Fanfic:Trollocs and Ter'angreal
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"Vibyka Ji'dar?" Vibyka turned, slightly annoyed at being interrupted from her spar with a fellow Ji', though the irritation faded when she spotted the woman wearing a fancloak. "Gaidar," she said, bowing slightly. She had learned to show respect to upper ranks the hard way.
To her surprise, the woman handed her a sealed note and left quickly, after informing her the note was for her. Somewhat surprised- who would be sending her a letter- she took it, though the surprise faded into alarm when she saw the seal on the note.
It was the Master of Arm's seal.
Wondering if she had done something wrong- she didn't think she had, but Vibyka was still known for her temper and outspoken tongue, even if she was far more respectful a trainee than she had been six years ago - she broke the seal and scanned the letter quickly.
Be at the south edge of the yards. Do not delay.
Somewhat relieved that that was all it said, Vibyka started toward the southern edge of the yards, still wondering what Caden Ives wanted with her. She didn't find an answer waiting for her when she reached her destination, though, only a scowling, unhappy looking gaidin who refused to answer her questions and ordered her to follow him to the channeling yard.
She did so, somewhat annoyed by now at being led around from place to place and scowled at for no reason. When she reached the yard, she found a gateway waiting for her, which she eyed nervously, having a sneaking suspicion she was going to have to go through it. Vibyka didn't particularly like gateways. She knew it was silly, but she always had the feeling they were going to swallow her whole. Not to mention, by now, she was more than a little confused. What was going on? Why was she being sent to the channeling yard?
Before she could ask any questions, though, she found herself quite literally pushed through the gateway by the scowling man, which only worsened her mood. As the gateway winked out behind her, she found herself in a small room with nothing in it but a small table with some weapons and armor lying on it. With a start, Vibyka realized they were her weapons- both of her curved daggers were there, along with her four throwing daggers and the katana she had had made recently. She usually carried her daggers with her, but for some reason had left them in her room that day and just used practice ones instead. Why are my weapons here… and armor…? A suspicion began to form in her head. Is it… could it really be…? She had wondered if it might be when the note came, but had pushed it away as not likely.
Now though, there wasn't much denying it- this was likely her test for the fancloak. Slowly, she dressed in the armor- she assumed that was why it there- and armed herself, thinking. She knew she should be more than a little nervous about the test, but she wasn't, only excited and a little apprehensive- the trainees were told practically nothing about the test, so she didn't know what to expect. She certainly wasn't afraid.
She only had a few moments to wait before the door opened and she was hurried outside. As she stepped out of the doorway, she found herself in a small courtyard, facing the entire Executive Council and an Aes Sedai she had never seen before. Looking around, she realized she was at the Citadel. She had never been there, but had heard enough about it to recognize where she was.
As Vibyka quickly bowed to the officers and the Aes Sedai, she wondered what would come next, and what the test would be like.
Before she could ask any questions, Garren Brighteyes, the Gaidin Captain stepped forward. ""Who comes before the Warder Council?"" he asked solemnly.
Vibyka stepped forward. "I, Vibyka Imorien, Ji'dar of the Grey Tower, come before the Council." do," she said confidently. This would be the easy part. It was what came next she wasn't so sure about yet.
Caden Ives, the Master of Arms came forward next. Vibyka eyed him warily, trying to resist the urge to grip her dagger. She wasn't afraid of him, but knew well how harsh he could be.
"You have trained in our ranks and have been deemed worthy of a final assignment," he began in his rasping voice. "Ji'dar," he continued, "you are called to prove yourself worthy of the fancloak in the wilds of the Blightborder. You have three chances to approach this task. If you choose to step down today, you may come before us twice more. Once you agree to continue your test, however, you may not turn back without immediate failure. Once you accept your test, you must complete the test or you will be put out of the Tower permanently. Do you wish to continue?"
Vibyka simply stared for a few moments once he finished talking, her mind racing. The Blight? They were sending her into the Blight? Of course, she hadn't expected it to be easy…. but the Blight? What did she know about the Blight? Not much, that was what, besides where it was, and the basic facts. She was no coward- far from it- but the things she had faced were far different than this.
Still… she had no intention of turning it down. She hadn't spent six years training at the Grey Tower only to leave now. I can do it, she thought fiercely. I have to. Her Ebou Dari pride would allow no less.
