Sandre's TG Ceremony (Attn Eqwina and Lor)

[Sangreal]

Sandre sat alone in his room quietly. A trainee had delivered a wax sealed, and folded letter. The seal was none other than that of the Mistress of Trainees. He caressed the emblem with his thumb and wondered if his time here had come to an end. (Would I deserve any less? I flagrantly disregarded the rules for one month and found ways around others, I helped trainees that were breaking rules to correct their mistakes before they were caught, I still havent bathed in the bath house once.) The river had done for the bathes... colder but got his body used to the shock of blood loss at the same time. He also met Edana there...The trainee had told him that he needed to pack his gear.

 

He cracked open the seal. The letter didnt say much. Just a time to be ready, high noon. Bring no weapons.It could have been anything. A kick to the curb or the Tower Guard ceremony. He decided he would go dressed for the occasion. His leather boots were polished and his loose fitting black breeches were ironed and had not a trace of lint. He wore a silk shirt, also black, laced in the front and covered it with a black jacket with silver scrolls on the sleeves. He buckled a leather belt with a silver buckle over that. Then he waited. Polishing armor did for passing time. Looking around the room which had been pretty empty when he came he looked at all he had done. A second book shelf had to be added as he kept buying books on his favorite topic, battle strategy. However he also found various training disciplines that he had used in his free time. There were now armor stands and two small chests beneath his bunk. Both of those had a high quality lock that used the same key. One held books and papers as he had started trading a bit when he needed a challenge to keep his mind sharp for battle strategies. Trading goods across the world was every bit like a battle field. He was not sure if Thera would have approved of him making a some extra coin as part of his training... The second chest contained gems and gold. No one but him knew this however. Not all of it was his, it was what he used to trade with. He had not even told Edana. He was itching to get a hold of the commission books for the yards to see what he could do with them. Dragar was a fine soldier and an excellent battlefield commander but Sandre wondered if he could out do him with the yards paperwork. In fact he considered chancing to find out if he was still here tomorrow.

 

A small weapon rack had also been added. On it was his masterwork Hand and a half sword. Two broad swords whos purpose was yet another secret he kept. Throwing daggers, a two training lathes, a solid iron bar, and a spear that was meant for hurling across a battle field even though he had been less than successful at that since it was weighted. The make of the scabbard for the hand and a half sword was every bit as important as the sword. It was a waxed wood inside with a steel cover. There was some gold engravings as well. The waxed wood inside would allow someone to draw the weapon without making a sound. The metal cover could take an arrow or a blade so he wouldnt have to.

 

He smiled at the room which held so many memories for him. Even his war with Addison was fond. When he heard someone coming to the door he stood ready. His gaze became the intense gaze he had become known for. The look of a predator.

 

 

OOC: I hope this is a good start. I have no idea what I am doing lol. I will make corrections if needed

[U4ea]

Loraine tilted her head at the reflection in the mirror, giving herself a once-over before reaching for her shawl. She'd received a request to attend a Tower Guard's ceremony yesterday morning and, while it was a surprise, she was glad to do it. It got her away from the endless reports and nonstop tension in her shoulders, at least for a little while. She had no idea who this trainee was, having not had much time to wander the Yards since their return from the Borderlands. She smiled, remembering the last ceremony she'd been invited to. Light, how time flew when you were buried in business.

 

The simple gown she'd chosen was fine enough for any morning stroll in Cairhien, with the sleeves coming to a point on the backs of her hands and the high collar brushing the simple emerald earrings dangling from her earlobes. Her hair was in a slightly more elaborate twist than usual, but it was a special occassion and she felt the need to treat it as such. Even if she didn't know this trainee, he deserved the respect for completing his training. If the stories she'd heard from Kynwric were any indication, he'd earned every bit of it!

 

She sighed and slipped out of her quarters, her fingers lingering on the sword embedded in her door a moment before she made her way down the steps and out to the gate that would lead to the glade where the ceremony would take place. She inhaled the soft air, the cool mist that wandered through the forest during the early morning teasing her lungs. She really should get out more. That thought made her wonder, idly, if Kynwric knew where she was going. She couldn't remember whether she'd mentioned this trip to him yesterday or not. She doubted he'd squawk much, but you could never tell with him. Considering how tense he'd been inside the Tower, lately, she knew he'd give her grief for this. She sighed and pushed those thoughts aside, taking the opportunity for solitude for what it was... a small blessing in an otherwise stressful day.

