Alindaer Drive: Tar Valon, Tar Valon

Here the streets are paved with cobblestone, unlike the older streets of Tar Valon, paved with thick stone chunks. Inns and shops are made in imitation of the Ogier masons, with crevices and friezes and little statuettes decorating the area. The buildings are made as if they were waves or shells, giving an aquatic appearance to them. At a distance, the Tower seems to loom above the street towering down on the people.

A sweet fragrance fills the cool air as flowers blossom, reminding everyone that spring has come. The street is brightly lit with several lamps. A small patrol of guards move about to make sure all is well.

If you travel to the northwest, you will place yourself in Alindrelle Square, while to the southeast lies the high arching Alindaer Bridge, watched by several Tar Valon Guards. Traveling west brings you to Darien Lane and north takes you to SouthHarbor Road.

Shallenne enters from the southest and walks past the Tar Valon Guards, watching the bridge, strolling into Alindaer Drive.

Naileve strolls in from the northwest, turning away from Alindrelle Square.

Naileve opens the door and enters the al'Din Emporium.

Naileve exits the al'Din Emporium.

Reese strolls in from the northwest, turning away from Alindrelle Square.

Naileve wanders southeast, onto Alindaer Bridge, after stopping briefly for the Tar Valon Guards.

Naileve enters from the southest and walks past the Tar Valon Guards, watching the bridge, strolling into Alindaer Drive.

Naileve strolls take a stroll to the west, heading toward Darein Lane.

Naileve strolls in from the northwest, turning away from Alindrelle Square.

Naileve walks to the north, passing onto SouthHarbor Road.

The crowd bustles within Alindaer Drive, as people move from shop to shop, or merchant stall to merchant stall. A small crowd gathers in the middle of the road, some of them people might recognize, and others not. Certainly, anyone who went to the City Council Meeting, not just a week ago, would recognize the trio who arrived in the city of Tar Valon almost two weeks ago; Claire, Cristov and Bartok - the three villagers from Lorndale, the village being overrun by the floods plaguing them from the north. Claire wrings her hands together, looking around the streets. "What if they don't come? What will we do then?"

Bartok looks at Claire and sighs a bit, "You worry too much Claire. They promised help, have faith."

Cristov snorts a bit. "After what that man... who was he? The High Ambassador? said what he did? We've reason to worry!"

Naileve enters from the north, turning from SouthHarbor Road.

Naileve walks to the north, passing onto SouthHarbor Road.

A couple of figures ride in from the direction of Alindear, the Altaran ambassador for this city leading the way. She steers her horse over to where Claire and the others wait, a bright smile forming as she greets them. "Good morning. I trust you are ready for the return?" she remarks, as she slips down from the horse's back to speak with them properly. "This is Elred and Matilde," she says, gesturing to the two behind her. "Just two of the ones who are to accompany us."

It is Bartok who speaks first, addressing Claire, "See, I told you they'd come. Worry wort." He grins at Claire, then turns to bow formally in Shallenne's direction. "Our thanks, Ambassador, for bringing the aid we need. When you were a bit late, we began to worry." He casts a pointed glance in Claire's direction.

Relief floods Claire's features. A blush comes to her cheeks when Bartok points out the folly of her worry. Yet, she can't help but jab him in the side a bit for the 'I told you so.'. "As Bartok said, we are very grateful, as will be the members of our village." The worry still clings to her voice, her hands wringing together in a fretful manner. She just hopes they're not too late.

On the other hand, Cristov just grunts, turning his attention to a few passing birds overhead that manage to catch his attention. He has been standoffish the entire time while in Tar Valon.

"We wouldn't let you down," Shallenne replies with a cheery smile. "But I understand you concern, and you have my apologies for being late. I just wanted to ensure that everything was gathered in place before I came to meet you. It seemed to be pointless trying to crowd everything into the city centre when we have go back out again, so the troops are waiting in Alindaer. The innkeeper is quite generously providing refreshments whilst they wait for us, so with luck, we won't lose anyone before we get there." She grins to the surly man, determined to break down his defenses and get him to crack a smile one day. "Want to lead the way?" she offers.

Sionil strolls in from the northwest, turning away from Alindrelle Square.

Cristov perks up a bit at mention of 'leading' the way. And indeed, a smile does crack upon his face; or rather a wide grin. "If that would be permitted, m'Lady." His dark eyes seem to glow a touch, at given such a responsibility.

Claire nods her head a bit, some relief coming to her eyes. "That is good to hear. Approximately how many volunteers have we at our disposal?" She pauses as Shallenne addresses Cristov, lifting a brow in an inquisitive manner. She smirks slightly, then starts to mount her own horse. Bartok also mounts his, having nothing to say on the discussion so far.

Claire nods her head a bit, some relief coming to her eyes. "That is good to hear. Approximately how many volunteers have we at our disposal?" She pauses as Shallenne addresses Cristov, lifting a brow in an inquisitive manner. She smirks slightly, then starts to mount her own horse. Bartok also mounts his, having nothing to say on the discussion so far.'.

A swift move finds Shallenne back on her own horse, the reins gathered up and the animal turned around to face back the way she just came. "There's a couple dozen men and women gathered there, and a quite a few youths who I'm sure we can put to some useful purpose. And then there are the wagons with all the supplies of course." She nods to Cristov, returning his grin with one of her own. "Please lead on, but please, my name's Shallenne and I'd much prefer it if you called me that from now on." Even as she speaks, a couple of figures hurry up, joining the group in readiness to leave, eagerness and anticipation written on their faces.

