This means my face is a problem as well. Casual interactions with sisters won't be a problem, but someone well versed in the tower, especially old or powerful Aes Sedai, may notice that I am not a known Aes Sedai at all. The fact that I don't yet have the face may also pose a problem. Dare we risk an inverted illusion on ourselves? Typically sisters won't bother suspecting such
"Barges," Ryvin says. "Tar Valon is a big city, and it always needs food and other things, a lot of which comes in by barges. If we can get the Dragon out of his cell and onto a barge, we could sail it down the river, go to shore somewhere well out of sight from the Tower and Travel from there."
If we can get the Dragon we don't need to escape out of Tar Valon, he can travel
Jasmine speaks up and says Who said anything about the Dragon? That is not our current mission. Our mission is to secure the Oath Rod. I am sure that we do not currently have the personnel to attempt a rescue on the Dragon Reborn. He is sure to be guarded by at minimum a full circle of sisters at all times, not to mention the Tower Guard.
In principal, I agree. However, if we do see an opportunity for that, I believe it will be wrong not to take it. Possible even at the expense of our mission.
"Too right," Ryvin says. "If we fineigle the Oath Rod out of that place, they'll quadruple security on all fronts. That Elaida will be breathing fire, even without embracing the Source. It'll be that much more difficult -- and frankly, there are priorities to consider. With all due respect to your loyalties and your Amyrlin, which is most important? That the Salidar Aes Sedai have the Oath Rod and can start to strip away part of what makes them Aes Sedai, or that the Dragon Reborn is freed to fight the Dark One?"
Don't try to bite more than you can chew. the city as i told you is on high alert. I can get you inside. i'd say stick to you mission that is all. says the tall man
If you wish to go and get yourselves killed, be my guest but do it after those of us who want to do something that actually has a chance of succeeding have an opportunity to do so. As Master Baristan so aptly put it, we stick to the mission. Jasmine's voice remains calm throughout but it is obvious that she resents the implication that Jasmine cares more for the Oath Rod than for the Dragon Reborn. Now if we can dispense with the idea of playing Birgitte Silverbow and Gaidal Cain in one of their stories, heroically swooping in to save the day. She sighs and says I want him free as much as any of you but we need to be pragmatic. Today is not the day.
ryvin
stephen
litheene
jasmine
keelix
vala
"Well, anyway," Ryvin says. "Presenting yourselves as ambassadors would probably just cause an uproar and increased security. You'd barely be able to move for minders."
The young Ebou Dari sighs. "I'm willing to be your runaway novice... or your found Wilder. I've been through all of that once before. Suppose I can do it again."
Ryvin sighs again; she seems less than enthusiastic about the prospect. Still, she gestures at Litheene.
"Maybe you might take that same path."
Better than risking going back to a Seanchan Damane I guess. If my face is indeed unknown, it is a good plan. We are both pretty young, with a little play we might pass as novices.
indeed a pair of sister with a few novice won't attract attention inside the White Tower. Only other sister will bother to stop such a party and this might be 50/50 as sister don't like other nosing trough their business.
Jasmine won't be able to walk freely with us, but a pair of novices will draw even less attention. Even if an Aes Sedai does notice us, it will probably be just in order to assign us some errand. Actually, this gives me an idea. Having studied terangreal, I will know the right questions to ask to show potential in the field to brown. Then Ryvin and I might convince an influential sister to give us a lesson about terangreal, and the oath rod, for being in wide usage, and in the future of every successful novice, can be easily claimed for an inspection lesson. Then while I engage her in a discussion about it, Ryvin knocks her out, and we flee. With so many sisters patrolling a city as large as Tar Valon, security in any area not related to the dragon will inevitably be more lax. We might be able to get all the way out of the tower before she is even discovered. Especially with some inverted illusion to cover her up.
Vala focuses on the scrape and holds out her hand as she goes to the door and looks at the others and smiles.she points to the door and makes a gesture trying to convey that their is someone on the other side of the door.
Vala gestures with her lips for them to be quiet and points to the door. She grips her blade as she nods to the others and announces."Which way to the bath I really could use one"
Stephen finish up his sentence, while getting up and drawing a sap. He place himself in position to jump on whom ever is on the other side of the door once Vala has opened it.
Vala nods to Stephen and curls up his fist and readies to throw a punch if need be. She than slowly turns the nob begins to pull open the door.
Keelix steps away from the door, where he had been leaning, and tenses, ready to join the fray if necessary.
Ah, a bath would be nice indeed, it took us a long travel to get here. This tea got rather cold though, maybe I should warm it up
Litheene feels for an ability to channel behind the door. Assuming she doesn't feel any, she prepares to open herself to Saidar, but keeps on the verge, to avoid drawing attention just in case.
Ryvin is still holding on to the One Power from when she seized it before. Slowly, she starts to build the charge up, readying a weave of Hardened Air.
"I will see if we can get a bath ready for our party ready down stairs, and maybe some better tea" she as Vala looks at them and than opens the door....
A slight EEP is heard as the door knob turns, and the door flung open. On the other side is the innkeeper who had provided you with this room, along with taking care of the horses and providing meals to everyone. A shocked look is etched upon his face, only to have it enhanced even further as Stephen reaches out, grabs the man, and pulls him into the room, flinging him upon the table. Vala quickly shuts the door and bars it.
