Amorial enters the room with a huge smile on his face.
"My work is complete. If you are all ready it is time for lunch. Oh and then we can go to the library".
Interesting idea Rhoekk, pawns of the dark are often killed if they outlive their usefullness or look to betray there masters, but we have no proof of thus; but bears thought, three souless for one darkfriend, that must be some secret or one tough darkfriend and from what I saw; he doesnt fight very well. What say you Tesliin Sedai, what next?
"That is one possibility, as are many others. It is also possible we are misinterperting their actions. It is best if we get more information first."
Tesliin sits and waits for Martn and Joliar to finish, worried about how far the madness has taken Joliar, hoping for an opportunity to talk with him at length alone to find out. As Amorial announces completion of the manuscript, her direction changes. "Lunch does sound like a sound plan. The quicker our task is done, the better. I am concerned about the actions that have taken place here, but we have a different concern that should take priority."
"Well, whatever the reason, if you wish me to question him, I will do so. Perhaps he has some inkling of why he was targeted. It is also possible that another of the guests was the target, and he was only a target of opportunity. By know he should know the names of those injured or killed in the attack. Do you wish to come, Marten Noral?"
"First we must eat Rhoekk. Lunch is the most important meal of the day along with breakfast and dinner and between meal snacks. Then we must decide whether we should split up and go to the Library and visit this Lord or if we should do both together".
Joliar pauses as he eats. Couldn't agree more mister Ogier. And as far as exploring these leads, given what we've already delt with I'd say it's best if we stay together at least for now. Assuming you agree with that tsorovan'm'hael? There is a hint of humor in Joliar's voice at that last bit.
Heh. Lets split up after lunch. Rhoekk and I can go. You all can investigate the library and all you've found. I feel as if we need to accomplish as much as possible, as quickly as possible.
Stupid titles and leadership. Splitting up seems the best option, as we can get more accomplished.
I feel like the Aeilman and I can defend ourselves. With that being said, I still want to investigate these things you brought back. Lunch time it is, though.
I smiled at the group, trying to keep the mood light.
"If we must. But if we have business, we'd best be about it."
Rhoekk eats a sparse meal without much enthusiasm, waiting for Marten to finish his meal. As soon as they are ready, Rhoekk will head out with Marten.
"Excellent then let us head to the library. I long for the smell of the old books! says Amorial.
Tesliin found it infuriating, how her words were so casually brushed aside. In the tower, she knew her place. Many of her sisters were stronger than she, her place set. But out in the world, she was still Aes Sedai, a force to make kings kneel if desired. But just a few days ago she was forced to kneel before a man claiming to be the Dragon, a man who may quite well be so. And now...
She refused to allow her anger to show, the mask of Aes Sedai calmness firmly in place. These Asha'man were dangerous, and Joliar's own actions proved they were not fully in control. Instead she would bide her time and wait. With Marten checking on Lord Jareen, then she might find a chance to speak with Joliar, to hopefully see just how far the madness had taken him.
But first was the matter of lunch. "Then shall we be off?" She directs the question at Marten. If she was to be subservient, she could still keep Marten off his guard by playing the role.
orders M'lady?
Stepping out into the hot midday sun, all of you are appreciative of the inns massive girth for being able to ward off the extreme unnatural heat. Feeling the heat press through the soles of your shoes or boots, you know that today will be an incredibly hot day. Looking around, you already see people sitting in the shade, only risking direct exposure for brief moments. Street workers have begun repairing the road work in teams of 2, with the rest sitting in the shade, drinking massive amounts of water.
Walking along the road, the group sees people in various states misery. some angry at the heat, others to hot to care. All look withdrawn and miserable.
The route to the library has the group pass by Lord Jareens mansion, where Rhoekk and Marten break off.
Rhoekk takes in the little warmth that is available in these cool, damp lands, allowing it to seep in and reinvigorate him. It was too bad these lands never got any true warmth, he missed sipping cool clear water from the hidden springs of the Threefold land. Cool water never tasted as good as it did then.
