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DRAGONMOUNT

A WHEEL OF TIME COMMUNITY

Loraine Sedai, Kynwric, Thera and the Merry Band of Trainees Take a Trip.


_Kynwric_

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One thing that Arath learned about the watch was that it was boring, really, really boring. Their stop had started out okay; Loraine Sedai taught them how to cook. It was definately a skill Arath did not possess, and he was glad to learn it. At first he was excited, for he had never kept the watch before, but after about twenty minutes he was bored out of his mind. Arath spent an agonizing few hours keeping watch into the night before finally it was their turn to sleep.

 

It was hard to stay not only awake, but awake and alert, constantly looking for anything out of place. Arath was just glad that he learned to do it with someone to teach him before having to do it himself. Kynwric Gaiden was very helpful and showed them all sorts of tricks to keep awake and on task. Arath got a lot of experience in the sounds that small animals made. He had almost dozed off a couple of times before Kynwric Gaiden had snapped him out of it physically.

 

Exhaused and ready for his watch to be over, Arath looked tiredly at Mistress Thera who informed them that their watch would be over soon.

 

OOC: Sorry this is so short, but I'm feeling sick and I'm about to head off to sleep

 

Alright, so, this thread has gotten over fifty posts and we haven't even gotten to Caemlyn yet... who thinks we need to speed things up a bit?

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OOC: We're gonna do a lot of this stuff once and then skip ahead to Caemlyn. After Caemlyn we're gonna be headed for the WC so things are going to slow down again becuase there will be nights of sitting around doing nothing. Also, for alot of the trainees this is a Evaluation Req so it we need to see what they can and cannot do. Also, you'll find when we get down to conversational RP that the posts shorten and you get more of them, at least from me. This will move along, but it isn't going to be short by any imagination.

 

IC:

Kyn sat and ate Loraines cooking, explaining what he wanted dont for the watch to Arath and Perivar. Mostly it consisted of staying awake and making sure they weren't surprised, but it inlcuded tricks like keeping your back to the fire and not sitting still for too long and drinking alot of water, you can't sleep when you have to keep visiting a tree. Finally their part of the night passed and Thera was awake along with Amlaun, Melenis and Jasine. While he sent Arath and Perivar off to bed he listned in on what Thera was telling her watch, then he settled by the fire for a few minutes to make sure Thera herself ate something. When she settled down there too he looked at the Mistress of Trainees for a moment. "They'll be fine, we're almost as safe here as in the Tower. Besides half of them should have already taken the oath and be patrolling the Tower walls, have confidence." He took a long draw off his cup. "There is truly nothing going on in the night, it is all quiet. Wake me half an hour before first light, I think two long days in the saddle and we'll be there."

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Perivar scanned the woods surrounding the camp, the moonlight cast its glow over the camp, it seemed peaceful.  Occassionally he would assume the void to sharpen his vision trying to see through the shadows in the forest around the camp.  Before the thers went to sleep they had brought him a plate of food which he wolfed down as if he hadn't eaten in a week.

 

Master Kynwric's tips ran through his head making him think of home.  Being who he was he had not had to stand guard yet he had to know the ins and outs of it.  The tips rang true in his ears.  He stood on the edge of the camp refusing to sit down, sleep would come later.  The night grew cool though nothing like he experienced in the borderlands.  It was warm enough to him that he had not even bothered to grab his coat.

 

Every once in a while a bird would chirp or an animal would make a groan or growl, occasionally one would screech catching him off guard sending chills down his spine.  All things being considered it was very quiet out there, almost too quiet.  Occasionally he would hear Arath or Master Kynwric making a circuit of the camp.  The latter of the two could walk about without Perivar knowing had he chosen to do so.  It was obvious that he wanted Perivar to know that he was there.

 

Perivar heard the others stirring.  Mistress Thera stood outside the tents as the other hurried to join her.  In a matter of minutes they would be taking their turn at watch and Perivar would get some much needed sleep.  Just like clockwork he was called into camp and told to get some rest.  Inside the tent he stripped off his armor dropping it unceremoniously onto the ground.  He plopped down onto his blanket, within a few minutes he was fast asleep.   

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OOC: Whoa, three pages in two days, where's the fire :P

 

IC:

 

'A few minutes Melenis, and we’ve got second watch.’

 

Melenis stirred, but did not rise yet. Though normally fast to wake, the constant nagging of sore muscles had kept her twisting and turning until she had found herself in a more or less comfortable position. When she emerged from the tent, fully dressed, she felt every bit as terrible as she believed she looked. Maybe the cool night air would help.