She nodded. "I accept the challenge."
The Master of Arms continued. "You are called to protect this Aes Sedai, the symbol of your desired duty." He pointed at the Aes Sedai near the Council.
"Return with some token of your struggle; do not return to this fortress until you can bring some proof of your protection before the Council," he says simply. "If you return without such proof, or if you fail in your protection of this Aes Sedai — if she falls under your defense — you will be put out of the Tower permanently."
"Light guide your sword, and may your test be one of enduring strength."
Vibyka nodded, gripping her dagger. This was it, then, the thing she had prepared for for the past six years.
Before Vibyka had much time to think on the coming trip, she found herself mounting a horse at the Citadel ‘s gates and preparing to leave. She eyed the horse warily as she mounted. She had learned to ride in her years at the Tower, but she still didn't enjoy it and doubted she ever would. She knew she couldn't walk into the Blight though, so sighed and prepared herself for an uncomfortable trip.
As they rode north in a steady line, the heat became worse and worse the farther north they went. Vibyka tried to keep an eye on everything at once, trying to remember everything she knew about the Blight. Light, this heat! she thought, peering around her. Being from Ebou Dar, she was used to a warm climate, but this was different. This heat was oppressive, and seemed to be slowly closing in around them. Not to mention the smell, which also worsened the farther north they rode. Vibyka did her best not to breathe too deeply, not an easy task.
The Aes Sedai- an Indigo named Avantika- was quiet at first, but soon started and kept up a steady chatter, about anything and everything, it seemed. Vibyka did her best to avoid the woman's questions about her, not really wanting to talk about herself, which only earned her several disdainful looks from the Aes Sedai.
As the ride wore on, though, she resigned herself to answering her questions. Avantika did seem knowledgeable about the Blight- being Arafellin, she claimed to know more about it than the average person did- and appeared t o be friendly enough.
When Vibyka asked her out of curiosity why she was there- most people she knew avoided the Blight- Avantika straightened proudly. "I am an Indigo. As you likely know, we deal with objects of Power, such as ter'angreal, and angreal. I seek a ter'angreal that has been lost for several years, and my research has told me it is likely here, in the Blight. I knew I couldn't come alone, of course, so when I heard there was a Ji' seeking their fancloak, I asked if they could accompany me.
Vibyka nodded. Not knowing much about objects of Power, she didn't know what to say in reply. It does seem a lot to risk, though, coming here for a mere object. She knew she was the last person to talk about taking risks, though, and what did she know about ter'angreal anyways? Maybe it was more than a "mere object."
The first day was surprisingly uneventful. They traveled north in a steady line, occasionally veering off on a different coarse. Avantika set the coarse, using directions she claimed had come from her research. When Vibyka mentioned her hesitation over following directions from an ancient book, Avantika gave her a disdainful look. "My research is not faulty, Ji'dar. I know where we're going."
They stopped to camp at night, without a fire. Vibyka didn't want to risk it, and Avantika agreed, saying Blight wood was too dangerous to use anyways. Vibyka kept watch all night, though Avantika offered to take a turn. She declined, knowing she wouldn't be able to sleep here anyways, even if she did need her rest. Even if her nightmares were gone, she still hadn't been sleeping entirely well lately.
It was on the second day they encountered trouble.
It was around mid-afternoon, and Vibyka was listening to Avantika talk about her ter'angreal- apparently, it was nearby- when a dark blob on the horizon caught her attention. She leaned forward in her saddle, trying to see. Is that…?... It was, she thought grimly.
Trollocs. Not many of them, from what she could see, but even one was deadly.
Turning to Avantika, she started to point them out, but the Indigo interrupted her, her face set grimly. "I know, Vibyka. I see them too." She studied Vibyka. "What do you want to do?"
Vibyka tried to think and quickly. Her first idea, and the best in her opinion, was to charge them and face them head on. She knew they had likely spotted them by now, so there was much point in hiding- even if there had been any place to hide, she thought sourly, surveying the near- barren landscape. The only potential hiding place was a rock formation a few feet away, and she doubted that would give much cover.
