Ripple Seven: The Wait and the Pain
written by Samsu Unraen (NPC), Sigmund von Danzig, Lord Kadar en'Damier, Maekar Onen (NPC), Amora en'Damier and Antar al'Kadar

The pain was the worst thing about his existence right now.

In the darkness, Samsu Unraen sat bound by a chair, hands and feet tied. His left arm throbbed, and even though the bandage covering the hole where Firredal Gaidin had pinned it to the ground with his sword, the cloth was now drenched with blood and pus. The injury in the shoulder, where Shyne had cut him, paled in semblance to the throbbing waves of agony running up his arm.

What are they waiting for? Do they want me to die slowly, of an infection? Samsu growled against the gag in his mouth. The other captive... bound in the same way to his right... looked up at the sound, but quickly looked away again. Drin'far'ji Guara Sindaran was gagged too, and for that the Ji'alantin was grateful. He needed to focus to not let the pain get to his mind.

What were they waiting for? The psychological preassure of sitting there in the darkness built slowly, and Samsu wanted it to end. He wanted something else to focus on. He would not talk, but he needed to get away from the pain.

OOC: A storm is blowing up outside, the dark horizon of rain-clouds sweeping forward with the hard winds. These events take place after noon.

"Hail and well met, Lord en'Damier," Sigmund said in reply. "The colors these soldiers wear are mine, they will hold our secrets. The door is thick enough that those in the room will not hear what we do not wish. I apologize for not arriving at the meeting you had scheduled, but there were ... complications. You may have seen them on your ride up, before it was dealt with." After a fashion.

"Your letter was cryptic, as it needed to be. However, I fear it comes at the last possible moment," Sigmund sighed. "The plans of my enemies have already been put into motion, the two in there," he gestured to the thick oaken door, "are two of his slaves we captured. Several have died by their hands already. Given your letter, I suspect the one who sent them was the same you have information about. As such, I request you aid me in this task. Athough I have learned some about the task I must persue, I suspect you may have more experience in the matter." Definately if you were a Questioner.

"Tell me, friend, what do you know?"

Lord Kadar en'Damier nodded briefly, as if it almost went without saying that Lord Danzig would secure a private space for their discussion. It was only a matter of casual confirmation in such dangerous times. He spoke with a clear and noble Andorean accent. "I will commit your colors to memory, then, Lord Danzig. For I am certain I will be seeing them again, as the Creator's wills it."

"Kadar's eyes, fashioned much like his father's, roamed the interior of the room in wonder and near-disbelief. "Truly we are all blessed for having seen such a miracle this day." His tone resonated with awe. "Your complications, certainly, detained you I understand." His focus returned to Lord Danzig with conviction. "But I see now why you chose to associate with my sister, and what faith you had in those that stand on the edge of darkness. She has been made divine by the Creator's will through her. I have never seen so much of the Creator's glory through anyone, Child of the Light or not. He smote that madman through her, and saved your life and many of your guild. There must be a reason. Strange that such a miracle would occur in a place such as this . . ."

Lord en'Damier swiftly regained control of his expression. From an open, proud smile, he returned to stoic resolution. "Alas, I digress. I have urgent news that concerns you, my dear sister . . . and the Duchess. I hold today as a sign that I was correct in approaching this place with a warning." He cleared his voice.

"A grave force of darkness nestled himself in your halls three months past. The Children of the Light have hunted a young man for years, one so-called 'Blood Dawn', and tracked him here. How, you ask, Lord Danzig?" Kadar's right fist nestled behind his back in formal resignation. His words contained privileged information, the content of which could have him hung as a traitor against the Children. Yet Kadar knew that this sister, and current ally, must be spared from darkness.

"An associate of this dangerous and enigmatic friend of the darkness was captured by the Children and detained. He died in the Questionnaires' care, but before his thread expired he lost his hold on reality and wailed a poem at the top of his capacity again and again:

Listening to Kadar's reaction to what he saw here today, Sigmund nodded. "Many here do stand on the edge of darkness, but those who will be saved hold great power. This Order can be a valuable asset to destroy the Shadow, bringing only Light in it's place." However, Sigmund did not wish to continue their debate now ... there were more pressing matters.

