Fanfic:The Road to a Bond
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To find a mount
Sending a frown and a dark glance towards the stableboy who stood blinking back tears behind her, Rev strode out of the stables with her bold nose held high. Her dark brown hair danced around her face as she made a quick turn and came out on the path to the main courtyard. Silly boy! One day I'll have them make the Soldiers and Novices work in there. Or perhaps the Ji'alantin. At least they know how to obey a Sitter. Light! You could think that boy had never heard a question before! He earned that talking-to, indeed. But he got me upset, that little cheeky one!
All kinds of angry thoughts running through her mind made her scowl darker than the black soil beneath her feet, and she had to stop herself from clenching her fists. Forcing her mind to focus, and her face to smoothen a bit, she walked through the Tower gates with her blue-hemmed cloak swirling behind her. She had to forget that boy now, and start thinking of what she needed. She should have brought someone who knew more about the subject she suspected, Kiam, for example, but now she had gold and hopefully no one would dare cheat an Aes Sedai.
Descending the slope, she started to enjoy the morning air and the softness of the landscape. True, there were rocks here and there, but the grass was wild and the trees swayed softly in the wind. She almost felt like humming. I should go out here and write a poem some day. Somewhere further in among the trees, where no one will discover me, of course.
Soon, a few houses began to appear among the pines, and Rev made sure her cloak hadn't caught any twigs or pine needles as she moved along the path. She wanted them to see the picture of an Aes Sedai, not only someone in clothes that looked like theirs. Of course, her blue riding dress was finer than almost everyone in Elman's Creek could afford, but still... Her dark eyes scanned the road ahead for people, and as she spotted the first farmers she made sure her face was smooth. Perhaps a trace of the scowl was still there, but it was intentional. Better make them respect her from the start. As one of the farmer pulled off his cap and bowed, she moved up to him and waited until he straightened again.
"Good day, I'm Revelin Sedai. Tell me... who should I go see if I wanted to look at a fine horse to buy?" It irked her to ask, but she mentally slapped herself at the feeling. Of course no one could see that she hardly knew anything about horses. If only someone from the Tower had been there to help her out. Straightening her back a trifle, she waited patiently with her hands folded in front of her.
*Rather insolent grin for a warder*
"You could try me Sitter... " The voice was deep and rumbling, and coming from a very tall, broadshoudlered man that leaned against a tree not far away, wearing a fancloak. And apparently everyone in the village recognized him, for more than a few waved in his direction before going on with their work.
Once one got a closer look and managed to see past the swirlinf fancloak, he was an impressive sight. Seven feet of height didn't makle him seem out of proportion with his wide shoulders and powerful build. His face was scarred as if from many battles, and so were his scalp that was cleanshaven except for a long topknot that he kept back from his face with a braided leather cord. His eyes were blue and bright and an sense of selfconfidence wafted from him. And his grin would probly have been taken as insolent by most people. Without further notice he moved from the tree, like a hunting cat walking, toward her and now the hilt and tip of the enormous sword he carried on his back became visible.
"Urikanu Gaidin at your service, my lady Sitter. " He bowed, not nearly low enough for a sitter, but not so little that it could be taken for an insult. Uri knew how to walk the line.
Startled
Turning around a trifle hastier than what was worthy of an Aes Sedai, Rev hid her startlement at the deep voice. A very tall man stood by a tree on the other side of the road, and she was vaguely aware that the man she had spoken to now wore a greeting smile on his face. Narrowing her eyes, she crossed her arms and waited as the Warder made his way over to her. She recognized this man, or so she thought. As he spoke his name, the image came back to her. The Blue Ajah Fair, in a tent where your future could be told...
Eyeing him carefully and pursing her lips before responding, she said "Very well Gaidin. I take it from your self-assured ways that you know something about horses? Good. Then you will aid me in finding a mount."
Not liking to admit that she needed help, Rev gave a curt nod and started walking further into the village. Her entire being radiated Aes Sedai dignity, head held high and back straightened, but inside she was pondering over whether or not to suppress the tiny flame of anger in her mind. Urikanu had shown decent acknowledgement for her Sitterhood, but something in his eyes made her unsure whether or not he was mocking her. Perhaps it was only his personality.
