Ripple Five: Your Mission
written by Drelle Tai'Shar and Edon Santagar (NPC)

A servant in Tower livery approached Drelle Tai'Shar and presented an unsigned letter to her. The man claimed the letter was waiting for delivery when his work-shift began.

Upon the parchment, the Novice's name was written in stark letters. Neatly folded twice, the red seal was blank and the parchment was of finest quality.

Drelle Tai'Shar,

Either obey or know that I will end your life. If you waver from the path you have threaded, I will know. The time has come.

To seal your fate and path amongst us, you must do the following. Underneath the weeping willow in the Tower graveyard, north of the Gardens, there is a hollowness underneath one of the roots. There you will find further instructions.

The Dawn of Blood

Hating to need a disguise within the Tower, she frowned as she stepped into Lyn's private study. The Wolfkin would notice the outfit missing, but would know Drelle borrowed it. She often did, when she wished not to be known in the nearby town. THey had an unspoken agreement that the garments used would be returned in pristine condition.

PUlling a Tairen-style dress from the tall wardrobe, she smiled and slipped it on, the color a fine sapphire blue. As she dressed, she thought of the note, rereading it in her mind over and over, though the actual parchment had been burned with a thought of Fire in seconds. "Either obey or know that I will end your life." She is a bold one, Sedai or no... she mused as she applied subtle makeup to her face, darkening her pale skin to a more rosy shade of pale. Colored contacts turned her silver-white eyes to a brilliantly sapphire blue, and a smooth cream applied to her hair to darken the silvered strands to a rich blue-black. Assuming an air of dignity, she smiled, and murmered softly to herself in a voice heavily Tairen-accented, "This will do just fine."

A passing Novice curtsied and smiled politely to the Lady Maedra, a noble from Tear, there to see her Gaidin brother, dead and buried these five years, as she exited Lyn's public antechamber.

Walking slowly and unhurriedly toward the cemetary, she was greeted by smiles and nods from passersby, none knowing, nor caring, the truth behind the carefully concealing makeup and costume. Affecting tears, she stood before an unmarked grave near the willow she searched for. She was left alone. She smiled faintly to herself, then reached under a root, finding the parchment, and slipping it discreetly into a boot. As she moved to delicately sit on the root, she caught a whisper of a movement out of the corner of her eye. COntinuing smoothly in the motion of sitting down, she let an absent smile play about her lips as she looked up.

The Gaidin Captain had ordered him to find Aedomon al'Cor'vron, so Edon Santagar was determined to find him, no matter where the mute drin'far'ji had gone. After looking through the Yards, Edon had now decided to turn his steps towards the Gardens. He was not happy with the assignment, for it took him all over the Tower grounds, yet also, it provided interesting views to him. He had his own interests too.

Like this for example... As he ran down a paved path towards the centre of the tranquil area, he saw a woman wearing neither serpent ring nor any shawl. The dress made her Tairen, and her raven hair wasn't unlike his own. Edon watched the elusive and well-rounded figures of the lady, which were somehow... familiar to his hazel-brown eyes, make her way towards the graveyard.

Here was a dilemma, thought Edon while a smile come easily to his lips despite the dangerous times the Tower had been presented with this day. Should he do as Caden Ives, his master in his role as a squire, had told him... or would he see what the fine lady was up to? Edon hated indecisiveness. The Trainee might take forever to find, and she, he thought adjusting the collar of his white robe, she is far more interesting to me.

One could not always follow duty, even formal and pride Edon.

Following the Lady, he saw her stand before a grave. He decided not to disturb her mourning, and watched her from the shadows while she walked to the weeping willow in the centre of the gloomy area. Ah, what game do you play my lady? Hidden messages? Sighing, he walked to her while she sat down. I dare you to play with me...

Edon made a perfect bow, hand on the pommel of his curved sword. He displayed white, even teeth in a smile which wouldn't confuse the woman any about what he was after. "Forgive me, my lady. I could not help to see you pass by before my eyes. Could you help me with something?"

With the message safely hidden in her boot, she sighed as if sad and smiled up at the young man, "I haven't been here since Edgewood died. Three years.. and its like he was just gone yesterday. I'm sorry, I'm babbling. Forgive me. Tell me what is amiss and perhaps I can help you." Her voice was thickly accented, but not at all hard to follow. The handsome young man before her stood casually, with a hand on the pommel of the fine curved blade. Standing, she pretended to be still partially lost in a memory, offering her rosy-pale hand to him, "I am the Lady Maedra, of Tear."

