Ogier Grove: Tar Valon, Tar Valon

Tall trees of every make, higher than you've ever imagined, assault your eyes as you first enter into the Grove. Their sheer size is astounding, as they rise beyond the lowest spired building in the streets and several of the higher towers. Small paths work their way in and out of the trees, allowing one to go explore the wonders of this wide wonder, spanning almost two miles in diameter truly making it a forest inside the city.

Everything seems alight with color as pale pastels, strong reds and blues and other colors of the flowers come to life with the new season, the season of birth and growth, Spring. Birds chirp their happy songs and rabbits and other small wood animals that live in the grove pop in and out, unaware of any others. No matter the season, people come in and out of the Grove. Under the trees you can see children laughing and playing, while those older sit atop a blanket having some sort of picnic or luncheon.

There is one visible exit seems to be the gates leading to the TreeSingers Avenue. If you venture far enough into the grove you might glimpse a strange structure that seems quite forgotten, covered in vines and other sorts of vegetation.

Contents:

Meeko, Keats

Meeko stands near the pond with her wonderful guard Keats "Keats I am so sorry I left like I did but I have made some discoveries at the Tower and need to find a way to return. I did pass out from exhaustion from that project I have been working on." she smiles to her guard, handsome man with nice assets this one.l "I discovered a child living there without the Amryln's knowledge. They also brought in a man, a stranger to the infirmary and none know anything about him save he was attacked coming into the city."

Keats hmphs as he stands nearby with his arms crossed. "I still don't see why I couldn't have been involved somehow. Or at the least why you couldn't have gotten word to me." He kicks a stone into the water as if being pouty though none of that shows on his face. "Guarding you has to be one of the most toughest assignments I've ever taken I swear."

There is a rustling of the bushes not far off but after a moment they go silent.

Meeko sighs and looks to Keats with her beautiful dark eyes "I had to leave one nite when you were off. I suspect checking out that Domini wench." is there a bit of jealousy in Meekos voice. She pauses and looks to Keats "If you wish to be more involved perhaps we should get to know each other much better." Meeko tosses one of the pebbles she has into the pond the considers "By the way I did leave message with Maria didn't you get it from her?"

Keats shakes his head. "That I did not. Perhaps she forgot to mention it." Another hmph before he glances towards the rustling bushes not to far off. He only watches it a second before returning his gaze to Meeko. Maybe he thought it was just a rabbit. "As for getting more involved... that could lead to... difficulties I'm sure."

>From another direction there is a snapping of a twig under a rather large tree. not in the same area but close enough to be heard.

Meeko smiles sweetly to her guard "I am so sorry Keats." Meeko reaches out to stroke his arm "I will be more aware next time." She jumps and listens as a twig snaps then returns to her guard. The Grove is not a quiet place if you really listen. "You know maybe you could help figure something out." Meeko suddenly stops "the animals are freightened." she speaks in a near whisper.

Keats nods and doesn't even glance around but does manage to move so he is in between Meeko and the general direction of the noises. "Of course, dear Sage. What is it you would like my help with?"

"My pet, did you recieve my message?" Was that a voice to the right or the left? Perhaps down over that small rise near the pond?

Meeko abrubtly rises her head and looks for the voice. A voice from the past, long ago and dangerous "What message?" she quickly glances round and considers embracing "Keats where is he?" her voice flat trying to cover her concern for the man she thought was gone, crazy Kirill.

Keats hmms and has somewhat figured out (guessed) from the way the sounds were coming from that the person would be to his right. Or so he hopes. "Who is he?" Keats asks of Meeko as he turns to look where he believes the man to be.

Serenlin approaches from their right. he walks with a staff that he uses to hold his weight up as he walks with a hint of a limp and stiffness. At his waist is a well used sword. "Hello pet." His tone is hard a hint at the anger he had when he destroyed part of her shop earlier in the day.

A cold chill runs through Meeko as she confirms it is the missing Kirill "I am not your pet any longer Kirill." she meets the hardness of your voice with a coldness of her own. "I figured the sickness you had killed you by now, where have you been hiding?" she does embrace as a precaution knowing the mental state of this man last they met "Keats this is Kirill we use to be, well lets say close till he got ill and turned on the life we all have chosen."

