Lessons in Archery ... and Life (Attn: Tia/Roan)

[Jack]

Cassie Majere The arrow flew straight, piercing the dummy in the area where a human heart might have been located. Cassie tilted her head and frowned, noting the arrow was perhaps a little off.

“Bloody flaming ashes, he’s right,” the Novice muttered to herself as she lowered her bow. The weapon was new, a present given to her by her uncle, Sojin Majere Gaidin, to replace the one lost during her journey here. It was smaller than she was used to, perhaps more in liking with the ones Aiel warriors carried, but she found it acceptable.

Especially now, when she pictured that very same man as her target. The very day the silver-haired man gave Cassie the new bow, he noted that her skills were a little “unfocused.”

Unfocused her arse! She knew a challenge when she saw one, but given her duties and chores as a Novice, she had found very little time to practice in the Warder Yards ranges.

It was with some luck and asking a favor of a kind Brown Aes Sedai that she had secured a few hours on this day, with no promise of repeat occurrences. She didn’t want to ask her uncle for favors, as it would seem unfair and that he was using his role as the Amyrlin Seat’s Warder to pull strings.

Even if she was cross with him at the moment, Cassie loved her uncle enough not put him in that position.

So here she was, one of the rare moments where she was out of Novice White since she arrived at this blasted place and was stuffed into an ill-fitting dress. Instead, she wore the basic gray of a Warder trainee, her red hair done up in a braid. Her amethyst eyes sparkled with determination to prove she was still a capable archer.

Cassie’s arrival wasn’t exactly the most orthodox occasion. She’d been harried by an army of Whitecloaks up until the gates of Hama Valon, saw herself and her traveling companion defended by a much smaller force of Hosue Walker men at arms and Seanchan soldiers who bore no loyalty to her, but led by her uncle, and rescued by the flaming First Seeker of the Indigo Ajah, the Tower Guard, and the Mistress of Novices. And then she had succumbed to a bloody fever that had laid her up for two days because she was a wilder and hadn’t fully come to terms with that physically.

And when she had began her studies, there was talk that the First Seeker was stepping down, and there were talks of war that House Walker was going to war against another House of Andor simply because her father was the latter’s captive and it was by ancestral loyalty to the blood of the Caralain that war was declared. There was talk that the Asha’man was to lead that war, and it caused distress that it would bring it to Hama Valon’s doorstep so shortly after the so-called Second Seanchan Siege.

Her bow came up, her poise perfect, the arrow drawn back to her chin.

She felt rather than heard the person behind her, seconds before her release, and heard comments from another side, further away.

“She’s a Majere .. and very peculiar … a Tar Valon degenerate …” Her aim slipped upon those words, and the arrow went sailing into the air, much to the peril of the crow flying over her.

The bird fell to the ground in front of her feet, but she paid it no heed. She whirled about, intent on taking her anger out on the person who was behind her.

“What in the flaming bloody ashes are you doing sneaking up on someone with a bow,” the short Novice yelled. Her eyes immediately recognized the person as an Accepted, but her anger was too immersed. “Creator’s sake, I could have hit someone with that flaming arrow!”

[Roan]

Tia Tomosan

Tia found herself on the way to the archery range for a training session, and pondered the summons given to her earlier in the day. She was selected to train and work with a Novice to help the woman improve her skills with bow. For her own part, Tia practiced enough not to be rusty, but most of her time was spent practicing her skills with Cloud Dancing, and battle weaves related to her particular talent. How was it she was the best option to train the Novice? There was a bow master in Lysira Gaidin, and more than one expert like her mother. Were none of them available? What about Ji’val or Drin?

Known by her few friends as someone quick to smile and laugh, both possibilities seemed far from the surface today. The lighthearted Tia hadn’t really made an appearance since being released from the care of her father to return to her duties and classes as an Accepted. Einion kept asking if she was ok, and the question was starting to wear heavy on her. Her physical wounds had long since healed, thanks to her Asha’man father. The other scars would take longer, and she was determined not to dwell. She was alive, and able to carry on with her life while many of her peers had been returned to the pattern (some by her own hand).

