Taeadra – A Writing Archive

Hey Now, Wait a Minute…

Several weeks had passed since her Aes Sedai’s return, and Mariasha had been enjoying having her Sister back at her side. And yet, still, there had been an edge of unease that still persisted. She couldn’t understand it, but then, the edge of shock from the sudden return hadn’t worn off quite yet…

Uneasy as she was about things, she tried asking other Warders around the Yard for advice. She knew this was akin to talking about a spouse to a friend in a manner that most wouldn’t, but she was so lost. Some small part of her remaining innocence wanted to believe that they could pretend that all was well, and that she’d not been run out on. But as she talked to more of her brethren in the Yards, the more her mind wanted to question this action Taeadra had taken.

Mari had asked no questions of Taeadra, not yet; part of her was desperately trying to pretend all was like old times. In some ways, it was truly as if Taeadra had never left. They had fallen into their normal daily routine almost seamlessly… and coupled with the fact that Mari herself had been pretty much drunk the entire time Tae was gone made it easier to pretend that no time had passed.

But as time had rolled by, the constant knot of Taeadra’s feelings in Mari’s head started to infect her as well. The other woman was full of wariness and anger, and it was all that the Warder could do to cheerfully ignore a headful of such. She redoubled her efforts in the Yard, and fell asleep easily in a satisfied exhaustion. Still, as time was passing, there seemed to be a switch between the two. For whatever reason, some degree of contentedness was growing in Taeadra’s head, while the suspicion and anger started growing in Mariasha’s. Why had the other woman left her for so long? Had she done something wrong? Was it the Creator’s way of punishing her for… “No, no, mustn’t think about that, no..”

Finally, the Warder could take it no more.

It came to a head over the course of a normal meal. The pair was dining in Taeadra’s chambers, as they often did, and making polite conversation about the day’s events. Perhaps it was how hard she was pushing herself. Perhaps it was the denials she kept making in her head, but something snapped. Or perhaps it was Taeadra’s grumblings about the penance her Ajah had handed down for her absence…

“My fellow Whites are… cross.. with me for going away for as long as I did,” Taeadra commented, reaching for another slice of bread, “I guess that it’s universally felt that even though I had important business, the Ajah’s own business at that, that I should be punished for it.” The White Sister reached for the butter and hummed softly to herself as she applied it lavishly to the bread.

“Perhaps they thought you were dead, Tae,” Mariasha spoke quietly, “Perhaps they were worried, as I was, that something horrible had happened.” Her voice began to raise; a hint of anger began to creep in, “Maybe some of them were drinking themselves to death from worry, trying to deny that anything could’ve happened. After all, if someone cares, they’ll let everyone know they’re doing alright, wouldn’t they?!”

At this point, Mari was quivering with rage and had stood unbeknownst to herself. As she glared down at her Sister, her fists clenched unconsciously. The sitting woman’s mouth had formed a small ‘o’ in surprise at the sudden verbal assault, and taking a deep breath, Mari made herself sit back down. Fishing a whetstone from her belt pouch, she whipped out one of her daggers and began sharpening it nonchalantly. “Perhaps, Taeadra, it’s time to tell me what was so important that you had to leave me here thinking you were dead for so long. I think it’s time for you to tell all.”

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04 January (2:36am GMT)

Quirking an eyebrow, Mari raised her eyes from the whetstone in her hands. “So then, you mean to tell me that wandering off on an extended adventure was more important than those that care about you? More important than your duties in the Tower to your Sisters?!” She snorted, slamming the whetstone down on the table. “I know that you always try to put the best face on things, Taeadra, but word has it around the Yards that your Sisters of the White are out to punish you severely for your ‘important business’. I’m guessing that if it was so important, they’d not be that ticked about it, would they?”

Standing up, Mari began to pace along her side of the table; she occasionally shot a dark glance at the woman she had considered her closest friend. That burned – had, not was. Or was she? It was all so hard to think about. Had her parents…

NO!

Choking back a growl, she stopped dead in her tracks, “No, it’s nothing like that, nothing like that at all,” the Warder muttered to herself. Her right hand drifted down to her dagger and gripped it unconsciously, “I wasn’t sworn to protect them, they didn’t think I could… DON’T THINK ABOUT IT!”

Coming back to the here and now with a start, she jumped once she realized she’d been shouting. Shaking with an unidentifiable emotion, she spoke slowly to the air, “I… I.. am… I’m going.. to.. yeah… I’m going to go now.”

Doing her best to pretend Taeadra wasn’t there, she gathered up her things and departed as quickly as dignity would permit her. This was all too much for Mariasha, and the young Warder was unaware that she had started running once clear of the White quarters. She didn’t know where she was going, but knew she had to get away. “You can’t run from your thoughts though,” her mind whispered at her, spurring her to try even harder to escape from it all.

The sun hung low in the sky as she exited the Tower at a dead run. She was blind to the curious glances from the people she passed, and as she made her way past the Warders Yard and down the eastern road, her mind made itself up about her destination. Content in this, she allowed focusing on not running anyone down take over her mind as she continued her mad dash towards the river.

~*~

Mariasha’s steps slowed as she neared the bank, and she began to pace quickly alongside the river to cool herself down from her short run. It was no secret that she found the riverside calming, not that she expected anyone to follow her out here, not really. Still, the run had been pleasantly exhausting, and as she slumped down to sit on the grass lining the riverbank, she let the flow of the water soothe and distract her mind from the turmoil she did not want to deal with.

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23 February 2009 (2:27am GMT)

As the sun glinted off of the river as it set off into the distance, Mariasha pushed herself off the grass and sighed. Her thoughts had run themselves in circles to no avail, and the serenity that the river usually brought her couldn’t even begin to make a dent on her internal turmoil.

She slowly made her way back to the Barracks, flipping a dagger absent-mindedly as she went. The Andoran woman had found that it did a good job of changing peoples’ minds about bothering a woman alone… not that she really wanted to be alone, not with these thoughts. But still, whom could she talk to? Taeadra would have been the person she talked to everything about, but where did things stand now? Sighing, she entered the Barracks and made her way to her room.

—

Mariasha’s sleep was troubled. That is to say, the few times she managed to nod off, she found herself immediately jerking back awake from stray and painful thoughts. Her Aes Sedai, her parents… All of this mixed ‘round in her mind, making an impolite mess.

So when she ‘woke’ up the next morning, she found herself nodding and red-eyed. She wasn’t sure how many times she had randomly started crying, but she prayed to the Creator as she dressed for her efforts in the Yard that she wouldn’t start again. Of course, her resolve only lasted until she got outside and ran into Thera…

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01 March 2009 (8:55pm GMT)
“A-ale?” Mariasha stammered, “N-n-no, no ale. I had been trying t-to stop drinking and t-trying to get my head back together… for…”

She burst into fresh tears before he could stop herself. Fishing her handkerchief from her pocket, she mopped herself up with a sigh. “I’m a wreck, Thera,” Mari started, taking a moment to tuck her hankie up her sleeve, “Just a total wreck. Light, I’m not really sure if I’m in good enough shape to be out and about right now; I’ve just…” She shook her head slightly, “There’s a lot on my mind.”

Mari smiled weakly at her old friend. As it were, she wasn’t sure she could unjumble all the pain and hurt in her head… but she knew she had to try. She had seen what ignoring emotions could do to people, and she didn’t want that. Oh sure, it had to be done in the heat of battle, but one couldn’t live in the Void and stay human.

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04 March 2009 (1:24am GMT)

Flopping into the cushy chair, Mariasha gratefully accepted the glass of water. “Thank you,” she murmured, drinking deeply before lowering the mug to clasp with both hands.

“Do you want to tell me what’s wrong, Mari? What caused your… tears?” Thera inquired politely. The Andoran woman couldn’t help but laugh a bit, even if it meant that Thera was looking at her if she’d gone mad.

“Well, you remember how a few weeks ago my Aes Sedai showed up out of the blue? Light, like anyone can forget that, what with me screaming about ghosts and falling off of walls and things.” She took another sip of water, and continued, “Anyways, the shock of it was just all too much for me, and I tried to convince myself that everything would be like normal again now that she was back, and that I could overlook her absence. Her considerable absence…”

Mari trailed off, staring at her hands as they cupped the mug for a long moment. “We were having dinner last night, and I just kind of snapped,” she spoke in a low voice, almost as if talking to herself, “I just completely blew up on her and demanded an explanation. To make matters worse, Taeadra came up with the most cockamamie story I think I’ve ever heard in my life. Claiming she was off on important business, but if it was so important, why didn’t she take me with her to protect her, Thera? Why didn’t she?”

Her eyes shone with tears waiting to be shed again as her hands trembled on the mug in her lap.

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09 March 2009 (11:32pm GMT)

Mari pushed a few stray strands of hair out of her face as she sighed in response to Thera’s question. “I don’t know if some of them bother to form any bonds with anyone at all. Taeadra is reputed to be in fairly hot water with her Ajah over her little… adventure, and I’m sure that me having a nervous breakdown probably isn’t doing her a world of good either. I mean… it’s in our very souls to care for our Sisters – the bond makes sure of that.”

Turning her attention to that part of her mind that was Taeadra, she could tell that the White Sister was still sleeping. It was much like her not being there – no sense of emotions came through the bond, yet Mariasha could tell that she was there. She tapped her cheek in thought before casting her eyes back to her fellow Warder, “I… I don’t know Thera, I just sort of snapped. You’ll probably laugh at this, but I just had a moment where I realized I felt what my parents probably felt when I just up and vanished.” She herself chuckled mirthlessly at this before continuing on, “But unlike my ‘fortune’ at getting Taeadra back, I… I’ve never bothered to contact my parents in the years since I’ve left Caemlyn. I… I don’t know if they’re alive or dead, and they… they don’t know and…”

Another sob ripped out of her before she could stop herself, and she growled at herself slightly, “Light Thera, I’m so bloody tired… it’s just been running around and around in my head all night, and I don’t even know how to sort it out yet. Even a promise made in one’s cups is a promise that should be kept, and when we decided to bond those years ago, I was thrilled to have someone to take care of, to hopefully trust in. I just… I just don’t know how to lay the line. I think I need to, though – how can I do my job if she wanders off? It would be just like an Aes Sedai to betray their Warder by wandering off to die, right?”

She helped herself to another gulp of water, and put the freshly emptied cup to the side, “Anyways Thera… any thoughts? I just… I just want things to get back to normal, the way it should be.”

