to ride or not to ride, that is the question..

[Liitha]

Liitha streached as the morning sun woke her through the small window in the loftroom. Oh she did like this place, she had been so lost of what to do with her money till she learned of this place. It had been when she went to get Yazi's shooes changed that she got to hear of it, the daugther of the man she had known for years and always went with her horse to had been widowed. She had remembered the woman as a girl, though she would now be in her early twenties, thugs had seen the end to her husband and loan still on their farm togheter with two kids ment selling the place.

 

Liitha had bougth it and asked the woman to live on there, she would farm it like normal and to pay she would tend to Liitha's horses. Meaning that she could expand, she had always just had Yazi and at times a pack horse. However she had always had interest of horseflesh, and she had as well inherited 2 animals of fine breeding. Already she had plans to breed the mare when she could but find a suiting stallion, the stallion was ment suitable as a warhorse though not fully broken it would seem.

 

Climbing down she was met with hot bread for breakfast, she smiled at the woman, the place was big enough for her to keep the loft as her own for times when she visited. Eating a ligth meal she was trailed by the boy of 5 when she walked outside, he helped her tend to the horses, and then she sadled the stalion with some trouble. She intended to use the day to get a feel for him.

 

Liitha rode out bringing along lunch and headed towards the road. She would go into the nearest village and buy some suplies for the household. She had kept her focus on the horse as they rode, so far she could feel him not relaxed but he behaved somewhat. He snorted as abird flew up but didnt take out, slowly she sat back a litle in the sadle and thoug alert also let her eyes take in the scenery.

 

She hardly had a seconds warning of change to grab on as he took out though. Not responding to her comands of stoping she figured the best take of action was to let him run of some energy on the straigth fields. She positioned herself and then urged him to run on even faster, she could feel the wind in her face, and then an abrubt halt under her as they skid to a stop, well the horse did, she flew out of the sadle cursing.

 

She sat in the grass blowing hair out of her face and looked up at him, now he was all calm just looking at her. They had been almost to the road, and she would have needed to slow down but this was not how she had planed it. Slowly she rose and looked down as she felt her leg beeing wet, she a stick stand out of the ground broken and a piece of it was now stuck in her leg. "Grand" she looked at him, "really clever" Siting down again she for now ignored the horse who had started grasing, she would need to remove the twig.

[WhiteWolf]

Cara sighed again, no matter what she did with her hair it still looked like one of the Novices had played a prank on her and had dumped a mop on her head. Tania Sedai, her mother had told her many times to get her hair cut short if it annoyed her so much, but as usual, Cara had done exactly the opposite and had never had it cut, letting grow until it reached her lower back. It was not that she did this deliberately to annoy her mother, or go against her mother’s advice; it was more the very heart of her contrary nature to rebel against any easy options, or paths. This had often driven her teachers in the tower to distraction, and Cara secretly loved the fact she was able to get under the skin of the stuffy women who thought so much of themselves, yet without their link to the One Power would have amounted to nothing special, leading ordinary and uneventful lives. Finally she decided to tie her hair back and not worry about whether it was free of tangles. Next she got up from the dressing table, a gift from her mother, and went over to her close. If a passer by had chanced to look inside they would have been hard pressed to guess it was the closet of a woman. Inside there were two dresses, but they were bundled into a heap and stuffed on a shelf and covered with two think woollen cardigans. The rest of the clothes consisted of breeches, shirts and short jackets, much like her fathers closet.

 

Quickly she pulled out a pair of dark brown breeches, and a loose fitting black shirt and short jacket. Pulling her shift over her head Cara aimlessly threw it onto the floor and then got dressed, finally pulling on a thick pair of woollen socks and her favourite pair of knee high riding boots. When she was finished she slammed the closet door shut, with more force than she intended, and only just caught the small box that fell off the top. Luckily it was not one of the ornamental boxes her mother had given her, but rather a totally plain wooden one that was in all ways unremarked, but which held her few pieces of jewellery. Replacing the box, and checking the weave was still in place to guard it, Cara grabbed a soft floppy hat and jammed it on her head then headed out of her room and left the Brown Ajah’s quarters, making her way to the Stables.

 

Once at the stables, Cara saddled her own horse, partly because she liked to do things for herself, and partly because her horse would not let the stable boys anywhere near it. Her father had presented it to her on her birthday, three years ago, and had told her it was a fully battle trained horse, he knew how his daughter would not accept anything less and had seen to it’s training himself. Once she was sure all saddle and harness were correctly in place, Cara led the horse out of the stables and climbed into the saddle. The morning sun shone brightly on the yard and in the distance could be heard the sounds from the Warders Yards, the dull clack of the practice swords and the shouted commands of the men responsible for training the new initiates. Cara smiled to herself at the memories this brought back, but she did not delay as she did not want anyone to disturb her good mood, and you never knew when someone might appear and demand her attention for something, not that many did now that she was an Aes Sedai, but she did not want to trust in luck and quickly rode out of the tower grounds and headed towards the North gate.

