A flash of light, a smell of cooking spices, a taint upon the bones, these feelings and more begin to assault your senses. You black out, awaken, black out again.
A lone figure stands upon a mountain, looking down at the white specks that begin to climb. His arms are crossed, and looks uncaring. His features are painfully handsome, his fingers prefectly proportioned as they reach out, and grasp a butterfly from the sky. The butterfly stiffens and falls from his touch, dead, turning to dust before it touches the ground.
My Lord, what are your orders? a voice chimes from behind him, sultry and smooth, a woman's voice.
Turning, the figure strides down into the caldera inside the mountain. Stretching before him is a lake, blacker than night, blue and green flames erupting from the surface. Jutting up from the placid waters are iron shafts, the bodies of people in various states of decay, from still alive and flailing about, to a skeleton with the spike through its skull, line its waters.
Walking a trail that forms itself infront of him, the man walks to the very edge of the water. The others who follow, 14 total, hang back, knowing that the touch of that water is death.
The man squats down, and puts a hand within the dread liquid. Pulling up, the liquid flows like oil between his fingers, dropping with plops into the basin.
caroline, come he whispers in a stern yet soothing voice
A woman, red of hair, luscious lips, yet plain of face, walks towards the man. Standing at the edge, she drops into a curtsey and waits.
why did you join me? he asks
to bask in your glory she replies.
Do you still wish for immortality? he asks, looking up at her.
She gasps, making eye contact fills her body with lust, a yearning, for the man, for the power he represents.
I do, my lord, with all my heart
smiling, he replies
then embrace Saidar, and taste immortality he commands standing.
The woman doesnt hesitate, trusting in her master. She surrenders to Saidar, and basks in its glory.
The man is upon her in an instant, his hand full of the tainted liquid.
For immortality he whispers, driving his hand through her eye into her skull.
What am I seeing? What is happening? This doesn't make any sense. Have I woken from the dream, or is this just a new dream still?
Ryland snarls, a deep rumbling sound in his mind, as anger fills the woodsman.
Dot
Fiallain swallows, her throat suddenly parched as she takes in the scene. Where.... where am I? What is this place, is this Shayol Ghul? Who are those people? This place is as nightmare! Where are the others? The woman and the pillar... she did something... but what?
What is this place? Darkfriends? Forsaken? Is this real, or has my mind snapped completely with... No! Let this all be a dream! I won't go back to being... nothing...
Alathea shakes her head frantically. Where is the Black Sister? I must not let her further harm my friends! But the woman is nowhere to be seen, and this...place is new to her.
Even without knowing where exactly she is, Alathea knows that she is in as much, if not more, danger than she was in in the basement. And those people...no good can come of this. No, you foolish woman! can you not hear the lie in his voice? But her voice...thoughts...go unheard. Despite the woman's inevitable fate, she cannot help but shrink from the sight. Light save me from this place!
You slowly begin to awaken, your mind overcoming your body's resistance to awaken from slumber. You feel as if you have run for a week straight, trollocs hounding your steps the entire way. You groan as your body aches, every movement bringing sharp pain, like pins and needles.
Needles, more needles than pins.
Pain in the chest, sharp and constant.
It increases, you no longer think this is an affect of... well, whatever just happened.
Opening your eyes, the sunlight directly overhead blinds you, forcing you to squint. Blinking rapidly, your eyes slowly adjust to what is in front of you.
A tall human shape slowly comes into focus, hair, eyes, nose, mouth. He wears armor, chain mail. A sword hangs from his hip, yet he also holds something, something long, wooden shaft. Glancing along the shaft, you see the business end, a large slab of metal, sharpened on one side, blunt on the other. The pointed tip digs into your chest from his prodding.
Looking back up at the man, for it is a man now, you are about to speak when something on his chest, and draped behind him, his cloak, holds your tongue.
Draped over his shoulders is a cloak. A white cloak. Pristine in color and cleanliness, its edge hemmed in red. His uniform is a simple white tabard, matching color and cleanliness of the cloak, and upon his chest sits a sigil. A blazing orange sun. No, not just a sun; within the sun, in fine detail, is a claw. No, a fang.
It dawns on you that you are staring at the Dragon's fang, set within the Sun.
My lord, there was a Myrddraal, but it was dispatched with fire. There is a woman, half naked, clutching a makeshift bag. She is comotose. She breathes, and is awake, yet doesnt see anything. There was another woman, but she somehow got away. A man says out of eyesight.
