A New Adventure (Attn: Anyone)

[Steven]

Keiran Taravin **Feel free to join in!** Keiran expected the Grey Tower to be massive. He’d heard stories about how it was constructed using the One Power. It was truly an incredible sight to behold, looking every bit like it belonged among the towering peaks of the Mountains of Mist surrounding it. What he did not expect, was the sprawling city around it. Even now, he could see buildings being constructed outside the city walls. Growth was a good sign. People wouldn’t flock to the Tower if it wasn’t doing good in the world.

He exchanged a look with Kaci. She had been silent the entire journey. It was an adventure, sure. An adventure that ended the lives they knew and charted them a new course. A course on which their future was no longer certain. Their signet rings would carry little weight here, even if the land was technically part of Andor. Aes Sedai and Asha’man have their own order and hierarchy, one in which nobility was as unimportant as the shape of your face. Keiran suppressed a sigh. Change will be good, he thought.

They passed through the city gates with ease. The Tower delegation they traveled with made sure of that. Their traveling party was anything but small. The delegation consisted of half a dozen Asha’man and Aes Sedai, none of which were talkative. Kaci was accompanied by a detachment of Taravin Freedom Guards two dozen strong. They had sent word ahead, and purchased the exclusive use of a relatively new and large local Inn. He had to give her credit, Kaci had a solid vision and plan for the work she intended to do in Hama Valon to occupy her time. Kaci and Keiran shared their passion for the orphan children they created the Freedom Guard to protect. He had the utmost faith in her ability to start their campaign fresh in this region of Andor.

Keiran was admonished by one of the Asha’man not to gallivant around the city long before reporting to the Tower. It wasn’t until they had parted ways that Keiran realized he didn’t have the slightest clue who to see, or where to go. Obviously, he was to report to the Tower, but the place was enormous. He envisioned himself lost in a forbidden area of the Tower where he would be caught and imprisoned. Chuckling quietly to himself, he was awaked from his own thoughts by Kaci’s hand on his shoulder.

Kaci gave Keiran a weak smile. “This is the Inn, little brother. I…” she trailed off and turned her head the other way. She dismounted, handing her reigns to one of her soldiers. Turning her gaze back to Keiran she laid a hand on his knee, “We have a lot to do before night falls, and you better not keep the Tower waiting.” Keiran swallowed the knot in his throat, determined not to let the tears flow. He knew Kaci would be so close, but the Asha’man had cautioned them that it wouldn’t be as easy to see each other as they had hoped. “I’ll come find you tomorrow. Promise.” She squeezed his knee before letting go and walking towards the Inn. Stopping in the entryway, her hand gripping the frame of the door, she glanced back at Keiran over her shoulder and gave him a warm smile with a wink. The same wink she always gave when she was about to get herself in trouble.

Keiran didn’t want to linger. He still had no clue where he was supposed to report. He supposed he would stable his horse and ask for directions. Channeling is still rare though, so he doubted he could ask a stable hand, “Where do I sign up?” He laughed out loud as he pictured someone giving him step by step directions into the Tower. ‘Up the stairs, two lefts, then a right, three more lefts, through a door and up the stairs six flights and you’re there! Piece of cake.’ Not likely. It was a bit ironic though. Since entering Hama Valon, Keiran had been mapping each intersection in his head. He would have no trouble finding the Inn again.

The city was brimming with activity. He had passed a number of shops and miniature markets already. Shopkeepers hawked their wares and prices. He tossed a few coppers to a kind looking lady with a round belly. She was selling a beef pie with a crust so golden it rivaled Kaci’s hair. Keiran was starving, and he was certain the first thing the Tower asked him to do was not going to be to eat a meal. The streets were cleaner than he expected. A rapidly expanding city such as this was bound to experience growing pains. He made a mental note to ask Kaci about the condition of the rest of the city.

