08/16/2000

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.


Vorsha comes skipping out of the Tower, happy as ever.

Leaving the Tower with Neel, Espi glances around for a few moments to see
if anyone else has gathered. She glances over to Neel after raising a happy
wave to the skipping Vorsha, "Hmm...I guess noone is here yet, Neel. Maybe
we should just grab a seat and wait for them."

Neelkan, unfortunately, isn't so happy. He's actually taken on a somber,
gloomy sight about him. Even when everyone was all grumpy after the battle
at the Fort, he had a smile on his face. No more though. He has his arms
folded over his chest and his mouth all bunched up on one side, looking
like he just got news of someone stepping on his best friend. Ahem. But
that doesn't matter. He glances over at Espi, then nods lightly, "Ye'h.
Let's wait." He starts over to a bench that he sits down as if trying to
crush something. He pays no attention to the cheerful Accepted really.

Frowning darkly, Aliana is once again clad in her normal attire but she
seems less than pleased about something. Emerald eyes flicker around the
cortyard taking in those assembled.

Vorsha spins about and giggles softly, coming to a stop and looking up at
the sun. There are few things in life so wonderful as looking up at the
sun. Except for perhaps channeling.

Espiria blinks at Vorsha, taking her seat next to Neel as she notes the
Green's arrival. She glances over to her, rising long enough to bob a
polite curtsey before retaking her seat next to Neel. Her face remains on
him as she lowers her voice and speak to him, "I hope all goes well
tonight. It's so important to have our family back together again." She
sighs, smoothing out her dress on her lap.

Aed is sitting reading a book off to one side of the courtyard, sitting
upon his heels on the ground rather than sitting upon a bench. A small set
of pipes aretucked into his waistband at the moment.

At times like this, it really sucks to be a man. Surrounded by channelers
who get fluffy feelings when they get to use their powers. And what does he
get? No. Let's not further along those lines. Neelkan glances over at
Vorsha at the sound of her giggling and hrmpts a little, then looks back at
Espi and nods, "Ye'h. I'm sure it will go well."

The courtyard is, as usually this time of the day, bustling with all kinds
of people, from Tower residents to those petitioning or just satisfying
their curiosity. A picture of tranquillity. Untill suddenly, a thin slit of
light appears out of nowhere, slicing through a pair of Guardsmen. The slit
begins to rotate and widen until stopping, forming a gateway 10 feet high
and 7 wide...Black forms start pouring through the exit, man-shaped beasts
with horns, snouts and hooves. An eyeless figure, swathed in an inky black
cloak, brandishing a blade of midnight steel and moving like a viper.
That's right, Trollocs, and a Myrddraal, numbering less than a score in
total. A few of the Trollocs fall immediately, due to unseen Wards set
against a case like this. And in their midst, a huge man with long hair in
a wild disarray. His gaze takes in the courtyard...and he channels.
Lightning bolts fall from the sky, hitting people, ground and buldings,
spraying dirt and masonry everywhere. Mass confussion rules in moments,
people screaming and running heedlessly every which way. The hell has just
broke loose.

Emerald eyes go wide,"EVERYONE TO ARMS!" COmes the shout from Aliana, the
glow of saidar blossuming about her,"Form up!" She steps up onto the stairs
looking at the wild man with hatred seething from her. Suddenly a funnel of
water bursts out from the fountain, moving towards the Trollocs and
Myrdraal.

Baby blue eyes go wide and Aed makes a run for the doors to the Tower. He's
no fighter. With the explosion of the ground before him, Aed is sent
sprawling backwards, slightly dazed.

Form up? What is that? Vorsha's hands come up and a blast of steam flys
forth, into the Trollocs as she screams loudly. She's a lover, not a
fighter fry the Light's sake. She starts to move back towards the Tower,
still screaming loudly.

Espiria widens her eyes and falls backward off the seat as the forms come
spilling thru the opening. Oh jeeze...this doesn't look like the trip they
were going on. Her arms go up as well, finger flicking quickly as she makes
a few smaller of the funnels and aims them toward the beasts nearer to her.
She's not powerful yet, but she's clever.