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31 March 2009 (12:04am BST)

Pushing herself out of her chair, Mari impulsively hugged Thera. Squeezing gently, she managed to stumble back from where the other woman was seated without falling over as she rose from her half-crouch. “Thanks Thera, you’ve given me a lot of food for thought, even if it’s perhaps not the taste I want in my mouth.” She chuckled softly, shaking her head, “Taeadra is a very headstrong woman, and I guess I’m just going to have to learn how to be more stubborn than she is… perhaps I can find a mule to teach me.”

Sighing, she headed for the door, “Thanks again,” Mariasha started, opening the door, “I’m going to… go… something.” She stepped through and shut the door behind her, and started out across the Yards.

She’d not gotten more than a hundred paces towards the Tower when her steps slowed, and then stopped. The young Warder’s thoughts were much like honey – torpid and squishy. Still, it suddenly dawned on her that she probably looked a right fright. “I should go clean myself up before going to talk to Taeadra,” she told herself firmly, turning back towards the barracks, “She won’t take me seriously if I look a mess, and I have to come from a position of strength, not of weakness. Plus, if I make her wait longer, it might make her easier to work with… yes…”

Upon arriving in her chamber, she closed the door behind herself and sat down on the bed. She had only gotten as far as removing a single boot, and tugging at the next, before she found herself flat-out asleep on the bed.

After having a much-needed rest, Mariasha’s body still felt leaden, and her mind quite asleep. Stifling a yawn, she levered herself up. She eyed her still-booted foot ruefully, and proceeded to finish the job she had started before passing out on herself. A bath would do her mind wonders.

The sun hung low in the sky before her as the Andoran made her way back towards the White Tower proper. She was as pristine as she could be – her hair was brushed and pulled back, her boots were shined, and her clothing was spotless between. She was still unsure in her heart if this would be good for her friendship with her Sister… but protecting the woman she was bound to was the most important thing.

I’m coming home……

Another sleepless night full of bad dreams.

Anything to escape the bad dreams. Even rising long before the sun itself rose.

And yet, that’s what Mariasha herself did. Of course, this came on top of her normally strenuous routine of training and drinking, so the young Andoran woman was left feeling flimsy, almost insubstantial.

Still, she stumbled through her morning ablutions and found herself outside before the raising sun felt the need to make an appearance. Some of the trainees were already hard at work under the eye of brighter-eyed instructors than herself; she preferred to run afternoon courses when Thera managed to corner her into teaching.

Climbing up to her accustomed spot on the fence, she settled into a brown study of the trainees. Pretty much everyone around the Yards knew it was her habit to spend some time watching the newer people train while she woke up enough to go grab a bite to eat, and especially considering the hour, knew better than to disturb her; she’d made it clear to many unwary folk that she was not a morning person.

So it came as something of a surprise when someone crossed through the sparse population of the Yard and came right at her… someone looking very familiar! Rubbing sleep out of eyes, Mari blinked, expecting the person coming towards her to vanish; her Aes Sedai had been gone for years, she had to be dead.

Which left her one conclusion – it had to be her Aes Sedai’s spirit come back to haunt her! Attempting to stand and warn those around her of the spirit, exhaustion and shock overcame her, and she fainted dead away, falling off the fence.

When she came to, Mariasha found herself in an unfamiliar room. Groaning softly, she could felt even weaker and more tired than she had before waking the first time that day. Suddenly, a face leaned over her; it was Taeadra’s spirit again!

With a gasp, she waved her arms feebly to try and drive the spirit out of her line of sight, and was very surprised to meet flesh. Blinking, she felt a small jolt of shock and pain in her head, “In… my.. head.. WHAT?!”

She fainted again.

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20 August 2008

As she came back to consciousness again, Mari continued to lay on the bed with her eyes closed, ”Okay Mari,”, she thought to herself as she attempted to take stock of the day, ”You’ve seen a wraith, fallen off a wall.. oh Light..”

Hesitantly opening her eyes again, Mari realized pretending she might still be out was in vain, considering that which had returned to her head. Still, even with that in mind, it seemed that perhaps Taeadra hadn’t quite realized that her Warder had come to. “Perhaps she’s as unused to having the bond back in place as me,” she though wryly as she tried to sit up, ”Or perhaps she’s preoccupied to the point she’s not noticed I’ve awoken.”..

Trying to push up feebly, she slowly wobbled her head towards Taeadra, “How… are… you… here?!” the weary red-headed woman attempted to demand. She managed to wobble a weak arm up towards Taeadra’s slightly startled face, though she had to wonder if the effort was worth it.

The part of her that was Taeadra went very still as the White Sister brought over two mugs of tea, “Sit and drink first. Slowly now.” Tae instructed firmly, as was the older woman’s nature. Shooting her Sister a mild glare, Mari weakly wrestled herself closer to upright, and as if putting her hand on the mug was a signal, was absurdly grateful to have something on hand to whet her even more parched-feeling throat with.

In spit of not trying to gulp it down, it was almost as fast as blinking; Mariasha pushed the mug back towards the woman sitting at her side to request a refill. Taeadra wordlessly put her mug down and attended to refilling Mari’s; the bond was still very still, as if the Aes Sedai were trying to hide something.

Sighing softly, Mari decided to take a belated moment to figure out where they were. It had seemed ages since she’d been here in her Sister’s rooms, but there was a sense of familiarity under the faint sheen of dust, “I guess the servants only bothered to poke their heads in here every few weeks or so,” she mused to herself, trying to think on anything but the strange events of the day. Not.. that she could really avoid them, with Taeadra’s return, and the growing thead of anxiety creeping in through the bond as the other woman returned with another mug of tea.

Murmuring gratitude, Mari blew on the tea briefly to cool it. She plunged her head through the wisps of steam and took a very healthy gulp of the fresh glass. Placing it back on the table with extreme care, she turned her attention back to Taeadra, “There… is a lot I could be asking right now…” she started, fighting down the urge to smile as the thread of anxiety expanded, along with a wave of concern, “But I don’t think that I’m going to be in any shape for this until I’ve had a meal or three… I take it I’ve been Healed?” Tae nodded assent, though it wasn’t as if she needed to.

Mariasha nodded back, and braced her flimsy arms against the mattress. Alarm raced into the bond as Taeadra gently pushed her back down, “I’ll go fetch you something. You’re not ready to be out of this bed yet, so stay here until I get back.” Command rolled naturally off of her Sister’s tongue, and Mari could only bend her head in agreement for the time being.

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25 August 2008

As Taeadra exited the room, Mari let herself collapse back onto the bed. “Riiight, show how sorted out you are… try standing, brilliant,” Mariasha muttered to herself, squeezing her eyes shut. She couldn’t remember a time she had felt so weak before, and part of her knew this wasn’t really the time to actually be in the weaker position!

Taking a deep breath, she inched herself backwards against the headboard, and feebly turned over. Grabbing onto the side of the headboard, she carefully levered herself back up into a sitting position; she leaned against the headboard with her legs dangling off the bed. Gulping air, she grumbled to herself and had a bit more tea.

As she leaned against the headboard sipping her tea, the young Warder let her frustration and annoyance melt away. In truth, she was still in too much of a state of shock to register it all, and found it much easier to focus on her weakened physical state. She had heard from some of the other Warders who had been on campaign with their Sisters that Healing did tend to make a person weaker, but that they were able to draw on the added strength the bond provided to continue on… so why couldn’t she?

Granted, Taeadra had been gone for so long… longer than the time before she left when the bond was still new. As it were, Taeadra’s presence was… almost uncomfortable in her head after all this time… had it been as such before?

She was musing on this when she felt Taeadra pausing nearby. Putting the tea down, Mari leaned away from the headboard; she felt it was important to at least look as if she weren’t as feeble as she felt, ”Even if all Taeadra has to do is pay attention to what’s in her head,” she thought wryly as the door opened.

“I am sure you have many questions, but I would suggest you eat your fill and gain some strength back,” Taeadra announced firmly as she carried the tray over. The White Sister flashed a stern glance at the younger Andoran woman as she placed the tray on the side table, and Mari scootched herself back against the headboard as she reached for the cutlery.

Taeadra had brought up a mountain of food, it seemed, but the famishment that followed Healing drove Mariasha through it all in short order. Squinting at the empty plates, she turned her attention to the White Sister. “Ask what you will, I will answer what I can,” Taeadra spoke, gesturing towards the woman sitting on the bed beside her. Opening her mouth, Mari started to speak… but was stopped when a yawn escaped.

“I… think…,” she started, punctuation each word with another yawn, “I think that I should maybe go back to sleep. We can try this again tomorrow.. mmkay?” Mari smiled at the touch of shock that rolled through the bond, but as she let herself slid back flat against the bed, her thoughts died off and sleep rolled over her almost instantly.

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04 September 2008

To sleep, perchance to dream…

To dream, perchance, but perhaps not to remember; at least, no memories from the latest sleep remained in the young Warder’s mind as she stirred towards consciousness. The bone-weariness and weakness of the prior day appeared to have sloughed off in the night, and Mariasha felt more rested than she had in some time.

In her mind, she could almost pretend that the last 2 years or so of solitude were all a dream; she could feel Taeadra standing off to the side deep in thought, and smell breakfast from the nearby table. ”She spends as much time as a Brown in studious thought, but hides it better,” Mari thought fondly as she easily sat up and swung her legs around to hang off the side of the bed.

She stood and stretched; the motion felt wonderful after having slept for a day! Her dear Sister still stood in deep thought staring at a painting above the mantle, muttering to herself. The Andoran woman couldn’t help but smile as she sauntered up to join Taeadra, accidentally brushing the other woman’s shoulder as she did so.

For all Tae’s outward reaction, the bond jumped briefly, “I trust you slept well. I have had one of the servants bring breakfast… I assume you are still hungry?” Taeadra gestured behind her shoulder, her gaze still intent on the painting. With a widening of her smile into an outright grin, Mari casually bowed before heading over to the food.

And Light, she was still hungry! Slathering butter and jam generously on some of the toast, Mari called out, “Why don’t you come join me for some breakfast, then, and tell me about this painting that you’re so intently staring at. I’m guessing that it’s something important to you, and I’ve never thought to ask about it before.”

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15 September 2008 (6:15pm BST)

Mari poured up some tea for both herself and Taeadra as the other woman settled into the chair across the table. The White Sister nodded distractedly as she began setting up some breakfast for herself.

Presently, Taeadra spoke, and spoke at length. Mariasha was sort of aware of what tests an initiate of the Tower went through, but obviously not the details thereof. Still, it perplexed her to have Taeadra open up like this. This was a woman who lived fully in control of herself and her surroundings, and it was almost frightening to feel the little pulses of fear that went along with her recollection of events.

