Forging a Blademaster (Attn: Seive and Blademasters)

[_Kynwric_]

Kynwric had been spending a lot of time recently either training trainees, or the newly raised group of Tower Guards that he had taken a liking to, or out on a patrol or mission he had taken little notice of how his own skills had been broadening. However, someone, somewhere had been paying attention for he had received a letter asking him to present himself, armed and prepared, to a council at dawn three days hence. It had not been signed or identifiable in any way he could tell, and as such he had set it aside until now. Picking it back up he re-read the note and tried to set it aside and put it out of his mind again, but he couldn't. His curiosity was piqued and so he set about preparing what he thought he would need. Double checking his lighter armor, shield and sword were in good condition he finally exited the small room armed as he wished to be, only with a last thought grabbing a dagger to fasten to his belt.

 

He slowly strolled to the appointed place, it was a small clearing near the Glade and Kyn had never been there before. Something he found odd as he had spent a lot of time outside the Tower in the time he had spent residing there. He thought he had roamed every inch of these woods. When he stepped into the glade he looked around, noting faces he recognized and a couple he didn't. But he was here, and he was as prepared as he could possibly be for whatever was to come.

[Sieve]

Drager Baras calmly waited as the focus of their meeting approached the small clearing in the Glade.  The man looked confident without a hint of arrogance.  The man knew what he was here for.  By the looks of him he was no stranger to the sword and shield with which he was equipped.  Drager noted the light armor.  So the man had not opted for the heavy armor, he would be quick then he thought. 

 

Drager knew the man's name though little else aside from the fact that he was a Warder.  Drager who was in his thirties now had not followed that path himself.  He choose to stay in the Tower Guard and was currently a Bannerman.  He would be an officer if not for his love of good ale.  He was a gambler too but it was the drink that had held his career back.  Well he was sober today and he was a Blademaster. 

 

Drager who was a Tairen scratched at his telltale pointed beard.  With close cropped dark hair and sharp blue eyes he stood just shy six feet.  He was wiry though toned from long hours spent maintaining his skill with the sword.  He smiled since they both were armed with sword and shield though Drager had the heavier armor of a Guardsman.

 

Looking at the others he waited for their nods before breaking the silence.  It was his turn to take part in the duel.  He was happy for he preferred to take an active role as opposed to just watching. 

 

With a clear crisp voice he proclaimed “Who comes before this circle to declare themselves worthy of a title so few can claim?  State your claim of why we should accept you into our brotherhood.”

 

 

 

 

 

[Corwin]

Corwin stood and watched, but silence was his role this time.  This was the first he had been summoned to be on the council.  As a result, his role was to watch and judge.  But he didn't mind that.  He had heard some of Kynwric being a skilled swordsman, and now was his chance to see just how true those rumors were.

 

Corwin

[_Kynwric_]

Kynwric turned to face the man who had stepped forward, gauging him. He knew of Drager, had seen him amongst the Guard. He was known as a brawler and drinker, and not a man to be trifled with. Sword, shield and the armor of a guardsman.

 

"I am Kynwric Gaidin, and I come to claim that which I am deemed worthy of. I have no boasting to do for I have fought the shadow and lived."

 

Kyn began to center himself as he spoke, drawing in the emotions and feelings and compressing them, building them into an energy he could use. He slowly shifted his stance moving his feet into position, he was till relaxed though, waiting for what was to come.

[Sieve]

Drager offered Kynwric a nod in response to his words.  Unfolding the Fan Drager offered Kynwric a salute with his sword then in Cat Crossing the Courtyard he closed the distance stopping a few paces away.  He took on the form Lion on the Hill, his shield in his left hand and his sword in right though instead of his blade being vertical he held it horizontal in a hanging guard.

 

"Well Kynwric Gaidin, let us see if you are worthy."  His words were not haughty, they were just spoken as a matter of fact.  Even though Drager had not followed the path of a Warder he still had respect for them.  It took a certain kind of person to devote yourself to a single Aes Sedai.  Fought the shadow and lived the man had said and there was no doubt in Drager's mind that the man had done just that.

