By the Light of the Forest Moon

[Horus Tempest]

By The Light of the Forest Moon

--> Music <--​

There is no passion, there is serenity.

Two rocks, each of medium size and weight, rotated rapidly around a cloaked figure that hovered centimeters from the ground. His amber eyes were locked shut, his mind widening, the Force swirling about him as though after his own namesake. A tempest of energy, quite fitting for one among the last of the Tempest line.

There is no chaos, there is harmony.

He listened to all things, from the dew of morning mist blowing gently through the trees, to the trickling of water down a broken branch. He sensed the movements of the wildlife about him, which glowed with light and energy each unique to themselves. It was wonderful, transfixing, beautiful in a way only nature and the Force itself could provide for the Jedi Knight. It had been some time since he took a moment to pause and reflect, having been quite active in the affairs of the Alliance in recent times, as well as having to make repairs to the side of his vessel, The Winter's Crest. All in all, it was good to simply do nothing for a change. At least, what he viewed as 'nothing', despite the fact he was still very much engaged in lifting himself and the rocks he rotated about him through his ally in the Force.

There is no death, there is the Force.

He could both hear footsteps cracking through fallen branches, overstepping stones and softening grass nearby. The presence of these beings was unmistakable, as they both possessed the very same gift he did. One he did not recognize, as his presence was weaker than Horus' own, and completely unfamiliar. The other, however, he could sense and recognize instantly. After all, it was she he had spent the majority of his time as a Padawan alongside. Nikka Toren. Unless, of course, his senses deceived him. But that was extremely unlikely, especially here of all places. He spoke, calling out without turning or opening his eyes. The stones gently descended to rest, as did he.

"Well. It has been a while, hasn't it."

@Killa Ree @Cloud

 

[Sameus Valorum]

What was this?

The outstretch of greenery expanded for (what felt like) miles ahead and all around as in a way to remind someone of their place in the galaxy. He felt like a speck, a tiny dot within nature. The surrounding the flora on this peculiar planet was by no means erratic like a wilderness. No, indeed there was a mystifying serenity encompassing the atmosphere above and round him. To call it nature would have been more apt. He could *feel* the living presence of life circulating on a planetary spectrum.

It was indescribably strange for the young Padawan to find himself here, especially under the circumstances. This planet, and the locale he set foot on in the moment was outside his knowledge. Was this an uncharted planet? It wasn't likely. Then again, he wasn't told where he was going, nor did he handle the flight. By all means, young Sameus was kept in the dark about the matter. Yet, the dark was the opposite word that came to his mind. A strong series of leylines flowed under the earth, like a spiritual river guiding him on a magnetic path.

The Force.

It was serene. "Master?" Sam turned his shoulder, realizing that he had accidentally taken the lead over the Jedi Knight. He would need to be careful not the get lost in thought. Before he could hear an answer the Valorum was met with another voice, a rather unfamiliar yet powerful one. Powerful? It was strange to think given how gentle the line was.

"A while? I'm sorry but what? Who are you? Have we met? Master, what is this?"

@Killa Ree @TheMorrigan

 

[Nikka Toren]

Her new Padawan was one full of brashness, impatience, good humor... and above all, an eagerness to understand. Perhaps most Padawans started that way, but this was one grand exception. While he strode on, she walked slowly and deliberately, while all around in her Sight seemed to hum and burn the bright Light of the Force in her vision. And ahead...

One presence she was familiar with since those early days on the beaches of Rishi. They traded blows, bruises, and yet from all those that had been part of their merry clan, he was the closest she had to a companion within the Jedi Order.

Her voice was wryly amused behind Sam, giving him a light thwack on the shoulder with the stick she had picked up some time before. Despite her blindness, she seemed to move remarkably well, with an element of graceful lightness that betrayed. "Patience, Sam. If you had stayed behind me, you would know the answer before we'd arrived."

"Far too long for those of our Clan." A smile marked her words, warm and patient. "And yet... not that long ago. I'd say it's good to see you again, but perhaps that would be in poor taste."

She clapped Sam on the shoulder, nodding. "This is someone I would trust my life to. Someone I first learned with."

She paused, but there was amusement lacing her tones. "The Force works in mysterious ways, Horus. You are bright in my Vision, as always."

