As a northerner, Ravak was meant to be comfortable with the cold and the frost, but the first true day of spring brought warmth to his heart that the winter couldn't muster. His gloves remained tucked into his belt as he worked in the Yards, fingers safe to touch his weapons again without the fear of them freezing off. Even with a season encased in protection, the Gaidin's hands were calloused from practising with his swords every day.
In his own corner of the Yards, Ravak worked through various sword forms with what appeared to the junior Gaidin like ease; experience often looked like natural aptitude. But Rav had earned the right to use the two heron-marked blades he wielded, and he had spent every day since ensuring he retained that right. It was part of his duty, knowing how to fight to protect the ones he'd loved. Duty as a Borderlander, not as a Gaidin. It just so happened that he'd bonded the woman he'd loved as well. With his thoughts turning to Mia, Ravak paused in his routine to look towards the Grey Tower. The edifice of stone and glass appeared to be ablaze from the light of the afternoon sun. Looking away, after visions from the light made the world seem purplish.
"Never was the smartest," he muttered to himself, his voice a low rumble. Still a bit blinded, he took a seat on a nearby bench, resting his longsword and sword-breaker over his lap.
He wondered what the day would bring. If it was still good weather like this tomorrow, he would have to take Iain around the gardens whilst the flowers were all blooming. It wouldn't be too long before he could bring Iain into the Yards with him, to train in the sword. This year, however, flowers would have to do. They could pick some out for Miahala, although there weren't many flowers that complimented Mia's nature. Perhaps a segade if they had any here.
Vision restored, Ravak was just about to stand up when his ears detected the faintness sound of bells. His face, usually a visage hewn from stone, warmed to the sound, his lips quirking into a mischevious grin. It had been well known, back when Ravak had been the Grey Tower's Master of Training, that he'd strongly encouraged Arafellin to lose their bells - chiefly by waving a pair of scissors at them. The threat was normally more than enough to command their attention and good behaviour, lest the Shienaran follow through on his threat.
When the source of the bells came into view, Ravak's heart dropped. Not a Drin, but a Novice; there were no playful threats to bandy around here. But the sight of a novice, here at the Warders Yard instead of elsewhere, still prompted a response. "Are you lost, novice, or are you just eyeing up some potential Warders?" It was commonplace to see channellers distracted by the flashing of steel, especially young ones dreaming up magical adventures together. "I jest of course, but you should only be here if you're on Tower business, or you're looking for training. If you're looking for the Tower, it's that big shiny thing-" Ravak had turned to point at the Tower, and in doing so, had once again looked at the reflected sun. He came away blinking furiously as the after image blinded him once more. "-there", he concluded, looking hopefully in the novice's direction.
In his own corner of the Yards, Ravak worked through various sword forms with what appeared to the junior Gaidin like ease; experience often looked like natural aptitude. But Rav had earned the right to use the two heron-marked blades he wielded, and he had spent every day since ensuring he retained that right. It was part of his duty, knowing how to fight to protect the ones he'd loved. Duty as a Borderlander, not as a Gaidin. It just so happened that he'd bonded the woman he'd loved as well. With his thoughts turning to Mia, Ravak paused in his routine to look towards the Grey Tower. The edifice of stone and glass appeared to be ablaze from the light of the afternoon sun. Looking away, after visions from the light made the world seem purplish.
"Never was the smartest," he muttered to himself, his voice a low rumble. Still a bit blinded, he took a seat on a nearby bench, resting his longsword and sword-breaker over his lap.
He wondered what the day would bring. If it was still good weather like this tomorrow, he would have to take Iain around the gardens whilst the flowers were all blooming. It wouldn't be too long before he could bring Iain into the Yards with him, to train in the sword. This year, however, flowers would have to do. They could pick some out for Miahala, although there weren't many flowers that complimented Mia's nature. Perhaps a segade if they had any here.
Vision restored, Ravak was just about to stand up when his ears detected the faintness sound of bells. His face, usually a visage hewn from stone, warmed to the sound, his lips quirking into a mischevious grin. It had been well known, back when Ravak had been the Grey Tower's Master of Training, that he'd strongly encouraged Arafellin to lose their bells - chiefly by waving a pair of scissors at them. The threat was normally more than enough to command their attention and good behaviour, lest the Shienaran follow through on his threat.
When the source of the bells came into view, Ravak's heart dropped. Not a Drin, but a Novice; there were no playful threats to bandy around here. But the sight of a novice, here at the Warders Yard instead of elsewhere, still prompted a response. "Are you lost, novice, or are you just eyeing up some potential Warders?" It was commonplace to see channellers distracted by the flashing of steel, especially young ones dreaming up magical adventures together. "I jest of course, but you should only be here if you're on Tower business, or you're looking for training. If you're looking for the Tower, it's that big shiny thing-" Ravak had turned to point at the Tower, and in doing so, had once again looked at the reflected sun. He came away blinking furiously as the after image blinded him once more. "-there", he concluded, looking hopefully in the novice's direction.