Welcome to Gaia! ::

Cairhien is the capital city of the nation of Cairhien and is situated in western Cairhien on the River Alguenya. The river is to the west of the city and there are substantial walls, among the strongest of any large city in the world, surrounding the city.

The city has two major components, the walled city itself and the surround less formally built area known as the Forgate. There are differences in style of dress and personality between residents of the walled city and the Foregaters, which cause social conflict between the two groups.

Cairhienin style is to build in very geometric oatterns (especially inside the walled city itself) and roads and building are laid out in very rectangular or square patterns. This style is also picked up in the ornamentation in public buildings such as the palace complex.

Much like Caemlyn, the city of Cairhien is bustling with refugees; though most take refuge in the Foregate.

Although Moraine is firmly positioned as the Queen of Cairhien, she still has to deal with the nobles playing their Game of Houses. In addition to managing the nobles, she is looking for a way to accomodate the influx of people and put an end to the animosity between the Foregaters and the residents inside the walls of Cairhien.

(Well, I already got rid of Matrim's post, in OOC in Andor. No prob. And I'm assuming Kiae was on the horse with Esole??)

Kiae stepped down to the ground once the horse was still, Melthin having already passed through the Gateway. He stood a little farther off, the look on his face suggesting he thought she was far too slow. "I'll find out who you really are, Melthin," she thought tersely, as she snapped the Gateway shut with a grimace when she broke the link with Esole.

"It will be easy enough once I get settled in Cairhien," she added smugly, knowing how many contacts she had to the White Tower from there. And with the White Tower came Black - and with the Black Tower came the knowledge she would need, or at least enough of a clue to get started. "I suppose we should be heading to the city," she said out-loud, breaking her train of thought. "I believe the Gateway placed us about an hour's travel from the city itself. I didn't want to attract too much attention by placing us directly in the walls," she added wryly.

Kiae smiled sweetly. "So he thinks that will deter any plans I have?" she thought in amusement, mounting her horse once more and heading to the front of the group without asking. "I've been to Caihien recently, I should probably lead," she said, more of an order than a suggestion, before beginning to head down the pathway.

"I can also contact the Towers once we arrive. I have several contacts for information," she added, barely glancing over her shoulder at the other Sister. "I know several people who will not be so kind as he think they will towards a runaway," she thought with a smile. "Honestly, believing they'll work for him after he's escaped? The arrogant b*****d." Kiae snorted to herself, shaking her head. She had plans for the former Asha'men, that was certain.

"Then that's the punishment you receive. That's not up to me," she replied calmly. "Besides, I hardly need leverage to use the Black Tower any more than I do the White. I have quite a bit of experience with each, after all," she added absently. She had no particular plan in mind for Melthin - she simply wanted to bring him down to his appropriate level, which was certainly not equal to her, least of all above her as he behaved.

"And that Darkfriend...how did he learn those weaves? I doubt Melthin would be stupid enough to try to double-cross us right now, so there's something else I'm missing." Kiae frowned, hoping her contacts in the Towers would be able to shed some light on the problem. Meanwhile, they had left Andor at the mercy of the Darkfriends - a necessary sacrifice, in her mind.

Ethin looked up from his horse at Esole right as she looked away from him. They seemed to be drifting - an odd occurrence for an Aes Sedai and her Warder. He had been lost in thoughts about what Melthin could be hiding. A man that odd had to be hiding something. "But what?" Ethin muttered under his breath as he thoughtfully tapped his chin.

Ethin's wondering was cut short by Esole's chiding Kiae and Melthin. He drew in closer but kept a good enough distance so that Kiae and Esole were not blocking his view of Melthin. Anything the man did could be a hint at his secret.

Esole fixed Kiae with a cold glare before looking away. The woman really did need to learn her place. "She will learn in time," Esole thought with a wicked grin.

"As I said, it's up to you on what you wish to do once we reach the city," Kiae replied. "As long as we have a way to stay in contact with one another, I don't see why we can't have some privacy for once."

She pondered Melthin's question before nodding. "Yes, I have lodgings prepared in the city whenever I arrive. As I said, I have contacts there," she repeated, keeping the people's identities secret for as long as possible. There was no need to put them in unnecessary danger right now. "I was unaware you had lodgings in the city," she remarked dryly.