Arath was not partiularly enjoying his day.  There had been a number of training accidents earlier, and they seemed to be wearing down on everyone.  The Asha'man were even surlier than usual today.  Eager to take a moment to relax, he set out toward the inn to enjoy a good meal.

"Got one waiting in there for you," said a rough voice as he approached the door.  A particularly sour looking Asha'man whose name Arath didn't remember glared at him for a moment before mumbling an added, "Sir.  New recruit showed up a few minutes ago and I told him to wait there."

Nodding at the other man to leave, Arath stepped inside and instantly spotted the newcomer at a table by himself.  Without wasting any time Arath walked up and introduced himself.  "I am Attack Leader Faringal.  Welcome to the Black Tower.  I assume you're here to learn, to see if you can use Saidin?"

Arath stood at a workbench in the basement of his home, puzzling over the delicate silver figure he was working on.  Just a little bit more here and ...

The door banged open upstairs and he almost dropped the figure as he was shaken from his concentration.  That would be Tai of course.  The man had enough enthusiasm to put a gleeman to shame, but his timing was ... problematic at times.  Setting aside the figure and wiping the metal dust from his hands, he set off upstairs to see what had gotten the soldier agitated this time.

Once he found out that this was about a new recruit he rolled his eyes and rubbed his forehead.  "Why did you come and tell me about this instead of bring him here?  Go get him if he's still here and bring him to my study."

Esyndor followed behind Cor, knowing that running at such a short distance would be futile.  At least this way he was moving under his own power, not being dragged behind the aiel on a rope.  One long, quiet, and uneventful walk later, Esyndor found himself in the middle of a sea of tents that made up the Aiel camp.  And with every step, his already slim chance of escape became less and less.

When they finally arrived at their destination, Cor shoved him inside unceremoniously and motioned for someone else to join them.  Esy sat in a dark corner of the tent brooding, silently bemoaning his fate.  He doubted he would leave here alive.  A few moments later someone in a heavy white robe stepped inside and stopped dead in their tracks when they saw him.  The robed figure was immediately followed by Cor, who pulled back the hood on the robe to reveal ... Alianna?

Several thoughts raced through his mind in a single moment.  Why hadn't she escaped?  She'd had a few days to do so.  Was she a slave here?  Was that to be his fate as well?  A slave to the aiel for the rest of his life?  Why did Cor want to speak with them both?

There was silence in the tent for a moment, Esy and Alianna both looking miserably uncomfortable, Cor looking as though he'd just heard the greatest joke in the world.  Finally, Esyndor spoke up.  "What do you want with me?  Why bring me here at all?"

Name: Dazar'sei

Age: 20

Place of birth/raising: Shienar, Fal Dara

Physical Appearance: Dazar'Sei was tall for a Shienarian. He has dark hair and dark eyes, which was said to give him a mysterious look. Growing up in Fal Dara caused him to have a muscular build as well.

History: Dazar'sei had a pretty easy life, with a dad as a nobelman. He spent his entire childhood practicing with weapons so that one day he could fight beside his father. His teachers would always compliment him on how fast he learned, but because of this he had a big problem with always thinking he knew everything. When he finally turned 19, he was allowed to follow his father into battle against a Trolloc raid. While fighting his father took a fatal wound, and with no Aes Sedai around, he had no choice but to take him home so he could die in comfort. While on his death bed he told Dazar'sei that he had a brother from Mayene. His name was Tai'Dashan, and he was the son of a wealthy jewelry merchant. Fighting the guilt of having a commoner, and a bastard as a brother, Dazar'Sei goes to Mayene in search of his brother. Once he reaches Mayene he discovers rumors of Tai'Dashan leaving to become an Asha'man. Now that Dazar'sei has arrived at the Black Tower, he realizes that he isn't only there to find his brother, but that he actually wants to learn to channel. Maybe if he could have channeled he could have saved his fathers life.

DM Handle:  Kura

Name: Sereth Arian

Age: 19

Homeland: Andor

Height: 5'11

Build: Muscular

Eye/Hair Color:  blue/brown

Distinguishing Marks:  None, he fits in well with a crowd.

Bio: Sereth was born a merchants son, a family comfortable in its middle-class existence. They didn't have to worry about tax collectors, or where the next meal would come from. They even had Sereth educated from a young age. He was taught by a variety of teachers, experts in history, language, both the new and old tongues, they he never really caught on to the subtleties of that ancient language.   Another class was added when he was 16, philosophy, though not in the common sense.

