[pfsb] investigations and explorations

[blue_ajah]

Two days after Moiraine brought Wei Wuxian's talismans back to Twin Peaks, after she has taken the time necessary to review all of her notes as well as the histories she has been collecting, she calls Dale Cooper, who is still in Olympia, now, rather than Seattle.

All things considered, the conversation could have gone much, much worse.

She is well aware that they are going to have a much longer discussion after he returns in a few weeks, but he had agreed not to ask her to wait. She, in turn, had agreed, as before, not to go to Glastonbury Grove alone, or at night. She also agrees not to approach the pool closer than necessary to place the talismans, or to test it with her own weaving - not at present, anyway.

Hawk had been her next call.

A few days later, after he has had time to consider and to consult with the Bookhouse Boys, Hawk knocks on her apartment door and agrees to her request.

* * * * * * *
When Moiraine returns to Milliways, she leaves a sealed note with Bar, addressed to Wei Wuxian.

Master Wei--

I made the trial of your talismans according to your instructions. When I activated the one at the northernmost point, glowing red energy swept inward from the circle in a wave focused on the pool at its center.

The pool absorbed it all. It vanished into the depths without a ripple, and without a trace.

Nothing else has happened. Yet.

--Moiraine Sedai

That task completed, she settles at her preferred table with tea and begins sketching something in a notebook.

Comments

[blue_ajah]

"And now you have," she observes.

She finds it interesting what Gideon has not said, as much as what she has.

[we_do_bones]

Gideon shakes her head, conscious that she's probably said too much and uncomfortable with it. The last thing a true cavalier would do is admit they hate their House and would do anything, anything at all to escape it.

Besides, she hasn't escaped it. Not yet. Not until Harrow ascends to whatever Lyctorhood has in store for her and Gideon is free to head to the Cohort, paid commission in hand.

"Harrow can tell you all about it," she says, sliding her dark glasses back on. Her eyes – those golden, nothing-like-Ninth eyes – disappear behind their smoked lenses. "She's the head of the House. I'm sure she's memorized all ten thousand years of Ninth history and anything else you might want to know."

[blue_ajah]

"I have found in the past that the viewpoint of a Warder may reveal different aspects of the thing observed than that of an Aes Sedai," she says.

"But I shall not press you. You have just met me, and I am well aware that this place can be overwhelming, at times."

[we_do_bones]

"You said they're bonded, the Warders, yeah? To the people like you?"

It might sound unrelated. It's not. "What did Harrow tell you about cavs and adepts?"

[blue_ajah]

She inclines her head in assent as she says, "Yes. I am Aes Sedai."

It is more of an explanation than it may appear, although she knows that it may not seem so.

"She has told me enough to recognize that there are certain similarities." A single beat of silence. "The bond that exists between Warder and Aes Sedai offers certain benefits to each."

[we_do_bones]

"What kind of benefits?"

She didn't exactly answer the question – Gideon is noticing a pattern, here – but if bonding is one of the similiarities then it seems like Harrow has told her what a cav and adept are supposed to be.

...Instead of whatever they are.

[blue_ajah]

"The Warder's bond gives them increased endurance and strength," Moiraine says. "They are able to go without food, water, and rest, when needed, and may also withstand wounds that would kill an ordinary person. They also receive something of a sensitivity to certain types of enemies that are inimical to the One Power wielded by Aes Sedai."

She is carefully avoiding terms like Shadowspawn, for now, given certain ... misunderstandings... that might occur.

"Both Warder and Aes Sedai are able to sense each other through the bond, to a limited degree. It is useful for knowing the other's approximate location, for example, or if someone is injured or ill."

[we_do_bones]

The first part sounds a little like the Second, but the last...

She imagines Harrow with the ability to always find her and shudders.

(Although, all things considered, it would be sort of useful for keeping track of Harrow in Canaan House. Or maybe Gideon can just put a bell on her.)

"The Second does stuff like that," she says. "Not from a bond, I guess, but they can pump their cav full of murder energy."

[blue_ajah]

"That sounds somewhat unpleasant, on its surface," she observes.

A pause, as she considers Gideon.

"Can the cavalier refuse it?"

[we_do_bones]

"Y'know, I don't know."

Somehow that never came up in any of her comics. "I mean, why would they?"

[blue_ajah]

“Why, indeed,” she murmurs.

[we_do_bones]

"I mean, it sounds kind of creepy to me, but I don't know what it's like. And the Second are real sticklers for rules and regulations; they probably have to fill out a bunch of paperwork every time they do it."

She leans her chin on her hand and her elbow on the table. "The Ninth doesn't do anything like that."

[blue_ajah]

"Different traditions among the different Houses, as we have among the Ajahs of the White Tower, among the Aes Sedai," Moiraine agrees.

"Ours are distinguished by color rather than number, however."

She takes another sip of tea.

"What of your traditions, as a cavalier of the Ninth?"

[we_do_bones]

"People say the Ninth hasn't produced a real cavalier since Matthias Nonius," says Gideon, evenly. "That was a thousand years ago. Harrow's father's cav was mostly just good for carrying around big bags of bones."

It's not exactly an answer, but Moiraine's not the only one who can skate around a question.

[blue_ajah]

Dark eyes narrow slightly, as her focus on the younger woman becomes more thoughtful.

"People will say all sorts of things," she observes, unruffled. "Do you consider yourself a real cavalier?"

[we_do_bones]

Ninth cavs are necro suitcases. Who're you?

She's not some Nonius come-again, she's just a brawler.

Gideon shrugs, attempting to look as serene as her companion and utterly failing. (Her knee keeps jogging up and down underneath the table.) "I'm the one Harrow's got."

[blue_ajah]

Without even the slightest flicker in her composure, Moiraine says,

"Then I suspect that she - and you - may do very well."

[we_do_bones]

"That's the plan."

Sort of. But if Moiraine doesn't know the plan already – and Gideon's not at all sure she doesn't – then it won't be Gideon Nav, newly-made cavalier primary of the Ninth House, who tells her.

This conversation is almost enough to make her think longingly of her ordered silence back in Canaan House. She puts her hands on the table top and stands up, a little abrupt. "Thanks for the tea. I, uh, should probably get back to training."

It's a hell of a lot easier to spar with swords than with words.

[blue_ajah]

The Aes Sedai inclines her head to Gideon.

"Light illumine and protect you, Gideon Nav. I look forward to speaking with you again."