Cast of Characters:
Atalanta - Aes Sedai
Jeslyn
Jerald/Darius - Darkfriend initiate/bait
Janus - Gaidin
Rachil - Darkfriend
NoFace - Darkfriend
Ellorin - Aes Sedai
Sheanadara - Novice
Micana - Aes Sedai, Keeper

Scene: An abandoned warehouse in Tar Valon

Jeslyn has arrived.

Jerald quietly walks into the Warehouse, his shoes tapping loudly on the wood, the echoes bouncing off the walls.

Janus peeps his head just slightly over the edge of the window as he hears the man enter, his eyes just barely clearing the edge.

Jerald glances about the room, eyeing the shadows. "Hello?" he quietly calls.... a hoarse whisper.

A rustling sound can be heard in the rafters as something moves...something different from all the rest of the animals in the place...but there is no immediate acknowledgemnt...just the wind.

Jerald glances up. "I- I'm here. I'm ready." he whispers again.

Jeslyn sits peering out of some crates, behind which he stays concealed from most eyes. He shifts his weight silently, working out any cramps from his long stillness.

A raven flies in through an open window and circles round and round and round before finally perching on a crate very near Jerald...red eyes seemingly intent on the man.

Jerald is out, by now in the middle of the room about, perhaps a bit to the left. He eyes the raven, sudden tales coming back to him. He then swats at the bird,trying to cover his face as well.

The raven hops down off the crate and skitter across the floor to Jerald...he must be a very dumb bird...or does he know something you don't? He pecks atyour feet...

Jerald kicks. "Go away! Go away or fetch your master."

NoFace smiles and slithers down off of his purch just above the main gate quickly closing the distance with Jerald without much sound. The bird squaks and flys up onto NoFace's shoulder..."Hello...Jerald...we are glad you could...make it to see us tonight..."

Jerald stiffens at the sound at turns around.

Jerald shivers under the gaze, wanting to run, rooted to the spot. "Y- You wo-woul-would be..."

Rachil stands off in one of the far shadows, completely consealed by the shadows, watching silently. She's a few paces from one of the openings. Her presance will likely go by unnoticed until she wishes to make it known.

NoFace moves right up to Jerald...invading his space if you will...That damned raven still fluttering and flapping his wings. "You like reading stories don't you Jerald? You ever come across anything like us?" That said his head seems to swivel to look in the direction where he knows Rachil to be standing.

Janus simply continues to watch, though one hand reaches out to slowly and softly grab hold of his bow.

Jerald's teeth chitter. "I- I- I thou- though- thought i- it wa- was ju- just a co- cov- cover."

Jeslyn watches through the openings between two crates which he is hidden behind. Rather nice hiddyhole he has, a little room made beneath and behind assorted crates and near one of the cranks to an exit.

NoFace laughs. "Why did you inquire about us...if our presence was going to unnerve you so?"

Jerald clamps down on his teeth, but retreats back a step. "Th- the loo- look o- of th- the Ey- Ey- Eyeless is-s fe- fear."

NoFace smiles behind his masque as he moves forward in time with your backward steps...you can just barely make out his cold gray eyes beneath as he continues to invade your space. "Well I have eyes...and I'm not scared now am I?" his voice is almost acidic. "Still the fact that you came...is a start."

Jerald blinks. "It is. Why?"

Rachil --- A soft, silvery laugh comes from the shadows, a woman's laugh, but she says nothing, sounding just amused.

Janus slowly reaches back and pulls four more arrows out of the quiver, laying them softly beside him, his eyes never leaving the scene before him.

Jeslyn shifts in his little hideout and soon look out through the next set of crates. He grins in the darkness as he watches.

NoFacetilts his head to the side. "You do want to join are ranks don't you?"

Jerald pauses, stepping back once more. "I do... I will join the ranks."

Atalanta has arrived.
Ellorin has arrived.

Jerald smiles as he sees two more figures enter. "But not the ranks of the damned."

[Channeling] shadow embraces the source.

NoFace pats jerald on the back... "good I'm sure you will be a great help to Cavaeya Sedai...she is in need of more help within the tower..."

