The Wheel Weaves A Chance Meeting (Closed for Now)

[Cadence]

The journey to Tear had been a good one for Kira.  It had been 14 years since she had left Tar Valon and explored the world, and being Aes Sedai granted her certain freedoms that she hadn't had. The chance to go back to Tear (she no longer thought of it as home) was part of a journey that she had needed to do.  Letting go of what her father had done to her so long ago would allow her to focus solely on the work of the White Tower.

The journey there had been relatively uninteresting.  She had journeyed with a caravan, so at the very least she had company. It turned out, her father, although not well off had left her some money and with the stipend she got as an Aes Sedai, she had bought some new dresses and a blood bay mare she named Melody. So she had rode along side the caravan, oftentimes tending to the ills of those who traveled with her - scrapes, illnesses, or any other injuries travelers would likely get.  This, and her status as an Aes Sedai, often earned her food for the trip there.  She had also brought her harp along.  As had been promised, the harp had been taken care of until she had gained the shawl after which it came back into her possession. 

Her return trip she traveled with another caravan until she reached Caemlyn.  It was then that the caravan turned west to head towards the Two Rivers.  She was left alone to continue her journey back home - at least for now.  Kira smiled as she thought of Tar Valon, remembering when she had first arrived how little she had wanted to be there.  Now it was her home.  She had sisters there and those who were more than that.  It had been good to get away, but would be better to get back.

Lost her in own thoughts, she didn't notice the two men come out of the woods.  It was Melody's hesitation that got her attention.  One man grabbed Melody's reins, trying to hold the horse still as the other grabbed for Kira.   Melody whinnied in protest. Caught off guard, he pulled her off.  Kira acted with instinct, embracing Saidar and using a weave of air to cushion the blow as much as possible.  It was still jarring to hit the ground, but she was unfazed, although she let out a slight scream. The man who had pulled her off began to search for her pouch - nothing more than a common thug. She began to form a weave to defend herself - more to scare the bandits than actually hurt them, but movement caught her attention and she hesitated, thinking she wouldn't have to.

[Edwin]

Ignis had set up his camp for the night.  It had been some time since he had left Arafel, and he had seen much of the continent, avoiding only Arafel.  He couldn't go back there.  He might never be able to go back there.  

Ignis put his swords on his back and grabbed his bow and some arrows.  It was getting close to dinner time and he needed to hunt.  It was a skill he had picked up in his travels.  Getting  a couple of rabbits, he began to head back to camp when he saw the two men.  Ignis felt uneasy about them.  They moved in a way that left Ignis feeling they were up to something.  It could be nothing, but still he followed them. 

The men went to the road and began to harass a woman on a horse, pulling her off.  That was enough for him. Ignis stepped out.  One man held the horse, and the other appeared to be searching the woman for valuables.  Perhaps they simply were desperate.  If that were the case, Ignis would have gladly offered them a share of his food, but they lost that right the moment they pulled a defenseless woman off her horse to commit petty robbery.

Ignis stepped up, drawing his blades. "Leave her alone," he warned them.  The one harassing the woman stood and drew a blade. His attempt at a stance told him this man knew nothing of combat.  He was indeed desperate.

"I don't know - we should just leave.  This guy looks like he can fight."

"There are two of us - we can take him."

Ignis held back from laughing. "I'd listen to your friend," Ignis said.  There was no arrogance to his voice - it was a warning to get out.

The apparent leader of the party elected not to listen, and approached Ignis swinging.  It wasn't much to block the attempt at an attack, move in and give the man a quick cut on his arm, causing him to drop his blade.  With a booted foot, Ignis kicked the man back and he fell to the ground. The second began to approach and Ignis gave him a warning glare. This one, smarter than his boss, raised his hands showing he had not armed himself, and gestured to his friend and indicated he was going to flee.  Ignis nodded, and he collected his leader and left. 

Ignis had no desire to follow them.  They had been sufficiently cowed.  The woman was the more important issue.  Ignis sheathed his blades and headed over to her.  She wore a bright yellow dress, skirts divided for riding and had the appearance of one who was rather well off.  Except for being a little dirty, she looked no worse for wear.  He reached out a hand to her, offering to help her up. "My lady, are you alright?"

[Cadence]

Kira Valyrios

The soldier came to her aid and as he dealt with the bandits, Kira slipped off her Great Serpent Ring and slipped it into her pouch.  The soldier appeared to know his way with a blade - well - two blades. Kira certainly hadn't been looking for a Warder, but she had a good feeling about this one.  She wasn't going to make a decision on the fly though.  She needed to get to know her "rescuer" better before she did.

