|
|
Dendhra's Raise to Accepted The First Arch "Flaming hell, Dendhra, get up!" Dendhra flailed in the blinding light. She couldn't see, she couldn't hear, couldn't remember where she was or what she was doing.The very ground seemed shake, thunder, and boom beneath and all around her. Then she realised that was Deranih shaking her, and shouting at the same time. And then she remembered. There was screaming everywhere, the sounds of angry people, a mob. Deranih's eye-patch was missing, brandishing the vile emptiness within. She was bruised all over and panting as if she'd been running for a week. There had been arguments the entire day. The Maidens were confused, they didn't understand why the Wise Ones were still keeping the outcasts. Why not abandon them and have it over with? Or at least put them in white so there could be an end to it all. The Tower women, as they were called stood outside ji'e'toh, the Wise Ones said, again and again. Yet at the same time, young Dendhra knew that both she and her mother were being held captive because Deranih owed a lifetime of toh. It didn't make sense, only to Mara. Everyone else was annoyed. The Far Dareis Mai felt insulted every time they were commanded to dance with Deranih, which put in simple words meant that they just beat her up as a punishment. She never protected herself, not even if they gave her a spear. It made the Maidens feel bad, and whenever they tried to help her, the Wise Ones only ended up disciplining Deranih or young Dendhra. "Dendhra, we have to go, the camp is all fires, they're coming to kill us both!" Deranih shouted in her daughter's ear and pulled her violently up on her feet, hardly allowing her to collect her balance before she was pushed out of the tent. The camp was actually on fire. Dendhra felt her limbs become heavy as stone as the screaming of the warriors reached her ears. It was a blood-chilling shriek that resounded in the air, sharper than the ghoulish howling of the wind and far more bloodthirsty. The frenzy of carnage resonated from the camp, swallowing the pitiful attempts of control from the Wise Ones. "Don't hurt them!" Mara was screaming in the distance, struggling harder than ever before to seem taller than she was. Wretched woman, smaller than Dendhra. "Dendhra!" Deranih shouted, grabbing her daughter's wrist and drawing her away. Dendhra did not stop to think or hesitate. Vigour returned to her body as the flames of fear were kindled within her. She pulled herself loose from her mother's grip and set off into a rapid run, pushing her long legs to their fullest, gaining distance from Deranih herself. Deranih panted like an old man but held a steady quick pace, throwing anxious glances at the camp. The roar of thirst from the camp dwindled for a moment, and for a while Dendhra could hear loud voices arguing until distance blurred out sounds of rage, isolating both women among the dunes and sharp red rocks of the Waste. Far in the distance they could see the faint jagged tops of the Dragonwall, the Spine of the World. Dendhra let out a whimper of despair, knowing that they were several weeks away from the mountain range. But there was no alternative. Blood would be spilt tonight. "We will live," Deranih wheezed, wiping blood away from her face. Dendhra pursed her lips in worry but did not say anything; she could not focus on much else but her running. With their present pace they could keep running for just about four hours at the most, then they would have to gradually slow down and rest for a bit before carrying on, but the more time that passed the harder it would be to keep up the velocity, especially without proper supplies. Just running for two hours usually left Dendhra Ðbut Deranih even more soÐ famished. No to mention the thirst. "Blasted hounds," Deranih cried in exasperation, receiving a startled and worried look from her daughter. "They're following us, and getting closer." The older woman hissed, secretively searching their surroundings for the approaching warriors. Dendhra did not pause to ask her mother how she knew this, there was no time, and it would not change anything. Fear began to grow in her belly and panic began to spread in her heart."What are we going to do?" The young lanky girl cried fearfully, watching where she placed her feet lest she stumble over a rock. Deranih did not say anything at all for a long time, keeping her daughter in painful suspense for almost a minute."Whatever happens to me, you