While the bosses speak ...

[Arath Faringal]

This is the side thread for all those involved in the BT/WT thing.  Something to do while the big kids are talking :P

 

IC:  Daevis Thelandran shifted uneasily from foot to foot as he waited in the antechamber with the other Asha'man.  Only a very forced control kept him from easing his sword in its scabbard.  A useless thing here, where all of the attacks they might face would come from the One Power, but a lifetime as a soldier in Shienar produced hard habits to break. 

 

The party had been recieved peaceably enough, if not exactly warmly.  Not that he had expected a warm reception from the Aes Sedai in the first place.  The Amyrlin's antechamber had a strange feeling to it though.  A palpable tension.  As though a pack of strange foxes had wandered into a chicken coop.  Or perhaps as though a flock of strange chickens had wandered into a fox den.  It was hard to tell.  Light, he needed a drink.

 

Deciding to take the initiative, Daevis took a step forward and coughed gently.  If he'd felt uneasy before, it was nothing compared to what he felt when that many red shawled women all focused their full attention on him.  With a slight smile, only slightly ruined by the large scar on the left side of his face, the Asha'man asked, "I don't suppose one of you could send for some wine?  I get the feeling we might be waiting here for a while yet."

[Sieve]

Geirrin furiosly ran his fingers through his short dark Tairen hair so much so that when his hand dropped to his side he looked like a wild thing from the bowels of Shayol Ghul.  His hair astray, like thousands of dark needles jutting every which way.  The sun tanned skin on his forehead was scrunched, a telltale signal as clear as day that he was deep in thought.  "I'm in a bloody row and she's bloody leaking like a bloody sieve all while I'm trying to navigate the bloody Sea of Storms in a bloody cemaros" Geirrin murmured to himself.  His family and friends would not be surprised to find him in this pickle.  After his mother beat him with her broom for cursing so.  This was not out of the ordinary for him, no not in the least bit.  No matter how hard he tried he always found himself in a bloody jam.

 

Geirrin looked around the antechamber as his back thudded against the wall.  He had not been aware that he was backing away from the Amyrlin's Study and the red-shawled watchdogs.  His eyes flickered from the red-shawled women to the door.  There were Aes Sedai he thought, their eyes penetrating his mind as if they could somehow read hs thoughts.  Something about them seemed odd.  Something other than the fact that they were completely and utterly composed.  "Bloody fish guts!" he muttered, angry that he had accompanied the Storm Leaders.

 

"I don't suppose one of you could send for some wine?  I get the feeling we might be waiting here for a while yet."  The other Asha'man's voice broke the silence.  Wine!  Geirrin didn't want no bloody wine!  He wanted to be gone from here.  They could not leave soon enough in his opinion.

 

Geirrin Hale

Ready to leave!

 

 

[Jehaine]

Martyn was looking out of the window, surveying the Tower Grounds below. It was ironic, in a way. As a child, he had dreamed of walking around on these grounds, of meeting Aes Sedai and seeing the Amyrlin in person. Yet, now that that childhood dream he believed himself to have outgrown was about to be fulfilled, he only found himself wanting to leave. Surprising how one little something could change a dream so.

 

The sound of a wooden peg hitting the ground made him look over his shoulder, and he noticed a procession of Aes Sedai heading for the Amyrlin's Study. Making a quick mental count of the odds, he turned to face them... and bowed respectfully like the soldier he was, one hand over his heart. As they entered the room, he turned back around to look at the Warder Yards below, reliving the dreams of a child to get his mind off of his current situation.

 

 

Martyn Stonebridge

Not the nervous type

[minisamus]

It was nothing short of astonishment how adaptable both the women and the men became as the proceedings went on inside the antechamber. Outside they were wanting drinks. What next, offering them a pair of slippers in the summer heat?

 

Very well, Saline reckoned they all needed a beaker or three to take the situation in anyway, so as the youngest sister decided to pour some raw spirits topped with soda.

 

For a hot drink, she set up a sidetable a charcoal burner, shaped from a shallow clay bowl with holes on the bottom. It was supported on the porous bottom by a cylindrical column with a small hole on the side facing her. She stacked the charcoal on top, slap some paper dipped in oil, and blew some wind through the holds so to keep the coals red hot after it lit up. A normal woodfire would not give the mulled wine enough texture.

 

As the fire settled she took out the cups, clad in silver and served with mint elegance. The liquid in the pot started to froth as she rinsed the cups, each the size of a shotglass. It would be interesting what the men would make of it in contrast with a weaker wine, served traditionally in tall glasses and in large volume. She had no doubt they'd be thirsty enough to overcome any hesitation they had regarding any poisoning attempt, despite the dark amber mixture brewed, well, dipped (like a teabag) in honey.

 

Performing the ceremony efficiently became a form of meditation, and soon she carried both the raw spirits and mulled wine out to the waiting guests, serving one or the other for each of them before tipping some sugar into her own cup. She sighed in satisfaction.

 

It was a fantastic drink, and no wonder they adjusted quickly. Sitting on a cushion drinking with your enemies was practically an Aes Sedai tradition . . . male and female.