@Cloud @TheMorrigan

 

[Horus Tempest]

--> Music <--

OOC: I'm abolishing Post Order for conversation and reinstating it for the sparring.
​

He could not help but smile as he heard the thwack of what he knew to be a practice weapon striking flesh. It wasn't a pleasant sound, but it did remind him of old times. Wasn't so long ago that he was on the receiving end of one such blow, and though plenty had changed since that time, the friendship and camaraderie remained. The two successful members of the first wave of Clan Bergrutffa. How far they had come, and how far they yet had to go before they achieved true and lasting peace. But, everything appeared to be going their way, and the Force itself guided their hands. There would be peace, the Alliance would taste victory, and Horus knew that Nikka would be there through it all, as she always had been. Rising from the ground and flicking the hood off of his head with a gentle nudge of the Force, Horus wheeled on his feet and looked over both Master and Apprentice.

"Poor taste? Mmh. It's good to know you're well. Though there is a strange tint to your aura, Nikka, one I have not sensed before. We have grown."

He didn't immediately mention that the tint wasn't necessarily a positive thing. It had a dark little inkling to it, not of her creation, but of someone else's. It was odd in the extreme, but Horus was unconcerned, battle against Dark Siders sometimes left small marks on your aura, especially due to the nature of their perversion of the natural order. The more extreme the situation, the longer it may last, as far as he could tell. He smiled at the young man, who was the one struck and nodded kindly. It appeared he was one of the few Jedi Knights to not yet have a Padawan of his own, but again, Horus was unconcerned. The will of the Force would bring the right student to him, this he knew, and he trusted in its judgment. It had not led him astray before, and he always found the right people to be in the right places at the times they where needed.

"As for your question... yes, we just met. The name's Horus Tempest, I was one of the first Padawans of the Order alongside your Master here. We've been through some tough kriff, kid, and let me tell you not all of it was glamorous. Funny. But not glamorous. What can I do for you two today?"

@Cloud @Killa Ree

 

[Nikka Toren]

Her lips retook their wry cast as the stick lowered. "If it is growth, then I have a long way to go yet still to learn; it has been a long time since I saw someone else of the Light... the Dark Side has been faced often, much to my regret."

Her tone was calm, reflective, but there was another emotion that lingered there; sorrow. Her greatest goal was to cleanse the Force, and there was still so much work to be done. So much they had to fight with to simply survive; it wasn't the way, but it was the only way that the Order seemed to know how to survive. And there were so many temptations that dwelled from the Dark Side...

The hand that was settled on Sam's shoulder patted again, her grin widening and the sorrow immediately dispelling. "Actually, this one felt something in the woods... he shows much promise. And now that we've met again, I'm thinking perhaps two teachers is better than one; especially since one can still fight especially well with both arms."

A wry note to the scarring of her left shoulder; in some instances, it ached to bring her arm up above her shoulder level, and the more complicated blocking maneuvers that came with it. Even she admitted her faults freely, especially in the face of a man she considered like a brother.

@Cloud @TheMorrigan

 

[Sameus Valorum]

In an atypical moment out of the younger company, the Padawan kept his mouth zipped shut for the time being. It was exceptional for him to not react immediately when being referred to but he paused, earnestly gauging his current situation before speaking. It was overly apparent that these two had some sort of history; even having been told by this Horus himself that they were acquainted, Sameus felt as though that did little justice to the actual experiences these two shared as fellow learners of the Force.

Particularly, he noticed his Master's remark as peculiar. He wasn't aware of her involvement with Dark Entities of late, but even he would admit that his time spent with her was less that lengthy. How much did he truly know about her? The boy drew in a breath, inhaling the thick essence of the the natural air surrounding him. It was remarkable just how potent the living presence was.

"Pardon me, Master, but two teachers?" He had elected to ignore the verbiage between the two's history. It was nothing for him to meddle in. "Don't tell me this was your plan all along? Am I already too much for you to handle?" It was a jest, and he made it purposefully noticeable as just that with his ever characteristic smirk. Though, there wasn't any malice in his tone, there was the underlying essence of a light jab.

I wonder if this was her plan all along, bringing me here...

"I won't say that you haven't been through some roughs... sir, but we could all say the same. I mean, my Master did get roped with me hasn't she?" Again, a harmless comment, but in his mind he was slightly worried. This talk about an injured arm and two Masters left him on edge. She wasn't just about to cast him beside was she?

"What's a busted arm got to do with it? You still seem to hit me with sticks just fine?"

