The Past Undying, Redeux [Attn: Ravak Darrow Gaidin]

[Bella]

Well...he managed to keep all of his clothes on in moments when all clothing was appropriate, so he was already ahead of Darien in many respects. She chose to not mention that part.

Miahala turned to look at him again, glad that he'd gotten over...whatever it was he'd needed to get over just a few minutes before.

"There are many people to be met in the Tower. It is perfectly understandable that we have not had such a chance before, but the feeling is mutual." She inclined her head slightly. "I would be glad for this as well, assuming my old friend is not about to send us to an early meeting with my second time around the deathbed."

See? Macabre.

She was pretty sure that Marwen was not about to send them off on some such, but one never did know. She had found her first death at the hands of a step-child in the basement of the Tower itself. Who could predict? Well...technically, she could. But only when the Pattern was kind enough to send her a warning Dream. Or a Foreteller could... Or...

Never mind.

"As for your daughter..." Mia laughed softly. "She is outspoken, but no apologies needed. You've met my kin and see where much of that comes from as well." She gestured slightly at herself. "None bear my maiden name, but the Sha'hal blood runs deep and it runs strong in every line it touches, no matter how distant in time from the original stream."

She hesitated before saying what came to mind next. It was a relief to see him relax, but his...earlier moments still made her wonder. It wasn't in her nature to apologize for much, but she did say as much as this... "I apologize myself if anything I have done has given you cause for...discomfiture." The words were offered with a faint smile.

The Green really wasn't sure why she felt compelled to say as much, nor did she want to cause him further discomfort, but she wished to say it and so she did.

[Craig]

Ravak

"No, not at all." The words were out of his mouth before he even gave her words consideration. It was more than fair to say that she was the cause of his discomfort, albeit not in a negative way. After all, it had been literally years since anyone had made him feel as alive as he felt now. Well, outside of his family. He had lived for Kaira, and in a way lived through Kaira, but his own life had taken a backseat as she was growing up. That was sixteen years of living with his personal life on pause, or only five if you ignored the lack of IC continuity between Ravak's timeline and Kaira's. After all, Rav was only in his thirties, not approaching fifty.

Still, even five years seemed like an eternity. Especially when the last time he'd felt anything had been with an ice queen slash Cairhienin prude slash Darkfriend. It really didn't bode when your dating history included Mirin and an Accepted you lost in the Waste. Oh, and your best friend's now ex-wife. Ravak really had shitty luck. So, knowing that, it really was unsurprising that he wanted to latch onto the first person to show him more than a passing interest.

"If you're not uncomfortable, then I won't be uncomfortable," he added. Rav thought that was a rather good Aes-Sedaish non-answer. What he really meant was that he was comment on anything she was willing to talk about, with regards to last night. And he rather hoped she was happy to talk about it, just in case there was a possibility of a repeat performance tonight. And even if she isn't, she's still a Green without a Warder. Very few Greens stayed 'single' for long...

[Bella]

Somehow, she didn't quite believe him. Well, not that she didn't believe him, but knew more than to take the words themselves at face value. She knew for sure that she had caused him discomfort, but perhaps it wasn't so bad as she might have thought. She still wasn't sure what had made him stammer so frequently, or even blush that one time...

Face it, that was a blush. She certainly wasn't going to ask directly about that part, of course.

The second half of his answer did make her give him a bit of a sideways look. That sounded like something she should have been saying, rather than a Gaidin. However, she took his words and nodded slightly. "I am certainly not uncomfortable," she said. Well, there had been that one moment of lapsing into memory, but that was a different matter.

Idly, she wondered why he wasn't bonded. Not every Aes Sedai could possibly have had the chance to witness a tent mishap like that, so that didn't seem like a good reason. Maybe he did not wish to? Some Gaidin did choose to remain at the service of the Tower on the whole. That seemed like the path Haeden was taking. Caden would've as well, had she not come along...

