The Great Hunt

[Firesprite]

Heading west from Camelyn, Keiren Sedai set a brisk pace. The weather was holding fine, if a little cool at night, but like all full sisters, she knew the art of ignoring the temperature. Mikale was riding slightly ahead of her, but still within speaking distance. She smiled a little to herself. No, the nights were not cold at all.

Thinking ahead Keiren had appropriated the oldest maps from the Library, noting the changes to the land and the the rise and fall of villages, towns and cities. She was as certain as she could be of the location of Manetheren's ruins. They should reach them very soon.

At the last town they had passed through though, there was a strange folk tale she'd never before heard. A tale of a mission undertaken by the behest of a beautiful and powerful woman. A mission made successful, an item delivered to its keepers, and a promise by those who quested to return and defend the honour of their homeland... Wether they made it or not the teller of the tale didn't know, but for some reason the whole story struck Keiren as important in some way. She mulled it over as she rode towards her destiny and glory.

 

[princessa]

lady gentia

freshly clad in a blue semi-transparent riding dress, lady gentia steps out of the snug inn and gildes towards her mare. the sun shines brightly upon her and the four guards close behind. they canter toward the fine shops in the wealthy upper-class district of illian.

"tell me, brenn, of the gossip in the taverns these days." gentia requests while riding.
"my lady, most of the talk is not fit for your ears. common men joke about the charms of highborn ladies and soldiers curse the witches of tar valon. whitecloaks dampen the gossip with fear and make their presence known in the city." brenn replies.
"aes sedai are here?"
"as rumor has it, my lady."
"see what is being said and report the verifiable information. no doubt they seek the horn as well, but for the glory of tar valon and their control over men." gentia orders.
"it shall be done, my lady."

the men stop when lady gentia indicates interest in a fine dress shop with silks and velvets in the window. brenn accompanies her while the other retainers remain outside with the horses.

 

[chewbacca71]

Nestrum

Nestrum searches the crowd and sees one of his usual contacts. "Megan, I will be back in a few minutes. I see someone that I need to talk to. " He walks off into the crowd. He signals to Devram to meet him in the next tavern. He sits down with his informant for a cup of ale and they start talking.

Nestrum comes back alongside Megan. "I have some information that I think is relative to this search. " He whispers in her ear, so that others do not hear. "That is my plan and where I think it is. Are you in agreement?"

 

[petrel]

'very well' Megan replied.
'I shall rely on you to ensure we do not go astray with this Nestrum - and mind that you keep an eye out for those two girls I described to you. If we do not see them today I shall call at their inn tonight'

 

[Guest]

Nestrum

"Yes madam, I will make the neccesary preparations. I will see that the horses are checked, and I will buy three extras so that we each have a second mount and also a second pack horse. I will get the rations that we need and will get extra waterskins to supply our needs. I will meet you back at the Inn at sunset. I suggest that we get used to traveling during the night and sleeping during the day. We have a hard hot journey ahead of us. "

 

[chewbacca71]

That last one was me. Not sure how that happened.

Chewey

 

[Call Sign Oracle]

