A Small Park in Cairhien

The sounds of birds chirping and squirrels chattering to each other can be heard throughout the park. This place seems peaceful enough, but the hustle and bustle of the big city can still be felt. A tree lined path leads the way back to a square fountain, made of white marble. In the middle of the cool waters of the fountain, a statue in the form a black, marble fish rises from the crystal clear liquid. A gush of cool, clear water sprouts up into the air from its mouth. Wrought iron benches, painted white to match the fountain, are placed around the fountain to provide a place to sit and relax. Beyond the fountain, lies perfectly square, manicured beds of flowers. All types and colors of fauna are held within each section, small shrubbery lining the backside of each bed.

Emilia is sitting on the edge of the fountain, idly tracing delicate patterns in the water with her fingertips. She hums softly under her breath, seemingly oblivious to all around her.

Kiala strolls through the park, a curious look on her face. She fingers a soft green string hanging from her hair. She looks idly at passers by, and glances at squirrels. At once, she spots a young lady fingering the water, and Kiala stops, her curious look becoming more of a smile.

Strolling through the park, Evie seems deep in thought, her mind occupied with who knows what. Glancing absently around the park every now and then, she spots the young woman with a green fringed shawl around her shoulders. A small smile touching her lips, she pushes her thoughts back into hermind as she makes her way towards her. (Evie)

Shifting into a more comfortable position, a movement out of the corner of her eye catches Emilia's attention. A quick double take reveals the newcomers, and she abruptly stops humming. Slowly, in an unsuccessful attempt to do so noiselessly, she tries to move farther back on the fountain, carefully not catching the eyes of either of the women. (Emilia)

Kiala smiles more broadly, sensing the girls tension. She walks casually over to the fountain and sits down near the young lady. "Light Illumine you, dear lady. May I join you here at the fountain?" She softens her smile, and gently places her hands in her lap.

Evie watching as the woman sits near the young woman, her gaze remains on the younger woman for a moment before turning back towards the other woman. Stopping next to the woman she speaks softly, "Light Illumine Sister." Smiling warmly towards the younger woman, "Light Illumine you, my dear."

Emilia starts to speak, though just a squeak manages to escape. Clearing her throat, she begins again. "Uh, no. I mean yes, you may. Join me that is. And light illumine you as well, uhm...Aes Sedai. Uh...both of you...thank you." Looking increasingly uncomfortable, she slides over a bit, and one can only guess if she's making room for Evie, or trying to move farther away from the both of them. Regardless, she moves back, then folds her hands in her lap as well, falling silent.

Kiala glances at Evie, and smiles again. "Light Illumine, Sister," she says. Her eyes drift toward the water, and she begins to play with a leaf that floats in the fountain. She glances again at the young girl, and smiles once more. "May I ask your name, young lady? I am Kiala Sedai."

Evie remains standing as she nods slightly towards Emilia, "And I am Evie Sedai." Smiling warmly towards Emilia, she notes her behavior. Speaking gently, "You've no reason to be nervous child."

Emilia nods at Kiala. "Emilia. Emilia Cuale." For a brief moment, an expression of skepticism flits across her face, before she turns to Evie. "Of course, Aes Sedai. As you wish." She does the best curtsey she can from a sitting position, then once again folds her hands in her lap, directing her gaze there, as well.

Kiala smiles at Emilia. "Evie is right, Emilia. You have no reason to be nervous. And no reason to stare at your hands. We would enjoy your company." She reaches over to take one of the young girls hands.

Evie nods towards Kiala before looking towards Emiala. "She is right, we would enjoy your company. Do not be nervous, nor look towards your hands. We are Aes Sedai, though woman as well. Is that not right Kiala?"

Emilia raises an eyebrow and starts a little as Kiala takes her hand, but surprisingly manages to not pull away. Her hand is a bit chilly due to dangling it in the water, and it trembles slightly. She nods tentatively at Evie, and her voice begins to regain a bit more confidence the more she speaks. "I suppose that is true." She even manages a tiny smile, though it lasts only a fleeting moment. She does not again look down at her hands.

