"Have you ever taken any lessons in self-defense? Combat?"

Cynric peered up from his novel, meeting face to pretty face with Cyrus. He couldn't help but get a little flustered. "W-Well, just a few classes over fencing really."

Cyrus grinned and nodded. "I guess that's a start." He offered a hand. "Come on, let's spar."

Cynric blinked. "Spar? As in 'punching and hitting' spar or a completely different spar-"

Cyrus chuckled. "Punching-Hitting spar."

Cynric blanched. He may have taken a couple lessons over swordplay, but self defense? "I'd rather not embarrass myself." He stuffed his face into his book, hiding his shame.

"Hm. How about this-" Cyrus crossed his arms, standing a little taller. "Each time we spar, I'll take off my shirt for half an hour."

Cynric looked up from his book. "I'm listening."

Cyrus grinned. "But if you manage to impress me, I'll do it for an hour."

Cynric couldn't help but grin devilishly. "Is that a challenge?"

Cyrus began to walk across the dock, his tail swinging back and forth. "Possibly."

Cynric threw his book aside, at his feet in a matter of seconds and trailing after the other. "Challenge accepted."

Cyrus stopped at one end of the ship, a flat, open area before turning to the young Prince. "We'll practice here." His feet shifted, allowing his stance to widen. "Now, try attacking me."

Cynric laughed a little. "Okay." He ran at Cyrus only to find himself on the floor two seconds afterwards. He blinked in confusion. "What?"

"Pay attention. Come on, try again." Cyrus' tail swept the ground behind him, swishing back and forth.

Cynric growled and went for it again, only to find himself suddenly grabbed by the forearm and flipped over his shoulder, his back hitting the ground hard. He let out a small pained groan before sitting up. He swore quietly.

"You're sloppy with your approach." Cyrus leaned down, offering a hand. "Let's work on that first."
Cynric huffed, taking the hand and standing up. Cyrus hummed quietly. "Here, watch this."

Cyrus turned his head towards another guard, a bird-like creature with metal-plated talons and strong wings. He crept silently towards it, hands flexing with sharp claws. Inn a flash, he pounced, slashing at the bird. The guard squabbles with surprise and immediately countered with a swipe by his talons, which Cyrus ducked under to deliver another blow. Cynric squinted at the two. They weren't actually sparring, were they?

After that last swing, the two looked eye-to-eye and shaked hands (well, hand to wing) before Cyrus looked over with triumph.

"So," Cynric slowly said as his guard proudly sauntered back. "A stealthy approach?"

"Well you can be direct," Cyrus shrugged. "But a stealthy approach, one your opponent won't expect, provides the best chance of hitting. Of course, your opponent will still try and defend themselves, so always be prepared." He smiled, gesturing to the bird guard which was now looking over at them curiously. "And that also applies to self-defense. Always be aware of your surroundings."

"Right." Cynric nodded slowly, looking to the bird guard and waving.

"Well," Cyrus took the prince's hand in his, leading him back to their spot. "Let's try again, shall we?"

Cynric looked over Cyrus, unsure. He let go when they reached their spot and tried again.

As they sparred, Cynric became more and more frustrated. This was harder and more complicated than he originally thought. Every time he was thrown to the ground, he felt a piece of his pride crack along with it.
When they finally moved on to actual self-defense, it got a little bit easier. He managed to fend off Cyrus' attacks long enough to breathe until he was brought down once again.

Before they continued their sparring, Cynric held up a hand. "Why do I have to do this? I have magic!"

Cyrus paused. He thought about the answer for a while before speaking. "From where I'm from, people have intricate, indestructible devices which cage our magic."

"What?" Cynric's eye-sockets widened. "Wouldn't that hurt you?"

Cyrus frowned. "It did." He rubbed at his neck quietly.

Cynric then finally noticed the faint marks on his neck, the slightly charred bits of flesh still clinging on. He let out a silent gasp.

Cyrus looked at Cynric seriously now, firm as stone. "That's why if they take away your magic, you will know how to defend yourself. You will be able to survive." His stare melted when he found himself smiling his kind smile. "Besides, I would make for a horrible magic tutor."

Cynric flexed his fingers, conjuring up a bone from his palm. It simmered into existence. "Well, I think I've learned all I need to know about magic."

"Just like you knew all you needed to know about the world?" Cyrus smirked.

"... touche."

They both shared a laugh. Cyrus waved a hand, returning to his stance. "Let's keep going."

Cynric sighed. "Right."