Um... Ouch? Neelkan blinks at the sudden appearance of Trollocs and a Fade,
and a man who... well... probably isn't here to join the trainee program.
Let's just leave it at that. He covers his ears a little at the sounds of
those who scream. Blood 'n ashes. How is SCREAMING going to help anything!?
Geez. Silly women. He instantly goes down at all that is happening, putting
the bench he and Espi were on between him and the 'bad things' and reaches
to pull his fan (yup, his fan) out of the leg of his pants. Good thing he
was having that just in case, hmm? He glances towards Espi and reaches over
to grab onto her, in an attempt to keep her behind the bench. Not much
protection, but it's better then nothing right?

Immediately, the black-armored shapes start doing what they do best. Hooked
swords and spiked clubs raise and fall as they start felling everyone in
their reach. The Myrddrall takes down two additional Guardsmen before they
havea chance to draw weapons. A few of the Trollocs go down in the flood
that rushes them, untill the water suddenly just evaporates in a few
moments. "DEATH TO THE LIGHT!" bellows the large Dreadlord, calling more
lightning from the heaven.

As the lightning comes forth Aliana stands rimrod straight, emerald eyes
locked upon Wulfgar,"Light Burn YOU!" With that she sends a ball of fire
towards Wulfgar with a bit of water added in to cause the fire to splash
upon contact with anything. "Accepted, Novices, form up. Form walls of air
and fire to protect the innocents!"

Okay, direction. Vorsha falls further back, standing next to Aliana now.
She stops screaming. it's not working. She begins to put up walls and tie
them off quickly, all over the place. Let the Men deal with Trollocs and
Fades. That's there job!

Espiria eeps slightly as she is grabbed by Neel and she goes tumbling over
the bench. She gets loose though hearing Ali's commands and she hops to her
feet, quickly erecting as good a wall as she can get put up to protect
those who don't have a chance to get out of harm's way. She sweats a bit
though, making it large enough taking it's toll on her.

"Will ya..." Arg! Neelkan isn't even going to bother to try to get her back
down again. Women. He rather wished he had a sword instead of his fan right
about now though. Not that he doesn't adore his fan, it's just had to pitch
a fan against the weapons the Trollocs and Fade carry. He gets back up,
fingering his fan and twisting it until it flicks open with a metal hiss.
And with that he starts out towards the Trollocs, rather hoping the
lightning stays back. Hit the other people, thanks.

Varcel, on the other hand, does have a sword. He spares a glance to
Espiria, making sure she's save, before charging into the fray, reflected
lighting glistening off his blade. In a low voice he starts chanting an old
Manetheren song, the sort that gleemen sing meerily, but in his toneless
voice, it takes on a martial character out of keeping with its heritage,
helping him focus his thoughts.

Raeth runs out of the practice yard, his weapon in his hands. Raging gaze
sweeps the courtyard. What the....? With an angry growl, Raeth dives into
the wave of trollocs. Bladed staff slices and stabs around in a quick blur;
blood and body parts as well as the smell of burnt skin spray and fly into
the air. Raeth tries to take in the situation. Espi, Vorsha. The accepted.
Got to... No. He spots Aliana Sedai. Good, she can take care of them. The
rest of the trainee had better well have payed attention to their lessons.
Screams, barks and howls of pain thunder into Raeth's ears. Quick flashes
of lightning pierce his blue eyes as they sweep around
searching...searching...there! The fade. Bring the fade down and the
trollocs will fall out of control. His knuckles whiten as he grips the
staff hard and fights his way towards the fade. The bladed staff comes up
high then slashes down in a diagonal arc towards the fade's chest, then
inmediately spinning around and thrusting the blade towards the fade's
next.

The number of the assailants start to dwindle as the Tower-trained men fall
upon them in numbers, but that Fade still doesn't show any sign of
satisfying its lust for the blood of those nearby. Wulfgar shouts something
incomprehensively, in a tongue so twisted it was never meant to be used by
a human. His senses heightened by the saidin flowing through him, he
notices Aliana's little package coming his way and with a wave of his hand,
creates an invisible barrier of Air. The ball of fire explodes, but
unfortunately, the fire splashes on two Trollocs standing nearby. They both
go down, howling. There are still 7 or so of them, plus the Fade. There's
something in the black-clad Dreadlord's hand, if one were to notice such
thing in the confusion; a small, ivory figure. Certainly not a trinket. He
grins madly in Aliana's direction, deftly weaving a razor sharp shield
meant to severe her from the Source forever.

