Runnin the Course (Yrean, Andular, Kross & Dorian)

[Lavinya]

Yrean and Dorian had arrived at the Yards and were working through some simple warming up exercises, waiting for Andular and his student to arrive. Today, Yrean and Dorian were paired up against Andular and his student in a race across an obstacle course, made all the more difficult by the fact that the two pairs would be connected at the wrist and ankle by short lengths of rope. They were allowed to carry a practice lathe each, as part of this training exercise, Dorian would spar with Andular, and Yrean would spar with Andular’s student. It had also been a requirement that the students each come up with an extra obstacle to add to the course. Dorian had suggested two logs suspended side by side over a pit filled with sewage. When he heard this, Yrean’s first thought was that Dorian had been spending too much time on the docks, and had developed some strange likening for the smell there.

 

Yrean and Dorian had started building their addition to the obstacle course as soon as they had arrived in the Yards, after snatching a few hours sleep. They had been late leaving Yrean’s shop the night before and so had had a very busy early morning already. Thankfully it had turned into a pleasant morning, just the correct temperature for a days work in the Yards. Just as they finished their warming up, Andular appeared and greeted them both, Andular and Dorian had met earlier in Dorian’s training. “It be good to see you my friend, where be your student, he be not appearing today?â€

 

Yrean Stavrosi

 

Mentor to Dorian

 

We are Grey. We stand between the Light and the Shadow

 

Dorian was full of nervous energy, as he warmed up with Yrean in the yards. The obstacle course was going to be quite a challenge, yet he was looking forward to the break in his routine. He hadn't had a large amount of sleep, between helping at the shop yesterday, and creating his own choice of an obstacle, but was buzzing with enthusiasm nonetheless, eager to get started.

 

He had quite a competitive streak at times, and was looking forward to competing against Andular and his trainee. Andular soon arrived, greeting them, and Dorian smirked in return. He'd not yet had the chance to 'thank' Andular properly for his help with his City Survival Training. Beating them today would indeed make things all the sweeter.

 

Dorian nodded respectfully to Andular, a smirk still twisting his lips. “It be good to see you my friend, where be your student, he be not appearing today?†Dorian grinned at his mentor, and back to Andular. "He obviously heard about his competition, and decided it was easier to bow out now." Dorian joked. He wasn't even sure if he knew the other trainee, but that was beside the point. Psyching the opposition out always played a large part when competing.

_________________

Dorian Ayerell - Tower Trainee, Mentee of Yrean

 

Andular whistled as he walked toward the yards carrying a think bundle of rope in his arms. The day was warm and bright and promised to be a fun one as he prepared to run the obstacle course with his trainee Kross. Competing against his old friend Yrean and his young trainee would prove to be a challenge but the Warder was sure he and Kross would emerge victorious.

 

Yrean greeted his as he neared the course and his young trainee nodded before making a joking remark about Kross backing down. As if on que Kross came into view carrying a armful of rope as large as Andular’s. “I think the young man is up to the challenge Dorian. By the way have you been spending much time in the city?†Yrean chuckled at the remark and Dorian even managed to laugh.

 

Kross and Andular had decided for their obstacle that they would suspend a rope from ten feet above the ground secured to two wooded towers. Another rope would be suspended 5 feet above that and so that a person could walk across on the lower while using the upper for support. Arriving at the spot they had chosen Andular was pleased to see that the ground had been soaked with water per his instruction and was now an impressive mud pit. Anyone who did not manage to keep their footing on the obstacle would need a bath to be sure.

 

Dropping his rope to the ground Andular began to climb one of the towers to secure the first rope to this side. Looking over his shoulder at Yrean as he climbed the big man smiled. “Care to make a wager on the race my old friend?†He knew Yrean would not pass up a chance to get on up on him. Before Yrean could reply Kross arrived at the base of the tower a smile spread out across his face. “Kross that sour looking man over there is Yrean and his student is Dorian.â€

 

Andular

Grand Master

Bonded to Tiassale Sedai

 

Turning from where he stood at the base of the tower, Kross shoke hands with the two men that he & Andular would be racing. "By the way, I don't scare that easily, Dorian, to answer you question. And yes, I've heard about my competion. It made think I could do this without breaking a sweat." Kross said with a wide grin on his face.

 

When Andular called down for more for more rope, Kross climbed the tower to help him.

 

OCC: Sorry, RL has been crazy.

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Kross al'Dregon

Tower Trainee

 

“I be taking that bet old man, it do be good to be winning back some of the money you be having of mine,â€

 

The two men shared a smile at the mention of previous bets, of all the people Yrean had ever bet against, Andular had the uncanny knack of winning at least three times to Yrean’s one. Yrean had no idea how he did this, especially considering that Andular had no particular luck against anyone else, perhaps today would see Yrean victorious, but somehow Yrean did not think so.

