The Grey Tower

She hadn't not thought about being alone with a male, the rules were very clear when it came to that sort of thing and while Betrys had definitely noticed boys at home before leaving, since arriving in the Tower it had been far too exhausting to even consider the limited amount of flirting and teasing she knew anything about - with well anyone. Betrys like most other Novices wasn't given much time to spend on her own and certainly in the sort of places that would end up bringing her into the company of men.

Running into Valadin had been an accident and he had been the one to intrude on her person, not the other way around. Not to forget he had also been the one to ask her come with him. Technically he out-ranked her here, so it had left her with some confusion as to how to play this all out. She didn't want to break the rules - well not THAT overtly. It seemed bending them was becoming more of a fine art than she had realised, not to mention a whole lot of unexpected fun as well. She could at least blame Mirin in part for stirring her reckless and playful side but landing in trouble generally meant they both shared the blame as well as the punishment. At least so far, in their limited scope of doing such activities, like their pranks on other members of the Tower.

They'd never approached any of the men though. That would raise rather more difficult problems and both them believed they knew how far was best to go with these things - mostly.

"I's know bout the things men might be asking me off for, ya not be one of that sort. Else I's not have come" she assured him, getting a little stubborn set to her manner "I's not be a daft chit tae mistake that sort of detail, I's seen what happens when a girls belly be swelling and who be getting the blame then" Betrys added and folded her arms across her chest.

That wouldn't be happening too her any time soon. Or ever. She knew the herbs to use and more importantly learning to Channel, she really couldn't see someone being that stupid to approach her like that. However, he was senior and clearly felt it important a lesson to pass on "But...I's also be new here and ya meant ya words kindly - but I's ain't so daft as folks might want tae be believing, just cause my words ain't as pretty as there own" she paused and flushed slightly, she'd meant to apologise and it had backfired slightly, resulting in the blush and an immediate glance to the ground. Betrys hadn't missed that he was handsome and appealing but she had been resolutely reminding herself that acting on any of that would be a seriously bad idea.

"Ya no need to be apologising I's say that there be a fair bit or ornery going on between tae two of us with room tae be sparing...as for ma folks. I's suppose they were good folks. They raised me up so far and made sure all my kin were fed and none of us acted out or were lacked comfort and warmth - I's miss my mother mostly...she taught be herbs and the little she knew on healing, I's liked my time with her..." Betrys wasn't worried about sharing her family with him or continuing in his company as they walked through the garden along its well-tended paths.

Having no mother or father he could recall made hearing about others families a masochistic endeavor. It was the same as Betrys quickly explained the family she’d left behind. That there were so few words to be said about such an important thing quieted him as they headed through the courtyard again. Where it had been empty earlier, a pair of Accepted now sat on a nearby bench, heads close as they shared conspiring whispers. If they noticed Val and Betrys they gave no sign of it, but their voices lowered as the two drew near.

“Tower politics,” Val spat, head nodding towards the women. “Another thing ya will run into a lot ‘round here. Worse with the Sisters, but you’ll find plenty o’ Asha’man an’ below playing the Game as well.” Leveling a mischievous smirk down at her he added, “Even if ya ent a daft chit—I’d still caution ya to watch yerself all the same.”

Coming back to where they’d first met, the bag of fertilizer still lay strewn on the pathway. Its contents had been hastily swept to the side, but no one bothered to clean the mess.

Hesitating momentarily as he considered using Saidin to quickly whisk the mess away, Val decided against it. Betrys was a fine girl. She had all the qualities requisite of an Aes Sedai, but the stubbornness he sensed in her might prove troublesome along the way. Best she learn how to handle herself on her own…or learn how to bite down on her tongue every now an’ again. The Mistress of Novices—or any Sister for that matter—would box her ears in if she keeps on. Sighing inwardly he was about to bid her farewell when his eye caught the yellow bloom of Broomweed past a rose bush. Nicking his hand on thorns and rough stems as he reached for the tiny flower, memories of the Four Kings Wisdom came to mind.