@TheMorrigan @Killa Ree

 

[Horus Tempest]

Horus' eyebrow lifted slightly as he heard the young one's comments. He was wry, likely headstrong, a good match for the Miraluka if he was to be the judge. Part of the Vahla wanted to comment on his quips and remind the boy to be a little more respectful until he thought back on his own time as an Initiate and later a Padawan. The number of idiotic jokes and puns he still threw to this day was staggering, and it would have been hypocritical in the extreme for him to judge another for the very same reason. A slight laugh, more mocking in jest than anything, escaped his lips at the mention that the Padawan was too much to handle. Perhaps this human has more insight than he let on, or maybe this was insecurity coming to the fore through conversation.

"Something tells me the two of you are doing just fine."

Still, Horus began to sense an emotion off of the other man. Being both empathic and a Force User, it was easier for the Vahla to pick out individual emotions and figure out where or why they came from. This felt eerily close to apprehension, doubt, and even unease. Combined, it was almost a sentiment of abandonment. It was an emotional mix he knew well, he'd felt it off himself, his twin and his sister on multiple occasions. But he wasn't here to be abandoned, Horus knew that as he knew Nikka better than that. At hearing the word sir thrown at him, he burst out into a chuckle very reminiscent of his Master's own. Barking laughter was a favorite and almost trademark of the ancient Feeorin, and it seemed the tradition had rubbed off on the far younger Vahla.

"Hahahhaha. Oh, just call me Horus, please. Titles make my skin crawl. You keep on insinuating that you're somehow a burden - might I remind you that you are a member of our Order. There is no burden too great the Jedi cannot handle... though you are not a Jedi yet."

What he said was true, though maybe harsh. A Jedi Initiate, or even Padawan, wasn't considered a full member of the Order. At least, based on the older traditions of the Jedi. Since many of them had been abandoned, it was possible this rule had been amended, but until he heard such he would consider the old traditions to be law. After all, they where the roots of the Jedi, and casting them aside would do future generations a huge disservice.

@Cloud @Killa Ree

 

[Nikka Toren]

She patted his shoulder once more, for emphasis. "No, you're not too much to handle..." She raised a brow over her veil, the grin widening. "In fact, you're just enough." She silently agreed with Horus, however. He was a fine student; a bit impulsive, perhaps, and definitely headstrong, but wasn't she when under Luy's tutelage?

She huffed at at Sam's downplay, tweaking his ear. It was a harmless gesture, but one intended to check his self-downing. "Settle there, young Padawan, I didn't get roped. I offered, you accepted. And I agree; you are no burden." Her grin turned into a playful smirk, a brief flicker of the old Nikka flickering to the fore. "Merely a handful yet. Like someone else, I recall..." she spoke with mock thoughtfulness, but the bite that might have been in her words melted with her faint, warm smile.

But then, the smile vanished, back into the calm contemplative attitude she usually maintained, hands folded together atop the knob of her stick. "My shoulder was wounded, Sam, and it will take me some time to heal myself. I have others under my care, after all," she spoke, not unkindly. It was clear the Master had some fond memories with her Padawan; she was, however, grateful to have met her former Clanmate. His own clarity within the Force would be an added touch to help bring Sam into the fold.

"Your words are true, Horus... and we have lost too many of our Order already. Which was one reason why we have sought you out." Her voice was cool, calm, her posture poised despite the jungle about them. "He is young, but with a good heart. Would you be willing to help me guide him in the Force and its' capabilities in battle? You have skill," she addressed this to Sam.

"...But not belief yet. In time you will... and I hope that time might be today."

@Cloud @TheMorrigan

 

[Sameus Valorum]

He tilted his head to one side in earnest contemplation, as he crossed his arms at his Master. "You're serious about this? Master?" It had been quite some time since Sam was awarded with combat training at all. Most of Nikka's menu persisted of self meditation; strengthening the mind as well as one's connection to The Force. Lightsaber combat, and the Force's application to confrontation, were mainly left to his own seclusion. Every now and then he would find a willing friend, a fellow Padawan, to humor him in practice. Rarely did Master herself suggest the activity.

Footwork, he remembered, had been emphasized as of late. Yet again the combative applications were mainly left for him to discover. It had come to young Sameus' attention that his Master, Nikka, was well versed with Form II Lightsaber combat. It was a style that frankly...did not meet his tastes.

"So this is the first time you'll really evaluate me in combat Master...can't say I'm not nervous."

