Characters:
Raksha "Kell" Keller - Survivor, Rahad grown street fighter. Wife of Lieutenant Kargan of the Children of the Light.
Ziana Reliene Corendor - Domani warrior woman.
Keagan

Close up look at Corendor:
Wide-set, luminous emerald eyes are the most prominent feature on a face sculpted from liquid copper. With delicately arched brows, high, regal cheekbones, and a slim jawline, her face seems almost always open, and inviting. A star-shaped freckle on her right cheek adds a touch of puckish charm to an already beautiful Domani face. Soft, full, sweetly curved lips give full rein to each of her emotions. Flowing, lightly curled tresses of rich ebony black frame a heart-shaped face, falling in ripples to just below the curve where waist meets hip.
Her clothing is simple fare, a light, brilliant white silk shirt, cut high at the collar, with billowing sleeves and close cuffs above her hands. Pearl buttons close the garment easily, though they lie unbuttoned from the point just above the swell of her breasts, the silk falling back to reveal the coppery skin beneath, and up along her chest to her throat, shadows marking the hollowed V at the top of her throat. A fitted vest of smooth black leather covers the majority of the shirt, delicately accenting the full swells of her breasts, along a flat, toned abdomen, and over the slight expanse of her waist.
Supple, fitted black leather pants mark the indentation of waist, the rounded curve of hips, and the sculpted length of her legs. The leather accents the confident manner with which she walks, as well as the slight sway of her hips, a subtle combination of Domani sultriness, and a warrior's self-assurance. Her muscles move beneath the leather, each movement a minimum of waste and lost energy. Matching black knee-high laced boots cover her feet, and lower legs, the leather supple from wear, the soles silent.

Kell leans back in a chair situated in the corner of the room, legs resting on the table before her. She sips on an ale in her hand and watches the room around her. Upon seeing the woman enter she quirks an eyebrow and watches her a moment.

Corendor sighs, running her hands along her thighs, where you likely noticed, from the last time she met, she used to have twin daggered sheathed. With a sigh she wends her way through the tables towards the bar, tossing the tender a coin, "Ale, if you will."

Kell watches you silently a while longer before taking a final drink on her ale, finishing the glass. Instead of flaging a serving girl over she throws her legs off the table and stands up, moving toward the bar to get a refill there. She leaves a vest drapped over the chair, as a minor bane to keep people from taking her seat while she is away.

Corendor looks over as the woman walks over, and she leans, side against the bar, contemplating the woman as she walks over, sldiging her own ale down to replace the womans, then ordering another of her own. Kell nods her head slightly with a small smirk, taking the ale without words and putting her empty glass down on the bar, so the bartender can take it back and have it washed and use it on another customer. After a short drink on the ale she says a soft, "I'm called Kell."

Corendor nods, tipping her head in greeting, lifting her own ale and taking a long swallow. After setting the mug down and offers a hand, "Corendor."

Keagan nods to those present, a slight smile touching his lips as he procedes to a table.

Kell lays down her drink after a moment and takes the offered hand in her own badly scarred one, "Nice to meet you." She glances over as someone comes down the stairs and dismissing the man after two looks.

Corendor looks up as a figure darkens the stairs, her eyes turning to consider the new arrival. A tip of her head in greeting before returning to her conversation. She takes your hand, turning it slowly, "You fought well, where ever it was. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Kell glances down at her hand, then back up at the woman holding it, as if looking at her slightly differently then before. "I grew up in the Rahad..."

Corendor shakes her head as she releases your hand, "I've never heard of that place. What is it?"

Kell gives her head a small shake, then offers a smirk, "A place I would rather forget, but it's... the bad side of Ebou Dar, the big city in Altara. There's a lot of... dueling there." She grins a little more at mentioning dueling.

Keagan listens to the two ladies talk as it is the only sensible conversation at the moment, while he awaits his order.

Corendor nods, looking interested, but reserved as well. "I did not mean to bring bad memories..." She shakes her head, "I've only ever passed through Ebou Dar, on campaigns...though dueling, of what type weapon?"

Kell chuckles, "Don't worry about bad memories. I've gotten used to them." She pats the empty sheaths at her waist, "While knives of course. Altaran dueling knives are quite popular."

Corendor chuckles, "Perhaps once this ban in lifted I might engage you in a sparring match. We shall see of Atlaran knives are a match for Domani daggers."

