Intrigue in Murandy

[Kathleen]

Before Nevuel could answer there came knock on the bedroom door. Not that he would have found them something more than tea, not while they were on 'official business'. Kathleen called for the guest to enter and was not surprised to see Gera walk through the door. She told Kathleen that she had arranged for a meeting with the lord of the manor's son and that he would meet with them shortly.

 

Kathleen nodded in understanding and told Gera she would meet with her after a moment of cleaning up. When the other aes sedai was well out of the room Kathleen splashed some water on her face to bring herself to full alert. When she took her face out of the soft towel she used to dry it off she went through her travel bag to find the letter that had been entrusted to her care. As she straightened out her skirts and checked her hair in the mirror she reassuringly told her warder that she would try not to be long, and added that the rushing would be for her sake, not for his.

 

She hurried to meet with Gera, but found her waiting in the hall just outside the door of the room Kathleen would be staying in. Without a word the new Aes Sedai walked her to the room they were receiving the boy in. It was a lavish room, but smaller than the room they were greeted in. It didn't look like it was often used. It seemed to be a common room for guests, but it would serve well as meeting room for the purposes tonight. It was as close to being on their turf as it would ever get in the noble's manor. Not that this was an ambush by any means. They had a message for this boy, and they had spoken with the daughter at the last manor. If word ever got back that they had spoken to her, but not to this boy that feud could take off hotter than ever. Kathleen hated politics, but that didn't mean she didn't understand them. People in high places could be so petty though.

 

She noticed a tea station and went to ready it. It seemed that this meeting was just as hidden as the one with the daughter in the last manor. No servants were around to make the tea or serve an assortment of cakes. Kathleen wasn't sure sure who had arranged the meeting, the boy or Gera, but who ever it was had done it quietly. Perhaps she would be back in her room sooner than she had thought.

 

While Kathleen began to make the tea, Gera set the cups around the table. They would be serving themselves. While Kathleen would take the lead she would not let Gera take the role of servant, quietly sitting in the corner keeping tea cups full. They weren't long finished setting up when the boy arrived in the common room.

 

Kathleen

Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah

[Mystica]

Jac sat through the meeting in silence and did what he had learned quite well. Observe. He observed the Aes Sedai and his father. He observed the servants and the entourage of their visitors. And soon he understood the order of importance among them. The one called Kathleen was the most experienced one. The other one, Gera? Yes. She was not as experienced he thought. Or at least, not as experienced dealing with Lords and nobles as Kathleen was. His mind set to work as soon as his father started his ramblings and blatent attempts to find out what they were doing here. Did he really think he could fool anyone with those random comments and questions? His father had all the grace and subtleties of a starved mountain wolf. No, that wasn't fair. The wolf at least had grace. He had been in his rooms when he had been summoned to join his father on the roof. He liked to do that, his father. Show off his dominance over his weak and useless son. Bark and command him around worse than he did his servants just to show to everyone he could. Jac had long since lost the ability to fear the man or is violent nature. Too many times he had wished for the end to come. But that was in the past now. Now he had something to look forward to. A small something. A tiny speck of light in a vast field of darkness.

 

Leanolle. The dark haired beauty. The forbidden fruit. The daughter of his father's nemesis. She was as different from her mother as he was from his father and they both had a desire to set right what their parents were so rapidly destroying. He had met her in Andor, when he was sent there to learn how to behave as a nobleman should. She had been sent there for much the same reason. They instantly felt a connection, a common purpose, a sameness that was not to be ignored. He wouldn't call it love, more like a mutual understanding and respect. Though perhaps... her beautiful face popped up in his mind's eye all too often. Her smile burnt in his memory forever. Jac was realistic enough to know that such things were foolish and not to put much weight to them, but at times he liked to endulge in the feelings. How much would they be able to do if only they could make their parents see reason? They could put an end to the people's sufferings. Start to create a future instead of destroying it. Sadly though, the way his father was going, that option seemed more and more unlikely with every passing day.

 

A commotion in the room drew him out of his thoughts and he saw his father storm out the room after the Aes Sedai had left. What if.... Jac rushed out of the room in the direction of the Aes Sedai's quarters and just as he thought he had missed them, he almost bumped into the one called Gera.

 

"Your pardon, Aes Sedai." He said, slightly out of breath and offering the Sister a perfect bow. "Forgive me for disturbing you further, please, but might it be possible that I speak with you and Kathleen Sedai? Preferably tonight still?" He knew he should have been more circumspect, but he had no time to loose and any moment his father's croonies might see him standing here chattering away to one of the Sisters. That would surely be passed on to his father and he would then spend another month in isolation. As his father rushed out of the meeting room it occurred to Jac that perhaps the Sisters might be willing to help him and Leanolle. They were the only ones willing and eager even to put an end to this madness. Surely the White Tower would be willing to help bring this about in a peaceful and lasting manner?

 

"It is late, Lord Jac," Gera replied. "But I can see that the matter is of some importance to you. I will speak to Kathleen Sedai and see if we can accommodate you today. You may wait here for an answer, one will be brought to you shortly."

 

"My thanks, Gera Sedai. I shall wait with patience." Remembering his manners, he made another perfect bow and watched the woman glide off. Inside he was bouncing up and down from anxiety. Light! Let me not be seen by the wrong persons.

[Visar Falmaien]

Visar and Vizrid stalked the assassins late into the night, though this was difficult to do. He had to stay well out of bowshot in order not to be seen or heard, but once he was out of bowshot, it was becoming increasingly difficult to track them. They did not set a fire for their camp. they kept a watch throughout the night, armed and dangerous with good night vision. Visar had narrowly avoided being detected so far.

 

But the wait was aggravating. He could not risk attacking the bandits outright, as they outnumbered him easily and could shoot him down before he could even get close to them. And then what would his death accomplish? Nothing. No, he couldn't do that. He had to figure out where they were going, when they would get there, and how to make his effort count the most.

 

Day dawned, and the band continued their pressing march westward. They sometimes took to the road when there was good visibility or poor, and often times they cut across country too. Visar followed them carefully, and frequently had to track them when they went out of eyesight, but did not allow himself to be less than cautious.

 

The day passed slowly, and finally at its end Visar found their camp in a wooded area close to a nearby manor. It was a nice looking place, as manors went, with a very tall keep which had a very commanding view. Difficult for a band of assassins to approach during the day, thought Visar. They had managed to avoid detection through the trees, though. Visar holed up nearby, able to hear if the assassins were about to move out. They talked quietly, but very seldomly, and he was never close enough to hear what they were saying. Probably just small talk or about details of what they planned to do. Visar already knew what they planned to do: They'd attack when they were least expected, and from a direction they could not be easily detected. But for now, they seemed content to wait. Visar saw a couple of them detach and go to the manor: scouts to spy out what the situation was inside, no doubt. They were even dressed as messengers.

 

And as to when, he thought they might attack either in the dead of the following night, or if they were bold, the sleepy mists of dawn that very morning. Visar suspected the former but wasn't sure. Dawn was always the best choice for armies, as this was when the enemy was the most tired and the least aware, but these were assassins and they probably wanted to make an exit too after killing their targets. Night would suit them best.

 

He settled down to wait, tired and hungry himself, but forcing himself to stay awake and listen carefully for any sign that they were moving for the attack. For it would be then that he'd have to be ready.

