Welcome to Gaia! ::

((Lol...Its ok Mini! The Keeper has just kinda been hanging out in the courtyard..anyways...ya, Alina was MoN...but then she got inactive too...so I've kinda been trying to decide whether or not to puppet her character))

The conversation on the docks had turned to the recently occuring attacks. Everyone discussing the matter was clumped into small groups, and they spoke in hushed voices; it was as if-even though they knew the attackers were not of their own-they thought the attackers would attack them next for daring to talk of them.

"We can't let it go on like this."

"And what d'ye propose we do? We can't hardly avoid them, much less find them to do anything."

"We don't even know what they want; no one has been able to find anything out!"

"Even if we could, what would we do? You've heard the tales the survivors tell. These aren't your normal pirates or bandits. They're channelers."

There was generalized murmuring about the One Power and the channelers; the tones ranged from disapproval to fear.

"Well," one man spoke up, "mayhaps we can't do nothing because they're channelers. But then, if there's channelers involved, t'aint none of our problem then."

"That's true what he says. If there do be channelers involved, then it falls to the White Tower to handle it, don't it?"

"How do we know that they ain't the Tower folk in themselves doin this?"

"What would they gain by doing it?"

"Who knows what they have planned."

"No it can't be them...they have those Three Oaths. Certainly none of the victims ever saw the ship coming much less to be a threat to them."

"Well if that be the case, ain't it the responsibility of the White Tower and its Aes Sedai? Tar Valon surely cannot deny that it has to help? They are channelers after all, and how else do they expect us to survive?"

"Sooner or later it will be their supplies at risk, and they will mighty soon realize they should have acted earlier!"

"Hush ye!! Have you no sense speaking that way about Aes Sedai? At least in public? If ye do want their aid, certainly foul mouthing them or doubting them is not the path to acheiving their help?"

"Well do we really want their help? We've all heard the tales of their so called prices, their demands. Who knows what they will want in return for this?"

"At this point, for our sakes, in both the long and the short term, do we have any option? Or perhaps the better question is, for the general good of everyone-sailor or otherwise alike-can we consider anything they may ask too high a price?"

The debate continued around the docks, intermingled with the workers' daily tasks of patching nets, docking the boats, distributing the catch, etc.

Raznon and his party were now well on thier way toward the city by now. The two warders that had taken the traitor had left a little earlier but would still be a day or two from the Tower due to thier unwilling guest. The man had gotten off far lighter than he would have given him had he been the jusdge but he decided that there was no use in thinking of him till he returned to the Tower. Vin Sedai had chosen to accompany him under the pretenses of being a smile child. The Power was a frightening thing but in the end it was nothing but a tool and a tool that could not be directed at him for the time being. If only he could figure out a way to extend the effects of his spear to others he could protect them better. But that was a nother problem to addressed at a better time and certainly this was not a better time. As The group got closer to the city the Gaidin offered Raznon a robe saying that unfortunately they do not question him or where he comes from but others might based upon his appearance and it was better that he should hide himself beneath the cloak. Deciding this was a good idea even though a little insulting he accepted the suggestion and cloaked himself within the fabrics rough and scratchy interior. Vin kept close to him as did her Gaidin and he was fine with this. Even though she appeared to be a small child he knew she was anything but that. As they moved closer to the city and it's gates he stopped the group. He motioned them towards what looked like an empty waystation and gathered them close to him.

"We come upon these...walls...again and like before we shall split up. Everyone will search the city once more and find what we are looking for. Channelers operating outside of Tower Law. That is what we want. Take no chances and no action until you find me. I shall take one of you with me and the...boy...and his...older brother as well. Split into groups of two's and three's and above all attract no attention to ourselves. You know of the reputation the Tower has outside of it's own wall's."

With that the Gaidin seperated and moved into the city with the crowd incidents. When it was thier time to move they too entered the city. Moving through the city listening to the gossip among the crowd made Raz restless. Taking thier group to the side he sat for a moment to collect his thoughts and see what the others had to offer. He had to think for a moment as to how he would address the boy in front of strangers but decided to keep it simple.

"What was your name again boy?"

Following that answer he asked the boy's ((name to be inserted i hope :} )) brother other questions.

"Where can me and my friend find lodging around here? And also where a good place to find a job that has openings? For your trouble I will pay for your room and board for as long as we stay here should you choose."

Hoping they understood thier cover story and could fill in the rest shouldd they have to he waited patiently for the answer. He looked at Thomal, the Gaidin who offered to follow him, and noticed he was peering through the crowd and acting too much a man who he was not supposed to be at that time. He reached out his hand and put it on Thomal's wrist.

"Be calm and act like a man needing work...be more hidden in your observations."

With that he turned back to the others and listened to thier replies and plans.

((*flail flail* I think I just had a epic brain fart...thats right...you WERE MoN Mini...and then we just raised Ali...kk...my bad...that was my fault. Yeah you're MoN Mini...my bad....))

((Mini, why is your avvy all non clothesy??))

"I'm David!" The answer was blunt, and was about as much as one would expect from a young lad. "I don't know...There's one that way called The Striped Quill. The lady there is nice; gives me a tart every so often." Vin smiled back broadly. What she lacked in strength in the Power, she made by being able to act convincingly.

She looked over at her 'brother' Andrew, and expectantly tugged on his hand. "Let's go!! Come on, you promised to play with me after you showed this tall man where to go, so lets hurry!!!"

In all the feigned excitment, she went to the trouble of brushing past a few people, who gave some disgruntled murmurs, but otherwise didn't bother with the young boy.

"Come on mister!!"