Sigmund absorbed Kadar's tale, pondering it carefully. He stroked his chin in thought. "That poem .... it bears some similarities to prophecies I have heard. There are rumors that several years ago, a servant of the Shadow scrawled a blasphemous prophecy on a dungeon wall in Ebou Dar. Maybe this is one of those blasphemous prophecies? It appears to describe what is happening here now, though I did not want to believe that prophecies could come from else than the Creator. Yet it seems that it must be."

Clasping his hands behind his back, Sigmund continued. "So, this 'Dawn of Blood' or 'Blood Dawn' ... it is a man? Perhaps he is the one responsible for tainting some of those here. If we could root out their leader, we could cleanse the taint of Shadow from this Tower." His voice begain to gain a note of excitement. "I would greatly appreciate your aid in this questioning," Sigmund continued. "As you have prior knowledge of this man, you could aid me to determine if these men are telling the truth or lies.

A smile began to form on Sigmund's face. "Indeed, I am familiar with the basics of 'Good Questioner, Worse Questioner,' though I fear you may have more practical experience with it than I." But will you admit to it? "In order to interrogate these men properly, I may provide them with the illusion of buying their lives with information. However, do not worry about them identifying you. An example will be made of these heretics." With that, Sigmund gestured to the black-hilted sword at his side.

"Shall we begin? The supplies are already inside, and our two heretics are uncomfortably waiting."

Kadar conceeded to Lord Danzig's change of subject. It was true, this was neither the time nor place for an extended debate, much to his regret. Yet there were points he felt compelled to disagree with, in brief . . .

"Whether the prophecy came to us directly from the Creator or through indirect means is of no matter, except that it prooves that the techniques of extracting the truth are well-honed. It is true, and that means the Creator had a hand in it. Else He would not have given us a sign this glorious day." There was a dispasionate gesture, Lord en'Damier felt it was blatently obvious.

"Nay." His voice rose slightly, but significantly. "The taint of this place stretches farther back than a handful of months." Kadar's face slowly calmed then. He smoothed his faintly greying hair with the palm of his hand. "But the Blood Dawn could certainly be a significant threat to the Lady Saphire, the Duchess, and your noble self. His threat, and very existance as a blemish on the Creator's work, is all that concerns me. I am still a skeptical man, Lord Danzig." There was a wry smile to that, tempering Lord Danzig's excitement. Lord en'Damier knew Lord Danzig could not resist the temptation to convert him, yet did not blame him. However erroneous Lord Danzig's beliefs were, the man stood in the Light. "I will aid you then, Lord Danzig, by your leave." He replied with a simple courtly nod, betraying only a slight smile of satisfaction.

"Granted. Hope is one tactic we have used." There was a brief twinkle that flashed in his eye. "It is also, far, far more interesting than simple brute force; and so time consuming cleaning up the hopeful lies from the truths." He clicked his tounge. "Pure force is such a waste of a good opportunity."

Lord en'Damier gestured to the door. "After you, friend. I will guide you through your role of Worse Questioner. In this manner, you needs must not restrain your natural inclinations to smite these heretics of yours. Eventually we must trick the other into believing his comrad has confessed. That will open the floodgates . . ."

Kadar's words faded as they approached the thick cell doors. Within moments the sounds of a creacking rack and the howls of a man's pain filled the room . . .

Sigmund stopped turning the cranks, but he left Guara strapped to the rack. I barely cranked it at all. He removed the thumbscrews from Samsu. At Sigmund's command, the two guards entered the room and removed Samsu from his bonds.

"Samsu Unraen," Sigmund's voice boomed, "you are an unrepentant traitor to the Light and a blasphemer. Since you will reveal no more information, we have no more use for you. I hereby sentance you to death. May you never be reborn, and may you ever suffer." As Sigmund spoke his curse, the two guards bent Samsu over a wooden block. Hefting an axe over his head, Sigmund swiftly beheaded the traitor. Samsu's head rolled across the floor, leaving a trail of crimson behind it. It stopped after a few feet, his lifeless eyes staring blankly at nothing. Sigmund made a sign against evil.

