And Sana and Cairma is finally done and posted!  Sorry about the wait everyone!  So.. who's next?

And Mat, do you mind my Yellow Sister being in the Yards for healing in all this?  Would love to get her down here and playing with the boys and girls :p  let me know if it's OK...

Sana held his quarterstaff at the ready, even though he knew he was outmatched.  It didn't matter really.  He's signed himself up for this and he was going to see it through.  Another of his flaws he supposed, but he felt it made him more honorable too and he was OK with being flawed in that way.  He could hear his father in the back of his head, laughing about the Arafel soil seeping into his blood, even as he thought it and a smile crossed his face.  He really needed to go visit.  Thinking of Rosheen, he thought it might be a good idea to try to talk his sister into going too.

Taking a deep breath he forced those thoughts away and pulled the Spring up around him.  He smiled at Cairma then, ready to begin.  "Play time!" he said loudly, getting a few laughs as he did.  Oh there were some that would be upset that he wasn't taking this as seriously as he should, but then again, they weren't up here facing someone that was so completely beyond them.

He didn't wait then, but danced forward swinging his quarterstaff in rapid succession.  The only chance he had was to move quickly in the beginning and hope she needed time  to warm into the new weapon.  It proved to be a vain hope as she blocked his easily, but whether he could win or not, it was always more exhilarating to fight with someone of her level.

She didn't strike back, but let him dance away and he laughed lightly.  This part of his job he enjoyed.  And there was one thing you could say about Sana.  You always knew how he felt about what he was doing.  Coming in at a different level, he swung the staff low and as she jumped out of the way, used the momentum to bring him around high with an overhead swing.

Blocked just as easily only it left Sana in a bad position and he dodged back out of the way as Cairma took the offensive.

Distracted as she was, Cairma fell into a comfortable rhythm as the spar continued with Ursana. Beautiful as the forms were, countered and measured beautifully with each strike and parry. Movements were automatic and simple, and even with their added change to even the score, Cairma knew he would have to be very lucky to land a hit. Bringing her stave up, it was countered with Ursana's as he smiled at her. Tilting her head, Carima could not help but smile as well.

She moved to the offense.

Fascinating as it was, the minutes that were slowly ticking away, their movements together felt addictive and fun. A level of peace settled on her as the familiar movements brought her away from her spar with Rosheen. A new found respect for Ursana formed. It should have been obvious, being Rosheen's kid brother, had he been but a few years older he would have been one that Cairma may have considered a good friend. How could she have missed it? He had a certain genuine spirit that was hard to diminish. Genuine...

Inwardly she winced, but it was not because her staff came down hard on Ursana's, causing him to loose his grip. She didn't wince because she had won anouther match and her opponent less skilled than her.

She winced because he was more deserving than she. The perfect fool.

Pulling up her staff beside her body, she held out a hand. "Well played, Ursana. Maybe we shall have to spar again?"

And it was over.  The result had been almost guaranteed when he had stepped in the ring and though he had known it, he had still done his best.  Of course attitude was everything so he knew

he had walked into this match twice marked.  Once because her skill was far superior, and once because he recognized himself in the losing position.  It was an attitude he only allowed when in the spar. 

As they ended, she held her hand out to him and he took it, smiling.  He wasn't sure what he saw there, but maybe she didn't think him such a complete waste after all.  Light he hoped not.  He'd certainly made a fool of himself over Sahra and Cairma had seen that, but perhaps the time that had passed made her realize he had grown too.  He hoped so.  "It would be an honor.  Though I think I need a bit more practice so I can come up with a few surprised for you." The last was said with a wink, then he made his way out of the ring so that the next tourney could begin.

Ursana & Cairma

((Next up! )) 

Yeah.... *hides the rope, the chili vat, and the tequila torch after taking a sip first*  What could happen ??

