********************************************************************** 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 ********************************************************************** 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 8 of _As the Wheel Turns_ 21-7-94 And so it was, even as the rains continued to fall, that Akhel and Haemish did free Ulric Druss from where he was trapped. And Ulric Druss spoke about how he rose to become a captain of Tear, though his mother had been of Ilian, enemy of Tear. Even as he continued to dig did Akhel listen, for the name Ulric Druss was not unknown to him though he knew not from where. But when Ulric Druss finally emerged, his joy was bounded, for his faithful guide, Hulin lay crushed beneath mud and stone. All eyes then turned to Ulric Druss, for he wore the sword of a Blademaster, marked with a heron, and his skill was manifest in his every move. But Ulric did not notice, for he too found himself amongst strange company, silent Akhel to whom he claimed life-debt, and the Aiel boy Haemish, and even Keilyndra din Djanin of the Atha'an Miere, far from land. Then did these return unto the others, for whom Phil had prepared a traditional drink of the people of Earth, distant mirror of the Wheel, a drink called Ha'choclaet. Much joy did this beverage brink to Randy Carter and to Jennifer, also from that place beyond the world. But Auric drank not, for he lay upon the ground asleep unto the world. His wounds were grievous, yet not beyond Randy Carter to Heal, were she hale. But Randy Carter also did suffer during the landslide. Her body bore the chill of rock and mud. Almost did she die, yet did saidar sustain her in dream, for she did channel Air unto herself that she might breathe even as she lay buried. Healing was beyond her. Thus did Randy Carter let her body rest, as did Jennifer, also injured during the landslide, even as Akhel and Ulric prepared for themselves a game of stones, almost a fourth Support of all the worlds. For Akhel's horse was one of two that were found, and though the horse was dead, Akhel's provisions remained. But for himself Phil began to carve from wood strange forms, in the fashion of the Great Game of his people. Keilyndra din Djanin of the Atha'an Miere and young Haemish of the Taardad Aiel did survey the camp together, that none might approach unawares though the rain did fall. And so it was that they did hear a rider through the clouds and rain. Silently they marked his progress, until his purpose and destination were manifest. Then did they stand forth before this rider and Haemish did say "I am Haemish, Water Seeker of the Taardad Aiel" even as rain fell all about him, dripping from his hair and garments. Yet was his spear lowered and face unveiled. With great caution did they eye this newcomer. High above the ground did he sit upon his majestic warhorse, and his robe did seem to shift in its color. Even as he was halted in his progress, did the strange warrior reach for his sword, yet did Keilyndra Din Djanin advise against his drawing a weapon in most certain terms. She further demanded to know his name, and his purpose for travelling through this enchanting yet desolate place. Telas, did he declare himself, yet specified only the most vague of travel plans, save that a momentary but bright conflagration did attract this place to his notice, for the tree which Phil utterly consumed through his channeling of the One Power did not go unnoticed. Then did Telas ask to share their camp and fire, that he may dry himself off from the falling rain. But neither the child Haemish of the Taardad Aiel, nor Keilyndra Din Djanin of the Atha'an Miere found favor with this request, for in Telas they saw something they trusted not, though they knew it not. And so it was, that Keilyndra Din Djanin offer Telas the sanctuary of their meagre camp, arranged in haste, for she would not turn away a weary traveller. Yet one thing did she require of Telas, that he bring not his sword into their camp. But this Telas would not do, declaring himself a Warder, though no Aes Sedai was near. Then did Ulric Druss, Blademaster and captain of Tear, stride forth from the cave in which he and the travellers had taken shelter. Determined was his stride, and his eyes glittered with ice. His hand lingered above the hilt of his blade, emblazoned with the heron that announced his prowess to all with eyes to see. In simple but strong words did Ulric Druss explain to Telas that he may continue on his way, or warm himself by the fire without his sword, or die upon Ulric's blade. But this bold declaration did not sit well with Telas, drawing his swrod in readiness for combat. Jennifer of Earth also found disfavor with direct confrontation, Aes Sedai novice that she was. Yet Ulric remained undeterred, save for Akhel's dagger at his throat. Always did Akhel eschew combat in favor of more subtle solutions to the problems that beset him, for a man's lifeblood can be more easily poured out upon the ground than poured back into his body. With calm and deliberate words did Jennifer convince Telas to surrender his weapon and join them, promising upon her honor that neither she nor her companions would harm him in the smallest way. But in the manner of Aes Sedai her words said other than what was heard. Yet Telas gave his sword into Jennifer's keeping, and shared in the warmth of the cave. But even as Telas entered the cave, did Auric cry out in fear, shouting