Tuomas's Story

Everinn had hardly noticed the Red Sister, until she saw her head bow. She in turn gave a curtsy, just low enough to avoid offending her. She was not sure, but she felt as if the Sister had grown to hate her in some way. She let her pass by her mind, and looked the other way, patiently awaiting the Amyrlin's call.

"Enter."

A Brown Sister passed by, and Everinn nodded her greeting. She passed behind Maiuri slowly, her dress trailing just over the ground as she entered the study. The Amyrlin was at her desk - solemn and silent. Everinn reminded herself silently that she was here to listen to what she had to say; hopefully it would be of use to her.

She had not fancied her as an Amyrlin Seat, though she had no say in the matter as a simple member of her Ajah. That was all they shared - an Ajah. Nothing more than a word, for she had a deep hatred of the way Caraline handled her position.

Pausing a moment, she dipped into a curtsy besides Maiuri. Everinn would wait until the Amyrlin spoke to say her part.



Tuomas had woken up earlier than usual to spar with the others. They had decided that, since they had all become bored of the childish play they were pushed through for a while, they were to spar for as long as they could. It had been a quick decision, light-hearted over a lack of sleep.

He had won the morning's fight, pushing through quickly. His father had taught him as well as he could, and Tuomas believed he would be as close as possible to one of the best fighters. A shame, he thought, that it go to waste so easily; he preferred the easily life of a Rogue, not having to listen to any one.

But here he was, stuck in the Tower training. Hopefully he would be out soon, and bonded to some poor Aes Sedai who he could deal with. If he could not, then that would be his own matter to deal with. Maybe he would let himself be killed somewhere if he got tired of it.

"Hey, Tuom. Come on, another shot?" Calvadarin was leaning over the swords to speak to Tuomas. He looked up from the book he was reading, and bit back a snarl. He was reading a nice book, perfectly comfortable on this sack of beans, and then someone had to come along and ruin it.

Very well, give him as he asks, I will... "Fine, Calv. Let's have at it." He bent the page idly, putting it at his side as he stood up. "Normal spot?"

"You got it. Theorn and Eora are waiting, we'll just start without you." Calvadarin disappeared through the open door, taking just a moment to sprint the distance.

Tuomas blinked idly, and stood up, grabbing one of the practice swords. As ready as he was to fight with real iron, he would prefer not to lay dead bodies at the foot of the Amyrlin. He tossed the sword over his shoulder, following Calvadarin through the door. The three were sparring in the center, and he leaped forward, sword ready as he dived into the tangle.

The Rose Unfolds met Bundling Straw, and he pushed back a sword that was aiming for his neck. He thought Eora had thrown it, but as soon as he melted into Cat Dances On The Wall he was unsure of what had happened. Calvadarin struck with Leaf On The Breeze - which he countered with Eel Among The Lilypads - and leaned closer to Tuomas.

"Tuom, there are some Aes Sedai over there. Maybe if you look real pretty, she'll bond you."

He let out a scream, and struck over head with Lizard In The Thornbush.

"I have received reports of a disturbing nature from our Eyes and Ears in Amadicia, they suggest that a False Dragon has risen there and is rousing the populace. I am sure I do not have to remind you of the trouble the last False Dragon caused." Everinn kept back a frustrated sigh. Of all the possibilities of the morning, she was to deal with some Darkfriend who had become bored enough to proclaim himself as such. Though, it would be such, and she would do as the Amyrlin wished.

And with a Red, nonetheless! What was she thought as, some doxie? A wool-headed country girl who had nothing better to do than fool around with White Cloaks? She may have been close to choosing the Red, but as a Blue she had learned her side with the other Ajahs.

"Do you have any questions before you leave?"

"When would you like us to leave, mother?" She eyed the Amyrlin coolly. She would have to track down Rahien as she was done here. As much as she would rather to leave him behind, the Amyrlin was right - the situation was dangerous, and stacked against them. She would require her Warder, as he would be the only one they would find between Maiuri and herself.