"I hope that you won't ever feel uncomfortable in speaking with me, especially...well, given the trip we're on," she added with faint warmth.

[Craig]

Ravak

He scratched at his skin hidden under his beard with his thumbnail. "No," he said in a drawn-out manner, "you're quite right." Feelings and hopes aside, their focus on this unknown task came first. Even now, Ravak should have been vigilantly scanning for signs of life, whether past or present. Instead he was paying attention to Miahala and not to their immediate safety.

Well, the ko'di would put down any conflicting passions when it came to dealing with Shadowspawn, if that was indeed the mission. But as for the rest of their time together, he still had to be a Gaidin first, and everything else second.

Ravak stopped scratching when he felt pain. That was as sure an indication as any that he couldn't just leave the awkwardness unaddressed. Time to outperform Darien, he thought glumly.

"I hope you don't think us being together last night was a mistake," he said without preamble. "I don't, so I hope you don't. And I also hope you don't think I'm normally this forward. Truth be told, I haven't been with anyone since Kaira was born."

Ravak watched Miahala closely for her reaction.

[Bella]

Her reaction was...nonplussed at first. Inwardly, a little surprised. Only a little. After having watched the path before them for a time, but generally trusting Seren to get them where they were going by some horse-ly magic, she turned back to the Gaidin. They were fairly close of a size, and Seren only a little larger than Impala.

Mia shifted the reins to one hand, reached across the space between them with the other and briefly laid her hand on his arm. She did not linger, because riding did need some attention even for her.

"Ravak," she said, "I do not think it a mistake in the least. I...quite enjoyed myself, and was reluctant to leave camp this morning."

Not since Kaira... That was a long time. She could not claim the same span since she had let Sojin go, but before that, there had been that span of some decades. Of course, being dead made amorous activities... Well. Yes. Still. In over a century and a half of life, the woman had only taken six men to her bed. That wasn't exceedingly forward either.

"I do not make such things any more frequent a habit than that myself, but I certainly feel no regret that either of us were a bit more forward than usual last night." She hesitated then, wondering whether she should admit the other part. "I would not regret were we to be so forward again." Apparently, she decided yes on that one.

[Craig]

Ravak

Ravak grinned as a palpable sense of accomplishment seeped into his bones. His mind buzzed with the promise of further time spent in Miahala's company once they were done with this journey. It could even be during this mission, assuming whatever assistance Marwen needed did not demand their instant attention. Yes, Shienar had its deep dividing line between men and women, but he had ways around that. Miahala could simply invite him in, that was the easiest way around it. As for other methods, that would just count as being forward, right?

With his concerns allayed, Ravak settled back to keep an eye on the path around them. There was, thankfully, still no sign of trouble. Snow-covered ground across low rolling hills stretched out towards the horizon. It would have been easy to grow bored of the sight, especially as he strained to avoid snow blindness, but he had more reason than ever to keep a careful vigil.

The sun was just beyond its zenith when the first signs of civilisation appeared. Ravak felt that odd mental gasp that occurred when you were suddenly forced down one of two alternative paths, and realised you wanted to stray the other direction instead. Other people meant the end of their curious personal connection, as they would be thrust back into the world of being Aes Sedai and Gaidin once again. Fortunately it was little more than a narrow road, but that did still imply that the Redoubt was close at hand.

"How do you want me to address you around the soldiers?" Impala's hooves grew stronger as he moved from snow-covered grassland to snow-covered stonework. "Miahala Sedai? Captain-General? Ma'am?" He grinned at the last, yet he was absolutely serious about maintaining the correct decorum around the other Borderlanders.

[Bella]

Mia resisted the urge to make a face at "ma'am," which was a word she had never liked using nor having used upon her. However, if pressed, she would not be able to explain why she didn't like it. Just that she didn't.

