Sapphira sighed as she put the last of the stack of papers in front of her off to one side. Her eyes hurt from reading all those reports, and her hand hurt from signing them. It had to be done though, and thank the Light it finally was done. She did not regret becoming Amyrlin, she just wished that sometimes there would be less work involved. That is stupid, you've known since you were a novice that the Amyrlin had more work than anyone else, and there's no use in wishing it were otherwise. Not only was all the paperwork maddening, what had happened with Zekieal earlier had been horrible. She had certainly given him one of her better lectures, though she highly doubted it would make any difference. The man could work soldiers to the ground, but when he wanted to be humorous there was no word but strange for him.

She stood, no longer angry at the m'Hael, thankfully, and walked out of her office. She passed a window on her way through the hallways, and glimpsed the city of Tar Valon. She had not been out of the Tower for ages, and the city always provided amusement, that was where she would go. She slipped back into her office and put her seven-striped stole on the desk, people down there would recognize an Aes Sedai, but they would not know the Amyrlin on site, and she did not want her rank to get in the way today. She stepped back out, noting the Keepers slightly surprised look at her lack of Stole, but continued on anyway. Everyone in the Tower knew her as Amyrlin with or without the Stole, so it really did not matter, even so she never went anywhere without it.

Sapphira wound her way through the halls and paths of the Tower and its grounds, and finally out to one of the gates that led into the city. Several times she saw surprise on faces, obviously because her lack of Stole again. As she stepped into the milling crowd of the greatest city in the world, Sapphira let herself become just another face. She thought about even adding an illusion that would cause her agelessness to disappear, but decided against it in the end. She strolled down the streets, now and then buying a trinket or pie. She walked into a few stores, and even concidered having some dresses made, but decided she was not in the mood to deal with a dressmaker just then.

She breathed in the rich smells of the city, quite a range, and not all pleasant, but comforting all the same. It was nice to not be acknowledged all the time, not to have everyone bowing and curtsying. Were she to walk into an inn, and whenever she entered a shop, the shopkeeper would curtsy, but they did that for everyone. Even Aes Sedai did not get much extra respect in cities, especially Tar Valon. She saw a few other ageless faces in the crowd, but none were near enough that they would be required to curtsy. A few pure white dresses were scattered in as well, and young men in pure black uniforms, the city itself was a popular attraction among Accepted and Dedicated, whenever they could get the time away from their studies. She only crossed paths with one of them, and that girl certainly recognized Sapphira, her curtsy had been even deeper than it normally would have been, but Sapphira only nodded and walked on.

For once, once in such a long time, Rialt decided to play hooky. He knew that there were things that needed his attention, a riot in Andor, there were rumored to be Dark Friends among the Asha’man ranks, but he paid no heed to that now, that was something the Red Shen was dealing with. If he ever caught one of his brothers to be a Darkfriend, he would have killed him, or even worse, he would have gentled him on the spot, and forced him to live with it. He scowled at the thoughts. No no, I want to have a good day, not think about the problems of the Tower. He laid the images of gentling his and the M’Hael’s men aside, hardly something to occupy one’s time with. He thought perhaps he would go to Library that day, and sit down with a book of some sort, but he didn’t feel like being kept up in either Tower.

It was about time he left, and went out to meet someone who had no affiliations with the Black or White Tower. He wanted to meet someone new, and maybe have a good drink with them before he returned. So he donned a set of simple clothing, they could have belonged to a merchant. He strapped up his knee high boots, leaving his hair down around his neck for once, instead of the tying it back like he always did. This way, he was sure no one would recognize him right away, only if they stared for a moment. He left his spacious rooms, and made his way to the waygate that connected Tar Valon and the Black Tower. He was even approached by a few Soldiers who did not yet know who he was, asking if they could help him find something. Upon seeing his ageless and less than friendly gaze, they backed down and left him alone. It felt a bit odd to be out of his Black, but also, freeing at the same time.

He entered, and soon found himself exiting into the White Tower. He made his way to the City from there. He must have looked an interesting sight though, as he was dressed as a rather prosperous Merchant, but walked with a sword belted to his side, and the grace of one who knew how to use it. He also retained the Ageless face that came from dealing with the One Power for so long, and as soon as people realized this, they rushed out of his way. Turning down a street that he hadn’t walked on in many years, he spotted a small shop that looked rather intriguing and weaved his way to where it was situated. It was selling rather well crafted knives, and Rialt examined them with interest. He was in need of a new set, had been for a few years, but had never really thought about actually going to buy what he needed. “Can I help you find anything Sir Asha’man?” He looked up, and stared at who had addressed him. He didn’t recognize the old man, whose work this probably was, but he soon realized that it must have been his demeanor that gave him away. Maybe I should try an illusion… But he didn’t and after finding the proper daggers he was looking for, turned sharply and almost ran smack into the last person he had ever expected to see in the middle of Tar Valon.

It was the Amyrlin Seat, out and about, and he noted a little exasperated, that she had no one accompanying her. They both, for some odd reason, held a distaste for one another that stretched far back to when she had been a novice, and he not that many years into the Black Tower for him. He didn’t even remember what it was that had started their icy stares to one another. The odd thing was, if she had needed to be protected, Rialt would have jumped in and sacrificed his own life for that of hers. Upon seeing eachother, they both assumed faces of stone, and Rialt could not help but speak up after he had delivered her a rigid bow. “Mother, I have asked you many times that if you are to go into the city, or away from the Halls of the Tower, that you bring one of the Gaidin or Asha’man with you. It is for your own safety.” He always wondered why Zekieal and she had never bonded, but it wasn’t his place to question. Besides, I wouldn’t want him being her guard anyway, he’s a fool man that would get himself killed, they both would, which was why it was so important to him that she was protected whenever duty called her away from the White Tower.

Sapphira stepped down a smallish alley on impuls, but soon wished she had not. Soon after turning down the little street a man turned around and after a moment's look, she recognized him as the Mahdi al'Tain of the Black Tower. He gave a slight bow, and she inclined her head in return, as Amyrlin a curtsy would have seemed mocking, but his rank certainly deserved at least a respectful nod. Not that she really thought Rialt deserving of that nod, she could not clearly remember why, but ever since her novice-hood she had disliked this man. She never understood why Zekieal had chosen him to be his second in command, perhaps he did it just to spite her, but she could not deny that he did his job well.

