Two Trakelyn's in the Black Tower. Oh my! (attn Kura)

[Eqwina]

The sun had been up for hours and Thera still lay in bed with the covers pulled up to her chin. With her work and workout schedule restricted she’d finally had to tell Jasine the change that was about to occur in their lives. That he would love the baby and her was of no doubt in Thera’s mind, but as she’d predicted he had been scared at the prospect of fatherhood and concerned what it would do for their careers. The latter was not something she’d gotten around to considering yet, but when she did she knew it would be a painful day.

 

Sighing she threw back the covers and tossed her legs over the side of bed. The warm wood planks on the floor felt familiar under her feet and made Thera smile. Lately at seemed that the smallest nuisances of life would make her laugh, or just as easily cry. She’d gone into tempers for no other reason than a dropped piece of paper, and she’d cried on the shoulders of acquaintances for a hello. Mia had suggested a vacation and she was beginning to think it was time. She needed to get away before she lost all credibility with her students. It was hard to respect and follow a woman who raged or cried at the drop of a hat. A timid knock made Thera jump and she opened the door not bothering to put a robe on over her sleeping shirt. The young pimply faced boy who stood shaking in the doorway forgot his nerves enough to drool over Thera’s legs before she snatched the letter he’d been carrying from his hands and slammed the door in his face.

 

Recognition lit her face instantly and as she was breaking the seal she began to cry. The letter was from Mathis.

My Dearest Sister Thera,

 

Even you may not believe where life has led me. I followed my heart, with only a push and a shove from a new friend and decided not to return to Caemlyn after all. I have started a new life all on my own; I am now a member of the Black Tower. I know that name carries dread in the heart of many where you come from, but I hope that you will never associate you as such. I still believe in the work you do as much as I always have and I still walk in the Light. Until we can meet again I want you to know that I am proud of you, and can only hope you can finally return the feeling.

With Love,

Mathis ‘Matty’ Trakelyn

 

Tears were flowing down her cheeks, and seeing him sign his name as Matty; something she hadn’t called him in 20 years only made them fall harder. Anyone who saw her with the letter in had could not be called to fault for thinking it contained bad news. When the tears finally ceased to fall a ball of ice started to form. The Black Tower meant he could channel and was now a man doomed to go mad…but he was still her Matty, her big brother and closest friend.

 

Rushing to her desk she started and threw away 5 letters before she made the decision that it was time to go. She needed time away, and visiting Matty was the perfect excuse. Digging out her saddle bags she packed them full and another bundle besides before she bothered to get dressed. Rushing out she found Jasine and said her goodbyes and left messages with everyone else. A few months gone from the Tower would be the perfect thing to get her head straight.

 

[Kura]

Sereth was lounging on top of the wall of the Tower, sipping his herbal remedy and looking out over the fields. It was something that had become a bit of a habit lately, a new place to sit and think as the fields around his home were becoming riddled with visitors. Not that he minded; Tai’Dashan was usually somewhere out there, drilling himself into oblivion, but it was nice to have his own place, where others wouldn’t be unless he chose to bring them along.

 

This was one of those occasions, as Mathis Trakelyn was sitting opposite of him. Sereth has learned to enjoy his company, a bit more of a gruff, womanizer to Sereth’s passive philosophical and historical interests. The contrast however, was what he enjoyed the most. Of course he had been trying to introduce a few concepts to the former Queen’s Guardsmen, with limited success. This was one of those times.

 

“Mathis, but really why do you chase skirts and drink? Yes the immediate pleasure of it is obvious, but there is a deeper reasoning behind it, I’m sure of it!” Despite the relaxing drink, Sereth was getting quite animated. He just wanted him to think deeper, scratch off a layer of lacquer and truly examine his inner surface. This was only one trait he had tried to get to the root of, his desire to ‘cast his own shadow’ as he had put it was another.

 

But as he often was, Sereth got distracted. He was holding onto the source, brewing another pot, and his heightened senses saw a small cloud of dust over the horizon. Raising an eyebrow he studied it. As the new rider came into focus, out right astonishment flew over his features. “A woman rider?” He breathed the words, that was most unusual. Thinking back to the letter Mathis had sent a couple weeks ago, he made some conclusions.

