So many bodies littering the ground. Who were they? Where they just brigands or much more? They were brave, that was certain. They hadn't run when they had understood who their targets were. When the first ones had fallen, the others had kept on attacking. 

Myrrhi took a careful look at each face, hoping for an explanation to pop in her mind. None came. These men were just regular "men". Nothing she could see linked them to the Darkfriends, to the Whitecloaks, or to any other dangerous group that would want to hunt Aes Sedai... as it usually was the case. No one was running out in the open with "I hate Aes Sedai' tattooed on their forehead.

They would need to interrogate one of the survivors if they wanted to get to the bottom of this. 

She could feel that her Warder was bothered by the attack. The way it had happened. The way it had surprised them. It had come out of the blue. But, knowing the Gaidin, this was the kind of event he would have preferred to anticipate.

The feeling quickly disappeared, though. Elessar turned his attention to one of the brigands who was still breathing. As he did so, the remorse - or the guilt - she had detected disappeared

This survivor and the other ones who had not succumbed either to the Warder's sword either to her Weaves were firmly pinned on the muddy grass by threads of Air. The set up was taxing for Myrrhi, just like the fight had been, but she didn't have any other choice. She couldn't let their prisoner run away and cold-blooded murder had never been her cup of tea.  

Her head twitched when the man made it clear that he would not beg for his life. That's a good start, thought Myrrhi. Such a young man - is he in his twenties - and such bravado ...  Her eyes met the Gaidin's wondering how he would want to pursue the interrogation.

A subtle nod made her understand at once. He would pressure the brigand, probably bluff a bit and she would be free to accompany his threats by a subtle tightening of the threads that was holding the man into place. Nothing like Saidar to complement threatening words.

And then ... The Warder announced that he'd execute the other survivors if he didn't get answers to his questions. Clever!  The Green approved. She knew that the Gaidin would never kill unarmed men he had made prisoner, especially the way he was describing to their prisoner.

Despite his brave first words, the man sang like a little bird. A scout saw Elessar and Myrrhi coming, they decided to stage an ambush,  and a mysterious Harrad was to blame. Their absentee leader. It all sounded very convenient but not so extravagant that it could be very far from the truth.

The Green and her Warder took a couple of minutes to discuss what they just learned and what they should do next.  They opted to believe in their prisoner's tale.

The next steps were not the easiest to take. Myrrhi was getting more and more tired because of all the channeling. By chance, the Gaidin found enough ropes to tie the brigands in a more practical fashion. He tied one to the other, like a necklace of pearls, then to whole group the horses. 

The Green still needed to use the One Power to keep them in line but not as much as before.

By chance, they didn't have to go far. The next village was nearby and they quickly found a way to get rid of their companions. The guard that met them looked glad to have found such a catch. After having apologized in the name of his Governor, he gave them direction to the local inn. The Golden Swan it was called. 

Myrrhi stopped channeling as soon as she saw the guard locking up the brochette of brigands in a small makeshift cell. The village was probably too small to have proper facilities. She pulled the hood on her face, and let the Warder thank the guard.

***

As she entered the bedroom they had rented for her, her heart tightened. She didn't have any recollection about how she had actually gotten there. She didn't remember how they had walked to the inn, who had greeted them, ... these were signs enough that it was time for her to sleep.

***

She woke up quite late the next morning. It took her a while to remember where she was. By then she had moved out of her bed and opened the small wooden shutters that barred her room only window.

The outside air was fresh but cold. She shivered but more out of reflex than because she was cold. Her training prevented her to suffer from too high or too low temperatures.

Another night during which they would sleep under the stars. Hopefully, there will be no pack of wolves around tonight, Myrrhi thought as she followed her set up routine: getting the sleeping mats ready, brewing some tea, gathering food, while Elessar was scouting the area.

She enjoyed that routine. Even if she was far away from Andor and Tar Valon, it made her feel at home. Was it the closeness to her Warder, or the sweet repetition of gestures that she had performed so many times? She didn't know. One thing was sure, though. She wouldn't exchange it for anything.

The Green and her Warder chatted late into the night. Recalling the time they spend in Moisen and its gleeman. His choice of songs had been peculiar but interesting. The Green hoped she would have the chance to hear more of him in the future. The man was definitely talented even if he was young.

When Myrrhi lowered her head on the blanket that served her as pillow she smiled. The only sounds she could hear were soft hootings from nearby howls. Indeed, no wolves around this time...


