Innocent Amnesty Cont. {Attn Kerian}

[TaiDashan]

OOC: For the Beginning of the thread, taking place in Tear, see the thread Innocent Amnesty

[KerianAmbrai]

As Tai finished telling his story, Karadar still felt relief washing over him. It was beyond fortunate that he had found someone sympathetic to his cause here, though he took it as another sign of the Creator's blessing on his actions. If he could not live to create things with his darling Ayelin, perhaps he could live to destroy them with the Asha'man. He pushed those thoughts from his mind, focusing ever more intently on the flame. Abruptly, the small sword of fired disappeared, signaling the end of the test to him.

 

“You can channel my friend,” Tai told him solemnly, “Your life has meaning again.” Karadar held his gaze until the two of them stood. Inside, Karadar felt both a glimmer of excitement and the fangs of self-loathing. Perhaps I am cursed, he thought, Not just to lose my mind. Not just to destroy everything I hold dear. Perhaps the Creator himself has cursed me by destroying all that I hold dear before I even knew that I was cursed. This thought horrified him, yet at the same time he found some solace in it. The Asha'man may not be able to stop him from losing his mind and becoming the very evil he sought to destroy, but they would help him destroy that evil until he was no longer in his right mind enough to do it. And then, they could help him end his own life.

 

Karadar shook off his own thoughts, watching intently as Tai wove the gateway. He had no idea what he was seeing or watching, but he observed it quietly none the less. The silvery slash hung in the air, turning to reveal what appeared to be a window to another place. Before he had much time to register what was through the gateway, Tai stepped through. Without hesitation, Karadar stepped through as well.

 

He found himself in a much colder place than he had ever lived before. Tear was quite warm compared to most of the rest of the world he had been told. With the exception of the deserts that lie beyond the mountains, where the Aiel lived. Even Tear had been abysmally cold recently, making this place freezing to him. As he shivered a bit, he noticed that neither Tai nor many of the men he could see milling around the place seemed to be particularly affected by the cold. He stood up straighter and tried his best to ignore the cold drafting through his tattered clothes onto his almond skin. He had heard there were only a few Asha'man, yet as he looked around he could see dozens of men in black coats. All of them were engaged in one activity or another. Rocks exploded, buckets and beams floated, and men fought steel with steel in various parts of his field of view. He turned to Tai as the gateway behind them winked from existence, “Where is this Farm located? And what is all this?” he said, genuinely puzzled.

[TaiDashan]

“Where is this Farm located? And what is all this?”

 

Tai gazed at the man and a chord of nostalgia hummed within him. He had once shown up here, so full of hope, so full of wonder. So ignorant. He shook his head mentally. Duty called, it was time to do his job. Karadar was obviously a little cold, and Tai wanted to get him into the coat of a Soldier. Tai had to consciously allow himself to feel the cold and realized it was much colder here, leagues north of Tear. First things first however.

 

"This is the Black Tower and we are in Andor." He said simply. He knew the news that they had just stepped leauges north with one step would shock the man, but he was not one to bandy words. Duty was duty. He hated himself for seeing it so...but Wulwind and others like him had and would, leave him no choice. Motioning the man to follow he walked the remaining distance to Faringal Manor where he lived with Arath. Grief threatened to shred his soul as he entered the home he had shared with Aria. Pushing it aside he resolved yet again to talk to Arath about relocating. He simply could not handle the memories, not now.

 

Moving through halls warmed by firies, he led Karadar to Arath's old office and settled into Arath's chair. It was odd now that he was an Attack Leader, to be using the office Arath had used. It was as if he was following in the man's footsteps, that fact pleased Tai. Settling into the chair he motioned for Karandar to shut the door and take the other seat in the room. Pulling a big book across to him and flipping it open to the next blank page he dipped the pen.

 

"Now then, please spell your name for me and tell me a little about yourself." It felt silly asking such questions after the conversation they had in Tear, but he needed the details correct. He also need a bit of personal information about the man as well. Once the man had given him some of the info he got to his feet and rummaged through the closet, holding a few coats up toward the man, seeing which might fit. Selecting a couple he tossed them to him, good sturdy wool dyed dead black. He leaned against the desk for a moment and considered his next words carefully.