Taking a blessed break from the blasted dress, Tia walked onto the range, noticing a small gathering of others on the opposite side. The woman she was to teach was taking aim, and she approached quietly from behind. The comment the others made was not lost on Tia, and it was said with the same kind of venom as similar comments told about her. So both young women were outcasts because of their family ties. Perhaps there’d be kinship. Perhaps not. Tia was not one to get her hopes up about such things anymore, as they often ended in disappointment.

“What in the flaming bloody ashes are you doing sneaking up on someone with a bow. Creator’s sake, I could have hit someone with that flaming arrow!”

Tia arched a brow as she watched the woman’s focus wander, watched as the arrow flew higher than intended, and as the crow landed dead just up the range from the pair of them. The Novice’s admonishment was atypical of most Novices, and perhaps an indication of how the day might go. If she’d done something similar in front of her Mother, the Mistress of Arms would likely force her to go through the Flame and Void exercises she was so fond of. There was a time Tia resented them, but as she got older, she started to understand their value.

“Your aim started to go off well before I was within ear-shot, Novice, and if you are so easily distracted that a few milk-drinking toads can distract you so badly, then you should perhaps spend more time working on your focus than your aim. . .at least for now, lest you do hit someone with your...flaming arrow,” Tia replied, brow still arched and the hint of a wry smile on her lips. The Novice’s temper seemed to reflect her hair color. This was going to be interesting.

[Jack]

Cassie blinked at the other woman’s response, her amethyst eyes taking her up in a glance.

She was taller than the red-haired Novice by a few inches, with lengthy brown hair and eyes that nearly matched … well, she didn’t want to think of the Asha’man who on occasion haunted her dreams in a disturbing way. But these eyes were much warmer.

For one brief second, the young Majere forgot her anger and was almost in awe of the young woman. She was gorgeous right down to her lithe build. In many ways, she looked like she had as much experience hunting as she did.

But then her fascination with the Accepted vanished the second she heard the errant comment and accompanying loud snicker from another pair of Novices. “The Tar Valon savage degenerate just caught herself dinner … and maybe dessert.”

Cassandrya Majere was no savage — no one who was born into Tar Valon could be claimed that, even its worse thieves. She did, however, have a temper the size of the Aryth Ocean, and one she’d been warned to keep under control.

Today she wasn’t doing such a good job of that. She turned, her anger roiling through her, and the seductive glow of saidar within reach. She embraced it on instinct as she was about to give the pair of Novices passing by a piece of her flaming mind. The world exploded in light and sound and colors. She could smell the sweat of nearby Warders training, the gasps of the Novices … and she was suddenly keenly aware of three sets of staring eyes as she drank in the One Power.

Cassie closed her eyes, and quickly drew in a deep breath, and murmured a quick prayer of peace, her mind focused on the image of a calm ocean surface. The light that was saidar slipped from her. The insulting Novices were quick to flee.

She looked sheepishly at the Accepted in front of her and murmured, “Mirin Sedai said I had issues with control, and must manage them. Today isn’t the best example of success.”

Cassie took a step closer, her bow lowered. Quick as a snake, she grabbed the Accepted’s hand and bowed slightly, kissing it lightly as any respectable person would (well, as she would).

Straightening, Cassie introduced herself. “Cassie Majere of Tar Valon, unfortunately come by way of House Walker and a bunch of flaming Whitecloaks giving chase to the walls of the Hama Valon,” she said. Her amethyst eyes danced as she looked the Accepted up and down. “And if you think you could do better with a bow, please do provide an example, Accepted.”


OOC: Explanation on the "three sets of staring eyes" would be that Cassie is a strong channeler (8 based on her lineage), and would draw a lot when her block is overcome (extreme emotion).

[Roan]

Tia felt the tingle of Saidar as Cassie embraced the Source. She watched the Novice with a critical eye, ready to put a shield in place, if she felt it warranted. Fortunately, the girl found control, and the other Novices were quick to leave. She allowed a wry smile when Cassie admitted she had issues with control. Hopefully the Mistress of Training would be able to help her overcome those issues.

