faderift | Way of the Knight-Enchanter

WHO: Korrin, Pel, Araceli, Kas, and Katniss. Later Sam and Vivienne.
WHAT: Hunting down ingredients for her spirit blade and forging it afterward.
WHEN: At any point after the Kirkwall mission but before returning to Emprise du Lion.
WHERE: The Fallow Mire/Skyhold
NOTES: Stemming from her notice here. As Pel's goal is the same, she's welcome at all stages involved.

CW for the Fallow Mire portion: Probably violence and lots of flirting.

[Wisp essence hunting in the Fallow Mire]

Ah, the Fallow Mire. If there’s an area that further exemplifies misery, Korrin doesn’t know or want to know about it. The Vashoth mage frowns at the rainy, dreary bog ahead as though it had done something to personally offend her, but then in her mind that’s very true. She didn’t hold any pleasant memories from her last, extended stay and doesn’t expect this time to be any different. At least this time it’d be brief, if not exactly painless. Wisp essences means demon-fighting, on top of whatever undead are drawn to the slightest ripple in the marsh waters. She understands Vivienne’s intent in wishing her to acquire them by hand, but the fact that they’re easiest to attain here, in the place she’d have been happy to never set foot in again, is grating. But like it or not, it must be done.

“Let’s get this over with. If we manage a power run, we might not even need to camp here.”

[Forging the spirit blade hilt (Undercroft)]

Once returned -and Maker, that can’t happen soon enough- Korrin wastes no time in assembling the rest of what’s needed for the spirit blade hilt. As long as nothing urgent interferes, she’ll recruit Sam to oversee this project, not wanting all that effort to be botched and thus wasted. If this is going to happen, it’s going to be done right. Patience isn’t her strong point, though, so she’ll alternate between pacing, swearing (under her breath), and doing whatever needs to be done. ‘Determined’ is an understatement’, and she’ll be there however long it takes to see this through.

“...well, what do you think? Will it work?” It has to, right? There isn’t any better place in Thedas for this kind of crafting, outside fallen Circles or perhaps Orzammar. And she’d still trust a friend with this over a stranger any day, but those frayed nerves remain.

[Returning to Madame de Fer (Vivienne’s balcony)]

Only when she’s certain -through checking and re-checking- that all has been done to craft a worthy spirit blade does Korrin leave the Undercroft, making a beeline for Councillor Vivienne’s balcony. Whether this will or won’t suffice, she’d rather know now than wait another moment. And if it is, she’s more than ready to begin her true training. So whenever Vivienne bids her forward, she presents the spirit blade hilt, tense and silent until the First Enchanter’s opinion is given.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

In most things magical, Vivienne is exceptionally critical, harsh even. If one is to execute something, it should be done with excellence or not done at all. This is no exception.

She takes the offered hilt and examines it quite closely. Different from hers, heavier, larger by a decent margin, less fine detailing, more in line with Korrin's personality. That is actually one of the most pertinent points. It should be far more suited to her potential student than anyone else in Thedas.

Silently she hands the hilt back to Korrin without commenting on it directly. She's interested to see how the Qunari handles it, treats it, and more importantly, it is Korrin's opinion on the hilt that will prove if it's acceptable or not. All she does is look Korrin square on waiting for a reply on the matter. Is she up to the challenge?

That Vivienne didn't have anything to say initially is a good sign...right? Korrin knows the woman is just as likely as she is to hold back on giving her opinion, so if it was insufficient, no doubt she would know by now. For her part, the Vashoth mage is confident in the time and skill taken to forge it, so she doesn't mind a demonstration.

Taking back the hilt, Korrin knows it's time to demonstrate how well-suited the hilt and blade are to her. Having already tested its balance in the Undercroft, Korrin steps back and ensures that there's enough room before exacting a series practice moves. Are they perfect? No; though Korrin has a keen memory that's absorbed her kithmates' maneuvers, they all trained and fought with actual, heavier, swords. But the point is more to demonstrate how well-suited the blade is to her, how it feels like an extension of her arm as Vivienne demanded it be. Her reflexes are smooth, not showing perfection but potential. This is a weapon she could use and use well, with the proper training.

When Korrin is finished, she straightens, her expression firm. "I am ready to learn."

