A knock sounds from the door to the east.
The door opens, as if of its own accord. Evelyn's nose crinkles slightly in an annoyed expression. Without looking up from her book, she says,'What is it, Dmitri?'
Dmitri frowns. 'I have news Aes Sedai.'
Evelyn lets out an exasperated sigh and looks up from her book, finally. She absently slips a velvet bookmark over the page and slaps the book closed. Arching an eyebrow coldy, she says,'Continue.'
Dmitri coughs softly. 'One of my brethren, formerly a Gaidin... was forced out of the tower some time ago due to his... transformation.' His golden eyes flash for a moment as he blinks. 'He was recently captured... and is to be executed in the morning for treason...'
Evelyn nods slowly, left thumb stroking lightly at the leather cover of her book. With a slight shrug of her shoulders, she says,'That is typically the penalty for treason. I assume there is more to this than just informing me. Get to the point, I was reading the part where Jain Farstrider crosses the Waste.'
Dmitri coughs softly. 'I assure you she makes it.' He sighs. 'The reason I came to talk to you is that... I was wondering if I might be able to request your assistance... in his rescue.'
Evelyn frowns deeply and sets aside her book. Slowly she uncrosses her legs and lowers her feet to the floor. Shaking her head and slipping her feet into her shoes, she says,'In the morning? That gives little time for planning. You already have a plan or you expect me to devise one before morning and perform it, as well?'
Dmitri nods simply. 'Aye... There are a number who wish to assist in the ... operation. Due to time constraints, I was hoping that we could pick them up... in the same fashion you found me in the dream...'
Evelyn's eyebrow shoots up in an expression of slight surprise. Just as quickly, her gaze on Dmitri hardens and she says in a cold, lecturing tone,'I am not in a habit of displaying my hidden abilities for the general public. Additionally, the dream is a dangerous place for those who are not familiar with it.' She lets out a soft sigh, seeming to calm slightly, and adds,'Is he guilty?'
Dmitri shakes his head, his eyes taking on a great deal of conviction... as well as the bond... 'Only of protecting his own sanity. He was driven from the tower by the browns who were intent upon plucking out his eyes for study... much like Jerek Gaidin wasmore recently... he left from injustice only to be caught for the sake of another to face more.'
Evelyn stands up and quickly smooths the wrinkles out of her skirts. She turns and walks to the wardrobe as she says over her shoulder,'Very well. Do you know where he is being kept? He can be extracted fairly easily if we have good information. If we must spend the night searching for his exact cell, then he will surely hang.' Her tone as she opens the wardrobe and picks through the clothes there is as one would use while discussing the weather.
Dmitri smiles softly and glances down at his shoes. 'As I understand it he will be guiding us himself... but I've seen his cell.'
Evelyn pulls a pale blue travelling cloak from the oaken cabinet and slips it over her shoulders before turning to face Dmitri again. Her nose wrinkles in irritation as she asks,'Will all of these people who wish to help have odd eyes?'
Dmitri nods slowly. 'Aye.' He removes the black cloak on his shoulders, snaps a small catch on either side together and tucks it under the second, fancloth cloak beneath. 'There is a clearing just south of Caemlyn where we need to go first... and then... to whatever it is you do to enter the dream... whole...' he seems to shudder at the thought of returning.
A slight smirk twitches across Evelyn's lips for a moment before her face smooths again. In way too innocent a tone, she says,'I see. To Caemlyn, then.' As she clasps her hands casually against the small of her back, a slash of light appears next to the window on the far side of the room. Rapidly, it widens into a hole in the air through which can be seen a small clearing in a sparse wood. Without preamble, she crosses the room and steps through, leaving the gateway open for Dmitri to follow.
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on the other side
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A slash of light appears and rapidly opens into a hole in the air through which can be seen a small, well-furnished room. Evelyn steps through the opening from the room and into the clearing, walking with light, graceful steps, hands clasped at the small of her back.
