9 Displaying skill part-3

"Going three against one? I don't doubt your skills Jason but…"

"If you're concerned, don't worry. The others seem a bit eager as well...I can handle it." Jason reassured the old man.

Rodrik shrugged before looking to the group, where already a few were volunteering. Graffin grinned as he'd pick up sword while two other gruff soldiers got training swords as well. Jason took the time to stretch a bit as the three moved to partly surround him, Graffin facing him while the two were more to the side. Looking between them all, they had focused looks as they took their fighting stances. "Try not to hold back Jason. Hate to be disappointed." Graffin remarked as the surgebinder took his fighting stance. The Surgebinder just narrowed his gaze at Graffin who'd give a short yet before charging forward.

Jason didn't hesitate as he steps forward, blade up in a guard as he'd block the incoming attack yet twist about in a spinning slash. Graffin just dodged away yet Jason's move had another purpose of parrying the soldier on the right who moved in for a stab. The soldier staggered back before grunting out as Jason struck him across the chest before reaching his sword arm behind his back to block the third soldier who tried to attack him from behind.

"How did you-" The man started before Jason turned fully about, sword cutting for the man's gut which the soldier blocked, yet left him open for a cracking strike from Jason right elbow across his jaw. The Surgebinder didn't stand still as he'd move to the man's right side, getting the soldier in-between Graffin who was moving in closer. His practice blade flowed with his movement as he'd slice at the man's leg, the blunt blade cracking against the back of the knee and having enough force to knock the man onto his back. The soldier was out of the fight as he'd grasp at his knee in pain, no doubt the joint being cracked from the blow. With a real blade, the man would have gotten his leg lopped off easily.

"Damn you're agile!" Graffin growled as he and the other soldier moved in together, planning on attacking as one. Surgebinder nearly raised his left hand to use lashing out of habit, yet stopping himself from using it. The two men shifted with who attacked as Graffin opened with a downward chop before stepping back to let his ally move in for a stab. Forcing Jason onto the defensive, the Surgebinder worked his blade about in a flurry of parries while constantly dodging and shifting about at the same time. Yet the two lost their time as they both struck at the same time, letting Jason block both blades in a short clash. Despite the two trying to break his guard, Jason growled out as he'd force both men back. With their defences down, he'd step in sword up, striking at Graffin's shoulder to knock him down onto one knee while at the same time his right leg swept at the last solider, tripping him onto his back. Twisting about he'd jab his blunt sword at the fallen soldier's chest, drawing a grunt of pain from him before then turn back to Graffin who soon as the sword blade at his throat.

Graffin glanced at Jason, panting from the intense fight while the Surgebinder seemed hardly winded. "Gods man…You weren't joking around." He muttered before Jason pulled the blade away and pulled the man up onto his feet. The Surgebinder moved to help the other soldiers up although the one he had hit in the back of the knee winced as he'd hobble on his leg.

"Ugh…could have pulled back on that last hit." He muttered as he rubbed at the injured spot.

"I was," Jason answered calmly back, a chilling remark that had the man gulp nervously.

Rodrik chuckled while the gathered men cheered and clapped, amazed at the fight they had just seen. "Can say I've only seen a few men fight best a group as much. Lord Stark, King Robert and Jamie Lannister being prime examples." Glancing around the yard through the master-at-arms noticed Lord Stark and his wife approach the group, no doubt having watched it from one of the inner wall outlooks.

Everyone gave a small nod of respect towards the two nobles once they stopped before them. Ned look between Theon, Jon, Rodrik and then Jason gives a small smile to them. "Seems like the sparring circle is lively today. Perhaps we should make Jason here our new Master-At-Arms."

"Ugh! A cruel jest my lord." Rodrik grumbled yet smirked back in amusement.

"You fight like Jamie Lannister." Eddard praised, making Jason nod back in thanks. "Compliments aside, I take you've enjoyed your stay so far?"

"I have. Admittedly I'm not used to such hospitality." Jason answered back. "Normally nobles who invite me into their homes often had a request to ask of me."

"Heh, do I seem like a man with a hidden agenda?" Ned chuckled. The Surgebinder just shrugged the lord look to the group of men. "Need to take Jason off your hands for now. Besides if I left him with you all he'd have Maester Luwin busy for weeks patching you all up."

The men laughed out before Rodrik began to give orders, telling the Graffin and his companions to take a break while he'd have the younger recruits get back to drills. Eddard beckoned Jason to walk with him, yet Jon stepped up to speak to the surgebinder.

"Jason, perhaps, later on, you could spar with me. Show me how you have moved around as you did against the others." The young man said respectfully. "Father and Rodrik have taught me much already, yet I think my progress would be with you."

"Can't hurt I guess. Have a lot of free time on my hands." He answered back.

"Thank you! Will a week from today be good?"

Jason gave a small nod, making Jon give a small smile before returning to talk to Theon over the news. The Surgebinder hurried to catch up with Ned who was busy talking with his wife which he could just overhear. "Cat, how about you go check-up with the girls. Make sure Arya isn't fooling around during her studies."

"I suppose…yet are you sure its fine to be alone with that man?" Caitlyn muttered back.

"Of course. You need to relax Caitlyn. His hair and eyes aside, he's no different than any man I've known. Luwin has already vouched for him as well and you see how the others respect him."

"I just know he's hiding something. I keep thinking over his story…he's not sharing everything-"

"Which is what I plan to figure out. Trust me Cat." Ned gave a soft kiss to her lips, making her sigh as she decided to drop the subject along with realizing Jason was nearing them. Giving a small hug, she'd move off to the Great Keep, leave Ned with the Surgebinder.

"Quite the caring wife you have," Jason remarked as he'd walk along aside Ned as the lord led the way towards the northwestern part of the yard.

"Indeed. Our marriage was arranged yet we've grown to love each other early after our vows." Eddard explained. "She's protective and may seem judgmental, yet I value her options deeply."

"So why does she distrust me so much?"

Ned shrugged. "Maybe it's appearance. The eyes may not faze me or the other men to her it's a sign of danger. After seeing the way, you fight it's obvious that fighting is your way of life…and she's a woman who detests people dedicated to the conflict."

"My profession isn't like that." Jason calmly stated.

"You've kept that quite vague really. You claim to be a normal soldier yet your training seems to be given by an expert Warrior Knight."

"You are thinking about hiring Sir Dalinar."

"Of course not." The two arrived at portcullis gate set between the Guest House and Library Tower. Already the guards were raising it to reveal a lush forest set beyond them, which Jason realize was the Godswood he had heard about. "Yet I feel you will tell me in the end." With that said, he'd lead the way into the private woods, Jason following along. Ned was still curious about Jason. He claims to be trained under a Knight which his skills prove to be true. But where did he came from?