Two weeks and still the work of transition was not complete. Rialt could not remember the last night he had had a full nights sleep or a moments peace. After the public ceremony, he had also attended a ball in his honor...though being the kind of person who didn't like to dance to his own tune, it was a rather embarassing affair for him. But there were necessary theatrics and public displays of power to enact. He was the face of the Black Tower, he needed to put on a proper display of superiority, elegance, and strength. It was still baffling his mind the decision of the Hall of the Tower to elect him M'Hael, the transition was so awkward in fact, that he hadn't fully come into the realization of the amount of power that was at his fingertips. He hoped that at the end of all the worldly things he took part in, that he would lead the Black Tower to prosperity, that his name wasn't to be one of many leaders names that was besmirched in books rather than praised. He did not want to end up like Elaida had, the Red Aes Sedai who made Rand al'Thor's life difficult rather than aiding it as she should have as Amyrlin.

Today, as was custom, he was on his way to Shienar to meet their current king. A boy who had just recently taken over reign after the death of his father. His father had always been a friend and ally of the Black Tower, and Rialt wanted to personally meet with the King (who had declined to come to the ball) and ensure that same alliance. His advisors had suggested he bring an assistant along of some sort, someone who could basically be there to advise him on the culture, but it had to be someone who was tied to the towers. He did not want an Asha'man, he wanted to exude the proper belief about Asha'man, and independance was important to him. A Soldier would probably be best. It would not only benefit him in a foreign land, but it would also help the soldier. He would be able to learn practical field experience from Rialt and properly learn how to show respect for rank. Speaking with Edeleas was not as easy as he would have liked, their interaction had become even more awkward when Rialt had been raised, but eventually Rialt was given the name of the Soldier he was looking for.

It hadn't been that long since Rialt had last seen Kris Vespin. He had actually been quite an asset to the Black Tower. He had been the first soldier that had identified a special talent with one of the Dieb Cha, his ability to somehow sense if a man was able to channel or learn. Since he had been initiated into the tower, the rate of intiates had doubled. Kris probably didn't know this but that was a significant thing to Rialt. It seemed an omen. This young man was something special, otherwise that particular talent would never have manifested itself at just the right time in Kamaran. To escape from the rigors of his duty for just a few precious moments, Rialt took it upon himself to inform the soldier he was to accompany Rialt to Shienar. It was also a golden opprotunity for the young man to see his parents. He was not a tyrant, if they were in the area, then Rialt would permit Kris to see them, being as he was only 17. Still a child. Rialt was old enough to be his great great grandfather...maybe had even met his great great grandfather, but he was still willing to treat Kris as much like an equal as his personality and training permited. He intended Kris to be a distractor from protocol and formality, although he had to admit, even training a soldier seemed difficult after his failure with Edeleas.

Wiping the thoughts from his mind, he made his way to the training rooms, where a lesson was being taught by a newly made Asha'man named Evin. Rialt liked him, he was an N'Dore. Then again, Rialt liked mostly all of the N'Dore. "Sir." He said and saluted. He turned to his class and said in a firm tone. "Soldiers, this is your M'Hael. Show him your alliegance." They all showed fist to heart and bowed low. How awkward... He couldn't help it, the action he was just not used to. Saluting and bowing yes, but not nearly as low and with such reference as they did now. "Evin, my brother, I require the services of one of these young men." Evin nodded, "Which, Father?"

Rialt looked around the room and spotted who he was looking for. "Him, Kris Vespin. You will come with me." Evin moved aside and motioned for the soldier to follow Rialt. He did so with a very surprised look on his face. "I do remember you," Rialt began. "You are not in trouble, so you can rest easy, child." He was not used to calling many people child either, or son for that matter. "I am going on a diplomatic mission to Shienar, and I do recall you being from that area. You are young enough to remember it clearly, as you haven't been here that long. So I requst that you accompany me to your homeland. I need to understand its customs, its people. Anything you can tell me to benefit my understanding of the nation would be appreciated. In turn, I will take up your training, and if you do not attempt to run away, then if you wish, we may make a detour while in the country. I assume you desire to see friends, perhaps your parents or hometown?"

