A Bond of Redemption (attn. Myrrhi Aes Sedai)

[Guest]

Night passed faster than expected. Myrrhi let herself fall on her bed. She was still dressed but she didn't care. She didn't have the strength nor the courage to take away her pretty dress nor to take away her make up.

 

I'll take care of this tomorrow, she thought yawning. She closed her eyes as soon as her head touched her pillow and she immediately fell asleep. It's only when the sun sent rays through her window that she woke up the next day. It took her a while to get her bearings. She had needed to focus to remember where she was and what she was supposed to do that day.

 

With a thread of Fire, she warmed the water than had been left in a basin for her to wash herself the previous day. The liquid was not as clean as she would have wished but it was better than nothing.

 

Taking a deep breath, she got up to take care of her face then her hair. It was a complete mess. Her beautiful hairdo had been destroyed after her nap and she definitely looked more like a sheep than an Aes Sedai. She took away all the ribbons and pins then used her comb to look human again.  However the result of her hard work was so disappointing that she decided to braid her hair again.

 

"Ready at last!" she told herself once she had put on her dress. She winked to her reflection on the mirror then went to Elessar's bedroom to tell him that she was ready.

 

 

***

The weather suited the young Green's mood. She was happy to leave Jurene but she was still feeling extremely uncomfortable about having had to impersonate a Sister of the Black Ajah. She hoped that they had made the right choice. What would happen to Kelewan. Would he use his freedom to hunt for another Aes Sedai. Would be manage to kill one of Myrrhi's Sisters? She looked towards her Warder and peered once more through the Bond. What she felt half reassured her. The man was determined to go forward and to reach Tremonsien. She didn't feel any regrets.

 

She patted Tempest, her gentle mare, and focused again on the road ahead.

 

***

 

The innkeeper was a man Myrrhi knew she could trust. The way he had acted around her and her Warder had clearly indicated that he would do anything to help. The young Green had guessed that he could be one of the Greens eyes and ears. The tiny signals he made and the strange words he used in his sentences had convinced the young woman that she could send him to get a courier. Only someone who knew about the Battle Ajah Secrets could have behaved that way and said what he had. 

 

"Thanks so much," she thanked the fat brown haired man. "The Greens will remember."

"There is no need," he replied with a shy smile. "I am only doing my job."

 

***

 

 

While Elessar had a bath in his bedroom, Myrrhi decided to have  walk in the streets of Tremonsien. She wanted to see what the place had to offer. Maybe she could buy a new dress or a new book? She walked for a while, looking at what the merchants offered as wares. She didn't find anything of interest, unfortunately, and so it's bare handed that she came back to the inn's common room to meet her warder.

Edited May 11, 2017 by Chaelca

[Elessar]

.. Captivated by ‘The Ballad of Artur Hawkwing’ ..

►▼◄

 

Elessar stayed in his room for several hours, enjoying a bath in a tub brought by two of the inn’s servants, resting and thinking.

 

He thought about their journey from the South and all that had happened, with their Dark intrigue and Danger, in Cairhien. He also thought about his previous Bondholders and the danger they had faced together over the years.

 

At one point, he was back in his mind with Carys, his Yellow Ajah Sedai at the time, here in Cairhien.. in a small village called Ghrainstead..

 

Yes, the Attack!

 

Elessar’s memories drew him in.. and he remembered every little detail of what had happened.. it was all clear in his mind, as if it were yesterday..

 

We were returning from the entertainment downstairs in that inn..

 

●

 

..Elessar entered the partially lit corridor right behind Carys, a feeling of tiredness flowing through his body. It had been an enjoyable evening of entertainment downstairs with the talented gleeman’s songs and stories, but now the Warder looked forward to a good night’s sleep. He had only taken a few steps, however, when alertness pushed all tiredness and thoughts of sleep away. He felt danger. Someone’s here! He thought. Looking up the corridor toward their rooms he was just about to whisper a word of warning to the Aes Sedai when she, also alerted, took a step backwards and fell into him. He caught her easily, and luckily quietly. Motioning toward the door, she stepped away from him and let him lead. Encloaked in the Void, calmness centered, his eyes focused totally on the slightly ajar door to Carys’ room. There was a rustling sound coming from inside as if whoever was in there was looking for something. He wished he had his sword, but his blade lay in his own room and there was no time to get it, so he would have to make use of the element of surprise and hand-to-hand tactics.

 

As he opened the door a touch wider, bringing some light from the corridor into the dark room, he came face to face with a masked man. Acting on instinct and experience his upper arm and elbow slammed with force and speed into the masked man’s face, taking the other completely by surprise, so that he crashed to the floor, screaming in agony. Another masked figure from deeper in the room yelped and in the blink of a second a deadly knife flew toward Elessar, embedding itself in the door a few inches from his face. Elessar threw himself to the floor, his eyes quickly adapting to the near-darkness. “They are three in all”, he cried out to the Aes Sedai outside, as he found his feet and threw himself at the masked man who had thrown the knife. His massive leap across the room brought them both crashing to the floor.

 

Elessar punched the man hard in the stomack and heard him grunt in pain, then received a glancing blow to the head himself from the third figure who had entered the fray. He brought his arm up to deflect a second blow and then kicked out hard with his leg, hitting the man’s knee. The man stumbled and fell, crying out in pain, as Elessar punched the man beside him in the face and scrambled away from them both to get some space to move in. More light streamed into the room now, the door stood fully open, and there were noises from the door and from the corridor outside. Elessar turned his head quickly to see if Carys was in danger. The first man that he had incapacitated was getting somewhat shakily to his feet but he then moved purposefully and threateningly toward the Aes Sedai who was standing in the doorway. There seemed to be motion behind her as well.

 

“Look out!” Elessar screamed to Carys. At that moment, however, he was attacked by one of the masked men closer to him and had his hands full keeping him at bay. The man had another knife - probably poisoned, Elessar thought - in his hands and he tried to stab the Warder with it, viciously attacking him. Elessar had long experience and proficiency in hand-to-hand fighting and he drew on all his experience and competence as he countered the masked man’s quick and skilful moves. After many thrusts and parries, feints and near-hits, Elessar managed at last to twist the attacker’s arm so he lost the knife, then he smashed his fist into the man’s face breaking his nose, producing a cry of pain and the man stumbled backwards and fell onto the bed in agony.

 

Elessar turned his head quickly again to see how Carys fared..

 

●

 

Elessar met up with Myrrhi, his present Bondholder, in the Common Room of the inn early that evening. She had been walking around the hill-town, she told him, and seemed to be in a pleasant mood.

 

They found a table off to the side and sat down to have a drink and some food. A gleeman was playing the flute as they waited for the drink and food to arrive. Elessar studied the man. He was younger than most gleeman he had seen, tall and athletic with short brown hair, large eyes and a beak of a nose. Elessar was reminded of Saldaea when he saw him, a fellow Borderlander if his guess was right. The young man’s eyes lit up when he saw enthusiasm in the faces of the guests and it was obvious that he loved his craft. Most of the tables in the Common Room were filled with local townspeople, some more loud than others, some more drunk as well, and they appeared to appreciate the evening’s entertainment. When the gleeman was finished with his tune he bowed to much applause and his coat of many colourful patches, symbol of his profession, swirled around him in a flourish.

 

After some moments the crowd quieted down. There was a grin on the gleeman’s face as he faced his audience, having put aside his instrument, and said dramatically: “And now, my good men and ladies, I will tell you a Story out of History and Myth..” He added. “I will tell you about the legendary Artur Hawkwing”. Elessar - as ever a passionate student of history and legend - grinned delightedly, looking forward to this story. Myrrhi smiled as well, also looking forward to the performance. The inn’s guests waited expectantly for the gleeman to begin his epic song.

 

Soon the young gleeman’s voice filled the Common Room. His voice was strong and melodious, showing true talent and passion, and within a short while most of those present were captivated as he took them on an enthralling journey into the Past and into Legend.

 

 

●

 

►▼◄

 

‘The Ballad of Artur Hawkwing’

 

Artur Paendrag Tanreall was his Name

As Artur Hawkwing he rose to Fame

The High King who united the Lands in Truth

Created an Empire, a Legend in Sooth

 

Born in Shandalle, a Kingdom like Those

In western Cairhien, Erinin was Close

A Prince of the House, a Royal was He

Destined for Greatness, a Conquerer to-Be

 

Tutored in Combat from an early Age

Becoming a Soldier and Captain, to Wage

Battles and Wars, versus neighbours so Strong

Fighting for Nation and opposing the Wrong

 

He led an Army that Tar Valon had Sent

Against a False Dragon, in Tear, Legend Went

In contrast to others, his Army did Well

To stalemate Amalasan’s Forces, they Tell

 

Named ‘Hawkwing’ in Honour of swiftness and Speed

He moved his Forces with efficiency and Need

And then at the Battle of Jolvaine Pass

Using tactical brilliance, he captured with Class

 

Bringing Amalasan, to Tar Valon in Grace

To have him face Justice, his Judgement to Face

A conflict erupted, like a White Tower ‘Swath’

Though Hawkwing succeeded, the Amyrlin was Wroth

 

Shandalle was attacked by Neighbours and All

They all wanted, screamed for the Hawkwing’s Fall

He wondered if Tar Valon and Bonwhin were  Involved

But winning the Battles, the Consolidation all Solved

 

After those years, he Ruled the world in Peace

For twenty-three years, with deftness and Ease

Though with seven Rebellions he had to Contend

And a Trolloc Invasion, he defeated in the End

 

He turned against Tar Valon from Councel Received

Laying Siege to White Tower, in hatred Believed

And sent a large Army across the Waters Divide

Of the wide Aryth Ocean, with his son by their Side

 

Or so Legends speaks, as History is Made

In year 994, he the final Price Paid

From illness he Passed, at eighty-two of Age

Leaving a Legacy, and Wars there to Wage

 

Loved by the Commoners, his death caused much Strife

With no known Heirs, there was Battle-lust for Life

And for Power and for Land, yes it ended in Tears

In what History remembers as the War of the Hundred Years

 

►▲◄

 

  ▀▄ 

 

Edited January 12, 2018 by Elessar

[Guest]

"I like this gleeman," Myrrhi said her eyes on the man playing the flute. "He's not as old as the other ones... and he looks better than most."

 

The more time she spent in the common room, the harder it became to look elsewhere. Was it because of his eyes or his nose? She could tell. His face had such uncommon features for an Andoran woman like her that it mesmerized her.

It was not the first time that she had met someone from Saldea. The Mistress of the Novices was Saldean, but she didn't have eyes like these. They were like two small slits carved in her face, always watching what the Initiates were doing. Some Sisters came from the same place as well, but none were as beautiful as the gleeman.

 

To top it all, he was an extremely good performer: his skills with the flute were as good as his singing skills, and Myrrhi wondered if one day, she'd be able to sing as well as him. There was no doubt that the man loved his craft, seeing how his eyes lit when people applauded him. It made her want to applaud even more.

 

The young Green lost herself in the music, until the last second, and was disappointed when he bowed to salute the crowd before leaving the makeshift stage.

 

"Encore!" she shouted with the other patrons clapping with her hands. "Encore!"

 

Her eyes met Elessar, he seemed amused by her enthusiasm. She smiled before shrugging in a way to make him understand that even if she was Aes Sedai she could still fully appreciate performances like these.

 

Unfortunately, the man hadn't planed to stay. He thanked the audience a last time and left the common room with a last flourish of his cloak.

 

"I am not sure I want to retire for the evening yet," the young Green said. "Not after something like this! It was so... " she sighed. It was hard to find a word that could described how wonderful her evening had been. After Jurene, the Darkfriends, the Kill-List, this had been exactly what she had needed. For a couple of hours her act as Aliahna Sedai had been forgotten. The dangers as well. She had felt like a child. Something she had not often been allowed to feel like.

 

Well, I am not starting to think about it all right now! she protested to herself. I did what I had to do, and I won't start second guessing myself! Especially not tonight!

