I echo what Amorial said. If you put the Adam, and can't remove, it will be taken off from you. You will not remain Damane. As you saw, we are not in favor of this. I wish not to you to be leashed, but for you to UNDERSTAND. For I was low blood like yourself, before I was declared an animal, because I failed the exact same test
Ignoring Chen's command to step away, Fia remains put a mere couple hands-breadths away from the Seanchan woman. Though her attention remains unwavering on Zira, Fiallain can nonetheless not help but hear the exchange between the Aes Sedai and Asha'man. She blinked once, an aiel equivalent of an eye roll. Must we kick at a second viper den before dealing with the first?
Her teeth clench at Zira's mention of 'broken promises', but she says nothing, letting this new near insult pass as she waited to see that the adam would be passed to Amorial...
... only to blink again, this time in true surprise at Chen's words. A ghostly hint of a smile plays against her features. Not amusement, something else. Almost... predatory?
She looks at each of them, then at Chen
"First, to all of you here. I. WILL. NOT. WARE. IT. I will not be subjected to any more bullying fron any of you here. Every time i try to show you that i wish no harm, you go further and ask more of me. This is enough." when she finally turns to Chen her eyes were narrow. Her whole body was at the verge of vibrating to death "You. How DARE you. How dare you even suggest such a thing?! What would happen if you suggested such a thing in our own lands?! You wound me captain, more than anything or anyone here present. No. I will not put it around my neck." with that she turns around and heads out of the current room.
This would trigger her channel block. I know its counter productive. But thats how i see it... though i have no idea what kind of channel would work here. PS was very close to relieving Chen of his services...
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Rhoekk turns to look at Zira for a moment, but then nods.
"I too wish for her to have understanding, and to see with my own eyes if what has been said is true, but as she says, she has complied with our wishes, released her captive, and essentially disarmed herself. Refusing the test is no crime, but forcing her to take it would be to rob a person of her volition, and I cannot support that. We will merely have to judge by what we know so far, and wait to see if there is a time this woman would like to prove the allegation false, and thereby put the claim to rest, or be confronted with its confirmation."
Rhoekk's words are true with me. She does as she wishes to her own neck. I am not a Seanchan anymore to test people by force. she says, while observing Chen and Zira with interest.
Agreed. This test was not part of our terms. If she wishes to refuse, that is her choice. I will not be party to forcing it either.
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Chen gripped his sword with increasing anger. His voice began in a whisper but rose to a terrifying shout as the lady turned her back on him.
"How dare I? How DARE? He yells.
"I dare by the blood of my father, who slew a hundred assassins before the Crystal Throne. By the life of my older brother, who fell with 8 dozen Sharan arrows in him after laying low hundreds of enemies. I DARE by my own life, spent before the throne watching young girls be humiliated and beaten, wracked with pain, because they were animals, because they were lower than slaves! If your kind is their kind, then there are no kinds."
The monstrous Ogier looks on the verge of attempting to strangle the casually fleeing member of the blood.
He finishes somberly. "If this is true, it will change me. But it will destroy you."
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"Captain..." her voice but a whisper
"You are hereby relieved of your services to me. Do as you wish."
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Regaining some of his composure. Chen responds with a curt "Fine.
He sheaths his sword and puts his mask back into place, drawing slightly shaky breaths.
In a foreign land, surrounded by those who despise me. Life spent following liars and tyrants.
Chen steeled himself for a long season in his life, and at that moment, he felt...alone.
Amorial watches the exchange following Zira out the door as she heads away.
"The leash my dear, you still have not handed it over".
Amorial tries to wait for her response but decides to continue, "This all seems unfair to you I would imagine. I assure you that you have not seen the best side of us. Watch, learn. You will see that there is little to fear from those who can channel. Such barbaric devices simply are no longer required, if they ever were. The Dragon will break all chains. Loosen all bindings. The Empress, she must acknowledge as must all the coming of the Dragon who will remake the world a place where shadows linger no further. The prophecies state it to be so. Your loyalty is misplaced".
She does not even look at him as she walks away. She very unceremoniously throws the the object of their desire at him. Her face spoke words not voice could utter. Hate. Hurt. Anger. Pain. Loathing. All there. Playing across her face almost at the same time. Like the ghosts reliving their last moments over and over again
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Amorial sighs and places the leash next to the other acquired, a deep pocket inside of his shirt.
He steps back in the room with the others, "It is done. Perhaps, the woman was pushed too far. I trust this will be the last of our squabbles? We need to eat and then discuss something very important to us all. In our wanderings, Chen, Jasper and I found a room with I believe a dozen doors, where they lead we do not know as discretion seemed to be the better part of valor once discovered. Before we search this place I must eat and rest and perhaps take another pass through the shelves lined with books. It is a shame we cannot take them all".
