I'm back!!!!!!!! My computer is up and running...

...but, I'm going to need a little time to play catch up. If I'm taking to long getting back to an RP, feel free to kick me or something

Later...

shep~

Ya man, I remember CCing your bio...

...that was a long time ago!!!

Welcome back...

Shep~

My computer crashed so I'm on LoA for a week or so till I get it fixed.

When I get back I'll finish the training threads I'm leading. Sorry for the delay, but I dont like this anymore than you guys

Later...

Shep~

Hay all, my computer crashed. So I'm on LoA for a week or so till I get it fixed.

Erik, sorry I havent posted yet, but its just because my computers been crazy. I'll be back in a little bit.

Shep~

Hay all, my computer crashed. So I'm on LoA for a week or so. Sorry if this slows down RP plans I had going, but I'll be back a.s.a.p.

Later...

Gillie~

He thought abut what Vera had just said. Her words were simple and honest as they washed over him with a subtle passion. Now that his feelings were unbound, the emotions he felt were threatening to sweep him away in their currents. He had burned up his frustration and was now left with hollow sadness, and everything Vera said only added to his pain.

“I lost control of my words, and they were harsh.†He apologized to the young Accepted. Though what he said had been true, she was not the cause of his pain, and she hadn’t deserved the tongue lashing he had given her.

He took one look at her hands and sighed, ‘Milagia cut herself on my sword once when she tried to prove something to me. Why do woman I come in contact with always end up bleeding over something I said?’

He quickly tore his left sleeve off and ripped the white cloth into strips. ‘Cerianth had been a Yellow Sister. She taught me a lot about the binding of peoples wounds… but she never showed me how to heal myself…’

Without her permission, he took Vera’s hands and swiftly wrapped them in his makeshift bandages. The cuts weren’t deep, but he would not have them become infected. ‘She may have provoked me, but I am responsible for my own actions.’

Looking into her grey eyes, he said, “I told you earlier not to call me Master Cole, for I am master of nothing.†A soft smile crept onto his lips. “But it seems you can not call me ‘Cole’ either, for the Tower Guard you met this morning isn’t here anymore.â€

He took her arm in his and led her down the street. He intended to take her to the nearest inn and ask for some real bandages and some soap to clean the wounds on her palms.

“Vera, you can call me Gillie… I was once known as the Flute of the Meadow…â€

Gillie~

Gillie sheathed his sword and bowed to Lyv.

“I would be honored if you, Miss Lyv Tylin, would accompany me to a Bel Tine dance I’m throwing her at the Grove. It’s only a week away, and I’m hoping to make it a special night. Everyone in the Tower is invited…†He went on to explain all about what he had planed for the dance. There would be hundreds of brightly colored paper lanterns hung in the trees, and the clearing he had picked out would be decorated to look like a hunting camp. He also told her about the game everyone was going to play.

“…the best part about this dance is that everyone will be wearing a mask. At midnight, the game will be over and all the guests will remove their disguises and we shall see who was who.â€

He smiled as he picked up the circlet of flowers and said, “It is my lady’s privilege and right to accept my invitation whenever she desires. Yet, it is my duty to place the flowers upon your head.â€

He gently set the woven ring of buttercups on Lyv’s head. The yellow petals reflected the suns rays and mingled with the red of her hair, creating a circle of crimson-gold.

‘Lovely… very beautiful…’

Looking into his friend’s eyes he couldn’t help but grin and feel happy. It had been to long since he had felt anything, let alone happiness.

“You are the only woman in all Tar Valon I want to escort to this dance.†It was true and he hoped Lyv realized the honesty in his words.

He took her hand in his again and started to walk deeper into the Grove. “As for your other question… I spoke the truth before. I have been a fool and my mistakes have kept me from you this past year.â€

Gillie did not like to think about the time he had wasted. ‘I lost so much time… I lost so much of myself…’

He turned his eyes toward the sky, searching the blue expanse for answers he knew weren’t there. “I have always struggled with who I was in the past and who I’ve been trying to become here at the Tower. I’ve been here at Tar Valon for ten years now… but I still have difficulty…â€

He cut himself off in mid-sentence. He didn’t want to bother Lyv with his problems. The demons of his past and the memories that would not leave him alone were not her concern. So he changed topics and went back to talking about the dance.

“So… what do you think of this idea of mine? Do you think anyone will even come to the dance? Speaking of that, you still haven’t said if you are going with me or not…â€

Gillie~

‘I don’t know what they would have wanted… their gone now… and I am left all alone…’

The Void shook violently and slowly he started to lose his grip on the emotionless world. Pain and sorrow seeped back into the old wounds that scarred his soul. Agony awakened anew in his heart at the memory of the two women he had shared his life with.

His protective walls had fallen and he no longer held back his feelings. Gillie loosed the chains that had bound his spirit and was once again as free as the wild breeze of the meadow.

Moments ago his voice had been nothing but dull formal tones and lifeless words, now it resonated with intensity. Each breath was filled with tenderness and anguish. It was the voice of a broken man.

“Why do you care anyway Vera? What do you know about life being a ‘test’?†Gillie turned back to the Accepted with eyes that could no longer shed tears, but longed to weep.

