Summary: Coranna Sedai arrives at the White Tower from Shienar. The wilder Kyra breaks her block. Tower Trainees Renimar and Seth do battle with accusations.

Cast of Players:

Coranna - Aes Sedai of the Gray Ajah
Kyra - Novice (Wilder)
Renimar - Trainee
Coerel Gaidin - Master Gaidin
Esthi - Novice
Seth - Trainee

Setting: Practice Yard: White Tower, Tar Valon

The practice yard appears to loom before you, lined in a perfect square by various tall shrubs and hedges. You'll notice that the center of the practice grounds is cleared of any grass or trees, forming a hard, packed-dirt arena. By the barracks, you'll notice several stands holding various practice weapons for the Trainees to use during their training sessions. There is also a rack holding various forms of armor, used to help protect those within a session.

Fresh buds appear on the bushes and hedges, as well as new growth and leaves. All around, you can hear birds singing happily as they welcome the new season. This area appears to be empty, except for the occassional night creature or cat that wanders through in the late evening hours. A sliver of moonlight shines down into the yard, glowing softly in various areas.

There are two exits out of the practice grounds. One exit leads into the barracks which house the guards, Trainees and Warders. The other exit leads out into the courtyard of the Tower grounds.

Seth stands back to the side, awaiting a good time to speak.

Kyra's ending position is marred somewhat by abruptly meeting the limit of mobility the Novice dress affords her. Her final lunge, staff presented horizontally across her body, falls ridiculously short, extracting a muttered oath from the woman. A rare occurrence indeed. There are not many who have heard such from her.

Coranna continues walking towards Kyra, approaching her from the front, in clear view. She bends down to the ground, running a finger along the ground, and lifts her hand idly, a strange staff-like shape in her hand all of the sudden. "So you have put a block on yourself, child? And this training is it?"

Coerel glances back at Renimar. "Then I suggest she gain audience with her immediately, or perhaps the Amyrlin." His voice is even and his manner is still cool..

Surprisingly, Kyra has heard all that has transpired near her. With a half growl, she says with an even voice, over her shoulder "An audience? When almost every Accepted and Aes Sedai treat me as if I do not exist?" It is apparent that she treats that occurrence as something not entirely beneficial. She straightens, bowing to the Aes Sedai in front of her instead of the customary awkward curtsy. "A block with the strength of the Dark One's minions themselves Aes Sedai. It is not my choice that I have it still." Her grey eyes gleam with a strange fervor, perhaps from the recent training.

A gentle rasping sound can be heard off in Seth's direction. His sword is drawn, and cradled in his right arm. He glances down at the weapon, inspecting the condition.

Coranna says "Fascinating. When I was a child, my father taught me how to shoot a bow, and that a staff was for more than leaning on. But when I was brought here I learned that a staff is not what I should fight with."

Coranna says "I do presume someone has attempted to break this block? If so, I wish to know what they have tried."

"It is the only weapon I can rely on Aes Sedai," Kyra responds almost immediately. Her voice is clipped; anyone who knows her normal speech would note this as something out of the ordinary. "The last Accepted that tried to aid me with my /block/" she emphasizes that last word only slightly, the nuance speaking worlds of resentment, "failed with illusion, Aes Sedai." She keeps the honorific with every sentence, almost deliberately.

Coerel turns his gaze towards Seth and shakes his head slightly. "Put the blade away." His voice is rough and bears the sharp note of command. He turns back to Renimar. "Very well, Trainee. I suggest in the future you clear such things with either the Master at Arms or myself. You do know who I am, do you not?"

Coranna grinds the strange staff into the ground in front of her, looking at Kyra, letting her calmness break away. "You certainly do have a fire in you, don't you? Do you know how to use that staff, girl, or is it just a prop?"

Seth raises his head up from his inspection. He bobs his head,"As you wish, Master Gaidin." He sheathes his weapon quickly with practiced ease.

Renimar nods to answer Coerel's query. "I do, Coerel Gaidin. I will inform you or Kale Gaidin if Micana Sedai allows me to continue training with her in this manner."

