Ripple Two: The Hall
written by Eya Grenwyne, Firredal Osiellen, Durent Antian, Aynaiss Cuelaen-Walker, Amora en'Damier, and Antar al'Kadar

The Hall was a place of interest, both in the sense of Eya's purpose there and the historical aspect.

She stood now in the middle, with her hands stretched out before her. If anyone would see the weaves she wove, they might become suspicious, but she needed only another minute or so to finish the ward, and then she would leave for the Claw Stone. The weaves she wove were so intricate only a few of the Aes Sedai at the Tower would understand her actual intent with the ward. And that was her strength... she might not be the strongest, but she knew weaves enough to make up for it.

Soon, Ranno, she thought, Soon we will be reunited. My dear cousin when I have made both the Tower and the Shadow pay for what happened to you, I will come to you. Before the day is over, my love, I will share your fate.

Firredal slipped towards the door to the Hall, relieved to find it unguarded. Unless it is Warded... but if they plan to destroy the place, who would bother?

Easing back around the corner, he nodded to the others. "It is clear. The doors are closed, so I couldn't see inside." Turning to Durent, the only one among them who was likely to know the Hall's layout, he asked: "Are there other doors?"

Firredal hesitated, looking at the others. "I'd suggest a stealthy approach, if we can manage it. If the Dedicated will come with me, we can use this door to get in. Sitter, if I may suggest, would you and Aynaiss circle around to the main door? With a touch of luck, you will enter from behind just as we distract the Darkfriend."

Durent shook himself from his thoughts and looked to Firredal after hearing his plan. Simple enough; serves me right to have started to think so complicated. He nodded to the Gaidin as he spoke, "That sounds like it should work, I suggest that you take the Captain with you. We'll listen through the other door for you to enter, give us just a few moments to get into position." He nodded to Firredal and Aynaiss and began to walk to the other door, with Aynaiss hopefully following close behind.

Aynaiss put her up for a nod and then glanced toward the rubble behind them of their fight. Gazing in silence, she finally turned to finish her nod of approval and watched Durent to follow him. Obviously as a warder, she had not spent much time whatsoever in the channeling halls, well all except those of her Indigo Aspiring husband.

Close behind Durent's pace, she paused and grabbed the Asha'man's attention for a moment. "Wait...I need one of these first," she suggested as she looked at another candelabra glowing quietly on the side of the hall. Her last at been set down near where she had saved Captain Thepon before falling to his death. Aynaiss plucked the six candles off and tossed them aside before wrapping her hands around the cold twisted iron. Giving a small smile at her awkward weapon toward Durent, she voice, "Ready," and followed him again.

Firredal nodded back, and wished them luck in the silence of his mind. In a lot of ways, his life would be easier without Durent in it... but he had come to respect the Asha'man, and was no longer sure that it would be better. Shifting his swords, he followed the hallway around to the side door.

It opened quietly, and after a moment he moved through it. The room inside was not large enough to be the Hall itself - it was clearly a sitting room or something similar - but an arched doorway in the far wall looked into a much larger space, complete with high balconies and a sunken central floor. If she knows we're here, she'll kill us now. Drawing the hood of his fancloak over his head, he eased towards the archway. Beyond, in the center of the room, a woman was visible. She was facing their direction, but her attention seemed to be elsewhere.

Probably doing something with the Power, Firredal decided. I'd sell my soul to the Dark One for a crossbow right now... Well, no I wouldn't. I wonder if the Light has any deals going? The Hall was bare of anything that could be used as an impromptu missile weapon - not that he could throw anything far enough to hit her from here - and the moment he moved out of the archway he would be seen. Blood and ashes. Well, at least she's looking away from doors Durent is likely to use...

Both his blades drawn, Thepon stood behind the Gaidin and waited for the command to enter battle. He wetted his lips a little hesitantly, for he could not make himself to trust his mind or instincts again. He had been, what the channelers had called it, exposed to Compulsion, and he remembered doing things he could never understand in hind-sight.