 

Weaving spirit into a gateway, he decided to meet this girl a bit of a distance out. There had to be a reason for her arrival, and if he was right, his companion would be most interested in her. “Come quick, I want to meet her.” He stepped through into the road, a little over halfway, closer to her, from the wall. As she drew closer, he started to see the resemblance, and smiled, closing the gateway at the sound of his friend’s footsteps. This had ought to be interesting…

 

Weaving to amplify his voice a bit, he shouted, “Hail!” to ensure she didn’t simply run on by. He’d heard a bit of this woman from Mathis, and wanted desperately to meet her, even if he knew he’d have to take a step back initially to let the two have their moment. His part done, Sereth waited for events to unfold…

[Eqwina]

Mathis shook his head and laughed, slapping his new friend on the back. He tried to analyze everything and since Mathis was around so much he was often the subject of such thoughts. Sereth persisted with the notion that there was a logical and definable reason for everything. His latest foray was to find the reason Mat chased the women and drank like a fish. He couldn’t accept that the pleasure of a woman’s company was much desired and booze..well it made the days pass faster

 

Casually Mathis flipped his knife up into the air and caught the handle, he would throw it faster and faster until it was a blur. It had been a way to pass the hours while on Guard duty in Caemlyn, now it was another way to drown out Sereth’s incessant nattering. He was worse than a woman in that way.  All in all he liked the man, he was good company and a great teacher, his probing questions were just less then amusing. Unless of course he’d lost his head in wine, then he would chat with Sereth all night, opposing every fact the man supported. It truly was a riot.

 

A snappy come back was about to emerge from his lips when Sereth got distracted…..once again. “Light man!” 

 

“Have you been so long without a woman’s company that you are imagining things?” Laughing at his own jest Mathis squinted off in the distance, but through the cloud of dust he couldn’t say if they were male or female. “Come quick, I want to meet her.”

 

“Now you want to meet a woman? Now! Last night I could hardly get you to speak to one, but now you want to approach one on a galloping horse.”   Jumping down he stepped through the gateway still shaking his head at the man’s flittering moods. “Hail” Waving a cloud of dust from his eyes Mathis blinked, and rubbed his eyes twice more before he could believe what he was seeing!

 

Mathis Trakelyn

 

 

[Eqwina]

She wasn’t a day out of Tar Valon when she began to think that it might have been better to hire a coach. With her stomach tender in the morning and her muscles sore all day riding a horse only made it seem worse. She’d never stopped to think how having a child would affect every aspect of her life. That thought only added another reason to the list of many of why she would not make a good mother. Sticking to the main road she stopped at every village she passed.  In now fewer than three she was eyed as easy meat being a woman traveling alone. Quick work with her sword and daggers had disabused anymore attempts, at least until she passed through another town.

 

The nights she spent alone made her appreciate her new husband even more than she had. An empty bed was nothing anyone should have to wake up to every day of their lives. When Caemlyn finally came into view Thera couldn’t resist the pull of its walls. She didn’t try and visit her other brothers though, it might have been the proper thing to do, but she had a feeling they would be in a huff over Matty and she didn’t want to have to lie to protect him anymore. Staying in the New City, far from the palace she had a good meal and a good night’s rest before making the last few miles of her trip. Much as she loathed to admit it, Thera was afraid. Matty would always be Matty in her eyes, but that said nothing about the rest of the men. They had not played pranks on their father or gone fishing with her and taught her to hunt. They were men doomed to go mad and she was about to willingly walk among them.

 

Before she could talk herself out of seeing her closest friend Thera set off at a gallop vowing not to stop until she’d seen her ‘trip’ through. When a rotating light appeared before her eyes and men stepped out of thin air every meal she’d ever eaten almost came up. Pulling back on the reins hard she stopped just short of running then over. Her hand hovered between her dagger and her sword, neither was as affective from horseback, but she wanted to be ready to run. Slowly the dust settled and the red curly hair and blinking green eyes made her forget all about channeling and the need to defend herself. Jumping down from her horse she threw her arms around Matty and began to cry. Alternating between hugging her and trying to find out what was wrong he held her like her had the day their mother had die.

 

It was several minutes before Thera’s tears stopped and she realized they were not alone. Pushing back from her brother’s chest she dried her tears and straightened her sword belt without need. “I am Thera Trakelyn, former Warder, Blademaster, and Mistress of Trainee’s of the White Tower.”   It wasn’t until she’d spit out her titles that she realized mentioning the White Tower might be far from wise.  Straightening her shoulders she tried to appear as if she hadn’t just been crying, and with her caramel colored eyes hard as rocks she almost succeeded.

 

“Yeah Sereth, this is my Sister Thera. Thera this is my roommate and friend Sereth” His voice sounded slightly confused as he finished the introductions and he didn’t let her say a word before demanding to know who’d made her cry. “If it was that husband of yours Jasine I will drub him from here to Tear!”