Like a gnarly old root, Bruna would spring up in the village unexpectedly after making rounds to the surrounding hamlets. Most adults were smart enough not to step in her way and many a child had earned a quick caning when she didn’t like their comportment. Only Val had earned the old woman’s gentleness. Twirling the small flower between two fingers he remembered the first time Bruna had shown him the weed. It was eight months after that was when he’d find himself enslaved in Murandy. Wonder how the old hag is doin’.

“I knew a woman once who told me that Broomweed pops up all o’er the Westland because nobody wants it. Said it cause nobody wanted it that it continued on—never dyin’.” He smiled and turned to Betrys, beckoning her to come closer before deciding to place the flower neatly in the knots of her braid. “She used to say that cause I was alone in the village. Ent had no family: no ma and pa. No kin to call mine. All I had were horses an’ flowers. They kept me until…”

He hadn’t realized how much taller he was than she. She barely came up to his chest. Resting both hands on the girl’s small shoulders he held her in place with his eyes, boring into with the weight of his hurts; he wanted her to understand that some things were too important to describe vaguely. “Earlier when I said that there weren’t any life outside o’ the Tower…I was wrong. I mean it was wrong o’ me to say that. Ya gotta have somethin’ to fight fer. If it’s the life ya want to return to then fight fer that. Jus’…I, um, jus’ well y’know,” he stammered feeling embarrassed at the outburst as he took a step back.

“Thought ya should know,” he said finally.

She wasn't surprised that it hadn't been cleared away, but at the same time Betrys hadn't paid that much attention to the smaller details being inherently conscious that she was still in his presence and that he was a man. The two Accepted who were seated now where they'd been made her that much more self-conscious than she had been before now.

Would she end up getting pulled up on this by the Mistress of the Novices?

Betrys really, really didn't want to attract that kind of attention. She was fairly sure that none of the Novices would want to experience that sort of attention as it was unlikely to end at all well. In fact, Betrys could only imagine the sort of trouble she'd end up in as a result if that actually ended up happening, she'd heard about (and experienced) the punishments that were handed out for the various infractions that the Novices could land themselves into achieving for breaking one of the seriously long list of rules.

"My mama told me it's there tae remind us that everything has a use...even if it's not always obvious" she reached one hand rather hesitantly towards the flower, her cheeks turning a very heated red color. This was the first time a man had paid her this much attention and certainly the first time she'd ever had any flowers given to her either "Are ya alright?" she asked, her hands coming up slightly as she caught sight of the bright color from the blood as his hands moved to her shoulders. Betrys instinctively wanted to help him out, she knew how sharp those thorns could be when they broke the skin and so far Valadin had been kind too her and blunt and even angry but Betrys was perfectly used to that.

It was actually rather nice "...as for me, I's guess it might change. I's tried to be running off when they told me I's had to come. It's nae me way tae be told I've no choices" she admitted, feeling comfortable enough to share that with him "Can I's help ya with that?" she added, indicating the injury, slight as it was and touching the hand in question very softly "And...thank ya for speaking tae me at all. I's nae going tae me much good with the politics - I's guess I'll need to hae friends instead" she stated and nodded.

Noticing the weeping welts on his hand and arms for the first time Val studied them vaguely. The skin of his palms were already rough and callous from long days of practicing the sword. Thick cords of muscle ran up the length of his forearms absorbing the pain until most days he hardly was able to feel any strain in them. Physically he’d never been lacking. In the early Soldier days it had been one of the few advantages he held among his peers. Most despised him or found him weak of heart and attempt to bully him. For these people violence became a quick and efficient deterrent from bothering him.

It also isolated him.

Soon reputation kept everyone away save for those who had business with Valadin Manelle. The only welcome he ever found was in the Warder Yards were brute strength and skill were paramount on the sands. Maybe that was why he’d felt comfortable in the throes of battle. Men were equal there. Wit and cleverness only went as far as seeking the slightest edge against the enemy…life was beautiful, short, and engaging. Even ale failed to invoke an equivalent euphoria as when he was in a fight. Some days Saidin failed as well, but lately the draw of the One Power had grown stronger. Worry darkened Val’s expression briefly as he realized that a time would come when he’d come rely on the infernal power that had once rent the world asunder. Eyes drifting back to Betrys who waited patiently for his answer, Val let his troubles fade away.

