I just killed my boss. Can I see yours? [Red Ajah & Black Tower]

[Arie]

In a world beyond controlling

Are you going to deny the savior

In front of your eyes

 

 

 

The winds rustled the beautifully manicured gardens that surrounded the Yards and grounds of the White Tower. Birds whistled back and forth, claiming territory like two students fighting for the better grade. It was of late that she was willing to admit that her time within the Academy has exceeded her time and dedication to the Tower. When her thoughts and associations came more from her dealing with her non-channeling students over the ones that did, the evidence became abruptly apparent. Her spectacle eyes glazed over a little while she walked through the Gardens of the Tower; how long has it been since she took the time to enjoy such splendor? Even now, there was no enjoyment; simply the weight of duty.

 

"Death is lighter than a feather, duty heavier than ..."

 

"Maegan?"

 

The Red Cairhien Aes Sedai turned towards the source of the voice, a woman she recognized and trusted approached her with a fairly quickened step. Not that an Aes Sedai would run, but she was not simply strolling. There was a sense of purpose to her steps and Maegan took note of it. Even the reserved frown and the lines below her eyes were not lost to Maegan's limited sight. She wondered what the other Red may have to say.

 

"It has been a while." Maegan inclined her head to the older woman, merely a few decades her senior but lately she found it meant very little. "How have you been, Tatiana?"

 

The woman pursed her lips before motioning for them to walk together. Indulging the woman, Maegan continued her walk.

 

"I have to apoligize to you. What was done was done out of necessity. The ... Zarinen's choices were unexpected, I did not think she would …"

 

"Tia, enough. We do not admit mistakes any easier than we do with accepting change. This Ajah needs change. It may not be in the direction that you and I would prefer, nor at the rate we would prefer but we can not afford to treat this change anymore than when I was in office." Maegan said calmly, her words soft but to the point. Tatiana became silent as they walked. Maegan afforded herself a sigh.

 

"All we can do is advise as we can, accept the decisions of-." Maegan stopped. What she wanted to say and what she was going to say clashed. She did not believe that accepting the decisions of Zarinen -when she could not truthfully say the woman was not Black Ajah- was the best course of action. "We advise, Sister. It has only been a few months, allow her to grow accustom to the position. You put her there," Maegan smiled, "deal with it."

 

Tatiana shook her head, "A little too much time with that Blue has changed you, Mae."

 

"Experience does that."

 

"Well, I hope that it has not changed you too much. Saya, Portia, Anthea and Zedanya are rather ... insistant to learn what you know of the Black Tower. None else of the Red have returned and you have been dreadfully quiet about your time there." Tatiana turned to look towards the Tower. Turning her head, Maegan followed her gaze to see the afformentioned Aes Sedai.

 

"Ah, the young powerhouses." Maegan smiled a little, not for the topic, but the women mentioned. Powerful personalities. Saya may be the oldest in the Red Ajah with Muirenn gone. A sad thought. A very sobering thought.

 

As the four Aes Sedai walked towards them, she suddenly heard shouts and felt all four open to Saidar and -run- towards them, pointing past. Maegan was the first to turn around as her eyes barely adjusted to a slice in the air, and men dressed in the dreaded black coats brought out a large gasp from her companion. A sense of deja'vu hit Maegan, as she simply stood there, waiting for the other four to reach them. Counting not only the men that moved through the gate, Maegan noted also who came through.

 

No Gunner. No Brent. Maegan mentally swore an oath she hoped her father, nor Eowenn heard. Mentally, Maegan was freaking out, but physically she barely blinked as if the men walking towards her were a normal every day occurance. She had lived through too much to let surprises show when they should not. Stepping ahead of the Reds behind her, she could feel Saidar linking between the women, Maegan refrained from scowling both at the women but also at the man approaching her.

 

After a bow of her head, Maegan looked straight at the leading man.

 

"Ashaman, Covai. An unexpected visit. Would you like to inform us why you have decided to act in such a way that you condemned us for? Where is your M'Hael, Brent?" She was blunt and to the point. Above all else, Maegan was highly unimpressed. It took Annais so much work to meet with what the Black Tower demanded, only to have them visit them in the same way that the Tower so obviously had done in error? Covai was lucky she did not strip him bare and prance him around the Tower with a very red backside.

 

For saving me from all they've taken,

Let my armor fall again.

Giving me the strength to face them,

Feeling it taking over, now..

