In need of a Thief-Catcher(attn Visar)

[Eqwina]

Kabria paced the few steps that their room would allow. Downstairs in the Inn’s common room Perivar was ferreting out the information she should be gathering; excepting the fact he would not allow it. Ever since her few close calls in the Borderlands he’d stuck to her as if he were glued and somehow he’d managed to become even more protective. The man had been an un-scalable wall before when it came to her protection, now he was a lion poised for attack. So it was that Kabria was made to wait in their rooms while he did her work.

 

Sometime between meeting his family and leaving the Borderlands she’d taken to chewing the ends of her hair when she was upset. It was a habit, her mother could have told her, was from her childhood. Finally sick of wearing tracks in the already worn and frayed rug Kabria flopped down onto their shared bed and instantly regretted it. The mattress was little more than scraps lain over a hard wooden plank. This was far from the best inn and far from the best street in Tear, but they were staying here out of necessity. A thief catcher had been Perivar’s idea and one that Kabria reluctantly agreed with after their search had come to a screeching halt, learning her mother had left Illian.

 

Even though Kabria was just starting to show the signs of ageless, something most would take for her young age, Perivar had been more than careful since entering the city. As little trust as he’d had of the Shinearian’s he had less here. Already several thief-catchers had been rejected on one pretense or another. She was beginning to think that if she had to wait even one more day her head would burst! Suddenly there was a change in the bond and Kabria sat upright in bed, could it be….acceptance? Rushing to the stand mirror she checked her appearance and tried to brush a few wrinkles from her green silk. It was travel stained and worn, the perfect look for a Lady who had fallen on hard times. It was the story they had put around, telling the innkeeper and the cook. Knowing it would spread before the day was out.

 

The door opened inward and Perivar entered, pulling the man behind him. “He’d wanted you to come to him, but I set him right of matters. He will be amendable now.” Shutting the door Perivar took a seat on the bed, giving Kabria the only chair and leaving the man with the stool. It also allowed him to be situation between her and the current stranger. Speaking of how little this man had won his trust. 

 

“Welcome, sir. That you are here speaks well for you, so many have failed to pass Perivar’s approval before you. Do you have a name?”

 

[Visar Falmaien]

Reputable clients were scarce these days.  Jural was beginning to get tired of the usual city requests, although he had recently enjoyed some profitable fun from selling his services to two women who were after the same porcelain vase.  His work seemed boring and too easy of late.  What Jural really wanted was a challenge, hopefully one that would involve greater reward than what meager sum his clients in the Maule earned him.

 

One day, a dangerous looking warrior came by, and told him he'd consider (consider!) his services as a thief catcher.  After answering several thorough questions relating to his reputation, Jural was pleased to know of a Lady client.  When he asked to meet her, however, the warrior, no doubt her bodyguard, insisted that Jural be taken to her.

 

While Jural inwardly protested, outwardly he did his best to remain calm and polite.  Noble clients often insisted on this and that, and it would do him no good to show them his real opinion of the privileged class.

 

As he was 'escorted' to this strange lady, who had not revealed her name, Jural still felt threatened by the bodyguard's presence.  It was as if Jural knew that this man could kill him at any time in an instant.  He had rarely felt that around men at arms, even Defenders of the Stone rarely gave off that sort of deadly aura.

 

No matter, he thought, and he entered the room to see the lady, being led by a sharp tug from the warrior's strong grip.  Jural's nose wrinkled slightly, but he said nothing to complain about any rough handling.  He could take much worse.

 

He was led to a stool, which was wisely placed a distance away, and in between him and the woman in the green silk dress sat the warrior.  Either the man was very good, or there was an urgent reason why this woman needed protection.  She sat calmly in the only chair in the room.  Jural placed a hand on the top of the stool offered, but decided not to sit down yet.

 

Formally bowing, Jural introduced himself with a gleaming smile and practiced, honeyed words.  "So glad am I to merit your attention, my lady.  I am called Jural Mirado.  How may I be of service to such a beautiful lady as yourself?"

 

[Eqwina]

A low growl escaped Perivar and she could see his hands tighten on the sheets. He’d always had a jealous streak, but he usually controlled it far better than this. It had to be the long months of travel and her few near misses with death that had him on edge. Reaching out to lay a comforting hand on his leg she gave him one of her rare smiles and let all the love in her heart pulse through the bond. It seemed to work to sooth him, the gold pulsing of her love was returned and his hands loosened their death grip.

 

“It is a pleasure to meet you Master Mirado, but I would advise you to save your flowery words for another. They will bear you no fruits here. As you can see my dear Perivar is very protective of me, and we would both hate for you to anger him too far.” Putting a small smile on her lips to remove the sting from the words, she gestured for Perivar to pour them both some wine. “I am afraid that your task will be thirsty work. It is neither easy nor short, but your compensation will more than pay for your time. I am afraid I will also have to require that you work for me and me alone. I do not have time for you to be distracted by other work. Of course I am prepared to compensate you for that as well.” Her eyes watched him for any sign as to his reaction.

