A Matter of Urgency [Attn: Valadin & Riahana]

[Bella]

Miahala Ives Sedai One would have had a better chance of reading the emotions of a statue than they could have scryed from the Green Aes Sedai's face as the Under-Lieutenant Gamal spoke to them.

Miahala had entered the room with Gareth and Riahana, seeing that the young boy was still here with the Blue and that the soldier of the city was also in the room. He had been a surprise, but nothing that had much phased her. She entered like she would have even if he had not been there, moving to the table and taking a seat. The militia in her kept her eyes on him.

The only sign of movement in her entire porcelain veneer, face and body, was the slight flickering of her eyes as she looked at the man's face and movements. She did not even blink, not wanting to miss any tell-tale sign.

He departed. She did not bid him farewell. Nothing was said from anyone until he was through the door with it shut behind him, and then the only noise at first was the young Dedicated pouring himself a cup. Not a bad idea, she reflected, although she did not move to act upon it herself. Her kin was the first to speak, sounding like a Gaidar, naturally.

"This is presuming that he speaks the truth," Miahala said at last, speaking carefully as she leaned back in her seat slightly with her hands folded across her lap; the look of the sleeping predator about her, ostensibly "relaxed" but clearly ready to move in an instant. "We do not know him well enough to take his words at face value, necessarily."

"Do you think him lying?" Gareth rumbled, not with suspicion or doubt for the elder channeler, but simple curiosity. She knew that he knew she was far older and more experienced than he, especially out in the world and dealing with such intrigues. Healers did not usually end up in the middle of complexly woven plots. Greens, however, often did. The Shadow liked to weave with Green threads when it could.

She didn't reply right away, thinking back over the past several minutes. "I don't know," she admitted. "Such earnestness was rather unexpected, which makes me suspicious. But one cannot rule out that some people honestly seek to help. His sudden departure with little explanation could lend to either theory."

"This village hasn't felt right," Gareth went on after a moment, his pale eyes distant as he shook his head. "There is something not right about this place, or at least what's going on. With that on my mind, I think I'm more inclined to believe him. And if he is telling the truth about us being where someone wants us..."

"...then should we play into their plan?" Mia finished for him, knowing where his mind headed.

"And yet trying to avoid it could end us up in a worse mess of it," Nykk pointed out. "Even when a person thinks they are being clever, it doesn't always play out that way." Mia noted that the woman's hand was absently around the terrified child. They would need to find a safe place to put him. The mother in her heart ached for him, but they could not properly care for a child as they were.

The Blue did not strike Mia as one who had born children, however. It was something else.

Mia smiled faintly, mirthlessly. "There is little denying the truth in that," she had to agree. "But Gareth is right. There is something not right here. These mercenaries and the way of the town militia... The illness... The White Tower Sisters here, acting as they are. But then, that may have just been Tar Valon's inherent prejudice to the Grey Tower. Then there has been something..." She trailed off, eyes losing focus.

"Just outside of town?" the Blue asked curiously.

"Yes." Mia forced her eyes to focus again, turning to Nykkolaia. "I'm not sure what's going on, but at the edges of my senses, I have felt like there is someone out there... A female channeler. Likely someone attached to the White Tower Aes Sedai who are in town now, although to what purpose, I would not venture to guess."

The Blue's lips pursed slightly. "Nor would I, especially as your senses for it are keener than mine." A rather honest and humble proclamation from an Aes Sedai, Mia mused. She didn't mark it however and just inclined her head slightly to the younger woman. "Either way," the Blue continued, "it remains a factor."

It was Gareth who spoke, "Yes, but unless it suddenly vanishes, it will remain a factor both tonight or tomorrow. I think the mercenary crowd and the Under-Lieutenant's warnings are more the concern for whether we follow our original plan or try to thwart any possible...intrusions by leaving early, or late."

"If we heed his warning, I think staying longer would increase the chances of trouble," Mia said thoughtfully. The Yellow nodded in agreement. "So we remain on time, or we depart early."

[OOC: :stops before she writes a novel: ]

[Sean]

While the others spoke Valadin remained quiet, busy with his goal of numbing himself to the danger of their mission. When the sixth goblet was tipped down his throat he was rewarded with a tickling sensation spreading through his fingers; finally something good happened. There was still a distance yet to go before true satisfaction could be attained, but Nykk put forth her own take on the situation inadvertently drawing Valadin's attention with the sound of her voice. Her speaking served as a reminder of what was most mportant to him.