"Do you come down here often, Gaidin?" she asked, to keep her mind busy and to not seem so awkward.
With some frequency
Urikanu walked along, shortening his longlegged stride to not outpace the shorter Aes Sedai.
"Well, I do come here with some frequency. After all, it's the only place in miles where you can trade any sort of items short of when a peddler arives. " He shook his head slightly and grinned. "As for horses Sitter, I am propably the only man in the Tower that breeds horses as a hobby. If I could but manage to make Ellisande find me some funds, I would be able to supply the entire Tower Gaurd, and all the Warders with warhorses within ten years... The warders much sooner than that. " He shrugged. "But that's just my little private idea I entertain. As of now I supply myself and a few others with horses from my homeland, and of my own breeding. " He smiled to himself slightly. "So yes, I daresay that I could find you a proper horse. But I will need you to tell me which kind I should find you. Do you count on using it much? Do you want a Warhorse, Riding horse, Racing horse or Pack Horse? High or low spirit? " He grinned as he spoke, well aware that the Aes Sedai would most likely not know how to answer half these questions.
Ehrm... Yes, well...
Rev quirked an eyebrow, her usual reaction when she doubted something. Clearly this Warder was into horses, but to be able to supply the entire Tower with the beasts? Perhaps he and Kiam would find a common purpose in that though. She should mention this man to Kiam next time she saw him.
Touching her hair with one hand to make sure it stayed in place, she kept her attention forward until Urikanu began asking questions. Then her bold nose swiveled towards the tall man, and she eyed him suspiciously. Was he making fun of her? He didn't seem to, but then again, who could tell?
Drawing herself up as if to match his height -she was taller than most women in the Tower anyway- she pondered before replying. She wasn't sure how much she wanted this man to know, but in order to find a decent mount she supposed she had to let go of some pieces. Perhaps it would make it all go faster as well.
"Did you know that I used to be an acrobat? Long ago, before coming here." She swung her arm in a wide motion, indicating the village, the surroundings and the Tower in one gesture. "I did some performances on horseback, so I know how to ride. In all kinds of manners, actually. But I don't intend to stand on the horse, or hang underneath it's belly anymore. It should have temper though. And be fast, yet obedient."
A horse with a temper was something she could use. They could ride out and get enfuriated together, then. That caused her to smile, a flicker of lips only. "Would that be enough information, Gaidin?"
Yes it is
Urikanu nodded and seemed to think this over for a moment.
"Yes, that would easily be information enough, only I am not sure I can get you such a beast within a few days notice. To train a spirited horse to obedience without loosing it's temper take time and serious effort. I think I could do it, but it would take a year or two, depending on the foal. " He frowned. "Now, if you need a horse in the meantime, I suggest we go see Allan. He's the best horseman in town, and sells the best horses as well. " He grinned. "But he's not much of man for offering true respect to Aes Sedai. Seen enough of them fall off a horse to know they're human he says. "
To meet Allan
Barely stifling a sniff, Rev raised her chin a trifle. "I don't fall off horses." she said cooly, unclenching her fists. Ha! I'll show that Allan-bloody-cheeky-man just how I move on horseback! of course I haven't done it in ages, but I've done it often enough! Let him give me his fiercest mount, and I'll show him...
She was interrupted in her thoughts by a wrinkled woman in brown clothes crying out as they passed. "Meatpies! My lady, buy a meatpie!" Sending the woman a stern look, Rev strode on by, Urikanu by her side. Her feet made small clouds of dust arise around her skirt as they walked, and she thought that she would have to send it to the laundry when they returned. Of course, she would probably have to stand by the Accepted who did the washing, to make sure the girl didn't ruin it.
*Shakes head*
Urikanu merely shook his head and grinned to himself. "Of course Aes Sedai. "
A short while later, Urikanu stopped outside a large pen where around twenty horses and their foals grazed. And in the far end, a tall man, wearing only a shirt and breeches were holding a tall stallion by a rope as the beast reared and kicked and fought. Standing quietly by and watching Urikanu nodded his approval. that would make a fine steed for a warder some day.
