The Silver Scream [Attn: Nykkolaia Sedai]

[Sean]

So many moments slipped into darkness. Nykk had already faced the voice's source, but Valadin held her and wouldn't let go. The Oneness slid over his mind like a second skin sending terror fleeing in it's wake.

Then Val turned.

No torchlight touched the alleyway, but the glimmer of steel was obvious in the shadows. “No runnin' now. Just hand over yer coin purse, friend."

Fingertips brushed against the longsword's hilt, the blade waiting to be drawn.

“Oi, we've got a hero!" another disembodied voice crowed, this one lacking the sarcastic friendliness of the first.

There was no warning. No instance of clarity. Only the shrill whistle of metal hurtling through the crisp night air came before the cold shock of a dagger merging blade-first with Valadin's chest. I won't let 'em hurt her! So loud was the thought that Val believed he'd shouted as the first step was taken towards the darkness...

...then he fell to one knee, sword clattering on the stone street. “Nykk...Nykk...I'm...I'm..sc..a.." he stammered as one hand went to the wound only to immediately become wet and warm.

Footsteps stampeded towards them; it'd be over quick...he hoped. “Ru...run!" Valadin choked. “Run!"

[Bella]

It all happened so fast. There was another voice, quiet and sinister. Valadin was moving, but then something cut through the air and the sound of metal against rugged paving stones was so loud in her ears that she felt as though blood might run free. He was falling to his knee and speaking. He was stammering. He was scared. There were footsteps.

Fear...

He told her to run as they were besieged. Without having realized she had moved, Nykk was on her knee beside him. She felt fear inside herself as well, fear for Valadin. Her fear of hands in the darkness had bled from her over ten months in a bakery basement. No, she felt a sudden and sharp terror that he might be pulled from her. She had been long sure now it would happen, but not like this.

Everything happened so slow now. The steps were slow as they approached. Somehow, the echoing of each footfall against the inside of this alley spoke to her. Two... No more than three. Moving fast, yet everything was slow and utterly silent and so loud. The Blue jerked her head up and saw the shadowy figures in the dark.

Fear me...

The One Power was already singing through her. Spirit was the element that had always spoken loudest to her soul and she sent filaments of it spiraling out from her now, shooting forward and rushing towards the approaching enemies. They were little more than concepts to her as the weave, taught to her upon her ascending to the shawl, wrapped around each of their minds.

The Blue Ajah and its secrets. She availed herself of them now as the Spirit wrapped around them, sowing the seeds of fear within them. It was not compulsion, she could not actually compel them to do anything except miss a step. Each one did. The fear sunk low inside them and their feet slowed.

Fear what I will do to you...

Air. A thick cord of Air spun out from around her like an explosion, knocking them all back. It stirred up the debris as it sent them all backward into the alley way walls. Air stirred the Spirit that twisted in their wicked minds. They looked upon the rage blazing in her pale eyes in the dim light, the way it glistened on the angry red lines on her face. The way that suddenly nothing felt as it should.

And they feared her.

They ran.

Once they vanished, her anger subsided and her hands trembled. She gulped air into her lungs as she turned back to Valadin, pressing her hand over his wound and feeling the blood. "Come," she gasped softly. "We have to get you back to the inn, to Gareth. He can Heal you, and you'll be well... Come... Come..."

[Sean]

Suddenly Nykk was beside him. Her hands were cold against the bleeding wound and her voice shook while trying to urge Valadin to his feet. No hint of the terrible Aes Sedai whose wrath was terrible and frightening.

Not for the first time did Valadin wonder about whom he'd given his heart to.

"W...wait," he groaned moving her hand aside. The cobbled stone of the street chilled him to the bone as he sat down, but he tried his best to keep chattering from his teeth.

Being a friend of the mountain guard had its benefits. One of them was witnessing plenty of bloody injuries and watching as fellow guardsmen treated a fallen brother or sister. Even in Hama Valon the One Power was feared even if it held more respect than in other parts of Andor.

Tearing a strip of cloth from his sleeve he handed it to Nyyk, "M..might not ne..need Healin'" he stammered. Pain no longer raked his mind of all thought, but it seemed the night conspired to rob him of every ounce of heat; what he wouldn't give to learn the secret of ignoring cold or heat...or at the very least his Asha'man blacks.