Inwardly a frustrated sigh passed through him. A drunkard could not protect her. A drunkard could not serve the Grey Tower that had saved his wretched life and a drunkard would not stand amongst the ranks when horns blew for the Last Battle. The goblet made no sound as it was set down on the table cloth, the seventh cup of wine left untouched.

Turning to face the room carefully Valadin decided to intercede. He'd been following along with the discussion quite well despite his previous preoccupation. "Is there really any time to think?"

The words were thick and heavy on his tongue, but he would speak them nonetheless. By now the porcelain faces of the Aes Sedai, the genuine curiosity of the Asha'man, and the neutral awareness of the Gaidar studied him, their thoughts unreadable behind those expressionless masks. Valadin hated that it reminded him of the time he and a few of the other stablehands watched a cat track a mouse around the stables. The same predatory patience seemed fixed on him, willing his next words to come forth now that he'd begun. Bloody get on with it, then! Maybe ya'll keep yer gob shut next time 'round his better judgement said.

"I mean ta say...it's jus'. Well there's all sort o' talk 'bout what should be done er what might 'appen; ent nuthin' gonna git solved by talkin' 'bout it. What needs doin', needs doin'. I say we head out now fer the city. If it's a trap then we'll take our bloody quarter then! If it's a bloody army we face then we face 'em! An' whatever else is out there can get more o' the same! We gotta mission...let's be about it then."

By the time the words were done Valadin felt tired. A good bed was in order. Maybe one with Nykk in it would do.

"If I spoke outta turn I'll pay the penance when we get back." No boldness was left to speak with. The wine fueled courage had spent itself leaving behind a grim determination as its bitter substitute.

Valadin waited for the rebuke he knew would come. Maybe they'll send ya back to the Tower... As he kept from meeting anyone's eyes he couldn't decide if the thought relieved or frightened him.

[Bella]

Miahala Ives Sedai When the young man spoke, Mia listened. She felt people were due respect, and she judged him as worthy of that as anyone else and he had done nothing to lose it. Although he was a bit rash in his words, there was a place for that in the world. And thus she listened to what he had to say without judgment.

"Talking things through has its place," she commented when he was done, her tone lacking any admonishment. "All great battles suffer discussion of plans and tactics, seeking wisdom before action when there is but a few moments to seek it. We may not have had as much time now as we believed, but we have those moments."

Having spoken, she let that settle in and then took a slow deep breath. "However, that being said...unless one of us has reasons I am unaware of that the Under-Lieutenant is not to be trusted, I do lean towards an early departure. If he is wrong, leaving early should cause little trouble. If he is right, it could save it for us. The only concern is if he speaks it to lead us into another trap.

"But I feel that if we are aware, we five are more than capable of handling such matters. Are we agreed then?"

Nykkolaia's eyes swung to Valadin's, but were unreadable. Gareth looked at Riahana. The Blue nodded, but the Yellow afforded his warder the first word; hers was the final word on matters of fighting and safety, after all.

[Roan]

Listening to the exchange between Mia and the Blue Aes Sedai, Riahana felt another pang of uncertainty tug at her. An unknown channeler on the outskirts of town? The warning from the Under Lieutenant? Nothing that had transpired since they arrived in the village left her feeling settled. She didn't, however, let it show, and nor did the fully raised channelers.

The Gaidar Captain had observed all in their party as they discussed what their next move should be, and part of her wanted to suggest to Valadin to slow down in his consumption of wine. He, however, was a grown man and could make his own choices. He spoke his mind, and she respected his direct approach, though she also knew her Memma was right when she addressed his concerns.

It seemed all eyes turned towards her when Mia asked if they were agreed, which spoke to the level of responsibility the Gaidar Captain held with the group. Sole Warder, but certainly not the most deadly weapon within the group's arsenal. Her hand went to the hilt of her sword as she looked to each and every member of their party before she answered, "It is the best course of action in my mind. . .to leave earlier than originally planned. I would suggest you all get some rest. I will keep watch and wake you when it is time for us to prepare to leave."

