Vasilis Dameon ran through the yards to get to where Corin had told him he would be. He was late. Corin had warned him that tardiness would be punished, and he hadn't listened. He hardly noticed the snow or the cold. The cold did not bother him, after all he had been raised in Saldaea. This was nothing after seeing sap in the trees burst from the extreme cold. But the wind was as he rembered. That was what chilled him, not the cold. He hoped he had remembered everything. He had left in a hurry when he realized that he was late.

He began to make out the figures of people through the snow. He slid to a stop and slightly out of breath said, "I'm here." Corin glanced at him, and he knew that this would be punished, but after the trip.

He heard Corin say, “Shawn! Let's get this rag a muffin group on the move shall we.” Vasilis took his place at the back of the group and he saw a man, turn around the say something to the man behind him. He assumed that the man was Shawn. He saw the two in front of him, say something to each other and share and laugh. Then the man in front of him told him to keep his hand on his shoulder so that he didn't get lost. Vasilis did so and shivered slightly when he did. The cold was not so bad, but the wind was horrible. He was not sure if this outing was a good idea after all.

OOC: Sorry about posting late and all...tismeb4u thought it would be a good idea if joined in on this.

Vasilis walked behind Corin as he led him through the yards. He could not reason out why Corin seemd to dislike him though. It was an ever elusive puzzle that just seemed to slip away from him everytime he thought he had an answer. He had to trust that Corin knew what was best for him, but Corin also had to trust him. So far, he had shown none. He could not stop thinking that something was wrong here. How could he have ever been stupid enough to decide to train here. He should have considered his options more carefully. But then he would have felt that he had forsaken his duty. He owed a debt to the Aes Sedai that he had to pay for in full.

“Vasilis, this place we go to is where we will meet each day after breakfast. This is where I will begin to introduce you to your new way of life. That does not mean I do not want to see you before sun rise at the track. A body must be strong as with the mind so I expect little if any alcohol to be consumed while you are in my care for the duration of your training here in the yard. I trust I do not need to explain the consequences.â€

Vasilis nodded hurriedly as Corin gave him his orders. He had never taken a drink of alcohol in his life. He would not have to struggle to comply with that rule. "Good, see that you stick to that agreement," Corin said,"So boy, what is your goal in all of this, and do not tell me the obvious. Tell me why you really want to do this?"

Vasilis thought about giving Corin a false answer, but decided against it. What use what it to lie, when he could probably tell if he was lying? "I do this for three reasons. One is to fulfill a debt that I owe to the Aes Sedai for Healing me, the second is to find that bandits that attacked me and kill them. The third, is to learn more so that I will never be forced into a situation where I cannot defend myself." Vasilis forced a rough smile and said,"I only wish that I knew where those bandits were right now. If would make my job easier."

Corin reached over to grasp the hilt of the blade. His blade. He drew the sword out of the scabbard, and worked it through a few forms. “Indeed you have, may it serve you well.â€

Vasilis felt extrememly pleased with himself. He had found the blade, and felt that it was meant to be with him. It was like a part of him, and when Corin had drawn the blade, he had felt...bereft of something, something that he couldn't quite place a finger on. Not having possession of the blade was like not having his arm, he had lost a part of himself. It seemed like madness to him, but he couldn't describe it any other way.

When Corin threw the sword, an expression of horror crossed his face. It felt like someone had wreched his heart away from him. If Corin drawing the blade had made him feel uncomfortable, this was like murder. He couldn't explain it. His eyes couldn't register anything but the swaying of the sword buried in the ground. But he vaguely heard Corin say, “Remember it is just a tool, if you take care of it it will be there when you need it most.â€

A slap on the wrist brought Vasilis out of his trance. He looked at Corin, noticing that his eyes were blank of all emotion. "Does this man ever feel anything?", he asked himself.

“But your senses will be what makes the tool useful. Always be aware of your surroundings, now pick it back up and go get your sword. It's time you really learned how to use it.â€

Corin turned and started walking away from where his sword stood in the ground, so Vasilis ran to get his sword. He plucked it out of the ground, sheathed it, and then ran after Corin. Ran after the man who would teach him how to use the sword in his hand. He would learn how to use this to show Corin that he did belong here. He would. "Why does Corin dislike me so much?" Vasilis asked himself,"Why?"

Vasilis Daemon's eyes lit up in wonder upon seeing the inside of the great armoury. The walls were covered in weapons. There were axes, whips, swords, bows, the list went on. He could hardly conceal his excitement.

Vasilis was startled from his musing, when he noticed that he was not the only one in the room. He could here the clang of a forge. He saw boys about his own age running in and out of the forge, bearing more weapons to be placed on the racks, and walls. Where to begin?

He decided that the racks in the middle of the large chamber would be the place to start. He walked along the racks, every now and then placing a hand upon the hilt, and picking it up. Or trying to pick it up in most cases. He had to find something that he could use to his greatest effect. "A sword," Vasilis thought, "a light sword would fit me well." Now, where would he find one?