"I...I n-need ya...to tie the cloth...cloth 'rou...round the wound tight...whe ...when I pull the dagger...loo..se. Stop the bleedin""

Dimly aware that his words were slurry Valadin offered the best smile he could manage. Knowing Nykkolaia Zeran Sedai a stubborn retort was on the tip of her tongue. The smile deepened at the thought. In the darkness of this alleyway in Cairhien death might have finally found Valadin Manelle, but it was the beauty of the scarred, wounded woman beside him that he noticed.

Savoring the view of his beloved Valadin reached up...and pulled the dagger from his chest. Then the world went black as pain and screams swallowed him until there was nothing left. I love you, Nykk…

[Bella]

"Blood and ashes!" Nykk cursed aloud as he pulled out the dagger and promptly lost consciousness. With the flowing blood and the pain that attended it, she knew it had been unavoidable that he would...but it certainly put her in a remarkably difficult position. Her first necessity, however, was placing the cloth he'd handed to her over the wound.

She was no Yellow, but she knew that a dagger of that size was not going to have pierced through, thus she had only one hole to be concerned about. Weaving a small ball of light, it let her see that the blood was even more pronounced than she realized and she swallowed hard. Very much not a Yellow...or a Green... she reflected, trying to not feel lightheaded at the sight.

The cloth was bunched up and then pressed down firmly, knowing that she had to stop the bleeding. Then she had to think fast. She could not just leave him here, both for concern that the bleeding would not be staunched enough without someone holding it and who knew if those ruffians would return...but she couldn't stay and not get him treated.

Her mind raced until it hit on a solution. She had very little ability with this beyond what all channelers did, but it would be enough.

It would have to be.

A small gateway opened. The only room in the inn that she had seen, aside from her own, was Miahala's and so she took the chance to open her small portal there. It was enough to look through and she saw the Green almost immediately. Miahala frowned and peered at it just as Nykkolaia spoke. "Valadin has been hurt and is unconscious, we need help." She gave what information she had on her location just before the gateway snapped shut from her lack of strength in the ability.

It would have to be enough.

She don't know how long a time passed before there was the sound of boots approaching them. The stride was strong and pronounced, with purpose, not hurried and not attempting concealment. The small light Nykk had made showed the Green as she entered the alleyway and approached. She was alone and Nykk thought to ask why Gareth had not come, but she didn't.

Mia knelt beside them. Nykk could see that she was already holding Saidar and laying a fine mesh of Spirit over the unconscious Dedicated. "I have some ability to Heal," the Green explained succinctly without looking up. "Blood loss at most, but it managed to miss anything important inside." Nykk then watched other elements being drawn and corded together, and she shivered at the amount of Power the Green held.

Nykk was not strong in Saidar so this moment, feeling this from the other Aes Sedai while so close, was almost a little frightening.

The weave settled into the Dedicated. "The bleeding is stopped and the damage mended. He is fortunate. If it had been any worse, only Gareth could've helped." She paused and looked up at the Blue, her face unreadable. "He should wake soon, but he will need food and rest, though he should be able to at least walk back to the Inn then. It's not far."

The Blue could only nod.

[Sean]

Wild dreams drifted in and out of focus from the darkness. Nothing remained for too long' often coalescing into something tangible only dissipate in a breath. More often than not Nykkolaia's face emerged from the nothingness, taunting with caring eyes that penetrated effortlessly into the soul. At first the cold threatened to take everything, but then there was a burst of light and pain. Soon the dim world was chased away as Valadin sprung up gasping for air before quickly feeling drained after.

Cairhien spires surrounded him. Tall, shadowy lances that seemed to cut into the cloudless sky.

Soon even the great manmade mountains could no longer hold Valadin's attention. Only her silhouette was visible in the dying torchlight, but he reached for her all the same. It had been brief, but a very real vision of having the woman in his arms ripped from his grasp until he returned from Pattern had made its impression. She seemed stiff in his arms as Valadin rose to his feet. It was then that he noticed there was someone else not far beyond a globe of light that glowed more evidently as he stood up. The prickle of saidar being channeled made the back his neck itch.

