Testing a New Captain (Diamond/Open)

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Garza's keen eyes were glued to group of lined up in rows in front of him, glaring at them with an intensity that could melt steel. Several of the men were nervous, some being fresh recruits, while others who were experienced knew of the old man's reputation of being a very strict instructor. The Blood Hound Captain took advantage of this fear, and used it to control them, making it a point to make direct eye contact with every soldier he passed by. He resisted the urge to smile as some men gripped their weapons tightly and shifted nervously. He secretly enjoyed the feeling of knowing that he controlled these men to a degree, not because he was a sadist, but because it meant he was good at his job, and that he could make soldiers out of these men. He broke the silence suddenly by yelling to bring the men to attention, standing in front of them to address the whole crowd.

"Listen up! It's my understanding we have some new blood. Since this is your first time, I will make thus VERY clear, so be sure to clean out your ears and get it the first time! This isn't a picnic! The Royal Guards accept men with diligence, dedication, and martial talent. It's MY job today to drill you sorry slugs into men! If you want to get in, I'm your ticket, but I'm gonna make you WORK FOR IT."

He paused for effect to let his words sink in as the men stared ahead silently, solemnly acknowledging his words.


"Today is going to be very simple; we're going to go through spear drills! And I expect PERFECTION before we leave, maggots! You will hate me! You will hate yourself! And you will be sore all over! But when your hard work gets you the honorary position of a Royal Guard, you will THANK me! Now, BEGIN!"

The men lined up in front of straw doll targets to begin their practice in the yard, thrusting into them over and over as Garza yelled instructions to each of them. He himself had no weapon, but pushed the men to the limit as he corrected their mistakes and told them of the proper stances to take. He almost wished he could get in some good training himself, but knew none of these wet behind the ears rookies would be able to properly spar with him. 

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Diamond had gotten his rather impressive promotion to a captain of his own unit that took orders from the king himself. For a mercenary like himself that was rather insane rank up. Since he was just a meer bodyguard the last year. None the less he was currently training his men in unarmed combat. Since from what he saw, the majority of the soldiers and fighters used more brawler then anything focused. So he was teaching a form of martial art called Judo as it was rather simple but taught a few other skills and moves from a few other martial arts. For the most part it was teaching his men to fight while disarmed and then disarming them take there weapon. And use it against them as well as other quick and brutal attacks to inflict harm. After that the went to practice with dummy weapons in sparing fights. During the training he was strict and firm with what he was teaching. One soldier had desided to be a smartass and said he did not need this unmanly style. As the guy just saw some guy dancing around and not doing much.

"Ok then dumbass, fight me now" said Diamond and a small ring formed around him and the moron soldier out of his fellow men. After that the morron went in charging at him and as soon as he threw a punch at him. The white haired mercenary saw the blow as if it were going at a snail's pace. He side stepped to his left. Then sticks his foot out for a trip and does so. While grabbing the arm that was throwing the punch. With that momentum the attacker spun around and then slamed into the ground. "Now men right at this moment I can do one brutal twist and break his entire arm, shattering it into several pieces. And more then likely some bone will be sticking out from the arm. I will say this, I will be like your new father. I will make you grow and give praise when its needed. But I am also strict and will deal extreme punishments, but at the same time. I am not like Walker, I know that I can not get automatic respect from all of you. And that it must be gained in some way" he then releases the fool.

"Ok and now your going to be doing the drills that I have showed you. As for you sir, as your punishment for disrespecting me. Your going to be sharpening all the weapons in the armory and polishing each one. I want it done by sun down. If you do not get it done, your going to do it all over from the begining and you will not stop until you get it done. NOW GET MOVING" barked Diamond and had put the fear of god into him. The fool then ran to the armory to do his punishment. He him self was then watching what Garza was doing with his men. Just a bit mildly curious as what he was doing.

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As the men trained in their spear drills, Garza could not help but to look over as Diamond began drilling his own men. His methods seemed a bit different, but as the older knight guard looked on, he could not deny the effective nature of the man's foreign fighting style...at least it's applications against untrained soldiers. He watched on as his own men trained in the spear drills. Once Diamond's own drill was finished, he instructed his men to take a break before making his way over to the newest knighted commander. He gave a brief, formal salute before putting himself at ease.

