05/26/2000

Courtyard, The White Tower, Tar Valon

Marble tiles gleam from a straight path which leads from the Gates of the
Tower to the wide double doors which announce its entry point. Soft grass
and well planned patches of flowers can be found to either side, with the
occasional shady tree. Accepted and novices sit on stone benches, some
practicing their Power to the dismay of uneasy petitioners passing through.
To the side there is a stable, near the fenced entrance to the clearly
visible yard where shirtless boys go through sword forms through the day.

Guards take the weapons of those wanting to enter, though the Gaidin spread
about the courtyard, seemingly about their leisure, look ready to pounce on
any men who "forgot" a dagger at the gates. Aes Sedai pass through on
various errands, some nodding to acknowledge bows or curtsies. The
atmosphere is busy, but calm.


Espi is toward the back of the courtyard and quite unlike her usual calm
self. She seems to be pacing back and forth. Every once and awhile her hand
goes to her head as though she wanted to push something out of her head
that won't come like it should. She sighs deeply, shaking her head as she
pauses and then begins pacing again.

Coming back to the Tower after a few hours of being out on the city,
Neelkan looks around the Courtyard after coming in the Plaza gateway. He's
still got a lot of free time on his hand since his training hasn't quite
started yet, other then chores. Oi. But let's not think on that. The only
big difference in him the last few days, other then one of his necklaces
being gone, the one with the charm... is the fact that he's suddenly
extremely tired. More then he should be. Though he just figures it's cause
he's avoiding sleep. He spots his friend pacing around and frowns slightly,
moving towards her, "Espi? Ya tryin' t' dig a ditch with yer feet?"

Espiria stops, blinking as she realizes who it is that's spaeking. She
smiles, shaking her head as she rubs her forehead for what could be the
zillionth time in her mind. "No...I..I'm trying to figure something out.
It's really important that I do, but...it just seems to dance away from me
knowing /exactly/ what it is." She sighs, heading over to you and leaving
her 'ditched' area. Her head tips to one side, seeing the tired way you
move and she sighs. "You seem...a bit out of it. You alright?"

There's a long pause, then Neelkan shrugs his shoulders, "Ah, well, maybe
ya shouldn't try so hard. I always seem t' remember things when I'm not
tryin' t'." Then he blinks at the mention of if he's feeling alright. "Uh,
just a lil tired. 'ey been makin' m' do things ya know! Chores 'n all..."
But if you look close enough, he's eyes also look a little different, not
as bright as usual. Not bloodshot or anything, just... the color doesn't
look the same as it usually does.

Espiria chuckles softly, eyes still on you with just a bit of concern. She
hmms softly, shivering a bit in spite of herself. "Neel....umm..you're
coloring isn't all that good either." She shakes her head just a bit,
frowning now. "How...much time have you been spending with Redd lately?"

The sudden concern for him makes his brow furrow slightly and Neelkan looks
away from you. He's still not exactly comfortable with people being worried
about him. Even his friends. "I've been spendin' a lot of time with Redd.
He's m' friend. Needs t' know 'at... 'at I'm 'ere f'r 'im." He scratches at
his hair a moment, as if embarassed by that show of... well.. whatever it
is he's showing! He's not good with these things. And to reaffirm that he's
alright he adds on, "'n I'm fine. Just not sleepin' well. Ya know me!"

Espiria frowns a bit and leaves it at that, though it nags at the back of
her mind that it's more than that. She does wince for a moment, holding her
head for a bit. "Not...good....spending time with...contagious...no...It
couldn't be.. That would mean..." Her head jerks up to look at you,
widening her eyes just a bit, "You can't leave again, Neel. Please...don't
leave again..."

Now the furrowing brow increases and Neelkan's mouth bunches up on one side
in a frown. "I... a'right..." He agreed so easily? Shock. "Espi... what's
goin' on? What d'ya mean? Co... contagious?" Like he doesn't fully
understand the word... He finally reaches out a arm and touches your
shoulder, "D'ya need t'... sit down 'r somethin'? All 'is grabbin' yer head
is gettin' a lil..." Strange? Weird? Scary? All of the above... He just
lets it trail off.

