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DRAGONMOUNT

A WHEEL OF TIME COMMUNITY

The Returning of Koras - Everyone can join


KorasSendero

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OOC: First part is better done by a SL (one of the council members) , best by Arath.Then everyone can join (especially if a trial is going to happen). I am going to NPC my brother at some stages as well.

 

IC:

 

A strong atypical to that season of the year wind was blowing through the trees, that surrounded a small camp. The men were all asleep except one guard. The guardian… Asha’man Koras thought with a small smirk over his face. His head might be placed on a spike pretty soon, if doubts and questions will be pointed towards him as he will return. Return to the place that was home once. Return to the place, which represented the greatest paradox of all – The endless and intoxicating but yet so dangerous – Saidin. The male part of the One Power that has weaved the fabrics of time. Koras was just a small thread, so delicate, that every tug on it would make it tear. His life was now entering a crucial crossroad. The tug will happen, but where will it take him, that he could not foresee. If he would think that death was certain he would not come. But he had doubts, and the small chance he could bring change before going mad kept him going thus far. It was better to go mad around people who could kill him at once, and not beside his wife and children. This philosophic thought passed while he was exhaling the smoke. He constructed a small cigarette for himself, from some leafs he knew would be good for that purpose. He dried them up for three days, keeping them under his saddle.

 

Riding was what they did for the last few weeks. He could not stand the voice of hooves hitting the ground, the smell of horses answering the call of nature, and everything going backwards in fast forward. He could not enjoy a decent bed or have a nice meal. The two years of marriage made him softer, if anything could make Koras Sendero softer. He finished his smoke, and grabbed Saidin. Kill them all now, except your brother, run away towards the White Tower, and kill as many Aes Sedai as you can. “Shut up Zbynek” he said as he pondered upon why he was talking to his probably dead friend. Zbynek hated Aes Sedai more than he hated Dalinar when he made him do dishes after a nice dinner. The sun was coming up already, and everyone will be awake soon. They were only half a day away from “The farm”. The recruitment group that Koras has joined has left the tower around six months ago. Koras hoped that there was a place to return to. Or perhaps he hoped that everyone who remembered him died in a strange fire, and now he would return to a new place. Tabula rasa – or what they call it. The strong wind did not make the impression that it would slow down soon. He shivered a bit, and still held Saidin. He clutched to it like to his own mother. “Eron wake up” he said with a whisper next to his sleeping brother’s ear. Everyone knew that Koras couldn’t sleep, so they let him watch. They trusted him because of Eron and since they heard from Koras how eager he was to be an Asha’man again. No one in the group judged him; they thought he hunted down a Darkfriend who killed his buddy Zbynek. But questions will be raised - that was as sure as the sun rising every morning. Everyone in the group knew he was nervous.

 

Eron got up first. “Ready Kor?” he asked, as he washed his mouth with some water they kept from their last stop near a small lake. “I think I am” he shivered again and rubbed his hands together. He finally let Saidin vanish from his body. Koras believed that the more you channel the faster you’ll go nuts. But he still channeled. It was like breathing to him. “I hope Dalinar won’t get mad at me. I left without a notice after all. And Eron… the truth can wait” he implied the fact that his brother knew the true reason why Koras has left the tower.

 

Eron nodded slowly. “Let’s wake those bums up” he said and started waking up the staff, and kicking the new recruits. “These are soft as women” Eron said when he was done. “Good luck brother” he hugged Koras shortly and climbed his horse. Asha’man Eldor, the leader of the group started riding towards the tower, and the rest of the men kept formation behind him. They were to be ready for any scenario. As they were a few minutes away a patrol came over to meet them. Good – so the tower was still standing. The feelings were ambiguous in the small group. Eron, Eldor and York – that was the name of the third man from the recruitment group, a dedicated in rank, were happy to be back and do something except riding. Koras felt his guts twisting inside. And the three recruits they’ve picked up beside Koras were pale as if trying to escape a certain death. And death awaited, or madness and then death.

 

“Who goes there?” asked a soft womanish voice. “Tomas, you don’t recognize old Eldor anymore?” Eldor asked with sarcasm. “Sure I do” Tomas said and signed the other five men with him to stop and relax. “Eron, York. Welcome back” Tomas said when all men were on the ground leading their horses into the farm. “Fresh meat?” he asked Eldor and looked over at the four fellas he didn’t know. The four, Koras in front, were walking behind everyone else. Koras was smoking again, waiting for the wheel to weave.

 

“These three” he pointed at the three recruits “green as the grass in my backyard. The fourth one – he … well, you heard of Koras?” he asked. Tomas` eyes went wide. “That’s Eron’s brother? Thee Koras?” he was surprised as if someone told him that his mother was here. Eldor nodded. “We’ll have to let the council know about it” Tomas said and climbed his horse. “Omer, escort them, I have to ride forward” he said to his second in command and rushed into the tower. Koras was not surprised by the man’s reaction to his name. A Storm Leader that left his duty for some unknown reason. That story probably ran among the Asha’man, as a story of disloyalty or at least a mystery.

