Mors, of course, watched silently as Evaida Sedai spoke, glaring daggers at the man who nearly struck her. How dare he attack an Aes Sedai, unintentionally or not? One should be on his best behaviour in the presence of such a person, yet their drunken stupor made them totally disregard such simple facts of life. As Evaida Sedai turned to leave, Mors waited a moment, making sure the two men did not do anything untoward, and then followed Evaida Sedai. After all, he had not yet thanked her for the meal, and for the conversation.

"Thankyou" she said with a brief smile "I fear I may have had a very sore head had you not stepped in"

Mors smiled faintly in return. He owed her far more than that, and he hoped she realized that. He wouldn't want to go his whole life owing it to someone who didn't know it was owed.

"Evaida Sedai, I must do that at least once more before I die. You saved me from two men, from two deaths. I don't doubt I'd have died in that fight, injured against three opponents, even had you restrained the third man, and left me to fight the two. As I said before, I owe you my life."

"Tower Guards are sworn to serve the Tower, the Aes Sedai. Why are they not doing their duty? Perhaps they are criminals run away."

Mors snorted in disbelief, "If that were the case, there is no way we'd have gotten this far. Criminals wouldn't escape Tar Valon so unscathed... as to our duty, I was tasked to deliver this message to Arad Doman. Master Orion, being my teacher came along to ensure I did not make a fatal error, and to further educate me in the ways of a Tower Guard, and the ways of a Warder-to-be."

He was still astounded that the Band believed the Tower to be so incompetent as to allow two criminals to escape with a letter sealed with the Seal of the Tower and with a Guard cloak unscathed. It was very insulting to Mors, but he said nothing. This was not the time for indignation, nor was it becoming of a noble. Mors waited for a response.

"Tower Guards are sworn to serve the Tower, the Aes Sedai. Why are they not doing their duty? Perhaps they are criminals run away."

Mors snorted in disbelief, "If that were the case, there is no way we'd have gotten this far. Criminals wouldn't escape Tar Valon so unscathed... as to our duty, I was tasked to deliver this message to Arad Doman. Master Orion, being my teacher came along to ensure I did not make a fatal error, and to further educate me in the ways of a Tower Guard, and the ways of a Warder-to-be."

He was still astounded that the Band believed the Tower to be so incompetent as to allow two criminals to escape with a letter sealed with the Seal of the Tower and with a Guard cloak unscathed. It was very insulting to Mors, but he said nothing. This was not the time for indignation, nor was it becoming of a noble. Mors waited for a response.

Mors began to think. He knew that he needed good proof, or they'd be imprisoned, or hung... or simply killed on the spot. He was confident that Master Orion was a skilled warrior, but he doubted the odds were in their favor. Frowning, he picked his brain, until he remembered learning about how Tower Guards recieved a special cloak, and also recalled that the letter he carried was sealed with the Tower insignia.

Producing the letter from his breast pocket, he handed it to Kedyn.

"That bears the seal of the White Tower... and if that is not enough, I believe Master Orion would have his Guard cloak somewhere in his possession..." He let a breath out in relief, waiting for Kedyn's response.

"I am Mors Sicarius, Trainee of the White Tower. I will be a Warder one day, and this is Orion Mantier, my Mentor." It wasn't much information, but it would make his intention less devious, and less of the Shadow. He fought for good, as these men did. It then struck Mors that this man might be lying to him, and he silently berated himself. Wool-headed farmboy! What are you thinking!? You had no proof he was of the Band!

Sighing, Mors suddenly felt very apprehensive that he'd failed, and that he'd never become a Warder. Eyes now cast downwards, he kept his ears alert, to try to defend himself if he must.

(Wasn't whacked when you posted, it was whack when I went to read it again... lol)

Mors had nodded, “Of course, Evaida Sedai.” In his most polite tone, though it was unlikely she heard him finish, as she was already gone. He had noticed the two men, but had not payed much attention to them... after all, he couldn’t neglect an Aes Sedai, could he? His attention now focused on the pair, as he heard their rough voices, Mors rose and discreetly approached the two, in order to intervene on Evaida’s behalf. When the first went to move, Mors was about ready to leap, and when he saw the second bottle on it’s way for the back of her head, Mors instinctively moved to defend her. Like a viper, his hand lashed at the other man’s, seizing it harshly as Mors’s free hand two fingers outwards, thrusting them into the man’s exposed throat. He gasped, stepping back, choking as he feel into a seat, unable to retaliate. Mors simply stood ready, hoping that was the end of the conflict...

