Mayene shined like a flickering gemstone in the noonday sun. Set
against the sea, it was a place of beauty, majesty, and danger. The sun
began to fall toward it's nadir, shading first the Palace of the First,
then moving on towards the palaces of the Mayener Nobility, the great houses
of the wealthy merchants, the public buildings and then further, into the
shabby streets of the poor quarter and the warehouse district. The
sun passed overhead a narrow alley, the only apparent life, a young pretty,
albeit dirty girl, and an old stooped blind man leaning on a staff.
The girl was leading the old man, obviously a beggar by his rags,
through the maze of alleys and side streets warily, as if she didn't quite
know the way. This seemed apparent to the five ragged men who stepped
out of the debris lining the alley. This part of Mayene was not known
for it's cleanliness....or hospitality.
"Well there missy, where might you and this old beggar be headin'.",
the one-eyed leader asked. She pushed past him, not saying a word,
but hurrying slightly.
A gap toothed man grinned maliciously and said to the hulking
leader, "She must not a heerd you Jarl, maybe she's deef and dumb.
Har, har how do you like that a blind beggar and a deef girl. They's
probly not worth bein' robbed."
"Well in that case, there'd be nobody to hear 'em scream Buke,
if they was to get attecked.", said Jarl.
The five men surrounded the girl now. "Where ya be headin?
Or is ya deef like Buke thinks?", said the hulking man.
"To the docks, to find food.", she said in a melodic voice.
"Well missy, this place tain't for the likes a you. It's
dangerous p'rhaps we'd bes' uccompuny you.", said Jarl at which the other
four men laughed.
"No, thank you, we can find our way.", she said a nervous touch
entering her voice.
The hulking man grabbed at her, and was rewarded with a slash
from a dagger that appeared in the beautiful girl's hand.
"Ye'll pay for that missy. Grab her, I want to hear her
scream." said Jarl. The five men advanced on the girl, who had two
daggers whirling in each hand. The blind man stepped in between them.
Jarl laughed and said, "And what are you going to do old man, beg me to
death?" The others laughed with him. Jarl stood a hulking six
foot two, a large man with the look of an experienced tavern brawler.
The old stooped man reached barely six feet, then he unstooped. Jarl
suddenly found himself looking up into gray eyes that looked straight at
him. He snarled charged and died, as the beggar's staff crushed his
throat. Buke followed him into oblivion scant seconds later, as his
skull was shattered. The third man had barely drawn his sword when
his sternum was knocked into his heart with the butt of the staff.
The fourth had his face grasped after a clumsy swing of his rusted blade,
and was
slammed mercilessly into the alley wall where his head caved in.
The fifth turned to run, but was dead before he had gotten two steps, one
of the girl's daggers in his back.
"And you said it was pretty here.", the tall slender warrior
said to the girl as she retrieved her dagger.
"Not this part of Mayene.", she replied in her rich voice, "Now
let's find that warehouse before you get us into any more trouble."
He looked taken aback, obviously wondering how this was supposed
to be his fault. He decided to let it slide, and was suddenly a stooped
old man again. The two quickly moved through the alleys passing into
an area of non-descript warehouses. They stopped suddenly at one,
it looked no different than the others, and climbed a staircase to the
side door. The girl knocked thrice, at which the door opened a crack.
A voice inside asked, "Who passes
here?"
"Jangai sent me.", she replied. The door opened and the
girl walked into the warehouse. They walked through a shabby hallway
into sumptuous rooms that seemed better to fit a palace than a waterfront
warehouse. The sconces were covered with gilt, the floors
lushly carpeted, the furniture was a combination of teak and mahogany,
all in all Tor thought it was a little overdone. Jayne however seemed
happy about it, and the first words he heard from
her were something about a bath. Tor decided now was the time
to find out who else had arrived, he left their apartments and moved down
to the main hall, inside he found his Baijan'm'hael, who had arrived yesterday,
the others were still moving through the city.
"Did you have any trouble finding the place?", Cyrus Rakkniven
asked.
"Nothing worth mentioning.", Tor replied. "This city gives
me an ill feeling Cyrus, I want to find Chakka and Taurs and return to
the tower. I'm putting you in charge of the search, personally."
"Yes, I know we discussed that.", The Lugarder said, "An Aiel
would be a strange sight here, I'll get on it, as soon as people begin
to arrive I'll start sending them into the city."
"No more than groups of two or three, I don't want us bringing
attention to ourselves.", Tor said.
"Will you relax?! It will be taken care of. And take
a bath, you smell, you savage.", Cyrus said, wrinkling his nose.
Tor rolled his eyes, but he did leave to search for a suitable
basin to hold his large frame....
~Tor
Elois woke up with a fuzzy head that she couldn't seem to clear.
She sat up in her bed and stretched her arms over her head, frowning. Happening
to glance in the mirror brought the evening rushing back. The dancing...the
wine. Elois wrinkled her nose. She had *definately* had too much to drink.
How unlike her. She slowly climbed out of her bed and into some
clothes, a plain, cream-colored blouse and, almsot as an afterthough,
she chose a black skirt split for riding.
The Aes Sedai glanced down at her Great Serpent
ring with a twinge of guilt. "Ridiculous," she chastised. She had no reason
to feel traitorous. She left her room in search of Janara, but couldn't
seem to find her. One Soldier informed her that he was sure the former
Aes Sedai had left, but didn't know where.
Elois stood in the center of the courtyard of the
Tower, staring around with a perplexed frown. Everything seemed so...quiet.
Where was everyone?
Crystinah Morre approached with a slight smile.
"Did you hear Elois?"
She shook her head. twisting her ring around her
finger absently. "Not that I'm aware of. It seems like half the Tower has
disappeared."
"They have," the blue sister replied with
a mysterious smile. "And *we* have been ordered to Mayene."
"...Mayene?" Elois pursed her lips thoughtfully.
"This has something to do with the rumors of the Asha'man who disappeared
there a few days ago?"
"I imagine. You know that we Aes Sedai are
rarely privaleged to such information." The look Crystinah gave her was
a touch wry, and a bit serious.
Elois shook her head. "Yes, I know.
The situation is improving I think. It should follow that the longer one
remains in this Tower, the more the Asha'man will trust us." Elois spared
a glance for a passing Soldier, newly arrived in the Tower, who was giving
them both a suspicious, superior glare. "Of course, there will always be
these young men who refuse to let go of the tales their mother's told them
when they wouldn't go to bed on time." The
two women shared a bemused smile and began walking towards the dining
hall.
"When are we supposed to leave?" Elois queried
casually.
"As soon as possible." Crystinah seemed
to be looking around for something. Or someone. Then she just shrugged
and glanced across at the other woman. "I understand we're supposed to,
in fact, *sneak* into the city, and rendevous at some deserted warehouse
on the waterfront."
Elois shook her head and grimaced. "It seems these
men are trying to make things more difficult than they need be. Well, I
suppose there's no need for dalliance. Are you ready to go?" Crystinah
nodded crisply. "I only need pack a few things. I'll meet you here in one
moment."
* * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * *
* *
Elois carried her saddle bag over one arm and managed
to close the door to her room after her. She was all packed, though she
hated to be rushed like this, always felt she was forgetting something.
The Aes Sedai gasped as she turned the corner and
nearly collided with a dark haired, dark eyed woman, with a sweet face,
and a minutely puzzled frown. "Beg your pardon," Elois murmured.
"Yes, I'm sorry." The woman answered after a moment,
and stepped around Elois, to move down the hall. The Aes Sedai took a few
steps the other way, then paused, and turned. "Excuse me," she called after
the woman's retreating back. She turned with a quizzical half-smile.
"Your name is...Taneena, is it not?"
"Tareena." She corrected. "Can I help
you with something Aes Sedai?"
"I saw you once before. Aren't you...Seanchan?"
Elois took a few steps closer to the woman.
The woman had a strange way of pausing
a moment, staring you directly in the eye while she, Elois assumed, worded
her answers carefully. It was an admirable trait. "Yes, Aes Sedai. I am."
"Were you ordered to go to Mayene then?"
Elois had heard rumors from her eyes and ears that there had been preiodic
Seanchan sighting in teh south, and an actual Seanchan would be an immeasurable
help.
"I was Aes Sedai. I have not figured
out how I'm meant to get there, though." Tareena smile ruefully. She had
a warm smile, full of wry humor.
"Another Aes Sedai and I were just about
to make a Gateway there. Why don't you come with us, Tareena?" Elois offered.
Truly, she was deadly curious to speak with this woman about her culture.
"That is very kind of you. Let
me fetch my things." The Seanchan woman disappeared around the corner,
only to reappear a bare moment later, a soft cloth satchel in hand. "I
am ready, Aes Sedai."
Elois shifted ehr saddle bags to the other
arm and offered her hand to shake. "My name is Elois Daneen, Tareena. I'm
very pleased to meet you." They shook ahnds and walked briskly to where
Crystinah was waiting, a few other Aes Sedai also gathered there. (I'm
leaving this open for you other chicas to come along if you want...)
"Are we ready?" Crystinah asked with a smile and
an nod to Tareena. Someone opened a Gateway. It was not Elois, she had
yet to learn that trick. But she reminded ehrself yet again that she wanted
to.
* * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * *
* *
There were five or six women poised on a hill overlooking
the capital city of Mayene. The city was crowded by bizarre looking trees
with knotty roots, and the air was damp and almost musty seeming.
Together the women hardly looked innocuous, so Elois
suggested they split into two groups and enter the city, and then finding
some sort of...disguise. A cloak in the very least. Before they halved,
she made sure everyone was exactly certain of how to reach the warehouse.
The last thing they needed was to get lost.
Elois and Crystinah and Tareena watched the other
women move off down the hill, deciding they would follow in a few minutes.
All entering the city together would defeat the entire prupose. Crystinah
mentioned that secrecy had been stressed to her. *No one* was to know that
a fair portion of the Black Tower had converged upon their city. The First
was hardly a trusting woman, and of course she had just cause, but there
was no telling how she would
react to finding all these male channelers in her province.
"Well..." Elois gestured down to the expanse of
darkish buildings stretching to the horizon. "Shall we?"
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Hmm...long enough for ya? Well...I guess it wasn't *that* long. Let's get this show on the road, peeps. ::trudges off sleepily::
Hannah
Myiona brushed a lock of hair back from her face. Her cloak
swirled around her as she stood waiting. The sound of sea gulls screaming,
the curses of the sailors, and the creaking of the ships as they rose and
fell upon the surface of the water, filled the air. By her side stood
a tall, silent Cairhienian. His hand rested lightly upon his sword
hilt.
Expecting trouble and always alert. He never let down his guard.
Myiona knew that from experience.
A man approached. His rolling gait revealed him as a sailor.
"Mistress Shallon?" he asked. Myiona nodded. "I am Jarachin
Lestat, steward on the Sea Breeze. Captain Shallon requests that
you join him onboard the ship."
Myiona nodded, wondering who Captain Shallon was. They
followed the steward to the ship and into the captain's quarters.
"Myiona," the captain exclaimed as he embraced her. "It is good to
see you."
"Hello, Parr," Myiona answered. "So, you are now a ship's
captain? No doubt a good way to chase women, drink, and live a totally
worthless life."
Parr laughed. "Still as pretty as ever and still as cheeky,"
he said as he pinched her cheek. He turned and began pouring three
glasses of an amber liquid.
Myiona rubbed her cheek, her eyes tearing. She had always
hated when Parr pinched her face and was tempted to give him back a little
pain. She knew that the mission was more important than her personal
feelings.