Hours had past, and he had begun walking around the wall of the armoury. He knew that Corin must be getting impatient, and it was probably not in his best interest to make him wait too long. He looked at the wall and came to a complete stop. He saw a sword that seemed to be calling to him. He placed his hand upon the hilt, and took it off of the wall. He looked at the blade in front of him. The slightly curving blade was not too heavy, but neither was it light. The length did not feel akward, but just right. He had found his weapon.

He took down the scabbard and slid the blade into it, and then walked to the doors. He hardly noticed the grand weapons all around him, because he knew that they could not match the one that he had in his hand.He reached out with his free hand, and opened the door. He eyes were immediately assaulted by the bright sunlight, for after the near darkness of the armoury, the sunlight was dazzling.

When his eyes had finally grown accustomed to the light, he looked for Corin. He was leaning against the side of the building. "I've made my choice," Vasilis said, smiling and holding out the sword.

Vasilis woke in the gray twilight of the false dawn. He lay in bed wishing for more sleep, but he knew that there would be consequences if he did not. If Corin wanted him to be up at dawn, the he would be obliged to do so.

He got up from the bed and put his clothes on and left. While he made his way to the yard, he noticed the moonlight reflecting off the freshly fallen dew. It reminded him of home. "No!," Vasilis thought to himself. He had to put his past behind him. He could not allow himself to be distracted by his past. If he was going to give his life to Aes Sedai, then he would have to leave his past self behind. It was time to become a weapon.

When he arrived at the yard, he saw Corin standing with his back to him. He appeared to be lost in thought. Not wanting to disturb his mentor, he approached slowly, trying to be quiet.

"Vasilis, it was smart of you to heed my warning. "Corin spoke with his back still turned to him, and his voice was as emotionless as ever. Light, did this man have emotions? "Today is the start of a very long and hard journey. I am here to see that A; you can be useful to someone when you have finished your time as a trainee and B; make sure that it is a long and hard journey to reach the Red Cloak." "Well that's just great," Vasilis thought to himself, "All I need is someone making things harder than they already are. Why did Corin seem to dislike him so much?"

Corin turned around suddenly and threw the lathe in his hand to him. He caught it in his right hand, and then Corin asked,"Tell me, have you ever used a weapon before?"

"Yes, I've used-," he began to answer his question, when Corin suddenly kicked with his foot, and before Vasilis knew what was happening, Corin was on one knee and another lathe was stopped inches from his side. “First lesson, expect the unexpected. Always,†he spoke as if Corin himself always followed this advice, and that if Vasilis didn't, there were going to be consequences. It seemed like harmless advice, but was it? Was his mentor telling him that he was going to do this at random intervals throughout his training. If he did, Vasilis was going to go insane.

“Now you were about to tell me what you know of weapons.†Corin turned and motioned him to follow. Vasilis was having a hard time keeping his emotions in check. He thought that if his mentor kept this up, he would be primed for murder. "I only know what my father taught me," he said. "I know how to wield a quarterstaff fairly well, and a sword somewhat. My father always won the competitions at the feast days at home, but I wasn't as good as him." When he finished talking, he realized that they were outside of a large building that Vasilis could not remember seeing before."Where are we?" Vasilis asked, with a slight nervousness, he realized. "What are we doing here?"

"A debit, is not a good basing for the giving of one's life to duty. Think deep on your decision Vasilis, the Aes Sedai need a dedicated guardian not a winsom filled servant." Corin spoke the words in a voice as hard as steel. In a voice that refused to bend.

Vasilis was stunned by the answer. A debt was a good reason to do this. He was willing to give his life for Aes Sedai and he wanted to question why he was. Corin didn't trust him. Of course he didn't, he was a newcomer, and Corin didn't know anything about him. Who trusts a stranger in these times? If he was right in not trusting Corin, how could he say that Corin is wrong for not trusting him? It was all too confusing.

Corin held up his hand and motioned him to come. "Follow me." Corin strode across the yard, and Vasilis followed. He noticed that the boys were still training in the yards, but there seemed to be more of a similarity between how he viewed them, and how he viewed himself. They were here for the same reason he was. To learn to kill. To protect an Aes Sedai. Fighting for a cause that they believed in.

They arrived at the Mistress of Trainees office, and they went inside. He was introduced to the Mistress of Trainees, and she asked him a few questions along the same lines as Corin had asked him, but not nearly as intensly. After she had finished her questioning, she assigned Corin to be his mentor. Vasilis tried not to fall over. He was to be taught by a man who didn't trust him? What had he gotten himself into?

"Come I will show you to your room. You will be in the yard 1 hour before dawn tomorrow," Corin said in a voice like ice. Corin seemed angry, but he could not place his foot on why.

