There had rarely been a time in his life when Ursana Than Sakhr felt like things were out of his control. His life had been exactly what he wanted, where he wanted, and everything had fallen in just as he had expected it to. Until, of course, Tar Valon and Rosheen. Well, Rosheen had always been the one thing that went against his nicely placed life. Somehow in avoiding a meeting with his sister, he had managed to get attacked, healed, left in Tar Valon and had... in a still confusing and life altering moment... found himself signing up to train to be a Tower Guard.

Maybe that was the reason he had always avoided Rosheen. She made things happen that you never expected. At least that was how he remembered it. Now, his bags unpacked and left to his own devices, Sana was trying not to rethink his decision. He had always been rather impulsive and went with his feelings more than his head. So instead of letting doubt consume him, he walked out of the room and into the general dorm area.

Other trainees mingled there and he took a seat to himself, watching them and waiting to see if he could find a way to introduce himself to someone or if someone would notice him.

((Open to all! Just trying to get to know some people!))

Aramina looked up as Alric called to her. She smiled at his words, glad that her tracking hadn't been all that bad. Alric told her they would be returning to Tar Valon soon, then showed her a bundle of herbs. They were new to her, not the ones that she had seen in her class with the Yellow Ajah and she listened carefully.

"The leaves in front of you are various herbs and leaves that can be found in the wild to help cure common ailments and things of that nature. This, Dandelion, can be used for if ade into a poultouce can help with skin irritations and can be eaten if you can't find other food. Willow, this, can be used to ease pain if you boil it in water and drink. Aloe helps ith burns in a pultouce, anise for insect bites and Basil can be used for head pains, as an cleaner for wounds and for general pain. Yarrow, this one, can help stop bleeding if applied to the wound." He handed her the bundle then added, "Those are for you, now your next task is to lead us back to Tar Valon."

With a sigh Aramina stoof and walked to her own horse. It would be good to get back to her classes and studies, however it was good to be away also. She wasn't one to roam the city even on the rare free day. When they were clear of the densest part of the woods they mounted again and Aramina led the way. She would have known it if she were blindfolded, she thought with a small smile. The White Tower was more home to her than her small village in Cairhein had ever been. Just as lonley, but certainly more a home.

She looked over at Alric as she rode. "I want to thank you, for the training. You have been a patient and dedicated instructor. If you ever have need of help, please allow me to return the favor." She said, giving him one of her rare smiles.

::pouts prettily:: ah... no fair. I'm almost finished! I stayed up last night working on it. I just need to find the right name now. :P I should be able to figure it out by tonight. What email addy do I send my bio to again?

And then can I have some cake??

::Steals a hand full of french fries::

Hey.. just cause I haven't gotten my bio submitted yet doesn't mean i'm not stalking the SG boards :P

"Drink. You'll need your energy."

Sana looked up at Sovald and took the offered water. He was used to walking all day long, trotting beside his family's caravan for long stretches. Running laps wasn't something he was used to. He tried not to gulp the water down too fast, but he was sure he only half way succeded.

"No cramping? Always remember to stretch before running -- your body will make you pay far worse than I can if you don't."

Sana nodded at that, though he was still too winded to speak. He was used to the exercise, however he knew that his mentor was right. His body wouldn't put up for that kind of abuse for long if he didn't take care of it first. He finally got his breath back and he stood up again. Sovald nodding at him as he did so.

"Come boy, we're going for a slightly more... leisurely walk." The pace he set was good for Sana, and he was sure it would help work out any kinks his lack of forethought would give him. At least it would if the rest of the day wasn't too taxing. Well, he deserved to be sore in the morning if he couldn't remember something as simple as stretching as part of his new daily routine.

"How much do you know of war and weapons boy? Has your time taught you anything about such things as you think you want to dedicate your life to? For that matter, what makes you think that you want to do this? The Tower takes your life -- what reason have you to give yourself as such?"

Sana thought for a minute before answering him. What was he supposed to say? Well, easier to tackle the first question. "I don't have a lot of experience with weapons. I was trained a little by the guards that we sometimes had travelling with the caravan, but nothing of the intense training i've seen here or in the borderlands." He said honestly. "I've used my staff to defend the caravan a time or two, but that's it. I used a staff to defend, but it was more of a walking stick for me and I'd like to find a more... effective looking weapon. Not that the staff hasn't done well by me so far, and I'd certainly like to learn it's use better, but a walking stick in a man's hand looks like a walking stick. I'd prefer a weapon that looks like one. Saves a lot of trouble with raiders if they know you're armed." He said, giving Sovuld a smile. "I guess you could say that's what set my path here." He decided to tackle the second question then. "Been wandering with my family all my life, learning bits of this and that. The only thing that really interested me was the Borderlands though. The dedication they had in their soldiering. My father says it's the Arafel soil I was born on that seeped into my blood. But I'm a free spirit and their sometimes narrow view of things never fit me. I came here with my family to visit my sister and..."

He paused, not wanting to go into the full story. His pigheaded refusal to see Rosheen and his gambling, his injury and waking up alone in the Tower after healing had been done on him, his initial feeling of betrayal at being left behind while his family continued on and then his own decision that he needed to make things work here with he and Rosheen. It had seemed a simple choice to stay here where he at least admired the dedication and thought it might be something that would hold his interest.

