The Grey Tower

The Aes Sedai coolly acknowledged the weaves, and possibly that Torianin did not like using the last one. Perhaps one day, there would come a time where she would have to use it in order to survive, and not at the behest of someone controlling her. For the time being, she was doing good to demonstrate these weaves without flashing back to those days. She was rather impressed with herself. She walked toward the Gardens with her instructor. Thoughts began to swirl in her head as they approached. How was the class going? Her teacher had been silent so far. Was she doing all right? Had she done anything wrong? She pushed those thoughts away. If something was terribly wrong, surely the Aes Sedai would have reacted fast enough to correct her behavior.

When the pair reached the Gardens, Torianin examined the sinuous lake. The plants around it didn't seem to be too delicate. "This one..." she said as she pulled her hair to the side, deciding on a good spot in the water, "is more of a tactical maneuver, and one that I would normally use on the seas on a much grander scale. You may want to prepare a small shield of Air." At that, she placed one over herself, and when her instructor was ready, she started the demonstration. She wove Water and Air together to make a funnel over a wide part of the lake. Water was a larger part of the weave, but Air was there to direct the motion. At the top of the funnel, she placed very small amounts of Earth. With the weave settled, a large spout of water from the lake sprang from the weave over ten feet into the air, spraying the surrounding Gardens with water and...fish.

Once the water had settled, Toriainin dropped her thin shield of Air and set about setting the fish around with the next weave. Folding weaves of Air in with thick weaves of Water, she gathered water from the pond. With the displaced water, she, gathered a fish, then carried it back to the lake. "This one, I've seen used in the Grey Tower before, but not in the way that I once used it," she explained. "My captors had a more creative use for it." To show what she meant, she roped a larger amount of water with the same weave of Water and Air braided together and captured much quicker than she had the first one. To a soldier on the battle field, there would not have been enough time to react, and if the weave was strong enough, they would not have been able to move. "Quick death on the battlefield, gathering information..." she explained, trying not to delve too deeply into those memories. She looked through the rest of the Gardens and relocated displaced fish using the same weave before returning to her teacher.

"Those are the ones I remember the best, but I'm willing to learn more as well," she said as she returned to the Aes Sedai's side.

The Air shield had naturally been effortless, and Mia watched with interest. She nodded in acknowledgement, and was pleased that the Accepted put the fish back to their proper places. If she hadn't, Mia would have. Although she was a Green and known for being vicious in battle, she did have a feeling for the sanctity of life.

When the woman was done, Mia smiled slightly. "We all have more to learn, and should you wish, I could recommend some instructors. You could refine your ability with Air, and perhaps learn Cloud Dancing."

Before she could say anymore, one of her guards melted out of the surrounding foliage where they had been all but invisible in their vigilance of her protection. He bowed his head slightly. "I'm afraid you have a meeting to attend to shortly, Amyrlin," he said with deference and respect. He made his statement and then stepped back.

Mia suppressed the smile that wanted to come out at what must be going through Torianin's mind. Turning back to the Accepted, she bowed her head very slightly although she maintained eye contact. "Good work, Accepted."

Turning on her heel, she left the guardians.

OOC: This concludes the evaluation thread. Leala, you can use this thread to approve Torianin for 3 Learned Talent Points in Battle Weaves.

For the first time in her life, Torianin felt good knowing these weaves. She would be able to use them in defense of herself and others, and to the extent of her own judgement, rather than that of someone controlling her. She felt encouraged when the Aes Sedai did not seem unimpressed, and was about to respond with a promise to move forward when a group of men made themselves known from around her. they seemed to just appear out of nowhere. The Aes Sedai did not seem bothered or surprised by their presence. What...?

One of the men addressed the Aes Sedai as Amyrlin, and Torianin's heart nearly jumped out of her chest. Of course! That's why the other woman had seemed familiar! She had given her the ruddy Great Serpent ring when she was raised! Even though curses and self admonitions were blasting through her mind, Torianin's face was frozen in the smile that she had produced. As the Amyrlin Seat herself walked away with praise, Torianin responded with, "Thank you...Mother..." It was so small that she could barely hear it herself.