 

"Karadar, I would like to have a hand in helpingyou learn Saidin if you will allow me from time to time. Call it a Mentor of sorts." Tai knew this would add more work to an already busy schedule, but he needed the distraction. "You don't have to answer right away, in fact. If you have any questions, we can go to the Inn to grab a bite to eat and I will do my best to answer them. I am sure you are a little overwhelmed at this point."

 

OOC: Up to you, you can post a time or two more and be done with this, or we can keep going.

[KerianAmbrai]

Andor? Karadar thought, more than a bit surprised, I had no idea they could do things like that with channeling. I thought it was only used to kill people and blow stuff up. Making a mental note of it, he followed behind Tai, trying to take in all that was going on around him. Everyone around him seemed so hard, which was fine with him. If he was going to sharpen himself into a weapon of justice, he’d need to be hard too, in both mind and body.

 

As they entered the manor, Karadar could feel his skin thawing as he was warmed by the fires. As they entered the office, he sat in the chair indicated. “Now then, please spell your name for me and tell me a little about yourself,” Tai said to him, as he held the quill over a large book. Karadar cleared his thoat, and began again, his deep voice still hoarse, but beginning to adjust to speaking again, “K-A-R-A-D-A-R. As for me, I’m not sure what to say. I was born in Calebri, a small town in the north of Tear, near the Cairhien border. I was apprenticed to the blacksmith Uluthar there. When I finished my apprenticeship, I moved to Tear so that I could try to make more money in the big city.” He paused for a moment, the memories flooding back, “There I met the most beautiful woman in the world, Ayelin. We married in the spring, and for a few wonderful years I knew heaven in that city.” Tears began to well up in his eyes as he imagined her face. He looked up toward the ceiling and continued, “She was perfect, she was my world, and she made me a better person. She was stolen away from me about a week ago. Lord Melkar commissioned me to make a sword for him. It would be my first masterpeice, and he offered me a handsome sum to create it for him. The day I made it though, he came to me and demanded I take a quarter of the price. When I refused, his two goons showed up, one of them with my darling Ayelin. They killed her. Slit her throat right in front of me, on the stones outside my shop,” the tears began to run down the sides of his face slowly. He reach up and wiped them away, and looked Tai straight in the eye. A gleam of righteous anger in his eye, he continued, “I rushed at them, when suddenly lightning struck the two goons dead where they stood. Lord Melkar was knocked to the ground by the lightning, but I wasn’t stopping. I slammed him to the stone of my forge, pulled the blazing hot sword from it, and killed him with it.” He opened his right hand and held it palm upward to him. The scarring of the burn had branded his palm with vertical scars on the palm itself. His skin looked as though it were still patching itself up.

 

He lowered his head as he forced the memories from his mind. He heard Tai move and rummage through something, before feeling a coat land on top of him. Tai leaned against the desk and spoke, “Karadar, I would like to have a hand in helping you learn Saidin if you will allow me from time to time. Call it a Mentor of sorts. You don't have to answer right away, in fact. If you have any questions, we can go to the Inn to grab a bite to eat and I will do my best to answer them. I am sure you are a little overwhelmed at this point.”

 

Karadar stood, “I’d really appreciate the help actually. If you don’t mind, I’d like to change into one of these and then meet you there. I have a lot of questions, and I’m eager to get started.”

 

OOC: Sure, we can keep going. I have a few questions myself, and since he knows very little, I can just ask them IC and kill two birds with one stone :)

[TaiDashan]

Tai nodded to himself as the man spoke of dressing and meeting him there. It was a good sign that the man wanted to dress in black so soon. Another tool for the Lord of the Morning. Briefly he gave the man instructions on where to place his old tattered clothing and how to arrive at the Inn. He was not too worried about the man getting lost, any Soldier or Dedicated could help him with directions.

 

"One last thing before i let you get changed." He said, gripping Karadar's arm on his way out the door. "Anyone with an un-adorned collar like your own is of the Soldier rank. Anyone with this," He pointed to the Sword pin at his own throat. "Is of the Rank Dedicated. They are said to be dedicated to the Dragon, to the Tower, to Saidin even. You are to obey them when given an order. Anyone with this," He pointed to the enameled dragon pin on the other side. "Is of full rank. They have gained the title Asha'man." He paused for a moment before adding a last comment. "Anyone with embroidery like this," he pointed to the flames at his coat and down the front. "Or especially Lightning bolts. You do what they told you yesterday." He shook his head. "I am sorry, I am loading you up with too much information. Go, get dressed and meet me at the Inn, we will talk more there."

