Cast:
Owen - Master of Arms, Ward to Nata Sedai
Eniklas - Trainee Hopeful
Trelaine - Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah
Melli - Accepted of the White Tower
Cavaeya - Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah
Nata - Aes Sedai of the Yellow Ajah, Ward of Owen

Owen's Description:
Crowning the head of the man before you, Light blonde hair trimmed close to the head to keep it from getting in the way should the wind blow. Thin blonde brows rest above deep brown eyes. His head is square, a good match to the rest of his bulky body. A firm and solid jawline rounds his face giving him a look of strength. Dark leathery skin tanned from hours spent on the deck of a boat or in the practice yard covers the man from head to toe. Cutting a swath from ear to ear under his chin is a rather large and ugly scar. It makes a grim second smile across the neck.
To say the man is simply large would be a gross understatement. The man is not impressively tall, standing only at 5'7". It's his bulk that draws the eye. Thick and musclebound resembling that of a stone pillar or mighty redwood tree. Large round arms fill even the larger shirts that he wears nearing them to the ripping point when he flexes or stretches. Eniklas' Description:
Eniklas is a boy of about 14 or 15, with short-cropped raven-black hair, with a slight curl to it. His golden eyes attract more attention though, shimmering in light and glowing in the dark. He tends to stare at the ground, making him appear slightly shorter than his 5 feet and 8 and a half inches. His face still looks boyish, although there is some semi-dark fuzz on his upper lip. His frame looks a bit on the muscular side for someone of his age, just a bit, and his hands have a hard-worked look and feel.
He wears well-worn travelling clothes, a brown wool shirt laced as high as possible, and dark blue breeches. On his feet he wears very worn looking leather boots, and sports a slightly patched gray cloak.

Trelaine's Description:
The woman seems to be small and delicate when one first glances upon her. However, past the milky-white skin, past the small farm, sit vibrant blue eyes that are anything from weak and frail. They are strong, stubborn, full of emotion; truly reflecting this woman's soul, when she allows it, that is. Past the eyes, dark brown hair seems to swim around this woman when unbound, though often it is held in dual looped braids fastened at the back of her head. A soft blush brushes across the cheeks and hints at the soft lips of this woman's features. The large blue eyes sit in a face that is fine, youthful, and pixie like.
Soft, light blue, drapes the upper half of her in linen, dyed to perfection. The blue linen is cut at the neck in a small scoop, quite proper, but exposing the flesh around the neck. The sleeves wander, after a slight puff at the shoulder, to just below the elbows. Both the wide blue silk sash at the waist. From there, blue and soft cream stripped linen makes up the skirt, travelling, flowing, to just above the ankles, keeping the dress modest, but easy enough to dance in.

Melli's Description:
Melliane is one of those lucky women who retain a younger appearance though she has been serving the tower for almost half of her life. Her hair is a light brown which she keeps braided, often draping the braid over her shoulder.. a new look for her, perhaps, to go with her new attitude. High cheekbones and a pleasant looking nose define her face and frame her grassy green eyes. She rarely smiles anymore.
The Accepted dress Melli wears is more imaginative then her previous novice dress... marginally. In fact, the only difference is the seven bands of colour lining the hem of the dress. Other than that small feature, the dress is still boring, still plain, and still leaves everything to the imagination. Her simple belt is in place, as is her satchel, and the tips of a pair of white shoes peek out from underneath the multi-coloured hem. A gold ring, molded in the shape of a serpent swallowing it's tail, is wound about the third finger on Melliane's left hand.

