Awakenings [BM Ceremony]

[silhouette]

Just a day ago, Rosheen had been fully convinced that she would never be one of the chosen few. It hadn’t been all that hard to reach that conclusion. Rosheen was irrational, something she managed to prove in just about any situation. She had been caught doing things without thinking more than once. All in all she just didn’t think she was Master material. It wasn’t that she hadn’t tried, but… well, it seemed that it just wasn’t there. Her sense of responsibility was thwarted more than once by her desire to join in the fun here and there. It didn’t matter. She hadn’t particularly cared. Not attaining the rank of Blade Master didn’t make her a lesser person, after all. She knew she was still a valuable fighter, and a Tower Guard that many other Guards wouldn’t mind having at their side when push came to shove.

 

So when Lyv came to her to inform her that before the next day was over, she would have done the test to become a Master of her Discipline, Rosheen was more than a little surprised. Shocked came closer to her state of mind at that moment. It seemed that even though she herself thought she was too irresponsible to become a Master, her friend thought differently. This was something she had to ponder on, of course. So she had taken a seat in the shade of a tree, where she could look out over a fairly great portion of the yards. Trainees worked hard towards becoming a Tower Guard or Warder. Aes Sedai and Accepted practised with weapons, most of the time only to pretend that they were doing something useful, aside from watching the potential warders.

 

Lyv’s words echoed through her mind as she thought of reasons why she wasn’t suited to be named a Master. You’ve changed, Rosheen. You’re grown up now, and that means you can’t keep hiding behind the troubles from your past anymore. Rosheen frowned when she thought of that again. Grown up… well, at twenty and six, people are indeed expected to be mature. Light, she’d seen young woman who were more than five years less her age run families and houses. The more she thought of it, the more reasons why she should become a Master of her Discipline entered her mind. She was ready when it came to her skills in fighting. Why did she choose to believe she wasn’t ready when it came to matters of the heard and mind?

 

Day melted into night, and Finally Rosheen dragged herself back to the barracks, where she slept fitfully until the sun peeked over the horizon once more. Only a few hours to go, and already the day felt different than it had done he day before. Rosheen found herself watching the people who walked in and out of the barracks while she was having breakfast, wondering which one of them would ever come as far as she had, and which one of those would challenge her. She’d find out soon enough. With a light breakfast in her stomach she wandered back to her room, intent on getting ready for the upcoming test.

 

She shed her regular training gear, settling for her battle gear instead. Form fitting black pants were tucked carefully into her equally black boots. A light gray linen short sleeved shirt was covered by a black leather vest, padded here and there to give her some protection. Not much, of course, as it wasn’t chain mail. It would do for the upcoming events though. Steel enforced black vambraces finished things of quite nicely. A glance in the mirror told Rosheen that she definitely looked the part of the fierce warrior. As she sat down on her bed, she took her time to construct the spring, not just from the memories of her childhood, but also from her more recent memories. By the time the tell tale knock on her door came, she was calm, and aware of everything around her.

[Guest Celes]

The first light of morning did not wake Lyv up as she had been running around the practice yards for a good hour now. Just settling in her forms training, Lyv wondered why she loathed waking up early so badly, she did enjoy first light gleaming over her katana as she stepped into Hummingbee Kisses the Rose. She had just finished a quick stabbing form when she noticed Rosheen coming out of the barracks and heading to the mess hall. Maybe it was a good idea to let her prepare herself in silence. After all, Lyv had kind of sprung the idea that she be tested on her friend, coming out of nowhere seemingly. It was still true that Lyv believed Rosheen was ready, and had been so for a few months now, only her friend was ready in her skill, not in her confidence.

 

As Lyv had been away from the Yards for some time, she had not been there for her friend and now that she was back, she had expected Rosheen to be a Blademaster. She had even started a congratulations when Rosheen told her how she wanted to be ready for the test within a year. This had angered Lyv an in a rage of quick words she had told her friend to basically grow up. She was ready and this would help her find closure for what happened and find strength in what she had become. Lyv was proud of Rosheen as she walked in her battle attirement, ready to face her trial in a matter of hours. She had not thought long before heading over to Borac’s office and formally requesting that Rosheen be tested for Blademaster, the Master at Arms had heard her out and then told her that he would take it into consideration. Lyv had thought about sticking around to hear him say yes, but their friendship did not strain as far as her being allowed to nag him on the matter. Besides, she could tell from the way he responded that more people deemed Rosheen ready for the heron marked blade.

