Congratulations and welcome aboard (moreso/again/continuous....). You are perfect for the task!!

I parrot tay in full. It all sounds great to me and my only real question was about the source. Your answer works for me. 

Tay we can work on a master list of items from archives and or start a new one now. 

I’ll have a read through of what you already have when I get a moment, but I have an aiel, a child of the light, and two Aes Sedai (one black) who are all available to play with. Though I can be slower to get replies up. 

Sounds like a really interesting character. I look forward to seeing where it goes!

Consider this CC'd by TV 

On 6/24/2019 at 7:27 PM, Crystal Sedai said:

I really hope I am doing this the correct way to return my characters. I am sorry if I am not, please let me know. 

 

1) Your Handle: Crystal Sedai (formerly Eqwina)

2) Your Character's full name: Eqwina al'Caupthn

3) Your Character's Type and Level (New or Returning: Trainee/Warder; Novice/Accepted/Aes Sedai - Traditional or Salidar): Returning Traditional Aes Sedai of the Yellow Ajah

4) Do you have see/have access to post on the RP IC boards? No

5) Do you see/have access to post on the Tar Valon OOC sub boards? No

 

1) Your Handle: Crystal Sedai

2) Your Character's full name: Kabria Delondre

3) Your Character's Type and Level (New or Returning: Trainee/Warder; Novice/Accepted/Aes Sedai - Traditional or Salidar): Returning Traditional Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah

4) Do you have see/have access to post on the RP IC boards? No

5) Do you see/have access to post on the Tar Valon OOC sub boards? No

 

1) Your Handle: Crystal Sedai

2) Your Character's full name: Thera Trakelyn

3) Your Character's Type and Level (New or Returning: Trainee/Warder; Novice/Accepted/Aes Sedai - Traditional or Salidar): Returning Warder (unbounded)

4) Do you have see/have access to post on the RP IC boards? No

5) Do you see/have access to post on the Tar Valon OOC sub boards? No

Hey there. Welcome back! 

Ill be be replying for real over the weekend but didn’t want you think I wasn’t around. Just quiet but I expect that will change soon enough. 

So so happy you are back!

Kathleen wished she could stay and investigate that cave all night.  She was sure there was more they were missing that could help them with their current mission and she was even more sure there was things deep in those tunneling halls worth her further study. The structure itself was interesting and the various marking and treasures would prove informative too. She regretted how little attention she had paid to the subtleties of the place when they been there. She had been singly focused and had hurried through. When Elessar had called her back having found the box she had wanted to hesitate in returning so she could explore more. She of course had come as swiftly as she could at his call - he could have been  in danger, thought she didn’t hear it in his voice or feel it in the bond. He had called for her and she would not leave him waiting when she didn’t have something more pressing to attend to than her own curiosities. When she returned to him she had focused in on the poem – if something so vile could ever be called poetry – and they had looked around the caves after that only long enough to determine that they weren’t missing something obvious. They had been concerned that others may return at any moment and they didn’t have any good reason for being there, so they thought it prudent to leave. It was decided that they could always return to the location now that they knew of it if their other leads turned cold.

●

They determined that their best, and perhaps only other lead was still with the High Lady Lyndelle , so after careful debate it was decided that they would pay her another visit. It was clear they were being watched just as much as they were watching others. The difference was that the enemy knew who they were  looking for.  They were giving the darkfriends far too much too information and time to plan. They knew that the Warder and Aes Sedai were alone, they knew where they were staying, and they were beginning to fall into a routine with where they went and what they did, and they were bringing to run out of places where they could go to avoid looking too predictable. By now the darkfriends would have to at least suspect that they were found out, and if Kathleen and Elessar were seen at that cave word would have spread. They had a few run ins – the captive, the thrown knives, other more subtle attempts – it was only a matter of time before a bigger trap would be set and they would be in it. She had hoped they would be further along at this point, but hoping didn’t get you very far.  The only idea with any real legs to move them forward was a bold move, but they had been in the city for some time now and they would have to make a move soon or move on. They hadn’t bothered to put  much work into a cover story and even the people in the city who weren’t part of the darkfriend cell would soon become uncomfortable with the presence of the Green and her Warder without any clear reasoning for their being there.

That is how Kathleen found herself creeping through the shadows as she approached the noble house in the dead of night. It wasn’t an ideal option, but after some discussion with Elessar it had seemed their best option. They had discussed re-capturing their friend from days before, but he would have gone into hiding – he would have shared his experience by now and they others would either have given him tips on how to keep him mouth shut (cutting out his tongue or threatening his family no doubt) or they would have cut him loose completely and his information may no longer be any good. There was no guarantees he had information he hadn’t already shared.

So, somehow Kathleen found herself sneaking along the grounds of the noble house she had recently strode confidently through, willing the woman of the house to be out for the night. She couldn’t convince herself the whole manner would be empty, try as she might for the sake of her nerves. Staff would always be there. In the back of her mind the thought did cross that breaking into someone’s house in the dead of night may be leaning a little in the wrong direction for someone who follows the light, but she dismissed that thought easily. There was always justification and reason and they could make any action honourable if it was done for the right reasons.  What she did she did in the light always, and when it was to oppose a darkfriend or the Dark One himself she would happily do whatever must be done, be it sneak into a house, stab a sword through the throat of a trolloc, or call lighting down to dry forest to start a fire no man could contain. That fact that she would do it all didn’t make the doing it any less dangerous and it certainly didn’t make any of it smart. There were no guaranteed outcomes. She paused a moment in the dark reaching for the growing familiarity that was her bond with Elessar and appreciated finding it there.  She knew from experience that it could sometimes seem like a responsibility to have to someone always tied to her, always by her side and always following – or usually leading – her into all kinds of situations. This time there was a comfort. She was not alone. If she had to run fool’s errand, at least she had someone willing to run it with her.

●

Elessar had gotten them in to the Great Hall with ease and Kathleen felt like perhaps this wasn’t such a bad idea after all. Its not like there was an Aes Sedai adviser in this little noble house who’s wards Kathleen would have to try to over come. And she was Aes Sedai after all, she could talk her way of this if she was caught. She would come up with some important message she had to deliver to the Lady and pretend like she saw no curiosity in the hour. She could claim that she snuck in so as not to wake the whole house hold. That much was true. She would make it work, and when she couldn’t say anything more convincing she hoped Elessar would pick up the cue to carry on the tale where her oaths held her back, and if that didn’t work – she would blow the whole house to bits. It would be a shame to lose the lovely art work though.

When the sudden passing of a guard shifting the light in front her brought her out of her thoughts she instinctively opened herself to the true source, but she restrained herself from allowing it pour into her when she realised they weren’t caught. She was jumpy. That wouldn’t be impressive to her knew warder. She turned her gaze to the back of his head a few feet in front of her and intently thought that it was not important for her to impress him, the only thing that mattered tonight was that she didn’t get him killed and she didn’t let herself die while under his protection.  He could be as unimpressed with her as he wanted, as long they were both alive for him to be able to be disappointed with her.  She was NOT here to impress him, she was here to dismantle a darkfriend plot and hopefully the whole cell at once if she could end that fully too. That would be a bonus.

●

They made their way through the Great Hall to the small study with ease. Kathleen wasn’t sure if it was good luck or bad. No trouble was good, but was it too good? She stood lookout while Elessar picked the lock to the small study that she had met the High Lady in before. If she did use this room to plot her dark deeds, Kathleen wondered if the woman had been proud of her achievement of having a Sister of the White Tower so close her secrets and not be caught. Kathleen assumed that the woman wouldn’t have left anything to noticeably about, no matter how confident she was. Lyndelle had invited her there after all, she would have had plenty of time to remove her traces from view before the Aes Sedai arrived. Kathleen had met others like her and was hoping she would have the same sense of necessity in having the power, the upper hand, that would mean that she may hide her secrets, but she would hide them close. She could have moved them anywhere in the manor but having the secret knowledge that she had invited the Aes Sedai into the room with the very proof of her allegiance against the Sister, sitting all the time so close yet going unnoticed – that surely would give most a sense of security and pleasure and reinforce Lynelle’s own genius in her own mind.  She would see it as a small victory – a marking that she was more capable, more smart, than her enemy. Kathleen was hoping the woman would feel that way and that she would have left all they needed to find her out right under the Green’s nose.  

●

The pair began searching the room in the pre-determined order they had discussed, trying to  cover as much ground as possible, as quickly as possible, without causing noise or both looking in the same place. It was mostly inks, unused papers and trinkets one would usually find in a study. When they came upon the locked drawer Kathleen and Elessar paused to acknowledge it together silently. Only important things were locked away.

Kathleen paused again before reaching for the unsealed envelope that was found in that locked drawer. Her first thought was that she was caught. That this was all a plot to get her here and that the Lady was really one step ahead of her and had allowed her to sneak in here. She feared it was a warning stating that a full fleet of guards had assembled outside of the door and they would have to fight their way out.

Kathleen let out an audible breath she had been holding when she read the words scrolled elegantly across the page. She was not caught, but with this letter she had the proof she had come for.

