dont worry, Rhoekk. Kodokura and I shall also take a turn at the watch. jasper says.
Landa's eyes narrow, but he keeps his mouth shut
you each make your way up the stairs, each step slower and heavier than the previous, making you wonder if you can surrmount the last thee steps. Yet the idea of warm water to wash up, clean clothes, a clean bed, even in a phantom house makes you push on and head up.
strangely enough, you cannot access tel'aran'rhoid. you are not sure why.
no sooner does your head hit the pillow than are you awoken by a clanging noise, as if someone is throwing pans down the stairs.
you stumble out into the hall to see jasper juggling several pots in the air. The sound of the pans falling down the stairs reveals itself as jasper misses catching a couple of pans, and they clang down the stairs.
Kodokura approaches Jasper immediately upon waking.
"Brother, what are we doing here? This situation is far stranger than what I was led to believe. Who are all these others? Tensions are high; they don't appear to be one group, but a mixed bunch, many of whom seem completely opposed to each other. Just whose side are we on, and where do we go from here?"
Those who come in. Will probably also see Zira, sitting in a corner of the room where he is busy juggling. Not a lot of sleep. She sat and watched the juggling man.
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Hello, and thank you for standing up for me. she says in a whisper.
Analin had the look of someone who had been waiting to catch a ball but had it snatched away at the last second. After a moment she nods, returning the once-Green, once-damane's stare with a very concerned look. "Of course I would stand for you, sister. You are Aes Sedai."
"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 blonde Aes Sedai looks up at that. "You have an angreal? More than one?"
The Green sister sees that Merdrith is comfortable before settling down herself. She weaves a dream ward similar to but different from Ryvin's on both herself and Merdrith and a ward against people around the room the women all shared.
When Analin asks her question... Ryvin just gives her a neutral look and says nothing. Shortly after, she goes to have her little chat with Chen, and afterwards avoids the Green Sister.
The next morning, Ryvin wanders into the dining area, already dressed, wearing her arms and armour - not to mention her spiked collar - and looks Jasper up and down. In the eyes of any woman who can channel, the Ebou Dari is suddenly enveloped by the aura of saidar.
"This your way of offering to cook everyone breakfast, Jasper?" she asks in a casual tone.
Her eyes flick over to Zira - and visibly dismiss her.
nope. just my way of waking everyone up after 8 hours of sleep he says with a smile.
"Fair enough," Ryvin says, shrugging. "Mind putting them all back now? I figure everyone's either awake or gearing up for siege after that racket."
The Ebou Dari walks over to a chair and sits down, glancing at Jasper and Kodokura before she plonks her boots up against the edge of the table.
"Offer of that weave is still open, boys. And lookie" - Ryvin wiggles her begauntleted fingers, then smirks and pulls the gauntlets off, revealing her hands - "still no Great Serpent ring. No strings, no leashes, no debts owed. I'm offering it for free, and burn my if I ever try to make claims in return for it. So how about it?"
Kodo looks to Jasper, and (assuming no forbidding looks or words from him) approaches Ryvin slowly. "What exactly is this weave you speak of? It... eases the mind, you say? Could you tell me more about it?"
"It's a weave that temporarily suppresses the effects of the taint, or other forms of madness," Ryvin says, plainly. "It's not permanent and it doesn't wipe the slate clean, but it can give you ease for a time. Want to try?"
The Ebou Dari holds her hand out to Kodokura...
Fiallain was already dead to the world by the time Rhoekk set his bedroll on the floor nearby. Nor did she stir at all during the night, despite usually being a light sleeper. She slept the sleep of one driven far beyond their normal limits, utterly oblivious.
The Aiel greeted the morning with a grimace, clenching her eyes shut and willing the clamor from the next room to subside. It did not, however, as more of her companions joined the others and muffled conversations continued to assault her ears. Fia tossed and turned, trying to stuff her ears shut and return to her blissful oblivion, but alas, eventually had to admit defeat.
