Res as he was called now, walked into the mess hall, looking around for a place to sit. it was midday, but after lunch the hall was fairly empty. Grabbing a tray from the counter, Res took a seat eating ravenously he had been training since early that morning wiht no dinner or breakfast. He wonderd is he could get another plate after this one.


Gulping down his food, he forcibly slowed himself down. He was not an animal he had a name, and he was human. Although after that brutal training session he was no longer sure. He was not sire whether he would drop asleep before he could finish his food. He was no longer sure what meal this was considering hehad missed many today.

He looked up as several Novices passed, and a few moments later an Asha'man, and an Aes Sedai. Then a few more Soldiers. Great it was getting more croweded. Sighing he returned to his food. Digging in heartily.

He had been up all night channeling until his head felt ready to fall off. He was not completly sure it had to tell the truth. But that was not important right now. Staying alive was all that matterd. Staying alive. Focusing on that he did not hear right away when someone came up behind him.

((OOC: hope you don't mind))

Cayana had been a bit down hearted of late. A natural thing when the person she had allowed into her heart, life and secrets just confessed to her to be a former darkfriend. She still hadn't been able to grasp that idea, how could anyone be a former darkfriend. But she knew his story and she knew that until she settled her thoughts and decided what to do about it she couldn't tell a soul. The funny thing is, a thing as this would be something I'd normally talk to him about.... She thought to herself as she walked along the halls towards the Mess Hall.

As of late Cayana made sure to stay in public. Radgar had pulled a lot of troubles with him to the towers, and if he had been lying, extremely convincingly, it was best not to go somewhere where she could get herself in more trouble. Being put in the infirmary for the night had been quite enough. Even if he wasn't she needed to be careful. Even if she would rather look up where they brought that weird thing they where carrying. Cayana hadn't been allowed to be apart of the follow up on that though, they never liked when she got into fights in Tar Valon, which was quite understandable. At least you weren't fighting against channelers this time, but please Cayana stop doing this, and get yourself a warder. Gemenas voice echoed in her head as she walked though the doors to the mess hall. The place was stuffed and Cayana almost turned to walk out again, but she then just sighed and went to get some food. She couldn't very well go without food now could she, and eating in her office wasn't a very good idea no matter the circumstances.

After having gotten herself some food she started walking around the mess hall looking for a place to sit. The place was so brisling with people that it was hard to see even a lone spot. Suddenly Cayana saw a table only occupied by one person, a soldier of the Black Tower and she steered her path there. If he didn't wish to speak to her, she could still sit at that table without disturbing him.
She walked up behind him and asked him politely. "Do you mind if I join you Soldier?" There was nothing degrading in her voice in the way she used his title. Sure she expected to be respected for who she was, but the way most Aes Sedai made sure of that, talking down to others, was something Cayana did not practice outside of the White Tower, ever, unless she was seriously upset.

((OOC: Not at all))


Resolute looked up as an Aes Sedai enterd the mess. She was to put it simply, Beautiful. A Vision that hurt his eyes. AS she glided through the room, he realised he was staring. Quickly he adverted his eyes, and closed his mouth. He didn't think he had been seen but one oucld never truly be sure. He heard several Novices nearby whispering. From what he gatherd that was the Mistress of Novices. Cayana Sedai. Resolute was kind of surprised form some of the stories he had heard from Novices he would have expected an older harsher looking woman. Ah well then not that it really matterd.


Turning back to his meal, he became aware of slwly descending silence that came in his direction in waves, then continued after a pause. He was surprised when a cool voice spook behind him."Do you mind if I join you Soldier?" Fortunetly his mouth was not full for a moment, so he could reply. "Uh..of course not Aes Sedai." For a moment he almost stood, not sure exactly what the protocol was for Seating an Aes Sedai. Especially when you were but a Soldier. Deciding not to stand, Resolute remained in his seat watching the Aes Sedai. For a moment there was silence as each one choose to eat. Resolute relaxed. This would not be so bad after all it appeared. But after a few moments, he realise dhe would rather speak then have this uncomfortable silence. Scrambling fro something to say, he decided to start with formalites.

"I do not beleive we have met before Aes Sedai, I am Resolute al'Therin, son of Harnin al'Therin former Genreal of the Queen's Guards in Andor. He doubted that she would recognise his father's name few outside of Andor rememberd it. Rare among Aes Sedai and Asha'man to be sure. But it was proper to give your father's name when speaking. There was a chance she knew of him, he had been somewaht famous. At least to other kings, and their Generals.

