Of mice and... (Attn: Sandre)

[U4ea]

Edana smiled into the sunlight, enjoying one of the few precious hours she had without something to do. She’d stopped  by the kitchens and come out here on the far end of the Yards to lean against the wall and listen. She enjoyed listening, especially since the sounds of the training filling the Yard reminded her of home. She sighed, closing her eyes and leaning her head against the wall. Her fingertips found the stack of fruit she’d been handed by one of the women in the kitchen and she idly munched on the sliced pieces of heaven as the sun baked her skin. What I wouldn’t give to be stretched out next to the lake behind her family house in Caemlyn, she thought. It was a private enough place that she could strip down to a sleeveless undershirt and a short pair of breeches. That kind of freedom would forever be lost to her, now.

 

The shadow that fell across the sunlight made her shiver and she opened her eyes, her lips parting to give whoever had come to destroy her free time an ear full of her opinion about it. Her lips curled into a smile and she lifted the bowl towards the newcomer.  He was the only person in the Yards she wouldn’t rip into for disturbing her, right now. Her mind easily slid him into her little daytime fantasy and before a minute had passed, she could vividly picture him swinging on the rope they’d tied to an overhead tree branch and dropping himself into the water. It spawned more fascinating memories that were easily combined with her fantasy, so she had to clear her throat before she could speak. “Care for some fruit, Sandre? It’s a lovely day to relax…”

 

[Sangreal]

When Sandre saw her against the walls with the sun shining on her his heart fluttered. She was beautiful. So many things he could try to compare her to and always she was more than those. He wanted to ravish her though he had hid those feelings up to this point.

 

“Care for some fruit, Sandre? It’s a lovely day to relax…”

 

He smiled. No one was around... "Maybe a little taste." he said as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her deeply before setting her down gently.

 

"Not too many moments like this is there?"

[U4ea]

Edana gasped, nearly dropping the bowl as she found herself wrapped in Sandre's arms. As if the sun wasn't warming her up enough, his lips finished the job and she was a little light headed when he set her back on the ground. "Not too many moments like this is there?"

 

She smiled up at him, shaking her head as her eyes scanned the Yards to make sure no one was watching. "No, they're are very few and far between. It won't last much longer, either, if the crew in the kitchens were any indication," she sighed heavily. If they didn't start doing something the others would consider useful, she was sure someone would wander over. It was the last thing they needed, what with Sandre so close to being promoted to Tower Guard. "Care for a walk? I feel the need to enjoy the sunlight a little more..."

 

~Edana

[Sangreal]

"A walk then." he answered. It was hard not to grab her hand as he talked of his old home and the river. He spoke of food and things he enjoyed. He stole kisses as soon as they had privacy.

 

"I am trying to arrange some days off to match yours... it hasnt been easy though." How many ways could he discreetly say it. (I want more time with you.)

 

"When we are both Tower Guards... do you still wish to keep this secret?" He was honestly afraid of that answer. If she didnt, they could have a room together. If not... well it would pretty much be what they had now.

 

*** A while later ***

 

"You know if this relationship goes as far as it can... you will be a noble. You may need to wear a dress on occasion. Do you own one and when do I get to see you in it?"

[U4ea]

Edana smiled as she listened to him talk, enjoying the happy tones spreading through his words. When he turned and kissed her, she laughed and returned it. She felt happy for the first time since returning from that trip. She shook her head, shaking off the cloud that came with those thoughts.

 

"I am trying to arrange some days off to match yours... it hasnt been easy though." She smiled up at him, nodding. "I've been trying to stay clear of extra chores and penances." She paused and grinned widely. "That's not as easy as it sounds, either!" She let herself read into his words and couldn't stop the eager leap in her chest that he'd actually want to spend time with her.

 

"When we are both Tower Guards... do you still wish to keep this secret?" Edana blinked and stopped walking, meeting his eyes. She hadn't thought of it past the present, afraid she'd jinx this giddy happiness she was feeling. "I can't imagine why I would want to hide it," she answered truthfully. Plenty of Tower Guards had relationships, after all. The Mistress of Trainees herself had a very successful one! It gave Edana hope and she nestled it deep inside, planning on nurturing that hope as long as possible. "I really hadn't thought much past getting here. What to do with myself now that I'm here..." she smiled and shrugged. "I'm taking each day as it comes."