“How is your memory, Elessar?” she asked in a whisper as she handed the note from Nyriana, High Lady of House Vandahr to the warder. “I’d prefer not to have to take this when we leave, but we will need the information later if we are to fully decipher the message. Let’s move along quickly now, we still have to get back through the whole bloody building and outer grounds when we finish in this study.”

As Elessar scanned over the letter Kathleen began to ponder the depth of the plot. There was another noble involved. It made sense in a way, they would run in the same circles and not seem suspicious to be found talking. It would increase the resources available to them. She began to mull over what she thought this all meant. Would their sister who failed be another noble? Kathleen tried to think of any recently deceased nobles that these two would have known but no names came to her. Perhaps their ‘sister’ was simply another female in their cell and not of noble blood at all. More importantly, who was the Black Rose to be sacrificed he warned of? Was the Friend who informed that the  sacrifice was ordered the same person as the one who ordered it, or is he just an informer? Was the ‘princely’ gift a clue that the Royal Family were in danger, or worse, involved? Or was it simply flowery wording? There was no date on the letter, but she was sure that she and Elessar were the ‘guests’ they mentioned. That gave a little bit of a timeline and let Kathleen have some faith that these events still had not happened - there would be time to stop it if they could figure out the clues in a useful manner. Should they follow the emeralds and hope that leads them to the Black Rose? A sacrifice was rarely the morally right choice, and if that is what the darkfriends wanted it certainly wasn’t the outcome she intended on allowing. Should they  get closer to the Royal family – send a warning they may be in danger? That seemed premature. She would think all this and more over as they made their way back to the inn and then go over it more thoroughly with Elessar when they had more safety to speak.

Kathleen checked on the captive when she awoke in the morning and was pleased to find he was in exactly the condition she had expected him to be.  There had been a small part of her that feared the bag would be empty and the man would be gone. Finding the weave in tact and the man out cold but breathing, Kathleen freshened herself up and headed down to meet Elessar. The headed out into the city streets and were having a pleasant time until the carriage they rode in suddenly and harshly swerved toward them in the street. It was a series of strange incidents after another after that. Kathleen wished she could write them off as coincidence, and perhaps some of them were not deliberate, but the Green had rarely seen such coincidences in such quantity as this day was presenting. The fact that there were known darkfriends in the area who knew of their presence made it all but impossible to ignore the little things. The fact that it was little things, made her question the seriousness and intention behind what she would hardly call ‘attacks’ and made her question if it was the darkfriends behind these incidents or just local troublemakers. The day carried on and the ‘attacks’ ended. Kathleen settled back into a state of comfort.

As she strolled through the streets with the day coming to an end she found herself immersed in friendly conversation with Elessar and her own thoughts of how enchanting the night was; her guard too low and it was caught too late when she registered Elessar’s panicked warning. She didn’t sense the threat or see it and she dove wide in fear when the dagger flew down the alley. She grasped for saidar and  found its friendly embrace as she landed in a heap. She realized the knife would have hit her, critically if not fatally had she hesitated any longer and she was overcome with anger. Some at the attacker who had tried to take her life-for the act of it and for the near success. More at Elessar for letting the danger get that close. More still at herself for missing the threat and allowing her guard to get so low. It took all of her restraint to hold herself back from firing blindly and reacting with impulsive rage, but she did just that. The knife missed, the man got away, and there was more risk if she and Elessar stayed in the streets making a scene. This obviously wasn’t the main event of this mission or the man wouldn’t have let up. There was much to discuss and they needed to start getting ahead of this mission. It was always better to be the one acting and forcing the opponent to react.

As they finished the short walk back to the inn, Kathleen ran through the rant she wanted to yell at Elessar. It was full of how-dare-yous, do-have-any-ideas, how-does-it-looks, how-can-I-trust-you-nows, and several other accusatory and hurtful comments that Elessar didn’t truly deserve. Firstly, he couldn’t predict every threat and he shouldn’t be expected to. Secondly, she was just as much to blame for missing the danger – if not more. Third, and most importantly, he had realized in time, he had warned her, and she did not die. None of these thoughts would come to her mind for hours after the incident. Not until after she could forgive herself and give up the need to blame someone else. What did over power all of these comments running through her mind was the overwhelming need to not let this happen again. To not let it get around that they had been so easy of targets. They had to get ahead of this. They spoke for some time and turned in for the night. The next day started the same, but Kathleen felt it best to give themselves some space and made an excuse to let Elessar spend the afternoon hours without her. She needed to separate herself from him for a while. She felt too comfortable having spent so many weeks attached to his hip in their travels. He was a good travel companion, but she was losing her own reliability on herself. She needed to get it back. She should have noticed that man last night and she wouldn’t let herself feel anything other than shame and guilt. She sought out her own sources and checked in again with contacts throughout the day.

She had re calibrated by the time Elessar returned and she was ready to show what she was really made of and make sure that any darkfriend, no matter how low level or high, know that she would not made a fool of or be so easy a target again. She would make that scum regret not having killed her last night even more than he might already be. She felt like she hadn’t just embarrassed herself last night, she had embarrassed the whole battle ajah. She decided the only option was to ensure that anyone who heard about the incident would eventually look back at it and see only a plot on her part to lure the darkfriends into a false sense of having the upper hand. But that meant she needed to get the real upper hand and fast. She made arrangements with Elessar and her eyes and ears to find a new location and move all necessary things to the house on the outskirts of town. It was a full day, but well worth everything they had gone through if the tip about the meeting came to anything.

Elessar and Kathleen set up shortly before the expecting meeting time at a good distance where they would hopefully go unnoticed but be able to catch enough to make a difference. She wasn’t sure what she would find out, if anything, and while she was happy when the first darkcloaked figures began to arrive she was disappointed that they were so well hidden. She counted each one as they arrived, but she had no idea how many had already been there and she also couldn’t tell how accurate her count was as she couldn’t tell if anyone had come, left, and returned or if each was a new person. She wished she could find some way to identify some of the participants, but it was proving futile as the night only got darker.

When the last ones left, the intrigue of what drew the people to this place and the need to feel like she was actually doing something to get her closer to the action made Kathleen press on and explore the cavern with Elessar despite the lingering fear that it was a trap about to be sprung. It was one thing to see where they gathered and get a guess at the numbers, but they had to have left something behind that would show signs of what they had been doing. Perhaps even what they were planning. Of course she didn’t expect to find a master plan written in gold lettering sat atop an alter.

As the Aes Sedai and the Warder stepped into the mouth of the cave Kathleen weaved a ball of light and was delighted as the wonders of the elaborately set interior.  Kathleen was shocked at just how large it was inside and how decorated it was. This had clearly been a well used meeting place for a long time. She stopped Elessar and quickly scanned for traps, both those that could be left by any smart darkfriend and more reluctantly she checked for any wards or signed of traps put in place with the one power. She truly hoped that she wouldn’t find any of the latter and let out an audible sigh of relief when none were found. It didn’t mean that she was the only channeler here, it just meant that they didn’t know it for sure if there was another.  They walked slowly, and on alert ready for any sudden danger.

As the cave split off into separated passageways, they studied the rugged walls and ceiling of the cave, wondering if this place hid any secrets that could give an indication of what all those people were doing here and who they were, but they found nothing important. They seated themselves in two of the old wooden chairs, and Kathleen took up a broken piece of glass, trying to find some insight. The two decided it was safe enough to spread out and take different offshoots of the tunnels to explore.

Kathleen followed down one way and found more proof of common use, but nothing that made the details of what it was being used for known. Was it simply a headquarters? Was it a secret society court room? Was it simply a party cave? Was it a mixture of these used by more than one group? She hadn’t found anything that solidified any of these options when Elessar called her over, stating that he had found something. She had a rush of excitement as he shared the news and it only grew as he presented her with the steel box containing the stone. She could sense Elessar's excitement strongly through the bond, and she tried to figure out what it was she was missing that he had figured out. Kathleen studied the inscription trying to decipher while simultaneously studying the stone. She turned her attention to the poem and though she had expected no less than the words of worship to the dark lord her heart still raced as her mind proceed the words in front of her. She almost struggled to get through it and she said a silent prayer to the Light as she reached the end.

Kathleen

Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah

Danger on the Horizon Part 2 – Revisited

As Elessar was securing the suspicious man in the alley Kathleen thanked the blacksmith for his assistance and secured his silence and the keys to his supply cellar. She joined Elessar with the unconscious man and was pleased to see how swiftly and thoroughly he had contained the events. There didn’t seem to be any suspicion from passersby and as Elessar hoisted the limp but otherwise uninjured body to his shoulders Kathleen was impressed, but not surprised. She had expected this skill from Elessar, but she enjoyed seeing it.

She lead their way into the cellar then stood back and watched the interrogation. It was a good chance to study Elessar, his methods and his morals.  She was hoping the man would be cooperative when he came to and not give any trouble, but if he was resistant this could prove a good test of the Warder. 

“Now then, we are going to have a nice little talk.”

His no-nonsense tone could not be missed, though the man did not react to his words.

