He paused in midstep, up ahead he saw the Mistress of Trainees entering the Gathering Room.  He bit back an oath, light but she hated him.  He did not want to come in the first place but this made it even worse.  He was new and did not know a lot of people therefore he was already uncomfortable about attending yet he owed a duty to those who were no longer amongst the living.  They were owed that at least.

He dare not walk in on the heels of Mistress Thera so he waited just outside the door.  Someone else had just finished speaking but he couldn't make out the voice as others chimed in.  The next voice was clear enough to make out that it belonged to Mistress Thera.  His jaw dropped as she told her story to point that he thought he would have to pick it up off the floor.  She was in love with here Aes Sedai and had killed three men, by the sound of it they deserved their fate if they had been harassing a lady, what fool would harass an Aes Sedai, perhaps they were darkfriends.

He entered the room as Jasine appeared to be filling mugs.  He tried not to lock eyes with anyone though he had to at least acknowledge them or else they would think him rude.  That would require a penance which would get him in more hot water. 

He tried to form a smile.  "Good evening Mistress Thera, Master Kynwric, Jasine" He nodded respectfully to each of them as he said their names.  He grabbed up a mug and filled it from a keg of ale before he took a seat near the others.  After a few moments of silence it appeared as though it was his time to talk, his time to remember.

"I am fortunate in the sense that I have not lost any immediate family members, it is a rarity in the borderlands yet it is true.  I have however lost grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends.  Most of them defending our homes against shadowspawn and the ever encrouching blight." 

"You may think it foolish though I long to be with my kin in the borderlands, my family has been pledged to fighting the shadow for as long as anyone can remember.  Since the day I was old enough to pick up a sword I have been trained to do the same in the borderlands though now my life follows a different path.  I have been told by my father that the White Tower fights the same fight against the shadow which is why he sent me here.  Even so I feel the loss, I feel that my part in the fight is smaller somehow.  I can't help but feel that my ancestors before me would look down upon my service here and find it lacking in comparison to theirs."  As much as he tried to hide it he knew his face betrayed his emotions.

He raised his mug "So I came here to this hall to remember those in the borderlands who have died fighting the shadow.  I also remember those who live who continue to do so.  I vow before the light that in my service to the Tower I will take every opportunity to fight the shadow wherever it may be found."  With that he put the mug to his lips and drained it.  He kept his eyes downcast not wanting to see the looks on the faces of the others.

He was relieved to hear the Warder's comments, many of his concerns were laid to rest.  The sword may not be the best weapon in every case but it was useful in most cases.  He couldn't think of any questions at the moment though earlier a thousand must have entered his mind.

He looked again at the sword and shield then nodded as if he had come to a decision.  "Then I will choose these Sir.  Perhaps when I become familiar enough with these I can train in a secondary and tertiary weapon form.  I have a little skill with a horse bow and some with a lance as well though I fear I have much to learn with each." 

Having other options or other forms that were better suited to a certain encounter could never go amiss.  Along the blight he had used bow, lance, and swords, each had their purpose.  Better to take an enemy out at range before they had a chance to close on you and lop your head off.

Perivar listened and nodded as Arath Talavin introduced himself.  Another Andoran he thought though this one was from the city of Caemlyn, he had never been to Caemlyn.  Well he had never been to a city outside of the borderlands until he came to Tar Valon.  So Arath had been here a year, that was good to know, he would know the ins and outs.

Perivar listened as the other Andoran responded to his earlier questions.  This time though the other lad gave his name, Jasine.  Perivar responded with a "Well met Jasine" while shaking his hand.  He did train horses after all and had experience with Tairen stock.  Tairen stock was known and lusted after throughout all the known lands.

Jasine's enthusiasm shined as he spoke of horses then showed a bit of concern over not seeing his sister though the fact that she had left notes for him seemed to help him cope.  Plus he had taken over the training of his horse.  Then he asked if Perivar liked horses.

Perivar smiled at his comment about horses and girls.  "Yes, very much so Jasine. I may look like a blacksmith's son but I ride very well, maybe not as well as you though having grown up with them."  He was not cocky just confident in his ability.  "I have a warhorse, Nightdancer though he is only half trained.  Unfortunately I only have a skill with riding, not training." He paused a moment "Perhaps you wouldn't mind teaching me?"

The Mistress of Trainees eyebrows rose as she glared at him as if she wanted to rip his head off.  He knew she would not like to hear what he said though there was nothing to do about it, what was done was done and trangressions must be punished. 

