A legend of brothers [Attn: Kiellan & Daelar]

[Teddy]

Kiellan felt a little intimidated by all the soldiers surrounding him and his fellow Dedicated. Each and every one of them looked like they could kill a bear with their bare hands, and their uncouth appearance didn't help. They also seemed a little agitated already, some of them even throwing angry glances in his direction. These people did not like tardiness, even less than his teachers in the Tower. Of course, any lack of discipline could potentially be deadly in a fight, so that was understandable. Still, Kiellan hoped he would be able to make up for his being late soon. He'd much rather have these men on his good side, especially if they were going on patrol together.

He looked at Val as the man started speaking, and laughed. He was officially of the same rank as Val, of course, but that still felt very strange. Kiellan had been his first teacher in the Tower, and ever since that day, he seemed to have taken a special interest in Kiellan. As his mentor, Val had guided Kiellan through his first seizing of saidin, his first channeling, and he had taught him about Battle Weaves. Although he didn't think he was technically obligated to, taking orders from Val would probably be nothing less than natural.

"Of course I'll obey you," Kiellan said, grinning at his former teacher. "Don't think there's anyone I'd rather obey in the Tower. It'll be like good old times, huh, Val?"

Kiellan looked at the horses uncomfortably. He had never ridden a horse before arriving at the Tower, and he still didn't enjoy it. He had been taught the basics, enough to know how to stay seated, but his control over the animal was flawed at best. Still, he managed to produce his typical polite Altaran smile, and greeted the soldier. Slowly, he approached the horse designated to him -thank the Light it seemed to be the calmer one- and put one foot in the stirrups. When the horse didn't move, he threw his other leg over the animal's back and firmly planted himself in the saddle, hopefully looking more confident than he felt. Not that that was hard. Gently, he tried to move the horse in the direction Val seemed to be going in, and surprisingly, it worked. Letting the wind play with his hair, and breathing in the fresh air, Kiellan left the city of Hama Valon, for the first time since his arrival at the Grey Tower. He was so glad he could almost forget he was on one of these Light-blasted things.

[Julio]

Daelar checked his saddlebags, making sure his equipment was all stowed away. In the right saddlebag he had the hunting knife, his fire-making Ter'angreal, some rope, dried leather, and some hardtack. He had had enough of that on his voyage from Seanchan. It was hard and tasteless, not crunchy at all. It's one good quality was that it lasted a long time. He had hoped never to have to see the stuff again.

In the other saddlebag he had some dried herbs, a type he didn't recognize. There was also some bread, a bit of cheese, and a few apples. He had two large flasks of water, one attached to each saddlebag. Everything seems to be in order.

Daelar glanced around, looking to see what everyone else was doing.

Kiellan looked rather uncomfortable, like he was very unused to riding horses.

One of the soldiers was checking his equipment, the others obviously had already done that. Perhaps this man had too, and was just making sure nothing had happened to it.

With a shout, Valadin pushed his horse to a gentle gallop. The other soldiers responded, yelling jubilantly, and spurred their horses forward. Daelar dug his heels into the horses side, urging it forward, though he didn't add his voice to the others'.

A short while later, they came up to the mountains of mist. They seemed to stretch up endlessly, forbidding all travel. True to their name, their higher reaches were covered in a cloud of mist.

One of the soldiers took the lead now, taking the group onto a path up the mountain. Well, the mountains are quite sinister. Anything is possible now.

[Sean]

They had traveled a tremendous distance. The horses were kept at a gallop nearly the entire way though Valadin worried for the creatures' health. One of the Guardsmen had scouted ahead while others would break off temporarily to survey the flatlands around them returning to the group miles later with nothing to report. During such time Valadin called for a canter both to give the soldiers time to catch up and to ease the burden placed on their mounts. His stallion's flanks heaved heavily by the time they reached the foot of the mountains. With the absence of beating hooves the only sound that remained was the labored panting of the horses. Jervis and the other Dedicated arrived as the patrol paused at the pass up the mountain; as always the man seemed unhappy.

"Why've we stopped?" Jervis barked once he'd drawn close enough.

