Another day
Rodgin wandered his way across the many yards the Black Tower now held. Practiced swords clashed off to his left, the feel of the One Power ripled off to his right, and in front of him, he could see another batch of recruits being registered at the gates. The Tower was as busy as ever.
And yet, with everything he was responcible for, he felt like he was missing something. Off in the distance, from the other side of the Tower grounds, he could hear the ring and call of the forges. He almost gave up on what he was doing to hurry back to them, but refrained.
Instead, he completed his task, and met with the new recruits. It was tradition for a Stormleader to take in the new recruits and give them their first tour and lesson. Right now, Rodgin wanted nothing more then to put his leather apron back on and return to the call of the hammer.
Instead, he did his job and explained the severity of what they were about to undertake, and what it would mean to the world. And the hammers rang on without him.
Sunset of another day went unnoticed to the small group of riders coming through the gates of the Black Tower. The group was made of five soldiers and one small hooded rider in the middle of them. The person hung their head low as the party moved onward into the grounds. One of the soliders held up his hand and the riders ame to a halt. One of the gate guards came o them and asked why they had stopped. "My lady here has come to see Rodgin Kemph. We will go no further tell he is brought to us,"
The guard stole a glance at the small figure in the group but could not see beyond the hood. With a sigh he went to go get rthe stormleader.
Pulled away from the forge
"Stormleader Kemph," the call came. It was loud enough to be heard over the sounds of his hammer on metal. "Stormleader Kemph!"
He stopped the forge fires with a quick weave and hurled the half finished blade he was working on into a scrap pile. He had tried to clear his head just a little and he was interupted again. He ripped the apron off and grabbed his black coat and sword belt.
"What is it soldier?"
"There is a small group at the gate who wishes to see you. They said they wouldn't come in, you had to come out."
"Sounds like bloody nobility if I ever heard it," he muttered, buttoning the final button and soothing out his coat. "Run ahead and tell them I'm coming."
The soldier scurried away and Rodgin let himself fume for a minute. He wasn't flashy or showy like Raekal, but he wasn't a dirtbag either. He pulled out a cloth, channeled some water into it, and cleaned his face. There was no sweat on his face, but there was enough soot and smudges that he couldn't be seen like that.
He finally got himself clean and started toward the gate. He was the weapon master at the Tower, and also the only man known to be able to power forge steel. The tower, his weapons, and even a few of the pins were nearly indestructable. He should have been proud but mostly he was just tired.
He strode out the gate to the men on horses. He was on edge, waiting for a trap. Nothing seemed to present itself, so he spoke in his calm, strong voice.
"I am Rodgin Kemph. Who is it that has requested my presence at such a late hour?"
Re: Pulled away from the forge
Mariea pulled back her hood and smiled. It was not her usual smile, it was tired and unhappy, but a smile none the less. "I demanded your presence but if you wish to think of it as a request then so be it." She quickly dismounted as did her escort. They tried to stop her but she told them in a harsh whisper to stand down. She was not in the mood for their overprotective attitude.
Walked over to Rodgin quickly and hugged him tight. "It has been too long Rodgin. I have missed you." She whispered into his chest then hurriedly steepped away. "My brothers sent me to you while they continue to the search." The search was for Yasha and Mariea hoped it would end soon. She was so tired of hoping but she could not give up or give in to her sorrow now that she was in a place of comfort.
Pleasently suprised
Rodgin froze for a moment, joy clouding over the mundane day. Evan and Zaven had sent her here? It was almost more then he could hope for. To have her wrapping her arms around him was something of a dream.
He finally reacted and slowly enveloped her in his arms, holding her close. If it weren't for the fact that he had men around, he might have cried for happiness. He finally let her go, and started to escort them inside.
"You are welcome to demand my presence whenver you like," he whispered to Mariea as he motioned to the guards. "Find her escort suitable chambers. And please send word to the M'hael that we have an honered guest. I will attend to her arrangements personally."
He lead the way, overjoyed at the development of the day.
Re: Pleasently suprised
Mariea could not resist smiling at how rodgin was happy to see her. No one else she had been around for the past few weeks would feel the same. she had to admit to herself that she had been a painin the reae to her brothers. she could not help it they were all she had left of her family. they were slowly drifting apart and it hurt her to see that. As she walked along the corridors next to rodgin she wondered what will happen now. she came to the Black Tower only because Zaven pleaded with her. Zaven never begged in his life. It had been amusing but sad at the same time.