"Well all parties decided I would be better off here learning a trade." He finally said. "I'm a quick study though and I work hard." He added quickly. "And I don't take it lightly. I've seen what can happen to men in battle who don't take their training seriously. Who don't have training at all."

He'd seen more than he wanted of that sort of thing. Travelling the way they did, he had seen a lot of the world and it always amazed him the wool-headed fools that decided to take off and find Glory. Their Glory normally ended up being a quick death. The lucky ones came back scarred and broken. He didn't think much of Glory seekers and their kind. His own life had been mostly good, though without direction, and what fights he'd been in had mostly been defense. Defending his family's train and his own self when in towns with closed minds that didn't trust outsiders.

Words flowed in and out of Aramina's head faster than she could control. She heard the words over and over again, listening and studying the meaning of each.

“You are bound to us now and the Green Ajah does not give up easily. You will not leave here a free woman; nor will you ever be free of us if we have our way. Over the next months you will be given a place among the lowest of our rank. If you learn well and willingly enough, if you demonstrate the qualities we require from our sisters, you will be permitted to petition again for acceptance."

Aramina was glad her eyes had been downcast again or the other woman would have seen her eyes go wide in surprise. Another chance to petition? She looked up at Sirayn Sedai, praying to the light that the hope she felt didn't show in her eyes, but hoping against hope that she understood what was being said to her.

“This chance is one you have earned by passing the Aes Sedai test. Few will be permitted as you will be to learn from a Banner Captain of many years’ standing; you are being given an opportunity many would swear their lives into servitude for. If there is anything in you which wants the shawl … if there is anything in you which deserves the shawl … let it follow the example set to you by your initiation leader. She has been tasked with preparing you for your second petition, at which, let me warn you now, you will have to pass my scrutiny as you failed it this morning. Jaydena Sedai is your only chance now. If you have any sense you will be as her shadow: discreet, hard working, and obedient in every way. Should you trouble her you will answer to me.â€

Jaydena Sedai is your only chance now. The words echoed in Aramina's head still. She dared not look at the other woman until she was certain Sirayn was done with her.

The Aes Sedai inclined her head slightly and Aramina did the same, though deeper to acknowledge the opportunity that had just been given her. “Jaydena Sedai, this recruit is yours. You may begin her initiation. Dismissed.â€

Aramina held herself calmly as she was led out of the room. She had no idea what happened now. She had a chance though, a chance to prove to Sirayn that she was worthy of the Shawl. She wasn't so sure herself anymore, but Aramina was determined and that had always worked for her. Jaydena Sedai was to be her guide through this attempt at salvaging herself here. She had no idea how to react here. She was not this woman's equal even if she had been more than a recruit. Any of these women toppeled her and she was aware of that.

But it wasn't in her to cower or pander to others. She had disappointed herself today in more way than one. She had failed to impress her Ajah Head and she had betrayed her own emotions, showing them plainly for any to see. She would have to work harder in the future for her control but she felt she was up for the task. The other, it was up to Jaydena Sedai to help her with. She looked at the other woman then, giving a polite nod and a small smile. She wouldn't embarass herself again by speaking out of turn until the other woman made herself known to Aramina.

Sana was surprised at her initial lunge across the table and the kiss smacked across his forehead. He smiled though, glad that his sister's impulsiveness showed that perhaps he had said the right thing here. He listened to her talking about all the things he could learn and though it sounded exciting, part of him hoped she would be as excited to spend some time with him. Then she started talking about their mother and he had to agree. She wouldhave been impossible if Rosheen had come back without finishing the training.

As she pushed herself away from the table, Ursana watched her. “So why don’t we get you enrolled?â€

He listened again as Rosheen talked about the Mistress of Training and he couldn't help but smile at her. "Well, if you think they'll let me sign up, let's get it done. Besides, i'd like to know I have something to look forward to besides staring at the walls of the White Tower in my future." He said, following her.

((OOC: No problem. Hate tests. Even years out of school I still hate them :P ))

OH.. just for my pleasure... I like this place already

Aramina woke to confusing silence. She heard the woods around her and smiled at the thought that her night's efforts weren't fruitless, however she didn't hear anything of Alric. No fire crackling with breakfast's preparations, no movement around the campsite, nothing. She stretched as she sat up, unused to sleeping in a simple bedroll, and worked out sore muscles. She looked around and didn't see Alric either. What she did see was a pack set up within reach, and a note.

She grabbed the note quickly, feeling a little startled by the Tower Guard's departure. As she read, she relaxed a bit. He hadn't deserted her. Well, except for her to find him. He had given her what she needed for the day's journey though and instructions on how to begin. Tracking. She had never had to track anything in her life.

Near the edge of the clearing, next to the creek you will find some bootprints in a patch of mud. This will be your starting point. The tracks will fade when they enter the grass. Look for bent blades, out of place rocks or branches, broken twigs, anything to show that someone not living in the woods would leave behind.

The basics. It was observation, only like nothing she had done before. Aramina was nothing if not observant though. Like the night before's exercise, it was a matter of refocusing her attention. She could do this. She had to. The alternative was defeat, to use the One Power and admit that she could not move up to the next level. Defeat was something Aramina couldn't do. Determination to be a member of the Green Ajah had shaped her for too long for her to give up on something like this.

With a renewed mood, Aramina set about preparing for the day. She ate quickly and cleaned up in an efficient manner before beginning her trek. As she reached the creek, her pack on her back and Alric's words in her mind, she crossed the creek and found the bootprints she had been told about. She took her time, making sure that he hadn't backtracked immediately to throw her off from the beginning, and then followed the prints, careful to step around them so she didn't spoil the prints should she need to come back to reexamine them.

