The Grey Tower

Torianin Soulane The sun was beginning to set at the Grey Tower, and the evening was going to be a chilly one. She had been searching for the Accepted for perhaps an hour now, her cloak closed around her, and her hair hanging loose. Things had fallen in place with Torianin's contacts to where it was time to act, and she needed someone who had a Talent in Illusion, like she did. Finally, the Aes Sedai found the Accepted in the Gardens, playing her flute. She hated to take Avyra out of her comfort and happiness. She knew that the young woman came here to relax, but if she was going to become Aes Sedai, she would have to adapt, and quickly, to new situations as they arose. The Aes Sedai had been the one to show the girl to the Grey Tower when she came to enlist as a novice; had taught her how to channel, and even how to create weaves of Illusion. Asking Avyra for help wasn't her first thought when this situation first arose, but it seemed tailored to her now.

"Good evening, Accepted," Torianin said with a bright smile, interrupting the song. She tried not to make her voice sound so friendly that it overstepped an Aes Sedai's interactions with an Accepted, but seeing the girl made her happy. Perhaps it had something to do with taking her daughter in, but interactions with those in the learning ranks of the Grey Tower had been much more natural as of late. "I have need of you, if you would accompany me into the city." She wanted to give the Accepted time to respond, or even chat with her, but they didn't have much time. So, Torianin did something against her nature, but not out of character for a sister. She motioned with her hand for Avyra to follow her, and headed toward Hama Valon, knowing that the Accepted would follow.

((OOC: The first part will take place at Hama Valon, but we'll move onto other places later. ))

Avyra was minding her own business. She really didn't want to work on the One Power anymore. She was content with playing her flute and flying her birds.

However, she was interrupted by a voice she hadn't heard in a while. Torianin!

However, she didn't even get a chance to wave. She barely got to smile before the Aes Sedai led her off.

Avyra... was useful. But at what cost? The cost of her friend?

Was Torianin even a friend?

She swallowed, running to catch up to Torianin, and then fell in step beside her the best she could.

They walked in silence for a moment. Avyra didn't know if she was allowed to talk.

"Uh... so how are you, Torianin... Sedai?" She didn't know if she was allowed to use informalities.

Torianin Soulane Hearing footsteps behind her, Torianin was glad that the Accepted had followed. Avyra asked how she was. They hadn't spoken since...likely since she was raised to Accepted. She felt a small pang of guilt in not exchanging simple greetings with her, but Avyra had to know that this mission was important. It would be interesting, working in the real world with someone she considered a friend, no matter what protocol dictated. At the very least, she could chat with her before they arrived at the inn where she had a private sitting room reserved. "I've been doing well, Avyra," she said with a smile, turning back to her. "I don't think you've met my daughter, Abby, have you? I adopted her not long after the Seanchan attack. I'll have to introduce you two after we're done today. And, I see you've been raised to Accepted. Congratulations, I'm proud of you." She gave Avyra a bright smile. "How have you been?" she asked.

Torianin narrowed her eyes as Avyra said she would be of no use. Where was the girl that incorporated her flute into the large scene in her Illusion class? She was confident when she had first met her, before she even became a novice. What had happened to make her feel this way now? Well...there had been a few incidents with attacks lately. Perhaps it had something to do with that. "I am not Oathsworn, but I speak no lie when I say you are far from useless. I've seen what you can do with Illusion, having taught you myself, and I've known you to be intelligent and adaptable. Unless someone is Compelling you otherwise, you should still be the same Avyra that I've come to know. All that said, you are out of the novice whites. You must trust yourself above all others." She gave the Accepted a warm smile and a comforting hand on her shoulder. She hoped that this next mission would help her realize that.

She kept the details of the mission to herself until she came to the inn that she had picked out, the Blooming Flower. While it was open to anyone in Hama Valon, it was really catered more toward women, and Accepted usually liked to use it when they had free time. No one would question the use of Saidar here. As soon as Torianin walked in, a serving girl greeted her and showed her to the private room that she had reserved. After the girl took their orders for supper and left with orders to knock when she came back, the Aes Sedai embraced Saidar enough to set a small ward, so that she could feel someone trying to send strands of Saidar into the room. Then, behind that, she set a ward against eavesdropping over the small room.

"All right, Avyra," Torianin said, changing her tone from conversational to serious. "I won't explain this like an Aes Sedai should to an Accepted. You and I must be partners in this, because this is a dangerous mission. I have made arrangements with my Warder, further west into Andor. He is an Asha'man, and will help, but the woman we will be meeting must not see him. It will be you and I who will have the most control over the situation. You must be calm and confident, as an Aes Sedai would, even just as an act. Remember that I will be there with you as well, and I will make sure no harm comes to you, but I have set this plan into motion with a certain outcome in mind. I would not have chosen you if I did not think you capable." She made sure that this last sentence was said making direct eye contact with the Accepted, with every syllable clear. "Do you trust me and yourself enough to help?" Even if Avyra did not, Torianin hoped she had been listening when she mentioned that her show of confidence could be an act. The Red Sister had put on an act of a calm Aes Sedai every day since gaining the shawl.

Torianin hesitated for just a moment. Avyra felt like she was being dragged into this. For an Accepted, being personally asked by an Aes Sedai to help with a mission, to be treated as an equal, at least for the situation, would be an honor. Something had happened between the last time they had spoken and now, though. She would not prod the girl about it. Whether the Accepted felt worthy or not, she had asked for details on the mission. That was acceptance on the request to help, as far as Torianin was concerned. Avyra would need to push through her self doubt in order to succeed.