just keep running Dendhra. Do not look back; just run until you can't run anymore, you must be steadfast. Don't stop if you can help it. Don't look back." There was something imminent in those words. Something. Bad. Be steadfast. They came. It was just a faint flicker in the corner of Dendhra's eye, but Deranih reacted at once, lunging forward and pushing her daughter away, nearly sending the young girl crashing to the ground, but Dendhra managed to keep running, now even further away from her mother. Panic exploded in the girl's brain as the saw two Sha'mad Conde appear from behind a hill, and veil of sand clouding their advance. Dendhra felt her mouth open in a scream, but she did not hear any sound emanate from herself. She felt numb, as if the fear had wrenched her mind loose from the rest of her body. She could only hear two words echoing in her brain, forcing her to keep moving towards something unknown. Be steadfast. The words forced her onwards, running as fast as her legs allowed her. Something glittered in the distance, reflecting the searing light of the merciless sun, blinding Dendhra for a few seconds. A great silver arch materialized before her, appearing behind a large rocky mound, calling for her. A sense of familiarity struck her like discord, bringing hesitance into her limbs. Her running slowed, but her eyes remained stagnant, staring wildly upon the mighty silvery arch that gleamed before her.Her mother's scream dragged her out of her reverie.Dendhra flailed around, searching for her mother. Deranih had been just behind her a minute ago. She wasn't anymore though. Deranih lay several feet away. Her blood stained the coarse ground where she had fallen, where she had been slammed into the rocks. She was fighting like a beast now, using every ounce of strength and agility remaining within her. Her face was contorted between pain and rage as she kicked and struck with her fists and whatever else she could manage. But the warriors seemed to be playing with her. They dodged her every blow, evaded her kicks and smiled at her ferocious roaring, mocking her anger. Dendhra let out an exasperated whimper as her mother rather unexpectedly lunged at one of the warriors, driving his head into the ground and kicking the other in the chest. Both warriors let out a guttural scream and without any warning they attacked her. Properly.Deranih could barely be seen beneath their great bodies, but Dendhra could hear her screams. Tears appeared in her eyes as she realised what they were doing, which was far worse than it would have been to kill her.Death would have been merciful.Crying, Dendhra initiated a half-hearted run, trying to form a plan in her mind, trying to think of something she could do to save her mother. A spark of light in the corner of her eye caught her attention. The silvery arch gleamed behind her and seemed to gleam even stronger as she moved away from it. Don't look back. Be steadfast. Dendhra stared pleadingly at the thrashing shape of her mother beneath the bodies of the laughing warriors. In her head she could hear time running out. Soon, it was going to be too late. She wasn't being steadfast. "Mother!" The girl cried out in frustration. The answer she received was an ear-piercing shriek, like the scream of a dying animal. It brought Dendhra to her knees, blinded with tears. The shriek became a sob, and in between the crying, Dendhra could hear her mother begging for mercy. Be steadfast. Deep inside her, she knew she was already late, knew she was inches away from failing whatever it was that she actually was doing. But her mother's tears rendered her incapable of moving, incapable of doing anything at all, but fall in chorus with Deranih's crying. Be steadfast. Don't stop if you can help it. Don't look back. Be steadfast. "Have I given up?" Dendhra asked herself out loud, letting the words hang in the air, enshrouded by her mother's screaming. "Have I given up?" She asked again, though knowing the answer already. No. I will be steadfast. Wiping the tears from her eyes she rose trembling up on her feet, moaning at the sight of the wickedness of the warriors and taking a step towards the arch. It seemed to call for her, calling her home. But Dendhra felt naught but disdain inside her. "I come." She whispered, acid marking her words. And with a leap she entered the silvery arch, sailing silently through the vast whiteness of infinity, sorrow hanging like a heavy cloak upon her shoulders.