 

Ooc: Sorry it took a while to get to this, been sick

[Jehaine]

Martyn turned at being offered a drink, and gently took the cup without hesitation after making sure his sleeve wouldn't end up dipping into the other cups. While normally it wouldn't have been necessary, the cups' small size meant they could only be taken off the tray from above as opposed to from the side like with more standard glasses. Still, it didn't matter much, they had the right as hosts to pick what would be served to them.

 

Murmuring a thanks, he sipped the liquid, quirking an eyebrow at the strength of it. Though he had expected it at seeing the size of the glasses, he found himself glad to see that there were still some that valued quality over quantity. Nodding again in thanks, he moved back to watching the Warder Yards from the window, just in time to see the student he had seen fall behind earlier get scolded by a teacher. My my, some things never changed...

 

 

Martyn Stonebridge

Unofficial Black Tower Weapon Instructor

[Sieve]

Geirrin politely declined the offer of a drink resuming his post by the door.  He looked like a caged animal.  He could not leave, not just yet, no matter how much he wished to be gone from here.  I'm in a bloody net surrounded by bloody silverpike, no way out with his hide intact! Bloody fish guts!  Fools he muttered to himself as he watched his companions take the proffered drinks.  The Asha'man were bloody mad for drinking with Aes Sedai, these were the same Aes Sedai who hunted down their kind.  Gentled and killed them without an ounce of regret.  This is madness! 

 

Geirrin Hale

Still thinks this is a very bad idea!

[Liitha]

Aslan watched the Aes Sedai, he had not had much to do at all with those few who had a stay in the tower before, in fact only seen a couple in distance. It was strange how much was changed, it reminded him of home, the Queen had visitors or advicers at time of course, so when visiting court with his dad he had seen them, but it seemded a lifetime ago.

 

Feeling content that he had Jakar under control for the time beeing he allowed himself to refocus his mind on drawing on experiences from old life, on the maners he had learned as a noble, and stood relaxed without sloutching towards the back of the group. As the drinks were served around he watched some of the expresions upon the taste of the new drink, politely taking one he held it up pretending to drink and got a sniff of the drink, it smelled strongly. The descision was made, it never paid to get drunk in court, or in this case during such a visit, besides drinking other then the ocational glass of wine or ale was something he prevented mostly due to the risks of Jakar more easily overcoming him.

 

Instead he focused on trying to discreatly observe the room they were in, smiling politely when he caugth someone watching him, what would his mom think if she had seen him now in this situation, he could still hear her scoldings everytime he was bored or tired about holding up your mask and pretending to enjoy yourself, he hardly think it was with this in mind she had scolded and lectured him so.

 

 

[Elgee]

OOC: Post by unauthorised character removed.

 

In case anyone missed it: the Asha'man and their Red "guardians" are in the Amyrlin's antechamber, NOT outside in the passage where everyone can see. The Accepted Jerinia is standing outside in the passage, ready to head off anyone who wants to come in.

 

This RP is open ONLY to those who signed up for it, and those are only Red Ajah and Black Tower members, and the spanner in the works, Accepted Jerinia.

[Jehaine]

After darting back and forth between the Hall and the storeroom next to it with a couple of handfuls of chairs, Jerinia would be clearly visible with her height of an even six feet, and red hair that made her stand out even further. After a couple of trips the door opened again, and she leaned against the door leading towards the antechamber of the Amyrlin Seat where negotiations were currently in progress.

 

While from the look of things the Accepted would have be acting as a guard to ensure no one entered the room unannounced at this point, it didn't take much to realize that the girl was feeling more than a little uncomfortable from the way she fidgeted with her hair, and leaning against the door in a way that seemed more like trying not to be noticed than actually acting casually. She did occasionally glance at the Asha'men however, and could be seen biting her lip on occasion as if she wanted to ask a question, but was trying to decide whether or not she should.

 

From what she could see of the faces, she recognized none of them aside from the fact that most of the people she had seen in the gardens were either with the Amyrlin, or in the antechamber with her. There were a few new faces as well, likely those that had crossed the portal after she had left the gardens -- something that brought a small shiver along her spine -- but she tried her best to at least look hospitable. Regardless of who they were or what they were capable of, the Amyrlin did say that they be considered guests, and regardless of her own feelings she at least tried not to make it show too much.

 

 

Jerinia

Any volunteers?

[Tigara]

Ikki tried to keep himself as calm as possible. It's not that Aes Sedai made him nervous, although being in the middle of the White Tower did make him edgy, but the tension was so thick you could cut it with a spoon. And he'd noticed in himself of that that his moods could be slightly unpredictable. Not often, but it happened. And this would of course be the place for it to happen.

 

He was slightly surprised when he was offered a drink, some wine in a very tiny glass. He carefully picked a cup and examined it. Not in a disgusted way, but more a scholarly fashion. Red Ajah....red wine....red blood of the hundred of men they had gentled over the years. He shuddered slightly and took a sip to hide it. It was obvious everyone was uncomfortable, but there was no need to show it off. Just blame it on the wine....

