Mission of Mercy (attn: channeling learning ranks)

[Sunny]

Rissara Diamoca stood in the courtyard in front of the Learning Ranks quarters, waiting for her chosen companions to gather. They did, gradually, until a good group of mismatched men and women in uniform stood before her. They looked at her with ill-disguised curiosity and apprehension until she spoke.

"I am going to Cairhien," she said, her voice light and musical. "The Foregate of the Sun City is overflowing with impoverished refugees in need of food, clothing, and Healing, which the Grey Tower will be providing them." They glanced at each other uncertainly, but wisely said nothing. "You have been chosen to accompany me as I deliver those services," she said, answering the unspoken question, and their eyes lit up. Light, is life so boring that going to the Foregate is an adventure for them? Illyria and Seth need to keep these children better occupied.

She crossed her arms, staring them down. "We will leave at first light tomorrow. Bring a change of clothes, a cloak, and nothing else." She dismissed the lower ranks then, but gestured for the Accepted and Dedicated she had asked for to stay behind.

"You two will be acting as chaperones," Rissara said coolly. You are to monitor for unapproved channeling, fighting, flirting, and any other untoward behavior. Inform me of any trouble makers so I can return them to the Tower; Cairhien is volatile enough without hot head children running around like idiots." They nodded slowly, clearly uncertain what to make of her words. She looked at the Accepted with level eyes. "Arrive early if you would, child. I have been instructed to teach you how to Travel. You, too," she added, looking at the Dedicated. "An Asha'man will be present to show you the weaves." Her tone showed what she thought of teaching Learing Ranks such a skill, but otherwise she remained blank-faced.

The strawberry blond Aes Sedai departed abruptly, heading to her quarters to make her own preparations.

---

OOC: Hello everyone!

Any novice or soldier is welcome to jump into this thread. Simply show yourselves arriving (in whatever way you arrive) in the Traveling Yard at the buttcrack of dawn, and we'll get started!

[Bree]

Makenna was anxious about the trip they would be taking to the foregate. She had volunteered for the trip specifically to assist mothers and children. She was compelled by her heart to participate in the endeavor but she was worried about the impact it may have on her. As much as she still missed her daughter and as much as she was still determined to find a way to rescue her, Makenna had taken the effort to find a way to wall off that desperate pain of loss. Most of the time she could function and attend her lessons without being overwhelmed by those feelings. Her fear was that the exposure to mothers and children in such dire conditions would prompt those emotions out of their neat and tidy storage area.

Sighing as she pulled a cloak about her shoulders, Makenna shook her head and thought, There is no help for it now. I may be prodded in painful areas but I will endure and I will do good. Pulling the door to her room shut behind her as she left, Makenna grimaced at the sleeping form of her roommate. The girl was messy and indolent. Makenna found it to be a daily struggle not to take her over her knee and give her a reminder to clean up after herself.

It occurred to Makenna as she walked that she spent a great deal of time sighing over the regrettable lack of self-motivation to be found in other novices. She tried to be gracious and patient with them; reminding herself repeatedly that she was neither their mother nor their teacher. She navigated past the dining hall and stopped in to grab a small snack. An apple and a hot honey bun, in hand, she continued on through the outer door and to the meeting area.

She polished off the bun well before reaching the meeting spot and then tucked the apple into a pocket of her cloak. For a brief moment, she heard the Aes Sedai's voice in her head telling them all to bring only a cloak and nothing else. Rounding a corner and catching sight of the Accepted and Dedicated attending carefully to what the Aes Sedai and Asha'man were doing. Then Makenna saw it herself and was fascinated.

The Aes Sedai was creating a complicated and beautiful weave that turned into a Gateway for Traveling as she watched. After a moment, it winked out and the Aes Sedai bade the Accepted to create one herself. The Asha'man was doing the same with the Dedicated though Makenna could see nothing of their work. The Gateways reappeared and then winked out again.

Makenna watched a moment longer and then she embraced the Source. Without any conscious thought, she began to try to duplicate the weave she had seen. The thing came together and held and the silvery line began to form. Then it fell apart. She stood there, full of Saidar staring at the empty space in front of her for just a moment. Realizing what she had done and that it was against the rules, she quickly released the Power and hoped desperately that no one had noticed.

She took a deep steadying breath and walked out to meet her Traveling companions.

[Laura]

Compassion opens the mind...and the heart


Pre-dawn morning hit Eirinn like a ton of bricks. She had only been here a few weeks and the early rising, late to bed, and hours of chores made her more exhausted than she had ever been in her life. What she wouldn't give to sleep in just one day. But today was different, and excitement combined with sheer willpower got her out of bed and to her wash basin. Today she was going to Cairhien.