 

She looked around, but darkness covered the landscape like a blanket. She wiped some sweat from her forehead as she assessed the scenario, trying to find possible openings for an enemy to take advantage of, yet couldn't quite manage anything save for the most basic plans. With an annoyed grunt, she resumed waiting for the others again, taking a deep breath of air hoping it would help get her brain in gear.

 

 

Melenis

Didn't sleep well

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OOC: Alright, fine! I'll post!

 

IC: Death. Destruction. Terror. Anluan couldn't get a firm grasp on what was happening around him; all he could feel was terror, all he could see were flashing images. Images of fear, of death, of despair. Anluan couldn't quite make out the pictures... all he could see was swords cutting into the flesh of innocants. His entire field of vision was devoured by a red mist. The ground was red; the sky was red; the air was red. Suddenly, as if a fog of ignorance was lifted from his mind, Anluan could see clearly. He could see the death, he suddenly understood that people were being murdered. He understood that the Red was blood... blood of those whose lifes were ended far too quickly.

 

Beyond the red, he could see something else... White. He could see the White, and it was what was causing the red. There was no haze this time; Anluan knew exactly what the White was. Curiously, Anluan had this awareness... an awareness that he could stop it all... stop all the death. It was as simple as a step. A step forward would stop the death, and damn himself, and a step backwards would save himself, and damn everyone else. He stepped forward. And his vision was blinded by White.

 

He could feel it... the sword going through him. Oddly it didn't hurt like he thought it would; Anluan just had this awareness that he was dying. Suddenly there was a gap in the White... there was Black. An overwhelming void of emptiness. It was Death. Anluan could feel it, reaching towards him, trying to rip his soul from him. He could feel it getting closer... he could feel the darkness extending towards him. It was getting closer... and closer... and closer until finally it touched his cheek. Suprisingly, it wasn't a cruel or cold touch. Rather, it was warm... solf. It was gentle like the touch of a woman, yet the texture was hard, as if it had once been kind but worn down by it's duty. Suddenly Anluan wasn't so afraid of it. He could feel Death... and it wasn't cruel... more like... welcoming.

 

"Wake up Anluan, we have the second watch." Stunned and unaware of where he was for a moment, Anluan sat shocked. In a moment though, lucidity returned to him, and Anluan muttered: "Only a dream..." Shaking off his stupor, Anluan quickly rose and made his way out to the smoldering fire.

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He woke up to the scent of her hair and the feel of her lips and he could not imagine a better way to be woken.  He waited until she had left before rolling out of his blankets and dressing quickly.  He came out of the tent buckling on his swordbelt and hiding a yawn behind his hand.  He didn't bother with combing his hair, that could be done in the morning before the broke camp, or even on horseback after they had set out, but he tied it back with a leather thong so it would at least be out of his way.

 

He stepped sprightly over to get a long drink of the night-cooled water and felt more awake and happier than he expected he would have at this hour.  He'd eaten well of Loraine's cooking the night before, Kyn was too hard on the woman by half, although she has had fifty years of practice! Light. He didn't go near the fire after his drink, but instead stood there a long moment.  It had to be how he had been awakened that made him feel so at peace with being awake and he fought against the rather moonstruck smile as he stared out into the night.

 

Regaining his senses, he turned and looked to see where Mistress Thera, no, just Thera.  He looked to see where Thera, Melenis, and Anluan was and then put himself at the other compass of the camp.  He sat down on a stump with his back to the fire so that he could adjust to the dark night and be able to see at least somewhat.  Most of what he did through the long night was listen carefully to every sound, and whenever he got sleepy he would rise from the stump and make a circuit of the camp to wake himself up a bit.  He took Kynwric's advice about drinking to heart, although he felt rather oddly exposed whenever he had to visit a tree.  The night was so quiet and peaceful, he blushed every time he thought about the fact that one of the girls might be able to hear him.

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The next morning came and went, and the next after that as well. Nothing untoward happened on their way to Caemlyn and the group of trainees came more into their own with each passing day. He hoped they were confident enough to work more independently throughout the trip as when it came time to track down the kidnappers he didn't wanted to spread out the watch shifts more so they were all less tired and more alert.

 

Finally towards the late afternoon of the third day out from Tar Valon the large walls of Caemlyn came into view and Kyn smirked, knowing they were still a good ways off from the city itself. But he still felt the lifted spirits of part of their trip being completed. Eventually they passed under the wide gate leading into the lower city and Kyn headed straight for the Badger and Lioness Inn about halfway to the promenade.

