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

[_Kynwric_]

“Did your mother work at a Whitecloak brothel as well?”

 

That did it, he saw the man redden and rise and turn and reach for his sword. "You'll pay for those insults you craven, slovenly whelp, you and the bitch you came in with. Draw your weapon!" He had been whispering till the very last and Kyn slowly turned to face him,, falling into Leopard in a Tree without even thinking, one hand on his sword and one gripping the metal tankard that had been in his hand full of ale. "I was hoping you'd say that..." as he spoke he Unfolded the Fan intentionally a little clumsily and fell into Lion on a Hill almost correctly. "Well come on you whoreson of a Trolloc's unwanted spawn." He beckoned the Whitecloak on. Wanting to not be seen striking the first blow, he was continuing to bait the man, and it seemed he was succeeding as the red color was building and building in his face. "Perhaps I should let the pretty one insult you? You seem incapable of deflecting the ones I hurl... would being insulted by a girl make you feel more manly? Perhaps you would prefer to fight her?"

[U4ea]

Loraine smiled, leading Melenis from the dining room and down the hall to the back room. No one questioned her being there. They were used to this Lady's wanderings and just smiled and waved as they went about their business. The girl was still back there, moving things around on the shelves to organize them. She pointed the girl out to Melenis, who smiled and nodded. Loraine didn't need to tell her anything else and it was a relief. She smiled, patting Melenis on the shoulder. "I'll go destroy my room and be back in a few minutes. Keep your eye on her and I'll keep my eye out for you. If I don't see you in fifteen minutes in the common room, I'll come after you." She smiled again and turned away, fighting the butterflies taking flight in her stomach. These trainees could handle this, she knew it. They'd probably handle it better if she stayed out of their way, too.

 

She sighed as she pushed open her door, immediately overturning her cases and dumping the contents in the floor before scattering things everywhere. When the room looked completely destroyed she bent and retrieved her sword. Perhaps it looked out of place with the very formal gown she was wearing, but there wasn't time to correct that. She wrapped the belt around her hips, adjusting for the thick underskirts before striding out of the room.

 

When Lor returned to the Common Room, it was to see everyone where they needed to be. It was a welcome relief, though she didn't see Melenis anywhere. It nagged in her thoughts, right there next to the tingle of humor and eagerness that seemed to be rolling in waves from the link to Kynwric. Oh, he was enjoying himself, alright. She paused by the gleeman, slipping coins in his hand as she made her way to the windows. It put her at a disadvantage in the room, but there were others to handle the girl. This way, she could see them all at the same time. If it comes down to it, I can blow my cover and take care of things from here, she thought, knowing that would have to be a very dire circumstance. If the White Cloaks knew about the girl, they must have some way of knowing when a woman who can channel is nearby. It wasn't exactly a chance she'd take this far from the palace. While they wouldn't march in there with their swords blazing, it would take a few minutes for the night watch to make it here. Precious moments that wouldn't make a bit of difference if she was dead by the time the watch arrived.

 

She sighed, pulling the curtains aside a few inches so she could watch the tavern across the street out of the corner of her eyes as she scanned the room she was in. Her breath caught as her gaze crossed that of another man's across the way from her. His eyes were hard, unrelenting... and staring right at her. She smiled, slowly, hoping he saw her as a woman. He started walking towards her and she knew he knew. Something about his hand hovering near his sword and the ugly twist on his lips told her more than any flash of cloak ever could.

 

She didn't dare look away, but she was pinned in against this window. The girl they were watching whisked into the common room and Loraine tried not to show this man she was interested in the girl. Melenis was close on her heels, so at least that part had gone according to plan. Loraine stood slowly, turning to flash the hilt of the sword on her hip as she started making her way towards the door. She tried to catch Perivar's eyes, having noticed he was watching the girl by the door. His gaze seemed focused on her. Loraine chewed her lip a second, then spotted a tray ladden with mugs heading her way. It wasn't the girl they were watching, so she headed that way, seemingly oblivious to where she was going. She closed her eyes and turned, clapping along to the song the gleeman was playing and "accidentally" bumping into the tray.

 

Ale flew everywhere and the music stopped as people lept out of the way. Eyes swung her direction and she stepped away from the tray, apologizing to everyone. She caught sight of the man out of the corner of her eye and moved a little faster, he was catching up. She pretended to stumble, knowing there wasn't room for her sword in this common room. She flicked the dagger on her shin free as she felt his hand curl around her arm. Apparently, he hadn't thought that far in advance, for he had no blade bared. He turned her around quickly, nearly offsetting her balance. Her dagger nicked his arm, causing him to take a step back and Loraine hoped the distraction was enough to send the message she hoped to the others.

 

That brawl she'd promised just came faster than they'd planned...

[Eqwina]

"You'll pay for those insults you craven, slovenly whelp, you and the bitch you came in with. Draw your weapon!"

 

It took no more than that for Thera to stumble back from the table and draw her sword. Only half her mind remembered their ruse, so much so that she almost smiled before she could put the drunkenness back in her eyes. With the Whitecloaks attention all on Kynwric he didn’t notice her slip. Wobbling where she stood Thera assumed the defensive stance of Lion on the Hill and tripped over the bench with a devilish grin. Everything was going to plan and it seemed she would still get to draw a Whitecloaks blood.

 

Thera took a step forward, balancing shakily on her toes. “Come on you son of a whore; try your luck with me. My partner there is probably too much of a man for you anyway.” With a red faced lunge the man came at Thera with his blade raised high. Quick wrists allowed her to execute The Cat Dances on the Wall giving time for the other patrons to back away and Kynwric to move around to her other side. A thrill shot through her as she saw the blood and Thera didn’t stumble as she returned to guard stance. With his blood already hot the man wouldn’t notice anyway. Wanting to cripple not kill Thera struck with The Kingfisher Takes the Silverback and her thrust landed squarely in his leg. “Does that hurt being shamed by a woman?” Performing Folding the Fan Thera sheathed her sword and took another step back. They needed this fight to be remembered as fair, with him drawing the first sword; and few could remember otherwise when a man attacked a woman without a weapon. Taking a quick step to her right she rolled to the floor and came up on her feet beside Kynwric with a dagger in each fist. The decision to maim or kill was now in his hands. With her hot blood she didn’t trust her judgment.

