Balance and Light - Galliban Tyren

[Guest]

High Priest Ybald's office was filled with the glow of morning's light. A great circular window paned with many-faceted crystal and framed by silver bits of mirror captured the sun's light and cast it forth on every surface in the room. Yet something softened it so that it seemed calm and cool rather than harsh or blinding. It was rather reminiscent of the Meditation Chamber.

Light reflected from the clean pure white stone of the walls and from the High Priest's desk and bookcase - both carved of matching white wood polished to a gleaming silver finish. A pile of neatly rolled scrolls took up half the desk space. The rest was occupied by a map of the Empire. The bookcase was filled with various leather-bound books and scrolls as well as few oddly shaped boxes.

The silver of Ybald's robe combined with the play of light to give him an almost otherworldly appearance- as if the light of Illuminatus itself emanated from the old man. He was seated in a great high-backed chair of some dark wood.

"Please come in, Galliban. It is most amazing to see those swords and that armor once again worn in service to our Lord."
He seemed almost to drift off into some memory or daydream for a moment.
"Yes, well. For your assignment. Let me start by saying you have earned a certain amount of say in where you are to be stationed. Usually your training here would take precedence for a while yet. However, your exceptional performance in your initial assignment and Helen's recommendation have earned you options - a certain amount of freedom - not open to other new paladins. Damrod has demanded your time for the last three marks of each tradetide, as he’s rather concerned with the strength of your potential. I daresay we all are. Midday until then you are in Helen’s hands for combat training. That leaves your mornings free for duty. We could use some help with the guard shifts at the sites of the recent disturbances. Alternately, you may serve morning duty here at the Temple. Early eveningtide, if you are interested...” His tone implied that she had better be interested. “There are study groups for various academic areas where our senior students seek to refine their teaching skills in a variety of areas. Have you any special requests in mind?"

[Galliban Tyren]

Galliban had indeed remembered Ybald's request for a meeting that morning. After morningtide services, Galliban changed into her new armor and reported promptly to the High Priest's office.

After Galliban entered the office, she took a moment to admire the aesthetic quality of the room. While it was certainly fitting for a man of Ybald's position, it managed not to be grandiose. When Ybald greeted her, she replied with the usual pleasantries. After the greeting, the ever polite achadhiel listened intently to the High Priest, maintaining proper posture all the while. When he finished speaking, Galliban waited a flicker before replying.

"I am indeed willing to occupy my mornings with duty. I have no preference concerning the manner of duty, and I will serve in the capacity you think best, sir," she said, responding to Ybald's tonal suggestion. Even if his tone had been neutral, Galliban still would have volunteered her time, as she considered it to be in the service of Illuminatus and therefore her duty. "As for academic studies, I believe that I should improve my reading and writing, as well as my mathematical abilities. I should also like to deepen my knowledge of history and theology, as well as undertaking an effort to improve my Common speech. Of course, I am open to suggestions on your part, sir." she continued.

[Guest]

"Very well. After Dawn Services and breakfast, you are to report to Captain Finn at the Cave site. Back here for training with Helen at Tradetide. Then to Damrod at third mark. After evening meal, you will meet with Brother Felton's tutorial group. The theological discussion will provide you with valuable information as well as allow you to hone your language skills."
Ybald wrote into a large book as he spoke, finalizing the newest paladin's schedule for the upcoming days.

"The next two marks are yours to do with as you please. Afterward meet with Helen. She will take you to meet the Captain."

The priest then turned his attention to the chart on his desk.

[Galliban Tyren]

Galliban listened as Ybald described her new schedule, occasionally nodding in agreement. She was glad that she had been given another assignment so quickly. It would be yet another oppurtunity to acquire real experience. She only hoped that her new assignment would not tragically as her last had.

"Very well, sir. I thank you for taking time out of your surely busy schedule to meet with me," Galliban replied respectfully when Ybald had finished speaking. She considered what to do with her two marks of free time for a moment, then opened her mouth to speak again. "Sir, might you know of a secluded area where I could get a feel for my new weapons?" she said.