Mura'shar stepped forward protectively, feeling her pain and
anger. The two men eyed each other warily. Myiona took the
glass Parr offered and took a little sip. She coughed and turned
red. "What is this," she asked, "hull cleaner?"
She put a hand on Mura'shar's arm. "Parr, this is Mura'shar,"
she said introducing the two men. "He is my, um, friend. Mura'shar,
this is my cousin, Parr, the black sheep of the family."
"That I am," he said with a laugh, "but I remember a young girl
who did her share of trouble making. Why I remember one time when
you . . ."
"We are not here to remember old times," Myiona said quickly
to stop him from revealing any of her childhood indiscretions. "Have
you brought what I need to negotiate with the merchants in Mayene."
"I have," he admitted, "but I have a few questions first.
What is really going on? Why does an Aes Sedai need to pretend to
be a merchant?"
Myiona wondered how she would explain this without breaking any
vows. "A couple of our people have disappeared in Mayene," she said.
"The Tower thought sending someone in quietly to discover what happened
would be better than demanding answers. I know enough of the family
business to carry off the charade and can obtain new business for the family."
"And this Cairhienian," Parr asked, "is here to protect you?"
"We are a team," Myiona said. "Protecting me is one of
his responsibilities." She laughed as Mura'shar choked on his drink.
Parr's eyebrows shots up and he laughed. "Good luck to
you friend," he said. "Keeping Myiona out of trouble will keep you
busy. She has been causing trouble since the first moment I laid
eyes on her."
"I have noticed that myself," Mura'shar said with a smile.
They quickly obtained the samples that Myiona would need to negotiate
with the merchants and some personal things sent from her aunt. The
trunk was loaded into a wagon.
Myiona hugged Parr. "Give your mother and mine my love,"
she said. "I had hoped to come home before now, but maybe it will
not be much longer. At least I hope to be there for a visit soon."
He helped her into the wagon beside Mura'shar, and they headed into town.
Vicky
aka Myiona Sedai of the Green Ajah
Dragonsworn of the Black Tower
As they frove the wagon to the warehouse, Mura'shar kept a suspicious
eye on the people in the streets. This was not a good neighborhood,
and it wouldn't due to get themselves killed before they could even check
in.
"I still don't like it" he told Myiona as they neared the warehouse.
"The whole idea is improper. Not to mention dangerous. nobody
will believe it"
"You worry too much" Myiona retorted "Just act natural and nobody
will suspect a thing." They pulled to a stop in front of a warehouse
and gave the signals
Only a few others were present at the moment. Apparently,
they were among the first to arrive. Myiona laid out there plan to
Tor and Cyrus to make inquiries among the local merchants and minor nobles.
Mura'shar knew the Game of Houses somewhat and Myiona had contacts through
her family. However, it would require that they take lodgings in
the city itself
Tor thought about it. "There is some risk involved.
Do you really think it's worth it?" Myiona nodded eagerly.
Mura'shar reluctantly concurred. It could work, but he disliked the
cover story they were to use.
"If they think they can, I say let them" Cyrus said.
"They are both tested and resourceful. I trust their judgement"
Tor nodded. "Agreed, but check in every day at midafternoon.
I don't want to have to search for two more members of the Tower because
you got careless. Now, what names will you be assuming?"
fast forward a couple of hours
The inkeeper Jon Klees looked up as a man and a woman stepped
through the doors. The man was short, and clearly of Cairheinin birth,
though his face showed some Saldean heiritage as well. The woman
was clearly Domani and knew it. She swayed to him and said "We'd
like a room please. With some privacy if you can arrange it"
The man flushed a bit and stepped forward. "You have to
excuse my wife he said as he put an arm on her shoulder. We've just
been ..married...and she seems intent on telling everyone."
Klees smiled and gave the man a knowing grin. He knew the reputation
of Domani women. "I know just how you feel, sir...?"
"Call me Ossy" the man replied "And this is Herryet. We're
merchants from Arad Domon looking for some new contracts. With all the
chaos in the world lately, I'm sure we can fetch some great prices here
for some northern goods. So we may be spending several days here.
DO you have some accomadations for us?"
"Just the thing, just the thing" Klees replied. "My inn
is only half full at the moment, so I can give you a room off by itself"
he winked at the young couple. Herryet gave a delighted laugh while
Ossy just smiled a bit. Klees led them upstairs and showed them their
room. The man tipped him an extra gold mark. Closed the door.
Mura'shar examined the room. It was comfortable, though
a bit small. It would serve its purpose. Myiona tested the
bed. "Myiona, remember we're trying to keep a LOW profile"
"That inkeeper won't remember anything but a couple of newlyweds
are up here" she said "And what was with thiose stupid names? If
he recalls anything, it will be that. Next time, I make up the names"
"You said I should do the talking since I can lie, so I did"
he retorted. He looked at the bed. Um, about the sleeping arangements..."
Myiona smiled and stretched in a very disconcerting way "What
do you mean sleep?" She asked innocently "I thought we were just
married. Mura'shar felt his cheeks warming for only the third time
today.
"Never mind. I'm going to see if I can find a couple of
thief-catchers. A few discreet inquiries from a concerned merchant
about a couple of missing employees may be in order. Coming?"
"Not right now" Myiona replied. "I have my own methods
and a few family contacts. " She sat up. I'll meet you in the
comon room at sundown and compare our findings."
Mura'shar agreed and walked out. He considered taking his
sword, but the neighborhood is reasonably safe. He might attract
attention if he went around armed. His dagger will do. So he
went back downstairs to inquire on how to find a thief-catcher.
Jake
undercover Asha'man
"Did you have any trouble finding the place?", Cyrus Rakkniven
asked.
"Nothing worth mentioning.", Tor replied. "This city gives
me an ill feeling Cyrus, I want to find Chakka and Taurs and return to
the tower. I'm putting you in charge of the search, personally."
"Yes, I know we discussed that.", The Lugarder said, "An Aiel
would be a strange sight here, I'll get on it, as soon as people begin
to arrive I'll start sending them into the city."
"No more than groups of two or three, I don't want us bringing
attention to ourselves.", Tor said.
"Will you relax?! It will be taken care of. And take
a bath, you smell, you savage.", Cyrus said, wrinkling his nose.
**************************************
Cyrus watched Myonia and Mura'shar go. They were both capeable.
Hopefully they could keep themselves out of trouble. Several times
he almost stood, but each time he forced himself to inaction. It
galled him he had to sit around but he had to wait until everyone had arrived
and was accounted for. Plus, he thought that others might be more
suited to searching the city than he.
After a few moments Tor made his way toward the door. Turning
to Cyrus he nodded. Remaining silent he exited leaving Cyrus alone.
All he could do was wait.
Mark
After Mura'shar left, Myiona stood and stretched. She opened
the trunk and examined what was inside. She pulled out a couple of
dresses that had been sent as examples of what the material could be used
for and smiled. Each of them was a typical Domani dress, very suggestive.
She checked her appearance and left the room to look up an old
family friend. Hours later, she sat in the inn's common room awaiting
her "husband." As he walked in she smiled and waved. He walked
over and sat down. "I have made contact," she said, "with a family
friend who has agreed to host a party for us tomorrow night. That
will give us opportunity to meet the merchants and begin getting some contracts
set up. They are also a good source of
information since their livelihood depends upon the stability of the
city."
She gave him a wicked looking smile. "Tonight is all ours,"
she said quietly. "After dinner we can go back to our room and get
to know each other better. We have had so little time alone together
since the wedding."
Mura'shar blushed and looked around the room, as if he was searching
for a way to escape. Dinner was brought to the table at just that
moment delaying whatever he was going to say.
Vicky
aka Myiona Sedai of the Green Ajah
Marked Dragonsworn of the Black Tower
Darren woke with a jolt. The healing had taken a lot out of him,
but he was
much better. But where was Larah.. no, that wasn't it, it was.. ah,
Lenah.
But she was nowhere to be seen.
He poked his head out the door. It ws already morning, and no one NO
ONE was
there. He dashed back to his own tent (when are we going to get that
addition for the soldiers habitable?), and found his orders.
(They are essentially the outline only without the bits that we wouldn't
know at the outset)
Darren tripped over the sentence,
"Travel to this location outside Mayenne"
He threw down the orders in frustration, unable to comply - his block
prevented him from doing anything but interfering with other weaves,
let
alone Travelling!
Then Darren noticed that the orders were asking him to travel WITH someone.
At a particular time. Soon.
He threw on his swords, and slipped on a little extra light chain mail
underneath his black clothing... then shaking his head, slipped out
of it
and tried to find some less conspicuous clothing. Preferably something
that
looks Andorian (no Star Trek pun intended), because trying to look
Mayener... well, Darren doesn't know the Mask of Mirrors and if he
did he
couldn't make it anyway... not until he gets that burned block taken
care
of.
All suited to go, with his surreptitious light chain and one of his
swords
stored in a pack, Darren dashed to the meeting point.
He wasn't the only late one... two other soldiers (NPC's if need be)
were
hurrying across the mud, all surprised disconcerted to be out of
unadulterated Black. A Dragonsworn stepped out of the shade she had
been
waiting in, and joined them.
----------------
Luke
Darren Sadke
Waking up with a groan, Alan sat up in his bed. Massaging
his head, the young ashaman tried to remove the vestage of the hangover
he had from the previous night. That would be the last time he drank
Ousquai with Tor. Smiling, Alan started to pack his things.
Putting his black uniform and badges of rank away in his pack, Alan dressed
as a merchants guard.
Putting on a boiled leather shirt and leather pants, Alan strapped
his dagger to his waist and his sword to his back. Picking up his
supplies he whistled and Sidarin came bounding out of his cell and the
two companions walked out of the quarters made just for Ashaman.
Walking into the courtyard he noticed a couple of soldier, the soldier
Darren, and a dragonsworn. Walking up to them, Alan said, "Hello
all, how are you this beautiful morning? It
seems we have an important mission." Looking around he noticed
that he was the only person able to travel. Since Tor wanted them
coming in in groups of two or three, Alan split up the two soldier with
the Dragon sworn and sent them to a hill overlooking the city with directions
to the meeting place. Looking at the remaining soldier, Alan gave the man
a nod and opened the gateway.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Joe
Mura'shar looked at the thief-catcher. He was small and
his face resembled that of a mouse. But he came highly recommended
by the inkeeper and several other peole he asked. The inn they sat
in now was a cut above the one he was staying at. The merchants here
played cards rather than dice.
The thief catcher pocketed the two silver marks Mura'shar payed
up front. "I have heard no news about the men you are looking for, sir.
May I ask why you want them found so quickly...and discreetly?"
Mura'shar told the tale he had prepared. He and his "wife"
had convinced her father to take a couple of his friends into his businessas
a persopal favor to him. They wer sent here to search for possible
markets for his goods and vanished. He and his wife huuried here
to find them before his father in law learned of this. Most likely
they were out drinking and gambling and simply haven't checked in.
In that case he wanted them found and sobered
up before they were discovered.But if something more sinister is happening,
he wants his friends found and the problem dealt with quietly to avoid
entanglements with the authorities
The story was weak, but it would do. THe thief catcher,
Jon Firt, he was called. nodded "Very well, I'll find them.
But the silence will cost yo."
"There will be two more silver marks for you if you get me the
information I need" Mura'shar said "And two GOLD marks if I find them alive,
unharmed, and unnoticed" He finished his drink and sttod up "My wife(it
still felt odd to say it) and I will be staying at the Broken Stone.
You know where it is?" Fert nodded "If you find anything, go there
and ask for us or leave a message. We will want progress reports
as well.