 

A small flicker of light from across the street caught Thera’s eye and she paused to stare. The silhouette of a brawl poured from the windows and out into the street. Jasine! She took two steps towards the door before remembering she had her own fight. Growling softly under her breath she saw the intensity in Kynwric’s eyes, which could only mean trouble for Loraine. With a last look around the room, and at the Whitecloaks bared blade Thera threw her knife, not watching to see if it landed home. The death rattled that filled the room was enough. Bursting out the door with Kynwric only a step behind they ran across the street and towards the commotion that filled the Inn.

 

[Quisalas Selene]

"Jasine, near the door to the kitchen. She can't get past you without seeing you that way. I promise to intervene should someone see you doing it."

 

Jasine's eyes startled open a trifle at Loraine Seda-- Lady Loraine's words, and then narrowed speculatively.  No, she was surely just referring to the fact that every time he flirted with a woman Thera set him some punishment for shirking his duties.  He nodded, Thera would understand.  Wouldn't she?

 

There was nothing for it at this point.  He listened as she outlined the plans and gave them each their tasks.  He'd never expected his way with girls to come in handy in any kind of official capacity, but he would give it his best shot.  The girl they wanted was not the one he had avoided flirting with when he'd asked for Melenis to be brought a tray to her room, so his sudden interest in her wouldn't look out of place.  As he rose and bowed to Lady Loraine and then moved out of the door, he wondered if he should avoid the other girls so that she took note of his interest in her, or if he should flirt with them all so none of them spoke bitter words to her out of his sight. 

 

The girl brought him wine and he winked and pressed a silver penny into her hand.  If he tipped her too heavily, she might shy away from him for fear he was trying to buy more than just her pretty smile.  He bumped the glass with his wrist and wine sloshed onto the table.  He laughed and apologized, and when she pulled a cloth out of her apron to clean it he set his hand on top of her and insisted that she let him do it.  With a blush lighting both of their cheeks, he met her gaze as he mopped up the wine and then offered the cloth back to her.  When his hand lingered on hers as she took it back she gave him a warm smile that said she knew exactly what he was up to but would play along with it for now.  Jasine let go of the cloth and sat back, keeping his eyes on her as she moved away.  Every time she looked to him, which wasn't nearly as often as he had hoped, Jasine was watching for her without staring, and he would shift his gaze to her and smile warmly before looking back to the gleeman.  He wanted her to think he was interested, not stalking.

 

He kept an eye on Perivar and Anluan as well, and nodded to himself, they were doing very well.  Arath on his side of the room seemed to have everything in hand as well and Jasine smiled.  He was beginning to relax, maybe everything would go according to plan.  He hoped so and waited for his prey to come back near him again so he could hail her and ask for a dance.

 

What he saw instead was Lady Loraine bump into one of the other serving girls.  Jasine leapt to his feet and backed up as ale rained down and managed to avoid getting any on himself.  His eyes narrowed, Loraine was not a woman without grace and he'd never seen her so much as stumble.  When she did stumble as she moved away from the serving girl, Jasine's hand went to his hilt. Something's wrong, and it was not until that point that he saw the man move towards Loraine.  He was here! A whitecloak, and apparently he knew what Loraine was because he was clearly after the woman.  Was this the same Whitecloak?  What had happened to Thera and Master Kynwric if this man was here and not dead by their blades?  He knew a brief moment of panic before he broke into action.

 

Jasine drew his sword, though there was not room amidst the crowded tables for much more than a few weak thrusts in all likelihood, and moved to engage and protect his Aes Sedai.

[Sieve]

Perivar was smiling watching Jasine work his magic with the girl they were watching.  He turned his gaze to see Loraine Sedai moving the curtain aside obviously trying to see what was transpiring across the street.  He shifted his eyes to take in his companion who seemed to be watching the door, he did not envy Anluan.  His task was a difficult one with the amount of people pouring in.  It was not as if the ones entering the room with ill intent would be wearing a sign that pointed them out.  He suddenly felt bad that Anluan had a worse assignment than himself.  In spite of his feeling things were going as well as could be expected.  He looked back catching site of the girl moving with Melenis in trail.  His eyes went back to where Jasine was sitting then back to Loraine Sedai...she was gone.  Quickly he scanned the room noticing that Loraine Sedai was making her way away from the window.  A sigh of relief, all was well he thought to himself as he looked back at the girl.

 

Scanning the room again he spotted a man who was making his way for Loraine Sedai, there was no doubt that the man walked with a purpose and without even taking in the cloak there was no doubt who he was heading for.  Perivar jumped up from the table knocking the bench back as he stood.  He slapped Anluan's shoulder yelling "Trouble!" and did not spare a moment to see if his companion was following.  His eyes were locked on Loraine Sedai as she collided with a serving girl which sent the contents of the tray spilling around them.  His eyes caught a glimpse of Jasine leaping back to avoid the spillage. 

 

Perivar did his best to weave his body through the crowd as he shouted for people to make way while trying to keep his eyes on what was transpiring.  His voice boomed hoping the attacker would be distracted from his intended target though the Gleeman's performance and the din from the crowd drowned him out.  Before he could react he plowed right into one of the common rooms occupants.  It was almost as if the man appeared out of nowhere purposely blocking his path.  Perivar bowled the man over waving his arms in an effort to keep his balance.  It was all to no avail, he hit the floor with a thud taking out another patron's legs as the air in his lungs left him in a rush.  The two men he had run into were down though their friend had taken offense to their rough treatment drawing a dagger which he held to Perivar's face as he spoke of carving it up telling him not to make a move.  A blur caught Perivar's eye as the man holding the dagger was knocked to the floor, the dagger sent sprawling.  Anluan had come just in time knocking into the man saving Perivar from getting his face carved.

