Negotiations (Watchers RP)

[Arette]

If an outsider looked upon the two women riding at even pace toward the village named the Black Tower, they wouldn't have been able to read any signs of agitation or nervousness from the demeanour of the Aes Sedai and the Tower Guard holding upright the peace flag. The Gray Sister had thrown behind her hood to reveal a smooth ageless face and underneath the practiced facade her stomach was on knots like every time before an important negotiation and even more so now because of who would sit behind the other side of the table.

 

Annais tried to remember everything Estel had told her of her observations and go through once again her instructions and the background information. An agent in Caemlyn had reported that there were four hundred men in the Black Tower by counting supply carts but Sirayn Simeone and the Sitters had believed that only a few of them could channel. And as a result they had sent eleven Sisters and Tower Guards there to investigate and observe. Aes Sedai were hardly the sneakiest people there were and with such a crowd it had been impossible to not spot them. Unbidden and unannounced as they had come, it was no wonder that the Asha'man had thought it was an attack although what they had thought such a small party could accomplish was beyond her. But after Dumai's Well and thousands of years of Gentling, the male channelers didn't have much love lost for the White Tower.

 

She prayed from the bottom of her heart that none of Asha'men bonded to the Aes Sedai hadn't found out of the secret orders of field Gentlings that the Sisters were to perform if they encountered mad male channelers. She wondered again how many of the Sisters had actually known of the orders when the Sitters hadn't and what on earth had Sirayn Simeone been smoking the day she had decided to go against the Amnesty the Dragon had given to the Asha'men. Estel had kept her secret but if anyone in the Black Tower knew, it would make her work even more difficult than it was already when she had to balance between being reconciliatory and maintaining the Tower's dignity.

 

Light, there were five hundred male channelers. She would be all alone there save for Mia Stavros and even Mia couldn't help her and even less the captured Sisters. They relied on her, the whole Tower relied on her and she had to suppress viciously her doubts that she just couldn't do it. The Sitters had trusted her and when twenty one powerful women agreed on something, you just had to believe it. And she had been on rough spots before. Novice excercises, they were good. She just had to concentrate on her breathing and feeling the wind on her face, being the wind in a corn field and river held by its banks.

 

They were starting to get closer to the Black Tower and she could pick out the unfinished structure of the black wall and some buildings behind it. Such grandiose plans they had. The wall ran for eight miles and would enclose four square miles of ground. Nowhere was the wall finished yet, nowhere more than twelve or fifteen feet and none of the towers and bastions had been more than begun. Estel had told her that the ground was marked off for structures the Asha'man claimed would one day dwarf the White Tower. Typical male thinking. But for now they lived in barracks and houses scattered in between where the married men and their families lived. It had sounded so very normal and Annais had to admire the love that wouldn't turn its back even when the husband turned out to be someone who was destined to go horribly mad from channeling one day.

 

There was a large gateway leading to one of the wide streets and she directed Strider toward it. She could make out two black cloaked forms, one on each side of the gate and as they neared the men, she noticed the silvery glimmer of a sword pin on their collar. It marked them Dedicated. She stopped her horse and looked down upon a sour faced older man who was chewing tabac. "I am Annais Nevell Aes Sedai of the Gray Ajah. I have come to speak with the M'Hael. Where can I find Dalinarius Traachenshield?"

 

The man blinked a few times and exchanged a look with the other guardian. Then he spat a brownish slobber to the ground. "Dalinarius ain't the M'Hael no more", the Dedicated grunted and Annais was proud of herself for managing to not let her shock show. Maybe this was the start of their strategy to get her upset but it just couldn't be true. Leaders didn't change in few days all the sudden like that.

 

"Excuse me?", she asked with an elegant arch of an eyebrow.

 

"Something wrong with yer ears, Aes Sedai? I said Dalinarius. Ain't. The. M'Hael. No more. Got it?"

 

Bloody flaming balls of the Dark One. This couldn't be happening. Dalinarius had been trained by the Tower Guards. He had been somewhat symphatetic toward the White Tower and Annais had been preparing her whole negotiation strategy based on what little she knew of him. And how she would have to face a total unknown who would likely have alot more negative attitude. If there even would be any negotiations. Dear Light, things were truly going to the Pit of Doom in a hand basket.

 

"What happened to him?", she blurted and the man looked at her with disgust. "That ain't none of yer business, wi..."

 

"Forgive Marten here", the other Dedicated chimed in giving a stern look at the other man. "He is just an unpleasent bastard. The new M'Hael Brent Enios will receive you, Annais Sedai. He has left us orders to escort you there. Marten, you will stay here and I will go."

 

Relief flooded into Annais when she heard that she would at least get to speak with the new leader. Maybe there she would find out what had become of Dalinarius. If there was some kind of an internal strife in the Black Tower, there might be some way to utilize it. Or then it could endanger the negotiations completely. Brent Enios... it sounded like an Illianer name and she looked at Mia questioningly. The woman nodded and Annais was fairly certain that it was a confirmation about his nationality. It would have been good to know more but if wishes were fishes, everyone would cast nets. She did not like entering situations entirely blindly but she had been given some time to complete the talks. Now some of it would have to be spent to get to know the other party and she prayed that the negotiations would turn out favourably.

 

"Thank you Dedicated. Please lead the way." She urged her dappled mare to follow the blackcoat and reached for her saddle bags for the small box where she held her cigars. She needed a smoke badly and in a situation like this she would allow herself one. She didn't even care if it would be percieved as a sign of weakness but she had to reach her calm again. "Young man, would you offer me fire." It wouldn't be polite to channel herself here unless she was given the permission to do so and she wasn't going to use a tinder box now.

 

The Dedicated stopped on his tracks and gave her an astonished look. A small flame appeared on top of his opened palm and Annais reached over and lighted her cigar. "Thank you", she murmured. Despite her mental preparations it was still frightening to see Saidin wielded so casually but she would have to get used to it. The first lungful of smoke was blissful and she was feeling much better and surer of herself by the time her small cigar was almost done with and they approached the house where the M'Hael resided.

 

Annais would have expected something much grander but the furniture they passed was fairly simple and seemed to have been gathered from many different places. She tried to smooth herself by noticing small details but it would have been an understatement to say that she was nervous by the time the Dedicated knocked the door of the M'Hael's office. A deep voice called them to enter and the door revealed a stocky man sitting behind a large desk. He looked like an image of a soldier and his beard that left the upper lip bare definately confirmed his origin.

 

Smiling slightly Annais inclined her head and begun the short speech she had prepared in a hurry. "Greetings M'Hael Enios and congratulations on your promotion. I am glad that you received me despite the recent changes in the Black Tower's chain of command. I am Annais Nevell of the Gray Ajah and this is Mia Stavros, the Tower Guard who delivered the earlier message. Before anything else I would like to express my sincere condolences for the losses the Black Tower suffered due to the misunderstandment caused by the party the White Tower sent. May the Light shine on their souls and the Creator shelter them on his palm." She bent her head reverently and stood silent for a moment to respect the dead.

 

"The White Tower wishes for good relations with the Asha'man as we will have to fight side by side in the near future. I hope that our negotiations will be able to return some goodwill between the White and the Black Tower."

