What happens in Cairhien, stays in Cairhien (attn: Karli)

[Arette]

Cairhien lay before Sahra as she stood on a windy hill north of the city and she remarked how different it looked when compared to Tar Valon despite both being located next to a river. Cairhien was much smaller and much uglier in her opinion. Tar Valon had been built by the Ogiers and there was unearthly beauty to it. Cairhien looked boring with its precise grid layout behind the unwelcoming high, gray walls. In as exact pattern as the walls were a square tops of broken towers rose above them. The scars from the time of the Aiel War and she wondered why they still hadn't gotten them fixed. Maybe to remember.

 

Outside the city walls lay a warren of streets, crisscrossing at all angles and teeming with people. It had to be the Foregate and it looked much more interesting than the rest of Cairhien. She would likely have to stay there until she located Lady Dulciena and could deliver the message since it was the poorer part of the city and Sana had had most of their money. She missed him so much and her anxiety and fear for him grew daily. She had been able to keep it in check with Anton and Timewalker but they had parted ways a few days ago and she doubted that the two of them would have been very home in this city, or any city really. Sana would have to find her and at least they had one common place where to do, Lady Dulciena's house.

 

When she reached the edge of the Foregate, she had to dismount as the thong of drabbily but colourfully dressed people gave no way. It was slow going but she got a good look on the raucous bustle. She was stopped by at least dozen sellers offering all kind of services and things from fruits to hair cut but she had gotten used to that in parts of Tar Valon so she just kept going. She had to reach the actual city gates for directions and avoid revealing too much as Cairhienin were interested of everyone's business and even the commoners were involved with the Great Game of theirs.

 

At the tall, square archway to the city gate, she stopped a soldier who looked so disinterested that he would have gotten a penance in Tar Valon. She asked for a affordable priced inn, in other words the cheapest possible, and the man gave her a disgusted look, told her a name and waved her away. She had to ask for more directions and no one seemed to be too eager to help a foreigner but finally she stood in front of a two storeyd inn that actually swayed lightly. Light, and there she would have to stay. She queezed her eyes closed and sent a quick prayer as she stepped inside.

 

"A room for one for tonight", she told the greasy looking innkeeper who polished a dirty pint to the his grubby apron. She could barely control her wince of distaste but this was all she could afford. She doubted that he knew where anyone's manor was. She'd have to try and find more agreeable guards.

 

"Half a crown and payment in advance", he said.

 

She reached for her purse but reached only cut strings. She stared at them with desperation. "I have been robbed", she whispered cursing her stupidity for keeping her money basically at display.

 

"So they all say", the man leered and gave her a lecherous wink. "But say what, I could find other ways to pay for a pretty girl like you."

 

She stared at him too disgusted to get a word out but she didn't have to as a familiar voice spoke from the doorway.

 

"She is with me and I must say her taste with the choice of establ... oof..." That was all Sana could get out before she charged him with a joyful whoop and jumped on his arms wrapping her legs around him. She nearly toppled him but she didn't even notice as she proceeded to squeeze him tight enough to make his ribs hurt. She buried her face to his shoulder which muffled her anguished voice a good bit.

 

"Oh Sana, you are alive. I was so worried. What in the Pit of Doom happened to you?"

 

Sahra

Not handling herself too well

[TaeaDawn]

It had been a hard journey.  Not that the pace set was too much or that there had been trouble, but Sana knew exactly how badly this was all going to be affecting Sahra.  He had come up with the idea though, had needed to see if she could manage on her own.  Well, she'd managed to get help and for that he couldn't blame her.  In truth it raised his estimates of her chance of surviving in the world that she was able to ask at all.  Too many people became convinced of their own superiority and found the task impossible.  Sahra had learned a couple things about herself along the way.  The first being how hard it was to put the Tower before herself.  A tough one that he had to remind himself of every day he was near her. 

 

It was an easy enough task to cut her purse strings.  One did pick some things up as one traveled and Sahra wasn't particularly careful about it.  It was another lesson for her. 

 

She was being propositioned, rather badly, when Sana stepped in.  He had enough problems with the men in Sahra's life.  He didn't need to imagine all the other's that had pawed all over her when she had been working at the Tavern before her training had begun and that's exactly what this guy was doing. 

 

The man snatched his hand back quickly enough and Sana had been trying to talk when Sahra had jumped on him, literally.  He let out a small chuckle, feeling entirely too much body contact between them was a bad thing, but considering she was about to get howling mad at him, he figured it was alright for a few seconds.

 

"Not here.  Let's get ourselves settled into a better place and then we can talk.  Looks like you could do with a warm meal as well." He said as he managed to get her set down on the ground. 

 

Ursana 

 

 

[Arette]

With reluctancy Sahra allowed Sana to disentangle herself but she did not intend to let him go very far. She nodded gladly at his suggestion of going elsewhere and snuck close to his side wrapping her arm around his waist. He looked at her with a slight frown and she froze certain that he would tell her to unhand him. Oddly he didn't and she was exhilarated. He must have forgiven the crude advances she had made on him earlier. She would not go that far, she just needed the closeness right then to assure herself that he was really there and well.

 

"Lead the way then, Sana." They stopped to get the horses from the shabby stable and made sure that the saddles and other equipments hadn't been stolen before they headed to the inn where Sana had gotten rooms for them.

 

The place wasn't the highest quality either but a vast improvement on the previous and it had even a private cabinet where they headed after ordering the house's lunch on their way. They had a silly stare contest about which one of them would sit first because she intended to sit beside him and finally he resigned and took a chair on the other side of the table from her. Highly amused, she took the next seat and moved it close enough that their thighs were touching.

