Edeleas could not understand when it all started. But he was getting annoyed...and unnerved at the same time. There seemed to be no place at all where he could go without at least encountering a Novice or an Accepted who would openly gape, wink, smile and Shadow forbid - try to flirt with him. By the birds, it seemed everyone in the White Tower was suddenly becoming Green Ajah toward him!

He made his way through the library, convinced at least that at least the Browns were too busy burying their noses in their books to notice him. He went to a secluded corner with four books on advanced Healing in his arms, and sat down to start reading.

Freyja walked to the library like she always did when she had time. And now she had. The Infirmary had kept her working lately, but now all the injured from the masquerade had recovered and been sent to work. Freyja still had her usual Healing and paperwork, but now she also had time to read.

She nodded to the Brown sisters as she walked past. She loved how quiet the library was. After all the hustle and bustle in the Infirmary you truly learnt to enjoy silence. She closed her eyes and just enjoyed. Library was like a second home for her, right after the Infirmary. How I missed this! She finally opened her eyes and walked to the history section. She wanted to learn more about the Age of Legends Healing, but she had already read the books that covered only Healing. There had to be something about Healing in the books that covered other aspects of the Age of Legends. And besides, it never hurt to know more.

She piled a few books on her arms and walked to the nearest corner where she could read without distractions. But the table was already occupied. Freyja walked to the table nonetheless and sat down next to her friend. "Advanced Healing, eh?" she said with a smile after seeing the titles of the books he was planning to read. "I didn't know you were that interested in Healing."

Edeleas gave a start as someone joined him by his table. He looked up to find Freyja. "Advanced Healing, eh?" she said with a smile after seeing the titles of the books he was planning to read. "I didn't know you were that interested in Healing."

He smiled up at her. For a change she was one he remembered vividly, and also their friendship from his Dedicated days were starting to surface. He nodded to her, and she took the seat opposite his. "Healing struck my fancy even as I was a Soldier, Freyja. Sadly I did not have any Talent for it. But still, it doesn't stop me learning what I could."

Or rather, try what he could to get the Great Lord's hold on his soul severed. He sighed deeply and tackled the first book on the pile. "How is the Infirmary, Freyja? I hope we did not any more lose much brothers and sisters in the past attack. It pained to have not been able to do much." His hand tightened on his book for a moment. "It pained me so."

A passing Accepted behind Freyja gave him an appraising smile. Edeleas shook his head. These girls... He turned to Freyja. "Do your Novices and Accepted often flirt with Asha'man? I find it most disturbing."

"Healing struck my fancy even as I was a Soldier, Freyja. Sadly I did not have any Talent for it. But still, it doesn't stop me learning what I could." Freyja nodded and smiled. It truly was a shame that Edeleas didn't have the Talent. He would have made a wonderful N'dore. It was unfair that some of those who were interested in Healing couldn't actually Heal, and then there were some who did have the Talent but left it untrained. Such a waste.

Edeleas gave a deep sigh. "How is the Infirmary, Freyja?" he asked. "I hope we did not any more lose much brothers and sisters in the past attack. It pained to have not been able to do much." You did enough. Freyja would never forget that Edeleas had been the one who had carried Rialt to the Infirmary. He would have been dead if it wasn't for Edeleas. "It pained me so."

Before Freyja had the time to say anything, his attention turned to something behind her. Freyja looked back to see what it was, and saw an Accepted passing by. Nothing too interesting. The man shook his head. "Do your Novices and Accepted often flirt with Asha'man? I find it most disturbing."

Freyja gave him a wry smile. Edeleas was quite attractive, she wasn't at all surprised to hear that novices were flirting with him. "You know how some girls are. They would flirt with anyone if an Aes Sedai isn't constantly watching over their shoulder. Luckily I don't need novices in the Infirmary that much anymore, things are finally back to normal in there. But those who do work there know enough not to flirt with the N'dore or the patients. There are always enough Aes Sedai to deal with it if someone does. If you have problems with girls, you could always send them to me. I'm sure there are some tasks in the Infimary that should teach them how to behave with Asha'man."

"You know how some girls are. They would flirt with anyone if an Aes Sedai isn't constantly watching over their shoulder. Luckily I don't need novices in the Infirmary that much anymore, things are finally back to normal in there. But those who do work there know enough not to flirt with the N'dore or the patients. There are always enough Aes Sedai to deal with it if someone does. If you have problems with girls, you could always send them to me. I'm sure there are some tasks in the Infimary that should teach them how to behave with Asha'man."