 

Ikkiliad sur Paendrag

Asha'man

[Elgee]

Idiot man! Zarinen rushed over to Larindhra and Delved her, but it seemed the woman had only fainted from the shock. She gave the Sitter a gentle slap on the cheek, but got no response. Exasperation filled her when she realized that man was simply ignoring the situation, blithely opening the door and ushering everyone into the antechamber. One glance told her that Jagen was on the verge of following Larindhra to the floor. Either that, or worse - it would not be a good idea to let her loose in the antechamber with the Light knew how many Asha'man.

 

Her harried glance fell on Jasmyne, who strangely enough, seemed the least discomforted of everyone present. Rising, she snapped at the young Sitter, "See to her and bring her to the antechamber when she's able!"  Jerking her shawl straight, she hurried after Covai and motioned for the other Reds to follow her.

 

Zarinen Rafaliva

Highest of the Red Ajah

Bonded to that man  ::)

[Tigara]

Jasmyne had just sat watching the events, from Larindhra fainting, which she had rather enjoyed because the fool woman certainly deserved it, to Zarinen slapping the Asha`man who now claimed the Highest as his Warder of sorts. It was like watching a building on fire, so horrible, yet you just can`t stop watching. She didn`t even have to think about whether she would hold the bond. She was not anyone`s lapdog.

 

However, she was slightly alarmed when Zarinen ordered her to tend to her fainted Sister. She could think of many things she`d rather do, like perform an interpretive dance for a crowd of Murandian beggars. But it was an order. But why her? Great Lord knows she can`t Heal a hangnail without exhausting herself. Smirking to herself, she leaned close and whispered in her ear ``Larindhra, the novices found the wine stash and have started channeling without supervision.`` This caused the elder Sitter`s eyes to open quite quickly and she laughed to herself. `Come on, they`re waiting for us in the other room.` She helped the other woman up and gave her what support she could, being barely over four feet tall, and led her into the other room.

 

Jasmyne Ceres

Red Sitter

Ugh, Larindhra.....

[Jagen Sedai]

Jagen crossed her arms with a glare at Covai and the Asha'man with him as she followed the Highest. He was trying to joke. Idiot boy. She didn't think he was very funny at all. And some had chuckled with him. They were all Light-blasted, crazy men.

 

And she had to be bonded one of them.

 

She let her lip curl into a sneer. Seeing as she already said she would have to bond, she felt her offer was made. However, if any of them actually approached her, perhaps she could try chasing them off. Maybe. Zarinen made it clear on which end of the bond Jagen would be. Her, a Sitter of the Red! But they were all in high positions, doing something that had to be done. Supposedly had to be done. The White Tower was supposed to control these men, not be on equal footing! She looked at Larindhra. Why couldn't Jagen have fainted too? Maybe it would have bought her more time. But now she was surrounded by Asha'man. Her gaze swept across each one, hateful, sneering. Her nails dug into the maroon colored silk of her dress.

Some seemed uneasy about approaching.  The Taraboner herself became aware of just how quickly she was breathing, how quickly her gaze was going from man to man. Zarinen seemed to notice. Jagen tried focusing herself, but it was nearly impossible. Her eyes again went to the Highest. She was looking at her, why? Ah... perhaps her offer hadn't really been made yet after all. She was waiting.

 

There is no avoiding it. I have to realize that. Let me just see if I can spot the most gullible out of this bunch. But that wasn't exactly an easy task. None looked gullible. They were all already here under their own will. Foolish men, or not afraid? Her hand gripped her shawl now. Her stance was similar to a guarded cat, ready to attach anything that approached. "Well?" she snapped at the chamber full of men. She'd make her offer, but she'd do it her way. "Are any of you going to come forward to fulfill your part of this...agreement?" Someone did have to take charge ahead of the other Sitters now, after all. Bloody, Light-blasted Zarinen!

[Sieve]

Geirrin watched the others enter the antechamber after what seemed an eternity.  He wanted to open a gateway right on the spot but he had not been here long enough to do so.  He could skim though.  Geirrin opened his mouth to suggest that they be on their way though he quickly let the unformed words roll out of his mouth in a sigh.

 

The tension seemed tenfold since the other entered and Geirrin tried to quickly do the math.  The room became too crowded for his count to be accurate.  Perhaps if he stood his post by the door nobody would notice him.  He stopped scanning the room and studied his boots until a voice broke the silence.  "Well?" His eyes immediately went to the Aes Sedai in the maroon silk dress.  "Are any of you going to come forward to fulfill your part of this...agreement?"  Not in this lifetime Geirrin thought then ran his fingers through his hair.  He quickly brought his hand to his side as he tried to be as still as one of the fixtures in the room.  If he didn't make eye contact with any of them perhaps they would forget he was there.

 

 

[Arath Faringal]

Arath was one of the last to leave the Amyrlin's chamber, his careful side wanting to wait until he had as few women behind him as possible.  Stepping out into the antechamber, Arath was shown a handful of nervous looking Asha'man all watching the approaching Aes Sedai like vipers.  Not surprising, since all of the women excecpt the Taraboner, Jagen, were giving the cluster of black coated men very appraising looks.  That thorough inspection that women could seem to do at a glance.

 

"Well?  Are any of you going to come forward to fulfill your part of this...agreement?"  Arath grimaced.  She wasn't going to break the news gently.  Carefully stepping his way to the middle of the room, he offered an explanation to the confused looking group. 

