Hael's Orientation (Attn: Reki)

[WolfbrotherKronos]

Roudal stood looking out the window of his office. It was a beautiful day and the sun shined on the Fortress of Light. Roudal smiled at that. The Light always shone brightly on the Children.

 

Roudal.turned and sat down at his desk, opening a ledger to start his work for the day. He pulled.out an inkwell and pen and began to get to work. He worked steadily and silently in his normal fashion and soon after starting he heard the approach of new recruits.

 

Their approach was always the same - loud - and Roudal had never gotten used to the noise. Most recruits were younger men and in their travels to the Fortress had become friends. They lacked the discipline of trained soldiers and thus were almost always goofing around when they came in. The group entered his office noisily. A few of the men were silent and attentive, waiting to hear Roudal speak. A few even looked irriatated at the volume of their companiona.

 

This kind of behavior irritated Roudal, and he cleared his throat loudly to silence them. Almost immediately, the group quieted down and paid attention to the large man at the front of the room. Roudal stroked his forked Kandori beard thoughtfully as he looked over the group of newcomers before addressing them.

 

"I assume you are here to join the Children of the Light. Don't think you will leave today with a nice shiney sword and a clean white tabard with a sunburst. You will first start as a recruit here doing basic training. This time will important for you to decide if you belong here with us."

 

Some complained, once again, this was a normal reaction to his usual introductory speech. He responded with the same no nonense response he always gave, "This is for us to decide if we want you in our ranks as well."

 

The recruits became silent at that, listening closely to his next instructions. Apparantly the group decided that if they wanted to join, it wasn't a good idea to get on Roudal's bad side. Taking the recruit book from his shelf, he set it on the desk, the loud bang making some recruits jump.

 

"First, you will need to sign your name into this book. This is our recruit book, and we need to have a record that you came to join us today. If you cannot, please tell me your name and I will write it down for you. Don't be ashamed if you cannot read or write. We have several recruits that have learned how to do so. If you remain at the Fortress, you will learn. After signing, please report to the Quartermaster outside," Roudal pointed to another office outside of his window. "He will fit you with armor and a plain white cloak. You will earn the sunburst only after your annoiting. After that, please report to the pavilion outside. There we will begin your orientation to the Children of the Light."

 

Roudal pulled out a pen and handed it to the first recruit to sign the book.

[Rekinu Alasayaar]

Hael was excited.  He was nervous being inside a Citadel, or even strong stout walls.  In Amadicia no where else was allowed to have them, to ensure that the Children were not kept from bringing the Light to every mile of their great country.

 

He marched with the others to where they were told they would have a bit of initialization, and sign their names as an intent to join or some such.  He was quiet.  Those he had known were already Children and as such, as friendly as they had been in helping him understand the Way of the Light, they had responsibilities to attend to.  So they had dropped him off with a couple of other recruits shortly after entering the Fortress, and had gone on their way.  Keeping to himself mostly, he observed those with them.  He was a quiet man, and rowdiness was not part of his demeanor, and it exasperated him that they were so noisy.  It made it a little harder to just observe the area around them; and as more joined them, the volume increased.

 

After some time, perhaps two hours, they were led double file to another room, where they were lined up and stood before a man rising from his desk and looking them over.  He looked irritated, but since he stayed quiet, Hael quickly glanced around.  He noticed that they were in an office of sorts.  It wasn't sparse, but it wasn't junked up either.  There were momentos on the walls, perhaps from campaigns or maybe even postings he had served in the past, a single book case, and the familiar golden sunburst on the floor, directly centered in front of the desk.  It was worn a bit from the many people that had walked on it in the years it had been there, but it flared brightly in all its majesty from any light to hit or glance on it.  The open window let in the sunlight, and the midday sun light was almost on it.

 

The man stood there, waiting behind his desk; he was waiting for something, Hael figured it was the noise he was disapproving of.  However, failing to notice it, too many continued to chat; and the volume only decreased a little bit, before the man cleared his throat loudly.  Finally quieting appropriately, those who had yet to face him, finally turned their attention to him.  He had a forked beard, and he fingered it a moment before speaking.

"I assume you are here to join the Children of the Light. Don't think you will leave today with a nice shiny sword and a clean white tabard with a sunburst. You will first start as a recruit here doing basic training. This time will important for you to decide if you belong here with us."

 

Almost immediately the man, or perhaps large boy in front of him started complaining.  'But i joined to become a soldier, not do chores'.  Almost immediately the man before them overrode all the complains, and his words were loud, and heavy. "This is for us to decide if we want you in our ranks as well."

The recruits around him became silent at that, and Hael nodded.  They wouldn't want to accept just anyone, and knowing how someone was took time.  They would want a way to back out if needed, though he doubted it happened often. 