 

As she rode through the City, she looked around at the people milling around the shops and markets, going about their daily lives. Cara could not understand why anyone would want to live in such a big City as Tar Valon, and if it had not been for her mother living in the Tower, Cara would never have come here, well that is if she had never manifested an ability with the One Power. As she rode, Cara cursed the luck that had picked her out and decided to give her the ability to channel, it was not something she would have willingly chosen for herself, and had hated every moment as a Novice, and had not enjoyed being Accepted either. It was only after she had gained the Shawl that she actually felt a little more comfortable in her surroundings. But lately there had been a growing sensation inside her to leave the tower. With such a wide and diverse land out there, she had no intention of staying in Tar Valon and had been laying her plans on where she would visit first. For now though, she would content herself with a ride into the surrounding countryside, if there was anything that would help free her of the wanderlust that was growing inside her, it was a good ride out to one of the outlying villages, somewhere no one knew her and she could pass herself off as anything she liked.

 

As she rode across the bridge, Cara decided that if anyone enquired as to what she was, she would say she was a mercenary’s brat, and was out looking for information about her father. It was a flimsy story but one that allowed a certain latitude when it came to hiding her real identity. Once clear of the City, Cara removed the ring that marked her as an Aes Sedai and strung it around her neck on a leather thong that she had just for this purpose.

 

The weather had stayed fair all day, and Cara was thoroughly enjoying the freedom that being out of the City had allowed her. She had nothing more pressing on her mind than finding somewhere to stop for a meal, but was not desperately hungry. She was so used to missing meals that she had long ago trained herself to not notice pangs of hunger. It was late afternoon and Cara had left the road behind over two hours ago, wanting to gallop her horse without fear of running into anything that would hurt him. It was not the force of the wind that made her smile so much, she loved the feel of her horses powerful muscles beneath her, and this was even more evident when he was galloping, the rush of the wind also made her long hair billow out, and whipped it from side to side as she encouraged her horse to go faster.

 

Blood and bloody ashes, why did I have to come across another horse and no doubt rider, in this deserted area. Cara had picked up the sounds of a horse neighing, and sighed at the thought of meeting someone who would undoubtedly spoil her day. But then she thought it could be a person in trouble, and she would never forgive herself if she did not go to investigate, her training had ingrained into her the need to help those less fortunate than herself, or those who found themselves in trouble. As Cara came around a large hedge, she saw a young woman sitting in the grass, near the road, her hand reaching for her leg, were there was blood on her breeches, a horse standing not to far away, grazing, oblivious to the young woman’s slight discomfort.

 

The second thing Cara noticed about the person was her eyes, she had a very penetrating gaze, and Cara thought if you looked into them for too long it would feel like you were drowning in them. Mentally telling herself to keep her mind on other things, Cara slowed her horse to walk and then dismounted, walking over to the young woman. “Do you usually let small twigs get the better of you, or is it a passion of yours to stick them into your leg?” Cara’s face lit up in a smile to show there was no malice intended in her words. “My name is Cara, by the way, do you need any help?”

 

Cara Ramsey

 

I was born without enough middle fingers

 

Aes Sedai of the Brown Ajah

[Liitha]

Liitha drew her knife and with regret cut through the cloth in her pants, she was about to put the knife to her skin when she heard a horse aproach and looked up to see if she would need to get on her feets instead.

 

She looked at the woman who came riding up to her.

“Do you usually let small twigs get the better of you, or is it a passion of yours to stick them into your leg?” The woman smiled marking the coment one of friendlyness. “My name is Cara, by the way, do you need any help?”

 

Liitha descided there where no harm to be found and smiled up. "Liitha, and i dont usualy no, its a combination of bad luck and that one." she motioned with her knife towards the stallion who seemed unaffected by everything. "He aint proerly broken and not to keen on having someone take the lead, he managed to toss me and i managed to land somehow in a way i got this into my leg." She put the knife to the skin and cut enough that she managed to get it out, then used water from her botle to drench the wound and wash it out before tearing a strip of her already ruined pants and tie it hard around the wound. She was sure she would need to tend it more later but it could wait till she was back at the farm where she had herbs and a sewing kit if need be.

 

"You are far out on the countryside, do you live around here?" She had no idea who her neighbours would be. And hadnt at such thougth about investigating it as she wouldnt be living at the farm herself.

[WhiteWolf]

Litha, what a nice sounding name, I could grow used to saying that.

 

Cara could not help that unbidden thought, but just as quickly came another, more admonishing one. Light girl you are acting like a bitch on heat, get ahold of yourself

 

Cara burst out laughing at that, the voice sounded just like her mothers did when she was scolding her when she was younger and had forgotten to tidy her room. Seeing the expression on Litha’s face at Cara laughter, Cara quickly stilled the sound. “I am sorry I was not laughing at you, I have these thoughts that just pop into my head and I forget myself.”

 

Even to Cara that sounded like a lame explanation but for now it would have to do, and why should she care what this girl thought of her. Mind you she did have cute eyes. There you go again, thinking about things you should not be, focus girl before you get yourself into trouble.

 

“I am not from around these parts, I am just out for a ride and was enjoying myself so much I lost track of where I was. I love being on my own with my horse, there is nothing so much fun as a good ride and this weather is just made for it, don’t you agree?”