 

Accepting the offered wine she took a deep breath and sighed. It was better wine than she’d had in awhile, though she was still careful not to drink too much. It had been far too embarrassing having to be carried to bed. Warder or not, Lover or not, dead drunk in wine was not how she wanted Perivar to see her. Channeling just slightly she used a small thread of fire to further heat her wine, careful not too warm it enough for steam. That would surely tip of the thief-catcher as too her true identity. Then Perivar’s great pains to keep her hidden will have all gone for not.

 

“If my offer sounds of interest to you I would like to discuss the price so we can begin on the details of why we brought you here. So, what do you say Master Mirado? Will you be my thief-catcher?”

 

[Visar Falmaien]

Jural noticed with some small alarm that the warrior seemed to tense up at his usual polite flattery.

 

“It is a pleasure to meet you Master Mirado, but I would advise you to save your flowery words for another. They will bear you no fruits here. As you can see my dear Perivar is very protective of me, and we would both hate for you to anger him too far.”

 

Jural slowly nodded his understanding.  Apparently the warrior was also this woman's lover?  Strange, Jural thought, but not the most uncommon relationship in the world.  A shame though.  Jural would simply have to settle for her money, then, which was fine by him.  Money was a far more certain reward than any pleasure she could give him, he thought.

"I am afraid that your task will be thirsty work. It is neither easy nor short, but your compensation will more than pay for your time. I am afraid I will also have to require that you work for me and me alone. I do not have time for you to be distracted by other work. Of course I am prepared to compensate you for that as well.”

 

A long term, challenging task?  An offer of extra pay for the extra work? Jural flickered a smile, but resisted the urge to grin wide.  This kind of deal was exactly what he had been looking for.

 

The warrior/lover dutifully poured them both cups of wine.  Jural said, "My thanks", and decided to sit down to appear as least threatening as possible.  He saw that the lady did not wait to drink her wine, so he sipped from his cup as well, confident that it was not poisoned. If they had had any desire to kill him no doubt this Perivar would have done the job before Jural came up here.

 

“If my offer sounds of interest to you I would like to discuss the price so we can begin on the details of why we brought you here. So, what do you say Master Mirado? Will you be my thief-catcher?”

 

"I am certainly interested in your offer, my lady. However, before we need discuss the boring details of payment or compensation, I would like to know something of the task first, which my price would depend on.  What would you wish me to find?  A thing or a person?  Or is there some other task towards which you would employ my skills, my lady?"

 

Jural was all ears, though he sincerely hoped he had not come off as too rude insisting on knowing what he was to be doing first.  If she insisted again on naming a price first, he might be willing to go along if she was willing to pay well.  It was hard to tell sometimes what would unintentionally insult nobles who had their own idea for how things should be run.

[Eqwina]

Kabria’s hands flexed slightly against her glass and she pursed her lips, but a moment later she was all cool serenity once more. Her eyes longed to find Perivar’s, but she couldn’t look at him without giving away her fears. It was not the thief-catcher or even his asking of more information that had her twitching like a goat with an itch. It was the prospect of coming face to face with Katarina again after nearly 30 years. Why would a woman who had abandoned her child wish to see her now?

 

Love and compassion flowed through the bond and taking a deep breath Kabria laid out the facts as she knew them.

 

“I need you to find a woman for me. I do not want her captured or harmed, only found so that I may..confront..her myself. We followed the trail of her to this City, but now it seems as if she has disappeared.” Taking another swallow of wine to further calm her nerves she fixed the man with a level look. “That is as much as you will know of my task until you set me a price.”

[Visar Falmaien]

“I need you to find a woman for me. I do not want her captured or harmed, only found so that I may..confront..her myself. We followed the trail of her to this City, but now it seems as if she has disappeared.”

 

Jural frowned, considering the task briefly.  Finding a person could either be very easy or very difficult, and there was no certainty that this Lady's woman was even in Tear.

 

“That is as much as you will know of my task until you set me a price.”

 

Jural took another drink from his glass, and thought of a suitable price.

 

"The usual Thief Catcher price for finding a person is two silver marks, my lady." Jural explained.  "If your woman is in Tear and matches any further description you're willing to give me, then it should not be much longer than a week before I find her.  Two marks will buy you a week of my best efforts to find her within Tear.  However, if she is not in the city, I will have to extend my search to beyond Tear.  That will be more expensive, unfortunately, as I have several other regular clients within the city whom I might be asked to work for in addition to our contract.  Outside...I cannot serve everyone at once, you see.  I will ask for four marks per week outside of Tear, should I find any leads outside the city.  Otherwise, I will continue my search within the city.

 

"So, my charge would be two silver marks up front, and one mark per two weeks after the first week within the city of Tear.  If my search leads to outside the city's vicinity, then that will be four marks per week for as long as you employ me.  I certainly hope the search will not take as long, but that is my offered price.  What do you think, my lady?"

 

 

[Eqwina]

Kabria watched him closely as he laid out his asking price. She searched for the tell tale signs that he was lying, and found none. Though she refused to believe that he would have charged her so much had she not been wearing silks, well worn as they were. Still, it was less than she had been willing to fork over in order to find her mother.

 

“I am willing to pay your price” Her wording let him know that she knew the price was too high and was willing to let it pass. Dipping into her belt pouch she reached out and pressed the coins into his hand. “I am in hopes you can start right away. I am most eager to find her.”

