We go west. To the spine.
Alathea sighs with disappointment. "I know that we all need to rest," she says. "But however we are to get out of this city, we should do so quickly. Those Children from the palace know what we look like, and I cannot think that they will forget about us, yes? Let us not give them time to tell their fellows about us."
"What with their talking boxes, they might have spread the word already," Kodo murmurs. "Still, I agree - haste is best."
"Is there a way out besides going out the gates? If they are as guarded as you say, perhaps we should just 'go around'."
"Should we go one or two at a time? Two of us together may be unremarked upon, but all of us together would make a memorable group, yes?"
Matt shifts uncomfortably.
There is a way...yet it is even more dangerous, both to travel and to access. They are The Ways.
Each one of you does a subtle shift, denoting your uncomfortable knowledge of what the ways are and contain.
To access the Ways, we have to go to the Ogier Grove, over power the 4 most powerful channelers that the garrison has here, go into the ways, avoid the Children that patrol the ways, and when we exit over at Janduiean, overpower the 4 most powerful channelers there. Granted it'll shave off about 3 weeks worth of travel time... He trails off.
"So... in other words we need to trick or to overpower the guards at the gate," Fia grumbles. "If those guarding the ways are as strong in the power as you say, I do not think Alathea and I can defeat them. Not four at once, and not without being able to see what they weave. Definitely not without rest and healing first, anyway. Are the gates shut at night?"
Alathea listens with obvious discomfort to Mat's description of the Ways. When he is done, she says, "Fiallain is correct. If these Ways are as well-patrolled as you say, it will have to be easier to leave by the gate, yes? Perhaps these Children will not stop and inspect every farmer, merchant, and wanderer who wish to use the gate, but they will certainly take close attention to any who seek to use these Ways."
"Perhaps these Children will not stop and inspect every farmer, merchant, and wanderer who wish to use the gate..."
Kodo frowns as he considers how he may have helped in a battle of the Power. Forget it! That's over now. Concentrate on one day, one objective at a time.
Fia reaches into her pack and pulls out an object. She looks at Alathea. "If they are inclined to search women more closely, perhaps they should not find any women to search. Perhaps we should do what we can to appear as the men."
She approaches Ryland and presses a thin, black garment into his hand. He'll recognize one of the shoufas she used to wear. "Keep this safe with you. If we should get separated again in the days ahead, I can use it to find you."
She then unsheathes her belt-knife and hands it to Rhoekk. "If they were not broken and left behind, I would give you one of my spears, Rhoekk. But this will have to do now."
Smiling, she turns to Alathea. "I don't suspect you and I should be long separated given our situation, but just in case.." She slips her signal whistle from around her neck and gives it to her friend.
To Kodokura she gives the object she had taken from her packs. It is a small jade figurine carved in the likeness of a mountain cat. "I picked this up not long after I first crossed the spine into your wetlands. Keep it with you.. and thank you for your help in the cells."
To Matt she tosses one of her coin. "In case we're separated from you as well. As long as it is on your person I can use it to find you as well. Now, we should come up with a plan. You seem as if you've done this before, how do you think we best attempt to get through the gate?"
Fia reaches into her pack and pulls out an object. She looks at Alathea. "If they are inclined to search women more closely, perhaps they should not find any women to search. Perhaps we should do what we can to appear as the men."
Kodokura almost quirks a smile at Fia's last words - I'm fairly certain I'll never think of them as anything but women from now on.
To Kodokura she gives the object she had taken from her packs. It is a small jade figurine carved in the likeness of a mountain cat. "I picked this up not long after I first crossed the spine into your wetlands. Keep it with you.. and thank you for your help in the cells."
Kodo takes the offered figurine soberly, nodding. "Heart and soul to serve, Fia. I know you'd do the same. Thank you for the gift." Kodo wraps it carefully in an old rag and tucks it into his jacket.
Alathea takes the whistle from Fiallain and slips it into her sleeve and smiles. "We will not need to use this, yes? Even if we must separate to escape this place, we will not be apart for long. I look forward to returning it to you when we are all safe."
Fiallain smiles back and nods. "Likely you are right. I hope you are right. Yet, it is always good to be as prepared for as many eventualities as we can." Her expression turns thoughtful. "One of your Aes Sedai bonds would be more effective, from what I understand of it, or even an... well never mind that. At any rate those were never options, even if I knew the weaves, which I don't. This was the best I could think of."
