Friendship (Attn: Matty)

[Craig]

<< Bad News, Good News, Bad News? Elia Darrow

The door clicked shut.

Elia stood on the other side of her door in the corridors of the Indigo Ajah. It was just after the last bell and the hubbub of life was coming to its daily halt. There was no-one else to observe her, but she looked nothing like the First Seeker that had left for Vaidulo. She huddled near the doorway as if the wood afforded her some magical protection against an unseen foe. Her dress was snow white and plain, and her hair and neckline were both unadorned. If not for the shawl tugged around her shoulders, she could have passed for one of the novices.

Her transit through the Grey Tower was made in a similarly novicesque fashion. She glanced around corners at the intersections, took a different path when she heard approaching voices, and nodded her way past servants with an inaudible mumble. She kept her own companionship as her slippers glided over the polished floor tiles. They transitioned from indigo highlights to brown accents. Not a long distance, but she hadn't travelled outside her rooms for a week, and that was after a week cooped up in the Infirmary.

She reached just another plain door but this time she stood away from it. Malachite orbs eyed it carefully. There were no traps that her eyes could detect, but then no-one would be so obvious in their weaving. Plus, she thought miserably, what would I even do if there were?

Stepping forward, she knocked on the door with her good hand. It still felt wrong using her left arm for everything, but this was her new reality. She had yet to accept it, but the veil of desolation that hung over life kept her from feeling any rage.

The telltale clicking beckoned the arrival of the room's occupant. The door opened to reveal a tall man, his brown eyes at once judging and considering. There was a change in his expression, but it skipped beyond Elia's notice. She did look him in the eye, but none of her former arrogance could be observed. "I guess we need to talk."

[Chris]

Murdock Mather Murdock had expected Elia to get in touch with him at some point. It was inevitable after her little excursion to the village of Viadulo, and what they found there. Murdock's position meant he could read the reports, and what he read was both disturbing and intriguing. Why, who would have thought people were so curious about manipulating the human body that they had a whole underground chain of torture devices and machines to do just that?

He wished he could give it a visit. He'd had an idea of shady dealings, but nothing of this nature. Nothing quite so dark and alluring. Had he known, and had Elia been less of a bitch, maybe he would ahve warned her what she was facing, but... no putting honey back in the jar.

By all accounts those who survived came back in varying states of wellness. The Dedicated was a scientific mystery and would remain so until Murdock could get his hands on his medical records. Elia on the other hand was much more mundane, though the circumstances around her injury were most unusual as well.

Far Madding man was just perusing over his bookshelf, trying to pick out something to read, when the knock came, and he limped over to answer. Dark eyes moved from the air to look down at the tiny person, taking Elia in in her rather simple glory. It was as if she had shrunk to half her size since he last saw her, and it was both gratifying and disturbing at the same time. Even when she spoke, it was without that haughty air and ego that were so flaming aggravating.

Of course, his eyes latched onto her arm. Blood and ashes, that did not look like a healthy arm in the slightest. What weave was capable of such a thing?

Could Murdock emulate it?

The Brown nodded his head and moved backwards, far more reasonable when he wasn't being bossed around from above. "Of course, come in," he said, no traces of sarcasm in his tone. "Take a seat. Tea?" The man limped along with his stick to go and fetch some, more for something to do with his hands than to look Elia's way. The door was closed and locked, and he seized Saidin to put up a ward against eavesdroppers as well as to carry everything to the little table before the sofa where he insisted Elia perch herself. "Help yourself." There were also some biscuits to hand, because Murdock did like to nibble a ginger biscuit of an evening. This done, he sat in his own chair with a sigh and set his leg up on the stool nearby, those considering eyes returning to Elia and her body.

"I've heard some things," he said, "but I opted to wait until you were ready. What happened in Viadulo exactly?" As Elia had lost her arrogance, so had Murdock lost his irritableness, looking and sounding almost amenable.

[Craig]

Elia

Elia took Murdock's offer of a seat but shook her head slightly at the offer of tea. She muttered "Thank you but no" although it was barely audible as she slipped into one of the chairs. Holding herself like a penitent novice, she perched on the edge, touching neither the back nor arms of the chair.

Murdock's statement and question were not what she expected. Elia had expected gloating from the Keeper; he had plenty to gloat about. Even after a week of working through her thoughts and memories, Elia was no closer to working out how Murdock had coordinated the whole affair. He had to have had help from some other person or entity, but the only thing she knew for certain was that Vaidulo had to be Murdock's doing.

