Blood was pooling in Raurie's cupped hands. He fell to one knee as pain from the stab wound in his left leg finally came to him. The thrill of the fight had worn off, and now it was time to face the consequences. If he had been just a blink slower then he would have been dead for sure. Luckily for him, he knocked his attacker off course with his free hand by just a hair's width. If not, his opponent's knife blade would have surely hit the artery in his leg and he would be long dead.

That was how knife fights went, and Raurie knew this. All the stories and songs told of heros escaping entire battles without a scratch, but this was reality. In reality, one man died and the other was bed ridden for weeks. It was the advantage of surprise and the tool of aggression that enabled Raurie to actually survive. They made up for his lack of skill and inexperience with his blade.

Someone had joined the fight without Raurie knowing. He was probably Raurie's height, though it was difficult to tell from Raurie's position on the ground. The man was also large, broad like a hauling horse, and he carried a large sword. How do people grow that large? Raurie thought. He probably eats people. That was a strange thought, Raurie realized. He had lost blood.

Now the large man was bowing and saying something to the Aes Sedai. She said something back, Raurie was sure. If she was talking to him, then he should stand. One should always stand when a lady was talking. He rose to meet her eyes. "I'll introduce myself. I'm Raurie Ashkar, and I play the harp." he said, though he sounded like he had a lot of gravel in his mouth. To him, that seemed like a good introduction. Another slow thought came to him before his sentence had left his mouth. "Say, Aes Sedai, you couldn't do something about this--" he gestured somewhat lazily to the blood running out of his thigh, "--could you?"

I know I'm a little late on this one, but congrats!

Raurie was sure they had doubled back along the way, that or the Aes Sedai was lost in her own city. She must be doubling back, which means that she knew about her followers. She wasn't going to fight them, was she?! This Aes Sedai was angry, so there was almost no telling.

Raurie caught the back of her head through a break in the crowd, but it disappeared behind the figures of those four behind her. His hand went to the cold hilt of his knife, and he felt a small thrill sweep through him. He fought the thrill, willing himself to calm. He lost sight of the Aes Sedai, but the men he was following turned down an alley. They would be out of safety in that alley, for those men would have no witnesses should they try anything. This would be it when they would make their move.

Raurie followed the last man into the alleyway and drew his knife. None of the men expected him, and so all their backs were turned. By the time he rounded the corner to see them, they were already bearing down on the Aes Sedai. . . who was holding a knife. Raurie aimed a kick at the last man, hitting him in the small of the back, and sending the man barreling forward. Before the next man could turn around, Raurie buried the knife in his back.

(ooc: Had to finish midterms before I could get this up, sorry.)

Raurie pulled himself out of bed that morning and did his best to rub the sleep out of his eyes. He drank what was left of the water in a cup by his bed. He had made the same deal last night with the innkeeper that he usually did with all the others: he played music for the customers, he had a room and meals. Making use of the deal, he made his way to the kitchen for a warm breakfast, yawning and knuckling the small of his back all the way.

I'll have to pick a room with a smoother mattress next time, he thought as he sat down at the high table in the kitchens. The always frowning cook that Raurie could only describe as 'dumpy' scowled at him, but she gave him a small tray of food nonetheless. While the innkeeper was happy to make a deal with Raurie, he sincerely doubted that this woman would even entertain the thought. Rather than striking a conversation with her, he ate in silence.

The walk back to his room for his harp was short, and he found himself tuning his instrument on his bed in mere moments. He felt a strange weight from the knife on his belt. He knew it was just in his mind, but carrying the knife gave him an ominous feeling as it always did. He realized he was staring off at nothing, and finished tuning the last string. Before too long it was near lunch time, and Raurie hurried to the inn's common room and up onto the humble stage.

As he played, he absently looked at the patrons sitting around the room as well as those walking in the door for lunch. A few were playing cards, some rolling dice on a table, while one group sat in the corner with their backs to the walls. They threw furtive glances to the room as they hunched over their food and spoke forcefully to one another. Raurie looked over at the door. His attention was immediately caught by a woman who walked in with a dark blue dress and bells in her hair. She had that distinctive Aes Sedai agelessness about her as well.

