The Power, The Glory [Ylva]

[Coci Heavenshield]

​

Fortress of Dawn​

​

[member="Ylva Solveig"]​

​

She had sent word to Ylva that the time had come. After the war and after a time in which they had all come to terms with what happened, as best they could, it was time to train the girl. Théo had told her of her ability, that she was attuned to the force and Coci offered to become her master, to guide Ylva through the maze that is the force. No one every truly gains the complete picture, the force only allows that which is needed to the individual, if they want more? they are to seek that for themselves.

Coci had returned to the Fortress, making sure that it was unharmed and those that had been evacuated had returned safely and their training to continue. Thurion would help as best he could, but his duty was to the Westmark. She still worries for him, the wounds of the battle still raw on his soul and would be for some time to come. But with his duties comes the much needed distraction and so he threw himself into it. Coci had to just be sure he did not over do it.

It was bitter cold today, there is always a high wind up on the Blessed Peak, but the view is worth suffering the bitterness. And so she stood atop the highest rampart over looking the valleys and mountain ranges that reached from the West. In the distance the silver thread of the river glistened with the rays of the sun as they flowed toward the bay.

The two women already had a connection, one having saved the life of the other, and this was something Coci would never forget. So in order to keep Ylva safer in return, Coci would make her the most powerful the girl had the capacity for.

A smile pulled Coci's face as she thought she could just make out the figure of gryphon soreing high in the sky over the western horizon and there was a flash of gold struck by the sun .. it was Thurion astride Skywalker.

​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

It'd been quite a while since War had struck the world of Midvinter and thrown the Valkyrie and their neighbor Ealvar into chaos. Ylva Solveig had seen many things in her time, a number of those experiences bordering on mythical or spiritual in some sense, the underground caverns and tombs of Nirauan held mysteries that had cost many would-be scavengers their lives.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"] had called for her, to be met at a place where Ylva had yet to visit. The Fortress of Dawn was apparently a place where those of the Force could come and seek sanctuary and learning on Midvinter. According to Théodred, many Valkyrie were known to be Force Sensitive, a term that Ylva herself was coming to terms with. What that meant for her life outside of the few small but wondrous experiences she'd shared with her life partner now, she didn't know.

Though Ylva knew of the great beasts the Heavenshields called Gyphons, she had never rode upon one nor was it likely that she ever would with how protective Bjomolf often was of her. Today however the great Wolf was spending some much needed personal time with her lover, Théodred of whom she hoped they might grow closer. In truth, Bjomolf was a gentle giant with those whom earned his affection and loyalty. Théodred had quite quickly become a fond and familiar presence in the beasts life and for that Ylva was thankful. She'd been concerned in the early days that one of her new friends might eat the other.

As her stead had made the climb towards the height of the Fortress and she had dismounted the Horse to further guild it towards the great temple by the reigns, Ylva's gaze swept the place with a curious regard. Thus far she and Coci hadn't spent any true time together, especially not alone. They'd fought beside one another briefly as fellow shield maidens and Valkyrie defending their homeland though it was only prior to the battle that Coci had even become aware of Ylva's place in her Son's life. It was because of this that the red haired woman, no matter how fierce she herself could be, felt rather uneasy about this meeting with the Lad's Mother. She whom could either become a great mentor or a disapproving rival in their established love life.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

Her head turned to the side as a Knight of the Dawnguard approached. "A rider approaches", she confirmed, her sense attuned to her surroundings, with a strong ability to sense all her family on the planet. Even Théo at Thainbroek, preparing for the journey to sail the Great Maw. "Yes Master".

"See to the horse, make sure it is stabled please", Coci turned to leave and enter the main building. The Fortress of Dawn is styled around the architecture of the Valkyri, but for the most part it is appointed with modern technology with communications to the wider galaxy, sensors and scanners, and all modern trappings to make living within it's walls, comfortable.

The temple was not bustling with hundreds of Jedi, like that of the Silver Rest, but there were those that had chosen to come and learn from the Heavenshields. And there was the Dawnguard, ever ready to jump to duty at a moments notice should the need arise. As she passed through the halls until reaching the main corridor that would lead to the front of the building, she opened the double doors to release the warm air into the cold and hard light of day.

Up top the stairs, she awaited from the lone figure guiding a horse up the narrow and winding path and already she could see Ylva's flowing red hair buffeting around her face with the wind.