The Fade, caught in the middle of slaughtering yet another innocent visitor
of the Tower, spins to face Raeth, the eyeless gaze sending waves of fear
in the Gaidin's direction. Oh, this one's good; but so is the Halfman. With
viperish speed, it blocks the slash and dodges the thrust by sidestepping
and whirling, in the same motion slashing out horizontally, trying to
decapitate the man with one clean cut.

"Espirira, let's link to fight this mad man." she calls. Sense the Green
seems intent on blasting away at Trollocs, leave it to the Accepted to take
on the man. Not a probelm. She gets ready to pull Espi in, or be pulled in,
as the other woman would like.

Espiria manages a smile to Varcel and Raeth, glad to see both of them
arriving just in the nick of time. Espi notes though that something is
aiming in a haze toward Aliana and blinks. "Yes..." She closes her eyes and
pulls Vorsha to her, aiming as hard as she can to deflect what is coming.
It's tied off as she tosses it in the path of the haze heading for Aliana.
Hopefully, it will bounce off and do her no harm. But now..this action
leaves Espi open since she is busy doing that.

Alright. Now while a fan isn't a sword, it's still a rather good weapon, or
at least as far as Neelkan is conserned. His is about the length of his arm
from fingertip to elbow (longer then most knives) and could pass for a long
knife it it didn't have multiple layers of blades all rectangular and no
points. He moves up to the closest Trolloc and starts to fight it. He
doesn't block the blows really, in fact, he dodges most of them. He's very
good at dodging. Finally he spins around a sword swing, moving behind the
eagle headed Trolloc and closes the fan in one motion and shoves it into
the back of the creatures neck right between the seams of armor. Yuck yuck.
Needless to say, that one doesn't last much longer and pulls his fan back
out and goes to fight another. He got one at least. Yay! Ahem.

Varcel gets in close to the Trollocs, slashing out violently, using his
enchanced muscles for all their worth. He tries to remove kneecaps to the
best of his ability.

Sparks fly as the staff and the fade's blade collide into each other, right
next to Raeth's neck. He grunts against the fade's strength and the wave of
fear the begins to seep in. His small lips curve into a wicked snarl as he
lets the rage fill him trying to obliviate the fear flowing from the fade.
Holding the fade's block, Raeth suddenly pulls his head back just as he
flips the staff under the fade's sword so that its now on the other side.
He then pushes the sword hard to aside trying to fold his opponents arm
towards it's own body and closing the gap between them so he can get a hard
knee into the fade's stomach just as he pulls the staff's blade back
downards and hopefully through it's neck.

CLANG! CLANG! the two blades meet again, the Fade gritting it's teeth in an
effort to overpower Raeth. This is not good. Too many down already. The
Gaidin's attack successful, the Neverborn emits a doft groan at finding the
knee in its stomach, and another, this more a scream as Raeth decapitates
it. Headless, it flails it's Thakan'dar wrought blade, falling to the
ground, still twitching.

Wulfgar suddenly gets pushed from behind, by one of the trainees battling a
Trolloc. His Spirit woven shield deflects against the two Accepted's
defence. In the moment of weakness, the angreal falls from his hand,
bouncing off the ground and being kicked by another combatant into the
confusion. "NOOOOOO!" He shouts, using his massive body and just his
natural ability to channel to try to find the precious object.

Weaving a rather intricate blend of fire, air, water, with a hook of spirit
thown in, Aliana then hurls the odd ball directly towards Wulfgar the ball
spinning madly as it does so. The Green's eyes glow angrily as she seems
rather intent of bringing the Dreadlord down now. Less Trollocs means she
can divert her full energy to him.

Hmph! Even an Accepted knows better than that. She'll bring Aliana down
about that in a bit, which is her right. Aes Sedai /do not/ kill a male
channler unless there is no other way to go about it. It is supposed to be
a battle of Spirit, not a full fledge tossing of the One Power all over.
Vorsha turns to the Aes Sedai and just about says so right then and there,
but decides better of it.