 

Anluan had not wasted a moment, as soon as he knocked the man down he continued on toward Jasine and Loraine Sedai with blade in hand.  The two he had knocked down were recovering their wits, now Perivar was entangled with the pair as they were grabbing at his clothes and armor trying to strike him with fists and feet.  His armor became more of a hindrance as he tried to disengage from the two that he had knocked down though he did not feel their blows that rained helplessly on his armor.  When he rose one had a crushed nose and the other was missing teeth though neither stirred.  He spared a glance for their friend though he was out cold on the floor.  As fast as he could move he made his way to the others hoping he was not too late.   

[_Kynwric_]

Kynwric watched with amused interest for a few moments as Thera toyed with their catch, right up until he felt the fear cross their bond. Something is wrong... He looked at Thera who was looking at him and he knew she could read his face as hers changed too. When she threw the dagger he did not wait to see if it did what it aimed to, he trusted it would and he tossed the tavernman a coin "For the mess..." As he sprinted out of the tavern, just behind Thera. He had noticed the man lying still on the floor as he ran by.

 

Once out on the street he could see the beginnings of a brawl in the inn and while Thera was headed fo the door Kyn knew Loraine was near that window, he could feel it. As such, he slewed in that direction, drawing his sword and leaped, crashing through the window. As he landed, slightly wobbly from the unsure footing he spun to see a man reaching for Loraine with blood running down his arm. He also saw Anluan closing quickly from the man's backside. Kynwric began to advance on the man quickly, knowing Anluan would get there first. He just prayed that the boy would not wait for a fair fight and end this quickly. He called out to Loraine, trying to get her closer to him so he could protect her. "Loraine, this way, fallback... rally to me!" As he pushed forward he was certain she would backtrack to him, and sure enough soon they were side by side, and now the... Whitecloak ...he thought with venom had realized his peril to the front and paused. Whcih gave Anluan all the opportunity he needed...

[U4ea]

She felt him coming, felt his fear eclipsing her own. She saw Jasine out of the corner of her eye, saw Perivar and Anulan erupting from the doorway. She knew they wouldn't make it before he got another swipe at her. She took a deep breath, cursing her skirts as she darted one way, hoping to catch him off guard. He reached and she swiped again, the gash longer this time. Borim bore down on them from the kitchen. She heard the window crash and knew he was there. She glanced to the door, seeing Anulan on his feet and moving closer. Where was Perivar? She gasped as the man's grip on her arm reminded her that he still had a hold on her.

 

I'm helpless, she thought, completely uncomfortable with it. I could slice this man to bits right here, but who would that tip off? If he had any friends, they'd probably noticed his prey by now. She didn't see anyone coming to his aid, though, so she hoped it meant he was alone. At least it meant he was nowhere near the girl.

 

"Loraine, this way, fall back... rally to me!" Kyn's voice roared over the den in the common room and she didn't have to look up to know where Kyn was. She gripped her dagger tightly in her fist and buried it in his shoulder, forcing his fingers to relax. She pushed away from him, driving the dagger deeper, as she walked backwards towards Kynwric. She bumped people and didn't care. She nearly stumbled again, but she didn't dare take her eyes off the man who was stalking her across the room. If he'd been mad before, he was raging now and she knew a moment's panic. If he had his way, there wouldn't be enough pieces of her to find tomorrow. Kyn met her halfway, coming up next to her with his sword bared. Anulan flashed into place behind the man and Loraine felt her panic shift away from herself and out to the trainee behind him. The man had to know he was dead. But who would he take with him before he fell?

[Sieve]

As he barreled toward the others he heard a loud crash to his right.  Perivar looked toward the sound which he realized was Master Kynwric crashing through the window.  The same window from which Loraine Sedai had been looking through earlier.  Master Kynwric's voice boomed "Loraine, this way, fall back... rally to me!"

 

With his sword drawn, Perivar reached Loraine Sedai moments after Master Kynwric.  He wanted to join in the fray though Jasine and Anluan were closest to the Whitecloak.  His view in their direction was obstructed by the swarm of people running this way and that.  Even if he could have reached them there was simply no room for him.  The area where they stood was cramped and Perivar did not think he could safely join them without putting them in danger from his own blade.  On top of all that, Master Kynwric had already called for them to rally on him. 

 

Leaving the Whitecloak in his companion's hands he stood near Loraine Sedai and Master Kynwric scanning the room for other threats.  He desperately tried to spot Melenis and the girl they were supposed to be protecting.  Over the commotion he yelled to Master Kynwric "Those three are involved!" he said as he pointed in their direction with the point of his sword.  "The one with the broken nose and the other holding his head, definately the two of them at least.  They tried to bar our way."    They more than tried you fool, they succeeded in taking you out of the game he scolded himself.  The fact that he had failed boiled deep inside of him.  Loraine Sedai could have died, she was counting on him and he let her down.  Light be thanked she was alive thought it easily could have went the other way.  He formed the flame, tamped down his emotions feeding them into the flame.  He became one with his sword, focused on the mission at hand.

 

Now that he had assumed the void, with the surge of adrenaline gone and his emotions safe in the distance he was certain.  Perivar recalled the devious smile on the face of the one with the broken nose as he purposely stepped in his way sending them both to the floor.  The other with the dagger holding it to Perivar's face threatening to carve him up if he moved.  Perivar had recovered from the fall quickly.  The man could not have drawn his dagger so fast unless he had been anticipating trouble. 

[Jehaine]

Melenis waited in the back room, supposedly being a guard having some time off. There were several chairs at the table she had picked, and other girls that wanted to take a breather also made use of the offered seats. It would reduce the suspicion at asking her to sit down for a bit as well later on. Sitting back, enjoying an apple, she simply waited for something to happen.

