Jokers and Jesters

[Wayfarer]

A jug in one hand, Aran made his way to the inner eastern gate with an unsteady gait. Nodding to the guards at the gate, they nodded back but didn't say anything as he made his way into the city. Some of the others had returned and spread word that a few people he had known had died in a fire. No one was about to get in his way, and thats the way he preferred it. That and his cloak reeked of drink, which answered the question on people's minds as to what he'd been doing since he returned to the barracks.

 

The streets were particularly unfriendly this night it seemed, an unusual chill to accompany the quiet of the night, save for the raucous sounds of festivities to come from inns and taverns that he passed with uneven strides. Using the walls of buildings he passed for support, he staggered and zig zagged as he seemingly wandered in an aimless fashion.

 

And so he continued, save for running across a loose dog which he delivered a solid kick to in order to send it scurrying. That is, until he reached the entrance to the Ogier Grove.

 

Leaning on the entrance, Aran reached inside his cloak and with a rasp of steel withdrew a sizeable blade. Shoving off the stonework with his shoulder, he proceeded to wend his way into the Grove. For such a peaceful place, it had seen some darker moments, and a-

 

"I almost thought you wouldn't make it."

 

The mocking voice came from a man in small glade, the moonlight shining down on him, almost adding a certain luminescence. Dressed in black except for a rich red tunic, the man held a rapier in one hand and a heavy dagger in the other. The smile on his face and green eyes might have made a woman's heart flutter, but in this place it reeked of darker amusement.

 

"You know, for a man who had the grapes to hide under the witches noses, you're quite a disappointment now. I'm glad to see you got my message though, even if I had to put it in your hand myself you drunken sot. So, how has it been, this idyllic little existance you've been having?"

 

"You bastard." Waving his sword at the other man, Aran had to stagger a couple of steps to save himself from falling over. "They didn't deserve that at all, it was me you were after. They'd paid their dues, Scarlet."

 

"Paid their dues? You weasley little runt. You make it sound like they were good people, we both know they weren't. Tess spent more time on her back servicing anyone who'd give her a copper than I've spent sleeping. Loric was a bludger for her and her little nightingales, not exactly true love."

 

"And what of little Anwyn?"

 

"She was of bad stock. Besides, it made for a nice roast with a swan, an ox and a fat little porker on the side."

 

The sword slipped from Aran's hand as he staggered forward, yelling worldlessly as he hurled the jug at the man. Scarlet merely leant to one side more out of disdain than need, the jug had gone wide to crash into a nearby tree, the same unflappable smile of confidence as he turned back to Aran...

 

... only to slip as he saw a small crossbow levelled at him. Unwaveringly.

 

"It seems Aventari was right after all. Let me tell you something I've wanted to say to you for a long time, piss on you and your title. The only reason you ever survived so long was because you threw your money about, and that isn't going to help you here."

 

Scarlet's smile returned, though it was forced. "You might have played your hand a little prematurely there little Jester."

 

Aran laughed "you always did set so much stock in our names. The difference is that most of us realise the names are there to protect ourselves, you on the otherhand always wanted your name to become so well known, its like you believe you were born Scarlet."

 

The man's smile remained but his eyes were those of a cornered cat. "Just so you know, I told them that they were dying because of you."

 

"Nice try Scarlet. By the way, for someone who isn't going to walk away from this, you could have spent a little more time on your shirt..."

 

TWANG

 

"... you've got something on it."

 

There was a certain satisfaction to watching the man known as Scarlet go limp as his attempts to undo the damage done by the bolt embedded in his chest fail despite the man's best gurgling. Dropping the small crossbow to the ground, he shrugged off the cloak he'd been hiding it under earlier.

 

Underneath he wore simple black leather, from his breeches to the vest he wore over his likewise dark shirt. The bracers he wore were studded, designed to be used for attack and defence, and his belt had only several of the daggers that were on his person. The persona of lazy indolence that usually marked Aran wasn't to be found, rather there was a different man standing there altogether.

 

"I don't suppose you'd care to come out now?"

 

The silence only lasted a moment before a chuckle could be heard. A rustle was followed by a thud as a dark silhouette dropped to the earth from its earlier vantage point. Entering the light, the figure was revealed to be dressed in a similar fashion.

