Fire and Ice

[Elaira Taravin]

Elaira listened to Eshara Aravell, occasionally sipping the tea.  Her eyes followed the Saldaean's to her Great Serpent Ring, prominent now that her gloves were removed. The authority it conferred was more than Elaira could manage on her own and it had played a role in her contributions today.  At times she felt the burden keenly.  Too keenly, in fact.  It paralyzed her, petrified her.  The responsibilities of an Aes Sedai were more than she'd ever wanted.  What was she to do, now? A resurgent Blight, trolloc raids, dreadlords, and the cipher of a Borderland house that linked all these things together.

Elaira had chosen the Red Ajah to guide and protect those who needed it.  She'd been inspired in the moment when they'd pulled Cirus from the darkness; she wanted to do that for more people.  But the Ajah had more responsibilities: they were peacekeepers, sworn to hold channelers to the standards of the Towers if not the Oaths.  Alirycas felt strange from that perspective; Elaira wasn't certain what role Lady Aravell played in its governance officially but she could tell a ruler on sight.

“The men of my progeny who can channel usually are snapped up as Asha’man - they have no lower limit on the requirement for … strength. Forgive me for speaking so bluntly.”

Elaira stiffened slightly but refrained from reacting further.  Speaking of one's strength was a strict taboo in the White Tower.  It wasn't done...but nor was it questioned.  Power was the unspoken hierarchy of the White Tower despite attempts at shifting it.  Some parts of the Tower needed to change.

Elaira continued listening to Eshara closely, face coming close to  Aes Sedai serenity.  She still had no idea what to do, of course, but the Border was secure for now.  And perhaps her visit to Alirycas might prove worthwhile after all.

"Alirycas's defenses are formidable, even without the aid of Aes Sedai and Asha'man.  I'm glad we were present, if only to ease things for your people."

Elaira was quiet, but she lowered the cup to focus on Eshara Aravell.  Her eyes flickered, once, to Cirus.  They were both strangers here.

"I came to Saldaea looking for your Kin.  The women of Alirycas have garnered a reputation.  You are brave, resourceful, and pragmatic.  There is much I would learn from you, and much I think the Tower could stand to learn from your people, if given the opportunity. I understand that some members of your bloodline have gained the shawl but...the White Tower is slow to change, as always.  And I fear that change will come whether we will it or not.  It must be guided instead."

Elaira was surprised with herself.  The words were humble, as had always been her way, but the idea of controlling and forcing change seemed so far beyond her capabilities.

[Cirus]

"We were lucky today."

The words were directed at him, but Cirus shuddered at them all the same. He had not seen the full scale of the battlefield, had not walked it or rode out to meet the Trollocs as they coursed toward the city walls, but he had seen their faces. The snarling faces as they howled their inhuman warcries at the defenders. Even through the fire of the wall from the dreadlords he'd noticed their faces. Yet what bothered him most about them was not how inhuman their faces looked, but how clearly he could see the human influence within them. As lady Aravell spoke he tried to focus on her words rather than the images that were starting to flash through his head, he was Asha'man. He would have to learn to face such creatures eventually, and when he did they would show less mercy than the defenders had shown them.

As they spoke he focused his attention on the fire to push the thoughts from his mind, along with his own actions. With the distance of a little time, he could see just how his own actions had been, hesitant and weak. He quietly cursed himself for taking a defensive action that was completely unnecessary. The woman on the walls, the kin? They had held the fire back easily enough without him, and his only real contribution to the battle had been the spotting of a dreadlord. An action that the kin no doubt could have figured out themselves given enough time, or one that the Aes Sedai could have handled with ease. He held back a sigh, he was little more than another bystander today. The captain had been right, he needed to show more initiative. Cirus needed to be better. If he couldn't be better than why bother being present at all?

"-they have no limit on the requirement for... strength."

