The First Common Room of The Half Moon Inn

Darkly stained wooden panels travel from north to south along the floor of this common room. The long grains of the wood wander back and forth across the panels in smooth, slight curves, mingling with scratches from the scraping of chair legs as the wood passes near and under one of the numerous round tables scattered around the room. Light streams in from windows on the east wall, windows flanked by thin white curtains laced with silvery threads. Lanterns mounted on the walls and a large chandelier hanging from the center of the ceiling provide light after the sun sets. This room actually has five walls: the room is cut off at an angle in the northeast corner, where a door leading to a hallway is centered in the angled wall.

It is midmorning in Caemlyn, and the sun shines brightly after the previous night's storms. It is warmer than it has been of late (which is still very cold), and many people have come to the Inn for a late breakfast.

Kasim Akylia is sitting at a chair by the fire place, the same one he occupied the night before (if anyone else was present). He is wearing a dark green tunic and black pants, a black doublet visible under the tunic. A longsword is on his lap and a mug in his hand.

Jahzara walks down the stairs and into the common room, her eyes scanning the room for anyone she may seem to notice. Noticing no one she walks to an empty table and takes the seat against the wall. A soft sigh escaping her lips as she motions for a serving maid.

Lannes is sitting at a table in a dark corner, his fancloth cape wrapped around him, making him almost imperceivable against the wall. From now and then he moves to take a sip from the cup of wine in front of him. His eyes scan the room and his eyebrows raise a little when Jahzara comes in.

Antaine slips down the stairs from the upstiars rooms a few moments after Jahzara. Glancing around the common room he takes stock of it's inhabitants looking for familiar faces, threats, and of course any attractive women to be found. After a moment he moves to the table in the oposite corner as Lannes ordering a cup of wine.

Fayth also makes her way down the stairs eventually, taking her sweet time to get there. She immediately spots Kasim, and heads directly there, seemingly oblivious to all others in the room. Taking another seat near the fire, she drapes her shawl across her lap and makes herself comfortable. Only then does she take a look around, eyeing each person for a moment before moving on to the next.

Kasim looks up and smiles softly as Fayth sits next to him. "Good morning." He takes a sip from his mug before setting it on the table. He looks around the room once Fayth is situated, taking in the patrons. He lets out a derisive snort as he sees Lannes and keeps looking around before his gaze returns to the fire.

Jahzara takes notice as the others come down the stairs after her, though she notices none of them. Shakign her head slowly she smiles warmly as the serving girl nears, after ordering a drink she begins to search the room once more. Her gaze stopping on each person for a moment before going to the next.

Lannes smiles to himself as he nods his head towards Kasim, his eyes now shining, fully alert as he moves a bit, ripples of his cloak attracting a few curious glances from the patrons. He takes outa small ivory carved pipe from his pouch, fills it with tabac, muttering something about the Two Rivers, lights it up and starts puffing on it.

Antaine feels the weight of the woman's gaze as it passes over him glancing in her direction to meet his gaze with her own but then back down into his cup of wine. After a moment he looks up from his wine to the shifting hues of Lannes' Fancloth cloak.

"I apologize for not getting here sooner, but I don't believe I've ever slept as well as I did last night. I hated to crawl out of bed." Fayth murmurs the words softly, offering a smile of her own in return. She tenses when Lannes moves, and even when he begins to smoke, she's unable to relax fully. She glances questioningly at Kasim, raising an eyebrow ever so slightly. "That him?" (Fayth)

Kasim shrugs and waves off her apology with his left hand. He looks as she gestures to Lannes, and shakes his head. "No, this other boy was much younger. I have no idea who that man is." He shoots her a brief look to the eyes before finishing his cup.

Jahzara sighs softly as she notices no one in the room, glancing down at her left hand she stares at the ring that adorns her finger. Unsure why she wears it she glances up ats the serving girl brings her a glass of wine. Thanking the girl she places a coin intot he girls hand before taking a small sip.

