Alindrelle Square: Tar Valon, Tar Valon

This small robust square holds a fanciful fountain right in its center. Srays of water shoot out from the mouth of a four-headed fish in greeting to those who pass by. Buildings made of white stone are etched in the shapes of fanciful shells or waves that are meant to dazzle the eye. Everything within the square and on the streets beyound seems to have been made for sheer beauty, as if to show off some great skill.

The fountain seems to be frozen solid in the winter cold and the spouts turned off. All around one can see that the roofs of the white buildings and the roads around you are covered with pristine white snow. Icicles hang precariously from the edges of drain spouts, threatening to fall at any moment. As predawn slowly goes away, the sun rises into a new day. People start leaving the confines of their homes to start the days chores.

Several different directions spout off from the square. The main exit leads toward the White Tower itself, making the square a center of traffic and other events. Three more exits lead down private roads, towards the southern most villages outside of the city. One single road leads toward the north, heading into NorthHarbor.

Obvious exits:

Meeko pushes her way through the throng of people and enters Alindrelle Square from the southeast.

Meeko has arrived.

Shina enters the Alindrelle Square through the Alindrelle Gates of the White Tower.

Shina has arrived.

Alisa enters the Alindrelle Square through the Alindrelle Gates of the White Tower.

Alisa has arrived.

People are milling about... several carry signs saying 'The Aes Sedai should Serve not Starve'

Alisa enters into the square quite surprised to see so many people this late in the day though all such emotion is hidden behind her aes sedai calm.

At one side of the square a few students of the scholars guild are busilly building a small stand for speech giving.

Meeko is in the square, she is trying to speak to some of the sign carriers "Come now the Sedai have been doing what they can. They are human afterall and do have limitations." she is speaking calmly but alert. She remembers the riots at the bakery and some of the others around town and is hoping to stop something before it starts. "We of the Council are doing all we can. I have been in negotiations with a number of nobles who *say* they have stores we can use and will transport them as soon as the roads are safe." Meeko, the acting High Ambassador, is at wits end actually and much of what she has been doing has turned out to be dead promises by those that wish to gain wealth from the suffering of her people in Tar Valon.

Some hotheaded young man points sharply at Meeko, "That doesn't feed my family! Everyone knows you and the council are the puppets of Sedai!"

Fiona enters from the north, coming from Northharbor Road.

Fiona has arrived.

The small stage looks almost complete as more of the students gather by it. They appear to be in their early twenties or so.

Meeko turns to the man "We are puppets of none." her tone controlled and her dark eyes alight with a fire of determination "We work to serve the town, to help you all. What have you done Sir, to help the people? What have any of you done to aid the town?" The High Ambassador scans the gathering crowd "I have seen only a few of you at meetings or at the shops that have been helping others. What ideas do you have to feed the town?"

Someone in the back yells, "Give us food or shut up!"

Safe so far. No sign of... Fiona pauses, taking notice of the streets and the growing crowd. They were not here just moments before were they? She could have sworn they were not. Instinctively, she looks over her shoulder again. Can never been too careful, never, then back to the crowd. Creases of worry cross her brow and she bites her lower lip, particularly at those shouting after the food. That will never get them what they want. Sighing to herself, she attempts to make her way around the outskirts, rather than moving through the throng. Getting caught in the middle of that, if it turns out to be a mob, will be the last thing she wants.

The square has completely filled from the front near the tower to the back by Darein Lane. People stand shoulder to shoulder. One of the few students who put the organized request together stands upon the stage and raises his arms to get the attention of the people.

Alisa ponders this situation then goes to approach Meeko, trying carefully to avoid jostling her broken collar bone and the slinged arm.

Announcement: So'jhin shouts "All of Alindrelle Square is full of people. From the Tower back to all the side streets. Hundreds of people carrying signs making a lot of noise..."

Shina makes her way across the square with her two burly employees that have been doing far less loading and packing lately and a lot of escourting. She frowns at the situation but gives no signs as to what side she may be on in this. She makes her way towards Meeko carefully.

The crowd is "acidentally" clumsy as Alisa moves through. Perhaps some hothead take the opportunity to bump into the Sedai without being seen...indeed too easy right now.

