The Creator is a Gardener

[Aoife Siochanta]

It was the kind of late spring day that felt like high summer; the sun had reached its zenith hours ago, but its heat had yet to dissipate. Its slow descent cast lengthening shadows along the ground. A storm was brewing somewhere; the air was so thick with moisture it seemed it should be possible to drink. The rain would likely take the edge off the heat, leaving the air cool and fresh and smelling of growing things.

The herb garden at the White Tower had the feel of age about it. The earth had been turned and planted, weeded and watered over and over again for nearly half a century now. A long time, to be sure, by most standards, but not so much in the eyes of the woman who knelt in it now, pulling weeds. Though she herself was only slightly more than half the age of the garden, she had a long life ahead of her, likely centuries.

The rows that had once been so carefully cultivated now grew mostly wild, plants reemerging every spring where they saw fit to grow with new additions being added willy-nilly wherever there was room.

This was Aoife Siochanta’s favorite place in all the world, and she had seen many places in her so far short life. Her slim fingers dug into the soil, pinching the roots of a weed, twisting and pulling. There were less labor intensive ways for someone who could use the One Power to do such a task, but she enjoyed the physical act of tending plants that would grow to be harvested, dried, and crushed into medicinal poultices or brewed into teas. She felt she owed the labor of work to these plants that had within them the ability to heal, and though she knew it to be a flight of fancy, she liked to think the act of tending them on hands and knees made them all the more potent.

A wisp of cornsilk colored hair escaped the lilac kerchief on her head as Aoife bent over a patch of blue goatflower; she pushed it back with a dirty hand, leaving a smudge on the edge of her forehead. She didn't notice, but she wouldn't have cared if she had. Her strong alto voice rang out over the garden, carrying into the surrounding patch of trees. She wasn't shy about her singing; her voice would have likely been heard in the Gaidin sparring ground if not for the grunts and clash of men practicing war.

“The prettiest girl I’ve ever seen
Had hair of fire and eyes of green.”

Aoife did not like violence. She had spent her life avoiding it to the best of her ability, yet it had found a way to touch even her most gentle life. Violence often did that. Still, it had set her on the path she now walked and for that, she was grudgingly thankful, though she would have come to this life eventually anyhow. All of that was in the past now and these days she spent her time tending the ailing and injured, trying to atone for the violence of others.

“And she called herself the Faerie Queen
Of Ta'maral’ailen Glen.”

With a satisfied nod, Aoife stood to move to another section of the garden. This particular area was now devoid of weeds. She wiped her soil encrusted hands on the cheerful yellow skirt of her dress and bent to gather up the weeds she had pulled. Best not to leave them here or they would only take root again; weeds were tenacious like that. There was a metaphor for life somewhere in that, but Aoife didn’t dwell on it as she carried the weeds to a pile of leaves, weeds, and other organic things slowly decomposing outside the stone wall of the garden. Tomorrow she would need to gather the vegetable scraps and eggshells from the kitchens to add to the pile. A servant could do the task, of course, but she enjoyed tending the compost heap herself almost as much as she enjoyed gardening.

[Natasia Rashai]

Natasia fancied herself widely traveled and worldly. Experienced, even though she was still quite young. She'd ridden the length of Saldaea and traveled with patrols in the Blight, she'd fought against Trolloc raids and worse. How naive I've been.

Leaving Sidona was the best thing she'd ever done. It was freedom, from expectations, from responsibilities, from...people, mostly. But it had been aimless until a stray thought had turned into an obsession. She'd lost her cousin and closest friend to Tar Valon years ago. She decided it was past time to go find Taivin Rashai.

That had been weeks ago. She'd taken the journey overland, traveling alone with Kaarash as her only companion. Today she'd entered Tar Valon and realized just how little she truly knew of the world. The Ogier-built city was a masterpiece beyond anything Natasia had seen in Saldaea, and she'd wandered the streets for a few hours simply taking in the sight.

This made everything worth it. All the fights with her parents, all the worries about her future...everything. She'd wanted to see the world, and where better to start than Tar Valon?

