"Ryland thinks the wolves may want us to go East." Fia tells Rhoekk once she finds the man. She felt a little silly listening to her statement, but that was what Ryland had said. "If the man that is supposed to meet us here does not arrive soon, it might be a good idea to send a scout out that way. What do you think?"
Rhoekk responds to the odd statement as any Aiel would, in stride, as though it was the most normal thing in the world to be told such a thing.
"Ryland, would the wolves be able to recognize a striped pillar made by men? These pillars are supposed to exist all over the landscape; this world's version of Rand Al'Thor even stated that they are sometimes used here to move gear from one location to another. They are said to be ancient, and must therefore date to the time of legends, before the breaking. This must mean that they are distributed in a fashion that might make no sense to current geography. While some are being used by these children, others would be of no use being near no modern settlements. If they have seen any such thing, it would aid us greatly in getting home."
"This is so frustrating! We are doing nothing to aid the Car'a'carn so long as we are here in this world. Returning must be our greatest priority."
"I agree. But not only must we find one of these things, but we must also learn how to use one. Sending ourselves to the wrong place could be even worse than remaining here. We also need to know what happened to the others. They could be lost somewhere in this world... or on another world, or back home sipping tea." She sighs heavily. "Frustrating does not begin to describe it. But enough of that. What of Rhoekk's question, Ryland? Could the wolves lead us to one of thes pillars?
"I do not know. i could ask but they really do not seem to want to talk to me. Also the other wolf brothers can hear me and may be able to figure out where we are like before."
Suddenly wolves howl loudly, distantly... their voices floating upon the breeze.
Come! They pack calls!" And with that, the woodsman seems to stoop, hunching his shoulders so it seems as if he could run on all fours as he sprints to the east. The wolf brother howls as he runs, a long mournful sound, that seems more animal than man.
Fia gapes a fraction of a second then exchanges a look with Rhoekk. She calls after the wolfbrother. Ryland! We cannot leave the others! Wait!
Kodokura gets to his feet, not with any particular urgency, as Ryland starts to howl. He moves between Alathea and the noise, hand on the hilt of his blade.
Without regard for the others, Ryland heads east. Howling like a lost wolf for his pack, he runs, his stride long and powerful. Rhoekk, seeing Ryland streak across the wheat fields, runs off in pursuit. Taking a cutting path, Rhoekk easily cuts up along side the howling man. Rhoekk cannot help but feel a sudden sense of unease, as ryland, whom he has observed as running like a wetlander, is now running like an aielman, and the shocking thing is ryland's breathing. It isnt labored like a wetlanders, but even, consistent, conserving energy for the legs to run.
We must tend to Matt Alathea states in a firm tone, as she watches ryland and rhoekk run away.
How? He is still injured, and can barely stand, let alone run.Kodokura responds in a resigned tone.
By healing. I do not wish to, but our visitor is not here, and we must move. Fia says, yearning to rush after her friend. An unfamiliar emotion creeps up, but she smothers it before it shows upon her face.
Is this wise? we are close to Cairhein. perhaps...Kodo says, letting it hang.
Again, no choice Alathea says, understanding the finality of their pleight.
Kneeling down, fia embraces the source, and begins to heal Matt. But, instead of releasing it all at once upon his form, she trickles it into him, a slow agonizing release that heals the wounds, one layer at a time.
It can just barely be heard, but the sound of bone being reknit is loud enough to make everyone else a little queasy. ANd yet, the benifit is that not even alathea, who stands next to fia, can sense her channeling.
After many minutes, Fia sighs, dropping to the floor, her face flushed, her body bathed in sweat. I feel like i ran 20 miles in a sweat tent while being hounded by Wise ones.
Matt opens his eyes, blinking rapidly, his pupils focusing upon the faces around him.
Wha.. what happened? where am I? he asks, sounding like his normal self.
You took a head wound from a bad fall. We were forced to carry you. A group of people helped pull us from the forecastle area, and directed us towards this shed. Alathea explains, sweeping her hand around the stark surroundings.
Matt looks around, nodding. a safe house. One of the many huts we use to ferry female channelers from the clutches of the Children and towards freedom. Has our next leader arrived to show the way?
No. fia breaths out.
that is fine, i know the way. i will leave coded messages thatll indicate the route i will lead you on. Please, let us move.
Standing up, with a little bit of a wobble to his step, he moves about the shed, pulling items that were hidden behind solid looking walls.