They shook hands on it and the thief-catcher left. Mura'sahr
remained a while. He struck up a conversation with some merchants,
and deftly turned the talk to the men he was looking for. None had
seen him, but wer sympathetic. In-laws could be a headache anywhere
in the world, it seemed.
One man with an odd slurring accent seemed particularly interested.
He offered his services to help find the men. Mura'sahr declined,
but thanked him for the offer. He didn't want to attrat oo much attention.
The man shrugged and left. About an hour later Mura'shar did as well.
The sun was going down and he had to get back to the in and tel
Myiona what he learned. Or hadn't learned in this case. He
was still thinking of the "sleeping arrangements" that had to be made when
he felt the point of a blade in his side and a slurred voice hiss in his
ear "Keep walking, and turn left into the next alley"
Jake
Tareena stole stealthily down the hallway on slippered feet.
Making her way down the passage ways of the Black Tower, Tareena crept,
carrying a satchel containing her life possessions. An envelope had
been placed by her bedside sometime in the night, issuing orders for her
to travel to the city of Mayene with several others to investigate the
disappearance of
two Asha'man. Pausing behind a column for a group of people to
pass by, Tareena remembered waking to find that envelope.
"Report in the morning to the North pasture.
There you will travel with a group to Mayene. The Asha'man may have
run afoul of the Seanchan, who reportedly are currently heading to the
Sea of Storms. Prepare to take your place, Noviate Tareena."
Tareena broke out in white hot sweat, trembling, nausea welling up within.
Her stomach churning, she knelt down, placing her face on the cool floor.
"This can not be happening she thought. I cannot
go near the Seanchan....What if they find me....I will be brought before
the Inquisitors...." Shuddering at the thought Tareena hauled herself
across the floor to the basin and preceded to empty the contents of her
stomach. Somewhat calmed, she forced herself to being thinking clearly,
forcing the fear deep within her. " I am battle trained elite. I escaped
because I will live a different life. I will not serve the High Blood.
I will not go back.
I will leave this place and make my way south. I survived before,
I will prevail." Having made her decision Tareena took a deep breath and
began to prepare.
Tareena gave herself a shake, forcing her
thoughts into the present. If she had any hope of escaping the Tower,
she must do it now while attention was focused on everyone leaving.
If she could get outside, she could make a gate to wherever she wanted
to go. People at the Tower knew little of Tareena's ability, most seeming
to underestimate her ability because she kept to herself and spoke to no
one. A small voice inside of her spoke out,
telling Tareena if she stayed, she could hone her abilities, maybe
make some friends, fight for the Dragon as everyone else was. Lurking
around the edges of the classes, Tareena had listened diligently to the
teachers. She had come to understand the fight against the Dark One
and wanted to do her part, however small that might be. "No," Tareena
told herself for the millionth time. "I cannot risk being captured."
Resuming her exit, Tareena turned
the corner.
Tareena came close to colliding into a woman who was coming around
the corner. "Beg your pardon," the lady murmured.
"Yes, I'm sorry." Tareena answered after a
moment, and stepped around her, to move down the hall. The Aes Sedai took
a few steps the other way, then paused, and turned. "Excuse me," she called.
Tareena turned, her heart thudding double time in her chest.
"Your name is...Taneena, is it not?"
"Tareena." She corrected. "Can I help
you with something Aes Sedai?"
"I saw you once before. Aren't you...Seanchan?"
The Aes Sedai took a few steps closer to Tareena.
Tareena paused, trying to carefully
pick her words and keep the lisp out of her voice. She had heard
the stories, Aes Sedai could tell what you were thinking. Never lie
to an Aes Sedai. Tareena was sure she could see her heart thumping
wildly. "Yes, Aes Sedai. I am."
"Were you ordered to go to Mayene then?"
"I was Aes Sedai. I have not figured
out how I'm meant to get there, though." Tareena hoped by acting
meek, she could mislead the Aes Sedai and make her escape.
"Another Aes Sedai and I were just about
to make a Gateway there. Why don't you come with us, Tareena?"
Time stood still while Tareena heard the words of invite. The
need to escape fought with the warmth and kindness she could feel emanating
from this woman. Deep within Tareena a need she didn't even know
she had arose. She wanted to belong, she wanted to believe and use
her skill to fight for those beliefs. She could face her heritage,
and overcome. She was born Seanchan, but that did not mean she could
not carve out her own life. She would not
live in fear.
"That is very kind of you. Let
me fetch my things." Tareena went around the corner and grabbed her satchel.
"I am ready, Aes Sedai."
The Aes Sedai shifted her saddle bags
to the other arm and offered her hand to shake. "My name is Elois Daneen,
Tareena. I'm very pleased to meet you." They shook hands and walked briskly
to where Crystinah was waiting, a few other Aes Sedai also gathered there.
"Are we ready?" Crystinah asked with a smile and
a nod to Tareena. Someone opened a Gateway. Tareena smiled. Someday
she would tell them. She might also share with them the ability to
hide your strength from others.
* * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * *
* *
There were five or six women poised on a hill overlooking
the capital city of Mayene. The city was crowded by bizarre looking trees
with knotty roots, and the air was damp and almost musty seeming.
Jarek Pellaeon spent his time at the dance sitting down by himself.
He hadn't done much of anything at the dance except sit and think about
things. Mostly he thought about his own life and occasionally the Trolloc
thoughts that came across his mind. When people began to leave Jarek sat
and silently walked out still thinking. He slept well that night and he
Mura'shar did as the stranger ordered and entered the alley.
Tere was another man there, dark-haired and scarred. he was leaning
against a wall and waas clearly there to keep anyone from getting too curious
about what was going on in the aley.
Jake
The three women convened on the first dress shop they came across.
It was fortunate that neither of them had an ageless look about them, and
it was also fortunate that it was an overcast day, so they would be able
to wear hooded cloaks without suspicion. But their clothes were obviously
outlanders', and that had to be remedied.
* * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * *
* *
The three women emerged from the stuffy shop a good
hour or two later, bedecked in local fashion and drawing up the hoods of
their cloaks as the sky began to drip lazily on the city. They'd
wasted enough time, it was long past the rendezvousing hour. They were
no doubt holding everyone up.
Sorry the ending is so rushed, but I have to go...somewhere.
Not quite sure where. And I have to go 'get ready'. Mark...Feel free to
give us our orders oh...wonderful, kind, handsome, and brilliant one.
Hannah
Tareena found herself furtively looking around at her surroundings
for about the thousandth time since the three women came into Mayene together.
Tareena knew that she was letting irrational fear creep in but it was hard
to be rational when you half way expected to be accosted at every turn
and turned over to the inquisitors. Knowing that this train of thought
Olivia
Traighan hastily stuffed his black garb into the laether sack,
covering his new boots and knives, and slung it across his shoulders.
He had not yet found someone to travel with and the thought of arriving
in Mayne alone left him dreading the stinking orders he recieved and kicking
himself for not leaving sooner. To his dismay the grounds of the
Black Tower were nearly vacant as he left his quarters, but he noticed
a small assemblage of his
After dinner, a musician began playing in the common room.
Mura'shar looked across the table. "Would you like to dance?" he
asked. Myiona smiled and nodded.
Vicky
Crystinah looked at the Black Tower. It had seemed like
the last night would never end. She had not gotten as much sleep
as she would have liked to because she had been up late - very late - the
night before.
Cyrus heard a pounding on the door but dismissed it because he
knew someone would answer it soon enough. It came again and he ignored
it...again. His thoughts were beginning to return to how they would
dig up any useful information in an entire city. Some people had
hired a thief catcher. A brilliant idea, however they could not afford
to hire many more. After all, they would be bound to run into each
other and that might raise quesitons. Burn
Kano stood in his room in the Black Tower, preparing for the journey
to Mayene. It was to be a long one, for he did not feel like Traveling.
Things needed to be checked on throughout the South, and he needed to make
sure his network was still in operation. He would go in disguise, for he
would let no one know his identity. Save, of course, those he deemed trustworthy.
Kano picked up a comb made of bone, and combed his hair back. This would
be an
"You have made chasing you around fun, but you will give in sooner
or later. I would rather it be sooner."
Looking down at the Dedicated, Alan felt a surge of anger course
through his veins. Letting the man go, Alan spoke "You are a weapon
of the Dragon Dedicated, you are no longer in charge of yourself.
You go where the Dragon sends you, you think what the Dragon wants you
to think. This means that you have no right to act like an ignorant
boy stumbling into his first lover's embrace. The next stupid action
could not only kill yourself
Crystinah grimaced at the building that was . . . their warehouse,
unfortunately. The three - Crystinah, Elois, and Tareena - stepped
up to a side door and rapped loudly on the flimsy wood. It was awhile
before there was an answer and Crystinah was pretty angry by then because
of having to wait.
Tor moved stealthily from rooftop to rooftop, he was exploring
the city, making a map of it in his head. He kept out of the crowded
streets, his height as well as his coloring prevented him from openly moving
through this city. He was cloaked and hooded to help hide his nationality,
but it was a flimsy disguise for anyone who had ever seen one of his
Alcinia was out of her hiding place and looking up at the stars
when they found her. She turned to run, but they fenced her in allowing
no escape. "You know the rules Alcinia, and you flaunted them, you
didn't give Snake a cut for "handling" on his territory. Well, Snake
can't allow that, the other masters would pick him dry, so he sent us.
I'm afraid you'll have to die," said one of the three men.
Cyrus watched as Kano departed. His plan seemed sound.
After all, he really was from a noble Arafellian house and if anyone could
act the part, he could. Perhaps he could worm his way in with a few
other nobles. Perhaps even the High Lords of Tear. The creator
only knew they were always meddling in Mayene affairs. Maybe they
knew something of the Seanchan...but then again maybe not.
Later, Myiona looked over at Mura'shar and smiled. "At least
we do not have to worry about sleeping arrangements now," she said with
a laugh.
Appealing though the prospect seemed, Mura'shar shook his head.
He gently disengaged Myiona's arms and stood up. "We're not here
on vacation" he said. "There's still work to be done." Myiona
sighed and nodded.
Crystinah disappeared into the warehouse with that person...Whoever
he was. So Elois turned to Tareena with a quizzical little smile. "Well?
Shall we?"
* * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * *
* *
It took a moment or two for her eyes to adjust to the gloom,
for there were no windows in the common room. Hanging lanters were relied
on for light, but, Elois reasoned when she was able to see, it didn't look
altogether as shabby as one would expect from a Tavern that, evidently,
catered mostly to seamen.
The building grew quiet again and Alcinia stretched out on the
thin mattress she had been able to find and closed her eyes. Just
as she was about the drift off to sleep a hand grabbed her and pulled her
from the bed.
"WHAT?" Crystinah finally exploded. "Lady and Lord?!
That would mean we'd have to be m-married! Have you lost your mind?
And without asking me first!! And what IS it with those SILLY shoes?"
But a little later when she walked out of the room she was wearing
the dress that certainly revealed many areas. She walked towards
the door, managing to not blush at all.
Together the women hardly looked innocuous, so Elois
suggested they split into two groups and enter the city, and then finding
some sort of...disguise. A cloak in the very least. Before they halved,
she made sure everyone was exactly certain of how to reach the warehouse.
The last thing they needed was to get lost.
Elois and Crystinah and Tareena watched the other
women move off down the hill, deciding they would follow in a few minutes.
All entering the city together would defeat the entire purpose. Crystinah
mentioned that secrecy had been stressed to her. *No one* was to know that
a fair portion of the Black Tower had converged upon their city. The First
was hardly a trusting woman, and of course she had just cause, but there
was no telling how she would
react to finding all these male channelers in her province.
