"Oh?" Ryvin says, one eyebrow raised. "Anyone we need to steer clear of?"
The Ebou Dari sits down and puts together a big breakfast, one that includes eggs, chicken, steak, potato, fruit, and plenty of milk.
"What?" she says if anyone gives her an odd look. "I'm starved!"
"So Keelix walhat do you wanna do while we wait for our friendly neighborhood Ogier to wake up?" she says as she leans against the dresser still looking down at the dress she had picked for Litheene.
" We could train more, or we could maybe I don't know work out a few links with some hands on muscle working, its an old borderlends technique to work ones aches and pains out" she says with a serious face.
Litheene eats modestly, showing her appreciation for the food, but her worry for Amorial's well being takes her mind of food, and today's amazing healing left her without the usual recovery appetite.
As Taim tell them that the room is warded, Litheene supresses the urge to set up her own, Saidar wards. Men can feel when we embrace, it will give a very rude impression. Instead, she projects trust, and friendliness.
As Taim turns the question to her, worry for Amorial vanishes from her head a if erased.
Yes, we have. We believe your cause is just and cooperation seems the right way to help your world and get closer to getting back to ours. I wish to see this world's Amyrlin, Egwene, from the camp in Salidar, and will gladly rely your message, as well as the tale of your fight to save the Dragon, evacuate the city, and willingness to help us.
Litheene bows her head in gratitude and smiles.
However, we still need to contact our other allies, who might have been less fortunate as us. I have a theory in this regard, for which we'll need something called a sleepweaver. It is a type of terangreal which is pretty common, and I should be able to identify one on sight. If you have any possession of such, we will be most gracious to loan it, even for a night. And for a chance to try duplicating one, I've heard rumors of success in this in our world, the sleepweaver should be rather simple in design.
Excellent! I am glad to hear this, Litheene Sedai. I know that a woman of your caliber and uniqueness shall have no problem convincing the rebel Amyrlin to go to war. And it is indeed a noble and just cause
Nodding to each of you, he raises his glass and drinks from it.
When will you be ready to depart? I can have a couple asha'man standing by, ready to open a gateway to the rebel encampment.
I shall be accompanying you as well. I have need to speak with the Amyrlin about the efforts among the soldiers...as well as the task of convincing the Hall to go to war. I suspect that will not be an easy task. They do not like change and this will be a massive one. You will need all the help you can get. Jasmine says, dabbing her lips daintily with a snow white cloth.
Looking at Taim she says I hope you will be able to keep yourself out of trouble without me to watch you. She winks before going back and having another glass of tea.
Ryvin rolls her eyes.
"Persuade the Hall? Any Hall? I'm going to need beer once we get to this rebel camp. Lots of beer..."
It is I who should be worried, love. You are beautiful enough to make any man turn from his wife Taim replies back.
One of our companions is resting at this time. The moment he feels betters and wakes up, I believe we should be ready to depart.
"I'm afraid you're mistaken there, lord Taim," Ryvin says. "Men don't turn from their wives, unless the woman is a soulless piece of filth. Utter bastards turn from their wives."
Jasmine raises an eyebrow at Ryvin's lack of respect to the Hall. When she mentions women being soulless pieces of filth, Jasmine calmly says to Taim smoky eyes Though if the relationship is strong enough, no amount of women will turn a man. That said, what is a good relationship without a bit of temptation to keep the fire burning bright.
Amorial sits up in haste. He places his hands on his head trying to clear his thoughts but something else is intruding - it is confusing almost as if he has thoughts that are not his own, why would that be? How could that be? Perplexed Amorial tries to determine what the power Litheene Sedai used actually did to him.
Knowledge - Age of Legends
"Whoa Amorial...Are you okay, her bonding didn't hurt you, like mentally did it?'Vala asked as she hand her hand close to her blade, he face was concerned but hid something else.
Keelix crouches near Amorial, patient, waiting for a response from the Ogier.
Litheene suddenly flinches for a moment, as she realizes that Amorial is awake.
He is awake, and the bond functions. It seems no real damage for done
Litheene smiles to Taim All in all, I believe we should be ready to leave soon, probably a little later today. However, if no Ashaman wish to go into the Salidari camp, we'll need to coordenate with you how we contact you after the meeting with the Amyrlin
Vala shoots a look at Keelix and than smiles as she than looks at Amorial still looking for a sign from the huge Ogier. She didn't know if Keelix had ever faced a Trolloc before, but she had and she could fight a creature of Amorial size and strength she really didn't want too but she would if it meant protecting herself, Keelix and everyone else.