So lost in the character she played, her thoughts were not of Drelle, but of Maedra.

A smile creasing the features of his now reverent face, Edon Santagar took the lady's hand and kissed it. "I'm sorry for your loss, my lady. My name is Edon Santagar, the Gaidin Captain's... Caden Ives... squire, armour-bearer, right-hand-man and scribe." Her hand had the powered taste of face-paint. "You certainly needn't fear that grief spoils your appearance or bearing, for you look like a princess to my eye. The Tower is honoured to be lit by your radiant eyes."

He straightened and smiled faintly, his keen mind trying to reveal her secrets as he studied her from top to toe. "I'm on a mission from my master. He asked me to find a young man named Aedomon al'Cor'vron, one of the trainees of the Warder Yards. Yet I'm afraid you have made me stray from my path."

Resting his hand on the pommel of his sword again, he sighed before continuing. "And that, is something very uncharacteristic of me. Believe me, I'm the first to follow orders and stick to etiquette. Formal procedures run in my veins, as do the determination and dedication my position demands of me. But when I saw you here, I felt the... urge to do something for myself instead of acting on order and cue." Edon paused again. How is it a Tairen lady plays daes'de'mar inside the Tower battlement's? Edon wanted to know her pupouse. He wanted to know what was behind those eyes of which he had spoken. And he would stop at absolutely nothing to do so. "I'm sorry I must make a fool out of myself with all this rambling. I'll excuse myself if you don't fancy my presence here."

Maedra smiled at the pleasant young man before her, slipping further and further into character, she slipped into a smooth and graceful curtsy to match his bow and the kiss on her hand. She saw, as Drelle, the searching looks he kept shooting her and causally met him eye-to eye, with nothing to fear.

Clearing her throat, she delicately dabbed the last vestiges of moisture from her eyes with a kerchief that appeared out of nowhere, and disappeared again just as quickly, the smiled, "No, of course not. I.. miss my brother terribly. It is good to see the Tower still thriving, though I would expect nothing less from such a grand place. I've been offered an extended stay, if I should so wish. My rooms are in the Indigo Halls, if you wouldn't mind escorting me back to them. I can understand that you must be horribly busy, with it being the middle of the day, should you prefer not to do so. I think I can find my way back, if you would prefer to finish your search for that young man of yours." With easy grace, she made as if to pass him and start walking once more, deliberately choosing the wrong path to follow down, wanting more of this pleasant young man's company. Daes'da'mar, or not, he is absolutely fascinating. She turned halfway back to him and paused, almost challengingly meeting his eyes once more.

Foolish Child. Quit wasting your time with this boy and get to work. Oberon's voice was the insidious whisper of darkness and evil that caused her to sway on her feet for just a moment before she straightened once more, smiling to cover her near-swoon. If you don't stop, this one will figure me out, and then I would be stuck somewhere that I wouldn't be able to do you a bit of good, so go away. Though Oberon was much stronger, she was growing in her own strength. She vowed when she escaped him, oh so long ago, that she would kill him when she had strength enough. He went silent once more.

"The Indigo Halls? Well..."

Briefly, Edon considered the role he played as Caden Ives' squire. How important was it to him that he obeyed the Gaidin Captain's orders? Compared to this mysterious and alluring lady; there was no importance there for him. Tilting his head to the side, he studied the lady. Something about her told him that she wasn't who she said herself to be. His keen mind worked on the problem, turned it around and trailed its sensitive fingers around it.

However, he could not find any chasms in her behaviour. There was nothing there to find.

"...I guess there is no harm in delaying this matter. I would gladly escort you to your rooms." Walking over to her, he held out his arm to her. "To add, you were going in the wrong direction, my lady." He smelled her scent then, and found it much to hsi liking.

Maybe he was going to have some fun today fo a change.

She blushed prettily then, at having started out in the wrong direction, "Well, sir, if you are sure.." At his pleasant smile and nod, she took the arm offered her, not surprised to feel the easy bulk of muscles rippling beneath the skin. She smiled almost shyly up at him, "Its been so long since I've really been in polite society, I almost don't know what to do with myself when such a handsome young man makes himself available to me." A sad look flitted across her face, "My parents died shortly after my brother did. They say, the doctors that is, that my mother died of grief for the son she was so proud of, and my father died for the same reason because of my mother." She sighed softly, "With my fiancee gone all the time, I feel as if I don't even know him. Which of course, I don't. We've been engaged since I was a toddler, and I've only met him once, at my coming out ball." She paused in her speech as they walked back to the Indie Hall, "I'm sorry, I'm rambling.."