From the Southhharbor entrance, strides Atalanta, looking about 8 feet tall instead of her normal six or so. Her hair whips about her like a living thing, and her voice seems to boom as she channels Air, to wrap around Darius, lifting him high in the Air. "This man," she booms, "is under my protection, and will be helping no Darkfriends today!"

Janus frowns slightly as he sees the two newcommers enter picking the bow upwith a smooth motion, his other hand holding the arrow in place now as he watches.

Sheanadara reviels herself and runs over to Atalanta just after she enters.

Ellorin slips in behind Atalanta, barely noticeable behind the taller, more conspicuous woman. She stays a few steps back, sticking to the shadows, but her eyes are bright and alert as they scan the room.

Jeslyn moves back a mite, no longer looking out from the crates. Not that anyone should notice him in his little clubhouse-like hideout. Maybe the talk of darkfriends scared him away.

Rachil --- In the shadows, the woman's eyes narrow slightly, but she does not step into sight yet, staying in her consealed place near the opening the Aes Sedai just entered.

NoFace hisses as Jerald is pulled away from him. he back peddals...a nimble little guy...and hops behind a crate to get some protection and to figure out what is going on.

[Channeling] Sheanadara weaves a net of spirit, drapping it over all the main entrance of the Warehouse, then adds a little hook. The net is so fine that nothing larger than a bug would get through unnoticed. She then ties it off.

Atalanta sets Darius down behind her, gently.

Janus raises up slightly, his gaze flicking back between noface and the spot where he herd the feminine laugh. The arrow half nocked.

Jerald stands behind Lanta and Ellorin, watching behind them. And above. "There's a raven about. It has to die."

Ellorin nods to Jerald - Darius? - and glances up at the raven, but does not make any move to act, let alone leave her shadowy spot behind Atalanta.

Sheanadara makes some wierd gesturs towards the main door of the warehouse, ending it with a tieing motion. "There are more people in here, Atalanta. A female,she laughed. What now?"

Jeslyn worms his way silently through crates towards the back of the warehouse.No one should have noticed him yet, he's been very careful, as well anyone would be if they heard that Aes Sedai and darkfriends were about.

Rachil ---The faint rustling of silk is the only sound, and then only able to be heared by the three who's senses are inhanced by embracing the source, and a knife falls down on the rope supporting the large iron gate over the opening. The Gate falls with a loud creak and bangs against the ground.

Jerald stands behind Lanta and Ellorin, watching behind them. And above. "There's a raven about. It has to die." He then jumps about three feet, straight up, at the sound of the gate crashing.

Yes indeed there is a raven...his body hard to discern against the darkness of the rafters. It squaks excitedly as the gate comes crashing down and you can hear the flutter of wings as it takes flight. It lands on NoFace's shoulder who is now perched atop a pile of crates deciding what to do. His head swivels this way and that....the polished rapier he loves so much now comming into view..."You know what happens to rats don't you Darius?" he calls out.

"Fool girl!" Atalanta hisses at Sheanadara, as furious as anyone has seen her ever. She leaps forward as the gate crashes, and raises her hand high. Weaves of Fire, one of her stronger powers, and, with a link, no problem at all, corusicate about in a crackling nimbus, and she sends a huge sphere of light into the air, illuminating the entire area and improving visibility greatly. "Fool, fool, stupid girl!" She lowers her hand with a snap as she ties off the weaves. Ellorin, linked with her, could easily feel that there is nothing but fury in her viens now.

Janus blinks only once at the sudden light then siezes the void as his taget comes into view. Raising the bow, it is just the arrow and the target. He brings the bow up to a shooting position, aims, and losses. The arrow heading stright towards the woman's cheast, stright for the heart. A soft wistle heard as it flies. Then his hand is already reaching for another, reloading.

Ellorin jumps at the sudden sound of the gate, a gasp of surprise escaping her. Atalanta's light does much to dispel her shadowy hiding place, but she remains close to the wall, slowly edging towards a corner, keeping her eyes turned towards the rest of the room.

Sheanadara seeing the woman who laughed earler, she makes a wrapping motion.

[Channeling] Sheanadara sends out a weave of air, wrapping up Raichil.

