The forest that they traversed was covered by a thick canopy of leaves, unusual so far north, where the trees were normally more straggly. Still, it didn't bother her too much. If a woman could survive the test for Accepted and Aes Sedai intact, then a dark forest was unlikely to frighten them.
For a few moments, she closed her eyes, convinced that her horse would be able to follow Mentiri's lead for a few moments without her aide. The lack of her primary sense allowed her to focus more accurately on what her other senses told her, and Jacquelynn found herself able to make out the individual cries of some of the birds in the forest. Of course, many of them were foreign to her untrained ears, but she picked out several, and noted them down. True, she was no Brown Sister, but she had grown up in the countryside, and such things had always been close to her.
Opening her eyes once more, she made a couple of rough sketches, detailing some of the trees that she had not seen before, deciding to inquire of the Brown Sisters what species they were. Someday, my curiosity will doubtless be the death of me...!
Lavenda and Mentiri walked on ahead, their footsteps so quiet that she could barely hear them, especially compared with the way her horse kicked up the leaves and dust scattered on the ground, disturbing small animals and insects as she went.
Idly, she wondered how far they would be going today, but decided against asking. It seemed to her that there were unspoken words between the two Aiel people, and she had no wish to interfere. I am merely a spectator here. Until we which Rhuidean, that is. Besides, she did not wish to make him stop earlier than he had planned. Surprisingly, she found herself enjoying the journey more than she had anticipated. It was so long since she had been away from the Tower...
xxxx
The day progressed smoothly, the group making mild and witty chat. Sometime towards the night Mentiri spoke,
"Here is a fine place for you to rest. But we may only rest three hours for now, we have much earth to travel." He set down his sword, 'Song' and pulled off his jet black cloak. He could hear a stream nearby. I could use a nice bathe! I haven't had one since I left for the Tower, I must smell like an ox. He heard Lavenda walking around the campsite. Ha, she didn't help my smell much, making that fight so difficult! he laughed aloud and removed his gloves and boots, walking towards the rushing stream.
xxxx
They halted within the forest, settling for awhile. Only three hours... The Aes Sedai would defiantly be tried on this journey. Noting that Mentiri was off to a stream- presumably to wash up- she sat, cross-legged, and began sharpening her spears. They were too dull after her match with Mentiri- smashing them against the stones wasn't that good for the metal. Taking out a smooth stone and a polishing cloth, she bent over her work carefully, eyeing Jacquellynn from the corners of her eyes. The Aes Sedai didn't look tired, but appearances could be deceiving.
After a few minutes had passed- and her spears were razor sharp- she stood, leaving her weapons in a neat pile. She picked up her water skin, collecting Mentiri's as well, along with the spares in her packs. Asking the Aes Sedai for her bottle, she trotted off to the stream, carefully choosing a spot away from Mentiri might be.
She knelt by the water, filling the skins from the sparkling, cool water. Splashing her face and quickly scrubbing it, she walked back to their temporary camp, towing the water. Restless, she sat again, setting herself to the task of sharpening her arrowheads.
They were going over the Spine, that she knew now. She would need every one of her weapons if she was to live- or keep the Aes Sedai alive. She was beginning to understand- not agree with, but defiantly understand- Mentiri's view that Aes Sedai would be a hindrance.
xxxx
Jacquelynn murmured her thanks as Lavenda offered to refill her water bottle for her before settling back down to finish off her notes for the day. The countryside they were traversing wasn't particularly picturesque, but there was enough to keep her interested. The Light knows, I managed to find plenty to do on a farm in Ghealdan for fifteen years!
She closed her notebook and carefully resealed her ink pot, replacing her writing materials in her saddle bag. Carefully, she removed her bay gelding's saddle to give the animal a little more comfort, however brief it might be.
The Violet Sister propped the saddle up against one of the trees and leaned up against it quite contentedly and then proceeded to rummage around in her saddle bags for a little bread which she ate dry, leaving it out in case Lavenda or Mentiri wanted any when they returned.
Idly, she wondered what all the rush was about. Of course, Jacquelynn knew very little about the reasons for this journey, but she supposed that asking couldn't hurt, and decided to when either of the Aiel returned.