 

They entered the farm, and Koras was surprised that Dalinar wasn’t the one to meet him. Three men guarded the gate and behind them a gathering has assembled. Citizens and Asha’man were watching the parade. It was probably not an everyday thing that a recruitment band was returning from Arad Doman and with interesting news as well. Eron ran up to a girl who waited for him, probably Kayra from Eron’s stories. Eldor went to his family. The three recruits were taken to a security questioning. And that was it. Koras stood there alone. He did not know where to go next, so he stopped and finished his smoke.

 

“Koras Sendero” a voice said. “In the name of the Creator and the Dragon Reborn” said a voice from the small crowd that gathered in the entrance to the farm. Then he saw them coming out, people were moving around them to let them pass. No sign of the M’hael still. Only Storm Leaders. Most of them he knew. Most of them were Dedicated when he left.

 

“I am glad someone here remembers me, beside my brother and my mentee Eldor. Now where’s Dalinar, I will be extremely offended if he decided not to meet his old pal Koras here” he smiled and tried to look amused. He was in the void, ready for whatever came next. Suddenly he could not feel the source. He could not reach Saidin. His smile turned into a frown.

 

 

 

Koras Sendero, Asha’man

 

 

There is no good or evil,

 

Only a game of interests.

Edited by KorasSendero
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Letting the last paper flutter down into the pile, Arath slammed the folder shut with disgust and tossed it to the other side of his desk. Bloody paperwork. He couldn't think of anything he'd rather do less. Other than doing his bloody paperwork in Zarinen's quarters. That might be a little worse. At least she had better surroundings.

 

Stifling a yawn, despite the early hour, Arath stretched out in his chair, just as the door to his office banged open. "Sir!" Surpressing annoyance, Arath turned his gaze toward the Dedicated who stood panting in the door. "One of the recruiting parties just returned." The Storm Leader's eye's narrowed, implying that there had better be something more significant to it. "They've brought someone back with them who ... they need you to deal with him."

 

Arath frowned for a moment, wondering what could have happened on a recruiting trip that would require his attention, then pulled himself to his feet. "Show me," he commanded the Dedicated. His escort spun on his heel and took off, the Storm Leader hot on his trail. It didn't take long before the cause of the commotion became apparent. A face Arath hadn't seen in a very long time, standing among the newly returned Asha'man.

 

Pushing away a sudden urge to snap to attention, Arath pushed forward toward Koras. “I am glad someone here remembers me, beside my brother and my mentee Eldor. Now where’s Dalinar, I will be extremely offended if he decided not to meet his old pal Koras here.” Siezing Saidin, Arath wove a shield and slammed it into place on his old mentor. Things had changed since Koras had left. Many, many things. But some things remained the same, including treatment of disserters. A certain amount of leeway was made for those who had come back of their own free will, but this didn't appear to be the situation this time.

 

"I'm afraid Dalinar won't be able to meet with you Koras. But you can come with me. I'm sure we have a lot of things to discuss." Motioning toward the Citadel, Arath waited for Koras to make the first move before falling in behind him. He didn't mention the shielding at all. There was no need. Koras had been a Storm Leader, so he knew what was going on. Light send he had a good enough excuse for leaving like he had. "So," he said, breaking the silence of the walk, "It's certainly been a while, hasn't it?"

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OOC : Tell me if I over Rp-ed you - I can edit it afterwards.

Koras is a bit aggressive - best defense is the offensive.

 

IC:

 

 

 

"I'm afraid Dalinar won't be able to meet with you Koras. But you can come with me. I'm sure we have a lot of things to discuss" said the man who was once Koras` mentee but now he seemed in charge here. He did not like the tone of his voice when he spoke of Dalinar. He hoped Dali was okay and just away on some trip with his Aes Sedai friends. The man nodded towards the Citadel and Koras was happy that it was the old one-on-one and not some public trial or lynch. That was already better than what he imagined would be the worst case scenario.

 

“So…It's certainly been a while, hasn't it?” asked the Storm Leader who lead him. He could barely recognize the Soldier that Koras has trained two years ago. The man got sterner, grew tired. Koras understood that very well. This man and the tower needed men like Koras who could command and take responsibilities both in battle and outside it.

 

“Yes well, you can say that. I remember that by the pace things were before I left two years were indeed a lot of time. I managed to have two kids in two years” Koras said. The other man kept walking and they entered the Citadel. The Storm Leader did not respond, but lead him to what seemed to be his chambers. Things were different here. Someone had resources to repair the place. Koras remembered it differently from when he was a Storm Leader.