"This is it, the Badger and Lioness," out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of the innkeeper, Borim and he threw "...no bigger hive of scum and villany in all of Andor than right here..." in just to tweak their old friend some. Turning when he heard Borim clear his throat.

 

"I beg your pardon m'Lord, we've not seen hide nor hair of any scum and just a tad of villany since you last graced our fine establishment, no offense intended on your Lady of course."

 

"Why do you think I like it so much here Borim? It's my kind of people!" And Kyn swung down from his horse and introduced all those who needed introductions. He, as he alwys did, took  Loraine's hand and kissed the back of it in a florid bow. "So nice to have you again Lady. I received his note two days past and have everything arranged as requested.

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True to Kynwric’s reassuring words the three days to Caemlyn passed without event. Each day she went scouting ahead and their back trail taking the trainees in turn. It was good experience and a great way to reinforce past lessons.

 

Thera was the first to catch sight of Caemlyn and its shining walls. It was one of the Great Cities and rivaled Tar Valon in its beauty. To Thera just the site made her feel as if she’d come home. The White Tower was where she would spend her last days, but a small part of her heart would always be here. Riding back with Melenis to tell the others, they made a final stop to go over instructions . The small knot reappeared in her shoulders and Thera made sure they understood the importance of her instructions. Not that any real danger awaited them in the city, but if they could not follow directions now they would put them all in danger later on.

 

The Bagger and Lioness lay not three blocks from Thera grew up, just being on that street again made her heart swell. Perhaps if there was time she could take Jasine to see where she used to live and perhaps Mistress Anoruna was still alive.

 

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While the other grew more relaxed as the days passed, Arath was getting more and more nervous. He heard a few gasps from his companions as they laid eyes on the walls of Caemlyn, but all Arath could do was scowl. He left this city almost two years ago and hoped that he would never have to return. Deliberately, the group made their way to the walls. Meanwhile, Arath was looking for any excuse he could think of not to enter the city. For an agonizing few steps, Arath thought that there would be all of his old aquantences just beyond the walls waiting to torment him.

 

They crossed the gates and Arath was glad to see that he was unfamiliar with all of the people around. As they walked more, and Arath so no one he recognized, he felt relieved. Until he realized that he could recognize the path that they were walking on, that is. He had thought that surely they would be headed to te inner city, and they would never see anyone he knew, but Arath found himself wandering the streets that he grew up on, and with a wince, recognized the name of the Inn they were visiting. The Badger and Lioness was not in the slums, but it was near them. Arath winced as he recognized the voice of Mrs. Lewhan screaming at Mr. Lewhan... apparently two years didn't change much.

 

"Home sweet home," Arath muttered under his breath.

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Jasine was disappointed when they started heading away from the Inner City.  His only other trip to Caemlyn had been interrupted just inside the outer gates and he had never managed to see the palace.  Part of him had hoped that this important Aes Sedai mission would involve the palace and he would be able to see it finally.  Caemlyn was huge and impressive, but Jasine had spent the last two years of his life in the most beautiful city there was, and he'd hoped that seeing the fabled Palace would be a sight on par with the exotic buildings of Tar Valon.

 

He ran through his mind everything they were to remember.  Foremost among that was not using the titles for his elders.  Lady Loraine.. Lady Kilaine to strangers.  She's noble and I am one of her retainers.  He'd been so soundly trained in using honorifics for the women who could channel that he was most worried about this.  Rather than risk slipping up, Jasine decided he would have to make sure he was more reserved than he was usually.  He'd avoid idle chat with any of the people who were not in his party and try to watch his tongue with them as well.

 

Light, he hoped he didn't mess this up.  He nodded respectfully to the Inn keeper and then dismounted, trying to melt into something no more interesting than Kynwric's shadow.

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Melenis smirked at the irony of circumstance. She had visited Caemlyn once, on her way from Far Madding to Tar Valon, and had encountered Gaidan, who introduced her to the Aes Sedai he had been traveling with at the time. And here she was again, pretending to be a Lady's retainer with the Lady in question being an Aes Sedai. She couldn't help but wonder how often this setup was used, but judging by her experience this wouldn't be the last time she'd be accompanying a Lady.

 

She didn't recall much of the city, other than the Inn she had stayed in for the night, and didn't feel particularly inclined to hop on over as if she had been childhood friends with the Innkeeper. The food had been good, the room decent and she had paid and left like countless others before her.