Dmitri strides through the gateway a mere step behind. Fancloth hangs loosely over his shoulders, draped down over the Katana at his side. He steps around Evelyn quickly and examins the area, quickly spotting the crowd.
Brenna looks over quickly from her spot near the bank of the waterfall. She blinks in suprise and then jumps up, looking wary till she sees Dmitri. A faint smile touches her lips and then she looks to Byzel, holding out her hand.
Byzel stands with his back towards the hill, arms clasped behind his back and face turned over the lake. His left leg slightly bent and turned as he meditates over the dim lapping of the water over the shore. As Brenna glances up towards him, he pivots about the shoulders and glances down towards her once, a brief smile flickering across his closed features before he glances back further, towards Dmitri.
The hole in the air gradually dwindles closed, then disappears. Evelyn glances around briefly, then turns to face Dmitri. With an arched eyebrow and a somewhat disbelieving tone of voice, she asks,'This is all of them?'
Dmitri shrugs. 'There may be more meeting us... later...'
As Brenna quietly unfurls herself off of the grassy hillock, her boots digging lightly into the sod as she stands and tugs down on her tunic, Byzel moves in behind her, left hand lightly digging into the fabric of her shirt above the shoulder. His lips move briefly, so lightly at this distance that no words can be heard. Brenna pauses, heard slightly cocked then lightly nods her head, directing a soft smile towards the pair again, if somewhat uncertainly as they both stride towards Dmitri and Evelyn.
Evelyn clears her throat and unclasps her hands from her back. She rises up on her toes, posture going very erect as she adopts a commanding tone and asks,'This is a delicate situation. I will not put up with any foolishness. Sneaking into the White Tower is not something to be done while bickering and questioning. With that said, how many of you can reach the meeting place on your own?'
Dmitri nods to Byzel and Brenna. 'Evelyn Aes Sedai, these are Brenna and Byzel. Cub, brother, this is Evelyn Aes Sedai. SHe will be assisting is in our... quest this evening.'
Brenna strides through the thick, dew hazed grass along the hillside, her hand slipped inside of Byzel's as they approach quietly. She flicks her head backwards as a breeze catches at the flowing tendrils of her hair and send them to flutter loose and free about her face, "Well meet, Brother," she answers quietly with a soft smile directed towards Dmitri. Byzel stands for the moment silently, dark eyes flickering over the pair with an unreadable expression on his face, though his fingers seem to tighten as they clasp hers. She continues after a momentary glance towards Byzel, "I can.. but he's new to this."
Evelyn nods slowly and asks in an imperious tone,'Is there somewhere nearby that would be a safe place to sleep?' She glances around the clearing with an expression on her face that indicates she certainly doubts it.
Dmitri nods curtly, tilting his head as if listening to the wind. 'There is noone for quite some distance. Here will suffice. Wherever you are comfortable within this general area will be safe.'
Byzel speaks up for the first time with a glanc up westwards along the hillside as the small trail leads up along the horizon, "Aye, our house lays up there." A slightly troubled expression crosses his face briefly and Brenna's turns her gaze upwards towards his face, "It will be okay," she promises quietly as her eyes once again find the pair. "There at least, we can be spared a certain amount of discomfort. If you would follow me...." Here she trails off, her hand slipping away from Byzel's as she turns with a soft beckoning gesture and strides upwards along the hillside.
Evelyn arches an eyebrow at Dmitri, then snorts disdainfully at him. She announces,'I certainly am not sleeping here. I will be entering in the flesh. However, I need you to sleep here. If anything goes wrong, you will be my only way of making it known. A sister in the green is staying in the palace in Caemlyn. If anything goes amiss, you will inform her at once. In fact, any who can enter on their own should do so.' She looks as if she might be about to launch on a long explanation, then suddenly her mouth shuts with an audible click and she turns towards Brenna and says,'Certainly. Lead on.'
Dmitri turns to stare at Evelyn closely. 'I will not be accompanying you then? how will I be able to fully protect you if I am unable to leave through the gateway.' He stiffens and turns to follow Evelyn, however his face never changes expression.