***

She was pulled out of her dreamless sleep by a rapid series of whooshing sounds. It didn't take her long to recognize their source: her Warder's blade. She yawned before pushing herself on her elbows. As much as she appreciated the view, she couldn't help but feel slightly jealous. She hadn't touched a sword for weeks and also needed to practice. Would she have the time to do so, now that dawn had already passed?

She kept an eye on her Warder, as she got up. Each of his movements was performed with a precision and strength she would never master. Unless she'd spend decades practicing...

"En garde," she threw at Elessar seizing a wooden stick.

The man turned raising an eyebrow.

"Scared by an Aes Sedai who still has sleeping marks on her face?"

She didn't need to tease him much to spin him into action and be accepted as a participant to his practice.

***

After such a pleasant morning, Myrrhi felt completely relaxed. Long were gone the memories of her childhood, Schirrù and even the hard times she had spent in the Tower. She merrily chatted about sword forms and how determined she was to improve her fighting skills.

And then suddenly it happened! And arrow whistled past Elessar's face.

Myrrhi's first thought was guilt. Was it because of her that Elessar didn't see the projectile coming? Her second thought was completely different. It swiped all the possible weaves she could throw at their mysterious enemy... or enemies.

A band of men were riding hard towards them.

“Brigands!” Elessar shouted to Myrrhi and waved for her to head into the woods with him following behind on Stormbreaker, shielding her from arrows.

She sped ahead even if she would have preferred taking the rear. How could she channel properly if her Warder was in the way? She heard him curse and bit her lip. A brief look behind her told her enough. The Gaidin was not ready to let her take his place.

Onwards they went. Myrrhi was an accomplished rider but not an exceptionally talented one. She picked paths that looked the easiest to gallop on. The ones with the less obstacles hoping they were not moving towards a trap.

The Green heard Elessar pulling his sword out of his scabbard. Or she thought she heard it. Maybe it was the Bond that helped her guess what he was doing. She prepared herself, knowing the Gaidin would turn to face their opponent.

She moved to his left side, as much away from him as she could, to get a clear view at the first incoming brigands. Where Elessar would slice and maim, she would use fire and air to do as much damage as she could. She didn't need much, usually a single thread would do the trick but it had to be placed with precision.

Saidar burned through skulls and chest. Blasts of Air pushed men and horses alike, but only the beasts were allowed to run. The others found themselves pinned on the dirt, prime targets for the picking.

Healing? This man really trusts me. Myrrhi nodded feeling proud. Her Warder's choice shouldn't have surprised her. He knew what her skills were. He had witnessed her creating intricate weaves to defeat enemies, to protect innocents and for even stranger purposes. Why would he distrust her ability to do something as simple as healing bites?

He hadn't assisted to her classes where she - as a Novice then as an Accepted - had had to fight to master the One Power.

The young Green still thought about these days. The failures, after failures. The scolding of her teachers. The chores she had been assigned to because she couldn't weave properly enough. These days were long gone. She had been an Aes Sedai for years now, and had had the opportunity to prove herself so many times.

But it was not these times that Myrrhi thought about most of the time. Unfortunately.

Elessar's wound was nasty - or would have been nasty if he had been just a man. She looked at the wound and pressed her hands around it as she sent tendrils of Saidar to verify the extent of the injury. Once she was certain of its depth and width, she summoned the healing threads that would bind the Gaidin's flesh. It didn't take long for Elessar's leg to return to its immaculate but hairy state.

"Thank you." Elessar said with a smile, that Myrrhi returned. She felt how exhausted the Gaidin was. The fight itself added to the healing procedure had their cost. There was little she could do, however. Except to offer him water or some food. But before taking further care of her companion she decided to direct her attention to the horses.

First, she went her mare that she healed as well. She was thinking about having a look at Stormbeaker as well but the Gaidin had gotten ahead of her. He was stroking the nose of his stallion when she turned to join them.

"You shouldn't have moved," she told him gently. She handed him a slice of dried beef she had retrieved from her satchel. "Here, let's have some rest. Because there's no way, we're spending the night here!"

***

When Elessar waved Myrrhi to dismount, she almost chocked. We are going to camp in the open? After what happened with the wolves? This man is crazy.