 

"Alright Asha'man, listen up."  The well trained group snapped to attention, though they still looked apprehensive.  "We've secured a ... peace ... with the Aes Sedai, and assurances of future cooperation, but it comes with a price.  Most of you, if you're willing, will end up as Warders.  Due to the ranks of the sisters here, thats just the way it has to be.  In the future, bonds will be happening in equal numbers both ways.  However, this one here," he waved toward the Taraboner, "has ... volunteered to be bonded at this time."  He'd almost said 'been volunteered', but he didn't feel like putting up with the sparks that might cause.  Jagen already looked at her wits end.  Fueling the fire was not necessary.

 

"All of these bonds are to be entirely voluntary.  However, I highly encourage you to accept.  The Lord Dragon is counting on us to secure this agreement, however unpleasant it may be for you."

 

"So then, do we have a volunteer to accept Jagen Sedai's generous offer?"

[Liitha]

A sence of doom started sneaking up on Aslan as Arath talked, and he was at first in shock when Arath finished speaking, this was not what had been said before they left, not what he had signed up on. He couldnt stay here, he had duties elsewhere, though he had hoped going here, and a peace eventually would lend a chance to learn from the Aes Sedai about his talent, staying here imprisoned was not what he had imagined, and while his thougths were raising he didnt at first notise the sneaking feeling of Jakar surfacing.

 

No!, he thougth too push the other down, and would have fallen over backwards if he wasnt already leaning on a wall when the other answered him directly, fool, what you got us into, you should be hamstrung. This was not the time or place though too loose control, but maybe communication if possible was the key, or was he loosing it, communicating with the madman And you of course have a solution, what you think you are going to figth against the Aes Sedai here and take down the tower on your own, now who's the fool, and for good measure he descided if he was going this route, to add in a treath as it seemed it was the kind of language Jakar would understand, Or even if you could come up with some mad plan to distract enough to get a chance out of here normaly, that you would with Arath here among the men, you'll be shielded and handed over in a moments notice, geting us in worse trouble yet, no shut it and go back too sleep.

 

It went quiet, and he drew a silent breath looking around, it didnt seem anyone had notices, not till he met the eyes of Arath and he noded lightly to signal it was fine, he seemed to be in control, till..

Blood and bloody ashes, you really got us in deep this way, well if you think I am about to be stuck here for your cowspread stupidity, you are wrong. Aslan felt like a wall slammed into him, his head seemed to ring a moment, and he was not sure he knew what was happening till he heard himself talk. I'll do it, he felt himself step forward surealisticly, and saw himself approach the woman, confused at first he slowly came to realize what had happened, Jakar was in control, but he was there too, why how what was happening, was there any way he could signal Arath, he tried to reach out to move himself, but he seemed to be trapped as a helpless witness as his body moved against his will. This was not good, what in the bloody ashes are you doing, Jakar stop, let go, he started fighting, but the other seemed resolute to go ahead with this mad plan without taking time to think through consequences or weigh the arguments of for and against before making a decision.

 

Aslan Waaran

Cloud Dancer

and

Jakar

Split personality with a attitude problem

 

ooc Jagen i tried to mail you, so check your mail or something and we'll talk, i got a rough idea of how to do this, but we probably should hash it out quick like to make it stick

[Liitha]

Jagen straightened and crossed her arms, directing a cool stare at the black coated stranger before her. She had tried to ignore what she had seen--that horrendous bonding, that foul man touching the Highest as if she were a... well, she couldn't even articulate the word.

 

Now one of the filth was approaching her. She spoke cooly. "If you even think of touching me, we are going to have a problem. I am not a... companion... of yours in any way, so you just keep in mind why we're doing this at all, boy."

 

Jakar looked at her, so this was volunteering among the Aes Sedai, rigth even more proof this was not a good situation, and sure not one where he intended to get stuck on the wrong side of the bond if he were too be in one. He had firm control of saidin, and was already pulling on the treads needed, however there was no way of doing the weave that he knew and complying to her wishes. Not that he wouldnt readily accommodate them if he could, the management of the Black Tower would have had too loose their mind to come up with this thing, but there was no way out of here, he would grant Aslan that much.

 

He smiled, no reason to give those goats in the leadership any reasons to complain, even if that one was Aslans run too guy, and were not likely by historic proof to be fooled too long, just long enough to make sure he ended on the right end, and Aslan was all about politeness. He finally was close enough and the weave as ready as could be, moving quickly before she could react he had slid an arm around her, pulled her into his embrace and put his other hand at the back of her neck. He bendt in and placed a firm kiss on her lips, which wasnt too bad, but he was not about to forget it was a viper in his hands, not an inn maid, and as soon as the weave was in place he let it settle and stepped back as quickly again to get out of reach. "Of course Aes Sedai", he wanted to grin, he would have if they had been any other place...

 

Aslan couldnt belive Jakar was not stoping after what was been said, there was no way to do the weave without contact, what could he possible be thinking. It dawned on him as he realized they were as close as could get but still moving, his head swirled for a moment out of the magnitude, and just as he regained calmness he felt something form in the back of his mind. He snapped back to reality, fueling all his dread into the flame, angry at Jakar, and as the other got distracted by his own self amusement and gloating he struck and wrestled back control. It had all happened so fast, and now he was looking at an Aes Sedai a few steps away with an eerie sinking feeling in his stomach.