Turning to the traitorous Drin', Sigmund spoke another sentance. "Guara Sindaran, for your crimes you are expelled from the ranks of the Gaidin and forbidden from ever return. You will be held in the dungeon until further notice. I pray your conversion was genuine, and that the Creator welcomes you back to the Light. Once this immediate crisis has passed, I will decide a more permanent situation for you. Guards!" he barked. "To the dungeon with him!"

Turning to Kadar, Sigmund spoke once again. "Thank you, my friend and ally. You were essential in breaking those two. Pray, please stay here with us. Another set of eyes will be of great help in this crisis, and I fear we must interrogate more before our time is done."

As he spoke, Sigmund crouched and grabbed the head of the Darkfriend Samsu. Lifting it by the hair, Sigmund strode from the room. With that, Kadar and Sigmund left.

More people gathered around the head upon the pike. Trainees stood in silence, some moving in to read the words on the sign. There was a deafening hush over the grounds as the impact of the words spread through the hearts of men and women.

Some of them had been forced into service under the three Sa'ji'alantin, amongst them was Maekar Onen, a short Cairhenin of considerable brawn. His pale blue eyes sought the ones he shared cause with. Syrahn Rygen, Tyngen en'Ghall and Khenna Cellone, he thought, as they come over to him. They were all dressed in the light grey training uniform, which designated their rank. They stood as casually as they could, and they did not speak of what they thought. They could not, since so many others were around.

Maekar decided to tell them his decision. "This coming storm looks nasty," he said slowly, "I, for one, will not take my chances. I will stay in the protection of my quarters. It was a bad idea to go out."

The others looked at him, and they understood the hidden meaning of his words. Tyngen en'Ghall, his bunk-mate, spoke next. "I disagree. A mere storm is nothing to worry about." The others had their gazes down; they had clearly not yet decided on what to do.

Grounding his teeth at his reckless and deluded bunk-mate, Maekar turned to leave. "You have no comprehension about what this storm could do. These clouds have a dark and hidden potential which I care not to face. I hope sense will come to you."

Sigmund walked quietly down the hall, careful not to let his maille shirt clink even slightly. He had to ask around a bit, but he finally located each one of the surviving Darkfriends mentioned in the ... questioning. Now comes the next step. They arrived at the door quietly, where their information had said Clavil Fon'har was. He tried the door, it was locked. Figures. Sigmund turned and gestured to one of the Tower Guard.

SMASH! The impact of the mace echoed through the halls. The door was quickly breached. They quickly flowed into the room, swords drawn. "You're mine, traitor."

At about the same time, other groups of trusted members of the Tower Guard and a few of Sigmund's personal troops were storming the rooms of many other suspected Darkfriends as well. Jhedan, Thenan Yenge, Maekar Onen, Syrahn Rygen, Tyngen en'Ghall, Khenna Cellone, all were traitors who would be taken down this day.

The room lays empty when you enter. Only silence answer your call. The Sa'ji'alantin quarters seems to have been left in a hurry. When Maekar Onen slowly lifted his head to witness the Tower Guard barge into his Drin'far'ji room, Syrahn Rygen leapt to his feet. His Andoran bunkmate had all reason to be afraid now, thought Maekar as he got to his feet. "Don't speak. I know of the accusations you will name," he told the Tower guard, "I will follow you willingly to any interrogation. There I will tell you everything." Trust was, he had not known he had been doing to bidding of a Darkfriend. He had obeyed out of fear for the Sa'ji'alantin. Yet he was not so sure about Syrahn, begacuse he now looked frightened beyond his wits. When one Tower guard came to grab him, the Andoran fell to the floor. It had been too much for the wiry youth.

Maekar let them bind his hands as he looked at his bunkmate's unconscious form. Fate will be cruel to you, my friend, he thought sadly, I just hope I will end up sharing it. Maybe I will be expelled, maybe not. Only time will tell.

The sound of a several marching feet thundered down the hall.

When Lord Kadar en'Damier found Lord Sigmund von Danzig, a fist of Tower Guard followed him with two bound captives. Out of the small crowd Kadar stepped through the battered door, clothed as a Tower Guard. Dim light filtered through the dusty window upon the sanded wood floor. The door, however, was smashed beyond repair. Splinters strewed both the hall and enterance. He nodded to Lord Danzig. "Nice work." Half-smiling, Kadar pulled the black cloth that served as a mask down to his neck, enabling him to speak clearly.