Kiala nods at Evie, then brings her other hand to wrap around Emilia's hand. "We are not here to harm you, young Emilia. We only wish to chat with you, and enjoy your memories as well as share some of our own." She pats Emilia's hand reassuringly, and smiles softly.

Evie arches an eyebrow at Kiala for a moment before once again speaking to Emilia. "She is right, we wish you no harm Emilia. Only to pass the time, and this place with you."

Emilia tilts her head questioningly at Kiala, then Evie, apparently at a loss for words for a moment. Just for a moment, however, because after shifting her weight on the side of the fountain into a more comfortable position, she shrugs. "Umm. Okay. But I don't know what you want me to tell you, or anything."

Kiala looks at Evie, her smile growing larger for just a moment. "Tell me, young Emilia, where is your family from? I would so love to hear a few tales of your childhood."

Evie looks towards Kiala, arching an eyebrow once more at her words to Emilia. She watches

Kiala a moment longer before shifting her gaze towards Emilia. Still standing she shifts her footing slightly, crossing her arms beneather her breasts. Flashing a small warm smile towards Emilia she awaits her answer to Kilia's question.

Her eyebrows arched so high they nearly merge with her hairline, Emilia gazes slowly from Kiala to Evie and back again, and when she speaks, her voice raises a bit with alarm. "Umm, okay...but I warn you, it's not the most exciting story around..." She pauses to give them a chance to interrupt her, but as Evie turns toward her to wait, she sighs softly and nods. "Very well. My parents are from here. At least, as far as I know, they are. That's what they tell me anyway, and they've been here since I was born. I don't really have any tales of my childhood to tell, though." She shrugs again, once more at a loss for words. (Emilia)

Kiala smiles at Emilia's answer. "Would you like to hear one of my childhood? You may find it ghastly, but I assure you it is true." She smiles at Evie, and then looks back to Emilia.

Ratain strides into the park, moving briskly, his feet striking the ground in march precision. Briefly, his jet eyes flicker over the area, one black gloved hand held low against his hip, the other resting lightly on the pommel of his sword. His lips are set in what could only be called an amused smile, although it never touches the eyes that stare out of his face like pools of inky darkness. His gaze stops on Evie and his eyes twinkle warmly. The expression fades as he looks to the others seated around the fountain.

Evie smiles briefly at Emilia, before turning towards Kiala at her words. Arching her eyebrows once again she frowns slightly. Opening her mouth to speak, she closes it once again. Shaking her head slightly she makes as if to speak once more before slightly turning around. Eyes falling on a tall figure dressed in black teh frown fades from her mouth, replaced by a small smile at seeing Ratain.

The corners of her mouth turning upward in some semblance of a smile, Emilia nods halfheartedly. "Umm, of course, Aes Sedai. I would love to." Though her expression remains politely attentive, her eyes practically scream her lie. She turns toward Ratain as well, and with just a barely audible groan of dismay, manages yet another tremulous smile. (Emilia)

Kiala smiles at Emilia, then nods towards Ratain. "Very well, then. You see, I was a young farm girl from Andor, about two days ride outside Caemlyn. My family was attacked by trollocs one day when I had wandered out into the woods. When I returned home, I found my family dead, most eaten, and a few trollocs remaining, destroying what was left of our herds. I became extremely enraged, and that's when I first found out I was able to channel. I had drowned all the trollocs on the farm, and after that, I ran to Caemlyn." Her eyes swelled slightly with unshed tears, before she shook her head and smiled again.

"May the Light Illume you all," Ratain says, and inclines his head in a slight nod to the people seated around the fountain. "I pray I am not intruding," he says as he walks over towards Evie, his gloved fingers falling lightly away from the hilt of his sword. Beneath his coat, his muscles flow like whipcord and steel, and his gaze never seems to rest in one location. (Ratain)

Evie smiling warmly at ratain she nods slightly before turning towards Kiala as she starts her sad story of her child hood. Frowning slightly as she finishes she sighs softly atthe pain she must have gone through. Speakign to Ratain as he stands near her she shakes her head slightly before saying, "No you are not Ratain. This is a Sister of mine Kiala Sedai, and this young woman is Emilia. Join us if you wish." Turnign towards him now she smiles warmly before facing once again towards the two woman.

