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Etaine is standing waiting outside the doors to Rand's chambers, Ra'shad and Cameron flanking either side of her. Her expression is one of cool composure as she waits to be admitted to the room.
Glancing around the room, Ra'shad looks almost perfectly calm, but something in his eyes shows he is a good bit nervous right now.
A servant opens the door and motions for Etaine and her two companions to enter. Through the doorway two Maidens can be seen, lounging near the door, apparently at their ease, although they watch the new arrivals suspiciously. Rand looks up from the table covered with maps that predominates the room. His eyes narrow slightly and he says with a very curt tone,'You came as soon as you heard, yes?'
Cameron pushes himself up away from the wall he was leaning on and steps toward the door. His eyes peer in through the door, taking in each person in the room, frowning.
Dreq walks up the stairs and down the hallway, his boots echoing down the corridor. He wears his high-collared black coat with a silver sword pin attached to his neck, black pants and he holds a sword in his left hand. His face is emotionless and cold, as are his eyes. He stops in front of the door, his eyes eyeing the Maidens cautiously.
Elyiandrys follows almost demurely on Dreq's heels, shooting the man decidedly confused looks beneath her lashes. 'I don't understand..'she murmurs softly towards him, her eyes scouring the surroundings nervously, 'I said I'd tell you everything I knew, I told you who she was, didn't I...?'
Etaine steps inside the room, her eyes taking in things for a quick moment before they settle upon Rand. Her eyebrow arches slightly at his question, and then she inclines her head towards him respectfully. "Aye, my Lord." she replies, her voice gentle, dulcet tones. Her eyes then move to the maps on the table. "Pray tell, what is the reasoning of your summons?"
Ra'shad follows Etaine into Rand's chambers. Giving the man and the maidens a long look, he remains silent for now, allowing his sedai to deal with the business.
Ratain follows behind them, a look of concentration on his face. His entire demeanor is one of icy confidence, and his black eyes glitter harshly, and unmercifully. He is holding a constant glare at Elyiandrys, concentrating on something.
Roc'Sai remains slightly behind Rand and to his left as the people enter. His posture is one of wariness and his left hand hovers near the veil about his neck, ready for anything that may happen. He is poised upon the balls of his feet and he has a tight grip upon the short, double-tipped spear in his right hand.
Rand casually flips over the map at which he was looking and turns to fully face Etaine. His eyes flick very briefly to her warders then back to her. He smirks slightly at her question and sits down on the edge of the table. He shakes his head slightly and says,'Your place is not to question my orders, Aes Sedai. You are merely to obey.' He favors Etaine then with a cold smile and awaits her reaction.
Dreq turns his gaze on Elyiandrys and motions for her to stay silent. "You are about to meet the Lord Dragon," he says to her quietly. "Try to stay calm." He then turns to the Maidens. "I request an audience with the Lord Dragon," he says.
Cameron steps aside as Etaine enters the room, but staying close to her. He glances up to Rand before staring hard at the man to Rand's left.
Etaine's eyes somewhat slowly go up to Rand, her eyebrow arching slightly again, but her expression remains the picture of complete serenity. "My oath of fealty to you, my Lord, is just that, an oath of fealty. If you have need for my assistance and my advice, it is there for you, my Lord" she seem to stress the word Lord slightly as she speaks it. "It does not mean I obey blindly, I am not a woolheaded fool, my Lord."
Ratain stands silently by Dreq, motionless, save for the furrowing of his brow. His hard, black eyes glitter as he awaits further instruction.
Elyiandrys casts a nervous glance towards the room, dark eyes lingering only briefly on the faces and forms of the Maidens before returning to the back of Dreq's head. The perviously gentle tone of before hardens slightly, her replying whisper stiff, 'The dragon?? Why are you -doing- this to me?'
Whether it is from rudeness or from a simple ignorance of the proprieties is not clear, but the Maiden simply smirks at Dreq and motions him to enter. She flashes a few quick hand signals to her partner then goes back to relaxing against the wall.
Ra'shad stifles a grin as his Sedai chastises the Lord Dragon. Casting a quick glance to Cameron, he waits for this meeting end.
Roc'Sai slowly shifts his weight back and forth between his feet in a barely noticeable series of motions. He sniffs quietly from time to time for a reason that is not apparent keeps his gaze flickering about, though still primarily upon the Car'a'carn and the visitors.
Dreq shrugs with his back to Elyiandrys, then nods at the Maiden. "You channeled Saidar in Caemlyn," he says softly. "The punishment for that is Stilling. Now follow me." He pushes the door open and steps inside, his eyes darting around the room. He frowns at the collection of various individuals in the room before stepping towards Rand. "M'lord Dragon," he says as he bows stiffly.
