looking around, you dont see jasper, but a quarter mile away you do see his horse floundering around, attempting to get onto its feet. Its front two legs work, yet its back legs appear to not move.
Keelix stares off towards the open field, "We are still in danger here. There are a great many more men that way than we saw here. And those two escaped us. We need to move before they can bring those men down upon us. "
Feelix casts his mind out again for the wolves, I am Long Fang, again passing his scent/image/name with the contact, is anyone close enough to help me see how large of a group of men and horses are in the fields near me? Keelix passes knowledge of his location and of the scents of the men he is asking about.
1)keelix
2)amorial
3)ryvin
4)jasmine
5)litheene
6)vala
Amorial bellows in pain as a bolt from a crossbow buries itself into his shoulder.
Ryvin draws a deep, rasping breath and opens her eyes.
"I... hurt," she manages to say. "Let's... get out... of here..."
The Ogier growls in anger, where did that come from!
Perception
"Amorial pick up Ryvin as gently as you can, Keelix stay with them. Litheene Sedai and Jasmine Sedai, if you have an tricks to help our retreat that would be the best coarse. I can only fight a few at a time. Amorial needs to get Ryvin to safety and Keelix must go with her. I can fight them and lead them away. I will find you later" Vala says as he heads slips her sword back into the sheath on her back and smiles as she looks about the tree line concentrating
Perception
Looking into the trees, both amorial and Vala are unable to see any signs of the enemy.
Amorial looks at Vala, "Where are these enemies who strike from nowhere! And where are the Asha'men!"
Frustrated, Amorial does as Vala asks and lifts Ryvin as gently as he can heading to the path which he has spotted in the forest.
Amorial, As soon as you pick up Ryvin, her back gives several loud pops and cracks. She gasps once, and then falls unconscious.
Jasmine winces as she sees Amorial pick up Ryvin, growling she says Wait! You'll kill her! At which point Jasmine weaves quickly and a shimmering dome forms itself around the group. That will protect us while we secure her. We will go and meet with Nynaeve directly. I need a few minutes though in order to do that. I don't suppose any of you have an angreal I could use? It would make things easier.
----------------------------------------
Jasmine begins pacing the ground in a grid, examining each section of ground while holding to the one power, shining like a beacon to those who can see such things. Eventually satisfied she turns and says That should do it. Prepare yourselves to move. Before a vertical line appears to one side of the warded area. There are no weaves visible, just the gateway itself.
Litheene winces as she feels Amorial's pain. Still here, no wonder if they have an army nearby.
At Jasmine's suggestion for retreat, Litheene nodes. Coming close, she raises a ward against sight at level 3 (slot 1 + 1 angreal + 1 affinity), matching the master ward from inside. She then ties off her weaves and hands the angreal to Jasmine.
As Jasmine paces about surprise is replaced with a smile on Litheene's face. Egwene knew traveling, she showed us. If Jasmine came from salidar, she probably picked up the weave.
As Jasmine examins the sorrounding, Litheene turns to her warders, Vala showing especially hurt, with the damage she took from the blast clearly felt through the bond.
As the gate spins open in the air, Litheene, no longer surprised by Jasmine knowing invert as well, focuses on the flows residue to see the weaves.
Keelix gasps as the intense pain makes Ryvin fall unconscious. A quick glance at Ryvin, then he turns his attention to the surrounding terrain.
" Okay we need to move out. Those soldiers will know that we have come this way and hopefully this gateway will get us to Salidar quickly, there we will get Ryvin to this Nynaeve Sedai as quickly as possible. From there it is all up to the sisters there to see what can be done" Vala sasy nodding to Litheene is thanks. She walks over to Keelix and puts her hand on his shoulder and rubs it.
"Where are those we came with? This whole thing is strange indeed!"
Amorial will step through the Gateway trying to cover Ryvin as best he can with his large form stepping as gingerly as possible.
Just as Jasmine is forced to drop the Master Ward in order to create a Gateway, the forest erupts with the sounds of multiple wolves howling.
Get her to safety Litheene calls at Amorial, as he and Ryvin pass through the gateway. Litheene quickly weaves a simple thread of spirit to find Jasper.
with your current weave, you only feel the shock and anger that came from jasper as he road away
The portal opens, a slight shift and blending of the light before a hole is torn open in the air before you. Immediately the noise of a large city assaults your ears, the smell hits your nose a moment later. Men calling out orders, women yelling at children, and the overwhelming feel of Saidar being channeled hits you.
A woman, her hair hanging low upon her shoulders, wearing the white with multicolored hem of an Accepted steps in front of the opening, yet on the side, to allow you to pass through unhindered. The Woman glows brightly, saidar held within her, ready for release. Her gaze flicks over you, out beyond you.
