Our scene opens with three stablehands loitering in the main square of Salidar and an Aes Sedai stopping to help them on their way.
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Slayn stammers around a bit, not wanting to draw to much attention to himself, aware that one has noticed him he shakes his head, muttering something as he continues towards the fountain. Upon reaching the fountain he dips his hands in to get a drink of water and nearly falls into the fountain in the process, quickly shifting his weight to keep from falling in the fountain he winds up falling to the ground instead. He gathers himself up slowly, keeping his head down and you hear him mutter something as he regains his balance and sits on the ledge of the fountain.
Torden shakes his head towards the Aes Sedai and replies quietly, the accent of a country bumpkin heavy on his words, 'No, Mistress Aes Sedai, but thank you all the same.' Turning towards Slayn, he lets his handful of water drop back in to the fountain, adding some rather nasty-smelling dirty along with it. He laughs and actually slaps his knee. He says to the fellow, 'You oaf. You're lucky you didn't fall in and dirty the fountain for the rest of us! Har har!'
Lauriana blinks her eyes in suprise and then looks around slowly. Her eyes then grow wary and she bites her lip before sitting back down on the fountain's edge, "Well, if there is anything I can do for you or tell you, just let me know." Again she blinks her eyes, fingers touching the yellow fringes of her shawl.
Slayn looks about the fountain and sees the man talking to him, brushing some of the dirt off him he says in a harsh, raspy voice, "I don't mean to cause any trouble, I just wanted a drink of water", lowering his head back down he looks at the fountain, bracing himself with one hand he reaches the other down into the fountain and grabs a drink of water.
Adrian slips quietly into the square, fiddling with the buttoned up collar of his coat as if it is uncomfortable. His other hand rests lightly on the topaz on the hilt of his sword, absently moving it as if it is a rudder, as he makes his away across the small plaza to come to a silent stop next to Lauriana, not bothering even to greet her, just assuming a guard stance a pace or so to her left.
Torden nods again at the Aes Sedai and turns his attention back to the fountain. He splashes some water on to his face and runs his wet fingers through his hair after taking a small drink. He then sighs in a satisfied manner and seats himself on the edge of the fountain, still opposite the Aes Sedai with the yellow shawl.
Lauriana only lets her eyes stray to Adrian for a brief moment as he takes his place at her side. A soft smile touches her lips and stays there for the moment as she turns and looks to the two men, still a hint of questioning in her blue gaze. "So.. is there any particular reason for your visit to our little village or just passing through?" Her voice soft but her tone rather persistant in its inquiry.
Slayn notices the women wearing the yellow shawl, quickly he lowers his head before she notices him looking at her. He continues to drink from the water, occasionally splashing it about, in a feeble attempt to get a bit of clean water, but to no avail.
Torden's gaze turns to Slayn briefly, a look of confusion convering his face under its thich coating of grime. He replies politely, 'We've both been here months, Mistress Aes Sedai. Working the midden heaps.'
Adrian's mouth sets in a hard line as his eyes quickly examine the two dirty peasants. He says nothing however, left hand resting lightly on the pommel of his sword as his right tugs absently at the collar of his coat.
Lauriana blushes faintly and nods her head, "Ahh... well I guess that would explain it. I've been rather busy lately and I guess I have missed a few things." She tilts her head, gazing intently at Torden and then at Slayn, "Hmm.. I guess I am just a little paranoid with all that has been going on as of late."
Slayn keeping his head down to avoid eye contact says raspily, "I'm sorry if we have offended ya ma'am", picking some water up with his hand, he lifts his hand up and lets the water trickle out over his head.
Torden nods at the woman and asks, 'What would that be, Mistress Aes Sedai ? Down at the midden heaps, don't hear much, ya see. Too busy slingin'....well, you know.' He grins apologetically and shrugs. It just so happens a slight breeze wafts by, spreading the men's rather potent odour.
Rupert saunters intot he area, smelling of horse, stray bits of hair hanging from his hair, a wide eyed espression as he takes everything in
Lauriana wrinkles her nose slightly, coughing and turning her head as her eyes start to water, "Umm.. " She blinks away the tears and chuckles softly, "Well we have had a bit of trouble and have tightened the watch around here. So if you are here now, then I guess it is ok." Her shoulders raise in a slight shrug, turning to look at Adrian as if for confirmation.
Adrian's fingers go still on his collar. His nose wrinkles slightly, then his lips twist into a frown. He lowers his right hand, absently smoothing the panel in the middle of his coat. That hand comes to rest lightly on the plain silver buckle of his swordbelt, his eyes watering slightly as he shifts his gaze warily from one peasant to the other and back again.