Jeslyn reaches his destination, which seems to be another little cubby hole, just as the big ball of light appears in the air. Startled for a second at the unwelcome light shining at him outside of the little hole he grimaces before taking a torch that was waiting for him. If it was quiet in the warehouse, the hiss of a lit fuse might have been heard, but as it is with the commotion made by the people and the animals that are also stored in the warehouse, it is highly doubtful such a small noise would be noticed. Jelsyn stays where he is for the moment,watching the fuses burn away from him.

Rachil moves to dive as soon as she sees the light, but the air weaves wrap around her tighter than a straight jacket. The arrow hits the air weaves, but they are tight enough to keep the blunt of the damage from hitting the woman. She grunts and struggles against the invisible bonds.

Jerald smiles at NoFace, not quite smuggly, but well aware of what's going on. "Rats die, Darkfriend. And rats serve the Dark One too, I believe. That would make you a rat, no?"

NoFace doesn't have the slightest bit of difficulty admitting to that one. he is about to respond but his head jerks to the side as he sees his partner restrained. The raven starts squaking up a storm. He speaks as he leaves his spot on top of the crates. "pray that you die here today Darius...for if we ever find you...you will wish you had." now that he is out of sight behind boxes the only thing that can be heard are his quiet rapid foot steps...moving towards Lanta and company.

Raising her arms high, Atalanta then brings them down and crosses them. Channelers may see a huge weave: Fire. Earth. Air. When she flings out her arms, she releases towards the crates NoFace is now behind, her Power-enhanced senses allowing her to make a good approximatin by his footsteps. The crates infront of him literally explode...fire and debris go everywhere. NoFace is knocked back by the explosion, flying into some undamaged crates beyond him.
OOC note, yes, he consented to this, by page.

Janus has his next arrow fitted as he watches the first deflected by the weaves of air, without a sound of complaint, there is no complaint in the void, he shifts his aim slightly to NoFace. He shifts slightly to keep the man in sight as he runs then blinks and flinches back slightly as the crates explode, a fragment of them flying dangerously close to his head, but there is no hesitaion in the void either. Again there is nothing but the arrow and the target as he brings the bow up, nocks, aims, and losses. The white fletched arrow speeding down with a slight whistle staight for the strangers cheast, striking deep in the shoulder, just shy of the heart but driving through with enough force to pin him to the crate against which he is thrown.
OOC Consent obtained

Ellorin flattens herself against the wall as the blast of the crates fills the room,instinctively closing her eyes. Still, she appears to do nothing...although the channelers can tell that her energy is helping to power Lanta's weaves through a link.

Sheanadara makes a tieing motion, then spins around a few times holding one hand out.She jumps as the exlosion rocks the warehouse.

[Channeling] Sheanadara ties off her last weave; then wraps a large dome of air around herself, Atalanta, Ellorin, and Jerald.

Jeslyn whips his head around at the sound of the exploding crates. Thankfully it's far enough away from him he doesn't have to worry. However it does remind him it's time to leave. Moving with as much speed as he can and still remain in the dark and under cover, he heads for his way out which is about twenty yards away.

Jerald blinks as explosion after explosion rocks the warehouse. "Atalanta Sedai! The Raven!"

Rachil --- Strugling in her air bonds, the woman's eyes bulge as she sees the expolosion. She kicks and tries to fight against the bonds, then says in a horsevoice, "You have no idea what you are doing." Behind the viel covering most her face.

NoFace groans...screams...it's hard to believe that a man could make such a noise. No sooner does he get back to his feet from the deafening explosion then an arrow pierces him through the chest and pins him to the crate with enormous force. His strength rapidly leaves him...the rapier falls from his hands and he seems literally just to hang there...clinging to life...whimpering now being about the most he can mannage...Ravens do not care very much for explosions at all. This one is no different. It takes flight frantically heading for the windows above...fast little bugger isn't he? An archer pops up out of the crows nest of the ship docked along side the building. He's been watching Janus for the long time and has one of those...clear easy shots. he's pretty good at this. No void mind you but a steady hand and a sharp eye as he cocks the arrow, takes aim, and let's it fly.