The only lingering concern was Kaarash. She'd left the stallion at the stable on the other side of the Jualde Bridge along with some of her gear. He was well trained...but he'd been trained by Natasia, and handled only by Saldaeans long accustomed to dealing with temperamental horses. Would Tar Valon grooms be able to handle him? I paid them enough, she thought, a bit sour at the reminder.

That small hadn't distracted her from taking in everything about the city. The sights, the sounds, the smells; it was all so different from Sidona. And, inevitably and inexorably, she'd been drawn to Tar Valon's center: the White Tower.

She hadn't really fit in with most of the petitioners. Even the commonfolk who'd traveled from their homes or farms to seek the Aes Sedai's aid had put on their best clothing. Silk dresses or even sturdy cotton were far more common than the muted olive riding outfit Natasia wore, complete with breeches instead of a skirt. She drew more than one eye, but Natasia was more than willing to meet them until any judgmental gazes turned away.

She'd been allowed onto the grounds in short order after presenting her petition to an Accepted. It was a simple enough request: she wanted to see her cousin who was currently training with the Warders. A novice had been called to assist, a pretty woman perhaps a few years older than Natasia herself. The pair had moved onto an outdoor path with the novice chattering away happily and Natasia a few steps behind. She felt bad for not contributing anything to the one-way stream of conversation, but she was hard-pressed to think of anything to contribute. She was too busy worrying about what would happen in the next hour or so. Natasia found herself strangely hesitant this close to her goal. Would Taivin even remember her? Would he want to see her? It nearly a decade since he'd been taken from Sidona. And there were her own emotions to consider; she wasn't certain whether she wanted to hug Taivin or punch him for leaving, his fault or not.

The hesitation crept into her movement, and step by step the novice moved further ahead, still chattering away. Natasia wasn't paying her any attention really, lost in her own thoughts. Until something jolted her awake like the shock of freezing water.

“The prettiest girl I’ve ever seen
Had hair of fire and eyes of green.”

A woman singing, carefree and sincere. Who could that possibly be? Another novice? Did Aes Sedai sing? Natasia wasn't sure, but she was curious, and suddenly eager to delay her meeting with Taivin. The chastisement for getting lost would be worth satisfying her curiosity. She followed the singing off the path, eventually catching sight of a low stone wall.

“And she called herself the Faerie Queen
Of Ta'maral’ailen Glen.”

It wasn't a song Natasia knew, though the tune was somewhat familiar. The woman singing came into view after a moment carrying a bundle of plants?, and Natasia gaped openly. This woman could not possibly be Aes Sedai, though Natasia wasn't able to put a distinct age to her. Her attire was vivid, the bright yellow of her skirt covered here and there with soil from the garden behind the wall. Her forehead was smudged beneath a kerchief that mostly held back her pale blonde hair. It was like finding a brightly colored flower alone in a field of grass. Delaying the meeting with Taivin suddenly seemed even more enticing. After a moment, finally conscious that she was staring, Natasia loudly cleared her throat and forced a smile.

"You sing beautifully...my Lady." Natasia wasn't certain where this woman would rank, but it didn't hurt to aim high, at least. She wasn't certain of anything, really. What was she doing?  This woman was obviously busy.

"I apologize for intruding I was just...I'm afraid my curiosity got the better of me." She forced out a weak half-grin and shrugged sheepishly.  "Did you need a hand? I seem to have lost my novice so I suddenly have a bit of time."