She couldn't begin to guess what was going through his mind when he refused to look at her, but suddenly he was back again and she felt like she could breath.  It was all it took.  A single look.  The apology meant nothing since there was nothing for him to be sorry for.  Light, but he'd caught her at work and he was apologizing to her?  It was so completely wrong and part of her wanted to just tell him.  Let him know he had the right to yell at her, to be upset.  He had the right because she was no good really and he deserved someone better.  Only she'd have scratched the eyes out of anyone she saw touching him.  It didn't make any sense in her head, but in her heart it was the right fit.  He was the right fit. 

She smiled warmly at him, biting softly at her bottom lip at his words.  She got off her seat then and moved to crawl into his lap.  It wasn't the first time they saw something in a place like this, but she blushed anyway.  Something about Carnhain made her very aware of herself, of what she was doing.  Sometimes that was a good thing and others ... well ... she blushed. 

"I do be thinking there be worse things than locked in your room.  At least you do be there to keep me occupied." She said, kissing his lightly.

Jatasha 

OMG!  That would be awesome! 

Kedyn:  Um.. Carnhain... why is your door banging like someone is trying to get out?

Carnhain: It isn't.

Kedyn: yes it is.

Carnhain: ROUSs??

:P  I love Jatasha.  And she loves everyone. 

(Yeah for joining!  The more the merrier!)

Ursana was just putting his cup to his lips when he saw another Tower Guard raise her glass in salute from a few tables over.  "And how the lessons keep coming and coming.  Let us see how well I learn from your valuable lessons."  He wondered a few times about the value, as Aran had a tendency to make lessons difficult and your work ethic had to come from yourself because he certainly wasn't going to help in that area.  Aran extolling the virtues of a good days work must mean he was talking to a serving girl about how she should be his own personal wench.  But Aran knew what he was doing with his weapons, knew what he was doing in just about any kind of fight and it was that mentality that had made him a good mentor for Ursana.  Sana who disliked being in one place for too long and who had spent most of his life schmoozing his way out of honest work and instead spent most of his time traveling with the family caravan.

He got up and walked over to the other Tower Guard.  He didn't know her name, but he recognized her from the Yards.  He smiled warmly as he stood before her table.  "Funny enough, I was just warned about the dangers of drinking alone.  When I saw you, I thought I had better share the advice and save you from the untold horrors that come from it.  Would you like to join Aran and I for a round at least?" He asked.  "I'm Sana by the way.  Sana Tahn Sakhr.  I don't think we've every been formally introduced."

Sana :P 

He couldn't react.  He was numb from the words she had spoken, numb from the little dolls that were splayed across the bale of hay he sat on.  Numb from the little girl that he adored telling him that she could and wanted to be even darker than her mother.  He ... well ... he didn't like to think too much on how he felt about Cari but even in light terms he cared a great deal about her.  The Shadow in her didn't scare him like it had when he had first learned about her problems, but it was still nothing to be flippant about.  Her darkness had brought her down a road he didn't think she had ever wanted.  Kate spoke of acceptance but as much as the girl spoke of knowing, he doubted she understood Cari as well as she thought.  It was the terrible truth than more people came to learn when they became adults.  That no matter what they thought they knew about their parents, there was so much more. 

But he knew something else now that he hadn't before.  There was no turning back. Aiden might have been able to walk away in time, but Kate was a different story.  He could tell from the look in her eyes.  There was nothing that would make her change.  The same look in her eyes that Cari sometimes had.  The Dark One help her, he hoped she never developed the sort of troubles her mother had. 

"I can't say I like this Kate.  I didn't like it when Aiden came to me either, but this is your choice to make.  If you want to train, then you'll train with me at the pace I set.  You don't talk about any of this to anyone else and if you are even thinking about it, you come talk to me.  One bad choice can cost your life.  And not just yours.  It could cost the lives of everyone at the Ranch because of what you want to be.  Do you understand that?"

