As Ranoth looked upon the Academy of Arms he felt a sense of welcoming. It surprised him that a building could cause such emotions. Then again he was used to (occasionally) bloody, spiked towers, so the smooth curves of the architecture offered a comforting feeling. Then again, he thought, I guess all the buildings up here look the same, or close to it
“Welcome,” Drizzt greeted, “its amazing isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is!” Ranoth agreed still staring at the architecture of the Academy.
The two walked to the doors of the Academy and Ranoth felt a sense of pride, he was going to train under Drizzt Do’Urden, and then help kill a powerful matron mother that enslaved his dwarf companion.
“Well, are you done wondering at the architecture?” Drizzt asked, “Because the sooner we start training the faster you can kill Quenthico’sun.”
“The sooner the better, let’s go!” Ranoth replied.
The pair entered through the wooden doors, Ranoth marveling at the superbly done carving job, it was an intricate pattern of runes, and vines that intertwined with each other. They continued to walk through the doors and inside the Academy of Arms, and Ranoth continued to marvel at the architecture, as well as the gardens that started to take shape as they continued to walk along…

*****

Before entering the fencing circle Ranoth had to wait, because a young trainee had been beaten, very brutally, a few deep gashes across his back and he was favoring his one leg. Drizzt, being a trainer, had to escort the trainee to the healer to have his back mended and his leg fixed and put back in place. After a short while of waiting, Drizzt came back to Ranoth, and they both stood in one of the many fencing circles. Drizzt drew his two scimitars, Icingdeath and Twinkle, and Ranoth drew his katana, and picked up a dagger in one of the bins that the trainees used.
"You use a katana?" Drizzt questioned, "That is not a usually a drows weapon of choice."
"I'm different," Ranoth offered as a reply.
"Alright, whatever you say," Drizzt said, "let's begin. The first thing you need to do is to not become completely reliant on one hand. You have to rely on both your weapons, well in your case, just rely a bit more on your left hand (katana hand; he's left handed).
"Alright," Ranoth answered, "let's start."
The two slowly circled each other and Ranoth made the first move. He came in fast, and aggressively, striking mostly with his katana, but occasionally with the dagger. Drizzt went on the defensive, parrying, as not to hurt Ranoth. Finally Drizzt signaled for him to stop.
"Not bad, but try holding the dagger back-hand, it's easier to go on the offensive, and the defensive," Drizzt told him.
"Okay," Ranoth said as he threw the dagger up in the air, and after it spun, he caught it and wielded it back-hand, using Drizzt's advice.
The pair continued the exercise, but this time Ranoth used Drizzt's tips. They circled each other as before, but this time, Drizzt made the first move, Ranoth parried one, twice with the dagger, and thrice with the katana. Drizzt moved in and tried to strike Ranoth at his right hip. Ranoth moved the dagger down to block and twisted making Drizzt back of a few inches. Ranoth then tried to slash Drizzt's torso, but got nothing but air because Drizzt ducked at the last second. Not missing a beat, Ranoth spun around and tried to stab Drizzt in the lower chest, but again, he got only air, Drizzt jumping backward. Drizzt signaled to stop again and Ranoth backed away a few feet.
"Good job, the first steps of your training are over," Drizzt said.
"Well that was easy!" Ranoth exclaimed.
"Good, because it may get harder if others want to help you in your training," Drizzt told him, "There are two more sessions with me, but you others might seek to help you." Ranoth walked away to a training dummy to practice the new skills he had just learned...

[This topic is open to anyone who wants to assist Ranoth Vraen'lic in his training]