Chen sleeps restlessly. The physical strain of the previous day battling his mental distress.
Walking, awkwardly as one his size was apt to do, he helped himself to a small(for an Ogier) plate of breakfast and sat down in a corner to eat in silence.
out of all the wonders of our modern world, the greatest oddity is that of the Gray Man. To those that seek him out, they are left without. to those that do not seek him, are left within. He is an enigma, one to be wary of. Woe onto those that encounter this Nym, for his is not like the others.
Alathea smiles warmly at Fiallain's greeting. "It is a good morning, Sister. You are looking much better after a night of good sleeping, yes?" She smiles, too, at Analin and returns her greeting as well. At Chen's entrance, however, she watches the Ogier warily and is sure to keep an eye on him lest he get too close to Kodokura.
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...
Kodokura bows slightly to Litheene. "Peace, Litheene Sedai. My sword is yours. Of course you may examine it, although I'd very much like to read it myself once you're done." He hands the book over promptly.
Zira sighs. Not like she had a choice. And follows Tali to where she wanted to talk
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Peace to you, and of course I will give it back, as well as share what I found, replies Litheene but her mind is already absorbed, as she slamps into the nearest chair available, barely aware of her surrounding, all of her mind focused on the book as she delves in.
Alathea smiles warmly at Fiallain's greeting. "It is a good morning, Sister. You are looking much better after a night of good sleeping, yes?"
Fiallain's smile broadens and she nods. "I feel almost new. You look well also."
When Ryland wakes, he finds Fiallain sitting nearby. She notices him stir and glances over at her friend. After giving him a few moments, she gets up and picks up a still very warm plate of eggs from off a nearby table before handing it to him. "The others are in the next room. Jasper made breakfast. Most of them are now absorbed in books I cannot read."
She tilts her head slightly, studying him. "We should talk and continue our conversation from during our hunt, if you are willing. It need not be right this moment though if you would prefer it if I at least let you get up and gather yourself first." she says, with a slight smile. "Whenever you are ready to."
Keelix is back to his unspeaking self in the morning, and the first thing he does before coming to breakfast is find a clear space in which to practice his developing understanding of sword forms. It is clear that he has a good basic understanding, but just as clear that he is new to them, and struggling a bit with adapting some to his huge blade.
When breakfast is ready he eats quietly near Ryvin, handing her one of the books she told him to carry the previous night.
Ryvin nods her thanks to Keelix. "Later," she says, "I'd like to do some sword training with you. For now..."
Analin watches curiously at Tali prostrates herself in front of Zira and the pair walk out but doesn't move to intervene. As she eats, she silently watches Alathea warily watch Chen. After a moment's consultation with Landa, the blonde Aes Sedai stands and walks back over to Alathea.
"It does not take a White to notice the stresses in your group," she murmurs to Alathea. "How did you come to all be traveling together?"
Finishing his meal quickly and silently, Chen stands and follows Keelix and Ryvin in search of a clear space to train.
Ryvin nods her thanks to Keelix. "Later," she says, "I'd like to do some sword training with you. For now..."
Keelix nods, "It will be my pleasure, though Vala and probably Landa know it better than I do. Just let me know when." Then, with a bow and a small sigh, he drifts away trying to discreetly approach within hearing of Zira and Merdrith.
there are two rooms large enough for chen to work out in. One is the dinning room, the other is the room that is blocked off.
tali leads zira up the stairs and into an empty bedroom.
digging through the large bag, you finally take a long moment to marvel at what the other ter'angreal are that you took from that inn so long ago in the mirror realm.
They all look the same, with a strange metal rod banded to a piece of wood. a metal bead sits at one end, and the other has a strange metal tab with a notch cut out in the shape of a V. opposite this V metal device is a strange loop of metal that connects to the metal tube. placing your hand firmly onto the wooden area, your understand its purpose. it shoots a blazing ball of lightning or fire from the end with the metal ball. it has a long range, longer than a bow. But it can only shoot 4 of these balls before it needs to be recharged. IT recharges by being exposed in sunlight for 8 hours.