"As requested, Lord Danzig, I have brought you two more heretics. One 'Syrahn Rygen' and one 'Maeker Onen', who came without struggle." His cool greyed brown eyes slid as if he could see them behind him. He gestured with his hand and two black-masked Guard brought forth the lads on cue.

"I fear the rest have fled by now, perhaps to this "Claw Stome". If you leave two traitors to me, I will interregate them for you." There was a moment of hesitation as Kadar considered his words carefully. If she is to be safe, then the people she depends upon must be safe too. Flame me for trusting them. "If the Creator wills your heels to fly, there will be just enough time for you to secure the sensetive areas Guara informed us of." Kadar stood straighter, as if speaking with carefully considered experience, "Forgive me for my forwardness, Lord Danzig, however you may consider prioritizing the protection of your leaders over the food and water supply . . . experience tells me that we must make way to the 'Claw Stone' post haste."

"Thank you, my ally," Sigmund said. "However, our task is not yet done. I leave these two traitors in your capable hands, and now I must see to the threats these Darkfriends pose." Turning, Sigmund called his men to his side. "Obey this man and aid him how you may, so long as it does not impede your honor." He turned back to Kadar. "If these troops can help you extract information or capture other revealed Darkfriends, use them. I must go see to the other threats. Saphire is a Sitter, she will need my defense."

Sigmund returned to his office and wrote several messages to the various Ajah Heads and Sitters. Summoning his servant Wilhelm, Sigmund dispatched the warnings to those who would need them. They can look after their own protection, however. Then, he called for several trusted members of the Tower Guard. "There is a threat against the Amyrlin and M'Hael. Do your duty and defend them. Also threatened are the Ajah Heads and Sitters, as well as the Tower's food and water supplies. Prioritize them in that order. Go!"

Finally, Sigmund grabbed his lance and a helm and hurried to the Stables. Mounting Manshimar'ji, they galloped in the direction that his Bond pointed. I hope she is not in danger already. Why is she so far out of the Tower? Wasn't she on trial?

"It will be a pleasure." Lord Kadar answered Lord Danzig with a pat on Syrahn's head that could only mean he would take 'great care' with questioning. "The Lady Saphire is at least as important to you as she is to me, Lord Danzig. I trust you will keep her safe. However, I request that upon your return we three speak again." It was an understatement. Kadar could hardly restrain the urge to ride after his elder sister, and understand her experience. The Creator himself had touched her. He claped Lord Danzig on the shoulder, "Ride hard."

When Lord Danzig had made his exit, it was then when Kadar grinned cruely at the heretics. "You are mine, now. You've seen the 'good questionner' leave, now you must answer to the 'bad questionner'." He gestured to the Guard who were temporarily under his command, "Put them under the thumb screws first, then the rack. We'll elicit Lord Danzig's answers . . . "

Although she reinged control over her expression, Amora Sedai was more than surpised that the assasin had not followed them. It was several moments later when Neilan was safely tucked away in a private Ji'alantin room under one of the few remaining Yellow sister's care. The Ji'alantin who had been ordered to vacate his room stood guard outside.

Down the hall, mother and son had crossed paths. Amora Sedai's emerald eyes had roamed Kadar's dress: a bloodied Tower Guard uniform. There were thousands of questions to be asked, but they both sensed there was no time for all of them. She simply raised an eyebrow.

"My Lady," Lord en'Damier replied with a bowed head, as if he were in doubt that they were truly related. He had never truly known his mother. "I trust you are aware of the danger here of late." His eyes flickered towards the door behind which Neilan lay. "Lord Danzig has charged to defend the Lady Saphire at the Claw Stone, who has been touched by the Creator's hand. The House is blessed today. But shadows lurk distroy her, as well as you." He gestured to the stairs from which he had ascended. "I have only just concluded my questioning of two heritics, one Maekar and another Syrahn, followers of darkfriends." There was true distain in his tone, as if he were just becoming aware that his hands were soiled with their blood. He moved to wash his hands in one of several public basins. "Maekar has purged his sins and returned to the Light. I have an account from him of this 'Dawn of Blood' a man who the Children of the Light have tracked for some time. I can almost smell him in the air . . ."