"Well,..." Elois gestured down to the expanse of
darkish buildings stretching to the horizon. "Shall we?"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey guys,
Sorry it took so long for me to write this. I had a major crisis
at work. I know this is long but I felt it was important to share
Tareena's fears as well as her finally deciding to want to belong to the
Tower.
Olivia
needed the rest.
Jarek woke early the next morning after the day of the party.
He got up and began to get dressed. He put on his usual wear, a sleeveless
black shirt without the pin marking an Asha'man becasue they were going
incognito, and baggy black pants. He didn't wear a small sash around his
waist today because it would make him look too much like a Tairen and he
wanted to stay incognito. He put on his wrist bracers and concealed his
dagger within one of them.
Then he put his sheathe and sword over his head so it hung on his back
diagonally so that the handle was at a easy place for him to grab it at
any second. He slipped on his short black boots and walked out , looking
for where he was supposed to meet.
He saw that there was a woman off to one side in the shade and
one man just arriving. He jogged across the mud and came to the man. He
said to him, "Good day Brother."
The man replied, "Good day to you also."
Jarek then saw that another man came running to the place. As
he came the Dragonsworn walked out into the place with them. Jarek said,
"I am Asha'man Jarek Pellaeon. We are to report to Mayene. For this mission
in Mayene we will need aliases. I shall be known as Ledo. Introduce yourselves
and tell your aliases and then we shall move out."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jarek Pellaeon
aka Fran
The man with the knife, Mura'sahr recognizd him as the "merchant"
who offered his help, began questioning him.
Who are you really, and why are you so ionterested in finding
those men? Answer now, or answer later. One iis less painful,
I assure you"
Mura'shar decided to stick to his story If there is one thing
a Cairheinin nobleman learned how to do, it was how to lie with a straight
face. "I'm a simple merchant trying to find a couple of old friends.
Is that a crime in Mayne now? Have they gotten themselves in serious
trouble this time? What's going on?"
The man struck Mura'shar hard on te side of his head and he saw
stars. "Next time you get the knife instead. Now answer my questions
truthfully or the Sekers start working on you!"
This is getting nowhere Mura'shar decided. Maybe a different
bluff is in order. He drew himself up and looked the interrogator
in the eye "On the contrary, it is you who will me answering my questions.
Fool" He shifted his gaze to the area just behind the man "Take him"
he said.
Of course, there was nobody there, but it distracted the man.
He jerked his head around for just a moment, to make sure his friend was
still guarding the alley. TH moment was all he needed. Mura'sahr
struck the man HArd on the bridge of the nose. WIth an audible "crack"
as his nose broke, the man's eyes rolled up and he collapsed.
That brought his friend running. He was also armed with
a dagger and was wary. Mura'shar scoped up his fallen opponent's knife
and faced off with the new opponent.
The man was good. His first swipe cut through Mura'shar's
coat and left a shallow cut on his side. He danced back as Mura'shar
countered. It was frustrating. Mura'sahr could destroy the
man where he stood in a dozen different ways with the OP, and he couldn't
use any of them.
This continued to some time. How much Mura'sahr couldn't
say. But finally he got lucky and sliced deeply in to the guard's
knife-hand. HE dropped the knife and fell back. Mura'sahr struck
him hard in the temple with the hilt of his blade and the man crumpled.
A quick search of them revealed nothing, but when he tore a piece
of the first man's shirt to bandage himself, he saw soemthing odd.
On each shoulder the man baore a raven tatoo. A quick check conirmed
that the other man did as well.
There was noting more to be done hear. Both men were unconciuos
and he'd hate to be discovered heere by the watch and have to explain what
happened here. He stepped out of the alley and was suprised at how
late it had gotten. It was nearly full dark. Ignoring his sore
head, he hurried back to the inn.
It was dark by the time he reache the inn. Myiona was already
waiting in the common room. She waved him over to a table and began
talking as soon as he sat down.
"I have made contact with a family friend who has agreed to host
a party for us tomorrow night. THat will give us an opportunity to
meet the merchants and begin getting some contracts set up.
They are also a good source of information since their livelihood depends
upon the stability of the city."
Then then flashed a wicked looking smile. "Tonight is all
ours," she said quietly. "After dinner we can go back to our room
and get to know each other better. We have had so little time alone
together since the wedding."
Mura'shar blushed and began having fond memories
of the knife fight in the alley. Fortunately, dinner arrived before
he had a chance to make a fool of himself. He should probably mention
those raven-tatooed strangers. But that could wait. He had
bigger problems at the moment.
Asha'man with a lot on his mind
The shop itself was crowded with dressed up figures
and tables of lace and bolts of silk and soft wool and any other imaginable
fabric, and Eois placed this shop somewhere in the middle of Mayene beauracracy.
(If dress shops have beauacracies.)
The seamstress came forward with a welcoming smile.
She was thin and mousy, hair covered with some sort of cloth...hat, it
seemed like. "How may I help you ladies?" She bowed low. Elois and
Crystinah couldn't help the slightly superior air all Aes Sedai wore and
Tareena was glancing about shrewdly, seeming no less important for her
lack of hatuer.
(Bah, I'm skipping over this part, not in the mood
for *another* clothing sequence. Feel free to fill in the blanks if either
of you want to.)
It was a tiring walk, all the way down to the waterfront,
and more than once Elois was tempted to beckon a passing carriage and bribe
a ride, but that would be conspicuous. Bloody furtive missions, she thought
ominously. Glancing over her shoulder, she noted that Tareena and Crystinah
looked no happier about their jaunt than she was. She gave them a rueful
smile.
It was probably because she wasn't watching where she
was walking...well, of course it was because she wasn't watching where
she was walking. She didn't run into shady looking strangers on purpose,
for laughs.
"What 'ave we 'ere?" The towering man grinned, propping
meaty fists on his hips.
"Oh, I beg your pardon, I wasn't looking where
I was going." Elois stopped, and the other two women stopped, and all three
frowned uncertainly. After all...If they weren't allowed to channel..Neither
of them were Maidens of the Spear.
"Quite alright." the ruffian leered, and Elois subconsciously
noted that there was quite a large gap between his front teeth.
"Ah, excuse us then." Elois side-stepped around
the man, but was stopped short when he grabed her arm tugging her back
in place.
"Hold just a minute..."
She gave him an icy glare, specifically designed
to chill men's blood. It caught the man short, obviously he'd suspected
three helpless, harmless woman. And while Elois had seen Crsytinah and
her sword upon occaision, that was not exactly...inconspicuous. She had
no idea what Tareena's capabilities were.
But as an all-too-familiar length of gleaming metal
flashed between her and their harrasser, Elois griamced, certain the Blue
had gotten hasty and would soon be causing less than desired attention
on their small group. "Crsytinah..." she muttered angrily.
"What?" the Aes Sedai snapped back.
Elois turned her head to glare over her shoulder
at her sister, but only made it half way there, for, in fact, it was not
Crsytinah challenging the ruffian, but a tall, altogether...well, *handsome*
man in some official looking uniform, calmly leveling his sword at their
harrasser.
"Is this...*man* bothering you ladies?" he glanced
at Elois for just a moment, then returned his stready, emerald gaze at
the other man.
"No..." Elois paused to clear her throat.
"I think he's just a little" she gave the man, still holding her arm in
an increasingly painful grip, a haughty stare, "confused."
The sword lowered until it rested on the man's
hand, and Elois watched, fascianted as a tiny bead of blood formed on his
skin and rolled off onto the ground. He took the hint and let go, tossed
her arm away with a disgusted glare, and stalked off the other way. The
Aes Sedai turned to their rescuer, who had saved them from...who knows
what kind of mess.
"Thank you, sir," she said with a grateful smile.
The fair haired man bowed, slightly, and sheathed
his weapon. "My pleasure." He flashed a brief smile and strode away in
that deadly graceful Warder-ish walk. She watched until he disappeared
from view, and recalled the other two women with a start.
Elois glanced over her shoulder at her companions
who were wearing all-too innocent smiles. She sniffed eloquently and whirled
away, stalking down the crowded street, turning into an alleyway, turning
into another, and surfacing on a narrow...Elois couldn't discern whether
it was a street or an alley, but it was the one described to her, she knew
that much, at least.
And that...The Aes Sedai griamced at the ramshackle
building that was, from all appearances, their warehouse. The three women
stepped up to a side door and rapped loudly on the flimsy wood. It was
quite a few minutes before there was an answer.
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
could only lead to panic, She squared her shoulders and continued on
with her companions. Her companions....she liked the sound of that.
It felt good to be apart of this threesome.
Elois and Crystinah had been very
cordial to her since entering the city. The three ladies had went
to the mercantile to buy clothing that would be more suitable for their
purposes. For Tareena, this was an entirely new experience,
one which she wished could have lasted a lot longer. Clothing, for
her, had always consisted of the grey dress of the damane and, since coming
to the Tower, cast off clothing worn by other women. It was hard
for her to fathom that there were so many colors, styles and choices.
It facinated and appealed to her in a very disturbing way. Maybe
later on there would be time for her to discuss these feelings with the
others. In the meantime, she told herself, she better keep her mind
on more important matters, such as making her way behind the other women
down the street.
"What 'ave we 'ere?" Tareena whipped
her head around at the sound of the voice. She had been looking the
other direction, staring at a store window.
"Oh, I beg your pardon, I wasn't looking where
I was going." Elois said. Tareena realized she must have accidentially
bumped into the gentleman.
"Quite alright." the man leered, and Tareena realized
one, he was not a gentleman, and two, if they were not allowed to use the
power, the three women could be in trouble. She had no idea if the other
two were skilled with weapons, she herself had only started learning how
to use knives.
"Ah, excuse us then." Elois side-stepped around
the man, but was stopped short when he grabed her arm tugged her back in
place.
"Hold just a minute..."
Elois gave him an icy glare, seemingly designed
to chill men's blood. It caught the man short, obviously he'd suspected
three helpless, harmless woman. A man stepped between Tareena and
Crystinah, his sword seperating the two women as it held the ruffian.
Elois turned her head to glare over her shoulder at her Crystinah, obviously
thinking it was she who held the sword, but only made it half way there,
for, in fact, it was not Crsytinah, but
the stranger who held the sword.
"Is this...*man* bothering you ladies?" he glanced
at Elois for just a moment, then returned his stready, emerald gaze at
the other man.
"No..." Elois paused to clear her throat.
"I think he's just a little" she gave the man, still holding her arm in
an increasingly painful grip, a haughty stare, "confused."
The sword lowered until it rested on the man's
hand, and they watched, fascianted, as a tiny bead of blood formed on his
skin and rolled off onto the ground. He took the hint and let go, tossing
Elois' arm away with a disgusted glare, stalking off the other way. The
Aes Sedai turned to their rescuer, who had saved them from...who knows
what kind of mess.
Elois thanked the gentleman with a grateful
smile.
The fair haired man bowed, slightly, and sheathed
his weapon. "My pleasure." He flashed a brief smile and strode away in
that deadly graceful Warder-ish walk.
The three women watched him walk away,
Elois the most it appeared, then turned to continue to their destination.
For some reason Tareena could not discern, Elois had a flush to her cheeks.
Maybe the run in had affected her more than she let on. After several
more turns, they finally reached the warehouse.
The three women stepped up to a side door and rapped loudly
on the flimsy wood. It was quite a few minutes before there was an answer.
brethren in the near distance. He allowed a small bit of hope
creep into him. One woman and three men, he couldnt tell their rank
since they were all in common clothing stood conversing.