Byzel quirks a slight smile as Evelyn's voice raises, seemingly on the verge of a haughty diatribe. "It's right nearby," he assures quietly. Brenna, not waiting for an answer strides along the pathway, her legs stretching out in a hip swiveling, long legged stride that threatens to leave the others behind. His back seems to stiffen a bit at the tone of anger in Dmitri's voice, but he simply hurries upwards with only a single backwards glance at the quiet spot he had recently occupied. As he strides along the path, he can see Brenna as she disappears into the house.
Evelyn sniffs disdainfully and turns her back more squarely on Dmitri. She adjusts her cloak on her shoulders in an absent gesture and begins following Byzel and Brenna down the path. Over her shoulder, she says in an obviously irritated tone,'I have no intention of placing so much as a toe inside the waking Tower, Gaidin. I do not like having to explain myself, either, as you may well discover to your displeasure if you continue questioning my judgement.'
Dmitri's eyes go cold and his face slack, his voice cold now. 'Very well.' And he falls in step behind Evelyn.
Byzel glances backwards anxiously, his face half hidden in shadow as he steps lightly up the stairs leading to the porch. Brenna waits in the doorway, her demeanor calmly confident. Her eyes are fastened towards Dmitri as they approach, her lips twitching slightly before she disappears into the cottage with only the barest of rolled eyes. "Hurry inside, let's try and get this done as quickly as possible." Now Byzel starts to betray a certain sense of nervousness, his eyes flicking about the hillside as if expecting danger.
Evelyn steps unhurriedly inside the cabin, pausing slightly at the threshhold, almost as if in a childish attempt to show that she does so because she wishes instead of because she was ordered. As she does finally step completely inside, she adjusts her cloak again and agrees with Byzel,'Yes, it would be well to get started. Time flows oddly in the dream.'
Dmitri frowns and nods. 'Very well. Where shall I sleep then.' He glances to Byzel.
By this time, Brenna had already busily prepared the couch along with the chairs, all with pillows placed comfortably. She is not in view, but her light voice can be heard from another room, croning softly in a gentle voice. Byzel twitches a slight, sketchy smile then gestures briefly along the cheerily lit room, "Any where that pleases you..." His eyes move towards a doorway, showing once again a bit of anxiety, "Please... let's move this along, the girls are asleep for now.." Just at the moment, Brenna reappears from the doorway, a smile slipping from her face as she echoes his words, "Yes, please."
Evelyn's mouth sets in a hard line, suddenly. She turns her back on the rest of the gathering and looks to an open area near the edge of the room. A slash of bright, white light appears before the wall, the opens into a whole in the air through which can be seen an identical room. She says in a snippish tone,'If you cannot enter the dream on your own, follow me. Otherwise sleep quickly and meet on the other side as soon as you are able.' With that said, she steps lightly through the gateway. On the other side, she crosses her arms beneath her breasts and stands with her back towards the opening. Those with a heightened sense of smell may notice the aroma of indignation rolling off her in strong waves.
Dmitri sits down in a chair, crosses his arms and closes his eyes and forces himself asleep with practied ease.
With a glance towards Brenna, Byzel steps towards the gateway, "Stay here, love." His face hinting at trepidation, he visibly steels himself then steps through the doorway without a word further. Brenna's left with her mouth open, on the verge of reply which she has no time to make. She grimaces, then with a glance at the already sleeping form she quickly sits down on the couch and forces herself to sleep, through it's easy to tell she's a bit leery.
Without looking back over her shoulder, Evelyn releases the weave as soon as Byzel is clear of the gateway. It rapidly dwindles closed. There is a slight shimmering as a large, over-stuffed armchair appears behind Evelyn. Without a word, she sits down to wait, arms still tightly crossed beneath her breasts.
A shimmer appears then a few moments later a large grey wolf with fur that almost seems to shimmer slightly in the light comes striding out of the brush. It walks over toward Evelyn's armchair and yawns, licking its lips.