 

Drager sat in his guard like a turtle in his shell intent on forcing Kynwric to make the first move...   

[_Kynwric_]

Kynwric tensed as Drager began to take on the movements of forms. Kyn brought his shield up and Unfolded the Fan smoothly and fell lightly in Lion on the Hill. When both men settled into their stances a few feet apart time seemed to slow for Kyn, he took in everything he could about his opponent, running through the motions of a fight in his mind, which forms would lead to openings? Would they be useful openings, or merely exposing armor beneath? All this thought as they stood there and watched one another, Kyn eased back slightly in his stance, just to see what they other man would do in reaction. When nothing happened Kyn took a step backwards, just to force the other man to make a decision...

 

... apparently that decision was to wait, and so Kyn eased his way to the left in The Creeper Embraces the Oak, but slowly and with his sword barely moving. Drager shifted with him, turning slightly as Kyn expected. All of this was merely foreplay to the business at hand, the feeling out of each other and to see if there were any immediate openings. After a few minutes of this play Kyn had seen what he expected to see, a tight, efficient defense with no openings. The time had come to try and create an opening. Tentatively Kyn struck out with half thrust, half slash version of Hummingbird Kisses the Honeyrose before folding quickly back into Lion on the Hill.

[Sieve]

Drager waited and was pleased to see that Kynwric did not carelessly jump into an all out assault.  He did not expect the man to fall for it yet he had to attempt to bait him.  It was not his job to make the man fail though it was his responsibility to test him, to make sure he was worthy.  It was not an accolade that Drager took lightly.  It would dishonor those that came before them and those who currently held the title of Blademaster if they just gave it away.  For that reason he would test the man as best as he was able.

 

Drager shifted his body with maximum efficiency as Kynwric circled to the left in The Creeper Embraces the Oak.  Drager studied his opponent for any opening and the man was doing the same with him.  Again he took in the light armor knowing the man could be slightly faster as a result.  The dance continued until Kynwric lashed out with Hummingbird Kisses the Honeyrose.  Drager's hanging guard was more for overhead defense so he moved his shield just enough to deflect the thrust without creating other openings.  As soon as Kynwric had completed the thrust he returned to Lion on the Hill.  Drager immediately feigned a strongside slash though quickly changed direction in The Kingfisher takes a Silverback, a downward stab meant for either the abdomen or the thigh.  He knew the abdomen would not be exposed so he had gone for the thigh.  As his blade was deflected he easily brought it back up into the guard position.

 

Many warriors made the mistake of leaving themselves open when they attacked which was the reason for Drager's attempt.  As he expected Kynwric's shield effortlessly deflected the downward thrust.  Drager had been right, the man was quicker than he but Drager was methodical.  His heavy armor would allow him to risk a few openings though his main advantage would be if the man needlessly wore himself out.  As they circled each other Drager quickly lashed out with Dandelion in the Wind, the horizontal blow aimed for the man's throat... 

[_Kynwric_]

As Dandelion in the Wind raced towards his throat Kyn leaned back, letting the blade pass his throat by and then righted himself as he stepped forward to bring his blade in behind Drager's own in Cutting the Clouds. As he expected Drager's shield tilted out to receive the blow and Kyn recovered himself as Drager countered again with Dandelion in the Wind this time from the opposite direction. As his sword arm drew back into position, Kyn leaned his whole body over, bringing the shield up to deflect Drager's sword over his head. The were both now recovered to Lion on the Hill and with nothing gained on either part. Again the pair circled, almost matching each others The Creeper Embraces the Oak, until Kyn broke the dance with Soft Rain at Sunset as a feint and twisting it into The Rose Unfolds aimed at Drager's Sword Arm. As Drager moved his shield to intercept the first, his sword reacted to the second. As Kyn's sword slid down the parry of Drager, Kyn braced himself to reverse the flow and brought his sword back up in Tower of Morning as Drager rolled his blade into The Courtier Taps His Fan. The two mens blades clashed mid-swing and they both took a step back to remove themselves from range.

