Come, Walk With Me (Open!)

[Chris]

Maever Donovan Since the destruction of Hama Valon, there was much to do when it came to rebuilding it. Aes Sedai and Asha'man alike assisted with the construction and the actual building, but there were also plenty of opportunities to keep the peace and make sure everyone was eating. Many had lost their homes and needed a roof over their heads.

That was what Maever tried to do. The trim Asha'man made his way through the city on light and nimble feet, his pale eyes searching around him for something he could do, anything really. The sun was bright, the early morning warmth superficial in that it only worked on his skin. His uniform operated on body heat alone, and the shade provided by some of the surviving walls reminded the Illianer of how close they were to nighttime still, and how even on the brightest of days there was something to keep one grounded.

Normally he didn't head out into the city alone if he could help it. Maever appreciated that as skilled as his Healing may be, when it came down to it he needed someone to keep a watch over him and make sure he didn't get himself into bother. For instance, the time as a Dedicated when he accidentally ended up owing an underground gambling ring a thousand silver and a chocolate cake. But he felt emboldened today by the people who had taken this path before him, and headed out to do their part.

It shouldn't have mattered that they went without him. It was never actually planned for Maever to go with any other Aes Sedai or Asha'man. He wasn't even all that good with Earth, so constructing houses was not exactly something he was going to volunteer for. But seeing them meet up, shake hands, clasp backs and kiss cheeks before heading out together, Maever felt a longing. He wanted to be a part of that group. Always had, even when he was a Soldier and it was the other Soldiers who trained together. Just because he didn't want to rough and tumble with them didn't mean he didn't want to be a part of that group, but that wasn't how it worked out. It never did. The only difference between Soldier Maever and Asha'man Maever, was that the people who ignored him were fully Raised channellers with skills all of their own.

He didn't mean to follow them. No, really. The intention was to head to where the need was greatest and his skills could be put to the most use. His black Asha'man uniform, the yellow shirt beneath visible if one spotted the golden sleeves, it was all immaculate. He took pride in his appearance, because he had to look good if he was going to do good, didn't he? It wasn't a narcissism that came from vanity, but more a fear of not looking capable. He wanted to appear competent. He walked behind the other Asha'man and Aes Sedai, trying not to stare. Dellin was broad of shoulder, with a nice v-shape that the Illianer wished he had more of. Then Penia was beautiful, her curled black hair bringing out the brilliance of her blue eyes. Beauty like that was all the more disappointing when it didn't match the personality it belonged to, but Maever dwelled on the superficial for a moment longer. It was a flame he was always drawn to; pretty things were underappreciated and too uncommon, and he had to take solace in the beauty for the sake of his morale. Even when the rose was more thorn than flower.

Dellin was grinning across at Penia. They might bond soon, he supposed with a sick feeling in his stomach. It was all people seemed to talk about, or so it seemed to Maever. Maybe it was because he harboured some quiet reservations about the fact that maybe, one day he could be regarded as eligible bonding material. What an honour that would be! The fact that he would be the channeller, not the Warder, was not something that occurred to him, but either way it would be rather lovely.

Eventually Maever did muster up the will to take a different path to the group before him, attempting to leave behind the feelings of inadequacy, that he wasn't doing enough or that he simply wasn't enough. The streets here were barely streets and more rubble, more for the builders to handle he supposed. Maever was looking for the people, but they weren't looking for him. They were after someone, anyone to take care of them, and it didn't matter who they were as long as they were a Healer, or someone who could get them to one.

Maever told himself that the lack of personal demand was okay, and that simply filling that void to serve a purpose was enough in and of itself. It lapped against the walls of the void when he seized Saidin, and it caressed his mind as he tried to sleep. But for now it simply prodded him rudely in the broad daylight, and he needed the distraction of some disaster or other to validate himself and keep those inadequacies at bay for another day.

