The Grey Tower

The odd sensation that had started in his hand extended throughout Ravak's entire body now. He recognised it as the One Power, although through the recognition that it wasn't anything else. It was a strange affair, feeling and knowing the One Power was running through you. Is this what it's like when you channel? Apparently channelling livened the senses, although this did nothing to enhance, or detract, from the violent stench of the Infirmary.

Betrys' tone told Rav that she was focused on other things, chiefly his injuries, even as she was aiming to divert his attention away. "Well, I wouldn't say it's an easy choice, choosing an Ajah. I may be being a little flippant about being a Brown, but books are... I enjoy learning something other than an extended proficiency with weapons. Maybe some Gaidin are focused solely on mastery of their weapons, but I've been encouraged to expand my mind as well as my body. I likely know more about-"

Rav cut off with a wheezing gasp as ice seemed to radiate throughout his body. He felt cold to his core, with the blood in his veins freezing. This was beyond the rimy touch of any winter he had experienced in Shienar. Time faded away as heat ceased to be, his senses overwhelmed by the biting cold. An eternity passed before the cold faded. He could feel the ice over every individual goose bump melt as reality reasserted itself. Eyes that hadn't seen for an Age blinked at the sight of a disapproving Betrys. "Yer needing tae be careful."

Worried that he was still formed from ice and would snap like an icicle, he moved his head very cautiously in front of his face. The hand appeared unblemished, just as strong and robust as if he had never broken it. His gaze ran along the length of his arm, then down his torso. His entire body was free from marks or swelling. He blinked in disbelief. He wanted to laugh. He started to, briefly, before cutting off in embarrassment. This was hardly the setting to get all light-headed and giddy about being Healed.

Rav moved, twisted to retrieve his tunic, and felt a wave of fatigue crash into him. Moving was a chore. Even something as simple as picking up his tunic was an exercise. He felt the need to apologise, as if his exhaustion was something objectionable. "Thank you" was all he could muster as he buttoned up his tunic with no small amount of effort.

During her training in Healing, Betrys had experienced first-hand what it felt like to be Healed and so she understood what sort of sensation he was experiencing as a result of the One Power being used on his body.

It was one of the few things that she could relate too but that wasn't anything she wanted to chat about - the sensation would pass much faster if she allowed him to focus on something else "Well eventually it's a choice I'll need tae make...." she remarked and smiled "...about what?" Betrys asked, gently determined in her efforts to encourage him to speak out loud and focus on something else.

"It be wha' Healing is about, ain't nae need tae be thanking be for that. How does the hand feel now?" that was the part that she knew was likely what he would be thinking the most about so it made sense to make sure that it was feeling restored.

Rav flexed his hand cautiously. There was no pain, and no cold either. He was half surprised to see that his callouses hadn't been Healed away, although regaining those would be more painful and time-consuming than having his hand splint and bound. He needed to look at getting his longsword's grip rebound.

"The hand feels fine. I mean great." He wriggled his fingers as if to prove the point. "And a thanks is still in order." There was enough firmness in his voice to brook no argument, he hoped. He cast his eyes at the rest of his faded injuries. "I didn't expect you to Heal away all of my bruises at the same time."

"As for what, I was going to say Hawkwing. I poured over the histories of Artur Hawkwing for months, looking for some insight on the Seanchan. To no avail, I'm saddened to report." He was satisfied that if there was anything to the Seanchan residing in the Library, either he didn't have permission to access them, or he wouldn't be able to find them.

Light, I feel tired. His limbs didn't ache, but they had the same exhaustion in them as if he had been in the Training Yards since dawn. The spar with Adrian and Prewtez shouldn't have caused that.

Betrys felt a little proud of herself for being able to achieve the success with her efforts to Heal him. Although it was probably not a sensible idea to share with him exactly what might have ended up going wrong if she had lost focus or not managed to hold onto the Weave properly as it was applied to his body.

It wasn't the sort of topic that a patient was likely to welcome as a serious conversation "I wouldnae expect anything less. I'm good at this" she replied, confidence clearly written across her features as she smiled warmly at him. This was something she could truly list as a real success of her talent. It seemed that she had some skill; although Betrys didn't find herself growing arrogant in respect of that being the case, it was merely a fact and one that allow the subtle smile on her lips to remain present as she allowed herself to continue with the unrelated (at least to the healing) topic of his research and interests.

"Hawkwing? Nothing...I'm sorry? Did ya expect tae find anything? I ken the library is a good one but it isn't completely without limits yer know what I mean?" she commented, hoping it might actually make him feel a little better. After all, she wouldn't believe that he had been completely unsuccessful in his efforts to find out some of the books about the man. There had to be hundreds, even Betrys knew that was the case even with her rather limited scholarly efforts "What insight did ya want though?" she asked. Betrys had studied just like any other member of the Tower and she understood more than just the stories which had been taken from her childhood.

Betrys took a quick breath "Come on, we should get you some soup - nae arguments. The healing takes a lot from folks; so time to bulk up for yer..." she resisted the urge to chuckle "...and besides I need to get ma own lunch - yer can be company for me" she added. Betrys was fairly sure he wouldn't say no; although in any case she would be getting food.