[Yvaine Aldyr]

With a letter clutched firmly in one hand and her few layers of skirt gathered in the other, Yvaine Aldyr raced through the halls of the White Tower. Echoes of her heeled boots clicking against the stone floors rang within the halls as she went. A broad delighted smiled was splashed across her face as her heart pounded heavily within her chest. Even all the stares and murmurs from the Novices, Accepted, and Aes Sedai she passed were hardly given any notice. Not as if the jovial Yellow Sister cared one bit about what anyone else ever thought of her. She lived for the days in which she heard from Raife, which were far too rare in her mind, so to have word from him now filled her with joy. Finding him in a river as a baby and becoming his benefactor was as close to being a mother as an Aes Sedai, such as herself, could be. She loved him as much as she believed a mother would love their child. One day, her heart would no doubt shatter over his loss, as he'd die of old age far sooner than she would, but having Raife in her life felt worth the inevitable anguish. Many of Yvaine's Aes Sedai Sisters warned her against forming an attachment to the boy but she never listened to a word of it. Let them view her as foolish, having Raife in her life brought her joy, therefore, how could she not be grateful?! Her nimble fingers ripped into the edges of the envelope the moment she stepped into her private bedchambers and unfolded the letter as quickly as possible.

Dearest Mother,
I hope that you are well and finding happiness in the awe-inspiring work that you do for the White Tower. I have been traveling and performing in Andor these past few months. Exploring the cities, witnessing some of its breathtaking sights, and visiting the few hospices here has made me feel closer to you. I've even made plans to visit your family when I reach Caemlyn. I miss you terribly but I need you to be comforted by the fact that I am also truly happy in this life I lead. Three nights ago I was hired for my 1st performance at a noble's ball. Expanding my talents beyond singing and playing my instruments as a gleeman for the masses to regaling stories as a bard for nobility has made for an interesting experience. I never imagined I'd be capable as a bard yet I seemed to have found a knack for it. If all goes well, I shall come to visit you as I continue to make my way North.
Sincerely, and with all my love,
Raife

As soon as she finished reading the letter, Yvaine pressed it against her heart and smiled. He was coming to visit. She walked over to her desk and placed the letter into her diary in which she kept all of Raife's letters tucked away at the back. Whenever the Yellow Sister missed him terribly, she'd take them out and read them over again to feel close to him. Knowing that he'd be visiting soon, Yvaine decided she needed to stock up on chamomile which meant visiting the herb garden. She smiled again, the herb garden was one of her favorite places at the White Tower and despite the heat outside, she'd enjoy the visit. She changed into a simpler dress that she wouldn't mind getting dirty then tied on an apron before fetching her basket.

There was a wet humidity that clung to the air that suggested a storm was on the horizon. Still, the sights of the familiar, albeit dirt-smudged, face of Aiofe Siochanta was a welcome one. The younger Yellow Aes Sedai was tediously at work, as usual, whilst singing to herself. But just as Yvaine was about to approach her friend, her sights fell upon another young woman with her. She had never met or seen this girl before. Though as far as she could tell the girl wasn't intending any harm for she overheard the girl offer her help to Aoife since she'd lost her Novice escort and therefore had the time to do so.

“Good day to you Aoife Sedai. It would seem you've comprised quite the compost heap there my dear. What great fertilizer it will create for the garden. I observed that the peppermint, thyme, and lavender were all looking particularly healthy. I'm hoping to collect some chamomile to brew into a tea. Raife promised he'd pay me a visit soon and he's always been fond of how the chamomile soothes him. Though I've always preferred jasmine myself. But I can see that I am being quite rude.” Yvaine turned towards the young brunette woman with her hand extended for a friendly handshake. “Greetings dear one, my name is Yvaine Aldyr, I am an Aes Sedai of the Yellow Ajah. And whom might you be darling? Is this your first time to the White Tower?” she reached into one of the pockets of her apron to produce a cookie and offered it with her other hand, “Here, you must be hungry after your journey.”

[Aoife Siochanta]

Aoife turned to survey the herb garden, placing her hands behind her on the low stone wall and leaning back against it. A breeze was starting to stir now, more evidence of the gathering storm, and it tugged the loose lock of her hair free from her kerchief again, whipping it across her face. As she raised her hand to tuck it behind her ear, she paused to examine her dirt encrusted fingernails.

A smile spread across her face as she lost herself in thought for a moment. Her love of gardening came from her Nonni, whose wagon always had potted plants in every available spot. Flowers and vegetables and herbs, each served a purpose, be it healing, sustenance, or simply beauty. Aoife felt people were the same, a purpose for each and each for a purpose.