Unfortunately, the thing that Espi tossed up to protect Ali isn't going to
let something back thru it. Espi winces a bit, holding onto the shield for
all she's worth though. Her eyes are closed tightly since the thing Wulf
sent hit against it hard and she doesn't want anything getting thru to Ali.
Ali's little package hits what Espi has up, making her groan a bit under
the strain, but it holds. Ali's package gets sliced and falls apart.
Hmm..looks like the Dready got a reprieve..for now.

Ohh. Evil channeling guy scrambling after something. Neelkan's about to
head towards him when there's an injured trainee who gets in the way. He
looks around to make sure there's no Trollocs going after the kid, and then
kneels down to help him. There's plenty of other people around to be
heroes. This young man's just going to make sure the kid's alright.

Varcel is pretty bloodied by now, only some of it from the Trollocs, given
his lack of armor. He's still on his feet though, and fightily grimly on.

Done with the fade, Raeth shakes off the disgusting feeling of fear that
had seeped into him. With a small last glance at the thrashing fade the
ground, he runs into the last of the trollocs, but his gaze is diverted by
the dreadlord and the accepteds. He slices away from them and goes for
Wulgar, knowing that...ok he's a channeler but a bit of diversion might
help the Aes Sedai. Raeth is taken a bit by surprised as the dreadlord
seems to be trying to look for something. He takes advantage of it and
tries to swing the butt of the staff across his head in hope he get his
attention.

The last Trolloc goes down under Varcel's weapon, and the only foe left
standing is the mad Dreadlord. Shouting more words in the harsh Trolloc
tongue, he's heedless of anyone but those in immediately in his path, not
even noticing Espiria saving his neck. Not that he would thank her for it.
Most people don't know the Trollocs are all slain, so there's still
confusion reigning, but the courtyard is much more empty than before.
Seeking for his precious angreal, he doesn't see Raeth sneaking up untill
it's too late. He gets struck across the back of the head fully and goes
down in a heap. Still, he's a big man, and not easy to take out. Groaning,
he feels every bone in his bone as the saidin slips away, leaving him
completely vulnerable. Still, he tries to stand.

Stuggling to get up, Aed barely manages to avoid tripping over some
upturned ground. Blood wells from a series of lacerations that seem to
cover his face from one of the explosions. Slowly but surely he starts
crawling towards the Tower doors.

Walking towards the DreadLord, Aliana weaves out thin flows of air to bind
the man,"Shield him." COmes a crisp command from the Green. Anger burns in
her eyes as she regards the man,"You'll be tried for your crimes." Her
voice is full of hatred. No doubt she'd /love/ to hurt or kill him but for
now he's subdued.

Rolling her eyes, Vorsha nods to Espi. Of course they are going to try him.
What do you think we'ld do? Wrap him up in a bow to give back to the
Asha'Cor? Vorsha sighs. "Let's get him shielded for the Aes Sedai, Espi."

Espiria rises from the place where she was, heading over to the Aes Sedai
and then placing the strongest sheild that she and Vorsha combined can put.
There..that should take care of that. She ties it off securely, looking as
though she's about to drop, but still standing firm for futher instructions
from Ali. She scowls, glancing at the ground and searching for the small
object he seemed to be looking for.

After helping the fellow Trainee to his feet, Neelkan leaves the kid alone
to fend for himself because he's not a medic, and he doesn't want to be.
The kid can walk and stand. He'll live. He moves over towards Espi, seeing
her looking at the ground. He gives a small glance around himself, but he
isn't overly trying to see anything much. He cleans off his fan idly, also
making sure that there's no more nastys showing up nearby. Espi said this
was going to be a long day. Looks like she wasn't wrong.

Seeing everything back in control, Raeth slides a gaze around the courtyard
and the devistation within. Already yellows as well as other people from
the tower pour in to help the wounded. Others begin the slowly procedure of
removing bodies. Either by hand or with the power. Raeth takes a deep
breath and heads up the tower steps and towards his ward, giving Espi and
quick look and a small nod before disappearing inside.

Aed is making his way up the stairs, rather bloodied from something.

The chaos slowly dies, the courtyard filling with Aes Sedai and gaidin, the
former Healing those that still have a chance. The dead are being taken
away. There's much weeping and wailing of those that lost their dear ones
today. Half a dozen Sisters in Red fringed shawls arrive, to take up the
Shield the Accepted created. Escorted by the Gaidin, the massive Dreadlord
gets taken into the bowels of the Tower, where he will wait for a trial.

