The Grey Tower

The night was cold and still. The sky was midnight black, aside from the pale shine of the gibbous moon, obscured by pillowy clouds. Light shone from the windows of the Grey Tower, but it did not reach the furthest depths of the gardens. Water babbled and burbled from the stream that made a sinuous division between the western and eastern halves of the lush sanctuary, although most of its beauty and colours were muted at this hour.

Moonlight danced across the face of a woman, reflected in the ever flowing current. If she was perturbed by the darkness or the solemnity of the gardens, it didn't show on her coppery features. Brown eyes, like melted chocolate, took in everything she passed by. It was clear from her gait that she was searching for something amongst the trees and flowers, and that it could appear at any junction.

The western edge of the gardens ended in a tall rampart that surrounded and protected the Grey Tower and its grounds. The shadows lay deepest here during the day, although as it was early evening, it caught the full glare of the moon's light. The dark-haired woman, skirts kicking out, moved towards this highlighted expanse as if guided by an invisible force.

Small clearings amongst the flora allowed for secretive rendezvous between illicit lovers, or kept hidden from view dealings that should never be recorded. With the cold and the dark, it would have required stout hearts and thick garments to brave venturing into one of these natural alcoves, but that was where the woman found herself.

Through the soft ferns that threatened to envelop her, and she was of considerable height, a blur moved in the clearing. The luminous depths of her eyes picked out the features of a man, even concealed by the rippling fancloak that made him flicker out of focus. A sword gleamed in each of his hands as it caught the silver light above, or the orange light from the Tower. They were also a blur of motion, as their wielder moved through an odd dance.

As she broke into one of the clearings, the snapping of a fallen twig underfoot shattered any hope of sneaking upon the swordsman unawares. Even as she cursed her own folly, the man turned towards her, the two swords disappearing into lengths of leather at his waist.

The man approached, moving into a beam of moonlight between the hedges. He stood at the same height as the woman, but his features were vastly different. Ginger hair stood out on the top of his head in an untamed mess, and pale eyes focused warmly on the newcomer as a smile broke the hard features of his face. Whilst she was resplendent in a dress of silk tailored by a master seamstress, he wore unadorned trousers of dull grey and a pale cotton shirt. That befitted their previous stations, as a high-born noble and a common soldier. They seemed to be opposites in most respects, aside from the warmth found in each of their expressions.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" quipped Rav. His hands rested lightly on his pommels, always vigilant despite the apparent lack of danger. For a moment he looked beyond her back through the ferns. "No Dax?"

Katrie shook her head slightly, her dark hair framing her cheery expression. "No Dax," she repeated. The accent of Cairhien was light in her voice tonight. "I was looking for you. I need a favour." Aes Sedai across the world could have made that a command, but from the Brown sister, it was an invitation. A mischievous quirk to her lips said there was something amusing in this offer.

Rav bowed deeply. "And what can this humble Gaidin do for one of our most illustrious Aes Sedai?" His tone was mockingly playful, but his hands gripped around his sword hilts in preparation, no matter how light the mood was.

"Ooh, illustrious. I like that." Her brows drew together briefly. "Am I really illustrious though? Wait, no, don't answer that. I don't want to get mad at you!" Her hands clasped behind her back and she bounced up a little onto her toes. "I need help finding a book."

"A book?" His tone became dry, although it halted on the step before condescension. "Can't you ask an Accepted to look through the Tower library for you?" Rav rubbed at the bridge of his nose. Katrie had an odd perception about what classified as fun, and browsing through endless rows of books did not enter into it.

"No." The one word seemed abrupt, and she continued defensively under his confused frown. "I mean, I could, but no."

"Okay." The word came slowly from his mouth, with the same confusion that marred his features. "I'll help, but. This isn't going against someone's orders, is it? We're not about to snatch something from the restricted section, right?" Ravak sounded hesitant, although he wouldn't have minded having a peek beyond the curtain. He was curious what was considered restricted, saying the Tower Library seemed to have books on everything.

Katrie tilted her head to the side, dark eyes narrowing slightly. "We're not 'snatching' anything, Muscles, I promise. And I'm a Brown. There's not exactly a whole lot that's restricted to me."

She didn't sound convinced, and as she wasn't Oathsworn, Rav knew it could be a lie. "True," he stated consideringly. "So how can I help where an Accepted cannot?" What was so special about this request that required him specifically? "It's not like I can reach any of the higher shelves any easier than you can."

The Brown's fingers curled around the waist of her dress, twisting the fabric around fingers, then letting them unfurl. Fidgeting was Katrie's telltale sign that she was uncomfortable. Uncomfortable to find a book? Rav made half a step towards her, to comfort her, before she spoke softly. "I'm. I'm trying to find a book with stories in it. I don't want anyone else to know."

Even with the glow of the pale moonlight, Katrie's face still seemed haunted. Ravak did move closer then, placing an arm around her shoulders. "Well in that case, let's go!" He gave her an encouraging squeeze to match his positive rallying cry, then turned her around to face towards the Tower.