Slowly she opened one eye then the other, blinked away her blurred vision and propped herself up on her elbows to peer about her surroundings. The events of the past few days came rushing back at her all at once and it took all her willpower not to retreat and disappear again back beneath the blankets. Instead, she groaned and sat up, scratching at her scalp and brushing her hair with her fingers. “I feel as if even a week in the sweat tents would not be enough to get clean.”
Litheene wakes up, refreshingly rested. As others beat her down, yet she feels no channeling or sounds of battle, she remains a moment in the dream ward.
Collecting her things, she heads down, to find Jasper holding ... pans? Seeing as Ryvin already beat her to offering the mind healing weave in response, Litheene looks on.
Analin and Merdrith are together, good.
The suldam was sitting alone, lack of sleep showing on her. Without the adam she is no threat. I am no longer a scared rabbit to cover in fear, nor a hateful person to kick a downed enemy. Her expression offers Zira casual acknowledgment, no warmth, no hate. A polite stranger met on the street, her previous acidity and sharpness gone.
Making sure all are there, Litheene approaches Amorial, speaking loud enough for everyone to hear. After a night of sleep, I recalled enough from seeing the Cleansing Yellows' use on poisons, I think I can try to recreate it, for a disease. Everyone please look, the fades may still be waiting for us out there, and it seems we fought more fades since we first joined up than most see in the borderlands for a lifetime, so this weave will be of use for all to know
With that, Litheene draws on the power, laying her hand on Amorial, spirit flowing through him, probing out the mark of the disease, then water flows through, washing it out.
Persistent filth thinks Litheene at the shadow illness' resistance, intensifying her flow.
Finished with Amorial, Litheene moves to Rhoekk, approaching with his permission, and inspecting his wounds. Healed. The healing was enough, he beat the disease nodding to him she says And for you the healing from yesterday turned out to be enough. I wonder if little fades are told tales of the horrible Rhoekk so they behave adds Litheene, in a cheerful mood after the long needed rest.
"Don't you fret none," Ryvin says, grinning at Fiallain. "First proper inn we get to, we'll splurge on a proper bath. A long soak in hot water and soapy bubbles will have you feeling all rosey again."
When Litheene uses the Cleanse-weave, Ryvin watches with rapt attention.
Kodo regards Ryvin's outstretched hand for a long moment with an impenetrable expression. "I don't feel mad... though I've heard that mad folk often don't." He nods once slowly. "There's only one way to find out. Please, would you?"
"Possibly the taint does not have its hooks in you very deeply yet," Ryvin says, smiling at Kodokura. "Lucky thing if it's so. And it is my honour."
Very gently, Ryvin takes Kodokura's hand, and her saidar-aura blazes brightly as she weaves Air, Spirit and Water around the Asha'man. The lattice of saidar gently settles down on the Shienaran and passes into his mind, where it rinses away (or at least suppresses) some of the damage done to him by the Dark One's taint on saidin.
Kodo closes his eyes as Ryvin takes his hand, his face calm, but after a moment his eyes open suddenly, his face blank. Once Ryvin releases him, he looks her in the eye for a moment, then says solemnly, "Peace favour you, mistress." He follows his words with a small bow of his head.
"None of that, please," Ryvin says, shaking her head. "The word 'mistress' has too many negative connotations. I'm Ryvin. Please call me by my name, and I'll call you by yours if you'll allow it. Square?"
Kodo blinks, then offers a small smile. "Women in Shienar will say what they prefer to be called as well; but until their wishes are made known, it's best for a man to err on the side of courtesy. Peace favour you, Ryvin."
"And you, Kodokura," Ryvin says, a small smile playing in the corner of her mouth as she briefly bows her head.
Amorial and Litheene spend the rest period separated, upon awakening
Amorial heads down to the Kitchen with Litheene, the Ogier took little sleep but then, he had plenty of the rest the night before so it did not concern him overmuch.
