It shouldn't take more than just few days. When did you send your bio in?

*slaps herself* Damn it, it was me who was keeping us waiting :( I am so sorry for not getting this started even though I promised.

But with Mrija in charge, something will actually happen now. I'm confident that you will poke me into the right direction when the RP starts.

OOC: I am immensely sorry that I kept you waiting for so long. I actually had the post done for at least a week, I just didn't realize that I didn't post it up. I deserve a beating.

IC:

A man who could cook was a treasure indeed but only tasting the breakfast would tell if this chest was filled with false gold or the real thing. Annais noticed Sereth's hesitation between the flint and steal and Saidin and she approved his choice. She chuckled as Sereth set the tea kettle on fire even before she had time to reply. Not that there was much choice, it was either pure water or tea. Or brandy as Brent had given her a bottle but it was far too early to take a first shot. She frowned thoughtfully when she remembered that Brent had indeed flexed his Saidin muscles in front of her and Mia when they had arrived. "Tea is just fine and I see that you already got it started. And you are right, M'Hael Enios did channel to pass us the drinks." She grinned. "Is there some kind of a Black Tower manual that tells you how to deal with the Aes Sedai who come for a visit? But I suppose that that is quite instinctive strategy. It only works if the other is genuinely intimidated by the thought of Saidin." And she certainly was as she had found out over these few days.

Sereth certainly looked fairly professional at what he was about and wonderful smells of readying food begun to waft in the air, wetting Annais' mouth. After the breakfast she could forgive the early awakening. "You have seen the Aes Sedai when they really wanted to be seen. Most of our work is done behind the scenes and many Sisters travel incognito under a disguise." Of course it only served to make the isolation worse as the people never got to meet Aes Sedai. But then the situation was already bad enough that they would not receive an unbiased welcome and treatment if their real identity was known. "I will use what ever tools are useful in a negotiation. If I feel that using the weight of my position might be helpful, then I would rely on it. But you are correct in that it wouldn't be the only tactic, I'd use."

"Tinkers negotiate every time they meet people. When they ask for things to mend and tell of the Way of Leaf, they are trying to influence people to receive a favourable outcome for themselves and that is what negotiating is about. Their lives are often hard because people don't understand their philosophy and fear them. Also not everyone are as peaceful as the Wandering People are and fleeing isn't always a working tactic even with their dogs you do the intimidation and distraction for them."

Annais watched the breakfast preparations with growing interest. "The difference between pitting Saidin and Saidar against each others and negotiating is that neither one of us can see the other's weaves, whereas in parlay I can read your body language and make deductions based on it. But then even masters can be fooled. I once witnessed a chop game where in the end there were only an experienced Aes Sedai and a seemingly drunken fool left in the table. She had the perfect impassive face and she thought that she could read him well but he had been feeding her a false tell all night. I was given the advice that that game is good preparation for negotiations so you could consider practising it."

She waited politely until everyone had their food before them before tackling her portion. It was delicious indeed. Greasy and filling and just right. She chewed with pleasure and washed the first mouthful with plain tea. She wasn't one to ruin her tea with too much honey or, Light forbid, milk. "Yes, thank you. The tea is excellent and so is the food. Simple but good. And you are on the right path. Although strenght is not always stronger offerings. There is also the issue of whether the other party wants to give anything to the other one. Also tables can be turned by holding something really valuable to the other, like hostages or some discriminating material for blackmail. Not exactly ethical but the Great Game can get dirty - something that everyone should try to steer clear of."

"But basically power is not just something you possess, it is a relation. There is hard power, such as weapons and resources, and soft power that is of social nature, such as norms, contracts and precedents. How strong do you think that the Black Tower is in the soft power? And which does the White Tower have more, soft or hard power?"

Annais Nevell

Gray Sister

The bad feeling just grew stronger and Annais almost asked Mia to not go after all. But that would make her look like a coward fool and she couldn't show weakness in front of these particular Asha'man. They wouldn't dare to do anything to her. They might try to foil things with Brent and the White Tower and there would be a backlash but they would harm themselves more. If they did something, Brent would be forced to react and take them out. It was hard to not shift and glance around when the man whose name she still did not know vanished into one of the houses.

Annais was getting truly annoyed when the man returned with the sword pin attached to his collar and without the Asha'man and Aes Sedai he had been supposed to go get. She was about to announce that she would leave when she was suddenly Shielded and a harsh edge pressed against her neck. Her first reaction was shock and surprise that he really thought he could get away with something like this. First flutter of fear came when she realized that he likely was beyond caring and possibly insane. It was very good that he thought that she and Mia were Bonded; that misconception might save her life. She held herself deathly still under the blade of Air. It wasn't much of a choice that he offered.

"I will go inside", she said firmly forcing her voice to remain calm. She begun to step slowly as he directed her. If he had intended to kill her, he would have done it already. So he likely wouldn't slash her throat for asking a question. Why did he need her to go inside? "What do you think you are achieving by this?"

Annais Nevell

Gray Sister

We try to offer the Trainees choice in which requirements they want to do. But having some kind of structure would be good so that each Trainee wouldn't have to go through the process of hollering for a teacher with every Req.

Maybe we could ask few people to volunteer to do each Req and list their names beside the Req. Then the Trainees, who want to do that Req, could contact one of them directly and ask for a RP.

We feel that mentoring is still important although not in the traditional teaching sense. Mentors act as a touching point and can answer the questions of new members. They provide at least one person you 'know' until you learn the ropes.

Lillian’s jaw dropped at Arette as she fully took in what the woman had just done.  In all their time, she could never recall the ex-Keeper trying to blackmail her.  No more food unless she went to the Palace?  She was of a right mind to say something right there to restore the natural order of things.  She did not want to go to the Palace, she most certainly was not going, there was no good reason to go there except for the fact that they had food there.

Arette had done it deliberately too, she must have known that Lillian felt bad about plaguing her household with the insane hunger that had possessed her since she’d been freed.  She really, really disliked being dependent upon people because she felt like a burden, especially with Arette having her own children to take care of.  Which also meant that going to other Stavros, who struggled to get by themselves, or going to the marketplace with Arette were both out of the question.

