As soon as the interrogator screams out his warning, Alathea twists her head, trying to wrench away from the knives. Despite her best efforts, they bite deeply into her neck. Although the pain is excruciating, she remains conscious...she's managed to keep the knives from anything immediately vital. She lets saidar fall away--even had she wanted to, she doesn't think that she could have held onto it through the pain. Through her tears of pain and humiliation, she sobs, "Please, stop! Please, I will not do that again! I beg of you, stop!"
The wolf brother smiles and his gold eyes glint at the lord. "In a way we are here because of you following your orders. Just your orders from another...place."
"In our world Lan Mandragoran is an honourable man; considered by many a hero. After Malkier was lost to the blight, he continued to fight a one man war against the shadow."
"If I may ask, do you know anything about the strange stone that the darkfriend used to bring us here? Is there any way we could use it to go back?"
As they walk, she is casually appraising the two as an experience warrior might appraise the combat competency of others - weighing all her options.
-This is wrong, all wrong. We must escape from here, but how? The women are in danger of being stilled, and we're all being split up. I mustn't hesitate to take an opportunity if it presents itself.-
Lord al'thor snorts. The man is as close to becoming a Darkfriend as can be without being a Darkfriend. He fights like a maniac, ruthless in his assassinations of the Children of the Dragon, and protects a powerful female channeler, one that hasnt been seen in 3,000 years. The pair, together, are a lethal combination.
as for those stones, we use them sparingly, primarily to move goods to various strongholds throughout the land. aside from that, nothing.
You attempt to speak, but are unable to. Instead, a froth of blood gushes from your mouth, staining the front of your dress and rushing to the floor, accumulating at the base of the chair, where your eyes are drawn towards a larger discoloration that surrounds the chair. You snap your attention upon the Questioner, eyes wide, fearful, obedient. Every beat of your heart pumps more blood out of your neck, where the two daggers have punctured your wind pipe. Blood begins to flow down your throat, into your lungs. You begin to hack and cough, your body spasming in an attempt to heave up the fluid that would drown you.
Withdraw your blades, brothers. It would appear our witch has learned the error of her ways. The old man commands, and the two blades withdraw from the neck.
Grabbing you by the chin, he leans in close.
next time, should you ever decide to grasp Saidar in my presence, i reopen this hole and let you drain like a pig at butcher. You can tell by his tone, that he means precisely what he says.
Without waiting for an answer, you feel an odd chill course through your body, and the flesh inside your throat begin to stitch together.
There, that should do it. I have healed you, but not fully. I am sure, with enough time, perhaps 2-3 years, your voice should come back fully to you, but, since you wont be alive 5 weeks from now, i wont exert myself.
Walking away from her, he approaches his stand and pours a glass of something. Taking a long drink, he stares off, lost in his own thoughts.
Take that miserable piece of taint away from here. Put her in the shielded cells.
Hawkwing died. Rumor has it that he sent his wife, his offspring, and some devoted followers across the Aryth Sea. I want them to be free of this infection that plagues this land he is rumored to have said upon his deathbed. The Dragon of that time, a Goaslain if i remember my history, he attended Hawkwing's death. The soldier holding Kodokura says.
The one holding Fia replies to her other question. Sure, some survive. For a little while. Those that choose Severing. Some last a year, some last two, but in the end, they become depressed and die.
With a light jerk, they lead you out of the Traitors hall and towards the cells.
The cells are surprisingly comfortable. Padded cots, a clean chamber pot, and a 2 foot square hole with iron bars allow the prisoner to see outside.
The guardsman opens the iron bar door.
Water and food will be brought within the hour. Kodokura's guard says as he leads him into the cell and unlocks his manacles.
As the manacles leave his wrists Kodo stares at his half-raised hands for a moment, then slowly swivels his head up to look the guard in the eyes. Can they all channel? Even if he could, I would have been able to sweep him away. Now, now I must bow before them and allow my companions to be divided and conquered.