 

She winced as a small headache had started to form, along with a stubborn cramp in her abdomen. She hissed irritably, before walking up to Loraine after she was done talking to the Innkeeper. With the man now away, she was free to talk without being overheard. Which was only for the better, as her breathing had started becoming heavier as she focused on ignoring the pain in her abdomen.

 

- "Lady Kilaine? May i... have the key to my room please? If you permit it, i would like to l-- make some preparations."

 

As close as she was to Loraine, the Aes Sedai would have little trouble guessing that Melenis wasn't quite feeling allright, and had stopped an inch short of saying she wanted to lie down for a moment. Even though she knew little about servants -- or retainers, whatever -- she did know the will of their Lords preceded their own, and had tried to pick her words accordingly.

 

 

Melenis

Wants the key

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Loraine grinned at Borim, having long since dropped the pretense of being a stuffy Cairhienin in his presence. She winked when he lifted her hand to his lips and looked over his shoulder at Kynwric. "Aye, Master Borim, some day I will tire of his insufferable ability to find trouble at every stop. Do you suppose you'd have me to wife if I lost him?"

 

Borim's deep laugh echoed in the street and he ushered them all inside without answering. If Lor took a small bit of pleasure in baiting Kynwric, Borim wasn't stupid enough to get involved. He'd seen Kyn work and no matter how good with a club he was, he wasn't taking chances with him. He'd told her that the last time she'd flirted outrageously with him. It didn't stop her, and it wouldn't stop him from baiting Kyn a little, too. He just knew where his lines were drawn. In short order she had the keys and was happy to note that their rooms were all clustered in the center of the main corridor up the stairs in the back.

 

When Borim took himself off, she sighed. Halfway to handing Kyn the keys to dole out, she heard Melenis' voice over her shoulder. She looked peaked and Lor wrinkled her brow. She pulled the key free of the others and handed the rest to Kynwric before looking back at Melenis. "Are you alright?" She asked softly. She used the others as a bit of a shield, hiding the fact that her concern was a little more than a lady for a servant. "I'll order up something for you to eat and stop by in a bit when there's less traffic in the hall." She paused and eyed the others. "In fact, why don't you all go get settled and I'll order us all something to eat. I may need a bit of an escort to run our little errand later, but we'll discuss it over dinner. I believe Borim will have the dining hall under the stairs cleared for our private use, as he usually does." She smiled a moment, then shifted her shoulders back. People were starting to watch. "I will send word if I need your services before then. You are dismissed."

 

Oh, she hated that tone. Hated using it, hated hearing it. Just hated it. She knew they'd understand the reasons, knew she never talked to them like that and hoped they could understand the need now. Light, these trainees weren't even her responsibility. She watched them dispurse, trying to distance herself, but knowing it was far too late for that. It wasn't the first time she prayed they'd all make it home safe.

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Have been bonded to as Sister, even one as lax as Serena, Thera still had the duties of a “proper” Gaidin drilled into her brain. They had been there long before she had been raised and would remain, no matter what passed between the bond. Bowing slightly she gathered her trainees with a look and lead them up the back stairs. There were three rooms set aside for her half of the party; She gave the first to Arath and Jasine and took the one in the middle for herself and Melenis leaving the last to Perivar and Anluan. From the look on Melenis’ face Thera decided it would be best to be else where for awhile, so she headed towards the baths.

 

She was delighted to find the room empty and with a few minutes work was sunk up to her neck in hot water. The rigors of the trip and the lack of sleep began to melt away and by the time the bath was done Thera felt like a new woman. With no one else appearing ready she decided the best use of her time was a nap. Entering the shared room quietly she slipped into the second bed and tried not to disturb Melenis.

 

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Anluan gaped as they walked through the city. He had never seen Caemlyn before, and lord it was as big as Tar Valon! When he had first arrived at Tar Valon he had thought that there couldn't possibly ever be a city that big. He wasn't as shocked, because he had been in Tar Valon a good amount of times, and so he wasn't trying to look in all directions at once. He was trying to see how this city differed from Tar Valon, but the only major difference he could find was that the city didn't have a giant White Tower in the middle.

 

Anluan noticed that Arath was looking more and more like the Dark One waiting for them, and he couldn't help but wonder why. The other almost-tower guard obviously did not like the city, but Anluan couldn't imagine why. There was so much in it that there had to be something that he liked! When they got to the Inn, Loraine Sedai spoke softly before speaking loudly in a commanding, snooty tone of voice that they were permitted to go. He would have been offended if he didn't know that she was just acting.