That's an Aes Sedai and no doubt about it, Raure thought. Though what she was doing in this inn he had no idea. They had their own Tower, why did she need to step foot in an inn? She took a few steps in and looked intently around the room. So she was meeting someone? She must be if she was looking that hard for someone. And someone she wasn't too happy with, if that frown mean anything. Even a slightly irritated Aes Sedai was something to be avoided at all costs.

She walked quickly out of the inn. Well, that was that. No trouble at all? Raurie knew it was a blessing, if a surprising one. He looked over at the table with the men playing cards. One of the men sitting there was watching the Aes Sedai leave. Well, there was nothing wrong with that. After all, Raurie watched her intently, nothing wrong if another does. But the man nodded to the others at the table, and they stood in unison. The six men walked quickly for the door. Under more than one man's coat, Raurie caught the distinct glint of a steel knife. This Aes Sedai seemed to have enemies.

After making a hasty bow and slinging his harp to his back, Raurie stepped out the door not ten steps behind them. The men had divided, two going one way, four going the other. Ahead of the four, Raurie could just make out the dark hair and bells of the Aes Sedai. I should just keep to my own business. He told himself. I should just go back inside and play some more. He thought this as he found himself weaving through the traffic of the street after the four men and the Aes Sedai.

I'd be interested in getting my freelander into the mix. What city would this be happening in though?

Well, I took a longer-than-planned LOA, and now I'd like jump back into rping with everybody.

So, if you've got any characters who are in or around Tar Valon, just shoot me a pm and we can get something going.

Here's my character bio, just for reference: http://www.dragonmount.com/forums/topic/42081-approved-fl-bio-for-raurie-ashkar-ccd-by-wk/

Also, could somebody tell me how to make that a link instead of putting up the entire url? Thanks.

-ROC.

P.S. Misspelled "northern" for the lose.

Raurie had to smile at the Warder's words.  This man was definitely that rare kind who could fight a person one minute and laugh with him the next.  By Raurie's reckoning, he seemed more inclined to laugh more than fight.  Laugh as much as Warders do, anyway.  His smile was cut short though, as he realized the odd walk he had developed after the training was getting attention from passersby.  Well, it would go away soon enough.

Adjusting his harp case on his back and his coat, he tried his best to walk casually. 

"Your concern is kind, but unneeded.  My fingers are fine, and I've played in worse condition than this."  He had played with hands so cold he couldn't feel his fingers.  He even played faster than usual, then. 

"As for where to play, I know a place here call Cair  Rahien not two streets from here.  It's a good place, with good drink and food.  I'm sure the inn keeper would love to have us.  What do you say?"  He knew Cair Rahien was selective about it's patrons, so there would be no risk of a drunken brawl that could get Raurie in trouble with the patrols.

ok I'm back, sorry for being gone for so long, I really apologize.  Anyway, Raurie's good to go for anything right now. 

Glad to be back!

(ooc sorry for the late posts, I had midterms)

Raurie felt nauseous.  His knees felt unstable and his fingers tingled.  He tried to remember the leg defense as best he could, though it seemed simple enough to improvise what he could not recall. 

He had to smile, though, at the Warder's question.  "Yes, I've had quite enough of a lesson, thank you.

"If I remember correctly, you have an ear for music.  We could probably find suitable spot for a few jigs or reels before the sun goes down too far.  Would you be willing?"

The tingling in his fingers was now in anticipation of dancing on the strings.

Raurie practiced again and again, repeating each motion and movement until he did not have to think about what his hands were doing.  He was nowhere near the Warder's speed or grace, but that would come with time.  Eventually, his hands found where to move and what to do easily.  It also seemed that the same motions done with fists were also the same general movements done with a knife, meaning the same techniques would possibly transfer.

"Well you've shown what to do if a man tries to hit me with his fists, or cut me with a knife.  But what should I do he kicks me?"

He's just a humble wet-behind-the-ears freebooter.  Warder could be in his future though...