Dendhra grimaced as sunlight hit her straight in the face. The first rays of the day crept slowly up through her window, leaving her blinded and wide-awake at the small hours of the morning. She remained in bed for a while, knowing that she didn't need to stir yet. Resting where she was she pondered her surroundings, as if she had not laid eyes upon them for a long time. The rooms of the novices were austere and simple, bare like the white dresses they wore. To herself she whispered a simple statement that for some reason brought actuality to the morning. "I am Dendhra, novice of the Grey Tower." The bell tolled, and Dendhra automatically rose from her bed, approaching the washbasin and washing herself before donning the white novice dress. The hours were filled with lessons, chores and studying, and it wasn't until the late afternoon that she was able to sneak off out onto the Tower grounds. All day the feeling of having forgotten something had haunted her. As if there was something that she should have been doing, but couldn't quite remember. As she was contemplating her confusion at its hardest, her emerald eyes fell upon the familiar sight of the Dedicated Jerid Walker. A small smile appeared on her red lips, noticing that he smiled too as he saw her. "Out and about, are we, novice Dendhra?" He asked with a mischievous undertone in his voice."Well, you've got eyes haven't you? I am outside." Dendhra answered briskly, jutting out her chin at him, but smiling all the while. He smiled faintly and as the girl continued to walk, he fell in beside her, taking her hand in his and asking no questions as she led them out through a hole in the stonewall and away from the Tower domains. For a long time they moved in silence, Dendhra somehow feeling as if this was the right way, as if she was doing the right thing. This was where she was supposed to be going, and Jerid Walker was supposed to be with her. A sense of urgency hit her as they entered the woods, a feeling that was mixed with anxiety. "This is a rather long way to go for a stroll." Jerid said, his golden-flecked eyes first studying the tall trees before they fell upon Dendhra. For a second, Dendhra forgot her concerns and haste. Jerid smiled affectionately and brought up his hand to touch her face as he had done so many times before. And though he would do it a thousand times more, Dendhra would feel as blissful as she had the first time. His eyes glittered like the sun's light dancing on the lake. "Jerid-" Dendhra murmured gently. He drew her closer. She felt her breath catch as their faces almost touched, less than inch away. He was holding his breath too. He smelled like the wild woods, of pine and freedom and fresh spring water. Dendhra felt the beating of her heart quicken as he put his arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace and still holding her gaze firmly with his. She knew that she had been searching for something, had been concerned of something, but all her worries seemed to wash away in the depth of Jerid's gentle eyes. She could feel her heart beating in her cage of ribs, blood thumping in her ears as she stared down at him. Gently, he touched her chin with his fingers and let his hand stroke her soft cheek and her hair with one affectionate caress. Inside, Dendhra exploded. "Every day I long for you Dendhra," he whispered softly into her ear. "You are in my mind always. I think of the short moments I am able to steal away with you, think of night when you first said spoke your heart to me. " Jerid smiled tenderly and brought his face so very close to hers, his lips nearly touching hers. Dendhra thought of that moment too. Everyone in the Tower had stayed at the festival, but Jerid and Dendhra found themselves alone, together, far off."Shade of my heart" Dendhra whispered in a breath."I love you." Jerid said softly before drawing her close, close to him and into a deep kiss. He reacted before she did, instinctively pushing her out of harms way. "Watch it!" Jerid screamed as the two of them fell to the ground. Dendhra acted on instinct and caught herself on all fours, scrambling up on her legs at once and starting to run straight away. Arrows were still being fired into the glade where they had been standing, and she was dimly aware of Jerid running behind her, but slower. Though caught unaware by the assault, she knew exactly what was happening. She had always known and feared in the dead of night that this was going happen. The same thing that had happened to her mother eighteen years ago. They've come for me. From every tree and bush an Aiel appeared, camouflaged in green and brown to match the colours of the Wetlands. Dendhra dodged, leapt and evaded their attempts to catch her, all the while gaining speed and outrunning them. They were all men, and she was quicker and swifter in her run. Jerid. Panic suddenly took hold of her heart, drenching it in cold, cold despair.Glancing over her shoulder she caught sight of Jerid, completely surrounded by Aethan Dor. Their spears were raised, their bucklers ready. Some had bows as well, all aimed towards her