The Grey Tower

Beron Faim Introduction
Beron stood before the desk of the Mistress of Arms, along with other Drin’far’ji who had been plucked from the stream of men and women heading towards their morning repast. The Gaidin who had collected them had said little, simply mentioning that Rihanna Gaidin required a word with all of them. And so he had quietly proceeded to her office, where he now stood trying his best to wait patiently under the watchful eyes of the Gaidin.

Suddenly the door slammed open, and as the group of trainees turned to view the newcomer, Beron was shocked to see that it was yet another Gaidin. He had thought the Mistress of Training would have arrived, although Beron was not so lost in thought as to miss the fact the man wore his fancloak. The shimmering material made it difficult to watch his movements towards them; and Beron often felt his eyes wanting to slide off the unfamiliar man.

“The Mistress of Training sends her regrets, but she was needed with the other leaders. She sent me to give you the basics,” said the Tairen as he rubbed his eyes, the smoke from the fireplace bothering him.

“As you may or not know, the Grey Tower has been taking in Novices from the ruins of the White Tower for training. Lately word has reached us of developments there; lawlessness and banditry in the countryside, sickness and lack of supplies in the city itself,” he snarled and clenched his hands tightly. “We didn’t fight as hard as we did to rid that place of the Shadow only to see it fall into banditry or worse, and so the M'hael has chosen to send a force to aid Tar Valon.”

The Tairen pointed to a map of the city that had been unrolled on the desk. With broad strokes he gestured to many of the areas of concern, including trying to explain how the Tower’s fall had damaged much of the city.

“You were all chosen on the advice of Aes Sedai or Ashaman who thought you were up to this task. You will aid in the preparations of the Healers, they will be sending a large contingent to help alleviate the sickness there. After that, you will be expected to aide, protect and patrol with the remains of the city guard. Gather weapons as needed from the Armoury, and then prepare. We leave as soon as the channellers are ready,” the Gaidin finished just before leaving as abruptly as he arrived.

It’s like kicking a hornets nest, one blow and the whole hive buzzes Beron thought to himself as he studied the map of Tar Valon, trying to get a sense of the island he had never seen.

As he made his way to collect his weapons from the Armoury, he considered the orders the Warder Yard trainees has been given. It made sense to him that the M'hael would want to stem the rot caused by the loss of the leadership in Tar Valon. There was no use for another war zone like Amadicia.

———

A few chimes later found Beron and other learning ranks helping prepare the string of carts and ponies that would be carrying much needed supplies. There were conflicting rumours buzzing through the ranks; although Beron was impressed to see that none shirked their duty or let their nerves overwhelm them.

Accepted and Soldiers moved through the supplies, using Wards to help seal the food or medicine within from rot and spoilage. Beron had hoped to touch base with Gareth, using the mission as a chance to work on his healing skill, although he knew his skills as a scout would most likely lead him to patrolling. And when he had arrived, a Ji’val had quickly seized the chance to have a steady hand with the horses. And so Beron checked tack, repacked loads that would have caused sores over time, all while keeping the well trained mounts content.

Soon the Healers will be ready, then we begin thought Beron to himself as he imagined the possibilities such a situation could survive. Touching the handkerchief in his jacket pocket, he idly wondered if Isla would be part of the Healer delegation; although he had little time to dwell on that thought; for he soon spotted a contingent of Gaidin. These men and women moved with the grace and strength of the large cats that prowled the high country. Their faces showed little emotion, and Beron guessed many had already assumed the ko’di in preparation of whatever was found on the other side. A sweet note pealed over the Travelling Yard, and Beron grabbed several leads, preparing to lead the pack ponies through the soon to form Gateway.

Maever Donovan, First Weaver of the Yellow Ajah The Infirmary was a hive of activity that morning, with Yellows, Dedicated and Accepted taking supplies from storage to be carted off through various Gateways to the White Tower, or what remained of it. Normally Maever would have been there himself, but the M'Hael had summoned him for a meeting beforehand, and then invited (read: strongly advised) Maever to be present when he Travelled to Tar Valon.

The Illianer knew he needed to be presentable, and to represent the Grey Tower at its best, but he was much more interested in keeping things smooth with the Healers. He knew the Yellow Ajah would do its best, and there were many competent men and women who could look after affairs in his absence, but Maever wanted to help in the way he best could, not sit looking serious for the sake of appearances. They might as well dress up one of the more manly Dedicated, for all the use it would be.