A man's voice speaks, vaguely familiar. Good job. Check these people over, ensure that they are healthy, yet secure them. Anyone who travels with a Fade must be Questioned by the Seekers of Truth.
Your mind takes in this voice, and you can jsut remember a face, a stern face, the name is on the tip of your tongue when the first man speaks again
Yes Lord al'Thor. We shall make it so.
The Car'a'carn? With the Children of the Light? That makes no sense.
Silently, Rhoekk struggles to find the logic in the situation...
These are visions of some sort, of what could be? Or what is, somewhere else...
Ryland looks around, trying to see if Fia or the others are nearby. "We are not traveling with the Fade, we had been fighting it and three others."
Alathea nods in agreement with Ryland. "We are no Darkfriends, to be traveling with a Fetch, yes? We were fighting for our lives against it and others; we are grateful for you killing it." Looking around, she asks, "You spoke of a comatose woman; may I see to her? I have some skill as a healer, perhaps I can help, yes?"
Lord al'Thor looks blankly at Ryland and Alathea.
Better to be careful and question, than to trust and regret
As he has not had anyone address him directly, Rhoekk looks around to see if there is anywhere he might slip away to, unobserved. Second, he counts the number of men (and potential enemies) present.
There are 8 men. 1 man stands next to each person, slightly apart, in the party, 1 next to the comatose woman, and Lord Rand.
Alathea frowns at the...Dragon Reborn's...words, but replies in a calm voice. "We understand your suspicions, yes, but we have nothing to hide. But please, we have lost some of our companions. We will answer your questions, yes, but have you found others like us, wounded from battle?"
Kodokura rolls up into a kneeling position in front of The Lord Dragon. "My Lord Dragon, these folk speak the truth. I am one of your Asha'man, stationed in Cairhien to guard the wards of the city. In response to alarms going off, I investigated, only to find this group battling darkfriends and fades." The Asha'man delivers all f this in a shaking, broken voice.
Kodo pauses, waiting for the Dragon to either ask further questions or order him silent.
Fiallain warily tries to watch the men as they guard her and her companions, but her gaze keeps being drawn back to this 'Lord al'Thor'. There was much familiar about him, yet at the same time, not familiar at all. Never had her Car'a'carn before allied so overtly with those the wetlanders referred to as white-cloaks. Yet here he was, not only commanding them, but by all appearances even dressing in their uniforms! She felt an uneasiness settle in the pit of her stomach. The same feeling she got sometimes right before things all went horribly wrong...
Lord al'Thor turns towards Kodokura.
Dragon?! You DARE to address me as Dragon? There is only one man who holds the title of Dragon, and he rules from Tar Valon. He is Mazrim Taim, Lord King of the Borderlands, Defender of the Realm against the Dark One, and is called Dragon by being the rightful leader of the Children of the Dragon.
Sputtering in rage, he continues
An Asha'man? a Guardian? For Cairhein? What need is there to guard Cairhein? Perhaps you guard from us, the Children, from allowing the Light of the Dragon to enter your body. Perhaps you are associated with the Fade.
Turning his attention upon his men. Secure the prisoners. They are to be taken to central holding for the Seekers to examine.
Alathea freezes at the man's words and puts aside any notion of stepping out of line, not even to go to Moira. Light preserve us! Is this another vision? But it is so real! It has to be...something else, yes? Children of the Dragon? King of the Borderlands? A man ruling from Tar Valon? What has become of us?
Instead, Alathea gestures towards Moira and repeats her plea. "That poor woman, she is one of ours. If we are to be taken, take her with us!" She moves closer to Kodokura and places a calming hand on his shoulder.
Kodokura freezes also, his eyes on the ground. Light! The M'Hael is the..? Children of the Dragon? Seekers?
"Apologies Lord. We are faithful servants of the Lord Drago, and the Light. You will have no trouble from us," he murmurs. He turns to give Alathea grateful look at her touch.
Rising smoothly to her feet despite her body's protests, Fiallain cocks an eyebrow at the news of this Taim being the dragon and a king. She studies Lord Al'Thor critically. If he is not their dragon... is he still the Car'a'carn?
His armor covers his arms and leather gloves cover his hands, you are unable to see dragons.
Nothing makes sense! Children of the Dragon, not Children of the Light, the Car'a'carn serving Taim instead of Taim serving him... it as if reality and history have taken leave and the pattern unfolded differently. Whatever is the cause though, we appear to be here this time, and so we must do something... I cannot allow them to put Fiallain and the others to the question.
