*sitting with her back to a tree near the fire in center, a tired dwarf takes up her journal to jot down a few notes ....
Those bloody dwarfs been putting me through my paces of late. But I am making progress, and getting more deft with my weapons training everyday. Armor is a chore, but I see how those two can take a few more hits than I ever could!
I also ran into an old acquaintance. I have only traveled with him a few times in the past, but he is truly a sight to behold in a fight. A battle mage he surely is. We chatted for a bit about things and after hearing about my travails with Gumbo and Van he offered to give me some tips.
We talked at length about how one does not need to be the strongest fighter to be a deadly one. He explained and showed me how being able to move and using the weapon with a bit more finesse I do not need to use so much muscle in order to get the weapon to do it what i need it to do. We discussed individual strategies and also some group ones and how a battlemage can make the most of the Al'Noth to support the party one is traveling with and to make oneself even more perilous in the fight.
Then we sparred. He wanted to see what I had learned....not much in comparison to what he knows become very obvious..I got a few good licks in but I think he was letting me...then he let it go and jumped over my head and whapped my backside before I even had a chance to turn around! That was embarrassing, to say the least..especially as i was pulling my face from the ground around the corner came miss Abi and both of those dwarves. Such perfect timing. Not embarrassing at all.
After I got myself straightened around, dignity somewhat intact, we all chatted a bit. Whether to mollify my feelings or not, it seems they thought I handled myself very well...aside from my face plant. Many jokes about my stout legs and low center of gravity. Comedians...
Anyway, Glitch offered to give me a few lessons whenever we have time, and even miss Abi offered to help me out if need be. She seems to have figured out how to keep armor from interfering with her casting.