" Sorry Ryvin, I thought you may keep an eye out for a nice yellow one for me, is all" she says as she walks over and slips her sword belt onto her shoulder and let it slip between her breasts and secures it as she smiles and looks to Keelix as she laughs a bit.
" Besides I thought I might take Keelix off your hands and test combat prowess for you? And maybe teach how to properly handle a blade" she says with a smile as she turned towards the door.
" I'll be in the practice yard if you have need of me...I will see what these Asha'Man and the soildery know about the battle and a out what happened. And 'Lix I'll be waiting" She leaves the room and heads to the first servent and asks for the practice yard.
"From what I could tell, Taim seemed to be being honest with us. But I think there is wisdom in not trusting the man too far. We should all be on our guard."
Keelix's eyes glance briefly to the door through which Vala disappeared, and his tone turns ever so slightly disapproving, "We should take care to not be alone here."
Keelix. Interesting. I guess there is much we don't know about how the stones work. The wheel weaves as the wheel wills, I just hope this alteration will have no further unexpected ... effects Litheene ponders Can two threads be woven together? I've never heard of it, but turns out the answer is yes
Fighting an all out war against the tower is too dangerous, and probably the wrong thing to do, with common enemies at the door steps. However, as long as Elaida holds the Dragon, it's unlikely to overthrow her. I think we should first see what's going on in Salidar. In our world, Salidar raised Egwene as the Amyrlin, a strong women focused on reuniting the tower. If she was raised here as well, she might have a plan of her own in motion.
Regarding the gentling terangreal - it is possible the black sister was lying. However, the definitely had some sort of plan in motion, and with significant resources involved. As those are shadow friends we are speaking off, I doubt it's of good intend At Amorial's question Litheene raises and eyebrow Can't say that I have, I'm not even sure if the bonding weave can work on Ogier. Ogier typical reside in the stedding, where the one power has no hold. In Seanchan Ogier roam free of the stedding, however, the bonding weave is unknown there.
Why do you ask Amorial Suth. Do you wish to be bonded to an Aes Sedai, a wielder of the power? Don't you want to return to your stedding, eventually?
Litheene stops a servant along the corridor, speaking in a pleasent, yet regal tone Would you be so kind to make sure I'm visited by a local merchant guild clerk, and a good tailor. Litheene slips a silver mark into his palm when saying the word good. Also, I'm interested in contacting the local merchant guild, for redeeming credit
"Yeah, attacking Tar Valon head-on would take an amazing army," Ryvin agrees with Litheene. "Which we don't have. But even if the opposing Amyrlin you remember from home is opposing Amyrlin here, I'm not sure how much use she'll be.
I mean, from what I remember of the Tower, debates on all sorts of stuff could go on for bloody ever, even about simple stuff. Or at least, stuff that I thought was simple. Unless your 'Egwene' has her people firmly by the scruff of the neck, wouldn't talks about whether or not to send a rescue operation for the Dragon Reborn take until the eve of Tarmon Gai'don itself?"
Ryvin suddenly frowns. "Ashes! We've no idea where our counterparts are in this world. For all we know, if we have any here, they're known supporters of the Tower. We could get crossbow bolts to the face for a welcome if we go to... Salidar, was it?"
I doubt sisters, even known supporters of Elaida, would be attacked on sight. At least in our world the situation didn't degenerate to this extend. Althea stood up to Egwene and opposed her openly, yet was let go without any harm. But you make a good point, we don't know if there are counterparts of us here, and what to expect at Salidar. We will have to gather as much information as we can to understand the differences of this world
Regarding Egwene, I doubt she'll debate issues over actions. She dispatched me and another sister on a mission, without any long debates, giving us access to highly restricted knowledge Litheene smiles at Ryvin for a moment before continuing. If she is anything like the Egwene I've met, her help can be very valuable.
