Two is Definitely Not Company [Attn: Prew] COMPLETE

[Jenny]

Adrian pulled at the sleeves of his new jacket. They were slightly too short, exposing his wrists awkwardly. He had only just been given the uniform of a Soldier less than an hour prior, and the fabric felt stiff and scratchy. He missed his former clothes, which were comfortable, if a bit worn.

A Dedicated showed him to his room. “You have a roommate,” the man said. “His name is Fen Garlan. He should be in class right now, but will return soon. I hope that you two will get along. You seem to be likable enough. But he… well, he is an interesting fellow.”

“Interesting? How so?”

The Dedicated smiled wryly. “You’ll find out when you meet him,” he said.

Adrian raised an eyebrow, and then shrugged. As a soldier in the Andoran army, he had lived with many different men, in crowded, filthy situations. If he could live with that – then, well, he could probably live with anyone. Or anything.

He listened patiently as the Dedicated explained where to find the laundryroom, bathroom, and dining hall. He was given a parchment with his scheduled lessons. Finally, the Dedicated left.

Adrian opened the door.

The room was cramped. Each piece of furniture had its twin on the opposite side of the room, forming a mirror copy. Two beds, two desks, two chairs, two lamps. One side was clearly already occupied, with books stacked on the desk and clothes lying folded on the bed. Adrian crossed to the empty side and put down his bag.

Well, this was his new home. He stretched out on the bed. It was a little too short for his tall frame. He would have to sleep at a diagonal to prevent his feet from hanging off the edge.

He was crouched on the floor, folding his new clothes into the dresser when the door opened. A small man entered. He had a prominent nose and seemed to be around the same age as Adrian. Thank the Light, Adrian thought. So far, all the other Soldiers he had seen seemed to be young boys in their teens or early twenties.

Adrian smiled in welcome. “You must be Fen Garlan? I am Adrian Danethor, your new roommate. Pleasure to meet you.” He held out his hand to shake.

[Prew]

Leaving the Tower and his classroom behind, Fen Garlan made the trek across the grounds toward the Great Serpent as the sun slowly sank below the horizon in the west. He paid little mind to those he passed, mainly Novices in their white dresses or Soldiers whose black coats were devoid of pins. Children for the most part, they had little in common with Fen nor did he care to establish a relationship with any of them. Instead he reflected on the One Power Basics class he had just finished. The Dedicated who led him through the instruction had been kind enough, strict at times but without any of the distaste for Fen that was often displayed by others. Perhaps not all here were his enemies, but the less contact he had with others the better he would like it.

Passing the pigeon coop he wrinkled his nose. Dirty creatures, he thought, and said a silent prayer to the Dark Lord that he would not be assigned to that duty. As he entered the west wing of the Great Serpent he gave the proper salute to the Dedicated on duty. Kiellan Dedicated had warned him about showing respect to his superiors. He was not going to earn a trip to the Master of Soldiers over something so trivial. He imagined bullies existed here as well as they had in Mosra, and he had unfortunately experienced their cruelty. He paused for a moment to sign the ledger and then hurried on to his room, and to privacy.

Lost in his dark thoughts Fen reached for the doorknob to his room before he stopped short, hand halfway to the handle. There was light coming from beneath the door. Fen knew he hadn’t left a lantern burning; it had been midday when he left for his class. His room faced the inner courtyard in a southerly direction, so that ruled out the last rays of the setting sun. With alarm he thought of his saddlebags and what was hidden there. Was someone searching his room? Employing the trick Keillan had taught, Fen’s mind went through the steps of The Flame and the Void. Embracing saidin he fought to keep it from taking control. He felt the storm within but the void allowed him to subdue the One Power enough to control it.

He knew three offensive weaves but two of them would cause too much damage were he to use them. He dearly wanted to avoid drawing attention to his power, so he wove air and held it, prepared to push an intruder up against a wall. He opened the door and stepped into the room. A large man was crouched on the floor, putting clothing into a dresser. Burn me! What is this? Fen wondered. As the man stood and introduced himself, Fen released the One Power. Though head and shoulders taller than himself and with a body like those of some of the farmhands in Mosra, the man presented no visible threat.

