[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.

Comments

[blue_ajah]

"I have been consulting with a few people here who have experience with the nature of the power that is currently the most pressing concern," she says. "They have offered some assistance with the problem, where possible."

It is not exactly an answer to the witcher's specific question, but it is close.

[bialy_wilk]

"Advice," he says. "Consultation. Not worth much when you're facing down whatever's out there in the dark."

But it does sound familiar. It sounds all too familiar. It's the sort of story he hears right before someone offers coin in exchange for his sword.

[blue_ajah]

She gives him an enigmatic look and reclaims her wine glass for another sip. "It is better than nothing at all," the Aes Sedai points out, pragmatically.

[bialy_wilk]

"Depends on the advice."

He studies her for another long moment as he works through his thoughts. Unlike the people here, he can't – or won't – offer to help out of the goodness of his heart, but he dislikes the idea of her going up against whatever the hell it is alone. "Hiring some help might not be a bad idea."

[blue_ajah]

She nods in acknowledgement of his first point before setting the glass down again and considering him.

"That is not something I had even thought of," she says, frankly. "Do you have any suggestions on the matter?"

[bialy_wilk]

A subdued, almost imperceptible journey from exasperation to reluctant acquiescence plays out across his face in tiny shifts of his jaw, muscles tightening around his eyes.

Finally, he says: "If you want to add my advice to the pile, I'd say you should hire yourself a witcher. Depending on what you're up against."

[blue_ajah]

"I am not certain it is a monster in the sense a witcher might describe it," she cautions. "But I will also admit that my knowledge of such things is limited, as you are the first that I have met."

She has not missed the shifts in his expression, although the reason for them remains to be confirmed.

"There is a place that might be described as haunted, or perhaps cursed. Spirits of the dead have emerged from it, as has at least one entity which appears inimical to the people who live nearby."

[bialy_wilk]

The witcher leans back in his chair and folds his arms over his chest as he listens, his expression skewing further and further towards something like annoyance, though it doesn't seem to be aimed at her. "Wonderful," he says, dry. "Hauntings I can deal with. Most curses, too. Not excited about the prospect of both at once, plus a malevolent entity. This thing corporeal?"

[blue_ajah]

"I have known it to be, in possession of another's body." The very level way she says it speaks volumes about her opinion of that. She means it to. "Beyond that, I do not know if it has the ability to take physical form."

[bialy_wilk]

His mouth twists. "My professional advice? Leave it the hell alone and keep other people away from it if you can. But it sounds like it's already past that point."

[blue_ajah]

"It might not be." She taps one finger against the side of the wineglass, almost absently. "I have warded the area for protection, and there are those who watch for signs of trouble and to guard the borders. Still, I feel it best not to assume that will be sufficient. As I indicated before, it is better to be prepared, when one can."

She spreads both hands slightly. "The Wheel weaves. I will do what I may, and Light willing, it will be enough."

[bialy_wilk]

"It showing signs of expanding? Or that entity trying to cross the wards?"

Either way, it sounds like a bad place to be.

[blue_ajah]

"It stirs," she says, simply. "As it has done in the past, as a precursor to other things."

[bialy_wilk]

Is there a less appealing update she could have given than it stirs? His mouth twists.

"Sounds like some protection for you wouldn't be a bad idea, then."

[blue_ajah]

"Very likely," the Aes Sedai agrees, composed. "Especially as if there is an intelligence to it, which the entity has demonstrated in the past, it may well come for what it perceives to be a threat first and foremost."

She has expected something of the sort for some time now, in fact.

[bialy_wilk]

"That's always been my experience with intelligent enemies," the witcher agrees. "Got one of those Warders up your sleeves?"

[blue_ajah]

She shakes her head, her composure unwavering. "He who was my Warder for twenty years is bonded to another Aes Sedai now. Our connection ended when I was imprisoned and believed dead - including by him."

She says it as a matter of fact, one that does not appear to trouble her. Perhaps something of the reason why may be apparent as she continues, "They are well matched, and I am glad of it."

[bialy_wilk]

"Leaves you out a Warder, though. Bad luck."

Especially considering the situation in which she has now found herself.

[blue_ajah]

"I will not deny it would be helpful," Moiraine agrees, dryly. "But things are as they are."

[bialy_wilk]

"Guess so." He loosens his arms in a shrug, lets his palms fall to his thighs.

"Well, good luck."

[blue_ajah]

"Thank you." A faint smile touches her lips. "Do not think, however, that I would be opposed to - how did you put it? Hiring myself some help. But I suspect you may also understand that I might not wish for someone who could be so hired to feel himself under unwanted obligation."

[bialy_wilk]

"Better hammer out the obligations before making a contract," he tells her. "You might find those with swords for sale are willing to put up with a lot, depending on the price and assuming there aren't any unpleasant surprises."

[blue_ajah]

"Certainly pleasant surprises would likely be preferred over the other kind," she agrees. "Since you are the expert, then, how would you go about making a contract of this sort?"

[bialy_wilk]

"Usually, people tell me what they're up against and what they want from me, and then I tell them what I'm willing to do," Geralt tells her. "Then we negotiate price. So: what are you up against, and what do you want?"

[blue_ajah]

She considers him, then nods. "I wish to strengthen and test the wards around the grove and the pool at its center," she says. "It is the pool that is haunted or cursed, or something of the sort, and from which sometimes things emerge. I do not know if it can truly be sealed without the danger of a backlash and explosion, but if sufficient protections can be set, then perhaps it does not need to be."

Her tone grows more thoughtful. "It is resonant, in its way, of malign power. I anticipate there is a possibility that something might emerge from it to try to stop me, when I begin to work. It is at that point that I might be vulnerable to attack, and it would be helpful to have a defender."