OOC: I am just considering myself NPC'd at this point...sorry for the lack of um...showing up guys. minisamus you got the reins with D'Ashan, you know the drill  ;)

OOC: Hey man, really sorry about the delay, not characteristic of me. Call it due to your illianer accent :P haha (we have had certain...um...incidents, with people from there.)

Tai was quite literally stumbling through his day. Distracted by grief and filled with pain he continually lost his footing throughout the day. Stopping for a moment to curse himself for the hundredth time, he stood up straight and for the first time pushed Aria from his mind. He was an Attack Leader now. It was time to do his duty like a man, not some sniveling fool. Brushing imaginary dust from the flames embroidered at the cuffs of his sleeves, he straightened the black velvet coat he was wearing and looked around at the bustle around him.

A lot had happened since the incident with Brent and Tai had let far too much escape his notice from grief. Suddenly he remembered a Dedicated that had a message from Tear that he had promised to meet at the Inn, the message would not have been urgent or the man would have sought him out.

Striding off to the Inn he noticed what looked to be a civilian looking quite lost. From his time at the Farm, Tai would bet the ring Aria had given him, the man was a new recruit. He would have to talk to the man and find out who it was that had just dumped him there rather than bringing him straight to Tai. Approaching the man he smiled warmly, all but eradicating the tightness around his eyes.

"Hello," He said, extending his hand. "My name is Attack Leader Tai'Dashan. What is your name friend?"

He will be 2 in january  ;D

Yay i'm back! No local fauna but here is a photo of my son warming our hands by the fire.

If the picture doesn't work, check it out HERE

I didn't get net access before we left thursday so if i owe you posts dont worry, i didn't die...  ;) I will get to them this week.

Yay i'm back! here is a photo of my son warming our hands by the fire.

If the picture doesn't work, check it out HERE

I didn't get net access before we left thursday so if i owe you posts dont worry, i didn't die...  ;) I will get to them this week.

Yay i'm back! here is a photo of my son warming our hands by the fire.

If the picture doesn't work, check it out HERE

I didn't get net access before we left thursday so if i owe you posts dont worry, i didn't die...  ;) I will get to them this week.

Yay i'm back! here is a photo of my son warming our hands by the fire.

If the picture doesn't work, check it out HERE

I didn't get net access before we left thursday so if i owe you posts dont worry, i didn't die...  ;) I will get to them this week.

Yay i'm back! here is a photo of my son warming our hands by the fire.

If the picture doesn't work, check it out HERE

I didn't get net access before we left thursday so if i owe you posts dont worry, i didn't die...  ;) I will get to them this week.

*stunnded silence*

 

But ... but you're ALWAYS here ...

I know I know...try not to burn things down while i'm gone...

Haha...thanks guys!

Hah...thanks guys!

Heya folks, so my wife finally decided after almost 3 years of marriage that she would go camping with me... *short little happy dance* I am planning on catching up on all my lagging posts tonight seeing as how we leave about noon tomorrow. I will be gone for the weekend but will be back by Monday. Just wanted to give you guys a heads up since normally the weekends are my "Time" to be uber available...

Heya folks, so my wife finally decided after almost 3 years of marriage that she would go camping with me... *short little happy dance* I am planning on catching up on all my lagging posts tonight seeing as how we leave about noon tomorrow. I will be gone for the weekend but will be back by Monday. Just wanted to give you guys a heads up since normally the weekends are my "Time" to be uber available...

Heya folks, so my wife finally decided after almost 3 years of marriage that she would go camping with me... *short little happy dance* I am planning on catching up on all my lagging posts tonight seeing as how we leave about noon tomorrow. I will be gone for the weekend but will be back by Monday. Just wanted to give you guys a heads up since normally the weekends are my "Time" to be uber available...

Heya folks, so my wife finally decided after almost 3 years of marriage that she would go camping with me... *short little happy dance* I am planning on catching up on all my lagging posts tonight seeing as how we leave about noon tomorrow. I will be gone for the weekend but will be back by Monday. Just wanted to give you guys a heads up since normally the weekends are my "Time" to be uber available...

Heya folks, so my wife finally decided after almost 3 years of marriage that she would go camping with me... *short little happy dance* I am planning on catching up on all my lagging posts tonight seeing as how we leave about noon tomorrow. I will be gone for the weekend but will be back by Monday. Just wanted to give you guys a heads up since normally the weekends are my "Time" to be uber available...