Espiria winces again, frowning as she looks back up to you. "What...Redd
has. Seen...no..I know it..from before." She shivers, slightly shaking her
head to clear it. She has to go so far back though...has to pull from so
far away to remember that. She sighs, "You...can't leave, Neel. If..you
do...you'll give what Redd has...to others." She sways on her feet, "Need
to sit...Oh..my head hurts." She sighs again, shaking her head repeatedly
this time. "You...have it too. You...were with Redd...when he could have
passed it....passed it to others. YOu..can't leave..or you will pass
it...too."

Varcel enters the courtyard quietly, looking around for familiar faces.

"I... a'right." Neelkan says after a brief pause. He usually doesn't agree
so fast with things, but she did say please and everything. He offers an
arm to the girl, "Come on... let's get ya over t' 'at bench 'fore ya fall
down 'r somethin'. I'm not gonna carry ya, so better get o'er 'ere while ya
can still walk." He's going to act like it's no big deal. None at all.
Though honestly, he's kind of worried again. Who wouldn't be?

Espiria heads over with Neel's help to the bench. Shakily she sits down,
head dropping to both of her hands now as though to rest it. She shivers,
flitching a bit at the pains in her head, but she manages to look back up
to Neel, frowning. "Who...else has been with...him. Who...not able to
channel? Must..find them...keep them here. Or...could spread....." She
groans just a bit, skin coloring now slightly paler than before. In fact
moving swiftly to border on ashen.

Varcel notices Espiria and Neelkan and starts over casuaully. Seeing her
distress, this turns into a rapid sprint, concern evident on his face.

Keeping a hand on her arm, Neelkan settles onto the bench next to her,
watching her a little. Who else has been with him that can't channel?
"Uh... 'at Kennyth guy was in 'ere, wasn't he? 'n... 'n I don't really know
who else..." Sigh. He should say something here, and he wants to, but he
holds back as he catches someone moving quickly towards them out of the
corner of his eyes. He loosens his hold on the girl's arm then, but doesn't
remove it completely.

Espiria sighs softly, bleary eyes looking up to Neel. "Kennyth? He...can't
be allowed to wander free. He...will infect..." She shivers again, eyes
looking away from him and toward the racing figure. She manages a
whispered, "Varcel..." Before her head drops back to her chest. Something
nags her though...something about Redd being caried back? Who carried him?

Varcel runs up at that moment and drops to his knees beside her, taking up
her free hand. "Espra, what happened? Are you okay?" HE looks upa t
Neelkan. "Is she okay?"

Though not as bright as usual, Neelkan's blue-green eyes dart from Varcel
to Espi, and he tries to fight the urge to grin. This is not the time to
grin. This is a serious conversation. "She's just worried... Turns out I
might got whate'er Redd has." When Redd was brought to the infirm someone
mentioned Varcel, so he'll assume he knows the boy. But what he said was
said so casually, like it was no big deal. Can anyone shrug off the
possibility of having a illness that the Yellows don't seem to understand?
Well, Neel can at least.

Espiria glances up to Varcel, feeling her hand taken. She looks with just a
bit of confusion, not knowing who he is for a moment before it dawns on her
again. "Varcel....danger...THing Redd has..contagious. Have..to get
everyone who's...been in contact with him...here. Can't let them contact
anyone..who can't channel....They will catch it too." She groans, holding
her head again for a moment. "Remember...it....Phague....called the
Phague...."

Varcel blinks in surprise, then shakes his head, grimacing. "Burn me, I'm
the one who carried him back here. I'm most certainly been in contact with
him."

Biting down on his lower lip, Neelkan looks from his friend to the guy he
doesn't know all that well but has heard things about. Phague...? She said
that before... Pulling his hand away fully from her arm, he sits back a
little and shakes his head, letting his white-streaked red hair which falls
to obscure his eyes as soon as he stops. He stays silent for the moment.

Espiria lifts her head with difficulty, glancing ay Varcel with a shocked
expression. "No...YOu can't...OH Light...." She begins crying softly,
shaking her head. "Now..I.../have/ to find that cure. I have to
remember....I have to..." She weeps for a short while, wincing at the pain
in her head as she does so. "I've..got to get Mother....or Wyntere Sedai to
help me." She shakes her head, "I..can't allow it to spread as it did
before. I..remember how many died...Horrible."