As the speaker mounts the stage Meeko turns to listen to what they have to say. As High Ambassador she must know all that is going on, all that she can do to keep the peace in this, her city. Meeko stands her ground even in the mess of people here, she is determined to keep the city safe.

Shina's helpful men push people out of the way were needed and finally she reaches Meeko, "Lively tonight isn't it?"

The young man who is atop the hastily built platform waits a moment or two for the citizens to calm down and turn their attention to him before speaking "Citizens of Tar Valon! Hear me!" he pauses a moment before saying on "Please Let me speak!"

Alisa bites her bottom lip hard as she refuses to give the oafs the satisfaction of her crying out. Glaring at those who are trying to get into her way. Almost hoping one of them tries something stupid to act as a release.

"Speak of what?" a voice in the crowd yells out "We want food not words." The people glare at the High Ambassador "That one keeps promising us help but little is forthcoming what is going to be done? My family is hungry." another voice cries out.

Meeko turns to the Domini "Yes it is another group of unhappy souls. I hope they remain peaceful but if it is like the other times ......" she turns as the man yells out "Listen to speaker, listen and learn other ways we can feed everyone. This is a time for joining not separation with your harsh words." She is still controlled but does take a few steps back trying to work her way to the edge of the crowd. She motions Shia to move with her.

Shina moves with Meeko she sighs, "You are probly in danger here..I think."

Oh light. Worse than she thought. Fiona draws her plain woolen cloak about her, drawing the hood up over her head. This is no time to be recognized as one of the merchants within the city, already having had her own shop raided a few times over the last month or so. While she does not provide food services, her wares bring money to pay for the expensive staple supplies.

"Food! YES, my Brethren! Food is what we need." the student cries to the crowds "But will our grumbling get that food? By coming here today, we can show the deceitful leaders that we know they have not brought us that food! United we can tell the White Tower that we need to be fed to make Tar Valon succeed. A united cry for food. They will be sure to hear our pleads."

Shina looks very worried now. She clutches Meeko's arm as one of the bodyguard gets Separated from the tiny group.

Listens as she nods to Shina "I may be in danger but so is our city." She stops and looks to the speaker "We must do this in a peaceful manner. There is no way we will gain help if we are acting no better than the thieves that have helped create this situation." she is still calm on the outside but her unease is growing. Feeling the woman clutch "Go Shina, go back to your store and be safe, this is no place for one such as you."

Much of the crowd listens "FOood! We need food!" their cry growing louder

Some nice soul decides to trip the lone Sedai while she moves through the crowd. Another voice, "They have plenty to eat at the tower! Those girls in white are all well fed! They have FOOD..they eat like Queens!"

Shina stays close to Meeko, "There is no safety if we are targeted..just be quiet and we can hope to get out of here."

Another cry calls out in reply "Why don't they Share?! The Sedai should Serve not Starve us!

The Speaker calls out to the crowd "Yes, Serve not Starve! Will you join in our crusade? Who will be strong and stand with me?!"

Some distraught lady calls out, "My children are starving! ..What will I do."

Alisa manages to avoid the trip only due to her dancer agility though does manage to bump into someone else. Tiring of this idiocy she surrenders to saidar letting its warm embrace fill her. Quickly spreading strands of air around the crowd to carry her voice and make it seem to come from everywhere at once. "What will you indeed do? Try to storm the Tower and succeed when Artur Hawkwing himself failed. How do you think the Archers on the walls will react to a mob approaching the gates?"

Near the back of the square up high on the second floor of one of the buildings a window shade cracks open.

"The Tower would rather kill us then feed us!!!"

Feeling threatened Meekos protection goes up as she calls out "they have been helping but you would not know that since you have been at non of the meeting. We must gather what we have and share it among the people. We need delegations to go make the roads safe and reopen the trade now that the Savior is gone." she is growing louder as she speaks, not showing anger but a firm control "I need volunteers to do this. I need people to help meet again with the Tower to see what more we can do."

Drem has arrived.

Shina trugs Meeko's shoulder, "Quiet..they could turn on you."

The speaker calls out to respond to Meeko "Is not the hundreds if not thousands you see here enough people to meet with the Tower. The People need food, not words!"

Alisa calmly states in a normal volume letting her weave do all the work. "How would you react to a mob approaching your home? If you wish things to change then you must act wisely."

