Clouds of white curled from the draft's nostrils, his gilded frame pacing the sands of the shore with a predator's patience. Frosted wings stood half extended, tensed and closer to his body than they would be at full mast. The appendages would serve as extra balance on the malleable terrain. The beach was an ideal place for the soldiers to practice; for if they could learn to fight well on uneven ground, they would be even more steady on harder footing. Pale eyes gazed out from from beneath flaxen strands of forelock, looking for the silver form. Fighting an ally for learning purposes was not in his repertoire, and the Sultan knew it would take some resolve on his part to remain careful of maiming the new soldier. Still, he could not fight the adrenaline rising in his blond chest, nor the way his daggers itched to meet flesh once again. The ice demon that lay within him was unbeknownst to the new leader, but he was well aware of the new energy that surged within him, more cruel and cold than he could truly ever be.

"We will not fly, but you may use your wings to aid you in other ways. In battle with Unicorns, you will likely remain grounded for the most part, unless you have good opportunity to get airborne. You must learn to be as skilled as they are at fighting on the ground." Confident, serious words met the air as Leander stopped to face his opponent. Giving Levi a final smile of common understanding, he thrust himself forward into a quick lope, his thick form aiming for the boy's left side. The sea's breeze was at his back, and it hit his mahogany plumage strongly, throwing more weight into the golden's run. He let his neck outstretch, teeth baring in an ivory flash, appearing more than ready to bite as he bounded closer to the grullo's shoulder. But alas, things were not always what they appeared. At the last moment, the Sultan dove right, beating russet wings to aid the sharp turn. Heavy rear hooves flew up towards the soldier's barrel, hoping to knock the wind from him and likely leave some good bruises if they connected. Then the palomino lunged away from the younger stallion once more, putting some distance between them and ready to gauge his opponent's next move.



[ooc: This is an IC lesson spar for Levi, which will count as 1 soldier lesson for him. There will be no magic or companions used.

Setting: The Endless Blue. The sky is overcast and there is a moderate ocean breeze.

Summary: Leander speaks to Levi, then charges towards his left side at a slightly frontward angle. He poises as if aiming to bite Levi, but turns suddenly before contact and spins to buck at Levi's side/stomach.

Word Count: 398
Attack Post: 1/4
Closing Defense: 0/1 ]

Satisfaction filled him as the Sultan's rear hooves met their target, though the soft of feathers clearly brushed them. It was a successful yet risky move, to defend with the wing, but one that seemed to work well for Levi. Leander made a mental note to remind the new soldier to be careful of using his wings as shields, lest he end up with one broken in battle. The thoughts of what he needed to focus on teaching were brief as he ran from his opponent, for the mind of a skilled fighter knew better than to linger on anything else when dueling, even with a less experienced foe.

He was a flash of flaxen locks and gold hide as he turn to see the silver form rushing towards him, legs slamming out to meet his own. He half-reared, pulling his forelimbs not far off the ground, but not quite quickly enough to avoid the dull ebb of pressure that was the grey's hooves connecting with his right pastern. A faint irritation pulsed up his leg, and an annoyed grunt left the LionHeart's maw. The hit would likely leave a good bruise, but was fortunately not hard enough to do any more serious damage to the vital area. The Ice Demon's magic worked strongly, shielding him from almost all of the hit's pain. Teeth flashed, this time their pearly gleam warranted by the success of the blow. Anger blossomed in his chest, rising to the surface, drawing upon the years of needless bloodshed and hatred that had made gilded stag. It was futile to fight the rage that had always fueled his calculated violence, no matter how well intentioned this had been. The silver boy was coming at him again, this time skidding fast on the slick of the sand. Dark wings pumped downwards to aid Leander as he rose again, this time rearing tall into the briny air. Then the gilded brute was slamming back down again, front legs stretched taught, two pillars of muscle and bone aimed at the chrome's sliding body with force. In his drop back towards the boy, Leander let his wings jut skywards to add more pressure in the descent. The heavy weight of his bulky draft bodice would put even more tons of weight into the blow. If his legs made contact on the boy's back, he would likely knock him over. He prepared to lose balance if the dusty brute did fall, for he would need to be careful himself not to stumble over the boy's body. Hopefully, this would serve as a lesson to the soldier that wings could be used for more than shields.




[ooc:

Summary: Leander feels his hooves connect with Levi's wing/side, before running to put distance between them. He turns to see Levi charging towards him and aiming for his legs, so he raises off of his forelimbs, but is still hit by Levi's blow to his right pastern. He falls back to all fours, then sees Levi sliding back towards him, and rears fully. Then he slams his body back down, aiming his stretched front legs for Levi's back (or any part of his body that he can hit, really).