He noticed her hands, their suttle movements betraying her outer calm, he knew her emotions were battling within her obviously wanting to grip the sword and remove his "pretty little Arafellin head", that was what she had said earlier, wasn't it?  He doubted she found the hard edges of his face pretty, noe but a borderlander would.  On the edge of turning 17 though to outsiders he looked a bit older.  Foolish thoughts he mused to himself, well it was either that or think on the woman who wanted to kill him. 

Blood and bloody ashes! The Tower Guard had warned him though he never imagined this encounter in a million years.  He would rather have faced a dozen trollocs than this Mistress of Trainees, honestly things would not have been that bad had he not drawn his sword on her.  A fool move in response to a hand on his shoulder, it was done though and he must pay for the offense.

The Mistress of Trainees seemed to be doing one of those calming excersizes that his instructors had try to teach him to no avail.  She was calm enough though when she spoke her voice was like liquid fire “If you insist after we’ve finished the tour that you deserve a punishment for your..transgression I will find something suitable”

If he spoke it would only infuriate her further so he simply nodded indicating that he insisted on a punishment for his transgression.  She stormed out of the office without another word, she did not even spare a glance to see if he had followed though she must have known that he would.

The Mistress of Trainees gave the tour as if it she had done it a thousand times before.  Her voice droned on obviously wishing to be somewhere else rather than where she was.  Was this her normal demeanor or had he offended her so much that she hated him so.  She could hate him 'til the end of time as long as his honor remained intact.  His honor was still firmly linked to his family and it could not be stained.

Before he knew it they had returned to her office.  Placing her hand on her hips like his mother used do when she scolded him, she eyed him up and down before saying "So tell me, does your Borderland pride still insist on a punishment?"

Did she really need to ask again, did she think he would relent, no matter the price it had to be paid.  He nodded again in response though this time he spoke "It does Mistress"

Great, I'll be there!

Her hand slammed the table as she said “Enough! It sounds like to me that you were drug here just shy of kicking and screaming, but that doesn’t matter. You will be held to your pledge”He definately had found himself on her bad side, he was warned by the Tower Guard after all.  He tried to prepare for this though things had gone wrong right from the start.

The Mistress of Trainees held up a hand to keep him from responding.  A pained look crossed his face as his honor took another hit, sure it was not his decision to come here though he had accepted his fate and had made an oath to serve the Tower.  An oath of service to the death was no small affair, nothing to enter into lightly though she apparently misunderstood him.  His hesitation had been at leaving the borderlands, his family was sworn to fight the shadow along the blight, would she understand or respect that he thought.  His honor was stained though not destroyed and his pride however was nother matter.

“ Now, take I seat. We have much to discuss and I will not get a crick in my neck from looking up at you”  He was not tall, especially for a borderlander, so she did not have to look up much to see him though she seemed to feel the need to make crystal clear that she held authority over him.  She must be aware of his noble birth but even he knew that meant nothing here, she did not need to drive the point home.

He took a seat saying "As you command Mistress" though he sat upright as rigid and stiff as a stone column.  She went on explaining to him what he should expect.  She was right it was nothing less than what he was already used to. 

Her Caramel eyes bore into him so much so that he thought facing a myrdraal may be preferable at the moment.  Then she mentioned a tour and talk of his previous training, her eyes glancing at the swords sheathed on his back.  She stood watching him and he did the same.

He could not hold it in any longer it had to be done before it ate him to death.  This reminded him of home, how many times had he run to his parents begging for a penance for something he had done wrong. "Mistress you must issue me a penance.  I should not have drawn my weapon on you earlier, a thing as simple as you placing a hand on my shoulder should not have been answered with a bared blade."

This next part was going to be tougher and he would rather have run weaponless into the blight than speak these words.   "You are a Lady, no matter your title or position here you are still a Lady which makes the offense worse.  It means nothing that you were armed and can obviously handle yourself, it is still a grave offense.  Regardless of why I did it, my honor has been tarnished and as such a penance must be served.  It must not be light." 

He braced himself waiting on her response.  She could understand his situation and assign him a suitable punishment or things could go from bad to worse.

The Andoran suddenly moved closer to him then spoke quietly.  "You're pretty new here, right? Did you have a pleasant trip?" 

Perivar turned to face the Andoran answering his questions hoping he did not seem short with his words.  His friends and family back home had joked about how unsocial Perivar was. He responded in the same quite tone.