 

Yet the face was quite different. While Aran's features were eminently average, the man who stepped into the moonlight possessed a strong jaw, sharp cheekbones and was slightly taller. A commanding presence where Aran's was non-existant, his footsteps seemed lighter than a feather as he daintily made his way over to the corpse of Scarlet. Giving it a kick, the man sniffed as he turned to Aran.

 

"I never liked him anyway. Well, it has been a long chase now, hasn't it Jester?"

 

 

Aran/Jester

Tower Guard/Unknown

[silhouette]

Time flew by as Lyv and Rosheen worked together with the city guard and the remainder of Aran’s pack of Tower Guards to extinguish the fire. By the time Rosheen noticed Aran was missing her arms were already sore from hoisting water buckets, and while the fire was under control, it was still a long way from being out. Lyv shot her a look that meant as much as ‘leave it’, and she continued on hoisting buckets. A while later the city guards started their investigation on what might have happened, and Lyv and Rosheen accompanied them. Most of the neighbours had solemn, ash streaked faces, and they all shared the same opinion. Their neighbours had been a perfect little family, and they didn’t deserve this.

 

“You don’t think this was an accident.†Rosheen stated, seeing the look on the face of one of the city guards present. He shook his head. “Not likely. These houses might have looked a little shabby, but they were in good condition. Besides, from the look if it the fire started near the window, and from what we’ve heard from the neighbours, the family was probably in the back of the house, and it was too early for them to have lit candles all through the house.†Rosheen nodded and walked over to Lyv. “They think this was set.†She muttered, looking around herself to see if the arson in question happened to be around. But how did one recognise someone like that. It certainly wasn’t the burly Andoran who looked at her as if he was ready to continue the bar fight where it left off.

 

Shaking her head she turned away from it, shivering slightly. Somewhere between the bar fight and the fire the sun had set. Now that the fire no longer illumed the streets it was darker than she had expected. “Let’s head back.†She said, giving one of the many buckets that were placed near the well a kick. She felt a surprising lack of energy, and all of a sudden bed was the only thing she wanted to think about. “I need sleep.â€

 

The two Tower Guards didn’t speak much as they returned to the barracks. Rosheen didn’t really want to think on the days events and yet names and references kept shooting through her mind. The way Aran had reacted when he heard the family was still alive. The way he’d avoided their questioning, and then the way he disappeared. She shook her head slightly. She’d felt like she was beating her head against the wall several times that day, and the feeling only increased when she thought of the days events again.

 

A hand on her arm stopped her ponderings, as well as her movements. “Look.†Lyv whispered, pointing ahead of them before pulling Rosheen out of the light of a street lantern. “That little rat.†The taller Tower Guard hissed as she saw Aran limp away from the barracks. She looked at Lyv for a moment and saw the other woman nod. They’d follow him. Soundlessly they followed from a distance, at times almost losing hem because of their need to remain unseen. It didn’t particularly matter, because Aran seemed completely sloshed. “That can’t be right…†Rosheen muttered. “He’s never that drunk.†Her musings were pushed aside again when the pair walked after Aran, into the Grove. The deep silence was only disturbed be the sounds of Aran, seemingly struggling to stay on his feet.

 

It was harder to follow him there, in the dark, and stay completely silent as well. Rosheen was mostly focussed on where she placed her feet, and not on the sight in front of her. She was slowed when she bumped into Lyv. There was no time for muttered curses though, as the sight in front of her captured her attention. Aran was talking to a man called Scarlet. Rosheen didn’t understand a word of what they were saying. Aventari? Jester? Before Rosheen could glance at Lyv to see if she understood anything of it, Aran whipped out a crossbow. “Ashes…†she muttered, still not moving. When Aran shot the man, she did move, almost leaping forward. Something in Aran’s stance stopped her though. Moments later another man appeared, this one garbed exactly the same way Aran was. And since when did Aran wear all leather? The current events only left Rosheen with more questions, instead of answering them.