 

When the music suddenly went quiet and be replaced by the sounds of fighting and screaming, she knew something was going... well, horribly wrong as planned. Rushing to the door of the backroom, she quickly threw it open, but rather than jump into the fray with her weapon motioned for the serving girls to run for safety. Most already were, and Master Borim was already doing a great job in herding his employees out of the fighting.

 

Once the girls were all in the backroom, she took the weapon from her back, taking up a position at an angle opposite from the door. If it would be kicked open, the door itself would miss her and her weapon, but allow her to react almost instantly before the attackers could start spilling through the doorway. Master Borim was experienced enough in keeping his patrons on the other end of the bar, but she'd be there just in case.

 

A look to her side told her the girl was amongst those in the backroom. She gave them all a reassuring smile, letting them know everything would be all right. She was there to protect them, after all. On the other end of the door, the fighting continued, and she assumed the Void, listening intently for sounds of someone trying to open the door. They all had a task, and guarding the girl would be hers.

 

 

Melenis

Isn't getting carried away

[Eqwina]

She knew when she saw Kynwric break for the window that Loraine would be alright. Bursting through the door with a crash Thera eyes searched hungrily for her charges.

 

In the ciaos of the room she couldn’t catch more than a glimpse, but immediately she saw the cause of the brawl. Light! How had she and Kynwric missed those three!

 

"Loraine, this way, fallback... rally to me!"

 

As well trained as any solider Loraine immediately fell back and Thera saw a blur as Perivar was flew at her side. Good man! Closest to the Whitecloak still standing  were Jasine and Anluan. Taking even a single step would put her closer to one than the other. There was no time for doubts, pressing forward through the throng, Thera threw all of her weight into the man’s back sending him staggering. Grabbing for her dagger she stabbed what she could reach of the man before rolling out of the way. With him slowed it was up to them now.

 

“Perivar! Where is Melenis?”

 

Leaping up onto a bench to get a better vantage point Thera scanned the room and did not see her or the girl. The lone door that led to the back caught her eye and she hopped down motioning to Perivar as she slowly made her way. The destruction that had racked the rest of the room had not reached that far, but still she was cautious as she put her ear to the door listening for any sound.  Kicking the door open Thera started to rush in and stopped short when a sharp blade was lowered to her chest. Grabbing the door and slamming it shut with her heel Thera breathed a sigh of relief. “Quick thinking Melenis!”

 

Desperately she wanted to run back out into the fight and remove the trainee’s from harms way, but with Melenis alone guarding twenty girls, including the one they were after Thera knew she had to stay. Positing herself just to the left of the door she drew a dagger from the tops of her boots and waited.

 

[Sieve]

"I don't know, I saw her before the commotion though I haven't seen her since."  As he was speaking he noticed that Mistress Thera had lept up onto a bench to get a better vantage point as she scanned the room.  He kept his eye on the three men who were slowly gathering there wits.  She hopped down motioning to Perivar as she slowly made her way toward the door at the back of the inn. 

 

He stood behind Mistress Thera as she put her ear to the door apparently listening for any sound.  She kicked the door open starting to rush in and stopped short when a sharp blade was lowered to her chest. Perivar had only a moment to see Melenis standing there like a heroine guarding the door protecting the frightened girls who huddled behind her.  Her grandfather would be proud he thought then his thoughts changed to the girls, the girl who could channel and he thought of Kabria.  His heart ached for her, it was almost more than he could handle.  His was brought back to the present by the sound of the door slamming in his face.

 

With his blade still bare Perivar spun around with the intention of returning to Loraine Sedai when he noticed the Whitecloak's limp body on the floor with Jasine and Anluan standing over it.  It only took a few moments to realize that the man was no longer breathing, his chest failed to rise and his eyes had already glazed over.  The common room was empty now save for them and the three Whitecloak sympathizers that had gotten in his way.

 

Perivar glanced at Loraine Sedai though he quickly averted his eyes.  The shame of his failure had cut him deep, it consumed him.  What if she had been hurt or killed, it very easily could be her lying on the ground.  She had been counting on them...no on him, he was the one who failed to reach her in time.  Shame the like of which he had never felt before swelled inside of him, the knowledge of his failure scarred him deep within his soul.  Light what if it had been Kabria, his thoughts always returned to her. He could not help but think he had failed them both...

 

Devoid of rational thought he picked up the fallen whitecloak's blade as he made his way toward the three who had barred his way.  He threw it before them as he shouted "One of you pick it up!"  His voice boomed and his body quivered with anger.  He blamed them for his failure, he layed the blame for everything at their feet.  It was their fault he was here instead of in Tar Valon with Kabria.  Knowing their ill intentions churned his stomach, knowing that they were scooping up innocent girls who could channel and doing light knows what to them maddened him.  He had heard of the way they handled those who they considered darkfriends.  He knew of their methods of torture, knew of their hatred for Aes Sedai.   

 

The three staring at the blade had barred his way and he had no doubt as to their involvement with the Whitecloaks.  Perivar shook with rage, his eyes veiled with red.  "Pick it up" He shouted at them "or are you all cowards.  I offer one of you a chance at freedom.  Two of you will answer for your vile deeds yet one of you will face me.  Which will it be or do none of you possess a spine?"  When none spoke he went on  "Neither of you have an ounce of honor."  He was so mad that spittle flew from his lips as he cursed them.     

 

Finally the one with the broken nose spoke to him as he eyed the sword seeing his one chance of salvation.  Deep inside Perivar hoped it would be him.  "You talk tough whelp in your suit of armor and your Tar Valon Witch at your back.  You are all darkfriends!"  The man spoke to him.

