A flash of light, a smell of cooking spices, a taint upon the bones, these feelings and more begin to assault your senses. You black out, awaken, black out again...
A lone woman stands upon a pulpit, her chair rising above all others. Her hands shift to her shash across her chest. It's multicolor hue denotes her rank: The Amrylin Seat. Her Red dress proudly showing her Ajah.
Behold Daughters...The Dragon Reborn she says, sweeping her hand towards the large wooden doors.
In walks a large figure, one of Aiel descent. Although he is large, he walks hunched over, as if in pain. Fresh shirt and pants cannot hide the bloody wound upon his side from showing and staining. He looks hollow, almost broken, like a man tortured on a daily basis, yet resistant to those around him.
Around him stand 13 Aes Sedai, blazing with the One Power, one pure strand of Saidar forming an incredible shield upon the Dragon.
Mummers and awe's begin to rise in volume as he walks to the center circle.
behold, I, Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan, Amrylin of the Aes Sedai, have captured the Dragon Reborn. With tower guidance, he shall be molded into the proper Dragon, one the shall destroy the Dark One, and bring about a New Age for The Aes Sedai
Thunderous applause errupts as those women who once mildly disliked the Armylin, now join in her cause.
For keeping the Dragon Reborn in the tower cannot be a bad thing...
...Can it?
'What... where...? What am I seeing?
Is this... in the White Tower?'
A memory stirs, sluggishly. That face. The Dragon Reborn's face.
'I've seen him before, haven't I? I saw him... I saw him when... When I was...'
Underneath the confusion, coals of anger start to kindle.
'I saw him before.'
I saw him when I was chained.'
Confusion fades before rising fury.
'They chained the Dragon. They chained the Dragon Reborn! Curse them and burn them forever, they chained the Dragon Reborn!!!'
Ryvin wants to howl her fury...
" What was that, What did that Shadow Witch do to me.."
I spring to my feet and grip the comfortable wooden handle of my sword and my senses relaxed. i set my self into the form leaf on the breeze, as i am unsure of what i see.
"That is not the dragon, that is a shell...No dragon would be broken, no Dragon would let these women capture him and use him as some tool, No...No..THAT IS NOT THE DRAGON" she roars at the end her emotions full of rage as she feels her self growing angry in confusion.
She looked to see if she could see the others. She was pissed and angry, She would love to vent her frustration on any one willing to try and take her blade.
Where did she ... where am I? WHERE IS THE FADE? Litheene looks around her, fearing the fade might have escaped her harden air, shettered body tensed, ready for it to appear out of nowhere as it did before.
Still shaken, Litheene takes a moment to realize that she is no longer in the basment. The familiar features of the white tower are slowly taken in. Did she activate the portal stone? Or another terangreal we were not aware off?
With her consciousness barely hanging Litheene is easily lost in the vision. Her gaze falls upon the dragon, the same features she saw at Domai Wells, yet so different from the man she swore to serve then.
He can face neither the shadow, nor Seanchan like this. The gaze of the myrradral still fresh on her He can't protect the world from sucha thread.
Elaida, they said she has a talent of foresight. How can she, of all people, not understand that the prophecies aren't meant to work like that. She is treathing him the same as Seanchan treat damane, as tools, fearing the power instead of understading it.
Was this her plan all along? Was this the reson she unseated Siuan? If so, I did the right thing when sidding with Egwene.
Litheene clutches her hands I must stop this! He has to be freed. Then she remembers the portal stone and the Aes Sedai, and also, what really happened at Domai Wells. This can't be. This plan of Elaida, it failed at Domai Wells. He was freed by his Ashaman. Wasn't he? Is this another world of the portal stones? Or did I fall from loss of blood?
Amorial stands up checking his body for the wounds that he has sustained which appear to be minor. Shaking his head and blinking his eyes Amorial looks at the scene before him confused. "What has taken place? How can this be? Is this the one power cloaking me in a vision?
Amorial pinches himself hard to try to wake from this dream....
Your body quivers from the sound
Your mind reels from the sound
Will this ever end?
Your eyes snap open as a bright bold of lightning descends from the sky. A shriek and howl overcomes the ringing in your ears.
Sitting up, you look about. You see some of your companions staring back at you, fearful, confused, worried.
The shrieking intensifies.
Looking for the source, you see a Fade, held in place by unknown means, being repeatedly struck by lightning bolts.