Maegan Ryanne

Aes Sedai of the Red Ajah

Formerly Bonded to Gunnar & Serge

 

 

 

Ooc: Covai, it's up to you. Reactions are welcome but keep the dialogue until after Maegan & Tatiana are off getting people, please. And Saline is welcome to join in! <3

Women, and men. Check with both Elgee and Covai if you channel. I got mixed signals here and that needs double checking.

[Jehaine]

Jerinia was walking through the gardens, lost in thought about a weave she had been determined to give a try. It used Spirit mostly, and she figured the weave to be a good way of mastering her control of the element a little better so that -- by extention -- her other weaves would benefit as well. Opening herself up to saidar, she started.

 

It was during the third try that she felt something was wrong though. Something appeared to be interfering with her weaving all of a sudden, though there was no channeling that she could detect in place there. She tried adding more power to it, but so did the interference, as if it too was strengthening. Annoyed, she just tried to yank it out of the way, but then her threads were cut by a man-sized disc that appeared hovering in midair. She could only stare, wide-eyed, at the portal as it increased in size, forming a weave she could not detect.

 

It was only when the first of the black cloaked men she identified as Asha'men from her lessons stepped through that she broke out of her state of shock long enough to turn around and run for the Amyrlin. Somehow, she had done this, her practising the weave must have pulled them to here, she was sure of that! The Amyrlin needed to know, she would know what to do!

 

Ignoring the looks -- and sometimes shouts -- of Aes Sedai as she passed them, yelling back apologies without slowing her pace, she ran up until she reached the door to the Amyrlin's office. It had been quite far, but her penances had built up a good deal of stamina, allowing her to run the distance without stopping even though she was breathing heavily. Tossing open the door until she felt it slam into something, she burst into the room.

 

- "Motherthere'sanaccidentthathappenedwithoneofmyweavesandthere'smalechannelersinthegardens

*breathe* nowandireallyhonestlydidn'tmeantodothat!"

 

The silence took her a bit by surprise however, and she followed Shevara's look behind her, to the Red Sister lying on the ground a couple of feet away from the door, clutching a slightly swollen looking side of her face amidst a number of the papers she had been carrying. Having a sudden feeling as if she'd ran from a bear to end up in the lion's den, she tried to be friendly about it, though in her mind she was already picturing being sent to Larindhra... again.

 

- "Umm... Gee, that looks like a nasty bruise Remona Sedai, you really should have a Yellow take a look at it... I'll just go and fetch one for you..."

 

Edging towards the door, she would be running to fetch said Yellow Sister unless told otherwise. She had managed to calm down some though, which was perhaps for the better as she could now actually be understood with a little less effort.

 

 

Jerinia

...Whoops?

[minisamus]

There they were, in the rows behind the cloud, pecking, renting holes in the sky. Sunshine streamed through the clouds and bounced off the slants of her hollowed cheeks; the familiar caw-cawing of the blackbirds playing a gaunt melody to her ears. However, something did not sound right.

 

Portia Larisen sat in the garden, glowering up at them. Even if she were standing still in that garden she would have been the runt of the pack, petite of stature and frame. And she had no intention to stand or speak, just glare and see if any of them would notice. Nobody had. Her rosebud mouth grew into a fierce pout, but she decided she did not mind getting up and strolling along, after all.

 

Pleasant as it was to wake to the stirring of her sisters—light and fleeting, like the flapping of a butterfly, a butterfly that begins the quake—she preferred her nap-time. Portia know they gave good looks and pretty conversation. They had really nice faces that did not harbor eyes that were too big, too icy dark. Also they liked to stay out, seeing and noting the latest going-ons, always liking to be the center, while she had a liking for the privacy of her chambers until she was called for. Nobody asked much of her to hang out with them though. Unlike her sisters, the Taraboner disliked all this talk. She did not speak well in any place, not even on the nice walks they dragged her into.

 

Her beads rattled painstakingly through silvery braids, which complemented the slight clicking noises coming from their leader Saya Sedai’s peg leg, although the black-haired Aes Sedai had worn her customary long skirts over the prosthetic limb, a reminder of a Trollocs encounter in the borderlands, which Portia did not know much about. It was a meeting had not ended well. Saya had lost her leg in the battle, but the Trolloc had lost his life.

 

Suddenly the summer horizon opened, a hurried slash in the brightness, expanding, admitting to the silver oval capturing the sunlight. Through which dark jacketed men stepped from. It would take more than a circle for them to be gentled, she assessed. But whatever happened to keeping the gardens private? It was still green, greener than a gardener’s dream, yet there should not be black bugs crawling, shouting across the greenery.

