Courtyard: White Tower, Tar Valon

Before you stands a magnificent palace made of delicately sculpted marble, rather than blocks. Gently arching walls and bulging domes rise high into the sky, seemingly just barely touching the clouds with its delicately crafted spires, topping off the breathtaking sight before you. Looking about, one can see a small garden off to the side, with a small winding path down it's center that leads into a maze of bushes where one might get lost if not too careful.

All around one can see bare trees and shrubs, as if the winter cold has taken the life from the plants. Snow softly blankets the ground and the benches in the yard, however there is a cleared path so that one may walk about the grounds. The noon sun rises high in the sky, shining down brightly into the courtyard grounds. All around you can see that the area is a bustle of activity as Novices and Accepted alike work on their chores or mill about on various benches in the yard doing their studies. Aes Sedai clump together in small groups, holding private conversations, keeping a careful eye on events in the area.

A broad stairway, made of pristine white marble, enters into the White Tower, marked by a massive pair of doors decorated with delicate carvings of intricate workmanship. A tall, white wall cascades around the yard, its entrances and exits marked by high gates leading to the street, watched by the Tower Guard. Somewhere in the courtyard you can see buildings for the barracks and the stables. You can also see an entrance to the practice yard, marked of by a row of high hedges.

Tsuiko, Shina, Sionil

Saevyna walks down the steps into the Courtyard, after pushing through the main doors of the Tower.

Kradan walks down the steps into the Courtyard, after pushing through the main doors of the Tower.

Zannick walks down the steps into the Courtyard, after pushing through the main doors of the Tower.

Suddenly as you all go about your business as usual a large matronly form marches out of the kitchen gardens. Shes well known to any novice or trainee who ever had to pull kitchen duty. Mistress Hilda a great big red faced lady of about 50 summers of age. She's looking even more red faced than usual and wielding her favorite long wooden spatula. Many a hand has been smacked with this kitchen tool over the years. She huffs and puffs and screams, "Jessalyn you lazy girl were did you sneak back to!? I'll have words with Weste Sedai yes I will! You will scrubbing pots till you grow grey hairs!!"

Sionil sitting at a bench to the side of the courtyard shakes her head as the woman comes out of the gardens.

Hilda waves her spatula in the arm and rolls up her sleeve. She marches around the courtyard looking for any hiding spots the missing novice might be using.

Tsuiko is holding a small plate of greens as she exits the Tower. She is munching on one particular green as the woman comes bursting boistioursly into the courtyard.

Saevyna shifts her weight in order to afford her a clear glance of the woman barging from the gardens into the courtyard. Her blonde hair is worked into twin coronet braids, originating above her temples. The rest of her hair travels down the nape of her neck unrestrained, effectively covering the upper back-half of her crimson dress. She is resting off to the side of the area, on her own, with an easel displayed at her front. Resting on the stable ledge of the wooden frame, is a partially completed painting, of what, is yet to be determined.

Devon is walking out of the Tower with Zannick. A dark brown satchel hangs from her side, bouncing back and forth against her hip as they walk together. Devon tries to keep pace with the taller Gaidin, and does a somewhat adequate job. Today, her hair is tied up, finally long enough once again to warrent it. A dark blue sash hangs down from her blonde locks.

Kradan walks down the stairs for the Tower. A piece bread in one hand and the slight budgle of his right cheek tells of another piece there. Pausing at the base of the stairs and blinks at Hilda. Forgetting to bow to the Aes Sedai and Gaidin.

Zannick is trying not to walk too fast and make the blue sister walking with him scurry, really he is. Long legs are tough to keep from taking a goodly stride though. He has one of his nicer blue shirts on, which coincidentally almost matches the sash Devon wears. The two are chatting back and forth as they walk though the topic isn't readily discernable, just voices.