Slayn seems untaken with his surrounds just content in sitting on the edge of the fountain, occasionally shuffling his feet in the dirt. From time to time he reaches down into the fountain to grab a handful of water, some water trickling down his chin as he does.
Torden raises an eyebrow and asks, 'Oh ? What's all that about, then ?' He frowns and reaches up to scratch the top of his head, also loosening a few small clods of dirt there, freeing them to fall in to the fountain.
Rupert sees the good ol' sedai and knuckles his forhead, then goes to the fountain and sticks his entire head under, pulling it back, whipping water behind him. Yelping at the temperature "Hot dang that there water is cold!"
Lauriana swallows softly as she tries to edge away from the men without being noticed, her eyes blinking rapidly now. Her hand rises to her face as if the wipe away the tears from her cheeks, voice soft, "You do know that we have bath houses in Salidar.. do you need directions perhaps?" Looking down to the water in dismay as clouds of dirt is now filtering into the liquid depths.
Adrian turns a cold glare on the noisy peasant, fingers of his right hand twitching slightly on his buckle. His nose wrinkles again as he nods a qick agreement to Lauriana's words.
Torden grimaces and looks down at his shabby apperance. He asks, blushing hard enough to be seen through his coating of dirt, 'Could you show us, perhaps ?' Clearing his throat, he adds, 'I-I mean no disrespect, Mistress Aes Sedai.'
Slayn looks at the woman wearing the yellow shawl, swirling his fingers about in the fountain, saying in a raspy voice, "I'm sorry ma'am but we can't afford such lucksh...lucksh...well such things as that, and besides the water here doesn't cost anything", looking back down at the fountain.
Rupert chuckles and looks at the sedai, then at the man, "yessem but that take some hours out o the day, and well, i got lots o work to so ma'am, and well, ill just get dirty again tomorrow."
Lauriana stands up quickly, nodding her head to Torden before hearing the other's words, "Oh yes, I could show you the way." She blinks at the other two as their words filter into her mind, licking her lips, "Well the baths don't cost a thing here and believe me.. it would be alot better for you and everyone around you then sleeping in that filth." She looks quite shocked at the idea of not bathing, her nose wrinkling again as another breeze wafts through the square.
Rupert looks to the other two stinky ones, then leaning in to Laurianna, whispering "Sorry ma'am but i dont think youll convince them, they smell like the middins, they are solow class, not like you and me eh?" Laughing as he goes bak over to the fountain
Slayn nods solemly at the woman wearing the yellow shawl, "So the baths don't cost, that'll be good, cause although the work is good, it doesn't pay much", shuffling around he gathers himself up from the ledge of the fountain.
Torden nods and moves around the fountain to quite near the woman and her fellow, his stench quite stronger close up. He smiles and murmurs gratefully, 'It is much appreciated, Aes Sedai.' He bows awkwardly from the waist, looking a little shaky.
Lauriana coughs and turns quickly as the men approach her, a slight retching noice can be heard. When her attention is turned back to the men, her face is expressionless though her eyes are still tearing from the Light awful stench that is radiating from them, "Ok.. just.. follow.. me.. " taking huge gulps of air between every word, her face paling even more than it already was.
Rupert follows the sedai in, looking with distaste at the water, in a typical childish way, Rupers is in all senses a Stable BOY. Looking somewhere near 13 or 14 in age
Torden follows along behind Lauriana, falling to to step with Slayn. He grunts noncommentaly at the fellow and grins slightly, murmuring, 'It's been awhile since I've been clean...' He snickers and shakes his head.
Slayn enters the room shortly after the sedai, looking about the bath house, a small smile perks up on his dirt clad face, nodding at Torden.
Adrian follows along behind the group, allowing the peasants to walk between himself and Lauriana so that he can keep an eye on them. By the time they arrive at the bath house, his eyes are practically streaming. He says nothing, though.
Lauriana opens the door into the bath house, walking through and then waiting for the rest to follow in behind her. She starts to speak, her voice almost normal despite the stench that must be filling her nose now, "Now there are several baths here. Two private rooms, one outdoors and one where anyone can just walk in and use. There are also two dressing rooms, one for men and the other for females." She shrugs slightly and looks at a loss, her gaze upon the men.
Torden enters last and closes the door firmly behind him. He gazes about the room much like a typical backwater bumpkin would, eyes wide and probing in all directions. His gaze sweeps across Adrian, Lauriana, Rupert, and Slayn, taking in all the details of the room.
