Lavenda sat with her legs crossed at the same table as the previous night, the greyish light of pre-dawn gently filtering through the half-closed shutters. Her few small bags stood propped against her chair, containing all she owned and needed. Her weapons, those she didn't carry on her person, stood against the wall next to her bags.
She leaned back in her chair, quietly ignoring the few serving girls flitting around the tables and between the kitchen, getting the patrons breakfast ready. A steaming mug of hot tea stood in front of her, untouched. Despite the delicious smells beginning to come from the kitchen, Lavenda stayed deep in her thoughts. She had eaten, quickly, this morning after she had packed.
She had talked to Mentiri briefly already, and he had agreed to the Violet Sitter, surprising her. Life was full of surprises lately. All that was left now was to leave. And they to arrive. Picking up the still-hot mug, she sipped, glancing over the rim at the door, and absently fingering her belt knife. The door opened, and Lavenda sat quickly up.
xxxx
In all honesty, the Violet Sitter had barely slept at all, only moving towards her bed when her eyes refused to remain open a moment longer. Such spur of the moment decisions were most uncharacteristic. Jacquelynn had certainly shocked the rest of her ajah with her declaration that she might be making a journey to Rhuidean with a pair of Warders. Everything had been left in Reth's hands. The other Aes Sedai was newly raised to the position of Sitter, but Jacquelynn was confident that she could handle matters. Of course, there had not been the slightest complaint from her Sisters - several had requested to accompany her! - for the Violet Ajah could not afford to pass up an opportunity such as this for anything short of Tarmon Gai'don.
Fortunately, her habit of waking at dawn stayed, despite the fact that she had only slept for a couple of hours. Being brought up on a farm where the work started before the sun rose had helped there, she supposed, and Aes Sedai could go for less sleep than most. Even so, Jacquelynn was surprised that she didn't feel more exhausted!
Realizing that she would be late if she delayed at all, the Violet Sister dressed quickly in the simplest of green dresses, built for hard wear and traveling. She had several others like it already stowed in her saddle bags, along with some water, a notepad and writing materials. The Aes Sedai wasn't sure how much time they would have in Rhuidean, if indeed they actually visited it, but she intended to make detailed notes of everything she saw if she had the time.
Locking her door carefully, she made her way down to the stables without a backwards glance. At first, she had had reservations about taking a horse to the Waste, but a couple of Green Sisters had told her she would never keep up with an Aiel Warder without one, and Jacquelynn had seen the logic in this. She didn't have a horse of her own for she left the White Tower only very rarely, but was certain that she could borrow one from the large stables with little difficulty.
Her guess was correct for it took only a few moments for a stable boy to saddle up a handsome dark bay for her, no questions asked. Taking the reigns, the Sitter didn't bother to mount up for the Lester's Jesting was only a couple of minutes walk away. Instead, she led the docile horse to the front of the inn and tied him to the rail outside before pushing the door open.
The common room was all but empty at this hour, and it wasn't hard to locate Lavenda, especially as she was sitting at the same table as yesterday. With a smile, Jacquelynn moved over to the Gaidar.
"I hope I haven't kept you waiting, Lavenda. Have you spoken with Mentiri yet?"
xxxx
Mentiri walked the streets of Tar Valon all night after his battle with Lavenda. She had impressed him, and he was sure that the journey in the waste would not be uneventful. He regretted his agreement to allow the accompaniment of the Aes Sedai; she was not needed on this. She was also of the Violet Ajah, probably only wants to study and take the things there. What a mockery. Mentiri felt obligated to let her come, but was willing to have her join us.
Aes Sedai could help here, although it is not the White Towers place to intervene this time. The Aeil need no politics or twisting of words and promises.
He stopped just before entering the Lester's Jesting and looked to the windows. He found there to be a small crowd, just like he had expected. Hopefully the Aes Sedai didn't run her mouth off to all the other sister's about where she was going, I don't want any followers. Mentiri entered the Lester's Jesting and felt the young Aiel sitting across from the Aes Sedai and crossed the room to stand next to Lavenda.
"Have you both eaten?" he asked.
xxxx
Lavenda looked at the Violet sister, considering. She did look like she was ready for travel... and now that she was out of her fine silks, she looked quite capable.
