Frustrations -Baz-

[Rymara Orelaev]

A cold breeze whipped through the White Tower, shifting the various pennants and banners of the Ajahs and disturbing the otherwise pristine skirts of many Aes Sedai as Rymara stormed through the wing occupied by her and the sisters of her Ajah. Almost every Blue had chambers within the Tower and many emulated their superiors with ostentatious comfortable furnishings. Simple but thick blue carpets trimmed in gold covered the cool stones of the hall and dulled the rhythmic, determined click of Rymara’s boots as she rounded the corner and burst into her chambers. She skipped the antechamber, after all it was an uncomfortable facade, and instead stormed into the Spartan bed chamber beyond where only a simple mirror adorned the wall, a high backed X chair occupied the space before it and a large but bland bed sat before the balcony. The cool dusk sky danced beyond and the breeze cooled the chamber yet Rymara could not feel it, between her seething frustration and the loose grip she had upon the One Power which surged through her like life itself, enflaming her sense of control and thus her frustration at how matters continued to spiral out of her control. She could feel the thin silk of her dress rustling against her skin, the cream fabric trimmed with gem stones and golden embroidery leaving little to the imagination which frustrated many of her conservative sisters. She wanted to grab hold of the Power and drink it in until she could level the Blight itself and yet despite her seething frustration she kept herself reined in, to do so would be to burn out at which point she would simply be an administrator who once held power and influence.



Despite her fearsome reputation, one which she nurtured readily and often, the Sitters had no interest in her pleas for she could only assume helping the borderlands repel the Blight could not advance their own vapid ambitions. She could see the problems, not all of them of course to claim as such would be beyond arrogant, but Rymara had her finger on the pulse as it were. Salidar and the Borderlands were pressing logistical concerns, many of the rulers were in hand and the Seanchan were quiet if not brought to heel so there was one thing not under control; The Blight. One incredibly threatening region which would always supersede all other concerns even if the Dark One could never directly touch the world, which was becoming more doubtful to those battling the Shadow, it would continue to expand if they did not stop it and they might lose kingdoms like Malkier once again. That could not happen. Ever. Even as Rymara poured a glass of rich wine, from Malkier’s southern regions funnily enough, she stewed in her frustration and rage blind to the concern she could feel through the bond from both of her warders. If the Tower would not offer the aid she requested then she would have to look elsewhere, perhaps to influential rulers like Talana who had shown a hatred of the Shadow of late which few could rival. As she paced, Rymara sipped her wine, seething as she mulled over the rejection in her mind as if thinking about it would change the minds of those who controlled matters within the Tower. The only ones to stand behind her proposition, surprisingly, were the Whites who saw an increased presence of their Sisters within each northern realm as… logical.



She wanted to storm right back into the audience chamber and show them all the true force of will that dwelled within her tiny frame, to bully them into doing what was right for the world and not for themselves yet she knew she could not. She could make monarchs bend to her will but other Aes Sedai were a different matter, she was still young and many viewed her as inexperienced at best. She chafed against such assumptions and yet they were not unfounded, many of her sisters had decades of experience which she lacked. She only snapped out of her cycle of anger and bitterness when she stubbed her toe on the leg of her bed frame, letting out a flurry of vile curse words as she turned on the spot wincing in pain to face the now open door of her bed chambers, and thus the figure framed in the warm light of the fire within the antechamber.

[Baz Silfr]

Baz sat across from Raife in the antechamber of Rymara’s quarters within the White Tower. Every once in a while, he would catch himself wondering at that fact. He’d barely heard stories of places like Tar Valon, it’s Aes Sedai and their Warders back in the Deeps. He never would have imagined then, or even later during his time as a soldier, that he would be here, let alone Bonded to the fiercest woman he’d ever known. Raife was strumming something and singing softly to himself. Something about tossing coins… Baz bit back a sigh. Nor would he have imagined he’d share that Bond with this gleeman. Still, despite their differences, and Raife’s clear lack of talent, they were both devoted to Rymara.

Their eyes met as they felt the heat that had been simmering in the back of their minds burst into anger and frustration that began rapidly moving towards them. Raife quickly put down his lute and they stood together, eyes on the chamber door. It clearly had not gone as she’d planned with the Hall. Baz allowed himself a quiet growl beneath his breath. Of course it hadn’t. Too many of the Sitters had spent far too long sitting in comfort and luxury in this Tower. They couldn’t comprehend the realities of those who risked life and limb physically fighting the Shadow back to keep them in safety and comfort. His own anger grumbled for release at that. His hands ran over the scars on his bared arms, feeling them even through the thick calluses of his hands. Before the rage could build to match Rymara’s, however, Raife caught his eye and raised an eyebrow. Baz grumbled but felt his own heat cool. Irritating though he may be, his fellow Warder was right.