Dedicated. "No!" Dendhra screamed with all her might. For a second she caught Jerid's eyes. His face was a mask of ice but his eyes glittered with sorrow and fear. Gazing at him, she understood, she saw his thoughts reflected in the faint gold of his eyes. Dendhra threw herself onto the ground, preparing herself for the blast. She didn't realise that her cheeks were glistening with tears, or that her dress was ripped and her knees scraped and bleeding. Behind her, she could hear Jerid screaming as the air seemed to fill with static. She let out a gasp, wanting to turn around and run to him, cry out and stop him, but she could not part her eyes from the silvery arch that was standing just a few feet away from her.She knew she needed to enter it. Be steadfast. Behind her Jerid was killing the Aiel. He did it solely to ensure Dendhra's safety, but that did not lessen the pain in killing, pain that blazed in his beautiful eyes. And Dendhra knew. She turned around and away from the arch, watching the brutal carnage being carried out. The Aethan Dor were being crushed like flies under the heavy fist of the channelling Dedicated, it was a despicable thing to behold. But Jerid's face was as cool as ever, as if he were doing nothing more than studying a slightly complicated book."Jerid!" Dendhra shouted, tears practically flooding from her eyes. He didn't even look at her. It was as if he was lost, and not the slightest touch of humanity flitted upon his face, despite Dendhra's desperate calls. He was gone. Be steadfast. He wasn't listening. Dendhra buried her face in her hands, sobbing uncontrollably, wanting nothing more but an answer, or even one affectionate glance from him. But he was setting the very forest alight, and himself alike. He was burning himself out, he was dying. One of his lightnings crashed not far from Dendhra, sending a thousand sparks up into the air. Dendhra was left blinded for a few seconds. Be steadfast. The way will come but once. Blinded and confused. The arch was calling her away, but Jerid's dying scream drew her another few steps away from the arch. He needs me! Dendhra glanced over her shoulder, seeing the arch blazing in the surrounding fire. Be steadfast. "It's now or never." Jerid erupted into bright light, but Dendhra did not see. She turned around in flight, and leapt through the flames and into the arch, screaming not because the fire had touched her body, but because she had abandoned the one who was her most dear.
Dendhra fingered the transcript in front of her, losing her focus for just a second. For just a moment she had been confused about where she was at, but slowly, as her emerald eyes studied her surroundings, it all came back to her. She was a Sitter for the Grey Ajah, sitting in her office with a text claiming that the Tower kitchens were flooded with rats. The Dark One's touch grows more palpable for every day that passes. She touched her temples worriedly and closed her eyes, taking a few calming breaths while she pondered. Her body was weary with sitting still, and thus the young Aes Sedai rose to her feet, deciding that she needed to stretch her limbs. Slowly, as if drawn by some mysterious force, she left her desk and moved out into the halls of the Grey Ajah. It was a silent day and there were few Sisters and Brothers treading the halls, for which she was grateful. Any encounter with a fellow Grey would require conversation, and for some reason, Dendhra wanted no more than a solitary walk. She needed to clear her mind, clear her thoughts, get them organized, and get that annoying itch out of her body. She felt like doing some running, but her dozy mind rejected the idea, thus Dendhra held on to a calm pace until she found herself outside the Tower walls. For no reason, she grew keenly aware of her surroundings. There were clouds blotting the sun and the deep blue sky, and a strong wind was blowing in the direction of the Tower, drawing all of Dendhra's long blood-red hair with it like a flag in the gust. Something was wrong though, she could feel it. She had felt it for a long time. Her dreams had been worried and dark for weeks Ðand that was exceedingly significant. Dendhra had taken to warding her dreams heavily ever since she signed the Novice Book, worried that the Aiel that had held her captive all those years might attempt to reach her from the realm of Tel'aran'rhiod. It had pained her to isolate herself from the Dreaming World though, knowing that she could very well be shutting herself out from contact with her mother. Dendhra never dreamed, until a month ago. Those unexpected dreams brought her ill-omens and whispers of doom. In her mind she could see the images that the night pounded into her brain. A burning rose, rising charred from the ashes, crushed beneath black waves, dragged down into the depths, and rising againÉ and on and on the ritual continued, always finishing with the golden necklace that once belonged to Dendhra's mother being destroyed, all the intricate golden petals shaping the golden rose pendant being ripped into tiny pieces and then being pressed into Dendhra's own heart.Though