Eirinn had never seen the foregate but had heard it described as sort of a hive of villainy and lecherousness. It was in essence. the chamber pot of Cairhien. why thieves and ruffians needed charity was beyond her. Despite her feelings about Cairhien and the Foregate it would still be exciting to see and a nice change of pace. She had no idea why she, as a new novice, was offered this opportunity but Eirinn figured it was simply because she hadn't yet caused any trouble and was fairly obedient thus far.

Stepping out into the brisk morning air with a change of clothes in a sack strung over her shoulder she walked towards the traveling yard, thanking her stars that she remembered the way there. She approached quietly, seeing from a distance that Rissara Sedai was already there and working on some sort of weave. She couldn't see it in detail but it looked intricate and rather beautiful, and she was even more surprised when a portal opened. So that's what they are doing! I wonder if I will ever learn that someday.

A glint of white underneath a cloak told her another novice was already nearby, but Eirinn had to stifle a gasp when she suddenly embraced the source and seemed to try to replicate the portal. She knew it wasn't allowed but her heart sympathized because light knew she wanted to try it too, even though she was still working on the wobbly ball of light that seemed to always wink out the minute something distracted her. But the temptation to experience the source was always there. I will not say a word. Eirinn decided to pretend as if she had seen nothing.

Approaching the three figures standing in the portal's pale light she could se the novice more clearly now. to her surprise she was an older woman, grown enough to be her mother. Eirinn was filled with curiosity. Surely she had a most unusual and fascinating story.

"Good morning" she offered he woman with a tired smile. It truly was too early to be awake.

[Kevin]

Taylin pulled her banded Accepted's dress over her head with a slight growl as it bunched up around her chest. Pulling it down, she'd go to her small stand mirror and pour water into a basin. Washing her face and hands, she cleaned her teeth, and put her long wavy blond hair into a sensible braid tucked over one shoulder.

She went to where her clothes were hung and removed a white cloak with the bands of color along its trim. Tying it around her neck, she fished her hair from under it. She was excited to be going with the escort to Cairhien. She'd not traveled much in her life before the Tower, and so this would be a first for her.

Dawn was near to breaking, she could all but feel the sky lighting up for the day, as blues and grays gave way to hues of purple; and birds of morning sang their songs of life. She'd packed a small bag with a change of clothes, and some food in case she were separated for any reason. She'd like a bag of coin, but in truth she had no reason to need it. She would be staying with the envoy the entire time.

Taking up her bag, she turned and left the Accepted's quarters. The cool air in the Halls spoke of the early hour, as did the lack of people and subdued night watch. She made her way to the Traveling Yards early, as she had been asked.

She knew her place here now, and what was expected for herself and the Dedicated with the other charges. She took it seriously, having been near blinded in her own practicing once already. Those who had also arrived early, she made special effort to memorize faces quickly, even if she had no name to give them yet.

She presented herself before the Aes Sedai she'd met the previous day. She gave a proper bow, and a quick look around once standing again. "Rissara Sedai, I hope I was early enough to not keep you waiting."

[Steven]

Keiran Taravin Keiran woke with a start. His dreams had been worsening since the incident with Kaci. He was furious with Asha'man Phil for sending her away before he woke. Now he was off to Cairhien for who knows how long. She had to be as shaken as he, if not more so. He just wished he could see her, to talk to her about, to convince her to come to the Tower where she would be safe. At least Phil was off investigating why there was a Fade in Hama Valon. Keiran just wanted answers.

He blinked the weariness from his eyes and dressed quickly. Luckily, Keiran had packed the night before, so all he needed was to snatch the pack up off the floor. He had lingered too long in his thoughts to make breakfast, so he walked briskly through the Tower halls to the courtyard where he was to meet Rissara Sedai. Keiran's nerves had his stomach tied in knots. Would the weave for a gateway come easily to him now? Would the Asha'man get suspicious? The last thing Keiran wanted was to field unwanted questions.

The morning air was crisp, the rising sun quickly warming his black wool coat and leather breeches. Keiran quickly spotted the bands of color of an Accepted's dress. Taking his place beside her, Keiran smiled cheerily, "Good morning, Taylin." He turned his eyes to the Aes Sedai and bowed deeply, his right hand in a fist over his heart while his left rested on the pommel of the sword he borrowed from the Tower armory the night before. "Good morning, Rissara Sedai. I hope you are well?"