Rand's cold smile grows wider at Etaine's reaction, but never touches his eyes. He makes a dismissive gesture with his right hand and says,'I have no need of your advice, Etaine. Your title is Servant, and serve you will...' His voice trails off as the Dedicated enters the room and his bearing goes tense. His smile disappears as he shoots a hard glance through the door at the Maidens that are supposedly guarding it. They appear to not notice. Turning his attention back to Dreq, Rand asks,'What is the meaning of this?'
Elyiandrys tilts her head a little, almost absently letting dark tendrils of hair stray down about her neck.. covering the skin entirely. That same gaze, only a moment earlier turning harsh, softens yet again at Dreq's words, a tiny smile forming over her lips. 'Stilling..' she murmurs, quite probably to herself, 'Cutting it off. All gone, ' the mumble practically a whisper, '..all gone..'
Ratain follows them, his face still furrowed in concentration. He then salutes, fist to heart to the Lord Dragon, "M'lord Dragon." He casts a quick glance at Rand, and those assembled with him, a puzzled look on his face, before slowly fading into that granite-like look. He returns his look to Elyiandrys.
Dreq stands up straight and takes another step towards Rand. "M'lord, I am Dedicated Cypher," he starts, "and I have brought a woman," he motions at Elyiandrys, "That channeled in the Oval Plaza."
Cameron turns his eyes back to let his cold glare encompass Rand. A quiet sigh is released from Cameron's lips as the Dragon titles his Sedai.
Elyiandrys lets her gaze roam around the room.. not flinching at the words, not even blinking - although its obvious she can hear them, for eventually her eyes wander back to Dreq, and Rand, flicking between the two repeatedly as the mutter continues, on a truly confusing tangent, 'She'd not let them shield me, no, cut it she said, cut it.. then the fire..'
Etaine's eyebrow relaxes and she is about to speak, when Rand addresses Dreq. She closes her mouth and then looks to Elyiandrys, her eyes narrowing upon her.
Roc'Sai takes a few silent steps forward at the entrance of even more people. His light brown eye flicker between all the visitors warily and the grip upon his spear tights slightly. He glances over at the Car'a'carn for some reason before resuming his study of the others. He does give the Maidens a stoney look too however as they let the Black coated men and the woman in.
Rand turns to gaze coldly at Ratain, his smile disappearing and jaw clenching visibly. For a long, silent moment he stares at the man, fists clenching at his side. Finally, he hisses between clenched teeth,'Release! Do not hold Saidin in my presence unless I order it!' He ignores the rest of the room, almost as if he has completely forgotten the other occupants.
Cameron grins grimly at Rand's discomfiture, and turns to see at whom the sudden wrath has been switched to.
Ratain gulps at the order, and says, "Yes, M'lord." His features grow more relaxed, and he then stands there, silently awaiting his next order.
Elyiandrys jerks suddenly at both outburst and reply, her jaw stiffening as sudden clarity returns to her eyes. With a hurried glance at Rand, then at Ratain, she starts to shuffle slightly to the side - of all things, -towards- Dreq.
Etaine's gaze remains serene, her eyes now moving slowly about to each person. It would seem as she is making a mental note of all whom she sees before going back to look upon Elyiandrys once more. She leans over slightly and whispers something to Ra'shad.
Dreq frowns at Rand and his mood. "M'lord, she is half insane, from torture, it seems," he says, his eyes staring at Rand. "She channeled at me, with intent to harm in her delirious state, but even so, she broke the law, and the punishment is Stilling."
Ra'shad raises a curious eyebrow at Etaine, leaning down he whispers back "Are you sure?"
As Ratain releases Saidin, Rand relaxes visibly. Without looking away, he says,'I made that decree, Cypher. You are here to interpret my laws for me, perhaps?' The tone of his voice would seem to indicate that the question is rhetorical. He finally tears his gaze away from Ratain to look at Elyiandrys. As he examines her, he purses his lips in thought and then says,'Is it true, Etaine? Can this woman channel?'
Elyiandrys stares at both men -Rand and Dreq- her expression more than a little confused - almost as if she thought they were both quite utterly insane. One hand lifts to her neck, holding there almost without thought. 'This is silly.. I didn't try to hurt you!' Yet quite suddenly she offers a graceful bow towards Rand, her gaze somewhere about his ankles and her tone equally reluctant, 'I mean, m'Lord Dragon..I mean, I mean I didn't mean it..'
Cameron shrugs slightly at the argument before him and leans close to Etaine, listening in to the whispered conversation between her and Ra'shad.
Etaine looks to Rand as he address her, her hands absently smoothing the skirts of her dress as she takes a step forward. "Aye, my Lord, she can. Although I must protest on you means of punishment. You understand that stilling her is just as good as executing her." Her demeanor doesn't change at all as she addresses Rand. "Would you have this woman's blood on your hands?"