 

Visar

-the tail is in place

[Mystica]

One of the warders came to fetch him and brought him to a room that was quite lavish, a bit too lavish to his taste. But he never had a say in these matters. Everything was controlled by his father. Down to the style of cuttlery that was used for the servants. The two Aes Sedai observed him silently and with those unreadable faces as he made his bow to them. He noticed the absence of servants in the room and couldn't hide a small frown when the warder left the room too after he ushered him in. That certainly was not what he had expected. From everything he had heard from Aes Sedai, the common belief was that they could be as prickle and as fussy as any noble. Wouldn't they keep their warders close at hand?

 

At that point, the tea pot raised of it's own accord and the three cups were filled with steaming tea while Kathleen and Gera were gliding towards the tea station. Of course, he thought to himself. They didn't need warders to keep them safe from him. They could easily handle one unarmed man. Chiding himself for his stupidity, he waited for them to speak. He didn't take a seat, as he was a guest in their quarters eventhough it was technically his house. Well his father's house, but just the same. Jac didn't care about those things, though his teachers in Andor had tried to make him care. Proper behavior in all situations and towards all stations of life. He'd always found those lessons exceedingly boring.

 

He schooled his face and waited for one of the Sisters to take the lead.

[Kathleen]

Nevuel entered the room with the boy following behind and Kathleen noted the slight displeasure on Jac's face when the warder left. Was he uncomfortable being alone in the company of the Aes Sedai? It was most likely his first encounter with one, and he was with two. Kathleen wondered if she should put on a show for him. Should she act the perfect picture of an Aes Sedai and reinforce the image all nobles seemed to have of them? Not at this hour. Not when the boy had called them to him. Not when they were here to discuss matters with his father. It was his father who needed the show, not the boy. That was just her tired mind trying to excuse her to be lazy, and to get it over with so she could crawl into bed. This was part of the official mission and it would be treated as any exchange between any noble and the White Tower should be treated.

 

As the door closed behind the warder Kathleen lifted the tea pot with air to poor the drinks. A simple solution to keep the two Aes Sedai on the same level in this meeting, and a bit of a show for the boy. Normally she would never use sadair for something so mundane, but no action was mundane where nobles were concerned. Fully grown noble or not.

 

"Come boy, Jac was it? Have a seat, some tea?" the Green offered. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your request for this meeting tonight?" Kathleen may be the one with final say, but the boy had asked for the meeting, he would get to lay the ground work and set the tone. Time to find out what he was after.

 

Kathleen Vandiar

Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah

[Mystica]

Jac took a seat as offered and accepted the tea. He took a moment to order his thoughts while the Sisters sipped their tea and regarded him with those expressionless faces. He had to be delicate about this. Everyone knew Aes Sedai did things for their own reasons and they not always cared who got hurt in the process. He figured they thought that the greater good was more important. Only, their idea of the greater good could very well be very different from his. He had to avoid making things worse for the people of this land. It wasn't a big land, not even a country. So as far as the White Tower was concerned, the whole lot of them could simply be fodder for some unknown other purpose they were serving.

 

"Thank you for seeing me at this late hour and after your travels, Aes Sedai." he started. It couldn't hurt to be polite, after all. "I won't keep you long but there are matters that need to be handled for the good of all and I would hope to count on your support in this." Nothing showed on their faces, but there was no turning back anymore now. He was committed. "In the morning, you will undoubtedly meet with my father again but I would like you to know where I stand in certain matters so you can take that in to account." He took another sip from his tea, mostly to build up his courage. It was a big leap of faith to take, but what other choice did he have?

 

"My father and Lady Arman, our neighbouring noble family, are on very bad terms. Both feel that the lands the Lady now owns belong to them based on a common ancestory. Instead of trying to find a peaceful sollution, they've instead been acting with increasing violence and maliciousness towards each other and it's the common people that are paying the price of it all." He had rushed that out from fear he would lose his nerve. Now, the arrow was loose and there was nothing he could do to stop it. It made him relax a little as he continued. His head was on the block now. Whether the axe would fall or not, it was out of his hands. "Both Lady Leonelle and myself are in favor of a peaceful sollution for our families' fued, but our parents have no ears for it. Worse, when we tried to make them see reason, they turned on us instead. I would very much appreciate it, Aes Sedai, if you could somehow help us defuse the situation and make them see reason. We want an end to all this violence and bring peace and prosperity back to our people. These bandits and rough hands that are running loose on our lands must be brought to justice and the people need to feel safe again!" He couldn't help but let the passion he felt for this cause slip out and much as it shamed him, he couldn't stop himself from showing quite a bit of emotion. Hundreds had died or been violated in this ridiculous fued of his father and he had been utterly useless in stopping it. He could not wait for his father to die so he could take over. By that time, it may very well be far too late to save anything. It may very well be that nothing would be left to save.

 

Having laid his plea on the table and sealed his faith, all he could do now was wait for the Sister's response. He looked at them and dared to hope.

[Kathleen]

Kathleen had sat calmly watching the boy as he began but he was obviously nervous. She tried to ease his nerves by shifting her eye focus away every few moments and sipping at her tea, but if this boy was ever going to grow to a leader of this land he would need to learn to speak strongly. So much what he was talking about was just an emotional plea. If he was anything other than a child, the Green would have ripped into him. She debated doing it just the same to give the boy experience, but she was not his teacher today and she would not make this conversation any harder on him that it already clearly was. Having the boy on her side could help. When he had finally finished babbling over his tongue Kathleen gave him a moment to calm himself.

 

Without saying a word Kathleen just sipped at her tea and then gently set her cup on the saucer, with only the slightest sound when the two made contact. Finally she met his eyes and spoke to put the boy out of his misery. "We have come to solve this argument, and we have not come all the way from Tar Valon to slap your father's wrist. We will find a suitable way to solve the root problem. You clearly have passion, but is it for the people who live on your land as you claim, or is it to please the Lady Leonelle? That I do not need an answer for, but I believe it something you must answer." Kathleen didn't pause to let him reply to that. Kathleen thought on the letter she had for him from Leonelle, but before she could give it to the boy he still had more information. The lady was so sure that the bandits we sent from the Lord, but he would never admit it if it were true, perhaps the boy, with his divided loyalties, would.

 

"These bandits you spoke of, you say they are on your land, and the Lady's land. You say you want all the violence to end. We are here to help you end all of this but we could use your help. Have you any idea what those bandits are doing? Who sent them? Who do they work for? Have you tried anything to stop them on their own? Any information you can give us tonight will aid us in our discussions tomorrow and could ultimately aid riding your lands of the bandits."

 

Kathleen Vandiar

Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah

(Rushed post to get something up before the holiday)

[Visar Falmaien]

(Ooc: Resurrecting this! Let's go big finish! Let's have the assassins attacking at dawn; their target, Daemon and Jac Hargrave)

 

Visar found himself waking with a start just before dawn. Terror flooded through him as he realized he had slept. He fought the terror down enough to look from his hidden vantage point. It was as he had feared. The assassins had already left.

