The Return of Ravhala [Attn: Craig]

[Bella]

There was a barmaid loitering near the bar, waiting for someone to need something... That much Miahala was able to pick out easily as they walked in. She felt the small maelstrom that was Ravak in the back of her mind, but she left it be for the moment since they needed to keep up appearances while in here.

Mia made her way to the bar and the barmaid, instantly turning herself into just what the barmaid wanted: someone who needed something.

"Could I get a spiced cider, please?" she asked with a disarming smile. (Contrary to what some folks in the Tower thought, it was an expression she was capable of.) Then she 'casually' glanced around the common room. "Seems rather busy for the hour of the day," she commented in what would seem like an offhand manner.

"A bit, aye," the maid said, walking the small steps to the bar to place the order. She returned a moment later with the glass and handed it to Mia. "There has been a bit of news, has things a little stirred," she said with a hint of conspiracy.

"Oh?" Mia said, brows rising as she sipped her drink. "Sounds exciting." She added that same hint to her voice, leaning a little closer.

"Well, exciting may depend on who you talk to," the maid said. If Mia was right--and she often was--this was a girl who wanted to tell someone new what she knew about. "But you're a good Light-fearing woman, I can tell." Mia stifled a smile, wondering what this girl would think if she really knew Mia. "The rumor is that the Children are coming to town." She spoke just above a whisper, sharing a secret.

Mia made a surprise 'oh' with her mouth, although her mind suddenly screamed in circles. "Are they really?" she kept her tone to the same level. "Well, I suppose that's for the best. Never know who might be running around here that could cause, you know, problems."

"Exactly!" the maid exclaimed, happy to have a compatriot. Someone who understood.

Before she could say more, someone called her from across the room. She flashed Mia a smile and hurried away, while Mia casually moved over to Ravak. "Well," she said with a sigh, then quietly relayed what the maid had said.

[Craig]

Ravak

Ravak's frown darkened the more Mia relayed. Opening the doors to the Children of the Light came a close second to leaving the Blightborder undefended. It was inviting death and destruction upon yourself and your loved ones. The Whitecloaks may have had noble intentions, but their philosophy concerning the Light left countless innocents worse off. Plenty died at the hands of the Questioners, and they found 'proof' of the Shadow in everything.

"I hope she's wrong," he finally muttered into his ale. They had to stay here now, if only to bear witness to what was to come. Ravak desperately hoped that everyone in Nassad didn't share this barmaid's enthusiasm. The gate they had entered seemed lightly guarded. Perhaps the eastern approach was more readily defended? How well informed was this town's mayor? Rav scratched his beard, wondering if similar thoughts were crossing through his wife's mind.

"We ought to get a room." With the threat of Whitecloaks looming, he wasn't going to sleep in a separate room for the sake of appearances. Chances are he wasn't going to sleep, full stop. However, there was plenty to do other than just wait to see what was coming. "Then we should mingle."

[Bella]

"Agreed," she said, appearing far more at-ease and casual than she actually felt.

If the Whitecloaks were due to arrive, then it was going to be nearly impossible to avoid a fight of some sort. She did not believe that she would be able to get away from them without being recognized for what, if not specifically who, she was. Not that ego was the largest part of her personality, but she knew she was somewhat...notorious among some enemies.

But they could not just leave. They knew better than most--better than the folks of this town, clearly--the evil that was within the self-proclaimed protectors of the Light.

"I will see about a room if you'd like to start having some conversations," she suggested with an easy smile. At least one that would look easy to anyone but him. Only her husband would see the tightness in her expression.

[Craig]

Ravak

Ravak just nodded; there was nothing more than needed to be said. He rested his back against the bar, taking a good look at the people in the tavern. The tables were mostly filled with Taraboners, likely locals from their work clothes. One small table contained a foreign merchant and his bodyguard. Another table stood out, where an Arafellin drunk alone. Whilst there were bells in his hair, there was no ringing to accompany his movements. "Finally one with a bit of sense," Rav quipped. He pushed himself away from the bar to walk around the various tables.

There was a game being played at one table by four men. They looked like they spent their days in front of forges; farriers or swordsmiths or the like. Cards were being drawn and revealed in front of each player. It wasn't immediately familiar to Rav, but that didn't stop him placing his mug on the edge of the table. "Room for one more?" he asked whilst pulling out coin from his purse. He withdrew two golds' worth of silver and copper. "What is it you're playing?"