[Stasia]

Rhiale Just Another Rainy Monday
Rhiale was amused - they'd be assisting Treekillers, this week. She would not lie and say that she wasn't pleased that they needed assistance. She wouldn't lie and say that she did not want to give it, either. She gave pause, the bone comb held parallel with her scalp, ready to part honey tangles; she did not have to go, if she really preferred to stay behind. Her features grimaced back at her from the looking glass. She didn't much want to stay, either. Lorraine had only mentioned how difficult it was to become Aes Sedai. She'd never mentioned how boring it was.

What she hated the most was that no one trusted her with the One Power. She'd easily spent a decade working with sadiar, and yet, no one seemed to think that she was capable of not accidentally burning herself out. Illyria Sedai, who knew of her skill and experience, had said that she would not be a novice for very long. The three months she'd spent at the Tower were three times as long as she had expected to be kept in the playpen at the nursery.

She had to get away from here for a while. Even if it was to aid Treekillers.

She finished combing her hair, then reluctantly used a sparing amount of water from the basin to wash her face - though it rained consistently, she could not yet convince herself that she would not run out. Nothing had happened yet to suggest that she would not. Those that claimed this was usual for Spring only received funny looks - Rhiale could not yet wrap her head around the concept of seasons, either. Tapestry of amber and crimson foliage only served to solidify her point of view; obviously, there was a drought so horrible, each year, everything green saw fit to shrivel up and die. And Rhiale would not die of thirst if she could help it.

She dressed quickly, pulling a too-short dress over her shift, did up the buttons, and then snatched her cloak off her bed. It was white, same as everything else she owned, and of no finer quality than her dress. Though she was welcome to the Warder Yards to handle weapons any time she liked... The day that color would be allowed back into her wardrobe could not come soon enough. Even if she knew in her heart she had not earned shame, and even if she knew that Wise Ones were exempt from becoming gai'shain... She could not shake the nagging sensation that everyone else believed that she had.

I might as well be one, she thought sullenly, Novices are trusted with less than they are.

It was nothing that she could change. So, with nothing more than the clothing on her back, a change that had been tucked into a small saddlebag, and a small, sour expression, she made her way to the Traveling Yards. As she arrived, rounding the corner silently, a small grin flickered across her expression; Makenna was channeling. She doubted the seamstress had done anything to break a rule in her lifetime, but there she was, weaving happily not too far away from her superiors.

Oh, she'd be caught. And likely slippered. But Rhiale was allowed to enjoy the vicarious satisfaction, was she not? The Aes Sedai kept a choke-hold on them and their access to the True Source. Rhiale was almost tempted to join Makenna, and channel for the pure spite of it. But that would put her excursion and risk, and if she had to sit through another single, pointless and dry lecture on concepts of saidar...

She joined the little group aside from Rissara Sedai and the mid-ranks, huddling in the damp morning with the other novices. Makenna was greeted with a knowing grin. She was well aware of her infraction and knew that it was unlikely it could be hidden. Rhiale could respect that. Even if Makenna did not know well enough to repay her toh overtly, at least she could acknowledge that it existed. That was more than most wetlanders. She turned to another dark-eyed novice, clearly younger, but not so short as some of the children she had seen - despite that, Rhiale still had to look down at her.

"I see you," she said to her unmet companion, still smiling. "So. Cairhien?"

[Sunny]

OOC: Novices and soldiers (EXCEPT Makenna), please feel free to skip this post. Makenna, this one involves you, so please do read and include in your next post.

I am assuming that Taylin/Keiran have spent some amount of time in / around the Traveling Yards. Please go along with this assumption for the sake of maintaining book canon.

---

Rissara arrived at the Traveling Yards as the sky was beginning to pale, to find Leone already waiting for her. She nodded a frosty hello- the two were not close, but he had the strength to teach the Taravin boy to Travel, and that was all she needed him for.

A stablehand arrived a few minutes later leading two ponies loaded with supplies; with him came two servants. As they stood in silence, she went through each pack, checking items off her list. "I am missing three rolls of white linen and five woolen blankets," she said coolly. The servants glanced at each other. "Well? Fetch them!" They disappeared toward the Tower almost as quickly as if they had Traveled.

Accepted Taylin and Dedicated Keiran arrived precisely when she asked them to, and greeted her pleasantly enough. She ignored their inquiries, instead turning to look for other arrivals. None yet, which fit perfectly into her plans.