[Sean]

Lady Ives words were wise of course...and better still lacked any of the bite that most other full brothers and sisters would've put in their tones. The debate didn't last much longer after that. Valadin added nothing more to the forum instead quietly edging to the unfinished goblet of wine.

It was the Gaidar who had the final say in their plans: they would leave under the curtain of night without their appointed escort.

For Valadin this course of action was suiting. Sleep would come difficulty as it were and Nykk...catching her in the corner of his vision yet again told him that the burdensome child still clung like a babe in swaddling cloth...Nykk would have no time for him it seemed.

He was the first to bid everyone good night, mumbling something about needing to sleep off the wine. In truth being around Aes Sedai all day had been a taxing business. One never knew where they truly stood with ageless women.

Mag, the cheerful if a bit forceful, innkeeper had a serving woman show him to his room after a mug of a foul swill that supposedly came from Aiel lands. The drink burned like fire down his throat making the wine from earlier seem a tepid comparison .

Once in the room Valadin made a show of getting his things ready for travel, but realized halfway through that it was fear that kept him from bed. There were no pitchers in his room and the noises from the common room had died down making every creak of wood echo eerily. The Grey Tower group had been given a secluded wing away from the usual travelers and patrolmen that stayed the evenings. Undoubtedly it was a courtesy to be shown such favor, but for Valadin being alone with the terror of waking with a dagger in his throat was hardly living in luxury. Yer 'pposed to be the hero, eh? Unlikely...

Resigned to the futility of attempting sleep brought him back to common room some time later. On the way down he bumped into strange fellow murmuring about a lost child. Valadin knew nothing on the matter and said as much, thinking little of the encounter as the man disappeared down the hall. Things in the common room had grown quite tame as the evening wore on. A few rugged, red-eyed men stared into their tankards with a look seen aplenty at the Dancing Cartman. Old Samhl once said it was the look of a man trying to decide if the next cup was worth missing tomorrow for.

Beyond them a few men of better standing clustered together at a table. Simple clothes of good lace made them stand out amongst the worn threadbare patchwork of the farmers and townsfolk. Their server was a doe-faced girl with gentle eyes and fire-red hair. She was pretty. More than passably so. The princelings called for her to sit and drink with them, but the girl politely refused; Maggie's piercing glare likely having much to do with that. In all it was the usual lull of the night that came before sleep.

Taking a seat away from anyone else Valadin waited in solemn stillness for a server, slumping into his chair tiredly though thoughts churned restlessly. On the way down he'd stopped by Nykkolaia's room hoping for a more intimate goodnight, but overheard a series of child like giggles followed by a denied request to play longer. Nykk's voice had been stern, but warm...at least warmer than usual. Her affection for the child shouldn't have surprised, but Valadin felt slighted all the same.

"Waitin' on anyone, handsome?"

It was the dark haired maid from before. Valadin brightened at the female company: at least some woman would spend time with him tonight.

The ensuing conversation proved distracting enough to keep his earlier paranoia from settling on the inn's next visitor...

[Bella]

Miahala Ives Sedai The decision was made, the details were sorted, and the little group were soon settled into their rooms.

As per a group of their status, this short corridor of private rooms was allocated specifically for them. No others would even be allowed down this hallway but for the Grey Tower delegation and the Inn Mistress herself, although the soldier within the mind of the Green wondered how this would be achieved when there seemed to be no sort of watch or guard set for it.

Not that she thought this privacy was necessary, but she was used to it.

Even after all this time, sometimes the deference paid to Aes Sedai and the Tower delegations made the poor farm girl inside her feel slightly awkward and uncomfortable. It was a tiny sliver of a feeling buried under time and experience, but she could still feel it poking at the inside of her brain on occasion. It was an odd sensation, but one she'd learned to ignore.

There would not be a lot of time to rest before they would set off under their cloak of darkness, but Miahala no longer needed nearly as much sleep as she once had. Was it her age, or a quirk of those who'd returned from the dead? If she ever found one who had done so in the way that she had, then she would be sure to ask them. In the meantime, she took off her boots but remained dressed.

Her room had a small window with a bench set into it. There was just enough room for her to sit and lean back, looking through the slightly dirty panes to the quieting town street below and the sliver of moon that shown down on it. The light fell over her face, but was dimmed enough to not offend her eyes.