Once the man had the horse down to earth and calmed Uri raised his voice in a call that echoed far through the village. "Hey, Allan! I've a customer for you! " Out in the field the tall man turned his head and waved a greeting before securing the stallion to a nearby pole. Then he made his way over to the two by the fence. Once he arrived he nodded his head briefly to Rev and leaned on the tall fence as he spoke to Uri.
"So my friend, what can I do for you today? On the lookout for more breeding stock? " He grinned. "Or are you looking for a horse for the lady there?
The lady wishes a horse, yes
Crossing her arms while she waited for Allan to finish and come over to them, Rev eyed the horses in the pen. There were brown ones, and tanned ones, and one or two greyish white. She had not thought of a colour, but shrugged it away. As long as the horse fit her, it could be any colour and gender. Putting on an expressionless face as the horsehandler exited the pen, she kept her arms crossed and waited for him to greet them appropriately. As he completely ignored her though, and turned to Uri, she felt her familiar frown begin to appear on her brow. She let her voice remain as chilly as before, and spoke up as the dusty and sweaty man finally looked at her.
"Yes, horsehandler, it's for me. You may not know me, but I'm Revelin Sedai, Sitter of the Blue Ajah. And I want the finest horse you have. Urikanu Gaidin here will see to it that you really do your best to please my will."
Eyeing him cooly, she waited for the reaction. He couldn't think he was above her just because he had the horses. Straining to keep her face smooth, she once more turned her attention to the horses in the pen. Two foals raced each other near the fence, and she wondered briefly what it would be like to be that free. Was that how her life had been at the menagerie? She could hardly remember now.
Well
Urikanu grinned and winked at Allan who raised his eyebrows briefly. The look they exchanged spoke quite plainly: Be careful! She bites! With a laugh to it.
"Very well Aes Sedai. If you want my best, then you will have to take an untrained horse. That's Shade over there. " He pointed to the horse he had been trying to calm down and was now pulling at the rope he had bound it with. "He's a fine steed, no doubt there. And he'll be even finer once he's trained. But he's no horse for gentle hands mind you. You'll need to have a firm hand for him. And someone to train him, as I doubt a Sitter like yourself would have time for it. "
Urikanu grinned the whole time, carefully looking out over the herd of horses. "Well, Allan, if she doesn't take him, I will, and those two foals as well once they're grown enough to be taken out. " Then he turned to Rev and nodded. "Revelin Sedai, I can only agree with Allan. If you insist on his finest horse, then Shade will be the one. "
A fierce mind to fit another
Firmly ignoring the look passing between the two men, Rev moved over to rest her arms on the fence. She eyed the horse in question a while longer, watching him struggle against the rope and how full of energy he seemed. It was good if it was a young beast, then he would know her from the beginning and learn to work with her. Shade... A fine name too. Slipping in between the boards in the fence, careful not to let her dress stick on any nails, Rev entered the pen with a determined look on her face.
The two foals eyed her with flickering ears, unsure whether to run or greet. The shadow of a smile played on Rev's lips as she passed them, ignoring them for the time being. The steed at the pole had noticed her approach too, and stood breathing noisily as she drew closer. There had been several horses in the menagerie, and she had worked with them on many occasions, but she never actually handled them. Not knowing whether to say something or just stay quiet, she reached out a hand to let him smell her scent. Touching her skin briefly with his muzzle, the horse sniffed once. Then he suddenly pressed his ears back and bit her in the hand, hard.
Clamping her jaws together to not scream, Rev pulled back but he held her hand in a firm bite. Feeling her cheeks redden terribly from embarrassment and pain, she futily slapped at his head with her free hand. "Let go! Stupid horse, quit it!" she half yelled, in a voice quite less firm than she would have wanted. Finally the horse let go anyway, having made his point. Giving him a glance that actually blazed with anger, Rev growled and turned around, forcing herself to keep her hand at her side. It throbbed like the Blight itself.
Slipping back through the fence was harder than entering, but she kept her jaws set and her frown deep. "I will have that one." she said in a harsh voice, between her clamped teeth. If Uri so much as breathed anything insolent, she would... do something bad to him.
Hmmm
Urikanu raised an eyebrow in approval for the girls spirit. He didn't really care that she might be eighty, she was still girl to his mind. As were most Aes Sedai.
