A new head
Richard Falmora sighed as he walked across the training yard. He had been around these grounds for years, but he always prefered roaming across the world with Anberlin when they got to go. The trip to Tear was still a fond, he touched the scar on his side absent-mindedly, if painful memory.
She still was maturing, even after all the lifetime she had spent, he could see the changes age brought to her mind and spirit, even if not to her face.
And now that time would be limited even more. It's not as if being bonded to a Aes Sedai of the Yellow Ajah was all bad, but he had never been one for books and a static life. Now, being promoted to Master at Arms, he was even more static. It was up to him to ensure that the students were taught and kept safe, and only the most dire emergencies could take him away from it.
It was a fact that grated on him, and even more was the idea that he might be losing his edge. He almost felt like a horse that was deemed too old for battle, so now he was being set aside in a place of honor. It was all he could do to keep from challenging the best fighters he knew to prove he was still the best.
He knew all of the frustration and bits of anger must be flying across the link, but he couldn't help but wonder if Anberlin even noticed. She'd been so busy with the Yellow Ajah as of late he had seen little of her.
Richard Falmora
Master at Arms
Edited by: Rodgin Kemph at: 10/31/05 3:26 pm
Anberlin paused for a breath, she was teaching a class of novices, the weaves were so basic that she had to check herslef to make sure she wasn't making things too complicated. Frustration floated across the bond and Anberlin made a note to go and see RIchard sometime today. Their time together had been sparce and it was hard on both of them. SHe could tell he wasn't happy with their current situation and she hoped maybe some time together with him would help. She tried to send some comfort across the bond before turning back to her students. She ran them through one more exercise then released them, calling one to her,
she was older then the rest and having a hard time catching on to things. Older girls were more of a risk, they normally had gone so long with either supressing the spark or doing things their own way, the discipline and structure was often hard. But many years ago Anberlin herself had come here as a novice much older then most. It was a hard enviorment and she wanted to encourage the girl a bit. They walked and talked and by the end Anberlin could tell the girl was doing a bit better. She started to head into her office, then turned around, the buissness could wait, Richard still seemed perplexed and Anberlin went to find him.
She found him lecturing a group of students. Inside she smirked as they got chewed out, she knew it'd be good for them and even though they squirmed now they'd be stronger for it later. (sorry I have to go, I'll finish this later)
Oh look son, a drill sergeant!
Richard knew she was close, and from the comfort she had sent across the bond earlier, it was easier to go about his duties. He had to repress a smirk as he continued though, for sometimes being a Master at Arms had it's perks.
"What do you mean 'I made a mistake,' he bellowed, seeing a bit of spittle fly from his lips as he stuck his face even closer to the ppor recruit, The young man was from Tear and it was obviouse that he was terrified, but Richard could see promise in the boy, he just needed to work at it. "If you want to be a Warder you better stop making them real fast or you'll be walking out that gate bound to the back of a cart and branded! And the entier world will know you failed cuz you 'made a mistake'. Do you know what a mistake in combat is? DEATH! That's it, no more, and The Mother's Last Embrace better be something you hope you find! Now get running, you've got five laps! A small price for a 'mistake.' The rest of you go with him. You may plan to be loners, but when you find yourself standing against an army of four thousand, you better hope you find another warder to stand with. Now go!"
The boys nearly lept from their places and started to run laps around the yard, already sweating from profusely. Richard slipped over to a Master Gaiden who was helping with the training and gave him a few whispered instructions.
"Make sure you give him an extra session a day. He'll be one of the best, but he needs some extra work. I trust you'll see to that?"
The Gaiden nodded, and Rodgin started over to the fence where Anberlin was standing. It reminded him of the time years ago when she stood there, and he teased her about picking out a warder. Telling her who would be a better choice and who would be more fun for her in her down time. She had blushed and stormed off. Now, he had to be the utmost professional in front of his students, but he couldn't help but throw a memory or two back at her.
"Good afternoon Anberlin Sedai," he said with a small bow of his clean shaven head, the Shienarien top knot still resting on his shoulder. "Come to find yourself a warder?"
He smiled ever so slightly. He was supposed to be death incarnate to these boys, but even death had a few things to grin about from time to time.