 

Her mirth faded when he promptly picked her purse from his pocket at set it on the table. "You stole it, you filthy sticky finger", she hissed incensed forgetting that if it hadn't been him, it would have been any nimble minded and fingered little bugger with her carelessness. "I was scared senseless for a moment when I realized it was gone." Then the unlikeliness of it dawned on her and she peered at him suspiciously when a doubting thought begun to form.

 

"How did you find me anyway?" To be able to take her money, it had had to have been since she got to the city. "How long have you been following me and why not come to me right away?"

 

Sahra

Suspicious

[TaeaDawn]

Oh Light, she'd figured that one out pretty quick.  He should have left her purse until later.  He thought about lieing to her, but decided against it.  She'd known the truth of it soon enough.  He couldn't provide any broken bones or anything like that and she'd never believe he got lost.

 

He looked at her accusing gaze and felt slightly bad for what he'd put her through, but only slightly.  He'd been through far worse with Aran and even though it was different with Sahra, part of him wanted her mad at him.  She had made a choice with Fior but she still seemed to think she could play him along a bit.  Maybe if she were good and mad he'd find a way to get his equilibrium and put some distance between them. 

 

"It's called training Sahra.  If I had come to you as soon as I saw you, how would you have proven that you could get where you needed to go?" He asked, making sure to look away at the last second to be sure he didn't have to see the hurt in her eyes.

 

Ursana

[Arette]

"What?", she asked confused. He had wanted to see whether she would find Lady Dulcinea's house? "But I didn't get where I was supposed to go and you still revealed yourself. Or do you mean...?" She gasped when she thought of him faking everything. He had vanished on purpose and the way he kept averting his gaze confirmed it.

 

"You bastard", she shrieked and smashed her fist on the top of his head. "You let me to think that you were dead in the name of bloody training!" She kept landing blows on him, part of them slaps and part outright proper smacks and screamed profanities. Finally he took a firm hold of her wrists and she snarled at him. She bent her head toward his arm and bit him hard enough to make him cry.

 

Right that moment the door was opened and the bustly innkeeper and a maid stepped in and stopped dead on their tracks, the table ware on tray on the maid's hands sliding threateningly. Sahra spat fabric off her mouth and since he didn't let go of her hands, she settled to staring at him unflinchingly angrily which he returned seemingly calmly. The maid let out a squeak when the innkeeper admonished her and the woman lay the tray in front on them herself before ushering the girl out of the room and banging the door closed behind her.

 

"You had no right", she said quietly. "Let go of me, I don't want you touching me."

 

Sahra

Pissed off

[TaeaDawn]

He'd expected a lot of things from Sahra, but biting had to be the one thing to have slipped his mind.  He knew from what little Anton had said about Sahra that she was going to be upset about being lied to, but he held his ground anyway.  He'd made a choice and he was sticking by it, not matter how much his arm hurt.  If she left a bite shaped scar though he was really going to give her what for.

 

She tried to pull away and he had held onto her, only threatening to lose his grip when the door had come open unexpectedly.  The Innkeeper was a smart enough woman to know trouble when she saw it and had the serving girl out before anything else could happen.

 

Finally they were alone again and he sighed, even though he refused to let go.  "Yes, we're already established how you feel about touching me, make no mistake about that.  But I don't care what you are feeling right now about me.  You had a mission Sahra.  You thought I might be in trouble, but knowing that I had stressed the importance of this to you, you went ahead and left.  There are two things to notice there.  The first is that you recognized that it was more important to complete the work you were assigned.  The second is that you trusted me enough to know that I would make my way on my own.  You were thinking and that's what's important.  You were upset I don't doubt, but you managed to get here.  I don't care that someone else was along to help out.  You got here and that was the real objective.  Too many people are afraid to ask for help or to take it when offered.  You got the mission done and didn't stop for things like your emotions, or false pride.  In that, i'm proud of you as a student."

 

Ursana 

[Arette]

So, he had been keeping an eye on her all this time. Spying on her and playing mind games. "Did you enjoy watching my despair when I thought that you were lost? Did it give you satisfaction?" He couldn't hide the telling look on his face, Sahra knew him too well and it brought about a new round of struggling and curses. But his hold did not come loose and she knew her wrists would be full of bruises. In any other situation it would have been arousing in entirely different way but right then she was aflame with anger that this had been some kind of a petty revenge from the hurt she had caused him. Sure, there were likely lofty training purposes behind it too but that there was something else too... it was infuriating.

 

"Is there even anything significant in that bloody letter?", she railed. "It can't at least be as important as you made it sound like. You wouldn't have left something like that for a Trainee." What a fool she had been to think that she would be trusted with something important. The Tower would never take risks like that and she was not skilled enough to be sent on missions alone and handle herself. Yet.

 

Sana wasn't sure how to deal with Sahra like this, but everytime she threw something in his face that started to make him feel ashamed it was easy enough to bring other things to mind.  Like the fact that she'd chosen someone else over him.  "The letter was a legitimate mission.  I have no idea if it is significant or not, but it is from an Aes Sedai to a Lady of Cairhien.  You will still see the letter delivered and make sure it is delivered to the Lady's hands yourself.  Once that is complete, we can talk about you and your despair and my heaps of satisfaction."

