Iron Focus

The morning after Alexis has shared the mantra and symbol of the Inner Watch, Rask wakes with renewed focus. He recites his daily prayer to Raiden and adds the mantra of the Inner Watch at the end.

His exercises are efficient, powerful, precise. His physical and mental existence aligned like never before.

When he is done, he catches Alexis and Ca’armine’s attention and approaches them.

“Brothers, ‘in the spirit of ‘We begin with ourselves,’ I have had an insight I would like to share with you. My path has been driven by a need for vengence for Thater, recently I have been focused on Shasherak, I believe in part because of my anger at being Dominated by his shadow in the round room of lightning. Even without the Black Blade, I have a weakness for anger and rage. I pray to Raiden that my anger be righteous and not pull me from my Path. I share this recognition of my weakness and ask you aid my in guarding against it. Thank you for all your guidance and support, up to and after this moment.”

Rask bows his head and offers a prayer of gratitude to Raiden.

Meditations and Movement

Rask helps set up camp, hunts and gathers with Gustav and Ca’armine. He prays to Raiden joyfully everyday, and does the short forms of exercises as usual until enough stores are gathered. Once stores are gathered and camp is set, he prays even more often. Whenever it seems appropriate asks the others questions about nature, plants, survival, focus and concentration.

His solo prayer and training become meditative. He talks deeply with Ca’armine about strength of will, how to maintain focus and resolve. He speaks of these same things with Alexis and Ethelred. He watches Gustav but only asks the ranger about nature, tracking and the like.

He talks with Ethelred about the crafting of weapons and armor, sharing his perspective as a warrior and learning about the basics of the methods of building, shaping, joining the materials to make arms and armor.

He sets aside his spiked gauntlet entirely at some point as the weeks pass. He makes it clear that he is happy for it to become raw materials again if no one is excited about using it.

Those who know go to look for such things may notice that most of his fighting maneuvers are focuses on subduing the opponent with the flat of the blade, the pommel, even and knee or elbow. The moves are precise and clearly powerful, there are no movements that sacrifice precision for power, and his focus is clearly not on deadly slashes and thrusts. He is steady and deeply focused throughout the forms.

Rask is calmer, more focused at the end of the three weeks. He walks a bit more quietly, reacts a bit more quickly, and is more nimble.