Nata's Description:
Nata's wide-set eyes are a mix of green, blue, gray & golden flecks. The predominant color varies with her mood what is worn. Expressive arched eyebrows & thick lashes, darker than her short chestnut brown hair, frame the unusual eyes. Short hair emphasizes a long neck. A faint pulse throbs below the angle of the jaw. Nata's face is oval with high cheekbones. A bow shaped mouth and straight nose blend well with other features. A pale complexion with soft pink tones is soft as a rose petal.
Nata, who seems in the early 20's, stands average height for a female & has full curves. Minor figure flaws are largely hidden by clothing & nearly go un-noticed. She is long-waisted and well-formed legs are more suited to a woman over 1/2 foot taller. Nata's hands & fingers are long & slim with slight thickened pads marking areas writing quills or a stringed instrument wear on delicate skin. Her voice is low & husky though clear and true. Dignity and grace mark her movements. Short chestnut brown hair forms soft wispy bangs which emphasize Nata's eyes. Except for a few small areas, the sides and back blend into a soft feminine cap which follows the contours of Nata's head and emphasize her neck, and the shape and fine boned quality of her head and face. A pair of small single pearl earrings form lustrous dots below the curve of hair round her ears. Fabric the color of green ocean waves flows smoothly round point of shoulders to ankles, nipping in to enclose a thin waist. The style is both attractive, fashionable, yet cut to permit easy movements. It is superficially demure, but the way the fabric moves with the wearer shows the touch of a master dressmaker in the way it cunningly enhances the female figure. Nata wears a lined green wool cloak which is edged with trim of gold piping sewn in a vine like pattern, loops making leaves. The hood is lined with fur which is of the same gold tone as the design at the hem.

Location: Practice Yard: White Tower, Tar Valon

Eniklas heads over to Owen, wanting to speak to him about being an inductee. The smell of sweat and whatever emotions are around are confusing him to no end, so he looks a bit dizzy, unused to such stimuli.

Owen turns his head as he follows some movement around the yard. It's then that he catches sight of the new boy Eniklas. His voice barks out over the noise of the yard, "Decided to stay did you boy? Good, Another hand will be welcome even if it is that of a new recruit." His brow raises slightly, "You haven't been burying your face before more Aes Sedai have you?"

Eniklas says, "I haven't seen any others, Owen Gaidin. What can I do?" He wrinkles his nose again at the strange scents here.

Owen points to a seat there in the practice yard...one of the few seats that normally Sedai come and use while they watch the men spar through their sessions. Green Sedai that is.... "Have a seat Eniklas, I will give you your tower introduction and explain to you the rules."

Eniklas sits down, as ordered.

Owen joins the lad as well on the bench. He reaches into his pocket for a small pipe and a bag of tabac that he keeps there for just such an instance. As he prepares the pipe he speaks. "It is the mission of the Warder Training program to ready students who seek to hone their combat skills, to prepare those students for the final battle at Tarmon Gaidon, even should they not join the Tower within it's fight against the Dark One. The Tower recognizes that not all wish to join it's ranks, though they offer to each trainee the chance at becoming one of their official soldiers, and a chance to be considered for bonding, once they have completed the course outline. As I said yesterday, it is a hard life we lead, and it is our goal to break you and push you to the edge of your abilities."

Eniklas nods.

Owen says "The tower is made up of a hierarchy that goes as follows, Amyrlin Seat - She's the head of the Tower and those within, representing all Aes Sedai and all Ajahs. She makes laws regarding both Tar Valon and the Tower, however leaves most of the day to day business to others and works in conjunction with the Mayor of Tar Valon. Her position is that equal to any ruler or nation, however appears to be more respected. She is to be addressed as either 'Mother' or 'Amyrlin' formally, or Raemira Sedai informally. She is recognized by her shawl that holds the colors of all seven Ajahs. She acts as judge and jury to crimes and holds regular court sessions.""

Owen says "Next comes Keeper of the Chronicles - She helps the Marylyn with her duties and is seldom not seen by her side. She, like the Amyrlin, represents all Aes Sedai and Ajahs, though gets to keep the shawl of her Ajah. She has a staff with a gilded flame, at most times, to represent her position. She is addressed in a few ways, either Micana Sedai, Keeper Micana, Keeper Micana Sedai or Micana Keeper. After which is the Master Gaidin - He's in charge of overseeing all Gaidin and Trainees. He inducts those that wish to train at the Tower, as well as acts as a councilor to the Amyrlin during a time of warfare. He is addressed as Master Gaidin, Master Kelsyn Gaidin, Master Gaidin Kelsyn or Kelsyn Gaidin.""