She followed the trail slowly, checking back and forth constantly for anything out of place and unordinary. On the floor of her path she knelt and found a snapped twig. Not conclusive of itself since any animal could have done it, but since she was following his trail she was hopeful that this was a clue.

Moving with more confidence, she kept her pace easy though to keep from passing anything over. She soon came to a crossroads though. There was no real path in these woods, but animal trails seemed to crisscross frequently. In close sight she found another twig snapped on the forest floor. Going the other way though she noticed a snapped branch about shoulder height. Another clue on the floor, or something higher up.... The twig on the floor could have been caused by any animal, she had already decided. If Alric had come this way it was unlikely he would leave the same mark twice in a row though. He was helping her build her skills, not teaching her to rely on one method. The higher clue however, would not have been made by many things in the woods. The height itself suggested a human. She went with her instincts then and continued along the way.

She continued on this way, finding signs of passage until mid day when she finally stopped to eat again. She sat down on a fallen log and pulled her pack off, taking a sip of her water before pulling out the rest of her food. She was exhausted from the search. Not from the physical exhertions, but from the mental effort she had to put forth to track Alric. She prayed to the light that she was on the right path because if not it might take more than the One Power to find him now.

It had certainly been a strange day. Aramina's life had always been pretty routine. Living in Cairhein, she had run her mother's house, tended her until her death, and seen to anything that they needed in the city. Once her mother had died, her life had been uprooted into Tar Valon where she had spent time working in a tavern. That had it's own rhythem also and by the time the Aes Sedai had found her she had been settled into it's routine. And life in the Tower with all it's ups and downs and surprises had become as routine to her as well. Her foray into the wilderness had been a pleasant change and Alric had been far better company than any Accepted or Novice could have been.

Of course, he didn't know that Aramina sur Dulciena was the type to keep to herself. He didn't hear whispers and gossip that went around the Tower about the reasons why Aramina befriended no one. None of the gossip was true, but Aramina heard the whispers more than once and simply ignored it. As she had the whispers in her village about her parentage.

With a shake of her head to rid herself of such thoughts, she set the snares that she had been given. Not much luck of catching anything in the small amount of time she was planning on stopping, but you never knew.

Once that task was completed she ate her lunch in silence, listening to everything around her and trying to still her own thoughts.

I am thinking about starting a new character over here in the SG division, but I wanted a little info before I started. I was thinking of a woman trained for assasination or spy work.. that sort of thing, but I wasn't sure how much play that would give me. I'd like to have someone placed where she would be useful to a lot of people.. and thus give me a lot of chance to RP her.

Any ideas? I am totally flexible about what i'm doing with her.. other than the fact that she's a she and she'll be using her looks to her advantage :P

Help me be a good evil-type person... please!!!

The Ways Of The Wilderness: Aramina and Alric

(Repost)

Alric folded his red cloak and left it draped across of his bed before leaving his room and heading out of the barracks. He nodded to many of the Tower Guards that he new, stopping to say a few short words with some. Though he was heading out of Tar Valon to take another Tower Guards, an Orion Mantier, mentee outside for a little survival training. An Accepted two, Alric was thrilled. Since his raising he had come to enjoy spending time around those who could channel despite his Tairen upbringing. Orion had told him that he had notified the girl where and when she was supposed to meat Alric giving a brief description of the girl as well.

And that was how Alric found himself standing in the middle of a little used training clearing, with a pack over his shoulder and his sword strapped to his waist. He was smiling and remembering thoughts of his little brother who had begun to talk with earnest now to pass the time while he waited for Aramina.

Alric

TPC Tower Gaurd

_________________

Orion Manteir- Tower Gaurd, Promised to Estel

Kedyn Alastair -Band Scout Sergeant Band DL

Davian- Aiel Seia Doon SL

Rion Anglemar- BT Dedicated

Aramina made her way back to the training yards as quickly as she could today. A few early morning chores done and now she was on her way. She had been notified of today's training partner and she looked around the small are she had been told to visit. She ran a hand over her tunic to straighten it properly and looked down at her riding pants to make sure she was still presentable. Dark green pants with a brown tunic with green trim were matched with a green ribbon that held her long hair back tightly. She liked her training sessions almost as much for the opportunity to wear something other than the banded dress as she did for the exercise and skill she was learning. Well, perhaps that was an overstatement for she didn't exactly enjoy wearing riding pants, but it was a nice change.

She saw one of the Tower Guard in the area she was supposed to meet in and smiled politely. "Would you be Alric?" she asked. "My name is Aramina."

_________________

Aramina Sur Dulciena

Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah

"Would you be Alric? My name is Aramina."

Alric bowed, an inclination of both waist and head. "I am Alric M'lady. And you would be Orion's student. Good. We will not be back in Tar Valon until late tomorrow, and I have brought supplies for the both of us to compensate. If you would follow me."

Alric turned and began to head towards the stables, Aramina falling in beside him. They would use borrowed horse from the stables, Alric because he didn't own a horse and Aramina, well, that would be dealt with when they got to the stables.

