The Grey Tower

Herarn murmured choice curses at Accepted Shiralta pursuing him as he hurled up the halls. How was he supposed to know that anyone would be in their rooms at this time of day, especially doing that with a Novice! He knew that such things occurred, after all he was no fool. But he would have thought they’d have had enough discretion to do it at night!

Now he found himself hopelessly lost in the Novice Halls. Literally the black sheep among white. It had been a simple thing he had been here to do really. It was innocent in fact, he had agreed to deliver a letter to a Novice for Addric. The younger man had taken a particular shine to her and had wanted to know if she felt the same for him. But he couldn’t risk rejection and had begged with Herarn to deliver the message for him.

So he had carried the letter to her room and thinking that it was unoccupied at this time of day, had simply barged in intent on slipping it under the girl’s pillow. What he’d encountered though was a naked Novice and Accepted Shiralta tangled in the bedding. Had his skills with the One Power not been far exceeding those of a Grey Tower trained Soldier, Shiralta would have nailed him with a weave. He had no idea what it was but his arms had tingled to indicate a woman channeling and had snapped out a defensive barrier of Spirit and Air before bolting out of the room.

The fact that the Accepted was naked and would need a few moments to slip into her shift, dress, shoes and at least make a passing attempt at making herself presentable was the only headstart he got. Unfortunately, Shiralta seemed to be exceptionally gifted at dressing in haste and was now hot on his heels.

Stopping long enough to look for a door that was currently being used. His reasoning being that an occupied room might be more willing to trade favors. Cover his backside and he’d owe them an equal favor. Seeing a flash of white from a door, he bolted towards it and before it could close, he slipped in.

Herarn was a very large man but he was Aiel to the roots of his hair and could move with insane speed when it was needful. As the door closed, he spouted, “Cover for me and I’ll owe you an equal favor. My honor before the Light! I’m not here, I used your room to get through the window so I could climb one of the Great Trees. Something. Anything.”

Without waiting for a response he leapt up into the corner above one of the two beds and with his feet supporting his weight against the wall and his hands splayed against the wall to push himself back, he channeled an Inverted Camouflage weave. It was one of the weaves he’d learned before being sent here.

As the Weave took effect making Herarn effectively invisible as long as he didn’t move, the door crashed open. “WHERE IS HE!? THAT BLASTED SAVAGE LITTLE PERVERT! I’LL DIG HIS DIRTY LITTLE PEEPERS OUT OF HIS SKULL WITH A SPOON AND FEED THEM BACK TO HIM WITH A SLICED PORTION OF HIS LIVER!!”

Luckly, Leala was not in the room today, she had a day full of classes, and after dinner Taylin planned to help her friend clean up, that way they could return to their room and continue their work with the forgotten book.

Sitting with her legs crossed on the bed, once again she found herself in a nest of different sized books. They ranged from History, tot eh Breaking, to modern day Queen and Kinds, along with bloodlines.

She'd gone for a short walk to the gardens, now sporting a few budding roses of varying color. After a couple of hours sitting in the same position, and studying diligently she had deserved the break. Just as she turned to look at the books, mentally preparing to jump into them, a man entered the room without a knock. She nearly went for him herself, petite though she might be.

When he explained his situation Taylin did feel for him, she was a bit of a man chaser, especially when she found something she wanted. She laughed at him as he hid on the bed, but tsked slightly. She could feel the girl approaching, much like when one cat knew another was near, without need to see it, she could feel it. The girl must be seething.

Taylin did not know why she would help the ruffian, but she did. Power was a much lesser statement of hierarchy here, age seemed to be the favore, however that was not a concrete rule. But she would have to tread carefully with the Accepted.

When the girl entered her room, she realized what had probably happened last night or early this morning.
With the Dedicated in the room, Taylin was should he'd give her permission to channel, if she need to.

Taylin's face was flat, as if obvious how stupid this girl was. "I am not sure who you think you are, or why you should be in my rooms, but I assure you neither is allowed." Taylin paused for effect, the coolness of her personality icy. She seemed annoyed by the bother. Others might see it as a steely like anger.

"You look like you have had a good romp in the sheet, I am Domani, we know these things." Taylin eyed the furious girl.

"I will have you sent to the Mistress of Novices for disobeying an Accepted." was her only real threat.

"You and I know you won't do that. How many novices just saw you running half dressed down a hallway, then leaving my bedroom door open so everyone can hear you are after a man. And after taking in your attire....I am sorry in advance for the rumors that will surely follow. Last I checked Accepted male relations were forbidden, perhaps it is I who should call for the Mistress of Novices?"