Rupert looks to the woman in confusion? "Private baths ma'am? We always had one big bath back home... before the... before the.... yeah... " Putting on a strong face and then starting to strip as he heads towards the water
Slayn looks around noticing all the baths which the sedai have talked about, scratching his head in bewilderment, kicking the ground slightly, looking as though he is contemplating which bath to goto.
Slayn stumbles slightly over to Torden saying in a low raspy voice, "So which one should we choose, seems to be a couple choices, I can't decide, what do you think?"
Adrian takes up a position near the door, hard gaze constantly moving from one peasant to the next, never lingering more than a second.
Lauriana arches an eyebrow slightly, her hand raising, "I suggest maybe the outdoor bath. It's less closed in so you won't suffocate...", her words trailing as a soft smirk touches her face.
Rupert trips over his pants as he walks along, landing hard on his face, quickly regaining his feet and heading towards the reccomended tub
The southern door opens and a well built unclothed man peaks his head out wearing nothing but a towel about his waist. He glances around quickly, nodding to Lauriana and Adrian, gestures to Salare to hand him another towel which he takes graciously "I thought I heard voices.. Lauriana Sedai, Gaidin" ne nods in turn, patting his wet body down with the dry towel. (Kyle)
A loud splash is heard from outside, as if someone just jumped into a bath, followed by outraged shreaks from the occupants that were already there. A few seconds later a dripping wet boy, clad only in smallclothes comes back in
Torden smiles tightly as Kyle enters the room from underneath the thick coating of grime on his face and turns to Lauriana and asks, 'Which was the men's changing room, Aes Sedai ?' Already, he is heading towards the general direction, but he is hesitating, waiting for a response.
Lauriana points to the door to the west, her other hand covering her nose, "It's that way, through that door and south then west I believe." She steps a bit closer to Adrian, turning her head as if to find some air that is breathable.
Slayn stambers around a minute looking around the room, noticing Kyle he chuckles to himself, as the man stands there. Listening to the sedai he looks towards the door she pointed and slowly starts walking in that general direction.
Rupert shakes the water out of his hair and says "All clean ma'am. Ill be going now....." Heading towards the door, wet dirt still clinging to his form
Torden nods at the woman and heads towards the indicated area, having thusfar made no move to remove his clothing, unlike a certain someone else.
Walking past the sedai, dust wavering from his clothes as it does, he bows slightly at her, "Thank ye ma'am" and continues for the door. (Slayn)
Adrian nods a quick greeting to Kyle, then goes back to warily watching the peasants. He pauses his surveillance only for the briefest of moments to shoot a frown and a shake of his head at Lauriana as she moves nearer him.
Lauriana gets a rather disguseted look on her face as she watches Rupert, the dirt having now turned to mud on his body. She blanches visibly and turns away from him, nodding to Kyle as she sees him come into the room, "Hello there Gaidin..The Light Illumine you today."
Rupert walks over to his pile of clothes and starts gathering them up
Kyle wraps the towel around the back of his neck and grabs both ends, relaxing his arms as he glances at the young men, raising a curious eyebrow toward Lauriana. "Light illumine, Aes Sedai." a question still lingering in his gaze.
Torden walks on beyond Kyle, in to the changing room. A few muttered curses can be heard and he finally emerges with a towl wrapped around his waist, exposing his only slightly dirty chest, as compared to his hands and face.
Slayn stumbles back into the room wearing only his trousers, cursing and muttering about someone wandering off with his towel, walking up to Kyle, the retched smell of wet dog eminating from his body, saying to him, "Do ya mind if I have one of them there towels mister, someone ran off with mine"
"Umm.. don't you think you should maybe take some soap and a cloth and wash it over your skin?" Lauriana's eyes still watering as she turns and looks to Rupert, obviously directing the question towards him. "I think it would get a bit more off then just dunking yourself." She shoots a glance towards Kyle, her lips pursed as she shrugs faintly, "Hired help."
Rupert frowns and then walks over to Lauriana "Soap? Water? Only if you help.." A gap toothed smile flashed at her
Kyle chuckles softly at Slayn and nods to Salare again, taking the offered towel and handing it to the young man. He nods simply to Lauriana "From thier.. appearance, I would say they are new stablehands?"
Rupert pouts at the man, then sticks his tongue out at him and runs for te baths
Slayn takes the towel from Kyle and proceeds to wipe the water off him, he gives the towel covered in filth and grime back to kyle, "Thank ya mister"
Torden turns his back to Lauriana and the rest and removes his towel. Backing in to the water, he turns around once he is waist-deep. He squats and dunks himself under and then begins systematically lathering himself up.