 

 

 

 

 

[Elessar]

.. A  Passion for Life in a young Green’s Heart ..

►▼◄

 

She’s a Green, allright! Elessar thought with amusement as he watched Myrrhi seemingly mesmerized by the handsome-looking young Saldaean gleeman on stage.

 

She confirmed it when she added that the young man looked better than most.

 

He better watch his back, the Warder thought with a silent chuckle, or he might find himself Bonded to a certain Andoran Sister.. whether he wants to or not.

 

●

 

The way Myrrhi’s captivated eyes followed the young man during his performance made Elessar wonder, wryly, if there was more than a little truth to his thoughts. He grinned and found himself pleased that she was enjoying herself this evening. She needed some enjoyment and merriment after the Dark, dangerous and glum days lately, and therefore he was doubly glad that the Saldaean was putting on an excellent performance.

 

When the gleeman was finished and bowed to salute the crowd, he could see the disappointment in her face. She joined several others asking - and clapping - for an ‘encore’ and met her Warder’s eyes with a slight blush, seeing his amusement mirrored there. She smiled before shrugging in a way to make him understand that even if she was Aes Sedai she could still fully appreciate.. performances like these. Or men.. Elessar thought with even greater amusement.

 

The center of her attention, however, was finished with his performance. He thanked the audience a last time and left the Common Room with a last flourish of his gleeman’s cloak, leaving echoes of Artur Hawkwing’s legend and his other songs and stories in his wake. From Myrrhi’s look as he left, she seemed to him almost ready to run after the young man.. and Elessar was about to comment on it, playfully, when she spoke.

 

●

 

She said, her blue eyes sparkling with joy, that she was not sure that she wanted to retire for the evening yet. Not after something like that!

 

It was not easy for her to explain.. but he understood well.

 

He saw the Passion for Life in her, that he had also seen in her before, and also in Leandreen, and in most Greens to tell the truth. It was a joy of life in all its beauty and facets -  a passion for life and fulfillment, to be embraced and nourished - that drove many Sisters of the Battle Ajah; not a passion for war, danger and death as many mistakenly thought.

 

He saw it now in her Eyes - and it warmed his Soul.

 

●

 

She must have felt something through the Bond, because she looked at him intently and smiled.

 

He smiled back, before taking her hand and silently leading her outside. It was dark that evening, the moon shining high above in a canopy of blackness and stars that blanketed the nation of Cairhien. Elessar looked about, gauging the darkness, and then met Myrrhi’s eyes.

 

“There is still time for some more fun tonight”, he said with a glint in his eye. “It will be good for you, for us both in truth, after all that’s happened.” He saw her questioning face, wondering what he had in mind, and he grinned in anticipation.

 

“Have you ever ridden in the dark?” He asked, a mischievous but also excited grin on his face. “When it is solid, stone-wall dark outside?”

 

They had ridden in near-dark on their journey a few times, out of necessity, but had always camped for the night before all light was gone. He did not think she had ridden in total darkness before; many riders had not.

 

Before she had time to reply, he set off for the stables at the back of the building, a somewhat flustered Sedai in tow. She had not ridden in pitch black surroundings before, no - and was more than a little dubious whether it was safe. But at the same time she felt the excitement of the prospect growing in her as she walked, and she felt she needed some more fun tonight, some more elation, to keep those other darker memories and thoughts at bay. And so she followed eagerly, a thrill running through her, with most of her scepticism under wraps.

 

The Warder found the young stableboy who quickly prepared their horses and within minutes Elessar and Myrrhi literally flew down the road, atop Stormbreaker and Tempest, leaving dust in their wake! As the stableboy had finished, the Gaidin had told his Sedai that horses, in fact, could see well in the dark, and as long as they kept to the roads and paths and trusted in their mounts’ instincts, all would be well.

 

●

 

Excitement at the fun, but somewhat wild, undertaking flowed through them both, feeding the pulse of life, driving away any doubts or fear, as they pushed their mounts hard down the hill through the darkness, running like the wind, elation and exhilaration making their Eyes shine and their Souls soar!

 

  ▀▄ 

 

Edited January 12, 2018 by Elessar

[Guest]

"Ridden in the dark? Never" she replied with a grin following her Warder to the stables. The only times she had been on horse back for more than a journey to Tar Valon were the ones when she had been in the company either of Elessar either of Deanna Sedai and her Warder. The Brown was everything but adventurous. She favored the main roads and only traveled between late mornings and early afternoons. Those silly rules had led them to sleep on the side of main roads more than once. By chance, Deanna's Warder was good at finding small nooks that would allow some kind of protection against brigands or unwanted visitors. He could find hiding spots like no one else, even in fields as flat as the back of a hand.

 

"I'd love to have a try at it!"

 

She clapped in her hands excitedly. Surprisingly, there was a stable boy awake and ready to serve. The young man prepared the horses and, after a couple of minutes, the horses were ready to go.

 

"Let's do this!" Myrrhi said as she climbed on Tempest.

 

***

 

"This was exactly what I need", the young Green said to her Warder, her cheeks flushed. The horses were going fast enough for her heart to race but they had not reached a full gallop, far from it. They were still Warder and Aes Sedai, they still needed to behave responsibly.

 

The sky was quite dark. Big fluffy clouds had appeared during the early evening and they had not moved much till then.

 

The paths leading away from the inn were all empty, even the usual dogs were missing. It made her want to push her mare faster, but she resisted the impulse. She placed Tempest right behind Stormbreaker, happily following her Warder's lead.

 

[Elessar]

.. Thrills from a ‘Wild Ride’ & Echoes of Memories and Dreams ..

►▼◄

 

As they sped down the hill in the darkness, following the empty road or wide path (depending on one’s definition) that meandered downwards at an angle, at a fast canter but still not at a full gallop, Myrrhi shouted to Elessar that this exciting ride was exactly what she needed!

 

The sky was quite dark. Big fluffy clouds had appeared during the early evening and they had not moved much since. From the scarce moonlight that slipped in between the clouds it was hard to tell, but she seemed to him a bit flushed and he felt the thrill of her heart racing coming through the Bond. Seeing the elation in her eyes, in the moments when her face was visible, made him smile inside.

 

He had the impression that she’d like to go even faster but held back a little, perhaps thinking their station as Warder and Aes Sedai demanded that they behave responsibly. His suspicion was reinforced when at one point she placed her mare right behind Stormbreaker, seemingly happy to follow his lead.

 

Well, to hell with convention and responsibility! Elessar thought with unabashed excitement and a lopsided grin, as he made his black stallion pick up speed and go into a full gallop down the dark road, waving for Myrrhi to follow!

 

She was soon beside him, Tempest storming forwards in great leaps, neck and neck with Stormbreaker, as they flew around a corner of the ridge and headed onwards into the ‘unknown’ dark!

 

●

 

“Go for it!” Her Warder shouted with almost childish elation, urging her on. “There’s no stopping you!” His heart raced and his whole body enjoyed the thrill of this somewhat ‘wild ride’. He felt similar emotions coming through the Bond from Myrrhi, or so he thought, and they laughed at the excitement of it all, forgetting for a moment their station in life, flying down the hill, their valiant horses also enjoying the gift of life, as they pushed ahead with all that they could muster.

 

Finally they came to a stop near the bottom of the hill, their faces flushed and their pulse racing, catching their breath. They both grinned widely atop their horses and shared some more laughter and banter, before they headed back up the hill again, this time at a much slower speed. When they finally arrived back at the stables, the young stableboy - still up and about - took their tired mounts and placed them in their designated stalls. The Warder and Aes Sedai thanked the boy and then walked back inside the ‘Eastern Shield’ inn and subsequently up to their rooms.

 

It had been a perfect way to finish what had been a wonderful evening, Myrrhi thought, and she told him so, thanking him - a grin on her face - for the unexpected ‘wild ride’. From the Bond it seemed to Elessar that she meant it, and he was certain it had done her some good.

 

A much needed respite for us both, he thought as she bade him goodnight and he retired to his own room for the night.

 

●

 

That night in Tremonsien, Elessar was again lost in memories and dreams.. this time of his time with Kathleen, his previous Bondholder, also of the Green Ajah.

 

In his sleeping mind, he replayed part of their journey north into the Borderlands, a short while after they had Bonded..

 

It was another Time, another Life.. but still the Same..

 

 

..The proud banners of Tar Valon - wonderous city of the Aes Sedai -  rippled strongly in the wind atop the huge city walls as Kathleen Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah and her newly Bonded Warder Elessar Telcontar of Kandor rode out of the city and soon onto one of the six majestic bridges, more than a mile long and gracefully arching from the island to the shore, connecting the isle to the mainland.

 

The River Erinin, within sight of fabled Dragonmount, flowed by below, with urgency and intent, and reflected some of the sun's rays falling down from a cloudless blue sky above. Had it not been for the strong breeze, which made their garments - Elessar's colour-shifting cloak and Kathleen's green travelling cloak - flap behind them, it would have been perfect travelling weather.

 

They were beginning a northward Journey to the Borderlands - in the footsteps, as it were, of Kathleen's second Warder, Nevuel Gaidin, who had left, on a personal errand , for his home nation Arafel almost immediately after Elessar's Bonding with Kathleen - and they had a long way to travel.

 

●

 

Seated atop his faithful black stallion Stormbreaker, feeling the life pulsating in the graceful beast beneath him, Elessar's mind was partly on the journey ahead, and partly on his new Bond and its consequences.

 

It was only a short time - ..had a week passed, or perhaps a fortnight? He wondered..  time was somewhat muddled for Elessar.. - since his Warder Bond had been passed from Carys Aes Sedai to his new Bondholder Kathleen, and the multitude of strong conflicting emotions that he had felt were still inside him, though presently buried under the surface. He would have to deal with them at some point, he knew, but for now he was content to focus on the pleasure he felt to be out on the road again, to be 'Free', to feel Needed again, and to be Allowed to carry out his duty and service as a Gaidin of the White Tower.

 

He felt Kathleen in the back of his head - and he smiled inside.

 

So many changes in his life, so many paths he had walked. Now he was upon another new path - and in his mind's eye he thought he saw a Light of Destiny..

 

  ▀▄ 

 

Edited January 12, 2018 by Elessar

[Guest]

Myrrhi felt asleep as soon as her head hit her pillow. Immediately she was sucked into a strange dream.

 

She found herself back in the Tower, amongst her sisters of the Green Ajah. The common room had not changed. It was still decorated with the usual weapons and tapestries she had fallen in love with.

 

They had all gathered around her to celebrate the fact that she had now "grown up". Somehow, she had still been considered a child and now it was time for her to take new responsibilities.

 

"You don't have to follow the orders of other Sisters, just because they are your seniors," one said.

"You can make decisions," another one followed.

"You are Aes Sedai..."

"Don't second guess yourself all the time..."

 

The feminine voices encouraged her to be herself. Soon, the women around her parted, allowing the Captain General of the Green to approach.

 

"It's time to ride," she said pointing towards the door.

 

Elessar was waiting for her in the corridor, with a gleeman cloak around his shoulder and a grin on his face. Together they went to the stables where Stormbreaker and Tempest were already saddled. They mounted on their respective horse and suddenly the sky darken until it became pitch black.

 

As soon as they reached exited the Tower ground, Darkfriends made their appearance. "You shall not pass," Myrrhi told them, using the power to make her words resonate in the streets of Tar Valon.

 

***

 

The young Green's spirit was still in fighting mode when she woke up. The sun was already high in the cloudless sky, but for once she didn't feel guilty for staying in bed for so long. The Bond told her that her Warder was getting ready in his own room.

 

"Well, I should do the same", she told herself. She used some of the water available in the room to freshen up before picking a new dress and brushing her hair.

 

She was almost done with tidying up her packs when Elessar knocked on her door. Using the power to open the door, she invited him in.

 

"Good day, Warder", she said with a smile. She closed her bag and made a step towards the Gaidin. "I wanted to thank you for last night. I don't think I have even had fun like that in my life. But," she added, her eyes still sparking "I promise I will stay focused and behave like an Aes Sedai ... today at least."