Looks were cast between the four men as they wordlessly decided whether to include this bearded stranger in amongst them. Ravak placed his money on the table before looking for a chair. Depending on how good their wares were, the money was worth up to a ten-day's earnings. Of course, they also risked losing that much.

"You sure you want in? That's a lot of coin," one of the players asked.

Ravak sat down, drawing his chair in towards the table. He lifted the coins with his right hand, dropping them slowly between his three good fingers. "You're not wrong, but she pays well." He gestured towards Miahala and the barmaid. She had to be finding them a room. "Plus, is there anything else to spend the money on around here? I could do with some companionship if you catch my meaning." Rav grinned.

They didn't like that. Two faces soured whilst a third tutted. "We're not like that around here."

"Apologies, I didn't mean to offend." He took a silver and threw it into the pot. "As recompense towards the respectability of your womenfolk. Let it not be said a Shienaran is without honour."

There was another round of silent looks. Ravak's attempts hadn't been as fruitful as he hoped.

"Will a round of drinks ease your pride? Barmaid, four ales for my companions here!"

[Bella]

Miahala could sense a hint of frustration from the direction of the bond, but she tried to keep from focusing on that while she spoke with the barmaid about obtaining a room. It seemed that this was somehow a scarce commodity, as most of the rooms were taken up. She watched the girl's eyes and studied her demeanor to determine whether this was the truth or some ruse to try to keep Mia from gaining a room, but by everything that the Green could tell, it was the truth.

"We only have the one left," she said, almost hesitantly.

"I see," Mia said, thinking fast and taking a guess at the source of the girl's uncertainty. "My attendant can just sleep on the floor, then." She waved her hand like she didn't care about his comfort.

The girl tilted her head, almost like a curious bird. "But, ma'am, you're a handsome woman. Won't that be...troublesome?"

Miahala almost laughed outright, but she managed not to. "He will do what I tell him to do. I assure you. I can take care of myself." She patted the girl on the shoulder companionably. "If I could secure that room for a night or two?" She held out her hand, coins in the palm. It was a little more than any room in this place could be worth, but not so much as to draw the wrong attention to herself. It was just enough to ease the girl's mind about the profitability of the agreement.

"Yes, ma'am," the barmaid said, bobbing a quick curtsey just before taking the coins.

"Barmaid, four ales for my companions here!"

Ravak's voice jumped across the room with far more jocularity than was intrinsic to the man when in a situation like this, and she had to stifle a smile at that. The barmaid smiled apologetically. "Let me just see to this and then I'll sort your room for you. I'm afraid I'm the only server on staff today."

Mia's brows rose in surprise. "Seems a rather busy place to have only one of you, running you ragged."

The smile went from apologetic to tiredly appreciatively. "We had another girl, but she just took off a few days ago. I'm not sure why..." She lost herself in thought for a moment and then shook her head, hurrying off to take care of the ales and the room.

Meanwhile, Mia moved back to lean against the bar. She sipped her cider as she waited, casually glancing across the room now and then to see how Ravak was faring.

[Craig]

Ravak

As he waiting for the barmaid to come over, Ravak spared a brief glance towards his wife. Something had amused her, not that it showed on her face, yet there was a twinkle in her eye. It was incongruous with what was going on, but he didn't have the opportunity to ask. Rav turned back to his table when the barmaid came over. The ales eased their consciences enough to allow Ravak, and his money, into the game.

The game wasn't immediately familiar to the Shienaran, but playing cards was more about playing your opponents. It was easier still when his goal wasn't to win. He only lost his buy-ins come the fourth hand. He revealed two knaves and a twelve of swords. A strong start, one he intended to self-sabotage. He pushed for a raise with each new card drawn. Revealing the knaves of coins only strengthened his position. The last opponent in the game folded. Rav raked in the wagers.

After that he had to play stupid. When all of the cards were face-in on the table, you couldn't fold a good hand. Rav ordered more ale. There was no need to over-exaggerate his intoxication as the game progressed.

[Bella]

The more he played, the more he drank.