The Whitecloaks

*The day had not been so swelteringly hot as it had been on the long ride to Illian. The sun was shining and a steady breeze was coming in from the west. The rays of the sun seemed to make his armor and pristine white cloak, almost glow in it's light, and the ever arrogant "Dai'shan" Simply soaked up those rays as if all the world were his to be admired by. Conrad simply shook his head at his arrogant horse, but he wasn't about to chastise the horse for his arrogance. After all he'd earned his rights to be arrogant time and time again on the field of battle. The throngs of people milling about the streets, once content to simply stand idle all seemed to lower they're eyes and find something else to do as he passed by. None seemed to stand in the path of him and his horse and they all moved aside quite quickly. No "hello's" or "how do'ye do's" or any such pleasantries of passersby were given to him. It was his due as a representative of the Light, he and his men were not popular and he knew it. There were many who would call him Fanatic, or perhaps Tyrant. However he knew of the many who would call him saviour and hero. The many many people that he and his unit had been responsible for. Though Illian was a city and country unto itself. Far be it from him to impose himself upon the citizenry. Though they were not as, unpleasant as they had been on his arrival after he had decided to take up searching for the horn of Valere. There were certainly many a gawker and on looker when a Childe of the Light stepped forward to take the Horn Seekers oaths. It had been, in truth a rather comical day. And so, to celebrate he was on his way to a local inn, and coincidentally enough as if the thought had summoned the building from thin air. He was there. A stable hand rushed out quickly to assist in the stabling of Conrads steed, and though he was obliged at the younglings assistance he was not about to leave a trained and rather uppity war stallion in the hands of a boy. And so after a time Conrad had finished with combing and currying his steed and gave the quiet command to be alert, and then entered into the Inn. Now there had been stories of towns rising up to lynch the whitecloaks, as it were. However Conrad nor any of his men had ever experienced such a thing, nor even the inkling of an idea that it might even come close. Many a man would not stand up to Conrad even if paid. He was a giant of a man, with hard tanned skin from his travels and the rough calloused hands of a weapons worker. He also carried himself much like a Lion on his lands. And ironically enough he was known as the White Lion of Amadicia. Battle scarred, regal, and poised. A model of Soldiery, honor and discipline. So it was not a surprise to him when he entered into the common room of the inn, that it almost immediately grew silent, one might have thought themselves deaf had they not heard the now reverberating sound of Conrads boot soles thumping along the wooden floor. As he approached a table and took a seat, flaring out his cloak behind him and adjusting the large axe on his back, so as not to poke him to roughly, at that moment his chair gave a creak of protest at the size and weight of the man atop it. Conrad simply looked down at the chair sternly and it apparently had a lasting effect as the chair creaked no more.

It took but a moment for a serving maid to approach his table, quickly and efficiently wiping it down for him. She attempted her best smile, though it was somewhat lacking what with the sweat dampening her forehead and blouse.

"Might there be something I can fetch for ye m'lord?"

*Conrad looked to the lass and gave a single nod, before speaking in his deep rich basso voice. Rough with use and a tone of command and authority in each word.*

"Today I will eat light. I wish for a pitcher of chilled water, a chicken perhaps, if you have any fresh, Stew as well if it is prepared, perhaps some bread with butter and a few potatoes as well. Oh yes, the cheese, if you've any as well, I do like cheese. Vegetables as well, steamed or boiled either is fine......"

*As Conrad ticked off the items on his fingers, the serving maids eyes widened with each item, but she dutifully nodded attempting to remember each thing, wishing at that moment she could write and read.*

"....some fruit perhaps and oh yes, perhaps a bit of beef broth to wash it down."

*Conrad looked to the woman and gave a satisfied nod to her and sat, poised and quiet, simply waiting for the maid to return with his order, he looked to her once more and took note of the slack jawed look on her face, yes she would return.....eventually. He cleared his face and the girl nearly jumped out of her dress, then scurried back into the kitchen. Conrad simply sat at his table waiting patiently and quietly paying no mind to those who occupied the inn and gawked at the Childe of the Light.*

 

[chewbacca71]

Nestrum

Nestrum chuckled as he arrived back at the Inn. He hooks the line of six horses to the post. Jiggling the extra coins in his hand, Nestrum threw a copper to the stableboy to feed and curry the hourses. I cant believe the stablemaster had such a high opinion of his ability to wield a sword. To have bet these three extra horses on his skill with a blade, unconsiousable. Well, in a few weeks , the wounds will heal and he will be able to walk again.

He enters the Inn, looking for Megan. He does not see her anywhere so he goes up to her room. He politely knocks on her door and hears "Just a minute. " Nestrum was in a hurry so he opened the door and walked in.

 

[petrel]

Megan walked back to the inn to wait for nestrum, on her way she stopped the two girls she had spotted earlier - only one had any real ability but she managed after an hour or two to talk them into a level of curioustiy about themselves and Tar Valon. She gave them the address of Bella one of the main Eyes and Ears for the green Ajah here and sent them on their way. She didn't tell them she had also given detialed descriptions of them to Bella so if they didn't turn up Bella would try and find them herself.

For now though she needed to get back and pack.