Varcel uhms, at Espiria. "Should I, uhm, report to someone about this? I
certainly shouldn't go out into town, but who do I tell?"

Blue-green eyes blink a few times at Espi's reaction, then Neelkan just
turns his head away from both. Blood 'n ashes. He grinds his teeth a
little, which can't be good for his lower lip that he's still biting on. He
can... No. He'll just... maybe he should... arg. Girl's are confusing. "I
already went out to town though..." he finally confesses softly. Very
softly. Especially from him.

Slowly the slim petite form of Aliana slips out from the Tower, emerald
eyes flickering around the Courtyard.

Espiria darts her eyes up to Neel, widening them slightly at the soft
admission. "When...when did you go?" She seems really wanting to know that.
"How..long after Redd got sick..did you go out?" Her eyes remain on him,
frowning slightly now as she tries to bring out the memory of how long it
takes for the virus to kick in.

"I was just out this mornin'..." Neelkan says, still not looking at them.
Light. Now he's going to feel responsable if it spreads. "'n I went out a
couple days 'fore. Right after I moved outta the Infirmary..." Which was
the same day he last saw her, and the day Redd went into that fit of
coughing with him right next to him... "I just... I thought I was... just..
tired." His voice is still very soft for him.

Slowly, Aliana makes her way towards Espiria, neelkan and Varcel. Eyes
flickering up and down as if judging what is going on.

Espiria shivers a bit more hearing what Neel said. She glances up and is
just about to say something when she sees Aliana. Her eyes widen just a bit
and she stands quickly to bob a curtsey to the AS. The words she was going
to say stay on her lips though.

Varcel takes Espiria's cue and stands to bow as well, though his face is
solemn.

Emerald eyes flicker among those present for a moment before Aliana says
curtly,"Speak girl. Don't let me interuppt." She simply watches all those
present.

Stand and bow? Nope. Not Neelkan. He continues to sit there, staring off a
little and wonder who all he just killed. Not like he avoided populared
areas either. He went to a few Taverns even! He... arg. It's a good thing
he's sitting down. Finally he shakes his head and opens his mouth to say
something, but then stops as someone speaks. Eh? His eyes whip towards the
source of that voice. Aliana?

Standing now next to the bench she was seated on, Espi is looking at Aliana
before she glances to Varcel(in front of her) and Neel who was seated next
to her on the bench. Her face turns a few shades of blush before she
stammers out to Neel, "I...I would suggest telling Wyntere Sedai about
this, Neel. As soon as possible. I think she would want to know as much as
you do now, hmm?" That's a hopefully good enough statment of what he needs
to know as well as saticfies Aliana's curiousity of what she was going to
say. Certainly don't want to start a panic.

A single eyebrow arches slightly,"What is going on here?" Aliana's voice
sounds more concerned than upset,"If something is wrong then I think the
person to notify would be Keay Sedai or Mother. Those two can organize
things if there is a problem."

"I will..." Neelkan sighs, shaking his head. Looks like he's going to be
stuck in the bloody infirmary again! And he just got out too! Where's a
tree when he needs to hit one. He shakes his head again and stands up. "I
think I'll talk t' Wyn first, Aliana, but I could talk t' Kaomi too." Call
Kaomi 'Mother'? Nope. He certainly doesn't. Sorry. He doesn't know this
Keay person at all though.

Varcel shifts, uneasy. "I'll be happy to speak with whomever you think
best, Aliana Sedai."

Espiria glances around for just a moment before taking a deep sigh. "I..was
just telling Neel that this sickness Redd has is nothing to play with. It's
very nasty and if anyone feels sick..I would suggest telling someone right
away." She sighs, lifting a shoulder.

"Did you delve them, Espiria isn't it?" Aliana's voice is smooth as she
speaks,"Never is sickness to be toyed with and Neelkan for the sake of
sanity /please/ refer to Kaomi as Mother. Some of the Sisters have a
problem with /us/ calling her Kaomi Sedai much less simple Kaomi. YOu may
continue call me as you wish but /please/ call Mother, Mother when out and
about."