The Blue Sister drops the Illusion, having almost forgotten it was there. Its a normal-looking Atalanta that stretches out her hands, both of them, making come-hither motions to two Darkfriends. Air hooks attach to Rachil's invisible bonds,lifting her off of her feet. Similar weaves of Air raise Phoenix high. She brings them right to the edge of the dome, NoFace minus his sword, and uses Air to push aside Shean's weaves long enough to let both Darkfriends in. She wraps NoFace in Air,leaves Rachil nicely bound, and walks up to him, eyes narrowed. "I wouldn't do this,Darkfriend, but I need you alive to give me information!" she growls, a rolling thunder. In a link, the Healing is fast; easy for one with the talent. A chill of Spirit, Air, Water, touching NoFace's wound, none too gently forcing the arrow out and closing it over. "And don't think I don't recogonize that rapier. I've been waiting to meet with you again Darkfriend. For a very long time."

Janus is fitting his third arrow to the string, his eyes examining the activity in the warehouse when he feels the arrow impact him in the cheast, driving into his left lung with enough force to push him back to a sitting position. The void wavers for a moment as the pain strives to break through, then holds again and he looks up, no feeling in his face as the blood seeps down his cheast from the wound. He raises the bow, nock, aim, loss. The arrow speeding towards the heart of the watching archer in the crows nest. He will likely die without attention, but he will kill whoever did it first.

The archer's eyes go wide for a moment as the arrow slices through the air and through his heart...damn warders...he crumples down into the crows nest.

Ellorin keeps her eyes fixed on Atalanta, as if her steady gaze could lend more strength than her channeling strength alone. As the two Darkfriends are brought into the dome with her, she shivers, but still watches Atalanta as she walks slowly towards them. "I think," she says, just the slightest tremor in her voice betraying her, "that we should all know who we're talking to." Carefully, she kneels down beside the man and reaches out to pull off his mask, and give a face to NoFace.

Sheanadara makes a tie gesture again, then a net weaving gesture towards the back entrance, a quick 'j' motion, then finnally another tie motion. She looks down at NoFace just as the mask is removed, "He's a trainee!" she says, shocked.

[Channeling] Sheanadara ties off her air dome, then weaves another spirt net with her hook, this one she sticks on the back entrance to the warehouse.

Jeslyn reaches his destination which seems to be a crate. Wait, it's the floorboards underneath it. Once the crate is moved out of the way, it's a small crate or else he couldn't've moved it, he pries up the floorboards with his knife and then slips through, the wooden board falling down making a small clatter as the unknown boy finds his way into the Erinern.

Rachil --- Struggling somemore against the air bonds, she spits at the viel in her mouth. She says nothing as her acomplises face is revealed.

Jerald smiles triumphantly. They'd won. He wasn't entirely sure of the how of that, but... "Atalanta Sedai, Cavaeya is a Darkfriend. This one," he says, indincating NoFace, "said so himself."

NoFace sputters...wincing in pain as the arrow is removed...he seems confused asthe helmet is lifted from him. After a moment to regain his senses a steady stream of curses proceeds to flow from his lips...rebuking the whole lot of you. "You'll burn for this!" For those that might know this particular trainee...one of Kelsyn's I believe...his behavior seems to be most uncharacteristic. The raven darts up out of the window and purches on the rooftop where his beedy little red eyes can look down on everyone

"Perhaps we will." Atalanta says coldly. "But later. Now, I think..." She reaches out with a single arm to snag a collapsing Shean, fnot noticing the bleeding bird. "Now, I think, we are leaving." With that, she turns, slamming a weave of Earth into the wood just beside the grate, blowing it out. New entrance. Or is it new exit? She drops the link then, and says, "Ellorin, take up the source. Cut away Shean's dome, and grab the woman with Air. I have Rapier-boy here." With that, she uses Air to lift NoFace behind her and drag him along, carrying little Shean in her arms.

Janus looks down to the arrow in his cheast almost curiously then reaches up and breaks it off. Looking back to the crows nest he then survays, his options. His eyes fall on the raven and he remembers the mans words about how it cannot be allowd to live. He slowly picks up his forth arrow, nocks it to the bow and nock,aim, fire. The white fletched arrow seeking out the black bird's cheast.