 

She laughed then nodded. "So what is the program of the day?"

 

 

[Elessar]

.. Recalling the Humanity of a Warder ..

►▼◄

 

When Elessar woke late the next morning, echoes of his dream-memories of his Bond with another Green Sister still lingered in his mind.

 

Kathleen.

 

He remembered the good times.. getting Bonded and enthusiastically setting out on that journey into the North.. slowly getting to know one another.. earning each other’s respect.. seeing and appreciating Kathleen’s integrity..

 

And also the bad.. when she far too soon released his Bond, severing their special connection.. their partnership.. their shared duty and purpose.. their unity.. so suddenly, shockingly.. and in so doing also severing Elessar’s hopes and dreams.

 

Yes, it had in many ways ended badly.. causing deep pain inside the Warder.. and even if he understood Kathleen’s reasons, the pain inside him, hidden from the world, had lasted a long time.

 

He knew that she felt much guilt over her decision, as her heartfelt explanatory letter to him afterwards had shown, and he felt sorrow because of it. He had considered writing back to her.. but had not found the words. In the beginning, the pain and disappointment had been too great and by the time the greatest inner pain had lessened, he no longer knew what to say, what to write. He did not either know if she would appreciate a reply from him or if it would only make matters worse, and so he had avoided her in the White Tower and had never written back. She had never approached him again either, so perhaps it was for the best.

 

He could not be certain that his decision had been the right one.. but done was done. His Bond with Kathleen would always be a part of him, a part of who he was, a part of who he had been, but it was the past and he had to focus on the present. He wished Kathleen well, and hoped she would learn to forgive herself, and also succeed with her dreams, but Myrrhi was his Bondholder now who deserved all his attention.

 

●

 

It made him, however, also think for a moment of Leandreen, his first Bondholder those many years ago, the Aes Sedai who had always meant the most to him.. for several reasons.

 

Leandreen.

 

Also of the Green, Leandreen had died in a skirmish with Darkfriends, and only another Sedai’s intervention and Bonding had saved him from madness and throwing his life away in a wild rage-attack on the Shadow. It had then taken Elessar many, many years to come to terms with the guilt he had carried for not saving Leandreen’s life, for failing in his duty, for not honouring his eternal promise, ‘My life before yours’.

 

It had taken time and much soul-searching for the Warder to accept it all, to forgive himself, to Bond again and now most recently to be able to move on and eventually Bond Myrrhi. Some pain still lingered in his soul, sad memories of Leandreen and all that had happened, perhaps it always would, but at least for the moment Elessar of Kandor was at peace with himself.

 

In his mind, Leandreen’s Emerald green eyes smiled at him - and his heart skipped a beat, a silent tear flowing down his chin..

 

●

 

The sun was already high in the cloudless sky by the time he was up, washed and clothed in his room. He felt Myrrhi stir in the next room and smiled. A long night’s sleep had invigorated him and he hoped the same would be the case for her. Sitting down on his bed for a moment he picked up the book of poetry than he carried with him and which often sat on his bedside table. Leafing through the pages, he found the poem he was looking for. It was an ancient piece from the Borderlands and he enjoyed the rhyme and prose, as he waited for his Bondholder to get ready next door.

 

When he thought the time appropriate, he left his room and knocked on Myrrhi’s door. The door opened by itself, a very interesting phenomenon at the best of times, and the Aes Sedai invited him inside. He gave her a wry grin - ‘show-off’, it read - and she grinned back before bidding him a good morning. He returned the greeting and watched as she closed her bag with a smile and made a step towards him. She then told him that she wanted to thank him, again, for the previous evening’s ride with the horses and reiterated that she did not think she had had fun like that in all her life.

 

But," she added, her eyes still sparking "I promise I will stay focused and behave like an Aes Sedai ... today at least."

 

He could not hide his lopsided grin at her words, knowing very well that it had been he who had thrown all convention to the winds the previous evening, who had spurred her on in their un-Sedai/Warder like “wild ride” down the dark meandering paths of the Cairhienin hill-town.

 

“Oh, by all means.. Myrrhi Morrigen Aes Sedai, illustrious Sister of the Battle Ajah!” her Gaidin said with mock seriousness, giving her a bow worthy of a courtier, making her laugh despite herself.

 

He joined in the laughter.. and almost missed her next words.

 

“So what is the program for the day?”

 

Her blue eyes sparkled and it made him smile inside.

 

“Oh, I think you might enjoy it.”, said the Warder with a wide grin. “In fact, I am pretty sure of it!”

 

●

 

They ate a late breakfast in the Common Room. It was almost empty at that hour but the innkeeper was more than eager to cater for all their needs. When they were finished, they went outside in the sunshine and an ocean-blue sky as far as the eye could see. A westerly breeze made their cloaks flap as they walked down the town street toward a building at the far end. It was open at the front. As they neared it they heard the pounding sound of hammer on anvil, and soon saw the blacksmith working.

 

A local man, middle-aged with a heavy build, brown hair and dark eyes, and arms the size of trees, was fashioning what looked like a battle-axe, and as they came up close they saw that he was a master of his craft. He nodded to the Warder, who had spoken a few words with the blacksmith the day before, and gave a respectful bow to the Aes Sedai. She smiled back at him, eyeing the weapons laying around with interest. A younger man, a stocky Cairhienin lad with big strong arms and an infectious grin on a chubby face, an apprentice Elessar presumed, came up from a cellar just then carrying several tools of the trade as well as what looked like an old, worn sword. He bowed respectfully to them both and headed toward an anvil further in, to work.

 

Heat from the forges, from the burning fires, made Elessar and Myrrhi sweat as they watched the craftsmen - one a Master, the other his talented Apprentice - work their trade. Metals, heated until they were soft, were hammered into desired shapes before the Warder and Aes Sedai’s fascinated eyes.

 

●

 

Some time later, the blacksmith stopped his work and exchanged a few words with the Warder. He then reached behind him, picking up a few things from the table behind. Myrrhi saw that it was a couple of well-crafted swords, but with blunt ends, and her smile grew. The Cairhienin handed the blades to the Gaidin who nodded in appreciation.

 

Elessar then looked at his Bondholder and grinned. Nodding that she follow him outside, he stepped out of the building and faced her in the street. There was no one close by which suited him well.

 

“Now then”, said the Gaidin as he threw a sword to his Aes Sedai. “Time for you to brush up on your sword skills, don’t you think?”

 

His grin widened when he saw the joy and thrill that filled her sparkling blue eyes.

 

  ▀▄ 

 

Edited January 12, 2018 by Elessar

[Guest]

The young Green's stomach was  rumbling loudly as the innkeeper himself arrived with their breakfast. The man looked as fresh as a flower even if he hadn't had much sleep. "I hope you are enjoying your stay at my humble inn?" he inquired with a shy smile on his face.

 

"Of course," Myrrhi replied wearing her best Aes Sedai smile. She complimented the food and the bedroom, before assuring him that she would talk about the establishment to her fellow Sisters. "If our journey brings us back in Tremonsien, we'll definitely want to come back, here" she added.

 

Even if it was already close to noon, they were served warm bread. Myrrhi ate two large slices of it with cheese and a handful of fresh fruit. Taking a deep breath once she was done eating, she looked around. The common room was quite different from what it had been the day before. The patrons had all returned to their homes except for a couple of men, who had probably booked a room at the inn just like them.

 

This is going to be another interesting day, she thought wondering whether they would meet darkfriends, sisters of the black ajah, trollocs or ... just regular people.

 

 

***

 

The sky was blue and no cloud hid the sun. It could have been a very warm day except for the breeze that made their cloaks flap. Walking side by side, and chatting about their ride, they soon arrived hear a smithy. The young Green enjoyed the sound made by the hammer on the anvil. It made her think about home. Not home, Myrrhi corrected herself. Andor. There had been such a smithy not far from the place where she, her mother and her sisters used to live. She sighed thinking back about her sisters.

 

The blacksmith seemed to be a nice man. He looked heavy with his thick arms and pushy hair and beard. He gave a respectful bow to the young woman after having nodded to her Warder. Myrrhi smiled. "Happy to meet you," she said, her eyes immediately gliding towards the weapons that laid around. As if hypnotized,  Myrrhi almost missed the arrival of the blacksmith's apprentice. She quickly nodded to him, hoping he wouldn't see her blushing. Some of the daggers on display were real jewels. She had to fight not to grab them.

 

***

 

The day was interesting indeed, the young Green had to admit that her guts had been right. The blacksmith had started working in front of them, while explaining at the same time his every gesture. Myrrhi had appreciated it, she loved to learn knew things. It made her think that, even if she was a Green, she had some Brown blood deep down inside.

 

Elessar left her side for a while to a few words with the blacksmith. She was wondering what they were talking about until the man reached behind him to pick a couple of swords with blunt ends.

 

Immediately a smile split her face. 

 

***

 

"Light, I do need to train my almost non-existant skills", she said laughing. Not waiting for the Gaidin to reply, she hugged him. It must have been strange for an Aes Sedai to hug her Warder like this in the middle of a street, especially since the man in front of her was quite taller than her. But it didn't matter. She was happy and that was all that matters.

 

"Are we doing this now?" she asked her Warder. She quickly summoned in her mind the guards and the sword forms he had taught her.

[Elessar]

.. Practicing the Sword: Joy and an Audience ..

►▼◄

 

"Light, I do need to train my almost non-existent skills", Myrrhi said laughing.

 

She then surprised Elessar by giving him a spontaneous hug. It took him unawares but he hugged her back with a smile, thinking again of the Passion for Life in Green Sisters, recalling Leandreen doing similar impulsive things. Myrrhi was happy and did not care what bystanders might think of an Aes Sedai hugging her Warder openly in the street like this.

 

"Are we doing this now?" she asked her Warder, sword in hand, as she moved a few paces away from him, a grin still on her face.

 

“Of course!” Elessar replied, his grin mirroring hers. “No time better than the present!”

 

●

 

His blade was now sheathed. It had been made by the blacksmith at the Warder’s request, adding the blunt end which would make it safer for practice with Myrrhi. Her sword was similar but sligthly smaller and lighter which would make it easier for her to wield. He caught her eye and saw the thrill and excitement residing there which added to his own pleasure.

 

It was time to begin.

 

He nodded to her a final time and she assumed guard stance.

 

Elessar unsheathed his sword, Unfolding the Fan, in one smooth opening move, which flowed into Low Wind Rising, a diagonal slash which began low and rose cleanly, followed by The Boar Rushes Down the Mountain, a vertical slash starting high and which in this case altered course in midswing, paired with Tower of Morning, a verticle slash but this time beginning low and ending high.

 

Myrrhi used the countering moves he had taught her, her blade rising and falling in turn, thrusting and parrying, slashing and deflecting. He was deliberately going slower than usual so she, with her modest experience, was able to keep up, but he was pleased to see that she remembered several of the forms he had taught her in one of their earlier sessions. His blade came inside her guard several times, but she also managed to catch him unawares on one occasion using inspired moves.

 

●

 

He nodded satisfied, seeing again in her moves and motions a certain aptitude. Coupled with her eagerness and enthusiasm it made for potential, though she would need to train over time to increase her skill. They had talked about it before, but perhaps it was time to intensify her sword training. She was eager to gain skill in this area, a trait seen in many Battle Ajah Sisters. He remembered a similar ‘hunger’ for skill-advancement in Leandreen many years before. It took many years of training and experience for a Warder to reach the skill-levels they attained, and Aes Sedai would never be able to copy or equal that, but with training over time they would be able to gain some skill - a certain level of competence - with a weapon, to have besides their primary skills with the One Power.

 

Elessar knew that Myrrhi wanted to become as good as was possible with the sword, admiring her ambition, and he would help her in whatever way he could. He thought her biggest obstacle would be to know patience, to understand that learning and honing skills with a blade was something that took time, often a long time. You will get there in the end, he thought with a hidden smile, as he for a moment met her eye and easily parried another thrust by the young Green’s blunted blade.