“Who have you ever loved more than yourself? Who would you give your own life for without a second thought?â€

He walked back to where she sat on the bench. Taking her hands in his, he gently pulled her up to her feet so their faces were barely inches apart.

“I gave up my life three times. Once for my grandmother I gave myself to the White Tower. The second time was for Cerianth who only asked that I love her. The third time was for Milagia who asked me to protect her.†Bitterness etched each word as he spoke.

“I failed them all Vera. That’s what life has tested me with. Each time I lost a piece of my heart and a part of me died. That’s what it means to truly love another. I sacrificed everything for that love, and I am not sorry for it.â€

Gillie’s hands trembled. “If I could live through it again, I wouldn’t change anything. I did what I had to. I do not hide in that emotionless world because of regret, but because that is the price I paid for giving up my life.â€

‘I’m just not strong enough to live with the pain, so I tried to destroy everything in me that could feel the hurt of loneliness. I didn’t care if it destroyed my humanity if it let me continue on without the pain…’

He started to laugh, but it was not the laughter of joy. It was the sad and horrible laughter that comes from seeing the irony in life and its cruelty.

“Not all of my heart is dead and that is why the ghost of my former self still haunts me. Can you guess why I know I still have a heart Vera?â€

Gillie didn’t wait for her answer and continued on.

“I know I still have a heart… because it hurts.â€

Turning away from the young Accepted, he continued his laughter as he started to walk away…

Gillie~

Man of Sorrows

Once, long ago, Gillie might have been at an equal level of skill in swordsmanship with Lyv, but he knew that he was not a match for her any longer. He practiced his forms almost every day, but he had stopped sparring with opponents. While he kept his abilities honed, he hadn’t advanced any further in his swordsmanship.

‘I’ve kept my ability at the same level for to long. I haven’t reached the next stage down The Path of the Blade yet.’

His other disadvantage in this match was the fact that he had never fought anyone without assuming the Void first. Gillie had just left that emotionless world hours before and he was in no hurry to go back there.

‘If I must fight her, I will not face my friend with eyes that are dead and a heart that feels nothing…’

Gillie barely had time to finish his thoughts, let alone draw his rapier in reply to Lyv’s katana as it slicked through the air. He quickly danced away and back, two paces out of her sword’s range.

He returned her smile as he undid his cloak and threw it aside. Gillie set his hand on the hilt of his sword and stood in a forward stance, ready to draw his blade in an instant. Since he wasn’t planning on assuming the Void, he needed to formulate a new strategy. He had to figure out a new way to fight.

‘I knew it wasn’t going to be easy asking her out to a dance, but I never expected this…’

As he stood among the trees, in the very spot he planed on hosting the celebration of spring, preparing to cross swords with his friend, it was then that Gillie thought of a new way to fight. If he was going to ask Lyv to accompany him to a dance, he might as well dance with her now. Except instead of stepping to lively music, he would sing to her a song and play her a tune that only their swords could dance to.

He gave her a formal bow and said, “May I have this dance?â€

Gillie started to sing an old farmer’s song he had learned as a child called, ‘Windmill Valley’. It was well known in the Almoth Plain, and he thought it would set a good tempo for him to fight to.

“We mill the wind

Our blades, they turn

Our blades, they spin…â€

Quick as he could, he drew his rapier and advanced at Lyv. Letting the momentum of his advance carry through, he made three fast spins, each time he turned he attack, striking at Lyv’s left side.

She deftly blocked and countered each of his attacks with the ease of a blade master.

“We cut the sky

Our blades, they turn

Our blades, they fly…â€

He swiftly changed his attack and stuck her right side, at head level, and made three cuts in rapid succession.

Again, she moved with the grace and speed of flowing water as she deflected his sword with little effort.

Gillie couldn’t help but smile as he went into an all out assault, knowing very well that his sword would never touch her.

“We tear the heaven

Our blades, they turn

Our blades, they quicken

We slash the breeze

Our blades, the turn

Our blades, they tease

We score the air

Our blades, they turn

Our blades, they flare

We pierce the Blue

Our blades, they turn

Our blades are true…â€

With every verse he had made four different attacks, but nothing had worked. At the last verse Gillie made a quick retreat, stepping six paces away from Lyv. This was the first duel he had fought without being surrounded in the Void, and while it made him slower and less accurate in attacking, he found he was enjoying himself more then ever.

Standing in a rear-guard position, he laughed and said, “I sought you out today, not only to mend our friendship, but I wanted to ask you to accompany me to a dance.†He pointed to the crown of flowers he had made earlier that was now lying on the ground, “I even brought you a gift.â€

He made an exaggerated sigh and said, “While this is quite engaging, it wasn’t the type of dance I had in mind, nor was this the way I planed on giving you those flowers. Though, I think this dance is not yet finished. I believe it’s your turn to lead.â€

Gillie~

Getting beaten by a lady Tower Guard, but taking great pleasure in it.

I like the idea of the 'North, South, East, and West'. Sonds like a good plan, and it makes more sense to me.

Shep~

Shep can contact Owen through the Wolf Dream and tell him that he's leving the MoM to help Erik and what-not.

Shep~

“A fool… I’ve been a fool.†He sighed and shook his head.

“It’s been to long since we last shared each others company, and I fear the fault is mine.†Gillie shrugged his shoulders in a sign of helplessness. He wanted to say, ‘I’ve spent the last year trying to destroy my heart by riding myself of all emotion and my past…’ but he went with something more tactful instead.