[Guest]

The High Priest looked up from his chart, puzzled that the paladin initiate was still in his presence.
"Hmm? Secluded? Not so much... the best place would be the sparring court over in the main courtyard. There may be an early class there or a few other newcomers looking to get a little practice. For solitude you might rty a walk down to the beach, although the walking may take up more time than you'd like to spare. I wouldn't recommend the park or the gardens- people might get the wrong idea."

The sparring court was indeed occupied. However, it was such a large area that Galliban could easily stake out a small portion for herself. There were a pair of adhiel in light armor practicing sword positions in graceful unison. There was also a tall young human dressed in the robes of a priest attempting to familiarize himself with a rather heavy-looking staff.

[Galliban Tyren]

Galliban nodded and thanked Ybald before taking her leave. After exiting his office, she quickly made her to the main courtyard. She had hoped that the sparring court would not be occupied, but the location would have to do. It was simply too long a walk from the temple to the beach, and Galliban wanted to get the most out of her free time. The young achadhiel found herself a small area away from the others occupying the court, as she would need room to move and did not wish to bother the others.

After stretching a little, Galliban drew one of her new swords, holding it in her offhand. She took a moment to admire the blade. Even with no knowledge of weaponsmithing beyond that which could have been gained from the odd comment by her father during her childhood, Galliban could see that it was indeed a fine sword. She did not draw her other sword, as she figured that she had better learn to use a sword with her offhand before attempting to use both swords at once.

Galliban gripped her sword tightly and slowly began to thrust it into and slash at the air, doing her best to control her movements despite the unfamiliarity with using a weapon in her offhand.

[Guest]

Galliban found it quite difficult to make any sort of accurate slash or thrust with the weapon at first. It required much more concentration to keep control of the long extension to her off side hand. After almost dropping the sword once or twice, she found that she could control the motion better if she slowed down the movement. No matter what method she tried, it just felt unnatural and difficult to balance.

After several burns, a voice interrupted her exercise.
“If I didn’t recognize the quality of that blade and the craftsmark of the armor, I might be so mistaken as to recommend you seek out a beginners’ class before you do yourself some harm.”
It was the young man who had been struggling with the heavyshod staff.
“But our order would surely not give Leyle’s armor and swords to a mere beginner. Instead, I suggest you try a few practice forms with your good hand and then switch to mirror the same form with your other weapon. Exercise both sides: after all, we follow a god of Balance.”

[Galliban Tyren]

Galliban stopped when she heard the voice, and turned around to face the young man.

"What you say of our god is true, Father, so perhaps that would be best," Galliban replied in her accented common tongue with a nod. "I must admit that learning to use a sword in my off hand is more difficult than I expected, but I hope to gain knowledge from my errors. After all, Illuminatus is also the god of wisdom." she continued as she sheathed her sword. Galliban shifted her weight before continuing.

"Tell me, Father, how is it that you recognize the armor and weapons of Leyle? Was she very famous in her time? All I know of her is that she was a Prism."

[Guest]

“Famous? Outside of our order, no. No more than any other Prism, and quite a bit less than most. Amongst certain specialists of the temple’s disciplines, she is quite well known to this day. I happen to have been studying her recently. I’m afraid you will find little information in print or repeated in common lore. I do encourage you to try, though. It seems appropriate that one who bears her armor and swords should know something of Leyle. And perhaps you will find you have more than that in common.”

He looked as if he wanted to say more. But instead he simply smiled.

“I wish I could share more of the history with you, but it’s a bit of a secret that will have to wait for later. Perhaps I can show you something of interest...”
He set down his staff, which at close range could be seen to be covered in bumps and carvings from one end to the other - truly an irregular weapon to wield - and held out his hand to the novice paladin.
“May I hold one of the swords for a moment, Galliban?”

[Galliban Tyren]

Galliban listened politely to the priest's reply.

"Yes, I will see what I can find out in my spare time." she said with a nod, referring to the priest's suggestion that she learn more about Leyle. When she finished speaking, she once again let him speak.