Fen looked first to his bed and the saddlebags he had hidden beneath, next to the proffered hand of the rugged man, Adrian was it? Slowly he took the man’s hand in his own. Light but Adrian had a grip! What a strange custom this was, this shaking of hands. Fen was used to giving a chest salute or knuckling his forehead to his betters, which seemed to include just about everyone, but this touching, something definitely not done in Mosra.

“Roommate?” Fen repeated, “But why? There are plenty of empty rooms on this corridor alone.” He paused and eyed Adrian suspiciously. “You didn’t touch my things, did you? I won’t have that, you know.” As the man gave him a curious glance Fen realized his faux pas, “Oh, my name is Fen, Fen Garlan. So you’re a Soldier as well? A bit old aren’t you?”

[Jenny]

As they shook hands, Adrian sensed the air of menace around Fen. The man was holding saidin! He watched as Fen glanced at his own bed. The man seemed a little paranoid. Did he have something to hide?

He relaxed when Fen released the Power, but did not let down his guard. He squatted back on the floor and settled on his heels.

“Perhaps they thought we could learn from each other,” he said. He weighed his words carefully. “And no, I didn’t touch your things.” His lips curled into a warm smile. “I hope you will keep your hands off mine,” he said, deliberately. “I won’t have that, either.”

His eyes never left Fen. “Am I old? I’ve only lived twenty-eight winters. Perhaps it’s because I don’t have the ‘spark’. It seems to me that those with the spark find out earlier than most. I only found out that I could learn to channel because I asked to be tested by an Asha’man.”

“How about you? Why don’t you tell me a little about yourself?” Although his tone was friendly, his question sounded less like a suggestion and more like a command. He stared at Fen, wondering what he would learn about his new roommate.

[Prew]

Big men had always intimidated the diminutive Altaran and this Adrian was no exception. There was a hard edge to the man that suggested a violent past. Soldier? Sell Sword? Fen had to remind himself that he now had a counter to the physical superiority men such as this held over him. Fen had saidin to give him an advantage. Of course if Adrian was a Soldier he, too, must be able to control the One Power. Fen decided he needed to proceed cautiously. His initial interaction had obviously irritated his new roommate.

Relaxing with a slight smile on his face Fen sat down on his bed and related his cover story, the one the Mistress had concocted for him. “Me? Nothing much to tell, actually. Like you I didn’t discover I had the ability until Black Tower men came to our village. I’m from Mosra, though I doubt you’ve heard of it. I spent all of my twenty-five years there until that fateful day. The rumors of what goes on at the Black Tower had even reached my small village; burn outs, beatings, or service with the Dragonsworn. None of that appealed to me,” he gave Adrian a smile, Fen had actually made a joke! “I ran away. I didn’t know the taint had been cleansed, you see, so I thought perhaps the Grey Tower could help keep me from going mad.” He paused to see if the Andoran was buying his story, and then added:

“Oh, I won’t touch your things either, Adrian. No worry there. Now what about you? How did you spend those first ‘twenty-eight winters’?” Fen realized he was actually enjoying talking with the man. He had seldom in the past found anyone with even the slightest interest in Fen Garlan.

[Jenny]

Adrian let out a bark of laughter. “The rumors weren’t wrong. I spent three months at the Black Tower before I escaped.” He drew up a pant leg and pointed at a long, ugly scar.

“Got that while running,” he said. “Climbed over a wall, tumbled down a hill, and my leg got caught on a stupid flaming tree.” He pointed with his thumb over his back. “My back is all scarred up from lashings for not learning bloody fast enough. But I’d seen how men died from being burnt out by holding too much saidin and I figured a few lashes was better than death.”

He finally looked away from his keen observation of Fen and gazed out the window. His grey-green eyes were thoughtful. “I’m glad that I made it out. Seems like the Grey Tower is far more…. academic than the Black. I’d like to get a better education. Learn a little history… perhaps a little law…”

When Fen assured him that he wouldn’t touch his belongings, Adrian smiled charmingly. “Glad to hear it, Fen. Seems like we’ll get along alright.”

He moved to continue folding his clothes into the dresser. “I was born in the mountains in West Andor. Grew up thinking that I’d become a miner, like my father. And then, after actually working in the mines, I couldn’t stand it. My young, foolish head was filled with dreams of heroes and battles and adventure. So I ran away, became a soldier. Served in the Andoran army for over six years. Then, I found out that I could channel, went to the Black Tower… and after my escape, I came here.”