“I’ve spent the last year perusing a pointless venture, and only recently have I come to my senses.â€

He favored her with one of his renewed smiles as his dark brown eyes met her brilliant green ones. It was then that he noticed something very different about Lyv. She was hiding something behind her own smile and the fierce fire that had burned within her, her free spirit, was not the same as he once remembered it.

‘Something’s wrong… ‘

Gillie was slightly taken aback.

‘You haven’t seen her in over a year, what did you expect?’ he berated himself for not realizing that she might have also been dealing with past demons over the last year.

‘The Wheel keeps on turning, even when we are not ready to move on with it…’

He couldn’t help but wonder if Lyv was still in mourning over Katie and that was the reason she seemed different. Gillie knew that the pain of losing a loved one never really went away, but that over time it did fade.

‘Have the wounds of your heart not begun to heal yet Lyv?’

His own smile dimmed a bit, but he was determined to restore their friendship. ‘Even if she won’t accompany me to my dance, I still want to be here for her. It’s been a long time, but that doesn’t mean I don’t still care about her…’

Gillie held out his arm to her and said, “Will you walk with me for a bit? I would like to know how you have been as well…â€

Gillie Cole~

Gillie strolled through the Grove deep in thought. He had just finished the nights watch and felt the need to take a walk. His heart had been restless and he couldn’t quite figure out why the feelings he had been suppressing for so long were resurfacing.

‘I’m longing for something from my past… but what?’

The clearing he entered was large and flat, with room enough for at least a hundred people to walk comfortably. The grass felt supple beneath his boots and the color was a deep green that reminded him of the sheep pastures he once tended. Trees ringed the clearing, leaving an open expanse of sky overhead. White clouds sailed across the blue heaven like Seafolk ships headed to faraway places.

‘I wonder if those clouds will make it to the Almoth Plain.’

That was when he realized the feelings making his heart restless were caused by memories of his family and their old home. He let himself taste those memories he had hidden away for the last ten years. Gillie had tried to purge himself of his past and erase his emotions with the Void, but no matter how hard he tried, all he could do was cover them up and forget them for a little while.

He opened up the locked door inside himself and took out the memories of his mother and grandmother.

They had loved celebrating the coming of spring and especially the Festival of Lanterns. Every year, as the snow melted away, he and his mother would sit at the kitchen table making paper lanterns for the coming of spring while his grandmother would start baking all kinds of wonderful treats.

Bel Tine was always a cause for celebration. Its coming meant that the sheep would soon be out to pasture and he would be spending almost every night with the flocks. The meadow flowers would be in bloom and patches of wild colors would dot the green plains. It was the herald of new life.

“Bel Tine is only a week away. That’s why I feel like something’s missing…†he spoke to the wind and nothingness, not knowing what he could do to make himself feel right again.

‘I feel off balance inside myself…’

Like dried lands that soak up the first rains after a drought, Gillie let his spirit drink deep of every emotion he had denied himself. Laying down the Tower Guard, his duty, all that he was, and all he had lost, he sought his balance.

‘I’ve been Tower Guard Cole for to long. It’s time Gillie, Flute of the Meadow, comes back…’

Gillie turned and looked at the clearing again. Except this time he saw things through his minds eye and envisioned the place as he would make it. He could picture everything vividly. Hundreds of paper lanterns would be strung up from the trees and high above, giving the Grove a soft colorful glow. There would be a pavilion tent with food and drink next to the musicians. Then there would be dancing, glorious dancing, and the night air would be filled with the sound of happy music and laughter.

He smiled for the first time in what seemed like ages, as he said, “I’ll host a dance for the Tower and celebrate the coming of spring like never before. Though, I’ll need a lovely lady to escort.â€

Gillie knew just the woman to ask. He only hoped she would accept his invitation.

‘It’s been quite some time since we’ve last talked.

The last time he had really seen Lyv was on their way back to the Tower from Tanchico. She had been mourning the loss of her twin sister, and all Gillie could do was comfort her with his presence. After they returned, that was when he started to take up the nights watch and withdraw back into himself. He hadn’t seen much of her since then, but he hoped their friendship was still intact.

‘If not, I’ll simply have to make amends and start over again…’

For the second time that day he smiled. Gillie started to walk back to the Tower and along his way through the Grove he found a cluster of buttercups. He quickly picked a few dozen of the tiny flowers and started to weave them into a circlet with some lily vine that was growing on the tree next to him. Soon he had a fine flower and vine chain crown.

With a gift in hand, he set out to find the redheaded woman who had once been his friend.

Back at the Tower it didn’t take him to long to track the former mistress of trainees down. She was a well known Guard and all Gillie had to do was either mention her name or give her description and people would point him in the right direction.

He found her in the training yard practicing her sword work. Gillie patiently waited till she was finished before approaching her. He felt a little nervous about showing up after so long a time, but there was no way to undo the past.

Her back was turned towards him, so he walked slowly to her side and said, “It’s a fine day to be out in the yards. Though, I’d say it’s a finer day to see an old friend.â€

Gillie Cole

Tower Guard

Flute of the Meadow

I’ll fit and match the poems to the actions that some of the characters are doing at that time. That way I don't have to predict what will happen.

