Ripple Five: Death in my Wake
written by Jhedan Storm-foot (NPC), Kira al'Haram, Norén al'Thanell (NPC), Miahala Sha'hal, Croi alCorvron, Leisha Lukonia, Kylara Liselle Damodred, Shyne and Saphire en'Damier
With a sneer, Jhedan Storm-foot wiped the blood of the assassin off his ivory-hilted sword on the man's dark clothes. Amora en'Damier, he thought darkly, I should have sent more than one assassin after her. She knows my true affiliation and obviously decided to kill me without trial. He looked at the man lying in a pool of his own guts and blood once more before leaving his own Warder Yards quarters. He did not bother to hide the body, for he would never more return there.
There is no turning back now, he thought and slung his saddlebags over his shoulder.
Picking his path through the wooden corridors, Jhedan made haste to the backside of the Warder Hall. As planned, a group of seven Drin'far'ji, one woman and one Ji'alantin by the name Bethano waited for him. Bethano was a tall, wiry man in his mid twenties, and his tough frame stood tall against the winds. Grey eyes and dirt-blonde hair, he was unmistakeable to the other ones in the group... as all of average height and dark pigment they were. Jhedan thought his muscles were all thick sinews, for he could strike of the head of a horse with that longsword of his... even though his arms did not look it. The whole group were dressed in their formal uniforms and had their saddlebags by their feet.
"You are late, my liege. A problem?" Bethano asked in his thick Tairen accent.
"No problem anymore," replied Jhedan and inclined his head towards the stables. "Let us take our mounts and head out. And I want to make sure the Tower knows that we leave." The Atha'an Miere looked to the quite tall woman by his side when he finished the sentence. The resemblance was quite unnerving? She had even been dressed up in one of Eya Sedai's dresses. It was a riding dress of course, with a fur-lined hems and a colour of the Aryth Ocean. Jhedan had no idea where Eya had found her double, but she had done well. She looked determined now, yet her right hand gripped the expensive dress in fear. She will do, he thought, not even knowing the woman's real name. The greatest difference was that this woman was not even a quarter as strong in the One Power as the original?
"Move out!"
They all made for the stables, and by blood they acquired their mounts. Rising death in their wake, they made for the main gate in full gallop. Jhedan's face was set in a cold mask as he swung his sword left and right at the people he passed by. The Tower will know the price. He wanted to be gone from the Tower Ground when he had the advantage of surprise on his side, but he still had to destroy the chains to the draw-bridge and jam up the portcullis from falling.
Yet the real aim, was to let the Tower think that Eya Grenwyne had left the Tower by the Main Gate. All eyes would be turned to the persuit, while her doings were unaffected.
They had been deciding what to do, now that they had been dismissed. Then, the wolves had called, and they were answering. Shyne an herself were walking, and Kira assumed they were nearing they gate where she had once come in, long long ago. So much had changed since then, and Kira felt he herself was the least of it.
The sound of running hooves came clear in Kira's ears, and she knew that being Wolfkin had nothing to do with how well the sound penetrated everything else around them. Forgetting herself momentarily, Kira broke into a rn her lanky legs working in order to reach the gate.
The sight that greated her was chaos. A large party was leaving through the gate, an a river of blood followed them. A Sa'Ji was in the group, and Kira heard herself growling as she whipped around, knowing she could do nothing for the people dying around her. She had been unprepred for what had come.
Looking at Shyne briefly, she said, "Well. Shall we follow? I believe it won't be too hard to overcome them, I hope." Light hope the wolves come when I need them most...
Norén al'Thanell sat upon his chestnut gelding, his shortly cropped grey hair stirring in the hard winds. He waited for the Gaidin and Gaidar that would lead them all to battle. His gaze darted to the Main Gate, where great clamour suddenly came from.
He held out his hand to the war party he had gathered, signalling for them to hold their ground. What in the Light??
Then they came out of the high gates, a big group of mounted Warder Yard trainees, and with one Sa'ji'alantin in he lead. Jhedan Storm-foot? he thought seeing that ivory hilted sword decorated with blood along the steel, feeling the dark eyes of the Sea Folk man coming to rest upon him. The group of warriors had barged through the Main gate with death and destruction in their wake, and now... when they come out in the open... only Norén and his most loyal men stood in their way to freedom. Realization came to the Tower Guard commander, and the lifted his sword against the rapidly approaching force. On the top of his longs, he bellowed his order. "Seize the traitors! Forward!"