As Byzel enters through the gateway, he pauses and his eyes move about quickly, avoiding glancing towards where Evelyn sits. Clasping his arms around his chest, he tilts his head and grimaces to himself, then starts to turn suddenly as Brenna appears, a ghost of a smile on her lips as she moves in from behind of him. "It seems we all are here," she announces unhurriedly, her clothing shimmering briefly and changing to a darker outfit, even tighter this time. Appearing stripped down and ready for action, "Shall we?"
Evelyn rises to her feet, the chair behind her instantly vanishing. She turns to Dmitri and says,'You said you have seen his cell? If so, lead us there..' Her voice trails off and then suddenly, she asks,'Does he know to meet us in the dream?'
Dmitri nods his furry head and turns toward Tar Valon. He pauses to reach up with a hind paw and scratch his stomach, then bolts forward.
Brenna chuckles softly, murmuring softly with a certain humor lightening her tone, "Finally, a man of few words." Her hand slides to touch Byzel's hip, startling him briefly from his worried contemplation, "Let's get moving." Without a further word she moves off gracefully, following the hurtling form.
Evelyn shakes her head slightly and lets out a soft, exasperated sounding sigh. She reaches down to lift her skirts slightly, before taking a casual step forward. About halfway through the step, she blurs forward, setting her foot down just slightly behind the running wolf.
The man and two women cross the landscape under the moonlight in a rapid blur, following the elongated, blurred form of the wolf. Roads flow beneath them like swift rivers and brightly lit cities pass by like ships under full sail. After what seems only moments, they find themselves passing through the walls of the White Tower and down into the cells. Just as suddenly, the blurring slows and they stand in a hallway between two cells.
A large grey wolf drifts down the hallway at a casual lopeing pace. Occasionally sniffing at the air and glancing at the doors as he walks. He pauses next to one and stops. Jumping up onto the door, pawing at the lock then falling off and stepping away.
Byzel adjusts himself to the change slowly, eyes slightly widened and his senses a welter of brief fear and confusion. Brenna glances back at him worriedly as she steps out of the travelling, following Dmitri with her head cocked to the side, sniffing the air curiously before her head turns towards the very same doorway, suddenly giving off a wealth of satisfaction, "Yes, that's the one."
Evelyn steps forward and looks down at the lock. She mutters softly,'I certainly hope so. We have but one chance at this. I cannot risk them learning this weave.' Her nose wrinkles slightly as she reaches down and tugs once on the lock. It opens with a click. Slowly, she slips it from the door and pushes it open, then steps back to allow the others to enter first.
A large grey wolf slinks off down the hall, sniffing the air as he does... dissapearing into the shadows. A moment later he reappears, fancloth shimmering in colors even more nausiating than normal as it shifts in his own imagination with the rest of his drab grey attire. He nods at Evelyn with a small smirk. 'I would have opened that.' He then turns and steps quietly into the cell, his voice traling off as he enters, 'My. Fancy meeting you here.'
As Brenna slips through the doorway, her noise crinkles briefly at the smell before her amber eyes seem to light up as they rest upon Elyas. Surveying the scene silently, the smell of her brief joy is overwhelmed with a bit of amusement, "This is not a meeting at the local Inn, my brothers," she chides quietly. Byzel follows her after a moment, his hands he suddenly notices occuped by a sturdy wooden staff, knowing full well it was not there a moment before. As the end taps once more on the ground once more, it flickers and it gone just as quickly as his stride leads him into the tiny cell.
Elyas chuckles quietly and nods to Dmitri, "What kept you? Have you decided that Tower hospitality has improved?" He turns to Brenna and Byzel, "Glad to see you two found eachother again. Please forgive the clubbing incident, it was necessary." He frowns as he glances toward the door and asks quietly, "Who else has decided to pay me a visit?"
Evelyn steps into the cell and drops the lock which disappears halfway to the floor. The door is abruptly closed again behind her as she says,'Quite the inquisitive lot you people are.' She fixed Elyas with a hard stare and snaps imperiously,'You are the one who occupies this cell in the waking world?'
