Tales After Dark [Attn: All Novices, Soldiers, and Drin!]

[Hannah]

Eveayla paled as the last story came to a close. She felt a shiver run up her spine and scooted closer to the flickering flames. She wasn't scared, after all, she had told an equally scary tale herself, but the thought of that happening to someone made her shudder. She didn't want to think about what a knife felt like...

Her dark eyes lighted on the nearest Drin. They were studying to be Warders -- did that mean that they had felt a knife drawn across their own skin at some point? Had they been hurt in the process? If they were supposed to protect Aes Sedai, they must be very brave. Warders faced Shadowspawn directly, or grappled with Darkfriends. What if their Aes Sedai was incapacitated? Injured? Her mind flew to the lecture she'd heard earlier today about types of Shadowspawn, and conjured up the illustration of Myrddraal that had been posted in the front of the room. Terrifying. If she became Aes Sedai, she was definitely going to have a Warder.

Before she knew what she was saying, the words were out of her mouth and traveling freely to the Drin.

"Aren't you afraid, of being a Warder? Wouldn't it be easier just to be a Soldier in the city guard, or a merchant's guard, if you want to learn the sword?"

[Cat]

Johan

Johan had been staring in the fire, not particularly listening, and that was the reason why, for the second time that night, he jumped. He turned to look at who had spoken and raised an eyebrow, wondering just what had triggered the question. The Novice was not someone he recognised, but then he barely knew anyone outside the Warder Yards. Well, he barely knew anyone in there, too. That was part of the reason why he had come here: to try and make some new friends. Sometimes he missed those he had left behind.

“Am I-?” He paused. Yes, he was terrified of being a Warder, but not because of the threat of risking his life and/or dying. The thought of being attached to someone for the rest of his life, unable to hide his emotions and feelings, never able to truly escape, was what terrified him. He was never going to let it happen to him.

…Of course he wasn’t going to admit any of that. Instead, he simply shrugged his shoulders. “They offer some of the best training here. A soldier or a merchant’s guard would never be able to compete. Warders are Warders because they are the best fighters around, and I want to be one of them.”

[Jenny]

Posting to reserve.