His teacher always wore a smile, and long black robes. He was prone to fits of insane laughter, and often muttered that they were coming for him. His parents distrusted the obviously insane man, but none the less recognized something. He was a genius. Between mad bouts of laughter, and streaks of intense paranoia, he'd say the most profound things about life, the creator, existence, and especially the power. Yes, his favorite subject, and young Sereth's as well.

They'd spend hours discussing the True Source, Saidin in particular. What did it take to channel, why were some born with the ability, and others had to be taught? So many questions, and most without an answer, but still the young Andorian child grew up with a broad insight, skeptical and intelligent, it was obvious his mind would lead him to great places. He'd even learned supreme concentration techniques, one called 'The Flame and the Void.' Through all this time, he had never learned the man's name…

His parents were proud of the boy, who was fast becoming a man, and tolerated the insane teacher only, because he was the reason for the flowering mind of the child. He continued his lessons, and on his nineteenth birthday, news spread through Camelyn. The Dragon Reborn had declared amnesty for all male channalers. When that news hit the ears of the teacher's ears, the widest grin Sereth had ever seen appeared on his lips, and he took his young student to the attic of his family's house. He said nothing, but pulled a candle from a cabinet, and set it on a wooden table.

The cloaked man took stood in front of the candle, block the view of it from Sereth, when he moved, it was lit. "Concentrate on the flame, Sereth. Concentrate with all your will." Sereth, used to such obscure things as the beginnings of profound conversations, didn't question. He sat there for a long time, if asked; he couldn't tell you how long. All he truly remembered was the dancing flame, and then, the mad laughter of his Mentor. "Sereth! You can! You can do it! You can channel Saidin!" A smile crept across his face, and with that knowledge in mind, he set out for Tear. He had heard of something called 'The Black Tower' there.

*This is the new M'Hael :o)

Handle: Estel

Character: Brent Enios

Origin: He do be from Illian

Age: 30

Short and stocky, there is something decidedly martial in Brent’s physique.  Somewhere between the close-cropped back hair and beard, baring his upper lip in the Illianer fashion, the corded forearms and blank face he appears to have been a soldier from the cradle.  An incredibly deceptive appearance as Brent didn’t even touch a sword until he was eighteen.

In fact, Brent was an oarsman on his father’s ship until then.  Daved Enios was a poor sea merchant whose three-masted galley was no better than a leaky bathtub that could barely keep afloat in the calmest gales, let alone a hurricane.  It was only a matter of time before the ship was battered to bits of driftwood.  Daved could just barely manage to provide for his family by the time Brent was eighteen and so he enlisted in the Royal Illian Army to help his father.  This being in addition to helping his father prepare the “Cornucopia” for the various trading journeys.

By the time he was nineteen, Brent was the breadwinner and his wages were being drowned in his father’s failing merchant business.  Father and son had many an argument over whether or not just to bail on the business.  It was about this same time that odd things began happening on the Cornucopia.

She was at port and Brent was particularly furious while he repaired the damaged mainsail at the stern.  All of a sudden, the foremast cracked and came crashing down, sending the mainmast crashing down with it.  One massive pole landed to his right, the other to his left.  The crew, who had all been on either the dock or the bow, came rushing back to see what happened and stared at Brent, muttering.  That day half of the crew quit their jobs on the spot, whispering that the ship was haunted.  As far as could be found, there was no reason the foremast should have cracked.

A week later, Brent was laid up for an entire day with a major fever.

Other things happened as well.  Perfectly fine ropes would suddenly snap, delaying his father’s trading journeys by days, sometimes weeks.  Once a hurricane even brewed up out of nowhere while Cornucopia was at port and she was so battered it took Daved a month to repair it.

At first, no one connected Brent’s sicknesses to these occurrences.  Eventually though, his mother grew suspicious but, being terrified of what it could mean, she tried to ignore it.  Unfortunately, that led to tragedy.

He was twenty-one and had just been granted his first position at the bottom of the command chain, being in command of the ten men stationed at the seaward wall of the King’s palace.  This came with a considerable raise in his wages and Brent tried once again to convince his father to give up the Cornicopia, to no avail.  Furious, Brent seethed as his father set out for another journey that day.  Then, from a clear blue sky, a hurricane formed in minutes just as the Cornicopia was leaving the harbour.  Waved battered the leaking ship and winds tore the sails and cracked the masts before the crew had time to bring down the sails.  In a quarter of an hour, the Cornicopia was rotting at the bottom of the harbour.  Brent couldn’t retain consciousness long enough to see a pair of black coated men seize him.