 

Cara Ramsey

 

I was born without enough middle fingers

 

Aes Sedai of the Brown Ajah

[Liitha]

She heard soft laugther and looked up.

“I am sorry I was not laughing at you, I have these thoughts that just pop into my head and I forget myself.” Nodding in acceptance she smiled at the other, she liked the sound of the voice.

 

“I am not from around these parts, I am just out for a ride and was enjoying myself so much I lost track of where I was. I love being on my own with my horse, there is nothing so much fun as a good ride and this weather is just made for it, don’t you agree?”

 

Liitha nodded, she had to agree it was beautifull, raising she wiped off her knife and sheated it with a flick of her hand up in her sleve. "It is indeed beautifull today, and good for a ride, if but that one could agree" she hadnt named him yet.

 

Her mind turned, this way went towards the village. "I was going to the village, and would have kept you company if its there you are going, but i am not sure i am not bether of geting the grumpy one home instead. I'd hate to have more meetings with twigs." she smiled. Walking towards the horse he lifted his head looked at her and then sudenly turned and raced towards the direction of the farm, she cursed under her breath. It would be a good hour or more walking back on her own.

[WhiteWolf]

“Horses are like that, they need to know who is in charge, you have to take a firm, but gentle hand with them.” Cara’s eyes sparkled with hidden mirth as she said this, the ride had left her in a very good mood, as well as not being cooped up in the tower and she could not help but respond in a playful manner to Litha’s obvious distress at having to walk back to the village.

 

“I would not mind visiting this village of yours, if there is an Inn there where we can get something to eat I will swap you a ride for a meal, that is if you can afford to pay my price?”

 

Again there was a mischievous tone to Cara’s voice. She really was in a good mood today, and Liitha did have the most gorgeous eyes, gazing into them across a table over a good meal, and possible a glass of wine, would help maintain that good mood no end. “Come on, my horse is more than strong enough to bear both of us.” With that, Cara went over to where her horse was grazing on some grass, and quickly got back into the saddle. When Liitha walked over to her, Cara reached down with her hand and helped pull her up behind her. “Place your hands around my waist and hold on, I will not go to fast so there is not need to worry, my horse is well trained and will not unseat it’s rider. “ Actually there was no need for Liitha to hold on to Cara, but Cara saw no reason to tell her that, anyway it was only a bit of innocent fun, and who could that hurt?

 

Cara Ramsey

 

I wasn’t born with enough middle fingers

 

Aes Sedai of the Brown Ajah

[Liitha]

“Horses are like that, they need to know who is in charge, you have to take a firm, but gentle hand with them.” Liitha sighed, she should have brought Yazi along.

 

“I would not mind visiting this village of yours, if there is an Inn there where we can get something to eat I will swap you a ride for a meal, that is if you can afford to pay my price?”

 

Liitha looked up, "I guess, thoug i was only going there to buy a few things, my farm is the oposite way." she pondered a moment. "Mayhaps if you want we could finsih the trade and then you could come back to the farm, that way i dont have to loan a horse, and i promise the farmwife make the most delicious meals." She smiled. "If not then i'll pay your meal but i must go back after, they will be worried for me when he return home without me."

 

“Come on, my horse is more than strong enough to bear both of us.” Liitha followed after picking up her swords that she had unstraped to not have them in the way as she tended her wound. She straped the belt around her again with one sword on each side, both marked by the herron. She let the woman help her up behind her. “Place your hands around my waist and hold on, I will not go to fast so there is not need to worry, my horse is well trained and will not unseat it’s rider. “

 

Liitha let her eyes wander down the horse and nodded to herself that it was a good and well built horse. "My mare wouldnt do such, i just inherited the stallion and he seems well built enough to serve so i figured i would take the trouble breaking him in. I shouldnt have let my thougths wander, but as you say the day is quite lovely and i got caugth up in its beauty." she admited her fault with a smile.

[WhiteWolf]

Lithia’s mention of a visit to a farm instead of going to the nearby village sounded more pleasant to Cara, it would mean she would have to be on her guard, but not as much as in a village where it was more likely she could be recognised for what she was, although she had not long since become a full Aes Sedai so the ageless look had not yet become fully apparent, at least not to her eyes, who knew how others saw her though.

 

“I think the farm sounds like a splendid idea Liitha, as long as you are sure my presence there would not be an imposition on the people you are staying with?”

 

Cara had not seen the two swords that Liitha had strapped around her waist once she had finished tending to her injury, and at first had been a little bit wary of them, but she was confident in her own abilities to deal with any threat and sensed no malice from Liitha, and why should she, this had been a totally chance encounter and no one in the Tower had known where she was headed today. Truth be told, Cara had not known where she was headed this day so it would have been nigh on impossible for anyone to plan anything nefarious with her as the target. She knew how to be careful, and how to spot if she was being followed; both her mother and her father had drilled that into her for many a year, and that did not stop when she had been accepted into the White Tower. In fact that had added to her already strong sense of preservation and although there had been a couple of close encounters, she had managed to clear them up without too much bother.

 

“So then where is this farm you speak of Liitha, there is only one issue though. It will be too late in the day for me to return to where I came from, would they mind if I stayed over night? All I would need is a warm blanket and I am perfectly happy to sleep in the barn that is if they would not mind me doing that.

