Tearing off, Jasper jogs through the forest not really caring where he heads so long as its away from the group. The raging torrent of saidin pushes him on, feeding his emotions. It is some time before he halts himself, looking around and realizing that he might have come across a bit petulant in his reaction. Still it would serve them right to worry.
Jasper began the walk towards camp, glad that while he did put some distance between himself and the others he didn't run so far that he wouldn't be able to find his way back. He had only begun the return trip when he felt a sudden pressure trying to cut him off from the Power. Spinning, eyes wide he looked for the source of the attack when another flow of what must have been saidar slammed between him and the Power, the raging torrent cutouff immediately as a short woman stepped out from behind a tree.
confirm crit
damage
The sun is setting when Jed and Ryland lift their heads sharply. Hands going to weapons, they scan the surrounding trees able to hear the faint sounds of movement coming from around them. The women stand eyes questioning until as one they spin to look to off into the night.
A woman steps out of the tree line, her clothes of a fine cut. To Jasmine and the rest of the women, she seems to glow surrounded by a nimbus of light. Before they're able to warn the men, the trees suddenly seem to spit out a wave of nightmare. Trollocs spill out, bestial snouts raised and sniffing the air, wicked weapons drawn. Worse still, two myrrdraal shift out of the darkness on opposite sides of the camp, their eyeless faces sending a chill down your spine as they look over the lot of you.
Standing next to the woman, a trolloc holds a struggling form bound at the wrists and ankles, a gag shoved into its mouth. After a moment you realize that the captive form is that of Jasper and the women are able to see that flows of Spirit hold him shielded.
Jed and Ryland's hands are a blur as weapons are drawn and the Source is embraced. Seeing saidar being grabbed, the woman smiles and raises a calming hand. I have no need to see you dead but if that is what you wish then so be it. But perhaps there is some chance at discussion. You have something that doesn't belong to you. Give it to me and you can save your friend's life as well as your own.
Jasper listens to what the woman has to say and then tries to catch someones eyes, shaking his head violently to ensure everyone knows that they shouldnt deal with the wench.
Alathea looks up curiously as Jed and Ryland reach for their swords. Just as she's about to ask what the matter is, she feels what she's been fearing since she came to Tanchico: a woman holding saidar, and a woman who isn't among her companions.
Fearing that the Seanchan have found them, she immediately embraces the Source and leaps to her feet, staring out in the direction of the unknown channeller. As the woman steps out into their clearing, Alathea relaxes for a moment as she recognizes her, but her fear comes raging back as the Shadowspawn burst out of the trees beside her. And when they bring out Jasper, her heart freezes.
The Sister speaks, but Alathea is beyond hearing. Holding back the panic that threatens to overwhelm her, she grits her teeth in grim determination. This Darkfriend and her minions will not take me or my friends, nor will they leave this place alive. Without taking her eyes off of the Sister, she mutters to her companions, "I think it is time we put what we have practiced to the trial."
Ryland shakes his head and spits at the ground towards the woman. "I name you darfriend, woman, you kind can not be trusted and your word is as foul as your soul. Darkness take you, you and your friends can kiss my arse."
He readys his sword infront of him, mesuring the distance between him and the woman. One shot, thats all I need. Maker help me.
Jasmine looks at the woman with a calm facade but internally she is trying to contain the boiling rage she is feeling. The Creator forgive me but I will rip this woman apart if she so much as twitches in Jasper's direction! Taking a breath and giving a slight nod to Alathea, Jasmine puts her hand briefly on Alathea's shoulder smiles at Ryland's words before stepping forward and saying I do not know who you are but if you think to frighten us you are sorely mistaken.
Jasmine immediately leaps into casting a weave to sever the woman's shield over Jasper.
Jed nods at Ryland's words, stepping up next to him and readying his own sword. There are two many trollocs and Myrdraal right now to worry about protecting Jasmine, he wouldn't be able to defend her from all directions. So he focuses his attention on the three most dangerous foes: The woman and the two Soulless.
Outwardly displaying little emotion, yet inwardly facing a tempest of rage, Jed waits for the first move to be made.
Fiallain leaps to her feet with the others, already veiled and weapon in hand. The glow of Saidar surrounds her moments later and her eyes scan the treeline, trying to count the trollocs. I knew this was too bloody easy..
