********************************************************************** Hi, This is Ken Kofman, sending out yet another _As The Wheel Turns_ posting. I suppose I should put some sort of copyright notice on this, so here goes: Copyright, Ken Kofman (c) 1994. All rights reserved except for those that Tor and Robert Jordan deserve, and except that anyone who wants to copy this material may do so, so long it remains unaltered, including this notice, and so long as no fees of any kind are charged for its use. In other words, enjoy it, show it to all your friends, be inspired to run your own game, but since I'm not making any money off of this, you shouldn't either. I hope I did that right. Anyway, KenK ken@ictv.com ********************************************************************** The Nine Rods of Dominion One to come and one to go One above and one below One a friend and one a foe One to hide and one to know. Creation Nine Rods rule over all Eight Ajah preserve and fall Seven Ages of the Wheel Six Bound to serve the dead Five Flows create the Weave Four Peoples born to live Three Supports of all the worlds Two Powers never to be whole One Dragon on the winds of Time. Summary of Session 11 of _As the Wheel Turns_ 2-8-94 Then did the company set forth once again toward ancient Manetheren, mountain heart of that once great nation. Yet only a short distance did they travel, unto a place less exposed to wind and water, a place of refuge. For more than two days had they fled before the Shadow. Through damp chill did they flee, sleeping not and resting little. And in days previous did they endure the falling rain. Also did they endure falling rock and mud from the mountain heights. Other trials did these companions endure, yet of these things much has already been written. Weary were the travellers, even young Haemish of the Water Seeker sept of the Taardad Aiel, born of the Waste, and even Telas who did name himself Warder, though he spoke ill of the Aes Sedai, servants of all. Yet did Phil of Earth, channeller of saidin sleep. And so it was that Ulric Druss, Blademaster and once captain of mighty Tear, did find a place of rest acceptable unto him. Still was he wary, still did he relax not his guard against the Shadow that cometh by day or by night, or against whosoever might assail him or his fellow travellers. But no Trollocs or other foul minions of the Dark One had Telas discerned, save for the remnant of a remnant of a force of five fists or more. Then at the behest of Ulric Druss did Akhel, and Haemish of the Taardad Aiel search along the margins of devastation for enemies hithertofore unseen, yet none did they find, for the destruction was well nigh complete. Slow was their progress and stinging was the air in their nostrils. Where the Fire had raced across the ancient forest, only the mightiest of trees remained, and these stood as charred spires. Smoke hung in the air, mingling amongst the mists. Along the margins did the vegetatation smoulder, yet did the forest not set itself ablaze, so steeped was it in water. And the holocaust extended further than the eye could see, a path of death through the wilderness, a grand avenue of apocalyptic desolation. Yet was their goal further to the north. And so it was after a day and a night of rest that the company turned again toward ancient Manetheren. Theirs was not the sleep of satisfaction, nor was theirs the meat of satiation. Cold and huddled was their sleep, and they awoke tired still, yet did they not fall from exhaustion. Comfortless was the food they ate, yet it filled the body and staved off hunger. But with even less pleasure did they travel. For many days did they ascend further into the mountains. The road they had once thought difficult now was recalled with longing. At night the mists froze from the cold, and by day the air filled not tired lungs however deeply breathed. And on some days did they stop to hunt, yet was there little shelter from the cold winds descending from the higher peaks, and the damp mists that penentrated even the warmest garments. And still did Phil sleep, bound to a pallet and pulled by a horse. Slow was their travel, yet was Jennifer jealous of the days lost. Yet too tired was she to learn from Elaida Sedai in Dream, nor had she or Randy Carter done so since first the Trollocs attacked. But after a fortnight and halfway into the next were many amongst the company ill from exposure, not Ulric Druss, hardy Blademaster and once captain of mighty Tear, nor Telas the Warder or young Haemish of the Taardad Aiel, who had lived his life in the Waste, nor radiant Selene. Yet of the remaining companions, those not already sick must soon succumb. Even Jennifer of Earth could continue no longer. With great reluctance did the companions bow to