 

Cara Ramsey

 

I wasn’t born with enough middle fingers

 

Aes Sedai of the Brown Ajah

[Liitha]

“I think the farm sounds like a splendid idea Liitha, as long as you are sure my presence there would not be an imposition on the people you are staying with?”

 

Liitha asured the woman that they wouldnt, and apointed the rigth direction. “So then where is this farm you speak of Liitha, there is only one issue though. It will be too late in the day for me to return to where I came from, would they mind if I stayed over night? All I would need is a warm blanket and I am perfectly happy to sleep in the barn that is if they would not mind me doing that." She hadnt thougth to reveal her ownership but it seemed the easier way to setle this.

 

"I am sure we can do bether then that, fact be the farm is mine but run by the previous owner. It was an arangement made, i inherited some money and descided to invest them, the woman's father tended the shoes of my horses as long as i can remember. So when her husband had been killed and she couldnt managed the loan i bougth the place, and traded with her to take care of some horses for me in exchange for geting to run the farm and take the outcome of it." Liitha smiled, she had sumed it up as well she was able to.

 

"I'll escort you back to the road tomorow so you dont ride wild as i plan to head back to Tar Valon then anyway." Her thougths wandered to the stallion, and then they rounded a bend and the farm lay in plain view. She could see the stallion having jumped the fence and now grassing alongside the mares. Though he where spirited, yazi's superior years and experince as well as warhorse training had made her the clear leader, there was a gneldring in there as well. She whisteled and Yazi came over to the fence.

 

Droping to the ground she looked up at the woman, "there is straw if you need brush the horse down inside the barn, and you can feed her with what you find inside as well, migth be the boy is in there and can help you out. I will be in in a moment as soon as i caugth that stallion." She climbed the fence and droped bareback on Yazi's back stearing her with her legs, the mare had helped her with this before and it wasnt long till she got the rains of the stallion and was leading him back to the barn from Yazi's back, she leaned down sliped up the grind and opened it.

 

After both horses was out she sided Yazi and closed it again, the stallion was calm now that he where in the present of her mare.

 

She bent her head as they entered the barn then sliped of Yazi's back, the mare was already wandering over to the corner where she was tied up at nights to look for food.

 

Tyeing up the stallion next to her, Liitha started unsadeling and whipe him down with straw with a ruitne saying she had done this for years on end. She looked over her shoulder to the woman, "Found everything you need?" She finished her work by throwing the horses some hay, the other two would be taken inside later by the boy.

 

As they both where done she lead the way inside the house where she could smell dinner in the air. It seems they where just about to set the table and she setled down tending her wound quickly before food was put on the table. The grouses had been captured in some traps the other day, and she saw they had been stuffed with herbs, spices and mushroom.

 

"Well i hope you do find this worth comeing here..as promised my friend here is quite the cook."

[WhiteWolf]

It did not take long to reach the farm and Cara was surprised by the size of it and the fact that Liitha said she owned it impressed Cara. The stables looked to be in good shape and Cara found everything she needed to tend to her horse. She loved looking after her own horse, and was more diligent than many others were. Once she had removed the saddle and harness she gave him a good rub down, and then checked all of his shoes, the last thing she needed was to have him throw a shoe or go lame. Once she was satisfied that everything was fine, Cara found a feedbag and fastened it around her horse’s neck. By the time he had finished Cara had cleaned the harness and checked the saddle for any signs of wear and tear then she removed the feed bag and replaced that and the cleaning items.

 

When they entered the farmhouse, the smells of cooking were so prominent that Cara felt her stomach tighten with the anticipation. Then just as they were entering the kitchen her stomach betrayed its hunger by rumbling loudly enough for all to hear. Grinning to hide her obvious embarrassment Cara tried to make some small talk about how good the food smelt but her stomach was obviously hell bent on betraying her and rumbled yet again. Liitha burst out laughing and told Cara to take a seat, as the food would not be long. First though Cara washed her hands and face, she felt a bit sweaty after the day’s exertions and her hands smelled of horse. She then retied her hair and hoped she looked more presentable than she felt.

 

“So what culinary delights are you going to tempt me with Liitha?”

 

Cara Ramsey

 

I wasn’t born with enough middle fingers

 

Aes Sedai of the Brown Ajah

[Liitha]

Liitha smiled, "it seems Elmira has cooked the grouses that i had with me and traped on the road the other day, aparently stuffed with quite the delicious mix." Just as she finished the sentance the woman came out into the room where they had the table, trailed by the girl who was a todler and the boy who helped carry a plate with bread.

 

She helped herself as well as sent plates around, helping with the kids so they got food on their plates as well. It was strange she had yet been out here but three times since she bougth it but already they had become almost as the family she knew she wouldnt have in the ocupation she had chosen for herself.

 

"Wine?" she leanded back and pulled one out of a rack behind her before opening the botle. Then poured for both of the spiced wine she had bougth on one of her travels.

 

She tasted the meat and let it melt on her tounge then turned to Cara, "so what do you do for a living?" She could smell the horse scent on both herself and from the other, a scent she had come to like well, she looked at how a few loose strands caressed the womans cheek. Liitha listened to the story of how the woman was a merchants daugther, though there where something about her that made Liitha have a feel it wasnt so.