"Yes I am new, I arrived only a few days ago.  Pleasant, well if you could call riding as though the dark one was on your heels then I guess you could say so.  I think the Aes Sedai that brought me here wanted to get rid of me and the others in her charge as soon as possible." 

He looked at Jesse to make sure he wasn't interrupting then asked a few questions of his own.  "How about you?  How long have you been here?  Did you train horses on your parent's farm?"   

I also enjoy teaching Basic Fitness if you are interested after F&V.

 

 

Definately!

Perivar listened intently as the other trainee began to talk about himself.  The lad from Andor near Caemlyn forgot to include his name.  Perivar had seen him on the training ground but could not recall his name.

He respected the other trainee's choice to come here on his own, he nodded his acceptance as the other spoke.  It was an honorable decision to come here of your own accord.  His ears piqued when he mentioned his parents owning a horse farm, Perivar loved horses and looked forward to talking to him at length about training horses and the like.

The Tower Guard, Jesse, made a few comments then instructed them to take a seat and to get comfortable.  Perivar sat and made himself comfortable eager to learn. 

The person he felt behind him ended up being the warder.  Had the man wanted to he could have walked in unnoticed though it was obviously unnecessary.  "Good morning boy. I'd ask you to choose a weapon, but I see you've already been browsing. Is this how you wish to learn?" The Warder gestured to the sword and shield that he had been trying out.  "I'd always taken Arafellins as a more showy people, inclined to dual weapons or perhaps even the great weapons."

"Good morning Sir er.. Master Warder" blushing he said "I apologize for I do not know what title or in what manner I should address you." 

He looked down at the bastard sword then at the shield moving both as he spoke.  "As to these I am not sure.  I arrived wearing dual swords on my back as many Arafellins do though I feel that a need for change may be in order.  I am intriqued by this hand and a half sword, a bastard sword I believe" He looked at the Warder for confirmation before going on. "This sword and shield feels well but there are other forms which piqued my interest."

He pointed to a Naginata with the sword in his hand "This weapon interests me as well.  Something that can be used from horseback as well as from the ground."  "My concerns are this, each is fine in their own right and would do well in formations with others but what about when solo."  He was hinting at something though he was uncomfortable voicing it. 

"I mean I feel the balance of this sword allows me to wield it single handed with a shield or two handed if I am without one. Is sword and shield a practical weapon form.  The same with this"  He pointed again to the Naginata. "Against multiple foes or in a rank behind shieldmen it would seem to shine though in tight quarters it would seem too cumbersome.  On top of that there is no hiding or concealing that weapon.  Honestly I would like to learn more than one form though I know I must pick a primary and secondary form."  He felt like he was babbling in circles and making a fool of himself.

Throwing all caution to the wind he went on hoping not to come off foolishly.  "I wish to learn all that I can and serve where I am needed in the Tower Guard but I desire to eventually attain the rank of a warder, if it pleases the light.  Are these weapon forms that would be appropriate for a warder?  Would one be more suitable than the other?"  He finally finished, taking a deep breath from speaking so much, he felt as though he had just run a couple of laps.  He awaited a response hoping the Warder did not think him a light blinded fool.   

Perivar stood staring at the door waiting on a reply, it never occurred to him that the Mistress of Trainees may not be inside.  He was unsure what tis meeting would be like and was unsettled by the change in his seemingly happy life.  His thoughts ran back to his home, the blight...

A hand touched his right shoulder shaking the thoughts of the blight from his head.  The hand on his shoulder obstructed him from drawing both swords so that he was only able to grab the one with his left hand.  He was used to drawing both blades which were sheathed criss crossed to his back as most Arafellins wore them.  The result was a clumsy affair though the sword was out and in hand in the blink of an eye.

He turned expecting the worst instead he stood staring at the beautiful woman with her sword firmly in his hands,  "Blood and bloody..." He bit back the oath, what in the light was he thinking.  When had she drawn her sword, he hadn't even heard it leaving the sheath.  Light he was unsettled, he began to stammer an apology though she spoke cutting him off.

“I’d put that back if I were you. I would hate to have to cut off your pretty little head” She was definately not what he expected which must have been plainly written on his face. Once his sword was sheathed , she returned her own. He attempted to speak again yet she continued“Now that’s a good boy” “I assume you were looking for me. Come on in.” She threw open the door and flinging her cloak in the direction of a rack.  She took a seat at the desk opening a ledger.