necessity. And Telas the Warder, together with Haemish of the Taardad Aiel built a more permanent place of rest. A place of comfort did they erect in the wilderness, for even their own spirits had been dampened by wind and water. For many days would they stay in this place, until full health returned unto all, even unto Randy Carter most harshly stricken, and even unto Phil who slept the sleep of death, though still he breathe. Ulric Druss also helped in this work, though wind and weather were enemies less familiar to him than armies and swords. And when the shelter was completed, then did they turn toward hunting meat and gathering wood, and provisioning themselves as they could, both for the time spent in resting and for the days ahead, that they need halt their journey no longer to search for food. Yet some provisions were sorely lacking. The ropes and picks brought forth from the Two Rivers were lost with the horse that bore them. None had they save for the meager equipment found in the cabin Telas revealed. Blankets and furs also were few and shared. And then even young Haemish of the Taardad Aiel found time to rest, and even Telas the Warder. And so it was, upon a night no less cold than those previous, that Haemish of the Water Seeker sept of the Taardad Aiel did find himself again amidst the Aiel Waste, called The Threefold Land by the Aiel themselves though they speak little of such things and little more of much else, though he slumbered still. And he did know himself to be standing before those women of the Aiel known as Wise Ones, their eyes fixed upon him. And Haemish quailed before their gaze, he who shrank back from nothing. No word did they speak unto him, yet did he wither beneath their gaze as a wetlander beneath the cruel sun. And still did they wait. But no word could Haemish speak, nor could he turn aside from their implacable will. Yet patient were the Wise Ones, unmoving and unmoved. Like the lifeless rock were they patient, like the cruel winds of The Threefold Land that erode even the strongest mountain and the surest will were they patient, like the water biding its time outside The Threefold Land were they patient, and Haemish crumbled beneath their will. In torment did he cry out, "I cannot!" yet did they acknowledge not his words. Then did Haemish of the Water Seeker sept of the Taardad Aiel beseech them and plead that surely there must be another way, but still they kept their counsel. Then Haemish begged them to do with him as they would, even to kill him, if only they would speak unto him. Then did one of the women speak unto Haemish. But her gaze did not soften nor her expression change by even the smallest amount, even as she informed the boy Haemish of the Water Seeker sept of the Taardad Aiel that he had not received permision to leave his sept. And Haemish bowed his head before the Wise One, and admitted that he could not accept his fate, and craved permission to substitute the perilous search for the Nine Rods of Dominion for that other fate of which he spoke not. But the Wise One was not placated, for she asked him of ji'e'toh, the code of honor and obligation that is life and more than life to the Aiel, the code which the child Haemish had in some manner violated. Then did Haemish declare his hope, to regain ji and discharge his toh through helping the other companions, yet the Wise One relented not. For Haemish had known there could be no ji in what he did when first he ran away, nor could he discharge his toh. And with these comorting words in his ears did Haemish awaken from sleep. And so it was that Haemish took himself apart from the other companions, and spent his time in solitude, for he could not endure their presence. Even by night did he sleep outside in the cold rather than accept another's company. But the Wise Ones did haunt his dreams. And of all those who sojourned in this place, only Haemish improved neither in body nor spirit, and even worsened. Yet the other companions did recover their health and their color. And so it was that Auric Draco of the Borderlands did speak unto Akhel, to pry from him the secrets of which he spoke nothing, yet which surely he harbored within. With great contempt did Akhel turn aside that which Auric asked of him. Many things did Auric insinuate, that Akhel was of Earth, that Akhel was a Darkfriend, that Akhel did in secret search for the Horn of Valere, that selfsame horn of which much is spoken in myth and legend, though Akhel claims to believe in neither. And even as Akhel did turn aside these unspoken accusations, and others, so did Auric redouble his attempt to break through Akhel's reticence. And Jennifer did teach Telas the Warder of the Great Game of her people, a game of horsemen and fortresses, of kings and queens, of Children