Finding the Void [Attn: Anyone]

[Prew]

Following his unarmed combat class that morning, Prewtez d’Grayson had spent the next hour mucking stables. He didn’t mind the chores he had been assigned, all centering around the horses, due, no doubt, to his background in the cavalry. He loved the smell of the stables, the horseflesh, the pungently sweet odor of dung, the sawdust and straw in the stalls. He had spent his first few years in the Queen’s Guard Horse wielding a pitchfork as often as a sword. In addition, it gave him a chance to check on Albion, his stallion. Broadchested and nearly seventeen hands high, the grey was a trained warhorse, an additional weapon as many an Altaran and Murandian had discovered to their detriment. The horse appeared well cared for, no surprise there. Prewtez hoped, though, that the grooms knew enough to keep Albion away from other stallions.

After chores, Prewtez had grabbed a quick bite in the Warders’ Mess before changing his uniform, mucking was a dirty business. He had an hour yet before his next class, so he decided to explore the grounds a bit. Leaving the Warders’ Yard he meandered over to the Gardens. The myriad variety of flowers, plants, and trees far surpassed even the gardens of the Lion Palace in Caemlyn! As he took in the sense of tranquility the environment fashioned, Prewtez noted the white clothed novices busy at work, the Accepted, with their seven colored hems quietly studying, even some soldiers and dedicated walking in pairs down the clean swept stone paths. He took a seat on a bench near the waterfall and knuckled his forehead to two passing Aes Sedai, their ageless faces taking no note of his salute. His light grey Drin’far’ji uniform marking him as a person beneath their notice, though he had no doubt they were aware and wary of his presence.

A wise blademaster had once taught him the necessity of finding the void, of clearing the mind of all stimuli, of noting only breath. He fought down the sense of excitement, anticipation, of having a session later in learning to wield the katana. More than competent with the bastard sword, Prewtez had decided, after seeing the weapon in the armory, that the long, thin blade might be better suited to a warder than the heavier weapon. Though the latter was handy in slicing through mail, it was a soldier’s weapon. His long term goal of earning the heron markings of a blademaster might be better achieved with the lighter blade.

With some difficulty, he dismissed such thoughts, seeking again the void, concentrating on his breath… in and out…. in and out, to the point he did not notice the person approaching until they were almost upon him.

[Leala]

Dismissing her class, Leala waited until every last one of her students had filed out before she closed the shutters on the window and also closed the door. After the room was shut off from the rest of the Grey Tower, she allowed herself to slump into one of the students' desks. Heaving a great breath, she slowly let it out and tried to collect her thoughts. This was not the first class she had ever taught, and yet, you would think that these girls had only been in the Grey Tower for one day. They all stared at her blankly as she explained the simplest theories of the One Power. they had questions about things that she had clearly stated. After an hour of explanations, still only two out of the whole lot of them were able to embrace Saidar. She could teach logic and philosophy easily, and she had taught successful classes on the One Power. Perhaps some of them had blocks that she was not made aware of.

Lifting her head, she stared around the classroom, gathered her things, and collected herself. She had the exact same class in an hour. Not the same students, but the same class. She needed to regain her serene demeanor and try to think of solutions for the class that had just left. They were behind now, at least the majority of the class was. Once she had found her serenity, she opened the shutters again and exited the room.

Her mind full and reeling, Leala wandered to the Gardens. Her first thought was the Library, but she already had all the knowledge she needed for the next class. What she needed was tranquility. Although she walked a bit slower than her usual pace, she kept her posture and her expressions in check as she crossed the stone paths. The Gardens were a busy place, but not as busy as the rest of the Tower. Finding a waterfall, she reasoned that the trickling of the water would help align her thoughts. There was already someone there, a Drin'far'ji, by his uniform. He was quiet, though, and it seemed he was also seeking rest. Quietly, she walked up to him. Looking at his features, she thought he looked Andoran, like her. But, in a place like the Grey Tower, there was really no telling where anyone was from until they began to speak. "Do you mind if I sit with you?" she asked politely.

[Prew]

Having connected with the oneness for a precious few moments, time enough to move away from the soreness and fatigue his body was feeling, Prewtez was startled back to awareness at the sound of a voice. Looking up, he saw a pretty young woman with striking grey eyes, an Accepted he saw by her dress with the eight bands of color on her hem.