“In case you had not already assumed I am Thera Trakelyn, Mistress of Trainees and unless I missed my guess your one of the Borderland whelps I’m to be saddled with.” Light she had a sharp tongue, hid eyebrow raised slightly at the mention of him being a borderland whelp.  His hands twitched wanted to reach for his hilts in response to the insult though he already deserved a penance for drawing on her in the first place.  An insult was not penance enough.  Blood and bloody ashes this was not going well at all.

She gestured to a ladder back chair in front of her desk. “Sit down son, and tell me your name and what your doing here”

Sit he thought to himself, no that would be improper unless it was an order.  He stood erect, remaining as rigid as possible.  "I prefer to stand if it does not offend you?"  He waited a moment for her nod of acceptance.  Offend her, light you fool you already drew a blade on her.  He shook his head cursing himself causing his belled braids to chime softly.  He took a deep breath then with all the formality he could muster he began in a torrent in fear that she would cut him off.

"I am Perivar Tarigan of Arafel my Lady."  "I am here at the request of the White Tower though I assume you already know that.  There are many Borderland whelps on there way here"  Making sure he put a little extra emphasis on the word whelps.  Even though she probably already knew, he went on unfolding his story about the Aes Sedai and Warder visiting his father's encampent on the border of Shienar, he told how they were recruiting young borderland men to join the Tower Guard.  He went on describing how his father pledged him to the Tower's service.  He finished the story with a vow, "So I am pledged to serve the Tower 'til my dying breath."  He touched forehead, hilt, and heart then stood there at attention as he had seen the soldiers so often do, he was nobly born and as such had never had to stand in line at a position of attention though he had seen it often enough.

Got back much earlier then expected. I will post tomorrow as I am reading up on everything tonight. Thanks!

Welcome back!

Let us know what you are wanting to take. I can help you out with most :)

I plan to take all of them, the only exception being horsemanship.  Perivar is quite an accomplished rider.  Unless of course the class teaches the training of a warhorse,  his is young and only half trained.  ;D

Perivar nodded at hearing Jesse's words, so he was not the only one.  He visibly relaxed, a knot between his shoulders seemed to loosen, one that he had not noticed until now.  Jesse said it was his home now, could this place ever be considered a home?  Would he ever let his guard down enough to get to know any of the people here, the people which he spent all of is time with?  Would he ever consider them friends?

Evenn though he was comforted by Jesse's words, Perivar was terrified by the sudden changes in his life though he was scared to show it, scared to talk about it.  What if the others thought him weak, it was something that he could not bear.  He was not smart so he could not afford to be weak. 

One thing for certain is that Perivar had to succeed, failure was not an option.  His family's honor was at stake, if he failed then his family would bear the shame of it.  He must serve the Tower 'til his dying breath, that was his oath. 

Devon I would be interested in a city survival class if you are willing to teach another class.

Perivar listened attentively as Jesse spoke, he wondered briefly why they were in between the two buildings.  All of their training so far had taken place out in the open yard.  He let the thought fade as Jesse asked them to give some information about themselves.  The Flame and the Void he thought to himself, it sounded very siilar to a technique taught in the borderlands though one he had never mastered.

"I am Perivar Tarigan of House Tarigan, a minor Arafellin house." He pausing slightly looking north, the bells in his twin braids jingling as he turned back to face forward.  "Well I was part of my father's house I guess you could say, now I am pledged to the Tower, heart and soul." 

He tried not to let his emotions show, he yearned to be in the borderlands fighting shadowspawn.  The White Tower did do the light's work his father had told him, he had seen Aes Sedai and Warders enter the blight, had seen them defeat shadowspawn themselves.  His father had accompanied them occasionally when called upon for assistance, therefore he was on good terms with the Tower which is why they had come to him as well as a few other houses.  Only a fool wished to be on bad terms with Aes Sedai his father had said.  Why more Aes Sedai did not fight the shadow along the border he did not know.  Perhaps a question he would have to ask if given the chance. 

"I admit that I did not come here of my own free will.  An Aes Sedai called on my father as well as a few of the leaders of other houses while we were camped on the Shienarin border." He glanced at Jesse who bore the look of a Shienarin wondering what he thought of that if anything, there had been some bad blood between the two nations. 

"My father said they were looking for young recruits for the Tower Guard.  Well to get to the point, he pledged his youngest son, me, to the Tower's service along with a handful of others my age who were sworn to his house.  He said that he couldn't send others in our house's name if he was unwilling to send one of his own.  He said that I will bring honor to our name." He said though obviously not as convinced as his father had been.  Sure it was a noble cause and the right thing to do but it did lessen the fact that he wished to fight the shadow in his own way.