[Guest Celes]

Lyv was shivering as she walked alongside Rosheen, Lyv tried not to think about what happened and all the more thoughts raced through her mind. She would try to get some sleep, knowing full well that she would never forget that man, standing in the window, falling back, dying before her eyes. She did not know him, had not seen his face and still it hurt that she had not done anything for him, or for his family. Rosheen was lost in thought as well and Lyv was actually glad that neither of them was obliged to speak, she was afraid she might cry if she did.

 

They arrived near the Yards and found Aran stumbling outside, for a moment Lyv wanted to leave him, him and his pain, let him deal with it and they would see him in the morning. But there was something about him, the way he walked and the direction he was going in that made her stop her friend, pointing towards Aran moving ahead of them. Rosheen’s comment was unexpected, Lyv looked up at her for a brief moment and then pushed her thoughts away, they would follow Aran and see him back to his room. They would all try to get some sleep and in the morning there would be time to talk to Aran about the family, about the fire, the bar fight, well what else could they discuss as there was so much to go over already.

 

In the Grove, Lyv could hardly see and kept stopping in place to find that Aran was still moving ahead of them. She did not want him to overhear him and as she stopped a second time, Rosheen bumped into her quite hard. Lyv put a hand over her mouth to muffle a grunt and tried to concentrate on the man they were following. She felt incredibly tired and hoped that Aran would just walk around for a bit and then head back so that they could go back as well. He had been acting strange, running into that burning building, not wanting to get back out, nearly passing out when Lyv dragged him off. And now, he was talking to someone, someone she did not recognize. One look at Rosheen’s face told her that her friend did not know this man either, Scarlet?

 

In a low whisper, Lyv was about to say that they should leave Aran here, that he was going to be fine, that she was tired when all of a sudden the man dropped down as Aran pulled a cross bow. Lyv gasped for air and stared at the events passing before her eyes, stunned and disbelieving. What was going on here? Another man seemed to be talking to Aran now, one who’s face she could not make out as it was hidden in a shadow. He and Aran talked and Lyv tried to make out what they were saying, short bits and pieces, sometimes just words came over their way and she tried to piece them together. She was too tired and wanted to drop back, but there was something about the recent events that made her stay and wait it out.

 

Lyv

[Wayfarer]

Aran smiled as he held up his palms in a peaceful gesture, a gesture that was quite out of place all things considered. "It was inevitable I suppose, I thought I lost you in Caemlyn, Crescent."

 

"You did, I chased your phantom to the River Cary and I was in Illian before I knew that I'd been led astray. It was good fortune that I saw Anton while I was there, so I followed his trail instead. Sooner or later he was bound to run into you, that or I'd find a better lead."

 

"I'd ask where we go from here, but we both know the answer to that. I don't suppose you'd care to answer why you're throwing Aventari's mercy in his face. He didn't have to do what he did."

 

"I could say its the old feud, I could say its because my father, my mother, my brothers and my sister's blood are on your hands along with Aventari's. Because your family sought to overthrow us all. Despite all that, I think I can settle with the fact I don't like your brother."

 

Laughing, Aran settled back into his easy smile as he spoke. "You still cling to it I see. My father was no different to anyone else, except for the fact his word on the council was his bond, and people trusted it enough to follow his lead. He took what was given to him willingly, your father simply took, and then lost all in the same day."

 

"He would have upset the order of things."

 

"The order of things would never have lasted, it was only a matter of who. Your family attacked ours first, and when you failed we cut you down to the last, except you alone who we spared. You're going to claim some sense of righteousness? Please, lets not have any illusions about this. And it was mercy, not weakness, that spared you despite the fact your hands were covered in our father's blood."

 

There was a pause.

 

"You spared me to become one of you. I am Harthran. I am not a Sene'val. I will finish what my father started with you, and then your brother. The council will be restored to its power, not the grotesque puppet show it has become. They still think that your father is alive, and its him they give their trust, not your brother."

 

"If they truly believed it, they'd be fools. Rather, they recognise expediency, and as long as things run smoothly they aren't worried. Come on, why do you still try and disguise what you're doing as vendetta and honour? You want what your father could not hold, and you'll not have it either."

 

"I think I will. If nothing else, killing you then staking you to a tree should send a clear message to your brother that he is next."

