Opening Day at Bardic Hall

by Sorhan al' Danielle

  I looked up at the beautiful hall, as the sun began to set.  "Finally it is done," said I.
I thought back at all the work it had required for me to build Bardic Hall.  I had to admit it was well worth the time and effort.  The day had finally arrived, the raising of my banner, two golden falcons fighting in midair over a black background, in the courtyard of Bardic Hall.  The Hall was crafted by Ogiers, whom I had convinced to build for me when they came to Tar Valon to fix the White Tower.  Although small in comparison to the White Tower, it would serve its purpose well.  It towered above the rest of the landscape.  That might be because there weren’t any buildings around the sight I had
chosen for the Hall.  I had chosen a pleasant site in the country right outside Tar Valon, where the apprentices could learn in peace, but could see the majesty of the city.  I thought how hard it had been to find the perfect place for the Hall.  I had thought about having it in Tar Valon, but decided there were to many people, and they would hamper the learning environment.  However, I had wanted it close to Tar Valon, because it was perhaps the greatest city in the world and a center of
knowledge and culture.  However, I had wanted Bardic Hall to be as independent as possible not having to answer to anyone but ourselves. For these reasons I chose to build Bardic Hall a few miles outside the outskirts of Tar Valon (about a twenty minute walk, or a ten minute ride).  The site was the top of a hill, making the hall easily defended.  I chuckled to himself, finding the site to build wasn’t the only problem I had faced.  I also had to find a way to earn money to build and support Bardic Hall.  This I solved by using all I had learned in his seventeen years I had lived with my father, who was a very successful merchant in Mayene.  These things kind of rub off on you, although you do not realize it till much later.  I had bought a boat, which I then used to enter the lucrative river trading, in which Tar Valon plays such an important part.  I was very successful, family luck I guess, and after little time I had earned enough money to buy my second ship, and warehouse space in Tar Valon to hold the commodities I traded.  Later, in the year my brother Rohan came and helped me further
in building up a reserve, by adding surplus from his business in Mayene to my coffers.  I figured that Bardic Hall would be completely independent because it could continue to be supported and maintained, by using the revenue from my trading business on the river, and its easily defensible position lessened the chance of Bardic Hall being placed under attack.
 
 "Greetings Patriarch Sorhan," Rohan said in a teasing voice, as he made a mock bow.  This woke me from my revelry.  I smiled and bowed back in the same way.

"Greetings Maestro Rohan," I said with mock severity.  We both started to laugh, it was going to take sometime to get used to being someone in power.  "Well," I said, "Are we ready for the ceremony in the Hall courtyard?"

"Yes," replied Rohan, "The apprentices are all in attendance."

"Are the rooms prepared for the apprentices to stay at Bardic Hall?" I asked.

"Yes," replied Rohan, "The rooms are all complete, and we completely furbished them.  I doubt any Gleeman wouldn’t be proud to come here.  It is very elegant."  He smiled as he finished the last statement. Rohan looked up and said, "Here comes Maestro Aelric."  Rohan bowed and said,
"Greetings Aelric."
 
"Well-met Sorhan, Rohan.  The recruits are getting bored, I advise we start the ceremony," stated Aelric, "or we aren’t going to have any apprentices left."

"I doubt that," I said as I grinned, "No they’ll stay.  I think I will teach my first lesson today, and it might be the most important lesson they will ever learn."
 
"Please don’t tell me, I want to be as surprised as the apprentices,"Aelric said with a grin.
 
"I wouldn’t have it any other way," I said, "I guess you two  better keep them occupied for say ten minutes, while I prepare my surprise."
 
"Yes, oh mighty Patriarch," Rohan said while trying to repress his laughter.
 
"Your wish is my command," Aelric said in the same mocking manner.

 I raised my hands in mock frustration and said, "How am I suppose to get respect from the students if you won’t even give me success?"

Aelric and Rohan tried to fake innocence and hurt pride.  They did aterrible job of it, and we all started to laugh.  "Well, you better go now."  They both left toward the courtyard, and I went to my chambers.

Once I arrived in my chambers I prepared my lesson.  They were going to learn that the most important thing for a musician to learn was to have a stupendous entrance.  I dressed in a black silk shirt with golden scrolls, the colors of Bardic Hall, on the sleeves.  I buckled my sword, now a heron marked blade, to my side with a belt, which had my sigil the two falcons on it.  I looked at myself in the mirror.  "Perfect," I said.  The last thing I  put on was a white cape explaining my affiliation with the White Tower.

I took my time to get to the courtyard.  Having suspense was always a good start for an entrance.  I finally arrived at the entrance of the courtyard, and I took a deep breath.  I took hold of Saidin, and created fireworks, which were beautiful against the night sky.  I entered the courtyard in the silence the fireworks had created.  Although surprised, Aelric and Rohan recovered quickly enough to start the ceremony.  I then raised the banner with weaves of air.  "Not yet," I said to myself, "My
masterpiece has to be just at the right time."  Now, it took hold of saidin again, and weaved fire into an illusion of two golden falcons.  I then made it look as if the two falcons merged with the falcons on the banner.  I smiled to Rohan, and Aelric, as I said, "Now that is an entrance."  They both had to agree.  Things are definitely going to be different now, but I believe that this would make all the apprentices forget the discomfort it had caused to wait for.  I think I taught them a lesson they are never going to forget.  I nodded my head to the crowd, which they knew meant the festivities may start.  I had to admit it was going to be some hard work training these young musicians, but it was
going to be well worth the trouble.  I thought to myself, "Specially, if it is half as fun as this night was."  I chuckled to myself, and joined into the festivities.

Sorhan al'Danielle
Ashandarei to the White Tower
Patriarch of Bardic Hall
--
The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and go.
What Was, what will be, and what is,
may yet fall under the shadow
Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time.