Swordplay

Recorded: November 22, 2013
Characters: Frigga, Sif
Location: Asgard - Training Area
Summary: Frigga spars with Sif.


The training arena is barely ever without activity. During this warm and peaceful afternoon, a section of the arena has been reserved for the All-Mother and her attendants. Eight maidens have paired off to practice their one-handed sword skills and while one waits quietly near an empty seat, Frigga demonstrates her own weapons proficiency by sparring with another. Each woman wears a breast plate and armguards over their robes but none looks as elegant as their queen, whose red gown flows with every gesture of her limbs.

Every day around this time, like clock work, the Goddess of War makes her way to the Arena. Dressed in red leathers and silver armor, cape draped from her shoulders with her sword at her hip, she strolls out onto the field. The moment her eyes spot Frigga, however, she stops. Her right hand closes into a fist and she bows deeply to the Queen. "Greetings, my Queen." Her voice is kept somewhat quiet. Just loud enough to carry to the woman without interrupting.

Frigga quickly parries the sword out of her opponent's hand and swings a strike at her legs with the flat of her blade. The maiden is caught off-guard by the sword dance and quickly brought to one knee. Using the motion of that same delicate twirl, the queen slips behind her and brings the blade around just under her chin. This is the end of a long spar between the two of them, so while the maiden bears a look of fear and shame, the All-Mother's hardened glance quickly melts into sincere pride as she lowers her weapon. "Your agility has improved, Dagny. Well done." She helps the woman to her feet and gives her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. The other maidens continue to spar while Frigga approaches Sif with an increase to her already loving smile. "Greetings, fair Sif. Here to train your weapon?"

Straightening, the Goddess gives her Queen a warm smile. "Aye, Your Majesty." She gives a small nod to accompany her response before her eyes dart over to the maidens and she grins. "They are doing well." High praise from Sif, indeed! She doesn't usually compliment easily. Her silver-blue eyes go back to Frigga. "My apologies if I intruded."

Frigga smirks and wanders back to the arena floor. "Come, help an old woman test her strength." She walks casually but keeps a firm grip on her sword. "Your presence is never an intrusion; in fact, it is quite welcome. One is reared on the pride of bearing sons but daughters and mothers share a special bond of their own."

Now that brings a bright smile to Sif's features. It's not the best known fact that Sif sees Frigga as a mother but in private, she conveys it to the woman well enough. She hopes anyhow. With a nod, she follows Frigga to the arena floor, hand drawing her own sword in the process. And here is where Sif likely differs from many of the guards that would be used to spar with the royalty. She doesn't hold back. She's never been one to pull punches, least of all with those she cares for. "I have seen your sword work, my Queen…" What isn't said there, though it's implied in the way those silver-blue eyes sparkle, is that Sif is well aware that Frigga's strength has not diminished in the least.

"It wanes as the shoreline wears with each stroke from the ocean. I wish only to keep a constant measure. To know and be able to work in one's own limit is true strength." As soon as she steps in place, all pleasantries leave the All-Mother's face. The hand that grips her weapon lifts and bends at the elbow, aiming the tip forward at a downward angle. Her free hand stretches outward and gestures with all of her fingers for Sif to make the first move. Frigga's maidens stop their sparring and stand aside politely to watch the oncoming battle.

The smile, the warmth, the familiarity… It all fades from the Goddess as she squares off with her Queen. Her eyes harden and there's the most minute nod of her head. She gives the blade in her hand a twist, flexing her wrist in the process. And then she moves. And quickly. She rushes towards the All-Mother, sword held as if to do a typical shoulder lunge, only for her stance to shift last minute, the Goddess to spin and a slash to be made low towards Frigga's abdomen.

Frigga stands as still as a statue during Sif's initial maneuver, not so much as flinching at the shoulder strike. It's far too basic and easy to disarm for it to be the Warrior Goddess's true intention. Only when they are within striking distance of each other does the All-Mother react: spinning in the opposite direction to parry Sif's low strike and attempt to knock her off-balance.

For someone less experience, the move would have worked. Instead the Goddess turns what might have been a slight stumble into a back handspring and the moment her feet touch the ground, she's rush the Queen again. Once within striking distance, her sword is shifted in her hand so the blade follows along her forearm. Her hand is brought up, along with sword, to slash upwards at Frigga's ribs while a foot is brought out to be planted in the woman's stomach. There's an intense in Sif's eyes. The guards likely believe Sif is overly harsh. In her own way, she's protecting Frigga. Should Sif ever not be here when there is an attack…

The All-Mother has had her season in battle; nevertheless, she appreciates all chances to keep her skill in tact. She angles the flat of her blade horizontally to deflect Sif's sword strike upwards and lets herself be pushed backwards by the kick. It only takes a few backwards steps for her to regain control of her own momentum, and she begins to pace a wide circle around her opponent. "Tell me something, Sif, for I trust you not to guard me from life's troubles. Were you there when Thor struck Loki down for his acts against Midgard?"

Sif matches Frigga step for step, her guard up and her eyes keenly watching the Queen. Very few can can best Sif. Frigga is likely one of them. "Sadly, my Lady, I was not. Had I been, I would have stayed his hand." It's there in her eyes for Frigga to read though Sif will not say it in front of others. 'Thor regrets his actions.'.

It isn't often that Sif is away from Thor's side in such matters. Now we know why. In truth, Sif isn't even completely sure of what happened. She knows enough though.

Frigga's gaze is thoughtful but undistracted. As soon as she is ready, she dashes at Sif from the side and swings her blade in a diagonal arc upward from her left hip. "Then my search continues. I wish to hear from an eyewitness to these events who is not my son." Neither Thor or Loki. The All-Mother is doing her best to remain neutral in regards to the incident until she gathers all of the evidence that will satisfy her.

The slash is enough that the dodge Sif is forced to make has her stumble a couple steps. When she rights herself, she immediately spins and makes a counterstrike at the Queen, aiming to 'pierce' her ribs. "How might I offer my services?" There is little that Sif wouldn't do for Frigga.

The All-Mother is caught with her arm upright. The point of Sif's blade is close enough to run through her breastplate, if this were a true combat situation. Fortunately it is not, and after a pause, Frigga acknowledges her defeat with a quiet nod and her lowered weapon. "I should learn to guard more and strike less. Victory only takes one action, after all." She holds her weapon out for the nearest maiden to take. All of her attendants clap politely for sparring match, then begin to gather up their weapons and other supplies. Meanwhile, the All-Mother walks with her hands clasped together in front of her abdomen, her expression overtaken by thoughtfulness again. "What I wish the most at this moment is that my sons would be at peace with each other again. Thor has been deceived one too many times by his brother, and Loki…" She sighs deeply. "Oh, how I love that boy but he does try my patience at every turn."

Sif sheaths her own blade, bowing to the Queen and then smiling sadly when she straightens. "It is… Difficult for them both. When I spoke to Loki, he said he was trying to protect his brother… And it is as you say… Thor no longer sees any truth in Loki's words. He loves his brother dearly but…" She sighs softly. "His temper and pride…." She gives a shake of her head. "I fear it will only be time that will tell if the fissure between them can be bridged."

Frigga heads for the exit of the training grounds and her attendants soon follow suit. "Time does heal all wounds, but a mother knows when to use plaster to speed the process." She stops to look at Sif with a smile in parting. "It is good to see you as always, Sif. Tell Thor that his mother sends for him, should you meet with him before I do today." The procession continues on its way through the gates to the training arena and on to the next task of the day.

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