 

She gestured for Perivar to pour more wine and he obliged without a word. Even though none of it showed on her face he could feel her angst. “The woman you are looking for is named Katarina. She is into her middle years by now, but still could be called pretty. She has pale blue eyes and hair the color of straw that is cut short and lightly curled. Her skin is fair, only lightly touched by the sun and her lips are pouty. She has a small scar on her neck, but if she is wearing a high necked dress you won’t see it. Her voice is light and melodic, and she walks with a bit of a sway to her step. She and I are of a height and have the same heart shaped face.”

 

She knew as she poured out more and more details only a fool wouldn’t see the similarities, and the thief catcher was no fool. “I don’t believe in telling people more than they need to know Master Jural, but I will make a small exception and tell you that this woman is my mother.”

 

Again her hands fidgeted and she struggled to stop them. She had not addressed the woman out loud as mother in nearly 20 years and it sounded foreign on her tongue.

 

Standing she adjusted her skirts and went to the small chest in the room to pull out a small parcel of paper. Unfolding it careful she bent to show its contents to the thief-catcher. “Katarina, she may also be wearing one of these. I cannot say if she still has it, but it may help.” 

 

She showed him a necklace of gold with a small miniature attached. It showed she and her mother one of the last times they had been together. Her father had it painted right before his wife found out them. He had one made for each of them; not even Perivar had seen this trinket and she could feel the shock clearly in the bond.  Carefully she folded the paper back around the necklace and tucked it in her belt pouch. There would be explanation to make to her love later. “You can make your progress reports to me here, in the evening after dark. I expect to be kept abreast as to your findings.”

 

“is there anything else you need from me?”

[Visar Falmaien]

Jural was slightly surprised that the lady had agreed to his price so soon.  Apparently she could either afford to throw all that silver away, or she was so desperate to find someone that she considered the quest worth any cost.  When she went into the description of her mark, Jural listened carefully, trying to commit as much of it as possible to memory.  Katarina, blond hair blue eyes, fair skin, small scar, light, melodic voice, of same height...

 

Jural suspected there were some similarities between this Katarina and the woman, but she confirmed his suspicions right away.  The woman his client was looking for was her mother.  He raised his eyebrows.  It was not every day he heard of a daughter looking for a long lost mother.  The quest had a great personal meaning behind it, then, and although the two may have had some misgivings, Jural seriously doubted this was any sort of quest to do her mother harm.

 

Jural set his goblet aside and carefully examined the gold necklace before it was tucked back away.  It was surely unique enough to merit attention, he thought.

 

“You can make your progress reports to me here, in the evening after dark. I expect to be kept abreast as to your findings.”

 

"Of course, I will do my best to updated you daily, or whenever I hear any new information that might aid decisions of the search which you might wish to make."

 

 

“is there anything else you need from me?”

 

Jural considered for a moment.

 

"I have this Katarina's physical description, and the necklace will go a long way for sure.  Are there any other features of the woman which might stand out within Tear other than her appearance?  Anything about her voice?  An accent perhaps?  You may withhold from me what information you wish, but I assure you every extra bit of information could be helpful in finding your mother."

 

That was all he could think of for now, asking for any extra possible detail that might help.  Yet so far, he had enough to ask around for.  A woman of such appearance was rare within Tear, so he felt sure he would know if she was staying at any of the inns within a few days.

[Eqwina]

Kabria regained her seat and searched her mind for any other small detail that might help. The problem was her memories of Katarina were vague at best, and her most recent description she had pulled from her test for Accepted. She was not sure even how accurate that would be, but it was the only clue they had as to how her mother may have aged. 

 

Closing her eyes for a moment she was aware of Perivar tensing, as if sure the man would try something now that she was less aware. But she felt no fear; her life was in good hands. Searching her memory she tried to recall the sound of her mother voice. It was cloudy, but she was sure now that her accent was strange.

 

“I seem to remember a strange twist to her words, in addition to its musical quality. Yes….” Kabria’s icy blue eyes popped opened and she grinned. There would be no mistaking her mother now if she spoke. “Her parents, my grandparents were Andorian and Kandori, but she was born in Kandor giving her the Borderlands dialect. She moved to Illian at a young age and developed an Illianer accent. I hope that will be of some use to you?”

 

It was strange enough to have such a combination that Kabria felt as if she may have just given Jural the key. “Thank you again Jural, I look forward to hearing what you find.”

 

As the door shut behind the man Kabria turned to look in Perivar’s eyes. “I am sorry my heart, but it was too painful for me to share with you before. In truth I only showed it now in hopes of speeding up the search for Katarina.” Her strong, loving man looked at her blankly for a moment before crossing the room in a few strides and wrapping her in a hug. With her head buried in his chest she drank in the smell of him and the comfort it provided.

 

No matter what happened with Katarina, she would always have family as long as he was by her side.

 

[Visar Falmaien]

Jural listened, noting a possible Illianer accent.  His own feelings of most Illianers notwithstanding, Jural knew that might be a dangerous accent to flaunt in the city.  Still, it was more information to go by. He had the woman's appearance, her voice, and the description of the locket.  He doubted there would be too many women that matched that appearance exactly.  He had hope that if this Katarina was in Tear, she would be found.