Finished with his clothes, he slammed the dresser shut. He began sorting through the study supplies he had been given.

He looked about for a place to set a handful of pens, and then stuffed them unceremoniously in the desk drawer. “What’s it like here, Fen?” he asked curiously. “Have you learned much about the Power yet?”

[Prew]

Much to his surprise, Fen found himself relaxing in the big man’s presence. He was actually beginning to enjoy their conversation. Strange, he thought as he leaned back on his bed, all these years and, except for times with his mother, Fen could not recall ever having what might actually be called a friendly conversation with another person. Discussions about work orders or how best to mend a wagon wheel; of course he had engaged in those. But interactions with peers had always been one sided, degrading, insulting, with Fen on the receiving end.

Even more shocking, he actually felt some… what?.... empathy?... for Adrian’s injuries. Of course he also experienced an even greater sense of relief that the Mistress had not ordered him to the Black Tower instead of here.

Fen smiled as Adrian finished relating his background. “Look at me, Adrian. Does this body look like a soldier’s?” he laughed, “I find it ironic that that is the title they give us here. I’ve made it a habit to avoid brutes with sharp objects whenever possible!” He paused, hoping that last had not been taken the wrong way, then hurried on.

“Truth to tell, there is not much I know about this place yet. I came in, had a brief interview, was shown my room, and shortly after was sent to a class called One Power Basics. Some Dedicated had me craft a weave and sent me on my way,” best not to go into too much detail he decided, this man would find out soon enough. “I have a list of compulsory classes, I suppose you do as well. As for saidin, I guess I’m fairly average in terms of strength, though no one has told me for sure. I seemed to be able to create a stronger weave than the Dedicated’s if that is any indication. What about you? Did you have a chance to learn much about it while at the Black Tower?”

[Jenny]

Brutes with sharp objects? Adrian smiled slightly to hide his grimace. Although he maintained his natural friendliness, he thought that there was something… different… about Fen. His roommate seemed awkward and had a tendency to put his foot in his mouth; for instance, insulting soldiers immediately after Adrian had told him that he had served as one.

A brute… is that what Fen thinks of me? Adrian mused. He had never considered himself to be burly or physically intimidating. However, he could see why Fen, with his slim, small frame, could see him as such.

But Adrian was not a man who felt easily insulted. He laughed along good-naturedly, hiding his thoughts. While he did not think that he could become friends with Fen, he could certainly be friendly.

He did not want to reveal his weakness in the Power. There was something in Fen’s manner – a certain obsequiousness – that reminded Adrian of a few other men who he had met in his travels. Men who would bow and scrape to those whom they felt were superior, but would mistreat those they deemed inferior. Perhaps Fen would be different, but Adrian did not trust him quite yet.

“I did not learn much at the Black Tower,” he said lightly. He pointed at his parchment and smoothly changed the subject. “My classes are listed here. Geography, history, literature… seems like I’ll be learning more than just the Power. What do you got?”

After he compared classes with Fen, he excused himself and left the room. Since his classes did not begin until tomorrow, he had the rest of the day to explore. He had heard stories of the prowess of Warders and went out to the Warder Yards to see their skill for himself.

-----
Later that night

Adrian woke up and clutched for his sword. The room was dark and quiet, but his skin prickled with unease. His hand came up empty. He almost panicked before he realized where he was. The Grey Tower… He should be safe here. Then why did he awaken?

In his years as a soldier, he had developed almost a sixth sense for trouble. It had saved his skin dozens of times, from bandits to Darkfriends to regular pickpockets who thought they could steal from a sleeping man.

He turned under his covers and glanced over at his roommate. Fen seemed to be asleep, but Adrian could see his lips moving.

“Fen?”

There was no response. Adrian slipped silently out of his bed and crept closer. Was it a nightmare? Curiously, he bent his ear to listen to Fen’s whispers.