that he would never serve Telas again, for he had ordered her dead and then killed her, but said naught of whom she had been. Yet Auric lay near the fire in pain, not asleep yet not awake. For he had been sorely injured in the fall of rock and mud, and too weak was Randy Carter to Heal him in even the smallest measure. And further words did Auric speak, naming Telas Ishamael, Betrayer of Hope, shouting that never would he forgive what had been done to Klia. Silent notice did Akhel take of Auric's raving, even as Jennifer prepared tea and Ha'choclaet. But Keilyndra Din Djanin of the Atha'an Miere was filled with silent contempt. With bold strides did she stalk from the sheltering cave into the rains that did soak through to the very skin. But the Sea Folk know water, and on the Sea of Storms there is rain beside which this relentless torrent is like unto a sunny day. Then did Akhel join her, and spoke words most unlike him, asking after the welfare and mood of Keilyndra Din Djanin, for little escaped Akhel's silent gaze. Most surprised was Keilyndra to hear Akhel speak thusly, yet did she assure him that all was well, save for her disgust regarding the manner in which Telas had been taken into the camp despite Auric and his obvious fear. But Akhel assured her that Telas was no less worthy of her trust than others among her companions, and that Auric's words were the ravings of a man not completely aware of his surroundings. And so it was, that Akhel and Keilyndra Din Djanin rejoined the others. Auric had since awakened from his disturbed slumber, knowing not what he had spoken. Little more was spoken of this matter, save for a repetition of Auric's words spoken unawares. Many matters were discussed in that time and in that place. But in the morning, Randy Carter put forth her fullest efforts to Heal Auric of his injuries, of his broken ribs and his swollen head, yet lacked the endurance to repair his arm, for she did sway upon her feet like one about to fall. Phil did search the outlying area for plants that could be eaten in distress, for nearly all of the supplies had been lost with the horses, save for those of Akhel, for he had found his horse dead, yet were the saddlebags intact. And even as Phil searched the area for their lost horses and for useful plants, did he come upon Selene and Tsari, who also endured the rock, mud and rain apart from the rest, yet did they live. For Tsari did walk with bedraggled determination before Selene, no less beautiful for all the gracious lady must have suffered. With dignified grace did she bear her hardship, not revealing even a shiver though her discomfort surely must have been exceeedingly great, for her white garments were soaked through with water, almost transparent to the eye, save for the stole of white fur about her shoulders, too small to warm her. Upon her horse did she sit as though the day were warm, even as water streamed through her black hair. And when Phil did offer unto Selene his own garment to protect her against the rain, she did look upon him with great wonder. Only then did she realize that more suitable garments lay in her saddlebags, warm leather clothes of the purest white, proof against cold and water. Very different were these garments from her gracious gowns, yet in no measure did they diminish from her splendor. And her laughter at her own forgetfullness was like the long forgotten sun, shining forth upon the land. And so it was late in the afternoon that preparations had been made, and all of the companions were together, and Telas also was in their company, for he made mention of a cabin in these woods, not half of a day's journey from this meagre camp. The promise of a cabin and its provisions could not be ignored. No longer were these companions prepared to face the rigors of the highest slopes, which surely they must cross before they reached their destination, Manetherendrelle, that great city destroyed during the Trolloc Wars two thousand years in the past. And so it was after the sun had descended below the rim of the world, even as the sky assumed its nocturnal darkness, that Telas did halt their progress within the forest. Then did he go forth alone to search, for he declared the cabin unsafe on behalf of Aes Sedai who did torment the few people who lived in these parts. Though Keilyndra Din Djanin and Akhel did stalk his footsteps, yet did Telas evade their scrutiny, and in the fullness of time did Telas return unto the others. Only later did the two return unto the others, not having found the cabin. Then did Telas lead his new companions unto the secluded cabin, yet was the place disturbed, as though someone had been searching for something hidden, and cared not that evidence of the search should be discovered. Yet was the cabin sturdy and well provisioned, though only for one person, and nearby was a lake of water that did remind Keilyndra Din Djanin of the sea which never again would she sail in life or in death, most terrible of all fates for the Atha'an Miere. And each, in his own way did rest upon that night, Akhel in solitude, and the Earth people in warmth, and for a time dry. And Akhel did rise from slumber early, and he did see that the dawning sky was clear, and Keilyndra Din Djanin also did return to gaze upon the water, and Telas also. And so it was that the sun rose from below the horizon for the first time in too many days, like a promise kept. But the sky quickly greyed and clouds hid the sun.