The bandits were dealt with quickly, and to her delighted surprise, the soldier didn't chase them, instead he was more worried about the woman he had come to aid.  Kira took his offered hand and came to her feet, dusting off her dress as she could. "Nothing damaged except my pride.  I'm very fortunate you were nearby.  Please excuse me for a moment as I check on my traveling companion." she said before turning to her horse.

Melody seemed rather calm - a testament to the people who trained her, but she still tossed her head occasionally in anxiety.  Kira approached slowly, clicking her tongue as the horse got her scent and began to calm down.  She went to her saddle bag, pulled out a carrot and offered it to the horse who accepted the treat with a whinny and nuzzle of her hand.  A quick look showed the horse uninjured.  "Good girl," she said stroking the horse's nose. 

Kira turned once more to face her rescuer, he stood by silently, waiting for her to finish.  "I thank you, Sir, for your aid in my time of need.  Please tell me what I may offer you to repay your good deed?" She asked, smiling.

[Edwin]

Ignis Caleum

Ignis waited while the woman went to check on her horse. As she did, he shook the blood from his blades and re-sheathed them.  She was indeed okay and the horse seemed well trained as well.  It was a little spooked, but responded to its owner with trust. She turned to face him, asking what reward he would request.  It was an understandable question, but not a necessary one in Ignis' mind.

"Nothing, my Lady. It was my honor to assist," he said with a slight bow. "And please, call me Ignis.  Ignis Caleum is my name."

Ignis saw her lips turn into a quick smile. "My lady, even the roads are dangerous for a lone traveler during these times.  It might be best for you to return to town and travel with a group.  Bandits and those desperate enough to take advantage of a lone rider won't usually trouble themselves with a caravan."

[Cadence]

Kira Valyrios

Ignis said he required nothing for aiding her before offering his name. "Well, I thank you for your aid, Ignis," Kira said, a slight smile coming to her face. "My name is Kira Valyrios."

Kira gave him a respectful nod.  Kira took a moment to think about what she knew about Ignis.  She had only met him recently, but she knew he was a soldier or a former one.  Along with that, he was a honorable man.  He expected nothing for his help.  His mention of honor and his use of two swords made Kira think he was from Arafel, but he lacked the bells in his hair that would confirm that. 

Kira made sure her sadde bags were tight enough on Melody and was just about to bid Ignis farewell when he offered his advice, and honestly, it was good advice.  It had been her reason for traveling with a caravan as much as possible.  It gave her another way to gain a larger measure of the man.

"I traveled with a caravan, but we had to separate.  They were heading west, and I'm heading north.  And going back to Caemlyn is out of the question.  That is moving backwards and I must move forward."  She turned to him, awaiting his response.

[Edwin]

Ignis Caleum

Ignis sighed. Light this woman is stubborn.

Ignis couldn't believe it. Did this woman care nothing for her own safety.  These bandits had been nothing, but there were those who would take advantage of a lone woman traveling.  Some would even want more for money.  Ignis thought about it.  If she refused to travel with a group, he knew what he had to do.  His honor required it.

"Then would you permit me to go with you, to keep you safe?'  He had no idea where the woman would be going, this could be months.  He wasn't sure he wanted to do it, but honor could be quite a burden sometimes.

"How do I know that you are sincere?"

The woman's words echoed in his ears. Perhaps she was smarter than he gave her credit for at this point. "Other than what you've seen here today, and my own oath that I will do what I can to protect you until you reach your destination, you don't," he said truthfully.  There was no beating around the bush on it.  It was the truth. "As for that oath, you have it - if you would permit me."

[Cadence]

Kira Valyrios

Kira was intrigued by this man.  She had asked him the question about trust because it had been expected, but the response back had still slightly surprised her. It was the simple truth, and he didn't try to fight around it.  Kira had no reason, other than what she had seen to trust him, and because of that she did.

What had surprised the Aes Sedai more, however, was that Ignis was more than willing to drop everything to make sure she got to her destination safely, and for all he knew she could be going on a journey to Seanchan.  

"Why would you offer this? I could be going the opposite direction than you are. You would go out of your way to help a stranger?"

Ignis looked at her. "I'm a traveler who goes where the wheel takes me and do the tasks the wheel sets before me. The Wheel Weaves as the Wheel Wills as they say."

Kira held back the smile she felt.  His answer was a very Aes Sedai answer. He was suggesting fate had brought them together in this moment, and perhaps there was truth to that.  The Wheel worked in mysterious ways.

"Then I will accept your offer," she said, pulling Melody by the bit, and getting closer to her new traveling companion. "It is getting late. Perhaps we should set up camp?"

Ignis nodded. "I'll lead you to mine. I have a couple of rabbits I was going to put into a stew for dinner tonight.  Will that suffice? Kira nodded and he began to lead her towards his camp. "Since you mention it, where are we headed?"

Kira smiled. "Tar Valon."