 

Cursing himself for a fool he left the man to find the washroom and get cleaned up. Walking to the Traveling room he opened a gateway and stepped across the farm. He strode into the Inn and waved a serving girl over to the table. he chose one in easy view of the door and ordered hot spiced wine for two and a couple bowls of thick beef stew. The man looked as if he could use a hot meal and drink. Light knows he probably had a million questions. Tai just hoped he could do the man justice...

[KerianAmbrai]

Karadar strode out the door, still absorbing everything he’d seen thus far. He knew that the Asha’man were a force of male channelers for the Dragon Reborn, but he had suddenly realized that he had no idea what exactly male channelers were capable of. Sure, he knew they had broken the world long ago and that they were all doomed to go insane, but that didn’t change that he had no idea what they could do… or for that matter what he himself could do now. Finding the washroom, he grabbed water from a bucket and splashed some on his face. The cold water hit him like opening the door into a blizzard, but when he opened his eyes everything was still the same. He had thought for an instant that perhaps he was delusional and he was imagining the entire thing. I may not be now, but I probably will be before long… It was a sobering thought, and one that may not be too far from the truth. He peeled himself out of the tattered clothes he wore and changed quickly into one of the uniforms he had been given. The black coat fit snugly over his muscular torso, but the pants seemed to be a good size. More importantly it was much warmer than the scraps that remained of his old clothes. For a moment, as he looked at his old clothes on the ground, he was reminded of the day he bought them. A peaceful fall day in Tear came unbidden to his mind, yet as soon as it appeared it was gone, thrown from his mind. A weapon has no need for niceties.

 

He strode across the open ground, following the directions he had been previously given to the Inn. As he walked inside, he saw a mixture of black coats and ordinary people, which set him wondering just how many civilians walked these grounds. He quickly spotted Tai, already seated with wine and bowls of food laid out for them. Suddenly reminded of his ravenous hunger, he sat and began eating, practically inhaling the stew laid out before him. As the waitress took the bowl and went to get another, he drank some of the spiced wine and looked to Tai. “Sir, I’d like to thank you for taking me in like this. Not many would, but I promise you that you won’t regret it.” Carefully, he asked, “Sir, I do have a couple of questions though. I never paid much attention to the news while I was working in Tear, so forgive my ignorance. Just how long do I have before I go crazy and start killing people? Where is the Lord Dragon fighting? Is the Power somehow connected to these crazy weather changes we’ve been having? What do I need to do to start learning to do what those other men were doing... to channel?”

[TaiDashan]

Tai watched the man devour his food with a vengeance and tried hard not to chuckle as he ordered another. He looked as if he needed a good meal and it was good to see him eating.

 

"Sir, I’d like to thank you for taking me in like this. Not many would, but I promise you that you won’t regret it."

 

Tai assured him that he was doing his duty gladly and that truth be told now that he could channel there was no other choice. that he would not be allowed to leave until he was full Asha'man unless escorted by one.

 

"Sir, I do have a couple of questions though. I never paid much attention to the news while I was working in Tear, so forgive my ignorance. Just how long do I have before I go crazy and start killing people? Where is the Lord Dragon fighting? Is the Power somehow connected to these crazy weather changes we’ve been having? What do I need to do to start learning to do what those other men were doing... to channel?"

 

The questions tumbled out of the man and Tai felt a stab of sorrow for the man. It was not long ago he had come to the Tower himself, wide eyed and innocent. Long since those things had been hammered aside in the icy molten avalanche that was Saidin. He regarded the man for a moment before taking a sip of his wine.