“You have been following us”, the Gaidin said squarely. “And I, or rather my Aes Sedai here” - he nodded at Kathleen beside him - “wants to know why.”

His tone was calm but strong. Direct truth, Kathleen noted, giving me the credit – day one training but good to see it being put to use.

“Please take your time, if you wish.” He added smoothly. “We have all day. But do speak truthfully. We do not deal well with lies.”

Kathleen noted the Warder subtly handling his blade as he began the gentle pressure. She didn’t expect the man to comply so easily and she didn’t believe Elessar did either. But you have start low so you can raise the pressure appropriately as the defiance rises. Kathleen hadn’t expected things to escalate as suddenly as they did, and she was almost as surprised as the Andorian was  when the blade stabbed into the crate beside his head. Kathleen held her composure. She had seen much more extreme situations than this, and though she often tried to avoid unnecessary violence and threats, she did know that a small show could often have the fastest and easiest outcome. Elessar’s experience showed and while Kathleen could only hope he would not cross any line too fine for her liking she was willing to have his back.

“Next time”, the Warder said icily, “that knife will be embedded in your shoulder. To make another scar which will fit well with the facial scars you wear so proudly.”  

The man cursed and then stared at the Aes Sedai with hatred in his eyes.

Kathleen stared back at him, her face seemingly unaffected.

Was he looking for her sympathy? Was he thinking she might step in and stop this? Or was his flash of anger meant to show that while Elessar held the blade he believed she held the strings? Even if she disagreed with Elessar’s actions – which she didn’t – she would never choose this fool over the warder. She might go back to the inn and lecture him on expectations and give a detailed breakdown of all the ways she was disappointed in him until it was Elessar who was looking for her sympathy, but no matter what situation the warder ever got into Kathleen would not ever show anyone that she was anything less than 100 percent behind him – she wouldn’t admit to the Head of the Greens or the or the Amyrlin herself. The only possible person who Kathleen might reveal her disagreement with would be Nevuel and even that was highly unlikely. She did not plan to complain to Elessar about Nevuel’s faults and she did not think it necessary the to complain about Elessar to Nevuel.  They needed to trust in their fellow Gaidan to be able to keep her safe and she would not want to be the one to plant the seeds of doubt.

As Kathleen watched on Elessar pressed and said in no uncertain terms words that the Green knew she couldn’t.

Elessar stared back icily at the man.

“Now then.. that I do have your attention.” He began. “We know all about you. You are a traitor.”

“I am no such thing. Bloody lies!”

“Oh, yes you are. And not only to the House you serve. But also to the Light!”

“You know nothing! You bloody White Tower are meddlers and fools!”

“Oh please shut up! We know it all! Most importantly, we know that you are.. a Darkfriend!”

Kathleen had never had a problem with the oath that kept her from lying. She was always nervous about lies – when they backfire you lose the upper hand. You are the one who looks like a fool. She only hoped now that the warder’s instincts were right and that this man wasn’t just a common townsperson whose family was wronged and he held a strong grudge. She was glad she couldn’t lie, because even if she could she didn’t know if she would be any good at it. She never was good at lying as a child - she wrote that off to her Amadican upbring. She did like knowing she had someone on her side who could though. Other people’s lies had aided her in the past.

It didn’t take long to prove effective. Elessar came hard with this accusation and the man tripped up. Kathleen let a smile touch her lips as the catch was noted. And when the warder had the truth of the andorian’s allegiance the fact that he instantly stopped the pressure and stepped aside to her let her take over showed the Green that he truly was at the level she needed him to be in to work along side her. A seasoned warder who knew when his job ended and hers began.  He wasn’t the only one who wanted some fun that night and more importantly, the real threat need always be associated with the Aes Sedai. He could set them up, but she would knock them down. There would be no lecture in the inn tonight.

She interrogated the man in her own way and pulled out of him what information she needed. When she was done with him she had made arrangements for their covert travels with trusted sources and Elessar saw to it that their guest would not complain along  the way. There were some details to consider before they could let the man go. The drive back to the inn was made in quiet contemplation and when they arrived at the inn and Elessar took their guest through the back with the innkeeper, Kathleen personally thanked the driver with a little extra fare for his trouble, silence, and service to the Tower. He said it was his honour and assured her that it was no trouble and he would be at her service if ever she called again, but the fear in his eyes and the tremble in his voice revealed the truth of how much he hoped he could be left out of anything more.

Kathleen joined the warder in her rooms thinking briefly as she looked to the man-filled sack laid on her bed that she may ask after why Elessar had to take up her bed and not his with this captive, but it was a petty concern and Elessar likely thought she would be more comfortable in the room she had made her own.

“Well, that went as well as could be expected”, Elessar said once he had regained his breath, meeting Kathleen’s eyes. “I think we managed to do it without unfriendly eyes catching on, but one can never be certain.” The Aes Sedai nodded, casting a glance at the leather sack with their dangerous captive.

“The innkeeper will keep quiet.” He added. “He knows nothing in truth, just that it is Tower business, but I made sure he understood the confidentiality of the situation.” Kathleen cast him another glance but said nothing.

Kathleen opened herself to saidar and placed a weave she had learned from yellow once in the aftermath of a terrible ambush.  Too many were injured and the sisters who were left at the scene were all exhausted so they were sending those they could for healing at a camp a half-days ride away. She was shown a mild sedation weave that would keep the wounded still and silent, in no pain and still alive until they arrived. It had been a mercy that had saved lives that would have been lost. She had seen it in work in the past and knew it would hold for this purpose too.  If it failed, he would still wake in a bag and the confusion of that would give enough notice for her to react.

When this was complete Kathleen could finally relax. She had been itching for action on the whole ride from Tar Valon. The ballroom word play and sizing up of  the High Lady was a decent start, but grabbing a suspect off of the street and forcing a confession in a nitty gritty interrogation in a cellar out of a darkfriend then stealing him through the night in a sack was certainly more along the lines of the action she was after. She was just thinking of how odd it must seem to others that this sort of thing could be desirable and exciting to her when Elessar spoke as if he was reading her mind.

“It has certainly been an interesting day”, the Warder said with obvious understatement, studying the leather sack with their Darkfriend captive. “A touch on the boring, uneventful side perhaps”, he added with a lopsided grin, “so let’s hope tomorrow will be more exciting.”

He did not see the glance Kathleen gave him, but the emotion coming through the Bond gave him a good idea.

Danger on the Horizon - Part 1: Revisited

The High Lady was off the hook sooner than Kathleen would have liked, but it appeared clear she had not arranged for the knock that came announcing the young Andorian who summoned Elessar away. Kathleen gave a consenting nod of allowance and Elessar left with the nobleman.

The conversation with Lyndelle renewed but Kathleen was not fully present; she could sense something happening outside of their meeting. She believed Elessar could handle anything the boy might try, but the bond was new and the threat was suspected; Kathleen knew Elessar could do what was needed if there was any trouble but she found herself  more on edge than she should have been. She had learned the subtleties of when her first warder was in need of her help, or when he needed her to stay away. She knew the levels of tension in their bond and could react accordingly within seconds of it changing. Her first warder had learned the same of her. Elessar and Kathleen had not yet fallen on anything that would test their bond and Kathleen worried that should misread his cues and bring harm upon him by leaving him too late or entering too early.

Kathleen could sense Elessar returning and she had spent enough time alone with Lyndelle to get a good read of what she was up against. The woman wasn’t going to give her any more insight than she had in the game of veiled conversation they had all so far, but Kathleen had gotten what she wanted out this meeting. She wound the conversation around to the events in the ballroom and made mention that the High Lady’s other guests would be missing her presence and suggested that they return to the fray, without seeming to be telling the woman what do – it was her house and Kathleen was her guest after all.

Kathleen walked deliberately through the room, stealing the gaze of all the guests as she passed by – catching more than a few off guard at her sudden return to the room, but they all found themselves falling into the proper positioning with bows and curtsies and respectful gestures as they moved out her path. She knew it was petty and childish, but a small part of her felt a great deal of pleasure at ensuring the guests eyes were on her march to the door and not Lyndelle’s march back to her seat. Kathleen tried to look for faces of people who could be with darkfriends, but none would dare show any signs so she didn’t put much stock in that.

Elessar filled Kathleen in on the warning of danger. It didn’t come as a surprise – the reason she came from Tar Valon because there was threats of danger, and she knew that when she inserted herself she would be drawing danger to her personally. The fact that someone warned them could mean their cell was already breaking down from within, or that there was opposition that could come the aid of the Green and Warder, or it could bea scheme to have her overthinking and on edge. It could be number of things each would have to be dealt with its own way. They spent the remainder of the carriage ride back to the inn and some hours in her room discussing this before deciding there was nothing more to be done this night and they weren’t going to polish a plan so it was best to go to bed.

