs instead of the stools Sir James had. Sir James longed to throw himself into one, but reflexively left it to Sir Nicolas in his role of host to take the lead about that. Instead, Sir James said, “Nice place you have here.” Yes, it was trite, but it was all he could think of at the moment.