"What Leone and I are about to teach you must not be shared with any other in the Learning Ranks," she said, turning her cold blue eyes on them. "I am teaching it to you now only because you have both progressed far enough that the Tower feels you can be trusted. Should you violate that trust, I will see to it that you howl for the next ten years. Have I made myself quite clear?" Their response was inconsequential.

"When you Travel, you must be familiar with the area you Travel from, or untold disaster may occur. Have you spent more than an hour in this yard in the past?" They both nodded silently. "Excellentm, we don't have to waste any more time. Leone? Weave slowly." Don't make me remind you again, you bloody fool.

She looked at Taylin. "You will use the Power, like so, to create similarities between the spot you are leaving and the spot you wish to go. When the two places are identical, a door wil open. Like so." She channeled as she spoke, the flows falling together neatly.

A few feet away, Leone spoke to Keiran, though his instructions were different. "You will use the Power to bore a hole from your current position to your destination. It is very much like drilling a hole in wood, or ripping fabric." The very idea made Rissara shudder.

Two bright lights appeared at the same time, and seemed to revolve open, both revealing barren country side. Rissara nodded, and let the two close. Then she looked at the two student. "Now you may tr-"

Before she could finish, she felt a woman channeling, and saw another flash of light, directly in front of two figures in white a short distance apart. Blast it. How did a novice have the ability to read her weaves and reproduce them so quickly? "What in the bloody merciful Light do you think you are doing, child?" She asked, her voice frigid with disapproval as she stalked over to the pair. "Channeling without supervision, without preparation, and without permission is dangerous enough, but to attempt a Gateway with your undeveloped ability is begging for injury, death, or stilling for you and everyone in the vicinity of your ill-conceived efforts!"

"Yes Aes Sedai," the novice said, eyes on the ground.

"When we arrive in Cairhien, we will be having a chat, you and I," Rissara said, her voice icy. "Until then, if you so much as touch saidar without my express permission, you won't be able to sit for a month." She grabbed both novices by the shoulder and turned them roughly so they faced away from the Gateways. "Stay there."

She returned to her students, dusting her hands on her skirts. "You may attempt your own Gateways now," she said dryly.

[Sunny]

OOC: And this one is for the other Learning Ranks, so we don't get caught up in lesson land, and so my post isn't literally eight miles long.

---

Keiran and Taylin each successfull made a Gateway in a surprisingly short amount of time. As their Gateways closed, the servants returned with the missing objects, and shortly after that, her chosen assistants were all gathered before her in the yards.

She channeled again, this time with effortless speed, the Gateway revolving open to reveal the Cairhienin countryside once more. She heard the rustle of interest from her small group, and hid a sigh. It would be difficult to maintain their attention, at least on the first day.

"When we pass through this gateway we will be roughly a two hour walk from Cairhien," she said, her voice even and cool. "We will have to cross a small field, and then we will be on the main road to the city. Accepted Taylin and Dedicated Keiran will be assisting me in assuring that our walk is and remains respectful, dignified, and quiet."

A soldier hesitantly raised his hand. She looked at him, and he asked, his voice a little shaky, "Why are we so far from the city?"

"Because I am not omnipotent and do not know what -or who- may be standing in the very spot I am Traveling to," she said, "and Gateways cut through anything that stands in their way like a hot knife through wax. Human beings and animals are no exceptions to that rule; the consequences of irresponsible Traveling are most unpleasant, I assure you." The boy looked ill, but Rissara continued, "therefore it is always best to Travel to a place you know will be empty, such as a designated yard or room. When that is not possible, the next best choice is to Travel to a place where there is little chance of, shall we say, interruption." She revealed her teeth in a predatory smile. "Does that answer your question?" He nodded, pale-faced.

The Andoran turned and glided through the Gateway, the top of her carefully coifed honey-brown hair nearly brushing the upper limit of the door. The stablehand came next leading the pony with wide-eyed care, then the novices and soldiers. Keiran and Taylin came last. As soon as they all passed through, the door snapped shut.

"When we arrive in Cairhien, we will have breakfast," she said in a voice that, though low, still carried to each ear. "After that, we will begin our work." She lead the way to the road, and from that point until the Topless Towers of Cairhien came into view over a hill, did not say a word unless directly addressed. Her mind had already strayed ahead to the masses who needed more aid than she and a bumbling mass of untrained children could possibly give.

A little is better than none, Light help them. It was small comfort.