After a few minutes, the diminutive Blue burst through the door like a fireball dressed in silk. Her presence was, as always, a palpable thing. Despite her size, she dominated the room, making her seem three times her size. This close, the frustration she was feeling felt like itching nettles through their Bonds. Her zealous anger took her straight through the room they waited in and into her bed chambers. Baz and Raife spent a few moments in silent conversation. Something akin to “Should you or should I?” in gestures and facial expressions until Rymara’s dulcet voice let loose with a string of profanity that would make most soldiers blush. Baz fixed Raife with a stern look and the other man motioned for him to proceed.

Baz leaned himself against the door frame of her room, keeping a studiously blank face despite the sight of their Aes Sedai hopping about with a glass of wine in one hand and holding her offended toe in the other. He crossed the room to her, taking the wine from her and placing it on the nightstand, then lifting her onto the bed. Once she was seated, he lifted first her uninjured foot, pulling off its slipper, before moving to the other. He kept his eyes on his work as he began massaging away the soreness.

“So, they didn’t listen. What sort of headstrong, dangerous plan are you formulating to test Raife and I’s dedication to keeping you alive in order to make them listen, hmm?”

[Rymara Orelaev]

And as Rymara’s feet left the floor a string of curses which would shame even the most lurid of sailor’s escaped her lips, her eyes burning with indignation along with anger until she felt her backside touch the bed. She sat on the edge of the bed, her shoulders hunched, seething over the events of the day thus far. If the Hall would not condone action against the Blight in earnest then she had to find a way to force their hand. She resented the way that the Sitters had treated her, almost as if they believed it was her ambitions driving her request for more Sisters, not the situation unfolding along the Blight border which she feared might soon expand further into the Borderlands. She simply could not stomach leaving the brave warriors who fought to protect the world on their own and yet the politicking of the Tower had left her with few choices. She could not return to the Borderlands yet, for she needed to curry favour and help with the situation brought to her attention by her dear friend in Salidar, but she hated to leave them with nothing but the forces they already had. She could not think of a way to turn the situation around, even the Blue Sitters had opposed her and done so quite openly perhaps because they did not see the threat, or maybe they saw her as a threat to their position? A young Aes Sedai full of fire and drive to achieve her goals… for a moment Rymara tried to put herself in their shoes and it only served to make her even angrier than before.

”I have no plan,” she said after nearly half a minute, her voice soft despite her fury ”I have no leverage, nothing but the One Power and you both thus I cannot act yet. If only I had access to the Choedan Kal then I could at least scour the Blight with the Power… though even that might not do any good and speculation on such matters offers us little given the statues are gone. I am afraid that we must attend to matters within Tar Valon and the South before we can offer anything to the North, I must prove it is not ambition that drives me to make these requests as well. I simply do not have the answers, all I can do is continue to offer the North that which I have already given,” though even as the words left her mouth she began to consider an alternative solution. If she could find a Sister who could not only travel but one willing to teach her the intricacies of such a Weave then she might be able to offer the North her continued aid while helping in Salidar. Gateways and travelling were, at least she had heard, dangerous weaves that could become weapons even by accident and so to consider such made her somewhat anxious.

”I am sorry Baz, the best I can do is try to find someone that will teach me to travel so that we may move swiftly between the fronts where we are needed but there is little else that I can offer as even the Ways will take too long, should your brothers in arms need us we would likely arrive too late,” and she reached out to place a hand against his cheek, her anger simmering away still beneath the surface. It was all so thoroughly unfair.

[Baz Silfr]

Rymara's cursing him for his manhandling her had little affect on Baz, despite a tickle of amusement. She could (and would) curse him all she wanted. Short of issuing him a direct command, it wouldn't change his duty of taking care of her, especially when she denied the necessity of such care. He continued the gentle manipulations of her foot, using the task to distract him from the blistering rage and frustration he felt through the Bond. Like called to like and his own ever-present anger would be only too happy to burst free from the carefully constructed dam Baz had built around it. Only his sense of duty to Rymara's best interest kept the beast in check. Right now, her best interest lay in not indulging that rage and her impulse to burn herself out by attempting to sear the Blight from the land single-handedly with the One Power. She needed a cool, clear head. So, Baz continued massaging, her stockinged foot tiny in his large, calloused hands.

"You take on too much, Rymara. Formidable as you may be," he grinned down at her, mirth in his amber eyes, "even you can not save the entire world all on your own. The things you have already done to aid the Blight and the soldiers there," an additional squeeze as he massaged, "are already a gift beyond measure. That you seek to do even more is a testament to your character."

The flood of her emotions shifted from blind anger to pensive thought and a white brow rose as she mentioned Traveling.

"From what I have gathered from the other Warders in conversation, most of their Aes Sedai Travel frequently. Finding one willing to teach what you need to know seems a far better plan than trying to use some statue that no longer exists."

As she placed her delicate fingers on his cheek, he leaned into the cool softness ever so slightly, eyelids closing for the space of a long blink. Her anger was still there, beneath the surface, but also a tenderness that he mirrored back to her.

"If there is anything I know for certainty, it is that you will find a way, anyone who stands in your way be damned."