 

She opened herself up to the source, and deftly handed her controlled flows over to Saya. Although strength was crucial to gentling, in trying times when experience was handy, age was traditionally a deciding factor. It was with practice ease that she gave herself to Saya and felt her walking companions do the same, as Portia’s features hardened into its unreadable, non-blinking expression. Her breath quickened as she watched, trusting the crowd that had gathered less and less.

 

[Rasheta Ardashir]

Anthea had little to do today, she was sitting in her rooms in the Red quarters she had to speak to some Novices later but otherwise the day was hers. She decided that a walk in the gardens would be a good idea. She pulled her blonde hair up and secured it with a tie then she stood and left her rooms.

 

On the way to the Red Ajah's private garden she met up with Saya, the red sister was rather short to Anthea and she always felt her neck start to stiffen when she was talking to her. She did smile down at Saya and nod her good mornings, the two spoke a little on the way to the garden and when they arrived they saw Maegan, Portia and several others already there. Anthea began to walk purposefully toward Maegan she had wanted to talk to the woman, since the former Highest had been in the Black Tower and Anthea wanted some information about it. As she passed Portia she noticed that a hurried slash in the brightness, expanding, admitting to the silver rectangle capturing the sunlight. Through which dark jacketed men stepped from.

 

Anthea felt everyone embrace the power, and she realized she was holding as much as she could. She eyed the men coolly and Maegan motioned for everyone to let go of the power, Anthea sent a cool look to Maegan's back "was the woman out of her mind! The men in front of them could channel!"

Anthea Luin

Red Sister.

[Muirenn]

"Stop right there, child."

 

The Amyrlin's icy voice cut through the air as she surveyed the devastation that Jerinia left in her wake.  She walked swiftly over to Ramona and helped the woman up, Healing the knot on her cheekbone.  The other sister shivered as she was Healed and thanked the Amyrlin before bending to gather up her fallen papers.  Shevara turned cool blue eyes on the Accepted, who had indeed frozen just inside the doorway.

 

"Jerinia," the Amyrlin sighed.  "I didn't catch a word of what you were saying.  Tell it again.  And slower this time."

 

She listened intently as the girl repeated her message at a much more reasonable speed.  Light!  Asha'man in the gardens!  Even with the treaty in force Shevara had not expected this turn of events.  Silly of the child to think that her practice at weaving could bring them here.  Jerinia had a good head, when she chose to use it, and would be a good Aes Sedai.  But she was further from raising than Shevara thought if this was what she had come up with! 

 

"Jerinia, your channeling practice had nothing whatever to do with the arrival of these men.  They have the weave for Travelling, as the Aes Sedai do.  Your practice was an unfortunate coincidence.  However, we must act quickly here.  I want you to go back down to the gardens, but do not run.  Speak to one of the Reds you find there and ask her to have the ambassadors from the Black Tower escorted with all respect to my waiting room."  She eyed the girl sharply, "And Jerinia, speak to no one about what you have seen or heard."

 

She watched as the girl left, and turned to Ramona.  "You know what this means, Sister?"  The Red nodded, her brown eyes sharp.  Oh yes, the head of the Red Eyes and Ears network was a sharp woman indeed.  "Go to Zarinen's quarters, daughter.  Tell the women you find there to attend me with all haste."  She paused, could she trust this woman?  Well, it seemed she would be given little choice.  Shevara's chin raised a fraction as she spoke, "Tell her to bring with her Bonwhin's Pride."

 

-Shevara Edosian

The Amyrlin Seat

[Jehaine]

Jerinia blinked in surprise at Shevara's words, then nodded. While she had learned that Traveling required someone to know the place they were heading to, it could just as well have meant that one of these Asha'men had been on the Tower grounds long enough at one point to 'learn' the location, or it could have another perfectly logical reason, but as the Amyrlin didn't seem to be overly troubled by this she supposed she shouldn't also.

 

- "Yes, Mother. Return to the gardens, speak with one of the Red Sisters there and relay your request to bring them to you. I'm on my way."

 

As she curtsied, she glanced to the fallen Aes Sedai at her side, and winced painfully under the glare Remona was sending her. Something told her she wouldn't have heard the last of this, regardless of how it would turn out. Scurrying out of the door, she closed it behind her, and proceeded to walk to the gardens, an ominous feeling of doom giving her the shivers as she thought of what Remona would end up doing to her for this one...