[Craig]

Ravak

The presence of his own company was something that Ravak was not capable of dealing with any more. It had been a number of weeks since the deaths in the Tower, but that hadn't mended the wounds inside. His mind, or maybe just his eyes, played tricks on him. Walking around, he would catch a glance at a familiar face, recognising Kaia for a second he thought, before reality crashed back in around that illusion. Every time it happened, the world seemed to fall out from under him. A few times, he'd actually followed some of the women just to make sure it wasn't Kaia. He'd never been one for tears, but just a thought of the Domani made him well up uncomfortably.

Thus, Ravak had got reacquainted with his Shienaran huskies. Kaia had been there when he got them, and somehow that seemed enough of a link with the Red sister to be meaningful. Daishar and Tai'shar moved ahead of their master, eyes and ears ever vigilant. Snowflake moved alongside Rav, constantly attempting to nuzzle into the palm of his hand or against his thigh. Nothing much had changed since the white husky was a pup - she was a pet instead of a hound-in-training, but a pet was exactly the cure for Rav's aching heart.

Aimlessly wandering from the Warder Halls, the Master of Training had made a circuit around the Grey Tower, infrequently stopping to talk with familiar faces. After that, Hama Valon in all of its ruined splendour beckoned. Being amongst those whom had lost everything made Rav feel better - made him feel accepted. It was entirely selfish, but he couldn't see beyond his own grief, not even after so many weeks. Without consciously meaning to, the Shienaran headed towards the worst parts of the city. Stone, wood, and plaster all crunched underfoot as he made his mournful procession through the rubble of homes and places of work.

The Gaidin was being remarkably unwary on his walk, for it was the change in Daishar and Tai'shar that alerted Ravak to the presence of someone else meandering through the ruined city. They moved ahead at a run to approach a dark-suited man. No, an Asha'man. Fantastic. The two huskies slowed as they got near, and showed the channeller the same affection Snowflake showed Rav, acting like doting pets. Well, there's nothing for it now.

Rav approached the tall fellow, a Yellow that he recognised from the Infirmary, albeit not one he knew. Aes Sedai and Asha'man both liked to flaunt their Ajah colours, and this man chose a coloured shirt under his jacket. It was a subdued choice compared to others, but then Asha'man didn't glide around in the best silk ballgowns. None I've seen at any rate.

"I apologise for that," Ravak said when he got close. "Normally they're well behaved, but I guess you've got that One Power thing going on. Dogs and Asha'man, eh?" Polite enough, but not really engaging. All he had to do was pry the two huskies away, and he could get back to grieving, without those looks of pity everyone had for him.

[Chris]

Maever hadn't expected to meet anyone else from the Tower, with the way he had chosen taking him away from that clump of channellers. This part of the city needed a lot of work, and he was more likely to run into people who were still in need of aid. Or so he thought. Instead, the Illianer was pleasantly surprised to see two large, fluffy dogs making their way towards him. They moved as working dogs first - something Maever was familiar with from his farming upbringing - but then they headed his way with a brisk trot that soon turned into a run, curled tails wagging and their tongues lolling to the side excitedly.

He couldn't help himself; Maever crouched down and fussed over the first one to reach him, putting his hands out to smoosh his face and let his own be licked in turn. "Who do be a good dog?" he asked, "you do be! The most good of all." He was soon met with the other huskies' nose prodding his ear from the side, and Maever moved one of his hands so he could fuss them both in turn. "Oh, you do be the most good dog as well," he assured the other one, "what lovely fur you do both be having! Oh, I have no seen anything like it before." He might have seen them in the yards at some point but Maever wasn't someone to approach animals when they were training with their owners or generally at work. It had been some time since he remembered seeing them last, and he did so love their cold wet noses and their wagging tails. "I do no be having any treats for you but I can at least give you some fuss. What do you be doing out here all by you- oh fortune prick me," he realised that the dogs had an owner attached to them and as soon as the man spoke, Maever jolted to his feet to greet him better.

