The Grey Tower

She had started to stretch herself with her learning, pushing the limits of just what she could achieve with her talent with the Earth based Weaves associated with Earthsinging. Betrys had yet to find someone who could properly teach her what she wanted to learn but it was becoming more and more instinctive and natural - it was also something that she had to do as well.

Otherwise she missed it too much, sharing that piece of information had come up, if it ever did.

Betrys had tried to find Mirin to discuss whether she had a longing for certain specific Weaves and the like but she hadn't yet found the opportunity for that to present itself and so she'd concentrated on not letting it overwhelm her common sense. That and discussing it with Valadin didn't seem like a good idea - at least not until Betrys had figured out exactly what was going on with him. Although that it would have to wait for another day and a proper chance to make that happen.

Probably.

It was still a problem for another day, one she was keen to resolve as soon as possible though. She didn't like the idea that he was hurting. Especially it if involved her in some fashion, not that Betrys was sure that was the case and not just her own personal guilt playing up.

That was after all important to always remember. Even in a time and place like this, although that didn't mean she couldn't still enjoy herself with the simpler aspects of the whole experience. Betrys concentrated easily, embracing the One Power as naturally as any other part of her being, it came and filled her up, the sensation spilling from under her skin and allowing her to reach out and connect with the garden and the flowers, she checked their health and well-being as she usually do. The act drawing her aware from her normal sense of her surroundings and far more inward, for all her attention was on the land.

The result of which was suddenly blooming flowers right beside her as she smiled with her efforts.

Ravak Darrow Ravak watched the ground studiously as he passed the Grey Tower on the way to the gardens. He stepped gingerly, doing his best to avoid setting off the smarting pains earned during the morning's training. He had seen the bruises and weals left on his legs and torso when he had changed into his light grey uniform, but had decided against having them looked at. He was grateful that the wind had ceased blowing, else the cold and the tenderness would have kept him from marching this far. He gripped the golden ring on his finger tight, somewhat furious with himself for being so obstinate.

That fury softened as he stepped into the gardens, although a scowl still clung to his face. Ravak raised his gaze from the pathway in wonderment. He had seen flowers before in Fal Dara, although they were a rare sight. There were more practical things to be grown, or to spend time on in the Borderlands. The multitude and variety of flora on display here was far and beyond anything he had encountered before. His mouth parted with amazement, and Rav meandered through the gardens in a heady trance.

Fingers lightly brushed across the crimson petals of loversknot; he couldn't remember the last time he had seen such a vivid red. He stood gawking at the trees. There were no trees within sight of Fal Dara. By the orders of the Lord of Fal Dara, all of the trees were cleared around the city. He had seen some in the Borderlands, after he had left. Most of the ones in the north were broken things, the sap inside freezing and cracking the trees apart. They were common farther south, but it still took some getting used to. Flecks of white bark fell away as he examined a birch.

Inside his head, he took grip of himself. What am I doing wandering around in some forest, being all soft of heart and head? He glanced around, seeing if anyone had caught him in his reverie. He hadn't seen a soul since he entered, but colour still flushed his cheeks in embarrassment. The embarrassment brought the scowl right back. Some fool I am. He turned to retrace his steps, then realised that he hadn't been paying much mind where he had gone. A little voice at the back of Ravak's head chided him, but he ignored it sourly. Setting aside the pain that flared in his legs, he stalked through the gardens, trying to move towards the Grey Tower that loomed overhead. Despite his sullenness, he still caught himself looking at the flora, and clamped his jaw shut.

He thought he was almost in the clear when he found himself rounding a corner, and staring at the back of a black-haired woman. Before he could halt himself, the sounds of a strangled cat rose in his throat. He froze, waiting for her to turn. Instead, she continued to kneel before a patch of flowers that swayed in the breeze. He took that moment to examine her. She was wearing the white dress associated with female channellers of the Grey Tower, with the multihued hem marking her as an Accepted. She had seen a number of Novices and Accepted milling around the Training Yards, but he had never spoken with any of them. Her hair was braided in a way that kept her face exposed. Her skin was fair enough that she could be a Borderlander, or Andorian, or . . . Does that even matter? The question is, how are you going to get past her without notice? He took in the surroundings, and realised that there was no easy way by. Even if he hadn't heard his awkward cry, she couldn't ignore him if he had to walk right by her. His right hand tried to clench around his sword-breaker's hilt, and found nothing. Light blinded-

Her head rose slightly, why he did not know, but it spurred him into action. Ravak opened and closed his mouth twice, before eventually speaking. "Greetings, ma- er, Accepted." He put his left hand to his chest, and made a slight bow. "My apologies for disturbing you, I hadn't realised there was anyone here." Light, apologies for disturbing you? If you weren't disturbing her before, you bloody are now! He straightened stiffly, bristling with himself.