 

Annais Nevell

Gray Sister

[Guest Estel]

For all intents and purposes, Brent was outwardly at ease.  His brilliantly polished boots were up on his desk, carefully avoiding the stacks of papers in a way that hinted that he was perhaps not as at ease as he appeared.  Hands behind his head and chair tilted back on its intricately carved hind legs.  At ease, with a Gray Sister on her way to negotiate the release of the Aes Sedai who were suddenly living or dying by his command.  His life and position were balanced as precariously on this as he was on his creaking desk chair.

 

"They're here, M'Hael Enios."

 

"Thank you.  Do be waiting outside and sending them  in."

 

"Are you sure you don't want someone..."

 

Brent ground his teeth.  He had enough people spying on him as is.  If he could keep this meeting completely under his control and release information at his discretion, he cold gain an extra edge over Linten and his cohorts, this irritating Dedicated likely being one of his gang.  "I do be more than capable of dealing with a single Aes Sedai and the Tower Guard or Warder or whatever do be less than nothing.  You do be dismissed."

 

The Dedicated saluted and kept any anger from his face as the door banged shut behind him.  Brent kept up his nonchalant facade despite the absence of anyone but him.  His mind ran in circles about what was about to unfold.  He had to make this work.  Not only was he expected to make it clear that the Black Tower would not be bullied or threatened, it was his job to ensure that those Sisters did get home safely and mostly unharmed before someone, someone with the name of Linten, did something stupid.

 

And then the door opened.  In walked a slender woman, trailed another older, armed woman.  Even had Brent not been familiar with the tell-tale ageless face of an Aes Sedai there would have been no question as to who Aes Sedai and who was Tower Guard.  For being alone in a sea of "rabid Aes Sedai-hating, power-hungry men", the women looked surprisingly calm.  But then again... so did Brent.  The newly-raised M'Hael removed his feet from the desk, sat up in his chair and returned their nods but refused to stand out of respect.  If this was to go his way, he would have to assert control from the very beginning.

 

A control and detatchment that was awfully hard to maintain when one's former babysitter was named as the Tower Guard accompanying the Gray Sister.  It took a great deal of self-discipline not to choke on his greeting and he couldn't help his refusal to meet Mia's gaze.  Mia Stavros?  Here?  But... But...

 

"Welcome to the Black Tower.  I do be the new M'Hael Brent Enios."  Brent refrained from making any mention of Dalinar for fear that she may pick up on his own insecurity in this new office.  Siezing saidin, flows of Air brought over a tray with a decanter of wine and three glasses.  He used the Power to pour right in front of her, not only to attempt to intimidate, but also to wordlessly assure her that nothing had been added to the wine.  Sipping the glass first to prove it, Brent nodded to her.  "I did be taught that Aes Sedai do no be capable of lies.  "Misunderstanding"?  A pretty way to be saying "disaster".  Your condolences do be appreciated, but they do no be bringing back my brother that did be giving their lives on that field, nor do it be bringing back your Sisters.  If you do be speaking of goodwill, I do be suggesting that you be explaining just what those sister be doing here in the first place."

[Arette]

The M'Hael had certainly seemed relaxed when Annais and Mia arrived with his boots on the table and all. It could have been all act of course but what you displayed outwards sent important messages. She noted that he did not stand and it gave her some inkling on what kind of negotiation strategy he would have. The same than most men, especially when they were between a rock and a hard place like this new M'Hael likely was between all kind of demands. She really would have to find out more of what was going on in the Black Tower. Maybe she would be allowed to speak with her Sisters. Enios' response on Mia's name was most interesting even though he tried to hide it well and Annais looked at her companion with wonderment. She was gazing intently upon the M'Hael. This was another thing she had no control and knowledge of and it irritated her. But she would find out soon enough.

 

"Thank you for your welcome." She forced herself to relax at the display of Saidin in front of her and accepted the glass with a hand she forced to steadiness. She sipped politely to show that she wasn't afraid and accepted the friendly gesture but since the wine was best quality, she drank some more with a pleased smile. "Disaster would be one way to put it but misunderstanding is very desricptive as both sides interpreted each others' intentions wrongly", Annais said mildly. "And condolences cannot bring back the dead but they are a good starting point."

 

She was certain that the Sisters had explained time and again why they had been sent here but it was a reasonable request. "The party was sent here to observe and gather information." A completely idiotic plan to start with as Aes Sedai were not sneakers, especially not with such a large party, and they were strategically far too valuable to be risked on foolish missions like this. Why the Green Sitters had not torpedoed the plan in the Hall was beyond her, they should have known better. But then maybe they were outnumbered by clueless Sitters who had no idea of how intelligence missions worked. "The Sisters should have informed the Black Tower of their arrival beforehand and with your consent the knowledge they seeked would have surely been gotten much better. But the White Tower is not... accustomed to asking for permissions. The world is changing however and the White Tower needs to adjust to that. The Black Tower and the relations with the Asha'man is definately one of those things."

 

Mia nudged Annais and she turned to look at the woman with a slight annoyed frown. This would better be important. The Tower Guard worded 'Illian' and 'where is he from' and because of the strange behaviour of them both when it came to each others, Annais decided to take up the gamble. "If I may ask you to humour me, M'Hael Enios, could you please tell me whereabouts from Illian are you?

 

Annais Nevell

Gray Sister

[Guest Estel]

An intelligence mission?  Brent was shocked at the stupidity.  Had they thought the Asha'man so blind as to not notice a group of Aes Sedai poking around?  It was ridiculous!  The low opinion of the Black Tower's intelligence, or perhaps sanity, irked him and threatened to turn his cool demeanor into a glaring contest.  However, such things as insults and uncomfortably staring former babysitters, had to be set aside and ignored in light of such weighty things as negotiations which had the potential of changing history.

 

"Should have, but did no.  The White Tower do be righteously furious over the capture and Bonding of their Sisters, but the Black Tower do be equally angry with the deaths of our brothers and invasion of our home."  Brent took another drink of wine, searching for the right words but luckily Annais cut him off.  The question of his homeland cut him off guard and the Illianer glanced at his countrywoman, struggling to hide his unease.

 

"My father did be owning a merchant ship and so I did be spending a great deal of my childhood on the docks and in the Perfumed Quarters."  Brent stubbornly refused to look at Mia.

[Wayfarer]

It was shock that Mia felt as she heard that Dalinarius was no longer the M`hael.  He had been yesterday, yet now he wasn't?   What had happened?  She wanted to ask Dedicated Marten, seeing as he proved a touch friendlier than the other boor that had presumed to speak so rudely to Annais.  Just like some of the idiots when they had a sword put in their hand, with their swagger and airs, except the swords these men had weren't just of steel.  She knew what had happened at Dumai Wells, she'd seen what a single male channeler could do when the Dreadlord known as Caladesh had stormed the White Tower and killed many, including the Keeper of Chronicles.

 

But, they were brought to the Black Tower's grounds and shown to the M`hael nevertheless.  Mia was surprised that she was allowed to keep the sword at her side, but then, they perhaps didn't think much of a single bladewoman, more fool them if things turned sour.  She might not get them out, but she'd buy Annais enough time to flee if she could.  If things came to it.  It all really depended on who this Brent Enios was, an Illianer from the name.  Neither of the names were uncommon in Illianer, in particular together, she'd known a few through her time.  It would be interesting to see what this one was like.

 

Her features neutral as she followed Annais into the office of the M`hael, it looked little different from when she had been there the day before save for the occupant.  He was unfamiliar to her.  In fact, she was sure that she hadn't seen him before at all.  He both looked and sounded Illianer, though she was surprised that he didn't look at her when she was introduced.  Not so much surprising in itself, but the fact that as they sat down and the conversation continued, he refused to look at her at all.  Did he know her?  Perhaps he knew of her?  The fact that he was Illianer caused her to prompt Annais to ask the M`hael.