Hilda seems like she might burst. A very excitable woman of course although well known for excellent cooking and a stern hand in the kitchen. Her voice becomes somewhat shrill, "I need someone to clean these pots! What am I going to do I have the Keepers special dish..I can't take time to wash pots. I've had it with these Novices ducking their chores!" She glares around trying to find the missing girl, "Jessalyn! I'll have you scrubbing the cauldrons! Where are you?" Hilda marches around asome more lookign torn between finding the missing Novice and cooking the Keeper's meal.

Sionil sighs at the management the Mistress gives.

Tsuiko purses her lips around the stalk of greens in her mouth and then chews it down quickly. A glance over towards Devon and then her eyes go back to Hilda. "You say a Novice is missing?" An eyebrow is raised and again she turns to Devon.. "Have you seen her sister?"

Saevyna casts a sweeping glance over the intruding woman, examining her from head to toe with detached emotion, before quirking an eyebrow that falls almost as soon as it had risen. Turning back towards the easel, her hand travels to grasp the edge of the stool she is resting upon, while at the same time, her head tilts at a considering angle as she regards her work. Narrowing her eyes and tugging her lips inwards in dissatisfaction, she retrieves her brush from the base of the statue at her side, and begins to make any necessary corrections.

Zannick raises an eyebrow, He mutters to Devon, "... both... long... that... easy... loose track?"

You sense Zannick raises an eyebrow, "I don't think I know which novice she refers to. Have we both been so long raised that it is so easy to loose track?"

Devon curiously eyes the Mistress of Kitchens, gesturing to Zannick as well. Devon adjusts her course, waiting for Zannick to do the same, so they head towards the woman. Its as she's heading for the Mistress of Kitchens' that Devon hears Tsuiko's question. "She was supposed to be in a Spirit lesson after the morning bell, but she didn't show up. I sent word to Weste, although I had heard nothing back yet."

Sionil hmms at this news rising up from her seat.

As Kradan gets a hold of himself. Gulpping down his bread and backs off, leaning against the wall and just watches. With just a hint of amusement.

Hilda puffs out her chest and builds up more steam, "She was supposed to be helping in the kitchens tonight! NOW what do I do? Oh Light the Keeper's chicken! I have to go." Hilda plow her way through the gardens on her way back to the kitchens. Her yelling can be heard even back there.

Sionil walks over "No one has seen the child?"

Saevyna turns her head so that her ear may pick up any words which may travel her way, but at this distance, all but the very loudest would be lost to her. However, as though in compensation, she cranes her neck so that she may encompass both her artwork and the small group by the mere sweep of her eyes. Deft pulls of her wrists evidence each brush stroke that she makes, inbetween which, she leans back to assume an appraising glance --although it is spared for more than the paint-scrawled canvas.

Tsuiko taps her lips as she hands the plate off to one of the gawking novices, before shooing her onward. She nods to Devon's words and then hmms.. "A mystery then..." She looks over as Sionil comments before turning back to Devon. "Who was working with her?"

Zannick adjusts his course without Devon having to wait too long for him, a millisecond perhaps. He keeps quiet however, and simply observes while the Sedai discuss the girl, eyes following each as they speak in turn.

"I was, with a group of three other students, Sister." Devon adds calmly, "Although it has not been the first novice to skip out on a lesson, or on her chores, at that. I simply assumed she had run away, or tried to at least." She glances up at Zannick, her forehead creased. "However, this is a serious problem, then."

Kradan rubs the side of his nose and chews on his other piece of bread. Quickly heading for the practice yard.

Sionil nods at Devon's remarks "What about her friends, have they seen the girl?" giving a slight glance to Kradan when he walks past.

Zannick tilts his head, and addresses Devon, though loud enough for the others to hear, "And do we know where she was last seen, and when?" He glances towards the gates and the guards stationed there. "It would have been difficult to leave without some help."

One of the guards look up as there appears to be some commotion in the courtyard. Still he is only a guard and thus does not interfere. He just stands there looking alert and holding his spear.

Saevyna glances towards the group out of the corner of her eye, but draws her attention back towards her task. The corner of her mouth twitches somewhat, and she gives a soft sigh as she irritable casts her brush back atop the base of the statue. Her thumb spins the Great Serpent ring on the middle finger of her left hand almost absently, and as her chest heaves another sigh, she emits a soft cloud of misty-warm vapour.