Keats ahs and nods curtly to Kirill. "Excuse me if I do not welcome you to our little gathering." His own staff is held at his side, though dropping it into ready position would be practically instantaneous.

Serenlin points a finger to Meeko and doesn't come any closer than a few dozen feet. "Lets just say that my illness has given me a level of clarity that I did not have before." his voice is harsh and the grip of his right hand slips from his staff to the hilt of his blade. "I will not kill you now Meeko, in respect of what we shared. but after this day I will see to it that you fail at every task you attempt."

Meeko looks cold as she weaves a netting quickly and moves it over the blade to bind it to it's sheath. She ties it off and glares "you shall not harm me Kirill remember who and what you are. With my reputation as High Ambassador you can do little for they will believe me much quicker than you." Cold and hard, a side a Meeko few see.

Dropping his staff into both hands casually (if that is possible), Keats looks to Meeko and comments with a raised eyebrow, "If he is a loose thread from your past. Why can he not simply be ... snipped from the pattern?"

Serenlin's dark eyes examine both people carefully. Those very eyes that have developed a great skill at keeping alive and doing what must be done. He didn't say he had forsaken their oaths exactly only that she would die by his hand. "Think twice what you ask for sir or you will surely find yourself food for the fishnets. I fear meeko that you will be missed less than you believe, and I guarentee that I do not care what the repercussions are upon me for being the hand that accomplishes the goal."

Meeko drops the weave as she dare not get caught but does not remove her gaze from a man she once dearly cared for "Why are you doing this Kirill I have done nothing to you? It was you that left me, you that threatened me and called be a witch." she inadvertently fingers her neck where the collar use to be "You turned your back on me for no reason I think I should have an explanation." her voice is still quite controlled, least for now.

Keats chuckles softly at this Kirill's threat. Yet because Meeko is asking something he stays quiet, waiting to see what this loose thread has to say.

"My reasons are my own Pet. There is no reason to go into it further, You have been warned which is more than I gave to the men that killed my family when I finally hunted them down." Serenlins words are hard and cold, perhaps he is lost in the void as the warders at the tower do. One thing is for certain he is a dangerous loose thread knowing what he knows if he is even semi in control of his facilities.

Meeko glares as the coldness in her voice indicates she is not happy with this "Why should I not just take you now Kirill and turn you into the Tower as a madman who tried to attack the High Ambassador. Keats will stand by me and you will be at the hands of the Sedai. It would matter little what you called me or said about me, they all trust me there."

Keats grins maliciously and looks ready to take a step forward if the opportunity is there for a nice, quick and quiet knock on the head. Of course, some 'help' from Meeko wouldn't go unwelcomed either should it come to that. Yet at the moment Keats stays his hand due to the fact it seems undecided on Meeko's part whether she wants to attack him or have him run free to do his little blackmail scheme.

Serenlin lets out a laugh, "And you think that i have no sway with people there at the tower? Have you forgotten the time I spent there? I wouldn't trust you now any further than I can spit a tooth. and that is only as long as i dont have my back turned to you." He flicks a look at the man her guard and shakes his hand. "you stay where you are I dont want to embarrase you infront of your lover."

Meeko shakes her head "Kirill are you still taking that powder? Are you so forgetful the joy we had together?" she is not real happy at this moment "Keats and I are not lovers he is my guard and at the moment no I do not think anyone at the Tower would believe you a man growing sick. If you would have remained by my side we could have bonded and you would have gained what you were after but no you left, you ran out like a cowerd and now you dare to threaten me." Cold as ice is Meeko, a mixture of anger and hurt from his leaving without a word "I never did anything to you but care." she glances round and notices some sedai in the distance so dares not embrace again "It is you that would be embarassed Kirill, Keats is a *young* and strong fighter."

"No I am no longer taking the powder I do not need it. I have found a strength that far surpasses what it provides. It is out of respect for what we had that I come to you now rather than killing you in your sleep. That is if you still sleep." Kirill glares at the pair but doesn't let his eyes move from either for long. "My wife is dead and my family gone once again. I am nothing more than a bringer of death to all I loved."

