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| Arrival and Solace (Tower Grounds); OTA | |
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| Topic Started: Jul 14 2008, 11:15 AM (221 Views) | |
| Estean Aravell | Jul 14 2008, 11:15 AM Post #1 |
Kin, Lost during the War
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Estean Aravell walked slowly down the pathways in the gardens of the Tower. Savouring the beauty of the gardens, she strolled unhurriedly. She, by chance, had not met anybody in the Tower that she recgonized. Smiling gently to herself, she remembered the days of her Novitiate and Acceptedhood. She had often come here during her spare time to enjoy the peace and quiet of the day. Now however, was night. Birds were asleep in the trees above her head. Lights from lamps along the pathways cast lights onto the gloom. Beside her, a Globe of Light hung in the air on the right of her temple, giving not only light, but a comfortable warmth to combat the chill of the wind that was blowing throughout the gardens. Her grey cloak stirred in the light wind. Her dress, black as the night, rustled and disturbed the leaves that had fallen. Nearby, a stream ran parallel to the pathway she walked on, giving off tranquil music. Sighing, she sat down on one of the wooden benches nearby. Once, An Aes Sedai, Sapphira Calen, had caught her lazing around the gardens once. And she had been sent straight to the kitchens to wash the dishes. Estean understood that Novitiates and Accepted were not supposed to laze about, but who wouldn't need a bit of relaxation at times? As she had done 130 years or so past, she cursed the person who had decreed that Novices and Accepted could only come here to do some chorework. Not aloud though. She did not want to disturb the tranquil atmosphere. Sighing ruefully, Estean recalled the day she failed her test for the Shawl. She had broken down again, when she confronted the ruins of a village that had been raided by trollocs. She had come out eventually surrounded by a sea of disappointed faces. She had been put out within hours. Travelling north, she had come across this village, remote in Arafel. She had stayed there for 50 years as first apprentice, then Wise Woman to the Village. Then, she was driven out of the whole village by a raid that had escaped attention from the border cities. Everyone else died except her. Her heart twinged. She had loved the villagers. Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes, hair tossing in the wind... |
 Stretching Shields, Elementalism (Fire) | |
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| Sapphira Calren | Jul 18 2008, 05:22 PM Post #2 |
High Queen & Chancellor
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((If no one replies in a few days, and you wouldn't mind an RP with the Amyrlin, I'll reply.  I'd use Adena, but she probably wouldn't have a good enough reason to be in the gardens after curfew))
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 Unweaving, Healing, Warding | |
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| Estean Aravell | Jul 19 2008, 10:10 AM Post #3 |
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Kin, Lost during the War
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Anything's fine. RPing with the Amrylin... Well, I was hoping we'd get to that, but didn't know how to bring it round to that. Thankies. |
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Stretching Shields, Elementalism (Fire) | |
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| Sapphira Calren | Jul 22 2008, 12:07 AM Post #4 |
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High Queen & Chancellor
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Night. It was a lovely time, in Sapphira's opinion. The Towers were quiet for the most part, and although there was plenty of work waiting for her in the morning, her work day was done. Although it was not late, Sapphira would usually be at least preparing for bed by this point, but today she had decided to take a walk, to see the Tower by moonlight. The gardens, she knew, were as breathtaking at night as they were during the day, although it was a different sort of beauty. Sapphira stepped over to a window of her bed chamber and leaned out a bit. A warm night, no need for even a light cloak. Not that she had expected any different, it was the height of summer, and the days were sweltering. Even though it was full dark now, some heat still held from the day, now tempered by a light breeze, and the promise of cooler air before morning. With a small smile, Sapphira left the window and crossed her room, through her sitting room, and then she was in the hall. The halls were still well lit, regardless of the hour, the Tower was kept brightly lit. It was not terribly uncommon for Aes Sedai or Asha'man to be out at nearly any hour, and it was simply easier to keep the lamps lit all the time. Sapphira did not hurry through the halls as she went- what reason did she have to hurry? There were plenty of things to hurry about during the day, this walk was to serve only one purpose: to help her relax. Life was hectic just now, with everything going on with the war, and life in the Tower was never simple- especially for the Amyrlin. Memories from a few short years before seemed to bring up a simpler time. A time when all she had to worry about was whether the White Tower's numbers were staying strong, and what the nobles and the Whitecloaks were up to this week. Certainly important things, but it seemed that over the past few months, she had hardly had time to think about those things, except as they related to this war that was beginning. Light, but Sapphira wanted nothing more