Richard Falmora
Master at Arms
Bonded to Anberlin Sedai
Re: Oh look son, a drill sergeant!
Anberlin smiled as Richard came over to her. She nooded a greeting to him then frowned on the inside calling him a wool brain through the bond. Her face stayed smoothe though, it was somthing that she had gotten much better at over the years.
"not unless you plan on dieing, gaidin" she responded, looking up at him, allowing some amusement on her face.
Time away from business
Richard couldn't help but smile, and leaned up against the fence, staring back into the training grounds and the running recruits. He was proud of them, remembering what he had gone through to get to be a Warder.
"You won't let me and I appreciate that," he said softly. "It's good to see you again Anberlin. I was surprised to see you made it out of the library. I know you've been busy as of late and you would let me know if I was needed."
He turned around and looked at her with a faint smile. He looked her over, making sure she was as well as he sensed she was. He smiled and shrugged.
"I'm glad to see you're ok," he said, letting her see the moment of genuine care before settling back to mask of stone and hidden feelings.
business shmuisness
"Other then never seeing the light of day, I am doing well" Anberlin responded” A lot is going on in the tower" she told him, motioning him to walk with her. He followed and she continued. "I am to be raised to Keeper, so once again I'm afraid it means much more tower time for us." she knew he wouldn't like that, but they both had growing reasonability here at the tower, being master of arms made it just as hard for him to leave as her. Still she felt badly about it, he wanted adventure just like every warder did and only a few times in their time together had she lead him to it. “I still need you though” she told him softly, the Aes Sedai hardness slipping away, only for him. She knew the bond told him a lot. But she still wanted him to know he was needed. Even for the dull days at the tower it helped to know he was near.
Shmuisness? Is that a word?
Richard smiled a little and bowed. He knew she was the woman for the job. He never would forget the way she handled things at the Stone when she started tending for the wounded. He was proud of her then and still was.
"They couldn't have picked a better woman for the job," he said with a soft smile, "And I'm only a yell through the bond away Anberlin. Don't ever hesitate to call."
He looked back to his students. Not a one had finished two laps, so he still had time. The preasures of this job were different then field work, but he prefered seeing the world.
"So," he sighed with a sad grin. "We're both too used up to be any good outside the tower it seems. A tough pill to swallow, but I'm sure we'll both do our very best at it. Is there anything else I can do for you Anberlin? Duty is nearly ready to call."
He looked sad, almost put out that he had to leave, but he was still set for what he needed to do.
Rodgin Kemph - Ex-Master Blacksmith of Saldea
Anberlin Moderator
Posts: 10
(11/2/05 6:29 am) Reply
Re: Shmuisness? Is that a word?
<"And I'm only a yell through the bond away Anberlin. Don't ever hesitate to call.">
"I wont" Anberlin said softly. She had been with her Gaiden for many years but it still touched her to see his soft side. She never doubted that he cared though, even when his face and words didn't show it. She was glad that he had been the one by her side through life and she tried to convay that through the bond.
"Meet me tonight?" she asked him as a half question half demand. They had spent far to much time apart as of late and she wanted to change that.
Re: Shmuisness? Is that a word?
"As you wish," he said softly with a grin before moving back to the training yard. He grinned at her and then put his hard face back on before striding across the training yard to his winded recruits.
"You have got to be the weakest, most ragged, poorly trained group of recruits I have seen yet, but we'll fix that. The Light as my witness we'll fix that. Now, on your feet, we're not done yet!"
He glanced back at Anberlin and let the mask slip for a quick wink and then went back to barking at the recruits. Tomorrow he would teach them about the sword, proper care, and all of that. But today was all training. His boys woul sleep good tonight, he could garuntee it.
Anberlin Moderator
Posts: 11
(11/2/05 9:18 am) Reply
say it with me "schumisness. if you can say it, its a w
Anberlin grinned at his wink then masked it and grinned inside as he yelled at the poor boys. They needed it and Richard was a good teacher, fair but still not easy. She was glad they had gotten to see eachother. It had been too long.
I don't think so, but you're the boss.
