The First Two Picks, a Defensive Core - 2B

Chapter 2 – Putting the Team Together (continued)

Kaylen had already spent some time considering what types of skills he wanted for his adventuring party, so Tyrell’s question was quick and easy for him to answer.

“Well I want my team to be mobile, but the foundation of the team should ideally be one or two people who can lock down an area and keep multiple opponents from getting past them. They should be tough, probably armored, and with good crowd control weapons like a greatsword or poleaxe.”

“Well, we’ve no shortage of that sort.” Tyrell said with a nod. The guild master led the way back out into the yard, and toward the pair Kaylen had noticed sparring earlier. With a gesture, he called on several of those training to approach.

“This mage is assembling a specialist team. Anyone who is interested in joining can make their case. We’re starting with men-at-arms and other armored soldiers who can hold a line and fight against a mob.” He pointed to the two they’d approached, “You two, you’re up first.”

The two indicated greatswordsmen removed their helmets as they stepped in front of Kaylen. Immediately, Kaylen knew he’d seen the woman somewhere before, though she’d almost certainly been smaller and younger then. She stepped forward, and extended one hand, “Lyria Gallowglass. I know what you’re thinking, but I promise I can stand against any man here. I won’t hold you back or slow you down.”

A few of the others chuckled, obviously used to Lyria’s need to assert herself in a male dominated field such as adventuring, but Kaylen paid that no mind, as he was still preoccupied with the revelation she’d just dropped on him. “Well who’d have guessed I’d run into you here, Lyria? I take it you don’t recognize me?”

Lyria frowned, and took a long look at him before asking hesitantly, “Kaylen?”

Kaylen nodded.

“Kaylen!” She came forward as if to embrace him, but paused, remembering where they were and perhaps how many uncomfortable metal objects she was wearing, “Wow, you’re even taller than me now.”

The guild master chuckled, even while most of the other men looked rather confused. “I take it the two of you are related?”

“Yes, Lyria is my sister whom I haven’t seen in thirteen years.” Kaylen acknowledged.

“He used to be kind of a shrimp, but that’s obviously not the case now.” Lyria added.

“She could be an easy pick then.” Tyrell suggested, after taking a moment to regard the two of them, “If you think you can handle being responsible for her safety as her commander in combat.”

Kaylen turned to examine his sister, noting how much she had grown. Could he order her into dangerous situations, knowing she could get hurt? But it was clearly as much her choice as his, and her look brooked no argument, so he nodded, “I’d be far worse off if I denied her a position.” He surmised. “But I can still fit in one more vanguard type, as you put it.”

First up was the broad-chested man Lyria had been sparring with, but when they regarded him he immediately put his hands up, waving them off, “Sorry, I’m not really interested in being in a party under a mage.” He explained. Kaylen was disappointed and hoped others would be less judgmental, but in truth he probably wouldn’t have picked someone with a skillset so similar to his sister’s. He wanted a little more variety even among his two defensive picks.

There did seem to be other adventurers who were ready to get started, and for the most part they didn’t appear to be upset that someone had already been chosen for the team without needing to try out first. Once the field had been cleared of those who were unwilling to serve alongside a mage, there were four remaining candidates.

The guild master instructed those remaining four to pair off in order to demonstrate their skills by sparring with one another. The first pair were both human; one with a sword and shield, the other with a long halberd. The second pair consisted of a stout dwarf with a medium length poleaxe, and a thin flexible lizardman with a partisan spear, and armor a bit lighter than the other three.

Kaylen watched them spar for a little less than half an hour before his attention was drawn to a new arrival setting the edge of a massive round shield down with an audible thump. The shield, taller than Kaylen was, was carried by a half-giant woman wearing a chainmail tunic upsized to match her stature. Something compelled him to give this newcomer a chance to demonstrate before making his choice, and so he called her forward.

“I think we should give her a chance, if she’s interested.” He mentioned to Tyrell as the giantess approached.

“Ah yes, Ursa Cloudwalker, she spends a lot of time at the guild looking for work because she’s not really very popular. I suspect she intimidates other adventurers. You have that in common.”

The woman came to a stop just out of her arm’s reach from Kaylen, and once more set her shield down.

“Do you have an issue potentially working alongside a mage?” Kaylen asked. Ursa shook her head. “Then let us see what you have to offer my party, Lady Ursa?”

She laughed, “I’m no lady. Just Ursa is fine.”

“Ursa then.” He agreed, “Well, we’ve already seen them sparring a bit, let’s put you against one of them, and see how well you do.” He suggested.

She was tall and lanky, but her features weren’t bulky, but rather elongated, like she’d been stretched out from normal human size, with a high forehead and long limbs. But then, she wielded her spear and shield like they weighed nothing at all as she faced off against the dwarf poleaxeman. Up close, it became apparent that her slender frame was deceptive, with her thin-seeming arms and legs still carrying plenty of muscle.

She was imposing enough to dominate the field of any skirmish or battle she was in, but not so tall that she would have trouble with standard sized doorways.

The dwarf and the giant traded a few test feints at first while staying out of immediate reach. But it only took one or two passes to realize that Ursa had a pretty sizable advantage when it came to the length of her weapon, for all that she was using it one handed. But the dwarf wasn’t to be counted out, for he took the initiative with surprisingly swift footwork, parrying Ursa’s thrust on the hooked spike of his practice weapon and almost getting the blunted spear tip under her shield before she brought it to bear.

It was another couple exchanges with the dwarf on the offensive, before the half-giant’s spear darted in past his guard to lightly tap first a pauldron, then the front of the poleaxeman’s breast plate.

Then she faced off against the human dual wielder, whose shield helped him make up for the difference in reach, at least defensively, but it became pretty clear quite quickly that he wasn’t going to be able to close the distance around her swift jabs and strikes. The halberdier didn’t fare much better, though he did at least manage to wrench her shield away to create an opening, only to be thrust back on the blunted end of her practice spear, which surely would have skewered him through had it not been made of wood.

Finally, the lizardman had his chance, and did the best out of all of them, managing to dodge blow after blow, trying to wear the giantess down, though she showed no signs of slowing. In the end, she managed to clip him right in the breastplate, and send him sprawling on his back.

“I think my choice is clear.” Kaylen said, and Tyrell nodded.

“You’re on the team, if you want the position.” He offered to Ursa, extending a hand to her.

She glanced at Kaylen’s hand, and he braced himself as she took it between her thumb and two fingers in a surprisingly gentle grip.

“Welcome to the team.” Kaylen smiled, shaking her hand once then releasing her. “We’ll be counting on you, and that shield arm.” He gestured toward where Lyria sat, her sheathed sword and practice weapon both resting over one shoulder.

“So that’s two positions filled.” Kaylen said as he turned back to Tyrell and the others assembled.

“What else do you need?” The guild master replied. “What other skillsets are you looking for?”