Litheene, still not used to the feeling of Vala in her head, takes a moment to notice the strange feeling. Quite similar to the training to embrace the power, yet different. Is that the void of the blademasters? This bond certainly opens opportunities to learn new things
"Already started," Ryvin says, sinking lower in her chair. "Asked one of the servants for the oldest copy of The Karaethon Cycle that they have here. That can give us some leads."
The Ebou Dari briefly closes her eyes and rubs her forehead. "Merciful Light, I'm weary. But we need to talk a bit more, methinks."
I'll never get to the bath Litheene thinks, however she can't just put their problems aside. That's a good idea. Starting from the basics, we can see if the prophecies and the idea of the dragon are the same in this world. Also, I think we should try contacting the others. Maybe the Ashaman have some terangreal to access the dream world. Those aren't very rare.
"Maybe," Ryvin says. She gives Litheene a sober look that seems to suggest something, but says no more. "Soon as that book and my cup of tea get here, I'm off for the bath. Alone. Nobody come in after me unless I'm screaming my head off, 'cause I plan to be holding a Fireball ready for anyone who tries to come in unannounced."
Keelix looks from Ryvin to Litheene to Amorial and back. After a moment he bows slightly to Ryvin, "Very well. I will be in the yard."
Keelix heads to the door and steps through it, shutting it softly behind him.
Keelix steps out into the yard and stops for a moment to survey what is happening there.
"Litheene Sedai do you believe that by stepping through a different portal stone than the one we came through we would go back to our well - timeline?"
Amorial gives a toothy grin when being asked about being a Warder, "The Dragon breaks all bonds does he not? The Aiel have come from the Waste. The Seanchan from Light knows where. The Forsaken from their prison. Why not the Ogier from the Stedding? I have ideas for what I wish to do in the world and it may just be that bonding can keep me from experiencing the melancholy my people feel being away from a Stedding for too long. Also, would it not be useful for our group to be able to find one another at a moment's notice in a strange world?"
"Ryvin, I can meditate upon the Karaethon Cycle if you wish. I have rad excerpts from it in the past but did not give the matter much thought until you just mentioned it".
Amorial considers saying more but holds his tongue, for now.
Men engrossed in sword practice stop as they see a woman remove her shirt and lay it upon the rack. Smiling at all the men, and a couple women, vala moves to one side and takes up a practice stance, Ribbon in the Air, followed by Strike Out flows and so on, loosening up muscles, and within a minute a slight bead of sweat begins to appear on her brow.
Keelix stares at this woman, and his heart begins to quicken. An urge, primal, bestial, builds within his chest, head, and loins. A solider walks up to Keelix and nudges him Not a bad piece, eh friend?
A soldier, bare chested, muscles rippling as he walks, a lithe movement in his hips that show a grace and dexterity in his body, approaches Vala.
Lady, I couldnt help but see that you know your way around the blade, rather well. Perhaps, you and I could practice, yes? Then, perhaps, dinner and drink?
A servant returns, bearing a large leather bound book in her hands. Another servant appears, carrying a tray with a steaming tea pot, 4 cups, a bowl of honey, and mint leaves. Behind is four more servants, each carrying large trays laden with food. Ham, steak, pears, peaches, broccoli, potatoes, lettuce, a plethora of food to feed the unfed is laid out upon a large table along the wall. The tea is placed upon the circular table that is unfolded and lined with chairs.
Just ring the bell, and a servant will lead you down to the bathing chambers. Even now, water is being heated...
"The prophecies are the same," Ryvin says after reading the book. "That settles it, then: the Dragon should not be caged."
The Ebou Dari tosses back a cup of tea and rises. "Bath, then bed," she says. "I suppose we'd best go together, for safety."
She shoots a look to Keelix and than smiles as she looks to this man and than to Keelix. "Let me talk to my companion over there, about to where we will go, He is my commanding officer after all" she says as she santers over to keelix and leans in.
"Keelix should i trust this guy or not?"she asks as she looks over her shoulder at this man.
"I doubt they have a bath large enough for me Ryvin but I will watch over you if you feel it is necessary".
Amorial will not push the issue of bonding with Litheene unless she addresses it again but he will smile and wink at her.
