The smell of smoke enters his nose as he awakens to his mothers screams.
*Flash*
Fire.....
Harsh wailing is followed quickly by jeers from the onlookers outside the small ramshackle house. They taunt those inside with crazed evil looks and chants.
*Flash*
The cooling, soothing touch of his aunt erased all sign of distress from his face as he drifted of to sleep.
*Flash*
With as much stealth as a boy of thirteen could muster Velis stalked the forest, head twisting toward any sign of movement. Slowly he moved through the shadows, carefully placing his feet to reduce noise.
*Flash*
A large shape dives from above landing directly on top of Velis, he struggles for freedom to no avail.
The man gets off, dusting his cloak and breeches.
"Never forget for a moment that there is always someone faster, someone smarter and someone willing to do that which you would not."
*Flash*
Dripping wet a boy kneels in a pool of mud, head bowed, his tears run lines down a dirt covered face. His sword, still flexing side to side, protrudes from a nearby tree, humming quietly, waiting.
*Flash*
The road stretched out before Velis, he had been walking many miles, the strain of many days travel etched on his face. He looked up and for the first time saw the white spires of Tar Valon glinting in the sunlight.
*Flash*
A savage boot to the head causes Velis to spit blood in an arch across the pristine white floor. Smug men look down on him and fain kicking him again, twitching Velis watches as they walk off.... laughing.
*Flash*
Darkness surrounds both men as they walk through a catacomb of tunnels, Trollocs and Fades around every corner they fight their way down. The man gives Velis a grim look as they enter a blackened door.
*Flash*
Jardae and Vierna shake Velis' hand as he attains Adept rank, he smiles politely and motions for them to lead him inside the mess hall, nodding slowly he follows them.
*Flash*
Sitting behind a desk, Velis finalizes his paperwork, shuffling the notes together he places them in a draw and locks it will a small key. Glancing toward the door a saddened look crosses his face for the briefest of moments.
*Flash*
Pulling on the cloak of Weaponmaster for the first time, Velis looks down at his hands and shakes his head. Mirrored glass throws back his reflection as he turns and walks down the hall of the Students barracks.
Lord Velis a'Bekkar
Moderator: Builders
Re: Velis a'Bekkar
Cracking the seal baring his house name, Velis studies the parchments intensely.
*Written in a steady, flowing hand*
Lord Velis,
Matters with the estate have been settled, Lord Baildan will be arriving shortly, he travels to Caemlyn via horse as you read this. The orchard is running well, production is almost at 100%, metals from the mines are down, but we currently have a large pocket of ruby. As you can imagine the court is alight in Caemlyn, with rubies the queens favorite gem we are getting favorable mention. Most speak eagerly of the Lords of Branstrom's return. Apparently the Queen herself made mention of you, making note of your time in the Warder Students as Weaponsmaster and the aid given by House Branstrom to fight back the recent trolloc raids in Braem. All house staff have reported and your rooms have been made ready and we eagerly await your return.
Your faithful servant
Rynar
*Written in a steady, flowing hand*
Lord Velis,
Matters with the estate have been settled, Lord Baildan will be arriving shortly, he travels to Caemlyn via horse as you read this. The orchard is running well, production is almost at 100%, metals from the mines are down, but we currently have a large pocket of ruby. As you can imagine the court is alight in Caemlyn, with rubies the queens favorite gem we are getting favorable mention. Most speak eagerly of the Lords of Branstrom's return. Apparently the Queen herself made mention of you, making note of your time in the Warder Students as Weaponsmaster and the aid given by House Branstrom to fight back the recent trolloc raids in Braem. All house staff have reported and your rooms have been made ready and we eagerly await your return.
Your faithful servant
Rynar
Re: Velis a'Bekkar
Placing the parchment in his scrip, Velis seals the bag and places it atop many others. Looking around the room he realizes it barely shows signs of his passing. Reaching for his dagger he carves a V above the doorway. Nodding to himself he continues out the door, stewards rushing in to collect his belongings.
Stopping along the way to look at mundane objects overlooked a thousand times, he almost seems hesitant to leave. Arriving in the Yard, everyone stands to attention. All the Students have turn out from Weaponmasters to fresh applicants, every man in training uniform, saluting. A rawr comes from the formation as Velis steps forward, shaking hands and claping close friends on the back.
Moving to the back of the Yard, Velis talks to the Warders and Aes Sedai that he has come to know over the years, telling them of his plan to return home and join the Queen's Guard, well wishes and parting gifts are exchanged. Everyone comes together at the end of the afternoon, sharing stories of Velis' deeds and exploits. Velis can be seen to smile on more then one occasion.
Many goodbyes and three additional traveling cases later, Velis rides at the head of a small party. The wagon makes a large creak as they move off, the spires of Tar Valon shrinking in the distance as the horses make their way south along the well paved road.
Leaving the road, Velis allows the horse its head, galloping along the wagon cut grass, the estate spreads out before him as he crests a rise. Large orchards leafless and barren at this time of year will soon flower for the spring harvest. Smoke rises from the mines scattered amongst them. Winter having no effect on those below the earth.
Stopping along the way to look at mundane objects overlooked a thousand times, he almost seems hesitant to leave. Arriving in the Yard, everyone stands to attention. All the Students have turn out from Weaponmasters to fresh applicants, every man in training uniform, saluting. A rawr comes from the formation as Velis steps forward, shaking hands and claping close friends on the back.
Moving to the back of the Yard, Velis talks to the Warders and Aes Sedai that he has come to know over the years, telling them of his plan to return home and join the Queen's Guard, well wishes and parting gifts are exchanged. Everyone comes together at the end of the afternoon, sharing stories of Velis' deeds and exploits. Velis can be seen to smile on more then one occasion.
Many goodbyes and three additional traveling cases later, Velis rides at the head of a small party. The wagon makes a large creak as they move off, the spires of Tar Valon shrinking in the distance as the horses make their way south along the well paved road.
Leaving the road, Velis allows the horse its head, galloping along the wagon cut grass, the estate spreads out before him as he crests a rise. Large orchards leafless and barren at this time of year will soon flower for the spring harvest. Smoke rises from the mines scattered amongst them. Winter having no effect on those below the earth.