Chapter Twenty-Seven: Old Home

"Trollocs!" Lan shouted as Alessia was already weaving to cast an air shield up as a few Trollocs came into view. Slamming their weapons against the shield. She saw Liandrin on her right come up next to her to reinforce her shield. Feeling their strengths combined as the shield held. Alanna and her warders shouted in some form of battle cry before lunging themselves forward into the fight. Alessia looked around her as Verin grabbed Moiraine as they made their way back to the house. Adeleas was weaving fire at the Trollocs. It seemed to be the most effective weapon against them.
"Hold!" Liandrin shouted at her as she nodded her head. It was their shield that was protecting everyone from any attacks that happened. Alanna was releasing energy from her weaves to send a few Trollocs flying.
"Should I help Alanna Sedai?" Alessia asked as Liandrin shook her head.
"No. I need you here helping me keep this shield up." Liandrin spoke. Seeing Adeleas and Alanna standing side by side as they weaved together. She was in awe seeing the sisters fight with each other against a common enemy. Lan, Owein, and Ihvon were fighting together with their weapons. She could hear thunder rumbling in the distance as a storm was picking up. It began to rain hard as the stench of the Trollocs hit her nose. She scrunched it up while holding her shield. It seemed the battle had died down since there were only a few Trollocs. Feeling her weave drop as did Liandrin's. Feeling out of breath as she felt a hand to her lower back. Her wife was standing next to her as she locked eyes with the woman in red.
"You did good. Your shield was perfect." Liandrin spoke as Alessia nodded her head again. Looking at Lan and Alanna were exchanging words.
"How did they find us?" Alessia asked as Alanna came up to them.
"No idea. We can't stay here. We have to move." The woman in green spoke. Alessia frowned at this. She had just gotten used to being here.
"I'll let Moiraine and Verin Sedai know." Alessia spoke as she bowed and took her leave. Her stomach was in knots and it did not feel good. Slowly walking up the hill as she felt a presence next to her. She felt her hand grabbed gently as she squeezed the familiar rough but gentle fingers intertwined with hers. Hearing the men grunt and talk among themselves as they were burning the bodies of the Trollocs. Her clothes and hair were now soaked as the storm had subsided. It was weird. The storm being here as the fight happened and gone when the fight was done.
"There has to be a Faceless or something nearby. They don't attack on their own." Alessia spoke softly as they reached the house. Verin was looking out the window to see if everyone was alright. No one was hurt.
"How did you know about that?" Liandrin asked.
"Moiraine explained it when the Trollocs chased us when we left the Two Rivers." Alessia spoke. They entered the house as Verin was looking at them for an answer.
"Everyone is alright. They are taking care of the mess." Liandrin explained as Moiraine pulled Alessia to the side into another room. Feeling her cheeks cup before a deep kiss.
"You alright my love?" Moiraine asked as Alessia nodded.
"Alanna Sedai said we have to leave." Alessia spoke as Moiraine nodded.
"Good idea. Come." The woman in blue spoke softly as she followed her back into the kitchen. It seemed like everyone was already there. Alessia was standing between the red and blue as Alanna spoke.
"It was an unusual attack tonight. I saw no Faceless or anything else." Alanna had her hand on her hip as both of her warders were standing on each side of her.
"We'll leave in the morning, first light. Pack your things. I'll send out letters in the meantime." Verin spoke as everyone nodded.