“Ah, a...apologies...Aes Sedai" was all he could think to sputter in the moment as Miahala Ives took form like Dream spirit. “I...I mean...Zeran...Sedai. My apologies fer touchin' ya like that. Must be ah...faint. From the..."

Words failed as hands passed over where the dagger had impaled him. New pale white skin, smooth like a newborn's flesh now covered the wound as if no injury had ever been. Guessing at the Lady Ives presence Valadin bowed his head low to both Sisters. His words were not enough to express thanks for being given another chance at living.

“Seems I owe more'n I know." It was meant to be a lighthearted jest, but fell from his tongue bitterly. “Thank ya...Aes Sedai."

Awkward, but he felt it would do. The lightness of his step still remained with him after the ordeal. It pained the heart to have Nykk close enough to touch and smell and...taste only to be denied such pleasures. At every turn the blasted mission defeated every opportunity for true happiness. The patter of boots upon the cobblestone street spoke un strong support than the Pattern conspired against Valadin's happiness.

“There! There they are. The witch an' her whelp came after me an' some fellows in the alley. Sayin' we owed them coin an' the like!"

A famaliar voice belonged to an unfamiliar face as Valadin faced their attacker for the first time. Weakness no longer bound his limbs as he stepped purposefully towards the ruffian only to have several blades of steel bar as his path. Only then did he take notice of the city watch, but it was only for a moment as his attentions lay fully upon the man who'd attacked them earlier. “See, ser? Boy's rabid!"

“Enough," a voice used to authority called from the center of the arrayed men. “We'll find out both sides of the story."

A broad shouldered guard with an officer's helm strode past Valadin to address the Aes Sedai directly. In Cairhien, Valadin had learned this was an insult, but he held his tongue easily enough.

“Evening Ladies. Late to be...out." Without looking Valadin knew that the guard had seen Nykk's scars. If it wouldn't have doomed them all he'd have killed the man for arrogance. “I have a man here...says the boy and a woman attacked. Says the woman's got powers."

Now the guard spoke only to Lady Ives. The eyes beneath the officer's helm had already traveled the length Green's dress more than once, stopping to linger at the neckline as if imagining something. Drawing nearer to Sister Ives than anyone at the Tower dared he whispered, “Want me to show you real power?"

Idiot, Valadin thought without watching the scene.

[Bella]

Miahala Ives Sedai Nothing ever goes as planned...

Valadin's having reached for her was both surprise and not. Clearly he had thought her the Blue, and in that light, it was no surprise at all, and he recovered quickly enough without her having to make the point. With no desire to embarrass him, especially after such injury, she stifled the smirk seeking to curve her lips and simply inclined her head.

That's when it went even further to the left and the guards arrived. Mia knew not all the details, but she knew enough. An easy way to not take blame for your own actions was to cry foul first and point fingers. It would've been easy to deflect except for the pup who thought he could step up to her. More horse than you can handle, boy.

It was impossible to mistake what Miahala was, which was why she did not take missions where that knowledge needed hiding. That was not so here, and her being an Aes Sedai was obvious with one look at her face. That porcelain face now lifted a brow as she steadily met his gaze and politely did not thrust a knife into his insult.

"The knife that stabbed my friend was clearly a throwing knife and that speaks to distance between them. My friend was injured and there is naught an injury on these others," Mia said, choosing to ignore his idiocy because he truly was beneath her contempt. Neither did she move away, because it was not to her to give ground. "I might be highly surprised if these men were not already known to your guard as sources of trouble."

That was a guess, but a fair one, she thought. Her gaze that pierced as surely as her knives or her razor sharp weaves of Air kept his now, unblinking, waiting to see if he was smart enough to back off or dumb enough to give her cause. She just had to hope that neither the Dedicated nor the Blue did anything equally foolish.

[Sean]

“You can’t believe ‘er! She’s one of them witches! She’s more likely to turn us into toads than accept that her ilk ever did anythin’ wrong!” the accused man shouted back at Miahala’s insinuation.

Soon the guard and thugs were shouting over each other in an effort to prove a point that was lost in the row. More men of the city watch came to see what the commotion was about and in short time the little alley became host to half the watchmen of Cairhien with more on the way.