"Because, you uncultured swine, the horses 'ave been run ragged an' ent no eyes likely to see a cat or bloody outlaw when it gets dark," Melita cut in before Valadin could say anything.

"Always stickin' up fer the boy, ent ya Melita. Sure ya ain't stickin' 'em?"

"Better Vally than any o' you filthy beasts. We do have clean water in the barracks in case you'd forgotten. Dunt know what Fodhr was ramblin' bout; no creature would bother makin' a meal o' you lot. Light, doubt most o' yer ole ladies bother makin' meals fer ya."

The answering growls were not promising. Between reddening with embarrassment and the spreading ache of his muscles after a hard day spent in the saddle Valadin was at his limit. "Shut up the lot o' ya!" He snapped red-faced and furious. At least they'd stopped arguing. "We break camp fer the evening an' set up first watch. The rest o' ya shut yer gobs an' dunt open 'em again lest it's to eat or wake the next watch, understood?!"

Donan pressed his steed to the head of his pack of dissidents. Other than Kiellan and Tannis no other man stood of a height with Valadin. Having once marched among the Lions it was reasonable that the man be the one to lead the patrol. At Hama Valon he held the emeritus duties of a village constable though to Valadin's knowledge the man never held such rank.

"Perhaps we should press on, Val. Many of the others would rather..."

"Donan...." Valadin cut in, his voice low and calm as the Void filled him. "...scout out a good spot to set up camp. Take Tannis an' Yeltis with ya. Be back 'fore sunset, y'hear?"

There was a tense moment were it seemed the giant Guardsmen would refuse, but it passed and in the next moment all three men were heading into the dense thicket surrounding the mountain's base. Looking to Melita Valadin asked how far they were from Lake Somal, but it was Jervis that answered. Seemed they were half a day's ride to the lake due east. That meant they'd already passed the road to Baerlon. Wheeling to face the man Valadin nodded as the Battle fury cooled in his blood. As they waited for the men to return Valadin inched his horse towards those of the two Dedicated.

Indicating with a jerk of the head for them to follow him he led the two young men a few paces away. Not too far though; Melita could take care of herself, but explaining to Fodhr why not all the men returned would've been a pain. "Dunt jump to ideas bout this lot. Been a long day an' most would rather be on the tipple by now. Makes a man...or woman a bit testy," he explained.

For a moment he sagged in the saddle letting the Dedicated see his exhaustion.

"Look...try an' keep things civil with the Guard...'specially Jervis; he can be mean as a Trolloc." He doubted there would be trouble with them, but at least the warning was given. "Eh...also dunt do any channelin' without me givin' the order. The men, they need to think o' us as brothers in arms...not whatever else it is they are thinkin' now. Any worries or questions?"

[Teddy]

Immense relief washed over Kiellan as he finally felt the steady ground beneath his feet. The horse had been good, listening to his commands without resisting, but he still didn't like the animal. He much rather traveled on foot, but they would never have been able to cross the distance they had that way. Hours and hours they had traveled, longer than Kiellan had ever had in a day. How the horses had managed to survive that was a mystery to Kiellan. He knew there was a trick with the Power to refresh the horses' spirit, but he had no idea how that was done. The poor animals were probably so tired they couldn't run any further even if Kiellan had commanded them to, and they would have to do the same again tomorrow.

When his feet finally got used to the steady ground, Kiellan took his time to look around, ignoring the arguing between the soldiers. They probably wouldn't listen to him anyway if he got himself involved, and he had no wish to antagonize his companions any further. They seemed to have stopped on the foot of a large mountain, surrounded by nothing but fields and a forest far away to the left. He tried to search for any clue as to where they were going, but could find none. The place seemed as good as any to rest, however, and that was the most important thing to Kiellan. The long travels and nervousness on the horse had tired him, and he thought he would need his rest for what was to come.

When Kiellan returned to the rest of the group, the arguing had stopped, and three of them were walking away from the rest, probably scouting for a place to sleep. Good. The tension was still palpable, however. Val looked like he might attack someone any moment, and at least one of the guardsmen didn't look much better. Kiellan thought they probably weren't too happy having to listen to someone who was practically still a boy. Many of the guardsmen could've been Val's father. And he was a channeler on top of that, of course. Hopefully, they would remember their training and not give too much of a fuss.