By the time Brent regained consciousness, he was lying in an unfamiliar bed with a black uniform folded neatly on the chair next to his bed.

Guilt from his father’s death fuelled Brent’s passion for training and in an astounding four years, Brent was an Asha’man.  As baijan’m’hael, it was Brent who was in charge of the guard kept over the Aes Sedai prisoners through that began to understand and even have a grudging respect for them.

Arath gave a very false and slightly hostile smile.  "If you want to 'practically give me an answer', join the Aes Sedai.  They're the ones who deal with subtlety and assuming half truths.  We are direct here.  Get used to it."  As Kami opened his mouth again, Arath cut him off.  "And no, my mother didn't teach me much of anything.  I watched my mother die when I was five years old.  Murdered at the hands of a group of darkfriends.  And I killed my father when I was sixteen, when I first brushed with Saidin for the first time.  Speak to me of loneliness and depression when you can say the same."  Arath subconsciously rubbed the massive scar over his heart, souvenir of the day his mother had died.

Turning toward his house, he set off at a brisk walk.  "Come with me," he called over his shoulder.  "If you're staying, you'll need a uniform and some idea of what you'll be doing and what is expected of you."  Without waiting to see if Kami followed, Arath walked on.  He wasn't going to bother convincing the younger man with his words.  If he was serious about wanting to learn, he would follow and listen.

He couldn't help himself sometimes.  When Drak had come back to Tai'Dashan with the shovel and a sheepish grin, Arath had almost collapsed in laughter.  Drak only ever showed him deep respect, but he was almost merciless when it came to teasing the other soldiers, especially Tai.  He learned quicker than most but at the same time seemed very careful about not overstepping his limits.  He was about the only person Arath had ever trained who hadn't had at least a semi-serious accident.

Wiping a tear from the corner of his eye, Arath tried to compose himself before speaking.  "He's right Tai," he began, a large smile still locked onto his face.  "Doing it like that is no better than using that shovel.  You'll get the same amount done, and you'll be even more tired.  You need to do a little more.  Watch this, both of you."  He knelt down and placed his palm on the bare earth.  Siezing Saidin, he channeled earth into the ground in front of him.  Once he had reached deep enough, he pulled the ground open in a large pit, roughly ten feet down and ten across.  "See?  Much faster.  A little more effort, but a big time saver.  We can roughly dig out the entire basement in a very short time like this.  We'll have to be a little delicate with it when we finish up, but for now, this will be fine.  This is also a good combat weave.  Nothing stops and enemy like a long drop that they aren't keen on taking.  Put some spikes on the bottom, and . . . "

The reactions of his two students were so predictable.  Tai was eagar as ever to try out a new weave, even if it was in an element he was weak in.  And Drak looked eager to tease Tai some more with his formidable strength in earth.  He was probably planning on filling Tai's holes in as he went or something.  Or testing the combat possiblities and opening a pit up underneath him.  Either way, it was probably going to be funny.

Shaking his head and chuckling to himself, Arath turned away and began repeating his weave, clearing the way out for his house's foundation.

Arath tried hard not to roll his eyes.  "No, we will not teach you to merely control Saidin.  Our training methods don't work that way.  We are an army.  Soldiers that cannot fight are less than useless; a liability on the field.  In a normal army, even a field medic needs to know the basics of self defense.  You may become a healer here, but you will be a soldier first.  And there will be no 'sending you on your way' once you are trained.  Once you begin at the Farm, you are here for good.  Until your death, or Tarmon Gaidon whichever comes first."

Arath stood up and stretched a little bit, stiff from sitting down for so long.  "So what will it be?  Stay and learn, or run and hide until some accident happens to those around you?  I have things to do."

*whimper*

You're so gonna die Linten.

