A meeting with Destiny

[Liitha]

Sabelle walked the halls absentmindly, she had tread these halls so many times her feet knew where they where headed on their own acord. As she neared the section dedicated to the flying units she let her eyes stray the wall paintings and screens, the theme was of course that of the flying exotics. Finaly she reached the front office, she would report here and be shown through to the right office.

 

She left the letter with a secretary without a word, it was bellow her to speak directly to covale, there was several of them busteling around under the watchfull eye of a superior so'jin. Her wait wasnt loong, soon she was followed through to the hall where the offices lay and shown the office she where to enter. She watched the covale knock and then open the door upon an answer from within. Without a second look at the slave she entered and gave the proper greetings to the der'morath'raken inside. If but only her hopes where true she would be joining the masters of her craft before this day was over. She pondered wheter she should have made sure before going that the crest on her head not was to windblown, but she knew that it wasnt, her hair wasnt of the unrully type and the preparations she used in it was enough to make it fall easily in place with a brush of her hand upon landing.

 

No in truth it was but having to wait on a message this important that had her inwardly fuzzing, though she showed no signs outward as it was something she long since had learned to control, showing emotions was a weakness.

[Winter Mist]

~Ruan~

 

Calmly, Ruan waited.  Promotion to a higher rank was always a joyous occasion, particularly when due recognition was finally being awarded to someone deserving.  The reports in front of her gave glittering commendation to the young flier that was entering the room, and this was something she felt she could personally use to her advantage.  In the privacy of her chambers, Ruan had read through each achievement and nodded to herself.  The woman had enough experience at handling a Raken, and was able to follow orders well.  She had proven herself in Raken care, and her peers held her in a generally high esteem.  Her background was nondescript; a house of some note but nothing of major interest.  In short, she was perfect for Ruan’s needs.

 

She adjusted the black silk veil minutely, ensuring the folds of the delicate fabric hung gracefully with sapphires so dark they were almost black sewn in at strategic points to resemble the night sky when it caught the light.  A promotion here would most likely ensure the gratitude of this … Sabelle Bakarath, Morat’raken and give the Daughter of the Nine Moons another pawn that swore personal loyalty to her as well as the one out of duty.  Love and duty were far from the same thing.  She had loved her sister once.  Once, before she had been forced to defenestrate her.

 

A knock at the door was swiftly answered by one of Ruan’s most trusted So’jhin.   Ruan remained looking out of the window at the sky outside, watching the routine practice formations the Raken made in their daily drills.  It was impressive.  Yet another advantage the Seanchan had that would be fully utilised upon the day of the Return, and Ruan meant to use every advantage she had.  “Sabelle Bakarath,” she began, turning around to face the woman “ Morat’raken.    You have shown a remarkable devotion to your duty and your beast.  The Empire endorses that.”  Ruan took a step forward and a Da’covale placed a cup of wine into her hand.  “It has been brought to my attention, your diligence in the name of the Empress, may She live forever, and we would like to convey our gratitude.”  She paused, enigmatically.

 

 

[Liitha]

Sabelle walked in ready to pay her respect by a brief bow to someone slightly superior, or, well she didnt know what she had expected, the veiled face that she glimpsed was not what she expected. Instinct made her bow over as low as she could, and only rutine saved her buckling legs from falling on the floor. It couldnt be, was this some ploy to set her up, embarace herself from the trick of her imagination, she had only goten a brief flash view of the veil. Her eyes tilted up in their sockles, the nails confirmed it though, it was not a ploy, no one would dare that. She bit her tounge to not shiver, what had happened, had she done something wrong, or, her mind was procastinating, staying in her bow.

 

She didnt know she had done anything in her duty that was in error, had her sister been caugth, had the ravens found something else to call them on. But no she was so sure all tracks where covered, her fear went out to her beloved companion, if something happened to her what would become of him. The seconds felt like hours as she waited, but she dared not move, less she for sure would be doomed.

 

Then the words filling her head, as if spoken from a distance at great volumes, blood was pumping in her head she was sure. It was what she had hoped to hear coming here, some of it anyway. She heard the daugther of the nine moons pause, she hadnt given the promotion, but nothing else either, whatever was to be given was still unknown. Yet what could it be, and why her, why was she her, had her sister had a successfull ploy untold of that had reaped even more benefits then she had expected coming here. Or maybe, who knew, it migth be their causes had aided that of others unknowingly, she had to force her breath to stay steady.

[Winter Mist]

~Ruan~

 

Ruan watched the woman for reactions and silently praised the external calm she exuded.  Flying at such high altitude must call for great calm, but usually fliers were out of their depth on land.  Looking at her through the sheer black veil, Ruan placed the cup down on the table and picked up a piece of paper that detailed Sabelle Bakarath’s career to date.