Hurrying back to the inn she was soon hot again after apcking her bags she quickly poured ocld water into a basin and stripped of her dress to splash cold water over herself. She heard the knock at the door and called out 'Just a moment' but then heard the door creak open;
her face flaming with anger she turned and snatched up a shirt lying on the bed,
'Just what do you think you are doing' she snapped at Nestrum ' I told you to wait' He started towards her but she was angry enough to weave air and hold him back. She walked past him and clsoed the door firmly turnign round Megan drew on all her reserves - appearing clam and agelss was somewhat more of a challange when the only thing she was wearing was an oversized mans shirt, 'bother' she muttered - and her hair was falling down from the hastily screwed up topknot.
She released Nestrum and stepped up to him - 'do not walk in on me like that again' she said and tried to turn away before he could answer her

 

[chewbacca71]

Nestrum

Nestrum watches as she turns away. He is contrite that he barged in like that, but that was no reason for her heavy handed use of her power. He quickly rose to anger. He reached out and grabbed her shoulder. "I am sorry that I just came in , but I wanted us to get on the road soon. There was no reason for you to react like you did. Maybe becoming a sister of the Aes Sedai has made you forget that you are a woman. You only think like a weapon waiting to be wielded. Maybe you need a reminder of what you are. "

His right hand trails down the front of her shirt. His left hand grabs the hem of the shirt, lifting it up. His right hand encircles her right breast, his thumb gently caressing her nipple. He moves his body hard up against her back, as his groin rests up against her bare ass.

 

[princessa]

lady gentia

gentia hummed happily as she returned to the inn. the little shop had a surprising selection of domani silks and the lastest fashionable styles. in addition, one of their girls actually knew how to create domani veils properly. she walked into her room and approved of the fresh linens on the bed. there were more flowers in the vase as well. gentia motioned for the men to place her purchases on the bed and noticed a sealed message on her desk.

 

[Firesprite]

All night Keiren was kept awake with that story going round and round in her head. For the tale to be told so close to her destination and never heard elsewhere in the world it seemed to tell her the horn had been removed from the keeping of those at Manetheren. But where had it gone?

She needed more information. At the next town she would stay a while and see if there were any more stories that might lead her to the next step in her quest.

 

[BlazeofLife]

Felix Minswaggle

Hunching back from the towering figures around him, Felix grimaced, his usually grandiose air somewhat deflated by the presence of children's tales come to life.
All around him, Ogier moved soberly, their huge forms belying their casual grace as they moved about the mamoth room.
He had come here from the ruined lands of the former Manetheren, seeking further answers, though he had never thought to meet with true reality. Mostly, he had been simply wandering, lost in contemplation, as he called it, when he'd literally stumbled across this land, called a Stedding by its people. He preferred, of course, to think that it was the Creator's will, guiding him toward his destiny with the Horn.
A strange people, indeed, but they had been most helpful with regards to his quest. Ogier, it seemed, had much longer life-spans than humans, and what was merely ancient legend among others was recorded history for them.
Sadly, they'd no true maps of the land that showed the location of the mysterious Others, but there was a great deal of literature regarding their nature.
If only he could understand it!
Much of it was nonsense, surely, all that rubbish about iron, and musical instruments, and two seperate yet related carven doorways, yet some of it made sense as well, like the fact that the supposed carven doorways each led to a different place, a place apart from the world, and what better description for a land with one gate?
The part about musical instruments had puzzled him, briefly, for surely that must preclude the object of his search, until he'd found another tome, this one a text based upon the Horn itself, which claimed that though the Horn appeared as an instrument of music, it was otherwise, an object of the power which resembled its namesake in name only. A fine distinction, he thought, but apparently enough.
If only he knew which doorway to seek!
If the text were right, each led to a different land, and each had different inhabitants, differing greatly from one another.
Which to choose?

Blaze

 

[Firesprite]

Keiren lay sleepless for the third night running. She had begun to form a clearer idea of where they must travel, but that path, if she chose the wrong one would lead her far from the target and there was great risk in pursuing it.

When dawn came Keiren had decided to throw caution to the wind. She would head south to the Stone of Tear.