"You may, Father." Galliban replied to the priest's request to handle one of her swords. It had caught her attention that the young priest had addressed her by name, which she had not given.

Perhaps he overheard my name in passing, or perhaps my name was spoken directly to him. No matter, it is not important.

Galliban unsheathed one of her swords and handed it hilt-first to him, being careful not to touch the edges of the blade.

[Guest]

"Thank you."
The priest handled the sword with some care, almost reverence. He took it in his right hand and held it up to catch the sun’s light. With his other hand, he traced a finger along the length of the blade.
He spoke a word , the word Purify in the adhiel tongue, and a flame, pure and white, enveloped the blade. It shone out, almost blinding a few casual passerby, but the light was only soothing to Galliban’s eyes.

After a few flickers, the light died down and the priest offered the sword back to the achadhiel.
“But a ghost of the light you will be able to call forth against our enemies. Learn balance with your blades and control of your spiritual power and you will do credit to Leyle’s memory. She was a powerful conduit for Lumi’s cleansing light. A good omen for our order in the time in which we find ourselves.”

He then picked up his own staff and headed for the main temple building.
“I am Father Gamble. I hope to have you as a student at some point. I urge you to do some research on Leyle and to follow your lessons well.”

[Galliban Tyren]

Galliban watched as Gamble took the sword in hand and raised it into the air. She heard him speak a word in her native tongue and watched at the blade as the white flame surrounded it. A look of awe, but not surprise, was in her eyes as she gazed at the brilliant flame. The flame looked akin to her core as she saw it during meditation. It seemed to her that its light shined brighter than the sun, but she did not look away as one who looked at the sun. The light was of a different nature, for it was not harsh to her eyes. It was the holy Light of Illuminatus.

Galliban observed as the flame died down, and took the sword back when it was offered to her. She handled it in the same manner that the priest had as she sheathed it. She then listened as Gamble started to speak again.

"Our meeting has been most enlightening, Father Gamble. I do hope that I shall have the chance to study under you, and I thank you for the advice you have given me today. May you go with the Light." she replied in the adhiel language.

Galliban watched as the young priest retreated to the main temple building, then turned around and drew both swords. She remembered Gamble's advice and started out with a simple stab using the sword she held in her main hand, then attempted to copy it with the sword in her off hand.

[Guest]

Galliban found that her moves, even with her main hand, were hindered by the presence of the sword in the opposite hand. The weight and bulk of the extra weapon caused her to have to adjust her stance and to make some countermovement to balance her strikes. While concentrating on one hand being active, she still needed to take the other sword into account for balance and posture in order to make her movements smooth. It was indeed a more difficult task than wielding a weapon in the off hand alone.

The up side was that moving the off hand sword counter to the main weapon gave her better control of that hand when it came time to switch.

After a few burns, another voice interrupted the novice’s exercise.
“Care for a spar?” It was the younger male adhiel who had been practicing. He and his partner had approached Galliban, and each carried a wrapped practice sword.
The second adhiel spoke up she seemed about Galliban’s age.
“Pick one or, if you’re brave, two of the short practice swords. Please. He could use the practice.”
She indicated a nearby rack of the weighted wooden weapons.

(OOC: I’ve stuck with the convention of putting adhiel speech in italics.)

[Galliban Tyren]

OOC: By the way, my last thread should probably be skilled before we go too much farther.

IC: Galliban turned to the two adhiel and sheathed her swords. She nodded to each of them individually before making her reply.

"Well met, I would be glad to spar with you," she said in her native tongue, then proceeded to the rack of wooden weapons. She picked out two swords, both as close to the size of her own swords as possible. She figured that even if she was not able to attack effectively with the sword in her off hand, she could at least use it defensively. The young achadhiel then turned back to the adhiel pair. "I must admit that I have not met many pure adhiel followers of Illuminatus, and I have met none who were paladins, with the exception of this meeting." Galliban said as she approached the pair, practice swords in hand.

[Finodborn]

OOC: I will do that today.