 

It calmed her down a bit to know that the letter at least was real. There really had been a mission and he was right, they needed to finish it. "And I will deliver the letter", she said with resolution. "Sana... you can let go of my hands now. I won't do anything anymore. I won't no matter how you would deserve it", she added with a glare. "No, our food is cooling and I haven't had a proper dinner in days. Then the letter and then we will talk." She tried to make the last words sound as ominous as possible. It still made her to fume to even think about it but she could set her priorities right.

 

Sana let go of her hands, then stepped away from her.  He watched her carefully, but decided against saying anything else.  What else could he say?  He'd hadn't enjoyed knowing she was suffering, but he had been touched that she had been concerned even after everything else that had happened between them. 

 

Instead of saying anything he put the table between them and began to attack his food.  He hadn't been starving by any means, but travel rations were much different than this sort of fare and he wasn't taking any more time to worry about Sahra and her feelings at the moment.  He was sure she'd manage to remind him about it later in her own fashion.

 

They dined in silence, both savoring the tastes created by a skillful chef. She was finished first and pushed her plate aside with a satisfied sigh. She watched him eat down the last bits and had to confess that despite all the huff, she was more relieved and glad to be with him again. "Will you tell me about the Lady, Sana? Have you ever met her yourself and do you know how to find her?"

 

"The Lady Dulcie is not hard to find.  I have not met her before, but I have met this Aes Sedai before and she was extremely specific on how to find the woman and what we would need to look for in case it was a trap." He gave her a small smile.  "This Aes Sedai is also worried about Cairhein traps set against her.  With good reason from my understanding, but it will be easy enough to find her."

 

A trap? That sounded worrying but this was Cairhien they were in now, the cradle of the Great the Game. The nobles were deeply embroiled in it and someone getting messages from an Aes Sedai was likely especially so. "Can we just go and approach her or will that be springing a trap?" It would be interesting if they had to think up some sneaky ways to get the message to her but she really wanted to be done with this and just have the mission completed without a hitch.

 

"The Aes Sedai said we just need to deliver the letter, but to make sure it was delivered to the Lady herself and no one else.  She said the Lady Dulcie would make certain all was well on her end." He told his trainee.  "The mission to get the letter to her hands is pretty straight forward.  The Aes Sedai simply wished to use Tower Guards to ensure the proper exchange of hands in a delicate matter.  At least that is my belief."

 

"Sounds simple enough." Sahra smiled back at Sana slightly. "Shall we get going then? The quicker we are done, the quicker we can... I... well, maybe you could show me the city a bit afterwards", she finally said hesitantly. They just needed to sort out certain things first once the letter was just off their hands. He just made a non-committing sound and since neither one wanted to dwell on the topic right then, they headed out. Since Sana knew where to find the residence of the Lady, she just followed him and focused on taking in her surroundings. Light only knew when she would get back in Cairhien again. This time she also minded her purse better even if the most dangerous person to it was possibly walking beside her.

 

Sahra & Sana

[TaeaDawn]

 

It was later than he would have like by the time Sana and Sahra made their way to the estate of the Lady Dulcei, but it still fit in with the plan that he had been given.  The Lady Dulcei was supposed to be home at this time of day from his information but they would be lucky if they didn't find her preparing to leave.  The Aes Sedai who had given them the letter had been specific about timing, but had also made note that if the Lady should feel the need to let loose her tongue that they would simply need to remind her of whom sent them and it should calm her.  That didn't calm Sana any as they approached.  A servant answered the door and let them in, leaving them in a large sitting area to wait on his mistress.  Sana took a seat but made sure his posture was at it's best and he didn't fidget as he waited.  He gestured to Sahra who still had the letter with her.  "You should make sure you a presenting a proper appearance.  You are representing an Aes Sedai right now." He said softly to her.  Not that he needed to tell her how to look proper.

 

 

Raina was preparing to take her leave of the house when the servant came in telling her of the two guests waiting for her.  She hadn't been expecting anyone and had been preparing to leave to visit her uncle so she hoped it wasn't something too important.  She wasn't dressed for a formal visit, just a day in the country with the old man that had raised her.  Still, if her clothes were less formal the cut was no less fine, nor the fabric, than what she would normally wear.  Her Grand-Aunt had told her that in the beginning and it had saved her from embarrassment more than once. 

 

She took a last look in the mirror to admire herself.  Brown riding skirts with a darker chocolate trim and blouse.  Her hair was pulled back with a chocolate velvet ribbon, but she didn't have time to adapt the more formal hairstyles.  If someone wanted to complain of their reception they would be reminded that an invitation might be required next time they show up.

 

As she entered the sitting area, she noted the two and knew they weren't from Cairhein from their appearances.  She smiled warmly at them as if they hadn't just interrupted her day.  "Hello.  I am the Lady Dulcei.  I was told you needed to speak to me?"

 

The young man looked at her with a strange expression and she read enough into it to guess where he had come from.  His poise suggested it and the girl had a hint of it as well, though not yet to full blossom.  The way he looked at the girl made her realize that he didn't want to do the talking in this even as he made his introduction.

 

"I am Tower Guard Ursana Tahn Sakhr, and this is my trainee, Sahra Coventry."

 

Raina smiled larger then, knowing that her first guess had been correct.  She gave herself a little pat on the back for her recognition then turned to the girl.  "It is a beautiful name Sahra.  You may call me Raina." She said as she stood before the girl.  "On what manner did you need to see me child?"