"Miahala Sedai will suffice," she assured him with a small smile. "I have played too many roles in the course of my life to worry about ones that may or may not remain in the future. I have been Captain-General at times, and then have worked side by side with the Borderlander soldiers when I wasn't. However, Aes Sedai is a title that has always remained true. Thus, I am preferred of it."

Duty lay on the road before them, and what had previously been a feeling just being flirted with now settled upon her. Just like the discussion of the title itself, the mantle of "Aes Sedai" and all its implications settled surely upon her shoulders. Almost as though it were a physical thing whose weight she had to bear.

Gradually, the road showed more and more signs of use and it was not long before the walls of Ketano's Redoubt could be seen ahead. They were not upon it just yet, but it would not be long and the weight remained.

Somewhere inside her, a woman wanted to turn around and just head back to camp. Remain there. She wouldn't of course, and she knew he would not shirk such duty either. Somewhere in the weight was a small anxiety that she rarely allowed herself to look at, let alone feel, which was the question: what would she find? Would this be what sent her to the grave again?

She did not fear death, and yet she did not wish it either. Self-preservation did remain an instinct she had, even if it didn't look like it to many, especially when she was in a fight.

When the Redoubt came more into view and the soldiers patrolling the walls could be seen, Mia suddenly brought Seren to a stop. It was a heartbeat more before Ravak and Impala did the same, and she looked at him to meet his curious gaze. It was an impulse, which she seemed to be feeding many of this trip.

"Thank you for coming here with me," she said, suddenly feeling better to not be facing whatever lay ahead alone, even though she had at first been entirely been prepared to do so. "I know it lay within the duty of a Gaidin, but it is none the less appreciated to have your presence and aid for whatever shall be found."

[Craig]

Ravak

"It's my honour." Fist over his heart, the Gaidin Captain dipped his head in respect. "You've granted me an opportunity to serve with both my countrymen and with my Tower." Resting a hand on his father's sword-breaker, he added "You've also given me hope and a purpose. So it is I who should be thanking you." Then he broke the solemnity with a wicked grin. "Unless your commander friend pits us against a Worm, in which case I would retract my previous statement."

What? She wasn't the only one who knew a bit of gallows' humour.

"Anyways, it was about time the Gaidin Captain gave some of his time to the Green Ajah." His tone and body language stiffened. "He had been worried about the reputation that some Greens seemed to carry around. He is glad to find that their reputation was entirely justified." Laughing, he pressed Impala forward a couple of steps, just in case Miahala thought of smacking him around the back of the head. She wouldn't blame him, not one bit.

[Bella]

His first words touched her. The latter ones... Well, a soft, short bit of laughter escaped her before she could stop it and the temptation to swat at him like she was an adolescent again was strong, but he moved out of range and she managed to restrain herself. She allowed herself a small smile and shake of her head at his back, before nudging Seren to catch up with Impala.

"Beware of self-fulfilling prophecies, Gaidin," she teased as she brought their horses back in step, but then she turned forward and saw the outpost looming before them and the smile fell away.

They drew up within sight of the guards and one began to call out, but stopped himself a moment later. He recognized her and greeted her briefly before calling down for the gate to be opened, and the Aes Sedai and her warder to be allowed passage. Mia and Ravak, now fully mantled once again, rode into the outpost.

Granted passage onward to the small building that was the commander's office, there was another guard at the door of it who looked like he had been born around the same time as the Green Ajah itself and possibly had fought in the Trolloc Wars... Clearly he was living out his retirement as a doorman for the militia, but on the Blightborder, everyone fought.

His brown eyes lit a little as he saw her and then her brows rose slightly. She recognized him and nodded at Ravak, acknowledging her familiarity, before dismounting. She had not expected to know so many of them. She came home often...

The old man stepped forward to take Seren's reins but smiled at her. He had less teeth than she recalled.

"It's a miracle of the Creator to see that your thick head has not yet been sheared from your shoulders, Jan," she said with unmistakable warmth and familiarity.