[Raife Davoe]

“Toss a coin to your Gleeman, oh crowd… oh people… oh patrons. Toss a coin to your Gleeman, oh patrons of the valley… oh patrons of goodwill… oh patrons of plenty. Toss a coin to your Gleeman, oh patrons of plenty, oh patrons of plenty. OooOooOoo.”

While plucking a tune on his lute, trying to think up lyrics for a new song, Raife caught the annoyed look upon Baz’s face. He merely smirked as he started playing slightly louder while reminiscing at how he ended up in the antechamber of a Blue Sister with another man. After losing Kain in the Borderlands, he left behind his ambitions to become a Warder for good, or so he thought because here he was! But even though his decision to become Rymara’s second Warder had been a rash one, sitting in this room with Baz reminded him that it was a decision he’d never take back. In his life with Toria, Raife had always felt a sense of guilt and falseness. He had no love for their way of life, but oh, did he have a burning passion for her. It had been more than a year since her death, yet he’d still catch glimpses of her smile in the faces of strangers or hear her laugh from a crowd at one of his performances. Still, although he missed her greatly, he did not feel the same for his way of life with her. As Rymara’s Warder, he found the purpose he’d been looking for his entire life, but more than that, Raife found friendship with both Rymara and Baz, even if the white-haired man would never admit as much. But he was slowly witling the old grump down; he was sure of it.

Just then, he and Baz felt Rymara’s vexation expand as she rapidly approached, and they flashed concerned looks at each other. Raife set aside his lute to stand with Baz while they waited, eyes firmly planted on the door. The Sitters must have rejected her proposal. Raife shook his head with a heavy sigh. How could they not grasp the gravity of the situation with the growing blight?! Were they indeed that naïve?! Regardless, there was little that he and Baz could do now except to be there to support and aid Rymara in any manner possible. Raife raised an eyebrow at Baz as he caught his fellow Warder’s anger grow. There was a look in Raife’s eyes that, without saying a word, expressed to Baz that now was not the time to let his emotions get the better of him. Baz silently agreed. They’d become quite skilled at conversing with each other without actually speaking. After Rymara plowed through the antechamber and straight into her bed-chambers, the two used more facial expressions and gestures to decide who would talk with her. Baz ended up taking upon the task. But Raife was hardly about to resume strumming his lute to work on his song when he was far more interested in what occurred in the Hall.

He sat beside Rymara’s bed-chamber door, quietly listening to Baz’s conversation. Her frustration was evident both from their bond and her words. To prove herself to the Sitters, it seemed that they’d need to do more traveling. Doing so on foot and even via the Ways was time-consuming. She needed a Sister capable of teaching her the Travel Weave. Instantly his mother came to mind. She’d traveled to the Borderlands a few times via the One Power and was one of the most compassionate Aes Sedai he knew. Yvaine would never turn down a request to aide someone in need. A smile lit on his face as he hoped this revelation would make Rymara happy and help her cause. So he pushed open the doors of her bed-chamber with the cockiest of grins splashed across his face.

“Sorry for my intrusion, I was trying to be respectful of your private conversati-” He stopped, a look of mild disappointment in himself painted on his face before he shook his head and continued, “Hmm, yeah no, not even I believe that. I used to be a much better liar, you know. I could deceive Lords, Ladies… even royalty! Have I lost my touch?! I remember this one time I-” He heard Baz grunt before he gave him a, ‘Focus you fool.’ glare. “Right, not the time for that. My apologies. If it is an Aes Sedai capable of teaching you how to travel that you seek, then let me speak to my mother, Yvaine. I am certain that she’d be more than happy to assist you.”

[Rymara Orelaev]

And as Rymara processed the reminder of how little she actually knew her other, much wilder warder burst into the room with all the flare and theatre of a Gleeman only to be met with Rymara’s steely gaze, one slender eyebrow raised. Before he even began to speak she knew he’d been eavesdropping. She tried to hide her amusement as Raife ambled his way through whatever it is he wanted to say, and Baz grunted sharply, but it showed in the small smirk as she studied him and the bond would betray her no matter how hard she tried. As he finished speaking Rymara removed her foot from Baz’s hand, giving his shoulder a squeeze as she rose to her feet surprisingly gracefully and crossed the room to the small stand where a decanter of amber fluid waited for her

”Baz, I promise that I shall not overextend myself so you need not worry… but Raife, I knew your mother was a member of the White Tower but I did not realise that Yvaine Sedai is your mother,” she said softly as she poured three glasses of the mead moving two to the side for her warders to pick up ”Sometimes I forget how little I actually know about being… well an Aes Sedai, I left the Tower before I could really learn anything and I was not exactly a Novice or Accepted for very long,” and she turned with her glass in hand, nodding her head towards the other glasses ”But travelling only fixes one problem, there are still many other issues and if we have to travel south we will be facing unfamiliar terrain and very, very different threats. I honestly do not know what to do but I know that inaction will be the end of us so whatever it is, whatever I need to do I will do it and I trust you both to do the same. So Raife, I suppose it is time to meet your mother,”