"I am -not- gonna call 'er 'mother.'" Neelkan says with a little more force
then he has been speaking with the last few minutes. "I didn't like m' ma
'at much, 'n it would be 'n insult f'r m' t' think of 'er like at. 'n
anyway, -Kaomi- ne'er said I couldn't." And until she does he's going to
call her by her first name. He's that type of person.

Espi sighs softly, shaking her head just a bit as she stands in front of
Aliana. She lifts a shoulder to shrug again, "I haven't delved anyone,
Aliana Sedai. I can't explain why I....was asking that of them. Or why I
know they have to tell Mother of Wyntere Sedai. I..just know they have to.
Both of them." She frowns and glances at both Varcel and Neel. "If...if it
/is/ contagious then they may take it to others and spread it...."
Something in her tone tells that she definately feels it /is/ contagious.

Sunan carefully walks out of the Barracks

A glowing light seems to emerge from the tower doors. A second later, Raeth
comes out, his glowing staff in his right hand. Frowning at something
unseen and mutter something to his staff, the gaidin walks down the steps
and throwing a winter cold gaze about the courtyard.

Varcel looks from Espiria to Neelkan and back to Aliana. "I just want to
make sure I don't make anyone else sick, assuming I get sick myself. The
Tower can't afford it right now."

Nodding slightly Aliana walks towards Neelkan first,"Do you mind if I delve
you to see what's wrong if anything?" Turning to face Varcel,"We shall see
if you are ill and if so what it is. I may not be a Yellow but I can delve
at least. We'll get you to a Yellow if necessary."

Espiria widens her eyes and shakes her head quickly, "NO! Don't delve
him.." She clamps a hand over her mouth, shaking her head at the outburst.

Sunan carefully walks out of the Practice Yard, looking pale. His movements
seem slightly unnatural, and there is an aura of fear about him, to any who
studied his face and body language. He rubs his medallion between his
fingers, seeming to draw comfort from it.

Neelkan looks ready to allow the delve, then Espiria does her thing and he
glances over at her and blinks a few times. ... "Espi?" He looks around,
his not-as-bright-as-normal eyes confused, but then what else is new. "Why
not?" he asks after a moment. He glances at Varcel, then back at Espi.
She's such a weird girl.

Varcel bows to Aliana again. "Whatever you think is wise, Sedai."

Raeth snaps around towards Espiria's outburst, cold gaze studying the small
gathering. Another frown cracks his granite face as he makes his way
towards them. "Aliana Sedai." He gives her a polite nod of the head, "What
seems to be the problem here?" Raeth looks over the others.

Espiria shivers, eyes still wide. "I'm...sorry Aliana Sedai. I..just got
this sudden fear of someone channeling if he is sick. I'm not sure why
though." She scowls, biting her lower lip. "I...know it has something to do
with the way the sickness reacts to it..but I'm just not sure yet."

Sunan gives a start, as many paces away as he is from them. He hurries
over, making a wide curve around Neelkan, "Did someone mention sickness?"
He asks nervously.

Aliana hmmms slightly,"Perhaps I should leave it to the Yellows. I know
very little about healing. I'm primarily familiar with Battleweaves."

Raeth listens carefully to Espiria's words, nodding as if agreeing with the
novice. "Are you sick too?" He says to Sunan. Raeth's frown deepens.

Frowning, Neelkan reaches up to scratch at his hair for a moment. Light.
"'n anyway, Redd's been delved a buncha times while I was in 'ere with 'im
'n 'ey..." He trails off, shaking his head, then he glances towards Sunan.
"Ye'h. Someone did.." is all he says. He looks ready to go hammer his fist
into a tree, but he doesn't really look like he has the strength for it
right now. And here he just thought it was because he doesn't sleep very
well... if at all...

Sunan hesitates, "I think I have something. Influenza, I hope. Is there
something going around? What is it? Is it mild?" His words sound like a
prayer, almost.

