Robert opened his eyes and groaned. One moment he had been standing over Rialt, trying to give him cover from the Grey Men while he got up, and the next moment he had been hit *hard* by something invisible that had slammed him into the wall. He tried to sit up, and was greeted by a flare of pain from his side. He could feel the grating of bone ends one upon the other. Broken ribs, he thought to himself. More than one, it feels. He knew the feeling well. Broken ribs were a normal hazard for a cavalryman; the ground wasn't soft when you fell. Wincing and fighting the pain, Robert managed to get himself sitting up and leaning against the wall. The fighting was over, and people were hurrying trying their best to bring aid and succor to the wounded. Rialt was gone, apparently someone had taken him to the infirmary. Just a bit over he could see people bent over Kiren as she lay on the floor; apparently she had been hit by the same something that had hit him. It had to be the Power of course. But from where?

He looked some more and saw Erin helping with the wounded. Elaine and the Amyrlin were nowhere in sight. He did see members of Sapphira's guard lying dead or wounded on the floor, but apparently they had gotten Mother to a place of safety. Thank the Light for that, at least. As he looked around, he saw his chief of staff come in the door, followed by Myara. "Thom," he called weakly, as the man came over to him. "Sir, let me get a sister over to see to you," he began. Robert waved him off. "Just a minute. Report first."

Thom took only a second to get his thoughts in order. "We've just about cleared the area of the Towers. I've got search parties going through the grounds now to roust out stragglers. There were several other attacks inside the City, but we've got those under control. Casualties are heavy, especially among the recruits and the young channelers who hadn't yet learned how to defend themselves."

Robert said a few phrases much better suited to a barracks yard than the Amyrlin's ballroom. "Orders, Thom. On my authority, Tar Valon is now under martial law and a state of siege. We can draw up the proclamations later. Dusk to dawn curfew, with heavy patrolling in the streets. No one is to go in or out for the next couple of days until we're sure that we've got all the trollocs and fades. Borderlands rules: torches and lanterns everywhere, make sure there are no shadows for fades to lurk in. Anybody wearing a hood or other such headcovering gets one warning, then gets shot down on sight." He paused. "Full mobilization. Call out the ban and arriere ban. ((OOC: medieval terms for the reserves, militia and home guard.)) Get them formed into companies and get officers and NCOs out to start intensive training. This is obviously the start of something big, so we may not have much time. Cavalry partrols all around the City. In the morning, when we have a little more information, send out messengers to Cairhien and Andor to let them know what has happened and to try to get word if something similar has happened there."

Robert paused to gather his breath and turned to Myara. "Myara, in the morning, take a several squads for an escort and raise the Borderlands. Ride to Shienar and Tarwin's Gap and spread the word. They can take care of things from there. I don't want them to be caught unawares, and it's possible that we may need their aid later."

Robert could feel himself starting to fade from weariness and pain, and looked gratefully at the Yellow Sister who knelt beside him. With his nod of consent, she placed her hands on either side of his head, and he left himself slip into unconsciousness.

Elaine walked into the room. She had seen the Amyrlin safely off to the infirmary, then went in search of Robert and Erin. She went over and stood by his recumbent form, joined by Robert's sister. "Take him up to his quarters," Elaine said. "He'll do better there; it's a madhouse in the infirmary. I'll stand watch to make sure he's alright." Erin looked sharply at the other woman but said nothing as guardsmen put Robert on a stretcher and carried him off.

Dull aches and exhaustion were the worst things Myara felt after the adrenaline faded and quite slowly returned to the city. She and Nevira had seen far too many Trollocs as far as Myara was concerned and there was still no explaination of just why the attack had taken place. Still no explaination as to why I saw Edeleas, she thought, as she walked with Thom in silence. All about them there were wounded and dead, some were simply attempting to attend the Ball, others were Recruits, Novices and the honor guard that had been charged with keeping the order. Younger than me, some of these Recruits, not even a chance to train enough to defend themselves. Light keep them. She gave a soft sigh as she followed, one that turned into a gesture of relief as she saw Erin attending to some of the wounded, at least meaning she had survived the attack.

As she caught sight of Robert though, she gave a soft gasp, realizing instantly he was wounded rather seriously, though there was already an Aes Sedai attempting to tend to him. He waved away Thom's attempt to have him seen to right away, instead going into a list of observations and instructions, and Myara made sure to make mental notes of it all, as she was sure there would be reports to prepare after this was all settled. "Myara, in the morning, take a platoon and raise the Borderlands. Ride to Shienar and Tarwin's Gap and spread the word. They can take care of things from there. I don't want them to be caught unawares, and it's possible that we may need their aid later."

