Fanfic:A Place for One's Head
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Valadin cringed in preparation for the incoming complaint. “C’mon, Val,” Yuhan’s voice rumbled. The former bandit had joined the guard after Val’s first year as a Soldier and now was a mainstay during the nightly patrols around Elman’s Creek. Despite being handy in a fight and having the thickness of an ox, the Two Rivers’ son was a fervent whiner who took every opportunity to take shortcuts.
The train of patrol continued down the main road as the sun dying flickers heralded dusk’s end. Aside from Yuhan, the others marched in silence, eyes scrutinizing the roadside with all the vigilance of a model soldier. Occasionally the unit would hold while a detachment broke off to investigate suspicious sounds. Nothing came of it, but Valadin kept the men sharp regardless.
“Val, we should head back or break camp. Fodhr’ll expect a report by morn,” Norga, a dark-skinned Tairen whose travels kept the mood light during the long stays in the woods. While the former thief catcher was around pranks were pulled aplenty though it mystified how the man managed to pull each stunt without discovery. Judging by the grave severity with which the guardsman conducted himself in now it was hard to imagine him any other way. Aye, as we’re meant to be when it comes time perform our duty, Val thought.
He favored Norga with a nod, but said nothing. The slap of the short sword at waist with each step brought a sense of pride in the growth he’d undergone the last few months. It wouldn’t be long before the Cord was his and perhaps this knowledge had given him confidence to rise as a man to be counted on. Lately Fodhr and even other Asha’man requested his guidance when situation called for leadership. Of course there were always rebellious elements and those who challenged for the sake of it, but these were punished swiftly as was a leader’s right.
Among the men and women behind him more than a few had suffered a night or two without supper. Valadin despite only being a Dedicated had been forced to oversee such things himself and at first it had galled him to watch the friends he’d made in the Mountain Guard pained by his doing. Eventually in the most severe cases he shared the burden with them. Whippings earned through insubordination or incompetence where shared while in his watch. Extra shifts for companies whom were accused of action ill-suited for the guard were headed by Val. Popular as he’d been for his relation with the sergeant, the mountain guard quickly became a sanctuary away from the Tower.
Much has changed, Val thought later as night’s thickness fell over the plains of Hama Valon. Though the huntsmen usually kept the wolves and wild cats away, caution always proved wiser than assumption. “Norga, scout the area, but don’t be long,” Val ordered, a smirk accompanying the command.
Like a trick of the One Power itself, Norga’s fierce scowl softened to reveal the lively adventurer who was the true form of the Tairen. “Aye, Captain Manelle!” Norga saluted inciting a round of laughs.
“Oi, off with you. The rest of you, set camp quickly. We’ll rest until sunrise and veer towards the lake before returning to the village. Get some rest.”
Some agreed while others set about the tasks given to them, but they functioned as one. Each man part of the greater sun, his actions benefiting or damaging the others in their endeavors.
Valadin often took time to watch as the neat ring of bedrolls laid down were formed. Weapons were always close at hand—he’d remedied the bad habit of leaving them too far from grasp when it became common knowledge that ‘ambushes’ were arranged for those who were habitually unprepared. Soon there wasn’t a soul who was not prepared to engage an enemy whilst Val had lead of the expedition.
Walking through the camp, he made certain to meet the eyes of each man though having words only for some while studying the condition of their gear and weapons. “Keeping the point rather fine these days, arent’ we Arj?”
A stringy man possessed of reedy strength lifted his gaze from beneath a bearskin helmet. Only a nod served as response, but it was enough. Moving the inspection to the next, Val noticed Norga’s return in the same moment Yuhan’s lumbering approach was spotted. Both men reached him at the same time and at the point of convergence they shared a meaningful look that conveyed their dislike for each other. Mistress Ubriel would’ve found a way to right this. I’ve neither time nor patience, but at least they don’t fight on patrol as they used to. “Norga. Report,” Val demanded, tone bereft of all levity as he addressed the two.
Norga smoothed his expression of the darkening scowl, but made it obvious as he relayed the findings of the quick circuit about the camp. “Tracks to the east, but they were small. Game this far north ent likely with these huntsmen…the smell of some people likely don’t help much either, but I doubt it’s more’n that, Va—I mean Dedicated.”
The correction was another change in dynamic Val had learned made taking command easier. Off-duty he was Val or Vally as Melita liked to call him, but when on call it was to invite castigation upon the entire group if one man failed to acknowledge him as Dedicated. A small measure to be sure, but Fodhr guaranteed that it would ease the confusion between what the time was to be serious and how to act.