Fear of the Dark One and his destruction though was something that anyone in the Yards would empathize with. She knew that her Aes Sedai opposed the Dark One fervently, so why was she so surprised by the fear?

Shaking her head, Mari speared another piece of ham onto her plate. Chewing thoughtfully for a moment, she swallowed and looked across the table. Taeadra had turned her attention to a piece of bread, and was buttering it with a studied fury; did she feel as if she’d said too much? “That sounds pretty… harrowing, Tae. I wouldn’t want to pit myself against such a test.. and yet, this is something expected of all of your Sisters, isn’t it?” The pain in Taeadra’s suddenly upturned eyes was answer enough, and Mari shook her head yet again, “But then, your lot carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. But cheer up – you have some support in your Gaidin, right?” A merry twinkle flashed in Mariasha’s eyes, and she poured another round of tea.

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15 September 2008 (9:14pm BST)

“Why is Taeadra so antsy? Why can’t she just be happy that things are back to normal?” Mari mused to herself, suffering a quick pang of irritation before joy smothered it again. It was truly hard to be upset about things at the exact moment, but Tae had seemed somewhat subdued and on edge since returning. Mari had initially attributed it to her Sister’s concern over her Warder’s well-being, but now the young Andoran woman didn’t know what to make of it at all!

“Tell me of lighter things Mariasha, anything.” Tae smiled across the table, seeming somewhat at ease for the first time since her return. Grinning back, Mari started to tell about some of the new arrivals to the Yards, and their amusing mess-ups during training, their misconceptions, and how it all rolled into a big ball of undignified fun for the more senior Tower Guards and Warders to chuckle at in remembrance. And speaking of remembering…

“I dare say, Tae, that I probably should report back to the Yards. I’m sure that Thera is wondering what became of me, and I should probably let the trainees I was going to help yesterday know what became of me so they don’t think I ran out on them a-purpose.” Flashing a grin, she patted Taeadra’s hand before standing, “I’m sure we can get back to our catching up over dinner.” She bowed formally, “Until then, Aes Sedai.” A smile flashed across her lips again, and Mariasha was out the door.

Three Sitting Ducks (Att: Damian and Luke)

((Continued from The Threesome Reunites *weg* (Rae and Zan) )

19 March 2003 (11:32am)

After a long day of practice in the yards, Andular made his way back to his room where he cleaned up and prepared to go into town. He had made plans with his old Trainee Luke and Warder named Damian, to go to an inn in Tar Valon to watch a Gleeman and have a few ales.

Strapping his sword on his back he quickly made his way to the large tree next to the yards where they were scheduled to meet. Upon arriving he found Luke leaning against the tree already waiting. “Well met, Luke.” He greeted shaking hands with the other man. “Ready for a night on the town to relieve a little stress?” Luke chuckled and indicated he indeed was. Soon after Damian made his way over the three exchanged pleasantries. “What is the name of this Inn again Andular?” Damian said with a slight smile on his mouth. “The Wenches Kiss, I have been there before, the ale is good and the entertainment should be as well. This Gleeman is in high demand from what I understand.”

After a few minutes of small talk the three decided to get moving and made there way toward the city proper as the sun began to set on the horizon.
Andular

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19 March 2003 (12:06pm)

Damian had met Luke and Andular on the training grounds… and noticed in them the same feelings he was having at the time… the stress and strain of continual training could wear on one. So to stay in good physical and mental health Damian took a night or two off every once in while to allow himself to let go. He knew Tria would not approve.. but part of his training was being mentally in tune with his body… and his body was telling him to go get some drinks tonight.

He met the other two out near a large tree… saying hello to both. When greetings were passed they then began to make their way to the city. Damian wondered where the night would lead… and if he would remember it…

Damian

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19 March 2003 (9:44pm)

Luke waited patiently for Andular and Damian by the tree. He had agreed to come along for the night to get away from his training but his staff was, as usual, strung across his back. Luke did not consider his staff part of his training anymore, it had become and extension of his body.

Andular arrived first, followed shortly by Damian. The three exchanged greeting briefly before heading out to Tar Valon.
Luke

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24 March 2003 (11:21am)

The smile that stretched from ear to ear on Taeadra was but only one sign that she had perhaps had a bit more spiced wine than she should have. But even she would admit, it was a nice feeling she was having right now…a feeling of complete freedom. There was a part of her mind that kept trying to interfer and tell her what they were about to do was not in the best interest of three Sisters, let alone three Sitters. She shut that part of her mind off, she wouldn’t be needing it tonight. After over a hundred years in the Tower, they were all due an evening like this…besides it was all in fun. Taeadra doubted anything would come of this evening, though she was certainly hoping she was wrong. That thought caused the smile on her face to grow wider.

As they made their way toward the Warders Yards, they passed an inn called The Wenches Kiss. Tae turned to Raeyn and Zania, “We must stop here first,” she spoke as she lead them up the stairs to the inn, “they make the most delicious pastries here and I’m sure that a quick stop won’t interfer with our plans too much.” The other woman agreed and they walked into the inn.

Tae was about to sit at a table near the door so they could order when someone caught her eye. There was a table with three men seated at it and one of them was none other than the Guard she had been speaking of all night. The mere sight of him caused her to catch her breath once again and she could feel the heat rise to her cheeks instantly.

Raeyn laughed as she looked at Tae, “Why Taeadra, getting ahead of yourself and thinking already of what you would like to do to this, what did you say his name was? Andular?” Tae’s smile only increased as Raeyn spoke, “As a matter of fact dear friend of mine, I was. And it just so happens we won’t have to go far to find him.” She nodded to the table the three men were seated at, “Seems they’ve made our task that much easier.” Suddenly she was more than thrilled with her love of sweets. Though there still was that part of her mind that kept screaming out to her that she was acting very uncharacteristic….again she walled off that part of her mind, this time tight enough that it would have nothing to say for the rest of the night.

With a wicked smile she nodded for the two Sitters to follow her as she made her way through a maze of tables to where Andular and his friends were seated. She recognized one of the men as Damian, Zerah’s Warder whom she had met on that fateful camping trip they had taken. The other seemed very familiar to her, though she could not put her finger on it. The men were involved in conversation when she approached their table and she had to clear her throat to get their attentions. From the looks of the empty ale mugs strewn about their table, the three men had been having quite the evening already. Tae and Damian looked at each other and shared a mutal moment of understanding for what each had been through.

Time to add even more spice up their evening a bit more Tae thought.

When Andular turned at looked into her eyes, she felt that same feeling she had the first time she had seen him. Her stomach felt as if it would leap out of her throat at any moment, and yet again she could feel the heat rising to her cheeks. With a deep breath, she mustered all the Aes Sedai calm she could, “It would appear we met again Andular Rojvas. Would the three of you mind some extra company for the evening?”

Without waiting for an answer, Tae took a seat next to Andular, scooting her chair as close as comfort would allow and turned her eyes to his. Any man who didn’t know full well at this point what her intentions were was a fool….or perhaps just to imbibed to notice the flush the went from her face straight down to the deep neckline of her dress. “So Andular, why don’t you introduce us to your friends here.”

As he made the introductions, Tae turned to each of the other men, but her eyes kept falling back to Andular. With each glance at him, she knew with more surety that she would not relent until she had this man……
Taeadra

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25 March 2003 (9:50pm)

Luke emptied his glass with one final drink. As the last drops dripped into his mouth he noticed something through the bottom of his glass. The woman he saw through the clear bottom looked familiar, very familiar. Setting his glass down he narrowed his eyes at her.

“I recognize you.” he said, jabbing his finger at her. “You’re the Sedai that tossed me into Bril’s room that day to dress her.” Luke opened his mouth to continue his somehwat slurred speach when he thought of something very disturbing. “She’s not with you, is she?” Luke hunched his back and his eyes tried to look everywhere at once. Whatever Luke had had to drink was obviously affecting him. Just then the maid placed another full glass in front of Luke and he was back to normal, contentedly drinking away.
Luke

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27 March 2003 (4:20pm)

Taeadra smiled just the slightest of smiles, now she remembered the boy…though at the time he did not look like a boy. As he had his mug half way to his mouth, Tae channeled a bit of Air and froze his hand mid-air. She leaned over the table and met his eyes with her own frozen glare, “As a matter of fact, she should be here any moment now.”

Tae had expected the wide eyed look from the boy, but when Andular nearly jumped out of his chair to look for this Bril girl, she was a bit confused, but just pushed it out of her mind for the moment. Turning back to the boy, she could see him trying in vain to either lift his mug all the way up, or to at least put it down. When it appeared that he was trying to lift it up, she let go of the strand of Air and everyone chuckled a bit as the mug went flying toward his face with a splash.

With a laugh she spoke, “Do not worry…what is your name boy, I can’t call you boy all night!”

“Uh…Luke mam..er, Aes Sedai”

“Very well, do not worry Luke, this Bril is of no concern to me. Should we see her tonight I will make sure she is not able to cause you any trouble. I’m sure you got quite enough of that the day I threw you into her room.” Tae laughed as she took another sip of her wine. One of her hands then moved below the table to rest on Andular’s leg as she gave him a wink…………..
Taeadra

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27 March 2003 (4:49pm)

Damian looked up to see three women approaching the table…. and through his semi-blurred vision he was almost positive one was Taeadra Sedai…. In fact it was! It was Taeadra Sedai! He lifted his mug to Tae..

“Shello Taeadra Shedai…. ” Then he turned his glass to the other two ladies as they were sitting down.. “And hellosh… to you ladiesh….” Damian had to control himself… he was in a singing mood and he knew it… He also knew it wouldn’t quite sound the way he wanted it to… so he just sat there for a little… trying to work on his speech…

He listened to Luke and Tae speak a little… he had no idea what they were talking about… though getting thrown into dressing a woman… he couldn’t figure out what was bad about it. But obviously Luke didn’t seem to like it… So he figured to help him out a little…

“Hey Tae… Weren’t you and Yuval getting shnuggly on our trip? How are the two wittle wove birds doing?” From the look he had just recieved he knew he had said something wrong… but his mind was having a hard time making the connection… “Was it something I said?” he asked himself… uh oh…
Damian

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29 March 2003 (12:06am)

Zania, a little in the cups, made sure to sit as slowly as she could since the room was spinning a bit. *Why am I the only one who notices that* She give her self a small shake as she sat next to the very drunk Warder who had just spoken. He was not bad looking and although some of her sisters did not like the Warders she could honestly say she preferred a Warder rather then the simple Tar Valon stock she had seen.