Alessia took her leave to the bedroom she was staying in. Packing her bag as it had some more clothes in it from Moiraine. Leaning against the dresser as she sighed. Crossing her arms while deep in thought. Not noticing that Liandrin had come into the room to grab her things. Feeling hands grab her arms gently to uncross her arms. Alessia was snapped back to reality and smiled weakly.
"You alright my flower?" Liandrin asked as Alessia nodded her head lightly. She grabbed Liandrin's hips gently and pulled her into a hug.
"Yes. Just. Wish I knew why the attack happened." Alessia spoke before pulling back. "We should get things packed." Alessia added as the woman in red nodded her head lightly. Alessia cupped the older woman's cheek and placed a gentle kiss upon her lips before grabbing her bag to put by the door.
"I need to speak to Adeleas Sedai." Alessia added before taking her leave from the room. Moiraine was in a different room. The library. She entered it and went to put the books she was reading up in the correct spot on the shelves.
"You alright?" Alessia asked as Moiraine looked up at her. Her face was didn't tell her much as the woman in blue nodded her head.
"Yes. Just trying to figure out why it happened." Moiraine spoke as she gathered up scrolls and stuff to move them around. Alessia's eyes caught something. It looked like a white rock on the table. Shrugging it off before taking her leave to find Adeleas. She found the woman in brown speaking to Verin who smiled as she entered the kitchen.
"Your shield was amazing Alessia dear." Verin spoke as she bowed to the woman.
"Thank you. Liandrin Sedai helped on that with hers." Alessia smiled. "Adeleas Sedai, should I leave the books here?" Alessia asked as Adeleas smiled and nodded her head.
"Yes. Except one. I'll grab it. We are going to Andor. There's a library there we can use." Adeleas spoke as she left. Alessia felt her heart race at this. 'Andor.' She thought while leaning against the counter. It would feel odd going back there again after everything that has happened.
"You have a sister there? For a place to study?" Alessia asked as Verin smiled again and shook her head.
"No. Your father left a home to you in his will. The Queen has the will until you can pick it up from her." Verin spoke.
"I thought I am not allowed to claim titles and what not?" Alessia asked with a confused look.
"You are correct on that. You can put the property under the White Tower. That way if any of our sisters need a place in Andor, your home will be their home as well while passing through." Verin spoke. Alessia nodded her head. She loved the idea of that. It was definitely something useful for the Aes Sedai to use while coming and going. This idea made her smile.
"Alright. I can get the documents taken care of and I'll hand it over to you." Alessia spoke as she bowed again before heading back to the room. Seeing both Moiraine and Liandrin in the same room on opposite sides. They kept glaring daggers at each other while finishing up packing.
"So, we are going to Andor." Alessia spoke softly. Feeling uneasy right now.
"I know." Moiraine spoke.
"Yes, where are you staying at my old…" Alessia cut herself off and frowned. She took a deep breath as it felt like someone stabbed her right in the heart. Feeling both of her shoulders touched as both of her lovers were standing on each side of her.
"I'll be fine." Alessia spoke and nodded her head once. "I have to speak to the Queen or the Steward about the deed of the home. I'm giving it to the White Tower." Alessia added as she grabbed her gown to change.
"I'm glad you are doing that." Moiraine spoke softly.
"If I want to become an Aes Sedai, I cannot own titles or land." Alessia spoke. She turned to face them. "Will you go with me?" Alessia asked as they both nodded. She smiled weakly and sat down on the bed.
"We should get some rest. Long journey tomorrow." She added while crawling into bed. There was silence but still tension in the air. Feeling both sides of her on the bed shifted as she curled up. One arm wrapped across her waist as the other across her chest. She smiled weakly as both of the women were on each side of her while drifting off to sleep.

Alessia tossed her bag onto the wagon along with the other stuff they packed. She took one last look at the home of the brown sisters before mounting her brown horse as they made their way down the road towards Andor. Hearing Alanna shout and laugh as she took the lead with her warders. Lan was at the back with Moiraine. Verin and Adeleas were in the front with Alanna. Alessia and Liandrin were sharing the horse as she was sitting behind the woman in red. She couldn't help but rest her head upon the older woman's back. She could feel Liandrin relax and felt the love coming from her. They stopped for the night as they made a small camp. Two tents for everyone. Alessia wasn't sure how this was going to work but she knew it was only temporarily.
"I'll fetch some firewood." Alessia spoke as Alanna nodded her head. The warders left to hunt for dinner. Humming softly as she didn't want to take off too far from camp. They were however not far from the road while in a wooded area. Making sure they were hidden. Hearing other voices across a river. Alessia hid behind a tree and looked. There was a White Cloaks camo nearby. She felt fear rise inside her as she turned her heels and ran. Seeing both Moiraine and Liandrin walking quickly over to her.
"What's wrong?" Liandrin asked first as Moiraine kept her blue eyes upon her.
"There's a White Cloak camp right on the other side of the river. They're too close." Alessia spoke. The two Sedai looked at each other before quickly packing up.
"We need to leave." Moiraine spoke to Verin who gave her a confused look.
"Why?" Adeleas asked as she came out from the tent. "I just set the beds up." She added with a frown.
"Alessia said she spotted a White Cloaks camp on the other side of the river." Moiraine replied. The look on both brown sister's faces told her everything she needed to know as she began to help pack.
"Alanna, call your warders back. We need to go." Verin spoke as Alanna nodded. She closed her eyes. Alessia was in awe at this. Wondering how long she had them with her.
"Can you speak to them?" Alessia asked as Alanna gave her a smile and nodded before helping Adeleas pack up the beds. She was setting things onto the wagon as her mind was blank. More like on autopilot.
"Hey." Moiraine spoke while cupping both of Alessia's cheeks to get her to focus. "Everything alright?" The woman in blue asked. Alessia nodded her head and smiled weakly.
"Yes, the quicker we move, the further away we can get from them." Alessia spoke as Moiraine nodded. She walked over and filled the hole in the ground back up as they were going to use for a campfire. Seeing Lan and the other two finally make it back with a few rabbits.
"Good thing you called. The White Cloaks are patrolling nearby." Ihvon spoke as she frowned and walked over to her horse and mounted as Liandrin held her hand out to help her up.
"Alright, let's move out." Alanna spoke. Wondering if they were just going to go straight to Andor. Knowing it would take over a day's journey if the horses didn't tire out. She did learn a trick from Moiraine after leaving the Two Rivers the first time.