 

Mistress Thera handed out everyone's keys and he made his way up to his room with Perivar. They set down their things and Anluan turned to Perivar. "So, we've got a big city and plenty of time... want to go exploring?"

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Melenis groaned as she turned around in her bed, trying very hard not to look into the Light. Though one should mention that her condition wasn't as bad as it sounded like, and the light in question was shining through the window. She looked next to her, spotting Thera in the other bed -- must have dozed off for a bit -- before taking a deep breath. She wasn't that sleepy, but was at this moment lying in bed for the sake of lying in bed, trying to get her body to recover.

 

Though Caemlyn in itself looked quite nice the last -- and only -- time she had passed through it, the pain in her abdomen ensured that she wouldn't be going anywhere for the next couple of hours at least. She moved on the bed, leaning with her back against the wall now as she tried to decide on what to do, and hoping she didn't cause the others to worry about her too much.

 

After all, it was nothing she couldn't handle.

 

 

Melenis

Down, but not out

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Perivar gaped at the sight of the city.  Aside from Borderlands cities the only other one that he had layed eyes on was Tar Valon.  Caemlyn's architecture was vastly different for Tar Valon was one of a kind.  Even so Caemlyn was a grand city, much more lavish than cities back home which were more like glorified fortresses, every building built with murder holes and heavy wooden doors with heavy bars.  He was shocked to find that their were two parts to the city.

 

They rode through the portion of the city called Lower Caemlyn.  They came in sight of an inn, Kynwric announce that they had arrived at their destination, "The Badger and Lioness".  Perivar grabbed his gear and saddlebags as stablehands came to take their mounts and the rest of their gear which would be brought to their rooms.

 

Loraine Sedai gave them their instructions then dismissed them with a tone that was less kind than her usual one.  They had to keep up the illusion, any deviation from the plan could cause problems when their disguises where paramount.  Perivar kept reminding himself not to use their honorifics.  Something that had been bred into him and he was expected to change in a couple of days.  Well one thing he had also learned is that you had to adapt, he hoped he would not slip up.

 

Once they got to their room and dropped their gear Anluan asked if he wanted to see the city.  "Plenty of time?" Perivar responded  "Did you hear anything that Lor..."  He coughed to cover it then continued in a lower voice "that Lady Loraine told us?  She is having food sent up then she may need us for an escort.  It doesn't sound like free time to me.  Light if she needs us and we are out running around then what good are we, they may as well have left us home."

 

Perivar felt bad at his tone though really had Anluan not listened to a word she had said.  Anluan seemed to be constantly daydreaming.  "How about a game of stones...maybe later we could go exploring if Lady Loraine gives us some free time."

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After dropping his stuff off in the room he would share with Arath, Jasine moved down the stairs with a demeanor that he hoped would be seen as appropriate to a Lady's retainer.  He tried to think about moving with a stiff sort of deferment, proud of his position but accepting that it was lower than whoever he dealt with.  He went to the door to the kitchens and spoke with one of the girls as she was headed back in.  After a few moments of explanation the girl nodded and disappeared through the door.

 

Jasine started to lean against the wall beside the door and remembered his position.  A retainer wouldn't laze against a wall in clear view of everyone in the room!  He covered himself by adjusting his boot and pretending the lean had been his fussing with it.  He stood still and at quiet attention - he was not used to trying to blending into being unnoticed, but it was a skill that could be handy.  Before too long, the girl reappeared with a tray covered in a large napkin.  He thanked her, resolutely refusing to let his smile be anything but cool and respective, and turned away without a single flirtatious action.  He was rather proud of himself.

 

He took the tray in to Melenis' room after a quiet tap on the door.  There was no answer and he opened it a fraction and announced himself in a low voice.  Thera's bed was empty and Melenis lay atop her covers, still fully clothed.  The girl must have fallen into bed.  He set the tray down, it had a mug of hot tea, some crackers, and a cool pitcher of water on it.  He didn't wake Melenis, but he hoped she would rouse before the tea got too cold.

 

That done, he went back to his room to talk to Arath for a while.  He wanted to see if he could get the boy, Although he's a man now I guess, to open up about what had been increasingly bothering him.  He'd never gotten the feeling that Arath longed for home in any way, but he'd never told Jasine about why he seemed to dislike Caemlyn so much.