"I did not get to say this in the throne room, but congratulations on your knighthood. It is not often that the King recognizes someone from a foreign land, let alone among the common people, and grants them a knighthood."

The older man looked over at the arrogant recruit that Diamond has thrown to the ground, who was still nursing a bruised shoulder from the scuffle. He wasn't seriously hurt, but Garza's keen eyes had caught that Diamond very well could have broken the man's arm. He turned back to Diamond and spoke again.

"An effective technique...but this man is wet behind the ears. How would such a style fair against a seasoned fighter in the middle of a battle?"

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As Diamond was about to continue he was interupted by Garza, he gave the man a salute and went at ease. He did this out of respect and he was the vetrain of the guard. He would be somewhat one of his superiors aside from the king himself. "Thank you sir, it was rather unexpected really. But it is an honor to have this title and station that the King has given me. Its something I will not squander" he said. And then Garza asked about the technique he used on someone like him or a seasoned soldier. "It depends really, the skill is a basic one but at the same time it is super uncommon to see that most season soldiers might have a hard time to deal with. As I said most, but someone like yourself is one of these exceptions. As you have extensively chosen the way of the fist then a weapon. They would not win or be effective as of now" said Diamond and then took a bit to try and give a good answer.

"But over time I will teach more to them, and they will get stronger. But perhaps you would like to gauge what the full potential will be, by sparing with me" he said to Garza seeing as this man wanted to test him personally. To see where he was at in all of this. He could not blame the man and liked the more hands on approach then what Roland was doing. By just staying in his office and just do paper work.

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Garza grinned at the challenge, which looked unusual on his normally stern and serious face. His men looked back when they heard, and gathered behind the old man to see if he would accept the challenge. Garza, meanwhile, was happy that Diamond had taken the initiative in offering a challenge. It always pleased him when young people showed promise, and though Garza did not know this man too well, he could already tell that they would be on good terms.

"I'd certainly like to see how a match between us two would go! I gladly accept!"

Garza took up a stance as the men seemed to form a ring, one large enough for the two soon to be combatants to maneuver around as they needed to. The old guard raised his fists and bent his knees slightly, his step light as he stayed on edge. Though old, he was deceptively a fast punch, and knew his way around a battlefield, even though he did not use a standard weapon.

"You may make the first move if you wish."

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"Very well then" said Diamond as he removed both of his swords and placed them with a pageboy. He himself was not sure if he would put up a good fight with Garza. As the man was well versed in combat and battle compared to himself. Since he was still young then this man, but non the less he took a deep breath. Diamond went to a stance that was the basic form of karate. His men watched on as well, since they out right respected Garza on equal or more then Diamond himself. The mercenary cleared his mind of what was on the outside. He knew that trying to break Garza's guard would be hard just with a stance like that. But had to test what his response time or how quick he was. There would be no doubt in his mind and now just went for it. Diamond moved quickly for a feirce punch to Garza's face, this was a sparing fight but wanted to show his full force and strength. If he halfassed this, Garza would not have any respect for him. This had to be real in order to feel it, akin to what he had heard from various martial artists. That fighters speak with there fists and weapons to feel and see there real intentions and feelings.

Diamond himself had met the man a few times before and got to know him. But with something like this he would know far more then most. Since this was somewhat live combat with this man. And would get to see what his enemies would see. As well as his allies and the men that worked under him. This would be exciting and interesting for him at the very least and would also learn a few things as well. As this was a good oppertunity to learn this fighting style as well.

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Garza was quick to react when Diamond rushed at him and lunged for the guard's face with a fierce punch. Anthony was quick despite his advancing age, and had been in SEVERAL fist fights. Rather then back away from the punch, he quickly stepped in toward Diamond, keeping his guard up as he simultaneously pivoted, staying on the balls of his feet as he tried to dodge the punch, letting it slide right past his ear, feeling the fist brush up against his skin. He wasted no time with a follow up attack, jabbing out a left straight arm toward Diamond's face. There was no wind up; all the power would come from footwork. It was not enough to knock anyone out, but if it did hit Diamond in the face, it was most likely going to bruise.