But, as her Warder had trusted her, the young Green decided to trust him in return. The place he had chosen for them to rest was lovely in truth. The thick patch of green grass was they would camp was bordered by large trees that would shelter them from the wind - and if the rain if there would be any.

Myrrhi was setting up the camp like usual, first taking care of the fire, when Elessar announced that we would be scouting the area "to ensure that there were no hungry wolves nearby".

That was the time when the Green almost chocked a second time that day.

"I hope this is a joke," she answered glaring. And she kept on glaring when she saw the wide grin on her Warder's face when he returned.

"I didn't see nor hear anything," he assured her.

"If I see even the tip of a wolves tail, you will be in trouble. Be sure of that."

They stayed silent for half a second then started laughing.


***

A warm bath. Myrrhi purred like a cat. After so much rain, and such a exhausting journey on horse back, she really needed to pamper herself a bit. On top of her usual soap, she used a good amount of scented oil and perfume. At last, she was feeling like an Aes Sedai again.

She was pretty sure that the whole room would feel like lilac and gooseberries for weeks. The ladies would love it - or so she hoped - the men ... not so much.

Her self care didn't end up there. She took the time to braid her hair before sending a maid to look for a fresh dress. "Anything would do", she told her. "Green would be preferable but as long as it's something dry, it should do."

The night was still young and she could hear people singing and dancing in the common room.

Myrrhi felt a jolt of pain through the bond. She turned for a quick glance. A wolf had bitten her Warder's leg. Immediately she readied a weave but soon saw it wouldn't be necessary. Elessar swiftly moved away from the beast, out of its reach. With a swing of his blade, he pierced the hind part of its opponent.

The terrified neigh of her mare pulled her attention back to her side of the fight.

Another wolf was approaching, soon it would jump. The Green switched Air for Fire and sent a thin thread towards its head. The beast collapsed.

Myrrhi was ready to summon another thread when another group of wolves appeared out of the bushes on her left. Again she switched. A large blast of Air what was she needed.

"There's no end to them," she shouted.

Once more she felt that the Gaidin was injured. This time however she resisted the urge to check on him. There were too many creatures in front of her. Blast after blast she got rid of as many wolves as she could.

The ones she didn't knocked unconscious came back, but one at a time, leaving her the opportunity for more precise - and deadlier - attacks. She managed to kill or to severely injure most of the beasts on her side before they could do any kind of serious damage. Only one of them managed to bite her mare's neck while another almost reached her legs. They didn't live long, though. They didn't manage to escape Saidar.

 After what seemed to have been hours, the grey shapes laying in front of her stopped moving. Myrrhi took the opportunity to join Elessar's side.

***

"Such a pity," Myrrhi said looking at the dead creatures.

She found it strange that so many wolves had attacked them. They didn't even look hungry. They had quite some fat under their fur,  a proof that they had not attacked humans because they were starving - which was usually the case. She would talk about it with Elessar. Maybe he knew things about wolves? Could it be that they were sent by a channeler or a darkfriend? Now was not the time for questions, though. First she needed to look after the Gaidin.

She invited him to sit down so she could take care of his injury. He knew that even if she wasn't a Yellow she remembered a couple of useful healing weave. Weaves good enough for a quick fix on a battlefield.

Opening one of her bags, she laughed. "So, what do you prefer? Saidar or good old bandages?"

Her mare neighed, as if to announced that she would prefer bandages.

On 1/22/2021 at 1:02 AM, Asha'man Shar'aman said:

Is the Overview the same on PC?

 

Haha! No, I don't think so. I just think that the idea of being able to channel is more appealing to most people, as well as the ability to join Ajahs you are familiar with, rather than join a whole new faction, with new rankings, and subgroups. 

It's actually on top XD

(just discovered it hahaha) - took ages to load ?

it does look like an interesting feature but I'll have to get used to it before really giving it a try. It's hard to get into new habits lol

sure, you can send this through PM ?

Why did I react that way? Myrrhi wondered. Her reaction annoyed her. It made her feel angry. She wasn't supposed to be squeamish. She was an Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah. Years of training had taught her that she needed to do what needed to be done, and how to live with it. She had to focus on the Greater Good, about the Last Battle, about her loyalty to the White Tower. These were perfect reasons to justify her actions.

She had already crossed some lines she thought she would never cross. Shirrù was not the first man Elessar and her had interrogated. They had killed — taken the life — of many people. Wasn't death worse than what had happened to the dark haired darkfriend? What was the pulling of a tooth compared to the certitude that someone would never take another breath?

