The Hat and the Mannequin, Round One
Thelize sighed as she stood from the old wooden chair, crossing over to the window that looked out of the front of the inn. A battered sign reading “Blue Colt Inn” swung back and forth in the night breeze. She began to think she should stop selecting inns based on their names, noble steeds mentioned or not. This one seemed suitable for now, however.
She turned and paced up and down across the creaking floorboards. Thelize was, by nature, a wanderer, uncomfortable with staying in the same place for more time than was necessary. The problem now was that she had wandered nearly everywhere, with the exceptions of the Shara and Seanchan. Night made her restless, as usually she traveled under its cover.
Eventually she found herself en route to the inn’s stables, where he Kaspar was being housed. Thelize found him quickly, one of the only decent looking horses there, though seeming cramped into the stall as a result of his height. She took the bridle from his stall as she opened the door. As she recalled, there was an open field not too far from here, a perfect place for a night ride.
Thelize swung up easily onto Kaspar’s bare back and guided him out into the streets at a quick trot. Hopefully no one else has the same plans as I, she thought as the wind streamed past her and her horse and they neared the field.
Alaren once again found herself cloaked in the night's darkness air, one of Saker's coats pulled tightly around her and a horse in tow. Saker had been called to a meeting with his generals for that evening, leaving Alaren to pass the time alone, so she had set out for a pleasant night ride at a field that she knew was nearby. Well, she was not entirely alone; the bond was opened freely and she had a feeling Curlan had an eye on her. Even so, she watched out around her for signs of trouble. She had learned her lesson well the night before; she smiled to herself and felt a trickle of warmth slip through the bond.
The horse was a lanky palomino, one of the palace stable's mares who seemed bitter from lack of excercise. She frisked impatiently beside Alaren. The unbearable heat of the seemingly perpetual summer had relented just enough to make the evening perfect for a long canter to release up pent up energy; the horse's, and Alaren's.
She mounted her steed as they came upon the field, but was startled to find it already occupied; a horse and rider were taking a gentle lope around the pasture. The glow around the rider marked her as a channeler; her strength marking her as the woman whom Alaren had encountered at the dress shop.
When the woman pulled up towards the gate where Alaren sat astride her mount, she reined in her horse. For a moment they started at eachother, the woman's dark eyes staring into Alaren's defiantly. Alaren was not sure why she disliked this woman so much, but she did.
"A fine evening for a ride," Alaren commented nonchalantly, hearing the challenge in her own voice.
Re: The Hat and the Mannequin, Round One
"Indeed," Thelize replied, dropping her reins and patting Kaspar's neck. Not her again, Thelize thought. I have the remarkable talent of running into the same people over and over again.
"So..." Thelize trailed. "Do you actually ride that horse or just sit on her looking pretty?"
Edited by: Thelize Shwinn at: 6/10/06 2:20 pm
Re: The Hat and the Mannequin, Round One
Alaren studied the woman carefully. She sat confidently astride her tall black mount; a powerful creature, he seemed. She was not dabbling with an amateur. Of course, she was not an amateur herself. The palomino, however, was not exactly the prize horse of the country. It snorted impatiently, eyeing the other horse without much interest. Alaren would have to watch her tongue.
"So... Do you actually ride that horse or just sit on her looking pretty?"
"Both," Alaren replied quite seriously,gathering her reins and sending her horse into a brisk walk. She assumed the woman would continue on her way, but when Alaren turned she saw the black stallion's head a nose away from her palomino's. She cleared her throat.
"Well," she said. "I did not imagine you to be so eager for conversation."
Re: The Hat and the Mannequin, Round One
"I am not," Thelize replied bluntly. She was assessing the palomino's conformation; the mare carried herself well enough, was thin through the throatlatch and solidly built. A suitable jumper, even without much muscle mass, which she seemed to lack due only to disuse.
Kaspar snorted, drawing her from her thoughts. She tugged at the reins and heeled him slightly to collect him. Her purpose had been to ride, so ride she would, with or without another horse and rider pair.
"Let us see how that little mare can hold up, shall we?" Thelize said more than asked. She nudged Kaspar into a canter without looking to see if she would be followed. The woman did not seem to be the type to ignore such an invitation, as it was. Thelize learned further over Kaspar's neck, pushing the reins forward as they headed towards the fence.