The battle they stood before was no ordinary one, for he knew that what they were doing likely meant inevitable suicide. Waiting for them was a Black Ajah Aes Sedai, with no intention of letting any of them hinder the Shadow's plans. The plan they had was sound, he just hoped that the Dedicated on their side of the Hall knew enough to keep them alive for some duration of time. A quick glance towards the young man told him what he too was ready.

He needed his men there, two of them had carried long-bows, but they had fallen in the Green Ajah hallways less than an hour ago. Fopher and Obendal, he mouthed, remembering their names vividly, he even knew where they hailed from and what their loved one's names were. If he would survive this encounter, he was to bring them the sad news. Now that's an encouraging thought, you fool. Clenching his jaws hard, he steeled himself for the inevitable.

Firredal slid forward cautiously, motioning for Threpon to follow. He could see movement on the far side of the Hall, a door opening. About time. With luck, his group could hold the Black's attention long enough for Durent to take her from behind. Of course, if that is not Durent, we are all dead. They couldn't afford to hesitate; by the time they knew for certain, the Aes Sedai might become aware of Durent's entrance. Time to find out.

Standing up, he threw his dagger. His form was excellent, precisely as Saphire Sedai had shown him, but his near-complete lack of practice was reflected in the dagger's impact: it struck the stone floor a full four strides away from Eya Sedai.

Firredal ducked away immediately, rolling behind the shelter of a long wooden bench. It was too much to hope that the blade would hit her, but if it kept her attention on them, that would be enough. I hope Jolartin can hold her off long enough for Durent to take her. I've done what I can...

Watching the Gaidin step forward to hurl his dagger inside the Hall of Sitters, Thepon followed his example of caution and crouched low in the shadow of a white marble statue. Light, why do I get the feeling he just struck a bee-hive with a stick? Yet he knew something had to be done, and as he sat ready to spring forward if needed be, he watched the Dedicated named Jolartin. The blonde man's eyes were fixed upon a point on the wall as if he knew exactly where the Aes Sedai stood... as if he could feel the centre of the evilness inside the Hall.

Fists clenched by his sides, the channeler stepped forward... into the archway from the ante-chamber and into plain view. Though Thepon could not see it, he knew the man had prepared some nasty tricks of the Source for the Black Ajah woman... unleashing it all in a moment as if lifting a barrage.

"My Lady, I beg you pardon." Kadar's face was uncharacteristicaly red with indignation. "But it would be blasphemy to use that abomination."

Amora en'Damier Sedai turned her cool eyes upon her son. The look spoke: 'You know better than to speak so frankly in the open.' Her fingers traced that thin wiry frame of a ter'angreal as if she would consider such an insult in the face of the Creator. But Kadar knew she likely did so to spend the tension that was building in the air. His mother, the known Aes Sedai, instructed as if to a younger man than Kadar, "Kadar, it is the only way. Accept that. If you wish to slay darkfriends, you are going to have to bend some your values." It was cold and practical. Kadar's fist was still white on the chain leash that clasped the prisoner behind the back. He remained staring back at the Duchess, his mother, for a moment longer, before relenting. She was the Lady of the House, and he was the odd man out. And he knew it.

It was then when a gateway opened, induced by the ter'angreal. It had been one of Amora's more recent projects, only now bearing fruit. On the other side they viewed the inner side of an antechamber of the Hall of Sitters. That single bend of the Pattern would save them precious, precious time, and lives. And so many lives. Lives that can be turned back to the Light. Kadar had to convince himself.

First the Duchess, then Antar, then Elisabet, then Grek, then several Danzig guards followed in their stead. At long last, a reluctant Kadar pulled their prisoner through the gateway. Had he still be a Child of the Light, he would have had his head on a pike for that one step and the resolve that motivated it. It is as the Creator wills it. Kadar gritt his teeth. He works in strange and mysterious ways. The Light-sworn man told himself repeatedly, even as he showed his distain by tugging harder on the heratic's leash.

