Reign of terror? I think you're dreaming again, Eqwi ;)

  Ahh, I see you decided to join the fun, Eqwina. Welcome to the Black Tower. I have  char here too. An Asha'man named Davram.

    Even though it was quite a busy day, even busier in the central parts of Camelyn, Davram did not have any troubles with the crowd. Nor did he suffer from lack of space - there was enough space around him to swing his halebard had he brought it. The only weapon he carried was the sword on his belt, though it was not the weapon that parted the crowds in his way. It was instead his clothing choice. A long black coat, with two pins at the collar. A sword made of silver, and a serpent like creature with arms and legs. What it ment all ment, that Davram Targaryen was an Asha'man, and that was what gave him the space. While that was to his advantage, Davram sometimes wondered how long will it take for men like him to be accepted. Old habbits died hard, old fears even harder. For thousands of years humanity lived in fear of men like him, men who can channel. And while the Asha'man had never done anything to hurt the residents of Camelyn, or any other Andorian, they were still not liked, not to say hated. Well, as the saying goes - let them hate me, as long as they fear me. With this being a particulary hot day, Davram decided to cool off with a nice cold mug of ale. And so he entered the first tavern he saw, walked to a table and sat down. He ordered his mug and soon he was enjoying his drink. And then something unexpected happened.

  “Excuse me, may I join you?”

  It was highly unusual for someone to want to share a table with an Asha'man, even more unusual when that someone was a woman. She did seem like a noble, though the clothes did not made the man, at least not where he came from.

  "The place is free, feel free to take it if you so insist"

  The woman sat in the chair beside him and seemed to study him closely, even leaning forward a bit in her chair. "I could not help but notice your pins. And your coat."

  "They always get people's attention. So you know what I am"  - the Black Tower made men into weapons, so Davram was used to reffering to himself as an object. - "However, they usually have the opposite effect on people. Especially on women"

  "I am a very curious woman," she replied. "I don't turn away from something just because I do not understand it. And perhaps," she added curiously, "if it is generally misunderstood by the public." She kept looking at his mouth for some reason and kept her attention mostly on him, not looking around much like most people did. If she did avert her gaze, it was quick and simple then back on him.

  Something about this was suspicious. First of all, this woman either was not afraid or hid it very well. Second, she kept her attention concentrated on him. Davram made had no illusions about his appearance. There was very little in him that could catch the interest of a woman, especially of a beautiful woman who appeared ten or more years younger than him. Something was a miss here.

  "Curiousity can lead into trouble, my Lady" - southeners were touchy if you missed a title - "They say it killed the cat. Well I do not know about cats, but I have seen a lot of people being led to their deaths by their curiousity. I hope you're more careful than they were"

  The woman smiled. "My name is Celestine, and I do not think I have a reason to fear my own curiousity. Or do I? Are you saying I should fear you?" She actually seemed amused by that of all things. And then her expression became a bit more serious, yet gentle. "I hope you do not mind, but I would like to study you, if I may."

  Study? There were only one kind of women that wanted to study an Asha'man - Aes Sedai. And this one had gotten off the wrong foot. Davram finished his mug and stood up.

"Somethings never change, do they, Aes Sedai? When ambushing an enemy it is always a good idea to hide the banners and uniforms, however it is also wise to hide the glint of the weapons or they'll give you away to the ones you want to ambush."

  Davram reached into his coin purse, and left a few coins on the table to pay for his drink. Then he walked away.

  "Hey wait a minute!" Now when he turned to leave she couldn't tell if he was still talking, so she quickly ran in front of him, hoping she wasn't talking too loud herself to avoid drawing too much attention. However his mere presence drew attention. "Please, I'm just a researcher. I want to understand what it must be like to be an Asha'man. Please help me."

  Now that she moved in front of him Davram noted another thing about his would be researcher - she was quite smaller in stature than he was. She was brave though - running in front of him like that. Davram took a moment to look around for other Aes Sedai, or at the least the woman's warder. However, there did not seem to be any warders or other Aes Sedai around. He turned his attention back to the woman in front of him. At least she asked politely this time.

"To help you?" - well it would not hurt to try. - "Follow me, Aes Sedai"

Davram lead Celestine outside of the city of Camelyn. Once he was sure that they were in a secluded enough of a place he turned to face her.

  "You want to understand what is it to be an Asha'man? Well an Asha'man is this" - Davram tapped on his sword. - "Asha'man kill, Asha'man die. We are weapons."