Mors blinked, nearly dumbstruck. They were being apprehended by the Band? What luck! It was better than being snagged by some of the various Whitecloak groups, which he had doutbed they were, or bandits and such. He smiled faintly.

"With that information, I can feel a bit more safe in speaking further... if you'll permit me." Mors responded, allowing himself to be seized, sheathing his blade promptly as he saw the situation change.

"Unless you yourself are a Bandit, you would not fare well to hang me. I am Mors... That is all I will say until the I receive counsel from 'that other one'..." Mors replied simply. Fully aware that his life was in danger. At least, in the sense of a game. The gravity of his situation was lost on Mors, as life and death had been a lesson left untaught by his mother, and his life. However, he felt the vague fear, but he refused to fail. This would be another test of his character.

"I will say that I have no desire to harm anyone here, though I have little to prove this, save that I have not struck first..."

Mors had been drifting slightly, though he was taking the first watch while Master Orion slept. He mind drifted to thoughts of what things would be like when he was a Warder, to Alexis, to Evaida Sedai and Lavinya Sedai, and the triumph he would feel when he truly was a Warder, proving his nobility to the barbarous nobles of the world, those who were insistant that birth, not character determined nobility, and that a noble spirit can never be a noble person.

His reverie was interrupted by a tap to his shoulder. It was hard, and it did not strike the ground. Jumping, Mors rose quickly, turning to draw his sword, as the metal slide from its sheath, he called to the man who had tapped him.

"Who goes there! Identify yourself!" Mors was unsure whether he should have attacked first and asked questions later, but he did not want murder to be on his conscious, so he asked first.

"Interesting that you should mention Lavinya Sedai. A fellow Gray sister and not a woman to be taken lightly". Mors smiled faintly, remembering his past encounters.

"Evaida Sedai, no Aes Sedai is to be taken lightly, as you showed by incapacitating 3 men, at least two of whom were armed, without harming anyone, and with seemingly no effort. With such a display of power, none could take an Aes Sedai lightly." Was his simple reply to that. And to her question, he replied, "I actually did not see too much of extreme excitement. And of course I have moments where I resent being stuck... but you must remember, I grew up in a small village. I can wait to go abroad until my Aes Sedai needs me to, or on tasks throughout my training."

"I have no desire to break anything. I don't want to hurt people, least of all innocents. You really present one choice... learn from you, or die and take down as much of the world as you can as you fall. That is no choice at all. I will learn, from whoever will teach me, I will do my best..."

Fleeing a man, interesting... however, it would be wholly unwise to comment further... Mors thought to himself. Smiling to Evaida Sedai, he heard her response to his question, and her remark about the other Aes Sedai’s tolerance of such questions.

“Curiousity may have killed the cat, Evaida Sedai, but satisfaction brought it back. A switching is a small price to pay to know more of those I may eventually be serving, so as to be beter prepared to serve and to serve without difficulties due to misunderstanding.†Mors was quite earnest about his desire to serve his Aes Sedai, though he still had much training to do until that came through. However, he was still rather ignorant of how to deal with an Aes Sedai.

“If most Aes Sedai would switch a trainee for such words, both you and Lavinya Sedai must be unusual Aes Sedai. If that is the case, I believe I will work best with ‘unusual’ Aes Sedai.†Smiling he took another sip of his drink, and another bite of food.

Indeed, giving facts often did put one off the scent... unless they knew that that was why so many facts were given. Such was Mors’s case. He knew she did not wish to say much, and so attempted to appease him with simple details. He did not fall for it, but he did let it appear he had. He owed Evaida much, and he held far too much respect for an Aes Sedai to pry into her private affairs and pester her. He listened to her words, intrigued. He didn’t hear much of Aes Sedai enjoying time amongst normal people. They were usually to busy with their own affairs to dabble in others... except of course in life threatenining situations. He smiled faintly at her remark about horseback riding.

“I haven’t ridden in quite sometime... I do believe Thor is still in the stables, unless someone stole him over the past few days.†He smiled faintly, remembering his riding lessons. Thor was always so obedient, and willing to work. Much like himself, some of the time. However, the few times Thor did get upset were always crazy.

