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 sky seems to brighten as the sun rises from the horizon beyond, bringing the start of a new day. All around you can see residents of the White Tower milling about as Novices and Accepted start to their early morning chores.

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.

Rhynne

Joetlan

"Well..she asked me to create a small whirlwind first..but.." Rhynne can't help but laugh. "Uh..well, shall I just say that mine was much larger..and she ended up with feathers in her hair.."

Meeko speaks to the guards and they allow the Ambassador into the Tower. In her arms is a wrapped bundle and a deep sadness seems to show in her eyes. Meeko looks around in hopes to find Weste outside. She walks slowly into the courtyard, holding the bundle close to her body.

Naileve walks in from the northwest entrance, watched closely by the Tower Guards.

Naileve just looked at you.

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

Joetlan can't help but to chuckle again at the picture forming in his head, the Aes Sedai covered in feathers. "That must have been quite a sight..Did she get mad?" He spots Meeko, and though he doesn't know who she might be, stands and head toward the woman, waving to Rhynne to join. This is usually a novice's job...

Naileve sits down on the Circular Bench.

Weste exits the Tower and begins the descent down the stairs. The Mistress of Novices shows no sign of being affected by the cold, but she is wearing a heavy coat over her dress. Her eyes scan the Courtyard as she hits the bottom of the steps.

Meeko walks over to the man, the bundle safely cradled in both arms and tight against her body. "I am Ambassador Meeko and I must see West immediately." her voice gentle and troubled as she looks away from Joetlan and down to the bundle.

A novice's job? Rhynne blinks and follows after Joetlan to greet Meeko. Never having seen the woman before, she curtsies anyway. Eyes go to her bundle and she asks, "Do you need some help?"

Joetlan glances curiously at the bundle, eyes widening a bit. Ambassador. "Certainly..If you'd follow us?" Turning, he takes a few steps before spying Weste "Ah..there she is.."

Weste eventually finds Meeko with her eyes, and begins walking towards her. "It is alright, Rhynne. At ease, Joetlan. Ambassador Meeko is a friend of mine." Her eyes hold no small amount of concern. "Meeko, why are you out here in this weather? Acccepted Geriah said you needed me at once."

I would've..ah well" A solid yawn breaks the air. An apparently young girl is sitting at a circular bench, looking tired. In spite of the cold, she is wearing everyday dresses, and seems to feel fine with just those on her. There's nothing special on her, at first sight.

Meeko looks up to Weste, her dark eyes distant and full of concern. Carefully she draws one hand away from the bundle, as she does a teddybear is held between her thumb and finger by it's little arm and then she opens her hand. On the palm lay the familiar ring of the Sedai "I, I was asked to deliver these and.." she glances to the bundle "and Kaehn to you." Meeko seems to be barely holding onto her control as she speaks.

"Oh.." Rhynne blinks again and smiles at Weste. Well, that was easily taken care of..She glances about and notes the strange girl nearby. Hmm, she looks to be near her age. Another one to help, perhaps? "Did you need help as well?" she inquires of Naileve.

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

Joetlan looks curiously at whatever Meeko brought, but coming to no conclusion, quickly joins Rhynne and the other girl, giving the MoN and the Ambassador some privacy. He smiles absently, nodding to Naileve. Spying Owen, he gives him a quick bow, then jerks back up, remebering he forgot to bow to Weste. Hopefully, she didn't notice...

The Aes Sedai emotionlessness on Weste's face falters as she sees the teddybear and ring. "By... by the light," she whispers, trying to keep control. At the unknown name though, she looks up in confusion. "Kaehn?"

Appearing at the tower enterance as the massive doors open The master of Arms owen pauses before going anywhere to survey the situation and see just whom all is about. Several passing trainees bow as well as Joetlan. none of which are missed as the big man returns the gesture with a polite nod of the head.

Naileve looks up at Rhynne as she somehow percepts that she is talking to her, "Who? Me?", she asks, peering the woman rather quizzically, "Need help? Which kind of help?", without waiting a reply, she gets up and quietly starts walking toward her, eyes filled with some sort of curious attraction, like she is seeing something particular like a spot on her dress or something like.

Naileve stands and rises from the Circular Bench.

Meeko nods silently to Weste. As she regathers her control she speaks in a very controlled voice "A man came last nite looking for a healer, he handing me the child the ring and the bear. Along with it was a letter explaining that this child was to be brought to you to be raised." she pauses as a tear rolls down her cheek. "the Letter had a scribbled signature of Kaella." Meeko again grows silent and tries desparately to keep control of her emotions. Kae, dear Kae her best friend gone "The man said that Kaella was dead as was Talavar." Tears streak down her face as she looks to West and carefully holds the bundle out to her.