While there's a part of Vivienne that mildly bristles at that statement, if only because it is the privilege of the instructor to decide who is ready, it is a small part. Because Korrin is quite correct and her handling of the hilt was more than enough answer for the Iron Lady.

First things first, however. An interview of sorts, as an assurance.

"Tell me, how do you feel about the hilt? Be honest and detailed, if you please."

In Korrin's mind, her words are only underlining what her actions display. She glances down to the hilt, her pride at its craftsmanship evident. "I couldn't haven chosen better for its construction; Sam was definitely the right person to entrust with aiding me in this task." Gotta give credit where it's due, after all. "The hilt is the right size and weight for me, enough that it feels like an extension of myself rather than just a weapon. The design references my ties to the Valo-Kas, both those lost to the Conclave and those yet living; they're my reason for being here, and the reason I want to become more than that I am. I know I have a lot to learn. With this at my side, it seems possible to begin doing so on the right foot."

Vivienne nods once, looking her new student up and down again before providing her verbal agreement.

"I agree with your assessment of your hilt. Indeed, had you given any answer but the one you provided, I would have said you were not ready. A good sound beginning is an ideal start. I'll want to work with you in the mornings before you have an opportunity to tire yourself on your blade work and your forms. Once we've seen that properly established, we can move on to more advanced lessons."

"Mornings it is, then." That is the answer she's been hoping for, and Korrin can't help but smile. Her work is just beginning and she knows it, but this is an important first step. She won't take it for granted. "Thank you, for giving me the chance to prove myself. I'll make the most of it."

"Of that, I have no doubts, my dear." Whatever their philosophical disagreements, Vivienne has no questions whatsoever regarding Korrin's dedication to something she's made a commitment to. Why her very stubborn clinging to her personal beliefs, even in the face of Madame de Fer's own very entrenched values, speaks volumes.

Such a thought actually draws a smile from Vivienne.

"Now before tomorrow, I'd like to to review chapters one and two of the book I gave you. It is my intention to keep a brisk learning pace. Everything should be done correctly, but having the thrust of growing momentum will add volumes to your skills." Or it will break Korrin and that will be the end of that. But better to know sooner than later.

Vivienne's confidence in Korrin fuels her own, not that she's truly in danger of low reserves. It doesn't put her entirely at ease, though, but she doesn't want to relax. She wants to prove herself, and that confidence only redoubles her intent, honing that iron will.

At mention of the book in question and a growing momentum, she nods with no hesitation. If anything's going to break her, it won't be vigorous training. "I can handle brisk, though I'll allow my actions to speak for me better in that respect. We're at war, after all; this isn't a time for leisure anyway. What I learn now could make all the difference on the battlefield." Quick and correct; it's a tall order, but Korrin is more than up to the challenge.

Vivienne's reassurance that she has made a sound decision in this agreement grows by leaps and bounds. Certainly it would have been quite better had Korrin been Circle-trained, and now if she could only be made to see the necessity of it rather than dismissing it out of hand. Though if she changed her stance on those matters on a whim now, it would cause her no end of concern. No this is a right decision and a necessary one and she's comfortable with it.

"You will need to practice those forms once we've gone over them, and continue practicing them until they become second nature to you. However, by the end of the week I'd like us to begin the process of showing you how to use the spirit blade to cleave through barriers. You'll be tested against my barriers for a start." And those are hefty protections indeed if anyone has seen the First Enchanter in action. She quirks a tiny smile. "Though I would ask you once you've established the ability to do so that you show some restraint and stop before you hit skin."

Practicing until the movements become second nature is nothing new to Korrin, who has done that with her staff up until now. She nods, expecting this and prepared for the less glamorous aspects of training. Time with the Valo-Kas was actually an excellent precedent for that; it's difficult to hold onto any notions of glory when she's seen people die due to overweening self-confidence and an itch to show off. That won't be her, not if she can help it.

She perks up at the challenge of making it past Vivienne's barriers, well-aware that it will be no small feat. And she returns the smile, nodding. "I've had to show restrain on the battlefield before, and I can do it again. Discipline is something that isn't foreign to me, I promise. And I look forward to the challenge."

Way of the Knight-Enchanter

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