She made her face expressionless, any expression would betray her distaste for the man in front of her, and noticed that several of the people in the alley suddenly found someplace else they needed to be. Not surprising concidering that a look at either of their faces showed that they were Aes Sedai and Asha'man, and the look passing betweent he two of them showed just as clearly that they were not altogether happy to see each other. Sapphira just kept herself from rolling her eyes and sighing when Rialt mentioned a guard, why under the Light would she need a guard, and why did he care so much? She had all the weapon she needed in the Power, and she had wanted to get away from attention, and the Light knew a guard would not help with that cause.

"I am touched by your concern, Seeker, but I have been in the city myself several times, and I am quite capable of protecting myself. And where is your guard, good sir?" she added on impulse, if she needed a guard, then he most certainly did too. She noticed that a few more of the people in the alley ducked out and suppressed an amused smile, as if either she or Rialt would use the Power- or anything else for that matter -against each other. She did not like the man, but she would not harm him, even if he were not the Seeker. Sometimes she wondered just what it was that had caused their dislike of eachother, whatever it was could not have been important, but she could never remember. Whatever it was had not been resolved, and over time had grown into annoyance at seeing the man, and even more whenever he did something the slightest bit imperfect.

Sapphira thought about continuing on her way down the alley, but it was too late for that, even before she could not have pretended not to see him, but now she had stopped, and acknowledged his presence. No, it was too late to leave, and probably too late to salvage her good mood at being away from responsibility, apparently the Creator did not want this to be a good day for her. Doesn't this man have some bloody job to do? He's always putting work very first, and the Light knows that if he finished all he had to do he would go searching for something else, why did he come here today? She did not let her thoughts show on her face in the slightest, but again she had to suppress a sigh. She waited for Rialt to do or say something so that she could excuse him and be on her way, and possibly save her pleasant mood from moments before.

She acknowledged his bow with an inclination of her head, and he straightened. He was much taller than she was, at least an entire foot, so he towered over her, but kept a respectful distance as not to make it seem like he was trying to lord over her. He offered up no smile, nothing to say that he was glad to see her. She knew he was not, and he knew that she was not. But they had already seen each other, had actually almost plowed into each other actually, so he couldn’t very well turn on his heel and leave. It would have been rude, out of character, and would have earned him a stern word from the M’Hael if he found out. They could have simply exchanged pleasantries, but she had directly gone against a duty of hers, which was to make sure that she was protected at all times. She did not have a Warder, and Zekieal could not accompany her everywhere, even if they had been part of the Red Shen together.

When he mentioned the fact that she was unaccompanied she immediately retorted, as he knew she would, "I am touched by your concern, Seeker, but I have been in the city myself several times, and I am quite capable of protecting myself. And where is your guard, good sir?" He grunted unconsciously, what a ridiculous question! I do not need someone to protect me if I am drugged with forkroot. But he couldn’t just yell at her about it, she was the Amyrlin, and had he done so, it would have reflected very negatively on him as well as lost him respect with his M’Hael. He had to remind himself that these two were very close and to do nothing without formality and the respect that was due to a woman of her status. After all, she was, in all standards, the most powerful woman in the world. “I do not mean to be disrespectful Mother, but I do not require protection as you do. I am aware of the fact that you have the Power at your fingertips, but I also am aware of the fact that that ability can be taken from you through a little thing called forkroot. It is NOT your right to endanger yourself with foolishness.”

He had said it a little more roughly than he should have, but burn him if what he said wasn’t true. She never took advantage of her expansive Honor Guard. Well, neither did he really, except in extremely formal situations, but the option was always there and she never once used them without someone having to say something first. She should know better by now… He crossed his arms in exasperation. Light was she really getting to him today. He wouldn’t be able to go off on his own now, it was his duty to make sure she was watched over, so he would simply have to accompany her until she was back within the halls of the White Tower. “I will accompany you until someone else can take my place.” He said it simply and matter of factly. He would not leave or budge until she was safely back, and she knew he wouldn't either.

Around them, the streets were either emptying, to the shopkeepers dismay, but held a few stragglers and people staring out of their windows to see what was going to happen. As if they expected an Aes Sedai and Asha’man to come to physical blows or even worse, using the Power against each other. It was absurd, they should know better than that. He had to keep himself from rolling his eyes, the Amyrlin might have thought he was rolling them at her. People could be complete idiots sometimes, and others, he noted while looking at the Amyrlin, lacking in any common sense.

(ooc- :P )

Sapphira stood watching Rialt, hoping he would simply bow and say "Yes Mother, of course, please excuse me," and go on with his business. Not that she really expected that, the man did not like her, but he certainly thought she needed a complete honor guard at all times, when he himself used his own only as secretaries. Again she resisted rolling her eyes, he showed off his lack of herbal knowledge by his words, she suspected that there were several on that street that could have pointed out his error. "You are aware, of course, that forkroot not only blocks you from the Source, but also completely paralyzes you, and renders you unconcious for several hours? I belive that you are vulnerable to that threat as well, my dear Seeker. If you are not, I would be most appreciative if you would share your secret with me." She managed not to grin, it would be bad enough that these street folk saw an Aes Sedai grin, but Rialt knew she was the Amyrlin.

She waited a moment, concidering his tone, and whether or not to say anything about it. In the end it was the fact that Rialt was such a stickler to ranks that made her do so. He drilled into the soldier and Dedicateds' minds that they were no one, and existed only to learn and follow orders. So suddenly he was taking a rougher tone with one of his only superiors, and Sapphira could hardly let thet opportunity slip away. "I would appreciate it also if you would not speak to me in such a tone, especially in the middle of the city. Concidering the way you treat your initates, one would think you quite good at controling your voice," she said, simply stating fact, though she knew the words sounded like an angry sibling trying to lay blame on her older brother, even if her voice held none of that.

She watched his face for any hint of what was going on behind his eyes, knowing Rialt, he would probably come up with some not-only-nobler-than-thou-but-also-a-better-fighter-than-thou answer. He tended to come up with those a lot, though she hated to think about age, the only reason she could come up with for that was that he was a bit older than she. Sapphira could remember the days when she had been forced to curtsy to him, him being one step ahead of her for most of her years as an initiate. During her first years as Amyrlin she had been very happy that for once it was he who had to defer. Over time that had faded, she did not like the man, but she no longer gained satisfaction from the fact that she ranked oh so slightly above him.

Sapphira frowned when Rialt announced that he would be accompanying her, that in itself was enough to make her contemplate Bonding someone, simply to avoid this in the future. She held rank though, and though she did not like to pull that often, she saw this as a time she might well have to. "No thank you Rialt, I came out here on my own because I wished to be alone. I have no need nor desire of your protection, and I am certain you have other things that need doing while you are in the city," she said, satisfied that once again both tone and words said Amyrlin and not whiny sibling. If he continued to insist- which she thought she had to expect from him, she would simply order him away. Would he even obey that though? If he did not, she could inform Zekieal, but the man was such a gleeman he would likely simply find humor in it. Or worse, take Rialt's side in the matter.

