Alathea sniffs at Ryvin's comment. "Not all times there were pleasant, yes? But still, I found my stay there to be a good thing."
As the room explodes, Alathea crouches behind Ryvin and Fiallain, grateful for their protection. But upon hearing his voice, she rises. She knows that it is not him...just as this world has another Ryland, it must have another of him too...but she cannot stop the hope and the longing that wells up inside her at his voice. With far less caution than she knows she should use, she slips past her erstwhile protectors towards him. Eyes locked with his, she reaches for his hand. "My Heart, is it really you?"
The diminutive Kodokura rounds the doorway, and stops dead as he sees the diverse group of folk gathered before him. His gaze, direct and purposeful, initially locks onto Litheene, although the drawn sword quickly grabs his attention. Then, as a pretty little slip of a girl bursts forward to take his hand, his eyebrows shoot upwards in surprise, although he doesn't shrink or recoil from her. Staring at her mutely, his eyes narrow thoughtfully. Then he snatches his hand back and retreats a step. "I know you," he murmurs coldly. "Brother," he says to Jasper, though his eyes never leave her, "this is one of the Red Sisters who took our Lord Dragon." Without warning, he snaps threads of Spirit towards the woman.
Yearning with all her heart that this man is her Kodokura, it is only instinct that allows Alathea to throw up a hasty defense against his attempt to shield her. The hope that was written all over her face falls away and is replaced with disappointment and anger. She steps back into line with Ryvin and Fiallain. Her voice flat, she says, "You are not my Heart, but neither am I the one you think I am, yes?"
"Blood and ashes," Ryvin mutters. "Of course it's the local version..." The next moment, she raises her voice in greeting: "Jasper! Good to see you again -- you do recall me, don't you?"
Kodokura's shield lashes out....
...cutting off Alathea from saidar. He waits for Jasper to react to the situation, but is poised for action
Being the closest one to the door, and therefore between the two newcomers and the rest of the party in the room, Rhoekk sinks into a defensive crouch, his veil raised and his spear ready.
As he cannot see the lash of spirit, he does not yet react or attack.
Fiallain hisses at Alathea and mutters under her breath as the other woman steps out from behind her and up to the newcomer.
Also unaware of the shielding, she relaxes somewhat as Alathea returns next to her, then she eyes the asha'man warily. "She is not who you think she is, just as you are not who you appear to be to us, Ko-do-kura." She pronounces the name she assumes belongs to this man with distinct emphasis on each syllable and lets it hang heavily in the air as she continues to size him up. Discretely, she rests a hand on Alathea's back, offering her sister whatever silent support she could.
As tensions rise, the great blade in Keelix's hand whispers as it slides the rest of the way out of it's scabbard. He holds it ready, easily, as if the four foot blade were no more than a willow switch, but makes no move to attack.
Kodo's eyes narrow as the Aiel woman refers to him by name, and his alert intensity lift another notch or two as Keelix and the Aiel man make ready for combat. His face is at once less worn than the Kodo you all remember - the lines of sorrow etched on his face after his Severing are not there, but there is something else to it as well - as well as being harder, more focused, less diffident. "Who are you people?" he asks, his calm, even tone at odds with his steely features. His gaze drifts back to Alathea, his suspicion increasing.
Ryland keeps his eyes on the 2 male channelers as he moves away from the others, still keeping in line with his targets. "We are not who you think we may be exactly. Do not attempt to attack us and we will parlay."
Although her mind races in panic as she scrabbles at the edges of Kodokura's shield, Alathea manages to hold most of it inside and only show a little fear. "It seems that we are nobody that you know, just as you are strangers to us," she replies. "The Kodokura I know was not so jaded, so quick to judge, so slow to trust. The Kodokura I know did not forget to be the person that Alynna loved, yes?"
As Alathea speaks the last, the blood drains from Kodo's face and his expression goes blank. His eyes still boring into Alathea's, he addresses his fellow asha'man again. "Something very strange is going on here brother." Ever the calm counterbalance to Jasper's unpredictable spontaneity, he adds quietly, "We should tread carefully. These waters may be deeper than we know."