Dmitri chuckles. 'Actually brother I stopped for an ale upstairs. The novices have gotten cuter since last I was here.' He turns his head toward Brenna and Byzel. 'Hush now. It's a time of celebration and revelry. .. well.. it will be in a few moments.' He turns last to Evelyn. 'And yes.. this is the right place... I believe.' He turns to Elyas and cocks his head at him.
Byzel pulls himself a bit into a corner, dark eyes flickering over the gathering. "Yes, we've managed.." he murmurs quietly, then hurries on after Dmitri, "Revelry will be fine after we leave this place, it suits me ill." Brenna in the meantime, merely smiles and strides towards Elyas, dropping to her haunches as she moves to rest a hand on his shoulder, "It's good to fine you well?" a bit of a question in her statement.
Elyas nods quickly, "Aye, I am the fool who occupies this cell in the waking world. I am asleep in this very corner." He frowns at Dmitri, "Don't even joke about stopping for ale. I've a thirst it'd take a river to quench." He scratches his chin and nods to Brenna, "I'll be better once I'm out in the open air again."
Evelyn snorts loudly,'Well, if we botch this through haste, the next open air you will see will be as they lead you to the noose. Now, do you know if anyone else is in the cell with you?' As she talks, her hands unconsciously clench her skirts and she glances around the small space.
Dmitri chuckles softly and glances about the cell. 'We may wish to make some degree of haste lest we be inturrupted again as we were the other evening.'
Brenna's nose wrinkles briefly and she adds with a mischievious twinkle in her eyes, "And a bath, I'm not letting you into my house smelling like I'm sure you do. Her fingers bury enter his hard shoulder briefly, squeezing the tight muscles before she stands upright again, stepping backwards and spinning to stand beside Byzel. Her eyes finally echo a bit of Evelyn's nervousness, eyes flickering around the room, especially the doorway, "Yes, let's cease the banter till we get out of this safely."
Elyas scratches his chin in thought, then shakes his head, "Nay, I am alone. Only Aes Sedai are allowed enter, with a few guards. If any was in the cell with me, they'd wake me." He chuckles at Brenna, "You should know by now I'll not step inside your house, not matter how clean I might get."
Evelyn nods slowly then motions toward the small bed. She fixes Elyas with another hard gaze and snaps,'Listen closely, then. Everyone needs to crowd into this corner. Once we are all there, I need you to wake. After you leave the dream, I shall count slowly to ten, then I will open a gateway into that side of the cell.' She stabs her finger towards the side opposite the bed. 'When it opens, enter it immediately. Someone may feel the channeling from inside the cell and come to investigate. I will not leave it open long enough for anyone to discover how to weave it. Do you understand?'
Dmitri backs into the appropriate corner immedaitly, somewhat impatient to get this over with and out of the dream yet again.
Seemingly on the verge of answering Elyas, Brenna's mouth snaps shut audibly and she listens to Evelyn intently, a line forming upon her brow at the instructions. She soundlessly slips her hand into Byzel's and they both step forwards, crowding into the corner near the bed and against the sidewall. They both share a glance, then murmur in unison, "Ready." Their eyes move towards Elyas on the bed, waiting with eyes intent as they wait.
Elyas nods quickly, "I understand, Aes Sedai. As soon as it opens, I will be through it." He presses his back against the wall and almost immediatly begins to fade from the Dream.
Evelyn nods in satisfaction as Elyas fades out. Taking a deep breath, she begins to count out loud, slowly. As she reaches the end of the countdown, she gestures dramatically and a slash of light appears in the far corner of the cell, rapidly widening into a gateway into the waking version of the jail. As soon as it opens, he lips begin to move in another silent count.
Dmitri dont do nothin, just stands and waits.
Both Byzel and Brenna turn around, watching Evelyn as her mouth moves soundlessly. They crowd together closer, but don't say a word.