Kell nods, "Perhaps. I haven't had much experience fighting against Domani, but I spent a year in Arad Doman, so I think Altaran steel could be a match. And we don't have to wait for the weapon ban to be lifted. We could go to Foregate. Weapons are allowed there, since it's not part of the main city." She takes a drink from her ale.

Keagan says "Pardon the interuption ladies, but while the city is off limits you can go into the foregate and do the duel now."

Corendor tilts her head, "Perhaps, but my daggers are in the possession of the City Guard."

Corendor says "But I will keep it in mind, and perhaps purchase replacements to keep outside the City."

Kell nods herself, "I keep mine at the Wh...umm... outside the city. Though you can leave them with the guards when you enter the city and then get them back when you leave."

Keagan says "they return them as you leave the city, but one advantage to being a smithy," a twist of the wrists and a flash of steel and then there is nothing as if you just imagined it. "Looking for a dagger my lady?""

Kell sighs at the man showing off and murmurs something about boys while she takes a drink from her ale.

Corendor chuckles, "I do not believe they would return them to me. It wsa give them up or be arrested. It would be an interesting request though."

Corendor looks over at Keagan, "If you could match Domani design, I might consider it. But I'd refrain from showing your...skills...so blatantly."

Keagan says "I'm in good with the Palace Guards commander, he hires me out for the time until the queen gets around to seeing me for the official interview."

Kell chuckles silently, then turns to Corendor, "What do Domani knives look like again? I can't seem to remember. I have a small collection of knives that I've picked up while I was moving back at... my... tent."

Corendor says "Never trust a good word, or a good man. I doubt if you were caught that he would be so forgiving, when it would make it apparent that he had allowed a lawbreaker to run free.""

Keagan seems very confident and relaxed if not more so and not caring if the rest of the room hears or not.

Corendor turns back to her tablemate of sorts, "Slim, with a wide hilt, and tangs for sword catching, the blade is slightly curved, but only a bit."

Keagan waves to the barkeep, for what looks like pen and paper, the barkeep nods hastily and looks about before sending a server over to Keagan with the request.

Keagan begins to draw on the paper, "About how long is this dagger hilt tip to blade point?"

Kell looks thoughtful for a moment, then nods, "Altaran blades are more curved and only sharp on one edge. I think I might have one Domani blade. It wouldn't be unthinkable. I spent a while there after all."

Corendor looks up at the question, "A foot and a quarter." Then back to Kell, "I wouldn't mind looking through your colelction, and if you're willing, to purchase the dagger."

Kell looks thoughtful for a moment again, sipping on her ale, then she nods, "Of course. I'm willing. I don't know a style for most the knives I have, so they really are of little use to me."

Corendor nods, "Often times you can create a style to go with the weapon. With my daggers, they're Domani, but my fighting style is my husband's, or was..." Her eyes darken a moment, "He was from Shienar."

Keagan draws a little more, pausing to glance at her hands, then back to the paper, makes a few touch up lines. Then stands and walks over, showing the diagram of a dagger with 3/4 foot blade, then the blade catchers sticking out, in an interesting but feasible design, while having a thin handle and the but being just a tad thicker...."Something along these lines?"

Corendor turns to study the drawing, "The blade should be a foot and a quarter, and the bladecatchers are slightly curved inward...but close."

Kell nods for a moment, sobering her expression, "I've never been to Shienar, and my style is basically dirty Rahad dueling style. Which basically means anything can happen." She shrugs and adds after a moment, "In the Rahad we'd duel to the death." She takes a sip on her drink again.

Keagan arcs a brow, "Ah, well that is different from the answer you gave me but an easy fix, if you want I can have this done within the next two days."

Corendor looks at the man, dealing with him first, "I did say a foot and a quarter, and you did not ask me to describe the bladecatchers." She shakes ehr head, "I'll wait until I can find out more about the blade Kell possesses. if it is Domani, I will bring it to you." Then back to her tablemate, "I'd be interested in learning that style. And if we'd duel to the death, then as the one challenged, it would be your choice on what we would fight to."

Kell shakes her head, "That was just in the Rahad. I haven't dueled to the death since... Hmm... well since I left Altara. Mostly now I duel to first blood. My most recent one was to first blood." She smirks as if that was something funny.

Keagan says "I asked from blade tip to the bottom the /hilt/ not the base of the blade, but I'm sorry for any misunderstandings either way it's an easy enough task," nods, "as you wish."

Keagan turns and moves back to his table.