[member="Ylva Solveig"]​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

The climb was relatively easy when compared to the days gone by; the Red Wolf of Midvinter was a woman of the wilds and though she neglected to mention it to her man, she had missed the challenge that came with long-spent travels and the priority needs that came with surviving such a trek in the Winterlands. Théodred was a good man, one of warm heart and strong conviction; he too understood the young Woman's attachment to the world around her, not simply Midvinter but all open nature, the lands and life that roamed them. She'd been brought up in a crueler world with terrible folk acting as her Clan. Truth be told, and recently come to light, they had been her blood yet that had convinced them to treat her kindly none. A fighter and a hunter, her survival had demanded such skills and today, the fallen deer that lay carried across the backside of her mount would pay tribute to both her past and as an offering to her future association with the DawnGuard and Théo's Mother.

Reaching the entrance to the great structure, she would too come upon the view of [member="Coci Heavenshield"] awaiting to greet and welcome her. Beside the older Woman was an escort of some sort, a soldier or guardsman of some nature whom quickly moved to offer to take her Horse into his care. Ylva nodded, giving her consent for the animal was beautiful yet held not the relationship that she and Bjomolf shared, nor craved the care that only she might know how to provide.

"Lady Heavenshield..." Ylva spoke up in greeting to Coci, the formality massively out of character for her, though it was an unusual circumstance that she found herself in. Never had she cared so much for the well-being of another person to be put in such a position that she might require their elder Kin's approval.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

"Lady Ylva", she greeted the young woman with a grin, "Pleased you come and from now on call me Coci. Lets go inside it is bitter cold today". As the pair turned and proceeded through the main doors into the Temple, a wall of heat hit them, welcoming them into it's arms. So different the Temple would be to Ylva, and a sense of calm effected anybody that was open to the sensation of it.

"It is my understanding that you wish to be trained in the ways of the force. I have to ask you a question however, and I want you to answer me as honesty as you can", she turned to the young girl. "Are you seeking to become a Jedi?", she simply asked. The reason for the question would determine the way in which Coci trained Ylva. Ylva did not have to have the desire to join the Order in such a way to be trained, but there is a vast difference between learning how to use the force and the living the Jedi way.

"If you are unclear as to what that is or what that involves, now is the time to ask your question". Coci is unsure of what Théo has told her, or if anything the depth of the knowledge. But that is precisely what Coci is here for after all, if she is to become Ylva's master.

They passed through the main area of the Temple and soon the women found themselves alone in one of the more comfortable rooms. "Please take a seat". Coci did not however, she remained standing, before a small table with some scattered objects placed carelessly on it. Which of course, had a purpose.

​

[member="Ylva Solveig"]​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

Stepping forward alongside [member="Coci Heavenshield"], Ylva was first greeted with a warmth that washed over her, a stark contrast from the outside from which she'd spent the prior days. "Thank you, Coci" She turned to glance to Théodred's Mother, wary of the elder woman's thoughts and feelings around Ylva and how much she knew exactly about the wilder woman.

The Temple of the Dawnguard was quite unlike any other land or structure Ylva had bore witness to across Midvinter; somehow it stood to find home among the mountains while the interior could almost be mistaken for something sacred compared to the villages and hearths she had visited before.

"I have to ask you a question however, ​

and I want you to answer me as honesty as you can. ​

Are you seeking to become a Jedi?".​

​

"I don't know much about the Jedi..." Ylva answered, turning back to study the Temple as they walked the great hall, leaving the entrance and her mount in the care of one of Lady Heavenshield's people; "Before I met Théodred, I came from the World Nirauan. I knew not even the Force or that I had anything to do with it..." She truly felt clueless as she walked with her newfound companion, she whom was well known for being experienced as a Force User.

"I suppose I could say I'm a spiritual person, but my love was always found in the wilderness...-Not the thought that there might be some great power or Gods around us" She spoke plainly, honestly. The recent battle however had proven that there were indeed greater Gods that existed beyond their worlds, wielding power she couldn't imagine nor would have ever believed in, until she saw it her very self.

"I would like to better understand your Gods...-Théodred says you can show me how to use the Force, but I feel like your Gods might tell me why I am the way I am...", why she felt so much more at home walking among the wilds than she did within any home of mans make. Taking a kill from the world and choosing to bless it for every gift that nature would provide. As if there was purpose behind every kill and every meal they would take in.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

Coci contemplated the words of Ylva as she spoke of how much or rather how little she knew of the force, and it was clear she did not have any outside influence of other divine structures or culture that would surround such a thing. In truth, nor did Coci. She had been raised to believe not in gods, and she had spent all her youth denying the existence of the force even though she knew of it, and knew it was a capacity within her. It was not until her early adulthood did she come to accept it, let alone train in the ways of the force. She had once held narrow minded views of a lot of things, and force users were one of them until she met Thurion.