Pace stands quietly at the sounds from the forest, his blood freezing and boiling as he struggles to control the Saidin he has suddenly seized. His eyes dart at Ryland as the man declares the woman a Darkfriend. He calmly reaches up and buttons the top button of his coat, which he had left open in the casualness of the camp."What my friend says is true and thus we have no way of knowing that by complying you would release us or the Soldier you have already seized." Blasted woman is using the Source. How are we going to get out of this one? As he is thinking, Pace moves back a step to be behind his companions line of sight.
As Jasmine reaches out to Alathea and begins to link with her Serviana lashes out with flows of Air, Water, and Spirit. The sounds of bones popping is loud in the night air as Jasmine fights to hold herself steady as large gashes begin tearing across her skin and bones snap. The Aes Sedai's voice is cold. So be it, child.
Alathea twitches as she sees Serviana weave about her Sister, and winces at Jasmine's cry. It is have never seen the like before...but I understand it. It is merely a perversion of a weave to Heal...Light curse this woman! Such a thing should never be used!
Although she feels the need to lash out at Serviana and repay her for what she's done to Jasper and Jasmine, Alathea knows that she will be more effective by linking with Jasmine. Surrendering her power to her Sister, she joins the circle that Jasmine has started.
Jasmine gasps in pain as gashes are ripped through her body, blood staining her pretty green silk dress. Through gritted teeth she says Litheene! Ward the Shadowspawn out!
Litheene recognizes the sister, but when she sees the shadowspawn erupt all around them she shudders Black Ajah? I couldn't have guessed on her. Then again, how do you expect something like this? How sad that students of the tower soccumb to serve the shadow.
Unexpireinced with shadowspawn, Litheene still remembers the effect of the myrradral on her from the previous battle, and hearing Jasmines cry, she quickly reacts. I must keep them away from us! Light I hope this new weaves works, not exactly the kind you can test before you need it. Litheene grabs her angreal, hidden in her cloths, and channeles a shpere to hold the shadowspawn out. .
Litheene remembers some damane using the weave Serviana unleashed, thou it's her first chance to see it clear enough to understand. Aren't you bright Serviana? this weave isn't common at the tower. However, you aren't getting the bracelet, not against so many of us. This time I won't let the fades get near
As the gashes apear on Jasmine's skin Ryland screams with rage at the darkfriend. "Die foul ceature!" He runs head long towards the woman, his sword held low to his left side , swinging it in a large arc as his reaches the woman, throwing his weight behind the blow.
Charge Attack:
Damage:
If we knock her out, it will break her shield, safer than disrupting it, she seems too dangerous beeing left free to channel Litheene wispers to Jasmine from behind
The trollocs and a fade move forward, rushing towards the group before they all seem to plow into an invisible wall. The trollocs howl in rage and beat at the air in front of them, trying to figure out what happened. The myrddraal stops after the first impact, it's sightless gaze passing over the group. It then turns its head in Ryland's direction, seeing him outside of whatever is holding them back.
One of the trollocs and fade move to intercept Ryland as he attempts to strike down their mistress. The one holding Jasper, who seems larger than the rest of the beastmen, drops him uncerimoniusly at its feet before drawing its weapon and attacking Ryland as well.
Hearing Litheene's statement and coming to the same conclusion, Jasmine changes tactics. Father always said, in war and in business...divide and conquer. Jasmine looks at the Black sister and says You will rue the day you went against the light! With that she concentrates and weaves an incredibly complex mesh of all 5 elements around the woman and the large trolloc.
Ryland's lips form a thin line as the trolloc's blade draws blood.
The sight of the Myrddraal making his eyes widen with the hint af fear.
Maker help me!
He continues to press the attack against the darkfriend. Putting all of his strength into the swing.
Power Attack:
Damage:
Seeing the shadowspawn charging in, Pace takes a step back and raises his arm above his head, his palm open to the sky. Weaves of Fire and Air swirl towards his open palm, a pinprick of light appears in his hand, quickly growing into a blinding ball of white light. The party sees their shadows cast before them as the shadowspawn quickly turn their eyes from the brilliant sphere. Suddenly, the light is gone and the setting sun regains it's prominence.