 

Andular called over one of the nearby trainees and once Yrean had counted out his money, he handed it to the trainee, as did Andular. “If you be wanting in, now be your action Dorian, same be for you Kross.â€

 

While the two trainees debated whether to join in the friendly bets, Yrean and Andular spoke briefly about what was to come and decided that they would decide who would go first by tossing a coin. Yrean found an Anduran gold piece in his pouch and was just about to flick it, when Andular grabbed his wrist and asked to examine the coin.

 

“You be no thinking that I be responsible for that last incident be you?â€

 

“No Yrean I do not, but I learnt a valuable lesson from that incident, check, and double check everything. I will not be caught out like that again.â€

 

Once he was satisfied that the coin did indeed have different markings on each side, Andular handed it back to Yrean and waited on the outcome of the toss.

 

Yrean Stavrosi

 

Mentor to Dorian

 

We are Grey. We stand between the Light and the Shadow

 

Andular was looking forward to the competition and waited for his friend to toss the coin. “Any time now or do you intend to wait until dark.â€

 

Yrean chuckled and tossed the coin with the picture of a Queen on one side and a castle on the other in the air. Calling for the Queen Andular watched as the coin his the ground and rolled until it fell castle side up.

 

“You have the dark one’s luck my friend. It looks like you and your trainee get to choose who runs the course first.â€

 

While the two men would have fun in this contest there was no doubt the competition would be fierce. Both men were not ones to take a challenge like this lightly and both would give it their best.

 

Pulling Kross to one side Andular discussed strategy with him while Yrean and Dorian talked in whispers about who would run the course first. Andular hoped they would be foolish enough to let him and Kross to go first. The second group to run it would face a more slippery course without a doubt.

 

“Any day now Yrean the last battle will start with the time you two are taking to make up your minds.â€

 

Andular

Grand Master

Bonded to Tiassale Sedai

 

Dorian chuckled good naturedly at the competetive play between Yrean and Andular, after greeting Kross, the other half of his competition. Yrean accepting the wager made him somewhat nervous, Dorian knew he didn't always have the best of luck. Hopefully, today wouldn't be the case.

 

A soft breeze caused his shirt to press against his skin momentarily, bringing with it the smell from the pit he and Yrean had set up. It was revolting, her knew it, but there would be something satisfying about seeing Andular fall in it. Even Yrean, for that matter. It was only fair, after they had seen about having a chamber pot dumped on his head some time ago. He may not have gotten his payback yet, but he certainly hadn't forgotten. Perhaps today would really be his lucky day. Of course, if Yrean went in, so did he. Still, a small price to pay, in the long run.

 

They won the toss, much to Dorian's surprise. Perhaps Yrean's luck was changing for the better. "If we go first, the course is fresher." Dorian whispered to Yrean. "Yet if we go second, they may well learn from any mistakes me make. It's a tough call." His gaze was drawn back over to where their competition were chatting, smirking and confident. "Burn it...let's go first." Yrean soon nodded his agreement, and the turned to face the other men.

 

"We will go first." Dorian announced, noting with a grin when Andular scowled somewhat. Obviously they had wanted to go first. A good choice, after all, if it meant thwarting them from the beginning. "Tie us up!" Dorian bounced on his toes, to loosen the muscles in his legs, while performing some quick stretches. He was determined to win, even if at the end of the day it was just a game. It was not in his nature to give it anything less than everything.

 

Andular approached with the tether, and Dorian tossed aside his jacket, and made sure his boots were secure, before allowing him to continue. After a brief discussion with Yrean, he placed himself on his mentor's left, leaving his right side free, his stronger side.

_________________

Dorian Ayerell - Tower Trainee, Mentee of Yrean

 

"We will go first." Dorian announced, much to Kross’ & Andular’s dread. They would now have a course covered with muck & who knows what from Dorian & Yrean. Taking a seat on the grass where he could see the whole course, Kross waited for them to start.

_________________

"I'm a leaf on the wind.

Watch how I soar."

 

Wash, Pilot of Serenity

---------------------

Kross al'Dregon

Tower Trainee

 

Yrean had, deliberately, not informed Andular that he and Dorian had had some practice being tethered together, the night before, it had not gone as well as Yrean had hoped for, but at least they knew what they faced. Mind you knowing Andular as well as Yrean did, he did not doubt his friend had done the same with his trainee.

 

Once the tethers were around their wrists and ankles, Yrean and Dorian, carefully, shuffled over to the start of the obstacle course. The first obstacle that faced them was a wall. The construction of the wall allowed for no hand holds, the wooden slats fitted together seamlessly, and were replaced as soon as they showed any signs of wear and tear. Yrean and Dorian made their way to the base of the wall, which towered above them and almost looked impossible to climb, but Yrean and Dorian had practised jumping with their ankles tethered, and without any hesitation the two men sprang up as one, their hands scrabbling for the top of the wall.