The smells of horse, dung and the general smells that came with stables soon began to permeate the air. Alric bunched up his nose not used to or liking the smells very much. He was more used to the smell of salt and fish and the rocking of a boat deck under his feet. A stable hand led a horse, saddled and ready as Alric walked up followed closely by another. Alric had given Aramina's name to the stable hands in case she owned a horse so if she did Alric hoped that that was hers.

Alric waited before Aramina held her own mount by the reigns before asking, "Ready?"

Aramina said she was and Alric led his borrowed mount out of the Yards, swinging into the saddle once they were in the city.

It was a good half an hour ride before they were far enough out of Tar Valon that Alric stopped the pair of them. Swinging his mount around to Aramina he began his lesson. "Perhaps one of the most important, not necessary unless you want to be comfortable, lesson of survival is picking a campsite; which we will go over now. A perfect campsite has some sort of water source nearby whether a lake or a river, for both water and food. But you don't want to be close enough that the ground is damp or muddy."

"If you can you want to find some type of cover, trees, a cave or just a simple rock outcropping. You can hide, have shelter from nature and just make your life a small bit better. Woods would be best because it provides food and kindling for fire. As such for the rest of the day I want you to lead me and find a campsite. We’ve got a while though there are things to go over once we find a site." Alric smiled. "If you need any helped..." He motioned to himself.

Alric

_________________

Orion Manteir- Tower Gaurd, Promised to Estel

Kedyn Alastair -Band Scout Sergeant Band DL

Davian- Aiel Seia Doon SL

Rion Anglemar- BT Dedicated

Aramina had always enjoyed horses. She had never had to work often in the stables but she enjoyed the mostly gentle creatures and even more so enjoyed the solitude she normally got there. Following Alric to where their horses waited, Aramina smiled as one of the tower horses was brought over for her. When he asked if she was ready she flashed him a small smile and nodded. Following his lead, she followed him out of the Tower and into the surrounding countryside.

He stopped them when they had ridden about a half an hour to begin with their lesson. Alric was new to her so she listened intently.

"Perhaps one of the most important, not necessary unless you want to be comfortable, lesson of survival is picking a campsite; which we will go over now. A perfect campsite has some sort of water source nearby whether a lake or a river, for both water and food. But you don't want to be close enough that the ground is damp or muddy."

"If you can you want to find some type of cover, trees, a cave or just a simple rock outcropping. You can hide, have shelter from nature and just make your life a small bit better. Woods would be best because it provides food and kindling for fire. As such for the rest of the day I want you to lead me and find a campsite. We’ve got a while though there are things to go over once we find a site. If you need any helped..."

He gestured to himself and Aramina nodded. She looked around for a moment before deciding which way to go. She had studied the geography around Tar Valon for other outings and she thought she had a good idea of where she was going. "Alright then, lets see what I can find for us."

The day was nice and though Aramina was in no hurry she kept their pace moving so they she could find a campsite in time to continue their instruction once they were settled. Aramina was enjoying the time out of the Tower though. She had been stuck in the Tower with only rare outings whose frequency had dwindled until recently. The class on the Blue Ajah she had taken had at least opened her eyes to her own blindness when it came to people around her. She still had her first letter from Lena in a box of precious keepsakes in her Accepted Quarters at the Tower.

Her thoughts drifted as they rode. Alric at her back gave her the impression of solid belief that she could get through this first task and she glanced at him often for and signs he might give. As none were forthcoming, she directed her mind back to her physical path and tried to remember all that she had learned in her years that would assist her.

In time, Aramina led them into a woody region. Cover from the trees was not an issue, now she just had to find a water source. They rode a little deeper and Aramina listened closely for the sounds of running water. It didn't take long for them to locate a small creek running through. Aramina stopped then and found a small clearing. She turned back to Alric then. "What do you think of this spot for a campsite, Alric?"

_________________

Aramina Sur Dulciena

Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah

Alric nodded as he surveyed the surroundings. Sliding off his borrowed horse he said simply, "Aye, very good Aramina." Alric began to take care of his horse, unsaddling it letting it graze, and then shifted to take care of Aramina's. They were not moving for the rest of the day and he didn't want to hurt the horses in any way from neglecting them.

Shrugging off his pack Alric motioned for Aramina to follow as he walked towards the small creek near their chosen campsite. "If you come this way we will continue. The next e=lesson will be fishing, my favorite part."

Kneeling next to water line, Alric rolled up his sleeves and slowly dipped a hand into the water. There was little sign of habitation around and Alric had little doubt that there would be fish in the lake, and abundance of them as well. "You might want to roll up your sleeves. Patience is the key for this kind of fishing. Just wait, even put a coin in your hand, a ring works great as well, anything that reflects in the sun. Soon enough some critter should wander up to investigate." As if on command a small fish swam u and began nibbling on his finger. "Wait until they are close," The fish came up, it's belly scratching Alric palm. Closing his hand and bringing it up out of the water like a flash, the fish was left flopping on the shore. "And be quick in the end. If you want to catch you'll have to wait or move to some other spot. Now, I have caught my dinner, try to catch yours."

Alric Greyjoy

_________________

Orion Manteir- Tower Gaurd, Promised to Estel

Kedyn Alastair -Band Scout Sergeant Band DL

Davian- Aiel Seia Doon SL

Rion Anglemar- BT Dedicated

Aramina smiled slightly at Alric when he surveyed her choice of campsites. She knew herself to be a quick study and she had paid close attention to Alric as he had instructed her. Her life in a village hadn't really prepared her for living in the wilderness and Tower life was as far from it as you could get. But there would be times in her life that she would need to get by on her own, and though she was certain she could do much of what she needed with the One Power, there would be times when she was too tired to use the One Power, or when the use would be detrimental to what she was doing.