She dozed. Images floated through her dreams, but (as usual) with little cohesion. Her breathing grew steady, but she never sunk deep into rest. It was nearly impossible to achieve when you knew you would be waking soon, but anyone who spent time on a battlefield knew how to find some rest in the short hours all the same...

..that was, of course, until there was a knock on the door.

Blue-green eyes opened immediately and her focus sharpened on the source of the sound. She peered at the rough-hewn wood as if she could see through it before rising to her feet. It was more than likely one of the others, but her sense of paranoia drove her to open herself and embrace Saidar all the same. People had been channeling frequently in the town already, it would not stand out.

As with other such doors to the outside, there was no window to open and view. She unlocked it and then opened it slightly, peering through to see a stranger on the other side. The man looked slightly taller than she, as she was tall for a woman around these parts, and looked quite ragged with a pronounced scar down along his chin. His hands were held before him, with no obvious signs of a weapon.

So much for no one but them in this corridor... "You must have the wrong room," she began and then started to shut the door.

His broad hand reached out and kept it open, but he didn't try anything further. "Please, Aes Sedai," he said, pronouncing the title with an odd inclination. "I'm looking for a boy, he's lost. I need help. Can you help me?" There was some glimmer of what Mia might call desperation in his eye, but there was also an odd flatness to his demeanor at the same time.

Her mind, of course, thought to the boy that the Blue had seemingly taken in...but the mother in her was certainly not going to trust to "a boy" as a descriptor.

"I don't know the boy you speak of," she said, which was the truth. She didn't know of the boy he spoke of.

"I've got money, for help," he said, the words spilling out quickly.

She eyed him for a long moment. There didn't seem to be any perceptible threat that she could tell, but the moment still didn't feel quite...right. Was it having woken from sleep, or something else? "I don't know the boy you're looking for, and I have no need for money," she said, though she let her icy tone gentle slightly. "But if you would wish to leave me a name, I could send word if I learn of anything."

Her mind worked swiftly.

"Cirilinas," he replied. She couldn't tell if she sensed reluctance in his tone or not, but she committed the name to memory. "If you learn of anything, please send word. They know me in town."

"I will," she said simply. "Now, if you'd please..." He nodded, definitely looking reluctant now, but turned and walked away. She watched him until he disappeared out through the mouth of the corridor and then shut the door. When she met the others in a very short time from now, she would mention the name to Nykkolaia and the boy. If the boy recognized him favorably, she would send word.

If not, they would move on.

[Roan]

Having a private wing of the inn set aside for their party made Riahana's task of keeping watch a bit easier. When things seemed quiet, she slipped into the quarters she shared with Gareth and made sure her things were packed and ready to go for their early departure. The Gaidar Captain smiled to herself when she saw her saddle bags were packed and sitting next to his, and looked to the hulk of a sleeping form on the bed. She moved to the window, which afforded a small view of the main street running through town. All seemed quiet, though if she were planning something on an apparently unsuspecting party, she'd likely avoid main thoroughfares.

As the sole warder for the group, Riahana felt like their safety was her responsibility. It helped knowing that her Memma could take care of not just herself, but perhaps the entire party if need be, but Ria did feel the weight of responsibility on her shoulders. Taking watch tonight was not an easy task. With the Blue and the child in one room, the Dedicated (who seemed distracted for much of the evening) in another, Mia in a room of her own, and then the room she shared with Gareth, the party was spread out. She knew the layout of the wing they were in, and knew too that there should be no one coming (and ideally going) from the wing.

A door opening and closing was the first to catch her attention. Moving to her own door, Ria listened, realizing that one of their party had left their rooms and was heading...somewhere. Other footsteps, though, suggested someone who wasn't meant to be in their wing was. Opening her door quietly, Ria looked down the hall, and saw a man and woman in front of Mia's door. Her Memma could handle herself, though the Gaidar did not like the idea of strangers in a wing they were told would be private to them.

Riahana's bigger concern, though, were the footsteps she heard heading down to the common room. As quietly as she could, the Gaidar Captain closed the door to her quarters, and made her way to the common room. It was quiet, but not deserted, and at the bar, she spotted Valadin. Arching a brow out of curiosity, Ria observed the Dedicated and almost smirked as a woman, the serving girl, approached and started up conversation. The young man had been in a bit of a state earlier as he downed an impressive amount of wine in a very short time. She wondered what was bothering her former sparring partner, and moved to one of the dark corners of the common room to wait, watch and observe.