 

He got up in a rush, panicked, ashamed that he could sleep through their departure. No, he told himself. Stop it! He closed his eyes and told himself that giving into fear was just as stupid as suppressing it. He felt fear, and he cared and didn't want anyone to die. The Light send him the srength and will to be able to help. Slowly, he remembered the Spring and embraced how he felt. Yes, he was afraid and he had done wrong. But he had harmed himself by beating himself up about it. There was so much more to this world than just what he experienced. He embraced how he felt and was as gentle to his feelings as he could be. He could use them, he could command them while Springing into Oneness.

 

Recentered, Visar rose and walked silently to where the assassins had camped. It waa good that he had rested; he hadn't slept well i a long time and sleep, while he could go without from the bond for longer than normal, brought clarity of mind that he needed.

 

He remembered his training and tracked the ground, looking for signs that would give him clues. The ground was recently disturbed. A small fire had small wisps of smoke still rising from where they had let ot die to embers; they hadn't covered it, just splashed water. Visar picked up something closeby. A chicken bone, with small fragments of lean meat still on it. They had rested and eaten before their mission. Visar had forgotten to eat or bring any food with him. Well, at least he had rested. And at least they had less than an hour's headstart.

 

They would reach the manor just at dawn, and attack soon after, just before the morning watch changed guards. It would be when Visar would attack if he were them. But his sword was a weapon to defend life not take it for profit. Visar growled, and stamped more dirt over the fire. He wouldn't even let their carelessness harm the forest. He took off at a measured run, still very worried that he would be too late, but surrendering the timing to things beyond his control. If he made it in time, he would still have strength enough to fight.

 

-Visar Falmaien, on his way

[Mystica]

(OOC: I'm finishing up Jac's audience with the Sisters. Then Kathleen can wound it up so we can move forward to dawn perhaps. Just to tie up the conversation of Jac with the Sisters and not leave it mid convo sorta').

 

Jac bit his tongue. Quite literally, till blood trickled down his throat. His anger had flared at the Sister's implication that he would involve the White Tower solely because he wanted to impress some maiden. He stamped on his anger as he has done many times while facing his father and while he couldn't quite hide his feelings completely, he was not an Aes Sedai after all, he did manage to keep the signals to a minimum. He decided not to reply to the question and instead focussed solely on her questions regarding the bandits.

 

"I have not been able to gain much trustworthy information, Aes Sedai. My father has spies all over the place and my every move and word are being reported back to him faster than a fire spreads through a dry forest. From all the signs I've seen I would say that there are several bands of bandits. Some more honorable than others. Some are straight forward pillagers and murderers taking advantage of the situation. I would assume from what I hear Leonelle say that it is the same on her side. My father makes a show of sending out patroles, but it is clear that he's not really interested in bringing them to justice much. I once heard him say that if they killed the folks from Lady Arman then they were aiding his cause. I can not say if he's behind them or not, but I do know that he has no scruples in to using whatever gains him the upper hand."

 

Jac felt more and more dirty as he spoke. It simply was not done for a son to speak of one's father as he did, but what else was he to do? His doom was cast and it lay firmly in the hands of these women. He had to make them see his way and believe him! He just had to! Yes it broke his heart to see Leonelle so distraught, but these were his people too!! He had no desire to become Lord of a dead land piled with corpses!

 

'Light, woman. Stop being such a damn Aes Sedai and let your heart speak for one already!' He would never say those words aloud, of course, but he felt himself get tired of their tea sipping, emotionless faced mannerisms. Weren't Greens supposed to be the passionate ones from the Tower? They had several Warders, didn't they? He didn't know much about Tar Valon and less about the White Tower but one didn't frequent the circles of nobility without learning a few basics about Sisters. Of course, no one knew how truthful those basics were that everyone knew. Surely some of it had to be true?

 

He stood up, put his teacup on the table and faced the women.

 

"Aes Sedai, tomorrow you will see the truth of my words and I pray to the Light that the Creator may grant you the wisdom to make the right decisions. Hundreds of people depend on you. You may think I do all this for Leonelle, and in a way you are not wrong. She is part of my future and of the future of this land. At least, I would have her so if she were willing. However, make no mistake, this is my land, my people and I am no simpering lovesick puppy. One candle may not disperse the darkness, but if we combine our lights we may yet stand a chance to illuminate it. The faith of my people lie in your hands, Aes Sedai. May you care for it as if it were your own."

 

He stood waiting for their dismissal. No longer did he bend his gaze. He looked them straight in the eyes. If he was to be doomed, he would be doomed for who he was, as he was.

[Kathleen]

Jac's eyes flashed with anger at the implied accusations, and his temper let his passion for the people of his land show through in such a way that Kathleen found she couldn't find a shred of doubt or deceit in it. He didn't respond to the tempt of defending the Lady's daughter over of his own people, and that in itself gave the Green the greatest amount of belief in the rest of his devotion.

 

His tongue flowed hot and easily, laying down the distrust and suspicions he had of his father and the Green couldn't help but wonder if perhaps the boy was playing at some scheme. It certainly wasn't often a son would betray his father so thoroughly and hint of such things as this boy was, to anyone - let alone to say these things to sisters of the White Tower. He was but a boy though, and he may have let his passion momentarily override his better judgement, as children did.

 

Neither Kathleen or Gera interrupted him, both not willing to run the risk of distracting him long enough for him to bite his tongue. As his story went on Kathleen found herself reflecting on the point of the Lady's worries. It was seeming more and more that she may be the one with the right of this whole situation. She stripped the emotion from the boy's words as he spoke them and compared them always to the information she had gathered from the other sources.

 

It seems to fit together, but it seems to fit too well, she couldn't help but think as the boy went on and on. Perhaps he is working in secret with the Lady's daughter to undo his father's position to take it over himself as a way to help liberate his people. If his father won't punish the bandits with a heavy hand, could be conspiring to un-thrown him and do it himself?

 

Kathleen let her mind reel through the possibilities while she studied the boys motions as he spoke. He certainly was giving her much to consider Kathleen fought off the sigh that came with admitting it would be another long night up talking over the possibilities and likelihood of all the options with Gera and they had still had yet to discuss how they were going to approach the meeting with the Lord in the morning.

 

When Jac stood up, Kathleen followed him in setting her teacup aside as he spoke. He seemed more collected as he made his final statements and Kathleen wanted to ask why hadn't just said that much and spared them the performance they had just witnessed. She bit her tongue, he was a child, and some day would learn to control his temper, until then she would take advantage what it let lose. From the strength and conviction he showed when he pulled himself together Kathleen saw the first signs that this boy may actually grow into a competent leader. He already had the passion, but he would still need to learn to contain and focus it if he didn't want to be take advantage of at every turn.

 

"Do not fear that we take this lightly, Jac. We would not travel from Tar Valon to your lands if we did not see real cause to be here. We will consider the thoughts you shared tonight as we move forward. I believe we've heard all we need to before we meet with your father tomorrow." Kathleen paused and looked to Gera, giving the woman a chance to add her own acknowledgements to what the boy had shared and to give any signal that she felt they should withhold the letter entrusted to them by the Lady Leanolle. She did not get such a signal so when the Blue had finished her thoughts, Kathleen cut in again before Jac could turn to leave.