Alathea is silent for a moment in consideration, but when she does speak, her eyes drift toward Kodokura. "Even if we did not have to worry about our channeling drawing the attention of these Children, I cannot do such a thing. Despite Jasmine's knowledge of the weave, Accepted are not supposed to Bond warders, yes? And even if I did have the opportunity to learn the weave, it is hardly a thing that the Red Ajah approves of." She shakes her head. "But such a thing would certainly be useful now, yes?"
Smiling, with a lingering look upon Alathea, matt continues I have indeed smuggled people, and goods, into and out of Cairhein. I have done so in the past. I usually help those that are questioned for no good reason. Some of the Children have let the power go to their head. If you dont channel, then you are beneath contempt, more like a slave than anything else. It's worst up in Tar Valon. That bloody Dragon has let all the power go to his head, and beyond. Lord al'Thor has done a good job in keeping it tempered here in Cairhein, but in Andor and the borderlands, its really bad. The Children are supposed to protect those of us who cannot channel, yet instead they begin to enslave those that would question their actions and authority."
taking a pull from the skin, he continues, looking directly at Alathea But i digress. We need to leave the city. The problem is with you. All of you. Yes, your descriptions will be at the gates by now. The children will be searching the sewers as well. They will be at full alert. But i think we can do one thing that they wont be expecting... it'll take a few days to arrange, and you will have to stay up here for the time, but it should work out well for us.
Tossing the bag to Ryland, Matt gets up, walks up next to Alathea, squats, and allows his thigh to press upon alathea's thigh. Smiling at her with a dashing grin, he continues.
My idea is simple. The guards are looking for you. they have your description. Let them find you at the gates.
Putting his hand up to quiet everyone, he continues
Here is how it works. i go and find all the people that look like you. i hire them to leave from all the exits at the same time on the same day. The guards will be so overwhelmed that they will have to allow use to walk through unchecked.
"Or they will simply arrest them all and try them as accomplices. These Children do not seem fond of subtlety, nor are they afraid to use brute force. Has this strategy ever been tried before?"
The sharp eyed Aiel catches the quick glance Alathea gave towards Kodokura. She nodded, still thoughtful. "Perhaps it would at that." Though it sounds as if it would break every custom of both our peoples, she thought, perhaps a touch ruefully. "At any rate, it is a moot point at the moment."
She shakes her head and glanced briefly at the other woman. Pfah. You are as much Aes Sedai as the others, Alathea. In my eyes at least. The only reason you do not have your ring is because those who do wear it are squabbling like children. She shook her head again, this time at her own temerity. One did not think of Aes Sedai in that way. And yet, now that the thought was there, she found that she did.
Kodokura is lost in his own thoughts as he carefully wraps and stashes the figurine from Fia, and remains oblivious to the women's talk of Warders
He does, however, notice Cauthon's not-so-subtle advances towards Alathea as he explains his view of the situation, and shifts his body orientation to face the man directly. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he watches for Alathea's reaction, ready to intervene if she appears discomfited by his attention.
After Rhoekk's query, Kodo clears his throat. "I agree with your appraisal - these Children appear to be honourless dogs that care nothing for human life or happiness. I would feel uncomfortable putting others at risk for our purposes."
Ryland seems distracted as he listens to the others discuss escape. The large man had showered and changed clothes with out a word after hearing the voice in his head.
Another wolf brother. Lord Dragon said that here in this world we are accepted and respected. Then again he is not the Dragon here and female channels are the ones who broke the world. This place is upside down and wrong side out. Long Tooth. Who is he? Did he hear me? I guess it doesn't matter really. We have to escape this city and trust this Matt fellow. Looks like he is making eyes at Alathea, can't blame him, she is a handsome woman.
Fia scowls at Matt's forwardness with Alathea. He was actually touching her! She nods agreement with the two men and growls stiffly, "I do not wish to put others in danger to save my own skin. Besides, if they were hunting us with wolfbrothers, would they not have some of those at the gates? Could they not tell us by scent?" She raises a questioning look at Ryland. "Or do you intend to use more of your powder in such a case?
I think I missed something about "breaking every custom of our peoples"...?
Alathea listens attentively to Matrim's plan and ignores his obvious gaze. Men...never able to pull their minds away from their desires, even in these circumstances! When he moves in close to her, she says nothing, merely takes a step away.