 

“Many commendations, I see.”  The piece of paper was returned to the desktop and a second piece of paper bearing the official mark of her superior officer replaced it.  “Sabelle Bakarath, for your service to the Empress, may She live forever, you have been awarded a promotion to the rank of Der’morat’raken.”  Ruan looked at her own fingertips and the long nails that extended out, lacquered brightly with the colour of her rank.  “There is more,” she added, taking a sip of wine.

 

 

“The promotion will naturally come with larger accommodation than your previous rank, Der’morat’raken.    You will have a choice of rooms near to your Raken, and you will be the Lady of a small town on the outlying districts of Seanchan as your reward.”  She held up a slender dark hand as though to forestall any questions, even though most would dare not speak in her presence.  “These are, naturally, in addition to any estates or privileges you already hold.”

 

From a compartment in the desk drawer, Ruan Athaem Kore Paendrag, Daughter of the Nine Moons, pulled out a small pot of green lacquer and placed it on the table.  “You may also lacquer two of your fingernails now, and wear your hair as your rank dictates.”  She smiled.  Many had said that it was difficult to see her true colours when she smiled.  “I expect your immediate and personal attention should I ever call upon you to act as a scout or a messenger for me, do I make myself clear?”

 

[Liitha]

She smiled invardly, there was no estates, her sister had them all a rare deal, but one which had benefited her well. It had all gone as planed, she had earned the rank she wanted militarywise on top of the privileges of her minor blood from before, it would be a good start should she ever mother a child of her own, a good legacy to pass on.

 

She replied afirmative to the request with the aproriate adress, then waited, she could not rise to look it was forbiden for all, and nothing in the last few minuits had changed that. She had an itch on the back of her leg, but it would have to wait, she had to be dismissed before she could move unless there was any aditional orders as well.

[Winter Mist]

~Ruan~

 

“Rise, Lady Sabelle Bakarath.  Keep up your diligent approach to your duties and you may earn yourself a new name.”  She pushed the pot of green lacquer towards the woman and then stepped back, minutely adjusting her veil.  The light from the windows caught the gems sewn into the mesh and sparkled absently.  She clapped her hands once, brusquely, and a white-clad da’covale unfolded gracefully from somewhere off to the side, bowing her pale head and keeping her eyes respectfully downcast.  She withdrew a small piece of paper, a note, and gave the girl instructions to deliver it without delay.  The da’covale left.

 

“That note contains instructions to your fellow der’morat’raken to grant you absence from the new duties your rank will press on you.  I have more need of your services, so you will belong to my personal detachment.”  Ruan had a moment’s pause at the grand nature of what was going to happen, but she ignored it and pressed on.

 

“In three days time we will leave here for new shores.”  Now they were alone in the room, Ruan could speak her full instructions for her newest flier.  “Make certain your Raken is well and ready – you will be accompanying us on board one of the larger vessels.  As much as you would prefer to fly to our destination it is better if you do not know until we are underway, and this way your exotic may rest.”  Ruan pressed her fingertips together.  “I require your secrecy, your honesty and your wings, and should I ever find you play me false I will respond tenfold times in kind.”

 

“In three days time we return.”

 

 

 

[Liitha]

ooc all nobles laquer their little fingers, high nobles laquer the ring finger as well, members of the royal fingler have three painted nails, the ruler will have all 5 painted (says nothing of 4 presumable that would be the heir(s)), the color wil be indicative of their house. as such as a minor noble unless raised to the high blood, sabelle may not laquer any more nails, as she is already minor blood and cant be raised to the minor blood, also her color would be distinct for which house she came frome.

 

IC

Sabelle rose but kept her eyes lowered still.

From the corner of her eye she saw the servant withdraw with a letter, and as soon as it had left the room an explanation was given. Sabelle almost cougth her breath as she heard, a dangerous path her carier had taken, she had made sure to never seem to have strong ties anywhere. Yet this could turn out rather fruitfull if she managed herself corectly.

 

The return, so it was happening, and she would be part of it, of course she knew there had been prior test missions, but this time it was the real one. She nodded in recognition to the wiseness of leting her raken rest, he would need it as sertainly there would be plenty or recognation work when they arived. Her mind went into turmoild when she was given the timing, she would need to pass a secret message to her sister if at all posible, well it had to be, it was important her sister never thougth her betrayed, that could be only a sertaint death.

 

Already her head was runing over what needed to be packed, and which valuable extractions she would need to secure before going so she was sure not to run short on money, kaf would have to be bougth too. All this ran through her head as she gave the apropriate reply and cermonial rutines before retreating from the presence of someone like the daugther of the nine moons.Only once she stood outside the closed door to the office again, did she draw a deep breath in silence.