Keiran finally came upon the Tower Gate. Apparently the delegation had given his description to the Guards because they waved him right along. The stables weren’t hard to find. They never were really, if you just followed your nose. “She’s a beauty,” the stable hand remarked. He was about Keiran’s age, with a dark shadow of facial hair growing in stark contrast to Keiran’s bare chin. “Thanks, she was a gift.” His father had given her to him on his fifteenth name day. She had powerful legs, a shimmering mane of black hair, and a coat with alternating lines of black and white. “Her name is Quinn. She’s a Razor from Arad Doman.” Handing the boy a silver coin, “Would you make sure she gets her exercise? I don’t imagine they”, he gestured to the Tower, “will let me ride her again soon.” The boy gave Keiran a toothy grin and a bow, “On my honor!” Keiran nodded his appreciation. He grabbed his pack and turned towards the Tower. “New recruit?” the boy asked. Keiran gave him a look and a half smile to show he was nervous, “That obvious?” He laughed at Keiran. “Always is,” he replied as he led Quinn away.

This was it. The several days journey from Caemlyn was torture. None of the Aes Sedai or Asha’man would talk to him to let him know what to expect. Not long ago, they used to kill boys who had the spark. Now they trained them, gave them titles and responsibility. It was hard to imagine what was in store. Keiran was nervous, maybe a little scared. But, there was also excitement and an eagerness to learn. This opportunity was something others dreamed of. He was slightly ashamed of his fear. This would be a new adventure. Though, it wasn’t starting out well at all.

He hadn’t taken time to marvel at the Tower looming overhead. He was too caught up in his thoughts about Kaci. He found himself climbing some massive stairs and walking through two enormous open doors. There was a flurry of activity, dozens of people darting this way and that. No one paid him any mind. He counted at least 8 different directions he could go.

“Okay, I’m lost. Already.” His shoulders slumped. He hadn’t realized he said that out loud. He was too flustered. A long ride from Caemlyn. Separated from Kaci, and not a single familiar face in sight. Keiran laughed at the mental image he had of himself at that very moment. Standing at the entrance to the Grey Tower and lost. They would think him a fool, standing there in his black leather pants tied up the side from his boot to his hip with a thick silver cord. His black boots with a high flare covered in silver scrollwork. His shirt was even more ridiculous, pale blue silk, a hue similar to his eyes, with silver brocade. Then he remembered his cloak, blazoned with silver stitching in the Taravin sigil of Owl and Oak. I didn’t think this through. He knew as soon as they found out he was here to be trained, he would listen to a lecture about his worthless past. Keiran sighed.

[Sunny]

Sinead knelt beside a stream. Even after months spent in Cairhien, she still marveled at how much water flowed in the lands west of the Dragonwall, and how uncaring the wetlanders were of the precious resource they had so much of. She had avoided human habitation for the majority of her journey from Rhuidean, opting to live off the land and travel swiftly to avoid the side long looks and distrust she unerringly received from wetlanders. It had been a long and lonely journey, but she had followed her directions carefully, and now she rested only a short distance from Hama Valon.

The Aiel drank from her hands, lost in thought. She had not expected the reluctance that surged in her heart at the thought of going to the Grey Tower. She could not turn aside from her destination without losing all honor and becoming dat'sang in her people's eyes, and yet.... her gaze drifted over the land before her. There were so many places she had not seen, so many people she had not spoken to. The familiar weight of the spears and bow slung on her back seemed oddly heavy, too, a reminder that soon she would give them up. Would the Aes Sedai allow her to continue to practice, or would she become soft as a tittering treekiller? Not that all treekillers are soft, she thought, her lips curving fondly as she thought of her near-sister Larana.

After a few more minutes of delay, the inevitable pull of ji'e'toh pulled the red head to her feet, and back on the road.

---

The closer she got to Hama Valon, the harder it grew to avoid people. Finally, standing in a thicket, she realized she had no choice but to take the main road from that point on. She slipped from the trees and joined the stream of people. Several travelers visibly started when she appeared, but she quickly out disanced them. Someday maybe she would meet them again, but at that moment she had more pressing business elsewhere.

She passed through the gates of Hama Valon behind an entourage of what she recognized as some noble houses's personal servants and soldiers, surrounding two bright-haired children on horses. The guards put their hands on their sword hilts as she drew near, and she shoook her head with a laugh. Wetlanders! Their little group wouldn't stand a chance against her. They turned to talk among themselves, glances occasionally directed her way, and she went on her way.