Keelix meets Vala's gaze, a brief smile flickers across his face as a little heat flashes through his eyes, then his attention is all back on Amorial.
I will be sending down an escort of 10 asha'man with you. One will go down, and enter Salidar with you. He has the full authority of my position to make any deals necessary when negotiating for the Rebels to go to war.
Standing, Taim walks to the door, sticks his head out, and then steps back from the doorway.
In walks a man, young, no more than 20 at the latest, wearing the customary black jacket of an Asha'man. A sword and Dragon decorate his collars, his face devoid of emotion. His sleeves are short, shorter than normal for an Asha'man jacket. His exposed arms reveal horrendous burns, As if he held his arm over a forge for hours, allowing the skin to blister and blacken.
A sword, large, two handed, hangs at his side, another difference between him and other Asha'man. His walk is that of a trained swordsman, one who was mastered the blade. A quick glance at the hilt reveals a bird. No doubt a Heron.
The man steps forward and bows to everyone present.
Greetings. I am Jasper. Jasper Firewyn. I will be leading the detachment of Asha'man with you to Salidar, and will enter Salidar to speak with the Amrylin. It is a pleasure to meet you all he says in a tone devoid of emotion.
"Good day to you," Ryvin says. After the briefest of hesitations, she stands and holds her right hand out to Jasper. "Ryvin's the name."
Keelix remains silent and stands a little behind and to the left of Ryvin, but where he can easily get around her should the need arise.
I will never get used to the idea of allowing men who channel to roam free. Aside from the Dragon that is.
"Well that was fascinating. Tell me my friends is Litheene Sedai ok? I am not sure what took place but I feel better now, I think".
"She is fine, i think a little surprised shocked and afraid?" Vala says as she looks a little confused and than shakes your head.
"You seem alright though Amorial...How would you like to accompany me and Keelix to the dining hall and meet the rest of this groups lovely ladies there shall we" she says walking over to Keelix and placing her hand on his and shakes her head.
"let us be off, i'm in a hurry to get fitted for a few dresses today, and than get a horse between my legs so I can ride to Salidar" she says as she than turns and heads to the door.
"Well are you guys coming or not?" she says as she walks out the door and puts her helmet back on her head.
Keelix stands and offers a hand to the Ogier to help him up, "Come my friend, let us break our fast together."
Jasmine inclines her head politely to the Asha'man and says It is a pleasure to meet you as well Jasper. Do you have an idea of what you shall say to the Amyrlin? There are protocols that should be followed if you are to have the highest chance of success. That goes for everyone else as well. If you wish to convince her and the hall to go to war, you must first convince them of your competency and virtue.
Well, i'm not one to talk much about virtue. But for competency, I am well aware of what the M'Hael wishes to do, as i designed the entire strategy for rescuing the Dragon. I know the full disposition of troops that we have, the forces available to us, the forces that are available to the Rebels in Salidar, and the reason why the Rebels haven't made a move yet upon the Tower.
I also know that in order for any motion to be carried through, a lesser consenseous is enough to carry the motion, provided a Quorum has been established. There will be power plays, you Aes Sedai will attempt to muddle in the affairs of us Asha'man, demands will be made, a superiority complex on a massive scale will have to be dealt with, all while making the Hall think that they came up with the idea of rescuing the Dragon and that I was just a guy passing through.
Is that proof of competency? Or do i need to explain to you how you think that you choose that chair you're sitting in just because the M'hael pulled it out for you?
Ryvin raises an eyebrow -- then grins. It is a hard, dangerous expression, though not entirely without humour.
"A massive superiority complex, is it? From where I'm sitting, it might be as many as two of those," she says in a droll tone.
Litheene sits quitely, weighting the newly entered Ashaman, without showing any sign of recognition.
He seems different, for better or for worse? Our Jasper was sharp, all out of control, but he had a flicker of light inside of him. He showed care. This one seems much more composed. Is it self restrain or emptiness? He might also be a completely different person that in our world
Greetings to you Jasper Firewyn. From your words are understand that you already had a chance to contact, or at least to assess the situation in Salidar. If you can brief us on the nature of the obstacles preventing an attemp to rescue the dragon so far, it might help us in persuading the Hall
If he is anything like our Jasper, it might be more prudent to play to his self esteem and go along with his stance, at least until we know what we are dealing with.