 

She took a second portion smaller this time as she studied the womans face, there where something there, like as if she had met her before, something familiar. "You must excuse me but come to think about it there is something familiar about you, like as if I had seen you before, yet I am quite sure we never met. Maybe some kin of yours or such.." she wished she could put her finger on it.

 

After the meal was done she helped clean the table, before leaving the kitchen to Elmira, she would not have someone mess in her kitchen. She walked into the siting room where she found Cara, bringing tea along with two cups, she smiled at the other woman. "It is still not dark outside, there is a small pond futher up along the stream, if you wish a bath i can show you" she waited to hear what the other said.

[WhiteWolf]

The meal was cooked to perfection, but Cara was a little taken aback at the presence of children at the meal table, being an only child she was not used to the company of children and had always found them to be slightly annoying with their inane chatter. But these were well behaved and did not unduly intrude on the conversation with constant demands for attention. This allowed Cara to relax, slightly, but she was still wary enough to only sip at the wine Liitha offered her, not good would come from her becoming too relaxed, you never knew when an innocent question could lead to answers that should not be given, not even to trusted friends. Such a question was almost the first one out of Liitha’s mouth:

 

"So what do you do for a living?"

 

Cara used the excuse of eating to allow herself a moment’s thought on how she would answer this. She knew she could not outright lie, but a the same time she could not tell the truth either, for now that part of her would stay hidden. Cara took a sip of the spiced wine, ostensibly to wash the meat down, but also to allow her more time to decide just what she was going to say in answer to Liitha’s question. Finally she replaced the wine glass and decided to stick to the story she had used in situations like this.

 

“My father is a mercenary, he works away from home most of the time so I do not get to see him. But his work pays well enough that mother and I do not have to worry about finding work ourselves, or at least not paying work. We try to help all those who are less fortunate than ourselves.” There that skirted the truth nicely and did not violate the Three Oaths. It was not that far from the truth actually, her father did work away from home a lot, and was paid handsomely for his work, but he could not really be described as a mercenary, not in the truest sense of the word.

 

Cara picked up her knife and fork again and continued to eat, but she could not but help notice Liitha’s gaze on her, it was not an unpleasant feeling, but it did feel like she was being scrutinised, assessed, and this made her wary. She hoped this was just a pleasant meeting between two people, but if it turned into something else, she would be ready for it, she was not the innocentthat many thought her to be.

 

Seeing that Cara had noticed her scrutiny, Liitha broke the silence: "You must excuse me but come to think about it there is something familiar about you, like as if I had seen you before, yet I am quite sure we never met. Maybe some kin of yours or such."

 

Cara smiled at this, to her this was almost like she had planted the observation in Liitha’s mind and it was easy for Cara to answer this question, as it was one she had dealt with on many occasions before, not doubt it was one that many Aes Sedai encountered in their long lives. “Oh I have no doubt of that Liitha.” The smile stayed on Cara’s face, but it did not reach her eyes, which stayed untouched by the smile. “I often hear that from people, especially people who have travelled about a lot. No doubt if you have been to Tar Valon, you could have seen my mother and I there, or even someone who resembles me,”

 

Cara felt she had neatly avoided any problems with her answer, she had not left the city that often, so it was unlikely that Liitha had seen her before, and it also backed up her earlier response, so she felt there would not be any more undue worries on that issue. Once the meal was over, Cara offered to help with the cleaning up, but Liitha would not hear of it and soon the table was clear and the dishes all washed up and dried. Cara idly wondered what would come next, it was too late to return to the city, and truth be told she did not feel like going back to her rooms in the Tower, it was so refreshing to not feel like she had to continually look over her shoulder and there was an easy, relaxed comfortableness her that she appreciated. Liitha returned to the sitting room with two cups of tea and they chatted about inconsequential things while they drank, then Liitha asked if Cara would like to go for a swim. This, to Cara, sounded like an ideal way to end the day and soon they were out of the farmhouse and on their way to the pond that Liitha said was close. When they got there, Cara quickly undressed, not at all shy about being seen nude, and before Liitha emerged from behind the bush she was undressing behind, Cara was already in the water, submerged up to her neck. “Come on Liitha, the water is just the right temperature, you are not having second thoughts are you?” Cara had a playful tone to her voice and began to wonder just where this evenings events would lead.

 

Cara Ramsey

 

I wasn’t born with enough middle fingers

 

Aes Sedai of the Brown Ajah

[Liitha]

Liitha let Cara slip ahead to the pond and allowed the woman some privatsy while geting into the water, meanwhile she hung her clothes from a branch.

 

Apart from her newly gained wound on the leg who was fairly new she donned several scars from old acidents in training as well as a few from more real fights. And then there was the dagger tatoo on the left shoulder, which had a rose twined around it. She walked out as she heard Cara speak. “Come on Liitha, the water is just the right temperature, you are not having second thoughts are you?” she smiled back at the woman, "Not at all, just thougths taking me for a moment.." she stoped a moment as she heard a twig break softly, turned and scaned the trees, she saw Emira's boy and knew he had seen her knowing the stalking game was over. She teached him at times, though now she saw him turn about and head back to the house.

