Grabbin' me some saidin (attn:Sieve)

[wordsmith17]

Marden felt strange and new in his black coat, making his way across the cold, hard grounds of the

Farm.  He no longer wore his fine dark blue wool, slashed to the waist with a lighter blue, or his

heavy gold signet ring.  It almost made him feel lighter, as if taking those things off made his

former home and life that many more leagues away.  Maybe it would take a good while now, before

some of that bloody nonsense made it's way back to the surface like so much filth rising from the

bottom of a murky pond.  Maybe.  He was good at keeping a tight rein on his thoughts, for the most

part. 

 

His eagerness mostly overshadowed the still-painful sting of his last contact with Torin, the only

other person he had ever really trusted. "You want to do WHAT?...Marden, are you MAD?"  Marden whispered the last part of those words to himself, remembering the surge of rage, remembering the swing he had taken and how bloody betrayed Torin had looked... almost as betrayed as Marden felt.  What a bloody mess.  He was better off starting fresh.  He repeated this to himself the rest of the way to Tear.  He had convinced himself it was true.

 

Despite a hint of unsettled musings, his demeanor was more than sunny, enough that his pale hazel

eyes glittered despite the dreary day.  "Resonance," was the word that the black-coated man had

used as Marden stared into a flame made from nothing and burning nothing.  He had watched the

small light hungrily, eyes fixed on it like a drowning man spotting land, and gave a jerk as the

fire winked out of existence.  Something in the satisfied way the Asha'man straightened while

watching him spoke volumes, and it wasn't long before Marden found himself leading his horse

through a doorway hanging in thin air.  "Resonance" was the word that kept (ironically) echoing

through his thoughts today.  He could learn. The Light burn them, he would. 

 

He stopped, realizing he was there.  "There" was an open area past a small, sturdy building, clear

of anything except a low carpet of frozen dead weeds and some crusty snow in places.  It was

nowhere close to being even as nice as a peasant's meagre hovel, but a chill ran up Marden's

short, ackwardly lanky body from anticipation.  It was here that he had been told to come today, so he could start to learn.

 

Reaching up thoughtfully to smooth his small, pointed beard, he froze at the sound of the icy

ground crunching near him.  He turned deftly and gave a respectful bow strictly out of habit as

soon as he realized the man there was wearing a black coat... not to mention radiating self-

confidence.  "Forgive me, my Lord," he said to the sturdy shoes that were all he could see now. 

"I didn't realize there was anyone there."

[Sieve]

Valeran's boots crunched on the snow covered ground as he went to meet his newest student.  The sound his footfalls adding the daily commotion of the Black Tower.  All around the "farm" as it used to be called, black coated men hurried here or there on one task or another.  Their days seemed filled with endless tasks, there was very little rest to be found.  Valeran preferred it that way, less time for idle thoughts.  Thoughts that he would rather not dredge up.

 

One of the many duties of the Dedicated were to see to the new soldiers of which there seemed to be a steady influx.  Unlike most Dedicated, Valeran did not mind training new recruits.  Much of his time as a Saldaean lancer was spent training others.  Valeran was suited for it, it came naturally.  He was understanding yet had a firm hand and a rough tongue when needed which helped immensely.  Training was serious business especially when Saidin was involved.  You could burn yourself to a cinder, removed from the pattern in the blink of an eye.

 

Valeran stopped a considerable distance away from his destination for a moment.  He watched the younger man approaching the training grounds.  He seemed lost in thought.  His initial reaction was to scold the man for being unaware of his surroundings but he resumed his study.  Obviously the youth never served in the borderlands where death could be waiting for you over the next rise.

 

Satisfied that he had seen enough, Valeran went to meet the younger soldier.  Finally the man heard the crunch of his boots, took him long enough he thought to himself.  He arched an eyebrow at the soldier's bow, what was more interesting it appeared to be practiced.  What had this boy been before coming to the Black Tower?  Well the Black Tower had attracted those both high and low, as long as they understood their place here it didn't matter.