  When Stone Dogs and Maidens began talking about Toh to be met, things have turned serious. So far Ghaul has relied on both his and Covina's sense of humour in order to cushion the blow from his disappearance for such an extended period of time and than his sudden appearance. And the pressure from Covina's thumbs on his back was another indicator that his wife was now serious. He had to admit that she made very good points - not the least of which was announcing to the clan that he has returned to the Dream. Which presented one quite complicated issue.

  "The clan will learn that I have returned, but before announcing that officially, there's one matter to discuss." - even though he was still laying on his back and enjoying Covina's healing touch, he was serious. - "I am certain that in the five months that I was gone, there have been candidates to enter Rhuidean. They are many men among the clan worthy of becoming Clan Chief. And among those, almost all are strong enough to survive the journey through the glass columns. So technically, before announcing to the Dragonmount that the Clan Chief is back, first I need to know if I am still Clan Chief or not. However, we better discuss all that at length tomorrow, on clear head when the emotions will be somewhat subdued. Right now, I have different plans."

  Even without looking at Covina he could tell that her eyebrows have arched. And she had a good reason for that. Usually, when he mentioned that he has a plan it ment that anything can happen. It was often that even Covina did not knew what he had come up with. Some Wise Ones have said that even he does not tell even his feet where he'll jump until he was in midair. However, his current plan will not be a secret from the Shade of his Heart. He turned so he will be facing her, his expression blank.

  "For five months I was gone, and went through some rather unpleasant events and expiriences. At time, when my strenght was about to leave me, there was one image that kept me going. It was the image of you crying, Covina." - Ghaul's expression softened and his hand touched Covina's cheek. - "I do not want to see you crying, Shade of my Heart, and certainly not over me - I am hardly worth crying for. What I want to see right now, is to see you smiling. Very few people know how beautiful a smile makes you, Covina. And my plan is to stay here with you the entire night and do whatever it takes to make you smile"

  Ghaul

Clan Chief with a plan

  Now where has Ghaul heard that before? He has heard the same, almost word for word from almost every Wise One he has ever know, starting from his adopted mother Rhianna, passing through Alissa and ending up with Covina, the Shade of his Heart. Each time Ghaul dismissed their fears and words of warning. He always had the feeling, that even though they had such harsh words for him, deep inside they were actually proud of him. He was almost certain that that was the case with Rhianna, but after all the woman was his adopted mother and the one who trained him how to fight, he was never certain when it Alissa was Head Wise One and lectured him like this, while Covina was a complete mystery! Howevr he could not deny that he often was taking too great risks. He was no longer just a spear, be that of a society leader. He was Clan Chief now, he had duty to the clan, to the Aiel and to the Car'a'carn. And as of most recent, he had duty as a father to his yet unborn child. Placing his hand on Covina's tummy, he spoke.

  "A commander who leads from the front is little more than a common soldier. A wetlander Tain Shari has said that. Yet it was the same wetlander that said that there comes a time where every commander must commit to battle his last reserve, himself. I realize my duty to our people, to you and to our child. Shade of my Heart, I can not promise you that I will not be taking risks or be in danger's way, but I can, and I will promise you that I will be much more careful from now on. I do want to see our child grow."

  Covina's smile was more rewarding than anything that the Dance has earned Ghaul. However, Ghaul being Ghaul, he was not going to stop here. The flames that appeared in the clan chief's eyes were all to familiar to the  head wise one.

  "As for you and your sisters entering the dance to where I pointed. Well getting you and your spearsisters to actually fight where I pointed them to, was often a much harder than winning the battle. It never seizes to amaze how stubborn you Maidens can be"

  Ghaul said all that with a wink, and while Covina knew he was joking he was not going to leave things like. Well she would not, had Ghaul not tickled her. What followed was a quick tickle match with Ghaul tickling his wife's tummy and sides, while Covina, even though she was giggling and squirming, still managed to bang her fists against him, hitting some sore point in his muscles. That in turn remined the clan chief that doing something about relaxing his muscles would not be such a bad idea. And Covina was excellent at massages. It was not once and twice that tension and soreness in his muscles has disappeared under her magic touch. Perhaps it was still possible to persuade her to work her magic this time too. Stopping his tickle attack, and silencing Covina's giggle and laughter with a soft, loving kissed, he whispered in her ear.

  "I would love to continue our little tickle fight, Shade of my Heart, but my body is reminding me that I need to give my muscles rest and relaxation. Will you be willing to lend me a hand with that?"