"We have healers here at the Black Tower that make the Aes Sedai look like foolish children.  If it's what you want, you can learn to heal.  But at the same time, the Asha'man are weapons of the Dragon Reborn.  We are the Guardians, and often times it takes deadly force to protect others.  You will learn to heal, but you must also learn to kill.  As it happens, killing is much easier than healing, so you will have to learn that first.  At the very least to learn better control of Saidin."  Arath paused and looked at Kami for a moment, gauging his reaction.  "If you can accept that, we will teach you.  If not . . ."  He let the sentence trail off without finishing.  Let him imagine the worst possible scenario to fill in the blank.

The destruction that rained down on Aginor's house was impressive.  Fireballs flew, explosions ripped apart pieces of the house.  Arath called down lightning to strike in the center of the structure.  It didn't take long for the destruction to stop.  No normal person would have survived that devestation.  But they were dealing with one of the Forsaken.  They had to plan for the worst.  Assume he had survived unharmed.

The suspicions were confirmed when he felt a gateway open up inside the ruined house.  With a curse his group charged back toward the house but Arath came up short.  He felt the other end of the gateway just a short distance away.  Was this a trap?  He hesitated a brief moment, then slashed open the air with a gateway of his own and travelled to the place he had felt in the woods to the north.  He leapt through, defensive shields in place and a fireball ready to fly.  A couple more gates opened around him and a few more Asha'man jumped out, but other than that, there was silence.  Nothing was moving, not even the birds.

Screams and explosions ripped through the house, drawing another curse from Arath.  Motioning the others to follow him, he opened yet another gateway and re-emerged near the house, right next to Isha.  He didn't seem to notice them as he hummed and walked calmly into the ruined house.  The amount of Saidin that Isha was drawing was staggering.  How little he seemed to care for the carnage around him was worse.  Arath could do nothing but watch him, dumbstruck and slightly fearful.

What happened in the next few moments was incredible.  A massive explosion ripped through what remained of the tattered building, sending rubble flying in all directions.  A wall of earth brought up at the last minute shuddered and cracked from the force of impact.  Fire rained from the sky, incinerating whatever was left in the vicinity.  Even with shields made of fire and air, the heat was overwhelming.  The devestation seemed like a scene of Tarmon Gaidon itself.  Then as abruptly as it had started, the fire rain ceased.  The blazing source of power that had been Isha vanished.  Cautiously, Arath, Ged, and Davram moved in toward the crater that stood where the house had been.  Isha stood in the center, an image from a nightmare.  His face and body were horribly burned, his clothing mostly charred away.  Arath watched as the giant Attack Leader looked around in horrified disbelief and slowly crumbled to the ground.

Shouts and yells filled the air around them as the rest of the Farm mobilized and arrived at the scene.  Arath could see the incredulous look in many of their eyes.  Letting the others handle the mess, Arath walked away slowly.  Had it been worth it?  That short battle, massacre more like, had cost too many lives.  Light, I hope he died, Arath thought.  The only thing that could be worse than this devestation would be if it all had happened for naught.

Arath sat outside the inn in the early morning hours, watching and waiting.  The warding set upon the door upstairs had alerted him when Kami had left the room more than an hour ago.  He would continue waiting until Kami came looking for him.  Truthfully, Arath wasn't sure what kind of answer he wanted.  Another soldier was always welcome and needed.  But there were a lot of potential problems here.  It might just be easier to gentle him and send him on his way.  But that wasn't how things were done at the farm.  Arath experienced an odd moment where he missed the traitors tree.  It had been a grisly, disgusting thing, but it had made people easier to handle in difficult situations.  Gave power behind the Asha'man's words.

The sun had just cleared the horizon when the front door opened and somone stepped outside.  Seated in the shadows at the corner of the building, Arath escaped notice until he spoke up.  "Have you decided then?  What are you going to do?"

http://www.aliciawilkerson.com/blacktower/?page_id=11

About mid way down the page it shows the old requirements.  They've been there for . . . a long time.  Over a year at least.  Skill points for females and Strength for males.

The problem was that nobody had EVER recieved a bonus point at the BT (to my knowledge anyway).  So now you can.  Fun fun.

As an incentive to get people to RP more, we have revamped the requirements for earning bonus strength points for the Asha'man.  You will now be able to earn 'buy points' from different sources upon reaching Dedicated rank (you will only be able to spend them as an Asha'man though).  There are a total of 3 STR points available for everyone who meets requirements.  Listed below are the ways in which you can earn them.