When the time came to split off from the group, Rhoekk moved off with Marten Noral towards Lord Jareen's mansion. As cool as the day was, he was tempted to break into a jog and therefore work up some sweat, but then he remembered how fragile the black coated man had seemed in the spear's dance the other day, and instead decided to let him set the pace.
Amorial sweats uncomfortably beneath his fine clothing and layers and layers of hair. He stays cool in his mind by imagining the winter months and how unbearably cold it can be in the Stedding during these times.
"This heat is terrible even for this time of year. I hope it breaks soon".
Amorial makes sure his steps are either short enough or that his pace is slow enough that the others can keep up with him. Generally he rushes to the Great Library in anticipation of what he wil find there. This time he feels something different not excitement but trepidation at what he will discover.
He knows that this mission must be accomplished though and tries not to assume what he may find will be all bad. Arriving at the front door of the Library with his companions in tow Amorial knocks on the door and waits patiently for a response.
Builder, how should we go about this search with so many books available? I have never seen so many; is there a catelog or someone we can ask?
who are you, and what do you want? he asks in a tone that betrays his youth. Giving introductions, the youth holds up his spear. Master Rhoekk, Lord Jareen has given special instructions that you are to be brought to him at once Bowing to you both, he turns and leads you into the mansion.
Going further into the mansion than the great hall, you see that this mansion is really sparsly furnished. a simple table here, a chair more utilitarian than fashionable there. You get the feel of almost being in a camp.
Entering Lord Jareens private quarters, you easily pick up on the utility of this room. A simple desk and chair sit in the middle of the room, opposite 3 short 3 legged stools that seem out of place for such a grand mansion. Standing in the corner is a suit of full plate armor, laquered in green and black. On a stand next to it, you see a helm with a design etched into the metal, giving the look of scales. On display, over the mantle, is a large two handed sword, with a green and black tassle hilt.
A cough brings your attention to the double doors opposite the mantle. Turning, you see a large bed, with Lord Jareen propped up on some pillows, drinking something hot. He waves you in and motions you both to sit on the bed.
Coughing slightly, he starts Rhoekk, i wanted to thank you for your actions last night. You were able to defeat the Soul-sellers with ease, and in doing so prevented them from finishing me off. So, ask me for anything you want, and it shall be yours if i can arrange it.
As the group stands around, gaping at everything, a middle aged man with a quick step and sharp looks walks up to Amorial. Bowing to Amorial, he asks Friend Ogier, as always, your kind is most welcome here. I see by your booklet in hand, you have the payment for knowledge exchange. I cannot wait to read this book. Why I had two of your brethren in here not 2 days ago asking for all sorts of information about some strange things, especially recent events, well, recent to them. asking about the aiel war of all things. I know you Ogiers like history, but asking about the recent war was a fresh change. Usually you ask for knowledge of ancient cities, or the time of breaking, or the Age of Legends. Speaking of the Age of Legends, I have procured the most interesting item. It is an axe, or a plow, i am not sure, but it is definitely ogier sized, and with writing from the Old Tongue. he finishes, surprising you by taking in a lung full of air, and prepared to continue.
Amorial smiles when he sees the librarian. "Greetings to you as well my friend. You are indeed correct that this is my most recent offering to the worthy shelves of this great library. While I may need your help at some point in the future I believe I know where to begin my most recent search. Tell me did the two Ogier that visited give their names or their Steddings? I would certainly welcome spending some time with them if they are still here in Cairhien. Do you remember what they specifically asked about the Aiel War that certainly is a strange thing to ask about especially since only the youngest of us did not know about it first or second hand. When I complete my studies I would love to see the item that you have procured, it is rare to find something Ogier made from so long ago!"
His eyes wander to the books on the rows and shelves where he knows the Age of Legend tomes and treatises reside.
Names? Hmm, let me think. They were odd names, but they must be from farther west for they had a thick accent. One said his name was Harandai and the other was Dermandgai. They referenced no stedding, though, which is odd, because you all hold your steddings with such reverence and pride. But I wander about in my talk. As for what they were asking about in the Aiel war, well, they were asking about who was involved, how many armies, how big the armies were, the casualties, where the battles happened, how long it took the armies to be mobilized and transported. The librarian finishes with a far off look, as if thinking about the occurance.