    Ghaul

Rather sore

  ooc: Ok, let's see if I can still write Ghaul. Wetlanders beware !!! ;)

  With the reins of the pack mule in hand, Ghaul once again question what got into him for him to agree to have Covina travel half the world on foot in her condition, or to agree to leave the Clan at all. And all because of an invitation to attend a festival. Covina told him, well hald told half shouted, that while he was missing she has recieved an invitation from one of the Lost Ones to attend a huge festifal, ment to be celebration of life, that is to take place in the middle of Caralains Grass, which was about as far as you can get from the Three Fold Land save for the coast of the Aryth Ocean. The discussion, which at moments was more like a battle given certain traits of both Covina's and Ghaul's characters, last for days. At first Ghaul refused to have Covina travel at all. He agreed with her that they are honourbond to attend once she has accepted the invitation, but saying that given her condition he should travel to the meeting alone was not exactly the best idea he ever had. Even though his motivations for that were most noble - he did not want to expose his pregnant wife to risk, Covina did not quite took it that way. After a prolonged period of persuasion in which Covina had used every "weapon" in her arsenal ranging from shouts to tears, she finally got hers, though that did not seem to calm her down. On the day of their jorney, Ghaul emerged prepared he was to see his wife still in her night dress.

  "Well now,I must be still dreaming since you look like something from a dream of mine, Shade of my Heart." - there was no need for him to specify which dream, Covina knew exactly what he ment - "Our child is not yet born and you're alredy working on plans of seducing me in order for the child to have a sibling? That's a bit sneaky, Covina."

  She blushed, something Ghaul adored, and hurried to prepare. In the meantime, Ghaul helped himself to some of the tea Covina has prepared before packing the mule. Once Covina was ready they set off on their way to Carlain's Grass.

  The trip was uneventful, save for the night when they told each other what has happened while they were appart. The place of gathering they could see from afar for all the smoke from the fires. Once the wagons were in sight thought, both Ghaul and Covina hesitated. Both have been in Rhuidean, both have seen the history of the Aiel, they knew who the Lost Ones were. With firm expression on his face, armed but not veiled, Ghaul made his way towards the camp, Covina walking by his side. Upon entrance, they were met by a couple from the Lost Ones. The male, they called him Mahdi, asked Ghaul if they knew the song. From all the people here, Ghaul and Covina were the only ones who knew what song the man talked about. The song, sang by Aiel and Ogier, the one Nyms danced to, that made everything grow, and made everyone peaceful. However, that secret was just for those who have survived Rhuidean.

  "My name is Ghaul, Clan Chief of the Dragonmount Aiel. As for the song - the songs of the Aiel .., Mahdi," - Ghaul almost called the man Lost One - "Are of battle and death. I do not think you will be interested in them"

  If the Mahdi was somehow affected by his answer he did not show it. He finished the welcome ceremony and moved on to greet the next newcomers. Covina however, found herself in the embrace of the woman. Sensing her uneasy, Ghaul was quick to calm his wife. Covina quickly took his arm and stood as close to him as possibly. Putting his free hand on top of Covina's he took a moment to just stand and look in her eyes. His messaged did not need words - he will be right next to Covina for as long as she needs him. Having ventured in the Wetlands before, Ghaul was less affected by all the ... foreign things, for the lack of a better word. However it went both ways. Just as the Aiel were uneasy among so many Wetlanders, the Wetlanders were uneasy at the sight of the Aiel. It did not matter that the Aiel in question were a lone unveiled warrior and a pregnant unarmed woman. As they looked for a place to sit, Ghaul noticed some men in black coats. Those men also sevred the Car'a'carn, and were more used to seeing Aiel among them than the other wetlanders. And while Ghaul did not recognize any of the men, they towards their fire.

  "I see you, Asha'man"

  Ghaul greeted them all. He had heard enough from the Car'a'carn for the men in black to know their ranks and the mark of the ranks. He also has heard the Car'a'carn address large groups of these men. He called them all Asha'man, and Ghaul followed his example.

  "Would you allow my wife and me to join you by your fire?"

  Ghaul Targaryen

Clan Chief

    Slaps and threats of murder - Ghaul expected nothing else from his lovely wife. However Covina had a surprise of her own for him, she was with child. His child. Never had Ghaul thought that he would see the day he would be about to become a father. And yet here he was, caressing Covina's tummy, where his child, their child was growing.

  "I will have an explanation"

    Those words brought Ghaul back from his thoughts. Well, if it is explanation she wanted, and explanation she will get.

  "And you will have one, love of my life, but in your condition shouldn't you be in bed resting?"