 

“Thank you again Jural, I look forward to hearing what you find.”

 

Jural bowed in reply.  "Thank you, my lady.  I look forward to the completion of this assignment.  May your mother be speedily found, Light willing.  I will get started right away and report back as soon as I learn something of value."

 

The lady gave him a subtle but polite dismissal, and Jural left the room, glad to be away from the intimidating presence of the warrior Perivar.  It was time to return to 'base' (the tavern he frequents) and go tavern and inn hopping after that for most of the night.  With any luck, Jural would start hearing feedback within days.

[Sieve]

Perivar's left eyebrow rose slightly as Kabria produced the locket, it was as close to a look of shock as he was capable of.  For a moment he stopped glaring at the thief-catcher and studied Kabria.  The bond told him all he needed to know, much more than he wanted to know.  He hated to feel her pain, it tore at his heart.  The memories of Kabria's mother brought back painful reminders that tore at his beautiful Aes Sedai. 

 

Perivar wanted to send the thief-catcher away that instant and wrap her in his arms yet he stayed his ground.  Finding her mother was important to Kabria, she would not like him ruining the first man to pass his scrutiny.  If he put this one off it would take at least a week to find another.  He tried to smile but it did not reach his face.  He was too on edge at the moment.  It mattered little as Kabria had not looked up at him since showing the man the locket.

 

The brief meeting was over.  Methodically Perivar walked the thief-catcher to the door as if the man were a red adder.  His every movement in perfect balance as he saw him off in case the man decided to try something foolish. 

 

Turning away from the door his eyes sought Kabria's.  The pain in her eyes and that which he felt through the bond threatened to crush him like a boulder would crush a fly.  “I am sorry my heart, but it was too painful for me to share with you before. In truth I only showed it now in hopes of speeding up the search for Katarina.”

 

Perivar did not trust himself to speak at the moment.  He was not sure what would come out nor did he know the words to sooth her.  "Katarina"  Always her first name, Kabria never referred to her as her mother.  It was sad beyond words.  A few quick strides and he did the only thing that came to mind.  He wrapped her in his arms with her head resting on his chest. 

 

After working moisture back into his mouth he spoke.  "You have no need to apologize my love.  It is I who should be sorry, sorry that you have endured such pain in your past.  If only I could wipe it away..."    His words were trailed off as he realized how foolish they were.  As silly as the notion was his words carried as much empathy as he could muster.  They both knew that he could do no such thing nor would she allow it if he could.  Her painful past moulded her into what she was today.  Given the opportunity she would not change a thing.

 

Perivar's right hand lovingly caressed her hair as she lay against his chest.  "All will be well my love.  All will be well."  How many times had he uttered those words while they faced what they thought was certain death in the Borderlands.  The hardships they endured had solidified their love for one another.  All would be well, if not he would die trying to make it so.       

[Eqwina]

Kabria felt the determination in the bond, and the shared pain. He heart swelled and her love grew even more for her Warder. Through good and bad this whole trip had brought them closer than she’d ever thought they could be. It was the blessing in all the pain they had faced, and would before they made it home. 

 

The next three days passed with excruciating slowness while waiting for word of her mother. Not even rumpling the sheets with Perivar could distract her for long, and soon even that failed to occupy her mind.

 

Sitting on the edge of the chair with the small locket between her fingers Kabria stared towards the door to her room. Unable to wait another minute she’d sent Perivar out to find the man, surely by now he had some clue. Minutes ticked by but her eyes remained glue to the wood. As if that very act would bring them back any sooner.

 

[Visar Falmaien]

Jural had been visiting as many places as he knew to find information, visiting well over half the taverns and inns in the city in the last three days.  Many had not given any promising feedback, yet people in other places swore they had all seen the woman.

 

It was a slow and confusing process, to say the least, but Jural was taking notes as best as he could.  So far, he had amassed almost a dozen inns, and over two dozen homes where this Katarina, according to people who may or may not have seen her, had stayed.  Jural had wasted no time in visiting some of these to see for himself.  So far, he had come up empty.  Sometimes no woman of the description had actually been there, which meant that those who told them they had seen her had been lying.  Sometimes there had been a woman there, but she was long gone, sometimes even for years.  Other places claimed she had left recently, but those people seemed like they had something to hide.  Perhaps they were eager to redirect a zealous thief catcher's search in hopes that he might not get on to whatever crime they had been doing.  But the most aggravating and rare searches were where the woman was indeed living there, but either did not match the entire description in either age, voice, or appearance, or swore that they were not Katarina, and had means to prove that they were indeed who they said they were.

 

At the end of three days, Jural trudged back to his tavern, exhausted.  He found Perivar there, obviously waiting for some form of news.  Jural could have smacked himself.  He had been so busy looking around, that he had forgotten to update the lady on his progress.  No doubt she was growing a little impatient and doubted he was doing much of anything.  Greeting Perivar, Jural told him he would take a drink quickly, gather his notes, and then go back with the warrior to the lady to report.

 

In another hour they were back at the lady's room, Perivar escorting him in, no doubt peeved that Jural did not reveal any information to him.  The warrior was not Jural's client, after all, and he did not need to know all the details unless the lady demanded it so.