After working moisture into her voice, Elia stated: "You know what happened." There was just an edge of anger but it was as threatening as a butter knife. She only then looked up away from the tea set and into Murdock's deep brown eyes. "You have won Murdock." She didn't flinch as the words came out. "You've bested me."

[Chris]

Moar Murdock Ah. This did not go how I expected.

The honest truth of it was, Murdock had very little to do with the goings on of Vladulo. Why, he knew something was going on, and that it was unlikely to be the Grey Tower's doing, but the true nature of it? It was depraved. It was disgusting. It was delightful. What incredible discoveries did they make using the useless fleshbags of the village? In the name of science, it was worth it. Those people had contributed to something more than they would ever amount to be in their worthless lives.

It was actually rather flattering that Elia would assume he, an unimpressed and rather bemused fellow who wanted to be left alone, could be behind such nefarious workings, and somehow orchestrate her demise. Did she not realise that Murdock would have much preferred to kill her himself, that he would have let her know full well it was him rather than some foolish underling who would then get their throat ripped open and eaten? Oh well, if she thought it was him and that he had won... he wasn't about to disabuse her of that notion.

A small smile crossed his face. Let Elia think it a smile of victory.

"Of course I know what happened." He'd read reports, and pieced together enough information from the Infirmary, but let her think it was him being the puppet master if she liked. If she wasn't calling his bluff. This was most unlike Elia. "I thought it would take more than a bit of Rending to break you, Elia. Are you truly so cowed by one display of strength? The Black Ajah is going to snap at your heels for the rest of your life, you know this. You knew it when you bonded that fool Emmond and took his place. I warned you that your ambition would get the better of you and now look where we are."

The man took up a ginger biscuit and lounged back in his seat to nibble it. "This would not have happened if you knew your place and remained at the Tower instead. Vladulo was doomed from the start and the only thing that could help it now is if our moron M'Hael flattens the entire bloody place. It's served its purpose now." Murdock gave Elia a look as he munched the rest of his biscuit, popping it into his mouth. Oh, he could have denied all business with Vladulo, but what would the fun in that be? It was nice to see Elia being more herself than she ever had been before. It was a look that suited her, though Murdock found no attraction in shy or quiet women whatsoever.

"I wouldn't say I have won. There is only victory in death." Murdock's tone was blase and almost bored, "is there truly no fight left in you?" What a disappointing wretch she was.

[Craig]

Elia

"You want to kill me?" Her gaze was flat just like her voice. She looked down at her arm, then back to Murdock. "Then why bother with this? What more is it that you want from me, Murdock?" Her body seemed to deflate even more as she sighed deeply. "I have conceded that you've won. The Light knows how you did it, but if Deyeniye cannot command the authority of the Black Ajah, then I guess Murdock Mather shall."

Pulling herself up straight, she leant in to pick up a biscuit. It seemed so stupid, eating so peaceably with the man that had her tortured and broken. The only reason she could is because she knew that she was powerless to stop him, and the consumption of a biscuit wasn't going to alter that.

Elia gestured to her arm. "Can you fix it?" There was little point in asking, but why not? Maybe this was her last meal. She had no desire to die, but she was powerless to do anything about that. Her victims had been powerless to stop their ends, so why would it be any different for her? She didn't even think about seeing if she was shielded or not. When you're under someone's boot, your best chance lies in not moving.

Nibbling on the biscuit, Elia stared blankly at the Far Maddinger. She's been an utter fool to underestimate him.

[Chris]

Murdock Mather Murdock gave a wan smile around his biscuit. "Killing you would create quite the power vacuum as people rush in to fill the expansive void your ego would leave behind. Far too much hassle to clear up after you. Besides, I'm more of a background fellow myself. I'd much rather have someone else be the face and leave me to my work." Maybe after this Elia would get back to her business and not swan into his office making demands of him in future. A man could hope.

He sat up slowly at the question. Could he fix it? Well, it was a valid one. Murdock was a rather good Healer, better than a number of Yellows, but once something had been destroyed enough, it wasn't going to be repaired. Still, a look might tell him how this was done and it would be most entertaining. "I can take a look," he said agreeably. "Come here." He gestured for her to move over and stand at the side of his chair, a small slither of glee rippling through him as she obeyed. It was a little silly to see her broken over one petty limb being ruined, but he could get used to this behaviour.