One hand did rest on one of the dog's heads though, scratching it behind the ears. The dog approved most mightily. The darker of the two seemed more interested in walking around Maever, whilst the lighter grey sat there and accepted the fuss quite happily.

"Oh, I do be apologising for distracting your dogs!" he told the man. Maever recognised Ravak Gaidin - who couldn't identify the muscled Master of Training, with his red hair and gruff exterior? Oh, and that tattoo as well... it glittered in the sunlight and always made Maever's throat feel thick. It wasn't fair that some people could be so, well, incredibly hot. Pale blue eyes did their best to remain courteous and fortunately the man was often skittish enough that he couldn't stare even if he wanted to. A big smile crossed his face as he continued, "they do be ever so beautiful, and I do be knowing that sometimes being near a male channeller does have an effect on them! But they do be so lovely, I can no help but give them a cuddle. Ohh, and you do be having a third one as well!" Delighted, Maever extended a hand and the white animal padded over to lick his hand and generally fuss over him. Oh, to be the recipient of a creature's unconditional love! It warmed the soul, and Maever took great joy from it.

Maever had never spoken to the Master of Training, though he was vaguely familiar with him and his recent happenings. The Illianer did not care to presume much about anyone, but the caregiver in the man told him that times had not been kind to the red-haired wonder recently. It was in his nature to help people, he couldn't help it, and even now he was asking himself if there was anything Ravak Gaidin needed.

"What does bring you and your delightful animals into this part of the city?" he asked. "If you do no be minding my asking of course, it do no be any of my business!" The Illianer gave a slightly nervous chuckle, but this tension was alleviated as the white dog gave a small yowl in demand for attention.

[Craig]

Ravak

The Asha'man's accent was thick, and it took Rav a minute to work his way around all of the doings and beings. Illianers could be as incomprehensible as the Seanchan if they didn't try to mediate themselves, and the Yellow didn't seem to be one of those that did. The dogs didn't seem to care, however. Even Snowflake was lollygagging for the Asha'man - Rav always thought of Snowflake as the most loyal of the three, in spite of her silliness. Asha'man and dogs. But the man seemed to like them, possibly more than Rav did.

Snowflake barked, and Rav whistled. If she was going to get excitable, best it was next to him. All three of the huskies glanced back, but only Snowflake came straight back to heel. The Shienaran crouched down to give the animal a hug.

"Well, I'm just out for a walk." Ravak glanced around the ruined streets that surrounded them. That seemed far too much like an unsatisfactory answer. He scratched behind his ear. "You know what, if you have the time and the ear to listen..."

"Of course! I do be having the time." A kindly eagerness mixed with a touch of tension on the man's face. "What do you be needing-- umm, wanting to talk about?"

Rav dropped, so he was sitting on ruined cobblestones. "I lost a friend in one of the killings. The Keeper of the Chronicles." He bit his lower lip. "I was her Warder in the past, and her loss has..." He made a vague gesture with his arm and offered a meek smile. "I'm not exactly taking it well. Maybe you saw me in the Infirmary last week, half-comatose. That was my previous attempt to handle it. This--" he gestured the huskies, "is my new method. I brought them as pups to the Tower, but I've not really looked after them for a while now. I figure I need something to keep myself sane, and looking after these three is certainly a challenge."

The Gaidin smiled. "Thanks. It's good to kinda just say that out loud. The name's Rav, by the way." He extended a hand out. "I don't think we've actually spoken before. Thanks for patching up my trainees."

[Chris]

Maever nearly fell over at the sudden bark from the white dog, though he didn't mind the attention at all and he was actually a little disappointed when the Master of Training whistled her away. The other two dogs remained so he was content to give them a little more fuss each; they didn't seem to be going anywhere any time soon either, not that Maever minded at all.