Devon tilts her head slightly, considering. "The girl has few friends that I recall, although she has not been in my classes much as of late. My focus has been distracted, as it were." She sees a Novice heading in from the gates, presumably from her afternoon chores in the city. "Elze, come here." Devon addresses the girl. Slightly plump, the dark Murandian girl hurries towards the Aes Sedai who summons her. "Elze, have you seen Jessalyn today? I've seen the pair of you whispering in corners of the Library at times."

Elze blushes and kinda stammers giving a nervous curtseys, "Uhhmm no Sedai..I mean yes.." She swallows wondering if she is in trouble now. "We didn't mean to!"

Sionil glowers "mean to what, Child?"

"Did not mean to what, Novice?" Ko asks, frowning a bit and nods her head as she looks at the girl in front of her.

Elze stammers and looks at her feet, "Uhmm we tied all of Trelaine Sedai's shifts together in a knot."

Devon nods slightly, as the Accepted and several other Novices enter the gates now. Elze must have run ahead. "I know, Elze, and that's not important now. What is important is where Jessalyn is. Have you seen her today? Not only did she skip one of my classes, but Mistress Hilda is left in a bind because of her disappearance." She pauses for a moment, and then fixes the girl with a slightly harder look. "If she has run away, you should tell me now, rather than should I find out later."

Sionil keeps her face in a calm state tho beneath she chuckles to herself, revealing her amusment to none.

Tsuiko nods as she listens to Devon.. "And where did you hang this shift from?" A query comes from Ko Sedai, ever the inquisitive one.

Elze shakes her head, "No nothing she would never run away now. Shes in love." Elze seems very relectant to elaborate and thus stops speaking now.

Saevyna appears to be completely emmersed in a task of her own, which at this point in time, is packing up. Her usually serene Aes Sedai features, although devoid of the ageless quality as of yet, are swept clear of emotion. The hem of her crimson gown falls down over the toes of her slippers, and bundles against the ground. Clearing the ledge of her easel of paints, brushes, and other accessories, she pulls the string on her pouch tight to ensure the security of all her items. Then, in a movement that could be described as somewhat abrupt, she pulls the hem of her skirt from the ground and takes a few steps from her work, turning her head about the courtyard with a scrutinizing gaze.

Sionil shakes her head "You've already told enough, you may as well say the whole story, Elze, Who is the boy?"

Zannick shares a glance with Devon, a re-raised eyebrow included, as if to wonder where the boy IS.

Elze nods her head and goes on, "That new trainee Darial..hes so handsome. Jess was going to give him a new shirt." She pauses, "Well that was the plan till the seamtress she worked with died. Jess was a little upset about that but she wasn't going to run away or anything. Actually she wanted to try to do something from the family." She pauses again, "anyhow she was making Darial the cutest shirt.."

Sionil looks over at the Gaidin "Do you know this trainee?"

Two eyebrows raise at that confession. She looks over at Devon and chuckles lightly. "And now the truth comes stumbling outwards.." A pause.. "The seamstress that recently died?" She frowns at this. "Where is Darial now?"

Devon blinks, glancing over at Zannick. She mutters to Zannick, "... the... by Trelaine. Poor Galjea... the... was..."

Zannick senses "Devon blinks, glancing over at Zannick. "The seamstress was murdered, found in the Erinin the other day by Trelaine. Poor Galjea saw her first, the girl was traumatized. She was strangled.""

Elze shakes her head, "Uhmm I don't think Darial knows Jess likes him... she wanted to suprise him. She used to watch him train. Shes been afraid to ask him because of that mean Angharad."

Devon nods to Elze, her lips thinning ever so slightly. Normally known for a positive air and a warm smile, her focus seems to be on the business at hand, her feature schooled into calm. "Elze, do you know of anyone else close to Jessalyn that may be able to tell us where she's hiding?"