Taking another bte, he waited for the Aes Sedai to repky. The first lesson in life as a Soldier of both The Tower, or the Queen's Guards was being hasty could get you killed.

Even with the care of not being impolite the soldier, as most seemed a bit unsure of what to do. "Uh..of course not Aes Sedai." He said and seemed to be about to stand for a moment, Cayana half ignored what he did and didn't and just put her tray down before taking her seat. He stayed seated and seemed to relax somewhat. Silence fell and Cayana went back to her thoughts without much concern of the young soldier. Suddenly though he broke the silence and spoke. "I do not beleive we have met before Aes Sedai, I am Resolute al'Therin, son of Harnin al'Therin former Genreal of the Queen's Guards in Andor." Cayana took a sip of her water to swallow down her food before answering him with a smile. "Nice to meet you soldier Resolute. I'm Cayana Alhi, Aes Sedai of the Green and the Mistress of Novices." She heard a noise that wasn't all to common for her to hear, a breath catching. It came from behind her and Cayana looked over her shoulder. At the table behind her there were a few novices seated, they were very occupied with eating for the moment, so occupied that it had been obvious that they had been listening in. Ignoring them she turned back to Resolute. "I'm sorry to say I don't know your fathers name, outside of the noble families I know very little of the important people in Andor." She gave him an apologetic smile. Her mother, would Cayana still have cared, would have been quite upset with Cayana for not knowing the generals of the different armies around the world. Once she had been forced to memorize all the names of noble families, their heritage when it came to the great ones and the most important names in the different armies. Since then Cayana had forgotten everything about that which had interested her the least as a novice. Oddly enough she had picked up the interest again but still she hadn't even thought of memorizing names.

"Are you new at the Towers? Or have you been here for a while?" Since the last change of Master of Soldiers, Cayana didn't have the same cooperation as before. The names of outstanding soldiers and dedicated, to the good or bad, wasn't something that passed her ears as often anymore. Then again, Resolute might not have been outstanding in either way and if he had been around back then still not mentioned. He didn't seem to know her on sight though, which was partly nice for a change. When she dealt with recruits, or at least younglings, most knew at least a few odd stories and had had her pointed out at some point or an other. Some of those were stories Cayana would rather never have caused, some were novices being angry wanting to cause trouble. None described the exact true event. But then again, rumors never did that.

"Nice to meet you soldier Resolute. I'm Cayana Alhi, Aes Sedai of the Green and the Mistress of Novices." Resolute strained not to gape. The Mistress of Novices Light! It was like eating with...something dangerous, and yet Resolute resisted the urge to sigh. He seemed ot be doing that a lot around Aes Sedai he noticed. He wonderd if all men felt that way around Aes Sedai. The Mistress looked away a moment, before returning back to their conversation.

"I'm sorry to say I don't know your fathers name, outside of the noble families I know very little of the important people in Andor." She gave him an apologetic smile. Actually REsolute felt almost releived at that. More people knew about him, and his father than he was happy about. He did not want to be special, at least not right now, no he only wanted to get rasied.

"Are you new at the Towers? Or have you been here for a while?"

Resolute paused considering his words. What he said could have a backlash, but in his present mood he did not care. "I have been here for some time Aes Sedai." He said softly, slowly. "My Mentor, Rialt Asha'man, is often very busy, and as such I fear I will be a Soldier for a long time yet."

He sighed, something about thsi woman made him want to talk, he had not talked to anyone in a while before he could stop himself, or even think about it, he was telling his story. "I was not always named Resolute Aes Sedai, Although I no longer speak my name. My father was the Genreal of the Queen's Guard, and he died in the Blight rescuing some fool Noble's children who wanted to be heroes."

The thought of that was still bitter, he blamed the Shadow of course, but those fool brats for his father's death n some degree. "At the time i was a Captain in the Guard, partially because of my raising as a child. I trained alongside the Sword Prince of Andor, we were good friends actually. Then I found myself on a mission in the Blight, and I channeled, and now I am here. Several years later. A trained warrior, waiting to be able to fihgt again."

he realised he sounded very complainful, and self-pitying. He felt his ears flush. "Forgive me aEs sedia, I do not know what came over me."