Slowly ever so slowly Owen decends the stairs one step at a time. the look on his face isn't a pleasent one but then again when in the last several weeks has it been pleasent?

"Uhm.." Rhynne's eyes are on Naileve as the strange girl approaches. "Well..you look a bit lost, and I've not seen you at the Tower before.." she offers as she backpedalss into Joetlan. Not the first time he's been bumped.

Joetlan folds his arms, frowning as he catches some of the words spoken by Meeko. And judging by her reaction, none of it is good news. He glances at Rhynne then to Naileve. He puts a hand on the novices shoulder to clam her down.

Weste seems almost dumbstruck by what she has heard. Yes, she has heard the rumors, but obviously she hadn't placed any stock in them. She slowly acepts the bundle, watching her hands as if they were someone else's. A tear runs down her eye, even though she doesn't realize it. "Meeko... It's..." Her yes close tightly as something within her breaks, and the tears come more freely.

"Oh..." the girl says. She keeps her peering on Rhynne, like she was analyzing some sort of strange lifeform, with the same accuracy of a jeweler that needs to value an item. "Actually... I was just passing by...", she shrugs indifferently, pointing outside the gate, "I was walking along when I seen that there was a garden inside there... So I told myself, 'hey... I could rest there a little... Couldn't I?' so I--", she abruptly stops as she notices that Weste has tears crossing her face. She blinks, appearing worried, "Hey... What's up pal? Anything wrong?", she makes a step toward her, almost if to analyze her problem.

As Meeko hands the baby to Weste, her hands linger momentarily, the bear falling to the ground as she clutches her friends rings. "It is a boy he was named Kaehn.." Meekos voice grows choked as the tears flood her also.

Weste nods weakly, and pushes the top of the blankets aside gently. A baby's face stares back up on Weste. The Sedai trembles, as the reality of what has happened hammers through her like the surf pounding the shore. "It's cold out here, for him," she manages to say. "Could you follow me inside Meeko?" She doesn't seem to notice Naileve straight away, since Meeko and the baby take up her known universe right now.

Rhynne arches a brow as Naileve explains herself. If Joetlan's hand is still on her shoulder, he would feel the tenseness there. She turns slightly to speak with him after hearing Meeko's information as well. The MoN crying too? She mutters to Joetlan, "... Joe? Kaella gone?... I just... her and.." She looks a bit confused.

Meeko simply nods at Weste's question to follow her. Meeko is also numb, the trembling is gone as she has had the night to have this all sink. Her heart empty and crying for the loss of her friend.

Unfortunately, Naileve is close enough to notice that there is a little baby...Soon her eyes are filled with tender as she exclaims, "WOW! This is one cute little baby! Isn't it?", she appears very happy by just SEEING him... And she looks rather childish too; she looks back up at Weste, "Yes, let's bring him inside... Else he might get a cold...", she glances back down at the baby, "He's so sweeeet... Can I hold him?".

Joetlan's hand still rests on the novice's shoulder, and sympathy enters his eyes and voice. It mutters to Rhynne, "... think... dead. She... her..." What else could it be, given the reactions, and what he has heard.

Weste walks slowly back towards the Tower, holding the small child to her. When Naileve comes up she gives the girl a confused and dazed look, as though she were speaking another language. "I'm... I'm sorry?"

Meeko just walks by Westes side in silence as they move toward the Tower, the Sedai ring still clutched tightly in her hand.

Naileve beams a wide and friendly smile at Weste, "I said that this baby is REALLY cute!", she giggles a little, looking down at the object in question, "After we get him inside... Can I hold him for a little? He's sooooo sweet...".

Rhynne swallows and nods. She mutters to Joetlan, "... they died... the..." It's something they've discussed before. She manages a small smile, grateful for his kind look and tone.

Weste nods her head weakly, only half-listening to Naileve, if even that much. Her eyes are still riveted on the child, and tears continue running down her face, despite the cold wind. They are not tears of joy. She disappears into the Tower.

Weste walks up the steps and goes through the main doors of the Tower.

Meeko joins Weste in the Tower.

You walk up the steps and go through the main doors of the Tower.

Entrance Hall: White Tower, Tar Valon

Large hallways, with high arched entrances, assault your eyes as you walk into the entrance hall of the White Tower. All around, you can see large columns rising into the high flat-domed ceiling. A pale stone floor seems to shine up at you, worn down from centuries of nervous scuffling feet and ardent cleaning.

Cold air seems to burst into the room anytime someone enters from the courtyard. Some Novices and Accepted can be seen making their way to the

common hall, for the morning bell, while others can be seen in the entrance hall greeting early petitioners and leading them off to areas unknown.