 

The Lady Raina Dulcei

Sana

[Arette]

The estate was beautiful and clearly well tended. Sahra felt more and more nervous as they approached the impressive main building. She hadn't been given time to change clothes, not that she even had more than one dress with her, and she was afraid that she smelled of horse and traveling. The lady might take her breeches and shirt amiss too even if they were reasonably clean. Sana's stiff posture made her stiffle a grin but she made sure that she didn't appear too slack either. His reminder earned him a slight frown. She could mind her manners even if she was not accustomed to dealing with noble ladies.

 

They didn't have to luckily wait for that long and they both sprang on their feet when the lady made her entrance. A bow and curtsy flowed smoothly and Sahra waited to be introduced. She smiled at the compliment the lady gave her and covered her surprise at being allowed to be on first name basis. She could barely suppress a glower at being called a child. Fair enough, she was only seventeen and it was pretty young but the lady was only a handful of years older than her at most. But better think of her as an Aes Sedai and treat her accordingly.

 

"Thank you for your gracious words. Grace favour you, Raina." She pulled the letter out of her sleeve and handed it to her. "We were sent to deliver this letter to you from a Sister you are surely familiar with." Then there was nothing to do but wait and see if the lady would open the letter there or just dismiss them.

 

Sahra Covenry

Tower Trainee

[TaeaDawn]

There was only one Sister the letter could come from but Raina managed to keep a smile from her face.  Though in truth she should be more worried about the content of the letter, it was always welcome to hear from her Grand-Aunt.  No doubt the letter would be sparse and hold no true personal information, but it was a connection and sometimes when she felt she had stumbled too much to go on that connection was all she had.  It kept her chin tilted up and her ambitions as high as ever.  Truth be told, she wasn't sure the information in the letter would be welcome at all, news between Cairhein and the Tower seldom seemed good these days, but as her Grand-Aunt had said more than once, dark days were upon them.  They had to do what they could for who they could.  She wasn't certain that she and her Grand-Aunt were on the same page about who they should be 'doing' for, but the sentiment was true none the less. 

 

"Excuse me for a moment." She said quietly, then took the letter into her study.  Quickly read and just as quickly crumpled and throw across the room for the news it bore.  A curse died on her lips, though the words rang in her head anyway.  Someone had been playing with one of her pawns.  One that she had taken great pains to place.  There were ways to deal with it, but she had thought the man secure enough in his position to need no more assistance.  She took a deep breath as she walked across the room and retrieved the crumpled paper.  She took only a moment to light a candle and see the flames caress the parchment before tossing it into the fireplace and watching it burn away.  Nothing too important but she had no wishes for some spy from another house to be going through her scraps and finding anything useful. 

 

It only took another few minutes to compose a letter back to the Aes Sedai who had informed her of the issue.  She didn't know how the woman had managed to find out, nor would she be likely to share it, but let her Grand-Aunt know that she had it under control.  Pressing her personal seal into the wax, she watched it set a moment before going back out to the two in her waiting room.

 

She smiled slightly at the girl and a bit more warmly for the young man.  Not quite her taste with the mixed features and casual manner, but attractive none the less.  "Would you see this delivered back to the Sister?" she asked, directing her question to the young woman. 

 

Raina Dulcei

[Arette]

Raina kept her facade schooled and Sahra stood straight waiting for her command. Obviously they were to wait while she read the words and possibly crafted a response. As the lady closed the door behind her, Sahra let herself to relax and a smile and slight nod from Sana signaled that she had done alright. She had known as much herself but she wasn't someone to look praise down upon her nose. The lady had been away from their presence for less than ten minutes when she returned with another letter. Sahra snapped back at readiness and tried to be the image of a soldier in a proper pose.

 

She did not miss how the lady's smile warmed at Sana and she narrowed her eyes with displeasure. But she did not own the sight of him and it was kind of a confirmation of her good taste when others admired him too. She would have been alot more relaxed about if she just could have been sure that he was hers in the end. Such assurances were out of the question sadly considering her own conflicting actions and the fact that he was still her mentor for two more years. She would just have to live with it and reap as she had sowed.

 

"We will deliver it safely to her hand, Raina", she replied firmly. She didn't bother with adding any flowery bits about how they would guard it with their lives because it was so obvious. Though likely they would face no problems as the Great Game couldn't have gotten that nasty. "Do you require something else from us?" Technically she didn't have any right to command them since they were in the Tower's employment but it was good to be polite.

 

Sahra Covenry

Tower Trainee

 

OOC: *grins* Maybe you could get them back to the inn where Sana gets a warm welcome from certain old acquaintance. And btw, James wants to join the party so you will get all NPCed response ;)

[TaeaDawn]

Sana hid his grin as best he could through the whole thing.  He might not know how to deal with Sahra these days, but her performance with the Aes Sedai's letter and the Lady was exactly what he would have wished.  She didn't preen for the woman and while she was polite, she still remembered they were Tower Guards and not some noble's simpering servants.  He'd seen people do funny things around nobles and was glad Sahra wasn't one of them. 

 

They were dismissed easily enough and the Lady Dulcei saw them to the door personally for their trouble.  He thought she might be a bit friendly for a Cairheinin noble, but seeing how they'd delivered a letter from an Aes Sedai it could have been that she feared to anger the Sister as well.  Bloody games.  He never liked trying to keep up with that sort of thing. 