 

Aran smiled almost sweetly at Crescent. "You really are a simple minded creature. If I do die, he'll know for certain it was you and there won't be a single rock you can hide under. I'm not sure whats better, the thought of killing you myself or you being on the run for the rest of your life."

 

Frowning at Aran for a moment, Crescent himself smiled. "Scarlet was right in a way, our names do have some importance. I know full well why your father called you Jester, you're a real smiling assassin. Can lie without a blink, stab your best friend and not feel a twinge if you were so inclined. Your brother is worse, and you think you're fit to lead?"

 

"As amusing as this is, I'm quickly growing tired of it. You going to make a move or are you as limp as your father except in the presence of cows, like your mother."

 

Blinking, Crescent shrugged. "I plan on taking my time with you, I've waited long enough. Howabout we do this the old fashioned way?"

 

Aran grinned as he slipped all the daggers from his belt out and dropped them to the ground, as did Crescent. Aran was quite certain there'd be no trickery at this point, the man wanted to feel justified about all of this. If he'd simply wanted Aran dead, he'd had plenty of chances to make it happen.

 

Adopting a loose stance, Aran held his arms forward and elbows tucked in, fists unclenched and his smile ever present. His feet shifting across the ground as he circled, his opponent in turn matched his movements, with no more than two feet between them.

 

They both threw themselves forward at once, Aran's feet off the ground as he slammed his knee into his opponent's chest, and catching an elbow in his stomach in turn. Lifting his arms up to catch a roundhouse, Aran latched onto the man's vest and threw his knee into the man's stomach repeatedly.

 

There was no finesse in the fight as the pair held onto each other and threw their blows. Only a single minded desire to kill and stubborn unwillingness to yield.

 

Jumping up, Crescent curled into a ball and using his weight to pull Aran down and forward, kicked out with his legs as he released him, sending Aran flying several feet. Just getting to his knees as Crescent rushed in to take advantage, Aran leapt forward, his right knee and elbow sending Crescent staggering back.

 

Coming together again, the blow Crescent threw was to prove his last. Catching the eye gouge with his hands, Aran forced the man's arm straight as he pulled it down and pushed forward. Even as Crescent tried to free himself, Aran's right foot was raised as the heel crashed down solidly into Crescent's kneecap.

 

There was a sickening crunch and cry as the bone snapped and the leg crumpled backward. Stepping to the side while retaining his hold as Crescent sank to his remaining knee with one hand, his other hand was already withdrawing itself from his vest with a nasty little dirk that proceeded to find its home in the man's armpit.

 

Standing over Crescent as the man fell face first to the ground, the last of the Harthran, Aran took a deep breath. It was finally over, after being hunted for so long he was now free to make his own choices again. Sticking a boot underneath the body's stomach, he rolled Crescent over...

 

... only to find himself in a world of pain.

 

Staggering back, he pawed at his face as he tried to wipe the powder clear that had been thrown in his face, a fire burst in his lungs telling him exactly what had been done. His vision blurred, he had to feel about on his belt for the vial he wanted. Yet even as he tried to pop the vial open, a spasm ran through his body. His legs buckling, the vial dropped somewhere to the ground, but it was well and truly beyond his grasp now. All he could do was curl up in a ball as, he began to shake, every breath like drinking molten lead.

 

 

Aran Sene'val/Jester

Tower Guard/Assassin

[Guest Celes]

Rosheen moved forward a little and Lyv followed her, they found some brushes quite near the two men, who were too involved in their conversation to hear them coming closer. Now Lyv was able to follow the conversation and the bits and pieces she had overheard began to make more sense, now that she heard Aran actually speak to this man. they knew each other from a long time ago, but they were definitely not friends then and they were not now. There was a tension between them, a hostile tension that vibrated over the air and Lyv shot a glance over at Rosheen, noticing how her friend felt it too and how Rosheen cocked her head down so her mohawk could not betray her position.

