'I doubt we've seen the last of her.' Watching the short stout brunette leave, Kunala lifts his own glass, "I wasn't sure she'd leave. I started wondering if she was Aes Sedai, she certainly had the arogance for one." Sipping the wine, "Or so I've heard."
Looking from Ceirn to Morel, Kunala nods, downing the wine, then coughs slightly. "Well we can talk on the way," He hands the remainder of the bottle to Adroushan, knowing his friend would be happy to drink the rest. "For the road." He gestures towards the door, while looking at the gathering clouds. He hoped he was wrong about the storm. His lungs never faired well in the cold moisture. "If Brindie does have some friends, hopefully we can lose them in the thunder storm." Pausing he looks at Morel, "Did you say she sent someone out? Maybe it was her warder?"
Shaking his head at the thought that they may have had a run in with an Aes Sedai. He paused as Niketsu explains her skepticism, nervous she may change her mind, he breaths a sigh of relief when she's agrees to join. As the move towards he door Kunala thought about explaining that his aunt, a member of the 'Kin' thought it was plausible. But then he remembered they were supposed to be some sort of secret organization and it would irritate her to no end if he talked about it. So instead he smiled and shrugged. "You may be entirely right. What I do know is it's motivated me to join the 'Hunt'." He turns looking at each of them, "And I'm glad you all are with me."
Approaching the door he looks out at the gathering clouds. "I assume everyone is ready to travel?"
Pausing he looks at Morel, "Did you say she sent someone out? Maybe it was her warder?"
The Ogier's ears twitch. "I do not know if he was a warder or no. I did not get the sense she might be Aes Sedai, but that does not mean anything really. Anyway, what I saw was a man conferring with her and then abruptly leaving the building as if set to a task right before she came over to our table.
Ceirn shoulders his pack and says, "I am ready." He keeps an eye on Brindie and lets the others head out before following after.
Luce stays out of the discussion, she didn't see whatever they are all whispering about and the only things she wants to say about Brindie are less than polite so she keeps her mouth shut instead and lets her arms hang loosely by the hilts of Truth and Justice. An ambush would be foolish, but not impossible. She learned that lesson after being attacked in a bath-house. Nowhere is truly safe.
[spoiler=androushan]What's got you in a tizzie, brindie? one of the men ask as he pours a glass of beer for Brindie.
Oh shut up Kren. Brindie says, taking the glass from Kren. Never mind. I just thought that if i could suck up to that lordling, i might be able to earn a few coins from him. Just something to get out from under this debt i have to-
Thunder hammers Illian! Quick! heavy! like a blacksmiths hammer pounding upon his heaviest anvil, the thunder rings throughout the city!
it hammers again, closer. so much closer. Not even a mile, half mile, No! a quarter mile! and still it comes closer!
all conversation inside the bar is immediately cut off as the thunder hammers the city, again, again, and again.
Bright flashes of light, miniature suns exploding over and over outside, flare briefly before each thunder crashes throughout the city.
The bar itself, a sold structure made of thick stone walls, shakes and rattles. Glasses, pitchers, plates, bottles, all of it rattles. Some plates and bowls fall to the ground. Others are simply shattered from the thunder.
Men and women alike throw themselves to the ground in fear, in shock, in awe. all of them cover their ears, their mouths open. You cannot tell if they are screaming as only the sound of thunder can be heard.
Dust begins to fall from the ceiling above, as more and more lightning and resultant thunder relentlessly assail the stone structure.
Standing near the entrance to the 'Wet Sky' Kunala looked towards the clouds, it looked like it could start to rain any moment. At least he had picked this tavern due it's proximity to the Inn they had stayed at, 'Easing the Badger.' The two story in had a nice barn where his bay horse was being boarded. It wasn't that far of a walk. Turning to ask the others where their mounts were, the Thunder Started...
Covering his ears he dropped to the ground as the building shook and anything not nailed down began to fall. Kunala looks up from the floor of the tavern, and begins to cough, removing his hand from his ears to cover his mouth he notices blood and realizes all he can hear is a terrible ringing that echo's louder with what he assumes to be thunder. When the coughing fit is over he pushes himself to his feet, leaving a bloody hand print on the dust and glass covered floor. First looking toward his new companions, then out the window attempting to see what's going on.