"Switch me places. You need rest." Alessia spoke as Liandrin nodded her head. She dismounted as did the woman in red before she hoped back onto the reins. Offering her hand as it was taken. She felt arms snake around her waist as Liandrin rested her head against her back. She held onto one hand to make sure she wouldn't fall off as she finally fell asleep.
"We'll travel straight there." Verin spoke as Alessia nodded her head. Caressing Liandrin's arm with her hand.
"If we keep up the pace, we can make it there in two days perhaps?" Moiraine asked. Alessia raised a brow at this. There was no way they could?
"I thought we were days out from Andor?" Alessia asked. Obviously she needed to redo her geography.
"Well, we are days away. If the horses don't tire out." Adeleas spoke. Alessia was still confused but she shrugged it off. It would take days to get there. Assuming they would get there with no trouble.
"I wish horses could survive the Ways." Alessia sighed at this as they stopped. She looked up as Verin looked at her before looking at Adeleas.
"You think maybe?" Adeleas asked as Verin seemed to be in thought. Alessia gently tapped Liandrin's arm to wake her up.
"Are we stopping?" Liandrin asked as Verin shook her head.
"No, Alessia gave us an idea. We can get there tomorrow if no trouble happens. We'll have to send the horses back. We can carry everything." Verin spoke.
"There's a gate not too far from here as well." Adeleas added. They all dismounted while arriving at the gate. Alessia held her hand up for Liandrin who took it with a smile and hoped down.
"Let's do this!" Ihvon shouted as Alanna chuckled. Alessia grabbed the bags off of the horse as she pushed him away. Knowing he will find his way back to the Tower. Seeing the horses gone as well as the wagon. The men chattering away.

"Alessia. Want to open the gate?" Verin asked as Alessia set the bags down and nodded her head. She walked up the steps and closed her eyes as she began to channel. Making sure she took her time to get the weave correct. It seemed to come to her easy as she moved her hands quickly and moved her hand forward. Opening the gate perfectly. Hearing some clapping as she felt a hand pat her back."
"Who taught you?" Adeleas asked as Alessia smiled.
"Moiraine Sedai." Alessia replied to the woman with a smile.
"I'm glad she found you and the other two. Come along!" Verin spoke while she took the lead. She went and grabbed the bags and took the one from Liandrin who gave her a raised brow before following the others in last. The gate closed as soon as she walked in. Seeing the torches lit.
"You know the way?" Moiraine asked as Verin nodded her head. Alessia uneasy as the last time she was in here did not exactly bring any good memories. The only person who noticed was Liandrin who took her hand to squeeze it. It seemed Moiraine was distracted as her eyes met the blue of the red ajah.
"Sorry. Last time we came through here. Machin Shin." Alessia spoke as the older woman nodded her head. She took a deep breath and followed. It was very dark inside the Ways as Verin was in the front with Moiraine and Lan. Alanna with her warders in the center. Alessia was bringing up the rear with Liandrin.
"We should be arriving outside of Andor, Few miles from the city." Adeleas spoke as Alessia nodded her head.
"We shall rest here for the night. Long walk tomorrow." Alanna spoke while setting down her bag. Alessia sighed a relief and set her bag down as well. She immediately laid her head down on the bag as she fell right asleep. Hearing the others talk among themselves. Liandrin was sitting up while running her fingers through Alessia's hair.
"Get some rest. I'll take the first shift." Lan's voice was soft and quiet. Alanna seemed to be wide awake while setting up a small fire to cook the rabbits. Alessia felt her stomach growl and turned onto her side. Ignoring the chuckles from her wife.
"Someone's hungry." Liandrin spoke.
"Shhh." Alessia spoke while putting a finger to her lips and smiled. She was but she wasn't going to eat. She was very tired. The sounds droned on as it soon went silent as she was now asleep.