[Prew]

Unskilled in the art of conversation, Fen was blithely oblivious to any insult he might have offered. Instead, he straightened his jacket as he rose from the bed. This Adrian fellow wasn’t so bad, he even laughed at Fen’s sorry attempt at humor. A part of him wanted to open up to this man but a small voice in the back of his mind urged caution. He had been hurt before, and often, why would this roommate be any different? Until the Mistress had visited his dreams, Fen had been convinced there must be something inherently wrong with himself, something that made people despise him. But She had convinced him it was all the others who were at fault, that they were jealous of his superiority. Oh, he was superior to all those goat-fathered farm boys and dumpy dairy maids in Mosra. Even before he discovered saidin he had known it. Quick witted, that was what his mother called him, and educated. She had been a novice in the White Tower at one time, and had taught him more than just his letters. He was an avid reader, especially of histories and mythologies, an attribute not much admired by his peers.

Stepping next to Adrian to peer at his parchment, Fen felt a strange sensation. He almost never got this close to another physically. He took an involuntary step back, then tried to cover his discomfort.

“Yes,” he grinned, “They do indeed expect us to learn more. So you can read I see. Not to offend, but most of the young men in my village could not. You being a miner’s son and all, well, I didn’t know. There are actually some here who can’t, you see.”

It did not appear Adrian was offended by this so Fen continued, “Yes, most of those are required classes for all channelers. I wouldn’t know about warders.”

After Adrian left the room Fen returned to his bed, but did not undress. Instead, he spent the next hour replaying in his mind the entire exchange with his roommate. Could he trust the man? Perhaps the Tower suspected his allegiance to the Chosen and assigned Adrian to spy on him.

No, Fen, you are being paranoid. No one knows you here, you can be someone who makes friends! Oh, he hoped that was true, though that voice again reminded him best to trust no one.

Later that night

“No…. please….”Fen mumbled in his sleep, “Yes, Mistress…. But she… yes… I shall…” Suddenly he opened his eyes, and saw Adrian peering down at him.

“What?” he asked, sitting up, “I wasn’t… I wasn’t talking in my sleep, I hope?”
Oh, blood and bloody ashes! What if I’ve said something I shouldn’t? What will the Mistress say? Or the Great Lord?
Fen gave an involuntary shiver at the thought.

“Nightmares, perhaps something I ate,” he calmed himself, “I’m sorry if I woke you.”

[Jenny]

Fen moaned. “Mistress…” Suddenly, his eyes flew open. Adrian jerked back.

Nightmares? He noted Fen’s defensiveness.

“Yes, you were talking in your sleep,” he said. “But I don’t think you awakened me.” The feeling of unease did not leave. His eyes flickered suspiciously around the room. Was it his imagination – or did the shadows seem to move?

Adrian crept to the door, his body coiled tensely like a prowling cat. Light, he wished that he had his sword! Unthinkingly, he enveloped himself in the Void – and there, the joy of saidin waited. He drew in the One Power, wrestling it into submission. He didn’t know much – but he was sure that he knew enough to at least cause a little havoc. With the Power, his senses were enhanced. Every sound and movement seemed magnified.

He opened the door and scanned the hallway. He found nothing. He spoke to Fen as he moved to the window, still holding the Power. “You said something about a ‘Mistress’… does that mean anything to you?”

Suddenly, he realized that his skin was prickling. There was a woman channeling somewhere nearby! He peered cautiously out the window.

[Prew]

Fen sat up in his bed and tried to smooth down his dark hair, mussed from sleeping. Wiping the sleep from his eyes he felt a sense of alarm. Why was Adrian acting strangely? Watching the man creep to the door as if anticipating an assassin; Fen felt the presence of the One Power as Adrian embraced saidin. Reflexively, Fen sought the Flame and the Void, fighting to control the torrent that flooded through him, it was so strong, but he brought it under check. Holding the Power himself he silently rose from the bed.

He joined his roommate at the window, prepared to ask why the man was acting this way, but Adrian’s words brought him up short.
“You said something about a ‘Mistress’… does that mean anything to you?”

Fen felt a moment of panic despite holding the Power. What had this man heard? Thinking quickly, after all, his mother had always said he was quick witted, he tried to appear embarrassed.

“Er… I was having one of those dreams, Adrian. As a man I’m sure you know what I mean,” his face flushed as if ashamed. “But what is it? What has you alarmed? Is there danger?”