Logged By: Eniklas
On: Saturday, October 2, 1999

Location: 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. The sun slowly sets below the horizon, painting the sky in various pastels of pink, purple and even a light orange. Soon, you can see the stars above starting to shine down, showing off all their splendor. 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.

Cast:
Johan- Gaidin to Sionil Sedai
Eniklas- A Wolfbrother Dedicated of the White Tower
Kile- A Malkieri Dedicated of the White Tower
Emrys- A Dedicated of the White Tower
Daegan- A crazy Inductee of the White Tower

Johan's Description:
Dark eye's and blonde hair make up the top of what is a middle aged man. From his face hangs a thin beard that for as long as it is still manages to split into two points. The sculpting and shaping of the beard just now beginning as it finally starts to appear on his face. The beard is joined by a thin mustache of blonde hair, nearly invisible from a distance. Though thin and not really tall this man carry's himself with a confidence born of a high self image of himself. An air of superiority above the common man. Piercing his right ear is a gem studded earring though no where near as overpowering as many of his kin, a smooth cotton shirt covers his chest and modest breeches finish out the set of simple clothes. Wrapped around his shoulders hanging down his back is a smooth cloak that shimmers and seems to disappear into it's surroundings. His boots are worn, from heavy use making them just right for wearing. At his side hangs a new blade for which he has just earned the honor of wearing.

Eniklas' Description:
Standing at 5 feet and 9 inches, Nik has matured physically since his arrival nearly a year ago. Though not much taller, his shoulders have broadened a bit, and his upper body is just as muscular as is lower now, more impressive than most his age. He looks 15, more or less, but is face is more mature, longer and narrower, and slightly more pronounced. He still looks pretty young, even with the dark fuzz on his upper lip that he may need to shave sometime soon. He no longer hangs his head, golden eyes glittering in light, instead of staring at the ground. His close-cropped raven black hair still has an almost scruffy look though, it is clean, just not well combed. He takes very long strides for someone of his age. His face, eyes and voice hold no secrets, he is an open book, and emotions are clearly painted on them unless he holds the Void. (Note: When training, he is bare-chested unless I pose otherwise.)

Kile's Description:
Held against his temples with a braided leather cord, Kile's fine black hair swings loosely at his shoulders as he turns his head. A few nonconformist wisps wave in front of his eyes, steel colored, and intense they stare out from a hard yet strikingly handsome face that has seen about twenty two summers. The entire visage is topped with an optimistic air, stopping him from looking imposing, nothing could look like that behind his smile. He stands a few inches over six feet and is built perfectly proportionate to his height. Finally, he's gotten some new clothes. He's dressed in a pair of black trousers topped with a deep forest green shirt. He wears a dark blue winter cloak over the top of the outfit, his flute case at his belt occasionally visible as the wind sweeps back the cover. His boots are old and worn, obviously the same ones he has traveled far and wide with. Their deep brown color stained by years of travel.

Emrys' Description:
Taller than most, Emrys stands 5 inches above 6 feet. His athletic figure, endowed with corded muscles, betrays his strength, but speaks little of the quickness and the agility he possesses. Misty gray eyes and light-brown, nearly reddish short cropped hair, almost a hawk-like nose and a neatly trimmed full beard adorn his youthful face, which shows signs of a man in his mid-twenties. Beneath a dark-blue jacket, strained over his broad chest and missing any embroidery, he's wearing a plain white shirt. The gray linen breeches are wide enough to allow him easy movement. His mid-calf high boots are made from soft leather and are well-worn. The simple longsword, hanging at his left hip looks well tended to.

Daegan's Description:
Standing at roughly six feet, this slender young man's clothing seems to fit the look of a well-kept farmboy. Breeches of brown doeskin, cling to his legs, and a thin, grey wool shirt, open at the throat, covers the top half of his body. A leather vest is worn of this, and in times of cooler weather, a heavy woolen cloak is about his shoulders, pinned with a very ancient looking brooch. On his feet are highboots of soft leather, looking worn with usage. His face is tanned, marked with years of outdoor labor, and his eyes are a grey-ish green, sparkling with youth and mischief. His hair is ebony, falling in soft waves to his shoulders, oftentimes tied back with a simple leather thong. A few locks usually fall in front of his eyes, much to his dismay. His lips are full, lending an almost feminine touch to his otherwise masculine features. His strong jaw is usually cleanshaven, and set so that his lips are almost in a constant semi-smile, both secretive, and amusing.