Ellorin follows Lanta's instructions, too shocked at seeing a familiar face under the mask to do anything else. Embracing saidar on her own, outside ofthe link, she reaches out with Air to pull Rachil (still bound) along, then struggles to her feet.

Sheanadara mumbles something close to "I can walk."

Jerald walks over to Lanta. "I can take her." he says, just as the raven falls with an arrow in it. He blinks at the arrow. "Atalanta Sedai... we have an archer above us, I think..."

The building seems to quiver ever so slightly as a part of the wall is blown away...for those with senses to hear...that fizzling sound is very distinct...little flames appearing as they crawly up from under the floor and into barrels arraged around the place. The rats...zillions of them all raise their little noses to the air...as if knowing whats comming and proceed to ruch madly for whatever exits they can find...the floor literaly seems to crawl with them momentarily going around the Aes Sedai and out into the air....not many of them get out though...For a moment there is eary silence...a very short moment and then an explosion in the center of the room...one which rocks the building to its very foundations....the windows of the building are blown out...glass rains down on everything...3 of the buildings 6 supports are literally shreaded...the other 3 teetering....and then the FIRE waves and waves of it as barrels of oil are ignited...the air in the room seems literally to be sucked away to feed the inferno which now converges on all sides.

Atalanta screams and stumbles back. A determined look creases her features. She raises a haggered head and says, "No you don't. Justice will be done." With that, she draws on the source. As much of it as she can stand. No longer in the link, she blazes like a nimbus. "Ellorin. Shean. Darius," she mouths, "thank you." Her face determined as she draws too much, she sends spirals of water away from her with a scream that rocks the foundations, almost as much as the explosion. Enough to hold back the flames. "GO!" she yells at her party, shoving Shean towards Darius, still shining like the sun...for now. "GO!" Her hands are shaking, her face is white. She knows exactly what she is doing. Exactly.

[Channeling] Atalanta draws as much of the source as she can hold, and more, and more, past the point of pain. The largest weave of Water she can throw is thrown...but it is bound to be too much...

Sheanadara is jerked out screaming for Atalanta.

Jerald runs back in, shielding himself as best he can (none to well) from the fire. "Atalanta Sedai! Get out!"

Atalanta yells at Jerald, "I can't hold this water much longer. Get out and take care of Shean or I'll kill you myself!"

Janus just has time to throw his rope back down the side of the building and grabs ahold of it when the explosion rocks him, knocking his feet out from under him as well as knocking him back. His hands manage to keep their grip on the rope though and he slides down it all the way to the ground where he falls, his hands badly burned. Slowly he raises and runs/staggers back to the street. Only to be blown to his feet as the sides of the building crush inwards on themselves. He comes to a stop, landing on his cheast, in the middle of the street. His entire chest red with blood and blood also bubbling from his lips. His final thought as blackness rushes in around him, the void shattered, is his fathers bow, left behind on the roof, and his hand raises just slightly.

Ellorin grabs the two Darkfriends in flows of Air and flings them away from her, just as she is thrown to the ground with the force of the explosion. Bruised,out of breath, she struggles to get up again. Sensing the movements in saidar,she shrieks, "Lanta, NO! Get out! I'm going to put it out!" She looks up at the sky, humid with midsummer fog, and starts weaving, still moving towards the door in an awkward crawl.

Tears of frustration run down Atalanta's face. Of course. Ellorin can't run. "Put out the fire from outside..." And in a last, heroic effort, she uses Air to push Ellorin out of the building. "And come back for me, if I'm still alive." The nimbus grows, and then the water disappears. The glow disappears. And Atalanta, Sedai no more...collapses.

Atalanta falls, comatose, into Jerald's arms.

Jerald grimmly starts toward the doorway, his eyes stinging in the smoke... breath hot... "Lanta, if we live, you're going on a diet," he puffs, trudging with her.

Jerald is trudging to the doorway, a good fifty feet off, carrying unconcious Lanta.