 

She was tiring after a while, less experienced, and her movements slowed. Elessar got several ‘hits’ and instructed her to improve her foot-work and to keep her blade at the right height in anticipation of his strikes. She nodded determinedly and tried to follow his advice though the building weariness inside her made it harder. Still, she did not do badly for a beginner (though she had known some rudimentary sword work from before and had practiced some with Elessar, as well as a little with that guard down South, she was still a beginner with the blade, with much to learn, and she knew it), the Gaidin thought. Finally he stepped back and sheathed his blade, bringing the practice ‘duel’ to an end.

 

●

 

“Not bad at all”, he said with honest praise, a grin on his face. She grinned back, not displeased by his comment.

 

“Of course”, he added playfully with a lopsided grin, “it will only take us about 20 years to get your skills up to a decent level..”

 

She almost stuck her tongue out at him at that, but resisted the impulse. Her returning grin seemed instead to say I’ll show you 20 years..! He went on to explain to her how to better anticipate an opponent’s moves and how to stall an ‘attack’. Catching her breath, Myrrhi listened attentively to her Warder, the thrill of the whole session still making adrenaline flow through her entire being.

 

A few minutes later, when they were done, Elessar stepped back from her again.

 

His eyes swept the street and he saw that they had, in fact, gotten some spectators. Three such in particular caught his attention.

 

●

 

A man, woman and child were staring at them from across the street and the child, a boy of about 12 with short brown hair and a lanky build, seemed particularly interested. His eyes shone as they watched the Warder - for this was a Warder of the White Tower, in his recognizable Warder’s fan-cloak,  right out of Legend! - move elegantly in the Dance of the Blade with what had to be his Aes Sedai, an Aes Sedai also with a sword! The boy had never seen anything so exciting in his whole life - and no urging by his parents could make him move an inch.

 

His father, a stocky Cairhienin brown-haired man of middle-age with sunken eyes and a scar across his left chin, nodded as he too recognized what these practicing two persons were. His wife - a somewhat slender and younger country-woman with long hair, an oval face and sad eyes - meanwhile wondered deep inside how different her life would have been if she had been born with the spark inside her and had gone to the White Tower, instead of growing up on a farm in the country in poverty and with uncaring parents and few prospects. She had a loving husband and a son she loved more than life itself, but her life had been filled with regrets and broken dreams and that inner unhappiness and sadness was plain to see in her eyes, for those who looked carefully.

 

●

 

Seeing the family watching them from across the street, the Gaidin nodded politely in their direction, giving the eager boy a wink, before facing his Aes Sedai again.

 

“Another time?” He said with a grin, as he touched his sword again.

 

She gave him an eager grin in return, ready to have another go after the welcome break.

 

  ▀▄ 

 

Edited January 12, 2018 by Elessar

[Guest]

The blade she had received was a bit smaller that the one Elessar was now wielding. Its edges were blunt, and its weight a bit off. As Myrrhi moved it from left to right, she remembered what her first trainer had told her. The practice weapons were never balanced like the ones used for real combat. Their blade was always heavier than their handle, to help their wielder to gain more strength and control.

 

The young green smiled as she inspected her sword. Maybe this will help me to get stronger arms?  She thought. Indeed, she had stopped her usual night ritual since she had left the Tower. It had helped her to build some kind of endurance that she didn't want to lose.

 

We'll have to work on that! She told herself as her eyes met her Warder's.

 

Then came the time to begin the training.

Very well, she grinned, placing herself in a guarding position.

 

As she did so, Elessar unsheathed his sword. Myrrhi recognized the sword form he performed. Unfolding the fan, it was called. The first in a long series that she managed to counter as precisely as she could. Frowning she tried to anticipate the Gaidin's moves. She wanted to impress him, which would be quite hard. The man had years of experience in his favour. Even if she managed to catch him unaware a couple of times, she also found herself completely lost once or twice. It made her laugh, even if deep down she found herself very frustrated.

 

To be able to fight with a sword was important for her. She had now seen many times how  important it was to  master both the one power and more conventional means of defense. She needed to be able to keep on fighting even if shielded. It was important for a Sister of the Battle Ajah to do whatever was necessary to win the war against the Shadows.

 

 

***

Soon they were joined by a small audience. Even if Myrrhi appreciated to see people interested in what she was doing it also made her feel a bit uncomfortable. Aes Sedai were not supposed to lose a fight in public, even if it was only during a training. She thought about asking her Warder to put an end to their exercises but didn't manage to voice the suggestion. A part of her wanted to go forward and improve the small skills she was beginning to gather.

 

The bond betrayed her and after a while it was Elessar who proposed to make a small break and to find refreshments.

 

"Very good idea," she admitted. She smiled at the family who had been watching them before leaving for the inn.

 

●

Edited May 22, 2017 by Chaelca

[Elessar]

.. Caught in Memories of Golden Leopards ..

►▼◄

 

Some way into their second sword practice session, Elessar noticed that Myrrhi’s focus seemed to be a little off. Her instincts, forms and decisions were poorer and the Warder sensed she was distracted. As he smoothly went through the forms, putting his Aes Sedai on the defensive time and again, he deduced that it was the spectators that made her slightly uncomfortable. Those feelings wrestled with her desire to improve her swordskill and he felt her ambivalent emotions through the Bond.

 

Elessar gave it a little time, to see if she would reassume her concentration, but after a while decided it was best to take a break. He stepped back a few paces and sheathed his blade in one fluid motion.

 

“Shall we take a break?” He proposed with a knowing smile. “We can get some refreshments.”

 

She nodded, replying that that was a very good idea.

 

He felt approval through the Bond and her face showed that she was grateful. As he took her sword and placed both blades on the ground beside the wall of the building, he saw her turn toward the watching family on the other side of the road. The Warder imagined the boy’s eyes must be the size of plates by now, in wonder and fascination, and then soon after the man, woman and child headed slowly toward the inn further down the village.

 

The Gaidin fetched some refreshments from a nearby vendor and they sat down with their backs against the side-wall of the smithy, drinking in silence.

 

Elessar wondered why Myrrhi had become uncomfortable with the audience, but he guessed she might have found it a bit awkward to duel against a much better swordsman in front of strangers. Not that she was making a fool of herself, she did have some elementary sword skills after all, but Aes Sedai were depicted as almost invincible in most literature and would possibly be a bit touchy about being seen as the ‘clearly weaker part’ in a confrontation in public. He did not articulate his thoughts to his Bondholder, however. It was probably a touchy subject best left alone.

 

●

 

They sat in silence for a while, sipping from their flasks, each in their own thoughts.

 

Elessar’s mind wandered.. and went back to that time in Ebou Dar when he had fought the dangerous Darkfriend in the Tarasin Palace.

 

It had been one of the most challenging - and dangerous - sword duels in his life..

 

In his head he was back on that fateful day.. once again, for the hundreth time or so.. replaying in his mind the events of that gruelling sword fight against the minion of the Shadow..

 

.. Dancing Among Golden Leopards ...

 

●

 

..There was a Clash of Swords, the sound of steel meeting steel, and sparks flew in the east wing room at the back of the Tarasin Palace, as the Warder’s blade met that of his Shadow opponent. From each corner of the partially lit square room, a ferocious looking Altaran golden leopard statue stared intently at the two combatants, as if judging who was the most deserving. Elessar’s dark cloak flowed around him as he moved, as if touched by powerful ripples of wind. His sword was an extension of his arm and he almost floated from one step to the next, eyes intent on the Shadow figure before him, in a deadly Dance of the Blades.

 

Striking out in mid-stride, sword falling in an arc on his Darkfriend-opponent’s neck, the other man somehow deflected the blow and moved out of reach for a moment. Elessar found his balance, the move having carried him forwards at a slight angle, and stopped a few feet off to the side, his blade pointing downwards.

 

His hard focused eyes mirrored those of his opponent - and both men knew, without a word being said, that this was a fight to the death.

 

Elessar was one with his blade as he moved back and forth with elegance, striking and parrying, feinting and thrusting. He moved with agility and purpose and so did his opponent who Elessar found surprisingly accomplished. It was almost as if there was a driving force behind the Lugarder. Sweat beaded on the Warder’s brow as he went on the attack once more. His opponent countered well but seemed also to be tiring, his strokes becoming ever slower. As they duelled Elessar felt the calm of the Flame and the Void filling him and it gave him inner strength. In Warder-training his teacher had always said:

 

Flow through the motions, be one with the sword. And when you see signs of weakness in your opponent or find an opening, seize the moment! Precision is everything..

 

●

 

And seeing weakness in his enemy now he struck out with his blade, moving inside the other man’s guard and slamming the hilt of his sword into the man’s shoulder. The Darkfriend was too slow to defend himself, his sword coming up too late, and screamed out in pain as he fell to the floor in agony. Elessar combined swordforms and smashed his blade toward the man’s body to finish him off, but somehow the other man managed to twist to the side and the Warder’s strike missed. The momentum brought the Gaidin slightly off balance and he corrected by moving away from the man who was trying to gain his feet.

 

Elessar panted slightly, feeling weariness rushing over him. He knew that he would have been even more tired had he not gained the added strength through the Bond from his Sedai. Perhaps the Bond would save his life today, even if his Bondholder - Carys Aes Sedai - was some way away in the city. She would know something was up with him. She would feel it. Now all he had to do was to stay alive. After their shared experiences in the relatively short time they had been acquainted and their rewarding Warder-Sedai companionship on the road and in the face of grave danger, it would somehow be.. a touch irritating.. if he were to go ahead and die right now. These thoughts went through his mind in the few seconds before he faced his adversary again. 

 

The man had by now regained his feet, and came toward the Warder with his sword half raised. He seemed surprisingly unaffected by the heavy sword-blow to his shoulder. Throwing the Gaidin a scornful look he said in a spiteful voice: “The Great Lord will enjoy your blood, Gaidin!” One moment he was several feet away, the next he was right in front of Elessar! The Warder did not have time to consider how the man had caught him off guard. He tried to deflect the blow but the Darkfriend moved with quick feet inside the Warder’s guard and struck out hard, his blade slicing into Elessar’s shoulder, drawing blood.

 

Elessar cried out in pain, taking a step back, and brought his sword up to deflect a second blow. The man stepped aside, obviously less weary than he had let on. He turned almost nonchalantly toward the Warder and waited for him to rejoin the duel. Moving out of sword’s reach the Gaidin felt at his injury with his left arm. It was not a deep wound though it would need tending to. He tried to ignore the pain. I underestimated him, he thought darkly. I will not do that again! He met the other man’s ugly grin with a cold stare. Then he raised his sword again and they resumed their deadly Dance..

 

●

 

Myrrhi saw Elessar’s far-away look and nudged him in the side with a playful smile, bringing him out of his reverie. He blinked to get the memories, almost visions in his mind, out of his eyes and smiled crookedly back at his Aes Sedai.

 

“Was far away there for a moment”, he said with a grin, “but I am back now.. to teach you some more sword work. Are you ready?”

 

She grinned back, pleased also that there were no more spectators so she could focus totally on the lesson.

 

As Elessar picked up their blades and handed his Bondholder the smaller one, and they started a new practice session, he refrained from telling her that he could almost have finished her off in moments had he come at her at full speed and at his full skill-level. He did not, after all, wish to destroy all her hopes.

 

They kept at it for quite a long time, blades rising and falling in duet, swords clashing almost in symmetry with the constant pounding sound of hammer on anvil.

 

●

 

That evening, as darkness slowly blanketed the hill-town of Tremonsien, the Warder sat in his room at the ‘Eastern Shield’ inn reading some poetry. He struggled to focus on the ancient rhyme, however, his thoughts returning time and again to that fateful sword duel that he could never forget in the Tarasin Palace in Ebou Dar..

 

  ▀▄ 

 

Edited January 12, 2018 by Elessar

[Guest]

The young Green's tiredness disappeared as she sipped from the cup of water that Elessar had brought her. She hadn't channeled to feel better, she had only convinced herself that she was ready to fight some more. The trick had been pretty similar to what she had learned to do with the warmth and the cold. One's mind had a power of its own, different from the One Power and sometimes as effective.

