“So, I hear you want to be a hero? It’s a tough gig these days, son, so you’d best adjust your expectations. Now, we’ve all heard tales of faraway lands where a hero can kill hundreds of men and all kind of beasts in the blink of an eye, but here if you go against three thugs and live to tell the tale, you should consider yourself lucky.
“Respect your enemy, son, and take each and every one seriously. They want to live same as you do and they will fight you tooth and nail for it. Still, every man has to fight for what’s his sometime, so let’s get to training.”
“Rule number one – if you can’t hit a man, you can’t kill him. Sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people neglect their weapon training and rely on blind luck instead.
“Rule number two – if you can’t kill a man fast enough, you’re giving him an opportunity to do you in, especially if he brought friends to the fight. Different swords, for example, are good for different occasions. Two-handers can work miracles in some situations but by nothing but hindrance in others. Adapt or die.
“Rule number there – defense. Dodge and block are your first line of defense. Sadly, in the heat of the battle, you don’t have time to do both, so pick one and stick with it. Your armor is the second line of defense, but keep in mind that it can also slow you down. Pick one that’s right for you.