  Before Covina had time to react, she found herself in Ghaul's arms, being carried towards her bed. Now, the fiesty Wise One was not happy with this development, or at least she put on a face of not being happy. Her fist banged on his back

  "Ghaul!! Put me down this instant! You have no right to ... "

  Whatever it was he did not had the right to he never found out, as his lips found hers in a long kiss, which had Covina slowly give up on trying to pound his back. Ghaul held the kiss on the way to the bed, broke it just for a while to lay her down and kissed her again, sitting by her side.

  "I never give orders that I myself would not carry out if I have recieved them, Covina, you know that right? The Aiel have never been lead by authority alone, it is authority and example. That was my point on that raid, Shade of my Heart - to lead by example. I know it is risky, but there is nothing safe about our homeland, or our way of life. We each do what we must. But how can I order warriors into battle if they know that I am not willing to share the risk their face in the dance? Of course, those fades and the excursion in the Blasted Lands were not part of the original plan ..."

  Covina was about to protest at this point, but he silenced her protest with another kiss.

  "I am her now, Covina. And I do not plan to leave you again, not for a long time. In fact, the only time I plan not being by your side is when I visit a sweat tent. Every night I wish to fall asleep and awake with you in my embrace, Shade of my Heart"

        Ghaul

    Trying to explain

  "Till shade is gone,

  till water is gone ..."

There was plenty of shade here, and plenty of water. But not for the life of him would Ghaul seek this refuge in the shade here, nor would he go near the water. This cursed landscape had more ways of killing a man than a weapon wielded by either a Shadowrunner or a Shadowtwisted. 

  "... Into the Shadow with teeth bared,

  screaming defiance with the last breath ..."

Even disarmed, he was still a weapon. He was not dead yet, no matter what his captors fought for the man brought to them by a group of Eyeless, who then disappered for reasons known only to them. Ghaul was entrusted to 7 warriors, all of them seemed like they have seen more than a man's fair share of battle, however they made one crucial mistake - they thought of him as a man defeated. In an attempt to torment the Aielman, they have set Ghaul, with hand tied behind his back, on a rocky patch of ground. None of them seemed to think that this man, who hardly seemed alive will have any will left in him to attempt an escape. However that was just what he did. It took him almost the whole night to cut the ropes he was bound with on the edges of the stones he was set upon. The time for action would come soon, but first his hands needed sometime to recover after being bound. Patience was the key to winning this battle and Ghaul knew it. He waited, until the feeling in his hands was back and the man who was in charge of keeping guard dozed off. Now was time to make his move. Sitting up ever so slowly, Ghaul undid the ropes binding his legs, then he sneaked towards the one whose shift it was to keep guard on him. The man had no chance - Ghaul grabbed hold of him and broke his neck in one fluid motion. The man was dead before his hand could grasp at Ghaul. Taking the knife from his victim, the Aiel sneaked towards the other six of his guards. He was not a Cor Darei, or a Seia Doon, but still he was Aiel. The six men were killed in silence, covering the mouth of each one before finishing them off with a stab to the throat.

  With his guards taken care off, it was now time to cover his tracks and make his escape. Using the ropes he was bound with and tearing a few of the capes of his captors, he tied rocks for weight to each of the corpses and then threw them in the lake near the camp. Helping himself to the provisions of the now dead seven warriors, and to a cape for better disguise, Ghaul headed South. He made slow progress, travelling only when he was sure that there is no one around him. The name of the game was now awareness and Ghaul played it like it life depended on it, because in reality it did. His awareness was not lowered even when he crossed into the Three Fold Land. For the Shadowtwisted his home was known as the Land of Death, and for good reason. It was just as lethal  as Blight - hostile climate, poisonous creatures, great predators and of course, the Aiel themselves. His first job was to look for a well to replenish his depleting water. Wells in the Three Fold Land were extremely rare, and each was so well masked, that sometimes even those who owned the well had a hard time finding it. He did manage to find a well and with plenty of water, and with food still left, he headed home.

  "... to spit in Sightblinder’s eye on the last Day."

His last Day was not the day he was captured, nor was it today. With greater speed Ghaul headed home. The Deep Shade Hold was now near, and there was someone, who Ghaul knew was in great grief - his wife Covina. He has been able to rest properly as he had advanced deeper into the Three Fold Land, finding time for hunting to assure he had enough food for the journey ahead of him. Now at the end of his path, with Deep Shade in sight, there was only one thought in his head. Find Covina. Most likely she was in her roof on the edges of the hold, so Ghaul headed directly there. When he got to the entrance, he was sure that Covina was inside. He could feel her. As he entered the roof he saw her. Covina,  the former Far Dareis Mai, the head Wise One, was standing there, looking at him with eyes wide opened as she had seen a ghost.