 

The family that had watched them had left, and Myrrhi found herself feeling suddenly more comfortable. She jumped on her feet as soon as her cup was empty, before doing some discreet stretching exercises for her arms and her legs muscles. She had noticed they often helped her before or after intense physical activity, preventing her to feel sore ... or too sore... on the next day.

 

The last part of the training was as exciting as the first part had been. Myrrhi managed to go faster, and to anticipate some of her Warder's moves better. I can't feel too confident, she thought. Or, I'll start making big mistakes ag...

 

Before she had the time to finish her sentence, she tripped. Pushing her hands in front of her to avoid hitting the ground face first, she felt pain flashing through her wrists and forearms.

 

"I guess we should have a small break," she said as she pushed herself on her feet.

 

***

 

As much as Myrrhi wanted to enjoy the evening in the common room that day, she longed for a bath. The innkeeper did his best to have one ready for her in her room. The warm water and the soft candle lights made her dose off. PIctures of Tar Valon, the White Tower and the Greens common room came to her mind. She wanted to go forward in her journey but she enjoyed the freedom she had at the moment. Who knows what would happen when she'd reach the Tower? Would she still be free?

 

She would love to be sent on another mission, but only if she'd be allowed to go alone. She remember how some of the older sisters had treated her. As if she was a child... which she wasn't. At least, she thought she wasn't.

 

[Elessar]

.. A Change of Plan is in the Making ..

►▼◄

 

Elessar awoke before dawn the next morning.

 

He yawned and stretched his arms and then stepped out of his bed. He splashed some water on his face from a wash basin in the corner, then used a towel to dry himself off. Myrrhi still seemed to be asleep in the next room, at least that was what he felt through the Bond, and he let her sleep. He smiled when he thought of her and of their sword practice sessions.

 

She is a Rashima Kerenmosa in the making, he thought fondly and with a grin. She just needs to work on her patience. But that will come in time.. she is young.

 

Flashes of similar sword sessions with a young and fiery, flame-haired, Emerald-eyed Leandreen appeared in his mind and they were, as always with her, bittersweet memories.

 

●

 

Putting on a shirt and a pair of pants, he walked across to the small window on the far wall and stared outside. Daylight was beginning to appear now and he could see the nearby buildings in the hill-town. As he gazed at a neighbour opening a window in a house not far away, his mind was in faraway Tar Valon and the White Tower where they would now be returning.

 

In truth he had ambivalent feelings about that return. He did look forward to getting back, knowing they had been gone a long time from the city, but at the same time he had enjoyed their mission on the road together a lot, despite the danger and all that had happened, their journey as a Warder and Aes Sedai, and the freedom that travelling together just the two of them gave, and was not that keen for it to end.

 

Duty is what matters, he thought with a shrug, putting his doubts to rest, as he turned from the window and sat down on the bed again. Picking up the book of poetry from the small bedside table, he leafed through several chapters before finding the story he wanted. It was an ancient piece from the Trolloc Wars, a dramatic ballad of heroism, sacrifice and death.

 

He sat reading for a good while before he felt Myrrhi beginning to stir in the next room.

 

●

 

It was mid-morning when a courier entered the ‘Eastern Shield’ inn and promptly asked for Myrrhi Aes Sedai. The innkeeper hurried ahead of him up the stairs to the Aes Sedai’s room and knocked on her door. After a few seconds Myrrhi opened and the innkeeper hurried to say that there was a courier with a message for her. Stepping out of the way, he let the young courier approach. The young man, a stocky brown-haired Cairhienin in his early twenties, handed her the letter with a quick bow, then turned and left without a word. Myrrhi nodded her thanks to the innkeeper who also left for his duties below, and stared speculatively at the letter. Finally she broke the White Tower-seal and opened the parchment. Reading quickly her eyes widened slightly.

 

She then walked up to Elessar’s room and knocked on his door. He opened immediately, having heard the voices outside and felt Myrrhi through the Bond, and shared a long look with his Bondholder. He saw that she held a parchment in her hand and wondered what it read.

 

“There is a change of plan”, Myrrhi said as she met his eyes squarely. “We have been ordered to Amadicia.”

 

●

 

There was a strange look in her eyes, as if she had not yet decided whether this was for the good or the bad.

 

Elessar knew from their talks that she wanted to go forward in her journey, return to Tar Valon as they had planned, but that she also enjoyed this ‘mission’ and journey that they were on together. He remembered also a young Leandreen saying she enjoyed the freedom on the road with her Warder, free of ‘Sisters looking over my shoulder all the time’ as she had put it. Perhaps Myrrhi felt the same.

 

Amadicia. Elessar thought to himself, as he nodded in reply. Never the best place for Aes Sedai..

 

He had visited the land of the - in his eyes - fanatic and often downright nasty Whitecloaks a couple of times through the years and each visit had been.. difficult. With broad anti-White Tower sentiment in those parts Aes Sedai and Warders had to take special care with people and places and tasks.

 

“Allright.” Elessar said at last, nodding again. “Amadicia it is.”

 

●

 

Part of White Tower duty and training, for Warder and Aes Sedai both, was to adapt to circumstances.

 

They would now have another long - and probably tiring - journey ahead of them into the South-west, but they would manage. They had become a well-functioning Warder-Aes Sedai team and partnership, the Gaidin thought. And this new journey would give them the opportunity to build on that strong foundation. Also it would mean they would get to travel together some more, on the road, in this new or extended mission. Elessar had always been happiest as a Warder on the road, with the freedom it entailed, rather than being ‘closed in’ in Tar Valon. So all in all, he could not say he was unhappy with this change of plan.

 

Myrrhi did not share any details from her letter, but that did not concern her Warder. She would explain later, if needed, and would let him know what was necessary for him to be aware of, so they could succeed in this ‘new’ mission for the White Tower.

 

They agreed to get provisions and to leave for the South-west as soon as was possible, and the Gaidin immediately left for the nearby shops to get the things they needed for the long journey ahead. He asked the shopkeeper if he knew where the nearest village on the River Erinin was and was given directions. The village was some leagues to the west but the Cairhienin had a cousin who in his business travelled between the two places a couple of times every day and if the Warder wanted he could ask his cousin to take a message on his journey this afternoon. Elessar thanked the man and gave him the necessary instructions. He then headed for the stable and talked to the young stableboy to have him ready their horses the next morning, and returned inside the inn.

 

That early evening he received a message at the inn, a piece of paper brought by the eager innkeeper, where the cousin in question confirmed that berths had been booked for the Warder and his Aes Sedai and space for two horses on the next riverboat, ‘the River Princess’ captained by a Southerner called Gueyam Ennariz, going southwards in the afternoon the following day. They would go by boat all the way to northern Tear and would then cut across country westwards toward Amadicia. Elessar nodded satisfied, then informed Myrrhi that everything was arranged.

 

That night he slept soundly and dreamt of a South-going riverboat bearing passengers, horses and cargo. Watching the water flow by, standing by the rails, stood a young woman with a pair of very familiar sparkling blue eyes.

 

  ▀▄ 

Edited January 12, 2018 by Elessar

[Guest]

Myrrhi eyes the courier. The last time one had come to her, it was to give her an invitation to a ball... It had been interesting, there could be no doubt about that. Not only it had given her the chance to dance with Elessar it had also led them to discover a plot about a mysterious kill list.

 

"Thank you," she told the young man. His height and face clearly showed he was Cairhienin. Was he connected to those Darkfriends they had met before? Or was he only a messenger doing his job.

 

"You're welcome, Lady, Aes Sedai!" The innkeeper said, as the courier made a quick bow. The young man hurried downstairs without a word.

 

"These young man..."

 

"It is fine." Myrrhi smiled and nodded to thank the man still standing in front of her.

 

"My Lady, you know where to find me," he said, before returning to his duties.

 

The young Green stepped back into her bedroom and closed the door. What is this now, she wondered. Her eyes opened like saucers as soon as she recognized the seal of the White Tower. They widened even more as she read the content of the parchment left by the courier.

 

***

 

Myrrhi didn't have to wait for Elessar to open the door. Feeling her through the bond, he had probably felt that something was up.

 

"There is a change of plan. We have been ordered to Amadicia," she said meeting the eyes of her Warder.

 

It was hard for her to know what the Gaidin was thinking. They were supposed to return to Tar Valon. They both needed to report, there were things they needed to do there, or so Myrrhi guessed. She had left the Tower unbonded to accompany a Sister of the Brown Ajah. What would the Captain General of the Green think of what she had done so far? She was a young Aes Sedai. There were people she was supposed to answer to. The Head of the Green was one of them, but there were others. Others that wouldn't agree on having her freely roaming the country.

 

It made her think that Amadicia could be a punishment or a test of some kind.

 

Should I tell Elessar what I think about this? That this may be a way for me to do some kind of penance? Or perhaps... I should wait . ..

 

Before she had the time to talk further, the Gaidin replied.

 

"Alright, Amadicia it is."

 

"Alright," Myrrhi repeated.

 

They would need to get provision, food and a fresh set of clothes. Nothing fancy. Myrrhi knew that in Amadicia richly dressed woman attracted attention, especially if they were traveling with a man who looked as dangerous as her Warder. They would also need a story. They needed to introduce themselves as merchants or farmers, preferably relatives or business partners. Then, they would need directions to find the nearest villages...

 

***

 

Elessar had worked faster than Myrrhi had expected. In the time she had renewed her wardrobe and sent her most expensive possessions back to the Tower he had managed to find most of the necessary provisions and booked room for them and their horses on the next riverboat.

 

"What you did is amazing, " the young woman said before taking a bite in the piece of bread she had been playing with. " I don't think I would have done as well as you."

 

She made a small break and a grin appeared on her face. "I guess that is why I am not the Warder."

 

Her jest helped her relax enough to take a deep breath. She still didn't know what she could take at face value in the message she had received. She only hoped that Elessar was not in trouble. If she was, well... she'd go though whatever it would take to make the Greens happy again. But she didn't want her Warder to pay for what she had done.

 

The common room slowly emptied and by the time they were done with their meals, there were no more patrons to be seen. Myrrhi jumped on the occasion to explain to her Warder what the mission was about. A Sister of the Green who had been sent to Amadicia had been reported missing. They would need to find what had happened to her then report to the Tower as soon as possible. 

 

"Anything else?" Elessar asked once the young Green was done listing all the possible places where she could have been.

 

"No, there's nothing else in the message about that Sister," Myrrhi replied smiling.

 

***

 

Myrrhi didn't fall asleep straight away that night. She was feeling guilty for having enjoyed herself so much since leaving the Tower. She had always imagined her life as an Aes Sedai to be a soldier life. Everything was supposed to be about duty, honor, ... could she just allow herself to have fun?

 

I am not only having fun! The thought slowly formed itself in her head. I have worked to find Darkfriends, I did my duty for Deana Sedai. And I am trying, every day, to stay efficient in battle. I am still ready to fight the Last Battle or at least ready to do what ever it takes for us to win!

 

As if to prove it, she pushed her cover and sat on her bed. Opening herself to Saidar, she wove tiny threads of Air, Water, Fire, Earth and Spirit to practice some of the most efficient combat weaves on a very small scale. The trick had helped a thousand times as a Novice then as an Accepted to work undetected.

 

 

 

 

[Elessar]

.. Arrival in the river village of Ceremont ..

►▼◄

 

Around mid-morning the following day, Elessar and Myrrhi met up at the stable and watched the young Cairhienin stableboy saddle their horses.

 

Stormbreaker was a little frisky, very eager to stretch his legs, while the more demure Tempest seemed calmer but still looking forward to being on the road again. Elessar gave his stallion an apple and an affectionate pat on the back, while Myrrhi did the same with her mare. Soon they were ready to mount up and said farewell to the young stableboy - and to the Cairhienin hill-town of Tremonsien.