Rising, he offered her a seat, “By all means, Accepted, please sit,” he flourished a slight bow though not the full one he would have given an Aes Sedai. I am Drin’far’ji Prewtez d’Grayson, at your service. Are you by chance Andoran?”

In his brief stay at the Grey Tower Prewtez had not yet encountered anyone outside the Warders Yard. He bubbled with curiosity.
“Do you seek conversation, or do you prefer quiet serenity?”

[Leala]

Leala gratefully accepted the seat, setting her lesson plans in her lap. The Drin'far'ji introduced himself, and she returned his pleasantries with a smile. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Drin'far'ji Prewtez," she intoned. She still had to keep herself together here, in front of him, but at least she was not responsible for what he learned in the Grey Tower. "Yes, I am from Andor, as you are," she said, her smile brightening a shade. "I am Leala Gymorraine of House Gymorraine, but here I am Accepted Leala," she explained.

She paused after he asked if she preferred conversation or quiet serenity. "Well...at first I thought that I would prefer solitude, but if our conversation is less about the Grey Tower and its goings on and more casual, I would not object to it. What part of Andor do you hail from, Master Prewtez? My family's lands are in between and a bit to the north of Four Kings and Whitebridge. They are rather modest for what they are, but my mother acts as though they are the jewel of Andor. Although, they do earn a good enough income to keep my family well fed and well clothed."

[Prew]

Returning to his seat on the solid marble bench, the peaceful sound of a waterfall in the background, Prewtez turned to the Accepted in answer.

"House Gymorraine is it? A minor house pledged to, forgive me, but I've become a bit rusty regarding the politics of Andor, Leala Accepted," he smiled as the memories returned, memories of a time before fighting, before killing, "I am of House Northan. You may be familiar with the High Seat, Lord Conail, my half-brother. In fact, he is partially responsible for why I am here. But that is a story for another time. Tell me, what do you know of events in Caemlyn? Is it true Queen Morgase is dead? Out on the border with Murandy we hear only rumors. Some say the Dragon Reborn killed her, others speak of one of the Foresaken," he grimaced involuntarily at the thought, "We did learn that Lord Gareth Bryne was dismissed. The troops found that bit of news very hard to take."

[Leala]

Leala kept her cordial smile as Prewtez explained his relation to House Northan. She thought she had even heard of him before coming to the Grey Tower, but she had never met him. She blinked once, in surprise when he began asking her about the goings on in Andor. That was a very dark subject for her mother these days. "I'm afraid things aren't well there. My mother speaks of much of what you've asked and more. But, my mother is very skeptical on the details. She believes that Morgase is not acting as she has in the past and suspects fowl play, but she is not sure from where. Whether it is Morgase, or this new interloper..." She paused. Her mother sent her coded letters these days, especially since all this nonsense started, and her mother had not found a way to communicate this man's name safely. Should she tell him that they were coded? She decided not to. If there was one thing she had learned since coming here, it was not to trust so easily...not that it was in her nature.

"Since Morgase began acting strangely, my mother has not spent as much time in Caemlyn, preferring to stay home and make sure that our lands are secure. She says right now, she considers everything she hears from there speculation. I haven't received any letters saying that the queen is dead," Leala admitted with a shrug. "Either way, something quite memorable is on the horizon for Andor, I'm sure." She tried to make the tone in her voice sound like she was understating what she was predicting. Something was stirring in all corners of the world.

[Prew]

Prewtez listened attentively as the gray eyed Accepted spoke guardedly in response to his questions.

Light, but he had been on the Murandian border so long, perhaps his practice with polite conversation had fallen into disuse. When all one had for companionship were other soldiers, well…

He felt that perhaps she thought he was prying a bit, or was she just trying to hide the fact she was worried for her House and family? The Creator only knew what strange things were happening in Andor.

Attempting to change the subject, he smiled softly, hoping it would lessen the hardness of his face, then spoke again.