Only he had no chance to move his mount himself, because a great ball of fire hissed towards him. Channeler? He didn't have the time to feel fear before his mount was hit in the chest by the searing flames. The gelding reared, screaming and trashing, and Norén was thrown into the air.
His men obeyed his order though, and poured by around him to stop the shadowsworn from escaping. Thus chaos ensued, steel and fire carrying on the winds.
Croi and Leisha, you should arrive about now from Elman's Creek. If you want the details of the shadowsworn group trying to strike it's way out, read the Ripple above this post. Kira and Shyne, you will be close and hear the battle that rages outside the Main Gate. Norén's men are much much greater by the number, but they do not have a channeler by their side...
Kira ran towards the sounds coming from the gate, her mind racing as she pulled her ashanderei from its carrier on her back. There was a channeler, and the commander had died from a ball of fire.
She immediately jumped into the rush of men, momentarily suprised by the sheer amount of people. Many were dead or dying from wounds inflicted by the channeler, naming whomever it was a darkfriend, or learning rank. Aes Sedai and Asha'man couldn't use the One Power as a weapon.
She watched for a moment, wondering how to get near enough to attack, sneaking closer through the rush, doging others when necessary. She moved to the rear of the group that was being taken, slowly but surely, readying herself to attack the channeler against all moral principles.
Mia had not been aware of what had been happening while she'd been gathering together. Little time had passed, considering the rate at which they were moving themselves. They approached from within, having come from the inside of the Tower and from a distance, she saw the melee.
She paused and held out her arms to stop the Sedai walking on either side of her. With bearly a movement to be caught but from the corner of her eyes, two knives were in her hands and the glow of Saidar shone around her. "Looks like trouble." She declared, unneccesarily but seeming to fit. "Looks like someone may need our help."
She shared a glance between her two sister Greens, "We need to tread carefully to be sure who the enemy is. We were told to meet the group outside of the Main Gate, so mayhap we should try to get there and fight from the side they are on." Her mind was reeling over the situation and their possibities, in the way a strategic green's did.
Reining Daishar'dore short as he began to dance at the blast of an explosion, Croi stodd quickly in his saddle to see a small plume of smoke and dust rising into the air towards the main gates. "Light! Either the Tower is under siege, or they are trying to keep somebody in. We best move, Mashiara." Reaching over, Croi gently squeezed Lei's leg before dropping his reins in his lap and clicking his tongue. Pulling an arrow from his saddle-quiver, Croi notched the arrow while Daishar'dore spead towards the assault.
Lei saw the smoke with a feeling seizin her before all left her emotional self completely and she set Mi'Bekkar to movement The horse beneath her kept in movement with Daishar'dore, as he was becoming used to doing. She muttered some curses in the Old Tongue to herself as she also got ready, and they rushed towards the fray.
Kira moved closer yet to the Channeler in the center that was causing so may lost lives. She hated the loss of life, for any reason, but this was almost too much. She slipped her mind over to the wolves, wishing she had never become part of this.
Running Wind was now closing in, smelling the air as she picked the long, dark and gleaming tooth up better in her hands. She smelled blood all around her. In the center, her human mind wanted to attack those n the hard footed four legs, and Running Wind agreed. If she took down the hard-footed four-legs, the meat would be in easier reach.
Kylara watched the fray for a few seconds, her blue eyes wide with amazement, fright and a sense of adventure. The glow of saidar immediately appeared and she headed straight off for the battle. She needed to put herself in danger in order to attack with the One Power.
She had been a very few battles before, but this seemed the most confusing. She was surrounded by so many, it was almost hard to decide who was on her side and who the enemy was.
She lashed out with fireballs before drawing her sword.
Turning his mount around... after cutting down one of the Tower guard who came past the woman's weaves... Jhedan Storm-foot's battle-stirred gaze settled on the three Aes Sedai that had come out after them through the Main Gate. A cold hand folded around his spine, and his Sea Folk blood ran cold when he realised they had been delayed for too long. His mouth worked to form the commands, but he knew his luck might finally have run out. They were to few. The Father of Storms has not stood by my side. Now I'm on my own. Now, only my survival counts.