Feeling a bit mischievious she winked to the one Tae had been speaking to then turned her attention to the one next to her. She knew she had something to say but right at that moment the room began to spin again. *Well that was some very good wine we had I will have to visit that inn again* Then suddenly she give her fingers a snap which had Tae give her a look, “So are any of you men going to offer us a small bit of wine?” she gave them a smile.
Zania

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03 April 2003 (2:38pm)

Sliding into the booth next to Zania and Damian, Raeyn sat a little stiffly and sipped at her wine. After hearing about Taeadra’s shared hangover with her Warder, Raeyn wasn’t too terribly inclined to want to do something of the like to Matalina.

Sighing softly to herself, she started tracing idly in a patch of spilled wine, lost in thought.
Raeyn

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04 April 2003 (9:56am)

Taeadra’s eyes narrowed as she looked at Damian, “Yuval is lucky that I did not hang him from a tree and leave him there for the Trollocs….though I will thank him someday for seeing me safely back to the Tower. Beyond that he is nothing more than a little man to me!” Tae could not believe that anyone would think something was going on between her and Yuval….light the man was not right in the head.

Seeing that the men were not going to do much about getting more drinks she motioned a serving girl over to the table and ordered more wine for them and some ales for the men then turned her attentions to Andular, “So Andular, what brings you to Tar Valon this night?”
Taeadra

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08 April 2003 (10:37am)

Andular’s head swam as much from the feelings that Taeadra Sedai was causing in him as the ale the three men had consumed. Never in his wildest imagination would he have thought to see her here tonight much less have her come sit next to him. To have the beautiful Sedai next to him brought on mixed feelings of lust, excitement, guilt and nervousness. Hearing Bril’s name mentioned caused him to nearly jump up and run out of the inn right there and then, which he knew deep down would be in his best interest. Glancing at Damian and Luke he was aware of the other two Sedais causing them to squirm as well.

Suddenly Tae’s hand was on his leg and she winked at him. “So what Andular, what brings you to Tar Valon this night?” He shivered as her hand gently traced its way up his leg. “Bbbb-rought me to ttown?” he stammered. Tae smiled at him seductively. “Yes to town, you know to this inn?”

The temperature in the inn seemed to be rising as he waved for another round of drinks and he tried unsuccessfully to ignore her probing hands on his leg. “Ummmm, well it is like this Taeadra Sedai, we ..I mean us three..well we, that is wanted to just unwind.” Tae chuckled either at his nervousness or his red cheeks he could not tell.

As he sat there looking into her eyes a small thought in the back of his mind was screaming at him to push her away and run like the dark one was after him back to his room. Try as he might however he could not bring himself to break away from her beautiful eyes.
Andular

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08 April 2003 (2:23pm)

Damian enjoyed watching Andular getting suprised by Tae. He had never seen the man suprised and uncomfortable this way before. But he had to do something to save him… even if for a second. Men had to stick together against women… right? He didn’t know.. he was drunk.

“Speaking of unwinding…. we all seem a little low on drinks….” He looked down in his glass… yup… he was empty. “What does everyone want?”

He took everyone’s order and made his way over to the bar. He ordered up…. well… what he thought he remembered everyone saying they wanted. He wasn’t too sure… he wasn’t even sure if the bar was staying still… but he knew he could still stand… and walk… he thought. He grabbed the drinks and made his way back to the table….

He got there and then… almost spilled them all over everybody… almost… but he caught himself and was able to deliver the drinks to the table. “Ok… who ordered…… the brown drink…”
Damian

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09 April 2003 (10:31am)

Taeadra held Andular’s gaze until Damian returned to the table with more drinks for everyone. Her fingers still danced up and down his leg, and her eyes were filled with mischief and an intense attraction. She wasn’t sure if Damian had truly wanted to get drinks for everyone, but she suspected not. It was as if he was trying to distract her somehow, but why, she did not know. Andular was a grown man, and didn’t seem to need any “saving” from what she could see.

Turning her attentions from Andular for a moment, she decided to see if she could distract Damian, “Raeyn, did you know that Damian here spends nearly as much time with his face buried in a book as you do?” She smile encompassed her entire face, she knew at the mention of books that Raeyn would be drawn in, if only momentarily, but that would be enough for her purposes. “He is a student of Me’Arearth I believe. A discipline of the mind as much as of the body is it not Damian?” She hoped that Raeyn would draw him into a conversation as to what he studied, if anyone in the Tower knew more about the books that filled the library than Raeyn, Tae had yet to meet them.

She leaned over to Zania then, her hand still not leaving Andular’s leg and whispered to her. She was hoping that perhaps Zania would distract Luke before he thought to interupt with her and Andular. With a small wink to her good friends, she turned back to Andular.

She leaned in very close to him, her lips close enough to his ear that he was sure to feel each breath she took. A throaty whisper eminated from her as she spoke to him, “If it is unwinding you seek Andular, I am sure that there is something that would appeal to you much than sipping ales with these two boys.” She put an emphasis on the last word to leave no doubt in his mind that she felt he was anything but a boy. Her eyes danced and sparkled as he swallowed hard, then brought his mug to his lips and took a long drink of his ale…..
Taeadra

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10 April 2003 (10:50am)

Damian had to think hard for a second. What was his discipline again? And did he read books? He wasn’t sure so he took another drink… ahhh, yes, that hit the spot. Now he remembered..

“Yes… I study … something like that… called…. Mer’wreath… yeah… thats it… and yeah.. I read a lot of books… usually about battles and phystics. Yeah… after reading those phystttttic books… I think I can almost make one of those cantapult dealies… I think…” He had to take another drink. The woman sitting next to him was kind of cute though… yes… yes she was.
Damian

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10 April 2003 (4:37pm)

In the back of Luke’s mind he was concerned about what Andular might be getting into, but he figured that Andy could take care of himself. The rest of him was bored, and boredom did not usually lead to wise decisions for Luke. Leaning back in his chair, he began spinning his staff in his hand behind him. Luke manipulated the staff as easily as if he had been sober, but his balance on the chair was in danger.
Luke

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10 April 2003 (6:43pm)

Zania sipped on her wine trying to drink lady like in front of the men. She watched as the one spinning the staff leaned more dangerously far back in his chair. She wanted to say something since she knew Tae wanted her to keep this one distracted. “You should watch yourshelf……..Luke? yesh Luke you are about to…” Before she got the rest out he fell back.

She giggled as she watched his face as he hit the floor thinking it was the most hilarous thing she had ever seen.
Zania

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14 April 2003 (11:02am)

Zerah felt slightly dizzy. It had been building for the last few hours, and now it was starting to annoy her. It was Damian. He was getting drunk. Eventually it got all too much for her, so she put on her cloak and followed the bond to where Damian was. As she walked in she stopped for a moment. Right in front of her eyes was Damian and two other men she did not know, plus Zania, Taeadra and Raeyn. Zerah shook her head and walked over. “Well hello all. So this is where you’re at. Damian,” she turned to her Warder. “I’ve been having this slight dizziness all day, and i thought you might explain why.” She arched her eyebrows at him. He looked quite puzzled at her being there. When he didn’t answer she couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh whatever. I’m gonna have a major hangover tomorrow anyway, from the way you’re pouring down those drinks.” And with that she waved for the serving maid and ordered wine for herself and another round of ale and wine for the others. “Oki.. so what’s up?”
Zerah

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14 April 2003 (4:27pm)

Zania giggled at the face Damian made when Zerah started to in on him. She was sure the Blue would give him a good slap for getting drunk. When she sat down and decided to join them Zania was a bit surprised but then smiled and passed over the wine. “Welcome Zeeerah it’s always good to see old friends.” She toasted to the Gray and then gluped down her wine.
Zania

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14 April 2003 (4:41pm)

Looking up from the table, she nodded to Zerah Sedai as she joined their group. Despite the fact she hadn’t had terribly much to drink, she felt extremely off-balance this eve. Sipping on her wine, she turned her attenteions back to Zerah’s Warder.

“Now, What is this of books? Interesting fields of study, I must say!” Smiling warming, she scooted closer to Damian, even though everyone was pretty tightly packed at the table already. “I can understand the physics, surely, considering that some of what you mentioned would enable those fighting with you to have a better chance of survival..” she continued to natter on in the traditional Brown fashion until she realized that others at the table were looking at her a little oddly. Blushing, Raeyn buried her face in her wine to hide what was probably the beginning of a mild blush.
Raeyn

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14 April 2003 (4:48pm)

Zerah looked at Zania with a grin and poured down the second cup of wine. With Damian’s drunkenness it didn’t take long before she, too, was feeling the effects. “Soooo…” She looked at the table for a while. “Ah.. i can’t remember.” She shook her head. “Yes! Now i remember. Do you think that if a Warder is drunk.” She looked at Damian. “And his Aes Sedai gets drunk.” She pointed at herself. “Then are they double-drunk? And if so. Will they get a double-headache in the morning, or will there be a way to make only the Warder have it? Is there a weave or something?” The others looked at her incredously. Especially Damian started to look worried. She arched her eyebrows at them, and when she realized that her cup was empty, grabbed Damian’s and gulped down what was left there. “Really though. What do you think?”
Zerah

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14 April 2003 (5:09pm)

Damian didn’t think he had ever seen Zerah drink…. Of course he still wasn’t sure if that was what he was seeing… He was trying to pay attention to the brown… going on about all this book stuff… and he even tried to soak it in… but he knew the alcohol was pushing it away… he was almost gone when suddenly something almost sobered him up completely… what was it? Zerah mentioning getting him doubly drunk.

“Uhhh… yeah… can’t happen.. really! So no reason to even try. Besides, I am sure you will want to do plenty of work tommorow… See… already sobering up myself. Barmaid! Can I get a water!” He had a feeling though that it didn’t matter… she was going to figure this out… ahhh… thats why he agreed to bond her… such a sweetie…

“Screw it.. and another ale…”
Damian

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15 April 2003 (12:59pm)

“If it unwinding you seek Andular, I am sure there is something that would appeal to you much more than sipping ale with these two boys.” Taeadra whispered into her hot breath on his ear sent shivers up his spine and caused the hairs on the back of his neck to stand up.

Suddenly there was a large crash causing him to jump as Luke toppled over in his chair. The Sedai talking with him laughed as he regained his chair with an embarrassed look. The momentary distraction caused Tae to move her hand and Andular quickly scooted his chair as far from her as possible, unfortunately that was still in easy reach of her hands. Just as she turned her attention back to him with a wicked smile another Sedai approached the table.

Draining his entire glass of ale in one swallow Andy listened as she was introduced as Damian’s bond holder. Putting both elbows on the table he leaned forward and pretended to listen to the conversation while trying to avoid eye contact with Tae.

