Kahlem Bradow

Bio: Kahlem Bradow is tall for a Caiheinin, lean and relatively strong. He has shoulder length, black hair, black eyes and a face that is handsome in a mature way. He loves ale but does not carouse much due to his upbringing. But since he entered the ranks of Gaidin, he has visited the inns frequently with his colleagues. Call it bad influence. He can be very civil and formal if he wishes, but he never lets the trainees see this side of him, not on the Training Field anyway. He will also resort to manipulation and subterfuge to get what he wants, but this has been toned down since he joined the Tower, since the Aes Sedai are obviously much better at this than him.

History: Kahlem Bradow was born into the Caiheinin noble House of Bradow. Skilled in Daes Dae'mar, he helped his parents bring the House from a Minor to a Major. Somehow, he had the knack for observation and deception. He had only been 16. He had three tutors. One taught the ettiquettes of a Noble and other things a Noble needed to know, such as history. Another taught the skills of woodscraft and the various things connected to it, such as herbal knowledge. The last was his favourite. Master Astram was a Blademaster and his area of knowledge was on battle tactics and the blade of course.

As a result, Kahlem grew up with a pretty well rounded education. He reached the level of a Blademaster at 25, a remarkable achievement. Then again, he did have another to be his teacher. He earned no Heron Marked sword, he had yet to take the final test. The one that would enable him to finally earn his place amongst the Blademasters. He got no such chance.

A darkness swept across the land. Darkfriends and strife mushroomed everywhere. The land was no longer peaceful and safe. The Houses were plunged into darkness. Daes Dae'mar no longer was a game. It became a means of survival. Only the fittest did. Day by day, Houses fell, and in those places other new ones sprung up. Nobles became desperate, using the poisoned knife and deception to gain what they wished. Honour gave way to greed, ettiquette no longer ruled the life, but was replaced by ruthless means. Kahlem was no longer liked his home. He longed more for the woods, the freedom, the creatures. It became his home. He no longer had lessons either. The tutors had been dismissed, his father feared treachery from them. Kahlem did not like it. The changes to his life did not suit him. As a result, he grew further and further away from his family. He had even spent a summer living in a hut he had built with the skills his tutor had passed to him. That summer, he improved his skill in woodcraft even more. He had learnt to cook that summer. Herbs not only made one better when sick, but added flavour when cooked with meat. He had surprised his family with a dinner. They truly were pleased. That had been the happiest summer of his life.

The joy did not last long however. A wild night it had been. The House had organised a dinner, a dinner of alliance. It was a matter of propriety of course, but Kahlem had enjoyed it all the same. It had been ages since the House had a party as grand. Kahlem remembered every detail of the night. There had been a table, a feast table. A carved ice swan stood magnificently as a centrepiece, setting off the lights of the dining room. Men laughed and chatted. Woman danced and flirted.

That was was a facade. Kahlem's experience with Daes Dae'mar spotted the intricacies of the night. Lady Amneza of House Kamoli had on a stance that was definitely a defensive one. She neither ate nor drank. Lord Kandestan of House Bardoria was exspecially fidgety. Kahlem had not been sure if it had been his imagination, but he seemed to be praying, his mouth moving silently his hands clutched together. None of the nobles of House Bardoria seemed easy. They did not seem their typical ways of subterfuge and subtleties. Kahlem did not need anyone to tell him that they were up to something. A little hint and another quick trick of Daes Dae'mar and he had a servant's confirmation. He did not enquire too deeply, for the business was for House Bardoria, it did not concern him. Or so he thought.

That night had been the longest he had ever spent.

That morning he had woken up to in the home of Master Astram. His Bladeteacher's eyes had been red and tired. With a regretful tone, Master Astram broke the dire news to the young man. Guards with their necks slit, ladies decapidated, his parents poisoned by daggers. The whole House had been exterminated. Except for Kahlem. Although Kahlem had been 32 that year, he had cried on the shoulders of his Bladeteacher, hard. He later found out Master Astram was the one who had saved him, leaving his own family to die in a blaze that destroyed the building that was once the House's mansion. Kahlem continued to stay at Master Astram's home for another year, continuing his sword training. At least, that was what it seemed. But in truth, he had spent every hour of consciousness searching for the perpetrators. When he finally found out, he almost cried out in despair. House Bardoria. If only he had alerted his House to his suspiscions that night, he might have prevented a tragedy. But that was not the only reason. The wose news was that House Bardoria had been confirmed to be controlled by Darkfriends. Kahlem knew, there was no way he could counter Darkfriends, or indeed allies of the Dark One himself.

On his thirty fifth birthday, he had left Cairheinin, heading towards Tar Valon, where he hoped he would get help and revenge.

His progression from Trainee to Gaidin had been remarkably quick, since he had already had education in such fields. His knowledge in battle tactics, had awarded him notice from the older Gaidin. When he was thirty eight, he was been awarded the fancloth cloak. In a year, he had obtained his own Heron-marked sword and had been promoted to Master of Arms. He enjoys his work, training newbies, but more importantly, he enjoyed the company of those whom he did not have to be suspiscious about. He is a fair teacher, if hard at times. His regal manner had been eroded by many years spent in the barracks. He often likes to wander about the world, espcially into the wilderness. He loves freedom and wildlife. He hates anything that reminds him of the Dark and is extremely suspiscious when it comes to fellow Cairheinin.

His quest for revenge continues to this day.