His bald head turning around to face the young woman who impersonated Eya Sedai, he pointed at her with his ivory-hilted sword to get her attention. "Listen! Listen to me! Burn us a path down the road, and then attack the Aes Sedai once before following me! Do you understand? Do it!" He swirled around to make eye-contact with Bethano. The tall man's longsword shone red with blood as he turned his chestnut gelding around. "Bethano! Side with me and ride down the slope! Now!"
His last word was drenched in the roar of the young woman's flames. His eyes narrowed down the path leading to Elman's creek and the road to freedom as the woman cleared the way through steel-clad men. If he was not mistaken, he could see two Warders making their way forward as the fires came their way. Before the flames reached them, Jhedan had lost sight of the threat in the fray. Seeing how the Guards still-able rode away from where the fires had passed, Jhedan spurred his mount into a gallop with Bethano by his side. The remaining men of theirs followed as well, their Drin'far'ji uniforms splattered in blood and gore just like his own charcoal grey uniform of past honour was. While they were hacking their way through mostly injured men, the Black Ajah woman had turned around to face the three Aes Sedai... and Jhedan only heard the lightning and fire that came alive.
Ok... Miahala, Saphire and Kylara. It is up to you what form of attacks are thrown upon your characters by the young woman. Note her very very close resemblance to Eya Grenwyne Sedai and that she is about a 5 in the One Power... her strengths lying in Fire and Air. She will only attack you once with a massive assault before turning her mount around and riding down the path that Jhedan, Bethano and the rest took. Kira (and Shyne), you might be able to reach her before she does though or find a mount and catch up with the ones leaving. Croi and Leisha, you will be directly (or nearly) in the Shadowsworns' path. Jhedan is a 4 in the sword as well as Bethano. The other drins are varying from 2-3 in their weapons.
Mia had been considering a different tract then the one that Kylara took, but it was then that the dark channeler ahead turned upon them and the time for strategy was gone. She looked vaguely familiar, but it did not matter now as the heat of battle clouded her and it was only the Sister of Battle who stood there. Mia could feel the reasonable strength of her Saidar, but she was not a match for the older Sedai.
A lash of fire come from her and Mia channeled a wall of Air and Spirit to repel it, holding her hands out before her as the fire pounded against her wall. Her blue-green eyes reflected the red and orange and yellow light of flame and lightening. She was throwing unimaginable energy in to her assault upon them, but Mia withstood. Knive grasps held strongly in her fingers, she pressed the heels of hands forward to concentrate on the wall she was holding.
Mia was not aware of where or what Saphire and Kylara were doing then, as she did not quite have time to think on it. With a single deep breath, she pushed the Air and Spirit woven ahead of her forward and waited the breathless moments until the attack was concluded. She did not know if the shield had reached its target, but she knew their target was now turning and sprinting away from the battle - following the others who were fleeing forward. "They cannot be allowed to escape - Kylara, Saphire!" She called, her voice strong and hot. She ordered with a gesture that they pursue.
Shyne followed Kira through the gates as evidense came of all hell breaking loose. Drawing his swords almost without realizing, he rushed beside his friend and companion into the melee, cutting, slicing, hacking his way forward through people he'd once taught, people he'd thought he knew.
As fireballs flew and Kira rushed toward the Aes Sedai they were fighting against, Shyne caught sight of Jhedan and Bethano, men he'd trained and faught beside, people he'd trusted. Once again a bitter anger arose in him, little by little, and he set his sights on the pair. Soon though, there was a sufficient enough diversion for them to attempt an escape, galloping toward Elman's Creek.
With practiced efficiency, Shyne sheathed the sword in his right hand and quickly found a horse who'd lost it's rider. It had been a while since he'd ridden, but it wasn't something he could forget. In no time he was pushing through the crowd, then galloping after the pair, his right hand flicking the reins and his left still brandishing his sword.