Litheene sits quietly on floor, gathered up where Amorial left her. At the back of her mind she registers the emotions from Amorial, knowing she should go and check what happened, but being too overwhelmed with what just recently happened.
Stasis field. We are again in a stasis field. She registers, longingly looking at the books.
As the explosion brings forth a new Kodu and the old Jasper, Litheene hastily embraces the source, and weaves a trace weave, verifying that the Jasper standing before her is indeed the one to whom the coin was given.
Standing up, she moves next to Alathea, within arm's reach. Jasper. I was worried after your well being, it is a pleasant surprise to learn that you managed to use my trace. Litheene decides to try and defuse the situation.
Kodokura. We are no enemies of yours. Jasper was looking for me, and I am glad he found us. Those people who joined are our lost comrades, mostly ... She pointedly yet quickly looks over the Seanchan And we mostly avoiding another glance Trust them. They wish you no harm.
Amorial ignores the conversation utterly and the sensations emanating from Litheene, seeking out the tome that may well answer his questions...
"I'm glad to see you're out and about, Jasper," Ryvin says, smiling at the Asha'man -- a bit. "I didn't really like the idea of leaving you behind where we did, but you were in need of Healing and we were supposed to be on a timetable."
The smile turns into a frown. "As you can probably guess, the Wheel of Time spat in our teeth. We never managed to get all the way where we were supposed to go. So. What's new with you?"
She glances at the new Kodokura. "Keep your britches on, squire. It's not so weird as all that. Jasper should know where we came from. I'm surprised he hasn't told you already! We all met with your Mazrim Taim already, in case you didn't know."
Kodo looks to Jasper for confirmation of Ryvin's words, somewhat unsettled by the normally proactive asha'man's lack of reaction.
PEACE everyone! PEACE!Jasper wades in between the two groups, his arms wide, assuming a non-threatening posture. But, as many of you remember, Jasper was always one breath away from setting the world on fire.
In a tone reserved for funerals or giving lectures at local schools, jasper respondsYes Ryvin Altessar, i do recall you. As with the rest of you. Kodokura here has not been brought aware of what you and your group represent, merely that Litheene was in danger. At the time, it wasnt prudent for him to know about your history, as you can see, one of you from this world is a Full Red sister, responsible for capturing the Dragon Reborn. Word on the street is that she is the one who subdued him after he initially broke free. Jasper's eyes meets with everyone's, and his intense stare makes some of you feel uncomfortable.
Rhoekk of the Tarraad Aiel, we are at peace here. please, lower your veil so i may look fully upon you jasper says as he walks up to Litheene.
kneeling down, he cradles Litheenes face with his smooth hands. He stares intently into her eyes, a look of concern upon his face.
Are you well? I felt that you were in grave danger, through your kind gift to me. Do you need healing?
Surprised, at first by Jasper's revelations about his knowledge of them all and his reference to "this world", and then by his tender touch towards Litheene, Kodo blinks three times, then looks at Alathea curiously forva moment before drawing one side of his mouth back in a wry almost-smile before dropping the shield. He then turns his attention back to Jasper, as a soldier awaiting the orders of his sergeant.
Rhoekk's posture might be said to ease ever so slightly, but he neither lowers his veil, nor relaxes his weapons.
"I do not know you wetlander, but your companion, or a reasonable facsimile, went mad with the one power and tried to kill us all only a short time ago upon this very same day. These here were forced to bring an end to their own dear friend. We have seen many strange things in this twisted place, but we have not yet seen someone return from the dead. More likely, you are mirror versions of the one's we know, from this or another of these pale reflections of out world. Knowing this, and knowing your faces, it is no guarantee you mean us well. We met a shadow of the Car'a'carn himself in one of these worlds, who was clearly mad, knew us not, and even tried to kill us. Tell us of what world you come, and what you mean of us, and only then will I know no blood needs to be shed this day and drop my veil."