So before they left Maever contented himself with checking up on the healing supplies they were taking along. Linen, bedding, cloth, poultices, some makeshift tents, they would be setting up a miniature Infirmary and Maever wanted to help. Most people checked things were on track and that they had everything, but Maever was more emotive with his checking up on people. Instead he would ask "how do you be?" and "do everything be ok?". This often translated to people telling him if there were logistical problems, but overall it was Maever's natural tendency to observe their wellbeing first and foremost.

This was all performed in his best uniform. The Asha'man had a neat, fitted uniform with a yellow shirt, and his yellow cord was pristine clean as well. The White Tower might not approve of their Ajahs, but Maever was Yellow through and through. How he wanted to prove it today!

But no. Instead, after checking the Yellows were good and that their trainees knew what they were doing, Maever was beckoned back to the leading party that would be heading on through first. Hopefully they will no be asking me to say anything, Maever thought to himself, and the meetings do no be taking long. Even better, I do no be needed, so I can leave. We do have Sitters instead for that. He fell into line and carefully mounted Gumdrop, looking ahead at the rest of their group and feeling as if he was in the wrong place.

-----
Feroce Liendin, M'Hael After the White Tower's unfortunate collapse, Feroce was a busy man. Not only did he have to handle the Grey Tower, the fact that their Amyrlin was a Darkfriend who probably orchestrated some of this White Tower nonsense, but he also had to assure Tar Valon that they were there to help, not hinder. Two Towers, for one man? Well. Who needed sleep anyway?

Not trusting Elia to handle any of this, Feroce took it upon himself to arrange the support for the White Tower. Unlike every other M'Hael and Amyrlin they seemed to have, he didn't intend on sending out his best channellers and Gaidin, leaving them open for potential attack. No, it was a diverse group he was sending. At least, it was a diverse group he was telling his Ajah Heads to send along. Trainees would do well from the experience and bulk out their numbers.

He was meeting with a group of Aes Sedai, Sitters he presumed, from the White Tower as well. While they helped Tar Valon and repaired what they could, Feroce and his own team would meet with these women and discuss an alliance going forwards. The Shadow was trying to actively split their Towers in half. It had worked for the White, and it was certainly making a lot of effort for the Grey Tower as well. They needed to support one another, none of this ridiculous kidnapping of unimportant Asha'man getting everyone in an irrational state. Surely they could see an alliance was in their best interests - and if they didn't, Feroce would convince them of it in this meeting.

He was taking along some of his higher representatives of the Grey Tower. It was important to select the correct people, displaying how diverse and skilled the Grey Tower was. Men and women with varying points of view would make Feroce look fair and unbiased. Having emotional sops like Maever would display their "heart" and their "compassion". A strong representative from their Warders would show they... knew how to hit things with swords. Feroce picked the right tools for the job, and this was no less than 6 other people. There would be seven Aes Sedai, and seven of them including non-channellers, again because they were supposed to be on the same level as a channeller. As if anyone actually believed that.

He sat atop his sturdy, proud horse, a light grey thing. Feroce didn't know much about horses, he actually had important things to do, but this one was placid enough. He wore his uniform, sharp black and well fitted, with the rainbow cord. He was going to have Murdock come along as well but the gangly man was more suited to, well, not trying to impress anyone, and he wanted to get there in a timely manner instead of waiting on the man with the limp. He didn't need introducing, they should know who he is. If they didn't before, they certainly would after.

When his other 6 folk were present and ready in an arrow formation - him at the front of course - Feroce raised his arm, signalling that they were to Travel to Tar Valon. Large Gateways formed, taking the various groups to pre-determined locations where they could administer aid. Feroce's own group were heading to a previously agreed location where they could discuss matters privately, in a building appropriately Warded and guarded. It was as neutral a location as the Aes Sedai were willing to offer and the M'Hael had conceded on this point.

Spoiler: show

OOC: If you think your character is "important" enough to be chosen for Feroce's meeting then they are welcome to come along, though I won't be writing the outcome of the meeting until I've talked about the direction we're heading with the White Tower.

Nate will be joining in a short while but apparently Maever is off to this meeting as well for the time being... he will have told the Yellows he'd try to get to them as soon as possible.