A Night's Rest and Relaxation--Aethan d'ma Shain Story Time

[devon]

Thrones came in all different shapes and sizes. Large, imperious chairs from which rulers dictated the fates of nations. Each country had a different style of high seat, but in the end, they we’re all pretty much the same. The Sun throne in Cairhein, the Lion throne in Andor, there was even talks of some monstrous Dragon throne, or thrones, the stories never were clear, off in some country. Gaudy chairs bedecked in jewels in rich metals, sometimes overshadowing it’s occupant in its sheer visual power. But these were not comfortable things to sit in, at least they did not look comfortable. Comfort was reserved for the soft couches or “thinking chairs†which nobles lounged around in their private quarters. The Aiel were another story altogether, for there was hardly any wood in the waste to build a comfortable chair. Not much was known about those sun darkened warriors from the East, let alone how they relaxed in private. But all those thrones and chairs, and stools could go to rot. After several weeks in the saddle patrolling around Tar Valon, nothing in the world could feel as comfortable as the log that was propped up behind Jasen’s back as he rested by the fire.

 

Aethan d'ma Shain had been patrolling the lands around Tar Valon as part of a routine scouting and peace keeping mission. It would not do for bandits to take up thieving just outside the Shining Walls and smearing the name of the Aes Sedai and their soldiers, the Tower Guard. However, it had been nothing but routine, no bandits, no village disputes to put down, nothing. The greatest challenge the company had faced with their weapons so far was to catch rabbits or foul for the evening meal. Tonight was the last night they would be spending out in the wilderness, and by this time, Jasen had already forgotten what a real bed felt like. I bet my first night back in the barracks, as soon as I hit my mattress, I’m just going to sink in over my head and drown. Imagine, death by comfort. I’ll have faced spear and sword only to be done in by a pillow! The thought made him chuckle out loud. Taking out a pipe and some tabac from his pouch, Jasen shifted so he could grab a burning twig from the fire. Taking a deep puff, he looked around at the rest of his company. Everyone was in a similar position, relaxing on top of their red cloaks, waiting for the beginning of first watch when they would either sleep or get up and stand duty. Seeing as it was their last night before returning to the city, Jasen thought they might as well have some fun and entertainment before going to bed under the night sky.

 

Clearing his throat, Jasen got the attention of everyone. “Well now, I think we’ve all done a good job on this particular outing. It’s been quiet, but I think I prefer it that way to having confrontations with bandits or even trollocs. A quiet ride through the country side is far preferable to having a sword stuck through your middle.†More then a few heads nodded in assent. Most of the people surrounding the small fire had at least one or more scars from fighting and none wanted any others to join the few they had. “Now, seeing as we’re less then a day’s ride from home, I think we should enjoy ourselves. We’ve all listened to Gillie’s songs these few weeks, but now I think we should let the man have a break from singing. For tonight’s fun, let’s each of us tell a story. It can be about you, or someone else, or made up. I want to laugh, cry, be frightened, or anything in between.†Reaching into his saddle bags, Jasen pulled out a brown bottle. Opening the top, he took a swig and held it out to the others. I have a bottle of good apple brandy here, so pass it around. The person with the bottle is the speaker, and no one interrupts them. Anyone who does is going to have double shifts on the wall when we get back. So, who wants to get us started?†A hand reached out and took the bottle and they began their story. Laying back once more, Jasen relaxed and stared at the sky, occasionally puffing on his pipe as he let the story wash over him. The night was young, and as the stars twinkled overhead and an owl hooted in the distance, Jasen knew that tonight was a night he would remember forever.

 

 

Lt. Jasen Pontean

[Guest Celes]

Lyv settled next to Elia near the fire and warmed her hands on the flames, a small fire for a rather large group, but it was not particularly cold. Their lieutenant had taken them on a patrol of a few days and she was glad he had not decided to do so in mid-winter. These days, winters were worse than she ever remembered, or maybe she just had watch duty on the walls more often. She warmed her hands some more and then settled back in the group, allowing others to warm their hands. Looking around she found that the entire company had taken a seat for this event, save for one person, their captain Ralleigh Taj.

