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 Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 9:23 am
Mercury paused, racking her mind for any glimmer of recognition. Zeara Sheiellen, of the Green Ajah.
"I'm afraid I have to admit that I don't recognize the name, though that may not be surprising." She considered the rest of Mairyela's words. She had never known Mairyela to be flighty, and was willing to give credence to her words. She frowned at the mention of the scent, and looked back and forth between Wolf and Mairyela. His yellow eyes glinted brightly in the sunlight, a match for Mairyela's own.
"Wolf? Have you ever come across something like this?"
He paused in thought, and then slowly shook his head. Markis had felt like that numerous times while he was under the control of the Shadow, instinct urging him to kill, but the same conditions did not apply here. And there was the matter of scent. He had come across some strange smells in his time, but it was useless if he did not experience it himself.
"You would be better asking Haraam or Hawk about this Aiken...since I've only recently returned. The other Warder was normal you say? Nothing to be done until I have seen and smelt it myself...it may be a bit hasty on my part to say this, but often I find that my wolf instincts are correct, if not always in the way I expect."
He then grinned, impishly. "But of course, we can't go round killing people on our hunches; though if he proves to be a problem I would be happy to take care of it. I'll try and find out about this Aiken; if you don't mind Mairyela, could you please send me his scent? And image if you can?"
Mercury was thinking to herself as Wolf spoke. It would seem that the simplest route to answer all their questions, at least so far as who the woman was, whether her Warder was a threat, and what she wanted, would be to simply have a meeting, at which they were all present. Even for Wolf to obtain a scent-she knew for a fact that the magnitude of that observation was not impressible upon her, even though she knew it was important-or for Mairyela to formulate an opinion, it would be the fastest way.
"Hmm...it would seem she hasn't given me any idea of whether I can even ignore the request, or if its important. Though you are hardly the person to have to convey the request to me; after all, you're Mistress of Novices, and my friend, not some Novice she can or should send scurrying. Very well."
She looked around, and saw one of the Accepted a short distance away, gardening. She was not of the farm girls, but among the group usually at the Tower. The Keeper signalled for her, and the girl hurried over, dusting off her dress as she came. She curtsied. "Child, go to the Green Ajah Quarters. Ask for Lady Zeara Sheillen Sedai, and take care to use her full title; address her properly."
If the woman or her Warder were truly as strange as described, she did not want the poor trainee to take the brunt of any outburst, though she doubted it would happen; as such behavior was unbecoming of a woman of the shawl, at least in front of the trainees.
"Inform her that her request for an audience has been granted. She is asked to see me in my office at any time during this day, or if that is not possible, to name a time or day more suitable to her. Whether she accepts today's meeting or asks for a later date, she is to send word of her decision to me immediately, within the hour, You yourself are to bring her answer to me, personally. Let no one stop you until your task is done."
The Accepted curtsied again, and hurried off, only slightly confused by the odd nature of the request to bring the reply herself. Oh well; one did not question the whims or orders of the Keeper or Mistress of Novices.
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Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 8:38 pm
Mairyela listened closely to Mercury, surprised when she discovered that the Keeper did not know the name. Of course, it would be impossible to know every person in the Tower by name, she would have thought this woman would have been remembered by all she met. She had the same disposition as a cactus, and as prickly besides.
At Markis' request, she had to think a moment. "I believe I can do so...though it may be confusing at first. It truly is like nothing I've ever come across." Closing her eyes, she focused on Markis. She again had to pause, think a moment, before continuing on. There was a strong fog, like that which had invaded the Dreamworld. Then through the fog appeared a graveyard, full of fresh dirt and heavy stone slabs. But then, among it, was a tall apple tree, in full bloom. Death among rebirth. Neither dead nor alive, but both at once. Opening her eyes, her gold ones met his. She hoped her message had not been too confusing. It was the closest thing she could think of.
Waiting until Mercury Sedai was finished instructing the Accepted, she gave a curtsy. "There are a few things I must attend to with the arrival of the girls from the farm, but then I will head to your office. There, I hope we can get some answers from this new Green. With all that's happened of late, I only hope she does not bring more misfortune." Light, let it be true.
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Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2010 9:21 am
"The Light send that it should be so." Though with their recent luck, it was hard to say.
"Our caution is not ill advised I think. I will try to see that she does not have her meeting without you present, but...I think you understand it may not be possible. If she does send word of when she plans to come however, I will inform you accordingly.
I will be in my office till then, I suppose."
She nodded to Mairyela, and slowly started back to her office. Wolf would come when he was ready.
