Kynwric was astride his horse slightly to the right and rear of his Aes Sedai, who was in the midst of a long train of other Sisters. He caught the murmur escaping her lips "If only it was just the weather," He glanced skyward and nodded, thinking. Indeed, if it were just the weather all would be well. He left it all unsaid, it was unnecessary to speak anymore out loud. He could feel the movements of the columns of soldiers behind him, more hear the sounds and feel the vibrations of many men and he knew what was happening. He wasn't sure if he was happy about their position in this army, he wasn't sure that this was the best place for them at all. Loraine however made it clear she was a Green and this is what the Greens had been created for, to be at the Last Battle, to fight the Last Battle, to win the Last Battle. He grumbled sightly at the thought of that parituclar conversation, mostly because she had the right of it and he couldn't start to argue with her when she was right. He glanced up at the woman he had sworn to protect with his sword, his skill and his life and noticed the chain and stone on her forehead swing, he knitted his brow at her and she returned it with the barest arch of her eyebrow, he glanced at the stone and back to her face as he schooled his back to stillness. In the back of his mind the thought crossed that he should have made her leave it off a long time ago, something he'd rectify if... no when... they made it out of this battle. He was keeping pace astride out of habit, his knees guiding the horse as much as he just let it follow the others. No need to guide when the animal is going where you want it.

Kynwric turned his gaze from Loraine to the march ahead, finally he swung in towards her to see what she had learned in the briefing, to see what they would be charged with doing to win this battle, to win the War.

Hmmm... interesting... I never got an email. Which addy did you use?

OOC: S'fine, we'll assume you mae it to the meeting.

IC:

Kynwric was loungins about the hilltop he had pointed out when Shawn arrived and he glanced around for Mark. "I guess we wait now... you made good time. Have a seat and let the horse graze. The next part will not be so leisurely." Kyn then lay back in the grass and waited some more, he could feel agitation floating across his bond and knew Loraine must be embroiled in something or other within the tower, prolly arguing over a book again. he smirked as he thought of that and how much easier, and duller, his life would be if she was Brown instead of Green. he sat up as he noticed a stirring in the horses and then heard the sound of hoofbeats on the ground.

Finally when Mark had arrived and had a moment to rest Kynwric looked over them both. "Well, not bad. The horses look in good shape, in better shape than you do ayway Mark. Next up it mounted combat... so saddle up and get out your weapons." Kynwric mounted himself and ran through several drills, including on how to roll off your horse when it was wounded or killed. "Alright, practice those and let's see how well you've learned."

OOC: Make up some things to do with your weapons from horseback, including working through any problems and then do the falling off your horse bit. I've got one more thing after this and then we're good I believe.

Kynwric guided Shawn out from the village of Alindaer, having ignored the question of where we were going and simply leading on. When he finally pulled up atop a small hillock centered in a clearing he wheeled his horse about.

"Alright, you know where we are?" Without waiting he pointed over the treetops at a hill a few leagues away. "Meet me there. There should be no reason for you to dismount... just ride. It is up to you to choose the path best for your horse and yourself. I'll be judging you on the condition of both when you arrive, in addition to timeliness." Kynwric laready knew the path he would take, but it was up to Shawn to decide what his own path would be. "Any questions?"

Kynwric could sense the frustration and unease that Esthelle was feeling, he could see it in her movements, in her footwork, in her strikes and parries. After the talking about defense he stood her up again, "Alright girl, this time I want you to focus on the strikes. I'll give you a 30 count, you swing as many times as you can. But beware, I'll take three strikes in the 30 count just to keep your defense honest. We'll be doing this drill alot Esthelle, get used to it.. soon we'll do it for 60 seconds then maybe more..."

He settled into a basic defense and waited for her to psyche herself up for this and come en guarde. Once she was he called "Lay on." And began to parry the blows she rained down upon him.

OOC: Again, go as far as you wish... Sorry for the long delay. Real life bit me hard, I should be around some now.

Kynwric arrived a few moments later, a scowl on his face, his demeanor changed little when he saw Shawn standing there with his horse ready. Without saying a word Kynwric looked his horse up and down, taking a critical eye to the job he had done. With a grunt Kynwric nodded his head in assent and headed into the stable, returning a fe wminutes later with his own horse. "Let's go..." He swung up into his saddle and led the way out of the grounds and city... looking for a good place to begin the real lessons of horsemanship.

OOC: Sorry for the delay, after we talked I had RL come up and bite me badly.

Kynwric gave a nod and very abbreviated bow, "very well then Esthelle. Let's see what you know and what kind of talent you have" and he motioned back out the armory, taking up another plain staff as he exited.

Once back out in the yard he found an empty pell and motioned for Esthelle to stand in front of it. Kynwric himself sttod just off to the side and set himself in an unfamiliar stance, he being used to fighting with a sword and shield, but it would do for now. "Begin with setting yourself so, it puts the staff between most swordsmen and yourself. You can reverse it should the need arise, such as with a left handed blade." He then proceeded to show her sever strikes against the pell, six in total. One to each side of the head, one to each side of the body and one to each knee. "Work with those for a while and then we'll move onto basic defense."

OOC: Go ahead and proceed as far as you wish.

Kynwric watched as the boys began to ride, wkeeping an eye on them and urging them to try different things with the horses, including backing up and moving them from side to side. All skills they would need if they ever formed a cavalry line. "Alright gentlemen, bring it in here." When both of them brought the horses and were in front of him he began again. "The rub down and cleaning needs to be repeated, make sure those horses get back in the stables and the grooms know they are there. Tomorrow we go riding for real, outside of town where you can really learn what it is to ride. Not to mention having to chase a horse if he unseats you... for miles. Dismissed and see you following breakfast in the morning, oh and bring your weapons with you."

Kynwric waited as she peruse the selection of weapons and when she asked the questions he nodded. "Aye, you can hold it, be sure of it and let us discuss it before setting your life on that path." He watched as she took hold of the staff and turned it in her hands. "Obviously the first thing about this weapon is it is a bludgoening weapon. It is used for beating someone into submission or death, not for slicing them up as with a edged one. There are advantages to that and disadvantages. Most noticble being is that you will be more likely to simply knock an opponent unconscious than kill. That is not always a bad thing though. The other major note is its size. It is a long weapon, there will be times that is an advantage and times it is a disadvantage. What do you think now?"

I'm here... I think... Kind of.