Owen pauses to make certain that the trainee's head is absorbing all of this properly.

Eniklas nods, having absorbed the knowledge

Owen nods and continues on in his lecture, "I am Master of Arms - The Master of Arms is in charge of overseeing the instruction of all the trainees, teaching them tactics in warfare and lore on the shadowspawn. I am also in charge of teaching them survival techniques as well as tracking. I to handle admission of trainee's to the program. Then there are Aes Sedai - Aes Sedai are channelers who have completed their training at the White Tower, fully improving their skills in the use of the One Power. They are divided into seven groups called Ajahs and are preparing for the Last Battle with the Dark Lord. They also perform several other duties that will be explained later. They are addressed as Sedai, Aes Sedai, or Aes Sedai. They often have the ageless look of using the One Power for so long. They are also recognizable by their colored shawls and the Great Serpent ring. You should always remember to bow to Aes Sedai."

Eniklas asks, "Not kneel?"

Owen adds as an afterthought, "but not like you have been, a simple sweeping bow is sufficient. There is no need to grovel before them, they may have powers but they are still human."

Eniklas nods.

Owen says "Gaidin - They are the men that have completed training and have been bonded by and Aes Sedai. They will be your instructors, over seers, and will watch your progress through the years. They are the sworn protectors of the Aes Sedai and are most noticed by the color shifting cloak that they wear, a mark of their position." Owen says "Accepted - Accepted are those who have completed Novice training. They are to be respected as Aes Sedai at all times, and like Aes Sedai, you need to bow to them. After they've completed novice training they are allowed to branch off and chose their own studies. They are also trusted enough at times to hold classes for the Novices. You can tell them from the others by their white dresses with the seven bands of color around the bottom edge, and the Great Serpent ring they wear on the third finger of their left hand. They are addressed as either Accepted or their name." Owen says "Novices - Novices are those who are in the first stages of their training within the White Tower. Sometimes however, not all make it to accepted level. Their time is devoted to learning about the One Power and controlling it. They are to follow the rules and guidelines set up by the Accepted and Aes Sedai and answer to the Mistress of Novices should any get into trouble. They are known by the simple white clothing that they wear, and are addressed as either Novice or their name." Owen says, "There are seven different Ajahs, or factions, within the Tower. Each has it's own purpose or agenda that they follow. Each Ajah is represented by a different color that Aes Sedai often wear in the form of a fringed shawl. The colors of the Ajahs are: Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, Brown, White and Gray. There is rumored to be an eighth Ajah, called the Black. They are supposedly servants of the Dark One, and most Aes Sedai will deny it's ever existing."

Eniklas asks. "Are darkfriends real?"

Announcement: BOOOM!!!! From down in the southharbor area, an explosion loud enough to be heard even in the Tower resounds. Moments later, smoke can be seen.

Owen nods grimly, "Yes they are that is why we do what we do and train so hard. Now, the Red Ajah - Those of the Red Ajah are known to actively seek out Male Channelers and bring them to the Tower for gentling. This is because the male half of the source, the side that they use, is tainted by the Dark One, and they will eventually go mad and die. Reds never bond Gaidin. While those of the Yellow Ajah are most devoted to healing, more so with the One Power then with herbal remedies, however their studies do include such things....." Owen turns his head to the sound of the boom. He frowns when he sees smoke..."Bloody Hell, come with me boy."

Eniklas ears resound with that. He grabs his head with a yelp. "Yes Owen Gaidin." He gets up.

Location: Southharbor Docks: Southharbor, Tar Valon

Having been in the middle of a tower intro lesson with a new trainee Owen comes rushing towards the docks and the source of the thunderous boom that shook the city reaching all the way to the tower. It wasn't hard for the one time sailor to follow the rising plume of smoke to it's origin, the docks.