Rhoekk stands. "Take me. Ask your questions. I am no darkfriend and I have nothing to fear from the truth. I vouch for these here as my allies and those who would fight against the shadow! If by my life or death I can protect them and show you they walk in the light, then I shall do so."
Lord al'Thor turns and looks at Rhoekk. His eyes widen at the sight before him.
An Aielman?! Here? Your kind hasn't crossed the Spine in 400 years! And I see that you have a woman with you. This is problematic. Are you here to rescind trade? A worried look crosses his face.
Lifting his chin, he barks out
secure them and lets go. we can talk more at the garrison
Fitting words to action, the other Children proceed to manacle everyone, except Rhoekk. No, not him, i want to talk with him al'Thor orders.
Gently guiding you to form a single line, the guardsman fall in around you. 2 men in front, 2 in back, and 1 on each side form up, providing a walking security fence around you.
Motioning to Rhoekk to walk next to him, without restraints.
You have my attention, Rhoekk. Speak.
Rhoekk proceeds carefully, trying to decide what to say and what not to. The truth, he thinks, or at least as much of it that might not cast him in the light of a madman.
"I am not here on matters of trade. Not long ago, our wise ones came before the chieftains of our clans and revealed that the a prophecy was coming close to fruition. There was to be a man who would lead the Aiel in preparations of the end times; in Tarmon Gaedon. He would come with the dawn and be marked, once and twice a chieftain. He would be of our blood, but not raised by our blood. We came to believe he would be found in the wetlands, beyond the Spine of the World. I was one of those who came west seeking to find him. It is said that without him to lead us, the Aiel will be destroyed in Tarmon Gaedon, but with him, a remnant of a remnant might survive."
"Since coming to this land I have met many people, and learned many things. These here are my allies, and I would give my life for any one of them. I believe the time of the last battle is near to at hand, and that the forces of the shadow move with intent. Many times have they sought to impede us, and attacked us, and those here have defeated them. We were fighting some of their vile kind when we were moved... somehow. We awoke here, in your presence. I do not know how this came to be, but trust that these spawn of shadow are our enemies and we would see them dead."
Fia's mind races. They mentioned another woman... the traitor? Or Litheene perhaps? We need to know. If it is the Aes Sedai and she is the one that caused this then we may need to force her to set things right... and if she is one of the others, we may need her help ...
As the children approach, she searches the ground frantically and whispers to Ryland. . the 'missing' woman
Alathea starts at this...Lord Al'Thor's words. The Aiel have not been seen on this side of the Spine for 400 years? But that is nonsense! What of The Aiel War? That was only 30 years ago, yes? But Rhoekk's words spark a recognition in her. We were...moved? Yes, we learned of different possible weavings of the Pattern as Novices. Could it be that we are in one of these different possibilities? But if that is true, how do we return to our own weaving?
Kodokura moves as if in a bewildered haze, the realisation of his gentling hitting home now that battle has subsided. He offers no resistance to the Children, holding his wrists out blankly as they approach with manacles.
Following the other's suit, as the men approach, Fia deigns to hold her arms out, allowing them to place the manacles. The look she gives the man is hardly meek, and makes it clear that this was by her choice. Her tone speaks of a mixture of mild amusement and contemptuousness at being treated such as she informs him quietly, but confidently, "I will allow it for now, but do not think that this means I will be putting on Gai'shain white for you, wetlander." She smiles. Pleasantly.
Ryland closes his eyes and inhales slowly through his nose, trying to find any scent from the missing woman.
As the children approach him the Boarderlander opens his gold eyes and stares at them.
An odd look overcomes the soldiers face. Geeschan white? huh? he asks.
Another soldier clasps the manacles upon rylands hands. Making eye contact, the soldier jumps.
A WolfLord! MY LORD, this man is a WolfLord! he shouts to Lord al'Thor.
al'thor stops, and walks up to Ryland, a searching look upon his face.
Well then, he must not be a darkfriend, for no WolfLord would run with the wolves and be a darkfriend. The wolves wouldnt allow it. Release him
Waving his hand at ryland, he motions walk with me. Rhoekk was just telling me about why he is here, but i would like to know what brings you here as well.
"Nevermind." Fia growls to the man and shakes her head. Well, two are 'free' at least for now. Could be a start. Guess we'll play along and see where this leads...
"How far to your camp?"