Her eyes flickered upward to meet his, and there was a pull, something to draw her to him, a stranger. I can't let myself become involved with anyone. Not Tan'qui, not this handosme young man. Especially not since I'm lying to him through my teeth. ACtually, through my lips, but I doubt he would appreciate the humor in that.

With his eyes looking around the Gardens... which they re-entered after leaving the graveyard... Edon listened to the Tairen lady's. "That is quite alright Lady Meadra, I enjoy listening."

That still doesn't explain why you picked up that hidden message, my lady, he thought with a undertone of amusement. That did not matter though, for he still had the upper hand in this entertaining game they played. He knew this woman was hiding something. While he, he was telling her the truth. He was the Gaidin Captain's squire. However, he wasn't sure which game they were playing anymore. On his part, he felt that he had something in common with the woman by his side. And there wasn't that often he did feel something similar. He was young, yet he knew most of games. And he wanted to win in the version they were playing, no matter the outcome. Handsome, was it?

"I'm flattered that you enjoy my company, though I'm sorry to hear about your tragic background," he said and turned to look deeply into her eyes. He knew what women wanted. And with his eyes he promised her everything and whatever else she asked. "Tell me, after hearing about your family and your husband, how do you find respite?" His hazel eyes trailed the outlines of her mouth and her eyes. Her face had potential to look even better if she wanted to. And her eyes seemed... out of place. I want to know your secrets... Give them to me...

Edon considered himself a predator, and he had just found his prey. Question remained, if she was the predator in his stead.

Maedra shook her head slightly, "Not husband, fiancee. We were to be married almost to the day of the month in which my parents died. I haven't heard from the man since. Since I am now not ruled by my father, I have chosen not to wed this man, and he has respected my wishes so far. I am thinking of coming to the Tower, perhaps to train as a Gaidar. I do not think that 20 is too terribly old.. do you?" She avoided the heat in his eyes, the way it made an answering heat curl in the pit of her stomach. Gently, she tugged her arm out of his, needing the space that no physical contact awarded her, no matter the fact that he remained close, in spite of her slight retreat.

And she dearly wished that he'd met Drelle, and not this Lady Maedra...

"On the contrary," answered Edon the moment after she retreated from his gaze, "it's quite a good age to begin the training in the Yards. You will have a hard time in the beginning though... the time when your body adapt to the physical strain. However, your mind is more ready to accept the change, and the challenge." A smile touched his lips then and he looked away from her, to the lustrous green of the trees and undergrowth lining their path. When he resumed, his voice was a little distant, "Caden told me this. And I'm inclined to believe him."

The horizon had quickly darkened and the wind picked up. The end of the day would be awash with rain.

A rare person, the Gaidin Captain, he thought, a little amused, I still don't know half as much as I need about him. Though dark has his mood been of late... his mind clouded with suspicions and self-reproach. Edon hoped his master's search would end soon, and relive his mind of the dark clouds. In fact, he was certain of it. Luantar cen Thaal's act of... heroism... his final sacrifice... had brought matters to a head.

Then they entered the main building, and the splendour of the Grey Tower welcomed them. Picking a path leading towards the Indigo Halls, Edon turned his attention back to the mysterious lady with the hidden message. I wonder which side she works for? Because of the note she hides, I have reason to suspect that she is against us. All the same, this feeling doesn't escape me. squire Santagar thought, pretty sure he connected with her somehow. I'm a fool, there is no reason to believe anything, I need to find out more. And if he could manage to earn her trust, he could find out what she was hiding.

Together, they could bring the day's matters to a close, and rid the concerns from his master's mind.

"Well, it seems we are almost there. It makes me wonder how you say 'thank you' in Tear. Should I expect a favour back or some other display of appreciation?" His words were low, and he leaned down to say them into her ear. He smells made his grin a little wider. He could smell her blood. Her sweat. Her intoxicating fragrances. His fine boned hand came up unbidden and stroked back some hair behind her ear.

Thank the Light for small miracles.. and makeup that doesn't come off without soap! Maedra was drowning in his eyes, mesmirized, unable to break away.