Corendor nods and considers, "First blood -is- easier to recover from, but it's not quite the same challenge, is it?" Noting the smirk, she comments, "you wished to do something else?"

Corendor glances back to the smithy, "Then it would be a foot and three quarters. I will contact you...and thank you for the offer."

Kell shakes her head, "Just thinking on one of my -few- good memories. My last duel lead to some... interesting things."

Keagan throws a nod, to Corendor, "Oh one more thing, do you perchance know the name of the guard who took your daggers? or perhaps his post, rank, and day of the confiscation?"

Corendor chuckles, "They often can...my husband asked me to marry him after one of ours."

Corendor says "I know the name. I will deal with the situation."

Kell hrms thoughtfully, "Interesting twist of fate. Maybe I could get you to tell me about it sometime?"

Corendor laughs softly, as she finishes her ale, "Of course...I wouldn't mind in the least."

Kell finishes her own ale in a long drink, then lays the glass down, "I have a place outside the city. Rather small though, and it's not very nice, but it's better than my other home." She walks over to the corner where she left her vest and slips it in, "Perhaps we could go there and talk somemore. I have a bottle of ale hidden there as well, and my knives of course."

Keagan shrugs. and finally returns fully to his tea.

Corendor nods, pushing aside her ale, and setting down coin in payment and for a tip. "I have lived roughly for many years. I doubt I would be offended by your quarters." She laughs, softly, "I am Domani born, but I've learned better, or at least different, ways." Stepping away from the bar, "Lead, and I shall follow."

Kell smirks slightly and shrugs, "My mother was Domani, though I barely knew her." She gives the Inn a quick look around, then starts out to the stable yard.

Keagan looks to speak up about something, but guesses she will figure it out soon enough and not wanting to be bothersome again he looks back to his tea, nodding to the ladies as they leave.

Firestar picks his head up as the door opens before lazily drooping it back down for grass although he seems to be friendly enough seeing Kell...

Kell moves toward the street, glancing at the horse a moment as she passes by, then shakes her head and moves on, murmuring something to the Domani woman behind her, "Is it just me, or are most men crazy?"

Corendor laughs softly, moving into position behind you, "Beautiful mount." She shakes her head, "I've often wondered that myself. Mad or arrogant."

Kell chuckles and nods, "Arrogance is definatly one thing within most men excell." She continues towards the streets and adds after a moment, "I've known more than a few that made me want to clober them, even though I know they are much stronger than I am."

Corendor shakes her head, "Sometimes I think that's what they'd like. And likely they'd be surprised when they got what they wanted. It's always surprising to find a woman who wants more than a man to offer his arm, and his bed."

Corendor walks quietly for a moment, comtemplating, but she seems only half-focused on her own thoughts, the other half of her attention focused on her surroundings.

Kell chuckles softly, "I used to think men all wanted fluffy dressed women who were perfect and pampered, but then one certain boy gave me a wake up call and changed that mode of thinking. Of course I never actually got to marry him like I would have liked. In fact, he's engaged to someone else right now."

Corendor nods, then asks, her tone gentle, "What happened to change your future together?"

Kell shrugs her shoulders, "It's a rather long story, but basically our two life styles didn't... fit at all. It took him six months of making me fall in love with him to wake up and realize that we couldn't be more than bed parteners." She shakes her head. "But enough on me. Tell me about your husband, what was he like?"

Corendor nods, "I'm sorry for your loss." She seems surprised at the question, then replies, "Gorell was a strong man, with a wonderful sense of humour. I met him after I left the man who had purchased me for a collection of woman he had. he led the Mercenary Company I lead now, MoonBlade. it was difficult for him at first I think, dealing with me. I was very hateful. he originally taught me the daggers to help me vent my anger. It took me a long time to see him as anything more than another captor."

Kell nods slowly, listening. "Well, my story was a little different than that, but my relationship with Ly...um... -him- was hateful at first. In fact, if I remember correctly the first time we met I spat at him." She shakes her head.

Corendor nods, listening attentively. She doesn't seem to notice the gloos-over on the name, "Seems reasonable. I've wanted to do that with a few people myself."

Kell shakes her head sadly, "Of course I'll miss him when he gets married, but to be honest, when I heard he was engaged... or actually he proposed to the girl right in front of me." She frowns, remembering that for a moment, "Well, I got a revenge on him." She fingers the Altaran marriage knife at her neck, "Which is why I wear this."