"Yes Sir, I'll leave a quickly as possible." She gave a nod of understanding, deciding she'd ride after a night's sleep, enough to allow the aches to fade a bit and the men she'd be taking with her to be alert. If the city had been attacked, one could only guess what might be found out in the open. She would select her riders for their ability to handle their mounts and move quickly, as the quicker the word was brought to the Borderlands, the better. She knew the way well enough, having come down to Tar Valon from Saldaea, she'd make her preperations before sleeping and they would ride out early and fast.

She realized he was fading off, knowing he would need some time to rest off his wounds and accept the healing of the Aes Sedai who was standing aside them. "Be safe and rest well, Robert," she spoke, watching as the Aes Sedai settled in to see that he was tended to. She turned from Thom and Robert, making her way from the building to return to the Tower, knowing the weight of the responsibility she carried. As she walked, the scenes flashed in her mind, reminding her of how well Nevira fought by her side, of the way such a grand night turned into a battlefield and of course of the sight of Edeleas. She would seek him out later, as either way she'd hoped to see him again, hoping there was some unseen explaination for what she saw.

As she walked, she began making notes in her mind of everything she'd have to do before sleeping, such as preparing her travel packs, gathering up the group of riders and laying everything out to be ready for an early start. At the moment though, the only thing she wanted was to get out of the torn mess of a formal outfit she was wearing and clean herself up, as if she could wash away the stench of the Trollocs and the frustrations of the night. No, this was all too real, she thought, as she remembered how she saw Robert, but he'll be fine, and we'll all recover and rally.

Robert opened his eyes, it was early morning, with the dawn just beginning to break over Tar Valon. The room was dimly lit, the lamps having been turned down and the sun not yet high enough to shine through the windows. Elaine was there, asleep in the big easy chair by the fireplace. He sat up, and found himself frightfully weak, but blessedly free of pain. It's the healing. It uses the body's own resources and it takes time to recover. He did manage to tend to some absolutely necessary personal business, and gratefully crawled back into the bed, exhausted by that little bit of activity. Just as he had settled himself back in, Elaine opened his eyes and looked at him. "You've been up," she said, accusingly. Robert didn't answer, but just lay back on the pillows. "I'll be back," she said, and left the bedroom. She was back in several minutes, followed by his sister Erin, bearing a breakfast tray, and a Yellow Sister. The Yellow gave him a through examination, and then crossed her arms as she looked at him. "You are going to need to stay in bed for four or five days, in order to get your strength back. Eat hearty meals, it will help the process. I know that you will have to do some work today, but if you overdo things I will be very cross with you." She paused for breath and then continued. "You had several broken ribs and other internal injuries. Those take time to recover from."

"Yes, Aes Sedai," Robert said in his meekest tone. He had had this type of healing before, and knew what it could do to the body. The Yellow marched out with a sniff, as if she didn't believe a word of it. Erin and Elaine centered the breakfast tray on the bed. "Thom's waiting to see you. I told him he could wait until after you have eaten," Erin told him. Robert nodded. "I need to see Myara before she leaves. Have someone fetch her, please." The smell of the food reminded him that he was ravenous, and he quickly finished breakfast with relish. He felt much better and more full of energy. Elaine showed Thom in; he was holding some papers under one arm. "Here are the proclamations of martial law and state of siege," he said. Robert signed them quickly and applied his signet ring to the hot wax on the documents. "What's the butcher's bill?" he asked. "We lost eighty from the Guard, gaidin, younglings and recruits," Thom answered. "We have over two hundred wounded, and about a third of them will never fight again. The Black and White Towers are still totaling up their losses; but it's been a madhouse in the infirmary."

Robert winced. Those were high losses, but it could have been much, much worse. The Guard would provide for those crippled for life. They took care of their own. Thom continued. "The Tower complex and the City are clear. There were some civilian casualties, but caused more by the panic than by the trollocs." "Rialt?" Robert asked. "He's alive," Thom replied, "which is a wonder. He's still unconscious. Kiren is out, too. She got caught in the backlash when he went down." Damn, damn, damn, Robert thought to himself. We don't need both of them down. "We've sent our messengers off to Andor and Cairhien, and we've started cavalry sweeps of the countryside around the City," Thom continued. Just then there was a knock at the door. "Come," Robert said, and Myara entered the room, dressed for riding.

"I was just getting ready to leave, sir," she said. He expressed surprise at Edeleas volunteering to accompany her. "His aid will be welcome," Robert said. "Listen to him, but remember that you are the one I placed in command." He motioned her over and tugged off his signet ring and placed it in her upturned palm. "Give that to the king at Fal Dara," he said. "He and I have been battlecomrades more than once. He will know it." He then offered one last bit of advice. "Listen to your sergeants and corporals. They're veterans, and know more than you do about campaigning." He grasped her hand firmly. "Now be off with you, and the Light go with you."