As soon as the antechamber door opened, the well-trained Danig guards fanned out. The rest followed. To her right the woman who could only be Eya Sedai finished her revolution to face two other incomers. They were Sitter Durent of the Green Ajah, and Firredal Gaidin. Amora Sedai's emerald eyes flickered to the sacred sign of the Grey Tower, and the blasphemy that had been woven there.

I know that weave . . . It was almost as complicated a ward as the ones that encircled Amora Sedai's own chambers and the surrounding hallway. But it was laced with death. Gruesome death.

Her attention drew back to the Black Sister with the force of an instant shield. "Slay her." Were her only words to the enturage that had followed. And from her peripheral vision, she saw that Kadar could not restrain his temper. Instead of remaining behind, he had passed the leash off to a confused Grek, and moved forward like a deadly wolf with the scent of a trapped mountain cat in the air. Kadar, no! But Amora could not restrain her son and press the shield upon the shadowsworn sister simultaniously. Even trapped mountian lions could kill wolves.

Antar emerges from the portal, and as the door opens, he stays at Amora's side. At her words to kill Eya, his eyes widen slightly in surprise. She was needed, a great source of information, much like the woman they already had. Glancing over, he barely catches the darting Kadar, and mutters under his breath. Damned Whitecloaks... Roaring loudly, his entire right arm seems to ripple, elbow and shoulder toward the hilt of his Katana, as his feet begin to carry him across the floor toward Eya. His gaze locks onto the woman, and he forces himself to ignore the fact that she was Aes Sedai. Grasping the Katana, he half draws as he races forward, fury stamped on his features as he screams wildly, preparing to unfold the fan, and using it to take off her head. (You did give directions to kill, Amora :P)

Durent and Aynaiss emerged into the Hall once he knew the distraction had been set into motion. He could feel Jolartin attempting to fight Eya, but he knew the Dedicated was losing. As the door burst open, Durent seized saidin and let the torrent flow into him holding almost as much of the Power as he could without killing himself.

He wove a shield and was about to thrust it between Eya and the Source when suddenly a gateway opened off to the side of the Hall. Out poured soldiers and a woman he recognized. His determination was bolstered as Amora Sedai walked into the room. However it sunk as she gave her command to her troops. "Slay her."

Immediately two of the fighters advanced on Eya, Or had one already been advancing since he saw her? He for one was not going to let the woman die. Shield her and question her most definately, but not kill her. He divided the power into two flows. One as a shield he attempted to push onto Eya, and the second was a wall of Air to stop the advance of the two soldiers (OOC: Kadar and Antar). "There has been enough blood spilt this day, incapacitation, no killing!

Once he believed the soldiers would be stopped in their tracks, if only for a few seconds, he diverted more of the Power into his shield in an attempt to defeat Eya. He could only hope it would be strong enough.

Her eyes settling on Durent Antian Asha'man of her own Ajah, Eya Grenwyne sent the weaves she had prepared for Jolartin Votashen against her new prey instead. The Asha'man was blonde and tall, just like Ranno had been. "Welcome, handsome," she said with a smile and curtsied in mockery just as two of her weaves of Spirit slammed back the apparently half-focused attempt of a Shield before it reached her.

"Slay her," the command was heard and Eya's serene face turned to see Amora en'Damier send two men with drawn swords against her. The legendary Aes Sedai glowed with the Source's embrace, only her dead-set aim on victory did not let her become intimidated by the plummet of her odds. Coaána? Did you fail as well? Her first-born daughter was shivering with fear now, eyes wide in fear for her own as well as her mother's fate. The surprise had been greater by thsi second appearence, and she barely managed to swing one of the weaves away from the blond man and shred the Shield in two like with an unseen sword just before it reached her. She were about to cut the two advancing men apart with sharp flows of Air, however, it seemed a saidin-wrought wall had been placed in her way... yet at the same time, it held the two away from her. Confirming her guesses, the male channeler shouted, "There has been enough blood spilt this day, incapacitation, no killing!"

