The rain had finally passed, for three straight days Lyv had been soaked during hours of standing on the wall staring into nothing. Talyn had asked her to take over his duty the evening before, even though he’d seen her standing there in the cold and rain the two nights before. He had a bad excuse, but Lyv knew he was a lieutenant and really did not have to ask at all. The fact that he asked and not ordered had made her agree without a fuss. Lyv missed Rosheen, she was off traveling and had sent a letter just a week ago that she was doing good. It was full of heroic stories and thoughts on pranks to do when they got back together in the Yards again.

 

Lyv leaned back against the wall of the MoT’s office, her old office and smiled at Ginae who sipped on her tea as she passed Lyv into her office door. Lyv could stay outside and enjoy the sun that had finally decided to show itself again. She started to walk and pushed some sand off with her boot as she walked, then noticed Talyn walking passed the mess hall deep in thought. He had not really thanked her for taking over his rain soaked duties, nor had he offered to return the favor. Lyv could not tell if it was the letter and the excitement of pranking again with her old friend Rosheen or if it was just the sun on her face after days of wind and rain, but she had an idea to play a little fool’s game with this smug lieutenant. He kept to himself mostly and she really did not know him at all, but that was no reason not to pull a little prank on him.

 

As Talyn moved into the armory, Lyv knew he’d probably be there for a while and watched to make sure that she was right. Talyn had sat down and had taken out his weapons to do some mending and repair work. This would surely take half an hour if not longer, she had plenty of time. Rosheen’s letter came to mind once more as Lyv moved down the Yards towards the barracks, her friend had had a lazy afternoon and a quiet evening and had spent it racking her brain for good prank ideas. She had written a few down and one of them now peeked out as being very useful indeed. Lyv found Talyn’s room with great ease as she’d lived in the Yards for half her life now. With her 29 years of age it was hard to imagine life outside the Yards. She had arrived her at the age of 16, tired and grieved with guilt and pain over leaving her family in Tanchico. Now she was a Master of Path of Water, a trainer of young minds, an old Mistress of Trainees and a friend or nemesis to quite a few men and women in the Yards.

 

She felt for the handle and discovered the door was not locked, which was not out of the ordinary as hardly anyone kept their door locked. The guards did not have many personal belongings and hardly anything worth to steal from each other. She stepped in and let her eyes adjust to the minimal light in the room before heading over to Talyn’s wardrobe. Opening it, she heard the creaks and flinched for just a second, nobody had been walking the corridor and the door stood only slightly ajar so she could run out quickly. Not a sound, not even a peep and Lyv continued her search again. She rummaged through Talyn’s clothes until she found his undergarments. A neat pile of it, all washed clean and stacked in a corner. She quickly took the pile and grinned, this would be a lot of fun, for anyone but Talyn.

 

As Lyv took the pile of undies to the bed, she felt something and heard a soft creaking sound, as if paper was tucked under the pile. She felt her hands though it and dropped the underwear on the bed. This was interesting, this prank could get even better if this letter held the name of a secret admirer of the lieutenant. She smiled and sat down on the bed, forgetting completely that this was not her room and that she was in the middle of a prank that could cost her more than a night on the wall for duty. Lyv’s lips were pursed together as she read the contents of the letter, her eyes flung over the page, line after line, her face growing pale as she read more and more. “This is impossible….†she exclaimed and then she forgot all about the prank or the undergarments and the treatment that they now escaped. She had never expected this of lieutenant Talyn, but she knew what to do. She knew she needed to confront him on this, immediately.

 

Lyv Tylin

Tower Guard

Days were getting longer and Talyn had so many things to do now that the sun was out. It was good to have the sun shine on his face, but he had more important errands to run. It was time to send his family a letter telling them what he knew. He knew his grandfather would want to know even the slightest bit of information, it was sad that Talyn knew very little, but the Great Lord would reward him none the less when he returned to this world.

 

Talyn hurried to his room and what he found he had not expected. Lyv sat on his bed reading the letter he had carefully written and placed in his wardrobe. What on earth was this woman doing in her room. Talyn vowed to always remember to lock his room, if he lived beyond this day. Talyn stood in the door way waiting for the woman to spy him. Hopefully he could manage to get her to the Commander before she spoke anything of the letter. With out it there would be little proof he was a Darkfriend. And it would be his word against hers and there was nothing that could make him tell the truth about his allegience, he would die before he spoke his family's name to ruin.