Valadin’s thirst for retribution had died with so many shouting voices and that many of those were armed men in burnished plate mail did nothing to encourage faith that things would end well. Surrounded on all sides he maneuvered his way as best he could while passing citizens began to draw closer to the scene. Lady Ives still stared daggers at the officer who appeared oblivious to the fact that Aes Sedai were not noblewomen to be swept off their feet and whisked away for dalliances. The fool would find himself hung from a steeple once the Green’s patience wore thin.

Finding Nykk quelled an anxiety that Valadin hadn’t known plagued him. She might be furious ‘bout earlier. She oughtn’t be. Lady Ives ent that type…I think. The worry was put from his mind as he pressed pass the jostling watchmen who now busied themselves with keeping curious bystanders from joining the fray and trying to corral the riled cutpurses. So far the vaunted Cairhien reserve had proven to be more myth than truth.

An armored elbow to the midsection doubled Valadin over for a moment, but determination soon saw him to the Blue Sister’s side. Casting a wary glance over his shoulder to see if Miahala Sedai was watching, he was satisfied with the plumed helmet of the courting officer obstructing the sight of the her. Lady Miahala Ives was a fine woman and certainly less severe than her reputation allowed, but she could be a bit…domineering.

Valadin’s hand found Nykk’s through the wriggling sea of steel and cloth. The sensation of her skin against his always stoked a fire that ached and terrified him. On this night, however he appeared liberated from his fear…leaving only the ache. “I think it might be best if we left this place!” he shouted over the cacophony of arguments going on about them.

Drawing closer to whisper something in her ear, he caught her fragrance. Never the same scent twice, now it reminded him of wild honeysuckle in the thick of summer. The Four Kings wasn’t known for its farmlands though many did spring up alongside the main road, but in the summertime rare flowers would bloom giving off the most wonderful smells for those traveling along the roadside.

“I think I know a good place to wait out the night,” he whispered, his lips inches from the small of her ear. Had he great confidence he might’ve stolen a kiss. “Miahala Sedai should be fine…I think.”

Looking back he saw the officer was now gesticulating in grand, sweeping motions that earned sharp looks from the victims of unwarranted blows. No doubt tales of glories earned were being spun, but nothing lethal it appeared.

“What say you?” Valadin said, still speaking into Nykk’s ear. Though their closeness would have been inappropriate in most settings, there was little choice now as bodies pushed against them every now again. Valadin’s free hand had found its way to the small of the Sister’s back, a gentle reminder of the stirrings he had for her.

Many times he wondered if Nykk struggled with the same passions. She always seemed...in control. Not everyone’s an animal, a voice warned him. It was true. Not everyone was like him or could understand him…but Nykkolaia Zeran Sedai understood him better than anyone else.

[Bella]

Nykkolaia Zeran Sedai As often was the case, Valadin's close proximity caused a small riot in Nykkolaia's mind--one that might rival the riot unfolding down the alley from them--and a shiver in places she still struggled to believe she possessed. His hand at the small of her back was like punctuation on a statement, and his words held the color of allure...but it added to the riot, and a great deal of conflict at what he proposed.

Nykk turned her head to look at him, her eyes showing her longing even if the rest of her face was schooled to its usual impassivity. "I would be alone with you again, with a desire that I do not fully comprehend," she began, her voice for his ears alone as no one was paying attention to them with Miahala Sedai drawing their fire instead. The unsettled feeling in her after what had happened loosened her tongue.

"But we cannot slip away and leave her to deal with this mess, which originated with us. It would not be right." She frowned slightly, almost pained, as if denying this caused her physical pain. "And further, should we sneak away, it would just make us look like those villains are telling the truth and that we are guilty." The Blue was too deep in her to do otherwise, no matter how much it hurt.

Before he had a chance to reply, however, or she had a chance to explore this odd feeling of apology growing in her mind, the noise quieted and the crowd dispersed with rather alarming rapidity.

With slightly widened eyes, Nykk looked around them as everyone left but Miahala Sedai and another officer of the watch, a new one that she not seen before. The man was older and slightly grizzled, rather short in the way of Cairhien men but did not look "less than" the Aes Sedai he stood before. He smiled faintly at her and bowed his head, and she returned the gesture--the bowing at least, Nykk couldn't see her face well.

