08/16/2000

Library, White Tower, Tar Valon

There is a particular smell that comes with libraries, the smell of fresh
ink on crackling paper or dust blown off the cover of a book, just waiting
for someone to discover the treasure within. The smell is clear, now, as
shelf after shelf rises in majestic rows, each packed with volumes large
and small, slim and heavy, useful and frivolous. Browns sit at tables,
glaring at any who make noise and copying, slowly, out of recovered books
on the verge of falling apart. A large purple carpet spirals out to include
all the colors of the Ajahs and the flame of Tar Valon, but this cannot
hold the attention long, for the colors of the books form a much brighter
tapestry. There are worlds, here, and power between lines of text that
simply await discovery. An elaborate catalouging system keeps it all in
place, the sort of thing that takes years to master, years, and an
unparralleled love for the written word. Imagine, if you will, what
developing such a thing might have entailed.

Novices, Accepted, and Trainees alike bend their head to their work in the
front of the room. Massive wooden carts are employed to reshelf books that
have been taken down. Cold balls of light formed by the One Power light the
room, both for the economy of the matter and to prevent a fire. For such a
thing would be a tragedy. Books on strategy, tactics and shadowspawn seem
to dominate those being shelved and unshelved, though theamount of
knowledge sought after here is hardly limited to such things. So abundant
are the books that there are levels, spiral iron staircases which lead up
to still more shelves, nearly as high as the eyes can tolerate, a good
three stories worth, at least.


Espi sits in front of a large stack of books and is seemingly wanting to
find something in the worst way. Her fingers a dusted as though as /soon/
as she was let out of the infirmary she's been here and flipping thru old
texts and new ones for that matter.

It isn't often that Neelkan comes into the Library. It's just not a place
he has a lot of interest in. But one of his teachers commented that if he
wished to do better in his non-combat lessons that he should do a little
study on the side. Moving into the library, a few of the Browns don't give
him the nicest looks. During his days of doing tasks, quite a few gave him
things to copy. And his handwritting sucks. So they regretted it
afterwards. He pays no mind and just heads straight to a section where the
Gaidin recommended, fingering a row of books idly, then pulling one off. He
doesn't seem to picky as he heads towards a place to start to skim it. And
he passes by you with your head in a bunch of books. "Espi?" he keeps his
voice low as he makes his way over. "What're ya doin'? Tryin' t' drown
yerself in books?" He motions at the large stack.

Espi isn't exactly with it when you first address her. her eyes are
slightly unfocused as though she'd been staring at letters for too long and
quite possibly she has been. She frowns slightly, biting her lip and
motioning for you to take a seat close enough so she doesn't have to raise
her voice too loudly. She sighs, looking at the book again and trying to
figure out how she will tell you what's been happening. "Neel....something
bad is going to happen. Very bad..and it's going to happen to Wyntere
Sedai." She darts a glance around to see if anyone is watching her.

Sitting down as you motion, dropping the book into his lap, Neelkan frowns
at what you say. Not exactly what he was expecting when he came over.
Looking over something for a lesson was what he was expecting really. But
then when it comes to you, he should no better. Nothing dealing with you is
ever normal or predictable. "What d'ya mean somethin' bad's gonna happen t'
Wyn?" Why would something bad happen to her? He doesn't get it at all. "Ya
mean at the thing tonight? Ya think it might be a setup 'r somethin'?"
That's what it is, right?

Espiria shakes her head slowly, "If only it were that simple, Neel." She
glances around again, biting her lip before she can continue. "Redd.../saw/
something around Wyntere Sedai today... He viewed it, but he didn't know
what it meant. He said it was very bad though..and that it would very bad
for her."

There's a soft grumbles curse that you probably don't even recognize. It's
sounds really, really harsh though. Neelkan clenches his fist around the
binding of the book and looking fit to pound something, then he calms down
and nods lightly, "Well, whate'er it is, I won't let it get too bad f'r
'er." And yes, another impossible thing he's going to say he will do.

Espiria sighs and looks over to you for a moment. "I know you'll try.." She
sighs, not wanting to say what her fears are, but if Wynt is to be helped
when it happens then she has to say something. "Neel...the image he saw was
of a circle of candles around one that was resting in the middle. The one
in the middle was flickering and going out." She shivers, hand reaching out
to touch your arm lightly. "I..I know what it meant, Neel..and it's the
worst thing that ever could be done..to an Aes Sedai."

Neelkan doesn't know what the candle going out means. He really doesn't. So
he just ponders what you are trying to express. It's something bad. Really,
really bad. Possibly worse then death? "I.. I.." Sigh. "We'll help 'er.
Redd isn't a'ways right. He said some thin's 'at he saw 'round m' 'at I
don't think happened. Whate'er is goin' t' happen... We'll find a way t'
help 'er, 'n stop it. No matter what. A'right?" He offers a smile and leans
over to clench your shoulder lightly.

Espiria sighs and nods, "Neel...in the event it..comes to pass..." She
sighs deeply, "If you hear the phrase..''being stilled' when someone speaks
of Wyntere Sedai, you'll know." She seems grim for a moment, "It would have
to be..something truely horrible for it ever to happen though." She
shivers, patting your hand gently before she looks at the books. "I'll have
to come back later on and read a bit more. I'm looking for any and ever
reason that it was ever done. maybe..if it happens..or gets close to
happening we'll know what to do to stop it then." She smiles, glancing
around. "We should get downstairs.. It should almost be time for us to go
on that..little trip of ours." She glances over to you, rising from her
seat. "Try....try really hard even as I will..to not do anything, okay?
I..I know it'll be hard, but we have to do it...for Verbena Sedai..and for
Katelynn Sedai. And especially for Wyntere Sedai's sake."

"I will keep my ears open 'en." Stilled. He's heard that before actually.
Once. But he isn't going to say that. Neelkan nods and says, "Let's just
get ready t' go. I'll not do anythin' 'at'll jepordize Verbena gettin'
free." And he means that. He would never forgive himself if even one
snapped comment makes her not go free again for a long time. "'r 'at'll
hurt Wyn." Wyn was one of his first real friends in the Tower. He doesn't
want to see anything happen to her.

Espiria smiles and leaves the books for the novices to shelve and heads for
the door. She nods to you, taking a deep breath before exiting the library.
It's going to be a long night she thinks.