 

Thera shook her hand and ran her hand through her own curls, looking from her brother to the other man in the black coat. “Matty you wouldn’t stand a chance against Jasine, I am sorry but you have never been a good hand with weapons.” Once again her tongue out raced her thoughts and she realized that perhaps…just perhaps..Mathis had meant with the One Power. Covering her slight shutter with an adjusting of her coat she picked up her horses reins. “It wasn’t Jasine anyway..not entirely. I would rather not explain here on the road covered with dust. Is there a place we could go and talk?”

[Kura]

Sereth watched the passionate exchange after taking a couple steps back. Just this once he didn't wish to intrude. Though in truth he was a bit concerned about how this surprise visit would affect Mathis' training; yes the two babbled on all day about next to nothing, but it was after the day's work was done, and his room mate was exhausted from channeling. Ah, well, suppose I'll just have to make up for lost time.

 

When Thera did take note of him, he nodded his head in respect to her titles, taking note of them all, and the nervousness that prostrating as such usually entailed. Sereth supposed he couldn't blame her; she was about to enter into a place filled with men who had haunted dreams for a thousand years. Again taking a step back as the siblings spoke, his trademarked grin fell onto his features. It would be interesting having these two together.

 

Still, her nervousness would have to be addressed if she was to stay with him as her brother did. "Hmm, we can go to my house. It is rather secluded from the rest of the farm." Again weaving spirit, he tore a hole through the pattern, pulling the two strands together with the saidin. His humble home appeared in the new hole in the air, sized appropriately for the horse to be walked through.

 

He turned, and motioned for the pair to step through, trying to hide his scrutiny with courtesy and a friendly smile. What he saw impressed him; she walked through without much hesitation at all. For a woman who was clearly at ill ease with men channeling... it was a stoic act. Then again, she was a warder... Hmm, wonder why she isn't one anymore... The two through, he quickly followed suit, letting the weave unravel behind him.

 

"I had a guest room, but Mathis is currently occupying it. If it is a problem, you could stay at the inn, or I could raise something small for you." He knew he was throwing the differences between the two towers in her face, but he thought it necessary. He wouldn't have a skittish she-wolf staying with him, especially with him living so far out. If she was going to spook, he preferred it to be when he was awake, and already holding the source. "At this rate I am going to have to higher a stable hand... Here follow me around the side. I hope you don't mind taking care of your own tack?"

 

Leading the pair, he again fell silent, waiting for her reactions.

[Eqwina]

Watching another of the strange holes appear Thera shook her head. After years bonded to a woman who could channel and years more in Tar Valon she was used to the strange and impossible but this hole in the air was something none of the Sisters had done. Stepping through she curiously eyed the sides of it and turned around to see if it was any different from the other side. Seeing that it had transported her a few miles away,  judging by the lay of the land, her mind began to reel  with all the ways those holes could be used to attack and defend. If the White Tower and the Black Tower ever fought the White Tower would be on the losing end.

 

She looked around in curiosity at the house and everything else in sight; funny it didn’t feel like a place tainted by the Dark One. Before she had a chance to say she was fine with a pallet on the floor Mathis stepped up and offered to sleep in a chair. Thera offered him one of her rare smiles, knowing that when she broke the news he would be grateful he’d been a gentleman.

 

“My own tact? Not at all I am rarely afforded the luxury at the W..at home.” She glanced around wondering if it was safe to mention that here. She would wait until they were alone and ask Matty. After Blackie had been stabled and fed she entered the house through it’s back door. Almost immediately a mug of ale was pushed into her face, but she only held it with a pensive frown on her face. “I thank you for the hospitality Sereth, it means a lot. I promise to not over stay my welcome.”

 

Walking over to one of the chairs she sat down and perched on its edge. “I suppose I should tell you part of the reason for my visit now. It will make my time here far less tense.” She included Sereth in her look, letting him know it was okay to stay.”I had to leave the Tower, I was not in trouble, at least not the kind you would expect. I am….I am with child.”

 

The silence in the room was palpable and Thera didn’t want to be the first to break it, but she felt like a thousand tiny bugs were crawling up her back. “I had to get a temporary replacement for myself and I was made to give up the favorite parts of my work. I had to cut back my sparing and workout and my diet was even being monitored. It was all too much…and yes I know being a mother is a big deal, but Matty you know me, I am not the mothering type. I know swords, weapons, and death..not diapers and all night feedings.”

 

“I just needed time…time to think and time to still be myself. To practice my sword and just be….me”

[Kura]

Sereth waved away any concerns about over-staying her welcome. "It'll be a pleasure to have you here, I'm sure you'll discover that I do enjoy new people to talk to." He left out the fact that it was mostly do to people only being able to take so much of him. That small exchange finally feeling a bit more relaxed around the former-warder, Sereth reluctantly let go of Saidin.