 

Taking a book from shelf behind him, the man set it on the desk with a bang. "First, you will need to sign your name into this book. This is our recruit book, and we need to have a record that you came to join us today. If you cannot, please tell me your name and I will write it down for you. Don't be ashamed if you cannot read or write. We have several recruits that have learned how to do so. If you remain at the Fortress, you will learn. After signing, please report to the Quartermaster outside," He pointed to another office outside of his window. "He will fit you with armor and a plain white cloak. You will earn the sunburst only after your annoiting. After that, please report to the pavilion outside. There we will begin your orientation to the Children of the Light."

He took out a pen and handed it the nearest recruit to sign it.  Some of the men held back, some crowded forward, but Hael just got in line and waited patiently.  When it was his turn, he took the pen, and held it still a small moment.  Once he signed it, he was committed, and he would not turn from this path.  Committing to himself, he signed his name with a floursh, and light-heartedly walked out of the building to the mentioned Quartermaster.  He was ready for his new life.

 

The next thirty minutes were a blur of getting armor and a cloak, and Hael continuously looked down at the fit.  It was nothing eye-catching, but he loved wearing the white, and thinking that soon, he would be upholding the Light, and ridding the world of the dark.  At the end of the thirty minutes, he found himself standing in the pavillion, awaiting his orientation to the Children of the Light, and he was excited!

 

 

Hael,

Newest aspirant to the Children of the Light.

[WolfbrotherKronos]

It was a repeat of similar things.  As a clerk, Roudal was a record keeper, but dealing with the new recruits was sometimes a hassal.  They didn't have the discipline of trained soldiers, but there was often a few that seemed to stick out from the rest.  These seemed to understand the seriousness of the situation they were in.  They hardly spoke to those around them, waiting for Roudal to speak.  They were attentive.  They didn't rush to get in line to sign the book.  Instead they waited patiently for their turn and signed without a word.

 

Roudal saw one of those today.  He was of medium build with short wavy black hair.  He wore a plain black cloak buttoned to the neck, marking him as an Amadician commoner.  He walked with a slight limp and as Roudal caught a look at the man's eyes he saw a familiar gaze.  A good portion of his life had been around soldiers, and soldiers, at least those who have seen battle, had a similar gaze.  This man had seen battle and judging by his age, it was probably recent.

 

The man, Hael Narizres from his signature, signed the book in silence and immediately went to follow his orders to report the Quartermaster.  Roudal knew this man would do well in the Children.

 

 

**************************************

 

Roudal waited until all the recruits had arrived again, noting the Amadician standing to the side in his new white cloak.  It seemed Hael was standing a bit taller now than he had before.  He also couldn't help but think about the limp the man had and wondered if he was uncomfortable standing.

 

In the meantime, Roudal had sent a message to the cooks to prepare for the new recruits and received his copy of The Way of Light.  He stood and grunted again and was pleased to notice that the conversation died down more quickly than it had in his office.

 

"Welcome, to the Fortress of Light. As new recruits for the Children, this period of training is to help you determine your future with us-- if you will have one at all, that is. You see, we don't just take anyone into our ranks. We must be sure that you are truly dedicated to spreading our message."

 

He reached out and rested his hand upon the copy of Mantelar's book, laying on the table before him. "Some of you may know a little of the history of the Children, how and why we formed, and what we do. But most of what you have heard is probably not true, or only part of the story. So, let me give you a basic introduction."

 

"The inception of the Children of the Light dates back to the Hundred Years War, in which all lands fought for control of what remained of Artur Hawkwing’s empire. During that time, roughly 1020 FY, there was an order of priests from Amadacia, known simply as The Light. The knowledge of much of the order’s workings has since faded into history, but some is known about them. They were all pacifists, believing in silent meditation and prayers to the Creator above all else. They did not allow outsiders to enter their cloister, known as the Dome of Truth, and what they needed, they provided from within their own walls, becoming a small community unto themselves."

 

"Lothair Mantelar, a vocal young member of the group, started preaching that the order of priests should become more active in the current troubles. He believed that by spreading the message of peace instead of shutting themselves off in the Dome of Truth, the priests could make a difference in the war. He believed that another Trolloc war would come, and the nations divided as they were would fall one by one unless something was done to unite them. The older priests condemned Mantelar for his liberal thinking and were irate that a youngling would put himself forward as more wise than those members who had served for many years. The eldest among the priests wanted a reckoning, and the High Priest of the Light himself ruled on Mantelar’s case, banishing the boy from the Dome of Truth."  Roudal gestured to the Dome sitting in the distance behind the Recruits, who turned to look before returning their attention to him.

 

He continued, "And so Mantelar left the Dome and Amadicia, but he was not alone. Many of the younger members of the parish, those known to be in agreement with Mantelar’s liberal views, followed the banished priest out into a war torn world. The group traveled northward, stoping often to preach to the crowds of war-ravaged cities and encampments of refugees, and teach the people about the value of peace. In some places Mantelar’s message was accepted, but for the most part the priests were chased from town to town, sometimes even being forced to flee from angry mobs intent on killing them. There was little peace for the weary travelers, and much bloodshed. Over half of the men that left with Mantelar died on the journey north, and those that lived were aged tremendously by the struggle."

