OOC: Waiting on Melenis and we'll be good to move on. Just so you can think on it, next I want you to write a spar against me using what you've learned so far. FYI, Kyn fights Sword and Shield.

Kynwric sat back, greeted those who came and listened, Jasine's story of Marabelle leading him out of his home and on the track here, Thera's story of her and Sernea could be the same of himself and Loraine if things had taken a wrong turn some time back, he made note to speak with her later privately, and then Perivar's toast to the Borderlanders. He nodded to Jasine when he asked about refilling his mug, mouthing the word 'Mead' to him so as not to interrupt and thanked him when he returned with a freshly filled mug.

Aye, we do all fight the fight against the shadow, be it Borderlander, Aes Sedai, Warder, even the Children of the Light stand against the shadow however misguided they are, that is my next story and the other that directly lead me here. Long ago, when I was oh 11 or 12 I was playing with my sister and her friends out in the pond. We were swinging out of the the pond on a vine and launching out into the water. Well, I was on the vine and everything was fine till I was halfway out and the vine slipped. I dropped into the shallows and hit my head, still have a scar back here." He then rubbed the back of his head. "I was out cold, and bleeding profusely. My sister pulled me out of the water and went running for home. Home was 20 minutes away, but she returned in just a few with a man and a woman in tow. The woman knelt over me, bade me to close my eyes and she Healed me. The man put me up on his horse and the took me home. Something you should all know is, I am from Amador. This Aes Seai and her Warder risked being uncovered for me. Risked their lives to save a farm boy from a land that hated them as a policy. Of course my parents were appreciative and my father at least understood what was what. When Muirenn Sedai and Jerrik left us a couple days later they also left a letter of introduction, one probably still on file in Thera Giadins files. I've never again met them be it here or out in the world and I've never been to the Yellows to see what they know. But Muirenn and Jerrik paved my way to Tar Valon, a very strange place for a farm boy from Amador." With that he raised his mug and toasted them, To Muirenn Sedai and Jerrick Gaidin. And again took a long drink from his mug.

"Very well then... come with me." And Kynwric turned and headed out into the yard. "The very first thing is to learn how to stand." Kynwric demonstrated the first form. "This is Leopard in a Tree." Then from the hand holding his lathe to his side as if in a scabbard, he drew it. "Unfolding the Fan and then immediately following is Lion on a Hill." As he stood there in an on guard position, shield arm out front and sword, the hilt near the right side of his head and the blade angled back. He held this position for a moment and then sheathed the sword again. "And Folding the Fan. Questions?"

OOC: Ask anything, try them out, have Kyn give instructions on what you are doing from and finally do all four in sequence (mostly) correct.

"Every time you pick up a sword love, but that day I was sure of it. Well, you or her, one." He was looking down at her, thinking back far enoughto know what she was meaning. "As for the trainees, I am afraid the Last Battle may arrive before they are even safe enough to use a hoe, let alone a sword." He moved himself now from behind her to the chair opposite her, sitting down and propping his feet up. "

Thanks... make everyone uncomfortable? I look forward to that...

Update: Kyn and Thera are gonna have to go get real drunk sometime...

Kyn ignored the question about the game, he had an idea about why she hated it so much but it was better left unsaid for now.

He laughed, "Not hardly. They're all respectful and eager to learn... one of the volunteered for Basic Fitness today. I don't know what they're putting in the water down there, but they prolly should share some with the Mistress of Novices. Other than that, there's been turnover, but that's to be expected with as much change as has gone on in the Aes Sedai. Oh, and no less than four of them have asked me to teach them forms."

This is still going, you don't have to be anything but alive (and dead is acceptable if you want to be a ghost!) and have a story to tell. Just post and have a little fun.

Kynwric smiled at the enthusiasm and fought the urge to shake his head at it as well,

"First, adress me how you will, my name is Kynwric, I am Warder to Loraine Sedai of the Green Ajah. I will respond to nearly anything you sane think of, the reponse is of course determined in how you address me."

He moved towards the weapon racks and inspected the ones Perivar pointed out.

"Well, the best weapon for fighting from horseback in my opinion is the Morning Star or a Lance, when in a battle line with others then I'd choose a pick or mace, if I were trying to cleave things in half I would choose some sort of bill or halberd. If I am looking for a weapon that is versatile and can do all the above things, just not as well as each in their specialty, then you want a sword."