She turned back to the Aes Sedai. "I think we should charge them, Aes Sedai. I don't think we can hide or run- they've almost certainly spotted us. And they're not a very large group- between us, we should be able to take them." Avantika nodded firmly. "I agree- my ter'angreal is close, and we'd likely have to go miles out of the way to avoid them, even if that were possible. Besides.." she smiled fiercely. "I don't running." Vibyka smiled back, just as fiercely. "Neither do I." Avantika stuffed her notes back into her bag. "Despite the fact I'm an Indigo, I do know several battleweaves. I'll have a few nasty surprises prepared for them."
Vibyka nodded and pulled one of her daggers free, leaving the other one sheathed for the moment. She wanted to dismount but knew she would likely have a better chance on horseback. If I can manage to stay on and fight at the same time, she thought, half- amused. She wasn't the best at staying in her saddle.
Using her free hand, she spurred her horse forward, calling for the Aes Sedai to stay behind her, which earned her an incredulous look.
As they approached the Trolloc line, both of them galloping by now, the creatures roared and began to charge toward them. Never having seen a Trolloc before, Vibyka stared, repulsed, for a few seconds, though she didn't have to think on this, as they were soon near the creatures.
Several fireballs whooshed over Vibyka's head, taking out some of the Trollocs in the back, which seemed to enrage the rest, as they roared and snarled harder. Fortunately, it was only a small group, around nine or ten. Vibyka quickly took out one of her throwing knives and hurled at one of the creatures, catching it in the eye. It snarled and fell backwards, though she doubted she had killed it.
Two in the front ran at Vibyka, causing her horse to neigh in terror. Cursing silenty, Vibyka pulled hard on its reins, bringing the horse up and down on the first one, knocking it back, though part of her mind screamed at her that she was an idiot, what did she know about mounted combat? The move knocked the Trolloc backwards, though it also sent her flying off her horse and rolling across the hard ground. She gasped as several sharp pains shot through her hip and shoulder.
Ignoring the pain, though,- she could think about it later- Vibyka scrambled upright, clenching her dagger as the second one charged her, and the earth exploded behind her, taking out several more of the Trollocs. Avantika, she thought, relieved that the Aes Sedai was helping, though she didn't have much time to think on that before she found herself facing a blow aimed at her head by the snarling Trolloc. She felt her temper ignite. She had faced both Seanchan and Whitecloaks, she thought fiercely. She didn't intend to die in the Blight at the hands of Trollocs.
Moving to the side, Vibyka quickly brought her dagger up and under the sword, blocking the blow. The dagger and sword connecting with each other jarred her arm all the way to her shoulder, but she refused to think about it. Drawing her second dagger, she stabbed under, slashing at the creature's throat and kicking at it as it roared with shock and fell backwards. Dagger against sword could be tricky, but she had spent her years at the Tower honing and practicing her technique.
A movement to the side caught her attention, and she turned to see another of the creatures lunge at her. Feinting to the left, she then quickly moved behind the Trolloc before it could turn, and swiped her dagger at it from behind. Trollocs were lazy, lumbering creatures, she knew, and knew she could use that to her advantage.
As it fell, she turned, looking for Avantika and noticed the Trolloc she had knocked back with her horse stirring. Drawing her sword, she quickly strode over and brought the blade down on the creature. She was barely trained with the sword, but it didn't take much skill to plunge a blade into something.
Vibyka stumbled back, and looked around for Avantika. Is it over? She wondered, feeling all of her many aches and pains beginning to make themselves known, now that the adrenaline and shock of battle were fading. Her shoulder, arm, side, wrists, and even her foot- when did I hurt my foot?- all ached.
Well, it's over, she thought grimly, I won. Not that she had ever doubted herself. Overconfidence could de deadly, she knew by now, but none at all was worse, in her opinion.
She didn't have much time to speculate on what her success might mean, though, as she had finally spotted Avantika, after a few moments of being alarmed that the Aes Sedai hadn't survived the fight.
The Indigo was disappearing around the small rock formation a few feet away. Vibyka felt both alarm and temper shoot through her. What is she doing?! "What are you doing?" she shouted, running after the woman, knowing it wasn't the best idea to shout at an Aes Sedai, but still… "Don't you know what could be back there?!"
The Indigo gave her a calm, patient look as she reached her. "Yes, I am aware of that, Ji'dar," she said wryly. "I did, after all, just help you take out a small band of Trollocs. But I can take care of myself," she continued as Vibyka opened her mouth, "and, besides, this is where my ter'angreal is hidden- I checked my notes again, and realized that this was the right place after all." She held up what looked like a small round globe. Vibyka eyed it, still irritated with the woman's behavior. Though she couldn't really say much, she supposed- Avantika was at least as stubborn and reckless as she herself was.