Ricahrd sighed and shrugged as he got to the Tower Garden an hour after the sun had dipped behind the white walls. The air was cool and refreshing, but not cold. Not that it mattered much to him. The memories of Shienarian winters past where enough to remind him that cold was a state of mind.
The stars still shone clear and as he sat on a stone bench he reflected, gazing at the stars. He had spent his entire life devoted to Anberlin, and the joys and sorrows he had found in that service had been more then worth it. He was content. He had gotten everything out of being a warder he had expected and now he found himself nearing the end of his career.
He had no family but her, no friends but his fellow brothers in death, and no space but his office. Yet, he was fine with that. Some days he wondered what it would have been like to find a good woman to have children with but it didn't matter. Service had been all he really needed and he was happy of what he had done.
A small rustle behind him, in conjunction with the bond, told him she was there. He didn't even look back, he just kept staring up at the stars.
"Out of the tower twice in one day," he said softly, "this must be nearing a record Anberlin Sedai."
Some old habits were still hard to break.
Anberlin Moderator
Posts: 12
(11/2/05 11:35 am) Reply
Re: I don't think so, but you're the boss.
Anberlin came upon Richard in the garden, silently lementing. She smirked at his greeting and responded " you have been thinking twice in one day. I think that's more of a record" She smiled and sat beside him. lowering her tone at the end, so he could know she wasn't just teasing but also that she cared very much about what had been going on in his head throughout the day.
"You have been doing a lot of thinking today Gaiden." care to talk about it? she looked over at him, gazing into space, he wan't normally this detatched.
Re: I don't think so, but you're the boss.
Richard shrugged and continued staring at the stars. He had never told he of his dreams of living a normal life, not that it really mattered now. Perhaps it was a good night to do such.
"Just feeling used up is all," he said softly. "Wondering what life would have been like if I had spent it elsewhere. Fighting in The Gap, children, a wife, things like that."
He looked over at her and took her hand before continuing. He was getting closer to the heart of the matter and it was hard to discuss with someone who didn't know the effects of age.
"Anberlin," he nearly whispered, "I've gotten everything I ever dreamed of from serving you. It has been my honor and priveledge to be your warder. When I'm gone, please send me back home. Back to the final embrace of the Mother. I can feel death creeping closer. It may be years or days, but my bones have lost their youth. I don't expect you to understand, but this is all I ask of you."
And the stars still watched, blinking and shining on the words from his heart.
Anberlin Moderator
Posts: 14
(11/2/05 12:05 pm) Reply
if I'm the boss then I decalre it's time for you to be home!
Anberlin felt a sadness and longing through the bond. He also felt werry, somthing she hadn't noticed before today. She couldn't imagine being ase sedai without Richard, he had been with her from the start and the though of him not being there made her feel very alone and un safe. With all of her strength in the one power she felt vulnerable and weak without him near her, she knew she;d have to get over that though.
"Richard" she started softly, still holding onto his hand. "I will do whatever you ask me to." she sighed, not wanting to say the next words but knowing she must. "If you want to, go find a wife, live the last years of your life in peace. You have served me better then I could have ever asked and I won't deny you happiness"
She didn't want him to go, and light, she didn't think he actually would, but he needed to know that he could. she would release him from the bond if it's what he wished.
I concur!
Richard shook his head and sat back down. He wasn't all that old, but still, life as a warder took its toll. Staring back up the stars he nearly laughed as he continued.
"The White Tower barely wants me anymore An," he said sitting next to her. "What crazy old Sheinarien Hag would I be stuck with to find a wife? And who could I find that would even hold a candle to you? No, I will finish what I started. We'll both live here at the tower till the pattern weaves me back out."
He stared back up at the stars. Still dreaming of other places. No regrets, just wonder.
"You ever wonder if things would have turned out different? If you had worn a marriage knife rather then a serpent ring?"
Anberlin Moderator
Posts: 16
(11/2/05 12:44 pm) Reply
you ought to
Anberlin was relived as he talked through his decision. "the tower does still want you, maybe not for the same things they once did, but you still have a purpose here and a lot to offer. and... "she added softly, looking at his eyes "you will always have a purpose with me, no matter what color your top knot is" she said, running her fingers through it.
"Sometimes I have wondered, but this is my thread in the pattern, life is Altera isn't what I was created for.