Soon enough, he has several water bags, some small stacks of wood, and some packs of rations.
blankets and tents are too big to carry. we must move fast upon the open plains of cairhein. The patrols are heaviest here, but those whitecloaks do enjoy sending random patrols into the far reaches. A tent is a beacon for trouble. matt explains, shrugging on a light backpack, and holding one out for kodokura.
Leaving the shed, you cross the field and come across the path that rhoekk took as he ran after Ryland. Hustling along, you cross over a hill and are surprised to see Rhoekk sitting ontop of Ryland, with ryland subdued, breathing hard, his sides heaving, sweat pouring off his face.
I am sorry, Friends. He would have ran straight into one of those horse patrols. Rhoekk explains.
Aye. I am too Rhoekk, for allowing that to come over me. Ryland says, a look of focus upon his face.
Looking at each other, and then up at the main group, rhoekk stands up and helps ryland to his feet.
Patting off the dust upon his trousers, Ryland speaks.
We must go east. To the mountains, high in the mountains. There is one who knows our plight, who knows what we seek. We must seek him out.
Well, that is good, as we ARE heading east, towards the Spine. I am planning to take you to my camp up there. Matt says, turns and heads east.
***********************
Days of travel, for the common person would seem endless, but to this veteran group of adventurers, are just part of the job. the hiding from horse patrols, the nights without fire for fear of discovery, the eating of dried rations are all just things one must do to survive, to find the way back home.
Home.
the thought creeps up into everyones mind.
the landscape is the same, but the people are different.
will i see myself? what am i in this world? the self talk continues in a cyclical pattern. Thoughts of power, of poverty, of grandeur, of infamy, and a mild storyline builds upon the mind, one that seems to set better with the individual than others. A strange sensation overcomes you as you focus upon that, and one night, while dreaming, you dream about yourself. Not a full interactive dream, but a dream. The dream you have created, as if you look upon yourself from above. At first you feel this is dream, but as you watch, you feel that you are actually watching the real interactions of yourself.
Sitting around the darkened campsite one night, Alathea, feeling more hale than her first day in this new world, sits down and pulls the bag that contains the items from their world, the bag of ter'angreal.
Might as well do something useful while we sit for the night She says, laughing.
Laying out the items upon the ground, she takes note of what they are.
A belt, a rod, a matching set of bracers, a couple of amulets, several rings, a large clear orb, and a small figure of a turtle.
Well, here goesAlathea says, picking up the turtle...
Turtle= sa'angreal +4, for male
Large clear orb= a channel of spirit into the orb enables the user to see any weaves cast by both male and female channelers. Grants a +4 to viewing previously cast weaves. Sacrifice a weave slot and the orb will illuminate the weaves used within a 30ft radius, making the weaves visible to both channelers and nonchannelers
belt=+4 sa'angreal, for female.
Bracers= +6 bracers of armor.
gray amulet= +4 natural armor.
white amulet= +2 con. enables wearer to be immune to fatigue and endurance checks
Rod= Sacrifice a weave slot to the rod: the rod creates a miniature stedding equal in size to the level of slot sacrificed x 5 feet. example: sacrifice a 2nd level weave, a 10 foot radius circle around the rod is cut off from the source. Channelers do not feel the one power within this circle, cannot embrace the source, and weaves unravel when crossing into this radius.
ring 1= twisted ring, showing only one side. grants wearer to tel'aran'rhoid
ring 2= twisted ring, showing only one side. grants wearer to tel'aran'rhoid
ring 3= twisted ring, showing only one side. grants wearer to tel'aran'rhoid
ring 4= twisted ring, showing only one side. grants wearer to tel'aran'rhoid
Ring 5= a large signet ring Ring of command. enables the wearer to command shadowspawn. Shadowspawn must make a will save, dc 15, or follow the commands of the ring bearer.
ring 6= a well, +3 Enables channeler to store up its rating in one power. Sacrifice a weave slot, up to its rating, for the day to fill the well, and it retains the weave slot until used.
ring 7= Named Surprise, this ring enables the wearer to channel the well ring. The wearer need not be a channeler to be able to channel from the well when wearing this ring.
Finally, after many days of travel, you see them, looming high above. before they were just a blip on the horizon, but days later, you are there. The Spine of the World.
Stretching from left to right, as far as the eye can see, the mountain range stretches high into the sky, a bulwark of stone, rock, boulders, and seams of minerals separating one side of the world from the other.
Although within the foothills, a sense of security pervades your body, a rightness for being here.
Matt walks up to everyone and hands them a white band of cloth. tie this around your right arm, and then alternate it to the left arm tomorrow. the next day, back to the right. this will indicate that we are lost and looking for assistance.