Lord Azrael Al'Draco peered at his son over the tips of his fingers. "I see. Well, I suppose that it is certainly different from what I had expected. Have you seen your sister since you arrived? Or your mother?" The impostor shook his head.

"Though you may not feel the need to make your affections known, particularly now that you have become a Gaidin, you are not an Aes Sedai, to hide your feelings. There are those in this house who would welcome your affection, or if you do not wish to give it, then at least would like you to receive that which they offer you. I had hoped that your rearing had taught you better manners than you are currently displaying. How long will you be staying?"

Aram blinked in confusion. This was not a question he had anticipated, nor was he sure how to answer. "It is not yet decided m'lord. Though I shall keep you informed of any changes."

Azreal nodded.

((Lol, I was in the midst of obtaining an achievement and forgot to re-cloth myself. I was also a man for a short while today! 3nodding Oh, the adventures!))

Mairyela gave a nod and a quick curtsy as thanks before she turned back towards the girls. As she did so, she risked a sidelong glance towards the Keeper. Her scent smelt of nothing but a raw fury, and she hoped she had not done anything to invoke such anger. Thinking back to the sudden burst of Power she had felt on the upper floors, she wouldn't wish her worst enemy to be caught within those sight lines! The wrath of a woman scorned, or so went the strange saying, had nothing on an Aes Sedai scorned!

Those who had smelt of indignation at first now held no traces of their prior feelings. With her rank now firmly established, and by none other than the Keeper of the Chronicles herself, all were now at attention, including the two gossiping Accepted. No pair of eyes strayed from hers, and it was easy to tell that many were not merely transfixed on her due to status alone. She cleared her throat and began.

"You all no doubt have many questions concerning the reasons you are all now back in Tar Valon. Many things have happened as of late, which is no doubt why none of knew who I was by sight alone. May mine be the first face you think of upon waking in the morning. I will take absolutely no foolhardiness, carelessness or missteps of the rules lightly. Punishment will be fierce and swift! You will be wishing to the Light that you were back on that wretched farm before I'm through." She paused a moment to let her words sink in. She was small of stature, neither tall nor possessing any true muscle to back her words, so she made sure all saw her eyes. They had intimidated men twice her height from doing anything rash, and she knew it would work here. "Also, do not think that because you are no longer at the farm that you are excused from the harshness of that punishment. All chores and tasks that would be expected for all of you have been arranged to be doubled until it is time for you to return." She heard a few groans from her audience, but they could not hide their scents from her. "Let it be known that I am Wolfkin, and you all reek of insubordination. Best rethink your attitudes before you find yourself with more time tacked onto your punishment."

Figuring she had best wrap this up quickly, as not to keep Mercury Sedai waiting, she sighed. "I also do not wish you to think of me as unbearable. You have all had a long journey, so I present you all with the rest of the day off. Novices are to remain in their quarters for the remainder of the evening, and I expect all Accepted to remain out of the Sister's way. Now you all know your way back to your assigned rooms. You are dismissed."

With that the crowd broke formation and slowly began trickling back into the Tower. Every single girl gave their respectful curtsey's as they passed, and Mairyela could not help but feel good. The job was stressful, but if it helped to create the next generation of Aes Sedai, ones who were respectful, serene and proud, then it was all worth it. Also, her hard speech had done it's purpose; not a single girl had asked about the reasoning behind their return. No doubt rumor would spread, but there was no reason to alert anyone at this time, let alone farm girls. Turning to the Keeper and Markis, she took a breath. "Now to a matter of urgency, the reason I wished to speak to you. To the both of you actually. I do not know if it my mind playing me a fool, or if there is a true reason for concern, but a Green sister by the name of Lady Zeara Sheillen has requested council with you. Her reasons are unknown to me, nor is the Lady Zeara herself, but she is not what worries me. She has two Warder's with her, and one is the object of my concern. He goes by the name Aiken, and he does bother me so..." He remembered his eyes, seemingly white as death, and the smell..."I have never come in contact with a scent like his before. All instincts in me urge me to kill him, as if he is an extreme danger, wound like a spring waiting to be sprung. I do not like it, Keeper. With the current darkness over our heads, I believe him to be against us, possibly a Darkfriend."

The inn was situated about fifteen minutes' walk from the docks. Far enough away to avoid the usual commotion of the area, but near enough that the air started to have a salty tang to it on breathing in.

Vin left the Aielman and his party in the inn, and then wandered towards the docks. She had made headway towards the entrance to the port, when she was stopped.

"Now what's a young 'un like thee doin 'round here? T'aint safe normally it isn't, what with all these anchors and ropes. If ye don't know your way, you might get hurt, or hurt those around ye. Not that you have any intention of such lad. Why don't you go back to town?" a middle aged sailor said, nudging the boy away.

David crinkled his nose and looked boldly back at the man. "I ain't young! I'm perfectly grown! And what do you mean it isn't safe? It looks alright to me, the same as it always has since I been a kid!"

The sailor chuckled to himself. Ah the impulsiveness of youth. "Surely you've heard the stories lad, of ships sinking and such. Today hasn't been better, that it hasn't. Lost another boat to whatever is out there, but thank the Light that at least one of the men aboard survived..."

"Oh? Where? I want to see him! I want to ask him who it was, so that I can go and stop this from happening!"

"I wouldn't set you after them even if they were just ants lad. T'isnt proper to send the children to do grown ups work. In any case, who knows what state that survivor is in...I've yet to get word from the infirmary meself."

Andrew casually walked over, "Now David, stop disturbing the sailors. They need to do their work." He took the Illusioned hand of the Aes Sedai, apologized to the sailor, and slowly walked away with a seemingly pouty child. Little did anyone else know that her information had been gathered.

They made their way back to the inn to tell Raznon of what had happened.