Oathsinger

[seraphim]

Eulogy pt. 1

Breathing, it was the only sound she could hear. Her own body shook, blood trickling from her lip and nose was near silent in comparison. Her hand gripped tightly to the large weapon in her grasp, her hand could barely grip it's girth. Slowly she stood and took her position, raising the halberd in front of her. The sight was that of paradox, such a small girl bearing a weapon meant for someone twice her size. Her golden hair swayed wildly around her, some of it tainted by the reddened effect of what she was doing. "Again," the deep male voice resonated in front of her, his brown eyes and wrinkled skin showing the wear and tear of his experiences. His gray hair was short as was his frame. The build of a true warrior, a warrior of Akanax. She forced back the tears she felt building in her eyes, her mind cleared as she stood firm. She stepped forward, slowly increasing her pace as she crossed the division between them, her final steps a charge as she lowered the weapon. The stinging sensation resonated through the impact of the blade against her halberd but she remained locked in place, unyielding, her body shaking from the strain as she looked into his eyes, her blue eyes piercing into his. They stood there for a few long moments, neither unyielding from their collision. She pushed harder, finally, she was gaining ground as she growled, the elder man finally giving, with one hard shove she broke their entanglement and swung her blade towards him. Pain enveloped her left side, her breath was gone as she felt herself shift into the air slightly, the sounds of cracking could be heard clearly as she desperately tried to regain her breath. A moment passed as she felt a hand grip into her shoulder, her body lifting into the air before she felt it release. Her vision was blurred in the motion but the pain of the hard stone impacting her as she bounced was undeniable. She laid there, spitting out some blood, her hand still gripped tightly around her weapon. She panicked, the sensation of pain clouding her as she rose to a knee, her halberd lifting in the last second as the blade crashed into it's handle, shattering the wood against her, the blade barely slicing into his cheek as she finally looked up to the elder man. Time slowed as the blade swung back, her vision catching the glint of light upon it as it came for her, her hand raised instinctively, the rest of the pole moving between the man's legs, connecting with all the strength she could muster.

"Your daughter has passed the trial Ariadne," the man spoke calmly, almost as though it was rehearsed. The woman fixated her blue eyes below them, the young and battered eleven year old stood with the blade end of her halberd against the neck of one of her best tutors. Their eyes locked for a few moments, seeming to search each others for understanding as the middle aged woman gave her daughter a nod of approval before turning away, a slight smile playing across her lips. "You are truly a Talgaverditz, Nynaeve," she let slip as she moved down the hall, taking the small bundle into her arms, the child crying softly as she comforted it. "No other would I choose for your protector my Jayla," she said as she kissed the child upon the forehead.

The young man pushed himself from the ground slowly, his head still in a daze as he removed his helm. He slowly staggered to the side, his men aiding him along as he glanced behind him. Her cold gaze was undeniable and unforgettable, it was the one she maintained always, just like her mother...she was indeed deserving of her title and name. She leaned against her halberd as she glanced to her side, the pink cloaked and hooded figure coughed a bit, some of her pale skin and dark hair being exposed as she spoke softly, "sister, it seems we are done here, aye?" "Aye," Nynaeve answered while tying back her long golden hair. Her mind collected on what had transpired, another suitor finding himself unworthy of her. She had thought this one suitable but he was like so many, not a true son of Akanax. "May we go and see mother?" Jayla asked meekly, seeming to almost regret her words as she turned away. The stern expression faded from Nynaeve, the usual cold gaze softened solemnly, her head lowering as she spoke. "Aye, let us go and tell her what happened Jayla, perhaps..." she stopped herself short, standing and gently taking Jayla's hand as they moved along the streets of their city to the hills. There, with the rest of their family laid the grave of their mother. Jayla coughed as she kneeled, placing the flowers she had brought upon the grave. "Mother," she spoke almost chipperly, "I have mastered the second circle this year, Nyn said I will have the third in less than that..." she continued her conversation as Nynaeve looked on, her mind drifting as she lowered her head reverently. Night came as Jayla finished, finally lowering her hood, her porcelain skin illuminating in the moonlight. "Do you wish me to leave you two alone, Nyn?" she asked, not seeming to expect a response as she hugged her older sister, resting her head against her shoulder for a few moments. Nynaeve returned the hug gently, kissing the top of her sister's head before she stepped towards the grave slowly, the moonlight reflecting off the white stone. She glanced back as she watched Jayla make her way down the hill before kneeling and laying her halberd before her. "Jayla is safe and well mother, I continue my oath to you." Her words seemed to waver as a few tears escaped her eyes, trickling down her cheek. "I will find a way to cure her mother, I won't let you or father down," she spoke a bit more firmly as she gripped her hand against the halberd. "We leave tomorrow, to search for her cure and to-" she stopped a moment as she closed her eyes and exhaled before continuing, "to continue my studies, so that I can become stronger...so I can become a Talgaverditz."

