***Possibly your right LB - but first I need to get book1 back from my cous - I lent it to her a while back, and then I gotta wait til bk 10 comes out in paperback... I'm not re-reading the entire seris again without bk 1 OR 10... ;) wonder if I can do it under a month this time [img]tongue.gif[/img] ***
<font color=silver> Ailurin rose to his feet and inclined his head to his Aes Sedai. He left a single silver piece on the table, more then he needed to, but he didn't feel it was right to leave the inn without paying for what he'd asked for - even if the goods didn't meet satisfaction, besides, Ladisha could always give him more...

Once they were outside, he half-smiled an appology at her, <font color=skblue>"Forgive me... Mistress<font color=red>*</font>, but... I dislike being in this place..."</font> he coughed slightly, and lowered his voice to a whisper, <font color=skblue>"You know why as well,</font> he paused and looked into her eyes, she knew exactly why he was so edgy. The Red Ajah would 'gentle' and kill him, and possibly still her as well. His eyes were filled with worry and he desperatly wanted to be away from this place. He hadn't dared to even touch the power for fear that another Asha'man or another would know. He was more concerned about Ladisha then himself, but... he didn't finish speaking to her; there was no need. He walked to the back of the inn, and mounted his stallion, and tossed a copper coin to the stable boy. Then he rode back to his Aes Sedai who was waiting for him. He smiled wryly at her and asked <font color=skblue>"Will you be informing me of your... task as we ride Mistress"</font></font>

<font color=red>*</font> Ailurin uses the term "Mistress" to address his Aes Sedai offtimes, theres no hint of sarcasim or mockery in his tone, and he uses it as a term of deep respect and awe. Even though his Aes Sedai *can't* compell him, his obedience and loyalty to her is absolute... had she been a forsaken and he her slave, his loyalty still wouldn't match it's level to her currently.
*edit, LB - I'll talk to you later on AIM ok?*

[ 01-29-2003, 08:56 AM: Message edited by: Calaethis Dragonsbane ]

ooc-will do. Also, if i'm not mistaken, questions can't be passed through the bond, only emotions and physical detriments(like head aches and things like that)

<font color=pink>Ladisha felt worry flow through the bond, but she smiled confidently at Ailrun as she mounted Sky next to him,

"The head of my Ajah has sent me on a trek through the muck to remove some White Cloaks from a town 20 leagues south of Tar Valon," she scowled at that and tugged her riding gloves tighter as they wound their way through the city streets, "Fortunatley I can use my Talent to get them out. Although if that doesn't work I'll have to think of something else," she fingered the coiled angreal in her pocket thoughtfuly. Sky pranced about, happy to be out of her stall and into the fresh air. Ladisha patted her neck with a smile and led them out of Tar Valon. As she had predicted, a light snow began to fall. Large fluffly flakes that you could pick out easily and watch them all the way to the ground. Pushing the cold away, she started down a small southernly trail that would take them to a small town that they would likely have to spend the night at if the snow got heavier.</font>

<font color=silver>Ailurin nodded. <font color=skblue>"As you say, Mistress. Did you get an idea of how many we would be facing? Or how they are deployed? Regular patrols, we'd have to figure out by ourselves I expect. Will there be any backup, ma'am?"</font> as always, his tone was deeply respectful. He smiled wryly, <font color=skblue>"A few hours hard riding?"</font></font>

[ 01-29-2003, 04:14 PM: Message edited by: Calaethis Dragonsbane ]

The massive army continued marching on...

Some reports came in of travelers wearing large whtie cloaks heading in a westernly direction, unsure of what to make of this, some dark-swords were sent to track them through the wastlands...

<font color=pink>Ladisha grinned and winked,
"Hard riding, yes, but nothing I can't handle. I believe a well placed snow storm around they're main force will be sufficent to drive them out, and if not, you could do a little earth shifting for me, seeing as you will be my only back up. We will keep out of sight of their patrols as well," she peered through the lightly falling snow, "The nearest town is about an hour's ride away,"</font>

<font color=silver><font color=skblue>"Yes Aes Sedai"</font> Ailurin replied. <font color=skblue>"An hour?" He shook his head and hoped that the storm would not worsten. He hated snow. Well, hated riding in it. He was certainally happier to be away from Tar Valon though.</font>

<font color=pink>Ladisha shrugged some snow off her shoulders and glanced sidelong at Ailrun. She had heard numerous rumours about these Asha'man, and her Warder was significantly strong in the Power. Why not see if this most popular rumour was true?
"We would be there and out of the snow much quicker if you simply made a gateway, you know," she waited for his answer and masked her curiosity from edging into the bond.</fotn>

<font color=silver><font color=syblue>"If you wish, Mistress."</font> he looked startled, <font color=syblue>"Forgive me Mistress, I mean no disrespect, but, could you not make one yourself?"</font>. He focused, and wove a gateway together. It wasn't very large, enough for one horse to go though at a time. <font color=syblue>"No need to waste energy, this should suffice."</font> He paused <font color=syblue>"It should bring us a few moments ride away from the town, Mistress. I didn't want to slice anyone in half, so I made sure it was well away from human dwellings, that and, it might be prudent if we were not seen leaving from a gateway."</font> he looked up at her, watching to see if there was approval in her eyes.</font>

<font color=pink>Ladisha gasped as the gateway sliced open and stared through the opening. Surprise filled her, and she led Sky cautiously through the hole. Lights of the town could be seen flickering dimly through the falling snow. Shivering slightly, she stared back at Ailurin as the gateway snapped shut behind him. She still was uncomfortable about males channeling, even if she knew this one would never harm her,
"I do not know the proper weaves for making gateways, I'm afraid. None of the sisters in the Tower do. It seems to be something known only to you Asha'man and the...the Foresaken," her shudder had nothing to do with the temperature. Heeling the blue roan forward, she let the mare trot at a safe speed towards the town.</font>

<font color=silver><font color=syblue>"Mistress",</font> Ailurin called her, <font color=syblue>"wait a moment, please?"</font> suddenly the bond was filled with images - intricate knowleadge of how weaves and gateways could be made. <font color=syblue>"I know it may be different for Saidar, but that is how we do it; please, my life is yours Mistress, I live only to serve you."</font> he dropped his eyes, dismounted and knelt in the dirt before her. His head was bowed and he wouldn't look up. <font color=syblue>"You saved my life, I'll do anything for you mistress; you only have to ask"</font> this was the first time he'd showed such loyalty so openly, along with all of his knowledge. She could feel his love and devotion along the bond as well, and he left himself entirely open. Had she wanted to, she could have tried to use compulsion on him - he had lowered all of his defeneses entirely...</font>

*edit sig*

[ 01-31-2003, 11:40 AM: Message edited by: Calaethis Dragonsbane ]