Amorial leans against the wall.
Go to her. comfort her. her entire world has fallen apart. show her a kind face. and bring some food. jasper instructs kodokura.
"Where is it?" he asks Amorial. His voice cold and gritty. The large Ogiers eyes look tired and empty, as if he were gazing at something far away.
Rhoekk puts up a hand to stop Kodokura. "Perhaps someone... less likely to offend the woman's sensibilities? Probably best to be someone not recently highlighted in this disagreement..."
He casts questioning eyes at Keelix and Ryland.
Keelix, never the most socially adept person, is left with a head spinning by the changes and interplay between the others.
When Chen's blade comes out, and it seems he is attacking either Rhoekk or Ryland, Keelix draws and takes an abortive stop closer as Rhoekk deals with the attack.
Left speechless by Chen's reaction to Ziraand her dismissal of him, so unlike what little he has heard of the Deathwatch and their masters, Keelix simply steps back to Ryvin's side, shaking his head.
Now, as Rhoekk and a few others are looking at him, he simply returns their stares flatly. After a couple of moments he speaks, "I am not the one you should send to the Seanchan woman. I have no interest in soothing the raised hackles of a slaver. From what I have learned, all Seanchan are either slavers, or complicit in slavery. I do not like the Seanchan for a great many reasons, and nothing I have seen lately has influenced me otherwise; quite to the contrary." With that he slides his greatsword back into its scabbard, and turns slightly as if to remove himself from the conversation.
Amorial returns Chen's gaze, "Close by but first we eat. Human interactions are very stressful!"
Fiallain lets out her breath slowly. Suddenly, her exhaustion seemed to come rushing back all at once and she rubbed her temples a moment before letting her arms fall to her sides.
"My sister would likely have the gentlest touch with her. But I expect her presence would 'offend' and not be welcomed either." She sighs and shrugs. "What is, is. I am going to sleep."
So saying, the aiel woman takes her pack to the adjoining room and spreads her bedroll in a corner on the floor.
Following Jasper's suggestion, Alathea looks at Kodokura for a moment. "I will go to her," she says. "If you wish to take your brother's advice, I would welcome you as well." With one last wary look towards Chen, she lets her ward dissolve and follows in Zira's footsteps. Approaching her with cautious respect, she asks, "May I sit down with you, my lady?"
Following Jasper's suggestion, Alathea looks at Kodokura for a moment. "I will go to her," she says. "If you wish to take your brother's advice, I would welcome you as well." With one last wary look towards Chen, she lets her ward dissolve and follows in Zira's footsteps. Approaching her with cautious respect, she asks, "May I sit down with you, my lady?"
Kodokura looks startled at Jasper's suggestion to comfort the sul'dam, then relieved at Rhoekk's alternate idea. When Alathea courteously welcomes his company to see to Zira his face turns dark, as images of this woman as one of the Lord Dragon's captors flash before his mind's eye. Her gentleness and obvious niceness override his memories, and his expression relaxes. "Yes, of course mistress," he replies politely, nodding. He follows her to the Lady's side, and hovers at Alathea's elbow, unsure of how to contribute but attempting to wear a comforting and kind expression.
"Am I really? Your mistress?" asks Alathea, a distinct note of laughter in her voice. "You do not have to if I make you uncomfortable. You see the one who captured your Dragon, yes? I am not her, but I do understand that it is difficult when a stranger wears a familiar face..."
Once she's in Zira's presence, Alathea waits patiently for the woman's reply. Without speaking, she gives Zira the time she needs to gather her thoughts, to compose herself.
She turn to Alathea
"So you come to redicule me too? Kick the monster while she is down and defenceless? I will not give you that satisfaction" as she continues to look into nothing. Her mind was nowhere at this point. The more empty she is, the less she feels, and maybe the pain will go away
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Kodokura gives a humourless half-smile, no more than a twist of one side of his mouth. "I understand feeling like others see me as a monster. It's not something I'd wish on anyone. From one monster to another, you have nothing to fear from me, my Lady," he says softly.
Alathea smiles at Kodokura's words. "But I know you are no monster, yes?"
At Zira's accusation, Alathea stops and stands a respectful distance away, but does not leave. "Monsters! Such a word that everyone is eager to apply to themselves! I do not wish to ridicule you, nor do I think you a monster. I think that you are much like me, or any one of us, save for the beliefs and cultures in which we were raised, yes? We have all had a difficult day, and we all bear hurts from it. But it is better to heal together than apart, yes? If you wish us to leave you be, we will, but I would rather sit with you."