The conversation seemed to drag on even as Cirus had continued to stare at the fire, and the glimpses he caught only could reinforce his own thoughts. The Black Tower had no limit on strength for staying, ever since the days of Tarmon Gai'don the Asha'man of the black tower had always welcomed those who could aid the fight against the shadow. None were ever sent away, in the old days it was rumored that the penalty for such a thing had been death, with your head hung on a tree for all those who knew you to see. A grim reminder of their duty to the Dragon, and the penalty of weakness. These days there was no such thing, and while few ever retired from their duty, those who did were allowed to live out the remainder of their lives however they saw fit.

And me? Where will I be?

His own path had never been clear, even after he arrived his struggle with his block had left him behind in his studies. While others who arrived with him that same year had advanced in their training and studies he had been left to basic studies with others who had arrived. Two years spent cooped up in those damn barracks, and when he was allowed out now only under supervision. He kept his eyes locked on the fire, focusing his frustration back into the fire, pushing away the desire to pull on the power that Saidin shone within the background. The fire ever present in his mind, he instead pushed the thought away and returned his attention to the conversation, just in time to catch the tail end of Elaira Sedai's speech.

He had missed what she said, but her tone spoke volumes even if her words did not. The strength he'd strived for seemed to come so easily to her, he didn't know what the Aes Sedai did to drive that kind of strength into themselves but he would have to find out how to drive it into himself. Maybe the captain could help with that, as hard a taskmaster as he was, he had a way of dragging Cirus to his limits and then forcing him to go beyond what he thought he could do. That was, of course, assuming he didn't have him on stable duty for the rest of his life for this little detour.

[Eshara Aravell]

As Elaira continued to speak, Eshara’s eyebrows lowered for a moment. She did not really want that many Aes Sedai present at Alirycas - it was an unspoken and delicate balance that the city had with the White Tower. The women of Alirycas who could channel were Kin in name and did answer to the Knitting Circle in Caemlyn in technicality, but they were far away from the main politics of the world and even were considered a relatively remote location in Saldaea. And so the Aes Sedai did not trouble them with their presence, for which Eshara was immensely thankful. She certainly did not relish the idea of having Aes Sedai milling about the streets of Alirycas, able to order the populace as they wish and as they needed, disrupting the balance that Eshara and her descendants had with the local populace. Though the local populace did immensely respect them for their contributions to the effort, and many of them had served House Aravell loyally for generations uncounted, the relationship was tenuous, for as many people feared the Power as embraced it.

Even now, when both men and women channelled openly in public, a lingering tension still remained. The Seanchan still were wary of all channellers despite their public acceptance, and the Whitecloaks had fallen back into their obscene views after the death of Lord Galadriad Damodred after the Last Battle. Alirycas definitely was on the other end of the spectrum, but human nature was fickle, as Eshara could attest to after more than three and a half centuries of watching. The people of Alirycas trusted the channellers of House Aravell, not the White or Black Towers.

She needed to guide Elaira away from that line of thinking, or at least restrict it.

Eshara set the teacup down, tapping the side as though lost in thought as she tried to find a way to phrase her words politely. “Forgive me, Cirus, but what we speak of should only concern those who were initiates of the White Tower.” Embracing saidar, Eshara wove a Ward against eavesdropping that encompassed her and Elaira. Cirus would still be able to see them and their lips move, but he would hear nothing but the crackle of the heart that was outside the ward of eavesdropping. Eshara pursed her lips for a moment, then added a touch of Air and Fire to the weave, and the Ward began to shimmer faintly in the air, so that Cirus would know its boundary.

Turning to Elaira Sedai, Eshara fiddled with the cup for a moment before speaking. “I would be frank, Elaira Sedai. I believe that the White Tower will not look kindly upon such a suggestion in truth. Aes Sedai they may be, Servants of All, but they choose to serve the world in a fashion that is entirely different from how we amongst the Kin in Alirycas serve. Aes Sedai serve the world by dealing with higher matters that we among the Kin are not able to perform, and I believe that most would not agree to anything that would distract them from such matters.” Her mouth curled dryly. “I am sure that most would not wish to spend their winters toiling to keep the fields warm and alight for an extra season’s worth of food or growth.”