The ter'angreal didn't look like anything but a round globe to her, but then again, she wasn't a channeler. She supposed if Avantika claimed it was a ter'angreal, it was.
She shook her head, returning to her earlier subject. "That's not the point," she continued. I"- Avantika interrupted. "I know, I know. You're the Warder and supposed to protect me. And you've done a good job of that. But this is channeler business." She turned to wrap the ter'angreal up and place it carefully in her bag. Vibyka pushed her irritation down, knowing it wouldn't help her, and also feeling her mood improve slightly as she realized exactly what all of this meant- she had earned her fancloak.
All she had to do now was keep Avantika safe until they reached the Citadel again. Turning back to the Aes Sedai, she said, "You have a point. But I do think we should be leaving now, if you're finished, Aes Sedai. There could be more of those Trollocs out there- that might have been a scouting party." Avantika nodded. "I agree." She smiled abruptly at Vibyka. "I suppose this means you're a Gaidar now, hmmm?"
Vibyka smiled back. "Yes, I suppose it does."
Near the end of the third day, they approached the Citadel. The journey back had been uneventful enough, except for a few sightings of another Trolloc band, though they had managed to hide in enough time to avoid it.
As they approached the gates, the Warder Council came out to greet them. The Master of Training, Jip, approached them first. "Do….do… y….you… h… have ….some….some… to….token …o…of… y…your…. tr…trip?" he asked quietly in his stuttering voice. Avantika nodded and held up the ter'angreal. "We do, yes. I found what I was looking for. And the Ji'dar did a good job of protecting me." He nodded, and the Aes Sedai rode off, clutching her package tightly to her chest.
Vibyka dismounted , and found herself being led away to a small, bright room, which contained, to her relief, a large hot bath. Sinking into the bath, she finally had time to think about the past few days. She was both dirty and exhausted, and in desperate need of some sleep, but also excited, and a little relieved. She had done it, she realized proudly. Survived the test.
After she finished her bath, she was presented with a white tunic, red robe, and a black doublet, all bearing the sign of the Grey Tower. She dressed quickly, wondering about the coming ceremony. Like with the test, she had no idea what to expect- trainees weren't told anything about it either.
She was led out into the courtyard again, and found herself facing not only the Executive Council, but also a large semicircle of the Citadel's Gaidar and Gaidin, with the Master of Arms at the center.
"Come forward," he rasped. "Kneel."
Vibyka knelt.
"Do you come before your assembled brothers and sisters with a noble and just heart, wishing to join us as a Gaidin of the Tower?"
"I do."
"Do you promise to uphold the Light in all you do, to live a life of duty, truth, and goodness?"
"I do."
"Do you swear to serve and guard the Grey Tower faithfully?"
"I do."
"And finally, do you vow to devote your life to this cause, to swear yourself to the Light, the Tower, and the pursuit of justice?"
"Under the Light, and by my hope of salvation, I do."
The Warders' Oaths. She had taken them. Strange to think that once she had considered leaving the Grey Tower. But she knew now that she belonged here.
Vibyka watched as Caden was handed both of her daggers, pausing before saying, "May the Light bless these blades and their bearer, and may the Light illumine the path of this warrior." Then, to her relief, he handed them back to her, as she never felt quite comfortable without them.
Vibyka re-sheathed them at her waist before rising as ordered, and watching at the Warder-Channeler Representative Storm Sedai handed him a bundle. With a start, she recognized it as a fancloak , fluid and weightless. He unfurled it.
"I grant you the title of Gaidar; you are a Sister of Battle, and a Warder under the banner of the Grey Tower." He draped the cloak over her shoulders before fastening it at her neck. "Welcome."
The stony faces of the Warders in the courtyard relaxed as the Warder- Channeler Representative stepped forward again. "By the power vested me by the Amyrlin Seat and M'Hael of the Grey Tower, I acknowledge and witness the raising of this Gaidar of the Grey Tower. You are entrusted to protect one Aes Sedai or Asha'man of your choosing to fulfill your destiny."
Vibyka felt something relax momentarily in her usual grim countenance, and allowed herself to feel happy for a moment. It was done, then. She was finally a Gaidar.