Lannes notices the byplay between Kasim and Fayth and nods his head, touching his forehead with his finger, a smile curving his lips. He doesn't move from his table though, and only takes a small sip of wine before returning to his pipe. Stretching his shoulders a bit, he moves his fancloth cape out of the way for a bit to unconsciously reveal the hilt of his sword, its pommel marked with a heron.

Antaine looks about the room before his eyes settle on Fayth as he carefully considers the yellow fringe of her shawl. After a moment he calls the serving girl over and pressing a gold coin into her hand gesturing towards the Aes sedai, the girl nods and dissapears back into the kitchens for a moment before returning with a pot of berry smelling tea and a small tray of various sweetbreads setting them on the Aes Sedai's table. Across the room Antaine merely resumes looking into his wine.

Fayth offers a quick nod of acknowledgement, then gazes at Lannes a bit more closely. A brief glimmer of recognition flashes in her eyes and she leans closer to Kasim. Her voice is barely audible, and she covers her mouth slightly, miming a yawn. "Rebel." She narrows her eyes as Lannes reveals his sword, but then leans back in her chair and feigns indifference. When the serving girl brings the tea and sweetbread, Fayth blinks at it a moment, then gazes at Antaine, studying him rather intently.

Kasim nods at Fayth, his face surveying Lannes'. He smirks when he sees the man ostentatiously show off his Heron, and yawns. He looks at Jahzara, giving her a meaningful look before looking at Antaine critically. He turns to Fayth and leans over to whisper in her ear.

Kasim whispers to you, 'What about the woman and the boy? (IC, Jahzara and Antaine)'

Lannes keeps his eyes focused on Fayth and kasim, but with the corner of his eye he notices Antaine's moves, and he chuckles lightly to himself, shaking his head a bit, as he hides his smile in his cup of wine. he starts to whistle a ltlle tune, recognisable as an Andoran battle march by those in the know.

Antaine meets Kasim's gaze before briefly meeting Fayth's studying eye however at the sound of an Andoran march being whistled his eyes turn slowly to Lannes. Slowly he stands and after a brief moment of indecision walks to Lannes table. He gives a slight respectful nod before speaking "Many men would not whistle such a tune these days in private let alone in public, may I join you?"

Fayth nods slightly, keeping a disinterested yet pleasant look on her face. She abruptly switches her gaze to Jahzara, giving her a once-over as well. She offers her a warm smile, before turning back to Kasim, moving even closer to whisper softly in his ear.

You whisper to Kasim 'don't know him. She's a 'gorgeous slip of a young girl' but can't channel.'

Kasim laughs loudly at whatever it was Fayth said to him, grinning. "I don't suppose I'm ever going to live that down. But you know my opinion on that count." He looks at Fayth, shrugs and looks back to Antaine. He looks on the verge to say something before he sees Antaine move to sit next to Lannes, and shrug. "His loss. He's doing something he'll end up regretting." He grins at Fayth.

Jahzara glances up just in time to catch Fayth watching her for a moment. Watching the other woman Jahzara keeps eye contact for a second before lowering her head once more. Taking a sip of her wine she glances towards the door, though as no one enters she sighs softly.

Lannes turns his head towards Antaine, measuring the man from head to toe before speaking. "I learned this tune as a boy, and it was always sung while the White Lion flew prodly and victorious, so why shouldn't i sing it now?' his eyes seem to drill into Antaine's, before he points at an empty chair. "Please do sit down. I am Lannes Neyal."

Antaine sits slowly "There are many who once would have supported the white lion who now turn thier backs on her. But then the world has been turned on it's head still perhaps things will right themselves when the rightful heir to the throne sits on it once again." the younger man takes a long sip of his wine before speaking again "It is not often I have seen a sword such as you possess m'lord you must be a man of great skill."