"She clearly doesn't know how to handle a horse. Or she's forgotten. " Allan's words were dry, but Uri only nodded in agreement.
When she finally came back out, Uri didn't say anything insolent. Rather, he took her hand, looked at it and looked at Allan. "Get some hot water. This should be cleaned at least. " With that he let go and looked firmly at Rev as if to dare her to argue now that he had given the order.
Stunned
As Uri grabbed her bitten hand, Rev opened her mouth to give him a harsh flood of cursing, but as he examined her wound she let it die as a heavy breath. He soon released her hand, and she withdrew it a trifle too fast. Straightening her back, the anger in her eyes slowly dissipating, she didn't dare look away from the Warder. What might he do now? Make a jest and then laugh at her along with the horsehandler? Frowning, she waited in silence.
As he ordered Allan to fetch hot water, she was genuinely surprised. Her eyes widened and the frown vanished for a moment, only to return with slightly lesser depth. Why did he do this to her? Clearly he would enjoy watching her make a fool out of herself in things she didn't know. A questioning look appeared on her narrow face, but his gaze warned her to stay silent. Wondering if Allan had hit him in the head and brought forth some manners, Rev nodded slowly. Thank you, then, Urikanu. But why are you doing this? she thought, feeling the throb in her hand beat in rythm with her heart. No one had been that caring towards her since... Trying to recall was no good. Of course the Yellows had Healed her after the rescue mission to Illian, but they just did what they had dedicated their lives to. This man seemed to do it on the purpose of... well, she had no idea. It was as good that he wanted her to stay silent, because she had no idea what to say. A Sitter, dumbfounded by a simple touch and a command. She ought to spend a month on bread and water because of this.
Washing
Urikanu placed a hand on her shoulder and gently whispered: "Sit down please, " before puting his terryingfing strength into it to make her sit down on the stool that Allan had brought with him as well. Then Uri knelt and took the small silver basin and the washcloth and soaked it before taking her hand again.
"This doesn't look too good. Horsebites can infect quickly and badly. You will probly have to get this healed to go without a scar and with full use of your hand again, but I can at least make sure it doesn't get infected. " He began dapping her hand with the cloth as he took some herps from his pouch with his other hand and rubbed them between his fingers before dumping them in the water. He proceeded to clean the bite with a professional and careful mien that somehow seemed reassuring. And people had simply just melted away, even Allan, to leave the Aes Sedai some dignity.
"I'll have Allan bring the horse up tomorrow and if you permit, begin training him immediately. That horse needs to learn some things about who's in charge, but I need time to do it properly. " He spoke while he cleaned, and smiled at her once he was done.
The strangest man
The surprise in her eyes blossomed as Uri suddenly placed a hand on her shoulder and pushed her down on the stool. A small yelp escaped her lips before she could stop it, and anger rose inside her once more. The frown on her face, almost having disappeared, returned and let her eyebrows drop to even shade her eyes. Before she could stand, and tell him exactly how much she needed his "attentions", he had spoken. Listening with anger boiling slowly in her mind, she wished she could have crossed her arms.
Infections? Not from a simple bite, he's just saying that to make himself look the wiser. As soon as he lets me go, I'll kick him hard! No, that wouldn't be very intelligent. But he's so... why doesn't he at least act as if he respects my Sitter position? Light, I feel like a frail lady now!
As he finally withdrew the cloth, he sent her a smile. Probably he thought he was bringing her around, or something. Standing with a stiff back and frosty daggers shooting out of her eyes, Rev merely looked at him. "I want that horse, Urikanu. Allan will bring him today. Here's my purse, see to it that he gets what he wants." Turning and gathering her skirts to not land them in the wash basin, she shot a glance over her shoulder. He had not laughed at her, after all. The chilliness in her voice was gone as she added, "And Uri... thank you."
The mixed emotions in her words made her want to choke, first being all angry and upset, and in the next moment moved by a simple gesture from a Gaidin. She had dropped her shield, and he'd not laughed. Surely he wouldn't go tell this story around the Tower? Starting up the path that would take her back inside the Tower walls, Rev frowned and wondered what under the Light Uri might want in return.
