Encounters in Aringill (Sovald)

[Urais]

Celes

DM Member

 

Joined: 01 Jan 1970

Posts: 684

 

OOC: A sidetrack, posted here not to bother the story on the Aringill thread.

 

A stiffled yawn behind her hand showed that Dawn was not just bored with being in her room, reading a manuscript she had found in the Library, she was bored of being in Aringill. For the last fortnight they had been waiting for the Yellows to find a cure for Derek Hearne’s illness and nothing had come of it. Dawn had asked Nyssa to go out and find a few eligible bachelors to keep the boy occupied with. He was complaining that his match makers should do their job, even if they were Aes Sedai who were sent to help him. They had told him the story of who they really were and what their true mission was the night of their arrival on the estate in Aringill. Derek Hearne had taken it all well, a little too well Dawn believed as she thought about the events that came after. Two days into their stay, Derek Hearne had come up to her room and demand that she find him a good wife to take home. She could not tell a lie and if she was a match maker in Tear, she would be one here. It was quite clear to all the staff and residents on the manor how the Gray Sister felt about his demand and it was safe to say he did not ask for it again soon. Yet, both Nyssa and Dawn knew that they needed some way of masking what they were doing as the Yellows progress was almost non-existent.

 

Dawn rose from the chair with a sigh and dropped the papers of the manuscript on the desk, stroked of her light blue dress and wandered out into the corridor. A breath of fresh air might do her good, but as she turned to look out a window she noticed a fierce slashing of rain on the windows. Trees and plants were fighting with the wind and showers of rain washed over the grass, leaving large puddles that kept filling and spilling with water. She bit her lip and decided that no cloak would allow her to stand a chance in that and turned to find another way to clear her head. She found the library where she had visited once before they had taken the trip to Tear to get the son of Lord Hearne. For some reason she had not been here since, even though she loved the feel of books around her. The calm serenity the books gave and the facts and ideas written up in them, it was truly a place to find oneself in. She walked over to a shelf and started to browse the books that were on it, realizing soon that this library was built for taller people than Dawn Raelene. She was playing with her curls as they washed over the low cut bodice of her dress and let one slide over the skin of her shoulder. Playing her hands through her hair while her thoughts ran over a way to get to the top shelfs, finally she just decided to try and reach for them.

 

She reached up and found her hand nearly marking the back of a green leatherbound book that she could only read part of the title of, “Dark theories …†it was interesting and she wanted to know what it was about. Theories on darkfriends maybe? How one was found out to be a darkfriend, what his motives were? Her mind started to race with possibilities when the book suddenly fell into her hand. She stumbled back at the sudden weight on the outstretched palm of her hand and found herself dropping back. It all went very fast from there, the book fell and hit her on the head and Dawn fell straight back. She laid on her back, the book right next to her, the title now more clear in sight, “Dark theories and light seductions,†what was this, a book on young lovers? Dawn rubbed her head and tried to stumble back on her feet when she heard someone coughing behind her. Who in the Light had seen her stumble and fall, over a book that novices hid under their pillows at night. She wanted to hide the book from sight as she realized who had come into the Library when his hand stretched out and he helped her to her feet. Her other hand moved too slowly to get the book away from him and there it was, burning in his hand. Her own cheeks burning suddenly with the idea that he held that book which she had mistakenly tried to reach for. No wonder it was on the top shelf, Dawn berated herself and tried to think of the rain and soothing green patches, calming herself visibly. "Master Rul, thank you for the help," she said and wanted to dismiss him when she caught his eyes as he looked from the book over to her. "It's not mine," she stumbled and cursed herself silently for adding more drama to the whole affair. How did this happen?

 

Dawn

 

- - - - - Sovald sighed. It was good to be back in Aringill. There was little to do for him and the other Guards, as the Yellows proceeded about doing... whatever they did. He had been able to keep relatively to himself. As night closed in, he stretched his legs for one last lap around the house, before turning over his shift. The night was still, the only sounds was nature herself waling in the forest. Sovald slowed his pace slightly, taking the opportunity to breath deep and enjoy it. A yawn began to escape his lips. It was soothing, the way the trees moved, and the glimmering of stars above... He should stop by the library again tonight -- he had noticed an interesting looking book earlier, and needed something new to read tonight. Shaking his head to clear it, he looked around, and moved on. Meeting with Aidan, he nodded as the other man set out, and Sovald took one last lingering glance at the trees outside the walls, then headed down the closed hallways, and stuffy corridors. His boots touched softly on the stone floors, as he turned down towards the library. As he turned into the room, he saw a shadow cast about by the lamps.