 

Raising from her chair Kathleen spoke up to halt his departure, "One last thing. This," she reached into the pouch at her side and retrieved a sealed envelope, "was given to me in the hopes that it would reach you." She handed over the letter and turned back to take her seat, dismissing Jac in silence as she weaved a flow of air to lift the tea pot and refill her teacup and then Gera's. They were done with the son, but they only had few hours left before they had to face his father, and Kathleen wanted to find her pillow before that.

 

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

 

The conversation with Gera was more of a delicate dance than it had been with the noble, despite both Aes Sedai being on the same side of things. They did seem to see eye to eye, at least Kathleen had felt they were by the time they finished up their conversation. It was later than she had wished when she returned to her borrowed rooms and though Nev was waiting ready in the room at her return neither were in any state to speak of what had happened. Kathleen assured herself she'd fill him in before they went to the meeting in the morning. It would serve as a refresher, and she made a habit not to leave her warder in the dark as often as she could.

 

Kathleen woke in the morning to find Nev already up and waiting with hot breakfast for her. She ate quickly and set to straightening out one of her more expensive dresses with weaves of water and fire to steam it into the best condition she could get. It looked far better when she was done than it had fresh out of her traveling bags. She fixed her bed up and straitened the room, not wanting the servants to find the room in disarray and think her a slob. She had just finished finding and removing the last sign that she or Nev had actually been in the room when the knock came her door. Nev answered it and when the door closed again he informed Kathleen that the Gera was ready to see to the meeting with Lord. Kathleen was ready have it over with as well, and she went to meet with the Blue.

 

The party from the White Tower made their way through the halls of the Lord's manner, following closely their escort from the manor's staff. The escort stopped as he reached the door to the room where the Lord was already waiting. He seemed to hesitate at the door and Kathleen noticed him straighten his shoulders and take a deep breath before he swung the doors open and lead the Aes Sedai in.

 

Kathleen Vandiar

Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah

Edited March 28, 2013 by Kathleen

[Mystica]

Jac accepted the letter with a nod of gratitude and retired to his rooms. Once there, he resisted the urge to dismiss the servant who was there to help him undress and get ready for the night. With feigned patience he went through the nighttime ritual which seemed to take forever, his mind focussed on one thing and one thing only. Lean had sent him a letter. Finally the servant went and he was left to his own privacy. He sat at his desk and opened the letter which still caried her scent.

 

Dear Jac,

 

I hope this letter finds you in good stead and pray to the Light that you may be well. Please forgive the manner in which I send this to you, but there was no alternative given the current situation and there was no one else I could trust. Matters are escalating on a daily basis here, Jac. Our people are suffering and every day more and more seem to turn to bigandry and banditry. Mother is determined in her way and there is no persuading her. I have no idea how the Aes Sedai will move in this matter, but I'm sure they will place the benefit of the White Tower before anything else. Who knows what moves an Aes Sedai, despite their supposed service to all.

 

Oh Jac, I realise that this may be a dangerous manner to speak of the very women I'm entrusting this letter to, but I'm desperate. I have to assume things are not fairing much better on your end. We must do something. Us. Not the Aes Sedai, not the White Tower. We! We are the heirs to our perspective people, it is up to us to make the decisions that will affect us all. How else will we gain the respect of our people once we take over the rule from our parents? Don't get me wrong, I would be very greatful to the White Tower if they can actually put an end to this pointless battle and this suffering and I will be the first to proclaim such gratitiude, but we can't be made in to Tower puppets either.

 

Jac, remember what we discussed back in Andor? The idea we had for a marriage between us? I'm now, more than ever, convinced that this is the only way to mend the damage done to our people on both sides. A unification of what should have never have been divided in the first place. I realise that I am extremely forward and this may not be the most romantic of ways to go about this, but I hope you know how much I hold you in high esteem. In fact, I can safely say that I have grown very fond of you and while honesty compells me to put the wellbeing of our people first, it would not be a punishment to me to be married to you.

 

Please, Jac. Think about it.

 

Your forever friend and admirer,

Leanolle.

 

 

Jac read the letter five times, unaware of the stupid grin that had spread his face. To see his own thoughts on paper written in her hand was more than he could have hoped for. He instantly set to writing a reply and went to bed feeling a lot lighter and hopefull than when he woke up this morning.

 

 

 

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

 

Lord Hargrave had spent the night pondering how to deal with these women and had had hardly any sleep. A bad decision, for it became almost impossible for him to controle his temper and already two servants had been taken out the back of the mansion with severe injuries from being beaten. His loyal men had taken them out before those women would notice. They would dispose of those former servants in a more discrete manner, saving their Lord the hassle of having to justify his treatment to the Aes Sedai. It rattled him that he needed to take such precautions at all in his own home. With his own servants. Who did these witches think they were? 'Calm, Daemon,' he chided himself silently for the umptieth time today. 'You still need them to get rid of that Harman witch'.

 

When the Sisters and their party were presented to him in the hall, he welcomed them with his most winning smile. Unaware that he looked like a Darkhound with a tooth ache. The Sisters of course showed no sign of anything and glided gracefully towards him, taking their seats without speaking a word after showing the slightest sign of recognition by a minuscuul nod of the head. Their servants and guards showed even less. Completely ignoring him or his entourage, they positioned themselves behind the Sisters, clearly indicating that they served them and no one else.

 

"Good morning, Aes Sedai," Daemon gritted through his teeth. "I trust you had a restfull night. Please, enjoy the fruits of our lands and do not hesitate to ask for anything you may need. My servants are entirely at your disposal". 'As are their ears and eyes to report back to me anything they find out' he added in thought.

[Visar Falmaien]

Visar ran, ignoring the pain in his lungs from endurance running since he was a boy. He reached the manor, and stoppee. Thenplave was a bloody castle, almost! How was he supposed to get in and get warning? Or was it already too late? He didn't have time to think, but he was thankful for the morning fog for hidingnhis approach.

 

He saw a dark patch in the wall before him. As he neared, he saw an open door. Drawing his sword as silently as he could, Visar approached warily. Couldnit possibly have been so easy? But no one, not even a rear guard, was there to block him. The place was still, but he faintly heard sounds of fighting ahead. As he entered the complex, he soon found out why.

 

Dead guardsmen and servants littered the halls, their throats slit or crossbow bolts in their chests. These assassins were good markamen, Visar noticed. He entered a courtyard, and the slightest clicking sound alerted him enough to drop to the ground as a bolt zipped by, quivering onto the stones, right where the back of his head had been the moment before.

That would be the rear guard, he surmised. He rushed back and ran the man through before he was finished reloading.

 

Now, to find the Tower delegation. He followed the sounds of fighting, which took him deeper inside the manor complex. He would at least try to help them escape and save who he could.

 

-Visar Falmaien, racing to help!

 

(Ooc: feel free to rp the start of the fight as you choose)

[Mystica]

Jac sat at his father's right. The heir's place though he had no illusion as to his father's feelings towards his only son. He tried to blend in with the furniture as much as possible, for the Lord was in a foul mood. Jac sent up another prayer for those poor servants whose lives had certainly come to an end by now. Cursed by his father! You didn't treat people like that! None of it showed on his face. If one didn't know any better you could almost think he had gotten lessons from Aes Sedai in hiding his emotions. Though no Sister would claim such ridiculous thing, for to them he radiated emotion left, right and center.