He observed upon a couple of things as she turned to face him. The first was her face. She was young, maybe a year younger or older than he. With the Accepted's dress on, he had expected someone slightly older. The second were the flowers. They seemed to stop swaying as she turned. But why were they moving? There's no breeze. And that brought on a frown, too late to retract as she looked at him. Without meaningful intent, he was now glaring with blue-grey eyes at this Accepted, who had been interrupted by some fool Drin out on a saunter.

It seemed that she always met people in the garden, that was through no fault of theirs of course, Betrys had become a semi-permanent fixture in this place since coming here. It had long since captivated her senses and in truth it was the place she felt closest to both the Creator and the One Power - she was more certain here than anyone else of her capabilities in the saidar something that generally showed when she was Weaving and trying out her new connection, along with its practical limits when it came to her own person.

Betrys had learned it was important to understand something of her personal limits, since her time in the Arches she strongly suspected that the next time would be worse. There had been stories about girls who did not make it through those tests and while her pride had been sufficient to dismiss that as an option, still she worried.

In fact, it was a better alternative to thinking about how she felt about the people closest to her in her life.

Valadin was complicated and Mirin...well, she wanted to chat to her about well everything - though at the moment it was more about her plan involving the plants she had spent all that time planting out.

The distraction of the One Power and using it in new ways had been surprisingly helpful in making sure that she was more settled and comfortable about everything. Well at least she was able to pretend that was the case "You arenae disturbing me. I was...working" she explained and smiled at him. She had gotten used to the fact she usually shorter than the other people in the Grey Tower, so Betrys wasn't worried about having to look up at this new person "Are you looking for somewhere in particular?" it was often the case that people used the garden as a means to take short-cuts but that they also occasionally ended up getting lost.

Ravak Darrow Ravak found himself smiling back as she smiled at him. The Accepted had an accent he couldn't instantly place, but he understood the words clearly enough. "Are you looking for somewhere in particular?" she asked.

"No," he said slowly. His weariness crept back in, the smile sliding from his face. "No, I was just admiring the gardens." He waved an open palm to take in the flowers around them. "There's precious few flowers where I'm from, and no trees." He thought that may sound a bit funny without context. "I'm from Shienar, if the accent didn't give it away." She may have had the same difficulties he did with her inflections. "I know the looks certainly don't." He ran the same hand through his hair, calling out the lack of a topknot that denoted most Shienarans.

"Sorry, I was interrupting your-" His voice trailed off as he looked at the flowers she had been leaning over. Aside from that non-existent breeze, there was something else that didn't quite feel right. But then, anything is possible with the One Power, I suppose. He frowned thoughtfully. "You were working with the flowers?" he asked hesitantly. He wasn't sure if he was coming across as a fool, or stupid, or just curious. He was curious, not just about the flowers, but also about the introspective look on her face. "I'm sorry, where are my manners. My name is Ravak Darrow." And once again in the Shienaran fashion, he gave a quick bow.

Since her arrival at the Grey Tower, Betrys had been exposed to a number of different accents and traditions. However, this was the first time she had come face to face with someone from Shiena. It was interesting and challenging in a subtle way to hear him speak, as if he did so to a slightly different beat than the one she was used to hearing in her normal day to day conversations.

Betrys actually rather liked it, given that it made it far more of a delight to hear him speak "I haenae come across any folk from there. What is it like? I'm afraid I'm nae one for reading books on far-off places and such but I do like to hear about them" admitting to that flaw was an easy and comfortable step in establishing a rapport with him in this beginning of their conversation.