 

Looking around, she was glad to see that Ralleigh had taken a turn at walking the route around their camp, he was not Lyv’s favorite person in the Yards and had found that the feeling was mutual. Ralleigh was respected by most and got along well with almost everyone, but he had made it clear that Lyv had to focus more on work and less on pranks and running off into adventures of her liking. She was there to protect the Aes Sedai and when Lyv was told by that same captain that he was going to pass her place up for promotion because he felt she lacked leader skills, Lyv had thrown it back in his face that she had quit being mistress of Trainees for good reason and was not planning to be his lieut if that meant he was on her case 24/7.

 

Of course, now she saw that Ralleigh left Jasen in charge of the group and worked more in the background as an advisor, speaking when asked to and not glaring at anyone the way Lyv had thought he would. Still, she would not forgive him for speaking to her like a child and thus kept clear from him as much as possible. She had not expected him to leave control over to someone else, the stories she had heard of him when he was a lieutenant himself told he liked to be in control of the situation. She looked over at Elia’s face, the woman seemed to glow even more than the fire could make her glow. She looked beautiful and in love, a place that Lyv had left a long time ago. Would she tell that story now, to a group of guards, some friends, some merely men and women she knew by name. No, Lyv knew she liked to keep that part of her history to herself and she would rather enjoy Elia’s glow of love.

 

“I bet there are a lot of stories to tell about lost loves, broken hearts and weeping wives in this group,†Lyv smiled, “the men and women who devote their lives to the Tower cannot lead a life of love and pain like those who stay at home. Is that not what makes us more determined, that we give up in a heartbeat what some would never even consider to let go of, even if it cost them their lives. I’ve seen children who lost their whole family in a raid and all I could do was hunt down the men who did that and send them to justice. I could help build up their home, but could I actually protect the child from losing that was most precious? His innocence...â€

 

She sighed and said, “I once ran into a burning house, in Tar Valon, trying to save my friend who found his friends could not leave the house in time and were burned alive. He could not accept his loss, even though it was part of his life as it is of all of us. It’s the price we pay for being who we are and for doing a good job I guess,†she looked around. “I’m sorry, that was a bit harsh for an opening statement, let’s drink to a higher purpose, why don’t we!†and pulled out a can she kept on her belt. It contained water and it would not wash down the nasty taste she felt in her mouth, but it would do. “To the guard, to serve the Light†and heard a “Here, here†all around. Then drowned their cups or flasks over the fire as night fell and another’s turn was up.

 

Lyv Tylin

A bit gloomy it seems

[Kael]

Orion nodded at the toast going around the group, though couldn't bring himself to speak. Lyv's story had struck a cord within him, and released a painful resonation. He ran a hand over his mouth and neck before holding out his hand, waiting for the bottle to be pressed into his hand, his fingers closing around it when they did.

 

He ran a his thumb along the bottle to try and find out what he could about it, stalling because he was unsure about what he was going to do next. Not being able to see he used his hand to find out what he could of the object in his hand. Slowly he took a deep breath and began to speak slowly.

 

"I'm sure many of you have no idea of how I lost my sight, some of you probobly don't even care. Others even might wonder why I am still here, was still able to wear the Red Cloak." Orion himself wondered much of the time, this trip providing nothing different. He had been useless on watch, sharing his duties with another because his eyes could not see their surroundings.

 

Orion shifted in his sheet and took a piece of his red cloak out from under him. "Myself, Rosheen and Aran were moving through one of the towns at the end of the bridges. I can't even remember the name. Most of the day is a blur anyways. It began to rain, and lightning struck a nearby house lighting it on fire."

 

Orion winced slightly, the memory of the screams and panic slowly coming back more just in colors and sounds than actual images. "There were screams coming from the house and I rushed in, moving up the stairs through the smoke. I found a woman, crouched in a corner of a room already being consumed by flames. I took her by the hand, turned and a roof beam fell on me. It burned at my face and eyes and I lapsed into unconsious immediately."

 

"I woke later in the Tower, an Aes Sedai had healed the burns but...they told me it took to long for me to return for my eyes to be healed." Orion swallowed slowly taking in a long breath. "I never did find out what happened to that woman. But as Lyv said, That's are duty right." Orion shook his head and held out the bottle for another person to take. A hollow feeling in the middle of his chest.

 

 

Orion Mantier

Catching the mood