She was going to push the point regardless except that even as she opened her mouth to speak, her stomach grumbled again, audibly.  Closing her mouth as she looked down again, there was a pained look on Lillian’s face as she realised that she’d been outmaneuvered.  The much more basic need of food was going to win out, though she hoped her stomach kept itself quiet while in the palace.  That would just be plain embarrassing, more so than this was now.

“You win.” Getting to her feet, Lillian swayed slightly, still a little unsteady though her legs were getting the hang of walking again.  “But I’m not going in this, and afterward we’re coming right back here.  If I had my way, I wouldn’t leave your home at all, not for at least a week.”

Arette looked entirely smug about it all, but Lillian waggled her finger at her.  “And I’m not becoming the advisor so don’t even think about it.  You might be getting me to the Palace but I’m not going to end up shadowing a royal when I have important things to do like sitting down.”  At that, Lillian turned around and went to go get herself bathed as she called over her shoulder.

“I mean it, not happening.”

Lillian Tremina

White Sister

"Telcia is in her home in Ebou Dar but as you well know, she is just one Gateway away. Did you know that I can Travel also?", she asked non-chalantly. "And Kit was indeed out of the touch with the White Tower for a year as she was traveling... far away. But she is back safely now, thank the Light."

"And that is a good decision, to stay here and recuperate fully. I wouldn't let you go anyway until you are at full health. The project is not that urgent that I would risk you for it. We'll see when you will be able to channel more."

Her face fell when Lillian truthfully pointed out that the Tower would not help once Illian would be publicly allianced with the Dragon. "It is a wonder that the Sisters in the Tower dare to call themselves Aes Sedai and would still bar help to a nation that is not hopping in their leash." She sighed deeply. She was about to ask Lillian frankly about why she stayed in the Tower but she was already speaking on and the chance passed.

Lillian's words about being an advisor made her slightly reconsider but if the White thought that she would settle for helping just now and then, she did not know her very well. When she took a job, she devoted to it. Maybe it was overdoing it a bit but that was her way and she would have to reconcile the different parts of her life to be able to act as an advisor.

Her Sister's belly had a life of its own and Arette frowned when she pondered what she had in store. She had been taken by a surprise how frequently Lillian needed food which was every few hours. They had ran out of eggs and porridge oats this morning and there was no bread either. She could of course bake some but it would take too long. Fish was usually brought in the afternoon when it was freshly caught and she hadn't had time to do proper shopping for vegetables.

"Food would be no trouble really but we are out of things. We have to go to the market place or ask from relatives or..." she sneaked a sly look at Lillian "... we could go to the Palace and pay respects to the new Queen. I'm sure that she would serve us a dinner."

Arette Stavros

Exiled Brown Sister

“Telcia is here?  And Kit?  I thought Kit was missing?  Wait.” Holding a hand up, Lillian realised she was slipping the conversation onto a different path.  And Arette had missed her point, but she could return to that.  “I will be here for awhile, I want to make sure I’m fine before returning to the Tower.”  No point in bemoaning why, Arette already knew and there was little to be done about it except deal with it and push through it or it would drag her down.  She’d suffered enough blows to know how to take ones like these, let them pass through until she was all that was left.

“While I’m here, I’ll be happy to help in any way that I can.  As to other sisters, I can’t think of any off the top of my head.  I can’t go back to the Tower and retrieve any either, I’d have to tell them that Illian is with the Dragon now and you can bet that they won’t commit any sisters at that point.  Unless there are some other sisters about that I don’t know of, then we’re going to be it pretty much.”

Leaning forward, Lillian’s elbows rested on the table as she rested her head chin in her hands.  “You would be perfectly fine acting as an advisor.  An Aes Sedai advisor is only one of many that a monarch has, there are plenty who don’t channel that are just as capable.  She’ll consult you whenever she needs you if your link is that close, and that still leaves you able to take care of other things like the family and projects like these canals.”

“In fa-“ Lillian looked down in alarm as her stomach growled audibly, making her blush as she looked up at Arette.  “This is ridiculous, I’m going to end up eating you out of house and home at this rate.  Could I trouble you for something?  Anything?  Just to keep it quiet.”

Lillian Tremina

White Sister

Lillian's evaluation of Helena might be correct, Arette had to admit with a purse of lips. She appreciated the slightly older Brown greatly but politics were not her strongest suite. "I doubt that they will see me as the candidate who always puts the best of the White Tower first. It is Illian now. But I could see why they might be forced to accept me if they don't want to loose prestige of having a ruler in the world who does not have an Aes Sedai advisor." Oh how satisfactory that would be. She now truly deserved the title of an Aes Sedai unlike most of the women sitting on their bottoms in the White Tower. She did not really care whether or not the Tower acknowledged her as a Sister, it was enough that she knew. But she would have been the perfect woman if she couldn't say that the thought didn't give her a sweet little sense of payback.

The reminder of Karana's fate made her grim. She believed that it had been inevitable but it still hurt. She didn't desire to have shared her fate anymore but she was unable to shake off the guilt entirely. And she had given alot of bad advice and been affected by her own biases which had made things even worse. They had been forced to create factions into the White Tower and play them against each others and that had served to make the Tower even less functional that it would have been otherwise. The effects were still getting mended. And even if she had lost almost all of her faith on the Tower, it had still been an important part of most of her life. If only there was a way to redeem it somehow... But she wouldn't get herself depressed with that dream.

"It is possible but to be a good advisor, I would have to be fully devoted to it. And I cannot be that. I have my family and the people of the Perfumed Quarters to teach and heal. I am about to get involved with two of the largest projects in the world done with the One Power since building of Stone of Tear and the White Tower. I can't be everything for everyone or I will burn myself out and I cannot take the bloody nobles on my plate too. I will help Sofia out as much as I can but you can see why I can't take that role, right?"

"And I don't mean to distract you from the topic but you are not going to leave Illian until we have cleaned the canals. I am not entirely comfortable with the blackcoats working on the sewers but they will at least starting from the end way first and not work among the people in the city until we can be certain that it is safe. And since they are better with the Earth, it is logical although I intend to do some of that too. But we should do the canals because Water is what we are better with. You, me, Telcia, Kit and Helena. Do you know any other Sisters who might be interested?"