She just holds the girl, stroking her hair. Not saying anything. It felt good. But she didnt show emotion. Stroking her hair again like she was use to. Other than that. She just held her
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Speaking up Chen says. "I will be going through my sword forms and combat maneuvers in the other room if anyone wishes to participate or receive training."
He walks into the dining room and begins to stretch.
Ryland looks up at Fia's approach, his yellow ryes tracking the Aiel woman's movements. He then looks down at the food as she speaks. "Has something changed with you since then? Nothing has for me, I am still just a wetlander with strange notions about...well, whatever.
The wolf lord uses his knife to move the food around on the plate in front of him for a moment before laying it down next to him. "I am not used to your ways. I know of them yes but I can not understand them. You spoak of me a Rhoekk. I think we may not fully understand the other in what we mean to each other. Tell me what you will."
Alathea nods at Analin's assessment. "You are right, Analin Sedai," she says. "We are not all together by choice, yes? But what else can we do? Just because these Seanchan are who they are, does that mean we should leave them to die at a Fetch's blade? Because these Asha'man may be here for their own purposes should we refuse their company?" She shakes her head, clearly disapproving at the thought.
Explaining further, Alathea continues. "It is true, many of our companions are still strangers to me in some ways. Most of us come from another reflection of the Wheel, yes? But when we were taken from our reflection, not all of us went to this one. It was only yesterday that we found our way to the rest of our companions, to this reflection. After so much time apart and with little time together before we were separated in the first place, there is...friction between even us, yes? And then, when we arrived here, we found ourselves attacked by shadowspawn, and these Seanchan caught in the fighting with us. We could not leave them to die, yes?"
Looking about at her gathered companions, Alathea sighs. "All said, we have all of us been together for only a few hours before we found you and this place. We all have much to learn about each other if we are ever to work together without stress, yes?"
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Ryland looks up at Fia's approach, his yellow ryes tracking the Aiel woman's movements. He then looks down at the food as she speaks. "Has something changed with you since then? Nothing has for me, I am still just a wetlander with strange notions about...well, whatever.
The wolf lord uses his knife to move the food around on the plate in front of him for a moment before laying it down next to him. "I am not used to your ways. I know of them yes but I can not understand them. You spoak of me a Rhoekk. I think we may not fully understand the other in what we mean to each other. Tell me what you will."
Fia purses her lips, frowning slightly as she considered what she should say. Now that she had instigated the conversation, she was suddenly finding that the words she had meant to speak were deserting her and fleeing on the wind under Ryland’s golden-eyed gaze. Flustered, her mind raced. What we mean to each other? Why must men always speak in riddles and complicate things so? It must be so they can make women caper about foolishly like one of their wetlander gleemen…They must enjoy being confusing, that is the only possible explanation… Does he not know how highly I think of him? She crouched near her friend and was silent for several long moments before speaking. At last the aiel looked up and spoke, the words suddenly spilling out over themselves.
”They… these are not Aiel ways, Ryland. Your ways are often as strange to me as Aiel ways are to you. What we spoke of then, it is a wetlander.. no… That’s not really correct either. It is an Aes Sedai thing.” She nods. ”Yes, that is probably the truest way to say it. It is an Aes Sedai thing, and truthfully, I do not know how the Aiel or the Wise Ones would react to my adopting it - assuming I do so. Nor do I pretend to even fully understand all the nuances of how such things work among the Aes Sedai or even how they are viewed among the wetlanders. It could well be that I do not fully understand what this bond is and what it would mean to you. If I have misunderstood, then in my confusion I may easily inadvertently say or ask something of you that would be improper? If so, I am sorry. I will try to do better at explaining myself now.”