Instructing Mikale to ready their mounts and packhorses, they left the town.

 

[petrel]

Megan's body stiffened in shock as a thousand thoughts and images filled her mind, The Warder bond was magnifying Nestrums feelings, taking her own images and throwing them back to him. Suddenly recollecting herself she pulled away cursing silently when she realised that she had been leaning back into Nestrum.
'I had thought Nestrum you were in a hurry - I am sure you'll be able to find a serving maid or two whereever we next stop - now be kind enough to leave whilst I pack'
She watched him leave the rooom and then sank down on her bed, light but she hadn't expected that. Oh plenty of Greens took their warders to bed and some married them but she had no intention of doing so - or at least thats what she had thought. She frowned slightly, was this her or was it the bond sending feeligns along from Nestrum - it had been difficult a time or tow in the beginning to tell whose emotions she was feeling - hers or Nestrums.

She shook her head again and started to pack trying unsuccessfully to forget the feel of warm leather against her skin and the strength of Nestrum as he held her there for a few moments.

 

[chewbacca71]

Nestrum

Nestrum could feel her emotions surging through his bond, then a complete cutoff occured. Nestrum knew that she had wanted to give in to her base desires, but something stopped her. He tried to hide his dissapointment with a quick turn and exit of the room. He yelled back to her," I will see to the horses. We need to be ready to leave in a few minutes, so hurry up. "

He was concerned about his lack of control. He had always been in complete control of what was going on at all times. Since he had become a warder, his senses were always in flux as he had new imput that he had never had before. He felt less in control of his life than ever before. Like a puppet on the string of an emotional women. He was looking forward to this journey. Time alone between them would give them so time to talk.

 

[Call Sign Oracle]

Conrad

*Conrad had finished his meal sometime ago, and retired to his quarters. Once there, under lamplight he pored over his maps, considering his destinations. It took him sometime, though he managed to come across some old documents entailing stories of doorways, and travelling of some sort. It smelt afoul of the accursed one power, though the horn itself would be an invaluable tool for the victory of the light. It could indeed strike the decisive blow against the Shadow. In so considering Conrad realized he was a slightly unorthodox Child of the Light. Though he was loved by his men and those he had helped there were those, even within the council which felt naught but ire and discontent at some of his actions. Though they could not prove them, they had they're suspicions. He spent two days and nights within that inn, eating, sleeping and studying the documents and manuscripts. Deciding finally on venturing forth to Tear and investigating the possibilities of said doorway. His life before as a noble would certainly help him especially in the great Stone of Tear, where militant nobles ruled. And so with naught but a fortnight ahead of him he and his company set up and took to horse to travel to Tear.*

 

[princessa]

lady gentia

gentia dismisses everyone from the room and quickly picks up the message. she examines the colored wax seal and holds the parchment near the light. finally, she determines that the letter has not been tampered with and opens the letter.


my dear lady gentia,

we have researched long and hard for the information you seek. much had been destroyed at the breaking of the world and few fragments survive. my assistants were fortunate to find a few pieces of history that may prove interesting. the library of illian thanks you for the charitable donations and wishes you the best of luck. may the light shine upon you.

sincerely,
dornald tregarc
head librarian of the royal library of illian

 

[princessa]

lady gentia

gentia eagerly reads the bits of aged and torn parchment enclosed. one speaks about the fabled land of manetheren and its great heroism in the battle against the dark one. another mentions the ogier as great builders of cities and ways. she dismisses the piece on aes sedai and their works as common knowledge. the last bit details ogier groves away from the stedding and doorways to a place apart from the world. puzzled, gentia contemplates the new information.

what are these "ways"? how could there be doorways into places apart from the world and why?

she looks at the information about the locations of ogier groves again and discovers ones in tear.

tear. a fairly civilized place that plays the great game. i believe a distant cousin married a lord of tear or someone important a few years ago. perhaps i shall go visit on behalf of the family to see if she is being treated well by her husband.

"brenn!" gentia shouts through the wooden door.
it is opened immediately by the head retainer who bows respectfully, "my lady?"
"we're going to tear," she orders.