There was a pause in the conversation as both ate and drank a bit, before Mors heard Evaida Sedai break the quiet.

“You say you want to be a warder, have you thought much about what you want to do once you achieve that goal?â€

He smiled faintly at such an obvious question. “To serve and protect my Aes Sedai, as any good Warder should. Though, I would like a chance to prove my worth as a noble and a warrior. But, my desire is not my goal, not entirely. If I prove myself to none other than my Sedai, my life should be worthwhile, for surely the confidence of an Aes Sedai is the confidence of a Queen.†Mors smiled again, wondering what the Aes Sedai would make of this.

“If I may be so bold, can I ask what drove you to leave the southlands and become an Aes Sedai? Avoiding persecution in Tear? Or maybe something far worse, yet seemingly not nearly so bad?†He knew she may very well get angry with him, but if that be the case, he’d take the full penalty she wished to divulge onto his person. After all, he owed her his life.

Mors truly hoped she did not take him for a liar or a fool. He realized after the words left his mouth that such uncharacteristic behavior was most certainly going to be disbelieved. However, taking back the truth would be lying, and would make him look a liar as well. And so he let his words stand. Listening to the query given from Evaida Sedai, Mors moved to reply.

“I was born and raised in a small Town outside of Cairhien. My mother was a former maid in Cairhien, my father a minor noble of Andor. I was born out of wedlock, and my father never knew of me. My mother raised me a Noble, taught me everything about being a great noble, yet neglected to tell me I held no noble claim anywhere. When I went on my seventeenth nameday to make my claim, I was physically removed from Caemlyn as a liar and a con artist. And so, rather than return to my mother, I chose to join the White Tower. I want to prove to those nobles how wrong they were when they tossed me aside. And that is why I will become a Warder someday.â€

He drifted off, looking to Evaida as his stomach protested again. He said nothing, however, not wishing to be ungrateful, and because he was curious about Evaida.

“If you would be so kind as to tell me a little of yourself as well, Evaida Sedai?â€

"Certainly, Master Orion." Mors immediately rode off, scouting around, looking for a suitable place.

Eventually he selected a small clearing, large enough for a pair of tents or a tent, or simply a fire or some measure or comfort. It was surrounded by trees and such to allow them shelter from prying eyes, and from possible bandits. At least, Mors thought so.

"Master Orion!" he called. "I found a place, this way." he said as he sidled next to him, then turned, leading his Mentor to the site. He hoped it would prove satisfactory.

He had hoped his indecision here would not reflect on him in any negative light, however he followed Evaida at the Aes Sedai’s behest. He must have been quite a sight, walking in torn dirty clothing in tow of a lovely, well dressed, regal Aes Sedai. A pauper being led directly by his queen, one might draw the inference. His stomach rumbling, Mors said nothing regarding his hunger. It would be dealt with soon enough, and even if it wouldn’t, it would be rude to complain to an Aes Sedai.

Being led inside, Mors again noted how out of place he looked. However, his present company overrode any real objections by anyone. Aes Sedai were like an organization of Queens. No one denied an Aes Sedai... at least not without dire cause. As they reached their table, Mors quickly moved to pull Evaida’s seat out for her, inviting her to sit. After he gently pushed her in, he took his own seat, letting his muscles relax a bit.

“So Mors, how long have you been at the yards? Are they treating you well and working you hard?†Queried his benefactor, and Mors chuckled lightly.

“Indeed, but not half so hard as I work myself, Evaida Sedai. Master Orion is an excellent Mentor, but he cannot spend the time with me I require to become fully prepared for the trials that will await me on the day I become a Warder. A day I am certain will pass, though I am uncertain when. I train about another 3 hours after Master Orion finishes with me, or anytime I find myself lazing about. However, I have given myself more time for recreation lately, as I was growing too weary to benefit the fullest from Master Orion’s teaching...†Came Mors’s reply, in an earnest and honest voice.

When she offered him solace, he rejected it within his mind, knowing he had failed for fact. However, he did not wish to offend the Aes Sedai, as she had indeed saved his life, and so he outwardly agreed.

“Now Mors, you must be famished, I know an excellent Inn just around the corner, that is of course if you do not have somewhere more important to be†came the voice from her smiling face.

