If he had been asked, Aran would have said that he resented the entire business. He was sure there were many other Tower Guard that could have taken his place on the expedition, and he would have been more than happy to oblige. But Talyn had been instructed to provide ten Tower Guard from his company, a few of which had been specified by Vasya. Amongst the names of those specified, Rosheen had been singled out to lead the band. Aran was likewise singled out, though Aran was quite certain that was in particular due to the fact that Vasya, Ginae and the other officers wanted Aran as far away from Tar Valon as possible. So much so that it overrided their concern for the Aes Sedai's safety. That or they only really needed nine Tower Guard and Aran had just been slotted in to be rid of him.

 

Lacing up his boots, he took up his cloak and put it on. They were to travel with their red cloaks that signified them as Tower Guard, until ambiguity was more desireable than awe at least. Aran had to say, he would have rather left the cloak in his room, but that wasn't up to him. Fixing the clasp, Aran checked that he had all his weapons on his person, in particular the pair of blades that hung at his sides that were somewhere between a sword and a dagger. All that was left to do was take up the saddlebags that he had already packed and make for the stables.

 

For some reason, he was the first one there, which struck him as rather odd. He'd always had a habit of being the last to be ready for such occasions, travel of the sort they were to embark on didn't particularly appeal to him at all. Nor did the early morning for that matter, which was probably why he disliked travelling because one always had to set out early. Such was the vicious cycle of travel and early mornings.

 

Saddling his horse and securing his saddlebags, Aran swung himself into the saddle. Although he knew how to ride, he'd never been particularly fond of it, always preferring to trust his own feet. Yet his feet decided discretion was the better part of valour when it came to the distances they were to ride, so his fine steed was his choice of transportation.

 

Riding out into the yard, it suddenly dawned on him why he was the first up, and he was going to get Rosheen before all was said and done. She'd no doubt told him to be there an hour before everyone else, probably because she'd thought that he'd be an hour late in getting up, or simply to get his goat. Now he was stuck outside, and there was little point in going back to sleep.

 

Well, he could always muse over their mission. Escort a bunch of red shawls to Murandy to go capture some madman who was channeling. Aran disliked the thought of going to Murandy, the people there naturally tried to thieve foreigners, it was a national hobby there, and a welcome distraction from robbing each other. Putting up with a few alabaster dolls from the White Tower's halls would no doubt prove tedious. Indeed, he was tempted to make some bets with Rosheen and anyone else who was game, but everyone knew him too well by now.

 

There was always dice, or cards. His dice and cards anyway.

 

 

Aran

Tower Guard

Struggling with the clasp of her cloak, Rosheen made her way down to the stables. She dropped her saddlebags twice on the trip, muttering about the inconvenience of it all the entire time. Finally the clasp was fastened, and Rosheen let out a sigh of relief. She couldn’t lead a small company of Tower Guards and Aes Sedai if she couldn’t even fasten her cloak, now could she? When she arrived at the stables she saw that Aran was already there. What a surprise… Then she remembered she’d told him to be there early, just in case. She hadn’t expected him to actually be early though. “good morning!†she half shouted, sounding far more cheerful than Aran looked.

 

With a grin on her face she saddled Nikos, who looked as unimpressed as ever by Rosheen’s eagerness to get going. The stallion stomped once, glaring at her. “Don’t fuss.†She told him as she fastened her saddle bags. She swung into her saddle with the ease of someone who had ridden during most of her childhood. She grinned at Aran, letting him know his glares weren’t getting him anywhere. “I wonder if those Red Sisters are going to give us any trouble.†She mused. And with us she meant me. Vasya had been quite clear when he gave her the command. There were no doubt more suitable Tower Guards to take the command, but she was giving her the benefit of the doubt because she was female, and he hoped the Red Sister would respond better to her than they would to a male Tower Guard.

 

From her high vantage point she watched the new arrivals, pleased to see that even Aran’s minions arrived well on time. Apparently Talyn or Vasya had threatened to put them on the wall for the rest of the year if they didn’t behave properly. A glance at Aran told her he had no intentions what so ever to behave at all. She shrugged. It wasn’t even worth the effort to try to get Aran in line. There was very little chance that she would succeed where Con, Elia, Lonrick, Krelsa, Vasya and Ginae had failed.