 

"Let's get out of here then." He said as the door closed behind them and they were a few steps away from hearing.  "I just want a warm fire and something hot to eat. Again.  Too much cold to be put up with in the last few days."  It could have been worse and he was grateful for the winter training class he'd taken as a trainee.  He almost said a warm body would be nice too, but considering how he'd left her a few days ago the comment probably wouldn't go over too well.  of course if she tried something like that it wouldnt' go over too well either.  He had in no way forgotten where she chose to make her bed, even if she had decided it was fun to get up from both sides of the bed each morning.

 

He shrugged as he walked, moving fast enough to keep the trek silent.  He opened the door to the Inn and let Sahra in before him out of habit without realizing it.  She strolled past him and he took a minute to let his body adjust to the cooler air by the door before going in head first to the height of the heat.  Something his mom had told him would keep him clear of illness in cold weather like that.  She lived on the road and they moved winter or spring so he always tried to be mindful of her words.  She might not be right about everything but experience was a better teacher than anything else. 

 

He looked over at Sahra, his eyes hardening for a second as he realized that experience had taught him all too well this time.

 

Ursana

[Wayfarer]

"Tahn!"

 

Smirking as Ursana spun around, it was Karli who was there to greet him as she wrapped her arms around him and quickly planted a kiss on his lips.  The shock at least meant she got little resistance as she took advantage of the moment before pulling her own lips away with a laugh.  It had been a long time since they had seen one another, he'd been a trainee of Aran's then and she had worked for Midge, how things had changed since those days.  He looked a bit older now, a bit more mature, and when she'd first espied him from her seat, quite grumpy as he stood by the door to slowly warm up no doubt.

 

Probably because of that woman he had walked in with, the red head who had come into the city with Ursana when he'd first arrived in Cairhien.  She'd certainly been quick to speed upstairs without a thought to Ursana, but that had suited Karli perfectly fine.  Perhaps it would give them a chance to catch up, and then maybe she would be able to find out what Ursana had thought of her during this time.  She'd always been uncertain about how he would react to meeting her again, but she had been fond of him so she had wanted to find out.  It would have been a nasty shock for him to discover that he had been part of a play of Aran's design, but hopefully time had allowed him to forgive her.

 

But, even if that weren't the case, she was also here for business.  He would return to Tar Valon soon, and there was a simple missive that he would be taking with him.  But, first things first.  Her arms still around his neck, she looked up at him with a smile.  "Were you angry with me?  Are you still?  I hope not because I'd like to talk to you for awhile and see how you have been.  I also have something that needs to be taken to your mentor, but that can wait.  Well?  Are you going to say something or just stand there like a stunned mullet?"

 

 

Karli

[TaeaDawn]

"Apparently i'm going to stand here like a stunned mullet." He said, a smile coming quickly to his lips with the words.  He had been so surprised to see her there at first, not sure what to feel except that when she pressed her lips to his he remembered the night perfectly well.  She pulled away too fast for his liking, but it was probably a good thing. Her words about being angry were too true and he had left the last time feeling like she had taken advantage of him in too many ways to count.  Time changed perception though and he had long ago lost his anger towards Aran over the ordeal.  He had learned to be wary of Aran's help from time to time because Aran's lessons were rough but sometimes it was the only way to learn some lessons.  Karli had been a part of it but he had come to realize that some parts were not planned at all.  What had happened with Karli had been something between the two of them, not something orchestrated by his former mentor.

 

After a few more moments his smile fell.  He looked around the room, thinking of Sahra, but he didn't see her in a quick scan.  Maybe she had gone up to get fresh clothes on, or just to be rid of him maybe.  He frowned at the last thought, but pushed the thought away.  Well she'd made her choice.  He had his own to make.

 

His smile returned as he reached an arm out and caught Karli around the waist.  "And i'm not angry with you.  Though it's been too long to catch up in a few minutes.  I think a few drinks and a nice cosy table might help us along the way, don't you?" He asked.

 

Ursana

[Wayfarer]

The way that Ursana's arm snaked around her waist was a pleasant feeling, even after all the time that had passed.  Not that she was head over heels for him by any means, she knew full well that behind that charm that there was a sly man lurking, but she was fond of him nevertheless.  He'd certainly been a breath of fresh air compared to some of the other men that she had known.  Having someone who was attentive was always nice, someone that knew what they were doing and showed a bit of care was even better.  It wasn't as if there were any strings attached after all, they knew better than that.

 

She'd also noticed the way that he'd looked around first before slipping his arm around her, that Karli did not approve of nearly as much.  It was one thing to be sly but it was another thing to be open about it.  It certainly raised some questions about the woman though, or girl, that Ursana was traveling with.  She had thought that it was a student, much in the same way Ursana had once been, but perhaps that hadn't stopped him.  Or her for that matter.  Who knew?  Not her, and it probably wasn't her business at anyrate.

 

Letting her hands slip, Karli allowed herself to be led to a table, he was even a gentleman enough to push the seat in for her.  Perhaps it was due to the dress she was wearing, hues of red and green and yellow marked it as a mild dress by the common Cairhienin standards.  He did take a seat next to her rather than across though, that she certainly approved of even as she watched him get them drinks.  When he returned and handed her hers, she sniffed it and her lips quirked slightly, ale, not a drink she approved of.

 

But, a free drink was a free drink, so she took a draw of it as he sat down.  Could have gone down easier, but she would be fine enough.  "Thank you Tahn, you've become quite the gentleman since you've been gone.  Tell me, my dear, how have you been?  I gather you are a Tower Guard now, judging from the fact you aren't baby sitting one of those Aes Sedai.  Is it treating you we-  Tahn, if you look around for that woman one more time I will slap you, its not polite to look about for one woman in the company of another."