 

Jagen nearly stumbled when he let her go, her arms pushing out to empty air as he danced away. He must have thought himself particularly clever, she thought through her shock. Wide eyed, her long beaded braids clicked as she regained herself. She snapped her hanging jaw shut as she met his gaze--and the gazes of the others. Red cheeked, her own emotions fumbled between shock, confusion, hatred, and boiling rage. How *dare* he...! When she had just told him not to touch her!

 

Her fists clenched. Suddenly an incident long from her past seemed ot come up--the first and, until now, the last kiss she had ever had from a boy. She remembered that so clearly now, a buried memory. They had been on the edge of Tanchico, playing with other kids, when the boy suddenly kissed her. She had chased after him and punched him. Now, it seemed, almost as if she were back in a farmgirl dress--not that she ever let anyone know of her personal history--she stalked over to the man, white knuckled, and drew back her fist to give this insolent fool a knockout.

 

Aslan saw her moving and was ready to be verbally attacked, potentially slapped, though with what Jakar did, and her not knowing what had gone down, he hardly could blame her, and he wasnt going to run from the actions even if not his. What he was not expecting was the fist coming against him, and to shocked to react quick enough the next he felt was pain, then his world was spining. Aslan felt himself fall, and then things went black.

 

When he woke too, the light seemed to bright a moment, then he adjusted, and he could feel that the tension in the room had not gone down. He couldnt see his Aes Sedai, this was madness, he looked at Arath standing beside him, and knew he had to say something. He motioned passively in a reassuring way with his right hand, using his left for support to sit up. "It's fine", he wanted too sink through the floor, but the last thing they needed now was more trouble, the situation was serious enough, they may be a group, but they were in the middle of the bloody white tower, and there had been some sort of deal.

 

Aslan knew that if nothing else, he was not going to cause troubles for his fellow kin, and in particular he couldnt bring himself too in any way let Arath down. He got too his feet slowly and pulled back towards the wall he had been initially to sit down again, meanwhile scanning the room for Jagen, he couldnt see her but eventually he registered what the bundle was telling him, which was that she was somewhere behind a group of Aes Sedai on the other side of the room.

 

Jagen herself was at first too shocked to push herself up. Since when did a bond work like that? Did it? She had never heard of such a thing though... no, it wasn't supposed to be like that. Was it because she was on the wrong side, that she too had gone down? Gritting her teeth, she stood without help. Perhaps the others thought she deserved it, but whatever the case, she ignored them.

She had noticed now the bundle of emotions in his head--confusion and shock, for sure, but other emotions she couldn't yet puzzle out--no, then, perhaps the confusion and shock were her emotions. His was.. jumbled, a mess. By the Light, did her head hurt! She made a fist again, but this time only to restrain herself from reaching up to her temple. Perhaps she could get someone to look at that late

Her dark blue gaze went to the man, her regretful bonded. She didn't even know his name, she realized, but they were intricately linked as only two could be by the Tower. She didn't care for his name. "Mark my word," she growled, "I will kill you, even if it kills me, if you ever, EVER, kiss me again."

 

He heard laugther in the back of his head, feisty she is, go away, you made enough troubles as is, one can not blame her, he made a push at what he had come to recognize as Jakar, of course, no thanks needed you fool, I'll let you suffer this one alone for now, just remember it could been the other way around and what then

 

Aslan felt Jakar fade away, and he felt relief that at least one issue was out of the way, as for the vent from the Aes Sedai, well he did the only thing he could think of, pulled on his upbringing. He made a bow of respect and acceptance, like a noble would to an Aes Sedai, but still kept composure, cause as his mother had said, nobles down crawl. He setled down on the floor, sliding his back against the wall, and hoping attention would divert away from him now that the situation seemed to have cooled down some. His eyes sought those of Arath, to communicate they needed to speak later once the situation would allow for it away from the rest.

 

What had happened in there that they made this decision, he needed to know, he realized he knew next too nothing of what would happen next. And sooner or later he would have to talk to that woman, deal with what Jakar had done, he had no idea what to say to her, he could feel the lump of anger in the back of his mind though, and knew this was not going to be easy.

 

 

Jagen Sedai

Aslan/Jakar

[Elgee]

"Larindhra, the novices found the wine stash and have started channeling without supervision."

 

Drat those Novices! Larindhra's eyes popped open and she started up, ready to paddle some bottoms. Jasmyne's face swam into focus, causing Larindhra to groan. Would she never get this girl to ... but wait, Jasmyne was raised to the Shawl many years ago! Her eyes darted around and latched onto the back of Zarinen, exiting the room with ... Oh Light - it really is true!

 

Jasmyne gave her no chance to gather her scattered wits, instead hustling her out of the Amyrlin's office and into the anteroom, which seemed to be filled to overflowing with men in black coats. Sweat beaded on her brow and her head started to swim again. As her knees gave way, one of the young men rushed forward and hastily shoved a chair under her descending bottom.