 

Turning back she walked the last feets and sliped into the water leting it wash over her tanned muscles. She tilted her head and looked at the woman again, "so Tar Valon...yes maybe, if you had come by i migth have seen you, maybe even at the gate.." it could be a nuicanse to be on patrol or worse gate duty. "Though as is migth as well have seen you on my travels, as the road the last couple years often been my home in the seek of learning outside of the tower ground." the last was added more as an after thougth.

 

"So where are you going next?" She diped herself under to drench her hair, as she was under she did get a look of the other as well through the clear water. Breaching the surface again she gathered her hair and twisted it before tying it in a loose knot in her neck.

[WhiteWolf]

“It is doubtful you would have seen me on the road, as you suggest, I have not been out of the city much in the last few years. What with one thing and another there just has not been the time for personnel business. As it is, today I was fortunate to get away, and no doubt I will catch it when I get back” Cara adroitly avoided mentioning anything of her future plans, as of yet she did not know herself where she would go next. Obviously in the short term it would be back to the Tower, but her long-term plans were still being formed.

 

Cara had noticed Liitha’s surreptitious glance at her body, and inwardly it had made her smile, to have some one look at you in that way, openly and without shame, was something new and fresh to her. She had always found the intrigue in the Tower to be rather immature to her way of thinking. After all were they not supposed to be Servants of all? Cara had always wondered how they could fulfil that role while concerning themselves more with their own standing. She never could figure out just how you could serve anyone if you were worried about how it would affect your standing within the Tower, or your own Ajah.

 

Cara lay back in the water, letting it bear her weight and as she did, her hair fanned out around her head, floating in the water almost like a golden halo giving her an almost ethereal water nymph appearance. Through half closed eyes, she watched the way Liitha looked at her, knowing that she was deliberately exposing herself, but feeling unfettered by any form of reproach from her new companion. Slowly she moved her hands in the water, letting the force turn her body around and loving the feeling of weightlessness that this brought.

 

Eventually she had turned a full circle and once again came back to face Liitha, gazing at her eyes, and wishing she could lose herself in the hidden depths there. But that was not for now, maybe never, and she reminded herself that she had to be careful here, and not let other, more carnal, emotions take over. Sighing slightly she focused her mind on more mundane matter and recalled that Liitha had mentioned the Tower grounds, a question forming in her mind.

 

“Before you mentioned the Tower grounds, am I right in assuming you have been there, and that you were a Tower Guard or even a Warder? I could not but help noticing the scars on your body, or the easy way you handled your weapons earlier, is that what you are, a Warder?

 

Cara Ramsey

 

I wasn’t born with enough middle fingers

 

Aes Sedai of the Brown Ajah

[Liitha]

“It is doubtful you would have seen me on the road, as you suggest, I have not been out of the city much in the last few years. What with one thing and another there just has not been the time for personnel business. As it is, today I was fortunate to get away, and no doubt I will catch it when I get back”

 

Liitha nodded and leaned back against some roots who streached out into the water, content just watching her soroundings and the other woman. She could hear the music of the forest mix with the small sounds of the water moved by Cara's hands as she slowly moved her floating body in a circle. A memorie of another pond another place in a situation in some ways like this floated to her mind, and a smile crused her lips.

 

“Before you mentioned the Tower grounds, am I right in assuming you have been there, and that you were a Tower Guard or even a Warder? I could not but help noticing the scars on your body, or the easy way you handled your weapons earlier, is that what you are, a Warder?"

 

Liitha nodded, "I went to learn of my mother who served, and to follow in her footsteps as i never had know her but through the stories my fosterparents told me." she smiled, "I guess I in many ways idolised her, I know the few stories she shared with my fosterparents before leaving again by heart, and acording to them where but a handfull years the first time i spoke of becoming a warder like my mama." The memories made her chuckle, she had had a good upbringing with lots of love.

 

"My mother had left me a letter for when I was old enough, and I where given it on the day I departed.." her thougths wandered back in time and her voice carried trace of that as she continued "..I remember still the first time i read it, once of many times on my way to Tar Valon, and finaly learning who my father was, that he too belonged in the tower grounds." She shook her head thougthfully and felt the knot loosen in her neck, her head falling down over her shoulders with a soft swish.

 

She let the memories go and looked into the other woman's eyes. "So I guess you could say it lays in my genes, though I am still but a guard." she smiled.

[WhiteWolf]

What an interesting tale, her mother a Warder and her father a member of the Tower Guard, that must have made for some interesting times. Cara had listened to Liitha’s tale and thought it most interesting, but quick on the heels of this tale another thought occurred to Cara. Just my luck that off all the people I could have met today, the one that I do has a Warder for a mother and a Tower Guard for a father, and here am I trying to get away from the influence of the White Tower. The temperature of he water seemed to have cooled, noticeably, in the last few minutes and Cara slightly shivered, both from the import of the tale and the water temperature.

 

“I wish I could say my parents background was as exciting and interesting as yours sounds, it must have been quite a childhood, but it also must have been very difficult for your mother and father. Warders must be away from their families a lot.”