Esthi comes through the Courtyard entrance of the large wall surrounding the Practice Yard.

Esthi skulks in

Coranna is looking at Kyra, apparently somewhat amused with what she sees. Strangely, she holds a bizarre staff, apparently made from the earth. "Well, child, do you intend on balking with that stick, or can you use it?"

Seth begins to speak a protest. He stops short a decides to walk closer so he can be heard better. He simply says, "I have a problem Renimar."

Coerel inclines his head slowly, "Very well, Trainee." He turns away from Renimar and observes the Aes Sedai and the Novice face off with the staves.

Renimar blinks and turns to look at Seth. "Oh? What's that?" He looks mildly puzzled.

For answer, a cold smile takes over Kyra's face, though she doesn't notice her own expression, again an odd event for her. The grey of her eyes turns to stony ice, but she somehow manages to keep a sarcastic modesty "Tis but a stick, but a serviceable one. I know very little."

Seth replies, "I have noticed that you have been helping others train often. Does it interfere with your duties?"

Kyra doesn't seem to move, but something in her manner denotes a keen readiness. Perhaps the eyes. She knows not to underestimate an Aes Sedai's challenge.

Renimar replies with a shake of his head. "As a matter of fact, it is often one of my duties. Sometimes, I will be asked to work with new Trainees, or Guardsman who know only a little swordswork. My own training is largely individualized, anyway, which leaves me a little more time to help others."

Coranna 's smile broadens, "Oh, I suppose it is, and that you do. Very little indeed. I'd wager that were I a young girl again, I could teach you how to actually use that thing, though I'd probably have to thump you around the yard to prove it, /child/." She turns the last word into a mocking tone, still unmoving.

Kyra can't help but quirk a brow. Licking her lips, she comments, the hint of sarcasm still evident in her voice, "Of course, Aes Sedai. It is as you say. My days as a Novice have shown me many 'thumpings'"

Seth wonders, "Renimar, why did you let that man unsheath is sword in the courtyard yesterday?" Was he a friend of yours?" He stands with his hands behind his back, glancing at the women from time to time.

Coranna laughs slightly at Kyra in a most icy manner. "Drop the foolishness, child. If you have something to prove, prove it. Or are you too weak to back up your own feelings with action?"

Coerel watches the two women with interest, apparently not noticing the exchange between the two trainees. He holds himself easily and his face hold the same cool calmness as always.

Seth shakes his head at Coranna's baiting.

Renimar raises a brow. "Which man were you referring to? The man with the odd crescent blade?"

Kyra lets a slow smile across her face, her expression growing more smoothly icy by the moment. "Would you have me attack, Aes Sedai? What kind of fool do you take me for?" She misses the honorific on the last question, only barely inclining her head in a token deference.

Seth 's eyebrows furrow,"How many men have you allowed to sharpen their blade in the courtyard, Renimar?"

Coranna smiles at Kyra, shrugging to herself, "You know, I would hope for more courage from you. Surely the borderlands would be overrun if they were so cowardly. You obviously cannot be too courageous, having to block the truth of your abilities from yourself."

Renimar says "I'd imagine that any number of Guardsmen sharpen their blades in the courtyard daily. Say, three or four a day, over seven years... Maybe several thousand. Why do you ask, Seth?"

Seth asks, "Was that man a guardsman?"

Renimar shrugs nonchalantly. "No. What difference does it make?"

Seth laughs, "I feel I have no more need to continue this discussion with you, Renimar."

Kyra abruptly twirls her staff by her side, stepping backwards to do so, but keeping a level and perhaps, bold gaze on the taunting Aes Sedai. Though at the barb directed at her kinsmen, her eyes narrow slightly, a brief scowl marring that icy mask. She settles back into her indolent smile but the grey in her eyes never relinquish their distant coldness.

Coranna smiles, very amused. "Well, it seems you have a little spirit in you after all. At least you can handle it as a baton. Can you use it as a weapon, too, child? Or can you just block with it. Oh, I'm so sorry to use that word. Hearing the mention of your block must hurt, I could not imagine the shame, myself."