"Well, it seems we are almost there. It makes me wonder how you say ?thank you' in Tear. Should I expect a favour back or some other display of appreciation?" She almost panicked. Fear flitted briefly across her eyes, "I must warn you, I am not like any Tairen you've ever met. I was rather sheltered, but.." Before she could think twice, she pressed her lips to his. I should pull away, before this goes to far.. but his lips were so soft against her own.. Her hands flitted up to lightly rest on his shoulders, trembling...

Edon never hesitated. And not then either, when he answered Meadra's kiss.

Sweet lust, you have taken me. His thought was unexpected, for his cold mind wasn't used to being pulled in different directions. Orders beckoned purpose. Purpose drove him. Achievement always met him. Desire... was nothing to him. Yet now, he felt something he had not felt in years. His mind was actually pulled... not driven. Desire was bad for his mind...

Control was a curtain ready to be torn. However, he could not free what was on the other side. Not here. Not in the middle of the Grey Tower Halls. If his control was about to fail, he needed to be gone from the eyes of all.

Dicipine! Not wanting to pull away from the kiss immediately, he ran his hands around Meadra's waist. Dicipline! He pulled back his head and forced his breath under control. His arms let go with aching regret, and a quick glance assured him that no servants or worse... Aes Sedai... hadseen what happened. There was a long silence as they judged each other's faces. Edon was so unused to the situation that he applied his usual mind-controlling exercises in the brief pause. Dire deeds require dire means. Remember the master and fool, and let my mind cool. Let purpose cleanse my dark soul. Dire deeds require...

"How far are your rooms, my lady?" he asked at last, his voice husky "I would enjoy our... conversation better if we were by ourselves."

Maedra's face flamed slightly, the blush somewhat belated, "I.. well.. right here, actually. I am staying with Lyn Sedai, as she knew my brother." Focus Girl.

She pulled a key from a pocket hidden in her cleavage, his eyes watching hers, "I really should go in.. by myself. I don't.. I'm not.." She wasn't deliberately being this way, but the desire simmering in her eyes mirrored her own.

Blast and damn! Why can't I get guys when I'm myself?! She turned abruptly and hurried into her rooms, shutting the door softly in the beautiful man's face with a faint smile and a goodbye. She leaned her forehead against the door, her fingertips next to her face as she tried to slow the beating of her heart to a dull roar and her breathing to something resembling normal. Needing the feeling of security, she locked the door with a flick of her wrist and turned to lean her back against the door.

Belatedly, she remembered the note tucked away in her boot, and withdrew it slowly, almost fearing what it said.

Little time do we have, for now the eye of the Grey Tower seeks us.

Yet before the end of the day, we can claim the power over it. The chance is ours to seize the complete control of the Hall, we have the ability to make our influence reach the very highest floor... and by my command... we will baptize the new Tower in blood. With one mighty strike, we will rid the main opposition from the table. And then... by delicate movements and subtle prodding... the vacant chairs of power will be taken by those we either share aim with or individuals we direct fully.

Now is your time to show your stature amongst us. Your role will be of utter importance, and should you fail, you cannot make any amends worth my while. The Great Lord of the Dark does not accept failure, nor do I.

There is a book in the 13th hall of Libraries of the Brown Ajah named "Yore and Recent Heraldy of the Nations: A Study of Alterations" by Danjor Bertro. Inside you will find a weapon of the One Power. It is ter'angreal which holds the Compulsion weave. With this weapon, you will seek out the Amyrlin Seat, and bring her under your will. When you have succeeded in this, I will give you further instructions.

By my word you live, until you prove your ambition.

The Dawn of Blood

Itching to get out of her makeup and dress, she read the note fast. Then read it again. She commited every word, every scrap of ink against parchement before the scrap went up in flames. A pile of ash was all that remained, and it was quickly brushed away into the trash can by the door. As she stood back up, she felt a blinding flash of pain at the back of her head as the door crashed open.

Gods, Lyn's going to kill me for the door... That was her last thought as the blessed oblivion of unconsciousness took her.

Chapter Three: The Dawn of Blood
~Ripple One: Alive
~Ripple Two: Captured
~Ripple Three: Trapped
~Ripple Four: Questions
~Ripple Five: Your Mission
~Ripple Six: Task Presented
~Ripple Seven: Vengeful Assassain
~Ripple Eight: Echoes

Return to the Ripples Intro