than for that to just go away. She did not want to have to deal with warring nobles, and she certainly did not want to have to deal with Illian, who seemed to have decided that Tar Valon was to be considered an enemy as well. She had seen that coming though- they all had. Illian, and its allies, had been the ones who were most outspoken against Aes Sedai or Asha'man mediation or intervention during the escalating stages of this mess the world was in. That had not stopped the Towers trying though, it had simply stopped them being successful at any mediation they tried. Sapphira pushed that thought forcibly out of her mind. She thought about that, or something similar, often enough without worrying about it now. She shook her head, and tried to think of fonder things. The Towers at night. Probably the only peace she would know for quite some time would be the Towers at night. She finally arrived at an exterior door that led to the gardens, and pushed it open, stepping into the fresh, cooler night air. There were lamps in the gardens as well, but with more space between them than inside. They cast a pale orange glow in a wide-enough circle, but mostly left the tranquility of the night undisturbed. These lamps had been placed very carefully so as to complement the night scenery around them, and not to interrupt its flow or beauty. There were dark patches between the lamps, but Sapphira left saidar to itself, she did not need any more light to see where the paths went, or to enjoy the night. She strolled slowly through the grounds, meeting no one, and glad for the break. Sapphira's work lately had not usually required other people, except that some reports were given by mouth rather than in writing, yet even so, it seemed that her office had been a popular place to be. Everyone had things to do, duties to carry out right now, and it seemed that many of those required speaking to the Amyrlin about one thing or another. But not tonight. Tonight, she was simply out for a walk, and if she met someone, it would be entirely up to her whether and how long she stayed to speak with them. There was water rippling softly somewhere nearby, and Sapphira turned down a path that went in the direction of the sound. It could be a fountain, she supposed, there were several scattered through the grounds, but she knew that in the direction she was heading she would find a stream. Even if the night had been pitch black, she still could have found her way around the grounds with very little trouble. Even if she had not been out as much as she might like lately, living in a place as long as Sapphira had lived in the Tower made one very familiar with it. As she turned a corner in the path, Sapphira came to a bench. She was mildly surprised to find someone in the bench, most people were either asleep or at least in their rooms by now. Certainly there would not be many simply walking- or sitting -in the gardens, Sapphira had not thought she would meet anyone at all. She wore a dark dress, and had a globe of light floating near her head, which was leaned back, allowing her hair to catch the breeze. Sapphira slowed as she stepped up near to the woman, looking her over. A channeler, but by her dress and the hour, she was neither novice nor Accepted. She was no Aes Sedai that Sapphira recognized either. Without the ageless face, she could only be one of the newest sisters, but her hair had gray in it, and her face simply looked like that of a woman early into her middle years. Few women not novice, Accepted, or Aes Sedai would channel openly within the White Tower itself- this woman had to be one of the Kin, which meant that she had been in the Tower at one point or another. Sapphira did not recognize the woman's face, but that did not really mean anything. She cleared her throat softly, just in case the woman had not heard her walking over- she had not tried to be quiet, but there was no reason to assume. "Hello daughter," she said simply. "What brings you into the grounds tonight?" She did not think she was prying, the woman was just sitting there, she did not look upset, so Sapphira did not expect her to be angry or spill out some sad or angry story. She was just sitting. Probably, Sapphira thought, doing much the same as she herself was, just relaxing, enjoying the night. She waited for the woman's reply, and watched the little stream reflecting the moonlight. |
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Unweaving, Healing, Warding | |
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| Estean Aravell | Jul 22 2008, 01:03 AM Post #5 |
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Kin, Lost during the War
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Estean started awake. Realizing she had company, and that she had been asleep, she looked at the person who was next to her. Frowning, she scanned her memory. This person DID look familiar. OH MY GOD! Estean's eyes widened with shock. "Sapphira Sed..." Her words trailed off as she saw the shawl looped across her shoulders. "Mother! I... Oh! Its been so long! Do you remember me? Estean Aravell. How are you?" Moving aside such that there was room next to her, she gestured for Sapphira to sit. "Would you like to sit down Mother? Its quite alright. Tell me, how is life as the Amrylin like? Is it busy?" |
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Stretching Shields, Elementalism (Fire) | |
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| Sapphira Calren | Jul 22 2008, 08:22 PM Post #6 |
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High Queen & Chancellor