Alathea considers the words of her friends, then speaks herself. "You risk much on our behalf, Matrim, and do not think that we are not grateful, yes? But I must agree with my companions. It would not be right to put others at risk for the trials we have already faced. There must be some other way, yes?" She glances back toward the sewers. "Those sewers must let out at the river, yes? Perhaps if we buy passage, the river would be less guarded. At the very least, it would be harder for these Children to search through a river ship than to search through people on foot, yes?"
Seeing Alathea well in control of her own situation, Kodo relaxes somewhat, though he remains aware of Mat. He's an odd one. He got us out of a terrible spot, no mistaking it. Surely not for pretty eyes and nicely rounded... I'd like to know his motivations, but now is not the time. Kodokura makes a mental note to speak to Rhoekk and Ryland later on.
Surely not for pretty eyes and nicely rounded...
Surely not for pretty eyes and nicely rounded...
True, those WolfLords are helping the Dragons, but after a few days, they get pulled away from searches and are used elsewhere. Usually, its within 3-4 days that the WolfLords are redirected. As for the sewers, those are the most checked. We got lucky when we did because it was shift change. After this though, they wont make the same mistake again.
Pausing, and looking at Alathea, a charming smile upon his face he continues.
There is one last thought though. We can do an up and over. Simply put, the up and over is we go up and over the city wall. There are 3 buildings that are close enough to the city wall that a leap to the wall is feasable. Only problem with that is dealing with the 4 men that guard each spot. 2 look out beyond the wall, 2 look into the city. I think we can make a run tomorrow evening, if you all like that idea
Alathea considers for a moment. "Perhaps going over the walls would be possible. Four guardsmen are better than the dozens at the gates, and perhaps these can be distracted. But how far is the leap from the nearby buildings? I am in no condition to jump very far, yes?"
Fiallain nods cautiously. "This may be possible. Do you know if the guards can channel? What is the terrain on the other side? Will we be able to quickly disappear?"
Kodo puts weight thoughtfully on his newly-Healed leg, testing its strength as he contemplates leaping and jumping.
"Matrim Cauthon, we were brought here by a pillar of some sort; a relic of the Age of Legends. It would be large, several feat across, and covered in glyphs, and perhaps circled in multi-coloured bands. If we could find one, we might be able to find out how to use it to get out of here. Have you seen anything like that? We know that there is at least one of them in the city, if not where..."
Nodding, Matt speaks oh yea, i know about that one. That is in the Dragon's Park. It's a traveling stone. Aside from gateways, traveling stones are used as a quick means of moving product between places. No one who has ever used one has lived.
Looking at alathea and fia, he nods Beyond the wall is forecastle, a hodgepodge of buildings that creep right up to the city wall. It is very easy to hide within that area. As for the guards who guard, i am not sure.
Alathea cocks her head to the side in curiousity. "How is it known that those that use these Traveling Stones do not live? If what Rhoekk says is correct, we have done just that, yes?"
Despite herself, Fiallain finds her curiosity aroused as well. "So they somehow use these stones to transport items, but not people? How do they know where they are sending them if they have not gone with the boxes? And perhaps more importantly, who knows how to operate one?"
Because if we're ever to get out of this light forsaken world, we're going to need to know how these things work...
Kodo looks at his companions, appraising their physical condition - Fia stands out as both wounded and weary. "Do I understand right that there'll be no chance for us - I mean, the women - to use the Power while we're in this city? Fia in particular could use some Healing. Whether we elect to jump the wall or use the stone, there is a high risk of being attacked."
Stepping away from Alathea, a confused look upon his face, he answers fia and kodokura
For transporting, i know not. Im just a simple guy, trying to start a rebellion. But the little i do know is that the alarms for female channeler detection ends at the city walls. The Children really dont mind too much what goes on beyond the city walls, per se.
Alathea nods. "Then let us get out of this city first, and then worry about these stones, yes? Once we are safe from these Children, we will have all the time we need to find our way home." She turns to Matrim. Now, where do you think we stand the best chance to make it over this wall?"
Rhoekk listens intently for the response, picturing the high walls in his mind as he does.
Fia also eyes Matt, awaiting his response.
about a mile away is an inn. But, before we can do that, i need to go ensure that the inn is still capable to be used. Last week the inn was raided by the CHildren, so Id like to inspect it before we go walking into a trap. Please, stay here. You are safe. The owner of this place is a friend of mine, and allows me use of this staging point, so long as i keep my guests here in the stables. I will be back later this evening. So get some rest. We may be leaving tonight, or tomorrow night.