Johan walks over and takes a sword from the racks of practice weapons. "Today you are going to get two forms. Folding the Fan and One of Gaidin Owen's favorites, Arc of the Moon. Get a blade boy one with a sheath." He gestures to the blades that the higher level trainee's use that are metal swords with very dulled and rounded edges.

Eniklas nods and takes a blade eagerly. He returns, and awaits further instruction.

Johan tosses the practice sword aside for a moment and draws his own. "You have had the form where one draws the blade and attacks. This form is just the opposite. It's purpose is like cat crosses the courtyard or any other form meant to persuade others not to try their skills against you. It is called Folding the Fan. Now draw your blade."

Eniklas nods, and draws his blade with a clean Flame Before the Whirlwind. He awaits further instruction eagerly.

Johan nods his head, "To perform this form it is different for every Gaidin depending on a mans skill it can be altered to fit the style and flourish of any particular man. This is the explanation. You hold the blade like in a ready position then spin the blade till it points back at your body. with a snap you pull it in towards you and let the tip find the sheath instead slipping into the case at your hip. More boys get sent to the infirmary trying to practice this one."

Eniklas nods, and plans out the move.

Johan demonstrates quickly the simplest form of the form rotating the hilt in his palm his very sharp blade cutting through the air it doesn't stop til the tip points back at his body and with a tug slips it right into the sheath at his hip. "This is actually one of the harder forms to get give it a try boy."

Eniklas makes an attempt, snapping his wrist to turn the blade around. It smacks into his upper arm, blade side. He lets out a grunt and forms the Void, taking the blade in starting position again.

Johan chuckles and demonstrates the move again. He spins the blade vertically from pointing right ahead to up then back around at his chest then down to the sheath opening smooth is his action when it slips in. "Give t a try again.

Eniklas nods, and makes the attempt again. He manages to turn it around this time, though his grip is awkward now, and makes the motion to put the blade in the sheathe. Unfortunately, he misses, slamming it towards a vital part of the male anatomy...

Johan laughs brightly at that, "Careful now boy cleave that off and the Greens may bypass you for bonding no matter how skilled you are. Take it nice and slow and think about what it is that you are doing. "

Eniklas nods at the advice, and mumbles, "I'm glad I'm in the Void." He puts the blade outstretched, and then rotates it carefully. With the blade in the right position, he then makes the motion, slowly, to put the blade in the sheathe. Done relatively well, but it needs speed.

Johan sheaths his blade and nods his head slowly, "Getting better do it again and then we will move on with the next form."

Eniklas nods, and completes the form once more, slowly but surely.

Johan reaches down and picks up the lathe practice sword and raises it up and checks its weight. "Alright the second form is Arc of the Moon. This is good against nearly any kind of attack that comes from the waist up. It doesn't matter if it is vertical or horizontal."

Eniklas nods, and waits to see the form demonstrated.

Johan takes a breath and nods to Eniklas, "Alright thrust your sword at my chest and watch what it is that I do."

Eniklas nods, and jabs his sword at Johan's chest swiftly, thrusting at his lower left ribs.

The Gaidin's blade makes a huge arc from left to right starting at the hip and arcing around and up and then down again to his right hip. He does so in a hard cutting fashion that crushes the trainee's sword out of the way. "You put all your strength into the crushing defense knocking their attack aside. This will let you defend any high level attack."

Johan sees the other trainee enter the yard and after crushing the boy's blade aside hollers to Kile. "You there, get a blade and come here quickly."

Kile nods, bows, and runs, all in the same action, to the practice rack.

Eniklas nods, and waits to attempt the form. He smiles at Kile as he approaches, and then goes over the form in his head.