Grinning broadly, Fayth chuckles. "Nope. You'll never live that down. I'll be remembering that one until the day I die. You better believe that." She clears her throat and nods at Jahzara. "If you're waiting for someone, you're welcome to wait over here. I'd be happy to share this with you." She gestures at the tea and sweetbread. "There's plenty to go around." She watches the interaction between Lannes and Antaine, and smiles faintly at Kasim. "But I like to think it works out in the end." (Fayth)

Kasim shrugs and looks at Fayth, pensive. "Well, I suppose that we'll have to see. Poor guy, though. Looks like he might end up like Templan after all." He pauses and looks into his empty cup. "I wonder if he woke up yet."

Jahzara looks up as Fayth speaks to her a small smile touching her lips at the womans kindness. Shaking her slowly she speaks softly, "I thank you for your offer but I am not waiting for someone...I don't think anyways." Still smiling she stands from her table leaving a few coins as she does. "I thank you again but I believe I will return to my rooms for awhile, I'm not feeling well." Nodding her head slightly she turns and walks back up the stairs, disappearing a few moments later.

Lannes shakes his head and waves his hand dismissively. "just a pretty toy, I call it." he studies the man before him attentively. "And would you follow the White Lion, my Lord? Should Maorgase's name sound again, or Elayne's would you draw your sword for them?" He grins showing his white teeth.

Antaine thinks for a moment before responding "Taravin stands for the true Heir m'lord and I would draw my sword with the rest of my house to see the throne filled as it should be. It is to that end that I sought you..." carefull Antaine gestures to the fancloth cape "I know of the disagreement within the white Tower, and I know that Tar Valon is not where I should seek my training." his voice is hushed barely a whisper so that even Lannes sitting close would strain to hear it.

Fayth struggles to maintain a neutral face at Kasim's words, though her shaking shoulders reveal her amusement. She looks at him sternly and shakes a finger in reprimand, though it's apparent that the motion is halfhearted at best. Watching as Jahzara leaves, she raises an eyebrow. "Something I said, perhaps?"

Kasim turns suddenly as he hears the line of conversation that Lannes and Antaine are going down. "Excuse me," he says quietly to Fayth. He stands, leaving his sword on his chair as he walks over to their table, looking especially haughty. "Lannes Gaidin, a good Warder does not involve himself in the politics of nations. Your responsibility is to your Aes Sedai, not some woman calling herself Queen." Kasim laughs quietly. "Wow, that was contradictory."

Ceara opens the door to the inn slowly as a small sigh escapes her lips. As she steps fully intot he room however she glances around the room. Smiling slightly as she sees Lannes with some man, though as she sees Kasim a small frown seems to replace the smile. Shaking her head she allows her gaze to continue to roam the room. As her eyes fall on Fayth the frown is replaced with a small smile as she notices another Sister. Noticing her yellow shawl in her lap, Ceara reaches up and touches her own yellow fringed shawl, that rests on her shoulders. Not sure which Tower the woman is with she walks slowly over towards her table. "Sister..."

Lannes looks at Antaine, smiling as the man struggles to find words that would prudently relay hsi feelings, and chuckles to himself. "And where would you seek your training, my Lord, and what kind of training would it be?" he is suddenly interrupted by Kasim, but only turns and bows deeply flourishing his cloak almost ironically towards Kasim. "Light illumine, Brother." his smile is almost predatory. "And I do not understand the meaning of your lecture. i was just talking to this young man, not involving myself in anything. As for a gaidin's duty, I thank you for the lesson." he bows again ironically. "i shall present my salutes to Fayth Sdeai in a few seconds." he adds looking at the two Aes Sedai.

Antaine pauses for a moment unsure how to phrase his words "That m'lord I had hoped you could help me decide." His eyes too turn to the two Aes Sedai and then back to his wine. For now the young man closed his mouth he was a pup in a room full of wolves and he knew it.