As Alric walked her towards the water Aramina followed, rolling her sleeves up as he told her to. She watched as the fish came swimming up to him and was astonished by his quick reflexes. She shouldn't have been, she supposed, since he was a Tower Guard. "If you want to catch you'll have to wait or move to some other spot. Now, I have caught my dinner, try to catch yours."

Aramina nodded and moved upstream a little and put her hand in. Her serpent ring was always well shined and it glinted in the water. Her hands itched to move but she knew better than to cause a disruption that would keep her meal from her. After a few minutes a fish approached. She kept her fingers still, waiting until the last second to clench her fingers and pull up. The slippery fish slipped through her fingers though and the only thing Aramina had to show for her patience was a slightly wet shirt. Frustration made her clench her jaw and she took a deep breath to calm herself. Even though there was only Alric to watch slips in private often led to slips in public and Aramina wasn't one to show anger. She waited until she was calm again and moved again to another location.

Two fish later and she finally emerged with her meal. She was mush wetter than she had started but her pride was in tact. It would have been so much easier with the One Power, but again, this was to learn outside of it and she had proven to herself that she could indeed do what was needed. "Alright, dinner is caught." Aramina said to Alric. "What is your next lesson? Perhaps how to dry clothes in the wilderness?" she asked, with a small smile on her face. Her tunic wasn't as wet as it could have been and her words were teasing. Though she had almost taken a dip after the second fish but she had caught herself just in time.

_________________

Aramina Sur Dulciena

Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah

"Actually, learning how to dry your clothes isn't that far off from it. Sit." Alric reached out and took the fish from Aramina, setting them next to the on he had caught earlier. Reaching behind him he took the simple firebow he had made on an earlier trip from his pack and held it out so Aramina could see it. "This is a firebow, and as it's name seems to show it is used to make fires. They are rather simple to make, watch."

Alric took a small set of materials he had gathered during Aramina's fishing adventure, and began to move his hands slowly through the motions of making the firebow, explaining as he went through. When he was finished he handed it over to Aramina, took up his first and began to try and start a fire. "That is yours to keep, and tonight I will not require you to actually start a fire. But if you would, the pack behind you has some plates and silverware if you could get those."

As the fire began to rise, Alric set his firebow down and took up the carcasses of the fish beside him. His deft practiced hand quickly scaled and boned the fish and before long he was sorting the meat onto the two plates and handing one to Aramina. He explained the rest of the night as they ate.

"Tonight you will take first watch, I don't expect anything to happen this close but it will be good practice. Wake me in, five hours. The moon should be about there, right above that peak. When you wake me up I want you to be able to tell me three things you heard during the night. Goodnight." After he had finished eating Alric rolled out his bed roll, layed down and quickly shut his eyes to get a few hours of sleep.

Alric

_________________

Orion Manteir- Tower Gaurd, Promised to Estel

Kedyn Alastair -Band Scout Sergeant Band DL

Davian- Aiel Seia Doon SL

Rion Anglemar- BT Dedicated

Aramina watched intently as Alric explain the firebow and how it worked. As he started the fire, she grabbed their utensils as he asked. She had never really prepared fish so she watched that just as she had the firebow. It was all well and good to know how to catch it, but if she couldn’t clean it she would still be going hungry. She thought she understood the how of it, but she was certain the practice would be a bit different.

As Alric discussed her night's lesson she nodded. "Thank you, for the instruction and the day's lessons." she said as he turned to sleep.

Night began to bare down on her and Aramina made a quiet circle around the clearing. She had never minded the dark, but she had rarely been out in it like this. Besides a couple nights playing under the stars as a child, her only experience was when she had traveled to Tar Valon so long ago. How many years had it been? She shook her head and tried not to think about it. Enough that her niece and nephew were no longer children now. In fact, they probably had children. She made a mental note to write her family when she got back to the Tower. They had corresponded back and forth over the years, but never often and their voices had grown less and less familiar to her. Maybe when she gained the shawl she would return to the land of her birth. She shook her head, laughing slightly at her own whimsy. Perhaps not.

She watched the moon moving across the sky, the stars bright and lending their light to the cool evening breeze. She stopped in her roaming as she heard movement around her. She turned to the sound, low to the ground. She embraced the source, relishing the feel but pushing aside the exultation to focus on the noise. Walking slowly towards it, she jumped back a little as a form blurred across her vision and skittered past her. She released the source and sighed. A squirrel, she realized as it moved up a tree and out of her sight.

She was as wide awake now as she had been in the morning, the moments excitement stirring her awake. Alright, to focus now. Three items she heard. She thought about it for a moment. The squirrel was something she had heard. What else could she expect to hear tonight? What would Orion hear if he were with her instead of Alric, she wondered. Her mentor of steel, as she thought of him, blind by something unknown incident, who seemed to see just fine with his other senses. She decided to take a page from his book and simply leaned back against a tree trunk and closed her eyes.