 

Cara did not know what else to say to Liitha’s tale, and so decided it was time to get out of the water and get dressed. Cara forced her legs downward, and soon reached the bottom of the pond and then stood up, water cascading down her body as she stood up. Stretching Cara glanced down at Liitha, watching the girl as she stared at Cara’s body. A small smile appeared on Cara’s face, and as she made her way over to the bank she called out to Liitha that a walk would be nice, if she felt up to it.

 

It was not long before both women had dried themselves and after they had finished dressing they walked away from the pond and over to a path leading through a small wood. As they walked Cara combed her blonde hair, teasing all the tangles out and finally running the brush through it without encountering any knots, but she left it hang free across her shoulders, not wanting to tie it back as she had earlier.

 

As they made their way through the wood, shafts if late evening sunlight pierced through the leaves, turning the wood into contrasting shades of light and dark. The ground was dusty, and as they walked their feet kicked up little puff balls of dust. It was cooler under the trees, and a quiet unworldly feeling settled on the two women.

 

“This is a very nice place you have here Liitha, and if you don’t mind me saying very untypical for a Tower Guard, the wages must be better than what I have heard they are?

 

Cara Ramsey

 

I wasn’t born with enough middle fingers

 

Aes Sedai of the Brown Ajah

[Liitha]

“I wish I could say my parents background was as exciting and interesting as yours sounds, it must have been quite a childhood, but it also must have been very difficult for your mother and father. Warders must be away from their families a lot.” Liitha only nodded and chosed not to share the fact her mother had never been able to become one as she had died on her way back. Though her father for sure had served, she knew litle enough of that though, the Aes Sedai had been green she knew.

 

She took Cara up on the invitation for a walk and they slowly passed along a trail as the sun grow lower on the sky. “This is a very nice place you have here Liitha, and if you don’t mind me saying very untypical for a Tower Guard, the wages must be better than what I have heard they are? "

 

Liitha looked sideways and pondered for a moment before desciding she migth as well share, she had come to terms with her so called family bonds.

 

"Well truthfully my family is it would seem even more interesting than what i shared earlier. My mother would never have gone to Tar Valon at all, she convinced her sister to leave home and go see the world after their father died, their mother died when they where but todlers." she smiled, "my foster parents where distant relatives, my foster father where the brother as such of my grandfather or some such i think." She paused and sorted her thougths.

 

"Where where i..oh yes, anyhow they had goten to the closest city to the village where they had grown up and where i too grew up. Aringill, it was there my mothers siste by what my sister told my fosters, ran into an Aes Sedai. Long story short i never investigated on this branch of the family tree, but some while back i learned the truth, it seems my aunt made the ranks, though has now died, and i inherited her, well mostly anyway. I think some books, journals and belongings went to the tower, and some friends of her."

 

She thougth back to the apartment she had had to go through sorting what was left behind. "The money from her savings, as well as the sale of an apartment she had purchased in the city, and some of the funitures she had brougth in the sum i got this place for." She spread her hands motioning around her.

 

"In some ways it reminds me of home, and it allowes me to start breeding horses, though most of the time i of course spend in Tar Valon. The farm is run by the last owner and she takes care of the horses as well, except from my personal one and whomever i take into town from time to time. Since i wont have any heirs, her childs will be inheriting the place in time." a smile crused her lips, "The womans man was killed and she couldnt make it on her own, i guess this is as close i come to having a family of my own, so i taken i guess the suporting rolle in this all, buying the place so she could pay of the loans and not having to leave her home, and it makes litle difrence to her as the farm will come back into family hands with my passing."

 

Liitha stoped and looked at a butterfly dancing around a flower. "So its all that interesting and in the end not, i never got to meet any of my close family on my mothers side, my life is in the yard, and my family well its my duty. " she paused, "I guess one could claim my swords is my lover and duty my child or some such. I given my life to serve so that other migth live in a safer world, family dont mather in the yard as much as it does other places, thoug i did enjoy geting to know my father." She looked into the distance.

 

"It doesnt mather, its just one of many faitsh and stories of the yard. And when i am gone it will go into the grave with me.." her voice trailed off as she thougth and she didnt really registrer that she continued talking and sharing her mind so lost was she in her mind. "...all gone like Malkieri, just a dead deserted place forgoten as life moves on, and day by day the memorie of it fades even more distant and its lost to ancient history just as everything that dies, mayhaps but from in the belloved books of the brown ajah..." her voice distant as she watched the sun set, and then she huged herself. Talking about it all brougth forth old memories, thougths she hadnt pondered in long times.

 

Oh but she had been so inocent when she had left home thinking herself prepared, life had shown her difrently time and again through her service. Time has molded her as surely as water would rock with time. And as she pondered over these things almost meditating she all but forgot about Cara.

[WhiteWolf]

The next morning both women arrived for breakfast at the same time, Cara from her room and Liitha from the courtyard. They had been up most of the night talking, yet neither showed any signs of fatigue. After exchanging pleasantries they both served themselves breakfast and sat down at the large table. “So are you continuing onwards to day or returning to the City Cara?” Liitha managed to say around mouthfuls of cereal.