[Steven]

Keiran Taravin Keiran swallowed, nodding his agreement to Rissara Sedai’s threat. He eyed the Asha’man warily, the one Rissara had named Leone. Keiran had never met the man, but the expression on his face was pleasant enough. Bowing deeply, “Asha’man Leone. I am ready to learn.” The Asha’man gave a curt nod and explained how the weave actually worked. Light! So that’s what it does? Keiran shivered a bit at the thought of ‘boring’ a hole through the pattern. That’s what the Aes Sedai did in the Age of Legends, trying to reach the True Source. Instead, they released the Dark One’s evil into the world. If they had left bloody well alone…

Seizing saidin, Keiran made a show of failing the weave a few times before doing it successfully. He had practiced that—failing the weave—for well over an hour during the night in his room. Asha’man Phillips said that making the gateway that harrowing night, by instinct, meant that Keiran must have a natural affinity for traveling. He wished he just had a natural affinity for the One Power though, maybe less of his weaves would end in bodily harm that way. Keiran laughed to himself, something he had begun to do much more often as of late. An Accepted girl had commented to him that if she wasn’t positive saidin had been cleansed, she would have suggested he was going mad.

Keiran guessed by the look on Asha’man Leone’s face that he suspected Keiran had failed the weave on purpose. When he finally held a gateway open though, the Asha’man merely nodded his approval and departed the yards. Keiran expected he would hear about it in the future—though Leone wasn’t a Blue—perhaps Asha’man Phil could speak to him; keeping Keiran from a questioning visit to the M’Hael.

Keiran took a place on a bench nearby, watching the fidgety Novices and Soldiers, some with huge grins splitting their faces from cheek to cheek. It wasn’t long ago that he was one of them. Since that night with the Fade though, with Kaci… Keiran shuddered, a chill worked its way up his spine. Since that night, he felt as if any remaining boyishness had been banished like a sickness. All he could focus on now was learning as much as he possibly could to protect Kaci, himself, and everyone else he knew. Keiran wondered at the fact that it took an encounter with a Fade to open his eyes to the frightening war against the Shadow. Everyone knew the Shadow was spreading, the Dark One’s influence snaking across across the world like a creeping fog. Yet even here, in the Grey Tower, the urgency and danger of that war seemed stymied by politics and rivalries, things petty by comparison.

Rissara Sedai’s voice yanked Keiran from his brooding. He said a few curt words to a small clump of Soldiers horsing around instead of paying attention, shepherding them into a straight line and shutting their mouths, saving them a thrashing from the Aes Sedai. Before he knew it, everyone including the packhorses were through the gateway, which blinked shut behind him. Taylin stood beside him, her eyes taking in the city of Cairhien, the cool practiced expression of an Aes Sedai on her face. She had taken to the Great Serpent ring well. If it wasn’t for the white dress with the bands of color, she could pass for Aes Sedai easily he thought.

By now, the sun was lower in the sky above Cairhien than it had been in Hama Valon, dawn having barely broken. Keiran silenced a few of the younger ones complaining about their hunger. “Open your ears. Rissara Sedai said we will have breakfast in the city first. Do well to pay attention to her instructions, her patience is thin enough as it is.” They made it to the city gates mostly in silence. It had been years since Keiran had been to Cairhien. He liked it as little now as he did before, perhaps even less.

The Aes Sedai exchanged a few heated words with the guard captain at the gate, but Keiran was too far back to make them out. As they continued their slow procession into the city, a thin woman of average height, dressed in green silk slashed with cream, pressed in close beside him. “A delegation from the Grey Tower? How wonderful! You won’t mind if I walk with you a ways?” her question was more of a statement. She had the look of a minor lady, pompously aware of her station. Keiran had dealt with a hundred more just like her before.

“Afraid of footpads this early in the day?” Keiran raised an eyebrow and slurred his speech to feign disinterest. “Or hoping a rival will see you in our company.” The inflection in his voice was dry, the last word dropped low to let her know he expected no response. She laughed heartily, as if to soften the mood.

“You are here to treat with the King, Asha’man? The Grey Tower has shown support for House Damodred before, yes?” She laid a hand on Keiran’s shoulder, as if they were familiar friends. He let the honorific stand. It wasn’t against Tower law to let someone think you were fully raised, just to claim that you were. It was unlikely many knew the distinction between the Sword and Dragon pins. When Keiran didn’t answer, she continued, “The Palace is throwing a grand ball tomorrow evening. I’m sure an invitation will be sent to you as soon as word of your arrival reaches the King’s ears.” She turned her head and whispered to herself, “Wouldn’t that ruffle House Riatin’s feathers…”

Keiran’s patience was wearing thin. A small boy with red hair, looking nearly Aiel, caught his attention. His hair was mussed, and he had smudges of dirt on his cheeks. The boy’s eyes were red as if he had been crying, and they were fixed on a man laying out pies of meat and cheese. Keiran caught the boy’s gaze, and beckoned him over. He fished a few copper pennies from the pouch on his belt and pressed them into the boy’s hand. Keiran ruffled his hair and poked him in the direction of the man with the pies. The grin on the boy’s face was enough to make Keiran smile.