"You sing beautifully...my Lady."

Aoife was pulled from her reverie by a woman’s voice. She found the source of the voice standing a few steps out of the copse, on the other side of the garden wall, a reed-thin young woman in breeches. The girl was pretty, but she had a look about her that made Aoife a little wary. This girl, young as she seemed, had seen and done violence, but she seemed friendly enough now as she apologized for interrupting Aoife. The girl seemed nervous, of all things. At the other woman’s offer of assistance, a wide grin crinkled the corners of her eyes. She had a talent for putting others to good use. Aoife crossed the corner of the garden to the wall closer to the other woman and held out her hand.

“My name is Aoife,” she said in a sing-songy clipped accent that made her perpetually sound like she was about to sing. It was all the more fitting that that was often the case. “I’m not a Lady, Aoife is fine. And you are..?”

Just then a gust of wind whipped her hair around her face, pulling her kerchief loose from her head. Though she thought it rude to retract her hand before the other woman had a chance to shake it, this particular square of purple fabric with green vines and white and yellow flowers embroidered around the edge had been given to her by her sister and she would hate to lose it. She caught the fabric and clutched it to her chest with one hand. A breathy giggle escaped her as she pushed her hair back out of her eyes.

“Good day to you, Aoife Sedai.”

Aoife half-turned toward the familiar voice, her smile deepening. She knew better than to try to get a word in when Yvaine Sedai was speaking; there was just no way to find an opening until she had said what she wanted to say, which was usually a lot. Aoife loved the other Aes Sedai dearly. There were few women in the White Tower who truly felt like kindred spirits to her, but Yvaine was one of those few. Aoife’s eyes widened in surprise as her friend pulled a cookie from an apron pocket, she had seen her produce all sorts of small candies to offer to those around her, but never a cookie. Where was she even keeping such a thing? Surely a cookie, much bigger than sweets, should have been noticeable in an apron pocket. Yvaine truly was one of a kind in the Tower and likely in all of the world.

“Yvaine Sedai, where in the Light were you hiding a cookie in your apron? And, better yet, do you have another?”

Yvaine always had the best treats and Aoife had a sweet tooth. It was then that she noticed the flush on the older woman’s cheeks and her heavier-than-normal breathing. Yvaine was always excitable, but there were few things that excited her quite like that. Aoife tilted her head.

“You’ve heard from Raife, you said? And you need herbs for tea? Maybe we should also harvest some flatwort? He will no doubt be tired from his journey and I know an excellent tea to help.” She motioned back toward the woman she did not know. “This young lady has offered to help in the garden, perhaps we can show her how to harvest what you seek?”

[Natasia Rashai]

Natasia grinned more earnestly as the woman approached the garden wall. The brightly-clad woman's smile was infectious, and Natasia took a few more steps to join her at the small garden. Aoife? Was she a serving lady for the Aes Sedai? Did Aes Sedai employ servants? Natasia had no idea. What she did know was Natasia had never met anyone like Aoife before. The slight hint of music to her speech, the giggle that broke free after she almost lost the kerchief, the way she carried herself all were mysteries, and Natasia couldn't help but laugh along. The worries she'd been carrying, more and more evident the closer she traveled toward her goal, melted away for the moment, leaving the two of them alone in the White Tower's garden.

Then suddenly the isolation of the small garden shattered as another woman entered, talking up a storm. Natasia's eyes widened, surprised at both her sudden arrival and at the sheer volume of speech the newcomer seemed capable of. This woman was quite the beauty, too, clad in a plain though well-made dress and an apron. Again Natasia had trouble putting an age to her features. Something about that was tickling the back of her mind, but it was swept away by the rapid-fire delivery of her words, plus the sudden offer of a treat. Two things stuck out, however, as she took the cookie from the woman with an uncertain frown on her face. It had taken a second for things to click but, really, that wasn't Natasia's fault. Sometimes life just defies expectations.

