so the plan is to get into a building that sits next to the warehouse, pace makes a bridge, we cross onto the roof, i cut a hole, without any noise, drop in, and start searching for the ter'angreal.
Fia nods. I think that about sums it up. Does anyone have anything else to add? I think Alathea is right, the sooner we move the better.
Pace chuckles at his own slowness, "We can just use weaves of Air to raise those to the roof who couldn't climb, so that shouldn't be a problem either."
excellent. we can move at midnight.
After the planning session is over Pace pulls Alathea to the side. His face is calm, but redness slowly creeps up his neck to his face. "I was...rash in my words yesterday. If I am to help in this plan, then I need to not bleed all over the place. I would accept your healing to help make this happen."
Afterwards he approaches Jasper, "I have a weave to show you. It will help deal with the sluggishness we feel after being healed, but it only lasts so long, and then you feel even worse. Pace then creates the proper weaves for Renew, holding them for as long as it take Jasper to get the weave.
Alathea smiles at Pace's words. "We both must learn to trust each other, yes? Do not be embarrassed; it is not an easy thing for me to do, either." As gently as she is able, she takes Pace's hands in her own and weaves a delicate net of Spirit about him. Why must people be so stubborn! His wounds are serious, and yet he pretends that they are nothing because he took exception to my words!
Although she is wary of him flinching away, Alathea continues weaving, and lays embroideries of Air, Spirit, and Water over Pace's wounds. They knit before her eyes, and when his flesh is once again whole, she steps back. "I apologize for my words last night as well. I mean you no harm, so please don't take my words as insults or threats in the future. I don't mean them as such."
Pulling Pace well away from the others, and prying eyes and ears, Jasper leans in close and whispers
Pace, you ok? Did messing up those darkfriends mess you up? Did you go into that dark place and see something you didnt like? Remember, i am supposed to be the crazy one. We are tough. we are stone. We smash anyone who gets in our way of completing tasks set forth by the dragon.grabbing Pace by the shoulders, Jasper gives a reassuring squeeze and steps back.
alright show me
Easily learning the weave, Jasper explains hmmm, thatll be useful for all involved. Now, please, allow me to return the favor
i like to use it when neccessary
To Alathea Pace nods and allows the Healing to wash over him, looking down at her hand around his. He staggers as the wave of exhaustion washes over him. "Always makes me so hungry." He gives her a small smile, as slowly pulls his hand away. He looks as if he about to say something else, when Jasper comes and pulls him away.
Pace stares at Jasper as he is pulling him aside. "It's the needlessness of your rudeness that is so confusing to me. When he mentions the darkness, Pace's mouth flattens into a frown as his eyes check for anyone close by. "I am fine. I was not happy with what had to be done last night, but I have not forgotten our role or our task." His expression lightens slightly, "And don't worry, your place as the crazy one is secure." The smile fades as he turns from Jasper to embrace the Source.For now. he thinks as the Saidin rushes in and threatens his sanity once more.
Weavesight:
Pace studies the weave Jasper weaves for a moment and nods. "I've got it. Nasty business, that."
Jasmine looks over the group with a pleased eye. They seem to be working together a bit better, thank the light. Speaking up during the plan making she mentions to Jasper and Pace, A ward against eavesdropping would be most useful I would think during this mission. Do either of you have the ability to create such a ward?
i like to use it when neccessary
Although she knows that Jasmine is asking the men, Alathea speaks up. "I can prevent others from hearing what we're doing. I realize that it is less useful than if Jasper or Pace can do it, but if we need to, I can risk the Seanchan to protect us from discovery."
hearing alathea, jasper pipes up sorry. some voice in my head was telling me i couldnt do something. But, in answer to jasmines query, yes, i can make it silent.
Ryland sits up from his bed roll and begins to stretch his sore muscles. He mutters to himself as he torques his back making audible popping sounds. "A fool to chase an Aiel is what I am. Should have road my damn horse. Ow. Teach me to show off. Jumping around like that from roof to roof. Could have been killed. Arrgh. Stupid."
He stands, straitening his back. "Right then, seems we have a plan. I am not sure how you are all going to do this "One Power" business but I know tactics and warfare. It seems that we could be walking into a Trolloc nest if we do not remain alert. Another tactic that has not been discussed is letting these Darkfriends do the work for us, and then ambushing them. It would seem that they have no channelers with them or they would have come to kill us also. Just a thought."
i had thought of that, But i think our best chance at success is by us getting the ter'angeral first, and forcing them to come to us, kill all but one of them, follow her back to her lair, and strike there.
