A smile spread across Sleekwing's features at Baird's escape tactics, his reaction time impressive. He was paying close attention, not only to his words but also his actions. It was a good sign, his attentiveness duly noted. Though the snow slowed his movement to regain his feet, the same maneuver taken in different conditions would certainly save him from a blow. A good reaction time and the ability to think quickly on one's feet were imperative to the livelihood of a warrior.

Stepping back to give his pupil some space, questioning what he would do if the roles were reversed and he was the bigger wolf in the fight. There was no hesitation before Baird responded, and Sleekwing's earlier smile found its way to his cerulean eyes. The son of Niviaq and Pan had a good instinct for the tasks required of this position. "Good, it is important to conserve your energy; expending it at just the right moment can determine the outcome of a fight," he said, nodding his head.

Once more Sleekwing moved for the attack, but this time he came in slow so as to demonstrate the maneuver. With Baird's head lowered to effectively protect his vitals, the older male showed how he would feign an attack from above to the face - the intent to get one's opponent to defend themselves in an upward direction - and at the last possible moment shift to attack the chest or a foreleg. He explained how the movement would have to be fast and succinct, followed by a quick withdraw to keep leaving oneself open to a counter attack from above. Not to mention keeping the head lowered so that the largest and most evident target available for any counter attack would be the thick fur of one's ruff.

It went on like this for some time - Sleekwing demonstrating tactics, Baird testing them out and trialing his own ideas as well. The sun progressed steadily through the winter sky as they continued to work and train, neither wolf losing their mirth. But as the day wore on, Sleekwing's age began to show. He began to tire, far sooner than he would have ever anticipated. Though he could still hold his own in quick bouts of battle, such a long training session wore on him. At the end of a set of three concise mock attacks and defenses on each wolves' part, Sleekwing found himself bested, but the knowledge made him smile. Conceding his defeat, the elder wolf stepped back and laid down in the snow. He panted lightly, smiling up at Baird. "You will do well to defend this pack, Baird. Spirane is lucky to have you." It was an acknowledgement of what the future would hold for the young male. Time and again Baird had proved himself as worthy of being Sleekwing's apprentice, but now he had shown once and for all that to be Castellan was his destiny.