The Grey Tower

Elia

Murdock Her deflection was most telling. You didn't think that far ahead. Perhaps she should have kept her legs closed, but then the Darrows did not seem very good at that. Murdock would have offered to remove the issue for her, but people got overly sensitive when it came to children, and as a father himself it wasn't as it Murdock was immune to that feeling of love even before the pregnancy became visible. Funny how you could fall in love with an idea even before it became real.

Murdock's own planning ahead was not all that great. Did it matter what his Ajah was, as long as his wife and daughters were safe? Not really. "I wasn't planning on retiring early," Murdock assured Elia, wry amusement on his face. "I doubt the Browns or the Yellows would look kindly at my studies if they knew the full truth of it. I'm afraid you're stuck with me until the bitter end.

"But you ignored my question," he pressed, not really the sort of man to let a sleeping dog lie. "I asked what you planned to do about your burgeoning pregnancy and ruling the Black Ajah. I also asked what you plan to do about these other channellers who have allied with our cause." In all likelihood she hadn't thought that far ahead, and hormones were going to make her incredibly uncomfortable to be around for some time, but Murdock wouldn't object to seeing her a little uncomfortable. These were real issues she was going to have to deal with after all, and it was no skin off Murdock's nose if she messed up.

Apart from the fact that she would be replaced by some stranger, someone less tolerant than Elia for Murdock's experiments and contributions to the Black Ajah. "You're going to need some help with this aren't you?" He leaned back in his seat, arms behind his head, giving the woman a somewhat amused look.

Elia

It ain't Maever is it? Having Elia admit she needed help was music to Murdock's ears. He didn't care that he was the one who was doing said helping, the fact that she had to swallow her pride and admit it was a salve over a burn Murdock didn't even know he had. Let the woman realise she was not invincible. Viadulo was a perfect example of that. Oh, and now she had two unborns to consider as well. Still, it was nice that she tried to pass her doubts off as being strong and confident, as if Murdock didn't see through her to the real woman that had been left behind after Viadulo.

Her request for help felt like more of a demand, but Elia was jarred enough that Murdock did not balk at it like he normally would. Instead, the Brown gave a languid shrug of his shoulders. "You can deal with the Black Ajah?" he repeated, and he did nothing to hide his amusement at that. "Very well. I can assist with efforts to overthrow this group of scientists in training. For a price," he added, and his grin broadened at Elia's expression. "Oh, you didn't think I was doing this out of the kindness of my heart did you? If you want me to spend valuable time and resources on something like this, then I am going to need something in return. A trinket, really."

The Far Maddinger sat up straighter, gesturing to the cane he had leaning against his chair. "My cane isn't very good," he complained. "They keep breaking. I need a new, sturdier one. You can find someone with skill in the creation of Cuendillar, no? That's an Indigo sort of thing." His tone was light, and he was still smiling, but he was not joking - his eyes said as much.

"If it's any consolation, I know exactly what we must do. We need to lure out our experimenters, get them to realise we are looking for them. To prod at the nest will make them shift - they will be far easier to spot then. I will have my eyes and ears on potential nearby towns. I know what to look for and will be able to work out their new location with ease, I am sure of it. It will take time and no doubt you would rather not encounter these naughty people until your precious bundles of life are born, but by the time that business is out of the way I will have a plan. We will strike their core, and they will join us... or we will remove them from the board. I believe their experiments will not harm the Great Lord's cause, but I would not have them interfere with ours. Their location and their future plans will determine whether they can be tamed, or if we have to tear them apart. More lackeys for you, wouldn't you like that?"

Elia