Kiellan quickly climbed on his horse again as Val led Daelar and him away from the others, once more feeling the uncomfortable sensation of riding on another living thing that could decide to disobey him any second. Val's explanation made Kiellan feel a little bit better, but only a little. He was a little grumpy, himself, after the travels, but he didn't think these men knew what 'a little' grumpy meant. He had already had the same thought about channeling, however, and simply nodded at Val. The man was right; channeling would only serve to remind the guardsmen of how different he was, and he didn't need any more of that.

There was still one thing he wanted to know, however. "Yeah, Val, if you don't mind me asking... Are we going anywhere? We seem to be heading in a specific direction. Where is that?"

[Sean]

Valadin sighed. Kiellan asked for things better answered by the warmth of a campfire. The clouds above blazed with orange and yellow as sunset drew near, yet there was still no sign of the scout party returning. Glancing back at the Guardsmen said that they’d noticed it too. A few returned his stares with questioning looks to which he shook his head; no use having more men roaming in the forest with darkness approaching.

Carefully removing something from his coat pocket, Valadin unfolded a piece of aged parchment which he handed to the Kiellan. “There’s yer answer,” he said, studying the lad’s face. “Hand it to Daelar once yer done.”

Fodhr had requested his presence once more yesterday evening. Rather than sharing a mug at one of the many taverns in Elman’s Creek, the sergeant set a meeting in the Garden. There, overlooking, the crashing waterfalls in the distance, Fodhr, Valadin’s mentor and friend, revealed that he’d lied earlier about the mission’s intent. It was very Aes Sedai-like; a mask that didn’t fit the usually earnest soldier.

“There’ve been reports o’ people missin’ Elman’s Creek an’ even as far as Baerlon. Some folk‘re even sayin’ they’ve seen the culprits. Shadowed men and women who moved impossibly fast an’ could rip the neck o’ full-grown man open with their teeth…foolishness most likely,” Valadin spat. Beneath him the stallion snorted, ears whirling about at his rider’s growing agitation; the creature was a good deal more sensitive than anyone in this patrol. “Men’ve been sent to scour the area, most findin’ nothin’ like we ‘ave, but some ain’t come back…”

Believing that there was something out there could do even half of what the rumors suggested was enough to investigate, but Fodhr’s face had been pale as he stared out into the falls. Fear. He’d never seen in his friend, but it was there plain as day even in the thick of night. Valadin’s hand instinctively fell on the hilt of the longsword strapped to his horse’s side. Unsheathing it while on horseback wasn’t something he was keen on, but combat gave advantages to no one.

“We head into the mountains, search fer anythin’ strange, an’ come back with a report. Likely as not we’ll find some burned beast took ‘em by surprise, but that’s where we’re headin’.” Swinging his gaze between Kiellan and Daelar he searched their faces to gauge their emotions, but found he could discern nothing definitively; hopefully that was a good sign. “When we make camp tonight I want the two o’ ya to pester Jervis about what it takes to be a tracker. Would feel better knowin’ one o’ you know how to follow a trail.”

“Oi, Vally, looks like Donan an’ them’s back! Says they found us a site!”

Melita called from the group. Remembering what she’d said earlier brought a flushed color to Valadin’s face. They’d shared baths together, but always as comrades…Melita was…Shaking his head clear he turned from the Dedicated. “We represent the Light, but ‘fore that we keep each other alive; I’ll not lose a brother. Not to the Blight, not to Darkfriends, not even to the bloody Last Battle!” he growled before kicking his mount to a canter.

As Donan, Tannis, and Yeltis gave their report Valadin dismissed Jervis—much to the man’s chagrin—sending him to ready the Dedicated for movement.

“You miserable weasels ready to move?!” the Guardsman hissed. “Waste time an’ you’ll find me the last to lend a helping hand. Now c’mon. Ent motherin’ you two until the wee hours o’ the morning.”