Saphire was still drained from the sheer amount of saidar she had channeled not long past, but that was farthest from her mind. She did not expect to be free after this day. As they had walked the halls towards the Main Gate she regretted not having been able to regroup with Sigmund. What did he think of her actions? What did he think of her? For much of their relationship, he had judged her foolish and lacking the decorum of her status, and she had resented it.
But now . .
Saphire truly fretted over what he would think of her lack of choice of action. Ellisande still remained silent just behind her shoulder. That was almost worse than not being able to see her at all. It was so . . . cold.
Mere moments later they were in the face of battle. The horrible event of the day drained behind Saphire like rain downhill. For the moment, she had purpose. The traitors were making an escape and she had one last chance to fight beside her sisters of the shawl.
Sometimes the best offense, was a good defense. And defend they did against Eya 'Sedai'. Then the filthy wench turned to leave the battlefield without honor.
And sometimes the best defense was a good offense.
At Miahala's urgance, Saphire released her concentration on her shield and sprinted forward full tilt, her legs pumping like a race horse's. She heard Ellisande shout protectively from behind, but a mad rage flowed through Saphire's veins and she breathed dedication. Years of honing her body in the Yards gave wind to her heels where it gave the men strength. Ellisande's arrow flew just beyond her right shoulder and hit the horse's leg up ahead. It simply droped, taking Eya Sedai with him.
With her hands at half-grip before her Saphire leaped into Eya Sedai, "Traitor, you flaming TRAITOR!!" and toppled her to the ground. Saphire's long staff held Eya to the ground by her neck (and face in the dirt), and she sat upon the Black sister's legs with an 'unarmed' pin. But the 'sister' still struggled, flailing her arms.
"When I'm through with you, you're going to wish you were flaming stilled, you trolloc-horned whore!" Perhaps it was not the most dignified or thoughtful tactic, but Saphire trusted her Sisters were soon approaching. Hopefully with shields prepared. Would Eya attempt to fight her off, with or without saidar? The thought did not cross Saphire's mind, pure instinct ruled. And indeed her qustion was answered, for Eya began to channel again.
Tentacles of Air lashed at her and Saphire struggled to keep the woman down. Saphire's eyes were closed, but her face and body stung violently. The warmth of blood began to trickle down her neck. Dimly Saphire concentrated on the thistle opening to the sun and saidar filled her. She struggled to shield Eya and waited for Miahala and her younger sister to catch up . . .
Just as Running Wind got close enough to where she thought she could attack teh channeler without missing, another of the shes who threw lightening appeared seemingly out of nowhere to attack the woman after her hard footed four leg had been shot with a wood fang, bringing both the animal and the she who threw lightening down as one. The other she seemed to be winning at hand to hand combat the to the wolf's eyes, so she went and pulled down one of the party, taking their hard footed foreleg and follwing the direction she felt Twin Fang go. He was determined, it seemed, and that could only mean someone had gotten away that should not have.
Reining his horse short ontop a small rise, Croi observed the small party coming towards them at a great speed. Muttering, Croi quartered Daishar'dore, speaking to Lei. "Ready, Mashiara? Drop who you can, even if that means dropping the steed." Nudging his steed to rear up, Croi leaned forward, using the backdrop to hide his bow from sight of the oncoming riders. Wrapped completely in the void, Croi focused on the Ji'alantin's chest, notching a second arrow as Daishar'dore's hooves once more met the dirt.
Lei saw as the group was rushing at them, just what their day needed: more excitement. She kneed Mi'Bekkar to a stop and half turn, pulling her bow and arrow swiftly and aiming. Her breath caught as she released the arrow towards one of the leading riders and then regained it as she pulled another to aim again...
Kylara was barely aware of everything happening around her. She had warders in training of all ranks shouting, running and fighting alongside her. She had her Ajah Head and older sister in the fray as well. Fireballs, lightning and other frightning weaves dashed everywhich way it seemed.
Then, the darkfriends were fleeing. She felt a bit of hope rise, a bit of triumph. Then she heard Miahala Sedai's voice. It rang over the battle. They couldn't get away. They had to catch them.
Kylara hiked up her skirts with her left hand, her sword in her right and she took off running. Saphire Sedai appeared out of nowhere and Kylara's eyes went wide as an arrow caused the horse to fall, and Eya Sedai came down with it. She kept running, trying to catch up to her sister, surprised but not surprised as Saphire climbed atop the other woman, pushing her face in the dirt.