 

************

"You know if this relationship goes as far as it can... you will be a noble. You may need to wear a dress on occasion. Do you own one and when do I get to see you in it?" Edana stopped in midstep for the second time since they started their walk. This time it was to stare at Sandre. "Noble?" She whispered. "I can't be a noble..." She shook her head. She was a soldier, not a courtesean! Her mind flashed images of the parties she'd attended as a guard, the lovely dresses and flirting women. Could she do that? The answer shook her quite badly. "You can't fight in a dress..."

 

~Edana

[Sangreal]

Seeing how his question had an effect on her he stopped and looked around to make sure no one was around. When he saw it was clear he pulled her close and rested her head on his chest. "No would have a difficult time fighting in one though I do not think you would need to. The best assassins in the world are women dressed for the court though. I understand it would be a great change for you. I myself would much prefer to see you out of it." He meant back in her normal clothes but he was glad her head was on his chest so she wouldnt see him blushing when he realized the other way that can be taken.

 

He loved how relaxed she felt like this. (Shes a tough woman and not the type to let her guard down at all.) Yet like this... He himself was a formidable man. It amazed him how two defiant people could come together like pieces in a Blacksmith puzzle.

 

"Well?... When do I get to see you?"

[U4ea]

She took a deep breath, calming herself. He was teasing her, surely. She smiled against his chest, a blush rising on her cheeks at his innuendo. She doubted very much that he meant it that way, but it was there all the same. "Well?... When do I get to see you?"

 

She laughed and pulled away, shaking her head. "When the Dark One has frost bite?" She grinned and started walking again. "I don't own a dress, Sandre. I've never owned a dress, come to think on it. I've ever needed one." She shot a look back at him. "I'll die in breeches, thank you very much..."

 

~Edana

[Sangreal]

Her response gave him a mischievous idea and his face took on the smile that usually came with that. "I dont doubt that... but since you started leading me back to the yards ever since I brought it up how about a spar? If I win... you wear a dress to dinner for me the first day I manage to get the same day off as you... and I get to take it off you." He blushed slightly at that last a part... he was actually only THINKING that and was surprised he blurted it out.

 

"What do you think would be a equal trade should I lose?"

[U4ea]

"I dont doubt that... but since you started leading me back to the yards ever since I brought it up how about a spar? If I win... you wear a dress to dinner for me the first day I manage to get the same day off as you... and I get to take it off you." Edana looked up to see that she had, in fact, been moving back to the Yards as she'd started walking. Was this avoidance on her part? What was she avoiding? Then the rest of what he'd said sank in. Her ears perked up with the mention of a spar, then her cheeks burned. His expression looked just as surprised that he'd said it, though it was very clear he'd been thinking it. Her blush deepened and she looked away.

 

"What do you think would be a equal trade should I lose?" She thought about that for a long moment. She was content just to be with him. What more could she ask for? Her sword brushed her leg and she turned towards him. "You said your family made the swords for the Queen's Guards in Caemlyn? Do you think you could make me a new one? Without these marks on it?"

 

~Edana

 

[Sangreal]

He looked down at her sword surprised she would ask for such a thing. His Shienar side thought about the many customs that came with the forging and giving of a weapon but it was never to a woman. His Andor side well... there wasnt much to that. Since they were running out of classes they were willing to teach a trainee he had been spending a few hours a day at a forge. He could make a good sword but it would take him twice as long as a career smith.

 

"Deal. What kind of sword do you want? It will likely take me until the time you are a Tower Guard to make it."

 

He would make her a sword even if he won. It would just be a surprise though. He still had some of the steel he had used for his own sword and armor. It was mined on the borders of his land and the land that belonged to the house of the Queen of Andor. His family suspected there was higher quality in her land but the mountain range had not been touched yet. He would spare no expense for her. It would be tempered and have more folds than he could count.

[U4ea]

Edana grinned, stretching her hand out to his. Her palm tingled as she pressed her hand into his, but she knew why, now. "There's never a rush for a well made sword, Sandre." She laughed, glad they hadn't made it to the Yards as she pressed a quick kiss to his lips. "Let's go, then. I'll race you..."