 

Valeran's bulky Saldaean frame stood on bow-legs, an obvious sign that he had spent much of his time in a saddle.  At first glance one would not expect him to be able to sit a saddle comfortably, but he could.  His shoulder length dark wavy hair had tinges of grey in it, he was nearly forty.  Valeran stood with an air of confidence, his face a stern mask.  His dark slightly tilted eyes penetrated deeply, he was very skilled at observation.  Valeran had hooked nose, with a thick mustache that framed his mouth then hung down to his chin.  He ran his pointer finger and thumb down either side of his mouth smoothing his mustache.  A sign that he was studying or deep in thought.

 

"No I'm no lord, soldier."  Valeran said idly still studying the young man.  "My name is Valeran Kertovni, I'm what they call a Dedicated around here but we'll talk on ranks later.  What's your name soldier.  What do you know if anything of Saidin."   

[wordsmith17]

No I'm no lord, soldier."  Marden straightened calmly, feeling his ears trying to redden more than they already were due to the cold.  He was not one to ingratiate himself to those supposedly higher than himself, no matter what his bloody mother said, no matter what the unwritten bloody rules of Daes Dae'mar stated.  He would show respect where it was due but the thought of groveling made his stomach turn.  

 

"My name is Valeran Kertovni, I'm what they call a Dedicated around here but we'll talk on ranks later.  What's your name soldier.  What do you know if anything of Saidin."  The man... Valeran.. upon finally being able to inspect him, looked like someone he might have gotten along with and had much to talk about.  Horses had been the family's very profitable trade, and Marden's tutor had been a Borderlander, always talking about interesting far-off wars and tactics.  Valeran looked as though he'd seen more than one horse in his life, and the man's speech was very similar to what Barick's had been.  Perhaps in another life though.  Marden doubted that this man would offer as much as a friendly game of stones to an underling.  It was his experience that those higher on the ladder rarely reached downwards.  

 

"Apologies sir," he smiled with a hint of wryness.  At least the man didn't go claiming titles that didn't belong to him, self-importantly.  "I didn't mean to offend.  I am Marden Coll.  As for saidin...  what I know, aside from the obvious caveats," and these obviously minor to him, by his tone, "is sadly little.  Women can't weild it, I assume.  And there are those who touch it, around my age, whether or not they mean to, and who most likely destroy themselves...if going by stories is any guide anyways.  And there are those like myself... and perhaps you... who are born with the potential to learn."  He clipped off the sentences in the efficient Cairhienin tongue as if he were reciting for his tutor back home.  He hungered to know more.  "And apparently somewhere along the way you gain the ability to make flames out of nothing and cross leagues in a single step.  At least the man in Tear did."  His tone had warmed more at the last, personably, his reserved grin saying that he found it to be more than even he had imagined possible.

[wordsmith17]

(( OOC:  ^^;  ya forget me?  ;) ))

[Sieve]

((OOC: No sorry,  my apologies.  R/L got in the way.))

 

Valeran waited for the youth to finish.  “No apologies necessary, no offense taken” He said.  Valeran looked away from Marden momentarily distracted by the newcomers joining the class.  “You know something of Saidin, more than some which is good though you will learn much during your time here.”  The newcomers were milling about unsure exactly what they were supposed to do, like children off their mother's apron strings for the first time.  Valeran motioned Marden to go stand with the others.

 

“Soldiers, Attention!”  Valeran said in a booming voice.  Several of them flinched and others stood where they were staring at him as if he had transformed into a Trolloc.  “Form a line facing me, now!”  He emphasized the last word.  Valeran looked upon them like a stern magistrate, an air of authority emanating from his posture.  “Come on you goat kissing girls, we do not have all day.”  Valeran stood tapping his foot in a disapproving manner though it was all part of the show, these recruits were no worse than any others.  The only ones who ever shined in the opening moments here were former soldiers, they would be used to the orders and the show of authority.