"I have been here for some time Aes Sedai." Resolute told her, "My Mentor, Rialt Asha'man, is often very busy, and as such I fear I will be a Soldier for a long time yet." Cayana just managed to keep her face as serene as before. She had been a little out of control lately, and Rialt she had a connection with she did not want to reveal. How many such connections will I have before I tell one about an other? "I was not always named Resolute Aes Sedai," Resolute suddenly said, "Although I no longer speak my name." Then he started telling his story in a way which made him sound like one of her novices after having been told to explain their actions. "My father was the Genreal of the Queen's Guard, and he died in the Blight rescuing some fool Noble's children who wanted to be heroes." Hey, I remember that.... Cayana thought to herself. Andoran military people on boarderland soil wasn't something common. "At the time i was a Captain in the Guard, partially because of my raising as a child. I trained alongside the Sword Prince of Andor, we were good friends actually. Then I found myself on a mission in the Blight, and I channeled, and now I am here. Several years later. A trained warrior, waiting to be able to fight again." That he had also been in the blight didn't make him less remarkable. He didn't seem to like to be here though, the way he said it all after what he had just told about. His ears reddened and he said: "Forgive me Aes Sedai, I do not know what came over me."

Cayana waved it away. "Don't worry about it, I'm pretty used to hearing similar things. My condolences to you about your father, the blight has taken many life's that it will never give back or make up for." She had a sad look on her face as she spoke. It wasn't all to long ago since she found out about the devastated farm belonging to some of her former friends. Her friends fates was something she still was uncertain about. "And I'm sorry to hear Mahdi Rialt has so little time for his own charges, do you have anyone that is training you besides him though?" She hoped so, even Asha'man weren't foolish enough to let the youngest initiates roam around on their own accord just because the one that had most responsibility for them were busy. On top of that it wasn't fair to the soldiers.

He told her that Asha'man Garnian had been teaching him the basics and Cayana nodded. She didn't know Garnian, neither had she ever heard his name, but there were many she didn't know in the Black Tower. "Do you like it here? Or do you wish to leave once your training as a soldier is complete?" It would be sad to see anyone try the tests when they didn't want to stay. Far to many were lost in the arches already. Far to many. Cayana didn't like it, not at all, she kept a close eye on her novices to make sure they would at least have a chance of passing the test once they were called. She hated loosing novices, last time she had had been one of the worst days of her life.

(OOC: If I assumed anything he wouldn't say, please, just tell me and I'll change the post :) )

((OOC: Im fine with it))


The Aes Sedai dismissed his apologies. "Don't worry about it, I'm pretty used to hearing similar things. My condolences to you about your father, the blight has taken many life's that it will never give back or make up for." She had a sad look on her face as she spoke.

Resolute spoke softly. "Thank you Aes Sedai." He was still a little shocked at what he had told a woman he had known for five minutes. She just seemed to be that sort of person. Resolute had known people like that before. He was not surprised that a Mistress of Novices should have that talent among her armoury.


"And I'm sorry to hear Mahdi Rialt has so little time for his own charges, do you have anyone that is training you besides him though?" Resolute blincked he had not expected her to care. "Why no Aes Sedai, Garnian Asah'man has taught me how to use the Source."

Do you like it here? Or do you wish to leave once your training as a soldier is complete?" Resolute hesitated. "The thoguth has occured ot me Aes Sedai." He said softly. "However, I think I will stay. Garnian Asha'man told me that if I do stay I will one day be very strong. Especially in Fire." He said with a small hint of pride. "I even know I wish to join the Dancers of Death."

he had once hoped to join the Red, but his hopes had already been shatterd for that.

Resolute hesitated before he answered her question. Cayana wondered why, but then again, these questions were personal. "The thoguth has occured ot me Aes Sedai." He said softly. "However, I think I will stay. Garnian Asha'man told me that if I do stay I will one day be very strong. Especially in Fire." He seemed to feel pride at that and Cayana couldn't help but to smile a small smile at that. It had been a while since she had felt anything beyond this type of joy. She missed it. "I even know I wish to join the Dancers of Death." As he said that Cayana lifted an eyebrow. "So you are a good healer then?" Not only had it been Rialts old Shen, she shared the talent her father had. Healing was a good talent to have, but due to her own stubbornness she was no were near as good as she should be. "How come you'd like to join the al'N'dore al'mordero?" There was always more behind that then the talent you had for something. The Ajah or Shen you chose was your calling, what you would do and deal with for the rest of your life. You could not change it.

Talking to Resolute like this felt pretty much like talking to Radgar. It hurt to realize that but she couldn't help that this young man was showing as much honesty and straightforwardness as Radgar did that first time, or the second... She missed him, missed their talks, but she couldn't understand how she could have trusted him so much that she had missed the part that would have caused her to hang him had she known from the start. Then again nothing would have evolved the way it had had she known from the start. Pushing away the memories she concentrated on the conversation she was in and continued to eat her food.