Meeko turns to Shina "I am the High Ambassador and if they feel my death or harm would help their cause then let it be so. I do not fear my people and am here to help. They would gain little by doing me or any of us harm."

Someone screams, "Someone silence the witch!"

Others in the crowd cry at Alisa "Stop talking Aes Sedai and serve us! Sedai are supposed to Serve! Serve not Starve!"

Drem has left.

At the window that opened, a face peers out, that of an old man who has lived at the address across the street all his life.

Raemira enters the Alindrelle Square through the Alindrelle Gates of the White Tower.

Raemira has arrived.

The speaker calls again to Meeko "What say you, High Ambassador, Are we not a voice for Tar Valon!"

As the threat is uttered she drops her previous weave and uses the flow of air to form protective barrier around her almost like a wrap weave then pushes it out a bit to give her some space to move about before tied it off. Shouting "I ask you if you need help you ask. That is what people do. In spite of the threats made against me I do offer what aid i can. Though i am but one. One can make a difference."

Meeko turns to the speaker as she shakes of the Domini from her arm "We are but not in a manner of a foolish mob." Meeko drops her protections and takes a few step toward the podeum "Let me have 9 volunteers, your best at communication, to come with me to the Tower for further negotiations so that we may begin to open the trade routes again."

People cry out from the crowd "Nooooo! Not more talking! We need food!!"

The gates to the Tower remain open during the day, allowing petitioners and others who need to speak with the Aes Sedai the freedom to come and go as needed, as soon as they relinquish their weapons. However, this time, weapons seem to come out of the Tower, fully manned, as twelve Warders exit, surrounding an Altaran woman bearing the stole of the Amyrlin. It was hard not to hear the reports of such an event in the streets of the city, not when several eyes and ears, all anonymous, come into the Tower walls to report the fact. Sighing, Raemira speaks briefly to one of the men guarding her, though any woman can see that she's clearly holding the One Power.

The crowd looks a lot more rowdy then minutes ago... their pleads for food getting nowhere...

>From the second story window the old man leans out and looks around yelling in an old man voice 'Go home! You're making too much noise!'

Meeko turns as she catches site of the warders coming from the gate of the Tower. She sees the Amyrlin and does make an attempt to move to the woman. As she does she is tripped by one of the men in the crowd. Her anger rises as she hits the ground, her protective nature shrouds her in the OP as Meeko struggles to her feet. She should have brought her guard but again she is guilty of sneaking away from him as he slept.

Shina kneels down and tries to help Meeko up.

Several small arguments are springing up between people who call for peaceful solutions and that of people who want to storm the tower for food immediately

Near to the house in the back the people cry back at the old man "Quiet fool! We need food!"

The old man retreats back into his house seemingly... only to return several moments later carrying a bowl that's sloshing around with liquid inside

Meeko accepts the help from the Domini "Come let us make our way over to the Amyrln maybe we can set up a meeting right now so that we can stop any chance of a riot." Meeko begins to push her way over to the Great one of the Tower.

Shina shakes her head, "I don't want to seem an ally of hers right now...good luck." Shina and her body guard lets themselves part from Meeko now seeking the less dangerous path.

Using weaves of air to augment the sound of her voice, Raemira cooly watches the crowd as they make their heartfelt, yet very foolish cries for food. "The Tower is well aware of your need for food. Our own stores are nearly barren, and in bad need of resupply." She narrows her eyes just slightly, remaining within her protective ring of Gaidin. Each has a hand upon their sword, with a wide range of apperances, from glowering to challenging, almost daring them to try anything against this woman. "We've been regularly been giving to the needy, those in -most- need of the food, while attempting to keep as much of our own stocks replenished enough through artificial means to bide the winter. However, we cannot supply the entire city." She waits for a reaction before going on, perhaps on the verge of questioning the people on what /they/ are doing to help themselves.

Someone yells, "Bah you eat well enough while we starve!"

Others cry "You can make other lands give us food!"

Meeko hakes her head at Shina but is glad the woman is using some intelligence to go to safety. Meeko nods to the Amyrln as she speaks "I have told them that and they still do not trust what is said. I am asking for a meeting between the Tower and 9 of the city members to set up a means to begin to reopen the trade routes now that the Savior is gone." she is hopeful that Raemira will agree to such an open meeting to quell the anxiety of the people on the street.