  "I have returned, Shade of my Heart"

  Ghaul

Aielman in much much Trouble ;)

  *passes the spear* Wear it proudly, Cenn. If you need any help, find me on MSN.

  *sneaks on the scene in speacial award ceremony cadin'sor with the shoufa up and wait for Bram to notice him. Realizes he has been waiting way too long and taps Bram on the shoulder*

  Seriously, I have been waiting her for ages! You need to look behind you every now and then. ;)

  Well I am not very good of speeches so I will keep this short. On the behalf of the Aiel Div I am proud to recieve the award for best Storyline. This is an example of what can happen when James and I ( the storyline was born in a series of Skype chats between us ) are capable of when we put our heads together. There was quite some arguing about it but, written and rewritten again and again, but the end result is a good one

  Come back Alin, I will keep James in check

  If you allow me, Your J-ness, a bit of improvisation on the J-cult avatars.

  Alin, the Power of Stanislav and James combined Compells you! Come Back to Us!

  I can always have Dany prank Vera ;)

  Forget just dropping by for a visit, simply come back. A lot of old timers have returned lately. I think it an epidemic that Shoar started, one I do not mind in the least!

The questions is did you remember your cane, Raeyn ;)

Ok, change that to if we can get Estel, I am in! *evil grin*

  Well hello Alin, it's been a while! Happy belated holidays!

GPCN, eh? Do you accept troublemakers?

  Why not, I'm up for it.

  The wait for Marian and her warder, Lachlan turn out to be a lenghty one. Well, Daenerys was not surprised - tar used on ship had remarkable adhesive qualities. Those two will be stuck for quite a while, before changing their attires to one that were not tarred. While there were waiting Dany's gazed moved to the defences of the city. The entire island was walled, and from what she has seen, the Tower grounds were walled as well. The walls seemed formidable, and no wonder, from what Marian Sedai has told her, Ogier have built most of Tar Valon and the Tower, the walls not being an exception. Watching these defences, her mind drifted back in time, way back. So at first she haven't noticed that the Mistress of Novice had asked her a question.

  "Huh, what?" - a quick pause to search her memory. - "Oh, that! Well I am a Shienarian born Malkieri, Darienna Sedai. I was born about two years after the fall of Malkier. Since the fall of Malkier, my family has bought and ran an inn in Fal Dara, that's where I grew up. As for me - well there is not much to say,rather than I am more curious than a cat and sometimes I have the habbit of drifting of. Oh and my father says I have the tact of a trolloc's axe - I always say what I think."

  Her look turned back to the defences of the city. Yes, they were indeed formidable as Lachlan Gaidin has described them. Those fortification have held even Artur Hawkwing at bay, though there was a heated discussion about that during their trip. And while Marian Sedai did not quite agree with Dany's theories, perhaps this Aes Sedai will

  "You know" - she begen. - "There was an interesting discussion while we were on board the ship. About the siege of Tar Valon by Artur Hawkwing. Marian Sedai said that the siege began in 975 FY and lasted until the High King's death in 994FY. Seeing the defences for myself I can see what the High King has chosen a siege to an assault. Though there was an interesting thing about it. Marian Sedai said that the siege did not succeed because the city was supplied with food via the river. Though when I said that a blockade of the river would have ment victory for the High King's forces, she disagreed with me" - that was putting it mildly. - "What do you think on the matter ... Dairenna Sedai?"

  She had the habbit of forgetting who she was talking with when she got carried away in thought.

  Daenerys Stronbow

  I see my OP score, but I do not see Dany in the member list. Here's the information you required, Andrea Dearest.

  My char, Daenerys Stronbow, is a novice

  Ok then, I am on the hunt for victims ... ahhh ... I mean roommates, yes, roommates. Dany is a borderlander, a Shienar born Malkieri, who has all the charming traits of a Borderlander - honest and straightforward to the point of being blunt, has interest in science, history and earfare has an open dislike for plotting. Then again at the same time, she is a troublemaker and prankster. Any takers?

  Roommates and Dany? That's  an explosive combination

  Well, knowing how crazy Alex can get - I hope you have a nice and quiet week without too much trouble from Trio Trouble, though knowing them that might be just wishful thinking on my part ...

  *whispers* If things get too out of hand, call me and I will calm them down with the Sacred Mathematics Textbook

  Oh you mean that? That was an accident ...