Closing her eyes and muttering a quiet, yet extremely unladylike curse, Fayth slowly massages her temples as if she is suddenly suffering from a painful headache. When she hears Ceara speak, she tenses visibly, and slowly turns her head to meet her gaze, her face the perfect picture of Aes Sedai serenity. Unconsciously turning her serpent ring over and over on her hand, Fayth inclines her head just slightly toward a nearby chair. "Light Illumine, Sister. Please. Join me." (Fayth)

Kasim chuckles at Lannes. "I'm not your brother, sir. And if you don't understand my lecture, you should return to the camp and learn some more. The Tower has allegiance to no nation, and no Queen. And if it's just the same, Fayth Sedai is fine on her own." He turns around stifling laughter, spotting Ceara. "Ceara Sedai! So good to see you!" He speaks loudly as he moves across the room towards her, disturbing some of the breakfast patrons.

Ceara smiles at Fayth as she speaks, "Of course Sister, thank you for the offer." Taking a seat almost across from Fayth she sighs softly as she hears Kasim speak her name. Glancing up at him she inclines her head once, "Sir, we meet again..." Turning towards Fayth she speaks softly, "Your companion...Sister." Waiting until after the woman answers, Ceara once more looks towards Kasim, her eyes watching his every move.

Lannes sniffs haughtily, as his eyes shine dangerously when looking at Kasim. "It is a long time since I allowed anyone but an Aes Sedai to talk to me that way. You know nothing about what it means to be a Brother to Battle, therefore you should keep your mouth closed." Turning his head towards Antaine he smiles again. "The Wheel weaves, but men must still make their own decisions. Choose your own path in life, my Lord." he says.

Antaine watches the exchange and then the man leave before speaking again "I know my path m'lord but I would rather not wander without chance of finding those I seek when there is one who could guide me to them."

Fayth raises an eyebrow slightly, and turns her gaze toward Kasim. Though she narrows her eyes slightly as Lannes speaks, she does not offer a response of her own. Watching him as he makes his way over, she can't help but smile slightly in amusement, wincing a bit every time he disturbs one of the other guests. As Kasim gets closer, however, she looks back at Ceara and tilts her head questioningly. "Yes? What about him?"

Kasim turns around as Lannes speaks, his eyes flashing dangerously. "I think I know more about being a Gaidin than you do, boy. And if I took you outside and beat sense into you, it wouldn't be the first time I showed a "brother to battle" how to pull his own head out of his ass." He walks back and takes his seat next to Fayth, picking up the sword so as not to sit on it. "How's Templan Gaidin?"

Ceara brings her gaze back to Fayth, "Tis nothing Sister, It seems Templan had a run in with him last night and was given a lesson he needed." After speaking she turns to look once more at Kasim as he speaks to Lannes. As he takes a seat next to Fayth she watches him for a moment. "Templan will be fine, his pride is probably hurt more then anything..." Touching her head briefly for a moment she continues. "Though I know the reason I slept so poorly and had a headache this morning."

Lannes shakes his head in utter disbelief, staring at Kasim as if poleaxed, then bursts into laughter, throwing his head back, his entire body shaking apparently in a burst of extreme amusement. Looking after the fellow he shrugs a bit then towards Antaine he chuckles. "As you can see there is no sure way in this life. Choose your own, man. I'm not a flaming recruiter. I'm a Gaidin." he nods towards the two Aes Sedai, touching his heart with his hand.

Antaine frowns a tinge of anger rising within him though it does no find his way to his voice "There is no sure way m'lord but how is the tower to grow if those who wish to join it's ranks are not shown to where they may be taught it's ways?" the young noble gives a small chuckle "Or have the towers ranks swollen to such girth those who wish to be of use are turned away?"

Fayth watches Kasim carefully, shifting slightly in her chair so as to keep both Kasim and Lannes in her sight, though her words are directed at Ceara. "Templan is your gaidin, sister? Is that correct? He had some sort of disagreement with my companion? That is unfortunate. I could probably do something to alleviate your headache, if you so wish it." She pauses a moment, then adds, "And of course, if your gaidin is injured, I would also be willing to give him something. Though, it might not taste very well."