 

Lyv finished her practice and went back to her room to clean up and get dressed. All black today, with slacks and a snug fitting shirt, her red guard cloak hung over her shoulder and her katana was strapped to her waist. Her quarterstaff found its place over her back where it had been every day for the past few months on her trip to Shienar. She would stand ready for Rosheen and be there when her friend was tested, for support but most of all to show how proud she was of her friend. A last glance in the mirror showed Lyv that her friend was not the only one who had done some growing up, she smiled and wondered if this meant that she was truly becoming more responsible. Then flicked the dagger from her wrist and over the tips of her fingers only to throw it into the wood next to the door. “Never, life is too short to be wasting it on responsibility,†and then she walked out to find out when the ceremony would commence.

 

A few hours later, Borac told her he was ready and would start forming the circle of Blademasters. She had presented Rosheen and was therefore asked to take the future Master to this circle. She found the door to Rosheen’s room and was actually quite nervous, even if her friend was the one to be tested. A firm knock on the door, which led to seeing her friend’s face, they smiled at each other a bit nervously and then Lyv said. “I’m ready when you are,†and Rosheen nodded. They walked out and Lyv pinched Rosheen’s hand a last time before they were outside and the circle stood ready. Lyv found her place and waited for what was to come. She was no longer nervous, but she was excited about her friend joining the circle and she hoped that Rosheen would not be nervous, but find the strength for this event. She would pass, Lyv was sure of that.

 

Lyv Tylin

Blademaster of Path of Water

Tower Guard

[Andular]

After hearing Lyv out Borac dismissed her and stood from his desk and walked to the window. Looking out over the training yards he watched the Warders and Tower Guards spar over the hard packed dirt. The Master at Arms believed Rosheen was ready for the test. In fact he was more than a little surprised it had taken the woman this long to declare herself worthy of the title Blade Master.

 

Retrieving his sword he placed it in the scabbard before retrieving his cloak from the closet. Fastening it about his neck he smoothed it out as he looked in the mirror. The dark blue cloak was adorned with the symbols of his office and with a satisfied nod he waked out into the yard. Finding Lyv he notified his old student of his decisions and the smile on her face told him she had expected no less. The woman exasperated him at times and he sent her off to find Rosheen while he gathered the other Blade Masters available.

 

In short order he had assembled a dozen of the finest swordsmen and women in the tower. The eclectic group formed a circle and Borac stood in its center. Studying the group that surrounded him the Master at Arms felt pride at being part of such an elite group. The sun beat down on his shoulders as the circle parted and Lyv and Rosheen came into view. Lyv stopped at the circles edge and patted her friend on the shoulder. Rosheen nodded and continued forward until she faced Borac as the circle closed behind her.

 

“Who comes before this circle to declare themselves worthy of a title so few can claim? State your claim of why this circle of men and woman should accept you into our brotherhood.â€

[silhouette]

Before she followed Lyv out onto the training ground, Rosheen took moment to chose her weapon. She was equally proficient with a sword and a naginata. After a moment’s contemplation she took up the naginata. It’s shaft was enforced with steel here and there, and the dark wood of it had been scratched more than once. Her hands folded around it, the vambraces protecting her fingers where they needed to be protected. Alden had never gone soft on her when she was learning to wield this weapon. She had spent countless hours in the infirmary, waiting for someone to heal her fingers or her wrist after Alden had broken them because she had been careless. She could still remember the smile on his face when she had come to training wearing vambraces for the first time. Pride, because she had finally understood his lesson. Exasperation because it had taken her well over a year to do so. “I guess I’m just slow sometimes.†She muttered, ignoring the look Lyv gave her.

 

With the solid, comforting weight of the Naginata in her hand she followed her friend out of the barracks. She had been slow on a lot of things. Alden had told her a year ago that physically, she was ready. Her skills were up to par, and if she were to spar with a master now, she would probably do well. It hadn’t felt right though. The title of Master was for responsible people, and Rosheen had shown time and time again that she wasn’t responsible. Until now. She felt ready now. Perhaps not as responsible as she should have felt, but ready, at least. Her self-confidence didn’t waver at all when she saw the circle of masters. She entered it, almost feeling it close behind her as Lyv filled the final gap. The eyes of the masters present in the yards were on her as she faced Borac.

 

When Borac posed his question, Rosheen inhaled slowly through her nose, the Spring making her aware of just about everything around her. Every creak of leather, every shifting of feet. She was ready, and it was time to make that clear. “I am Rosheen Tahn Sakhr, born of Rosana and Urseen. I am a child of many nations.†A nice way to say that she wasn’t quite sure if her grandfather was a Tairen or Illianer man. “I stand before you because I am ready to join in your league, and claim the title of Master for my own. I have worked towards this goal for years.†Rosheen glanced around her, looking every Master present in the eyes. “Who here challenges my claim?†her voice was clear and steady, even if she felt a nervous ripple pass through the Spring. The faces of the Masters were calm as she waited for someone to challenge her.