Light, let her simply accept so that the silence can reign again! But of course, the Creator had a sense of humor, and he knew as soon as he had finished speaking, that no such peace was to be granted to him. She was the Amyrlin, and he showed nothing but respect for her and for her office, but she also did not follow protocol in the slightest, and endangered herself, and much of the Tower’s business by walzing around the City by herself, completely unaccompanied and alone. She was a massive thorn in the bottom of his foot, she drove him absolutely mad, and when he tired to eradicate the stabbing nusance, he only found it more firmly imbedded in his flesh. A gruesome comparison, but as he looked down at her defiant and proud face, he knew it was the closest description anyone had ever gotten to describing Sapphira Calren. It dawned on him then, that he had never once, called her by her name. It had always been Novice, Accepted, Aes Sedai, Mother… always titles. He could never refer to her as Sapphira, because when he did that, he would admit that she was a woman, and not just the Amyrlin. It was because she was the Amyrlin that he did not completely blow up in her face and tell her what a prideful fool he thougt she was.

And of course, right on cue, “You are aware, of course, that forkroot not only blocks you from the Source, but also completely paralyzes you, and renders you unconcious for several hours?” He knew that, she just had not thought about it before she spoke. If he of all people, did not know his herbs, the entire world was doomed, for there was certainly a problem when the most powerful healer of that time did not know the effects of an herb, especially THAT herb. Oh Light BLAST that woman and her ceaseless critisism of my words, she will never in her years, allow me even the slightest satisfaction of being right for once. She had a superiority complex that put most Kings and Queens to shame. But no, she wasn’t done there, “I believe that you are vulnerable to that threat as well, my dear Seeker. If you are not, I would be most appreciative if you would share your secret with me."

He couldn’t just stand by and let her speak to him like that, she might have been one of two people that outranked him, but he deserved the respect that he had shown her thus far. Everything he had done so far dripped with respect for her seat, she was just completely blind, or not very perceptive to see that. “Thankyou for the lesson on basic herbals Mother, Light forbid that I should ever stumble over my words or their meaning.” By that, he had meant that she took everything so literally; she gave him no room edgewise at all, to clarify what he meant. Of course, he had deliberately left out that little fact on forkroot, thinking that she wouldn’t remember the side effects it had, but he had been wrong, and now, she was rubbing it in his face. Just as he knew that she enjoyed being his superior. Not that she could really give him many orders anyway, that was the M’Hael’s job exclusively, but he did have to obey her to a certain extent.

But she was not done yet! "I would appreciate it also if you would not speak to me in such a tone, especially in the middle of the city. Considering the way you treat your initiates, one would think you quite good at controlling your voice.” My voice? What is she talking about!? She was really starting to make him angry, and he never let his temper get the better of him. He was not easily angered, and it spoke volumes, that she could upset and make him want to stab something when she spoke to him. "No thank you Rialt, I came out here on my own because I wished to be alone. I have no need nor desire of your protection, and I am certain you have other things that need doing while you are in the city,"

He schooled his voice, knowing that it must be the epitome of emotionlessness and respect, otherwise, she’d say something again. “I train my soldiers and Dedicated how you should your Novices and Accepted, Mother, so that they do not grow soft and unable to protect themselves.” It was a simply stated retort and insult to the woman, but he really didn’t care at this point. He did NOT care that she was the Amyrlin, she had completley thrown aside formailty and insulted the Black Tower, had insulted his teachin methods. She had been right about his voice, but she had no right, NONE to insult his methods. It had been a cleverly disguised insult, but it was there none-the-less. “I am sorry that you feel I can not properly protect you mother, I will just have to call someone more adept to do so, until you can return to the Tower. Now if you had a Warder, then I would have no qualms about letting you go where you choose, but you do not, and because of that, you need at least ONE person to watch over you. He would of course, be out of sight, if you wish to be alone.” He added quickly, “Of course I would not presume to tell the Amyrlin what to do, I am sure that she can see the logic in my statement, and will secede to that.” Not even SHE could deny the pure and simple reasoning behind his suggestion of accompanying her, she knew he did not want to be around her, anymore than she did him. It was his DUTY to the Tower, at least if he could not do the job himself, to get someone who could.

(OOC: I swear if I die lauging it's YOUR fault!)

Sapphira arched one eyebrow ever so slightly when Rialt attempted to cover his misstep in words. Saying that of course he remembered, which he no doubt did, concidering his former Shen. No matter how she looked at it though- and she did try -she could not find any meaning in his words other than that she needed protecting from forkroot and he did not. All her years of the Great Game in Cairhienin, then years as Aes Sedai had trained her to find hidden meanings, and unless Rialt was inventing his own Great Game, there was nothing to be found there. It was clear why Zekieal had been chosen as m'Hael instead of this man, though he was slow to anger, when he did get angry, his emotions took him by the throat and would not allow him to see sense. She said nothing to his mocking tone about her answer, neither did she allow her face to show anything but the slightest bit of skeptecism, that would be plenty.

Sapphira mentally winced when Rialt called her Mother, she had hoped to be not recognized today. She saw some of the few still on the street leave at a dead run, and some of those leaving stop to stare at the famed Amyrlin Seat. Even for someone who lived in Tar Valon, seeing the Amyrlin herself was a very rare opportunity. For those who were visiting, they would likely be more frightened than ever before in their lives, assumably those who left at a sprint. By the time this conversation was over news that the Amyrlin was out of the Tower would be all over the island, and likely into the Tower grounds itself. People would be flocking to this place, and those who could would follow her- or the crowds -to get a glimps of her. Light, but it's times like these when I wish I was just another visitor, or even simply Aes Sedai, they are not so talked about here. She stopped herself from sighing for the third time and hoped that Rialt would not say "Mother" again. Apparently though, the Creator was in the mood for comedy today, and not two minutes later he repeated the title. Well, if he was going to call her Mother, then she could call him son, as she would any other man she talked to.

