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Chapter Two: The Martyr's Letter
In the deepest vegetation of the Gardens, a filtered breeze stirred Clavil's big robe. He stood by an ashen fireplace in the centre of four logs together with his two companions. This spot had been a meeting-place for their kind since before they joined the Yards, or at least he was told so by their Aes Sedai. These are no longer good times, he reflected, folding his massive arms across his chest. His bulky forehead was creased in a frown, for this morning, the three of them could have been exposed. In the turn of a few hours, things had turned foul for Eya Sedai's foresworn. Ranno al'Din, the self-named leader among the three, lowered his steel grey eyes to a bloodstained parchment and began to read from its contents. "'Dear officers of the Grey Tower, My father used to tell me that I would know when my life was forsaken, and that I then must do what I could to fulfil my duty. I have been a disgrace to my uniform, and let myself been taken advantage of in the name of the Shadow. For three months I have served three sa'ji'alantin out of fear for what they would do to me if I failed to obey their every whim. The day before I wrote this, the three Shadowsworn came to me and gave me an order I could not obey. They told me to kill the Gaidin Captain in his sleep. They seemed apprehensive, and I suspect they thought Caden Gaidin was on to them somehow. They told me that if I did well, they would reward me. And when the other three officers of the Warder Yards returned from the Citadel, I would have even more work to do. ‘My mind still in their talons, I climbed the great stairs of the Grey Tower to carry out my dark orders. But just as I entered the Gaidin Captain's chambers and adjusted my grip on the dagger I'd been given, I realized I did not have it in me. ‘I had decided to run then and was hurrying back to mine and Antar al'Kadar's quarters. However, they must have found out I had failed them somehow, for I did not get any farther than the walls of the Grey Tower itself before two of them descended upon me. I now write with a mortal wound to my gut, but I managed to flee and now hide upon the roof of the Warder Hall. When you read this I have taken my own life, and sacrificed my soul in the name of our great aim – to fight the Shadow until the Final Battle. I know my life is forsaken, and that I must do what I can to fulfil my duty. This is the only way I can think of. ‘The three sa'ji'alantin are named Ranno al'Din, Clavil Fon'har and Jhedan Stom-foot. They are promised to Eya Sedai of the Green Ajah, whom is in reality of the Dark Ajah. She seems to do the bidding for some other, but I cannot give you any more information about that. Make sure my efforts have not been in vain, and make them pay for their crimes in blood. ‘Before I die, I salute you all, for it has been an honour to serve under you, and if you can – please give my regards to my bunkmate, as well as my family. Father will understand." ‘Farewell, Luantar cen Thaal Drin'far'ji of the Grey Tower'" When Ranno was finished reading, he crumpled the letter in his fist, his jaw-muscles working. "How very touching, don't you think?" They were silent, contemplating their next step. Clavil himself broke the silence. "I don't like this, Ranno. We should have been more careful. Now our hands are tied. The Officers will know for sure that something is brewing underneath their noses," he said and lowered his eyes, "We should lay low from now on, and seek council with Eya." "No, fool. We should deal with our problems," said Jhedan, the small Sea Folk man sitting upon one of the logs with his legs crossed. The gaunt features of his face never seemed to relax since the skin seemed to be stretched over his skull and limbs, even less so now when he was irritated as Clavil. "The wave that has passed can not be called back, I still say we follow the plan and–" "No, Clavil is right in a sense," said Ranno, his deep yet smooth voice cutting Jhedan off in mid-speech. Clavil looked to the blonde man in surprise; it was not often Ranno took credit in his thoughts. They seldom said he had any of such – thoughts. "I had to kill one drin'far'ji,the one they had put as guard to the bloody martyr's body. However, I'm certain this letter never reached unwanted eyes, therefore we are in the clear. Unless our subjects rebel against us, we can stick to the plan. Nevertheless, this morning, the officers will put the hounds on us. We will have to eliminate any new risks, and act with caution when we go through with it all. We will do what we can, while our black-clothed companions might do other things." "What do you propose we do then, Ranno?" asked Clavil after a moment. Chapter Two: The Martyr's Letter
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