Seizing Saidin, Murdock performed the Delving weave on the Indigo woman, taking in her entire body. Did she have any idea she was with brat? One of the Yellows must have told her, so maybe her struggle came from trying to pin down one of the hundred men she had slept with as being the father. The identity of the father would be so questionable that maybe that had broken her mind instead.

"Hrmm. Looks like a one way trip to me," he surmised after a look at the arm, taking no more time than he needed. "I could come up with a list of exercises. Some herbs to take. A few weaves that could help it over time, but I don't think it will ever be the same again. Still, work at it and in seven or eight months you'll probably be able to hold a baby in each arm, won't you? That would be good exercise for it too." The Far Madding man was intrigued by her injury but eh, it was nothing he couldn't emulate. It was impressive though, how it was done. The White Tower must have a rich resource of research from which they learned these weaves in the first place...

"This is what we are going to do," Murdock informed the woman. "We have our trip to Tear, don't we? And there's a lot planned." He gave the woman a direct look with his dark eyes, maintaining eye contact. "I have no interest in your position, Elia. I am only interested in my research, my daughters, and being kept out of your petty politics. Remember that."

[Craig]

Elia

Standing by his side reminded her of a time long ago when she had served Emmond. The Grey Asha'man had frightened the wits out of her. She felt the same as Murdock took her hand in his own.

His words stung almost as much as her arm did. She frowned in answer to his directions. It made no sense. Why had he enacted the events in Vaidulo? Why have her crippled and a Dedicated turned into... whatever it was? How could Murdock not seek power when he was slowly becoming the next Aginor? It made no sense.

It made no sense.

She frowned, malachite eyes sharpening as she glared down at him. "It wasn't you," she declared. Stepping backwards and out of reach, some of her previous fire returned. "This wasn't you. You don't do this--" she pointed at her bad arm "--for nothing. You've repeated to me time and time again that you just want to be left to your own devices, and I've respected that for the most part. But this..."

Elia took a few steps back towards her own chair, but she didn't sit down. She simply rested a hand on its back as her mind attempted to recalculate what had occurred. I was so flaming sure it was Murdock! Knowing that had been frightening, but now not knowing who her attackers were, that was worse. The Keeper was a known element, but this?

"Murdock, what is it that you do know about Vaidulo?" The Indigo twisted her head to look down at him. "Because if that wasn't you..." Then who the hell was behind it?

[Chris]

Le Murdock Ah well, it was amusing while it lasted. Murdock was quite glad he hadn't outright lied and claimed responsibility, that would have been more difficult to defend. As it was he just gave a lazy smile as Elia moved back to her seat, looking a little less like a wet lettuce and more like an Aes Sedai. "It took you long enough," he commented. "I wouldn't be nearly so sloppy."

The woman was clearly trying to work out the "who" of it, and the Far Maddinger could have sat listening to her try to work it out with some amusement, but as it was he figured it was probably better for her to know now that she had experienced Viadulo for herself. "I don't have any leads. I didn't look all too closely," he said matter of factly. Green eyes looked him over and he met the gaze with a small shrug, "I don't think it was the Black Ajah here. Most curious - men and women working together, but not of the Grey." It didn't make him lose any sleep, it stood to reason that the Great Lord of the Dark had an influence in a great many areas away from the Grey Tower, but then he wasn't the one with a stick for an arm now.

Murdock wiped his hands of any biscuit crumbs and carefully got to his feet. "I have some files," he said as he limped towards his sleeping chambers. He did give Elia a small smile on his way past, "you'll get used to it, you know. Everyone seeing your weakness. It's only physical, and it does come with the delightful side effect of people thinking you far less capable than you actually are." For a woman with more than her healthy share of ego, it was probably a tougher pill to swallow, but Murdock knew that over time, a scream became a yawn, and one simply got used to what was.

In his room, plainly furnished and smelling faintly of old wood, Murdock made his way to a bookshelf and seized Saidin long enough to unlock the closed doors and remove the wards. He took out a slim tome and carried it to his desk, opening it on one simple page: Viadulo. It had a page of incidents he had logged, but Murdock's notes were all encrypted and he wasn't about to share the key with Elia. Instead, he read it out. The news of disappearances, of a travelling Aes Sedai who passed through and her disappearance after a second visit. Trade routes shifting, making less visits. Noise. Trolloc sightings. Murdock's own response: possibly a base of power. Do nothing. Planned excursion - have fun.

