<font color=silver>Ailurin trembled and snuggled closer to her, his head on the bed, and not the pillow, he was forced to look up at her.<font color=skblue>"No-nothing Mistress... I... forgive me, I should not have disturbed you..."</font> his eyes were filled with tears, and memories shot though his head, and down the bond. Memories of when he was young, sleeping beside his mother when he'd had nightmares. He didn't realise that he'd viewed the Aes Sedai in the same light. The bond reflected all of this, and Ladisha worked it out before he did... </font>

<font color=pink>Ladisha leaned forward and lay a hand on his head,
"Do not cry Calaethis, it's not good for that handsome face,"
she hoped her comment would ease his greif somewhat, but she leaned forward and hugged him anyway.</font>

<font color=silver>Ailurin smiled, <font color=skblue>"Flattery mistress?"</font> he attempted to cheer up, and failed, content to bury his head in her embrace. He paused and took a while to talk again. <font color=skblue>"Forgive me Mistress, you just... reminded me of... when I was little, and when I'd had a nightmare, my mother would let me sleep beside her... you reminded me of that..."</font> </font>

<font color=pink>Ladisha smiled and stroked his hair,
"Whatever helps you,"</font>

<font color=silver><font color=skblue>"Thank you Mistress"</font> Ailurin said softly, and cuddled her the way a child would hug its parent. Then he tried to sleep, still in his Aes Sedai's embrace.</font>

<font color=pink>Ladisha frowned and shifted herself around Ailurin until she was comfortable. She fell asleep with her arms around him as quickly as she did.

Morning came quickly, and Ailurin woke to find both women already dressed and packing up their things,
"Hurry up Ailurin," Ladisha chided when the bond let her know he was awake, "The stable boys are getting our horses ready,"</font>

<font color=silver>Ailurin scowled, mimicking the novices at the tower, he said, <font color=skblue>"Yes Aes Sedai"</font> and procceeded to dress himself, and got up, he scowled at his Aes Sedai again.</font>

<font color=pink>The only responce Ladisha gave to his scowling was light humour flowing through the bond. Keely had both of their bags over her shoulder, her dirty blonde hair bound back in a messy bun away from her face. After being told what would be expected of her as a novice, she had decided to start practicing now.

After they had handed their things to the stable boys to be loaded on their saddles, they ate a quick meal and mounted. As Ladisha had predicted, the snow had stopped, and the sky was a stunning blue. A blanket of knee deep snow covered the ground as they trudged off, Ladisha lightly reinging a frisking Sky and Keely patting her sturdy brown gelding Azath.

"Only a few hours ride from here and we will be at the White Cloak settlment," Ladisha looked down at the Lieutenant pushing through the snow next to them. A rope bound his hands behind him and the lead was tied securely around the pommel of Ailurin's saddle. He cast a searching glance at her when she spoke, but only harumphed and stared at the snow as he walked.</font>

<font color=silver><font color=skblue>"bah, why ride when we can travel Aes Sedai?"</font> though the bond, he sent a mental warning not to tip their hand - he suggested that she *made* the guestures, while *he* actually weaved the threads... he also cautioned to keep the girl's mouth shut</font>

<font color=pink><<Because, Warder, the girl can see weaves now, and that would make me look like a fool. It does not matter if you channel in front of these two. If you are worried about the girl telling someone when she becomes a novice, I will make sure she doesn't>></font>