Emilia blinks slowly as Kiala finishes her story, her expression rather bewildered. "I am sorry, Aes Sedai. That must have been terrible to come back and find your family gone..." She raises her eyebrows, and her eyes narrow just slightly. "Forgive me for saying, Aes Sedai...but what does this have to do with me? I cannot believe that you tell this story to every complete stranger you meet, so why me? Again, I mean no disrespect." She drops her gaze to her hands, then jerks her head back up almost immediately, with a sheepish smile directed at Evie.

Kiala smiles at Emilia. "Something about you reminds me of my past. Besides, as a thief in Caemlyn, I learned to tell stories to those who would have information. Which leads me to a question for you. Have you seen any shadowspawn within Cairhein?" Kiala looks at Emilia sternly.

Ratain nods once more, "For that I am grateful," he says, his voice a dull rumble. Looking to Kiala, his lips twitch slightly, before returning to a slight, neutral smile. At Kiala's comment on Shadowspawn, one eyebrow arches, but he says nothing. "I am glad to find you here, Evie," he says, turning his gaze upon her, a small, warm smile appearing on his lips.

Evie smiles towards Ratain, "As I am that you are here Ratain." Turning towards Kiala she arches an eyebrow. "Sister what would this child know of shadowspawn. What happened to you was horrible. Though she has said herself she has almost no childhood. YOu believe she knows something of the Shadowspawn?"

Emilia opens her mouth to speak, then closes it abruptly. Her face contorts into such a mingled expression of confusion and disbelief that for a moment, she almost looks comical. Her nose twitches, and her forehead wrinkles up, as she peers at Kiala in a most peculiar way, apparently trying to determine if she is making fun of her. She turns to Evie as she speaks, and as if that is all the confirmation she needs, she answers, her voice soft, yet confident. "Nope. Can't say as I have, uh...Aes Sedai."

Kiala lowers her eyebrow in a thoughtful expression. "Evie Sedai, I am hunting Shadowspawn for a hobby, as would someone who has bent their sights on gambling. I do not seek them for pleasure, however. I seek to find a better way of defeating them." She looks towards Emilia, noticing the hesitance before she answered. "Do you speak true, or just out of fear, my dear Emilia?"

Ratain looks to Kiala as she mentions Shadowspawn once more. "You hunt Shadowspawn for a hobby?" His voice bears a hint of incredulity to it. He seems on the verge of saying something else, but shakes his head, his lips twitching once more. He looks back to Evie and walks so that he is standing near her, slightly behind her right side.

"Sister, hunting Shadowspawn for hobby, is hunting them for pleasure in away. Do you not think so. One does a hobby only because it brings the pleasure. I understand why you would hunt them, and try to find better ways that we may fight them. Though you should be careful. YOu do at least have a Gaidin to help protect you no?" As Evie finishes speaking she notices that Ratain has moved closer. allowing a small smile to playon her lips she turns towards Emilia. "Just speak the truth child and nothing will harm you." Giving her a reassuring smile she nods slightly. (Evie)

By the expression on Emilia's face, she is now almost completely convinced that Kiala Sedai is insane. "You hunt Shadowspawn as a -hobby-?" She covers her mouth almost immediately, and a faint blush of pink touches her cheeks as she echoes Ratain. Shaking her head incredulously, she suddenly sits straight up and stares at Kiala with alarm. "Your hunt for Shadowspawn has brought you here? Is there something you're not telling me? Should I be alarmed? Do I need to alert the city guard?" She narrows her eyes and scans the area, apparently believing that the attack could come at any time. As Evie addresses her, she turns toward her, offended. "I always speak the truth, Aes Sedai, if I can help it." (Emilia)

Kiala nods at Evie. "A passion it is, for I do get a sense of joy for killing each shadowspawn I encounter. Yet, my Gaidin died in the last encounter, and I am hoping to find a new one here. And for you, my dear Emilia, I was just hoping to hear of some shadowspawn that may have passed through here recently. Nothing more."