Eniklas comes lagging a bit behind Owen, running faster than the other village boys a far cry from running faster than a warder. his ears are still throbbing, and he rubs them. He wonders (What in the Creator's name blew up?)

A man practically collides with Johan, stumbling backwards before once again setting forward, grabbing a hold of his collars. "It's the Savior, I say! They are invading!" he screams, shaking the Gaidin.

Cavaeya appears at the entrance to the docks, five Aes Sedai behind her. With grim expressions, the women begin to make their way through the throngs of people, embracing saidar long enough to make their task easier.

Trelaine has stopped short in the middle of the dock, Arwen stopping just behind her. The small Aes Sedai's face is lined with a deep frown; a small growl escapes from the woman's throat as well. Trelaine turns to Arwen, who nods, and starts looking for a boat to help pick up survivors with. Sensing Saidar, Trelaine turns around to see Cavaeya's contingent, and moves to join them.

Owen reacts to the mans sudden grip to his lapel, "Get ahold of yourself man, what happened?" He asks as he looks deeper into the harbors crowded walk and at the burning sinking boat rests into he harbor. He also quickly looks about for any other ships that might have attacked this riverboat, however unlikely.

Eniklas makes a point to bow to the 7 Aes Sedai each, and then to Melli & Arwen. His bows are as deep as he can go. He then turns his attention to the ship and tries to see the ship rapidly sinking. Perhaps he can make out the name?

The explosion has of course attracted plenty of attention... including Melli's. Huddled in her cloak, breath coming out in visible puffs, she tries to worm her way to the tower contingent.

Cavaeya pushes her way free of the crowd, the blue-fringed shawl on her shoulders having as much to do with the path which is quickly cleared for her as the flinty stare she gives anyone who gets in her way. As Trelaine approaches, she looks the younger woman over for a moment before giving her a slight nod. "What has happened here, precisely?" she inquires of the Green.

Trelaine returns the nod, then bobs her head in the direction of the sinking ship. "I'd say an explosion, but I could be wrong," Trelaine remarks with her typical odd humor. "As far as what has caused it, I do not know. I just arrived." Trelaine motions to Arwen, then to herself. "We're a quick pair. He's got the long legs and grace, I've just happen to be able to keep up. Arwen is going out to assist in pulling people from the water. And, since you are here, I suggest we combine our strengths and see if we can keep that ship from sinking."

"Blew up! They are trying to kill us all!" screams the man, most certainly not getting a grip of himself as he lets go and pushes past, fleeing for the (relative) safety of the roads.

The din of the harbors is almost earpiercingly loud, screams for help from the men in the water and from those who are pinned or otherwise injured by the fallen debris nearly drowned in the shouts of anything from borderlanders, the Savior or the Dark forces attacking. This will undoubtedly spur the rumors in Tar Valon's great Grapewine to a frenzy.

Indeed, there are longboats to go around, but none seem to be thinking of saving anyone but themselves. With the freezing waters of winter, there is little doubt that those caught in the water will survive for long.

Owen looks over to the boy, "Do you know how to swim?" The wide man asks as he clears a path towards the water. He begins to remove some of his outer layers of clothes cloak and boots. "We need to get as many to shore and out of the cold water as we can, quickly before the winters chill puts them into shock." He has been bonded by a yellow after all.

Eniklas nods. "I can swim, but I'm not sure if I'm strong enough to pull anybody in, but I'll try." He feels like he's in a daze, the screams affecting his ears more than others.

Cavaeya turns her cool gaze on what's left of the sinking ship. "It would take more than eight sisters to lift a thing like that, I think." Her voice is calm, as always, and the destruction and chaos around her might as well not exist for all the attention she gives it. Behind her, a number of Aes Sedai are Healing those who need it. Lifting her hands, Cavaeya claps sharply. "Start pulling people from the water!" she shouts, and the sisters who came with the Blue begin to move to the water's edge, using the Power to lift the survivors to the docks. Noticing Melli at last, Cavaeya motions her closer. "Aid those you can, Accepted," she instructs. "If need be, recruit guardsmen to carry the wounded to the Tower grounds."