 

“As to where we can start I will say as an introduction before you will make accusations, and judging by the shield hanging over my head you are going to make them, that the world and thus the Black Tower divides into two kinds of people. I don’t mean on general but on the subject of blood seeing – those who seen blood… blood of their friends spilling out, next to them in battle, blood of the enemy when his head bursts off in a quick slash, and those who did not see blood and think that this all can happen theoretically someplace else. Well my dear Storm Leader Arath Faringal“, Koras himself was surprised that he remembered the man’s name “I have seen blood of my friends. And I’ve spilled other’s blood as well. You need men like me to fight in Tarmon Gai’don. Do whatever you want with me; I am ready to answer all your questions”. Koras took out another smoke and had a question mark expression about the legitimacy of him smoking in front of the Storm Leader.

Edited by KorasSendero
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  • 1 month later...

Arath waved his hand dismissively, not caring if Koras smoked his tabac in the Citadel. So long as it wasn't in his home, he didn't care. Settling into his chair behind his desk, Arath sat in silence for a few moments, considering the options. In the past, and under normal circumstances, Koras would be considered a traitor. He would have faced a quick execution and a place of his own on the traitor's tree. But this wasn't the past, and circumstances at the Farm were far from normal. They didn't even have a traitor's tree anymore. Arath surpressed a shudder at the strange memory of what had happened there.

 

"Questions ... I'm sure we both have quite a few. Many things have changed here while you've been ... away." Arath frowned for a moment, then let the shield on his old mentor dissolve. "I'm willing to take your answers on faith, but you should know that your life hangs upon them. First, I need to know why you're here. Light knows we need you, but given recent events, I have to question your timing. Why are you here now, after being gone for two years?"

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"I'm willing to take your answers on faith, but you should know that your life hangs upon them. First, I need to know why you're here. Light knows we need you, but given recent events, I have to question your timing. Why are you here now, after being gone for two years?" the other man asked and anticipated Koras` answer.

 

“Well” Koras scratched his cheek. His life was precious to him but he knew that madness was near. He felt a bit of relief having the One Power with him again, but light knew he would never misuse it on a fellow Asha’man. He answered as honestly as he could: “Is it a good timing then or just an odd one? I do not know what happened in the past two years and I do now know the situation of the tower. From the way you look away every time I ask you about Dalinar, he’s dead right?” Koras inhaled smoke, and let it out in a burst as Arath nodded. Kor will deal with his friend’s death later, as he intended to deal with Zbynek’s possible death. Sometime soon, after the last battle perhaps.

 

He opened his mouth, after a short hesitation. “I am here because of two reasons. Both are very selfish and interconnected. I felt in my bones that Tarmon Gai’don is near and decided that dying is best in combat, protecting the idea that made me who I am – an Asha’man – guarding and keeping common folks out of trouble. The duty of killing the bad guys - essentially. The other reason is that I felt madness approaching me and I did not want to risk my family. So if I am to go mad, like an old dog that has rabies, I will be put out of my misery here in the tower. Or at least if I am to die of madness I will at least take a few Dreadlords along with me”. He finished his short speech, and waited for Arath to respond. He took an ashtray and put out his rolled smoke.

 

Koras Sendero, Asha'man,

 

Savior of those who need saving (but who will save me?)

 

 

There is no good nor evil only a game of interests.

Edited by KorasSendero
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Arath watched the former Storm Leader over peaked fingers, listening carefully to what he had to say. "Your timing is good, but circumstances make it suspicious. You are the third of the old Storm Leaders to return to us in a very short time. Skechid and Ragnar both arrived within the last few weeks, and I begin to wonder what is causing this. Is it just the pattern pulling everything it needs together for Tarmon Gaidon? Or is someone else pulling strings? It may sound paranoid, but I have the hardest time believing in coincidence anymore."

 

"Your bones are right though," Arath continued, leaning back in his seat. "Tarmon Gaidon is upon us. The opening blows have already been struck, even if the Last Battle itself hasn't begun. Shienar is gone, and Arafel as well. Overrun by Shadowspawn and Dreadlords. We lost a lot of men in a counter attack on Fal Dara. So much has changed."

 

"I find it a little strange that you would come back here because you fear the madness. Most men run in the opposite direction when they have that concern. But I am glad you are here. Training standards have become lax recently. Ever since my responsibilities have taken me from the training grounds. We still use your name to terrify new recruits. And some of the Dedicated as well. We need you there, if you are willing and able to return to training."

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  • 4 weeks later...

OOC: Thanks Arath, I know it was hard for you to find time. Just to wrap it up before training starts:

 

IC:

Koras couldn’t hide his smile. “And training would be my favorite part, as you probably remember” he said with a grin. “I will go right ahead and catch up with the fellas in the dining room. I am guessing Smithie will find me a place to stay in the barracks, since my old house is probably taken” Koras left his bag where he stood in the entrance to the farm. The Storm Leader nodded, and Koras did not ask him about his rank. Asha’man would be appropriate, since he is to train all those Dedicated and Soldiers, but he still did not ask.

 

“With your permission” he said, and left as the Storm Leader nodded once more. After two hours he was well fed, and his bag was lying under his new bed. They found him a small house, much smaller than his old one. Apparently it belonged to an Asha’man who got mad recently and burned himself in training ground. Interesting, Koras thought, who will live here after the madness will take me?

 

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