Also, toward the end of the RP I might have a few suprises in store :roll:

Shep~

Intermediate Sword: Target Zones

“I expect all of you to have learned the basics of fighting with the sword†Ram eyed the group of soldiers with his intense cloudy blue eyes. “All of you should be well practiced and versed in how to advance, retreat, and perform a cross-over for a defensive and offensive position.â€

He drew the short sword from over his shoulder, and demonstrated each move after saying its name, “You should know the basic attacks as well. The slash…†Ram’s blade whistled through the air, and his body moved with the assuredness obtained from long hours of practice as he made a neat slash.

“…the three different kinds of cuts…†his blade whirled about him in deadly arcs. “…the various thrusts, all at different levels…†Ram drove his shout sword into an imaginary foe, showing how to execute a proper thrusting attack.

“…and let us not forget the basic counter attacks†he went through a few simple blocks and counters, all of which they should have learned in basic sword lessons.

“Now that we’ve reviewed everything I expect you to know, let us move on.†He quickly sheathed his short sword and retrieved a practice lath from the weapons rack. Testing its balance, he spun the weapon in a one-handed circle. Satisfied with its weight and balance, he returned to the class.

“Alright everyone, find a partner…â€

The class was of an odd number, so Ram would have to partner with one of the soldiers. He smiled to himself when he saw who that soldier ended up being.

“Corporal Arinth, it’s been some time since I last trained you.†Ram thought it was ironic that just the other day he had returned to the Citadel after being gone for over a year and the second man to welcome him back that day was the very soldier standing before him.

“I promise you, after today’s training you’ll wish I hadn’t returned so soon.â€

OOC: This was short, and lacking any new training information, but it’s just a place to start from. My next post will contain more training, but I thought it be nice to say ‘hi’ IC. If you have any questions or comments during our training session, just let me know via PM. Later…

Scout Banner Captain

Bruce Shepherd

Ram

“There’s a thing called temper for both men and steelâ€

You are cordially invited to a Bel Tine Masquerade Dance which will be held in the Grove.

Premise of the RP: Tower Guard Gillie Cole is throwing a dance in celebration of Bel Tine, the spring festival, and the ‘Festival of Lanterns’, the first day of Choren, when paper lanterns, often brightly colored, frequently fancifully shaped, are hung everywhere, in windows, and in trees. (Celebrated in Doman, Tarabon, Amadicia, Ghealdan, Altara, Murandy, Illian)

The entire White Tower is invited, but all those attending must adhere to the special rules of the dance.

Theme: The dance is called, ‘The Grand Hunt’ and is themed after a fox hunt. All the decorations will be based upon what one would find or take out on a hunting excursion. There is also a game which all guest must participate in called, ‘To Catch a Fox’ .

How the Game is Played:

Objective; To find out the identity of the person who has been chosen as the Fox.

Game Play; One guest is the ‘Fox’, whose goal in the game is to keep the other guests from finding out that they are the quarry. During the night Gillie will read sections of a special poem designed for the game. The person playing the Fox will then proceed to fallow what the poem said.

Example;

The section of the poem says,

‘The Fox did run

The Fox did fight

And soon grew weary of the sun

It sought shelter from the scorching light

And to the river deep it did slink

For the Fox had become thirsty and wanted a drink’

After the poem was read, the person playing the Fox would then make their way over to the bar and get a drink.

The other guests have to pay attention to the clues and see who is fallowing all of the poems. At midnight, all the guests will write on a piece of parchment the name of the person they think is the ‘Fox’ and place their guess into a box. Gillie will read through them all and announce the winner, or winners, at the end of the night.

The Prizes; A handmade travelers cloak custom fitted to the winner, and a well made hunting knife with a fox engraved on the handle.

How the Game is Played OOC; To make this fun and interesting for the writers behind the characters, the identity of the Fox will remain unknown till the end of the RP. Also, the Fox will not even know they are the Fox. As the RP progresses I’ll fit and match the poems to the actions that some of the characters are doing at that time. This way it will keep everyone guessing.

RP Phases:

Phase 1) People enter and describe what masks they are wearing.

Phase 2) Everyone mingles and talks with each other.

Phase 3) People dance.

Phase 4) Everyone takes their turn and guesses who the Fox was. And then everyone takes of their masks.

Phase 5) The end of the night, people don’t have to go home, but they cant stay there.

The End.

So, all of you who wish to join please R.S.V.P. by posting on this thread so that I have a rough number in my mind about how many people to expect.

Also, any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to post here or PM me.

I hope to see everyone there, and as soon as I know how many people wish to attend, I’ll put up the first post and let everyone know when things begin.

Your host,

Tower Guard Gillie Cole

You are cordially invited to a Bel Tine Masquerade Dance which will be held in the Grove.

Premise of the RP: Tower Guard Gillie Cole is throwing a dance in celebration of Bel Tine, the spring festival, and the ‘Festival of Lanterns’, the first day of Choren, when paper lanterns, often brightly colored, frequently fancifully shaped, are hung everywhere, in windows, and in trees. (Celebrated in Doman, Tarabon, Amadicia, Ghealdan, Altara, Murandy, Illian)

The entire White Tower is invited, but all those attending must adhere to the special rules of the dance.