Going wide-eyed when Cassie took her hand and kissed it, Tia wasn’t sure what to think. Not a second later, the woman straightened and formally introduced herself. She arched a brow, “First off, Cassie Majere, there is no need to bow to me, or. . .kiss my hand. As for doing better with the bow. . .I do not know how adept you are at the weapon, though I was told I was to train you. Someone thinks I am at least as good if not better if they have put us together in this lesson.”

What are you up to, Mother she thought as she went about and strung her own bow. Giving the weapon a couple of ‘warm-up’ pulls, she went to the lane next to Cassie. “It is entirely possible that you are a fine shot, but you lack concentration. Do you know of the ko’di? Some call it the Flame and Void.”

Pulling an arrow from her quiver, Tia looked to the target down range, “Those who join the Warder Yards often learn it, and Asha’man use it to wield saidin. I. . .am not the best with it, but I’ve learned a bit, and the focus that comes with it can help keep distractions at bay so you don’t have errant arrows taking down innocent birds.” She turned and offered a friendly smile to Cassie. “If that is what we need to focus on today, then we can, but I should at least see your form.”

The Accepted then looked back to the target as she notched the arrow. Bringing the bow up, she lowered it as she drew and took aim. Not a breath later, the arrow flew, and flew true, hitting just inside the inner circle.”That is if you think I am an adequate trainer,” she said as she turned to face Cassie once more.

[Jack]

Cassie grinned slightly as she looked at this odd Accepted. She wasn’t probably accustomed to such social niceties — at least not from another woman. And always quick to pick on the oddest details, namely that the Accepted didn’t introduce herself.

The Novice was quick to pick up on certain things however, and if a name didn’t slip from the other woman’s lips, she would eventually connect the thoughts. There weren’t exactly a lot of Accepted in the Grey Tower these days it seems.

But Cassie listened intently as the other woman spoke of this Void and the Flame concept. It was not unfamiliar to the young Majere, something her older brother would speak of at great length after coming home from the Warder Yards for a dinner with his family before he was due back at the barracks. Jalen would spin tales of his training, or how he won a sparring match, and she really would try to be engaged, but when her eyes started to lose interest, he knew better.

She wasn’t like most girls, or most young women: that sort of thing didn’t impress her.

“Is that where they get all scrunchy-faced and look like they hadn’t been able to use the privy in days,” she said with a slight grin. “I understand that works and all, but as I said ... control is a difficult thing for me on the best of days, Kar'elli.”

But she stopped long enough to watch as the Accepted, her mind roaming over the name she had used to name the Accepted until a name could be pulled from her. [i[Prickly rose, in the Old Tongue.[/i] Jalen had used it to describe his younger sister, and her twin had just chuckled.

Cassie watched in admiration as the woman flowed smoothly into her stance and released the arrow without a second thought. Her amethyst eyes danced approvingly and with some measure of respect.

And then the Accepted went and gave her another word with which she couldn’t bite her tongue and ignore. Light, but Mirin Sedai was right.

And yet all the while, as she studied the Accepted and struggled with her own self-doubts, one thing was bugging her: who was this woman?

Cassie took the bow in her hand and inclined her head. “You’re a fitting instructor, Kar’elli, she said, almost half flirting. “And if want to see my form, you should offer to buy a girl a drink first.” Again she cocked her head, her amethyst eyes dancing. For a brief second, one might see a hint of gold flecks. “Though from what I’ve just seen, your form is very admirable and so is your bow work.”

Assuming the spot that the Accepted previously stood in, Cassie took an arrow from her quiver, she stood straight, her bow grip firm but fair, feet pointed directly at the target, she drew the arrow. She breathed easily and ...

... and the mockingbirds came back for a second stab. “Look at the Tar Valon degenerate ... and the misfit wannabe Warder...”

Anger might have taken hold, but Cassie’s mind embraced another part. It was an ocean, turbulent and chaotic over a stormy sky. She imagined the sky calming, and the waters becoming smooth. And her mind clicked on who her instructor was just as she released the arrow.