Keats glances over at Meeko and leaves it at that before returning his gaze to Kirill. "Then kill yourself and rid us of your sorry excuse for a face so that we may get on to more important things." A nice grin that must be meant to push the other man towards violence first.

Memories flood Meeko's mind, she grows torn between putting this man, a danger to her and Keats out of his misery or reaching out and hugging him "Kirill It is not you causing those around you to die. Did you kill your wife with your hand? Would you really kill me that way?" she pauses to let the comments sink "I think you are taking this all wrong, this has been a rough time and much happens but you are not the cause and I cannot believe you would deliberatly destroy me." Now Keats should know why Meeko has not disposed of this danger, she hopes he will have more sense than she.

A temper Kirill has always had. that is what made him so dangerous, he would be blinded to what he couldn't do by his rage and manage to overcome. now though his anger is controlled allowed to vent only when called upon. "I will enjoy stringing your guts up on a clothes line between buildings sir and making a pair of boots out of your skin. And for Meeko I have a special treat." his eyes flash as they once did when he would be 'instructing' her. He begins to back up another pair of steps ready to make his departure.

Keats smiles oh so pleasantly and flips his staff up, causing a stone that the bottom was resting against it to be flung in Kirill's direction (hard to aim something like that too acurately after all). A look of false apology quickly flashes across his face. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interupt your day dreaming there. Quite a fantasy it sounded like after all." Doesn't seem Keats feels that this Kirill is much of a threat.

Meekos mouth drops as she hears the word of this sick, sick man. So tempted to kill him now and be done with it, lover or not "Kirill you are sick and you know I could end your misery now. Give me one reason I or my guard should not." shock replaced by cold anger, a dangerous woman this wilder.

Though he is backing up to get out of the channeling range of the woman, yes even Aes Sedai have limits. He smiles wickedly. The stone that flies in his direction is fairly easily dodged at this distance even for one as aged and decreped as the man who needs his staff to walk. "I will do you better Meeko, I will give you three reasons you should kill me now. first, it is your only chance. two, because of the situation I will kill you quickly and mercifully this time where as I will not in the future. And lastly I will make you watch what I do to your little toy there and listen to his screams in the night." He is almost begging to die.

Hearing the words from her x lover and the threats to her guard Meeko reacts. She pulls one of her daggers from the cape and fires it in Serenlin's direction. She is good with her daggers and can use the excuse the man was insane. Just as the first is released Meeko pulls and fires a second then pulls the third hesitating just momentarily.

As the flash of metal goes past Keats towards Kirill, Keats jumps forwards towards the man as well. Covering the distance quickly, the staffman swings a swift arc at the mans legs (on the side opposite Kirill's staff of course) and sees where that will get him.

Sionil walks in from the west, leaving Treesingers Avenue behind as she takes in the splendor of the Grove.

Serenlin moves quickly as he was ready for anything from the pair. As the daggers go flying towards the man he does what can be the only option for him...dodge. For a man of his years and apparent injuries he moves terribly quickly evading the first blade and taking the second in the arm cutting deep into his skin. As the guard to the ambassador lunges at him he drops his staff and draws his blade in a fluid motion that pulls him in step with Keats. His blade impacts on the staff just before it can be used to sweep him off his feet. "you die now...."

Meeko looses the third dagger in the direction of Seren. She is good with her toys and pulls out the fourth and final weapon as she moves in a position that will surely make a hit. "Kirill you are mad, stop now or I will be forced to kill you." she hopes her guard can control this wildman. The man dared to threaten them both.

Sionil wanders into the grove for a simple day away from the tower

"You first," replies Keats smoothly and brings the top end of his staff around in a swing at Kirill's face before he steps back into a defensive stance to see what this madman is like.