She felt soft warm lips against her forehead as she shifted a little. She opened her eyes and realized her arms and legs were tangled with Liandrin's. She smiled and leaned in to give the woman she loves a few kisses before leaning up to stretch. It seemed everyone had passed out. Moiraine was behind her. Pressed against her. She smiled and traced a finger across Moiraine's cheek before leaning in to give her several kisses. There it was. That smile she loved. Moiraine mumbled softly before opening her eyes.
"Hello beautiful." Alessia spoke softly in Moiraine's ear before leaning back against Liandrin who held her close.
"We should get everyone up." Moiraine spoke while sitting up. Alessia nodded her head lightly. She wanted to stay like this for a little longer but it was dangerous in the area they were in.
"I agree." Liandrin spoke. Giving Alessia a quick kiss before walking over to where Verin and Adeleas were sleeping. Moiraine took advantage of this and pulled Alessia into a hug and kissed her deeply before standing up to head over to Alanna. Alessia blinked a couple times before standing up to wake up Lan. He jumped up with a dagger.
"Everything okay?" He asked as Alessia chuckled lightly and nodded her head. She grabbed the bags and followed the brown sisters as they continued on their journey. Lan and Moiraine were bringing up the rear. She kept looking over her shoulder to the woman in blue who was talking to Lan in a hushed voice.
"Typical blue." Liandrin spoke as Alessia nudged her wife. Giving her a look. "Sorry." She spoke while taking a bag from Alessia to lighten her load.
I am actually looking forward to seeing the library again to be honest. Been a long time." Alessia spoke. She was finally over the fear of what had happened.
"I'm not letting you out of my sight." Liandrin warned with a look. Alessia faced her wife and smiled before following the line across a small bridge as they came to a gate. Seeing Verin open the gate with ease. Some day she would be able to just open it like that. She was the last one to exit while Verin closed the gate. Breathing in the fresh air before she began to walk. Seeing the gates to Andor ahead. It still seemed like a far walk. Seeing Alanna stop as Alessia caught up to her.
"How about a song?" Alanna asked Alessia as she felt a nudge from the battle ajah.
"Um. What do you have in mind, Alanna Sedai?" Alessia asked. She was smiling at the woman in green.
"Which one is your favorite?" Alanna asked. Alessia thought for a moment. Feeling both blue eyes on her.
"Old Tongue or common?" Alessia asked as Alanna smiled.
"Old Tongue sounds better." The woman in green spoke. She was not wrong about that. Alessia cleared her throat.

Drein drein,
Aleika danila
Ta'an veren
Keymari sorbe

Kutyalot druna tirast
(shadarinya shai'zamon)
Ethen souvra claddin
(shadarinya shai'zamon)

Frenyanu bat zavilat
(shadarinya shai'zamon)
Ortu, ayende ghobaya
(shadarinya shai'zamon)