Light eyebrows rose at the man saying he was here walking of all things. It might have been a suitable answer once, but after the attacks it seemed far too casual a thing. The homely sight of a beautiful man traipsing through a broken city with his dogs was not inappropriate, but it was not expected given the circumstances.

But there was something else afoot here and Maever, who tended to take people at face value, would have missed it had Ravak not mentioned anything else. When he took a seat Maever followed suit, and the dogs took that as their cue to flop as well. The darker grey one had his head on Maever's feet, the other half sprawled on his lap. It may have been his ability to wield Saidin that drew them in, but Maever accepted and revelled in their affections regardless. Even he was allowed moments of blissful respite.

Poor Ravak was not so fortunate, and Maever felt for his loss. He didn't have the bond to experience, but his empathy was the sort that felt keenly for others, and it always saddened the Yellow to hear of other people's misfortunes. He had seen the Gaidin in the Infirmary though he hadn't been the one administering his care, and he hadn't realised it might have been because of what befell the Keeper of the Chronicles. Remarkably simple in his perception of the world, Maever simply saw a man who was ill and needed to be Healed.

He offered Ravak a new smile of his own to match the meek one sent his way, his expression earnest as he sat and listened. "I do be sorry for your loss," he said, and he meant it as well. He had no personal experience of the Keeper of the Chronicles, but he knew loss, and he knew heartache. Maever would have patted his arm, if they were closer and it didn't make him go so red. "When people do leave us, it does leave a hole in the heart which there can no be any filling. But giving yourself things to do to try and replace that, constructive things, that do be the best idea."

Scratching the head of the dog on his lap, Maever continued, "I do be liking to bake. The ability to create something that would no exist without you, it do be one of the best feelings in the world. Baking, gardening, sewing, making music, painting... some of the Whites do be thinking that there do no be any place for art, but, ummm, having art do be the difference between existing and living. I do be thinking. Umm." Maever gave a slightly nervous laugh; Ravak hadn't asked Maever for any of that nonsense.

"It do be very good to say these things out loud!" he said most earnestly, as he took the man's hand to shake. A little awkward as they were both sitting, and the dog on his lap didn't seem to want to move, but Maever managed it anyway. "Fortune favour you Ravak- ummm Rav. I do be Maever, and the pleasure of Healing your trainees do be all mine! Though I do no be enjoying seeing Drin with weapons poking out of them, I suppose it do be a necessary evil." He gave a slightly less retiring smile, "do you be taking a walk to pass the time and feel better? I did come out here to see if there was anyone who did need any Healing. I suppose I did think about the people in the city but I do be glad I did meet you, and that we did talk." It was still a Healing of sorts and Maever was happy to help someone, anyone, especially someone who shook his hand and thanked him like Ravak. Rav. That was his name, shortened - this meant it was a nickname, and only friends gave one another nicknames. What a lovely walk this had turned out to be after all. If only Maever had a nickname he could share in return! But he was just Maever, and the names people gave him were generally not all too kind.

[Craig]

Ravak

The mention of baking and sewing brought half a smile to the Gaidin's face. A long time ago, a very long time it seemed, he had enjoyed making cakes and other sweet foods. Alongside his sister, their mother taught them how to make meals for the family, which included stews and soups, prepared meats both hot and old, but most critically for the Darrow twins, desserts! Anything with a hint of fruity sweetness brought out wide eyed grins. "One day, all we'll eat are sweet cakes!" He couldn't remember who's genius idea that was, but the two of them both agreed on that. A few years later they had tried it, and were surprised to find their stomachs protesting against all of the niceties they had made.

"It's been a long time since I last baked anything, but then the Tower doesn't seem a convenient place for it. I haven't risked life and limb to become a master swordsman just to have my knuckles broken under the Mistress of the Kitchens' tender reminders not to interfere." He made the mistake of stepping into the kitchens without permissions once as a Ji'alantin, and his next destination had unmistakably been the Infirmary. He was quite happy that meals were brought to him nowadays, so he need never face that wrath again.