Men wearing black coats, dragons and swords pinned to their collars surround you, death upon their faces.
A gateway opens near to you, and people begin to rush through it, sacks of belongings thrown upon their back.
A man stands tall, barking at everyone.
Dashiva, reinforce the right flank. Those cursed Shaido will break through any moment. Jenkins, hold the left. Blood and Ashes brady, destroy that thing already Looking closer at the guy, you see that he too wears a black coat, but has red and gold dragons stitched upon his sleeves.
The wind suddenly howls, blowing soot and smoke across your face, forcing you to choke from the burning smoke.
Looking about you see that you are in Cairhein, but this place is different.
...it burns.
'What is going on?'
Ryvin staggers to her feet, using the quarterstaff of sung wood first to lever herself up, and then holding it in a defensive stance.
'What is a "Shaido"? Some kind of Shadowspawn?'
Ryvin pushes the pointless questions away. What is, is. Eyes, narrowed, she sights on the transfixed Myrddraal and reaches for saidar.
Amorial reaches out to his companions, "Hold onto me. Let us stay together in whatever this is! Can any of you tell if somoene is using the One Power on us!"
Ryvin grabs the Ogier's arm with one hand.
"I am about to use the Power," she says, her voice grim. "I hope everyone brought an appetite. Unless whoever is trying to fry that thing with lightning gets a move on, there's one order of Myrddraal cutlets, coming up!"
"War," Ryvin breathes, her face starting to flush with an odd excitement. "There must be a man, using saidin to kill that Fade. Saidar is being used over there, there and there."
Ryvin points out the domes, her eyes sparkling. "It is a great battle. A massive battle of the One Power."
you there! Get on your feet and get moving! This isnt a Bloody sunday social! Blood and Ashes, MOVE MOVE MOVE!!!
The man in the strange jacket begins to bark at all of you.
"Whereto, for Light's sakes?!" Ryvin shouts back. "And dammit, man, I can channel! I can help!"
well, you see that line of people over there walking through that big hole? How bout you just march those pretty ankles over to that line and follow suit? Creator's sake dont! Those blasted Shaido women are hurling whatever they can conjure at any woman who channels. Why do you think this city is burning? I dont need to see you get hit with anything, cuz i am standing right next to you
"I can raise a ward against the One Power over a big area," Ryvin shoots back. "Can you, Asha'man? 'Cause if you can't, stop looking at my bloody ankles and start thinking about how we can work together to help these people. We could Link for more power, for instance."
" I don't know there Asha'man, pretty lights flaring, perfect partners to dance with..Seems apt to call it a borderlands social!" she says as she smiles at him and than shakes her head as she hears Shaido?
Whats a Shaido, Why are they here. She flips her sword about and slides it back behind her back she looks about and nods to the Asha'man.
"need any help with non Channelers I have a strong arm and a deadly dance if you'll have me" she says as she looks at the field of veiw before her and than looks to others.
"You all ready for a little light blade work, cause it seems these Shaido will gladly dance with us" she says smiling.
Litheene takes Amorial's hand, slowly rising up and studying her environment It does look like she's used the portal stone. We are at a different location at the very least.
Where is everyone? We appear to be missing quite a lot of people.
Noticing the scene and hearing the exchange between the Ashaman and Ryvin, Litheene embraces the source, but a sharp pain in her gut remind her that she isn't fit for battle. Putting a hand on Ryvin's shoulder, she signals for her attention. Ryvin, I think might need caution here, I believe we might be in a different world. The pillar in the basment was a portal stone, I'm sorry but I couldn't notify the rest of you as I was behind a ward and attacked by four fades. Which leads me to my next request Litheene smiles apologetically taking her many wounds with her look Do you by chance know how to heal? If not, I'll be more than glad to show you the weave
"I'm no master at it, but yeah," Ryvin replies, nodding. "I know the weave. Brace yourself."
Ryvin carefully lays her hand on Litheene's arm and frowns in concentration. Air, Spirit and Water twirl around Litheene and into her, the familiar cold shock going through her body.
"Now," the Ebou Dari says, still frowning while saidar flows through her and into her patient. "What's this about another world?"
"If we are in another place should we stay here until you can find a solution to get us back or is there true danger to us being here?"
Amorial attempts to use his lareg body to shelter the women from debris. He holds onto the axe which he hopes is as effective againts the One Power as he has been led to believe.