It seemed Alanna knew this song as well as her warders as they sang the chorus part of it. Alessia was blushing at this. This was the first time she had actually sung in front of others since that day as they traveled to the Tower. She was looking down as Alanna sang another song. Feeling Moiraine's hand on her lower back as she looked at the women in blue.
"That was beautiful, Lessy." She spoke softly as Alessia smiled.
"Thank you." Alessia replied while looking back down at her feet as they walked on. She loved hearing that nickname that Moiraine gave her. Feeling her back rubbed as Moiraine went back to speaking with Lan about her studies. Liandrin was now at her side as they continued on walking. Feeling their hands brush against each other. She took the older woman's hand into her own since they were in the back of the line. She kept looking over and smiling. Still having those butterflies. This woman in red was and still is everything to her.
"Any more dreams?" Liandrin asked as Alessia shook her head.
"No." She replied.
"You'd tell me right?" Liandrin asked as Alessia nodded.
"No secrets or lies between us my love." Alessia smiled as she felt her hand squeezed.
"And no masking. Anymore." Liandrin added. This made Alessia's heart swell. Seeing Moiraine look over her shoulder and smile at her. Alessia caught the blue eyes with her own and returned the smile.
"Almost there!" Alanna shouted. Verin nodded her head before speaking.
"We'll stay at a tavern for the night." Verin spoke.
"I'll speak with the Steward as soon as we arrive." Alessia spoke.
"You need rest and need to eat." Liandrin spoke.
"I'm alright." Alessia spoke.
"That wasn't up for discussion." Liandrin added with a look. Alessia gulped and nodded her head. They arrived finally as Alessia let out a sigh of relief as they entered the city. There has been no change since she was last there. Maybe different people and market places. She was looking around at the tall buildings as the banners were hanging everywhere. She felt Liandrin guide her to the tavern. It felt weird being back in Andor.
"Welcome Aes Sedai! We will have a couple rooms opened here in a moment." The keeper spoke as she left upstairs. Alessia was looking around hearing voices. It was something she was getting used to by now. Many did not trust the Aes Sedai, even in the city.
"You alright?" Moiraine asked as Alessia nodded. Hearing footsteps from the stairs.
"How many rooms?" The woman asked.
"Three if that's alright?" Verin asked as the woman nodded. "We will only require just the night and then we will be out of your hair." Verin added. Alessia could hear whispers as she tilted her head to hear.
"Heard they are here for the daughter-heir?" A man asked.
"No. I heard she has a private tutor." A woman whispered.
"That Accepted lady looks familiar. Could she be?" Another woman asked. Alessia looked towards the voices.
"Shit! She heard. Shush!" The woman added. Alessia followed the others up the stairs.
"Lan, Moiraine, Alessia, Liandrin in one room. Alanna and your men in one. Verin and I will be in the other." Adeleas spoke as they all nodded. Alessia followed Moiraine into the room. There were two beds. She set the bag down and fixed her hair before turning to head out.
"Where are you going?" Moiraine asked as Alessia raised a brow.
"Need to get the documents taken care of." She spoke.
"You need to eat first. I hate to agree with Liandrin but she's right." Moiraine spoke as Alessia gasped and placed a hand over her chest.
"I never thought I would live to see this day." Alessia spoke as Moiraine ignored her remark as she sat down on the bed. Lan was looking out the window. Liandrin was sitting on the other bed while sorting stuff out.

There was a knock on the door as Alessia answered it.
"Dinner downstairs." Alanna spoke as Alessia nodded. She took her leave to follow the woman in green. Seeing a man in black hand Alanna a note before taking his leave. Raising a brow at the battle ajah as she only smiled while taking a seat. Alessia sat down as red and blue on both of her sides. Both brown sisters were already eating. Alessia took a drink from her cup and coughed.
"What is this?" She asked as she had a disgusted face on.
"It's ale dear. Best get used to it." Verin chuckled at her.
"The Steward will meet you first thing tomorrow. He'll bring the deed." Alanna spoke as she was reading from the note before pocketing it. Alessia nodded her head while eating her food from her plate. She was silent while the others were chattering. She finished and grabbed her plate and excused herself. Giving the bartender her plate and cup with a bow. She turned to head outside of the tavern. She leaned against the wall outside. Taking in a few breaths of air. Feeling something crawl on her arm. It was a black spider. About the size of a mark. She let it crawl onto her other hand. The spider didn't seem too bad as she was letting it crawl from one hand to the other. The spider was a little bigger than her thumb. For some odd reason, she was now fascinated with it. Hearing a voice cleared her throat as she looked up to see Liandrin looking at her with her arms crossed.
"Sorry. Wanted some fresh air." Alessia spoke as she placed the spider on the windowsill.
"My flower, we have had plenty of fresh air today." Liandrin spoke while grabbing Alessia's arm to bring her back inside the tavern. It was, after all, getting dark again. She followed her wife back up the stairs into their room. Moiraine and Lan were already inside. It seemed Moiraine had changed while getting into the bed she was sharing with Lan. The beds were too small for three so they split. Alessia moved Liandrin in front of her as she changed. Not wanting to make Lan uncomfortable.
"Please. You're so modest." Lan chuckled as Alessia raised a brow at him.
"He knows." Moiraine spoke.
"About what?" Alessia asked.
"The three of us." Moiraine replied as she nodded her head. Alessia then took a spot on the other bed as the woman in red changed and took the spot furthest away from Moiraine. Seeing the woman in blue walk over to her, cupping her cheeks before giving her a kiss then a hug. Alessia smiled. She then laid down watching Moiraine change as she blushed from this. Feeling a finger against her chin as she was forced to look at her wife. She shifted on the bed to lay on her side. Facing Liandrin who was now caressing her cheek. Giving the woman in red a few kisses before burying her face against her wife's chest. Tangling their legs. Arms sliding around her middle. She held Liandrin close.