Sionil goes around the pathways of the grove... she hears a commotion

Serenlin uses his off arm again as a shield letting the metal blade dig deep into his forearm. The man hardly winces as he remains focused int he void letting the pain slip away into oblivian. Blood begins to drip from his arm, it wont be all that long at this rate that he bleeds to death. Swords against staffs are not an easy thing. skilled in both Kirill knows this fact well. he performs cat on hot sands and hops to the left and away from the upper half of the swing putting alittle distance between them while parrying slightly. "You drew first blood Meeko....." He breaths hard at the sudden exertion.

Meeko spins so she is not endangering her guard. She sees the blood from the fools arm and realizes he is still much to active, even for his age. She positions and looses the last dagger at his leg. That should slow him down a bit if it hits it's mark.

Sionil starts to follow the sounds coming from the inner parts of the grove. Trying to find out who is making all the racket

Mmmmm. Blood. Keats grins more broadly at that sight and aims a one-two swing towards the bleeding man. One goes towards his opposite leg and then towards the damaged arm in hopes of taking advantage of the injury.

Serenlin cannot possibly avoid three strikes that come at him from two different opponents. the Further dangers meeko and her daggers is forgotten as long as they do not come towards his face and he focuses on the man before him who is well within range with his staff. if Meeko really wanted to kill him she would have jus snuffed out his life with her power. For a moment he loses his control of the void when a fourth blade sticks into his boot and leg cutting heavily into his mobility. All he can do now his twist his blade back and forth defensivly to parry away the quick darting strikes of keats with his sword. The sound of metal blade impacting with staff ring out loud and clear in the ogier grove and the battle heats up significantly. Arch of the moon suffices to block first the low strike as well as arching up to defend the higher one to his now useless arm.

Meeko yells out "Keats finish him we will never be able to stop him he is mad."

Sionil finally comes out upon the open area with the three people and blinks at the scene

Keats goes into a nice fury of swings coming from left and right, aiming at Serenlin's shoulders, knees, and even sword to knock it away. Keats is trying anything and everything to tire the swordsman out and force him into a mistake so the metal rings at the end of Keats' staff can connect with the man's head or throat in a killing blow.

Sionil embraces the source quickly and creates a wall of Air between the three "HOLD!"

Meeko turns as she hears a voice. She is unaware of the wall as she is not moving anyway "I am so glad you are here. This Kirill is a madman, he has gone insane and attacked us. We had to stop him he is a danger to everyone." she cries out as she sees the Sedai.

Surprisingly Serenlin doesn't attack back but rather continues to defend and retreat from the onslaught of quick sharp attacks by the staff. He catches most but some do impact his body in various places. That is until a wall of air starts to block the strikes for him allowing himself to catch his breath. He breaths hard and continues to ignore the daggers sticking out of his leg and arm.

Sionil looks to Meeko briefly and then Kirill "What are you Doing?"

Keats grunts as one of his blows hits a very solid wall of air. Arm still numb from the shock he steps back and growls, "Lucky bastard," the the bleeding man on the other side of the wall of air. He leaves the explanation to Meeko while he keeps an eye on Serenlin.

Serenlin's' eyes remain cold as he looks at the woman on the other side as well as the man. He will have his time at them that he swore. it's to Sionil that he turns last not looking her in the eye but not saying a word either.

Meeko looks directly to Sionil "we are defending ourselves from this man. He attacked and swore he would string our guts from a line between the buildings. I know Kirill and he is mad and dangerous."

Sionil doesn't respond to Meeko but looks at Kirill "What are you doing? Where is your wife? Your children?"

You say "They are gone as are everyone I loved.""

Sionil eyes them "Why are you trying to hurt the Ambassador here, Kir?"

Serenlin looks to Sionil, "I didn't raise a blade in attack against them Sionil Sedai. I mearly defended." He raises his arm and points to his leg, "I was struck first and mearly defended my body."

Sionil looks to the other two. "So do we have a dilema now, Your story against his?"

Keats hmphs. "So after you saying you will do anything to make the High Ambassador fail, you want the Sedai to believe you are not at fault here. I am lucky that you were not as fast as you had hoped, else I may have been skewered before able to go on the offensive."

Sionil glances between the two "Do I need to take you all back to the tower to put you all to the Question to determine the truth?"