He began to jog towards them hoping to catch them before they
left, but one of the men had already opened a gateway, ceasing Traigan's
jog and his hope of finding a traveling companion this late. The
gateway opened, a silver slash of light rotating and twisting and expanding
until it revealed Mayne just a step away, and a part of the party stepped
through, but two of the men remained.
Traighan broke into a full sprint towards them. The man
who had opened the first gateway was opening another. I think....
I can make it he thought dangerously.
The thought of calling out never crossed his mind. Mere paces
away from him the gateway began to fold in on itself, after the men stepped
through. Traighan lunged forward, his feet leaving the ground and
his arms pointed toward the closing gateway asif he was diving into a pool.
His arms hit the ground and he rolled into a sommersault as he cleared
the gateway. The two men stood staring at him, mouths agape, but
Traighan paid them no notice as
his tumble through the gatewat stopped. The burning in his heel
had his complete attention. The heel of his boot had vanished.
Gone, sliced clean from the boot like no blade in the world couldve sliced.
Blood streamed from where the skin covering his heal had been. "What
do you think youre doing soldier?", the man who had opened the gateway
asked.
"Dedicated, you mean.", Traighan replied, offended.
"You would fool a great many acting like that.", the man replied
coldly. "On you feet." Traighan rose, pushing his anger
aside easily as the wound on his foot throbbed intensely. The man
layed a hand on Traighan's shoulder ignoring the wince on his face and
channeled. Heat surged throughout Traighan's body, his muscles all
tensed at once, and the skin mended across his heel.
**ok..i jumped in with luke and joe? i think...hope i didnt spoil any
plans...if i have just let me know, and ill do something else:)
mikeO/
Traighan
Several dances later, she noticed that the innkeeper was looking
at them strangely. "I think," she whispered into Mura'shar's ear,
"others may be getting curious about why we are still down here.
Perhaps we should go upstairs."
As they walked toward the stairs, she could feel that they were
being watched. Light, she thought. When, if I ever do get married
I will not come to a place like this. I would not be surprised if
some of them followed us upstairs and listened at the door.
Myiona opened the door to the room and pushed Mura'shar on the
bed. "Now," she said, "tell me what happened while I see about these
wounds of yours." She unbuttoned his shirt and looked at the cut
in his side. "It is not too deep or you would have passed out downstairs.
I am not sure if I should heal you or not. We were told to keep a
low profile. I am sure I have a needle and thread somewhere, but
I must admit that I was never very
good at sewing."
Myiona embraced the source and wove the healing flows.
The wound in his side closed and the red line faded. She moved to
his head, lessening the lump from where he was hit. "Any other wounds
I should check?" she asked. "Maybe I should check you all over just
to make sure." She laughed as he blushed brightly.
Mura'shar mumbled something and stood up quickly. He walked
over to the chair in the corner and sat down. He told her about the
men who had waylaid him on the street and the raven tattoos. "I am
sure that I heard something about raven tattoos," he said, "but I cannot
remember what it was."
Myiona sat upon the bed and looked at him. "You know,"
she said, "it would be a lot easier if you would just stop running and
fighting. You have made chasing you around fun, but you will give
in sooner or later. I would rather it be sooner."
aka Myiona Sedai of the Green Ajah
Marked Dragonsworn of the Black Tower
She was wearing some tight black breeches and a white blouse.
She shrugged, even though the dancing had been fun, she was glad to be
getting away from the Tower. The number of male channelers was .
. . overbearing.
Crystinah walked towards the courtyard. Everything was
a whole lot more quiet than it had been before.
Elois, another Dragonsworn Aes Sedai, stood in the center.
Smiling, the Blue walked towards the other Aes Sedai. "Did
you hear Elois?" she asked.
Elois shook her head, twisting her Great Serpent ring around
her finger and said, "Not that I'm aware of. It seems like half the
Tower has disappeared."
Crystinah said, smiling mysteriously, "They have. And *we*
have been ordered to Mayene."
" . . . Mayene? This has something to do with the rumors
of the Asha'man who disappeared there a few days ago?" Elois asked.
"I imagine," Crystinah said. "You know that we Aes Sedai
are rarely privileged to such information."
The other Dragonsworn shook her head and said, "Yes, I know.
The situation is improving I think. It should follow that the longer
one remains in this Tower, the more the Asha'man will trust us."
Crystinah noticed a passing Soldier - who was newly arrived to
the Tower - was giving both of them a suspicious, superior glare.
"Of course," Elois continued, "there will always be these young
men who refuse to let go of the tales their mother's told them when they
wouldn't go to bed on time." Crystinah and Elois shared a smile and
they began walking towards the Dining Hall.
Casually, Elois asked when they were supposed to leave.
"As soon as possible," Crystinah said. She looked around,
wondering where Kano was at the moment then shrugged. "I understand
we're supposed to, in fact, *sneak* into the city, and rendezvous at some
deserted warehouse on the waterfront."
Elois shook her head, grimaced, and said, "It seems these men
are trying to make things more difficult than they need be. Well,
I suppose there's no need for dalliance. Are you ready to go?"
Crystinah nodded and then Elois said, "I only need pack a few
things. I'll meet you here in one moment."
The Blue walked to her room and grabbed her bag that contained
her clothes and other things that she wanted to take with her . . .
~ ~ ~ ~
Elois appeared with Tareena a moment later. The two walked
over to where Crystinah and the few other Dragonsworn were standing.
"Are we ready?" Crystinah asked with a smile and nodded to Tareena.
Someone opened a gateway and Crystinah caught the weaves. It didn't
seem too hard . . .
~ ~ ~ ~
There were five or six women poised on a hill overlooking the
capital city of Mayene. The city was crowded by bizarre looking trees with
knotty roots, and the air was damp and almost musty seeming.
Elois suggested that they split into two groups and enter the
city. Then they were to find some sort of disguise, a cloak in the
least. Before they split up, Elois made sure everyone knew how to
get to the warehouse.
Crystinah's companions were Elois and Tareena. The three
watched the other woman walk down the hill and decided that they would
follow in a few minutes.
"Well . . ." Elois gestured down to the darkish buildings after
a few minutes, "shall we?"
~ ~ ~ ~
The first dress shop that the three women came to was crowed
with dressed up figures and tables of lace, bolts, silk, soft wool, and
many other fabrics.
The seamstress walked towards them, smiling her welcome.
"How may I help you ladies?" she asked and bowed low.
"We are looking for some new clothes," Crystinah said.
"We will need a few *good* new dresses."
The woman studied them for a moment then said, "If you will follow
me."
Crystinah and Elois were almost beside the seamstress and Tareena
was only a step behind. "The newest fashion," the woman said.
"I suppose this is what you are wanting?"
Crystinah nodded crisply and looked over a few of the things
the woman had pointed out to them. All dresses of course - not many
woman wore breeches. Maybe she should have wore a dress?
It took awhile for them to decide on what they would like to
wear. Crystinah couldn't help being picky - she wasn't sure if the
others were already done in a couple of course or they were taking as long
as she had.
The Blue had decided to wear the dark purple dress that she had
picked out to the warehouse. She didn't see much of what the other
two women had gotten but she probably would later.
The emerged from the shop with the hoods of their cloaks drew
up because of the rain.
~ ~ ~ ~
It was a long, - or so it seemed - tiring walk to the warehouse.
Crystinah wished that they could just take a carriage. Elois
walked into a tall man and he said, "What 'ave we 'ere?"
"Oh," Elois said, "I beg your pardon, I wasn't looking where
I was going." She stopped and Crystinah and Tareena did the same.
"Quite all right," the man said.
"Ah," Elois said, "excuse us then." She stepped around
the man, but was stopped short when he grabbed her, tugging her back in
place.
"Hole just a minute . . ." the man said and Elois gave him an
icy stare.
Crystinah saw a tall, handsome - very handsome in fact - man
come up the alleyway. When he got closer, Crystinah noticed that
he was wearing an official looking uniform.
"Crystinah . . ." Elois muttered angrily as the man slid his
sword between the Aes Sedai and their harasser.
"What?" Crystinah snapped back.
Elois then turned and seemed to see the other man for the first
time.
"Is this . . . *man* bothering you ladies?" he asked.
"No . . ." Elois said. "I think he's just a little," she
stared haughtily at the man, "confused."
The sword lowered until it rested on the man's hand, and a little
bead of blood formed on his skin and rolled off onto the ground.
The man let go of Elois, tossed her arm away with a disgusted glare, then
stalked off the other way.
Crystinah turned from looking at the retreating man to stare
at their rescuer whose appearance had kept her from drawing her sword.
"Thank you, sir," Elois said with a grateful smile.
"My pleasure," the man said, sheathing his sword and bowing slightly.
He smiled briefly then strode away. Crystinah was surprised that
he walked in the deadly graceful pace of the Gaidin.
Then they walked through several alleyways until the Blue had
not a clue where they had come from or what direction they were traveling
in.
Crystinah grimaced at the ramshackle building that was . . .
their warehouse, unfortunately. The three stepped up to a side door
and rapped loudly on the flimsy wood. It was a while before there
was an answer and Crystinah was pretty angry by then because of having
to wait.
all of this secrecy! Cyrus was a man of action more than of waiting
and it frustrated him that he could do nothing. He never had been
an expert at the Game of Houses to say the least.
Again came the pounding. What under the light could it
be? Was there no one else in the entire warehouse?? Abrubtly
he realized that there was not. Tor had left a while earlier and
Asha'man Devin Wilsey had taken a brief break, going somewhere out to eat
and no doubt carouse with the local women. Shrugging, he stood up
from his desk and exited his makeshift "office". Climbing a level
of stairs, the pounding came again. Someone outside was
getting rather impatient. They had been waiting for a good five
minutes, if not longer. Usually someone answered before people had
time to knock twice.
"Light!," he muttered. "I'm on my way."
Finally he lifted the latch and before he could even twist the
knob to open the door, it burst in and almost hit him in the nose.
A very irritated Crystinah bustled past him, followed by a more dignified,
if no less frosty, Elois and Tareena. Closing the door behind them,
Cyrus turned to see three faces staring down at him, if that was possible.
He stood a good two hands taller than the tallest of the three yet the
way they looked down their
noses at him it felt as if they were standing on a pedestal.
"What?" he asked innocently.
"'What?!'," Crystinah exploded. "We were standing out there
banging on that door for an eternity before you deigned to let is in, you
ungrateful--"
Elois smoothly interrupted her companion's avalance of words.
"What DID take you so long? For a moment I thought we were meant
to wait out there for the rest of the day. In the name of the Creator,
whatever were you doing? There isn't another woman in here, is there?"
The way she said it, Cyrus was sure she didn't mean another Aes Sedai or
other member of the Black Tower. He didn't know Tareena very well
but she stared at him like an angry
aunt, nodding at Elois' every word. The way they looked at him,
you'd have thought he'd had done it on purpose.
Cyrus scratched his head, mystified. It hadn't been that
long, had it? "I didn't realize there was no one else here and when
I did, I wasn't exactly close to the door. This warehouse isn't small,
you know." For some reason they didn't look as forgiving as he had
thought they would. Motioning them forward, he continued. "Anyway,
I'm glad you're here. Mura'shar and Myonia are somewhere in the city
as well as a few others. We still have
not discovered any valuable information. I want the three of
you in the north eastern side of the city. Take up residence at an
inn and come up with good alies and a good story to cover your identity.
See what you can find out...discreetly. Other than that, I don't
know what to tell you. There's some water and food on that table
over there if you want to eat before you leave."
He walked away, leaving them to talk to themselves. Before
he was out of earshot he caught "Fool man...." and "bundled off like packages."
He got the notion they were talking about him and it wasn't all good.
No matter, he didn't care much what they thought of him so long as they
got their job done.