- - - - - Dawn was on her tip-toes, reaching for something on the top shelf. Sovald made to call out, then stopped, watching, amused. She had succeeded in getting the book to the very edge of the shelf. He had to keep from laughing -- the Aes Sedai in a dress stretching up like a child to reach it. It fell down into her hands... and Sovald couldn't move fast enough. She hadn't been ready, and down she toppled, a small mark on her forehead from where the book hit her. At least it was carpeted... Stepping forward, he coughed lightly, reaching to give Dawn a hand up, as she unsteadily got to her feet. He saw her quick glance at the book, and reached down to get it for her. Then he saw the title on the spine. Dark Theories and Light Seductions. His eyes must have visibly showed surprise... interesting reading for an Aes Sedai, especially a Grey. Or maybe not. They were the master diplomats, after all. And with the clothes she wore... he could see it. He looked over the book at her, amused as he made to hand it back. Was she blushing? An Aes Sedai, embarressed? Surely it must be the light... "Master Rul, thank you for the help." He nodded. She looked at him, and stumbled back. What was wrong with her? He didn't smell drink on her... "It's not mine," she said. He realized she was talking about the book. By the grea... Was she embarressed by a simple book? Or was there something else?

- - - - - "Are you alright, Aes Sedai? You look a little faint... Perhaps you need to sit down." Her cheeks were getting even more red... it did look quite nice, against her skin.. He shook his head slightly. Remember who this was he was dealing with. She nodded faintly at him, and stumbled back into a chair. He bowed halfway to her, then went to the bookshelves, browsing in the dim light. He saw, in the corner his vision, Dawn staring at him. What was it about her? He had managed to avoid any of the Aes Sedai since they had gotten back... As he turned back that direction, he flashed a smile at her. What was going through her mind?

[Guest Celes]

Her cheeks were flaming and felt as hot as if she had just moved away from a pot of boiling water. Yet, there was no steam, she was not in the kitchen, but in the library and the blush was not caused by anything in particular like a cookpot. Or was it? The book had been burning in her hands and now it lay in her lap, she studied Sovald as he moved away from her and started to browse the different shelves. Why in the Light had he decided to come into the Library? Was he looking out for her, finding her alone to spy on the Aes Sedai? She shook her head and quite violently at that, dropping the book from her lap. As it fell down with a heavy thud on the thick layers of carpet, Sovald turned slightly and smiled at her. Dawn’s cheeks ran another deep color of crimson as she reached down and grabbed the book. It had fallen open and she flipped her fingers aimlessly over the pages. Her interest was taken by a few lines that disclosed very little of the intimacy between lovers. Quickly she closed the book again and then placed it on a shelf somewhere easy to reach for her. She tried to forget about the book, about Sovald’s smile and started to walk around the other shelves, in search for something she could actually enjoy to read.

 

As her hand reached over to a book on Andoran customs, she felt Sovald’s hand brush the back of her own. She retreated and smiled sullenly, “You take that, I have this whole Library to go through yet,†and left him to pick up the book. In fact, he reached up for the book right next to it, which had a title that predicted a subject on local weaponry. Dawn bit her lip and tried to control the blushes, before he would start to make something out of them. “So, you came here to find anything in particular?†Dawn asked in a light mannered voice as she moved down the small corridor between two book cases and let her fingers run over the dusty covers. Military history, local trade supplies, a ten volume set on Andoran customs, one of them solely on formal clothing. Yes, this library had something for every man’s taste. “Maybe some light reading on a good military strike force, before bedtime?†she could not help but grin here and thus tried to lighten her own spirits. She was too tense for her own good, she realized.