Amorial looks puzzled. "Odd questions for an Ogier to ask. They sound more like the questions that a general would ask then a scholar. No Stedding even more strange indeed... I will have to try to locate them before they leave Cairhien. Did you show them the axe you had found". Amorial focuses more on the librarian then on where he wants to go after the odd responses.
Stepping back from Amorial, the librarian quails under his direct gaze. Um, no, master Ogier. Ummm...they brought it with them
Amorial rumbles, "Hmmm. I don't like that at all". Amorial turns to Tesliin. "Tesliin Sedai is there any way that you can track my brethern with the One Power. I would like to speak with them. In the meantime we should begin our own research. My friend here is my latest works. I know the section I wish to peruse, if I need help may I call upon your assistance?" Amorial hands the man his treatise.
The small librarian's face goes very pale as amorial hands the treatsie to him. With trembling hands, he barely gets a grip on it before Amorial lets go. Ummm- I will- I'll just- Oh Creator not again! The librarian turns and flees from Amorial's hulking form, dropping the booklet to the floor.
"I am afraid that I cannot do so. Perhaps we can ask aroun..." Tesliin pauses as the man suddenly flees. Out of concern she fills herself with Saidar, then attempts to search for shadowspawn or other signs of danger.
A quick glance around shows that only A'mar, Tesliin, Amorail and Jolial stand in the library. Nothing else.
Joliar chuckles as he can feel the goosebumps pop out on his skin. I think you can release saidar, Aes Sedai. It appears the man simply han't seen too many Ogier before. Maybe those earlier ones were a bit more mean tempered than Master Amorial here.
From the far end of the library you hear the distinct sound of a door slamming shut.
"We have already been attacked once, a little caution may not be out of place." Tesliin weaves the power to Sense Shadowspawn.
"More mean tempered? I am one of the most aggressive in my Stedding? Perhaps they were not Ogiers at all? Can the One Power cloak appearances?"
Amorial asks the question as he moves forward to the shelves to begin his painstaking search. "Amar. The books we need should be in this section. If they are not here I will speka with the librarian again and see if there is a secret area where even older books are kept".
At the Jareen estate:
"You owe me no thanks for killing shadowspawn. However, if you feel you must give something... Hmph. If I'd killed you myself, I'd take a fifth of your worth." He smiles devilishly at this, "But you are supposed to be an ally, so that would not be fitting. I tell you what, it shames me that my attempts at instructing your kind in the Toh has frustrated me so greatly.
"That lord, Zarhien, used your tournament to dishonour his wife, even though he was in the wrong. I would like you to arrange for her to serve her year and a day in your house, where you can assure that she will be treated with honour. By the rules of their dual, I understand she is to be turned out of her clan with nothing after that. I am told that wetlander women are soft, even compared to your men. When left with nothing, instead of building something new they are forced to beg, or sell their bodies. When her time is done, I would like you to take her into your household and see that this does not happen. Offer her a job or adopt her into your clan; however it works here."
It would give me Toh to speak of one who was now Gai'shain in reference to her old life, but this tournament was a mockery, and she is not truly Gai'Shain. Why then does it twist my insides so much to speak of her like this. I cannot ask the wiseones if I do have Toh, so it is likely best to assume I do. I will have to find a way to meet it when I can.
Amorial begins to pull down books and do his research.
Diplomacy
I am thinking to check any books on War on Shadow referencing the forces of Shadowspawn first thinking we know most Heroes of the Light; then if that doesnt come up with anything; then Origins of Shadow thinking any prophesies are better know by Aes Sedai.
"I am afraid that I cannot do so. Perhaps we can ask aroun..." Tesliin pauses as the man suddenly flees. Out of concern she fills herself with Saidar, then attempts to search for shadowspawn or other signs of danger.
Lord Jareen looks at Rhoekk, obvious surprise on his face. Son, you may be the first person in the last 20 years to have taken me by surprise. You are very much a man of honor, Rhoekk, even amongst your own people. Nodding to a well dressed servant, he continues It will be as you have asked. She will be given employment within my household, paid a solid wage, and once her time is up, a year and a day isn't it, she will be given enough money to go wherever she wishes and purchase a house.