My Sisters would probably laugh at me... And still, the young woman felt guilty. The memory of that night in Ebou Dar kept playing in her head. Should she have changed anything, behaved differently? And why again was this bothering her so much.

The Bond sometimes hauled her back to reality. She knew her emotions were strong enough for her Gaidin to understand that something was wrong with her. The easy path would have been to talk with him. Talking usually eased her thoughts.

Unfortunately, Myrrhi didn't know what she should say. Should she declare that she had now a weak stomach and that they needed to refrain from physical contacts with darkfriends? This wouldn't make any sense. This wasn't what she wanted either. She knew it. There was something else... another explanation, that she needed to discover.

And she did, a dream brought her the missing piece.

They had been traveling for a while, and Elessar had suggested they would make an early break to camp for the night. Myrrhi had agreed. Staying on horseback would have meant more time for her to torture herself. She participated as effectively as she could to the set up of the camp. She even found a way to prepare some berry tea that she slowly drank while leafing through one of the books she had taken with her.

Reading asked her too much effort, however. And so, she decided to change tactics to empty her mind after having tried and failed to read the same page a dozen times. Instead of diving into her history chronicles, she engaged in a light conversation with Elessar. It wasn't easy to allow herself to focus on something else than her inner dialogue but when she eventually did she felt herself opening on Elessar's tales about his past missions.

The moon was already quite high in the sky when they both retired to their sleeping mats and surprisingly, Myrrhi fell fast asleep.

Myrrhi was young, way younger than she was now. Her hair was braided and decorated with pink ribbons that matched her dress and her doll. Some days she felt stupid for still having a doll. Many girls her age had abandoned theirs or offered them to their little sisters. Myrrhi had kept hers. It had been a present from a long dead neighbour who had told her that the toy had magical powers. "You will never feel lonely if she's with you..." that's what the neighbour had said, but Myrrhi still felt terribly lonely. Maybe a bit less lonely with her doll, but still very lonely.

On that summer day the weather had been so warm she had decided to play with her doll on the window sill, her legs hanging towards the usually empty street. Her sisters were sleeping in the little cot behind her, her mother and her new step-dad were doing she didn't know what she didn't know where. This was a splendid time to enjoy herself.

She was mimicking the voice of the doll when a boy surprised her. He was standing in the street right below her window a package in his hands. He immediately mocked her. "Aren't you too old to play with a doll?" He asked with a grin. "Or are you super tall for your age?" "Leave me alone," she replied.

The boy kept on teasing her "Don't you want to play with real people?" "It sounds like your doll is smarter than you..."He went on... until the doll brusquely crashed on the middle of his face leaving a growing bruise. "Ouch!" Surprised, he caught his nose and ran away.


The boy came back the next day, first to tease her, then to talk with her. After a couple of weeks, they had become fat friends. They would probably have become more than friends if her mother hadn't intervened.
When she learned her daughter was having good times with the boy — who unfortunately was only a stable hand — she severly punished Myrrhi (her daughter had other uses than to marry her pauper) doubling all her chores and making her work for some of her acquaintances.

She didn't stop there. She also dearly paid the boy's employer to have him beaten up. Things got out of hands. The boy was badly injured, lost an eye as well as the sense of hearing.
Myrrhi learned about it all from her mother's lips...


When Myrrhi woke up, she had a disagreeable taste in her mouth. That boy she had completely forgotten about could have been Schirrù's brother. She could see it now. They had the same long jet-black hair, the same eyebrows. Even the shape of their eyes looked pretty much alike. Too much time had passed for Schirrù to have been her friend, and the darkfriend's eyes and ears were working perfectly well. But the resemblance — even if it was reinforced by the dream — must have been one of the reasons why she had reacted that way to Schirrù's interrogation.

And so she told her Gaidin as soon as they hit the road once again.
 

@Asha'man Shar'aman if you need help , don't hesitate to send me the picture. I can resize them for you ?

After Schirrù's interrogation, Myrrhi felt the need for a change of scenery. She fought to keep her face serene when she thanked Elessar - she would never have managed to get anything out of the darkfriend on her own - and announced him that she needed to retire to her room for a brief moment.

An old jug still full of water was waiting for her on what served her as a desk. She poured some of its content in a bowl, cooled it down, and used it to freshen-up.