And now she was here and she had no idea what she would do. She wanted to leave, go back and search until she fainted from exhaustion. Yasha had been her sister too and she had the right to get as involved as she wanted. But she knew she was in the way so she came here. The one good thing about leaving and finding her way to Andor was she was here with Rodgin. She would make do with that.
Re: Pleasently suprised
Rodgin worked his way to the chamber he had left set up when Mariea left. It was kind of embarrassing, but he loved her and that didn't change just because he was tainted.
"So, how long are you planning to stay this time," he asked softly, the undertone slightly accusing her of not saying good bye before. "You are welcome here as long as you wish to stay."
Rodgin sighed softly, trying to keep his emotions in check. It was rare for him to feel much of anything anymore, but she had his heart light and slightly angry already and she had only been here for ten minutes. He shrugged it away and continued walking, still happy to have her at his side.
Re: Pleasently suprised
The anger underlying his innocent statement made Mariea smile. She would not be pulled into it of course. She did not have to explain her actions to him. But she wanted to. He was so very important to her but she could not change the past. Her explaination would only make him angry.
The way she left the Black Tower and him was unexcuseable but he would not have been able to come with her. Thoughts of when she left to Cairhien made her want to cry. Caladin was now gone. She loved him like a brother and had been so happy to see her sister married to someone she loved. it was a union that had not been made to be, politically at least. Now it just seemed fated for them to have been torn away from the other.
"I'm here for as long as you want me to be Rodgin." She finally answered staring forward. "My brothers feel you are the only one who will keep me safe. Or maybe they feel you are the only one I will listen to. Now that Yasha is...." She stopped herself from saying gone, "missing, you are the one they put their confidence in." She giggled about that. Her brothers were far from confident about Rodgin, but they knew she would stick by him if no one else. What they didn't know was that she planned to search for her sister on her own. The only other two people who would help her were here in the Black Tower.
Now all she had to do was figure out if Rodgin would be willing to help.
-Yasha Murikovine Queen of Saldaea- -Brenna Selanos BT Civilian- -Aiden D'orgen BotRH- -AND Bio Checker-
Re: Pleasently suprised
Rodgin shrugged, not sure what to make of her brother's anymore. He wasn't safe, but no where in the world was safe at this point. He was happy to have her, regardless of what anyone thought.
"So, as long as I want you here,' he mused softly. "So you'll be here for quite a while then. I'll let Aran and Raekal know. I'm sure Brenna will be happy to have someone else around."
Rodgin opened the door into her chambers. He was pretty sure it was identical to what she had left.
"I hope you will find this to your standards Princess," he said softly. "Now, I have a few other things to do, but I'll be available later tonight if you would care to join me for dinner."
Re: Pleasantly suprised
Mariea study Rodgin's eyes and smiled happily. "I am sure the room is fine. And you could not keep me away.... from dinner that is I'm starving. Plus I plan to spend almost every moment with you until I find something better to do." When he made to warn her about his duties or at least that’s what she guessed he was about to talk about she shushed him. "Only when you have time for me alright I will not dog your every step." Or at least I will try not to.
The look he gave her was pained as if he had heard her thought. That startled her until she realized it meant they were still in sync with each other. It made her so happy she leaped at him and hugged him fiercely. Then she let him go kissed him lightly on the lips. "I need some rest I shall see you at dinner." She then stepped back turned around walked fully into her room and closed the door behind her. A silly grin was on her face as she saw all her things were already in the room. She knew Raekal had heard of her arrival. She could not wait to see him. walking over to her carrying cases and baggage she decided to unpack.
Two hours later she sighed at the mess she had made. She wished Kerine had not decided to stay with Zaven. She could use a maid right at the moment. She had put most of her stuff away but it had taken her forever. "Light what am I going to do with all the stuff that did not fit in the drawers and such?" The room had no answer for her as she moved around it. A few moments later she shrugged and decided it was time for her to get dressed. Dining with Rodgin would be a simple affair she was sure but she wanted make sure she had her best simple dress on.