 

Talyn became impatient and closed the door. "What are you doing in my room? I'll have you reported for this." Talyn swooped in and grabbed the letter from her. He was once afraid of her but now he out ranked her, he had surpassed this woman long ago.

 

Talyn

She had not noticed him entering the room, as she was too busy reading over the letter and getting ready to get up and find him. The letter was ripped from her hands before she could say anything. Lieutenant Talyn stood bent over her, angry and a bit pale in the face. Lyv stared up at him and slowly rose, he moved his hand as if to push her back but dropped it alongside his body. Was he considering to take her up and give a reprimand for trespassing? Did he not realize that she knew? Lyv stared at Talyn’s face and found it unmoving, he did not look afraid even though his normal healthy complexion now showed pale and stern, he was hiding something from her even now.

 

“You can reprimand me for entering your room, but you cannot deny what I have found while in here,†Lyv said, not trying to make excuses for herself. She merely needed to understand. How could this be possible? her hands were both clutched to fists as she held her ground next to him. How long had they known each other, how long had she not suspected anything, not even felt a hint that something was wrong with this man. She had helped him through his training as Mistress of Trainees… she had worked with him on the wall. He was a lieutenant in the tower guard that was meant to protect the Aes Sedai in the White Tower. The White Tower, tower of light.

 

Lyv’s green eyes met his deep brown eyes and flickered for just an instant. Could this be true? She swallowed but her gaze never left his, in a deep monotone voice she asked him what she really never had wanted to know. “Talyn, are you a darkfriend?†she could hear herself utter the words and held her breathe as she waited for him to answer.

 

Lyv

Talyn looked at her in angry defiance. It was her word against his, all he had to do was burn the letter and there would be no proof. He wasn't about to tell her the truth even if she had read the letter. "Yes, I'm a darkfriend." Talyn raised his hands high above his head. "I came here to pull the Shinning Walls down around my feet." Talyn brought his hands down from on high in fists.

 

Talyn looked at her. "Do you know how stupid that sounds?"

 

Talyn

 

OOC: Sorry so short, not much more I could add to his sarcastic remark that wouldn't make her any more angry lol.

Lyv looked at him, he had tried to make it sound like a joke but she did not believe him. He was a darkfriend and she had been a fool to stay in his room for so long, moving past him without another word, she tried to leave the room. Lyv was intent on telling the Master at Arms, the Commander and the Amyrlin herself until someone would stop this man from doing a job that was based on nothing but lies. However, as she took two steps she could feel his grasp on her arm. “Where do you think you’re going?†he asked, she turned to face him and pulled her hand back. “Let go of me, you can’t stop me,†and reached her other hand to grab the letter from his hand. She took him by surprise in doing so and was able to grab a large chunk of the letter. He held a small corner in his grasp and stared at it. This was her chance, Lyv pulled free and ran down the corridor, away from his room.

 

Anger filled her and her feet began to move slower, why had she left him alone up there? Yes, she held part of the letter, the evidence against him, but a darkfriend who could hide this long without being found out, who could take up a position of power in the guard was smart. He would find a way and it was up to Lyv to stop him. However, right now her hesitance gave him room to stop her. He was right on her tail and grabbed her arm again, this time his grip was so tight there was no way to escape. They were just outside the barracks and as it was near noon, the Yards were quite. People were either in the mess hall for lunch or on duty or training somewhere else. None had reason to be in the barracks, nor to check on Lyv and Talyn to see what they were up to. Ripping a letter, staring at each other and slowly drawing weapons as Lyv launched herself away from him. He was a darkfriend and Lyv realized sadly that she had no leg to stand on if she were to come forward to anyone with this information. Who would believe her? Rosheen might, but she was off in the north somewhere. Lyv knew her own reputation had not been great off late, she had dropped out of the job of MoT and had run off to travel without properly being assigned a job first.

 

It was her word against his and the more time Lyv had to think about it as her wrist was turning pale from the force Talyn put on it, her blood draining from her hand, Lyv knew his word would hold up much better than her own. An investigation would take days or even weeks and all the while this darkfriend would be able to roam free, deal information back to his fellow darkfriends and maybe even escape. The thought made Lyv so angry her heart started to pound and her eyes moved to a blind rage. She grabbed hold of her katana and shouted. “There is no escape for you, you will confess to your crimes or I will have to make you do so, darkfriend!†And with that she swatted the still sheathed katana on his upper leg, making him double over and forced to release her hand. He had not drawn a weapon yet and Lyv struck him again, this time on his lower back after which she kicked him hard in the soft tissue of his stomach. “Get up, your Dark One wants you to fight for what you stand for and I want you to realize the game is up,†she whispered in his ear as she bent over him. Her sheathed katana loosely in hand, he was not going anywhere, was he?

