The Wheel Turned

Chapter Seventeen: Tea

It had been a few weeks since they arrived in Andor. Alessia was nose deep into the books that Verin Sedai had given her. Alanna had yet to arrive back to teach her new weaves. Alessia was frustrated as she still had dreamless nights. She could feel Lillen's anger through their bond. She pulled out her drawing book and began to draw a spider into her book. Remembering the spider Lillen had told her about. Hearing footsteps as she closed the book as Verin was smiling at her.
"Studying?" Verin asked as Alessia nodded her head. She was working on her Old Tongue with a little help from the city's Ogier when he would visit the library. She had read up on the former Dragon Reborns and how they either failed or succeeded.
"I see you are interested in the Dragon. Why not write an essay about them?" Verin asked as Alessia nodded her head lightly.
"The library doesn't have any other books about the Dragons." Alessia spoke as she packed up the book, her journal and her ink with quill.
"Yes, the Tower has more. I can head there tonight and grab a few and head back." Verin spoke as Alessia put the bag over her shoulder. She opened her mouth. "Ah. You are to stay here." Verin added as Alessia nodded her head with a frown. Watching the Brown ajah take the lead back to the house from the library as Alessia followed. Seeing the city running about while putting decorations up around as Alessia was watching them. Feeling her shoulder touched as she focused her attention back as she followed. The weather was warm again. Though, winter was just around the corner. She entered the house and heard voices chattering away with excitement.

"Alessia!" Alanna's voice shouted as Alessia jumped. Seeing the battle ajah as she smiled and went over to give the woman a hug.
"Hello Alanna Sedai." Alessia gave the woman in green a bow.
"I have a lesson I want to teach you." Alanna spoke as Alessia nodded and went to her room she was staying in. Seeing Moiraine was in there reading a scroll.
"Moiraine Sedai." Alessia spoke with a soft smile as she set her bag onto the table.
"Hello my little Dragon." Moiraine spoke softly while walking up to her to pull her into a hug. Alessia returned the hug before pulling her book out. "What does sister Verin have you studying now?" Moiraine asked.
"The former Dragon Reborns." Alessia replied. "She's going to the Tower to grab more books. I wanted to go with her." Alessia added.
"You know this by now." Moiraine warned her again. Alessia sighed a little and nodded her head. She felt her heart crush at this. Knowing full well that Lillen could feel her. Hoping she did. They haven't even seen each other. Then, she had an idea. She just needed to wait until the right time. Seeing that Moiraine had taken her leave from the room after reminding her about dinner. Alessia quickly pulled out some paper and began to write. Knowing her friends had not heard from her and were probably worried. She couldn't write to Alice because she knew Alice and Alanna were together and she would tell Alanna everything. Writing to Jane would also be too obvious. Tarna is her friend as well. Knowing full well Tarna would contact Liandrin as well. Then it was decided. She knew exactly who she needed to write to. She needed to play this carefully. Hearing her quill scratch the paper as she wrote. Once finished, she tied it with and tucked it into her belt. Pulling out fresh paper to start on part of her essay that Verin Sedai had given her.

Hearing a knock as she jumped.
"Alessia dear. Dinner is ready." Alanna's voice came. Alessia looked up and smiled. Putting her quill down as she stood up to follow Alanna out.
"Sorry, I was absorbed in my essay." Alessia spoke.
"No worries. Just help clean up afterwards." Alanna spoke as Alessia nodded her head. "Lesson will be after." Alanna added. Feeling her heart rate go up. She needed to figure out a way to delay the lesson since she needed to find a rider. Feeling a calming sensation, she sighed in relief. Lillen could still feel her. Placing a hand over her chest as she closed her eyes.
"You alright?" Moiraine asked as Alessia nodded her head as she left to the kitchen to help bring the food out. It seemed tonight they were having meat stew and bread. She was used to this. She smiled while setting the bowls down as Alanna brought a kettle out.
"More tea?" Verin asked.
"Of course! It's good for you!" Alanna smiled. Alessia raised a brow at her. She was now getting suspicious about this.
"I do have to ask as well. Can we have water?" Adeleas asked.
"No. We have plenty of tea. It's good for you." Alanna spoke. Alessia sat down in her seat as tea was poured into her cup. "Drink up!" Alanna spoke as she set the kettle down. Everyone took a drink as Alessia didn't.
"Alessia. Drink." Moiraine spoke as she nodded and grabbed her cup and pretended to drink it. Faking a gulp before setting her cup down and waiting for the others to begin to eat. She smiled and started to eat as well. Dipping her bread into the stew before eating it. It was not long when they had finished. She began to gather the dishes as Alanna stopped her. Picking up her cup and placing it into Alessia's hand. The others had taken their leave.
"Drink your tea." Alanna spoke. Alessia felt defeated and nodded her head as she did. "Good girl. Go get ready for your lesson." Alanna added.
"Don't worry dear. I can clean up here. You go ahead. Take this and deliver it for me?" Adeleas spoke. She took the letter and nodded her head. Bowing before taking her leave. This was her chance! She grabbed her cloak to put it on since it was a little cold outside now. Making her way down quickly as she felt her heart beating rather fast at the moment. Spotting a rider as she waved at him.
"What can I do for you?" He asked as he came up to her on his horse.
"Adeleas Sedai wishes for this to be delivered and." She began while quickly looking around to make sure she wasn't followed.
"And?" He asked.
"This letter as well. Quickly as possible." She spoke while handing him the letter she wrote from her belt.
"I can get these to the Tower tomorrow. Tonight is the fastest but it will cost you." He spoke.
"How much?" She asked.
"Ten marks." He spoke. She nodded her head and pulled out her coin purse. She frowned. She was low on funds. Just enough to pay him.
"Here you go. Thank you." She spoke as he nodded and pulled on the reins. Shouting as the horse galloped away. She sighed a little as she could feel the nervousness coming from herself.
"Alessia." Moiraine's voice made her jump.
"You scared me Moiraine Sedai!" Alessia spoke.
"What are you doing here?" Moiraine asked. She looked upset.
"Adeleas Sedai asked me to deliver her letter to him to the Tower." Alessia spoke.
"You should not be going anywhere alone. Come along. Alanna is looking for you." Moiraine spoke as Alessia nodded her head. Following the woman in blue.