At the mention of Théo, Coci smiled and considered the parallels between the two. Ylva was different to herself in most ways but this and as it turned out it took another Heavenshield to open up the horizons in the mind of this girl. "I can not speak for the Gods of Midvinter, so I can not answer or give you any incite into what they know or have planned for you or why or even if you will get your answer from them .. only they can decide that", she supposed.

"But what I can do, is answer your needs to find knowledge on the force", she turned back to Ylva with a set direction for the girl. It would take time for her to understand the machinations of it, but no one every truly reaches that destination, not even masters. It is only upon death do they understand, and even then, Coci summised, the journey was only just beginning.
"As to whether you will be Jedi, lets leave that unanswered and place the road before you to destinies hands", Coci moved to sit down opposite Ylva with the table of small items between them.

"Firstly tell me what you know of the force, what Théo has shown you or told you", the first lesson began. In lessons of the force, in her capacity of Grand Master, Coci is all business and always has been, if Ylva wanted to speak to her of Théo and the family that would have to wait for a more appropriate time in which they could speak freely. That time would come ... later.

​

[member="Ylva Solveig"]​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

What did Ylva know of the Force? That was a fair and good question, truth be told. Théodred had taught her how to connect with it and how to use it to see and feel things beyond what she could physically see with her eyes; but what did she truly know, outside of doing the little she had managed?

"I have felt life in the tree's" the Red Wolf of Midvinter answered rather plainly, "I have touched upon the bark and been shown more than what's just on the outside. Théodred has helped me to acknowledge that there's a power in life that is so much bigger than we are, but I'm not honestly certain I understand much about this power at all", she spoke whilst soon moving to take a seat opposite [member="Coci Heavenshield"], her gaze falling to the objects littered across the table, not truly knowing their like.

"I can hunt better too...-I seem to be quicker with the bow and can judge a long distance shot far more accurately when I'm focused. It's almost as though I can see where the kill will be before it has got there" she smiled faintly. It might not have impressed Coci yet for Ylva whom thrived on hunting and independance, they new additional instincts and sharper skills were a god-send.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

She smiled. "I strongly suspected Théo would start you on the road to being aware of your surroundings, it is his main strength as a Jedi and one he learned from a very early age". Coci was very pleased her son had given Ylva the first taste of the force through this method, and it would be a good skill to have for the girl especially on Midvinter. The dangers here are more than what would be found in people, the environment has its own beauty and dangers.

However, answering the question of what exactly is the Force, is a difficult one, for anyone and even though a master can have a life time of it's awareness and use, they will always struggle to describe it. "This is a hard question to answer Ylva, but I shall do my best". Coci noticed the young girls eyes fall upon the objects on the table.

"In everything that exists in the world, in the galaxy .. has a source of energy within it. Whether it is a rock, or a table or any object that does not have had a life as we understand it", the small pebble on the table lifted into the air with a subtle movement from Coci's hand. "Has a form of energy deep within it's structure, that we can use to be able to do this", she nodded her head toward the floating pebble. "This that exist with a life of their own, like plants, animals, insect, sentient beings, we feel far greater within the force because they live within it". Have more of ability to be attuned to it, whether they 'hear' it or not.

"There is a correlation between us", the pebble floated in the air to Coci, "Between me and this pebble, and through the force I can do things with it", Coci closed her eyes and pulled her focus inward and concentrated on the pebble, as she is master of the Art of Small, her understanding of the force was different to most. The pebble, a simple river pebble, changed shape in the air moving from a round object into a flat one, one might use for the fun of skimming on the surface of the water. It was a simple exercise, a reconfiguration of the pebbles natural state and molecular structure, rather than turn it into something entirely different.

However, she stopped there in her description, as already she knew that Ylva would have question from this explanation alone. And sometimes it is best to learn as one moves within the lessons of the force. Coci allowed the flat pebble to settle in the center of her palm before reaching out to hand it to Ylva.

"My explanation is not complete by any means, but it is a start".