Ellorin is pushed from the warehouse by an unseen force, landing in a sooty, bruised, singed heap on the cobblestones. There is a strange, transcendent light in her eyes, though, as she stares at the sky, where a large cloud is beginning to gather....

NoFace-- Ellorin will do no such thing...The floor begins giving out all over the place as the remaining supports give way...the roof comes crashing downward...The fire is hot...it comes in waves...fueled by oil that has been placed around the place for the very purpose of creating an inferno...clouds gather...and fire so hot it burns wooden beams away like they were twigs desends. All the wrath and fury of the dark one seems to howl as the building burns away...better be a lot of rain...

Darius drags Atalanta out just in time.

Sheanadara is pushing a ragged cloth into Janus's wound, looks up at Eloorin andJerald as they walk out, "He'll die soon if he's not looked at." she says, her hands covered in blood.

Jerald dashes out, crying, though whether smoke or fear it's hard to tell.

Comatose and dragged by Jerald, Atalanta looks almost peaceful.

Ellorin pushes herself to a sitting position, disregarding her burned hands and singed dress. The sky. She stares at the sky...and the cloud thickens...and rain begins to fall on the flaming warehouse, drop by drop cooling the inferno.

Sheanadara stands, looking at the state of the party, "I'll run and get someone from the tower. I've still got the streanth, I think. We'll never make it otherwise."

[Channeling] Ellorin pours immense amounts of saidar into her weave, gathering an even larger cloud

Atalanta is breathing, and her pulse seems to be there.

Jerald sighs, relaxing. And leans against the wall, eyes closed.

Jerald sighs, relaxing against the wall, his eyes slowly opening to the bloody and bloody ashes all around them. "Well... I wasn't expecting all this..."

Ellorin continues to concentrate. A light thunder rolls, and a steady rain begins, washing away the fires.

Rain rolls down Atalanta's cheeks, washing the soot off, cleaning the remains of the night away, outlining a single crack in the trusty glasses that managed to stay on this entire time.

Jerald blinks at the rain, then starts to smile. And to laugh. Maybe he could live through being hunted down. Maybe. If he was quick enough, and lucky enough, and costly enough, maybe.

The rain grows stronger, wetting the flickering flames, the crowd, the heros and the villians. It does not discriminate.

Jerald stands, and quite seriously address the crowd. Something out clothes, damp with rain and stained permanently with soot, he calls out, "Everyone! Everyone,please, calm down!"

Nope that ain't gonna happen...more and more people come pressing in and immediately proceed to take a step back as a barrel explodes sending debris from the recked building flying into the sky.

Jerald groans at the explosion. "Everyone, clear away! Room for the Aes Sedai!"he calls out, indincating Lanta and Ellorin.

Room for one Aes Sedai, anyway. Her great serpent ring glittering slightly in the rain, Atalanta remains, unconcious, propped against the wall. For now, blissfully unaware that her days of weilding the Power that turns the wheel are over.

Rachil --- Laying there tied up in those weaves, still struggling against them as hard as she can, trying to get her hands free. Worse she begins to scream at the top of her lungs, only adding to the hysteria.

Micana pauses a moment for the Dockmaster, after entering the docks area from the northwest.

Jerald walks over, and without hesitating, takes of his coat and stuffs it in Rachil's mouth. "Shut up." he mutters, clearly tired. "Everyone," he says, turning to the crowd again. "Please. go to your homes!"

Sheanadara has arrived.

Atalanta lays unconcious against the wall, oblivious to the rain and the crowds, looking almost peaceful.

Jerald stands. Don't ask for more.

Rachil screams in a muffled voice, muffled by Darius' coat, writhing against the tied air bonds around her like a caged animal.

Micana comes into the area at a rapid clip, several Aes Sedai with her, all grasping the source as they step into the area. One is still fastening her clothing, buttons running crooked, another looking as if she is just waking from a sound sleep.

Sheanadara looks like she's ready to collapse. Again.

Sheanadara moves over and gently rocks Atalanta, "Atalanta?" she says, pleading.

Atalanta is still and silent for a moment. Then she groans softly. Without opening her eyes, she gropes for Shean's hand. "Did we do it?" she manages, hoarsely.