 

If he was maddened before it now paled in comparison to the rage that filled him 'til he thought he would burst.  He knew Master Kynwric would not tolerate the slight against Loraine Sedai though the fight was not his.  Perivar quickly stripped himself of his armor and took up his sword.  "Your the Witch's Whelp" the man said a heartbeat before striking out at Perivar with Parting the Silk.  Perivar had been in Lion on the Hill so he brought his blade down and across meeting the whitecloaks blade as the sound of blade on blade rang through the room.

 

Perivar had purposely not formed the Flame and Void.  He was enraged and it fueled him.  He knew he was a far better swordsman inside the void though he did not care.  He did not want to dull the emotions he felt.  Without the oneness they were of roughly the same skill level with the blade.  He began to think that this man was not merely a sympathizer, he was a Whitecloak soldier.

 

They danced the forms making use of every inch of the common room.  He lost count of how many times he had bumped a table or a bench though it was the same for his opponent.  He did not spare a glance but he knew that his opponent's companions were under the watchful eye of the others.

 

The two blades rang out flashing through the forms.  Perivar with his Bastard sword in both hands and the Whitecloak with his his long sword which he wielded with his right hand.  Back and forth they went...neither gaining an advantage over the other.  With his adrenaline pumping he was barely aware of the cuts that he had taken.  None were too bad though they stung as his sweat found them.  The other man had taken wounds as well though his were much the same.

 

For the fifth time that he could recall the Whitecloak tried Parting the Silk. Perivar met the blade easily with his own though this time he had been caught off guard.  It was too late, Perivar cried out as the Whitecloak drove his dagger into Perivar's right thigh with his left hand.  Perivar's leg gave out forcing him to kneel on his right knee.  As his right knee was falling to the floor he unleashed The Swallow take Flight, a diagonal slash which opened the whitecloak's abdomen.  As Perivar continued the form the Whitecloak dropped to his knees trying to hold in his entrails.  The man was finished though Perivar completed the final part of the form which was a short thrust.  The point of Perivar's sword pierced the Whitecloak's torso.  Perivar struggled to his feet using his weight to ram his sword farther and farther into the Whitecloak's body which had toppled back under Perivar's weight.

 

Perivar groaned from the pain in his leg and the effort of trying to wrench his blade free.  He sat there over the body still shaking with rage.  He wanted to hack the man to little bits.  He shivered as the adrenaline left his body.  He felt every cut he had suffered then realized that the dagger was still in his outer thigh.  The shame was still there haunting him, a reminder of his failure. 

 

"It's over"  He heard a voice from behind him as a hand was placed on his shoulder.  The voice seemed distant so that he could not tell who it was that had spoken to him.  He felt the pain from the cuts and the dagger in his leg though it paled in comparison to the shame he felt.  With his head hung low he whispered "I failed you..."  Someone was fingering the cuts in his garments trying to gauge the severity of his wounds.  Some would require stitching though none were that deep as to cause concern.  The dagger still sat in his leg though it was more towards the outside, nothing vital there.   He could still feel someone checking his wounds.  He dare not look up, not now.  He knelt supporting his weight with his sword as he spoke softly "Please leave me be, I am fine." 

 

He was nothing of the sort, he sat there facing what he thought was North though this time it was different from the times before.  He no longer thought on the pull of the Blight, that was no longer the reason he was facing North.  This time he new he faced towards Tar Valon, towards the one he loved more than anything else.  "I cannot say what will be left of me when I return, but I will make it back to you my love."  He said to himself.   

 

 

Perivar

Not very good at handling failure

[U4ea]

Loraine's eyes widened when Perivar stood between them and the White Cloak. She pulled her sword free, now that enough room had cleared in the Tavern for a good swing. She listened, stunned beyond belief. She watched, Kynwric holding her back from going to him.

 

She pushed past him as the last White Cloak fell, dropping her hand to his shoulder and her sword next to him. "It's over," she whispered. The dagger still stuck out of his thigh and she closed her eyes, wishing there was something she could do about that. Helpless again, she thought, though it wasn't followed with anger this time. She knelt beside him, not caring about her dress for it was in ruins, anyway. She searched the holes in his clothes, praying the dagger was the worst they'd have to deal with. He didn't meet her gaze, though. Instead whispering, "I failed you..." 

 

Loraine paused in her search, looking back at him. Light, he was too young for that tone. She opened her mouth to deny it, he'd far from failed her. Before she could say anything, though, his voice came again. "Please leave me be, I am fine."  Memories flashed through her head. Her son, his wrist broken, having fallen off his horse. His pride stiffened his lip and even as he clutched his broken wrist, he stood before her. He'd been twelve and she'd fussed the way a mother does when her child is hurt. His voice had been much the same as Perivar's was now. She blinked, her mind clearing the vision of her son from her gaze and leaving the dejected slump of Perivar's shoulders in their place.

 

Anger came and she let it. She'd been hurt when her son spoke those words, but Kynwric had waved her off, taking him aside. They'd gone to the Wisdom and she'd fixed it. He'd come home and she'd had to deal with the fact that she couldn't help him. Just as she couldn't help Perivar. Tears sprang to her eyes and she curled her hands into fists. Just shy of slapping him, she reached for his cheek. "Listen to me and hear me well. You more than did your job, Guard. I am still alive, the girl is still alive and there are three dead White Cloaks between two taverns that will send a stir through the City by sunup. That you are responsible for even one of them means you've handled yourself well. I will not hear of this as a failure." She forced him to meet her eyes, knowing they were shining with tears and not caring. "We're all still breathing and as long as that's true, I shall call it victory." She raised her eyes to the others, realizing a few were standing around watching them. "Get him to his room and we'll talk about failure while someone with a steadier hand than mine is stitching him up."

 

Her hands were shaking, more because of what she couldn't do than what she could do. Helpless, she whispered in her thoughts. Her jaw clenched and she picked up her sword, sheathing it quickly before standing and making her way to Borim. She quickly handled getting the girl they needed assigned to help her with her things for the night and explained to Borim that she would not be returning in the morning. At least now, the destruction in her room would only backup their claim that the White Cloaks had been tailing them. It was a lie, but it wasn't one that she'd have to tell. If Borim gazed at her a little differently, she put it out of her thoughts. Those were things she'd have to deal with later...