 

“I am Valeran Kertovni, a dedicated here at the Black Tower. You are what we call soldiers around here.  Soldiers are the lowest rank though fear not, you are all important.”  His penetrating gaze took in all of them.  “A soldier at the Black Tower is worth more than twenty ordinary soldiers in battle.  You all will be made into weapons for the Light, weapons for the Dragon Reborn.  You!”  He pointed a finger then ran it along the line of soldiers facing him.  “You will face the forces of the Dark One!  You, the Light willing will one day be the guardians of the light.  A full Asha'man, one of the most powerful weapons  in the fight against the shadowspawn.  That is why you are here, you have been given a special ability  that we will cultivate.  You have come here to serve the Light, to protect the world from the forces of the Dark One.”  Valeran paused briefly to let his words sink in.

 

“It will not be easy, though nothing worthwhile ever is.  While the ability to wield Saidin is wonderous it is not without its hazards.  Many are injured or die each month from training accidents, from skirmishes or battles, or by burning themselves to a cinder.  You will not die on my watch, is that understood!”  He waited for the response before continuing.  “Saidin, the male half of the one power has been tainted by the Dark One.  His final stroke against the forces of Light as he was sealed in his earthen prison.  When you hold Saidin you will notice the taint, like mold on an otherwise perfect loaf of bread.”  He paused noticing several soldiers concentrating.  “Do not reach for the source you fools!  You will not do so unless I instruct you too. Understood!”  Again he eyed each of them making sure they understood.

 

“Now close your eyes, clear your mind and you may notice a ball or ray of light in your mind.  DO NOT reach it, merely nod if you notice it.  That is Saidin!”  Valeran waited for all the soldiers to nod.  Some took longer than others.

 

“Good now open your eyes.  Try it again with your eyes open.  You will notice that it is much more difficult to do so with the distractions of your surroundings.”  Valeran waited for all of them to indicate that they had felt it.  “Take your time and DO NOT reach for it.  When you all have done so we will move on.”

 

((OOC: Go ahead and post your reactions and feeling for Saidin while I write up the next post.))

 

 

[wordsmith17]

((OOC:  R/L is really good at that sometimes, no worries. =)  Got finals coming up soon myself, totally understand heheh))

 

At Valeran's motion, Marden turned and only really noticed the others for the first time.  He wasn't old by any means, only 24, but some of these baby-faced boys almost looked as though they hadn't even shaved for the first time in their life.  One in particular had a face that looked more Marden's age, but the way he stood off to the side with a slightly stricken expression and his shoulders hunched against the cold made him look far younger than he probably was... With that dark complexion he could easily have been from Tear.  No wonder he looked as if he were trying to fold himself in half at every breeze.

 

As Marden joined the gaggle of young men, he flinched at the commanding "Soldiers, Attention!"  He had definitely been yelled at before, but not quite in such a commanding manner.  And his nerves and mind were keyed up until he felt ready to snap from all the excess energy.  The following curses and commands had him scurrying with the others to get in line, but inwardly he felt a strange bubble of amusement and he realized he was trying to picture other young lordlings starting at the words and being mock-offended at them, and truly offended that anyone would dare to tell them where to be.  He had never been pleased at being told what to do, but imagining some of those prissy sods in this situation definitely took off the edge.  Marden found himself in the middle of the line, standing calmly straight and pursing his lips against a smirk that kept trying to form.

 

“I am Valeran Kertovni, a dedicated here at the Black Tower. You are what we call soldiers around here.  Soldiers are the lowest rank though fear not, you are all important.”  His penetrating gaze took in all of them.  “A soldier at the Black Tower is worth more than twenty ordinary soldiers in battle.  You all will be made into weapons for the Light, weapons for the Dragon Reborn.  You!”  He pointed a finger then ran it along the line of soldiers facing him.  “You will face the forces of the Dark One!  You, the Light willing will one day be the guardians of the light.  A full Asha'man, one of the most powerful weapons   in the fight against the shadowspawn.  That is why you are here, you have been given a special ability  that we will cultivate.  You have come here to serve the Light, to protect the world from the forces of the Dark One.”  Valeran paused briefly to let his words sink in.  

 

Marden jumped again at the yelled YOU!, but he hardly noticed his own reaction, letting the words of the older man roll around in his mind almost dreamily.  Heady words, these, and things he had imagined many times over.  Most of the next part of the speech was lost on his ears really.  Of course death would be a possibility for some, just not for him.  