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OOC: Oh, and I'm pritty sure that it's Inner City and Outer city. :)

 

IC: Arath lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He resolved to stay in his rooms the entire day, not only did he have no desire to see any inch of Caemlyn, but also he didn't want to be recognized. Everyone (or at least everyone he used to know) knew that he had went to the Tower. If anyone recognised him and saw him with a Lady and a group of soldiers, they would imediately put two and two together. Besides, it wasn't as if there was anything to see; the only people he would visit were his family... and he had enough issues with them. Arath grew up the middle child, and was never really noticed. His older brother was the heir, and the important, wise one, while his little brother was the baby- they would always pay attention to him.

 

Years of constantly being normal and overlooked had built a deep-seeded resentment into his mind, and Arath really had no desire to see those people again. Arath laid there, submursing himself into a pit of angst, until Jasine came in. His friend wouldn't leave him alone until he gave in and talked. "Caemlyn isn't that great of a place, anyway. I mean, I could see that someone who had never been there before would be enthralled by it, but I've lived here all my life. It's nothing special and there's nothing about it to miss," Arath declaired stubbornly. Really, the Queen should just have it torn down and build another capital elsewhere.

 

"Really, I've never missed Caemlyn because there's nothing to miss!"

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Anluan rolled his eyes at the other boy's words. Really, there was no need to get so upset. "Well of course I meant after our meal, and you know that if she needs a retainer she'll just take M- Kynwric. But sure, I'm up for a game of stones." Anluan didn't really see what the big deal was, after all if she needed to go somewhere she would just take her Gaiden, right? He didn't see the point in this whole secrecy thing. After all, they were in Caemlyn, and Andor was allied to the White Tower. What danger could there possibly be?

 

Before Perivar could reply, there was a knock on the door. Anluan quickly answered to find that it was a serving-girl with their meals. Delighted, Anluan took it eagerly (thanking her, of course) and began eating quickly. Light, he was starved and very happy to finally be eating real after their journey. Anluan didn't realize how much he missed real food before he didn't have it anymore.

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((OOC:  Actually I believe it is the Inner City, New City, and Low Caemlyn.  So the Badger and Lioness are either in Low Caemlyn or the New City))

 

Much to Perivar's dismay Anluan rolled his eyes confirming that he had noted the edge in his voice.  Well what's done is done he was going to apologize but decided he would just let it be.  "Well of course I meant after our meal, and you know that if she needs a retainer she'll just take M- Kynwric. But sure, I'm up for a game of stones"  Anluan replied.

 

Before Perivar could reply, there was a knock on the door.  Anluan quickly answered to find that it was a serving-girl with their meals.  Anluan looked delighted quickly taking the food and thanking her then he began eating quickly.

 

"Unless my hearing is failing she said she may have need of us.  Think for a moment Anluan, how does it look if a Lady is walking around with one man as an escort."  After a few moments he saw the light of understanding in the other's eyes "Thats why she wants the group of us, a Lady would have a few armsmen as an escort.  We need to paint the picture that we want the others to see." 

 

"Let me finish stowing my gear and taking care of my armor then we can get to that game of stones..."  Suddenly a gong went off in his head.  "Light, would you stop eating like it is your last meal you fool, something is not right.  Lady Loraine said the private dining room would be prepared for us for our meal.  It was not supposed to be brought to our rooms.  They would have sent word if the plan had changed."

 

Perivar dropped what he was doing and bolted out of the room happy that he had left his armor on and still had his sword secured to his back.  He slowed down once he was in the hall walking briskly as if on an important errand.  He reached the door to Loraine Sedai and Master Kynwric room, he listened for a moment before knocking though he could not hear anything inside. 

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Loraine waited a few moments before turning back to the inn's common room, stopping a passing serving girl that knew them and asking for food to be sent up to their rooms. She asked for a little heavier meal than they'd normally get at lunch, simply because she knew she was only passable at cooking and, while they'd smiled and scarfed down everything she'd cooked, she was positive it hadn't been the best fare they'd ever eaten.

 

She waited for the trays to go upstairs before moving that way, herself. When the hall was clear, she knocked and was admitted into the room she'd seen Melenis disappear into. The girl was asleep, so Loraine didn't disturb her. She twisted a quick delving weave and surmised that her ailments were nothing terribly bad, just annoying. She sighed inwardly before slipping back into the hall. Most any other sister in the Tower could've helped Melenis with her ailment. She, however, had to be content knowing that a good nap and a bit of rest would help far more than anything she could do.