I could charge him now, draw my blade and die in battle, but would my companions profit? Would the women be in any less danger of being Severed as I am?
No. I would be free of this emptiness, this uselessness, but I would only make it worse for them. Heavier than a mountain.
Kodokura's eyes fall to the floor, his hands to his sides. He hardly even notices as the guard shuts the door.
You are dragged through the halls, feet dangling, total body limp. You are barely aware of your surroundings, only to glance up and see the cells that they bring you too. You past a couple cells, occupied, and only register Fia sitting in one next to an empty cell. Into this empty cell they drop you, and then slam the door upon you.
Locking you within the cell, the two guards leave, leaving you alone to your thoughts.
An hour passes and suddenly a door opens. Looking out, you see a couple men dragging a woman, the front of her dress soaked in blood, her head dangling, her hair obscuring her face. As she passes, she picks her head up, enough for you to see that it is Alathea, and that she is injured, horribly. Her throat looks like it has been torn out, her face pale, body limp. Her strength gives out and she drops her head to her chest, and then you hear a wet thump, as if dropping a body upon a cold floor. The two men emerge from the cell, lock the door, and then leave.
Opening the door, a large man walks in, armor barely containing his large rotund frame . Approaching al'Thor, he hammers his fist upon his chest in salute.
My lord. During questioning, the woman failed to chair. She is a witch. She embraced Saidar, yet survived the security measure. She is being transported to a holding cell, and a messenger has been dispatched to Tar Valon for a Lord Justice to come.
Lord al'Thor nods. Good work, Meekin. When done with your shift, go to the Shining staff inn, and have a double helping of Brandy, compliments of me.
Meekin smiles, salutes, and leaves.
al'Thor waits until the man leaves, before addressing the two of you.
Shall I assume that the other woman is a channeler as well? He asks in an off hand way
[/spoiler]
"Fight them? Oh yes, that I will do. But I will not leave my sister here in the hands of these filth! she exclaims fiercely. Turning to Kodokura, "Help me figure a way out of here. None of us are in shape for a dance, but know that if it comes to it I will wake forever from this dream before I let them take me or even to touch Alathea again."
Fia paces around the cell, looking for anything of note to use for any circumstance. Aside from the recently used chamber pot, there isnt anything special.
Taking a deep breath, he exhales slowly, in an effort to calm himself down. Walking away from you both, he walks behind his throne, and hear him scribble a couple pages of something.
Tsk. It is difficult to get good help. Those annoying servants seem to have forgotten my sealing wax. I shall have to go get some. I would invite you both to come along, but I do recall giving you free access to this castle. I recommend visiting the lower level of the west wing. I think you may find something of value there. Oh, and dont forget your bag. al'Thor says, waving his hand towards the corner, where the makeshift bag filled with ter'angreal sits, unnoticed til now.
Sense Motive:
Calming herself, Alathea slips a thread of Air into the lock holding her cell closed and sighs with frustration as it is turned away by an unseen barrier. Instead of trying again, though, she listens as intently as she can for any sound of alarm or approach.
[i]yes, but what... What did she mean different? Is it dangerous? You don't have much choice. You will need it to escape, or you will need it to fight when they come. Either way it must be risked.[i] Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, Fia takes a moment to compose herself, clearing her mind and strengthening her resolve in preparation to open herself to saidar.
(keeping an ear out for approaching people)
Rhoekk will snatch up the paper, and head out into the hall. He signals to Ryland to come with him. Once well out of earshot of the Lord Al'Thor he asks the man, "Can you find us the way to the cells? Should we see what awaits us in the southwest wing, or rescue the others first. I do not like the idea of allowing any more time to pass with them in the possession of those questioners, but if there is something that might help us overall in that wing, we may not have time to get it afterwards. What do you think?"
Kodokura lashes out at the door with his foot, putting all his force behind it.