 

Aran’s knives made a kind of a cling noise as they fell on the grass and Lyv had to clutch her hand over her face not to gasp out loud. She did not understand why, under this strange and aggressive feeling Aran would throw off his weapons. She studied the other man who also dropped his knives and then the fight was on, as quick as it seemed to have started, it moved into a violent wrestling of two men who seemed to be very much aware of each others skill. There was no room to fall back, no time spent on guarding the body, attack and defense was important for both, but they seemed to know what to expect.The fight continued and became more violent as the opponent was forced down to the ground and Lyv could hear his bones crack from the short distance.

 

Suddenly, a knife flicked and Aran stabbed his opponent, Lyv moved a little forward, ready to leap out and help her friend. Even if she did not understand this fight, she was still ready to help Aran and from Rosheen’s movements and deep breathing she could tell that the other guard felt the same. She was up on her feet now as she realized that one of them would soon lose this match and then Aran stood over the man and pushed him on his back. Lyv stood just a few feet away and could see the look on Aran’s face as he realized he had won the fight. She wanted to call for him, but was frozen to the ground; he had killed the man and was not showing any form of remorse. Not any kind of pain, he was content somehow, but then the other man moved in a final desperate move and threw something in Aran’s face that made him stumble back and scream out.

 

Rosheen ran forward at this point and called for Aran to tell them what had happened, Lyv ran after her and told her to hold Aran’s head still. He was convulsing now and something dropped from his hand on the grass. Lyv picked it up and found it was a vile of some kind, she looked over at Aran who was hardly breathing now and put it under his nose. “Here, drink this,†she said and found it was actually something in a powder form, “Or sniff it up,†she called and pushed it under his nose while Rosheen held his head up. Aran did and the convulsions started to slow, ceasing away as they held Aran still as best they could. They both started to wipe his face with plucks of grass as there was still some of the stuff on his face. Careful not to get it on their hands, they moved over his face until they were sure that it was all wiped off and he was able to breathe a little more freely.

 

“We need to get him to the Infirmary, who knows what this stuff did to him and if that stuff we put up his nose will actually cure it,†Lyv said and looked over Aran’s face again. Then pulled him up by his shoulders and Rosheen and she both took one arm over their shoulders. The pain from hauling buckets of water seemed to be obliterated under the pressure of saving the man’s life. As they were walking, Aran seemed to be breathing lighter and it was a long way to go to the Yards yet. Lyv wanted to press on but heard Aran mutter something about stopping and so they did, they paused near the city gate and settled him against a tree. "Who was that man? We're going to take you to the Infirmary, Aran..." Lyv said as a worried look passed over her face.

 

 

Lyv

[Wayfarer]

"I'm saying..." Aran took a breath before continuing "take me to my room... I'll be fine... Need lie down... warm... talk there... cloak."

 

The last word got a questioning glance. Reaching for the cloak on Rosheen's shoulder, he wasn't quite able to grasp it. "Put it on me... I'm drunk..."

 

Whether they approved or not, he wasn't sure, but his cloak was clasped around his shoulders again. By the time they reached the inner gate, enough strength had returned to his legs to make for a genuine stagger. There were a couple of jokes from the guards that saw him, but no questions as Rosheen and Lyv helped him to the barracks, and then to his room.

 

Not having anyone to share the room had always been a good thing, but it proved invaluable now. Unclasping his cloak and letting it drop to the floor, Aran would have just fallen on his bed had Lyv not been there to steady him.

 

"Water please..."

 

The two women looked at each other, but it was Lyv who went to get it while Rosheen stayed by the door, not that he was planning on going anywhere, but this made it a certainty. He was more focused on his belt though, whose clasp defied him at first. Slipping it off, he'd also managed to shed his vest, bracers and boots by the time Lyv had returned with a pitcher of water.

 

"Thanks." Taking a few sips went a long way to soothing his throat, and handing the pitcher back to her, he got to work on his socks and shirt. Breeches went, and lastly leather pads that he'd had laced around his shins. As the last dropped to the floor, he proceeded to crawl into bed, pulling the sheets over himself.

 

Not that he was rid of the problem he had. Lyv and Rosheen weren't going anywhere as they stood together silently, watching him. Smiling weakly, he was a bit resigned as he looked at them. "I don't suppose this is goodnight, is it?"

 

 

Aran Sene`val

Goin nowhere!