Tuomas struck overhead with The Boar Rushes Down The Mountain. Calvadarin was all that was left of their group, and as he took the last strike, Calvadarin dropped his sword in defeat - with an open armed gesture. Tuomas dropped his own stick besides it.

"Spar well-done, Calv. The Swallow Takes Air? Almost ended this where it stood!" He gave a friendly smile. Something he only did between his friends. "Now, if you need me, I will be reading i-"

"A Warder approaches, Tuom. Looks like he wants to speak to you."

He used his foot to push the sparring sword into the air - how he missed his old steel, wherever the cat-pommeled sword lay - and turned around to face Davind. As Tuomas saw who it was, he dropped into a bow. Before he walked into the Tower, he would have certainly not done something as that; however, he had learned his humility at the time, as small as it was. And Davind was certainly a Warder of due respect.

Tuomas straightened to a standing position, and dug the sword into the ground. He rested on it, trying to listen to what he was saying, but Tuomas could not find a word he was saying for the life of himself. He did, however, follow the path of his gesture to where the Aes Sedai stood - perhaps he was meant to speak to them?

As soon as Davind was done speaking, he bowed his head respectfully, and dropped the sword back by Calvadarin's. He pulled at the hem of his white shirt; having dropped his fur coat earlier that morning - and the few daggers he had with it, with the idea of protection they offered - to spar, he was left with the shirt. It was unlaced, and comfortable for sparring. The airy feeling.

How... Un-Warder like. Perhaps I should have asked for death. He grimaced, shaking his head. He would never be a true Warder, with the perfection, with the lack of emotions... Everything. It bothered him.

Standing close enough to the Aes Sedai as was acceptable, Tuomas dipped into a bow. He would not smile, not here. "A good morning to you both. What is it that an Aes Sedai would wish of me?"

Maiuri Sedai

Maiuri didn't bat an eye. She'd expected something of this nature, but not of this scale, and definitely not within the boundaries Amadicia. What were the bloody white coats doing? Or not doing? Gah! It didn't matter, they were men, completely useless, and the worst type of man at that... Other than a male using the One Power, that is.

She kept herself from shaking her head, keeping her normally indifferent demeanor. If the Amyrlin was sending them to deal with a false dragon, then why didn't she just send two Reds rather than placing her with a Blue? After all, taking care of these types of men was a specialty of the Red. Besides, this girl, Everinn, she remembered, was much younger than herself. Why send someone so young? Though she admitted once again that the Blue's strength would be a great asset...

"Do you have any questions before you leave?"

Many, but none appropriate to ask at the moment.

"When would you like us to leave, mother?"

She glanced over at the Blue Sister before returning her eyes the the Amyrlin, silent for the time being.


Rahien

Rahien stood under the shade of a tree, within view of where he knew Everinn usually left the Tower, but not too far off from the training grounds. The cool breeze was welcome against his face, calming. He sighed to himself, but otherwise his face was a stone. He really hoped Everinn didn't get herself into any trouble today. If so, that would mean trouble for him as well, but he didn't complain about it now. That was part of the life of a warder. He'd found out rather quickly.

Thankfully, none of the Aes Sedai who past him didn't give him a second look, much less a first. He liked it that way. Before he was bonded to Everinn, the Aes Sedai had payed attention to him more than he would have liked. It always made him uncomfortable when they'd watch him practice, and when a few would call him over to speak to him, but after Everinn bonded him, most of the attention stopped. That, he was grateful for.

He glanced over to the training grounds where he saw just what he'd hated happening to one of the other Gaidin. One who Rahien, himself looked up to and respected. He wondered how it would turn out, but instead of watching turned his head forward, closing his eyes, but not being any less alert.

I will be more than excited to have this done with. Light, I just want to leave already!

"You Everinn are strong yes?" She bowed her head in acknowledgement. The comment would be accepted, for some value, but her hatred would remain. "You too Maiuri but I still feel another strong in the One Power would be an asset. As such I would like you to take Mahira Sedai with you, other than you two she is possibly the strongest in the Tower. I will inform her shortly. I trust there are no objections?"