 

 

Jerinia

Had her post snipped :'(

[minisamus]

Saidar was nearby. How come it was so close? Surely her sisters were not linking in preparation of a nice stroll in the Red gardens? Hopefully not. Straightening from her perch at the window she let her portfolio snap, and tucked away the sharpened charcoal with which she had been shading with as she hurried toward the pull of the Source.

 

She strode faster, keen to find out what was happening. As she rounded the corner Saline came to a sudden stop. "Fortune prick me . . ." she whispered, feeling Saidar rush in.

 

Ooc: Edited

[Jaydena]

Click, click, click, click the sound echoed through the halls of the Red Quarters as she made her way to the gardens. Many a Red Sister cowered as she made her way past, her long skirts covering the wooden leg she had worn since she was child. The loss of that leg has shaped her life in so many many ways. If it hadn't been for that she might never have come to the Tower to have it healed, only to be told that they couldn't reattach body parts. A Sister of the Yellow had also opened a new life for her when she had told her that she could learn to channel. It was at the that moment that she realized that there was a purpose for the loss of her leg by that blood Trolloc. Glancing around she left the Red Quarters and headed out into the gardens, her leg making a different sound on the stone work of the paths. As she walked forward she barely noticed the Novices and Accepted backing out of her way, she had taught many of them in their lessons and they knew better than to approach her when not in class.

 

As she reached the Red Garden she noticed several of her Sisters standing there talking in hushed tones. She glanced at the women, her mind quickly going through what she knew about each Sister and why they might be together.  She approached them carefully with her face neutral and spoke, "Hello Sisters, fine day for touring the gardens." They spoke quietly for a few minutes but seeing as how Reds were often brunt and to the point, they quickly began discussing the reason they were there. Their Ajah Head, many of them were not happy with her dealings with the Ajah, and those men from the Black Tower. Saya agreed with much of what they had to say but Zarinen was the Highest and as such her decisions could not be questioned, her authority was absolute. To add to the problems, their former Highest  Maegan had returned from the Black Tower and had done nothing to deal with their fears, worried, or rage. They all had a right to know what was going on there and what had happened to her, in fact how to deal with the Ashaman would be nice to learn as well. Motioning to the other women they started to walk together, away from the Tower and further into the Gardens. She spoke in hushed tones of what they needed to learn and how best to go about it. At some point in their walk Tatiana noticed that the former Highest was also in the Gardens and broke off to speak with her. They all watched silently from a distance and waited for the other women to approach them.

 

Time passed and finally they began to walk towards Tatiana and Maegan to begin speaking about the issues they all were facing as Reds. It was time to figure out how to deal with these channeling men. As they walked or in her case sort of hobbled, she considered how to deal with this younger Red. How the light do you make someone talk who doesn't want to without torturing them.... she thought. Suddenly all her thoughts were pushed from her mind as a spinning disk appeared in the Garden, rotating, cutting the bushes near it as though hit by a razorblade. The rotating disk quickly turned into a gateway. She recognized them well as she had formed them herself and used them often. However this wasn't the designated channeling place and she didn't feel anything. Starting to run at the same point as the Sisters with her, realizing what was going on they all embraced the Source in preparation. She pointed behind Maegan as they ran and the other woman turned to look behind her. Men stepped from the gateway, all of them dressed in black. A dim part of her black wondered if all of them were color blind, but she quickly turned that thought away. By the time they reached the other two women, the women with her had reached out to hand off Saidar to her, she took control of the link, and quickly prepared a few weaves.

 

She had promised not gentle any of them but she hadn't promised not to be aware and prepared. Saya had taken an Oath as an Aes Sedai and she would protect the Tower and her Sisters at all costs. The men walked as though they were in no hurry and not even remotely scared to be in the presence of so many Sisters of the Red Ajah. Two years ago they would have been genteled on sight but things had changed, not for the better in her opinion. She hadn't given so much of her life to not gentle these men, to not protect it from them going me. Saya was shaken out of her thoughts by Maegan speaking, "Ashaman, Covai. An unexpected visit. Would you like to inform us why you have decided to act in such a way that you condemned us for? Where is your M'Hael, Brent?" She watched them all, her black hair floating in the wind, cut at her neck and sliced straight as though with a sharp sword, her blue eyes regarded the men in front of her, ready for the smallest movement. Her Blues eyes held the weight of the world and she was probably older than all these mens Grandmothers and Great Grandmothers. Silently she waited for one of them to speak as she held the weaves tight...