Kadar wiped his hands with a fresh white towel, now streaked with red, before folding it beside the basin. "Both have been taken to the dungeons. But there are yet sensitive areas of this place that are only now being secured . . . you, my Lady, are not safe far from here." His glance then fell on Antar, as if questioning his loyalty. However, before he could speak, a Guard charged up the stiars.

"My Lord!" He hesitated, recognizing Amora Sedai. His mouth gaped and then snaped shut. He bowed deeply, "Amora Sedai . . . Eya Grenwyne Sedai has been shielded and imprisoned from the battle at the main gate. When we passed her to inprison the two traitors you only now dispensed with, we saw the traitor Guara in his cell . . . he . . . " The man swallowed deeply, as if choaking back his vomit. " . . . he was dead. In his cell. His body was mutilated . . . Fingers and toes, hands and feet, followed by arms and legs, genitals, ears and eyes . . . Only the torso remains, and the wounds have been scorched to prevent loss of blood. His last words when he is found shaken awake will be "The Dawn? of Blood?. is? Caden? s? s?"

It was then when Amora Sedai's eyebrows raised in shock. The only expression. She glanced at Antar and then Beatrise by her side as if to gauge their reactions.

The unintroduced Tower Guard bowed again. "My gravest appologies, Aes Sedai. I did not intend to alarm you. But the Master of Training intended that I report to this man . . . "

Amora Sedai raised her hand for him to hault. There was no need to make explicit how her mask had sliped. "Go on." She instructed. Kadar nodded as if to affirm his mother, and the Duchess', order.

"Yes, Aes Sedai, my Lord . . . as I reported - there was a battle near the Gate. That was where Eya Sedai. The Warder-Channeler Representative, the Head of the Green Ajah, and the Amyrlin Seat's daughter all knew her to be a Black Ajah witch . . . excuse me Aes Sedai . . . " he bowed again in appology, " . . . there are reports streaming in of casualties and the war at the Claw Stone. An eye-whitness reports that lighting connected with the side of the Grey Tower." The sound of thunder rolled over the Warder Hall, and the man touched the wall as if to assure himself it was there. "Rumor has it that this Hall was burned, and then not burned. They say the Warder-Channeler Representative will go to trial. But the Amyrlin Seat has not been seen since just before the battle at the Gate. All is going to the Pit of Dhoom . . ."

"Compose yourself man!" Kadar barked.

The younger man bowed again, "Forgive me." his eyes flashed between Lord en'Damier and Amora Sedai. "What are your orders?"

Amora Sedai watched her son. He was like a coiled spring. Given what she knew of his past, he obviously desired to question Eya Grenwyne himself. What Whitecloak wouldn't? Even a former one? But the Pattern was uncertain now, and she did not wish to see her son slain like so many had been this day. She spoke before her son did.

"The Creator's intentions are not clear." She faced the young leitenant of the Tower Guard, but her choice of words obviously included her son. "We must act with caution. Have no fewer than two Guard question Eya Grenwyne. Kadar, you will remain here and guard me while I sleep." Her glance shifted to Antar, Grek, and Beatrise. "You all as well. The Dreams should reveal our answers, then we will proceed to do what we can to recover the Creator's influence from the Dark One's grasp."

Kadar's jaw clenched as if he opposed her decision. But he could not deny her wishes. This extended beyond the authority Lord Danzig had leant him, and she was the Duchess. He nodded, "I will comply. You, my lady, and the Lady Saphire will be safe if I must sheath my own sword."

Antar listened very carefully to the events said. He was a bit shocked at seeing his loyalty so blatantly quesitoned, but he couldent blame the man. Now where suspicious times. Sitting back, he nods to Amora Sedia's words, and plants a fist on his chest, above his heart. "My life, Amora Sedai, is in your hands. Should i die defending you, it is only repayance for that which was spared." He bows his head a little, hoping that he wasnt being too formal with his simple task. Yet, was it simple at all?

Chapter Four: The Shadow Unleashed
~Ripple One: To the Claw Stone
~Ripple Two: Chance
~Ripple Three: Continued Hearing
~Ripple Four: Fate
~Ripple Five: Death in my Wake
~Ripple Six: True Purposes
~Ripple Seven: The Wait and the Pain
~Ripple Eight: Darkness
~The Final Ripple

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