Aye, but alas, it's not my call
Richard stared back at her, enjoying the softness of her touch. He shrugged, perhaps even blushed a little, but pushed it aside.
"Aye, a weak sword arm can still open a book," he said with a cruel laugh. "You don't know the ravages of age An, and I'm glad you never will. I will be here till it is my time to be woven out of the pattern. I'm sure there will be one to replace me. Several ones if the Light wills it."
He looked at her for a moment as a woman rather then the woman he served. She was quite desireable, even with her too smooth face that sang of her years of using the One Power. She curved as a woman should.
"If I were but a few years younger and not your warder," he started, and then stopped, shaking his head. "Eh, it is not my place to say such things. But you asked for us to be together tonight. What is it that is on your mind An?"
Anberlin Moderator
Posts: 17
(11/2/05 7:46 pm) Reply
it should be
I don't know them myself, but I feel them through the bond and I see it on your face" she told him gently. running the tips of her fingers down his face, it had aged over the years but was still strong and handsom. " there may be others but no will be my true brother in battle as you are" the thought was too much much and it took all her years of practice at Ase Sedai compossure to keep hers. He had always been compleatly faithful watching her back for many years.
"now enough talk of this" she scoled, getting away form the sad thoughts " I simply wanted to catch up with you, see how things are with being the new master in arms, you seem to be doing a great job from what I can see." Her hand had found its way to his thigh, and she left it there.
But alas, it is not.
Richard smiled, noting every touch and glance. There had been nights he dreamed of being more then just her Warder, but such was not meant for him. No, he was to be a professional, a warder, and that was all.
"Aye, it is going well enough, though it is a different role. To fill the shoes of Master Arigan is a task I do not feel up to, though it is not really up to me to decide. I have plenty of Master Gaidens with me. A good batch of recruits here, though a few of them have chosen to be.....difficult."
He gave her another sad smile.
"I miss the old days An, when Saker and I faught the entire place. When I used to tease you at the fence. Traveling to tear to do battle. I guess growing old makes you remember what was good in your life. A pitiful thing it is An, to grow old. To remember how light this blade used to feel and knowing that time will only make it heavier. I'd prefer to die fighting. A trolloc cookpot would have to be better then losing everything to time."
He laughed softly and stretched his arms out.
"Must just be the stars tonight, making me talk like I'm greyed and weathered beyond recognition. I still could run aroun the island three times and beat any of my boys. And now I get the honor of protecting the Keeper. Heh, who would have ever thought the soldiers boy from Shienar would have ever made it here."
Glancing over at her, he smiled again, glancing up at the Tower behind them.
"How are you classes going? If they all are as mild mannered as you were I would think you could sleep through them. If you ever need me for anything An, I'm here. I know Warders aren't supposed to meddle in Aes Sedai affairs, but I'm here. Just don't....just don't forget about me down here. I may be respected and honored among the Warders, but I don't have much along the way of friends."
Anberlin Moderator
Posts: 19
(11/3/05 11:09 am) Reply
Re: But alas, it is not.
Anberlin's heart broke for her warder and boiled in anger at herself.
"I won't forget you, I couldn't ever forget you, you mean more to mean then anyone ever has" she said, looking into his green eyes. She was angry he felt that she could forget him. "Your far from near your end, light, you still fight better then most here." she took his hand and and led him to the tower. He wouldn't be so lonely tonight.
A new morning
Richard woke up with the greying of the sky. That point when there still is no sign of light in the sky, just the promise of the light to come. He slowly pryed his eyes open to confrim what his other senses told him.
The first thing he saw was the cascade of blonde hair set against the soft, blue, linen sheets. His arm was wrapped around a petite waist, and the feel of her skin under his hands was almost enough to make him double check if he was awake. He could smell the lingering scents from last night, mostly replaed by that of sweet, clean, sweat. He could still taste her kisses on his lips, even as she slept.
Looking at his clothes strewn about the room in the very earliest part of dawn, he nestled back down into the mattress, pulling Anberlin closer to himself. He ussually got up at this time and started screaming at recruits. His Grounds Commander could fill in this one morning. Arigan used to come in late all the time. Now Richard understood why.
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