Talyn had arranged to take a group of trainees out to Cairhein, to teach them a little about the Aiel War, and the devistation of his own country. Every year his grandfather preached about how the Aiel had moved silently through the Ranch. No one had ever seen one, but he knew they had come that way. There really was no way to get to Cairhein except through the Jangai pass, and the Ranch was far enough off the road for travelers not to see the horde of Aiel that traveld through.

 

Tonight would be their last camp before reaching the city itself where the true lesson would begin. Talyn spoke to the trainees about survival techniques as they road and they were expected to fix camp securily and take guard shifts during the night. It was a small training exercise to gear them for becoming a Tower guard. And the watch wasn't very long, so they got enough rest.

 

Talyn sat by the camp fire cooking a meal while the trainees were off setting up camp, or messing around if they were finished. Talyn would only become strict if their camp was not set up properly. Talyn wondered if they even thought this was training.

 

Talyn

Ran was together with some of his fellow trainees busy with setting up the camp. He loved this trip as it was good to be out of Tar Valon with a small group. Ran had been busy with training in the yards almost all the time. He had had time to spend with the other trainees a lot, but this was just tightening the bonds between them a lot.

 

Talyn was a very nice Tower Guard. He had learned them a lot about setting up camps and survival techniques. The best way to learn thing was to practise them. That was excactly what they were doing right now. Ran looked over his shoulder to Talyn who was cooking dinner on the campfire. Ran breathed in through his nose and he noticed it wouldn't be long before dinner would be ready.

 

Cairhien was close he had told them. Ran looked forward to be in a big city again, a big city but no Tar Valon. They would get a tour around the city, learn about the Aiel War and have fun. They would be staying at one of the inns in the City and Ran new that it would be a lot of fun with the trainees he was doing this travel with, as well as with the Tower Guard. Talyn could be very strict, but only if the trainees wouldn't do things they had to do properly. Otherwise he was quite fine with everything.

 

Ran Arosho

Tower Trainee

 

OOC: I guess you don't mind me going along with this trip either. If so don't hestitate to tell me! And yes I'm from the White Team as well :D

Rodrik nailed the last spike in his tent, and moved to help Ran. He spoke quietly to him, "This is the last night before we reach the city. Let's make this camp the best one, to prove we're good." Ran nodded and they set up the tent quickly, but properly. Rodrik stood up and surveyed the camp. They were nearly finished, and it looked pretty well done. Most of the stuff that Talyn had taught the White Team Rodrik had already known. His father had taught him well on how to survive. From which direction the moss on trees grows, all the way to what herbs help heal you. But Talyn had shown him how to make a good camp, and he was thankful for it. His father had mainly only shown him how to make a simple survival shelter. Not a camp with guard shifts. He sniffed the air and he smelt dinner. 'Another minute or two', he thought to himself.

 

Rodrik then thought about the trip to Cairhien. They were going to learn about the Aiel War, which was pretty interesting. Rodrik had always found history interesting. Especially if he was going to be learning any tactics about how the Aiel fight. He sat on a log muddled in his own thoughts, when Talyn called out, "Supper's ready. Eatand then figure out your shifts." Rodrik smiled as he stood up. He knew which shift he wanted. Dawn. He Who Comes With Dawn was Aiel, and since they were learning about the Aiel, he figured it was appropriate. He moved to get his dinner.

Talyn let everyone choose their own shifts, everyone had to hold one and he'd take the one no one else wanted. It really didn't matter to him. But the night went by uneventfully and they all work to an early breakfast of eggs and soup.

 

When everyone was fully finished with their meals, Talyn started to get them moving. "Lets get going, we want to see Cairhein before the sun goes down." They weren't very far from the city but he wanted them to know they had things to do.

 

Talyn helped everyone quickly gather their things and mount up. The city would be in view in an hour or so and he was eager to see the city after so many years.

 

OOC: Post your initial reactions to seeing Cairhein. Then I'll do a "history" lesson and take us to the inn where ya'll can have a party. Don't forget to invite all your White Team friends.

 

Talyn

Rodrik gaped at the sight of Cairhien. He had only been to one great city in his life, and it was the largest city in the world. Tar Valon. But Cairhien had its own jaw dropping qualities to a man born and raised in Haddon Mirk. There were towers that seemed endless, nowhere near the height of the White Tower, but that was made with the Power. These were planned and built by men.(and Ogiers?) They ended in jagged tops, from the Aiel that he was here to learn about. They passed through the area outside of the city. It was as crowded as the streets in Tar Valon, but here, the people wore bright colours, and smiling. There were hawkers in the streets yelling at the tops of the their voices to proclaim how good their product was, whether it be pies, or walking sticks. The buildings were made of wood, and their were several inns that he could see, but Talyn led them on, through the hustle, and towards the stone walls that led to the Inner City. He couldn't wait until they got to the inn. Then he would have a chance to explore the city.

Talyn began his lecture of the Aiel War once they entered the city of Tar Valon. It had been awe inspiring war despite the damage it did to the city. The Aiel came out of no where and attacked. The city burned and people fled the city. But then the Aiel just up and left, leaving the city in ruins and the people to clean it up. They had been looking for something, rather someone. And they only wanted Laman's death. Talyn told the story as if it were some kind of grand adventure. It was how his grandfather had told him each time they came to the city to sell their stock.

 

Talyn missed his family and they were only a short jaunt away, well it was a day's ride but it wasn't that far after the amount they'd traveled to get there. Talyn wondered if the trainees would like to go and see how real war horses were trained. It might be a good excursion if they agreed.

 

By the time they'd reached the inn, Talyn was parched. It was definately time to get a drink. They all dismounted and cared for their animals in the stable before Talyn purchased each of them their own room for the next two nights. He wanted them to have a chance to roam the city in the following morning.

 

OOC: have fun, drink dance be merry. And you can roam the city if you like. I'll post Talyn asking a question a bit later about the horse ranch. But it's totally up to whoever decides to post.

 

Talyn