Hearing a knock on the door as it opened and closed.
"Wakey wakey." Alanna's voice came as she gently touched Alessia's cheek. She mumbled lightly as Alanna cupped her cheeks and kissed her lips fully.
"Alanna Sedai!" Alessia spoke as she jumped up from the bed. Staggering a little.
"What? I told you! Also, loosen up a little!" Alanna chuckled as Alessia was now red faced. Liandrin was glaring at her as Moiraine chuckled a little.
"Come downstairs. The Steward is waiting." Alanna spoke as Alessia nodded. She grabbed a clean Accepted dress to change into before going down the stairs. She saw a man in nice looking dress robes.
"Ah, you are Alessia Solstice? Heir of the Solstice House?" The man asked. She nodded and bowed to him.
"I do not claim titles or anything. I am training to become an Aes Sedai." She spoke.
"Well, since you are not fully one, you can claim the deed and sign it over to Verin Sedai for the White Tower to claim it." The man spoke as Alessia nodded her head again.
"We just need to check for identity." The man spoke as Alessia raised a brow at him. "There should be a crescent moon birthmark on the right side of your head behind your ear." The man spoke as he moved her hair to the side. Alessia was confused. She was never told about a birthmark. Moiraine had come down the stairs.
"She has it. It's light pink and small." Moiraine spoke as Alessia gave the woman in blue a look.
"Ah yes. There it is. All is in order. Just sign these and have Verin Sedai sign them as well." He pointed as she was handed a quill. She signed the parchment papers as did Verin. She handed the deed over to the woman in brown and smiled.
"There is also this. Small part of your fortune. The rest is in the vault." The man handed her a heavy coin purse.
"Use it to furnish the home. There are nine rooms. Make one the color of each ajah." Alessia spoke as the man nodded and bowed. Taking the currency from her.
"We shall get it furnished right away and today. Here are the keys." He spoke before taking his leave. This felt odd. Giving her home over to the White Tower for the Aes Sedai to use. "I will get these documents in for the Tower. We shall head over." Verin spoke as she left. Alessia nodded and then turned to face Moiraine.
"I never knew about the mark." She spoke as Moiraine smiled at her.
"I did. That night together." Moiraine spoke softly as she pushed hair behind Alessia's ear before taking her leave upstairs. Alessia followed and entered the room to pack her clothes.
"Liandrin?" Alessia asked as the woman in red looked from the window to her.
"Hmm?" She asked.
"Did you know about my birthmark behind my ear?" Alessia asked while crossing her arms.
"I did." Liandrin smiled while walking over to her. Kissing behind her right ear. Alessia sighed and shook her head as both of her lovers were laughing as they took their leave to the house the Tower now owned. Humming softly as they made their way out of the Tavern. Alanna paid for their rooms before taking the lead. The walk wasn't long as they stopped in front of a white marble house that was large. Alessia looked at it. There were men going in and out of the house as it was now getting furnished. She had hoped there would be food placed into the house as well. If not, she wouldn't mind going to the markets to get food for them. After all, she knew where the markets were when she was a child. They rebuilt the house in hope she would return one day. Taking in a deep breath before she entered her old home.