 

Commotion rose a little as the Aes Sedai entered the hall and took their places. Their manner such that his father's mood dropped another several points, making it now well below freezing. Jac sighed inwardly and watched as his father signalled for the food to be served.

 

Suddenly he spotted manu, the lead dog of the family. The beast started barking at the door, much to the dismay of his father who instantly ordered the dog to be put out. Obedient, the servants opened the door and dropped to the floor. Dead.

 

It all happened in a flash. Jac stood up, felt a wave of wind and heard a gurgle to his left. His father sat, eyes open wide, disbelief painted on his face. His eyes slowely rolled down towards the shaft of arrow sticking out of his neck.

 

Panick. Servants screamed, leeches that were at the manor to smooch up to his father but were of zero use in this situation scurried back under any rock they could find. In moments the hall was cleared of anyone except Jac and the Aes Sedai party. He stood in shock, watching as arrow after arrow lurched at him, bounced against an invisible wall and fell to the ground beneath his feet.
 

"Move boy!" Kathleen yelled, moving towards him while her guards engaged the assailants. "Move!"

[Kathleen]

Kathleen walked with practiced grace, keeping in step with Gera until the two reached the chairs. They found their seats in unison and the green lay her hands on her lap, just resisting the urge to smooth her skirts. She didn't let the thoughts show on her face as she took in the room and tried to read the Lord's face. In truth it wasn't hard to tell how he felt about it all. Her gaze didn't last long on the lord before it moved to the son. For one who had spoken so vigorously the night before he seemed a whole different creature next to his father. 

 

"Good morning, Aes Sedai," The lord broke the silence. "I trust you had a restfull night. Please, enjoy the fruits of our lands and do not hesitate to ask for anything you may need. My servants are entirely at your disposal". 

 

Kathleen didn't hesitate to give Gera a chance to answer, the green would do the talking with the lord, just as Gera had handled the meeting with the lady days before.

 

"Our night was as restful," she began, only to be interpreted by the growling of the guard dog, "as it could be expected," she paused briefly as the dog took up a full on barking, but held her composure and did not raise her voice, "under the circumstances." she finished. She could feel her warder's tension heighten at the dog's outburst and she just stopped herself from letting her eyes dart about the room. The lord ordered the dog be removed and as the beast was lead toward the door Kathleen turned her eye to follow it from the room, taking the chance to glance at her warder waiting behind her by the door for reassurance. 

 

As soon as the door opened the first servant dropped to the ground. Nevel jumped to action at the door and Kathleen jumped to her feet, spinning back to face the Lord and his son. The time it took to face them was long enough for the arrow to find the Lord's neck. "Burn it!" Kathleen cursed as she weaved a shield of air around the son. Who ever was attacking may have got their target in killing the lord, but they wouldn't get the heir too. When Jac's sheild was set Kathleen formed one around herself as well, sadair sprang up around Gera and Kathleen noticed the  inexperienced blue copy the action to protect herself. She seemed almost as much in shock as the boy was, and clearly wasn't prepared for a fight, but she snapped out of the shock in an instant.

 

"Come to me!" Kathleen commanded across the room, just as much an order for Jac as it was for Gera. Jac stood there like a practice target, starring blinding in confusion and shock. "Move boy!" She shouted as she ran for him. If he wasn't going to move on his own she'd move him. "Move!" 

 

The boy seemed to hear her and finally moved from his spot toward the Aes Sedai. "Have you a hidden exit? Something they wouldn't know of?" Chaos surrounded them and it was hard to keep the boy's attention with the arrows flying all around from the unknown source. Kathleen only had an instant to process the surroundings. She could only hope that Nevel could hold up long enough for her get Gera sent off with the boy to safety with a meeting place set so she could join her warder to end this curious attack. 

 

Kathleen Vandiar

Green Aes Sedai in action

[Mystica]

Jac looked at her. A hidden exit? He had no idea, his father never had given him access to anything that might give him an advantage. "I don't know. Can't you do something? My people are dying!" Light! What was this Aes Sedai doing? Arrows were flying around them, missing them by what seemed random chance. Didn't they have some sort of protection spell or whatever they called it?

 

He snapped out of his shock and dived for one of the ceremonial swords hanging behind his father's chair. He drew the sword behind him and thanked the Light for his training in Caemlyn.

 

"We have to fight out way through! Try to get to safety, Aes Sedai. I have to save my people!" with that he launched towards the door where the Warders and Guards from the Aes Sedai were engaged in the bottleneck that had formed there. Assault after assault landed on them from outside while arrows bounced off some hidden dome surrounding them above. One of the Guards had an arrow sticking out of his side but it didn't stop him from fighting.

 

Jac turned back to Kathleen, angry now at the pointless loss of lives. "In the Creator's name, woman! Can't you do something? Aren't you supposed to be of the Battle Ajah? We have to get out of here! My people are out there!!"

 

He was past time of caring whether or not he insulted an Aes Sedai. His heart was in his chest, his mind was racing and fear threatened to take controle of him at every heartbeat. He had never had dreams of battle and great deeds. People died in battles and only fools would look forward to that.

 

An arrow launched at him and then another. Thud, thud, thud. One after the other bounced off an invisible dome surrounding him from above. Kathleen moved towards him, her face determined. Perhaps it would have been prudent to remember not to anger an Aes Sedai after all. He gulped and awaited his faith.

[Visar Falmaien]

Normally Visar would have been extremely disoriented from the unfamiliar twists and turns of a manor he had never been in.  Normally, he wouldn't have stood half a chance against ten men in the open.  But a few things were working in his favor.  The assassins were only somewhat familiar with the manor themselves, though Visar suspected they had insiders guiding them, else they wouldn't have been able to gain entry so easily.  But more importantly, they weren't expecting a desperate warder at their back, and their target of focus was elsewhere.

 

Visar rounded a corner, knowing from hearing that another armed mercenary waited. The dark-cloaked man turned in alarm, started to raise his crossbow, then flung it at Visar as he went for his sword. Visar had no time to dodge, no time to gauge what skill his opponent was.  He turned his shoulder into the projectile as it crashed against him, kept moving, his sword close to his hip.  He thrust with his sword, impaling the assassin before he completed drawing his sword, and then tackled him to the ground with his next two steps.  In his death throes the assassin grabbed at Visar's cloak, and they went to the ground in a tumble.  Visar quickly rolled to the top, struck the assassin in the throat, which loosened his grip and knocked him unconscious.

 

Stumbling back to his feet, Visar drew his dagger and continued.  He didn't have time to retrieve his sword, though he knew he had struck a mortal blow.  The assassin writhed in a growing pool of his own blood, the latest in a string of bodies along the corridor, more servants than assassins.  He was quickly forgotten as Visar rushed to where the fighting sounded thickest.  He was very close, he knew, hearing the sharp clack of bolts hitting stones; hearing shouts and the thinnest screech of steel on steel.  They were still fighting, that was good!  If there was any good to be salvaged from this debacle...

 

Visar slowed and resumed on silent feet, sensing three men just around the corner. He would have to stalk now, even with his adrenaline wearing off. He only had his dagger; he couldn't possibly expect to take them all on.  But if he was to give his friends a chance of escaping, it was his duty to try.

 

He removed his cloak; it would make too much noise.  He sidled along the wall, edging to the corner, his dagger blade close.  He lowered his body, readying himself for a spring.  He strained his ears, listening.  There was the slightest strain of a cord stretching... one of them was reloading a bolt!