Elessar retired to his own room and Kathleen removed her earrings and necklace, packing them carefully away. She exchanged her luxurious jade dress for comfortable sleeping clothes and tucked herself into bed. It took her a while to fall to sleep, but she did. She wasn’t sure how long she was asleep for when she awoke. She untangled the blankets and rolled over to her opposite side, trying to get comfortable. As she relaxed into the pillow she realized Elessar was up. She couldn’t hear a sound, but she could pin point him and he was moving and he was on alert. The thought of the boy’s warning earlier came rushing back to her and she slipped silently out of her bed readying herself in the event something escalated. As Elessar paused outside her door she could sense the growing concern, she heard a noise and felt the sudden burst of surprise and she reached instinctively for saidar. As the pulse of the one power flowed through her, she heard laughter in the hall. She was overcome with confusion and when Elessar entered the room she wasn’t sure what to make of it. As he declared there was no danger she reluctantly let go of saidar and took a seat while he retold the story of the assassin-cat lurking in the shadows of the corridor. She had initially been annoyed at the disturbance, then mad that they had both been brought to such extremes as to be found stalking around and ready to pounce over a sound in the night, but as Elessar spoke of the event Kathleen’s mood lighted and she found herself laughing by the end of it.

The next morning, Kathleen did not feel as well rested as she would have liked but she did feel more well rested than she had expected to.  She met with Elessar for breakfast and enjoyed the light conversation. They moved through the city and made their way to a bench in the plaza where Kathleen ensured they could speak in confidence. As they moved through the city Elessar brought the notice they were being watched to Kathleen’s attention and they continued on their way without changing their pace or direction while they tried to quickly work out how to handle the stranger following them.  They slipped into the blacksmith’s shop and Kathleen split away from the warder, giving him room to work with and made herself familiar with the layout. There were some good quality weapons and tools there, and she would have liked to study them more seriously. Perhaps she would come back when this was concluded.

Elessar had formed a plan and when he filled Kathleen in she was impressed with what he had come up with so quickly. She gave her consent and Elessar exited through the back into the alley putting the plan in motion.

~Kathleen

Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah

Bathed in the Light of Whitebridge Part 2 - Revisited

Kathleen folded the letter and placed it back in the envelope as Elessar lightened the mood with his easy jokes at High Lady’s allegiance. She allowed a smirk for a short moment, but the underlying truth of it kept a chuckle at bay.

“Somebody obviously observed us when we entered the town”, he continued. “And the High Lady wishes for your presence, no doubt to increase local prestige and gain a little added power and influence as all Nobles do, here as everywhere else.”

Kathleen nodded, but considered another reason the woman could want her there – it could be an attempt to set up blame on the White Tower if she is seen to be conspiring, or it could be a public way for the Lady to try to assess the threat.

“For whatever reason”, he added, “it is very convenient since this High Lady is top of our list. This gives us a chance to speak to her and get an impression of what kind of character we are dealing with.” His eyes darkened momentarily with a speculative glint. “Perhaps she will reveal more than she intends.. that happens sometimes when one is not careful enough. If we ask the right questions.”

“I hate walking into to someone else’s den, especially when I don’t know if they are wolf or rabbit, but this certainly solves the problem of how we can get close enough to assess this woman without suspicion. Suspicion is likely already cast. I prefer it that way.”

As the two spoke about the implications of the invitation it became clear they were very much of the same mindset. Kathleen couldn’t help but think of what a blessing that was. She realized how trying this bond could have been had they had different core feelings on approaches to these sorts of things.  Of course, it would be Elessar who would come to her ways, but that didn’t mean the tension between them would be any less if it was he who felt stifled or if it was she. Luckily, they wouldn’t face that yet. Someday, surely, but not yet.

When Elessar voiced his advice to attend the event, Kathleen nodded and reached for some stationary to pen an acceptance letter, musing as she wrote, “I hope you have a good suit and better manners, we’ll need them”.  She spent the rest of her day making sure that she had all she would need for the next night and feigning interest in some local sites.  She had to look like she was in town for a reason, but that reason couldn’t look like sitting around waiting for a ball.

The next afternoon Kathleen readied herself for the event while Elessar prepared in the adjourning room. She smoothed out the soft pleats of her jade dress and clasped the draping silver chain around her neck, her hand accidentally brushing against the matching earring dangling subtly from her lobes. The only other jewelry she wore was the great serpent ring on her right hand. She pulled her dark hair into a loose, easy updo, not too elaborate but enough that it looked like she had put some work into it and she had. She took one last look in the mirror and headed down to meet her carriage. As she approached, she saw Elessar in his best black – he has better than a good suit she thought I hope that translates to exceptional manners. As she took Elessar’s hand to steady herself into the carriage she paused a moment in the thought of how glamorous this all was and how the warder she had grown so accustomed to seeing sat atop rotting logs in the woods looked almost unrecognizable in the dashing formal clothing. So versatile. What a life she was living: from sleeping on sticks and leaves, to clapping along in small village taverns, to touring historical trips, to attending a ball in formal attire – one she had been invited to by a suspected enemy at that, and all in the name of one mission. She was glad to have someone to share it with.

Kathleen stood patiently by Elessar’s side waiting for the door of the noble's house open. She handed over her invitation and entered the manor and stayed a good pace with her escort. She scanned the layout and staff in the halls on the way to the ballroom trying to stay as non-chalant as possible, but she was a Green and this had to be considered possible enemy territory. She knew Elessar would be doing the same. She paused outside of the ball room doors taking a moment only noticeable through the bond to compose herself. She felt a wave of stillness come over her whole body as the Master of Ceremony’s staff settled and he announced her to the room it was as though an internal curtain rose and the show began. Kathleen glided into the room, paying no mind to the people moving out of her way and bowing around her. She moved as if she, Elessar, and Lyndelle were the only ones in the room and it was her duty to welcome the High Lady of House Serevan to her own party.  The other woman rose from her ornate chair, and as if she was acknowledging the truth of this act, the host lowered herself into a moderate curtsy. Kathleen found herself instinctively watching her for flaws in the curtsy, but it was not the training of watching the moves of possible threats that had her watching for flaws, it was the many years of training Novices and Accepted and being expected to criticize them on this very skill.

As the possible darkfriend approached and expressed her “great honour” at having an Aes Sedai of the Battle Ajah present Kathleen listened closely for clues in her tone that betrayed her sincerity.  The use of the term Battle Ajah was perhaps not meant as a challenge, but perhaps it was. Are we to Battle tonight then High Lady? I certainly hope not – for your sake and the sake of my fine dress.

The usual formal exchanges were quickly run through like well rehearsed lines in a gleeman’s tale and Kathleen summoned the Warder with a short nod. They followed their host to a separate room and Kathleen was sure that Elessar could see through her charade as easily as she could. She couldn’t help but think this conversation could be quite entertaining just watching this snake trying to hide her true intentions. Kathleen tried to remind herself that they didn’t have any real proof that there was anything suspicious in the works with this woman, except the letter that named her. It would be dangerous to read too far into anything the woman said while holding a bias though.  As hard as it was to keep neutral, Kathleen knew she had to keep some level of benefit open. She was a noblewoman and perhaps her people did need something. The woman could try to achieve an honest request from the Tower if she thought her loyalties were hidden well.

This was more difficult do as the woman moved into the separate room and began to speak of alliance with the White Tower and the importance of friends while clearly showing she thought she was out smarting the Green. Kathleen felt like she was watching an amateur actor trying to make a drama out of a comedy and that in itself was enough to amuse the Green. As the woman continued speaking Kathleen began to wonder if she was a darkfriend choosing her words to hide her intent or start open a trap, of if she was just a nervous noble approaching an Aes Sedai for the first time trying to remember what she asking after and trying not to leave loop holes she could get caught in. Either way, it was a very poor show. The woman stopped speaking expecting Kathleen to make a move. Kathleen knew better than to speak now. The woman was just gaining confidence, she had said what she intended to say and felt like she had the upper hand leaving a cryptic yet simple question in saying, “strength is often measured in one’s friends. Don’t you find?”. 

If Kathleen had thought that question innocent, she would still have a long, opinioned answer that would go deeply into philosophy and would not serve the conversation at hand. If, as Kathleen believed, the question was a veiled threat meant to intimidate her at the thought that the woman had more people with her, then her answer certainly wouldn’t please: I have all the strength I need to out measure you and all of your darkfriends right here in this room with me. I have a seasoned Warder who is more than a match for you, I have Tower training and years of playing politics to out talk you, I have years of military strategy and that doesn’t start on Saidar.  That is all of the ‘friends’ I need. If you thinks numbers matter, if push comes to shove I have the entire White Tower and everyone in the world under the Light to call upon.

She wasn't about to approach either of these answers. She would keep the woman on the demand. There was no need to reply to such a rhetorical yes or no question. The woman had more to say - something to ask. The green settled back into her chair and awaited the woman to press on.

~Kathleen Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah

Bathed in the Light of Whitebridge Part 1 - Revisited

The ride from Dayton was largely uneventful and the pair rode hard until they neared the smaller towns near Whitebridge. Kathleen had been there once before, but she found herself just as taken with the ancient bridge on the clear afternoon as it crested the horizon coming in to view as she had the first time she saw it years before. By the time they reached the imposing glass-like structure she had centered herself and shaken off the nerves that had tried to invade her mind. The mission began the moment the hooves hit the bridge to Whitebridge.