The Lady, her hand still gripping Keiran’s shoulder, eyed the boy in disgust. No doubt she saw him the same way she would see a rat scurrying along the street. “The ball, Asha’man? You will attend?” Keiran’s patience melted away.

“The Grey Tower’s business in Cairhien is our own. You will do well to remember that, Child.” Keiran’s eyes deliberately sunk to the cream slashes across her dress, implying she was not high enough to elicit his attentions. The flash of anger in her eyes quickly faded to embarrassment, her cheeks flushed under Keiran’s gaze. She pulled her hand from his shoulder, bowed deeply, and scurried away. Keiran had fallen fairly far behind the column following the Aes Sedai. He started back to join them, taking long confident strides. Running would make him seem foolish, so he would just hope Risarra Sedai wouldn’t mind him falling behind to help the boy and deal with that irritating woman.

[Kevin]

Taylin nodded to the Aes Sedai's question. She knew the Traveling yard well, having used it in learning to Cloud Dance away from where it could harm the Tower or people. Her braid fell behind her as she lowered her hood, revealing a maturing beauty, a woman blossoming into something more than herself, becoming more than a woman, an Aes Sedai. By now her temper had been spoken of by a few, though her clear respect for intelligence and reason won out more often than not.

As far as Accepted went, she was fitting in well with her studies and helping to teach classes. Her time in the Warders Yard proving as profitable as the Library or Channeling Yards. The dew was fresh on the ground still where others hadn't walked. She'd seen a gateway made before, but had been fearful to ask to try.

The Aes Sedai spoke with the Asha'man at her side. "What Leone and I are about to teach you must not be shared with any other in the Learning Ranks," she said, turning her cold blue eyes on them. "I am teaching it to you now only because you have both progressed far enough that the Tower feels you can be trusted. Should you violate that trust, I will see to it that you howl for the next ten years. Have I made myself quite clear?" Their response was inconsequential.

"When you Travel, you must be familiar with the area you Travel from, or untold disaster may occur. Have you spent more than an hour in this yard in the past?" They both nodded silently. "Excellent, we don't have to waste any more time. Leone? Weave slowly." Don't make me remind you again, you bloody fool.

She looked at Taylin. "You will use the Power, like so, to create similarities between the spot you are leaving and the spot you wish to go. When the two places are identical, a door will open. Like so." She channeled as she spoke, the flows falling together neatly.

Taylin watched the woman with a practiced eye. She wove the flows four time before placing them together, and twice more before the vertical line of light appeared, twisting into a doorway. She stood proud, letting the crisp morning wind catch her few stray golden hairs and ruffle her skirts. She waited until told to go through, and allowed the gateway to close; feeling a small disappointment as she released the Power.

Her horse was a beautiful gelding of deep chocolate brown, and his black mane and tail were almost silken. She rode watching, her head moving easily side to side, keeping pace with Keiran. Once they reached the gates they paused as Rissara Sedai spoke to the man at the gate, though novices and soldiers separated them. The guard looked down the row of women and men. When his eyes rested on Taylin, she felt her face grow hard instantly. Dismissed as a girl, like the Novices. Her eyes cast cold calm, but her back was board straight in saddle. She would make a rude gesture toward the guard where only Keiran would be able to see it.

Riding into the city, she took in everything, while being mindful of the group. She'd never been here and was excited, though her calm held together well. With Dedicated Keiran next to her she felt safe enough, until a woman approached him. Taylin listened without appearing to do so, allowing him to ride a bit behind, and slowing her own horse just so. As he got rid himself of the woman and road to catch up, Taylin would resume her horse's speed tot he groups.

"A Ball Keiran? You didn't tell me to pack a dress. I suppose I can find one." Taylin smiled ever so slightly, remaining looking ahead, yet aware he'd ridden in range to hear her. "Oh, and it would seem, welcome back is in order? Far cry from a private political move, if I may say so." Her voice was warm yet light, her cream colored skin honey kissed where the dawning sun would touch, and light up the city like a great fire.