Espiria glances over to Sunan, hesitant smile crossing her lips.
"We..umm..." She stops seeing Raeth arrive and she looks down to the
ground, biting her lip slightly. She's got to get someone to help her with
this. Her hand goes to her forehead, rubbing there as a bit of pressure
builds with the remembrances of the past. She sighs, shaking her head a bit
as though trying to clear her mind of the 'now' and leave the 'then' alone
for a moment. She glances over to Sunan, biting her lower lip, but she says
nothing else. Best not to tell him it effects non-channelers.

Raeth snaps around towards Espiria giving her a firm cold look. -Shush-
That look could probably freeze the sun in it's path.

Sunan eyes had fallen on Espiria as she spoke. He spots Raeth's glance..
and looks puzzled. Like he has no idea what passed between them. "What's
going around?" He asks. "What are the symptoms? Weakness? Headache?
Shortness of Breath?"

Sunan seems to be getting more and more nervous.

Varcel looks from Espiria to Raeth. He has the sense not to comment.

Folding his arms over his chest, Neelkan bunches up his mouth on one side
in his slanting frown of his that he has when he's clearly not happy with
something. He doesn't say anything more on the symptoms. After a few
minutes he does whisper something though, rather softly, "I think... I
better sit down." He's starting to feel rather weak, and it would not do
for him to faint or something. He'd never live it down! He's a guy! Guy's
don't faint. So he moves back over to the bench he was only a little ways
away anyway and sits back down on it.

Espiria glances over to Sunan, eyes widening slightly with all the things
he mentions, but the glance from Raeth effectively keeps her lips buttoned.
She's not about to go against what he told her. Not one iota.

Raeth falls silent, studying the boys. Wait to see if Aliana Sedai has
somthing to say about this.

Varcel shakes himself a bit. "I think I should perhaps to speak with
Wyntere Sedai."

Espiria glances over to Varcel, determination in her eyes as she offers him
a smile filled with as much hope as she can muster. One way or another she
will find that cure. She glances over to Neel, hoping that he will head to
see Wynt as well. He needs her just as much as Varcel does right now.

Varcel squeezes Espiria's shoulder warmly as he leaves, bowing to the Aes
Sedai and Gaidin present.

Watching Espiria and how Varcel reacts to her, Neelkan shakes his head and
a smile actually forms. There's even a soft chuckle. Yup. Only he can smile
and chuckle when infected by something that has his friend all worried. He
forces himself to stand up, though it takes effort, even if he tries to
hide it, "I think I'll go too.." he glances at Sunan and adds, "If ya think
yer sick, ya should go t' the Infirmary."

Sunan jumps at Neelkan's words, "The Infimrary? Everyone's sick there! And
it must just be the flu. Right?" He looks at Raeth and Aliana, and begisn
to sweat. "Why are you silent?":

Raeth ponders a moment then says to everyone, "Talk to whomever you wish,
but I don't want you seeing the Yellows, at least not yet. If you do start
to feel worse, tell them NOT to delve you. If they say why, tell them to
come to me and I'll explain. There is nothing to be alarmed of. We are
simply taking precautions and we are all probably overreacting." Raeth tone
is a smooth and calming as possible, which isn't much.

Espiria glances over to Sunan, nodding as well. "It would be best. They can
make you well there..if anyone can." If she can remember the cure..If she
can go back that far...if..if..if... So many if's right now and she knows
that she may be the one hope of averting what happened so long ago. She
glances over to Raeth, frowning a moment. "I...really need to go talk to
someone, Gaidin. Soon..I.../need/ to."

Raeth watches Espiria for a long moment, "Come with me." To the others he
gives them a quick glance and a small nod before turning around and heading
towards the tower at a slow pace so Espiria can catch up.

Espiria stands up quickly and hurries after the Gaidin after bobbing a neat
curtsey to Aliana.

"I almost always o'erreact." Neelkan says, throwing that weak grin again.
Then he nods at Espi and moves over and touches her arm lightly, trying not
to look like he's having trouble walking. He'll make it the Tower. And then
up all those ramps to find Wyntere... if he has to lean on the walls to do
it. He's not going to ask for help. Nope. He pauses when Raeth tells Espi
to follow him... He'll go in in a minute...