Rand turns to look at Etaine, arching an eyebrow slightly, then shaking his head. He slowly stands and turns back to Dreq. He gestures curtly towards the door with his left hand and says,'You and the soldier are dismissed, Dedicated. I will handle the girl from here.' He smirks slightly and adds,'And be lectured by the good sister on appropriate punishments as well, it seems.'
Maybe Elyiandrys truly was insane, or just plain unobservant, yet she only -just- realized exactly what Etaine and the men surrounding her are, that hesitant respect leaving her expression entirely. Instead, she stares up at the woman, offering almost conversationally, 'Blood on my hands.. she said that. Are you a salidar one..? Blood on her hands, their blood. Termaine. Salidar warder.. She wants his blood...' nodding to herself.
Ratain nods briefly, and then turns to the door, and walks out.
Dreq nods at Rand as he keeps his gaze on Elyiandrys. "Yes, M'lord Dragon," he says as he presses his fist into his chest. "The Light's blessing on all." He turns on a heel and walks out of the room with quick, purposeful strides.
Two maidens open the door quietly, quickly admitting a tall, black-coated man. The maidens gaze at the man with squinted eyes, which then follow on to Rand before disappearing behind the closed doors again. Tym walks quickly through the doors, though he stops well short of reaching anywhere close to Rand. He places both hands behind his back and simply waits there, no expression on his face except for two very cold eyes.
Etaine replies quickly to Rand. "However, my Lord, I would suggest that she be shield. Less she injure herself or anyone else by mistake." She remains calm and collective despite Elyiandrys ramblings.
Ra'shad watches the two soldiers exit the room, and the new one enter, somewhat indifferent to the conversation between Etaine and Rand.
Wulfstan slips into the room just before the door closes and moves off to the side, staring wide-eyed at everything going on in the room.
Rand nods absently at Etaine's speech as he watches the two men leave and the new one enter. A grin of mischief suddenly splits his face and he pivots to face Etaine again. In an almost obsequious voice, he says,'As you wish, Aes Sedai, so shall it be.' No sooner are the words out of his mouth than he turns towards Elyiandrys and seizes Saidin. For those that can sense such things, the menacing aura will be felt to grow stronger and stronger as he draws deeply on the tainted power. Then he lashes out hard with thick flows of Spirit fashioned into a wedge shape which he attempts to shove between Elyiandrys and Saidar.
Elyiandrys stares intently at Etaine as the babble finally trails off. She blinks, then blinks again, before casting a glance about the room. 'The man..' she whispers, shaking her head a little, 'I probably owe him money for th-' breaking off as the shield slams into place, uncontested. A startled gaze flickers to Etaine, then to Rand, and the other men present. 'What..? No but I didn't, I didn't -do- anything, I didn't mean it!'
Etaine's hands tighten into little fists as Rand's expression grows mischief. Her jaw tightens a bit, for an instant, before she relaxes her hands and her jaws. She looks to Elyiandrys and says in gentle tones. "It is for your own protection, child, you may kill yourself otherwise, without knowing what you are doing." Cameron, turns his head over his shoulder and spies Wulfstan having sneaked in. He moves quickly over to the boy, and scoops him up into his arms. "You should not be here, little one" he gently scolds the child.
Ra'shad sighs at Wulfstan's presence. "How you got here, I don't know.. "Looking over at Etaine he asks, "Does he stay or shall I take him out of here?"
Wulfstan almost totally ignores Cameron's words, though he hugs him tightly and buries face in Cam's neck. Peeking out at Rand and Etaine, his eyes are wide with fear and excitement. Almost inaudibly, he whispers, "Mommy..."
Rand cocks his head to one side in concentration as be ties off the shield in an intricate knot. The timbre of his channeling changes slightly as if he is about to do something else, then he shoots and quick glance at Tym and shakes his head slightly as if to himself. He pushes Saidin away and says,'Where is the other soldier? I sent for two.' Then his gaze flicks briefly to the child, then up to Etaine, who he gives a questioning look.
Tym's lip curls in a sneer as he feels Saidin fill Rand. His eyes shift to the oddly dressed woman as she tries to protest, the sneer only widening into a thin grin. He blinks and returns his attention to Rand, his eyes as cold as his voice, "He should be arriving soon, My Lord Dragon. I will...speak...with him about his tardiness." He nods his head deeply and places a fist on his heart, saluting Rand sharply.
Etaine speaks to Ra'shad in quiet tones. "He must have slipped away from his nursemaid. He is his father's son, best we keep him with us, or Light knows what mischief he may get into." A small smile seems to creep into her lips as Rand now gives her the questioning look, but the smile is quickly schooled. Cameron walks back to stand beside Etaine and looks to her. "Seems he already has gotten into mischief." he chides her.