Alathea sniffs and holds the gaze of the false Kodokura for a long moment after he releases his shield on her. Breaking from his eyes, she then looks curiously at this Jasper, hardly believing that such a calm-seeming man can wear his face. Finally, her curiousity gets the better of her. "Jasper,", she ventures, "Do you come only seeking my Sister, or for other purposes as well? It is not that we do not welcome your assistance, but this is a very strange place to meet you, yes?"
Keelix neither relaxes nor sheathes his blade nor speaks. He simply watches with his yellow eyes and his greatsword held ready.
I ... am in no immediate danger. Something reminds Litheene of her meeting with this world's Taim, but with the emotional strain she was put through, the kindness is welcome. Recalling her light injury taken through the bond, she answers Healing will be welcome, I am mildly injured, but battle might resume at any moment.
A voice of white tower bred revulsion wants to protest against Saidin, yet with the powers she came to know as of late, Litheene no longer bothers registering the tainted male power as a concern.
I am glad you recovered, and hope no ill came to you from being left in Salidar. We were assured you will be treated well as an emissary.
She raises to her feet, placing her hand on Jasper's, delving him to see if any Healing is needed in return.
Unfortunately, we came upon a lot of unexpected complications, and are not up to date with the events we were previously discussing Litheene looks at Jasper, inferring the missions of the black tower and of Salidar. We also picked up people along the way. They are loyal to the Seanchan Empire "And to our cause" is not being said, the short pause signifying the omission.
Turning to her companions, Litheene explains This person is the Jasper of this world With Kodukura being an obvious double, there is no point hidding this from the Seanchan He helped us shortly after we split, and we traveled with him for a short while.
At Litheene's introduction, Fia nods slighty to Jasper. She remains silent and wary however, watching the two newcomers and trusting Litheene to work through the situation.
but as rhoekk has put it, the biggest thing that all of you want to do is ulitmately find a way home, to your original mirror world.
Thanks, Litheene, but next time ask. I almost stilled you. Jasper says in his usual monotone voice.
Nodding to everyone, jasper says warmly greetings everyone. pleased to meet you, some of you again.
Laying a hand upon Litheene, he looks at Chen. You are, by far, one of the biggest Ogiers I have ever seen. You look big enough to make a boulder go uphill.
turning to Kodokura, he speaks. i see that you are confused with the whole "our world' and "their world" talk. briefly speaking, there are stones scattered throughout the world called portal stones. it is said that they predate even the age of legends. the idea behind them is if you know the symbol of what stone you are using, and you know the symbol of where you need to go, you can gate yourself to that stone without using a gateway. Gateway travel is more secure and accurate, but they take time and energy to learn and travel to and from. wiht the stones, you just walk up, slap your hand on it, imagine your home symbol and your away symbol, and suddenly you are there. But, what isnt widely known is that some stones can take you to mirror worlds, worlds that are similar in nature to this world, but with vast differences. for example, in their world, their Dragon won the battle of Dumai wells. In ours, he lost. there are speculated to be over a million of these worlds, all based of of decisions that could have gone one way or another.
as he speaks, Jasper channels the power into litheene, not healing but helping to refresh her of her aches and weariness.
you need sleep is all, my dear. he says in a quick breath.
continuing with Kodokurabut, all of these worlds are all subject to the great wheel, and so they spin with the wheel.
Rhoekk finally allows himself to relax, somewhat, but only so much as an Aielman is ever relaxed; he still looks like a coiled spring, humming with energy that could snap out in any direction. He tugs down his veil in the front, allowing the newcomers to at last see his face.
"It sounds as though you have knowledge of these stones... do you know where one lies? And if we can get there, are you able to use it to return to the world from which we came?"
"We still have business in this world," Ryvin says, her tone flat. "We promised to do what we could here. And it would blight my sense of self-worth to leave this whole world in the lurch just because we could."
i have indeed spent some time studying these items. THe M'Hael instructed me to learn as much of these as i could, since it was possible to use portal stones and not have any enemy channelers detect their usage. as for where one lines, well, rumor had it that within the throne room of Manetheren itself there was a stone.