 

Lyv Tylin

 

OOC: My muse has been pushed down too long and needs to roam free I guess. ;) Feel free to strike some nice blows and hit back your assailant. *g*

OOC: it's no problem hehe, I don't mind long posts I actually like them makes me work for mine :P

 

The incepent war was about to begin, Talyn had never thought about what would happen if someone found out who he was, and why he was here. It was a good thing he had never bonded Raeyn Sedai. Cari would kill him if he ever divuldged her secrets. Cari would haunt him even in his death if he'd allowed that to happen, she was a scarey woman and he was very glad he would not betray those he was close to. But now was not the time to think about his family or his friends, he had to defend his right to live, his right to live the way he wanted. Talyn had never come to understand the differences between Light and Dark, he lived a sheltered life and that life would end up being his down fall.

 

Talyn didn't have much time to think as Lyv attacked he didn't even have time to draw his blade or pull his staff from his back. It was as if time had sped up. Talyn hadn't become Lieutenant based on his skills he'd done so on his ability to command others to take charge of situations, he was not a great fighter and he knew it, but he wasn't going to give up with out a fight. It was his life at stake. And the great book of war says that a man with out an escape is more dangerous than if you leave him a way out. And there was no way out of this short of death.

 

Talyn muttered a silent prayer to the Great Lord, to take his soul and let his family know of his sacrafice. Talyn managed to grab the blade at his hip before Lyv made yet another attack. She moved too quick and Talyn's arm received a slash. But Talyn swung hard and attacked the woman before him with all his might. He wasn't aware of what he hit as he pulled the sword back again and used his fury to fuel yet another. In a fight for his life he forgot the most important thing, the void. When he tried to grasp it, it slipped away on the emotions of anger.

 

Try and Try again Talyn reached for the void, but it eluded him. But he held his own against the woman. Though he wasn't sure how long he could.

 

Talyn

The blow to her shoulder came down hard and surprised Lyv as she had held her guard up high enough, she thought. Talyn was pounding on her left and right with his staff while Lyv fought him off and tried to hold her ground. She felt her anger diffuse as she found the Spring and channeled her anger as raw energy in the Spring. It was difficult not to just lose herself in her emotions, but that was why the Spring suited her so well. She could use the pain, hate and anger to fight Talyn and win.

 

Her legs moved her forward and Talyn back away, his hands moving quickly with the weapon over her arms and legs, she got in a cut that slung open part of his shirt. She stabbed him three times, none actually nearing the bare chest but his defensive moves did exhaust him. Lyv moved back towards the barracks and leaned against the door as she found her position again. Talyn was staring her down and then launched an attack at her stomach. He hit it not with the tip of his weapon which she could fend off, but with the back that held his fist. She toppled over and fell on her knees, the katana dropped from her hands and she screamed in anger and pain. The Spring was fed and surrounded her as Lyv got to her feet. “You will confess to your crimes and allegiance Talyn, it’s that or death,†and for a moment Lyv was taken aback by her own words.

 

She found her composure again and started to move around him as she reached for her katana, her hand got slapped hard but she found her way back to the weapon once more. “It’s over, give yourself up, darkfriend,†she shouted at him and danced to his back, hitting him hard over the neck with the side of her katana. Blood pored down his neck and his ear and Lyv had a moment to consider the situation. He was bleeding and would have to quit soon, he could not let this come to a fight to the death. She was wrong, he placed a well-placed blow on her ribs and she could heard a cracking sound as they bent under the force. Lyv fought back and used her fist to pound his face in retaliation.

 

Lyv

The cut at the neck could be salavaged if they stopped. But he was not going to shame his family by being tortured to give up more names. It was his life she wanted then she could have it. With the last bit of effort his body could muster up he attacked again. It had done it's job and Lyv had reacted with deadly fury.

 

Talyn could no longer feel the blows to his face. He knew each one was devistating but he could careless. Death would bring him glory and save the name of his family. He would not give them up to the light fools.

 

With one last effort Talyn pulled the dagger from his belt and stabbed at the woman beating him. It had been enough to let him die peacefully. Talyn slipped into blackness with the last thought ... my family is safe.

 

Talyn's end!