Making his way back down the stairs, his thoughts turned elsewhere.
Devin should be back soon. The man was a good friend plus had a head
for numbers and a suprising amout of other things. Before he reached
the last stair, a thought occured to him. Racing back up the stairs,
he caught the three women at the food table. He was relieved for
a moment that they hadn't left yet. It would be a hastle to find
them had they been gone.
Approaching them, Tareena turned around to face him. "One
last thing before you go. I dont' know how much money you have but
if you need any, come back here and we can give you some. Not much
mind you and only if you need it." Women sometimes liked to buy things
they didn't need, he had learned in previous experiences. Particularly
clothes. "We don't have much but we can spare some if you really
need it. Good luck."
They nodded and headed toward the door. A platter of fried
fish caught his eye and when he looked up again, the three women were gone.
After piling some fruit on a plate, he turned back to the stairway
and before he could descend, someone knocked on the door again. Cursing,
he walked over to it and opened it. A man with blonde hair came walking
in wearing a black cape and odd shoes that had bells on the toes.
What now?
After a moments inspection Cyrus realized that it was Kano.
Why under the light was he dressed like that?
interesting venture, and he needed the time a lone. Tor's orders were
for them to get to Mayene as quickly as possible. Therefore, Kano had left
right after getting back from the Jangai. After he had stepped onto Black
Tower grounds again, Kano had said good-bye to Crystinah, and told her
of how he would get to Mayene. She was one of the few who knew. He had
then headed to his room, and packed. Then, he had bathed, and headed to
Tor. The talk with
Tor had went well, and the Aiel had understood his wishes to travel
a lone. Kano needed time to think, and Tor was a friend. He would understand.
Kano glanced around his room making sure he had not forgotten
anything. He was wearing different clothing today, and things not usually
worn by Black Tower members. He wore a light brown shirt, and a dark green
tunic over it. His breeches were black cotton, and very durable. They were
stuffed into his boots, and his boots were laced to their full height at
his knees. They were black leather, and something Kano had brought with
him from Arafel. Kano
moved to the bed, and picked up the black riding cloak. Taking a last
glance around, Kano moved to the door, his saddle bags in hand. He made
a beeline for the stables, which were almost full these days. I hope they
have a good horse here now. Fortunately for Kano, they did. He loved horses.
He did not spend much time with them, but their sleek beauty, and the fact
that they were part of nature made Kano appreciate them. Moving over
to the
stable master, Kano noticed that the horses seemed in good condition.
Smiling, he spoke.
"Hello there. I am in need of a strong horse that is prepared
to go fast, and hard along the roads." The stable master nodded, and moved
towards a strong a sleek black stallion, with a white streak on its head.
Kano furrowed his eyebrows and studied the horse. It seemed to be ready
for a long ride. Shrugging, he nodded. The stable master nodded in return,
and in a few minutes, Kano was saddled and ready to go. With a small nudge,
the horse was set
into a mediocre gait, heading for the main road. Once Kano was on it,
he nudged the horse into a fast gallop. They would ride like this for many
days, but Kano was sure they would make it OK. As he rode that day, Kano
noticed summer was almost in full, and the animals and birds seemed to
be happy. That was a good sign. No lurking trollocs or the like. As they
rode, the sun went from low in the East, to its peak, and back down low
into the West. But
Kano rode on past that. They stopped for breaks, but Kano healed his
horse constantly, making sure that it would not fatigue easily. Finally,
at about 10:00 PM, He slowed the horse, and set up camp alongside the road.
He tethered the horse, he had named it Moonbeam (for in the moon, it seemed
to be part of the moon itself), to a tree. Then, he took out some dry rations,
and had a small, meager supper. His thoughts though, were on Crystinah.
He could
feel her in the back of his head. She seemed to be enjoying the party,
and Kano was glad. He would not be happy if she was not happy. Smiling,
he drifted off to sleep.
He woke early the next morning, and fixed a small breakfast of
fruit and bread. He made sure his horse had water, and they were off. Riding
like the Wind. They rode and rode, and rode. By nighttime, they had reached
the outskirts of Far Madding. Kano's thoughts now were of a bed, and a
good meal. He made his way to an inn, and asked for his horse to be well
cared for, a drink, and a nice bed. He asked the innkeeper to send his
breakfast up at 6:30
AM, and for his horse to be ready. The innkeeper smiled a polite smile,
but it was obvious he was not pleased about this. Kano noted the fake smile,
and chipped the fellow a gold piece from Almoth Plain, just in case the
fellow was a spy. In a few moments, Kano was sitting at a small table,
sipping beer, and eating a hearty meal. After finishing his meal, he headed
right for bed. Within minutes he was sleeping soundly. The next few nights
were like
these, and on the fourth night out of Far Madding, he was in Tear.
After a small break in Tear, he was on the road again for Godah.
The road to Godah was a traveled road and Kano often passed merchant
bands heading in one direction or the other. Tear was a hot land, and Kano
often found himself sweating. But he did not care. He had a goal, and he
would accomplish it. He had to get to Mayene soon, or Tor would wonder
where he was. As he traveled, he could see the Sea Cost in the distance,
and everywhere the scrub brush of Tear was in his view. Finally, after
his first day out of
Tear, he set up camp. It was about 11:00 PM, and Moonbeam was tired.
Kano road off of the main road, and into the nearby Scrub. The food for
Moonbeam was not very abundant down here, so Kano had to get oats while
he was there. It was extra weight, but the horse needed to be in good condition.
As he drifted off to sleep, Kano's thoughts were on Crystinah. He could
sense that she was close to Mayene, or perhaps in Mayene, and she seemed
well. Smiling
at that thought, he closed his eyes and fell asleep.
The next morning he awoke. His clothes were getting dirty, so
he Folded up camp, hopped on Moonbeam, and headed towards the nearest stream.
When he finally arrived at it, Kano could see that not many people knew
about it. The water was crystal clear, and life was abundant near it. Smiling,
Kano waded into the 4 foot deep water, and bathed with the materials he
had brought a long. After bathing, he washed his clothes and put on a new
pair. His shirt
was white this time so as to ward of the head. His breeches were brown
and built for riding. He carried his sword across his back. After the clothes
he had washed were dry, Moonbeam was fed, and he was dressed, Kano set
off once more. He rode through the Midday, and on into the afternoon. He
rode through Twilight, and on, late into the night. When he stopped, he
was about two-thirds of the way there. Kano repeated this for four more
days, until he
finally saw Godah at Sunset. It was an interesting city, much like
Tear, only it drifted more towards the Mayene style. He smiled, and road
into the city. He found an inn towards the Eastern part of the city, it
was called the Dancing Pig, and asked for Moonbeam to be well taken care
of, and for a good night's rest. When he awoke the next morning he headed
out to the stables after eating and paying the innkeeper. He went around
the city looking for a
tailor to suit his needs. When Kano finally found one, the man seemed
a bit nervous.
"Hello sir," Kano said as he entered the shop, "I need some Arafellian
clothing made. As I traveled here, I lost it all to some brigands on the
road. I need it made quickly. I shall pay you the sum of 20 gold pieces.
Is that a fair amount?"
The man's eyes bulged, but it quickly turned to a merchant smile.
"W-well s-sir, I w-would be happy to do what you ask. I-I shall t-try.
I shall have it done for you by tonight." Kano nodded, and passed the man
25 gold pieces. It was worth the guise.
"Oh also, try to get me some bells for my shoes if you can. Thanks."
Kano nodded, and headed out. That day, he walked all over the city, trying
to find out as much as he could about Mayene. It didn't help much. When
night hit, he headed back to the Tailor. The clothes were all ready, and
fine clothes they were. The tailor had done an excellent job, and it was
well worth it. He nodded to the man, picked up the clothes, and headed
back to the Inn.
When he got there, the tavern was bustling with people. He smiled to
the innkeeper, and asked for dinner is his room, paying a few extra coins.
The Innkeeper nodded, and he moved upstairs to his room. When he was done
his dinner, Kano moved straight for his bed, and drifted off to sleep.
When he awoke the next morning, the Sun poured in his window. He squinted,
and dressed, and then headed downstairs with all his stuff. After a light
breakfast and
after paying the innkeeper, he was on Moonbeam, and headed on the Over
land route to Mayene. It was a route that was not traveled that much, for
many took boats to Mayene. Kano did not. He worked his way around the bottom
of the Spine of the World Mountains, and crossed into the Drowned Lands.
Kano had not heard much about the Drowned Land other than the
fact that it was a swamp, and something not crossed easily. There were
legends of Merchant wagons in the old days disappearing to mysterious creatures.
Kano was not afraid that much though. He had the One Power. When he got
to the edge of the marsh/swamp, he noticed it was not as bad as people
claimed. Patting Moonbeam affectionately on the side of his neck, he headed
off through it. It
was incredibly quiet, and Kano had the feeling he was constantly being
watched. Sighing, he tromped on. When he was out of the swamp, he moved
about a mile before setting up camp and spending the night there. When
he awoke the next morning, he knew he was not that far from Mayene. I shall
not have to ride Moonbeam to death today, this is good. He smiled. He could
ride easily into the city today. However, He would need a good guise of
a
Messenger. He saddled Moonbeam, and he was off. It was very hot at
Midday on the peninsula, so he rode slower so as to give Moonbeam his long
deserved break. Before he moved very far, Kano changed his clothes, and
covered his face with his hood from his cloak. He let his hair fall as
low as possible, and Wove an illusion to turn it longer with Bells and
so that his hair was much blonder than it currently was. He also put his
bell shoes on. When he
finally reached Mayene, it was Twilight, and it had cooled a lot. As
he approached the city gates, two Guards came out and stopped him.
"Halt! State your business." The guard was an older one, and
Kano could tell he held rank.
"I come as a Messenger from Arafel. My house sends a message
to Lord Garlon."
"Hmm, well, all right, you can pass." He nodded, and Kano returned
the nod with a respectful nod. He meandered into the city. It was a nice
city, and was kept clean. The peasants seemed much happier here. He remembered
Tor mentioning a warehouse, so he headed straight for the one he thought
to be it. Kano was right. As he got off his horse, he noticed Crystinah,
Elois, and a Seanchan woman exiting. He hopped off of Moonbeam and offered
a deep bow.
"Hello Ladies." Kano said with a chuckle. "Have you al been staying
out of trouble?" They all gave him blank looks. He grinned. "It's me Kano.
Amazing what Illusions can do, eh? Well, Crystinah, come inside with me.
I need you for a minute. He smiled, and knocked on the door. A moment later,
it was opened by a weary looking Cyrus. Kano smiled. "Hello Cyrus. Sorry
I'm late I rode from the Tower. Took awhile." Kano chuckled. "Listen, I
have a plan for
finding some information out. Crystinah and I are going to pretend
we're a Lord and Lady from Arafel." Kano grinned and winked at her surprise.
"We're going to be from the house of Missara, which will not be hard. Our
mission is to find out from the Lords what they think of the Black Tower
in Caemlyn. It is obviously causing political changes. Hopefully, this
might draw some information out from the Lords and Ladies. As you know,
Cyrus, they are a
very sensual people. Hopefully, it won't be too hard to get the information
we need." Kano sighed. "What do you think of the plan?" He noticed Crystinah's
look, and smiled and winked at her.
It was going to be an interesting experience being Crystinah's
Lord...
Mura'shar could hardly believe what he was hearing. And
for Myiona, that was an imprssive feat. The sense of her presence
was already overwhelming. This blatant request sent his blood burning
He turned to Myiona "This isn't just a game anymore, isn't it?"
Myiona leaned forward, more serious now. "I've made my
feelings plain to you, and I think you share them. What's holding you back?