"So I have sworn to serve the Tower 'til my dying breath as others before me have done, that is why I am here."  He finished that last part with a flash of pride.  He took a deep breath, he was usually not that wordy and he could feel his cheeks beginning to blush as a result.

Excellent thanks for the info!

Excellent thanks!

I know as a trainee we need two electives for the reqs to advance but can we take as many as we like?  I would be interested in taking most of them if not all of them if there are instructors available for each class.

Open thread for weapon training with a Warder (Kynwric) in the Warders Yard forum here. 

Kynwric has kindly agreed to teach another session.

Thanks Kynwric!

Perivar rose bright and early, he was going to make sure that he did not miss training today.  The bells at the ends of his braided hair jingled as he splashed water on his face from the washstand.  He scrubbed his teeth with salt and soda then hurried for the door to begin his morning run.  As he left the barracks he glanced at his armor neatly arrayed on the armor stand near his cot.  The warder had said that he did not need to wear it.  Putting that out of his mind he set off on his run wondering what his day was going to be like...

Perivar finished his run and quickly made his way to the training yard as the sun began to show on the horizon.  It appeared as though he was early though better early than late.  He heard birds chirping all around them as they themselves began to stir.  The bells in his braids jingled as his attention was drawn to the White Tower, the sunlight reflecting off it was so bright that it forced him to raise a hand to shield his eyes.  The sky was cloudless and the morning air still held a bit of a chill.  Staring at the White Tower he thought of his future, whether it be as a Tower Guard or as a Warder, one thing was for certain, he was bound to the Tower forever.

Perivar eyed the weapon racks wondering what weapon he was going to train in today. He walked over to the rack inspecting the various swords, axes, maces, spears, and polearms.  There was an iron strapped wooden barrel filled with wooden practice swords of various shapes and sizes which were used for sparing.  Next to the weapon rack was another another rack holding shields and bucklers of various configurations.  He ran a finger along different weapons and shields and in some cases he hefted them to see how the felt.

Perivar had been trained in a few different weapons forms in the borderlands though to this point he had preferred dual swords as did most Arafellins.  It was an odd choice for someone who was only 5'9" and 200 pounds, his father who was taller and slimmer had always chided him that he had the body of a blacksmith.  He was young, just 16 years on the verge of turning 17 and was agile for his size. 

He hefted one of the shields and strapped it on his arm to get a feel for it.  Then he hefted a hand and a half sword and gave it a few swings to feel the balance.  It felt comfortable single handed though the hilt was long enought to accomodate two hands.  It made him wonder why he had not chosen to train in sword and shield, it seemed a practical weapon form for someone in the borderlands.  A little extra protection against shadowspawn would be welcomed, trollocs could easily cut a man in two with their scythe-like swords.  For moments he lost himself in thought recalling the first time he had seen a trolloc,  half again as tall as the tallest borderlanders and nearly twice their width. 

At 16 he had not faced that many trollocs but one was enough to leave a lasting memory.  Then there was the eyeless, the myrdraal, light, even when decapitated they still thrashed about flailing their tainted swords refusing to die.  That thought made him shiver visibly.  If he ever layed eyes on another myrdraal it would be too soon.  Their was a reason that borderlanders were not allowed to walk around with a hood on, being mistaken for a myrdraal would turn you into a pincushion in the blink of an eye.

Suddenly he felt as though he was being watched, the bells in his braided hair jingled as he turned to look over his shoulder...

((OOC: Initial WS=2, Perivar is 16 about to turn 17 from the borderlands (Arafel) so he is somewhat proficient with dual swords though he is up for a change in weapon form so that should explain his WS only being a 2))

If there is anything that you'dlike to do Sieve let meknow I can help.

 

However I need to state one thing now.  This week and next week I will probably be scarce as my parents are coming down and I have alot of cleaning to do.

Sounds good, we can work on something when you are back in action.  Sorry about the cleaning but have fun with your family!

Training for Perivar Tarigan

Current WS: 14 (Initial WS: 2)

Arrival - Complete here

Req - In Progress Evaluation

Elective 1 - Complete The Flame and Void

Elective 2 - Complete Basic Forms

Elective 3 - in progress Intermediate forms

Elective 4 - in progress Blight Survival

Elective 5 - Complete Basic Fitness

Elective 6 - Complete Wilderness Survival

Final steps submitted

((Hopefully he can join in still, if not you can just send him away))

Perivar rushed over to the training yard after being dismissed by the Mistress of Trainees.  As he came to a stop the bells in his dark beaded braids jingled, He hoped he was not too late.  Perivar stood erect panting from the ceremonial run around the yard then the sprint to the training area, hopefully not enough that it would draw notice.  He spent much of his time on horseback, though he was young and very used to training or exercising on foot though 100 laps was quite a distance, especially in armor.