You mean, aside from having to deal with over 100 Aes Sedai, several hundred Accepted and novice? There would be the 32,000 tar valon soldiers to deal with, the entire city warded to alert the Aes Sedai should a man channel within the city limits, The patrols that Aes Sedai do with the city guard, the fact that every aes sedai has been granted some sort of 'greal, be it ter, an or sa'an. The fact that 26 sisters are rotated on an hourly basis whilest they guard the Dragon. Or perhaps the fact that at least one Forsaken has taken residence within the Tower. Take your pick. Again, spoken in the same monotone voice, like an accountant tallying bags of rice for market.
"Hold up, hold up," Ryvin says, raising one hand and looking more alert.
"What kind of saidar-spun Ward can alert the Aes Sedai to the use of saidin?
How in the Pit of Doom did the Tower get enough combat-worthy 'greal to arm every patrolling Sister? I thought those gewgaws were rare.
How do you know about there being a Forsaken inside the Tower?
And to top it all off, how did you find out this much? And do you know more, like in which chamber or chambers the Dragon Reborn is being kept?"
Ryvin turns to Mazrim Taim. "This may be a longshot, but do you have any maps for the White Tower's interior?"
Is this true? Even if it is, how can he possibly know about this?
A Forsaken in the Tower? With the amount of rumors typically sorrounding Aes Sedai in general and the whole situation lately, I assume you had a very impressive source of inside information regarding the Tower to motion such a claim. This, in addition to such a detailed count of the sisters guarding the Dragon
"Twenty-six," Ryvin says, frowning suddenly. "Burn it, that's two full circles. Throw in an angreal or two, and that's enough to plow most armies under."
The Ebou Dari, still frowning, steeples her fingers. "Sounds like this'd be a job for deception and trickery, rather than brute force."
Looking at Ryvin.
what kind or Saidar-spun ward? none that i am aware of. Hence my stipulation that a Forsaken is in the Tower.
As for how they got so many greal? The tower has been collecting them for the last millennia. Tear also collects and stores, since they are adamant to ignore its existence.
As for proof..I am the proof. I have spent the last month inside that city, maintaining a low profile. I sat back, watched. Counted. I even observed when Eladia paraded the Dragon through the streets. Very interesting performance on her part. A great way to show the world that she is in control.
"And a good weakness to exploit," Ryvin says, a calculating look in her dark eyes. "No matter how confident she is, as soon as she brings the Dragon Reborn out onto the streets, she is putting holes in the defences surrounding him. We might be able to work with that, if she does it again."
Amorial smiles at Keelix offering his hand and takes it but is careful not to settle too much of his weight on the human.
He grimaces and clears his throat. "I sense something may be wrong though I am not sure why I should feel that way. Where are Litheene Sedai and Ryvin? We should probably go to them first no? Though I must admit the thought of a meal is quite tempting!"
"As far as was planned, they should be dining with Taim." Then what Amorial said sinks in, "Something wrong? Like it is not your own emotion? Perhaps we should get to our Aes Sedai sooner rather than later!" Keelix leaves the room at a brisk pace, assuming Amorial will follow. He soon catches up with Vala and sweeps her along with a curt, "Amorial says something is wrong."
"She is afraid... She won't admit it but she is afraid, she has steeled her self like any good warrior on the field of battle, but I fear for her, to leave your fear locked up can do things to you" she says as she looks over at you with a hint of worry in her face.
"We need to get to the dining hall, one to see if are skill at arms will be needed and two...Cause we need to eat" she says as her stomach grumbles and she smiles, as she falls into step with you and closes her eyes.
Sitting back down at the table, Taim motions to Jasper to sit with them.
Plenty of time to talk strategy later. For now, let us eat this food.
Suiting words to action, Taim begins to eat.
As you sit and enjoy the meal, in walks amorial, Keelix, and Vala.
Keelix enters the room and a quick scan shows no obvious danger, so he simply moves to Ryvin's side with a nod for Taim.
Amorial sits close to Litheene Sedai giving her a wink and a nod. He has s many questions to ask but holds off knowing that to ask here and now would be far too hasty, one splash of the One Power and already Amorial is becoming as excited as these short-lived humans!
Turning to Litheene he asks in a loud voice (what other sort of voice does and Ogier have anyway?) "So what did we miss?"
Unknown weaves used does not indicate forsaken Litheene thinks, but keeps quite. When the others arrive, Litheene smiles, somewhat apologetically, to Amorial.