A subtle gesture of his eyebrows indicated his curiosity. He prayed that this Horus' dynamic levity would prove to later show that he could be more fun than Form II's rigid form. "Horus, then..." he let the words sit on his tongue for a moment, "I'd say that I do agree with your words of wisdom. Thank you for them. However, I understand my faults, and considering where and how my life had began... I'd rather start now to learn to use my education. So as much as I would preferably address you as Horus... for now I would be settled to address you still as Master..."

The disciplined remark was indeed a shadow of his past. He was, after all, raised as Nobility. This unexpected level of maturity and heeding towards respect and proper protocol might have even surprised Nikka Toren herself...

...until.

"Well, that is, until I show you up of course." Sam's Amber lightsaber leapt to his hand by the guiding of the Force. His lips parted into his signature, sly smile. He was having some harmless fun here, but his youth was certainly being displayed in full force.

He angled his Lightsaber low, the hue of it's Amber light illuminating the mossy, green forest ground. Both hands gripped the handle, as the saber faced the floor. His eyes were steady and gazing forward towards Horus. As a practiced Jedi himself, the Jedi Knight would immediately recognize this opening stance as that of Form VI: Niman.

@TheMorrigan @Killa Ree

 

[Horus Tempest]

Horus remained rather quiet as the two exchanged their thoughts on the situation. Nikka took a very comforting stance, something he'd seen coming, and it seemed that the younger man was getting the gist. However, it was also obvious the comments he had said where mostly in jest, now that Horus had time to appropriately examine them. They were an interesting pairing. Unlike these two, however - though Nikka may have more students than even Horus was aware of - the Vahla had taken to claiming any student who was willing to learn. These two seemed matched by fate, and though he could say the same about at least two of his students, the remaining had come to him of their own volition, rather than a mysterious calling. As the two exchanged words, Horus shifted his gaze, at the mention of a shoulder wound. His amber eyes flashed with concern for a moment only, as he saw she was favoring her other, probably due to a lack of pain on that end. Nikka then posed her question, and the Padawan began to almost glow with excitement. The Vahla crossed his arms calmly, a smirk lighting up his features.

"I'd be more than pleased to get some training in. And, of course, I'll help. Well, Master it is then. Free promotions, I like it."

His features shifted into a smile as the boy admitted to knowing his faults. That was good, and where he came from was no mystery. He had an imperialistic air about him, not Sith, but still just as succinct in most situations. Likely some form of military past, or noble birth, maybe even both. Horus, as aforementioned, was quite good at getting reads on people based on how they spoke, acted and felt. Of course, when the Padawan went on to say how he would wipe the floor with his elder peer, Horus began to chuckle again in response. Though he hadn't had much time to prove it in recent months, he was not such a bad duelist himself. His strength may lie in service to the Force, as he was well versed with practical defense applications and their uses in combat, but he was still a distinguished duelist among his peers. Furthermore, unlike Nikka who preferred Makashi and occasionally Jar'kai, if the two sabers where any indication, Horus used a variant of three different forms mashed together.

"Do not boast of your skills, for there is always one more who's proven he's better than you."

The phrase was a rather common Vahlan proverb. It was made famous by a philosopher of their species who's entire teachings revolved around extreme humility, though the subject happened to be a Goddess of Darkness and Chaos. Piety to Vahl had never been one of Horus' traits. His eyes became energized and fiery as he watched yet another amber blade ignite before his eyes, crackling to attention at the call of the Padawan's hand. His own amber lightsaber was unique, though, in recent times, this one was the only being he'd met to wield one of similar color. But the Knight wasn't one to spoil a surprise, and instead unclipped his green crossguard saber, switching it to non-lethal and flaring it to life. He spun the blade up and calmly settled into a combat stance, his weapon settled on his right shoulder and angled downwards, the hilt appearing almost flat against his arms. It was his own style that he settled into, which incorporated elements of Makashi, Soresu, and some Djem So. It relied on both versatility and strength in equal measure, which made it very difficult to predict.

@Killa Ree @Cloud

 

[Nikka Toren]

She knew Horus had eyed her in concern; she knew the Vahla very well. He was always kinder with her. It was a quality not quite common amongst the Jedi; compassion, yes, but kindness itself was a very strange bird in the way of the galaxy. She simply stepped back to observe first, hands on her hips. Let Sam realize all his lessons were in preparation for this... or step in for her own demonstration? She knew the other Knight would not hold anything back with her Padawan, and she approved. A blind tutor could teach, but he would listen better to one that would show what he needed to understand. Being sighted must surely be such a detriment.

