This is Where a Clever Title Goes [Attn: Pretez d'Grayson Gaidin]

[Bella]

For the daughter of a woman who had placed a rod of storms inside an enemy's body, then made it and him explode... Well, such admissions were not easy to put her off. There were a few things that would have offended her to unreasonable conclusions, but a grudge against the Whitecloaks? No, not that. Though she liked that it seemed to concern him, what she thought.

"You join the ranks of many here then," she said simply. "None here have a heart for that group, certainly, and more have a similar malice."

The breeze picked up then and a leaf blew from one of the trees, landing in her lap. She picked it up by the stem and twirled it thoughtfully, seeing that it was still green but showing color around the edge. The season was changing, and soon would bring with it a chill. Not that she minded, of course. This was actually her favorite time of the passing years.

Recalling an earlier question, she shifted her eyes back to him. "You may call me Sadira if you wish," she said with that faint smile returning before holding the leaf up and blowing it away. "I generally do not worry the honorific when I am among my peers here in the Tower, and should we indeed spend more time together, being called 'Sadira Sedai' all the time could grow wearisome."

"Have you seen much time in the borderlands?" she asked after a moment. "As a Blue, I have cause to travel all over, but I am Shienaran and Saldean, so I do find myself drawn to those lands to help right the place where my blood hails from."

[Prew]

Watching her twirl the leaf, Prewtez could not help but wonder at the woman's thoughts. She easily dismissed his hatred of the Whitecloaks as common place. He could not guess at her age and would never presume to ask, but she struck him as someone who had done much and seen even more. Her question about the borderlands, for example, made him realize just how limited his life experiences had been. At the same time, he felt more relaxed than he imagined possible given the circumstances, and willing to make confession he would have kept from most.

“As for myself, until coming here I had never been outside the borders of Andor,” he admitted, “Well, unless you count an occasional raid into Murandy. I realize there have been some, uhm, disagreements over territory to the north but I spent my military career exclusively in the south. My lack of travel is one of the reasons I am here, and having this discussion with you. I imagine you have traveled widely during your lifetime, no? Perhaps you could help me understand just what it is you, as a Blue, do on these travels. Would you care to describe a 'wrong you righted'?”

He hoped she would not be put off by his ignorance in such matters.

[Bella]

The question was certainly not offensive, although she was more used to it coming from young men and women weighing their options and wondering if the Blue Ajah would be a good place for them or not. "Yes, I travel a great deal. Like I said, I spend a good deal of time in the Borderlands, but I've been almost everywhere in the Westlands."

The question of wrongs that have been righted... She thought back. Much of her time had been spent in the Tower walls of late, it seemed. Perhaps her mother was right. She needed a warder, and she needed to get out... Not that she would ever tell her mother that, because, well, mothers and daughters and all that.

"Every Blue is different, but most of us find ourselves as ones to the tasks that fall in between the Green and the Grey. We are often advisors to people in positions of power--nobles, royalty, magistrates. I myself have advised though I was never keen to take the role on a long term basis, only called in on specific circumstances where I could offer my wisdom, my knowledge of land and history, and determine a good course.

"Unlike the Greys, I do not purposely seek a peaceful resolution. I seek a just one. The line is thin, blurry, but no less real. I've sat by the side of magistrates determining trials, and I've ventured into towns with troubles that required violence. Sometimes I have determined that kind for kind is the best choice.

"I've helped discover criminals, even, and delivered them to the law." She paused. "None of that was terrible specific. Did you want something more exact, or does that help?"

[Prew]

Given his upbringing, Prewtez was certainly familiar with the ways of 'people in positions of power'. He had often watched his father struggle with the problems of overseeing a Noble House, though the man had eschewed using 'one of those witches', as he called them, as an advisor. What would the man think if he knew his son was now seeking service with such a person? Not that Prewtez gave a bloody hoot what his father might think.