"No, Mother." Everinn kept her eyes passing over the desk, looking over the room but avoiding looking at the Amyrlin.

A Red, and another Sister. This...Mahira, she had heard of her. Was she not a Green? It seemed right, but the poor child had yet to bond a single Warder. Maybe this is what she needs... She can find some soul to bond. Everinn would have to remember this, when she met with Mahira later on.



Tuomas waited patiently for Mahira to speak. He avoided a smile; she seemed pleasant enough, but nervous. Save a trip to the Pit of Doom, what could she want from him?

"Greetings Tuomas Alfara, I am Mahira Tostanya Sedai. I am currently seeking a Warder and I believe you are the candidate that could suit me very well."

He grimaced. Although he was more than pleased that he would finally have an Aes Sedai to be bonded to, should he accept, he was not sure of Mahira would be the right one. And it was not a decision he would lightly step into - nothing seemed worse than choosing the wrong one. Tuomas would have to think on this one, and find out what he could about Mahira.

A novice stepped up just as he was about to reply. He bit his lip, and bowed his head patiently. He would wait for however long it was necessary, though was slightly frustrated as she seemed to be leaving. Well, then, this will have to wait for another day. Tuomas watched her turn away, and almost left himself, when Davind started to speak.

" You could not do better than Mahira Sedai, she has a kind heart and the courage of a lion. Plus a wanderlust that I doubt will ever be sated."

"I will think on this. My thanks, for your words." Tuomas bowed to both Davind and Mahira. Surprised to see she is still here. "I will have my choice by the sun set."

He turned away from the two, and continued walking back to the spar house. Perhaps speaking to the other Warders and Aes Sedai could help him make his choice, or perhaps he would jump head-first into the pool.

"Yes, Mother." Everinn spread her skirts in a curtsy, and nearly bolted out of the door before Maiuri. As soon as she was out of the door, she trotted through the halls, ignoring each Sister she passed by. She hated to be so ignorant, but she felt the need to, with dark feelings passing over by.

Like storm clouds, except with a certain feel of death.

She found herself in front of her own apartments when she started to realize where she was, and stared uncertainly at the doors. I could enter and be ready, or I could... Well, to the Blight with it! I'll just go find Rahien. Everinn paused a moment to think of where she could find her Warder.

Outside, by the sparring field, perhaps? She brushed at her skirts, though there was no dust, and turned away from her chambers. The halls were empty, though Everinn preferred the closed feeling, and as she was out of her Ajah's corridors others appeared. Novices scurried through the halls, a few Accepted passed by with deep curtsies, and Sisters glided past with nothing more than a nod of her head.

For a moment, Everinn looked around herself, admiring the crystalline beauty. The Tower, in all it's perfection, with not one step out of place... She doubted, if the Tower would ever fall, to darkness or a passing army.

She shook her head, making herself walk forward again. It was impossible, that this place would fall into ruin. It took only a few moments before she was outside. Had she ever walked so fast? It was hard to remember, when she could never pay attention to anything of the sort. But standing outside, with the open sky and vast grounds, it seemed like her perfect moment.

"Now to find Rahien."



(OOC: I'm just going to kind of time-skip for Tuom, since he doesn't have much to wait on. Sorry for the awkward time positioning in this post!)

He had spent most of his day speaking with who he could find in the Tower. That, of course, was close enough to nobody; he was as alone as could be, here, and was content with that. Calv had tried to tell him about Mahira, but from what he heard of his friend, it was completely indifferent to the situation.

He could say yes, he could say no. The only thing that made Tuomas say yes was to be rid of the boring day-to-day of practice. Maybe it would be better, to see more about Mahira - maybe it would even turn out alright.

Tuomas scratched a note on the margin of the book, marking out something he wanted to remember. Calvadarin nudged him with his foot, grinning. "Still reading?"

"Jain Farstrider..."

"A child's book."