Tsuiko looks over at the girl.. "Where did you take the clothing that you tied up to, Elze?" She nods to Devon.

Zannick turns his head towards Sionil, "His name is on my rosters, Sedai, but I have only met him once. He did not seem a troublemaker, but it is sometimes difficult to tell."

Elze nods, "Her roomate? I think Gwen is probly in ther eright now..she is always studying." Elze makes a face.

Sionil gives a slight nod to Zannick "Perhaps a Question or two for the lad." then to the novice. "And Gwen, if you would be kind enough to bring her down here, Elze." More a command then a question.

Devon turns on her heal, scanning the novices and Accepted still a bit away from them. To the Accepted, she gestures. "Anya, I want you to go to the Novice quarters now, and track down Gwen. If you don't know her room, ask one of the girls working nearby. Bring her down to us as soon as possible. The rest of you," she calls to the novices, who by now are watching the gathering with wide eyes, "are to go help Mistress Hilda in the kitchen now, until your evening chores are set to begin." Many of the girls wince in irritation, but wisely they all hold their tongues.

Saevyna's gaze flickers over the courtyard, the only attention she directs towards the smaller congregation is a lingering glance, and one of irritation at best. Without so much as a concern for her easel or the framed canvas resting upon it, she runs her hands over her gown in what could be an attempt to flatten wrinkles and folds, before lifting the hem of her dress to prevent it from dragging on the ground. Tracing silent footfalls over the snow-swept cobblestones, she pads silently up the wide stairs leading to the main entrance of the tower. The only sign of recognition that she makes as she passes the group is a respectful nod, accompanied with a brief smile, however, it comes across as somewhat forced.

Zannick's ordinarily cheerfully set lips thin thoughtfully as he answers Devon softly, He mutters to Devon, "... heard... Something... right....." He trails off and answers Sionil then, "I believe he was assigned to some classes outside of the tower in the countryside with another gaidin. We will have to wait till they return."

You sense Zannick's ordinarily cheerfully set lips thin thoughtfully as he answers Devon softly, "I had heard something on that.. and other things. Something is not right.. perhaps that.. " He trails off and answers Sionil then, "I believe he was assigned to some classes outside of the tower in the countryside with another gaidin. We will have to wait till they return."

Devon dips her head slightly, holding the Gaidin's gaze for a moment. She mutters to Zannick, "... agree, but... is not... topic for now.... wish... Trelaine as... regarding... seamstress,... guard her..."

Zannick senses "Devon dips her head slightly, holding the Gaidin's gaze for a moment. "I agree, but that is not a topic for now. Later, perhaps. I wish to speak with Trelaine as it is, regarding the poor seamstress, may the Light guard her soul.""

Almost as soon as Saevyna disappears into the Tower, a scurrying novice sweeps her way out, her eyes wide and her hair in disarray. Fetching the easel and canvas, with a great amount of struggle at that, she clumsily directs herself back towards the Tower.

Some time passes as everyone waits for Elze to return with the other Novice.

Saevyna has disconnected.

Tsuiko frowns a bit.. "Why don't we go up there and see if we can find them ourselves, sisters?"

Sionil nods slightly "It's been too long for just going to the novice dorms"

Suddenly two girls in white appear panting from a hurried run the thin scholarly form of Gwen is now presented and she speaks with her nasaly voice after curtseying low to the sisters. Elze for her part steps back trying to be invisible she did after all just admit pranking a Sedai.

Zannick nods to Devon, becoming uncharacteristically brief of words, "Agreed. A discussion for later."

Sionil looks away from the Sedai and the Gaidin and towards the entrance of the tower, waiting for the pair of novices to approach.

Tsuiko looks over at Gwen and purses her lips.. "When was the last time you saw your roommate?"

Gwen blinks at the gaggle of Sedai, her mouth opening and closing slightly. She's probably in trouble. Devon nods to the girl. "Gwen, have you seen Jessalyn today?" Gwen, obviously Altaran, shakes her head definitely, her voice indeed very nasal in tone. "No Sedai, not after she left for her first class. Earth weaves, she said."