A pair of massive doors, decorated with delicate carvings of intricate workmanship, lead outside and down a massive set of stairs, into the courtyard of the Tower grounds. A large marble archway rises high into the hall, leads to a carpeted ramp spiraling toward the higher levels of the Tower. Another stone archway, not so high as the one over the ramp, leads to the common wing of the Tower.

Weste

Naileve walks into the Entrance Hall of the Tower from the Courtyard.

Meeko silently walks with Weste, she mutters softly "It is a great loss Kaella was a good friend." again the tears flow down her dark cheek and her eyes remain fixed on the baby. "Weste will I be allowed to visit the child?" Yes Meeko does want to follow this boys life, it is the least she can do for her friend.

The nosy and sticky Naileve is walking along Weste, her eyes fixed on the baby as well... She might have understood that Weste isn't paying attention to her... And maybe she's EVEN taking advantage of that, "It's really cute..." she says, at this point only to herself. She moves a hand on him to delicately tickle his neck with one finger, "tickle tickle tee...".

Weste looks up and nods her head slowly to Meeko. "Of... of course, Meeko. I'd apprieciate that..." The idea of a life with a child is just now starting to dawn on her; the grief for her friend is that bad. "Meeko... was there any indication... how?"

Meeko does not take her eyes from the child as she replies to Weste "It was said Kae died from complications with the birth and as for Talavar I am not sure." she continues to clutch the ring in her hand as her fingers begin to pale under the tightness of the grip.

Naileve smiles at the small baby, seeming to not listen at the conversation. She puts a hand on Weste's shoulder, trying to comfort her, "I'm sorry for your friend... But at least, she can be proud to have given birth to such a beauty!", she smiles again... It seems that this girl's ears catch much more than what they should...

Weste nods her head once, and readjusts her hold so that Kaehn is held with just one arm. She then uses the other to hug Meeko. She nods her head as she hugs to Naileve, and smiles a little bit for the first time. "Yes... yes she can be," she says quietly.

Meeko hugs Weste "he is a good baby, he sleeps a lot and cries very very little. When he is awake he seems alert and always content." she talks softly "I do want to continue to see the boy I feel like he is my own." she touched the baby gently as she speaks with her free hand. As she does she realizes she still has Kae's ring and turns her hand over opening it "I suppose you must take this too?" How much Meeko would love a momento of her friend a rememberance of all the good times they had together.

Weste nods weakly and accepts the ring with her hand. "I'll make certain Kaehn gets this, when he's old enough," she says, with a small smile. "Meeko, if it were up to me, I'd ask you to be the Godmother. I... I know Kaehn is Kaella's... but I don't think she'd mind if I asked."

Putting her arm below Weste's to give an extra support for the baby, Naileve gently tries to caress away the tears that have crossed Weste's face, "Hey... I want to see the baby too once in a while... I'm starting to like him!", she smiles again, seeming to be the only one to be feeling only the happiness of having a baby without the sadness of having lost a friend.

Again tears flow down her face as she looks to Weste "I would be honored if that were to occur." she watches as you take the ring from her hand. "I would truely like that.." she repeats softly as her eyes rivit on the baby again oblivious to anyone else or anything else around her.

Weste nods her head, and her smile becomes more sincere. She knows what Kaella would think about her drowning in grief. "Then consider it so, Meeko," she says, giving the woman another light hug. At Naileve's words she turns and for the first time truely notices the white-haired girl with unusual eyes. "Miss... I suppose you can, but I don't even know your name."

Naileve pauses a little, "Oh... AH! Yes, you're right!", she chuckles gleefully for a little, "I'm sorry... How rude of me....", she coughs to clear her throat before speaking, "My name is Naileve... I'm here just by chance, but I'm glad I've met you", she gives Weste once again another friendly smile, like it was in her style...

Meeko hugs Weste again and tries her best to control her emotion. "thank you." When Weste speaks to the other woman Meeko looks up and tries to smile at the newcomer. How she remembers the days when West and Kaella were new and use to come to talk to her when they could. Now her friend Kae is gone and Weste advanced to MoNster.

Weste nods her head once, even though her thoughts are on her late friend and the child. Can she really be blamed for that? "It is an honor to meet you," she says. "I am Weste Sedai." She then turns to Meeko, and it looks like the tears are about to start coming again. "Meeko, you've never... had a child before, have you?"

Meeko drops her eyes at the question and stares at the baby "No Weste, I am unable to have children but the joy of delivering them into this world kind of makes up for the loss of not having my own."

Naileve smiles as Weste greets to her... "Hmmmmm... Sedai, eh?", she mutters under her breath, "I've noticed there was something odd in her aura...". She then stops muttering and looks down again at the baby. She sighs a little, as if she wanted to keep it for herself... "You know...", she says to Meeko, "I envy you... Really, I almost feel like I want to keep this baby for myself" she says in a half-ironical tone. Tickling the baby's neck once again, she shrugs, "Oh well... I'll make one myself... One day".