Melli goes against the flow of the fleeing people, finally reaches the Aes Sedai, slightly out of breath from the cold and exertion.. And, of course, the moment she arrives, the instructions are imparted unto her. With a quick curtsey and a 'Yes, Aes Sedai' she skips to the side, looking around for any person who's yet retained their wits..

Trelaine nods her head once to Cavaeya, obviously the older, and most likely wiser sister. Trelaine does, after all, know her own weaknesses; jumping into the middle of things is one of them. Turning around, Trelaine makes her way to the dock end, eyes searching the water, yet seemingly unfocused. Soon, a man, having fallen under the waves, is plucked up into the air by an invisible source, and plopped into the nearest boat. If one looks closely, sweat starts to form on Trelaine's brow, despite the cold.

Nata comes down the street at a rapid clip, attention rather focused in the direction of her warder, cloak and skirt flaring wide as she moves briskly along. Eyes seem to be searching the area intently.

Owen shakes his head and moves closer to the edge of the water, "then remain here on the edge, I will get as many to you as I can. Get them out of the water when they get here and see that they get to a healer right away." with that the big Gaidin takes several quick breaths preparing his body for the feel of the icy water, Extending his legs he dives in head first and begins to swim with his powerful arms towards the first bobbing bodies that are out of reach.

Cavaeya steps to the edge of the docks as well, lifting her skirts to keep them out of the water and debris. One by one, she plucks men from the cold water and drops them on the docks with little ceremony. She shows no strain, though a particularly large sailor receives a scowl as she hefts him from the water as if the sinking ship were all his fault. The moment he touches the docks, the sailor tries to move away from the scowling Blue, apparently heedless of the cold.

Eniklas nods, and runs in to the water's edge, the coldness of it helping him bring himself out of his daze.

Melli skirts from one victim to the next, preparing them for those who might be better at healing than she.. each person she leaves shivers a noticeably lesser amount. When she sees a group of guards, she quickly requests their cloaks as blankets for the sailors and others pulled out of the waters.. and then urges them to go and gather more blankets and the like.

The ship is indeed sinking quickly, stern tilting up jaggedly now as the ship begins to draw under water. Men hoisted up by the Blues and Cavaeya's efforts are too cold to do much else than shiver, though it seems that some of the harborguards have gotten their wits together, bringing blankets from the guardhouse for the men.

One dripping sailor grabs a firm hold of Melli on note of her dress. "There are people still in the cabins! Light help us, we couldn't get them out!" he shouts over the din, even that barely enough to be heard within ten feet. Nata's arrival doesn't go unnoticed, certainly not the color of her shawl. Immediately swarmed by an amount of people, unhurt or with scratches, they try to drag her every way at once, asking for her attendance to injured family members or shipmates.

Out of the stern of the ship, now almost tilted up to 45 degrees, close to snapping the mooringline, a stream of rats start to clamber down the ropes.

Trelaine glances over at the man yelling at Melli, and her blue eyes grow wide. Turning back to the boat, Trelaine growls and seems to study the situation before her for a moment. Then, thinking of a plan, Trelaine makes several swift movements with her arms, before a hole in the top of the stern appears to be pried away. Trelaine sways slightly at the effort, then shakes her head, concentrating on the hole, she seems to have created.

Nata calls out to some of the others who soon follow. "Blankets, fire, get them into shelter, into warmth." She moves to the side of the wharf and leans over, She grabs the source firmly and instead of victims in the water, her first weave seems to be her warder. She warms the frigid water around him and then uses a water weave to anchor it near him while she whispers "fool heroic men" under her breath, yet with a faint hint of pride. She uses a bit of air to help keep some of the cold current from displacing the warm 'bubble' around him. Next she uses air to snag and drag, not bothering with the more tiring lifting yet, to get people near the docks where others can pull them out and tend to them. She tries to move quickly, cold water the danger.