  -Mentoring a Soldier up to Dedicated rank, participating in at least half of his RP's. (1 bp)

  -Mentoring a Dedicated up to Asha'man rank, paricipating in at least half of his RP's. (1 bp)

  -Significant activity in an approved interdiv RP (2 bp)

  -Taking an important or leading position in an approved interdiv RP (3 bp)

  -Significant activity in an important BT RP (We'll let you know about these)(1 bp)

  -Fulfilling an OOC assignment from Staff (1-2 bp depending on assignment)

  -Serving actively as staff. (1 bp) 

  -Getting a friend to start playing at the BT (2 bp) The new person would have to remain active for at least 2-3 months before this point will be assigned, just so we don't get flooded by very 'temporary' players so people can get their points.  The new player would have to make some mention of the existing member in their application/bio.

After earning your bp (buy points), they can then be spent to purchase your additional strength points on a scaling system.

STR pt 1 = 4 bp

STR pt 2 = 6 bp

STR pt 3 = 8 bp

So 18 bp will get you all over your bonus points.  I don't think we've ever actually assigned one of these points before, and I'm eager to do so.  Sooooo . . . a good way to start is to go sign up as a mentor here -

http://forums.dragonmount.com/index.php/topic,20084.0.html

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

The alley was narrow and winding, and Esyndor charged blindly ahead, cursing himself for not preparing an escape route beforehand.  He heard the Aiel giving chase behind him and knew that it would only be a matter of time before he caught up with him.  The alley split ahead of him and he hastily chose the left fork.  Fifty feet later he rounded a corner and found ... a wall.  A dead end.  He stumbled backward a step or two and closed his eyes.  So close . . . and it would end here.  Even if this Aeilman didn't kill him, he would be taken prisoner.  He would find out who Esyndor was, find out that he had drawn steel against another Aiel only days before, and then he would be executed. 

Looking back up the alley he laid eyes on his pursuer and almost laughed.  It was the same man.  The aiel, Cor.  He didn't even bother to draw his dagger to fight, knowing that it would do no good.  Esy sank into the wall behind him and slowly slid to the ground.  He rested his head in his hands, not sure if he was laughing or crying.  Five years, all leading up to this.  All for nothing.  "Make it quick," he murmured softly. 

All hail the new M'Hael-ess!

Give 'em hell!  Or . . . give us hell?  Or . . . nah.  Just play nice.

Surveying the flat parcel of land in front of him with a level eye, Arath envisioned the house he had been planning for so long.  Somehow he had never gotten around to it before, but that was going to change today.  Markers had been set, boundaries decided, plans drawn out, and materials obtained.  Today he would begin work on his new home.

He glanced over his shoulder at his two mentees, Tai’dashan and Drak.  They would be making a considerable contribution to this house.  And knowing that they would also be sleeping in it would make sure they put out their best effort.  Tai seemed eager as ever.  Drak was as unreadable as ever.  Not stony faced, but always shifting.  There was no sign of Serena yet, though Arath hadn’t actually ordered her to come and help. 

Looking down at the plans that had been drawn up, he smiled.  By far the grandest place he would ever call his home.  Two floors, with everything that six people would need to be comfortable.  Kitchen, living room, dining room, his study, and a large parlor made up the lower floor, while the upper floor was mostly bedrooms.  A large basement would be used for storage and whatever else he could think of.  Right now he main concern would be building all of it.

“Lets get started boys,” he told his students, laying the plans out on a large table.  “Start with the basement.  Carve out the earth and get the general shape and size right and then we’ll fine tune it and fire harden the walls.”  He knew it would take a few days to get the whole project done, but now that they were starting, he was eager to finish.

"Stop--I'm not what I seem..." Obviously, thought Arath.  The change in tone of the next words caught him off guard all the same.  "I'm not a woman. And I don't know how to channel!"

Arath blinked, not expecting the deep voice he heard.  The woman - man? - person in front of him struggled against the air wall, trying vainly to get free.  Arath pressed the bonds a little harder and hissed, "You can channel Saidin."  His instincts told him to kill this person on the spot, but the situation was almost too bizarre to be threatening.  Instead, he repeated his question, "Why are you here?"

Kami pursed his lips at him. He had stopped trying to fight now. "To learn. That's it. I almost killed someone with this... this saidin. I want to control it, that's it. Then I'll leave. Teach me and I'll go!"

