Archived Training Grounds

[Tinker]

Already moving towards the edge of the clearing, Vos shrugged at the man's words. Then added over his shoulder.

-My name is Vos. It has been some time since someone last called me boy.

Vos thanked the light that his voice had been calm, not reflecting his emotions.
Of course he didn't trust the man, but he didn't want to be alone in the forest should he suddenly faint after all.

[MatrimCauthon]

The boy sounded exhausted, so Jaisin decided not to make an issue of it," Well, Vos, I'm known as Jaisin, eh, nice to meet you I suppose", he ventured, trying to sound friendly, but it still sounded a little condescending. He was only a few years older than the boy, if a little more worldly...The boy made a good start into the wood, he had obviously tracked before. Jaisin was a better than fair tracker himself, and followed suit. "Will we forage or hunt? I've got a sling, but I'm no better than fair with it, you look like you know your way around forests, you can have it, try to get a couple of rabbits..." He handed Vos the length of leather and a few flat pebbles.

[Tinker]

When Jaisin offered him the sling, Vos held up his hand for the other man to see. It was shaking badly.

- I probably couldn't hit a random tree in this forest right now. And I was never a good hunter. My father disaproved of hunting. The little I know is what my friends could show me when we where out playing in the forest. And we found it more of a challange to try to get as close to the animals as we could. It was some years since we where last out playing like that of course. None of us liked liked hunting much.

Vos felt slightly embarrased at admitting the last part. He desided not to ad that he had been the best of this game of theirs. It would have sounded to much like boasting

- I'm a fair tracker though... But I think it would be easier to forage. I'll try my luck with that at least. If we should come across some wild you could show your skill with that sling.

occ: Mat if you have nothing speciall in mind just bring us back to the camp with whatever we find...

[Nailo]

Broawien sat as comfortably as possible on the log nest to the Aiel Wise One, Aleandra, as she whe watched the men departing the clearing talking quietly. Probably congratulating themselves on thinking of breakfast, and being the ones to bring it in, she thought. Men were always like that taking credit for the ideas that women told them. Shaking her head Broawien brought her eyes from the backsides of the men back to the Wise One.

Letting a small smile come to her otherwise serene face, Broawien asked, "Wise One, you said that you were chasing a Darkfriend? It was not quite te reason I am away from the Tower, but it is the duty of an Aes Sedai to fight the filthy Shadowspawn, so I will hel you in anyway possible. My men will help also I'm sure. But please, tell me how I may be of service?"

[MatrimCauthon]

ooc: nothin special, just got bored of standing round

Jaisins hands were dirty to the elbows after half an hour of foraging for tubers and berries, without even the sight of a rabbit. For somebody who didn't like hunting, the boy was at home in the forest, Vos, he told himself, the boys name was Vos. They had gathered a fair bounty, and were heading back to cook it. As they reached the edge of the trees, Jaisin saw the two women deep in conversation. He glanced at Vos, who still seemed ready to collapse. Of all the things the boy had done, Jaisin most admired his ability to keep going. He wasn't sure if he would have that much willpower. "well, we might as well get started, I don't think any Aes Sedai can cook...". They walked back into the clearing...

[Tinker]

ooc: I only meant that I had nothing in mind, and that you could bring us back as soon as you wished. Just like you did.

As they walked back into the camp Vos looked briefly at the Aes Sedai. No she didn't look like if she was used to standing in a kitchen, and even less cooking over a fire in the woods. The other woman though, she seemed like if she was used to taking care of herelf in every way. As far as Vos could tell she was just as calm and confident in herself as the Aes Sedai.
They still spoke softly, and Vos had no intention to disturb them.
Since he still had his beltpouch, Vos started to untie it reaching for flint and steel. Unsteady as his hands where, he dropped the pouch, spilling out a couple of gold coins along with the rest of it's content.
They sight of the coins made Jaisin pause, and Vos hurried to put them back in his pouch. "I didn't steal them" he said, and so while they where making a small fire he told Jaisin how he came to be were he was. Though he decided to leave out most of his conversation with Celandine, not remembering much of it, and not knowing what to make of it anyway.
Vos even managed to keep his emotions under controll most of the time. Only slipping slightly when telling how his familly, and wife to be, had died.

[MatrimCauthon]

on hearing the boy's story, Jaisin was struck by his courage. To go on after a tragedy like that took guts! Now that Vos had told him how he came to be there, Jaisin felt guilty at not doing the same, but he couldn't tell anyone he was a murderer. The Aes Sedai (she still hadn't introduced herself) would probably have him hung, and Vos would probably hold the rope! And the light new what Aiel did to kinslayers...he shuddered at the thought. "I can't say that I know how you're feeling, I've never had such hardship...I'm sorry for being abrupt earlier, I haven't spoken to anyone in weeks...". Vos looked surprised at the apology, had he acted that badly? "Lets get cooking, a proper meal will do you good. Some meat would be better, but it can't be helped."

[Tinker]

Vos looked over at the food.

- I don't even remember when I last had something to eat. And I feel like if a week in bed would do me good as well. Maybe, when we get out of this forest, I can find some farm where I can work.