[silhouette]

While they had both sprinted to Aran’s side at the same time, worried because he looked like he was dying or worse, Rosheen had still glanced around nervously. The second man Aran killed had arrived without her hearing him arrive, and that bothered her. Had they been too focussed on Aran at that point? Or had he been that silent? “No one’s that silent.†She muttered as she crouched next to Aran, wiping his face clean after he’d inhaled something that stopped the convulsions. The walk back to the barrack was more of a chore than she had expected. Aran might have been light, but he wasn’t exactly carrying his own weight. By the time they arrived at the barracks he could stand again though, which was a good thing. Rosheen grinned at one of the guards, pretending that the fact that she and Lyv were still covered in soot and that Aran could barely walk was all interconnected. None of the guards made an issue out of it. Why should they. She and Lyv came stumbling back, all forms of drunk often enough for it to be a common occasion. They’d just assume that they had finally gotten the best of Aran.

 

Even inside the barracks, and inside Aran’s room Rosheen kept glancing around her, almost nervously. More than once her hand twitched to where her sword usually hung. She mocked herself for acting like a mouse at even the slightest sound. She glanced out the window before taking position near the door. She told herself it was to make sure that Aran didn’t slip out of the room while she had her back turned. When Lyv returned, Aran had already undressed himself and was about ready to crawl under his covers. Rosheen had to admit that she felt like doing the same. After he’d finished of half the pitcher of water, Aran looked at Lyv and Rosheen, as if he was waiting for them to say something. Rosheen had her arms crossed, and her face was blank. Lyv was in pretty much the same position. Solid. Not going anywhere.

 

When he finally spoke there was a hint of resignation in his voice. “No, this isn’t goodnight.†Rosheen said, her arms still crossed and her face still blank. It was nowhere near goodnight, as far as she was concerned. Not until he’d told them what he’d been hiding. “So why don’t you tell us what that was all about? And try not to lie your way around it this time. As you may have noticed Lyv and I are tired, covered in soot, and nowhere near our usual cheerful selves.†The last few words bordered on a growl.

[Wayfarer]

Aran began to chuckle then coughed, it'd be awhile before he was in the clear. "Rawr. If I'm going to be talking, you can at least sit near me so I don't spend my voice. That and your silence, what I say doesn't go beyond us."

 

"Fine."

 

"We're not the ones who can't be trusted around here, Aran. But you have my word."

 

Rolling his eyes at Rosheen's words even as they came and sat down either side of him at the bed, he refrained from his usual commentary, he'd need his voice. "I'm guessing you followed me, so you heard most of what was said..."

 

Taking a sip of water, Aran paused for a moment in thought before he spoke, deciding on where to begin. "When I came to Tar Valon over a year ago, I came seeking protection. The man, Crescent as you now know him, was hunting me though I did not know who it was. My brother counseled me to come here, and so I did. Arrangements were made for me to join the Tower Guard."

 

"So I spent this time as a Guard, waiting for my brother to send word that my assassin was dead, though he was never caught and no one knew who it was, though my brother guessed correctly it seemed. Those people that died in the fire, I knew them from Cairhien, as did Crescent. They had come to Tar Valon to make a new life for themselves, and for asylum. The Tower is a deterrent to the kind of trouble that follows us, most of the time at least."

 

"Scarlet fired that house, Crescent clearly hired him as an errand boy to keep himself hidden once he found me here. While you were putting out fires, Scarlet left me a message to come to the Ogier Grove to settle things."

 

"So, I went out there. I settled them, and would have been settled myself if you hadn't been there, for which I'm thankful. And now I'm here to answer question, since it seems I'm in a position where I have little choice in the matter."

 

"So what do you want to know more about in particular?" Taking a sip of his water, Aran looked to the pair, wondering who would ask what first.

 

 

Aran Sene'val

Interrogated

[silhouette]

After some hesitation Rosheen sat down on the right side of the bed. Lyv sat down on the other side, meaning that Aran had to divide his attention between the two of them. He did so, as he spoke of the men he’d killed, and what they’d been doing there. Over the past few hours Rosheen had managed to put a few things together, but the main conclusion was that Aran wasn’t who she’d always thought he was. And naturally that bothered her. She was close to becoming a master of her discipline, after all. She followed the path of Misdirection of all things. She was suppose to be able to observe people well enough to notice when they’re hiding something. Aran had been hiding his entire past from them, and yet she had never thought to ask about it until recently, and that galled her even more than the fact that Aran had felt the need to keep it hidden.