 

Saya Rishada

NSW Red

[Arath Faringal]

Arath stood waiting at the edge of the travelling grounds, waiting for the rest of the small party to arrive.  The rest of the group had not been part of the original plan.  Covai had wanted to do this alone, but with the events of the last few days, and the new change in command, that simply wasn't going to happen.  Despite Covai's insistance that there be no M'Hael position, that all the Storm Leaders were equal, most still deferred to him.  Some still called him M'Hael, though never within earshot of him.  At any rate, it was not possible for him to make this trip alone anymore.  A small group of Asha'man had volunteered to accompany him, and no amount of orders to the contrary had changed their minds.

 

"Are you still sure about this?" Arath asked the other Storm Leader.

 

Covai grunted.  "Yes, Arath.  You know as well as I do that this has to happen."

 

That wasn't what Arath had meant, but he let it slide.  Covai was only two days recovered from his battle with Brent.  Despite the best efforts of the greatest healers at the Farm, he still had to be tired from it.  Covai even insisted that he be the one to open the gateway.  Arath had learned enough about his friend to not argue the point.  Covai could teach a mule to be stubborn when he wanted to.

 

In short order, the entire escort had arrived.  A good many of them were those that had accompanied Arath and Covai to Tear, and sworn alleigance to the Lord Dragon.  The rest were men that knew and respected at least one of the two Storm Leaders.  A ragtag little group in some ways, but the best to be found in others.  And not nearly enough should this turn sour.  Shaking his head to clear the unhelpful thoughts from his mind, Arath turned to Covai.  "Everyone is here.  Shall we?"

 

With a nod, Covai turned and siezed Saidin.  Arath watched as carefully, almost hesitantly, formed the weave for Travelling.  The familiar silver slash appeared in front of them, rotating open into the gateway.  Even before the edges of the gate had stopped moving, Arath heard shouts from the other side, and felt his skin tingle.  Oh light ... he thought miserably.  This is already going well.

 

"I think you missed the Grove Covai," he said, forcing a grin.  The plan had been to travel to the Ogier grove and walk to the Tower without causing much of a stir.  So much for that happening.

 

Covai simply shrugged.  "What's done is done.  We might as well go for it."  And he stepped through the gateway.  With a curse, Arath followed quickly after him, the rest of the group at his heals.  Maintaining the void, and a firm grip on Saidin, Arath took a quick look around.  They appeared to be in a garden of some sorts.  Surrounded by women in red shawls.  Arath felt his stomach churn.  Had they traveled right into the middle of a red ajah gathering?

 

A great deal of commotion was going on all around them.  Some of the women looked furious, and right on the edge of violence.  A great deal more looked poleaxed, simply standing there in shock, unable to believe what they saw.  One familiar looking woman finally spoke up. 

 

"Ashaman, Covai. An unexpected visit. Would you like to inform us why you have decided to act in such a way that you condemned us for? Where is your M'Hael, Brent?"

 

Maegan.  That was her name.  She had spent some time talking to Brent shortly after he had killed Dalinar and taken his place as M'Hael.  Brent had never spoken of what they had discussed, and had been very vehement about keeping it secret.  Well, if she wished to speak with Brent again ...

 

Arath watched as Covai tossed a small sack toward the Aes Sedai.  It landed with a hollow thud, bouncing off a stone and rolling a little ways.  "Brent Enios no longer speaks for the Black Tower.  And you'll notice that we didn't arrive and immediately try to shield and subdue everyone in sight," he said calmly, the faintest of smiles touching his lips.

 

Arath would have smiled if he could.  The uneasy looks on so many of those faces as they contemplated what might be in that bag were so very out of place on an Aes Sedai.  He wondered what they would do when they discovered the Illianer's skull inside?

 

"We meant to arrive in the Grove, but I suppose this will do.  We demand to speak with the Amrylin.  I trust the treaty Brent made with you survived him?"  It was a little unsettling having all of those eyes turn on him as he spoke, but with the help of the void he maintained a cool, unconcerned look.  He suspected that most of the Aes Sedai felt a great deal less comfortable than he did right now.

 

OOC:  Sorry for the massive delay on this people.  Asha'man, you're free to enter and give your initial reactions.  I'll NPC Covai more if I have to, but for now Arath will kind of take the lead here.

[Liitha]

Aslan kept to the back of the embassy, he had volunteered once things turned out as they did from two reasons, one he trusted Arath and two based on that if he was to get a good chance at geting to the tower and back out again, so he hopefully could learn something more about his talent, then this seemed as good as any time.