Word Count: 427
Attack Post: 2/4
Closing Defense: 0/1 ]

A second wave of satisfaction rushed through the leader as one heavy forelimb connected with the silver's back leg. Twisting away from the stumbling Levi, hooves fell back into the cold sand, ready to launch him away from the soldier once again. The moment of weakness on the other brute's part gave him sufficient time to gain of few strides of space. Cream locks drifted behind him as continued a brisk lope parallel to the water's edge. The rush of anger still pulsed through him rhythmically, though mellowed by the absence of true pain. Despite the demon's hold, it was easier to keep his resolve without the shock of pain to remind the old loner of his past.
Keen ears waited expectantly for the sound of hoof-beats approaching, and one cerulean eye flicked back to see the grey making his way alongside him. There was still much to teach this young soldier, no matter how eager he was.

The heat of his opponent's body radiated along his side as he approached, and the Sultan prepared himself for the boy's next, likely rash, attack. He stretched his gait out, wings pumping, speed increasing to remain just ahead of the sidling warrior. Defensively, he arched his neck and shifted his skull leftwards, and out of the reach of the teeth that soon shot out. Levi's bite met the hard, muscled flesh of his upper shoulder. Pain evaded him once again; only a faint pull brushing the spot where the hit left a short, shallow gash. As the chrome stag's teeth held him, Leander took the chance to strike. His own head whipped towards his opponent's biting skull, his own teeth aiming to bite down hard on a vulnerable velvet ear. If he made contact with soft of the soldier's ear, he would not pull to rip it apart; only bite down hard enough to leave him with a very painful gash. Areas around the face and head were more sensitive, and tended to cause more pain if injured; a tip that a young rogue once learned well. Something flew across the air near his hind end, almost brushing a dark pointed leg as it went. The sensation was Levi's kick, which had just missed the cannon of Leander's right rear leg. In getting slightly upwind of the boy, he'd saved himself from a sharp kick to the stomach. Incredulously, it seemed, a leg shot out as if towards his head, but it was sorely mistaken in it's aim; for the leg of the 16.1 soldier did not reach the raised head on his 17.3 draft frame.

Blue eyes gleamed as the ebon winged form reared up and away, before slipping quickly off to splash into the frigid sea. Sending bits of grainy tan flying around his feet, Leander slowed into a sharp halt. Thick, white plumes of breath winded from his nostrils as he caught his breath and watched in silence, letting the boy expend his energy in the water whilst he himself prepared. Why anyone in the right mind would go into such cold water at this time of year was unbeknownst to him; but then the move was just as risky and ill-planned as most of the new soldier's others had been. As expected, Levi was soon headed back towards him. Tucking his chin to his chest, the brawny palomino held his ground, shifting into a defensive posture. He made no move as the shorter charger circled him, sooty pillars anchored to the sand with a steely reserve, ignoring the way the hairs along his spine tingled when Levi was behind him and out of sight. He doubted an attack from behind, not when the grey would be vulnerable to a powerful buck. In a flash, the bull was in front of him again, suddenly flinging black feathers towards him in a soft spray of droplets. With a sense of feeling strongly impaired by the Ice Demon's grasp, he did not feel the light touch of the water speckling his front. In one swift movement, the golden flashed his own massive wing out to the left to distract the boy's gaze, while his maw lunged for an outstretched vulture wing. If his bite met it's target, his head would pull up harshly; hopefully ripping away some feathers and leaving a sore wing. Height might play an advantage in this case; for it would be easier to throw his head up and away from the slightly smaller structured male's grasp.




[ooc: It would be good for you to include a summary as well as attack post count in your posts to help keep track of things, as there are only to be 4 attack posts for each in this battle. I am a bit confused about your last post, since Leander did not fall down from any of Levi's attack. It is also a little hard to picture Levi's attacks rationally, as he went rather quickly from kicking at Leander's stomach to kicking at his head. Physically, that would be pretty difficult. Besides that, Levi's emotion and eagerness are great! :)

Summary: Leander feels his forelimb connect with Levi's back leg, then canters away along the beach. He feels Levi approaching along his side, and quickens his pace to stay slightly upwind. He also turns his head defensively in the opposite direction of Levi. Levi's bite hits his upper shoulder near base of the neck, and Leander snaps his head around to aim a bite for Levi's ear. Levi's kick for his stomach brushes past his rear right leg. Levi's kick to the head misses, as Leander's head is still raised from his attempted bite for Levi's ear. Leander watches Levi rear and slows to a stop as Levi runs into the ocean. He stands his ground as Levi returns. When Levi stops to throw water on him, Leander juts his left wing out as a distraction, then lunges forward to bite Levi's outstretched right wing.