Picking up the limp form of Ryvin, Amorial hustles through the opening, Having to drop to his knees to get through the opening. The rest of the group follows quickly, with the exception of Vala and Litheene. Both hang behind, worry gnawing at them as they both look out in the direction of where Jasper could be.
Finally shaking her head, Litheene jumps through the opening, followed by Vala.
As the gate closes, the unknown woman releases Saidar, and then curtsies to Jasmine.
Lady Jasmine Sedai. A pleasure to see you. Your rooms are in order, just as you have left them.
Her eyes flicker towards Amorial as he rises to his feet. People who walk past stop and gawk. Some children scurry and hide, while others stand still and stare. Mummers are spoken at a hush, yet grows louder the further away from Amorial.
An Ogier! Here!
Jasmine nods to Mileene and says Thank you Mileene. If you would be so kind as to fetch Nynaeve Sedai for me. It is a matter of most urgency. Tell her one of out parties back has been broken and I need her expertise.
Turning to the group, Jasmine says Ryvin will be fine, do not worry. Nynaeve Sedai is a marvel with healing the sick and injured and will have her up and about in no time.
Jasmine then calls over to one of the warders nearby and lets them know about the attack and to make sure it is known among the town defenses that there may be men from the Black Tower coming and they are not to be harmed and are to be brought straight to the Little Tower when they are found.
Amorial turns to Jasmine, "Are we to wait here then for this healer Jasmine Sedai?"
Amorial stares out into the crowd of people, his hearing picking up the gasps at his appearance and lest them float away like leaves on a breeze.
Vala relaxs as she sees a well fortified camp and looks about. She keeps track of every person openly carrying a weapon, just in case.
" Why big guy are you nervous, or anxious?" Vala asks as she looks at Ryvin and than Keelix and than to Litheene Sedai
Looking at Amorial, Jasmine says I do not wish to potentially cause her any more damage by moving her. Once Nynaeve Sedai arrives then we will see where she wishes to take Ryvin for the actual healing and how she wishes to transport her. Jasmine looks around calmly to see what changes, if any, have been made since she left.
Litheene examines the camp, looking for any difference from what she saw in her own world. This place is pretty much the same as our Salidari camp. They do seems to be more open about traveling.
Still holding the source, and seeing that both her warders are safe, and without anything else to do for Ryvin, Litheene moves to Jasmine's side,extending her hand with a healing weave forming.
Thank you for getting us out of there, I am most impressed by your assortment of one power knowledge. Is traveling in common use here? Does Eleida's fraction have it as well?
On his way into the gateway, Keelix stumbles exactly as the forest erupts with the howling of wolves. Recovering quickly, he steps through and scans for any threats.
Keelix sheathes his blade as he notes the apparent safety of the town. He does stay very close to Ryvin and Amorial, and watches everyone who moves nearby. His concern for Ryvin, and lack of caring for anything else is very clear to see; though his face does have a strange look on it as if he is concentrating on something.
Amorial turns to Vala, "Both. I have never witnessed a comrade so brutally injured as this. With our other allies and friends missing, though perhaps we are the ones missing, I do not wish to lose another".
Amorial stands as still and patient as only an Ogier can waiting for this Nynaeve Sedai to arrive.
" Fear not Amorial sorrow comes and go as do friends and family, Appreciate what you have and celebrate the life of those past so that they are not Forgotten"Vala says as she smiles and looks at Keelix.
A large group of women, 13 total, approaches your party. At the head stands a woman, whose hair is in a long braid, its end tied off in with a yellow ribbon. The other women crowd around her, acting as ladies in waiting to a noblewoman.
the woman with the braid, her fists gripping the braid as if its an oar handle, knuckles white, sees Jasmine. Her lips curl for a moment, before she smooths out her features and then courtsies.
Lady Jasmine. I see you have returned. I hope your time in Caemlyn has been spent well? she asks, cool, yet an insulent tone is barely heard under the question.
Not waiting for an answer, she walks up to the group, looking at everyone with a critical eye. Her eyes fall upon ryvins form, cradled in Loials arms. her hand gently caresses Ryvins face. the ever so faint usage of saidar is felt from this woman.
Sisters, take her to my workshop. lay her upon her stomach, and brace her head. I will need all you there, linked, ready for me. You, Ogier, you may accompany them. But only you!
Keelix utters a gasp and growl in response to this womans proclimation. Her hand snaps you, and he bits of his growl akin to a yelp in surprise.
I have no time for nonsense. The Ogier will not be underfoot, while you will be. You can stay outside, but not inside. Walking up to keelix, she presses her finger upon his chest. The feeling of being dunked into a cold river courses through his body.