Ravak sniffed in that same way that women sometimes did. It isn't completely without limits. Yes, he had come to realise that to his chagrin, but not in the way he thought she meant. There were an notable omission in the Tower's library about Hawkwing and the siege of Tar Valon. None of the books touched on whether Hawkwing had been successfully at pushing across the River Erinin. Very few accounts mentioned what had precisely happened to the Amyrlin Seat of the time either. It was Tower record that Bonwhin Meraighdin had served as Amyrlin during Hawkwing's time, and on record that she had been deposed and stilled. Those were extremely rare events, worthy of several books' worth of speculation at the very least, but was there any sign of these books here? No. It made the Drin wonder what else was being kept back, and he wasn't naturally suspicious.

He was grimacing; Healing hadn't taken away that smell of violence from the air. With an effort, he smoothed his features. "There's a Dedicated, a Seanchan, whom I've encountered a few times in the Tower. I couldn't quite figure him out, so I hoped there was something in these pages that would help with that. But I think we've worked one another out, now." Rav's lips quirked in an odd smile. Daelar was still a bit of a mystery, but there was less chance of tempers being flared up, at least.

When Betrys suggested lunch, Rav's stomach growled in accordance. He gave a entertained smile. "It doesn't sound like I have much of a choice." He bobbed his head in a half-mocking bow - any deeper and he would have had himself doubled over in a heap - and let the Accepted help him to his feet. He wanted his bed, in truth, but he deferred to Betrys' words of wisdom.

It was one to the drawbacks of this basic form of Healing using saidar, it drew a lot from the patient and depending on the injury also the one utilising the One Power in the first place. Which was why she had made the offer of food, less for company and more to gently encourage him without actually worrying him about it in any particular fashion.

He'd have an increased appetite but nothing that should really worry him given his normal activities would only encourage a hearty appetite in any case "Yer could try and actually talk to him, would that nae help in understanding it?" she asked carefully taking the time to reach around and undo her apron before they left the Infirmary behind.

"Course I'm nae one for book learning - so I may be a touch on the biased side..." she remarked brightly, aiming to keep the tone light and warm between the two of them as they walked along to the refectory. Betrys was certainly looking forward to having something to eat and soon, it had started to feel like a long time since breakfast.

Betrys continued to watch over her patient to make sure his recovery continued "Ya hae any favourites? Meal wise...?" she asked, not wanting to prompt some assumption on his part about what she might be talking about without finishing off the question and clarifying what favourites that she was talking about "I tend to grab a huge plate and ignore the looks as folks wonder where I put it all but I dinnae mind tae much what I'm actually eating" she admitted.

Ravak pondered over Betrys' question as she undid her smock. The Drin spoke carefully, aware that Betrys could be familiar with the man in question.

"I found speaking to him troublesome, to say the least. Maybe it's the Seanchan in general, or Daelar in particular, but he was very terse. I think we've brokered an uneasy truce. Something bordering on tolerance, if not acceptance." Rav wondered how appropriate to would be to mention the ter'angreal that now sat in his room. It would be improper to leave Betrys with a solely negative impression of the Dedicated. "He did make me a gift of sorts, so acceptance is probably closer to the truth."

Rav was grateful when they left the Infirmary; the foul stench began to fade. Sometimes he had the melodramatic desire to claw his sinuses out, if such a thing was possible. He took in lungfuls of clear air, pleased to be able to breath freely. He prayed that this ability would dampen down soon, and feared it would not.

"They keep us well fed in the Warder Yards. I seem to understand we have freer access to food than you Accepted. The mess is open at all hours. The Mistress of Training mentioned the reason, but I forget now." He shrugged idly, before a smile blossomed on his weary face. "Apples. I do love my apples, but that hardly works as a meal. But you mentioned soup? I'll take anything that's on offer, regardless. My mother wouldn't have pickiness at her table, and my sister cooked all manner of things. Not a sensible idea to upset either by refusing."

A little bit of heat rose in the Shienaran's cheeks recalling that Betrys' family life had not been as pleasant as his own. "Apologies for that, I don't guard my tongue enough. I didn't mean to upset you." He scratched at his forehead, embarrassed.

While she couldn't exactly come out and admit that having seen his anger and the reaction to his Earthsinging creation had been a rather surprising and unsettling experience. However, Betrys hadn't found it hard to talk to him, perhaps because she was a woman, that often made things different as well as sometimes much more complicated when it came to conversation between the two genders.

Betrys might not understand why but it was certainly true. Although it might just be all about her and nothing else.

She needed to work on not taking things too personally "I've only spoken wiv Daelar once, not really much tae say about that" she admitted and shrugged "And you haven't I ain't some shy sort tae be upset over speaking bout family" Betrys insisted and led the way into the rectory where the warm smell of food greeted them both.

"I like apples, true...most of them at all tended tae be cider rather than food" she added. Betrys only wanted to make sure he got food, was settled and seemed well on the way to recovery and then she could head back to the Infirmary to continue with her own shift in tending to the others who called upon the services of those who were available to help.