She arrived at the Western Bridge Inn with the grace and steely persona expected of an Aes Sedai, covering all trace of how tired and ready for a bath and rest she was. She wanted out of her traveling clothes more than anything else. She made some necessary arrangements and then settled into her side of the adjourning room and shut out everything but reviving herself through a relaxing bath and getting ready to start again in the evening. She joined Elessar in the common room and enjoyed their conversation. She wasn’t sure if the meal and performance were mediocre or if it was just the distraction of knowing what was coming after that had her feeling less pulled in to the experience than she had found herself at so many of their previous common room experiences.  It was still enjoyable and always a welcomed change from the nights on the forest floors.

The last bites of their meal ended as the performance rapped up.  Kathleen signaled Elessar and the pair retired to the small den-like lounge that the Green thought would make a lovely study. She scanned the old books and maps, considering if she would have a chance to actually read any of them over. The lounge was small but it would more than do for their purposes that night.  The Andorian woman who Kathleen had met once before, joined them precisely on time and Kathleen rose to greet her.  Pleasantries were exchanged and Elessar took his leave to watch that no one interrupted or listened in. Kathleen would tell him all he needed to hear when the woman left, but she would speak more freely if it was only the Green’s ears hearing. Kathleen asked after the woman’s family and the woman hesitantly approached the subject of the unfamiliar warder.

When they were both comfortable they got down to the business of informing. Unfortunately, the woman had plenty to say and filled Kathleen in on the small-town changes that had occurred since her last visit and every account the woman had found suspicious. It was tedious, and Kathleen had wanted to rush her along and bring her back to the matter at hand – and at times Kathleen did press her to get on with it, but she didn’t want the woman to feel like all her hard work and diligent note taking was being ignored. She needed this woman to feel like she had been a great help and her diligence was appreciated, so Kathleen listened with interest to it all. 

When they finally got to the reason for her attendance Kathleen was not surprised to learn that the woman really didn’t have much more information than she had already provided. She did provide Kathleen a journal of her notes detailing the activity that had her concerned and the woman couldn’t contain her pride and excitement as she handed over the letter she had copied for the Aes Sedai.  Kathleen had in these items all that she really wanted from the woman and the Green thanked the woman for her service to the Green Ajah, the White Tower, Whitebridge, and the Light and gave her a handsome sum. She assured Kathleen that she had kept all of this information private and told no one that she had been speaking with the White Tower.

When her contact left, Elessar took her place in the lounge. Kathleen arranged for drinks and asked after anyone suspicious moving round the halls while the meeting was going on and then the two discussed the information and reviewed the contacts notes and letter. This information left no doubt that the fears of a darkfriend cell were indeed at work in the city and the only lead they had was that the High Lady Lyndelle of House Serevan was involved. Involved in what, and how involved she was still eluded her. They still no ideas of what the endgame was, so they didn't know yet the best way to approach it.

They retired to their respective rooms, but Kathleen couldn’t sleep. It had been a long day, and a longer evening and she had more questions than answers. She poured over information again, reading first through the notes and letter, then recalling the extra information the contact had provided and then adding in the options she had explored with the warder. She was no where closer to determining what to do than she had been an hour earlier. She needed to learn more about this Lyndelle, but how? She couldn’t just walk in and question the woman, much as she wished she could. They didn’t know how deeply involved she was and any nosing around would rise suspicions. If she could figure out their plan then she could arrange to insert herself and stop it, but if she came on too strong too quickly they would just go into hiding and her chance would be gone. She tucked the papers away into her traveling bag and decided the only action she could take tonight was climbing into bed and getting a good night’s sleep in the comfortable bed, hoping more options would present themselves in the morning.

Kathleen woke later than usual but still quite early, enjoying the comfort of the bed and took her time making herself presentable before asking after Elessar to join her for a meal.  She would not have anyone in the inn thinking an Aes Sedai was lazy. She carried on with her day and found herself back in her room by early afternoon. She was surprised when Elessar knocked on her door but hurriedly ushered him in. He handed her the letter he had received and told her how he came by it. Kathleen starred briefly at her name elegantly scrolled on the envelope noting it wasn’t the same handwriting she had studied over the night before. It wasn’t surprising that someone knew an Aes Sedai had arrived, what was surprising was that they had known her name and Ajah. Perhaps someone had recognized her from her previous visit, or perhaps she or Elessar had mentioned enough for someone to piece it together, either way these thoughts were only fleeting, and she quickly opened the message. Kathleen read the message twice, stilling her heart rate as her eyes found the signature of High Lady Lyndelle of House Serevan before meeting flashing her gaze to meet Elessar’s.

~Kathleen

Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah

The city was everything Kathleen had anticipated and more. The ancient structures, some Ogier built some just maintained throughout the years, were so enchanting they threw her back in time to when they were first erected. The history radiated off of them into her soul even as the people moved ordinarily through the streets completing their menial daily tasks taking more time to notice the presence of the Aes Sedai and Warder among them than the built in beauty surrounding them. She knew that people coming to Tar Valon must feel the same way about the people frequenting the markets there as she was feeling about the people in the markets of Caemlyn. That thought made her laugh to herself, how similar we all are. How granted we take everything, how much we dismiss or overlook simply because its accessible. As soon as it is far away it become curious and mesmorized, but if we can touch it it looses it's power.

When the pair arrived at the Rose Crown inn, Kathleen felt a little disappointed. Her tour was concluded and she would have to return to the mundane tasks of booking in, unpacking, and settling back to business. It was one thing to let herself enjoy a little time out, but vacations can't last for ever and there was work to be done.  

Kathleen awaited Elessar's return from the stables and informed the Aes Sedia that the horses would be well cared for. She was pleased at this news, but expected no less from an estabilisment set in the capital city. There was more worry over poor care from less frequented inns set far from sight. That was a broad generalization but it was one she had set and believed. When the warder asked if Kathleen had told him the name of her house she let a sudden burst of guilt flit through her and she was sure it he had noticed it.  She simply answered, "No, I don't believe I have." With that dismissive remark, Kathleen lead the way into the inn. The truth was she had lost too many steads in  her years that she had stopped letting herself get attached to them. She had truly loved them at one point. The reminded her of her roots and simpler times. And she had ridden too many of them to death or into danger they had no say over, she had abandoned a few in times of need, and she had watched her first horse, the one she had stolen from her father to run away to the Tower in her youth, die of old age and she had had to steel her heart. She had forgotten the name of the mare she was currently using, but she didn't want to simply place a name on it in a whim to answer Elessar's question. If she would name this horse it would be done with honour, not in a flash. Seeing Elessar's respect and love his steed had made Kathleen feel remorse for her lack. 

Kathleen enjoyed the quiet atmosphere in the entrance and lobby of the inn. Workers set to task, clinking of items being set out and arranged, people moving around one another in deliberate routine, soft chatter as they worked it was clear they all knew their place and enjoyed their work. It seemed a well oiled machine. The innkeeper was kind though his appearance showed a history hidden behind the humble task of passing keys across a desk. Kathleen thanked him allowed Elessar to bring her bags to her room, though she realized as he brought them that it was a task they had not discussed. He had simply taken it upon himself one day and she had allowed it without thought. It wasn't an uncommon thing, in fact it was her understanding that most warders did this sort of thing. She had been young when she had bonded her first Warder and it had been important then to establish her role and her presence as the leader, the one in charge, the one in command. She did not have the ageless look yet and even other Sisters looked at her like a child with no say. She had an image to prove to the world and Nevuel understood that how he presented himself would reflect on how she was seen and he had understood how important those appearances were. Because of this he naturally went out of his way to make her look the part even when she hadn't realized he was doing it in the early years. Over time as her own confidence grew and she resembled the public's perception of Aes Sedai the dynamic changed.

As she watched Elessar carry her load she wondered how he truly felt about it. In some ways a warder was a servant. He served the Sister, but in the way that a second set of eyes or an extra hand for a sword served. He was a protector and he was a tool to be used to do important work that needed to be done that the Sister could not do herself. He was needed for his brain, his strategist skills, his fighting skills, and to be in the places someone needed to be in when the Aes Sedai was needed elsewhere. If she wanted to someone to stable her horse or carry her bags or make her a cup of kaf she could find someone far less valuable to do those things. Had she been taking advantage of Elessar in this respect since they had bonded? He had done so much by way of setting up camps after scouting them, packing up and preparing the horses, did he do these things because he found honour in them. Did it give him a sense that he was doing his duty and being a help, or did he do it because he thought it was expected. Would he rather not do those things? Kathleen was a grown woman now and could and would happily do those more personal servant tasks herself if Elessar preferred it. But she didn't want to overstep on his sense of duty either. If he saw it as is place and he felt that by doing these things he was doing his duty she would not want to take that pride from him.

She thought over all of this as she unpacked a few of the items she would want overnight, a book, her hair brush, her journal and clothes for the night and next day. She sat down and wrote four letters. Two would be sent ahead on the path they would travel to complete their mission. One would be sent back toward the Tower as an update. The last would sent off to the North in search of Nevuel's hands. She wasn't sure if that one would make it, but sent one off at every chance she could. She would send the letters out before bed in hopes they would arrive well ahead of her.