Soon the group was on the move to camp, but there was time to talk on the slow walk there. Valadin had ordered everyone from their horses. They’d be needed tomorrow. It was slow going by eventually they entered a clearing that was in the lee of the mountainside. A fine spot, protected from the headwinds prone to sweeping from the peak, but better still was that it provided an elevated ridge from which a single man could look over the top of the forest canopy.

“Well whaddya think?” Yeltis joked, nudging Daelar with an elbow. “Fine a campsite as I’ve ever seen. And I’ve seen plenty!”

“Enough. Set up camp an’ get a fire goin’…goin’ to be bloody cold,” Valadin muttered as he went about pulling a roll from his packs signaling for the others to do the same.

OOC: Take in the news of the mission’s true intent, set up camp, and talk to Jervis quickly. Next post we’re going to do something fun! Julio you'll get your post back. I've got something in store for you. :grins:

[Julio]

Daelar was quite glad when they stopped to rest. His horse was exhausted, and his own backside was sore. He hadn't ridden a horse in quite a while. He swung his leg over the saddle, and stepped to the ground. He walked in to the brown horses head, and rubbed it gently. The horse tossed his head once or twice, then nuzzled Daelar. All the soldiers were arguing, and some were making fun of Valadin. It seemed that they were very close indeed to subordination... but nothing came of it. Daelar heard everything going on, though he thought little of it. I hope they find a good place to camp. I'm exhausted! It's quite surprising how tiring letting something else do the work is.

After a moment, he went to his saddlebags and tore a piece of bread off of his loaf. He ate for a moment, then Valadin called him and Kiellan over.

What Valadin said made sense. It was probably smart not to remind the soldiers that they were different. It would hardly make a difference for me, though. Nobody trusts a Seanchan, channeler or not.

Daelar wasn't all that surprised hearing that the purpose of the mission wasn't a simple patrol. He too had been wondering where they were going. A normal patrol didn't usually head in one specific direction, nor did it need three Dedicated. Whatever it was that was taking these people, it was dangerous. If it was Shadowspawn, it wasn't any kind Daelar had heard of. They finished their conversation, and headed back. Daelar would go ask Jervis about tracking, you didn't want to have only one person able to fulfil an important capacity like that.

They rode on a bit, coming to the campsite. The sun was beginning to go down, and the air had just gained a little bit of a bite. They set up camp, pitching a few tents. They surrounded a roaring fire, which felt very nice. A couple of soldiers were setting off to go catch something for dinner when Daelar went over to Jervis. Jervis was sitting by the fire, doing nothing that looked useful. "What can you tell me of tracking and watching your surroundings? Learning to be able to tell where someone went or whether the person walking nearby means harm to someone in the room would be very useful indeed. I would love to learn."

The soldier grumbled, and Daelar wondered if he would even bother answering.

[Sean]

Valadin always admired what purpose did to men. Slow, but determinedly setting camp brought the patrol together. The solemn silence gave way brotherhood as rolls were spread and firewood retrieved from the surrounding forests. Melita laughed softly while one of the older men muttered something under his breath.

A flare of heat born of base desires made Valadin avert his eyes from the only woman in the patrol. Know that'll be thinkin' 'bout ya... he thought as the last of his packs had been laid down. Nykk was never far from his thoughts, but...he had been feeling tense lately.

"When ya learn to listen to the song o' the land, then trackin' ent nor than followin' that song's dance," Valadin overheard Jervis growl. The men refused to look at Daelar whom sat quietly nearby as he sharpened a thin bladed dagger on a leather strap. "Dunt jus' use yer eyes like the rest o' these louts. Gotta hear, see, smell; even taste the difference if yer keen enough."

Seems the ornery sod likes playin' mentor. It was a mental note not soon to be forgotten.

Evening bled into night as the orange blazed skies turned deep velvet with the sun's descent. Valadin allowed the patrolmen their time before ordering first watch; Mistress Ubriel had shown him the wisdom of balming a warrior's pride on occasion. When night had fallen thick and a fire burned at camp's center he ensured a man was set to guard the horses---no one wanted to be stranded in these Light forsaken woods. Already a creeping mist crawled along the ground, wrapping around ankles and hiding the soil. Some men shivered, yet Valadin was able to ignore it. A benefit attributed to the insistent presence of Saidin in his awareness.