They made their way to the stables and one of the Gaidin accompanying them on their trip rose to greet them. "Father." He bowed. "Please, take Kris here and prepare him for our journey. I would like to leave before noon today, if it is possible." "It shall be as you say, Sir. Follow me." He indicated to the Soldier at Rialt's side and they dissapeared towards the barracks, to recover the proper essentials for Kris. They would Travel to the country and visit whoever the boy wished first, and then they would move towards the capital. Rialt had a feeling that the meeting was going to be a bit more complicated than his advisors had deemed.

Kris’ last few weeks were quite hectic. He had just finished learning the ranks and titles held by those in the Towers when the Mahdi, Rialt, was chosen to replace the M’hael whom Kris had not heard about much until then. Apparently, the man had disappeared leaving not race as to what he was doing. Naught but two weeks ago did a council convene and elect Asha’man Rialt as the successor to a man Kris never knew. The days and weeks that followed were full of celebrations and banquets in honor of Rialt’s new position and surprisingly enough the soldiers were allowed to participate in these acts of celebration. Finally though, things were starting to quiet back down to normal. Today Kris started his first group class today and was excited to find out what he might learn today. As he made his way to the breakfast hall wide awake, his body had quickly adjusted to his new rising hours, he couldn’t help but think back to his first class here with Pandarin who had really taught him what he needed to know in order to control the ability inside of him. However, the smells of the food he had become accustomed to soon filled Kris’ nostrils as he found the entrance to the mess hall in front of him.

He had quickly made a routine out of his morning, always sitting in the same spot in the mess hall and by now doing everything in that routine at the same time each day. He arrived at the mess hall just as the gong for the morning meal was sounded, and found himself near the front of a line waiting for breakfast. Truth be told, he had eaten breakfast more here than he had at home and surprisingly enough he was much more fit because of it. There was just something about having a healthy morning meal to get your day started, and he quickly had his tray filled eggs, bread, milk, and some sausage and bacon before he found his way to his usual bench where he could eat in peace. He had immersed himself in learning how to channel and catching up to the others in his age group and as such had really not met anyone in his six months at the Tower, a place he now though of as home. He quietly and slowly devoured his food mopping up the crumbs of his eggs with the rest of his bread before standing up from his tray and walking for the exit.

Just like any other day he walked out of the mess hall right as the gong sounding the end of the morning meal was rung. Walking back to his room to wash up one last time before heading to his class, Kris looked in the mirror. His black hair framed a face hardened somewhat by his short life as a soldier in Shienar and, his shoulders had gotten somewhat broader. About a month after his arrival, he had been assigned a few workouts to do every day along with the information that when they deemed ready they would be telling him to choose a combat style. After about 3 weeks of living in the Tower they had measured him and given him a uniform tailored slightly too big. However he now fit into it nicely and like the look of the outfit. Grabbing a leather cord hanging on a peg by his wash basin, Kris tied back his hair, a practice he had come to find helpful after burning almost all of his off in a lesson with Pandarin. Oh how I wanted to disappear for the next few weeks after that incident, he thought to himself. However, life went on and he quickly learned to produce balls of light identical to Pandarin’s though not in the same quantity yet. He now had a very confident control over the source, and the amount he remembered wielding in his first week of lessons was a trickle of what he now could hold. Of course, compared to his teachers he was nothing. Realizing he had lost himself in though Kris quickly left his room and began navigating the passages toward the classrooms paying the proper respects to Asha’man and Aes Sedai alike.

