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Ra'shad shrugs his shoulders at Etaine as they walk down the path together, "You must remember the boy comes from stubborn stock. Two Rivers folk could stare down a mountain if they had to."
Elyiandrys saunters practically cheerfully into the garden, dark eyes scanning the area in a particularly diligent study. She's dressed now in far more decent clothing - a rather plain green dress with a fairly reasonable neckline, the skirts split for riding, and a thin silk scarf, tied tightly about her neck. Spying the Aes Sedai, she changes course and heads towards them.
Etaine stops in her tracks and places her hands on her hips. "As you well know!" She rolls her eyes slightly and sighs in discontent. Upon seeing Elyiandrys she quickly schools her features into those of calm serenity and resumes her casual stride beside Ra'shad. "There is so much that must be done, and this tension and animosity is only working against us."
Wulfstan runs past Etaine, giggling the entire way, until he sees Elyiandrys. Suddenly he stops and looks up at her, his grey eyes large and innocent.
Elyiandrys slows as she reaches Etaine and Ra'shad, coming to a standstill a few paces in front of them - and although her gaze was hardening, her brow furrowing deeply, the sight of the little boy makes her lips twitch ever so slightly in a smile. Glancing back up, she greets softly, 'Etaine Sedai,' with a tiny nod, 'I'm reporting, as the mighty Lord Dragon orders..'
Koltur glides lightly into the area, lightly as in, atop the balls of his feet, each step fluid and effortless, as well as soundless except for the slight swishing of the enshrouding, sickeningly-odd cloak that hangs about his shoulders. As he moves, the cloak shifts and alters, colors playing along its length as it seems to make parts of the wearer, a tall, whip-thin figure, appear and disappear as he moves along. The hood of the cloak is pulled back, his sickly-pale, angular features revealed for all to see. A shroud of impassiveness seems to hold upon those chiseled features, his lips formed into a flat line. Pale, icy-cold blue eyes dart and flicker about quickly, seeming to be looking in all directions at once as he moves along, until spotting the small group, he suddenly stops his motion, standing only slightly within the entrance of the room and gazing fixedly at the group.
Ra'shad sighs, "Yes, I know.. but i don't have a clue on how to get him to look on us a little more amicably."
Etaine nods her head gently and then she slows her steps slightly as she nears Elyiandrys "She has cleaned up rather nicely, wouldn't you say?" She then waits for Elyiandrys to draw nearer, keeping her gaze features in check, betraying nothing.
Wulfstan takes a small step back, his eyes wide as he looks up at Elyiandrys. Softly, he whispers, "Mommy... she..." Turning, he runs, his short little legs, carrying him to Etaine, where he grabs her skirts and buries his face in them.
Rand enters the garden from the west, heeled by two Aiel Maidens. The two women are alert, seemingly trying to look everywhere at once as if they suspect the withered, brown tea leaves or perhaps the roses could have murderous intent. In sharp contrast, Rand seems to be paying little attention to his surroundings, wandering down the path with eyes downcast and a contemplative frown on his face. Today he wears a navy blue coat with white rapids embroidered on the sleeves. His left hand rests on the hilt of his sword, fingers drumming absently on the heron embedded there.
Koltur's eyes flicker quickly between those who are standing together, his eyes passing over them each in turn, pausing momentarily upon each of the ladies as he gazes upon their faces. For a moment longer then the others, his eyes pause upon the 'ageless' woman, but that moment is gone, his eyes slipping past and darting along to finish their pass, continuing to move as if he were trying to watch in all directions at once. Easily, he moves just inside the eastern entrance and moves towards the north of it, moving to almost seem to lean up against the wall, standing there and assuming an almost relaxed poise, yet there is the sense of tension as if he were quite ready to move in a heartbeat's notice. As he stands there against the wall, the cloak enshrouding him settles, portions of him fading almost completely from sight and he is so still that he could be all but un-noticed.
Elyiandrys flashes a far harder glance at the warder, a dark gaze taking in his face, then looking for the weapons about his body. Only as the boy scampers away does her expression soften, her stare following him to the Sedai's skirts. Faintly, hardly even a whisper, she rambles, 'So scared, of little old me? Nobody's scared of me, can't be scared of me.. no.. nothing about me to be afraid of, never afraid of me..' In her.. distracted.. state, she doesn't even notice the entrance of the others.
