(no subject)

[we_bring_hell]

You would need an advanced degree in Nonagesamics to realize that Harrowhark is ecstatically happy this morning, but even the layman can tell that her usual spikes are retracted somewhat. Not the spikes on her boots--Gideon liked these boots, and she has no intention of wearing anything else for a while. But the metaphorical spikes.

Aside from her boots she is back in her standard habit--black trousers, black long-sleeve shirt with the high collar. No gloves. Her hair is freshly cropped back to her scalp. Her face is painted with exceptional care, in what Harrow considers the sexiest pattern, because Harrowhark has opinions about things like that. This one is called The Chain and has considerable, immodest flourishes. She has edged the perimeter of the painted skull with midnight purples and deep blood reds, an even greater departure from propriety.

She is writing in her journal, and since she writes in code there is no way anyone can tell she has doodled One Flesh One End approximately one hundred times. She has been eating oatmeal, and by God she even ate the raisins.

Things are good. For now, for once, things are good.

Comments

[blue_ajah]

“Or trusts your judgement,” the Aes Sedai murmurs.

[we_bring_hell]

Her frown deepends; she's not sure that's not worse. "It was necessary, although unpleasant. Now we know."

"it is an escape of last resort, and that is a precious thing to have."

"But I fear she would do it for a worse reason, or no reason at all, if I asked her. It is a fearsome responsibility." She takes a deep draft of water. "And yet for ten years she has disobeyed every order she can. She tried to flee the Ninth House and join the Cohort more than seventy times."

[blue_ajah]

The Aes Sedai nods.

“What has changed, do you think?”

[we_bring_hell]

Harrow does think about it. She's thought about it before; she thinks about it all the time.

"I think she has waited all this time to be ordered to do something that mattered."

She worries her temple with her thumb. "I know her manner was... frivolous. Immature." Ridiculous. Embarrassing. "But she is truly a treasure as a cavalier."

[blue_ajah]

“Do not be concerned,” Moiraine assures her. “I have witnessed far worse. I was not offended.”

“She is incredibly strong.”

[we_bring_hell]

She nods. "You see it, too?"

"It is the third time I have drawn on her in that way. All within a week or so. She is--extraordinary."

It's possible that in that moment, Harrow's face says far more than she means for it to.

[blue_ajah]

“Another woman might have died,” Moiraine says, bluntly. “I was prepared to break the link between you if necessary.”

Or to try, at least.

“But she has an inner well of strength that is unusual.”

To say the least.

[we_bring_hell]

"I would not have pushed her so far if we had not had experience," she says. "That was still not the equal of the avulsion trial."

"I don't understand the point of a trial that can only be solved by--" She breaks off, as one who catches herself committing blasphemy.

Inhale. Exhale. "The Lord has a plan for us, I know. But surely it is madness to say only a necromancer with a cavalier like Gideon can become a Lyctor. The Lyctors don't even--" She cuts herself off again.

[blue_ajah]

“Unless not all who attempt the trials are expected to survive them.”

She pours herself a cup of tea, and is silent for a moment, thinking.

“It would seem imprudent, to say the least, to create a trial that cannot be passed, however.”

[we_bring_hell]

She worries at her temple again, winces, and says: "I'm sorry. I have spoken of everything but our experiment. I am trespassing on your time."

"I am beyond satisfied with the results; indeed, I am exultant," she says, poker-faced. "I hope it provided you with insights into our magics?"

If she were Palamedes Sextus, she would already be drafting her white paper on the application of necromantic energy to space itself.

[blue_ajah]

"You are not trespassing," Moiraine tells her. "I find this well worth my time, you may be sure."

"I do believe that I have gained additional insight, yes. At some point it may prove useful for me to attempt the process as well."

She is treading very, very close to dangerous territory, she knows. It is a fine line to walk, but she has walked finer.

[we_bring_hell]

She nods, apparently unalarmed. "You have been able to handle the necromantic energies before."

"I warn you, at that scale you must surely begin to experience epistaxis--passive damage to your body. Especially as you are not of post-Resurrection humanity."

[blue_ajah]

"It would seem likely," she agrees. "And I suspect there will be a difference between holding such things and actively manipulating them."

"Still. I am pleased to see that you are able to translate known weaves into thanergetic workings."

[we_bring_hell]

"As am I," she says, brightening. "Both selfishly, for its applications in my practice, and because of what it means for our ongoing explorations. It seems clear that there are common fundamentals--much more than with some forms of thalergenic magic, at least."

"I am interested to explore the possibilities of weaves within pre-existing thanergy--weaving what is already there, if I cannot produce my own. I am not sure I will be able to differentiate the thanergy in such circumstances, but are there not weaves composed entirely of Spirit?"

[blue_ajah]

"There are," she confirms. There is a moment's pause, as she takes a sip of tea.

"One of them is the weave that creates the bond between Warder and Aes Sedai."

[we_bring_hell]

"I see," she says. "What are the properties of that bond?"

[blue_ajah]

"Understand that I do not know for certain if this weave would work for you, without the ability to power it in the way that an Aes Sedai would," she cautions.

"Among other things, it grants the Warder the ability to go without food, water, and rest, when needed, as well as to endure wounds that would kill others. Although Gideon already has that gift," she observes, dryly.

"It also allows both the Warder and Aes Sedai to find each other when separated, and to sense the other's emotion and general physical state."

[we_bring_hell]

""Hm," she says. She's not sure she'd like Gideon to be able to sense her emotional state, anyway.

"Interesting. But you are correct, to even establish it one of us would have to be carrying a heavy load of thanergy--dying, in other words. Let alone to continue powering it."

"Although I believe Gideon would give much to be able to find me at will."

[blue_ajah]

She nods.

"I suspect that a simple Spirit ward would be more appropriate for the experimentation you propose."

[we_bring_hell]

"Is there one you could share that would be appropriate?" she asks.

[blue_ajah]

"Yes," she says, simply, and turns to a blank page in her journal. Moiraine starts to sketch a diagram as she explains,

"I have used it to ward a location, such as a campsite, that I might know if anyone or anything attempted to enter or leave."

She pauses for a moment, and points her pen at the plate of food, then at Harrow.

"Replenish your resources, while I draw this."

[we_bring_hell]

She ducks her head at the gentle direction, and picks up a piece of bread. She appreciates Moiraine's framing of the matter, at least.

She makes her way through the bread and tries a piece of melon, finding it pleasantly mild in flavor and not excessively sweet.

"Moiraine Sedai, may I ask -- do you have a Warder at present? I know it is not part of the traditions of the world you call home now..."

[blue_ajah]

“I do not,” she says.

“There is someone who acts as a guard, as needed, but we have not implemented the Warder’s bond.”

[we_bring_hell]

She nods at that, and falls silent while she does her best to eat a little more. She seems to acquire more concerned parties by the day. It is... surprisingly pleasant, in a way, although raises concerns in another. But she likely has at least another few weeks before it can become a problem.

[blue_ajah]

She finishes drawing the diagram, creases the page, and tears it neatly out of her journal. Moiraine passes it over to Harrow.