Arette Stavros

Brown Sister

“Me?” Lillian held up her hands in front of her as if she were pleading innocence.  One of the problems with having known Arette for so long was that even though she could usually outguess the woman, having been put to work on enough projects for the woman had allowed her to learn that Lillian tended to have her own thoughts and ideas going on in turn.  But, she didn’t want to stray to those thoughts, at least not for the moment because it was as much diversionary on Arette’s part as it was interest.

“And you aren’t distracting me from my point.  I’ve met Helena before and I don’t think she would be an appropriate choice, not in an advisory capacity and the Hall will want someone particularly savvy.  They will want someone that they can depend upon to get the best deal for the White Tower at all times.  Now that they don’t have their alliances to trade on, I don’t know how they will seek to make themselves indispensable now.”

“You are an exile, but you also sheltered Princess Sofia and you risked your life for her against Darkfriends.  If the Princess were to state that because of these reasons that you were her chosen advisor and would accept no other, the Hall might bend and accept you in the hopes that your inextricably close link to the Princess could be of use.  They don’t have time to play about and spend time developing relations with a new monarch.”

“Ah.”  Holding up a hand so Arette couldn’t cut in, Lillian continued.  “Don’t even think of saying you’re just a Brown Sister either.  You were the Keeper of Chronicles and while your Amyrlin might have been stilled and you exiled, they were the worst circumstances possible and you did what you could.  You have a wealth of experience, knowledge and more so I think you’ll share a great deal more of it with Sofia than anyone they will send.”

“Don’t pretend that it isn’t a possible solution.  Between you and Con you can keep Sofia steady and protected from as many external influences as possible.  Even if the Tower doesn’t accept you, they will have to discuss the matter and decide against you before they decide to pick a new ambassador of their own to send.  Something that will take more time because they’ll realise that sending someone the Queen doesn’t want could be problematic, in particular because she’s aligned with the Dragon.  Yes, that would take awhile even with traveling.” Lillian fell silent as she allowed Arette to mull over what she had said.

Lillian Tremina

White Sister

Lillian was getting much better physically, she just did not want to go to the Palace and resorted to lame excuses. Appealing to not being a Gray Sister approached silliness with the way she had always defied the set roles of Ajahs. Lillian had tried to learn a bit of everything from all the Ajahs and she was an experienced player of the Great Game by now. Much better than Arette in fact but mainly because she didn't like to play but rather sorted matters out more directly and faster. Cutting to the core of the issue usually resulted in better results if it was just done tactfully enough.

"The Tower will not accept me in the position. They will send someone else sooner or later. If you got to know the Queen and she wished you to become her advisor, it would be seen as taking the initiative and striking when the iron was hot. You happened to be here and you acted. And the Tower would not risk endangering relationships with a new Queen by drawing her chosen advisor from her side even though they might still send someone else also."

"I can see why you wouldn't want to do it, though. It is not good to be in the position where all the factions of the Hall demand different things from you. Light, I don't want to do it either. I am tired of politics and nobles who play their little games while they could be doing far more important things like taking care of their people. That is what I have been doing in the Perfumed Quarters and what I want to keep doing still."

"I am hardly going to abandon Sofia entirely but I am not going to be glued to her side. There are other important things I need to do and the Tower will never acknowledge me as their representative to her." She tapped her lip thoughtfully. "If it won't be you, then there is another candidate actually. Helena has lived in Illian for long enough to give her credence and she has the experience."

"But you didn't really answer my question. What is your plan now?", she asked piercing Lillian with a gaze. "I'm sure that avoiding becoming the Hall's puppet wasn't the only reason to refuse. You have always liked to do things your way so what's the goal at the end of this road?"

Arette Stavros

Exiled Brown Sister

It seemed that her attempt to sidetrack Arette hadn’t worked, though Lillian had thought that her run of luck wouldn’t last forever.  She’d remembered what Arette had said to her in that cell, and the woman had hinted at it a couple of other times but Lillian had managed to adroitly avoid such talk by using her terrible state of health or alternately she was too busy doing something else.  Now that she was sitting there, doing nothing but being and generally enjoying the fact she was alive, Arette had managed to return to the subject.

One of the advantages of having worked with Arette for so many years, indeed helping her try and fathom different possibilities, was that she’d learned to somewhat read the woman.  One thing in particular stood out about her, she was doggedly determined to discuss something once she’d decided it was going to be discussed, and if she’d decided something was an excellent idea then she wasn’t going to let it go easily.

But then, there was a vast difference between their positions now.  Back then, Arette had been the Keeper of Chronicles and Lillian had been, and still was considered, a young sister of the Tower.  Now Arette was an exile, married and her ties to the Tower for all intents and purposes non-existent.  Well, there wasn’t really that much difference, if Lillian had wanted to she could have hidden behind her Ajah but she had always chosen not to.  She certainly wasn’t going to hide behind her title and her Tower now, especially since she had absolutely no intentions of following that thought.

“I would, but there is a possibility that a trip to the Palace might be overly taxing and you wouldn’t want to risk impeding my recovery would you?” The look Arette gave Lillian told her that her entreaty, paired with a wan smile, had fallen far short of the mark and that attempted guilt trips were going to go nowhere.  Sighing, Lillian leaned back in her chair as she looked to her sister.

“I really, really, really do not need to meet Princess Sofia.  I’m of the White Ajah, for all intents and purposes I should leave this matter to a sister of the Gray Ajah who is better trained to deal with royalty and politics.”  A snort from Arette informed Lillian that that wasn’t fooling her either.  Still, it was worth trying.  “The Hall would have to ratify my appointment and it might be seen as presumptuous to say the least if I were to simply assume the role.  Not to mention the possible pol-“

“Alright.”  Waving away the warning look that she was getting now, Lillian sighed again.  “I can’t.  Even if I were ratified to the post, and the Hall most certainly would not pick me due to my youth, I would be obliged to follow any instruction I was given because I would be directly answerable to the Hall as the Tower’s representative here.  You do not want me in that position, and I most certainly do not want me in that position.”