Completely focused on Merdrith, Analin once again passes up the opportunity to respond to the sul'dam. She does not intervene or comment as the Gardener and sul'dam have their confrontation. Instead, she approaches the newly freed damane. "Merdrith? Come, sit. Eat." She puts out her hand for the other woman to take.
Kodo blinks twice at Alathea's words to him - a familiar mannerism to her, a placeholding one, his common reaction of freezing in the face of the unexpected to buy himself time in which to construct further response. In this case, he seems unable to come up with anything. Instead, he waits, then nods supportingly at her words to Zira.
Zira does not say anything. She knew that when it was time to sleep, she would collapse. It has been an exhausting day. And it was going to hit her hard. She was not going to argue anymore. She was going to stay quiet. And reserved. They seem to enjoy that. Very well. They will get what they want.
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Alathea smiles again and sits down a few feet away from Zira, motioning for Kodokura to do the same. "Very well. You do not have to speak, and I will not speak to you if you do not wish. But unless you tell me to go I will stay here with you for a while, yes?"
merdrith, or Tali, walks over and sits down. her face is one with a far off look, as if she is seeing everything and nothing. Her movements are wooden, as if automatic in nature.
She doesnt say anything, just eats. but after a little bit, she drinks some ale and suddenly her eyes focus upon Analin.
Hello, and thank you for standing up for me. she says in a whisper.
she spends a long moment staring into Analin's eyes, and then her gaze begins to take in the room and its occupants. her eyes flutter to ryland, making contact with those golden irises, with ryvin and keelix as they sit and watch, with rhoekk who stands protectively to the side but is watching the larger ogier, Chen.
She smiles at Chen, a smile filled with warmth. She stands up, and walks up to Chen and without regard for what has occured recently, she pushes forward and hugs the large ogier tightly.
she doesnt mean it, Chen. You know how she gets. when faced with stress, she tends to make irrational decisions. come. sit at the table. the three of us will discuss what has occurred tonight. Ok?
Litheene finishes her food quickly, eager for a chance to sleep, for the long time without it has taken a toll on her, until she can barely feel herself capable of channeling. While watching the freed Damane, she doesn't say a word. Her friend will know best how to help her.
Yet once she is done, she stands again, going over as if unintentionally in CHen's direction, but passing Analin on her way. She stops only for a brief moment Thank you for your gracious hospitality she nods. And when Merdrith is busy eating or looking away, she whispers softly in Analin's ear.
[spoiler=Analin]She might take time to recover. One does not change over night, the Adam is a heavy burden to bear. I truly believe your friend is in there, and can return, but she is not back to herself yet. She was tortured and taught to be an animal. Now she is a wounded one.
Pressing on her way to where Chen and Amorial sit, she pauses before them. Gardner, Chen, I heard what you said. I wished not anguish upon you. I was never the great weapon the Suldam tried to make of me, but I helped them in the worst way possible. I made Adam for them. One makes judgment by what he knows. Do not judge yourself for what you did not, that way lies madness. You are a man of honor, I wish for you to find your way.
Then her eyes meet Amorial's, her look and the feeling through the bond convey a simple message We need to talk.
Chen removed his mask and tied it to his belt. Kneeling down he embraced the small woman. It looked like a child hugging a large man.
"I'm sorry." he whispers into her dark hair.
"Give me a moment to remove my armor, then I will eat." He spends a minute removing his large plated armor. Setting it aside, He is in black trousers and a simple loose white shirt.
Chen follows Tali to the table and sits. Eating what is in front of him.
EDIT:
To Litheene he nods. "Thank you for your words, Litheene." you can tell he struggled to not use marath'damane, but it seems to pass from his large lips easily enough. "I begin to understand that we bring this wrath upon ourselves."
Amorial grabs whatever food he can, then turns to Litheene. "I shall watch over you as you sleep Litheene Sedai as it is my duty to do so and I have neglected that duty now for far too long due to circumstances beyond our control".
So saying the Igier takes two heaping plates of food with him assisting Litheene in finding a bed to rest in nearby.
Rhoekk looks about the place, and at the companions who have started making their way to their rest. Though his face maintains its even stoic expression, weariness floats distant behind his eyes.
Hmm, rest. How long has it been. I don't even know what day it is. Come to think of it, leaping cross worlds, I don't even know if they all shared the same day... Were I told it had been a week since I last slept I would believe it; and yet, were we to appear back at Lord Jareen's manor and be told that no more than a moment had passed since I left, I feel like I would believe that too. Can a dreamer dream a dream within the dream? And if he can, what is to say that the world to which he wakes will not just be another dream...
Standing again, the Aielman approaches their latest companion's warder, the one called 'Landa.'
