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DRAGONMOUNT

A WHEEL OF TIME COMMUNITY

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Thera flexed her hands on the hilt of her sword and stared back at herself in the mirror. She had waited for this day for many years, and now that it was upon her she felt the weight of the short journey on which she’d embark. In truth the day could have come years since, if she’d focused on her own training not that of her students. Then the love affair with Jasine had proven to monopolize more of her time than she could have ever imagined. But with their needing to hide at an end, and his comforting presence in her life everyday Thera had begun to focus again on improving her own skills. She’d reworked her training schedule and begun to regiment her food and redoubled her work with her sword in hopes of living up to today. Kynwric had proved to be her biggest help in honing her craft. Only a week gone she’d been summed to present herself to the council and in an instant she’d known what it had to mean.

 

Tying her hair back with a ribbon and fastening it with pins she studied the effect, shaking her head this way in that. As much as it may have appeared different, the posturing was not in vain. Thera wanted to make sure that no hairs would fall in her face and distract from what she was about. Outwardly confident as she was Thera harbored no delusions that this fight would be easy.

 

To avoid any distractions she’d made sure that Jasine was not only out of the house they shared, but out of the City as well. With at least an hour left until sunrise Thera donned her light armor and set out into the yards to find a quiet place to stretch. In a small clearing barely large enough for two she stretched her muscles and ran through her warm up forms. With less than 15 minutes before her appointed time Thera settled down on the ground and closed her eyes.

 

With her bond to Serena broken Thera often marveled at how alone she was in her head. After ten years without a moments respite it was a hard thing to get used to. Forming the image of the flame in her mind she cleared her head of all thoughts and emotions focusing only on the heat of the flame. Sitting on the grass with her hands on her crossed knees and her eyes shut tight Thera waited for the first rays of light to reach her eyes. In complete calm and ready to face what she must Thera entered the clearing with her head high and her mind focused.

 

Posted

Corwin woke that morning thinking today would be the start of a new phase that he had been putting off.  His training.  He had taken so much time off he didn't know what to make of it all.  It wasn't completely time off though, he had made sure that his skills didn't slacken, but neither had he really progressed.  It had been too long, but when he came back to the Tower he found that they wanted a teacher.  But that was only something he had hidden behind.

 

Especially now, being bonded again, he knew he needed to improve.  Eqwina was so strange, and so unique that he was sure that he was going to need to improve his skills or he would die... maybe both.  The woman lived a dangerous life.  Walking over to his blades, Corwin contemplated which to choose, his Katanas had served him so well over the years, but his Tulwars did well for throwing off an opponent.  But then again this was a battle with someone who had years of experience.  The woman wouldn't be so easily thrown off as a person in the rest of the world.  The warders were trained to protect their Aes Sedai in most any situation, and this woman had lost hers... like he had.  He was sure that had only given her more reason to improve, like it had for him, after time.  Corwin settled on the Katanas and departed for the sparing ring.  It felt so strange in boots, but he would get out of them when the time came.  For now he had to be somewhat presentable.  His hair was even growing back nicely, and it was still short enough not to be a problem.

 

Feeling the bond, Corwin knew Eqwina was in the Tower.  Hopefully this time he wouldn't bring her out like he had Eleanore.  That had been quite the scene, and he didn't want to repeat it.  But this woman wasn't going to earn her right without hell to pay in that ring.

 

Corwin

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Thera’s eyes scanned their impenetrable faces wondering which one of the 5 would be who she faced. Somehow when she met Corwin’s eye she knew. Tension and nerves quivered along the edges of the bond and she had to refocus to drive them away. She had seen Corwin fight, and had been around enough to hear stories, out of all the people she could have faced he was her worst fear.

 

Squaring her shoulders she walked to them, and stood facing their semi-circle. Thera was unsure as to protocol, this was not something she’d ever experienced before, and so she bowed to each one and stood waiting for their instruction.

 

“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”

 

She had thought on this question, knowing that it may be something she was asked. The answer she’d gone over a thousand times in her head poured from her mouth, it would have come out in a rush had it not been for the void.

“I have a dedication to our craft and a passion to teach and pass on all that I know. As can be said of many warriors, I am committed to my cause and will see it through to the death. What I may lack in endurance or skill I more than make up in my stubborn pride. I’ve have been taught not to yield and to never back down. I believe that I would do your ranks proud. I am ready to face my judgment.”

 

She did not know if that was enough or even the answer they sought, but she would soon learn. “Who here challenges my claim?” Her voice was bold and commanding and held an edge that said she would enjoy this battle. All there was left was to wait.

 

Posted

Corwin smirked at the woman's challenge.  He had been told he would be answering it this time, but he always liked to build the mood some, thus he let the silence build until some of the blademasters started glancing back and forth.  Corwin then stepped forward to show it would be him.  It probably wasn't the best of ideas to mess with ceremony as much as he did by not answering her quickly, but he didn't care that much.  This was a moment for her to prove herself, and his delayed response wouldn't tire her any quicker.