While watching Amorial will absorb himself in the Karaethon prophecies to look and see if there are any mentions of the Green Man.
Knowledge - Age of Legends
"Well, if I can't trust an Ogier to keep his back turned while watching mine, who can I trust?" Ryvin asks with a crooked grin. She stands on tiptoes to clap Amorial on the shoulder, then extends a hand to Litheene. "You coming?"
Keelix nods to Vala as she approaches. After her question, Keelix looks back to the man she was speaking to.
Keelix leans closer to Vala and speaks quietly, "As I told our three companions, I do not believe any of us should be alone here. I feel it would be a mistake to trust any of them overmuch." Keelix glances at the man again and speaks with a faint growling tone, "Though he seems trustworthy in as much as he is less interested in your blade than in removing the rest of your clothing."
"So that would be a no" she sighs and looks back over to him and sighs "It will be hard to get information here with out interacting with others...but I still need to practice, it relaxes me and helps me clear my head" she puts her hand on yours and smiles
"You should join me, I can teach you something if you like or you can ogle me like the others. I swear you southerners about die if you see a person out and practically naked, I have practiced in the nude various times, but here I at least took off my shirt, and am bound, wonder what they'd do if i sturt out there in my small clothes only!" she laughed and looked into Keelixs eyes.
"So how about it Keelix care for a lesson? I promise i won't hurt you to bad" she says smiling.
Ryvin twitches at some of the 'input' she is getting from Keelix.
"This bond is going to be a problem," she mutters, seemingly to herself. "It's... distracting."
"Don't be too gentle." With a feral grin, Keelix sets his weapons in the rack provided, and picks up a practice blade similar to his greatsword. He salutes Vala with it as he moves to one of the practice areas.
After eating and drinking, you ring the servant and ask for him to lead you to the bathing chambers. The servant nods, waits for you to gather whatever you wish to have, and walks you through the palace of Caemlyn, down a flight of stairs, and into a large, humid room. A large fire burns in one corner, large kettles hang from hooks, steam billowing from the surface. Naked Female servants walk about, offering cups of water and wine to all within. Several large tubs sit in the floor, trays of oils and salts sit ready for use next to each tub.
Only one tub is occupied, a woman lounges in the tub, soaking, a towel over her face. She stirs as she hears the padding of feet enter the chamber
"How about we start simple" she says as she walks behind you and laughs as she walks out in front of you her practice sword drawn it is held in a simple straight jab. her feet are braced as she smiles.
"You ready" she says as she looks at you and laughs
She than rushes forward running quickly....
Her sword strikes fast and hard, she however seems to open her back up for a strike, but the blow was solid it hit firm and seemed to cause the practice sword to creak a bit from the strain.
"That is Boar Rushes Down Hill, It is a power based form that drives your strength and momentum forward while sacrificing some protection. It is a beginner form but one suited for that huge hunk of steel you call a sword" she says pointing to the practice sowrd you hold and smiles.
Amorial will lay the large axe across his lap and wait while the Channelers take their bath.
It is obvious that Amorial is laboring with the heat of the room and his great furry hide. "I don't understand how you humans can take it in here. Give me a large pool of water near falls any day over this stifling heat!" Amorial wishes to ask questions as these companions he has known for the merest of moments but he does not dare, not here with who knows listening in.
The woman in the bath peeks from beneath her hot towel and seeing the Ogier as well as Litheene and Ryvin, says with a smile Come on in, the water is wonderful. She has the coppery skin of a Domani and is quite beautiful.
Lounging back she lets out a luxurious sigh before sinking a little deeper into the water.
Taking three cups of water from one of the serving women, she hands them all to Amorial - and channels briefly, but strongly, flows of Air and Water touching the water in each cup. The water freezes solid almost at once.
"Come see me when you're done with those," the Ebou Dari says, clapping the Ogier on the shoulder once more, and then walks off to one of the tubs. Those who can sense it, can see that she continues to hold onto saidar even while she strips off her grey damane dress and shift, and kicks them away for the bloodstained rags they are. Her body is nice enough to look at, but a bit... odd. It has the usual soft curves, but gives the impression that it used to be tougher. Almost as if Ryvin had recently abandoned discipline for a more dissolute lifestyle...