"Yes, I have spoken with Mentiri," she told the Sister. "You might be pleased to know that he said you could come," she informed her. And surprised... But how much of that willingness was obligatory?
She fell silent as the door opened again, and Mentiri stepped through. He gracefully stepped around the tables, weaving deftly to the strange pair.
She noticed a strange distaste on Mentiri's face when he 'looked' in the direction of the Sitter. Of course. He probably knows what the Violet does... and why she must want to come. No matter. The Aiel did not stand for Aes Sedai long; they had their Wise Ones, who quickly informed any stray Aes Sedai of their place in the Three-fold Land.
"Have you both eaten?" he asked. Lavenda nodded her confirmation.
"Yes," she informed him. Standing and stooping to scoop up her packs, she paused, turning slightly to the Aes Sedai. "Have you?" she asked pointedly. Things between these two could get off to a very rocky start if this first encounter today went badly.
She trusted the Aes Sedai, but Mentiri... she didn't know about him. Hopefully, she hadn't blurted where she was going to all her friends; or at least told them to stay behind. As much as she liked Sitter Mailli, she wouldn't hesitate to leave her side if she found a crowd of Violets following.
She looked at the Sitter, hoping for the right answer.
xxxx
Lavenda barely had time to answer her before the door opened again to admit Mentiri. It seemed that he had agreed to her company, although the look on his face said otherwise. Jacquelynn was unfazed. She had spent far too long under the shawl and ring to care what people thought of her, or her ajah's work. If Mentiri didn't appreciate her presence and wished to journey with Lavenda alone, then he had every right to say so.
Having said that, since he had told the Gaidar that she could come, Jacquelynn did not intend on giving up so soon. A word is as good as a man's honour these days, and things in Tar Valon might be uncomfortable for him if he went back on it. Of course, she appreciated the need for privacy, and was quite happy to ride some distance from the pair of Warders if need be, and sleep away from them at night. I am not here to play Daes Dae'mar or cause trouble; just to find some ter'angreal, which belonged to the Aes Sedai in the first place anyway! Something about the story of the Jenn Aiel, and how they had apparently "failed" the Aes Sedai reached out to her. It sounded almost too much like a story to be real, yet the incredible tale was real, and every Brown and Violet Sister knew it like the back of their own hand, or better!
Seeing no reason to push for ill will, she kept her voice as warm as it usually was - still lacking in the Aes Sedai tones, even after all these years! - and replied to Mentiri and Lavenda's question.
"I had a bite to eat sometime last night, although I suspect it might well have been this morning. I can eat on the way, if you wish to leave straight away?" she said pleasantly.
xxxx
Lavenda let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding, sighing with relief. So far so good. She continued the motion, grabbing her bags, and straightened, smoothing her clothes. She shouldered her packs, then paused once more, glancing at Mentiri. Should she just continue on outside? Or would Mentiri pause for the Aes Sedai's meal?
Lavenda could feel a headache coming on.
This was going to be complicated.
xxxx
"We must be traveling soon, Aes Sedai. I would have rather left last night. Eat if you must, but we must hurry." Mentiri swung 'Song' down from his shoulder and leaned on its massive hilt and blade.
She waved a hand, vaguely suggesting a negative and shook her head in a more definite sign.
"I have a few provisions in my saddle bags. It is well for me to eat on the way, if you wish it so." she said simply, and turned towards the door, imagining that Lavenda and Mentiri would want to start out as soon as possible. It certainly seemed like it anyways!
The Violet Sitter eyed their weapons for a moment, surprised to see that Mentiri carried a sword, for he appeared as though he came from the Gaidar's land. Questions for later, she supposed, before reprimanding herself for her curiosity, although it was all but a requirement in her ajah!
Of course, the Aes Sedai knew that Warders were always well armed, but she found herself wondering anyway, and as they moved towards the door of the inn, she asked "Do you expect trouble, where we go?"
xxxx
She laughed, making her voice light as she stepped quickly to the door.
"Expect trouble? I always do. I believe that's why I'm still alive..." she gazed at her two companions.
"I believe that's why any of us are still alive." Laughing again to take the edge off her dark words, she swung open the heavy oak door of the tavern and inn, walking outside.
"Besides, I always carry my weapons wherever I go." she informed the Sitter. That was another thing to consider. Should she continue using her formal title? Lavenda sighed.