rejecting any suggestion about being a Dreamer, Dendhra very much feared that she knew the significance of her dream. Something dark was happening to Deranih if it hadn't happened already. Dendhra grabbed her chest as if feeling the small golden shards cutting into her heart again. Betrayal. She glanced up at the dark, brooding sky and sighed, straightening her posture as she turned around and began to head back to the Tower and the seclusion of her office. The small hairs on her neck rose immediately as she had turned her back to the woods, and within seconds she became aware of a woman channelling in the distance. Be steadfast. Lightning struck the place where she had been standing just a second ago, and Dendhra had barely time to close her eyes and catch herself falling upon the ground before yet another flash struck again, missing her by half an inch and leaving a red burn across her leg. She crashed on the ground in a contorted lump, panicking as she realised that there were at least three women channelling, all hurdling lighting at her twisting shape. Embracing the One Power came as hard as it had when she was a novice. The panic threatened to overpower her and saidar alike, but she forced it down as hard as she could, drawing a thick cloak of coolness around her as the Source spilled into her until she was full to the brim. She could taste blood in her mouth, could feel the flames of saidar threatening to engulf her if she drew more of the One Power. Taking a deep breath Dendhra wove a blazing protective shield of spirit around herself, spirit being her strongest element. Dendhra was an exceedingly strong channeller, but not a warrior, not by far. She could weave the simplest of battleweaves, but could not make many weaves larger than a Gateway. The small and complex were her speciality. The lightning ceased, and Dendhra who had been cringing as she wove the powerful shield around her, straightened her back slightly as she gazed out through the blurred walls of spirit that surrounded her. The three women that had been attacking her approached her carefully, all three holding on to the One Power. Only one of them was weaker than Dendhra, and not very much. They were all very tall. One of them skulked close enough to the shield for Dendhra to catch a glimpse of an ebony dark beautiful face with wavy short charcoal hair. She was dressed in black and backed of into the distance, the darkness of her appearance blending in with the shadows of the trees.The second other woman remained far away, laughing quietly to herself. Dendhra could perceive a touch of gold in the woman's hair, but she was too far away for certainty. "Dendhra?" Said an all too familiar voice suddenly from the other side of the shield. The third woman approached the shield quietly, moving with the wolfish grace of a warrior. Her hair was fiery-gold but touched with grey and cropped close to her head. She was wearing a strange grey dress that seemed much too prim for her nature. Dendhra recognized her mother before she had even laid eyes on the woman. She was the weakest of them all, something that surprised Dendhra greatly. Deranih stopped right outside the shield, her one eye staring emptily at her daughter, her face seemingly carved from ice. "You do not fight, my child?" Deranih said, her voice sounding much the same like the wind rustling through leafs. Dendhra could barely hide her anger nor her sadness. She fell down upon her knees, her eyes travelling from her mother to the distant shapes of the two other women. It could not beÉ they could not beÉ Forsaken. Dendhra let out a howl of despair and released the shield, running straight up to her mother, saidar burning so fiercely inside her that she thought she might vomit. Deranih did not as much as flick an eyelash. "I do not fight," Dendhra shouted, acid marking her words. Inside she could feel the turmoil seething. She had planned her mother's rescue, had waited for the right people to prepare themselves, had waited for herself to be prepared, but she was going to do it. For so long, returning to her mother had been all that mattered, more than the Tower, more than love, more than anything. Deranih had become her obsession and she wished with all her heart for so long that she could just have her mother back. The golden-haired woman sniggered, taking a few silent steps closer. Dendhra glanced at her, feeling suddenly uneasy and then terrified. "No." Deranih said sharply, her command causing her two companions to halt their approach. "I shall kill her." Dendhra gasped openly, her mouth falling wide open in dismay. "You what?!" Rage exploded inside her now. "I was going to save you!" Deranih pushed her away with the One Power, flinging her several feet back. Dendhra crashed heavily on the ground, grunting as she lay twisting in the dirt. Tears were flooding in her eyes as her weary brain slowly began to grasp a situation that she so badly did not want to comprehend. "I will take care of her," Deranih shouted, louder this time, a confirmation to her companions. They remained in the distance, prowling like vicious