 

Visar lunged around the corner and hooked his arm around the neck of the kneeling crossbowman, stabbing him in the back repeatedly.  Using the dying body as a shield, Visar charged the remaining two men, who whirled around and loosed their bolts into their comrade instead of Visar.  They drew their daggers, knowing as Visar did that the narrow corridor was better for knife-work.  Visar hurled the corpse onto one of them so that they couldn't rush him at the same time.  As that mercenary was struggling with getting the body out of the way, he swiftly closed with the other one.  No time for the dueling dance so common in places like Ebou Dar and Tear.  He stabbed right for the assassin's neck, and was surprised that the man blocked it, hooking his dagger in a way that bit hard into Visar's wrist.  His dagger pinched in a classic defense move, Visar knew in his muscles that it would be only a moment before he would be countered and stabbed himself.

 

He lashed out with a foot at the man's knee, buying time as he stumbled back to regain his balance.  Their blades remained locked.  Visar jabbed with his free fist, which disentangled his weapon arm.  Somehow, he still held his blade despite blood running from his wrist.  He switched the blade to his left hand, thrust high at his opponent's face.  The man tried to block it with both hands; his mistake!  Visar switched the feint from high to low, burying his dagger into the assassin's body, and kicking him back for good measure.  

 

He turned, and had little time to react as he saw a reverse gripped thrust plunge for his neck.  Lashing out with the nearest hand, Visar deflected the blow with his right forearm, just enough so that it did not hit its intended target.  Even so, the assassin's blade hooked painfully over his already bleeding arm, the point leveraging towards his heart.  He only needed to penetrate two inches to kill...

 

Visar used his left hand again, and went into an improvised The Grapevine Twines, shooting his arm like a snake to twirl around the dagger arm.  He shifted his body weight to the side, clearing some space, and then he moved diagonally to wrench the assassin's elbow. The man opened his mouth in a silent scream and went to his knees, stubbornly clutching to his weapon.  Visar kneed him in the chin, and with that distraction, he was able to deftly snatch the blade, as he had practiced so many times in the Yards.

 

Switching hands, Visar knocked the man out with the pommel of the knife to the temple, and ran on to round another corner, the one the assassins had been hiding behind to take shots.  This must be the alcove to the great hall, Visar reasoned, though he didn't have time to think of what to do next as he rounded the corner.

 

Five men were fighting in the hallway, one of them not darkly garbed.  It was Nev! Visar realized quickly.  He was sorely pressed, trying to keep them out of the room, where his Aes Sedai and the others must still be.  Visar ran to the scene, but slowed and hesitated as he realized he had no sword, only the knife he had taken from the assassin. His right arm was next to useless, growing numb from loss of blood.  He watched the fight with fascinated horror; Nev was valiantly fighting off four men, but it was only a matter of time before he'd be overwhelmed.  He needed... a distraction!

 

Visar readied himself for one last suicidal charge.  Visar breathed in, and let loose a primal scream as he ran, letting out his pain and fury from everything that had ever hurt him.  He imagined himself directing it, much like Aes Sedai used the One Power, onto his targets. Nev, trained for battle, did not even flinch, but the assassins did, giving him a chance to wound two of them and push them back just enough.  Another fighter rushed into the corridor from the Hall, then another, and the tide turned in a blink of an eye.  

 

By the time Visar reached the scene of the fighting it was all but over.  Of the four swordsmen, only two remained, alive, guarded by one of the men in Hargrave livery. The two remaining Tower Guardsmen, as well as the other Hargrave guards that came rushing up from where Visar had come from, rushed off to deal with the remaining assassin, who must have realized by now that his mission failed.  

 

Nev turned to Visar, a cautious, measured frown on his face, his sword resting deceptively low, but ready to use.  Visar dropped the knife he was holding; he had no desire to fight Nev again.  Despite his providing a distraction, Nev obviously didn't trust Visar.  He didn't know what to say to the other Warder.

 

The Aes Sedai, and a young man in nobleman's clothes, followed the rest out of the room.  Kathleen Sedai did not seem at all surprised to see him there, but there was an expression of shock on Gera Sedai's face that might or might not be due to Visar's appearance.

 

"I c-cleared a w-way out for escape," Visar stuttered weakly to Kathleen gesturing behind him at the dead and wounded assassins that added to the trail of bodies they had made on the way in. Some would still be alive for questioning, though Visar already knew where they had come from.  He attempted to explain further though his brain was foggy, "Nine (assassins) down, one left?  Did we save Lord... ?" he asked, himself confused to the outcome.  How many had he defeated? Four? Five?  And where did his sword go?  Feeling dizzy and weak from exhaustion and loss of blood, Visar stopped trying to talk and leaned against the stone wall to rest while people in better shape figured that sort of thing out.

 

-Visar Falmaien, he's back

[Kathleen]

"Can't you do something? My people are dying!" Kathleen wasn't surprised at the protest as the boy reached for the decorative sword. The amount of people who thought her a one woman army or assumed she had the power of the Creator himself never ceased to amaze her. 

 

"We have to fight out way through! Try to get to safety, Aes Sedai. I have to save my people!"  She barely made out the words as he ran off into the fray. Barely, but she did make them out. She took a deep breath to keep her rage from finding the boy. Better suited on the battle she should have been fighting free of worry for the Blue and boy. As it was she was on her way to the bottle neck, hot on Jac's heals keeping her attention divided too many places. She had to keep her eye on the boy, the blue, the battle and her own bloody safety. The air would only do so much for so long. 

 

She had just reached the door and saw the fray in the hall when Jac confronted her, demanding more of her attention. "In the Creator's name, woman! Can't you do something? Aren't you supposed to be of the Battle Ajah? We have to get out of here! My people are out there!!"

 

She spoke with practiced calm, but her words stung with intent, "What would you have me do, child? Set the halls a blaze without knowing how many of your faithful men are still running among them? Call down lighting from the sky to crumble the roof atop us? I tried to get you out of here, out to the people you wish to save, you wouldn't have it. Have it your way, stay and fight, and give me one more head to hold me back from making a clean sweep of these halls. Stay back with Gera Sedai, boy. Fight if one comes to you, but stay out of the way." she demaned as she pushed past the boy.

 

She could feel Nevel's calm shake, he was strained out there and it was killing her to be arguing with a child while she knew her warder was straining. But there was fighting of guards and dying men falling in the narrow hall. She couldn't get to him if she hadn't been arguing. Now she would trust the Blue with the boy and she would see this attack ended.

 

A shout through the halls caught her, the familiar cry bringing rise to her spirits and within moments the thing seemed to be over.  The halls cleared of the living and she was left staring down the last face she had expected to see. Was he with them or against them? She prepared a weave to take Visar out, but he wasn't attacking and she knew he couldn't have come to harm them or it wouldn't be both Nevel and Visar on their feet waiting. One of them would have been dead by now.

 

"I c-cleared a w-way out for escape," Visar stuttered weakly gesturing behind him. "Nine (assassins) down, one left?  Did we save Lord... ?" he asked dropping to a lean against the stone wall.