Serenlin grins impishly, "please Sionil, take us all back to the tower and do just that...." He takes his sword and turns it over to her hilt first.

Meeko nods as Keats speaks "Sionil he is a danger. He swore to destroy me and my guard. To lie about me and destroy my good name. He said he decided to warn me first instead of killing me in my sleep and then ..." Meeko looses control as tears roll down her face, she is unable to speak at the moment as this is all to upseting.

Sionil reaches out with Air to remove the sword from his grasp

Keats doesn't release his staff, instead backing up first to put distance between himself and Serenlin just incase he has something up his sleeve. When he feels he is far enough away he will open his hands up to relinquish the staff. "I do not trust him. He has threatened Meeko and myself, with no explanation at all besides the fact that all he loves, or has loved, or has been near perhaps, he kills. It does not sound like a sane person to me, Sedai."

Fiona walks in from the west, leaving Treesingers Avenue behind as she takes in the splendor of the Grove.

For now Kirill lets his wounds speak for themselves. if he had wanted to kill keats he is certain that even wounded he could have done so with little difficulty.

Sionil pulls the sword over to herself... using some more of the power she ties air about the mans wounds to put pressure on them to try to stop the bleeding "Is this true, Kiri? Did you threaten her?"

Meeko looks to Sionil, tears rolling down her face "Sionil I was only protecting myself. I am good with my daggers and if I were trying to kill him I could have. We had to stop him he has gone mad. The last I saw him he attacked me in my own home. He is very dangerous."

Sionil holds up her hand for Meeko to wait. To let the other answer the question

Humming to herself, Fiona makes her way into the Ogier Grove. Yet, she makes certain to look over her shoulder from time to time, almost as though fearing she's being followed for some reason or another. She pauses a moment, taking a peek around the outter grounds before choosing the path which leads her to the fish pond.

Serenlin nods his head as he looks up at Sionil, "Yes I did Sionil sedai. She is evil and must be destroyed before she can do any further harm. I told her that out of kindness for our feelings in the past I was warning her that the next time we met I would see that she died painfully to spair the city future pain at her hands."

Sionil sighs and nods to the one she formerly had planned to bond... "You know I need to place you under arrest now, I'm sorry."

Kirill nods his head and looks back at the other pair, "yes I understand. And understand then when I appear dead in my cell of unknown causes that it was that woman there that orchestrated it."

Meeko tears stream down Meeko's face, she once loved this man and feels the pain of this entire situation "Be gentle with him Sionil he is old and carries much pain. May I heal him first?" strange how she still does care even after all the things he has done to her and said.

Sionil examines Meeko and looks strangely at her when she mentions the healing. "It will be taken care of. You can go gather some guardsmen however."

Meeko nods and turns. She leaves the Grove and returns a bit later with a pair of Tar Valon Guards "there is the Sedai that has the man who threatened me."

Sionil looks over Kirill trying to understand what happened to the man.

Keats, still having his staff, prods the air before him to find out if he'll be able to rejoin Meeko. If finding no impediment he goes to join her calmly, keeping an eye on Kirill whenever possible.

Hearing the voices in the Grove, Fiona pauses, some concern crossing her features. An Aes Sedai, the High Ambassador - or the woman who's acting as such, and a few men? This could be an interesting thing to walk in on. She looks as though she's wieghing her options, but still keeps her distance. Mayhap coming to the grove this evening just wasn't the right thing to do.

Kirill whispers to sionil, "I wish you to defend me Sionil, I am allowed that yes if this goes to trial?" Beyond that he doesn't say another word till Meeko and her little pet are gone from the grove and he can talk privately to Sionil.

Sionil motions to the pair of guards to take the man in custody, when Kirill speaks to her she sighs deeply "I'm sorry, Kirill. I cannot, I am a Magistrate of the city now."

Kirill is despondant at that information and nods his head regretfully.

Meeko sighs "Sionil I know Kirill had taken to trying to be young again and well he was using some drug that gave him energy. I fear it has turned him mad beyond help. Please Do what you can for him." she turns to her guard "Thank you Keats for protecting me you are a good man."

