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Nanako had wondered off to the outskirts of the camp. Spurned yet again by Gwynne, she didn't want to show anyone just how hurt she truly was. Why does she continue to do this? It never used to be this way.

Reining in her emotions, the world eventually came back to her. It was at this time the sound of steel on steel struck her ears. Running towards the ruccus, she noted that nothing seemed out of the ordinary, and was more then greatful to see it was simply Jazral and Selene sparing. Seeing Denath with a look of pure awe on his face, she walked over and sat next to him, enjoying the show of grace and expertice the two put on.

Chuckling to herself at how rapt Denathe was, she was simply happy that he seemed better this day. "I'm glad to see you back on your feet Denathe. How is your leg feeling today?"

She continued to watch the deadly dance, admiring them both for skill she simply did not have. Afterall, she had spent her life as a healer, taught to revire life. It was only recently that she had ever fought, and only when forced to.

Selene giggled, "Tired? You wish. But if you need a break we can take one..." She sent a series of attacks at him which even he found it hard to counter them all, a few went to his legs and others to his sides and upper half. Taking a step to the side Jazral took the same step and she kept the attacks up, their eyes locked on each other. She had a feeling she was the only person who could stare at his golden eyes this long without being unnerved some how. "So, when are we going to visit your family? I know you remember where they live. You told me, I know where they live from your descriptions."

Jazral visibly faltered and it was clear she had hit some nerve, Selene took this time to try a swinging attack to his head but he countered it quickly; even upped his pace and speed. Selene was now having a hard time keeping up with all of the hits but she did, Jazral then switched his sword to his better hand and started attacking that way. Selene did the same, switching from the left to the right, it helped some but he kept upping the attacks. Her smile had faded away and now her face was pure determination, but it barely helped, Jazral finally landed a hit. The flat of his scimitar struck her thigh, the sound brought along the end of their match.

Selene giggled, "Just think how it would have been if I wore breeches instead..." She winked at Jazral and looked at Nanako. "I hope you're having a good morning, I checked on Denath's mare this morning, the poison is almost gone from her wounds and then they can be healed up." Selene smiled at her softly, though her thigh was aching, she had a feeling a bruise was forming under the light green material.

Beseiged by wonder and confusion, Gwynne could only stare at the Aes Sedai. Somehow, the wolfsister's yellow eyes spoke honesty. Have I been wrong? Are there really Aes Sedai as driven by true loyalty to the Lord Dragon as I am? "The Tower... would end up severing me, Aes Sedai. I would not be bent to novice's discipline. Given the power of Aes Sedai I've met, I could not be kept away from the Source when I was in proper state of mind by less than several of you linked, and none of you, or the Accepted, would care to spend the time it would take." She took a deep breath, shaking her head as if to clear it. I must still be mad... "But I will listen to you, Nikoru Sedai. There is something in your eyes that I can only call the truth... and the a'dam said the same had I paid attention to it at the time... But most of all, I want to learn..." The last phrase was spoken with such fervor that the rose she held, weave of Illusion though it was, seemed to brighten. "I want to learn what I could have done to make a difference when my sister was killed..." Tears leaked from her eyes. "Forgive me, Aes Sedai... I will find you when I can hold myself together..." Turning away, she walked, nearly running, back to her tent. Blood and ashes, falling apart in front of an Aes Sedai... She sat, shaking uncontrollably, for several minutes, fighting both her feelings and the desire to touch saidar, once again near her.

I suppose, but then again, healing is what I was born to do. There's no thanks necessary. As for askance, you're here and your a friend. That's all I ask of anyone Denathe."

Smiling, her blue eyes danced in the sun as they continued to watch the fight. "They are at that. Better them then I I'm afraid."

Giggling, she applauded at the end of the match, feeling livelier then she had in some time.



Eyes still sparkling, she was more then pleased to hear Selene's news. "That's always a good thing to hear. And... I'm doing quite fine at the moment. The day seems to be improving."

A slightly mischievious glint entered her eyes, as she realized both Denathe and Jazral would be engaging each other next. "Selene, would you mind teaching a new weave or two while they have their fun?"