Taylin turned toward her desk then, ready to grasp the Power. She'd pick up a small book, and the flippantly looked at the Accepted, her face expressionless. "Why are you still in my room?"

The Accepted huffed but headed back toward the door, fixing her clothes.

"Remember to leave it the way you found it; closed." Taylin smiled as the other woman slammed her door.

Taylin didn't read the book in her hand, instead she launched it toward where she remembered the man's head being. "Now, explain. And for light's sake get off of my roommate's bed."

Herarn had already moved before she had even pulled her arm back to throw the book so it hit the wall ineffectively. Appearing behind her, Herarn muttered to himself for a moment before the door seemed to go transparent, except the angle viewed was all wrong. Instead of looking straight out, it was looking down the hall then slowly shifted in an arc until it was looking up the hall. Seeing that the Accepted was indeed gone, Herarn collapsed the weave allowing it to disperse harmlessly.

With a thought, Taylin’s roommate’s bed fluttered before settling into a crisp perfectly made bed the dirt from his boots (and any other dirt or grime) lifting out of the fabric before depositing itself on the floor in a neat pile.

Herarn smiled and bowed curtly, “Well considering you covered for me, I guess I do owe you an explanation.”

He was tempted to give the Aiel response of It was a misunderstanding. and leave it at that, he knew he owed her more than that and decided to give her the Wetlander version.

Taking the desk from her roommate’s desk, he sat down and said, “I was at that particular room with the intend to deliver a letter for a friend of mine. He has developed something of a crush on one of the Novice’s in that room and because he’s a fool capable of gutting Trollocs and facing a Seanchan regiment of damane but can’t risk rejection, he asked me to do it. Thinking nothing of it, I agreed. Well since it’s been my experience that no one ever really has time to be in their rooms for long, I thought no one would be in the room. And if they were, well they’d be seated at their desk studying.”

“To my surprise, I found the Novice in question and Accepted Shiralta naked and tangled with each other and the bedsheets. Had Accepted Shiralta been a little more coolheaded, I’d have simply set the letter on the floor and closed the door. I’d have said nothing of the affair to anyone as such pillowing moments are said to be common, though certain Wetlander customs still elude me. Such as, why two women would pillow with one another when there are plenty of available men who would gladly jump at the chance for such activities?”

“Well she, Accepted Shiralta, attacked me with the One Power. I defended myself by blocking her attack. Rather than turning the room into a battleground, one which I am certain Accepted Shiralta would have been ill-prepared for as I am well versed in many Battleweaves, both offensive and defensive. So I choose to leave and attempt to get away, to my embarrassment, I went right from the Novice’s rooms instead of left. Which sent me higher into the Novice’s Quarters, instead of lower and to an exit where I could have easily have hidden amongst other Soldiers.”

“As I found myself running out of ground, I decided to find an occupied room in the hopes that I could barter favors for safety. In hindsight, I think I got lucky in that I didn’t get a mousey Novice who would have rolled over and showed throat for the Accepted and given me up at the first hint of trouble.”

“I hope that is a sufficient explanation. Now do you wish to claim your favor now or hang onto it until a later date? No more than a year and a day, after that I will not honor it.” said Herarn as he readjusted in how he sat in the chair. In all honesty, he looked absolutely ridiculous sitting in a chair meant for a teenage girl. He was absolutely huge already and he made the chair that much smaller.

Taylin's smile was hard to see as she looked over the items on her desk. She couldn't see the flows the man was weaving, although she had a good idea he was channeling. She could channel around him! It dawned on her like daylight. He was high enough rank to get away with it.

Taylin's voice, warm like her creamy skin seemed to think aloud. "I have heard rumors of Aiel games, such as the Maidens Kiss, and a few things about culture. Isn't it the woman who proposes the marriage wreath? Someone would love to have a channeling Aielman as a bond mate."

Turning from the desk, Taylin's olive skin was not so great a contrast to the sun hardened aiel. :I will think on the favore. In the mean time, do you know how to Link? I am quite adapt at Illusion, and with you here I am allowed to channel. If we combine our efforts then once you are where you need to be you can dissipate the weave."

Pausing she smiled at him. "I think it's as sound a plan as any......you wouldn't happen to know how to invert weaves would you? Oh, and my manners."

Moving to a small table she filled two cups with chilled water, offering one to the Dedicated. "You know, not all Wetlanders are so prudish in their modesty."