“Besides, you’re here and you’ve been advising her well enough, she’s got her throne back now after all.  You advise her.”

Lillian Tremina

White Sister

Giving Lillian's hand a thankful squeeze, Arette smiled at her a bit weakly. The girls managed to wring her on knots but she loved every moment of it. "Good thing that you didn't laugh. They are bad enough as they are are even without encouragment", she admitted with a fond smile. She would miss the spontaneity when they were older and hopefully would learn to behave as was expected... for the most of the time.

A shadow crossed her face when Lillian asked about her childhood. If she would have behaved like this, her mother would have spanked her, three years old or not. Love hadn't been abound in the house where she had grown up and Annele had been quite determined to turn her into a woman who would become a desireable obedient daughter and wife. She smiled wryly when Lillian reminded her of yet another embarrassing incident. After she and Karana had tried to make Lillian to retake her Oaths and she had failed to hold her with the One Power, Lillian had confronted her about her difficulties with saidar and suggested that she might be pregnant. That had brought about a fine tiff as she had been raw over Con and going through a depression about aging. She had been convinced that she had reached a menopause and called Lillian an inconsiderate brute and worse for even touching such a delicate matter.

"I thought that the evidence was kind of overwhelming and I wouldn't have to state the obvious", she remarked. "I would like to apologize for my behaviour, though. It was quite unacceptable and even if we weren't heart friend's who confided to each others about everything, it was still a friend's gesture to worry. I was quite insufferable in my last months in the Tower so I don't know why you even bothered." It had been a huge relief to get out of the Tower finally but the situation she had been thrust into had felt even worse. And with what had happened to Karana...

She reached to touch Lillian's hand again. "Not that I am not glad of it now. And glad to have you here. But lets not think of old things anymore, the present is quite a handful enough."

"What are your plans now, Lillian? Will you accompany me to the palace later today? You really do need to meet Princess Sofia... well, Queen Sofia now."

Arette Stavros

Exiled Brown Sister

While it had only been two days of incarceration, they had been like a year for Lillian and the chance to simply sit down and be was like having drifted into some paradise.  Not that there work had been done, even after she'd channeled to the point of pushing all limits, she had only slept to then wake up and do the same again.  Then asleep again last night, this morning there was still more to be done but thankfully it didn't involve her, or Arette for that matter.  All the while, Andular had stuck with Con with her blessing, she was safe and the last thing they needed was for Arette to lose her husband, he'd gotten enough scars at Tammuz Square to match the ones on his face, poor man.

Breakfast had been good, more than good, it had been dreamy.  She'd been eating every few hours ever since she'd been freed, yet satisfying the voracious appetite had been rewarding in the form of her motor control slowly returning.  If it kept going at the pace it had been, she was certain that when she returned to the White Tower that she would be for the most part back to her normal self.  Well, except for the memories, unkind ones that returned on occasion.  She didn't know why but it was the black coats of the companions, or the Asha'man, that kept triggering her memories of Ja'varan and the treatment.  It was one of the reasons that Arette had brought her back to the home in the Perfumed Quarters.

Another good reason was the children who were sitting in her lap.  Daughters, beautiful children who had been named well.  Leaning back in her arms, the two had their own language or so Arette had informed her.  They looked so serious when they did it, she would have been lying to herself if she said she didn't feel something within her soften as she watched the two.  What they said when they decided to resume normal language completely threw her though, it must have Arette as well because it was a moment before she responded with a side to her that Lillian was quite certain that she'd never seen.

Hugging the children as they slipped off her lap, Lillian was forced to bite her lip as Rana whispered in her ear.  Watching them leave, Lillian's lips were quirking but it was Arette's apology that caused her to laugh outright as she reached over and grabbed her hand.  "Its alright, they're children.  Light if they'd said much more I wouldn't have been able to keep a straight face though."

Her eyes twinkling mischievously, Lillian added.  "Did you do that as a girl?"  Hahaha  Laughing inwardly at the look that got, Lillian let her hand go and leaned back.  "And you haven't told me I was right yet."

Lillian Tremina

White Sister

It was the morning after the battle and Arette's mood was seriously subdued despite the victory. Now the cost was truly rubbing in after comforting her husband who bore heavily the responsibility of leading his kinsmen to death. And not just men, women too and their deaths were even harder on him even if none of them on this mission had had too young children anymore. But they had still had children and now they were motherless and even worse, some doubly orphans. Her heart went out for them. Yet more funerals in the family and so soon after Philip's death. Con had left already to lead his men who were still alive and she would have to go and meet the widows soon. But not yet. Her own list of duties and most of them conflicting weighted on her and she wanted to just spend a few quiet moment with her daughters and a sister she had not met in quite some time. Lillian had been an answer to a prayer, a solution to a problem and she was determined that the White would see that she was needed. She had so many other things to do and all of them equally important: more negotiations with master Farath and the blackcoats about the sewer project and she felt guilty for abandoning Sofia on her first difficult day. But she would go see her later and take Lillian with her. Right then family took precedence.

Rana and Cina were quite taken with Lillian and they were babbling at her speaking all over each others. They looked so cute there on her lap that she wanted to badly snatch one of them and hug her. Rana poked Cina and they whispered for a while on their secret twin language that she still couldn't understand and after a moment Cina nodded. Rana regarded Lillian seriously and then touched her breast. "Yours be bigger than Mama's."

"Do you be having babies, Lili?", Cina piped in turn. "We be wanting a little brother but Mama says she no be able to lay eggs anymore." The thought made her giggle as always and she now associated baby making with cooking and omelettes despite Arette's best attempts to explain it in some way that did not make her blush too badly and wasn't too much information for a three year old.

Finally able to shake off from her stunned and abhored state at their behaviour, Arette shrieked. "Karana Constanzia and Telcina Electra! You just don't speak of that kind of things when we have guests. You are excused from the company. Go to your room now and think on what you did wrong."

The girls pouted but they didn't protest knowing that if they did, they would not get dessert. They hugged Lillian before sliding off and Rana whispered. "You be telling us later then, miss Lili."

Turning to her Sister positively red faced, Arette began to apologise. "I am really sorry about that, Lillian. They are just three so they still blurt out things like that."