It surprised her that she was so anxious... and that she knew she was due to the fact that Gwynne was simply not here and she now had a chance to learn something before the girl. She didn't care if it were childish or not, simply because her friend's own actions had been little but.

Selene nodded at Nanako, "Why not? Might as well make it a day of learning while we wait. I know you're skilled in Healing so I won't even try there, hmm... What style of weaves would you like to learn?" She held up her hand and weaved together Fire, Spirit and Air into a small fire ball into her hand.

"My specialties lie within battle weaves, go figure." She winked at Nanako and made the ball bounce on the palm of her hand. Then she fed it more, make it grow in size then she shrunk it to the size of a marble. Reaching her finger up she sent it spinning, still growing in size and moving up and down. "I have to much fun some days." She giggled softly.

(I don't mean to step on toes, but my absense has pushed back this plotline, as well as the Borderland's, and I want to get things rolling again. So that we're not dependant on me. So, forgive, please?)

There wasn't much to the landscape. Rolling hills, a few distantly scattered trees, and lots of grass. He'd been scouting for what seemed forever when he finally decided there really wasn't anything out to disturb them. He half expected a Seanchan legion to step out of the woodwork and take them all prisoner. Or kill them. It seemed about as fortunate as things had been running lately.

Returning to the group, he looked around at the excitement that they were creating for themselves. Aes Sedai teaching Wilders. Warder training recruits. Strange men changing their appearance. It all seemed so normal. What's happened for me to think these things are every day occurances?

"If we're to reach Tear today, we need be leaving. It's still a good journey ahead. I don't want to waste much daylight, if possible." Glancing at the sun, it was almost to high noon. With some reluctance, they packed their few belongings and saddled up. Half an hour had passed before they were mounted and moving again.

What he didn't mention is he wanted to look at the stone structure ahead. It reminded him of a few other similar objects he had encountered in his journey, though as far as he knew, they were history collumns. Each had a horde of strange script or symbols on it, and he assumed it was something from the Age of Legends. They had all sorts of interesting artifacts back then. Sometimes he wished he could have a hundreth of what they knew just for fighting skills.

Leading them closer to the Stone, he watched as part of the group fell behind. Riding close to him, Tarma, Nikoru, Selene, and Nanako all took to their own clusters. Nanako listened into what Nikoru and Selene had to say while Tarma floated closer to him for lack of anyone better to talk to at the moment. Darz rode near Jazral and Denath as they continued to discuss whatever they had been talking of earlier. Or something along those lines. It looked like training to him, but he didn't pay much attention.

Between the two groups, Nozrin rode in his sullen quietness that he had wrapped around himself. He didn't have his harp out, but his fingers idly tapped his quarterstaff that rested across the pommel of his staddle. He looked like a man with nothing to live for anymore. A defeated look clouded his eyes, but beyond that defeat rested a great determination and a courage to match any of the Heros of the Horn. Just a few paces to his side, Tazmin graced his presense. It was odd watching the former-Seanchan warrior try to adapt to their group. Though, she would in time. She had the brute persistance of a festering splinter stuck in a finger.

Gwynne idled in the last gap, keeping to herself. Something was bothering her, but he wasn't about to find out what it was. She irritated him and he had no reason to speak to her. What she did was her own doing and he would leave her alone, as long as it didn't endanger Nikoru or himself.

A good forty spans separated the groups from Markus' cluster to Tazmin and Nozrin and then to the last of the group. Markus had little to say. He was unsure of what was really happening. He felt unstable. Almost like he didn't belong here. He eased his sword in the scabbard, his unease very apparent. He looked at Tarma, who rode next to him and eyed him with a concern he couldn't blame her for.

"Sometimes things don't sit well with me. Sometimes they're right." He shrugged, trying to shake the feeling. "A soldier's instinct. You understand, yes?"

And with a start, he realized they were upon the Stone. He looked over it and saw it just as he remembered it. Although, this was a different one. Stopping to dismount nearby, he ran a hand over it.

"Isn't it a sight? No telling what it really is," he said. It was a quietness to his voice only reserved for special finds. This was special. It was something no one knew anything about.