Pouring.
The rain seeped forth hence, dying the grounds wet and dark. The water fled to the low elevations of the roads, and sat to think where they would spill next. Droplets sliced Mentiri's face and cloak, and he thought of how to best approach what was inevitable. How do you tell a young girl who's been alone most of her life what I am about to tell her? What grounds does she have to truly trust me? Oh light, why must I do this, Delèndriha?
Then Mentiri heard his Aiel mentor's words.
"She is like you, Mentiri. She too, has lost someone. She too, has led a tragic life. It would be good of you to help someone else, for a change."
"All I do is help others, Delèndriha!" he said aloud to the storm, "I endanger my life numerously to help others!" He saw his mentor shake her head, as if she had deeper knowledge that he must unearth.
"You endanger your life, to die. You are not only saving those people so that they and their loved ones do not suffer, but so that you no longer have to wake, Mentiri."
Mentiri stopped in the rain.
"Althena loved you, and you loved her. But that is no way to honor her death for you...you have no honor left."
Mentiri looked up and realized he was out of breath. He sucked in the wet air, feeling its dank texture coating his mouth. A gust of steam shined from his throat as he continued to walk. She was always tough ...Light, the Aiel Waste was the best thing after Althena's death that the Creator ever bestowed upon me. I have learned so much from them all, I can't wait to return with Lavenda.
Mentiri entered the Lester's Jesting, and tried to sense the young Aiel. Well, I smell the Aes Sedai's perfume at least! He laughed as he walked towards them.
xxxx
For a moment, she simply regarded the young Aiel woman before her with one of those typical Aes Sedai looks - this one pensive. Then her lips curled up at the edges in a warm smile as she sipped contentedly at her warm mulled wine, while Lavenda started on her steaming hot tea. Nothing quite compares to a hot drink in cold weather, she thought, glancing outside through a window streaked with rain. She could see little but a miserable grey haze with the odd darker or paler shape blurring it's way somewhere. Lucky we got in here before the real downpour started!
Wrapping her hands around the glass for further warmth, she nodded to the Gaidar, perfectly satisfied. Well, for now at least. As a Violet Sister, her curiosity never truly abated!
"Yes, Lavenda, that is more than enough. To feel so certain about someone despite barely knowing them is often a good sign. Sometimes, our instincts really are the best guides we have. Not that the White Sisters would agree, of course."
The door was gusted into slamming against the walls when someone entered and despite his rather drenched form, the Aes Sedai recognized the black band around the man's eyes, and realized that this was Mentiri. He needed no guidance it seemed, for after a moment's pause he made his way towards them.
Not sure if he was aware of her presence or not, Jacquelynn decided to be honest and open; something Aes Sedai rarely were.
"I am here with Lavenda, Mentiri." she said coolly, back straight as ever. "If you are averse to this, then I am sure I can rectify matters."
xxxx
"I mean no offence Aes Sedai, but I must only tell Lavenda this grave news. If she wishes to tell you afterwards, it is hers to do so. But, I will not break the oath I have made to my Wise One. Forgive me." Mentiri bowed slightly, feeling the water droplets fall to the ground and echoing a frame of the floor to him.
xxxx
Lavenda looked sideways at the Violet Sitter, wondering how she would take this. Well, she did say before she wouldn't mind, she consoled herself. Turning to face the Violet Sitter fully, she made a small half-bow, still in her chair.
"I hope you do not mind, Sitter? Please wait here; unless you would like to take your leave or meet later?" she said as she smiled apologetically, trying to take the sting off the slightly commanding words. If it was that important, she must speak with him alone. But what could it be?
Rising, she made another bow, this one un-awkward and quite graceful, her fiery hair bobbing in it's shoulder-length cut. From the bottom of her bow, she looked up, into Sitter Mailli's gaze, her eyes catching the glint of the fire and throwing back it's fierce blaze at the beholder. "I look forward to our next meeting, Aes Sedai," she said formally, and straightened.
Turning finally aside, she took up a light grip on Mentiri's elbow, guiding him with her as she stepped up to the innkeeper. Asking for a private room where they could talk, and slipping a silver mark into his hand for the inconvenience, she strode to the quiet retreat.
She entered, closing the door after Mentiri had stepped nimbly in after her. She was still amazed at the skill he used doing such a simple task she took for granted. Taking a chair at the small table in the wooden room, she looked curiously at him, a touch impatient now that her questions were about to be answered.
"Well, Mentiri," she said casually, "What is so important that you must be alone to tell me?"
She leaned forward, anticipating his response.
xxxx
She nodded gravely as Mentiri spoke, sensing the sincerity in his words and nodding her acceptance. Some things were better off untold, and she was certain that this young man could judge such things with a suitable degree of discretion.
"I do not mind at all, Lavenda," she said with a smile which added weight to her words. "In fact, I will be more than glad for the chance to enjoy my glass of wine properly."
Her eyes followed the Maiden and the blind Warder as they crossed the room, spoke briefly with the innkeeper and whisked away down a back corridor. Jacquelynn had no intention of following them. Truth be told, there had been nothing hidden in her words, and a moment of relaxation would do her no harm at all!
If they are away too long, I can always return to the Tower, she assured herself, with a rather doubtful glance at the miserable weather outside!
xxxx
"Lavenda, it had been difficult tracking you down." Mentiri stood facing the young Aiel girl. She seemed so, fierce but so innocent at the same time. He was intrigued. "Accompany me outside." He turned and walked to the outside, which was still blazing with wet rain. It was heavy and soaking, but he needed her outside. He stepped outside into the cold, damp night's embrace and stood, awaiting her.
xxxx
Her attention peaked, Lavenda followed the fellow Warder outside. Carefully moving as to make minimal noise with her weapons, (what most thought of as no noise) she carefully stepped onto the damp stones of the street. She shifted slightly, adjusting the metal so only a small amount was exposed to the constant rain. Less rain, less rust. She smiled slightly to herself, almost leaning towards Mentiri in her eagerness. What could it possibly be? For the short time since she had come to recognize what that question could mean, it had eaten up almost all of her thoughts.
Rain dropped slowly on her head, then faster, as the storm heightened. She came to face him, meeting his 'gaze' squarely. She cocked her head to the side, an old habit she couldn't break. Her ears strained for the first sound of his words as all other noises were blotted out by the downpour. The rest of the world existed only in her imagination; the rain was all. It covered her in a sheet, shutting out everything. Everything, but Mentiri.
xxxx
"Dance with me." Mentiri said, flipping his sword, 'Song' from it's sheath. Its vibrant blue steal glowed from the very ruins of Rhuidean itself, and it hummed with life. He raised 'Song' in fighter's stance, awaiting Lavenda's retaliation.