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Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2010 10:24 am
Markis's golden eyes stared back at Mairyela's for a moment, but unlike her, he wasn't seeing or visualizing with them. He was instead focusing on the projections of scent and image.
He could smell it. The slightly crisp scent of freshly dug earth. With the musty smell of death. Not the violent kind, but of the peaceful kind, reminiscent of slowly dug coffins and peaceful prayers. Then oddly in it, a floral scent. Very light. Almost as if mixed with the fog that was everywhere. Apple.
He frowned, and his eyes came back to focus on the Mistress of Novices. "I see what you mean about strange...and confusing. I feel as if I understood what you were telling me, but also as if I was missing something. It's..odd. What's perhaps even more confusing is why would he have a scent like that? I think you're right, I may have to meet them for myself before I understand.
I will see if Haram can't tell me something about him. And then I'll go up to the Keeper's office. Call if you need anything." He both spoke the words, and then projected the same in the wolf images to her.
He had sensed Mercury leaving, and she was slowly heading to her office. With a polite half bow to the Mistress of Novices- he never had been much for formality, and his position had generally been of such that few countersaid this habit of his; but he always showed at least a minimum to those he respected (particularly in public). -he turned and walked towards the training grounds.
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Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2010 8:55 pm
"Of course, Keeper. She is a very...strong-headed woman. If I am able to join you both, all the better, but if not, all the same. Thank you."
Turning back to Markis, she watched as his sight focused back to her. He did look as confused as she felt, and she knew she could not properly portray the scent she had smelled quite right, but she prayed she was at least close. He seemed to understand. She nodded as he explained his plans, and returned his bow with a curtsy and watched him go. It was then that she remembered something she had failed to mention, though the thought had entered her mind prior. Focusing once again, she projected in wolf images.
A black wolf with white eyes, staring intently, then suddenly howling as though in pain. Another image, one of another wolf, ears high and nose sharp. His eyes are like those of death himself, and dull as though pained. Please, be cautious...
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Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2010 9:28 am
Markis stopped in his tracks, half turning back to Mairyela, as the images came to him. A howl of pain. Ears raised, and nostrils flaring. He knew it meant danger. For a moment, he was not sure whether Mairyela was describing the others or the man Aiken. But he quickly realized it was the latter.
The large, light brown feral wolf turned round, and lowered its head once. I see. A strange one then. As you advise, I will be cautious until we know more.
He then turned once again towards the training grounds. A curious individual indeed.
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Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2010 9:36 am
Mercury made her way slowly up the stairs. She knew the way by rote, so little attention was actually required to get to her office. Did she want to go to her office? Or her chambers? She was tired, but that wasn't anything new. She had some work to do in her office. And in any case that trainee was to come to the office.
She made her way to the office, and was surprised to see a girl standing outside her door. There was a covered tray on the ground next to her. On noticing the Keeper, the girl quickly retrieved the tray, and curtsied.
"The Mistress of Kitchens asked that I bring this to you, Mercury Sedai."
Mercury undid the small protective ward on the door- as a public office, she only needed to know if someone had gone in; keeping them out was not her concern. And she never left anything important out anyway. -and entered. The girl placed the tray on one of the two tables in the office, and left.
Mercury lifted the cover to discover a large bowl of stew, a half loaf of bread, and some sweetcakes. It would seem that Laras had sent her a tray for an early lunch, knowing how often she herself neglected to eat. She sat down to eat, musing over the situation as she did.
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Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2010 9:40 am
Vin was still in her child disguise, and she looked at the Aielman with infantile impatience. She waited till no one was in hearing range, and then tugged on his sleeve. She would have tapped his shoulder, but it would have seemed suspicious, as the Illusion was only three feet tall, and the Aielman was almost double that.
"Oy, sir aiel, what are you thinking? You don't want to come see the docks? There's lots of water there; bet you haven't seen anything like it where you're from!"
Her Warder placed an appropriately restraining hand on her shoulder. Any passerby would have thought they were family, and that the child was truly only that.
Vin was awaiting some idea of what Raznon intended to do. Had he any plans? Or would he wait for information?
"Raznon?"
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Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2010 9:46 am
((I hope Raz wasn't waiting for Vin to actually get back and tell him...but just in ccase he was.... sweatdrop my bad for not clarifying...))