Sionil says "Who was teaching it, Gwen, do you know?"

Zannick leans over to Devon to quietly suggest, "Perhaps a search of the girl's room is in order? Some clue to her whereabouts might be found in her belongings?"

Gwen shakes her head, her face coloring. "I'm not sure, Sionil Sedai. I don't think she said." The girl begins shaking, almost wilting under all those Aes Sedai faces.

Devon blinks, glancing around the group, and then back to Gwen. A slight breeze enters the courtyard, causing a brief chill for some. "Earth weaves? Are you sure, Gwen? She was scheduled for a class after First Bell with me, but not in Earth. We had a lesson in Spirit, Jessalyn needed more work to grasp the weaves." Devon looks around, somewhat confused. "And there were no other classes scheduled for her before that, because I had her chart. She was given part of the morning off, until Weste could arrange a new chore for her, rather than going into the city once the Seamstress had disappeared."

Elze inches away. Everyone is so worried about Jess maybe they'll forget me..

Tsuiko frowns a bit and looks over at Gwyn "When was the class supposed to be?" She looks over at Elze. "You've yet to answer my question. Where are Trelaine Sedai's clothing?"

Gwen shakes her head. "She woke early, saying her class was...in the second basement!" the girl slowly recalls, her voice gaining fervor. "She left even before the first bell, Devon Sedai. Jessalyn needed a lot of help with her channeling, she's always being pulled for more classes."

Sionil frowns at Tsuiko "Sister, their prank can be delt with after we have found Jessalyn." Then to Devon "Perhaps Zannick is right, Devon. Would you like to go see if you can find anything in her quarters?"

Elze gulps and wipes her forehead, "In..my rooms..we were going to run it all up the flagpole in the morning." She wrings her hands nervously.

Sionil blinks at Gwen's statement

Tsuiko blinks.. "The lower basement?" She frowns.. "Elze, go get the little knot you had planned and bring it to the Entrance Hall." She looks to Devon.. "Sisters, I would suggest we go to the basement.."

Elze nods quickly and flees the scene with great haste.

Devon blinks, glancing at the ohter Sedai, and then to Zannick, nodding her head. "I cannot think of any Sister wanting to teach a class on Earth down in the bowels of the Tower, no matter the reason." She looks at Gwen. "Are you absolutely sure about this?"

Gwen nods her head vigorously, anything to get away from these Sisters. "I swear, Aes Sedai. I wouldn't lie. She say she had to go to the second basement. She was muttering about an Earth class just before she left, that had to be why she was going."

Outwardly, Zannick looks only mildly perplexed, but his eyes are rather sharp on observation, taking in everything the novices had to say, and casting from sister to sister, listening to what is said, jotting it down mentally.

Sionil absently nods to Gwen, looking straight at Devon "None of the alarms have gone off as far as I know, Devon."

Devon nods slightly, glancing at the other Sisters. "Might I suggest we investigate the basement? Zannick," she turns to the Gaidin, "would you accompany us? It would do well to have all the bodies we can, if we have to comb the basements."

Gwen bows her head nervously and asks in her nasaly voice, "Uhmm can I go back to my studies now?"

Sionil nods to them "I'll go search the girls room, to see if I can find anything."

Tsuiko shakes her head at Gwen.. "No, you have to stay here with us.. now come along.."

Devon shakes her head. "No Gwen, she may come if you call her. If she's really upset, then perhaps it would do if she had a familiar voice asking her to come out." She smiles at Tsuiko, who voiced the same thought as she herself.

Zannick smiles. however briefly, at Devon, "Of course, I am at your service Sedai." He turns, looking toward the tower, waiting for the little group to be readied to plunge into the belly of the tower.

Sionil mutters to Devon, "... is... down... You will..."