Looking at matt, everyone's face with a questioning look upon it, he explains.
by indicating we are lost, one of the rebels scouts will approach us and lead us into camp. I know the location, but i dare not lead you directly to it. we have... safeguards, to prevent unwanted intrusion, and you wouldnt get within a mile of the camp without becoming a walking quiver. Chuckling, he ties his armband and leads the group into the mountains.
After running and fighting for so long, it feels strange to Alathea that she and her companions should have time to...rest. Although the days are long and the miles endless, the travel is a true respite. It is a good feeling, but still, she feels the need to do something. Taking the cache of power-wrought artifacts one night, she sits down and picks one out. Closing her eyes, she concentrates on the object...
After each day's camp is made, Alathea sits down and returns to the task. Her initial excitement at discovering the turtle's power returns upon examining the belt, the rod, the second to last ring, and especially the last ring. Indeed, for the rest of the day, she can be caught muttering to the effect of "That is not possible, yes?". But after several reexaminings, she becomes satisfied that she is not mistaken.
As the mountains near and the group travels through the foothills of the spine, Fia found herself breathing with a sense of relief. She knew this was not even her world, yet as they drew further from the wetlands, heading in the general direction of the waste, part of her felt like she was coming home.
Yet such feelings were accompanied by questions. Were the Aiel of this world similar to her own people? With saidar tainted, would women like herself and Alathea be sent to face the blight as men in her world were? Did the wise ones still hold the same position in their society? Were they dreamers here as well? She could feel the dream ring heavy in her pocket, calling to her almost as palpable as the repulsive, yet strangely seductive, lure of saidar.
Moving up into the true mountains, your survival skills are quickly put to the test, as a wind from the north begins to blow steadily upon you; a chill upon the wind seems a welcome relief to you from the scorching rays of the sun and heat from the lands, but soon enough, the coolness turns to cold. Before long, it seeps through your skin and into your bones, making them ache.
Strange. i do not remember this occurring? Matt says, his eyes drawn to the north.
Looking north, Matt stops and points. Odd looking cloud, no?
Looking in the direction he points, you see a rolling cloud, gray, lifeless, dank. It seems to slowly roll across the ground, in a haphazard motion.
A bunny, feeding upon some short grass shoots, sits between you and the cloud. It's ear perk up as it hears, or senses, the clouded mass approach.
Now still, the bunny watches, intent upon the cloud. The cloud has stopped moving, as if sensing a life force near it. the clouds, billowing and pulling within itself, suddenly stop moving.
Now looking like a large ball of dirty wool, you watch.
At first, you think your eyes play tricks upon your mind, for the cloud seems to be shifting, making it difficult to concentrate on. But, looking at a rock that juts from the ground as a frame of reference, you see that the cloud is moving towards the rabbit, albeit at a slow rate.
the rabbit, frozen, unsure what to do, remains motionless.
Suddenly, the rabbit bolts! One hop! The cloud, in a flash of shocking speed, snaps forward and engulfs the rabbit. A high pitched squeal, the sound of a rabbit in distress, erupts from within, only to be quickly corrupted into a hollow, distorted noise, one that lays heavy upon your soul.
As you watch, you realize that you are now within 100 feet of this cloud, and the cloud is still in its woolen ball like shape. Your eyes seem to blur, until you again find a rock for reference, and see that the cloud is moving towards you.
"Move!" Fia exclaims, shaking herself from the morbid, unnatural sight. We need to move! She calmly but urgently bustles everyone into action, calling over her shoulder at Matt, What is that thing?
"Sightblinder's eyes; that is something I've not seen before..."
Rhoekk draws an arrow and fits it to the white power-wrought bow. Sighting for any denser part of the cloud, he looses the shot into the wool-thick mist, waiting to see if the lightning strikes the cloud as it did the soldiers in the city, and for what the affect might be."
Ryland shakes his head like a dog attempting to dry it self before turning to the wisewoman. "To where!?"
"I don't know! Out of its path. Unless you can fight fog?" She blinked as she turned to look back and saw that Rhoekk appeared to intend to do just that. She paused to watch, on the verge of surrendering to saidar, despite her reluctance to embrace it here.
"Fight mist with steel? Unlikely. We must flee, or use the Power," Kodo says calmly, though he betrays his own words by drawing his Power-wrought blade from its sheath. He moves toward the front of the group to stand by Rhoekk, his fingers curling and uncurling around the grip of his sword. If this thing reaches us, it is death.
Rhoekk catches the incredulous look of the others as he fires off the bow. "This bow is a thing of the power; if that cloud is as well, perhaps it can affect it... It is worth a try at the least."