At first there was nothing, only darkness. She took a deep breath then, concentrating on the sound of her own heartbeat. When nothing else stirred around her, when her world was only the sound of her life's muscle beating, she began feeling outward with her senses. Wind. She heard the wind blowing through the trees. The gentle rustling of leaves. The sound of water chirping along it's course. She heard Alric breathing quiet and steady and the roar of the fire that she kept alive to fight off the chill. A dog howling in the distance, or perhaps a wolf. She wasn't sure she knew the difference. She'd have to ask Alric when he woke if he had heard it. And to help her identify the difference.

As time went on, Aramina continued walking around the came to keep herself awake. She worked the 100 weaves in her mind for the day she would finally be tested for the shawl. And as she walked she stopped so often, closed her eyes, and listened to the world around her. By the end of her watch, she didn't have to keep her eyes closed anymore to listen anymore. As the moon reached position, Aramina gently touched Alric's shoulder and he woke. "Do we continue our lesson tonight, or will it wait for first light?" She asked with a small smile on her face.

_________________

Aramina Sur Dulciena

Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah

Sana took a deep breath as he listened to his sister. He knew she'd come out the one time and he'd refused to see her. What did that say about him, really?

He didn't like the way his thoughts were turning. He thought about walking away, but where was he supposed to go? A solitary room in the White Tower? He might be thankful of their healing but he didn't like being in anyone's debt. And no one in their right mind assumed an Aes Sedai wouldn't exact payment in a way that you didn't expect. He put the bread down and looked at Rosheen.

Her words had come out harsh but no worse than his own. He wondered as he watched her, if there was a way to breach the gap between them. He'd always loved Rosheen. He'd just been hurt by her choice. What was there about being a Tower Guard that had kept her so long? What had taken her allegiance from her family and turned it away? He didn't doubt that she found it worth it. If she hadn't, she would never have stayed. Which meant that he just didn't understand the cause that she had adopted.

He had a choice here, that was true. He could walk away again, refuse to be a part of Rosheen's life. He could probably find a way to support himself for a month and then wait for his Father's caravan. Once he was completely rested from the healing, he could probably try to find them, knowing the trails they always took.

Or he could stay. He could stay with his sister and learn what she had to teach.

He looked down at his hands, thinking for a moment. It meant swallowing his pride, accepting that he had been wrong not to try to see her all these years. Was he strong enough to admit to that? No, he wasn't.

"Rosheen, I think..." He paused. Was he? What goaded him was that what he wanted more than anything right now was to have Rosheen smiling at him. Right now, sitting across from her in this strange place, surrounded by people that knew her and respected her, knowing that his family was miles away, what he wanted most was to make things right with her. He wasn't strong enough to accept all the wrongs he'd done her, but his love was strong enough to try anyway. A month wasn't enough time, but perhaps he could find a way to delay his father until things were fixed here. "I think I should stay. If Dad's coming back in a month, maybe I could learn a thing or two here. It wouldn't hurt to learn a weapon, one less hired hand to pay." He shrugged. "You think I could learn enough to make it worth the while?"

(((OOC: I snuck on the boards at work cause I was bored and just about got myself in trouble laughing when I read this :P My poor sonas... too bad their controller has such a cruel streak :P And neither Aramina nor myself had actually meant that as an actual stab at Sirayn, though i'm truely delighted she took it as one :P)))

“I do declare, Aramina Sedai, if I needed somebody to give grave offence you would be the first person under consideration. One does not speak openly of strength in public. That is not fitting to our station. As a side note, should you be interested in hearing it … every woman in this Ajah could destroy you in ways you don’t even know exist … and they have proven themselves a thousand times over.â€

Aramina understood the look that was threatening to break her own cool composure. Understood and was horrified that her words, her slip of the tongue, had been taken as a personal insult against Sirayn Sedai. In truth she hadn't meant to say anything about her strength in the Power, hadn't meant insult to anyone, but she hadn't been prepared to lay her strengths before the Ajah. She had stumbled into it because she hadn't thought it through enough before opening her mouth. Truely, if Sirayn Sedai taught her nothing else, she had learned that lesson in a terrifying fashion.

As for the other women around her, she had no illusions that in battle she was outdone by any of them. As long as she had been in the Tower, she had not one ounce of experience that these women had in hordes. She had made her own declaration of inexperience known already and hoped that perhaps some of them would understand that her words had been in error, that her true goal was the same as theirs and that she desired to learn from them as much as she could. Before she could try to comment though, before the words would come to her mind Sirayn began again.

“You have spoken passably well, yet I am not satisfied that you are ready to be Battle Ajah. I am looking for soldiers; you are but a child yet, young and green as a new leaf. You are not worthy. I will not accept you into the Battle Ajah.â€

The words, spoken crisp and concise, were like a physical blow. She took a step back, as if to ward them off, though nothing in her face changed except that pale that crept into her visage. She had been denied. She was torn by indecision for a moment. Part of her wanted to rage at Sirayn for taking her words the wrong way, to rage at herself for not thinking her words through more clearly before speaking them, to demand acceptance in the Ajah she had been training for since she had come to the Tower. Another part of her wanted to throw herself down in shame and admit to Sirayn her own mistakes and beg for acceptance.

Neither was the action of the woman that she had become last night. Her anger and shame were as much as part of her as anything else, but her determination had held her together for far longer than she cared to remember. She took a deep breath, never taking her eyes off the Ajah Head. Denied. She would not be denied. If they wouldn't have her, she would be of no Ajah. She took a step forward then, back to her original spot and decided on her course of action. As the saying went, take what you want, and pay the price.