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Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2010 9:49 am
Jerome stood at the edge of the forest, looking around. When he was sure that he wasn't being watched, he slipped into the treeline. As he went, he checked for signs of surveillance from the camp. It was minimal, and easy to slip through.
it was obvious they didn't intend to be attacked, but it was carelessness all the same. it was often unnecessary caution that saved a man, and it was a lesson hard driven into the minds of those who trained to be Gaidin. Their own lives, the lives of the sisters, and many others depended on their caution.
He judged the direction leading back to the town, and began to make his way.
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Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2010 9:54 am
Aram took this time wandering about. It appeared that he was strolling the grounds, but really he was trying to confirm the actual layout of the estate in relation to the maps that he had studied. It seemed that there were quite a few differences, which was not surprising, since none knew quite how old the maps they had were.
As typical of Andor, the entire estate was rich, and lush with carefully cultivated plants. This particular day was sunny, and warm, and he languished in the mild heat as he walked about.
So. The man called Hawk had left home suddenly. Whether on hostile circumstances or otherwise remained to be seen; everyone he had met had evinced surprise at seeing him, but none-not even the old man-had displayed anything like dislike or hate.
And he had a mother and sister. Aram could only hope to fool those two women as easily as he had Lord Azrael.
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Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2010 10:00 am
Mercuryangel Oryzen nibbled on her bread, waiting for the stew to cool down somewhat before she started on it. Across from her, Romvian idly gulped down his own food.
"Will he be alright 'Zen?"
"He'll be fine Rom. I don't know where Darien went or what caused the attack, but he came back in time. I give him a strong sleeping draught, and he is resting. Once he wakes, he should be alright. Maybe then we can figure out what happened."
"How long do you think we have?"
"Difficult to say. But not indefinitely. Perhaps a few months at the most. I personally don't understand why he doesn't accept whats happening to him."
"You know that it isn't an option for him anymore, even if he wanted that. Because if he changes, then he becomes a victim to the same trap keeping those Aes Sedai under control."
"I know Rom. I know. Do you think they have what we need?"
"If its not in the Tower, and not with us, there are few places left that we can search. In any case, conquering the Tower won't be a liability, no?"
Oryzen shrugged. "You're the military man. If you think its advantageous, then I certainly have no problem in aiding your conquest. Its not as if the majority of those sisters are even a challenge for us three."
Outside in a courtyard, a ra'ken landed and the rider disembarked. She was carrying a message to the trio in charge. She was told to wait while they were informed. In the mean time, she helped herself to some water to refresh herself.
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Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2010 10:06 am
Lady Share Zeillen...No no...not Shera..it was...that was it. Lady Zeara Sheillen. Of the Green Ajah.
After the Keeper's unsually clear directions-or perhaps were they a warning-the Accepted made sure to keep the name of the woman she had been sent to call on very clear.
She had never heard of her, but it didn't matter. After some searching and enquiry, she came across the correct door. It lacked any special embellishment, other than that present on all the doors of the Green Ajah, and rapped firmly three times. The sound was clear.
"Excuse me Aes Sedai; I have a message for you."
She stepped back, and hands folded in front of her, awaited a reply from within. She hoped the woman would answer soon. She had to run all the way to the Keeper's office once she had the reply, and then return to finish her chores.
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Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2010 10:08 am
((Mini...your avvy looks like Mat!! What item is the glaive/a'shan'da'rei?? I don't recognize it...))
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Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2010 10:38 pm
((Holy cow, Merc! You`ve been busy! And when I was changing my avatar, I had no idea it would turn out looking like Mat blaugh ! I laughed! And the a`shan`da`rei is the Anesidora's Woe.))
Mairyela nodded as her warning to Markis was acknowledged. It then occured to her that she had yet to truly reveal what her wolf form looked like. As she walked back into the Tower in order to finish up with the farm girls, she thought about the day she had been given her name.
She had only been but a young girl at the time. She had gone bow hunting with her father that day. It was crisp and cool, the middle ground between fall and winter. It was when she had first heard them...the wolves...Watching her step over a particularly rocky clearing, she felt a presence behind her. She ducked, quickly weaving behind a thick pine, her senses flaring. An image then invaded her mind, a large white wolf, chasing a hare. The hare then began to turn, becoming a small white wolf with brown spots. It caught her by surprise when the chase stopped, and the white wolf looked at her as if to say `this is you.`
She was White Hare. She wasn`t sure if they were making fun at her short size, or perhaps it was the pale hint of her skin that had caught their attention. Either way, from then on she had heard them, and her eyes had changed, making her turn to the Tower for answers. Shaking her head and walking towards the kitchens to check on duties, she had had no idea then that it would have lead her down this path.
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