Lorn quickly bows his frame as low as his ample stomach allows before rising quickly. His face is red as he looks at Jasmine. You do me too much of a kindness mi'lady but I am grateful. Of course a woman of your standing would want to ensure a safe journey. I wouldn't call any of those men scoundrels but if I had to pick one man to take you, it would be Marlo Benthroy. A man more honest you aren't likely to meet I can tell you.
Lorn bows clumsily again. If you have need of anything else while here in town, you just ask old Lorn.
The day is wearing on and the heat is slowly subsiding as you all patiently await the return of your companions. Serviana sits quietly, her eyes watching you all going about your tasks. Ryland hasn't returned yet from his foraging and Pace sits quietly lost in thought.
You're all suddenly aware of the sound of mounted riders approaching you from the direction of Elmora. At first you can't make out who they might be but soon it becomes only too apparent as the yellow sunbursts come into view on their pristine white tabards.
As one they rein in before you and one of the Children addresses you. Why are you travelers camping outside of a city like common bandits? Have you some fear of the law you may find in the city? The Whitecloaks sit with the arrogant posture so common to their order yet none seem overtly hostile. Yet. So far, none of them seem to have noticed Serviana's bindings.
Jasmines smiles again at Lorn and says Thank you Lorn. She adds a gold crown to the table for the meal and for his information. To Jasper and Jed she says As our journey is somewhat of a pressing matter we should be off to see Master Benthroy. With that she inclines her head to Lorn and heads out to the docks.
Alathea's stomach twists into a knot at the sight of the approaching Whitecloaks. Do these ruffians have nothing better to do than to harass travelers? But if they find out who we are...
Attempting to head off trouble before it starts, Alathea walks out of the camp to meet with the approaching riders. Raising a hand in greeting, she calls out, "Well met, soldiers! We have no fear of the law or the Light. But these are troubled times, yes? We merely wish to be cautious...we are somewhat of a large group, and in my experience, large groups draw suspicion when they enter towns such as yours. To cause as little of a disturbance as we can, we have thought to approach slowly, yes?" She smiles at the Whitecloaks, hoping that they find her manner disarming. "You see, we wish to book passage on a riverboat, and if we can do so without disturbing your town, it will be good for all of us, yes?"
Noting the white cloaks approach, Litheene channels a small circle of silence around Serviana, and moves forward in the wagon, to conceal Serviana behind her, while acting like she moved to better see the white cloaks.
Litheene acts the naive girl, admiring the soldiers in their armor for a second. Yes, we wanted to avoid troubled, you see, ruffians are about, and they might attack us. A group traveling with young women seems like easy prey to some. With your name and appearance, I'm certain no trouble can come to you, but we aren't fitted for fighting people. Litheene waves around her plain, unarmored and sword-less dress.
Litheene maintains her hold on the power in the meanwhile, preparing a ward against people as ready action.
Pace also stands quickly, seizing Saidin as he does so. Weaves of Air reach out and surround Serviana, locking her in place. He ties this weave off and immediately forms another weave that creates a wall between Serviana and the direction of the oncoming riders. The weave folds light around the woman so that she can't be seen by the riders, but is still visible to Litheene.
Once the riders approach Pace takes a step forward but is careful to keep his hands away from the hilt of his sword.
Fia gives a sardonic smirk at Lithene's mention of "being unfitted for fighting people." perhaps I should look meek as a hare? Or perhaps she believes these men will think my spears are mere wood for the fire. She chortles to herself and stands watching.
Torn between amusement at Lithene's statement and annoyance at the arrogance displayed by the riders, she moves to stand at the edge of camp, a spear's throw from the leader and ready to come to Alethea's aid if needed. Arms crossed beneath her chest, she stares intently at the men. Prickly little things...I would have given him a dancing lesson had Alathea not beaten me to them. Her grin widens at the thought, her teeth gleaming.
Lorn stutters at the sight of gold as Jasmine and company head out of the Fish. With Lorn's clear directions () it's easy enough to find the right boat docked down at the river's edge. Sitting with his legs dangling over the side is a true picture of water dwelling man. Skin baked bronze by the sun with day old stubble gripping his chin, Marlo Benthroy is every bit the image of a sailor. Smoking a pipe and sitting quietly he watches as you approach, the gentle rock of his boat raising and lowering him in the late day air. Help you folks?
Nerves are high as Alathea and Litheene attempt to placate the curious Whitecloaks. The Power flows in everyone but Serviana and there is a tense hush amongst the rest of the group. While arrogance and suspicion oozed from the Whitecloaks, it appeared that Alathea's words were going over well enough with the Children's leader.