”When I was much younger, new among the maidens, and new still to the spear, I had much to learn – and to unlearn. I was placed with two other girls, Adelin, who was of a skill and age with my own, and Rhiale, who was slightly older and more… practiced with the spear. We rose together each morning with the sun, trained together, ate together, slept together, laughed, cried together. Eventually we fought, tracked, scouted, and fought together. Then, we followed the Car’a’carn west together. We knew each other’s strengths, our sister’s weaknesses. We learned to think, to react, and to fight as one. Though we were very often required by circumstances to operate alone, we were always more formidable when one or both of the others were with us, even compared to when fighting alongside other aiel.” Fia sighs with a touch of wistful sadness in her voice, and rearranges her skirts as she sits there, remembering.
”Adelin woke from this dream lying in the field outside Cairhienin after we caught the Shaido dogs. I had fallen beside her, and would have joined her in waking, had not Alathea happened upon us when she did and healed my wounds. Rhiale also still dreams, and now guards the Car’a’carn.” She says, a hint of pride entering her voice as she spoke of her former comrade. She smiles and then shrugs and spreads her hands out at their surroundings. “While I am now here, wherever here may be, and am on a far different path. A path which the pattern has chosen to place you on as well with me, at least for the foreseeable future - something for which I am very glad. ” She trails off, taking a sip of water before peering intently at Ryland and continuing.
”The world changes, Ryland. The Aiel resist it, but we are being made to bend with it. Yet we do not bend easily. The prophecies say that the Car’a’carn will end up breaking us. He is already doing so. Once, a Wise One or her apprentice could not be harmed or impeded; they… we would never take part in battle. Yet since we have crossed the spine, not only are we among those that do not hold to ji’eh’toh – your whitecloaks, the Seanchwan, and others. Not only this, but I have since seen wise ones battling wise ones and Aes Sedai. Then there is our true enemy, the Shadow and those aligned with it. My spears are gone now. Yet, since giving them away, I have had to rely on my training with Adelin and Rhiale as much or more than when I carried them in earnest.”
”I suppose that is what gave me the idea of using the bond – to augment three of us. My sisters and I were always at our best and most formidable working together, the three of us. Rhoekk is a peerless warrior, whose skill very few can match. He also carries himself with great ji and honor. He is a friend. We would be far stronger with him." Fiallain pauses, and tilts her head, studying the wolflord.
Why does the idea of a second warder seem to put his back up so anyway? It is almost as if... but that is silly. He has never declared himself with so much as a regard-gift! You are being foolish, woman..
"That said," she continued slowly, "I have not spoken with Rhoekk regarding any of this. For all I know if I were to do so, he may think it foolishness. He knows nothing of the idea. I am now glad I did not, as the idea seems to make you uncomfortable… and that was never my intent. Also, I have spoken much to you of the benefit of this warder bond in dancing the spears, but I realize it goes… much further than just that. That is why I wanted to speak to you first."
”Ryland, you have walked this strange path I am now on with me longer than anyone, save only Alathea. We have risen with the sun together. We have eaten together. Slept together. Laughed together, cried together. We have fought, tracked, scouted, and bled together. We even follow the Car’a’carn together, though our reasons for doing so may be different. You can be frustrating and sometimes very confusing… but also amusing, loyal, honorable, and many other good things besides. I trust you to always be there, guarding my back, and I would always do the same for you. If the Light wills it to be so, I would go with you even to Shayol Ghul itself, and spit in Sightblinder’s eye with you at my side, should that be where this path leads. That is why I asked you what I did, though I would still do all those things, even should you choose not to bond with me. I have said what I know that I can on the matter. I know it is much to ask, perhaps far more than I have a right to. If I have overstepped, say so and I will not bring it up again. If I have misunderstood what this thing would mean, then set me straight.”
Amorial keeps his emotions calm as he begins to eat the breakfast provided by the Male Channelers.
Shaking his head at the children's book, he sets it back to his pocket. The Bogman seemed promising, the rest not so, I must think further on this.