Sapphira could accept any number of personal insults, she had been bearing them all her life, and that number had only increased upon becoming Amyrlin. Most were now whispered behind her back, but sometimes a brave soul would try to hide an insult in conversation, or state it so flatly as Rialt had just done. Personal insults were not her concern, but the man had just insulted the White Tower, herself, the Mistress of Novices, and thousands of years of tradition on one sentence, and that she could not allow. "Son," she said flatly, "I do not choose how to train my novices and Accepted, truly they are not even my responsibility. Rarely do I even speak to them. Cayana trains the novices and Accepted, that is her job, do not tell me that I train them wrong. Even Cayana did not make the method though, for thousands of years girls have been trained this way, and for thousands of years it has worked quite well. You would do well not to question the logics of practices which have so much time to stand behind them."

Sapphira hid her surprise well at Rialt's next comment, she thought he could not protect her? My my, this man knows more about my mind than I do! she thought with a mental laugh. He presumed to know so much, and yet truly knew so little. "I am afraid I missed the part where I said you could no protect me, Son. I do, however, recall saying that I do not need your protection, but I do not doubt your abilities." As much as she disliked the man, Sapphira had to admit that he could fight well, and could she stand his presence, and were she not Aes Sedai, likely would have been grateful for his protection. "I also do not need not desire the protection of any man nor woman you may call. As a few moments ago, I am still perfectly capable of protecting myself. If you worry about forkroot still, please do not, I know the taste of the herb and where to go to avoid that minty flavor in my tea." It was completely true, were the Oath on her tight enough to prevent twisting the truth that could have been said exactly as it had been.

OOC -- ;) you gotta love Rialt

Saphhira pursed her lips the first time Rialt called her by her title. What else did she expect him to call her? Saphhira? That would be entirely disrespectful, and just downright odd. But he had to admit to himself, that he really liked getting on her nerves, simply because she irritated him so much. LIGHT, she irritated him. She was constantly on high, always walking with her nose held upright at the world, because she was the Amyrlin. She held no regard what so ever to custom, no matter what she said about her Tower’s thousands of years of tradition. Tradition be burned! Of course the Mistress of Novices ruled the lower ranks in the White Tower, that was to be expected, he didn’t want it any other way. He just wanted alterations to certain customs that were outdated, and teaching methods that had no place in this Age. They had done away with the three oaths, why not with the mentality of women inferiority? Sure women held some of the most powerful positions in the world, but they were still treated as weaklings, even the Aes Sedai. That much was apparent by their use of the Gaidin.

Well, that’s not a very fair example; after all, they aren’t used just for protection… It was simply one of Rialt’s foremost beliefs that you could not govern properly without having known the fight, the issue, and how to resolve it on your own. But this was neither the time nor the place to get into an argument about Tower history as it were. “I do not question the logic or the validity of the White Tower’s training system, Mother.” He purposely enunciated the title, just so the wide-eyed people in the street knew exactly who she was, if they did not already. If she did not want protection, then she would be forced to go back to the Tower. And his method could not be criticized either, what would she cite? That he had shown respect for rank? “I simply believe in change, and as it stands, all institutions, including the millennia old Tower, are in need of it.”

The Creator forgive him if that was too harsh a conclusion. But he was content to simply drop that particular subject. There were always going to be things that he did not agree on with her, in fact, more than just a few, many… which is why perhaps it made sense that Zekieal had been made the M’Hael and not himself. Not that he ever expected to even move so high as Seeker, and he did not resent that decision what so ever, the man did a good job at it. And it was absolutely essential that the Amyrlin and M’Hael be able to cooperate with one another. He knew that his name had come up as a possible candidate after the last had died, but he was glad that it had not fallen to him. He was happy, or at least content with what the Wheel had woven for him.

Around the two, he observed his partially concealed plan falling into place. The people had a habit of picking up on what they wanted to hear, and they had certainly heard that she was the Amyrlin, thank the light she had only referred to him as Son, and not the Mahdi al’Tain. They would probably have confused it for the M’Hael and he would be in the same boat as she was now finding herself. However, she continued to argue her point. "I am afraid I missed the part where I said you could not protect me, Son. I do, however, recall saying that I do not need your protection, but I do not doubt your abilities." She didn’t doubt his abilities eh? Had it not been for the oaths he would have been able to safely assume that she was either lying, or twisting the truth to an extreme. She probably meant she didn’t doubt his abilities in…say using the One Power. She didn’t have to specify what, so it was not necessarily an untrue statement. “I am glad that you do not Mother, though it does bother me that you would not accept my invitation or that of aid. It shows perhaps, your lack of faith in the Black Tower.” He always long assumed she did not necessarily have much faith in the Tower, even if her former Red Shen partner was the M’Hael. That faith had its limits he was certain, and that is what he meant by it. But his tone was cold as he said the words and his demeanor was anything but humble.

Sapphira prayed again that Rialt would admit defeat, bow, and walk away, but again the prayer fell on deaf ears and Rialt opened his mouth, Sapphira could only guess to put his foot in it again. Which he did, though Sapphira had to admit the pride with which he did it made it seem almost deliberate, and one might have missed it if not waiting for it. He said that the Tower was not wrong, but they needed to change much of what they did. That was like saying up was up, but it needed to be left. Sapphira resisted the urge to then and there list all the changes that had been made to novice and Accepted training over the years, it was a long list, and the longer she had to stand here the worse her mood would become. So instead, she settled herself for, "I agree, changes do need to be made, and changes have been made over the years- many of them. However, our training thus far has been credible, the women we produce are not soft- if they were they would not survive novice training -simply our training is not as harsh as the Black Tower's. We do little training for war, because Aes Sedai are meant to prevent wars, they do, however, know how to protect themselves whenever necessary. That is why I see no need for an honor gaurd for a pleasure trip to the city."

She watched Rialt to see what he made of her little speech. He had to realize that no matter what he said, he could not change the way the White Tower was run, he was not Aes Sedai, and even if Sapphira herself suggested the kind of changes he wished, she would be scorned. Aes Sedai were creatures of habit as much as any other humans, and changing such strong tradition could well be devastating to Sapphira's support. Anyway, in Sapphira's mind the White Tower's traditions were quite effective, if they were not, the White Tower would have died out long before the Black was even thought about, long before the Dragon Reborn. Had she seen the early Black Tower, Sapphira probably would not have expected it to survive, but she had to admit that their methods must be quite good to survive the time when male channelers were murdered or "gentled" as they had then called it.