Ryland sits up from his bed roll and begins to stretch his sore muscles. He mutters to himself as he torques his back making audible popping sounds. "A fool to chase an Aiel is what I am. Should have road my damn horse. Ow. Teach me to show off. Jumping around like that from roof to roof. Could have been killed. Arrgh. Stupid."
He stands, straitening his back. "Right then, seems we have a plan. I am not sure how you are all going to do this "One Power" business but I know tactics and warfare. It seems that we could be walking into a Trolloc nest if we do not remain alert. Another tactic that has not been discussed is letting these Darkfriends do the work for us, and then ambushing them. It would seem that they have no channelers with them or they would have come to kill us also. Just a thought."
Fia grins widely at Ryland. Ahh you did well for your first attempt at keeping up. I only had to stop and wait a handful of times. Usually I have time for a nap before a wetlander catches me! I think I must be getting soft. On a more serious note though, I am not sure which option is better. The ambush of the darkfriends could be tricky in that we don't know where to ambush them. A battle in the streets is likely harder to hide than one inside the building. Then again, we don't know what's inside that building either. She gives a careless shrug of her shoulders. Either way, there's bound to be a dance involved and I stand ready to do so.
Jasmine is hesitant to let the darkfriends even get a finger on it. I believe letting the darkfriends get their hands on it would be a mistake and is too much of a risk.
Ryland frowns at Fia and shakes his head. " I ran the Boarderlands as a scout and messenger, never lost a step. If your soft then other maidens must be made from stone." He turns to Jasmine and nods his head. "Then prepaire for two battles my lady, for the darkfriends will surely attack us if we beat them to the object."
Alathea nods in agreement with Jasmine. "There may be little chance that we can avoid another fight with these Darkfriends, but I would rather take that chance than the certainty of a fight if we ambush them after they've taken the item. And if they manage to slip away before we can fight them... I would prefer to have the item from the beginning, yes?"
then we meet them on a battlefield of our choosing. perhaps we should take some time and fortify this area. or perhaps scout a new place where we have some cover on our side, a large open field on the other, with a river or ditch inbetween us. put out shrubs and branches, to both slow down foot and calvary, but when they are in the brush, burn the brush and they will be consumed. when the strike at us from afar with bows, we can easily shield our heads. we can even set up invisible barriers on our side, so that when they charge at us, they are stopped short.
Or we could find a building near the warehouse to serve as our fall back position. wont be that hard to reinforce the windows to prevent entry. Nail the doors shut. Set up booby traps. Even remove the floor around entry points, forcing them to fall into the basement without a means of getting out. If we want to send a message, we could fill the basement with some oil...simple spark... Jasper finishes the last statement with a big eager grin on his face.
Ryland takes a bite of ration and looks at Jasper. "The building could be a good plan, if it was built to withstand war, such as a watch tower or solid stone building. If not, then simplest thing they could do to kill us is to burn it. That is if they do not care about killing everyone in the fires that spread through the city. I beleive the darkfriends do not care what happens to others. Good thing we are not like them."
Jasper nods along with what Ryland says. that is true. if said building was made out of wood, then we would be at a disadvantage. how does that saying go, build a man a fire, keep him warm for the night. light a man on fire, keep him warm for the rest of his life? Jasper chuckles at his own joke.
Looking at the location of the sun on the horizon, Jasper quipswell, are we to sit around here and wait for midnight to move? or are we gonna find a spot to reinforce?
The sun is dropping below the horizon as you head back into Tanchico. The streets are slowly emptying as the day winds down although there is never a true stop to activity in a city as big as this. Men hustle about on late night errands, lamplighters move along the main streets bringing some light into the dark.
Ryland and Fiallain lead the way deeper into the city, the shops and homes giving way to businesses and wharehouses. The lighting is more sporadic now, the effort not being made to bother with an area mostly shut down at night. Its easy enough to avoid notice as most of the workers have left for the day although scattered foot traffic still abounds.
Stopping at a building, Fiallain nods to Ryland and the group before starting to clamber up the side. In moments she is atop the roof and lowering a knotted rope, which everyone is able to ascend with some effort. Moving to the far edge of the building everyone gets their first look at the wharehouse they're about to break into.
As Fiallain described, the guards below stand watch in pools of light while others roam the streets surrounding. The men look attentive enough but it does seem that they're in a bit of a routine.
jasper looks across the gap and gives a barely heard whistle. that is a bigger gap than we were led to believe. but... he finishes with a thoughtful look across to the rooftop. ok. here is my idea. Ill do some channeling and snake this rope across the gap. i will have wrap it a couple times around that little bit of exposed beam and then anchor its loop around that little bit of stonework. The full weight of us crossing will be held by the beam, and the stone will prevent the rope from slipping. We cross over. easy.
any questions?