 

The answer was...

 

Standing as she looked at Brent, who was still refusing to look at her, she walked around the table and took his left arm.  Finding no resistance, she unbuttoned the wrist cuff and rolled the sleeve up until she found a very prominent birthmark on the inside of his elbow.  Looking up in wonderment from his birthmark to his face, Mia couldn't believe it.  It just simply could not be.  Reaching over cupping his face as she gently pulled it towards her, she couldn't believe it at all.  Of all the things that she could have expected to find of the new M`hael, this was not it.

 

"Brennie..."  She almost whispered it as she reached out with her other hand and ran it through his hair.  He'd grown up, so different from the five year old that she had left being in Illian with the rest of her family.  She'd always gotten news of him as he had been growing up from home, and she'd always remembered him with fondness.  At least he was now looking at her, though she couldn't tell what lay behind his eyes with her own emotions clouding her.  "I no do be seeing you for years, to be looking at you now...  I no be seeing you si-"

 

Then a certain memory returned to her.  "When you did be shaving my eyebrows!"  Pulling her hands away like they'd caught on fire, she quite solidly punched him in the arm, and she hoped it went dead on him as it occured to her that he could have seen her yesterday.  "I did be spending five years raising you with my family and when I do be here yesterday and everyone in the whole place" Mia waved her hands expansively "do be knowing and you do no be even able to come to me and be saying hi?!  After you just do be up and disappearing with no trace for years?!"  Raising her right hand, she wagged her index finger at him furiously.  "You do be better having a good excuse or so help me you do be in trouble Brent Enios!"

 

In hindsight, it might have seemed the most inappropriate place for such a discussion, but right now all she could see was the child that she'd helped take care of for years and he hadn't even deigned to greet her and had been ignoring her!  The fact that he was the M`hael of the Black Tower was somewhat lost on her in the heat of the moment.

 

 

Mia Stavros

Tower Guard

[Guest Estel]

This time, Brent couldn't hide his wince.  Mia knew now and as if his old nickname had some power, he was suddenly transported back to the age of five.  Well, at least when he was five he wasn't expected to negotiate with Aes Sedai.  Absently the Illianer wondered what life would have been like as an eternal youth.  Its funny that as a boy one dreams of being a man, while as a man one dreams of being a boy again.

 

Reflex seized saidin as she started towards him, but he smashed the instinct to back away.  Mia was his former babysitter, he could trust her- right?  The Tower Guard grabbed his arm and undid the cuff while Brent exchanged a sheepish glance with the Gray Sister before turning back to Mia who was reminiscing over his childhood.  And then, out of nowhere, blinding pain took his arm.  Grunting, he struggled to fight back tears of pain while clutching his arm that, save for a constant throb, was otherwise paralysed.  The M'Hael of the Black Tower cowered while his former babysitter upbraided him.  Brent nearly stuck his thumb in his mouth for comfort before he realised what he was doing.  Some habits die hard.

 

"The situation did be too complicated for me to be welcoming you or even be seeing you.  It do no be good to have it be known that the possible next leader of the Black Tower do be having a connection with a Tower Guard.  It did be awkward enough explaining my relationship with Con when I did be in Illian.  Especially in Light of recent events, it did no seem prudent to be acknowledging you."

[Arette]

It was clear that Brent's opinion of the cleverness of the cream of the cream of the Tower, the Hall of Sitters, was even lower than Annais' from the way he glared at her. She returned the gaze unwaveringly. Some things just couldn't be dressed prettily no matter what kind of diplomatical babbling she tried to do. "Intrusion to your home, if I may correct you, M'Hael Enios. Not invasion. The party was not here with hostile intentions."

 

She was about to comment how the losses of the White Tower had been greater as they had lost all the Tower Guards sent and essentially four Sisters as Muirenn had been Stilled, a thought that chilled her. Also the forcible Bonds were an utter violation and she was going to make it clear. She was about to open her mouth when Brent replied her question about his origin which drew an unexpected reaction from Mia.

 

Annais could just watch Mia walk to the man and bare his arm and then strike it quite forcibly. Shaved eyebrows, eh? The M'Hael had been a rascal in his youth it seemed and cogs were running on her head as she thought on how to best utilize the unexpected connection between the two Illianers. Mia seemed to definately have some hold over the man from the looks of him but hitting him was too much. Hmm, and he didn't want to have it known that he had a connection to a Tower Guard. A possible leverage beside the effect Mia had on him. And Con Stavros in Illian, the Con. They have received reports of a man named that finding a militia in the Perfumed Quarters but the name was not exactly uncommon among the family. So they had not been certain even though it was more than likely as common fishers didn't have qualifications to become leaders of their own guard.

 

But it was time to get back to business. She just now had the choice of setting the future tone of the discussions and Mia had done her a favour by broadening her opportunities. "I am always touched by old friends meeting after years apart but if you can keep your excitement at bay for a tad longer, we have negotiations of some importance going on here", Annais spoke on a voice laced with amusement. "If you later feel like you might want a third person present when you sort this out, my professional services as a certified Gray Sister are at your disposal, Brennie and Mimi. Oh and since we seem to be on nick name basis now, why don't you call me Annie. Annie and Brennie, why they even rhyme. Surely it is a good omen for the talks."

 

"Say what, do you have something stronger than water here, Brennie? I think that we all could use a drink now."

 

Annais Nevell

Gray Sister

[Guest Estel]

Well, at least it appeared this Gray Sister had a sense of humour.  Brent briefly wondered how much of it was an act to put him off guard but the lightened atmosphere was a welcome alternative to the stiff tension from before.  Besides, five year-olds did poorly in tense situations.

 

Reaching towards the bottom drawer of his desk, the M'Hael blushed, hiding his face from the pair of women.  Light blind him, Mia!  If the Aes Sedai hadn't seemed so surprised to find him here instead of Dalinar, he might have wondered if it had been set up.  Instead, it seemed the Wheel conspired to dampen the hostility between the two parties.  As for the bottom drawer, the very first thing to have been moved to this desk was a bottle of stiff brandy which was currently sitting open in the bottom drawer.  Pulling it out, Brent didn't bother with the show of using saidin to cow Annais, instead getting to his feet and getting more glasses from the nearby beaureau.

 

"Not too strong, I do be hoping, Annie." he chuckled, marvelling that he found himself calling an Aes Sedai by a nickname while he was supposed to be negotiating with the woman.  "And since you do know where Mimi," Brent snorted "and I do be from, it only be fair to be giving your own place of birth."  The Illianer, happily poured himself a full glass of the brandy.  The meeting may have turned more informal, but the extreme strangeness of the situation was likely to lend him a greater thirst than had Annias and he come to a screaming contest.

[Arette]

Eyeing appreciatively the bottle that Brent fished from the interiors of his desk, Annais waited for him to pour the liquid to three glasses. This time he didn't use Saidin to float them but acted like a gentleman and handed the glasses in person. Their hands touched briefly and Annais smiled at the M'Hael in thanks. His slight jab made her chuckle and she tossed her head arrogantly. "I was drinking robust men under the table before you were born, Brennie." She rolled the brandy on her glass and inhaled deeply the slightly oaky scent. It was stronger than the one she usually consumed but she wasn't too worried. With a well practiced move she tossed the drink down her throat. It left a wonderful trail of fire and Brent's question cheered her up even more. She could almost forget for a moment that they were on the opposite sides of negotiations and that tough talks would be ahead. Bonding with opponent was important and they had got a pretty fine start.