 

 

[_Kynwric_]

Kynwric watched as Perivar went down injured and killed his opponent in the process. He could tell that Perivar was not fighting with his usual skill and could guess why and he made a mental note to speak with him about it later. It was a short time since he had appeared through the window and all was calming now in the Inn, shortly the guard would be here and he had to make arrangements with Borim. He saw Loraine dealing with Perivar and he corssed the room to where their two prisoners were, [i[better they had died[/i] he thought with a deep sigh, letting some of the tension drain out of him. "Take their weapons, armor and any coin. Give the coin to Borim for the mess. Turn them over to the City Guard when they arrive, if the Guard have questions direct them to me." he told the trainees holding the prisoners. Then he turned and spoke a few words with Borim, reassuring the man who had sheltered them in the past. This is the part of a brawl I hate, cleaning up afterwafrds...

 

Finally the City Guard arrived, a lieutenant in his shiny best and a squad of Guardsmen. Now all that was left was to see what they did...

[Quisalas Selene]

Jasine crouched down and wiped his blade along the cloat of the man Thera had helped hima nd Anluan dispatch.  He rose again and sheathed his weapon with a motion that was automatic and hardly noticed.  He looked up from the body when Perivar raised his voice to the three that had also been involved.  His eyes widened in shock as his friend challenged and then killed the man, and his stomach turned.  So much death, and now a little bit more.

 

He looked around and everyone was still standing, Loraine moved as if she wasn't hurt so there was that small balm to his nerves.  So much for keeping a low profile.  He moved to do as Kynwric said, stripping one of the men of his weapons and handing the bag of coins to one of the other trainees to give to Borim.  Thera was in with Melenis, and they were guarding the girls.  He could only hope the one that mattered so much was in there.  He wondered if the girl would have guilt over the deaths caused to protect her, or if she would feel only relief at not winding up as the other girls the Whitecloaks were taking.

 

He shuddered visibly when he thought about it, and not for the first time since dinner such a brief time ago, he prayed to the Creator that it was not any of his sisters that had been taken, that they were safe and sound at home.

[Jehaine]

Though the fighting had ended, Melenis didn't make a move from where she stood. She had no doubt about who had won the fight -- Thera wouldn't have come to join her if their opponents posed any serious threat to her Trainees -- but there was always the aftermath in the form of sawdust to cover bloodstains and, of course, unconscious people to drag out.

 

She knew the girls behind the two of them would still be more than a little frightened though, as some had started to cry when Thera had kicked the door open. Watching the aftermath might do them more harm than good, and waiting a little longer wouldn't hurt as the ones who had a little nerve left were comforting those that had broken out in tears. For now, she'd keep watch until Borim, or Loraine would come walking in to announce everything would be allright, as well as make the arrangements with the girl they needed to protect.

 

 

Melenis

In the final stretch before the finish...

[Talavin]

OOC: *gasp* a post! Sorry, but just right now I have the feeling that this one's not gonna be very long. One thing I noticed was that people included Anluan but everyone seemed to forget Arath... :P

 

IC: Anluan thought that it was a boring job- watching the door that is. He saw plenty of people go in and out, like an endless stream. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Jasine flirting with the girl they were supposed to be protecting. Things progressed normally until chaos errupted. Thera and Kynwric were egging on the Whitecloak like plan, but another man attacked Loraine Sedai. Perivar called out and made his way over to them; however, he was blocked on the way there.

 

He ended up getting held at knife-point, and Anluan growled. He'd be damned if he allowed a bunch of whitecloaks to harm his friend and ally. Making his way over, Anluan punched the man in the head, knocking him over imediately, and then spared no time in heading over to Loraine Sedai. He managed to get behind the assasin in time, and rose his sword, but hesitated. Whitecloak or not, this was a man, and he was about to kill him. The choice was taken away from him, however, when the assasin turned around and started attacking him.

 

Jasine and Thera joined in to help him, and together they easily overwhelmed their opponent. Anluan stared at the body in shock- it was the first time he had ever seen someone die, and it was definately a horrifying experience. Anluan shook his head to clear it, and looked around. It seemed that Arath had done a good job of keeping the civilians away from the naked blades, and had them backed away from the fighters. Anluan turned to Loraine and Kynwric, awaiting orders, but could not quite rid himself of the image of the dead man.

 

OOC: So I'm tired, and this post is probably crap (sorry) And I owe a few posts to a few people, so I won't be posting again for Arath.

[Sieve]

Somehow in his mind he knew it would be her that reached him first.  He didn't want her to see him like this.  He shook with with a multitude of emotions running rampant within him.  Everything from shame of thinking he had failed in his duty to protect, to anger at the thought of what the Whitecloaks had been about to do, sorrow at not being in Tar Valon with his love, rage and hatred for it all.  He sat there shaking, soaking it all in, he wanted to feel it.

 

Loraine Sedai touched his cheek.  Her voice while soothing carried a tone that said she would hear not hear otherwise  "Listen to me and hear me well. You more than did your job, Guard. I am still alive, the girl is still alive and there are three dead White Cloaks between two taverns that will send a stir through the City by sunup. That you are responsible for even one of them means you've handled yourself well. I will not hear of this as a failure." She forced him to meet her eyes, knowing they were shining with tears and not caring.  "We're all still breathing and as long as that's true, I shall call it victory."  

 

When Perivar saw her tears it took all the resolve that he possessed to not join her.  Light why did her voice have to be so soothing, why did what she had said have to make so much sense.  He wanted to let the emotions consume him yet she would not let them.  He had no idea who helped lift him though he felt someone on either side of him.  He walked without concious effort, his head down as his weight was supported by two of his companions.