Ra'shad shakes his head as Elyiandrys size him up. glancing back at Etaine, he shrugs, "I guess you could say that. Do you want to deal with her?"
Etaine arches an eyebrow and then releases it so her expression is gentile. "I suppose I must" she says as she reaches down to place a soothing hand upon Wulfstan's head. Looking to Elyiandrys she remarks casually. "Most youngsters are shy about strangers, give him time, he'll be tearing through this garden as if he had no other care." Her eyes glance over to Rand as she sees him enter, and she inclines her head towards him, in a modest, but respectful manner. "Light illumine, my Lord."
Suddenly a bright white line appears in the path. It slowly rotates into what appears to be a doorway, through which you can see a dense forest. Flhad steps in front of the gate and steps through lightly. Before he is completely through it, it suddenly starts to rotate closed. Standing in front of where the gate was, he stands calmly, looking around the garden for someone. Seeing Rand, he goes up, saluting right fist to his heart. "My Lord Dragon. I have come as ordered." He bows his head in reverence to Rand, and stays there, motionless. (Flhad)
Koltur's eyes widen suddenly as the gate begins opening, an a shifting of him is all that is visible, although beneath the shifting and sickeningly odd cloak draped about his shoulders, a pale hand slips towards the worn hilt of the sword resting at his left hip. The relaxed poise is gone from him as he straightens, seemingly on the verge of darting forwards towards the gateway, he stands there, his face, a sickly pale mask of impassiveness, although death seems to float in his icy-blue eyes, perhaps his own.
Following Etaine's eyes to Ra'shad also nods, sending out his own greeting, "Light illumine.." His last word being cut off by the opening of the gate, Ra'shad spins on a heel, drawing his blade in the same motion. Putting himself between the gate and his Sedai, death flows though his eyes and over his whole demeanor. a the Asha'man steps out and announces himself to the dragon, Ra'shad slams his blade home back in his sheath, muttering a few obscenities under his breath. (Ra'shad)
Rand glances up slightly as Etaine addresses him, seemingly finally shaking out of his reverie. He opens his mouth to respond when the slash of light appears and interrupts. The two Maidens immediately veil and step forward, interposing themselves between Rand and the opening gateway. Rand's mouth snaps shut and he seizes Saidin, drawing heavily upon the true source. As Flhad salutes, Rand stares coldly at him over the heads of the two women and channels. A thick flow of air spins out from him, quickly forming a hard surface which he directs at Flhad's face, much like an open-handed slap with enough force behind it to send the man rolling if it connects.
The relatively calm, if slightly neurotic, gaze lingers for a few seconds more - roughly until the mention of the word, 'tearing', then something decidedly -different- starts to form in her eyes, something harsher, more concentrated. Glancing back up, she offers dryly, 'He's got more sense than most, to be shy around strangers. Or.. others...' her eyes flicking briefly towards Rand and the man in black, her expression not even shifting at all the fuss. (Elyiandrys)
Flhad sees the flow coming at him. Making a conscious effort to not grasp Saidin himself to block the weave, he instead bows lower so the flow misses hitting his head full on, but only bounces off the top of it. The force from the blow, however much it lessoned, still knocks Flhad to his knees. "My Lord Dragon, I come here on your orders. I am Dedicated Flhad Modanran." Staying on his knees, not wanting Rand to think him a threat, Flhad looks past the veiled Aiel to Rand.
Koltur shakes his head suddenly, the motion made more noticeable by the tail of pale, silvery -stranded hair that swings over his shoulder. He moves to lean back against the wall, a pale right hand almost absentmindedly slipping from beneath the folds of the shifting and altering cloak, sliding up and brushing back the waist-length tail over his shoulder before the hand slips back down and beneath the cloak. He seems to resume that almost relaxed poise and air as he leans against the wall, his icy-blue eyes darting and flickering as if watching nothing, and everything at once, but he seems still on the verge of imminent, explosive movement.
Wulfstan grins at Rand, too intent on the towering man glaring at the newly-arrived Asha'man. Wiggling out of Etaine's hold, he walks slowly towards Rand and then breaks into a run, his short legs carrying him quickly towards Rand with his arms outstretched and a giggle passing his lips.
