I watched as A'Mar interrogated the fallen lord, perhaps angry over being perceived as an Asha'man. The savage with the spear spoke harshly to the warder, but the mention of the Lord Dragon caught my attention. What side is this one on? I turned to the Aielman, and got close enough to speak. Thankfully, I didnt need to fear exposing ourselves, as I had already done that.
You mention the Lord Dragon, have you sworn to him? I know he has placed some of your kind here.
"The one you call the 'Lord Dragon,' Rand Al'Thor, is the car'a'carn; chief of chiefs to the Aiel. He has asked the Aiel to provide peace to Cairhein in the absence of the ability to police themselves. I and my brothers were those chosen for this task."
In that case, I feel better. You understand that several days ago, we were called to rescue the Lord Dragon from a group of your kind. Shaido, they called themselves, well, before dying.
At the least, this one was an ally. I'd never actually met an aielman up until the battle, but the stories were not so kind to them. And the women fighting. Strange.
I dont think it is a coincidence that this attack occurred while we were here. Myself, the other Asha'man who left, the Aes Sedai and her warder, and the ogier were sent from the... er.. Car Carn or however you say it, on a kind of mission. Perhaps our asking around town, or time spent in the library was noticed by someone. Thank you for your assistance, in any case.
"If you are on a mission for the car'a'carn, then I will do whatever I can to assist you. I will need to confirm this first though."
And how do you expect me to do that? Look. I took out the pins from my pocket. Recognize these? What clan are you, anyway?
"I am Rhoekk of the Jagged Spire Sept of the Tardaad Aiel. Rhuarc is my cheiftain. I am Aethan Dor; a Red Shield. We are keepers of the peace. I will go to Rhuarc. He has the ear of the car'a'carn. If you are on a mission for him, I will give you the aid of the Aiel in accomplishing it."
Amorial despite his wounds glares at Marten and whispers harshly. "We must be discreet. We stand in the middle of a hall with servants all around us. The eyes and ears of our foes are everywhere even here asthis battle has demonstrated. That goes for all of you. This now includes you Rhoekk and an army of Aiel is not discreet. I owe you a boon I can scarcely repay but this information must be sealed here".
Joliar eyes the box quietly for some time. He knew it was dangerous to toy around with objects of the power. One could never be certain what they might do.
Finally squaring his shoulders, he wove a small thread of Spirit into the box, trying to determine what function or purpose it had. He traced it along the carvings as well, letting it sink into the words and images.
it is done Tesliin groans as she stands up, her knees and legs aching from kneeling on the hard floor. Lord Jareen looks almost a changed man. His cheeks are sunken, his face looks more narrow, or thin. His breathing is less labored. Wobbling as she stands, Tesliin feels a little out of sorts.
My friend Ogier, I fear discretion went out the window due to my enthusiasm. With that being said, you are right, and in the future I will weave something so that others will not hear us when we speak.
As I said this, Tesliin finished her weave, and tried to stand.
Lord Jareen, could you find out and report if any other areas of the city were attacked tonight? Rhoekk, could you also ask among the Aiel please
please bring us some hot tea
so the Aiel hold the city and all these grey men slipped behind them; I wonder if perhaps the tales of their abilities are overstated or if there are sadly a few of them dead from trying to fight these creatures in their dance of spears. I would really like to know if this were more widespread or just local to determine the possibility if we shall be attacked again; I would feel much better in my armor with my sheild i hand.
Your probing with spirit, how it reacts to the lettering, and your knowledge of the Power help you determine that this is box is infact a ter'angreal. Following the lettering, you feel Saidan mixing with something else, something you cannot detect, or percieve. After a few minutes of study and probing, you come across a central point, where the power seems to resonate from.
A servant hesitantly approaches tesliin, bearing a tea cup on a saucer, and a steaming pot. The closer she gets to tesliin and A'mar, she trembles, setting the tea cup to jiggle. Curtsying slightly, she sets the tray down and begins to poor the tea, only to finally loose her cool and collapses on her knees, crying.
Please please please. I am so sorry my lady, I cannot serve one who stands so near one who can channel she moans, awaiting punishment.