[Wayfarer]

Waiting no more than two breaths, Vasya Paranov was the one who challenged Rosheen Tahn Sakhr's claim to blademastery. Unclasping his red cloak, it slipped to the ground to reveal him resplendant in dark brigandine mail. Standing in silence as he studied Rosheen, he came to a decision as he started forward, taking his axe from his belt and his broadsword from its harness in one movement, his challenge voiced by his actions.

 

Increasing his step to a jog as he approached, Rosheen's high defensive stance with her naginata threatening him like a scorpion's tail. The Spring didn't come to him, after so many years, he was the Spring. All his emotions; love, desire, anger and hate, all of them were him. It sharpened his senses, quickened his reflexes, strengthened his arms and made his resolve absolute, there was no room for the contemplation of defeat.

 

Breaking into a run to close the last few paces that kept them out of reach, his blade hung low while his axe glided high. Howling with a wordless rage, Rosheen sought to welcome him as the Hummingbird Kisses the Honeyrose. There was a moment, a fleeting yet eternal moment, as the Naginata's blade parted the air ever so slowly as it surged forward towards Vasya.

 

There had been no more than a moment of stillness as her challenge echoed in the air. Rosheen turned, looking every blademaster in the eye, expecting a voiced challenge. Instead a movement caught her eye. Turning swiftly to the left she saw the Captain of her regiment rush towards her, Blade and axe in hand. Vasya Paranov it would be. Then all time for contemplation was gone as he broke into a run, only reflex as she thrusted at his face to stop him in his tracks.

 

Never expecting to best a Blademaster this easily, Rosheen was not surprised to find her thrust parried. Her eyes widened slightly when she realised her opponent had no intention of striking at her with his sword or axe, but preferred to bowl her over with his weight. She ducked to the side. Shifting her grip on the naginata so it would slide of his blade. Subtly rolling she could feel him rush past her. Regaining her balance was easy, but she stayed low, one foot and one knee to the ground as she swung her naginata low, aiming Ribbon in the Air at Vasya’s ankles.

 

Continuing past her to clear any counter attack, he would have felt the wind of the passage of her weapon behind his ankles if not for the heavy boots he wore. Turning about, it was time to test her. The Falcon Stoops was lost in Parting the Silk, and Lightning of the Three Prongs was swept aside by Low Wind Rising that became Thistledown Floats on the Whirlwind, which was in turn greeted by the Falling Leaf.

 

Backing away, Vasya decided to let Rosheen initiate an attack, wait out a mistake on her part. It would allow him to gain the measure of her. Waiting for her, he lazily moved about as Apple Blossoms in the Wind.

 

 

Vasya Paranov

Captain

[silhouette]

The battle was furious and fast, much like Rosheen had expected, even if she did think Vasya was enjoying it a bit too much. At some point his blade slashed past her, no more than an inch away from her face. Was he trying to kill her, or was this all just a harmless spar. It didn’t matter as Rosheen doubled her effort, not succeeding in getting a solid hit it, but at the same time she managed to hold of Vasya as well. They slid through the forms, Rosheen constantly trying to create a distance between them and Vasya constantly closing in. The only way to create that distance was by attacking as furiously as she could.

 

It went on like that until Vasya stepped back, allowing Rosheen the distance she had sought. His steps were steady as he followed her circular motion, his blade and axe moving to counter every move of her naginata, even if she didn’t strike at him yet. Rosheen advanced, meeting Vasya blow for blow with The wood grouse dances. Still no opening presented itself, at least not while she was guarded as closely as he was. If she wanted to get a hit in, she’d have to take some risks. From a feint in the form of low wind rising she moved into Striking the spark, closing in on Vasya and almost driving him into a corner with a swift series of powerful overhand blows.

 

That worked, until Vasya managed to hook his axe around her naginata. He pulled hard, and she could feel the shaft sliding through her fingers a bit. Not enough to make her drop it, but enough for it to be useless in defence for a moment or two. Which was all the other blademaster needed of course. Even as she twisted her naginata into The Grapevine Twines, Lighting of Three Prongs was aimed for her shoulder. A sharp pain rippled at the edge of the Spring as she twisted further to the side, avoiding most of the thrust. Time to recover was non existent as Vasya advanced further, and she was the one to be driven into a corner.

[Wayfarer]

Even as Rosheen fell back, Vasya gave no quarter, pressed every advantage. She was wary of him hooking her weapon with his axe, so her wariness of that trap made her more defensive, and led her to turn aside his axe blows where possible instead of catching them. That allowed him to press her with his sword more, leaving her little time to mount any offensive, only enough to react to each knee movement of his because a moment of hesitation would result in her scoring a nasty blow.