Theme: The dance is called, ‘The Grand Hunt’ and is themed after a fox hunt. All the decorations will be based upon what one would find or take out on a hunting excursion. There is also a game which all guest must participate in called, ‘To Catch a Fox’ .

How the Game is Played:

Objective; To find out the identity of the person who has been chosen as the Fox.

Game Play; One guest is the ‘Fox’, whose goal in the game is to keep the other guests from finding out that they are the quarry. During the night Gillie will read sections of a special poem designed for the game. The person playing the Fox will then proceed to fallow what the poem said.

Example;

The section of the poem says,

‘The Fox did run

The Fox did fight

And soon grew weary of the sun

It sought shelter from the scorching light

And to the river deep it did slink

For the Fox had become thirsty and wanted a drink’

After the poem was read, the person playing the Fox would then make their way over to the bar and get a drink.

The other guests have to pay attention to the clues and see who is fallowing all of the poems. At midnight, all the guests will write on a piece of parchment the name of the person they think is the ‘Fox’ and place their guess into a box. Gillie will read through them all and announce the winner, or winners, at the end of the night.

The Prizes; A handmade travelers cloak custom fitted to the winner, and a well made hunting knife with a fox engraved on the handle.

How the Game is Played OOC; To make this fun and interesting for the writers behind the characters, the identity of the Fox will remain unknown till the end of the RP. Also, the Fox will not even know they are the Fox. As the RP progresses I’ll fit and match the poems to the actions that some of the characters are doing at that time. This way it will keep everyone guessing.

RP Phases:

Phase 1) People enter and describe what masks they are wearing.

Phase 2) Everyone mingles and talks with each other.

Phase 3) People dance.

Phase 4) Everyone takes their turn and guesses who the Fox was. And then everyone takes of their masks.

Phase 5) The end of the night, people don’t have to go home, but they cant stay there.

The End.

So, all of you who wish to join please R.S.V.P. by posting on this thread so that I have a rough number in my mind about how many people to expect.

Also, any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to post here or PM me.

I hope to see everyone there, and as soon as I know how many people wish to attend, I’ll put up the first post and let everyone know when things begin.

Your host,

Tower Guard Gillie Cole

Gillie spent most of the night at the Maid’s Whistle. He gave the innkeeper a few extra coins to keep the common room open for him. He needed more time to think. Time had grown short and the likelihood of him ever getting his sword back was slim.

‘Its already been over three days. How can I ever hope to find it?’

He remembered the words of his grandfather. ‘If you learn anything, remember this, no man of any worth ever drops his sword. You hear me Gillie?’

“I hear you old man…†He sighed and let his head role back so that he was staring at the rough wooden planks above him. His mind wondered as he sat there thinking, alone in the dark room.

It wasn’t long before streams of light started to leak through the cracks in the shuttered windows. Hours had passed and Gillie still wasn’t any closer to getting his sword back.

“It’s a lost cause…†he finally had to admit that his sword was gone and that he had failed.

“After all these years I’m still trying to prove myself to the old man.†He started to laugh. It was absurd that even now, after being raised to Tower Guard, he felt like he needed to somehow meet and exceed his grandfather’s expectations.

Gillie couldn’t stop laughing, and soon he was breathless.

‘Fine, I’ll never be the man you wanted me to be grandfather, but I didn’t like the man you were anyway. I’m sure I wouldn’t like myself if I met your expectations.’

Gillie let all his worries go and embraced the truth of things. He found it odd that his old scars could torment him still.

It was early morning when he left the tavern and made his way back to the Tower. He took the long route, enjoying the fresh air, and stillness of the city. As Gillie made his way past one of the many back alleys he heard the distinct ring of steal as it struck stone.

“That sounds like a sword. Who’s at practice this early?†At the practice yard it was common for men to be working their forms at all hours of the day, but in the city it was unlikely for anyone to be out working with the sword.

Gillie turned down the alley and entered the Void, making his approach silent as a shadow. What he saw at the end of the ally astonished him, and he quickly dropped the Void’s protective wall.

There, in the middle of the alley, was the boy he had saved from the docks. The young lad was dressed in plain workman’s clothing, which hung loosely on his ungainly frame. A mop of rusty brown hair came past his shoulders and fell into his eyes as he tried to swing the sword he held in his hands.

The boy was wildly slashing with the sword all around him, stumbling forward than back, dropping the blade every few minutes. Gillie watched the boy for a long time before making his presence known.

“First off, your grips to tight, not to mention your footwork is clumsy, and that unbound hair of yours is blinding you.â€

The boy froze as he looked at Gillie’s face.

“Yes, I’m the one from the docks, and yes, that’s my sword in your hands†Gillie walked slowly toward the boy, not wanting to frighten him anymore.

The boy dropped the sword and started to back away from Gillie.

“Don’t worry lad, I’m not angry, and you won’t be punished.†Gillie saw disbelief in the boy’s eyes. He sighed and said, “You know I’m a Tower Guard, right?†The boy nodded his head. “Well, I swear by the White Tower and my hope of rebirth and salvation, that I will not harm or punish you for taking my sword.â€

The oath had finally persuaded the boy and Gillie talked with him for a while, learning that the lad’s name was Keith.

“Do have a second name?†Gillie asked.