 

She turned and started running without giving him the chance to respond. She unbuckled her sword belt as she entered the Yards, clutching her scabbard in her hand as she spotted a pair of lathes that had been abandoned by their previous owners. She heard his steps behind her and laughed, tossing a look over her shoulder to see how much of a lead she had on him...

[Sangreal]

As soon as she took off running he followed and started to gain on her... until he decided that he was just fine behind her. When they stepped on to the yards he was blushing and grinning like a young man who had got his first kiss. She turned to look at him and that grin gave him away for sure. Not saying a word he took his sword off his back. He met her eyes a moment as he set his next to hers. He frowned at the two lathes casually abandoned on the ground and was thankful Edana had found them before an instructor did or everyone on the yards at that moment would be punished. Looking at her he ached to hold her. However that very sort of thought was what got him here. Quickly he assumed the flame and the void. Expression left his face. He assumed a medium stance high guard. He wasnt going to warn her that he wasnt going to go easy on her. Let her figure that out.

[U4ea]

Edana curled her hand around the lathe and let herself slip into the void. It was easy practice before she’d even learned what it was, so she was good at it. Her eyes focused on the form in front of her, judging his balance, where his weight was settled and which stance he’d chosen to take. She already knew he could adapt all of it pretty quickly, so she set about keeping up with where he was. Memories of watching him fight in the city drifted through and she used them, sifted through them finding the habits, the unconscious compensations that he made for his height and knowledge of the blade in his hand. She refused to see the lathe as anything but a blade, especially since the look in his eye said he had no intention of losing this bet. Oddly enough, neither did she.

 

She smiled, settling into Lion on the Hill, stalking her way to the right as she took him in. He was a little taller than she was, but the few inches wouldn’t make that much of a difference. She was lighter, but he was better trained. These things checked off a mental list in her head and she sifted through it all, finding her opening. She moved her lathe, shifting her stance to counterbalance his, pushing forward to keep him off guard. Creeper embraces the oak slipped in on him and she hoped it sent a message that she had no intention of wearing a dress. Not now, not ever…

 

~Edana

Not now, not ever...

[Sangreal]

She seemed as determined as he was. His high guard was a ruse. He wanted to give her the sense that there was an opening that wasnt really there. The first few moves he began a trap. Making openings and setting patterns of responses to certain moves in ways she would be able to predict. He used his high guard to keep her at a distance so that her reach would be insufficient. She would have to come inside. Something she didnt like on her last training session with him. He was aware that plans never go how you want them to and left a margin for error on his part. She was faster for sure. So he was going to rely on his experience fighting Arath. He had not told her about that duel. He had not told anyone about it since he didnt want to get his friend in trouble. If she didnt find another way around him or figure out what he was doing. She would have to rush inside where she had less experience, relying on her speed to strike on an opening that didnt exist.

[U4ea]

It took her a few sets of swings to realize what he was doing and she had to give him props for it. He was trying to draw her in and get her lathe caught up where she couldn’t maneuver. She danced away, keeping space between them as much as possible. She couldn’t always do it, since somehow me managed to draw her forms in with his lathe, getting her closer to his body and not giving her a chance to get a good swing in. She was stuck using shorter jabs, which always set her balance too far forward. She grumbled under her breath, redoubling her efforts to clear some space between them.

 

She grunted, adjusting her footing to lead the other way as her foot slipped. No, she thought, adjusting her balance lower to send a few strokes to his lower legs. She even managed to get lucky and land a few before dancing back out of the way. He was wearing her down, though, and she knew it. He’d hardly moved and she was moving too much. It was a mistake she needed to correct, but… how?

 

~Edana

 

 

[Sangreal]

"Remember the sea snake Sandre." His father had told him. "It waits patiently, even allows its enemies a few nibbles, but once they are used to him lying still he strikes" His father had been talking about the Game of Houses and not fighting. The same rules applied though. Edana quickly proved she would not be drawn in and took what strikes she could get in. She danced around him while he remained rooted, but in a medium stance in case he had to move. He was only watching her. His eyes taking in everything about her so he could predict her movements.