After receiving the Cleansing, Amorial staggers slightly as if drunk, "A powerful weave indeed Litheene Sedai". [ooc] Fortitude Saving Throw
Amorial turns to Jasper, "So breakfast?" he grins and nods to the pans in the A'shaman's hands.
Jasper, with the help of Saidan, puts the pots and pans away with the exception of a couple.
well, i suppose i could make breakfast. like eggs? he calls as he steps into the cellar of the kitchen.
a moment later he comes back with a basket filled with eggs.
hmmmm...interesting. Kodokura, when your done asking the lovely Ryvin to the spring formal, could you come assist me with making breakfast?
when he steps up to begin helping, jasper starts talking.
you asked a lot of questions before. hopefully i can assist in answering. jasper pauses and looks at ryvin, zira, litheene, amorial, and the others as the wonder into the room.
what you have before you is a group that appear to be heading towards a common goal. so far they have all worked in sync with each other, but suddenly something causes them to split. in this instance it was the use of an a'dam on an aes sedai. what they lack is a leader. someone who is strong enough to manage all of their individual strengths and direct it, but also holding them accountable for their actions. If there was a strong leader present, i imagine the exchange last night at dinner time would have been much more different. Litheene offered her word of protection, yet didnt exercise her right to protect. Fia ignored litheenes offer of protection, yet allowed Zira and Tali to come along. She claims that they were pressed for time, but i am sure that someone could have stopped them if they wanted to.
pouring the eggs into the large pan, jasper begins to add spices and salt for flavoring.
as for why we are here? we are here to not only help the Lord Dragon reach tarmon gai'don, but to also help the people of the world wherever they need assistance. But also, there is a reason you are here. You needed to get away from the Black Tower. you were becoming too rigid in its ideals. you need more "real world" experience to truly make you an asha'man.
dumping the eggs into a large bowl, jasper picks up the bowl and brings it to the table.
as for who side we are on? i hope you figure that out. Once you answer that, and if the answer is correct, then you will truly be worthy of the title of asha'man
Alathea wakes at the sudden noise of clanging pots and pans with a start--even though she had been exhausted, she hadn't meant to fall asleep sitting propped against the wall next to Zira. Though her body aches from her odd sleeping position, she feels much better than she had the previous night, although she imagines that she could still use a week's worth of additional sleep. Rising and moaning at her protesting muscles, she retrieves her pack and fishes through it for a clean outfit. As she does so, she finds the treasures that she and her companions retrieved from the Children of the Dragon's mirror world. "Perhaps if we are truly safe in this place, I may have the opportunity to decipher these..." she wonders before closing her pack up again.
After changing out of the clothes that she'd worn for...how long had it been?!...and into a relatively clean but plain farmwife's dress, she follows her companions to the source of the noise. After a moment, she picks out Zira sitting in the corner and approaches her. "It is a good morning, Lady Zira, yes? How are you today?"
Frowning - and perhaps blushing a little - at Jasper's initial gibe, Kodokura reacts swiftly to the request for assistance. He is used to Jasper's roundabout and non-linear mode of communication; normally the more obtuse the explanation,the more important the topic. As such, he pays close attention to his superior's words, filing them away for further examination later as he assists with the food preparation.
"It is a good morning, Lady Zira, yes? How are you today?"
The Seanchan female looks at her, her eyes showing signs of fatigue, blue circles around them. After acknowledging the woman, she slowly lowers her head again, watching the gathered group. Her face could almost be that of a Sedai, no sign of emotion.
"Good is relative" she whispers
Alathea shakes her head and leans in close to Zira, speaking in a voice pitched only for Zira to hear. "It is relative," she agrees, "But it is also what we make of it. For instance, this is the first time in a long time that I woke up without my husband in all but law, yes? The father of the child growing within me? I know that he was mad and that his death was for the best, but it does not hurt less. That one wearing his face has joined us does not help, either. But I can do nothing to change yesterday, and I can mourn without dying myself, yes? Stepping back, she looks her up and down. "I do not pretend to think that you are not hurt, but hurt passes by, yes?"