Kasim nods, and shrugs. "I could've killed him. He ran, for Light's sake." He looks back at Lannes, smirking. "I never liked his lot. Parade their Heron and their fancloth like they earned them in some great battle. Yet when a fight stares them in the face, they avoid it out of cowardice." He drinks the little bit remaining in his mug, looking at the smallish fire. He listens to Fayth talk with the woman, his previous statements more to himself than anyone else. After he hears Lannes rebuff Antaine, he looks over at the young man, whistling to get his attention. "C'mere."

Ceara shakes her head slightly, "I have taken something for my headache though I thank you for the offer, as for Templan I will let him live with this lesson." Turning towads the man Kasim calls over she shakes her head once briefly, before turning back towards Kasim she nods once. "Yes you could haev killed him, though I thank you for not doing so. And weither he likes it or not he will be sent back to be fully trained. Though that isn't important right now. He should be coming back awak anytime soon." Looking back at Fayth she tilts her head slightly as if tring to figure something out.

Lannes frowns towards Antaine, and shrugs. "Aes Sedai pick their Gaidin, and training is for those who have the heart to go and endure the hardships of training." he stops for a second looking the other man in the eyes. "The first step towards becoming a Brother is the choice to leave your life behind, to become a living tool. Go wherever your heart leds you, and be true to it." On hearing Kasim he shakes his head again, and gos towards Fayth, and bows deeply. "Light illumine Fayth Sedai. I ask your leave to let me teach your companion a little bit about humility. He seems to have forgotten such a thing exists."

Antaine sighs softly "What have I to lose..." standing the young man walks over towardes the Gaidin who whistled at him "Light favor you m'lord. Perhaps you can help me since you seem to have heard all of my conversation..."

Fayth nods her head and waves a hand dismissively. "It's nothing, really. I'm sure you would have done the same had our situations been reversed. It is what we do, after all. Helping our own." She sits up straighter as Lannes moves toward her, and grips her chair tightly. "Gaidin, if you wish to teach my companion a lesson, you do not need my leave to do so. Although, I wonder if you've weighed the consequences and intelligence of such an action."

Kasim's face lights up when Lannes mentions a lesson, and he looks over at the other man. "Oh, I would love a lesson. It's been ever so long since I've had a good one." His eyes gleam dangerously as his right hand tightens on his longsword. "I'm always stuck giving them." He looks up at Antaine. "You can get your first lesson, sir. Lannes Gaidin is here to teach me about humility, and you can watch. (Kasim)

Ceara smiles warmly at Fayth as she finishes speaking. "Yes Sister, we help our own, and others as well..." Glancing at Lannes as he walks over towards the table, speaking to Fayth she smiles slightly, "I do not think he knows just what he is getting into to..." Lookign towards Lannes she asks softly, "Do you Lannes..." Shrugging it off though she lets the boys play with their swords as she looks towards Fayth once more. "You seem familiar Sister, as if I've seen you when I was at a camp..."

Lannes smiles towards Kasim, his smile so sweet it can only be fake. "Then get your first lesson here, Kasim. I draw my sword only in defense of my Aes Sedai or my own life. To do otherwise is to break the tenets of the Brotherhood. A thing which you would know, had you the courage to accept such a responsibility." He nods towards Antaine. "Remember that, young man."

Antaine nods taking in Lannes words " I shall m'lord." once again the young noble closes his mouth and listens.

Fayth rolls her eyes and mutters something uncomplimentary under her breath about men and their swords. She nods at Ceara. "Yes, we've met before, working on the injuries that these silly men give themselves as they 'practice.'" She eyes Kasim, waiting to see how he will respond, ready to move into action if need be.