"Anything to keep me sane!" He grinned, flipping the book closed. "Have you seen Mahira anywhere?"

"No. But that depends on what you're going to tell her."

"Are all Warders filled with gossip, like you?" Tuomas brushed dirt and hay off his pants, standing to meet Calv again. "Well, I figure since I'm the lucky one here, I'll tell her yes." He shrugged. It didn't mean much to him; he had faced death several times before, and each time he had walked away. The rest of his life would be fine.

"Well, best get looking. Wouldn't keep an Aes Sedai waiting, if I were you." He dropped into a bow, hand clenched in a fest and held over his heart. "May the Light shine on you, Brother. I will see you another day."

Tuomas bowed his head in acknowledgement, and turned away from his friend. He would see him another day; perhaps in one piece, maybe without an arm, possibly in the shadows. There was no guessing. Instead, he focused on looking for Mahira.

Mahira Sedai

Mahira stood in the centre of her room and stared at the small pile of belongings she had assembled, used to travelling as she was she knew what she would need and what could be left behind without causing hardship. She was trying to check her mental list to ensure she had not forgotten anything for the journey yet try as she might she could not keep her mind focussed on the task. Instead her thoughts kept returning to a certain man whom may or may not become her Warder, she disliked waiting and thus waiting for his answer throughout the day had been a frustration she had struggled to keep hidden. She had performed the tasks she had needed to do, speaking with her Ajah Leader regarding a younger Sister who had recently lost one of her Warders and suggesting a few ideas to aid the woman in her recovery from the loss. She frowned at the train her thoughts had taken, she disliked thinking of the ramifications of Bonding a Warder. Aes Sedai did not die when their Warder did but the loss was said to be so strong that a Sister could go mad with it and that she did not relish. Though she admitted that the Warder had the harder end of the Bargain, as few ever survived the death of their sister.

Trying to rein in her unruly thoughts she glanced again at her bundle and remembered one thing she had not added, she turned and picked up the small leather bound book from her corner table. The book had been recently found and contained history on the nation of Arafel, it was hoped by several Brown Sisters, that perhaps it also contained knowledge on parts of the nations history that had been lost. As one of the few Arafellin Aes Sedai at present and the only one currently in the Tower Kemira Sedai had requested her aid in translating the text. She had spent some time on it that day but had agreed to study it more on her journey. There were times of idleness during a journey which Mahira could not abide and as such the book would be a welcome distraction. Giving up for the moment on her preparations Mahira seated herself on a chair near the fire and poured herself a cup of spiced tea, strong with only a hint of sweetness just as she liked it, and pondered some more on the subject of her possible Warder.

Had she made the right decision in asking him? she was impulsive by nature and Bonding a Warder was not a decision to be made in haste and yet something had felt right about it. Even now underneath her doubts she still felt he was the right choice and yet she had no idea why. With a sigh she leaned back in her chair and sipped her tea whilst staring thoughtfully into the fire. She was not worried that he would not find her if he wished to speak with her as most Aes Sedai were in their rooms come evening and any Accepted or Novice could easily check for him.

"Burn me, I've had enough of running around for now. Maybe it'd be better if I left that one to luck." Tuomas kicked up a practice sword, flipping it in his hand. If he could not find Mahira, the evening was not to be wasted, was it? He started to move the forms quickly, passing from Striking The Spark to Low Wind Rising.

Calvadarin - seemingly waiting for some Aes Sedai to approach him, Tuomas thought - only laughed at him. "You know, there's plenty of Novices wandering in the Tower. Maybe if you found one, you could get her to find Mahira for you?"

Tuomas paused halfway through Cutting The Clouds, and turned to look at his friend. "And you thought you'd say something about this, when?" The sword was dropped - at some point, I'll forget how to use these, Light willing - and he sighed. Travelling into the Tower was one of the last things he would be wanting to do, at that point, but it would not be avoided.

He took off running towards the white stone, leaving Calv behind, and started to search for the first Novice he could find. He did not hope to see one outside of the Tower itself, but there was use in trying. Several Warders had given him odd stares, but he passed by, and found the Novice he was looking for as she passed through the hall he was standing in.