Morcath enters the scene on foot. He still commands attention and respect, though, his blue eyes taking in the situation quickly. He does not assume any command, though, preferring to watch and see how he may be of use. He does not even introduce himself to anyone.

Sionil walks along the street

Settling herself upon her horse, Claire turns her attention to Cristov, "So, I guess that's your cue to take the lead, Cristov." She watches as the young man eagerly scrambles upon his horse, and again while Bartok takes his calculated time in mounting. She gives the larger, slower man something of a small smile, then glances and Cristov and shakes her head; that one's trouble.

Cristov grins widely at Claire, "Sure is. And lead I will." He takes on an air about him, as though he was always meant to be a leader."

In the background, others can hear Bartok's baritone voice call out to Cristov, "Yes, well, just don't lead us into the river, like you almost did last time." There are a few chuckles from the crowd from the larger man's words. Cristov bristles a bit, then clucks to his horse to get it moving.

Shallenne laughs lightly at Bartok's comment, shaking her head, as she urges her horse forward. She glances sround at the others who've gathered, smiling to the faces she recognises. "Morcath..," she greets brightly, almost using the man's title but recalling well these peoples' reaction to having Tower assistance. "You're coming along with us?"

Morcath smiles at the quip and then looks over at Shallenne. He nods and says, "I thought perhaps someone like me would be of help." Someone like him??? "Unless there ate any objections, I thought I might like to lend whatever hand I could."

Bartok speaks out to Cristov as Shallenne and Morcath interchange words, "Hold up, Cristov. We're still settling a few things with volunteers." He certainly doesn't want to lose any willing hand he can get, that's for sure. Though, he is the more sensible of the three at times.

Cristov reigns in his horse, looking over his shoulder at Bartok's words. Blinking, he looks back to Shallenne, and then the man she speaks to nearby and simply nods, waiting almost a touch impatiently. This leadering thing is likely going to go to his head.

Claire nudges her horse into a slow walk, until Bartok gives the call for them to hold up a bit. Lifting a darkened brow, she casts a sideways glance toward Shallenne and Morcath. She offers the man a small, faint smile, regarding him with curious eyes. She listens quietly to the interchange between the two, then glances out over the streets. It is then that she sees the Aes Sedai who had been walking along during most of their exchanges with the Ambassador. Her face pales a bit, and she chews on her lower lip accordingly.

Sionil watches the multiple people gathered

Cristov reigns in his horse, looking over his shoulder at Bartok's words. Blinking, he looks back to Shallenne, and then the man she speaks to nearby and simply nods, waiting almost a touch impatiently. This leadering thing is likely going to go to his head.

Claire nudges her horse into a slow walk, until Bartok gives the call for them to hold up a bit. Lifting a darkened brow, she casts a sideways glance toward Shallenne and Morcath. She offers the man a small, faint smile, regarding him with curious eyes. She listens quietly to the interchange between the two, then glances out over the streets. It is then that she sees the Aes Sedai who had been walking along during most of their exchanges with the Ambassador. Her face pales a bit, and she chews on her lower lip accordingly.'.

The short Cairhien Lord rides toward the gathering with about ten men following behin him. Gerrick is dressed in light colors, either whites or silvers, and at least stands out from the crowd in that respect dispite his small size. The men behind give the impression of either bodyguards or thugs, though perhaps Gerrick's offering for help.

"Of course. You're more than welcome," Shallenne replies to Morcath with a bright smile. She straightens back up on her horse then, voice ringing out across the heads of those milling about. "That goes for anyone else who has arrived here wondering whether or not they should offer their services. All of you are welcome to travel with us. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated by the people of Lorndale. Its not too late to join with us.. every hand is an extra chance for these people to salvage their village. So please, be assured that your efforts will make a difference." She nudges her horse forward again then, giving Gerrick a polite nod. Not a man she knows.. other than by reputation.

Morcath lets his gaze rest for a moment on Gerrick as the man enters. To the most astute, Morcath would appear much like someone sizing up an unknown enemy, one perhaps known only by name. He is not conspicuous in this and his blue eyes watch everything and everyone.

Gerrick inclines his head toward Shallenne, and then turns the horse sideways to look at the men he brought with him. "Be helpful..." he encourages in a stern sort of way, before casually taking another look over those gathered. The Aes Sedai in the group sparks his attention, though he moves his gaze right past her toward the others.

Claire watches as more and more people start to gather around their own little gathering. Taking her eyes away from the Aes Sedai, distracting herself from the woman who wields a mysterious and fearsome power, she gives those who fall in beside them a look of warmed respect. She murmurs quiet thankyous to a few who come riding up beside her, then turns her attention to Cristov. The murmurings of the crowd, when Gerrick comes riding in, is what brings her attention to the Lord and his henchmen; as they so appear. Her horse dances a bit as it feels her nervousness; while she believed the others in the City Council as Lords and Ladies, they never really dressed the part as Gerrick does.

Bartok smiles and nods his head a bit as he listens to Shallenne's words, as though agreeing with everything she states. "Our village, once we get through this tragedy, will reward those who aid us with their efforts with a feast in their honor. It is a small token, but at this time, we are not able to give anything further, other than possible aid when Tar Valon might be in need," his baritone voice rings out amongst the crowd as he gently keeps his own horse still. His eyes just barely catch upon Gerrick's garments, causing him to stare for a few brief moments before catching himself.