 

She slipped into her own room, crossing the floor to the window by habit. It was always good to know your exits and it had been a few years since she and Kyn had stopped here. There was another shed behind the inn, but otherwise, things appeared to be the same. It was a welcome relief and she nodded slowly to herself before reaching to unpin her hair. When her hair fell free she set about loosening her corset and getting comfortable. Kyn would be scouting for a little while, which gave her a little time to rest before meeting the others for dinner. The clouds outside promised a messy night, so she was perfectly content saving their trip further into the City until tomorrow. She didn't want to force anyone to go with them, but she'd leave who went and who stayed up to Thera and Kynwric. They knew these trainees better than she did and Kyn knew what they were about. Nothing dangerous, but how many people were admitted as far into the palace as they would be going tomorrow? She smiled, wondering at a few of their reactions as she stretched out on the bed.

 

She'd just closed her eyes when she heard a knock. Saidar flowed through her before she'd realized she reached for it and her daggar was in her hand as she rolled to her feet. She knew if the other side of the door held an Aes Sedai, she was lit up like a candle, but it was too late to tamp it down, now. She turned the daggar over in her hand, lining the blade up with her forearm before pulling the door open a crack. "Yes?" She asked, her voice cautious. Seeing Perivar on the other side made her relax her stance a bit. She pulled the door open, glad she'd only loosened her corsets and not more than that as she did so. Her hair was still falling to her hips in gentle waves, but there wasn't anything she could do about that. The concern in Perivar's eyes was too much for her to close the door and waste time becoming presentable for. "What's wrong, Perivar? Is someone hurt?" Her concern made her questions short, but she did manage to keep her voice low.

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Perivar bowed keeping his eyes downcast and his voice low in case anyone was watching from further down the hallway.  "My lady, I am very sorry to bother you with such a trivial matter though meals were just brought to our rooms."   He felt uncomfortable, he knew it might be nothing but he couldn't take the chance.  What if something was wrong.  "I am sorry but...well you said or I thought you said that the private rooms were being prepared for our meal.  When the food was brought to our rooms I thought something was wrong since we hadn't heard otherwise."  

 

Perivar could see by the look on her face that all was well.  He felt foolish, he stood there fully armored with his sword sheathed on his back as if he was ready to battle the dark one himself all because everything didn't go exactly as planned.  Perivar kept his eyes downcast though he could not stop his face from blushing. 

 

"I thought maybe there was trouble, something just seemed odd.  What if someone was trying to poison the your Ladyship's armsmen in order to get to you.  I know it sounds off, maybe you think I am jumping at shadows but I have heard of stranger things."  He made sure that he did not say anything that would tip off a listener as to what they were really about.  "It is obvious that I was wrong and I apologize for bothering you."  He bowed deeply muttering another apology.

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Jasine stared at his friend a long moment, weighing his words.  He was spared having to decide whether to take him at his word or push him further by a knock on the door.  Jasine's left hand dropped to his hilt, reassuring him that the weapon was still there, and he moved to open the door.  It was just a serving girl, the very one that he had talked to about Melenis, and here in the privacy of their own rooms he could let himself smile at the girl as she brought in two trays generously laden with food.

 

Jasine didn't pursue the flirting and the girl left without dallying, she probably had more work to do.  Jasine set into his food and the tense silence faded away into a companionable one when neither one brought up Arath's home.  Once finished, Jasine hunted through his pack until he found the book he had brought along.  There hadn't been enough light at the campsites to read, and he felt queasy when he tried to ride and read at the same time, he still thought it funny that with all his skill with horses he couldn't manage that simple act, but now would be the perfect time.  The book was one Kabria had let him borrow, even though she'd long since read his book about fighting in the Blight, and the subject was the history of the Whitecloaks.  Master Corwin was the one who had first told him that the enemy you knew was less dangerous than the enemy you did not, so Jasine had pursued the book.  Kabria had given him a dark look when he'd asked if she had any books, but she understood his desire to find out more about something he didn't really understand. 

 

The hours passed peacefully for Jasine until he and the others were finally called upon my Lady Loraine.

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Kynwric made sure that Loraine was settled in her rooms before he disappeared into the city, he was certain that Thera, Melenis and the boys would be sufficient protection for her if any thugs made it past Borim and his cudgel. Much to his relief not much had changed since their past trip through Caemlyn. He made contact with some of their regular contacts, gathering information and paying out gold to insure the continuance of the information. He saw signs of Green eyes and ears, but avoided those places. Prefering to trust to their own sources and informants.