Light was she beautiful... But Mors made no indication of this, and merely took caution, not all smiles are ones that meant good things for both sides. However, his stomach growled lightly, as he had skipped his last meal, and had just been bleeding and involved in combat, however little. Nodding, he bowed slightly again.

“You honor me, Evaida Sedai. I accept your generous offer.†Was his reply, deeply appreciative. Aes Sedai did not frequently offer a meal and company to a Trainee, at least not without strings attached. But Mors had a feeling there were less strings here than usual. Smiling, he was not sure precisely how to proceed. Did he take her arm? No... that would imply courtship, would it not? Hmm... should he let her lead? He did not know, and so he stood there like a sheepherder...

And miraculously for Mors, that blow did not come. In fact, it stopped mid-air. Astonished for a moment, Mors quickly realized what had happened. The One Power had been used. Since it was Tar Valon, it was highly unlikely that an Asha’man would be here, but the thought was enough to make Mors skin quiver slightly in a desire to crawl. Not with disgust, but fear, plain and simple. Men who could rip him limb from limb without recourse while losing their minds... not something anyone realy wants to think about. It wasn’t a Novice or an Accepted, as he did not think they could use the Power unless ordered to do so. Which left one option left, which was confirmed as the ageless, yet still somewhat youthful countenance entered his sight. Light! He thought to himself, Are all Aes Sedai so bloody beautiful? First Lavinya, now this woman...

As soon as she began speaking and he realised he was entirely safe, he sheathed his blade. In doing so, his side twinged, more blood spurting out slightly, as he’d moved in a way not pleasant for a torn open side. As he was doing so, he almost missed her telling him to put his blade away. Grimacing, Mors attempted to hide his injury, not wanting to waste the Aes Sedai’s time further. However, as many Aes Sedai did, this one had excellent sight, and intuition to boot. As she handed him his wallet, he accepted it, wiping the blood from his cheek and chin. He did feel quite inadequate. This was certainly not how he had hoped to appear before any Aes Sedai. Saved from a battle by an Aes Sedai, the people he was sworn to protect. This role reversal made Mors feel a bit inadequate, though he graciously accepted his wallet. However, before he could say his thanks, the Woman spoke again.

“Oh dear, we can not have you wandering around like a gutted fish.â€

Her words stung like salt in the wound, even as she used the Power to heal him. Shivering as his cheeks flushed, he felt hot yet cold almost simultaneously. This was, after all, his first Healing, and it was something he entirely did not expect... of course, he’d heard rumours and stories... but as an educated youth, he avoided hearsay and tales as much as he could. His cheeks now not only flushed with the Healing, but with his own embarrassment, he felt a sudden pang of hunger strike him, as well as a wave of fatigue. Suppressing this in his speech, he attempted to speak honestly while not uncovering the truth.

“I am Mors Sicarius, Evaida Sedai,†he replied with a deep bow, his side still sore, but more because Mors thought it should than any actual discomfort, “I owe you my life... but I must ask that you forgive my failure... I have no excuse for such poor performance in this incident...â€

Mors had been wandering Tar Valon during his free time as of late. He used to spend his time training himself beyond that of Master Orion’s training, but that grew tiresome and eventually worsened his improvement when training with master Orion, as he felt as if all he did was drill, which had been essentially correct. After a time, he had found something to do during some of his free time, speaking with Alexis, a pretty, though shy novice who had seemed to show interest in him, and had given him yet another push to become a Warder. Romantic as his reason seemed, it was a reason, and it kept him fairly focused on his goal, while not entirely consumed. With two sturdy reasons under his belt, Mors was well inspired and motivated to become a Warder. However, as of late, Alexis had ceased being present during his times in the Gardens. Being ignorant of the reasons, Mors assumed she was unable to come that way during class, or was forced to pass straight through, not stopping to wait for him to arrive. Novices sometimes experienced changes in schedules, didn’t they?

And with thoughts as those distracting him, it was no wonder the noble Warder-in-training was not in a mindset to detect experienced pickpockets, especially ones that work in groups. In the crowd, he was lost, or so he thought. Difficult to lose oneself in a large mass of people, yet also so easy... all depending on your definition of lost. After a few moments of such intensely absorbing thought, Mors returned to reality, only to find his pockets being ‘cleaned’.

