The Grey Tower

Zarayne heard the horses approaching, but she hadn't realised that Natlya would be the one to deliver her horse to her. She found herself caught up in two thoughts: I'm getting too comfortable with being waited upon and I have to cease Natlya from calling me Aes Sedai. One of these was far easier to fix.

"Thank you, Natlya Gaidin." Of course she had to use the title just before saying: "But please, call me Zarayne. Aes Sedai and Gaidin are equals so there's no need to give me honorifics. Unless you prefer it?" That was a possibility, although Zarayne would have rathered it weren't. She led Natlya's gaze towards the other Yellow. "I don't wish to become one of them, caged by an aura of superiority, whether rightfully earned or otherwise. I will live too long a life to find true comfort in self-importance."

Turning back to her companion, a look of humility took over her features. "Sorry, I talk, too much on occasion. And sometimes too freely. It's still a novelty to find myself free to voice an opinion on anything. I imagine it's much the same for Gaidin trainees."

Zarayne shook her head. "I am thankful that one of us can blend in, but then I've never been one for deception. It lacks honour and it goes against who I am." She reached up to pull the edges of her shawl inward. "But hopefully we'll have no need for it where we're going. I think everyone will know who we are; Gateways, ageless faces and fancloaks have that effect, I imagine."

More people were making their way into the Channelling Yard. Zarayne recognised the short - albeit not as short as Natlya - Asha'man that rode in mounted on his dappled horse. Keios was Talented not just in Healing but also in Listening to the Wind. She had seen him work with other channellers in the past when a large storm was rushing towards Hama Valon. Being able to dissuade bad weather from following on the heels of a fire would certainly be appreciated by the townfolk of Ely, although Zarayne had no idea if Keios' presence was intentionally due to that, or simply because he was just another person who could Heal.

Behind Keios followed a stick-thin Blue, grey hair put up in a bun. Again Zarayne didn't know the woman's name, but the man behind her leading two horses was Revazi Gaidin. He was in his early twenties and had earned his fancloak during the same week when Zarayne was raised. The Kandori was the practical sort and a great swordsman. She forsaw him moving rubble in the not-too-distant future.

She turned back to Nat. "I think we're waiting on one more," Zarayne commented.