 

What a sweet young man! Larindhra smiled at him gratefully as she fanned herself with a corner of her shawl. She opened her mouth to thank him, but only a startled squawk emerged as his hands cupped her face and the icy feel of the Delving Weave swept through her body. Black cloaks! Men who could channel! She didn't even notice that her tiredness had disappeared. Jumping up, she shrieked at the top of her lungs.

 

"Mother! We must link and shield them!"

 

 

Larindhra Reyne

Red Sitter

Probably had too much apple brandy on her 210th birthday

[Sieve]

Geirrin watched with his mouth agape as Aslan began moving towards the Aes Sedai…the fool was going to accept her offer?  What had possessed the man?  Clearly the woman was off.  Perhaps channeling the female source had some negative effect as well.  He new next to nothing about the female half of the source.

 

Geirrin lost sight of the pair due to the antechamber being as crowded as a barrel of eels ready for the market.  The room felt even more stuffy than it had moments ago since Covai led the group from the Amyrlin’s Study to the antechamber.  It was a good time to leave though the girl in the white dress seemed to be blocking his departure.  He was unsure if her job was to keep others out or them in.  What struck him as odd was that she was as tall as he was.  Where did she hail from he thought to himself.

 

His eyes scanned the room as there was commotion somewhere in the room.  Geirrin saw Arath move across the room though he quickly lost sight of the storm leader.  The tension in the room had him more on edge than he had been before.  He moved away from the wall looking across the room as another pair of Aes Sedai entered.  One appeared to helping another into the room.  Was that a mischievous look on her face.  Was she actually entertained by this madness.  This never should have been allowed.  It simply was not right.  Even an uneducated lout like himself could see it!

 

He lost sight of the newcomers then moved closer to the center of the room as he saw the smaller Ashaman, Ikki go down to one knee.  He could not see what the smaller man was doing.  What under the light was going on here? 

 

"Mother! We must link and shield them!"  The words cut right through the commotion piercing his ears.  The olive skinned Aes Sedai appeared to look around wildly as if she were a caged animal.  “Flaming Aes Sedai!” he cursed.  Before he knew what he was doing Geirrin had seized Saidin.  The molten fury that was Saidin threatened to rip him from the pattern though he felt more alive than ever.  Everything in the room became sharper, colors becoming more vivid.  He fought the urge to double over and empty the contents of his stomach.  Geirrin formed the weave for shielding as he moved towards the mad woman who looked as if she wanted to strike them all dead on the spot.

 

It all happened in the blink of an eye.  The shielding weave fell into place like it had done hundreds of times before and he stood smiling smugly at the shielded Aes Sedai.  The look on his sun-tanned Tairen face said “Yes I just stole the pie that you spent hours baking and I’m eating it right in front of you!  Not only am I eating it in front of you but I am licking my fingers enjoying every second of it so what are you going to do about it?”

 

The slightly plump Aes Sedai’s brown eyes locked on his and he knew he was in trouble.  It was the same look his mother had given him before she beat him with her broom for one thing or another.  Foolishly Geirrin had never bound her in with flows of air.  The thought never even crossed his mind.  He was so enamored with his own ability to shield her so effortlessly that it never occurred to him that she would attack him.

 

The woman uttered something though Geirrin could not make out the words as he felt himself being pulled by his ear.  Before he knew it the Aes Sedai had him bent over a table and was paddling his backside with one of her slippers.  “Bloody fish guts!” He shouted in pain.  “Stop hitting me…”  He paused for breath from the pain of the onslaught.  “you flaming silverpike!”  The thought of stopping her himself never occurred to him.  He could not lay his hands on a woman even if she was a silverpike in disguise!  “For the love of the Light!  Someone get this lionfish off of my hide!”

 

The whole altercation had taken only a few seconds.  Suddenly Geirrin felt himself ripped from the Aes Sedai's grasp as he was hurled towards the wall on flows of air.  Geirrin struck the wall with a sickening thud that took his breath away while bright white light filled his vision. His body slid down the wall onto the floor so that he lay slumped at the base of the wall.  Geirrin winced then rubbed his head until his vision cleared somewhat.  What under the light had just happened?  Geirrin could feel the cold stares from both Storm Leaders.  Clearly they were not happy with him at the moment.  Muttering under his breath he stood leaning against the wall for support since his bottom was to sore to sit on at the moment.  He didn't know whether he should rub his head or his bottom.  He couldn't decide which ached more.   

 

Geirrin Hale

Asha'man...A fool with a very sore bottom and a wicked headache!

[Elgee]

The words had hardly left her mouth when the Source abruptly disappeared. Instinctively Larindhra glanced towards Jerinia, but for the once the girl didn't seem to be the cause of trouble. She looked around, but none of the women in the room were Channeling. Her eyes locked on the arrogant young pup who strode up to her, looking just as smug as any novice who had ever tried that particular trick with her.

 

"Flaming novices," she muttered darkly. The fact that the person who had her shielded was wearing black, not white, and happened to be of the wrong gender besides, mattered not a wit to her. Habits ingrained into her from over fifty years of being Mistress of Novices took over, and she had him by an ear and bent over a table in a flash. Whipping her slipper off in one practised move, she laid into him with her not inconsiderable strength.