You aren't married, are you?"
"No" he replied "and I don't expect I ever will be either."
A million explanations for his behavior appeared and fled in his mind,
all weak. Only one remained. "I'm going to go mad, you know"
he told her. "Every time I channel, I can feel the taint seeping
in, stripping me of my humanity" If I get too close to someone, I
fear I'll hurt her before I die. I...Idon't want to be another Kinslayer"
Myiona sat up and went to the chair he was sitting. "We
are bonded" she told him. "We are already as close as two people
can ever be. As to becoming another Kinslayer, you are too good a
man for that to happen. You don't have it in you"
Mura'shar stood up "I wonder if the Dragon's wife thought the
same thing before he killed her? In a month, a year, ten years, who
can say how long? I'll be dead or hopelessly mad". But
her words rang true. She already knew the risks, and was willing
to accept them.
He sighed "You're right, though, for what time we do have,...it's
still not proper, but I left propriety behind when I started channeling.
Myiona smiled and stroked his cheek "I'm glad to see you're starting
to talk sense" Mura'shar's self restraint, already strained, snapped completely.
He grabbed her shoulders and pulled her into an embrace. All thoughts
of tatoos and propreiety, and the taint fled from his mind.
but the rest of your Storm Team or many more. Do not let it happen
again. Am i understood Dedicated."
Traighan looked up into the blue eyes of Alan al Daren and nodded.
Alan turned around and surveyed the surroundings. The Ashaman had
Traveled to a small valley about four miles away from the Mayenne proper.
Gathering their supplies they started to walk towards Mayenne when Darren
crouched down low, and whispered a warning. A growl issued from Sidarin's
throat about a second later. Pointing up, Darren gestured for stillness.
Taking a quick
look towards the sky, Alan saw a scaly beast gliding through the air.
Alan had heard tales of the things called Raken, but had never seen one.
Alan could not help but wonder what the beast was scouting??
Finally the door was unlocked and Crystinah opened it quickly,
not noticing how close she had come to hitting Cyrus in the nose.
The Blue walked by the Asha'man, very irritated. Crystinah
stared frostily at Cyrus as he shut the door.
"What?" he asked innocently after he had turned to look at the
three women.
"'What?'" Crystinah exploded. "We were standing out there
banging on that door for an eternity before you deigned to let us in, you
ungrateful-"
Elois smoothly interrupted her, "What DID take you so long?
For a moment I thought we were to wait out there for the rest of the day.
In the name of the Creator, whatever were you doing? There isn't
another woman in here is there?"
"I didn't realize there was no one else in here and when I did,
I wasn't exactly close to the door. This warehouse isn't small, you
know. Anyway, I'm glad you're here. Mura'shar and Myiona are
somewhere in the city as well as a few others. We still have not
discovered any valuable information. I want the three of you in the
North eastern side of the city. Take up residence at an Inn and come
up with good allies and a good story to cover your
identity. See what you can find out . . . discreetly. Other
than that, I don't know what to tell you. There's some water and
food on that table if you want to eat before you leave," he said and when
he was finished, walked off.
"Fool man . . ." one of the other Dragonsworn said.
"We're being bundled off like packages," Crystinah muttered angrily.
"I want the three of you in the North eastern side of the city," she mimicked
him, "take up residence at an Inn . . . come up with good allies . . .
a good story to cover your identity . . ."
A few minutes later Cyrus was back. Before Crystinah could
say anything, he said, "One last thing before you go. I don't know
how much money you have but if you need any, come back here and we can
give you some. Not much mind you and only if you need it. We
don't have much but can spare some if you really need it. Good luck."
Crystinah nodded and headed towards the door. She turned
before she walked out and saw a platter of fried fish flying at Cyrus'
face and wished that she'd thought of that . . .
Quickly they left the warehouse. When they were starting
to walk back the way they had come from a man appeared on horseback.
He was wearing a black cape and shoes with bells on the toes. Crystinah
wanted to laugh at how silly they looked.
There was also something . . . familiar about the man, but Crystinah
couldn't put her finger on it and as he neared, the feeling grew stronger.
The blond haired man got off his black stallion and bowed deeply
to the three women. "Hello ladies," he said. "Have you all
been keeping out of trouble?"
Crystinah gave him a blank look. Now she *knew* there was
something familiar about him . . . Yes! She wouldn't forget
him anywhere . . . and he was so near . . .
"It's me," Kano said, "Kano. Amazing what Illusions can
do eh? Well, Crystinah, come inside with me. I need you for
a moment." Kano smiled and knocked on the door.
Before Crystinah could say anything, Cyrus had appeared in the
doorway and then Kano spoke:
"Hello Cyrus. Sorry I'm late. I rode from the Tower.
Took awhile. Listen, I have a plan for finding some information out.
Crystinah and I are going to pretend we're a Lord and Lady from Arafel."
Crystinah couldn't help her jaw falling and staring, dumbstruck,
at Kano.
"We're going to be from the House Missara," Kano continued, "which
will not be hard. Our mission is to find out what they think of the
Black Tower in Caemlyn. It is obviously causing political changes.
Hopefully, this might draw some information out from the Lords and Ladies.
As you know, Cyrus, they are a very sensual people. Hopefully, it
won't be too hard to get the information we need. What do you think
of the plan?" Kano finished,
smiling, and winked at Crystinah.
"WHAT?" she finally exploded. "Lady and Lord?! That
would mean we'd have to be m-married! Have you lost your mind?
And without asking me first!! And what IS it with those SILLY shoes?"
people. So he kept to the alleys and rooftops, moving like a
wraith in the night.
Jayne was sleeping now, they would go out again in beggar's disguise
tommorrow, but Tor wanted a lay of the land, and some time to think.
Cyrus had said Kano had arrived while he was out before, which was good,
the man had made good time. As to his posing as a Lord, it might
be useful to have someone infiltrating the palaces. Now all that
was needed was for Alan to arrive with the others. Cyrus had complained
about the duties Tor had given him,
and Tor didn't blame him, but Cyrus would be releived of those duties.
He understood why his friend was chafing, Chakka and Taurs were good friends,
they had joined the tower at the same time that Ivan and Cyrus had, and
had been through quite a few battles together. They were both full
Asha'man, and knew how to take care of themselves. Chakka, small
and slender had a quickness of mind and body that would make it hard to
sneak up on. and Taurs
was a large man, taller than Tor himself, and an indomitable, powerful
opponent. Who could have captured or taken men like them?
He pulled himself from his reverie, he was not alone on these
rooftops. A small lithe figure was running from three others garbed
in varying shades of black and gray, all experienced in moving on the uncertain
terrain that was almost a second city atop Mayene. The three cornered
her, and began speaking,
"You know the rules Alcinia, and you flaunted them, you didn't
give Snake a cut for "handling" on his territory. Well, Snake
can't allow that, the other masters would pick him dry, so he sent us.
I'm afraid you'll have to die.", said one of the three men.
"Really Rudolfus, why would I have stolen anything along these
dockyards and warehouses, there isn't anything worth stealing?", said the
smaller figure, in a girl's voice.
"Don't be coy brat, I'm wise to your ways. I'm going to
enjoy this. You'll die slow." , he smiled at her as he advanced with
bared short-sword, a smile that was juxtaposed oddly with his cold gleaming
eyes.
"I'm not one of your toys, Rudolphus. I won't be easy meat.",
she said throwing a dagger from nowhere, it flashed as it flew towards
him. He blocked it with almost inhuman speed, and stabbed at her.
She parried with another dagger that appeared in her hand, and danced away
nimbly. The other two converged. Tor sighed inwardly, he really
shouldn't get involved with wetlander disputes that he knew nothing of,
but three against one was hardly
sporting, and although it looked like the girl might be able to handle
one of them, all three together might be pushing it. She looked to
have quick hands and reflexes, but they did too. All of them moved
extremely well, especially for wetlanders. Tor told himself he shouldn't
get involved, that it wasn't his concern. Oh well, so much for keeping
a low profile. He moved out of the shadows. The four shadowy
figures took a moment to realize he
was there.
"Who are you? A beggar trying to sleep on the roof?", said
the man named Rudolphus. "Better get gone, if you know what's good
for you, or else we'll carve you where you stand.", added a second man.
"Let me see, you all are armed with shorswords, and I have not
a weapon. It seems to me a fair fight.", all four figures looked
at him like he was crazy. Not yet.
"A jester, not a beggar Rudolphus. I'll take care of him,
while you handle business.", said the second man.
"Hurry, Caspar, we don't want to be kept from entertaining Alcinia."
Rudolphus replied, while he and the third man began to fence the girl in.
Caspar advanced on Tor, swinging his sword expertly. Tor dodged easily,
and caught the man's arm, swung him around, grabbed him by the throat,
and nimbly broke his neck. The sound of breaking bones brought the
other two up short, and they whirled to see the very tall Aielman advancing
on them. They
twisted in an acrobatic motion, moving from one their quarry to their
new adversary. It cost them, the nameless assailant went down with
one of Alcinia's daggers in his throat. She was already holding a
third. Tor wondered idly how many of the blades she had. Rudolphus
was as dissapointing as Caspar, however, and died after Tor shattered his
knee and followed up with a tsuki strike to the throat. Would he
never face a wetlander who knew how to
fight?
"Well, it appears that your attackers are dead, young lady.
I do suggest you try to make different acquaintences in the future.", Tor
said.
She leaped at him, planting a kiss on his lips, "My hero!
Thanks big man.", she said, and darted off while Tor was dazed at what
had happened. He felt Jayne suddenly awake, and knew what had awoken
her. He felt baffled by the disapprobation he felt from her.
He did not kiss the girl after all, she had kissed him. Wetlanders
constantly confused him. It was then that he noticed his purse was
gone. The girl did have quick hands after all it
seemed. Tor took off in pursuit......
"Really Rudolphus," Alcinia answered, "why would I have stolen
anything along these dockyards and warehouses, there isn't anything worth
stealing?"
"Don't be coy brat," he sneered, "I'm wise to your ways.
I'm going to enjoy this. You'll die slow." He advanced on her
with his sword ready.
Alcinia pulled a dagger from her sleeve and stood ready.
"I'm not one of your toys, Rudolphus," she said. "I won't be easy
meat." She launched the dagger from the air as she drew another.
As he blocked the first throw, she danced away blocking his attack.
The other two men closed in on her. Alcinia looked around cautiously,
considering her options. She saw the figure move out of the shadows
a second before the others, hoping rescue was at
hand.
"Who are you? A beggar trying to sleep on the roof?", said
the man named Rudolphus. "Better get gone, if you know what's
good for you, or else we'll carve you where you stand," added a second
man.
"Let me see," the stranger said in a deep voice, "you all are
armed with shortswords, and I have not a weapon. It seems to me a
fair fight."
"A jester, not a beggar Rudolphus. I'll take care of him,
while you handle business," said the second man.
"Hurry, Caspar, we don't want to be kept from entertaining Alcinia."
Rudolphus replied, while he and the third man began to fence the girl in.
Alcinia took advantage of the momentary confusion to rake the
dagger across Rudolphus' face. "You will not be as pretty for you
little girls now," she taunted. "Perhaps no one will even have you
anymore."
Rudolphus roared and slashed wildly. Alcinia almost laughed
at how easy it was going to be, thanks to the stranger. The crunching
of broken bones distracted them and they turned to see the stranger advancing.
Alcinia threw one of her daggers, catching Rudolphus' friend in the throat.
She pulled another dagger and watched as the tall man quickly finished
off Rudolphus.
"Well, it appears that your attackers are dead, young lady.