 

Once in the ring, Corwin shed most of his clothing down to just a shirt, britches, and his boots.  There was no need to look presentable now, after all, as the spar went on he would only get sweaty and gross.  He wouldn't need his belt once he drew his swords, thus he put it with his other things outside of the ring.  Turning, Corwin spun his Katanas in each hand to get them warmed up.  His hands were so familiar with them, they seemed to rotate on their own.  This fight was going to go great.  If she deserved the title, she would earn it.  Corwin didn't mind the fact that he might loose to her, but she was going to have to earn that, he had trained too many to this level to see an unskilled on reach it.

 

Corwin

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When the silence was finally broken Thera exhaled, releasing a breath she was not aware she was holding. Watching him strip down she glanced down at her own armor and made a last minute decision to lose all by her shirt, coat and pants. Her sword belt she left buckled in place, it would fell to strange to not have the weight at her hip.

 

Thera’s caramel eyes studied both of his Katanas and slid back to her one. This would not be the first time she’d faced duel weapons, only the first time against a blade master. Flexing her calves she stretched up onto her toes and back down, rolling her head in a full circle to loosen the muscles in her neck. She assumed The Cat Crossing the Courtyard and stepped into the ring with the haughty saunter the stance caused.

 

For a moment they circled each other and Thera’s sharp eyes watched the movement of his feet and the way he held himself; cataloging anything that might help her in the minutes to come. Knowing that even these moments would count against her she lunged in with the Leaf Floating on the Breeze It was a good basic form and a way to test his skill. He had strength and height but she was quick and for now she kept her focus low. Wanting to cause the first hit she lunged in with the diagonal slash of Low Wind Rising and instantly saw her mistake. She was faster, but in no way could Corwin be considered slow. Dark red blood oozed from a hair thin scratch his blade had caused; only fast feet had saved her from getting worse.

 

Cursing quietly under her breathe she danced back, forced into the defensive. Not wanting to make another mistake she used The Wood Grouse Dances to feel him out and get herself back into the match. A few more small blood stains marred her clothes, but she was not alone, small slashes cut his shirt and a thin gash oozed blood down his left leg.

 

As the sun climbed higher Thera began to sweat, she had to end this soon. In sheer strength he was more than her match and from only the few cuts that she showed he had not yet used his full strength. She danced in closer to engage again.

 

Posted

Corwin walked in Emptiness and watched the woman try to build her confidence.  But it didn't matter.  As she would go in and try to test him, Corwin found give her a few knicks to try and get her to end the petty attempts, this was a fight for her to become a blademaster, she needed to show more courage if she was going to win.  One thing that surprised him a bit was her speed.  Corwin wasn't really slow, but she was faster than him, that much he could tell.

 

Corwin saw her come in, and this time she surprised him a bit, it became more of a dance between the two.  Perhaps she was truly trying. Low Wind Rising was met by Black Pebbles on Snow, yet she had enough speed Corwin had to retreat from his other blade bringing in Dandelion in the Wind.  Yet she came right in with Kissing the Adder, Corwin met her with Tower in the Morning, but only threw in enough force to divert her blow just above his left shoulder, but before she could take too much advantage, Corwin was dropping and sending River Undercuts the Bank while his right blade brought in Cutting the Clouds.  The woman beautifully danced back using The Falling Leaf to block his left, then right blade, and back to his left as he diverted it to bring in The Rose Unfolds since he was back on his feet by this time.  Tough she had to quickly reverse Falling Leaf to s

 

The woman had some skill, that much was for sure, but she was back on the defensive, and Corwin suspected she didn't particularly like that.  Charging back in, Corwin could see her using Apple Blossoms in the Wind, with her speed, it was deadly.  But he kept on the offensive to not let her get him.  Falcon Stoops on the right followed by Hummingbird Kisses the Hunnyrose, followed by Moon Rises over the Water on the right and Wind Blows Over the Wall on the left.  His boots weren't the best for pivoting tightly, and the woman took advantage of that.  It wasn't that they weren't broken in, they were, but nothing was better then fighting barefooted.  No better way to tell your footing.  The woman came right in though with Cat on Hot Sand, and the time had come for Corwin to go on the defensive.

 

Corwin

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Wrapped in the emptiness the pain that laced through her legs was not her own, and the steady bounding in her ears belonged to another. Distantly she knew her arms burned like fire, but she did not falter in her attack. With Cat on Hot Sand she managed to gain the offensive.