 

All his colourful language only make her smack his bottom all the harder - in fact, she would have some choice words with him later about language! Abruptly the boy was ripped from her grasp and flung across the room so violently that his head bounced off the wall. Gaping, Larindhra looked around the room in confusion. What under the Light ... of course. The furious looks coming from the two leaders of the Asha'man made it clear who had done this.

 

Calmly Larindhra put her slipper back on, folded her arms and looked at Covai and Arath sternly. "I don't know which of you did that, but around here we don't condone the use of the One Power on initiates."

 

Arath couldn't help but roll his eyes. Physical violence was fine so long as it wasn't done with the power? "A luxury you may have with your novices perhaps. Personally, I've found no better way to deal with a man who may have fallen to the taint."

 

Larindhra sniffed and jerked her head. "Well, then it's about time your initiates received proper instructions!"

 

"So how do you 'properly' instruct a crazy man who's about to blow you up?" Arath barked a laugh. "You may be used to training your timid little kittens, but training an Asha'man is like training a rabid wolf."

 

"Well, maybe Bonding them could prevent that!" The second the words were out of her mouth, Larindhra wished she could swallow them. But thinking about it, it actually made sense. She was going to have to bond at least a few of these boys, and who better to benefit from her years of experience with young ... people ... training to use the One Power, than them? She counted the heads in the room. She sighed. "Well then. I stated that I would bond any who were willing..." she counted again, just to make sure she'd not miscalculated, then turned back to Arath and looked him up and down ... "it seems there's three of you who are available right here."

 

Arath snorted derisively. "I believe the terms are 'any who are willing'. If you can find any willing to be bonded by you after ... that ... then by all means, do so. I most definitely am not."

 

Larindhra tried to hide her sigh of relief, without much success. Somehow she didn't think the two of them would have gotten along very well. The poor boy leaning dizzily against the wall, though ... Larindhra strode over to him, muttering that initiates were NOT supposed to be punished with the One Power as she cupped his face in her hands and Delved him.

 

"Well, nothing much wrong with you that a few days rest won't take care of. You be sure not to try channelling for a day at least, yes? Oh yes - would you accept being Bonded by me, child?"

 

 

Larindhra Reyne, Red Sitter

Arath Faringal, Storm Leader

[Jehaine]

Jerinia had been mostly out of view, pressing herself against the door to the Amyrlin's Room as the tension in the room increased to visible levels. The moment one of the Aes Sedai not only lost her composure, but even clocked an Asha'man in the jaw was the last straw for her, and she cracked the door open to flee from the room. She felt confident about her ability to channel Fire, but experience told her that she would likely end up setting the entire room on fire -- and the latter brought on memories of her Arches that she'd rather not think about.

 

 

Jerinia

Flee!

 

-----

 

Martyn took a deep breath as he looked at the events taking place in the room. Wrapped in the Void as he was, he was simply leaning against the wall as Jagen punched Aslan in the face, unsurprised at the turn of events. He had seen it coming, noticed every detail in the woman's stance, the expression on her face, and the movement of pulling back basically telegraphed her intentions to him as well.

 

Geirrin's channeling caused him to stop crossing his arms for a moment though as he considered going for Saidin himself to contain the damage, but before he could succeed his fellow Asha'man was already receiving a firm paddling on the backside. So far, the situation remained manageable with the Aes Sedai resorting to physical violence as opposed to channeling. Not quite the serene picture he imagined of Aes Sedai, but perhaps teh tension was getting to them.

 

Realizing he was one of the now shrinking list of Asha'men that were still to approach an Aes Sedai, he stepped forward, his mind made up on what he was going to do. With more calm than floated outside the Void he walked up to a few feet away from where the Aes Sedai were looking at them, looking at him, and simply stopped to wait.

 

Now standing where he had a better view of the door, he noticed the young Accepted he had spotted earlier was gone, and he couldn't quite blame the poor girl. Thinking back on his old self, if it hadn't been for the Void he would likely have attempted to do the same, probably ending up with him receiving a similar treatment as Aslan and Geirrin had.

 

Not knowing what to say, he simply stood there holding his hands behind his back, wordlessly trying to spread the calm of the Void throughout the room. Whether it succeeded or not was one thing, but it would be clear from the way he was looking at the Aes Sedai that he was expecting one of them to approach him with a request to Bond. From the way he was brought up, it felt like it was one of those matters that only a woman had the right to decide on.

 

 

Martyn

Malkieri through and through.

[Kara_J]

Raslyn watched the events unfold in a kind of stunned detachment. A slight widening of the eyes and a white-knuckled grip on her shawl was all that showed of her discomposure. She had been Aes Sedai for far too long to let things like this shock her into insensibility, although Larindhra seemed to be having a great deal of difficulty adjusting to the new situation. In all her years, Raslyn had never seen the woman, or all of the Aes Sedai for that matter, so discomposed. They were all acting like long tailed cats in a room full of rocking chairs. Uptight had nothing on them!

 

She followed the others out into the antechamber and was eyeing the scene with something akin to horror as it degenerated into something - well something she'd never seen before! Jagen punching an Asha'man! Larindhra, now seemingly recovered from her fainting spell, was paddling someone's backside with her slipper until he was flung against a wall by some unseen force. That alone sent a cold shiver up her back. Men Channelling would take quite some getting used to. She itched to embrace the Source herself but decided against it. It would probably make matters worse.