She changed into a new dress to meet with Elessar at supper as they had planned. The night was another pleasant experience and Kathleen found herself watching Elessar closely across the table all night. She reached out through the bond trying to read a closer glimpse, trying to get a feel for her new companion. He was enjoying this place, the city, the inn, the journey, as much as she was. She saw the way his eyes lit up as the room filled with patrons and the servers came around. He really saw the people around him, not just in their roles but as the people they were. He made a connection with each one he interacted with, it was all so genuine. No one was just the hand that set the plate in front of him, they were a vital human who took the time to acknowledge. This was a skill she had found herself pulling away from. She had once been like that, but through the years she had changed. The innkeeper was an innkeeper. The serving girl brought the food. And she could give a profile of each person in the room, but it would be based one who could kill her first and how and nothing more. The stories they told could take her attention, but who was telling them was not all that important to her. She wasn't sure what point in her life had made that change begin, but it was set now for some years. 

Out of respect for him and in an attempt to gleam more of an idea of what was important to him on a personal level, Kathleen listened with deep intent as the poem Elessar had shared his love for. She let the words take her on their journey and she too was moved. When the grief at the loss of the great nation passed, she thought of the lesser undertones. Perhaps it was that the story was so strong, but she thought more that she could see herself in it. She had long assumed her death would come in the throws of battle against the Shadow, but she hoped as all warriors do that it would come in the making of a victory, not in the realization that the battle was done and all was lost. That she had led good people to their deaths for nothing. People who followed blindly and loyally and then were slaughtered because of their devotion. 

Her thoughts turned back to Elessar and the bags. She expressed her thoughts to him on Tower expectations, public perception, and personal preference, the differences between personal service and professional service and asked his thoughts on the subject. 

Kathleen lay in her makeshift bed long after sun was down and Elessar and she had said their good nights. Their conversation had stayed with her and infiltrated her dreams. She found herself back in the tower standing deep under ground facing sisters of every Ajah but the  shall that draped around her shoulders was brown.

The scene shifted to the library where Kathleen found herself behind the private door in an imagined room filled with ancient books. She was sitting among them, devouring information that was held back from the rest of the world. Everything shifted again and she stood in a sectioned off part of a long settled ruined city, squatted down dusting dirt as treasures appeared from the rubble. Another shift returned her to the tower where she found herself in the Brown Ajah halls leaving her room filled with shelves full of artifacts and books and hand written notes of her own personal studies, she was walking to a class room where she would be teaching the Accepted on a topic that she knew they would all be interested in learning about and she never felt more prepared to teach than she did in that moment.

The dream shifted back to the circle of sisters and a grey shawl wrapped around her shoulders. She was transported out of the depths of the Tower's lower chamber and far off into the world standing in a luxurious dress at the side of a king she had orchestrated the rising of. He was holding court and should had the smug satisfaction of knowing that she held the reins of all things being achieved in this country. She was as good as queen with none of the pesky blame when things went wrong. Another shift came and she found herself in a closed off room with serious faced leaders, clearly at odds on the brink of a war. She had to think quickly, but she was the one who ultimately smoothed the waters. Another shift took her to the Grey halls, in her room surrounded by books on the various laws all around the world. She was preparing to run a mock trial based on the laws of Murandy. 

She awoke and the memories of the dream filtered back into her mind. Kathleen lay silent confused about what all this meant. After years of serving the greens was she really questioning her choice? I can have other interests. That does mean I am any less devoted to the Greens. In fact, it my love of history, knowledge, and justice that solidifies my place among my Green sisters. 

Her memories filled in with all of her experiences as a Green. From gaining the shawl and having it ripped away the same day, being told she had more training after being called Aes Sedai before being called Sister of the Green. She recalled the books surrounding her in the secret Brown library in her dream and then thought of the books stocked on the shelves in her own Green quarters on battle and strategy that she had devoured over the years. The knowledge she had soaked up about the histories of fallen territories and disasters that ravaged the lands and the heroes who had arrived on scene to help rebuild. She had been among crews first on scene for disasters herself. She recalled the portion of dream where she dug through ancient rubble finding long lost artifacts and feeling like she was preserving knowledge that would save the world someday. She then thought about all the time she dug through the rubble of a building that had collapsed before her eyes searching for survivors. She had pulled two people out of that tragedy. Those were lives she preserved who could go on to save the world. 

She remembered studying the laws of so many countries. She had found it fun and quite interesting, but it proved useful on many trips too. She remembered traveling with some of her green sisters to Murandy prepared to do whatever they must. It was peaceful negotiation that won the day, but it was Greens who went, not Grey. The Greens could do what the Greys would have done, but they were prepared to do more than a Grey would have been if the need arose.

She remembered going over all of her options for months before her raising. She knew she could be a great asset to any ajah, except maybe the white - logic puzzles and philosophy with no practical application never intrigued her. The deciding factor had always been in the knowledge that she could pursue all of her passions, all of her skills, and make the biggest difference in the world with the Greens. Anyone could study, teach, and dig for buried treasure, anyone could advise kings and queens and negotiate deals, any one could heal people after the damage is done, but there were only a select few who were willing and capable of running headfirst into danger, standing between monsters and the innocent people they intend to harm. It took something not everyone had to train your body and your mind and prepare yourself to kill or be killed, to stand between ready for the end of the world in the knowledge that you are the last defense. She had the other skills, and she would use them when she could, but she had something more that would be ready at hand when the other options failed. When the time came and peace, justice, knowledge, and logic where not enough, she would ready to fight, protect, and save the world. Until that time, she could still enjoy her other passions, even if they weren't always passions shared by her other Green Sisters. She dedicated her life to saving the world and protecting the people so they could live enjoyable lives. She may as well enjoy her life too before she rode off into what she believed would be terrible bloody end.

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

The day was beautiful like a dream as Kathleen followed Elessar down the main road toward Caemlyn, a gentle breeze bringing just enough reminder that it was real.  She was excited to be heading there, more excited than she had expected. It was far from the first time she had set out into the world, but it was the first time she had found her way to what was widely considered the second most breath taking city.  The pace the war horse trotted was a slow comfortable one and Kathleen pulled her mare up alongside it to speak with Elessar. This was going to be as close to a vacation as she she had ever been on and she intended to enjoy every minute of it.

The warder began divulging his knowledge as they approached the city and Kathleen happily listed along. She knew he was a vault of interesting historical information and she had hoped that he would know that her request for him to share it with her was truly sincere.

“Many consider Caemlyn the second grandest city in the lands”, he said as they passed some weary-looking people heading toward the Capital, “only eclipsed by Tar Valon, if not its equal. The city is actually made up of two sections, the New City, built well under two thousand years ago by the hands of man alone, and the ancient Inner City, much of which bears the mark of Ogier stonemasons. A great fifty-foot wall of silver white stone surrounds most of the official perimeter of the city, broken by tall round towers that flank massive arched gates.”

Kathleen knew he had a tendency to get on a role when he found a topic he enjoyed or had a lot of knowledge on, but was something she found quite endearing. She was truly looking forward to her little personal history lesson. She hoped Elessar would enjoy it too.

“Outside the wall,” he continued, “buildings cluster thickly like lichen to a log, spreading outward from the glittering mosaic of the city in a gradual dispersion. Within its outer walls the city is laid out in a crazy quilt of streets and byways, with its respendent towers and domes. You will enjoy the sight, of that I am sure”, he said with a knowing smile as they continued down the road.

Kathleen held her composure as she rode silently beside Elessar, watching the other travelers keeping their distance and going about their own business. She let herself think breifly of how their lives must be as she passed them by. But there were people everyone she could ponder about, and she wanted to hear more of the land they were entering. She pressed the warder for more history and he happily obliged.

“It is a story worth telling.. an important part of Andoran history that I have come acoss several times in my reading.” He smiled. “A lot happened in those bygone years, and there are people and episodes and facts and trivia aplenty, but since you confirmed that you share my interest in these things, I am sure you will not be bored.”

“During the first millennium after the Breaking”, he said to Kathleen, “the territory of Andor was held by two of the Ten Nations, Manetheren in the west and Coremanda in the east. The city of Hai Caemlyn was founded as one of Coremanda's major strongholds, a large city close to the River Erinin, which was important for trade. During the Trolloc Wars both kingdoms were destroyed. After the conclusion of the wars, the kingdoms of Farashelle, Aldeshar, and Caembarin arose out of the ruins of the two older kingdoms. Aldeshar and Caembarin, named for its capital at the rebuilt city of Caemlyn, were two of the most militarily powerful nations of their time and sent armies against the false Dragon Guaire Amalasan in the War of the Second Dragon, although it was actually King Artur Paendrag Tanreall, known as Artur Hawkwing, of the small kingdom of Shandalle, east of Caembarin, who defeated Amalasan.”

“Too many facts for you?” The Warder asked with another grin.