She walks over and places a hand on Lithenees' shoulder, as she watches the women work. She looks to the others her face a mix of worry and excitement.
"Didn't. Know the one power was so brutally efficient" She says looking at the two sisters and than rubs Litheenes shoulder.
" Do you need me to aid you Lithneene Sedai, I can help carry you."she pauses and looks about" We should find out where we are, if we can we can than find the stone and maybe return, or we can try to look for the others"
As Ryvin finishes up her healing of Litheene, a lightning bolt shoots from the sky, impacting next to litheene and Ryvin.
Blood and ashes, you useless women! I told you not to!!!The man roars.
A moment later, a massive fireball erupts from his hand towards a building a block away. The fireball impacts the building and explodes, destroying the two story structure in the process.
dashiva, brady, Jenkins, Fall back. Through the portal. Our time has been cut short by the help of these... women.
Upon hearing the order, the men begin to fall back, hurling fireballs randomly behind them.
The people who are trudging through the portal begin to run through, hoping to get to safety before being cut off.
More lightning bolts begin to fall from the sky, impacting the ground, throwing up huge tracts of dirt. Others hit people, frying them to death instantly.
From farther back, men and women begin to scream as shadows detach from buildings, raining death with steel spears.
Reflex Save
Snarling, her eyes alight with rage, Ryvin seeks the source of the lightning bolt. She hardly seems to notice the damage she took from the attack...
"Carry her through the portal," she growls after a moment of hesitation, pushing Litheene towards Vala and Amorial. "Let's... go, we are outnumbered here. I'll put up a ward."
'This can not, must not keep happening! I need to control my fate, do something of worth! This can not keep happening!'
Even while she follows the others towards the gateway, Ryvin draws on the Source and channels.
Litheene feels Ryvin's weave, even through the shock of healing, the vileness of the shadow blade is receding, and she sights in relieve, smiling warmly Thanks you. As the healing goes on, Litheene begin her explanation A portal stone, is a stone from a time before our age, maybe before the age of legends. It's capable of transporting people to different locations, and sometimes to different worlds. Not much is kno..." her words are cut short by the explosion nearby.
Holding on the source Litheene's body is still too weak to move, but she manages to partially protect herself with air, to avoid falling again.
As more bolts descend, Litheene staggers quickly towards the gateway, channeling a ward against people on the move, to stop the advancing warriors.
Vala scoops up Litheene, and nods to Ryvin. She heads to the portal looking at Litherne and Amorial.
" Sorry Litheene Sedai, I will get you out of here, Ryvin give them Hell, Amar and Amorial watch my back I have to get Litheene Sedai to safety" Vala says as she heads towards the portal.
Thank you Vala Litheene nods as she leans on the support of the of the border lander blademaster. Watching back to ensure Ryvin, Amar and Amorial are safe.
"Don't worry Litheene Sedai, Amorial and Amar are with Ryvin. As are all those Asha'man, You need to just rest and concentrate on what happened and what do we do from here, just rest, if any one sneaks up i can handle them" she says as she stands all warder like over you making sure you are okay. She stands firm and cocks her hip in a very feminine manner as she looks around the area ready to strike if need be.
Urging his men and the people on through the portal, he strides towards the end of the line.
He barks at all of you.
Seeing the look upon his face, you have the feeling that he is ready to commit himself fully to death, and he does so.
Stretching from one end of sight to the other, a wall of flame comes into sight, tall and roaring, it burns any houses, carts, and people that are in its path. Spreading his arms wide, he begins to make a pushing motion, as if pushing a large wagon by himself. The wall mimics his motion, flames leaping forward, consuming, destroying.
The heat from the flames is enough to parch your throat, and dry your eyes. If you were any closer, your clothes would be on fire. With harried glances, you flee from your savior, through the portal, into another city, large, imposing, yet safe. You take in your surroundings, and see that you are within a large city square, in front of a palace.
Glancing about, you see Aiel, spears at the ready, waiting to jump through the hole. City folk press the buildings opposite the Aiel, with asha'man running around, helping the wounded.
Lightning bolts shoot through the portal, extending towards the opposite side of the square, impacting the palace walls, gouging huge holes in the walls.
Finally, the man steps through the gateway, and it snaps shut. He leans over, breathing hard, sweat pouring from his face, his jacket slicked with it.