She twisted, securing her weapons so they wouldn't rattle while she ran. Bending over to double check her soft boots she directed a soft question at Mentiri.
"Are we expecting trouble?" she asked in a voice that didn't carry.
She still didn't have answers to her many questions, but that could wait. It was easy for her to talk while she ran. While she waited, she swung her head around, trying to see if Mentiri had a horse, while the Aes Sedai readied hers.
xxxx
"Are we expecting trouble?"
Mentiri continued to walk to the outskirts of town, hoping the Aes Sedai was keeping up. Wouldn't it be best if she didn't? Mentiri thought, I hope she is prepared for dangerous grounds and dagger-lined paths ahead, there are everything from giant serpents to abandoned traps lying in wait for us where we head. Rhuidean better not be her only reason for traveling with us. I hope they are both prepared.
"Yes, Lavenda, there will be much trouble." Mentiri stopped, waiting for the Aes Sedai to catch up. He turned to the young Aeil girl and smiled.
"I think you will do fine."
xxxx
"Yes, Lavenda, there will be much trouble."
"I think you will do fine."
Lavenda smiled at the praise. That meant a lot, coming from such a hardened man as Mentiri. Glancing back at the Aes Sedai, she grinned broadly. A disconcerted look on her face showed her frustration at being excluded from their conversation, held carefully in check. This Aes Sedai kept her emotions more on the surface than others she had met.
"I am glad you think so," she told Mentiri as they reached the limits of the city. Their pace was wide, eating ground quickly, and forcing the horse to trot. Gladly noting her equipment was making no sound, she continued.
"Is it too soon to ask why we are going so quickly? To somewhere with so much trouble?" she asked guardedly, cautious that she might be asking too much. Again, she glanced back, making sure the space between the Aes Sedai was just enough that she couldn't hear them if they were quiet.
xxxx
"Is it too soon to ask why we are going so quickly? To somewhere with so much trouble?"Mentiri laughed at the young Aiel girl. He stooped to whisper in her ear.
"You will not have to ask me that once we are there." He raised himself up and placed his gruff hands against her shoulders. He smiled.
xxxx
Lavenda sighed aloud. She should have expected an answer like that. Of course she wouldn't have to ask him where they were going when they got there... But how was it amusing?
Shooting him an annoyed, pouty look, she tried to look stern, but it quickly dissolved into a grin. She swung an arm around Mentiri's shoulders- and unusual thing for her, to reach upwards- and looked into his face.
"You are a strange man."
With that, she doubled up, laughing.
Her privacy gone, she slowed the pace slightly, letting the horse catch up. Watching the Sitter eat delicately, she bit her lip, trying not to keep gasping for air.
Her giggles gone, she walked on with ease, aiming an occasional grin at Mentiri. What was so funny before? she wondered, then quickly stopped to keep from snickering.
xxxx
All Mentiri saw was the darkness, but Lavenda's laughter was enough to make him see the happiness left in the world. He felt her looking at him at times, and he would always smile every time he sensed her eyes upon him. He sensed the sitter behind them still, fueling her stomach. I can't blame her for wanting food. Mentiri touched where his eyes used to see, and thought of how treacherous the day had been when he had lost his sight. If I could cry I would. He thought, stopping again for the sitter to catch up.
xxxx
Lavenda looked up at the Aes Sedai, watching her steadily eat. She, herself, found it hard to eat such a lot at once; she usually ate small bits often. She looked again at Mentiri, surprised to find him touching the black bandage stretched across his face. She often wondered how he must look with it off- did he still have his eyes? What colour would they be? Or would they have colour...
It must irk him, being eyeless like those he so despises, she thought, gazing at him. Shaking her head to clear such dark thoughts, she looked up again at the Aes Sedai, studying her. Placing her hand on the stirrup so she would stay level, she slowly patted the animal's neck, stroking the soft hair absently. She bent to look around the neck at Mentiri, then realized it didn't matter if she was in view of him. Laughing at herself, she phrased a question.
"How long do you think it will take to... get wherever we're going?" she wondered aloud.
She laughed at her own joke, her voice breaking the silence that had fallen over the trio. Grabbing a lock of her copper hair, she fiddled with it, waiting for his witty answer.