Maever chuckled, although it seemed muted. The Asha'man was nervously, as far as Rav could tell. What would account for that? He sniffed the air, but aside from the lingering background stench of the siege, there was nothing on the wind. Strange.

Snowflake pushed her face into Rav's, paws resting on his knees, eyes looked up expectantly. "Oh, oops," Rav said before he could catch himself. "I mentioned the K word." All three of the huskies were looking his way now, tails wagging. The Gaidin got an arm around Snowflake and held her in place as he loosened a bag on his belt and pulled out a long strip of meat. The first he offered to Snowflake, who grabbed it quickly and started chewing on his lap. He pulled two more pieces out, then tossed one each to Daishar and Tai'shar.

"That'll keep them going for a bit." He rubbed his hand on his trouser leg, then closed up the bag. "So, you seem to like these lot. Do you have any pets of your own, well, not that those two are pets per se. Daishar and Tai'shar will hopefully be our first round of war hounds, when they're fully trained. But this lovely lout here, she's only good for cuddles." He rubbed at the side of Snowflake's face. "Dunno why she so different from her sisters. Just a big softie, I guess."

[Chris]

Strangely Maever had never had any troubles with baking in the kitchens, but then he was the sort of fellow who skittered in at the quietest times and was generally pleasant enough that the women there insisted on feeding him, and supervising at he worked. How very kind of them all! He had a nice chat with the various cooks and even the Mistress of the Kitchens had a hello for him sometimes.

"I suppose you do be needing to find the right kitchen, almost like you do be needing the right sort of weapon to train with," he mused, watched as Rav took out some strips of meat for the dogs. He looked on with delight as the three happily gnawed away, charmed by the homely scene before him that he was now taking part in, even in a passive way.

"Oh, I do no be having any pets of my own. I did grow up on a working farm, so we did have cows and pigs and chickens, and if you did turn them upside down you could rub their little bellies and they would no make a peep." He grinned fondly at the memories, "I do be too busy now to take care of my own animals, so I do be liking to tend to other people's. Fortune do be so kind to allow me to be able to Heal most animals who do be needing it. Unlike humans, they can no always tell us when they do be in pain." He patted the nearest dog on the back, and it looked back at him for a moment before returning to its chewing, though its wail did flop about with a little more excitement at the attention it received from him.

Snowball did look like the cuddliest of the three, and the comment about her being different to the others reminded him acutely of the comment he normally heard growing up. Not being like the rest of the family was always something that was pointed out, and never in a positive way. "He do no be like our Ryan," which now he thought about it was a little strange because Maever was older, so surely he should have been paving the way. But then Ryan was closer to their father's ideal son. It was a little saddening that the favourite son was the one who tended to do the fighting rather than the fixing like Maever did, but this was something Maever had come to accept a long time ago. His family hadn't even made an appearance in his three arches, as if it knew they had no real hold over him. Their affection was not something he would struggle to refuse, not by the time he was ready to become a Dedicated.

It didn't mean the Illianer didn't feel alone, or that he felt loved. It simply meant he knew he was of more worth than they made him feel, and he took the steps to move on. What came next, nobody could say. Maever only knew that Healing and helping was one way of substituting for that. "Snowflake may no be like her sisters but I do be sure that she do be making up for it in other ways! All your dogs do be special in their own way, and they should be loved equally." If there was a little more steel in his voice than there was before, it wasn't intentional or noticed by the Illianer. He resumed patting the nearest dog, which was apparently female, and when he seized Saidin to give her a quick Delve her tail wagged harder and she turned to press her head against his side before sitting closer to chew away. She was fine from what he could tell but it was comforting to hide from how he felt with the Power, and to do something he enjoyed.

This part of the city was quiet, too quiet really. Now he'd been sat here for a few minutes Maever felt like he wanted to carry on and find some life, whatever could be found in these ruins. "Would you be minding if we did walk together for a bit? I do be looking for people who do be needing a hand and I do be knowing you and the dogs would be useful additions to my search!" Plus he wouldn't have to walk alone, and be without anyone by his side.