His mind was clouded from too much ale and he thought of an excuse to leave quickly but none came as he noticed Tae looking at him as she scooted her chair over closing the small gap he had created. “Light,” He thought to himself “But she is beautiful.” Shaking his head he chided himself. “I must not let her seduce me.” He whispered as he made himself think of Bril.
Andular

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15 April 2003 (8:45pm)

When he moved his chair away, Taeadra regarded Andular from the corner of her eye. Going to play hard to get are you? she thought…..so be it. The game was on in her eyes, he was proving to be a challenge, but one that she was more than interested in playing for.

She let him have his space for the moment, while she greeted Zerah. It had been sometime she had seen her, and though that trip had started out peacefully enough, it certainly hadn’t ended the way any of them would have liked. Though they each still had their lives, and that was enough to be thankful for. She and Zerah shared a knowing look, but then Zerah zeroed in on Damian….from the look in the Gray’s eyes, Damian was in for trouble and Tae was glad to be around to see it. (*weg*) But she had a game of her own to be concerned with and it was time she got to it in earnest.

She gave Andular a sideways glance, he looked to be trying to hide himself between his arms…and such arms they were. Even with the coat he was wearing covering him up, she could still see the outlines of muscles that had been honed over many years of hard work. As she scooted her chair closer to Andular the image in her mind of those arms being wrapped around her caused a small moan to escape her. Thankfully soft enough she hoped no one else had heard it…except Andular. He must have for he tried to stare the handle right off his mug. Let the game begin

She reached her hand out and lightly placed it on his chin, turning his face toward hers. “Is it the ale causing you to be so quiet…..or do I just make you nervous?” The corners of her mouth drew up in a slow smile, and her eyes gazed deeply into his as she leaned in closer and placed a finger over his lips just before he could speak, “I assure you, there is nothing to be nervous about Andular. I don’t bite…unless you want me to.”
Taeadra

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28 April 2003 (3:21pm)

He looked over at Zerah, with her mug of ale drinking away. He had resigned the fact that he was going to have one heck of a headache tommorow and so continued his drinking, figuring he might as well earn it. He was well lost in his drink when he heard a few words spoken over the hubbub of the inn.

“Hey.. yeah… bite him Tae… I bet we would all love that show…” For some reason there was a voice in his head telling him to shut the heck up right there and right now… but the alcohol was causing even that voice to be slurred and unintelligable… so he just kept right on babbling…

“In fact… hey.. I want to be bitten too! Any takers? Zerah?” He probably had the dopiest grin on his face.. but he just couldn’t help it….
Damian

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28 April 2003 (7:19pm)

Zania sat slighty sobering up as she watched Tae tease the poor Warder. She looked around the table and tried not to fall off her chair. “So Zerah you have certain interests in this warder of yours or is he a free man?” She hiccupped after she spoke as she smiled sweetly at Damian as she tried to scoot a bit closer to him.
Zania

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29 April 2003 (10:41am)

Taeadra nodded to Damian, “Why Damian, I think that is the most clear headed thought you have had all night.” Without giving Andular a chance to react to Damian’s challenge, she leaned in close to him and bit him ever so playfully on the neck. As she did so one of her hands slipped across the back of his neck while the other resumed it’s place high on his leg.

She didn’t pull her face away from Andular though, instead she moved up closer to his face and whispered in his ear as she brought her hand from behind his neck to trace around his ear, “I don’t believe you ever decided whether or not you needed a distraction Andular dear. Afterall, you aren’t going to let Damian have all the fun are you?” She could see Zania scooting in closer to Damian, who now looked like a mouse corned by a cat….he just didn’t know how clever a cat it was………
Taeadra

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13 May 2003 (10:44am)

Her warm breath on his ear sent a shiver up Andular’s spine, swallowing hard he pushed his chair back and stood up. “With all due respect Aes Sedai, you are quite beautiful and I am sure a catch most men would not be able to pass up.” Grabbing his tankard and draining the last of his ale he exhaled sharply as Tae stared at him.

“I however do have to decline your advances, my heart and body are already spoken for and I would appreciate it if you would respect my wishes and find another to fulfill your needs.” Not waiting for a response Andy quickly walked to the bar and ordered another round of ales nervously looking over his shoulder while he waited for them.
Andular

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15 May 2003 (2:39pm)

Decline my advances? Well this is interesting….

Taeadra watched him walk over to the bar to order another round of drinks. She was not accustomed to people declining her for anything, and she was deciding just what to do about this. Excusing herself from the table, Tae made her way to the bar where Andular was standing. Folding her hands underneath her breasts she arched her eyebrow and fixed him with what could be considered the epitomy of a White Ajah stare, “So tell me Andular Rojvas, if you are spoken for as you say, why wait so long to say anything to me? Is it that you just like to play games with women…or is it that you really aren’t spoken for? If it is the former, I’m sure you lover would find that very interesting, but if it is the latter….well that could be a fun game. As for fullfiling my needs, perhaps you are right, there are many others I could direct my advances toward. However, I am very particular about whom I wish to advance upon.”

He didn’t turn to look at her at all, but she could see him swallow hard before answering her. “As I said Aes Sedai, I am spoken for…I assure that is the truth. As for playing games, no, I had no intentions of playing any games here tonight. It seems though that you are very good at playing them. Now please, I have asked you once to direct your advances elsewhere…I am asking you again to do so.” Grabbing the drinks he had ordered, he brushed past her quickly. Taeadra smiled at him as he did so……she was very good at games, and she had yet to truly begin playing them. He did seem very sincere about what he had said though…perhaps she would leave him be, but first she wanted to know just who this other woman was.

Tae walked slowly back to the table, examining the other men in the inn…but none were what she was looking for. Pity Andular won’t play along, even for just a night, she sighed to herself. Taking her seat again Tae looked at Damian, suspecting that he had had enough to drink he would tell her what it was she wanted to know. “Damian, Andular here tells me that he is spoken for body and heart.” Damian nodded, “Oh yeah, Brililin.” As soon as he had spoken the words, Damian looked at Andular apologetically.

“Brililin….how very interesting Andular. She is not at all what I would have expected for you. I had the pleasure of meeting her once before, nice girl even if a tad on the….intense side. But perhaps that what you require, seems you have a thing for strong women. I wonder just what she would have to say about this evening.” From the looks of the three men, Tae knew that Bril’s reaction would be just as she had suspected it would. “Perhaps I can strike up a conversation with her next time I am in the Yards…I’m sure we could find something to talk about.” Tae had no intention of speaking with the girl….but the look on Andular’s face was worth letting him think that she just might…….
Taeadra

A Sweet Surprise! Wedge in Trouble (Asha, and the 3 AS)

06 March 2003 (7:52pm)

The Aes Sedai coughed as she walked by the small alcove that Wedge hid in. It’s shadow hid him well this late in the evening, the standlamps were lit, leaving a few good places to hide when needed. The leather tube strapped to his back tapped the wall and the plump Aes Sedai paused a second to look around before continueing her walk away from his hiding spot.

Wedge snuck from corner to corner, relying on all his stalking ability and stealth. He had grown up in the woods near his home first stalking animals for food, then bandits for defense. Most had never heard him come before his knife was in their throat. But he was not sneaking around the White tower to kill. No, he was not risking a fate worse than death to defend his family, but for love.

Sliding silently down a hall, he found the room that he was looking for. He had promised a novice some linen from Tar Valon for this information, it better be right. Ever so slightly, Wedge knocked on the door, perring each direction for anyone who might see him. No answer. The door opened quietly and he snuck in.

Ashanda’s scent was stuck in the room, she could not have been gone long. He quit thinking of her and continued with his task. unstrapping the tube, he opened the top to revel green stems. Pulling on the stems, a full bouquet of fresh roses popped out. ‘Boy these cost a pretty penny’ he thaught to himself, ‘I hope Ashanda likes them.’ Turning the tube upside down, he placed it on the writing desk and the flowers into the tube.

Next phase: Wedge reached into his pocket removing the sealed envelope. Shaking his head…”no this is too much, too forward.” realizing stealth was needed, he shut up. Shaking his head, he began to put the letter way, then back out. After some fighting with himself, Wedge finally placed the letter against the flowers, with his familly seal of a Heron in Flight facing out. He thaught about what Ashanda would read when she opened the Letter:
—-

My Dearest Ashanda,

I have always believed that when one sees somthing they want, they should go straight for it. An item, or an idea, or a victory, the only path is a straight line to it, with dedication and perserverence. Since I met you I cannot bring myself to say how i feel. When I am near you, all I have ever thaught changes, and I flounder away my time just to be near you. I cannot just take what I want from you, nor would I want to. There is no straight line to your heart Ashanda, but i will take whatever path it takes to have it. You have changed my world Ashanda, and i hope you will continue to be a part of it for years to come.

Always yours,

Wedge Antilles
Son of Etrik Antilles
Son of Bail Antilles

—

Wedge was not sure if all the formality was needed, but it was the only way he could think of writting such a letter. He mentally thanks his mother for his lessons in writing and hoped Ashanda would like it.
Opening the door a crack Wedge peered out, then stuck his head out. All clear. Exiting the room, he turned to close the door with a click and spun around, bumping straight into 3 Aes Sedai who, Despite being much shorter than he, were staring down at him….
Wedge

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07 March 2003 (6:30am)

Raeyn was feeling a little harried after this day. She had spent the majority of it supervising her mentee Emyli cleaning in the Library, then had been stuck answering questions for various Tower petitioners after that. Hurrying up the stairs from the ground floor, she had spotted Taeadra, and sped up her pace to an almost run to catch up wit her.

“Taeadra? How goes it this day?”

They chatted amicably as the made their way up the stairs, and as they made their way through the Accepted’s Quarters, a male head popped out of a room right as they were almost upon it. Looking up, they saw another Sister coming from the other direction, and all three converged behind the male in question.

“What should we do about this?” Raeyn murmured to the other two Sisters.
Raeyn

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07 March 2003 (11:17am)

Tae was wandering through the Tower with no real purpose in mind, she’d spent the day meeting up with the other White Sisters and just checking in on them. The White ajah had never been known for it’s ‘friendliness’, and sometimes it was difficult to even get the White’s to talk to each other. But Taeadra had always tried to at least check in with them once in awhile, primarily to make sure they were all still there.

A familiar voice from behind her caught her off guard and she jumped a bit before turning to see Raeyn walking up to her.

“Taeadra? How goes it this day?”