Re: The Hat and the Mannequin, Round One
Alaren watched as the woman and her mount cantered towards the fence. So the woman was challanging her, was she? Had Sham been her mount and the competition been friendly, she likely would have joined in, but she knew the horse she rode would hardly match her rival and the competition was most certainly not friendly. But neither would Alaren allow this woman to deter her from her purpose, so she urged the palomino into a deliberately relaxed lope, slow enough to discourge any thought of racing. She glanced at the other woman. She had a better natural form than Alaren, true, but the woman could not compare to Alaren's own Aes Sedai grace. The woman would learn in time the risk of challanging an Aes Sedai.
Alaren soon forgot the hostility of her riding mate, however, as she became swept up in the exhiliration of the night ride. She had not been on the back of a horse since her injury three months ago, and had nearly forgotton how lovely it felt to have the wind streaming through her hair and billowing her coat. They rode for a time- the little mare had surprising stamina- but eventually Alaren's own handicap encouraged her to pull her horse back towards the gate and reign her mount to a walk. She pulled her foot out of the stirrup, flexing her leg and watching her fellow equestrienne as she rounded the far corner of the field.
Re: The Hat and the Mannequin, Round One
Thelize slowed Kaspar as they approached the gate, studying the woman inconspicuously. Kaspar halted near the palomino, snorting with disapproval at being prevented from continuing his exercise. Thelize patted his neck, praising him briefly and apologizing for spoiling his fun.
"Seems to be a nice mare. Needs a little work, to bring her up to what she could be. Mind my asking where you acquired such a horse?" Thelize asked. As much as she disliked talking with Aes Sedai, her love of horses always took over. And besides, perhaps she could obtain information on where this woman was from. She knew her to be Aes Sedai by the way she carried and conducted herself, but that seemed not to be all there was to her.
Before the woman could answer, Thelize felt a sudden stab followed by a searing pain that traveled up and down her arm. Looking to her arm, she saw an arrow embedded pretty deeply, which she had somewhat expected, and unloosed a sling of curses. She pulled the arrow out of her arm and grasped the Source, wheeling Kaspar about as she studied the surroundings.
Re: The Hat and the Mannequin, Round One
Alaren swung her horse instantly as she saw the arrow embedd itself into the other woman's arm, grasping the Source and turning towards the direction from which the arrow had come. She flung out automatically with weaves of air, just in time to grasp another arrow as it whizzed towards her. It stopped in midair, about a foot to the left of her shoulder. Weaves of fire spun in her hand, and she held it above her menacingly; a rustling in the bushes indicated that their attacker had seen, and was high-tailing it back towards the city.
Scanning the surrounding forest for any futher danger, she steered her mare towards where the woman sat astride, studied their surroundings warily and nursing the wound in her arm. Alaren automatically placed a hand on the woman's shoulder, too distracted by the peculiarity of the attack to remember to ask if she wanted Healing, as was proper. The woman did not even shudder as she released the Weaves.
The bond suddenly pulsed with alertness. Alaren schooled her thoughts to calm-she did not want Saker to worry- but gave the bond a tug just in case. In such a peculiar situtation, it would not hurt to have her Warder nearby. Why had someone been trying to kill them, anyway? She could understand if it had only been her; she was a newly crowned Queen, after all, and surely some would not be willing to accept her; but why had they aimed at the other woman? Granted, the aim had been poor; the arrow that had been directed at Alaren would likely have ended up in a tree stump; but it was peculiar none the less.
"You're quite the mystery," Alaren mused, turning towards the other woman. "You channel but do not wear the ring. You challange Aes Sedai on a regular basis. And now you're being shot at. Do you have any idea why someone would be trying to kill you?"
Re: The Hat and the Mannequin, Round One
"I am used to people wanting to kill me," Thelize mumbled. "But an attempt to do so..." she trailed off.
She looked out into the bushes, releasing the Source as it was unnecessary at this point. She had not lied to the Aes Sedai; numerous people had motivation to kill her, she knew that. It could have been anyone. She frowned in thought. The Forsaken? she asked herself, immediately shaking the thought from her mind. Light, if they wanted you they would already have you.