"You are not a captive" she says bluntly. Still not looking at her
Looking at those who are suppose to be "new" faces
"Both male abominations, both able to kill if it suits them, both mad. Yet i am treated like a threat. Now tell me. How is that good?"
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Neither are you Zira. On the contrary, I am still extending my offer of protection, from SHADOWSPAWN Litheene emphasises the word looking at Jasper To you. As long as you choose to travel with us and not leash people that is.
In addition, and this is genuine offer to you, in case you come to realise the wrongness of the Adam, if you renounce yourself being Suldam, I will gladly help you learn to wield the One Power, to the best of my ability as a teacher, up to the point of at least basic control. After that, I am willing to speak on your behalf before the Amyrlin, and ask for your admission. The tower accepts now novices of any age.
Litheene face is plain and serious, and she speaks without sarcasm.
As for the Ashaman, they are not abominations, they are victims of the Dark One's curse. And they choose to fight against him.
She falls quiet again. Saying nothing. Her face not betraying her current state of mind.
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Suddenly Litheene realised the implication of Jasper's words and Kodokura's presence. Jasper, did you travel back to the Black Tower before coming here? Is Taim updated with the results of our envoy trip?
Nope. Eggs?
Where did you get those eggs? Muses Litheene. Does this place have a stock of food that does not spoil? And yes, eggs will be much welcome. Litheene gets to helping with making of the food.
Any changing clothes available? she inquires, most of her original travel clothes full of burns and tears.
Not sure if yesterday's events weren't some sort of a dream, Litheene feels inside her to see if the lure of the other power is still there. At the realisation that it was not a dream, her mood gets less cheerful, but she conceals it, resisting the powerful urge to taste the alien source. There will be time for that. I will study the nature of what this is, and find a way to control it. I need time, and knowledge, and this place offers plenty of both some part of her feel ominous at that line of thought, as if feeling the wrongness of the other force, but she chooses to focus on making the food instead.
in the cellar. i just walked in and went looking for eggs and then i found them on a shelf. jasper shrugs.i dont know about spoilage, i just know that these eggs taste fine. Jasper picks up a scoop and eats some of the eggs before scooping another and placing it onto litheene's plate.
Litheene raises and eyebrow, but tastes the eggs. Going without food for ... two days? More? Except the meal from yesterday when I could barely stand, yet alone eat the eggs taste not just fine, but glorious, as she scoops them up. Her decorum is all that prevents her from stuffing up. She manages somehow to thank Jasper between bites.
Alathea's eyes narrow, and when she speaks her voice is flat. "You are not a prisoner, either. I am sorry for how you were treated last night. But if you do not wish to speak, I will burden you no longer." Leaving Zira to her corner, she wanders over to inspect the results of Jasper's cooking.
Ryland sheathed his sword with out a word as the Aes Sedai was released. The wolf lord was tired as he had ever been, the days, fights and stress of the last events had finally taken its toll as he watched Zira walk away. Burn her for making me do that!
The boarderlander unlaced his bedroll and spread it out near Fia and quickly went to sleep.
Her stomach beginning to rumble at the smell of food, Fia steps in from the doorway and makes her way over to the table. Hearing Zira's mention of being a captive, she glances over at the other woman sharply and shakes her head. She chose to say nothing to correct her however - indeed had no need to do so as Litheene spoke up and set that matter straight.
She grabs a plate and a second one as well and scoops a healthy scoop of egg into each. "Thank you for the breakfast Jasper. It smells wonderful." To Alathea, she smiles faintly. "Good morning."
Taking her plates, one in each hand, she heads back to the doorway. There she pauses, grumbling under breath a moment, then turns and walks back. She sets one of the plates before Zira. Knowing she was probably the very last person the Seanchan would speak to, she turned on her heels wordlessly and fixes another plate before heading off in search of Ryland. "He must still be abed. Ahh yes."
Silently, she crouched nearby and ate her breakfast, letting the wolfbrother sleep as long as he needed.