[Edwin]

The days passed, and Ignis found his traveling companion to be quite delightful.  As they traveled, he learned that she had grown up in Tear, but had moved away to live elsewhere as a teenager when she and her father had become estranged.  She didn't go into detail and he didn't press.  She had asked about his past, something he hadn't been keen to discuss, so he returned the favor.

At times Kira would tell stories and they could be anywhere from sad to comical, but he noticed she preferred the comical ones.  Her smile and laugh were infectious, and he soon fell into a routine where he looked forward to her odd stories.  Almost none of them were realistic, but at the same time, he had heard some of them.  He particularly liked her telling of the story of Lenn flying to the moon in an eagle made of fire.  Her knowledge of Gleeman's tales seemed to be pretty solid, but she even told stories he didn't know.  Ignis found Kira to be quite a surprising individual.

They traveled, and it didn't take long for Dragonmount and The White Tower to show up on the horizon.  Every day they got closer.  No one harassed them as they journeyed.  His presence keeping the bandits at bay, but there was one thing that slowed them down.  Anyone who needed help on the road got it.  Kira had a kind heart, and a poor man looking for food would receive it with Kira's blessing.  A family with a broken ox cart would would received assistance.  Ignis had helped with that one - and it was strange because he hadn't even thought of rebuilding his honor when he had done so.  He had simply been inspired by her kindness to help.  Ignis distinctly remembered when they had come across a woman and a sick child.  Kira had given the woman money for medicine and food.  She then whispered something to the woman who nodded.  Kira put the woman, exhuasted, on her own mare, Melody, and together, they took the woman and child to a nearby village, where the child was given over to the care of a Wisdom.  Kira had walked, even when Ignis had offered his own gelding, Storm, but she had outright refused.  She carried the sick child herself, and for the first time, Ignis had heard Kira sing.  As they walked, she sang soothing songs to the gril in her arms.  The image and the song that accompanied it would be etched in his memory forever.  Although he doubted the little girl would need the Wisdom's help.  He had noticed the color had returned to the girl's cheeks.

They were now setting up camp.  They would reach Tar Valon tomorrow, and Ignis was almost sad that his journey with Kira would have to end.  It wasn't love.  He didn't feel that way towards the woman he had traveled with - not that she wasn't beautiful or anything - he just felt their relationship had been something else - something more akin to a partnership.  He hadn't told her of his past, but she seemed to know his motivations.  As he started the fire, he did an inventory of the dishonor he had carried since his fall.  Since he had met her, he had chipped away more of it than he had in three months time.  

Kira sat down, finishing her walk around the camp.  She did it every time, and he had no idea why but he didn't ask.  He spoke after she got situated.  "I grew up in Arafel.  My father was a captain there and I joined the guard. I moved through the ranks quickly - through my own merits - not my father's influence.  When I was put in charge of my own squad, I went to celebrate - had too much - and overslept.  I missed my entire first day of duty because I was still drunk when I awoke.  I was punished, resigned, and left Arafel after my sentence was carried out," he faced Kira, and she was listening intently. "Most people don't understand honor.  I just, couldn't face them anymore.  Now I travel - doing what I can to make up for my mistake."

Ignis watched her and he could see the gears working behind her eyes, sorting through the information and putting the pieces together.  When she spoke, she heard no judgement or insult in her voice. "Well, I think you have regained some of your honor in the last several days," and she smiled at him.  The smile stood out to him - different than any of those she had given him before.  She had decided something, and he wasn't sure what.

Ignis sighed as he began to prepare their dinner.  He liked to cook, and Kira had seemed content with letting him do so. "It's not enough.  Not yet."

"When will it be enough?" again, her tone was non-judgemental.

"I will know."

The night passed by with more amiable conversation after that.  Kira told more stories and they laughed together, but Ignis noticed something.  The look in Kira's eyes had changed.  He wasn't sure how to describe it, but he knew it wasn't anything sinister.  He was more the certain she had decided something, and he had a feeling that tomorrow wouldn't be the last day he saw Kira Valyrios.

[Cadence]

Kira Valyrios

Ignis had told her the night before about his dishonor.  To be honest, she didn't get it.  Yes, what he had done had been wrong, but it certainly wasn't something to beat yourself up over, but Kira knew that many soldiers held their honor dear and took it very seriously - and Arafellins were particularly notorious for that.  It explained a lot and why he no longer wore bells in his hair.  Kira felt like he had already regained what he had lost, but that was not up to her.  It was up to him.  Her travels with Ignis and the revelation of his past had been enough for Kira.  She had found a Warder - if he would accept.  She would ask him at the White Tower. 

They had arrived in Tar Valon and Kira turned her head to speak with him. "Ignis, please allow me to buy you lunch before you leave.  It would be my honor to do so."