Ceirn seems lost in thought for a moment as they prepare to leave and then the lightning comes. He crouches and prepares to dive under a table in case the lighting strikes the building and causes it to crumble.
Luce realises what's coming and has already covered her ears when the thunder strikes, which preserves her hearing. She moves quickly towards the door, trying to see if only the building is being hit or if its all over the city.
Janus had been about to set the glass of wine down when the noises began, by the time the last bell of thunder stops the glass and the other patrons are forgotten.
He turns to meet Niketsu incase she can not hear him, at least she can see his mouth.
"I am going to check on the horses, incase we need to leave in a quickly!" even shouting he can barely hear his own voice.
He turns and heads for the exit, and then to the stable.
Adroushan takes an indifferent sip of the drink in his hand, as he listens to Brindie's table conversation. Expecting not much else but what he has heard, the Wilder cringes and immediately loses his hold on the Weave.
Feeling the rocking and knocking of the ground, building, and his alcohol infused stomach, Adroushan glances about for his charge.
Kanula! Get your arse back over behind and under the bar!
Not hearing anything but ringing in his ears, the Ebou Dari stumbles over to his charge, assisting him to his previously mentioned location....
By the second deafening peal of thunder, Morel has covered his ears tightly with his hands. He jumps to his feet, surprisingly spry for one so large and looks about. "What is that?!" He looks about at the companions and then to the patronage generally and tries to assist anyone who seems stricken.
When Kunula mentions leaving immediately, she quirks an eyebrow in surprise, "You intend for us to leave immediately? And a long journey, you said. Three months? Where do you intend for us to travel that would take so long? From Illian we could travel to Tomon Head or the Spine of the world in half that, and half that again if we pressed hard. I have never been to Tremalking or Mayene, but even those long voyages would not take so long. What is our destination?
She nods to Janus as signal that he should see to the horses, and stands to move with the others. She tucks her sword scabbard into her wide silk belt with out looking, a smooth motion that gives of the impression of long practice.
As the thunder booms, Niketsu finds herself crouching, her hand coming to the hilt of her sword in an instinctive drawing position.
"Light!"
Looking around the room at the frightened faces, Niketsu swallow her next question, as clearly such strikes are not common even in storm swept Illian. She moves to the doorway, glancing out in the street, half expecting to see panic, smoke, or the beginning of fires.
Lightning, thunder, and rain crash upon the city, as everyone within the bar lays upon the floor, hoping and praying that the storm passes with minor incident. Each bright flash of light and following thunder brings a fresh wave of fear as the building trembles and shakes. On and on, relentlessly it hammers and pounds the structure. Finally, when you begin to think surely this bar will collapse the thunder, the lightning, the rain begin to let up. The heavy thunders, the constant strikes of lightning, the heavy deluge of rain, passes on, away from the tavern.
Slowly people begin to stand up, shaking off the dust, brushing the hair free of minute debris. Fingers go into ears to rub away the near constant ring. The waitress slaps hard upon the bartop to draw everyones attention. As everyone looks at her, she motions for everyone to come around and starts filling glasses and mugs with an unfamiliar brew.
She screams real loudly
and downs a serving of the brown concoction.
Janus says to Niketsu, shouting loud to be heard "I am going to check on the horses, incase we need to leave in a quickly!" and with a nod to the door, he leaves his ward to check upon their rides.
You go around the corner and into the stable, and see several boards that compose the siding of the stable to be kicked out, snapped in several places. The sounds of horses on edge, neighing and baying, the panic has set upon them as some still kick from within the structure.
Janus moves in to the stable, 'Get one calmed, let them calm the rest' he approaches the mare he has been riding since leaving the tower. "Hush, Shhh, calm Faile, you know me it is going to be ok."
Ceirn eyes the strange brew and decides not to trust the Wetlander drink after the strange weather. He hangs back by the door and keeps an eye on the room.