I feel so much better already, I wonder if I could.. Slowly, tentatively, Fiallain opens herself to the one power, testing to see if it would come to her, or if her body would revolt...
She sets the now two plates on a table and seats herself on her bedroll, leaning against the wall and simply savoring the sweet bliss of saidar as she embraced it. Even this tiny trickle nearly brought tears to her eyes. Occasional tiny flows of fire and air shot from her to the plates, keeping the eggs warm for when her other companions woke. So they will find her sitting there, grinning like an idiot.
As Alathea approaches where he and Jasper have been preparing breakfast, Kodo watches her warily but unobtrusively. So many strange things she says. I don't understand half of it... but I feel that I need to, that it's important for my... destiny? Hardly understanding his own thoughts, Kodo merely nods politely and spoons some eggs onto a plate for her. But how to bring it up?
** spoiler omitted **
Analin escorts Merdrith down to the kitchen after most of the others have risen, hovering over the newly freed damane like a mother hen over a newborn chick. Landa comes in just behind them, warder's cloak making parts of him disappear from time to time in disorienting waves.
The blonde Aes Sedai takes Merdrith over to the table while Landa gathers plates for all three of them. She nods solicitously to the others, all Aes Sedai calm, either unaware or unashamed that she wept in her sleep.
"Good morning, all."
merdrith eats her food with wooden emotion, as if she isnt tasting anything. after it is completed, she stands up and nods to everyone.
I must attend to something she says to analin, and then turns and walks up to Zira.
Kneeling down onto her knees, Merdrith presses her head onto the floor and speaks to Zira. mistress Zira. You and I must talk. Alone.
since its a childrens book, and i will say that since you are well rested prior to the days events, you arent dog tired like the rest. therefore you can stay up later and read. and since its a childrens book, i will say that you spend 4 hours reading it (it is in the old tongue) and you can learn what it contains.
chapter 6: it is a story of a mythical man who frightens young children into doing the right thing.
chapter5: this chapter is filled with mythical creates of talking bears and a young child named glocks.
chapter 4: the story of a father and son who made wings of wax and paper to fly around the world only to have their wings melt from the heat of a summers day, killing them both.
chapter 3: a man who loved gold so much, he was gifted the ability to make gold with his touch. he then became depressed because he couldnt enjoy eating and drinking, so he threw himself into the ocean. only he turned the ocean to gold. the creator didnt plan for this, so he threw the man into the sky, making the sun.
chapter2: The giant Mok, with his lances of fire, befriends the dwarf Equas, who helps Mok defeat the other giant Merk.
chapter 1: The giant Merk, at his birth, befriends the Captain Ism, who instills a respect of money upon the baby giant, only to have Merk make bad decisions, leaving himself indebted to the snake Chin
After finishing eating, Litheene goes through replenishing her clothes, replacing her brown dress with any similar apparel, and mending her shawl to the best of her ability. At least it looks like a shawl now, and not a rug, even if a badly damaged one.
Then she comes up to Kodokura. Ashaman Kodokura, first, it is my pleasure of meeting you. I came to know a man quite like you not long ago, and I pray to light that we work together as well, barring his last moments. As she nods. You have in your possession a book that you found yesterday, about the One Power. I will be grateful for the chance to inspect it, and share it's content with you. Familiarity with books is perhaps my strongest asset casually arranging her brown shawl.
After breakfast, Ryvin lights her pipe and starts to read the book on Portal Stones that she took from the library. She remains aware of the rest of the room, though, and is ready to leave at a moment's notice.
Rhoekk rises early the next 'day', whatever that might be, eminently grateful at the opportunity to rest, and do so safely. He makes his way to the kitchen, taking a simple breakfast of bread and cheese, before setting in near the stack of books prepared by Amorial. Versed as he is in the old tongue, the unlikely scholar starts reading through the texts, doing his best to spot anything that might hint at the purpose, location, or identity, of the Grey Man.