Kaspar was fidgeting, scraping his front foot in the grass. Thelize corrected him with a pull on the reins. "I have no desire to linger here," she said absently, turning Kaspar out through the gate. "I must thank you for the Healing, unwelcome and most likely uncalled for, as it was." She had every intention of leaving with nothing more to do with this woman, but as the aforementioned was Aes Sedai, Thelize had a feeling that the topic would not be dropped so abruptly.
Re: The Hat and the Mannequin, Round One
Alaren nodded, ignoring the other woman's insolence and gathering her reins.
"Of course, we should depart for the palace immediately." The other woman's stare gave her the distinct impression that this proposition was not what she had in mind. "You're not planning on returning to town alone, are you? With an assasin on the loose? No one will attempt anything with the entire Band between him and his target. There is a fine line between bravery and stupidity. You seem the type who would know the difference." The woman would have to be daft to not return with her to the palace. If one had the opportunity to use the best guards in the country...
At that thought Alaren gave a start. Curlan. Chances are he was out scouting the area. He should have shown himself by now. Alaren dismounted swiftly and balanced a ball of light in her hand, shining it into the darkness.
"Curlan?" She called out into the night. "Curlan, are you there?"
Re: The Hat and the Mannequin, Round One
Curlan could hardly hold back a smile. Less then a week ago, she lectured him, now she was coming to rely upon him. If it weren't so important, he might tease her about it.
"Yes Milady," he called from the top of the wall. "I see you are quite capable of taking care of yourself. I'm sorry I ever doubted you. Now speak, and I will obey."
Curlan was growing into this role of servant, but he didn't mind. It was a pleasure to serve.
Alaren sighed with relief as Curlan's voice carried from the wall. For a moment, she thought he might have been the shooter's third target. She should have known better than to assume with Curlan. Perhaps he had caught a glimse at their attacker, but she did not care to strain her voice.
"Light, child, you gave me a fright. We'll be heading back towards the city. Hurry down here," she ordered, "and meet us at the gate."
She turned to the woman.
"Now, will you come willingly, or must I drag you there?"
Re: The Hat and the Mannequin, Round One
"Excuse me?" Thelize stared at the woman. "Why should I go anywhere with you?" she demanded. Thelize was thoroughly astounded. What in the Light was she trying to do?
"I do not even know your name, let alone have any idea of what it is you intend to do with me," Thelize said. She knew she was walking a thin line now, perhaps the one the Aes Sedai had spoken of earlier. But now that she was free of her previous bonds, she had no desire to acquire any new ones.
She rubbed at her temples. So much for a simple night ride. Kaspar sighed his agreement. "My name is Thelize, and this is Kaspar," she said, indicating the big black horse. "Now if you would kindly repay me the courtesy, I should consider your offer."
Re: The Hat and the Mannequin, Round One
Alaren watched the girl cooly as she embarked upon her tirade. She was not very trusting, that was for certain. A mystery indeed.
"Well, Thelize," she said calmly, surprisingly feeling as serene as her voice sounded. "You will come with me, if not by your own good judgement, because I say you must. I am Alaren Maidon, Aes Sedai of the White Tower and Queen of Manetheren, and if that is not enough to convince you to obey me, perhaps this might." She wrapped weaves of air around Kaspar, knowing well that Thelize would not leave without her horse. Kasper figeted uncomfortably, as much as he could in his peculiar bindings. "You know as well as I which of us is stronger, child. You will only be causing yourself a great deal of trouble."
She hopped aboard her mare and gathered her reins.
"Besides, I have never given you a reason not to trust me, have I?"
Re: The Hat and the Mannequin, Round One
"You had not, until now," Thelize said angrily. She now completely understood why an assassin would be after this woman, if the attack had indeed been planned for her. An attack on Kaspar she considered an attack on herself. Fuming still, she threw up her arms in surrender, fixing anything in her line of vision with a glare.
Thelize did not attempt to channel, knowing it would be pointless to try and match the Aes Sedai. And she was not in the mood to have any more of her weaknesses found out and turned against her. "I am not going to play games with you, Alaren Sedai. And I would appreciate it if you paid me that courtesy as well. Now if you will kindly release my horse."