"I highly recommend that you are not late Vasilis, Dorian can attest to that," Corin said sternly. That voice reminded Vasilis of his father. Sadness welled up in him, but he pushed it down. He had no time to feel sadness. Dorian, must be a mentee of Corin's.

"You can move your stuff to this room. Get to know your roommates, you will be with them for a while." Roomates, well he hadn't thought about that, but he thought he should get along with them well enough. He normally did with men his age.

"One hour before dawn," Corin said again. His smile looked forced, and it did not touch his eyes. His eyes remained the same. Unrelenting. Vasilis was a little afraid of his mentor. What had he gotten himself into?

"I am Corin Danveer of the White Tower Guard Vasilis, but for now you may call me Corin."

Vasilis Daemin was relieved that he had answered the question. For a moment, he had thought that he would not. Corin had delievered the answer in a voice that mimicked his face. Calm, collected, patient. He said them as if they meant nothing to him.

Corin began walking around him. Seeing if he measured up to his standards, Vasilis was sure. Seeing if he was up to the task that Corin himself performed. He looked at Corin and there was a flicker of emotion in his eyes that was gone so quickly that he thought it might have been his imagination. Had it been pity? If the man was feeling pity for him, maybe he shouldn't go through with this after all. But he had already asked. He might as well, he had nothing left anyway. Nothing to live for, and everything to die for. He had a debt, and he meant to pay it.

Vasilis was startled when he heard Corin's say behind him in a quiet voice, "So tell me Vasilis, what makes you believe yourself worthy of protecting Aes Sedai?"

He was dumbfounded by the question. How could he answer without telling this stranger too much? He knew he had to answer if he was going to go through with this, but he did not entirly trust this man. He had to take a risk, but he believed that it was worth it. After all, he had nothing to live for. He might as well.

"I owe a debt to Aes Sedai. I am alive because of them, and for that debt, I will die to protect them. I have nothing left to me, except that debt. And I will pay it in full."

"I may perhaps be able to help you young lad. But before I can do that I need to know what it is you need help with and what your name is?"

Vasilis Daemin supressed a sigh of relief as the man answered him. He had thought that they might just send him away. He had thought that that might be the best course for him anyway, but he had a debt to pay and he would pay it if it took his life.

"Where have you come from little one?"

The question sparked irritation in him. He was not a child. He was man who had seen more than his years. But then looking at the man before him, he decided that he had a right to call him a child. He had the look of an experienced warrior. But it was still irritating.

He looked out at the training yard for the first time. Boys that were roughly of his age were training all over the yard. Learning the trade that the Warders of Tar Valon had perfected so long ago. To be part of something that was more than himself. To actually belong to something. It tugged at him. It was the most welcoming sight he had yet seen. He felt like he had come home. He had never thought that perfection could never be reached, but this came close.

He had to answer this man's question, but he did not wish to disclose his life to him. He had to choose his words carefully. "This is Tar Valon after all", he thought to himself.

"My name is Vasilis Daemin, and I'm from Saldaea. If you don't mind me asking, what is your name?"

Vasilis Daemin was pacing back and forth in his room that the Aes Sedai had given him after being healed. It was a room fit for a king, and he had never before seen it's like. Normally he would be overwhelmed by such luxury, but now he hardly noticed it. He had been thinking for some time. He owed the Aes Sedai for Healing him, and he had nothing else to do. But he did not want to jump into this particular pond without thought.

The day before he had explored his surroundings, after an Aes Sedai had come to check on his condition and told him that he could get up and walk around. As he walked, he had seen the students in the warder's yard learn how to handle their weapons. He had felt called to join them, but decided against it for now, because he needed to think. He had always been careful of how he acted and had always given everything thought. His father had been instinctive. He had never given things much thought. That was probably why he was dead. That wasn't fair and he knew it, but he had to blame something. He had nothing left. He didn't even have enough silver to survive for a day, much less the rest of his life. He had abandoned the house back in Saldaea, because he couldn't bear to live in the house anymore, with the weight of memories bearing down on him. He had needed to get away. That was one reason he had been pulled to join the warders, but he just didn't know. He needed to do something.

He felt like a bow, stretched to the breaking point. He needed to release the tension or he would be broken. Leave or stay. It seemed such a simple decision. And yet he had thought about that very thing since he had woken up. Which one?

He walked out of the door of his finely dressed room. He had made his decision. He had to do this. It was the only thing that made sense. He hardly noticed the expensive and colorful tapestries as he made his way down to the warder's yard. He was an arrow shot from a bow, bearing down on one target. He could not be distracted now.

When he arrived at the warders yard, he hesitated, wondering who he should ask. He looked around for someone who looked important, and wasn't busy. He saw a quite dignified looking man who was watching the yards. He didn't allow himself to think. He walked up to him.

"Could you help me? I would like to train with the warders," Vasilis Daemin said.