So I have a 24 either way. I am not sure what the DC is but that looks good. :D
Luce, having not seen anything more odd that the storm (not that that wasn't odd), moves to the bar and collects five drinks. She moves among her new companions, distributing mugs in an attempt to be friendly before sipping at her own.
Not bad. But not too much. Clear head needed now.
As they head towards the door, Kunala turns towards Niketsu, then looks briefly at Brindie. He leaned in a little closer, so that Niketsu and the others nearby could hear. "I lied, I lied about the time." He gestures with his eyes towards the other table Brindie had left for. "I was tired of giving her potential information. So I lied." Standing a little straighter he breathed a sigh, contemplating how much he was ready to divulge. Then the storm hit...
It seemed like an eternity, Kunala could feel the thunder more than hear it, but he could see the lightning and the rain. Putting his hands on his ears, feeling the small amount of blood. He'd had trouble with his ears before. Of course it seemed like he had trouble with everything at one point in time or another. Looking from the blood on his hands, out the window to the lessoning storm. He saw rather than heard Janus leaving. Turning back to the others as the crowd seemed to be making it's way to he bar, he said much louder than he realized. Then heading out into the light rain, he crosses the street towards the 'Easing the Badger's' stables.
The deafening silence of the tavern with its frightened (and mostly prone) patrons, its dangerously swaying covered lamps and creaking, moaning overhead beams and the seriously vengeful-feeling lightning from outside completely dumbstruck Adroushan. The youthful looking Ebou Darian stays inside during the ciphony of cascading chaos. He watches in absolute disbelief those venturing toward the tavern's exit.
The Sea seems to be angry at the Sky and we are stuck in the middle!
After the time of trouble lessens, Adroushan (still deaf) manages to locate his charge. When Kunala indicates his desire to venture outside to check the mounts, the Doctor smiles.
Death by drowning, or lightning....my crowns are on drowning.
Adroushan nods solemnly and follows his friend.
Making his way through the now lighter rain, Kunala steps into the inn's stables where he had kept his horses. Both were nervously moving about their stall, the big chestnut gelding pawing the sawdust with a front hoof. while breathing hard and sweating; and the wall looked like it had been kicked at least once. The dapple grey mare was moving in quick circles around her stall, shifting from a quick trot and slow canter, Eyes wide and ears laid back. She had already nocked her bucket of water over and Kunala was concerned that she may step in it and mess up a leg.
He began talking to her, keeping his voice calm, talking to her like one would a frightened child. "Whoa girl, easy does it, shhhh, it's over now." Slowly unhooking the gate, he opened it slightly squeezing in then shutting it after him, he couldn't have her bolt out. Keeping both hands outreached, he moved closer to her, eventually taking hold of the halter in one hand and while he rubbed the sweat soaked neck, "There there girl it will be ok." As she calmed down he clipped the lead-rope to her halter leading her to the front of the stall he draped it over the gate and set the bucket back up.
Stepping out of the stall he slipped a sliver of hay into her manger to keep her attention while he moved over to the big chestnuts stall. The big work horse had calmed down significantly once he saw that the dapple-grey had calmed down. Kunala looked over the gate, the gelding seemed to be doing ok so he put some hay in it's manger as well.
Turning, he realized that Adroushan had followed him. Kunala smiles and shrugged. Talking louder than he realized,
Adroushan steps out of the admittedly lightened falling rain into the stable behind Kunala. Blue eyes warily watching for anything falling from above, the Wilder embraces Saidin. Approaching the fearful horses, Adroushan also makes himself welcomed by offering both animals some fresh oats from a bag just hanging outside the corral.
Smiling at each of them in turn, Adroushan embraces the Source to weave.
He reassures them both with whatever medicinal administrations as needed.
The Wilder then Delves Kunala just in case he broke something....again.
He pats him on the head.
Nothing broken this time!
He smiles.
Suddenly, the front door slams wide open. Everyone looks at the doorway in surprise, and interestingly enough, they see a man standing there, dripping wet. his face is flushed, his mouth is pinched, jaw clenched. His left hand is held in a tight fist. yet his eyes are equally wide with surprise. He steps through the doorway, grasps the door and firmly pushes it closed.
Sorry. Slipped my hand the man says to the room.