Arette Stavros

Exiled Brown Sister

The Forsaken was dead, a sweet victory for the Light bittered only by the lives it had cost to gain. Arette was still filled to brim with saidar but she could sense no one else holding the female side of the Source anymore. If there were anymore Dreadlords left, the Asha'man would handle them. They had met the vile Ja'varan and her cronies on the Tammuz Square and defeated them and the Palace was theirs now. There was still fighting going on in parts of it but the Tracing weave on Con's wedding ring told her that he wasn't part of it anymore. He wasn't in need of Healing and he was safe so she could focus on finding a woman held prisoner somewhere in the vast building. She knew the structure of the place from the battle plans and the basement and the holding cells there were the most likely location to start at.

No one disturbed her on her way down and the soldiers recognised her giving her way. She stopped on two occasions to Heal men, who were so badly injured that moving them was impossible, but she tried to store the rest of her strength for Lillian in case she needed her aid too. She felt guilty for not helping everyone but once she found her Sister, she would come and assist the men also.

The air in the prison was moist and cool and everything was quiet as the grave with only her own footsteps echoing eerily. She felt a chill in her spine and for a moment image of Lillian dead and bloody rose to her mind. She dispersed it angrily and began to stroll alongside the line of barred doors. All cells were empty save the last one and she gasped in shock to see her Sister lying on her side on a stone slab completely motionless. In fact, Lillian's stillness was so complete and creepy that Arette was convinced that she was dead. Her clothing was shredded, what bits of it were left, and her hair was a mess with bits and pieces cut out of it like someone had been a bit frenzied with scissors. The most frightening thing was that the emerald eyes were open but staring eerily into nothingness.

Arette wove urgently Earth into the lock to open it and swung the door open. She strode to the woman and knelt to Delve Lillian even while she searched for the pulse on her throat. It was there but so incredibly weak that she feared that Healing might be too much for her. What had been done to her poor Sister? She shook Lillian gently and received a barely audible mutter as a response. It had sounded like 'Leave me be'. Hearing her speak filled Arette with elation. Lillian really was alive and she would make it through.

"Lillian, this is Arette. You are safe now. Ja'varan is dead and we have taken the Palace." She clicked her tongue and 'admonished' Lillian slightly tremulously. "You need to have a word with your hairdresser, she has done atrocious job."

Arette Stavros

Exiled Brown Sister

Arath stared at the Aes Sedai for a moment, carefully thinking out his response.  He hadn’t been expecting any good news when he saw her approaching, but this ... this was not something he needed right now.  "We are aware that he’s had problems with the Aes Sedai in the past.  But unless he just attacked you, I don’t see why this needs to be brought up now."

"Problems", Arette repeated with a thinning of her lips. Calling a murder of three Sisters that was quite an understatement. She wasn't going to start debating why it had to be dealt with now, he would have his chance to explode about it soon enough. And he had saved her today, the vile Forsaken would have Stilled her if it hadn't been for Arath. She had thanked him no amount of words could express her gratitude. She didn't wish to quarrel with him but she couldn't back down on this.

"I just Healed him and since I did come across him, the... problem became topical. Since you are the head of the Black Tower delegation that he is a part of, you are the person to discuss with about the trial. There needs to be one, don't you agree? Murder is quite a serious offense, not to mention triple murder."

"Murder.  Yes, it is serious but then ... I'd be more sympathetic if he had not just been gentled.  I can't say I'd have done different under his circumstances."  Arath took a deep breath, trying to remember his promise to himself to be civil with the Aes Sedai.  "Very well.  If you insist on this trial before we've dug all of our men out of the rubble, then I had better be there to make sure it's fair at least.  He'll be tried under Illian law then?"

Arette simply chose to ignore Arath's comment about Gentling. Nothing justified a murder, nothing. And they had done Marden and the world a favour by severing him from Saidin. He would have gone insane and rotted horribly likely killing others in the process. Yes, it would be horrible to loose Saidar and she would likely be as depressed herself as she had been after Calvin's death but never lusting for blood like Marden and like Arath had just confessed. What was wrong with these men? Unbidden an image of a Stilling rose to her mind, a scene of Karana's trial. Arette staggered and would have lost her balance if Philotas hadn't kept his solid hold of her. How it had ached to watch it until tears had blinded her and how her beloved mentor had to be suffering. But Karana had a cause and a purpose, she was with the Dragon and she had inner steel that would keep her going.

"Not today", she whispered weakly. She had to be strong now or at least appear so. It was a demanding task but finally she managed to speak in a normal voice. "He is the Dragon's man now so he should be tried by Lord Dragon's laws. Penalty for murder is hanging, I've understood. A jury maybe? I am sure that the Queen will want to be present as will the Commander of the Militia. I am not quite certain who would make an unbiased judge, maybe one of the Banders. It has been customary to arrange a hearing before the trial itself and I suggest we do the same. Just... not today. So much left to do." She would go to have her precious sleep and then Healing would continue.

She faced Arath squarely. "If you wish a word with Veniso, he is being held secure under the palace. No harm has been done to him nor will be done until he has been convicted." She shouldn't have needed to even say that but this man would suspect the worst of her.

Arath pursed his lips slightly at her last words.  Until he has been convicted, as though it was already decided and the trial was simply a formality.  "I'm sure he will be safe.  But just to make sure, you wouldn't mind if one of the Asha'man is kept with him."  This was a statement, not a question, but Arette nodded almost imperceptably, as if giving permission.  Just one more thing that got under Arath's skin, even if it was a habit of women in general and not just the Aes Sedai.

"Well then, unless you have a problem with another of your ..." Arath paused for a moment looking for an appropriate word, then continued with a shrug, "... allies, I must finish accounting for the rest of my men.  It would be a shame if someone were to die because of a few precious moments lost."  He knew he shouldn't be making these verbal stabs at her.  The Aes Sedai was an ally, however much neither of them liked it, and adding to the tension between them wasn't likely to help Marden out of his situation.