Lavenda was back first, and settled down with her weapons. It appeared that she was sharpening, but Jacquelynn knew little of weapons, never having done more than look at anything larger than a belt knife. Crossing her legs beneath her to make herself a little more comfortable, Jacquelynn turned her face towards the Gaidar.
"Tell me, Lavenda, do you know why Mentiri is in such a rush? Why is it that he wants across the Spine?"
xxxx
Lavenda heard Jacquelynn shifting, then she spoke. "Tell me, Lavenda, do you know why Mentiri is in such a rush? Why is it that he wants across the Spine?"
Lavenda rose her head gracefully, hands still holding her arrows and polishing tools. She smiled slightly, biting her lower lip. Looking gravely at the Aes Sedai, she spoke.
"To tell the truth, Jacquelynn Sedai," she said, her head cocked to one side, thinking, "I don't know."
"He said I would learn more this morning but..." She glanced meaningfully at the darkening sky, then where Mentiri had disappeared. "I haven't learned anything yet."
"I hope to find out when he comes back, or a little later," she told the sitting Aes Sedai.
"I'm guessing it's extremely important, though," she said, frowning at the bushes, "Or he wouldn't risk crossing the Spine."
"People have died doing so," she informed the Aes Sedai, "If they don't perish in the Three-fold Land later."
xxxx
Mentiri let the cool water rush past his knees and splashed it into his face with his hands, knowing his inner wounds would be refreshed with splendor and a desire to move on. He stood nude in the river, the air tickling his body and his dead eyes socking in the heard image. It must look beautiful, with the trees moving slightly and the winds complimenting...so lovely. Mentiri stayed in the stream longer than he had intended, maybe an hour. He stood on the side of the bank and let the air dry him off, contemplating how long it would take them to track all the way over the spine and into the waste. "I should have brought a towel!" Mentiri laughed as he still stood there naked, wishing the air would move just a little faster. Traveling light isn't always the best thing I suppose!
xxxx
Jacquelynn nodded slightly in response to Lavenda's comments. This Mentiri truly was an enigma, and it seemed the Maiden found him likewise, although it didn't appear to bother the Aiel woman. It was always hard to read the people from the other side of the Spine, though, so she didn't know if her estimation was correct.
I have been Aes Sedai too long. Accustomed to knowing what I want, when I want and how it want. The shawl has changed me greatly. The Violet Sitter decided to do her best not to be nosey. After all, it really wasn't any of her business, and if she expected other people to observe her privacy then she should do the same for them. Besides, she was willing to put up with almost anything to reach those ter'angreal. Anything that would give them the edge in the Last Battle would need careful study before it could be used safely, and for that, the Violet Sisters needed time. The sooner we can find objects of the power, the better.
The Gaidar and the Aes Sedai conversed lightly for a while longer, until Jacquelynn eventually glanced up at the sky. Mentiri still had not returned, and time was certainly moving on now. What on earth could he be doing?
She glanced quizzically towards Lavenda once more.
"Mentiri has been gone a long time." she said neutrally.
xxxx
"Mentiri has been gone a long time," the Aes Sedai commented. Lavenda layed back before answering, settling in the long grass and pulling a stalk, setting it between her teeth.
"I suppose he has," she answered nonchalantly, chewing the blade of grass. She looked up through the branches of the gently swaying trees at the sky, noting how clear it was. That was good. There would probably be no snowstorms on the Spine, then.
She sat up as the leaves rustled, a small twig cracking. The direction Mentiri had gone in- was he back? Placing a hand on a freshly sharpened knife just in case, she glanced towards the Aes Sedai, then the bush.
"Mentiri?" she called, slightly tense, for some strange reason she couldn't fathom. These woods gave her the creeps.
xxxx
Mentiri heard something, coming from the east of him. Is it just the Aes Sedai or Lavenda? I cannot sense a single source of the energy their body gives off. They are not close enough yet. Blood and Ashes! Mentiri was pretty positive it was just one of the two women, but he wasn't completely convinced. He had been attacked by a group of thieves and renegade soldiers on his way to the White Tower. He crept from the water, his body dripping and stinging in the cold air. Oh why did I place my clothes so many paces away? Mentiri laughed lightly, raising 'Song' to strike whatever evil approached him, if it be evil indeed.