“Men’re always creatures o’ habit. Can’t change nuthin’ fer good if t’aint been a made a habit. Form a good habit an’ ya get a good soldier. Let ‘im act like ox-brains? Well, you’d best take up herdin’!” Fodhr had laughed.
Doubting the virtue of men wasn’t something Val liked to do, but given the effectiveness of the advice there was little room to argue. Laughs and drink were shared when inspections were through. No one became belligerent, but enough spirits were passed along that everyone laughed uproariously at Norga’s tales. Even the ‘Naked Sword’ found its way to the campfire. Valadin reddened at the telling of his near-death experience as a Soldier, but said nothing to hinder the enjoyment of others at his expense. Without coaxing the raucous died down and three of the ten were selected for first watch.
Valadin never missed first watch. It had become a tradition since he’d spent the first night out on a patrol with men at his command fretting until finally he rose with a curse and joined those who’d already been keeping vigil over their brethren. The evening was cold and windless. Winter hung on every breath, but the watch held with Val remaining alert until it was near dusk. Sleeping less than an hour, he was up again ordering the return march to the Grey Tower. The tour hadn’t been long, covering only the western most quarter of Hama Valon. There were never any, but if bandits were to ever seek a place to take root, the grasslands between Baerlon and the Elman’s Creek was the perfect seeding grounds. This was why Val took patrols there as often as could be managed.
No one broke rank when the village was in sight. There were hoots of joy after the hard trek back, but the lines held and the tasks continued until they reached the village limits. There Val spoke with a few of them—Yuhan always had some insight as to what could’ve been done better—before letting them go.
The sun broke through a line of grey clouds overhead waking the village beneath its skies. It wouldn’t be long now until the dirt paths from the inn to the shop would be trampled underfoot by the inhabitants of the small community. A few the early risers, men of trade that required such, knew Valadin by face. They greeted him warmly knowing that his presence heralded the conclusion of another successful patrol. Not far beyond was the Grey Tower, shimmering despite the grim stone hide the structure sported. It was home.
With lightest cajoling Saidin was at Val’s fingertips as he used the Power to drill through the Pattern’s fabrics creating a Gateway into the Traveling Yards where a few men of the Grey greeted him with solemn good mornings. There was still time yet before his studies, but Val still felt the gloried from the companionship he felt from the night before. To be counted on was something he was slowly realizing he wanted to experience every day. Valadin cringed in preparation for the incoming complaint. “C’mon, Val,” Yuhan’s voice rumbled. The former bandit had joined the guard after Val’s first year as a Soldier and now was a mainstay during the nightly patrols around Elman’s Creek. Despite being handy in a fight and having the thickness of an ox, the Two Rivers’ son was fervent whiner who took every opportunity to take shortcuts.
The train of patrol continued down the main road as the sun dying flickers heralded dusk’s end. Aside from Yuhan, the others marched in silence, eyes scrutinizing the roadside with all the vigilance of a model soldier. Occasionally the unit would hold while a detachment broke off to investigate suspicious sounds. Nothing came of it, but Valadin kept the men sharp regardless.
“Val, we should head back or break camp. Fodhr’ll expect a report by morn,” Norga, a dark-skinned Tairen whose travels kept the mood light during the long stays in the woods. While the former thief catcher was around pranks were pulled aplenty though it mystified how the man managed to pull each stunt without discovery. Judging by the grave severity with which the guardsman conducted himself in now it was hard to imagine him any other way. Aye, as we’re meant to be when it comes time perform our duty, Val thought.
He favored Norga with a nod, but said nothing. The slap of the short sword at waist with each step brought a sense of pride in the growth he’d undergone the last few months. It wouldn’t be long before the Cord was his and perhaps this knowledge had given him confidence to rise as a man to be counted on. Lately Fodhr and even other Asha’man requested his guidance when situation called for leadership. Of course there were always rebellious elements and those who challenged for the sake of it, but these were punished swiftly as was a leader’s right.
Among the men and women behind him more than a few had suffered a night or two without supper. Valadin despite only being a Dedicated had been forced to oversee such things himself and at first it had galled him to watch the friends he’d made in the Mountain Guard pained by his doing. Eventually in the most severe cases he shared the burden with them. Whippings earned through insubordination or incompetence where shared while in his watch. Extra shifts for companies whom were accused of action ill-suited for the guard were headed by Val. Popular as he’d been for his relation with the sergeant, the mountain guard quickly became a sanctuary away from the Tower.
Much has changed, Val thought later as night’s thickness fell over the plains of Hama Valon. Though the huntsmen usually kept the wolves and wild cats away, caution always proved wiser than assumption. “Norga, scout the area, but don’t be long,” Val ordered, a smirk accompanying the command.