With the Dedicated seemingly distracted to his surroundings, Riahana was ever alert. She watched those patrons who remained, and looked towards the door as a new arrival appeared. Something did not sit well with her, and she sunk deeper into the shadows of the corner she'd been sitting in to watch unobserved. She hoped she was just being a paranoid Warder, but the itch at the back of her mind kept her alert. She slipped into the Void, sharpening her focus, and ever aware of what went on around her.

[Sean]

Everything was ruined so quickly. A moment ago Valadin was trying to forget the cloud of death hanging about him. The conversation of a tavern maid helped a good deal even if it was ultimately a temporary reprieve; he could never have another in his arms with Nykk on his mind.

She tried though. Sitting on Valadin's lap when her duties were few, smiling and asking questions about his business in Tremonsien; it was the sort of attention Master had taught him to notice and cultivate. These were the best hours to find a partner for the night. It might not be so bad to take a small comfort...

"I'm afraid I don't know what you mean, ser," Maggie said loudly from the counter. A large man rose from somewhere across the room and headed to where the innkeeper seemed to be having difficulty with some men.

In all there were four men dressed in gray and black clothing that made them appear to be living shadows. All of them kept the cowl of their cloaks on their heads except for the man speaking directly to Maggie. He was a long man whose skin appeared to be drawn uncomfortably tight over bony cheeks. From where Valadin was seated he couldn't tell the man's age though he didn't seem considerably young. Telltale bulges beneath the cloaks suggested the men were armed.

The serving girl had stopped her pawing at Valadin to watch the scene. By now the large man had made his way to Maggie who looked ready to strike someone. "Ongar. Might be best fer these gents to bed elsewhere. Show them out would you?"

Ongar appeared to try reasoning with the men in the rough manner than hired hands usually do. Too bad these weren't the usual patrons.

One of hooded men moved with the efficient precision of a practiced killer and a knife found its way into Ongar's eye. Maggie screamed, but two men were heading towards Valadin with swords drawn. "Blood an' ashes!" he choked as the serving girl clung to his shoulders.

Shouts rose up as the shock of Ongar's murder faded. Some of the men in the room rose up only to find the action to be their last before being returned to the Pattern. When death faced the princelings many of them fell to pleading tor their lives. Only one had the gall to fight back, tackling one of the assailants to the floor. It was a short struggle despite the bravery shown. Soon most were dead, Valadin and the serving girl among them.


The unhooded man watched calmly as men and women were remorsely put to the blade. A small smile pulled at overstretched folds of skin on his face. When it seemed he'd had his fill he murmured something to a nearby killer and stepped out the inn. Soon the cloaked men turned their attentions up the stairway, some heading immediately while others remained to dispatch Valadin who'd found a table leg and was wielding it as best he could like a sword. Only he held ...he and the lone figure who stepped into the fray.

[Roan]

Riahana had been unsettled since the moment the Under Lieutenant and his two men greeted her party as they'd been chasing after the little boy who now seemed stuck to the Blue's side. Her unease did not subside as she followed the man to his meeting point with unknown mercenaries, nor had it settled after the Under Lieutenant seemed to offer her party warning that they'd been expected. As a Gaidar, she learned to be aware of such feelings while not being ruled by them, and letting the Void settle around her so completely helped keep her focused and very much aware that things in the Tavern were about to go from not so good to very very bad very very quickly.

Everything seemed to happen in a split second. The big man known as Ongar fell dead to the floor, his life taken from him in a split second by one of the four men who'd entered moments ago. Other patrons rose up to avenge the man who was likely a friend, only to be cut down, joining their friend in death. It was clear no quarter would be given to those in the common room, whether they fought or begged for their lives.

The apparent leader, thinking things were under control, left after giving unheard orders to one of his henchmen. Those hooded men left turned their attention to the stairs leading up to where the rest of her party were resting, and to a table leg wielding Valadin. Riahana Unfolded the Fan to draw her sword as she emerged from the shadows and came to stand shoulder to shoulder with Valadin. She wondered why he was unarmed, but made no mention of it then. . .it was not the time. In the back of her mind, there was a hint of doubt as she wondered if she could have reacted sooner to lessen spilled blood, and save lives that had been taken so unceremoniously. Again, not the time to think such things. She refocused and pulled the Void ever closer.