The look Ratain gives Emilia at her echo of his statement could only be called agreement. The slight smile upon on his widens slightly in amusement, but fades quickly as Kiala mentions the loss of her warder, to which he simply closes his eyes. "I would suspect the young lady would know little of Shadowspawn. There movements through the cities are rare, and almost always targetted. Especially, with the Lord Dragon threatening the Forsaken. They have little time for us lesser bees," he says, opening his eyes as he does. (Ratain)

"Do not be offended by my words Emilia. I simply ask what people ask of people. To be told the truth. If you say you do not know, then we believe you." Flashing her one last smile, Evie turns towards Kiala a small frown touches her lips at the meantion of her lost warder. "Perhaps you shall find a new warder here. There are some rare men who would be excellent Gaidin." Smiling warmly she looks towards Ratain nodding slightly. Speaking to Kiala, "He is right with The Lord Dragon here, Shadowspawn rarely enter Caemlyn." (Evie)

Emilia relaxes visibly at Kiala's words, and even more so at Ratain's confirmation. "Well the only Shadowspawn anyone ever talks about around here is the kind that mothers use to scare their children with." She shrugs. "I wish I could be more help, but I don't know anything about Shadowspawn, and I don't know anybody looking to be a warder, either. Of course, I don't know many people, though." She frowns, and sighs softly. "Sorry."

Kiala smiles at everyone. "It is of no importance. I did not figure you to have seen any. Hope lies in asking even the smallest mouse to assist in finding the cheese. And as for the Gaidin, I do hope to find one soon. It is hard to handle my dear Drennan's death, yet I hold his last words true to my heart." Kiala frowns and turns her attentions on the leaf once more.

Ratain nods once more, remaining mostly silent. He stands slightly behind Evie, his body motionless. A slight, neutral smile rests upon his lips.

Evie nods towards Kiala, "The Wheel weaves as it will, Sister. If you are meant to find a Gaidin here you shall. And always remember his words. Turning towards Emilia, "You have nothign to be sorry for. You have seen no shadowspawn, nor heard of any. As for not knwoing many people, I myself knew very few people before becoming Aes Sedai. And now well...I'm known by more people know then most of my life. Things have a way of turning around." Looking back at Ratain she smiles towards him, reaching a hand back to softly touch his arm for a moment.

Emilia nods. "Mmhmm. Yes. Well. I'm just glad we're not all about to be attacked by Shadowspawn." She shrugs. "And to be perfectly honest with you, Aes Sedai, I prefer not knowing too many people. I enjoy my quiet afternoons here in the park with nothing to disturb me but the birds." Suddenly realizing what she has just said, she covers her mouth again. "Apologies, Aes Sedai. I did not mean to imply that you were a disturbance. You were a welcome disturbance." Another pause. "Wait, no. You weren't a disturbance at all, you were a..." Deciding to stop before she digs herself too deep, she trails off, wincing.

Kiala giggles softly, and smiles at Emilia. "My dear, something other than Shadowspawn drew me to you, although I thought it would be a good thing to take your mind off what I came to you for. Evie, I'm sure, has noticed as well." Kiala sighs, then looks at Emilia again. "I can sense something inside you that you may not know yourself." She looks carefully at Evie, looking for a sign of agreement.

Ratain smiles as Evie touches his arm, reaching out and clasping her hand in his, his gloved fingers enfolding her hand. He smiles to Evie, a small, warm smile. As Kiala speaks, he chuckles slightly. His free hand rises to cover his lips, dropping away after a few moments.

Evie arches a slight eyebrow as Ratain clasps her hand, but as Kiala speaks she nods slightly. Turning towards Emilia, "She speaks the truth child. There is something that would draw any Aes Sedai to you. It is who you are, as it was with me and Kiala. You are as we are, you can channel child." Smiling warmly towards her she remains as she is, her hand slightly behind her, engulfed in ratains.

Emilia blinks at Kiala, and raises her eyebrow ever so slightly. "You...sense something...in me." She blinks again, skepticism plain on her face. As she listens to Evie, realization hits her and profound relief practically radiates from her. "OH! You meant I could channel, that's what you sense in me!" She chuckles softly to herself, shaking her head slowly. "Wait." Her face grows serious, and she turns to Evie, then to Kiala. "I can channel?"