 

"I don't actually know where I was born at, my father and his men were moving sort out of necessity. They were bandits", she confessed with a proud grin. "You might have heard songs and stories of the Crimson Carnelion."

 

"But if we get back on the earlier topic, we have established that the Tower sent here Sisters based on a plan that wasn't maybe entirely well thought out." An understatement. "You got scared and decided that attack was the best defense and then Bonded our Sisters. And now you are very very mad" Light, no pun intended "because of the instrusion and the loss of your brothers. But the White Tower lost Sisters and Tower Guards too and our casualties were greater."

 

"I don't know if you are aware of what the Aes Sedai compare Bonding a Warder forcibly to: a rape. Only in this case it won't end until the person at control decides so. And what is done to your mind is much more intimate and violating than anything that can be done to your body." She faced Brent seemingly calmly even though the idea of being at the other end of such Bond creeped Annais out completely.

 

"Both sides suffered losses due to the misunderstanding. Yes, we trespassed your grounds without permission but you trespassed the minds of our Sisters by forcibly Bonding them, a much graver thing than simple breach of borders. For the sake of the goodwill between the Towers, the White Tower asks you to release our Sisters from their Bonds and return them to us."

 

Annais Nevell

Gray Sister

[Arette]

As Annais accepted the glass and brandy, Brent began to realise why the White Towr had sent her to handle this.  She was incredibly disarming.  He had come to the table prepared to bully and threaten his way through the negotiations but instead found himself laughing and drinking.  Not to mention he hadn't expected to be discussing his childhood, former babysitter or no.  Annais could have simply reigned Mia in and instead let the Tower Guard reminisce.  It would be most difficult to push his own plans and demands forward while she sat there smiling and cracking jokes.

 

When the Gray Sister immediately swigged back the glass, the M'Hael couldn't help the reflexive raising of his eyebrows.  "You do be needing to be careful Annie.  Drinking robust men under the table or no, too much and these negotiations be becoming uncontrollable."  The mental image of this Aes Sedai drunk left Brent chuckling into the dregs of his own glass.  Unbidden, other thoughts surfaced which heated the Illianer's cheeks.  Hastily pouring himself another glass of brandy, he was almost relieved when the conversation turned back to the negotiations.  Disarming indeed.

 

"Can you be blaming the reaction of the patrol though?  One moment they do be riding along peacefully and the next they do be having Aes Sedai on their hands with a Red in the lead?  What conclusion did you be expecting us to reach?  You can no be saying we did be overreacting when the last time we did be seeing each other was at Dumai's Wells and let us no be getting into that fiasco.  We did both be losing sisters and brothers.  Let us no be turning this into tit for tat; "I did be losing more sisters than you did be losing brothers".

 

"In the case of the Bonding, I did not be the one to sanction it.  However, I think you do be agreeing that Bonding do be a better alternative to killing?  The Black Tower do no have the facilities available that the White Tower do have access to and so how else should we be expected to be controlling our captives?  In the heat of the battle, Bonding did be seeming the best plan."

 

Brent Enios

M'Hael

[Arette]

Bren't warning made Annais grin. "I could say the same to you. I am certain that you would be gentleman enough to not take an advantage of me in such a situation but maybe I wouldn't be as cavalier back." She stiffled her smile when he blushed. You would have thought that he didn't have much experience in bantering with women even though he engaged the game with ease. Most charming. But as fun as it was, she had work to do. Occasionally she could reward herself in such way... and use it to try and throw him off balance.

 

No, she couldn't really blame the patrol. Any Sisters who would have caught Asha'men snooping around Tower grounds would have likely sounded the alarm too and tried to capture them. But then it wasn't that difficult to slip in in disguise as the Tower received visitors and petitioners almost daily and Tar Valon was a metropolitan city. And yes, it was best to leave Dumai's Well unmentioned. What in the Light's name had the Sitters been thinking that time too? Kidnapping the Dragon Reborn had to be the worst idea ever. The 'we lost more' card wasn't very reliable as he could always resort to reply 'you shouldn't have been here in the first place' or 'you shouldn't have come unannounced'. Which were both very true. She cursed the Hall's idiocy again as her hand wasn't very strong to start with thanks to their bad calls.

 

Oh yes, it was easy to hide behind your precedessor's decisions but she wasn't going to let him evade the responsibility of the situation now. "Bonding may be preferable to killing but much better would be to simply be Shielded and held a prisoner. That way you would have kept the Sisters also from gaining inside information about the Black Tower. You have resources enough that you could have done it. With five hundred channelers even if many of them would be still learning you could easily spare few Asha'man to guard each Sister and the others could do their normal thing."

 

"In the heat of battle the Bonding may have seemed like a good plan but afterwards it is a very bad option and the Bonding can be reversed as easily as it was made. What is your long term plan with those Sisters? Surely you didn't think you could just keep them and make use of them. They may be Compelled, forced to obey but I wouldn't turn my back to such 'allies'. They could work as a leverage but if you are not very careful, they become more hinderance than any use. Certainly they do nothing to improve the relationships with the White Tower. Stick never works very well when dealing with anyone, especially Aes Sedai."

 

"And let us speak of your precedessor. What exactly happened to Dalinarius Traachenshield?"

 

Annais Nevell

Gray Sister

[Arette]

"Numbers aren't the Black Tower's problem.  Resources and funds are.  The White Tower had had three thousand years to establish itself; incomes, facilities, things that the Black Tower, being a matter of years old, is sadly lacking.  The Dragon Reborn can only allow us so much funding and simply keeping up with the numbers we have and the facilities we have is taxing our limited coffers.  Where do you suggest we keep some half-dozen Aes Sedai?  In a barracks?  Where each can plot and scheme against us cramped in small quarters?  Not exactly my ideal form of detainment."

 

"As to the releasing of the Bonds, put yourself in our shoes.  You suddenly have a half-dozen very angry Asha'man one your hands, complete with arrogance, tempers and the best-educated minds in the world.  Would you dare show doubt and weakness that can be exploited by your captives?  Or would your pride force you to stick to the course whether or not it is the best?" The day Brent heard an Aes Sedai apologise or admit she had been wrong was the day he seriously began to doubt his sanity.

 

The M'Hael snorted as Annais went ahead and proved Aes Sedai arrogance.  "Whatever you may say, Aes Sedai, as long as the Black Tower holds your Sisters, we hold the upper hand.  We can still kill them at our convenience and Compulsion can make a person do the worst things." Not entirely hollow threats.  One of the Aes Sedai had already escaped under suspicious circumstances that ended with a Severed Asha'man missing a hand and a very disgruntled Attack Leader whose sanity had been called into question a year back already.  Not to mention the rumours of what Linten was doing with his "playthings".  "We hold the bargaining chip and yet you act as if you can ultimately walk away with it without paying the price."

 

Brent winced as the topic of Daliar was brought up.  That was certain to put things on edge.  The succession process wasn't entirely clean and tidy and neither was the deposing process.  There was no way on earth he was about to admit to the political undercurrents in the Black Tower when she could so easily use them to her own means.  And so, he used the best tactic there was for such questions: he ingored it.