[Liitha]

Lii stood a step back to the left of her father watching with a tilted head, she observed the two men at work remembering her own time. Her hand sougth to one of her swordhilts, today she wore them on her sides, the one she touched was the gift from her father, perfectly balanced on the other side hung the one she had ordered herself to match the first one. Her fingers touched Corwins shoulder for a moment, and as he cast an eye at her a smile played over her lips and she nodded silently in greeting, she had arived slightly late, and been unable to exchange word with him, though she was sure he had already been aware of her presence.

 

Her eyes turned back towards the fight, watching the forms slide by as she silently named them in her head from old habit, looking for signs of bad habits, focusing solemly untill all that exsisted was the flowing bodies in a dance with the swords.

 

Liitha

GM Bonded to Cara

[Sieve]

Drager stepped back as blade met blade.  He had no doubt of the man's worth.  He had not shown any bad habits and had countered Drager's attacks with the appropriate forms.  Kynwric had shown no sign of tiring so therw was no use dragging this on unnecessarily.

 

One more round should give the others enough to judge him.  Drager feigned the overhead strike Wind and Rain then shifted into The River Undercuts the Bank seeking to cut below Kynwric's shield though the man easily danced back so that Drager's sword cut at the wind.  Kynwric flowed into The Rose Unfolds goin for his sword arm again so that he had to change his intended direction to parry the blow with Moon Rises Over the Water.  They danced the forms then danced them some more without either gaining a noticeable advantage.  Drager had felt something strike his vambrace once or twice but was unsure whether it was blade or shield that had made contact.  Either way he was not injured, at least not seriously.  Kynwric looked no worse for wear.

 

On and on they danced, this time Drager did not feign Wind and Rain following through with the quick overhand strikes, several in succession.  All of them beat harmlessly on Kynwric's shield and those that did not were deflected by his sword.  Once again he tried the The River Undercuts the Bank though Kynwric had it covered so he tried The Courtier Taps His Fan with the same result.  Kynwric followed with Dandelion in the Wind forcing Drager to take step back to avoid the blade coming at his throat. 

 

Drager used The Swallow Rides the Air to gain some seperation between them then resumed his hanging guard with Lion on the Hill.  There was no denying that the other man was fast and knew his forms.  Drager had seen enough but it was up to the others.  If they wished to see more then he would continue.  He called over his shoulder.  "I believe he is ready."  Drager remained in his guard waiting on the others to speak up. 

[_Kynwric_]

Kynwric worked his way through the forms, falling into them almost unconsciously as he drew his body in tighter and tighter in defense and looking for an opportunity to truly go on the attack. An opportunity that thus far had not presented itself thus far and it was beginning to look as if it wouldn't. When Drager used Swallow Rides the Air Kyn was willing to let the separation happen if for no other reason than to reset and re-engage anew. He paused though as Drager called back over his shoulder, and while he didn't lower his guard, Kyn didn't step in to attack either... he just waited to see what was said.

[Sieve]

Drager saluted Kynwric then Folded the Fan formally sheathing his sword.  He returned to the gathered Blademaster to confer with them regarding Kynwric's fitness for the accolade.  Drager had already rendered judgement in favor of the man though it had to be unanimous. 

 

After a few minutes of conversation Drager turned and approached Kynwric with others by his side.  Drager removed the gauntlet from his right hand and extended it to Kynwric.  "Welcome Brother, you have been deemed worthy of the title of Blademaster, congratulations.  Wear the title proudly, may you always serve with honor and distinction, may the light illumine you for the rest of your days."  He wasn't one for speeches, it was short and too the point.  Drager moved aside for the others to congratulate the newest member of their order.

[_Kynwric_]

Kynwric returned the salute and folded the fan standing there calmly as he regained his breath from the bout. When he heard Drager's voice he raised his head and gave a short bow and took the other man's hand in his firmly. "Thank you..." He was then crowded by the rest of the onlookers and spent a great deal of time being congratulated and accepting the congratulations.

[Corwin]

Corwin nodded his consent to the man.  He was indeed worthy of the title.  Corwin approached the boy that had just graduated to a man and gave him his congratulations.  He certainly deserved it after the skill he showed.  But once the official business was over, Corwin returned "home" to get out of his formal attire.  He never was a fan of it.

 

Corwin