Sometimes, she thought of herself as a strong person. Sometimes she thought of herself as someone cunning, who would always do what was necessary to achieve her goals. This very night she had seen the proof of the opposite. How sick she had felt when the darkfriend had finally broken down. She was pretty certain it was bile she had tasted in her mouth when Schirrù had started to confess.

I need to be stronger, she whispered to herself.

A quick look at the sky indicated her dawn had come. Alaido's bakery was probably open, full of light and sweet scents. She had to contact one of the Greens Eyes and Ears so that Shirrù would be taken to the White Tower... so, why not ask the baker for help?

A lemon tart would likely help her feel better and her waistline could afford one last little pleasure before leaving the city. She grabbed her cape before going out of her room and back to her Warder. Elessar was still guarding their made-up interrogation room, waiting for her command. Myrrhi feared she would have to look at Schirrù's wretched form one more time but, by chance, the Gaidin's wide shoulders were blocking her view.

- Thanks again for what you did, my Gaidin. I would never have managed...

An uncomfortable silence settled between them. The Green choose to fill it so that she wouldn't give her emotions the opportunity to make her do something stupid. This was not the place nor the time to talk about how guilty and weak she felt.

- I need to meet with one of our contacts to find someone who can take care of this. She pointed towards the back of the room with her chin, unwilling to name the moaning darkfriend. I will be right back.

She smiled as much for Elessar as to reassure herself.

Myrrhi found herself in front the bakery's door way faster than she would have expected. She had been so deep in her thoughts that she hadn't paid attention to her surroundings. This could have been a fatal mistake, she chastised herself. Taking a big breath, she entered Alaido's domain.

The baker joined her at once, a cheerful smile on his face.

-There you are! How can I help you, my Lady? Would you like more of my pastries?

Myrrhi smiled back.

- I'm here to taste one of your newest recipes.

The man nodded and immediately showed her to the back, exactly like he had done the last time. She waited for him to finish describing the ingredients he had been working with lately to announce what she needed from him. A way to secretly transport Schirrù out of town. Alaido looked more nauseous than surprised but he complied.

- I will do it, my Lady. But understand that this is not what I signed for.

- I understand Alaido. If there had been any other way...

She offered him a purse full of golden coins that he refused at first.

- I am not doing this for the money, he protested.

- I know, Myrrhi replied, pushing the purse in his hands.

The young woman was ready to leave, when the baker called her back.

- I refuse to let you leave empty handed, my Lady. He handed her a small box that felt heavier than it looked.

She wished Alaido goodbye and returned to the inn.


***

Before Myrrhi knew it, she and her Warder where on their way to Mayene. All their belongings were packed, some would accompany them during their journey, others would be sent to Tar Valon - like the rewards they had received from the High Lady of House Asnobar.

The "rewards" were most likely gifts that the High Lady had received herself but hadn't liked, gifts she had wanted to get rid of. Still, the Green and her Warder had decided that leaving them behind would be seen as a very rude gesture.

- So my Gaidin, don't you feel proud to have received that wooden sword. It was exquisitely carved.

The Gaidin replied by mentioning the present that Myrrhi had received. The Green threw him her waterskin as only reply.

14 hours ago, Asha'man Shar'aman said:

If you are on a phone, up by the banner, there is a menu you can open. It will show the name of the Ajah, Warders Yard or Public Forum. Click it, and at the bottom there is a thing called Overview. Click it, and it will show you all of the recent activity. If you are on a computer, then you should be able to see all of the Ajahs. Overview is on the very bottom. Let me know if you have problems. @Hayl3y Sedai. 

>> I always come here from on my PC lol ?

You are right tho, we have a very important amount of Aes Sedai compared to the Warders... Did we scare them away ? ?

? what is the overview ?

If Myrrhi had been a cat, she would have purred when her Warder - Her Warder - ordered Schirrù to kneel.


She would have purred even louder when the man actually complied. She felt so proud of her Gaidin.


Schirrù told her how he had come to know her name and insisted he was not a darkfriend. She listened, but refused to believe him. Then man looked evil, felt like evil. Further questioning was necessary ... Unfortunately, they couldn't afford to stay in Schirrù's mansion. The man could call for help, a servant could wake up, staying was way too risky.


Elessar quickly came up with a solution. With one hit, he rendered the man unconscious giving them the time to gather everything they needed to further their investigation. The Green briefly wondered if abducting Schirrù was actually reprehensible as a kidnapping ... but then she listed the documents they had now in their possession. Their "guest" would never dare to complain to the law officials.