 

He could still feel his stomach twirl as he saw the gate opened, he just hoped that not having heard from Jakar since early yesterday was a good sign that he was at rest, the last thing he needed was too loose control. To make sure of that he kept silently in the back, the safest position to be in as such, and where he hopefully could go unnoticed of not paying as much outward attention as inward.

 

He took a quick glance around as he stepped through the gate, the shock of realisation following that something wasnt quite as planed, gave him the sensation of geting cold water over his head. He quickly forced himself to dodge his eyes away from the Aes Sedai, his nerves was on high edge, but as long as the group around him didnt react he would have to trust to being safe. He could feel something move in the back of his mind, but not urgent or pressing in the moment.  Focusing on the spot he made himself breath deep and work to put it back in place, how he did not know, he just knew that it was doable in most cases if he focused and paid attention so he could catch it early on.

 

The words finally spoken seemed to be from far away, sounding tick in his ear, yet the meaning clear enough. He watched for signs of the others moving, but so far nothing, slowly as he felt himself more at ease he allowed himself to take another look, making sure where he placed his eyes and try to only look at the garden.

[minisamus]

Saline stood by, breathing painfully and pressing her hands to her chest. She was in need of attention. There was an uneasy look on the speaker as he admitted that he might have made a mistake in having the Asha'man brought here, rather than the Grove. But he was not behaving very hostile, although his words had been biting. The Aes Sedai, too, stood in hesitation.

 

Meanwhile the quiet garden had become so full of people that you couldn't have dropped a pin. Almost all the Black Tower men had streamed in from the travelling portal which now closed itself as the last person came in; at first they were squeezed together in the archway, but afterwards they overflowed into the grass. Waiting for the Aes Sedai to take it from there.

 

Voices outside were heard, however, murmurring of the Asha'man's treaty and saying that they'd no business to make a disturbance here. Women being women, always finding something to complain about! Putting aside the thought that the greatest ventures with the One Power were possible with males and female channellers, Saline realized the Ajah never tolerated them until now that there might be something to gain. We'll see about that. Especially when one considered what the leader had said regarding not shielding the women. Maegan Sedai was silent at the news of Brent's death.

 

"Hey, enough hob-knobbing. This is not a debutante party . . . did we send a runner to the Amyrlin yet?" Saline asked her Sisters, clasping her hands.

 

Ooc: could be a good time to get that summons from the Amyrlin via Jerinia?

[Elgee]

OOC: No, the BT members now have a chance to post. Arath or Covai will let us know when Jerinia can deliver her summons.

[Jehaine]

OOC: Just a note, Jerinia would have dropped off her message and left, and Martyn would be the last BTer through the portal so they can miss seeing each other. Just in case anyone is waiting on me. ^^;

[Elgee]

OOC: Go for it, Jeh

[Jehaine]

As the other Asha'men from the Black Tower stepped through the portal and into the the grassy field of the Tower Gardens, Jerinia returned from her meeting with the Amyrlin. She hesitated slightly as she looked at Covai and Arath, the additional markings on their coats compared to the others telling her they held a higher rank than them. Of course, she was comparing it to the difference in dress between Novice and Accepted, but that was beside the point. Taking a deep breath, she quickened her pace until she was close to the group of Red Sisters before addressing them in a voice loud enough for the Asha'men to overhear. With a little luck, they'd stop looking angry too.

 

- "Aes Sedai, the Amyrlin wants the ambassadors from the Black Tower escorted with all respect to her waiting room."

 

With her message given, she started hopping nervously from one foot onto the other, feeling the eyes of the Asha'men on her. She thought they were at least, but she couldn't really run off without being ordered to, or if there was something else she needed to do aside from the chore she was supposed to have been doing when the portal appeared almost right in front of her. Scanning the ground, her eyes fell on a sack that hadn't been there before, and her eyes lit up at the opportunity. Rushing over to the sack, she snatched it up from the ground, blissfully unaware of its contents.

 

- "I'll just... carry your bags to the Amyrlin for you!"

 

And with that, she ran back into the Tower again with a speed matching the one she had been berated for only a few minutes ago. It was a relief when she was out of earshot so she could not be called back, and she started guessing what was in the sack, but told herself not to peek. She'd just take it to the Amyrlin for when they would be called in, and find something else to do in the meantime far away from the gardens and the Halls. Her room could use some cleaning. Why yes, YES, she'd need at least three hours to meticulously ensure no dust remained in her room. She must have missed something this morning...