Word Count: 751
Attack Post: 3/4
Closing Defense: 0/1 ]

The familiar iron tang of fresh blood found his tongue, bringing memories to the surface. It had been long since he'd last dueled, and though the invasion had satisfied his lust for battle for a time, it was simply not the same. There was only his bare self against another now; his raw strategy, mind, and muscle being tested once again.
With lips stained maliciously garnet, the bronze charger released the boy's ear. Another faint thrum of pressure met his right forelimb at the stifle, caused by the grullo's kick. Their closeness meant that such a hit had little space to gain momentum, and the blow would only leave a wide patch of bruising on the feathered leg. It was something that would leave him sore and aching at any other time, but discomfort would continue to evade him as long as the demon had hold.

Salt air rushed by his gold face as he lunged forward for the soldier's wing. Undeterred by his attempt at distraction, the grey shifted into a less convenient position. The move made it slightly more difficult to get a decent grasp on the appendage, but his teeth found purchase none the less. Ivories clamped down upon feather coated muscle, and the golden's skull shot up, pulling the ebony wing along with it sharply. The poor grip on the wing would probably lessen the severity of his move, but it would likely still leave the younger stallion with one sore wing and a patch of missing feathers. Out of the corner of one frosted eye, he spotted silver rushed out for his face. The aureate leader threw his head to the right, reflexively, though a dull pinch stroked his cheek where the warrior's teeth scraped. This sensation was a fraction more distinct than those that had come from the boy's other successful hits, but was still just a ghost of true pain. A thin line of hairless skin was left in the place where teeth had raked against the side of his face; a superficial mark.

The charger was tired of pirouetting around, attacking as though he truly feared hurting the silver eyed buck. Irritation burned in his chest, and the boy's incessant shouting only served to push him further. "Control yourself! You must not let your enemy get the best of you, your mind must be as strong as your body!" A bellowing yell shot from his bloodstained maw, annoyance clear in his voice. This warrior needed to learn to think before he acted, to treat any fight as though he could be dealing with the most dangerous of opponents. Where was his resolve, his blood-lust? Frosted eyes narrowed, fury lacing their blue depths. The LionHeart lost more of himself to the uncontrollable sways of emotion at the Demon's will.

The golden stood his ground once again as the rash boy charged a second time. The dusty form was running hard, a battering ram ready to clash. It was not easy to pull out of a powerful charge, and so Leander readied himself. As the silver bullet grew close to impact, he raised up on his rear limbs, wings stretching out to the sides for added balance. Then heavy feathered forelimbs struck out and down, thrashing bulwarks aiming to connect with the black winged's head. If Levi's charge continued into his own back legs, the palomino would likely fall from the force. But Leander was prepared, for he would thrust himself forward and land tons of draft body on the shorter stag. If the grullo managed to slow the charge, his striking hooves would hopefully give a few painful blows to the tallest point; the head. The soldier would have to learn to plot, to use any situation to his own advantage. Leander would see that the boy would give up his reckless fighting habits, even if he had to beat the foolishness out of him. Blood on his hooves was not something new, after all.




[ooc: That's okay! I'm just trying to give you whatever OOC tips I can. :)
Summary's are required in both battles and in invasions, I believe. You should try to include each of Levi's attacks and defenses from your post in the summary, to help makes things clearer. It can also be helpful to read through your opponents last post and summary a few times, so that you are able to respond accurately. There are a few things you seemed to get confused upon, such as Leander having an evil smirk (which he did not, though his attacks are progressively getting more vicious as the demon's influence shifts his moods). It is also good to explain how Levi's injuries affect him physically; like whether Leander's bite to his ear left a gash (I'm assuming it did though Levi's description of the pain/effect was a little vague, as a successful bite to such a sensitive area would likely leave a wound), and how it felt when Leander bit his wing, etc. Try to keep the realistic effects of the movements and the attacks in mind. Great job with Levi's emotion once again! It is interesting to see him reacting to the changes in Leander's usual demeanor. :)

Summary: Leander feels Levi's front-kick connect with his right forelimb, leaving a bruise on the stifle. He continues on to bite Levi's right wing, though Levi's shifted position left him with a less secure grip. He then pulls the wing up hard, hoping to render the wing painful. He sees Levi lunging for his face, and reflexively throws his head to the right. Levi's teeth scrape his left cheek, ripping away a line of hair. Leander stands his ground as Levi charges at him once again, and rears just before impact. He strikes out and downwards with his forelimbs for Levi's head. Leander expects Levi to crash into his rear legs, and then aims to fall on top of him. If not, he plans to remain reared and striking for Levi's head or whatever else he can hit.