The missile flew straight and true, landing on on top of the inner circle. She turned slightly, but not in the Accepted’s direction. The pair of mockingbirds were still in hearing range. “Tell me, my dears, do you have better things to do than mock a pair of archers?” she asked calmly. Her amethyst eyes betrayed a rare seriousness. “Because I am sure the Mistress of Training would none too delighted to know you two were jeopardizing lives just so you could distract said archers, one of them the daughter of my uncle’s general. Or shall I just politely complain to the Mirin Sedai, accept whatever punishment she deems necessary for tattling, knowing she will not take likely to two Novices who cared so little for life? I could not imagine a more worse thing, and that you would be picking turnips until your hands grew calloused.”

There were a few givens about Cassandrya Majere: even on her worst day, she could not disrespect an Aes Sedai, more for the kindness and love they bore her father and his family in Tar Valon than anything else; and that she was at best emotionally unpredictable on her best day. And that in her very rare moments, she was more her Cairhienin highborn mother’s daughter than anything else.

And in those very rare moments, she spoke as a Cairhienin would, albeit with her father Solin’s bluntness: without inflection, and direct. “Insult her again, and I will ask personally to see you to the farms myself to see you suffer, even if I must serve part of my penance with you. Unlike you, my ancestors sowed the lands of the Caralain long before its kings rose them high. We do not forget.”

More than anything, Cassandrya Majere did not like people who disrespected teachers, especially her own.

The two mockingbirds flew the coop faster than a pigeon on an urgent mission.

Seconds after they were gone, Cassie breathed, as if gasping for oxygen. She realized she was gripping her bow so hard that her knuckles turned white and her face immediately turned red. She turned and looked at the Accepted and smiled sheepishly. “I apologize, Accepted. I ... control isn’t ...” She shoved the bow in front of her new instructor and murmured, “Shut up and show me how to shoot proper.”

[Roan]

Tia Tomosan Tia arched a brow in a manner similar to her mother's, "Kar'elli? It is not often I've been referred to as Prickly One, though my brother has done it from time to time." She allowed a slight smirk, though felt heat on her cheeks as the woman implied a very different form all together. Tia hadn't realized she'd left herself open for such innuendo, nor had she been expecting it, and found herself struggling to regain her composure. Memories of her Arches and the mysterious Warder Ashlyn came rushing to the forefront of her mind, and her flush deepened.

Giving a bit of a shy laugh, the Accepted took a moment or two to find her center again, though it was about the time the Novices decided to heckle Cassie once more, though for good measure, they added Tia to the mix. She simply arched a brow and was about to give them choice words when the Novice spoke up for both of them. Allowing a small smirk, Tia waited to speak until after the Novices departed once more, "I appreciate you standing up for both of us, though next time leave the reprimand to me, as I would not draw the notice of the Mistress of Novices for putting a pair of bullying Novices in their place.

"For the second time today, I see control is something you struggle with, so perhaps working to find the Oneness or ko'di would serve you well. I can get you started on the path, though I think my mother would be the better teacher, as she is a master of the Void. . .at least in my mind," Tia replied as she looked to the bow Cassie thrust into her hands.

Looking up once again, she offered the bow back to the Novice, "Keep hold of your weapon, Cassie Majere. Forgive me for not saying so sooner, but I am Tia Tomosan. Here, when it is just the two of us, call me Tia. When in earshot of others, Accepted would be best. As for your archery form, you look just fine, though you should take more time to account for the environment. Today, you will not struggle as the wind is minimal. It is something many archers often underestimate, me included."

Once more, Tia took her place at the firing line, notched an arrow and raised her bow as she took aim and drew. Once more, she let loose, and her arrow sunk just below Cassie's. "When you concentrate, you hit the target. . .but it is not enough to be able to do this under these conditions. Having the muscle memory and discipline to do the same when there is more to contend with, such as the chaos of battle, may not be enough. Drowning out distractions of all types is often the difference between hitting your enemy or missing."

[Jack]

Cassie Majere Cassie raised an eyebrow of her own and smiled wryly at thought of the Mistress of Novices punishing her over a pair of would-be bullies. But then she thought it best not to get on Mirin Sedai’s bad side. She knew how stern the woman could be.

