Weave as it Will

The hour was late. A dozen books lay scattered across Illinde's desk, a dozen more lay hurled across the floor. She leaned back in her carved wooden chair, tracing her fingers along the unique patterns. The chair once belonged to a noblewoman from Manetheren, but Illinde had picked it up for only a few Tar Valon marks in a small town near Jehanna.

Illinde closed her eyes as she sipped her tea, which she realised was also from Manetheren. Well, the Two Rivers, as the wool-headed commoners called it these days. For a moment, Illinde felt something tug at her. There was something unusual about the Two Rivers that gave her goosepimples and picked her interest. She downed the rest of her tea and stretched her aching muscles - whatever it was in old Manetheren had to wait, for it was nothing compared to the nagging itch drawing her towards Cairhien. A blazing bloody beacon, and a rushing river towards him! she thought wryly that boy doesn't know the first thing about what he's doing!

She was thinking, of course, of the irresistibly handsome and undeniably charismatic young King of Cairhien. Enlan Atarion. She tapped her fingers on her desk as she read the reports for what seemed the hundredth time. The final piece arrived from Cairhien not two weeks ago, disguised as a personal letter.

My Dear Anna,

I trust that you are well, and that you maintain a constant presence in our home. The girls dooften worry me, and while they often try to act for the good of all, many clearly forget the need for tact and subtlety. Their mother is strong, but sometimes lacks insight into the more troublesome and directly disruptive goings on in the house. Some of the girls have been downright rude! Your last letter gave me great concern!

Here in Cairhien, the boys are playing nice. I am sure you have heard how they get along famously! They are rarely apart, and spend all day planning their war games and all night wrestling. Ah, but the younger son is causing a great deal of fuss here. He is trying to change things in the household that have been the same for hundreds of years! It is admirable and a relief to see such fire and passion in him, but I fear for the outcome if the older men decide it's time to spank his bottom and send him on his way.

And here is what concerns me, my dear. Only a few weeks past his old uncle grabbed him with such intent to give him what-for! The young son managed to slip away under the most curious of circumstances. He is a special one. A dangerous little scamp!

I fear that it won't be long now until once more the household will be quite divided. The boys may be loved by the servants, but I fear the consequences if a few gold marks fall into the right hands. The little one will run out of friends and places to hide. Old uncle was always a bit too harsh in regards to punishments.

I promise that I will write again soon, dearest Anna. I do hope my next visit will be soon. I trust you won't do anything as silly as running off to Cairhien after me! Do keep an eye on the girls for me, they are forever in my thoughts.

Your dearest friend,
Marrie.

Once more Illinde felt anger boiling away inside her, threatening to burst through her perfectly calm exterior. Keep an eye on the girls! Maintain a constant presence! Don't do anything silly! What had gotten into the girl? Illinde was the one who sent her there in the first place, the dizzy little milksop! It was she who had first felt the importance of Enlan. He was Ta'veren, and growing stronger now than ever. Illinde needed to be there, in Cairhien. Of course, she was not really in the position to go running off again. For not the first time, Illinde regretted her position of Keeper of the Chronicals. There was no doubt that she could keep an eye on "the girls", but being cooped up in the Tower all the time was hardly very fun.

Rarc was a small bundle of tightly wrapped emotions. He was awake, and cold. Not physically, but his emotions were buried deep down again. He was a mystery to her. Slow and careful steps were all she could manage with him. Nevertheless, Illinde felt the need to talk, and Warders were always the best to talk to. Suddenly jumping up, and knocking her pile of reports onto the floor, Illinde grabbed her coat from her chair and checked her appearance in her full length mirror. Once adequately preened, she glided gracefully out the door and towards the Warder Yards.

Perhaps Rarc would have some unique insight? Perhaps sitting around in the Tower was not as bad as it seemed. She had to help Cairhien, but how?

Rarc stood breathing calmly, but heavier than normal. His tanned skin had a slick sheen of sweat that had started to soak certain areas of his clothing. He stood with his eyes focused on the target before him, a man who was about a foot shorter than he, but half again as thick. He looked like he might have been a cook or sailor if one did not know better. He knew better though, this man was a warder...a warder just like me I suppose...

Leaping forward Rarc would thrust his spear three times, each to a different area. One to each shoulder and the third to the man's forhead. Rarc was not vieled, so he had no intention to kill the man, but he wasn't going to go easy on him either. After the three thrusts he twisted on the ball of his right foot and used the spear in an attempt to trip the warder. He however was more agile than he should have been with that weight and easily avoided it.

All at once the man rushed him and Rarc was put on the defensive. He deflected several blows before Rarc figured out the best course of action. When the man raised his sword to slash Rarc threw his spear at him. The man of course side stepped, but not before putting himself off balance. Quickly Rarc moved to fill the gap, drawing the heavy bladed knife at his waist. The Shorter blade allowed Rarc to maneuver it in such a way that he bypassed the warder's two-handed claymore and had it to his throat before he could recover. After a moment of the two men's eyes being locked together Rarc would remove the blade which had laid on his throat and sheathed it.