Hama Valon was a beautiful city, and for a short period she allowed herself the privilege of simply wandering. However, soon enough she turned her feet toward the Grey Tower. The guards at the gate let her in without comment; she supposed that this home of Aes Sedai had no reason to fear a lone Aielwoman. She strode along the broad path toward the Tower itself, then mounted the steps leading to the great door, and into a chamber larger than any she had seen, even in the Cairhienin royal court.

People bustled about, some clad in white like gai'shain, some in black, some in work clothes. She saw the ageless face of an Aes Sedai weaving through the crowd, but she vanished quickly. The noise after so long spent alone, was nearly intolerable. She moved to the side, intending to take a moment to orient herself and decide what to do next. She heard a male voice say "Okay, I'm lost. Already," and the poorly-hidden forlorn tone of the statement drew her attention. She turned, and found herself face to face with the young man who had been at the center of the guards at the gate. Interesting.

"It is quite large, isn't it?" She asked. His clothes were ridiculous, but she saw no overt reason to dislike him beyond that. He could hardly help how he was raised. "Are you here to become gaidin?" she asked curiously.

[Steven]

Keiran Taravin Keiran blinked. The woman who spoke to him was taller than any he had seen before. He quickly regained his composure so she wouldn’t notice his surprise. Her fiery red hair, her clothing, and least of all her height. There was no doubt she was Aiel. Very few Aiel journeyed to Andor. Of those who had, Keiran had met none. Until now. Keiran suppressed his overwhelming desire to ask her any of the dozen questions that immediately popped into his head. Instead, he frantically searched for an Aiel greeting he remembered from a book him and Kaci read not long before his departure to the Tower.

Keiran stood as tall as he could and flashed a warm smile, “May you find shade this day, my lady.” He hoped he had that right. With a chuckle, “Large. I don’t even know where to start. A person could get lost in here for a fortnight.”

Noticing the spears and bow slung across her back, Keiran took a moment to observe her without being obvious. She had piercing green eyes, filled with confidence. Her demeanor was casual, she seemed at ease. Keiran surmised that she must have spent at least a moderate amount of time in other cities, around…what did they call them? Wetlanders? He made a mental note to write their Librarian back home to send him that book on Aiel customs. In fact, he would probably ask for a few about some of the other cultures he was less familiar with. The Grey Tower was likely to see all types.

Continuing his appraisal, Keiran noticed almost all the Aiel woman’s limbs, where he could see her skin, contained a collection of scars. She was no stranger to combat and most likely rarely saw a threat she wouldn’t face. What would it be like to have such courage? He supposed that one day he might find out. Asha’man and Aes Sedai had little to fear. Save maybe the Dark One. And his Forsaken too. If he wasn’t expending effort to maintain his composure and hide his excitement from the Aiel, a shiver would have worked its way down his spine. May I never meet any of them…

His mind returning to reality, Keiran realized he failed to introduce himself. “Pardon my rudeness, my lady. I am Keiran of House Taravin, from Caemlyn. I am here to become Asha’man.” Keiran gave her a friendly smile and remembered an Aiel saying of respect, “Your honor is mine,” he told her while bowing his head slightly and maintaining eye contact. Wait until I tell Kaci I met an Aiel Spear Maiden on my first day, she will be so jealous!

[Sunny]

Sinead hid a smile at the young man's awkward attempts to be courteous. He takes more care to my culture than many, she admitted silently. He did not avoid her gaze, did not hide his curiosity. He was entirely, refreshingly frank. Compared to the constant plotting and odd mind games that the treekillers enjoyed, and which she had spent the last few years making every effort to dodge, it was as refreshing as a bubbling spring after a long summer run.

"I see you Keiran of House Taravin," she said formally, inclining her head ever so slightly. For an Aiel, that was a strong gesture of respect indeed. "I am Sinead of the Nine Valleys sept of the Taardad Aiel. I am here....to become a novice." Her voice took on a hesitant tone as she spoke, but curiosity quickly replaced her uncertainty.

"You are to be an Asha'man? They train men here, too?" She had not known that. What manner of place had she come to? She knew the car'a'carn had cleansed the Source, but her culture still dictated that male channelers went to fight the Dark One. How many of them abandoned honor and came here, instead? Can it truly be considered abandoning honor if they are no longer doomed to go insane? Could they become Wise Ones instead? The thought troubled her; she tucked it away for later consideration. Perhaps it was time for the Aiel to consider a change in their traditions.