 

Arms straining, the two men were able to slowly pull themselves up until they could scramble onto the top of the wall, slowly they levered themselves over to the opposite side, Dorian nearly falling when Yrean’s hand slipped on the slick wood, thankfully Yrean was able to regain his purchase and helped Dorian regain his balance. Once they were in the right position, they jumped from the top of the wall and after disentangling themselves picked themselves up from the sandy floor and quickly made their way to the next obstacle.

 

In front of them was a contraption that consisted of wooden hoops, with the bottom of the hoop buried in the ground. The remainder of the hoop was covered in cloth and formed a tunnel. Into this Dorian and Yrean now crawled, thankfully the tunnel was just wide enough for them to go side by side, but they still had to concentrate to maintain their pace, the whole thing was being timed and they both knew they needed to set a good pace otherwise Andular would beat them. The sides of the tunnel, and the floor, had been covered in thick grease, and though this did not slow them down, noticeable, when they emerged from the tunnel and got to their feet, they realised that the grease on their hands and boots would make the next challenge even more difficult.

 

The next obstacle consisted or a medium sized tree trunk that spanned a deep hole that the trainees had dug the previous night. The trunk was not wide enough for them to walk side by side, instead Yrean had to climb on the trunk first, then Dorian followed, careful to coordinate his movements with Yrean. When they were both on the trunk, Yrean started to inch along, the grease on his boots making progress extremely dangerous. As they neared the middle of the trunk, Yrean could hear the sound pf Andular’s laughter at their antics.

 

We be seeing who be laughing at the end, my friend.

 

Just past the center of the trunk, someone had left a large branch still attached to the trunk. Realising the need for haste, Yrean signalled to Dorian to speed up, whether it was this or the grease, neither knew, but one moment Yrean was standing on the trunk, the next he was falling into the pit, all purchase on the trunk lost.

 

Yrean Stavrosi

 

Mentor to Dorian

 

We are Grey. We stand between the Light and the Shadow

 

Dorian felt a small burst of confidence as they successfully scaled the wall, thanks to the amount of practice they had the night before, no doubt. He had let out a yell when Yrean's hand had slipped, almost causing him to lose the precarious hold he had, but soon enough they were righted and over the wall. Why shouldn't he feel confident?

 

The tethered crawling proved more frustrating than anything else, their pace severely hampered by having to coordinate their movements. the tunned was snug, yet at least they fit side by side. Dorian almost laughed at how little the grease did to hamper them, when he was suddenly faced with their own addition to the course. It was no going to be almost impossible to cross the wood now without slipping, and Dorian did not relish a stumble into the cess-pit they had created.

 

Inching along, Dorian had his free arm extended for balance, chewing on his lip as he fought with his boots to make purchase on the wood. Andular's laughter went by almost unnoticed, focused as Dorian was, when suddenly he was wrenched to the side by the tethers, his eyes catching the sight of Yrean as he lost his footing and slid, head first towards the pit. Thinking quickly Dorian threw himself at the branch that was sticking up, holding it tight even as he shifted his weight to the other side if the trunk. He groaned with the effort, sweat breaking out on his brow as he fought to maintain his balance, Yrean's weight threatening to pull him over the edge.

 

Dorian's arm and leg were stretched out completely where he was tethered to Yrean, he who dangled awkwardly close to the stench below. Try as he might, he was not strong enough to haul Yrean up, his muscles already quivering with the effort of staying upright. Still, if he didn't do something soon, they were both going to plunge into the sewerage. "Yrean!" He panted. "If I can swing you closer, grab the trunk!" Adjusting his grip on the all too flimsy branch, he carefully pulled, before leaning forward, swing Yrean slowlu like a pendulum, being careful lest the weight become too much and drag him down.

 

He grunted, his boot slipping as he tried to maneuver Yrean closer to the trunk. With a shout he braced his foot against the branch just as Yrean scrabbled hold of the branch, the movement yanking Dorian forward by the arm. He crouched awkwardly and tried to help Yrean upright, yet each move threatened to shake him from his perch. Another idea struck him, and he slipped around the branch, his free hand grabbing the back of Yrean's pants in an attempt to help him lay on the trunk. Dorian adopted a similar pose, their tethered limbs one again between them, both flopped over on their stomachs. "It will be too hard to stand - We'll have to continue like this!" Yrean nodded and slowly wriggled himself sideways, Dorian close behind. While the going was still terribly slippery, Dorian found it easier to keep his balance, even if their pace wasn't the fastest.

 

Eventually the wormed their way to the end, both of them again on solid ground before attempting to stand. Looking back over the log with a grin, Dorian noted that where they had wriggled across on their bellies, the trunk was now thick with the grease that had covered their clothes. The going would be tough indeed for Andular and Kross!

_________________

Dorian Ayerell - Tower Trainee, Mentee of Yrean