 

As they entered, Jural nodded his head in a small show of respect, hoping he did not look too much of a mess.  When was the last time he had slept?  No matter...

 

"My lady.  I have not found her yet.  You must understand, this is a big city, and these sorts of searches take time, since not everyone honestly directs me to a woman matching the descriptions you have given.  Work goes slowly, but I have several hypotheses as to the location of your mother.  I have a list here of perhaps thirty or forty possible locations here, with those I have already checked crossed out, with the reason why.  You may examine it to your heart's content.  Mayhaps you have some intuition as to which I should search next."

 

Jural gave the lady a long scrolled parchment, well organized with each place and hint given written out in detailed notes.

 

"It may take me the rest of the week to check all of those, and I will have to be careful around some of those areas.  Some of them are not seedy establishments, however.  Perhaps you and your man would like to search some of them yourself if I give you directions?  That would make the work go faster, to be sure."

 

"As to your mother, I have three suspicions:  One, she may yet be in the city, but she is secluded among trusted friends and does not go out to public establishments.  In that case, my searches would not have picked her up yet, and I will have to make a more thorough search which will take more time.  Another possibility, which you will note many of the places I visited claimed, she is not in the city anymore, and most of them claim that it has been some time since she was in Tear.  A few years at the least.  As for the third...I will be blunt with you, it is quite possible your mother may no longer be alive.  I will continue to search for hopes of the contrary, but know that if I find any more leads indicating that she is deceased, I will at least find her grave for you if possible so you may pay your respects."

 

There was a somber silence following his last suspicion.  Jural realized he must be revealing his pessimistic personality, and did his best to put on a hopeful smile.

 

"But rest assured, if your Katarina is alive, we will find her eventually."

[Eqwina]

Finally the bond changed after being still for some time, and the sense of irritation sprang alive in her head. No doubt the fool thief catcher still thought Perivar only her lover and didn’t deem him worthy of receiving his findings. Smirking she shook her head and stood up from her perch. She was slightly stiff from sitting to wait and suddenly her young age wore on her.

 

Many people felt the strain of old age, but Kabria was feeling the strains of young. She was a young Aes Sedai and still a young woman in truth, and the responsibility sometimes grated. People expected answers from her, and for her to solve their problems when she get not get a grasp on her own. It was  not enough to make her regret her choices, they just seemed a constant reminder that the ring and the shawl were not a pardon to the everyday hassles of life.

 

Trying to appear more at ease than she felt she picked up one of her many books and opened it to a random page. All the manuscripts she’d brought with her leaving the Tower had been read and read so it hardly mattered which book she chose. She could nearly recite them all. Scanning the strategies of war she kept half an eye on the door, waiting expectantly for the pair to cross the common room and start up the stairs. Not bothering to mark her page she closed the book and set it in her lap when Jural stepped into the room.

 

The thief catcher looked tired and he seemed more rumpled than she remembered. A good sign that he’d actually been about his work. Taking the parchment from his hands her eyes scanned the names of streets and houses and Inns, not really knowing what she was looking at, but fascinated all the same.

 

“…Perhaps you and your man would like to search some of them yourself if I give you directions?  That would make the work go faster, to be sure."

 

Raising a single eyebrow she glanced down at the list and shook her head slightly. She should not be doing the man’s work for him, but could she stand another week of waiting?

 

“I do not usually do the work I have hired others to do for me, but because of the urgency of this matter we will check some of the more reputable places for you.” Her tone was firm, meant as much for Perivar as for Jural.

 

The prospect of her mothers’ death had crossed her mind many times and haunted many of her nightmares, but she did not believe it to be true. While the ter’angreal buried deep in the Tower did not show the future, only a possibility or reflection of this world she felt sure that her mother was still alive.

 

“Death comes for us all, but I can give you assurance that I do not think that the case with Katarina. Perhaps I should have mentioned this before, but my mother she may have come into some money. My father was an Illian Lord and always made sure we were provided for. It may be that he has found a way to continue that support of her, in spite of his wife. It may also help for you to know that Katarina has a talent for….. seduction and manipulation for her own gain. She always felt as if she should have been born rich and I have no doubt that has changed even after all these years.”

 

She felt slight shame at admitting her mother’s less than desirable ways, but those facts may give Jural more to work with and that made them worth the slight flush to her cheeks.

 

“If you would mark out a few of these places, I would like to start tomorrow. I cannot delay in Tear too much longer and I cannot leave until she is found.” 

[Visar Falmaien]

“I do not usually do the work I have hired others to do for me, but because of the urgency of this matter we will check some of the more reputable places for you.”  the Lady firmly said.  Jural nodded, accepting the help.

 

“Death comes for us all, but I can give you assurance that I do not think that the case with Katarina. Perhaps I should have mentioned this before, but my mother she may have come into some money. My father was an Illian Lord and always made sure we were provided for. It may be that he has found a way to continue that support of her, in spite of his wife. It may also help for you to know that Katarina has a talent for….. seduction and manipulation for her own gain. She always felt as if she should have been born rich and I have no doubt that has changed even after all these years.”

 

The woman seemed strangely certain that her mother was not dead, and that she had the means to do well in life.  Why find her then, Jural briefly wondered, yet the calmness and certainty in the lady's voice was unnerving to hear.