***


Schirrù eventually woke up. It took him some time to open his eyes but, as soon as he did, he swept the room with his gaze, probably analyzing his situation. He was in a room he didn't know — at least the Green hoped so — tightly tied to a chair and facing two dangerous individuals.


- So that is how Aes Sedai are working now? They abduct people in the dead of the night... tsk, where have their refined manners gone?


- I can be very refined when I want to. Myrrhi replied with a cold voice, but she was feeling fire inside. She didn't like to be criticized, especially by someone who didn't belong to the White Tower. And you will probably want me to be "refined" when our little chat will start.


She tried to summon one of Elessar's grin for decorum. He was pretty good at intimidating people.


- Do you understand I could break your mind? She asked. It would be pretty easy for me to do so... the downside would be that you'll probably need assistance for the rest of your wretched life to drink,eat,.. and all the other things that humans need to do. But, you are lucky. I don't want to have to explain to the carriage driver that will send you home why I am connected to a drooling idiot.


The Bond sent her a warm feeling. Elessar must have approved her bluff or so she thought. It strengthened her resolve. Somehow she had guessed well. The man's vanity was is weakness. He did have a pretty face and weren't his clothes the perfect reflection of what was currently fashionable?


- You are lying, Schirrù tried. He was not looking very convinced by his own words.


- Do you truly think so? Myrrhi laughed. She sent a harmless weave towards his head, just to frighten him. Schirrù paled.


- You wouldn't dare! Shirrù moved, pulling on his restraints as if this would allow him to escape.


His jet-black hair fell forward, forming a curtain that covered half of his face. The side that was marred by his scar. Once more, Myrrhi noted this as a sign of vanity. She tried to concentrate on her thoughts hoping Elessar had guessed their guest's weakness as well.
 

?

Aman both are correct - that's two points for you ?

Phae got two pointses as well as James.

Lemme do the math... 

Phae 4

James 2

Cross 2

Aman 3

Phae you are the winner !!!! Here is your prize :

Well done all ❤️

❤️ Wow Phaedra !

Belt is important, no one wants to lose their pants ?

The game ends here with a tie between James and  Phae. Well done guys ?

I do have a lot of weird and random thought XD

The last one I had reading your thread about WOT nationalities. I thought that I'd love to come from Antiva... which is a city of Thedas (Dragon Age Universe)   ?

A memory flashed through Myrrhi's mind.

She was only a Novice at the time. Her curiosity had gotten the best of her and that sleepless night, she had dared to go out of the cell that served as her bedroom. Since her arrival in Tar Valon, she had minded all the rules set by the Mistress of the Novices. She had followed them all, no matter how strange they sounded. That night however, she had impulsively decided to follow her desire to know more about the Gaidins.

She had overheard servants complaining about how late Warders were training which had led her to conceive this little expedition. Novices were not supposed to be seen out of their bedrooms after sundown, or at least not out of the Tower if they still had chores to do. So, getting caught in the garden would mean serious problems.

The young girl had moved forwards as low as she could, following the lines made of half walls and hedges, her ears wide open to detect any suspicious noise... Three times she had been on the brink of abandoning her goal. Cold sweat had been running down her back. Her heart was beating so hard that she had thought it would jump out of her chest.

Her first trip to the Warders courtyard had been a success but would her current mission be one as well?

This time she had her Warder with her as well as the means to master the reactions of her body to the stress it was subjected to. No cold sweat, a peaceful heart, added to a way better perception of the world surrounding her. She couldn't help but feel excited. 

Elessar surprised her again with his lockpicking skills. The man can wield delicate tools as well as the mightiest sword, she thought. Maybe I should learn the trick too. It could come in handy if I can't channel, and my hair is so unruly that I always have a couple of pins at hand.

Shirrù's manor was dark and quiet. The servants had retired for the night a while ago. Or so they had gathered from their vantage point before entering the estate. Like in most houses in Ebou Dar, the corridors they went through were decorated with colorful tiles and paints. Here and there, golden items were exposed is series of niches sometimes separated with heavy tapestries. The Green would have loved to take the time to look at them in broad daylight.

Elessar had taken the lead. He had studied the information supplied by their contact and was pretty sure that Shirrù's office would be on the first floor, on the northern side of the house. A very pleasant spot to work without having to suffer from the Ebou Dari heat.