Esthi frowns. The Aes Sedai is being exceptionally cruel, even if it's true

Renimar smiles wryly. "If you are worried about someone drawing their blades, then that man would have to be a fool if he thinks he could get very far. Our Guards are hardly untrained themselves, and there are dozens of full Sisters in the courtyard at any time during the day. That man the other day was naught but boastful, for all his height and words."

Coranna tilts her head at Kyra, raising her own staff, "Maybe I ought to find out if..." She suddenly she swings at Kyra's staff with her own. "I can't help but wonder if you are worth the effort. All of this work just to make it so you can work within your own limits. After all, you may simply turn out to be another girl put out of the tower. If you aren't simply sent away for your apparent problems."

Seth sighs, "So, since the Aes Sedai can touch the Source you leave it up tp them to watch their own backs I suppose? Hence, you let a man draw his weapon in the courtyard without taking any action what so ever." He clenches his fists, "I am tired of having my buttocks chewed because someone isn't pulling their own weight. If I had the power I would strip you of your so called rank in the guard."

Kyra takes a breath in slowly, the air hissing between her teeth. "No more pain than a disembowelment with a dull spoon, Aes Sedai." She stops the casual twirling with an audible snarl, the iron tips flashing on her staff, just as the flash of her teeth drawn back in a rictus of her core being cut to the quick. The iron tips are suddenly aimed at the vulnerable collarbone of the woman in front of her.

Renimar's eyes harden. "Are you challenging me, Seth? Weren't /you/ on duty that day? If it bothered you so much, why did you not say anything? As I recall you did nothing yourself. Who are you to accuse me? "

Seth shakes his head once more, "It was not drawn when I left, but when I had returned he had it out." He continues, "I thought he may have been a guard at first, but now since you admitted he was not, I now know you have slacked in your duties."

Coranna laughs once more at Kyra, swinging her staff once more, again striking at Kyra's staff. If one looks close, the earthen staff seems to suddenly change lengths and thickness to accomodate each swing. "Come now, child. Surely you have more fire in you than this? I think Renimar shouldn't bother asking to help you any further, you are highly unlikely to even make accepted, and I would certainly put coin on that. You do not seem to have what it takes. Pure and simple."

Seth adds, "I believe you were there the whole time Renimar. I was not."

Coerel turns and slips out of the practice yard quietly.

Coerel passes through the entrance of a large wall, leading to the Courtyard.

Renimar replies with a granite voice. "You have some gall, accusing someone who has more experience here than yourself. Perhaps you think I to be unable to handle him? Was I not with him the entire time? If you have a complaint with my performance in the Guards, I suggest you take that up with my Guard Commander. I'm sure he'll find the opines of Trainee novice convincing."

Seth chuckles,"I have had prior training other than hear, Renimar."He adds,"I will take it up with your Guard Commander ... rest assured."He winks,"I must be off."

"He can join the multitudes of others in this Tower that have rendered me invisible." Kyra replies, brow furrowing slightly at the failure of her initial blow. She is just about to settle into a series of attacks when the rest of the channeler's words strike her consciousness, almost exacting a visible flinch. The blood drains from her face, completing the ice look of her features. She lunges forward, the abruptly sideways to try and get around the frustratingly erratic Earthen staff...

Renimar nods curtly. "Do." Whether he refers to seeing his Guard Commander, or leaving he doesn't say.

Moving off, Renimar takes a position to view the curious match between the Aes Sedai and the Novice. His face is set, as he crosses his arms and watches with an appraising eye.

Seth passes through the entrance of a large wall, leading to the Courtyard.

Coranna smiles, the staff suddenly molding into a weblike shield, blocking the attack like a wall. "As I was saying, child, you just do not have the strength in you."

[Channeling] Kyra crashes through as if out of nowhere to land squarely in Saidar. Her anger bearing her forward, she wills a thick weave of Spirit and Air in a solid wall, Fire flickering around the edges. The concoction meant to buffet the Aes Sedai into submission. No control however, the weaves are thick but somewhat diffuse.