"Alright men!" Valadin called, rising suddenly to his feet with unsheathed sword in hand.

He'd spent his free time sharpening the blade on a whetstone. Any soldier worth his stones checked his after his beasts first then his weapons. Hopefully the others knew this lesson; else they would learn it quickly.

"A contest to forge as brothers!" He boomed moving through the camp. Out of the corner of his eye Valadin could see Yeltis smiling. The man loved a good tussle. "One man at a time, I'll face the lot o' ya! First to disarm or land a blow takes victory! Who first will try my blade?!"

Cheers went up all around. It was foolishness. Had there been bandits at hand they would've escaped or worse ambushed them. Jervis' face was one of few that lacked the blood lusted excitement in it. Whirling around to heighten the tension Valadin's sword pointed to man he'd known he would choose all along.

His protege turned peer.

"Come brother, let's see how ya fare in battle absent the One Power. I trust ya've got a blade o' yer own?"

Shouts came at Kiellan from all sides of camp. Of course the lad could refuse, Valadin had no desire to hurt him, but the other men needed to relate to the Dedicated; to see them as soldiers of the Light. "Well?! What say you?!

[Teddy]

It was starting to grow cold as Kiellan settled around the fire. He knew there was some trick Asha'man and Aes Sedai used to keep themselves from getting touched by cold or heat, but nobody had taken the time to teach him yet. That didn't bother him as much as he had expected, however. Shivering in his warm mantle, he felt the same discomfort all of the Mountain Guards felt. Hopefully, it would remind them that he was human too, same as them. Well, similar, at least.

To his own surprise, he even managed to start a conversation with one of them. The same olive skin as Kiellan, this Tarlin seemed to come from Ebou Dar as well. The soldier was hesitant to speak to Kiellan at first, but the man seemed to slowly change his mind as Kiellan told him a bit about his childhood, about life in the Rahad. Kiellan guessed these men would respect strength, and the ability to survive, so he chose his stories carefully: the fights with the other children, the hunger, the pain, his absent father. By the end of it, Tarlin was listening intently, nodding approvingly at Kiellan's successes and grimacing at his losses. Relieved, Kiellan knew he had found at least one of his companions who no longer despised him.

That relief was short-lived, however. Tarlin cheered as Val spoke, and Kiellan felt his stomach turn into a knot. He had a feeling he knew what was coming, and he hoped he wouldn't make too much of a fool of himself.

A moment later, his expectation proved right as Val challenged him. Kiellan didn't mind fighting his former mentor, in fact, he looked forward to showing Val how much he had grown, but he didn't look forward to showing all the Guards that he still wasn't very good with weapons. He much preferred the One Power. He also understood why that wasn't an option, however.

Kiellan had never been good with a sword, and he knew Val expected him to use it. So instead, he grabbed the two long daggers the quartermaster had also given him. He had only started learning how to use them a short while ago, but he was more talented with these blades than he ever would be with a sword. Definitely not good enough to defeat Val, but hopefully sufficient to last more than a couple of seconds.

Despite his uneasiness, he put on a brave face and took his starting position. "Of course I accept, Val. Let's do this."

[Sean]

Valadin grinned in reply. Kiellan was a fighter through and through. Everything the young man did spoke to his daring nature; it was why he'd been chosen as the first contest.

The men cleared the center of the small camp. Not everyone seemed interested in the melee, but the greater number formed a ring around the two combatants. Jervis remained seated by his bedroll, scowl forever etched on the huntsman's brow. Daelar couldn't be seen, but Valadin made sure to have one of the younger men stand guard by the horses. When all was in order the battle washed away the distractions.

Sword in hand, Valadin felt complete as he never felt anywhere else. Saidin called to him from the corner of his being where he tried by day to seal it way. In battle the dam broke and excitement mixed with unrelenting fury. Only the Void quieted these forces enough to hear the underlying song that was played in soft footfall of Kiellan's steps or in the constant readjustment of the Dedicated's grip on his daggers. Now!