Patiently he slowed his breathing as he watched the Master training the new recruits waiting on a chance to join them.  If he could not then he would have to wait 'til tomorrow. 

Perivar sat his mount on the edge of the Osendrelle Erinin, the bells in his twin braids jingled as he craned his neck to stare up at the massive White Tower.  The sun reflected off the tower making it appear as if made of polished metal.  He stood in awe of the city which was actually an island on the River Erinen.  The borderland cities were nothing to scoff at though their architecture could not compare to that of the Ogier and Aes Sedai.

The Aes Sedai and her Warder spoke with a guardsman while the pack of borderlanders stared in awe of the White Tower.  The pair crossed the Luagde Bridge while the guardsman made his way to Perivar and his companions. 

A little more than three weeks of hard riding had brought them from Arafel to this very spot, a short trip over the bridge and he would be in Tar Valon.  He wondered if the other borderlanders had made it yet.  He doubted as they had set out on foot to find a river ship to sail them south down the River Erinin while he and his mounted companions took the Shol Arbella - Tar Valon road. 

Even in his wildest dreams, he had not seen this coming.  Until that fateful day several weeks ago, Perivar thought that he would spend his life on the edge of the blight fighting back the shadow like his father and his ancestors before him.  For that he was prepared, even after more than three weeks he could still not believe that this was to be his future.

After the Aes Sedai and Warder left his father’s tent, he tried to reason with his father.  No amount of talk could convince his father to change his mind.  “We must do what we must Perivar, serve where we are needed most.  The White Tower fights the shadow just like we do, and they are in desperate need of able bodied men.” His father placed a his strong hand on Perivar’s shoulder.  “It is an honor to serve the White Tower Perivar, your service will bring more honor to our name.”

His father spread his hands smiling at him.  “Plus you will receive training from some of the best swordsmen alive.  You may even become a Warder one day, or maybe even a blademaster.” “You have the ability Perivar, but you must hone your skills.  Your mother should be happy that you do that at the Tower instead of the blight, I fear though that she does not agree with me.”  “Trust me you will do well in service to the tower, now go say your goodbyes and go get some sleep, you will want to be well rested in the morning.” 

He embraced his father then left the tent, “rest!” he thought to himself, “How am I supposed to rest tonight?”.  First he would find some drink and a game of dice, after that he would seek out Sali, the beautiful Arafellin girl had a way of making him feel better.  That last thought brought a smile to his face.

The grizzled guardsman spoke with an air of authority  “This way, follow me” though at first nobody moved in response to his command.  The man saw Perivar’s smile and called him down for it.  “Who or what are you smiling at?” the guardsman asked.

Perivar woke from his daydreaming looking first at the grizzled guardsman then at the looming tower.  “Ahh your first time in Tar Valon is it, very well then.”  The guardsman exclaimed, obviously used to newcomers to the island city.  “Well that is the White Tower is you couldn’t tell”  He spoke motioning towards the tower.

“Over there” he said pointing to the north “Is North Harbor”  then pointing to the south he went on “In the distance is another harbor, I’m sure you can guess it’s name.” He said with a nod and a smile “That’s right South Harbor” he said in response to one of Perivar’s companions who mumbled the name.

“The River Erinin runs North – South, though it runs on either side of the city.  West of the city is the Alindrelle Erinin while here on the east” He nodded toward the water “is the Osendrelle Erinin.”

“Now lets get under way, no doubt your arrival has already been reported to the Mistress of Trainees, you certainly don’t want to keep her waiting.” The sour look on his face gave weight to his words.  With that Perivar and his companions eased their mounts through the crowds as they followed the guardsman across the gate.

He took in all the sights on their way to the Warder’s yard.  Before he knew it he was dismounted and handing off his reigns to one of the grooms that had rushed out of the stableyard to meet them.

Following the guardsman’s instructions Perivar walked to the building which housed the Mistress of Trainees while his companions took care of their gear.  He took a deep breath then reached above each shoulder to touch the hilt of both swords that were sheathed criss-crossed on his back.  Satisfied, he pounded on the door then waited patiently for a reply.