With a slight bow Rarc recovered his spear and headed to a small sitting area, taking a seat on the white marble bench. He could feel Illinde Sedai no more than twenty feet from the entrance and judging from the emotions he had felt earlier suspected she was upset about something, but the question was what... Maybe she decided that saving me had been a bad choice... Perhaps she got in trouble, he remembered that she said bonding a man without consent was something near criminal. With a slight sigh he built back up the internal wall that separated his emotions from Illinde's hoping she had not noticed his sudden worry.

Waitiing for Illinde he noticed that many of the warders in the yard were staring at him, some sisters as well. Although the looks were quite different. Where the warders looked like dogs watching a wolf on the other side of the fence, the Aes Sedai looked like a beggar seeing a bag of gold in the street. It was rather unsettling... He could understand the warders, his people had killed many in these lands, but the Aes Sedai...he did not know... All he could do was ignore their eyes and wait for Illinde.

The halls of the Tower were surprisingly busy for such a late hour. Novices bustled about, gasping for air and frantically scattering around corners like startled schools of fish in the presence of a fisherman's spear. Illinde did not think of herself as one to be avoided in the Tower--she was both kind and hard on Novices, and expected the most out of them--but the Keeper of Chronicles held a certain position of authority, with a certain reputation. The novices tended to avoid contact with the highest ranking women of the Tower.

Other sisters were awake, too. Many seemed to wander about in a daze or dream, slight frowns painted lightly across smooth ageless faces. Anyone would have thought the whole bunch of them had lost their senses and joined the Brown! Still, Illinde could identify with them. There was a feeling in the Tower. A certain charge to the air. Expectation, hope, fear - the calm before the storm, the great breath before the plunge. It was one of those nights again.

Upon arriving at the Warder Yard--after carefully avoiding the incessantly inquisitive Accepted Jenarra--Illinde scanned the lamp-lit practice circle for Rarc. It appeared he was just finishing a spar. His powerful, tortured eyes glinted in the light, reflecting flickering silver and gold. Light reflected off his well-muscled body too, Illinde noted, self-consciously adjusting the bodice of her dark-as-night blue dress. It wasn't Rarc's form alone that made her self-conscious, but also his presence. Illinde could summon the presence to make every woman in the tower bend her knee, all except one, anyway, and Rarc held a similar power. Enigmatic, tall, strong, quiet. His somewhat exotic presence dominated the practice grounds.

Apparently not seeing her, Rarc took a seat on the marble bench outside the circle. Illinde approached slowly, but with purpose. The Aes Sedai around her quickly averted their eyes from Rarc, with quick bows of the head towards Illinde and even a few blushes. She rounded the bench to stand directly in front of Rarc, one hand on her hip, the other catching her long black waves as they tangled in the cool breeze.
"Good evening Rarc, I see you have been keeping yourself busy," she gave him a small smile, "I am going to go for a stroll around the Tower Grounds. Accompany me?"
Of course, her request was not really a request. He would accompany her, as was his duty. She allowed him to feel her emotions through the bond. Slight concern and anxiety. She hoped that he would be a good listener, and that she would be able to draw him a little more out of his shell tonight.

Rarc needed only sit for a moment on the stone bench before he noticed the Aes Sedai begin to scatter from the training yard, except those with reason to stay. That will be Illinde Sedai... Instead of standing Rarc opted to stay seated and waited for her to come. He heard her soft steps and wondered how wetlanders could possibly make so much noise, but quickly crushed the thought remembering who it was he was talking about.

Illinde would step before him. Even with Rarc sitting down this woman was not taller, but once again most wetlanders were short. Damn, I need to stop thinking of these women as a wetlanders...

"Good evening Rarc, I see you have been keeping yourself busy. I am going to go for a stroll around the Tower Grounds. Accompany me?"

He understood her tone well enough and on top of that the bond between them suggested she was nervous about something. So obviously she wanted him to go with her and on top of that he would not refuse a command, even one in disguise as a question.

Standing from the bench Rarc would throw the light brown & tan shirt of his candisor. The ragged fabric hiding most of the scars that littered his otherwise beautiful body. Without any further hesitation he would pick up the water skins and spear he had sitting beside the bench. After sliding the water skins over his head for the straps to rest on his shoulder he would return his eyes back to Illinde, they dancing between grey and a yellowish from the sun.

"Of course I keep myself busy. If I did not, I fear your near-sisters would whisk me away for more questions..." After saying this a slight frown would appear on his face. Although it only looked like a twitch of his lips. I should not speak in such a way of her near-sisters... "What I mean to say Illinde-Sedai, I find it enjoyable to spend my time in the yards. As for what you ask, lead the way."