An Asha'man steps up to him, lays a hand on the man, and a moment later the man looks refreshed.
thanks. is all he says before stepping up on an unseen surface.
The news is grim, folks. Cairhein is lost. The Shaido have overrun the city defenses. Throughout Andor, Cairheinian citizens have been rescued, so if you do not see your family members, please let us know and we shall track them down for you.
The Shaido may have taken Cairhein, but they cannot cross the River Erinin. I have Asha'man patroling the banks; the bridges are covered, and any ship that was large enough to transport 5 aiel has been destroyed. Andor is protected.
But we face a greater threat. The Aes Sedai. I know that rumor runs rampant, but now I must speak the truth. The Aes Sedai have captured the Dragon, and have taken him to the White Tower. Our attempt to free the Dragon failed at the battle of Dumai. The asha'man Fought valiantly, but at a critical juncture, the army of Lord Perrin broke, exposing our flank. This ended the battle for us.
For the last month, I have been recruiting men and women into an army, but it is not enough. We need greater strength. We need the rebels in Salidar, and their army. This will be the largest force these lands have ever seen, all focused on one goal... TO FREE THE DRAGON!
Amorial whispers to the women, "This is not how it happened at all. I was there, the Dragon was freed. Where are we?!"
"Another world, so I hear," Ryvin replies, shrugging. "Don't ask me. I've been out of the loop for months, thanks to those bloody sul'dam. More pressing: do we look for one of these... portal stones and try to get back to where we came from, or do we offer to help these people free their Dragon?"
"I am for either, but we should wait and see what Litheene Sedai thinks, she seems to know of these stones some what...Im not one for having alot of wisdom, so I will go with what our group decides" Vala says still with Litherne Sedai ready to carry her away if nessacary or defend her if nessacary.
Litheene sees the bolts strike at the palace, right through the gateway This world is in an even worse state than ours. And according to this Ashaman the vision was from what happened here.
Though burned by the lightening, with the shadow blade wound closed, she regains steady footing.
Thanks you Vala, for you help and you trust, peace be upon you Litheene says, wondering if this is how it is for sisters that have warders. What are the customs on the subject of bonding in this world? And how should I address them?. The option of travel to a different world raises too many questions, and Litheene knows shell have to address them in a proper manner.
In the meanwhile, after listening to the Ashaman and her companions questions, she explains what she knows about the stones As I said before we traveled to ... Andor, I assume, the pillar in the basement was an ancient relic called a portal stone. Those stones can transport people from one stone to another, bridging distance, different world and even time. Though actual time travel is generally too difficult to achieve, there is evidence that the stones can bring people to other worlds. Those worlds are similar in their essence to ours, however, the pattern of those worlds was woven differently by the wheel of time, and certain events change.
To activate a stone we'll have to identify the runes representing our current location and destination. As I never had a chance to attempt something like this, it might take time, and pose danger. We will have to do this eventually, but for now I think we should start with learning as much as possible, recovering and seeking the rest of our companions, in hopes that they are at least in the same world as we.
Litheene considers for a moment, a sudden realization lighting her face Tel'aran'rhiod! It is said that one can observe other worlds through it, as it exists between the many worlds. If so, we might be able to make contact with them through the dream world. Litheene bits her lip If only I had a talent for it, or a dreaming terangreal. I've heard some sisters in the tower had access to such. Sadly I've never been to Tel'aran'rhiod myself.
"Peace, sure, but you need to rest and even though this..Tel'r..something or other can let us see better We have to get you better patched up. For now Let Ryvin Sedai handle the majority of channeling, I'll make sure you are well protected, and Amorial would not dare to see any harm come to you." Vala says as she listened to all you had to say before answering she than looked at the front and nodded
"I how ever do agree that we need to regroup, those Saido seem to have the Asha'man on the run, and the Salidar force seems to be the ones we need to get to maybe there we can have more answers than we do now, unless you think that Andor is better suited to gain knowledge from" she says as she looks to you somewhat concerned but still ready to pounce if need be
"It's Ryvin," the Ebou Dari says, her voice suddenly stiff, "not Ryvin Sedai. What is this Tel'aran'rhiod, now?"
"Sorry Ryvin, didn't know it was such a touchy subject. Just channel that anger for those damned Shaido out there" i say with a smirk and than look to Litheene than back to Ryvin.