The young woman left, and Robert saw both of the remaining women glaring at Thom. He quickly took his leave, and Robert gratefully settled back onto the pillows. By the Light, I hate being ill!

((OOC: I've edited this to take into account Edeleas coming with you.))

((OOC: This is open to all.))

Robert waited with the rest of his officers outside the City. Here, on a hill overlooking the river, was the final resting place of the Gaidin. Almost the entire army, regulars, Guard, recruits, younglings and gaidin, were assembled there, rank upon rank, in their assorted companies, banners and legions. All around them were Aes Sedai and Asha'man, come to do their fallen comrades honor. One body, picked at random, had lain in state in the Great Hall of the Tower for the past several days, and it was now completing its ceremonial procession here, accompanied by the sound of muffled drums. The coffin, on a caisson pulled by a team of six horses and covered with the banner of Tar Valon, entered first. It was followed by a riderless horse with a pair of reversed boots in the stirrups.

As the coffin entered the cemetary, Army Senior Bannerman Morgian Brandt called the army to attention, and Robert swept out his sword and held it to the salute as the coffin passed by. All of the other bodies were already here, ready to be interred. The caisson halted, and the honor guard carried it up to the catafalque on the dais. Robert, accompanied by the Amyrlin Seat and the M'hael, climbed up onto the platform. Morgian read out the names of the fallen. Robert had promoted all of the fallen Recruits and Younglings to the posthumous rank of Gaidin, so that their families could receive the death benefits they were due. Sapphira and Zekiel then paid their respects and descended from the dais and Robert as senior officer read the burial service. He came to the conclusion of the service:

"Ashes to ashes."

"Dust to dust."

Then taking a deep breath, he added, "We will remember. You will be avenged."

To a man and woman came the reply: "We will remember. You will be avenged."

Robert came to attention, did an about face, and saluted the Fallen. As he did, a bugler sounded The Last Post in a final tribute. At the final note, Robert brought his hand down, did another about face, and descended from the dais.

"Dismissed," he said, and they all silently filed away.

((OOC: There will be a wake to honor the fallen. I will begin the topic after people have had enough time to post here.))

((OOC: C'mon, somebody else post here!!!))

((OOC: Wouldn't have seen this at all had I not noticed that the secondary title was changed. Sorry for it's shortness, nothing to say about this matter really.... been posting most in other posts already))

Nevira had never attended an official funeral of this sort nor this magnitude. She was glad she hadn't, but she was also sad that she had to do that now. Nevira had never been very good with making friends but far to many of those she knew through practice and class were among those read up on the list. Following the movements of the recruits around them who in themselves were copying the youngling and Gaidin she saluted the dead once the list was finished. It had taken long to get to this point, a sign that Tar Valon ha suffered a heavy loss. There is no such thing as safe. For the first time at the ball had Nevira understood why there were people at the Towers who rarely if ever left who were still bonded. For the first time did she feel a need to protect Resolute and take care of him that was stronger and wasn't lined with the fear of not being able to. Able or not she could always give her life and sword to save his or postpone his death as long as she possibly could. I can't ever do what I did again. This was only the list of fallen in among the soldiers and Gaidin. This was only the funeral of them, but she had found out that Resolute was still alive and as soon as she could she would search him out to talk to him. Shame, guilt and other things hung on her conscience, but no matter how much of that she had inside she still had to face him at some point.

The Last Post sounded and the hands of the people saluting the dead fell to their sides. Robert Gaidin, standing on top of the dais with the Amyrlin and M'hael told the crowed "Dismissed." and everyone turned to leave. Nevira followed the crowed leaving the graveyard behind. Everything still didn't feel quite real, but it didn't matter she knew what she had to do and she would do it. I will not fail.

(OOC: Sorry! Didn't see this. :look Hope it's okay if I post in here.)

Mirazhe hurried towards the big crowd, not wanting to be late for the ceremony. It was the final ceremony to commemorate those who had fallen during the attack on the Towers. Even though she didn’t recognize any of the names on the list, she hadn’t wanted to miss it for the world. Everyone who had died was a person that Mirazhe would have wanted to meet, no matter if they were man or woman, young or old, kind or cruel. They had all been forced to give up their lives to make the Towers safe, and it was something they all deserved to be remembered for. The least she could do was to attend the memorial.

She felt a bit out of place there, a dot of white amongst the colored dresses of the Aes Sedai and the uniforms of the Gaidin. Still, she trudged on silently, determined to pay her respects to the fallen. Weaving her way through the crowd, she managed her way towards the front, where she took a spot where she could see clearly. People around her whispered silently, remembering their fallen friends, hoping that they would rest in peace. It was actually quite peaceful, with the river sparkling and shining in the distance, and the solemn parade of people. The Amyrlin Seat was there, along with the M’Hael and the senior officer of the Gaidin. The Mahdi al’Tain wasn’t there, since he was still recovering with his dangerous brush with death. Mirazhe was glad to know that he was still alive since she had heard somewhere that he was dead.