The Greens stomach tightened when her Warder picked the door that — according to him — would lead to their destination and tightened even more when she discovered that the Gaidin had been right. Without thinking about safety, Myrrhi rushed forward to the massive desk that had been pushed to face the narrow window at the far back of the room. She hurried to check every sheet of paper, every drawer and there it was! Correspondence, notes, reports... The evidences they were looking for. She was going to ask her Gaidin what to do with it all when a noise drew her attention back to the door.

So, Myrrhi Aes Sedai - do you have a good explanation for breaking into my Manor House and going through my private papers in the dead of night?

The Aes Sedai was speechless. She opened her mouth then closed it again. What could she do? What could she answer? Quickly she tried to analyze the material she had at hand. The man knew her name. He hadn't raised the alarm nor try to attack them... Could this mean that she would be able to actually talk her way out of this ?

Elessar and Myrrhi exchanged a silent glance. She could feel through the bond that her Warder was angry. Angry for getting caught red handed, angry against himself for having suggested the plan. But then maybe Myrrhi's plan would have been worse... Having her Warder impersonate a cook to replace one who had recently fallen sick might have ended up just as bad.

Schirrù broke the silence with a small cough, prompting the intruders to explain themselves. The Green instantly understood why the merchants had pegged him as a trouble maker. He didn't look like a noble at all. Even if he was wearing a night robe made of expansive fabric. His long black hair only partially covered a cross-shaped scar that marred the left part of his face. His hands - she could see - didn't look soft like a noble's. They looked strong and had been recently injured. His naked left ankle showed part of a tattoo that certainly looked out of place.

- So, Myrrhi said, taking a big breath. This is the time for you to tell me why you know my name.

- Is that so, the man replied. The corners of his mouth twitched. This could be the time for you to tell me why you are going through my papers.

Myrrhi fought against the urge to turn towards her Gaidin for help.

She took in the room once more. There could lie the material she needed to save herself and her Gaidin.  Her eyes rested on pieces of furniture that definitely look familiar, a low table, a carpet, an oil lamp. The merchant who had been her last contact was selling the exact same ones. Could this have been a trap or just a coincidence?

This was the Hydra ^^

Let's try the next one, ofc false answers are also good ?

You got this ! it 's indeed the one !!!!

Gonna post my 3rd series (the first two are still open tho)

11. Annie Wilkes - James and Phaedra

12. Tahiti BoB

13. Cell

14. Scar - Aman

15. Dr Octopus - Phaedra

- I don’t think I – we – could leave this behind us, Myrrhi said after a short silence. She took a sip of her tea. It had grown cold, too cold to her taste. She thought about warming it with a thin thread of Fire but decided against it. That channeler she had felt during the ball was making her feel uneasy.

Her Warder didn’t reply immediately. She saw him watching the far side of the room, where the entrance laid. She was tempted to have a look as well. Elessar wouldn’t get distracted by anything insignificant. She saw his gaze harden, then relax.

- Did you just scare someone? The Green asked before emptying her cup. She would have loved to be able to do the same. Oh, she had trained as an Aes Sedai to have a no-non-sense stare. She could sniff, look haughty, cold, menacing … but never as dangerous as the man who had sworn to protect her.

It didn’t take them long to draft a plan once they agreed on the next steps they needed to take. Myrrhi quickly went to her room where she was keeping a list of the Greens Eyes and Ears in Ebou Dar. The paper was so well coded that she didn’t fear for it to fall into the wrong hands. At first and even second  glance, the paper only showed horrid poetry, the kind written by someone who should definitely find another pastime.

The first contact she choose to meet was called Alaido, no last name. He was known as one of the best Ebou Dari baker. Maybe a visit to his store would satisfy both her ears and stomach? She told as much to Elessar with mischievous grin.

The afternoon sun was shining bright, not a single cloud in the sky to hide it. Its powerful rays made most of the buildings look monotonously white. Only the stores created a break in the pale landscape offering colorful wares on their shelves. The streets were very quiet at this time of the day. Most of the locals were safely inside, waiting for the temperature to cool down.

They eventually arrived to the Golden Bun, Alaido’s bakery. The store was tucked between two higher houses, and decorated with painted panels depicting giant loafs of bread. Myrrhi nodded to her Warder to signal him that she would need to enter alone.