 

When she continued, he fell again into what was becoming a customary silence around the woman. Feeling a weight lifted off of his shoulders as she herself broke the silence she'd forged, he decided to take his turn in preventing it's return. "Well then, I am not sure if I should offer you congratulations or condolences Thera, so take whichever or both." He chuckled, trying to ease the tension in the room.

 

"As for a place to practice your sword? Well, I'll be the first to admit I don't know much about pregnancy," he mentally noted to correct that lapse in knowledge, "but you do not appear to be to far along, so I will do what I can to help you, just don't ask me to spar with you. Though I know a bit more than which end goes into the enemy, I fear I wouldn't last a moment against someone as obviously skilled as you are. Perhaps setting up a course for you to run?"

 

He stopped then, not wanting to lead himself into a rant as he was prone to do. Besides, he thought that perhaps he had already taken to much initiative as he glanced at Mathis, looking for reactions to his sister's revelation.

[Eqwina]

Mathis was silent, and for once the ale in his hand sat untouched.  Thera? A mother?..She was a master with the sword, and deadly with knives, a staff and bow, she could hunt better than most men and drink them under the table as well. She was intelligent and loving, in her own way, but a mother? She just wasn’t the type.  Shaking his head and finally downing his ale Mathis tuned back into the conversation being carried on in his ‘absense’.

 

“I don’t know Sereth, I mean if she was told not to practice perhaps…..” Swallowing hard Mathis tried to fix Thera with a level look. He was the older brother after all, though that had counted for little enough in the past. “Thera, be reasonable..” Anger that flashed in her eyes warned his that he was taking the wrong path, so he quickly changed tactics. “Sister, I am happy for you, and Jasine.” His happiness for Jasine was grudging, he didn’t like the idea of anyone with his baby sister, but Jasine was better than most. “I am sure you will make a wonderful mother, given time..” he gave her his most winning smile. “So why not begin training for motherhood now. You’ve already given years to weapons, what’s a few months in preparing for motherhood?”

 

Thera was on her feet in a flash and standing so close that he could feel her breath. The heeled boots she wore made them of a height and Mathis tried to back away, but she had an iron grip on his shirt. “Listen here Matty, I left the Tower for talk just like that. I didn’t come here to hear it from you, when I am farther along that is when I will give time to such preparations, for now I am content with my sword.”

 

When she finally let go of his shirt and turned her back to take her seat Mathis shoot Sereth a look that said they would be talking about this later. “You are right Thera, I am sorry, I am just concerned for your health.”

 

Mathis Trakelyn

[Eqwina]

Thera smiled at Sereth, and his suggestion; finally she had found a place where she would not be treated like fragile glass. She had no idea of what this ’course’ would in tale but if it was made with the One Power it was sure to be a challenge. Her hand unconsciously ran down her sword hilt as ideas and images spun in her mind. 

 

When they had been children, Matty had always tried to take the lead; to protect her and keep her safe. It wasn’t until they were nearly teens that the roles began to reverse, but even after she surpassed him with the sword and hunting he’d still persisted. When he’d come to visit her in the Tower it finally seemed as if he’d grown up enough to realize that she was grown too. At least she thought he had, until he came out with this. Standing up she darted across the room and grabbed him by the shirt. It was about time for him to learn that she could take care of herself without his help.

“Listen here Matty, I left the Tower for talk just like that. I didn’t come here to hear it from you, when I am farther along that is when I will give time to such preparations, for now I am content with my sword.”

 

She felt a little ashamed at dressing him down in front of his friend, but perhaps memory of this would remind him to hold his tongue next time. Tugging her shirt back to rights she tried to deny to herself that this outburst had had anything to do with hormones and swinging moods. “If I may Sereth, I will fix dinner while you tell me more about this course.”

 

Smiling at her stunned brother she walked across the room and began examining the pantry for food. The last time they’d been together Thera hadn’t been more than a passable cook. All things change

 

Thera Trakelyn

 

[Kura]

Sereth was suddenly very glad he is an only child. Watching the exchange, and catching Mathis' look he resisted the urge to chuckle. Yes, it was a high tension moment, but to an outside observer... Suddenly panic gripped him as she went for his pantries. For three years now he had been a bachelor, living alone, in the middle of nowhere, with the ability to travel anywhere in the world instantaneously... That did not add up to well stocked pantries.