He smiled and nodded to what he had in his hands.

"Any sword, be it short, long, bastard is the pocket knife of weapons."

Kyn then leaned against one of the rails of the rack.

"As to what style befits a Warder, that is not easily answered other than to say that a Warder does whatever he must to safeguard his Aes Sedai. He is not to be judged on how, what weapon he used or even if he did it with flair, although that does make the story better later. He is to be judged on whether the one to whom he is bonded and pledged lives at the end. My job as far as you are concerned is to equip you to do that to the best of your ability."

Kyn then idly picked up one of the sparring lathes and began to twirl it in his hand.

"As to whether a shield is appropriate for one on one fighting, it is all in how you use it. A shield can be as much a weapon as anything else, I can kill a man with mine and so could you if you wished to learn its use. The forms you will learn are adaptable to the style in which you fight, being a Warder has as at least as much to do with thinking as it does with fighting, probably more. Is there anything you want to ask? don't be embarrassed or shy about it, now's the time."

Kyn gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "I'll survive, it isn't like I haven't spent time here before. But, you're right, everything is on edge here, even more than before. Even the Warders aren't as open as they usually are. The trainees however are the same as always." Kyn tried to relax himself, a hard task on any day here, even worse with the underlying tensions coming out. "Who else is there to talk to? And is there anyone safe to talk to outside of the Greens, anyone in particular you would trust?"

Kynwric strolled into the weapons room knowing he had new trainee today, Perivar was amongst the weapon racks when he entered and he watched as the boy picked up a bastard sword and shield. That was when Perivar seemed to feel that he was being watched and turned to face him. Kynwric nodded to him, "Good morning boy. I'd ask you to choose a weapon, but I see you've already been browsing. Is this how you wish to learn?" He gestured to the sword and shield in Perivar's hands. "I'd always taken Arafellins as a more showy people, inclined to dual weapons or perhaps even the great weapons."

OCC: Going to have to have you wait for the next one Perivar, this one is almost done. I will teach the class to you though, just start in another thread and send me the link over in the OOC section or via PM.

IC:

Kynwric was watching as Jasine worked his way through the forms, and sparred with Melenis. He could feel someone watching him in the back of his head and finally turned to see who it was. Another trainee? The place is crawling with them. he thought as he beckoned the boy over. "Well, what can I do for you boy?" Not waiting for a response he continued. "I suppose you have delusions of being a Warder too and you want me to teach you how to use a sword?" When he nodded. "Well, truth be told we are almost done for today. But you come back after your run tomorrow and I'll start your training. Oh, and ditch all that armor, you won't need it for a while." He then waved the boy off with his hand as he turned back to his current students.

Barrier works, for what is a wall if not a barrier?

I like... not to mention that is almost exactly what I was thinking for a name... Stone Wall

Kynwric nodded to each of them as he inspected the work they were doing with forms. To Jasine he murmured some small praise, all the while correcting his footwork until he had it down and could repeat it.

To Melenis he nodded. "As I said girl, it is going to take some adjustments to the forms to make it work with that bill you use. I would suggest trying to keep the blade higher and butt end lower, use gravity as much as you can. It is a good weapon, but it takes even more skill than a sword to use truly effectively."

He also spoke to Gaidan, nodding to what he was doing correctly and correcting what was not, then he stepped back to watch them all go through the forms again. All of them were progressing nicely, even if they still had years left to work on perfecting their art. When Jasine, Melenis and Gaidan all seemed comfortable enough to his eye he again called them close "I am pleased with your progress, you are doing well. Now step back and attend what I have to show next."