She hade found the perfect dress, dressed with care, and had just finished putting away things she had not wanted when she caught sight of something she had not seen in a long time. It was a dark blue scarf that had belonged to Yasha. The sight of it made her happy mood plunge into icy depression so quickly she had to sit down. She flopped to the ground on her knees. The pain of her knees hitting the floor did nothing more then make cringe as she softly touched the scarf. Their mother had made it and Yasha had kept it with her for years before letting Mariea borrow it. Caressing it made her feel so alone. Her sister had been such a driving force in her life. Not knowing where she was or even if she was alive was so heartbreaking. Mariea cried as she held the scarf close. Rocking back in forth she prayed that her sister would be found alive. She sat on the floor for a long time after her tears had finally dried up holding the scarf smiling over memories when she heard the door. She hurried to the door and opened it with out asking who it was. She knew and when she saw him she tried to give a smile but it did not work. “I’m sorry Rodgin I meant to be happy when we went to dinner.” She invited him it saying she had to put a few things away before they went. Clutching the scarf to her chest she stepped aside as he walked in.
-Yasha Murikovine Queen of Saldaea- -Brenna Selanos BT Civilian- -Aiden D'orgen BotRH- -AND Bio Checker-
Re: Pleasantly suprised
Rodgin gave her a weak smile before looking around the room.
"I'm sorry Mariea," he said witha crooked smile, "I thought I kept everything the same."
He tried to smile, and seeing his joke hadn't worked he scooped her up in his arms and held her close. He didn't know what he could do for her, but he saw how sad she was. He had to do something.
"I'm here to help," he said softly, "Let me know what the trouble is and I'll do what I can."
Mariea sat in his lap feeling suddenly tired. "I am the one who should apologize. I was so sure that things would be better if I came here...." Her gaze fell on the scarf she held, "I miss so much and it's as if she disappeared." When Rodgin said nothing she leaned her head on to his shoulder. "i know she is not dead. I am sure of it but why has she not tried to tell us where she is?" she then asked to be let go. it was a comfort to have someone to talk to but she had to stop relying so much on others. Yasha would never do that and she won't allow herself to do it either.
Moving across the room Mariea leaned against a small dresser and watched Rodgin. "Evan and Zaven made me come here. They did not want me wondering the land for Yasha. I thought it was a good idea at first since I figured she would come here. " She placed the scarf on the dresser touched it one more time before leaving it alone. "I am sure Aes Sedai are the last people she would have wanted to see after Caladin... but now seeing that she is not here I don't know what to think. Will you help me find her?"
-Yasha Murikovine Queen of Saldaea- -Brenna Selanos BT Civilian- -Aiden D'orgen BotRH- -AND Bio Checker-
Re: Pleasantly suprised
Rodgin pulled her close to him, his poweful arms as gentle as they could be. He hoped it was gentle enough. He just wanted her to be happy.
"I'll do what I can Mariea," he whispered softly. "I can't just sneak out of here as easy as you did. I will do whatever I can though."
He looked to the door and caught the soft smell of dinner working its way in.
"Lets forget business for a while though," he said softly, "Dinner is still waiting and you'll feel better with a full stomach."
He stood up and held the door open for her. He loved her, it would be tough not to break any rules for her.
Re: Pleasantly suprised
Her stomach growling a bit Mariea grinned unabashed and hurried out of the room pulling Rodgin with her. She would be a bit more stronger for him. Yasha would have called her a ninny if she had seen her so weepy. Plus she had an idea and she would rather Rodgin be on a full stomach before she told him.
As they made their way to the dining hall Mariea was deep in thought. Her sister had to be either in Cairhien or Tar Valon. Mariea was sure of those to places only because Yasha was a very determined persona nd if she thought Cairhien needed her she would be there. She was also very vengeful. Aes Sedai had killed Caladin or at least that is the gossip she and her brothers had heard. If Yasha felt in any way that the rumors were true she would be on the trail of whomever it was she thought deserved to die. Mariea hoped that tar Valon was not the direction she had to go because it would make her theory true and she prayed the rumors were false.
The smell of dinner brought her back to the present and she smiled at Rodgin. "Let's eat."
An hour later Mariea was exhauseted. She was full and she had a very good meal with Rodgin. Of course their conversation had been interupted a few times by young soldiers who seemed to alway need some sort of word form Rodgin. it stopped quickly enough when rodgin caught one of the men oggling her and he gave them a icy glare. it was almost on par with one of Raekal's glares. She had been very proud of him and of course she chastised him afterward for being to hard on the young men.
Yawning they made there way to her door. She was just about to give him a kiss good night when she remembered her plan. Another yawn escaped and she thought maybe the next day would be the best time to tell him about it. Then suddenly she changed her mind again. "Let's take a stroll in the gardens."
-Yasha Murikovine Queen of Saldaea- -Brenna Selanos BT Civilian- -Aiden D'orgen BotRH- -AND Bio Checker-
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