It was actually something of a talent but it wasn't one that Betrys had any awareness of being capable of the achievement "I was using the One Power. I cannae explain properly with words though. I'm nae the best when it comes to them" she admitted and shrugged "But yes, working with the flowers, it keeps them growing longer than most now. I check for illness and such among the petals and down in the roots" she replied, giving some voice to the explanation of what she had been up too, anything more would probably end up sounding like so much gibberish to him.

"You are new in the Tower?" she stopped and watched his bow, pleased by it. No one had bowed to her before "Is that a custom of yer kinfolks?" she asked brightly, her pleasured obvious in the wide smile "I am Betrys Cadwallader, but Betrys is fine for most things...least when no eyes are watching tae be judging the lack of proper formal rules and the like" there was definite laughter lingering there. She hadn't had a chance to really engage with someone for a while and this was fun, he reminded her of some of the boys at home, unsure of themselves and their place in things and struggling to fit in.

That and the One Power had only just left her, it always made her feel more confident.

Ravak Darrow "What are Shienarans like? Well, that's a broad question." He paused to think for a moment. "Well, you could call us a serious lot, but that would only be a half-truth. With the Blight so close, we tend to be vigilant and understand the seriousness of our charge; to guard against the Shadow, and ensure that we don't become another Malkier. That also gives us an appreciation of life that other people may not fully be aware of." He scrubbed a hand through his hair. Had another Borderlander heard that last sentence, he may have been laughed at. Or scorned. But this girl - woman? - didn't have a northern accent.

Rav listened to the Accepted explaining her workings with the flowers. He thought it sounded a little like what the Ogier did in their steddings, tending to plants in a way human hands couldn't. By this was with the One Power, not through painful dedication. It made him speculate what couldn't be done with the Power. Well, it could cause the Breaking of the World, at one point. He cut that thread of thought. "It's a wonder," he murmured after she had finished talking. It was mostly directed at himself, but he didn't mind if she had overheard.

"You are new in the Tower?" she asked. He bobbed a brief bow.

"Yes, a few days now. I'm still finding new places in the grounds to visit; this is my first time in the gardens. Had I known that all this was here to see..." He trailed off at her second question. "Er, somewhat. We have a great respect for the Aes Sedai." He hesitated briefly before going on. "And, as an aspiring Drin, I'm far too aware that my future may well lie in any channeller's hand." That, he thought, was a little forward. He grinned despite himself. She had a sweet smile, and an air about her that put him at ease. Well, to a degree. He was still Shienaran.

There was the sound of mirth in her voice as she introduced herself. Betrys Cadwallader. It was a name unlike any he had encountered before, and yet. Andoran. He recognised the accent now. Of course she's Andoran. He give a rueful grin.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Betrys." He resigned himself to putting a hand on his heart, without the bow this time. "You may be the first Accepted I've spoken more than a few words too." He wasn't sure how that would come across. He pressed on. "I have to ask, but what is the One Power like? We too seldom have Aes Sedai amongst us in Fal Dara, and often then they are with the Lord, or in the Women's Quarters. I've never had an opportunity to speak with a channeller before." He gave a self-effacing smile. Despite what she had said about 'the lack of proper rules', the last thing he wanted to do was to anger Betrys. He spoke quietly, in an attempt to defuse the tension he felt. "As I said before, my future may lie in a channeller's hands, and hers in mine. The more I can understand about what it is you can do, the better I would be able to fulfil my obligation."

It sounded far different from her own home. Betrys knew of the Blight, everyone did. However, that didn't mean she fully grasped what it actually meant or even what it was she'd never seen it after all and much like the Creator it was more of an abstract concept that a true reality. Which made his experience a uniquely different one than her own "I would be expecting so. I cannot imagine the Blight tae be that close to a body - hae you seen it personally?" she didn't want to assume anything she had learned better than that. At least she hoped that she had learned better.

She was no longer the shy girl who had been so frightened of coming here, much had changed and while she would always be Betrys it didn't change the fact that now she was altered and become subtly more than she had been before. It was a realisation that had taken some time to recognise and even longer to accept as being the case. At times Betrys still felt more like the girl than the woman she had grown into but she more and more understood that it was changing "Is what one of the reasons yer coming here? That appreciation?" she asked. Betrys had been afforded little in the way of an actual choice, in fact spending one night more or less trussed head to foot after an attempt to escape from the Aes Sedai who was so intent on bringing her here in the first place. It would actually be nice to hear from someone who had wanted to be here, not been forced into the decision because of their link an ability with the One Power.