 

 

Jerinia

Taking Brent to see the Amyrlin

 

---

 

Martyn was one of the last to step through the portal, a safety measure given his block. If there would be a fight, the others would have more of a use than him, making it a justified tactical decision. No portals were sliced through, no channeling could be felt at the other side nor did the sound of fireballs exploding and lightning crashing down echo in his hearing. Overall, things were going good, and he stepped through the portal as it closed behind him.

 

His eyes focused on the Aes Sedai first, for obvious reasons the ones posing the largest threat to him. It gave him a bit of a double feeling as Aes Sedai had been widely respected where he came from, and his upbringing was interfering with his training as a Black Tower member at the moment. Even though the current mood could be called tense, he hoped they would not attack, and force him to retaliate against whom he had grown up to respect.

 

From the corner of his vision he caught the edge of a colored hem run into the building, and some locks of long red hair that managed to tickle an ancient memory, but he discarded that in favor of remaining vigilant and keeping himself focused on why he had come here. Giving Covai and Arath a nod to tell them he was ready for whatever would be thrown their way, he stood ready, waiting for orders.

 

 

Martyn

Present and accounted for

[Jaydena]

Saya folded her hands at her waist while she waited for the Asha'man that their once Highest had addressed to speak. Finally one of the men in the black coats tossed a small sack towards, she barely managed to keep herself from jumping back several stepped when it made a hollow thud as it bounced towards them. She could only imagine what was inside the bag considering the look of hatred on the man's face as he threw it. "Brent Enios no longer speaks for the Black Tower.  And you'll notice that we didn't arrive and immediately try to shield and subdue everyone in sight." Saya raised her eyebrows, well this was an interesting development, perhaps without that monster at the helm, negotiations with the Black Tower would run much more smoothly. After all, he had felt it was a wonderful idea to force bonds on unsuspecting Aes Sedai and than hold them captive. Forcing them to do chores and the like for the compound in which they were housed. She shuddered, that Sisters could be treated that way by anyone when they should be respected just disgusted her. Forcing her eyes back to the bag she looked at it and than raised her eyes as one of the men began to talk again, "We meant to arrive in the Grove, but I suppose this will do.  We demand to speak with the Amrylin.  I trust the treaty Brent made with you survived him?"

 

Saya looked out of the corner of her eye at Maegan and than turned her attention back onto the men. Just as she was about to respond, one of the younger Aes Sedai spoke up. "Hey, enough hob-knobbing. This is not a debutante party . . . did we send a runner to the Amyrlin yet?" She nodded and turned as the young girl from earlier ran up. Seemed like Jerinia was her name if she remembered correctly. "Aes Sedai, the Amyrlin wants the ambassadors from the Black Tower escorted with all respect to her waiting room." She watched as the girl bounced back and forth on her feet obviously anxious to get away from the staring eyes of everyone in the group. She stepped forward and grabbed ahold of the bag the Asha'man had thrown at their feet and rushed off with it. Saya shook her head, that one needed a talking to for her behavior, and than spoke, "Welcome to the the White Tower, respected members of the Black Tower." She almost choked on the words but she managed to convey them as their Amyrlin wanted, "If you will be so kind as to follow me, I will take you to our Amyrlin Seat." She turned and began walking, the pricking of eminent doom on her back, they could take her out with our weave and she couldn't even see to defend herself...

 

Saya

Red NSW

 

- "I'll just... carry your bags to the Amyrlin for you!"

[Covai Seriba]

Covai watched events unfold with the barest hint of a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Light, they really are more scared of us then we were of them." The woman before him and a lifetime of combined experience or more that Covai didn't even want to start thinking about. Not so much because of the danger or awe he might feel. Truth be told, the thought that women that old simply shouldn't have full heads of hair without at least some grey in them.

 

Pushing the unbidden, and rather random, thought from from his mind, Covai turned back to the matter at hand. Checking over his shoulder to make sure everybody had made it through, Covai left the gateway shut and released the source. With his level of exhaustion it actually felt like a relief to let go of Saidin. Fighting back a yawn as he stretched, Covai waved for the Asha'man gathered to follow him as he plodded after the Aes Sedai who had offered to show them the way. He wished he had the energy not to 'plod', but they weren't likely to be thinking much of him anyways, so light burn them and their opinions.

 

Nudging Arath beside him, Covai spoked in a soft voice. He could see all the eyes on their group as they walked along the tower grounds, and those he couldn't see he could feel digging into his back. At the moment however, fatigue had robbed him off any sense of shame or propriety, so he gave into the thought that had entered his him.