"This may seem a bad time to raise the issue but soon we will have to go, will you accompany us on our journey Analin Sedai? What about you Zira? I am the Warder of Litheene and now that we are reunited, I shall go where she goes. I would hope that friend Rhoekk would come with me..."
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Cleaning up after the cooking, Kodo merely observes the other around him silently and discreetly.
After having breakfast, Ryvin gets up and follows Chen to the 'training area'. She pays close attention to the forms he's using.
, s'il vous plaît? ^^
Looking about at her gathered companions, Alathea sighs. "All said, we have all of us been together for only a few hours before we found you and this place. We all have much to learn about each other if we are ever to work together without stress, yes?"
Analin nods. "It was not meant as a criticism, Alathea. I am merely surprised." She glances at the doorway Merdrith and Zira had left through, wordlessly indicating that she was specifically referring to the sul'dam and former damane. "I'm afraid that working together without stress is a goal even most Whites would find difficult, with this group. It is to your credit that you managed to keep the peace as well as you did, and a testament to the greater threat you all faced."
She looks back at Alathea. "You're only known each other for a few hours, and part of that fighting shadowspawn? Have you compared notes about your respective reflections of the wheel? The Alathea I know is a sister, for example. The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills, after all. Perhaps there is some meaning in your all coming together here, at this time. I suspect the Ogier likely has a theory, if no one else does."
tali steps back, kneels down in front of zira again, only this time she only bows her head.
what is your bidding, my mistress? tali says simply
the wheel weaves as the wheel will. isnt that what you all say, analin sedai jasper says to Analin from the table as he begins scrubbing the dishes in the sink.
She gently brushes her hair, petting her gently
"Since i cant do what i would normally do, i ask you be my eyes and ears. And with Chen gone, my shield if need be"
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Chen works the forms silently. Ryvin picks up his moves and flows into Moon on the Water. He flows into Moon Rises Over the Water. Glancing at her to see if she picked up the subtle transition.
"How long have you been a student of the sword?" He asked.
"My Da was starting to teach me," Ryvin starts to say. Then she curses as she fails to copy Chen's move accurately, and starts the set over from the beginning. "My Da and Ma first taught me the dagger. In Ebou Dar, everyone learns the dagger once they're off apron-strings. After that, Da taught me quarterstaff. When I'd learned enough of that to be getting on with, he started to teach me the sword. But that didn't go so far; he quit the lessons when an Aes Sedai found out I had the spark. I tried to spar with the Warder apprentices at Tar Valon, but they weren't too keen. Neither were the Gaidin. Most of what I did there was watch. What little skills I have got bloody rusty."
Ryvin flubs her second attempt as well, and curses like a dockworker.
"I've been watching the sword for what feels like all my life," she says as she grimly starts the set all over again. "But I still have much to learn. Yourself?"
Chen flourishes for a moment, with a grace and speed that wouldn't seem possible for a creature so large.
He pauses to breathe, putting his heron marked blade point down and resting his hands on the hilt. "My father began my instruction when I was 30. In my homeland, Ogier warriors exist exclusively within the Gardeners and traditionally we use great blackened axes with which we cut down men like weeds in a garden. But my father, who until 40 years ago, led the Gardeners, was the greatest of our warriors, accomplished and versed in so many forms that none were his equal. The emperor at the time, a peerless blademaster, commissioned this sword for my father after they dueled. The emperor himself bestowed the rank of blademaster on him and gave him this power wrought blade fashioned by the greatest Sul'dam at the time working in concert with several others."
Chen shows Ryvin the great detail on the blade including the three heron marks that started at the hilt and began to move up the blade length. "These steel circles are additions my father commissioned, one for each blademaster he killed in battle. None are my own yet. When he retired, my father dueled me and when I defeated him, he declared me a Blademaster before five witnesses. He then gave me this sword." Chen cracked a smile.
"To answer your original question, about 120 years."