 

“If you would mark out a few of these places, I would like to start tomorrow. I cannot delay in Tear too much longer and I cannot leave until she is found.” 

 

"Certainly." Jural said, and he beckoned for the parchment so he could mark the more reputable locations.  "These six should do for now, I think." he said, half to himself, and then he went about writing walking directions for them on a separate parchment, telling them which streets to take and which to avoid.

 

"Here you are," he said, handing them directions to each place from the inn.

 

"And unless you have anything else for me, I shall return to the search in earnest.  I should be done checking my present list within two days.  At the end of that time, I'll report back to you with what I find, my lady."

[Sieve]

Perivar stood aside brooding as Kabria spoke with the theif-catcher.  He did not trust the man for a moment in spite of him coming highly recommended.  The fact was that he only trusted a precious few.  Especially when it came to matters involving Kabria.  It had nothing to do with the fact that the man saw him as a simple armsman or that he refused to report to him as a result.  Perivar was actually amused by being thought of as a commoner.  He was not one for conversation either though he would rather the man simply informed him of his progress so he could relay it to Kabria.  He did not like letting anyone near her.

 

“I do not usually do the work I have hired others to do for me, but because of the urgency of this matter we will check some of the more reputable places for you.”  Kabria's words rang like a gong in his head.  Perivar bit back an oath then stared at her.  It was not her words but her tone that put him on edge.  It was the tone that said she had made up her mind and nothing he could say or do would sway her.  Sometimes he wondered if she thought of herself as being indestructible.

 

All thoughts of arguing over that which he could not change fled as Kabria went on about Katarina.  Perivar felt the bits of shame through the bond.  Again he wanted to throw the theif-catcher out of their room and comfort her but he held his ground knowing how important this was to her.  She was eager to begin their portion of the search, he could feel it.

 

In no time the theif-catcher was finished plotting the locations for them to check.  Perivar watched as Kabria took the parchment studying it as the man tried to take his leave.  Perivar wanted to shout for the man to go yet he waited patiently for Kabria to dismiss him.  She would not pleased if he sent the man away when she had further questions or instructions for him.   

[Eqwina]

The map of the city, with instructions was much clearer to her, and the small dot that marked each location seemed to burn like fire in her eyes. At any of these places could be Katarina, sitting quietly, probably with a man, completely unaware that her “lost” daughter was about to swoop down on her like a bird of prey.

 

Folding the parchment carefully she tucked it into her belt pouch and walked Jural to the door. “I will eagerly await your report, and perhaps it may be that I have something to report as well.”  It was far more likely that her mother would be spending time in a reputable establishment, rather than one of Tear’s many slums. 

 

Kabria leaned back against the door as it clicked shut, her eyes wide, and her emotions dead calm. With this new information in her hands she knew that she should be feeling something, but the only emotion fighting its way forth was shock. Caressing her belt pouch where the directions lay she stared down at the floor boards.  It seemed unfathomable that in a matter of days she may be face to face with a woman she had often cursed, and prayed for her death.

 

In the early years, while still a teenager on the Sea Folk ship she had gone to bed every night praying to the Light for her mother’s return, but soon a small child’s pain became resentment and soon even resentment was not enough. That long seeded resentment turned to hate and soon her title as mother was revoked and given to another. Now, nearly 20 years later, all the emotions she’d thought long buried were returning and caused the old scars to become fresh wounds once again. With the pain came the hate and resentment and it had Kabria suddenly questioning if her decisions to search was wise.

 

Still staring at the groun she directed her question more to the floorboards than Perivar, but she knew that he heard. “Am I doing the right thing? She…she abandoned me on that ship for a reason. Obviously she didn’t want me, or how could she have left?”

 

It all was becoming too much. The stress of their travels and the burden of responsibility that came with the shawl, the search for her mother, and the still continuing search for her grandparents, and trying to juggle her love for her warder with her desire to keep him alive…. Her knees shook and Kabria slowly slid down the door until her face was buried in her skirts. Tears leaked from the corner of her eyes, as she broke down. She fell apart……..her tears had not flown like this since first realizing her mother was not returning for her.

 

[Sieve]

“Am I doing the right thing? She…she abandoned me on that ship for a reason. Obviously she didn’t want me, or how could she have left?” That familiar musical voice was altered as a result of the pain.  He could hear the strain in her words.  Her pain tore at his heart.  He was thinking on the right words to say when she slid down the door burying her face in her skirts.

 

Perivar knelt at her side trying to wipe the tears from her eyes yet they flowed so freely that his efforts were to no avail.  Instead he began stroking her hair while whispering words of encouragement though they were not enough.  Finally he could take no more, he needed to hold her close, he needed to wash away her pain, somehow it had to be done. 

 

Wrapping his arms around her, Perivar gently scooped her up and carried her to a heavily cushioned chair.  He eased himself into the chair then sat Kabria on his lap letting her head rest against his chest.  Rhythmically he caressed her face while softly whispering.  "All will be well my love, all will be well."  He was angry, sad, torn...nothing he could say was going to change anything and the fact burned inside of him like a mid day sun.  So many emotions tore at him though he pushed them all into the flame maintaining the void.  He could not fall victim to his emotions, not now, not when she needed him to be strong.  He needed to be strong yet feeling her pain and torment was his achille's heel.  He felt helpless...she needed a way to vent. 