Sapphira was tired of this game, and she concidered letting her displeasure show when Rialt spoke yet again. However, she hid her frustration in the end, letting her emotions go would do nothing but make her feel better for a brief moment. She made certain her voice would be completely neutral before she spoke. "Again, I missed the strech of conversation where I said I doubt the Black Tower. I firmly beilieve in the Black Tower, and your abilities, I simply do not see the need for any honor gaurd, whether Asha'man or not." Doubt the Black? Light, if she doubted the Asha'man she would not have been raised Amyrlin, and she certainly would not have chosen to have a Red fringe on her Shawl. I had thought that the Asha'man taught their men to think before they spoke, but apparently I was under the wrong impression. How this man could be Asha'man- let alone Seeker -Sapphira was not entirely certain.

The Amyrlin sent up another quick prayer to the Light that Rialt would make his exit. It dawned upon Sapphira that she could be the one to leave first, but would that be like conceding defeat? She did not think so, really, but when she concidered what she would think of Rialt left first she had to admit, she would enjoy a small victory over the man, at least in her own mind. She studied the Seeker closely, wondering what he was thinking and what he was feeling. Were his emotions strong enough to make his Warder worry? If so, that in itself would be a small victory, Sapphira did not think her own emotions would make a Warder worry if she had one, but it seemed sometimes that Warders were very sensative about the protection of their Aes Sedai or Asha'man. The closest she had was Zekieal, the man was very protective of her, but there was no bond between them. She knew she should really not concider Zekieal in such a familiar manner now that they were not of the Red Shen any longer, but the past prevented forgetting that entirely. Even the thought of betraying Zekieal made her head hurt, and doing any more than that would put her in bed sick for at least a day.

Rialt was completely and utterly exausted and sick of the rhetoric that the woman kept on presenting him with. She was disregarding the ENIRE point of WHY he had not already walked off! Did she not realize that he would have been gone a long time ago if it had not been for her refusal at a Guard, one man even! But no, she was stubborn, always raising her nose at the most logical of proposals and calling Rialt down for his precautions. She probably did not realize at all, in the slightest, what it was that she was doing. He simply could not take her anymore, rank be burned in the pits of Shayol Gul, if she would not see past reason, then he was going to force it on her. He looked away from her gaze, trying with all of his might to will his feet to simply walk away and let her be, to not let simply her presence drive him insane. It did not work, and he knew that he was going to regret his next words.

He uncrossed his arms and threw them up in exasperation, raising his voice to a level he may have used on a Soldier caught breaking the rules, “Light woman you just do not listen to any reason what so ever! Will you not simply listen to me when I say that I have know wars, and I am telling you, that most incidents do not happen when you expect them!” The people around them cringed as they heard the shout break out from him, and they scampered off. He rolled his eyes, annoyed like he had not been in a long time. Only she could take a perfectly fine after noon and turn it into the most frustrating thing, so much that he wanted to stamp his feet into the ground in a tantrum. He threw up a ward, blocking off all outside sound in the side street they had taken over, after all, he did not want to completely embarrass her, he just wanted to make his point, and this was the only thing that ever seemed to register with her.

Light forsaken-woman! Rialt did not anger easily, he retained calm, interior and exterior in all situations…most of the time. This wasn’t just a reaction to this incident, it was to every other time she had ever angered him and he could do nothing about it. Of course now he could do nothing about either, but he did get a certain temporary satisfaction at yelling at her. She even gave him the response he was looking for. She widened her eyes slightly, ever so slighty, but it was enough to show him that she had not expected him to blow up at her. But he wasn’t done yet, she had gotten him going, he was not about to back down now, even if she petitioned to have him sent the the Master of Soldiers or Zekieal himself for penance. “You walk around here like you are invincible, and I have seen more prideful men and women than you yourself fall to their own ignorance. But you would not have reason! You would not listen to LOGIC even when it is staring you in the face!” BURN HER!! BLOODY WOMEN!!

He was not trying to upset her, he was not even trying to get on her nerves really. His allegiance was to the Tower, Zekieal and Sapphira had been close for many years. He would not ever wish to do something to upset his M’Hael. This no doubt, probably would, and he fully expected to find a lashing of the tongue not too far in his future, perhaps more if Sapphira put up enough fuss about being yelled at by the M’Hael’s chosen Seeker. Why had he chosen Rialt as Seeker? His reasons were not known, and he had never sat down to explain them. The decision was simply accepted and Rialt had taken the position without any protests. It was his Duty. It was also his Duty to ensure the safety of the Amyrlin, even when that safety undermined her own wishes. But of course, she would not see past her own interests, or to why he had done what he did.

(OOC: I swear I will get to this thread, I am soooo sorry, but I probably won't get to it today, I have sooo much catching up to do. Please forgive me!!!!)

(OOC: sorry for the double post, but I figured you'd see it faster this way. ;))

Sapphira kept her face neutral at Rialt's words, he was completely out of line, but Sapphira did not think that showing her anger would help any, as he was already making his very apparent. Suddenly, all sound disappeared, it was a slight shock, but Sapphira did not need to wonder what it was. Rialt had Warded them, so he held saidin, or at least, he had a moment ago. Knowing that the man had seized the Power did not bother her, but Sapphira did have a slight urge to take hold of saidar herself. She resisted though, there would have been no point in that, and even though she could not feel Rialt holding saidin, she knew he would feel it if she embraced the Source.

Sapphira opened her mouth to reply to Rialt, she had intended to be calm and cool, but what came out was not what she had planned on. "You may know war, Seeker, but this is not a war! No one would have recognized me as anything more than Aes Sedai if you had not insisted upon shouting it to the entire street, as it is I now have no hope of coming to the city again for at least a month, but more like a few years, without being recognized! Surely you understand that people need breaks now and then, obviously you are on one yourself, and without even your Warder to guard you. Tell me, what makes it right for you to be out without a guard and not myself!? Do I not have as much control over the Power as you? Do I not have the skills to protect myself- for certainly no Head of the Red Shen could lack that ability! Whether you remember or not, I was the Head, though I am no longer a Red, I still retain the knowledge. Or is it simply that I am a woman and you think me weak in both mind and body? If that is the case then listen to what I have to say, if I were weak in any way, then I would not be the Amyrlin, I have no doubt that I can protect myself and I am insulted that after all these years you still see me as weak! True, maybe I am of the weaker sex, but in the end I have something most do not, I have saidar on my side!"