"It is still some great Aes Sedai secret, but it will be one that you are privy to," the Aes Sedai said smoothly. An Accepted must behave as if she is already Aes Sedai. Avyra would be participating in this mission, and she would be given all the details she needed for her safety. A knock came to the door. Two quick raps, then one. Their food had arrived. Torianin quickly went to the door and took the food in her arms, delivering it to the table herself. "The woman that we will capture tonight is a darkfriend," she said quite plainly as she motioned for Avyra to begin eating, if she wished. "I do have some personal investment in this, I must admit. Her husband was the man that kidnapped and abused my daughter while she was in servitude to him. My contacts assure me that she has further information on a group of others, so she will need to be taken alive, but as I said before, I value your safety over hers." She kept her voice even, despite how much she loathed her target after reading further reports on her activities. Eminia Kastor would either become a prisoner or wind up dead by the end of the night, but Avyra would still be alive and safe.

"I have arranged with my contacts to meet her in a large house in Andor. You and I have the task of placing large amounts of Illusion on the inside of the house, as she will be expecting even small details to be present." As she spoke, she brought out a list of things that needed to appear differently, or appear as in place during the meeting. "We will also need to disguise ourselves, but we need not keep up the charade for very long, only long enough to see if she has come alone or not. If she is alone, I will bind her in Air. If she is not alone, we may have a fight on our hands, and my Warder will be needed. After we finish our meal, I will weave a gateway to the house. I still have more details to give, but please, if you have any questions so far, let me know."

Avyra ate her meal without a word, taking in all that Torianin was telling her. Well, she still had no idea why she was needed, or she specifically. However, she didn't ask for fear of angering Torianin. Doubting her was surely an insult, even if it was Avyra's own self esteem up for debate. So Avyra felt herself picking at her meal, not in the mood to eat even when she was told she could. Torianin had to give her permission. It showed how they really were, regardless of what Torianin said. She was still less. Surely she should have been used to it. All Aes Sedai did it. No matter how friendly they tried to be, they would always stab you in the back. Avyra just hoped that she wouldn't be like that. "I have arranged with my contacts to meet her in a large house in Andor. You and I have the task of placing large amounts of Illusion on the inside of the house, as she will be expecting even small details to be present." That's why she was needed. Weaving Illusion weaves. Avyra had done well on thatt final. Maybe that's why Torianin thought she would be useful. However the plan seemed straight forward, and she had no questions, so she returned to her meal, picking at it some more. "I have no questions, Torianin Sedai."

(If you want them to talk more feel free. Otherwise I'm good to move on.)

The rest of the details of the mission would be seen in the house in Andor, once Torianin and Avyra made their arrival. So, Torianin tried to encourage the Accepted to finish her food before they departed, and she ate hers as well. They would both need sharp minds and energy when the mission began. After they finished eating, Torianin wove a column of Spirit which opened up to a gateway, leading to an empty bedroom in the house where Eminia Kastor would be meeting them. Stepping through first, the Aes Sedai could immediately feel her Warder much closer than he had been just a moment ago. As ever, Erishar Kurian was alert, keeping his emotions in check.

Once Avyra was clear of the gateway, Torianin closed it and looked around the small room. It was one of the servants' quarters, and was very bare and simple. The room was lit well, though. This was to keep the appearance of the gateway away from prying eyes. From under her cloak, she pulled out two small sheets of paper. Handing one to the Accepted, she said, "Keep this with you for the moment. I'll show you the layout of the house, and introduce you to my Warder first. If he is needed if a fight breaks out, I'd like you both to know who is on our side," she said with a smile.

Leaving the room, she showed Avyra the richly decorated house, the occupants having departed for the evening. She explained that they would be acting as if they both lived here, but there was no need to disguise their faces with Illusion. What would be a signal for the Darkfriend would be in what they wore. Taking her downstairs, Torianin showed Avyra the sitting room, the parlor, the kitchens, and the closets as well, just in case.

She took the Accepted outside as well. Her Warder was cloaked in a weave of Folded Light, but he dispelled the weave when she appeared. Next to the steps leading up to the house was Erishar, the very picture of a Shienaran warrior, with his shaven head, except for his topknot. "Torianin," he said, stepping forward. "I haven't seen any sign of them yet."

Torianin shook her head full of orange locks. "They are not due for another two hours or so. Erishar, I'd like you to meet Accepted Avyra Moeryr. Avyra, this is my Warder, Asha'man Erishar of the Blue Ajah." It had actually taken some doing, convincing her Warder to join in on this mission. He was worried that needless bloodshed would happen and justice would not be served to the darkfriends, given her personal feelings. After the two exchanged pleasantries, Torianin moved on. "Erishar will be standing right here, under Illusion in case he is needed."

Taking Avyra back inside, the Aes Sedai decided to get to work right away. "As for the weaves, our dresses can be any color we want, but a cat should be on the cuffs of our sleeves. You will need to either change your Great Serpent ring to another one, or hide it in a pouch. The rest of the items are on the list that I gave you earlier. The items will tell you where the Illusions should be set, and what they should look like. They should all be static Illusions, so the weaves can be tied off. Except perhaps the tapestry." She had listed that the tapestry be changed to a bird of prey carrying a rabbit away on Avyra's list. Really, the rabbit was the important part, but Torianin had heard about Avyra's training with her birds.