 

"A year later, Mantelar and the remainder of his group arrived in Andor, where instead of being chased off, they were welcomed by the Monarch. Queen Ishara ruled Andor at that time, and was widely known for her desire for peace. She accepted the men in to her homeland, and allowed them to preach behind the safety of Andoran guards. The priests became known as the Children of the Light, as they were literally young men cast out from The Light. In time, the priests became a powerful entity. Led by Mantelar, the group preached all throughout Andor. At that time, Mantelar also began to write a book based on the virtues put forward by the priests of The Light, adding to it the beliefs he held." Roudal held up the copy of The Way of the Light, before continuing on with his story.

 

"Though the priests were safe in Andor, Lothair believed that his true calling was to preach around the world. For this reason, Lothair and a now expanded group of priests, proudly calling themselves the Children, left the relative safety of Andor, and traveled east. The group planned to march from Caemlyn to Tar Valon, stopping to preach peace at every small hamlet they entered. At all stops, Lothair would speak to the people that had inevitably gathered to hear him preach, he also added a small segment to his book at each stop. He developed a following unmatched by any one of his era, and the Children of the Light grew. Because of the expanded size of the Children, they could not go anywhere peacefully. The large numbers attracted bands of warriors as a midden drew flies, and the Children’s trek to Tar Valon was streaked with blood. At first the priests had refused to commit acts of violence, but as they traveled and lost more and more men, they became less reserved."

 

"Eventually, the Children did reach Tar Valon, and by then they were being followed by one of the largest armies to gather since the death of Hawkwing. The army of Cairhein was neither small, nor particularly pleased by Lothair’s passage through their land, and they followed the Children to the island of Tar Valon. At that time, because of the war, there was only one bridge remaining into the city and many Aes Sedai guarded it. The Aes Sedai refused Lothair entrance into the city, claiming that he was stirring up dissension in the world. As a result of this act, Lothair and most of the Children of the Light were killed as the Cairheinen assaulted them from behind and trapped them with their backs to the river. It is from this act, and many others over the course of history-- that we know the Aes Sedai to be Darkfriends, because who else would let innocent men preaching for the Light be slaughtered like animals?"  At this point, Roudal paused for effect, noting the reactions of the men in front of him. Some appeared surprised, others angry or dismayed. Many did not know of the deceptions of the women of Tar Valon.

 

After giving a moment for the message to sink in, Roudal continued, "Some Children managed to escape, one being Lothair’s servant Arslan, who carried with him a copy of Lothair’s book. Arslan and the remainder of the Children returned to Andor, where they once again received shelter. Arslan took Lothair’s book, The Way of the Light, and released it to the masses, bringing new interest to the Children of the Light. Over the following years the Children grew and expanded, culminating in an organization that was a full-fledged military unit by the year FY 1111.This time around, the Children were warriors first, peacemakers second. They retook the Dome of Truth, long abandoned by the failed priests of The Light, and built a mighty Fortress around it. That is the Fortress of Light which you see today."

 

"Above all, they hated Darkfriends and other servants of the Shadow. They also hated Aes Sedai, and preached against them, blaming the Aes Sedai for the death of their founder, and claiming that such an act against peaceful missionaries named them as Darkfriends. After all, was it not the Aes Sedai who also Broke the World? For a few decades more, the Children worked hand-in-hand with the nation of Andor, with designs on bringing peace to the rest of the world, but the alliance was not destined to be permanent. Betrayal by the Queen led to bad blood between the fledgling military group and the great nation-- a disconnect that still has not been resolved to this day."

 

Setting the book down again, Roudal concluded this part of his lecture. "All this time, the Children have remained true to the original message of Lothair, despite our methods changing since his time. We are dedicated to bringing Truth and Light to the world, by defeating the Shadow wherever we encounter it. Our goal is simple -- we know that some day, the Last Battle will come, and if humankind is to survive, the nations of the world must be united under the Light to face it."

 

He pointed at the recruits, his voice growing firm. "You, you recruits-- YOU are the ones who will be responsible for carrying out that mission in the years to come. If your heart does not accept the message, or you feel yourself to be too weak to carry out your duty-- go, now. If anyone desires to leave, you may do so at any time during your basic training with no fear of persecution. But once you have taken your Oaths, you are ours-- for life. Anyone who deserts their post after taking up the mantle of a Child is dealt with harshly-- the penalty for desertion is death."

 

Roudal surveyed the faces of the crowd of recruits, looking for any sign of weakness, although it was impossible to tell for sure who would break and who would stand true. "I will pause now for a few minutes while you think on what I have said. Any who wish to leave, turn your armor back in to the Quartermaster before you go. You can get a hot meal from the kitchens, but then you must leave the Fortress."

 

He sat down in the chair behind the table with a heaving sigh, slightly out of breath from his long monologue. He wondered if any would leave this time. Sometimes there were none, other times, half the class would leave. Only time would tell.