Kylara did her best to prepare a decent shield, and soon came to a sliding halt, landing on her knees by Saphire Sedai and Eya Sedai, who was channeling awful lashes of Air at her sister. With a snap of her wrist, she attempted to shield the woman. "Bloody darkfriend!" she cursed angrily.
The Andoran lady named Coaána Grenwyne turned her horse around after lashing her final weaves of saidar towards the three Aes Sedai that had appeared, galloping after Jhedan and Bethano. She wished she had protested when the Sa'ji'lantin wanted her to gain them their chance of escape, for she was no match to the three women. However, she also knew that it had been their only chance to freedom.
But her flight was rendered short when her steed toppled over underneath her. No! her voice caught in her throat and she barely managed to hold on to the True Source when she hit the ground. Her arm broke the fall, and the bones jarred by the impact. Eya's dress was soiled by the dirt and she cursed under her breath, sicne anger was her only defence to panic. Just when she regained her footing, an impact from behind struck her down to the ground again. This isn't happening! Her vision was blackened by mud, and a grip around her neck held her down. Panic clawed at her fumbling grasp of her powers. This is not the way it was supposed to happen! She saw nothing to use her weaves upon, but he did what she could.
Whips of air and bursts of fire lashed above her. But she could see nothing of what they caused. She did not hear the curses that rained over her. A shield tried to steal her life-line, but it seemed to her as a very? exhausted attempt. But then the second shield came, and like a candle being snuffed out, she was doomed to her mere mortal flesh. Eya! her scream became nothing more than muffled wail.
Her tears blended with the mud. Once Coaána was allowed, she curled up in foetal position and shook with her weeping. Her face was covered in mud, and she did not try to blink away the dirt from her eyes. I'm doomed, I'm doomed. Mother, please. Help me! In silence she wept, for she did not want to give away her true identity. She wanted to grant Eya what time she could...
Jhedan felt that his luck was at an end when he raced down the path that Eya's impersonation had given them. Bereft of alternatives, he knew his only way was straight ahead. Bethano rode alongside him, brandishing his longsword like a scythe when the Tower Guard closed in on their path. Sweeping his sword towards his right - across his chest, Jhedan caught the jaw a nameless guardsman, his returnswing made the next fall backward from his saddle. He did not want to look over his shoulder, for he knew that the numbers on their side were not to their favour. He had brought all he could trust. He could have done no more. He was too clenched inside to accept that it had been nowhere enough.
Yet maybe my luck was still with me, he thought, for he saw that they were soon beyond the gathered Tower Guard. Baring his teeth in a cruel smile, he kicked his mount onwards, ducking his head low.
But then two mounted figures where in their path, and barely had Jhedan seen the two fancloaks before one arrow came hissing through the air. Only the fact that he had spurned his mount onwards saved him from it, but instead, it smacked solidly into something. A familiar cry came, and as he turned, he saw the arrow sprout from Bethano's chest. The wiry man's face was contorted in pain and shock. And his features slacked just when a left-handed rider, like himself, came up from behind, together with the shadow of a wolf and a yellow eyed Ji'alantar.
Grounding his teeth in hatred, Jhedan turned back. Curse you, jellyfishes! Curse you all! He held out his ivory-hilted blade far out to the side. He would have to chop his way through the spineless caskets of flesh before him.
But no more had he poised his blade when the second arrow came. And he was thrown backwards in his saddle, only the stirrups and his grip of the reins saving him. The horse reared in mid gallop by his desperate hold, and it lost its balance the next instant. What's happening? He knew he should have felt pain when he hit the mud below, but all he felt was the cold flesh of his face and fingers. How?
The eye above the mud felt like it was going to fall out of its socket, and the last thing he saw was his bane. A woman... He could not remember her from his years in the Yards; from the hours he had spent with her in the Privy Council. What's your.. name, woman?
The rest was silence.
As the first Ji'alantin in front of him fell, Shyne reigned in his horse. He now noticed Croi and Leisha farther down the road. It seemed they were taking care of the situation quite well, which meant Shyne's work with the renegade Sa'jis was done for the moment. The battle still raged on behind him though, as much as it was dying down.