Chen grunted at the outsider's comment. He spoke with the trademark rolling thunder of his people.
"Your proximity to these shadow spawn is unwise. The dead walk again and everyone has a chat?" his massive hands tightened into fists.
"My lady, how can we allow this man to stand?"
"You got that backwards, tall and ugly. He's a friend of ours and we are allowing you to stand," Ryvin says, her voice still flat - and now grim as well.
"I wasn't speaking to you marath'damane" Chen said sharply, his eyes peering from behind his mask.
Ryvin,I'm sure your friends felt the same way when you first joined up. a stranger in the midst, unsure to trust you, or if you will run off and abandon them. Perhaps if you set aside your intense anger and hatred, you would find that you are the more stronger for it. I know I did when dealing with the women in Salidar, although i had an intense hatred for all female channelers. As you can see. Jasper rolls up his sleeves and shows off his horrific burns on his arms.
Alathea looks away from Kodokura--for her stare has wandered back to him, she realizes--at Chen and Ryvin in annoyance. "Both of you, be silent! This is not the time to fight amongst ourselves, yes? When we find a safe place, you may tear each other apart for all I care! But in this strange place, we stand a much better chance of living to see that safe place if we are not fighting each other, yes?"
Turning to Chen, she continues. "You have already put aside your aversion to working with those such as me, yes? At least for the time being? Can you not put aside your aversion to those men?" She pauses in consideration. "You have already killed my husband. That is not him, but you will not kill him again, yes?"
Chen looks to Alathea and acquiesces. "Fine. I will do nothing unless ordered to. But your companion will learn to mind her tone when speaking to me or a member of the Blood."
His tone softens. "And though I fought your darkened mate Alathea, I would remind you that it was the man himself who was his undoing."
"I do not understand this wetlander notion of considering one to be of greater stature due to the circumstances of their birth. My father was a good man, but I did not choose to be his son; why would such a thing influence one's perceived value? It is a foolish notion. If a person is great, their deeds will prove them great. If they are a fool, their words will prove it also. Neither is determined by any accident of birth."
"I know," Alathea replies in a quiet voice. "What you did was necessary, but I do not have to like it, yes? Nor do I want to see more death when it is not necessary."
Chen nods at Alathea, understanding her meaning.
Hearing the down to earth Aielman speak up. Chen nods his head in agreement.
"You partially see the way of it Rhoekk. The Seachan honor blood based on greatness, if any man or woman is great, they can be elevated to the Blood, our high class. And their children will then be Blood as well, for greatness can beget greatness, and opportunity is often what is needed. The birth of one into the Blood increases their chance of being great, and one who is already great can be brought into the blood. In this way we grow ever stronger."
Amorial chuckles at the idea of the mystery of the gray man being revealed in a book of child's tales that pre date even the Age of Legends.
So engrossed is Amorial that he is paying no attention to those near him or the bickering back and forth.
Amorial still as a statue but for his hands and eyes begins to read the tome...
Kodo nods, following along interestedly with Jasper's explanation of Gateway stones. As the huge Seanchan Ogier suggests that he and Jasper should be cut down, his face loses its curious aspect and becomes completely blank, focused on Chen like a cat on a mouse.
It is Alathea's use of the word 'husband' in connection to either him or Jasper that cracks his cold visage. His lips part, and his eyebrows rise once more as his eyes swing back to Alathea.
The absurdity of the last few minutes of conversation threaten to overwhelm him, and he forces himself to seek the void once more, abandoning thought and focusing on being ready to strike the moment danger presents itself. Yet even so, his eyes rest on Alathea unless he reminds himself to look elsewhere.
Ryland shakes his head and glance at the armored ogier before directing his attention back on the twins of his one time companions. "Light! You really are a wool headed lumox! How is it you manage to make everyone you meet want to kill you?"
Litheene is about the open her mouth to chaste the Ashama'n for discussing stilling casually At least in the white tower we learned proper manners, but as the power rushes through her, she feels re-invigorated, realising how drained she was from being overtaken.