[Craig]

Ravak

Rav nodded to Maever. "Of course. Right now, c'mon, off you." The Gaidin gently encouraged Snowflake off from his lap. The bluey-eyed husky was clearly hopeful for more treats. Well, that ain't happening with your sisters around. Snowflake was a softie, but that would just encourage the other two. He rose easily once his lap was free, then put out an arm to help hoist the Asha'man to his feet.

The Shienaran felt a pang of guilt as he mulled over what Maever had said. "I suppose it do be a necessary evil." And it was, getting knocked and bashed around. Gaidin had to be ready to protect their bondmate no matter the cost, so a bruise here and a broken rib there was all a requirement of training. I guess I'm not really a Yellow at heart. The Browns had always appealed to him the most, what with all of the reading that they did, although he spent more than enough time training with his swords to make a Green proud. Or a Red. He grimaced briefly as the petite Domani flickered once again through his thoughts. The Reds had an insightful way of looking at the world, and the idea of dealing with a Darkfriend without the need for a trial - if the threat was great enough - seemed more just to him than it had a few years ago. Justice was important, but so was keeping people safe. With a sorrowful smile, Ravak returned to the present. A Yellow. I could do with more friends in the Yellow Ajah.

"It's a honourable thing, what you're doing," Rav said without preamble, "helping those in need. It's what the Tower does, I suppose, although I always reasoned that my solutions to that came that the end of a blade's point." Suddenly self-conscious, he noted that his hands rested on his swords' pommels. Always ready, he mused. "I do remember being charitable once, back when I was..." His mouth went dry. Back with Kaia. Again that uneasy smile marred his features whilst his heart pounded for a loss that words felt to describe. He made himself continue, although his voice lacked any of the usual warmth when he recalled this tale. "Back when I was with Kaia Sedai. There were all of these kids running around me, 'a hero of legend'. Not around Kaia, being Aes Sedai, but I was fair game. The parents were wide-eyed in fear, so to assuage their concerns I reached into my pocket to pull out some coppers. Someone thought I was going for a blade I can only assume, so the parents and other onlookers are suddenly charging in to retrieve their little ones. I got my hand free to show that I meant no harm, and all of the coin from my purse went everywhere. Within a second, everyone was kneeling down and grabbing the money, any fears of me forgotten." He gave a little shake of her head. "It's funny how things go unnoticed when you're wrapped up in something else."

[Chris]

Maever took the offered hand. He didn't need to, and maybe he shouldn't have, because making skin contact with someone like Ravak- ummm Rav - was an experience he wasn't sure he should get too used to. Someone like the Master of Training was far too important and popular to be seen with someone like Maever. And the physical aspect to it felt too intimate to the Illianer, more than he was used to. Outside of the Infirmary he didn't really relate to other people on such a level.

But off they went, and Rav's candid assessment of what Maever was doing, calling him honourable. Alright it wasn't him specifically being honourable, just the Healing he did, but Maever was so ingrained in his work and hopeful for kindness that he felt a warm glow from it, and a shy smile crept across his face. But there were plenty of ways to help those who needed it, this was just the most typical and the only thing Maever was really capable of. He didn't often carry his sword with him any more, as he was more and more used to leaving it at home. He wasn't someone who looked for answers with his blade, even when he was training as a Soldier and a Dedicated it was more mandatory than enjoyable, and he was yet to find a situation where he needed to swordfight. Then again, he never got put in those dangerous situations so maybe that wasn't a good indicator of anything.