She smiled warmly at her old friend, “This day is just like many others in the Tower, not enough Novices to torment and too much free time on my hands.” The both shared a laugh and continued through the Tower eventually ending up in the Accepted’s quarters just in time to see a male poke his head out of one of the girls rooms. Tae and Raeyn approached him just as another Sister, Kaylan Sedai was coming from the other direction. The three Aes Sedai looked the man up and down.

“What should we do about this?” asked Raeyn.

“What ever we do, it should not be pleasant for him. We certainly cannot let him get away with this, I wonder what his excuse for being here is.” Taeadra locked her cold eyes on him, “And just what exactly are you doing here?”
Taeadra

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08 March 2003 (2:13pm)

Wedge froze in their gaze. Nothing Aes Sedai… I Mean, giving a gift to my freind Aes Sedai.” Wedge wondered what next. The 3 Aes Sedai opened the door slightly and inspected the room, looking at the flowers and sealed letter.

“Friend is it? And where is this friend?”

Wedge was in big trouble. “Well, no Aes Sedai, more than a freind, i merely wanted to supprise her.” Wedge hoped that these Aes Sedai knew what it was like to be in love as they ushered him away….
Wedge

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09 March 2003 (7:39pm)

Ashanda stormed back to her room. She had never had a more horrible afternoon since she was a Novice. The nerve of that… that…. man! If Raekal got her kicked out of the Tower for his actions she would never forgive him. She slammed the door to her quarters open and dropped rather unladylike on her bed, her mind reeling with oaths she kept to herself. She sat up on her bed, thoughts of what she would do to Raekal if she ever got her hands on him again running through her mind. Though she was sure some were probably physically impossible they still calmed her down. It took her a moment to register that there was something different about her room.

Anger turned to alarm at first. Someone had broken into her Quarters. It wasn’t until she got up to investigate the items on her desk that the panic changed to another emotion. A smile crept across her face as she read the words in that letter. Wedge. Leave it to him to be the bright spot in her day. Gently grabbing up the roses, she gave them a sniff before picking out the one she thought was the most beautiful. Removing the stem and pressing it into her journal next to another flower, her smile grew wider. Then she placed the remaining flowers into a vase and lay back on her bed, all thoughts of Raekal lost to her daydreams of Wedge.

Suddenly, she decided to find him. This was something she wanted to thank him in person for and she didn’t want to wait and hope to meet him in town or around the Tower.
Ashanda

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09 March 2003 (10:54pm)

Kaylan was walking through the Accepted quarters, vaguely thinking of visiting Calia again, when she spotted a male figure ducking into a room. She walked toward it, seeing two sisters coming in the other direction. She nodded to the White and Brown, chatting amicably, when his head popped out of the room, checking the Halls. They put their heads together, wondering what he could be doing. Kaylan’s first thought – ‘A man in love’, was closely followed by a second – ‘a gray man’.
As he came out of the room, Kaylan thought she recognised him. What was his name? Wedge. A tower guard. And Calia’s intended Warder, if she remembered correctly.
“What ever we do, it should not be pleasant for him. We certainly cannot let him get away with this, I wonder what his excuse for being here is.” Taeadra locked her cold eyes on him, “And just what exactly are you doing here?”
“Nothing Aes Sedai… I Mean, giving a gift to my friend Aes Sedai.” He looked… twitchy. The 3 Aes Sedai opened the door slightly and inspected the room, looking at the flowers and sealed letter. Kaylan was suddenly glad, becuase it was better that option than the other. Still, while men were not expressly forbidden to enter the Accepted quarters, it was highly frowned upon. Taedra spoke again.
“Friend is it? And where is this friend?”
Wedge looked even more nervous, if that was possible. “Well, no Aes Sedai, more than a friend, i merely wanted to suprise her.”
Kaylan hid a small smile. He was outside Ashanda’s room, an aspiring green, if she remembered correctly. The girl was getting an early start on what it was to be Green. Nonetheless, it was not proper conduct for a tower guard.
She ushered him down the hall, out into the gardens, the other two Sedai still with them.
“Wedge, isn’t it?” The Tower gaurd nodded silently.
“Wedge, I am Kaylan Sedai, of the Green ajah. Now, I know what it is to be in love, and I know what it is to want to surprise someone that you love.” He seemed to relax a little.
“HOWEVER. That is no excuse, and will not make it any easier upon you. Tower guards have better things to do with their time than be writing love letters and picking flowers, yes? As such, we will be thinking of a suitable punishment. Please wait here for a moment.”
Kaylan looked to the other two sisters, and beckoned them a little way down th path.
“Well? I think it is… cute, in a way. But that is still no excuse. Accepted have better things to do than flirt with Gaidin, even if they are as… talented as he is. Still. He should have something better to do with his time, as should she. I wonder how long this has been going on? But, I leave the topic. What do you think we should do with him?”

Kaylan Sedai of the Green Ajah

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09 March 2003 (11:15pm)

Wedge made his best attempt at looking powerful and gaidin-like, though the aes sedai had a knack for making that less than usual. They stood huddled in a circle, talking, and peering at him. He hoped it wouldn’t be too bad.
Wedge

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11 March 2003 (12:12pm)

“Well? I think it is… cute, in a way. But that is still no excuse. Accepted have better things to do than flirt with Gaidin, even if they are as… talented as he is. Still. He should have something better to do with his time, as should she. I wonder how long this has been going on? But, I leave the topic. What do you think we should do with him?”

Cute was not a word that Taeadra would have used to describe it, though any thoughts of how “nice” it was for him to do something like what he had done had flown out of her head the moment she realized just what Accepted’s room he had been in. Ashanda Kisain…Tae had had the pleasure of running into the girl several times and thought that she still needed several lessons on what it meant to be Aes Sedai.

Ashanda had made it clear from the beginning that she intended to be raised to the Green Ajah, but Taeadra thought that no excuse for the behavior the girl had displayed since arriving at the Tower. The tales of her exploits were known by many of the Sisters.

Tae gazed at the Tower Guard, letting her ice green eyes peer right through him until he shifted a bit, then turned to Raeyn and Kaylan, “I agree Sisters, Accepteds have far more to do than attempting to win the affections of as many Tower Guards as possible….and the Light knows that Tower Guards have duties of their own. I think a lesson is in order here…a lesson that will remind this one that he is here to protect.”
Taeadra

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12 March 2003 (3:26am)

Kaylan watched as the White turned her cool gaze to Wedge. The poor boy was begining to sweat. Unfortunately, Kaylan had been out of the Tower for so long that she did not know much about the Accepted in question except for the fact that she was aspiring to the Green. After making Wedge squirm for a while, Taedra spoke.
“I agree Sisters, Accepteds have far more to do than attempting to win the affections of as many Tower Guards as possible….and the Light knows that Tower Guards have duties of their own. I think a lesson is in order here… a lesson that will remind this one that he is here to protect.”
As many Tower guards as possible? Perhaps she needed to speak to Taya or Mandi about this one…
Realising that none of the others was forthcoming with punishment ideas, Kaylan sighed and opened her mouth.
“Indeed, he must learn that he is here to protect. Thus, if it is agreeable to you two, I will take him as a ‘mock’-warder, for a time. Not to Bond, mind you, but to give him an idea of his proper duties. I must speak with this Accepted, also, but now is not the time. If you two agree?” Kaylan waited on the other’s responses.

Kaylan
Greenie

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12 March 2003 (11:44am)

Raeyn looked at Kaylan in a dubious manner, tapping a finger on her lip before responding, “I’m not sure if that would be the best for him, Kaylan Sedai. Greens DO have a tendancy to underwork their Warders, unless there is battle to be had.” She shrugged, then continued, “Perhaps he should take a turn with each of us, to get a feel of what else could happen to him. Each Ajah IS different, and those Warders bonded to the sisters of different Ajahs could probably say so as well. However, if you would like the first go in this, I can do nothing but agree with you. Taeadra? What say you?”
Raeyn

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12 March 2003 (2:42pm)

Raeyn’s idea intriguied Taeadra and a very faint smile grew on her lips as she spoke, though the smile was not nearly as wicked as the glint in her eyes, “Raeyn, I think you may have just found the perfect solution. I believe a week as each of our ‘mock’ Warder should suffice to teach him a lesson…or three.”

She walked over to where the Guard was standing and smiled at his attempt to make himself look larger. The smile she had was now gone and though he stood over a hand taller than her she tried to give the appearance she was looking at him eye to eye. She knew she was successful when he began to shift under her gaze.

The three women explained their ‘lesson’ to Wedge and dismissed him with instructions that he was to report to Kaylan first thing the next morning. After working out the details amoung themselves, Tae excused herself and walked toward the Gardens. Though the night air was cold and brisk, Tae was enjoying it. So lost in thought she became that when Raeyn sat down next to her Tae nearly jumped out of her seat. “Tae, I saw that look in your eye…what do you have planned for that poor boy?”

Tae smiled at her old friend, “Oh nothing, just a little fun…for me.”
Taeadra

The Threesome Reunites weg (Rae and Zan)

04 March 2003 (10:54pm)

Taeadra strolled idley down the streets of Tar Valon paying no particular attention to anything. She’d arrived early in town to stop by the dress maker’s shop she loved so much but had finished there long before she thought she would. One advantage of using the same shop is that they always knew what you wanted. Not that Taeadra varied much in her appearance, but still it was nice.

She was to meet Raeyn and Zania at The Bear and The Boar at mid day for a meal. It had been far too long since the three of them had found the time to get together, and she was really looking forward to this day.

Glancing up into the sky she could see the sun was nearly at the midday point and began her stroll to the inn. On the way she passed a merchant selling roses and couldn’t resist buying a few. She bought one each of them, in their favorite colors of course then continued on to the inn.

When she arrived at the inn, Zania and Raeyn were already there waiting at a table. She walked up to them and gave them each a hug and their rose, “It has been far too long since we have done this ladies! We must not let time slip by like this again.” Tae smiled warmly at both of them and took her seat…..

Taeadra

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04 March 2003 (11:04pm)

Raeyn had arrived at the inn early for lunch, and was suprised to find Zania Sedai already waiting.

Hugging the other woman, Raeyn exclaimed, “Light woman, how long has it been since we last spoke outside of the Hall?” Both laughed, and sat down to conversate.

Raeyn questioned Zania on the Red Ajah’s trip away from the Tower, and how this would effect others, and her feelings on the Hall’s meeting while they were away. Some arguement ensued, but it was of the friendly, bantering sort between good friends and long-time aquantinces.

The door swung open to admit Taeadra with roses in hand. “Did she meet a suitor in town on the way out here? Raeyn mused to herself, but was suprised to find that the dark red rose was for her. Another round of hugs insued, and then the threesome sat back down.