 

The blade's Arc of the Moon was interrupted by the rise of the Tower of Morning, the Courtier Taps his Fan only to be swept away as the Swallow Takes Flight which is brought to earth in turn as the Boar Rushes Down the Mountain. During this Vasya continued forward, pushing Rosheen to the edge of the circle.

 

Bundling the Straw proved to be Rosheen's undoing. Leading forward with his right foot as he thrusted repeatedly, she caught his quick attacks with the haft of her Naginata and allowing her to push the last of his attacks wide, he slashed quickly. As she caught the blow, he was already crossing over as he swung his axe with tremendous force at her side, leaving her no choice but to catch the blow as there was no chance of evasion.

 

Snagged.

 

Yanking back, absorbing the blow from his axe had left her off balance so she was pulled forward into his rising knee that caught her in the midrift. The pommel of his sword crashing into her temple at the same time. The double blow didn't stun her, but it sure hurt alot as she tried to pull back on the stave and rip his axe free of his grasp.

 

Following the motion, he stepped forward as he thrust his axe forward, the head catching her in the chest. Axes weren't often used in such a way, but swordsman tended to forget that while the axe didn't have a tip on the end, it was quite heavy. Even as he brought his sword up to bring the pommel down again, she returned the favour and jumping forward smashed the stave into his chest, sending him back a couple of paces, enough to give her space to bring her blade to play.

 

 

Vasya Paranov

Captain

[silhouette]

The fight continued full force, with Vasya not holding back on his blows, and Rosheen being forced into a more and more defensive position. Through the spring she heard a gasp coming from her side as she barely dodged a killing blow. If she hadn’t been focussed the way she had she would have grinned at her friend. She had everything under control. At least, that was what she told herself even as Vasya managed to snag the haft of her Naginata for a second time, beating her to the ground with sword and axe. With a snarl she leapt forward, avoiding a second blow from the blunt end of his axe, pushing him back a few paces.

 

Even as he staggered and she felt blood trickle down the side of her face she leapt forward, using his own tactics of close proximity against him. He warded off the falcon stoops with his blade, catching her naginata with his axe again. Instead of pulling out of the move Rosheen leapt forward, twisting her weapon out of his grip with her left hand. With her right hand in a fist she caught him across the face, sending him backwards a few more paces. While he regained his composure and returned to a guard stance, Rosheen fell to her knee once more, swinging the blunt end of her naginata at Vasya’s knee. A loud crack was heard as the dull end of her weapon connected harshly. Without truly observing the damage Rosheen rose, stepping backwards and pointing the blade end of her naginata at the Captain as she waited for him as Lion on the Hill

 

Grimacing as he stepped back, it was the Spring that saved him from falling to the ground altogether. Pain, like emotions, could be channeled through the Spring. Howling, he moved forward, unleashing Wind and Rain, through which he managed to get close enough as she grudgingly gave ground to bless her face with the crown of his head, but he received the butt of her Naginata to his knee which was already crying in pain. Wincing, he hobbled back a step as he lowered his weapons. "She is ready."

 

Rosheen straightened slowly, shaking the tension out of her limps while she hung onto the spring for dear life, channelling every emotion and every twinge of pain into it. Her naginata was straight at her side as she leaned on it just a little, wiping at the blood on her face. Her breathing was a little raspy as her body remembered the way it had been used just moments before, and the way Vasya’s hits had connected. She inclined her head in greeting and acceptance to Vasya as he shuffled back to his position in the circle. “Thank you.†She muttered. Her naginata clattered at her side as she let go of it, kneeling when Borac stepped forward.

[Andular]

Borac watched as Vasya and Rosheen danced the test of skill both looking for a break in the others defense. When it was ended with Vasya staggering backward proclaiming Rosheen ready. A look of pride sparkled in the womans eyes and she gave the blade master a slight bow of respect.

 

The remaining blade masters tightened the circle around Rosheen and the Master at Arms approached her with a solemn look on his face.

 

“Through the trial of battle you have proven your worth Rosheen.â€

 

The woman knelt before him as was proper and removing his sword from the scabbard at his hip Borac placed the tip on her head. “From this day forward you shall join a brotherhood that few will ever posses skill enough to enter. Rise Rosheen Tahn Sakhr my Sister in battle and fellow Blade Master.â€

 

As Rosheen rose the other blade masters closed in clapping her on the shoulder and offering their congratulations. The pride on Rosheen’s face brought a smile to Borac’s face remembering the time long ago when he himself earned the right to be called Blade Master. The woman had worked hard and she would hence forth be among the elite of those who protected Aes Sedai and fought the war against the shadow.