She nodded and he knew that she was taking his words in, that she understood how serious he was.  "Not even Cari.  Because i'd like a little warning before she comes for my head."  He smiled then lightly.  He wasn't sure what Cari's reaction would be.  It might not be a joke, but he'd take the chance because if they were determined to be trained at least he knew they were safe with him.  "We do this quietly but you don't boast or brag or let on what you know.  You don't flash darkfriend signals to anyone.  You don't even whisper it to one another at night when you think everyone else is asleep, alright?"

How in the world did he get into these things?

Demus

Welcome aboard hon!  Anytime you want to RP i've got Aramina (pre or post Keeper :P)!

I'm willing to give it a go, but I might be a bit slow posting at the end of the month.... :P

Wohhoooo!  Congrats hon!  And welcome to the Green Ajah!

She was liking this discussion less and less.  It wasn't that she agreed with him, though there were some things that were honest about his argument.  Cairhien had it's corrupt elements, but so did every city.  If the Aiel were so far above that, then how were these Shaido even possible?  What about the rumors that said that members of their groups, whatever they called them, were actually abandoning them and joining the Shaido.  Not a happy thought. 

But what was sinking in more and more, was that their points of view, their entire lives, were completely at odds.  Talking about things on this level weren't helping her to understand them either.  She took a deep breath.  She needed to understand the Aiel.  She needed to understand the people that had taken control of her city, and now her life. 

She decided to take a different tact.  "Tell me about yourself."  She said.  He turned to look at her, really look at her and she smiled.  "I don't know that you and I will ever see eye to eye but how can we reach an understanding when neither of us understand one another.  Maybe as a culture we can't, but maybe as people we can.  My name is Raina.  I grew up in the countryside.  I didn't know much about the city when I first came here.  My fiance died on the walls when the Shaido came."  She said, her smile faltering then.  She hadn't planned on mentioning that.  No more than she was going to mention Luc.  She was fairly certain the Aiel wouldn't understand arranging a marriage as she had, nor would he understand that she actually liked her fiance that by now, it didn't matter that it was arranged.  She was looking forward to marrying Luc.  If only they both managed to survive.

Raina Dulcei         

Jatasha started to open her mouth to say that she couldn't do anything, but she shut it just as quickly.  She had learned a little from Carnhain from her lessons.  Before they ended up segueing into the bedroom.  Not only that but Con had taught her some as well.  She'd managed to survive the battles that had defeated one of the Forsaken.  Besides, the more she learned, the more impressed Carnhain would be with her, right?

She smiled at the other woman. "I do no be thinking these be the proper clothes for training." She said with a grin.  "But I do be thinking it be something worth doing."  She smiled at both women.  "Perhaps you and your friend do be willing to wait while I change?  Or we can meet some other time to be doing this?"

Jatasha   

WB!  Glad to have you with us!

It's just because he's obsessed with me is all....

And don't let Carnhain scare you... he's a big scary blood crazy member of the Band of the Red Hand that is completely wrapped around my Illian girl's finger :P  And I don't think he'll let her anywhere near a chaneller if he finds out how well she was working with Caelen (My BT) in Illian :P

well... Raina was involved in the Laman's thread... much posting love on the Cairhien line.  She's just delivered Aran to Tar Valon... so now she's in Tar Valon and she's going to be starting down a new path.  She'll be learning that she can channel there and will run back to Cairhein, intent on finding the Kin... any takers???  Andrea, I thought you said you might have someone around... :P

Oh.. and I still need an OP score for her *pokes*

Well as the WK AGL... I want a crack at one of the Forsaken :P  can you hit me up with any relevant information Ata?  I don't have any idea what was being planned with any previos AGLs on this so i'm starting from scratch on this one!

Thanks!