Before he can react, this woman moves from him to Litheene. Without waiting for permission, the woman grabs litheene by the wrist, and the feeling of ice flows through her body. Litheene gasps in shock as the wounds she has suffered are suddenly knit together, including the tainted wound.
Moving along, she walks up to Vala and presses her hand upon her shoulder. Saidar flows from her like a sledgehammer, and is about to slam home when a finer thread stops, middle of her body, just below the belly button.
For the first time since meeting her, this woman suddenly shows a different emotion, one of joy and happiness. Her eyes tear up, and she cannot help but embrace Vala.
Mummering in a low voice, Meant only for Vala's ears only she speaks
As this woman steps away from vala, her hands float to her belly, and for the first time you notice that this woman is pregnant.
As Nynaeve moves towards Litheene, Keelix mutters under his breath just loud enough for anyone within about a pace or two to hear, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "Oh yes, because Ogier are known for their small size and how well they fit in a room with fourteen other people."
Thank you Litheene murmurs, rubbing her wrist after this women's iron grip. This one trained much at gripping it seems. Her unto the power is lost at the shock of healing, but as she inhales a few times, a feeling so common yet so forgotten lately. She was healthy. No pain, no barely closed wounds threatening to bleed at any second, no battered limbs, and most importantly, no after feeling of a burning blade in her stomach.
Litheene watches curiously at the silent exchange between Nynaeve and Vala, and Vala's feeling of surprise through the bond. I wonder what that was about
However, as Nynaeve leaves with Ryvin and Amorial, Litheene turns to Jasmine, Keelix and Vala, embracing the source once again. I know we are all tired, but I believe some of us are still missing in action. With that, she channels, forming another tracing weave. I hope he still has it with him, the fool man could have put in his horse baggage for all his arrogance. Our Jasper, maybe Litheene reminds herself. This one is different. I won't be surprised if he already traveled from there. We still need to meet up with him non the less.
"My first duty is to Ryvin. I am sorry, but I must stay." Keelix follows Amorial and Ryvin.
Vala sinks slowly to the floor her ace going a bit white as she settles on to her butt and presses her face to her hands and begins to sob a bit.
Surprise washes over Litheene at Vala's reaction What happened?.
She squats near Vala, hand on her shoulder, speaking quietly Vala, is something wrong?
Jasmine smiles back, all honey and rainbows in appearance, Why yes Nynaeve it was very well spent. I shall have to tell you all about it after your assistance with my companion. The times I had in Caemlyn...my my...
I do thank you for your assistance. Other areas of the anatomy are well known to me but injuries of the spine are one I need to study more closely. Would you like to add my strength to the healing?
As he walks with the Aes Sedai, "Can you help her Nynaeve Sedai? Her wounds seem most grievous".
Vala looks up at Litheene tears in her eyes. She sniffs a bit and than pulls you down to her level and stares at you.
"I'm....I'm Pregnant" she whispers as she sits there, stil a ball of random emotions.
Patting Amorial on the arm, the woman nods. Indeed i can. Let us go.
Turning, she begins to walk through the large crowd of gawkers. A path opens ahead of her as people jump out of the way.
As Amorial, Keelix, nynaeve and her entorage walk away, another woman, mousy looking, wearing brown robes and having a pale face approaches Jasmine.
Courtsieing to Jasmine, she says A pleasure to see you, sister. When things settle down, i would enjoy a few hours of your time. But before that, Mother has requested your presence at her house. You, and your friends. She finishes, nodding at everyone still around jasmine.
Amorial visibly relaxes as he hears the good news. He follows the Aes Sedai to wherever she leads.
Jasmine smiles as the plump brown approaches. She nods in respect to her and says Hello sister. I would be delighted to speak with you when the time permits. With that, Jasmine turns and heads towards the "Little Tower" and says to the others. We should not keep the Amyrlin waiting. I am sure that she will be most interested to speak to you all.
Jasmine walks with a sinuous sway towards the house that now serves as the tower in exile. Entering the front door she nods to the Warders and bids Please let the Amyrlin know that we have arrived. I believe she is expecting us.
Litheene stares at Vala in surprise, then, as she realizes the implications, a wave of fear washes over her. I must start practicing to block the power of the bond emotions, or this will become a serious problem.
Litheene sits near Vala, Speaking encouragingly Those aren't simple news indeed, but they are essentially good ones, no? Thought it might not be very convenient for traveling and fighting, I guess you still have a few months before it'll really matter. Is it the reason Nynaeve didn't heal you, if so I guess I'll have to learn from her a weave for healing pregnant women as well Litheene smiles.