 

"Hey, we are sure they're taking us to the person right, not just some seat in a dirty old room?"

[minisamus]

Perhaps she was alarmed by his height, but as Portia watched the last Asha'man step out and nod to his commanding officers she had an unusually stern expression on her less than amicable face. First there had been that bag, a token from the appreciative Asha’man? She would have liked to satisfy her curiosity but was feeling fairly certain whatever it was would be sealed to the Amyrlin and the Hall, kept secret even from the Red Sisters. Such as the treaty Brent made with the Tower? Only a few Sisters, such as Maegan Sedai and Saya Sedai, had known of it.

 

If Brent was dead did this group represent all those at the Black Tower or were they usurpers? How exactly did Brent who used to speak for them, die? Again, it was secret.

 

Portia scowled even when she let go of Saidar.

 

She did not like secrets. Secrets only brought harm to everybody around who weren’t in on it. No sooner had talk of a runner been mentioned had the messenger, in form of an initiate no less, picked up the gift from the Asha’man and summoned the leaders to a private audience.

 

No doubt Saya Sedai expected them to help with the escort. It would be a chance to make sense of things that were happening lately, because the White Tower was definitely behaving strangely. Despite Portia’s misgivings about intrigue, she wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

 

Portia Larisen

Red NSW

 

[Sieve]

Geirrin was lost in thought as Covai seized Saidin and wove the gateway or he would have wondered why the M'hael...no the Storm Leader was the one weaving the gateway.  Once again Geirrin was so oblivious to his surroundings that one of the other Asha'man had to prod him to get him through the gateway.  Suddenly he became aware of his surroundings and the commotion that their arrival had caused.

 

Why me? Geirrin thought furiously!  Why under the light did I have to come here!  He would rather have done weeks of physical labor than stick his head in the mouth of a lionfish.  No not just one lionfish but several.  Why did he ever leave Tear! 

 

Geirrin felt as if he had just been netted and was waiting to be hauled from the water.  He uttered a plethora of curses as he struggled to grasp Saidin completely unaware of the calm demeanor of his leaders and some of his companions.  Fumbling like a child at the tiller for the first time, Geirrin tried desperately to grab hold of Saidin yet it eluded him.  He began to sweat from the effort until finally he seized the source and felt Saidin fill him to the point where he thought he would burst. 

 

Geirrin stared about wildly wondering which Aes Sedai he would shield.  They were all Aes Sedai weren't they? he thought to himself.  At the moment he had no idea nor did he have time to sort it all out so he just assumed that all of the women before him were Aes Sedai.  Now which one to shield?  He was confident he could shield any of them, he was strong in the power and he had a talent for shielding but he had his limits.  He could not shield all of the Aes Sedai at once.  Truthfully he could probably only manage to shield no more than two of them without risking everything to do so. Geirrin was strong, one of the strongest at the Black Tower but he lacked the skill to weave several flows at once.  It was something that had would remedy if he could.

 

Finally Geirrin composed himself enough to notice that the Storm Leaders were calm and collected.  Covai and Arath appeared as if they were at their leisure, as if visiting the White Tower was common place for them.  A look from Arath was all it took for Geirrin to let Saidin go.  Remembering the orders they had received before they left made him blush. His lack of self control left his sun tanned Tairen cheeks looking like polished mahogany.  The loss of Saidin was even worse than the embarassment, it made him feel as defenseless as a new born babe.

 

Geirrin still had a wild look about him as if he was being hunted though now at least he was now composed.  Not composed like Covai and Arath, or Martyn for that matter.  The older man always seemed composed.  If not for the presence of the Aes Sedai, he might have spent more time pondering the reason why the man was always so collected. 

 

Fortunately they did not have to stand there long though walking through the Tower grounds was not much better.  Eyes followed them wherever they went.  Some even openly gaped or gasped loudly when they realized who the black coated visitors were.  One woman, a liveried servant even fainted as she turned the corner and came face to face with them.  A mischievous grin formed on Geirrin’s face, a grin that would have earned him a slap from his mother.  It was an effort not to laugh wildly at the thought of their presence causing such commotion.  Well it was an effort until he locked eyes with one of the Aes Sedai.  The grin quickly slipped from his face and he felt hunted all over again.  He was a fool for ever stepping foot in the White Tower!  Come to think of it he was a fool for going to the Black Tower in the first place!

 

 

Geirrin Hale

Forever a fool