 

Dawn

Gray Ajah

[Urais]

- - - - - Now where was that book? Sovald tried to concentrate his mind on the bookshelves. Why was she staring at him like that?! She got up, and Sovald lost sight of her. He sighed to himself. Women were a mystery, Aes Sedai a total enigma, but this one... He had no idea what she was. Lightskirt, fool, noble... all three? Maybe it was on the next row over... he walked down the aisle, scanning the books, reaching for a likely cover... and Dawn reached in the same direction, her hand beating his. His hand lightly touched hers, grazing over that skin that felt like silk. She pulled her hand back as he slowly picked up the book, smiling at him. “You take that, I have this whole Library to go through yet.†A rich smile. What was with her? She turned, going down the columns of books, her hands running over them. Sovald thought it... odd. He remembered doing the same thing in the library of the White Tower, surrounded by some many volumes, many untouched for years except by someone dusting. “So, you came here to find anything in particular?†Her voice was light and music, even more than he had ever noticed before. He centered his mind. She wanted to be like that? “Maybe some light reading on a good military strike force, before bedtime?†Sovald had to chuckle at that, a harsh sound against the soft sound that was her voice.

- - - - - "Perhaps, Aes Sedai. Perhaps. Even we of the Guard cannot let our minds go to waste. We must study, learn, observe. Only by this can we continue to keep the Tower safe." If she wanted to be warm and.... warm!, then he would try to make her think it wasn't working. Because it wasn't. "Beyond that, reading is quite fun. Perhaps a military book." A smirk grew on his face. "I, for one, do not read too much on... diplomacy, in whatever form it may take. I leave that to those best suited for it." A title caught his eye. The Ghost Watch. If he remembered right... He carefully pulled the book out, brushing the dust off with his hand, brushing it over the embossing on the cover. This was an old book, and brought a smile to his face. "History, on the other hand, can be quite entertaining, and teaches more often than not. He stepped out into the light, examining it. He blew on it once more, then flipped the pages open. She turned the aisle, and he looked up. Her soft eyes were on his.... inquiring. He didn't know what she did, but it was disconcerting. He raised the book almost like a shield. "The Ghost Watch. A little known group of elite warriors, assembled from every land known. They came from the north and the south, the east and the west... bastions against the Shadow. I do not recall any Aiel among them, but Sharans, Atha'an Miere... They came to the Border, the best of them." Sovald smiled. "A rare event, indeed, and a most fascinating history of what they accomplished..." He stepped back towards a chair, to better get the light. "And you? Investigating diplomatic manuvering, Aes Sedai?"

[Guest Celes]

Sovald told her a story, one she had not heard of before and Dawn listened with interest, smiling at his keen interest in everything to do with warfare. Were all guards like that? Always on the look out to learn more about weaponry, warfare and fighting? He asked her a similar question, as a Gray she was expected to be interested in every bit of diplomatic history, politics and maneuvering of any kind, yet Dawn often chose books for their stories, rather then for their facts. “I do once in a while, when I am researching a specific topic, for instance the instability near the border here in Aringill,†she said and tapped her lip, not sure she should go on but then thinking it could do little harm. “Yet, my favorite books are those filled with stories, lively told stories to dream away, to new places and new ideas,†she smiled, “Not just the kid stories, mind you, an enticing tale from the First of Mayene who found herself in quite a predicament when she fell for a scheme of a rivaling neighbor. The trick in that tale was that she did not mind his treachery as she liked too much to look into his beautiful eyes,†it was a child story she realized, to dream of politics told in a storytelling way. She shunned her eyes from Sovald and stared down the small corridor of long bookshelves.

 

It was not meant to stop their conversation, yet silence fell over their souls as they sat in the library. Dawn let out a soft sigh and smiled, “I should study the people more than the books, don’t you think?†It was much safer to hide in a library, to study the books and not worry about the real world. “The real world is often a lot less romantic than a silly tale to liven up a boring history,†Dawn mused and added, “the hero rescues his dame, their countries are drawn together to make one great land and everyone lived happily ever after…it’s not like your friend throws a chair over your assailant’s head to save your life… to allow you to escape the choice between being violated or blowing the cover you use to hide who you are, an Aes Sedai whose task is to protect a boy, to protect a frail truce that can only exist if the Yellow Sisters see the boy and find out what ails him,†the events in the inn just a few days ago had taken their toll on the Gray. She had woken up sweating in a nightmare just two nights before and hoped that it would end with that single nightmare.

 

Dawn