Miahala loved her husband dearly, even when she wanted to kill him, but she knew he wasn't precisely the strongest of constitutions against the alcohol and she could feel its effects washing over the bond like an aggressive tidal wave. She stopped drinking her own drink after his second hand, and was blinking more than she probably needed to as she fought against the bond.

After a while, the barmaid came over to her and said something. Mia didn't catch it at first, but then looked at the girl and schooled her face to its needed impassivity.

"What was that?" she asked politely.

"Your room is ready," the girl said. Then she glanced at the game where Ravak was playing. "You might want to talk to your attendant before he loses his shirt. Those guys don't take pity on new people."

Her native defense reaction on behalf of her loved ones rose up and nearly told the girl to mind her own business, but she caught the words before they left her mouth--if barely--and forced a small smile. "It's his money," she said. "He can do with it as he likes, even lose it. Now, please show me to my room."

The girl looked uncertain, but nodded. Their little bit of gossip had led to an excess of ease with the girl's opinions, but Mia would not censure her for it. Not yet, at least. It could lead to more useful information, after all.

She tried to catch Ravak's eye but couldn't before needing to follow the barmaid to the stairs. They ascended into a long hallway, which the outside of the inn belied its length, and down nearly to the end. The girl handed her a key and gestured at the door. "This will be your room, ma'am," she said with a curtsey. "Just call for me if you need anything."

A loud noise from the common room drew a tired expression before she excused herself and hurried off.

Once the girl was gone, Mia turned to the door to put her key in...

...and heard a noise from the very end of the corridor. There was a window there, and a narrow door--likely a closet--just beside it.

Mia instantly embraced Saidar, knowing that only other channeling women would see it so even with the looming threat of the Whitecloaks, she would be alright. She moved closer, listening as well as she could despite her husband's drink still washing through her with each moment.

"You can't stay here, ma'am!"

A voice surprised her as it emerged from the closet. It was a young woman, she knew that much.

"Pardon?" she asked, feeling a little odd conversing with a door... She glanced down the hall, but didn't see anyone coming. "What do you mean, I can't stay here? How do you know anything?"

There was a long crack in the door and she could see an eye peering through it. Then the door opened, and the girl crept out. She peered around like a frightened doe. "You're one of them," she whispered, terrified. "You're a channeler. Aes Sedai? White Tower?" She bit her full lip, looking like she was about to cry.

"Who are you, child?" she asked kindly.

"Was a maid here," she said, "until I heard them Whitecloaks were coming. But I ain't got nowhere to go."

Realization dawned. "You could see me embrace the Source."

The girl nodded, head bobbing up and down like it was going to fall off. "You can't stay here. They'll kill you!"

Mia put her hand on the girl's shoulder. "Let's talk," she said gently, unlocking her door and ushering the girl inside.

[Craig]

Ravak 'the Bestest Bondmate' Darrow

The alcohol kept Ravak in good spirits, despite the hands of cards he was losing. His compatriots, now thoroughly lubricated themselves, were also less reticent about his company.

The Shienaran peered down at his cards. "Three, six, eight. Let's see, I'm in." Ravak rolled two copper towards the centre of the table. His hand was middling; the next card would decide if he should stay in or not.

"In." To Rav's left was a well-built man. He had short brown hair that were graying at the temples. Out of the four other men, he was the most serious about winning. His brown eyes seldom left the table, periodically reading the cards and coin in front of each player.

"Aye, go on then." Two more coins were added to the pot. Ambrose's dark eyes were shaded by a mop of dirty blonde hair.

"So, who wants to swap hands?" Denis looked at each of them in turn. His hand was utterly terrible. "So none of you? I fold."

"Yeah, fold as well." Donaghan pushed his cards into the middle of the table. He was the only one at the table doing worse than Ravak. He gripped his mug tight. Donaghan's pudgy cheeks were red, and Rav wondered when the man was going to start getting violent.

Ravak deal out cards to himself, Ambrose, and the unnamed fourth man. He added the seven of cups to his hand; he was still in, although his odds hadn't improved. "Sure, I'm in." He rolled another two copper in. "Don't think I'm seeing those again."

"Aye, maybe no, but you've got yer lady tae pay you," Ambrose commented.

Two more coins appeared from Rav's left. "In."

Rav shrugged. "True enough, 'though if someone else pays better, I'm in. She a bit..."