"I have heard of these pins, and what they are said to represent. I can see that you can channel the one power, or at least appear to. But I know that the car'a'carn has many enemies as well, and that some of them can channel. I am sorry to express doubts, but the stakes could not be higher with the last battle approaching."
He turns towards Teslin, "Aes Sedai, I have heard that some of you have sworn to serve Rand Al'Thor, and that you may not lie. If you will show me your symbol, and vouch that you are one of these, and that you all serve him, then that should be enough. I will do whatever I can to aid you."
What can only be described as irritation is felt through the bond as Rhoekk mentions the oath she was forced to speak.
"I have indeed sworn such an oath." Tesliin pulls out the Great Serpent ring and shows this to Rhoekk. "And this is my symbol"
Tesliin then turns to the serving girl. "There is no need to fear me. Remain calm."
I was unsure at first as to their loyalty. But Tesliin, you did not have to heal me. And that speaks volumes. I owe you, and my father always taught that debts are to be repaid.
It was true. She saved my life. And looking at her now, it cost her a considerable strength. Another saying of my father's was that you cannot throw the baby out with the bathwater. I dislike the witches in Tar Valon, but not all of them can be bad.
I have seen the Aielmen fighting before. Even with certain death raining down amongst them, they were not without courage or skill. Their skill is not overstated. If these creatures got through your kinsmen, it was for a purpose, and they came in strength. I am sorry for your loss, Rhoekk. But we can get vengeance by serving the Car 'acorn.
"Think nothing of it, Marten. In truth, it may have been a mercy to let you pass." Realizing what she had said the moment it came out of her mouth, she quickly tries to bring up the Aes Sedai calm. "I apologize. That was uncalled for. You were injured defending not only yourself, but all here. I am wary of what you one day will become, but for now you have proven yourself a good man, at least, and I should judge you based on your actions, not what shall come to pass."
I sighed, not the least due to what she may have said. The truth is, madness was always an issue. Joliar had traveled to who knows where, and without letting anyone know. During training, some of the weaker men had succumbed to the taint.
No need to apologize. Even in my remote village, we heard of the false dragons. In training, I have seen what may happen. It was difficult, staring your fate down. The madness will come, I know. But I have faith that it is after Tarmon Gai'don. Now, back to matters at hand. Joliar is gone, and we must stick to places we have been until he gets back. If he gets back.
do you think he goes to betray us? Where has he gone and why...very strange
"You think some of my brothers fell this night? Possible, but not guaranteed. Only a fool does not acknowledge his enemy's skills. If any in the world could sneak past Aiel patrols, it would be these. I did not see them until they were within arms reach of their target. And besides, we do not even know if they came through the city; our enemy too has folk who can make doors in the air. They may have stepped right into this house from some far off place."
These wetlanders are strange, and they clearly have cause not to trust each other. I wonder what circumstance forced them together?
"Aes Sedai, please forgive my rudeness. I will of course accept your word." Unless you are one of these sisters than can lie... the one's they call 'black.' I will watch carefully and trust you for now. "As you too serve Rand Al'Thor, I will do all I can to aid you. Of what help can I or my kinsmen be? I will escort you to protect your persons, but is there any information or other favours I could seek for you?"
I do not believe he goes to betray us. All I can figure is that Joliar has followed some intuition that I do not have. He will return. I hope. Without Joliar I feel like I will be stranded. Still...
I fear for your brothers, for if these... things got past them, knowing who your kinsmen are, well... You savages are skilled, but these things are the Dark One's creatures.
The savages have uncanny skills. It is no wonder that they are on our side. Without them, we would be limited by our own prejudices.
with grey men around; I fear the lowing cull of the flying beast of darkness that are immune to the Power; be cautious this night
very surprizing not to see or hear of trollocs
"Perhaps Tesliin Sedai you and A'Mar can go with Rhoekk and question the creatures that have been taken prisoner to find their true purpose here. Marten and I will retire to our quarters, we both need the rest. Tomorrow is a busy day for me as I have things I must do. Unless the questions you receive force us in a different direction for now we stick to our plan".
any particular way you want to do this questioning Tesliin Sedai? Any particular role I should take to be helpful?