As Jasmine is about to turn for the "Little Tower", Litheene motions her aside for a second, keeping some distance from by-passers, and speaking to her and Vala's ears Jasper is alive. He is north of here, probably still where we were. He might be too weak to travel. I think we should fetch him. Your ward is probably still standing. I suggest we travel back into it, then I can trace his exact location from up close. We can then open a gateway directly near him, grab him, and leave
Jasmine nods in commiseration and places her hand companionably on Litheene's shoulder but says I understand Litheene, believe me, I want to go for Jasper as well, but the Amyrlin has resources that we do not have. I am sure she will help if for no other reason than to keep up relations with the black tower. A few minutes here may save hours later Litheene. I know what I ask is hard but a few moments of patience may benefit us all.
Vala looks at jasmine and Litheene and slowly stands to her feet her hands on her stomach as she barely hears the two of you. Than it clicks and Vala looks up." Litheene I don't think I'd be of any good right now..I...I seem to be lacking a little focus" she says as she than goes over to a chair and sits down, unthinking of her manners.
Ryvin is in a bad shape, though Amorial's emotions foresee good there. Vala, Keelix, can't join us. Jasmine and I alone might be too dangerous anyway.
Litheene gives a comforting look to Vala, sights and, nodding to Jasmine, follows her to meet the Amyrlin.
Stepping into the room, Amorial is surprised at the size of it. It extends well beyond sight from the front, and it takes him a moment to realize that this building mustve been some sort of warehouse with a human dwelling added to the front.
One of the sisters directs Amorial to sit in a corner, out of the way of the women. At once, several of the sisters break away from Ryvins body, picking up notebooks and sheets of paper, ink pots and quills at the ready.
First, i shall delve the body, to fully understand what we are working with. I shall project an image so you may also see.
Before Amorial's eyes, he sees the one called Nynaeve step up and press her hands upon Ryvins frail face. A simple sigh is heard, and then something amazing happens. At first, it seems a trick of the light, but quickly resolves itself into a form, an odd form. His mind reels as he witnesses for the first time the skeletal structure of a human body outside of a human, without any harm done to the human. While not versed in Ogier anatomy, let alone human, he is surprised at the structure of the bones. He sees clearly the arm and leg bones, first somewhat blurred but sharpen, the detail is incredible. Then the hips, ribs, skull, neck. The last to come into focus is the back.
Ah, we have the issue right here Nynaeve says, lifting a finger and pointing at a line in the back.
The image dissolves, to be replaced by one of larger size, showing infinite details. A shard of bone here, a cracked vertebrae there, a piece of bone slanted in half.
Would appear that one of the vertebrae severed the spinal column. Nynaeve says to herself. A flurry of scribbling as 4 women write out her words.
Slidding her hands along Ryvins back, Nynaeve breaths deeply, and a glow seems to emit from within ryvins back. The image, showing only bones before, now shows a blue column that runs from up and down the spine, neck to tailbone. With the blue imposed within the yellow bone structure, Amorial easily sees the severed column.
We must link to repair this serious damage Nynaeve instructs. All but one of the women set down their notes and joins a circle, grasping each others hands.
Let us beginNynaeve says...
Walking into the house, Vala, litheene, and jasmine are approaced by a servant with a bowl of water and towel. Taking a moment to wash the filth from their face and hands, the three ponder the news and situation. Vala's hands begin to shake, her mind whirlling about like a sinkhole. Litheene, attempting calm, finds herself nearing the edge of emotional chaos, being caught up within Vala's emotional journey. Jasmine, unaware of Nynaeve's revelation with Vala's pregnancy, takes a moment to center herself. Dealing with this young Amyrlin is like attempting to grab an oil slick from a puddle of water with your hands tied behind your back while you run from a bull that is on fire.
After the little prep, the three women are escorted into a small room, where a young woman stands staring out the window. Without turning, she speaks as you three descend into your respectful curtsy.
I heard that you came here with an injured friend. If anyone can heal her, it is Nynaeve. Not two months ago she learned how to reverse severing. For nynaeve, it is not a matter of if she will heal your friend, but how well will the healing be? She trails off as a surge of Saidar is being channeled near you.
Staring through the window a moment longer, she finally turns and looks at all of you.
Jasmine, pleasure as always. I know that you spent your time well, up in Camelyn, i'm sure. But, enough of that, we must speak together later, behind closed doors. Who are your friends?
Keelix stands at the door to the healing room as it shuts in his face and visibly wraps himself in the legendary warder impassiveness. He then turns around to face the street, placing himself so that he is not entirely blocking the doorway but his right side does block the latch.
With not very much success, he attempts to conceal his fury and at being told to wait outside the room and his intense worry. Only his respect for Aes Sedai and the need to avoid any delays in Ryvin's healing prevents him from arguing or trying to slip inside.
Fascinated by the display Amorial tries to commit to memory all that the Aes Sedai is saying, if nothing else it would make a fascinating subject for his next treatise.