[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

[bialy_wilk]

He lifts his brows at her, but doesn't sit back.

"Warders?"

[blue_ajah]

"You may think of them as battle-ready companions to Aes Sedai," she explains. "Skill with the sword is a part of Warder training."

[bialy_wilk]

"Hm." Sounds like knights, to him, although knights aren't usually sworn just to one lady. Or, if they are, it tends to be a one-way connection. "Interesting concept. Maybe just as well our mages and sorceresses haven't thought of it yet."

[blue_ajah]

"It can be an effective partnership, bringing a nice balance of skills." She gives the faintest of shrugs. "Do your sorceresses and mages have no need of such things?"

[bialy_wilk]

"I try not to involve myself with the workings of our sorceresses and mages," he says, dry. "They'd probably think it's a great idea."

[blue_ajah]

"I see." Amusement flickers in the dark eyes once more. "Then for your sake, perhaps it is just as well."

[bialy_wilk]

"Someone would probably end up trying to combine the two things, witchers and Warders," Geralt says, a faint twitch to his mouth in response to her amusement.

"Can't imagine that would go well."

[blue_ajah]

"Perhaps not," she allows. "Although perhaps it might not be something one minded, if they did not find the company of sorceresses objectionable."

She manages to say it with a perfectly straight face, despite the amusement in her eyes.

[bialy_wilk]

That twitch to his mouth grows a little more pronounced. "Normally it's the witchers sorceresses find objectionable," he points out. "You'll have to let me know if that's a universal opinion."

[blue_ajah]

Moiraine smiles. "Apparently not, at present," she observes. "I have no objections to speak of."

[bialy_wilk]

"So far, anyway." He smiles back, slight, and sits up to retrieve his wine. "But the night's young."

[blue_ajah]

"I suppose it is, at that." It is, of course, a true statement. "I admit to some curiosity. Why do you say that sorceresses normally find witchers objectionable?"

[bialy_wilk]

He shrugs, a little. "Mostly seems to come down to being boorish. Mannerless."

[blue_ajah]

She makes a noncommittal sound and reaches for her glass. "I suppose most worlds have their version of Daes Dae'mar; the Great Game, the Game of Houses."

[bialy_wilk]

He watches her with restrained curiosity. "Yeah? Why, what's the game entail?"

[blue_ajah]

"Observation, for one," the Aes Sedai tells him. "Drawing conclusions from the way someone behaves, or does not behave. Assigning meaning and significance accordingly, and basing one's own reactions and response on what is concluded, which may well be the opposite of what is overtly indicated. It is very often seen in court settings."

[bialy_wilk]

He lifts his shoulders at that, his glance keen. "Isn't that just normal interactions with somebody?"

When was the last time he could take what someone said at face value?

[blue_ajah]

Moiraine smiles very slightly as she sets her wine glass down again. "For some. For others, less so. Remember the young man I mentioned before, the one who grew up herding sheep? He set the entire court of Cairhien on its ear in his first visit, without intending to do so, by burning every invitation he received."

[bialy_wilk]

"Sounds like a good method of dealing with court invitations to me," he says, dry. "Kindling's the best use for most of them."

[blue_ajah]

"It was very effective, as it happens," she agrees.

[bialy_wilk]

His smile twitches again, crooked.

"Effective, but in which way?"

[blue_ajah]

"Both," Moiraine tells him. "No one else was certain why he felt himself both confident and safe enough to do so, and so any number of stratagems against him were delayed or abandoned. And when it turned out he needed access to a particular manor, he was able to secure an invitation. None of which he sought to accomplish by his actions, mind you. The Wheel weaves."

[bialy_wilk]

"Hm." It's almost a huff of laughter. "Can someone accidentally be good at this game of yours, or does a natural talent throw the whole thing into shambles?"

[blue_ajah]

"It is certainly possible. At least to a point."

Min's visions had proven true in the context of the Dragon's Peace, after all.

[bialy_wilk]

"Which?"

Or maybe both, depending on the scenario at hand.