"A'Mar, you and Rhoekk will stand guard outside the cell where the Shadowspawn are being kept. I shall tie off a ward before the door is opened. Only I shall go in. The two of you are to keep watch on the door while I am inside and to let no one else in. The only time the door is to be opened is when I give you the command, A'mar. The command shall be the target of the mission we were on before coming to Cairhien.
"You are to ignore all sounds you hear coming from within. A'Mar, if you feel that something has happened to me, I forbid you from coming to my aid. You will send Rhoekk to fetch Marten immediately. Have Marten either destroy everything in this cell with the Power, if he does not feel up to the task, have him use the Power to seal it shut. Do not open this door in either case unless I have given the command. We cannot allow the Shadowspawn to leave this room.
"Do you both understand?"
"If that is what you wish, Aes Sedai. However, we have already seen the souless' willingness to die, I doubt intimidation or any traditional means of interrogation will be effective here. As well, I am unaware of any of them ever having been captured before, if word of their captur has reached the car'a'carn, then he may have left his own instructions for them. If this is the case, then we have have difficulty gaining access to them."
As you will Aes Sedai; so shall it be <sword salute> My strength is yours till the end of Shadow on the Last Day
"A'Mar, you and Rhoekk will stand guard outside the cell where the Shadowspawn are being kept. I shall tie off a ward before the door is opened. Only I shall go in. The two of you are to keep watch on the door while I am inside and to let no one else in. The only time the door is to be opened is when I give you the command, A'mar. The command shall be the target of the mission we were on before coming to Cairhien.
"You are to ignore all sounds you hear coming from within. A'Mar, if you feel that something has happened to me, I forbid you from coming to my aid. You will send Rhoekk to fetch Marten immediately. Have Marten either destroy everything in this cell with the Power, if he does not feel up to the task, have him use the Power to seal it shut. Do not open this door in either case unless I have given the command. We cannot allow the Shadowspawn to leave this room.
"Do you both understand?"
[dice=Intimidate]1d20+15
Servant; attend please. I require some straw, or nut shells or the like; about a bucket full, please bring them or have someone bring them to me, I will be at the cells.
Rhoekk of the Tardaad Aiel, I propose we stand apart by the cells some distance, say 20ft if possible, that we then be hard to rush; with all this portal opening with the power; it might be to easy for forces of the shadow to bind us both unless we separate a bit; what say you?
Amorial will limp back towards the Inn with Marten looking to get some rest.
"Would you like a full room as our cover is partially blown anyway Marten or would you like to stay in the room we already have?"
"That sounds wise, A'Mar of House Issola."
the trek back to the inn is uneventful, aside from the surge of Aiel patrols present on the roads. Majority of people have taken to their beds for the night, yet some still wander about, most to taverns and clubs.
Weariness overcomes Amorial, especially from the blood loss, and he easily slips into slumber, his snores rumbling in the room. Marten, aching from head to toe, lays out on the couch, since it is much more comfortable than the servants cots in the dank room.
Pressing the hand-sized button, you feel it slide and then hear a double click, one from your hand and the other from the right side of the square cube. Pulling your hand away, you feel Saidan emmenate from the box.
walking around to the right side, you see that the entire side of the cube has started to shift to the right, and your light falls upon a shocking scene. A statue, painted with vibrant colors, is staring back at you, its left foot up in the air as if its taking a step back. In its right hand is a dagger, raised as if its defending itself.
Looking closer at the statue, you are amazed to see that it is actually a man, trapped. Glancing about, you see a small razor thin line running across the box, from wall to wall, being intersected by the mans foot. Following the line with difficulty, you can see that it links up with a network of saidan lines, crisscrossing the side walls.
Hmm...subtle. If this man hadnt stepped in before me, i wouldve been trapped.
Going to the palace, you are redirected to the palace barracks, which is behind the palace itself. There you are sent deep underground, so low that moisture leeches from the walls, and pooling lightly in deep spots in the floor. An aielman greets rhoekk, and, ignoring amar and tesliin, shows rhoekk to the cells where the gray men are being held. If it wasnt for the pools of water in the cells that show all signs of movement from the invisible foes, you would never belive that they are in there.