*listens to the echo*  :P

I currently have a bit on my plate, give me a few days and I will get a sign up thread on the OOC boards for a group class or something, if not feel free to pm me.  ;D

Haha  :D

Tai'Dashan

Attack Leader

Fanten Do'Abrynn

Dedicated

Adin Tia'Niende

Asha'man

*salutes*

good to see someone beat me here  :P

"Well there's no need to be sarcastic! Any more of that attitude and I will report you to the Mistress of Novices!" Apparently despite her best efforts, sarcasm had peeked through her tone. She nodded with her best expression of meekness whilst rolling her eyes mentally.

"Now, I shall speak and you shall listen and remember. I will test you at the end." Evanen truly listened as the girl began about the One Power. If she was ever to learn anything of what she had done, what she apparently could do, she would soak up every bit of knowledge anyone could offer. anyone. Deanne rose and began to pace, seemingly without realizing it. The girl made mention of her lack of knowledge and sighed dramatically.

"There are five elements that make up the One Power. They are as follows: Air, Earth, Fire, Water and Spirit." She marked them on each finger as she spoke. Evanen found herself doing the same and murmuring to herself. Although it was completely subconscious,  repeating things silently was a way Evanen had of memorizing things.

"Men and Women have different strengths in these Elements. Men tend to be stronger in Earth and Fire and Women in Air and Water. Spirit was equal in both, though there have been exceptions" Again she was murmuring to herself, memorizing what she was being told. Men were stronger in Fire and Earth, women in Air and Water. That made sense and it seemed that Spirit, the very life essence was shared equally. That made sense as well. With a start Evanen realized she was murmuring as Deanne spun to face her. She must have thought she was being contrary because she quickly asked Evanen to repeat what she had just said.

"Yes Accepted, I am following you." Evanen replied confidently. "Earth, Fire, Spirit, Air and Water. Men are stronger than Women in Fire and Earth, women in Water and Air. Spirit is spread fairly equally between the two." She smiled at the girl to show her she was indeed listening and that she would like her to continue. She would learn about the One Power if it killed her...

Evanen Phaedrein

Novice of the White Tower

Listening

Tai released the shielding weave he had prepared and chuckled as the man tumbled backwards over the bench.

“What was that!?” The man asked, his eyes wide. Tai remembered his first brush with Saidin, it was for that reason he had held the shielding weave ready.

"That," He began softly, "was Saidin. The Male half of the Power that drives the very Wheel of Time. The wheel that weaves the Pattern of existence as we know it." He could see the astonishment in the man's eyes. Saidin still made him feel that way, even after channeling daily for as long as he had. He couldn't help but chuckle when he thought of what the man had yet to experience, he had only sensed the Source. Tai could imagine his wonderment at actually seizing hold of it and feeling it coursing through his body.

"Now," He continued. "I want you to continue practicing the Void, along with sensing the Source. I want you to grow comfortable with it's presence in the nothingness. Once you have grown a little more accustomed, we will continue." Tai felt it was a good idea for a man to at least feel comfortable with Saidin simply being there before he took hold of it for the first time. It had proved for some to make the experience easier. Almost like preparing yourself to grapple with another man at feastday. It was always easier if you expected it.

A couple hours later, he took his eyes from the man in front of him and cast them skyward. Noting the sun nearing its zenith he spoke. "Good job. You have done well thus far." Weaving a flow of Air, he raised a sack with two apples and a bit of smoked meat. Tossing on of the apples and some meat to the man, he wove Earth and Air, forming clay mugs and filling them with water from the spring. Floating them over he wove Earth to pull a stone table from the ground between them. Setting his mug on the table he leaned his elbows on it. A hint of a grin passed across the face as he noticed the other man's expression.

"I think you are ready to seize Saidin for the first time. Before we move on, lets eat." He bit into the slightly wizened apple and munched happily, wiping juice from his chin. "Do you have any questions for me?" He said around a mouthful of fruit.

D'Ashan had learned a little of tracking on his survival trip with Thera and the twins. So it was that he found himself watching Thera, watching the ground as they traveled south once more. She looked concerned and that had D'Ashan on edge. This close to the Blight, that concern could only mean one thing.