 

When she calmed a little he stood up placing her in the chair.  Perivar walked to his gear returning moments later with two bundled lathes.  He offered one to Kabria which she took reluctantly.  Backing away he began to clear the room then faced her.  Shrugging his shoulders he spoke almost boyishly "Well I know it always helped me whenever I needed to clear my head."  Again he shrugged embarassed that he did not have a better answer. 

 

Moments passed in silence so that he felt compelled to speak.  Once he began the words flowed "I don't know if what you are doing is right for only you know the answer to that question.  The fact is that we are here and you have already begun your search.  So right or wrong you felt strongly enough about finding her that you came this far.  Whether we pack up and leave or continue the search matters not to me.  You are what matters to me, I want you to be happy.  You are my love, my life!"  It was unlike him to say so much yet Kabria had a way of bringing it out in him.

 

 

[Eqwina]

Normally Kabria protested at being held in such a way, but this time she only snuggled closer and buried her face in his chest. Taking comfort in the steady beating of his heart, and the sweet rich scent that was Perivar. With his strong arms wrapped around her she felt safe, and secure…she felt at home, but today that was not enough to dry her tears.

 

Soon, she had cried all the tears she could cry, but still she sniffled and shook in his arms; unable to get up and face him now that she’d broken down so completely. Kabria had to fight the urge to cry out as he set her down gently in the chair. The absence of his warmth made her feel very alone.

 

She stared at the practice lathe as if she’d never seen one before, and held it awkwardly in her hand. Pushing herself to her feet she stared down at the floorboards, trying to calm her emotions. This was not how an Aes Sedai behaved.

"I don't know if what you are doing is right for only you know the answer to that question.  The fact is that we are here and you have already begun your search.  So right or wrong you felt strongly enough about finding her that you came this far.  Whether we pack up and leave or continue the search matters not to me.  You are what matters to me, I want you to be happy.  You are my love, my life!"

 

Gathering the practice lathes in a more traditional manner Kabria gave a small wry laugh. All he wanted was for her to be happy and would stop at nothing to see that she reached her goals. No Aes Sedai could ask for a better Warder, and no woman could ask for a better man to give her heart too. Reaching up to brush her still too short hair from her face she raised the practice blade. Who could really say, perhaps sparing would help her to clear her head….but for now she did it only to please Perivar.

 

“And you are the love of mine Perivar.” Solemnly she started to advance towards him, using the minimal space to move and her smaller size to her advantage. Soon she did find comfort in the fluid movements and even found herself trying to best her Warder. It would not happen of course, unless he allowed her to win, but she tried her hardest anyway. Slipping around the back of the chair, through a small space he couldn’t use she managed to get past his lathes and used her fist to punch him in the ribs…and that was the beginning of the end. He tossed his lathe aside and used both hands to disarm her and pin her arms to her sides.

 

Since he was not going to fight fair Kabria decided that she did not have to either. Working up a pout and a small whimper she looked up at him through her lashes and all thoughts of her mother…and the desire to win melted away. …..

 

[Sieve]

Perivar woke to find that Kabria was already up and about.  Obviously was eager to be underway as she was dressed and some food from the tray was missing.  Lifting his head from the pillow he smiled at her mischievously.  "I guess there is no chance of me convincing you to come back to bed."  Kabria gave him one of those looks that said not to push it then returned to studying the parchment with the names of the locations that they were to check.

 

For a moment his thought's drifted to the day before.  Perivar's attempt to calm Kabria may have been feeble but Kabria entertained him probably because she didn't want to hurt his feelings.  He was no wordsmith, he was not going to cheer her with words and she let him off the hook.  Her sharp tongue was a facade, Kabria was the most kind and caring person that he had ever met.  Everyday when he woke he thanked the creator for allowing Kabria into his life.

 

Snapping back to the present he realized that Kabria was staring at him and that he was smiling from ear to ear.  "What are you smiling at?" She asked obviously hoping he would reveal what was on his mind.  "nothing" he replied waving his hand as to say it was nothing important.  She didn't buy it of course.  Flashing another smile at her he threw the covers off then bounded from the bed crossing the room to pick from the tray.  Perivar continued to pick at the food as he got dressed washing it down with some mulled wine.  Brushing the crumbs from his shirt he walked to the washstand where he freshened up and scrubbed his teeth.  When he was finished he grabbed his gear and said enthusiastically "I'm ready when you are my love."       

[Eqwina]

Kabria slipped out of bed while Perivar still slept, not ever an easy feat, but she was dressed and ready to go by the time he woke.  She studied the list hoping that by some miracle one location would jump out at her, but so far her efforts were worthless.

 

"I guess there is no chance of me convincing you to come back to bed."

 

She turned and arched her eyebrow at him, giving him her most reproachful look. Really! She sniffed and went back to studying the map. Several moments passed and Perivar had still not moved. She looked up prepared to give him a tongue lashing and saw that he was still lying in bed with a goofy grin on his face. She allowed herself a moment to study his perfectly chisel body before chiding him further. "What are you smiling at?"