[Elaira Taravin]

Elaira watched, pulse racing, as Eshara embraced saidar and wove a ward against eavesdropping.  This was not the response she'd hoped for, and her heart dropped.  Her gaze sought out Cirus again, which helped strengthen her resolve.  She'd helped the Soldier.  She could do more.  So she sat impassively, teacup lowered, while Eshara laid out her objections. 

"I would be frank, Elaira Sedai. I believe that the White Tower will not look kindly upon such a suggestion in truth. Aes Sedai they may be, Servants of All, but they choose to serve the world in a fashion that is entirely different from how we amongst the Kin in Alirycas serve. Aes Sedai serve the world by dealing with higher matters that we among the Kin are not able to perform, and I believe that most would not agree to anything that would distract them from such matters.”

She wouldn't convince Lady Aravell to accept Aes Sedai interference.  Elaira's face dropped a hair; the distrust people had for channelers was still difficult for her to fully comprehend.  For Aes Sedai that distrust was even more significant, Three Oaths or no.  And, as much as she hated to admit it, Lady Aravell had a point.  Could the White Tower really afford to distract itself from its duties?  But our duties are to serve the people!

“I am sure that most would not wish to spend their winters toiling to keep the fields warm and alight for an extra season’s worth of food or growth.” 

Elaira couldn't help herself; seeing the matriarch of the Aravell grin at that line got her laughing as well.  It was a quiet, happy thing, breaking the tension that had welled up within.  She wouldn't return to the Tower with a dread lord, nor with hopes for more connections with Alirycas' Kin.  Elaira could still find value here.  Her thoughts drifted to her satchel and the notebook tucked within.

"Very well Lady Aravell.  I see your point.  You are correct that few of my Sisters would consider any arrangement beneficial."  She looked Eshara directly in the eye, marshaling what strength she could.

"If you would have me, I would like to stay for a short while."  This had not been planned as a long trip; the Amyrlin's Bonding Ceremony would come sooner rather than later, and Elaira herself would be there one way or another.   "I was not lying or misleading when I said there was much I could learn from you and yours.  I hope you'll permit me the opportunity before circumstances call me elsewhere."

[Cirus]

“Forgive me, Cirus, but what we speak of should only concern those who were initiates of the White Tower.”

The words probably weren’t meant to be cruel, nor to make the soldier feel unwanted. Yet all he could think when he heard them was the same age-old refrain he’d often heard of those in power when they were talking around him. This conversation is not for the likes of you, boy. He tried to hide his thoughts on the matter, Elaria Sedai hadn’t been cruel or hidden anything from him when she and Her Highness Ishara had found him in Caemlyn. She never would have stood for a secret to be held back if it wasn’t necessary. That’s what he kept telling himself anyway.

The gaze of Elaria Sedai caught his for only a moment, but it was enough to realize just how much the young woman who’d saved him from the streets had changed. No longer did she so openly wear her warm feelings on her sleeve, nor did she openly show pain or discomfort. For a brief moment it brought doubt to his own mind. Could she really be trusted? Was the captain right to insist on the male dreadlord being claimed by the black tower instead of the white? When her gaze left him to return to lady Aravell it made him realize just how much the young woman he remembered wasn’t the Aes Sedai here. At her core, she might still be there, but the years had changed her, just as they had changed him.

The conversation was carried on beyond a wall that he couldn’t hear. He could only guess at what they were saying.

[Eshara Aravell]

Eshara smiled gently. “The Kin in Alirycas always stand ready to serve at need, Elaira Sedai, and we are always allies to the White Tower, and have been since before the days of the Last Battle. Should you wish to wander around and observe my greatchildren at work, you may do so, or offer your strength for healing, if there is any need. The hospitality of my home and my people is open to you.”