He departed then and when the crowd was cleared, Miahala turned and walked back to the pair, who looked askance of her. She smiled slightly.

"The man's commander arrived," she explained. "He is known to me, and to House Viathene, of whom a member of is like a daughter to me. It did not hurt that those blackguards were also known to him for what they are. I am the widow of the Sword and Ivy Cross of the House Ives in Arafel. The commander saw the wisdom in being well aligned with noble houses in Arafel, Cairhien and the Grey Tower itself."

After all, the Great Game was a way of life here. Power was currency.

The smile lifted slightly more on one side, one might dare say wickedly if one would dare. "He also will see to his underling for his...inappropriate advances upon my person." Upon hearing that, Nykk's pale brows rose slightly, and she reflected that none were likely to get away with a slight against this woman.

"My apologies for this disturbance, Sister," Nykk said, quickly covering up what Valadin had revealed in her. "And thank you for your assistance."

"Anything for my Brothers and Sisters," Mia replied, her shrewd gaze swinging between them. "Do you think the two of you can be back to the inn or about your business without further trouble?" The question was not without an edge of humor, if you were listening closely enough.

[Sean]

Valadin nodded his thanks, adding his own gratitude only after Nykk had spoken, “Many thanks Miahala Sedai, may the Light always shine upon ya.”

The question of whether Nykk and he could manage safe travels to the inn or otherwise brought a touch of heat to his face given what his original intentions had been for the evening. It also brought to attention how closely he still stood by Nykk. Valadin tried to appear innocuous though felt the effort futile beneath the probing look of the Green Sister. Times such as these reminded him of why Aes Sedai were still uncomfortable to be around. “Aye, I believe we…erm, I can escort Zeran Sedai safely to…”

Swallowing for lack of proper explanation he coughed once into his hand and made a hasty bow of respect before heading off some distance away where he appeared to begin admiring a fountain. In truth it was an effort to give Nykkolaia time to…smooth over whatever mess had just been created. Light blinded-fool of an ox-brain, Valadin swore while standing in the lifeless walkway. No signs of the earlier commotion persisted after Lady Ives associate cleared the city watch. Not for the last time Valadin wondered if there was anything that Miahala Ives could not do.

The night’s cold was beginning to bite and it didn’t help that he was near-bare down to his torso. The promise of a bed grew more alluring as yet another yawn was suppressed, but more than that there was a still task that Valadin sought to complete and by the Creator it would be completed without fail.

[Bella]

Nykkolaia Zeran Sedai The somewhat...probing gaze of the Green Sister was, indeed, disconcerting. Nykk could not blame Valadin for gaining distance after making the appropriate comments, because even after her own years with the shawl, the Blue was starting to find herself itching under the weight of that look. She was reminded that Mia had been Mistress of Novices not once, but twice in the history of the Tower.

She felt it now, but she maintained her composure. Because she was Aes Sedai, burn it, and she would not bend. She did not believe that Miahala wished her too either, but that the woman could not help her remarkably imposing demeanor.

"I am sure we shall manage safely now, Sister," she said with the faintest of smiles curving her mouth as she bowed her head again. "I thank you for your concern." Polite and proper, with none of her inner thoughts being revealed across her ageless serenity, as well it should be, and for which she was grateful to have achieved after a night like she'd now had.

"Of course," Mia said with a faint smile of her own. Her eyes drifted past Nykk to Valadin and then back again. "Have the young man find a better place to...walk with an Aes Sedai than an alley after dark. The Inn has perfectly lovely rooms." So much yet so little said, but Nykk felt her stomach drop into her feet. It did not show, but she sure felt it. The women could tell, couldn't she...

"Of course," Nykk echoed simply.

Without further words, the Green bowed her head and then turned, departing as swiftly and as quietly as she had arrived.

The Blue let out a heavy breath and looked into the space, the absence, she had left behind. Then she realized the Green had had a good idea... Turning, she moved up to Valadin's side and touched his arm. It was a small gesture, but one that meant much to her, especially coupled with the suddenly open, vulnerable look in her eyes. "Perhaps we should find somewhere...quieter...to be now? T-together?"

The faint stammer was unusual for her, but she knew what she was suggesting, and that suggestion was as unnerving as it was...thrilling.