Sunan asks, "Wait. What is this sickness?" He's sweating obviously now.
Thoughts go through bnhis mind. "Breakbone fever.' He mutters. "Ruebella.
Typhiod. Dysentary. No no. Influenza. Just Influenza"

"I really don't know, kid. She called it somethin', but I don't
remember..." Neelkan shakes his head. He means that too. He really doesn't.
He was never good with names of things or people, "But if yer feelin' weak
'n stuff, 'at's how I feel, so ya prolly got it too."

Sunan shivers, "I don't want it. How do you feel? Besides weak? Headache?
Any bleeding? Joint Pain? Rashes? Abnormal feces? Coloration of Urine? Odd
pains? Stomache Ache? shortness of Breath?" He speaks very rapidly.

"Isn't 'at a little personal, kid!? I just feel weak! A'right!" Geeeeez!
And it's the truth too. Just weak. Neelkan shakes his head, then suddenly
feels even more weak then before, but he will not let it show. He -won't-.
Or at least he's trying not to. Trying and failing.

Standing around in the Courtyard, Neelkan just finished making an outburst
and looks like he might fall over. He's standing as if he's extremely
tired, and the strain of remaining standing is clear on his face. He will
not fall over. He will not.

Sunan badgers him, "Have you experienced any swelling in you neck, armpits,
or groin? Itching? No rashesZ? Discoloration? Shortness of breath? This is
important! No Join Tapin? Or Joint Stiffness/ Halluciiantions? Trouble
Seeingf?" He seems to be working himself into a panic.

Denn'ryiel enters the courtyard looking a bit distracted. She starts
heading over towards the gardens before realy looking around for anyone.
She kneels down infront of a flower bed and begins to unceremoniously weed
it.

"Will ya STOP 'at!! I told ya what I'm feelin', now leave it at 'at ya,
lil' brat!! " Neelkan yells rather loudly. He's telling the truth and this
kid keeps hounding him. Not to mention all those questions are sort of
-personal-! Then suddenly he loses whatever was holding him up... He falls
forward, collapsing to his knees and holding himself up with his arms in
the front, head down. Light.

Stark Terror comes across Sunan's features, and he takes a step back. Then,
forcing himself, he tosses himself down on the ground next to Neelkan,
landin on his knees *1uite hard* but not making a sound. "Are you okay?" He
asks. He tries to support Neelkan, if he lets him.

Denn'ryiel turns her head as she hears yelling, and her eyebrows shoot up
in response to the sight she sees. She is up quickly, and she crosses the
distance between herself and the trainees with haste. "What has happened?"
she asks, looking between both of them, with concern in her eyes.

"No. I'm not." Neelkan growls under his breath, through his teeth. He won't
fall down completely. He'll keep his arms supporting his weight... He won't
let himself. He pulls away from the boy. He will support himself. Then he
hears Denn's voice and he glances up, his eyes not quite as bright as
usual. "I... I just.. need t'... lay down..."

Sunan begins hyperventilating. He was laready bretahing hard, now he's
doing it much harder. And he's sweating profusely, too.

Denn'ryiel looks back and forth between the two of them. This is definately
not good. "Sunan, get a hold of yourself. Take deep calming breaths." As
she says this, she nods to Neelkan, and uses her hands to guide him to the
ground. "May I delve you Neelkan, to see what's wrong?

"NO!" Neelkan quickly yells through his teeth, shaking his head, "'ey said
not t'.... Espi thinks it'll just make it worse 'r somethin'..." He
clenches his eyes closed and bends down fully to press his forehead against
the ground. After a moment he adds, "I think I got what Redd has..."

Sunan looks over at the two of you, "What dies Redd have! I want to know!"
He's panicing. "What sickness is it? How cpontagious is it? I have it.
What's going on?" He speaking more and more rapidly.

Fortunately Denn doesn't have to answer Redd's questions, because she
doesn't know the answers. She nods to Neelkan. "We need to get you to the
infirmary then. Do you think you could walk there if Sunan and I supported
you?"

"I can..." Neelkan is trying to say he can make it by himself... but the
words won't come out. Wonder why... "Ye'h... Ya can help m'..." And he
doesn't have the answers to Sunan's questions either. He doesn't know. Not
for sure. Arg... He's starting to feel feverish now too...