 

Finally he decided to return to the Badger and Lioness, pausing just long enough to stop by Master Geoffrey's for a pair of growlers of his special Stout. When he walked back by the front of the Inn he noticed something that perturbed him, so he circled round and came up in through the back, through the kitchen and up to their room. He was as quite as he could manage, as he could tell Lor was trying to rest, but was foiled by the squeak of the door hinges as he opened it. He saw her eyes open as he entered and smiled. "There's a Child of the Light watching the Inn, from across the street. He isn't out in the open though, which is odd. I only caught a glimpse of their badge on the sword he was wearing. That, is very odd... even here they usually wear those damnable cloaks where everyone can see. I suppose we can tell everyone life is more interesting here when we're gathered for dinner. Nothing else truly of note except that there's been another kidnapping, a few miles south of Four Kings." He started back for the door, "Borim said dinner was to be ready in 5 minutes, so I'll tell everyone to gather in the dining room." He then ducked back out and knocked on Perivar's door. "Dinner will be ready in five minutes in the Private Dining room, please let everyone else know." When the boy... no man, nodded Kyn returned to Loraine and his room.

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Loraine nodded, trying to stifle a smile as Perivar's eyes stayed averted. Perhaps she was the only one who felt uncomfortable at her state of undress. "Please, Perivar, don't apologize. In a city like this one, it's best to be on pins and needles. I ordered a bit heavier lunch than usual, mainly because I know how much humoring you all were doing about my cooking. It's passable, but I guarantee Borim's cook offers a much better fare." She tilted her head down, trying to get him to meet her eyes. "I'd rather you jump at shadows than not jump when the shadows move. Sometimes it's all that keeps you alive."

 

She smiled, leaning on the frame of the door. "And there is something wrong here, so keep your eyes open. It's far too quiet and I don't like it. Go on, get some food and some rest. We'll have a delivery to make tomorrow and something tells me it won't be as easy as I'd hoped it would be before we left the Tower."

 

She watched him go, not moving from her doorway until he'd disappeared through his. She sighed, turning back into her room and closed the door, leaning on it a moment before locking the door and stretching out again. Something WAS wrong, she could feel it in her bones. No matter how much everything looked the same, something was different. The nagging feeling that not knowing what that was would be the death of them didn't leave her for a long, long time.

 

She was half-asleep when Kywric returned. His report that everything seemed to be the same, save the hidden White Cloak across the street. Warnings erupted in her head, but she had to wonder whether it was more to add to her nagging intuition or whether it was just an ingrained fear of the White Cloaks. If there were enough White Cloaks that knew what she was... she shuddered and nodded as Kynwric left to tell the others about dinner, rolling so her feet hung over the side. She had appearances to keep up, especially if there was a White Cloak across the street. The Lady she claimed to be would dress for dinner. Light, she was glad she'd packed one worthy of setting that example.

 

By the time she stepped out of her room, no one would doubt she was every inch the Lady she claimed to be. Her grandfather would be proud. The thought made her sick. Her hair was artfully twisted, the knot intricate and elaborate, the delicate chain weaved into the hair at her temples. A deep green emerald hung between her brows, the tiny sword was tucked into her luggage with her Great Serpent Ring. The dress was completely inappropriate for traveling and would've been a little overdressed even in the Tower. It would send a message here, though, and that's what she was after. The buttons marching down her back were difficult on her own, but she got them done. Now she just had to pray that her acting skills hadn't become as slack as her knot twisting had. She smiled at that and slipped into the hallway, locking the door behind her and making her way to the private dining room.

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Jasine marked his place with the bit of ribbon Kabria had given him as a bookmark and then closed the book after Perivar told him dinner was ready.  He tucked the book back into his satchel, beneath the shirt he had ridden into Caemlyn wearing and put a fresh one on for dinner.  His was wrinkled and showed signs of travel.  Nothing so obvious as staining, but a general yellowing of the fabric from sweat and dust.  He ran his fingers through his hair with only a perfunctory glance at the mirror and then stepped into his boots.  He looked at his sword a moment before nodding and belting it around his waist.  It would probably be seen as showy, or maybe distrusting of the safety of the Inn, but he would rather be too formal than to be caught unprepared should trouble strike.  If Kynwric wanted him to cease wearing his sword indoors, the man would say so.

 

It took only a few minutes for him to be ready and he waited for Arath to join him before they both left their room and waited for Mistress Thera and the other trainees before heading down the stairs to the private dining room together.  Jasine didn't like being separated from the group, or the group being separated from him.  He couldn't protect anyone if they were all scattered when trouble did happen, and as sure as Loraine and Thera were that they were going to bring the trainees back home, he was sure that he would not let the women down.

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