 

Even though Aran was talking a lot, he wasn’t really saying much. When he finished he looked at them , probably hoping that they’d be satisfied with the little hints of information he’d given them. “Crescent… Scarlet… your brother, those people in the house… it’s not really connecting, Aran.†She said, slumping forward a little, putting her elbows on her knees. “In fact it’s not connecting at all.†She straightened her back again, already aware of a soreness that was forming in her spine, just below her ribs. One of the Andorans got a nice swing in before she’d knocked his lights out.

 

“So why don’t you start at the beginning, Aran. We’ve already said we’ll keep your secrets, so I really don’t see the point in hiding things. You might want to start of with who you are, and what your family did that made Crescent so upset with you all.â€

[Wayfarer]

Aran couldn't help but grin at Rosheen. "If I start from the beginning, we're going to be here for awhile." Before she could say anything he waved it off, his brow furrowing in thought as to what could be said.

 

"You remember when Anton arrived, and what was said? I was one of many trying to survive. When I was ten, I cut the wrong purse, or perhaps the right one. The man that caught me took me with him. I thought I was dead, or worse, but instead he sat me down and spoke to me. He suspected he was my father, he'd known my mother for a time, and I had been pointed out to him, which is why he'd been wearing such a heavy purse. Whether he was my real father or not, I was from that point his son."

 

"He had another son, though he was adopted, the man I have called Aventari. How to explain this..." Most people found the idea ludicruous, even though it made sense if one thought about it in a certain way.

 

"You know how some families pass their trades and livelihoods down from generation to generation? Smiths, tailors, farmers, all of them. In the same way, other things are passed down. In my case, my father was an assassin, and it was that business that I trained for. When I came of age, my father gave me my pseudonym, the Jester."

 

"These names, they are to protect us. See, we are not the only family. Not only in Cairhien, but throughout the nations, one can find such families. Different nations handle it in different ways, but in each place there is a faction that holds sway on the street, even if it isn't obvious. All of them have ties to a single guild in Cairhien. My father was part of that guild, in fact he was one of its leaders."

 

"During this time, there was a power struggle between our family and the Harthran. Our father was becoming popular amongst the different families in Cairhien and abroad. Enough so that with that support he was able to direct the guild, which upset the Harthran who had previously enjoyed greater voice. To cut it short, they killed my father, and tried to kill us. We slew them all in turn, save for Crescent. He was eleven at the time, and as a gesture of mercy he was spared, we raised him."

 

"As you can see, he never forgave us. A couple of years ago, there were several attempts made on my life. All my safehouses, any place I could hide, the assassin knew them all. While Crescent was suspected, there was no proof, and in our business, we are wary of quick judgements when it is so easy to implicate another."

 

"So, I came here and took on the role of a Tower Guard. This entire time, waiting for news that the man had been found, or for the assassin to reveal themselves. Eventually, he found me, and I killed him."

 

Aran paused for a moment then smiled dreamily "and Scarlet as well, but that was a bonus. Especially considering he fired that house for no reason beyond that he could."

 

 

Aran Sene'val

Storyteller

[Guest Celes]

His story was a lot more elaborate than Aran had wanted to let on earlier, Rosheen had finally found a way to get him to talk and Lyv had tried to stay awake enough not to miss a word of it. She was incredibly tired, but his story was engaging and she felt that it would cost her if she fell asleep. Maybe even cost her another facial treatment, though it was never proven of course. She nodded slightly as Aran said that the man named Scarlet had earned it for lighting his friend’s house on fire. As Lyv and Rosheen had helped put the fire out and Lyv had seen the man standing in the burning window, she could see he wanted revenge. “So, what happens next? Will you return to Cairhien now that the enemy is slain? In a way, were you not hiding here, Aran?†Lyv asked as her eyes squinted the sleep off. How did Rosheen stay so up and awake, did curiosity burn her on even this deep into the night after all they had been through…

