A Matter of Urgency [Attn: Valadin & Riahana]

[Sean]

The matter seemed settled yet none moved right away. The Lord and Lady watched owlishly, their eyes bright and wide as they studied their guests. Miahala Sedai remained unperturbed, face smooth as polished marble, as she comported herself in the most regal fashion. Nykk wasn’t far behind though the affected flatness of her voice spoke of an underlying irritation, one that could have been imagined given his lack of knowledge about Aes Sedai…or women if he were plainly speaking.

At least they’ve stopped bloody lookin’ at ya. A small blessing, but in Cairhien no detail was too minor to escape notice. Someone was always watching.

The old footman swept forward to usher the group out of the great dining hall. Valadin risked a backward glance towards the noble folk and found both meeting his eye with gazes that held different things between the two. The Lord seemed slightly displeased, his cheeks flushed with veiled fury as he reached down for the hand of his beautiful wife. Lady Lemovi seemed in no mood for masquerades as she left her husband’s hand extended without answering the gesture. Her face wore a full-lipped smile as the hall vanished around the corner, but at the last moment Valadin swore he saw the divine loveliness dissolve into a black-rage that tainted every feature. Sword in hand, he followed at the back of the departing party.

The remainder of their stay went without incident. They were given a tour of the manor, a spectacle displaying the estate’s many splendors as means to inflict insult to those who cared about such things. Val instead found himself becoming increasingly restless.

While they had left the scrutiny of the scheming couple the hulking servants flanked them on all sides. Cords of tough sinew formed the arms and legs of the men as they curtsied with the practiced skill of any maid, yet there were times when it seemed that the Tower members were being watched with sidelong glances: measured and weighed for the time when misfortune would fall upon them all. Only the sword clutched tightly in hand and the presence of Lady Ives helped eased some of the worry, but Val struggled to pay attention to the basilicas and statuettes being shown to them. Each item supposedly a laudable souvenir that had brought Aes Sedai from Tar Valon with their splendor. Most of it appeared to be bizarre imaginings produced only in dreams and nightmares; neither prospect warranted the praise the old footman was giving them. Just seemed like fancy garbage nobles went after for the sake of status.

As the tour went on, Valadin felt the calm of the Void returning. It worried him that he’d been unable to summon it until then, but now armed with its quiet strength the menacing closeness of the servants no longer made him nervous. Aware of everything and nothing all at once, Val found the time passed rather quickly until finally it was announced that carriages had been arranged for their removal to the inn Miahala Sedai had mentioned.

With no sense of hurry the Tower troupe took the proffered ride with grace and the Sisters lavished Lestan with grateful words upon their departure.

Where Lady Lemovi and Gastor were obviously shady characters it seemed the old footman was a genuinely kind-hearted servant. The compliment of Aes Sedai brought shimmering drops of moisture to the old man’s eye which were swiftly hid with a humble bow in their wake. Soon the clop of hooves on cobbled roads and the constant motion of the trundling carriage contrived with the inner calm of the Void to lull Val into a half-sleep. When next he woke it was an abrupt halt as they came to the front of a modest, yet dignified looking inn.

The hands were dressed in mean clothes—rags in comparison to even the lowest maid of House Dalgorin—but they approached with polite manners offering a hand to the Sisters as they stepped from their carriage. A glance at the sword held in Val’s grasp made them pause, but a shorter look at the Sword pin notched at his lapel turned their eye covered in grime as it was.

People flowed in and out of the inn as if it were some four story beast constantly inhaling and exhaling little humans. Riahana Gaidar had been the first to step from the carriage, her feline eyes searching for any security threats to her charges among the endless river of Cairhienin natives. Waiting as was expected for the others to take lead Val maneuvered his way to Nykk’s side even though the irritation he sensed from her hadn’t waned even now. As small as she was the Blue had a way of making him feel small despite his towering over her by several heads. Dunt matter, Val told himself. No matter what. Keep’er safe. Even if it means puttin’ yerself to the sword.

The truth that it could very well come to that did not escape him, but serenity gave him reprieve from the nauseating terror waiting at the edge of his awareness. Saidin roared there as well, but he paid it no mind.

Once inside the inn the noise washed over them in waves that gave the impression that it was all one jumbled language. Calm and wary Val kept himself close to Nykkolaia in case of any danger…and to keep wandering hands from finding purchase. A man noticed their entrance and waved as if he knew them before motioning to an unused room tucked behind a pair of fashionably reserved curtains. Upon closer inspection the fellow had definitely done some time soldiering. Muscles bulged beneath the loose-fitting tunic and the efficient set of each step spoke of habits formed through years of training.

“Lady Ives,” the man greeted with a bow of his head. “The innkeeper remembers that to be a name of true nobility in past days. Not like these milk-hearted bluebloods. Sent me over to you soon as he saw you. He should be by shortly. Til’ then just let me know if you need anything.”