 

He had been a fool, he swore that he would return to his love and he had almost foolishly thrown that promise away by not seeking the void.  Something had snapped inside him, he wanted to drink in all those emotions like he had when he was a young boy.  His father had tried to set him straight time and again yet it was the way he had dealt with things.  It was why he chose the Flame and the Void over the Spring, the Spring was too close to what he had been, what he was this evening.  What he had done this evening was nothing short of murder, that man as vile as he was did not have to die, he could have been handed over to the magistrate but it was Perivar who decided his fate.  Ooh he deserved death, Perivar was sure of that but he had not killed the man out of duty.  Plain and simple he thought it would hide the shame of his failure, hide the hurt of the love he was denied.

 

Perivar thought about his love, Kabria, he said her name softly to himself, light what have I done.  He was so sad, so lost from being apart from her that he had wanted to let the emotions rip him apart.  In his sadness he had not realized how close he had come to never seeing her again. "Kabria my love, I am coming home to you!"   It was his last concious thought, spoken softly but loud enough to be heard.  Exhaustion overcame his body as he slumped into the hands of his companions...     

[U4ea]

Loraine stiffened her shoulders, clearing her face and eyeing the guard as they began answering questions. Shiny new buttons, she thought, seeing the gleaming surfaces lining the uniform of the lieutenant. New rank, perhaps? Light save them from someone making a point. A new job, a few dead tourists... it had the makings of a promotion. She settled into a chair, an exhaustion she didn't have to feign ruining her otherwise perfect posture. Borim brought her a drink and she smiled gratefully, glad he didn't look at her any differently for his suspicions. She asked him to check on Melenis, explaining that she saw one of her guards had coralled his girls into the back store room. He nodded and left quietly.

 

Images flashed through her thoughts and she didn't try to suppress them. Light, someone could've been killed. She raised her eyes to the trainees as they gathered. Their eyes were different, Jasine, Anulan and Perivar more than the others. They'd held a life in their hands and watched it extinguished. She closed her eyes and looked away, setting the responsibility for that aside until she could deal with it. Her sons' faces lingered in her thoughts and she shook them away. Her children wouldn't see this, wouldn't have to live through this... not if she had anything to say about it, anyway.

 

The Lieutenant approached her and began asking questions. She answered them honestly. In this case, not being able to lie wasn't a hinderance. The only question she hedged on was when he asked why the man had been after her. "I'm not sure," she answered, meeting his gaze evenly. She'd prefer if the people in this tavern didn't learn what she was. The longer she could go without being connected to the Tower, the safer she'd be outside it, after all. She wasn't even lying, she wasn't sure why he'd been after her, what she'd done to tip him off. Had the lieutenant asked what she thought he'd do when he caught her... that would've been a different answer.

 

He nodded, apparently satisfied with her answers and moved away to question other people. She waited until the room was nearly empty and approached Borim, asking to borrow one of his girls to help her for the night. She'd come all this way without a maid, after all. He'd agreed and she'd requested the girl they'd been watching. His eyebrows shot up and she knew she'd have to explain things to him, but it could wait. She was far too exhausted. She was content with his nod for now.

 

She watched Perivar bein carried to his room and waved to the others, letting them know she was heading upstairs and knowing they'd either all find themselves in Lor's room or get their orders from Kyn and Thera.

[Jehaine]

- "Yes sir, as i said i was off-duty, resting in the back room when the fighting broke out."

 

"And why didn't you head for your Lady?"

 

- "There were too many people in between me and her. The other guards were near her though, so i opted to protect the innocent."

 

"And you didn't see anything of the fighting?"

 

- "No sir, i had the door closed to slow down possible attackers."

 

Apparently satisfied with the answers Melenis had given, the officer walked off again, heading back to Loraine. Despite the man not looking all too happy with people getting killled on his watch, according to the witness reports she overheard the ones that had been were the first to draw steel.

 

In the meantime, she found she had gained the attention of quite a few grateful serving girls. Since she was not used to being in the spotlight, this made her feel somewhat uneasy, but considering what they had just gone through didn't want to push them away either. She made a mental note to ask Loraine about how to handle something like this, given that she went around pretending to be a noble meant she had quite a bit more experience in the field.

 

She took a bite from an apple one of the maids had brought her -- how she was ever going to have room for the next full meal was beyond her -- before heading off to the Aes Sedai. Loraine seemed busy, but after most of the investigators had gone and Perivar had been carried to his room, Melenis followed her upstairs. Knocking on the door, she waited for a reply before heading in.

 

- "Lady Kilaine? May i have permission to speak with you?"

 

Perhaps she was being a bit too docile in playing the servant, but she had never had one herself. Treating Loraine as a superior officer that liked to pull rank may not be quite the idea, but it would do for now.

 

 

Melenis

Guardian Saint of Servant Girls

[U4ea]

Loraine looked up at the knock, and called for whoever was on the other side to enter. She was too tired and that was probably a bad idea, but she couldn't muster the energy to get up and go to the door to open it.

 

"Lady Kilaine? May i have permission to speak with you?" It was Melenis and Loraine relaxed a little, smiling warmly and motioning her inside.

 

"Absolutely, Melenis. I'm afraid I don't have much to offer in the way of seating, but there's a chair under that overturned trunk." She smiled, nodding her head towards it. She waited until Melenis was seated, then tilted her head to the side. "You look concerned..."

[Jehaine]

Melenis nodded before walking into the room, closing the door behind her. After digging out the chair, she found that one of its legs had been damaged, so she opted to sit on the trunk itself. While it would not be intended as such, at least it would provide a more stability -- and with it, less risk of having her seat collapse under her weight. Folding her hands, she gave Loraine a somewhat troubled look, which the Aes Sedai had no trouble picking up on.

 

- "Well, you see... It's about the fighting from earlier. Now, i stayed back to protect the girl, and i don't doubt i made the right decision at the time, but there is a small side effect i... hadn't counted on."