 

Lyv

[silhouette]

Rosheen glanced over at Lyv, who looked more than ready to collapse there and then. Surprisingly, Rosheen didn’t feel even the least bit sleepy herself. Fear, anger and adrenaline kept her up, and would keep her up for hours yet. The need to hit someone hadn’t disappeared after the little scuffle in the seedy bar, and it hadn’t really lessened either. She felt like running. For a long time. Maybe several hours. She’d done that before, when there were things bothering her, and she’d no doubt do it again after tonight. Lyv asked Aran about what would happen now. There were other things on Rosheen’s mind at the moment.

 

“And how did you get enrolled here in the first place? As far as I know the White Tower doesn’t often provide a safe haven to Assassins, no matter what the circumstances are. And yet here you are, with your name enlisted as if this sort of thing happens every day.†The thought of more people knowing about this, and keeping it secret didn’t exactly bring a smile on her face.

[Wayfarer]

The questions came from both women this time, and Aran was finding he was rather tired and he wanted sleep. Nevertheless, he had to plough on and see it done, Rosheen wouldn't let him sleep otherwise though Lyv looked like she'd be more than happy to go and get some sleep herself. "I suppose it doesn't matter anymore, thanks to bloody Con Stavros."

 

That remark got their attention though they didn't interrupt. "About ten years ago after we finished off the Harthran, there was an opportunity. My brother took control of the guild, but in his father's name, who we purported to still be alive. Not that most were fooled, but they were willing to accept Aventari's direction as he had many of the same qualities as father."

 

"But he still had to prove himself as being talented enough to be feared. Something exceptional to consolidate his position and reputation amongst us. So he made a wager with the different families. Within six months, he would go to Tar Valon, kidnap an Aes Sedai from within the city, and bring her back to Cairhien as his prisoner."

 

"He did it too, Quatalina Sedai of the White Ajah was the one he swiped, and he took her back to Cairhien, helped along by those who supported him. Not that this was going to be let go by those here, Alin Mori'dan who was Master of Arms at the time led a group in pursuit with Shoar Daemor as the Chief of Security taking a second strikeforce."

 

"What happened was trivial, but it became clear that negotiation rather than blades were going to settle the issue. The sheer amount of trouble the Tower Guards endured trying to find Quatalina Sedai made them aware that the Guild wasn't without means, and Aventari saw an opportunity."

 

"An accord was made. Apart from the hand over of Quatilina Sedai, all people involved were sworn to silence on the matter. The guild offered information, potential aid in cities, and training in the seedier side of the law for those who were chosen for it. In turn, Alin Mori'dan and Shoar Daemor offered some of the weapons made here, information from their other sources, and training in weaponry."

 

"These exchanges continued for years, and while it seems Alin did not pass the information down to his successors, Shoar did. Most likely because he was the one the Guild negotiated with. He passed his information to Evan Tremaine, and it was passed to Con Stavros. When I needed somewhere to hide, Con put my name down in the Tower Guard role, but being ever so moral he refused to put a lie to paper, so he simply put my name down as Aran."

 

"And herein lay the rub of the problem. Con never liked the fact that the Guard associated itself with the Guild. When he exploited Tower Law to release himself of his post, he also didn't pass the knowledge of the guild down to Elia Darnel. If he had, I have no doubt that she would have spoken to me about it, and missives I've received from my brother confirm it. Likewise, the information was never given to Lonrick Myrddin, or Krelsa Vedrig. Con effectively cut off all ties, and nulled the agreement."

 

"Still, by that stage the agreement benefited the guild little as the guild had found alternatives, so Aventari never sought to renew it. This has left me in a rather precarious situation since Elia Darnel became Tower Guard, as you can imagine."

 

"As to where I go from here? I don't know." Aran grinned at Lyv "I think I'll sleep on it. You look like you could use some sleep as well. I've answered as many questions as I can tonight, let me get some rest."

 

The last directed more towards Rosheen, Aran closed his eyes and made himself comfortable in his bed. If there was anything else to be asked, it could be asked another time.

 

 

Aran

Sleeptime