“No, Sadira, your answer suffices,” a smile spread across his face, “I share your preference for justice.” After all, was it not justice he himself sought killing White Cloaks for the death of his betrothed? Or putting to the sword those Murandians who committed murder and pillage on Andoran homesteaders? He certainly would not hesitate to use violence when necessary.

“Do you currently have a warder, or were your own abilities sufficient for the tasks you've described?” he knew that some Greens had multiple warders but wasn't sure if other Ajahs engaged in the practice as well. “I would be honored to accompany you on your next journey if you required such a travel companion.” Thinking again of the Yellow he had escorted, he knew that bonding was a major, almost irrevocable, step. “It might help us decide if we were right for each other,” Light but he suddenly felt sheepish, “That is, if you are considering taking a new warder.”

OOC:In a future post I intend to mention Natlya, who Prewtez lost contact with due to his extended absence.

[Bella]

As she listened to him with a strong trace of that famed "Aes Sedai Serenity," she idly wondered if worked this hard to be clear with everyone, or if she intimidated him. He wouldn't be the first that had been by her, for any number of reasons, and she didn't judge anyone for that. The reputation of the title Aes Sedai alone was enough.

"I have only ever been bonded once before," she said, determining her words with care and a faint smile. It could still be difficult, talking about Scerai. "He died some time ago, though, and I have been without a warder since. Despite the insistence of those near to me, particularly my mother." Sadie laughed quietly. "She may be right, though. So yes, I am considering it. Or, at least, open."

Pausing, she riffled through the papers of her memory. "In fact, I am due to depart the Tower in three days' time. My presence has been requested, not of great urgency but some potential for trouble. I will tell you more if you are interested and able to attend? I know that it is short notice."

OOC: No worries. Life happens! He can always track her down now. She's come a long way.

[Prew]

To be away from the Tower again, to have a chance to redeem himself after his previous failure, was there any doubt as to his answer? Prewtez considered the woman before him, taking a few moments before blurting out an answer like some overly anxious Drin. She had mentioned her mother several times, the woman must have been a strong influence in Sadira's life. Did the Aes Sedai simply assume he knew her mother's identity? Did it matter? Not a whit, actually. Her mother could have been the Amyrlin Seat herself for all he cared. Here was his chance, a chance to actually achieve the goal he had set for himself those many months ago, when he had been seeking a new purpose in life.

“'Interested'? I would be honored to escort you, Sadira Sedai,” somehow the honorific seemed appropriate at the moment. She had been bonded before, had lost a warder. From what Prewtez understood, this was a most painful event in the survivor's life. The fact that she seemed to actually be considering taking that path again... would he impress her enough for that? Time would tell. For that matter, was she one with whom he would seek to bond? A mission together seemed an appropriate way to find out.

“There is one thing, though,” he paused for a moment, “I need to check on someone, a young Drin... at least she was when last I saw her. Supposedly I am her mentor.” He wondered what had become of Natlya. A cantankerous young thing if his memory served, one not apparently eager for guidance. Still, he owed it to himself, to the Master of Soldiers, and, mostly to the girl herself that he at least check on her progress.

“But that should not take too long. Rest assured I shall be more than ready in three days time. Now, might I ask where it is we shall be going?” And what she would be doing once there? Not really his business, he assumed. His job would be to see to her safety above all else.

[Bella]

Sadie felt conflicted by his acceptance, although generally pleased. She hadn't been traveling with a warder who wasn't her brother in a very long time, and the idea of traveling with one she might consider bonding... Well, the idea was a little frightening, but she also acknowledged the wisdom and knew the Gaidin before her could be a candidate.

"We will be traveling to Kandor," she said and then offered a slight, wry smile. "As I mentioned, I'm oft in the Borderlands. There has been a dispute between two major merchant households in the capital. I have advised the head of one of these households in the past when traveling in the area, but am considered to be a neutral party.

"It has been requested that I attend upon them and sort out the dispute. They do not trust their own country's magistrates to be impartial, and the...feud, such as it is, has risen to violence. No one is dead, but there have been fights and some injuries. They do not want to see further escalation."