Surveying the state of them must of have made an impression because he added, “I’ll fetch someone to get the baths ready,” before bowing once more and heading out.

Valadin studied Miahala in amazement. Was there anyone that didn’t know the Green’s name?

“Least we’ve got a safe place to lay our head…til someone decides to take it off in our sleep…”

The jest hung in the air until Val felt himself reddening again. Burn it all. I’ll never get used to Aes Sedai….

[Sean]

Epilogue[/size]
“Never underestimate the power of a wicked heart for even in slumber does it work to sow discord and incite chaos.”

So it was that for a time there was relief for the Grey Tower delegates. Tremonsien lay behind them, the events they’d left in their wake mired in webs of political design and the venal machinations of dark conspirators, but as they stood for the Light there was an unspoken self-assurance that the villainy would be brought to justice by their hands.

For Valadin in particular, the mission was proving to be as transformative an experience as all his years at the Tower combined. In the days after the reception at House Dalgorin he spent most of his idle time training with the sword. It wasn’t often—even while under the supervision of Gaidin— that trainees were allowed to hold real steel. Discipline and restraint was the mark of a true swordsman, something that took time to prove to the ardent Warders of the Grey Tower. Granted with such a rare opportunity Val felt that wasting this gift would be a travesty and so in the early grey of dawn he would rise whilst the city still slept and find a quiet pocket of this storybook land to temporarily claim his own. During these forays he would meet characters who stalked the night streets of Cairhien and came to know their stories…and suffering. With their help the alleyways and seedy corners were no longer unknown territory to Val, but all the same he never allowed complacency to cloud judgment; this city was as dangerous as any battlefield. Whatever his adventures he remained diligent in his progression of the sword forms, always trying to capture the spirit present whenever he watched a true master work his craft.

For other times—those not quite so idle—there was Nykk.

Whatever coldness that had lain between them at the terminus of their flight from Tremonsien vanished during the reprieve. In that brief respite from the bloodshed and the immorality of human nature Valadin Manelle, the orphaned child who had never been able to call anything his own found love. The Aes Sedai and he had found solace in each other’s embrace in a way unknown to both of them. They were both scared…or so Val thought. Nykkolaia was a woman of many wondrous layers, yet he could not pretend to know the lay of her mind. Perhaps that the bond the shared, but what was born of the connection was a thing that would fought for until the dying breath.

The others had tales of their own, tales that shaped these brave men and women of the Tower, but in the time they were given opportunity to reflect on the core of who they were; foot soldiers in the forces of Light who would do anything to prevent the Shadow from claiming the world. For Valadin, who had always feared the unknown it was startling epiphany, one that would have been balked at in the past. Things were different not. He was different now. What had changed he understood very little, but in his short stay at the Grey Tower he’d grown from a young lad to a man who bore responsibility—duty. As a Soldier he’d yearned for it, yet it daunted him to know that soon he’d be called upon to sacrifice as much as any other.

That time came quicker than anticipated when the House of Dalgorin summoned he and the others.

Maybe it had been the lull of peaceful days and the refreshing luxury enjoyed after time spent on the run. Whatever the reason none where prepared for the treachery that awaited them on the estate. Cairhienin military closed in around them as they faced libelous charges for the murder of Under Lieutenant Gamal and were even accused for inciting a murderous riot in a nearby village. Their penance was immediate imprisonment until terms were met by diplomats wherein which Cairhien would seek recompense for the slight against their nation. While lofty words were bandied about and the spear points of the armed guard glimmered with sharpness, Val was given a moment of clarity as he stared into the eyes of the noble Lady. She said nothing for she had no need to. She did nothing as she’d done everything already. Now, rather than the venomous witch she’d proven herself to be Lady Dalgorin watched as her husband, bannermen, and all the influence that could mustered in the capital played in her web; all feet dancing to the tune of her command.

Their flight was difficult to recall. Val wasn’t certain how they’d managed to break through. The roar of Saidin within him, the scream of the Fury tearing at his insides, and the fierce desire to see Nykk to safety. Everything was a haze until they were well on there were back to Hama Valon.

Fugitives.

They’d be branded as criminals and the Grey Tower would be vilified as a haven for murders. The truth of it was hollow, but soon even in Elman’s Creek there was talk of a brewing conflict between Cairhien and eventually it became necessary by order of the Queen that the matter be settled. Someone was sent to speak on behalf of the delegation, an Asha’man of some repute within the Grey Ajah. Valadin let the entire ordeal fade from his thoughts with time. His focus soon narrowed to attaining the Dragon pin and Cord, but instinct told him that someone would have to go back to Cairhien. Someone needed to stop Lady Dalgorin and the horde of killers that was likely under her control. In the coming months he trained and studied harder than ever before. Whatever the subject he threw himself at it with the desperation of a man who felt the hangman’s noose closing about his neck.

Valadin knew that he wanted a chance to clear the name of he and his friends. Justice would be had whatever the cost even if it was war.

To be continued...