Kathleen could sense the enjoyment this telling was bring to the warder and she knew he could sense the same joy in herself. This was exactly she was hoping would come of this trip. She had studied a lot of the histories over the years, but it was a long time ago and it was certainly better to hear it than read it in a book. She was due for a refresher and it would help to have it newly on her mind as the city unfolded around her. She was quite impressed with the details he could recall on the fly, though it was fascinating enough that it wasn't a surprise that he would remember it.

“Alright then”, he went on. “What happened next is that Caembarin attacked Shandalle a few months later and Aldeshar followed suit the following year, allegedly due to the manipulations of the Amyrlin Seat, Bonwhin Meraighdin.”

At the mention of Bonwhin Kathleen unconsiously stiffened, until she met Elessar's eye who had clearly picked up on the touchy subject. She relaxed herself as he tentatively continued.

“During the Consolidation”, he continued after a moment, “Hawkwing conquered Caembarin early in his campaign, but Aldeshar did not fully surrender until FY 963, the last nation to be added to his growing Empire.”

“Blaming King Joal Ramedar of Aldeshar for the murder of his wife, Amaline Paendrag Tagora, three years previously, Hawkwing put Ramedar to death and scattered the people of Aldeshar across the Empire. This period of rage, the Black Years, ended after Hawkwing's aborted invasion of the Aiel Waste and his marriage to the lady Tamika. Hawkwing set about organizing his Empire into provinces. The Imperial Province of Andor was created early on, spanning the central regions of the Empire. The precise borders of Andor Province are unknown, but Caemlyn was the ruling city. The first governor was Jeorad Manyard (who, it was speculated, was more interested in creating a translation of The Prophecies of the Dragon), but his rule did not last long.”

They were getting closer to the city gates and the wind, as well as the company along the roadway, was increasing. Kathleen adjusted her riding cloak to brace against the dust and she adjusted her posture to ensure that she while she felt like an excited child mesmerized by a gleeman in the middle of rivoting tale she didn't look like one to the people she was approaching. She rode mostly in silence, but she couldn't help but ask a few questions now and again.

“Alright, the last part now”, he said. “Displaying regret for his harsh treatment of Aldeshar, Hawkwing permitted its people to return home and appointed Endara Casalain, King Ramedar's daughter, as the Imperial Governor of Andor in FY 967. In FY 975 Hawkwing's armies besieged Tar Valon,” - they exchanged a quick glance again, both knowing this part of Tower History -  “a siege that was to last for the remaining lifespan of the Empire. Endara's daughter, Ishara Casalain, began an intriguing - and ultimately defining - romance with General Souran Maravaile, the Commander of the siege, in the early FY 990s.”

“After the death of Artur Hawkwing in FY 994, Ishara and the new Amyrlin Seat, Deane Aryman” - another shared glance - “persuaded General Souran Maravaile to lift the siege of Tar Valon. Ishara and Souran returned to Andor and subsequently married. Endara withdrew any claim to the governorship or crown and swore fealty to her daughter Ishara. Ishara then declared herself the first Queen of Andor, establishing an unbroken bloodline of female rulers.”

“And that’s the short version”, the Borderlander Warder added with a chuckle.

As if released from a spell, Kathleen came back to her senses at this comment and she couldn't resist a quiet laugh in response to Ellesar's own chuckle. 

Kathleen thanked him for the story and for his attention to detail, thinking about all she had been told as she rode beside Elessar as they approached the Capital of Andor.

Soon the Warder and Aes Sedai, their travelling cloaks flapping in the wind, rode through the city gate, beneath banners of the White Lion of Andor rippling proudly on the walls, and headed into the center of the Capital.

She had grown accustomed the stunning features of Tar Valon, and she wasn't sure if it was simply because of the wonderful introduction dragging her mind back in to the early days of the city that made her study the surroundings and see the beauty, even in the newer parts as they entered, but she found herself marveling at the gates and all that laid beyond them. 

The Green sister usually had little trouble sleeping while traveling, but this trip was different. There were quite a few factors that were weighing on her and making sleeping on this trip more difficult than any of her many others.

Firstly, she didn't have Neveul watching her back. She wouldn't admit that stressed her, but she was only now realizing just how much she relied on him and blindly trusted his judgment. She knew his habits and they had a rhythm that eased her. She had lost that and it was hard to find a new rhythm. 

Secondly, she had been shut up in the Tower for many recent years, serving as a teacher to novices and accepted. She hadn't realized in those years just how accustomed she had come to the comfort of her bed and rooms in the Green Halls, the company of the other sisters and the hustle and bustle of the workings of the students trying to learn and grow.

This second factor caused multiple problems: She hadn't used the skills so necessary in new environments in so long she wasn't confident in herself like she used to be; and less important but just as troublesome for sleeping, she was really finding she missed the comfort of the mattress and the silence and stillness afforded by the walls. The woods let wind and distant noises surround her all night long. It kept her up longer than usual, and it woke her in the night.

Thirdly, her mind would not settle. Worries, plans, queries, some to do with the mission, some to do with the future, some to do with figuring out how to approach her new warder, all swirled through her head and with only darkness and silence of night to combat it night often weren't enough to stop her from thinking when she should be sleeping.

Fourthly, Ellessar's bond was new and Kathleen found herself studying it and being more alert to it than perhaps she should be. She watched closely how he held himself, how he conducted himself, when he thought it was being watched and when he didn't. Outwardly in his physical presence and inwardly in the mental bond they held, she studied it and tried to determine what each reaction meant, how much weight to put on each thing that tugged at her. Something was troubling him, but it wasn't surprising and while there was often strong emotion from him there was nothing ever pressing in the way of urgency or immediate actionable distress.

He had given her leeway when she was sure her own stresses fed through the bond so she gave him the same peace and distance when his bled through to hers too. He would come to her if he wanted to, when he was comfortable enough with her, and none of this would happen overnight. It would only come in time if it ever came at all. She wouldn't rush it. There was no need. They would have a life time to get there.

She would sleep as much as she could when she could and she would do without when she couldn't. Kaf would help, and she had other tricks up her sleeve if it added up too much.

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

As they sat around the small campfire Kathleen savored her kaf as some would a fine wine. She enjoyed sharing the meal with Ellessar and she tried to draw it out as long as she could without making it too noticeable or awkward. Conversation came easy. She was looking forward to getting to the city and playing tourist. 

“Have you visited Caemlyn many times over the years?”  Ellessar asked with a smile from across the embers. “I recall the poetic way some historians describe the Andoran Capital: like a gleaming crown upon its gently rolling hills, the City of Caemlyn, with its beautiful ancient Ogier-built Inner City, impresses immeasurably, there with its towers and domes gleaming white and gold in the sun. They are not far wrong”.

Kathleen listed to the description her warder gave of the city and found herself visualizing the place as he spoke. He really had a way with words. "This will my first trip to the city," the Green admitted, "I have always wanted to go but haven't found a reason yet. I was quite hoping, if you wouldn't mind of course, to spend some time playing the tourist if we could. I know we have to get on with the mission and the city is on the way to the destination, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy the journey getting there. How familiar with the city are you? I would love to see the sights and hear some history. I know you a wealth of historical knowledge. Did you know that even the night before my raising I spent the hours debating if I would take the Green, or the Grey, or the Brown shawl? Information, history, trivia and stories all fascinate me. This city will be teeming with it and I'd enjoy hearing about and experiencing a part of it.

Kathleen Vandiar

Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah

Kathleen moved slowly and silently through the trees as she made her way out of sight of her camp. She made sure to stay well inside of the perimeter that Elessar had scouted the night before, but she had to get some distance. She hadn't slept well and she knew the warder hadn't either. When she woke he was still resting but she knew hadn't been down long. She had sensed him up around the camp through the night. She had momentarily thought there was an ambush but there was no urgency in the bond and no action came. She had debated getting up with him, but decided against it. If he wanted to talk he would know she was awake and he could initiate the conversation. He didn't and that was enough to keep her from rising. Perhaps he was a night owl wanting a few hours on his own; if that were the case she would be out of line in intruding. Perhaps he heard something and was checking it out; ; if that were the case he wouldn't need her undermining him by following him about. Perhaps he had something on his mind, and that brought it back to him coming to her. She would leave him to it for a while, but if it carried on she would address it if only to put her own mind at ease. 

She had rested a few hours and rose just before the sun. This was her favorite time of the day. It was the only time she had to herself. She always carved it out when she could and took great joy in it. The events and length of the carved out time varied on the location and pressing day's tasks ahead, but sometimes she would simply sit and watch the sun rise, sometimes she would read a book or play her harp, sometimes she would grade papers, but when she traveled this time was almost always devoted to practicing weaves. 

She stood where the trees thinned out and stretched her arms before her studying the terrain. She emptied her mind and focused. Just as a warder practiced his formations she had taken to practicing her own skills. Sometimes she would open herself to saidar and fully let fly the weaves, but like today, she often went through the motions without allowing herself the pleasure of harnessing the one power. Sometimes it was for safety in keeping her location hidden, sometimes it was simply to keep the landscape in tact, sometimes it was keep from exerting the energy of channeling and reserving her strength for when it may be needed later on.