 

Cara put the slice of fruit down and appeared to consider Liitha’s question, although there was no doubt in Cara’s mind where [i[she[/i] would like to go, but that was not possible at this time. “I think I had better return to the City before I missed, at least the weather looks set fine for another day so I should make good time.” Cara looked at Liitha and added: “Especially as I have enjoyed my brief time here, thank you for your hospitality Liitha, maybe one day I can return the compliment.” Smiling at Liitha Cara continued with her breakfast.

 

After breakfast was concluded, Cara went to the room she had slept in got the few things she had had with her, packing them away and then she headed out for the stables, meaning to get her horse saddled and ready before saying good bye to Liitha. As she worked at the girth strap, Cara thought back on everything the two women had talked about the night before, it had been a long time since Cara had felt that comfortable with another person. If it were possible Cara would have told Liitha the truth about what she was, but she did not think it fair to burden her with the problems that knowing more about Cara would bring. She well remembered all the lessons that her parents had drummed into her about the secrets they carried with them, secrets that were Cara’ s to keep now.

 

When Cara had adjusted the girth strap to her liking she stood up. Brushing her hair out of her face, and came face to face with Liitha. Damn this girl can move quietly when she wants to.

 

Cara did not like being taken by surprise, even when it was good natured in it’s intent. She railed at herself for her slackness, but had managed to keep enough of her outward composure that she was sure Liitha would not have noticed any change in her emotions. “What have you got there Liitha?”

 

Cara Ramsey

 

I wasn’t born with enough middle fingers

 

Aes Sedai of the Brown Ajah

[Liitha]

Liitha was up early helping to let the animals out and feed them. After rubing down Yazi and the stallion she went inside and left them tied outside the barn.

 

Going inside she joined Cara by the table and ate breakfast, conversation hang somewhat loose in the air between them. For some reason she found the strange woman who reminded her of something, easy to talk to.

 

While she was still finishing her meal, Cara went out to prepare to go back to the city. Liitha cleaned the table and went to look over what the farmwife wanted taken into city to her father. Making sure it was well packed she brougth it outside leaving it by the horses. Then went inside to find her own sadlebags and went into the barn. She walked over to Cara not thinking on that she where sliding silently as she had come acustomed to from her training. As the woman straigthened Liitha could see the surprice in her face, obviously not having heard her ariving.

 

“What have you got there Liitha?”

she smiled, "I'm going back too, give me 5 min to sadle up and ready the horses and I'll keep you company back to Tar Valon." She turned and walked over to the racks holding the sadles.

 

--

 

Liitha looked up to the sun, it was high in the sky. Most of the time now they rode quietly, though as her thougths wandered, she often found herself looking at Cara. Shaking her head she looked forward again, what was it that was so distractive about the woman.

[WhiteWolf]

The ride back to the city was not as frantic as the ride away from the city, almost as if Cara’s actions mirrored her feelings, much rather preferring to be going in a totally other direction to the one she was heading in. But Liitha’s company kept her spirits up and mostly the journey passed pleasantly. As they drew closer to the City the roads became more populated and soon they had to ride one behind the other, rather side by side.

 

Soon though they were inside the City Walls, having crossed over the same bridge Cara had used the day before, and soon they entered quieter streets and were able to resume riding side by side. Cara was not as talkative as she had been earlier, her dread of returning to the Tower causing her to think rather than talk. Soon though, she would have to make a decision about where she was going to lose Liitha so that she would not know where Cara really lived.. Eventually she remembered her father’s favourite Inn and thought that would be as good a place as any to say she was staying.

 

Cara led the way, explaining to Liitha were she was going, and the two women rode down the wide streets, before arriving at their destination, or rather Cara’s destination. Liitha volunteered come in with Cara, but Cara would not hear of it, obviously, and had had a moments panic when she thought Liitha was going to ignore her. But, eventually Liitha realised that Cara did not want her company then, and after they said goodbye, Liitha remounted her horse and rode off in the direction of the Yards.

 

Once Cara was sure Liitha had gone, she led her horse around the read of the Inn. Although Cara was not going to stay there, they had an excellent stables and Cara wanted to keep her horse away from the Stables in the Tower, just in case. After she had seen to her horse, Cara left the Stables and made her way back to her rooms in the Tower, managing to avoid any trouble as she passed through the Halls. She did not feel safe until the door of her room closed behind her. As she removed her boots, her mind kept on picturing a pair of dark eyes, and long dark hair framing a face. A smile appeared on Cara’s face as she indulged herself in that memory, wondering if she would see Liitha again, and if so what the outcome would be.

 

Cara Ramsey

 

I wasn’t born with enough middle fingers

 

Aes Sedai of the Brown Ajah

[Liitha]

As they arived in the city she greeted the guards at the gate. Then they where riding through the city and Cara lead the way to the inn she was staying. Liitha offered to come in with her, but it came aparent that her company was no longer needed.

 

Troting through the city she arived at the oposite side and unloaded the things she had brougth with her. A quick conversation with the smith and she was off towards the yard.

 

She brushed down the horses herself before taking her things up to her room. She lay back on her bed staring into the roof and leting her thougths drift off.