Coranna steps back, suddenly smiling, "Ahh, much better.." She furrows her brow, concentrating.

[Channeling] Coranna responds quickly, raising a shield quickly, to cut off Kyra from the source for the moment.

Kyra's staff has stopped, held horizontally across her, palms outward. Her pale face frought with concentration, anger and some sort of sheer effort, though with the staff almost slack in her grip, it can hardly be a physical effort.

The staff falls to the ground, slipping through suddenly utterly slack fingers. Kyra's eyes widen with dismay, almost dropping to her knees in surprise.

Coranna's smile is no longer mocking, but warm and pleased. "You can relax, child. That was, most impressive."

Coranna even offers a hand to Kyra, "I think you will find.. that things are easier now?"

[Channeling] Coranna releases the shield quickly, though she holds another ready, just in case.

Kyra's eyes are focused on nothing in particular, perhaps turned inwardly. Her face has shed its coldly angry expression, replaced with one of wonder.

[Channeling] Kyra tests Saidar enveloping her a bit tentatively, hesitantly.

Kyra grunts suddenly a thought coming to her mind.

Coranna continues to smile at Kyra, "Careful, child. You may grow too fond of it. And releasing it is, at best, difficult. I do hope you understand that this.. demonstration, was not without purpose."

[Channeling] Kyra abruptly steps out of Saidar as if to disprove a point. She finds it more difficult, some tendrils of her will lingering before she forcibly slams the touch closed.

[Channeling] Coranna also releases Saidar, returning to the sad half-life of not holding the source.

Coranna waits for Kyra to take her hand, "Come now, child. You don't want anyone to see you on the ground like this." The staff Coranna was holding simply falls to the ground, a pile of sand?

Esthi says "That.. is a remarkable technique, Aes Sedai.."

v Kyra stands there blinking for a moment, her disappointment readily evident. "Y..yes Aes Sedai." she stammers, her fire drained, but her curiousity awakened. She is as a child discovering a new sensation and wishing to experience it more. The better to understand. She cracks a smile, accepting the Aes Sedai's hand and rising with her warrior's grace.

"That was different." Kyra states, a small amount of wonder creeping into her voice.

Coranna turns to Esthi with a smile, apparently too pleased to bring back her normal icy calm. "It is sometimes hard to destroy a block. But when a woman has spirit like she does.. A little pushing can do wonders."

Esthi nods. "I know, Aes Sedai. We tried.."

Coranna says "It is no small task, to break a block. And there is no one way that works. They are as individual as the people themselves."

Kyra merely stands where she rose, all her attention turned inward, her own staff forgotten at her feet. Her brow is furrowed slightly, apparently trying to recreate that leap into the Power.

Esthi says "We tried pretending to sell her to a darkfriend, making her sparring partner appear to attack her with the intent to hurt.. and .. something else.. It was all for nothing"

Coranna says "Interesting attempts. But at least it is done. There is no shame in not being able to break blocks."

Esthi says "Are you sure it is done?"

Coranna says "There is only one way to be certain, isn't there?"

Esthi nods.

Coranna turns to Kyra, sighing softly. She snakes a foot under the girl's staff and kicks it up into her hands, obviously she remembers a bit of her training, still. "Do you wish to learn, or stare into nothing all day, child?" She is obviously referring to Kyra.

Kyra's smile is quite a contrast to her previous expression. True to her nature though, she keeps her eagerness beneath her exterior expression "Staring at nothing is only so productive." she grins "I'd rather learn Aes Sedai."

Coranna says "Good. That is why you are here, after all. You have to learn to touch the source, and then you must learn to handle what you are touching. But the first part is what I shall show you now." She looks over at Esthi, "You should listen too, practice never hurts, no matter how far along you are." She leads nods towards a more comfortable spot on the outskirts of the yard and begins to walks towards it, still carrying the staff, held half out, for Kyra to take whenever she remembers it.

Almost casually, Kyra relieves Coranna of her black staff, the weapon becoming almost part of her walking gait as she follows the Aes Sedai to the aforementioned area.