Sionil whispers "If there is trouble, break the alarms down there. You will get help right away"

Devon nods gratefully to Sionil, nodding her head in understanding. Her expression still remains bleak, however. She nods and begins to follow Tsuiko, reacing out to place a hand on Gwen's shoulder, to guide her towards the building, or keep her close at hand, either are possible. Tsuiko walks down the steps into the Courtyard, after pushing through the main doors of the Tower.

The two Sisters, the Gaidin, and the Novice head down into the second level basement.

Gwen peers around the dim basement and shivers a bit, "Whats down here?" She says aloud before realizing it.

Dust covers the floor of the second basement, as the Tower group makes their way down there. Footsteps can be seen, at least nine or ten different sets, all within the last few weeks. While few of the Tower go this far down, the staff uses it occassionaly for storage. A few of the doors are warded shut, for those who can see. The temperature is cool, the hall dark.

Tsuiko pauses.. "No one move!" Ko calls out as she channels up a ball of light to follow the footsteps.. "Hold on..here are the footprints.."

Devon stays near to Zannick. No, they're not bonded, just good friends. Funny how some don't seem to believe that, though. She pats Gwen slightly on the back. "These rooms are usually used for storage, although some are reserved for special circumstances. Nothing to worry too much about," she tries to reassure the girl. Devon nods to Ko, seeing two pairs of footsteps heading off to the side of the hall, disappearing underneath one of the doors. She considers that. It looks as though only one pair has left the room. For those looking, Devon's skin goes suddenly pale, chewing on her lower lip as she is.

Gwen trembles and looks at the door wide eyed. Tsuiko frowns sharply as she notices the one pair exiting and she moves to the door and weaves it open.. "No one step where I am.." She's actually using air to support herself off of the ground as she walks... buffeting her footfalls... She weaves the door open slowly to show..

Zannick peers through the dimness, and to some, it might look like he assumes the place near Devon that would put him first hit by anything ahead. Yes funny how some don't seem to believe the just friends bit, yet one could search and search for the special weave of spirit which forms a bond and find one nowhere near him. In the dimness it's hard to see the browned hand which touches Devon's arm fleetingly, steadying perhaps. His senses are trained to any and every noise, smell, and dim shadow, even drawing off the void to heighten those senses again some.

Devon Embraces, easily weaving Fire and Air into a simple globe, directing it into the room. It's bright enough, shedding about as much as a torch would. The shadows retreat against the light, the rooms contents easily visible. She maintains the arm on Gwen's shoulder, by now possibly steadying herself as well as the girl. Zannick's hand is welcome relief, and she glances over at him, not catching what's in the room yet.

Within the room you all see the nightmares form of a girl in Novice white swinging from the cieling and quite dead. Gwen screams loudly and squirms against Devon as she fights the impulse to run away.

You see the form of a beautiful athletic girl maybe 20 summers old. Her hair is long and dark flowing in shiny waves and is braided back to keep from her face. Dark eyes and tanned skin point to a Shierian heritage and she shows the signs of the warlike nature of her people. She is wearing the simple white dress of a novice and it fits her well. Jessalyn is not looking so great today however as she swings slowly from an ancient hook in the ceiling. Around her neck is the stole of the Amerlyn Seat however this stole shows darken threads as the curious eye can dected black woven through the the fine garment. She is dead now her eyes bulging and her skin gone pale. One of her shoes as fallen to the floor beneath her feet.

Wincing is the only sign that Ko Sedai gives of her shock. She quickly weaves the young novice off the hook and hisses sharply upon seeing the stole. "Get Mother, or Weste... or someone quickly." She comments, placing the young girl's body on a bed of air. She notes the hook and the area around.. the Indiana Jones in her working full swing now.. "No one touch anything." She moves the globe around to follow where the footsteps lead.

There is a hush from Zannick, while the novice screams and the light outlines the dead girl, and he gives a slight squeeze of Devon's arm before he mutters one or two curses you'd not think a young man as sunny as Zannick would know at all. The cloth about her neck in particular draws his eyes though and he shoots Devon another shared look like something not needing to be spoken passing between them.