The two veiled women stand poised on the balls of their feet, each pointing her spear towards Flhad. They seem tense as coiled springs, ready to leap instantly. Rand barks out in a cold, harsh voice,'Stand aside!.' For a long moment, the two Aiel remain motionless, then the one on the right flashes a quick hand gesture and they part, giving Rand a clear view of the kneeling Dedicated. Although they step aside, neither seems to relax even a hair. Rand seems unaware of the approaching child, totally focused on the man at whom he glares. The timbre of his channeling changes slightly and he reforms the Air weave into a thick band which he attempts to spiral tightly around Flhad's body while at the same time forming a thick wedge of spirit and slamming it towards the man's connection to the One Power attempting to separate him from the Source. Simultaneously with the weaving, he steps forward, clenched fist rising in front of him, and practically shouts down at the black-coated man,'You DARE!?!'
Etaine says sharply. "Wulfstan! Come here right now!" Her hands are balled up into tight little fists which she tries to relax by forcing them open to smooth the skirts of her dress.
Not heeding Etaine's voice(come on, he's a child), Wulfstan continues running at Rand, giggling with his arms outstretched as he runs at the man's legs, attempting to hug him and smiling all the time. His cheeks are flushed with excitement at the sight of the tall, angry man. (Wulfstan)
Flhad shakes with the sheer effort of controlling himself. Although it goes against all his training, all his instincts, he allows himself to be bound and shielded from Saidin. He still looks at Rand, ignoring the Aiel still. As the child runs forward, towards Rand, his eyes flicker to it, sizing up the potential threat. He hopes the Aiel do not discriminate in their protection of the Dragon. Looking back to the Dragon, he bows his head. Having already explained himself, he does not feel begging would get him anywhere.
Ra'shad tries to grab Wulfstan by the collar as he runs past. Coming up empty handed, Ra'shad cringes knowing he is not fast enough to catch up with the lightning fast boy before he reaches his target.
Koltur's icy-blue eyes continue to flicker about dangerously, seeming to look at nothing, yet everything all at once. Noting the lad, he straightens again, gazing towards the tall man, and a pale hand slips forth from beneath the shifting, altering cloak and gestures towards the lad easily, pointing him out to the man facing almost towards him. Shrugging, a wavering flicker slips down the length of his cloak as he moves back to again lean against the wall, resuming his relaxed, poised air.
The Maiden closest to Wulfstan shifts her position slightly to interpose herself between him and Rand. She seems poised to tackle him if necessary. The other woman's attention remains locked on Flhad. Rand shakes his fist at Flhad, exposing the dragon's head on the back of his hand. The menacing aura of Saidin increases as he draws in more of the Power and lifts the man off the ground. His gaze flicks very briefly to the cloaked man across the garden from him, then to the child before settling back upon Flhad. Rand trembles as if from rage for a moment, then stills. His voice is calm and cold when he finally speaks,'There is a room set aside for Travelling. If you ever again endanger the people in the palace by gating anywhere else in this place... I will kill you.' The last is said in a very matter-of-fact tone. He keeps his gaze on Flhad, not attempting to even step aside from the incoming child.
Elyiandrys stiffens at the sudden escalation of what had really only looked like mild irritation, her breath catching. Dark eyes flick to Rand, the kneeling man, and the child, her brow scrunching once more in distress. The steady murmur starts up again as she sidles away, taking an indirect, rather roundabout route towards the gardens entrance - eventually turning, to stare at the unfolding scene as she backs away. About the only words that make sense within the muttering are, '..killing him.. he's killing him.. I'm killing him..'. The Maiden's, pretty predictably, move to follow.
Flhad can do nothing to stop himself from raising into the air. He does not even attempt to touch the shield on him, although he feels he could break it if he set his mind to it. He listens to Rand's words carefully, memorizing the Dragons voice After he has finished, Flhad speaks softly, "This is known to me. The M'Hael ordered I come immediately, he said that I should go straight to you, with absolutely no delays. I took this to mean that I should gate to you as close as I could." He floats there, staring at Rand, ignoring even the fact that he is at least a span off the ground.
Koltur continues to stand there, leaning up against the wall with apparent ease and relaxation, yet that same air of tension as if he were ready to explode into movement at the drop of a pin. Pale, icy-blue eyes continue to circle around the area, often pausing upon the man floating in mid-air, twinkling almost with amusement in the sunlight as he gazes at the form. Occasionally, he gives a slight shake of his head as if he found this whole situation amusing, excepting that his sickly-pale, angular features continue to remain masked by a shroud of impassivity, although faintly there is the occasional twitch to his pale, bloodless lips as if there were close to forming away from the flat line, into a smile.
