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Nanako was thoroughly impressed with what Gwynne could achieve. She herself still struggled with controlling her weaves properly, though unlike Gwynne she was more then willing to do as she was told by any of the Aes Sedai in the group.



Nanako couldn't help but sigh outwardly. "Selene, she used to be a dear friend of mine. We grew up together in the same villiage, and I'm only a year older." Looking back at Gwynne, she smiled at the memories that came flowing back to her.

Looking back to Selene, her features changed to take on a profound sadness, the source of which surprised her. "Her and her sister were quite close. The village was attacked by trollocs, and she died. That seems to be what happened to her, as far as I know thus far. She hasn't really opened up. She's picked up a rather strong hatred for Aes Sedai's on her travels as well. She hasn't told me why. As you can guess, it's not easy to get her to open up." A weary smile touched her lips, as she sighed again.

"I'll see what I can do, but she hasn't been very receptive to me. Granted, if I get thrown around by her again, you may have to stop me from throddling her myself, power or no." She couldn't help but chuckle an ironic laugh.

"All I can say is to feed her curiousity. We still share that in common, and it will quell her if nothing else. Show that you're willing to teach her, and treat her with respect, and she'll come around. She won't be outdone by any means. Trust me when I say, she's as eager to learn anything new as I am myself."

A sparkle returned to her eyes, in the prospect of new teachings. She realized that continuously bothering them would get her no where, but she would not miss this change to further herself in the one Power.

As Selene turned to Nikoru, Nanako turned Cloud and headed towards Gwynne. She braced herself for whatever would come her way, as she had now long since given up trying to predict Gwynne's reaction to anything.

Pulling up to her and her new companion, she stared at the man and studied him intently for the first time since meeting him. Turning her attention towards the task at hand, she smiled warmly at her friend.

"Gwynne, may I share a small piece of advice?"

Taking a breathe, she didn't bother to wait for a response, as she was sure she didn't want to hear it. "The Aes Sedai of this group are very proud individuals, and have just as much pride as you yourself. If you want to get farther with them, simply show them respect. It's nothing you yourself wouldn't ask for." Looking ahead, she admired the scenery once again, knowing they would enter the city sooner then she would wish it.

"They're very kind people Gwynne. Simply give them a chance, and treat them as you wish them to treat you. Believe me, they will return it in kind. They will teach you... and they won't drag you off to the white tower as you seem to suspect them to do." Quirking an eyebrow, she focused on her friend once again. "Don't be so hard on yourself, and don't be so hard on them. You'd be surprised what you each have to offer one another."

Turning her attention to the man beside Gwynne, she decided a proper introduction was in order. Bowing her head towards him as they continued to ride, she smiled a warm smile that lite her face. "My name is Nanako. Welcome to our group of... well... mismatched travelers."

Giggling slightly, her mood picked up drastically as the last effects of the alcohol left her system. "I'm sorry if I made a scene earlier. Seems we small town girls are good at it. Let me assure you it is not my normal behavior. May I ask, what is your name kind sir?"

Gwynne saw the question in Darz's eyes. Light... he's forgotten what channeling is... His question caught her off guard, both because it was spoken in the Old Tongue and because of the title she recognized in it. "A'es Dar Gwynne", while translated as "Lady Gwynne" in the context Darz was using based on his dialect and apparent social position, was more formally "Gwynne, Sister of All." He was, perhaps unconsciously, acknowledging her as if she was a fellow Aes Sedai in the Hall of the Servants!

As with so many things, that Gwynne would have been just such a person had she lived in the time she believed Darz to have come from did not occur to her. Darz was overestimating her skill, not her strength.

She cast about for something to reply with. Without understanding anything other than the title and the tone of questioning, it was difficult. Then Nanako fell back as well.


Nanako's advice made Gwynne pause. It was more than slightly in tune with her realization of how arrogant she'd been while continuously accusing the Aes Sedai of the same. She simply stared at Nanako for a moment.


Now Gwynne blinked. On the verge of answering her friend's advice, she bit her tongue, waiting to see how Darz would react.

Jazral watched Gwynne with one eye as she made a show of her abilities. Feeling slightly out of place on Nim at the moment he, stoped for a moment and dismounted. he then walked along beside the horse, holding the creatures regins lightly as he walked at a brisk pace, to keep up with the rest of the group. he had always felt better on foot then horseback. He contunied talked to Denath somewhat idoly. In truth he was slightly preocupied with the sight of Tear looming in the distance. A sight he had not seen in what seemed like a life time, and in truth it was a life time ago.

Maybe comeing Tear now wasnt such a bad thing, although he wondered how his parents would greet him...if at all. If anything he would just like to see them again, especily his sister. He hoped nobody in tear would remember him, or at least of those who had chased him away from his home all those years ago

Nervously, she had ridden through Illian with her newfound friends, hoping that none of the Seanchan soldiers would take special note of her armor. It was a dead giveaway if they asked her to talk. She held their dialect without any flaw. She could not pass for a native of this land. She would bring about trouble.

