Kaehle Graisen

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Kaehle Graisen
Kayl Gray-son
Created by Nate Holman
Information
Gender Male
Occupation Soldier
Affiliation The Grey Tower
Nationality Cairhienin

Kaehle Graisen is a Cairhienin Soldier of the Grey Tower.

Description

Kaehle is, in some ways, a typical Cairhienin. Relatively short and slender, he learned early in life that quickness was his greatest asset. With deep blue eyes, pale skin and thick brown hair cut short, Kaehle would have a pleasant enough face if it weren't for the angry, jagged scar running from the hairline above his left temple all the way to the base of his jaw. Quiet and self-assured though he may seem in most situations, Kaehle possesses a volatile temperament that has led to serious con flicts in the past. He is young, but something in his gaze carries the weight of poor decisions made and hard lessons learned early in life. Spend enough time in Kaehle's presence and the quiet disposition that seems so natural becomes more and more overshadowed by the deep, abiding sorrow that lies at the heart of his entire character. Still and all, he displays a ready smile for his friends and a seldom expressed but quick wit and is a brave and loyal companion to his friends and allies.

Biography

He had always been quick. Growing up Kaehle was not weak, but he was never particularly string either, and as his slight frame developed throughout his formative year without ever filling out, he honed that quickness until it was his primary asset. He was quick enough to run away from fights that he couldn't win, but he was also quick enough to win fights that seemed impossible. At least, that was the case until Laethon arrived.

Laethon was intelligent, good looking, much stronger than Kaehle and almost as quick. The dislike was mutual and nearly instantaneous. For years Kaehle struggled to find a way to beat Laethon, to prove that he was at least his equal, if not his superior. Every attempt failed and Kaehle lived every day under the torment and cruelty that can only be expressed by rival youths. Finally, one day when Kaehle was 17, his conflict with Laethon came to a head outside the walls of Cairhien.

Kaehle had slipped out of the city in the early hours of the morning and went walking in the woods. He was well past the time to decide on his future and he had no profession or trade selected. Nothing appealed to him as how he desired to spend the rest of his life. Suddenly a rustling in the bush behind him made him turn. Laethon grinned at him from the trail, an evil, malicious grin that spoke of pain to come and joy in that pain.

"What do you want Laethon?" Better to observe the formalities, Kaehle thought. Maybe I can distract him and get away.

"You really shouldn't be wandering out here in the woods by yourself Kaehle," responded Laethon with a nasty grin. "Something bad could happen to you." His hand dropped to the dagger at his side and Kaehle became instantly alert. Laethon appeared to have more on his mind than a simple beating this time.

Pulling his own dagger, Kaehle tried one last time. "Laethon, just let me go back to the city, alright? I don't want to fight you." Laethon just grinned wider and charge, dagger held out before him. Kaehle ducked and tried to dodge to the right, causing Laethon to miss he chest with his first thrust, but the burning sensation from hairline to jaw told Kaehle that he didn't escape untouched. With blood running through down his face and through his eyes he could barely see Laethon raise his dagger again.

Panic caused a sour sensation in his gut, a burning that bubbled up into his chest until he felt he would explode. He raised his dagger to try to defend himself and suddenly with a loud rumble the earth began to shake around the boys. Harder and harder the trees swayed and the ground rumbled below them, until Laethong stumbled suddenly, gasping in surprise as he fell forward, directly onto Kaehle's dagger. Through blurry eyes Kaehle saw Laethon's eyes open wide and then the life faded, he sighed and slid to the ground, Kaehle's dagger planted firmly in his chest.

The rumbling ceased, the earth stopped shaking. The only movement in the woods was the solitary figure of a boy, forced from his youthly innocence, as he sobbed over the still form of his rival. As the weeping continued, a veertical slash suddenly appeared in the air and a man dressed all in black stepped from the hole that formed.

"Your name boy?" The man gruffly asked.

"Kaehle sir," he sobbed in return. "I didn't mean it, I didn't want to kill him, I swear by the Light!"

"It's too late for that lad," the man responded, not unkindly. "You used the One Power to kill another man. You have a debt to pay to your fellows." He turned and another hole appeared in the air. "Step through there boy, and present yourself at the gates to the Grey Tower. Inform the guards that you are to report to the M'Hael as a new Soldier. In time, you will be trained to control your power and to become a guardian of life, as the Asha'man are tasked to be."

Career History

  • Soldier