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The other woman started, and Sapphira realized that she had been dozing. Apparently her relaxing was more successful than Sapphira's, she did not think she could doze just then if she tried. The woman frowned at Sapphira for a moment, before recognition bloomed on her face, and her eyes opened wide. She began to address Sapphira as a sister, and Sapphira saw her eyes go to the stole, and she corrected herself. Sapphira was slightly surprised that someone who recognized her did not know that she was the Amrylin. Even if the woman had known who she was in the Tower before her raising, she probably would have heard about a new Amyrlin being elected, although that had been years ago. It was no secret of the Towers when a new Amyrlin or M'hael was chosen, and she would have thought that most of the world knew her's and Rialt's name. But, things were different in the Kin, they only took women who had been in the Towers, whether they had been put out, or retired there, or perhaps a small few who ran away to the Kin, and somehow were not found. The Kin was one of the reasons the Tower found as many runaways as it did, a group of channelers attracted runaways most of the time. In the past two hundred years, the Kin and the Towers had learned to cooperate. The Kin still did not send runaways back, unless perhaps they were specifically asked to keep an eye out for a particular girl, but the Tower allowed them to remain together, leaving them mostly to themselves. Estean, as she called herself, neither stood nor curtsied, but Sapphira brushed it off as a slip since the woman had just woken up, and had been surprised to see a familiar face with a new, and judging by her reaction unexpected, position in the Tower. She asked Sapphira if she remembered her, and then how she was. Sapphira looked at the woman's face, trying to match it to someone who had been in the Tower with her years ago. She tried to think, the woman had probably not made it to the shawl, Sapphira would remember that, and she was probably not old enough to have retired yet if she had ever been Aes Sedai. There were plenty of initiates though, and few Aes Sedai knew them all, even if they assigned chores to them on occasion. Estean clearly wanted Sapphira to remember her though, so Sapphira racked her brain. She took Estean's invitation to sit as an extra moment of thought. Finally, as she settled her skirts, she came up with a vague memory of a woman who had been a novice during Sapphira's last few years as Accepted. She had been a quick and dilligent learner, and had very much wanted to become Aes Sedai. She had been raised to Accepted, but had failed her test for Aes Sedai, Sapphira recalled. "Of course I remember you, Estean. I am quite well, although at times being Amyrlin is rather hectic, and certainly stressful. With everything going on in the world just now, I sometimes wish life was still as simple as it was for the initiates, even if life was not easy then. How have you been, Estean? Unless I miss my guess, it has been a long time since you were last in the Tower. What brings you here tonight?" |
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Unweaving, Healing, Warding | |
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| Estean Aravell | Dec 12 2008, 01:10 AM Post #7 |
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Kin, Lost during the War
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(OOC: Shall we continue?) When Estean heard what Sapphira was saying, she lowered her eyes dismally. She did not speak for a moment, her head bowed, her long dark hair covering her face, hiding her expression. "More than a month ago, I sent my remaining grandchildren here to train to become Aes Sedai and Asha'man while I remained in Andor to settle my affairs before arriving to see how they were settling in. As I reached Tar Valon, I heard rumors of a war that would break out and would involve the White Tower. Thus it also added some urgency to my coming as I would also like to offer my services to the White Tower." "I arrived at the White Tower not a week ago, only to find that my grandchildren had not yet arrived. I have strove desperately for some news for them, only to find nothing. I can only conclude that something important and urgent must have happened to them as they journeyed here. I've been here, waiting for their arrival. I have sent out messages to my contacts in the Kin to help find them for me, especially since the outbreak of tension between the two Alliances." "But listen to me natter natter natter. You'd think I'd was paid by the word." Estean said, sighing slightly, trying to shake sleep from her mind. "But what about you? Am I right in supposing that the conflict between the two Alliances has made you more worried than usual?" Glancing up at Sapphira's stole, she knew that she was touching on a very delicate subject. It wasn't really her place to inquire on what the Mother was doing, especially since she was not even an Aes Sedai. She blushed slightly asking it. The light globe that she had woven was dying out slightly due to the fact that the knot was starting to unravel. She untied the weave completely, then wove another, slightly more complex weave of Air, Fire and Spirit around herself. "Pardon," she told Sapphira Sedai, as the glow of Saidar surrounded her, and light in the shape of a bird appeared around her, casting light for at least 20 feet around, which was far more than what her other glove had done. Tying off that weave, she sat comfortably back onto the bench, and waited for Sapphira to answer the question, if she would. |
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Stretching Shields, Elementalism (Fire) | |
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| Sapphira Calren | Dec 16 2008, 01:13 PM Post #8 |