Sapphira stopped talking, shouting really, her eyes glistening with anger. This man always made her angry, but never before had she succumbed to shouting at him. Some Aes Sedai wondered what good shouting did, but now Sapphira knew, shouting really did make one feel much better. Years of animosity between herself and Rialt backed the anger she was feeling, and even her blatant display of lack of self control could not calm her completely. "You say I will not listen to logic!? You have not listened to a single word I have said since you saw me. You saw that I was without a guard, and immediately decided that nothing I could say would be worth anything. Well, I have news for you, when I speak everyone listens, kings, queens, even the Lord Captain-Commander of the Whitecloaks! And, you are no exception Rialt, when I speak, you are expected to listen. You are expected to listen, and obey, nothing more. You are not my counsellor, but Zekieal's, do not try to take the job of my Keeper. If when you say something to me, I do not agree then you are to bow and leave, and if you really wish, then you tell Zekieal. You do not shout at me, under any circumstances! It is as unacceptable for you as it is for a novice! I say I do not want nor need a guard today, and so I shall not have one, accept it and let it go!"

Nothing Rialt could say would make Sapprhira concede to a guard, she knew the risks and she did not think they were overmuch to pay for not having a guard. One day where people did not recognize her was all she wished, and now that day was gone. It would have been bad enough if some stranger had seen her for who she was, but to have Rialt shout it when no one knew made her very angry. Sapphira had a strong feeling that she and Rialt would have a very difficult time getting over this arguement. Maybe if Rialt had had his guard with him Sapphira would have been more willing to listen, but who was this man to think that he could go around without his own guard and tell the Amyrlin Seat that she needed hers, simply because he had more experience in fighting. The lack of sound from the city street had caused Sapphira to forget about them when she was speaking, but now she remembered. Like herself, none of the city-folk could see Rialt's weave, and even if they could, the flows were quite tranparent, anyone watching would have been able to see that she was speaking quite heatedly, and probably guessed that she was shouting. Lip-reading would have told anyone what she had said, as well as what Rialt had said. She did not worry overmuch about her conversation being revealed, just that people had seen a woman they now knew was the Amyrlin shouting at a man who obviously had some power- he must in order to make the Amyrlin shout, after all.

What was done was done though, and Sapphira could not change the past, the news of this would be all over Tar Valon in an hour, or probably less, the worse the news the faster it spead, and this was certainly bad news in Sapphira's eyes. Again she thought about the fact that for at least a year she would not be able to come back to the city without being recognized, she would truly be penned in her own domain. Of course, she could always Travel somewhere else, perhaps she coudl pay a visit to another large city. Maybe Caemlyn or Ebou Dar, and maybe she would go as the Amyrlin, maybe. If she went there though she would need to use an illusion to get the agelessness off of her face, there were plenty of people who would poison an Aes Sedai on sight, Tar Valon was not exempt, but it was far, far, rarer here. Sapphira concentrated on Rialt again, and found that allowing her mind to wander a bit had calmed her some. The anger still glistened from her eyes, but she knew that it was less now. Her face looked much more serene, and her posture cool again. That was a bit of a relief, but Rialt's next words were sure to make her angry again, whatever he said would likely not be what Sapphira wished to hear.

“wait a second” Kiren said calmly as she moved behind the recruit. Lipon had a gift for archery; she could tell, he seemed to be like a raw diamond; and Kiren was certain about it that she would be able to take away all the dirt around him and polish him up in order to make him shine like none other in the Garrison. Not even Matzos, one of the Tower Guards rumoured to be nearly the best in archery had not shown this much of potential in his early days as a recruit.
“Look” she said as her eyes went to his feet “your stance is rather good already; but the coordination between your eyes and your hands leaves you a lot of work.” Her left hand gently took his left wrist while her right hand reached over his shoulder and took hold of his right arm. “you need to at least stand more like this” she said as she pushed and pulled a bit at his arms to make him stand correctly

Trough her bond she felt Rialt, how he was fed up well can’t blame the guy... with all that political and boring stuff and how he was moving; which was no surprise since he often just wondered out a bit to get some fresh air.

“now keep your arms like this” the said to the young recruit as she let go of him. “You might want to work out your muscles a bit... start with going to the Quartermaster and tell him I send you to ask for ‘archeryweights’ he’ll know what you need and then you’ll practice each day at least half an hour holding them in this stance. It will improve your ability and make your arrows more fatal”
the lad nodded.
For a bit Kiren just went on teaching Lipon about how to combine his eyes and his hands and in the meanwhile she kept her wits upon what Rialt was doing. After a bit however she felt him moving into the city however and let the recruit work on his own as she followed her Asha’man in a fast, yet no hurried pace.


As she was making her way to the city however, she suddenly felt how he became annoyed after a slight hint of... well it wasn’t exactly pain; it was more like he humped into something; or someone. But since she was in one of the busiest cities of the world; Tar Valon; that was hardly anything to worry about so she merely stopped and bought herself a bit of meatpie from one of the merchants after the scent had immensely tickled her sensitive nostrils. She munched the pie contently as she continued making her way trough the city. Off course Rialt most likely would not need her assistance; not in this city at least; but then again, what kind of gaidin would she be if she didn’t do this kind of bothersome following of her bondmate. Besides; it gets me away from the traininggrounds and into this lovely city... damn... that pie was nice... maybe I should go back and buy another one? she thought as she licked her fingers, but she was kept from going back because of the growing annoyance of her bondmate and a bit reluctant she fastened her pace a bit.

Letting her bond guide her trough the city, Kirens feet began to move faster and faster as Rialts mood swung from slightly annoyed to severely irritated and now was quite angry. As she suddenly felt a certain cool sense of extra trouble and fighting spirit be woven in the delicate bundle of his emotions she knew that he had grasped the One Power, and concern made her rather fast pace turn into a run towards where she sensed him nearby in the meanwhile fingering her arrows.
Because of the earlier training with Lipon; her bow was still ready to use, but she doubted she’d manage to use it in this crowd, if it was necessary at all.

As she reached a bit of a thicker crowd she knew that she was where he was oh nice, a big scene... no wonder he’s so angry She slowed down a bit and agilely moved trough the crowd that was looking to an open spot where two people were soundlessly discussing something; Anger seemed to erupt from her bondmate and even though Kiren couldn’t see the face of the woman he was angry at; she too smelled deep with an anger that could nearly border hate.

She had stopped and now calmly made her way over the empty spot to her Asha’mans side, wondering who this woman was that had made him feel like this; for a moment Rialts eyes met a golden inquiring gaze.

As soon as he had stopped shouting, the woman, the AMYRLIN SEAT for Light’s sake, began yelling right back! He couldn’t quite believe it, that her complete and utter outside calm was so ruptured. She was red in the face, and was yelling at him at the top of her lungs it sounded like! If he hadn’t been so furious, he would have laughed. But nothing about the situation was funny to Rialt. He had TRIED to explain to this horribly difficult woman, his reasoning for his intrusion on her day, he had even been civil, had been all formality and respect by calling her Mother. Of course that was a two way street, but he was willing to ruin her privacy and secrecy to make his point. He was a little malicious in that regard, and she knew it, but she could not prove it.