OOC: It's night-time. lol

IC:

Illinde chuckled softly at Rarc's remark about her fellow sisters. Many of them were after a Warder, and even though some of them knew that Rarc was hers they still could not resist the attraction of the exotic. She had overheard rumours about him too, carried about between novices, each more ridiculous than the last. He was a great warrior, cast out from his people because he refused to fight. No, he was a Clan Chief whose entire clan had been slaughtered! No, he was a simple Aiel man who forsook a life of savagery to life amongst the civilised people! That last rumour tickled Illinde the most. If only the dizzy milk-sop who had made that one up had been to the Aiel Waste! The Wise Women could teach her a thing or too about being civil.

Illinde started at a fast pace at first, to be away from the prying ears of her sisters. She led the way through a section of the tower, short-cutting to a large garden. She'd spent much of her time as an Accepted in there gardens. It was here that she first formed the hundred weaves - all perfect and in order. She had never guessed at the time what use they could possibly be.

Trees lined each of the four paths leading to the centre of the courtyard. Curiously overgrown for the White Tower, their branches arched over the paths in a wildly artistic design; order within chaos. The fountain in the centre of the garden was clearly of Ogier design. Broad, silver lined leaves and twisting marble tree-limbs formed the beautiful fountain design. In the starlight the whole courtyard glittered silver.

She slowed her steps now, but remained silent for a moment. Rarc was also silent - a certain level of concern crossed through the bond. "It is a beautiful night," Illinde said, breaking the silence and glancing up at the sky. Her breath made a light whisp on the crisp air. "I have always preferred the quiet and stillness of night. It seems like years since I last visited here. I was but a child then, a child playing with fire." Illinde paused again, this time stopping completely and looking at Rarc. "Do you like the night Rarc? Surely you must miss the cold nights in the Three-Fold land?"

Illinde would lead the way, a fast pace for her. He would keep up with no problem, his long stride matching two of hers. She lead them down a long pathway to a small garden where a fountain stood in the middle. The area was overgrown, but very tranquil. Rarc could not help, but to look around. Inside he was amazed at the amount of water in the fountain. He however did not allow his eyes to bulge thankfully.

Turning to look at Illinde as they came near the fountain he could not help, but feel concerned about why she was bringing him to such a secluded place to talk. He had learned that Aes Sedai could put up countermeasures so that no one could listen in on them, this extra seclusion meant she wanted to make sure of their privacy.

She began to speak, talking of times past when she was young and her love of the night. She even asked him if he missed the nights of the Three-Fold land. He hesitated for a moment, having not thought of his home or the Three-Fold land in some time. He did however miss it all the same.

"Yes Illinde Sedai, I do miss what has been lost. I accept that loss however. My place is here, serving you as I said I would."

Moving towards one of the many trees he would crouch down beside it and would lay his spear beside him. He still had no idea what Illinde wanted from him though. Perhaps it was something as simple as wanting to know more about his people, but that didn't make sense. If she wanted to know about that she would not need the secrecy of this forgotten garden.

Illinde watched Rarc closely as he crouched down beside a tree. He said his place was with her now, but that didn't change the fact that something big had made him leave the Waste. "Blocking out and forgetting is not the same as accepting, Rarc," she said as she lifted her dress to sit down beside him. Acceptance was not always that easy. No matter who one was, the past would be full of secrets and regrets. Illinde had quite a few of her own regrets, and enough secrets to fill the White Tower!

"You say your place is with me, yes? I would release you at any time if that is what you wish - you have no obligation to me. You could go where ever, do what ever, return to the Three-Fold Land if you wished it. Yet you do not wish it - the Wheel has weaved us together for whatever reason. It is a dangerous time..." She looked up at the stars for a moment and took a deep breath. The smell of flowers floated lightly in the air, mixing with her light perfume.

The combination reminded her of something, a time when she was all alone in the world, stumbling down the road. Her clothes were little more than tatters after her long journey from Saldaea, she shivered as her feverish nightmares played again and again in her mind. A soft breeze brushed against her skin carrying the smell of flowers. She'd looked up from the road for the first time in what seemed like months. In the distance she could see Tar Valon, shining brightly against the evening sky. The Tower itself took her breath away, the tip shining like a star, a beacon to lead her home. She had come home.

Illinde shook her head a little, still looking up at the stars. She had come a long way since then. "I am unsure what to do, and so I wish to know what you think. When I bonded you I told you I expect more out of a Warder than simple obedience. Well, now, tell me what your thoughts are. King Enlan of Cairhien is a great and kind leader, it would seem, but he is foolish and young. He needs guidance. My reports inform me that he seeks to change many things in Cairhien, to look after the people.