Darius sighs, and suddenly all the adrenaline that had kept him up drips out with the skin on his skin. He walks over, and sits down next to Lanta. "Yep. Yes we did."

Sheanadara nods, "Yes, we got them, and Cavaeya." she says, smiling. Sheanadara points to Janus, lying on the ground, beelding badly, "Help him first, he's the worst off, I think." she says.

"Tell them...to...detain...Cavaeya," Atalanta manages again. She squeezes her eyes shut even more tightly, and now curls into a fetal position, cradling her head.

Micana says "Detain Cavaeya?" She murmurs, taking in the situation quickly. One of the yellow sisters with her moves along to check the wounded, those who seem worst getting the attention first. Others wokr at making sure the fire does not get out of control and move to make sure those bound will be going nowhere.

Sheanadara stands and smiles, "Yes, Micana Aes Sedai. The one there stated that 'Cavaeya will need extra help at the tower.' after asking Darius here to join the Dark." she says simply.

"Suspected...Black...Sister. Proof." Atalanta croaks. Already, subtle changes are appearing in her face. Small, subtle changes. "Detain her."

Rachil continues to stuggle against her bonds, trying to spit out her jacket-gag.

Darius nods. "Cavaeya asked me to find these... creatures, without any aid. After I maanged to do so, she told me to think I was to join with them, and that I would be safe. And then... the fromer trainee said that Cavaeya needed more help in the Tower."

Atalanta croaks, "And she never showed up...to help...and there's...more...past..." Atalanta holds her head tighter, shaking. She lets out a low moan. "She's won, but she's lost, burn her." A hoarse shout. "She's won,but she's lost!" She takes a deep breath, snapping steely brown eyes open for a moment. "Get her, Keeper. You're one of the few I ever trusted. Get her, Aes Sedai. Don't let justice elude her."

NoFace just looks at Darius...silent for so long...now he speaks. "You can run but you can't hide you little worm! She'll find you! She'll kill you worse then we did that novice!" He's mad...shocked...and irrational ATM.

Atalanta grins, feral, at NoFace. "Give her name, Darkfriend! Give her name! Let everyone know!"

Sheanadara looks to Micana, then back to the darkfriend. She kneels beside him,"Do you know what they do to Darkfriends in the tower?" she says, almost conversationily.

Darius grins at NoFace. "We'll see. We'll see, fool. Who won here? Not you. Not you. How much is my life worth? Not much it seems, Cavaeya couldn't take simple precations against me. Myself and allies." He blinks at Lanata's cry. "What?"

NoFace, "She's better than you you bitch! hisses You see what she's done to you? What she's going to do to you Darius?" hiss

Micana nods once. "Then we shall see what we can see. In the meantime." A few warders begin to herd those present up. "Dungeons for them, guard well. If one dies, those guarding them will pay dearly. Sisters, lets get these back to the tower. Novice. Silence. The mistress of novices will want to know what you are doing here."

Rachil finally fully gets the gag out of her mouth and shouts towards the ex-Trainee darkfriend, "She ordered silence you fool!"

Atalanta clutches convulsively at her ring, working it off. She croaks, "I did what I did to save my friends. She did nothing to me." She then turns her face back to the ground, shaking.

Sheanadara almost says something, but doesn't.

Darius laughs again. For tonight, the shadows weren't frightening. "No Face, you're letters scarred me. You're mask scarred me. Your threat scarred me. Not anymore. The White Tower will grind Cavaeya into dust."

"Dust," Atalanta murmurs, into the ground. Still shaking.

NoFacesmiles...yeah he knows just what she's really feeling. He's got one of those acidic smiles...not characteristic of him...just watching Lanta.

Darius walks over to the Jecket-gaged one. "And who are you?" he asks to himself, ripping the veil, and jacket off. Hard enough to loosed some teeth.

Atalanta clenches her hands into fists, raising her head, still laying on the ground. The effort its taking to hold back her true emotions seems gargantuan. She forces her lips back into a rictus, a parody of a grin.

Rachil grunts softly, and her face is revealed. And she happens to be on of thecooks in the tower, and most people would say she was a sweet girl, always followed orders, always smiled. Seems anyone will follow the dark path.