Before Keiran could respond, a dark-haired woman in a white dress with a striped hem approached them. "What is your business here?" she asked. Her eyes had widened when she saw Sinead, but now she kept her gaze carefully on their faces.

"We can channel," Sinead said. "We are...here to learn." Keiran nodded agreement.

"Very well. Please follow me." The woman turned and walked away, leaving the two mismatched travelers to stay or follow as they saw fit. Sinead exchanged a glance with her companion, then set off.

"Truly, you are going to be Asha'man?" She asked again as they walked. "Do you know much about the Grey Tower?"

[Steven]

Keiran Taravin Keiran walked with Sinead as they followed the Accepted girl through the maze of twists and turns. An Aiel Novice. He was sure that was not a common occurrence. She was friendly too, with none of the hostility that many claimed the Aiel possessed. Maybe the books were wrong? If that were so, then the Royal spies reporting to the Crown must exaggerate as well. Most likely out of fear, or misunderstanding.

The halls were decorated with colorful tapestries depicting scenes of all types. A variety of trinkets from across the world lined shelves and filled tables pressed against the smooth grey stone walls. The sound of each footfall magnified by the stone, and echoed by the high ceilings. They walked briskly past innumerable unmarked and gilded wooden doors. Keeping a mental map of the Tower was going to be a challenge, but Keiran was confident he was up to the task.

Sinead glanced at him and spoke, “Truly, you are going to be Asha’man? Do you know much about the Grey Tower?”

“Only a little. I know that the Grey Tower was created in opposition to the policies of the White Tower and the methods of the Black Tower. I have met a good deal of Grey Tower Aes Sedai and Asha’man. While they have never freely given any information about the Tower, they have all been courteous and honorable.” Keiran recalled the painfully quiet ride from Caemlyn, neither the Aes Sedai nor Asha’man willing to help him understand what to expect at the Tower. “I suppose we’ll have to learn the rest together?” He glanced at Sinead and gave her a warm smile.

The Accepted showed them each to see the Mistress of Novices and Master of Soldiers separately. They signed their names in the books and endured the recitation of a long list of rules, guidelines, and recommendations. The most uncomfortable part was being asked to strip to his skin as he watched the Master of Soldiers incinerate his clothes with the One Power. He would certainly miss his pants and boots, but he couldn’t say he was sad to see the shirt go. The look of horror on Keiran’s face when he was asked to toss the signet ring around his neck into the flames as well must have been his saving grace. Thankfully he was allowed to keep it with an oath that he wouldn’t again wear it on his finger until the day he is raised to Asha’man.

The new clothes he was given were plain but comfortable. The coat was black, unadorned, and cut in the Andoran style that Keiran was familiar with. The boots were not as supple as he was used to, but they were of a quality build, sturdy and caused no discomfort. They were tight, but would be broken in soon enough. The pants were a thick leather, loose enough not to hinder any sudden movements. In a way, he was pleased to blend in. He felt enormously out of place in his previous attire. Sinead. He wondered how she fared in the burning of her things.

[Sunny]

The woman in the white dress led them through the Tower, along a path, and into the center of an enormous structure. Then they climbed stair after stair, the railing the only thing separating them from a long fall to an indoor courtyard below. Finally they stopped at the top, at a place where two doors faced each other across an expanse of marble floor.

The stranger directed Keiran to one of those doors, then led Sinead to the other, knocking for her as if Sinead did not know the rules of propriety. Biting back the annoyance that that presumption evoked, Sinead entered the room.

The conversation she had there perplexed her. The red haired woman within spoke with a drawl that made it difficult for Sinead to understand her, and she was heavy with child- not at all the type of woman Sinead had expected to encounter at the Grey Tower. Her name was Illyria, and it seemed she would be the one in charge of Sinead’s training. Despite her gravid condition, the Aes Sedai wore authority the same way the Wise Ones did, however, and therefore Sinead listened with the same level of respect.