It wasn't often she trained Padawans in her particular form choices, because few would understand it. A blend of complicated footwork, duel-blade usage and back-and-forth. It was often like dancing, or so she was told... but most did not follow so well with it. Each had their own pattern to use. Each their own style. But she was comfortable with hers.

Would he remember all that she taught him, to see beyond what the eyes perceived, to use the guide of the Force for his movements? Would all his training time with action and reaction be recalled, or would he fall frequently?

And a smile on her lips, in answer to Horus' comment. Ah, but she did miss that wit. This promised interesting results.

"I will observe... for now. Three against one would hardly suffice on the first duel," she chuckled, perking a brow. Sam had much to learn, but at least he was not arrogant. Simply cocky, and young. She was never so confident in anything except building droids... and now, here she was.

And now to watch.

@TheMorrigan @Cloud

 

[Sameus Valorum]

If he would allow himself to frown, Sameus certainly would have done so. A number of occurrences had come to light within such a short span that he had to make a concerted effort to not budge. In what manner of lightsaber was this? The viridescent hue of the Knight's lightsaber ignited into three folds in an effect much like a crossguard. Frankly speaking, the young man had never seen anything like it. Yet still, he remained unhindered at least from the eye. If anything, the appearance of this strange weapon did nothing more than to spike curiosity than panic. No, he wanted to frown for a much a much simpler reason.

Why isn't he coming towards me?

He was young, and nothing more than a Padawan, even still he had hoped to goad the Jedi Knight to make the first move. As rash and belligerent as he came across, Sameus was far more careful than one would presume. His confidence did not cloud his wisdom. What Horus said was indeed a truth; there is always someone better.

"Is this already a concession Master? We've hardly tested our metal yet?" The Valorum began to steadily circle the Jedi Knight as he spoke. If anything, now would be the time to analyze any holes in his opponent's guard. Sameus took a moment to dart his eyes across Horus' body, taking note of the weight distribution in conjunction with his initial guard. To little surprise, it would seem that the far experienced Jedi was rock solid. If there were to be a hole in his guard, Sameus would have to forcefully create it.

A mental sigh ironically lifted his tension, urging him to come to a decision. The Padawan had wanted to avoid making the first move, rather studying his foe's movement's first rather than rush in, but it would seem he had no choice. It continued to bother him that Horus' stance was unrecognizable, or more correctly speaking, only vaguely unrecognizable.

Sameus had spent time studying at least the basics of each form of Lightsaber combat, this was doubly prudent to the fact that he chose to pursue Form VI; the all encompassing form. Judging from what he was seeing, Master Tempest's style was likely also a hybrid, yet in comparison with the sapling it was observably more refined.

In response to Horus' lightsaber, Sam in turn switched his phase to, 'Non-Lethal.'

Without turning he could feel his Master Toren's "eyes" gazing at him with abject interest. In a way it felt like he was performing for her; finally displaying how far he had come along since their beginning. With that being said would it be better to fall into a more familiar stance in this duel? His Master's teachings on footwork would certainly highlight any Makashi manuevers that young Sameus would like to try?

I'm overthinking this... what's best for me here would be...

It would be to let go. Trust in the Force. It had not failed him yet. With renewed vigor, Sameus' eyes locked directly at Horus' guard and in a swift and decisive sequence, he let forth a fury of moves; the intent in which was to break through the guard wall imposed by the Jedi Knight.

Taking his left foot, he stepped forward and slashed diagonally (lower left to upper right). Immediately he would press, advancing with an attack mentality. By keeping his left foot forward, his sequence was much like that of fencing, or Makashi. His blade would circle back around after the initial attack for a horizontal strike, one aimed at Horus' midsection. Sameus' own torso would fall back during that particular strike, extending his arm far out but pulling back his body in anticipation for any counter or parry. His finishing step of the offensive sequence would have him switching back to a different stance; still following the momentum to bring his lightsaber down to the bottom right corner before raising it in a vertical slash. His legs would part as he took a step forward with his right leg. In doing so he would be able to outstretch his arm fully towards Horus, his palms open as he would deliver a Force Push in tandem with the vertical slash.This move was not uncommon in Niman's arsenal, and was known as the, Pushing Slash".