Alathea looks doubtfully at the tightrope stretching from the roof before you. She's never been particularly acrobatic, and the distance looks like a long way for her to pull herself across. Tiptoeing to the edge, she looks down and steps back quickly. I had no idea that we were so high up! It doesn't look this bad from the street, does it?
Her face paler than usual, Alathea turns to Jasper. "I hope you don't expect me to walk across on that. I didn't think it would be so far across..."
jasper can only smile at the timidity that alathea is showing. hold on a second.
Jasper pulls out his rope, and cuts of a couple of lengths. Pressing his body against Alathea's, Jasper looks into her eyes as he wraps the length of rope around her waist, his hands wandering a little lower than what may be neccessary. in a light whisper, he murmershmmm, firm. Ducking the double hand slap from Alathea, he finishes the knot, and with some regret steps away from her.Motioning her to kneel, he loops the excess around the thin rope, and ties it off.
here's what you'll do. the rope is too thin to slide along, what you will want to do is slide out and as you roll, force your leg to hook over the line, so you hang by your hands and leg. Lock your other leg over your ankle, and start to slide back. once you hit the middle, it will get hard, but you will make it.
just before Alathea moves, jasper grabs her arm. hold on a moment. he pulls out his knife and cuts a large swath of her dress off; a quick glance shows he's cut off over a foot of fabric. hold up your dress so i can wrap this around your knee. that rope is thin and smooth, youll get about halfway and rope burn your leg off. folding the fabric over on itself until it is 3 inches wide, he ties it off on her knee. pausing a moment, he looks at her legs hmmm...nice legs and dodges another slap, smile on his face.
Alathea pushes Jasper away coldly. Red-faced and quivering with barely-contained anger, she faces him down as if ready to do battle. "Jasper Firewyn, you have crossed a line!" she hisses venomously. "It is one thing to disrespect me with your words, and quite another to do so physically. Until now, I have accepted your words because they cannot hurt me, but no more! From now on, you will never touch me again, nor will you speak to me as you would a woman who might share your bed! We are clear, yes?"
Looking down at her torn and cut dress, she continues. "You take pride in your fine black cloak, do you not? How would you like me to slice it up for no good reason? You will pay me for this dress, yes?" She stares at Jasper a few moments longer, as if daring him to speak.
Finally, Alathea turns towards the rope. Speaking in general, as if Jasper were not present, she asks, "Could we not put another rope across, three feet or so above the one that's already there? I cannot walk on a tightrope, but perhaps if I had another rope to hang onto, I could make make it across."
a strange look crosses his face, as if fully realizing what he has done. i do apologize. it was never my intention to bring shame or misery onto you. i only have done the things to do in order for you to better able cross the line in a safe and secure fashion. I will admit that i did cross that line, and i do so humbly apologize for it.
quickly wrapping the rope around his waist and tieing it to the rope, he grasps another length of thicker hemp rope and slides it in his belt. Taking his own advice, he flips over the end, hooking his knee over the line, and quickly pulls himself across.
Jasmine gives a mental nod to Alathea for sticking up for herself and then gives Jasper a mental approval for the apology. He seems to be maturing. Looking at the gap she says There are other ways across besides climbing. Stepping back from the edge so that she cannot be seen from the street below, Jasmine weaves flows of air around Alathea and gently lifts her across to the other side.
Alathea straightens her back at Jasper's voice, as if preparing for an attack, but she does listen. After he finishes, she relaxes and turns back to him. "I accept your apology, Jasper." She half-turns away, but sighs before she does. "You are young, Jasper, and you have much to learn about people. I think you have a fair heart, though. Don't make me regret giving you another chance." She stares at Jasper a moment longer, then nods. "Now, let's worry about getting across to the warehouse."
Pace clears his throat as the latest flair up between Alathea and Jasper seems to die out. "Lifting each of us across would probably go a good ways toward exhausting Jasper and myself, but could we use multiple weaves of Harden Air to create the bridge? I was also hoping to cover our crossing with a weave I know."
Jasper, looking very strange with his feet interlocked, starts to pull himself across, hand over hand, hanging upside down 30 feet in the air. mumbling to himself
blood and ashes, what is wrong with you?
bah, she is aes sedai, she will gentle you the moment you turn your back on her
no she wont. not while im sane
are you sane? am i sane?
burn them all
yes, burn them
no, they are comrades, friends
friends who will turn on you
friend who try will BURN
at this last thought, Jaspers concentration breaks and he looses his foot hold over the rope. Bitting his tongue to resist the urge to scream, Jasper manages to hang on with both of his hands. Taking a deep steady breath, Jasper mumbles to himself everyone SHUT UP! OR I WILL CUT THIS ROPE!