 

~Lor

:D

[Eqwina]

Thera’s day began like so many before, with morning exercises and a short spar with the closest teacher available. She had become such a creature of routine and habit that trainee raisings always seemed to throw a wrench in her day. She’d never admit that it was their moving on that sometimes hurt.  It was a foolish notion; it was her job to teach them well so they could move on to be fierce warriors; Warders or Tower Guards.  Anything foolish , in her eyes, was a waste of time.

 

Turning the wedding ring on her left hand she smiled, Jasine’s raising had been the last she’d been able to make herself look forward too; and that had been for her own selfish reasons. The worst part of her job was not raising them, but the fact that once they moved on they seldom looked back. It could be hard to be friends with a woman who had set punishments for you, and bawled you out of misdeeds. Yet, she accepted the fact and each time the day came she preformed her duties.

 

Today was Sandre’s turn; she didn’t know him as well as some of the others, but she cared all the same. Crossing the short distance from her office to the barracks she entered and walked into his room unannounced.  “Come Sandre, it is time.” As they crossed the yards to the Glade the boy followed a measured pace behind; and Thera couldn’t help but smile. His teacher had taught him well.

 

[Sangreal]

(So it was the Tower Guard Ceremony) Sandre thought. As soon as Thera walked through the door Sandre began to think that maybe the coat was a bit too much. He quickly broke into a sweat making the air around him smell of pine. He wasnt nervous about the ceremony. He was nervous about Thera. He just wanted to make sure he didnt upset her a second time. He was also glad she had not commented on the additions to his room. He made such an effort to have her not notice him he unconsciously began to roll his feet in his steps so he would not be heard.

 

Others were already waiting when they arrived at the Glade with the slab of stone. He wondered what the importance of that stone was.

 

Kneeling before the slab he spoke. He was not smiling. Kneeling was not in his character but he managed. How had he changed. He had arrived the same color white as a cloud almost. Skinny as though he had not seen a day of working out but had seen days of starvation. Truth told he had been starving, not that he didnt have food but rather was mentally unstable enough to not care about eating. He had long hair and a face covered in pimples. Now... well he was a tanner color of his part Shienar ancestry, tall, thick, and covered in muscle, short hair and a clear complexion... though still strong and fierce in character. The yards had made that worse.

 

Sandre: "I come here unarmed, offering to give myself to the defence of those who serve all."

 

Commander Mia: "Who would speak for you?"

 

Thera: "I would speak for him, he is fit."

 

Commander Mia: "Who would trust you?"

 

Loraine: "I would trust him."

 

Commander Mia: "Who would accept you?"

 

Thera: "I would."

 

Commander Mia: "Who would witness your oath whose word is beyond question?"

 

Loraine: "I will"

 

Commander Mia: "Do you understand that once pledged you are forever bound to a rule of defence? Defence of all Aes Sedai, the defence of the White Tower?"

 

Sandre: "Yes"

 

Commander Mia: "Do you understand that once pledged you are forever bound to a rule of obedience? Obedience to your officers, obedience to all Aes Sedai?"

 

Sandre: "Yes"

 

Commander Mia: "Do you understand that once pledged you are forever bound to a rule of commitment? Commitment to serving faithfully, commitment despite any adversity?"

 

Sandre: "Yes"

 

Commander Mia: "Then give your oath now."

 

Sandre: "I swear by the light and my hope of salvation and rebirth, as a Tower Guard to defend the White Tower and all who call it home."

 

"I swear by the light and my hope of salvation and rebirth, as a Tower Guard to serve faithfully for as long as the White Tower requires me."

 

"I swear by the light and my hope of salvation and rebirth, as a Tower Guard to fight the shadow and uphold the light until my dying day."

 

Commander Mia: "We welcome you to the Tower Guard, you that were known once as Sandre Kaldun of Andor."