There was a clear shift in the way Rav spoke, and even Maever picked up on it. He figured it was another part of that healing process, talking about things. From the way he was talking, it was almost like he was trying to justify what he did, at the same time as showing how it separated him from everyone else. It was a sad feeling especially because there was that shadow of Kaia behind it all, enough that it left a dark patch in Maever's heart as well. He could almost see the children picking up coins, the handsome Gaidin standing there, and this regal Aes Sedai just to one side, observing almost like a ghost. Only now, that was all she would be, if such things existed. That made it even more morbid, and if they were in the Infirmary Maever would offer Ravak a hand to hold, some sort of signal to show he was there to talk to.

"I suppose," Maever said as they walked, and the two working dogs trotted on a little head whilst the fluffy white one stuck close by the Gaidin, "that people do be so used to seeing one thing, that they do no expect to see something else. Then they do catch up with the moment and... ummm... perception do no be very strong when there do be mistrust and fear involved." The Illianer made a face, "sorry, I do be talking silly."

There must have been a noise of some sort, quiet and imperceptible to humans, as both dogs walking ahead turned to look right at what appeared to be nothing but a mostly intact wall and a blocked window. Maever seized Saidin and listened as well, making a slight face as he realised that there was someone or something in there. "The dogs do be onto something," he murmured, his voice cold in the void as he stepped closer. The huskies stepped aside, tails wagging, as Maever put his hand to the wall and inspected the blocked off window. "Hullo?" he called. "Do anybody be in there?"

There was definitely a scraping sound, and rasping breaths.

"Ravak, there do be someone inside!" he told the Gaidin, his voice gentle yet also alarmed. "I do be needing to move this rubble - ummm - please, little ones, do move aside," he implored as the animals were standing close by. "I do no be wanting to hurt you as I do remove the rubble."

Fortunately they listened to Ravak as he whistled for them to move aside. "Thank you," he said. "I will move what I can as long as it do be safe to do so." With these bold words he began to channel Air and Earth to reveal what was on the other side.

[Craig]

Ravak

Ravak missed whatever it was that Maever and the two huskies heard, but what he lacked in hearing he made up for in smelling. There was a faint trail of anger that meandered towards the building, but it was close to the general musk of crimes long forgotten or lacking in urgency. It was at the level that he had learnt to tune out by habit, but now that he was focusing, he could set apart two separate strands.

Rav called the two huskies back with a sharp whistle, giving Maever and himself room to get in and start hauling out rocks from the gap. Or, at least that was the intention, before the Asha'man piped up with "I will move what I can as long as it do be safe to do so."

The Shienaran's natural aversion to Asha'man - well, male characters - rose up at that point. He had been getting... better, he thought. Having to spend many an hour in the presence of Jaryd had aided towards that. Rav tried to focus on the fact that Maever was a Yellow in order to ease his mood. Yellows heal wounds, not cause them. Not that he was worried about what the One Power could do. It was just the fact that men had broken the world oh so many years ago. Something about that still resonated inside.

Pale eyes watched as an invisible force began to move away debris. Brick and stone and plasterwork; the occasional piece of smashed-up furniture; a picture. Rav stood by quietly, watching Maever work with the One Power, aware of the interest his huskies showed in the growing aperture. He shifted his hands from his hilts to Daishar and Tai'shar's backs, in an attempt to calm them.

Light began to fill the space behind the window; Maever had cleared something that revealed a room in the middle of the structure. Rav rose, moving up to look through. There was room enough to squeeze through the debris and get into whatever lay beyond. A voice whispered harshly from that space.

"If you'll allow me?" Ravak didn't wait for the Asha'man's approval. With a boot on the window sill, he leaped into the building and made his way through the ruins. Two daggers came to hand from his shirt sleeves - throwing daggers, but a bladed weapon nonetheless. Scrambling through, freeing his fancloak from protruding brickwork, he emerged into a kitchen. He got that from the huge chipped sink, but then his focus snapped to the two men lying prone on the ground. The daggers vanished, replaced by his Tower-forged longsword and Shienaran steel sword-breaker.

"Be careful," Rav cried back through the gap, although his focus never wavered for a moment. "We've got Seanchan back here."