"Ooh, that's the ticket," Ryvin hisses as she sinks into the hot water. "'Scuseit, can I get something else to wear once I'm done?" she asks one of the servants. "Something in unrelieved black, if you've got it." Next, she beckons to Litheene. "Go on, 'cousin', get in. It's... good."
Jasmine does the same as is natural between two channelers meeting for the first time. [/ooc]
Jasmine smiles warmly and says As do we all. I am Jasmine Raleen by the way, it is nice to meet you.
"Ryvin," Ryvin says, and she makes a casual, but not unfriendly gesture. "Likewise. You're a guest of the Asha'man, then?"
"Iff so coud. Thanps Ryvn".
Amorial does not turn around but the voice does sound familiar. His time spent with Jasmine was very short (especially so for an Ogier!) so he says nothing at all.
A pleasure Ryvin. She nods and laughs a bit when you mention her as a guest. I am a guest but I am also here to help heal the sick and injured. She looks at you again and says You have good potential, child. Have you considered writing your name into the novice book and becoming Aes Sedai or have you already and I am just unfamiliar with you. There have been so many lately that it is hard to keep track of them all. She asks sincerely and you get the impression she does not seem to intend any rudeness by calling you child.
Ryvin... smirks. "Got the pen pushed in my hand a while back," she says, "so I did the dutiful thing, kept my head down, curtsied, fetched and carried, studied... and then I got the boot up my backside and the bum's rush out of Tar Valon." She waggles her fingers sarcastically. "Ain't no snakes on my hand, cousin."
There is a bit of sting in Ryvin's words, but for a wonder, it is not directed at Jasmine.
I should probably test it, it's a rare oportunity to see if it works Litheene thinks to herself while hungrily muching the food, her discilpling keeping her from breaking polite composure while eating.
I'm honored by your request, Amorial, I don't know if it'll work though. I need to think the issue through
I still need to get used to this new feeling. Vala must be having a ball at the practice yard, for what it seems
Taking a quick lookover in the Karaethon Cycle, before heading for the bath I think you are right Ryvin. Those prophecies look the same. This world is probably quite similar to ours, as it appears from what we've seen so far
Litheene follows Ryvin and Amorial to the bath chambers, and gasps for a moment at meeting Jasmine there, quickly hidding her surprise, feeling a sting of shame at herself for not fully controlling the composure she is now expected to exercise at all times. But she is ... no, she is not the Jasmine I knew, tehre is no recognition in her eyes. She is likely the Jasmine of this world. But does this mean there is another Litheene here as well? Or perhaps ... another Shari? The room full of steam suddenly feels cold to Litheene non the least.
Litheene carefully folds her clothes, even though they are torn, as hands them to Amorial, taking little notice to herself being naked while lost in thought. Please look after those for me, these were a heirloom. She says quitely, and he can feel the shape of items folded inside the cloth when she presses it into his hands.
As Litheene soaks in the bath, quitely listening to Ryvin's and Jasmine's chatter, she watches Jasmine carefully, taking notice not to stare in a rude manner. Greeting Jasmine Raleen. It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Litheene She brashes some hear from the side of her face, with the ring bearing hand. Did you arrive in Caemlyn as of late? If she came with the Ashaman after the battle, she is from the Salidari fraction in this world as well. On the other hand, we can't know for sure if she was here before they came
Keelix, seeing the opening after Vala's strike, snaps his sword in an attack, the great blade humming with the speed of it's passage through the air.
After she explains Boar Rushes Downhill, Keelix nods, "Yes, I see. A powerful strike from such a small blade."
Her stomach groans and she tries to laugh it off. As she shows Keelix how to stand correctly letting her hands go over his body she shivers a bit and than shakes her head she blushes as she realizes she is low on his thighs and shakes her head again.