As he thought of the other man, for just a moment the whole weight of the situation came crashing down upon Arath's shoulders.  He was only 19 years old; why was he responsible for all of this?  The burden of leading men to their deaths in battle, the trial of a man under his command, dealing with the bloody Aes Sedai and their schemes ... it was so much, even for a man much more his senior.  Arath shook his head and walked away from Arette, moving toward a group of men extracting someone from a pile of rubble.  He would have to vent later.  For now, he was needed by those in danger of their lives, both Marden Veniso and those still buried under collapsed buildings.

Arette & Arath

Why did she even care what Marden Veniso thought of them. He was incorrigible and more than half mad. And she very much feared that the Black Tower would wheedle him out of this and let him loose again. It was true that he had fought for them today but she had watched him. The man had a death wish. She was also utterly convinced that if he had thought there was some way to kill her and get away with it, he would have done it without a moment's hesitation.

"Far Madding was your last chance to prove that you are not a threat to the world and killing three Aes Sedai and Tower Guards was not very convincing. Take him away now." She leaned heavily on Philotas and very much hoped that she could be carried right then. But no, she had to walk on her own two feet, had to find Arath and bear the outburst that would come. And she had to do all of it with dignity when she wanted to just curl up and sleep. And after sleep Heal more. Lillian would have dealt with this so much better. Why had it been she who found Marden Veniso? Lillian might not have even recognised him and he would have left and the Alliance wouldn't have been endangered.

Step, step, step... her feet were lead. Philotas knew who she wanted to find and he asked the blackcoats after Arath and steered her to the right direction. She was more than greatful as it freed her to gather her thoughts. She needed to be very diplomatic, listen his harsh words calmly and... Rest. Why hadn't she just pretended that she didn't recognise Marden Veniso? She saw the sidelong dark stares the Asha'man gave her and knew that she would be even more hated after today. Why did she even care?

Finally they approached a familiar figure and after a moment of waiting he noticed them. She didn't bother to try and stand straight. There was no shame in being exhausted after all the channeling she had done. "Master Faringail. I would inquire about a member of the group you brought from the Black Tower. Marden Veniso.... did you know that he has killed three Aes Sedai?"

Arette Stavros

Exiled Brown Sister

Feeling his weapons stripped from him, Marden weighed up the options.  Too many armed men for him to get away, no one could stop him if he dashed for Arette though he was sure of it.  Only a few steps, he could scrabble and leap towards her, snap her neck and feel her thread snap in the same moment before their swords ended him.  Four rings, he could earn a fourth before he fell.  There were still others that deserved his vengeance, but here was an opportunity that he would not get again.  End her and her hypocrisy right here, one less threat to his brothers that wore the Black coat as he did, even if he was at the same time not one of them.  A half brother, a half man, missing what had once made him great.

But he would be no use to Dramon dead, nor would he do his brothers any favours.  If he were dead, he could not protect them, and while this woman who had once been Keeper deserved to die, they deserved to live far more.  If he attacked her here, victory or defeat, he would surely damn his brothers and leave them open to reprisal.  It was a decision he struggled with even as he slowly got to his feet.  By the time he had straightened, he wasn't wholly convinced his choice was the right one, but he made it.

"Penance?  I suffered your penance in Far Madding, as did David Harbin and Travis Muldoon.  You are the abomination, hypocrite."  Spitting, Marden turned to the men around him as he spoke with a tightly contained fury.  "Well?  Where am I going?  Come on you gutless cowards and traitors, lead the way."

Marden Veniso

Gentled male channeler

Now there was an insult Arette had never heard in her life and despite the extreme exhaustion she sat straighter and her face hardened. "And you will face the Dragon's justice. The penance for murder is hanging and since you have committed it at least thrice, the rest of it will be for the Creator to judge." Had the M'Hael known what Marden Veniso had done? Regardless, the Black Tower would not take it kindly that he was apprehended and would demand the right to punish him themselves. But considering that he was here and free, they would do nothing. They must have been aware of his deeds and just let them slide.

At worst it might place the whole Alliance in danger but her Sisters deserved justice. It would have been so simple if he would have just died but he had lived. If she had done anything to him or indeed, not done anything, his blood would have been on her hands. But she had to think the greater good too. If this tensed things so that Sofia would have trouble with her negotiations with the Dragon... Light. She would have to inform Arath who seemed to lead the blackcoats but something would have to be done to Marden in the meanwhile.

"One life does not replace another one. You may walk yourself if you behave, Veniso. Please disarm him and escort him to a cell in the Palace dungeons. I will bring Master Faringail there briefly." It was an effort to keep her voice strong and authoritative. She tried to stand up but her legs wouldn't carry. Con's cousin, another Philotas, came to her aid. Thankfully he didn't scoop her up but only helped her to stand and gave her the support of his strong arm. Her body screamed for rest more than she had ever craved for anything but this matter would have to be solved first. She didn't even want to think Con's reaction. He would disapprove, he had always had a strong bond with his brothers in arms and Marden had saved his life. But he had been sworn to protect the Sisters who had died and men under his command had also been killed then. So complicated.

Arette Stavros

Exiled Brown Sister

Pain and darkness, thats all there was for Marden as he lay on the ground, at least he thought he was laying.  Yet despite the pain, he was strangely lucid, if anything the pain of the body helped to offset his inner pain that tormented him constantly.  The two counterbalanced one another to give a strange sense of peace amidst the anguish, he would die soon.  Nothing to be done about it, indeed he welcomed its embrace as much as he rejected it.  Death would mean freedom from his pain, freedom from his burden, but death would also mean he would be unable to watch over Dramon Calgar, his Dragon.  His one reason for existance, the one thing that gave him a reason to go on living.

Frost.

Thrashing as the one power coursed through him, even as his flesh knitted whole his body rebelled against the foreign touch of the power that he couldn't touch, that wasn't his to control anymore.  Cheated of death and revolted by his body being violated so, his eyes snapped open to find a bright existance.  A vision fouled by the person who stood before him, a woman who deserved to die by his hand a thousand times for the agony her and her kind had worked upon him.

Arrested?  The very suggestion made him laugh, an incredulous chuckle that preceded his attempt to get back to his feet but the hands that had held him down while he healed now restrained him so he couldn't get to his feet.  The very idea of being put on trial a second time by this woman caused his entire being to come aflame with a mercurial rage that was quickly overwhelmed by a cold burning hate that caused him to still himself as everything he felt for women of the shawl came to his face.