 

Her right foot and right hand came forward just enough at what may have been an accident or her getting ready to try again when he struck. A blinding flash whirl of the lathe and a hard strike came down on her sword hand. The void shook that he had hurt her. However it had been his only strike on her so far. He knew she was his real weakness. (Does she know that?). She was getting tired and his one strike was aimed at making sure that she could not react as fast when he struck again.

[U4ea]

Edana gasped, her hand immediately releasing the lathe in pain. She let her irritation that she'd let her guard down fly for a moment, glad of it when she used her fall to slam her left elbow into his chest, balling her fist and striking his chin as she lifted her hand. His shock gave her a moment to turn and swipe the lathe off the ground, though the pain in her hand kept her from getting a good grip on it. She switched to her other hand, knowing she was going to have to fight very dirty to win anything this way. If only the pain in her wrist would stop...

 

She ducked a swing, deflecting it easily with the lathe in her other hand as she jumped back to clear it. His lunge had forced him out of his hole, though, and she took his position, settling back into a middle height that left all her balance on her toes. She fought to deflect blows with her left hand, flexing her right to make it stop hurting. As soon as she was able, she tossed the lathe back to her dominant hand and pushed forward again, deflecting a blow that was aimed low and forcing him to shift it up to deflect one of her own...

 

~Edana

[Sangreal]

Sandre smiled at her as he deflected her attack. She was getting confident. His grin became larger before he asked. "Are you ready to start now?" He didnt give her a chance to answer. His pupils dilated as he moved in on her. Charging at full speed. A twist of his body avoided her thrust as he did not stop his stride. His left hand pushed her outstretched arm aside and his lathe covered his right forearm as he body checked her with it, straightening his legs to lift her off the ground with the force. His left leg had snaked around her right, insuring she would not just stumble back. It wouldnt have been a killing blow but it would have been crippling as would the strike to the hand. She hit hard but recovered so quickly he wondered for a moment if it even affected her. He set on her again as fast as he could forcing her to move quickly to defend herself. She was tired already, he was not. Perhaps that last strike could have been used to end the duel. However it would also mean their time together today would be over. For that he would drag this out for as long as he had to.

 

She was breathing hard now but was still doubtless wrapped in the void. If she wanted to fight dirty perhaps he could make her lose the void and give in to anger. "If you are tired my dear I will accept your surrender on your knees. You would look so cute in a dress."

[U4ea]

"Are you ready to start now?" Edana felt the impact of his arm crashing in to her, but didn’t let herself give in to the need to stay down. That he tripped her skirted off the edge of her awareness. She landed on her back and rolled, knowing there’d be bruises, but truly not caring, anymore.  He hardly let her gain her balance again before he was back, swinging his lathe and forcing her steps backwards. She clung to that emotionless void, but her anger was starting to shake it. Exhaustion was pulling her muscles, but she fought on, determined not to lose. "If you are tired my dear I will accept your surrender on your knees. You would look so cute in a dress."

 

Baiting her? Truly? She smiled at him, though the smile didn’t reach her eyes.  Her voice wasn’t angry or aggressive, but slathered with honey-toned sweetness. “The only way to get me on my knees, dear heart, is to cut my legs off just below them!” She danced again, her confidence back, though still hidden behind the wall of the void. She barely felt the aches in her back. She’d have time to deal with them later. For now, this opponent was demanding surrender and that word simply wasn’t in her vocabulary.

 

She pressed forward, using her height as an advantage to get under his low guard and match him as he tried to get it higher. She kept her smile in place, not allowing his feints to trick her as she pushed straight through the middle. “Do you dance this sloppy when surrounded by nobles in low-cut bodices, Sandre? How long do they have to ice their toes when you’re done?”

 

 

~Edana

in more pain than she wants to admit...

[Sangreal]

“Do you dance this sloppy when surrounded by nobles in low-cut bodices, Sandre? How long do they have to ice their toes when you’re done?”

 

"Yes even when the bodices are not low cut and usually only for an hour or so." he answered smiling... and truthfully.