 

●

 

Elessar had awakened early that morning, as most often was the case with him, and had done a few physical exercises before washing and getting dressed and ready for breakfast. He had met Myrrhi downstairs in the Common Room and while they had enjoyed a nice morning meal they had talked some more about the journey ahead. Myrrhi had then spoken a little with the innkeeper, leaving some messages for the White Tower the Warder had presumed, before they had packed their things and headed for the stable.

 

●

 

The village of Ceremont lay by the River Erinin, some ten leagues or so west or slightly south-west of Tremonsien. A dusty road, scarcely frequented, connected the two Cairhienin sites, gradually snaking its way down the hill-country and into flatter lowlands, and Myrrhi and Elessar only met a dozen or so people, some walking and some riding horseback, along the way. The sun was high in the sky by the time they arrived in the river village. It was in many ways quite similar to Jurene which they had visited earlier on their journey, with mostly one-story thatched houses standing along the River Erinin with a couple of main streets with some shops, vendors, and the like.

 

They passed a local smithy and heard the familiar sound of hammer on anvil, which made the Warder think of the accomplished blacksmith back in Tremonsien, and an inn called the ‘Silver Swan’. Ahead they could see the quay and a riverboat tied to the small dock. As they came closer Elessar saw several men working to bring cargo onto the boat, under the watchful eye of a man that the Gaidin presumed was the captain. He was sure it was their boat, the ‘River Princess’, and this was confirmed when he stopped by the gangway and saw the name painted on the side of the vessel.

 

●

 

Elessar and Myrrhi dismounted smoothly and walked over to the captain. He was shouting to one of the shipmates, a younger man with a ponytail, giving orders, but then recognized the two strangers, by their bearing and clothing, coming toward him and understood that these were his passengers.

 

Captain Gueyam Ennariz was a bearded, grim-faced, dark-haired Southerner of middling years with a slight limp. He greeted them gruffly but not impolitely, with a slight bow to the Aes Sedai and a nod to the Warder, and Elessar immediately sensed that it was just the way he was, this captain, his gruff nature, and nothing to do with his passengers being from the White Tower. They reaffirmed the details of this boattrip, confirming their stop in northern Tear, and Elessar paid the captain the fee, adding a small amount on the assurance that their horses would be well taken care of during the voyage, and that the two of them would be left in peace. They were on White Tower business and it was no concern of anyone. The captain nodded, mumbling something unintelligible under his breath, as he waved them aboard and shouted to one of the young shipmates to take care of their mounts. Elessar nodded, exchanged a quick glance with Myrrhi, and then the two of them walked across the gangway onto the boat, the Gaidin carrying their belongings.

 

●

 

A little later that afternoon, under a beautiful ocean-blue sky and a shining golden sun, the ‘River Princess’ glided slowly away from the dock and left the Cairhienin village of Ceremont behind. On deck, standing by the rails, Elessar Gaidin and Myrrhi Aes Sedai watched the water flow by, as a soft southerly breeze touched their faces and made them smile.

 

A new journey lay ahead of them, days and days aboard this river-vessel before a long ride across country toward the south-west and Amadicia. In a way though, Elessar thought, it was just another part of the journey begun a long time ago when he first had met the Accepted Myrrhi Morrigen.

 

Though he was expected back in the White Tower, and his superiors were probably not overjoyed by his long absence, he felt he was only carrying out his duty at his Aes Sedai’s side and so he felt little guilt about this new journey and mission southwards. Perhaps it was different for Myrrhi, though she had said nothing, but for him life on the road, on missions for the White Tower and the Light, loyally and proudly at his Bondholder’s side, was what he had signed up for in the first place.

 

This was where he belonged.

 

  ▀▄ 

 

 

Edited January 12, 2018 by Elessar

[Guest]

To say farewell to Tremonsien had not been easy for Myrrhi. She had enjoyed her stay in the little town, and hoped she'd be able to come back... one day. She patted Tempest on the side before mounting on her back.

 

Elessar turned towards her. "Let's go!" he said, a smile on his face. The Bond had let him know how she felt about their departure.

 

They rode silently for a while. It allowed the young Green to focus on the scenery. She wanted to remember every little detail about the place, its houses, its shops, its people. Since she had grown up in Andor, then the White Tower, she had always felt more at least in big cities. However, Tremonsien had become a place where she could feel perfectly comfortable.

 

It is only when the town was completely out of sight that she allowed herself to talk. Remembering her travels with Deana, she told her Warder about the few times she had been on boats.

 

"I hope we'll be allowed to cross seas and oceans," she said just like the heroes in our books. "There are so many places to discover..."

 

***

 

They reached Ceremont faster than they had expected. The village strangely looked like Jurene with its one-story houses with thatched roofs. Its streets were busy. People seemed to have wanted to take advantage of their lunch break to wander from one of the few shops to the other. 

 

Riding straight ahead, they reached the quay. As promised, the River Princess was waiting for them. As usual, Myrrhi let Elessar take the lead. He advanced towards the man who looked to be the captain. Even if he didn't have badges or stripes on his jacket, the fact that he was the one shouting orders was enough to make of him a man of importance.

 

Once he was done giving his "instructions," he turned. Eyes as quick as the eagle's he recognized that the woman and the man in front of him were his passengers and that they weren't just regular travelers.

 

"Welcome!" he said with a raised eyebrow. "I am Captain Gueyam Ennariz."  He offered a bow to Myrrhi and a quick not to the Gaidin. "At you service..." he added as if reluctantly.

 

***

 

Standing on the deck, Myrrhi was enjoying the sun light as well as the soft breeze that touched her face. As much as she had feared horses, she had always been curious about sailing.

 

She wondered whether - would the need arise - she would be allowed to meet some of the Sea Folk. Closing her eyes, she imagined herself wearing one of their bright outfits and many rings. It made her chuckle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Elessar]

.. A First Day aboard the ‘River Princess’ ..

►▼◄

 

"I hope we'll be allowed to cross seas and oceans.. there are so many places to discover..."

 

Myrrhi’s words, spoken almost in a dream-like manner, as they had left the hill-town of Tremonsien behind, echoed in Elessar’s mind as the ‘River Princess’ travelled downriver southwards from Ceremont.

 

She is as adventure-seeking as any Sedai I have known, he thought grinning inside.

 

Greens especially were known for craving adventure, enjoying missions far and wide. Leandreen had not been that different. Particularly when she was a young Sedai.

 

There was a child-like innocence about his Bondholder that appealed to him. She was still young and inexperienced, as Sisters of the White Tower went, and had not been hardened yet as most Sedai became in time. Not that she was weak in any way - the past weeks in the presence of Darkfriends and dangerous intrigue had shown her steel and backbone - but she seemed to have that wonder in her at experiencing new things that often was best seen in the young or young at heart. It was a valuable quality that was also part of her personality, the Warder thought with a warm smile, as he gazed at her from time to time from a few paces away there on deck, as the boat slowly floated down the river.

 

When she had spoken, blue eyes sparkling, of the few times she had been on boats, it had made the Gaidin think of his own boat-experiences through the years. He had been on boats and ships of all sizes and though he enjoyed most boattrips in a way he felt most comfortable with his feet on solid land. He had to admit, though, that visiting the Sea Folk on his mission to Falme with his previous Aes Sedai, Carys of the Yellow Ajah, years back had been quite an experience, in many ways. He would never forget the majestic Atha’an Miere ship or the exotic, outlandish but also sometimes very infuriating, Sea Folk themselves.

 

That would be something for Myrrhi to experience one day, Elessar thought to himself, as he watched her enjoy the beginning of this trip down the River Erinin.

 

●

 

A few hours later they were served a fairly simple but functional meal in what served as the boat’s canteen. In truth it was little more than a large below-deck closet with cooking utsensils in one corner and a table with some seats in the other, but it served its function. The crew - Elessar was not sure how many they were in all, though he had seen half a dozen young shipmates at least - ate in turns so there was ample space for the Warder and Aes Sedai, the only passengers, it turned out, on the boat. The gruff Captain Ennariz also stopped by to see how they were doing, but after a moment’s inconsequential chit-chat he mumbled something under his breath and left to head up on deck again. His first mate, an older Illianer sailor with much experience from all kinds of sea travel, was now at the boat’s helm steering the vessel and though Ennariz in no way doubted that the boat was safe in his first mate’s hands, the captain always preferred steering his beloved ‘River Princess’ himself whenever possible. Back on deck he watched everything to ensure all was as it should be, shouted a few gruff commands to some of the shipmates, and then relieved the Illianer at the helm.

 

In the canteen below Elessar and Myrrhi chit-chatted a little while the boat’s cook, a smiling and enthusiastic Altaran with black eyes and long black hair by name of  Reslan Berengari, dished out some spiced vegetables for them to enjoy. He was a better than fair cook, in fact, and they complimented his food which though simple was quite decent, especially with those flavoury spices. He smiled proudly when they added some compliments about his homeland and especially the city of Ebu Dar. After the meal, they retired to their cabins at the back of the boat. The cabins were small and tight, just large enough for a bunk, a small chair and a small wash-basin, but they would do. The crew had cabins the same size down a corridor while the captain’s cabin, at the end, was somewhat larger for his personal use. The Warder nodded to Myrrhi and received a smile back as she entered her ‘home’ on this river voyage and closed the door behind her. He entered his own ‘abode’ next door and sat down on the bunk to rest. His mind travelled far and wide in the next few hours as the ‘River Princess’ carried them southwards in Cairhien.

 

●

 

That evening, as day was slowly turning into night, they met up on deck and went to see to their horses. The wind had picked up and caught them head on, the boat rocking somewhat in the water, as they headed across deck to the cargo-section up front. Stormbreaker and Tempest whinnied happily when they saw Elessar and Myrrhi and the loyal mounts received an affectionate pat on the back and an apple to enjoy. Myrrhi then hugged her mare impulsively, bringing a smile to Elessar’s face. He was glad to see that the horses had been brushed down, had hay and water and that the makeshift ‘stall’, if it could be called that, was fairly clean. It meant that their mounts were well taken care of under the circumstances. The horses were a little restless, not overly happy with being on a moving vessel, but they seemed to cope fairly well so things were, the Warder thought, as good as they could be.

 

“So”, Elessar said after a while, looking at Myrrhi, with a lopsided grin and a glint in his eye, “do you look forward to jump from deck into the river atop your Tempest, a giant leap, when we reach our point of departure in northern Tear?”

 

Her eyes widened and she looked at him with an open mouth.

 

“I did explain,”, he added with feigned seriousness, “that the captain will be unable to dock anywhere since we are leaving in the middle of nowhere, by some deserted riverbank at night, right?”

 

●

 

Open-mouthed, she was struggling to find the words.. but then she looked at his face more closely and recognized the signs that told her he was jesting. Closing her mouth with a dark, devious grin she nudged him playfully in the side, a little harder than was necessary, as his chuckles infected her as well and soon they were almost rolling with laughter.

 

Meanwhile, the two horses exchanged knowing glances, wondering not for the first time, what strange creatures these humans were.

 

  ▀▄ 

 

Edited January 12, 2018 by Elessar

[Guest]

Myrrhi didn't stay long in her cabin. As much as she enjoyed the small room that was supposed to be her home for the remaining part of the journey, she wanted fresh air ... and to find answers to the thousand questions that were filling her head. She waited for a couple of minutes, the right amount of time to make a thorough inspection of her quarters because less would have been impolite, before climbing on the deck.

 

The breeze was a bit stronger she noticed, as she felt it making a mess of her hair, but she didn't care. As long as she would walk with her back straight and a face devoid of any trace of sea sickness, she'd have the respect of the crew.

 

Going from one sailor to the other, she focused on every single gestures they made. When they did something she didn't understand, she didn't hesitate to ask detailed information. To know everything about sailing in such a short trip was impossible, but she wanted to know what was happening on the River Princess. Maybe it would come in handy sometimes, like all the knowledge she had collected in her books.

 

The sun went down in the sky, and Elessar joined her as she was chatting with the first mate about how to make good knots.