The slender woman relaxed slightly into the warmth of the friendly embrace, the breath easing from her lips in a plume of white vapour. Katrie smiled faintly at Rav and nodded tentatively, her upper teeth worrying at the plump swell of her bottom lip for a moment as they fell into easy step together. Shadows moved faintly across her face but she quickly smoothed her expression.

“I’m putting together a book,” she began hesitantly, quietly, “as a gift.” She deliberately left out who it was for. “I’ve told this person many stories. I’ve read them many as well. They’re all going to be in the book. It’s not enough though! I want... to include as many stories as I can that I grew up with... and that’s the book I’d like your help with in finding. I’ve heard that it was originally a collection written in the Old Tongue. I-I...” and here was where her voice faltered, the breath hitching sharply in her throat, her eyes squeezing shut. “I was read them when I was little.”

She said nothing more on the subject, letting the Shienaran draw his own conclusions from it. The Aes Sedai didn’t want to bring either of them pain, and quickly moved onto a different, safer topic. They were nearing the Tower proper and the Brown lowered her voice.

“I don’t want to ask an Accepted because I would be very upset if they gossiped or joked about it. This is... too important for that. And really, you love books more than even I do.” Slender fingers fussed at the curve of lace and silk of her hip, warm brown eyes looking out into blue-grey through the glorious fringe of long, dark lashes. “I also... I’d like your help with... something else... I mean, assuming you say yes...”

Rav frowned at her, though it was a far cry from that face. “Didn’t I already say yes?”

“Well, to helping me find the book, sure,” she told him earnestly. “But this is another thing entirely that I’m going to ask you, so... you might say no to that.”

The Gaidin’s look was wary as he watched her for a long, weighted moment. “Depends,” he answered finally, tone light. “Does it involve the Aiel Waste or the Blight?”

Katrie blinked at that. “No and no.”

He rubbed at his chin and gave her a considering look. “Assuming it also isn’t a two person invasion of Seanchan, I’m in.”

“No, thank you.” Her snort was loud and eloquent. “I don’t particularly want to be collared and you dead.” Her face brightened visibly and the smile that came to her face was genuine and relieved. The slender woman threw her arms around him and squeezed, hugging him fiercely. “Thank you, Rav.”

He did not try to crush her ribs as he returned her hug. “Don't thank me yet, we haven't done anything.”

The Aes Sedai beamed at him. “It’s going to be great, Muscles! I’ll even... I don’t know, take you out to dinner.” Katrie’s brows lifted. “Buy you new clothes? Teach you how to beat up more things? Teach Kaira how to beat up things?”

“Perhaps you could... just tell me, what we’re going to be doing that will be so great,” Rav suggested without even a trace of grumpiness or skepticism, even as his brows drew down into a not-quite glower at her.

Katrie stifled a giggle and slung an arm around his waist in companionable familiarity. “You know that I trained with that she-Trolloc, Malina. She... says that I should spar and talk with and discuss different tactics with different people, so I don’t get...” her nose wrinkled for a moment. “What’s the word she used... oh! Complacent! So I don’t get complacent!” White teeth flashed into view as the Brown grinned, inordinately pleased with herself for remembering the right phrase. “You asked me once, a long time ago, what it was like to channel. Do you remember?”

At his affirmative nod, her expression softened. “I’ve got a better idea than just discussing tactics with you. I probably won’t understand half of what you say anyway.” She flashed him an apologetic look, shrugging sheepishly. “I... it’s not... maybe it is... or...” she stumbled over the words, not quite sure how to ask. The tall Cairhienin made an aggravated sound and shook her head.

“Both she and Dax say that if I have to fight, I need to cause as much damage as possible in the shortest amount of time possible. That’s all well and good, but I... kind of lack the ferocity that you Gaidin all seem to have. But I can channel. Would you be willing to help me with combining using the Power with what I already know of Unarmed? It’ll take a lot of testing and theory and probably enough chalkboards and chalk to build a boat.” The words finally formed correctly. Katrie tilted her head as she studied Rav’s face. “I’m talking about helping me figure out how to use the small weaves I can do to augment what I already know how do with my body.”

Ravak gripped at the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefingers, with the little shorn finger tapping in concern. The gesture, as well as the thoughts that accompanied them, were futile. With a breathy sigh, he lowered his hand to his beard and started scratching at the skin underneath.

"So, when I was with your mother, there were times when I saw what she did with the Power." The Gaidin sounded both reluctant and a touch afraid to speak. The subject of Katrie's late mother was a topic Ravak avoided if possible, wary of the reaction it could bring out from the statuesque Cairhienin. "Balls of fire. Bolts of lightning. Things I can't really place a name or suitable description to."

The hand dropped back to his longsword's pommel. "I don't see why you'd need to augment anything with the Power when you have the Power as a weapon."