Johan raises his hand in gesture for Eniklas to wait til Kile has joined them and is ready.

Kile arrives a few moments later, sword in hand.

Eniklas waits, eagerly if a bit impatiently.

Johan sees yet another lad and waves him over, "Might as well make this as big as possible. "Eniklas would you tell Kile and Emrys what it is that we are learning...and try and describe the form as best as you can.

Emrys heads over to the three, bowing as appropriate.

Eniklas nods, and tells Emrys and Kile. "Johan Gaidin is demonstrating Arc of the Moon. It is a crushing defense that is useful against any attack from the waist up, no matter if it is vertical or horizontal. It is a huge arc from the left hip arcing over to the right one."

Johan raises his blade and add to that, "It doesn't have to be just from left to right it can go the other way which ever is more comfortable or which ever is easiest in a fight. Now I would like you Kile to thrust your sword at me so I can demonstrate the form then we will pair up and practice."

Kile nods. "Yes sir." He falls back into a ready stance, and swiftly thrusts his blade towards Johan's chest.

This time the blade the Gaidin holds arcs from right to left. Starting at his hip it swings up and around in front of him catching the in coming strike and knocking it aside with a great amount of force. "You must put all your strength into the defense and crush the opponent's attack aside."

Kile lets his blade fall with the strike, not wanting to try and resist another of Johan's smashes.

Emrys carefully watches the movements.

Eniklas watches, and awaits to try to on his own.

Johan nods his head, "This is good against any kind of attack as long as it is above the waist. so horizontal, vertical, or thrusts are perfect for the defense. Now break up in pairs. Eniklas and Kile you to alternate, one attacks while the other uses the form. Then switch. Emrys you and I will work on it together."

Kile nods. "Yes sir." He takes a few steps away, and takes on a ready position, letting Nik decide who goes first.

Emrys nods, stretching his arms a little. He tries the Arc a couple of times and then nods, indicating he is willing to give it a try.

Johan squares up with Emrys a few feet away from Kile and Eniklas. "Alright you shouldn't have too much trouble with this form it's fairly easy." With a small pause Johan pushes forward with a lunge towards Emrys' middle slow and giving enough time for the boy to react.

Eniklas says, "You attack first Kile." He puts his blade at ready.

Kile nods, and pulls back. He watches, and then in a medium burst of speed he strikes out at Eniklas' shoulder.

Emrys picks off the attack with only little trouble, drawing an arc from his left hip toward the opposite. Didn't send Johan's blade as wide as it would be appropriate, though. Johan gets ready to attack again this time another thrust is a little quicker. "Put more muscle into that Emrys. You knocked mine aside but you wouldn't turn Owen's let alone a ten foot trollocs attack."

Eniklas moves, Arc of the Moon traveling form right to left. He uses a lot of strength as he does the form, doing it very well for his first time. Kile's blade would probably be easily deflected.

Kile's blade probably would, and since this is just an exercise on the form, and not improvising, he lets it. He pulls back and falls into the ready position.

Emrys follows to intercept Johan's thrust, this time with a lot more force, beginning from the right. His only mistake is being overbalanced at the end, since his feet weren't apart wide enough.

Eniklas launches his blade at Kile's midsection with a medium-difficulty thrust.

Kile spins his blade out and up, crouching slightly to throw more force behind it. The arc swings from his right to left and comes crushingly into Eniklas' blade.

Johan withdraws and nods his head, "Better lets keep doing it again till you get it completely right." This time the attack comes from the right in a horizontal attack near shoulder height. Even though he is working directly with Emrys his does keep a bit of attention on Kile and Eniklas.

Eniklas' blade is smashed aside, and he compliments, "Good swing Kile." He puts his blade at ready.

Kile nods. "Thanks." He whips his blade back to ready and thrusts again.

Emrys doesn't spare any speed or force on this one, as he arches his blade, knocking Johan's from above and sending it wide toward the ground. He was careful not to overbalance, and overall, this would be quite acceptable. For the third try, that is.

Eniklas blade swings out, from right to left, easily smashing into Kile's blade. This form's coming pretty easily to him, he's a natural.

