[center][h3]The Aes Sedai
Morning of the Hunt[/h3][/center]
It wasn’t clear what roused Alyna out of her heavenly slumber, but the pain radiating from her legs seemed to be what kept her from falling back asleep. Riding all day was definitely taking its toll on the petite woman. The Aes Sedai groaned softly, pushing the sheet off of her, and swinging her legs around to hang off the bed. She sat up slowly, taking in the room she had settled into last night. Now that it was lit by more than just moonlight it was easier to see why the innkeeper had charged so little. A sigh almost escaped her lips, but it caught in her throat when she noticed Saloul’s sleeping form. She gingerly stood up, peering at him while creeping forward. A cool breeze brushed against Alyna’s bare legs, but she pressed on. Every night they’d been together Saloul had woken up before her, making sure to take care of any chores they needed completed. At first it had made her slightly annoyed, but she had grown accustomed to his chivalrous attitude.

A few creaking floorboards almost gave Alyna away, but Saloul seemed to be asleep when she set herself down on the edge of his bed. She had insisted on a room with two beds, but now she wondered how he felt about that decision. They were Warder and Aes Sedai now, a closer bond than any star struck lovers, yet the still slept in separate beds. Is that what Saloul wanted? If Alyna was being honest with herself she didn’t even know if that’s what she wanted. He hadn’t seem disappointed when she requested two cots, but even with the bond he was occasionally unreadable.

The Aes Sedai looked at his face curiously, not used to seeing him in such a neutral or helpless state. Alyna noticed how tightly her hand was gripping Saloul’s sheet, and she let out a breath as she released her grip. Her eyes once again shifted to his face, following the strong line of his cheek bone to his sun kissed chin. A bit of panic rose up in her chest as she glanced behind her at the light filtering through the shades. She turned back to Saloul, putting her hands on his shoulders, and shaking him gently to wake him up. At the first sign of wakefulness Alyna stood up, and moved to get the dress she would be wearing that day out of the saddlebag leaning against her bed.

“We’ve got to get ready,” Alyna said firmly, before walking to the other side of the room. She slipped off her night gown’s straps and let it fall to the ground. She was still decently clothed in heavy undergarments, and as such didn’t feel embarrassed by Saloul seeing her in such a state. The Aes Sedai slipped the royal purple dress over her head quickly, straightening it out as it settled on her body. She moved back to the other side of the bed, and kneeled down to search through her saddle bag.