Ryland bows his head to the Lord al'Thor. "Peace favor your sword."
The wolflord breathes in again through his nose trying to locate the woman.
"I can vouch for the others sir, they are not darkfriends, though we had been in battle with one. She had four fades with her and she some how took us here.
Alathea holds out her hands for the manacles. She studies the Child of the Dragon as he or she binds her, and asks, "You and your fellow Children seem to be in battle, or at least ready for one. Who is it that you fight?"
The soldier clasps on the manacles around alathea's wrists.
Who do we fight?!he asks incredulously.
We fight the witches of darkness, the ones who brought about ruin and turmoil of the Age of Legends, the ones that poisoned the ancient order of Aes Sedai. We defend against the vile creature that seeks to destroy this land, the land that we have fought, bled, and died to keep secure. It was us Children that protected the people during the Madness, and we protected the land from the worst that these creatures produced when their Madness takes hold.
Looking Alathea square in the eye, he makes a statement that shocks her to her soul.
Leaning in close, and mummering to her, he says
Alathea draws upon her years of training to keep her face calm despite her shock. The taint is on saidin, not saidar! We are not the mad ones! But this place? Dream? Wherever we are? If the Aiel War did not happen, why could not other things be different? What if...what if what he says is true? If I channel here, will I go mad? Like...Ralin? It is all she can do to not surrender to saidar, to see if what the man says is true.
Despite the whirlwind of questions spinning in her head, Alathea replies calmly. "Of course you fight these mad women, yes? But certainly, you have not raised an army, nor do you stand ready for attack, based merely on the fact that these women are mad. Have they fielded a force of their own? Do they try to take Cairhein? As my companion has said," she nods toward Rhoekk, "we have only recently come to this land, yes?"
The Child stops what he is doing, and looks at Alathea strangely.
Where have you come from, for you to think that women channeling Saidar is a good thing? Everyone knows that Saidar is tainted. It drives all female channelers insane. The greatest crime isnt that these women go insane, which in itself is bad, but its the fact that these women think I'll just channel the smallest bit. It wont affect me. Yet, it does. No woman is immune. So we, the Children of the Dragon, we must hunt down these women that flaunt the law of the land, and destroy them, before they destroy others. It has been so since the time of the first Dragon, Lews Therin Thelamon. On his death bed, he decreed that all female channelers must be captured, brought to trial, severed, then hanged. It has been so for the last 3,000 years.
Lord al'Thor nods to Ryland. on any other day, i would. But we just recently uncovered a coven of darkfriends, who had found refuge in the home of a local WolfLord. One of the coven was the mans own sister. So naturally he let them in. So, although they may travel with you, they must all be questioned. I am sorry, but I will make a request that as little harm come to them from the questioning is possible. I think this will at least limit the number of bones broken.
Ryland stares at al'Thor for a moment before shaking his head. "Sir the woman that got away, she must be found. She is a darkfriend and if she gets away I fear for the damage she may cuase. Please allow me to look around this area. You know of Wolf Brothers, I must attempt to track her before her scent goes cold."
Kodokura trudges along, seemingly unseeing and oblivious to the discussion going on around him. His feet drag on the ground, and his pace is slow. At one point, he simply stops in place, staring blankly.
Alathea scowls at the man's reply. Is he deliberately not listening to what I say? She is about to respond, to demand another answer, but her eyes fall on Kodokura. The man has stopped, oblivious to the world around him. She shivers. The despair...could I do this to a man, even knowing that the alternative is worse?
As unthreateningly as she can manage, she moves out of her place in line and to Kodokura's side. Though the manacles make it awkward, she takes his hand in hers. Speaking only loud enough for his ears, she says, "Come now. I know it is terrible, but you cannot just give up to die, yes?" She smiles, sadly. "Besides, it seems that it is my turn to be the one feared, yes?"
Kodokura's eyes seem to snap back into focus at the touch of Alathea's hand. He looks at her, the pain in his youthful face evident even so.
At her words, he frowns and swallows as he attempts to ignore the emptiness inside. "Yes Ae... Yes, my lady," he murmurs, giving her hand a slight squeeze in return. Kodokura takes a deep breath, and resumes walking.
After a moment, he speaks softly to Alathea. "I... I never wanted it in the first place. And now that it seems we're in a place where it is... safe, and clean, I can no longer touch it." His jaw clenches as he frowns again, as if to hold back tears. He shakes his head, still staring ahead.