"Other lands are suffering the same fate as we," Raemira's voice calls out, remaining augmented so the crowd can hear her words. "Would it be fair for us to ask them for their food supplies, when they are all suffering under the same conditions as we?" She tilts her head to the side a bit, "People of other cities have families and children they must feed as well. Tell me, what is it that you are doing to remedy this situation for yourselves? Are not some of you farmers? Do you not know how to grow winter crops?"

"How do we plant when the land is flooded... When the ice from winter destroys the soil!"

Alisa seems quite content to let the amyrlin handle matters now, staying were she is behind her barrier of air.

Meeko turns to listen to the response of the crowd. "Come now is your chance to speak. Speak up in a respectful manner and say how you plan on helping?"

Raemira's eyes go to the crowd at the question, attempting to single out the person who called out the words. "Have any one of you petitioned the Tower to send someone to give aid in drying out the grounds, or thawing the ice and snows? I receive daily reports and meet petitoners on a daily basis, yet I've had not one person of this city come to me for anything but to ask for food, rather than to help them make food themselves." Something to chew on a bit. The Aes Sedai, if called to task, would be expected to give aid, not just give food, and help the people help themselves.

Alisa changes her mind and slices the tied weave. Her barrier gone she trys to make her way back towards the Tower Gates and the Amyrlin.

People cry out "You have spies all over Tar Valon! you should know what we need!"

Someone grumbles, "Witch." and kicks Alisa from behind.

Meeko steps forward boldly "I will ask now for help. I will take names of those in need of drying their lands and present them myself to the Amyrln." Meeko speaks loudly to the crowd. "Acting as fools will get little and now that you see there is help let us do it in the proper manner." It's not like Meeko hadn't been trying all this time but few were willing to do much more than take the food she was supervising being passed out.

Out of nowhere a rock flies towards the High Ambassador 'Get us food!'

Alisa stumbles forward several steps into a large man from the kick silently cursing whoever did the kick. Yet she does try to continue through the crowds.

Making up her mind about something, Raemira further speaks, "Those who are able, and willing to work for the food they'll receive as reward for their efforts, will be offered first spots in the petitoners hall on the morrow and the next day. Those people who come are expected to be willing to work for their just due, in return for the help of one of the Sisters of the Tower to aid you in your tasks of drying and clearing lands, and ensuring the soil is rich enough to plant winter seeds. I cannot help those who do not want to help themselves, nor will I." Raemira does hear Meeko's words, and nods her head to the woman. "If the High Ambassador chooses, she may pre-emptively make a list of those people who would like such offered aid." Words sounding more like a decree, Raemora nods to herself, as though 'it is done'.

The old man had paused long enough to let the Amyrlin speak then again calls to the people in the back "There! Ya heard her, Go Home!"

With her protection down and her attention to the crowd and Raemira, Meeko does not notice the rock until it hits her in the left shoulder. Powerful enough the hit to drop her to her knees. Immediately the shiled of the OP shrouds her. Meeko lays dazed for the moment.

Someone shouts, "No! We already work hard every day..we want food now.. bring it NOW!"

Alisa not having made it very far into the crowd to begin with breaks free from the crowd to approach the amyrlin. Offering her a deep curtysey before saying "Mother, I will volunteer to help and so will others in my ajah who believe as I do."

Raemira's eyes flicker to Meeko a moment, her eyes narrowing, as the other woman brings up a shield of the Power. How'd she learn to do that? A small frown forms on her lips, but her attention goes to the crowd already working itself up into a mob. "Perhaps, Ambassdor, we should adjourn to the Tower before something more gets thrown. It would not do us well to get killed, nor serve the city to see you harmed." She only dallies long enough for Alisa to get into safety before heading into the Tower.

A young man walks up to one of the Warder, "Hey Mr Warder I coudl eat for a week off the money your outfit is worth! Give it to me!"

People start pulling up the stones from the street, readying them to throw at the Tower.

Alisa noticing the crowd getting unruly she turns to face them her only thought is protecting the amyrlin despite the fact ther entourage will probably do a much better job than she. Muttering to herself "hard to believe these are adults and not spoiled children wanting everything handed to them."