As he said that Cayana Sedai lifted an eyebrow. "So you are a good healer then?" Resolute paused, his ears reddened again, if slightly this time. "Ah no, That is to say not exceptional Aes Sedai."

"How come you'd like to join the al'N'dore al'mordero?" Resolute sighed faintly. "I was told Aes Sedai that that was where I belonged. It was amde clear to me. I was told good healing was not all that was required. To me they are the fiercest, and most skilled warriors. Dancing with Death." A faint grin appeared on his face. "I am happy with that, although once I did aspire to the Red, that dream is long past."

The Aes Sedai was watching him strangely, as he talked. He knew Aes sedai often did things like that to throw others off, but this was different. He could not place it, nor did he think he would ever be able to. He sighed again to himself. Women. Aes Sedai. Bah!

They had a tenedeny towards being superior he had noted. But then again so did some Asha'man he could name. He looked back at the Aes Sedai, who was still quiet after he had finished speaking.

"If I may ask Cayanah Sedai whay did you choose Green?"

Telling her he had been told that he belonged in the al'N'dore al'mordero Cayana wondered if he had any idea what he really wanted. She hoped he would decide before he was to get raised, she hoped it whole heartedly, knowing what might happen if he wasn't set in his mind on what to do. He then told her that he really had wanted to be Red, but that he had forsook the dream long ago. She wondered why, the man was only a soldier yet? But of course he admired the Dancers of Death, that was clear from his description of them. Although she did not quite agree she understood his view, she had heard it before, long ago, from an other soldier.

Then of course he returned her question, asking why a certain fraction suited best. Swallowing her last bite she started to answer. "Because the Greens laid closest to my heart and devotion in life." Pausing she looked straight at him before continuing. "Growing up near the blight it marks you, in my case enough to want to fight to get rid of it all." She just waited for the next question, one Radgar once had asked her: if she was so keen on wanting to get rid of the shadowspawn that plagued the boarderlands why was she the Mistress of Novices, stuck in the Towers? Explaining it to Radgar had been different then the way she had to explain it to Resolute if he should ask. Radgar she had been set on bonding at that time, so she had no problems explaining that her age was a big factor in it all, but you didn't do that to anyone none Aes Sedai normally, you didn't even speak of it with Aes Sedai...

As he spoke the Aes Sedai gave him that cool, studying look they all seemed to have perfected. Resolute met her stare as well as he could, which was not nearly as good as hers. At his quesion, Swallowing her last bite she started to answer. "Because the Greens laid closest to my heart and devotion in life." Pausing she looked straight at him before continuing. "Growing up near the blight it marks you, in my case enough to want to fight to get rid of it all."

Resolute nodded slightly, he understood somewhat of how she felt. He had been to the Blight before, seen its evil, sensed, lost friends and family to the Blight. After the Aes sedai finished speaking, she was silent, Resolute was no fair judge of Aes Sedai, but she seemed almost waiitng for something. He was not sure but there was a strange look in her eyes now.

Realising there was something to say, Resolute frantically thought of something to say to fill the silence. Realising he was still slighlty unnerved. Only one question came to mind, but it was quite rude, he thought.

There was nothing else to say he realised in a moment of panic. Sighing he spoke again. "I belevie I understand a bit of what you are saying Aes Sedai, I would destroy the Blight in a heartbeat if I could. I expect I will go there many more times. For my own sanity. But if I may ask, dosen't being the Mistress of Novices interfeere with your goals?"

He hoped he had not offeneder her but that was all he could think of to say.

((OOC: I assumed you wanted me to ask you that if you want me to edit lemme know.))

For a moment Cayana didn't think he would ask and she almost relaxed her thoughts a bit from formulating an answer, but the longer he spoke the more sure she got that he would ask. "I belevie I understand a bit of what you are saying Aes Sedai, I would destroy the Blight in a heartbeat if I could. I expect I will go there many more times. For my own sanity. But if I may ask, dosen't being the Mistress of Novices interfeere with your goals?" Giving the young man a small smile she answered him without really hesitating. "There are more ways to fight against the shadow then head on eye to eye. Really eye to eye combat alone is quite futile, but if you have more people with you you can do more damage. To make sure the novices here get a good education and are pushed in a way to make them chose to stay here benefits the White Tower, with a Master of Soldiers doing the same for the Black the Towers are strengthened. Some of the novices are bound to choose either the Green or the Red for their future, which primary concern is the shadow and it's allies. Even if they choose the other Ajahs, the fight against the shadow is still strengthened. The Gray meddles trying to make peace between countries, peace strengthens the world and we can fight back better. The browns seek lost knowledge, some of which help in the fight against the shadow." She gave a sudden laugh. "I could speak about this for I long time I'm afraid, explaining it all, but I wouldn't want to bore you."