Espiria feels along the ground, blinking when she finds something. She
picks it up, holding it carefully and turning it over in her hands. "I
found it I think." She glances around for the nearest Aes Sedai, looking at
the thing warily as she does so. She notes Aliana is busy with the
Dreadlord so she looks around for the next nearest person. She does look a
sight though, with remnants of the battle all over her clothing.

Walking out the door, Wyntere's first question is... "Who was channeling
Saidin?" Yes, you can't channel in all of Tar Valon without Wyntere
knowing. She was caught up in MoNster duties. Smokey blue eyes scan the
courtyard to place each studnet and see their condition.

Aliana slumps slightly as the Dreadlord is taken away and the Green heads
straight for Espiria now,"Good job. Not many people could have deflected
/anything/ I wove. Even with Vorsha's help. Not to mention the dreadlord's
attack." Compliments from the Green are rare."You need to think quickly.
Battles are won or lost in a moment."

Moving up behind Espi, Neelkan glances to try to see what it was she found
exactly, then says to her, "'ey, after ya give whate'er 'at is t' a Sedai,"
Like Aliana right there, "ya should sit down. Ya look like yer 'bout t'
fall o'er, 'n not 'at I would really mind, I'd rather not have t' carry ya
int' the Tower." He wouldn't mind, and he looks ready to catch her if she
does start to fall, but he would rather not because... well... let's not go
into that. He glances up at Wyn and then around a little bit. At least it
wasn't him channeling, right? He doesn't answer her though.

In a soft voice Aed answers Wyntere's question, his voice slightly weak,"A
Dreadlord attacked." He gives up and just sits there on the steps of the
Tower. Pain. Yup definite pain.

Seeing Espiria in the hands of Neelkan, Wyntere relaxes a little. Glancing
to Aed, she sits down on the steps. "That was the man that entered the
Tower with the Reds, right?" She's content to getting information from the
lad for now. "You okay, Aed?" Wyntere looks concerned like a mother would.
It's not right for a boy like him to be in pain.

Espiria wavers slightly on her feet, looking at Neel with a smile and a
simple nod. "Soon...I want to get this to someone who can figure out what
it is. he was evidently using it to boost himself." She pauses, tipping a
smile to Ali as she bows her head, "Thank you, Aes Sedai. I'm not sure how
I did it, but I'm glad it worked. I found this thing...I think it's what he
was looking for."

Aliana smiles slightly at the girl,"You'd better rest. You aren't
accustomed to using so much Power. I have some work to do here still."
However, at the sight of the angreal she frowns,"Hand that to me. I'll make
sure Mother gets it /immediately/."

Touching a hand to his forehead Aed brushes a bit of blood back,"I feel
when some of the ground exploded...Kind of tired now though." He just sort
of lays there eyes starting to loose focus.

Neelkan moves closer behind Espi and puts a hand on her shoulder, just
watching the exchange between the Sedai and his friend. He does have
respect for the Green, so he isn't glaring at her, but he's more concerned
about getting his friend to sit down then an angreal.

Glancing to Aed, Wyntere gets bright eyes and looks around the yard.
"Espiria! Come here, please!" There more a panic in Wyntere's voice at the
moment. Good thing Wyntere has a handkerchief. She reaches over to Aed and
places it over where the blood is running. "You have any strength left,
Espiria?" Wyntere glances to Aed. "Aed, you mind if I delve you to see
about this bump. It doesn't look too bad. You're going to be just fine."

Espiria hands over the small object to Ali, nodding. Her eyes look back
over to Neel then, loosing alittle focus as she manages a smile. "I..I
think I should sit down now." She heaves a tired sigh, nodding her head
respectfully to Ali and hoping that she's too terribly upset that she can't
curtsey. She turns slowly so that she won't loose her footing. Yup...tired.
Very. But she's not going to ask for help outright. She's got to learn to
stand on her own two feet sometimes. Hmm..even when those two feet have a
hard time making simple steps. She blinks, hearing Wynt call for her and
she heads that way..whether Neel sticks with her or not. "Yes, Wyntere
Sedai? Oh..Yes..I think I have a bit left. What did you need?"

After looking at his hand for a moment Aed says softly,"No... you can
delve... Can't hurt any worse."