This was definitely for the best. In the end, Sameus style was certainly more offensive, pressing and breaking a guard with a quick barrage rather than waiting or using brute force. By utilizing Makashi as his opening sequence, he had hoped to confuse Horus, as Sam's initial stance was that of Niman, not Makashi. Just as Horus would get used to this, Sam switched back into his preferred style, delivering a very basic, but effective technique in Niman's arsenal.

Hopefully, Master Toren would be proud.

@Killa Ree @TheMorrigan

 

[Horus Tempest]

--> Music <--
​

(I don't type as much when I engage in PvP, so be warned.)

Horus remained impassive, placing his right foot forward and left foot back, settling low into his stance. He shifted his saber blade from it's chambered position into a low guard, holding it near his right thigh angled low, downwards, and pointed away from his enemy. It was a tactic of appearing to lower his guard. The taunt did nothing but cause Horus to crack a wider grin, waiting patiently.

As Sameus struck from below, towards the upper right of his torso, Horus' guard flew into a strike. He matched the Padawan's motion from bottom right to the upper left, catching the boy's slash beneath the blade with his own, using enough force to knock it askew. A simple Djem So technique. Moving forward with a crossed step, Horus brought his guard alongside his chest and once again swung counter to the Padawan, this time using the refinement of Makashi by shifting his torso, flicking the blade past without allowing it to harm him. He watched as his opponent dropped the point of his blade and immediately lunged forward, jabbing his saber out with a two-handed thrust leading from his right.

As he did, he shifted his position to the left, so if the Jedi brought his lightsaber up, it would clash with the crossguard of his own saber. The jab would prevent him from any follow-up techniques unless he wanted to risk being stunned by the edge of the blade that was now screaming towards his chest. The Force began to swirl around him as the bout commenced.

 

[Nikka Toren]

Her Padawan still relied heavily on his sight; her face was kept neutral as the pair of them sparred, fingers laced together. An eyeless observer watched patiently; to some, perhaps, it sounded like a punchline. But most movements, as he would soon learn, were not to be made with the eyes. He had to anticipate, had to react as the action occurred...

But something like that took months, if not years of practice. Few bothered with Makashi, citing its' difficult footwork as the main reason. But in time and ceaseless training, she had melded it well with the concept of Jar'Kai. It was difficult for most to use balance and your opponent's momentum rather than aggressive forward tactics, but it also meant for easier disarmament of those that would use brute strength. And it was not as physically taxing... but her Padawan had much to learn, it seemed.

Somehow, that was hearteningly familiar as a theme. She would be prepared to step in if need be, but it seemed Sam was holding his own quite easily. His greatest skill would perhaps be combat, but perhaps another lesson in patience would not be too terribly remiss...

Her outward expression had not changed, but became one of contemplation. If there would be a mistake made, she would intervene.

But until then, the Knight waited. It had been a long time since she was observer to a harmless sparring; she knew she would not be disappointed.

@Cloud @TheMorrigan

 

[Sameus Valorum]

Suffice it to say, it was obvious between the first exchange who had the upper hand. Whilst Sameus' intent was to overwhelm, Horus responded decisively without hesitation, parrying each oncoming strike with discipline and fortitude. By all means and purposes, the Padwan's sequence was neutralized in a fell swoop. Still, this was hardly a surprise to the young man. His opponent was a full-fledged Jedi Knight; something he would have only ever heard about in bedtime stories. The sapling had yet found himself in a considerable duel, (even if it was simply a spar) and the magnitude of its intensity was head and shoulders different than his normal training menu.

Glancing over he wondered just how good Master Nikka was for once. It wasn't as though the thought hadn't crossed his mind, but Sam had never fully ventured to guess the level of her talents. How could he? Truth be told he had very little witnessed her in serious action. Skill wise she would simply whack him with her stick as if it were nothing, easy. Would Horus be a similar wall too heavy to pass?

Sam could feel the force welling around him, encompassing the space with and around the duel.Taking a moment, he responded with a deep breath, one that was steady yet invigorating. There was power here, the lad would need grasp it to mold it...

As planned by the Jedi Knight, Sam retracted his forward momentum to avoid the dangers of that crossguarded lightsaber. Even Horus' defense was a threat. Now that he had assessed the distance between his offense and his partner's defense, the young Valorum wished to flip the script.

With the flick of his wrist he feinted a swipe before halting his advance, transitioning into a retreat. His legs were still standing open. Now, how would Horus attack?

@TheMorrigan @Nikka Toren