May the Odds be Ever in Your Favor (attn: Battle Weaves peeps)

[Jeremy]

Sure, the invitation mentioned a ‘picnic’ but Azil knew a party invitation when he heard one. Why else would it need to be kept secret and only spread by word of mouth? But if there was a party, Azil was determined to be there. He had dressed in an Andoran style coat in honor of the hostess of the event, Fiona Trakand. It was a tawny coat embroidered with white scrolls up his sleeves and his personal sigil, a winged key, on either side of the high collar. As he entered the gardens, he picked up his pace. He was running late due to how long it took to acquire his gift for the picnic, but he couldn’t run until the gardens because he didn’t want to draw attention.
He rounded the last corner and slid to a halt. There were easily more gathered here than he had had in any of his classes so far. Beyond all of them, a gateway stood open and Azil had arrived just in time to see Fiona walk through. Instantly there was a buzz of noise as everyone seemed to start talking at once. As no one had noticed he had arrived Azil took a moment to move towards the gateway and caused several to jump as he raised his voice above the noise.
Azil shouted several times until he had almost everyone’s attention. “Greetings, Everyone. For those who don’t know me, I’m Azil Nurbaya. Now, let’s not stay here keeping our hostess waiting, causing a commotion, and drawing unwanted attention to ourselves. Let us go and enjoy the day. And for those who may not be decided yet, I’m only late because oosqui is much harder to acquire than I anticipated.” He held two small dark bottles in the air as he turned and walked through the gateway into a small meadow.

[Elan]

Jaren

“Wouldn’t it be nice to just… be… for a few hours?”

Jaren stared as the gateway came into existence. He couldn’t see the flows, obviously, as Fiona was channelling saidar, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t find it fascinating. Being able to Travel must be so convenient. Though he did wonder that it was being taught to people who were technically not supposed to be leaving Hama Valon; it seemed like a whole lot more difficult to supervise people who could just Travel out of their rooms.

He really, really wanted to learn the weave.

For now, however, he’d have to settle for taking advantage of it as channelled by someone else. He moved towards the gateway, to follow the Accepted through, when a latecomer barged in, dashing through the gateway after Fiona, shouting and generally making a ruckus. Jaren winced, looking around in the gardens; though the newcomer — Azil something — was on the other side of the gateway, sound still came through and might well attract the 'unwanted attention' he was so fussing about.

Jaren followed through the gateway, giving the fellow a level look. “Might want to tone it down a little, at least until the gateway is closed,” he remarked wryly. He didn’t want to sound uptight, but he also didn’t want to draw the wrath of the higher-ups upon the gathering. Luckily, the Domani didn’t seem offended and simply laughed the comment off as he moved aside to let more people through. Eager to get everybody — and especially the incriminating gateway — out of the Tower gardens, Jaren followed suit.

[Cat]

Tristram

Tristram didn’t immediately follow. Instead, he stared at the Novice’s back, his eyes widening ever so slightly. Fiona Trakand? The Fiona bloody Trakand? What was she doing here? He hadn’t recognised her at first, but he certainly did now, and he wasn’t quite sure how to react. The last time they had met, his father had been rather determined to see their two Houses aligned. Of course, then Tristram had met Niniane, and his father’s plans had had to change, much to the man’s disgust, Tristram hadn’t seen or heard anything of Fiona since.

Who would have bloody thought it? He shook his head, smiling ever so slightly, and finally sprang forward. His eyes took in the gateway almost greedily. He couldn’t wait until he could do the same, have the power, be able to go anywhere in a matter of moments. The world would be his to explore.

Again, he forced himself back to the present and followed the others through the gateway just in time to see one of the other Soldiers give a dressing down to the late arrival. He didn’t know the man’s name, though he was clearly an Andoran by his accent, but that didn’t stop Tristram from shooting him an amused grin.

“He’s right, you know,” he said to the late arrival. “Shouting does tend to attract an awful lot of attention.” He paused, his grin widening, before adding, “You can add your bottles of Oosquai to the three I brought, though.”

[Alianora]

Accepted Liaran

Liaran slammed the book in front of her shut, perhaps with more force than was needed. She scowled at it, pushing it as far to the side of her small desk as she could. With another glare for the history book, the Accepted grabbed a basket from where it had been sitting, also on the desk, and rushed out the door. She was late, now, for the picnic she'd been invited to attend, and if she didn't move fast, Liaran thought it might just be over by the time she arrived. She hurried, taking some shortcuts she'd learned over the years, and was out in the gardens almost before she knew it.

It was easy enough to find the meeting place, as it was near the waterfall. Liaran could have found her way there just by following the sound of the water, but even without that, the crowd of learning ranks gathered around it made the location rather obvious. The group was rather larger than Liaran had expected, and the Accepted was not surprised to see that none of the faces were familiar to her. With studying, teaching, and attending formal classes, she just didn't have time to socialize. That was why she'd forced herself to come, despite the guilt she felt for not studying. That, and the distinct feeling that if she'd turned one page more in her book, she thought she might have thrown the boring thing right out her tiny window.