- Now, don’t start a duel, she said before winking. Not waiting for Elessar to reply, she entered the shop.

An overpowering scent of cinnamon and vanilla reached the young woman’s nostrils before she had the time to close the door.

- Good day, my lady, started the man behind the desk. I’m Alaido, what can I do for you?

There was no doubt the man looked like a baker, flour and bits of dough covered him head to toe and his large waist was proof that he enjoyed eating the product of his work. However it was not enough to prove that he was Myrrhi’s contact. First he would need to give her the right answer to her pass phrase, then he would need to make a series of three hand signs to which Myrrhi will have to answer with a sign of her own.

Once both parties were reassured about who they were talking to, Alaido invited Myrrhi to follow him in the rear “ so that she could taste one of his new recipes”. The exchange didn’t last long, not longer than a real tasting would have. The Green asked about anything suspicious the man had seen or heard, about the Ebou Dari noble houses and about channelers in town. She didn’t want to give him any specifics, Aes Sedai business was Aes Sedai business after all.

- Here my lady. Alaido handed her a small pie covered with what appeared to be lemon custard. Since you are supposed to taste my newest recipe.

- Thank you, Alaido, Myrrhi replied. She took a bite of the pie, trusting the man would not dare to poison her.

- If I were you – which I am definitely not – no offense my Lady – I would direct my attention to Master Schirrù. At least that is what he calls himself. He has been the talk of every noble houses since his arrival but no one knows where he comes from. He’s rich, and looks to be a nobleman from very far away …

To keep up with appearances, the Green bought a small box of pastries that she hoped Elessar wouldn’t like. She usually liked sharing, but she was hoping that she could keep these little marvels to herself.

She went out the store, swearing to Alaido she would come again to visit him again before her departure. The Gaidin was still standing exactly where she had left him a moment ago.

- Now we go back towards the inn and wait for my second contact.

Myrrhi hoped that the green ribbon she was wearing in her hair had been noticed. Her second contact didn’t have a name … yet. Only a mean of getting in touch. It was strange for the young woman, out of the ordinary, but then she was still a young Green…

It didn’t take long for the second eyes-and-ears to appear. She and her Warder were walking down one of the curvy streets that would have taken them to the city center when a richly dressed merchant invited the Aes Sedai to his humble store. The way he looked at Myrrhi’s ribbon was sign enough that he was the man she was looking for. As was customary, she entered the store alone so that she and the spy could exchange their passphrases and signs. Only then would Elessar come in.

To Myrrhi’s regrets, this store was not a bakery nor any kind of restaurant. It was a place were people would pick, match and buy pieces of expensive furniture. On the brighter side, they had comfortable chairs to sit on.

The Green inquired again about channelers, the Ebou Dari noble houses and anything that might have looked or sounded suspicious. The merchants stayed quite vague – was he afraid for his clientele – up until the moment Myrrhi started talking about newcomers. Again the name of Master Schirrù popped up, more than once, making the young woman wonder whether she should pay that man a visit.

She had to fight to keep her Aes Sedai serene face. The merchant couldn’t know what had caught her attention in his half an hour long monologue, nor that Schirrù might be of interested to her.

A customer came in as the merchant started to talk about the Ebou Dari leather market, it was the perfect time for her to take her leave. She thanked the merchant and decided it was time to go back to the inn, so that she could freely talk with her Warder.

***

- Aes Sedai, Elessar said, the hint of a smile on his otherwise hard face. A new day beckons. A new chance to strike at the Shadow.

Myrrhi closed her book and quickly swallowed one of her last pastries. Controlling her face not to blush, she popped yet one another in her mouth.

- I have been thinking about our plan. Schirrù … We have to find a way to know who he is, but we have to stay discreet..

Well enough ! Hans Gruber dies in Die Hard because of gravity but the hero is John Mc Clane ?

Point for you !

Well done Sister ❤️

Perfect Sister ?

The Blues got this !

I'm already posting the second series :

6. ** Mojo Jojo** - Cross

7. **Red Skull** - Phaedra

8. Darth Tyranus - Was killed by Anakin ? (in a plot orchestrated by Darth Sidious so I'll give the point to Aman)

9. Dr Facilier

10. Marv and Harry

12 hours ago, Cross said:

no no it's a whip. clearly the Red's are in on this

best answer ever XD

it is something scaly and snaky but a wee bit more mythological