Chapter 60: The Core of the Sword
"You paid me for a kill. If you want me to say pleasant things, that's another price," Bronn shrugged. "If the coin's right, I can train you, but with far less gentle methods than he uses."
Ian rolled his eyes and ignored the bastard. He knew what Bronn meant. Roll's training methods were too forgiving, leaving him virtually unscathed.
And as everyone knows, getting beaten is the fastest way to improve.
But at this stage, Ian felt that rapidly advancing his skills was less important than maintaining his image. After all, his near-leadership position in Ser Wilder's alliance was due, first, to the Lannister name, and second, to his reputation, which Wilder called "the Crone descended to earth."
If he got thrashed during training, it would easily destroy his authority.
However, Ian thought Bronn's counsel was indeed valuable. Compared to the pseudo-combat training with Roll, diligently practicing the fundamental movements might be more beneficial to him at this stage.
Thinking of this, Ian cast a questioning look at Roll.
Roll nodded, indicating this plan was sound. He gestured to Keith, who stood nearby, and instructed him to go to the manor's training yard and retrieve two practice dummies. Then he turned to Ian. "Well, today we'll begin training with the simplest and most essential movement: the thrust."
"Thrust?"
"Slashing is most effective against unarmored or lightly armored foes. In combat between knights, thrusting is the most effective use of the sword," Roll explained patiently. "A knight proficient in thrusting can easily penetrate mail, light scale armor, and most plate. At the proper angle, they can even pierce some lower-quality plate armor."
Ian nodded thoughtfully. He had read relevant experimental studies before. Breaking even the crudest cast iron plate or scale armor required over 130 joules of energy, while the energy produced by swinging a blade or axe was between 60 and 130 joules. A two-handed swing could only reach around 200 joules.
This meant that when facing a fully armored knight, effectively inflicting damage with a single slash was extremely difficult.
'Thrust', on the other hand, is different. Because the force of a thrust is concentrated at the tip of the blade, assuming the enemy's armor's fracture toughness and hardness remain constant, the energy required to penetrate the defense is far less than a slash.
This is why Roll claimed 'thrust' is the most suitable method for combat between knights.
"What if the opponent is wearing high-quality plate armor or heavy scale mail?" Ian asked Roll earnestly, not arguing.
After all, all his knowledge in the relevant field came from books, and its practicality was undoubtedly far inferior to Roll's experience.
"Of course, there are specialized techniques, but against such an enemy, I prefer to always have a warhammer ready as a secondary weapon. It's likely more effective than the sword you've practiced with for years."
"Hmm." That makes sense, Rhaegar. Now you understand where you lost to Robert, don't you?
"All right, all you need to learn now are the fundamentals of swordsmanship. Don't concern yourself with complicated matters yet," Roll said, then asked, "Do you know the core principle of the sword?"
"Stick them with the pointy end?" Ian remembered this—it was the advice Jon Snow had given Arya.
"Stick them with the pointy end? Seven hells! Do you think you're just a child learning their letters? You want to stab with the pommel instead of using the point? Hahaha!" Ian's answer amused Roll, and his wine-stained beard bounced up and down.
"The pommel of a longsword can indeed be used for attacking, but not for stabbing—for bashing. When you can't find an opponent's weakness in a fight, or your position allows you to strike with the pommel, consider using the weighted ball at the end to crack him in the skull."
"If the angle of the strike is proper, this move can sometimes be as effective as a hammer. But now, I'm going to teach you the thrust," Roll said, raising the sword in his hand to shoulder level. "Watch this! The core principle of the sword is—the blade and forearm form a straight line!"
With that, he thrust his sword forward. Just as his arm was about to straighten, he suddenly accelerated, driving force to the tip of the blade, instantly piercing the practice dummy before him.
"This is the most basic thrust technique—the straight thrust. Now it's your turn," Roll said to Ian.
Initially, Ian didn't think the strike was anything remarkable, but as he approached the dummy and watched Roll forcefully withdraw the sword, he realized that Roll wasn't piercing the straw, but the wooden post embedded within the dummy's body.
Ian took a deep breath, then, imitating Roll's previous stance, raised his longsword to shoulder level. He thrust forward, the tip of the blade piercing the dummy's body, but as it struck the post, it slipped to the side and exited through the dummy's back.
"Keep the tip of the sword aligned when thrusting—don't veer left or right!" Roll corrected him. "Try again."
Ian recalled Roll's previous strike and thrust forward.
This time, the tip of his blade sank shallowly into the wooden post, the impact instantly numbing his palm.
"Not bad, you've made rapid progress," Roll nodded.
"My swordsmanship has reached an advanced level!" Ian muttered.
"But you still haven't remembered the key to swordwork I just told you: the blade and forearm must form a straight line!" Roll took a sip of his wine. "Straight line!" he repeated, then stepped in front of Ian.
"Let your forearm become part of the sword," Roll said, gripping Ian's wrist. "Relax, boy, relax."
Ian felt as if he were being clamped in a vise. He even felt Roll could crush his bones at any moment if he wished.
Roll's strength was only less than 10 points higher than his current level. Logically, there shouldn't be such a terrifying gap. Could it be due to his skill in applying force? Ian couldn't help but wonder.
"Relax," Roll repeated, squeezing Ian's wrist. "If your fingers and wrist are too tense, the blade won't stay aligned with your forearm when thrusting, and you won't be able to fully transfer power to the sword. Do you understand?"
"Yes," Ian nodded, as humble as a young squire on his first day of training.
"Again!" Roll handed the sword to Ian once more. "Remember, when thrusting, relax your thumb slightly, and let your smallest and ring fingers grip the hilt to generate the force."
Ian thrust again, and just like before, the tip of the blade sank lightly into the post.
"Your form is much more accurate than last time. Practice on your own first. You're still a long way from becoming a skilled swordsman, and there's no rushing it." Roll poured another sip of wine.
Ian didn't answer, but silently recalled Roll's movements as he began training.
His training continued until dusk, when Ser Wilder sent word that Ser Simon of Darry had been summoned to Ser Willy's castle.
(End of Chapter)
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