"He is Ta'veren, and in such dangerous times we need such men to work with us, not against us. I cannot leave the Tower much these days, not without the Amyrlin herself...I am not sure what to do. I feel the darkness coming...I have not told many people, Rarc, but I have a weak talent for Foretelling. I do not know why or how, but that boy is needed - he could forge a strong army of light to do battle with the Dark One, or... he could destroy us all."

She looked at Rarc now, her deep blue eyes locked onto his. The was a quiet man, and a thoughtful man. She doubted he held all the answers, but it was good to talk to someone she could trust.

Rarc listened to all the Aes Sedai said and waited for several moments after she finished. Some of what she said was irritating to him. First was her saying how she could release him and he could return to the Three-fold land, when he obviously could not. Not only did he owe her a debt that he must repay, but that there was nothing waiting for him in the Three-Fold land... he however took a deep breath to calm himself. He must remember that although she knew a good deal more than most wetlanders about his people, she still was like they. A wetlander.

The thing that most irritated him was when she spoke of this King of the oathbreakers. Why should he care about those treekillers? The world may be better of without them. He grimaced slightly at the mention of them, although he recovered quickly to his impassive face. He didn't know why he kept up that ruse however. Ever since the bonding Illinde Sedai had been able to read his emotions the same way he read hers. After letting her finish her words Rarc had calmed down some. While he still despised those oathbreakers, so much so that he would not give them a grain of sand in a desert he forced himself to remember that he was Illinde's warder at the moment. Not Rarc...

"I am not sure what you expect of me Illinde Sedai, I have only been in these lands for a short time. If you need this oathkiller's assistance I would say simply tell him, but he is young. He may however buck... Perhaps send someone to council him... These treekillers though. I have heard of their Daes Dae'mar from your near-sisters. They jump at everything and in such don't see anything. You need to send someone he can trust and needs, but will have some influence."

After saying this Rarc realized, just how much he had said. Damn it... only months here and he was becoming too much like a wetlander... all this plotting, better to just say what it was you wanted an be done with it...

Illinde considered Rarc's words carefully. She could feel his irritation, like a mouse gnawing at the bond. She frowned at him slightly, allowing him to see a little of her frustration. "Treekillers, oathbreakers? A lot of them are certainly oathbreakers, but Laman's crimes were his own. This child, this... man - king, he is different. Where others play the Game to win and dominate, he plays the game to bring Cairhien together. He is Ta'veren, perhaps he will succeed."

She leaned back, looking once more up at the stars above. She took a deep breath, allowing the silence to extend a few more moments. "Perhaps he will succeed. Then again, perhaps there is more to him than we know. Perhaps he is more dangerous than we know. The world seems to be spinning out of control, sometimes I feel like that Pattern is beginning to weave around itself, as if the Great Serpent were drinking Tar Valon's finest!
"The truth is, Rarc, that I already have someone counselling him. I have someone keeping an eye on him at all times, and trying to guide him..." she looked at his profile, and she could still feel that irritation. "I know, I know. Plots and plans, manipulation. The Dark One plots and manipulates, and in an uncertain world we can only hope to out plot him every now and then. Atarion may be the key, but I fear we are losing him..." her voice trailed off as she considered the dangers. Losing Atarion now would be disastrous.

A thought crossed her mind. A simple thought, as purely genius as it was ridiculous. If Enlan needs a little convincing to adhere to our directions then perhaps he needs a little bit of pressure - and support. Perhaps...no, Mother would not allow it. It is too risky. She continued to frown at Rarc, even as he looked into her eyes and mild concern rippled through the Bond. No, no, Asaya would not be able to make such a trip right now. A nation in ruin was no place for the Amyrlin Seat.

Nevertheless, Illinde had to speak with Asaya about it. It was time to discuss the possibilities and dangers surrounding young Atarion. "Come," she said to Rarc, "It's time to visit Mother, and I...I wish you to accompany me." For some reason Illinde wanted Rarc to be close-by. Somehow, for reasons beyond her understanding, Illinde felt much more relaxed when he was around. She was already growing to trust this man she barely knew.

With no hesitation Rarc would stand from his crouch, spear already in hand. She was taking him to see her Mother. Rarc was slightly surprised that she was bringing him along. Until now she had gone out of her way to have Rarc avoid meeting with this woman, but now she was bringing him along. He really did not mind, but it did go to show how important this Treekiller King dilemma was. "As you wish Illinde Sedai." was all that he said. Partially because he didn't have anything else to add, but more so because he was not entirely sure what this woman would do when Rarc came before her.

Taking a few steps away from the tree he would adjust his candisor, making a metal check that he had everything as he waited for Illinde. He would also take this time to check the paths that led through this garden. He did not really expect trouble, but one did not survive long in the blight without learning to be cautious. The only person he saw was a male servant looking as if he was urgently running an errand, but the man quickly diverted to a door entering the tower.