 

Brent Enios

M'Hael

[Arette]

Aha, Brent just revealed something that the White Tower could offer. Of course the Sitters had seemed to think that the Tower wouldn't have to give anything and compromise but it should have been obvious that the Black Tower wouldn't just comply and be all apologetic when Annais shook her finger at them. Likely they would have to pay Queen's ransom for every Sister but money was just money and more could be obtained with time. Sitters would likely scold her for not negotiating better but as long as she brought the Sisters back, she would consider it a success. As long as the Tower wouldn't have to cut the yearly allowances of the Sisters, she doubted that there would be any serious repercussions. She remembered that Arette had tried to push for that as a Keeper and everyone had opposed it. No one wanted to give up their luxurious life style even though they could have gotten along with much less. Bah.

 

"If your resources are strained, maybe you could consider trading the Sisters to pure money or sources of income. Ransoming hostages is quite common practice after all. And as you pointed out, the White Tower has had three thousand years of experience on how to accumulate wealth. We could help you establish a plan on how to secure your finances in the future." And of course that would allow the Aes Sedai to have intimate knowledge on what Black Tower based their sources on which made it simple to the Tower to keep an eye on them.

 

"And the Sisters could hardly plot and scheme when Shielded and guarded constantly by Asha'man. If the tables were turned that would be the position our prisoners would be in." She was certain that the Sisters weren't allowed to meet each others but likely the blackcoats had Compelled them to try not to harm their Bondholders and the Black Tower in general in any way. But still ways could be found around it and if she was allowed to speak with the captives, she could get valuable insight on the internal workings of the Asha'man.

 

She openly shook her head at Brent's description of Asha'man. "I have never had a Warder myself, Brennie, but I have spoken with Sisters and Warders. It is very difficult to keep anything from your Bonded one so any doubt and weakness your Asha'man who are Bonded feel is felt by the Aes Sedai at the other end of the leash. And leash it is indeed, not much different than the a'dam Seanchan use to keep their damane in control. Your interest in how you appear to the outside rather than doing the right thing, or indeed the wisest thing is mirroring that of the White Tower." Or maybe it was a male thing. Annais had yet to meet a man who admitted easily that they had made a mistake and corrected their path accordingly. Such stupid stubborness.

 

"You accuse us of arrogance but in just few years it seems to me that you have been able to copy our worst mannerisms that it has taken us three thousand years to develop and you have truly made them your own. That is pot calling kettle black at its best. And be careful what you threaten us with, Brennie. Have you ever heard what happened in Shadar Logoth? They decided to start fighting the Shadow by using its own methods and eventually perished, consumed by an entirely new evil. If we forget what is decent and good and start adopting methods like Compulsion from the enemy then we are not really that much different."

 

She noticed Brent's silence about the matter of Dalinar and decided to not press it quite yet. She would observe and gather information and when she knew more, the would lift the cat on the table. For all she knew, the show at the gate could show the division lines in the Black Tower, Marten and the polite Dedicated on the other sides. But which side Brent belonged to then? Certainly Dalinarius had had some symphaties for the White Tower but he could have changed. He had ordered the Bondings after all.

 

"Some small concessions may have to be made and I have already offered you the possibility of a monetary compensation. But these negotiations are not a single event, they are key to our future dealings. Use the stick too hard and the stick will be broken or decided to be ignored and then you have nothing except severed relations and the displeasure of the Dragon Reborn." She eyed the M'Hael steadily. It would be painful but the White Tower could choose to simply leave the Sisters there. To secure that Black Tower got no information from them other unfortunate measures would have to be taken. That would definately go against all morals but if things got desperate.... But they wouldn't, not even though there was one Sitter captured, her dear Mae. "The Last Battle is coming and the Light needs all the nations and channelers united under one banner. No one wants to endanger that goal."

 

Annais Nevell

Gray Sister

[Arette]

"I do no need to be reminded of our impending doom.  And I do have no wish to be completely isolating the Black Tower from the White, however, I will no be standing around and letting Asha'man bullied around like underfoot little brothers."  Brent crossed his arms and furrowed his eyebrows, the image of inflexibility.  One moment friendly laughter and the next she was chastising him like... well... a five year-old.  Chagrined, he glanced over at Mia who appeared to be watching the talks with avid interest.

 

Monetary compensation?  Did she think the White Tower could buy their Sisters back?  Despite her talk of hostages, there was far more at stake here than ransom money and financial gain.  For the first time since the Breaking, male channellers stood on equal footing with Aes Sedai- or at least had the potential to equalise the gap.  The White Tower's backing won kings' crowns, it could shatter the public misconceptions about male channellers if they could just get them to admit that Asha'man were not, in fact, monsters.  And if the Towers stood united and equal...  The return of the Age of Legends, just in time for Tarmon Gai'don!

 

"You can no be simply buying your sisters back.  We do no be common thieves that do be kidnapping at will for profit.  Your Aes Sedai did be invading our territory and the first thing I would like to be seeing is a formal apology.  The White Tower must be admitting that they did be wrong for coming to the Black Tower unannounced as if they did be having every right in the world to be doing so.  If you do be wanting us to be respecting the minds of your Sisters, you do be having to respect the Black Tower's lands."

 

"I do be wanting a union between our Towers as much as you.  It would indeed be benefitting the Black Tower more than the White but for any alliance to be working, we must be standing on equal ground.  Aes Sedai supremacy is over and it do be time for you to share your priviledges as they did be in the Age of Legends."

 

Brent Enios

M'Hael

[Arette]

Annais wanted badly to comment Brent's implacable announcement about Asha'man not being bullied little brothers but it was best to keep her silence as much as possible. And likely telling him that the White Tower was not a misbehaving wench who could be bent over a knee wasn't such a great idea, she thought with an internal smile. Placidity was plastered on face and she listened patiently as the M'Hael rambled on.

 

Yes, it would have been far too easy to just give the Asha'man money and be done with it. The demand for formal apology alerted her. Light, she had dreaded this. The Tower did not apologize, at least not formally and officially. The Sitters had never told her that she couldn't do it as they assumed that she knew it at heart. But the Black Tower did have a right to demand it and it would be necessary to forward the negotiations. Such small words but they conceded alot of the Tower's position and dignity.

 

"Golly goodness, the whole world isn't our playing ground anymore? That kind of realization would put alot of Sisters on a tantrum. I mean, if we did that kind of things of course. Now, what kind of an apology did you have in mind?"

 

"Still, can you look me in the eye and say that none of your men have ever been to Tar Valon or even the Tower Grounds itself and snooped around a bit? I'm sure that you have taken off your fancy black coats and been very sneaky but you have done the same too. You just didn't do it en masse and be silly enough to get caught. It is reasonable that we shouldn't come and do unexpected visits but it should work vice versa too. I'm certain that we could come to an agreement of where the inviolatible borders of the Towers go."

 

"And I would be careful to use word union, Brennie. Concordance and alliance are definately desireable but union has a bit too strong connotations. And what you mean by priviledges and sharing them? The Age of Legends was certainly an ideal and it would be good to work toward a world where things are like they were then. But in this Age there is one unfortunate reason why there are no male Aes Sedai... It doesn't really pertain to these particular negotiations, but for a longer term alliance the White Tower should know how you are dealing with this issue."