Here's another helpful thread about how to rp in Dragonmount: http://forums.dragonmount.com/index.php/topic,20030.0.html

That should have a good deal of information.  Also, I got your email and if you have any other questions, feel free to let me know.. email.. pm... MSN, Skype... i'm all over the place :

Of course you belong here Stan :P  And as you jut stole Andrea and she has my leash these days... that means you stole me too and I am now able to try to brainwash you into coming to play with us .... tee hee hee..

Welcome aboard hon!  Glad to have you on staff :P

Congrats hon!

Aran'gar is ment to be killed by wolfkin

Now this is something I'd like to hear more about Ata.... is this something that happened already (but wasn't rped out) or something that should be happening in the future?

Or you can PM me with info... don't want to steal the thread just because it deals with WK :P

Demus closed his eyes as Kate whispered in his ear.  Curse him for a lightfool, but he'd known there was no way to avoid this, no matter how he had tried.  No matter the choices that he had made in his life, part of him had hoped that Kate wouldn't come to him, that she and her brother would realize they had made a mistake and that it would be the end of all of it.  He'd never really believed himself that lucky though.

So there he was, Cari's little girl in his lap, confessing she was a Darkfriend and asking to be trained.  He'd already promised to train her brother, if for no other reason than to keep him from going to someone else.  They all worked well together at the Ranch, but that didn't mean someone else might not try to take advantage of the kids to have something to hold over Cari.  At least with Demus they would be safe from that sort of trouble.  Besides, he'd seen kids this young learning to defend themselves and he could pretend, for a little while, that it was all he was doing.  In case the Ranch was ever discovered or they were attacked for their mother's benefit.

He pulled her back and looked her in the eye.  "Kate, do you really know what you're doing?  I asked Aiden the same thing and I need to hear it Kate.  Why are you doing this?"

demus Nolorean

Ursana's surprise turned quickly to a laugh as he realized that Aran had made it to the tavern.  And with drink in hand already.  Of course, it showed that Aran had no intention of treating him any differently now that he had reached the status of Tower Guard than he had before that.  He wasn't really upset by that idea either.  While there had definitely moments when Sana had wished he had another mentor, he had learned well under Aran and Aran gave respect where it was deserved, from a Tower Guard or a trainee.  He'd seen more than one trainee treated as less than what they deserved just for being a trainee.  He'd been treated like that at one point, before Aran had been saddled with him as a trainee.

He raised his mug with Aran, a smile on his lips as he did so.  "To surviving."  He took a long drink before setting the mug down.  "And i'll get the sappy stuff out of the way now before I embarrass us both.  Thank you for teaching me.  I might not always have liked the lesson, or especially the manner it was taught, but you taught me more than just a sword and you deserve my thanks for that."

The comment was an obvious remark about the trip to Cairhein that Aran had set up.  Sana had been held by a prison guard that had no care that he wasn't the right person.  He'd had to escape with the help of a fellow cellmate and later help her break the law to pay her back for her help and care.  It had gotten ugly between himself and Aran when he had realized Aran had set the whole thing up.  Especially as he had bedded the woman before realizing she had been paid to help him.  It had been a hard learned lesson, but in the end he'd learned that while he disagreed with Aran's method, he had needed the lesson.  In particular, that lesson was probably why he'd been able to take the oaths he had without hesitation.

Ursana

Aramina gave a small smile as she watched the young man's reaction.  There were a number of reactions that one expected when one ran into this type on the streets at night.  This was one of the funnier she had witnessed in her life.  She schooled her face and only allowed a small polite smile to grace her features, though for some reason his reaction to her had tickled her somewhat.  Since she was in a lighter mood she didn't bother to try to correct him on the proper way to greet an Aes Sedai and refrained from commenting on smacking himself in the head.

"That would explain the lost look then.  Were you supposed to meet someplace?  Or has your friend gotten himself lost?"  He opened his mouth as if he was about to protest her help but she waved him off.  "I am more than capable of getting myself back to the Tower, though I thank you for the concern.  Perhaps I might be of some assistance to you though."

Aramina :P