Kile nods his approval, and notices Nik's confidence. He falls back to ready though, waiting for his turn to deflect.

Eniklas swiftly comes in for Kile's right ribs.

Johan stops, "Very good fella's I think that you have the right Idea with the form. Not a hard form but it does take your strength quickly. Be careful in a fight. Eniklas you can remain and practice Kile Emrys. Let me look your records over and see if you need another lesson.

Kile starts from the left, and so gets nearly the full force of his counter strike swing down on Eniklas' blade.

Eniklas nods, and, as his sword is deflected pretty hard, rubs his hand. He's in the Void, but still decides to wait a moment before going into ready position.

Johan walks over to the records and double checks them. "Alright Eniklas and Emrys both can be dismissed to practice as you will, do chores or other things. Kile you and I need to speak further." He swings his blade back and forth testing it. "Get a metal sword with a sheath lad one with all dulled edges."

Kile nods. "Yes sir." He heads over to the practice rack and replaces his current sword with one of the same style except metal. He's back in a few moments, ready.

Emrys decides he's going to perfect this newly taught form.

Eniklas nods, and turns to Emrys. "Shall we practice?" He has his sword at ready.

Johan chuckles as the boy gets to wear a blade and sheath and gesture to the yard. "The form your gong to get is Flame before the whirlwind. It is a form that is an attack and a surprise that can be used to attack right from the sheath."

Emrys nods, standing at the ready, then slashing vertically at below the shoulder. Kile nods, and listens, adjusting the sheath slightly. Having worn a blade in the past it's not totally foreign to him, but not overly comfortable either.

Eniklas smashes the blade with a powerful left to right Arc of the Moon.

Daegan walks in, a tired look in his eyes.

Johan drops the practice blade he was holding and lets his hand slip to the real blade that hangs at his waist. "Alright this requires that you keep yourself relaxed and don't show any signs of your intent. Then reach grip your blade hilt and pull it free while stepping forward arching your swing so you slash with it right from the hip."

Daegan heads toward the weapons rack, murmuring to himself quietly. He selects a blade, and heads off toward a pell, alone.

Emrys' blade goes wide, but he brings it back to ready in a split second, waiting for an attack.

Kile nods, and watches for Johan to demonstrate. Unsure of himself to try it without first witnessing it.

Eniklas diagonally slashes from his left shoulder to his right hip.

Johan begins in a relaxed position, the sword sheathed and the right hand hanging at the side. Quickly move to grasp the haft of the blade and pull the sword smoothly from the sheath in a smooth arc aimed at any open target area. "The attack should be conducted in a blindingly fast manner to take the fullest advantage of surprise."

Emrys begins from his right and connects with Nik's blade as it is still high. The force was enough, to send Nik's blade far upward, if he wasn't careful.

Kile nods, and takes a step back. He lets himself relax, hanging loosely, and then reaches for his blade trying to pull it out quickly. The curved manner of the northern swords fit this form perfectly, but he pulls out wrong, which causes the tip of his sword to catch. His grip slips and the sword falls forward and out of the sheath onto the ground.

Daegan drives toward the pell viciously, using Boar Rushes. A snarl rasps from his throat as he slashes high, low, blindingly fast. His face is flushed with exertion, his lips curled back in a sneer.

Johan shakes his head and smiles, "Pick it up boy. Put it back in and give it a try. You cannot snap your wrist and bring the blade to bear till the tip passes the lip of the sheath." He demonstrates the form again. The blade cuts just as soon as it passes the sheaths edge.

Eniklas' sword flies upward, and he glances toward Daegan before bring his sword down at ready.

Kile nods, and avoids the glances of those around him. He bends down and swiftly picks up the blade, wiping any dirt from it. He sheathes it and then, relaxes himself again, letting his arms hang loose. With a swift gesture, he's grabbed the handle and ripped the blade free of the sheath. Executing the strike perfectly, yet still slow.

Emrys attacks again, and after several more exchanges between them, stops, lowering his blade.

Johan stands there and watches the trainee closely.

Eniklas nods, "Good matches. You're pretty good."