Fia nods. Loose then. She stands to watch, readying herself to open to saidar should her power be needed to defend the group.
The arrow flies forth, crackling with miniscule lightning bolts wrapping its shaft, straight from rhoekks bow and slides effortlessly into the fog. exiting the other side, the arrow lands upon the ground.
Within the fog itself, for the briefest of moments, it appears to turn a bright white, like a lightning bolt striking in the middle of the night. Billowing forth, the fog slides forward, rapidly advancing upon rhoekk.
Umm..i have no idea what that is. All i can say is we have to listen to the woman, and RUN Matt turns and begins to sprint away from fog, howling for everyone to follow him.
"Well, so much for that."
Rhoekk shoulders the bow, and turns to run after the others. If any appear particularly slow, he will scoop them up and run with them over his shoulder.
Alathea pauses, unable to decide. Can my weaves harm this thing? She knows that her talents lie elsewhere than fighting, but even she can Weave a ball of fire or a wall of air. Would it be enough? But these thoughts are not what stays her. Are we far enough from Cairhein that I could Weave undetected by those Children? A shudder runs through her body at the thought of what has happened to her at their hands.
As Rhoekk's arrow soars toward the cloud, she begins to open herself to the One Power. But before she can surrender to its sweetness, the arrow passes through the cloud with no effect, and Matrim cries out the order to run. Almost relieved to have an excuse not to try the Power, Alathea abandons her attempt and runs, following the others.
rhoekk 1
alathea 2
ryland 3
fia 4
kodokura 5
matt 6
The fog billows forth, covering the distance between itself and its new target with alacrity. A lone tendril of fog, thin like a whip, shoots forward, striking at Ryland...
The tendril touches ryland, and ryland cannot help but howl in pain and agony as he feels part of his life force be sucked out of his body.
"Ryland!!" Fia turns at Ryland's howl, hesitating just long enough to make certain he's still on his feet before continuing her mad dash away...
Ryland puts his head down and runs!
running as fast as you can, you rush up and away from the thing.
As if sensing its prey fleeing, the fog begins to shift lazily along your trail, falling behind but following your path.
After an hours worth of hustling through the mountain hills, the fog disappears from view, hidden from sight, and not seen for at least 15 minutes whilest you rest.
Fia spends but a bare moment catching her breath then moves to watch back the way we came from for sign of danger.
"How far are we from our destination Cauthon? We do not want to bring that thing down on your friends."
his chest heaving, Matt gulps in air.
Perhaps a couple days journey. he gasps. we are high up in a valley and set within a vast network of caves.
Looking around, as if getting his bearings, he stops and points.
That way. A couple hours hike up along this trail will be a small cave entrance. Through there we can make up some time, but the path is dangerous, as we dont patrol those caves. We prefer to let nature patrol it for us and keep out the undesirables. Unfortunetly, those things have no interest in us, save that they are always hungry, and will kill us for food. we will have to be extra careful.
Rhoekk lifts an eyebrow at matt's comments. Of everyone he appears the least winded.
"What sort of things?"
Alathea staggers to a halt and bends over, her hands on her knees, gulping air. After only a short moment, she looks back nervously, but relaxes a bit when she cannot see the cloud. Looking over to Kodokura to make sure he is unhurt, she gives him a weary smile.
"Rhoekk's arrows did nothing to that thing, yes? Can it be killed? Does the One Power affect it?" She pauses, considering. "If I were to surrender to saidar, would any in this place hunt me down like the Children did in Cairhein?"
Kodo is likewise rather winded, and takes a moment to catch his breath. " 'Do arrows wound the wind?' It sounds like a line from Anasai, or one of Raien's paradoxes," he murmurs breathily, his face deadpan - a rare show of dry humour? "If you were to ask my opinion, Aes Sedai, I would beg you not to use the Power except in the last defence of your life. However, I've observed that your courage often exceeds your consideration of personal safety. Just be aware that if you get yourself into trouble, you'll be getting me into trouble as well." His relatively long speech finished, he stands beside Alathea, arms folded, eyes alert.
"We will not know if pure weaves will hurt it unless that thing finds us again, and that is something we should avoid I think. I will dance with whatever seeks to block my path, but as long as the choice remains mine, I think I would prefer to do so with that which bleeds as I do." Fiallain growls from over where she continues to keep watch back the way they came.
"Speaking of, I'm with Rhoekk. What are these 'things', Cauthon? They will bleed won't they?" she asks with a wry expression.