Kyn himself took a step back to clear space, settled into Leopard in a Tree, Unfolded the Fan into Lion on a Hill. "The first form is Heron Wading in the Rushes, it is not for combat in any way and is merely to practice maintaining your balance while fighting." Kyn raised his left leg, balancing himself on the right and performed the beheading slash, pivoting with the flow of the sword. He then performed the same form but with the sword stroke and pivot going the other direction, and again repeating both strokes with his left hand. Then again all four while on his left foot. "The form needs to be practiced all 8 ways, expect to fall down a lot. I did. The next one is easier, it is Hummingbird Kisses the Honeyrose." He settled into Lion on the Hill and perfomred the face thrust. "The most important thing to remember about this form is it can be done from any stance, all you need do is thrust at the face, it is also an excellent way to clear space between you and an opponent as no one likes to get a sword in their face." Settling himself back into Lion on the Hill he performed a mid-level slash. "Parting Silk, good for opening up a man's middle, or for slashing at unprotected arms. More often you will use it as an offensive parry, something to lead your momentum forward as you flow into a different form. Finally is the Grapevine Twines. Jasine come here, cross swords with me." When Jasine has done so, Kyn pushed the blades into a bind. "This form is used to attempt to disarm an opponent when your blades are locked. It is a simple twist, and a roll of the wrist to create the circular motion. The motion twists the weapon away from your opponents grip." He did the form as it was meant to be done, quickly and sent Jasine's sword falling away. "I want you to practice this on each other, but beware again. Melenis will only likely lose one hand from her weapon. I want to hear how that affects the fight and what is the best way to take advantage of that situation from each of you. Practice."

OOC: Practice again, work together on The Grapevine Twines

Alright, I am working on a write up... should be done later today.

Well, that is why I offered to collaborate, so I can add what I recall.

Yes, Andular was of that Disc... you're prolly right, but I'm being lazy and Jehaine volunteered...

I would say the latter... Mostly you put the shield in the way and hack whatever is sticking out with your weapon.

OOC: Hah, thanks! That is much better.

If you'd like to do so, please. I'd be happy to collaborate with you as well... I see it as being focused in Skill with a balance of Strength and Speed on the above chart...

Ahhh... well then, very honorable and not your knight in shining armor type... that makes him practical with a stubborn streak, yes?

Go figure... Mat's an Assassin...

Well, good natured is fine and good, where are you looking to take him? Is he going to be your knight in shining armor type or someone who is going to gro wup into the more worldly do what it takes type?

I'm assuming at this point Jessie is a trainee... since i know you already have a well weathered Warder/TG character.

Kynwric took his time, walking to each of the three Trainees and working with them to get the little parts of the forms worked out. When they finished with Lion on the Hill he bade them to put the weapons away. "That is enough for today, we'll begin again tomorrow. For now get some rest and food. Meet me here tomorrow morning just after breakfast." And with that he turned to leave. When he was just about gone he stopped and looked over his shoulder,"Ah, yes, very good job today." Then he disappeared.

The next morning Kynwric was back in the training yard, working his way through his kata of forms. Leopard in a Tree, Unfolding the fan, Lion on the Hill, Dove Takes Flight, Bundling Straw and Lion on the Hill These all flowed in quick succession, with a brief pause before moving into The Courtier Taps His Fan, Tower of Morning, Water Flows Downhill and again to Lion on the Hill. This time with only a slight bounce Kyn moved into Soft Rain at Sunset, The Rose Unfolds, Low Wind Rising, Wind and Rain and again back to Lion on the Hill. He paused a moment and noticed that there were three people standing there watching and he nodded to them before Folding the Fan and Leopard in a Tree brought him back to centered and ready to teach. "Good morning Gaidan, Jesine and Melenis." Nodding to each in turn, "You've learned to draw and sheathe your weapon, now it is time to begin to learn to use it. Come get your practice weapons. When they had all done so he began, "Follow what I do. Leopard in a Tree, Unfolding the Fan, Lion on the Hill" He called out as all four of them performed the forms, satisifed he moved on to "The Courtier Taps his Fan. It is a fast, hard downward slash. It is designed to cleave your opponents head and is very similar to the last part of the action of splitting wood." He watched as they all performed this form, when satisfied Kyn moved on  to "Arc of the Moon" Performing the beheading slash, that was followed with "Kingfisher Takes a Silverback and it's shadow The Falcon Stoops, both of which are Overhand downward thrusts, the latter just less committed than the former."

OOC: Work your way through these forms, practice them for the rest of this day. Work them into the previous days forms.

Thunder on the Ocean was my Disc. Sword and Shield.

So what's the deal with Jessie?

And there's an Open RP that everyone is welcome to.