Like a trick of the One Power itself, Norga’s fierce scowl softened to reveal the lively adventurer who was the true form of the Tairen. “Aye, Captain Manelle!” Norga saluted inciting a round of laughs.
“Oi, off with you. The rest of you, set camp quickly. We’ll rest until sunrise and veer towards the lake before returning to the village. Get some rest.”
Some agreed while others set about the tasks given to them, but they functioned as one. Each man part of the greater sun, his actions benefiting or damaging the others in their endeavors.
Valadin often took time to watch as the neat ring of bedrolls laid down were formed. Weapons were always close at hand—he’d remedied the bad habit of leaving them too far from grasp when it became common knowledge that ‘ambushes’ were arranged for those who were habitually unprepared. Soon there wasn’t a soul who was not prepared to engage an enemy whilst Val had lead of the expedition.
Walking through the camp, he made certain to meet the eyes of each man though having words only for some while studying the condition of their gear and weapons. “Keeping the point rather fine these days, arent’ we Arj?”
A stringy man possessed of reedy strength lifted his gaze from beneath a bearskin helmet. Only a nod served as response, but it was enough. Moving the inspection to the next, Val noticed Norga’s return in the same moment Yuhan’s lumbering approach was spotted. Both men reached him at the same time and at the point of convergence they shared a meaningful look that conveyed their dislike for each other. Mistress Ubriel would’ve found a way to right this. I’ve neither time nor patience, but at least they don’t fight on patrol as they used to. “Norga. Report,” Val demanded, tone bereft of all levity as he addressed the two.
Norga smoothed his expression of the darkening scowl, but made it obvious as he relayed the findings of the quick circuit about the camp. “Tracks to the east, but they were small. Game this far north ent likely with these huntsmen…the smell of some people likely don’t help much either, but I doubt it’s more’n that, Va—I mean Dedicated.”
The correction was another change in dynamic Val had learned made taking command easier. Off-duty he was Val or Vally as Melita liked to call him, but when on call it was to invite castigation upon the entire group if one man failed to acknowledge him as Dedicated. A small measure to be sure, but Fodhr guaranteed that it would ease the confusion between what the time was to be serious and how to act.
“Men’re always creatures o’ habit. Can’t change nuthin’ fer good if t’aint been a made a habit. Form a good habit an’ ya get a good soldier. Let ‘im act like ox-brains? Well, you’d best take up herdin’!” Fodhr had laughed.
Doubting the virtue of men wasn’t something Val liked to do, but given the effectiveness of the advice there was little room to argue. Laughs and drink were shared when inspections were through. No one became belligerent, but enough spirits were passed along that everyone laughed uproariously at Norga’s tales. Even the ‘Naked Sword’ found its way to the campfire. Valadin reddened at the telling of his near-death experience as a Soldier, but said nothing to hinder the enjoyment of others at his expense. Without coaxing the raucous died down and three of the ten were selected for first watch.
Valadin never missed first watch. It had become a tradition since he’d spent the first night out on a patrol with men at his command fretting until finally he rose with a curse and joined those who’d already been keeping vigil over their brethren. The evening was cold and windless. Winter hung on every breath, but the watch held with Val remaining alert until it was near dusk. Sleeping less than an hour, he was up again ordering the return march to the Grey Tower. The tour hadn’t been long, covering only the western most quarter of Hama Valon. There were never any, but if bandits were to ever seek a place to take root, the grasslands between Baerlon and the Elman’s Creek was the perfect seeding grounds. This was why Val took patrols there as often as could be managed.
No one broke rank when the village was in sight. There were hoots of joy after the hard trek back, but the lines held and the tasks continued until they reached the village limits. There Val spoke with a few of them—Yuhan always had some insight as to what could’ve been done better—before letting them go.
The sun broke through a line of grey clouds overhead waking the village beneath its skies. It wouldn’t be long now until the dirt paths from the inn to the shop would be trampled underfoot by the inhabitants of the small community. A few the early risers, men of trade that required such, knew Valadin by face. They greeted him warmly knowing that his presence heralded the conclusion of another successful patrol. Not far beyond was the Grey Tower, shimmering despite the grim stone hide the structure sported. It was home.
With lightest cajoling Saidin was at Val’s fingertips as he used the Power to drill through the Pattern’s fabrics creating a Gateway into the Traveling Yards where a few men of the Grey greeted him with solemn good mornings. There was still time yet before his studies, but Val still felt the glory from the companionship he felt from the night before. To be counted on was something he was slowly realizing he wanted to experience every day.
