<a class="postlink" href="http://imgur.com/vXH2EjU.jpg">[ img ]</a><br/><br/>Ilia Anon<br/>19<br/><br/>Almoth Plain, approaching Emonds Field/ 14 years ago<br/><br/>A colorful band of wagons rolled along the hills of Almoth plains. By sight, anyone could recognize the traveling people and a small group of boys, playing where they shouldn't be, did. Back in Emonds field, everyone seemed to be preparing for the arrival of these Tinkers, as they liked to call them. Hiding their more valuable possessions and readying coin for trade. It was always nice when the opportunity for trade came along. Padan Fain only came a few times a year but, while he was preferable to Tinkers, no opportunity was missed, especially for Tinker cookware. So parents instructed their children to stay away from the outsiders. They didn't want these Tinkers to kidnap their children, or steal from their homes. Crashing through the tree line to the west of Emonds Field, the group of boys had every intention of announcing the arrival of the tinkers, but instead found themselves in trouble for being places they should not.<br/><br/>Ilia, only 5 years old, rode with her father to Emonds Field. Never knowing her mother, for she died in childbirth, Ilia was told just how much she resembled her. Small for her age, at least compared to the other children, Ilia was slight, soft golden curls framed her small face, and long lashes ringed large, brown eyes. Everyone speculated that Ilia would grow up to be a beautiful young woman, but for now she was as cute as a button, with a mild manner to match. With her ancestory leading back to Cairhein, according to her father, Ilia stood out from the other dark headed children. She didn't seem to notice, but her father always seemed to be complimented on his adorable, well behaved, golden haired child, which he returned with a gracious thank you and a "She's the spitting image of her mother." accompanied with a loving smile in her direction. As her father rode into Emonds Field, Ilia sat beside him gripping his arm as she looked about. He smiled down to her, his own brown eyes warm with love for his only child. "It's alright, Ilia. They won't harm you." He patted her small hand as they rolled the wagon closer. "They are afraid of what they do not know, just as you are." He looked ahead as he spoke, a slight smile pulling his face. "We must teach them not to be afraid of us. It is The Way, remember?" Young Ilia nodded, but did not let go of her father.<br/><br/>Entering the threshold of Emonds Field,  Ilia's father stopped his cart as 2 men approached. "I am Bran Al'Vere and this is Tam Al'Thore." A round man spoke while motioning towards the fellow beside him. "We welcome you to Emonds Field." Ilia's father smiled as he hopped from the wagon seat and lifted Ilia down before removing his hat and shaking the men's hands. "I am Lorgen. This is my daughter Ilia." She hid behind her father, eyeing the two men. "Are you Cairheinin?" Tam asked. Lorgen nodded. "I've never seen a Cairheinin Tinker before." Lorgen only smiled and continued their conversation as a few women came up to speculate what wares could be hidden behind the wagon's covering. "Is it alright if we give the child some sweets?" A gray haired woman asked, taking Bran's arm. Lorgen looked down to Ilia and nudged her towards the woman. Taking her hand, Ilia looked back to her father as the woman lead her to a whitewashed, red roofed, Inn. "My name is Marin. How would you like to meet my daughter, Egwene?"<br/><br/>Ebou Dar/ 5 years ago<br/><br/>"Ilia! Ilia Anon!" A robust woman called up a narrow flight of stairs. "Where is that child?" A local, very reputable, Inn known as the Morning Star sat in the twinkling early hours of the morning. The kitchen lights spilling into the still quiet streets. Everyone seemed to be sleeping, but for the Anon family, the day had already begun.<br/><br/>With a sigh, the stout woman took a step up the stairs, only stopping as a clamour began at the top announcing a young, pretty girl who, by observantion, could in no way be a relative of the stouter woman. Being almost the complete opposite of each other, the older woman was tall, stout, and ivory complected with straight dark hair whereas Ilia was short, slight, light complected, complete with a full head of gentle blonde curls. "I'm sorry!" The girl stumbled down the stairs as she tried to slip on a dark shoe. Huffing from the effort,  Ilia nearly ran into her adoptive mother, who reacted by grabbing her daughter by the ear. "Why are you making so much noise? There are Aes Sadai staying here! We don't want to annoy them. It's an honor to house such esteemed guests." Ilia only winced as her mother's hold on her ear loosened and she let go, leaving Ilia to rip her earlobe and pout. "Steam some towels and heat up a pitcher of water to bring for their morning wash,  girl." The woman held a large spoon in her hand, threatening to use it on Ilia's bottom. "I know you're not a complete fool." She chuckled warmly as Ilia hopped to avoid the end of the wooden spoon.<br/><br/>In the kitchen Ilia started a pot to boil. A yawn cracked her jaw as Ilia pulled a comb from a hidden pocket and she ran it through her curls: it would do no good to be unpresentable. With warm towels and pitcher on her tray, Ilia slowly made her way up the guest's stairway and knocked on an ornately carved and guilded door. "Come in." A melodic voice called from within. Ilia made her way in and set her burden upon the small table beside the washstand. "Warm towels and water, Aes Sadai." Ilia gave an awkward curtsy before folding her hands and waiting to be dismissed. To her surprise, one of the 3 women approached her, lifting Ilia's eyes to her own. "Such a pretty child." There was a warm smile in that ageless face and the woman turned to her companions. "I knew there was someone here who could channel." Had Ilia still been holding her tray, she would have dropped it.<br/><br/>Tar Valon/ Present Day<br/><br/>Holding color banded white skirts, Ilia ran as fast her feet could carry her. With an armful of books Ilia was trying to make her way to the library. Gathering the books from the accepted who had borrowed them had been a task, but Brown sister Geneve Sadai had asked her to collect them before their next lesson together and Ilia, who was sooo close to becoming an Aes Sadai herself, wasn't about to shirk on her duties. However, the last accepted she spoke to had given her some trouble and now Ilia was going to be late. Unless.. She cut her way through the dining halls.<br/>Slowing to a fast walk, Ilia entered through a large lair of doors from the Accepted Quarters, looking behind her for any Aes Sadai that may have needed her. Before her, there was a small group talking and giggling amongst themselves. Ilia didn't have time to stop and eavesdrop, of course she wouldn't do that anyway, but she speculated that it was about the Warder in Training that had taken the flag from its most last night. It was a shameful thing to do, for sure, but impressive. For fear of drawing the Aes Sadai's attention, Ilia rounded and column, heading for the exit closest to the library. She didn't have time to was-<br/><br/>"Oof." A huff of hair forced it's way from Ilia's lungs as she tripped over something. Scrambling to her feet, she saw it was a broom handle, and connected to it was the Recruit everyone was talking about. "I'm sorry!" Ilia would have tried to imitate an Aes Sadai's serenity, but she was not very good at it. Instead, she went to collect the books that had fallen. One of the older books had lost a few pages, which made Ilia wince. Geneve Sadai hated the mistreatment of books and Ilia would be punished for it. "I hope I didn't hurt you!" Ilia would have asked if she could check him for injury, but she didn't have the time. "Oh, goodness." Heading towards her exit, Ilia looked back at the young man and apologized again. There was no point in being later than she had to be.