Lauriana blinks at Rupert, not even getting to blush before Adrian starts to unsheathe his sword. She sighs softly and turns her eyes, catching a glimpse of Torden before he gets into the water, "Oh for the love of the Light.. don't you think you could have waited until I left?" The blush deepens upon her cheeks as she quickly closes her eyes.
Kyle gestures to the dirty pile of towels to Slayn "In there lad." smirking softly and not taking the towel. He glances back to Adrian then to Rupert slowly, following Adrian's glare "Best to do as he says, lad. Aes Sedai deserve respect. Not rude remarks."
Adrian grinds his teeth audibly as the boy runs off, slamming his sword back into its sheath with a loud click. He takes one step in the direction the boy left, then stops, swinging his gaze to Torden and Slayn, a contemplative frown on his face. With a frustrated sigh, he steps back and resumes his guard position.
Slayn nods at kyle, turning around some water whips off his hair, in a small mist around those nearby, he sets the dirty towels on a pile, walking back to the other room, returning shortly there after with the rest of his clothing.
Rupert slips out of his smallclothes and hops into one of the tubs here indoors, singing a baudy soldiers song as he washes himself with the soap, glairing at at Adrian and then beaming a smile at Lauriana with a wink
Torden finishes his lathering, including his hair, and dunks himself under again, rincing. Facing away from Lauriana again, he emerges from the water and picks up his towl, bending over at the waist. While near double, he shoots a glance in Lauriana's direction before grabbing his towl and wrapping it around his waist.
Lauriana keeps her eyes closed tight, her fists clenched as she breathes in and out slowly, "How did I get myself into this.. ", the words murmured softly so that only those close to her would hear. After a moment, she opens her eyes and looks to Adrian with a soft, sympathetic smile, "I'm sorry."
Kyle smiles softly and grins to Lauriana "I hope they tend horses better then they bath." tossing the towel around his neck into the laundry pile he nods again "Forgive me a few moments while I dress, if you will." turning back to the south and dissapearing into the room.
Adrian gives Lauriana a quick nod and shrugs slightly before returning to his vigilance. His displeasure with the entire situation is very evident on his face.
Rupert scrubs and scrubs, then dunks himself under to rinse out the soap, and hops out of the tub, walking over to LAuriana nekkid. "Where are the towels ma'am?"
Torden doesn't say anything as he follows Kyle to the dressing room, with the towel wrapped around his waist.
Lauriana glares as Rupert approaches her, and then she calms down. Her arms fold across her chest as she glances down and then smirks softly, "With such a small boy as you, do you really need a whole towel to yourself?" Her tongue runs slowly over her lips, moistening them and then turning to Adrian and taking a step back.
Rupert tilts his head and looks at the woman, "Yeah, a whole towel to myself, you look wierd, havent ye ever been to a bathhouse before? Back in Shienar....."
Adrian glares down at the impudent child. With a sneer of complete distaste on his face, he says,'Learn manners quickly, boy, or prepare to be strapped from one side of this village to the other.'
Kyle emerges from the dressing room wearing a soft green silk shirt and suede breeches, buckling the Heron blade to his waist. He takes a small leather strand from a pouch at his waist and reaches up, tying teh top of his hair into a small topknot and letting it fall back with the rest of the length of his long hair.
Rupert looks at Adrian and puffs his diminutive chest up, "Im not afraid of you! Ive seen worse! If i can survive trollocs then theres nothing you can do! Even if you are nearly as ugly as a trolloc!" He then steps back and to the side, keeping Lauriana between him and Adrian
Torden follows Kyle out of the changing room a few minutes later, once again wearing his dirty, smelly clothes. Approaching Slayn, he asks, 'They'll be expecting us back soon, won't they ?'
Slayn nods at Torden, "Yeah they will prolly come lookin for us here in a bit if we don't return shortly", ringing his clothes out completly he places them back on.
Lauriana tries to move out of the way, between Rupert and Adrian. Her hands move down to her dress, raising the hem off the ground in case she has to move quickly. "I don't think you know what you are getting into young one." She tries to manuver around behind Adrian, pressing herself against the wall.
Adrian steps quickly toward the little boy when Lauriana moves aside. His hand slips quickly free of his hilt as he aims a backhanded slap towards the little brat's face.
Rupert takes the slap full on the cheek, flying over backwards, quickly standing and giving Adrian a look of pure hate, the aldult emotion shining from his childlike eyes, hand going into his shirt and producing a dagger as he leaps at the bastard who hit him shouting "Bully!"
Slayn notices the guy backhand the little kid, giving a look upon Adrian of disapproval, "A man who hits a child, have you no shame?", purely displeased with his actions against Rupert.