Owen has to work fast because of his own perilous position. His strong arms doing their job as they carry him swiftly through the water from one body to another. The biting cold quickly working it's way through his thick skin to his bones. It's icy grip slowly taking its toll as it slows him down. One by one he brings them to the shore and to trainee Eniklas. His skin that is normally a dark color is slowly growing paler with each moment he is in the water.

Eniklas is pulling the people Owen hands to him out of the water. He looks up again at the ship and sees rats. Weird. "Gaidin Owen, there are rats climbing the line thing." He wonders about that, never having seen a ship before.

Melli pales slightly.. she gently removes the sailor's hand from her arm, murmuring that she'll see about getting them out safely, then she quickly hurries to the group of Sedais involved in the rescue. "Aes Sedai! Aes Sedai! There are still people in the ship! Stuck in the cabins!

Nata 's ignoring of those trying to pull her to help does not go un-noticed and some become more emphatic pulling and demands on her. She simply says 'wait' her warder keeping her from devoting her whole attention to them. The next thread of air she weaves goes to him and instantly pulls him toward shore. She speaks briefly. "Dry, warm, use rope, rowboats, you'll die if you stay in much longer." She trusts in his common sense and then moves toward Melli. "Have you assessed them, who needs help the most?"

Trelaine grumbles greatly to herself. "Blight forsaken rats! Not worthy to be in a trolloc's belly!" she comments to herself. Meanwhile, Arwen is hurriedly scooping up some sailors, then returns them to the dock, his small boat full. Looking around, the warder glances with a frown at Trelaine, then turns back to the boat. "I need some more hands," he calls out to a few dockworkers and urges them into the boat with him.

Trelaine on the other hand, stands there, eyes focused on the boat, trying to burn a hole in the boat by will alone, it seems. Trelaine continues her grumbling, finally saying. "Someone get those people out of that boat!"

The pried hole reveals a cramped walkspace, practically filled with people. Their reaction to the wondrous opening of the ship's side is immediate as they scramble for the hole. However, the ship's tilt is now large enough to have them trying to crawl up the walls, unsuccessfully.

The rats are now swarming the docks, fleeing for cover amid the scattered debris. The Tar Valon guard has also arrived, herding most of the non-involved people away from the docks, and helping with the matter of getting said people to shelter and warmth.

Owen is relieved to feel some warmth however slight it is around his body. It's when he is slowly dragged back to the shore that he realizes that he too was very close to his limits. With an effort he climbs out of the water on the edge of the dock and takes a few brief moments to breath in and out and dry off a bit with his cloak. "What have we left Eniklas?" He asks the trainee even as he sends a thankful glance towards his ward. How can the docks be in so much turmoil from one boat sinking? There has to be more to it......

"My fireworks." mumbles a brightly clad woman, a large gash on her forehead no doubt the reason of her partial befuddlement, as she is dragged out by Eniklas. "You must get my fireworks. Too expensive..." she mumbles on, clinging to the poor boy.

Most of the people now out of the water, those left to deal with are those yet in the boat. Now it seems they are unable to get up to the hole in the ship, even with the Aes Sedai's assistance in widening the hole. Now tilted almost ninety degrees, the ship is held up only by air caught in the bilges and storerooms. Should that escape, the descent into the freezing waters would be rapid.

Eniklas tells the woman. "Human lives are more important than fireworks. He calls for an Aes Sedai to help. "Gaidin Owen, why are there so many rats?"

Trelaine glances at the ground and scowls in disgust. "Bloody slithering filthy trolloc fodder!" she yells as a rat seems to think her dress would be a warm and ideal home. Suddenly the rat starts to convulse, then it does, as do a few other rats around the Aes Sedai.

(OOC: At this point, I had to sign off, so I said Nik got lost in the crowd. The explosion was due to improperly packed fireworks.)