Sizing up each of the hooded men left, Riahana had no desire to let any reach the stairs, or the floor that held her party. . .her family. "Can you hold him while I dispatch the two so set on heading up to our party?" she asked Valadin, hoping he had his wits about him enough to say yes, mean it and be able to do it.

[Bella]

Miahala Ives Sedai Although it would have been more advisable for her to have tried to get some more rest, the Green felt herself somewhat unnerved--if slightly, but still noticeably--by the encounter at the door. She didn't even bother trying to settle in and realized that she hadn't released Saidair, though that wasn't truly surprising. The One Power often brought some soothing with it, but it also brought some heightened alertness. She was intrinsically a warrior, and that had its own levels of sensory perceptions...

...which, all of these together, was undoubtedly why she so acutely heard the commotion downstairs. And her long years of experience was what led her to analyze and understand what the noises that she heard meant.

Trouble.

Now she certainly wasn't going to release the One Power and she almost sighed with fatigued aggravation. Why did nothing ever go to plan, and how did trouble always manage to find its way to where ever a group from the Grey Tower was? Then again, maybe it wasn't the Tower but her. Perhaps she was what attracted it.

She moved swiftly to the door once again. If I was to attract things, I would rather something else entirely... The thought was pulled away like a whiff of smoke on a breeze as she pulled a long knife from her boot. Straightening, she had a dozen weaves in her mind and "at her fingertips" as she opened the door and glanced past. No one was right there, and she was free to step into the hall.

That was when she heard the heavy steps and saw the first two of them ascending that top step. She heard doors behind her opening, but knew they belonged to the others in her party. Were any downstairs with the commotion? The steps... One heavy, one light behind her... Nykk and Gareth? She could not be sure without looking, and she didn't choose to do so.

The two men reached the top of the landing. Blades glinted in their hands and proved rather conclusively that they were not coming to their doors to ask if they wanted more tea. Their expressions were dark, but the first one looked a little uncertain when he discovered that the Green was standing there waiting for him. Clearly, he had expected her to remain as a sitting duck in her room. Assumptions were wearying.

She held up her hand and the first men stopped, surprised by her gesture. Mia had to smile as she wrapped thick cords of Air around the lead of the two and dragged him forcibly across the floor and brought his neck straight into her waiting hand. His arms remained bound at his side and the second man was frozen with surprise for but a moment. Then he began to charge but another thick cord of Air smacked him into the wall.

"Come to cause trouble, are you?" she asked the man bound and held before her.

He sneered, but as he opened his mouth to reply, the back of her hand caught him across the lips. The Air loosened enough to send him staggering to one side. A rather colorful phrase, managing to disparage both her and her parentage, spilled from his lips. A few rather banal threats followed and she knew she should've gagged him instead.

The second one was charging again, a pair of knives in his hands as he rushed the lone woman in the hallway. The first was spitting out a tooth as a razor of Air shot forward and flew straight through the second man's chest. He gurgled, spitting blood before a column of Air sent him flying backwards. Barely alive, he went tumbling down the steps with some blood spurting from his chest wound.

Now the first man had regained his senses. She had dropped the Air bonds while focusing on the other. He lunged at her, getting his own hand around her throat and pressing her back into the wall. He sneer-smiled, a look that only villains could truly achieve. He squeezed as his fetid breath flooded her senses, but she did not feel fear. I fear no man. Disgust did make its appearance, however.

"How does this feel now, wench?" The hand squeezed tighter.

"Fool," she whispered, then smiled. His brows knit and and then he jerked. The hand loosened as he began to feel the effects of Water, Air and Fire as it threaded into his blood. "Can you smell the smoke?" she whispered, even though she had full use of her throat again. "It's your blood." He choked, smacking at his arms like he thought he'd put out a fire, but he collapsed shortly thereafter.

She stepped over his convulsing form. Now she had a moment to glance behind her and saw the Blue and the Yellow. She frowned, because if her kin was not in this hallway, she was...

Mia sighed.

Turning, the channelers moved to the head of the stairs...