[pfsb] the mirrors of the wheel

[blue_ajah]

The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills, and all things are part of the Pattern. There is little that she can do now but wait, guard against events worsening as best she can, and watch.

As a result, Moiraine is in the bar this evening, musing over her thoughts with a cup of tea at hand and a slender, leather-bound journal open to a blank page before her.

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[hunted_hanza]

These last few days have been full of surprises. No less so than when she'd left Vizima with a broken phlactery in tow and the new knowledge of a place between places, a place where Geralt and Ciri have also been and where the two young men Geralt had with him in the Emperor's city have stayed.

She lacks Ciri's ability to travel between worlds, but there isn't any reason the theory of traveling to a well-established waypoint would not hold – and indeed, hold it does. Her portal leads her not to the cold stone halls of Kaer Morhen, but to a door in the air; one she reaches for and opens.

"Curious," she murmurs, as she closes the door behind herself, violet eyes alight with sharp interest. She touches the obsidian star at her throat and lowers her hand once more. "How very curious, indeed."

[blue_ajah]

Among the patrons of this inn sits a woman dressed all in blue; a deep shade, somewhere between indigo and midnight, with a blue gem hanging from a golden chain that disappears into her dark hair. It is difficult to tell her age from her ageless face, and her dark eyes are thoughtful indeed as she studies the newcomer.

“Many things here are, you may find,” she observes.

[hunted_hanza]

Yennefer, attired in luxuriously crisp black and white as is her wont, casts a guarded glance the woman's way. "Indeed," she says, noncommittal.

"Though you seem somewhat familiar with it all; enough to be comfortable, at any rate."

[blue_ajah]

“I have been visiting here for some time,” she replies, and gestures gracefully at the seat across from her in invitation.

“So you might say I am well acquainted with this place.”

[hunted_hanza]

Yennefer takes the proffered seat with similar grace, then settles one long leg over the other and leans onto her knee.

"I suppose I might," she says, idly. "But would you say that?"

[blue_ajah]

“I might as well,” she replies, unruffled. “And I may speak no word that is not true.”

[hunted_hanza]

"May you not?" Yennefer considers the woman, re-assessing. "What a fascinating life choice to have made. Was it a personal decision or imposed upon you?"

[blue_ajah]

“In a sense, one might describe it as both,” Moiraine tells her. “I am Aes Sedai. To be Aes Sedai, one must swear the Three Oaths. ‘To speak no word that is not true’ is the first.”

Almost idly, she adds, “And my name is Moiraine.”

[hunted_hanza]

"I suppose it must be," Yennefer murmurs, and tosses back a few glossy, raven-black waves of hair. "And the other two oaths? Are they similarly restrictive?"

There's a beat of silence, and she offers, similarly off-handed: "My name is Yennefer."

[blue_ajah]

“Similarly,” she agrees. “They are to make no weapon with which one man may kill another; and never to use the One Power as a weapon except against Shadowspawn, or in the last extreme of defense of her own life, or that of her Warder or another Aes Sedai.”

She touches the lid of the nearby teapot in silent question.

[hunted_hanza]

"Thank you," Yennefer tells her, smoothly. "That would be lovely."

Tea is far from her favorite drink, but when attempting to learn about someone it is not a terrible idea to meet them where they are. "Noble oaths," she says. "And binding, it sounds?"

For after all the woman had said may not, not will not. So there must be some geas involved. "I have never heard of Aes Sedai or aWarder or Shadowspawn – or the One Power, although I can make some educated guesses. But I suppose that is the nature of this place, is it not?"

[blue_ajah]

"Indeed," Moiraine murmurs, perfectly composed as she pours a cup for the other woman and passes it over.

"It does not seem to trouble you, I notice."

[hunted_hanza]

"Trouble me, no."

She accepts the tea and stirs a little sugar into it. "But I admit it inflames my curiosity."

Yennefer lifts her tea. "Tell me, Moiraine: in my position, as a newcomer to this marvelous place, what would you consider to be the most important thing to ask?"

[blue_ajah]

"Were I to advise you as such, it might depend on what had brought you here and what you were coming from," the Aes Sedai tells her.

"Most newcomers, as you put it, appear much more disconcerted to find themselves here." Dark eyes meet violet ones.

[hunted_hanza]

"Assume I know the basics," Yennefer suggests, sipping at her tea. "Assume I know one who has been here before and who has told me of this place and its rules. As for the rest – "

She quirks one perfectly manicured dark eyebrow. "Curiosity brought me here. What I came from is a much longer story."

[blue_ajah]

Her lips curve in a faint smile. "Then if so, I will not waste your time with reviewing the methods of obtaining goods and services and rooms through the usual mechanisms of exchange, or dwell overmuch on the allies and enemies that might be found here from one's own world or any of many others. The Wheel weaves in all its Mirrors, I have found."

Moiraine tilts her head very slightly and taps her index finger against her own teacup.

"To answer your question, I would suggest asking how I might find and obtain what I sought."

[hunted_hanza]

"A wise suggestion," Yennefer says. "Very wise indeed."

But what she seeks she is certain not to find here; not with Geralt riding to Kaer Morhen. Not unless Ciri has fled here. She sits back again, lifting a hand in a studiedly casual gesture. "I came simply to see if I could," she says, idly. "A professional challenge I could hardly ignore."

[blue_ajah]

"That would seem to beg the question as to what your profession is, wouldn't it?" she observes, with a hint of amusement.

[hunted_hanza]

"Does it?" Yennefer asks, eyes wide with mild surprise. "Well, I have heard all sorts of names for my profession. The one I prefer is 'sorceress,' or 'mage.'"

[blue_ajah]

"Much more pleasant than 'witch' or the like, I agree," Moiraine replies, unruffled.

[hunted_hanza]

"Mm, yes," Yennefer agrees. "Though I was thinking more along the lines of 'whore.' Which is not only crude, but entirely inaccurate."

[blue_ajah]

"And yet all too commonly directed at women who wield power, I often find." Her tone is a perfect match for Yennefer's.

[hunted_hanza]

"Oddly, it often seems to come from the men who ought to have the most respect for that profession," Yennefer muses. "Being in such dire need of help from a member of its ranks. But I digress."

[blue_ajah]

"I have noticed that many times those who are most in need of help are angriest about needing it," the Aes Sedai observes. "In many different types of situations."

[hunted_hanza]

"Mm."

Yennefer takes another sip of tea and sets the cup and saucer down. "And what does an Aes Sedai do, if I may inquire?"