A cry pierced through the tumult of cheering voices, this one was of pain.

Wheeling to face Jervis, Valadin found the man on his feet and staring teeth bared into the dark thickness of the forest. The horses whinnied drawing his eyes to where the creatures fought in a panic to break free of their tethers. By now the others sensed something was wrong as well.

Then an arrow struck Yeltis.

Brave Yeltis, never fearful and always ready for an adventure fell to the ground clenching his knee. Silence came after. Those precious few seconds were the same for everyone no matter their experience with death. The realization that one was under attack, that their life could end in the next instant, took time to register. It was a very human feeling that even channelers understood. Jervis bellowed for everyone to get ready and Valadin made a promise to thank the man later.

"Fall into the lee of the mountainside! Dunt let 'em flank us. Hold until my say-so!" Valadin called. He wasn't entirely sure that anyone would follow his command until as one the Guardsmen brandished weapons and pressed their backs to the thick mountain as they faced the forest around them; a credit to their being good soldiers rather than his skill as a leader. "Hold..." Val ordered.

The night felt much colder with the threat of death surrounding them. Yeltis had managed to crawl by the others, but tears of blood slipped from his injury, yet the man did not shout. Quickly counting heads Valadin found they were missing one.

No time remained to search for the lost man. A hail of arrow fire swished through the air, arching above them before making their deadly descent. Every recorded battle in history made it clear that the forces that broke first were the ones to lose. Perseverance and order were the ingredients of victory...burn it all most tomes also said that getting ambushed was very bad thing.

"Break fer the forest!" Valadin cried as the sound of punctured flesh and dying men filled his ears.

Somehow he avoided being impaled as he rushed forward in a half crouch. Someone had the good sense to douse the campfire; Creator bless whoever it was. Their chance for escape had increased.

"Brothers! Find shelter and survive 'til the morn! Seek each other out if ya can! Daelar! Kiellan! Remember what I said!"

Several arrows hit the nearby earth too closely for Valadin's tastes. Saidin granted him sight in the darkness, but the enemy could be yards away yet. Their numbers and strength made it unwise to confront them One Power or no.

His first patrol had officially gone to dung.

[Julio]

Daelar sat near the edge of the woods, immersed in the void. He was trying to do what Jervis had told him, about listening to the world around you, and letting it speak to you. He heard a deer walking in the woods. A couple of birds were in the trees. From the camp came the sounds of Valadin challenging Kiellan to a sword contest. The deer ran away from the camp, and the birds rose in a small, silent, flock, and flew hurriedly away... strange. Also strange, was that Daelar couldn't hear any sounds outside of the camp. It was almost as if the animals had abandoned this part of the woods.

The rest of the camp was cheering. Valadin and Kiellan must be about to start fighting. There was a group of... what exactly was it? Daelar couldn't tell. Something was approaching the camp stealthily. There was now something, like large insects, coming toward the camp. There was a cry of pain from the camp. Daelar knew what the "Insects" were now. Arrows. And someone had been hit. Daelar seized Saidin and ran toward the camp.

The group was close together, retreating in an orderly fashion, weapons out. Arrows were flying, many missing, but some hitting. Daelar saw fear on all of their faces, though Valadin's face had something more. He didn't want to make the wrong choice; everyone's lives depended on him.

Daelar, still subconsciously scanning the area, noticed something. The mountain behind them... it was opening. He didn't know what to do, but he had to do something. Suddenly, unexpectedly, Valadin ordered the patrol to scatter and run for the woods. Daelar heard - no, felt - something inside the mountain; something sinister. He wove earth, disobeying Valadin's order not to channel. A figure was coming from the ever-widening crack in the mountain. He finished the weave and released it, part of the mountain wall collapsing over the door- and the figure in it.

Daelar ran then, the void shattered. Saidin threatened to destroy him, so he released it. Dread had filled him, and had chased away the void. With it had gone Daelar's heightened senses. He ran for the woods.