Rushing forward, Tuom caught up to her, lightly tapping her shoulder. He had not yet had any dealings with the Novices - an Accepted or two, perhaps - and was unsure of how to deal with her.

"Excuse me... Perchance you would have a moment to check Mahira Sedai's rooms, to see if she is there? You may tell her that Tuomas Alfara is searching for her, and he will be awaiting here...at the West Gate, isn't this?" He looked around himself, and nodded with certainty, only to turn back and see that the Novice was gone.

He shrugged. Hopefully she would be able to find the Aes Sedai he was in search of.

Everinn nodded her head to Rahien. "I bid a good morning, Aes Sedai." It seemed he was in a pleasant enough mood, but who was she to guess? She was never a good associate of men, and hoped she never would be, though there was yet a chance for that.

"I have just spoken with the Amyrlin, Rahien. She tells me of a False Dragon, located in Amadicia... It seems we are to hunt him. Two other sisters, and myself." She clasped her hands before her, just at her waist. "Although, I do believe I know what your answer is, but will you accompany me? The road will be dangerous, as always, and a Darkfriend is never a welcoming friend." She tugged at her shawl. "We will need to be ready soon, as it would be better to find this man before the time is too late."



"Good Evening Tuomas Alfara."

Tuomas dropped into a bow, dipping one knee to the floor. He paused for a few moments, before straightening to stand, and stared her in the eye. "As I have promised, I have your answer."

He did not mean to pause, but he found himself pausing. Just at that moment he could feel his life fade. A heart-beat, but long enough; the feeling that this was a choice he would yet come to regret. He faltered, and then nodded, trying to regain his composure.

"I do not know the proper words... But anything would be better than nothing." Another pause. Light, what was he doing? "Mahira Sedai, as I am named Tuomas Alfara, I swear to guard you with my life. By the Light I serve, I will fight when you say 'fight', I will sheathe when you say 'sheathe', I will come when you say 'come', and should you choose to, I will go when you say 'go'. I swear this by the life that I hold and the war which we fight." He bit his lip. Hopefully that didn't seem...overplayed, I guess. He looked to Mahira. Her move, as to what to do next.

Mahira felt both relief and trepidation at his words, she had not in truth expected him to say yes and now that he had she was somewhat nervous. She had never had someone tied to her before, not in the way a Warder was at least and naturally being that close to another person worried her. But for him to be able to become a true Warder the bond needed to be in place and part of that was the connection that came with the bond. Taking a calming breath and ensuring none of her turmoil showed on her face, he would feel her emotions soon enough, she walked closer to him so that he stood mere inches away.

"I accept your oath." She said before embracing the source.

The sweet ecstasy of Saidar filled her and even now after all the years of practice she still felt the almost irresistible urge to draw in more than she could hold. But she clamped down on the urge as she always did and concentrated on the weave she needed to bond Tuomas as her Warder. Any Sister who who was also embracing the source would be able to sense the channeling she was doing, the fact that she was one of a the strongest in the Tower meant she was more obvious when channeling which was sometimes an unfortunate dis advantage. But not today, bonding a Warder was as natural to Aes Sedai as healing and as well as that Aes Sedai were not restricted on how much and where they could channel. It was one of the privileges of becoming a full sister.

Mahira wove the threads together, thankful that Tarna had reminded her what the weave was and that it was an easy one, and sent them over Tuomas. He could not see anything happening of course but to her eye it looked like Saidar was going inside him and all around him, a similar process was happening with her of course. Then after mere moments it was done and Mahira stepped back somewhat disorientated. There was now a bundle of feelings in the back of her head that were not her own, she frowned slightly, this would take some getting used to. She realised that Tuomas would be experiencing the same and felt a momentary panic that he could now sense her emotions but she forced it away. She had chosen a Warder and now she would accept all that came with that.