Having enough of the nonsense, Raemira gives a silent nods to the Warders, signalling to them that its time to return. They are not very far from the gates themselves, easy to reach really. She dissipates one weave and forms another, creating a tall barrier of air which moves behind them as they go, so as to prevent injuries to the men whom guard her, and the women who are now in her circle of protection.

Rocks fly... bouncing off the shield

A woman carrying a baby is hit by one of the bouncing rocks and she falls bleeding. Someone near her calls out, "The Sedai threw a rock at my wife! My wife is bleeding!"

Still dazed and still protected, Meeko hears Raemiras voice. She begins to raise herself from the ground and is helped by someone in the crowd. "Yes perhaps." she rises and follows the Amryln slowly toward the Tower. As she feels less threatened the shielding goes down.

The old man at the back hefts up the chamberpot and flings the full contents out onto the crowd "Go Home!"

Raemira passes through the Alindrelle Gates under the watchful eyes of the Tower Guards.

Raemira has left.

The crowd near the back does _not_ like getting the 'shtuff' tossed on them and starts to throw rocks at the man's house. Several are banging on the doorway to get in

Alisa stops torn between the desire to heal the woman and the safety of The tower provides. Deciding that it is more important for the her to check to see if the woman is alright.

The crowd has grown very ugly and the roadbed is a perfect spot for throwing rocks and get used for that. Mostly aimed at the spot that the Amyrlin was

Meeko slowly walks to the Sedai "i will be fine, let us find safety, the last riot turned ugly and there is little we can do." She is a bit weak but Meeko is stubborn.

Crashes of glass come from the other side of the square as glass is broken by other thrown rocks and doors are crashed into

Alisa decides that this is a bad spot o trouble and forms a shield of her own to replace the one the amyrlin had up. "But the women needs help. Even if she is a part of this idiocy"

Rocks crash off the shield of the Sedai, bouncing and hitting more people.

Shina has since managed to leaves the most crowded areas and end up behind all this. She watches with dismay.

Alisa sees that they are not going to listen to reason and even though it tears at her she backs away from the injured citizens back towards the safety of the White tower.

The rocks sail by Meeko and she again protects herself. Something she has little control over this skill of hers. "come Sedai let us go." again she tries to aid the Sedai. Meeko rubs her shoulder "I could use the assistance of a healer but not here."

People are grabbing for the Aes Sedai, only stopped by that shield

Alisa watches the insanity for a short time before finally she too slips into the tower.

Two groups seem to be forming, The larger one going against the tower, another smaller one breaking into and destroying a poor old man's home

The barrier winks out suddenly as Alisa lets it go once she is passed the gates.

Alisa passes through the Alindrelle Gates under the watchful eyes of the Tower Guards.

Alisa has left.

Meeko follows the Sedai into the Tower to safety.

Meeko passes through the Alindrelle Gates under the watchful eyes of the Tower Guards.

Meeko has left.

From the house at the back a body appears flying out the window... the old man...

The crowd for the next hour or so releases its frustration on the tower. Throwing stones at it, trying to get in but the gates barred and no further response happening finally draws the venom from the mob. Leaving several crushed bodies remaining

Tar Valon BBoard

What started out as a peaceful demonstration organized by several students in the Scholars Guild to gather enough people behind them to petiton the White Tower with slogans like 'Sedai should Serve not Starve the people'

The turn out was large. The entire Alindrelle Square was filled with people from one end at the tower to the streets at the side. A hasty stage was built for the leader of the small group of students and he started speaking to the crowd... Almost speaking on the edge of treason to that of the government he only raised the anger of the crowds. As usual at a gathering of such, the High Ambassador was present to try to keep the peace... unsuccessfully...

Even the Amyrlin Seat herself came out to get the crowd to work to solve their problems... the crowd didn't appreciate being talked down to...

Even an old man from his home called out for the people to go home... Well the crowd didn't like being used for his refuse discard... After the Amyrlin and High Ambassador returned into the tower to talk to solve the problem, the crowd turned very ugly, throwing stones at the Tower when the gates barred their entrance, to breaking in and murdering the old man... In the end when the cityguard was finally able to regain the peace, dozens of others were left dead on the scene...

The people even after their anger still are without food... their riot having solved nothing but bringing more chaos to Tar Valon.