After a while, the crowd quieted down and listened attentively as the first the Amyrlin, then the M’Hael paid their respects. Mirazhe found tears rolling down her cheeks; their speeches were so profound and moving. She sniffled and wished that she had thought to bring a handkerchief with her. Lastly, ROBERT read the burial service and finished by reciting, “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. We will remember. You will be avenged.” Mirazhe repeated these words silently in her head, and held them close to her heart. The ceremony finished with a bugler playing The Last Post and then Robert Gaidin and his troops marched off. The crowd stayed where they were for a few moments and then slowly dissipated. Mirazhe watched the retreated troops and made a silently prayer that they would all be safe wherever they were going. Then she slowly walked away, to find a spot where she could think in silence.

Everyone had gathered after the funeral for the wake to remember their fallen friends and comrades. Robert had caused tables to be set up in the courtyard of the barracks with food and drink for one and all. As everyone gathered he addressed them briefly.

"My friends, I thank you for coming. Today, here at this place, for a little while, there is no rank and station. We are just brothers and sisters, friends and comrades, remembering our fallen compatriots. Please, join us in celebrating their lives."

He finished speaking and watched as the assorted gaidin, aes sedai and asha'man converged on the waiting food and drink and began talking amongst themselves. We need this, he said to himself. It has been years since the guard sustained such a loss, and people are still in shock from this. Everyone needs to come to peace with it in and mourn in their own way.

Robert began to circulate through the crowd, nodding his head at greetings and exchanging words in passing with all and sundry. He saw Erin over directing traffic in and out of the kitchens; she had spent the morning before the ceremony helping get things set up. She was wearing a simple white dress. Elaine was following him closely; she was in her usual dress of men's clothes, and was openly carrying several daggers and throwing knives on her belt, as well as her always-present rapier. He supposed she also had other death-dealing implements hidden here and there about her body. Robert sat down on a bench and was chatting here and there with various passers-by when Sapphira came over. He came to his feet, but she waved him back to his seat as she sat down to join him. "Good day, Mother," he said. "I'm am honored that you could join us."

It was a bit past noon when Mika and Nhadnay walked out of the courtyard of the cottage they had bought almost two years ago. However much she felt ashamed to admit it, Mika felt a tang of awkwardness at wearing something covering again. Or at least mostly covering. Her silken dress in sky-blue with shimmering gold and silver thread embroidery showed a lot less sun-colored skin then she had grown used to, though she knew that it would be quite bold in the Westlands. Of course she wore a deep red travelling cloak over it, as did Nhadnay over his dedicated uniform; there was no use in confusing their neighbours with foreign clothes.

“I wonder what they’ll say… we’ve been gone so long already.” The dark colored man besides her said thoughtfully as he led the horses along them.
“Don’t say anything then” Mika said softly, a wry smile on her lips; one that Nhadnay returned just as wryly. Both of them knew that once more their roles would turn; Nhadnay would no longer be the master, but the mute Dedicated, and Mika would leave her place as slave behind and again be an Aes Sedai of the Brown Ajah.
“Just answer them that we have travelled the world for knowledge on travelling and that I have told you that my business, the business of an Aes Sedai are not for you to share.”
The man nodded. His part would not be too difficult; he was under orders. Her part however would be a lot harder she thought as they walked on towards the forest where no-one would see her weaving a gateway back to the Travelling Grounds of the Towers.


“You can untie your weaves now.” She said softly as the Gateway, big enough for the two of them and their horses, was completely opened. Again Nhadnay nodded, and Mika could see the Su’Nar and tattoos on Nhadnays face again, telling her that the slavetattoo on her face had vanished now too.
It felt strange; they were retuning home, but she had no idea in what state Tar Valon would be; and she disliked having to leave all the puzzlepieces here. At least her Dreambox Ter’Angreal was tucked away in her saddlebags. Next to her notebooks.
They stepped trough.


A novice ran towards them as they stepped away from the Travelling Grounds, curtsying at the sight of her brown fringed shawl. “Have someone take care of the horses and then follow me to my quarters child” she said. “I’ll be meeting you in the great hall; wait for me there, I need to take care of something first.” Again the novice curtsied and then hurried of, but not before Mika took one of the bags, the one with the ter’angreal and notebooks.

“you’d better go notify your Master of arms that you are back; I’ll see you in the library soon.” She then said to Nhadnay who left with a bow. and now to find out what has happened here she though as she walked over the tower grounds, drawn towards a great bunch of people gathering around something.