 

Her fists went to her hips and she almost brought up the fights his inability to share his feelings had caused, but….he was up and getting dressed. Her desire to start the search won out and she let it lay.

 

Stepping out into the streets of Tear a small smile wreathed Kabria’s face. She was no more sure about finding her mother than she had been the night before, but she was thrilled to out of the confines of her room. Perivar had hardly let her leave the room since they arrived in the city, his insistence in keeping her safe really was growing out of hand. Twice she had to motion him to walk at her side, he kept falling back so he was walking a pace behind. At least she rounded on him and forcefully slipped her arm through his, forcing him to stay at her side. “We are a couple out on a walk, not and warrior protecting his charge.” She delivered the whole speech quietly with lips that hardly moved.

 

All day they ducked in and out of Inn’s, stopping for a drink and to ask their questions before moving on. By the time Kabria fell into bed that night she was exhausted and disheartened. Maybe she could just give up her search?

 

[Visar Falmaien]

Several long days passed.  Long days of fruitless searching, yet some places still had a similar theme.  There is a woman here, but she's not Katarina, and she doesn't know about the locket. No, this "Katarina" was not here, she had left only a few weeks ago, or she was gone for a few years.

 

In the late afternoon, Jural went to a rather wealthy establishment, already exhausted and thinking this would be yet another dead end, when he found her.  Or rather, he found where she might have gone.  The well-to-do merchant whose house he visisted confirmed that a Katarina had lived there, but would not give away any further information.  Yet Jural was in luck when he asked the doorman on the way out.  The old man confirmed all the details which the Lady had given Jural, and told him that Katarina had left a year and a half ago, and last he heard, she was employed as the head servant -and one rumor claimed she was lover to- a prince in the country.  Finding the name of the village this manor was close to, Jural jotted down what he had discovered just to be sure he would remember it all.

 

After quietly paying the doorman for his information, Jural raced over to the lady's inn at half a jog.  He knew the way by now, and stormed up the stairs to the room.  Hopefully the lady and her man were at home.  He knew he could wait until Perivar called on him, but he was too excited in the thrill of finding the woman that he could not wait.  Jural knocked loudly on the door, hoping he was not interrupting anything.

[Sieve]

Day after frustrating day passed with no results though it was not from lack of effort.  Each day they began their search well before daylight and continued 'til well after dark.  Kabria's mood was growing worse by the day.  Frustration and doubt flowed through the bond though she refused to give.  He was sure Kabria was having doubts about their chances of success though she continued the search.

 

Perivar tried to cheer her mood though that task was proving more difficult with each passing day.  He was about to go look for the thief-catcher to inquire as to his progress though the man suddenly appeared one night saving him the trouble of having to find the man.

 

Answering the door Perivar made then man wait in the hallway while he informed Kabria of her visitor.  After giving Kabria time to ready herself he let the man in.  Taking his position by Kabria's side he listened anxiously hoping that the news was good for a change.

[Eqwina]

Kabria’s normally perfect hair was disarrayed and she was flopped down on their bed in a heap. Not caring that she was pressing wrinkles into her Green silk. Days of searching had turned up nothing and her mood was growing darker with each setting on the sun. Perivar had given up trying to bring her out of her moods and instead had settled in to avoiding the rather of her temper.

 

With her head buried in her arms and her skirt wrinkled and pushed up to her knee’s Kabria held little of the Aes Sedai vaunted serenity. She even jumped when there was a knock at their door. Sitting up and combing her fingers through her hair, she tried to brush the wrinkles from her skirts with her fingers and quickly gave up embracing Saidar and smoothing out the silk. There were still a few stains and she could do nothing for the bags under her eyes, but it was better.

 

Taking a seat on the edge of her bed she motioned Jural to the chair. The man was moving up in her book; no longer was he forced to stand or confined to a stool. “You seem as if you have good news. Well out with it man, I need some after the last few days.”

[Visar Falmaien]

As Jural was ushered into the room, he apologized for disturbing the pair, and assured them it was worth their time.  He idly noticed that he was sitting in a chair this time.

 

“You seem as if you have good news. Well out with it man, I need some after the last few days.”

 

"Very well, I will say that I am fairly certain that your mother is not in the city of Tear.  She stayed in several places while she was here, I suspect, but the latest place she visited she left more than a year ago. The good news is that this is the most solid lead I have had yet for her leaving the city.  The butler I talked to knew Katarina well, down to her slight accent and the golden locket you showed me.  The butler said that she was last residing near the village of Bittern, a few days' ride northwest of here after a short trip upriver.  As far as he knew, she was the head servant, perhaps lover, of a prince living at the manor near that village.  Granted, this was a year and a half ago, but if she's still there, then we may find her.  And if she left for one reason or another, we will hopefully find out where she is from there."

 

Jural let Perivar and the lady absorb this hopeful news, waiting for their verdict.  Either Jural could ride out to find the lady himself, or if the lady wanted to go herself, the three of them could ride there.  Though Jural would need to rent a horse, since he did not usually use one within the city, and he would need to draw up a detailed map from the ones he had, since he did not know the outside of Tear like the back of his hand.  And sleep...Jural could definitely use a few hours of sleep, but he could not voice this complaint aloud in front of his employer.