She was asked to set aside her weapons and remove her clothes. Quirking an eyebrow at the request –in her experience wetlanders had problems with doing things in their skin- she stripped without comment, folding her clothes and setting them neatly on a chair, her spears, bow case, dagger, arrows, and small bag of personal belongings set to the side against the wall.

The fire did surprise her, as her cadin’sor burst into flames. She bit her lip, but superimposed over the fire was a memory of watching a former Maiden break her own spears and melt down the tips for trinkets after returning from Rhuidean to become a Wise One. Nothing could be more painful than that. After the fire died down, the Mistress of Novice assured her that she would be able to wear whatever clothing she wished, even adding that no one would find it shameful if she returned to the cadin’sor. They may not, but will I?

The white dress she was expected to don afterward did give her pause. She hesitated for long moments. The color and cut were no different than that of the gai’shain, and from the Aes Sedai’s commentary, novice life would also have similarities. Although Illyria assured her that novices engaged in weapons practice, Sinead still felt uncomfortable. She had done nothing shameful, but the white dress held the weight of a year and a day of toh.

After acknowledging that her possessions would be returned to her once she had earned them, Sinead signed her name, age, and origin at the top of a new page in an enormous book, and was released back into the hall.

To her surprise, Keiran sat on the bench there, dressed in all black that did not complement his fair hair in the slightest. She grinned at him, abruptly feeling better about what she had just been through. “I could eat a horse,” she said cheerfully. “Illyria…Sedai….told me I had the afternoon to acquaint myself with the Tower before the real work begins. Would you like to join me, Keiran Taravin?”

[Steven]

Keiran watched as Sinead left the Mistress of Novice’s office. He had difficulty placing the emotion that was evident on her face before she spotted him and grinned. Was it anger or shame? Whatever it was, it faded in her cheerful smile. “I could eat a horse, Illyria…Sedai…told me I have the afternoon to acquaint myself with the Tower before the real work begins. Would you like to join me, Keiran Taravin?”

Keiran nodded, “I would like that! One of the other Soldiers told me if it were his first day, he would take his meal to the Gardens. There is apparently a Waterfall there that uses the One Power!” Keiran thought about that while he had been waiting on Sinead to finish with the burning of her clothes as well. How his life would change. How many incredible things he would see. How many incredible things he would do. For a second, his heart felt heavy. Keiran always talked these things through with Kaci. They used to love to talk about all the different futures they could imagine for themselves. Kaci would write them into her stories while Keiran made his sketches. The sadness quickly faded in Sinead’s playful smile though.

The pair got lost a few times on the way to the Dining Hall. Keiran was thankful when an Accepted girl offered to escort them on her way to the Kitchens for cleaning duty. Something that Keiran and Sinead both had to look forward to. Keiran silently steeled himself for the inevitable embarrassment when he starts doing chores. He was never required to do…almost anything on his own. For now though, he would have to embrace things as they came. The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills.

A kindly lady from the Kitchens gave Keiran and Sinead a bundle of food wrapped and tied in cloth. “Oh it’s just always so good to see new faces in the Tower!” she chimed. “There’s fresh hot bread, a bit of smoked fish, a wedge of cheese, and a few small pieces of fruit. That should be plenty, but if you feel the need for more just come right back and ask for Willa!” Keiran smiled and expressed his gratitude.

Sinead and Keiran made their way to the Tower Gardens. Keiran amused himself at the thought of such an unlikely pair. It would make a good satire. An Aiel Spear-Maiden and an Andoran Lord take the Grey Tower by storm. He laughed out loud at the thought. Sinead’s sidelong glance seemed to demand explanation. “We make an interesting pair, huh? Do you feel as out of place as—“, Keiran stopped in his tracks. He had been so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t really notice where they were walking. They were in the gardens, standing in front of a small bridge over a seemingly lazy river. The dull roar of a waterfall is what caught his attention. Off to their left was a massive waterfall seemingly pouring out of the top of a solid grey stone wall covered in green vines, thriving off the mist from the falls. Keiran was speechless.