 

The grin on her Warder's face hinted that he knew what she had been up to.

 

"Warder," she greeted him with a smile on her face.

 

They exchanged a couple of words before the first made asked to be excused. "Duty calls me, I am afraid," he said happy to have been of help.

 

"I hope we will have the time to talk on the morrow," Myrrhi made a small bow and turned all her attention on the Gaidin.

 

***

 

"Well, now, I wonder whether we should try it," the young Green replied to Elessar's jest as soon as she managed to breath again. "With the right amount of Air.... I think I can handle it."

 

Chewing on her lower lip and the eyes looking up, she tried to form the Weaving she would need in her mind. Her hands slowly moved as she pictured the weaves of Air that she would need to direct that the object or the person she'd want to make hover in the Air.

 

"No," Elessar said before she had the time to open herself to Saidar. "You are definitely not trying to Weave anything here!"

 

"But?" she protested laughing. " Wouldn't it be interesting to test my skills?"

Edited May 30, 2017 by Chaelca

[Elessar]

.. Not the best of Days.. but a better Day Beckons ..

►▼◄

 

"Well, now,” the young Green had replied to Elessar's jest as soon as she had managed to breathe again after their gales of laughter, “I wonder whether we should try it.”

 

She had added that with the right amount of Air she thought she might be able to handle it.  

 

Elessar had seen her begin to focus on her Weave, her hands slowly moving in a motion that indicated she was opening herself to the One Power - Elessar had seen similar from Leandreen - and had stopped her. With a dark grin he had told her that she was definitely not to Weave anything there!

 

"But?" she had protested laughing. "Wouldn't it be interesting to test my skills?"

 

He had given her another løpsided grin, as he had told her that she should save her.. strength for more worthwhile ventures. The time to.. test her skills would come, he was sure.

 

She had raised an eyebrow at him and had sniffed in a very Aes Sedai-like fashion, but her feigned disapproval had quickly left her facial features and she had then laughed with him some more as they had left their horses in the makeshift ‘stall’ and had returned to their cabins for the night.

 

●

 

The next morning Elessar woke later than usual. He did not know what had made him oversleep but his head felt heavy as he climbed out of his sleeping bunk and splashed some water on his face. Echoes of a dream swirled in his mind as he tried to get properly awake. He could not remember any details, but he had been in the middle of a battle somewhere.. for some reason.. and he had been injured.. Shaking his head, he pulled on a shirt and his pants and when he was done he opened the small cabin door and peered outside. Myrrhi must be up and about already, he thought, because he could not feel her in her cabin. Nodding softly to himself he walked up on deck to get some fresh air before breakfast in the canteen.

 

On deck he saw the captain at the helm and sailors who were busy with their duties, milling about. It was a cloudy day where very few patches of blue could be glimpsed among the canopy of grey above and there was the hint of rain in the air. The wind had lessened, however, so it was quite pleasant outside, the Gaidin found. Looking more closely, he now saw Myrrhi further down the deck talking to one of the sailors who seemed to be showing her something. As he came closer, Elessar saw that she was attempting to tie a sailor’s knot. Her face seemed excited, as if she were enjoying this new experience and challenge.

 

She sure enjoys new things, the Warder thought with an inward smile. New wonders.

 

It reinforced the impression he had had of her from before.

 

Finally, after a few tries, the Aes Sedai succeeded and she almost whooped with contentment. Remembering her station, she tempered her joyful glee but her face glowed when she turned to face her Bondmate. He smiled back at her, glad to see her blue eyes sparkle and her face happy.

 

●

 

“How are you, sleepy head?” Myrrhi asked brightly and very informally, which brought a grin to his lips.

 

“Tough night’s sleep?” She added, as she saw the lines under his eyes and his somewhat worn features.

 

“Aye”, Elessar replied, his hands brushing the final vestiges of sleep out of his eyes. “My head feels as if I have spent three nights on the trot crawling through the muck and refuse of the Rahad”.

 

She chuckled with him, as they mentally pictured such a rather unpleasant experience.

 

“Perhaps I will feel better when I get some food in me.” He looked at her. “You have eaten?”

 

She nodded affirmatively, then added that he go down below deck and eat a breakfast and she would go and visit their two loyal beasts.

 

It was a good idea, his stomack had started rumbling and was in obvious agreement, and so Elessar left the smiling Myrrhi on deck and headed down to the level below. There in the canteen he found their Altaran cook Reslan, as enthusiastic as ever, who quickly dished out some bacon and eggs for him which he then enjoyed in contemplative solitude.

 

●

 

Later on he met up with Myrrhi on deck again. She was standing by the rails staring out at the water and the fields on the other side of the river. He was feeling a little better, for which he was thankful, and came to stand beside her and joined her in gazing out at the landcape they were passing. She was glad that he was feeling better and felt also through the Bond that he seemed to be more himself again. He smiled when she told him that their horses were well and that they had enjoyed the carrots she had brought them. Stormbreaker and Tempest were loyal companions indeed and it was important to Elessar and Myrrhi both, that they were well taken care of.

 

After a while Elessar left his Bondholder by the rails and went to speak a little with the captain. He found him, as expected, at the helm and exchanged a few words with him. Captain Ennariz was as gruff as ever but answered the Warder’s questions. He said their progress down the River Erinin was as expected and they would reach their first river village, a place called Tarnsville, in a couple of days. The captain had some cargo to unload there but, he assured the Gaidin, it would only be a short stop. Still, they would have time, he said, to take a stroll on land if they so wished. Elessar thanked him for the update and thought to himself that though the river voyage had gone well so far, he would not mind placing his feet on solid ground even if for a short while.

 

●

 

As the captain had predicted, on a sunny, blue-skied morning a few days later, they reached the Cairhienin river village of Tarnsville and the boat was soon tied well to the quay, the tireless sailors unloading the cargo.

 

Meanwhile, Elessar and Myrrhi walked across the gangway and headed into the center of the small village. They had a couple of hours, the captain had said, before they needed to be back, and the Warder and Aes Sedai were happy to spend a little time on land.

 

●

 

High above in the ocean-blue Cairhienin sky, floating on mild southern breezes, a large dark bird of prey circled the lands adjacent to the River Erinin.

 

  ▀▄ 

 

 

 

Edited January 12, 2018 by Elessar

[Guest]

Myrrhi slept soundly. The rocking of the boat had somehow helped her drift in a very deep sleep.

 

She woke up the next morning completely rested. It didn't take her long to get ready. She put on the same dress she had worn the day before then braided her hair tightly. She could hear that the day would be windy and didn't want to have to fight to keep her hair out of her face. Feeling through the bond that Elessar was still asleep, she went up to the deck where she went on with her inquiries. It surprised her that even if some of the men sailors told her that women were bad luck on board they still answered all her questions as politely as they could.

 

The Green was busy trying to tie a sailor's knot when her Warder joined her. He had slept later than her, and it had done him some good but not enough. She could see it on his face.

 

"Good morning, Gaidin," she said smiling. She waited for him to reply before adding "Now, don't say a thing! I need to concentrate..."

 

Biting her lower lip, she focused on her task. The years she spent doing chores as a Novice and later as an Accepted had made of her a dexterous woman. Still, the knotting was not something she was used to... at least as it came to that kind of ropes.

 

"Yes!" she said at last, when her knot was done. Almost forgetting herself and her station, she let her arms rise in a victory gesture but managed to stop them right on time. "I did it!" She smiled to her Warder hoping he was impressed by her skills.

 

***

 

Myrrhi waited for her Warder on the deck again. The man had had to get some food. His stomach had been protesting after having stayed empty after such long night of sleep.

 

The Green took a deep breath. It seemed to her that the place had become her new home. She let her gaze glide from the water to the fields on the other side of the river, hoping that they would not reach their destination too soon.

 

"How are you doing? Are you feeling a little bit better?" she asked Elessar. She had felt the Gadin approaching thanks to the bond. There were less lines under his eyes.

 

They chatted for a while, then the Warder went to inquire about the journey while Myrrhi went to fetch a book downstairs. She felt a craving for reading, it had been so long - at least a full day - since she had put her hands on a book and that was way too long for the young woman.

 

***

 

"Tarnsville...;" Myrrhi said her face like stone. She wasn't sure she was happy to have to leave the River Princess even if it was only for a short stop. The sky was clear though and the sun shining, inviting her to have at least a small walk in the streets of the river village.

 

The young Green looked at her Warder. She could feel through the bond that he was more than content to have the opportunity to set his feet on solid ground. It made her smile.

 

As Myrrhi made her first steps on the quay, she started to experience some discomfort. Walking felt strange. She grabbed her Warder's arm and tried to straighten her face. "Where to ?" she asked, trying not to show how uncomfortable she was feeling.

 

It didn't take her long to get used to the good old earthen tracks, though.

 

The only inn and merchants of Tarnsville looked completely ordinary but in a good way. It made it easier for the two companion to guess where to find the smithy and some fresh meat pies. The wares sold by the blacksmith were not as interesting as the ones they had seen in other cities. They were well made but nothing really caught Myrrhi's eye. The settings made her think about her weapon training, which was impossible to pursue in the small village because of the short time the were allowed before having to return to the boat. 

 

She wondered whether she should ask Elessar for a lesson later that day on the deck. It would mean that the sailors would be watching her ... and she wasn't sure she wanted that...

Edited June 3, 2017 by Chaelca

[Elessar]

.. A few Hours spent in the village of Tarnsville ..

►▼◄

 

As they walked the few dusty streets of the village of Tarnsville, Elessar slowly realized that Myrrhi was not as glad to be on land as he had immediately thought.

 

It was not something she said, but a feeling he got through the Bond. Not that she was necessarily  unhappy with leaving the river-boat for a short while, he thought, but rather that she seemed to lack the enthusiasm he usually saw in her when she did something that pleased her. Her face was Aes Sedai-smooth, but as their walk took them past an ordinary-looking inn and familiar merchants and vendors as well as the local smithy, he concluded that her smile and seeming positivity to their spending a few hours on land probably had been to some extent for his benefit because she saw and felt his eagerness to come ashore. He had no idea why this was so; perhaps it was simply that she enjoyed the river-voyage and the time onboard. They would soon be back on the boat, however; this was just a short stop on land while the sailors unloaded the cargo from the ‘River Princess’.

 

He did not think long on it though, as her mood slowly seemed to brighten, and as his attention was soon caught by the smells and sights of this small place, basking in the sunshine of the day, by the flowing River Erinin. They enjoyed some fresh meat pies, right out of the oven, and looked at the wares sold by the blacksmith.

 

They both agreed that the weapons displayed were well made, but nothing really caugh their attention this time. The weapons made the Warder think of his weapons-training with Myrrhi, however, and that they ought to practice some more, though it was not ideal for several reasons to do so onboard the boat. He thought the training would have to wait until they finished the boat-ride, but decided to have a word about it with his Aes Sedai at a later time. By the way she eyed the weapons, he wondered if she too had similar thoughts.

 

●

 

After an hour or so, they walked back to the inn and sat down at an outdoor table to have a drink in the nice weather. The inn, which only had a few customers at that time of day, was called the ‘Slender Crane’ and was a decent but somewhat average-looking, one-story detached building. The innkeeper, an unusually slender man for his profession (which made the Warder wonder if the ‘slender crane’ also was a pun on his figure), was all smiles as he served them their drinks and a snack.

 

They chit-chatted for a while, talking about their river-journey so far and how long they thought it would take them to get to northern Tear and their point of departure. It was quite some distance south along the River Erinin, but they had made good progress so far, they thought, and both were happy - not the least the smiling Aes Sedai - that they had chosen this means of travel for part of their journey at least.

 

Some time later, as he sipped from his ale, Elessar’s gaze went haphazardly to the blue horizon and fastened on a black spot high above in the blue sky which slowly grew larger. As it came closer he saw that it was a large bird of prey that seemed to circle the area. His dark eyes narrowed slightly, as his eyes followed the large bird in its lofty flight.