Stopping in a small valley, Thera sent Perivar to scout to the southeast and then told him to wait while she went south. As he sat atop his horse, attempting to keep an eye out for the two while watching his surroundings, he thought of the people they might be saving.

It wasn't long before Perivar came back. He didn't offer any information and D'Ashan was not going to ask, it just wasn't his place. By the grim look on his face, and the motion of his horse, it wasn't good. Soon enough Thera returned to report three fists of Trollocs, south of them. Light, three!? Perivar reported closer to five. D'Ashan sat his mount, utterly poleaxed. Nearly eight hundred Trollocs headed for Fal Moran? Thera instructed them grimly to scout out the area so they knew precisely what they were up against. Growing up in the Borderlands coupled with his training, sent his mount forward before he knew what he had been doing. Traveling south east he kept his eyes open.

A Short time later, D'Ashan had made his way a good bit south with nothing to show but occasional tracks. It was getting closer to the hour mark if the sun told true and he doubted he would make it back in time unless he pushed back north with haste. He hated coming up empty handed however. The thought of displeasing Thera made him frown. Maybe if he pushed just a short bit further...

Suddenly the trees opened up before him and the Trolloc that was relieving itself stared at him in shock for a moment. It recovered quickly however and it's snouted face contorted in a snarl as it freed the double sided axe from its belt. D'Ashan thought quickly as he slowly backed his horse away, freeing his blades and guiding it with his knees. If he took this one quietly he could make an escape...  Suddenly the beast tossed back its head and howled. There were answering howls from D'Ashan's right. At least five counting the one in front of him.

"Mother's bloody milk in a flaming cup!" He spat, sheathing his blades and spurring his horse around. "At least I didn't run into a whole fist!" he mumbled angrily to himself as his horse crashed through the trees. Eight hundred Trollocs would surely have Myddral driving them. He was no where near ready to fight a myddral, let alone trollocs as well. Urging his mount he sped forward, the crashing sounds from behind him signaling the pursuits continuance. Most Trollocs could outrun a horse, and so it was that he lay flat on his mount's neck urging for haste until he could return to the valley. He was not sure, short of the Creator's intervention, how he was ever going to make it back. He was going to die.

"I er...  Well, I don’t actually remember most of that night past the confrontation with... what’s his name?  The big guy who...  Anyways, I’m uh... Addison."  She stuck out her hand and gave a sheepish grimace.  "And I’m really sorry, but you are?"

"Bart. Er..that was the big guys name." he said, "I'm D'Ashan." I didn't expect you to remember too much of that night." He said with a grin. "You had a bit to drink and I had to help you home."

Feeling a little awkward, her sitting on the bed and him looming over her, he sat on the bed across from her. The silence stretched on for a bit, somewhat awkwardly before she finally spoke.

OOC: Sorry for the short post, figure it will give you something to go on so we can keep the thread moving.  :P

Thera arched her eyebrow and gave him a cool look that would have made any Aes Sedai proud. D'Ashan swallowed uneasily, mentally cursing himself for making light of such an obviously serious situation. There were things he still needed to learn and Thera consistently made him aware of this fact.

"We have spent much time together, so you should know by now that the decisions I make for you I make with your best interests at heart. My reasons may not always be clear, but until now you have always accepted. Can you promise to continue on in the same way?"

He nodded, a touch more soberly. He winced a bit as she mentioned that he had not been really progressing in his lessons lately, and idly he wondered if Saline had told her about her lessons. The Red had taken a special interest in him since their journey and when she had found that he could not read, had offered to teach him. The honest desire to help, coupled with the fact that she never laughed at him or was cruel about it led him to open up to her and agree. She was one of the few people that knew he could not read.

"...Give me your scimitars, I promise not to keep them as long this time."

D'Ashan nearly groaned. He had worn them with pride since Thera had given them back and despite all his best efforts, he still felt like a child who had their sweet taken away. He forced himself to listen to what Thera was saying as she lay his blades next to her.

"There is a path, a way of life I can show you that will over time, govern your way of life. It is called Daisho al’Dracon, a complete balance of mind, body, and spirit. You may refuse me, but from then on your ability to move on in the Warders yard will be left up to chance. I will no longer aid you as I have in the past."

D'Ashan considered her for a moment. It said something that she was willing to take a special interest in him. She did not do so often with members of the Yards, and he had asked himself why she had chosen him before. Before he could answer she asked for any questions. He had a million questions! None of which changed his decision however. He shook his head in response to her question.