Re: The Hat and the Mannequin, Round One
Curlan hurried down the stairs in the wall. It had always amazed him after living in the woods for so long. Manetheren was grand, yet amazingly simple still. He did enjoy it here.
And down below him, the noise barely echoeing up the stairwell, he could hear the two women arguing. He smiled to himself and wondered if he would be hearing alot of arguing spending time with Alaren. It did seem to be her nack.
Pushing open the gate for the two women and their horses, his hand prepared to draw, his eyes darting about darkness, looking for the attacker.
Re: The Hat and the Mannequin, Round One
Alaren released the weaves around Kaspar and turned her horse back towards the city gates. She did not glance behind her to see if Thelize was following; she knew she was.
They reached the gates without any trouble and found Curlan waiting there for him, gazing alertly into the darkness.
"Welcome home milady."
"Thank you, Curlan," she said with a smile. She dismounted from her horse so she could walk beside him. "I trust you saw our little skirmish out there. You did not perhaps happen to glimse our attacker? I could not see clearly enough through the darkness, though it seemed like a young man, perhaps. With a poor aim," she added thoughtfully.
Re: The Hat and the Mannequin, Round One
Thelize patted Kaspar reassuringly as they followed the Aes Sedai back to, well, wherever it was they were going. She figured she could have taken on Alaren if it had been necessary. But she had been in worse situations before, and she was not about to reveal the extent of her abilities with the Power to this woman.
She frowned at nothing, or perhaps everything, and sighed. Why did she keep ending up in these situations? For once it would be nice for things to go as planned. And now that she was in the company of a queen and Aes Sedai, she knew that would be even less likely to occur. The first chance she saw, they would leave. Unless, of course, she could take advantage of the situation without anyone's knowledge...
Turning a few things over in her mind had helped for what could happen, but right now she needed to keep her mind for what was happening. She turned her attention back to Alaren and Curlan, remaining on her horse. Stoop to their level? she asked herself, both in the sense of getting off her horse or employing such...tactics as Alaren did, I think not.Edited by: Thelize Shwinn at: 6/21/06 3:49 pm
Re: The Hat and the Mannequin, Round One
Curlan grinned slightly at Alaren and eyed Thelize over without staring. He glanced back in the direction of the attacker.
"I was simply out strolling the walls Milady," Curlan said softly, hoping both of them bought such a transparent lie. "I didn't see anything."
With any luck, the wolves would know something. This man was good enough that Curlan had only seen a glimpse of a silouette.
Re: The Hat and the Mannequin, Round One
Alaren nodded, accepting Curlan's apparant lie with good humor. She could sense his discomfort. It seemed peculiar that this man had been discreet enough to escape the sharpest set of eyes in Manetheren, and yet had been a poor enough shot to miss his mark.
Unless he had not intended to hit them... the situation was all too peculiar.
"We had best heighten the guard around the palace," she mused thoughtfully. "And around the walls, naturally. If we're not sure what this man is after, then we had best take all the necessary precautions. But descreetly; the last thing we want is rumors floating around the city and causing an uproar." She realized suddenly that she was delegating matters which clearly were in Saker's domain, and smiled sheepishly. "Well, that is, if Saker believes it best. We shall see what he thinks when we find him. Until then, we can only head back towards the palace and keep a sharp look out."
She and Curlan were walking through the city streets now, Alaren's horse in tow. Thelize was still riding Kaspar, glancing about in the shadows as often as Alaren and Curlan for any sign of the archer. Her face was so unreadable that she almost might have passed as Aes Sedai. Almost.
They arrived at the stable eventually. Alaren focused on the bond; Saker was inside, waiting for them.
"Curlan, Saker should be upstairs in his quarters. Go to him and tell him that Miss Thelize and I shall be in shortly. We shall come as soon as the horses are settled."
Re: The Hat and the Mannequin, Round One
"As Milady wishes," Curlan said politely, though it left a bad taste in his throat. He had hunting to do and he was caged up here running errands for a haughty woman who had been lucky.
Hurrying up the stairs towards Saker's quarters Curlan felt his leafblade slap off his hip, almost mocking him. He stifled a growl and nocked on the door.
Saker would be here. If he wasn't, Curlan wasn't going to wait any longer to start his hunt.
*
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