 

●

 

Like all Warder-trained, he knew that the Shadow deployed black birds of varying kinds and sizes as spies, and so he was always suspicious when he saw such birds in the sky. There was nothing to indicate that this large bird was ‘after’ them - it could well be an ordinary bird intent on its own business up there in the sky - but with Darkfriends possibly hunting them now in Cairhien, he took nothing for granted.

 

‘Better safe than sorry’, was a favourite quote of Warders.

 

‘Always expect the unexpected’, was another.

 

His gaze followed the large bird as it swung westwards and soon disappeared from sight. Only then did he lower his eyes from the horizon. When Myrrhi asked him if anything was the matter - he guessed she might also have felt him tensing slightly - he replied that it was nothing, not wanting to worry her unnecessarily.

 

It probably was nothing after all.

 

●

 

The Gaidin watched the skies, discreetly, however, as they walked back to the ‘River Princess’. There at the quay they saw that the industrious sailors had unloaded most of the cargo - large crates of spices, among other things, Elessar thought - and would soon be finished. He waved to the captain who waved back from deck with a familiar gruff look on his face and then they walked across the gangway and back onto the boat, Myrrhi now a few steps in front of him.

 

He saw her smile as she stepped onto deck again and placed her hands on the rails. Coming to stand beside her, he wondered with an inward grin if she perhaps would have been a sailor in another life.

 

“You seem to be happy on boats.. on water..”, he murmured with a smile, as his gaze fastened on the last crate to be unloaded from their vessel.

 

“Perhaps you have the soul of the Atha’an Miere”, he added with a wry grin and a glint in his eye, giving her a playful nudge in the side.

 

  ▀▄ 

 

+

Edited January 12, 2018 by Elessar

[Guest]

Myrrhi turned her head towards her Warder. The man kept on looking at the sky and somehow it worried her. She didn't know what was the matter but she believed that the bird she had noticed twice already could be the culprit. In some stories, it was said that the Shadows could command animals and use them as weapons or spies. She wondered if that bird could be one of these.

 

Would this mean that we are not rid of these Darkfriends? she thought biting her lower lip. She quickly shook her head. No, not here... no one is supposed to know that we are on our way to South. Except for some Greens...

 

The young woman shivered. The Black Ajah was a reality. Could it be that some Sisters had managed to infiltrate the Greens? She had never thought of this that way. It made her feel angry. What if the women who had insisted on training her were Blacks? What if some of them - who had welcomed her with open arms - were traitors. I will kill them all, Myrrhi promised to herself. They can't be allowed to live!

 

Of course, she knew that she was still a junior Aes Sedai. She didn't have the strength to best a 100 year old Sister in a duel. But anger made her want to get rid of that cancer that plagued the Tower and especially her second home.

 

Quickly she looked around. Elessar had dropped behind her and she hoped that he had not felt how upset she was. She didn't want to worry him.

 

Before she had the time to tell him anything, she saw the Captain wave back to them from the quay. It was time to board and soon they would be on their way.

 

As she stepped on the gangway, her smile came back to her lips.

 

***

 

"You seem to be happy on boats... on water ...," her Warder said with a wry grin and a glint in his eye. "Perhaps you have the soul of the Atha'an Miere." He nudged her and she replied with a wide smile.

 

"I don't know why but I feel like I am at home on this boat. I don"t have much experience sailing, though."

 

She told her Warder about the few times she had been on a ship of some kinds. "It is nothing compared to what I have read in the books." She made a small list of her favourite stories where the heroes had the chance to travel at sea.

 

"But," she added. "'I know you wouldn't like to be on a boat for too long."

 

She giggled. "I felt how relieved you were to set your feet on the ground, earlier today."

 

 

[Elessar]

.. Travellers on the River Erinin ..

►▼◄

 

Myrrhi replied that she did not know why, but she felt at home on this boat. She added that she did not have much experience sailing though.

 

Elessar listened as she told him about the few times she had been on a boat or ship of some kind.

 

“It is nothing compared to what I have read in books”, she added at one point and the Warder could understand what she meant. She mentioned some of her favourite stories with heroes experiencing sea-travel.

 

“But”, she said with a glint in her eye, “I know you would not like to be on a boat for too long.”

 

She giggled as she mentioned that she had felt how relieved he had been to set his feet on solid ground earlier that day.

 

He gave her a lopsided grin. “It’s true that I am not overly keen on sea-travel”, Elessar said. “It’s not a big problem though, I have gotten used to it over the years and have adapted on long sea-journeys, like the one with the Sea Folk that I told you about before. But I prefer to have my feet firmly planted on solid ground, on land, yes.”

 

After a moment’s pause, he added with a wink and a playful dark grin, “It’s a good thing I have this slight weakness, you know - we can’t have me outshining all those grand heroes in your stories, now can we?”

 

He chuckled to himself and she soon joined him in a burst of laughter.

 

A short while later the sailors had finished unloading all the cargo as well as loading some new crates onto the boat and the ‘River Princess’ was ready for departure. The thick ropes that fastened the boat to the quay were loosened and thrown onto the boat by two men on land and then, slowly, the river-boat glided away from the riverbank and into the middle of the river. Soon the boat was again on a southern course, with the Warder and Aes Sedai standing on deck gazing into the horizon, leaving the village of Tarnsville behind.

 

●

 

The following days the ‘River Princess’ carried them ever southwards along the River Erinin.

 

On a cloudy and windy afternoon Elessar forewent his usual walk on deck and sat in his small cabin, reading. He was leafing through the history-book that he also kept among his posessions together with the book on poetry.

 

He found the chapter he was looking for, two-thirds or so through the book, which informed in some detail about the River Erinin upon which they were travelling. He remembered the passage in question, and read - as always - with interest.

 

 

“The River Erinin”, it said,  “is one of the major rivers of the Westlands. It rises in the Spine of the World and flows westwards to form the southern borders of both Shienar and Arafel. In Shienar the river is about four days ride south of Fal Dara. It is only about sixty paces wide there, with a small village built on its banks and a ferry for crossing.

 

It flows south from Arafel and is joined by the River Antaeo. It continues southwards until it reaches the island and city of Tar Valon, where it splits in two, with the western branch named the Alindrelle Erinin and the eastern branch named the Osendrelle Erinin. The river reforms south of the island and continues to flow south, where it forms the western border of Cairhien and the eastern border of Andor. The river flows between the Andoran port town of Aringill and the Cairhienin village of Maerone. The River Luan also flows into the Erinin shortly after it meets the Cairhienin border.

 

South of Cairhien, the river is joined by another major tributary, the River Iralell, before it reaches the borders of Tear. Just south of the Capital, the river breaks up in a maze-like delta called the Fingers of the Dragon before finally reaching the Sea of Storms..”

 

●

 

I could not have said it any better myself, the Warder thought with a wry grin, enjoying the almost pedantic detail, as he put the book aside, his gaze turning to the next room where Myrrhi was resting.

 

He guessed that she might be reading too. She shared, he knew, some of his passion for stories and history. Perhaps she was reading one of those sea-travel stories she had mentioned earlier, he thought to himself with a smile.

 

They would reach the Andoran port town of Aringill the following late afternoon according to their gruff captain. The Gaidin had almost lost count of the days they had been travelling southwards, each day seemlessly flowing into the next. Time was spent sleeping, eating, talking a little, walking on deck, seeing to their horses, and resting. Elessar kept an eye out for any large black birds of prey in the skies but had not seen any since they had left Tarnsville. He took that as a good sign, though he stayed, as ever, alert. On a few occasions he had seen Myrrhi also glance up at the sky as if searching for something and he wondered if she too had seen the black bird that day and had had similar thoughts as him. She had not said anything though so he too kept his thoughts to himself.

 

●

 

It was under a sunny, blue sky with the odd cloud here and there on the horizon, and a south-easterly wind that had crept up on them in the last few hours, that they sailed into the well known port town of Aringill which was on the Andoran side, opposite Cairhienin Maerone. Elessar remembed Aringill well from previous visits. It was a moderately-sized port town there on the west bank of the Erinin, on the border with Cairhien. Aringill had long been Andor’s largest and most important port, linking it by water with the city of Tar Valon upriver and Tear downriver, and the quay was bustling with life. Captain Ennariz had informed them that they were stopping there to unload cargo and to load new. According to him, it was one of the most important stops on the river, a place of much commerce and business due to its strategic geographical location. It would take several hours to unload their cargo and load the new, and since it was late in the day already they would stay the night in the port town and leave for the South the next morning.

 

When the river-boat was safely tied to the quay, the gangway was lowered and Elessar and Myrrhi walked onto land again, the Warder not displeased to place his feet on solid ground. He saw his Bondholder’s grin and he grinned back, knowing what she was thinking. Heading along a street into the center of the town, Elessar led the way to the inn where they would sleep the night. Though sleeping in the ship’s bunks was fine, they both - and their backs - looked forward to sleeping in a proper bed again if only for one night and  - not the least - to have a proper, good bath. Myrrhi’s eyes had shone in response to his suggestion.

 

Walking past merchants who hardly gave them a glance, intent on their own business, locals and their families (some who looked at them with wonder in their eyes) as well as strangers and travellers like themselves, the Gaidin finally stopped before an old inn which had a painted sign above the entrance which proclaimed that this was the ‘Precious Queen’ inn. They entered the establishment and were quickly met by the innkeeper, a fat blond-haired, middle-aged Andoran man wearing an apron and with a big grin on his face. He welcomed them to his humble inn, as he called it, fawning on the Aes Sedai in every which way, and soon had two rooms ready for their use.

 

●

 

Not long after, Myrrhi enjoyed a delightful bath upstairs while Elessar lay relaxing in his room.

 

It was, without doubt, a hard life on the road.

 

  ▀▄ 

 

Edited January 12, 2018 by Elessar

[Guest]

Eventually they had to land and leave the River Princess. Myrrhi felt sad about it, but she managed to hide her feelings behind her Aes Sedai face. Only Elessar was aware of her feelings, because of the bond, but he acted as if he knew nothing of what was going on inside of her.

 

He smiled and joked, as if this was just another day. It was a beautiful one, the young Green had to admit. The sky was cloudless and the sun warmed her skin with his powerful rays. She knew it wouldn't always be like this. Something told her that a storm was coming. And a powerful one ... It made her shiver.

 

As if she shared her thoughts, Tempest neighed.

 

'It's alright," Myrrhi said, patting the flank of her mare. Turning to give one last look to the boat she had spent so many exciting days on, she wave goodbye to the Captain before joining her Warder.

 

"Where to?" she asked, trying not to think about how much she wanted to be back on the River Princess.

 

The Warder answered that their first destination would a small inn where they would sleep the night... and have a bath. Myrrhi laughed. "That's an excellent idea, we stink!"

 

The prospect of a bath was indeed very enjoyable. She hadn't had one for ages. It would be a delight to soak in warm water and to have her clothing clean. She made a mental note to tell one of the serving girls to wash her shifts and dresses before going further away in their journey.

 

***

The inn they found was called Precious Queen. The young Green laughed. It seemed to her that people liked to use nobility titles to their boats and commerce. As if it would bring them more money. It was hardly the case unfortunately.

 

The innkeeper was fat and blond hair. No one could mistake him for a foreigner. Andoran was written all over his face.

 

Happy to be of service, he rushed to help out his new guests. He showed them to their room before hurrying to send for help. He guaranteed Myrrhi that she would get her bath withing the hour and her clothes cleaned before the end of the day.

 

"Well, thank you Good Sir!" she replied with a smile and a small nod of the head.

 

Something seemed to was fishy though, but she didn't know what.

 

***

 

Comfortably wrapped in the towel she had grabbed after her bath, Myrrhi went back to the chair where she had left most of her stuff. The serving girl had dutifully brought a change of clothes but she had taken everything else with her. Including her daggers and pouches. The Aes Sedai's heart tightened. She didn't even dressed. She rushed as fast as she could to her bedroom, happy to see that no one was in the corridor. Her bags had disappeared, as well as all her other possessions...