"Arrest me?  I've suffered your justice before you diseased bitch, piss on you and your idea of justice.  I answer to the M`hael and the Dragon Reborn, I am not subject to your justice any longer."  Looking at the men that were holding him, Marden snarled.

"Remove your hands from me!  Is this the measure of your gratitude?  I fight alongside you and risk my life for yours and this is how it is repaid?  Is this Illian courage?  Get your hands off me!"  Marden briefly struggled but the grip of his captors remained strong.

Marden Veniso

Gentled male channeler

It was a late afternoon and even though the worst glare of the sun had settled, it was still hot and the stench of blood and guts made Tammuz Square a not so pleasent place to be at. The Square itself and the nearest buildings had been badly damaged during the battle against Forsaken Serashada and her Dreadlords as the One Power had been utilized liberally by both sides. The rubble hadn't been cleared yet and there could still be survivors among it. Banders and Militia men circulated on a look out and after her latest short nap that had helped to her exhaustment only slightly, Arette had joined them to Heal anyone really badly wounded who they might find. Lillian was doing the same somewhere in the Palace, though the men had to be brought to her as her body wasn't still quite recovered from the hospitability of a Forsaken.

She and Lillian were in as bad state both since she had taken her Sister's exhaustment into her and the day had been maybe even more taxing than her test for the Shawl. Not only was she channeling at the edge of what was safe but Healing badly hurt men and walking among dead, many of who she had known personally and whose spouses and children would mourn them dearly. Heal, rest, get up and do it again. She was a Servant of All and the Tower casting her out did not affect that one bit: there was no other option.

The hem of dress got caught on a jagged edge of a stone and Arette nearly stumbled. The soldiers scanning the area nearby gave her a worried glance but she waved them to keep searching. She doubted that she would find anyone in the state she was in but then she heard an unmistakeable groan. Trying to spot its maker, she finally saw legs under a pile of debris caused by a fallen column. She did not want to waste her strenght on getting him out so she called for the soldiers to come and help. She wondered whether the man was even alive after such punishment but after the pillar was carefully removed, he was still breathing. And he had groaned.

The black uniform marked him as a man of the Black Tower and not one of the Shadow sworn. Arette turned his face carefully toward her as she laid her hands on his temples and the recognition made her freeze. It was Marden Veniso. Light, why did it have to be him. She could not make a decision like this. Healing had to be given to all that were in need of it and Marden might have done horrible things but he was not a darkfriend, just a madman and a murderer. And today he had fought on their side and been there to aid Con twice. The second time he might have even saved her husband's life. Con had been knocked down and a Companion was about to run him through when Marden launched himself at the attacker. She just stared down bleakly, trying to sort out the inner struggle.

The Militia soldier, Con's grand cousin or something like that, noticed her hesitation. "Be everything alright, Arette? No be telling me he be one one of the Light-cursed darkfriends." He spat to show his contempt.

What should she do? She couldn't just leave him to die and if they tried to move him now, it would do him injury. But he had killed three Aes Sedai and Light only knew how many Tower Guards when he had escaped from the Far Madding facility. Delaine Rivest of the Red Ajah, Sera Saunders of the Brown Ajah and Nela Maridi of the Yellow Ajah had all tried to help their charges so that they could maybe one day be returned into normal society. All of the men sent there had been deemed almost hopeless cases for they hated and resented the Aes Sedai for what had been done to them. They should have been glad to be rid of Saidin that would have driven them insane and killed them eventually like the other men the Tower had helped but they were everything but. Marden had proved every doubt of his capability of becoming a normal person ever again by his escape and the brutal kills.

Still, he had saved Con and he had fought for the Light today so he deserved at least a fair trial as fast as it would be. That he should have deserved anyway but even touching him disgusted Arette. Leave him to Lord Dragon's justice. The penalty for murder was hanging according to his new laws and since she doubted that Marden would be given over to the White Tower, it would be noose for him. A waste of good Healing but it was the right thing to do. She laid the weave on the man and watched his eyes shoot open. The soldiers restrained him and kept his back to the ground to stop him from hurting himself. He shivered and gasped and finally fell limp.

She removed her hands the instant the Healing was done and rubbed them on her dress as if they were smeared as she sat heavily on the ground, bone tired from yet more channeling. If Marden decided to do something to her, she doubted that she could stop him but that was what the soldiers were for.

"Marden Veniso." By her tone she could have as well said rabid dog. "Do you have something to say before I order your arrest for your crimes?"

Arette Stavros

Exiled Brown Sister

Annais could count the times Mae had giggled during their long friendship with fingers of two hands and the delightful sound made her laugh hard until she held her sides. Laughter did her a wealth of good after the stresses of the day. "You know that I am always up for evil plotting. That would be so much fun, planting rumours. It is better that you take the control of your reputation because if you don't make up the stories, others will. So sneaking out and sending gifts and notes it will be."

She smiled brightly at Mae's words and stroke the back of her hand as the Red took hold of hers. "And ditto, Mae. I have missed you too." Good friendships lasted separation and you could pick up from where you left off without a pause. "However, I have not missed your snoring and poking me in the ribs like you did when we were roomies", Annie added with an insolent grin. "But I still adore you."

"And yes, bed sounds perfect and most indecent. Although I would be too tired to do anything naughty even if the most droolable hunk in the world apparated in front of me." It was worrying that the first image of sexy man that came to her mind was Brent. She would have to analyse it later as her brain was near dead.

Mae's question made her almost groan as the embrace of slumber couldn't be obtained immediately. But they needed to do a bit of channeling anyway or they would really feel the effects of the Oaths the next morning. "Could I offer you Healing first and get the same in return first?", Annais asked with a hopeful tone. "My skin feels so awfully tight that I feel like bursting every time I move. Even clothes feel uncomfortable. How can I sit tomorrow?" It was an effort to reach Saidar but she managed to channel the needed trickle to ease Mae and sighed gustily with relief when the worst pressure of her skin was leviated.