"It is done, the bond is complete." She said in a tired voice, channeling spirit and Air was not easy for her as they were not her strongest aspects. "Would that we could spend some time getting to know one another here at the Tower but that is not to be. I am to leave for Amadicia to pursue a False Dragon. "

She hesitated then her vulnerability and and hesitancy apparent through the new bond. "As my Warder I would of course ask that you accompany me?"

"I accept your oath."

He barely shuddered as the bond swept through him, settling into the core of himself. He bowed his head to Mahira, knowing that it was finished - for better of for worse. He was hoping he would be of use, yet he could not be certain that he would, or that everything would finish as pleasant as the Light.

"It is done, the bond is complete." Tuomas could sense that she was tired, and raised himself to be standing tall once more. He was just barely taller than her, but looking down felt...odd, for some reason. As if he should be the one looking up. "Would that we could spend some time getting to know one another here at the Tower but that is not to be. I am to leave for Amadicia to pursue a False Dragon."

He growled softly, not wanting to utter any words that were certain. Another mess for the realm... To him, the idea of someone proclaiming themselves as the Dragon Reborn - and knowing fully well that they were not - was absurd. Only for the goals of starting a war throughout the realm!

Tuomas blinked. It would seem she was as uncertain as he was. "As my Warder I would of course ask that you accompany me?"

"As certain as the Light stands, I would be honored to follow you." He felt at his waist for the pommel of his sword, and realised he was yet to pick it up. "...As soon as I reclaim my sword, I will be ready."

Absolute fool. That's what I am.



Rahien seemed to have anger at the idea of this. She hid a smile, instead clearing her throat.

"The road will be more dangerous than that."

"And, so it is, but I accept the price at which it comes." Everinn stood taller, clasping her hands before her, and rubbing them together. She waited patiently for her Warder's response, keeping her breathing steady. Whatever his response, she would be pleased - nothing was to be done if he said 'no', though any decent Warder would follow his Aes Sedai, whatever the trouble.

"I'll follow you until death, Everinn Sedai," he said, bowing his head.

"Light willing, none of us will have to die." She nodded slowly. "If you will excuse me for the abruptness, I must be getting ready. I have much to pack." Everinn turned away slowly, and then looked back over her shoulder. "I assume you will be ready soon?"

Everinn herself found the travelling a messy drag. To know what was waiting in Amadicia; the Whitecloaks, and above that, a False Dragon. A man who could perhaps channel... Whether he did or not, he would be dangerous above all. Perhaps he was a thief in the shadows; or even a lord, hailing from atop a throne. Who was she to guess? And yet, even the Light send that this is easy enough. I would hate for a... catastrophe to happen.

She was more than grateful to see the end, and to find herself and her mount before the White Stag. Everinn was shaking, and she hoped that Rahien would not notice. If he did, she herself ignored whatever afterthought he would have, dismounting and passing the reins to a stable-boy.

Her eyes flickered at him, and as she felt he was staring for too long, brushed over the cobblestone and into the inn. Her travelling cloak dragged itself as she passed, and Everinn entered the inn unsteadily. A single word wrong, and they could find themselves surrounded by Whitecloaks before the night had passed.

Staying silent, as an old friend appeared, she looked around herself. The inn had changed in the long time since she had been in Amadicia; no surprise, as time had changed more than just the painting on the wall.

Maybe this won't take as long as I had thought. Everinn let herself be led away easily as she continued to watch the walls. It seemed so nice, now; the old inn had been a bit dimmer.

"I am Reane, my ladies, and it is my honor to serve. The Tower sent word you would be coming, though the bird only arrived here a short time ago. I am instructed to assist you where necessary."

Everinn let the tea warm her hand, nodding her head graciously. "Reane, how the times have changed us all... I fear we do have great need of you yet." She was taking the liberty of assuming she had the right to speak, though she could care less about how the other Sisters would treat her. "We are coming on the word of a False Dragon, here in Amadicia. Have you heard word of this...matter, yet?" Her eyes glimmered softly. She was very interested to see where the spider was hiding, and what sort of web he was spinning.