"Sirayn Aes Sedai, you call me child, and I must agree with you for my words today. I apologize that you have taken them as anything more than a child's stumblings when confronted with a task that was beyond her. You ask me for my strengths when after last nights test I feel only weakness. You ask why I should be allowed to join the Green Ajah when in truth I don't know that I could ever live up to the legends that walk these halls." Her thoughts turned to her long dead friend and she drew the strength to continue from it.

"I accept your judgement as I have no other choice, but I will not be stayed from my purpose. I will learn what I can, fight what I must, and I will continue to serve what I believe is the goal of the Green Ajah. I will follow your steps and learn all I can from you, and from each Green Sister, on the hope that someday you will learn to see more in me than what you see today." She curtsied deeply then, lowering her eyes to the floor, revealing the extent of her personal shame. It grated to bow to an Aes Sedai now that she was one, but she owed the Ajah Head this. She owed much more, but she wasn't sure Sirayn would ever allow her to repay. Only time would tell now. "In the hopes that some day you will judge me strong enough to be a sword for the Green Ajah."

The day was young as Ursana made his way around the Yards. He was supposed to start training today so he had come early to try to get a feel for the Yards. As with his earlier impression, he felt the ease of the Yard around him. Not ease as in lacking in work or discipline, but in the practiced routine that happened around him. The training grounds were a stage and the trainees were well rehearsed in the parts they played as they moved around each other. Some seemed strangers, others spoke kinds words, while still others exchanged hard looks. It was a place to work hard for a craft and for other people's respect. It was something he could understand.

Sana wasn't a soldier, though he had handled a staff before in his father's caravan. He was, however, a man with few options. He had been left in Tar Valon by his family who had moved on with their trade while he had been healing. He didn't know when they would come back, though his sister had said a month. He didn't believe it. He didn't believe his family would take the loss they would suffer if their trade route was disrupted that much. Instead, he expected them back in maybe a year.

In the meantime, he was a stranger to the city and had no idea of what to do next. Rosheen's comment about him joining the Tower Guard if he got bored had been innocent at the time, but it had stuck. If he had known how to protect himself better, he wouldn't have been in this position in the first place. The idea had seeped into his brain quicker than he could stop himself and he had agreed pretty quickly to it. Maybe his father was right. Maybe the Arafel soil had seeped into his blood. Maybe something about learning to fight satisfied him on some level he hadn't begun to understand.

Or maybe he had just understood his own threshhold for boredom and knew he needed to do something constructive in his time in Tar Valon. Thus, today he waited for his first meeting with his mentor and the man that would teach him to fight.

"Ursana Than Sakhr, to attention!"

Sana heard the command in that voice and straightened up to look at the man that walked towards him. He didn't have any time to respond before he started again.

"I am Sovald Rul, and for the next years of your life, I will be your Mentor here in the Yards. When I tell you to do something, you do it. Period. You are a tool, unfashioned and crude. It is my job to shape you, to grind you down as far as I can, to make you sharp and cutting."

Years? He didn't let his mind dwell on that one as the rest of his mentor's words came through. A tool, huh? An unfashioned tool at that. He fought the smile that came too easily to his lips. He'd always liked challenges. He liked taking things on that people didn't think he was capable of. Life was nothing if you didn't learn new things, didn't experience new things. Becoming a sharp edge in battle seemed beyond him now, but by the light, if Rosheen had been able to, he would too.

"You like to spar? That's too bad. You'll have none fo that. Do you even know how to run boy? Twenty laps, around the track."

Sana nodded, without saying a word. A rare occurance for him as he happened to like to talk, but he figured he'd better save his breath. Fighting, he needed training for. Running he could do. He'd been running by his father's wagons since he learned he could keep up. Without further ado, he walked to the track, having stretched his muscles out earlier, and began his run, the watchful eyes of Sovald Rul on him.

“Dad said you’ve had some problems deciding what you want to do with your life, and he thought staying here for a while would do you some good. They’ll be back in a month or so to see if you’re ready to come with them though. You could always enlist for training if you get bored.â€

They left him? As comfortable as he was feeling with Rosheen at the moment, all current doubts and resentment put aside for their first encounter in years, he couldn't believe what she'd just said. He looked at his sister, searching for signs of laughter, or a joke. All he got was a seemingly nervous smile when she mentioned him getting bored.

He took a deep breath to try to think his way through the hurt that he was feeling. Just dumped off on someone else's doorstep? Rosheen's doorstep? She was the one that had left him years ago. Why would his parents think that abandoning him here with her was going to change anything? "A month?" He asked, his anger barely contained and not at all concealed. "They'll come back for me in a month? Sounds a little too familiar. Like 'i'll visit all the time' or 'i'll send word to you'. You weren't too good at keep those promises Rosheen. I don't suppose a month is much time in the grand Pattern , but I know when i've been left and I don't suppose i'll see our parents again when the month is out."

He was being harsh, with her and with his parents, but he was hurt and he didn't care. He'd spent too many nights as a child, wishing for Rosheen to come back to him. To have his parents leave without a word was too similiar for him. Had he really been that hard to deal with? Sure, he found the life on the road a bit monotonous at times, but he'd always tried to find ways to pass the time without trouble. He'd been good at his job and had taken pride in his family's train.