 

She blushed slightly at having to admit she had overlooked something. She had always prided herself on thinking about a scenario until she could counter any problem that would come up, and to admit there was something she simply hadn't thought of felt like a blow to her personal pride. Especially considering she was having trouble dealing with it herself, to the point of being forced to ask another person on how to resolve the situation. Fidgeting with one of her sleeves, she continued.

 

- "You see... The girls are all genuinely grateful that there was someone around to protect them. A bit too grateful at times. I've eaten more fruit today than i normally do in a week, and i keep finding myself accepting their gifts because i don't want to end up hurting their feelings."

 

She groaned, putting her hands in her hair as she looked down at the floor. She still kept talking though, not wanting to lose the momentum now that she had managed to get herself started.

 

- "It's just that... I'm an only child, practically raised by my grandfather. Now, all of a sudden, there are a dozen girls all looking up to me, treating me like a big sister of sorts. I appreciate it, and i can understand why they're doing it, but i don't know how to handle it."

 

She leaned back again, taking a deep breath and giving a somewhat nervous chuckle. Had those girls been fellow Trainees, she'd likely just have told them to stop acting odd, requesting a spar was usually enough to straighten them out again. The problem was, those serving girls were no fighters, and ruled out every possible option Melenis could think of in a similar fashion. She was still careful to mention where they were from openly though, no matter how distressed she was she'd never allow her to slip up like that.

 

- "Heh, if word ever breaks out as to where we're from, i fear poor Master Borim would be left with no serving girls at all."

 

They'd be tested by the White Tower first, she believed, and a number of those unable to channel would try to join the Yards to follow her example. The thought of seeing a bunch of serving girls, complete with aprons, run laps around the Yards while others were watching her spar in the way some Accepted tended to look at Tower Guards was amusing though, and Melenis' shoulders shook with barely withheld laughter. Light, whoever thought she -- out of all the Trainees -- would end up being the most popular with the girls!

 

 

Melenis

Not used to the big sister thing

[U4ea]

Loraine grinned, understanding the problem and seeing the hilarity in it all at the same time. "I understand and I know what you mean. I was an only child, too, after a fashion." She shook her head and shrugged. "I'm afraid there's not really anything to do about it. The good news is that we'll only have to deal with it for another day and I'm sure Borim will have them busy cleaning that mess up downstairs."

 

She rubbed her temples and leaned back against the wall. "You did a very good job, protecting the girls. Smart to get them all, too, instead of just the one. It would've been more conspicuous had you only protected the one. It's thinking like that, that will keep you alive out in the rest of the world. At least, inside cities where even the friendly people aren't as friendly as you'd like them to be." She closed her eyes, picturing the look in Borim's eyes again before she shook it off. She tried for a smile again. "You're welcome to hide in here, if you want. There will only be the one with hero worship in her eyes..."

[_Kynwric_]

Finally the Lieutenant took his men and the remaining troublemakers into custody. Kyn had protested as much as he could about them taking the men away, but without revealing who they were he could not over-ride the Lieutenant's authority, so he let it go. He had managed to get a little information from them before they were led away to face the Queen's justice, which he had no doubt would be merciless.

 

Perivar still had the dagger in his leg and Kynwric sent one of the girls for thread and needle and whisky, actually quite a bit of whisky. He gave one bottle to Perivar to drink from and one for himself. He waited while Perivar drank about a quarter of the bottle and then grinned, telling Arath and Anluan to "Hold him down." Kyn then took a drink from his bottle and poured some onto the wound, then pulled the dagger from Perivar's thigh. As soon as it was out Kyn poured more whisky on the wound, dousing it before taking the thread and needle from the girl who now looked ashen. Kyn slowly and methodically closed the wound on Perivar's leg. He then had Arath and Anluan take him to bed.

 

He knew Loraine, Melenis and the girl had retired upstairs. He knew Borim was in a mood, partly at having his inn torn apart in a brawl and partly at having one of his girls co-opted into Loraine's service. He also knew Borim would be jovial again just as soon as he had sight of Loraine's purse.

 

Things were returning to normal in the inn's common room, the Gleeman had even begun to play again and the serving girls had quickly righted the tables and chairs and were once again serving dinner and drinks. Things seemed to be going along much as if nothing had happened, other than the fresh straw spread over the remaining blood stains.

 

Kynwric finally had time for a few words with Thera. "Not too bad for their first time, one wound not too bad and two captured, three dead... could have been much, much worse. It bother me though that they I did not see these inside here when we left. I am afraid I am slipping some to make that kind of mistake. Perhaps this will be a wake up call for me..."

[Sieve]

Perivar was embarassed and the shame still cut him deeply.  He was all to quick to grab the proffered whisky bottle and begin draining it.  It was not his first wound and certainly not his first stitches though the dagger in his leg was a first.  Light the pain he felt when he moved made him want to scream.  He would have taken it out earlier though he did not want Loraine Sedai to see him as week.  He felt bad enough as it was that it would have thrown him over the edge.

 

Perivar bit down on a folding piece of his leather belt.  He heard Master Kynwric say "Hold him down." then felt hands on his body as Arath and Anluan obeyed.  He felt the dagger leave his leg as he grunted and groaned from the pain.  He felt the whiskey poured on his wound causing more growns and grunts, the removal of the dagger was nothing compared to the whiskey.  The agony made him want to howl.  It burned like fire, and he let a few curses fly that were muffled by him biting down on the leather.

 

Perivar felt the pinch of the needle though it was nothing compared to what he felt earlier.  This was merely a discomfort.  Perivar expected to hear sharp words from Master Kynwric.  The man obviously knew that Perivar had fought without the Ko'di though he made no mention of it.  He just sat there sewing him up with amazing skill.

 

When Master Kynwric was finished he had Arath and Anluan help him to his bed.  Perivar layed there staring at the ceiling as if it would give him the answers he sought.  None came no matter how much he stared.  Eventually sleep overcame him though it was not a restful sleep.