 

He thought quickly to what was liable to be stocked. Bacon... some bread maybe? Oh, definitely some eggs... "Well, um. Cook what you can find. I think I have something green somewhere in here... I just hope it was supposed to be that color." Nervously he scratched the back of his head. "As for the obstacle course, I really have no idea. I can whip up something pretty quick, for you to run through, and I'm sure I can make it test your limits..." He looked at Mathis, wondering how this next part would go over. "Especially if me and your brother worked together to make it, he does need the training... It'll be good practices for erecting mobile fortresses and entrenching."

 

Sereth sat, taking a breath and watching her actually find some food. "Cooking ware is above the slate, oh, and um, here is some fire to work with." Seizing Saidin he wove a small cooking flame and tied it off, letting the source go. "Though to make it truly challenging for someone of your skill... I was thinking Mathis and I could channel while you go through the course, changing it, and maybe launching some projectiles or the like." Catching his friend's glare he quickly stammered on. "Of course nothing like turning the earth to lava under your feet, or calling down bolts of lightning, but basic earthen projectiles, maybe shake up some of the structures while your in them."

 

He got the feeling he just allied himself with Thera in the argument, and wasn't quite sure how well that would work out, him living with Mathis and all... He'd have to smooth things over if he had any hope of getting to the root of the man's drinking and whoring...

[Eqwina]

Thera’s nose wrinkled as she searched through the cabinets. There was hardly anything green or leafy or resembling fruit in the house. “Mathis, can you please go fetch vegetables?” He looked slightly perplexed but he stomped out the door anyway.

 

Turning around and hoisting herself up on the counter she eyed Sereth. It would take a great amount of courage and trust to face men who held the Power. The simple fact was she trusted Matty with her life, and if he trusted Sereth she would too. “I would like that training, it is something I may have to learn to face.” Her eyes were hard and she didn’t blink even when realization of what she said sunk in to the Asha’man’s head. Saving the day Mathis brought back the vegetables and Thera set to work. Since marrying Jasine she had learned not only to cook, but to bake and she laid out a feast fit for a king.

 

Thera Trakelyn

[Kura]

Sereth nearly felt sorry for Mathis as he was instructed to find fresh fruit and vegetables... Better take your horse, friend... He made a mental note to start a small garden in the future, to account for guests and his own enjoyment. He wove death, perhaps he could bit a bit more life into the world...

 

As she addressed him, sadness entered his eyes. It was his fate to face the dreadlords, and perhaps even the chosen in, hopefully, an open field. Each doing their best to slay the other enmasse. He was an Asha'man, that was what each man had to accept when he asked to be tested. This woman though... she had picked up a sword. She was as much, if not more so, a weapon than he, but her foes should fight with blade as well. A trolloc's axe, thakandari steel, these were what she would cut down in a fair world...

 

But the world wasn't fair, and even if she had the benefit of Aes Sedai at her back, there was every chance that she would have to place sword against the power... If anyone can do it... she can, and I'll help her in every way I can. "Though Mathis might not speak to me afterwards, but I will do everything in my power to test you... Fear not though, there are some excellent healers on the ranch, and your um," he glanced at her stomach, thinking of the child within, "Lightning and other elements will be pulled."

 

Sereth was truly shocked when Mathis returned so quickly, must have gone to the forest... Haven't had wild food in a while. "Hmm, tomorrow we'll set out to start your specialized training Thera." The asha'man's eyes fell on a grouping of books, laying on a counter. Each contained some briefing on tactics, and he'd have to devour them tonight in preparation. Oh well... I would have liked to fully enjoy them...

 

These unpleasant thoughts were put aside as Mathis' sister laid out a feast. Sereth blinked, not once, but twice, and offered his kind smile to the warrior. "Why... Um, thank you for preparing this for us Thera." His stomach roared in protest at his delay for pleasantries, and Sereth's face reddened, his hand moving to scratch the back of his neck. Without another word he dug in, savoring every bite.

 

He ate in silence, one of the precious few moments that he was as such. He ate until his stomach protested, despite the desires of his taste bloods. He made a mental note to reprehend Mathis, he said his sister couldn't cook field rations... Thanking her once again, he excused himself. "I've got some studying to do for tomorrow. I'm sure Mathis can lead you to your room." Grabbing a few books off of shelves, tables, and counters, demonstrating his mastery over his own chaotic organization, he retreated to his room.

 

Despite himself, he was almost giddy. It'd be his creations against a seasoned warrior, mental vs. physical. Thinking of the the wolfish grace Thera moved with... it would be a close match.

 

OOC: Alright, figured I'd end this hear to get to the fun bits. Either continue here or post a new thread, don't care which.