Fortunately, they left with a large crowd of people and she was overlooked as she tried to stay in the center. No one paid her much mind, which she was thankful for. Deep down, she still felt ashamed that she had betrayed her people, that she had given up her life to follow something so blindly. But somewhere in those depths, she knew she believed in what she was following.

Honor and loyalty. I shall have no other qualities.

The Gateway had terrified her. She was not all that trusting of the Power. It was something that made her remember where she came from. Something she did not wish to bode about.

She rode behind the group, far enough behind that she could not hear the conversations but still see that they were talking. Although her eye remained on Nozrin for most of the riding. He was something different. A music man with all the look of someone cold and heartless. And yet, despite what she thought would be a failed career, he held an ornate harp that was a sign of good fortune. Maybe he was just a good actor?

Seeing the columns ahead, she frowned a bit, but she rode on. Maybe that was the reamains of an old castle? This land was so strange to her. Everything that happened was foreign and she hated it, but she fought the fear inside her. She could not be frightened. She was alone.

Nikoru thought for awhile about what sort of pennance she should set for Gwynne. Then she thought perhaps she had something that would humble the girl a bit.

"Selene, do you think perhaps if we told her she was not to channel unless we were teaching her for a while? I know she has a block, and I know she can cloak the fact she is channeling, but maybe her honor will prevail and she will obey."

She looked at Selene questioningly, wondering what the other woman's response to her idea would be.

Nikoru shrugged a bit helplessly.

"I don't know who he is. He is strange... As for the length of time to make Gwynne not channel.. perhaps two weeks? I know it is difficult to resist the call of Saidar..but she fights it anyway. Perhaps she needs to know what it is like to have it there, but not be able to touch it...without shielding of course."

Nikoru then looked forward, watching Gwynne, Nanako, and Darz. This group was becoming increasingly stranger. She also noticed how uncomfortable Jazral was, his scent gave it away completely. She didn't know his past, but she sympathized for the other wolfkin.

Denath sat quietly on Mist, head hung low, silently cursing himself. The gray mare whinnying softly as if to ask what the matter was. He bent down, patting her neck. "All you care about is that we're out of the city, don't you girl?" The horse snorted, tossing her mane in reply. "Don't worry, I didn't like the city much either." Glancing around at the rest of the group his face tightened. "At least you don't have to be the fool of the group."

Returning to the inn after being saved from street toughs by Kai, Denath had quickly slipped out of the common room, not wanting to be involved in the spat that seemed to be brewing between several of the women there. In his experience, whenever women began to argue it was never good to stick around. Somehow they nearly always found away to place the blame on the closest man they could find. Matters were only made infinitely worse if some of those same women also happened to be Aes Sedai.

He'd managed to escape to kitchen, eating enough food to more than make up for the meals he'd missed. Slipping up the stairs to his room unnoticed he'd had every intention of readying himself for the journey. His lack of sleep from the previous nights vigil, however, caught up to him at the sight of the bed he hadn't slept in, overcomming him so suddenly that he didn't even notice that Jazral's and Kai's belongings were no longer in the room.

Slumped against the bedpost, pack laying across his lap, it had been only the rough hands of the innkeeper waking him from the depths of sleep that had prevented him from finding himself left behind, alone, in Illian. Luckily his meager amount of possessions took all of three seconds to gather. Arriving in the stables just in time to see the gateway of the other group closing, he hastily tacked up Mist and, following directions of the innkeeper, made his way for the East Gate.

He'd caught up with the group just as the gateway had been opened, his face burning bright red with embarrassment, sure that they would tell him to head back home. No one had scolded him however, though he doubted that half of them even noticed he had arrived, or indeed if they had noticed he was missing in the first place.

Glancing up, Denath noticed the Warder beckoning him. Feeling his cheeks colour he took a deep breath before urging Mist up next to Nim. Only his promise silent promise to prove himself to Jazral came close to burning as brightly as the shame he felt within.

"So Denath, how does it feel to be in the wilderness again...even if it is for a short time?"

"Almost like being back home," he said simply, meaning it.

His eyes scanning the terrain ahead as the other man continued to talk, leading his horse on foot. Denath nodded here and there, adding in just enough to keep the conversation going. His thoughts, however, dwelt on the shame burning inside him. He'd never been very good at concealing his emotions, but he couldn’t allow Jazral to see any of his discomfort. That would only lead the older man to ask questions, which would eventually uncover the reason of why Denath had been late. As far as Denath was concerned, it was going to stay that way.

OOC: Well Denath is finally back in action, if you can call this action... xp