I've got my char in Tar Valon right now and I haven't rp'd in about a month.  I'm looking to start one up again.  If there are any freebooters, novices, or anyone in that area, hit me up so we can crack some heads or pull some pranks.  Note that Raurie isn't exactly on Warder level fighting, so it would probably be full of near misses.

Here's Raurie's bio, http://forums.dragonmount.com/index.php/topic,48438.0.html

funny enough, my pet peeve so far has been not being sure if I should move the RP forward or not.  It's irritating for me, not knowing what the other person is expecting from each post.

I'll be spending christmas day with my immediate family at home.  After that I'll be heading south to my grandparent's house for some stereotypical southern style food.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

My guy Raurie would join it pretty fast.  Where would it be based?  What kind of contracts would it take?

I'm thinking of going to Caemlyn from Tar Valon.  Anyone want to meet up either at the city or on the way there?  Any mercs on the road?  Maybe something simple like a tussle with bandits or the like.

Concerning the names our world has with weapons,

For weapons like Katana, Wakizashi, tomahawk, or claymore, any weapon name that originated from a language that does not exist in the PSW, is there another name for them that is used? 

"We'll cover what to do after that once you get this most important step down."

Raurie listened to the warder as he explained.  He made knife fighting sound so simple, it should be easy for him to learn.  Just block?  That would be nothing, he would just move his hand like this and--his ribs hurt.  A lot.  The first impact was a surprise, a sharp shock to his flank that he didn't expect.  The second was more familiar, and the third was dreaded.

Eventually, Raurie could block and catch Visar's arm with enough speed to stop the blade or get out of the way.  It was not without cost though, as his failures left him with an aching side and a tender hand.  However small the advancement, Raurie felt a surge of confidence and pride at what he was learning.

(OOC, sorry for the late posts, college hurts)

I was mainly thinking of just a small community that freebooters could pass through or rest up at, nothing huge enough to be a big stop for aiel or sea folk, and hopefully out of the figurative crosshairs of the seanchan.

I was thinking along the lines of a place that could be a hub for the freebooters or anyone else who wanted to use it.  It wouldn't be a very big town, maybe as big as the Two Rivers was in EotW with NPC's. 

I really want to know if anyone wants to make a town or a big farm community in the PSW.  I know the RP would probably be divided into many smaller stories and it would involve a host of characters, but I want to see if it's possible. 

I also understand that it might run into a few planning problems with real storyline rps, or this subject might have already been covered and decided against.

Either way, I'd like for it to be considered.  I know my character couldn't get started on it right away, and I doubt anyone else could.  Like I said, it would take time and planning.  The place would obviously have to have a well planned history that we would have to perform.

So what do you guys think?

Raurie Ashkar

Freelander

bio

A musician with a knife who is looking for a sister he is doomed to never find.  Before he knew his sister disappeared, he was a pretty happy and laid back kind of guy, but he will definitely take a downward spiral as time goes on.

"Using a knife to kill someone is unfortunately all too easy.  Most of it is instinctive anyway.  However, I can teach you how to defend against a like weapon, with or without your knife in hand.  Would that suffice?"

It would have to.  If Raurie's search for his sister took him as far as he feared it would, there would be no telling what kind of unsavory characters he would come across. 

"Any teaching you could give would be an honor."

Music, Family, and Warders

Guild: none

Writers:Raurie Ashkar (RodOfCorrection's freelander), Visar Falmaien (Visar's warder)

Summary:Raurie's introduction to the big world.  Visar helps him try to find Raurie's sister and gives him a little training.

Extra info: This has little consequence with the world as a whole, and the only involvement the Tower has is one warder, Visar, giving advice.

Start Date: 10/16/09

End Date: ongoing

"Do you know how to use that, lad?"

For half a thought, Raurie had no idea what the warder was talking about.  Then he remembered the dagger at his belt.  Come to think of it, Raurie had no idea how to really use it other than swinging the arms like a wildman.  He felt his ears redden.  Then the warder's stance changed. 

"To be honest, I'm useless with a blade.  I don't know why I carry the knife, I would most likely hurt myself before someone else."

Raurie could only shrug and smile sheepishly.  He really did feel like an idiot, but he had to ask yet another question. 

"You could teach me to use it, could you?"