Jan laughed, the sound equally warm but a little more hoarse. "Marwen told me he sent for a heavy hitter, but he would not tell me who and now I see you ride upon our soil like a ghost from the past." The word 'ghost' bit at her deeper than she let on, though she had a feeling Ravak would catch it. Jan chuckled. "He is inside and as surly as a goat." His eyes crinkled with evil humor at her expense. "I'm sure he'll be happy to see you, though. Good luck." He winked at her.

"You're a surly old goat, Jan," she returned easily. "He bloody well better be happy to see me, or I'm going back to the Tower."

For a moment, the presence of an old comrade-in-arms made the mantle seem a little less heavy and made her lament leaving the camp a little less...although she knew that wouldn't last. Ravak's solid presence beside her would make the lamentation return, but she would push it away.

Jan saluted her and then turned to Ravak. "Gaidin, sir, may I take your horse?"

With that, he had the reins of both steeds and took them off to the military stable here-in. Miahala watched them go for a moment, since she treated her horses almost like her own children, and then she glanced around.

The outpost had grown since she'd last been here, making it more like a city (although not quite a city proper) than twenty years ago. It was still primarily a militia base, but she saw a few hard-eyed civilians. Perhaps some were family to the soldiers, others workers who helped keep this place up-and-running and the soldiers in top form.

"I can't believe he's still alive," she finally commented in a low voice, sidelong to Ravak. "Well, best see to what we're about here, eh?"

She stepped up the three wooden steps to the door and knocked.

"Who is it?!" shouted a coarse voice from the other side.

Instead of replying, she opened the door and stepped in. "You should treat me nicer than that, Annan," she said, her voice slightly pointed even as the corners of her mouth curled. She stepped aside to let the Gaidin in beside her.

Annan Marwen stood with his back to her, staring at a table with a map so large that she could see it from there. His back straightened and she watched his steel grey-haired head lift. Then he started laughing. His voice was hoarse from years of shouting commands, but it still held the same rich timbre she recalled. Turning around, she saw that what lines her Aes Sedai face had not gained had been found by him but strength still radiated from every inch of his body. His face cracked in a smile. She feared it might actually crack.

"Miahala Jolstraer Sedai," he greeted. Even with the warmth of his smile, he bowed his head formally to her. "Peace favor your blades and mine this day, for I am honored to have you in our presence once again."

She offered a small, sincere smile. She would rather have had a little more informality, like with old Jan outside, but she understood and accepted it. She bowed her head slightly and said, "Peace favor your sword, Commander Marwen. It is my honor to reply to the call of aid of an old friend." She paused. "It's just Miahala Sha'hal now,"

With that out of the way, he strode forward and pulled her into a quick embrace, pressing her unarmored chest to his armored one and making her feel every inch of it. But she returned the affection and then they stepped back. "Word reached me years ago of your death and we were all most dismayed, then word reached me of your return to the pattern and I almost could not believe it. Had the first news been in error?"

Her smile became sad. "I'm afraid not. By all accounts, I was...dead. And yet here I am. No one understands it."

Like most long-time military men, and particularly a Borderlander, he took it in stride and nodded. "We are glad to have you back with us, and I am glad you replied to my call. I thought perhaps you would like to return to the field of battle after your...absence, and we have need of some more powerful assistance."

It was now that he turned to the younger man beside her. His grey brow rose. "A new warder?"

"No," she said, although she trailed off and glanced sidelong at Ravak. The silence whispered, Not yet, perhaps? She trampled that thought, thinking it presumptuous. "He is helping me on this trip," she finally said, turning back to Marwen. "Commander Annan Marwen, may I present Ravak Darrow Gaidin."

"Peace favor your blades, Gaidin," Marwen said formally, bowing his head again. "We are honored with your presence and your aid. The Grey Tower never has disappointed."