 

As Valeran's words continued, Marden started to concentrate, pushing away the extraneous and feeling about with his mind.  He'd tried already, but never felt even the tiniest of flickers...  This time though, he could feel something waiting outside the edge of his awareness almost as soon as he started to try.  It was captivating.  Almost as if--  he started to reach for it, with whatever in his mind was capable of reaching for something not really there... So close- “Do not reach for the source you fools!  You will not do so unless I instruct you too. Understood!”  He was so startled that he almost fell over, but instantly the light was gone.  He gave a hasty nod, mouth dry, when Valeran's stare moved to him.  Apparently Marden hadn't been the only one.

 

He nodded again as he was finally instructed to feel for the presence.  Yes, still there.  A small gibbering voice had been trying to convince him that it would not come back no matter how hard he tried and he had started to feel anxious and impatient at having to wait for Valeran's command.  Opening his eyes, he felt a little flutter of anxiety again until he could finally force his mind to empty enough that he could tell the presence was still there.  He ached to touch it, but dared not.  Somehow he managed to keep his mental hands to himself until the word was given.

 

 

[Sieve]

Valeran could see the strain on several faces.  Saidin called to them, like a beautiful woman lying naked on a bed begging them to join her.  Her eyes and soft words seducing you while her hands caressed your body.  The allure of Saidin was immense but it was also tainted.  This was the most difficult of their training.  Convincing them that seizing Saidin was a struggle the likes of which they could not imagine in their wildest dreams.

 

When the last man nodded that he detected Saidin Valeran addressed them. "At ease Soldiers.  Take a few minutes, grab water from the barrel if you need then form back up."  Many of them were parched from the effort of clearing their minds or from resisting the urge to reach for Saidin.

 

The men formed up quickly.  They seemed eager to continue.  "Now you will leave your eyes open and feel for Saidin.  Again DO NOT reach for it."  Valeran waited, eyeing each of the soldiers watching for signs that they were attempting to seize it.  A few minutes passed before the last man nodded.  It was much more difficult to do amidst the distractions of the activity around the farm.

 

"Now listen closely.  As amazing as Saidin is it is also unbelievably hard to seize.  It is a struggle unlike any that you can imagine.  Like wrestling a giant covered in oil.  As slippery as a barrel of eels.  Like trying to thread a needle with frozen hands."  Valeran eyed them all to make sure none were daydreaming.

 

"I tell you this not to scare the wits out of you but to prepare you for what you will face.  Wielding Saidin is wonderous beyond compare yet it can burn you to a pile of ash in the blink of an eye if you are not careful.  Even if you are careful, one slip and you may be seriously injured or killed.  Once you have firmly seized it your vision will become sharper, colors will appear more vivid but don't be fooled, it can still kill you in a heartbeat.  You must remain in control.  You will each take turns seizing and holding onto the source.  Do not begin until I tell you to do so.  Does everyone understand?  Do anything other than what I instruct you to do and I will thump you all the way to the Aryth ocean and back!"

 

Valeran watched as each soldier attempted to struggle to control Saidin. His eyes grew tight knowing that this was the part of training where a soldier was most likely to injure or kill themselves.  A few soldiers struggled near the point of exhaustion therefore he ordered them to take a break giving another soldier the opportunity to make their attempt.  Valeran could feel his heart thumping in his chest remembering his first attempts to grab hold of Saidin. 

 

"Release!" he shouted at a lantern-jawed Murandian.  "Good, Next!"  He eyed Marden giving the younger man a nod then watched him carefully.

 

((OOC: Go ahead Seize Saidin and hold it for a bit.  Post your reaction to seizing and holding it then we'll move on.  We can finish with a few simple weaves and you should be good to move onto your next RP.)) 