Corendor blinks, then frowns, asking, "Did you marry to spite him or because you wished to be with the man you married?"

Kell shrugs, "Kargan wanted to marry me. He would at least admit he loved me in public. L... the other wouldn't even do that. I didn't marry Kargan for revenge alone." She shrugs slightly, "I do want to 'be' with him."

Corendor nods, her expression calm, neither judging or agreeing, "I wish you happiness with your husband, Kell."

Kell smirks, "Though I will admit it was worth seeing the look on his face when I told him I was marrying a Whitecloak." She doesn't catch herself in time, seeing as she doesn't usually brag about the man she married.

Corendor nods, not seeming to notice anything wrong, "I've never met a WhiteCloak. Are they not like regular men?"

Kell raises an eyebrow, though it may not be noticed under her scarf, "Well, yes. Whitecloaks are often more arrogant than any other men. They constantly fight 'battles' against the Dark One and Aes Sedai. They think anyone different is instantly a Darkfriend, which is why it still astonds me that Kargan could fall in love with me." She smirks and adds, "Did I mention that he was the last person I dueled against?"

Corendor hrms, considering your words, "I would think people would want them to fight for them. Though I can understand why being called a darkfriend for being different would bother someone." She nods at your comment, "How do his fellows view you?" A shake of the head and a half smile, "No you didn't."

Kell shrugs, "I avoid his fellows as best I can. The only one who I talked to since we were married tried to make sure I knew what it meant to be a Light blessed wife of a Whitecloak, and how I had to 'serve' my husband." She laughs, "I actually snorted at him and told him to suck on a pigs tail. I wasn't going to 'serve' anyone."

Corendor laughs, almost cheering you on, "I can imagine the face he must have made at seeing and hearing that."

Corendor says "But how do you avoid seeing them, do you not live with him?"

Kell nods, "I usually just go in and out and straight to the tent I share with Kargan, only pausing to get checked by the sentries and I avoid talking to them if I can. Seeing them is almost impossible to avoid. Expecially with their perfect white clothing."

Corendor nods, "That doesn't seem a comfortable way to live...I can imagine you must try to spend as much time away as you can."

Kell nods, "That's why I have a small place outside the camp and the city where I keep most my things and sometimes sleep. It's hard to get into the camp after dark sometimes."

Corendor shakes her head, "A lonely existence indeed, Kell."

Kell stops once they finally arrive at the gate and smiles at Corendor, "Excuse me a moment Corendor." She walks up to the guard and says, "I'm Raksha Keller, I have three knifes at this Gate and since I'm now out of the city, I would like them back." The guard makes her sign a few things, then she has the three knifes back in her sheath, "Thank you kindly, Cairhienin Guardsman." Then she moves to join Corendor again, "Where were we again?"

Corendor nods, watching the woman, smiling slightly as she watches the interaction, and then laughs softly as she watches you walks back, "We were talking abbout seeing your collection."

Kell pats her knives fondly, "Well it's nice to have these back at least." She motions toward the Cairhienin Road, "It's just a little further that way, only a little bit out of Foregate."

Corendor nods and smiles, sweeping her hard towards the road, "After you, madam." Kell walks down the road until there's trees around, then she veers off down a small trail, "Watch your step, there's some rocks and tree roots around that you could trip on." Then she leads down about a quarter of a mile until a small camp site comes into sight with a small shealter made out of a very old cottage that's fallen apart and been abandoned for the most part.

Corendor walks carefully, heeding your words, though she moves as though she's used to rough terrain. "Thank you for the warning, Kell." She bllinks as she notices the abandoned cottage, "You live here?"

Kell shrugs, "It's my home away from Rhinorth Manor or the Whitecloak camp." She explains the first part with a quick sentance or two, "I used to work as a stablehand for the Rhinorth noble family in the city."

Corendor nods, approaching it, "It's quiet here...but lonely as well." She turns, considering, "Are you happy here, Kell?"

Kell shrugs her shoulders, "I'm content with being alone." She moves to the door and prys it open, "Don't worry, it's more sturdy then it looks, though stay on the ground floor."

Corendor nods and moves to stand behind you, then inside, "I'll be careful." her eyes move from place to place, studying the cottage as she moves inside.

Kell moves inside herself, and motions towards a board, "Don't step on that one. Bugs have eaten it too much, so it's ready to fall in. But the rest are fair." She moves towards a chest sitting against the wall and pulls a key out of her sleave. "I'll unlock it, then you can look through my knives."