 

It was then that the Aes Sedai Loraine stepped forward and placed the cloak on his shoulders and fixed the clasp before stepping back.

 

Commander Mia: "We welcome you as Sandre Kaldun of the Tower Guard, our brother in arms. Rise and stand as one among many."

 

It was then that Thera presented him with a steel dagger as he rose.

 

Commander Mia: "You came to us unarmed, and as our mark of trust we place this steel in your hand. May you keep it as a symbol of the trust that has been placed in you, and may it serve you well."

 

The Commander then walked around the stone slab and placed her hand on Sandre's shoulder

 

Commander Mia: "Spare a moment for those who have come before you and to who you have become, as shall those who follow you."

 

He was then left alone in the glade. He was committed now. His destiny already played out before him. He wondered where he would be placed. Guarding a door or some wall? Perhaps the fact that he excelled in his academics would place him elsewhere? Whatever they decided, he was determined to be more than that. He never figured out why all those years ago an Aes Sedai had made sure he would come here. He would like to think she respected his mind. Perhaps by making him rank and file she eliminated a future threat to the world. Whatever the case was, the wheel turns as it will. If he was ever meant to be more than a soldier he would be, and no force in this land could stop that.

[U4ea]

Loraine watched this trainee enter the glade with a critical eye. She was Green Ajah, it was her job to judge a man or woman worthy of protecting those he vows to serve. She watched his stride, measured and even, watched his face, contained and in control, and watched his posture, sure and straight. She nodded at Thera, a smile playing on her lips.

 

She arched her eyebrow at the obvious difficulty the man had at kneeling, her lips still quirking. He had pride and fire, both of which would serve an Aes Sedai well. That just made her curious to see how long he'd retain his position in the Tower Guards before some young Aes Sedai found him and rescued him from the walls, though.

 

"Who would trust you?" Mia's voice intoned. Loraine spoke up, "I would trust him." She would, too. Something about his carriage told her he took his job seriously and protected those under his care with an unwavering dedication.

 

The ceremony continued, leaving Loraine to her thoughts.  "Who would witness your oath whose word is beyond question?"

 

"I will," she said softly. She listened as he spoke his oaths, her smile genuine as she stepped forward to drape the cloak over his shoulders, fixing the clasp so it rested just below the hollow of his throat. She nodded, stepping back.

 

When the ceremony was completed, she nodded to him again, a sign of respect for all he'd accomplished. She didn't have to know him to know he'd climbed mountains. They all did, those that came to this glade, those that earned their shawls. It was no simple feat. They couldn't afford it to be. She backed away and disappeared into the forest again, taking the time to smile and enjoy the solitude on her back to her own reality. She really needed to get out more...

 

~Loraine

Congrats! :D

[Eqwina]

Thera was not surprised to see Loraine performing this function. It was often Green’s that stood and spoke for the young men, and since Kynwric had been teaching that Green Sister was often Loraine. She was adored by many of the trainees and Thera got the impression that she was the stick in which her students judged Aes Sedai. Nodding to Mia and stepping into place Thera cleared her mind. This was not the time for idle thoughts.

 

“I would speak for him, he is fit” Thera nodded to Sandre to let him know that she spoke the words for more than just ceremony. He had come so far from the boy he’d been, he truly was a man now.

 

Placing the dagger in his hands Thera allowed herself to smile at him. They may not have always seen eye to eye, but she was proud that he had stuck it out to reach this place. Exiting from the glade she did not look back.She silently wished him all the happiness he could find in a life of a warrior. 

 

[Sangreal]

As he readied to leave to looked around. There would never be many days like this one. He took a single rose from a nearby bush and tucked it in his sleeve. Edana would not be happy that he was moving to the Tower Guard section of the barracks. As he strolled out on to the yards the smiles of the trainees were all the congratulations he needed. He walked the halls of the trainee barracks, stopping only to pull back the blanket on Edana's bed and leave the rose on her pillow. He shot a smile to Elyan who had figured out they were together before he covered it up again.

 

He moved his stuff himself. He was delaying it purposely and remembering fond memories with every item he took.

 

Looking at Addison's bed he wondered if he should leave an apologetic letter. Instead, with a smile, he short sheeted it. Some things would never change.