​

[member="Ylva Solveig"]​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

Théodred hadn't ever really spoken in any great detail regarding his younger years and specifically his training, learning to use the Force as a 'Jedi', [member="Coci Heavenshield"] had called him. In all of her experience, Ylva had only known Théo during a time in which he had already gained confidence and the strength of his character. Truth be told, it was difficult to picture her partner as a younger and weaker man. The nature of their Relationship had been founded upon a strange sense of rivalry, banter and goading that had paved the way for the two to seek to show strength in the company of one another; or at-least that was the case for the first few months, anyhow.

As she listened intently to Théo's Mother, she understood that life, all living things were somehow in tune with one another because of the Force. Connected, as if running some string through one person and attaching it to another, but all across the Galaxy and not just people too, by the sounds of it.

Coci's control over the many different items and objects across the table seemed to be easily held, the rising pebble that she had clearly turned her attention towards had soon begun to change its shape somehow, though it seemed psychically impossible...Ylva didn't have the knowledge to know how The Art of the Small worked, not had she ever taken an interest in science to know what somethings molecular structure was...

"So...The Force is life then?" she asked quietly, her mind trying to comprehend the whole concept. It wasn't a matter of belief for she had seen many strange and usual things since meeting Théodred, yet the theory behind it all, escaped her.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

"Yes, to me it is life and all that envelops it", she smiled knowing that so many other Jedi or even force users have an entirely different view on it. And no doubt as time progressed and with training, Ylva would form her own opinion. There was much more to it of course, but for now it would be enough and when, and there would be times in which she would ask more questions, Coci would answer her to help this opinion form.

"What I have done here with this pebble is a skill that is learned over a long period of training, it is an ability that some have mastered and it takes great concentration and understanding of how the force works. Not all Jedi or force users have an ability to be good at everything, that is simply not possible", she continued. "Just like when people are good at something, and others are not".

But there are abilities that all can use and only requires the belief that they can do it. "Try to take one of the items on the table", she turned her hand over and lifted small book off the surface of the table and let it move in the air only a few inches from the table. "Focus your mind on it, feel the item through the force just like Théo spoke of and shown you when you felt the trees". The book settled once more on the table and Coci allowed Ylva to concentrate without distraction.

"Through your mind, see the item lift off the table as you reach for it through the force", she continued in an even voice.

​

​

[member="Ylva Solveig"]​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

The time she had placed her hand upon the tree trunk and felt the depth of life around her, had been the first proof of something buried deep within herself that [member="Théodred Heavenshield"] had helped expose. He had never told her, at-least not that she could recall, his impression about her sensory abilities that day by empowering her with his very own connection to the Force and proximity of his aura. The prospect of making something lift from the table as [member="Coci Heavenshield"] seemed to be so easily capable of doing seemed rather far-fetched...-And yet, Ylva Solveig had thought the same about both the Force and the Gods only to be proven wrong by seeing both of these things in what could only be a twisted sense of humor that fate would bestow upon her for her arrogance.

Once more she mentioned the Jedi and it seemed that these were a people that Coci was quite fond of, where as Ylva sought to listen upon the teachings, trying to ignore her ignorance around the subject. Turning her gaze away from her elder, she instead looked to the table and studied the objects in thoughtful consideration. Which would she choose? Some were cubed in shape, others hexagonal, there seemed a communications device the likes that Théo had used before, but these things meant little to Ylva...

She did not believe herself capable of such an ability, never having done such a thing before yet she had been instructed to reach for one of the objects and picture it rising off of the table. She therefore closed her eyes and did as she was instructed, reaching out with her right hand and feeling her fingers curling around the edges of the cubed item, she pictured in her mind what her hand would look like as she picked it up off of the table and turned to open her eyes once more, her expression having taken a noticeable yet negative shift as she soon tossed the thing to Coci.

"Is this not why we have hands?" She asked rhetorically, her old self coming out in response to self-wounded pride; as a result of her lack in confidence around such things, she spoke with something of a bite. This of course wasn't Coci's fault in any sense, yet failure was not something easily dealt with by the Red Wolf and the likelihood of facing such a thing had always returned in a backlash of injury in her past. Exhaling through her nose in a heavy sigh of frustration, she soon averted her gaze that she not insult Théodred's mother any further with her fiery temperament.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

With a subtle gesture of her hand the cube that was thrown at her was tossed to the side and rattled on the floor. A long hard stare followed the gesture as Coci sat looking and studying the young girl across from her. Had Coci been several years younger and in her more ridge frame of mind, the cube would have been flung back at Ylva hitting her right between the eyes. The young red head was not alone with possessing a temper. "You said you never miss, with you arrows", a smile crossed her lips. "You already use this ability I am trying to teach you further".

