Jaren was working at the herb storage. Sorting and crushing dried herbs into powder, the powder into carefully labelled jars, jars into the shelves… It was methodical work, the scent of the herbs was soothing, and the best part was that it didn’t involve being stuck in the oppressive humidity of the laundry rooms.
Only a couple of weeks left. Light, the year was almost over.
He was focused on the task and barely noticed someone entering the Infirmary until the newcomer was talking to Asha’man Gareth; the timbre of his voice was difficult to miss though Jaren couldn’t hear the words from where he was standing. Not that he was trying to listen in; whether it was Tower business or family business that brought Tia Tomosan to visit her father in the Infirmary, neither was any of Jaren’s business… Though he did admit to some curiosity about the Aes Sedai herself.
She’d been the one to bring Andraste to the Tower, for one — and she was a friend of Jaryd’s. Friend, and if Tower gossip was to be believed, maybe other things. That still didn’t make it any of Jaren’s business… but he figured a certain amount of curiosity was natural. Anyone Jaryd considered a friend had to be a remarkable person in their own right.
Of course, she was an Aes Sedai and Jaren was a Dedicated. He couldn’t exactly just march up to her and strike up conversation… even if he could think of how to start one. Hello, Aes Sedai, I don’t know if you’ve heard of me but I got Jaryd in trouble with the Amyrlin Seat? Yeah, not likely.
In the end, he was spared having to come up with an excuse to talk to her. He looked up when he heard soft footsteps approaching… and smiled warmly. “Tia Sedai. Can I help you with anything?”