She had called Aoife, Aoife Sedai. And she had introduced herself as Yvaine Aldyr, an Aes Sedai of the Yellow Ajah.

Oh.

Natasia quick took a step back away from the wall and tried to orient herself to face both of them at the same time. She bowed hurriedly from the waist, tucking her hands behind her back. She wasn't certain what the protocol was for introducing herself to Aes Sedai, particularly with a cookie in hand. Light, what am I doing?! Of course there were Aes Sedai about, but she just had to go all wide-eyed at the first pleasant distraction. Fool of a girl that I am.

"I beg your pardon Aoife Sedai, Yvaine Sedai. I am Natasia Rashai," Natasia said, forcing her voice to remain even and calm.

Aes Sedai were well respected in the Borderlands, and she knew all the niceties required of her position even if she rarely bothered to use them. She'd even met two in Sidona while assisting her father, intimidating women both with an ageless appearance that had come to examine the Blight. Each time even Natasia had bothered to dress the part. One simply didn't slight Aes Sedai, even unintentionally, and for the first time she regretted not packing anything more...courtly. She hadn't thought this through in its entirety, apparently. Natasia straightened up and looked at both of them in turn, that wry half-grin forming unconsciously when she caught Aoife Sedai's eyes.

"I apologize for interrupting. I'd made a request to visit a cousin who's training with the Warders, but I seem to have lost the Novice that was escorting me." She shrugged then. As excuses went, it wasn't particularly good. "I hope I'm not intruding. If you'd care to point me to the Warder training grounds, I'll leave you to your business."

[Yvaine Aldyr]

Although Yvaine extended her friendly, almost motherly, mannerisms to all the Sisters of the White Tower, Aoife was one of the few in which she enjoyed for company. The younger Aes Sedai possessed a keen spirit to her own and never seemed to mind Yvaine's excessive chatter. Though few complained of her tendency to dominate conversations with lengthy details, she knew that many tolerated it for the sake of her healing abilities. Then again she cared little how others viewed her or what they may say behind her back. She would change for nobody's pleasure. Still, it was always refreshing to be in the presence of someone who did more than tolerate her but cared for her beyond what she could do to save a life.

“Of course I do.” replied the Yellow Sister with a smile as she produced another cookie from her small apron pocket and handed it to Aoife. “Now as to where I was hiding them and how they are unbroken as well as lint-free, one day I shall teach you the trick Sister but for now, that is my little secret.” winked Yvaine with a satisfied grin.

She glanced about the garden contemplating gathering other herbs besides the chamomile as long as she was out here. After all, it would most likely be several weeks before Raife arrived and she was running low on a few necessary plants in which to conduct some of her work. So as she inspected the health and maturity of several plants, moving about the garden with ease, the perky Yellow Sister responded in kind to Aoife's inquires and suggestion of flatwort.

“Yes, the boy has been most neglectful in writing to me more often, a fact I will have to point out to him when he arrives for his visit. Why he will see no sense in the immense honors of being a Warder is beyond me. I understand that losing Kain was most difficult for him but to turn his back on the White Tower because of it... Well,... Surely he should know that I do so worry about him while he ventures out there in the World as a Gleeman with that flaming sneaking s...” The Aes Sedai of the Yellow Ajah stopped herself from finishing such an awful slur and took a deep breath, “Well, anyways, some flatwort would indeed be most useful, thank you Aoife Sedai for thinking of it.”

Yvaine turned her attention back to the young woman who had either lost or wandered off from her escort to the training grounds. She was a lovely looking young thing, as well as polite. And though she had only just arrived, Yvaine could sense a sort of connection between this child and Aoife. The Yellow Sister deserved to have additional friends outside of herself, even if this girl was not an Aes Sedai. She pursed her lips in thought for a moment on how to convince this Natasia to remain so that she and Aoife could get better acquainted. For amongst her many unusual un-Aes Sedai-like qualities, Yvaine had a knack for playing mother hen to those around her and on occasion as a matchmaker. Even if prodding the girl to stay meant meddling a bit in their affairs, she saw it as helping them both in her own unique way.