Ryland looks at the wise woman for a long moment. His golden eyes seem to intend to pierce her very body with their gaze. "A warder. You want me for a warder." The wolflord snarls as he leaps to his feet and kicks the plate containing his breakfast across the room.
"And bloody Rhoekk too! Burn me for a fool for thinking that I could mean any thing to you!" The woodsman begins to stalk away but spins on his heels an points at Fia.
"Take him! And take that wool headed ox Chen while your at it! Get your peerless warriors and do as you will, I hope they can be your bloody spears!I do not care any more!"
Ryland grabs his bed roll from the floor and throws it after his breakfast as he leaves the room.
"One hundred and twenty, eh?" Ryvin grins wolfishly. "Well, I'll catch you up yet."
"Only a few hours, yes? It seems like much longer..." Alathea agrees. "We have talked a little about the worlds in which we've found ourselves, but only so much can be said in such a short time. But now that we've found a safe place, at least for the time being, perhaps we can speak more." She looks at Analin with curiousity, then asks, "You speak of my reflection in this world, yes? Can you tell me what she is like? We have met Ryland's reflection, and the two of them were very different..."
Waiting until a time when he sees his friend the Amorial emerge from his private discourse with the Aes Sedai, Rhoekk approaches the giant ogier and shows him what he has found in the book.
out of all the wonders of our modern world, the greatest oddity is that of the Gray Man. To those that seek him out, they are left without. to those that do not seek him, are left within. He is an enigma, one to be wary of. Woe onto those that encounter this Nym, for his is not like the others.
"Though I can read the language, most of the reading I did in the Three-Fold Land dated from much later periods than the so called 'Age of Legends'. As a result, I'm not sure what to make of the passage, but it appeared to be something that warranted a more knowledgeable eye."
All of a sudden he whips about, as though reacting to a distant sound. "Did you hear someone shouting? And for some reason, I thought I heard my name..."
Taking his leave from the ogier, Rhoekk leaves him with the book and passage he had found, and stalks off into the residence, looking for the source of the disturbance.
Amorial reads the passage that Rhoekk showed to him, "Very interesting, I shall have to consider it in light of what I was already... Eh, oh, erm. Alright. Let us discuss further when you come back".
Ryland looks at the wise woman for a long moment. His golden eyes seem to intend to pierce her very body with their gaze. "A warder. You want me for a warder." The wolflord snarls as he leaps to his feet and kicks the plate containing his breakfast across the room.
"And bloody Rhoekk too! Burn me for a fool for thinking that I could mean any thing to you!" The woodsman begins to stalk away but spins on his heels an points at Fia.
"Take him! And take that wool headed ox Chen while your at it! Get your peerless warriors and do as you will, I hope they can be your bloody spears!I do not care any more!"
Ryland grabs his bed roll from the floor and throws it after his breakfast as he leaves the room.
Fiallain could only gape as the eggs splattered across half the room. As his finger stabs through the air in her direction, the apprentice flinches as if he had physically struck her. Then, as he was walking away, the anger hit her. White hot, the sort that made any kind of rational thought impossible. Anger like she had never experienced or known she was capable of. I all but bared my soul to him - shared things that I have told no one - asked him to tell me what was bothering him, to talk through whatever it was - was willing and offered to share everything with him... and I get eggs?!?
She was on her feet faster than a blink; fingers curving around the nearest thing at hand, which happened to be an intricately worked vase sitting on a table. It exploded in a thousand pieces against the wall next to the door frame. It had taken all her effort not to throw the thing with all her strength at the back of his head!
"I didn't want spears, you blasted woolheaded-wolf-brained-goat kissing Mule! she all but screams at his back, then turns on her heels, stalking away.
Ryland stalks through the strange house moving away from Fia the wolflod breaking things when the get in his way.
Warder! And Rhoekk too! Light! Stupid wool brained goat hearding trolloc kissing idiot! Why would you think she would want you? You are cursed! Gold eyes! Why would she want you??