The boy shook his head and said, “No sir, but some of the folks around here call me Coal, because that’s what I sell.â€

Gillie smiled, “Well, that makes a fine last name my young friend. Keith Coal. Yes, I like it; it has the sound of a swordsman’s name.â€

Gillie handed Keith the sword and said, “I’ll tell you what Keith, if you want to learn to use this, I’ll meet you at the harbor once a week and I’ll start training you. How does that sound?â€

Keith stood there with his mouth gaping.

“Now, remember, a sword is not a toy. It’s meant to defending yourself and others. It’s meant for killing and drawing blood. Understand?â€

Keith nodded his head.

“Good. We will start your lessons today.â€

That’s how it began. Gillie gave young Keith a sword lesson once a week till the boy was old enough to join the Tower Trainees. After which Gillie became Keith’s mentor.

Young Keith Coal became a fine Tower Guard and even changed the spelling of his last name to match his mentors. The one thing that stayed with Keith his entire life was something Gillie taught him the first day of their lessons.

‘If you remember anything I teach you, remember this; it’s not important how many times you drop your sword. What matters is that you pick it up again. Though a man falls seven times a day, the worth of him is in the number of times he gets back up again… You hear me Keith?’

Gillie Cole

Tower Guard

‘I found a piece of myself when I lost my sword…’

Ya, Shepherd is a full Ranger (WS 14)

And I'm fine with any RP plan, just let me know my role.

Erik, just kick me when its time for me to post.

Anyway, later...

Shep~

They were now on the outskirts of the small town and Ram had all the Scouts sit down and rest for a moment while he explained why they were there.

“A Scouts best weapon is there mind, and their primary tool is their eye.†He pointed to his own cloudy blue eyes to emphasize his point. “If you aren’t observant, you’ll miss things which might be of the utmost importance to our forces. Your Scouts, you are expected to see things others typically don’t.â€

Ram handed Kedyn a satchel full of paper and drawing charcoals, “Sergeant, give everyone three sheets of parchment and a piece of charcoal.â€

As Kedyn handed out the supplies, Ram said, “Most of you know my hobby is sketching portraits and landscapes. In fact, I have sketches of almost everyone here. My little hobby is one of the reasons I was chosen to be a Scout. When you’re trying to capture something on paper, you pay close attention to details. For example, most people, when they see a house, don’t count the number of windows or the number of steps leading up the front porch. But, and artist does all that and more when they try and copy an image on paper.â€

He turned around and pointed to the small town less than a quarter of a mile away. “All of you are going to hand in three drawings of some aspect of the town. I’ll accept anything, a picture of a wagon, a person, even a house, or maybe the entire town. I don’t care what your drawings are as long as you give them as much detail as possible.â€

Ram knew that most of the drawings would not be very good, but that wasn’t the point of this training. He wanted them to start seeing things differently, through the eye of a Scout. As long as they saw the small average details, really saw them, then when something abnormal came along it would draw their attention even quicker than before.

He broke them up into three man teams and sent everyone out to a different side of the town. Ram called to Keydn and the girl he was talking with. “Sergeant Alastair, Private Landen, you two come with me.â€

They settled on a tall grassy hill near the east side of the town. From their vantage point they could see nearly everything. They had a good view of buildings and the green patch of land at the town’s center.

Ram sat down and took out his favorite oak pipe, the one with the valley and mountain range carved into the side of the wooden bowl. He thumbed it full of good tabac that he had flavored with apple slices. Ram then set about the task of making a small tinder fire, taking flint to his belt knife; he struck a few sparks on a handful of dry moss. In no time at all he had a little flame to light his pipe with. Soon the air was filled with the bitter-sweet scent of pipe smoke and apples.

‘Were in plain sight anyway, no fear of giving our position away even if we were in a hostile area.’

Taking out his own sketch book, he turned the pages till he found a blank sheet of paper. Rummaging through his pack, he searched for the special charcoals with fine and wide edges that where better suited to shade drawings, portraits in particularly.

As Kedyn and Miria began their own sketches of what they saw in the town, Ram let his mind wonder a little. He thought about what Keydn had told him on the subject of the original Scout squad and the loss of Lavena. His mind then wondered over the past years and the three women he had loved more than life itself.

‘My sister…’

Ram started to draw the outline of her face. He used to draw portraits of his twin sister every night, but as he grew older it had become too painful to look at her image, her ghost.

The lines on the paper started to form the familiar face. Alice had their mother’s eyes, but her nose was more like their fathers had been, sharp and broad at the same time. On this portrait Ram gave his sisters features a delicate and feminine touch. He paused for a moment, thinking about her hair, how it had hung past her shoulders, and was slightly wavy. Her light brown hair, almost blond, had been much like his. Yet Ram’s hair had always been graying while hers was fresh as spring flowers.

Soon the image of his twin sister was staring back at him from the paper. They had been so much alike and so different at the same time. She had been the wild and strong spirit, and he the soft spoken temperate brother. Alice had wanted to be the fighter while Ram used to be content with sitting by his mother all day in the kitchen.