"Oh Light," Devon whispers, her right hand going over her mouth, her left dropping from Gwen, as she turns towards the girl. Anything but look at...that. Oh Light. "Gwen," she reaches out to put both her hands on either side of the girl's face, trying to look into her eyes. "Listen to me, we'll take care of her. She's not in any pain now. The Creator shelters her." Devon spins around, splitting her weaves into two more globes, a total of three altogether, spacing them throughout the room. She whispers several oaths under her breath, watching Ko take charge. From back in the hall, the Accepted Anya hurries down, looking for them. "Anya, I need you to go....back to the main floor. Find an Aes Sedai, pull her aside. Do not speak to anyone other than Aes Sedai, not even Accepted. Tell her to get Sisters together, and bring them here. Now!" Devon's voice barely remains steady. Barely.

Tsuiko looks over at Zannick.. "Please Gaidin, can you see too it that a Yellow Sister is informed..." She looks over at Devon and walks on air to her before she touches the other Sister's shoulder as she leans in to whisper to her. Tsuiko whispers "She's been strangled by either a small man or a woman. One that seeks to defame the Amyrlin's name. That stole has black sewn into it... Dear sister speak of nothing to this to anyone.. Only mother and perhaps the Keeper and Weste should know about this.""

Devon nods her head dumbly, looking up at the hook where the stole was tied. "She had to have used the Power, if it truly were Aes Sedai. We know she's strong in Air, then." She adds quietly, her face pale in the light. She glances at Zannick, and moves towards him, leaning against him ever so slightly. "They say that the Seamstress died the same way. And Meggera too. Whoever does this, has a message. They want us to know what they're doing."

Tsuiko frowns a bit and purses her lips.. She begins to pace back and forth as she thinks.. "The killer has a motive of course.. but there has to be some connection between the three... The seamstress knew the young Novice here.." She motions to the poor dead girl.. "But what links them to Meggera? And is the young Trainee next?" She snaps her eyes over to Zannick. "You said he went out with a Gaidin... who was the gaidin?"

Zannick nods towards Tsuiko, though his expression has some unyielding to it, "When a few more sisters have gathered, I will go to the infirmary if a Yellow sister does not come in the first few minutes. I'd not leave the three of you alone here." He glances towards the girl, quite dead and beyond help and then towards Devon as she leans that slight bit. A hand is laid on the back of her shoulderblade. "Shandar Gaidin. He took several of the trainees with him for a survival lesson. It was a regularly scheduled class." Zannick himself has no reason to believe this involves the trainee, but answers the questions as they are asked.

Tsuiko nearly trips over herself.. "A survival lesson?" She shakes her head back and forth and frowns before she sighs and moves to the stole.. "Let me use my Talent." She takes the stole in her gloved hands and closes her eyes.

Devon looking at the slumped body of the girl, her eyes harden, as does her expression. Zannick perhaps would recognize the look, from her return from the farm, she looked near the same. However, it is not a normal look for the normally cheerful Blue. "The question is, why the seamstress? And why Meggera? Did they have some tie, some relationship? Jessalyn..." she has trouble with the name, and avidly avoids looking back at the body, "could have died because of that. She worked for the Seamstress."

Zannick nods, lowering his voice to reply something to Devon. He mutters to Devon, "... was... thing. Someone has... these stoles.... only... think... perhaps... these for...."

You sense Zannick nods, lowering his voice to reply something to Devon. "I was thinking the same thing. Someone has to have made these stoles. It's the only reason I can think of to kill a seamstress.. perhaps she knew who she made these for. Her shop should be searched."

Tsuiko shudders sharply and falls back against Devon as she tears up quickly.. "Bloody.." She murmurs and snorts as she forces herself back standing.. "It was a Sedai..."

Devon reaches out automatically, trying to hold Tsuiko up. She glances at Zannick, help her already! "Bloody hell," she mutters at the revelation. She's heard of Recalling, heard how accurate it can be. This only confirms it. Almost at the same time, Devon weaves a ward against eavesdropping, containing herself, Ko, and Zannick. "Bloody, bloody hell." she mutters again.