Whether Neel sticks with her or not!? Duh! Of course he's going to stick
with her. Neelkan grumbles loudly and follows right behind her, moving to
take her arm and offer her some support over there. Even if she pushes him
away he's still going to try, but at least he doesn't outright grab her and
make her sit down. Or just pick her up and take her over there.

Frowning slightly Aliana decides to follow her own advice and sits down.
She channeled quite a bit tonight. She still has to go see Mother though.

Seeing Espiria head over, Wyntere frowns. "Espiria, link with me. I can at
least give you strength and sit down. If you think you can heal him without
pushing yourself, I'd appreciate it." Wyntere holds herself ready for a
link from the Accepted. "If not, I understand and I'll take him to a
yellow." Wyntere nods to Neelkan behind Espiria. Wynt looks over to Aliana.
"Sister, how are you?"

A slight nod is given to Wyntere,"I am well. A little tired but I'll
survive. I used quite a bit of my own strength tonight. Just sitting down
for a bit before I go see Mother to report upon this event and give her
something of value."

Espiria shivers a bit, nodding to Wynt as she sits down. She glances over
to Neel, thankful that he's there to offer support. "I will do what I can,
Wyntere Sedai." She smiles and takes a breath, slipping to pull Wynt into
the link. She closes her eyes for just a moment, getting herself settled
before she looks over to Aed. "Alright....I'm going to take a look first,
alright Aed?"

Aed nods slightly but remains silent. He seems to be drifting off to sleep
at the moment.

Neelkan just watches and keeps a hand on Espi incase she starts to falter
at all. He may not be there always when she needs someone like this, but he
can be here now, and he intends to be here as much as she needs. Did that
make any sense? Feh. He offers a small smile down at the kid, remembering
him.

Moving over, Wyntere tries to gently shakes Aed. "Stay awake, Aed. You can
rest when this is over. We aren't going to lose you here, young lad."
Wyntere glances to Espiria. "You are tired. If this is too much, then
stop." No, not having another student die. Not letting Espiria burn out.

Espiria smiles at Aed, hand reaching out to lightly hover over his
forehead. Her eyes slip closed and she falls quiet for a few moment.The
biting of her lip announces her coming back before her eyes open.
"Well...he's got a mild concussion. The cuts and scratches on his face
arms..and legs that can be seen and some very terrible bruising on his
torso." She glances over to Wynt for a moment, before looking back to Aed.
"No..I'm fine. Let me at least get him stable to move." Her hands touch
Aed's and her eyes flutter closed.

As Esp begins healing him Aed shivers, fixing his eyes on Neelkan as if
trying to use him to stay with it. Neelkan. Hmm.. Been a while. Not really
smiling. Odd. Smiles. Who all is here now? A few people. Sleep. Sounds
good,"I'm tired..."

"I know, Aed. Just a little longer and then I'll get you to a bed. I
promise." Wyntere rubs the lad's shoulder carefully. "Just a little longer,
please..." She pleads but in a nice way.

Espiria smiles gently, opening her eyes again as she continues to work on
Aed. Yes..there should be no pain now and she tips her head slightly to one
side, working also on the worst of the hurts. Her face is slightly paler,
but she seems okay for now, but that probably won't last long.

There is a visible relaxing of Aed's body and is a slightly hoarse
voice(well for Aed that is),"Thank you...You can stop...DOn't burn out..."
She may happen to be helping him but he's not about to let someone get hurt
from helping him.

Continuing to stand nearby, Neelkan just offers another grin to the kid
then glances over at Espi, still concerned. He's ready to carry her up to
her room if he has to. In fact, at this point, he'll likely insist on it.
Ahem. And they're just friends. Really.

Baby blue eyes look at Neelkan for a long while. Aed just simply looks at
the much older boy before he makes a small gesture for him to come closer.

Espiria smiles gently, pulling back from her work as she heaves a weary
sigh. Her voice shows it too as she speaks, "Don't worry, Aed..I know
better than that." Her hands learn his hands, but one does reach over to
lightly brush the hair from his face. "You'll rest really good tonight I
think." She tips her gaze over to Wynt, "I've managed to back off..the
concussion and the bigger cuts are closed. The..bruises when he wakes up
will just be sore. That's..as much as I can do, but he's stable."