"You say I will not listen to logic!? You have not listened to a single word I have said since you saw me. You saw that I was without a guard, and immediately decided that nothing I could say would be worth anything.” He moved to speak, that was not true at all! She was with without a guard, what excuse did she have aside from that fact? NONE! She was being completely foolish; didn’t she realize he hadn’t wanted to run into her either? No, of course not, she must have thought in her closed and horribly narrow mind that he was trying to sabotage her, to completely ruin any amount of peace that she could gain for herself this day and any other day. As if he went back to his rooms and plotted on how to ruin Sapphira Calren’s life. He didn’t give a rats ass about her, except that she was the Amyrlin, and as such, he considered it one of his duties to assure her safety at all times. He was hardly as important as she was, and if one of them were to meet their death, he did prefer it to himself and not her, even if he liked nothing about her.

“Well, I have news for you, when I speak everyone listens, kings, queens, even the Lord Captain-Commander of the Whitecloaks! And, you are no exception Rialt, when I speak, you are expected to listen. You are expected to listen, and obey, nothing more.” Everyone indeed, you spoiled Noble wench! How much fuller can she be of herself, how is this possible that the most powerful woman in the world is such an irresponsible and ignorant louse!? Light!! He was quivering with a rage that he hadn’t felt in months. Rialt just did not get angry, he got severely annoyed at most, but he didn’t often looks his temper. Especially not when SHE could come back and use it as a slight against him. He knew she lobbied to have him removed from the position of Seeker, but Zekieal would not have it. Oh that WOMAN, talking to me about respect and listening skills! How DARE she preach to me about rank? I haven't shown anything but regard for her office since I have known her! A stretch, but he had never intentionally gone out of his way to hurt her, or to cause her problems. He held his respectful distance, and she held hers, no equivocations at all.

“You are not my counselor, but Zekieal's, do not try to take the job of my Keeper. If when you say something to me, I do not agree then you are to bow and leave, and if you really wish, then you tell Zekieal. You do not shout at me, under any circumstances!” He could take no more of her nonsensical blathering… “You’re right I’m NOT your counselour, thank the LIGHT for THAT. I will NEVER lower myself to the jobs and standards in which you hold me Amyrlin, let’s make that certain right now. It is my DUTY to see that you are protected whether you would WISH it or NOT, and yes, I DO understand the desire to be alone. I was not suggesting you have someone BATHE with you, I merely request, and not under my own law mind you, that you are accompanied by one other person when going abroad. Bring an Aes Sedai for all I care, but DO NOT diminish my EFFORTS to hold your SAFETY above all else.” He had lowered his voice, but it remained heated and full of anger. He wasn’t going to simply walk away and smile just because she held rank over him. Yes, Zekieal would probably have something to say to him for this, but Rialt would deal with that as he always had.

He held a death grip on the daggers he had just bought, and felt like throwing them against the far wall, but a fit beyond he raising his voice was not what he wanted Sapphira to see of him. He was going to continue, but realized that Kiren had popped up in the back of his mind, clearer than ever. He looked around to where he saw her, and she walked towards him with purpose and a swift stride in her steps. Her eyes looked up in his searchingly, probably wondering what in the Light was the matter, and why he was so furious. Concern and most of Caution, laced the bond. She stepped through the Ward he had set in place and made her way to his side. He didn’t tell her to go away. Sapphira would know now that he had not gone into the city by himself at all. He merely stared down at her from his height and waited to see what her response was going to be. He tried to give Kiren as reassuring a glance as possible, to say that he was not in danger, but it was a bit difficult to do so without giving a signal to Sapphira. He would NOT appear weak in this woman’s eyes. He simply would NOT. He was going to try to contain himself, but if Sapphira continued to speak to him in such a manner, he was going to loose the little bit of self control he DID retain.

Sapphira had expected that Rialt had shouted himself out already, but she was not overly surprised when he, again, began abusing his lungs. At first she schooled her face to passiveness and was completely prepared to respond calmy and rationally, but his words and tone combined set her off again. She would not take this, not from anyone! Who did this man think he was, to order the Amyrlin?! She knew he thought her pompus, but truly she was not. She knew her position, and she knew that in order to be respected she had to act as if she had control over people, which she did. Over the years she had grown quite used to being obeyed, but she never forgot about her past as a commoner. I cannot believe Zekieal puts up with this! Given the man's attitude, Rialt would long have been pinned to a wall and bleeding by now, and yet somehow the Seeker did not have the self control to speak calmly. Just as she opened her mouth to reply to his disrespectful words, a woman walked into the Ward. Obviously Rialt's Warder, even if Sapphira had not known that she would have recognized it instantly. Apparently Rialt had not come to the city alone, but if he had not why had he not said so? Perhaps she had felt his agitation and come, though Sapphira wondered how she could be so worried when she knew he was safe somewhere in Tar Valon.

Sapphira looked at the two together for a moment, wondering what metal signals they were sending each other, this would make what she had to say to Rialt more difficult. She doubted Kiren would appriciate hearing her Asha'man shouted at, so Sapphira moderated her face and voice, though her tone still held her anger and borderline hatred, at least it was not shouting. "Seeker, the jobs and standards to which I hold you are not determined by myself, but by you. The way you treat others and myself, the way you go about your jobs, and the incredible amount of hypocricy I constantly see from you determine the standards at which I hold you. I have told you before, I wish to be alone and bringing even one person with me would make that impossible, apparently I should define 'alone' for you, as you seem slightly unaware of its meaning." Sapphira felt her face escape some of the hold on it, her anger furrowing her brows and setting her mouth and eyes into an expression that could not be mistaken, when she spoke again, her voice had gained heat and was a bit louder than before. "If your wish is only to keep me safe, then I know it is not out of any love for me, only because of your precious 'duty.' Well then Rialt, I relieve you of that duty, you no longer need concern yourself with my safety, that will be a matter of myself, Zekieal and Lyla alone! Now, since you no longer need worry about that, if you would I still wish to be alone, and since seeing you I've been less and less alone," she added the last bit with a glance at Kiren, what would the woman think of that?