She glanced around at the warding, and the weave untied itself and unravelled, fading away into the background as its purpose was satisfied. Eshara smiled and pulled over a chair with a weave of air and poured another cup of tea, beckoning for Cirus to come over. “Come, Cirus. Do tell me about how Captain Terron fares in the Black Tower. I rarely receive any news about him during this time, and it would please me to know how my kinsman fares.”


[Elaira Taravin]

Elaira's face betrayed her relief and happiness ever so slightly. Her eyes brightened and she smiled ever so slightly as Lady Aravell spoke, agreeing to allow her to remain in Alirycas. Her face, still unmarked by the ageless common to her order, was different from other Aes Sedai as well: it remained largely an open book for those trained in reading it.

“The Kin in Alirycas always stand ready to serve at need, Elaira Sedai, and we are always allies to the White Tower, and have been since before the days of the Last Battle. Should you wish to wander around and observe my greatchildren at work, you may do so, or offer your strength for healing, if there is any need. The hospitality of my home and my people is open to you.”

"Thank you for your hospitality, Lady Aravell. I will be very glad to assist if I can, and I am happy to get the chance to see more of Alirycas. You have a wonderful city, here." Other Aes Sedai would have bullied or cajoled Lady Aravell, Elaira knew. She also knew that it likely wouldn't work as well as they would expect. Elaira was just glad to have the opportunity to make something of this trip.

As the ward dropped, she watched Cirus as Lady Aravell beckoned the Soldier over. The young man was so very different from the urchin they'd rescued all those years ago on the streets of Caemlyn, but there was still something in his eyes that felt familiar. She smiled again, face bright.

"Yes, please do Cirus. I'm quite interested to hear about your time in the Black Tower!" She sounded eager, and she was; Elaira hadn't ever really expected to meet the young man again, though in retrospect it was likely inevitable. Seeing him now was a balm to her spirit, a sign that she and her friends had done something right, and Elaira was very interested in both Cirus and the Black Tower itself.

[Cirus]

Cirus tried to follow their lips, but couldn’t make out the words they were saying. For all he knew the two women could be speaking the old tongue to each other. For all he could hear they might as well be speaking the old tongue. His gaze returned to the fire as he tried to cool his temper, for as long as the iron discipline of the tower had held onto him one would think him more even-tempered. Yet this expedition had shown how much he lacked the proper temperament. How much of the boy from Caemlyn remained within him despite his best efforts to bury the fool who had tried to run from the best thing that could possibly have happened to him.

His thoughts were shattered from their path once again as he watched a chair slide over by the two women. For a moment he thought that Lady Aravell was expecting another visitor, only to discover it was meant for him. He moved over to the seat slowly as he considered his words carefully. The Captain was a stern man, and Cirus wasn’t sure just how much he should share, or how much he really could share about the captains' activity. After all, what did he know about it?

“The captain fares well, as far as I know, he’s kept himself mostly to the Tower. The Black Tower, rather.”

Cirus sat uneasily in the chair that had been pulled up for him. He was almost never addressed sitting down, and it felt odd to be doing so now. Much of his screamed to stand up at attention based on instinct, but he couldn’t force himself to do so when the lady Aravell had asked of him to take a seat. As he sat he was shocked by another question thrown his way, though admittedly one that should have been far easier to answer. What had he done at the tower?

“I….”

Cirus struggled for the words, what HAD he done at the black tower? He’d performed chores and focused on his swordsmanship, but he’d accomplished very little in his time away from Caemlyn, relatively speaking. Here was Elaria sitting before him, wearing the serpent ring and having made him feel like a fool on the walls, despite the black coat he wore and the sword at his hip, she had pushed him so easily back into that nervous child found on the streets of Caemlyn. As he sat there for a moment, he found himself struggling for an answer, squirming slightly in his seat like he’d done something wrong.

“Well…. I am only out of the Black Tower for the second time with this…”

His voice was becoming meeker as he spoke, once again retreating to the old self, forgetting all he’d learned, all his brothers had tried to instill within him.