Weste winces as she hears the answer. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked. It's just, I've never had one before. Before I came to the Tower, I thought my Mother would help teach me. After, I thought it would never come up. I... what if I have the motherly instincts of a thimble?" she asks, starting to sound worried.

Meeko smiles as she looks up to Weste "Do not worry I am sure there are plenty here that can aid you and feel free to call on me anytime." Meeko looks to Naileve for the first time, a bit of concern on her fact for the woman's comment. Meeko is feeling a bit protective of her Godson right now "Are you a channeler?" Meeko may be a wilder but she still has no control over her abilities, and with her age she may never gain any.

Naileve looks up at Meeko, shaking her head, "No, I'm not a channie... Or at least I think I'm not...". She seems to be actually pondering on it, "Well... Being able to channel might ease my job in many ways... Hmmmmm...", now it is obvious that she is teasing, but acting like things were really as she's saying, "Yea... I could chop trees with only my mind... And craft furniture out of them without having to do all that saw and hammer work... Yea, it'd be useful", she nods to herself... Then sighs, "But alas... I'm just a normal person".

Weste takes a moment to look into Naileve, as though searching for something. Finally she shakes her head. "I'm afraid you do not have the gift," she says quietly, in a consoling tone. "But did you mention auras?" That is one word she has picked up from her Gaidin, and if it means what she thinks it does, then the girl is far from normal.

Meeko nods and listens to Weste and Naileve converse. The Ambassador is in little mood for light conversation at the moment and does not wish to be impolite in her grief.

Naileve suddenly freezes... Auras? Oh my... Has she been muttering a bit too loud? "Er... Auras? Oh, no... I never mentioned anything like that... Sorry, peraphs I said something similar that you... Er... Mistakened for 'Aura'...", she giggles a little... Obviously trying to lie, and failing miserabily.

Weste frowns slightly as she senses the lie, but her thoughts drift back to the child in her arms, and eventually her smile comes back as well. Her eyes are still teared, but she seems to have a little control for now. "I'll make Kaella proud, Meeko..."

Naileve gulps, then looks down at the baby, smiling, "Yea... Feel free to call me if you need help... I doubt I'm able to give you any but... I'll do my best"; suddenly, she looks around, as if feeling the NEED to flee... "Er... Now I shall find a place where to buy my tools...Tomorrow afternoon I'm leaving for Cairhien... And when I come there I want to get a room and start to work immediately... So I can hopefully establish myself quickly", she takes some steps back, waving. Then turns and quickly walks away.

Meeko squeezes Weste's arm and smiles as she looks to her "Yes I know you will, you will make a most wonderful mother and the others here will spoil him I am sure." she again looks to the boy in Weste's arms "i really wish I knew the whole story Weste."

Naileve pushes through through the main doors of the Tower and goes to the Courtyard.

Weste nods her head and bites her lip at Meeko's statement. "The more I hear, the less I realized I knew about Kaella. It's so strange... I don't know if I want to hear the whole story..."

Meeko looks puzzled "What do you know Weste. I guess I have been so wrapped up in working as I have heard nothing until this baby was delivered to me."

Weste shakes her head. "I've heard of things found in her room... and I was able to see Kaella once, after she left. She was acting strangely... though it was still her."

Meeko continues to look a bit puzzled "Weste please, she was my best friend, what was found?" concern suddenly comes to her voice as she wonders just how much she did know of this woman she called her friend.

Weste shakes her head. "No... everything I've heard is third or fourth hand. But Ensygn knows. And the fact that he won't tell me worries me terribly."

Meeko nods "then I must speak to him if I can" she comments "I want only truth spoken of Kae she was a good woman and a good friend."

Weste nods her head once. "Of course, Meeko. I can't promise that he'll be any more forthcoming for you however."

Meeko sighs "I understand but you know my oath of nutrality and how many do come to speak with me knowing I will not spread what was said. Just maybe I can get him to trust me and find out what he knows."

Meeko realizes the time "Weste as much as I do not want to leave Kaehn's side I must be going. I have to do some rounds and check on some women that are near due to deliver." she bends and kisses the boys forehead "be safe my Godchild I will be back to see you soon." Looking to Weste "Remember if you need anything send message and I will be here." with that Meeko turns to leave the Tower quickly, her head down as she tries to cover the tears rolling down her cheeks.

Weste nods her head. "I am certain I will be sending quite a few messages then, Meeko. Thank you..." she says, watching her go. Meeko truely is her only friend left from her novice days, at least a friend that wasn't first a superior.