 

Trying to keep her composure took some supreme effort of will but she managed, though running through a few novice exercises helped a good deal. She turned her focus to the remaining Asha'man and studied them all intently. One in particular stood out to her. From what she'd seen thus far he seemed to be less highly strung than the other men and seemed to be calmly awaiting for someone to tell him what to do and that suited Raslyn just fine.

 

She decided then and there, if this had to be done then she would do it properly and show her fellow Aes Sedai exactly how it should be done and hopefully then, they'd be done with all this hysterics and nonsense!

 

She stepped forward and firmly addressed the older man that was standing calmly with his arms behind his back. "You there, young man!" She said, deciding flattery may help the situation and indicated who she meant with a quick gesture. "Come here...." She paused only a moment before adding "please." she swallowed hard. There, that wasn't so difficult was it?

"May I have the pleasure of your name? I am Raslyn Altearin, Keeper of the Chronicles" If all else fails, kill them with kindness...even if it feels like it is going to kill you first. She forced her grip to loosen on her shawl and tried to smile a little to put him at ease.

 

Raslyn

Wondering what in the Light she's got herself into!

[Jehaine]

After what seemed like an endless moment of studying and weighing, one of the Aes Sedai stepped forward. She had gray hair, which was a good thing as it spoke of age, and the cut of her clothes hinted at a personality that liked to go straight to the heart of the matter without dancing around the question. It suited him fine, to be honest, as it reminded him of the disciplined life of a soldier he had led so many years ago.

 

Within the void, he could detect the urge to smirk flowing across the edges when he was called a 'young man'. He wondered whether she was aware of his true age -- one never knew with Aes Sedai! -- though judging by Raslyn's hair color he suspected her to be older than him in any case. Taking a deep breath, he crossed the remaining distance to the Keeper, now noticing she was only a few inches shorter than he was. He avoided looking her in the eyes, instead focusing on an invisible spot on her forehead, and waited until Raslyn had introduced herself before doing the same. Malkieri customs were hard to break even if he had wanted to.

 

- "I am called Martyn Stonebridge. Not my true name, i fear, but the world does not look kindly upon men like us, and letting my true name be known might endanger my relatives. My apologies for this. As for my rank, i am one of the Black Tower's instructors in weapon combat."

 

For a moment, he considered letting go of the Void to make his voice a little less cold in response to Raslyn's smile, but given the amount of Aes Sedai standing in front of him that might end up doing more harm than good. And besides... though he was almost ashamed to admit it, he still did not fully trust the Red Ajah due to what he was. The Void formed a capable defense, and without it it would likely only have taken the Aes Sedai a minute to make him tell them all his secrets, and end up reciting the Karaethon Cycle backwards.

 

 

Martyn

Trying to make a good impression

[Kara_J]

Raslyn raised an eyebrow as the man she'd indicated stepped forward and proceeded to stare at a point somewhere above her. His voice sounded icily cold as he replied to her queries and her eyebrow raised still further when he refused to give his real name.

 

Still, she could let that slide, in his place she wasn't sure whether she wouldn't have done the same thing. No matter, she'd learn the truth from him soon enough once they were bonded. Keeping the pleasant smile on her face was a task, but one she worked at. She was not going to let any of these whippersnappers intimidate her...well not any more than they had already.

 

"So Martyn." She spoke in a crisp and clear tone, designed to cut through the hub-bub and confusion. "Would you..." she paused a moment, frantically wondering how best to word the sentence without making it sound like an order and yet not a request and also without offending him. She was in no desire to be refused, not when she was taking great pains to lead by example.

 

She began again "Would you mind joining me in showing this rabble how it should be done? Let me Bond you and we'll see about bringing some organisation into this chaos!" She gestured at the chaotic scenes with one sharp gesture, even though the man would have had to be blind and deaf to miss it. Or mad....her stomach lurched and she really wished she hadn't thought of that.

 

 

Raslyn

Praying not to be rejected...and yet strangely hopeful...

[Jehaine]

OOC: Sorry, ended up getting sick for a few days :(

 

IC:

 

After a few seconds of silent contemplation on whether or not to release the Void, Martyn decided not to. Like Raslyn Sedai mentioned, it would be up to the two of them to give the right example, and he felt he could do that better without the memories of his wife surfacing now that he would be forced to kiss another woman. She'd likely have his hide for it, and silently he wished she would still be around to take it as he closed the final distance between Raslyn and himself.

 

- "Very well. I must admit i know little of the ways Aes Sedai bond their Warders, judging by what has happened so far i'd say the process is... different between Asha'men and Aes Sedai."

 

A look at Aslan left little to doubt what could have caused that thought. Wrapped in the Void as he was, he could clearly see the mark Jagen's fist left on his face. If the Bonding ritual was truly the same, he doubted she would have reacted as such. He turned back to Raslyn again, unsure of what he was supposed to do now and watching her for even the slightest hint on what he was supposed to do next.

 

A thought brushed the edge of the Void, of his wife, and he silently hoped he would not end up kissing after all.

 

Martyn

Aslan got off easy...