Stepping back into the shadows, Fiona decides to watch from afar rather than to get into the thick of things. Afterall, what is she but a simple merchant? She shouldn't interfere in matters she has no understanding of, particularly not when the guard of the nation is involved.

Sionil looks worriedly at Kirill "We can talk some, but first we need to get those wounds fixed." Motioning to the two guards to follow her, she starts to go back to the tower

Kirill encased in the tar Valon guards follows after the Aes sedai. At least for today Meeko is safe....for now.

Keats nos to Meeko. "There is no need for thanks, Meeko. It is what I am here to do." He watches as Kirill is taken away, maybe expecting the madman to break free any moment.

Silently, Fiona watches as the Aes Sedai and the Guards move with Kirill out of the grove grounds. Just what was going on here that required both parties to take care of the mess? Her eyes turn once more to the acting High Ambassador, and a thoughtful expression comes over her features. She sniffs to herself. "Were it not for Orthos, I would likely attempt such a position," she sighs to herself as she murmurs in a low voice, low enough so only she could really hear it.

Sionil wanders west, reluctant to leave the peaceful Ogier Grove.

You wander west, reluctant to leave the peaceful Ogier Grove.

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.

The grounds look much like a garden as trees, flowers and shrubs start to bloom, bringing spring into view. Colors start to come about and birds start singing once again. There are several benches about the grounds where one might be able to sit and relax. The sky shows off pinks, purples and hazy blues as the sun starts to settle beyond the horizon and the stars start to twinkle in early twilight. Aes Sedai seem to stand watch over those occupants in the courtyard area, making sure that Novices don't try to slip away from their chores before they are complete.

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.

Contents:

Sionil

Sionil keeps a hold of the sword that she took from Kirill... it is evidence after all... Spotting a novice she sends the girl to gather a yellow sister to meet them in the dungeons

Kirill has to limp as he has a dagger sticking out of his right leg bleeding profusely as well as his arm. The two he supposedly attacked didn't ahve a scratch. Wasn't kirill more skilled than that?

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

Dungeon: White Tower, Tar Valon

Dark and dank does not even begin to describe this room. Several lanterns attempt to light the area, however the darkness seems to creep over them, as if to put them out. A musty smell prevails, from underuse of the area. Dust lines the floors, except for a few of the cells kept clean for 'visitors' who seem to negate the laws and rules of the land. Several cells line each side of the long hallway, each one posessing a single cot and a chamberpot. The cells appear to be made of thick stone, with a door of bars for access to and from.

A single stairway rises out of the dungeon, leading back into the tower basement, eventually.

Sionil enters the dungeon from the flight of stairs.

Sionil motions to the guards to place him on a cot in a cell and close it "Thank you, You may return to your duties now." she says to them

Kirill limps to the cot and lays down on it. "I know I have failed you one too many times sionil, but I was doing what is right you must believe me."

Sionil takes a seat outside the cell "Why did you do it?"

Kirill sighs heavily and his voice is still cold having to hold the void to avoid the pain. "Call it a pang of consicence. I have done some grevious things Sionil since I was expelled from the tower. But none I regret more than swearing to the dark. I along with meeko swore an oath. it is this i regret and hoped that I could atone for it before my death and take her with me." his words are slow and regretful. If any other sedai He probably wouldn't even talk but Sionil has always gotten through his defenses.

Sionil blinks at him and what he just gives up

The sounds of foot steps come down as more people near... a Yellow Sedai approaching halt any responce from the Gray

The yellow looks to Sionil and says "What did you do? Don't you know how to heal a basic wound... He could have bled to death..." She goes into the cell and starts to channel to heal the wounds

Kirill looks to sionil silent now while the yellow sisters attend to his wounds mearly looking into her eyes for forgiveness.

Sionil just looks shocked not even responding... The yellow says "He needs sleep to recover. You can interogate this prisoner later, Sister."

Kirill lays back on the bed at the yellows urgances but his eyes never leave sionil, "I need forgiveness...."

Sionil doesn't respond... but is pulled away by the Yellow. Walking backwards away from the dungeon she keeps her eyes on him but doesn't say a word