Read U, Wrote U

[Matty]

Gretchen Addlar, Aes Sedai of the Red Ajah The Gateway spun into being at an odd time of the night, but channellers came to and from the Grey Tower at regular intervals so this was not remarked upon. The cloaked figure atop a slow grey mare sat with her back straight and her gaze pointing straight ahead, the barest of nods given to those who ducked their heads at her passing. Those in Hama Valon knew an Aes Sedai when they saw one, whether she was ageless or not.

The horse was handed to one of the stablehands and then, her cloak. The late night, early morning chill hit bare arms, but this went ignored in a sweep of crimson silk and light brown hair, as the Aes Sedai returned home. However, Gretchen was unable to ignore the shiver at everything she had heard in her travels, her eyes and ears catching up with her as she took a tour of the Borderlands and their primitive but admirable ways of fighting the Shadow. An explosion in the Novice Quarters. That hag Mirin, a Darkfriend. Seanchan attacking Hama Valon, a mockery of everything that was good and right when it came to respecting the One Power. Novices and Soldiers running away on trips and getting into bother. Kidnappings. Mutilations. Gretchen's lips tightened thinner, if such a thing was possible.

Gretchen had a fair number of eyes and ears, but one particularly useful connection she had was within the Grey Tower itself. The Red Ajah had an important job, but it could not operate without assistance from elsewhere. Gretchen, being far too busy actually getting things done out in the greater land, had to rely on the gossipers, the backstabbers and the whisperers to get her the information she needed. She had to keep her edge sharp, but she was not dulling her blade on people unless she absolutely had to. Gretchen had several acquaintances in the Blue Ajah who specialised in not minding their own business, and the four of them involved had come to an agreement of sorts. Yes, three of them were Blue, and yes Gretchen was aware that they might think they had the upper hand, but ultimately they helped her, and she helped them, and both parties were satisfied.

Terria would be awake at this time of the night, she was too tortured and free spirited to sleep at a normal time. It was when she took her messages, and so it only made sense for Gretchen to pay her a visit while she was awake. She was a blip of red in the Blue Ajah quarters, standing out like a bloodstain rippling through water, but the woman knew where she was going and if anyone ever thought to comment, then they hadn't to her face.

Three sharp knocks, and Terria answered. Average height for a woman with those typical Saldaean features, she had to look up at Gretchen's tall, lean form, more lithe and thin than slender or flattering. "Ah Gretchen, welcome back," she said in a way that suggested Gretchen was absolutely not welcome back in the slightest.

"Terria, sister, it is good to see you," the Tairen woman responded, leaning in to give a kiss to each cheek. Her Oathsworn pin glittered on her dress. "I've just finished my round in Arafel and thought it time to return to the Tower. The reports I've heard are most troubling."

The woman was admitted into Terria's neat, unforgivingly blue quarters, and in no time the Red was seated and being poured a cup of tea. "Yes, it has been quite eventful," the woman remarked.

"Eventful! That is one word for it." It had to sting, to have one of their own so shamefully outed as a traitor to their cause. "The Novices. Who looks after them now? Please tell me Velanya was a temporary measure in a time that required Healing." A little too literal if one asked her. At the confirmation of such from Terria, Gretchen shook her head, her somewhat high voice tinged with disappointment. "If that is what the Tower thinks is best." A grown child to coddle the children.

Terria sat with her own cup of tea, "the Grey Tower has seen a lot of destruction recently," she said. "The Tower needs nurturing, healing."

Even with no talent in Healing, Gretchen was not lacking for options of what to do. "A wound can be cauterised. Enough heat and pressure and it will stop bleeding, and not become infected. The Novices do not need healing, they are alive and well. They may be damaged, and they may be wounded, but they will be stronger for it. They will be strong Aes Sedai, and we need that. We need that so they will do what needs to be done, to prevent something like that from ever happening again." Here she sipped her tea, as if speaking for too long had made her delicate throat dry.

Considering that it was so late at night, neither woman looked at all tired or worse for wear. Gretchen's dress was well made, fit for riding, and her loose, light brown hair fell in such a way as to complement this look. The red still felt quite out of place in Terria's room, but Gretchen wasn't here to fit in. Terria was an unremarkable woman and that was why she collected information; to feel important. Gretchen collated this information, made it into something more. "I will see the others tomorrow," she went on, "but I would like a full report from you now. I paid a trip to Saldaea, as you may have been informed; my promise was kept. Now I will receive payment." Gretchen sat back a little as Terria went to get her files, smiling a little. She would take the files with her afterwards, but it was good to listen to her achievements being repeated back to her. It was just a shame that the rest of the Grey Tower did not have the same level of success as she.