He couldn't think this thing through, couldn't see through his emotions right now. He looked back at his sister, but couldn't quite look her in the eye. He didn't want to know if he'd hurt her with his words. He didn't want to be the one to hurt her and he was too afraid that nothing he said would hurt her, that he didn't matter enough to her anymore. "So, I suppose they told you to keep an eye over me and make sure I behave like a good son?" He asked quietly. Not knowing what else to do, he ripped a roll open and began eating as he waited for her response.

He had always told himself that time had more than lightened the connection he had with his sister. It had severed it. Standing in front of her, hearing her voice again, seeing the warm look in her eyes, he knew that he had been lieing to himself. When she embraced him, he found himself hugging her back, amazed at the feel of her.

“Sana!†Sana, you’re well.†She stepped back then, looking at him. “Well, not so little anymore, eh? How do you feel? Are you hungry? Can I get you anything?â€

The questions, fired in rapid succession made him smile larger. "I'm feeling OK." he said. "Not quite hungry and still a little weak. It was strange waking up in the White Tower alone. I wanted to see you though. I wanted.. I wanted to thank you. I don't remember much, but I know that you were at my bedside while I was sick. Thank you."

Well.. since I just posted my first Rp with Sana, i'm sure this will change quite a bit before i'm done:P For now, here goes:

The best word to describe Sana is probably easy-going. Light hearted. Fun. Curious. Loves to learn and try new things. Neither a leader or a follower, someone who goes his own way. Secure in himself and his place in the word. Looking for something to dedicate himself too (even if he doesn't realize it :)

Sana's Arrival in the Yards

Something felt wrong. Even in his sleep, Sana felt the wrongness of his surroundings. Bone tired weariness made him unwilling to open his eyes. It was too quiet, too quiet for the road and he was certainly too comfortable to be sleeping under a wagon or the stars. With a deep breath, he opened his eyes and stared for a moment at the ceiling. Right. The White Tower. His memory came back in a flood; his family coming in to Tar Valon to visit his sister who was a Tower Guard, his refusal to see her and decision to gamble away his money at the taverns, the last night when his winnings had been too good and someone, a couple some ones actually, had followed him and decided to take a little of his good fortune with them.

He signed as he sat up and took another deep breath to stop the floating feeling in his head. He was weak from the healing. He remembered hearing them say that he would be weak. He had been beaten by the footpads and had been pretty bad off when they brought him to the Tower. The Sisters said if it hadn’t been for their intervention his broker fingers might never have healed correctly. He was just happy that he’d been unconscious before that bit of pleasantness had happened. In the end, he had woken in the Tower, his mother and father at one side and an Aes Sedai on the other.

Aes Sedai. He was a light blinded fool sometimes. His whole purpose in Tar Valon had been to stay away from the Tower, away from his sister. It was convoluted really. He adored Rosheen, had idolized her in his youth. Years of not seeing her, of feeling left behind and unworthy of her presence had put a stamp on that though and now he resented the choice she had made.

A light blinded fool indeed. Even in his power-induced weakness, he remembered his sister sitting at his side at some point, talking lightly as he roamed in and out of awareness. He hadn’t come to see her and she had still taken the time to see him. He wasn’t sure if he felt relieved that she still cared enough after his own selfish resistance to see her, or if he felt angry that she went against his wished. Alright, so he hadn’t seen her to tell her he didn’t want to see her, but he thought the point had been well made. Actually, he knew that answer. He was relieved that she wanted to see him, that she was still concerned. And as much as he had tried to avoid it, it left him with only one thing to do. He had to go see her now.

He got up slowly, his body well and healed but his strength still waxed and waned as fickle as the moon and her many faces. He had been given a small room until he was healed, a fact her remembered vaguely. He remembered his parents there, watching him. Remembered hearing reassurances that he would be fine where he was and they shouldn’t be concerned. But they weren’t here now. Odd. He’d have to investigate later. Right now, he owed Rosheen a small debt and he intended to pay.

Dressed and feeling a little stronger just from the movements, he exited his room. Completely lost, he came across a young woman who, after a few moments of conversation escorted him to the Yards. He watched for a while, taking in the sights of the Guards and Warders. He saw some obvious students, some obvious teachers, and a lot of in-betweens. He knew how to hold a sword, that much was true, but he’d never be the match to some of these men and women. He’d always had a fascination with warriors. His father swore it was because he was born on Arafel soil, that it seemed to imprint itself on his mind. His mother always sighed heavily and said it was his sister’s influence. Whatever the case, Ursana had always felt in awe of the Borderlanders and their way of life. So different from his own, so sad at times, and yet they lived life to it’s fullest, knowing that the Shadow came knocking on a regular basis.

He was starting to think about heading back and trying to locate some food when a familiar face caught his eye. Rosheen. Not the girl he had known, but a woman now. He didn’t realize his lips had parted into a smile or that his feet had started moving until he was closing the distance between them. He took a deep breath as he stopped, a few feet before her. “Rosheen?†he asked, not sure of his welcome or his own feelings about the matter.

I had stayed up late last night working up a new siggy for Sana (my half approved TG Trainee) so when I started the new one I just did a nice little cut n paste job. Eventually I think I will have to have something more.. but it'll do for starters :P

The first thing I noticed were all the new siggies! I actually delayed my post until I fixed mine:P I love it though! It's nice to see the new ones and see how many people have extra sonas besides the ones I knew from the WT :P

Made it! Though.. um... i'm not completely approved yet so i'll be lurking 'til I get the CC :P

I made it :P *jumps up and down in the doorway* Um.. can I come in now? :P