 

"Karadar," He paused and shook his head, instead choosing to go another direction. "Let me explain to you Saidin. Saidin is one half of the One Power, guiding the very Wheel of Creation. We have been blessed or cursed however you view it to be able to touch this power, to be a very conduit for it. That very Power rages through us and every second is a fight to survive, to not be consumed by the searing, molten light that is Saidin. The Dark One has laid a Taint across the surface of Saidin. Like a rancid slick of oil coating the purest water you have ever drank, the Taint coats the surface of Saidin. There is no avoiding reaching through the Taint to reach the One Power. Truth be told there is no set time period before a man goes mad. Some go mad simply from their first brush with the Taint. Some withstand it for years before their bodies rot. I myself have been channeling for about a year and half." He realized then that he was rambling.

 

Bringing his thoughts back to the topic he continued. "Many here are caught before they harm those around them. Their brothers in battle send them to the Creator's embrace as peacefully as possible. As far as the Lord Dragon?" He paused a moment again to sip his wine consideringly. Memories of his own meeting with the man, his Oath he had given to the very Lord of the Morning that was prophesied to break the world anew. "The Lord Dragon was most recently in Tear, where he is now no one can say. From what I understand, he moves about. But that is not for weapons such as you and I to worry ourselves about. We strike where and when we are told. For the Glory of the Light and the Dragon Reborn. As for this Light blasted weather? Summer hung on unnaturally for sometime. Personally I think this is winter's grasp simply making up for lost time." He shrugged to show that he wasn't sure.

 

"As for learning...your lessons will begin tomorrow. You are in an army now Soldier. You will start with the sun, your training in weapons, doing chores with the One Power etc. Your first hot meal after tonight will be when you can heat it yourself. Your clothes will remain filthy until you can clean them without destroying them." He looked at the man for a long while, staring him in the eye and gauging his reaction to the information. Nodding in satisfaction he continued.

 

"My point in telling you all of this is not to scare you. As a matter of fact you truly have little choice but to accept it and move on in your purpose the Wheel has given you. It is simply better if you accept it early on and are prepared for it. Deserters are hunted and their heads displayed." He was not fully sure of the last statement. He knew the Traitor's tree was no more, but they may display them elsewhere. Either way those that deserted, were hunted down. They could not allow those to turn to the Shadow or destroy innocent lives when they went mad. Tai softened his voice from the hard impartial tone he had been using. Now that the unpleasant part was over he truly wanted the man to feel at ease.

 

"Do you have any other questions? Now is the time to ask them. Tomorrow morning you will meet me for your first introduction to Saidin. I will write you instructions to a certain clearing south west of the grounds that i use for such things."

 

Tai leaned back and made himself smile at the man. He truly liked the man and was open to being friends should he survive long enough. He waited silently for more questions and dug in to his soup.

 

OOC: Yikes, sorry for the length.  :-\ Didn't mean to go so long. Feel free to ask any other questions and then we will start another thread for your Intro to Saidin when you are ready  ;D

[KerianAmbrai]

Karadar solemnly pondered what he had been told. It may not have been what he expected when he came here, but it could actually be better then what he expected. Perhaps he’d have a chance to fight the darkness before the madness took him. The duty that having this ability had placed on him was greater than he expected. However, it was a sacred duty, and one he could approach with fervor. He was reminded for a moment of a quote he had read once, When we have lost everything, including hope, life becomes a disgrace, and your only duty is to death.

 

The second bowl disappeared much slower as he pondered Tai’s words. The harsh reality of his new situation only served to reinforce his resolve. There was no where else he’d want to be, even with the threat of madness or death looming over him. There was too much darkness in this world, and even if he had to mortgage his soul, if he could make one other person not have to experience what he had, then it would be more than worth it.

 

As he finished eating, he shook his head at Tai, “Just one, where will I stay? Is there a barracks or will I be building my own home with the Power as well?”

 

OOC: Alrighty, once he knows the answer to that question, lets start blowing stuff up  ;)

[TaiDashan]

Tai almost cracked a grin at the man's final question. Of all the questions he could have asked, he chose a practical one.

 

"For the first little bit you will live in the Soldier's Barracks with the other soldiers, once you have been raised to Dedicated you will be permitted to build your own house. I will show you the Soldier's Barracks and get you situated with a bunk and another coat if we can find one."

 

He studied the man, openly satisfied.

 

"I think you will do well here Karadar." The light send he survives long enough... He thought with a mental sigh.

 

OOC: Alrighty, now on to learning Saidin! I will get a post up for you and PM you.  ;D