Not hearing any complaints, jasper flips his feet back into the locking position, and quickly pulls himself the rest of the way.
Climbing up onto the roof of the warehouse, Jasper motions for the others to start to climb across.
Alathea tries not to look down as Jasmine's weaves of Air carry her across the gap to the warehouse. I hope that nobody looks up. Light, I hope I don't fall! But the gap closes quickly, and she finds her feet on the warehouse roof. She looks around quickly, and seeing no danger , she motions back to her companions on the other building to make the crossing.
Ryland shakes his head and lets out a sigh. "Right then, I am next." He lowers himself onto the rope, his left leg hanging lose and his right leg bent so the rope travels across the top of his foot and ankle. Ryland uses both hands to pull himself along the rope trying to maintain his balance atop the line.
Acrobatics:
Understanding dawns on Alathea as she studies Jasmine's weave wrapped about her. The twists and patterns make sense, and it now seems as obvious as her face in the mirror. I need to try this weave for myself! She reaches for saidar, but it is not there: she is not afraid. Light knows that she should be: if not for the thought of what she's here to do, or the threat of the Seanchan, the vertigo of crossing the gap between the buildings should have been enough for her to touch the Source! But saidar eludes her, and she sighs unhappily. Her companions will have to cross on their own.
Looking over Jasmine says Perhaps what you say would be best Pace though I am loath to do so now I believe I can make a bridge across.
She checks the street below again for enemies before attempting the weave.
Not seeing anyone below Jasmine steps back from the edge and veritably blazes with power as she weaves a bridge across the entire gap.
Nodding in satisfaction to herself, Jasmine hurries across the bridge and motions to anyone left to follow. Speaking to everyone once across she says quietly My apologies to everyone for not doing that sooner but I did not know if I was going to be able to make a bridge that large.
Acrobatics:
Fiallain dons her veil and smoothly swings herself onto the rope after Ryland. She hooks her legs over the rope and pulls herself across the gap. Once onto the other roof, she immediately grabs spear in hand while fanning out, looking for any alternate means of entry on the roof and listening for any sound of alarm.
Relieved that he doesn't have to cross the rope in his heavy armor, Jed casually follows Jasmine across her bridge. Looking down, those nearby can hear him grumbling, "Light this is high up." He thinks to himself, I really need to get used to this kind of thing if I'm going to be a good Warder for Jasmine.
Alathea sighs in relief as more and more of her companions make the crossing to the warehouse safely. First Jasper, then Ryland, and Fiallain. Alathea gasps as Jasmine weaves her bridge ), but she cannot riddle out how to repeat it. Once Jasmine and Jed are across and only Pace remaining on the other side, she looks down to the street. Just a moment more, all we need is a moment more without someone seeing us...
Pace frowns momentarily, but quickly crosses behind Jed trying to keep directly behind Jasmine without voicing his concerns. He looks down with some apprehension. I just wish I could see the weaves.
feeling the women channel, Jasper just shakes his head. as people cross the unseen bridge, he looks at the 2 ropes, used only by himself, Fiallain, and Ryland. in a tight whisper, he says gee guys, maybe we should've sent those light forsaken Seanchan an invite to our get together. you know, save them the time and hassle of trying to find a couple of women openly channeling. he finishes off, looking at both Alathea and Jasmine.
Before either one of them can say anything, Jasper turns and looks around the roof top, searching for a thin spot. Not seeing anything that stands out, Jasper will take 5 steps towards the middle of the roof, kneel down, pulls out a small kitchen knife and wreathes it in flame.
pace, can you lend a hand? i need to concentrate on this cutting, so could you catch the cutoff material so it doesnt crash into the warehouse?
There is some struggle but everyone manages to get across with little problem. The guards don't look up, seeming content with their watch below.
Clustering together towards the center of the room, you begin the task of cutting a hole into the roof of the wharehouse. After what feels like forever, a chunk of roof plumets down before being caught on weaves of Air and lifted back out. Lowering yourselves down, you are able with some trial and error to reach the building floor using stacked crates and some rope.
Gathering yourselves you head into the wharehouse, eyes scanning for any hint of the item you seek. You can hear movement within the stacks, possibly later night workers or perhaps guards but you're able to avoid them.
Rounding a corner, Jasmine and Alathea halt in their tracks. Backing up they look down an aisle towards a woman sitting on a stool, a small bowl in her hands. It isn't the bracelet they seek nor is the item what draws their eye. Images of a quiet woman walking the paths of the Tower come to mind and they look to each other. With a nod they walk to her and cough quietly to get her attention.
Startled Litheene looks up, a shocked look on her face at the sight of two of her sisters from the Tower. What are you doing here?