"I see you. I am called Rhoekk, of the Jagged Spire Sept of the Tardaad Aiel. May you find water and shade. I wish to ask of you, is this... place secure? Need we post a watch, or is it warded against Shadowspawn? Whatever entrances there may be, can they be secured? My party and I entered unchallenged. Even should shadowspawn be kept at bay, have we means of keeping away shadowrunners, or others hostile to our presence?"
Seeing Chen struggle for a moment with her name, Litheene's face shows no insult, but understanding. It took even me time to call myself by my birth name again without an occasional slip of the tongue. We did bring it upon ourselves, but we are spun into the wheel again to try again, and we learn to change during our lives. Seanchan fought for the dream of order and unity for it's people. That dream is still true, even if the way failed. For we must stand united against the Shadow and the chaos it brings
Before finally departing to her resting place, Litheene takes Ryvin aside for a moment. Her look a bit concerned and apologetic. I ... must apologise again for before, with the circle. I had some troubles that might be related to dreaming lately. I am still trying to understand them. You know about it much more than I. Have you come to know any weaves to protect yourself from others? I heard of it's existence but haven't seen one in action.
Finding a place to rest, Litheene turns again to inspect Amorial, her body weary and stricken by the disease. You need to rest as well. Once I replenish I might be able to assist you more. Do not keep guard on me awake, and if you must, do wake me up after a while so you can sleep. I have a lot to think about, I can watch others rest
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"Yeah," Ryvin says, nodding. "I think I can manage to provide some security, still. Give me the loan of one of those spiffy angreal, and between the two of us, we can probably cover us all for the night." She seems to mull over her words for a bit before she adds: "We need to talk about these problems of yours when we have some time. Cousin."
The Ebou Dari smiles at the use of the word 'Cousin', and holds up a gauntleted hand for a warrior's clasp. "We need to talk about some problems of mine, too. Later," she adds, frowning.
Before sleeping, Ryvin walks over to Chen and stands looking up at him, hands in her sides and her face expressionless.
"Wherever we go from here, I'm not apologizing for the things I said before," she tells the Gardener in a flat tone. "On the other hand, I am not going to ask for apologies, whatever happens. Square?"
Amorial grins, "I have a lot of reading to do Litheene Sedai. I got plenty of rest the night before in the barnhouse where you found me that was unceremoniously overrun by Trollocs. When you wake, I will rest a bit before starting again".
Amorial devours the food he took with him and begins to read the books he took from the Library...
Litheene grimaces a bit, only for Ryvin to see, with the mention of angreal. Well, I would not have kept it a secret much longer anyway.
Shaking Ryvin's hand Litheene nods We will, cousin thou her smile is a hollow one, as a sailor who's boat is about to be run by a storm. She hands Ryvin the Angreal, and opens for a link. As the weave is span over their resting place, Litheene memorises it for future use.
As Aes Sedai as Warder laughs Litheene, What would you expect of a brown and an Ogier? I wish I had time to go trough the books
And with that, stuffing the angreal and the books she found into what remains of her Shawl for a makeshift pillow, sleep overtakes her.
the warder called landa looks rhoekk up and down, taking in his haggard state.
well met. I am landa. As far as i can tell there is only one way in and out, and that is through that door. course your friend, the smaller ogier, amorial wasnt it? he mentioned something of a room with a dozen doors? Being with aes sedai long enough, i know better than to go into a room that has to deal with the one power. Ha, of course we are in a building with the one power. he sweeps his arm wide.
tell you what. seems for tonight we are companions. I am fully rested, as is Alanin. I can ask her to ward off the door upstairs, and i shall watch the door down here. I can wake you in 6 hours if you insist on taking a watch.
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Chen nods solemnly at Ryvin. "I understand." He looks distant and sad. Worn out from the whole ordeal.
"Perhaps, one day, as way of amends, I could teach you what I know of the sword." he suggests.
Rhoekk nods in gratitude. He's not entirely sure about trusting himself and his companions to someone he just met, but he trusts that his companions acknowledged the new woman as one of their number, and seem to be willing to extend trust, as least as far as safety was concerned. It seemed as though as far as opinions were concerned, things were far from settled.
After checking in with his other companions, Ryland and Keelix in particular, communicating without words in the way that experienced men of arms do with one another, as to whether they were comfortable in the present circumstances, or if there was indeed need for extra caution.
Hearing that Litheen has warded the house against shadowspawn as well goes a long way to aiding his decision as well.
Eventually, Rhoekk makes his way back to the common area. Setting up his bedroll next to Fiallain's, he tucks himself in. Gradually making the mental shift from constant vigilant awareness, allowing himself to relax (at least a little), he drifts quickly off to sleep.