“You are not interrupting at all dear one. We would be more than happy to point you in the direction of the Warder training grounds, Natasia Rashai, if that is truly where you desire to be. But may I also add that you are far more then welcome to assist us in the Garden if you'd wish. It is so rare we get an extra set of willing hands. No doubt your cousin will understand if you are delayed for a short while. Though we can easily have a message sent along to him if you believe he would worry about your well-being. As a matter of fact, I feel confident I know of the young man of which you speak. He is friends with the Andoran 1st Prince of the Sword, Gareth Trakand. I helped birth that boy into this world, I'll have you know, and therefore have occasionally kept tabs on how the young royal is getting on. Your cousin is wise indeed for choosing such a respectable man to befriend. I could venture to the training ground myself to pass along the reason for your delay to him if you'd like.”

[Aoife Siochanta]

Paying no mind to her dirt-encrusted hands, Aoife took the proffered cookie. There were dark flecks in it. Raisins? She nibbled the edge absently as Yvaine chattered on. She felt bad when she occasionally lost focus on what her friend was saying but, in her defense, the cookie was delicious and distracting. Those were most definitely raisins.

Out of the corner of her eye, Aoife saw the girl in breeches take a step back.

“I beg your pardon, Aoife Sedai, Yvaine Sedai,” she bleated.

The sound of her name drew Aoife’s attention fully. She shifted her gaze back to the younger woman, Natasia Rashai she had only just said, as she bent to stare at the ground. She was pretty and so young to have traveled so far. The girl - Natasia, that is, Aoife was hopeless with names - stared at her toes and Aoife stared at her, head tilted to one side. What a fascinating young woman! She was nothing so much as young, but so far from home and alone at that! And she had seemed sure of herself until suddenly she had not.

Aoife could guess easily enough what the quick change in demeanor meant. She had yet to acquire the Aes Sedai agelessness that visually set Aes Sedai apart from others, and even then, most people wouldn’t recognize it for what it was anyhow. She had been mistaken for...well, certainly not an Aes Sedai with that much dirt under her fingernails, and now that illusion was shattered.

Aoife clicked her tongue in vexation and Yvaine quickly cut off what she had been about to say.

“Surely he should know that I do so worry about him while he ventures out there in the world as a gleeman with that flaming sneaking s…”

She cut her eyes back to her friend, brow furrowed. Though she cared deeply for Yvaine, the way the other Aes Sedai spoke about her adopted son often worried Aoife. He was not a boy, but a man grown, of a similar age to Aoife. He was not helpless and was more than capable of making his own decisions.

Yvaine, like most Aes Sedai, never expected to have children so Aoife tried to forgive her for being overbearing in her son’s life, but it was sometimes hard to do when she saw the end results. Raife had left Tar Valon, fled it practically, and Aoife had a sneaking suspicion that Yvaine may have played a hand in that. She loved her son, and he loved her, Aoife knew, but he needed to make his own way in the world. Becoming a Warder and binding yourself to a woman who could channel was not for everyone and it was not something to be taken lightly. And when it came to Yvaine’s opinion on the woman that Raife was traveling with… She wanted to tell her friend her thoughts on these matters, but she hadn’t yet figured out how to do so tactfully.

“I apologize for interrupting,” the younger woman interjected into the brief silence. She looked like she’d rather be anywhere else.

“You are not interrupting at all, dear one.” Yvaine waved Natasia’s excuses away with a flick of her wrist. “We would be more than happy to point you in the direction of the Warder training grounds...”

It had been so long since Aoife had been anywhere but Tar Valon, she found herself almost desperate to hear of Natasia’s travels. Before she had time to think better of it, she sat down on the garden wall, swung her feet over to the other side, and stood. Natasia's dark eyebrows disappeared behind the fringe of dark hair that hid her forehead.

“I could venture to the training ground myself to pass along the reason for your delay to him if you'd like.” Yvaine kept right on, she was used to Aoife’s antics.