Ambrose waited, then added in his bet. "A bit what?"

"Bossy," Rav snorted. He leaned in. "Shienaran women are the worst, you know? I thought I was done with them."

"All women are like that," Donaghan commented.

Rav started dealing out the next hand. "Well, either way, if someone better comes along, I'm happy to jump ship. I really ought to join a military company somewhere. Ugh, I fold."

Nameless and Ambrose continued to the end, with Nameless revealing the best cards. He shuffled up and started dealing out.

"So you're looking for different work?" Denis asked.

"The Panarch doesn't hire mercenaries, I hear," Ravak replied.

"You walk in the Light. So how about the Children of the Light?"

Donaghan shot a glare Denis' direction.

"Of course I walk in the Light; I'm Shienaran. But the Children don't need help. There's more than enough of them in Amadicia."

"Well-" Denis was cut off as Donaghan punched him on the shoulder. A chair slid back as Denis stood, quickly followed by Donaghan and Ambrose.

"Cool it you two," Ambrose reasoned.

"No, I'll not 'cool it'," Donaghan remarked. "You've all lost it for the Whitecloaks."

"Children-" Denis started. Donaghan threw out another punch.

"They're Whitecloaks. Good for nothing assholes who harass normal folk. We don't need 'em, Panarch be damned!"

Ravak watched the exchange from his seat. The man on the left leaned in, subtly removing coins from the pot. Ravak ignored it, exaggerating his interest in this heated exchange.

"You better no say that when they get here," Ambrose warned. "It won't just be your fat mouth that gets in trouble!"

"Did you call me fat, Ambrose?"

"Well you're no spring chicken, Donaghan."

Ravak slipped out of his chair just before the fight started. Donaghan threw Ambrose onto the table. Denis tried to intercede and got an elbow to the face for his efforts. Ravak stepped away, not wishing to get drawn in.

It didn't take long for the fight to end. Neither Ambrose nor Donaghan were in a fit state to fight, exhausting one another quickly. Ravak excused himself, leaving to check in on his employer. He stumbled up the stairs, leaning against the railing as he ascended.

"Now, which room..." He staggered towards Mia, letting the bond lead him. Curiosity rummaged through the haze of alcohol. Rav paused at the door, leaning his head against the frame, and knocked.

[Bella]

As soon as the knock came, the barmaid--who had been speaking with Miahala only haltingly as it was--jumped up like her seat had suddenly burned her. Her eyes were even wider--how is that evening possible?--as she stared at the door.

"At ease, girl," Mia said, trying to sound sympathetically but equally feeling a bit aggravated. "He's with me."

The Aes Sedai rose from where she had been sat, perched on the edge of the bed, and walked to the door. She unlocked it and opened it just enough to make sure that Ravak was alone, before offering him a smile and nodding for him to enter. Once he had, she shut the door and locked it again.

"Meet Lyla," she said to him, gesturing at the girl. "Formerly employed as a serving girl here until she learned the Whitecloaks were coming and her existence as a wilder was going to become troublesome."

[Craig]

Ravak

Ravak leaned with his back against the door. Even standing still, his vision swam a little. "If it makes you feel any better, you're not the only one who isn't thrilled about the Children." He turned his head, placing one ear near the gap between the door and the wall. The raised voices from downstairs were only barely audible.

Ravak frowned as he faced Lyla again. "Why are you still here if you know the Whitecloaks are coming? You do know which direction west is, right?" Through the bond, Ravak could feel Mia scowling at him. What? If she can't afford transport, she can still use her legs to walk.

"I ain't got the coin," Lyla explained, although she too looked upset. Ravak harrumphed at the two of them.

"Where do you want to go that isn't here?" Rav asked gruffly. Mump and moan all they liked, he was going to get some definitive answers. "You're a wilder, so do you want to come to the Tower to train, or do you have family you can join somewhere?"

The girl clammed up, at least until Mia placed a hand on her shoulder to comfort her. "We can help you join your family if you tell us where they are."

"My pa threw me out. My brother went with the Whitecloaks."

Ravak grunted. Great. He ran a hand through his beard. "So you've nowhere to go." He looked towards Mia. So we have an army of Whitecloaks approaching and we've got to look after a girl at the same time. Fantastic.