Darius stares. "Maria, how could it be you?"

Maria, Rachil, whatever, that sweet young cook who would often hand out honey cakes to Novices, just sneers, "There's freedom in the Dark for all who give service."

Atalanta finally drops her head. "Want to leave. Go. Hurts too much." she whispers, into the dirt. "Kelsyn."

Micana 's eyes narrow for a moment at the darkfriends and her face is 'too' calm. "Novice," she snaps out in a cold tone "What part of SILENCE do you not understand? I said silence and by the light I meant it." Warders look toward the one being admonished as they gather those to return to the tower. "You will not discuss this with any novices, servants, trainees and the like, or accepteds. You will be questioned by Mother or myself and the mistress of novices, some Aes Sedai likely, but you do not speak of any of this to anyone else without mother's permission." Over to Atlanta she goes and reaches to envelope her in her arms, rocking her comfortingly.

That does it. Atalanta can't stand it anymore. She finally breaks, bursting into tears in the comforting arms of the woman who was Mistress of Novices over her."My fault. She's here for me. This is my justice, my punishment, she came to me but I let her, I thought my reasons were good, just get Cavaeya, Kelsyn, Kelsyn, my fault my fault." The words come out as ragged sobs.

Darius shakes his head sadly at Maria, before turning to Micana, but doesn't say anything at Atalanta's outpouring.

Ellorin is still lying on the cobblestones, unconscious from the effort of creating such an enormous rainstorm on top of the strain of the evening. She begins to stir, moaning softly as she moves bruised and burned limbs.

NoFaceyells out..."Kelsyn? What you want with that crazy fool? Huh? what happened to his last Aes Sedia Huh? Couldn't protect you either I see." he curses the sobbing woman.

Atalanta raises her head raggedly and stumbles over to NoFace. Hatred is painted all over her features. She rears back her arm and does her best to deck him, right in the face. "BURN YOU!"

Maria smiles at the ex-Trainee's comment, chuckling softly again.

Micana lets go of Lanta while she goes over toward NoFace, then quielty indicates to the others to finish their work and back to the tower. "If you want that one caught, don't waste time here, back to the tower." She speaks rather bluntly.

Ellorin's eyes flutter open at the sound of her name. "Lanta..." she gasps out."Where...the fire?" She twists around, trying to sit up, her face contorting with the pain.

NoFace gets punched blood spurting from his nose as he falls over backwards from his sitting position. He gargles. "How many people we going to have to kill before you get the message? You can't protect anyone from us...and he ain't gonna help you." Boy he's a defiant little one. "Their blood's gonna be on your hands...

Atalanta snaps. She begins beating into NoFace, again and again, snarling like an animal.

Sheanadara yells, "Atalanta, NO!"

Ellorin pushes herself to a sitting position, slowly coming back to reality....and to a world gone mad. Her eyes focus on Atalanta, and her whispered words echo Sheanadara's. "Lanta, no....not you..." The pain is evident in her voice, and her eyes fill with tears.

NoFace is in no condition to resist....that void training really helps though.

Maria laughs wildely, enjoying seeing her comrade being beaten, sick enjoyment.

Darius sighs, picks his jacket off the ground, rubs it in the mud, and stuffs it back in Maria's mouth.

At Sheanadara's yell, Atalanta drops her arm, bleakness painting her features like tar. Her hands fall open, and the great serpent ring that she's been clutching in her fist drops lightly into a puddle with a slight plop. She stares, straight ahead, as if not knowing what to do.

Sheanadara moves over to her and to shayol with what the Keeper said, "It would make you no better, Atalanta." she gives the woman a hug. "Don't fall into that."

NoFace opens one eye..."not much without your wacky powers...She's beat you!"

Atalanta buries her nose into Shean's hair. "You're like my daughter," she whispers. "You would have died, had you followed my orders. I deserve to." She closes her eyes and spins away, staggering to lean against a wall, her hair stringing into her face as she ducks it down.

Darius walks over to NoFace, pulls off a shoe, and stuffs that into the damned idiot's mouth.

"You will note, Darkfriend, it took no 'wacky' powers to shut you up." Darius says, forcing a smile.