As Liaran hurried up, one of the few Accepted began to wove something, weaves Liaran could not quite follow. It was only when the weave was complete that Liaran could identify it as a gateway, making her reconsider whether she should join them. I was sure we were staying here, she thought. It was a reasonable assumption, given that none of them were supposed to venture any further than Hama Valon. Where in the Light could we possibly be going? The earlier arrivals showed no hesitation in departing through the gateway, but Liaran paused, slightly behind everyone else, thinking about her schedule for the rest of the day.The last of the novice classes was this morning. I don't have lessons for myself this afternoon. All my chores are done. Really, the only thing Liaran had to do was to continue reading her book, and her reluctance to return to it made her decision for her. She stepped up to the gateway, nodded a polite greeting to the blond Accepted who held it, and walked through.

[Avyra]

Avyra sighed. Well, this was already more than she bargained for, but frankly it was too late to back out now. She'd arguably been in worse situations. Besides, this was the only way to make actual friends. She'd never have anyone who liked her if she continued being... her. Or rather herself right now. This was something younger Avyra wouldn't have hesitated with. She would jump right in that portal and never look back, eager to start an adventure. Not caring what others thought of her. She missed that Avyra. So she did what old Avyra would do. Head held as high as she could, back straightening, she strode towards the gateway, tightening her grip on Kyella's jesses as the huge bird tried to bate off her fist, wings spread wide over her head. "Easy girl," she said softly. "We'll be across it in no time." She stepped through, somehow able to keep her composure.

[Bella]

This wasn't what Andra has expected...

She could almost ignore the new, louder arrival or the rest of the crowd as she looked at the Gateway shimmering before them all. It couldn't talk, yet it still spoke of the choice that lay before them all. It had never occurred to her to learn more about this weave and potentially use it for herself...but this Accepted certainly had.

Gritte gasped and clasped her hands in a show of surprisingly girlish pleasure. The Kandori woman looked at her roommate with a skeptical expression. "Gritte, I don't know if this is such a good idea..." she said slowly. "I mean, we're just Novices."

"Don't tell me you never do anything you're not supposed to," Gritte teased. Her round, ruddy face grinned as she said it.

I married and took a lover... Andra reflected. And everyone was okay with it. I suppose I don't always live by the rules as other set them out for me.

What would happen on the other side? Maybe she could run away and not have to come back to this place...but then she couldn't learn the things she wanted to know to do the things she wanted to do. With a sigh, she looked back at her roommate, but Gritte was overwhelmed with excitement over the idea.

Andra laughed softly and gathered her bag. "Alright, let's go," she said and followed the small stream of people through the Gateway.

[Locke]

Alric

What was already turning out to be a good day managed to become even better. Somewhere along the line Affie had heard about this picnic as well. Now, the tiny Novice sat happily squeezed in between Scruffs and him. Did she know the other man? It didn’t bother him, he was just curious.

While they sat waiting for others to show up, Alric let the back of his knuckles brush Affi’s scarred hand. It wasn’t much, but he was certain that leaning over and kissing the top of her head or putting an arm around her would be frowned on. If not by anybody in the general vicinity, it was still something somebody could use to hang him one day. Their affair wouldn’t end well for either of them if found out.

More people continued trickling into the clearing. He didn’t recognize most of them, and there were a surprising number of first ranks. Well a surprising number of people in general. He wasn’t sure if they would be able to remain undiscovered with so many people, but a the prickle of Saidar on his arms and a silver slash of an opening gateway answered his question. Fiona stood and began ushering them through the gateway. That would make it easier to stay low profile, but somebody was bound to realize so many were missing. This wasn’t an expulsion worthy offense, was it?

Alric pushed himself to his feet with a grunt. No use turning back. He offered a hand to Affie to help her up. Through the gateway and to parts unknown. It would be an adventure.

Nasrin

Fire came surprisingly easily for Nasrin. The Domani Novice lounged with her unlit pipe between her teeth and a small, blue flame danced between her fingers as she watched the assembled students. She elbowed Kaira and gave her a wolfish grin as Alric sat down. Nas didn’t rib her friend as much as she would have normally. Jaren was here and she didn’t want to look like a giggling child. Dipping a flame engulfed finger in her pipe’s bowl, she took a long draw catching her tabac alight. Living in the Mountains of Mist had their perks, Two Rivers Leaf was better than she’d ever expected. Even better, it was cheap, the main concern for a Novice buying black market tabac.