‘My brave sister, you were truly beautiful…’

Once he finished with his sisters portrait, he started drawing the basic facial structure of another woman. She had high cheek bones and a graceful curve to her nose. Her brow was smooth and dignified, while her lips were thin curves that framed two rows of pearly white teeth. Hair of honeysuckle wheat was plaited in hundreds of tiny braids that hung down to her back. She had worn the clothing of a sailor, big and billowing shirt, with trousers that could have been sails for a small sea craft. Her bearing spoke of a fighting woman that guarded her kindness behind a fierce saber.

‘Anya… I loved you… but you didn’t love me back in the same way… we were only friends, but you held my heart in your pocket…’

She was gone though, just like his sister. Anya had disappeared during the Emond’s Field battle and her body had never been found. Ram didn’t like to think about the possibility that she had been dragged away to a trolloc cook pot.

On his third sheet of paper, he started to draw the image of the last woman he had cherished more than anything in the world.

‘I was willing to leave the Band for you my love…’

She had long curly hair darker than midnight that reached almost to her waist. Her skin was the color of fresh milk, and her cheeks had a faint rosy glow that gave her face an innocent look. Though, her pink lips curved in a slow sly smile that suggested she might be anything but innocent.

He worked carefully, creating each line with perfection in mind. He did his best to bring to his drawing the brilliant life that shone through her dark green eyes. Her smile, her delicate chin, and all the curves of her body, he wanted to draw everything to match her beauty.

‘Amelia… you truly loved me…’

Ram remembered holding her hand as she passed from this world to the next.

‘I was prepared to leave the Band for her, but she insisted I stay the fighting man she loved… We were to be wed… ’

As he drew the last line of her portrait, he gently brushed her cheek with his fingers.

‘I am strong Amelia, not many men can stand before ‘The Ram of Battle’, but all my skill and strength couldn’t save you from that fever.’

He had already bled himself dry of any tears, but he still wanted to weep for her.

‘The Light knows I tried to save you…’

Ram pushed the past away and focused on why he was there. He cleared this throat and said, “Alright you two, lets see what you’ve done so far.â€

OOC: Alright, in your post I want good descriptions of three things your character sees in the town. This is training not only for your characters, but for you as well. Practice writing descriptions here and when it comes time for any RP’s involving other Div’s, the Band Scouts will shine. Because you all know, we Scouts have to describe things for others, it’s our job. Anyway, if you have questions, just let me know. Later…

Scout Banner Captain

Bruce Shepherd

Ram

“There’s a thing called temper for both men and steelâ€

Well, I to have just come back to Dragonmount after a long LoA, and I haven’t RPed with Shepherd yet.

So, his story for being gone is that he’s mourning the loss of his fiancé, and it kind of drove him a little mad, and he fled to the Misty Mountains. It’s been a year or so since he’s been away from the kin, but he’s starting to come to his senses.

He’s never picked up a new member of the Kin, but he would leave the Stedding to help as long as Owen agreed to let him go.

So, in short, he’s freezing his bloody rear off in the mountains waiting till he gets over his girl.

I think a trip out of the Stedding would do him good.

Shep~

Perhaps not evil ghost or spirits, but tormented ones, you know, they don’t want to necessarily hurt anyone, but they themselves are haunted by things they left unfinished in life.

Think in terms of Charles Dickens ‘A Christmas Carol’. Like Scrooges old friend Marley, these ghost cant move on because of something they either did or didn’t do in life.

I think this would make for a far more interesting RP and it would keep it from becoming a B-rated horror thread.

Anyway, just my thoughts… later…

Shep~

“You can never be ‘too careful’. Though, always keep in mind the Fourth Shield: Economy of Forces; Use all combat power available in the most effective way as possible, and use as little essential combat power on secondary efforts.â€

Ram went on to lecture about the proper amount of man power that should be assigned to defenses at all time. It was a tricky balance. A good leader had to know exactly where to put his troops, how to use them, and when the right time to deploy them was.

After he discussed the good points that the two soldiers had in their answers, Ram went on to explain some of the flaws in what they suggested. His criticisms were minor, but it was always the small things in life that brought ruin.

“Alright, let’s move on with the lesson.†Again he sat down at the edge of his desk and said to the class, “As officers, you will have to observe this basic principle ‘To gain territory is no cause for joy, and to lose territory is no cause for sorrow.’â€

Ram pointed to all the maps that hung from the tent walls. “To lose territory or cities is not of major importance. The important thing is destroying the enemy, or seeking a resolution to the war, perhaps peace.â€

He knew that territory was only good for positioning troops or gaining recourses. It was a hard lesson for the inexperienced to learn, but it was vital to their military success.

“If the enemy's effective strength is undiminished, even if we take cities, we will be unable to hold them. On the other hand, when our own forces are insufficient, if we give up the cities, we still have hope of regaining them. It is altogether improper to defend cities to the utmost, for this merely leads to sacrificing our own effective strength.â€

Ram went back to the slate board and erased his chalk writing with a damp cloth as he said, “The principal object in fighting a battle lies in dealing the enemy the strongest possible blows to their forces. This can be accomplished through striking their morale, creating disorder and agitation in their rear forces, drawing off the enemy’s principal force to the flanks or to the rear, stopping or slowing down their forces operations, and ultimately in dissipating their fighting strength so that the enemy's units are crushed one by one and they are precipitated into a situation where, even by rapid and deceptive actions, they can neither advance nor retreat.â€

Ram started writing the Seven Swords of War on the board.