- Are you going to continue with Broawien Sedai. As her guard...

Vos hesitated, Aes Sedai didn't have guards, they had warders. Why didn't Broawien Sedai have one, or did she but he hadn't shown himself yet.
Vos looked around a bit uncomfortble at the thought, but the smell of the food made him forget about hidden warders.

[MatrimCauthon]

It was only when Vos asked him that Jaisin remebered offering to help the Aes Sedai...How would he get out of that? Then he realised that Vos had hesitated over guard...warders! she didn't have one...or did she? Where? he stared round wildly before realising he wouldn't have a chance of spotting him if there was one.

"I don't know. If she wants me to, I suppose I will, it's hard to say no to a Sister, eh, I mean, Aes Sedai, eh, I've heard anyway."

Idiot, why couldn't he just keep his mouth shut!

"Those two will probably be there for a while, women never stop talking" he said with a wink "so we might as well eat ourselves..."

He saw Vos staring hungrily at the food.

"Help yourself!"

[Tinker]

Vos attacked the food, barely waiting for it to cool enough not to burn him.
They both ate in silence. Vos didn't feel much like talking. Instead he spent the time trying to come to terms with everything that was storming inside of him. He also gave some thought to what he wanted to do now that it seemed like if he would survive.

When Vos and Jaisin had eaten they sat back waiting for the two women to get ready.

[Aleandra]

Aleandra was about to ask if Broawien knew why the trollocs had attacked them, when she hear the boy voice. "i didn't steal them"He sounded so like her first sister's son...a little mischeivious thing, that made the wise ones laugh even if he had done something wrong..but he was gone now...along with the rest of her first sister's family...
And as Vos recounted his story, it brought painfull memories to her mind...that must have been what poor little must have lived through...but he had woken from the dream..and a blood price was still to be paid.
" I was wondering if you knew why the trolloc band atacked your inn, and why it is still tracking you"

[Nailo]

Broawien watched the Wise One's face as she looked at Vos, first her eyes lit with amusement, and love, pride posibly? But it lasted only seconds, her eyes tightening as she remembered something else. Broawien simply sat and waited, the woman was stronger in the Power than herself, and natrually deffered. Broawien glanced back at the men, Vos looked better, slightly more energized but still weary, and the new man, what was his name? Broawien couldnt remember, but she still watched him, his movements had the grace of a Warder in the courtyards of the Tower, in truth Broawien found both of the men appealing after a fashion. The boy, Vos, reminded her of the soliders that used to come to her Father with thier problems. They had always gave her a candy when she was little, sneaking it to her. A small smile crept to her lips at the thought of that, yes that was what Vos reminded her of, happier times. The other man, not truly handsome, not the type of handsome she usually found herself looking for, but still, there was something about him. Broad shoulders, blue eyes, but the hair, she had never liked long hair on men.

The voice of Aleandra, brought Broawien from her musings, " I was wondering if you knew why the trolloc band atacked your inn, and why it is still tracking you." She whipped her head back to the Wise One feeling herface go red. "The trollocs? They are following us?"

Broawien had notseen any signs of it, but then again, she had not been looking for that earlier that morning, "I have no idea about them, I was sort of hoping that them capturing me had been a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. But our young friend, Vos, he seems to know more than I, perhaps we should ask him?"


Oops, hehe, sorry bout that Mat, ty for telling me though

[MatrimCauthon]

Jaisin covertly watched the conversation beween the two women while eating, and noticed the Aes Sedai sizing him up...probably wondering if she can lift and bind me with the power...he thought to himself wryly. His thoughts went sour as he realised if she was thinking this he could not stop her. The power still made him uncomfortable, even after years of exposure to it at the tower. He realised he was staring at the Aes Sedai and abruptly lowered his eyes, he had learned the hard way to defer to Aes Sedai. "You look better Vos...Maybe some sleep would do you good too. I'm going to work the forms before I sleep, it doesn't pay to go out of practise." He strolled over to the edge of the clearing and unsheathed his sword with a steely rasp. His sword quickly became a blur as he worked the forms at high speed, feeling his body empty of emotions, drifting into the "void" that master Dannel had taught him at the tower...

ooc: Nailo, no Younglings (with a capital Y) until the break of the tower, just trainees...

[Tinker]

ooc: I didn't think it was later then noon, at most?

Vos woke up from a light slumber. He must have dozed off while waitning for the women to finish their conversation and meals.
He sat up and watched as Jaisin started to wield his sword. It was like nothing Vos had ever seen before.
Soon though Vos eyelids became heavy again, and he could barely fight of sleep.

[MatrimCauthon]

ooc: I don't think it matters what time, sleep is always good

Jaisin could feel eyes on him as he moved, but he didn't turn, just kept flowing
... Hummingbird Kisses the Honeyrose, Cat Dances on the Wall, Apple Blossoms in the Wind, Unfolding of the Fan, Parting the Silk, Heron Wading in the Rushes, for balance, River Undercuts the Bank, Moon Rises Over Water..., he was the sword, one with the movement. While practicing he could avoid all the complications, just do what he did best...his mind blank apart from the oneness, he ignored the presence of theAes Sedai, the Aiel and the boy...