Herarn laughed as she mentioned Maiden’s Kiss. He had more than a few scars at his throat from that particular ‘game’. “A wise man knows better than to play Maiden’s Kiss, but only a fool denies that it’s worth every second. Yes, it is the woman, or women if they decide that they can live together as Sister-Wives. As to the last point, there are many who might disagree with that point. Some consider us savage and I’ve heard some call us the Creator’s version of the Trolloc. Monsters who fight for the Light.”

I will think on the favor. In the meantime, do you know how to Link? I am quite adept at Illusion, and with you here I am allowed to channel.

Herarn blinked in surprise. She thought him a Dedicated! “Actually, you’re not. I’m only a Soldier, not a Dedicated. Though my training is on some levels far more advanced than that of other Soldiers, but that is because I am a transfer from the Black Tower where everything is done with the One Power. Though I am quite skilled at Linking and know how to Invert nearly every weave I know.”

“As far as using the One Power to get from here to somewhere safe, I have an idea of my own. One that won’t tip of an Aes Sedai. I can attach a flow of Air to your window sill and my belt and lower myself to the ground. Before you ask, it’s a trick around the rule of being unable to use the One Power on yourself. I’m not using it on myself only on an article of clothing I am wearing.”

“I’ve yet to learn of any. The Domani seem to be almost scandalous about their ability to seduce a man, but I don’t see what’s so scandalous about it. If you want someone, you make the matter known to your partner and if your partner is interested, then you go to the sheets. But you Wetlanders seem to think a woman who beds a man outside of marriage is a whore or a slut. Why place such a stigma on a…. Thank you….”

He took the cup of chilled water and sipped at it like a fine wine. Only this side of the Dragonwall did people take water for granted. This particular cup had a crisp light flavoring of earth, which told him that it came from one of the wells on the grounds instead of pulled up from the ground with flows of Water.

“Thank you for the water.”

"Well a fine lot you are, offer you shade and water from the lioness of an Accepted, probably earning her ire; and in return you can help me none at all?" Taylin had been studying other cultures, hoping to become fluent in other languages. She knew something of Aiel propriety, if not much.

She wanted this man to show her how to invert a weave, so that no other channeler, male or female, could see it. The advantages were numerous. And if no one knew she knew how to do such a thing, she could practice alone without anyone bothering her as an Accepted.


"How about you link with me, and I will in turn show you how to mask the glow of the One Power. Then I can direct the Power of us both to lower your down. With me at the lead, you won't be using the power on yourself, I will."

Smiling she appraised the man, her right hand longed for a jeweled dagger that once hung on her neck; a sign she was pleased.

Her creamy chocolate voice wasn't silk this time, it was hard like a merchants, like the daughter of a good innkeeper, only with better vernacular and vocabulary. "Let's be clear however, you now owe me one for getting you out of my room and not telling."

Taylin smiled at the Aielman, she rather liked him, but she'd tell in a heart beat. She was going to get what she wanted, now, or when she could corner him again.

Herarn shook his head. “You misunderstand what Inverting is. It doesn’t mask the feeling of someone channeling. I could take only the finest amount and channel every weave I knew in an Inverted style, but if another male channeler came close enough to sense it he would know I was channeling. He just wouldn’t know what I was channeling. Besides Inverting a weave changes the very flow of a weave. You have to know the weave completely before you can alter it with an Inversion. That being said, the way men channel and the way women channel are completely different. It would be like a fish trying to teach a bird how to swim. Why do you think channeling classes have both a male and a female channeler?”

“Let’s be clear, the only thing I owe you for at the moment is helping me escape Accepted Shiralta’s unbridled wrath. I haven’t escaped your rooms yet. So let’s not assume any favors owed regarding that yet. If you want to haggle about details, we can but don’t forget you are in just as dangerous of a position as I.” said Herarn recognizing the tones of a merchant laying out the terms of their deal.

“If I walk out of here and get caught by an Aes Sedai, we’ll both get in trouble for a perceived relationship. Oh I’m sure that my punishment will be just as brisk and troublesome as yours, but you will have to worry about Accepted Shiralta finding out about our perceived ‘relationship’ and finding every way imaginable to make your life painfully difficult. It’s also worth noting that the Aes Sedai and Asha’man would go out of their way to keep us apart, which would prevent you from claiming your favor possibly for decades.”

Herarn was the son of a Blacksmith and a Wise One, he was well versed in setting a price and holding to it. What they might be haggling over might be no different, but Taylin would find in him a very spirited man who would be difficult to shake.

Taylin listened to the man, maintaining eye contact, even as she sipped the cool water from her cup. No sweat, no emotion on her face. For but a moment, she seemed an Aes Sedai in truth. But the facts were, she wasn't. That didn't matter though. The aielman was a hard bargainer, but was obviously not so well versed in the game of houses.