Well i leave you girls to it, try to be nice will you ? says Stephen in a very neutral voice
"Well, well," Ryvin says, and then pauses briefly to blow a smoke ring at the innkeep, "well. Dare I assume you were too shy to knock and ask whether we want more sheets and towels, innkeep? Or was there... something else?"
The words seem fairly innocent, but somehow the Ebou Dari manages to lace them with raw menace.
The man's eyes fixate upon ryvins, like a bird caught in the gaze of a cat. The smoke flits across his face, causing him to gasp like a guppy for a moment before shivering.
Oh creator preserve me, she's hideous! he shudders on the table.
No matter where he turns, his eyes remain locked upon ryvins.
Nay my lady. Just wishing to appear dutiful for the fair maiden. His shaking finger points to jasmine.
The man's eyes fixate upon ryvins, like a bird caught in the gaze of a cat. The smoke flits across his face, causing him to gasp like a guppy for a moment before shivering.
Oh creator preserve me, she's hideous! he shudders on the table.
No matter where he turns, his eyes remain locked upon ryvins.
Nay my lady. Just wishing to appear dutiful for the fair maiden. His shaking finger points to jasmine.
"You are not endearing yourself to me with that comment you just made, innkeep," Ryvin says in a measured tone. "Also, you are not as convincing as you think. Try the truth."
The Ebou Dari takes another little drag on her pipe and blows two smoke rings towards the roof, all while maintaining eye contact with the man on the table.
I dare not, my lady. The unseen hand will reap their vengeance upon me should i say more than this. The man, shaking before, begins to tremble so violently that he threatens to fall off the table. his actions denote that he is telling the truth.
"Your chums in the Unseen Hand aren't here," Ryvin says, her voice flat and eyes narrowing dangerously. "I am."
The Ebou Dari does not actively draw steel, but she does casually push back the folds of her upper clothing to draw attention to the very serviceable knife and the longsword still strapped to her belt.
"You could run from the Unseen Hand, if we decide to cut you loose. But first you need to convince me to allow that, rather than burying you under the nearest henhouse we can find. After surgically removing your vocal cords and your tendons, of course."
For all that she objected to being called 'hideous', Ryvin's grin certainly does edge to the fiendish. The way she blows out a stream of smoke at the innkeep's face only adds to the eldritch, unpleasant impression she is making.
Ok, ill talk! I track the movements of Aes Sedai and their companions. I send a report to the White tower to those who visit, and i send another report to the Hand. Every month i get a stipend for this info, enough to keep this inn open. the man begins to sob like a baby, wetting himself from the sheer intimidation that ryvin has forced upon him.
"Tch, you're a big boy now," Ryvin chides, wagging her pipe at the innkeep. "Not to mention a double agent. Even if you've been discovered and forced to talk, try to do it with a little dignity, or your dear old mother will turn around in her grave. Now you're going to have to scrub the table as well as the floor."
The Ebou Dari moves over to the fireplace and casually sits down. "How about we move our super spy to a chair -- or maybe a stool would be better -- and we have a little chat by the fire, hm? I have a few more questions, and I'm sure the rest of you do as well."
I actually do not. I have all the information I need
As the man is questioned, Keelix remains by the door, one hand on the hilt of his shortsword.
Keelix suddenly snarls loudly, roaring in a beastial voice
Roaring again, he throws open the door and sprints down the hall, shoving people out of the way as he runs.
A loud thud, the sound of wood snapping, another howl, and then quiet
Ryvin grits her teeth and visibly forces herself to sit still.
"Vala!" she snarls, her eyes squeezed shut. "G - go! Stop him! Something - something wrong with - You need to st - stop him! Be care - careful! Out of - out of control!"
Septhen will look around for someone who is concentrating or looking with strong intent in our direction
Vala looks at Ryvin and how she was reacting and runs quickly as she rushes out the door.
"Keelix..Keelix its me Vala" she says as she runs after him
Is it something to do with the wolf brother part of him, or another side effect of the travel?
Glancing once at Jasmine and Ryvin, who still has the man, Litheene hurries after Vala, not embracing the source yet, and in general, drawing little attention, as if she is simply hurrying outside.
resisting the urge to howl like a wolf, ryvin instructs the people to go help Keelix.
Stephen, looking out the door, sees everyone in the tap room congregating at the end of the hall, looking down to see the commotion, of what could possibly prompt someone to howl like that.
vala, you come upon keelix as he rushes, a far off look upon his face.
Jasmine stays with the man, needing more information before deciding what to do with him. She moves over and closes the door after those that chase after Keelix go. ...and have you sent a report yet on us? Also, how do you send this report?
The man pauses, a look of anguish upon his face.
yes, my lady. after i showed you this room, i sent off the count. That is all, i swear!
Ryvin snarls. The sound has far too much of the she-wolf in it for anyone's comfort.
"I am not... in a good place... emotionally," she barks, her voice harsh. "Answer all questions... completely... What was in... your notes... How do you... send them... Every word! Every word! I will rip your throat out, you lying weasel, if you don't start answering without reserve! Your throat! Shed your blood! Scatter your meat like offal! Answer! Answer!"
It is easy to see that Ryvin is fighting the urge to hurl herself right out of her chair and onto the innkeep. Her teeth are literally bared with rage.