 

Annais Nevell

Gray Sister

[Arette]

The Gray Sister recieved both sneer and snort for her saracsm that the "world was not the Aes Sedai's playing ground."  Despite her sense of humour and informality... and charm, Brent admitted guiltily, she had as much of the usual Aes Sedai arrogance as any of the other Sisters.  This was not saying that Brent thought his ego any smaller, which he did, but she seemed to think him the more arrogant of the pair.  The M'Hael couldn't help but chuckle.  Surely he wasn't that narcissistic.

 

In all honesty, Brent had never actually heard of any intelligence missions into Tar Valon or the Tower itself.  No doubt Dalinar had some Eyes and Ears there from his time as a Warder, but by that same position, he kept a certain amount of respect for the White Tower.  That respect had led to his downfall, the Illianer wondered how these negotiations would be going if it were his predecessor at this desk instead.  Would the man have rolled over like an obedient dog and let the Aes Sedai run roughshod over the Farm?  That was the impression Linten and he had sent out when they had begun plotting this immediately following the Watchers fiasco.  In fact, it was one of the determining factors in the deposing of Dalinar.

 

"You do no be addressing the option I do be presenting.  The Black Tower do be asking for a formal apology from the White Tower for invading our territory.  We do both be wanting an alliance, perhaps union do be too strong but do it be too much to hope that one day we do be able to return to an Age of Legends-like state?  You do no be needing to be reminding me about what faces each man here every day.  There do no be male Aes Sedai any more, but there do be Asha'man, who do be no different except that they do no be recognised as equals by the female Aes Sedai.  We do no be asking much, Annie, just equality.  There do be no way that an alliance be working if the Aes Sedai do be continuing to be treating us as a lower class of being.  And I do no see our talks going any further until the White Tower be be admitting that they were wrong to be invading the Farm."

 

Brent Enios

M'Hael

[Arette]

Brent's words almost made Annais sigh in frustration. Hadn't he been listening to her at all? Or then he had just heard what he had wanted to hear. He seemed quite fixed on the topic of Age of Legends and the male Aes Sedai. She could understand why but it was a dangerous one. It certainly was at the root of everything as the White Tower didn't see the Black Tower as a formidable power that needed special handling. No, instead the Sitters expected that the world still was like it had always been and things went as they planned. In the old days Aes Sedai could have been sent to any nation without any notification but the Black Tower wasn't just any country and the Dragon Reborn certainly forced the Sisters to watch carefully how stepped in the countries sworn to him.

 

The biggest problem was that she didn't have the authority to deal with the issue. The Amyrlin with the Hall's council decided on the external politics of the White Tower, not a single ambassador. So somehow Annais would have to get the Sisters back without them getting too deeply embroiled into the issue. "I was addressing the option you presented. I asked you a question about it which you did not acknowledge. So I shall ask again. What kind of an apology did you have in mind? How would it be delivered?"

 

"And no, it is not too much to hope that Age of Legends could be reached again. I just fear that that one day may be quite far away. The largest obstacle is attitudes of both the Aes Sedai and the people of the world and change resistance. Attitudes gathered over three thousand years do not change with a snap of a fingers. Not even when the Dragon Reborn and his Pattern shifting ta'veren powers are doing the snapping. It takes time and patient management to change something that fundamental. Sadly we don't have the luxury of time but press too hard and the biases spring up dozen-fold stronger." It was difficult to speak calmly as the topic was so frustrating. No matter how symphatetic she was personally, she had to represent the Tower and make him understand what majority of the Sisters felt like.

 

"What you ask may seem to you like a small thing but you can't really expect anyone to happily give away three thousand years of priviledge and power just like that. Especially when the party you should share them with is someone you have tried to protect the world from until just few years back. The Tower has kept the Dragon's Amnesty but how most Aes Sedai percieve the male channelers is still the same. But honestly, most Sisters have never met a male channeler - for example I hadn't until now. And if they have, it has usually been a poor wretch already badly taken by the Taint. One way to help the White Tower to see you as people and not as menacing boogie men would be to actually have peaceful interactions. And to assure the White Tower that the Taint is not an issue."

 

"You do have some way of dealing with it, yes? More accurate information instead of having to rely on rumours and wild guesses inspired by fears is usually a good way to assuage worries. Could you be kind enough to shed some light into this matter."

 

Annais Nevell

Gray Sister

[Arette]

Brent failed to hide his blush.  How had he missed her question?  'Bloody fool, you do be distracted by quarrels you no be likely to be resolving in your lifetime and really, do it be be so long since you be around women that your wits do be running away with your tongue?  She be Aes Sedai, you do no be her type.'  "Fortune prick me, I do be sorry Annie, I uh... did be missing your question.  I do be wanting the apology presented by a representative of the White Tower in front of the entire gathered congregation of Asha'man and Aes Sedai already here.  The Asha'man do be wanting some explanation for the entire fiasco and probably their hate do be subsiding somewhat if the White Tower do be accepting part of the blame for the deaths of their brothers."

 

"I do be well aware that the people's opinion of us do no be changing anytime soon.  I do be going to towns and cities with the recruitment parties sometimes and I do be feeling their glares and hatred for my kind even if my kind had never before affected them except in their childhood stories." The M'Hael sighed and rubbed his temples.  It was a shame really, every man with this unwanted power for the past three thousand years had had to deal with becoming an instant outcast and scapegoat- and that was if he was lucky.  The tales of what villages had done to young men before they sought the safety of the Black Tower were heartbreaking; families excommunicating sons; wives taking children from their fathers, never to be seen again and even mobs massacring defenceless families for the sin of bearing a "monster" into the world.  Brent was a little biased, but he couldn't understand why nobody could see that "his kind" wanted this no more, and usually less, than everyone else.

 

He was almost surprised when she dared bring up the topic of the Taint.  For the most part, people stepped lightly or altogether avoided the topic to their faces while whispering behind their backs.  Brent found himself almost admiring her courage and bluntness.  "The Taint do always be a concern.  Each of us do be watching each other, and be dreading tell-tale symptoms.  Any suspicions do be reported immediately to the M'Hael," Light, he was thankful he hadn't had to deal with anything of that nature yet "who do be determining whether or not the man do be mad.  If yes, a poison be added to his evening drink and he do be going to bed and never be waking up."  The Illianer hastily poured himself another glass of brandy, keeping his face downturned to hide obvious pain.  He could remember, clear as glass, when his mentor as a Soldier began acting out-of-sorts.  One day, Pater began prattling about Lews Therin and by the next morning, the man was found lifeless in his bed.  Unfortunately, it was a fact of life for every man in the close-knit, well... maybe not quite, Farm.

 

Brent Enios

M'Hael

[Arette]

It was touching how clearly chagrined Brent was and there was just something about blushing men that appealed to Annais. The smile on her lips waned a bit and almost turned into a cringe when Brent told quite expectedly that he wanted the apology to be public. Light, it would be truly horrible because there really was no way to present the events in a way that was merciful toward the White Tower unless she used such flowery tongue that no one understood anything. And that would defeat the whole purpose of the apology. She should be just greatful if she didn't get thrown with objects but surely the Asha'man required better discipline from their own. "I see. That isn't so very unreasonable request. How soon could you arrange such a congregation? I would like some time to word it just right. Rhetorics may seem frivolous but they leave quite lasting effects to people's minds."