The man looks around the room, looking for someone. His face lights up in recognition and walks, to Brindie.
His mouth moves, but nothing is heard, but Brindie says loudly
she drops a broken plate into the bin, and as she looks up, she flinches, although the man hasnt done anything nor said anything.
Adroushan will then attempt to find a man about purchasing a horse...
Luce very carefully doesn't react, but she does deposit the load of broken dishes she has on the nearest table and grab a broom instead. It seems like the man who just arrived will bear watching, and perhaps following.
Ceirn looks warily between the two and wonders how the many seems to be interacting with the now deaf woman.
As the rest of the horses are calmed, the rest of the stable workers come over and begin to saddle up Adroshans horse.
One of them approaches Janus as he helps calm his and Niketsu's horses, and asks Sir, Is there anything i can help you with?
Tossing the hand a silver coin he asks, "Can you follow, and stay with the horses wile I gather my charge and our gear?"
He does wait for his charge to join him; or, to totally go another direction, which does tend to happen....
Tucking the halter in the saddle bag, he turned towards the Stable hand who was finishing putting the pack saddle on the chestnut. Fishing a silver penny out of his pouch he handed it to the stable hand who had saddled the chestnut. Nodding and saying much louder than was necessary as he handed the man the silver penny. Accepting the lead rope for the chestnut, he held the lead rope and mares reins in one hand as he checked the girth on the packsaddle with the other. Satisfied that it was ok, he began to lead the two animals out of the barn. Turning to Adroushan and Janus, coughing lightly he gestures towards the pub.
Accordingly she follows the ogier out of the door, even her white armor less obvious than his sheer height.
The unknown man nods at Brindie, and looks as if he's about ready to step out when he sees the rest of the group stand up and head to the door. He watches everyone file out of the room, staring long and hard at each individual, but not making any type of rude or threatening gesture towards the group.
Morel, Luce, Ceirn, and Niketsu all leave the tavern and out onto the street. The sounds of the tropical storm echoes distantly to the north north east as a light rain falls upon Illian. water flows down the side gutters of the road, and people wander in and out of buildings, looking to see what damage has happened. Some look high, while others look low, and begin to pick up and clear off the roads of the palm fronds and branches. Men with saws and axes come out and begin to attack those trees, those rare trees that still, until minutes before, grew within the narrow patches of green grass within the city. People begin to shout and holler, calling for wagons and horses. It appears that, to an Illian, the city is everything. The ability to traverse the community is paramount to commerce. To trade. To individual enrichment, and when such disasters happen, they all pitch in to ensure that the work is done quickly.
No one stops the group. No one bothers them. Aside from Morel standing up like a huge, gigantic sore thumb, no one pays much attention to everyone else within the party.
Janus, stable boy leading his and niketsu's horses, steps around the corner and immediately spots the group walking towards him.
You walk down the road, and on happen stance you look behind you. You notice a familiar face ducking from doorway to doorway, keeping an eye on you guys. But otherwise, he does nothing.
Lord kunala and the Doctor are getting their horses ready. we shall be ready to leave momentarily.
Ceirn glances behind and sees a familiar figure ducking from doorway to doorway. He frowns and announces to the others as they come up to the stable, "We are being followed. I doubt he wants to wish us luck on our trip."
"Hmmm. That is... troubling." The giant remarks unnecessarily and more to himself than to anyone in particular. He glances around ba bit, frowning in concentration, but can't catch whomever the sharp-eyed Aiel refers to.
"Let's get outside of town before we make any moves. It was Ceirn, right? If you keep an eye on him I'll keep an eye out for any friends he may have."
Luce doesn't bother to turn around, stealth and subterfuge are not her strong points so she leaves it to the Aiel, who seems rather good at such things.
"If Morel and I cause a distraction, perhaps you could double back to follow him?" She suggests quietly.
Seeing the others speaking but not quite getting the gist of it Kunala ties large chestnut's lead rope to his saddle horn and mounts the dapple-grey mare. Looking around making mental count. The good doctor was behind him, the ogier and the Aiel were speaking to each other while Janus was aiding Lady Niketsu. He looks towards Luce, raising an eyebrow, 'Huh, I didn't realize her armor was so...white.' Shrugging, 'Must be hard to keep clean.'