As he walked into the class, he quickly noticed that this room was arranged in a very similar way as the room he had been first taught in. It was clear of all obstacles and lighted by the same orbs Pandarin had used. The only difference Kris noted was a chair placed facing one side of the room that an Asha’man stood next to. Kris saluted the Asha’man and quickly joined the row of soldiers already present. After a few minutes of waiting with a few more arrivals, the Asha’man announced that everyone was present and that he would begin their lesson. Abruptly the Asha’man channeled, and the chair in front of the soldiers drifted into the air hovering in the air as it floated around. The Asha’man spoke again, “Today you will be learning about how to manipulate flows of air to move objects outside of your grasp. This take considerable practice as it is more than just weaving flows around the object. In order to life something the strength of the weave must be sufficient enough to withstand the weight of what you are lifting. If you do not make a weave strong enough or are not strong enough in the source you will no be able to lift the item you desire to move.” Kris nodded, as he took in the Asha’man’s words and noticed out of the corner of his eyes many other soldiers doing the same. “My name is Asha’man Evin, and I will be your instructor in today’s lesson. You may now take hold of the source,” with those words Kris felt many of the soldiers around him quickly take hold of Saidin, and noted their apparent strength or weakness by the amount he could sense from them. Finally he took hold of Saidin himself only drawing in enough to put him among the strongest soldiers in the room.

Suddenly, the door swung open and Kris was surprised to find the M’hael walking across the room to address the Asha’man at the head of the class. The chair dropped to the ground as the Asha’man paid his respects to the M’hael, “Sir,” the Asha’man spoke and offered his salute before turning to the class. He spoke again this time to the soldiers, “Soldiers, this is your M'Hael. Show him your alliegance,” as one the soldiers quickly snapped to attention and saluted their M’hael then bowing low as to show deference. As the soldiers rose the M’hael spoke to their instructor, “Evin, my brother, I require the services of one of these young men.” The Asha’man nodded before offering a response, “Which, Father?” Kris could feel the apprehension grow as the M’hael’s eyes touched the faces of the other soldiers around the room coming toward him. Finally they stopped when they caught Kris’ face and he quickly stifled his fear as the M’hael addressed him, “, Kris Vespin. You will come with me.” Asha’man Evin moved out of the way and motioned Kris towards the M’hael, taking a deep breath he followed Rialt out of the room and into the passageway waiting for any indications as to what he had done wrong.

“I do remember you,” the M’hael began to Kris, “You are not in trouble, so you can rest easy, child.” With those words, Kris let out the breath he had been holding since he moved from his location in the class room, he noticed however that it seemed awkward for Rialt to be using the word child. The M’hael continued with a lengthy description as to why he was summoned in such a direct matter, “I am going on a diplomatic mission to Shienar, and I do recall you being from that area. You are young enough to remember it clearly, as you haven't been here that long. So I request that you accompany me to your homeland. I need to understand its customs, its people. Anything you can tell me to benefit my understanding of the nation would be appreciated. In turn, I will take up your training, and if you do not attempt to run away, then if you wish, we may make a detour while in the country. I assume you desire to see friends, perhaps your parents or hometown?" Kris’ heart leapt with joy at these words and only due to his training at the Tower was he able to contain it from making him cause an outburst. “Yes Father I would be honored to accompany you to my homeland in order to assist you, and I would be more than happy to visit my hometown and parents.” Kris had received a letter from his old mentor a few months after his arrival here informing him that the Aes Sedai had arrived and healed him. He was anxious to see his old mentor again and to ease his parent’s worried minds.

As they walked through the Tower, Kris quickly realized they were heading down towards the stables where they found a Gaidin waiting for them. “Father,” the Gaidin said offering him his respects. “Please, take Kris here and prepare him for our journey. I would like to leave before noon today, if it is possible,” was the M’hael’s order. “It shall be as you say, Sir. Follow me.” Replied the Gaidin motioning to Kris and turning towards the barracks and leaving the M’hael behind. The Gaidin led him into the barracks where they gathered up the essentials for Kris’ journey to Shienar, which included a waterskin, saddle bags, a few days of rations, and surprisingly enough Kris’ old sword. As they made there way past all the supplies the Gaidin spoke again, “Oh yes I was also told that you would need an outfit fit for a Royal Court, do you have any clothes like that?” kris contemplated this response in surprise at first but quickly answered, “No, this is the only outfit I have that will fit me now.” The Gaidin nodded before turning back to the supplies. Finally the Gaidin motioned Kris to follow him back out into the stables where he quickly set down Kris’ supplies so that Kris could saddle the horse he would be riding. “Kris informed me that he does not have any clothes that fit the description you gave me Father,” overheard Kris before he bent to concentrate on saddling the animal in front of him. He finally got the saddle on and positioned and began to place other supplies into the saddle bags before turning back toward the M’hael, “Father, I believe that I am ready,” informed Kris.