I do suggest you try to make different acquaintances in the future," Tor
said.
Alcinia leaped at him, planting a kiss on his lips, her dagger
moved swiftly to cut the strings on his purse and she slipped it into her
cloak. "My hero! Thanks big man," she said, and quickly slipped into
the shadows running toward her hiding hole. She heard the man turn and
begin following her, but he would never be able to slip through the tiny
places that she could wiggle through. Soon, she was safe back in
her hiding place.
She had spent part of the day watching the warehouse and knew
that someone was using it again. It had sat vacant for so long that
she had moved in, claiming it as her own. Luckily her small sleeping
room was not easily located.
She had known that all those entering and staying at the warehouse
were strangers to Mayene. There had been many strangers lately.
The men with the ravens scared her more than Snake's whole gang.
She had found a couple of them laid out in an alley and had picked their
pockets clean. One moaned and she stuck his dagger into his eye,
twisting it with savagery.
She had seen them take away the others. She had watched
as they tortured one of the men. She regretted not being able to
do anything to help. The men had been kind to her when they caught
her stealing. They did not turn her into the guards, but rather brought
her some food and talked with her. They were strangers too, but she
did not mind them being in her city.
Alcinia heard a noise down below and peeked out over the top
of one of the boards. A man walked through the warehouse cursing.
Alcinia moved sending a shower of dust down on the man. He looked
up. She froze, knowing that any movement would betray her.
Finally, he looked away.
~Idiot,~ she thought, ~one more stupid move like that and you
may have to move back to the place where the men . . .~ Alcinia shuddered
as she remembered. She had escaped one man with desires on her only
to find herself in another like position. ~Now, his advances turned
away, he sent his goons to kill me or scare me back into his sphere of
influence.~
The building grew quiet again and Alcinia stretched out on the
thin mattress she had been able to find and closed her eyes. Just
as she was about the drift off to sleep a hand grabbed her and pulled her
from the bed.
He shook his head...too many unknowns in this "game" they were
playing. Others might not take it so personally but Chakka and Taurs
were friends of Cyrus. People he had fought beside. Saved and
had been saved by. If they were not dead then they must be rescued.
They MUST. Cyrus was not one to let a friend down. If they
were dead, then the Light have mercy on those who might be guilty of their
murder.
__________________________________________________________________
Sitting in his office, Cyrus heard the front door slam and footsteps,
slow and steady. Devin appeared from the stairwell and approached
Cyrus with a grin that split his face.
"Excellent news has just arrived." he began. "Mura'shar
and Myonia have recieved vital information, however the messenger they
used appeared not to know what. Only that they would personally come
and relay their findings once they are certian the safety of the mission
will not be jepordized."
Cyrus smiled. Finally they were getting results.
Finally they would come to grips with his friends assailaints. They
would pay, oh yes. Dearly.
Moments later Tor came dragging a dirty woman in behind him.
Cyrus stood and saluted the leader of the Storm Team. Who under the
light was this stranger who had been dragged in my Tor? Surely not
an enemy agent, was it? Cyrus waited for Tor's explination, if any
was forthcoming, and orders that needed to be carried out.
Mura'shar's laugh turned into a yawn. "You need rest,"
she said sternly. "I am exhausted too and tomorrow will be a busy
day." Myiona snuggled close and soon fell asleep.
~~~~~~
The next morning, sunlight coming in between the curtains awoke
Myiona early. She stretched and looked at Mura'shar. He was
sleeping soundly, a smile on his face. She moved closer and brushed
her lips across his face.
His eyes opened wide and he jumped backwards, falling off of
the bed and on to the floor. Myiona laughed and peeked over the side
of the bed at him. "Did I scare you?" she asked. "After last
night you should be used to my touch. That floor does not look all
that comfortable."
Mura'shar stood and sat down on the edge of the bed. He
still looked confused about what was going on. He mumbled something
about "being awakened suddenly."
"You know," Myiona said putting her arms around him, "it is still
very early. I doubt breakfast is ready downstairs. I wonder
what we could do to pass the time?"
When they came downstairs, breakfast was not ready, as Myiona
predicted. But someone was there waiting for them. The thief-catcher
Fert stood at thier arrival. Mura'sahr indroduced his "wife" to him.
Fert got right to the point. "I don't know what kind of
trouble your friends used to get into, but they're in way over their heads
now." He kept rubbing the hilt of his dagger for some reason and
his eyes darted all over the common room. Like an enemy was likely
to come leaping out at any moment.
"You found something? You know where they are?" It couldn't be
this easy. It's been less than a day and they got something.
"Not where they are, but I found something" Fert replied.
He lowered his voice "They were captured by Seanchan."
It was a good thing they wren't eating breakfast, because Mura'shar
and Myiona would have choked on that. "Seanchan? Here? How
did you find this out?" Myiona whispered. "The Seanchan are
far off to the east."
"WERE to the east" Fert corrected. "They have agents
here now. Men with slurred accents all al over the place now. I see
you've met some already." The last comment was at Mura'shar's startled
response to the accents. "Well, I haven't been able to find out where
they've been held, but they have been taken. If I were you, I'd try
to find out if there are any newcomers around here with odd accents.
Find one and maybe they'll lead you to your
friends. You wouldn't happen to know why they'd takle them, would
you?"
It was a casual question, but Mura'sahr wouldn't have answered
if he knew anyway. Both Myiona and Mura'shar shook their heads. "Until
this moment, we had no idea the Seanchan were here." Myiona told him.
"But thank you for the information."
Mura'shar gave him an extra silver mark as a bonus. "Keep
looking," he said. "The gold will still be yours if we find them"
Fert pocketed the coin and bowed. "Your story is weak,"
he said. "But I think you are telling the truth that you didn't know
what's going on. I'll keep looking for them." With that he left.
Mua'shar went back upstairs and got some paper and ink.
He wrote out a note to Cyrus and Tor, telling them they have "vital information"
He didn't want to be too specific until he knew more. But he did
urge everyone not to wander the streets alone. He promised to tell
them exactly what it was in person when they knew more. Maybe Myiona's
friends will know something at tonights party.
He sealed the message and sent it with a messanger boy to the
warehouse. He probably wouldn't get near it before he was intercepted
by someone from the Black Tower. With that done, he settled down
for breakfast with Myiona and to plan the day ahead.
The Seanchan woman nodded, reluctanly. Elois had
a feeling she wasn't looking forward to the impending walk anymore than
the Aes Sedai was. (::sighs mournfully as that sentence makes little to
no sense::)
For a few minutes the pair just walked silently,
mulling over the fact that they hadn't been forced to walk this far in
ages. Then Elois sighed and brought up the subject of aliases. "The obvious
decision would be to masquerade as ladies, but..." she reasoned aloud,
"That could get complicated, as we both obviously come from different places,
and we have no retinue, and so forth. So what does that leave us?"
After a moment of silence Tareena proposed,
"We could...hire on as...serving girls. It would be easy to overhear information
that way."
The White nearly choked. An Aes Sedai...pretending
to be a barmaid. Of all the...But wasn't that the point? *No* one in their
right mind would suspect a barmaid of being an Aes Sedai. Elois gave
her a measuring look. "An excellent idea. We'll have to find one of the
more prominent Inns. And of course, you will have to do all the talking
because I cannot...What's wrong? Tareena?"
The Seanchan woman had froze, reflexively
clutched the Aes Sedai's sleeve. Elois' followed her gaze, but could see
nothing out of the ordinary. The street here was a bit crowded, but Tareena
blanched and jerked up the hood of her cloak and briskly strode off down
a side road. After on last, long look for whatever has upset the woman,
Elois jogged after her.
"Wait! Tareena this...this isn't the way we're
supposed to go. And what did you see back there?"
The Seanchan woman didn't answer, but disappeared
through a doorway. The Aes Sedai frowned disapprovingly and looked skyward,
where a sign hung that proclaimed the building the "Seafarer's Inn." Very
imaginitive, Elois thought dourly as she took a deep breath and entered.
Tareena was beckoning to a man in a long white apron,
obviously the innkeeper here. He was a surprisingly dignified looking man,
tall and barrelchested, his hair completely white and piercing brown eyes
that looked completely unruffila...ble. (::gives up, crosses out::) that
looked assuredly steady. Elois hurried to her side.
"We...sir, are looking for jobs. As barmaids,
if we must. We need the money, very badly. I...do you need help? Barmaids?"
Elois was amazed at the performance Tareena was giving. She sounded completely
sincere and altogether meek.
"Barmaids? Neither one of you look like barmaids."
They were both given searching looks, head to toe. Their clothes weren't
incredibly rich looking, and fortunately the walk across town and back
add given them dirty hems and slightly frazzled looks. But still, it waas
all Elois could do to not give him a reflexive frown, Aes Sedai weren't
accustomed to such surveyance.
"But still...A few of my girls have disappeared
and I haven't taken the time to replace them. Haven't needed 'em much."
The inkeeper tapped a finger against his lips thoguhtfully then nodded.
"Since you come asking, I'll hire you. Hurry on back to the kitchen and
my wife'll get you started."
Elois bobbed a curtsy, and Tareena did likewise,
and together they made their way into the back room, where the Creator
only knew what awaited them.
"Ouch!" Alcinia cried as she opened her eyes to see the large
stranger standing over her. "You are hurting me."
He pulled back the hood on his cloak to reveal his red hair and
light eyes. "Do you know what Aiel do with thieves? We stake
them out in the desert sun and let the buzzards eat them."
Alcinia's eyes opened wide. "Aiel," she gasped, "I thought
all of you were with the Dragon. I will give you back your purse.
Please, don't hurt me."
"You are coming with me," he said fiercely pulling her behind
him as he went down into the warehouse. He pulled her into an office
where a man sat.
"What have you got there," the man asked, "a river rat?"
He laughed at his own joke.
"She is a thief," the Aielman said, "that made the mistake of
stealing from me. I have not yet decided what to do with her."
Alcinia desperately tried to think of a way to save herself.
"Wait," she said, "maybe I can help you. There are people coming
in and out of the warehouse never bringing anything in or taking anything
out. You are not here for commerce. So, my guess is that you
are looking for something or someone. I know just about everything
that goes on in this city. If I help you, will you let me go?"
Right after the Aes Sedai spoke, Cyrus said that Kano's plan
seemed sound. He said to check in every day and to let him know if
they found anything. Then, he dismissed them.
Kano mentioned that they had to change into Arafellian style
clothing.
"You must be joking right?" Crystinah said as they walked out
of the room. "I mean . . . Lord and Lady? Ha!" She laughed
and then looked over his "costume" again and rolled her eyes. "Oh
dear . . . you would never get me to wear something *that* silly looking.
Men," she grumbled, to herself but loud enough for Kano to hear it, "have
no taste in clothing."
"I'm sure," she continued, "that we could have had a much better
plan if I'd helped. Leave men to do anything and everything turns
out wrong," she said. Crystinah frowned at Kano, why was he not arguing
with her? "Okay," she went on slowly, "let's try this out and if
it works, fine, if it doesn't . . . But do you *have* to wear a silly
costume?"
Crystinah sighed and when they reached a room Kano handed her
a package of cloth and walked down the hall towards another room.
Crystinah shut the door and opened the package.
Inside was a blue silk dress. She grabbed it and coughed.
"Never get me to wear something like that," Crystinah murmured.
She walked outside the warehouse and silently waited for Kano
to appear while tapping her foot impatiently on the ground. She didn't
know how she was going to stand dressing in these styles of dresses until
they stopped pretending to be a Lady and Lord . . .
That was going to take awhile to get used to, being a Lady.
Not to mention being *married* to Kano . . .
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