"When I was young, I did not like the force. I knew I had the ability yet denied it. Never used it, or so I thought", she stood up and began to pace. "I never missed either", but not with arrows but bullets in her capacity as assassin before she had even entered any form of Jedi Order, but every few knew of that part of her history, only Thurion and Théo. And it would remain that way until her dying day.

"You use this ability to guide your arrows to their mark, you have never been aware of this have you?", Coci turned to her now and pointed to the cube on the floor. "Yet you don't believe, even though you feel the force running through you, even though you do not trust that I can sense it in you, even though you have seen it".

"Try again, this time leave your fear and frustrations out of it. If you don't believe you can do this, we are wasting our time". But Coci's bluntness has never left her, nor would it.

​

[member="Ylva Solveig"]​

 

[Ylva Heavenshield]

"If you don't believe you can do this, we are wasting our time".​

​

[member="Coci Heavenshield"] offered an interesting choice of words and although Ylva hadn't considered the mark of her arrows, she had instead focused more on what she could only hear to be a challenge and goading of her pride, where as most others would possibly take the older woman's final words by insult. Turning her gaze then back upon her elder, her eyes squinted marginally, and her mouth broke into a peculiar half smile lifting the corner of her left side in what almost looked to be approval. At heart, Ylva was something of a competitor, especially when she were doubted or challenged in her ability.

"Very well..." She replied softly, giving up her resignation to again attempt Coci's request. She shifted in her place to move towards where the cube had landed upon the floor, now somewhat further out of reach than the items on the table, Ylva wasn't willing to chose one of the easier items in proximity, determined to live up to whatever expectations she were being judged by.

Coming to a stop, the object lay just within a few inches from the boot tip of her right foot. Her right hand extending out before her whilst she quietly slid her left foot back, standing almost side-on from her point of focus much like you would expect that of an Archer seeking to make themselves a smaller target to a foe, her weight evenly distributed upon both sides and soon her eyes drifting closed, the once confident expression softening and becoming rather placid as her concentration drifted away from focusing on her own pursuits and instead seeking to touch upon the environment around her.

Théodred's lesson had become a guide for her within her times of isolation and private practices. Ylva had always been a passionate and often impulsive woman, an attitude that often required easing at the best of times and with such moments the likes of this one, his encouragement for her to let go of her feelings and instead focus on things like slowing down her breathing and listening to the calming of her environment best served her.

Moments would pass, though she would not give up to impatience. By no means was Ylva skilled in her abilities yet time had begun to pass her by without notice. What had been directed focus upon the cube shaped object had become almost passive, instinctual, though she realized it not. The room around the two of them seemed to lighten up, though her eyes remained closed, it felt as though it was somehow far more accessible to her in thought and her minds eye, almost visible like the image of a memory yet sharper and not of her subconscious.

Her fingers stretched out away from her palm, the cube shifting upon the ground floor, rolling over to one side. Ylva's brows furrowed briefly, distracted somehow by the sudden movement for she had not seen it so much as she had sensed the change before her. Her desire to reach for the object and pick it up was great, yet this too was her life's experience and not what Coci would call the power of the Force, so instead she tried to picture the object coming to her.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

The movement of the cube caught her attention, Coci watched from the side and could sense the force pulling toward Ylva. Still within the girl was the disbelief that she could achieve this but her determination was strong and with more time she would come to know what she is actually capable of. "Close your eyes, see the cube in your mind", she said in a low voice not wanted to break her focus. "Let go of the need to see it".

This ability is one that most Jedi or Sith for that matter, take for granted. The capacity to pull objects to them, is taught to children at a young age, and one of the first lesson given to those that enter an Order. Yet, it is one that requires much concentration to those that have never known of it, or experienced it sensation of the force and how it works. Ylva is no child in she will achieve this with a little time.

She just has to believe.

"So many things in this galaxy are mysteries, still to this day they are yet to be discovered as such, some are presented to us right in front of our eyes and still it is hard to determine the truth of it. Even a wise person will doubt but things exist that require us to leave our judgement, our experiences and try to understand it". Through experience comes understanding and knowledge.

What will hold us back is the fear of the unknown.

​

[member="Ylva Solveig"]​