"Are you worried about that? I suppose it makes sense, I hardly am the best sort of person for explaining" she shrugged "The One Power differs for us all. Sister tae Sister and certainly Brother tae Brother. We all have different talents after all but as we are also understand...the sameness. Still, I'd say asking would be best to understand how the One Power affects the Channeler makes sense..." Betrys paused wondering if she was even making a single lick of sense, this was the first time she'd actually spoken to someone about the One Power who couldn't also channel it. Perhaps the Light wished to challenge her "For me, the One Power is a rainbow of music, especially when I connect to the land. It has so many songs and I...I hesitate in my ability to learn them all. I suppose yer should ken that sometimes it can leave a body distracted, lost to the world and also drained. It is nae less work than doing an act by hands at times, though it doubtless looks more effortless" she explained and then drew in a breath. She didn't really talk all this often to anyone.

It was actually nice to have the chance to talk to a man. See you can talk to a man and it is fine, no stuttering. Although perhaps it was because she was focusing more on teaching and sharing than anything else or there could be a hundred other reasons. Betrys decided it really didn't matter, at least not right now "I am sure though there are others who can explain it better" she had known on some level that she would one day become an Aes Sedai and also that going out into the world meant the need for protectors, however, Bertys hadn't thought much about bonds, promises or anything of that sort. She was still struggling with which Ajah she wished to claim "...I am nae good with words and such. I'm much more of a doer" she admitted and grinned again.

Ravak Darrow "No, I haven't seen the Blight." There was a forlorn tone to his voice that he couldn't keep out. "There are border posts along, unsurprisingly, the Blightborder. Soldiers are posted there, and that is within sight of the Shadow." He shook his head in exasperation. "But I never completed my training with the Shienaran army." He turned his gaze downwards, looking at the patch of ground just before Betrys' feet.

If she had noticed his melancholy, she pressed on past it. "Is that one of the reasons yer coming here? That appreciation?" He nodded slowly in response, but didn't lift his eyes.

"Partially. It's not enough to live and be grateful for living, if you aren't fulfilling your duty." Duty. That one word contained the reason and motive for everything Shienaran. Ravak could feel that duty weighing on him now, heavier than a mountain, as the expression went. "Not completing your training is not something you do in Fal Dara. What use is there to a man if he doesn't know how to defend the border against the Shadow? Why live, when you're more likely to endanger people when attacked, than protect them?" His feet shifted with discomfort. He hadn't intended to say this much, nor make it sound quite so personal. He had managed restraint with the Mistress of Training, but now it had tumbled out freely before this Accepted.

An uncomfortable silence fell across the gardens. It was only a few moments in reality, but it seemed to last for hours in Ravak's mind, as thoughts unbidden raced through his head. He felt regret for leaving Fal Dara, especially for slipping out the way he had. There was self-condemnation too, for not having learnt how to be a soldier. His excuses for that were pitiful. And duty. He felt that tug at him, urging him to return north. His heart suddenly yearned for home in that eternal moment, in a way it hadn't since he last saw the top of Fal Dara's keep. His stomach churned with the anguish.

He looked up, not quite at Betrys, he was worried what he may see in those eyes, but at the gardens around her. A little mirth filled him at the sight of all of that colour, all of that natural beauty. "The One Power", he said, prodding.

Whatever her reaction was to his soliloquy, he didn't know. He knowingly avoiding her eyes, fearful to see pity in him. He didn't need sympathy, he didn't deserve any. He was here, now, to finish his training and no more. Instead, he focused on her words, listening carefully to her explanation of rainbows and music. He needed to know about the One Power, especially if he was going to be surrounded by it. Light, she could be doing something with it now. And how would I know? That made him look up, wanting to see the look in her eyes. If there would be any sign of the One Power in use, he could catch it in her face.

"I'm much more of a doer," she finished, a grin brightening her face. The slightest touch of a smile curled the corners of Ravak's lips.

"I understand that," he said with a nod. "That said, I do treasure time in front of a book. But life as a Drin, it's all about being getting beaten up, and building yourself back stronger." He stood a little straighter, and pain shot through his legs from the injuries he had attained that morning. He chuckled despite himself. "Light, I should probably get myself to the Infirmary at some point." He slouched, but that only brought more pain.