 

"We," Kathleen stressed coldly, "did nothing. The Lord Hargrave was lost. His heir,and thus his house, lives. The White Tower thanks you for your assistance here today, Visar Falmaien." She pulled out her coin purse and pressed some coin to the other man's hand. 

 

Kathleen Vandiar

Green Aes Sedai

Apparently can be a bitch.

[Visar Falmaien]

"We," Kathleen stressed coldly, "did nothing. The Lord Hargrave was lost. His heir,and thus his house, lives. The White Tower thanks you for your assistance here today, Visar Falmaien." She pulled out her coin purse and pressed some coin to the other man's hand.

 

Visar blinked at the coins in his hand, looked back up at Kathleen. He thought again why he had left the mission in the first place, and he looked away, not wanting the cold Aes Sedai to have the satisfaction of hurting him worse than the blades of the mercenaries had. And somehow him coming to help still put him at their level? A mere sellsword to be paid by cold metal and a more frigid 'thank you' with no sincerity. He barely noticed dropping the coins soon after, and no one else seemed to care right then.

 

At least for his sake he did not have the strength to say or do anything, or he'd likely join the bodies on the floor from her Power or Nev's sword. He leaned against the wall while others discussed what to do. They were furious at the attack, both the Hargrave staff and the Aes Sedai, though the latter were better at disguising their emotions. Little good it did for them. Visar was glad to be ignored for once.

 

At least his respite, and his automatic binding of his wounds with clean cloth, gave Visar some time to think as well as observe the younger Hargrave take command. Given that his father had been murdered in front of him, the young man showed remarkable bravery and potential for leadership. He stared at the coins he had scattered to the floor, mainly because he didn't have the grip to hold onto them. The gold would have been enough for buying a good horse, maybe even a suit of maille. But as Visar stared at it, he realized that that way of life wasn't worth it. Why take lives and receive gold, just to feel so empty inside you lived extremes just to remember feeling? Yes, duty could be heavy as a mountain sometimes, as the Borderlanders loved to drone, but if you served a cause you believed in, you didn't feel oppressed by the weight of your actions.

 

He checked his rough bindings. They'd serve to stop the bleeding for now, but he would need either Healing or a lot of stiches to be good as new. He wasn't going to ask right then, however. There was still work to be done. He felt a second wind and wanted to help with clearing the bodies away. Maybe then he'd find his weapons.

 

"Kathleen Sedai, there is something you must know," Visar said to her before she rushed off to either advise the Lordling or interrogate the captives. "These murderers were not ordinary mercenaries or bandits. They were highly trained and well paid. They came from the same way we did. Lady Arman's manor. I..had a change of heart, and followed them in hopes of stopping them from bringing harm. I failed to stop them from reaching the manor and killing one of their targets, but I am glad that you were not hurt, if that's worth anything..." Visar listened to her reply and said nothing as she stormed off to deal with more important battles. He felt shamed, but at least he had spoken something of use. She didn't need to trust his word alone to reach the same conclusion of who the aggressor was.

 

Visar walked the hall he had come from. Servants were already at work cleaning the floors. He was amazed at their apparent nonchalance; these men and women must be numb to death and things like this. Was he weak for still feelong it? Or did something break inside of you if you couldn't feel pain anymore? He didn't know. He found his sword and retrieved it, and while he was not feeling good enough to carry, he got down on his knees to scrub the floor some.

 

He ached all over and his emotions were a twisted, frustrated knot, but scrubbing helped some. He finished, and asked if he could sleep somewhere. A servant directed him to a small room with a cot that was near where they were guesting the Aes Sedai. He was asleep as soon as he fell on the bed.

 

He woke in pain that night, his wounds and fears swirling in nightmarish intensity before dulling again. He got up and wandered the halls. Most of the staff were asleep, but guards patrolled the halls, some of which Visar had to argue with as to whether he was allowed to be there. They dragged him to the Aes Sedai rooms. Nev stood watch as usual, grunted at Visar's arrival but said nothing. The guards left hom there and went back to their business.

 

Having nothing better to do, Visar leaned against the wall, tired but unable to sleep. A weary Kathleen Sedai came out of the room some time later, probably alerted by Nev. She stood a ways away and looked at him silenlty for a while, as if deciding what to do with him. Visar found himself talking foolishly just to try to break the tension.

 

"Can't sleep either?" He asked her. That didn't merit a response. I'll take that as a yes, but none of yours, he thought. He continued talking, partly to himself.

 

"Yes, I'm still here, Aes Sedai. I didn't come back for payment, or for your thanks. Nor did i come back to grovel and apologize, though i know i did wrong and regret it deeply. I came back for two reasons. One, it was the right thing to do, and my heart led me back here. And two, i've come to realize that the Wheel and the White Tower is not done with me yet, nor is it likely to be. Somehow my heart's at peace for that. It hadn't been for a long time. Tell me, in all the years you've lived as Aes Sedai, did you ever even doubt yourself to the point of self-destruction? How do you do that, and not betray how you feel? I could never hide how i felt very well. I tried to be like you, Aes Sedai, in control of my every thought, feeling, and action, but failed and it made me miserable. I tried to hold myself to perfection; now i realize that that was my mistake. I'd scream at myself, Control my emotions, why can't i do that? But perhaps that doesn't have to matter. Perhaps my openness can be as much a strength as controlling oneself. I abandoned your mission and betrayed your trust. I know there's no recovering from that. Yet I have not forgotten my vows to the White Tower. I will continue to serve you on this mission, and if you cannot trust me, I understand. I will accept your decision, and whatever consequences there are for my actions."

 

-Visar Falmaien

[Kathleen]

Kathleen stilled at the sound of the door opening when Nevuel came in through the night. He slipped up beside the borrowed bed and it took a moment for Kathleen to determine if he was trying to keep silent while he alerted her of danger or if he was trying not to wake her in surprise. He was far too slow approaching her to be coming to alert her of anything though, and he was far too calm for there to be danger. 

 

"I'm up." she informed the warder as he reached to wake her.

 

"You are needed." He responded, clearly hesitant to continue until she pressed, "He's in the hall...not well. He needs Healing." He didn't have to say his name, and Kathleen wasn't sure he could bring himself to say it anymore than she could. 

 

"I'm not a Yellow." she snapped, rolling to her side to face away from him.

 

She waited for him to plead his case more, but Nevuel just stood by the bed in silence. When it was clear he wouldn't play along Kathleen let out a heavy breath. She didn't need her warder remind herself that while she wasn't yellow she was Aes Sedai, and the nagging thought did strike her. She could hold grudges all she wanted, but she wouldn't give up on her duties even if others did. 

 

"How bad is he?" she finally asked. Rasheta would never forgive her if she left him here to die, and she knew she'd never forgive herself either. It was one thing to let him go, one thing to kill him if he had attacked with the assassins, but it was quite another thing to let him fade away from wounds he got trying to defend the innocent people here, and it certainly wouldn't look good on the White Tower if it was found out the same man who was paid in thanks for his assistance was left to die of wounds by the same Aes Sedai.

 

"He was carried here by the guards." Nev replied. 

 

Kathleen said no more, waiting only a moment before pulling herself from the sheets, wrapping herself if a robe and heading for the door. "He hasn't asked for healing has he?" Silence was the answer as Kathleen left the room and she knew that silence meant he hadn't. 