Knowing what little he did about Ogier and Aiel, he wasn't sure if they would walk or ride, but neither of them seemed overburdened. But having noticed the white haired woman's armor he asked her loudly
Just thankful to be finally ready to ride out of Illian, Adroushan walks their horses behind Kanula. The Ebou Dari couldn't hear anything still other than the constant ringing of thunder in his ears. He just nods dumbly to any inquiries.
What is he yelling about this time?
Adroushan smiles at his charge and gives him a thumbs up.....
Ceirn nods at Luce and then ducks down an ally moving quickly once he is out of sight of the person following him. Once at the other end of the alley he will try and make his way down far enough to come up behind the figure that has decided to follow them. As he approaches the road to find the man he begins to blend into the shadows.
Luce nods firmly and points up the road, she left Ombre in a stables near the gates, a cheap place that she knew from previous visits to Illian.
"I. WILL. GET. HIM. AS. WE. LEAVE." She says, trying to make her words obvious to the still deafened man.
'Strange one that.' Furrowing his brow as the Aiel seems to sneak off into the shadows, Kunala shrugs and returns his attention to Luce, She was pointing and saying something really slow, not that he could hear her or read lips. He nodded, assuming she was pointing direction she needed to go,
He then started to guide the dapple-grey mare through the cluttered streets the general direction that Luce had pointed. As he moves, he looks towards Morel, 'And we have an ogier with us! I never thought I'd ever meet one let alone travel with one.' He smiles at the ogier.
She glanced down the street, but failing to spot the man right away, turned back to the horses so as not to be caught staring.
Niketsu took the reins of her horse from Janus, an impressively large blue-grey roan stallion.
"Muad Dieb, have you been behaving?" she whispers to the big war horse. Idly, she gave the other horses flanks a quick glance, looking for any bite marks that might indicate his temper had been on him. Seeing none, she passed him a lump of hardened honey from a pouch before checking his girths, and finding Janus' work to her satisfaction as usual, swings into the saddle.
"You spoil him, that is why he hates everyone else." "we have drawn some attention, the aiel and "Light" trained warrior are dealing with them."
Faile seems small next to Muad Dieb but she is calm and surefooted, she stands calmly while the warder mounts. Janus guides the mare sideways to clear some space for Niketsu to head to the path out of town.
Since Kunala has made Luce's part in this little pantomime quite clear she simply nods and turns her paths to the stables where she can find Ombre. This has the additional benefit of making it look as though she has no idea that she is being followed.
Maud Dieb nickers softly and nods his head up and down in excitement at the honey treat. He sucks and licks his lips comically as he he normally does as Niketsu mounts the great war animal.
Aside from Niketsu, everyone else leads their horses through the city streets, headed north.
it takes about an hour to navigate the press of the city as the group makes it's way north. People are out and about, clearing streets, reopening shops and booths; shutters are thrown open and lines of laundry overhead begin to appear. A goodwife's work is never done. Children, young and old run along the streets, shouting, laughing, giggling, and some crying for no apparent reason. Yet, whenever Morel appears in their line of sight, they stop and pause as they all stare in wonder at the living legend. Some children are even brave enough to approach Morel. And yet, of those that come close, even fewer are brave enough to directly approach him.
Kunala, as he walks in roaring silence, begins to recover his hearing. very very loud sounds begin to filter through, and every once and a while his ears will suddenly pop loudly, causing him to wince in pain as, for a split second, the sounds of the city come cascading into his ears without warning.
Luce, while walking, notices a familiar landmark. A small fountain set in the middle of a crossroad. Upon the fountain sit two creatures. Strange, foreign. Two creatures, as if crossed between a frog, a lion, and a lizard, are carved out of an equally exotic material. It's a uniform darkness with highlights polished to a high sheen, denoting texture, movement, agility for such ungainly looking creatures. Mouths open, water spurts out in shallow arcs.
I am merely a few blocks from here. If you could wait a moment, i shall collect my horse and we can leave here. Luce says.