Marian clicked her horse into a trot as she went through one of the streets. It was early that morning because she had much to do that day. She was pleased that most of her work would take place outside of the White Tower. She could remember a time when she had been excited to be there and to learn, but now, she wished that she was not Head Clerk of the Gray Ajah, and that she was allowed out of her study more often. She had wanted to travel the world. Her Ajah had taken those plans away, but she was going to be able to get out more often as her years increased. Her grip on her Ajah was strong now, and she was sure that the sisters who had chosen her for Head of Ajah were regretting their decision. Personally, Marian didn't understand why they hadn't just nominated themselves to be the bloody Head Clerk, but nevertheless, it was not an affair of hers now. She was only concentrating on beating the smugness out of those bloody old women who held their heads as high as roosters. She was succeeding quite nicely.

Today, however, she was beginning her personal preparations for the feast that was coming up. She had plenty of dresses back in her chambers at the White Tower, but she hadn't bought a new one for awhile, and for the feast, she was looking forward to getting a new gown for the masquerade. She had already ordered her mask. Marian was actually quite excited about the masquerade. The last big ball had been some time ago, and Marian had been working as a novice at that point. She sighed, shaking her head. Light, that had been a very long time ago. She would never have guessed at that point that she would later become Head Clerk of the Gray Ajah. It certainly had been quite a journey. Besides, the rest of her next few days was going to be focusing on decorations and coordinating with the city of Tar Valon. As one of the newer Gray sisters, this sort of "job" seemed just right. Most of the Aes Sedai who had volunteered her for it didn't know that she was coordinating several nobleman in Cairhien to fall in line. Decorating was nothing. Her Gray sisters had been rather nervous that the job was going to make her more irritated than ever, but Marian actually was starting to enjoy it. For one, it got her out of the Tower.

She surveyed the areas that she would be putting up decorations. Lots of candles and lights would certainly be needed... She considered everything and pushed it to the back of her mind as she neared the dress shop. Perhaps she should take her mentees out later that week to buy dresses... She would have to ask the Mistress of Novices about such. It certainly would be nice of her to show such a gesture. She remembered when Sapphira Sedai had bought her a book during the Feast of Lights during her time as a novice. Smiling to herself, she recalled that she still had that book, tucked away in her bureau. She had enjoyed it.

She gave her reins to one of the horsemen standing outside of the dress shop and paid him a few Tar Valon coins. Her money supply was nearly endless, as she got everything she needed from the White Tower. It was quite true that Aes Sedai lived a life of luxury, but Marian almost felt that the years as a novice and Accepted certainly paid for that. She remembered the stuffy novice dormitories. Her own now were much more comfortable.

After a few hours in the dress shop, traffic outside on the streets had increased considerably. Marian sighed as she left, remember the lady's words. "It should certainly be done, Aes Sedai, by two or three days. Would you like me to send it to the White Tower?" Marian had shook her head, saying that she would be down in Tar Valon quite often over the next week or so and that she would pick it up herself. The lady had bobbed a curtsy, and Marian had left. She had plenty of other things to do that morning, but first, she might grab a bite to eat... Leading her horse through the crowd, she searched for somewhere suitable to eat lunch.