Lyv’s hands were sore from pounding on the man’s face, but she could not stop. Her rage surged through her as the Spring controlled every move. She moved fast, then slow and all the while unrelenting. His dagger moved quickly and stabbed in her side, she could feel a warm ooze drizzle down her side and her shirt became sticky to her skin. Lyv took a step back as she stopped blowing her fists against his cheeks. He looked a mess but she was not sure he was actually gone and the pain in her side was agonizing. From some far distance she heard a familiar voice, telling her to stop right now but she couldn’t. The darkfriend had tried to kill her, the one person who knew who he was. She could not let that happen, if she had to die from the wounds he inflicted on her, she would take him with her. She found a long dagger that was held in her boot all this time, looked up to see his peaceful face as if he awaited what was coming for him and stabbed him in his chest.

 

Falling back, her head buzzing with the pain and the intensity of the Spring leaving her body, her heart racing and her hands quivering, Lyv realized what she had done. She had killed lieutenant Talyn Rashad over an accusation she had never uttered to anyone. A hand moved over her shoulder and jerked her back as a voice barked in her ear “Drop your weapon Lyv, don’t make me ask you twice,†and she did. The soft cling of metal hitting stone brought her back to reality. For an instant all was very clear and bright around Lyv and she could see the beaten, bleeding body of her opponent. She had attacked him and now he was gone. A deep sigh enveloped her as she tried to get up on her feet, but the pain in her side would not let her and she dropped down again hard. It had been captain Vasya Paranov who had called her to stop and to put her dagger down. She watched him as Vasya leaned over Talyn and checked his pulse, then moved back towards Lyv. She felt her pocket for the remains of the letter and handed it to him without a word, as he fumbled with the piece of paper, apparently not too stained by the blood loss she uttered in a whisper, “Darkfriend.â€

"Blood and bloody ashes... Stay here and don't move anywhere."

 

That explained the fighting, or so Vasya thought to himself as he put the letter away. Slipping his blade in its sheath as he ran, he ran into the company's commonroom and seeing no one there, went to the window and poked his head out. Below he could see Aran and a group of other Tower Guards gathered around him. It would be a bit of struggle for them to learn what just happened, but thats what they were paid for.

 

"ARAN! GET A YELLOW SISTER! THE REST OF YOU UP HERE NOW!"

 

For once the little man didn't procrastinate, but Vasya paid that little mind as he returned to Lyv. The blade in her side wasn't too bad, as long as it wasn't moved. The moment it came out she'd need healing or she'd slip away fast. Kneeling down beside her, he snapped his fingers infront of her face to get her attention. "Hey! Wake up! I need you to focus. Did he say anything about anyone else?"

 

The best he got was a shake of the head, but it meant she was lucid at least. Hearing footsteps coming from the stairs he called for them to come to him. The shock on their faces was apparent, but he didn't have time to let them dally. "Talyn was a Darkfriend, Lyv killed him. You're sworn to silence on that, as well as what we're about to do. Marie and Fenwin, grab some sheets, wrap Talyn up and carry him up to my room, do not let anyone else see you. Maude, you're to clean this up, I don't want a trace left, bring an extra mop for Aran when he gets here. In fact, better yet go get one of the sandbags from the yard, bring it up here and use the sand to soak up the blood. Move! We don't have time!"

 

As they got moving, Aran was topping the stairs with Fayth Sedai in tow. Inclining his head to Lyv, Vasya stepped out of the way to let Fayth Sedai do what she did best. That and sent Aran to get the mop and bucket, it'd be needed either way.

 

 

Vasya Paranov

Captain

Images and light flashes ran past Lyv’s eyes as she felt a warm glow pass over her. Fayth was doing Healing on her and Lyv just closed her eyes and waited for the sleep to take her. She could feel someone lifting her and taking her with them, but she could not tell who it was or where they were taking her. Her head was heavy and her eyes would no longer open up to the light. She dozed off and found herself in an almost peaceful sleep, only disturbed by the image of Talyn’s face, calm and peaceful as he had lain there on the ground. He was dead now, she had gathered that much from Vasya’s instructions. Lyv had no clue what was going to happen from here on, would she be sent to jail once her Healing had completed? Would she have to face up for the crime of killing someone?