 

Having said that, there was a smirk on Karli's face.

 

 

Karli

Rogue

[TaeaDawn]

He hated that Karli was reading his actions so well, but he'd never claimed to be good at hiding his feelings.  He tended to wear his heart on his sleeve too much of the time and while he was able to control that a bit better now, his issues with Sahra had made it come to the surface again.  He wasn't sure what to do, but in the end he decided he had to be honest.  He liked Karli and even if it was a chance encounter, he didn't want any misunderstanding between them. 

 

"My... relationship with Sahra is complicated." He said with a shrug.  "But i'm her mentor and regardless of anything else  I have to keep an eye on her."  He took a long drink of the ale and let out a deep breath.

 

Karli wasn't he type of person to try anything more than something casual and he had no problems with getting to know her again if she was willing.  Only Sahra, but Sahra had made her choice.  She was safely in Cairhein and in the Inn.  He didn't need to worry about her anymore tonight. 

 

"But," he finally said after a minute's thought, "as she is safely in her rooms and you have pointed out how rude i've become... I beg your forgiveness and promise to not let even the thought of another woman cross my mind this evening.  Will you forgive a humble Tower Guard?" He asked with his most winning smile.

 

Ursana

[Wayfarer]

Cocking her head at Tahn's attempt to get out of trouble, Karli rolled her eyes at him.  It was his usual cute act, he was lucky that he had some charm or it would never have a chance to begin with.  It was like a boy who had just been caught with their hand in the cookie jar and was saying they'd never do it again.  The first moment your back was turned, the boy would have his hand in the cookie jar and then say the exact same thing when you caught them out.  "I'll forgive a humble Tower Guard, be sure to point one out if you ever see one."

 

Drawing from her mug again, she definitely didn't approve of the ale but once it was bought it couldn't be wasted.  That would just be criminal, and she'd actually feel ashamed about it unlike lifting someone's purse, like Ursana's while he'd given her the drink.  Holding it up before her, Karli tittered as he reached for it and she withdrew it from his reach.

 

"This is confiscated, you can have it back later if you keep good on your word."  Smiling at the look that got, she leaned back in her seat.  "Oh come on, what did you expect?  You're sharp but I do this for a living.  Stop being such a girl and drink your ale.  Why, you ask?"  Finishing her mug, Karli grinned at Ursana even as she opened up his purse.  "Because you're buying the next drinks as well.  Here, this much, and I'll have wine thank you."

 

"Go on."  Karli reached over and poked his ribs.

 

 

Karli

Rogue

[TaeaDawn]

Ursana laughed but this time there was no trace of holding back.  True to his word, not through of Sahra crossed his mind and no concern over her betrayal with Fior blackened his mood.  In one fell swoop Karli had managed to take him back to the last time they had been together, to the same mind frame of the young man who had never met a girl he might love and had lost, to a time when she had led him rather nicely through his paces to see if he could keep up on the streets.  He drained his mug quickly knowing she'd poke him harder if he didn't and worried what else she might try to nab just to 'inspire' him to do as he was told.

 

Wine was delivered in good time and Sana didn't bother to try to get his wallet back.  Even if he did get it back, she was likely to just steal it again.. though it could be fun to try to find it on her each time... he thought about it a moment but decided in her current get up she might not appreciate it.  Well that settled that then.  He'd just have to get her out of it.  He smiled wider then.  "So tell me what you've been up to Karli?  You look great."

 

Sana

[Arette]

The moment they got back to the inn, Sahra knew exactly what she wanted to do. Sana hadn't given her a chance to change clothes and wash herself after the journey. And even though she had tried to keep herself as clean as possible, her hygienia certainly left something to hope for. Light only knew what Lady Dulcei had made of her but they really hadn't dallied unnecessarily in delivering the letter to her. She was halfway up the stairs already when she realised that Sana hadn't followed her. She cast a look over her shoulder and found him still standing near the door. She didn't understand what he was waiting for but with a shrug she headed to her room to get bathed and changed. Sana has promised her a tour in Cairhien so surely he couldn't be bore enough to deny her an insight into the night life of the city. She wanted to see what kind of a place bred Arans.

 

Stripping her traveling garb efficiently, she shivered from the chill in the room against her naked skin before she steeled herself and washed herself quickly in the cool water in the basin with a rough small towel and a piece of soap. She dried herself briskly but despite the other towel around her, she was shivering. It didn't stop her from sinking her hair into the rest of the little water and giving them a quick wash. She had brought with her a single dress, the one Sana had gifted her when she had turned seventeen. It was unbelievable to think that it had been just a month ago when all had been still well between them. She pressed the soft fabric to her cheek and closed her eyes for a moment as she allowed herself to reminesc the happy times.

 

But there was no going back to it, not tonight. Still, they could enjoy their time in Cairhien if he'd just let himself to. Donning the dress, she couldn't close all the buttons no matter how she bent herself so her mentor would be forced to bear to touch her that much or she would find someone else to do it. She definately liked the dress with it's low cut neckline and clinging cut and Sana had clearly appreciated too on her birthday celebration. Even though her hair was still damp, she snatched her winter cloak and headed downstairs to see if Sana was still there.

 

Her eyes narrowed at the sight him sitting practically glued to the side of some Cairhienin lass who of all things gave him money from his own purse. He trotted to buy them drinks and when he returned to the table, Sahra felt a deep stab of jealousy at his happy look. She hadn't seen him like that since her party. Had he arranged this whole bloody thing just to get at her? Glaring at the woman, she cursed her for being so pretty. Despite being pocket size like all Cairhienin, she had a well proportioned body that she held in a manner that spoke of experience and certainty. Her black hair fell on her shoulders in curls that Sahra very much felt like twirling around her fingers and tugging out with their roots.