ooc -- u can start things off where you want, but i wasnt going to focus on th journey itself too much.

A small army of guards had been chosen to accompany Rialt. It could of course, be no small matter. It was a diplomatic trip after all, and in this particular case, shock and awe was necessary. They needed to realize just how much power the Black Tower commanded and if they could afford such an accompaniment for one man, then they were not very likely to be taken with a grain of salt…more like a bucket. He had with him of course, a small group of Asha’man for protection, as well as the guards from the Garrison. The Marshall General had properly trained men at his disposal, and quite a number of them at that.

Not only was that the case, there was a small amount of liveried servants to accompany them as well. It was unmistakable that this contingent of men, and some women as well, were not to be trifled with, physically or politically. They would not use a gateway for this trip, he wanted his presence in the land known far and wide before he ever reached Shienar’s palace gates. Arriving outside the stables Rialt noted his chosen soldier, Kris, in the wake of the man temporarily in charge of getting him ready for the journey, as well as the complacent look of acceptance upon Kris’ face. He could only wonder what the boy was thinking.

For a long time, he had always take interest in the soldiers and dedicated who made their way in and out of the towers, but when he had become Mahdi, and then recently, M’Hael, he could no longer show a large interest in them as his duties often took him elsewhere. He did take on a few charges every now and then as Mahdi, and was in charge of a family of them now, but there were other Asha’man who reported their progress instead of him doing it personally. With the trip Rialt had decided to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak, and had had Kris accompany him for more than one reason. The primary was of course to instruct him on the ways of Shienar. He was Andoran and had no real knowledge of the place in terms of its recent history. Sure he had spent time there as an N’Dore and fighting across the borderlands, but it had not left him much room to learn of the political. Even if Kris had been ignorant, which he clearly was not, his awareness of the world around him showed Rialt what a brilliant young mind he had in his possession and made it clear how impossible the idea was of Kris being oblivious to the world he lived in.

Secondly, Kris exhibited some real talent as he had gone over some of the recent joining soldiers. Of the three men he thought to bring with him, Kris’ instructors said he showed real promise, and Rialt wanted to take advantage of that. He missed teaching, although he wouldn’t be caught dead making that assertion, and could use an untainted mind through the journey. New initiates of the Tower did not have the same bias that Asha’man and Dedicated did towards those who held rank, and Rialt certainly couldn’t handle Kiren as his distraction the entire time. Rialt summoned one of the men in livery and the old man ran off to find suitable garments for Kris, while Rialt motioned for him to join him.

“I intend to learn from you about Shienar Kris, it is very important for me to know of the customs and like so that I can properly conduct this meeting. I expect you to listen, and to learn as well. In the absence of your teachers here, I will instead take on that charge until you return here. This should probably be a month or so of a trip, perhaps less if I am called away for something more pressing. If you require anything, Servalis here is your charge, but he is not your slave either, you are a soldier and need to address him as he has earned.” He motioned to one of the Dedicated. He would protect Kris in the event that anything occurred on the trip. He left some room for Kris to ask questions should he need anything answered, but the trip was sure to yield some interesting results, he was sure.

“We will stop off in your hometown before moving on to meet with Shienars ruling body.” He added. He was receiving quite a gift indeed. Most men never saw their family again, or if the did, it was many many years later.