“Yes, I’m sure you are right. I can’t say I would know much about that, truthfully. As a soldier and officer for so many years, my main concern was keeping my men and myself alive from day to day. Politics was something we simply didn't discuss. Here, in the Warder Yard, I am presented with a whole new set of challenges.” He paused briefly before continuing, “You say you would prefer avoiding discussion of the Grey Tower, I respect that. But what about you, Leala Accepted? May I ask if you have considered an Ajah yet?”

[Leala]

Leala nodded politely as Prewtez explained his views on politics. She didn't blame him for taking in so many rumors. That was really all they had while training in the Tower. Besides which, there were so many intricacies to Andoran politics, it was hard for anyone to keep up, much less people outside the tangled web.

She wondered where he was going when he changed the subject back to the Grey Tower, but she smiled when he asked his question. "Ah, that is a question that I do not mind discussing," she said, the tone in her voice politely friendly again. "The very first day when all the Ajahs were explained to me, I declared that the White Ajah would be my future home, should I make it to the shawl. I was told countless times to consider other Ajahs, but I find reasons every day that bring me back to that same conclusion. I've always been one to consider logic before factoring in emotions. The use of logic has helped me greatly throughout my life, and Light knows it helped me through those difficult days as a novice. In fact, the very first day that I became an Accepted, an Asha'man from the White Ajah demanded explanations as to why I would not consider another Ajah. I supplies reasons for all, and still concluded that I prefer the White." She paused and looked at the angle of the sun. She still had a good amount of time for conversation. She was already beginning to feel more relaxed. "That same Asha'man still volunteers me for classes that he does not wish to teach," she said, shaking her head. "I just take them as challenges."

[Prew]

“Ah, the White,” Prewtez nodded thoughtfully, “I had neve rmuch thought about those who chose the White or Brown, the Blue, yes, perhaps, but again, all that politics. The Yellow, trust me, as a soldier, we appreciated what that Ajah could do. How many men did they save? I could not begin to tell you. But to the soldier in the field, the Yellows were lifesavers. Oh, we knew other Aes Sedai could heal, but with a grievous wound, we wanted a Yellow there, I promise you.”

He paused again, more to take in those eyes of her, so very arresting, than for any other reason.

“As for me, I’ve imagined myself bonded to a Green, the battle Ajah. With Tarmon Gai’don approaching, so all tell me, where else would a Warder wish to be? But I fear I offend. Tell me, Leala Accepted, what role do you envision the Whites to play in the upcoming struggle?” He raised his eyebrow, knowing it might highlight his scar but didn’t really care. “Truly, I realize all will have a role to play, but am too naive to see past the obvious.”

Blood and Ashes! He sorely hoped he had not offended yet another from the Tower. Women! He felt so out of sorts around them!

[Leala]

Leala listened politely as her companion explained who he envisioned himself bonded to after his training. He seemed to think he had offended her after he spoke, though. It was certainly no business of hers who he wished to bond. Even if she had approached him, hypothetically, about it and he later turned her down, she would have taken no offense. It was a personal thing. She shook her head. "You do not offend, Master Prewtez. Each individual sees things from a different perspective. I do not even know if I would need a Warder in the future. I plan on leaving the Tower possibly more than others in my future Ajah are apt to do, but there is always the Tower Guard to consider."

She paused a moment on his question. It would be a different thing, explaining the value of the White Ajah to someone who was not already a part of the White Ajah, as she had done when Aelyn challenged her. While Prewtez obviously had respect for the Grey Tower, he had a partial view of matters, having been a soldier before entering. She took into consideration the self-deprecating tone he took when defending his views. He likely had had a similar encounter with someone from the Towers before. "It's very likely that in the coming war, the White Ajah will serve as a foundation of clear thinking. Given the scope of the Last Battle as it is thought to be, chaos will very likely reign more often than not. The White Ajah prides itself in keeping a cool head and getting to the truth of the matter. This will be useful in strategies, questioning Darkfriends, serving in cases involving war crimes, and making sure that everyone has a stream of clear thinking to refer to, if things get out of hand." She paused. "Make no mistake, however. The White Ajah will not sit idly by when the day comes. It is logical, after all, to fight for one's philosophies, one's life, one's loved ones. They may give off the air of having no emotions, but they are human, and logically, emotions fall in that range. The White Ajah will band together with the others and fight for the side of the Light when the time comes."