Torden puts a hand on Slayn's arm and snaps angrily, 'Leave them be!' authority ringing strongly in his voice, despite his outward appearance. The authority seems to melt away as he asks in a pleading tone, 'Aren't they expecting us back at the midden heaps ?'
Slayn stops at Torden's words, "I hope the little kid teaches him a lesson", hesitating a brief second he nods, "Yeah we should get back before they send someone looking for us, we don't need to get in any trouble"
Adrian ignores the second peasant, his full attention focused on the little boy. He plants his right boot and steps back with his left foot, swinging his body out of the way of the thrust as he chops down with his right fist towards the teenage boy's wrist, his left arm swinging back wide, fingers spreading open.
Kyle drops his hand down to the hilt of the blade, edging it an inch out of the sheath. He turns his now emotionless gaze toward Rupert and Adrian, glancing to Slayn and Torden warily.
Torden nods at Slayn in a reassured manner and mutters his agreement quietly before turning towards the door and heading for it, his long strides quickly eating up the ground between him and his objective.
Slayn follows quickly behind Torden, his steps on Torden's heels as they head for the door, paying no heed to anything else just focusing on the door.
The dagger goes flying as the boys wrist is broken, he clasps it to his chest as tears of pain flow down his cheeks, he then turns and runs towards the door, muttering about telling on the man
Lauriana lets out a little sigh of relief as they all move to leave the room. Her hand goes to Adrian's shoulder, grasping him gently and then releasing to let her hand slide to her stomach, "Well I guess that's the last time I volunteer to show anyone around."
Dmitri saunters in with a towel tossed over one shoulder. As he enters he casually scratches at the large designed scar on his chest.
Kyle snaps the inch of blade into his sheathe, turning his gaze to Adrian cooly, though releasing the void "I understand your reverence for your bond, Gaidin, but was that necessary?"
Torden ignores the newest entry as he continues to and then out the door, a grim look of determination on his face for those who can see it.
Slayn continues towards the door, ignoring the new arrival, hestantly paced until reaching the door, then proceeds to step through the door, muttering something as he leaves.
Adrian watches the child flee, face devoid of emotion. When Lauriana touches his shoulder, he turns his head to give her a slight nod, then moves to pick up the fallen dagger. He examines it critically for a moment before tucking it into his belt. As he turns to walk back towards Lauriana the shoots a glance at Kyle and says simply,'Yes.'
Rupert runs out the door, bumping into the 2 men on the way out, heading towards the little tower
Lauriana licks her lips slowly, eyeing Kyle for a moment and then looking over Adrian as if checking for any wounds, "I can't believe we have people like that in Salidar. You think they would screen these people better."
Kyle shakes his head at Adrian, still gazing coolly "You should have killed him then, Gaidin. A boy with his attitude will revenge what you just did, some day. Peace favor you, both." turning and giving Dmitri and curt nod as he heads toward the east, apparently not in the mood for conversation.
Dmitri pauses and glances around. 'Did i miss something?'
Adrian shrugs slightly at Kyle's comment, then nods to Dmitri. He says in a matter of fact tone,'There was a small disturbance as I tried to teach a child to respect Aes Sedai. I doubt he learned, but he will not pull a knife on anyone until his arm heals.' He moves back to stand near Lauriana and adds to her,'I do not think manners is an attribute one checks for when hiring stablehands.'
Lauriana sniffs slightly and thens shrugs, "Well it's over and done with now. No use in dwelling on it." She sighs softly and then suddenly looks pale, "Light, I shouldn't have gotten out of bed today." Her hand moves to the back of her head, rubbing it gently as she closes her eyes.
Adrian quickly reaches out towards Lauriana with his left hand in an attempt to steady her, a look of concern washing over his face. Softly, he says,'Shall I take you to your room?' The other occupants of the bath house seem to have been entirely forgotten.
Lauriana nods her head, "Yes, please Adrian.", her voice faint, almost a whisper as she leans against him heavily, "I don't know how Gaidin just bounce back after being healed.."
Adrian slowly leads Lauriana towards the door, his expression still full of concern as he mutters softly,'I think it is just because you are a better Healer than whoever healed you.'
"Bah, you know that's not true." Lauriana blushes faintly upon hearing Adrian's words, sighing softly as she walks beside him. Her body is still close to his and then she collapses completely against him.
Adrian catches her deftly, then bends down to slip his free arm behind her legs, lifting her in his arms. He sighs loudly and then begins to carry the taller woman back towards the Little Tower, a look of grim determination on his face.
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