Sapphira again tried to school her face to serenity, and it worked partially. Her eyes still flashed with anger though, and running through a novice exercise for calm did not even occur to her. She had to admit to herself that she was not only releasing her anger at Rialt, but all the anger she was forced to bite back on a daily basis, all her frustrations at life were finding an outlet in the man standing before her. At least this time she was certain she would not do something rash like smack the man, or much worse begin to cry as she had earlier that day. That thought did not help, unbidden her mind flashed back to the day's meeting with Zekieal, Light, given what had happened earlier, Sapphira was not certain whose side the man would choose. The Light knew he had reason to be angry with her, but then concidering the depth of Rialt's behavior it was possible he might side with her. Then again, he would probably agree with his Seeker that she needed a guard with her, she suppressed a sigh, wondering about Zekieal right now would do her no good whatsoever.

ooc -- woohoo my 400th post!

He thought that once and for all, he had made his point, that he was calm about it. He had NOT shouted, not a tiny bit, but she was dead set on putting him in his place. She may have been the Amyrlin Seat, but that did not give her the right to treat Rialt in such a manner and to completely disregard an agreement that was for her own safety. He should not have risen his voice to her in the first place and he silently berated himself for doing so. That was stupid, absolutely and utterly stupid. She was going to have something to yell at him about now, and he certainly did not need more of the same from her. She was absolutely writhing with the anger, though at the same time, she managed a stiff control. The same that kept him rooted to the spot. A hundred and seventy nine years of life had taught Rialt to school himself, but around this woman, all of it went out the window it seemed. He could barely hold onto even the slightest of dignity around her, enough sometimes, but on this day it had abandoned him. He saw Kiren, standing next to him, a deep concern etched through the bond, but she played as if nothing was the matter. He thanked her for that. Of course Sapphira knew she had upset Rialt, but she did not know that Kiren had come in response to the unrest that the woman made him feel. How could such a completely useless and pompous woman be made the Amyrlin Seat?

She had lowered her voice, though it still held on the edge of breaking back into a bit of a shout. He listend to her, listend to her ramble on and on about being alone. Being alone was a comfort one was not afforded in her situation. If she wanted to be alone, she should stay in her rooms, or her office. He sighed though, and finally he rub his forehead in frustration. No matter what he spoke of she was just not going to see his point, so he leaned back and waited for her tirade to finish. When she drew to a close, he didn’t wait a moment to respond at all. “I sincerely hope it is not Love that you seek in office Sapphira Calren; the Amyrlin Seat is hardly one of the most loved people in the world.” There, he had said it, her full name. But that didn’t lessen any of the…well the hate that he had for this insufferable woman. “You are correct, I do set many of the tasks that I perform, but I also realize that the Black Tower is better off with those things being done. One of them is caution, and I would urge you to learn IT’s meaning. If you feel a penance is necessary for my words, I will gladly pay it. If that is all, I wish you a good day.” He promptly put his fist to heart, gave her a slight bow, and waited for her to dismiss him.

He glanced over at Kiren after he straightened, wondering what she might be thinking. She understood that he had to bow to this woman…but if she was his Warder, he had always thought her allegiances lay more to the Black Tower than the white. What an interesting fate it would be to have an Asha’mans warder loyal to the White Tower over the Black. Of course there were not supposed to be any kind of allegiances, the Garrison was of the Duel Towers, but that didn’t stop favoritism. He wondered if after so long, she tired of his presence. It was not that he believed her to be weary of him, he just wondered sometimes why it was that she had accepted his offer in the first place. He hadn’t really asked her… not in direct words. He made a mental note to talk with her later…well, that was of course if Sapphira didn’t decide to give him some menial penance. She would really show her true colors if she assigned him to some trivial task. She would be wasting not only his time, but that of the Black Towers and also that of Zekieals. Depending on the task, he would have to pick up whatever Rialt couldn’t get done. He wondered half heartedly why he had given in to the Amyrlin’s protests and demands…he could have stood there all day arguing with her. But after the explosion they had just had, he honestly couldn’t say whether or not he was going to be mucking stalls or the like. He didn’t know her to be vengeful, but then again, she was a Red… What a sight, the Mahdi al’Tain, mucking stalls next to the Soldiers…

Sapphira listened as Rialt told her things she already knew, and then went on about the love of the Amyrlin. Sapphira nearly laughed, the words 'love' and 'Amyrlin' in the same sentence were rarely heard in a positive manner. "If I were looking for love, I would not have accepted the staff and stole, even within the Tower I hardly have the love of everyone there," she said, almost icily with a raised eyebrow at the perfect example standing before her. Sapphira wondered briefly whether Kiren would resent this arguement, and in the future treat Sapphira differently. Surely she recognized that Rialt was a grown man, just because she was his Warder did not mean she had to share his opinions. Sapphira was caught slightly off guard by Rialt's sudden bow, as if he had actually listened when she relieved him of his 'duty' to her. She did not let it show on her face though, only her usual expression, normal and serene now. She felt surprisingly triumphant though, she had gotten the Seeker to back down, and not just any Seeker, but Zekieal's, the m'Hael was the most stubborn man she knew, except perhaps Rialt.

For a moment, Sapphira concidered sending Rialt to Zekieal or Haras for a penance, he had said he would gladly take it after all. However, there were so many reasons that would not work Sapphira could hardly contain them all. First, the Seeker serving a penance would start rumors, and decrease his respect from everyone, and it would take the other man's time, time that would be better spent doing something productive. And if it got out that she sent him there would be yet more rumors, and the Aes Sedai would respect her less for not dealing with whatever it was herself. No, sending such a respected man for penance was not a good idea, no matter how tempting the thought was. "Why thank you Rialt, I am glad you have seen my view. Have a safe trip back to the Tower," she said with what might be called a pleasant smile. If Rialt took it one way, it would be seen as a command to return to the Tower, but Sapphira really only meant a safe trip whenever he chose to go, she did not, however, care which he understood, as long as he left.

Sapphira blinked when sound crashed back upon her, apparenlty Rialt had let his ward go, and the man turned and left, going back the way he had come. Sapphira watched him until she turned, then looked at the surprised faces of those few who had stayed to watch what had happened. She said nothing to them, only turned and made her way out of the small street. Already people knew, it seemed, everywhere she went, there was at least a few people pointing at her and whispering. She sighed and frowned, there was no point in staying out here, it would be worse than being in the Tower. She made her way back through the streets, becoming increasingly less comfortable as the whispers grew more frequent and open, she heard the word "Amyrlin" whispered more than once. When she finally reached the Tower again she was relieved, and cursing Rialt for ruining her perfect afternoon. She made her way back up to her office, not bothering to acknowledge the curtsies and bows she recieved on the way. She nodded to Lyla then stepped back into her study, sat behind her desk and picked up her paperwork once again.