Arath's eyes narrowed even more.  "I don't believe you."  Really, he did believe, for reasons he couldn't explain, but he needed to be absolutely sure.  If this was some sort of Dreadlord plot he needed to be sure.  Holding his hand up to the other person's face, he formed a fireball.  If he already knew how to channel, he would begin slamming against the shield to save himself now.

Kami only swallowed. Unfortunately, it was all he could do. That and beg. "P-please... now just wait. Surely I can prove myself some other way? Get my cousin! She'll tell you the truth! Please!" he begged, back to that higher-pitched feminine voice.

He held his position for a few moments, but after feeling the shield closely for even the slightest brush, Arath had to concede.  Kami had no control over his channeling.  Slowly he lowered his hand and let the fireball unravel.  He was silent for another moment, and when he did speak his voice was low and dangerous.  "You are a fool.  You thought you would be able to learn by observing?  That we wouldn't detect you?  We've driven one of the Forsaken from these grounds recently, and don't take kindly to intruders."

Kami frowned. "Let go of me," he said, indicating whatever invisible wall held him in place. "We'll talk then."

Arath almost laughed.  "You think you're in any position to set conditions here?"  Shaking his head slightly he unraveled the wall of air, but replaced it with a bond of air around the wrist.  "You're lucky to be alive.  Be content with that for now."

Kami directed a frown at his wrist before looking back up to Arath. "I know nothing of the Power. I'm not afraid to admit that. I don't know anything about this place and I do not care. I do not plan on staying for any length of time. I just want to control this horrid curse and go back home."

Arath did laugh this time.  "Go home?  No, I don't think so.  I don't think you'll be leaving for quite some time.  If you want to learn anything at all, you'll be calling the Black Tower your home first."

"This place is not for me," he snapped. "I will be leaving when I chose! You cannot force me to stay!" He made a fist and tried jerking his arm as if to fight the solid air but it didn't budge. He growled in frustration. "Helena will be coming soon to look for me. You shouldn't make me appear as if I am a prisnor of this place! I did no wrong!"

Arath stared thoughtfully at Kami for a moment.  "Very well."  The bond of air vanished and Kami stumbled a little at the sudden release.  "I leave the choice to you.  You have two options.  Number one, go home.  Back to Saldea, where you will eventually destroy everything and everyone you ever cared about.  Number two, learn to control it, away from your family and friends, and delay the inevitable.  You can either do that here, or at Shayol Ghul."  His eyes darkened and narrowed again.  "And I will kill you before I let the shadow have another dreadlord."

Kami crossed his arms as if he was hugging himself, his frown uneasy. He did seem more than feminine in his manners, even the subtle ones. He spoke more calmly now that he was released. "I don't want to harm anyone. I just want to help. That's it. I'm sick of harming things. I want to heal."

"Then I suggest you learn to control Saidin.  We can teach you to heal as well as destroy.  But unless you are willing to commit to this, we will teach you nothing."

"I don't want to destroy..." He looked back towards the back door of the inn. "Can I go back inside? This is too much for one night and I have to get Helena. We're going to bed."

“Fine.  Do what you wish.  Just remember, you will never stop channeling, controlled or not.  The taint will destroy you.  And you will most likely destroy Helena as well.  Think on that tonight.  I’ll expect an answer from you first thing in the morning.” 

Kami's lips tightened as he looked over to him, but then a smirk came to his face and he held his chin high. "You know if you weren't so uptight I'd like give you some 'personal entertainment'."  He threw a wink at him and strode through the door as if nothing had happened.

Arath blinked as Kami shut the door.  What in the light . . . ?  What was that about?  He shivered a little, and shoved the image out of his mind.  He would need to do some things before he could rest tonight.  Set a guard on the room for one, and inform Covai about his guests.  Shaking his head he walked inside and set about his self appointed tasks.  This was definitely one of the strangest things to happen to him in a while.

Sorry about the wait on your bio's.  We're having problems with the staff email (lost in the d-mail transfer), and we're working on getting that sorted out.

So in the mean time, if you could send your bio's to Jocelyn directly, we'll be sure to get you started.  Her e-mail is keddybear[at]gmail.com

Thanks for your patience.

I'm a little concerned by the lack of activity around here lately.  I understand that school has just started for many, or is winding up for others, and it may just be that time of the year when everyone has other concerns, but still.  I want anyone who has a BT character and even glances at the boards to post below here.  Name and rank and likely activity status over the next month or so.

And any Asha'man rank that post here, please look at the Mentor sticky.  You are needed.