As he led his few horses out of the stables, several of them skittered, trying to avoid his reach; it seemed to Tuomas, that he was not the only one wanting to avoid this travel. To him, he knew nothing good would come out of it - if they reached the Tower again, he could only hope it would be alive.

Tuomas had to coax several of the horses out of the stable doors. Once out, they gained their footing, and easily passed towards the three Aes Sedai who were awaiting their mounts. He watched Mahira mount, carefully checking the saddle one more time. It would do no good to have a horse bolt, dismounting her, and he had best relax.

He himself had the horse that he had brought to the White Tower. A grey stallion, and a fully-trained war horse that he had for a long time, named Siswai. The horse had carried him through the streets, but now, it hardly carried him anywhere. He would ride until the Pit of Doom, but there was other places to be.

The journey had his mind running. Always running. He was always worried that they would be found by Whitecloaks, that their camp would be broken by bandits, or some miraculous event that would have them running. Tuom was always on guard, but happy for an excuse to break away from the Aes Sedai. Even as they approached the White Stag, he felt that the tension would never break.

Tuom dismounted slowly, giving Siswai's reigns over reluctantly to the stable boy. He gently ran his hands through the mane, before turning and following the Aes Sedai into the inn. It seemed all too soon that they were whisked away - he debated whether to follow or not, but a fleeting glare from Everinn Sedai kept him at bay. She seemed as if she would shoot daggers at him, within any given point.

"Rahien, should you wish to follow, you have every leave. I believe I may watch from the common room." He left his Warder brother the choice, turning away from him.



The light of his inn was so much better. Well... It was not his inn, precisely, it had only been so for just a few moments now. He was sitting calmly, one leg kicked over the other as he cleaned underneath his fingernails with a knife. The blade was covered in blood, barely beginning to dry, and he found himself wiping it over his cloak.

No matter; he quite enjoyed the feel of it. A thick liquid, sticky and warm, a vital essence of the human body... The way it easily bled out of a man made it all the better. How he loved to watch the blood pour out of someone, slitting their throat and watching them squeal as their throat bled red.

"Turn it will! The Wheel is not hope, and the Wheel does not care, the Wheel simply is!" He did love singing. Once in a while, the song would strike him, and he would dance around the room with his voice washing over the walls. "But, so long as it turns-"

Someone was knocking at his door. The night had barely begun to sink through the sky; everyone knew this was the better time to bother him, though, when the shadows danced and he could hide as he pleased. "Enter." He continued to pick at his nails, frowning. Was this friend... or foe?

"My friend." The man who entered was no one he had seen before, but his thumb was sticking between his index and middle fingers, hand straight at his side. Now he's caught my interest. "Forgive the hour, though as I'm told, this is the best time to bother you." He grinned, pulling back his hood to reveal bright blond hair.

No doubt this was someone who would change his look when anyone turned their back. "You have my interest... Though how did you find me?" He started to stare at the knife closely, finding that the blood was already dry. A pity, he did not think he had wiped all of it off.

"Stories pass, rumors grow, and eventually you'll know precisely who you're looking for." His grin seemed to grow wider. He would not give his name. "I've been watching, and here's something you might want to know - three Aes Sedai, dropped just at the White Stag. Two Warders with them. Though, we both know why they're here."

The knife was stabbed into the table, shaking for just a few moments. "Perfect. Maybe there's even a Black." He stood up, though did not remove his own hood. It was nice and warming, too comfortable to remove.

"Very well." The man bowed. "Fare you well, Dakkone... May the Great Lord watch over you." He pulled his hood back up, and disappeared through the door. Dakkone watched him leave, and spat on the floor. His story had only just begun.