 

When the Aes Sedai arrived Rosheen dismounted again, subconsciously running her hand through her Mohawk. She’d briefly considered wearing her hair down, just to please the Aes Sedai they would be escorting, but she had dismissed that thought almost as swiftly as it came to her. It made her easily recognisable for those she was to lead, and she wouldn’t do without the intimidation factor it gave her on strangers. She bowed from the waist to the group of Aes Sedai that approached them. “Greetings, Aes Sedai.†She said, her voice a little rough from nerves. One could never be too sure with Aes Sedai. For all she knew they wouldn’t even accept her leadership. Aes Sedai had the tendency to be stubborn like that. “I am Rosheen Tahn Sakhr, and I’m in charge of the Tower Guards that have been selected to accompany you.†She watched them warily, wondering which of the Aes Sedai would take the lead. They all looked equally ageless to her.

 

~Rosheen

 

ooc: I'm not sure which Aes Sedai is in charge of the AS part of the group.

Ooc: I do believe Muirenn is. *smirks* This will be fun!!

 

 

Like the proper sucker for punishment that she was, Cairma agreed to Aran's suggested trip to Murandy. She had travelled very little since she arrived at the tower, and with the new taste of blood in her mouth (not just doing her own routine of forgetting her existance) she craved the open road and an adventure. Packing lightly, Cairma picked up Beast and her two rapiers and headed out hte door. Leaving an empty room behind her.

 

Many things have happened over tha past while, and she blamed and thanked Aran for all of them. But her eyebrows furrowed. How in the Light was she going to be of any use on this trip anyways? With crazy massive blade wielding short woman?? She laughed at the image iin her head. Coun't be anyworse than the mornign after she met Aran. She was surprised by how many actually understaood where she was coming from. Apparently she wasn't the first to be dossed in Ice Water... Only the first to actually chase him afterwards. And nearly 'catch' him.. She felt a little sorry for poor Faith. The poor tree took the beating meant for Aran. Oops.

 

Snapping the clasp of her cloak, she headed into the Yards stables and pulled out a palamino only 15 hands high. A good hourse,a nd stable enough to suppoert her and beast without Shying. Heading ot the tohers, she stood shyly astride Dapple. Nodding to Aran and keeping a neutral face. There was no need to make a fool of herself infront of an Aes Sedai by speaking. Not yet, anyways.

 

 

Cairma Vishnu

TG

Unbonded

~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

She sighed deeply into his eyes, drinking in the deepnes of his pools of silvery blue. Lost, she reached to touch his skin, shuttering slithgly as her wrapped his strong arms around her waist, pulling her close. Her fingers brushing throught he stubble on his chin. Rugged stubble that made him more masculine than could be possible. There was no doubt in her mind, as he leaned down to kiss her, only barely whispering her name.

 

"Freya Sedai..."

 

"Maegan Sedai... Meagan.."

 

The voice woke her up with a start, and Maegan looked around her room with he usual fuzzy haze. Few could enter her room without setting off her warning triggers. The novice was one of them.

 

"Good Morrow, Thera."

 

"Up all night reading again?" Maegan smiled as she pushed her blanket back, and walking to her seating area where Thera set down her tea.

 

"Yes and no. I was packing for my trip, and of course I opened a book and could not put it down. Although, that was not my original intention." Maegan rubbed her eyes with a smile. "But that's just the way things happen." The girl chuckles and wisely stayed silent.

 

Ushering the girl out, Maegan surveyed her room, pulling on her spectacles that rested beside the tea pot. She never put them by her bed. There was no reason to keep them there. If she was startled they only got in the way if she embraced the One Power. Such were the rules. Clothes, check. Angreal's and Coins, check. Books, check. Slowly she checked off her list in her head at a rapid rate, sipping her tea. Standing she went to her closet pulling out her rich leather riding skirts and a white dress shirt, belt, and a vest with her thick black cloak with a rich crimson.

 

Picking up her cloak, she weaved a ward around her door, similar to Muirenn's, but not quite as intricate. I really must ask her to show me how she did that. Of course, she, of all people knew better than to just tear it down, even though she constantly twitched to do so every time she walked by. It was a daily temptation.