Diplomacy
Taking in the summation of knowledge, Amorial moves briskly to a book shelf and begins to scan the titles. Likely books are pulled off the shelf and end up in pile on a table. Jolial and Tesliin both sit at the table and begin to page through the books. Articles and essays on strange and wonderous creatures, accompanied by fanciful drawings leap out at you as you turn each page. Some of the books talk about strange creatures that towered over everyone, and roamed the land.
Some books you immediately take as an authors imagination. But, as you begin to shift through the stories, you begin to see glimmers of truth in stories. Stories of nightmares shifting in shadows, creatures singing and stealing away virgins, dark things stalking in daylight yet no shadow is cast. While, individually, each book sounds like a story, all together they make up pattern of events over the course of some 1600 years, showing of how each story heard today has changed and evolved from a simple sighting of a trolloc, or myrddraal, into something fanciful.
One of the great finds that A'mar proclaims in pride is a book that is written just after the War of Shadows. In it, it lists all the creatures that the Dark One used for his war: Trollocs, Draghkar, Myrddraal, The Gray Man, and a reported use of Darkhounds. Each Creature has been studied and categorized with well drawn pictures. Everyone is amazed at the detail of workmanship and attention the author has put into it.
After hours of pouring through books, the end result is for naught. There is no mention of "the grey man"
"What I have said should not surprise you; I have been trying to instruct you in Ji'e'Toh. That this tournament occurred at all is still an indication that I have yet to succeed. I have Toh because of this. This boon I have asked is one way to account for some, some of this Toh, but their are many lessons left to be learned, I think."
"I did not come to teach lessons this day however. We were hoping to learn more of the motivations behind the attack. Do you have the names of those who were killed or injured? We would like to make as sure as possible who their intended victim was.
"If you were in deed their intended target, do you know why agents of Sightblinder would have targeted you specifically?"
Lord Jareen smirks maybe because i know not your honor system chuckling but then grimaces in pain.
where is this lady who healed me? this marath he cuts off coughing a bit before speaking this Aes Sedai. What was her name? Lady Tesliin?
"I believe that is correct. 'Marath?' 'One who must' in the Old Tongue, is it not? The dry air of the wastes preserves paper well, so books in the Old Tongue are not uncommon there. I understand nobles here study it as well."
"While that book is indeed a valuable tome, it does not help us with our search. Perhaps if we focus first on Someshta. Mayhaps that will give us a different starting point that will provide better results."
Amorial will look for older books if possible prior to the Age of Legends. Then cone forward searching for references to creatures that serve the Dark One.
"Good idea Tesliin Sedai! Follow that thread with A'Mar".
Diplomacy for my next search.
maybe we are going about this from the wrong angle; grey could be a moniker; like grey being between Light and Shadow; so maybe a reference to some watcher or agent that stands in the middle; or, it could be some reference to a group that is color specific; there is the White Tower for instance and all the colors of the Ajahs; so, in antiquity; I imagine that men before the Breaking of the World; were in Ajahs by color; so maybe it was a male leader of the Order. I am just brainstorming here; chime in if anything jumps to mind
I think we need to find out if the black tower has something like Ajahs and anything color specific
Lord Jareen waves his hand and nods, yes yes, lots of nobles study lots of things. I unfortunetly, didnt study the old language well enough. A failing of mine i have is injecting the old tongue into regular conversation, as a means to hopefully impress those i am talking to. But apparently, I have a well versed expert standing before me
rhoekk:
Marten
Browsing about the Library, Amorial finally finds himself confronting a locked door, with a simple sign engraved onto the thrick timbered door. Curator access only.
Tesliin wanders about, researching for Shomesta.
Being an Ogier of honor Amorial seeks out the curator that greeted them at the door to ask for permission to access the locked cabinet. Though he does consider just ripping the door off of the hinges.
Amorial knocks on his door, "Good afternoon my friend, I will need your asistance with something".