Rahien

Rahien stroked the dark mane of his most reliable companion, Aldazar, before mounting and heading out with the Aes Sedai and his fellow Warder, Tuomas. He wasn't pleased with this journey at all. They were heading into one of the most dangerous situations Everinn could get involved with. The rare carefreeness he was able to grasp at the training grounds back at the tower had completely disappeared from his being, and he now was the outwardly calm, confident and relaxed, inwardly tightly wound and alert, man he always was in these situations. The constant tension was wearing, and it didn't seem that it would soon let up. He almost sighed as they stopped at the White Stag, a place he was slightly familiar with, but not with content. It would be more of a depressed or frustrated sigh, but it never left his lips to be heard.

Rain watched with a careful eye as Everinn dismounted, not a single silk of hair or flow of cloth out of place. He was probably the only one to notice the slight, almost nonexistent shake to her petite frame and her step that was a smidge less graceful than normal. That, he didn't like. Not one bit. To the common eye, they wouldn't notice a bit, but to him, who has seen and watched her everyday for years as her Warder, it was obvious that she was unsettled. As the wheels turned in his mind, he wasn't sure if he wanted to say something to assure, comfort, discourage, or annoy her. Giving up, he settled for a simple sigh, saying more to himself than to her, "We shouldn't have come." Of course, she ignored his comment, passing her reigns to the stable boy.

Everinn cut her eyes at him for a moment before turning away and striding into the inn. Rain followed suit, dismounting Aldazar as one of the stable boy reached for the reigns. He patted the horse's side. "You understand, don't you, Aldazar?" The horse grunted, stomping a foot, and Rain took that as a yes. He had a reliable companion indeed.

Following the women inside the inn along with his fellow Warder, Rain scanned the room casually, not noticing anything out of the ordinary as his eyes travelled across it and then back to the Aes Sedai. Soon, a woman came, seeming to cause Everinn to relax a bit and walked off with the Aes Sedai. He noticed Everinn give his companion, Tuomas, one of her finest glares, but didn't pay it mind as another of the Aes Sedai, Maiuri he believed, looked back at them with cold eyes before briskly turning away. A deep frown adorned his features as Everinn and the others left them here, and he heard the familiar voice of Tuomas say, "Rahien, should you wish to follow, you have ever leave. I believe I may watch from the common room."

He turned to the man as Tuomas turned away. "And if I follow they'll gang up on me for invading on 'women's business'," though he said that, he moved to a spot in the common room where he was as close as he could be to the room the women disappeared into and still have full view of the commons area, much more alert now that Everinn was out of sight.

Maiuri

Maiuri found the travelling both as a hassle and as refreshing. Not so much so a hassle because of the journey itself, but because of her companions. Always with her were Sisters whose Ajahs were none too happy with her own, and both had their own warders. Light! She was just thankful that the green had only one. On top of that, being in a place where she was surrounded by those insolent White Cloaks didn't help the situation much at all. They were the worst type of man, and all fools at that, though a dangerous lot that she wished to avoid.

Dismounting in front of the White Stag was a bit of a relief. It was strange enough to the common eye to see three ladies and two "guards" as they seemed to appear to be trotting through the streets. She supposed it to be even a bit stranger because not two of them were of the same race. She blessed the cloak she was wearing, the concealing cloth an unusual comfort, but a comfort none the less. She glanced over her companions as she handed her horse over to the stable boy, then silently followed the Blue into the inn. Glancing around, she noted it was better than most she'd been in, but not the best, not that she would complain.

A woman came soon, leading them away and introducing herself as Reane. A nice name, and easy on the tongue. Before a word could be spoken from Maiuri, the Blue felt comfortable enough to ask directly what should have been handled with care.

"Reane, how the times have changed us all... I fear we do have great need of you yet. We are coming on the word of a False Dragon, here in Amadicia. Have you heard word of this...matter, yet?"

A cold fire found itself in Maiuri's eyes. Even if this woman before them is the Blue's informant, she should have asked that particular question in a more indirect way. Though the Red Sister usually appreciated bluntness, in this situation, she believed it was inappropriate. Did this girl not have a wit about her? Brushing off her thoughts (what's done is done, after all), she decided to add to Everinn's question, "Or has word come of any other strange happenings?" in an offhanded tone and manner. Not sounding impolite, but merely cool and slightly impatient.