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DRAGONMOUNT

A WHEEL OF TIME COMMUNITY

Return to Responsibility ((ATTN: Arath))


Kura

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Sereth stood before the Inn, motionless and his eyes closed. His freshly cleaned and pressed coat lying still in the absence of a breeze. The stitching up the side seemed to weigh a thousand stone. I wonder if this will be the last day I wear this coat? He had been newly raised to his rank when he set out to find his old mentor, and with the time he’d spent gone he wouldn’t be surprised if the Storm Leader decided against him keeping his advanced rank. You had a good reason, and then another. He will understand. He opened his eyes, watching the men move around him, most with a look of confusion. He couldn’t find many familiar faces, but those he did welcomed him with a friendly nod. Most just looked with confusion. He wasn’t surprised; he’d always known his commanders on the farm.

 

He took a moment to consider that. How could he lead these men to battle, when so many did not recognize him? Was he to rely on others vouching for him or the embroidery on his coat? No, I won’t be that man. I’ll show them I earned it. Sereth felt a renewed sense of determination at the thought. He wanted to lead these men, to be an instructor and a leader. He doubted Arath would take that chance away from him, but he knew that there was always that chance. He’d have to prove his worth to the man again.

 

With his moment of preparation done, he pressed his calloused hands on the doors of the inn and stepped inside. It wasn’t hard to find Arath, he kept a table to himself in a corner. Sereth resisted the urge to take a steadying breath; weak was the last thing he wanted to appear. With sure steps he approached the man who had been one of his first teachers, and took the chair opposite him. “Arath, it is good to see you again. I’m glad you agreed to the meeting so quickly, I just got in last night.” His voice was much calmer than he felt, but he refused to be anything but the man Arath thought he’d been when he vouched for his promotion.

 

“I would like to apologize for the length of time I was away and only sending a few communiqués. I was on his trail, and he was killing with the power. I hope you understand that I couldn’t let the trail go cold.” He voice gained a pained edge when he spoke of his mentor. It was only the night before that he had put one of the men who made him what he was in the grave. Light keep him for the man he was. “I did manage to track him down, he won’t be torching anymore inns, I can assure you of that.”

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  • 2 weeks later...

Arath enjoyed a short time to himself, enjoying a quiet breakfast at the inn. Sometimes it was nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of the White Tower and enjoy the ... well, quiet was never a good word for the inn, nor peace, but they seemed to be the most appropriate for the situation. And so he found himself there, slowly eating his food and drawing out the moment. He was a little annoyed then when someone approached his table. Until he realized who that person was, however.

 

Sereth had been away from the Farm for several weeks, since he had been raised to Attack Leader. Arath didn't know much about the particulars, except that his departure had been of a personal nature, and he had gone with Covai's blessing. From the few reports Arath had seen, Sereth had been tracking a former friend who had ended up a channeling murderer.

 

Arath listened intently as Sereth took a seat and began to speak. He simply nodded at Sereth's apologies, noting the worry that he was trying to keep from his voice. "You did what had to be done Sereth. Nobody can blame you for taking longer than expected to complete your task. So long as the situation is resolved, I see no reason for any apologies at all.

 

"So tell me, Attack Leader," the Storm Leader continued around a bite of food, "where did the chase carry you, and what did you learn from the experience? Anything you'll be able to pass on to the rest of the Asha'man?"

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  • 1 month later...

((Yeah, I have no valid excuse as to why this sat here for a month beyond that I couldn't think of what to put down. Apologies Storm Leader.))

 

Sereth let a grin slip onto his features. Perhaps he had over thought the situation, and given far to much emphasis on his time away. It had seemed much longer however, more like years than weeks. Still, he did feel bad for his absence so soon after both Shienar and the formation of the council. "I'm glad to see everything has held itself together so well in my absence, though the men do seem a bit undereducated. I take it you've been neglecting history in the curriculum?" He let a chuckle escape and waved down a civilian server to bring him some water, and made sure to request either a ceramic or earthenware cup. She appeared puzzled, but didn't question the man with embroidery on his sleeves.

