(Starlight sits in Twilight's library, about to start reading Artemis's chapter of The Book Of Friendship, while Trixie lounges on the nearby couch. Starlight casually takes a sip of her tea, then begins.)
The Sword Maketh Mare (How swords are the shields of the empire)
For those regarded as warriors, when engaged in combat, the vanquishing of thine enemy can be the warrior's only concern. Suppress all emotion and compassion. Kill whoever stands in thy way, even if that be the gods themselves. This truth lies at the heart of the art of combat.
I was once taught that the deadliest weapon known to us, is not the sword, but the one who wields it. Me, I think differently. I think that the sword and the user of said sword are both part of the same weapon.
My name is Artemis. It is my element that embodies truth, honesty and trust. As such you can always depend that whatever I say is always and forever, the truth. The bow and arrow is only my secondary weapon.
So when I say that I am one of the most deadly swordsmares alive....do you think it's true?
Formality aside, this is my chapter, and I have decided to use it to teach you about the art of swords, and how they protect our empire from those who would seek to undo the prosperity we have achieved.
So, let us begin with a history lesson.
The History Of Swords In The Empire
Swords have always had a place in the empire, since the first day an Alicorn smithed a weapon to fend off a rampaging bugbear attack on his village. The sword is a symbol of strength as well as one of integrity. Tempered, unwavering, and will never bend even under pressure. That is what all swordsmares aim to be.
The next thing to know, is that all swords have a Meito or grade. The higher the grade, the greater the sword and it's status. For example my own sword, Oto (Cherry Wind) is an O-Wazamono or Great Grade Sword. It's blade was folded over 1 million times and edged for over 3 years over the hottest fires of the Eastern Wind Valleys. I have never once needed to sharpen it, nor has it ever once faltered in its defense capability.
Know that a sword that can cut anything is useless against a defense that can stop anything.
Now, lets move onto the first grade.
- Wazamono: "Graded Sword."
These swords are very common and possess the lowest status and grade of all other graded swords. However it would be extremely unwise to say that these are inferior swords. In the hooves of a true master, even the lowliest sword can be deadlier then the best blade in the world.
Some known Wazamono grade swords are:
1.) Shigure "Rain In Late Autumn" (Wielded by Monogote)
2.) Sandai Deviant "The Third Demon Splitter" (Cursed Sword) One of the 3 cursed swords crafted by Deviant Rokuogan. Said to be a cursed blade that will actually bring harm to its user. Has a ragged and rough edge, when compared to its sister blades. Like the other Deviant blades, its owner is able to sense its presence.
3.) Kogarashi "Winshiri Wind" (Wielded by Teggo, The Golden Griffin)
- Ryu Wazamono: "Skillful Grade Sword"
Much rarer and usually much higher in quality then the typical Wazamono blade. There are only 50 of these in existence.
1.) Yubashiri "Snow Chaser" (Was the most valuable family heirloom of the Catfolk samurai, Ippon, given away to a friend)
2.) Kashu "Flower State" (Wielded By Baroque, Taken By Wind Song)
3.) Yamaroshi "Wind Blowing Down The Mountain" (Wielded by Orca, Taken by Wind Song)
4.) Durandel "Le Misreade de Rapiere" (Wielded by the seapony swordsmare, Deep Dish) Elegant Rapier.
5.) Kikoku "Demon Whale" (Wielded by Truffle) A cursed sword as well, though not a Deviant Blade.
- Ō Wazamono: "Great Grade Sword"
Only 21 of these in the world.
1.) Nidai Deviant "The Second Demon Splitter" (Second Generation Cursed Deviant Blade)
2.) Shusui "Clear Autumn Water" (Wielded by Legendary Samurai of Wano Pony, Ryuma) Won by Wind Song in a fair fight. As legendary as Ryuma and Wano Pony's National Treasure. A black blade with a red tempered edge. Much heavier than Yubashiri and far more durable.
3.) Wano Ichimonji "Straight Road Of Harmony" (Wind Song's main sword) Used by Wind in every style including one sword style. Handed down to her by her master, Bushido. When she first fought Honed Hawk, this is the only sword she fought with that didn't shatter. Pure white sword and sheath.
4.) Shirauo "Ice Fish" (Wielded by Mande of The Big Bang Gang)
5.) Cinnamon Pretzel (Wielded by Cinnamon Bun Of The Cake Kingdom)
- Saijo Ō Wazamono: "Supreme Grade Sword"
Only 12 of these in the world.
1.) Diamond (Wielded by The World's Strongest Swordsmare, Honed Hawk) Diamond Shaped Guard and hilt with a blade so thin it's near invisible, yet strong enough to easily cut through ANY other sword, other than itself. Invincible when wielded by Hawk or an equally skilled swordsmare. Can be used to perform the legendary "World's Strongest Slash" that Hawk is known for. An absolute masterpiece of a sword, with elegant craftsmanship beyond any other blade in existence. Truly, a "Diamond In The Rough."
2.) Shodai Deviant "The First Demon Splitter" The first Deviant blade made and by far the most powerful and most cursed of the three. Equal in rank to Yoru.
With grades taken care of, we can move on to actually fighting with them.
Swordfighting for Ponies
It is common misconception that because we ponies are cute, colorful and do not have talons and claws to grab things with, that we cannot fight with swords. This is remarkably inaccurate. Not only can ponies wield a sword with their teeth, but we actually have an advantage over all other species who wield them.
As we hold the sword with our powerful jaws, it is very hard if not impossible to disarm us with typical offensive techniques. And you certainly can't do so with a normal sword, that is unable to maneuver around our own unique bladework.
The first step to sword fighting is to know your stance. Equines (Like us) use a low stance. Hind legs bent slightly, while the fore-hooves are bent more to the ground but only halfway. Head straight, eyes focused, blade drawn and gripped at the hilt with the teeth (Not hard, but enough so that when you block, you don't feel the vibration in your jaw)
Next is blocking. When we block, we move from side to side, raising our head up or down, to block either a low or high attack. Depending on the power behind the strike, is how much you need to keep the blade at a slight angle along with your head, so that the attack deflects off of the top of the sword.
Next striking. To actually strike with your sword, you need to move towards your opponent, swinging your head from one side so the blade slashes towards them. As soon as it connects, whether they block it or not, follow up with another slash from the other side. Be sure to mix things up, and stay alert at all times for if they parry or counter.
Speaking of parrying. To parry an attack from a sword, we deflect the attack with the top of the sword, crossing to the opponent's blade and moving both our sword and theirs to the side, before spinning and delivering a hard kick and following up with a quick downward strike, that very few opponents will expect and thus, be able to block in time.
Now what happens when they actually manage to parry you? When your opponent parries your attack (Not if, but when. If you are fighting somepony worth fighting, they will eventually try to parry you. Don't get cocky.) you want to move with the parry, so as to avoid getting hit by any secondary follow ups, and if your lucky you will get a free hit when they fail to see you have deflected their parry attempt, and you may even get a kill strike in.
Now for counters and counterstrikes. Usually when an opponent parries you, they will follow up with a secondary attack or even a surprise melee strike. The best way to avoid this secondary attack is to quickly break the parry and deflect the surprise attack, keeping your guard up in case they try another attack.