 

Waking up, Lyv rubbed her head and stared around her. She was in the Infirmary, a place she was well familiar with as this was not the first time she had woken up here. Confusion soon passed and she swung her legs over the side of the bed, finding her clothes on a neat pile. Although, these were different clothes than she remembered putting on, a brief moment of wonder and the realization that she had been cut in the side and had killed a lieutenant. “No, a darkfriend…†She regained herself quickly and got dressed, her clean pants, a pair of leather boots and a black sleeveless shirt, how fitting for the occasion. There was no coat anywhere, nor were her weapons present, evidently someone must not want Lyv to leave without talking to someone first. That someone might best be the captain who found them, Vasya. With lead-filled shoes, Lyv walked out of the Infirmary, she hoped Fayth might stop her but no Yellow appeared as Lyv walked off. She found the captain and waited for him to speak, she had no idea of how much time had passed but as it was already dark, it must be evening or night already. “Captain?â€

 

Lyv

Looking up as the door to his office opened, Vasya weighed Lyv carefully as she spoke. She looked tired, the healing had taken alot out of her clearly. While she'd been out of it, there had been time to set things in motion. The body, thanks to Aran's ingenuity, had been stored in a keg for the moment out of sight. He'd fixed the watch for one of the gates, and the next day those people would say that Talyn had died in the Ogier Grove during a training accident. The bruising and whatnot would have to be dealt with, but he had that being looked into.

 

"Well, if you're well enough to walk you're well enough to talk. Sit." Gesturing to the seat opposite him, Vasya had Lyv relate the details of what had happened. In turn, he told her what had been done. It only took a bit of time, but for Vasya it was enlightening, as he had only been able to guess how it had unfolded before. It even had him considering encouraging pranks, maybe people needed to go through each other's possessions more often. There was little need with Aran and his friends running about though.

 

"You're sworn to silence on the matter mind you, we don't need to cause a panic and have people suspecting everyone else. Nor do we need to tip our hand if we can avoid it, we want to try and chase things up as best we can." Leaning to one side, he picked up Lyv's weapons off the floor and handed them over to her. "Watch yourself for now, better yet, don't be alone. I've discussed this with the other Captains and our Master at Arms, we've kept your part in it quiet but considering your state in the infirmary, be on the safe side anyway."

 

"There anything you need or want to ask? Once you go through that door, there won't be anymore discussion about this matter unless necessary."

 

 

Vasya Paranov

Captain

Lyv explained what had happened and then listened with big eyes, taking in all the information as her surprise grew with every word to Vasya’s story. She had been asleep when the body of Talyn, a lieutenant of the guard of the White Tower had been stuffed in a barrel and placed out of sight. During this time, stories had been made up about how he had died and all this time, Lyv had rested peacefully after her act. She gulped down the taste of misery and shook her head in silence. “So, what is going to happen to me? I go to a jail cell, get sentenced for slaying a man, for killing him?†The only reply she got was a shake of his head. After all, why should he explain what was so painfully obvious to the rest of the world: it had been her job to kill the darkfriend.

 

Her head felt heavy and her eyes drooped down as she tried to take in all of this, understand that this was a closed subject, never to be spoken of again. She would not face a trial for her action, she would not be rewarded for the deed. She would have to live with the fact that she had slain a man in cold blood, weakened by her blows of attack, struggling to stay alive. You’re sure he was a darkfriend, she wanted to ask but what was the point? How much more proof had she needed when she killed him, so Lyv kept silent and nodded. “I have no more questions, no,†and with that she waited for him to excuse her and send her on her way again. She found the night cold and bitter as she walked over the Yards. Nobody to talk to about what happened, not even her friends could know the truth. A darkfriend yes, but still a man whose life she had taken.

 

Memories of Talyn faded over her brain as she tried to calm herself. It did not work, so Lyv went back to her room and took a woolen cloak and her practice staff. No more killing tonight, but maybe she could drown out the killing that lay behind her. Lyv headed to the training Yards, silence filled the air as she danced around imaginary foes and slashed her staff to strike them with deadly blows. The memories of the lieutenant telling stories over a campfire, asking them to share their stories of horror or love. The lieutenant on the wall, barking orders and looking back to see that he was obeyed because for some reason he had never trusted that people believed in his position and the power that came with his rank. Now he was dead, after Lyv had found out he was a darkfriend, how long had he been playing the guard and his friends? She slashed another enemy this time right over the familiar face of Talyn. The last slash she saved for him before she sunk down on the ground and cried softly for her actions, for killing a man she had trusted and respected. Not for killing the man he truly was, a servant of the Dark One, opposed to everything she stood for. Her tears were bitter and ended soon as her memories of him faded and all that remained was a black day in history.

 

Lyv Tylin