Wordlessly he nodded and held out the wounded arm towards her. Though efforts were made to keep the heat from flushing his cheeks, Val could feel warmth crawling up his jawlines and invading his temples. Being around women was an unnerving endeavor. As a slave he’d catered to the dark desires of many, slaking their thirsts for sadistic passion when it lacked elsewhere. Master had often brought him to wealthy merchant’s wives or women of the Lugardian court. All of them though pretty to look upon had base desires that often left a mixture of disgust and uncleanliness after. The best part of those days had been cleansing shower afterwards. Some days the filth never came off.

Sweat made the pale skin on his forearm glow as gold bars of sunlight lit the moisture like a tree in Bel Tine. For some reason Val turned away as the girl readied to mend the wound. Something about her innocence and the stubbornness that lay behind her gaze made him uneasy. Light he’d thought only Nykkolaia had been able to do this to him; it seemed women were a general trouble for him.

She'd never attempt a healing which involved Channeling saidar on another person, especially outside of the Infirmary and certainly not in the presence of more senior members of the Tower or on someone like Valadin - bending the rules was one thing, outrightly breaking them was an entirely different possibility and Betrys was neither fool or rebel enough to even allow a moment to consider it as an option. Which left the mundane and ordinary healing, herbcraft and gentle binding to ensure that his body should be able to handle the repairs needed over time to restore his hands back to their normal work-roughened and unharmed state.

Betrys had envied Mirin the smooth quality of her skin - all over her body - but she was familiar and relaxed enough with feeling that sort of touch against her own chafed skin to be perfectly ignorant of how he might feel about it.

Given that her attention was solely upon assisting him Betrys also missed his reaction and strange shyness that was present now in her company. Instead she reached to open one of the pouches upon her waist, opening out the necessary contents, and placed them in one hand and a few things tucked under her arm as she juggled with what she'd actually need. One of the items she passed to him briefly, providing he took it was the small vial of astringent liquid that would render the risk of infection minimal.

Betrys applied a generous amount to the plain cotton she carried for these sort of minor injuries (gardening could be fun like that at times) and then first wiped (firmly but gently) over the wounds, cleaning and removing the worst of the blood that had spilled there from his wounds. After that Betrys took another piece and proceeded to wrap it tight around it, halting and protecting more blood from coming out, she wasn't aware of it but her distraction caused her mind to wander enough that she started to hum.

After a moment more she tore the material and then tied the two pieces together to make sure it should remain fixed in place "There ya are. All done. Though ya might be wanting tae visit the Infirmary tae be checked - I ain't no Healer or nothing..." she felt more nervous now she had finished working, dipping her head and returning things back to where she'd pulled them from properly.

Shaking his head Valadin politely dismissed the idea of visiting the infirmary. The Sisters there were often severe in their handling of injuries caused by foolishness and he’d rather not have another summons to Master Elonid’s study so soon. “Many thanks, Novice Betrys, but I think I’d rather put my trust in yer skills,” he stated with more calmness than he felt.

The girl’s touch had been so soft. Her fingers were like ribbons of lace brushing and caring for his hurts. His heart raced and before any untoward inklings placed him in harm’s way Val straightened. Overhead the sun had traveled a considerable distance which meant he had little time to spare before class began. Ash’man Renoun would be lecturing on the basics of Westland bloodlines and how the Grey Tower fit into the political landscape of such matters. Though remaining in the Gardens with Betrys would’ve been a far more desirable use of time, the uneasiness he felt around the girl made him long to be away for a clear moment’s thoughts.

Pulling his sleeves back over his arms he inclined his head respectfully though he couldn’t help holding her eyes with his. When his look traveled up to where the flower was perched he smiled.

“Pretty little thing.”

The words had come out unbidden and red touched his cheeks once more. “I—tha—what I meant…the flower. Light, um, my apologies I meant the flower. It’s pretty in yer hair like that. Meant no offense, honest word!” he pleaded.