[wordsmith17]

A swirl of confusing emotions bubbled up in Marden's chest as he watched the Soldiers before himself grasp the Source for the first time.  After that last speech from Valeran, he half expected something dramatic and perhaps devastating to happen to one of the other men...  But the only real indicator that anything was happening came from watching the Dedicated.  He seemed the same as he had been since the lesson started, except for the look in his eyes.  His attention never wavered, the intensity of his gaze fully taking in each Soldier when it was their turn.  Marden gave a start as that look was suddenly turned on him. "Good, NEXT."

 

In his initial excitement, he fumbled with the void, trying to force the flame and the emptiness, and in doing so nearly lost it completely.  Taking a deep breath and forcing his shoulders to relax, he finally fed the excitement into the flame in his mind's eye, pushed everything into it until it was just his consciousness and that sickly flicker beckoning to him just out of reach.  Slowly, almost reverently, he extended himself toward it, licking his lips with anticipation.  It had only really been seconds since he had been told to try but it felt much longer than that.  He steeled himself mentally and let out a gasp at the initial contact.  What was meant to be a small touch quickly became much more than that and it was glorious and devastating and euphoric all at the same time.  All of his concentration was poured into the task of simply not burning to a cinder.

 

The landscape was not a particularly colorful one, with everything leafless and frozen and ice on the ground, but as soon as the Power had flooded him it could have all been a vibrant painting full of life and movement, done by a master's gentle hand.  As he battled the roiling Light in his head, he could feel the taint, feel it settling onto his bones, but even that seemed somehow magnificent.  All of it pulsed through him, the Light, the disgusting slick beating a counterstep, even the quiet breaths of the others around him in line.  The sense of loss when he finally forced it all away at Valeran's word was overwhelming for a brief second, as the world dulled back to what he had been perfectly happy with for his entire life up to now.  He could still feel a tiny remnant of the taint, like a fine grit dusting his soul.  Instead of fearing it, he welcomed it as a reminder of what he would soon feel again.

[Sieve]

Valeran exhaled as the last soldier released Saidin.  The tension around his eyes lessened slightly though he still remained vigilant.  They would all be feeling the pull of Saidin even though they only held it for a few moments.  Their surroundings would appear dull, the exhileration of feeling Saidin pulse through them would be gone.  Now that they had tasted Saidin they would want more and they would have it over the next few weeks.

 

"Now that you have all held Saidin you will have noticed the Dark One's taint.  Like mold covering a your favorite meal or a layer of rancid oil covering a barrel of cold refreshing water.  You will learn to live with it for there is nothing to be done about it."  Not yet he thought though there were scholars trying to reason out a way to remove the taint.  "The taint is simply part of Saidin."  Valeran scanned the line of soldiers.  None seemed to care, all they would care for was holding Saidin again.

 

"Now over time you will gain strength and skill in the power.  You will gain both in bursts until you reach your full potential.  There is no telling what your potential might be.  For now your focus will be learning work with Saidin.  You will use the weaves I show you to do all your chores through which you will become proficient wielding Saidin."

 

"Saidin is made up of five elements. Earth, Fire, Air, Water, and Spirit.  Traditionally men are strongest in Earth, Fire, and Spirit though some men may be stronger in Air and Water though it is rare.  It is even more rare to have a significant ability with all five elements.  Commonly you may be strong in two or three.  It is very possible that you may have little to no ability with some of the elements.  Over the course of your training you will learn your strengths and weaknesses."

 

"First we will work with Fire.  You may now seize Saidin but do not channel until you are told to do so."  Valeran watched the soldiers, they were like a pack of hungry wolves pursuing game.  When the last soldier finally held Saidin he continued.  "Pay attention, I will show you the weave a few times.  Do not attempt to channel until told to do so."

 

Valeran easily seized the source, if it could truly be considered easy. Saidin roared through him threatening to tear him to bits while making him feel alive like never before.  The ever present taint making him feel like he wanted to sick up.

 

Valeran channeled a tiny flow of fire which took the form of a small flame.  He repeated the weave several times making sure each soldier was taking it in.  Once he was satisified that they had absorbed it he addressed them.  "You may each try the weave.  Be careful, use only a tiny flow of Fire to produce your flame.  Use too much Saidin and you will singe or burn yourself or others.  Take it slow and easy.  Now begin!"