“‘Ey!â€

He gave a short cry, and he noticed the man with the dagger as id moved swiftly for his short-ribs. Moving fluidly aside in a knee-jerk reaction, his body spared him any serious injury, merely cutting his coat and giving him a somewhat nasty, yet light, cut across his side. The pair, realizing they’d taken on more than perhaps they should have, turned to run. Mors, of course, being the rash, romantically inclined (romantic in the more masculine sense, as in an idealized form of the world) Mors chased them into a back alley, trailing blood as the crowd dispersed.

Once he entered the alley, Mors drew his sword. While smaller than the hand and a half he preferred, he didn’t carry such a weapon inside Tar Valon, as using such a weapon in any city becomes quite difficult. Flourishing the blade, Mors called out.

“All I want is my wallet!â€

And he saw the one laughing and pointing at Mors, turning around was a larger, full adult with a not very pleasant looking mace. Turning, Mors found himself in quite a spot. The man laughed and raised the mace, preparing for a strike as Mors sidestepped and made a thrust for the man’s exposed underarm. The man, anticipating this, shifted his body to move out of the weigh, landing a hamfist into his face. Stumbling back, Mors was now not only bleeding from his side, but his face a bit too, as his teeth had unconsiously bit into his cheek.

As he stumbled back, he remember the pair of pickpockets behind him. He couldn’t back up more, or he’d find another blade into his ribs. But he can’t fight off the man before him, as he was more skilled, and stronger than Mors. Light! He thought, praying essentially, Don’t let me fail here... I can’t fail...

"I channeled... I suppose... my parents felt I was of the Taint, and though they loved me, they would not let me stay. I was going off on 'a grand adventure', and I was on my way to the tavern to say goodbye. When I got there, I ordered a drink, as I felt uncannily warm. Next theing I knew, I was on a horse, and the other man who brought me here was on the horse behind me... and then I was here..." he drifted off, then looked at the other man again. "Do I really have a choice?"

Mors Sicarius was on his first assignment. Well, his first true assignment. He'd done errands, and he'd halped Lavinya Sedai arrange her furniture for a time, but those weren't real assignments. He'd been sent, with Master Orion, to Arad Doman to deliver an letter. He didn't know to whom he was to take it, only the where. Slowing his steed to a halt, Mors looked back to Master Orion. Mors was quite determined to get his task completed as quickly as possible, and so he tended to ride ahead of his master. It was entirely foolhardy, but he still did so, he couldn't help it. He was finally given an opportunity to prove his worth, and he intended to do so. So as not to seem impatient and rude, Mors said nothing to Master Orion, unless asked, though Mors was quite anxious.

I am on my way to being a Warder! I will prove my worth! He thought to himself, smiling faintly in his reverie.

"Yes... Yes... I have a question... How did I get from Maerone's tavern to here? I was headed to Cairhien..." he muttered, after having been pushed inside, he stepped forward, with an air of submissive respect. He knew not what this man was like, but chances are he could kill Elessar before El could blink. And so, he did his best to remain polite.

"And... you can teach me to stave off the taint? To keep from killing those I care for?"

Elessar could hardly remember what had happened the past few days... Blurs of the horse wandering as he tried to hold the other up in various landscapes, replacing the stranger who hauled him away from his home without his belongings to Light knows where, he sighed.

Then the other woke up, and got off his horse. Elessar himself was rather drowsy still, having tried to remain awake while the other was asleep, little good it would do him...

"Well...welcome to the Black Tower, now that we´ve finally made it at last, let´s get you signed in..."

"Wai-Wha?" he blurted, blinking. "Signed in? Black Tower? I was headed to Cairhien... where am I?!" Elessar asked excitedly, his voice a bit louder than it needed to be, and a bit agitated at his new location.

Post where? Link me, and maybe Mors can join, if Trainee's are welcome...

Elessar mumbled in protested as he was yanked all over town.

"Why is everyone yelling?" He grumbled questioningly before they got into the stables.

"Oi.. hello Fredrick..." He managed to say before being hoisted onto a horse, followed by the stranger as they began to ride off. He yawned a bit, and felt himself drifting. He jerked, girpping the horse's mane and righting himself, still drowsy now that the threat faded. He was so bloody tired. Flaming heat... what happened.

Elessar remained awake enough to remain upright, and to keep the stranger from falling, but he had no idea what was going on. He gently shook the other man, drowsily trying to rouse him as the horse continued meandering off.

"Bloody 'ell... wha's happenin'?" he muttered in frustration.