“Control is something that should be used accordingly, aye,” Cassie murmured. “But what fun is life when all you do is work and study? Life should have a little bit of fun.”

The words were sincere enough, but there was a hollow spot in her tone, just low enough not to notice by most. Given how she started spending her nights, just to avoid the dreams, she knew some amount of control was a good thing.

Her lips of course formed into a playful pout when Tia only mentioned her archery form. But there was a gleam of thanks at the compliment.

“Feeding your emotions to a fire and letting nothing but a vacuum is all well,” she murmured as she admired Tia’s aim and shot. She was good, very good. “But I’d much prefer to think of control as an ocean.”

She’d been on ships that sailed the Aryth Ocean three times in her life, seen the oceans perhaps a half dozen times more. She could understand why the Sea Folk made fun of shorebound, because the sea was anything but calm at times.

As she took her bow from Tia and reached for an arrow, Cassie drew closer to the lithe Accepted and smiled warmly. Her tone was much warmer and more teasing. “Imagine an ocean in the midst of the storm: turbulent, waves crashing, almost passionate in their actions, and everything beneath the surface a whirlwind of chaos. Suddenly, you are the ocean and the sky, you take control, the sky clears and the water settles until there is nothing but a calm, gentle breeze and smooth waters.”

Her voice was sultry, as she stood within several inches of Tia. The image itself helped as she mentally prepared herself. And she turned then, her body flowing into the natural stance, the arrow nocked. She drew and released, hitting the center of the target.

Cassie’s amethyst eyes danced, and again a flash of gold appeared briefly in them as she looked at Tia. “Having that in mind makes the difference between hitting the buck or going back to camp with the prospect of an empty stomach,” she murmured. “Not once have I ever missed in that regard, but if the day comes that I must be in battle and I have to aim, I pray I hit the arse and not the heart.”

She couldn’t kill another living human. There was a pair of eyes that haunted her every sleeping moment the second she closed her eyes. She drew close again, enough to whisper in the Accepted’s ear.

“The best part about the ocean is that it’s always changing between those moods, and wonderful discoveries lay beneath the surface,” said softly. “Just like people and clothing — you never know what there is until you take the dive and let emotions surface. And very seldom are you disappointed.”

As she pulled back to meet Tia’s gaze, her amethyst eyes danced, as if extending an invitation or offering a dare.

[Roan]

Tia Tomosan

Cassie made it clear she was not a shy one. In fact, the word bold came to mind for Tia as she listened to the Novice. As the younger woman drew closer and closer, the Accepted felt heat on her cheeks. Suddenly, they seemed to be skirting the line of propriety. Inexperienced as she might be in the ways of love, she wasn’t so naive as to miss the not-so-subtle flirtatious nature before her.

Mere seconds after letting her arrow fly, Cassie closed distance to whisper in her instructor’s ear, “The best part about the ocean is that it’s always changing between those moods, and wonderful discoveries lay beneath the surface. Just like people and clothing — you never know what there is until you take the dive and let emotions surface. And very seldom are you disappointed.”

If Tia mastered the Void the way her mother did, she might have given the Novice a flat look without looking at all flustered. As it was, she swallowed hard and took a step back to give space. If she were honest with herself, she’d admit to curiosity, but her sense of duty and morality got the better of her. Clearing her throat, she spoke, and sounded more hoarse than she hoped, “There are times when it is appropriate to take such a dive, and times when it is not, Novice. Now would be one of those times when it would not.”

Without hesitation, Tia moved back to another mark, increasing the distance to the target, “Let us focus on the lesson at hand. How do you accommodate for greater distance between you and your target?” She drew an arrow and knocked it. As she raised her bow, she got a sense for the wind, and made what she hoped was a slight adjustment, then let the arrow fly. It hit a little wider than she hoped, but given the gusting winds, it wasn’t a bad shot at all.

[Jack]

Most times Cassie would be disappointed or insulted at those who rebuffed her insults, especially if they tended to be more traditional in their point of views. But she liked this Accepted. And she knew somewhere under that core of discipline lie some unfettered passions just waiting to be dragged screaming to the surface.

