Never in his life had Kaidad seen so many people in one place, people of ever creed and colour. He recognized some, a fair skinned Arafellin with two bell bound braids and the sleek green eyes and long moustache of a Saldean. Many though, he could not put a land to, the tanned man with the pointed beard wearing tighter than normal breeches over by the Cutlers workshop and the pretty woman leaving an Inn with large hoops in her ears and her skirts gathered high enough over her knee to make his ears go warm.

His first day in Tar Valon had been comfortable. He had spent the last few Silvers he had at the small Inn he had found near the  Daghain gate, the Thirsty Goose. It had not been a waste, the coins got him a somewhat cozy cot and a small plate of pork and boiled potatoes with some leeks on the side. But now Kaidad had no more time, or coin, to waste. It was time to do what he came all this way for and find the Tower Grounds. . .

 

 

It was well after Noon before anything came of the confusing directions given to him by a rank old man sitting in the Thirsty Goose. He walked on and on through the clean, straight streets of Tar Valon. The huge crowds making the already oppressive heat worse, the smell of people and sweat lingering in some places.

Maneuvering through the crowds caused little problem for Kaidad, he is not a small man. Taller than most and thick in chest and arms from years of swinging an axe and dragging logs. He bears proudly a crooked nose from breaks and a drooping eye lid from a bandits cudgel, the scar this prominent cutting through his left eyebrow. He pushed his way through the throng with the usual grunts and sidelong glances, until he reached the biggest plaza he had ever seen, stretching off through the bustle to a high white wall and the most spectacular sight he could ever imagine. Shining bright in the afternoon sun and reaching seemingly forever, the White Tower.

This close Kaidad had to crane his neck to see the top of the Tower, with a large hand he wiped the sweat from his forehead and shaded his eyes from the harsh Sun. He wore a satisfied grin, though his guts were turning somersaults  and he could feel his nervous heart throbbing in his ears.

He chuckled wordlessly to himself while he walked across the plaza before him, to the gate, the Warder Yards.

 

 

Kynwric was standing inside the yards watching trainees when he saw the tall, barrel chested youth walk through the gates. He took a moment to survey the new comer before turning back to give a sharp rebuke to the trainees working their forms in the yard. When he turned back to check on the boy, who was still standing there in the archway leading into the yards. "Well lad, you won't do anyone any good if you keep on standing there like you've been pole-axed." He noticed the boy regard him now. Well, that didn't get him moving... Kyn started to walk towards Kaidad, he had seen the stunned expression before on a number of newcomers to the Tower and Yards, but either which way he was blocking the gate and sooner or later was going to be run down by a carter trying to get in.  "Get out of the way of the bloody gate, other people need to use it too!" Maybe that would get the lad moving...

Awestruck, Kaidad stood just beyond the high arched gates to the Tower Grounds. He had spent his life envisioning the grandeur of Tar Valon, of the White Tower and the Aes Sedai, but his grandest fancy paled compared to the towers and high bridges that surrounded him now.

 

In his moon eyed state, Kaidad didn't notice the people trying to get by him to the Grounds. The people bumping by him weren't there and he didn't hear the grumbled curses. but one man caught his attention when he cleared yelled in Kaidad's direction, something about being poleaxed. By his hard eyes and cool confidence, this man looked as though he couldpoleaxe Kaidad. He looks like a man of Rank, perhaps he can help me."Get out of the way of the bloody gate, other people need to use it too!" the man yelled at Kaidad. Yes, this is the man I need to talk to. Kaidad decided. He moved to approach the man. Wait! How do you address a man like this? Kaidad had never spoken to anyone above the station of an Inn Keeper, this man could be a Captain of the Tower Gaurd, or what if he's a Warder?! Kaidad took a deep breath to calm his nerves and walked over to the man.

 

"Forgive me my Lord." He made his best attempt at a bow.

"I am Kaidad Umoru." Kaidad locked his eyes with the man before him and tried not to let his voice crack as he spoke." I humbly wish to train as a Warder in the White Tower."

 

 

Kynwric watched as the youth approached him and spoke, and locked his grey eyes with the youth when he spoke. "I'm no Lord, boy so you can stand up straight. If you want to try and be a tower Guard you need to go and see Thera Gaidin, she's the Mistress of Trainees. If you can pass her muster then you can seek me out and we'll see about starting your training proper." He pointed in the direction of Thera's office and gave him direction. "She'll almost certainly be there now."