wolves. Dendhra wanted to close her eyes and shut everything out. She wanted to forget ever having left her study, wanted her mother's presence to be a bad dream merely. But fire seared her skin and she grew keenly aware of the fact that Deranih was attacking her, wielding fire around herself like ropes heading towards Dendhra. "Fight," Deranih whispered to her daughter as she got ever closer, her sternly beautiful face blazing among the flames like the Dark One himself. Be steadfast. Behind Deranih appeared a large silvery arch. It could have been there all along but none other than Dendhra seemed to be aware of its presence and it stood untouched by the flames of saidar. "Fight!" Deranih commanded her daughter. Dendhra parted her eyes from the wondrous arch, knowing in her heart that she needed to reach it no matter, and as her gaze grazed her mother's terrible looming shape, a twinge of discernment hit her. Fight. She knew what needed to be done but the realisation of it made her wish for death. I must fight. Deranih was weaving ever faster, using all the Five Powers but fire in particular, her strongest element. Dendhra struggled up on shaky legs, holding her mother's one-eyed gaze firmly with her own. The two women stared at each other and the world seemed to slow around them. The fire around them seemed to cool slightly as their terrible emerald eyes clashed against each other. Dendhra drew deeply on saidar filling up to the brim once more until she was holding more than Deranih ever could. The latter made a barely perceptible grimace but did not move a fraction. For several seconds they merely stood there eyeing each other, both blazing with saidar thumping in their bodies like a second pulse beside their rattling hearts. They both attacked at the same time. Deranih swung around in a circle and using all her physical strength she sent a great fireball straight at Dendhra, whom at the same time wove a gigantic weave of water directly at her mother. The two weaves cancelled each other out in the middle, but Deranih was not tardy and continued the onslaught, using everything from lightning to strange currents of fire that slashed Dendhra like a sword. But Dendhra was prepared. Using mainly spirit she wove a great shield as she had done before though slightly smaller, and this time she started running towards her mother. Deranih had not been prepared for such proximity and stumbled backwards, and for a second, she lost her focus. Be steadfast. The moment had come. As Deranih tripped on the uneven ground, her attention left Dendhra for just the fraction of a second, but it was enough, even for Dendhra. The shield was heavy to hold, but Dendhra wove once more a weave of spirit and using thin threads of air, she sent it racing towards her mother. The silvery weave struck Deranih in various places, as if six daggers had pierced her body and thus the One Power slipped out of her grasp. There was a minor explosion that caused Dendhra to lose her balance. Behind her she could hear the two other women screaming in anger and then embracing the Source. Dendhra stared wildly through the dust that had flown up after Deranih's fall, seeing the glittering arch through the darkness. Her heart stopped. In front of her lay the bloody remains of what had once been Deranih Sedai. She looked like a broken porcelain doll. A broken, charred, bloody doll. Dendhra covered her face with her hands, the dreadful sight making her sick up and cry uncontrollably. The only thing she had ever wanted, the only thing she would have given everything up for was Deranih. Dead now. Be steadfast. The way will come but once. "No!" Dendhra roared, tears blinding her. Her voice seemed feral as if all humanity had left her. She cried out again, and again but no words could be heard amid her shouts. "No! I wont come!" She was fatigued down to the very bone. Be steadfast. Her eyes fell upon the ruin which had once been her mother. She only wanted me to become an Aes Sedai. Slowly her eyes travelled up to the silvery arch. It seemed to be fading, seemed to be getting smaller, transparent, disappearing into the dust and with the dust. Dendhra knew she was failing, knew she needed to jump through the arch. I only wanted to be with her. But Deranih was dead now. Be steadfast. The way will come but once. And Dendhra wished she was too. Her heart felt too heavy to carry, her sorrow weighing down so painfully upon her shoulders, dragging her down into the ground. Sinking. Sinking. The arch was almost gone now, the dust fading. Dendhra took a deep breath and out of nowhere the face of a handsome appeared in her mind. His green eyes were gentle, and small flecks of gold seemed to dance in them when he smiled. He was waiting on the other side. Waiting for her. And thus, moving very slowly, Dendhra managed to find her balance. She crawled up on her feet, covered in blood and dirt and everything possible. Picturing his face in her mind the young woman stepped through the arch, her eyes closed against the bright white light, and her bruised face vacant of all emotions. The way will come but once. |
|
|