Sitting her cup down carefully and slowly, she folded her hands before her waist as she looked at him. The smile that finally graced her icy face, was a mix of amusement and pity.

"Men and women have much to teach each other about the One Power, it is the one purpose and goal of the Indigo Ajah. But for now, I will leave that point be."

Taylin physically moved to place herself in front of the door, on the cusp of embracing saidar. Her warding class had been very informative, and Shielding had seemed a necessary thing to learn. But on the outside, she was serenity, nothing of her inner workings showing in her demeanor. The slight straightening of the back and confidence that swaddled her like an aura might be a sign that everything wasn't as casual as it seemed, if he payed that close of attention.

"Let me explain to you something about the Wetlands. I am Domani, a male in my rooms, means nothing if I say it did not happen. We are not shy about who we bed, or when. I would gladly tell and take the punishment were it true. I have a few Warders in the Tower who know the truth of my ....courting techniques. And when you're found lying, I doubt anyone will be seeing much of you except in between chores.

As for Accepted Shiralta, we are women, we argue, and we move on. Further, sometimes even I have pillow friends. We tend to travel in the same circles of people with that interest in that aspect. I am quite certain I can call her back in here, and be in her good graces once again. And if you try to go out of the window, I'll slice the flow of air. Simple.

Once she is here, with her present it's perfectly fine for me to channel, and bring you right back here. After all, you are in violation of respecting our teachers, the Accepted who earn a place above just a Novice, like me."

Taylin's voice was calm, as if laying out the days events, and a rather mundane day at that. Her creamy skin a nice contrast to the Novice White.

"As for when I collect on the debt, I will find a way to collect before the year and a day is up. We will live for hundreds of years, and bury everyone we've ever loved or known outside of the Tower. So, even should we be kept apart until attaining full rank, the memory of today remains. And we never know who we will need as an ally in our futures. I'd rather not make an enemy, though with an enemy at least you know not to trust them and what they are capable of. Proclaimed friends can be much worse." She eyeballed him then, knowing those words were hers to him should he choose her as his enemy.

"But, you don't have to barter with me. If, of course you'd rather just go back and face Shiralta and explain why you were in an area of the Tower you're not supposed to be in....oh and channeling without permission. I am sure I can think of a few more." Taylin wasn't being cold, her voice was actually husky, as if she was unaware how to turn off her flirting, even as she was bargaining."Then please, allow me to call her back in here for you."

Herarn shook his head. “Either you are misunderstanding something I said, or you really are that ignorant. Aes Sedai perceive what they will when they will and no amount of arguing will change that. I am Aiel. The very notion of lying would incur toh and I have enough chores without having to fulfill a toh and taking the White is impossible given the Water Oaths I have taken. I have no interest in bedding a soft Wetlander who I might snap in half in the heat of the moment. I’d prefer a Maiden of the Spear any day of the week.”

“As for Accepted Shiralta, I respect those who deserve it. She shames herself by being unable to control herself and pillowing with a Novice, which is a clear cut abuse of her station and the trust and responsibilities that go along with it. As for cutting any flows that I make, first of all you’d have to be able to see the flow to cut it, second, you’d have to choose the right flow to cut. Unlike a majority of those puppies that call themselves Soldiers, I am battle tested and can probably channel faster and with greater accuracy than a good number of Dedicated.”

He spoke with a relaxed cadence of tone that exuded a serene calm that was natural and not assumed by the Void. “When you barter make sure to differentiate between services rendered versus expected services that may be needed. As for enemies, I have more than enough that adding one more won’t make a difference. Now, we can start anew with me saying that I am unable to teach you how to Invert a weave as saidin works differently than saidar. Add to that it’s a technique that changes the fundamental weave itself and should only be applied to a weave you are absolutely certain you know and could channel blind in the belly of the Dark One. Or we can sit here until an Aes Sedai comes to investigate what all the rumors are about.”

Herarn didn’t mention the fact that he could be out her window and halfway down the Tower before she could probably work her way through the process of opening herself up to saidar.

Taylin looked at the man, and simply turned and went to her bed, pulling out a book from under the mattress. She left unsaid anything else. She no longer cared. An opportunity perhaps, but one obviously not worth the effort. He had nothing to do with her plans, though favors were nice. She began reading. He could do what he wished, she no longer cared to watch. A man who did not know his place was of no service to a woman. She put one foot over the other, stretching out, and reading. Whatever happened, she was here for the long hall, in the scheme of everything, this was in all truth, nothing more than a story to barely remember one day. The concept of living so long, was starting to become real to her.