Welcome to Gaia! ::

Kai turned to the familiar stranger, a face he knew little about other then it wasnt an eneemy. His facial experssion was more or less 'oh you're here!' which stayed on a moment before Kai nodded back.
"As well as they can be. We got everyone safely back from the borderlands, but things didnt look good when we left. How long has it been since you arrived...?" Kai asked, hesitated a bit and then added "Is anyone else with you?"
Knowing those who had gone with him to the borderlands were nearby, he did not bother announcing the new arrival.

Pain shot through the bond to Selene causing her to wake up with a start. It was coming from Gwynne, anger raged through her as she remembered the unwanted bond. Throwing the blanket off of her body she saw that someone had changed her out of the clothes she had been wearing and had put her into a wool shift to sleep in. Getting up she grabbed her cloak and put it around herself then slid her boots on.

Following the bond out to where Gwynne was laying on the ground seemingly in pain. "You channeled, what did you do?" It wasn't a question, it was a demand, her tone was icy cold and so were the emotions flowing to Gwynne from Selene. Without waiting for an answer she went on, "I've decided your penance, sit up to hear it." After Gwynne sat up and was sitting with her legs tucked to the side Selene waited a bit while smoothing unseen wrinkles from her cloak and shift.

Through the bond she felt anticipation, fear, impatience, and a few other emotions she couldn't pin point. After training her face to complete calm she took a seat in front of Gwynne with her back straight and her legs tucked to the side, even in a shift she looked more regal then any Queen could pull off and more calm then a White. "Now, I do remember in my... state that you swore to carryout any penance I set. I have thought it over carefully and have decided what it shall be."

Taking a minute to collect her thoughts and organize them she filled the space with a bit more straightening and smoothing of her skirt. "First off I want you to realize that what you did is despicable; it should be a crime. Luckily for you it's not; it's just greatly shunned upon. The first part of your penance is complete submission to any and all Aes Sedai who is loyal to Egwene al'Vere, the Amyrlin Seat. You will be in essence a Novice to the Aes Sedai of our group and myself. You will not channel unless instructed to by one of us or unless it is a dire need as it was when you saved my Warder and the others.

"You will not be required to wear white since your name is not in the Novice Book but when it can be added it will be. The next part of your penance is a name change; you seem to find power and pride within your name, something that gives you the arrogance you won't need as a Novice. Your new name is Mai'isha." Selene knew just enough of the Old Tongue to know the name translated to 'Maiden betrayer' and if Gwynne, now Mai'isha, knew enough of it then she would know it as well, if not then Darz could tell her.

"The last part of your penance is more physical then the other two parts. As a way of breaking your very arrogant spirit you will be required to run around the camp for three days, fifty laps, naked." Selene had heard of Aiel punishments and decided they could be used for a means of breaking a person's spirit, especially a prisoner's spirit. She was having troubles remembering that Mai'isha was an ally and not an enemy; she deeply and truly hated this link between them. Folding her hands in her lap she tilted her head and asked, "Do you understand?"

Nikoru watched Markus go off to speak with Kai before she turned and walked back toward the others. A feeling of peace filled her at being in the Stedding, even if it did seperate her from saidar. As she drew nearer to her fellow channelers, she overheard Selene speaking to Gwynne.

"..decided your pennance.."

Raising a brow slightly, she stepped closer, standing slightly behind and to the side of Gwynne, watching Selene with curious eyes. She knew that Selene would have thought carefully about this, and that due to how the unwanted bond would be making her feel, the punishment would not be gentle. When she heard what it was, she let a small gasp escape her lips. Lowering her gaze to Gwynne-who-was-now-Mai'isha, she gauged her reaction. Nikoru could tell the treatment as a Novice was somewhat expected by the other woman. But it seemed the name change came as a bit of a shock to her.

"Mai'isha, Selene Sedai? Well, her pennance is yours to dole out. Mai'isha she shall be. Perhaps now she shall listen when those who know more of the One Power tell her not to channel."

Looking at the area, he smiled a little. It was truly peaceful here, some place that was most worthy of a moment to stop and actually enjoy the tranquility that seemed to soak into everything around them.

"I think we might be staying here a while," he said. His voice was quiet, relaxed. It was a voice he hadn't really used in so long. He didn't know what relaxation was anymore. But the ebbing tides of it were coming back, and he was enjoying it all the same.

"The others are just beyond the Stedding's wall. I'm sure they'll be along soon." He didn't look back over his shoulder this time, but rather looked around at those who were within the area. Looking at Kai for a moment, he asked him a question.

"What would you think of calling a place like this home?"

Looking at the man, he studied him for a moment. While he couldn't have a true definition of home, he had had a home, once. It was so long ago that he couldn't hardly remember, but a small part of him still held onto that little piece he knew.

"It's been a long time since I knew what home was," he started, looking around. "Home is where those you care about are. Home is that place you can find happiness." Looking around for a moment, he added in a quiet voice, "Sometimtes happiness goes with you. Sometimes home is where your heart is."

Denath nodded. He didn't remember mentioning his plan to become a Warder to Jazral but with all that had happened over the last few days it wouldn't surprise him if he'd forgotten

"What is it like, to be Bonded?"

Standing up slowly she said to Mai'isha, "If you wish to you may." As the comments from both her Warder and her sister reached her ears she looked at them both with cold eyes and asked, "Is there a problem with calling her Mai'isha? I happen to like the name; it suits her." The last few words she said with pure hatred coursing through her two bonds, she had shown weakness from it once, something she would not allow to happen again.

Gathering her cloak around her she headed off in the direction of Thunder in order to change into a dress so she wouldn't feel so naked. She already felt naked enough with Mai'isha in her mind. After collecting a brightly colored purple dress that was low cut in the neck she petted Thunder then headed off in the direction of the stream, intent on bathing herself, even in this weather.

Snapping out of her own self loathing, she finally noticed what was going on around her. Catching a glimpse of Gwynne running by, her heart caught in her throat, and her mind hissed out in anger. Selene! How could you think this suitable?

Running to her tent, she grabbed her cloak and rapped it tightly around her. It was chilly, and her bare arms now protested being left out in the air too long. Stiffly, she following her friend at a distance, not wanting to infere and risk the rath of both her and Selene. Still, she detested such a blatent attempt of humiliation.

As she got a clearer look at the girl, her voice caught in her throat at the open wounds on her body. She ran after her as fast as she could, but did not get to her intime to stop her aweful tumble to the ground. Running up beside her, tears stung her eyes as she looked down at Gwynne.

"Gwynne, why go so far!? Can you move? If we can get you out of the stedding, I can at least heal the flesh wounds." Dropping to her knees, she grabbed her friend's hand and looked her over. She was bet up, but she'd be fine, and all the better once she was healed. For the first time since entering this tranquil place, she cursed her inability to touch the One Power.