Kasim smirks. "I'm not a member of that Brotherhood, you dolt. I was, once. Twice, actually. I was a full Gaidin when you were just a recruit. Don't presume to lecture me unless you're going to back it up with that shiny bird of yours." He thinks for a minute before continuing. "And you talk to me of courage? Aren't you bonded to a Brown? I suppose that's why you're strong, from carrying those books around. I daresay that she never took you out side of a city before. Certainly not thirty miles into the Blight." His voice is threatening, challenging. "So, Gaidin," he says the word with a note of disgust, "unless you're going to step up to a challenge, you'd better but your tail between your legs and go back to your corner."

Ceara nods briefly at Fayths words, "This is true, and it seems we may have to work together today if this gets out of control. Practicing and lessons you think they would learn by now after all the lessons they give each other." Smiling slightly she turns to watch the men as they speak, readying herself in case she needs to help in some way.

Templan took a second to let the words the man said sink in - once again. No one in here save Ceara and - of course Kasim new what happened. Still ashaimed he stared at the ground - a habit he picked up since last night - and began to contemplate how to ask for the training he needed.

Lannes looks at Kasim, tilting his head to one side. "Ahh, twice a Gaidin? I thought we bonded for life. So what happened to your bondmates, me dear fellow? Quite the Warder, are we? One to give such 'lessons' to freshmen." he looks towards Ceara. "And since you had to bring my bondmate into this I'm afraid I'm going to have to give you such a lesson' too. But I only fight with practice swords in tournaments, so, live steel i ask."

Antaine takes a step back away from the two men towards the Aes Sedai " Are they always like this?" he asks the Aes Sedai with a deferential bow " I only wish gain training from the tower, but how am I to gain it if the two would could how me the way slaughter one another? I had thought the tower was a closer unit than to draw blades against one another."

Fayth stands abruptly, her eyes narrowing dangerously. She glares at Lannes, and clenches her fists tightly. "That is quite enough, gaidin." She practically spits the last word, the disgust evident from her tone of voice. "You have crossed a line. It is quite obvious to me that you have never lost a bondmate, or those words would never have escaped your lips. You call yourself a gaidin? Speaking words like that? If you are an example of what we are training to be gaidin, I am ashamed to be Aes Sedai."

Kasim stiffens at Lannes words, his eyes detaching as he finds the void.. "Challenge accepted, filth." He leaps to his feet and draws his sword like lightning, causing several people in the room to gasp and someone to shout something about going for the guards. Kasim grips his sword in right hand and the scabbard in his left, facing Lannes with his left side forward.

Ceara nods at Fayth's words as she herself stands, "What she says is true, and you know this Lannes. You have never lost a bondmate..." Saying that her eyes slit slightly as she remembers her own loss. Turning towards Fayth she asks softly, "Should we let this continue for the time or stop this...though Lannes should have never spoken such words." As she says the last she looks towards Lannes, anger flashing in her eyes. Spotting templan she shakes her head slowly though says nothing as her eyes go back to Kasim and Lannes.

Lannes bows deeply towards the Aes Sedai. "Mayhaps you are right, Fayth Sedai. yet it is not I who issued this challenge, and I will not back out of it." he looks at Kasim with his drawn sword and shrugs slightly. "I am only a man, and i have flaws, and pride is one of them, Aes Sedai. Of course, you can interfere in what follows, but not without stepping on your companion's honor." Looking at Kasim he speaks. "Like I said I do not brawl. let us find some quiet spot where we shall not be disturbed." Despite Kasim's drawn sowrd, Lannes hasn't even touched his yet.

Templan touched his sword. Regardless his being overskilled by Kasim - he had Two Aes Sedai with him, and he had his duty either way. Dehson would be even more disgraced if he didnt do This Duty. If the man advanced, Templan's sword would be bare.

Antaine moved towards the Aes Sedai standing near them, he was completely out classed but it was his duty esspecially if he hoped to join the tower and find an advisor from there "My lords is this the fabled unity of the white tower?" in confusion he looks to the Aes Sedai "I would join you but not if all the training you would give me would amout to this. For this I can watch my peers squabble"