As Pace's veil slipped into place, one Whitecloak's head whipped to where Serviana was sitting moments before. Eyes flying to Litheene and Alathea, his sword scrapes into his scabbard. Tar Valon witches!
hello there. Names Jasper. We were wondering if we could book passage on your fine vessel and travel upriver. jasper says with a smile on his face.
Excuse my companion, we are actually looking for a boat downriver...towards Ebou Dar. We know it cannot get all the way there but we do not wish to travel towards Tanchico. Master Lorn at the inn said you were the best and most respectable sailor in the area. I know it is not a direction craft typically travel in but we will make sure you are suitably compensated. Would that be acceptable my good man? Jasmine smiles again at the man, hoping that her luck holds with the fine people of this town.
With her back to her companions and captive, Alathea is unaware of Serviana's "disappearance". At the cry of "Tar Valon Witches!", she freezes, then follows the eyes of the offending Whitecloak. Seeing Serviana's disappearance for herself, she breathes a curse. She can't see the weaves, but she's certain that Serviana is still there...she tied the knots on her wrists herself! Fool man! I had the situation in hand, then he gives us away!
Biting back any further angry words, Alathea turns back to the Whitecloaks and raises her hands placatingly. Feigning confusion, she calls out, "Here now! That is a dangerous accusation you make! You will find no Aes Sedai here!" She sighs. It is true...Neither Litheene nor I have been properly raised, and that woman...she cannot claim the title anymore!
Her words are brave, but Alathea fears that the situation is beyond the point that words can repair. Resigning herself to the inevitable, she reaches for the True Source......and finds it. With the One Power flowing through her, she stands up straighter and faces the Whitecloaks with more confidence.
"Put the sword away soldier before I have to hurt you. Captain, stand your men down. There is no need for you and your men to get hurt. But if you insist on a dance, I will accept and then there will be no turning back." So saying, Fiallain dons her veil.
Pace takes a deep breath as the Whitecloak cries out. Bloody idiot! And Jasper's not around to blame this one on, either. He smiles grimly to himself as he pulls his sword and moves closer to the Whitecloaks, hopefully blocking any chance of a charge at the women behind him.
Marlo gives you all a look before taking another puff on his pipe. Upriver towards Ebou Dar? Lorn sent you over eh? Well I'm fair enough with those who treat me the same. But I have no plans on heading upriver currently. Not much trade thataways. Times being what they are, I gotta make sure I'm around where the work is. I imagine you would compensate me best you can but that doesn't stack up much against what I'd get for a load of cargo down to Tanchico I reckon.
The Whitecloak who drew his sword urges his horse forward before chopping it down towards Alathea.
Round 1
Ryland picks a flower.
Alathea sees the Whitecloak draw his sword back and twists out of the way, but she's too slow: the man's sword sinks deep into her shoulder. Wincing against the pain, she steps back, attempting to get away from the hateful man. As she embraces the Source, she calls out to her companions, "Bind them!" As if we have not already drawn too much attention...
So be it, fool. Fiallain snarls soundlessly and hurls one of her spears straight at the man who attacked Alathea. Immediately her entire stance shifts as she begins to rush forward into her deadly dance.
Attack:
Jasmine looks at the man a moment before saying How much would a trip bring you Master Marlo? I am not sure if you know this but Tanchico is not a good place to be going right now. There was a fairly substantial fire in the town and from what I understand there were some women channeling large amounts of the one power. Either way I am not sure how good trade would be at the present time. She let's that sink in for a moment. On the other hand, we can pay you good gold for passage down...I mean up river. Perhaps we can come to a fair price?
Litheene concentrates to weave while holding Serviana's shield.
Then she channels air to try and neutralize the white cloaks quickly before they can harm anyone.
Litheene them yells for her companions: Circle of silence the whole area! We don't want attention.
Pace moves up to the Whitecloak attacking Alathea and attempts to smack him on the head with the flat of his sword blade.
The Whitecloaks not stuck in Litheene's Harden Air move to the attack, striking out at the women in the camp.
Litheene backs away as the blade cuts at her leg, leaving a red line on her blouse, but manages to keep Serviana's shield up.
She draws more of the power, to lock the offending whitecloak in a master ward, afraid he might interrupt her shield.
Litheene calls out to the white cloak leader: Surrender your men, you are outmatched. We don't mean to harm you, let us be and we will be away from here in peace
Round 1:
Fiallain takes a step back from the man attacking her. Concentrating, she draws on the power. "Do not look towards me!" She calls to her companions. A split second later, the clearing erupts in sudden blinding light as a white hot sphere blossoms in her palm.
Alathea backs away from the Whitecloak's attack and draws upon the One Power. We must finish this quickly! Weaving ropes of Air about the attacking Whitecloak's feet, she attempts to bind him in place.
Pace grits his teeth as Alathea dodges the Whitecloak's clumsy attack. He moves forward to attack the man again, this time with the edge of his blade.