‘First Sword: Destroy or block roads, paths, and highways within the area of action, as well as important structures along the roads.

Second Sword: Destroy the enemy's principal or secondary supply source.

Third Sword: Destroy the enemy's storehouses of food and military equipment.

Fourth Sword: Strike the enemy's rear force, at his baggage train, or at his mounted and un-mounted couriers, as well as at his mounted scouts. Also seize the provisions and equipment that the enemy is bringing up from the rear to the front.

Fifth Sword: Strike at the enemy's independent task groups and at the inhabited areas that he has not yet solidly occupied.

Sixth Sword: If defending a populated area, mobilize and organize the people living there and aid them in their own self-defense.

Seventh Sword: Adapt to every circumstance and gain victory however you can.’

Ram turned back to the cadets and said, “All of you are in charge of a nation’s army. Your enemy has evaded half of your nation’s territory. Using what you learned about the Nine Shields and what I’ve just written on the board about the Seven Swords, I want each of you to tell me what you would do, what your plans would be, as the leader of a nations army.â€

He pointed to the first table and said, “Let’s start with you cadet…â€

Scout Banner Captain

Bruce Shepherd

Ram

“There’s a thing called temper for both men and steelâ€

It was late into the night, and Gillie found himself sitting besides a hearth playing his flute. A sad melody known as ‘The Beggar’s Whisper’ was the only song that he could think of to play, for it fit his mood perfectly. The deep soft notes were mixed with a sharp wail that both pierced and soothed the heart at the same time. After playing the song for awhile, Gillie lowered the flute from his lips and began to sing…

“I gave up not so long ago

And fell to my knees for mercy

For all that I could not hide

I fell to my knees for mercy

Stolen was my beauty

And I wept deep rivers

All the tears could not atone

Yet still I wept deep rivers

Return to me

I’ve become a beggar

All I used to know has fled

I’ve become a beggar

The cost of crimson stains

To high a price to pay

What little still remains

Still to high a price to pay

I am maimed

I am broken

This is how I shall end

Bitter refuge

The only coin I seek

Bitter refuge…â€

He finished the song and received a mild applause from the taverns patrons. The Maid’s Whistle was a fairly popular place to have a drink and bite to eat, though it could not be called one of the nicer places to stay in Tar Valon. Gillie had stopped there on impulse to ask if they had recently bought any coal or clams from a young lad. The tavern keeper, a fair skinned man in his middle years, had said they received neither in the last few days.

‘I’ve searched everywhere…’

Gillie had stayed for a mug of cot cider and to have a place to sit and think. He’d already been to the harbor master and asked if he had seen his sword or the young lad. No one at the docks had seen either, so Gillie thanked the harbor master for saving his life and promised him if he was ever in need, to just ask.

‘It’s a plain rapier; anyone could carry it and look perfectly normal. Any thief could easily sell it…’

Gillie had searched all the shops in the city that bought and sold weaponry. None of them had purchased a rapier in the last week.

‘That narrows it down to a thief or the boy I saved…’

He thought it more likely that the lad had been fascinated with the sword and simply picked it up and taken it for his own.

‘What if the boy worked on one of the ships that have already left the harbor?!’

The thought chilled him to the bone.

‘What more can I do?’

Gillie Cole

Tower Guard

“That’s a good start Cadet Logan, but what else?â€

Ram wasn’t sure if the young man understood the question completely.

“Should you always have an advanced guard? Do you need a rear guard? When stopped for the night what watches do you have and how many men at watch? Do you always try and cover your tracks?â€

He looked at both soldiers and said, “I’m not just asking about trying to make a defense against an enemy that’s charging you, but I also want to know what defenses should always be up when you’re on the march. If an officer doesn’t think about the small everyday things, he’s making a big mistake.â€

Ram pointed to all the cadets and said, “An officer needs to know if the men are taking care of themselves. Men are weapons to and part of your defenses. If your men are unfit to fight, then your defenses are unfit as well.â€

He pointed to their boots. “For example, if your men don’t take care of their feet, then they won’t be able to march all day on them, nor run into a battle. Trench foot has been the downfall of more than one careless solider. Also, an officer needs to know what his troops are lacking. If they all have holes in their boots, and you’re marching in winter, you’ll need replacements and repairs.â€

He walked over to the wall and pointed to the large map with markers on it indicating armies and nations. “Tactics, that’s what we are hear to learn. But, tactics are more than just how to use your men and weapons, its more than plans and maps, its life and death. And as in life, there are complex parts and simple parts.â€

Turning back to the two cadets he said, “Knowing what you have and what your enemy has, essentially information, is what we base tactics on. And sometimes more importantly, what you don’t have and what the enemy does.â€

Ram picked up another ledger from his desk and handed it to Logan and Ingtar. “This is a supply ledger. Any officer worthy of his post knows every last button and piece of bread that is available to him.â€

Again he studied the two cadets before him, wondering how creative and sharp they really were.

“Now, I don’t expect your answers to be perfect, nor complete, but I want you to show me that your starting to grasp the nature of how things work in war, how tactics apply. Lets start again, I want you both to tell me what types of precautions and defenses are necessary for all situations, and all parts of a war campaign.â€

Scout Banner Captain

Bruce Shepherd

Ram

“There’s a thing called temper for both men and steelâ€