Turning quickly, he ran the horse just far enough to see him to the melee, then dismounted and rushed in on foot, once again hurting those he'd once trusted. Darkfriends in thier midst.
The girl continued onward, even when Shyne turned and went back to the fighting. Those two-les had been going somewhere in the direction of the Claw stone, so that was where Running Wind decided to go.
She went back to Kira, blood lust gone and mind back to normal. Half of her wanted to obey the rule about no training ranks off Tower grounds, but another part of her wanted to follow the trail her nose pointed out. Caught in indecision, Kira stopped, struggling with the two sides of her mind over which way to go.
Held up briefly, Mia arrived to find Saphire with the channeler on the ground, face in the dirt and Kylara leveling a shield towards her. The older Sedai's feet came to a smooth horse's halt. She saw the dark one's tapon Saidar extinguish and she pushed forward, one knife resuming its place seamlessly. She grabbed Saphire's shoulder and pulled her away, perhaps a touch gracelessly, but this was battle, after all, "She's stilled already and we want her alive!" she ordered to the Sitter, even as she did she was wrapping bands of air around this dark sister and tying them off.
She turned to Kylara then and pointed a sharp finger at the pitiful sobbing mass, "Keep an eye and blade on her, but she won't give you trouble," Mia ordered next, then turned her gaze to the riders who'd galloped on ahead, yet were shortly felled by arrows. The force riding on was falling short, and the Sedai tried to take in a quick assessment of what was going on just a short bit ahead...
Struggling to his feet, Norén al'Thanell brushed of his armour and cursed over the clamour. "Blood and flaming ashes."
His horse had taken the sphere of fire in its chest, and he had been thrown to the ground. The creature's front body was roasted flesh now, while the hind was still recognisable. Too bad on such a good warhorse, he had never really befriended the creature since it was rather new to him, but it was sad never the less. Norén had almost been trampled by all the commotion that followed. And now, when the last of the escaping force was cut down from his mount, the fight was over. Shouting above the noise, he took in the reports from his sub-commanders.
Specked with mud, red-faced and without a mount, he waked up to Croi Gaidin and Leisha Gaidar and saluted them both with a knuckle to his heart. "The force requested has been brought, and we stand ready to march as soon as the ones without mounts have been replaced. Including my own. What are your orders?"
Nodding to Norén as he knuckled his heart, Croi listened to his report before glancing over the after-math of the battle. Pushing the bodies and screams from his mind, Croi looked back down at the Guardsman.
"Get the replacement mounts as fast as possible, and have the wounded taken back to the Tower. Spare only enough men to fulfill that task, and have them follow along behind us. If the channeller still lives, be sure to make sure she doesnt go anywhere, we cannot afford to have her back in the hands of the Shadowsworn. I noticed that Shyne and Kira are here as well, give them my summons, and see that the channellers have adequite mounts. Start with those of the traitors, and summon mounts for those still without." Looking back towards the wounded, Croi scowled. "Leave the dead traitors where they lay, so long as they are dead. Those that arnt arrest. They will hang within the week. Those that are beyond saving, even with the help of channellers, deal a coup de grace. Have those ready to continue gather quickly, we cannot spare any time."
Mia left Saphire and Kylara with the bound and sheilded Dark Sister and walked over to where she saw the Gaidin and Gaidar standing, approaching towards the end of his orders.
"Gaidin," she began when he finished, "I do not know if you remember me, but I am Miahala Sedai, Head of the Green. Myself, Saphire and Kylara Sedai were dispatched to aid you at the Claw Stone. With other taking care of this scene, we stand ready to aid you, still," her words were simple and level, but delivered their message as she stood before them to offer it.
Shyne wiped his blades on a dead horse. He didn't enjoy this any more. There had been a time once when he'd enjoyed going to war, enjoyed the thrill, the rush... but it was different now that he was killing other people, not shadowspawn. Even if they were Darkfriends or worse, they were still human, and it wasn't an enjoyable experience.
Sheathing his weapons, he looked around at the grim sight surrounding him. After a moment, he noticed Kira, a bit farther down the road. She'd obviously kept up the chase he had left behind. Slowly, he walked over to her, and before either of them said a word, one of the Guardsman rushed up them. "Ji'alantin," he said, obviously addressing them both, "Croi Gaidin sends his summons to meet with him immediately."