Alathea scowls at Kodokura's chastisement, but blushes despite herself. She opens her mouth as if to scold, but pauses without speaking. Her expression softens, and when she finally does speak, it is without anger. "You are right, Kodokura, of course. I will not put ourselves in danger unless there is no other choice, yes?"
Kodo bobs his head, still surveying the terrain. "As you say, Alathea Sedai," he says perfectly respectfully, as if it were Alathea's idea and not his own.
Alathea turns to Kodokura and glares at him. "Are you trying to...placate me? I held my tongue because I knew that your suggestion was a good one, even if I don't want to listen." She continues, still glaring, but this time Kodokura might see a hint of a smile on her face. "But I can still shout at you if you want, yes?"
Kodo blinks at Alathea's response as if surprised, then turns to her slowly. After a moment, his expression of blank shock turns darker, a fire lighting his eyes, and he opens his mouth as if to retort angrily, but snaps it shut before he does.. Taking a breath through his nose, his face and posture become calm once more.
"Perhaps you could shout at me later, Aes Sedai." The corner of his mouth twitches as he finishes, but he returns to observing the countryside his expression darkens once more.. "For now, avoiding the notice of any further... things may be more important."
Matt, still trying to recover from the run, holds up his hand, asking for a moment to regain his composure.
Blood and Ashes, i know not what that thing was. It is new to me as it is for you all. As for what is in the cave...
Looking about, he finds a short rock and sits down upon it, stretching his legs out and begins to kick off a boot.
Bloody rocks. You wear nice boots, calf high, and still the stones get in. Strange.
Dumping the rocks out into his hand, he begins to pull on his boot whilest struggling out of the other. Once both both have been emptied and put on, he looks up at everyone.
The creatures inside...strange. Like walking death. Fast, viscious, mindless. Once they catch your scent, you are dead. Similar to shadowspawn, but not. A trolloc you can recognize instantly, but these..no. these are different. Some are on 4 legs, some on 6. Talons that can slice through rock and metal with ease, hides that can deflect the most hard blows, and some that when you do succeed in killing them, blow up. When they blow, they spew out this greenish blood, capable of eating through metal and stone. The wisdoms claim that some of these are resistant to the One power, though i care not much about that.
Standing, he begins to walk and juggle 6 stones in a tight circle.
Best way to go through is to toss bloody meat behind you. This will keep them close, but always behind you. Once you start in, you press on until you get to the other side. You dont stop, for to stop, you risk attack.
Pausing, he looks at kodokura, his face growing slightly pale.
How? He cuts off..
Looking at Kodokura, you see him stand there, and everything seems normal, until you look down upon the rock he stands upon.
As you watch, the rock appears to grow dull in color, and bits of stratta fall from its surface. Cracks begin to form, slowly at first, then at a rapid pace, until it looks like a giant spiderweb has formed. Suddenly, it collapses, throwing Kodokura to the ground, kicking up a large dust cloud, comprised of what the rock was made of.
And the very land will reject himMatt intones in an awe struck voice.
Looking up at everyone, his eyes grow fierce. Creator help us, it is coming isnt it? Tar'mon Gaidon is coming? The prophet said that the Last Battle will be near when nature rejects the defiled one. The Last battle will be near when the True Dragon is Reborn. I just saw that rock become dust, I...I... I He trails off, stepping away from everyone.
No. You cannot be. This cannot be. Not in my life time. Not now.
"What are we waiting for? The rest of the rocks to crumble? Where are these caves."
Kodokura struggles to his feet, covered in dust. His eyes, wide and intense, are fixed on Mat. "What... what are you talking about? What just happened?"
The land, it rejected you. You stood upon the rock, and then it crumbled to dust. It was as if the stone refused to support you. You.. you are touched by the Dark One himself. Matt says, still backing away, his voice rising in pitch and volume, and irrational hysterical tone coming to light. The prophecy...it is true. A Guardian shall come, one of not of the land. He shall be forsaken, from himself, his fellow man, and nature shall abhor his existence. Behold! He is the fell messenger, the harbinger of the Last Battle. His existence signifies the end grows near. .. the rest of the prophecy is lost to time.
Alathea steps to Kodokura's side and takes his arm in hers. Shaking her head, she scowls at Matrim. "Look around you, Matrim! Those cloud creatures! The Children of the Dragon! How could you not see that the Dark One stirs? Kodokura may be a part of your prophecies, but you should not fear him, yes? If his presence tells you what you should have already known, then you are a fool!" She continues in a calmer tone, but she does not loosen her grip on Kodokura. "The Dark One stirs in our world as well. We have our own prophecies, and they are coming true, yes? How can the Dark One stir in one world and not all? You have had to have known, yes?"