 

Through everything a measure of her elation shown through her distant pain, but she did not let herself feel it too far. It had to be now if she was going to have any hope of wining. Raising her sword high she began Courtier Taps his Fan a killing blow and as soon as he was set to block she used her speed to drop to one knee and execute Low Wind Rising Earning him a large gash across his chest. It would have been deeper had he not reacted so quickly. Cursing the larger man’s turn of speed she rolled and tried the move again, but this time their blades locked. All to aware of his other hand Thera quickly preformed The Grapevine Twines sending one Katana flying. Shock was plain on his face but she did not give him time to react. She rained a furry of blows and slashes on him with first Parting the Silk and then followed by Wind and Rain She had her eye on the prize and she was relentless, first she would slash and thrust, always making sure to keep him on the defense. The longer she could lead the attack the more chance she had a breaking through.

 

With Tower of Morning she caused him to loose more blood but not with out taking a ht of her own. The void wanted to shatter as his blade sliced deep across her ribs. She could feel the warm blood oozing down her shirt and staining the linen. Instinct was to hunch over to hold in her blood, but engaged in combat as she was Thera had no choice but to push on with her attack and hope that she could win soon.

 

Twice more she and Corwin switched, first on the offensive and then defensive, dancing gracefully from form to form. They were both growing tired, her admittedly more than him, so it had to be now. One last time Thera had managed to dance him into a corner. This time as she dropped to her knee for Low Wind Rising slashing diagonally from left to right before dropping to a sitting position and executing the same move right to left.

 

She froze as Corwin hesitated. Any move, even one to rise would make her more vulnerable, but as she was sitting any move her made could cripple her. That is what made Low Wind Rising dangerous when you were tired and on your last legs. To her surprise she saw that his hesitation was caused by his hurt. Looking, no glaring into her eyes his sword dropped from his other hand and he clutched the dueling gashes along his chest.  Clamoring to her feet with none of her usual grace Thera sheathed her sword and rushed to do what she could.

 

Posted

The girl was quick, too quick.  Corwin never expected to be disarmed, that was purly an insult.  But she obviously knew his weakness to have gone for it.  With each gash on his body, Corwin felt more and more blood leaving him.  But he wasn't going to give up that easily.  She would have to bleed him dry, which was exactly what happened.  Just as he was comming in to finish it all, he felt his body pushed to it's limits.  He was sure that he had passed the normal limits long ago... his boots were full of blood from his legs.

 

As he went in, Corwin felt it all finally catch up though.  He couldn't even lift his blades anymore.  The last thing he felt was Eqwina comming in closer, then the familiar darkness closed it and he felt the ground hit him.  She had won.

Posted

Liitha arived early, but stayed inside the bush as she saw the opening occupied, soon enough she heard other steps and she steped forth out of the trees as two other masters entered from the oposite side. She nodded to Thera, a woman she didnt know too well, but that suited her well enough, it was easier to judge people you had no relation too. She waited till their numbers was complete, leting a brief smile play over her lips as she saw a very familiar face. She silently watched as the procedure started, the cermonial words was spoken, and then nothing. She knew it was not her, she was here as a witness only, her eyes started flashing around, maybe a missunderstanding had occured, in which case it really would be up to each wheter to challenge the woman.

 

Not for that, it could happen in odd cases that a candidate did not convince, and someone else would step in after the first fight to run their own test, she had never been to one of those though, and she was glad it had not happened at her own ceremonies. Then Corwin steped into the ring, and she had to bite her tounge gently to not shake her head and grin, she should have guessed.

 

The fight started without much buts and if's and she let her mind go focusing solemly on the dance infront of her. She could almost feel the movements in her every nerve as if she was performing them herself, form names passing through her mind as she followed the movements of every limb untill it reached the tip of the swords.

 

She didnt first get what had happened untill the sword fell, it was the risk of these fights, and in the next moment she was moving forward on instinct, in those bare moments she also registrered the woman sheeting her swords, which was all that kept her from baring hers and focus solemly on rushing over landing on her knees sliding the last few inches. "Dad?"  her hands was already trying to move to locate his wounds to map what she could do, they needed to make sure moving him wouldnt make things worse. She lifted her head to say someone needed to fetch an Aes Sedai, but saw the back of a red cape moving through the forest towards the tower, and refocused on the unconsious body, they needed to wake him if they could, he could fight better for himself if consious "Anyone got water?"

 

ooc here you go eqw ;) you failed to inform me on the ongoings :P

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Eqwina was sitting in the Yellow Ajah Gardens watching as a newly raised Yellow performed the weave for healing over and over again. It was a task that she loathed; teaching these new twits to hone their craft, but it was also part of her job as Ajah Head. Oh she could beg the duty off on someone else, but she needed something to fill her extra hours. She’d never been one to lie about and do nothing and after so many years away…spent in the Blight and among dangerous men and equally as dangerous women the Tower felt very tame. Making it easy to grow restless.