 

As he waited, he considered his superior's question. He supposed he had learned a thing or two about tracking men of his nature. "I actually believed I have, though I'm not sure if its implementation would be plausible. I managed to track him down, because of of Saidin. I'm not saying that I felt him channeling, but his addiction to it was palpable, and coupled with his insanity he left an easy trail to follow. People remembered him, or if not him, strange things occurring around him. Even.." The attack leader took a steadying breath, remembering one particular corpse... "Even when there was no body left behind, his presence was marked." The serving girl arrived with his drink, and he thanked her with a smile. He glanced up at Arath, and back to the drink, telegraphing his intent to seize Saidin, and did so. Miniscule weaves of fire sank into the water, and Sereth pulled a packet of herbs from his jacket pocket. Quickly the water was brought to a boil, and the Attack Leader dropped in the herbs and stirred softly with flows of air, bleeding off excess heat with thin strands of spirit coiling into the air.

 

"With this in mind, I believe that if we are forced to track a man, then sending out a fanning pattern into nearby villages using gateways should result in some idea where he has been, and possibly where he is going. This would be especially useful for the multitudes of us who are to weak or lack the skill to travel. As for those gifted such as you or I?" Sereth shrugged and let go of the source, his finished brewing. "I shall give it some thought, unless you have already?" He lifted the earthenware mug to his lips, and sipped. Perfect.

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Arath considered that for a moment, then nodded. It was similar to what he had been told recently. A technique the Red Ajah had used for quite some time, minus the gateways of course. Zarinen had told him of the search patterns herself.

 

"A good suggestion, Sereth. We've already implemented something similar in the last few weeks. Using the Red Ajah's tactics. Say what you will about them, they are quite thorough with their job." He took a bite of his food, chewing thoughtfully. "Speaking of which ... I don't know how much you know about what's been going on here since you left. There have been significant developments in our relationship with Tar Valon since you've been gone."

 

Over the next few minutes, Arath went over the highlights of the 'developments'. The bondings with the Red Ajah were still hard to believe, even for those who had been part of it. "So now I'm bonded to the head of the Red Ajah, and spend quite a lot of my time at the White Tower," he finished, scraping the last of the breakfast from his plate. "I think that about covers the important parts." He paused for a moment. "If I recall correctly, you were the type who might enjoy a little trip to the White Tower. They have quite the library there."

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Sereth wore his surprise openly. The Red Ajah came to the Black Tower to bond his brethren? The news was… unsettling. Oh, that wasn’t to say that he wasn’t overjoyed at the prospect of traveling to Tar Valon, speaking to the sisters there, and pawing through the library. He might never leave given that opportunity. It was nearly everything he had ever dreamed of. He did however have reservations… It was hard for a man in his position to trust the Red Ajah. They were afterall dedicated to hunting down his kind. Still, if Arath trusted them…

 

The Attack Leader took a sip of his tea to calm himself and give him time to organize his thoughts. Still… if he is offering what he I think he is… Can I really pass up this opportunity? “That is… quite the bit of news Arath. I’ll be honest with you, the idea of having a Red in my head is not the most pleasant thought I’ve had. Still, if you trust them, I’ll follow your lead.” With another sip of his tea, Sereth offered his trademarked grin, “And you know me to well, I couldn’t turn down a chance to see that library. Don’t suppose the bonding offer is open to some lonely brown? “ He chuckled, doubting that would ever be an option.

 

He even wondered if that would be what he’d want. Shienar had changed him, as had his recent hunt. He no longer felt justified in locking himself up and studying all day. That wasn’t to say he had even once shirked his duties, but the importance of that history and philosophy seemed lessened. He’d switched to books on tactics and strategies, and spent more time practicing with both blade and Saidin. Though it pained him to admit it, he’d select an Aes Sedai from the Green to hold his bond, given the chance.

 

“I feel I need some details. I’m assuming reds only for the bonding, but is that even needed? Could I go independently to study and mingle with the Aes Sedai? It might do some good for them to see that our leaders at least, are a bit more than men with a penchant for explosions.” He chuckled, finishing his tea. “A tiny bit more, at least.”

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