 

Valeran saw their faces straining as they tried to duplicate the weave.  Flows of fire licked out then dissipated as the weave fell apart.  Determined they all tried again some successfully forming the flame.  Several did not channel enough Fire at first to make the flame gradually increasing the amount until they were successful.  One fool, who appeared to be Domani managed to create a flame the size of a campfire which Valeran had to douse.  He could have easily removed the air making the fire wink out of existence, instead he doused the flame and the soldier with large amounts of water with the force of a waterfall.  The force of the water sent the soldier sprawling to the frozen ground making him lose his grasp of Saidin.  The soldier sat on the ground shivering.  "I said take it slow and easy now get up and try again!"

 

Valeran turned his attention to the others some of whom were snickering at their companion.  "Keep practicing creating the flame until it is second nature.  Once your are comfortable you can increase the size of your flame though no larger than your fist."  Valeran looked back to the Domani soldier who was shivering and apparently too distracted to seize Saidin again.  He left him to struggle, he would have to learn to overcome his distractions and seize Saidin if he desired to have any chance of surviving in battle.

 

((OOC: Have fun playing around with creating the flame.  You can have the soldiers dismissed to the barracks when you are finished.  The Req has been satisfied so it is up to you if you want to continue the thread.)) 

 

 

[wordsmith17]

((OOC:  gah having trouble with typing in this stupid window today, does the scrollbar ever jump around needlessly for you?  And thanks Sieve for RPing w/ me  =)  ))

 

It was a relief to reach out and take Saidin again, to feel the wave of life crash into him, burning and pulsing.  He almost thought for a moment that he could feel something about the Soldier next to him, but it was so faint that he wasn't sure...  He'd been told that eventually he would be able to feel how much of the Power another man was holding.  The taint was there again, as it would always be, foul and sickening.  Strangely, deep down, he almost felt as home with it there as he did with the Source.  It tickled something in the far reaches of his mind that for years he had fought to disregard.  He smiled, savoring the good and the bad while he did a runthrough of the weave in his head.

 

Separating Fire out from the other elements took only a moment: Fire was the strand that seemed to call out to him most, the one that was easiest to pull away and manipulate... the one that was the most readily recognizable to him next to all the others, even.  Despite this, he still managed to fumble the weave twice before getting a tiny, flickering flame to appear above his hand.  It looked a little sickly, like a guttering flame that could go out at the smallest breath, but it remained there in his hand despite the start of a stiff breeze.  Drawing in more saidin, he allowed the strands in the weave to thicken, giving his tiny light a fatter, more healthy glow.

 

Allowing the weave to drop, he started a new flame, this time more easily than the first couple of tries.  He started the strands thicker instead of changing them after the flame had been made, smiling with satisfaction  as it sprang into being twice as big as it had been previously.  He let it grow bigger still, being careful not to surpass the maximum size that Valeran had instructed.  Marden had no desire whatsoever to find himself lying on the ground in a pool of ice water.  Instead of trying for bigger, he let his attempts roam in different directions…  If he twitched this strand just so, he could get the flame to move from finger to finger.  Occasionally the light winked out of existence over the next finger, but it wasn’t long until he was able to keep it a steady shape and size, bouncing it from side to side as if it were a solid object.

 

Before the feeling of fatigue had really begun to set in at the back of his consciousness, some of the other Soldiers had begun to show a surprising level of strain as they practiced.  Marden realized as he pushed saidin away from him as commanded, that they had all been at their task for well longer than he had realized.  His toes had grown quite numb in his boots, and as the dullness of the world through “regular” unenhanced eyes took hold, so did the creeping feeling of fatigue.  He knew that he would be able to get his chores finished for the day without any problems, but he had no doubt that he would sleep as soon as his head found his pillow.

 

As Valeran dismissed his group of Soldiers, Marden turned back for the barracks in as deep of a thought process as he had arrived in.  Most of the others seemed to be meeting in small clumps, but he ignored them for now.  He had no intention of wasting his time talking when he could be getting other things out of the way so that he could practice again.  Plenty of his life had been spent with no more than his own self for company.