[Laura]

((OOC: Hope it's OK for me to jump in. A bit nervous, but there's no better way than just diving in headfirst right? ))


The journey had been a bit long and quite tiring, but Eirinn took comfort from the knowledge that at least this place was still part of Andor, though it was quite different from home in Caemlyn. She spent parts of the trip gawking, and the rest deep in thought, wondering what this new part of her life would bring. She did not know much about how Aes Sedai became Aes Sedai. Was it difficult? Their ageless faces made it hard to tell just how old they were. And the woman who escorted her was fairly reticent on the matter. Eirinn could not even really picture herself as an Aes Sedai, with their self assured calm and quiet aura of power. It was almost laughable to see herself in their boots.

I will make it. No matter what. I have to. Someday I will come home and help protect Andor along with my brother...when I'm an Aes Sedai. She steeled herself mentally as they approached the tower. The sky was bereft of clouds and so bright it seemed a good omen for a new start. The grounds were huge. It was more like a city than she had imagined. So many people of different kinds were passing in and out she could hardly take stock of them. It became a blur as she was led up one corridor and down another, and eventually deposited outside the door of someone called the "Mistess of Novices", where she was left rather unceremoniously alone by her traveling companion.

The woman who greeted her was quite nice at first, though her mind was such a flutter she did not catch everything the woman had to say. She just could not make her heart stop racing or kill the thousands of thoughts that came to her mind. But Eirinn's eyes widened in horror as all of her clothes were instantly incinerated from flame out of nowhere. She felt a pang of regret for her nice warm cloak which had been tailored to fit her by her mother. When she was asked for her jewelry Eirinn held her breath as she took them off, thinking Oh no, oh Light, please don't burn those!. They had been a farewell gift from her mother, and was now the only thing she possessed to remind her of home. Eirinn thought she just might cry to see them destroyed. But thankfully, it was explained to her that they would be held, pending them time when she was either raised or sent home. It was hard to part with them but certainly better than what she had imagined.

The white dress she was given felt homespun and a bit scratchy. Eirinn wondered if a few washings might soften it, but did not have time to entertain the thought as she was ushered out by another novice in white, barely managing to stammer out a "Thank you Aes Sedai". She was led deep into the tower amidst a veritable sea of white clad faces, most her age or a bit older. Each one scurried by at a hurried p[ace, sometimes accidentally jarring her slightly. A number of turns and twists later they arrived at what would be her room. It was sparse, basically a bed and a desk on first inspection. She sprawled out on the bed feeling for softness. It was not a luxurious down bed, but it was comfortable. If she lay here much longer, with the exhaustion of the journey, Eirinn knew she would fall asleep and miss her only free day. I had better get up and go find my way around, she thought, reluctantly rousing herself.

She tried her best to remember the turns she made as she left but after about a half hour of wandering she realized she was no longer in the novice area, and had no idea how to get back. Looking at people and places as she walked had proved too distracting and Eirin found herself hopelessly lost. There was still plenty of time in the free day so it did not worry her overmuch but she decided it would be best to at least look around for other novices in case she had to ask directions later. She spotted one running by with an armful of books and called out "Pardon me...", but her words never reached the running girl. It appeared all that novices did was scurry and run. No one would stay still long enough to speak two words with her.

Well this is no fun. I haven't learned my way around, have no idea where I am, and no one to talk to., She was in danger of beginning to feel a bit sorry for herself when she meandered into an open garden. It was well maintained and quite beautiful and did a lot to lift her spirits as she leaned in to smell the rose bushes. A soft roaring attracted her attention and the brunette rushed toward the sound. There before her was a waterfall, seemingly coming straight out of vine-wrapped stone. Mists played along the bottom of the falls, sometimes creating a faint image of a rainbow amidst the water droplets. "Oh, it's beautiful!", she exclaimed out loud, spinning around wide eyed to see if anyone else was marveling in the strange beauty of the falling water.

To her surprise, not far from her was a novice in white that was not scurrying, running, nor carrying books. She and her companion actually seemed to be interested in the falls as well. Realizing her exclamation probably attracted attention anyway she approached the pair. "Hello. I'm Eirinn. Sorry if I've disturbed you. Actually, do you know where exactly we are? It's my first day and I seem to be terribly lost." She gave the pair a sheepish grin, blushing a bit pink in her cheeks.

