The carriage came to a halt before the bridge that lead to Tar Valon. The driver would not even halt at the city, as he was long behind in his schedule. Devlin gave the man a few coins and jumped off, pulling his belongings on to the dusty road. He did not have much with him. A sack filled with spare clothes, a few small frames with pictures of his family. And a letter he had been instructed to give to his great aunt, Perine when he found her.

 

For some reason he did not feel all that certain about his desire to become a Warder. He had no idea how the Aes Sedai would even treat Devlin. Would his aunt be pleased that he had come, seeking her? He had not paid much mind to stories of their great grandfather, even though Shirae had recited them over and over again. Had the two parted in anger? What had his mother said, before sending Devlin on his road? She had said to have written to Perine Sedai, about Shirae, but had she mentioned anything about Devlin joining the Warders?

 

Devlin lifted the sack on his back and waded with the other people across the bridge. He could see the White Tower looming ahead in the distance and he walked towards it. But when he was almost close enough to enter through the gates, he turned away. It was getting late and though he knew that this was what he wanted to do, he did not think that going knocking on their door in this late hour would be best idea.

 

Turning around, Devlin started to search for an inn where he could get a bite to eat and perhaps a bed for the night. But the taverns and inns near the vicinity of the Tower looked far to expensive for his wallet, and he had to wade further into the city and through endless alleys, until he no longer could even see the Tower, that had seemed too tall to loose track of, through the buildings. He stopped at the sight of the Flying Rooster Inn, the place looked questionable at best, but Devlin moved inside as the people surrounding the inn were causing him to wish to have taken his blunt sword with him.

 

Once inside Devlin found a chair and occupied it. The barkeeper soon placed a dirty mug of ale in front of him and feeling exhausted from the long road and dust in his throat, Devlin picked it up and started sipping the liquid without even tasting a drop. Tomorrow he would go and get himself signed into the Tower Guards and begin his training.

 

Bryon was not too fond of the back water districts but he often frequented them to hide his identity, not that many would mistake the grisled man with one eye as anything but a Tower Guard, even in plain clothes, but at least they wouldn't see the Master at Arms.  It was also a good place as any to watch for incoming recruits.  Most were too poor to afford anything close to the Tower if they were having cold feet or were just stopping for one last drink before signing in.

 

Bryon sat in a corner of the Flying Rooster and saw a boy walk in.  A sack of her his shoulder and a weary look on his face.  Bryon sat by and watched as his order was taken and the serving girl left towards the kitchen.  Bryon picked up his mug of ale and moved to a few seats away from the lad. 

 

He didn't speak at first and the boy seemed to be lost in his thoughts.  Bryon decided to ask, it was far easier to be told to go away than it was ever for a young one to ask themeselves.  "Mighty young to be in this neck of the woods alone.  Coming to learn of better things?"

 

He left it vague on purpose, it was not always a good idea to flaunt your intentions in this neighborhood, which is why Bryon frequented it often, to help those who might get in trouble.

 

Bryon

"Mighty young to be in this neck of the woods alone.  Coming to learn of better things?"Devlin litted his head at the words that seemed to be directed at him. A man with only one eye was staring at him over his mug of ale.  He looked around to make sure that the comment was made for him and not someone sitting in the table behind him. When he was certain that the comment was meant for him, he nodded slowly at the other.

 

"Why else would one be lost in a place like this." he said to the one eyed man. "My name is Devlin Caral." he added thinking it best to introduce himself. The man was obviously from the Tower and from the look of him, he'd seen his fare share in battle as well. "Care if I join you for a drink?" he found himself asking suprised that he had kept on going. I must be more tired than I thought, not controlling my voice, he remarked to himself before gesturing to the seat at the same table.

 

ooc. sorry to keep it short. Need to rush soon and just wanted to get a post done.

 

Bryon smiled.  "I'm Bryon."  He wasn't going to frighten the boy by telling him his full name, for the worry that he'd know who that meant he was.  You never knew what tales the youngsters heard on their way here or from the folks.  "I wouldn't mind joining, but perhaps a more private area would be desired.  Not everyone here might like to hear our conversation."

 

Bryon stood up and headed for a back room, that was rarely used,  if the lad joined him it was a good thing, but if not he would soon find his way to the Tower and the Mistress of Trainees would handle it from there.  Bryon looked up from his mug to find the lad sitting across from him.  "I take it you want one last day of freedom before coming our direction?"  That was the usual reason for not stepping across the threshold.

 

Bryon