Edeleas answered Freyja's wry smile with one of his own. He closed his book. It had been long since he talked with his Yellow friend. "That seems like a nice suggestion." He smiled. "But I am afraid with what I meet everyday, your Infirmary will soon be crowded with whining girls." He chuckled. He paused. He had asked Freyja before. But...

"On a serious note, Freyja." so saying he wove a ward around them. It was risky, but he had no choice. "You know I love books. I read from a title once that...that Turning is irreversible." Freyja had to know what he meant. Every Asha'man, Aes Sedai and Gaidin knew that, and like in the Dragon's time, it was enough to make men shudder. "But surely there has to be a way. I mean...the book I read it from said it was like a corrupted form of healing. Now do not get me wrong. I was worried because, if some of our brothers and sisters are under this, they will need help."

He studied Freyja's face carefully. Not that he did not trust Marian. But he liked to solve this by himself if he could.

"That seems like a nice suggestion," Edeleas said with a smile after closing his book. "But I am afraid with what I meet everyday, your Infirmary will soon be crowded with whining girls." Freyja gave him a small laugh. She had missed this. She hadn't had too many chances to talk with him, and ever since he came from that mysterious trip of his he had seemed distant and somewhat cold. But today he seemed a bit more like his old self again. At least he still has a sense of humour. Freyja still didn't know what he had done after he had left the Tower just after being raised. She was curious, but she didn't want to pry, she knew that he would tell her when he wanted to. But something had happened to him during that time that had changed him. What that was, she didn't know, and if Edeleas didn't want to share it with her, it was his choice.

"On a serious note, Freyja." Freyja looked at him expectantly. "You know I love books. I read from a title once that...that Turning is irreversible." Turning? He can't mean the... But he did. Freyja remembered what he had asked about the Shadow's circle of thirteen. The mere thought of that made her skin crawl. "But surely there has to be a way. I mean...the book I read it from said it was like a corrupted form of healing. Now do not get me wrong. I was worried because, if some of our brothers and sisters are under this, they will need help."

No! He can't mean that there are members of the Shadow in the Tower. It was impossible. She would not believe that. "I couldn't answer that the last time you asked, and I'm afraid I have no more knowledge today than I had then. But I'm sure you don't have to be worried about having Aes Sedai or Asha'man under the Shadow in the Towers. Where could you get thirteen Aes Sedai who are willing to form the weave?" she said. There was no way it was possible. She would not believe that there was such thing as the 'Black Ajah', no Aes Sedai would go that low. Impossible.

(OOC: He he, Freyja's a little daft when it comes to the Shadow.)

"I couldn't answer that the last time you asked, and I'm afraid I have no more knowledge today than I had then. But I'm sure you don't have to be worried about having Aes Sedai or Asha'man under the Shadow in the Towers. Where could you get thirteen Aes Sedai who are willing to form the weave?"

"True." Edeleas sighed and took the book again, opening it to his page. "I seem to be fascinated with Healing a lot. The Dieb Cha I am..." He smiled again. And then the same Accepted passed, with that cheeky grin of hers. She did not really expect Edeleas to lose his temper now, but when he let go of his ward and stood up, she froze in her tracks, now wishing she was somewhere else. "And you, my dear, will kindly explain to Freya Sedai and I why you were eyeing me as if you were a farmgirl at harvest."

He sat back down, boring his sharp gaze into the Accepted's eyes. She started to stammer and pale. He wouldn't be surprised if she started to pee down her dress from sheer fright alone. Edeleas was able to do that, even to his Dedicated.

"True," Edeleas said, sighing. Freyja watched the man -it was still strange to call him a man, he had been a child for her for so long- open the book again, hoping that she had put his mind at ease. She just could not believe that it could be possible. She shook the matter from her mind as Edeleas spoke again. "I seem to be fascinated with Healing a lot. The Dieb Cha I am..." Freyja answered his smile. She knew how he felt.

Edeleas's eyes wandered somewhere behind her again. Freyja turned to see an Accepted walking by with a grin. The girl froze as Edeleas stood up and demanded, "And you, my dear, will kindly explain to Freya Sedai and I why you were eyeing me as if you were a farmgirl at harvest."