[Eshara Aravell]

As she watched, Cirus began to shrink under the combined weight of both Eshara and Elaira Sedai’s gazes, becoming a shell of the person that he had been just moments earlier when he had flared up at Terron’s diatribe. Apparently, the weight of the White Tower still was too much for him to handle, and she saw him for the boy that the black coat had previously covered up. Still, she had seen flashes of the man that he would eventually become, and the sudden regression in attitude made her stare at him somewhat as he shifted, becoming ever more uncomfortable in their presence. Her gaze flickered over to Elaira Sedai, and she nodded at the two of them, coming to her feet and adjusting her robes. "It has been wonderful to meet the two of you, in truth. Alirycas greatly appreciates your assistance during this time, and I shall go have a few words with the Captain about the duration of his stay here."

And with barely a rustle of cloth to mark her exit, she swept out of the room.

[Elaira Taravin]

“I…. Well…. I am only out of the Black Tower for the second time with this…”

Elaira's smile faded as the sudden attention from both Eshara and herself seemed to wilt the poor young man on the spot. She cringed inwardly; she, of all people, should know that the sudden attention might be quite unwelcome! Cirus had carried himself very well, but he was only a young man for all of that. Eshara's attention, as Elaira well knew, could be daunting.

The matriarch herself stared, and Elaira shifted uncomfortably in her seat even though the weight of that gaze didn't fall upon her directly. When Lady Aravell stood, it was a relief.

"It has been wonderful to meet the two of you, in truth. Alirycas greatly appreciates your assistance during this time, and I shall go have a few words with the Captain about the duration of his stay here."

Elaira hurried to stand and nodded after her before she swept from the room. Then, after a heartbeat, she let out a breath she hadn't intended to hold. Light, but she makes me nervous. She turned her eyes back to Sirus, a rueful smile crawling up onto her face.

"We are dismissed, I think."

Elaira turned to the door, weighing her options, then sighed and turned to go. Before she reached the door, she paused and looked over her shoulder.

"You've done well, Soldier Cirus. I remember the first time I'd left the Tower after beginning my training..."

She trailed off, shaking her head.

"We made a mess of things and that was explained to us in vivid detail, several times. Don't worry, you're doing wonderfully by comparison."

Then she too was gone, off to hunt down one of the Aravell servants and, possibly, a guestroom. The day had been exhausting enough for her already.

[Cirus]

"It has been wonderful to meet the two of you, in truth. Alirycas greatly appreciates your assistance during this time, and I shall go have a few words with the Captain about the duration of his stay here."

Cirus fought to keep in a relieved sigh when Lady Aravell left. The woman was certainly intimidating, far more so than Cirus could remember anyone else being. He was certain that he’d met strong women before at the tower, being married to an Asha’man required a fair bit of strength in and of itself. Yet Lady Aravell was a different kind of presence, hers was one of command, of knowing that everything was in order because she willed it to be. It wasn’t surprising where the captain found that kind of steel in his soul, growing up with such a woman as a presence in your life must have been quite intimidating.

"We are dismissed, I think."

Cirus merely nodded, waiting for Elaira Sedai to make her way toward the door. It didn’t seem right for him to make his way out the door quite just yet. He still felt a little like his legs were jelly after having both sets of eyes on him. He did manage to rise to his feet at least, though moving away from the seat was slightly more difficult. He took another deep breath as he tried to steady himself before moving to the door as Elaira Sedai had done.

"You've done well, Soldier Cirus. I remember the first time I'd left the Tower after beginning my training… We made a mess of things and that was explained to us in vivid detail, several times. Don't worry, you're doing wonderfully by comparison."

He was grateful for the words of comfort, and yet a small bit of playfulness couldn’t help but make its way into his response.

“Well it’s fortunately not my first time outside of the black tower …. Did that bond with Lady Ishara ever go anywhere?”

[The Dark One]

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