 

Heading to the yard with her packs over her shoulder, she packed up her short Black mare, Mary, saddling her and then leading her to the gate. Using a box to get up (as she was still very short, even for a Cairhien), she rode over, delightful to see that she was the first to arrive. Pulling out a book, she waited for the rest to join.

 

 

Maegan Ryanne

Sitter

A whole different shade of red

 

I'll wait for others to join..

ic. Perine had been up half the night, like most nights, doing her endless research through the piles of papers covering her desks. She had been surised to find that she only needed a few hours of sleep each night without distrubting her days schedule. Even though today would be a whole lot more tiering than most, she had not changed her routing. She had been up long before the sun had shown her face and had managed to get everything ready in the morning. A servant girl had brought in her breakfast like she had asked the night before.

 

Perine heard a door close in teh Red Quarters. One of the Sisters for the trip must have been up already. She belieeved the sound came from Maegans room. Perine took one glance at the image in the mirror. Her balck-red hair was braided and tied up out of the way. She fif not want to be untangling the knots in her hair for weeks after the trip after all. She was glad in the dark- blood red riding dress and her black long boots. The boots were definately not the most fashionabe, but they were very comfortable for riding. Perine picked up her gray cloak and threw it around her sholders. Her quarterstaff and bags were leaning agaist the door.

 

The red sister slipped out of her rooms and made way to the stables. She had requested that her new white mare Lightning be saddled and ready for her. She had not ridden much with this new mare and still felt a saddness to think that her old friend, Shadow, one who had been with her through so many years was gone. Perine patted the horse and mounted after having the bags and staff tied to the saddles.She made her way to the meeting point and smiled at the sight of Maegan seated on her own black mare reading a book. "Morning Sister." she shouted as her horse pulled up beside Maegans snorting in greeting also. The air outside was brisk and clean and Perine was smiling happily to be going of even though the reason for the outing was perhaps not so pleasant.

The preparation for this one trip was the same as any other.Daemon first went through checking his weapons.Which consisted in sharpening the blade of his katana sword,and wrapping up his unstringed composite shortbow in waterproof cloth.Then came the armor,his tursty old combination of chain mail and plate armor.It

was battleworn but it still did a fine job of keeping him intact.Next came rations,carefull wrapped in waterprood paper,a clock in case of rain,and an extra suit of clothing,just in case.The food,the eztra set of clothing and the armor went into the saddlebags,and the red cloack on his shoulders,Daemon headed towards the stables,where Tarrasque awaited him.Putting the saddle bags on the horse,and to the saddle he attached a quiver of arrows and the unstringed bow.Mounting Tarrasque,Daemon headed for the meeting point in the tower grounds.

 

On the way memories of old came back to him.This was not the first time Daemon served as escort of Red sisters on a mission to catch a male channeler.He has done so once before,when they headed against a False Dragon in Arad Doman.Arie was burned out in the battle that followed,and their bond was snapped.Daemon went berserk that day and ... With a shake of the head Daemon chased away these thoughts.Nothing of the kind was going to happen this time.

 

Daemon crossed the bridge and greated the men standing guard at the gate with a nod.He headed towards the tower stables,where the party should have gathered by now.And indeed they have.They were almost assembled and ready to go.Daemon passed by the Aes Sedai,not greeting them in any way but with a nod of the head and joined the ranks of the tower guards.There were many familiar faces here,including his mentee Cairma.He stoped next to her and Aran.

 

"Good morning to both of you" - he greeted. - "You do not look too excited to be on this trip. Good,as there is nothing to be excited about."

Cairma watched with a reserved curiosity as the younger greeted the hellow. The younger setting down the book she had be reading. Looking back to the Yard she watched Daemon approach.

 

"Good morning to both of you" - he greeted. - "You do not look too excited to be on this trip. Good,as there is nothing to be excited about."

 

Cairma laughed at Daemon's words, a smile on her face.

 

"Missing your wife already, Old Man? Surely a break from one is always what one would wish if one were to be tied down." She winked. "A new trip is always exciting. But i reserve the right to remain silent."