Sitting patiently and waiting was difficult with all the music and singing.  Especially when it seemed this boy couldn't channel.  The alloted twenty minutes were nearly up and still nothing.  Arath was about to release Saidin when he felt a resonance.  He opened his mouth to announce this but stopped himself as he realized something was wrong.  He hadn't resonated.  Someone had, but not this boy.  Arath swung his gaze around, looking for whoever he had felt.  One of the other Asha'man maybe?  His eyes grew wide as he realized where the feeling was coming from, and he swallowed hard.  One of the women, the one playing the lute.  Kami, wasn't it?  How?

"Sorry, but you cannot channel," he quickly said to the man he had been testing as he looked around the room.  Nobody else was holding Saidin in the whole room, so nobody else had felt the resonance come from the wrong place.  Uneasiness played around the edge of the void as different possibilities raced through his thoughts.  He saw a few of the Asha'man staring at him and he realized that he had drawn nearly his limit of Saidin.  Trying to calm himself he released the source.  It wouldn't do to alarm anyone.

He stood at the back of the common room for a while as the women continued to play and sing.  When they finally announced to the crowd that they needed a small break, he decided to act.  Walking up to the woman in question he motioned for her to follow him.  "There was a problem with one of your horses," he lied.  "You might want to come take a look."

When they reached the stables and he was sure nobody was around, Arath siezed Saidin and slammed a shield onto Kami, making sure that she wouldn't channel.  A moment later flows of air had her pressed against the wall, where she looked stunned and terrified.  Taking a deep breathe he began.  "You never mentioned before that you can channel.  Who are you?  And why are you really here?  I want the truth, or you will not live to see tomorrow."

Arath considered Drak for a moment before answering his questions and starting on his own plate.  He still seemed too eager, but all things considered that shouldn't have been disturbing.  His other trainee was just as bad.  Probably worse now that he thought of it.  Tai'Dashan jumped head first into everything without thinking it through enough.

"You'll start soon enough.  After breakfast I'll show you around a little and start with your first classes.  How to touch Saidin at will, how to control it, and some very basic channeling.  We'll progress from there depending on how quickly you learn.

"As for where you'll stay, that will be changing soon.  You'll be in the soldier barracks for a while, but in the next few day's I will be building a new house.  Once it's done you and Tai'Dashan, my other student, will be staying there.  You'll be helping me build it too, so do a good job," he added with a grin.

Arath wolfed down a few bites of his breakfast before continuing.  "The best way to keep from looking like a fool, is to not act like one.  Learn quickly from your mistakes, and don't repeat them.  Show a decent amount of respect for anyone higher rank than you, and those that are lower than you.  We also have a number of Aes Sedai . . . guests.  Don't provoke them.  Basically, use good judgement and common sense and you'll be fine."

The continued to talk as they ate, Arath answering Drak's questions, asking a few of his own.  In short order though, the food was gone and the day loomed before them.  As Arath stood he eyed Drak and asked, "Are you ready?"  At Drak's confirming nod he led the way to the practice grounds, to begin the training of yet another weapon.

Arath had paused with his hand on the door as she spoke.  "As I said, there are some Aes Sedai that do not wish to Gentle you. Not unless there is a severe threat at hand. I am one of those Sisters. I am Serena Morrigan, Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah..."   It was a start at least.  Still not very friendly, but at least he knew her name.  But her other words weighed heavily on him for now.  Dumai's Wells.  She was implying that she had healed Asha'man at that battle?  That wasn't what he remembered, was it?  Come to think of it he only remembered seeing her at the battle, and only for a brief moment.  He really didn't know who had attacked him and put him in that coma.

"Dumai's Wells.  I'll have to take your word on your actions there.  I don't remember much of that battle.  Or anything for months afterwards.  I remember seeing you there though.  One of the last things I can remember actually."  He trailed off for a moment, trying to remember everything he could.  But there was nothing new.

"Thankyou for telling me your name, Serena Sedai.  Now then, I don't know about you, but I'm starving."  Thanks to the bond, he really did know that she was just as hungry as him, but he thought it best to act as though the bond wasn't there.  No need to constantly remind her.  He pushed open the door and held it for her.  "I can show you around a little and we can figure out what will be happening while . . . during your stay here."

OOC: Sorry I haven't replied to this in so long.  I'll get my last post in tomorrow and give you all credit for it.