Taking an other bite she leaned back looking at Resolute. "Why do you truly want to be with the Dancers of Death? What could you do to strengthen them?" She wasn't sure that this soldier would appreciate the questions, it was questions he had to ask himself should he really want to stay. That they where fierce fighters wasn't truly enough, to make it though all the tests he had to burn with the will to get past it all. Even those who seemed strong and seemed to have that didn't always pass. How many have I seen break down and leave? or die in the arches? How many did before my time? Cayana kept her thoughts to herself as she waited for an answer from the soldier.

((hmm i feel like I've said this before...perhaps they should meet agian later?))

Giving him a small smile she answered him without really hesitating. "There are more ways to fight against the shadow then head on eye to eye. Really eye to eye combat alone is quite futile, but if you have more people with you you can do more damage. To make sure the novices here get a good education and are pushed in a way to make them chose to stay here benefits the White Tower, with a Master of Soldiers doing the same for the Black the Towers are strengthened. Some of the novices are bound to choose either the Green or the Red for their future, which primary concern is the shadow and it's allies. Even if they choose the other Ajahs, the fight against the shadow is still strengthened. The Gray meddles trying to make peace between countries, peace strengthens the world and we can fight back better. The browns seek lost knowledge, some of which help in the fight against the shadow." She gave a sudden laugh. "I could speak about this for I long time I'm afraid, explaining it all, but I wouldn't want to bore you."

Resolute shook his head. "I see what you are saying Aes Sedai, and I must admit it makes sense. But the kind fo person I am, I grew up to be." He smiled fiantly. "I dont think I could do that."

"Why do you truly want to be with the Dancers of Death? What could you do to strengthen them?"

Resolute considerd her words carefully for a moment, planning his own thoughts and organising his response. "I beleive Aes Sedai he said softly. I beleive I was born to fight." I have never known another world than the one I live in. The al'aman val they are to emotional for me I suppose. My war is personal they took my father from me, and they will pay in blood." Anger grated his voice. "The al'Doon M'taal are mediators. Mediation has never been one of my strong points." he said weakly. "Then there is the al'Cha Dieb. I have been told I will be powerful one day, but my desires lie different from theirs they seek knowledge, while the knowledge I wish for is how to destroy." He smiled weakly at her. "I was trained to fight since before I could barely walk. My first toy was a dull dagger. I was bred for this." He smiled faintly. "My mentor Rialt Asha'man seems to think I would do well there too." He knew Rialt had once been a member of that Shen, but he was Mahdi now.

He looked back at the Mistress of Novices. Meeting her gaze calmly. He had told her much, but did she understand?

At her long story while she took an other bite of her food Resolute shook his head and responded. "I see what you are saying Aes Sedai, and I must admit it makes sense. But the kind fo person I am, I grew up to be." With a faint smile he added, "I dont think I could do that." Most can't.... She thought, knowing fully well why she had figured that reason out. She had had to motivate herself for the job as she was appointed, it was the only way to last when your heart was elsewhere. If she did a poor job, she'd never be let out of the Tower, but with the respect she got by doing what she did she would eventually be able to quit and do what she really wanted. But there was yet quite sometime left for that to happen.

At her return question Resolute told her that he felt that he had been born to fight. He felt that the al'aman Val was a Shen of passion, with to much feeling for him to fit, that the al'Doon M'taal where like the Gray, mediators and that it had never been his strong side. After going through them all he expressed that he had a wish for destroying and that his first toy ever had been a dull dagger. "My mentor Rialt Asha'man seems to think I would do well there too." She nodded and smiled. Naturally Rialt would try to motivate his mentees the in the way that they seemed good for as well as to recruit for what had once been his own Shen. That Shen would always be a part of you even if you were raised out of it. "I think I understand what you mean." She smiled a little realizing suddenly that it was time for her to go. "It has been really interesting talking to you, Soldier Resolute. I wish you luck on your future." Rising she stopped and looked at Resolute before she took her tray to leave. "Remember, the dancers of death is not only about destruction, there's a lot more to it. I hope you do well." With an other small smile she then left, carrying her tray in her hands as she walked off. She had more to do today, no matter her mood. It had been lifted a little by the conversation she had just had, and she had been reminded of why she was where she was. She'd get through this, she had to.

((OOC: If you'd like them to meet later, I wouldn't mind, the question is just when, where and why and such :) ))