Kiala smiles at Emilia as she asks her question. "Yes, child, you can channel. It is like a fire in you to me. I can feel it as I get closer to you, like a warm blanket."

Ratain licks his lips slightly at the conversation going on around him. His eyes flicker from person to person, but he says nothing, standing there like a shadow. He smiles slightly at Emilia's response, nodding sympathetically, and giving Evie's hand a gentle squeeze.

Evie nods towards Kiala before turning towards Emilia, "Yes, child you can channel. And you should be brought to the Tower so your training can begin." Squeezing Ratains hand once more she nods towards Kiala.

Her face growing more and more pale by each comment, Emilia is now pale as a ghost. She scoots back from both ladies, taking back her hands, and she stares at them, her anger rising with every passing moment. No longer pale, her face slowly begins to turn a bright scarlet. "Now, wait just a minute here. I came here to sit by my fountain and have a peaceful afternoon. The two of you come in here and start asking me all these questions, scaring me with Shadowspawn, and now you want to take me away to some Tower?" She scoots back even farther, shaking her head violently. "I don't think so." A short pause, then, a bit more quietly, "No disrespect, of course, Aes Sedai." (Emilia)

Kiala smiles at Emilia, and turns towards Evie. "I will not be returning to my tower for some time. In fact, until I find a new warder, I will not be returning to any tower. Take her to the White Tower, if you can get there. She would learn much there, and will still be safe no matter what happens." Kiala then turns towards the leaf and stares at it intently.

Ratain raises one eyebrow at Kiala's comments, a slight smile crossing his lips. "I wonder, if perhaps one day we might see women amongst the Black Tower. The greatest of all things comes from the interplay of Saidar and Saidin," he says, breaking his silence. His lips twitch slightly and he shakes his head, clasping Evie's hand tightly.

Evie takes a step away from Ratain though her hand remains firmly in his. "Perhaps someday they will Ratain." Turning towards Emilia "Do not be afarid Emilia. The Tower will not hurt you in anyway. Only teach you to channel, and control your abiliies." Smiling warmly she shakes her head, "Sometimes I forget that it is not the same as in Tar Valon where I was born and found."

Her eyes narrowing dangerously as Kiala speaks of sending her away, Emilia stands abruptly, putting her hands on her hips. "Excuse me, but I'm sitting right here, and I'm -not- going -anywhere- with you. With -either- of you." As Ratain speaks, she listens, eyes hopeful. At his words, however, she growls and shakes her head. "Or YOU!" . "What is this? Everyone decide Emilia's future day? I am perfectly content -right here- thankyouverymuch. And safe, as well, though -some- of you would have me believe otherwise. I don't need the tower to be safe." She glares around at all of them, and her voice lowers into something a bit more conversational. "You all are very strange. I think I'll just be going now." With that, she turns away and begins to walk toward the city, in a surprisingly dignified manner. (Emilia)

Kiala, without discretion, reaches out for the Source. She weaves flows of air and water into a tight net, carefully tuning it properly. She throws her net towards Emilia, hoping to stop her from leaving before she has been fully listened to.

Ratain says softly, "I would suggest you..." stopping suddenly. His eyes narrow and he looks to Evie and Kiala, then to Emilia. He grits his teeth tightly and his hand trembles beneath Evie's for a few moments. He then stops, his face going blank.

Evie graspsing the Source though just holding she she watches Kiala weave flows of air and water. Turning towards Emilia she shakes her head slightly. "YOu should at least listen to us child. We know what we are talkign about with this subject. We orselves have gone through it. We did not mean to upset you, perhaps there were others ways we could have told you." Not waiting for a response she releases the Source before turning towards Ratain, squeezing his hand within hers, trying to assure him, a small smile playing on her lips.