Freyja let her eyebrow rise, but she wasn't sure if it was for the Accepted or Edeleas. The Accepted's behaviour was far from proper, and Edeleas had the right to demand explanation from her, but his gaze made the child terrified. She was probably too afraid to say a thing. Edeleas was a good Master of Soldiers, Freyja didn't doubt that for a moment, but there was a difference between disciplining boys and girls. Not that Freyja approved flirting, oh no, she just believed that children learnt better when they weren't taught with fear. "Go to see the Mistress of Novices, child," she said shortly to the Accepted. Then she turned to Edeleas again, not giving the girl a second glance. She shook her head a bit. "Novices and Accepted don't seem to understand what it means when they are told not to flirt. I just can't understand how they have the nerve to flirt with an Asha'man. They should know better. If they bother you again, I suggest you take my offer or send them to the Mistress of Novices. It's time they learnt what discipline means."

"Novices and Accepted don't seem to understand what it means when they are told not to flirt. I just can't understand how they have the nerve to flirt with an Asha'man. They should know better. If they bother you again, I suggest you take my offer or send them to the Mistress of Novices. It's time they learnt what discipline means."

Edeleas nodded. He ran a hand through his fair hair. "All this is truly starting to annoy me. The temporary Mistress of Novices is undoubtedly sharp, but I would have preferred Cayana better. When I sent girls to her, they stopped eyeing me immediately. But with the new one...they seem to get on again..." He grunted in anxiety and eyed Freyja, smiling.

"Ah, enough troubles. What have you come to read today?"

"All this is truly starting to annoy me. The temporary Mistress of Novices is undoubtedly sharp, but I would have preferred Cayana better. When I sent girls to her, they stopped eyeing me immediately. But with the new one...they seem to get on again..." Freyja thought it best to keep her own thoughts about Cayana to herself. She wasn’t exactly sorry that the woman was missing. She was a good Mistress of Novices, she had to admit that, but Cayana was unfortunately one of those people who had the Talent for Healing but didn’t care to use it. Freyja had her personal issues with her. She was sorry that the new Mistress of Novices was inadequate. But frankly that wasn’t her problem. She would punish the girls who disrespected her herself.

She shook Cayana out of her mind. She didn’t want to think about the woman anymore. She found Edeleas smiling and eyeing her. "Ah, enough troubles. What have you come to read today?" Freyja smiled. She was quite happy for the change of subject. “The Age of Legends,” she answered, motioning to the pile of books on the table. “I am also very interested in Healing for obvious reasons, but I’m afraid I have already read most books covering the subject. I was hoping that I could find some information about Healing in the Age of Legends from these books.” She carressed the cover of the first book softly. “You know how I love reading,” she said with a smile. “Things have been so hectic in the Infirmary lately that I haven’t had time to read. Until now, that is.”

Well, Freyja already knew what Edeleas had been there for, so there was no use in repeating the question. “But I want to know how you have been doing lately. Have you had any problems with the Soldiers?”

“The Age of Legends,” she answered, motioning to the pile of books on the table. “I am also very interested in Healing for obvious reasons, but I’m afraid I have already read most books covering the subject. I was hoping that I could find some information about Healing in the Age of Legends from these books. You know how I love reading,” Freyja said with a smile. “Things have been so hectic in the Infirmary lately that I haven’t had time to read. Until now, that is. But I want to know how you have been doing lately. Have you had any problems with the Soldiers?”

Edeleas blinked in surprise. "My soldiers?" He repeated, and he chuckled heartily. "My goodness, when there comes a day in which they won't stop pestering me with problems, I will definitely shave my head and fast for an entire week! I have minor troubles with the olden ones, but the new ones..." He wrinkled his nose in disgust. "They are all wimps, very nearly every one of them afraid to touch a knife even if I shouted at them! They wouldn't even dare channel unless accompanied by at least their two mentors in each family. They are disgusting me, that is their problem."

He paused, flipping yet another page on his book. He shook his head. "Even my Dedicated are getting exasperated on the new kids, really. You know I let them teach the young ones basic weapon familiarization. They all complain that the lot is definitely trashy. If this keeps up, the Black Tower will be filled with wimps. And I will certainly refuse to let a cowardly boy meet his Arches, he will only surely die in the attempt." He snorted.

"My soldiers?" Edeleas said, seemingly surprised from the sudden change of subject. He gave a chuckle and continued, "My goodness, when there comes a day in which they won't stop pestering me with problems, I will definitely shave my head and fast for an entire week! I have minor troubles with the olden ones, but the new ones..." Edeleas's nose wrinkled in disgust. Surely they can't be that bad... Well, Freyja couldn't judge, she didn't know what Soldiers did or how they behaved. She was rather ignorant about how the initiates in the Black Tower trained and worked. White Tower was her home, and the girls in the training family were the only novices she knew properly. Of course she knew the Accepted and the few Dedicated working in the Infirmary as well. But Soldiers... Edeleas knew muchy more about them. "They are all wimps, very nearly every one of them afraid to touch a knife even if I shouted at them! They wouldn't even dare channel unless accompanied by at least their two mentors in each family. They are disgusting me, that is their problem."