Standing up, Matt grabs a cloak from the pile and a wide brimmed hat with a long tail feather from an exotic bird.
Remember, stay here looking each person in the eye, he then nods and descends the ladder and then goes out the barn door, disappearing from sight.
Alathea holds Matrim's eyes for a moment. "We will stay here and cause no trouble, yes? Are we to have rooms, or are we to stay in this hayloft?"
After Matrim leaves, Alathea sits down next to Kodokura. Gesturing to a corner away from the rest of her friends, she asks, "Will you come and talk with me?"
"We should keep a watch," Fia says to the others as Alathea and Kodokura go off to the corner to talk. "This place is only safe as long as no children decide to look here."
Alathea holds Matrim's eyes for a moment. "We will stay here and cause no trouble, yes? Are we to have rooms, or are we to stay in this hayloft?"
After Matrim leaves, Alathea sits down next to Kodokura. Gesturing to a corner away from the rest of her friends, she asks, "Will you come and talk with me?"
Kodo, lost in his own thoughts, looks up at Alathea uncomprehendingly for a moment before coming back to himself. His face a blank mask, he nods, then stands and accompanies Alathea. He moves slowly, like a man in a dream.
Alathea leads Kodokura over to the corner and sits, motioning for him to do the same. She opens her mouth to speak, but pauses before she does and takes his hand in hers. Leaning in close to speak quietly, she says, "I know that you are hurting, Kodokura. You try to hide how much you hurt, but I can tell, yes? Will you talk to me about it?"
Please stay in the hayloft.Matt says before leaving.
Kodo stares at Alathea's hand on his as she speaks, his jaw tight. After her question he sits silent for a moment, then breathes in and out slowly. "Talk about it? What would you like me to say?" he asks slowly, his voice low and emotionless. "That I feel empty, cut off from joy? Once I had a wellspring of life and Light itself inside me - even with the Taint, the sweetness was indescribable. Now..." He squeezes his eyes shut for a moment. "Now, your hand is the only warmth I feel."
Kodo opens his eyes again, and looks Alathea in the face. "Don't waste your time with me. Before, I had nothing else, but that I was a weapon. Now, I'm naught but a broken tool. Perhaps I have some small purpose in me - to die as a Borderlander should, perhaps - but one way or the other, I won't be here for long." He drops his eyes again, jaw clamping shut once more.
Alathea frowns, but listens intently to Kodokura's words. When he falls silent, she shakes her head. "What do I want you to say? I want you to say what you need to say, yes? I do not know if you can ever feel whole again, but I do know that keeping your pain to yourself while pretending that you are not hurt will not help. I want you to let me at least try to help, yes?"
Alathea squeezes Kodokura's hand tighter, but scowls as if angry. "I also know that I can decide whether or not I am "wasting" my time with you. I do not think I am, yes? Do you think you were wasting your time on me when I was all but bled out by those Children?" She shakes her head in frustration. "You are more than a friend to me. I...care about you. Let me help, yes?"
Kodokura resigned expression shifts to one of puzzlement for a moment, then sadness. "Alathea, I... You have to understand something. While we were in action, struggling, facing death - then, there was no room for thinking, dwelling, even feeling. Things had to be done, and so I did them. I just reacted, like an animal. Now... now, when I have the time to stop and be aware of myself, there is nothing. Nothing but the loss."
He sighs, looking down. "If you had have said that you... cared about me before my gentling, I know I would have... When you say it now, all I feel is a memory of happiness. I'm empty, Alathea. I'm nothing."
But if you are determined to try to help," he continues, giving her hand a faint squeeze, "I will try. I will try to be... more than nothing." Kodo tries to instil his words with a tone of conviction - and almost succeeds.
Alathea's face flushes ever so slightly. "Good. That woman hurt you more than I can imagine, yes? Do not finish her work for her."
"I will try," Kodokura repeats, looking into Alathea's eyes, his own still terribly hollow and empty. "But I want you to remember something. Men - and women - like me may cling to life for a while, but in the end... I've seen men burn themselves out during asha'man training, and they never lasted long. Hope, if you like, but not too hard."
Kodo releases Alathea's hand slowly, and as the warmth of human contact fades, the cold emptiness envelopes him fully once more. His face a blank mask he murmurs, "We should get some rest - there may not be any for us this night." He peers around the room for somewhere to curl up.