Emilia stops suddenly, though doubtful anyone without the ability to channel would understand why. ""There's no reason to be nervous, child, we aren't going to hurt you." She spits, in a near copy of the words Evie spoke to her upon their greeting. "Well, of course I shouldn't be nervous! You aren't going to hurt me! No, of course not. You're just going to -kidnap- me, that's all, of course that shouldn't upset me." She turns as quickly as she can against her restraints and glares at the women. "It is obvious to me that I have no choice. You have made your intentions clear. However, if you are going to tell me all about how wonderful it is to channel the power, I don't want to hear it. Just say what it is you need to say, and get this abduction over with."

Ratain observes Evie and then looks over to Kiala. His eyes are slightly narrowed and he says, "The child wishes to go, Aes Sedai. You will permit her to go if she wishes. Explain to her that she is likely to die as the seed grows forth, and she suffers the wasting sickness, but do let her go." He releases Evie's hand and the eyes staring out of his face are like pitiless pools of shadow.

Kiala drops her hands, and releases the source, not without much show of regret, and with it the weaves holding Emilia. She turns back to the fountain, and sighs. "You can not hide who you are. I found out I could channel only after my family was dead. I became what is known as a wilder, and ended up not being able to channel for ten years before I finally broke the shield holding me. I will not lie to you. I fought pretty much the same way you are now."

Evie turning towards Emilia "Child you may fight as much as you wish to fight. You may even go and think, but if you do not go with one of us another may find you and may not be so gentle. Take time think things through before you decide what you wish to do. Just think that is all I will ask of you." Turning slightly back towards Ratain as he releases her hand, she takes a step back as she looks into his eyes. "We will not force her ratain. Do not worry. The choice must be hers or she will not grow to be who she is meant to be. Specailly if she hates not only who she can become but those who brought it to her. She shall decide, as I decided. That I promise." Sighing softly she looks towards Ratain with a slightly sadness in her eyes before masking it.

Emilia stands stock still, listening to each person speak, taking it all in slowly. Finally, she turns to Ratain. "What do you mean? Why will I die, and what is the wasting sickness?" She takes a few steps toward him, but no more than a few, before stopping. Crossing her arms protectively in front of her chest, she stands quietly, waiting.

Kiala sighs, and looks to Evie. "Can you explain it? I prefer not to remember what it was like to have that threat over my head. Although I did survive the possibility."

Ratain looks Emilia in the eye and says, his voice utterly emotionless, "If the Power awakens in you and is not trained, you will likely die. Most, not all, bust most, who are not trained early on will die. Either from misuse of the Power, or through addiction and eventual death, as your body finally wastes away." He shrugs and says, "Of course... it is your decision. The Power may never actually awaken. It is entirely your choice." He speaks the last with a tone of complete diffidence.

Evie nods slightly towards Ratain before looking towards Emilia. "What he says is true, though you probably do not wish to listen to me atthis point. With woman, if the source is born within you, it is known as the spark, there are some who can be taught. Though you have the spark. You will someday wield the Source weither you wish to or not. 1 of 4 can life the other 3 die. Naybe not within the year the spark and channel without knowing it. But you will die sooner then you should if you do not learn to control the power you wield. YOu can go and just learn to control it if you wish to not become an Aes Sedai. Though that choice is yorus as well. Though fewer and fewer have the spark within them. That is why we wish you to go to the tower to learn..." Taking a step towards her she stops and finishes, "The choice is yoru Emilia take some time and think. Though remember, only 1 of 4 can life and they do not always life a pretty life." Turning towards Ratain she walks to him looking up into his eyes for a moment before backing away saying nothing.

Her eyes getting larger and larger as Ratain speaks, Emilia nods slowly as he finishes, and again as Evie confirms his words. "I see. Fair enough. So I don't have to become an Aes Sedai if I don't want to, and as long as I go to the tower and learn to control it, I won't die." She turns to Kiala, accusation in her eyes. "Why do I have to go to the tower? Why can't you just show me how to control it now? Why does this mysterious tower have to come into play?" (Emilia)

Kiala sighs once more. "It takes years of training to control the Source, and even then you will ned constant supervision. However, if Evie can not take you to the tower, I'll take you on my travels until I can get you there myself. But that may be years down the road."

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