Danger flashed across Katrie's face. Her nose wrinkled, brows knitting together. Rav forestalled the impending tirade. "That being said, I am more than happy to help out. But as you say, I don't really understand what it is that you do with the Power. Or how you can use it without being all--" His arms moved in imitation of an Aes Sedai channelling. Flailed was perhaps a better phrase for it.

Rav frowned in thought. "Can you burn yourself with the Power? Could you cover your fists in flames, or wouldn't that work?"

The tall Cairhienin was very silent and very still for long moments, dark eyes narrowing slightly the only indication that she had heard anything the Gaidin had said. It still hurt, hearing people talk about Mama - it hurt worse than her own private thoughts and out of control feelings on the matter. But Katrie knew that he hadn’t done it to hurt her... and so tried to push past it as best she could.

The Brown shook her head, her voice shaking despite her most valiant effort. “I’m not strong enough with the Power to do most of that stuff, Rav.” She gave him a small smile, the expression failing to touch anything else but her lips. “Most weaves that do the sort of thing you saw with... Mama, require a certain degree of strength with saidar to make it effective. I don't have that degree of strength, period. I know the weaves for calling down lightning from the sky, for example, but if I were to do it now, nothing really would happen. I’d have better luck trying to static shock you by touch.”

She reached up and pushed that particularly stubborn curl away from her forehead.

“I... can make Gateways... it’s a Talent...” The Aes Sedai made an absent gesture with her fingers and stopped before they entered the Tower proper, a small gateway snapping open and shut so quickly that it happened all in the blink of an eye. A nearby tree branch simply fell to the ground by her feet, the obviously shorn edge unnaturally precise and smooth.

“But I don’t want to use this on someone. I don’t want to cut someone in half with a weave that I use every day to go somewhere else, or to get something from my room that I forgot. I don’t want to use the Power was a weapon." It's what the Seanchan do. But she left that unspoken. "That’s why I’m asking for your help with this.”

Katrie held out her hands and studied them, her head tilting to the side. “I can still burn myself with the Power, but I’m sure there is a way to protect my hands. That would be pretty neat." Her face brightened as she smiled up at him. "But I don’t mean just... using the Power on me though. I also want... I mean... what other things should I look for? What other things could I do? I know I can cut armour straps, or belts, or boot laces... but what else?”

She gave him a rueful shrug of her shoulders, arms dropping back down to her sides. “Maybe there’ll be more ideas to be had once we’re in the Library?”

The beard scratching continued as Katrie and Ravak entered the Tower's quarters, walking along the corridor between the Grey and Brown Ajahs. Rav had some questions, like whether she would get more powerful in time, but he didn't want to sound like a dolt even in front of his friend. He resigned himself to a little sigh, which drew the Brown's attention. "Maybe so," Rav muttered in answer. Katrie didn't give a follow up, seeing the look resting on the Gaidin's face.
* * * The Tower's Library was a second home to both of them, and they both settled down at a table near a fireplace. The table was the very same one where they had first met many years ago, not that it was by coincidence. Ravak still had his favourite chair within the enormous room, and he was a stickler for tradition.

Books came off the shelves in a practiced fashion. The Aes Sedai's research centred primarily around the use of the One Power, whereas the Gaidin was honed in on the minutiae of individual combat. Katrie's mention of cutting straps had brought out tomes on the type of sword fighting that Ravak avoided. He swung his longsword as if it were two foot longer and seldom with a thought of dissuade an opponent; killing blows stopped the danger quickest and nothing else would cease the assault from a Trolloc. Instead he was looking up practices more familiar within the streets of Bandar Eban or Tear, for swords that were as much ornaments as weapons. Ravak frowned down at books he hadn't touched since his days as a Ji.
* * * "You still have that look on your face."

Ravak looked up from the treatise. Katrie was coming back (when had she walked off?) with two steaming cups in hand. The rich sweetness of chocolate was lost on the Gaidin, but he still smiled pleasantly at the unexpected gift.

"How long have I been reading?" Rav took one of the mugs gratefully, cupping both hands around it for heat. "Sorry, I've been looking for... something. But it's not like any of these books were written with using the Power in mind." He sighed loudly. "I just wish I knew what to look for."

"Something will come up." She sounded cheerful, but the undertone in Katrie's voice stated that she was just as vexed.

Rav peered into his mug. "Maybe we'll have more luck after some hot chocolate?"
* * * "Why don't we ask one of the Greens?"

Katrie gave her friend a flat look.

"Then how about Elia?" Rav realised just how silly that suggestion was as soon as it was free from his lips. Elia knew as much about fighting as he did about her precious ter'angreal. "Never mind, forget that thought. Maybe we should..."

When Rav didn't finish, Katrie asked "Maybe we should?"

He shrugged. "How about something practical? Maybe you should just try things against me. See what it is you can do that doesn't involve slicing parts of me off with Gateways?" A flash of inspiration hit him as the Gaidin thought about brawling in the Yards. "Can you do anything with the ground? An army needs to march, and they need supplies. If they can't walk and can't move their wagons, they can't pose a threat to anyone."