 

She stood a ways away and looked at the former warder, leaning wearily in the hall. Light, but he did look more than half dead. There were so many things she wanted to say to him. She wanted to let him know what a relief it was to see him come back, how angry she was that he had left in the first place, that she didn't want to tell Rasheta of his abandonment, but how she felt she had to tell her just the same. There were so many other things to tell this man, but this was not the time and she wouldn't know where to start. 

"Can't sleep either?" Visar broke the silence with the question. She wasn't ready to play at friendly chatter, not when his warder's cloak was still folded up in her travel bag, not when she'd not had more than moment to talk to him since he almost killed her warder and left them with one less guard to watch them as they traveled in a land he had know was ripe with dangerous people willing to attack. Not when she couldn't find the words break the ice she let grow over the situation.

 

It seemed the words came easier to Visar, or perhaps his wounds had warn down the fight of his mind to keep his thoughts from spilling from him. Kathleen waited, glass face of an the aes sedai slipping over her otherwise weary body, listening to the former tower guard. 

 

"I do not care to know why you came back, nor did I ask for explanation of why you left. Your duty was to my sister, Rasheta, and to the White Tower, not to me. Save your reasons for abandoning your duties for the next time you get the chance to address those you swore to, if there is a next time." Kathleen tried to lighten her tone, the man was badly wounded enough in pride and in body both. He was trying to be open with her, and she could tell he was speaking from the truth of his heart, not just saying what he thought would get him out of trouble. Perhaps it was time to let him see her heart too.

 

As she spoke she reached for saidar and began to delve the wounded man, pausing just as the weave touched him awaiting his nod to continue. He gave it and Kathleen began to heal what she could. She wasn't a yellow, but Visar would know that most green's were not the best healers and so she didn't feel the need to point it out. She would do her best and he would know she did.

 

"When I was first raised to the shawl I made the mistake of asking Rasheta if she had ever doubted her choice in choosing the Green ajah. Had she ever felt like it was more duty than she could live up to? Did she ever question her ability to do what the ajah demanded of her? I'm sure you can imagine her reply to me, if you can't I suggest you ask her. I admit those questions were not my attempt to question my sister's abilities or devotion, as she seemed to take it. Those questions were my own worries about my own abilities.

 

Our journeys are vastly different though, Visar. Had I doubted myself to the point of self-destruction I never would have reached the shawl in the first place. By the time I received that I had long since lost the ability to doubt myself that much. There are always times I wonder if I could have done thing differently, times I wonder if I could have done things better. At the end of the day, if I am alive to try to do better in the morning than I did the day before, that is all I can ask for, and that is all I need to be satisfied.

 

Staying alive to live another day is more of an accomplishment in our lives than in most people's, Visar. If you achieve nothing more than having your life and your aes sedai's life at the end of the day, isn't that enough? If it isn't, perhaps you were right to walk away, but there is a right way to leave and a wrong way. 

 

My faith in you is shaken, but you are welcome to travel with us until we reach the White Tower, if you wish to return there. I will accept your advice and your protection on our way, should you offer it. All I ask is that you try smooth things over as well as you can with Nev. I can't assure you he will accept your return to full capacity, and I will not force him."

 

She had done all the healing she could by the time she had finished speaking with him and so she let go for her embrace of the one power.

 

"Now, you need you're rest, and so do I." She didn't know if he would remember their conversation in the morning, but she felt better for having it. Still, it was hard to give over on all the resentment, disappointment and hurt, so as soon as the healing was done she turned on her heel and returned to her room. She had come to do her duty as Aes Sedai and heal the wounded man. She had done it, and he could find his own bloody way to his room. 

 

~ Kathleen Vandiar

Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah

 

 

 

[Mystica]

Jac spent long hours coordinating the care for the wounded, the cleanup of the bodies, the clearing out of the rubble and seeing to the doubling of the fortifications of the manor. He did not know if there were other groups of mercenaries out there waiting to pounce. He was exhausted and yet he couldn't stop moving. Perhaps his most important duty, as he saw it, was offering what little comfort and support he could to the survivors. He saw his people walk about with bland purpose. Performing their tasks with empty eyes. As though they didn't see the blood pooling in so many places, the corpses of their friends, family. They went about their business as though the life had long since left them and their bodies just forgot to stop functioning. The new Lord of the manor kept his back straight, his head high, his actions purposefully and his tone of voice commanding. This was not the time to show any form of weakness. He had to be the strength these people needed, even if he was just faking it. His lessons from Andor all came rushing back to his conscious mind. A leader behaves as one everyone can lean on and still stands erect. A leader draws his strength not from his people but from himself. A leader is a vessel from which all his people can draw from in times of need. On and on the mantras came and on and on Jac helped, assisted, ordered, commanded, soothed, directed. For the first time in many many years, the manor sighed under the mantle of true leadership.

 

He didn't know how he ended up in his bed, but that's where he found himself the next morning. Aching in every inch of his body. A tray of fresh and hot food stood waiting for him. It was the aroma of the food that had wakened him. This treatment was reserved only for the Lord of the manor, so Jac was not used to it. Only his father had had this privelege and had awarded it to nobody else, including his son. But now, Jac was the Lord of the manor and the servants had transferred all due honours to him automatically. Clearly there was much work to be done. Not just in cleaning up the mess from yesterday, but much more important healing the sickness his father and Lady Arman had cast over their respective people.

 

Jac sat at his desk, eating his breakfast. He took his time, relishing in the quiet peace with which he could enjoy his meal. A rare treat. All too soon his duties interfered and he wondered how the Aes Sedai and their party were doing. Calling one of the servants Jac inquired to the status of his guests. He winced at the losses they suffered but was pleased to hear that none of the Aes Sedai or their warders were killed. The Light only knew how the White Tower would respond to thàt.

 

"When the Sisters have broken their fast, ask them for an audience with me in the blue sitting room. It is time for us to put an end to this bloodshedding and start healing our people and our lands."

 

The servant looked at Jac in shock. Not moving, not taking his eyes off him. Jac's brows frowned as he wondered if the man had heard him. Suddenly the elderly servant fell to his knees before him, grabbing both his hands and pressing them to his lips. "The Light be praised." he whispered, and was up and out the door before Jac had fully registered what had happened.

[Visar Falmaien]

Visar nodded and listened as Kathleen spoke. She didn't trust him, but that was to be expected. And he did deserve her anger, so he resolved to try to do better, and do what he could to heal tye damage he had done. He wished the Aes Sedai good night and returned to his guest bed. He was asleep in moments.

 

The next day started bright and early, and Visar felt like a new man. He was still nervous about ruining things, but if he was patient, laid low for a while, and earned their trust again, if possible, things might be better on the journey back.

He joined the delegation as they went to a meeting with the new Lord Hargrave. The council chamber was well guarded, fortified, and all the mess from the other day was already cleaned up. Visar looked at the young man, seeing in him a strength of character he rarely saw in warders. He was impressed that a young man who had just lost his father could be holding up so well. Leadership was natural to him, Visar supposed, yet in the man's strength he saw vulnerability too, and emotions difficult to conceal.

 

Visar wondered if there was something he could learn from this brave young man. He gave the lord a respectful salute and a "good morning, lord Hargrave," as he went to take his station behind the seated Aes Sedai.

 

-Visar, laying low