Ryslede Street

A few small birds circle the street aimlessly, weaving among the tall, thick-trunked trees as they call to each other in lazy cries. In the sky above them are a few wisps of clouds, barely large enough to be called clouds at all, though they do add a touch of moisture to the sky and perhaps give a few people hope for rain, though fewer people have such hopes as each day of this heat wave passes. Around you and all along this smallish street paved with smooth white stones, people rush by on their way to some destination or other, hardly even noticing you as they make their way along inside their separate and enclosed worlds.

Night fell hard on the city, the narrow street poorly illuminated as more than half of the streetlamps were doused by the storm.  Kasim Akylia is walking down the street slowly, apparently, happy.

Templan - walking down th street - finally found the man. Kasim. Caressing his sword-hilt, he took a glance at his Cross-palm, and a final deep breath before approaching the sound/person range of Kasim. "Sir," he addressed Kasim with a quick dip of the head, never taking his eyes off of him.

Kasim turns back at the sudden noise, looking somehwat surprised. He looks at Templan in the groom, squinting slightly in the gloom, before recognition blooms on his ugly face. "Oh, it's you! Did your mistress send you to try to take this?" He holds up his left hand and points to a simple gold band he wears on the third finger.

Templan took a deep stare at the man. "I came here on my own accord." he said with an indifferent tone. Taking one moment to stare at the ring on Kasim's finger, he took a step closer to Kasim. Making them about 5 feet away at this point.

Kasim smirks, looking very at ease and loose. "Well, it's good to see that she hasn't taken all of your free will yet. But you've got a long, empty life ahead during which she can work on it." He looks at Templan and notices his hand near his hilt. "Now, now. I know you're not going to use that, are you? She may be old," he pats his sword hilt, "but she's sharp. And faster than you can imagine." His eyes seem to detach suddenly, each miscolored orb changing inexplicably.

Templan took a small frown. "As for Ceara, I would prefer you not speak of her in that manner, sir." taking a moment to paus, staring at the man and his sword, he noted this was not the oponent he thought it was. He had much more to worry about than simply armour. "There is a saying I was tought by my first Mentor "An Old Sword, is a Good Sword"." taking a moment to touch the Hilt of his sword with his left hand. "I do not plan on fighting you sir, that is not what I am here for."

Kasim arches his eyebrows. "So you're not stupid, that's for sure. I wouldn't chase me down to fight me, either. And as for your precious Ceara--thanks for her name, by the way, I'll need that when I meet with the Lord Lieutenant Torhild of the Queen's Guard tomorrow--I would have prefered that she left me alone. But she didn't, so that's that. I never saw a woman look so sour, though. I think I did her a favor. She looked as if she's never been stood up to, before. Certainly not by you."

Templan took a quick ten steps back, shufling, and motioned towards one of his throuwing knives... Then froze dead, and let his hands drop away from his Belt. "Sir.... I again say, I am not here to fight you. and I would appreciatte you not speaking of her in such a degrading way." Taking a moment to pause, he continued. "I respect her, and honor that bond, but, bah! Why am I having this conversation?" taking a moment to recollect himself, he went on "Sir, I am curious as to this Ring. Where did you get it? Where do you come from? and Lord! why do u so hate the Aes Sedai?"

Kasim smirks and looks up into the sky, lauging aloud. "Oh my. Well, I shall answer your questions in turn. When you ask where I got the ring, I tell you to go and eat horse shit, sir. I wasn't going to be bullied by that pretentious girls masquerading as a Sedai, and I'm not going to be bullied by you." He ponders, and reaches into his pack, keeping his eyes on Templan. From the bulging pack he pulls a long, shimmering cloak--the mark of a Warder. He dons the cloak with ease and looks back to Templan. "I don't hate all Sedai, obviously. I just don't enjoy taking orders from little girls. Why'd you get suckered into the bond, anyway? She sleep with you?" He lets out a whistle. "She's gorgeous, I'll give you that. I got suckered by two just like her, too. You'll learn."

Templan gasped in amazement. For the first time in his adult live, he was taking so much by surprize, he could simply to nothing but stare for a full 5 seconds. Catching his breath, and in the realization of what was just aid, a snarl came on his face, and his eyes narrowed. "I'll not have you speak of her that way. I have seeked the bond for 14 years, sir. And I would never be "suckered" into it. It is something I have saught. Not been 'tricked' into getting." He smoothed his face for a moment, there-after caressing the hilt of his sword with his left hand - unconsiously.

Kasim catches the caress, very little escaping his Void-heightened vision. He counters with one of his own, and follows through by drawing his sword in fluid motion. "That's what they all say. And what are you going to do if I speak of her in that way? The way I see it, I can call her anything I want. And if you're just going to sit on your high-minded ideals of not being man enough to do something it, I might just say something worse." His voice grows flat as he slips completely into the comfort of the Void, "And don't embarass yourself by using those knives. It will only make it worse for you."

Templan stood back for a moment. Thinking, and slowewly backing away from the blade. "Sir. As I have said, I dont wish to fight you, but you have to realize that it greatly offends me to hear you speak of her that way." he paused stairing at the mans blade. "Lets resheathe, and talk like we dont want to kill each-other.