Elyas dashes through the gateway, ducking low to make sure he's clear. He lets out a deep sigh and bows to Evelyn, "What happens next?" He grins and adds, "I was tempted to thank the Guards for their hospitality before stepping through."
Evelyn frowns at Elyas, her mouth a hard line, as she quickly closes the gateway. Her hands close into fists and settle on her hips as she looks the man up and down. In a calm voice that is totally out of place with her body language, she says,'Everyone meet outside the cabin. From there we will return to the waking world.' As her words fade out, so does she.
The group, now plus one, once again traverses the land with speed unheard of to that of the waking world, cities lost in the blur of their passing, roads mere streaks beneath them. At last, the group emerges from their warped journey amidst a flurry of elongated forms and in at least Dmitri's case, a somewhat relaxed smile.
Brenna gives a single relaxed smile, comforts Byzel's nervousness with a smile and steps backwards with her hand in his still, blurring from sight and taking him with her as they retrace their route.
Elyas breathes deeply, sniffing the air and scanning the area as if trying to memorize every detail. "I was beginning to think I'd never get out of that blasted cell."
Evelyn turns towards the group as they arrive, the tapping of her foot stopping. She points at Byzel and Elyas, almost stabbing her finger at them and says sharply,'For you it is time to leave the dream. The others can wake on their own.' Dramatically gesturing with her other hand, she opens a gateway into the waking world, then hitches up her skirts and steps through.
Dmitri chuckles and shakes his head again. He crosses his arms and closes his eyes. Quickly fading out of being.
Brenna and Byzel part with a single shared look, trailing fingers parting as he hurries through the grass to follow Evelyn through the gateway. This time he shows no hesitation, rather a certain eagerness as he disappears from view. The moment Byzel steps through the doorway, Brenna starts to fade from view, her lips twisted in a slightly worried frown as she gazes upon the dream image of her home.
Elyas quickly steps through the gateway and grins slightly, before bowing to Evelyn. "I give you my thanks, Aes Sedai. I would not have liked to spend much longer in the Tower." He turns suddenly to face roughly northwards, "I have some friends I must meet with."
Evelyn inclines her head graciously towards Elyas, then says,'From what Dmitri said, you were not going to stay there much longer anyway. However, if I ever hear that any of you have repeated how you managed to get out, you will most definitely wish you were back inside if I find you.' As if to punctuate her words, the gateway snaps closed.
Dmitri comes down the path from the house, adjusting his hair and cloak as he does. 'Good to see I don't have to leap through the gate after you.'
Byzel turns as he exits the doorway, just to find Brenna blinking and sitting upright. They share a slowl, relieved smile then he turns towards a doorway off of the living room and quickly moves into the room to check on the girls. Brenna smooths her tunic with her hand then strides towards the porch, leaning against the doorway for a moment before exits the house to met up with the others.
Elyas chuckles quietly, "I will tell nobody, Aes Sedai. That's a trick that will have the Tower Guard puzzling about for the next hundred years. I hope. Let them fear the madman with the golden eyes who can walk through walls."
Evelyn nods slowly,'That is the best thing. Now I just need to rest here for a while so that I can return home.'
Dmitri walks over to Evelyn and offers his arm. 'May I escort you to a seat Aes Sedai and later I assure you there will be a warm bath and my best bottle of brandy at your service as required.' He then leans close to her to whisper in her ear,'Thank you.'
Brenna sighs softly as she joins the group, hearing the last bit, "You can rest up in our home, there is plenty of room." She turns towards Elyas, a frown crossing her lips as she rests her hands upon her hips, "So, you want to leave us already, is it?"
Elyas bows to his liberators and says quietly, "I thank you all for getting setting me free. But you know how it is, an hour is too long for me to be locked up, a couple of weeks and I was starting to think about getting them to kill me without a trial. I must go talk with our friends." With that he turns and heads off toward the north.
Evelyn nods slowly to Dmitri, then inclines her head towards Brenna. She says softly,'Thank you.' Then begins walking up towards the cabin, hand rising to stifle a yawn as she disappears inside.