Corendor nods, pulling back as she was just about to step on that board. She just stops, turning in a slow circle to look at the cottage, then back to you, "have you considered rebuilding it?" A nod at your last statement and she moves over to you, "Thank you."

Kell looks around and shakes her head, "Not really." She unlocks the trunk, then opens it carefully. "I don't really now how to build things very well. Never had to do it before."

Corendor nods and kneels beside the trunk, "I'm certain a builder could be contracted. You could make this place into a home."

Kell pulls out some scarfs, all red, from the top to reveal her knives. Mostly Altaran knives, but also some Tarabon styles, and some Kandori styles, as well as a few Saldaean. One or two Cairhiens. And of course. One Domani. "I don't really have the mony to hire a builder."

Corendor nods, watching you and the objects the removeal of scarves reveal. She smiles as she spies the Domani one, "I'm certain something could be arranged to allow you to have this place rebuilt. If you wanted it to be."

Kell smiles and shrugs, "I might try it. I've been wanting to talk Kargan into moving outside the camp, maybe if I had a place we could move into he'd listen more... readily." She looks at the knives, "So have I got one you want?"

Corendor smiles, "I'd be willing to offer my assistance. I know a little about hiring people. What I don't know, we could learn." She smiles and nods, indicating the Domani one, "That one...it's perfect, it looks beautiful."

Kell looks at the knife and smiles, "I thought I had one like the one you discribed. And if you are willing to offer... well, I'd be willing to accept."

Corendor nods, considering, "You're very kind. How much would you like for it?"

Kell blinks slightly, then shrugs, "How about I give you the knife, you help me find someone to build this place up. Deal?"

Corendor chuckles, "I think we have a deal. I'd love to help you fix this place up."

Kell smiles and removes the Domani knife, holding it's hilt towards you. "So besides helping me find someone to rebuild this old place, what else do you plan to do in the city?"

Corendor smiles, and accepts the blade, crossing her arms over her chest, the salute given by her company, "I'm petitioning to join the Royal Guard."

Kell blinks, looking surprised, then shrugs, "The Royal family is alright. I met them before when they were in Tar Valon for a year, when Cairhien's gates were closed because of a big murder. An entire house was destroyed. The hier is... niave. I'll warn you he has a tendancy to trick his guards and ditching them. If you do get in, keep a special eye on him."

Corendor nods, listening quietly, and making a mantal note of each point. "You seem surprised." She shakes her head, "I've ben with Moonblade for 9 years...I took some time away from them, because..." She sighs, "I want to take care of my son. I need a steady income to do that, even though my mother says she can afford everything he needs."

Kell shrugs, "Just never heard of a woman guard is all." She admits and closes the trunk slowly after replacing all the scarves and then moves to lock it again.

Corendor nods, looking saddened at the mention of her son, "Do you think they would even consider interviewing me?"

Kell shrugs, "The Queen might, I haven't met any of the others to say for sure, but she seems at least a -little- open to things. She has to be with a brother like Lyren."

Corendor nods, considering. "I hope she is understand, as you say. But what of the Commander? Have you heard anything of him?"

Kell frowns a little, thinking, "Not much really. I know he's been working for the Tiigrils - that's the Queen's family - for a long time."

Corendor nods, and offers, "I hope whatever liberal ideas the Queen has will rub off on him."

Kell nods and turns away from the chest now, "Alright, we can go back to the city, or we can go ahead and have that duel now. Unless there's other things we have to talk about. I still have that bottle of ale lying around here."

Corendor smiles, "I think the City. although I promised a friend I would check in on him. Can I find you at the Inn perhaps a bit later?"

Kell nods. "Of course. I wanted to catch something to eat anyway."

Corendor nods and smiles, standing, sliding the dagger into a sheath below her vest, and the small of her back, "Thank you for speaking with me, Kell...and for the dagger. I'll start looking this afternoon."

Kell nods and offers a smile, "Anytime. It's nice to have someone to talk to. Doesn't feel so alone when I do. I will see you later then, Corendor."

Corendor nods and smiles, offering her hand again, ":It is nice to have a friend, or someone I hope will become one, Kell. I will find you later."

Kell smiles at the mention of friend, then takes the hand and gives it a firm squeeze, "I look forward to having a friend. It will be a first for me."

Corendor smiles, and nods, "I will try to be a good one." She bows, and turns towards the door.

Kell watches you go silently, still kneeling in front of the trunk.