And without another word the man left, off to do other things, deliver other orders. Shyne just raised an eyebrow and looked to Kira questioningly.
Kira sighed as she noticed Shyne approaching, still looking in the direction of the Claw Stone. She turned, however, when it was not his voice that spoke first.
"Ji'alantin," the other voice said, "Croi Gaidin sends his summons to meet with him immediately." Looking at the face of what she assumed to be a guard, she noticed he was talking to the both of them. The man walked away as quickly as he came, and Kira looked at Shyne when he looked at her.
"Well," she said after a heartbeat or two, "We were summoned. I guess Croi Gaidin wants us as of yesterday, right?" The girl hadn't had much experience with the older Gaidin, apart from seeing him in the halls.
She jumped off the horse, still hloding the reins in one hand. It didn't feel right to ride a traitors horse, as the smell of it told her. "Shall we?" she saked, looking at SHyne and beginning to walk towards where Aes Sedai and Gaidin grouped.
Looking around the quickly assembling party, Croi's eyes fell on a face he knew. The woman herself was foggy in his memory, but he could never forget the face of the Aes Sedai. Nodding at her greeting, Croi opened his mouth to speak.
"My greetings to you, Miahala Sedai. The years have been long, I am glad to find the Light still shines bright on you." Turning his orientation to the other channellers, Croi's eyes fell on Saphire. "And to you, Saphire Sedai. My thanks for your efforts with the Yards, we are in your debt. I dont believe we have met," Croi continued, his eyes sliding to the third Aes Sedai.
"I am Croi al'Cor'vron, Gaidin. Time is precious, however, so we had best start moving as soon as possible." Glancing at the two ranks from within the Yards themselves, Croi nodded. "You two will ride up front. Kira, you likely have some useful information about the Claw Stone from your youth; anything you have would be appreciated. You, Shyne, I hope your blade is good and sharp. You will both be pressed greatly, this day. Blood shall rain."
Standing slightly in his saddle, Croi looked over the remnants of the battle, the remains of the Guard already assembling in formation and getting in position. "Those without mounts, I suggest you find out, be it the enemies or your own." Glancing down at the smith's-daughter as he finished, Croi shifted his eyes once from herself to the blood-stained horse she guided alongside her. Turning back to the three Aes Sedai, Croi spoke to the five newcomers as a group. "We need get to the Claw Stone as fast as possible. I have already sent out the scouts to lay our groundwork."
Mia listened to his words and gave a quick nod. She turned to Saphire and Kylara, who had by now come up behind her, having found an appropriate guard for the captured black sister, "We have moment's time and must find steeds. We are forced to take those who've lost their masters- go and do so now, and be quick about it," she ordered and set about to do the same herself.
A horse was a precious thing to a Saldean, so having to take the steed of a fallen warrior was... difficult for her, but she was practical and knew that it was neccessary. These battle-tried warhorses had not fled from where they had fallen, so it was not difficult. She found a grey stallion who stood lonely against the sky and was quickly back to the group, awaiting their departure.
"And to you, Saphire Sedai. My thanks for your efforts with the Yards, we are in your debt."
Saphire Sedai stood silently like the eye of a storm. She nodded in aknowledgement of Croi Gaidin's greeting and then listened to her Ajah head. "Of course, sister." Was her only reply.
Saphire paused only a moment to lodge a wad of blood-filled spit at Eya Sedai's mud streaked face. Then she turned abruptly on her heels towards the nearest free mount, a proud black stallion she knew naught the name of. As she covered the distance, Saphire wiped the sweat and blood from the open wounds on her face. There was no time for healing, no time to catch her breath. Battle was in the air.
Behind her Ellisande followed with a quick pace, finding a spotted grey. There were no words between them, and Saphire had the distinct feeling that despite her Gaidar's oath to protect her, there was unrest between them.
Moments later their steeds' feet were on the wind. Saphire felt the presence of Sigmund grow dimer and dimer in the distance behind him. She knew not what issues he was mastering, but a great pang of desire welled within her to know for certain that he was safe and by her side heading into battle. Whatever it is, it must be important for him to stay behind. She thought gloomily.