 

He didnt let up on her and constantly tangled his legs in hers... (Was that why she thinks I am a bad dancer?) the thought left as she nearly took his head off and a quick duck saved him from it. It was the opportunity he needed though as he as he came came up with both hands on the lathe and rose up and the lathe struck her in the solar plexus across her body. He rose to full height as she was sure she was going to dodge that one lifting her with the lathe.

 

When she hit the ground he was rather shocked and cast his lathe aside and rushed to her when she did not move. (Oh light!... oh light oh light I hurt her!) She was awake but obviously not feeling well. He picked her up gently in his arms and carried her to the Yellow on duty.

 

[U4ea]

Edana felt the void dissipate as she hit the ground again. She groaned and rolled onto her side, curling up. She felt the blood drip from her lip and lifted her fingers, praying to remove it before Sandre saw it. He was going to feel bad enough about this, as it was. He was there in an instant, dropping the lathe and lifting her off the ground. Pain scorched her thoughts and she let the haze of unconsciousness claim her as it overwhelmed her senses. Sandre would make sure she was alright, she had nothing to worry about…

 

******************

“I don’t understand,” a woman’s voice said, her pitch piercing the comfortable silence she’d been enjoying. “How could she have been hurt this badly if the two of you were just sparring?”

 

Edana felt the urge to laugh, but it turned into a cough which forced her to sit up. The scene that greeted her eyes was rather comical and she’d have laughed if she didn’t hurt so badly. There was Sandre, worry doing strange things to his expression and a shorter woman with flowing a flowing yellow dress wafting around her. The woman had very probably never seen someone who’d survived real combat, so her confusion was… well, it was funny.

 

“This is what happens when you spar with someone who’s not adverse to fighting dirty to win,” Edana said, meeting Sandre’s eyes. “I was under the impression it was a spar, not a wrestling match…”

 

~Edana

not likely to enjoy the infirmary any more than she's going to enjoy the dress...

[Sangreal]

Sandre was taken aback at Edana's comment "I was fighting dirty?! I was..." He let out a long sigh. There was never any sense arguing and he probably deserved some scorn besides. "I have been ordered to stay with her and take care of her until she has recovered from the healing. I thank you Aes Sedai."

 

With a nod of her head the woman in yellow turned towards the door towards two trainee holding up a third who had muddy horse shoe prints on his clothes.

 

"I think one of the instructors knows about us... he told me that you were my responsibility until you are strong again." He smiled "I argued about how this would interfere with my training of course." He said in a sarcastic voice. "So I am to take you back to the to the room and make sure you eat and help you get around while you are weak all day tomorrow too." He smiled warmly at her.

 

Looking down at how exhausted she looked though he couldnt help but feel guilty. "Im very sorry... I thought you were going to dodge that one." The memory of is pulled his eyes further to the floor.

[U4ea]

Edana tilted her head to the side, a smile playing around her lips as she watched the Aes Sedai turn to leave. Her smile widened as he told her of the instructor's demands. "It's either that or he thinks we were trying to kill each other and can't stand the sight of the other. In which case, it's most likely a punishment." She laughed and sighed dramatically. "I have to put up with you underfoot for the next two days? What am I going to do?" She grinned, but it wasn't as whole-heartedly as she felt. 

 

"Im very sorry... I thought you were going to dodge that one." She'd closed her eyes without realizing it and they snapped back open hearing the guilt in his voice. "Were you trying to kill me, Sandre?" she asked softly. She knew the answer, she just didn't think he did...

 

~Edana

[Sangreal]

His eyes shot to meet hers "No never... I would never." He took her hand and smiled before returning his eyes to the floor. "Are you angry with me?" He expected the worst. He didnt want to tell her he had over estimated her skill. That would not make the situation any better.

 

"I caused you pain. Can I make it up to you?"

[U4ea]

She smiled and curled her fingers into his, giving him a reassuring squeeze. "I couldn't be angry with you. I've tried that already and failed miserably." She shook her head and sighed. "You didn't set out to hurt me, much less this badly. Now, had you done it on purpose, I'd be stabbing you repeatedly by now." She smiled, trying to catch his eyes.

 

"And you can always let me off the hook..." She raised her eyebrows hopefully. "Especially since I don't have a dress?"

 

~Edana