As her stance becomes visibly stronger, she nods to Jasper Thank you. With the vigor returning, her face resumes a perfect Aes Sedai mask, hiding all emotion Your arm. The Salidari sisters promised us you will be kept safe. As the man was all covered in scars anyway, it didn't change much, yet he was her responsibility, as she promised Taim to soften up his arrival before the sisters by accompanying him.
Turning to Chen, her demeanor shows calmness she was lacking before As a reminder to you Gardner, we chose to not harm you, and even assist you, despite having good reasons to choose otherwise at first glance, including you apparently attacking us. If you wish to survive in the wake of what usually follows as of late, I suggest you refrain from openly asking for permission to kill someone, without even bothering to enquire what is going on. Not all will be so understanding. As Ryland pointed out - draw your sword too quickly, and you won't keep drawing it for long.
As she speaks, Litheene, power still held, keeps studying the room around them. Seeing our current state of affair, I think we should hole-up so to speak. If this is a trap, going further might be dangerous. We already know the chaos that reins outside. If we wish to travel out of her, we need to stay put. If this is indeed a haven, then we found the perfect place to regroup. Either way, resting here seems like a valid choice.
Turning to Chen, her demeanor shows calmness she was lacking before As a reminder to you Gardner, we chose to not harm you, and even assist you, despite having good reasons to choose otherwise at first glance, including you apparently attacking us. If you wish to survive in the wake of what usually follows as of late, I suggest you refrain from openly asking for permission to kill someone, without even bothering to enquire what is going on. Not all will be so understanding. As Ryland pointed out - draw your sword too quickly, and you won't keep drawing it for long.
Without looking at the Gardner, Fia continues in a flat, dry voice, "I should pay heed to them were I you. By rights I should have left the three of you for the eyeless, given the honorless way the slave wriggled your way under our protection. Not liking the price given, you ignore it and continue elsewhere for terms as if they had not already been given. Like a spoiled child not getting her way with one parent so she runs to the other." Her eyes shift deliberately to "Talli" then to Zira. "I have not forgotten."
She holds each of their gazes for just a moment. If looks could chill, they'd both be covered in a layer of frost. Then, she turns her attention back to the others and the more pressing matters, ignoring the two Seanchan women entirely.
As Litheene continues however, mentioning rest, Fiallain barely stifles a yawn as the mere suggestion of the possibility seemed to bring all her long weariness rushing back to her.
Litheene suddenly swifts, recalling I found a good reason not to rest by myself actually. Lord Aerlon. He said we have 7 hours until dusk before this place is destroyed. I am not sure if the haven is included in this expected destruction. In addition, this place is similar to the laboratory we recently visited. Time flows differently here, we might have more or less time. Stasis, is it? she recalls in her head I'd wager more, but I doubt we should test it anyway. I need just a bit more time to travel out. Our other option is to try and understand how this place functions time wise, to see if we have enough time to rest, or to explore our way forward
Litheene looks longingly at the books. I could ask my dear 'mentor', but the problem is with trusting the answer I will get, isn't it? She thinks pointedly. At least she could look for information about the stasis weave in the books.
Yawning again, Fia rifles through the nearby books as she listens to the conversations about her.
"Just pack anything that looks good," Ryvin says, noticing Litheene's longing look. "But pack quickly, and while you get ready to gate us out of here. Best not to risk time-differences and just run as quickly as we can."
The Ebou Dari smirks at Chen's explanation of greatness, the look in her eyes one of contempt, but she refrains from insulting him further -- with a brief, displeased look at Alathea, and a nod of agreement for Fiallain.
"Jasper, I'm really going to want to hear more of your story since we parted ways... And of your Kodokura, as well. Right now, though, escape should be our first concern. I have no desire to get caught in the endless loop of Manetheren's death."
Seeing that either conversation or Traveling will take a while, Litheene keeps her ears open to the discussion, while she starts to quickly scan over the book titles, exploring in more detail anything that seems to be of potential interest.