Saphire reigned her unnamed steed to the right of her sister, Ellisande at her left. Saphire spoke as steadily as she could, given the pace at which they rode. "I do not know when I shall see you again, Kylara, after this day. Either we will die at the Claw Stone, or I will be tried and stilled following this battle. Either way, I am proud to ride into battle with you."
Kira mounted the horse next to her, not letting her mind dwell on the fact that one of their party had likely been responsible for its previous rider's death. She held her ashanderei rigidly in her hand, not daring to let it out of her sight in case of battle.
She turned her horse toward Croi Gaidin, saying, "I do know a little of Claw Stone, but not from my youth. The wolves have told me much about this... hand made of stone." Her mouth writhed around the last words, not quick thinking they were correct, since wolves talked in pictures and not words. Translating was hard, sometimes. "It is," she continued softly, "Enough to find it."
Shyne walked with Kira to hear Croi Gaidin's orders, then found himself a horse quickly. He thought it was the same horse he'd used before, but couldn't be sure. For him, horses were more a liability than an advantage, as he had no training fighting from horseback. But he could mount and dismount quickly enough for it not to matter.
As soon as he had a horse, he was at Kira side. Judging by the way Croi had spoken, she was in charge here, becuase her knowledge was important. Shyne was very little more than protection and an extra set of eyes, which made perfect sense to Shyne. He was good at fighting, and good at watching, so he could perform his tasks rather well. But until someone said differently, Kira would lead and Shyne would follow, and that was the way it would be.
Kylara nodded her head in greeting Croi Gaidin. She had heard stories from her mother. "Kylara Davram," she said smoothly. No doubt her last name would jolt his memory. She found herself rushing away to avoid seeing recognition flash in his eyes. She had buried her father long ago.
She found a horse, mounted him and took off after Miahala Sedai. She focused her mind on the coming battle. The Tower was her home. They had to win this battle.
Before she knew it, Saphire Sedai was riding at her side, and the words that came made Kylara sit taller and proud. Her elder sister meant the world to her, and a large smile flashed across her face. She turned her head to meet Saphire's. "Mother won't let you be stilled. She still sees you as a daughter." she said in almost a whisper.
"The Tower is our home," she added. "We will not die. We will win."
She let out a shout, fear melting in the heat of her spirit.
And Saphire joined her half-sister's roar, but not half-heartedly.
She did not understand how Kylara knew of the terrible crime she had committed this day. But her words were comforting, none the less, despite the sterness with which her step-mother, the Amyrlin Seat, had questioned her with. There was a dim hope that flickered in Saphire's heart that she may yet be able to keep her grasp on saidar. Perhaps that was what sisters were for.
It was in that pause when Saphire sensed the corner of her mind that was Sigmund. The distance she felt did not grow longer, nor shorter. "He rides!" She exclaimed under her breath paced with the stallion's heels. Sigmund will join us into battle. Perhaps his oath is stronger than his dissapointment in me. That hope flared brighter now, like the embers of a fire.
The ground rushed beneith the pace of their steeds as swiftly as the wind. Saphire leaned forward against the black stalion's neck without thought, lending to his speed.
An hour past when she sensed their steeds slowing, Saphire let out the glorious Green Ajah Battle Anthem to lend wind to their heels in the charge to battle.
A sniff at the wind gave Kira the general direction that they needed to go. She looked around, then took off. Her horse was unused to being ridden like this, and Kira felt the poor animal begin to slow after a while. Singing came from the back, and the wolfkin smiled as she glanced around to veiw the spectacle of the singing Aes Sedai, not something she had seen before.
She pulled down to a trot, sniffing the air again. The trail led off a bit to the right of where she was heading, but to lead the group off course might take them into more than they bargained for. She remembered dimly a ravine somewhere along this route.
"Croi Gaidin," she said quickly. "The place we are going to is to the left of this trail, and I am not sure it leads to it. Shall we continue on the same trail, or make our own?" She continued trotting, glancing around at the party with them as she did. Shyne was there, and Miahala Sedai and Saphire Sedai, as well as a few Aes Sedai she did not know well.