Then of course he had updated the file with the reports from the Yellow Ajah, encrypted still of course, but Elia knew what happened seeing as she was there. The tall man said, "I doubt anyone will be back there - it's outlived its usefulness. I've got eyes and ears keeping a lookout on the surrounding area in case there were any survivors wanting to rebuild, but I think it unlikely that we will hear anything for a while. I see no resources or interest from the Grey Tower prior to your visit - I don't think it was anything to do with us." Not helpful for Elia, ominous perhaps, but Murdock wasn't going to have any restless nights over it.

[Craig]

Elia

It shouldn't have been too much of a surprise to find that Murdock had a literal file on Vaidulo -- he was the Keeper of the Archives and a Brown Asha'man after all -- but it was another indication that she'd been underestimating Murdock. She stored that away to be scrutinised later.

His evidence provided some insight, assuming it was both truthful and accurate. They were not from my Black Ajah. That was a comfort, knowing she had no impending civil war to deal with. But they were still channellers, and they knew my name. Now that was a troubling thought. How on earth does one root out spies and liars in an organisation of spies and liars? It seemed unlikely to be either a Black Ajah of the White Tower or Black Tower, saying neither would cross across the genders. So who under the Light is it? Elia chewed on her upper lip. Too many questions and insufficient answers.

Elia's malachite eyes glared into the middle distance. "Your research should including learning anything you can about the origins of these Darkfriends." Her voice sounded distant. She was still thinking about who this newfound faction of Darkfriends could be. A group led by one of the Forsaken seemed the most probable, but if so, why not simply assume command of the Black Ajah or a part thereof?

She waved a hand over the file as her focus on Murdock returned. "You've done well. You may not care for politics, but you deserve a lofty position amongst us regardless." She shrugged as if to say it didn't matter whether he accepted the offer or not. Pain shot up her withered limb from the gesture. Wincing and hissing, the shrug looked more like an impression of a hunchback. Instinctively she held her bad arm with her good hand, which did nothing to lessen the effect.

Moving back to the chair, Elia took her seat carefully. She rested her right arm on her lap, minimising any further movement or pain. She waited for him to return into her vision before continuing. "Mark me Murdock, something is afoot. And one way or another, it will circle back to bite at us if we can't find it first. You may wish to be left alone, but I have a feeling this will not leave us alone." One finger jabbed into the arm of the chair to emphasise her point. "I have a lingering feeling that Vaidulo was a testing ground for something larger. Pray that we don't see it in Hama Valon next."

[Chris]

Murdock The great thing about being an Asha'man was that Murdock could conduct his own research as he pleased. Elia's suggestion slash order slash strong recommendation that he look up this darkfriend activity, even though it was idly offered, only served to show how used she was to giving instructions. Even though he didn't jump when she said "frog", she gave such edicts regardless. One had to admire her temerity. He only had a polite interest in what they were doing and sure, he might pay more attention now they were faced with a larger problem than first anticipated, but honestly? He wasn't losing sleep over it.

Back in his seat, Murdock sat heavily, giving the Indigo a bemused look. "You are always looking at things in terms of power and position Elia, but mark my words: I am not interested in a lofty position in the Ajah. All I want is Giselle, and to find my missing daughters. Perhaps when you have your own children, your understanding would change, because I could not be any less interested in my standing with the Blacks."

Normally Murdock might have sounded more irate and curt, but on this occasion the tall man was simply tired, because repeating himself was a huge pain - not to mention, the actual futile act of trying to get what he wanted was hard. How could he not manage to find his children? People did not simply disappear! And yet that was exactly the case so far. Maybe that was why he was less concerned about the potential troubles associated with Viadulo than Elia... but maybe it was also because he wasn't the one prone to sticking his neck above everyone else, determined to be on top. Look where it got Elia!

"What do you propose we do then Elia?" he asked, but his tone was unconcerned. The following yawn was unplanned, but it was there. He barely bothered to stifle it with the back of his hand, dark brown eyes settling back on the woman. "If there is some grand plan to topple the Grey Tower in the near future, then we are in trouble because you are going to be too busy being pregnant to have a real hold over the Black Ajah, not to mention your arm. I think people will notice when the Head of the Ajah is getting round at the same time as you." The man went on, more thoughtful and contemplative than anything because he wasn't all that invested in Elia's plight with these mysterious folk Rending their esteemed leader. "We could always find them, and combine our efforts if we know what their plan is. We all have the same boss, no?" Murdock gave a wry smile. Surely Elia would just love to have more people to boss around?