She had said honor to be slightly manipulative, knowing out of hand he would likely refuse her offer for food, but he agreed and she took them to an inn.  She grabbed her harp, wrapped in the gleewoman's cloak she wore.  The patches inside, it looked only like a non-descript piece of clothe.  Ignis eyed the bundle, but asked nothing.  They entered the inn and found a seat. "Please excuse me for a moment, I will order our food and drink."

She went to the innkeeper and ordered food and water for one (she knew Ignis no longer drank alcohol) with a second plate and wine to be sent after she performed.  She showed him the cloak and harp, keeping it hidden from the view of the crowd.  He smiled and nodded, the bargain accepted.  Kira looked back at Ignis before she moved farther, he was gazing at her curiously.  She gave him a smile and with a flourish wrapped the cloak around herself and pulled out the harp.  It was meant to be showy and to draw attention to her, but she looked only at Ignis as his eyes widened in surprise.  Today would be a day full of surprises for him.

The crowd began to applaud at this.  Kira stepped up and plucked her harp, beginning a song.  The crowd knew it and sang along, encouraged by her playing and singing.  She had the attention of everyone, but the food and wine flowed as she sang.  She had more than earned their food with her perfomance.  She took suggestions for a second song, everyone calling out there favorites.  Ignis just watched, a smile on his face.  She performed the second song with more fervor and more requests came for a third.

"Tell the story of Lenn and how he rode to the moon in an eagle made of fire," the voice of Ignis travled through the Inn.  

Kira smirked and began - bringing out her juggling balls, she told the story, adding dance to her juggling.  The crowd ate it up.  She finished and they applauded, feeling sad when she announced that would be it for the day.  Kira went to join Ignis and eat her meal.

---

Full, they left the inn and Ignis mounted his horse to escort her home.  Soon he would realize that they were heading directly toward the tower.  Kira could sense him getting a little bit uneasy as they got closer and he didn't speak until they passed the gate into the tower grounds proper.

"You live here? At the White Tower?" he said, his voice suprised. "You're Aes Sedai?"

"I am.  I am Kira Valyrios, Aes Sedai of the Yellow Ajah," she said with a smile.

Ignis had already sat up straighter in his saddle. "With all due respect Kira Sedai, you lied to me."

She looked at him, not surprised he was a little upset. "I spoke no word that was untrue.  An Aes Sedai cannot lie."

"But you did decieve me..."

Kira nodded.  There had been a reason for this. She remained silent until they arrived at the stable.  She handed the stable boy Melody's reins."I have reasons for that - reasons I will explain.  Will you walk just a little further with me?"

Ignis sat on Storm in thought before he nodded, dismounted and handed the reins to the stable boy.  When they were out of earshot, she continued. "Since you have found out I was Aes Sedai, you have already begun to stand straighter.  You already use the honorific Sedai.  You're treating me differently because you know what I am.  I didn't tell you I was Aes Sedai on purpose.  Not for any malicious intent.  I wanted to get to know you and I wanted you to get to know me - not as an Aes Sedai, but as a person." She turned to face him, her eyes serious. "I found that you are a good and honorable man.  One who cares deeply about those around him.  A man who seeks to regain his honor.  When I left Tar Valon, I went on a personal quest.  I didn't intend for our meeting, but as you said: 'The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills.' I think we were meant to meet, and I think it was for this purpose.  You seek to regain your honor, what I offer you is a way to do so.  There is nothing wrong with helping random people on the street.  I've done it myself, and will continue to do so.  But by serving as my Warder, you will serve the White Tower, and through the White Tower, the world."

Ignis looked at her and she could tell he understood the importance of this. "You offer me a great honor.  One I'm not sure I deserve."

Kira returned his look. "But you do deserve it.  I wouldn't ask it otherwise.  If you refuse, that is your choice, but I believe that we were brought together for his purpose.  When we traveled you saw Kira Valyrios.  I'll tell you this - and by the three oaths I cannot speak a word that is untrue - Kira Sedai is the same woman. I will not treat you as a slave or pack mule.  You will be my partner, bodyguard, confidant, and friend. The same was we were when we traveled."

She saw him thinking, but knew she had reached him.  Kira watched as he pulled out one of his blades and knelt before her, holding the sword in front of her as if offering it to her. "By the Light and my hope of salvation and rebirth, I will draw as you say draw and I will sheathe as you say sheathe.  Your quest is now my quest and your goals are now my goals.  I will stand by your side as your protector from now until you release me or until death take me."

Ignis looked up at her expectantly. "I accept your oaths.  It is almost done," Kira wove the Warder bond and lay it over Ignis.  She could now feel him in he back of her mind, a sense of pride filling him.  She could even feel the dishonor he felt - like a stain - and somehow she knew that it had grown smaller. "Rise Ignis Caleum, Gaidin of the White Tower."