Emrys grins "You're not bad yourself. Got me even straining for a while."

Kile sheathes the blade again, and takes a moment to relax again. His arms are loose at his sides, and then they're on his blade, and his blade has slashed a deadly arc through the air in front of him.

Eniklas nods with a smile.

Daegan draws back, up into Heron Wading in the Rushes. With a triumphant cry, he lunges, piercing the pell, impaling the form on his practice blade, at the height of a man's throat. He lifts his foot, bracing himself up as he pulls the lathes free. A strange smile is on his face, and he walks back, relaxing himself, readying to begin again with Boar Rushes.

Eniklas looks over to Daegan as he releases the Void, frowning. There is also a look of pain on his face.

Johan grunts, "You picked that up fast Kile. One would think that you had done that before." Keep up the practicing and you will make Gaidin yet." His eyes narrow slightly but he nods his head. "I Will go record the lessons."

Kile nods and bows to Johan. "My father taught me something similar." He leaves it at that though.

Johan's head snaps at the cry and his voice rises even louder to be heard. "You, trainee Daegan! Come here now."

Daegan lowers his sword, his head turning, cocked, birdlike. He nods, and trots over, giving a glance to Eniklas. He sketches a short bow, and murmurs with his eyes cast down, "Yes?"

Johan points to the practice pell and grunts. "What the hell do you think you are doing? Tell me four things wrong with what you just did." The Gaidin that is normally very pleasant and sociable is anything but.

Eniklas stares toward Daegan, looking extremely disgusted as well as wary and concerned.

Kile watches Johan and Daegan carefully and moves over near Eniklas.

Daegan's eyes widen, and he looks confused, "Wrong, Gaidin? I.. I don't understand. I did the form perfectly."

Nothing can be read from Emrys' face as he quietly looks at the younger trainee. Turning around, he walks over to the weapons rack, turning his blade in.

Eniklas eyes widen at something unseen, and disgust fully takes over his face. "I cannot believe him." He grunts, voice thick with disgust.

Kile looks at Nik. "What is it?"

Daegan flinches as if struck, and looks over at Nik, then down to the ground again, his brow furrowed in thought.

Johan moves closer to the trainee who doesn't seem to have heard him, being more intent on the other trainees. "Did you hear me boy? Name four things that you did wrong. Are you slow in the head boy? I don't care if you think you did the form correctly."

Emrys doesn't want to witness the boy's interrogation, so he walks toward the Tower.

Eniklas shakes his head, and looks at Kile. "It's nothing Kile. His business and the Tower's alone."

Kile nods to the answer and places his sword back on the rack, then heads for the courtyard as well.

Eniklas watches the scene, eyes like stone focused on Daegan.

Daegan shakes his head, his face flushed, and he murmurs, "I.. I used excessive force. I.." He bites his lip, struggling for the answers, "I.. don't /know/." His shoulders slump, and he hangs his head.

Johan nods his head, "I didn't expect you to Boy." He raises one hand and starts to count off the fingers. "First Heron Wading in the rushes should /never/ actually be used in a fight. You will get yourself killed. That should have been explained to you. It is a form for learning balance and control and little more. Second And I don't hold this against you as you probably haven't been taught yet but Emotion will kill you as fast as any blade. that is why we teach the void so you can control yourself and that bloody Screaming. doesn't do any good but give you position away. Third, You damaged a practice pell. Now it has a hole in it that /you/ will be responsible for sewing up...if you don't know how to sew then I will find one of the Aes Sedai that can teach you the craft for the next week. And lastly......" He has to pause for a breath before this one. "Your lunge was too high.

Johan smirks and shakes his head, "Lower it and aim for the gut if your gonna do that Trollocs are ten feet tall. Remember that."

Johan nods his head, "Unfortunately I do not have the time to give you instruction in the void. Continue with your practice as best you can. You may fix the pell when you are done." As an after thought as Johan moves towards the barracks he calls back, "And see that you use one of the lathe bundled sword that are used for practice. You wont be piercing anyone or thing with it's tip any time soon in the future."

Eniklas leaves.