 

She could just stand there and listen symphatetically as Brent described what the Asha'man faced when they went among the people to gather more followers. What they did sounded quite efficient and not much different than the novice gathering parties the Tower sometimes sent out. There were dangers for channelers of both genders if they were not found and better the male channelers in the Black Tower under some surveillance than possibly going mad in some random village. Maybe the White Tower could help changing some of the attitudes and make recruitment for them easier. However, many Sitters would resent such an idea as it would make the Black Tower even stronger and more powerful in the long run. Light, they already had half the numbers the White Tower did. But they needed every help against the Shadow and surely the Sitters couldn't be that short-sighted.

 

Having to be constantly on your guard and watchful around your fellows had to difficult. It would make anyone paranoid. It was a heavy burden for a one man to make decisions over the life and death of the Asha'man and from Brent's crest-fallen reaction, Annais gauged that maybe he had already had to make such a call. Or then he had lost someone close or just greatly dreaded it. Poisoning was a murder but it was kindness also and she doubted that the Asha'man had ever even considered simply removing Saidin from the poor men. The madness and effects of the Taint would still remain after all. Annais pretended to go for another fill even though she certainly craved for a drink after such topics. It was also an excuse to get close to him as she took the bottle off his hands. Touch, even as brief and impersonal as passing a bottle could be helpful and they had only just met so she wouldn't dare to go for anything further for solace. She gulped down her drink in silence.

 

"The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills and some of what it forces upon us is bloody unfair. Have you ever made any plans for a more permanent solution on how to Heal the Taint?" The White Tower had tried that by studying the captured male channelers before the Dragon's Amnesty had been given but Annais doubted that the Tower's well intentioned plan would get much thanks from Brent. It hadn't really produced much either, except for a rift between the Ajahs thanks to the way the Law had been passed by Karana Majin and because of the Iussi Dyfelle debacle. And to think that they had even had held Caladesh for a day before his mysterious escape. If only he had been dealt with immediately and Lyanna wouldn't be dead and Lanfir hadn't Burnt herself out. Not a very delightful topic indeed.

 

Annais Nevell

Gray Sister

[Arette]

Despite the strange company, after talking about the prejudice and fear towards the Black Tower and what it stood for, the brief graze of her hand against his without flinching was more welcome than he dared admit to himself.  How long had it been since anyone except his brothers had dared talk to him this; informal, amiably, as if his black coat didn't define him?  Light... too bloody long if a little understanding and a brief touch could affect him so strongly.  Absently he wondered whether some of his brothers' habits of taking off the coat and going to Caemlyn might not be such a bad idea.

 

"I do no think the Black Tower do ever be daring to be getting their hopes up that there actually be a cure for the doom that do be hanging over us.  It do already be too much to be hoping that we do be seeing the Last Battle and actually be accomplishing something that we do be proud of before we be wasting away slowly.  Hope do be a fragile and dangerous thing to a dying man and so you do be finding yourself hoping for the small things because you do no be daring to  be dreaming of anything bigger.  So no, we do no have any plan to Heal the Taint."  Brent winced when he realised just how much he had said, babbling on like some old lady with only her cats to talk to.  He chuckled.  "I do be apologizing for the way I do be rambling on.  I think that do be enough brandy for me." Either that or he was starved for decent conversation.

 

"As for the apology, do tomorrow be sounding too early?  Or would you be liking a few more days?"

 

Brent's words were heart-breaking and it was true that false hope could be more damaging than beneficial. Still there had to be some glimmer of optimism and dreams for better even if it was for smaller things and Annais found herself wondering what Brent hoped for himself. This time she did lay her hand on his shoulder and let it rest there for a moment. "The Asha'man will stand with the Dragon Reborn and the White Tower in the Last Battle and make the world proud. And there is no need to apologize." She was ashamed for her brief thought about who would be watching the M'Hael and making the decision for him if he would start manifesting the signs.

 

"Well, you don't need to. Apology... yes. I mean no, maybe not as soon as tomorrow. I would like to know a little better who I am talking to first. How freely can I move in the Black Tower? I suppose that not many if any Asha'man would wish to speak with me but do you mind if I try? Is there anything that I shouldn't do beyond normal conduct? And will you let me to meet the Sisters?" She suspected that that would be allowed only after the apology but you had to always try.

 

"And Brent... how long have you channeled?" Annais stood close enough to him that he could see the worry in her eyes. She kept it away from her face and no matter what his answer would be, she wouldn't be afraid of him. Maybe there could be fear for him but she couldn't bring herself to believe that he would harm anyone even if the worst happened. It was likely a stupid thought, you had to just remember what Lews Therin Telamon had done to every single person he had loved, but she wouldn't dismiss it. If she would start seeing him as a possible threat, she couldn't finish the negotiations.

 

Brent & Annais

[Guest Estel]

He almost jumped at the unexpected touch.  How long had it been since someone dared look beyong the coat and forget their fear?  Too long for sure; her hand burned where it lay gently on his shoulder.  Brent licked lips that had suddenly gone dry.  His brothers would clap him on the back or arm, but men, as a rule, avoided touching each other as it was supposed to be a sign of weakness.  It had been so long since anyone had dared show him any tenderness.

 

A small smile turned the corners of his lips as she stumbled over her words.  "You do be allowed freedom in the Black Tower as long as you be granted permission for any homes you be entering.  However, I do suggest you be takeing an escort with you and not be allowing anyone to be... leading you away from sight."  If allowed, Linten would take full advantage of this woman, diplomatic immunity or not.  Brent could manage callous disinterest in the other Aes Sedai the man tortured, but the thought of him seizing Annais...  Surely he was clenching his fists and fighting down anger just because he had actually taken a few minutes to get to know her.  Nothing more.  "The current feelings towards Aes Sedai combined with recent events," meaning the escape of that Blue Sister "a fool may panic and you would find yourself in the same position as your Sisters."  It was not a threat.

 

"There may be a few Asha'man who be willing to speak with you," the M'Hael wondered what his brothers would make of the Gray "but they do be far and few between.  As to the issue of the Sisters, you do be having to ask each Sister's Bondmate beforehand but I do highly be doubting they will let you near the other Aes Sedai."  Brent was sorely tempted to tell her to make sure to avoid Linten al'Dracain but bit the comment back, worried she would discover the political undercurrents in the Farm and use it to the White Tower's advantage.

 

When Annais asked him how long he had channelled, he was suddenly shocked by how close she was.  When had that happened?  How had he not noticed?  Suffice it to say, it had been a long time since he had been this close to anyone, let alone someone who seemed to be invoking certain thoughts.  Light he hoped she didn't notice his sweat.  Brent was forced to swallow before answering or else he would have made a great fool of himself croaking at her like a boy hitting puberty.  "I do be at the Farm some six or seven years, Annie, but I did be manifesting about a year and a half before the Black Tower did be getting me."

[Arette]

Bren't body language told of nervousness, jerking slightly under Annais' hand and licking his lips. Why was he so anxious around her? Maybe because that kind of a behaviour wasn't expected from an Aes Sedai. She didn't want to make him uncomfortable so she carefully edged herself a bit further from him. She listened intently as he explained her rights in the Black Tower and it definately gladdened her that she would be allowed to move freely even if it was with escort. She wondered if the comment about staying in sight was for her benefit or to keep a better eye on her. He seemed angry suddenly and his casual tone when he explained what could happen to Annais almost made a hand rise unbidden to her throat.