Word Count: 664
Attack Post: 4/4
Closing Defense: 0/1 ]

The palomino pulled his dark pointed muzzle away from the wing, a few inky feathers tipped with blood in his mouth. Blue eyes spotted the ruby patch blossoming on the vulture wing as it's lost feathers dropped from his maw, skittering down the sand on the breeze. Levi's chrome form was quickly moving back for more, likely enraged by the pain in his newly injured wing. Leander pivoted his heavy body to the right, tucking his chin to his neck and throwing his head along to the right as well, leaving his muscled shoulder for Levi to collide with. He felt the grullo's impact against his shoulder, the force only serving to aid in pushing him around to the right further. Just as quickly, the young soldier was off again. Feathered limbs shifted to face the boy once again as he charged back towards him, aware of the purpose that his eyes seemed to gleam with. Fortunately, the new charge left him a moment longer to prepare, and as Levi poised for a rear, the sooty golden took his chance to run, making a wide circle around his opponent and leaving only empty air for the hooves that had tried in vain to seek his back.

His own rear was soon after left just as empty as the grullo's running path twisted away. Annoyance still pulsed hot in his veins. This sparring involved much more dancing around and superficial attacks, not at all like the serious battles that he'd been taught with. Watching as Levi raced back for yet another rushed attempt at a blow, the LionHeart spun on his hooves once again, letting his feet slide in the damp sand as he swiveled, leaving his brawny rump facing the warrior. A rush of air whizzed past his rear legs, and he felt the boy's hindquarters connect with his in an awkward bump, the momentum of Levi's kicking legs likely slowed by the contact and narrowly missing the blonde's sturdy back limbs. Having been keeping icy eyes trained towards the black winged stallion, Leander saw him motion to raise up from the ground once more. Taking the cue to move, russet wings thrust hard through the air as he launched away from Levi, head held defensively low and away from striking hooves. The sea breeze had been at his back, pressing against his plumage as though they were the sails of some gilded ship. The sultan pulled into a more collected run the farther he got from the boy, finally letting himself slow back to a walk as the spar met its end. That was certainly enough for one day, though the soldier still had many strategies to learn. Casting his cold gaze back to the grey, he could not help noticing the wet of blood on his ear, nor the spot of bald red on his right wing. Guilt began to knot in his stomach, replacing the irritated fury it had held before. Had he been much to harsh on this poor boy? This was likely his first real spar, after all. Heaving a sigh, white lined pools regained some of their normal warmth as he walked back towards Levi. "You did well, Levi. But like any warrior there ever was or ever will be, you have much to learn. Plan your attacks more carefully when you can, and use your opponent's actions to your advantage. Use your wings to give you force on the ground. By watching different opponents, you will learn to gauge what kind of a fighter each one is, and react accordingly. Be always malleable." With that advice, he nodded a weary smile and continued a path towards the Throat, speaking only a few more words over his shoulder as he went. "I will see you back in the Throat, Levi. I look forward to seeing your progress further, I know your skills will be much needed in the Throat, and likely sooner rather than later." With some time and practice, there was no doubt that the new soldier would become a skilled warrior of the Throat.





[ooc: You're welcome! :)
Some of Levi's attacks were still a bit hard to picture realistically. There were also a few parts of your post which were incorrect on some of Leander's injuries/attacks; such as, Levi's bite did hit Leander's cheek, but with less force as Leander had begun to pull his head away, therefore he lost a line of hair off of his face, but was not cut, so there would be no blood from that on Levi's face. Also, with the attack on Leander's stifles, I was not sure if Levi was kicking with his back limbs or striking out with his front, and I also did not know if Levi was aiming to hit Leander's right or left stifle. Definitely try to make your attacks more specific, including exactly what area of your opponent they are targeting, and exactly what part of Levi's body is being used in the attack. Great job for you first time! :D


Summary: Leander pulled his mouth from Levi's wing. As Levi attempts to ram into Leander's chest, he pivots to the right so that he shoulder will absorb the contact. He turns to face Levi as he comes charging back again, and lunges away as Levi begins a rear, making a wide circle around him. He drops back to the ground after his own attempted rear and striking misses Levi. He swivels on his haunches as Levi runs at him again, his own hindquarters bumping against Levi's and Levi kick narrowly misses his stifle, only lightly brushing past his legs. He notices Levi beginning to move up into another rear, and ducks his head low as he lunges away from Levi's striking forelimbs. He runs down the beach and considers the spar finished, finally walking back to speak to Levi before heading back to the Throat.


Word Count: 684
Attack Post: 4/4
Closing Defense: 1/1 ]