 

She surveyed the crowd as the Aes Sedai started to approach. The younger all wearing their red shawls. Only those that arrived first and that were now engaged in conversation held any air of familiarity. At least they didn't appear to 'look' mean. Not that she expected them to smile and wave happily at them. After all, it was a well known fact that to the Red Ajah Warders, Gaidin, Tower Guards and the like were nothing but a tool. Not that it mattered since they would never bond.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~

 

 

Maegan smiled to Perine. "Good 'morrow, Sister. A pleasant day to leave the Tower, is it not?" She smiled an Aes Sedai smile, and looked to the company. "Tired faces, and readied horses. I do hope that the ride is swift." She adjusted her cloak a little, slipping her book into the saddle bag. "And the journeys end not too difficult." She gave a sigh, thinking of the reasoning for the journey. The last Male Channeler she found nearly brought down the Tower and had attacked Ata, a yellow sister, and killed a few of her other red sisters. But that was years ago. She did not wish to have nearly as bad luck with the next. She still missed poking fun at Anita Sedai. Light rest her soul.

With the Tower Guard gathered, they soon made their way to meet the Red sisters. Aran had to admit, getting out of Tar Valon would do him some good. He could always dice his guard duties away, freeing him up for some nights at the different inns they stayed in. He was becoming a rather familiar face after all, and it could prove to be a chance to catch up with people if he recognised anyone along the way. He was travelled enough that it was possible and who knew? They might even be mo-

 

Squinting, Aran looked again, then again, then proceeded to begin laughing. He came so close to falling out of the saddle that he had actually take hold of the saddle to keep his balance. The other guards were looking at him as if he'd gone insane, but he just looked at Rosheen with a big grin on his face. "Up for another round? I take the one with the white hair, you can pick any other one you want. Whoever loses has to kiss Borac?"

 

The look that Rosheen gave him not only meant no, but carried a bit of resignation. "Aww! Aww! Aww!" Throwing his arms about in disappointment, he was still laughing despite his protest.

 

This trip wasn't going to be a peaceful one, not that it was going to be anyway, but she must have been hopeful. The fact that Aran already had someone picked out wasn't a good one at all. Not that the comment didn't get a laugh out of a couple of those that knew about the last bet, but it seemed they wouldn't have that game this trip. Unless he found someone else who was up to it.

 

Nearing the Aes Sedai, Aran had managed to still his laughter though he was looking at the sister he knew for Muirenn Sedai with a grin that spoke of mischief. Not something that went unnoticed by her either, but Aran elected not to speak as it was Rosheen's place as their leader. Besides, there'd be plenty of time for chatter later.

 

 

Aran

Tower Guard

Arrivals went slow and steady. Rosheen watched it all from the back of Nikos. Some horses frisked around a bit, obviously eager to get on the road. With a content nod Rosheen urged Nikos forward a bit. “Alright then, mount up. It’s time to meet with the Aes Sedai.†She wondered what they would be like. She had worked with Green sisters and Blue sisters before, and she was quite sure that she knew what Yellow sisters were about as well, but Red sisters… well, they seemed to be shrouded by mystery. She didn’t believe the stories that they were all man-haters, but they did have a reputation of sorts. She hoped they wouldn’t give her much trouble on her first actual command.

 

The Aes Sedai were already gathered. Three of them, and the only thing they had in common were their ageless faces. One had hair white as snow, and a commanding presence that could no doubt make a queen look like a scullery maid. The other one had red streaks in her hair, which would have been odd, if Rosheen hadn’t had such odd hair herself. The third Aes Sedai was obviously younger than the other two, and she had a pleasant look about her. “Aes Sedai.†Rosheen greeted them all with equal respect. She didn’t know who their leader was just yet, but she was sure that would be revealed soon enough. “If it would please you, Aes Sedai, we should leave now. We’ve dallied long enough.â€

 

She remounted again, glaring at Aran who was making it very clear that he wasn’t even going to try to be nice. She punched his shoulder when she was sure the Aes Sedai weren’t looking. He didn’t even have the decency to stop grinning even as he rubbed his shoulder. “I’m warning you, Aran. If you mess this up for me I’m going to feed you to a pack of wild dogs.†The grin still didn’t fade. With a sigh she rode to the front of the small caravan. “I intend to make good time. With some luck we should be able to reach Murandy before this brigand causes too much trouble.â€