Unfortunately, Cassie wasn't one to wait for things to occur. When she saw something she wanted, she was pretty forceful about it. Her twin Coren unfortunately rebuked her about such attitudes, especially when at the age of 14, she stood up to some haughty Accepted in Tar Valon who thought she was better than a serving girl on an errand for her mistress.

The Accepted said an apology had to be requested through the Tower. Cassie had pretty much dunked the older woman's face in a pile of manure until she relented and apologized for her attitude. Needless to say her mother had not been happy and her lord father was caught between pride for his oldest daughter's actions and the request from the Tower to formally punish her. When she had been brought before the offending Novice and a trio of Aes Sedai, Cassie had respectfully answered all the latter triad's questions and proceeded to tear into the Accepted.

Cassandrya Majere did not like bullies and she would be burned if she let one escape justice because of her status within the Grey Tower.

Unfortunately, that attitude often dominated her other behaviors.

She again admired the Accepted's shot, and took her bow in hand as she adjusted her stance. "You breathe easier, you take stock of the wind, its direction, its speed and the distance of the target," she murmured. "And you acknowledge the fact that no matter how good you are, the arrow may always be off because of either the wind or the sudden startling of the target, and it may not always be a clean kill."

Light, but she prayed it would always be a clean kill. And she gave voice to those words as she knocked her arrow, took aim, and breathed. She took account of the sudden wind, and drew her arrow a little to the left. "I killed a Whitecloak in a village a day from Walker Manor because he would have killed my brother. I stabbed him in the kidney and then as he fell, I slit his throat, even though I knew I shouldn't," she murmured.

The arrow released, and she kept her arm straight through the entire motion, even after the arrow released. Even in the distance, she heard the thunk as it landed a half-inch from Tia's arrow. "I watched him die, I even tried to save his life after I cut his throat, but other Whitecloaks were coming, my brother was struck with a sword by that very Whitecloak, and I had to drag him from the scene. I left the Whitecloak to his death. And I want to make sure every time I need to take a life, it is clean, enemy or not."

[Roan]

Tia Tomosan

Tia listened as Cassie explained how to accommodate for a longer shot. She was about to add to the Novice’s list, but anything she had to say dissipated with Cassie’s admission to killing a Whitecloak. Somehow, explaining what happened offered some sort of odd calm that allowed the woman to fire off a good shot. What do you say to someone who admitted to killing another human being?

The Accepted studied her pupil, and picked up on telltale signs of grief. It was clear Cassie felt guilt for killing the man, even though he would have very likely killed both her and her brother had she not killed him first. Tia understood guilt. The Novice hadn’t moved her arm after she fired, still holding the bow straight. Stepping up, Tia reached over and gently guided the woman’s arm so that it and her bow hung at her side.

“Novice, you did what you must to protect your brother and you. You offered him a more merciful death than he would have given you if he’d known your ability to channel,” Tia explained. She shook her head, “Taking another’s life is never easy, but there are times when we may not have a choice.

“I know the guilt you bare. When the Seanchan attacked, a friend wanted to show me his new talent for Traveling. Without realizing it, we walked right into a Seanchan camp. They collared both of us,” Tia explained, her voice trailing off as she reached up and touched her own neck. “I was forced to kill innocents. One was a child no more than ten years of age. The Sul’dam used my ability against my will, forced me to kill for her pleasure and her goal.” She swallowed back the knot she felt form in her throat, refusing to let her emotions get the better of her. . .not here, not now.

Tia met Cassie’s gaze, “You killed to defend the life of one you hold dear, and there is honor in that. I killed at the whim and whimsy of a woman with no regard for life. Taking the life of another should never be easy, but I would trade my experience for yours except I wish no one else endure what I did while I was under the Sul’dam’s control.”

Concern was etched on Tia’s face and she spoke with a gentleness that came with understanding, “Coming to terms with the grief and guilt you hold is not easy. I know I am haunted each and every night with nightmares. Perhaps I am not one to offer advice, but I would say be gentle with yourself Cassie Majere of Tar Valon. You killed in defence of your life and life of your kin. This does not make you a killer, and if there is any peace in what I’ve said, so much the better.”