[Guest]

The pair exchanged a glance at Galliban’s mention of adhiel paladins, something secret and amusing passed between them. In that flicker, the novice paladin realized that not only were her two companions kin, but they were almost identical. Mirror images of adhiel grace - one male, one female.
The young woman spoke.
“Paladins? No. We are merely children of Illuminatus engaged in service to him on the isle.”

“Indeed,” spoke her brother as he raised his practice sword to tap lightly against the edge of Galliban’s off hand sword. He then stepped back and raised his blade to a ready position. From his movements, it would seem he had less practice with his weapon than Galliban had at two-handed fighting.

[Galliban Tyren]

"Oh, I see. I simply assumed that you were training for combat. I suppose that I was hasty in my assumptions," Galliban replied to the adhiel siblings. She looked down at her practice sword when the male adhiel touched his own to it, then looked up at him and gave him a slight smile before continuing to speak. "No matter. Let us begin." she said. Galliban took a step back and held her wooden swords at the ready.

[Guest]

The adhiel took two quick short steps forward, leading with his left foot, and brought his sword in for a low strike to Galliban's left side.
"I am called Lot by some here."

(OOC: Sorry if this is short, but such is the nature of sparring. )

[Galliban Tyren]

Galliban watched as her sparring partner brought his sword in low on her left side. As quickly as her achadhiel reflexes would allow her, she brought the sword in her left hand down in an attempt to block the strike.

"I am called Galliban." she replied to Lot, meanwhile thinking his name a bit odd for a pure adhiel.

[Guest]

Galliban found that the flow of movement she had picked up in practice did not come as easily when her concentration was on an opponent’s blade. The left hand moved without the harmonious countermovement of the right and threw her a tiny bit off balance. Still she recovered in time to prevent leaving a vulnerable hole in her defenses.

She succeeded in blocking Lot’s blade. In fact there was very little contact. The two blades simply tapped, as Lot spun completely around, his weight on his right foot, and brought his sword in high and fast toward Galliban’s right shoulder.

[Galliban Tyren]

Galliban reacted as soon as she determined the course of her opponent's blade. She raised the sword in her right hand up to block her opponent's blow and almost simultaneously swung the sword in her left hand towards the young adhiel's left (or right, from his vantage point) side, aiming right below his ribs. Galliban was hoping that her weapon would make contact before her sparring partner had a chance to draw his sword back and block her strike.

[Guest]

Galliban's wits and reflexes were with her. The momentum Lot's swordswing carried knocked her blade aside. But the block did take away some of the fiorce of the blow. Still, it was a jarring rap to Galliban's right shoulder.

Meanwhile her own off-hand blade made a solid connection with her opponent's ribs. His own spin carried him into the blow with some force and the wind was knocked from him.

He leapt back quickly, breathing harshly and lightly bent over.
"Good reflexes, Paladin."

[Galliban Tyren]

"Thank you. You have some skill as well," Galliban replied, rotating the shoulder she had been struck on as she spoke. She would have asked Lot if he was okay, but she guessed that he would not have complemented if she had done him a true injury. They were only using wooden swords, afterall. "Shall we continue?" she asked, eager to go on with their spar.

[Guest]

Lot's reply was to charge Galliban - bringing his sword up and rushing forward from his crouched position with no warning. His sword was headed straight for Galliban's stomach. The sun's light flashed on its metal surface, warning the novice paladin that something was terribly wrong.

[Galliban Tyren]

OOC: Well, you could have been more clear about what was happening in your last post. I don't really understand what is going on. Isn't Lot using a practice sword? Oh well, I'll edit my post if I've misinterpreted the situation.

IC: At a more appropriate time, Galliban would thank Illuminatus for her quick reflexes. She stepped aside and turned one hundred and eighty counterclockwise as soon she caught that something was wrong, hoping that Lot would not have time to adjust the direction of his strike. As she finished her step, Galliban raised her right leg to just below her chest and thrust her leg downward with as must force as she could muster, aiming so that her foot would make contact with the side of her opponent's knee.