"Poor Estel was in a state where she could barely comprehend her surroundings. The snapping of her Bond effected her badly. She tried to jump out of the window of the Amyrlin's Study and that's when I had to put her to sleep. I could get some of the story out of her but it was all a jumble. Have you been to see her since? But it might be better to save the topic for the morning." She smiled sleepily and yawned deeply.

Annais Nevell

Amyrlin Seat

Years of work had finally paid off and Sahra Covenry was a Tower Guard. She so deserved a frothy pint of beer. The time of ceremonies was over so she headed to the small group of people who had been waiting for her to pay her respects to the Tower Guards of ye olde days. Conor was the first one to catch her and she was surprised when instead of simple congratulatory hug he also kissed her. She returned the embrace and smiled under his lips but didn't yield hers.

When they pulled apart, she eyed him fondly and grinned teasingly. "Don't pretend, Connie. We both know that I am not your type. I don't say baa, baa and I am not quite wool-headed enough." It pulled some snickers from her new Company mates and she glanced toward Sana. If she had been anyone else but Sahra, she could have been said to look almost shy. "Whereas someone here might be just my type."

Her words were replied with some eager 'me' and 'I'm your man' calls that she ignored with a snort. Her intention of kissing him properly was foiled, however, when Jaz and Marie hoisted her on their shoulders and begun to carry her toward the city accompanied with rhytmical 'Drink, drink, drink' chanting. She looked back at Sana and when their eyes locked, she mouthed word 'later'. From his wink and eager grin she figured out that he had understood.

***

If you were into dancing, the Red Stallion inn was a good place to be at. They had hired permanently some good players who knew rhythms from all the lands but especially Saldaean dances which were Sahra's favourites. That was why she had insisted that they ended up here. She was extremely happy that so many people had showed up to celebrate the event. The more the merrier after all.

She really hoped that she wouldn't make a total fool of herself tonight and be piss drunk. It would be difficult to politely refuse all the drinks she would be offered tonight as all her new Company mates didn't know yet that she prefered to drink moderately. She had seen too many idiots during her time a bar maid and even as a Trainee. She liked to hang at bars and have fun just like everyone else, she just need to be totally wasted to do it.

And her roomies certainly had been fun. Thinking her first room mate, Fior, still hurt a bit. They had been together for a year against the rules until he had left. But they would have had to have broke it off anyway as they had gotten caught red handed by Aran. He had made her to realise that she had failed in her dedication to her training. And Sahra had wanted to become a Tower Guard more than anything. Conor and Mahiko were still left of the group of four that they had had and that was more than enough for her.

She also had her wonderful mentor despite hurting him by getting involved with Fior. If she would have had to name one single most important person in her life, it would be Sana. He had a wonderful sense of humour and he was one of the warmest and most laid-back people Sahra knew. She hadn't been let through her training easily and she was thankful for that. But she had always known that if she had any troubles what so ever, she could turn to him. With everything else but Fior.

Included in the lovely Sana package had been also the craziest and best grand mentor ever, Aran. He certainly was an unconventional Tower Guard who often flaunted tradition and propriety but his skill with blade couldn't be denied nor could his devotion when it really mattered. It was such a shame that he couldn't be there today. He would tease her horribly of course and it would be a bit embarrassing if she and Sana really would... there were some doubts and matters they would need to clear out first, but not tonight. Tonight was for enjoying themselves and being with friends.

Sahra Covenry

Tower Guard

It was expected that Mia would continue to vent and Annais wanted to give her the chance to get it all out. She doubted that it would make Mia any less angry and it wouldn't change what had happened but at least she might feel a bit better. Her start made Annais flinch again. She could of course wrap the woman in binds of Air if she actually tried to get physical but the thing was that she believed that Mia could do it if she was provoked further. Reminder of the Linten event made her flush. It had been pure stupidity and Brent had been rightfully angry at her because her gullibility could have lead to her getting killed, and the blame would have landed squarely on him. You would think that over a century of dealing with some extremely ruthless people should have taught her something but no.

Selfish was exactly the word to describe it and it was a small comfort that Brent had wanted it as much. He was a man and a very deprived man at that but the decision had been hers. Mia's protective feelings for him were the root of the issue and it was very telling that she still saw him as a boy she needed to protect. But he was a grown man, actually older than Dulain had been when he had died. But hadn't she still felt the same about him all those years ago and felt extremely guilty for lusting someone she was meant to protect and guide. That wasn't the case with Mia but it was hard to let go of a protege mentality and let them grow up.

Of course any friend would feel the same. Maegan would be horrified if she ever found out what she had done and Lillian... The suggestion of a secret meeting made Annais blink. Yes, it would have been sensible. But it would have also meant that they both would have had to admit that they were in a relationship and there would likely be more meetings like that. Now they could just tell this off as a mistake, a wonderful lapse of control. Annie had sworn that she would never ever sneak around for any man after Milos but she was sorely tempted now. But she wouldn't.

What if it had been someone else than Mia who had seen Brent sneaking out of her room? The thought made her stomach tighten with fear but she got something else to worry about when Mia's eyes rolled showing the whites and she fell like a tree. Annais reached forward urgently to catch her but Mia's weight pulled her to the ground too. At least she was able to soften Mia's stumble a bit. "Burn you, Mia. Don't you die on me", she spat urgently. She turned the woman to her back and Delved her certain that she had gotten some kind of a seizure. The result made her gape. Mia had just fainted. Mia! Well, it was more an overload of rage and upset than a feminine dizzy spell but still. Annais placed a pillow gently under her head and brushed her hair before she set to prepare some strong tea laced generously with honey. It would do Mia good when she woke up. No Healing was needed so all she had to do was to wait and let the tea cool a bit meanwhile.

When the woman's eyelids begun to flutter, Annais hovered over her. "How are you feeling? I am very sorry, Mia. Everything you said about me was very true, the selfishness and stupidity." Her jaw set stubbornly. "But Brent isn't the boy you still see him as and you need to stop treating him as one." Wrong approach to the situation, she shouldn't be crowding Mia now. Taking the tea mug, she cooled it with a small weave of Air. "You should drink this. It will help you to feel better."

Annais Nevell

Amyrlin Seat