[Sunny]

It had been a long time indeed since Sinead had worn anything other than the cadin'sor, and her legs seemed to have grown three inches and four extra knees as soon as she donned the vast expanses of white cloth the novice dress was made of. She hid her discomfort from Keiran as best she could. If wetlander women could walk around wearing curtains about their middles, she could learn as well.

The hardest part of the trip to the Kitchens proved to be navigating the stairs. She managed that unenviable task by lifting her skirts above her knees, nonchalantly baring a good bit of pale skin as she did. A passing servant made a startled, but appreciative, noise at the sight; the Aielwoman looked at him with piercing green eyes, and the man blanched and scurried away.

At last, however, they emerged into the comparatively flat paths that led through the Gardens and she relaxed, strolling along Keiran in companionable silence.

Abruptly he laughed, and she looked at him, curious. “We make an interesting pair, huh? Do you feel as out of place as—“ He cut off, eyes wide, and she turned to look at what had caught his attention. Water. So much water. The stream itself took her breath away, but the waterfall at its source... Light! She had grown used to rivers, but this purely ornamental use of water boggled her brain.

Before she could construct an appropriate response without losing toh, another female voice exclaimed, "Oh, it's beautiful!" Curious, Sinead turned to see the owner. A brown haired, brown eyed girl in white stood there, staring with wide eyes at the same waterfall that had captured their attention. "Hello. I'm Eirinn. Sorry if I've disturbed you. Actually, do you know where exactly we are? It's my first day and I seem to be terribly lost."

Sinead nodded recognition. "I see you, Eirinn. I am Sinead, and this is Keiran. We arrived together earlier today, and were exploring our new...home." She hoped the hesitation wasn't too obvious. How could she call such a massive structure, filled with Aes Sedai and Asha'man, and surrounded by water, "home"? She had no other place, however. The Three-fold Land was closed to her.

She glanced at Keiran for a moment, then smiled at the other novice. "Would you care to join us? We were just looking for a place to eat our lunch."

[Toma]

97... 98... 99... 100 Jain finished the last long stroke of the brush and laid it down on a nearby table. He went out and found the large pile of straw and spread the yellow stalks on the floor of the stall before getting a measure of oats. He had finally gotten around to learning about warhorses but before the Gaidin would let him ride an animal he was told he needed to learn to take care of them. They had told him that eventually he would have to get his own horse and train it but to start him, he had been allowed to pick from the stock the Tower had available. Finished with his work for now, he patted his new horse, a large black stallion he had named 'Thunder,' before turning and leaving the stables. The stable hands had been given explicit orders that they were to only interfere with the Drin if they saw something seriously wrong and to prevent undue suffering for the horses. Jain was determined to not need the assistance but he was glad that they were there just in case.

Jain brushed himself off and took a look at the sun to judge the time. Since he didn't have much else to do for the moment, he shrugged his shoulders and after reattaching his sword to his belt and slinging his greatsword across his back, started walking towards the Tower proper while checking the daggers he kept at his belt in the event they were needed. Some thought it strange that he walked around the Training Yards armed as he was but coming from the Borderlands, where Shadowspawn raids were much more common than most southerners believed, it was a fact of life. The Training Yards were good for their purpose but didn't have much in the way of gardens or plants beyond a number of trees so Jain had taken to wandering through the main Gardens nearer to the Tower itself. It was peaceful and even though he was training to be a deadly warrior and eventually a Blademaster if he got his way, Jain still enjoyed getting away from it and just listening to nature. When he had the chance, he sat in a quiet place in the Tower Gardens and meditated on the Oneness. It was a supposedly simple trick used to focus a swordman's attention on his blade to assist them in battle but he wasn't sure he was doing it right. He could achieve a mostly empty mind but he still battled with distraction. He soon found himself on the paths in the Gardens and took turnings at random. Since he lacked a destination, it really didn't matter where he went after all. He was just around the bend from one of his favorite places to meditate, a waterfall, when he heard a female voice exclaim, "Oh, it's beautiful!" Jain allowed himself a momentar smile as he shook his head. Obviously, someone new to the Tower had seen the spectacle of the falls for the first time just now. He turned the corner and saw two women in Novice white and a third person looking at the falls talking to each other.