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High Queen & Chancellor
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Sapphira may have startled the Kinswoman out of her sleep, but the woman seemed to recover very quickly. Either that or she thought she was still in a dream, and given the way she was addressing the Amyrlin Seat perhaps she did. She talked about her grandchildren coming to the Towers, and her arrival strangely before them. She went on to say some of what she had heard about the tension between the alliances that were splitting the world apart. She seemed quite informed about what was going on, but then again, Sapphira did not really know what people outside of the Towers knew. She supposed the Kin were probably more informed than some others, but even so, did everyone realize the state the world was in? It was alarming news here still, despite being almost old news. Old, but certainly not unimportant. She even went so far to, in a roundabout way, ask if the world outside had Sapphira more worried than usual. Before Sapphira had the chance to answer, the ball of light Estean had made before began to fade. The other woman wasted no time embracing the Source and weaving a new one. Another little slight, and there was no way Estean did not realize what she had done this time. It was always Sapphira's right to channel first when she was with another woman who could channel. Sapphira allowed a small frown, the sort of thing she would have done to express her irritation to a sister. It was the best solution she could think of, she could call the woman down, but that would hardly be relaxing for either one of them. Estean surely knew the rules of behavior around Aes Sedai, the Kin had strict rules, and some of the strictest dealt with Aes Sedai. And yet, Estean did not seem to have learned them, or she did not care. Well, Sapphira had been somewhat informal with her to begin with, so perhaps it was not all the other woman's fault, but even so. Beginning informal or no, Sapphira was not about to discuss her worries with a Kinswoman. She had no reason to suspect anything other than friendly concern from Estean, but then again, some things did not add up. Estean had recognized her immediately, but had not known that she was Amyrlin, after nearly twenty years she had not thought anyone in the world did not know her name, especially someone connected to the Tower, however loosely. And then, despite the shock of a new position, Estean went on to talk comfortably with a woman without even standing to acknowledge her position. She channeled without permission and without warning. The questions she asked seemed innocent enough, but that could just be a ploy to get Sapphira's guard down and giving out information she did not want the wrong person hearing. Sapphira being worried about the war was hardly top secret knowledge, it was only natural, but she did not want to set a precedent of answering questions and move on to things that should not be discussed. There was no knowing who the woman reported to, what they wanted to know, or what they were going to do with the knowledge they gained. Sapphira hated having to suspect the woman, but it would be foolish to assume that just because she seemed friendly and genuine meant that she was. "I am sorry to hear that your grandchildren have not arrived yet," Sapphira began simply. Much easier to avoid questions if she could get the woman interested in another topic. She had never heard of the woman yet who mentioned her grandchildren fondly and did not relish the opportunity to talk and brag about them. "I am sure they're fine, but it can take longer for a group of people than a single person. Perhaps the tension outside has slowed them, but I am sure they're fine and will make it soon." Sapphira thought that sounded good enough. She had rather little experience in soothing or assuring people, and even less talking to parents and grandparents. Aes Sedai and Asha'man had children occasionally, but not frequently, and few of those children were raised in the Towers. Most were sent to live with grandparents or aunts and uncles if they were living, though more distant relations, friends, or nannies were more common. Aes Sedai and Asha'man were unlikely to posess the beaming pride that was common in parents and grandparents, unless their children or grandchildren came to the Tower and were successful. But people outside of the Towers loved to talk about their grandchildren, right? |
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| Estean Aravell | Dec 17 2008, 05:29 AM Post #9 |
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Kin, Lost during the War
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Estean frowned slightly, considering Sapphira's words. It certainly was possible, for her granddaughter Nenreo and grandson Seren did indeed have the skills to protect themselves from the oncoming wars. However, there was the problem of her granddaughters Neres, and especially, Visemi. Visemi had the knowledge of ten other girls her age. More in fact. However, that amount of knowledge came at a price. Visemi could not defend herself physically. Neres could, though to a lesser extent as compared to Nenreo and Seren. Visemi was fit, but she was thin, and had no knowledge of how to use a weapon. She would most probably stab herself trying. However, Visemi was also the only one to have the spark born into her, though she did not show much strength. She had been the quickest to show her talent, though small. Took only a few minutes before she copied the weave, though the weave fell into nothing. It was both boon and bane. It was a boon only if she could learn to wield it properly, which was not very likely, even with her vast knowledge. It was more likely that she would lose control sooner or later. It was a probability that she channeled without knowing, and damaged the ship they were on, or were thrown out. "It is possible Mother." She said heavily, after a long pause. "However, I think it more possible that something ... happened. One of my grandchildren has the spark inborn. She will be considered a weaker Aes Sedai though, I think. However, when I tested them for the ability, her ability leaped out after a few minutes. That is itself is not seen unless one has the spark inborn. Otherwise, it would take much longer. I think that the spark surfaced on their way here, and she did something by accident on the ship. It would explain much." |
