The Grey Tower

Mandira Mandi returned the Accepted's smile with a small one of her own, small, but genuine. They might not have spent time gushing about boys or spilling their hearts or braiding each other's hair, but Mandi felt she might have just made a friend. "Light shine on you, Amaranie." Mandi sa...

Mandira Mandi was surprised to feel her heart go out to Amaranie, surprised to feel herself wanting to help or comfort. But just as she'd shut herself off, Mandi could tell the Accepted was doing the same thing. Her dismissive answer told Mandi prying and pushing the matter further would be useless...

Avalan Avalan nodded her understanding and mimicked his stance. She felt a bit chastised having to go back to the basics like this, but she did her best to not let it show. She reminded herself that while she was going about things slowly again, this would help her advance quicker than she had been...

Novice Mandira Cantlin...and Janelle Sedai Mandi tried not to pout about her upcoming lesson, but given that she already knew it was going to be fruitless, it was proving difficult not to have a sour expression. Over the past few weeks she'd learned just how creative people at the Grey Tower could ...

Mandira It was true Mandi had always been so absorbed in her own hurts that she didn't take time to notice others hurt too, even if she couldn't admit it. But she was not so far gone that Amaranie's struggles before her now went unnoticed. She had no idea what to do or say, but she did notice. And ...

Avalan Avalan listened carefully. She knew one of the reasons she was having a difficult time picking up certain practices was because any sword fighting lessons she’d received had been from self taught sailors, and none of them had been very concerned with form. For them it was always just “slice ...

Mandira Mandi's guilt over her tone only intensified when Amaranie looked surprised but didn't say anything. But backpedaling now would only undo her, so she forged ahead. And when Amaranie spoke the simple, logical truth - that she needed to talk about it - Mandi felt the familiar desire to push t...

Mandira A part of Mandi instantly regretted starting a conversation with Amaranie, she just wasn't much good at conversing these days. However, at the same time, she found relief in talking, even if it was only temporary. Drawing her knees to her chest and wrapping her arms around her legs, she lis...

Avalan The man blocked her again, but at least this time he didn't look like he could have fallen asleep while doing it. Avalan allowed herself her own smile at his words, pleased to know she was doing something right. Avalan had always been light on her feet, both on a ship and in the woods, it wa...

Mandira It never occurred to Mandi that starting a conversation with an Accepted was something most Novices would never think of doing. She just knew she'd rather talk to someone than keep staring at her book. The woman looked surprised to be spoken to, but soon turned towards Mandi and introduced ...