Kasim spits harshly onto the wet cobbletsones, advancing towards Templan, blade drawn. "Come on, now. If someone's going to kill your charge, talking them out of it isn't going to do you a lick of good. And they aren't going to care if they've offended you. Face me like a man, or go back and inform her that you were unable to defend her honor."

Templan still refusing to draw his sword, looked the man in the eye. "This is Not about honor, sir. I am simply offended by your words. I over-reacted. Look, Please, Put the sword, down, there are things I want to know before I die, if the Creator sees it fit for me to die tonight."

Kasim narrows his eyes, and he speaks coldly. "It is very much about honor. Ceara Aes Sedai is a pretentious little girl, better suited to a brothel than the shawl. But I suppose that's why she bonded a Gaidin better suited to flower picking than to fighting." He stands still, blade grasped firmly, and stops advancing on the younger man.

Templan took another step back still refusing to drawn his sword. "Sir, this is not about honor, this is about people. This is about life and Death, and...." Then Templan did it, he slowely grasped the void - the one-ness. slowely, consuming everything. Blabbering on and on about it not being for honor, backing up, stalling for time, and then he did it. At the fullness, he drew his sword, and dove into a an alley-way to his left, running as quick as he could, making sure the man was not gaining on him.....

Kasim laughs manically as the man runs, and sprints after him. Years of balance and speed training in Salidar seem to have paid off, and his long, toned legs carry him swiftly after him and into the closed-off alley that the man ran into. Once he sees the alley has no other exit, he slides to alt, chuckling coldly. "Running? I'm absolutely disgusted. A Warder does not behave this way. I'm not even a Warder any more, and I'm appalled. What would your masters have to say about this? Ceara? That you ran from a crippled drunk man with a sword?"

Templan saw the end of the alley, and promptly turned around. Forcing everything away but him. and the sword. He gripped the sword with both hands. Waiting for him to come. Praying to the creator for a miracle. Then he snapped out of it. A fool he was being! Dehson would be disgraced! If this was to be the end. than so be it. But how dare he flee it like a little child. With a grim determination on his face, he faced the man.

Kasim stands, sword held in a lazy one-handed grip. He begins to swagger towards Templan, sword spinning loosely in Kasim's hand. He doesn't even slide into anything resembling into a combat stance until he's about seven feet away, at which point he lunges quickly at Templan. It loks as though he's going to run by Templan's left side while slashing him across the middle with the sword.

Templan quickely moved his sword to block the blow, paralleling the ground to stop the blade from creating Filet' Templan"

Kasim waits until Templan moves his sword to block Kasim's blow before completing the feint. He swins his own blade up as he runs by, bringing it over Templan's head. Now behind the man and to Templan's left, he stops and turns to leap and tackle him from behind.

Templan struggling to block the man from tackling him, fumbled to the side. and failed miserably. being tackled to the ground by the man, whilst dropping his sword, and having it skidd a good five feet away. What a pitiful death. How could he stand the dishonor. He felt as though Dehson was sitting over him, dissapointed with every inch of his being.

Having pinned the man on the ground, Kasim wastes no time. He pins a his left knee on the man's spine, pressing down just hard enough to let the man realize that things could get a lot worse. He holds his sword unused in his hand. "Do you yield, sir?" (Kasim)

Templan grunted in pain. "I cannot! I cannot let AAAHHH!" he screamed in agony. "What will you do with me?" Templan managed through klenched teeth.

Kasim sighs, and digs his knee into the man's spine, undoubtedly sending rays of pain down his legs and up into his brain. "Do. You. Yield?" He speaks each word deliberately, through clenched teeth, and it seems he's at patience's end.

Templan spasmed as ruptures of pain ceized his body. Letting out one more Agonizing scream "Yes.... I yield" Finishing... so incredibally dishonored. Taken to nothing but a mass of Tears, the name Templan no longer hel a great lineage. He was nothing but a fool. A pitiful, horrible, idiotic, honorless, fool.

Kasim grins, although the other man can't see it. "Good. Very good. Humility is something you better learn. When you wake up tomorrow, remember this lesson well. Remember that until you change yourself, you are nothing but a boy with a sword bonded to a silly littly girl. My name is Kasim Akylia, and I invite you to seek me out some day when you think you stand a better chance." His monologue completed, Kasim lifts his sword. With a strong, two-handed motion, be brings the pummel down onto the top of Templan's head, intending to knock him unconcious.

Templan felt saw - more felt the pommel come down. There was nothing he could do. Today, he was done. There would be another time..... always another time.....

The pommel connects with Templan's skull with a sickening thud, causing the young man to issue a grunt before falling limp in the wet alley floor. Feeling Templan's neck for a pulse, Kasim seems satisfied as he stands. He pulls the man into a corner, covering him with his own cloak so as he is not disturbed in the cold night. Sheathing his own bloodless weapon, he begins to saunter out of the alley. (Kasim)

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Fayth is walking with a very determined step. Squinting her eyes in an effort to see where she's going, she steps carefully on the street, making sure to avoid mishap. She holds her shawl closely against her body, displaying it prominently, though careful not to cover her armband. Upon spying Kasim, her eyes narrow dangerously as she veers off in his direction.