She could hear echoes of pain in his words, not to mention a deep sense of personal loss. The challenges in her own life had been small ones but Betrys had failed. When her sister had died that had been directly her fault, the result of her choices and actions and it still ached deeply inside her very bones, especially since returning from the Arches but she had never allowed it to dominate her life and remove the will and drive to carry on in spite of her pain and personal loss.

Although, Betrys had to admit that simply assuming anything about him on such a brief acquaintance was going to be a mistake and not one that she'd make very lightly "You didnae complete...oh..." she stopped, not wanting to push to hard on that subject, it was clearly more than simple disappointment and bringing it up was far to cruel a thing to even consider.

"Duty is important. Only the Creator truly knows the path our feet will tread on this turn of the Wheel...but it doesnae help verra much" Betrys added the last part, conscious that the rest might sound far too condescending, which was very unlike her own character "It canna be an easy thing tae feel so...alone. I felt the same when I first arrived. I had nae idea what this place would be tae me in the end - perhaps your path takes you here away from the rest because the Creator knows you can handle what it must ask of you" she suggested softly, approaching very carefully towards him.

As usual her movements were slow and measured, designed not to worry him but provide the presence of someone who would stand and offer peace and comfort. There was however no pity, sympathy but nothing more. It stemmed from her kind and compassionate nature "The One Power is in everything, everyone...we are all connected. The paths and Weaves, like the threads on a tapestry, when we channelers reach for it and connect we open ourselves up to that awareness. It leaves us distracted and vulnerable" she explained, her tone a softer one that she had adopted before in speaking to him.

"What happened?" she asked, her hands reaching out to steady him. Betrys was never going to present any appearance of a physical threat but hours of working with horses, her studies and even the demands of the One Power had made her stronger than she doubtless first appeared "...let me help. I assist in the Infirmary" Betrys added, she might not had formally declared her choice for the Yellow Ajah but it seemed that the Creator was drawing her onto that path more and more.

Ravak Darrow Betrys' words were calming and reassuring, and in a way that didn't come across with any hint of condescension. Or maybe it was the surroundings that made him less wary than usual, and not try to divine some veiled criticism in what was being said. She even began to approach him, slowly and carefully. He didn't move, but slight apprehension worked its way into his body. Even with talk of the One Power interconnecting everything, he wasn't sure he wanted it to be used on him.

Her explanation of channelling was revealing. He never thought an Aes Sedai could be distracted or vulnerable. He always got the impression that they saw everything, had ways of deducing your thoughts, and were unflinching in their undertakings. They were near-mythical figures from childhood stories, and would have believed that if he hadn't seen them in the flesh. I guess that explains the need for Warders. It only struck him then how ignorant he had been. Warders just seemed to naturally exist around Aes Sedai, when he was younger. As he had grown, that knowledge that Aes Sedai and Warders were always together had never been challenged. Aes Sedai genuinely need Warders for protection. The revelation was simultaneously startling and as clear as a bell.

"What happened?" Betrys was standing close enough to touch, and she reached out to do just that. Something on her left hand caught in the sunlight, as he recognised the Great Serpent ring on her third finger. The golden serpent looped around twice, biting its own tail as he knew it would. "Let me help. I assist in the Infirmary." As that hand with the Serpent got near, he reached out to stop it. He held her hand in his, fingers touching palms, his thumb resting on top of that golden ring. It was a light grip, with just enough resistance to cause her to stop.

"I don't desire Healing." His tone was soft but firm. "I appreciate the offer, but..." He couldn't simply state that he was wary of the One Power, in a place such as this! "It's character building." That sounded a little foolish to his ears, but it was better than the truth.

He released his hold on her, with a little reluctance. He regretted stopping her, but he was apprehensive. He made a slight show of putting his arms behind his back, and clasping them there. If she wished to press on, she wasn't going to stop her. She wasn't going to lay a finger on her again, unless she specifically signalled for it.

He had to break this unpleasant silence. "I will happily attend the Infirmary, however. I would greatly appreciate any assistance there." It was bold and galling, trying to ingratiate himself in her favour after rebuffing her initial offer of assistance. But aside from leaving at that moment, he felt he had no other option.