Today she went through the motions. She started as always with the 100 weaves. She had practiced these so often in her Accepted years that she could go through the motions without any real concentration anymore. She then would move in to the weaves she learned in more advanced courses, and then into the ones she had picked up in her travels since being raised. Things she had watched other sisters weave that she had not thought of or been taught.

She had to think to recall these and her motions slowed as she concentrated on the weaving the imaginary threads. She knew that the motions she made with her arms and fingers, elaborate as they sometimes were were not necessary in theory, but she found in practice that they were every bit as important if only to remind her how to do it or to make it happen without having to devote every thought to it. Muscle memory helped her to create the weaves while she used her brain to assess the situation. These weaves had to come naturally and without thought. So she practiced diligently.

When she got through the learned weaves of other sisters, she turned her mind to the most important of all the weaves. The ones known only to sisters of the Green Ajah. She put special thought into each motion of these. Walking herself slowly through them in detail. She visualized each weave and the pattern they mixed in. She visualized her targets and the timing of each attack and the result each one would have upon impact. She made each one textbook perfectly to ensure she could pass the knowledge on. These weaves were the most important. Only a handful of Sisters in the world had this knowledge and it wasn't readily available. Should the Green Ajah fall these weaves would be lost and Kathleen would not let them be lost save her death and the death of all Greens. An unlikely event, a hypothetical call that kept her well practiced in the weaves. When she had gone through them once in slow deliberate detail she went through them faster, the way she would need them in practice. When she was satisfied and her mind was clear and still the sun had made its early appearance and Kathleen crept back to the campsite. 

Elessar was up and most of the camp was already packed. The fire was out so Kathleen made two cups of kaf without it. While it was heating she jumped in and helped with gathering the last few things and when it was ready she prepared a cup for Elessar and one for herself.

"I know the traveling can take the taste out sometimes, but I hope the cup isn't too disappointing." Kathleen handed a mug to the Warder and sat on the ground with her back leaning on the trunk of a tree, and her knees steepled in front of her, cradling the hot cup she kept for herself in her hands before her face as she smelled the aroma rising from it. It wasn't the same as she could get in the City, but it wasn't all that terrible. 

"Travel wasn't bad yesterday, lets hope its just as easy today." She sipped at her kaf, taking a small amount into her mouth. Still too hot. "Time to take stock, I suppose. Did I miss anything between bed-fall and my return this morning? Where do you expect we'll be tonight and how would you like to get there? Is there anything I need to know before we leave this morning? Do you have any questions for me?"  

The reins twisted away from Kathleen's fingers as she absently raised her right hand to twist newly around a lock of hair which had flown annoyingly into her face as a gust of strong wind blew it into her view and held it against her cheek. Her left hand held firm on the rein and the horse stayed its path true, following calming behind Elessar's horse as the two rode through the City streets as they left the White Tower behind them.

The Green sister fixed her eyes firmly on her warder's back. Her warder. She instantly reached for the bond. It was there, but it was faint. She rode so close to her warder, but the bond she reached to was miles away and getting further. She knew there would come a time when she would reach for it and it would escape her. She feared that day more than she feared the day she would die.

The man riding before her, leading her way, had a warder's cloak, a warder's training, and more warder experience than any man she knew. She felt safe with him, comfortable with him, and she knew they had a bright future, but he had yet to become 'Her Warder'. 

The guilt of that thought ate at her. He had earned that title. He had earned that position. He far more than deserved that honour. What would he have to do for her to think of Elessar first when she thought of Her Warder? 

Neveul was first. Perhaps he will always be My Warder. It was unfair, but she couldn't help how she felt, how her instincts made her think. Other Greens have other warders. It is necessary. I can't go into this mission alone and I surely will not sit idly in the Tower waiting for Neveul to return. He will be years away. 

She hated that she couldn't just jump into this new bond with the excitement and pride she had jumped into her first bond. She should be beaming with pride and excitement for having this new bond with a man she had become close enough with to call friend before the idea of bonding ever came to mind. That was a rare phenomenon for an Aes Sedai to be friends with someone with no politics or power behind it, but she had had that with Elessar. They were friends. They had been friends and they still were friends. Somehow though the bonding had changed something. She felt guilty, and angry, and under everyone else's thumb as though she had no control, though she knew it was for the best for all. She tried to hide all this of course, but she couldn't hide it from her thoughts and her heart. 

She felt guilty for taking the warder from Carys. It had been the other woman's idea, more or less, but as hard as Kathleen tried to tell herself she was doing the woman a favour, and doing the warder a favour at that, she couldn't help but feel as though taking that bond was taking away the most important and brilliant connection from another human and leaving them both empty and lost. She couldn't imagine what would it be like for another woman to walk away with the bond she had with Neveul but she knew she could never truly be alright with it at her core. She knew Carys couldn't lie, but she couldn't understand how the woman could go on as if all was okay when Kathleen took something so personal from her. And she couldn't see how Elessar didn't resent her for it.

She felt babied and angered with Neveul. It was one thing for him to take a leave of his duty - a highly unheard of thing, but one she had been open to. It was a temporary dismissal and he would return. It was another thing all together for him to demand - in the oh so humbly suggestive way that Kathleen was sure the Warder's Training had detailed courses in how to order their Aes Sedai around and make them think it was the Sister's plan all along- that she take another warder to babysit her. Of course he hadn't said babysit, he had said something more along the lines of her taking on a new charge to aid her with the menial tasks and heavy lifting or some other suggestion that came off as a having extra eyes and hands would help her. However he worded it, she had felt like he was demanding she take another on to babysit her. Of course Nevuel wanted her to be safe, of course he had felt guilty for going so far from her and leaving her vulnerable. Of course he would want someone there to protect her when he couldn't. If the severed bond didn't make him go mad, the guilt of leaving her to walk into danger alone would surely kill him if she died without him.

Still, it was easier to be mad at Nevuel for forcing her to take a new warder instead of being hurt and sad that he was gone. Anger was easier to channel and deal with than sorrow. And if she could deflect her anger at him for leaving onto something else like bullying her into a new bond she would happily take that distraction. Though that did make it hard for her to happily accept Elessar's bond in full. If she was mad about it she could ease the pain of being so far from Nevuel, but if she was mad about it she couldn't let herself enjoy the new bond as she should.

It was also hard to enjoy the bond in these early times when she felt like a consolation prize to Elessar.  He had never said it or shown it, and she wasn't even sure if he felt it, but she couldn't help thinking how she could be anything other than a consolation to him after the life he had lived before her. For one, he had come off so many adventures and Carys, a sister that Kathleen had a great respect for and had heard stories of that she would almost feel jealous of if she hadn't had her own adventures just as grand. Kathleen's adventures weren't Elessar's adventures though and she had no illusion that the man would be impressed simply by what she had done in the past. Only time and joined experience would see if she would be more than a consolation.  

Carys was never a Green. She wouldn't think and act the way Kathleen would. Even in that Kathleen knew she would never be His Green - that would always be Leandreen. How can she compare to the woman he had served first and for so long? The woman who had done the duty of an Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah to the moment of her last breath with all the grace and glory that could ever hope to be achieved - at least that's how the history books of the Green Ajah held her memory and she was sure that is how Leandreen's memory was burned into Elessar's heart too. There was no way to out do that woman and walking in her shadow with Her Warder was one of the major factors that kept Kathleen from being able to truly let him in. 

I'm going to disappoint him. I'm going to let him down. I'm never going to be able to live up to the legend he had. I'm going to hurt him like all the others. I don't want to be another thorn in his side. Light, but it was so much easier to be his friend when I didn't have the responsibility of the bond. How will I ever earn the honour that was given to me in this bond?  

Kathleen tried to force the thoughts out of her mind as they left the City behind them and started out into the world. She turned her mind back to the message she had received that had sent them out this way to begin with. She had been processing it for a few days as she had prepared to leave. She never spoke about missions before she left. She didn't need eavesdroppers getting ideas and she didn't like to talk about when she couldn't do anything. Plus, the plans made in Tower walls often crumbled when they got to the first hurdle. It was easier to work on the move and she would need something to talk to Elessar about around the fires at night. It is new. Give it time. He is your warder and your friend. Build on that. You have years to prove yourself and strengthen your connection. Perhaps he will yet be My Warder. He wants grand adventures. Let this one begin them all.

The reins twisted away from Kathleen's fingers as she absently raised her right hand to twist newly around a lock of hair which had flown annoyingly into her face as a gust of strong wind blew it into her view and held it against her cheek. Her left hand held firm on the rein and the horse stayed its path true, following calming behind Elessar's horse as the two rode out of the City and into their journey.

surprised my refresh button made it through. I was thinking out might give out on me the way I was abusing it. 

I'm so glad its all coming coming together smoothly for you! When do you start? What courses are you taking?

Congrats! Its exciting times, no need to hide your celebrations. In fact, non-alcoholic drinks all around, on the house!

Yes, I meant to say they look great. So impressed with you’re detail. You did an amazing job! Thanks so much. 

Hello. Just wanting to let you all know I’m around and available if you need me. 

Everything running smoothly in your groups?

Any news?

So excited for you!! It will be an adventure. 

Just waiting on an age for main timeline.