 

In the corner of her mind nestled the small bundle that was Corwin, and while the girl continued on Eqwina probed at that knot of emotions. Somehow, and by some miracle, she’d managed to convince Corwin to stay with her and to give her another chance. Why she was so insistent on keeping him as her Warder she couldn’t say. There were slews of other men in the yards who would fawn over her and show her the respect she was due. And yet—she held on to a man who was hardly ever respectful and had never fawned over any woman a day in his life.

 

She could feel more activity than normal coming from the stone of a man and she couldn’t help but wonder what he was up to. At this distance there were a few possibilities, and only one of which would not get him skinned alive. In the months since they’d bonded he’d never looked for the company of a young woman, but that did not mean things couldn’t change.

 

Dismissing the child Eqwina began to make her way towards her Warder, her anger growing as she felt Corwin growing weaker. Then a sudden jolt and a stabbing pain rushed through her abdomen leaving Eqwina popeyed and breathless. Gathering her skirts over her arm, not caring that she was bared above the knees, she took off running towards where her Warder had fallen. She broke into the clearing and dropped her skirts when she saw all the other men and women in attendance. A quick glance at swords named them all Blademasters, except the red haired child sitting on the ground looking panicked. “ You silly men and your swords! When will you learn that nothing but death can come them”

 

Pushing everyone out of the way, including a curious young woman who was staring at Corwin as if he was her father Eqwina knelt on the ground, careless of the blood and dirt. Her brows furrowed as she laid her hands on his chest, but as quickly as she’d touched him weaves of healing wracked his body. Reaching out to take his hand in hers she whispered fiercely, her voice tinged with emotion. “ Do not scare me like that my Gaidin, I am not ready for you to die....yet”

 

Feeling that Corwin was able to stand on his own Eqwina stood up and took a few steps back; unless she missed her guess there had been some sort of ceremony here. One that her Warders fall and her healing had interrupted.

 

Posted

Corwin opened his eyes and felt Eqwina right by him.  When she grabbed his hand he strangely felt content... and something else he had suppressed for a long time, but before things went too far, Corwin saw the others around him, and Liitha was among the first ones to him.  As he stood up he quietly heard her say Father... but she stopped when he looked toward her.  Things were over though.

 

Cleaning his blades, Corwin stood and addressed the other Blademasters, I think we all saw the results of this.  I support Thera's permotion to Blademaster.  Yet Corwin's thoughts continued to drift toward Eqwina.  What had happened?  Why was all of this happening?  But for now he just focused on ending the ceremony.  But his thoughts kept tugging away.

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A slight widening of the eyes was the only sign Eqwina gave that she had heard the young woman’s words. Father? Her new Gaidin brought new surprises everyday, but this one would take some explaining.

 

Not caring what happened with the rest of the ceremony Eqwina retreated father to the side, well out of anyone ways, but her emerald green eyes were glued to Corwin and his daughter! He would not escape her questions this time, she was prepared to wait all day by that tree so that she could get him alone. And she would tolerate none of his stubbornness or pride, he would provide her with the answers she wanted or she would do worse to him than Thera did.

 

Posted

Liitha found herself pushed out of the way, though eager to be at Corwins side in a moment like this she was not fool enouth to try and interfear with an Aes Sedai. And as he woke up and she heard the words even more so did she become carefull, but she still advanced puting her hand towards his arm forming the words in a silent question of the word father to make sure he was ok, hoping the woman would not overhear but she had to know he was ok healing could be taxing on the body.

 

The exchange of eyecontact setled her, and as he spoke the words of acceptanse of Thera into their blademaster circle she but nodded, the woman had more then proved it by nearly proving herself in an other more ancient way to gain the title through killing a blademaster, it was no denying her skill.

 

She saw the Aes Sedai and knew there would not be time to speak privatly now, by asumption the woman would probably insist he came along to rest, and she could only imagine what else she would have to say considering they were bonded, another shock she would need to digest. Hence Liitha retreated with the rest, but with it in mind that she was going to find time soon to properly talk to her father as it was obvious things had happened in his life, now was just not the time for various reasons, not in the least the fact she needed time to think about it all.

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Posted

Thera stared at the blood on her hands in horror. She had killed numerous times over the years, but never without intent. Seeing the Aes Sedai glide through the trees and kneel at Corwin’s side made her sign with relief and sag against her sword, resting her head on the hilt.

 

Thinking that he was going to die had made all thoughts of her triumph flee from her head. Now, with him healed and having spoken the words Thera stood to rise and looked at each of the Blademasters faces. All it took was four more nods and she would stand among the elite.

 

First Liitha nodded and the other 4 nodded their assent. In her mind trumpets sounded for a brief moment Serena’s and Andulars faces flashed before her eyes. Each one of them would be proud of her this day, they have both played pivotal roles in what she’d become. Bowing once more to each Blademaster present Thera shook with elation. She had accomplished one of her goals and taken another step forward on her journey of life.

 

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