Out of the corner of his vision he made out two figures standing at his back and upon turning he found two Accepted boring into him with dubious glares. One of them was a stout woman in her middle ages, hair tied up in a neat, but tired bun. The other was of a similar size though a bit small, but her face was splotchy and seemed very suited for the unpleasant sneer it wore now. Both women looked from Betrys to Valadin, their eyes narrowing in near perfect unison as they picked out the Novice white dress and the Sword pin at Valadin’s chest. “Now see here…” Val started, but never got the chance to go any further as the pair huffed disapprovingly and turned on their heels the way they’d come.

Sighing Val ran a hand through his hair. As usual it came away moist with sweat. He might’ve been Dedicated, but the heat of the day still touched him all the same. Ease the girl’s mind. She’s probably a bit worried now after that grand showin’.. Focusing back on the Novice he shrugged and patted her shoulder offering her a brief, “Dunt worry ‘bout it,” before starting off towards the Garden entrance.

If he hurried he might make it in time to class and spare himself a week scrubbing pots with the Mistress of Kitchens. When that woman pinched his rear he felt like as if something unsavory had been done to him—and she spared time in her work to indulge herself often when Val was around.

Before he was out of sight he stopped and turned. “Oi!” he called, voice carrying into the crisp, muggy air of the day. “Novice! I’m going to send fer ya sometime soon! Maybe a quiet place to share more stories of home!”

It was foolishness to announce such a thing where anyone could hear it. Most Novices had strict schedules same as Soldiers and the Drin’far’ji so it was unlikely she’d ever be able to see him. Not to mention that the Accepted from earlier would blabber about it making it less likely the poor girl wouldn’t see trouble over this whole matter. All the same Val could still feel the gentle kindness of her fingers on his skin and the pure sincerity of her words when she spoke. His heart might’ve already belonged to Nykk, but that didn’t stop it from caring for another…

…did it?

As she had been the subject on occasion of a degree of gossip before, although more about her run-in with Mirin on that first day, her inability to read and her endless enthusiasm for mucking about in the dirt - as well as the odd prank or three, Betrys had thought she'd gotten used to some of the more scathing looks of disapproval from the other Sisters in the Tower. Not all of them and only from time to time of course, she was after all only a Novice and hardly a particularly note-worthy one. Just a girl from a small place no one had heard of before, illiterate and rather gruff in her thick accent, Betrys had quickly been lost as being of interest as the gossip faded.

What had not happened before was being the intense focus of such scrutiny when an actual gossip-worthy event happened.

Betrys had been caught up in making sure everything was tidy and that she'd finished the tending of his injury properly, that had been one of the first lessons taught in such basics as first aid and she made sure to follow her lessons. They were taught for a good reason after all, Betrys might not understand all the nuances and reasons but she could accept the necessity.

"Ya are very kind...I's suggest ya remove the bandages afore three days pass. Else ya be inviting trouble and a lecture, umm if ya get lectures from the Yellow..." she felt her words trail off slightly, not completely sure about what to say now she was done. Betrys had been confident and focused while working and part of her wished that she'd been able to hang onto that moment and feeling, that part died as he complimented...her? She blinked not completely sure she'd heard correctly although the other women in the garden certainly made their judgment clear enough.

So the rapid rise in color on her skin was hardly a shock "Yes, I's...yes, they are..." she agreed rapidly, startled with the unexpected words even if they were towards the plant...well mostly. That mention of how it looked in her hair and been a personal remark and a nice one. Betrys might well need to sit and talk to Mirin long and hard about all of this.

Well, some carefully edited parts perhaps.

"Don't worry fer it..." she began, already watching him leave as her flustered stated slowed down her responses and then he shouted (though it was probably less loud than the ringing in her ears suggested) about calling for her again. Oh great Light! What was she supposed to do? He was after all senior and arguing about it would be seen as breaking a rule, whereas being with a man was also breaking one? Right? Maybe? Perhaps? Her head was left spinning as she took several breaths to try and steady herself again.

The action helping and reminding her that the bag remained spilled.

Dropping down she decided to concentrate on hard manual labor, rather than the color of his eyes or getting caught in the recollection of his hands. A much, much, much better use of her time.