of Light and Children of Darkness, and even of pawns to be used by the mighty. For many hours did they play, even as Jennifer threw off from herself illness and malaise, and they spoke of many things. Much did the Great Game of the world from which Jennifer came forth, that distant Mirror of the Wheel known only as Earth, though some say America, remind Telas of another game, that of Daes Dae'mar, the Great Game of this world. Yet Jennifer did laugh upon learning more of this game, for her people also played that game, though they gave it a different name, politics. Then did Jennifer wonder why Elaida Sedai did send her, Randy Carter and only a few others on so important a journey, when the search for the Nine Rods of Dominion, or even one of the Nine was surely a task worthy of fully trained Aes Sedai and Warders, for there had been no Blademaster amongst this company when first Elaida charged Randy Carter to bring forth from Manetheren at least one of the Nine Rods of Dominion. Nor had Telas the Warder been present, or young Haemish of the Taardad Aiel or stealthy Akhel or Keilyndra Din Djanin of the Atha'an Miere, or Auric Draco of the Borderlands. And Telas was surprised to learn that Elaida Sedai of the Red Ajah was involved in the matter of the Nine Rods of Dominion, and even more surprised to learn that Kareina Sedai of the Green Ajah also had been involved in the forming of the company, for the Elaida Sedai and Kareina Sedai did stand on opposite sides of the Hall of the Tower, each against the very wall, for their complete divergence of perspective had quickly become legend in the Tower, though fewer knew that once they had been teacher and student. And Telas the Warder did speak of his suspicions, that some from amongst the Blue Ajah might be responsible for the disheveled state of the cabin he had revealed unto them more than two fortnights previously. And his words bore truth, albeit from a certain perspective. Other matters were also discussed, in this place and in this time. Then did Jennifer of Earth say unto herself that Daes Daemar was not played within her Mirror of the Wheel as she now saw it played, for all about her harbored secret thoughts and intentions of which they would not speak, save in small increments as needed. Yet no word did she speak of her own secret thoughts. And so it was that much was spoken, but little said. Many games were played, of stones, of Chaes, the Great Game of Jennifer's people. Perhaps even Daes Daemar was played, in that time, in that place. Then did Ulric Druss, Blademaster and once a captain of mighty Tear, join in a game of stones. With Auric Draco did he play. And the two men did set themselves a wager. One silver mark did they set as the stakes of that game. But as is the way of those who play stones for silver and for gold, also were tokens of doubling provided. And so it was, even as the game proceded from the opening claiming of borders to the first skirmishes and to the intermediate battles for territory, the stakes doubled and redoubled and redouble yet again, for the game seemed hotly contested. But when the stakes had risen to 32 silver marks, then did Ulric Druss, Blademaster and once captain of Tear attack the most secure position of Auric Draco, and Auric did see marginal victory become overwhelming defeat. But Akhel did watch the game proceed in silence, and then he knew Ulric Druss for who he truly was, yet spoke know word upon the matter. And still did the oppressive weight of secrets unspoken hang amidst the air, yet were spirits high. The many days of rest had cured the body of illness and the heart of oppression. And Ulric did forgive Akhel his baring a dagger against him many days ago when first Telas joined them. Haemish and Ulric spent much time in the practice their art, and even as Ulric defeated Haemish in contests of arms, so did Haemish defeat Ulric in contests unarmed, and each took the other's measure. And when Telas the Warder no longer was willing to speak about Aes Sedai and their maneuverings, or of Daes Dae'mar, then did Auric Draco speak, of the Great Game and its maneuverings, and how the Shadow pulls many of the strings in secret. For wheresoever there is Light, also there is Shadow sequestered in the darkest corners, and the deepest hearts of men. But joy spilled across Jennifer's countenance upon learning this dark knowledge. For now, she said, she understood the purpose of Elaida Sedai, to send untrained people who know not of this world on a mission of paramount importance, for she trusted not her Sisters in the Tower, not even those of her own Ajah. For any person could be a Darkfriend, high or low, farmer or Aes Sedai. Even Elaida Sedai herself might be not of the Red Ajah, but of the Black. And still did Phil sleep.