Finally, something was happening. Fiona, the little Andoran Accepted, embraced Saidar and began to weave something complex. Nasrin did her best to try to remember it, but it was far more complicated than anything she’d ever done. She let out a small gasp as a silver line split the air and opened into a window to a distant patch of forest. It was a gateway! She’d heard of the portals, but never seen one. She had just seen the weave, it might be worth trying on her own at some point.

People were filing through so Nas extinguished her flame and stood, “I’ll see you on the other side, hon,” she said, winking at Kay before heading over to where Jaren stood. She didn’t have much of a plan, but she was feeling… bold. They were already about enough trouble, why not get into a bit of her own. Quickly, she tugged at her white dress adjusting the way it sat on her body. Her usual swagger melted into the langid sway she’d learned growing up in Bandar Eban. She didn’t feel quite as awkward as she usually did when trying to Domani.

She steered herself in between Jaren and the other Soldier and slipped an arm through his as they walked. “Nice day for picnic, eh Jaren?” she said, playfully bumping him with her hip. “Where do you think that things going?” Light, his hair smells so good. You can do this girl, you’re right there. Don’t mess this up. Tell him his hair smells good. No, don’t tell him that, idiot.

“Your hair’s nice,” Nasrin said in a rush. She stumbled, cheeks darkening enough to hide some of her freckles. Why did you tell him that? It’s true. Yes but let him come to you. You’re a Domani not some Saldean farmgirl. Trying to bring her breath back under control, Nasrin decided to just own it. Looking down at the older Soldier, she said, clearly this time, “I think your hair is nice.” She bit her lower lip slightly, but she wasn’t going to retract it. A good captain had to be bold.

[Sunny]

Fiona

Fiona found her camp spot soon enough. Grass and weeds had grown over the circle and the log she used to sit on had disintegrated into a pile of splinters, yet still...in a way, it was home. This was where she and her father had camped when they hunted. Where she had learned to dress a rabbit. She had dragged a friend to her favorite spot with enthusiastic vigor and subsequently received her first kiss sitting right there. She had not been interested in the boy in that way, but remembering it still made her cheeks flush pink.

The open air muffled the sounds from the gathering behind her, and she wished she could simply enjoy the peace for a moment. The whirling, rattling dice in her head would not be silenced, however; they rolled and clicked, distracting her despite her best efforts to ignore them. “There is nothing here!” she snapped to the air. She paused, but although the dice continued to roll, the accompanying surge of what she had come to consider “luck” did not appear.

Frowning a little, the small Accepted turned and walked back to the rest of the group. That so many had joined her chased her frustration away like mist in the sun; she dropped down next to Tristram and reached for the loaf of bread someone had pulled from her own bundle. Alric reached across to pass her a mug of beer almost as large as her head, and she laughed as she took it. “You’ll have to carry me home if I drink all this,” she commented, her voice pealing merrily across the glade.

The blonde girl looked at Tristram. “How fares House Baryn?” She asked, eyes warm and bright. On a day like this she could not hold the machinations of their parents against him. The group talked and laughed, and through it all, the dice rolled and bounced, until abruptly, with no warning, they stopped.

As silence fell within her skull the group erupted in laughter at a joke someone else had told. Fiona shook her head, disoriented and bothered by the abrupt change. The silence...that meant something very good or very bad was about to happen. The small woman chewed on her lip, looking about her with unaccustomed anxiety. Her eyes scanned the group, counting heads and naming faces.

“Where is Nasrin?” She asked, her clear voice cutting through whatever the others had been talking about. “And Nate?” She thought there were others missing, but she knew those best of the group. What have I done?

Deen

Deen stood in the shadow of an old cedar tree, brown and green clothes masking him from immediate eyeshot. His eyes were fixed on the group below, frolicking about like so many children in the sun. Invading my space. A girl with blond hair sat in their center, holding court like the flaming Queen herself. Bloody Andorans.

That forest was his. Oh, Madene Trakand might put up her bounty posters and send her fancy guard parading about the borders in a show of force, but everyone within five leagues of the trees knew who they really belonged to. So who were the people who so easily invaded what was his? Perhaps he would send one to the Lady Trakand as a token. The blonde girl actually looked like she might be one of her brood.

His men had already captured a few; it would not take long to catch the rest. It would be an entertaining evening by all accounts.

OOC: Bandits And lots of them. If you are still in the meadow this is choose your own adventure style: Do you go find the missing people, do you stay where you are, or do you split in different directions?

If you received a message from me, then you're one of the ones that got snatched. You're together as a group, but you are definitely surrounded by people who aren't very friendly. Up to you what to do next!

Edit to add: As this thread progresses channeling is both allowed and encouraged. There is no one here to actually *teach* Battle Weaves, so y'all will be learning as you go. Just keep in mind the skill and strength constraints of being a learning rank as you do!