Freyja couldn't help her eyes widen a bit in surprise. She had no idea some were that bad. Channelling was a scary thing, and some novices were like that, but most fought against discipline and wanted to learn more than anything. Well, there were always those wimpy little girls, but they were exceptions. Or at least that was the impression she had gotten. "Even my Dedicated are getting exasperated on the new kids, really. You know I let them teach the young ones basic weapon familiarization. They all complain that the lot is definitely trashy. If this keeps up, the Black Tower will be filled with wimps. And I will certainly refuse to let a cowardly boy meet his Arches, he will only surely die in the attempt."

Freyja had to agree with that. Wimps, as Edeleas put it, would never pass the Arches. "I didn't know it was that bad," she said softly. "I don't know much about soldiers, I have to admit that, but that sounds awful. Well, at least you can see who really has potential when they come to taking the test. Wimpy soldiers are one thing, but wimpy Dedicated are not approved, I agree with that, even if it means more losses than before." Freyja hadn't nearly passed the Accepted test herself. It was something that no one with a weak mind will manage.

"I didn't know it was that bad," Freyja said softly. "I don't know much about soldiers, I have to admit that, but that sounds awful. Well, at least you can see who really has potential when they come to taking the test. Wimpy soldiers are one thing, but wimpy Dedicated are not approved, I agree with that, even if it means more losses than before."

Edeleas took a deep sigh as he flicked another page. "True, true. I am beginning to be frightened...with the new trainees, I might think the Arches won't see a Soldier for a hundred years..." He gave his head a frustrated massage. "But I am hoping they will improve. I have a propostion for the M'Hael, a harsher training program for these boys. I do not like to do it, it is bad enough what with the militaristic life we have, but if they keep up like this and continue being cowards, they give me no choice."

He paused. "Any news on the White Tower's initiates so far? I hope you are doing better than us." He smiled.

"True, true. I am beginning to be frightened...with the new trainees, I might think the Arches won't see a Soldier for a hundred years..." No, Edeleas was exaggerating now, if he hadn't before. There were always those who learned quickly and were motivated, even when the majority was unapprovable. No, the Arches would see its soldiers, if not as many as before. "But I am hoping they will improve. I have a propostion for the M'Hael, a harsher training program for these boys. I do not like to do it, it is bad enough what with the militaristic life we have, but if they keep up like this and continue being cowards, they give me no choice."

Freyja wasn't sure if a harsher program was what the boys needed. It would only lead to most of them breaking under the pressure. Well, maybe that was a good thing, to see who really was up to it and who was not. Nonetheless, the wimpy boys didn't need a harsher program. They just needed more time. But Freyja wasn't the best person to think about their training. It was just her opinion. Whether it was good or not was another matter.

"Any news on the White Tower's initiates so far? I hope you are doing better than us," Edeleas said with a smile. Freyja returned the smile. "I'm afraid you'll have to ask the Mistress of Novices. I don't know too much about our novices. My training family members are not too troublesome, and neither are the Accepted working in the Infirmary. The Accepted already know that they have to work hard and earn their shawl if they ever wish to join the Yellow Ajah. Well, novices are novices, it will take them time until they learn not to break the rules, but I haven't heard of major problems with them. But that doesn't necesseraly mean that there are none," she added with a small smile. "I'm too keen on working in the Infirmary and spending time in here to get interested about novices on a larger scale."

"I'm afraid you'll have to ask the Mistress of Novices. I don't know too much about our novices. My training family members are not too troublesome, and neither are the Accepted working in the Infirmary. The Accepted already know that they have to work hard and earn their shawl if they ever wish to join the Yellow Ajah. Well, novices are novices, it will take them time until they learn not to break the rules, but I haven't heard of major problems with them. But that doesn't necesseraly mean that there are none," Freyja added with a small smile. "I'm too keen on working in the Infirmary and spending time in here to get interested about novices on a larger scale."

Edeleas nodded. Typical answer. "I often wish I had more hand on Healing." he sighed. But still, much good that WOULD do. Aes Sedai and Asha'man cannot Heal themselves. Pity. Just then a Dedicated came skittering toward their table, and even before the man could speak, Edeleas sighed in disappointment, stood up and swept his books into his arms. He gave Freyja an apologetic smile. "Work beckons. I am sorry we had to cut this pleasure short."

With that he swept away, motioning for the Dedicated to lead the way toward the trouble.