"Sorry 'Lix still new to this whole bond thing and seems Litheene Sedai is quite famished and well a little in fear of something...Nothing life threatening, but worried" she says as she than pulls away and stands about 15 feet from you and smiles. " Care to try it on me, And don't hold back I can handle it" she says with a smirk as she stands her sword high waiting to see if her pupil can hit her solidly.
Keelix takes a deep breath to focus himself after Vala guides him in the sword form. With one last deep breath, he rushes forward suddenly, trying to emulate Vala's motions with his own blade.
His focus being sufficient to the task, Keelix levels a powerful swing at the slender Blademaster, but his focus on the form is such that he delivery of the blow is the least effective he can be and yet hope to land the blow.
Vala laughs a bit as she stands just to the side of your blow her sword standing were the blow would have struck. She smiles and looks at you
"I'm impressed, not many can master a form so quickly.. How about we go down and get a bite to eat, another ale and a bath, i've worked up a sweat, and seems you are a little worked up your self. Come 'Lix lets go check on our sisters and see how they fair" she says giggling as she walks over and slips on her shirt and tosses her practice blade on the rack and smiles as she waves to the other soldiers
"By boys have fun, keep up the work and you'll get there" she than slips her arm in between keelixs arm and his body and leans in.
"Care to escort A lady like my self down there? Or do you want to chase me" She says her face inches from yours as she laughs and than pulls away as she runs back towards the room.
As Vala darts away, Keelix's hand twitches slightly toward her involuntarily, and a low growl issues from his throat. Mastering himself with an effort, Keelix places the practice blade back on the rack and collects his own weapons. As he stalks out of the practice yard, anyone watching is eerily reminded of a predator stalking its prey.
She turns and laughs as she sees you all stern and walking towards her. She laughs a bit more as she waits by the door of the room they had come from and after seeing the room vacant, She waits thinking on practice and smiles.
She turns and laughs as she sees you all stern and walking towards her. She laughs a bit more as she waits by the door of the room they had come from and after seeing the room vacant, She waits thinking on practice and smiles.
When he comes around the corner and sees Vala waiting by the door, he stops for a moment, his yellow eyes flashing in the dim corridor; not hesitantly, but with the air of a predator trying not to spook his prey. Then he continues his approach a bit more naturally for a person. "Lets go see about that meal and a drink. I am sure the sisters would appreciate having a meal waiting when they are done with their bath."
Vala smiles seeing keelix and than winces a bit more. Damn this pain, its annoying, I beat litheene can't handle pain as well as i can she thinks to her self as he approaches her her stomach growls as she blushes deeply.
"Uh..yeah sure...So maybe we could eat here than?" she aks looking about and feels her cheeks turn read. Hopefully Litheene isn't feeling as hot and nervous as i am right now
Litheene soaks in her bath, shifting uncomfortably. Her face suddenly blushed, as she finds herself feeling aroused with lust flowing through the bond. I'm pretty sure the warder bond wasn't so strong, the way sisters tell it!. At the same time, her body feels even more roughed up than before, as it reflects the pain of Vala's bruises. Litheene takes on the chance, and embraces Saidar as well, heating her water, however she maintains hold on the power, trying to lose the other feelings in the ecstatic flow of the power.
You feel embarrassment, puzzlement, and then ... as if the feeling of life itself intensifies when Litheene submerges herself into euphoric peace, letting Saidar wash over her.
Regaining a more stable emotional state, Litheene turns to Jasmine Light! I hope it wasn't too noticeable. What a shameful act to be seen like this by another sister.
We have arrived from the Cairhein area as well. Being on a mission away from the tower, I had the luck to miss the recent events until arriving in Cairhein. Litheene smiles, still under the effect of Vala's emotions, now mixed with Saidar I can't continue playing a mind game with another Aes Sedai in this state. I'll have to openly taking position Seeing the mess Elaida caused was quite disturbing. Word reached me that A group of sisters in Salidar raised an alternative Amyrlin. Do you, per chance, know her identity?