Edit #2: Nasrin, Nate, Andraste, and Jaren please report here: http://www.grey-tower.net/Board/viewtop ... =11&t=2969

[Locke]

Captain Alric Aurella

Alric was beginning to think he didn’t bring enough mugs. To be fair, he hadn’t expected so many people to come. Soon, if anybody wanted beer, they had better share a mug or stick their mouth under the tap. He had done the latter often enough in his day. He was busy dithering over whether or not to let the bloody Gaidin Captain’s daughter have a beer when something occurred to him.

“Hey, Kaira,” he said, “Where’s your friend? The tall girl you’re always with.”

He turned on his heel, Fiona had noticed the same thing. People were missing. They were adults, it shouldn’t be a problem. Somebody probably went off to relieve himself. He tried his best to do a headcount. Scruffs was among the missing, so was that soldier Jaren. Quite a number of people to have gone to take a leak.

He let out an audible sigh when he found Affie picking through the assorted foodstuffs. She was here at least. No reason to panic. Even if they were in danger, there was never reason to panic. Why would they be in danger? Fiona wouldn’t have brought them somewhere dangerous.


Old instincts died hard though and he began to scan the trees for danger. Hand resting casually on his sword, he walked over to stand near Affie. He tried to keep Kaira in the corner of his vision. There were too many people to try to protect if there was trouble.

“Hey everybody,” he said in a strong voice. Projecting a relaxed confidence, quite at odds with his growing paranoia, Alric said, “Gather around, let’s try to actually get to know each other.” The smile was forced, but the students wouldn't be as easy to pick off if they were grouped up. Besides, he’d be able to better determine who was missing.

“Hey, Soldier, what’s your name,” Alric said to a Domani man. He pulled the Void around himself and the itch on his spine fled. Insead, he floated in a cool clarity. Something, maybe somebody, was moving behind that tree. He could strike now, but he did not know how many more were out there. Maybe it was one of the stragglers? The glint of steel put paid to that theory. Keeping his actions casual, making sure to look anywhere but at his target, Alric drew his blade and seized Saidin. This bloody block would give him away. It didn’t matter. Alric struck. Bands of Air struck the man behind the tree, binding him to the thick trunk. Alric’s second weave was, if not more complex much larger. Again, weaves of Air, this time tinged with Spirit and Fire created a hard barrier around the clearing. It wouldn’t hold more than a few seconds, but if some enterprising bad guy had brought a crossbow it might save somebody.

“Stay close, men, I think we have unwanted company!” he called out voice used to giving commands. Maybe it was for the best he’d not left Captain Aurella in the past.

[Jenn]

Affie

The small Novice wiggled her toes before shoving them back into the white slippers. Affie accepted Alric’s hand as he helped her up, a brief smile flitting across her face. Liked this, but couldn’t like it too much... too many people around. Her fingertips lingered against the inside of the Dedicated’s wrist before she hastily pulled her touch away.

She smiled a little over at Nate, happy to see him, approaching the gateway cautiously. Another one. But this one lead to a pretty field and not strange empty darkness that moved but didn’t really move with a platform and an oversized chair. Could Alric make something like this too? Dark, solemn eyes watched as he stepped through. Reassured, she followed.

Affie hadn’t seen how the weaves were formed, was still learning how to embrace saidar. Not too concerned about it. Once through on the other side, she stayed out of the way for several minutes, simply watching the rest of the group. There were a lot of people she didn’t know. Was even an Accepted with a giant bird! The Altaran mashed her bottom lip against her teeth before shrugging, lulled to where the food had been deposited.

Where was Nate? She peered around, not seeing him. He liked a good snack as much as she did. She began gathering up some of the apples and cheese for him as well. Affie frowned at Accepted Fiona’s question, the frown deepening as Alric hovered near by. She stilled, scarred fingers falling to her sides. Looked tense. Hand on sword. Why?

The rest happened too quickly for her to track, Affie immediately ducking down as Alric’s sword flashed into view. There came shouts from the far end of the clearing... the trees. Someone was... wedged against one. He did that? She watched the Dedicated for a moment before inching forward. She tried to imagine she was some flower bud, fumbling with the breathing techniques that were supposed to calm her enough to find the Source. Had to find Nate. Had to make sure he wasn’t hurt.

The small Novice squeezed her eyes shut and went through the mental exercises. Petals opening. Feeling warmth. Filled with sunlight. For a moment, she had it. Could help! Affie tried to form something to help Alric and the others fight... Water was easiest and - the weave unraveled and a small puddle on the very top of one of the Dedicated’s meticulously shined boots instead.

“Sorry,” Affie murmured, flushing. She scrambled back to the foodstuffs and picked up a bottle. Dumping the strong smelling contents out of it, she grasped onto the slender neck and brandished it like a club. Wasn’t the Power, but was better than a cheese wheel. She tapped Alric’s elbow. “Have to find Nate... and the others. He might need his clothes.”