Sharing news with Moiraine

[agirllost]

[Millitimed to a few weeks ago]

Behrooz is in her head. She's in his. She wanted to believe it was a side-effect, a delusion, but it's real and happening and she can see no way to sever the link. She would laugh if she wasn't so afraid of everyone's reaction to this news.

Elan. Oh God. Elan was here and could still be here and so many people to warn, and Kim knows she should tell everyone she can find but there's only one person she needs to talk to right now.

Moiraine.

She knows that her teacher has answers, will be able to...solve something, anything, because she keeps feeling Behrooz in her mind and old injuries that she'd forgotten but that his body still remembered. Her hand drifts up to touch her neck and she forces it back down.

Elan almost killed Behrooz. Her stomach turns thinking about it and it makes her want to rip something to shreds. She's trying to work on impulse control. But Elan's back and Behrooz is tied to her and if anyone knows how to deal with both situations, it's her teacher.

Kim reaches Moiraine's door and knocks, hoping that she's available.

Comments

[agirllost]

Kim listens, trying to ignore what she senses from Behrooz and takes in what Moiraine's saying. They've talked about the different Ajahs before, but not this aspect of them.

"More than one? How...does that work? Doesn't that - I mean, wouldn't that lead to some kind of jealousy?"

She looks up at her, "I...think this place proves that if nothing else."

[blue_ajah]

"Not especially," she says dryly. "Although it is a question you might better ask of a Green-- still, since there is no one of the Green in this place, I shall explain what I may."

"The Green Ajah is known for battle; they stand ready to fight. As such, sisters of the Green may have more than one Warder to assist them in strength and defense, as well as in attack."

[agirllost]

"From what I have seen...the Blues do a fair amount of fighting too," she takes this from the times she's heard of Moiraine either in a battle or assisting in some way.

[blue_ajah]

"There is that," she agrees, "but in times past when the world itself was not at war-- to be Blue is to pursue the betterment of the world though attention to causes and the interests of justice."

A pause.

"And, speaking of fighting and battle, and given what I know of your world... I would hear of what happened to Behrooz, Kim, that necessitated such desperate measures."

[agirllost]

Kim thinks that sounds a lot like peace keeping and activism, but she understands justice.

"I know, I've been trying to figure out a way to tell you," she says and presses her lips together as she thinks. "After I do, we have to warn Shelley and other...people."

She's quiet for a few moments. "Behrooz can sense...the Dark."

[blue_ajah]

She does not look especially surprised to hear that, as it happens, but as soon as Kim mentions Shelley's name Moiraine's regard sharpens very abruptly.

She says nothing yet, but listens in silence.

[agirllost]

Kim doesn't look away but her gaze seems more distant.

"He found Elan -- in the woods, sensed him -- and Elan, he forced him to...use a knife and..." she closes her eyes and suppresses a shudder.

[blue_ajah]

In contrast, Moiraine's eyes are blazing with sudden, rigidly controlled fury.

"Elan Morin Tedronai. Ishamael. The Betrayer of Hope."

Her tone is flat and near-deadly.

"Rarely has his name been more fitting."

[agirllost]

"I didn't want to believe it," she breathes. "I thought he was gone. Behrooz said that he's gone now but if he comes back...I should have told security...."

[blue_ajah]

"Why did you not?"

It is not quite sharp.

Not quite.

[agirllost]

Moiraine asks good questions.

"I just found out and...wanted to talk to you first. Until he woke up I had no idea it wasn't -- " She breathes in and out softly. "He's gone now."

[blue_ajah]

"He has been gone before, and returned before," she replies flatly. "Still, you were right to tell me."

"How far in the woods was Behrooz when this happened, and what was Ishamael doing?"

[agirllost]

"Not very far - it was still woods, not...," she shakes her head. "I don't know. I only know he was here because Behrooz told me."

[blue_ajah]

She sighs.

"Well. I cannot say that this is good news, but perhaps plans may be made accordingly, then, should he decide to return and take further interest in this place."

The tone of her voice holds a deadly promise. Moiraine is silent for a few moments, considering, and then looks closely at Kim once more.

"Behrooz is completely Healed, now?"

[agirllost]

Kim nods, "I hope he never comes back, but if he does...I want to help you," her voice betrays no hesitation and her expression is determined.

"Yes, he's awake and has not even a scar."

[blue_ajah]

Moiraine does not look surprised at either statement.

"It is a benefit that he will experience in the future as well, should he be injured again while the two of you are bonded.

"And among other things that you will discover, you will find that you are stronger now, than you were before."

[agirllost]

"If your Warder was ever hurt...did you feel it?" She wonders how deep the connection goes.

"Stronger physically or stronger in the One Power?"

[blue_ajah]

"It is something that you are aware of, although not to the same extent that he suffers," Moiraine tells her. "Likewise, the connection goes both ways. If you are dizzy, for example, or incapacitated... it has something of an effect."

A pause, as she considers her words, and then,

"The one leads to the other. What you may channel is inborn, of course, but how strong you are-- how much you can stand, how tired you are, things of that nature -- this has an effect on how long you may continue to weave. Do you understand?"

[agirllost]

"I see," she says after a moment. "And if...I got hurt?"

She listens and slowly understands.

"Yes, I just don't know how I'm going to explain this to my fiance," she sighs and tries to still her hands. "I'm guessing this is a problem that doesn't come up a lot."

[blue_ajah]

"The connection goes both ways," she repeats. "He will also be aware -- but that does not mean he will be made unable to help you, should such a thing come to pass."

A very faint smile.

"Lan saved my life more times than I can quickly count, as it happens."

The Aes Sedai hesitates, then adds,

"No, it does not, not all that often. Aes Sedai do not often marry."

[agirllost]

"It's hard for me to believe you ever needed saving, Moiraine." She says seriously. Kim has complete faith in Moiraine, having been saved by her and seeing her save those she loves.

"But it does happen?"

[blue_ajah]

Moiraine looks at the younger woman for several seconds, evidently considering her words carefully. Finally, she says,

"It is kind of you to say that, I think-- but it has occurred, be certain of that. The war that I fight brings many dangers with it."

A pause, and then,

"It is so; in fact, Nynaeve Sedai is married."

[agirllost]

"But you have the One Power. How could..." she's thought that with powers and a degree of control no one could hurt her.

"I've yet to meet her. Does she have a Warder?"

[blue_ajah]

The Aes Sedai's tone is not quite sharp, but it is very crisp, and as direct as her words.

"Do not think for an instant that the ability to wield the One Power makes one immune to dangers, injury, or even death, Kim. The Power itself carries risks with it, not to mention that which might be encountered in war."

A pause.

"I think that you should meet her, and that soon, perhaps. And as it happens, Lan Mandragoran -- Lan Gaidin -- acts as her Warder."

Her tone is perfectly calm, at this last.

[agirllost]

She glances away, slightly ashamed that yes, she did think that the One Power made her mostly immune.

"But if the people I'm fighting...if they can't channel...doesn't that give me an advantage?"

To her other comment, she's silent for a few moments. "She's married to her Warder?"