Elyiandrys flashes Etaine an almost -pleased- smile, full lips curving in sudden amusement. ' I think not,' she murmurs softly, almost grinning at the scene with the child, 'No, no I think not, Aes Sedai.' Before glancing over, to Rand. Far more lightly, her tone practically bargaining, she offers, 'My Lord dragon? The man, who took me back at the Oval? I wasn't trying to hurt him.. its not, ' swallowing, 'Its not my way.'
Nodding at Etaine, Ra'shad centered his attention back on Rand and his soldier.
The doors open discreetly and a man in a black coat is motioned in not nearly as discreet way. The you man freezes two paces into the room looking about, as if he wanted to be swallowed by the earth so he could remain unseen. The maidens only nods at Rand and disappear as quickly as they came leaving the perplexed young man under your scrutiny. (Luhh)
Wulfstan lifts his head from Cam's neck and giggles gleefully at Etaine. He reaches out to her, still being held in Cameron's arms. He casts Rand a quick, curious glance at Rand before looking back at Etaine, "Mommy!"
Rand shakes his head at the Sedai and turns back to the young woman. In an incredulous tone, he says,'You accidentally channeled at one of my men?' His train of thought is apparently interrupted by Luhh's arrival and he turns to face the newcomer. With cold sarcasm, he says,'Good of you to join us, Soldier. Now perhaps I can get started with what I had planned.'
Tym's ears pick up the opening of the doors and the shuffling of feet, and he quickly turns around to face the doors. His eyes squint considerably at Luhh, and his mouth becomes a fine compressed line, "You are late..." His voice is low, almost a whisper, but definitely loud enough for Luhh to hear at that distance.
Luhh raises his hands palms upwards excusingly, but quickly thinks the better of it and makes a crisp salute, with a slight bow added to it. "Pardon my Lord Dragon, I came as soon as they managed to find me back at the farm." He bows again, smiling uncertainly looking at all of you each in turn before taking a more relaxed stance, hands clasped behind his back.
Elyiandrys watches the steady arrival and departures with a gaze gone quite suddenly contrite, almost as if she were trying to simply fade into the surroundings. Hardly even glancing up, she murmurs in response, 'The man surprised me, my Lord..' seemingly deaf to the mention of plans.
Tym's eyes follow Luhh until he assumes his relaxed stance, and he shifts them back to Rand. He returns to his previous stance, which is almost a mirror of Luhh's, and tilts his head upwards so that he looks at everyone else through the bottom of squinted eyes.
Rand smiles again and sits on the edge of the table. He crosses his arms on his chest and says to Elyiandrys,'That sounds like an admission of guilt. Fair enough.' He turns his gaze to Etaine and says,'You do not wish her stilled, then she becomes your responsibility. She is to remain shielded for two weeks. Give me a report on the details of the incident. There was some mention of a gateway being involved. I would like to know all about that... But that is not your main assignment.' His smile grows broader,'No, I have something slightly different in mind. The two soldiers and yourself are now assigned to Captain Kaliendrick of the Queen's Guard. Report to him immediately.'
Wulfstan is given to Etaine and smiles widely, hugging her tightly. Soon after being put in her arms, he begins to doze off, his eyelids seemingly weighted down as he lays his head on her shoulder.
Etaine inclines her head to Rand. "I will see to this matter, now, my Lord." She then turns to Ra'shad and says gently. "Let us go." She looks back to Rand and says. "I will have words, with you, my Lord, at a later time." Her skirts seems to sweep out as she holds her chin with an air of confidence, leaving the chambers before Rand has a chance to respond.
Tym blinks wildly at Rand's words, but finally regains control of himself, nodding and again fisting his chest, "As my Lord Dragon wishes..." He seems to be muttering to himself about something quietly.
Luhh follows the exchange of words between them, the eyebrow coming up every now and then not understanding what it's all about. He remains silent and tries to fade into the background. The frown deepens and a look of genuine puzzlement crosses his face when the part of the soldiers are mentioned. He looks over to Tym, but since he's not looking back he returns his gaze on the Lord Dragon. "As you command..." He nods.
Elyiandrys stares in abject -horror- at the woman, then the men (and of course the child), before delivering a rather nasty stare at Rand. 'Do you think if I could make the gate's yet, I'd still be -here-?' she mutters, before moving to follow - not the woman, certainly NOT, but the two men in black.
Rand motions curtly and the tall Aielman near the door moves to block Elyiandrys's path. He then calls in a servant. The matronly woman curtseys deeply to him as she enters. He nods acknowledgement and gestures towards Elyiandrys. He looks back to the servant and says,'Find her a room and some suitable clothes.' He gestures to a couple of the Maidens then turns back to the servant,'These women will stand guard outside her door. Once she is settled in, have Etaine Sedai informed of her whereabouts. Thank you.' Then he turns and moves back to the table, shuffling through the maps there, the women apparently forgotten already.
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