[seraphim]

Eulogy pt. 2

The sounds of dripping echoed around her, her own slow and pained breaths continued as her eyes remain fixated on the dead form before her. It slowly dissipated into a giant red pool that flowed around her, mixing with the remaining blood dripping from her. She fixated on the reflection of the crimson fluid, her eyes taking in the sight before her. The once golden hair and fair skin doused in crimson, all save her eyes and an occasional lock. Her expression hardened as she pushed herself up, gripping the obsidian steeled blade tightly as she looked ahead at the giant red form before her, she quickened her step, calling out the familiar words of creation as they echoed around her, the power surging into her as she swung back her blade.

The groan came out clear as she felt her elbow impact into the woman's midsection, she turned her head to watch as the young woman hit back first against the stone pavement. She stepped back and readied her short blade, raising the buckler in front as her cool gaze laid upon the young woman. "Again, Andretta" she spoke calmly as the young woman stood, her soft brown eyes showing a hint of anger towards Nynaeve. She glared at Nynaeve as she pushed her brown hair behind her ears, taking a side stance and charging Nynaeve, her first blade thrusting forward as she readied her second. Nynaeve caught her blade against the buckler, stepping to her opposite side as she stood firm, their bodies impacting as the second blade swung, meeting Nynaeve's. Their eyes met as the two remained locked firmly. Nynaeve's eyes softened a moment as she spoke to Andretta softly, "Why do you not listen to me..." she spoke as she physically forced Andretta off of her, moving her back a few feet as she continued to speak "Never," she spoke firmly as she deflected the first blade with her shield, knocking it loose as she brought the buckler down hard on Andretta's wrist, "charge," she continued as she blocked Andretta's other arm with her own pressing the blade against her neck gently, "a Chessentan," she ended softly. Their eyes locked again, Andretta's still hinting at anger as Nynaeve's looked on solemnly. The sudden pain in her spine sent her to the ground, whimpering a bit as she dropped her blade. Andretta gloated as she took her time reclaiming her blades as Nynaeve laid there in pain. Andretta raised her blades and brought them towards Nynaeve. The shield connected as Andretta reeled, it landing behind her as she spit out some blood she growled in anger and swung her blade forward. The blade stopped in midair as she turned her head, seeing Nyn's hand holding the blade as blood began to seep from it, her momentary view went to darkness as she felt the connection against her head. Nynaeve stood above Andretta, dropping the blade from her hand as she grimaced in pain, her bloodied hand moving to her back as she kneeled beside her, her brow cut and bleeding from her own blow.

"It was a spar mother, accidents happen," Andreas spoke exhaustedly as his mother continues to glare at the pair, Andretta sat there with a blackened eye and cut brow, Nynaeve, her brow and hand bandaged somewhat as they looked down, the elder woman's gaze apparently holding some impact over them both. "It was an accident, Milady," Nynaeve spoke clearly, glancing over to Andretta whom was fuming still. "Our heads merely connected was all," She hoped the clarity of her words wouldn't hint at the simplistic explanation for what was clearly another spat. "You see mother?" Andreas smiled as she stepped behind his mother, rubbing her shoulder comfortingly. "If anything, you should be proud that these two are stalwart enough to endure this and make things better, right?" his last word carried more to Andretta than to Nynaeve as Andretta finally looked up, "Of course Andreas is right mother, I learned to not try that manuver again," she spoke with a bit of disdain in her voice. "Well, then it is settled," the mother said as she motioned Andretta to follow, "Let's go get you something for the wedding dear." Andretta followed, trudging behind her mother.

"You can show some sign of weakness at times, Nynaeve," Andreas mused as he looked over the cut into her hand. "It won't scar but it is a nasty cut," He looked down to her as she kept her gaze down. "Andretta is the youngest child Nynaeve, just like Jayla," he said softly as he moved to kneel beside her, placing her finger under her chin and raising it, locking his eyes on hers. "Maybe I am pushing too much Andreas, she already has something against me," she spoke simply. "My sister is a bit spoiled and rash at times Nynaeve, but we all have faults like that at times," He continued, a slight grin across his lips. Her cheeks reddened as she muttered in chessentan some before finally speaking, "aye, the rocks." He laughed and kissed her forehead as he stood, "The real trouble is, I have three women in my life who are all the same Nynaeve."

Pain enveloped her, her eyes blurred at the light as she began to cry out, a hand falling over her mouth to muffle her. "You've been unconscious for well over three days Nynaeve," the elderly woman's voice calmed her as things began to focus, the ceiling she had grown used to was above her and someone she knew beside her. "The Kelemvorites found you dragging yourself to their doors, always so stubborn," she mused some of the statement as she adjusted some of the bandaging around her torso. "Do not worry, I will not tell Andreas about your recent escapade, though I should," she spoke sternly as she looked to Nynaeve. "My dear," she continued softly as she rubbed a hand over Nynaeve's forehead, "I do not doubt your heart or your sincerity with your word, but you need to understand that once you are a Me'LePaughn things are going to change for you, forever."