Etaine seems to relax visibly as nothing untoward seems to happen to the young boy, who seems so intent on causing mischief. She strides over towards Rand, stepping around Ra'shad, giving him an unspoken look that she will be all right. Her hand is held outstretched as she says in a gentle, but commanding tone. "Wulfstan, you will obey your mother. Now, come here."
Wulfstan giggles and laughs as the Maiden steps in front of him. Still running, he ducks low, his short stature even shorter now as he narrowly passes through the gap between the woman's legs, carrying him straight to Rand. His eyes twinkle with glee and mischief as he ignores his mother yet again, though he knows he's in for it later.
Elyiandrys continues to back away from the men, towards the entryway where Koltur is standing. The rambling murmur goes on but the pitch changes slightly, becoming more desperate, more pleading. 'You don't need to, ' she whispers, then after a slight pause, maybe enough for an imagine reply, 'No, no.. can't kill him, shouldn't kill him..'. A tiny shake of her head, and she quite firmly closes her eyes, turning as if to bolt from the garden - making it only a few paces before she collides with the practically invisible warder.
Rand arches an eyebrow at Flhad and slowly lowers his fist and unclenches it. He tugs his sleeves down and then the bottom of his coat, regaining his calm and composure. In a tone that one would use when explaining something to a child of six years or so, Rand says to Flhad,'You would not like me to get the impression that Taim's orders countermand my own. That would be a very dangerous thing for me to think of you.' As he speaks, he gestures absently with his right hand and the air shimmers quite noticeably between himself and Wulfstan. He lowers his hand and continues,'Now, you will walk through the palace, disturbing no one, back to the Travelling room. You will return to the farm and then you will come back the proper way. You understand?'
Etaine takes the moment that Wulfstan seems to be thwarted and attempts to scoop him up in his arms. "Believe me young man" she starts to scold the child. "When your father hears of this, you will wish you had obeyed."
Flhad nods his understanding at the Dragons orders, and he waits patiently until he is set down on the ground again. "I would not countermand your orders My Lord, never." He looks intense, a little flushed even.
Wulfstan smacks hard into the wall of Air and falls back on his butt. Sniffling sadly, tears well up in his eyes, and he lets out a yelp as Etaine lifts him up. Stretching out his arms to Rand, he says, "Hug..."
Koltur's icy-blue eyes widen suddenly as the woman collides with him, his eyes having been mainly focused upon Rand and the man seemingly supported by nothing in the midst of the air. His sickly-pale, angular face remains shrouded by impassiveness, yet there is a tightness about his eyes which betrays his surprise. He slowly, steps to the side, moving out from behind the woman and turning to gaze at her more.. avidly for a moment, his lips quirk, just for the time it would take to blink an eye, into the faintest of smiles before they form back into that flat impassive line. As he moves, the cloak enshrouding him swirls madly through a panoply of colors, shifting and altering most sickeningly if one were to stare at it, moving to match the background of that which he stands against. "Pardon, my lady..", he says softly, his voice a near whisper, before he fluidly slips past her, gliding atop the balls of his feet and easily slipping through the eastern exit, treading away soundlessly but for the faint swishing of his cloak.
Rand nods curtly and turns on his heel, walking briskly back towards the western entrance of the garden. As the two Aiel women turn to follow him, shooting wary glances all around but mostly behind them, Rand pushes away Saidin and allows the weaves to fade. The shimmering in the air stops and Flhad is allowed to drop unceremoniously.
Etaine holds onto the squirming Wulfstan tightly, keeping him in her grasp. "Well, so much for a quiet walk in the garden" she says sarcastically to Ra'shad.
Elyiandrys yelps in surprise, dark eyes jerking open in horrified fright. The distressed mumble pauses, but only because she's stopped breathing, to stare, mesmerized at him - not his face or distinctive coloring, but the cloak about his form. Even as he slips away she's staring, struggling to drag in a halting breath - the shock itself seems to have knocked away her.. confusion, as she finally mutters, 'Warders and blackcoats, like rats..'
Wulfstan sniffles sadly again and buries his face in Etaine's neck, "Mama, I want a hug..." His voice is soft and sad, full of a youthful innocence not seen much in the world.
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