 

Now it was her turn to lick her lips ever so slightly. She had never Bonded a Warder and the thought of being at the other end of a Bond was unsettling. Not so much because the other was a male channeler even though that was a concern too. No, it was more because she would be utterly helpless and and have no control what so ever. How Estel had described the Bond it was somehow fundamentally different than the Warder Bond. Disobeying simply wasn't an option, it was as if the Compulsion was on all the time. Vile creation and she wondered if that effect was purposefully there.

 

She managed to compose herself enough to speak normally. "I appreciate the freedom and naturally I will not enter anyone's home unbidden." Maybe some of the civilians would be interested of speaking with her too. It would be good to know how they viewed things even if they weren't in control here. "What kind of escort do you suggest? And I will keep at sight", she managed to keep any sarcasm out of her tone. "Do you think that there would be someone who might be open to speak with me? Anyone I should avoid? I wouldn't like to repeat the experience with the Dedicated at the gate. Though such people will likely avoid me themselves. And as for the Bondholders, who would be the most approachable of them? I do know the names but Estel did not know much of them all."

 

And Light, he had been channeling for years already. It was worrying as even if he tried to use Saidin as little as possible, the Taint accumulated slowly with every time be embraced the Source. "How did you manifest the spark if I may ask? Did it take you a long time to come to term with it?"

 

Annais Nevell

Gray Sister

[Guest Estel]

Despite the uncomfortable awareness of her proximity, Brent couldn't help but sigh when she backed away.  Why did he fool himself?  His black coat defined him and people feared the pins on his lapels.  Now that he was their leader, there was less hope for him than the little left to his brothers.  All these thoughts after telling her of his inability to hope too much.  Bloody hypocrite.  The M'Hael does not babble on about his life or having achingly untoward thoughts for an Aes Sedai! 

 

So why couldn't he help but answer her questions anyway?

 

"I take it Estel is the Blue Sister who escaped?"  Brent sighed at her nod.  "I take it she explained the circumstances under which she escaped."  Another nod.  She knew about Linten then, but perhaps that was for the better; perhaps she wouldn't be so stupid as to try and talk to him.  Light, and then perhaps she wouldn't discover the rift.  "That should give you a pretty good idea of who to avoid in the Farm.

 

"Of the Bondmates, Rion Adamar, Bonded to Lavinya Sedai of the Gray, do be most likely to be the easiest to be coercing into talking to you."  No coercing would be needed, Rion would be thrilled.  That was Rion's problem, or at least that was Linten's problem with Rion.  With tensions running high with the White Tower, Brent doubted the man was too popular with most of the Asha'man despite having Bonded the Gray.  Rion's respect, bordering on worship, for Aes Sedai was common knowledge and the only problem Annie would be likely to encounter was his wife, Jocelyn; a ridiculously jealous woman.

 

He knew he didn't have to answer her last question.  In fact, he probably shouldn't have.  But when was the next time he was likely to have a decent conversation with someone who wasn't a man and who wasn't afraid of him?  "It's hard to say when odd little events changed from being just coincidences to when the Power became involved.  As far as I can tell, I manifested about a year and a half before the Black Tower dragged my unconscious body off the docks."  He had killed his father.  His own father and the entire crew of that ship.  The reminder sent bile to his throat and he struggled to hide the pain from Annais.  "I suppose I knew before the Asha'man picked me up, but like anyone, I refused to admit it."  If only he had faced the truth before it had gone so far.  He might not be able to see his father again, but at least the old man would still be alive.  Light, it was a stupid business!  Why did he have to be so angry?  "It took me an entire year to really learn to deal with it.  I had a block as well, so part of that played into why it took so long to really admit I could channel."

 

The room lapsed into a moment of silence.  Wanting something to take his mind off the tragedy of his past, Brent turned the question around.  "What about you?  How did you end up at the White Tower?"

[Arette]

And now Brent sighed when Annais moved further, obviously he thought that she was backing away because she didn't want to be close to him. Bloody man, she just couldn't read him right. Annais nodded that it had been indeed Estel who had gotten away under very strange circumstances. She hadn't been able to get a really coherent story out of the woman but she seemed to blame another Asha'man for what had happened to her Bondholder. Bloody flaming Linten. Linten Bonded to Faile of the Red Ajah. That was what Estel had repeated again and again when she had prodded the poor Sister and finally she had just let her be. Her nod was more hesitant this time when Brent asked if she knew how Estel had escaped. "I know something of it", she clarified but since he didn't seem to be willing to volunteer anything more, she didn't ask further. For now.

 

She smiled in gratitude at the name Brent provided. "Thank you, Brent. I will approach this Rion then." It would be good to speak with Lavinya. Her Ajah Sister was deeply sensual but she had her wits about her so certainly she could provide Annais with some insight into things. If she would just be allowed to approach her. She was surprised and pleased when Brent chose to answer her question about his manifestation. He spoke evenly but a strong emotion shone through the words and Annais knew that somehow things had went awry. Maybe he had hurt someone or then his family had turned on him and turned him out. She wanted to comort him somehow but with his unpredictable reactions she settled for just eyeing him sadly. It was wrong that half of the world's channeling potential had to go through this. Somehow Saidin would have to be Cleansed and even if the Black Tower didn't dare to dream of it, maybe the Dragon Reborn did. It touched him too after all and he was a ta'veren. The Pattern bent around him.

 

There was nothing Annais could say after that, no words of solace came and she didn't even know what had really happened. And she certainly wouldn't press. His question gave her something else to think even though it wasn't a very pleasent topic either. But Brent couldn't have known. And it was a grief she had long since come on terms with as her family had died over a century ago. "There are many versions of the songs of the Crimson Carnelion but none of the verses of his death became popular among the people. One song tells how he rescued a fair maiden kidnapped by an Aes Sedai and relates to real events. The song has few facts wrong, though: the fair maiden wasn't his love interest but his daughter, and the rescue attempt ended to him being run through by a Warder sword instead of a success." She didn't even try to hide the bleakness and forlorness of her voice with the last words. Even after all these years she did miss her father but the fierce longing had faded to a dull ache.

 

"The daughter was dragged kicking and screaming to the White Tower after all the uncles and big brothers she had grown up with were handed to the authorities. She blamed herself for the whole event for trying to rob a Green Sister and hated the Tower for their concept of 'justice'. But perceptions change and even the most stubborn young women cannot outwit the Aes Sedai. The White Tower does alot of good in the world and genuinely helps people and with time I came to realize that and see myself as part of it. That and making friends among my fellow initiates." Annais shrugged. "Likely a lot longer reply than you cared to hear. But that is how I ended up in the Tower and why I stayed there."

 

Annais Nevell

Gray Sister

[Guest Estel]

Brent bit his lip and tried vainly to keep his mind from making the obvious parallels lest he become emotionally attached to the Aes Sedai!  'Fortune prick me, Aes Sedai!  Brent you do be a bloody fool.'  As emotionless as the rest of the Aes Sedai were, save for the initial shock of being Bonded and the temper tantrums that had followed, the obvious loss she expressed came as a shock.  Despite calling himself a fool a thousand times over; despite telling himself he had brothers he could talk to, he didn't have to talk to her.  He even tried to convince himself she was doing this to soften him to the White Tower's cause.  His tongue ran away with him, being a social animal was such a pain sometimes.

 

"I do be understanding, Annie." he hoped his small smile was conforting or at least sympathetic if not empathetic.  "My father did be dying before I did be taken to the Black Tower."  At least he stopped himself from admitting to the murder.  He had come to terms with his father's death, but a part of him clung to the responsibility.