" Its an Honest mistake to make Ryvin, I'm so used to women with your power to be addressed as 'Sedai' didn't know there was much difference. Besides I've spent most of my days behind a forge or out scouting for Shadowspawn, so some times my manners and my mouth get me in trouble" she says as she somewhat attempted an apology
"Forget it," Ryvin says, shrugging. "I am no Aes Sedai, leave it at that. Now... Litheene? Tel'aran'rhiod?"
Stepping down from his platform, the man motions to three Asha'man to follow him. He turns, and walks straight up to your group.
Looking at everyone first, he addresses Ryvin
I must apologize for barking at you earlier. I was preoccupied with trying to save several thousand Cairheinian citizens from the Shaido to really engage in a meaningful conversation with you about how you should listen to me and shouldn't have channeled.
A slight hardness enters his eyes as he continues
But, that is in the past. Not to much harm was done, at least to me, but to those that were injured... He looks at everyone else before continuing
I must ask that all of you come with me. We shall have tea for the ladies, ale for the men, and whatever the Ogier wants.
Turning, he walks away, fully expecting you to follow him. His three Asha'man who followed him, stand a couple strides from you all, eyes hard, hands on swords, yet looking relaxed at the same time.
You get the feeling that you should follow the man....
"Tea?" Ryvin repeats, incredulous. "Tea? I haven't seen a stein in bloody months, so I'll have beer if there's some to spare, thank you."
Ryvin falls in at the leader's side if possible. "Y'have my apologies, man. I've been having a hard time of it of late. Saw some people get cut off from the Source, and I got... nervous. Not a good excuse, I know, but I hope you'll understand.
Speaking of folks injured, I'll offer my healing services if they'll accept it."
Ryvin thrusts a hand out. "Ryvin Altessar. And you are?"
Vala aided Litheene up and looked to Ryvin and Amorial. She than looked at the men. She could not channel but could teach these fools how.to use those swords. She heard what they said about ale and she giggled.
" Ale and tea" she says in a short phrase. She let Litheene Aedai lean on her. Litheene had earned Valas respect having faced Half-men, 4 of them and survived.
Amorials fur is caked in blood which is mostly his own. Frowning his voice rumbles, "For now tea will do Ashaman thank you. Your aid is most appreciated at this time". He stays near Litheene Sedai in case she needs his aid saying nothing else.
The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass leaving memories that become legend, then fade to myth, and are long forgot when that Age comes again. In one Age, called the Third Age by some, an Age yet to come, an Age long past, a wind rose within the Aiel Waste. The wind was not the beginning. There are neither beginnings nor endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it was a beginning.
The wind blew from the Aiel Waste, rising above the Spine of the World. Racing through an ancient ruin clinging to the side of a mountain, the wind meets up with a southerly breeze, combining, forming clouds. East these clouds move, gathering moisture from the ground below as fields begin to go fallow. Over ground trampled by the feet of thousands, the clouds continue east, gathering momentum. Passing over what was once Cairhein, now a smoldering ruin, droplets begin to fall upon the landscape. Rain, though small, mist the land, turning the rain to steam.
Winds from the north and south merge with the easterly breeze, and forces it east again. The clouds darken, thicken, the rain stops. Picking up speed, the wind begins to howl across the land of Andor, uprooting trees, carts, and some small huts.
Approaching Caemlyn, the pent up rain is unleashed, turning air to water, soaking anyone within a minute. The rain hammers at the side of a wall, walls thicker than a man. This wall is part of a palace, a palace that is the strength of Andor.
Inside a room, a man stands looking out the window at the deluge that pummels the ground. Dressed in black, with blue dragons stitched upon his sleeves, he sips his ale from a stein.
Turning, he gazes long and hard at the group sitting in front of him, drinking their own drink of choice. Pursing his lips, he sets his stein down and looks down at the map that decorates the top of his desk.
My name is Mazrim Taim, M'hael of the Asha'man, and second to the Dragon Reborn. Now, since I have dedicated my service to the Dragon, I have seen some amazing things. But, what i saw earlier today, that was truly amazing. Six people, and a Fade, appearing out of thin air. The Fade was easily taken care of, since we were in the area, but all of you, that is a task that is more difficult. One moment I was directing the evacuation of Cairhein, standing by myself in an open park, with a strange column set into the center, and suddenly you all are there. At the time, i didnt have the thought to questioning you. But luckily, you all stayed within the square, making it easier for me to find you. So, explain yourselves. Who are you, really?