[Craig]

Ravak

It wasn't the Gaidin's first time to one of the borderposts managed by the nation of Shienar itself, instead of one of the Tower's outposts. He found himself looking at everything out of interest. These places made him react in odd ways in the past. Sometimes it would get under his skin, knowing that in the past he would not have made the cut to be amongst these soldiers. Other times he felt like a traitor walking amongst people who had remained loyal to their country.

This time, neither of those things happened. He watched for everything but found nothing from his past staring him down in return.

The camaraderie between Miahala and some of the soldiers came as less of a shock now then it would have two days previous. It was not just an Aes Sedai that had come to the assistance of Kentano's Dedoubt, but an old friend as well. He knew that she didn't look her age (not that he knew, nor would ever dare ask), but for how many years had she known some of these men? Some of them were as old as his own father. Ravak grimaced as he followed along. So that's today's flavour of remorse, is it? That I'm too young to be here. Well, it made a change from the other times.

In contrast, one thing that kept his mood afloat was hearing his mother tongue again. Even just within his head, he could feel a bolder Shienaran accent kicking in. He hoped he wasn't about to overcompensate and sound like an idiot.

Ravak stood apart from Miahala and Annan Marwen as they got reacquainted. Instead Rav used the time to look over the map sprawled out across the commander's war table. Intuitively the Gaidin's eyes fell upon the large city a scant few miles from the Blightborder. "Fal Dara," he murmured. Even hearing its name in his own voice brought a smirk to his face.

There were various messages on the war table as well. Some seemed to be notes written by Commander Marwen. There were missives, both in the form of letters and from scrolls tied to carrier pigeons. A wooden seal rested on one corner of the desk, black ink staining its lower half. No money for wax, assuming you would get it to melt in this cold.

Hearing his name being mentioned, Ravak returned to the two old colleagues, trying not to look too much like the third wheel. "Suravye ninth manshima taishite," Rav replied smoothly. He ignored both looks he received for that little flourish of the Old Tongue. "I don't intend to cause any upset now." He angled himself so that the map stood out in relief in the background. "Looks like you've been having a hard time of it as of late. I know places like Fal Dara see almost daily raids, but you shouldn't be seeing them where your reports indicate."

"It's not quite how the reports make it out," Marwen countered as the three of them moved towards the table. "We're seeing plenty of sightings of Trollocs pressing past the border, but they aren't raids per se. See here." The commander took up one letter and handed it to the Gaidin. Rav held it between himself and Miahala so they both could read. "Qiton writes about having eight engagements with Shadowspawn over the course of last week, but he's only talking about a handful at any one time. It's not what you normally see from the Dark One."

"Indeed." Rav bent forwards to look at the area of the map mentioned in Qiton's missive. "If they are being led southwards, you either expect them to come in larger numbers or you would be seeing Myrddraal commanding them. Even when Trollocs raid, you would anticipate what: one or two dozen? Not, what, a handful at a time?"

"Undeniably so," Marwen agreed. "When Shadowspawn act strange and seem incited to engage when the odds are stacked against them, that's when I call for a favour."

Rav wasn't really paying attention to the subtext or double meanings going on behind his back. He had limited experience when it came to the organisation of forces on such a large scale, but he had read plenty of theories. He scanned through the notes with an accomplished eye, picking out only the important pieces of information. Fishing out a number of coins from his pocket, Ravak started to lay them out across the top of the map, each one marking a different raid.

Placing both the last coin down and the last missive aside, Ravak took a step back to look at his creation. Shiny copper pennies and silver marks were scattered across the length of the Blightborder, aside from in seemingly random spot. "What's there?" the Gaidin asked, pointing at the absence of coins.

"Nothing apart from barren ground. There's no settlements or outposts in that area."

"Then why not attack from there?" Rav asked rhetorically. "No civilians to see you crossing, no soldiers to stop your advance. That just doesn't seem right. Plus, it's never smart to underestimate your foe. Something has to be going on there." He turned towards Marven. The soldier seemed convinced of the Gaidin's claim, but both of them turned to Miahala. "Thoughts?" Rav asked.