Kasim looks over as Fayth comes moving towards him, and he walks towards her with his arms wide. "Good evening, Fayth! How are you?" He moves towards her, taking the fancloth cloak off, leaving only his blue woolen cloak on.

Opening her mouth wide in preparation of a nice, long tongue lashing, Fayth promptly places a hand on each hip. Stopping a short distance away, so as to make it seem that Kasim was coming to her, she taps her foot impatiently. "And just where, pray tell, have you been, young man?" Any irritation not evident on her face is very much so in her no-nonsense tone of voice. (Fayth)

Kasim skids to a halt at the glare, his boots scraping the wet cobblestones. "Out, love. I secured lodgings at the Half Moon Inn so we don't burden your parents. And then I met with some dear old friends." He takes a tentative step closer. "Where have you been?"

Fayth frowns. "Well, isn't that nice. Thank you, for getting us a place to sleep. That was very considerate of you. What would have been even -more- considerate would have been you showing up for dinner. And not making me wait. ALL Night. Worried SICK about you, and wondering if something had happened to you. Thank the Light you're wearing that ring, otherwise I don't know -what- I would have done. I'll thank you to never scare me like that again." She pauses, then, as his words sink in. "Wait...you met some old friends?"

Kasim nods and moves closer to Fayth. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you, you know that. But I can take care of myself usually, so you musn't worry so much." He ignores the last question in his attempt to soothe her.

Fayth drops her hands. "I know you don't mean to, Kasim. And I came here all set to scold you like you've never been scolded before, and I meant to do it before you gave me that look that always makes me change my mind." She rather childishly stomps her foot, then her face turns serious. "It wasn't anyone from the...uhm...from where I came from, was it? You didn't tell them I was here?"

Kasim smiles softly as she stamps her foot, taking it as a sign that danger has passed. He gives her a brief hug as he says, "Of course not. It was the ring that gave me away, though. You should have seen the look on that woman's face, though." He laughs quietly, standing near Fayth has he begins to lead her back towards the inn.

Fayth leans against Kasim as they move back, fitting so comfortably it's almost unnatural. At the mention of a woman, though, her eyes narrow yet again, and her skin practically turns green. Whipping her head around to gaze at Kasim with those penetrating eyes of hers, she raises an eyebrow. Her voice is dangerously calm as she asks, "Woman? What woman?"

Kasim continues walking, arm around Fayth as they move. He doesn't stop when she asks her question, but keeps going. "Ceara Aes Sedai. Accosted me and demanded to know why she sensed Saidar on me. We had a colorful exchange before she and her lap dog stalked off. Met a nice Queen's Guardsman. He plans to have her arrested tomorrow for harassment and failing to identify herself as a channeler in the city." He keeps walking, as if talking about the weather.

Casually wrapping one arm around Kasim's waist, Fayth can't help but smile...but just a little bit. "Ceara Sedai. Yellow ajah, right? Likes to tell everyone how to do their job? Even people like me, who has been healing broken noses for just about as long as I can remember? Arrested, huh? I'll have to meet this Queen's Guardsman of yours. I think he and I would get along famously." Rubbing his back lightly, she even starts to hum a little. "She probably just wanted to know if you were taken. She never could resist a handsome man." (Fayth)

Kasim chuckles. "Can't say I wouldn't be tempted. Gorgeous slip of a young girl. I can see why that Warder of hers went for her." He realizes his misstep inwardly and continues. "However, I like your green eyes much better than her blue. So I guess I made the right choice." He smiles down at Fayth. "I don't suppose we've heard the last from her, though."

Her grip tightening, Fayth's smile remains frozen on her face. Speaking between clenched teeth, her voice is strained and cold. "So. You cared enough to notice what color her eyes were. How...interesting. No, I don't suppose we -have- heard the last from her. In the future, however, I would appreciate it if I were present during any and all meetings you might have with this...ahem...gorgeous slip of a young girl, was it? Wouldn't want you to get yourself into any...trouble." (Fayth)

Kasim stops and turns Fayth towards him, looking at her. "I won't get into any trouble. And I assure you, no matter how gorgeous she may be, she doesn't stand half a chance in hell. I didn't mean anything by it, I promise. And of course you should be with me should she confront me again. I think it would be good for her."

Fayth can't help but blush, and on impulse, leans in quickly to plant a kiss on Kasim. Her lips brush his for only an instant before she pulls back, though, and anyone who blinked would have missed it completely. "I would certainly like to see how things go down when she can't order you around again. She'll be singing a different tune then, that's for sure."

Kasim nods as they walk along together, holding her close in silence. After a moment, he frowns. "There's something else you should know about my day. Light knows I don't like keeping anything from you."

Fayth frowns again, and slowly turns her head back to face him. "I hate any conversation that starts with that sentence. It's like a harbinger of doom or something." She sighs loudly, and physically braces herself, already wincing in preparation for the worst. "Ok. Go Ahead..."