"No mistress Thera, you have thus far taught me more about what it means to be Gaidin than I ever could have dreamed. If you will teach me I will learn, and be grateful for your attentions."

Tai stood after some of the crowd had dispersed, staring blankly at the ground. What was next? Oh he understood Covais words in regards to the Tower, but what was next for him? The haze of grief and rage dulled his senses and shadowed his mind. Struggling to put it aside he took a deep breath. He was an Attack Leader now, he had a duty to the men of this Tower and the Dragon Reborn himself.

So it was that a Dedicated of smaller size approached him, almost completely unnoticed. When the man spoke, something in the back of his mind spoke of familiarity and he dully waved away the congratulations on the promotion. "I'm sure Aria is quite proud!  Where is she, I'd love to see her again?"

Suddenly it struck him where he knew the small man. He had been the younger brother of one of Aria's noble friends. Nakor, He thought the man's name was? Grief and agony, like twin blades raked across his soul and fresh tears threatened to crush him with their fiery sting to his eyes.

"Tis good to see you Nakor. Aria is dead." He said flatly. "Killed out of hand by a Taint-crazed Attack Leader Tenim Wulwind. Another Asha'man distracted him while I deliverd his justice. I...I watched her die." His voice broke at the end. "This is not the place, come. Let us go to the Inn. I need something to drink." Tai figured his new responsibilities could wait, and if not? Arath or Covai would send for him. Tai motioned for the man to lead the way to the Inn. Tai had touched drink more than the occasional spiced wine twice in his entire life. Today would be the third.

"You're late. I've been waiting simply ages!" Evanen, narrowly avoided frowning at the girl. She might be a few minute late but definitely not that late. "Follow me, we'll use one of the empty classrooms. There's no way you're going to learn to Channel in my room. Hurry up, I haven't got all day!"

Evanen did frown this time, at the girl's retreating back. Not only did she seem somewhat impatient, but somewhat rude as well. As she and Rochel had discussed, it seemed as if every Accepted thought themselves Aes Sedai already and tended to treat the Novices accordingly. It infuriated Evanen to no end! Still, she really should try to be nice to the girl, after all, she was trying to teach her about Saidir. After a short walk, they ended up at an empty classroom. Well, it was more a short walk for Deanne and a jog for Evanen just to keep up.

"Right, now I'm going to teach you how to Channel. By the end of this lesson you should be able to embrace the Source and distinguish the different Elements" Elements? She thought. She was thoroughly confused. "Now, tell me Child,"She said, regaining that haughty air again that Evanen despised. "How much do you know about the Source and about Saidar and Channeling in general?" Before Evanen could even spit out two words, Deanne blurted out, "Well?? Come on Child! You're never going to reach Accepted at this rate!"

Evanen took a deep and calming breath and put on her best smile. "I don't know really anything about it Accepted. Other than the One Power turns the Wheel that weaves the Pattern. I am sure you have a vast amount of knowledge on the subject. Please share it with me. I would be most grateful!" She would be nice to this girl if it killed her. Light, she had even paid the twit a compliment! That would show her to be so rude! Her grandmother had always told her to "kill 'em with kindness."

Evanen Phaedrein

Novice of the White Tower

Grinning and Bearing it...

"Anything you all want to know about me feel free to ask. I'm not really sure what else to talk about."

Evanen nearly laughed, she didn't know what to talk about either. She was about to ask what kind of things she did at home for fun, in some lame attempt to get the conversation going when Rochel spoke up first.

"I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to learn everything about each other.  Even everything we didn't want to learn about each other.  We'll probably be sharing this room for a few years yet." Anything Evanen was going to say flew right out of her head. A few years?! She had not thought about how long it would take to become Aes Sedai, in truth she had not thought much of anything yet. Light, how long would she be here? The years stretched onward in front of her. Hurriedly she shoved the thought aside before she burst into tears again.

"I suppose there are a few things we should figure out first.  How important are rules to you?  There are thousands of them here.  And what is your opinion of the Aes Sedai?  Do you love them, hate them ...?" Evanen gulped back the tears and gratefully focused on Rochel's question. She was right, it would be good to find out what this girl thought before speaking her mind. She would hate to find out what punishment would mean if scrubbing floors and pots was merely expected.