<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/4/42/Gaidin.jpg)</div><strong>Character name:</strong>Ardan Taliesin<br/><strong>Position:</strong>Gaidin<br/><strong>Bondmate:</strong>Aleana Sedai (Soon)<br/><strong>Tag:</strong>Aleana<br/><strong>Time:</strong>Evening, Saven 5th, 990NE<br/><strong>Place:</strong>Aleana<br/><strong>Warning:</strong>N/a<br/><hr/><div style="text-align: justify;">Ardan was relieved that Aleana would not push further, that she would not give them to the Browns or the Reds, he wasn't sure which one would be worse. Still, she understood the need for secrecy. Who better to understand it than the Keeper of Chronicles? Or the Amyrlin? Ardan was more relaxed, now that someone else knew and did not run out of the room flailing. He couldn't smell anything different about her, or at least nothing worth notice.<br/><br/>The tension in her did not ease with his intruding question. Considering how hers at been, it was a fair turnabout. With the information that she had about him, about his secret, she held cards that she could use against him, or use to force him into a situation that he would want nothing to do with. This kind of power, Ardan though, should bring a measure of trust. She could share with him because if he could scratch her by spreading information spoken in confidence, she could put him in a world of trouble.<br/><br/><em>"I have, for quite some time now, wished to discuss the possibility of bonding you as my Gaidin."</em> The words were immediately registered by his brain and he felt the blood drain from his face. He had the level of skill required to be a warder. He had forgone the possibility of marriage and children already, although he was still young enough to father a son or three.  "Blood and Ashes." He said under his breath. There was a difference about dreaming to become a Warder and being offered to really be one. He hoped that his words had not offended or come across as a negative answer to her offer.<br/><br/>Ardan had the skills, the will, and certainly the respect necessary to become Aleana's warder. He was not infallible, of course, but he was dedicated and trained hard to become better.  He knew that there was no other woman to whom he would rather bind himself. Aleana was no foolish woman, she would not throw herself in the face of danger without care for her life or his, or how the loss of her life meant his own death. His life tied to hers, until death. His stomach twisted as the decision was taken. Ardan brushed the palm of his hand over his face, from forehead to chin and finally returned her gaze to her Aleana, Keeper of the Chronicles, raised from the Blue Ajah.<br/><br/>Ardan moved from sitting onto the edge of his chair to kneeling at her feet. He was humbled and honored by her offer, and he had to let her know. "It will be an honor to serve, Aleana Sedai, and I would be proud to be your Gaidin. I swear to protect you and serve, my loyalty is to you, and to the Tower. By the Light and my hope of Salvation and Rebirth, I so swear, or may the Creator's face turn from me forever and darkness consume my soul." The words came out of his mouth as if spoken by someone else, more binding than any weave she would put on him. His voice was unwavering even if his palms were sweaty. He wasn't entirely sure that it was the kind of oath that he had to take to become her gaidin, but he relied on her to guide him if it wasn't. He had professed his loyalty to her, and to the Tower and he knew that it would go in that order, precisely. Her first, Tower after.<br/><br/></div>