Looking at Aed, Wyntere nods. "Espiria, that is very good work." Looking up
at Neelkan, the Gray debates. "Neelkan, do you mind taking Aed to the
infirmary? And then you can come to get Espiria. I'll walk you up to her
room, so you can put her in her bed." She'll allow Neelkan to take her to
her room, but only under supervision. Then looking to Aed, "You can sleep
now, Aed. Neelkan can carry you up to the infirmary where there is a good
bed."

Oh dear. Neelkan notices the motion in the corner of his eye and... lets go
of Espi's arm and kneels down to get closer to the kid, wondering what he
might want. Espi doesn't look like she's going to fall over right away, so
he can humor the hurt kid. And plus, if she starts to fall he's still close
enough (obviously) to catch her. Then he glances at Wyn and nods. Alright.
"Sounds good t' m'." He looks at the kid to see what he thinks of 'the
plan'.

Too tired/weak to protest Aed simply lets himself be picked up. Probably
going to be a bit before he sings. Not to mention the trouble he managed to
get himself into. Hopefully Redd doesn't take the opportunity to remind him
why most folks learn to fight.

Aed whispers "You love her?"

Something about what Aed whispers to him as he lifts him, causes Neelkan to
nearly drop him, losing his balance a little as he's starting to stand up.
Hmm? He stares at the kid for a moment, then looks flustered and grumbles,
"Of course not. What made ya think a silly thing like 'at?" Ahem. Well,
let's not go more into that as he regains his balance and carries the kid
into the Tower, avoiding looking at the two women. Kids!

Espiria shivers a bit as she sits there, eyes tipping over to watch Neel
carry Aed off toward a bed. She heaves a relieved sigh as she watches them
go andthen leans forward with how tired she /really/ feels. But she can't
help but chuckle a bit as she glances over to Wynt, "Those two are good for
each other I think..Aed keeps Neel on his toes." She grins weakly, resting
forward on her arms as she waits to head to her own bed.

Wyntere smiles as Neelkan carries Aed up the stairs. "You alright,
Espiria?" wyntere turns to her Espi now that Neelkan and Aed have gone
inside. "You will make a fine, Aes Sedai, young friend. I see you are
getting closer." Yep, good ole wynt. "Yeah, those two are. Aed's a good
kid." Wyntere moves forward now. "Need me to help you out there? You look a
bit weak."


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.


Neelkan carries the kid into the Tower and towards the infirmary, still a
little fluster. Keeps him on his toes, huh!? Grrrrr.

Aed smiles slightly at Neelkan,"You do love her. I can tell." It isn't
bragging more like stating,"S'okay. Won't tell anyone. Sides so obvious
probably half the Tower knows."

Neelkan continues to look flustered, but he doesn't falter enough to nearly
drop the kid anymore. Instead he just growls and glares at the kid and
says, "I do not! 'n e'en if I did it wouldn't matter nothin'. 'n what d'ya
bloody mean it's obvious!? Huh!?" Ahem. He shouldn't speak too loudly.
People might listen in...

The growling and glaring doesn't seem to bother Aed one bit,"The way you
look after her. The way you talk to her. Everything points to you love her.
Either that or I'm just more observant than most."

It does? Neelkan stops glaring and instead looks off towards where he's
walking. Oh Light. Does it? Is he really...? Oh blood 'n ashes. "It doesn't
matter nothin', a'right? But keep 'is 'tween ya 'n m'. Not 'at I l... ya
know!! Cause I don't!" And he continues to carry the kid towards the
Infirmary now, growling again.

Aed laughs softly,"Yes you do. But I promise not to let anyone who doesn't
/need/ to know, know." Ok. What /exactly/ does he mean by that little
phrase. At least he's kept /his/ voice soft.

"What does 'at mean!?" Neelkan asks, catching the loophole left in there.
He does NOT!! He hates women!! Hates 'em!! He doesn't lo--...
Grrrrrrrrrr!!! He glares at the Accepteds guarding the Infirmary as he
passes through with the kid.

Aed smiles innocently,"What I said."

"Blood 'n bloody ashes." Neelkan growls softly as he takes the kid and puts
him in the Infirm under the Yellows care, then at the relief of the
Yellows, storms back out.