The innkeeper herself came and took their orders, reassuring them that all would be of the uptmost quality and general wishes for their health and enjoyment of their time in the inn. While waiting for the meal, they conversed on various fripperies, and general catching up.

Twirling the rose between her fingers, Raeyn looked up from the table and smiled at Taeadra, “When I saw the roses, for some reason I thought you might have taken on a lover, Taeadra! But then, how many sisters actually do nowadays?”

Raeyn Sedai

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05 March 2003 (11:42am)

“When I saw the roses, for some reason I thought you might have taken on a lover, Taeadra! But then, how many sisters actually do nowadays?”

“Light Rae!! Me a lover….well, that’s not a half bad idea.” Tae’s eyes danced with mischieviousness as she spoke, the idea of a lover had never entered into her mind in all the years she’d been at the Tower, though it had never stopped her from admiring men. “But do you think I could find one that wouldn’t be intimidated by White fringe on my shawl?”

They all shared a laugh at that comment, Tae had not been known for her….warmness but rather for a typical White attitude. Of course that wasn’t really who she was, it just served her purposes most times to act that way. Truth be told, the only ones who had ever seen anything but a cold, calm Aes Sedai behind her eyes were the two women sitting here with her.

Taeadra

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05 March 2003 (6:25pm)

Zania sat back and laughed at both Raeyn and Tae. She had missed both of them since things have gotten so hectic in the Hall and in her own ajah. Her smile slipped a bit when she thought about Arad Doman but she refused to let herself think about more.

“Hmmm a lover….. Raeyn you might have just planted an idea in Tae’s and my head.” She chuckled over the looks she received then called a serving woman over to them. “Wine please….and bring the jug.” She turned back the the other two women, “Since we are still waiting for our food we might as well drink a bit.”

Zania

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05 March 2003 (11:18pm)

“Perhaps just a little,” Raeyn murmured to Zania as the other woman poured out a round of drinks, “I try not to drink too much.. it seems to affect my Gaidin quite a bit as well, so.. I wouldn’t want to do that to Matalina.”

Taking the glass with a smile of thanks, she looked up at the other two women, “Lovers, eh? That could be a novel experience, I’m sure. Since I’ve been at the Tower, though, I do have to admit that I gave up any foolish girlhood fantasies of finding a man that could deal with having an Aes Sedai as a lover. Still, perhaps some among the Gaidin..” She trailed off as the food was brought.

Raeyn

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06 March 2003 (10:28am)

Taeadra took another sip of her drink, perhaps she would go easy on the drinking too. After all the last time she and Mariasha had got drunk they had done nothing more than pass the hangover through the bond to each other…though it had been a fun night.

“Hmmm….the Gaidin huh? There are quite a few of them that I would be willing to….entertain.” The smile on her face was filled with mischieviousness, “As a matter fact, I met one young Guard not long ago who was, well, shall we say, not bad on the eyes at all!!!”

Even Tae couldn’t believe the things she was saying, after all she had dedicated her life long ago to the Tower and the idea of having a man in her life was as far from her mind as leaving the Tower would be……but she had to admit…the idea of a ‘trist’ was intriuging………She took another long drink of her wine and thought on that…..

Taeadra

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06 March 2003 (5:28pm)

“A cute Gaidin, you say?” Raeyn chuckled, “Anyone I might now?”

Taking a small sip of her wine, she gestured with the cup in her hand, “Now, I’ve often wondered whether or not some of the other Sisters bond men because they are hoping for a bedmate, and not because of generic stereotyping that a male would do better in protecting… Out of respect I haven’t asked around, mine you, but still…” she stopped dead in the middle of her sentence as she finally noticed the wine had slopped out of her glass, and onto the cuff of her dress.

With a rueful grin, she picked up a napkin and began dabbing as best she could, “At least the wine matches the dress… But yes, do tell of this cute Warder, and if he has any friends!”

Raeyn

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06 March 2003 (6:22pm)

Zania giggled over Raeyn’s clumsiness then refilled her cup. She liked to hear the different stories about other Aes Sedai and their warders although she hide it well. She never regreted her ajah choice but then she did not limit herself to some of her fellow ajah sisters ideals either. With a laugh she leaned in , “Yes Tae and do give a description so next time I am in the Yards I will make sure to know him.” She smiled ruefully and took a sip of her wine.

*Now how many cups has that been two?* She thought as she waited for the tale about the Warder.

Zania

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07 March 2003 (1:09am)

Tae’s eyes danced over the rim of her wine glass as she looked at the other two women. Though no one else would have been able to see it, she knew that neither of them would miss the slight blush in her cheeks, they had known her far too long not to miss it. “A description you say? Well, light ladies I must admit I not soon forget his face. He was tall, and very young…newly raised to the Guard when I met him, black hair, brown eyes…he was from the borderlands if I remember my classes from our Novice days.” She was smiling now at the memory of that meeting, she’d been harsh on the man, but then there were few she wasn’t harsh to. “Had I not been so busy teaching a bit of discipline to an Accepted who had thought it funny to put horse dung in my slippers, perhaps I could have got to know him better…alas I’m afraid that as usual I let him get away.”

The three of them shared a laugh knowing that Tae did not let anything get away from her unless she intended it to be that way….

Taeadra

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07 March 2003 (6:50am)

Raeyn listened raptly to Taeadra’s discription of the young man, and chuckled, “So, an handsome man of the Borderlands, and a trouble-maker? Sounds like the sort of thing that one like us would need!” She had to supress a flurry of giggles… they had been less than perfect students and models of excellence when they had been Novices and even at the level of Accepted.

“I wish I knew of some hansome men to discuss,” Raeyn spoke with a bit of a wistful sigh, “I spend more time than any of you locked up in the Tower, and sometimes it feels like I leave the Tower every couple of years. Still, there is so much to be studied…” she trailed off, and shook her head of regrets, “I think we should go and meet this young man that Taeadra speaks of. And perhaps, if the Light shines on us, he will have some friends!” She did giggle then, and took a sip of her wine.

Raeyn

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07 March 2003 (7:25pm)

Zania gulped down her cup of wine and smiled over Taeadra’s description. She remembered the few Warders that she had known over her years at the Tower anc could not remember one that she had actually taken a liking to except for one. The thought of him made her blush a bit then she smiled.

“Well Tae, he certainly sounds handsome. We should go and see this Warder. And I feel Raeyn has has good suggestion about asking around for his friends.” She giggled with them then stopped suddenly and looked at her cup, “I think maybe I had bit too much of this.” She paused for a moment,”oh Light where is the jug I need a refill.” She pounded her cup on the table and grabbed the jug for more.

Zania

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12 March 2003 (7:19pm)

Though she tried to keep her face straight, she found it very difficult to do so and before long a wide smile had broke out on her face. “A Warder and his friends…Raeyn, I knew keeping your head buried in those books would pay off for us someday, that sounds like an outstanding idea.” She winked at Rae to let her know she was only joking, sometimes Taeadra’s humor was not well recieved by others, but the two women here knew her well enough by now. “However, we should at least eat first, I hear the food here is exceptionally good.”

Tae motioned for one of the serving girls but was surprised when the innkeeper herself arrived at their table to take their meal order. The innkeeper, Marawin she said her name was, nodded curtly to all of them as she lef their table. Soon after another jug of wine was brought over by one of the serving girls. Tae poured herself another another glass and had a drink of it before speaking again. “I can honestly say that when I asked you two here today I did not think it would lead to conversation as….interesting as we’ve already had.”

She felt like she was an Accepted again planning one of their many trips to the Warders Yard…….

Taeadra

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13 March 2003 (12:08pm)

Taking another glass of wine, Raeyn smiled at the other two women at the table, “Yes, this has been most interesting… almost like old times.. To think, that was what.. almost a hundred years ago?” Her smile broadened for a second, then she stared down at her glass.

Taking another sip, she mused almost to herself as she studied the surface of the wine, “Where does the time go, my sisters? One day we’re novices-to-be, gaping at the first site of Tar Valon, and the next we’re Aes Sedai, doing whatever calls us..” she looked back up, smile back on her face, and with a small laugh spoke, “But now, I am starting to sound as if I were a White sister like you, Taeadra! Still..”

She slipped back into silence as their meal was brought to the table. As Taeadra had promised, the food was excellent, and Raeyn began to eat her meal with much relish.

Raeyn

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15 March 2003 (12:43pm)

Conversation slipped into silence as their meals came and they began to eat. The food was absolutely wonderful and Tae knew she would be back here again…and again. It was nice to be away from the Tower…away from the tedious tasks she often set herself about.

“You know this really does remind me of times long past….light…long past at this point.” Tae still could’t believe that it had been nearly a hundred years since the three of them had been wearing the striped dresses…the time had just gone by so quickly. So many things had changed, yet so many things had remained the same. Raeyn was as Brown as she had ever been, each time she saw her friend in the Tower it was with her head buried in a book, or with ink smudges from head to toe…just as she had been when they had first arrived her. And Zania…Zania was still just as she had been, a typical Red in so many ways, yet there were times when Tae would look at her and still could not believe she had chosen Red..that wasn’t entirely true, it had seemed they all had known from the beginning that Zania would be Red Ajah.

With their meals nearly gone, Taeadra ordered more wine for them and they each sipped on another glass, how many they had had so far she couldn’t tell, but it was enough that she was feeling..well a bit more wild than usual. “You know Raeyn, when you mentioned going to try and find this Warder at first I was thinking it might not be the best idea. But now that I have thought on it some more I think it is an excellent idea. I’d like to see that face again….and well, perhaps persuade him for a little more?!” A nervous laugh escaped her, she could not believe she had just said that…yet…it seemed right, it seemed far over due for her, “So what you say we go and find him and hopefully some friends too.”

Taeadra

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23 March 2003 (12:19pm)

Zania feeling a bit mischievous gulped down the last of her wine then stood. “Well what are we waiting for? Lets go and have a bit of fun with your Warder friend…and his friends.” She laughs then waits for the other two.

Zania

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24 March 2003 (6:38am)

Standing up next to Zania, Raeyn shot her a slightly concerned look, shrugged it off, and was helping the beforementioned pull Taeadra up along with them. Settling with the innkeeper for their meal, they were soon thereafter off….

Raeyn

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This story continues in Three Sitting Ducks (Att: Damian and Luke)

Sing with me…”Getting to know you” ATTN: Maria

01 August 2002 (10:36am)

On the way to Tar Valon, not much was said. Taeadra was horrible at conversation and tended to stay quiet rather than say something stupid as she had been known to in the past. Arriving at the inn, Tae lead Mariasha in. She greeted the owner, who was a favorite of the Aes Sedai who frequented his inn. The man knew how to keep his distance and let those who came have their privacy.