“Would you?” Aoife asked as she took Natasia by the shoulder. “I could use the help here that Natasia Rashai kindly offered.” She turned her smile on the woman beside her. “You’ve come so far from home! Surely, another moment won’t hurt?”

[Natasia Rashai]

Natasia watched the two Aes Sedai with a hint of wariness to her eyes and posture. Her shoulders were tense, and she held her hands awkwardly, as if not sure quite what to do with them. Her eyes widened noticeably as Yvaine launched into her monologue, and Natasia had to stop herself from taking a step back. This was not what she'd expected from an Aes Sedai. The pair she'd met in Sidona had been far grimmer.

She eventually found herself relaxing, however, at least somewhat. Apparently, Natasia hadn't broken any protocols or earned any enmity, at least from Yvaine Sedai. Her shoulders loosened, and let the words wash over her. It was still an uncomfortable situation; Natasia didn't handle people well, as a general rule, but she knew enough to fake it and this felt like more familiar ground to her. She nodded along at the right moments, fighting not to quirk an eyebrow at the mention of a gleeman and his lady companion. Natasia flicked her eyes over to Aoife Sedai, nibbling at the cookie, before directing her attention back. Natasia absent-mindedly took a bite of it as well. It was surprisingly tasty for something carried around in an Aes Sedai's pocket, really...not that anything about this situation was unsurprising, mind you.

“You are not interrupting at all dear one. We would be more than happy to point you in the direction of the Warder training grounds, Natasia Rashai, if that is truly where you desire to be.

She was nodding along to Yvaine when movement caught her eye. Aoife Sedai had climbed the wall and now stood on the other side. Natasia did quirk an eyebrow at this--both of them, even--it hardly fit with her preconceptions of Aes Sedai, but then what about this pair did? The bright flower of a woman brought a grin to Natasia's face. It was the sort of casual disregard for propriety that had gotten her in so much trouble at home, and it had her on the edge of a laugh. She was so distracted she missed the next part of what Yvaine had to say, but, well...the woman did not stop talking, so it was easy enough to pick back up on the flow of the conversation.

But may I also add that you are far more then welcome to assist us in the Garden if you'd wish. It is so rare we get an extra set of willing hands. No doubt your cousin will understand if you are delayed for a short while. Though we can easily have a message sent along to him if you believe he would worry about your well-being. As a matter of fact, I feel confident I know of the young man of which you speak. He is friends with the Andoran 1st Prince of the Sword, Gareth Trakand. I helped birth that boy into this world, I'll have you know, and therefore have occasionally kept tabs on how the young royal is getting on. Your cousin is wise indeed for choosing such a respectable man to befriend. I could venture to the training ground myself to pass along the reason for your delay to him if you'd like.”

News of Tai--of Taivin--brought Natasia's attention to Yvaine Sedai fully, and she rubbed at one arm with her other hand. She did want to see Taivin again, to speak with him, and see how life had treated him since he'd left Sidona. This close to her goal she was suddenly nervous though, and she scuffed at the grass beneath her feet with one boot, eyes moving away from Yvaine Sedai for a moment. He'd been training with the greatest warriors of the Westlands for years, undergoing harsh discipline and enduring the rigorous protocols of Tar Valon. He had even, somehow, apparently befriended the First Prince of Andor! What would someone like that have to say to his cousin who was just shy of a runaway by technicality? Who'd so balked at her responsibilities that fought tooth and nail to avoid them and see the world for herself, and only herself?

Then Aoife Sedai's hand was on her shoulder.

“Would you? I could use the help here that Natasia Rashai kindly offered. You’ve come so far from home! Surely, another moment won’t hurt?”

She felt the grin form quickly and Natasia found herself nodding and allowing herself to be led to the garden proper.
"Of course Aoife Sedai, I'd be pleased to help with whatever you'd need."

She glanced over to Yvaine, nodding so deep it was nearly a bow.

"And I don't believe Taivin knows that I'm here yet, Yvaine Sedai. I don't believe he'd have cause to worry."