Sunan stutters, "Th-the-the infirmary? That's where teh sick people are!
All sorts of sick people!" he may need to go soon. He's breathingw ay too
hard.. He's making hismelf very sick..

Denn'ryiel groans and shakes her head. "Nevermind, I'll help you myself.
Here, lets get going before your symptoms get worse." She ducks down to
support Neelkan with her shoulder under his, and an arm across his back to
keep him from falling. "Don't worry, it's not too far."

"I know... I know... Sunan... Maybe ya should... go t' yer room. Just..
don't leave the Tower. Better it not get... spread, ya know..." Neelkan
says, just being honest and trying to help. He stands up with the help of
his friend and holds on to her. It's a good thing he's not a large man,
hmm?

Sunan nods, his teeth chattering, "I will. I'll stay there. I can't let
anyone else get infected. How is it spread/ It's not airborne, is it?"

Denn'ryiel turns her head just briefly to give Sunan a bewildered look.
Airborne? Sickness just... happens, doesn't it? She maintains her focus on
the Tower doors though, since she is not a very strong individual.

"I dunno!" Neelkan yells, closing his eyes. He just got it from being
around Redd a -lot-... Not like he was smooching on the boy or anything! So
airborne would be a safe bet, but he doesn't think that way. His mind isn't
made for reasoning like that. He helps as best he can with moving towards
the doors.

Sunan suddenly rips off his shirt, and covers his face with it. He pressies
hard against his mouth and nose, and slowly, his breathing slows.


Entrance Hall, White Tower, Tar Valon

The floor forms a beautiful mosaic of color as the seven colors of the
seven Ajahs are employed in tiny tile work to form the flame of Tar Valon
in all of its glory. Though it appears white from a distance, one needs
only bend down to see the fine artistry that went into employing those
colors in just the right way to create such an illusion. Seven that make
one, a fine metaphor for the Aes Sedai, and the first thing a petitioner
would see.

Women wearing great serpent rings, their faces young whatever their real
age, stride through the area, sidestepping petitioners, white-clad novices,
and striped Accepted, for the most part calm and aloof. Novices run
through, to grab petitioners or on their way to lessons, either one, wheras
the Accepted comport themselves with better decorum. Usually, these days,
it is tattered refugees, in grimy clothing, that finds itself huddling
within these fine white walls. As often as not, they cannot be helped,
whatever titles or sad stories they brought with them when they came.

More often than not the denizens of the Tower look straight over the heads
of these pathetic souls, staring straight south. As though they could see
the enemy over the horizon straight through the perfect white Ogier
stonework, and somehow eliminate it with a gaze, a glare, a frown. As if
some answer to the growing corner they find themselves backed in will
present itself from beneath the tangled hair of one of the refugees. Heads
tilt upwards with determination and perhaps a hint of anger, then, and
often times will disappear in a swirl of cloak and hemline.


Denn'ryiel glances at Neelkan with a weary smile as they approach the
infirmary. "Are you and Redd the only ones with this disease?" she asks
him. While waiting for an answer, she spots the infirmary door. Closed. She
swallows, and focuses her eyes upon it. Ten seconds later, the doorknob
turns very slowly, and the door creaks open. Denn looks much worse for wear
after this stunt.

"I... I... 'at Varcel guy thinks he might have it too." Neelkan says
softly, frowning as he sees the power used... and it's effects on his
friend. He tries to lighten his wieght on her as best he can, continuing
towards the infirmary, "But... Espi said 'at we can't be delved." He has to
remember that part while he is still fully aware of things. If this goes
like it did with Redd, he's probably going to end up talking in his
fever... He doesn't like that idea one bit.

Denn'ryiel helps Neelkan over towards an empty cot, one pretty close to
Redd's. "Here... this should do for now. I'm sorry, but I have to get going
now." She looks like she's going to fall asleep any moment from exhaustion.

"A'right..." Neelkan says, laying back and closing his eyes. "I... just...
tell the Yellows not t' let anyone delve m'... if I fall asleep..." Espi
thought that was very important. She even yelled at Aliana not to... So it
must be very important.