Tsuiko looks to Devon, wiping tears away from her face quickly.. "I need to see the other stoles please.. and anything associated with the murders. We need to find this woman.. SHe's definatively Black AJah..strong in air.." Gwen appears to have run off during all this and is probly telling everyone what she saw. Luckily she left before Tsuiko revealations.

Devon glances at Tsuiko, shaking her head. "You can't go around with accusations of Black Ajah. The BLoody Hall would have us set with penance for certain. You are right though, she must be found. And we will find her," grim determination fills her voice. "The Hall will need to investigate this, and we will be there. You will be able to tell them what you saw with your Talent, and Trelaine's Foretelling all but laid this out for us. She must be caught, whoever she is." Devon's voice is hard, convicted. She is a blue, after all, justice will be meted out. "I want your word, none of us will speak of our suspicions until we are brought before the Hall. Causing a stir in the Tower will only make this bloody Darkfriend hide even deeper."

"Of course.." Ko purses her lips.. "I have a suggestion of narrowing down our search, but it does involve great risk to an Accepted. I saw the killers hands.. I know what they look like. If we were to send a novice to each Sedai to serve them tea each day.. perhaps as 'punishment' then we could narrow our search, Devon."

Devon shakes her head. "And how long would that take. Even if we used every Accepted, it would take us months to get through every Sister in the Tower. Whatever this Darkfriend is trying to say, its coming soon. Meggera has been dead for months, why did the Seamstress die all of a sudden? And now, this Novice. We hear nothing for months, and then two murders within a week. It could be anyone. Was there anything on the hands that you could use to identify her? A mole? A scar?"

Zannick lets out a deep breath, blue eyes darting between the two sisters, but his eyes also keeping a keen watch on the hallway beyond the door for the footstep, the shadow, the movement.. If one could see the hairs on the back oif his neck they stand on end. "What did you see of her hands?" He murmurs softly, unkowing of the ward which had been woven earlier.

Tsuiko purses her lips as she continues to pace.. "Who was passed over as Amrylin over Raemira?"

Devon shakes her head, considering. "I'm not sure, Tsuiko. Although I would assume that whoever it was is long since out of the Tower. I've heard that Mother was selected as one of the few that the Hall could agree on after the last Amyrlin passed away."

Tsuiko nods.. "Which leaves her many rivals.. or students of rivals, yes?" A purse of her lips.. "Why did the seamstress sew this.." She holds out the stole, frowning..

Zannick breaks in suddenly at Tsuiko's last comment, "-DID- the seamstress sew it?" He cocks an eyebrow at the other Sedai.

Devon turns to Zannick. "If we assume that the seamstress sewed the stoles, then we know why she was killed. However, we cannot be sure of that. There could be another tie, something we're missing."

"How did the Green know the novice and the seamstress?" a purse of her lips... "Perhaps the novice had something she found out.. . we need to search her room..."

Zannick nods to Devon, and then glances at Tsuiko, "Did you see anything to indicate the seamstress did sew this stole? Otherwise it is simply an assumption to be investigated. Yes, we should go to the girls room before any evidence that remains is destroyed.. if it is not already destroyed. Any Sedai who could do this--" He looks at the dead girl's body, "could do so."

Devon nods, releasing the weave from earlier. "More Sisters will be here momentarily, we should leave the room as it is until they arrive." She gestures to the other two, glancing down at the lifeless form of one of her former students. Her features harden again, green eyes burning like emeralds, as if to assure the girl her killer would be brought to justice.

Tsuiko reaches out and touches Devon's shoulder. "We'll find her... if I have to use my power on every item in the Tower to find her, I will."

Devon nods. "I intend to see her in front of the Hall, punished for her transgressions." She sounds much like another blue, her one time mentor, Illiana Sedai. She walks out with the other two, closing the door and weaving a simple ward upon it until help arrived.

Zannick intends to see it too, but he keeps quiet, considering mentally as they step out how to keep Devon safe in the process. Is everyone SURE they aren't bonded?