“Mariasha, tell me a bit about yourself…” Tae inquired as they waited for their drinks…

Taeadra Sedai

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01 August 2002 (10:44am)

Mariasha, tell me a bit about yourself…” Tae inquired as they waited for their drinks.

Mariasha smiled, “Well, like most of the new initiates of the White Tower and the Warders, I came cause I didn’t want to be at home anymore. My mother was trying to marry me off to some merchant’s son, and I knew that I was destined for more than house and home, the occasional town holiday or dance…” she shook her head, then continued, “Father was a blacksmith, and since he had no sons, only me, I was allowed to hang out in the shop with him, and I learned how to make little trinkets, nothing more really. I always loved watching him make weapons,” she paused as the waiter brought them both pewter mugs of drink, “Thank you, goodman… now, where was I?” Taeadra prompted her, “Watching your father make weapons?” Mariasha grinned around the mug, “Thank you! Yes, I would watch father make things for merchant’s gaurds, and occasionally even one of the Queen’s Gaurds! We were not the best smithy in the City, but we worked hard… Now.. I know, I’m skipping around. Back to the point.. ” Mariasha paused again to wet her throat, “So, Mother wanted me to marry, I didn’t want to… so I took some daggers from the smithy and fled. After awhile, I made my way to Tar Valon here, and did some odd jobs for a bit… Finally decided to get my nerves up one day and come find out about becoming a Warder… and here I am today.” She took another long swig, then gestured towards Taeadra with the mug, “And you, Aes Sedai? What fortune of life brought you to the Tower?”

Mariasha

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01 August 2002 (11:18am)

Tae listened with interest as she sipped on her spiced wine. She could completely understand why Mariasha left her home, Tae knew that had she stayed with her parents she would have been married off also, and that would have been awful!

“And you, Aes Sedai? What fortune of life brought you to the Tower?”

“Frist, please call me Taeadra…I know that it’s ‘proper’ to call me Aes Sedai…but for now, let’s forget all about that. I don’t know that you would call my coming to the Tower a ‘fortune of life’. But then, perhaps it was.” Shaking her head, trying to forget all the hateful things her mother had said, Tae went on, “I was found in Baerlon around my seventeenth nameday by two Aes Sedai and brought back to the Tower to be tested. I went willingly, unlike many of the Novices I trained with. My family had tried to pressure me into staying with them to run the family inn, but I had always dreamed of Tar Valon. Though I never imagined I would actually be Aes Sedai one day. You see, my family and I were never close…I was always different from them. I couldn’t wait to be out of their house…out of their lives. I suppose I was destined for this part of my life.” Taking a large gulp of her wine, Tae went on, “I’ve been at the Tower for nearly 30 years now and it has become my life, the only one I know.”

Tae looked into her glass and saw that her spiced wine was nearly gone. Gesturing for the waiter Tae ordered another round for the both of them and went on. “Although I must say that being at the Tower was a much different experience than I would have ever imagined….it’s definitely not all the glamour I thought it would be.” A smile, the first real smile Tae had given in years, appeared on her lips…..

Taeadra Sedai

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01 August 2002 (11:59am)

“Different? How so, Taeadra? I know that novices and even Accepted tend to get into their share of trouble, but still… I guess it came seem glamourous… just like becoming a Warder… you hear about how elite and talented they all are, and something in a person just makes them want to be one.” Mariasha abruptly giggled, “I know that when I was a young girl I dreamt of becoming an Aes Sedai at times, like all girls do. Who wouldn’t want power at their fingertips? Still, I think that I made the best decision for myself… I can’t wait until I am picked to protect and serve… but considering that I’ve only been a Tower Gaurd for a short time, and that I’m female, most of the Accepted soon to be raised look right past me… I think a lot still carry dreams of finding a handsome Warder, marrying him, and having grand adventures. I know that this isn’t always the case though.” She paused and drained the rest of her wine… it was starting to get warm. Waving to the waiter, she ordered another round. Taking off her cloak, she continued, “Getting a little warm in here, yes? But yes, not all adventures. The Warder that trained me, Matalina Gaidin, is bonded to some Brown sister….. Ryan.. Raeyn? something like that… you know her?” Taeadra nodded, and explained for a bit. Mariasha nodded, the wine warming and fuzzing her, bringing up her level of camraderie, “Wow! I never knew that such a straight-laced seeming Brown Sitter could have gotten into so much trouble! I really thought that all Mat would ever get to do is haul books and such.” Laughing, she sat back and continued to work on her wine.

Mariasha

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01 August 2002 (12:33pm)

“Getting a little warm in here, yes? But yes, not all adventures. The Warder that trained me, Matalina Gaidin, is bonded to some Brown sister….. Ryan.. Raeyn? something like that… you know her?” Taeadra nodded, and explained for a bit.

“Oh yes, I know of Raeyn Sedai. We were novices together…even roommates. You would not believe some of the things we did back then. Why we even once dyed all of the Accepted’s hair bright red, to this day I hope none of them discover that it was us!”

“Wow! I never knew that such a straight-laced seeming Brown Sitter could have gotten into so much trouble! I really thought that all Mat would ever get to do is haul books and such.” Laughing, she sat back and continued to work on her wine.

“Oh no,” Taeadra replied, “Matalina will be in for more than just book carrying. Though I have been away from the Tower for quite a while now and it seems that Raeyn has settled quite a bit…but then with her new position it is required of her to be more..shall we say, mellow? But I know that deep down she will always be the same Raeyn to me.” Taeadra took the last swallow of her second glass and without even thinking ordered more. The room was definetly becoming warmer as Mariasha had said, but Tae was enjoying herself so much that she barely noticed. It had been a long time since she had been able to let loose like this.

“I cannot believe that the Accepted’s today are passing by on you just because you are a woman. Fools they are! Married to a Warder! HA! They should all remember that they are married to the Tower first and only. I myself would bond a woman…..as I know that the Warder’s would not let someone advance if they did not have what it takes to do their duty.”

Their drinks arrived and this time Tae did not sip..she simply gulped it all down and asked for another before the waiter left. As she looked at the woman across the table from her, an idea began to form in her head. Tae had always intended to bond a Warder, but until now, had not really felt like she had met anyone she could. But something about Mariasha, something Tae could not put her finger on, appealed to her. Perhaps it was the strength of character Tae could feel in her…or perhaps it was just the fact that Mariasha wasn’t like most she met who seemed to squirm around Aes Sedai………..

Taeadra

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01 August 2002 (12:48pm)

Mariasha’s ears perked up, “Really now, you would want a female Warder? I would say that you have more sense than most, but then at the same time, wonder about you. These, ” she punctuated her pause by pulling out her daggers and stabbing them into the tabletop, “are my weapons of choice, and beyond that, I have moderate ability with a quarterstaff. If I were to be picked by anyone, they would have to know this, that I am not some sword-swinging hero, and would prefer that a situation where we needed to fight never occured.” She smiled rogishly, “but if the need arose, I would defend with honor and life… what more could a person want?”

Supressing a sudden giggle, Mariasha summoned over the slightly-annoyed waiter again, “Another round, please, and some food as well… I think I smell some mutton back there.”

Mariasha

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01 August 2002 (2:17pm)

“Another round, please, and some food as well… I think I smell some mutton back there.”

Tae tried to compose herself..though it was getting more difficult with each drink, and ordered some food also. Having been so enthralled with the conversation, she had just realized that she was hungry, famished as a matter of fact.

As they waited for their food, Tae sipped more wine and looked at the daggers protruding from the table and smiled slightly at the looks of some of the other patrons. “You may wonder about me, but while you do there is one thing you should know…sword-swinging heros were never my forte. I am White Ajah…and have very little patience for those who only wish to see their names in history books. Loyalty, honesty, and companionship…those are the traits that I would look for. Someone who would, as you say, defend with honor and life…this is what a Warder should be..this is what you were trained for.”

Their food arrived and both woman ate as if they had been starved for ages…most likely due to the amount of wine they had comsumed. Being a little bolder than she normally was, Tae decided to ask Mariasha a question, “So, now I have told you what I require in a Warder, tell me what you are looking for in an Aes Sedai.”

Tae’s eyes sparkled at the look on Mariasha’s face…it was obvious she wasn’t expecting to be asked that. But as the night wore on, Taeadra was becoming more and more impressed with the woman sitting across from her…perhaps…………..

Taeadra

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01 August 2002 (3:34pm)

“What am I looking for in an Aes Sedai, Taeadra? I never expected for anyone to actually give me that option.” She smiled at the other woman, “Basically, a good companion. No matter who I bonded, that would be my foremost desire. I know that I’d prefer a White, like you, or maybe a Brown sister.. someone that I can talk to, and perhaps someone to help me learn the idiosyncrasies of this world… I’m still young and impetous, and I can’t claim to know that much of anything… ” Mariasha started doodling on the table from a puddle of spilt wine, then suddenly looked up at Taeadra, “I think that perhaps, we are overlooking the fact that we contain a mutual interest here.. that, or we’re too silly to mention it. What do you think?”

Mariasha

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03 August 2002 (10:46pm)

“I think that perhaps, we are overlooking the fact that we contain a mutual interest here.. that, or we’re too silly to mention it. What do you think?”
Mariasha asked.

“I think you’re right…about both!” Taeadra laughed, “so, now I think it’s time to mention it. Mariasha, would you like to be bonded to me? I can promise much talk and companionship, and I think that we would be perfect.” Tae swigged the rest of her glass, knowing that tomorrow she would feel each one, and waited for Mariasha to respond.
Taeadra

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04 August 2002 (1:59pm)

Smiling up from the rim of her glass, Mariasha spoke, “I think that it is a good idea… I think that I would enjoy protecting you.. and my first act would be to get us back to the Tower before we both fall over.

Standing up and steadying herself on the edge of the table, Mariasha held out a hand to aid Taeadra up.

Mariasha

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04 August 2002 (2:25pm)

Tae took Mariasha’s hand, then arm, to steady herself as they made their way toward the door. As they walked through the streets of Tar Valon, the two woman continued to learn more about each other…their conversation did not end until they had reached the White Tower.

“Mariasha, meet me tomorrow in the Tower gardens…..I’m not much for the large bonding ceremonies that many of the Sisters have and there we may find quiet.”

They said goodnight to each other, and Tae made her way to her room in the White Quarters where she fell on her bed hoping that tomorrow her head would not feel like she feared it would!

Taeadra