 

Her eyes shot green fire as she descended the stairs and walked in front of their table but she tried to reign her temper as if she exploded, Sana would know exactly how much his little stunt galled her. She plastered a fake sweet smile on her face. "Hello mentor of mine, care to do my buttons? You promised to show me Cairhien but since you have found company, I absolve you of it. I'm sure I can find some nice young man to take me to places." Her cheeks were aching from the forced expression but focusing on it stopped her from shouting insults at them both.

 

Sahra Covenry

The Green Eyed Monster incarnate

[Wayfarer]

Taking a sip of her wine as it was handed to her, Karli had to say she definitely approved of the change in beverage.  Wine went much better, and it certainly made her more disposed to answering Ursana's question.  Shifting her seat a little closer to his, her left elbow rested on the table and its hand supported her chin in turn as she answered.  "Oh, well thieving is all well and good but you have to move on eventually if you're a woman.  That or become exceptionally good at what you do and while I am very, very good, I'm not that good.  So I've apprenticed myself in other lines of business.  Smuggling and a few other things on the side pay well if you know what you're doing and know how not to get caught."

 

"You know, you needn't always be a Tower Guard.  You can handle yourself and we could always use a few more people that know what they're doing."  Smirking at the look that got, Karli sighed.  "You can't blame a girl for trying.  Tell you what though, there is thi-"

 

Straightening as she turned at the sound of someone approaching them from behind, Karli recognised her as the girl that Ursana had with her, the trainee.  The smile on her was so forced that Karli almost felt like hitting the girl, especially when she started talking.  It was entirely too sweet, whatever was between her and her mentor Ursana, it was certainly something that was going to get in the way of her catching up with Ursana and that she very much disapproved of.

 

Letting her head loll to one side, Karli spoke a single word.  "Wow..."  How little she was impressed with the girl communicated itself wholly in that single word, but Karli stood nevertheless.  After all, it seemed the girl did need help, but she wasn't going to let Ursana be drawn into that trap.  "Here, let me help you with your buttons, trainee."

 

The implication made by her choice of term must have been enough to make the girl pause because she didn't resist as Karli stepped behind her and began finishing the buttons, forcefully.  There were only a few left so it didn't take long, the last pulled with a certain viciousness to communicate how unimpressed she was with the trainee.  Stepping around from behind the girl, Karli now deliberately placed herself between the trainee and Ursana as she spoke.

 

"I bet you could find some young man to show you around, but you'll be doing no such thing.  I wouldn't have minded you joining us but since you clearly can't keep your inner self absorbed bitch in check, why don't you go sit at another table?  Or better yet, go back to your room."  There was a smile on Karli's face but it wasn't to be found in her eyes.  She was not going to have her chance to catch up with Ursana ruined by some girl who was simply crying for attention.

 

 

Karli

Rogue

[Arette]

Sana was unreadable and it was the hussy, whoever she was, who stood and offered to do her buttons. Obviously she didn't much appreciate Sahra's appearance and the feeling was certainly returned. Being called trainee was likely supposed to remind her of her position and relationship with Sana but that and the yanking of her buttons just meant that the trollop acknowledged that there was something there. Sahra sneered as the woman stood between her and Sana.

 

The tramp bloody thought to be the Creator's sister or something else mighty to be able to tell her what she could and couldn't do. Forbidding Sahra from something usually lead to exactly opposite reaction and she wanted to storm off the door right away. Only Sana wouldn't let her go and he would be dragging the strumpet along. She had no desire to be the third wheel to them and watch their dalliance. Going back to her room had the advantage of extra entrance, the window, but because Sana's little floozy had told her to go, the option galled.

 

But she wasn't going to let the woman ruin her night completely. And considering how she had hurt Sana twice over the past weeks, it wouldn't be fair to try and steal his fun either even if it hurt more than she had expected. She had never actually seen him with anyone else before and it had been hard to be jealous to someone you could only imagine. Now she would just had to cede a bit of pride and give a show that would convince him that she would stay put. She was certain that he would be soon too enthralled by his conquest to think on her anyway, a bitter thought.

 

"We project on others what we really are ourselves", she retorted to the trollop before turning to Sana. "And I am disappointed with your taste, my dear. It seems to run to slutty now but maybe she was all that you could afford. I am heading upstairs now to fantasize about better company who certainly can keep their woman warm on cold winter nights." Turning on her heels, she marched back to her room. Once the door was closed behind her, she threw the wash basin into the wall and got some small satisfaction from seeing it burst into shards. She wanted to scream and curse but resolved only to the latter.

 

This had to stop or they would be ruining everything that was left of their friendship. No matter how much flame and attraction there might be between her and Sana, it just didn't work. And desire and chemistry were all there was or how otherwise would she have been able to sleep with someone else? She didn't love Sana and he didn't love her as he too was able to dally so lightly. It was all about forbidden fruit but she would stop desiring it now. It wasn't any more allowed to be with Fior but they had the chance of becoming happy together and she really cared of him very much. More than Sana? She couldn't say but she wasn't going to examine it too hard as two people just couldn't be compared with each others like that. She would tell Fior when she got back to Tar Valon. And she would behave around her mentor and try to be glad for him even.