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| Sapphira Calren | Dec 18 2008, 11:43 AM Post #10 |
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High Queen & Chancellor
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Sapphira allowed herself a moment of inward exultation that she had effectively distracted the woman. Only a moment though, she seemed to be distracted, but there was no knowing whether she would return to subjects Sapphira would rather not discuss as they continued to talk. She was distracted, but rather than being glad to boast about her grandchildren, she seemed worried. No doubt was left when she began to speak, saying that one of her granddaughters had the spark inborn. She then went on to explain how she knew that the spark was inborn, as if Sapphira did not know the difference between testing a woman with the spark and one with the ability to learn. Sapphira brushed it off as worry over her grandchildren though. No reason to cause trouble, the woman already had plenty on her mind without any of that. She explained that her granddaughter would be weak as Aes Sedai, but that she could have caused an accident on their boat if her spark had manifested itself in the time since Estean had last seen her. Sapphira nodded slightly. First channelings were sometimes harmless, sometimes helpful, and sometimes dangerous. It simply depended upon the girl and often the instance in which she was channeling. If there were no Aes Sedai or other knowledgeable female channelers around, the girl would be in the dark completely. Lucky if she even knew she was channeling. With a Kinswoman for a grandmother, it was probable that she did, but even with a Kinswoman as a close relation, she would know little more than anyone else about actually channeling during her first- probably accidental -touching of the Source. Sapphira understood the woman's concern. She had daughters all over the world, a different sort of daughter, but daughters all the same. She was not able to keep tabs on them- would not if it was allowed -but that did not mean she worried about some of them. Reds, Blues, and Greens mostly, they were the ones outside of the Tower the most, and often in the most danger. Different kinds of danger, to be sure, but danger all the same. Grays stood some risk of assassination if they served at court, and Yellows if they visited some village that still believed Aes Sedai were a product of the Dark One and responsible for Breaking the World. Whites were mostly safe, here in the Tower, and Browns, unless they were studying ter'angreal or some other dangerous subject. Yes, Sapphira knew what it meant to worry about the safety of others, even if it was a different kind of worry. One she had no control over. Then again, Estean did not exactly have control over her grandchildrens' fate either. They were out in the world, a dangerous place right now, and she was here in the Towers, where all she could do was worry. Sapphira felt a little pity for the woman. Being out of control was something no one liked, especially when it meant risking something dear to you, and Estean certainly was. "If she has begun to channel, she should be brought here that much sooner," Sapphira said aloud, half to herself. "I cannot do anything personally for your grandchildren, Estean," she began, now completely addressing the Kinswoman, "but I also do not have to leave you here helpless and worried about their fates. If you would like, I can send you with a sister and a Warder- and probably an Asha'man -down the river to look for them. Surely even if something has happened to their ship, they'll still be heading this way, and probably staying close to the river, unless they know enough of the land to risk going cross country?" It was Sapphira's hope that they would not go cross country. It would be much easier to find them, or at least word of them if the accident Estean suspected had been fatal, if they stayed on their initial course. Much easier that than having to search all the land between here and Andor for a few children, and if they got lost, the amount of land they would have to search...well, it did not bear thinking about. This was the best Sapphira could do for Estean. She did not know how many grandchildren Estean had, but even the one girl was worth finding, and by Estean's talk there were at least two. She could not send too many, too large a party would attract too much attention, even in the mostly friendly territory between Andor and here, and she needed people here in the Towers, in case the worst should happen. Not that she expected that any time soon- or at all, really, but certainly not soon -but there was no reason to take chances. Besides, five could search nearly as efficiently as twenty in these circumstances. |
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Unweaving, Healing, Warding | |
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12:51 PM Nov 27