 

She felt much lighter when the decision was done. It still was painful to imagine Sana and his Cairhienin minx together but she fed the hurt to the Spring. She was not going to stay all bored in her room and pine and worry. She was going to dance and have some fun even if she had no intention of doing anything stupid. Dilora flashed in her mind but she didn't want to think the charming peddler now either. She would stay loyal to at least someone from now on.

 

She settled to work and made a rope from her bed clothes. She tied the makeshift cable to the feet of the bed and opened the window. The cold air made her pull her cloak tighter around herself but she climbed out with determination. Right when she was closing the window, the rope snapped and she fell. The height wasn't even that great but she landed awkwardly on her other ankle with her full weight. She was unable to suppress a scream when the bone snapped and she collapsed into a heap. She might have even lost her conscience for a while but she came to to shivering cold and excruciating pain radiating from her ankle.

 

Get up, Sahra, or you'll freeze. She couldn't go back to the inn as Sana and the woman would still be in the common room. She would have to find a Reader all by herself. Checking that her money was still intact, she crawled to the wall with determination and with an effort she managed to pull herself upright. Supporting herself to the wall, she started making her slow way deeper into the unknown city.

 

Sahra Covenry

Stubborn

[Wayfarer]

Watching Sahra walk away, Karli had a pleasant smile as she turned to Ursana and proceeded to sit on his lap.  Wrapping his arms around her waist, she had no intention of letting him wander off after his trainee.  If she wanted to act in that manner, to cry for attention like some starvling little infant, then that was her prerogative.  It was not going to interfere in her night Ursana though, she refused to let it.  It was just unfortunate that she hadn't been left with the option of not allowing Ursana to think about her.  Now he'd be wondering about this blow up, better to talk through it now rather than let it skate around the edges of his mind.

 

"She really needs a good slap across the chops.  If it wasn't for the fact that she was your student, I would have taken her by the hair, hauled her outside and given her a solid beating.  Don't know why you put up with it, if thats the measure of her a good deal of the time that is.  This is why you should come and work with me instead, people like that are beaten with wooden boards until they wisen up or lose too much blood."  Karli was most certainly not impressed, she wouldn't have been surprised to learn that Sahra was some noble's brat.  Stupid drama queen.

 

Reaching over to her drink, Karli took a sip of it before setting it down and laying her head on Ursana's shoulder.  He was definitely going no where, last thing he needed to do was chase after her.  "So, since we can't seem to ignore that particular topic, we might as well talk about it.  What is that girl's problem?  Considering she doesn't know me, I'm curious to why she ascertained me to be a slut and a whore, so why don't you educate me?  Hmm?"  Karli poked his ribs for emphasis.

 

 

Karli

Rogue

[TaeaDawn]

Sana sighed.  He didn't know how to tell Karli what was going on, but she deserved to know anyway.  He took a deep breath, wishing he didn't have to talk about it at all.  "I met Sahra before she was a trainee.  We hit it off and had a... relationship.  When she became a trainee it stopped.  I was assigned to be her mentor and there was sort of an understanding."  He paused, unsure of what to say.  Another deep breath and he continued.

 

"Sahra decided that she didn't want to wait until I was no longer her mentor and decided to have some fun with another trainee.  End of story really.  I brought her on this trip because she needed it, but I would have left her at home if i'd known you would be here." He said with a grin.

 

Sana

[Wayfarer]

Frowning, Karli reached over for Ursana's right arm and carefully rolled up his sleeve.  It was unanticipated enough that Ursana didn't seem to think that there could be any underhand motive behind it.  It was his mistake as she grabbed a handful of the hair on his arm and proceeded to yank it.  Smirking at the yelp that got out of Ursana, Karli looked at him rather pointedly as she informed him exactly what she thought of that terrible attempt to flatter.  "You're as subtle as a club to the face, you know that don't you?  You're just incredibly lucky that I am forgiving of your clumsiness and find it a tad charming.  Just a tad, mind you."

 

Snuggling in a little closer, Karli relaxed as she let her head fall on his shoulder again.  Ursana was easily mollified, that or he was worried that she'd grab his hair and yank it again.  Something would have to be done about that girl, she hadn't known Ursana for long but she knew that for all his smoothness he could be a complete dolt with women.  He might have been entirely sophisticated with village girls, but thats about as far as it went from what Karli had ever seen.

 

Of course, it could have just been an act but part of Ursana's appeal was that it seemed rather genuine.  Well, that and he really needed taking care of, why people ever let him walk around unattended confused Karli to quite a degree.  But, that didn't matter now, something else had a far higher priority.  "But, seeing as I'm here, what do you have in mind?"

 

 

Karli

Rogue

[TaeaDawn]

Sana let out a yelp as Karli pulled the hairs on his arm.  He frowned at the pain in his arm but it was a momentary thing and it was far better to let her snuggle up than to worry about a few pulled hairs.  Besides, he had promised no other woman for the night and that had happened.  It was the least of the things that she could do and that she would still do, he had no doubt. 

 

At her words he smiled at her again.  Light, but all that time since he'd seen her in Cairhein and it still felt just as good to have her in his arms.  As much as part of him was reeling over what had happened between Sahra and Fior, part of him was already looking for a way to get past it, to be able to deal with being pushed aside for another man.  Karli was an easy way to focus on who he was, on the fact that he had never been one to stay in one place for too long, with one pair of arms for too long.

 

"What I had in mind was some drinking and some dancing and some catching up with someone I should never have lost touch with." He said, letting his fingers trail lightly across her cheek.

 

Ursana