With those words, the male channeler doubled the pressure of that Shield, and Eya's eyes narrowed to slits. "You will find me quite capable, you Light-blinded fools! While there is still blood in my veins, you will be aware of it!" Backing away from them both, she lifted an open hand to send an immense breath of Fire towards the Asha'man, past the struggle she had with holding that Shield at bay. Distraction, she mouthed for herself, sweat starting to bead her forehead. Once she had sent the quite crude Fire-weave forward, she wove a scythe of Spirit to cut the Shield apart.

Turning her head towards Amora and her subjects again, Eya swung her right hand in a wide arc... and three of her already woven weaves shot forward. One was a lightning-bolt which struck the wall of Air Durent had woven. The invisible wall shuddered as if it had weakened and shimmered before it dissolved. The second was a gathering of fine Spirit threads that would make the hearts of the two swords-men stop beating. And the last, the third weave, was blinding explosion of light that was to detonate before Amora's eyes.

"Watch me my dear Ranno!" she shouted to her dead love, her smile widening as he remembered his smile, "See how I avenge you! Your honour will be restored when I come to your side again!" Her attention was on the Asha'man again now... And she now had them both in her view, back to the drained Jolartin where he lay in the archway to the first antechamber. Her laughter rang merrily in the Hall of Sitters.

Kadar's sword clanged against an invisible force mid-swing. He gritt his teeth in fury. I so despise Aes Sedai, He thought grimly, and glanced at the man who stood on the far side of the Light-banished one, and tainted Asha'man too.. Kadar began to stalk around the barrier like a wolf, "Soldiers, surround the witch." a wolf with a pack. Kadar's commanding voice boomed with a practiced grace, and the Danzig men closed in. But Kadar's steps haulted when his heart seized . . .

Oh, little Brother, you do not yet understand . . .

Amora Sedai thought regretfully as she adapted her tactics. With her left hand drawing the room's attention, she pointed to her son and protector in turn. Instantly, wards practiced for more years than this foe had lived sprung to life around the two men. She knew Kadar would not appreciate being so close to the One Power, on his side or not, but Amora would not allow her only son to die. Nor was it Antar's time to be rewoven. With her right, hidden by the distractions all around, she directed Elisabet's attention to the ancient symbol over which the deadly trap was sprung. Unweave it, little sister. Amora Sedai thought with near despiration. They had precious little time.

Elisabet Sedai caught the gesture, but it was lost on her for the first few moments. She shivered in fear. Why did I follow? It would have been so much safer in the Warder Hall . . . She edged behind the legendary Sister and out of view of the madwoman she had once learned Novice lessons from. And then it dawned on her. Elisabet glanced up at the White Flame and Black Fang curved together in unison. And then she saw it. The residues and the weave itself . . . it was so . . . potent, so dangerous, so much death surrounded it. As a Sister of the Yellow shawl, the thing revulsed her with the gore it could inflict upon the Brothers and Sisters who spoke for them in the Hall. And then she understood . . .

. . . and the unweaving began. Thread, by careful thread.

The ancient Blue allowed the flash of light to appear before her eyes. Amora Sedai merely blinked. Already she had done enough to sway the next few moments. The heartless weaves made against Kadar and Antar's lives reflected back upon the weaver. Back upon Eya's own heart. She expected the dark Sister to counter it, but Amora Sedai had bought that much time to weave her own ward about herself. The strategy was simiple. If they were to fight many battles this day, then exhausting the Shadow one foot-soldier at a time was the wisest tactic. I will be the ever enduring grass that bends with the rain, and she the oak that snaps in the storm.

And Amora Sedai stepped forward, drawing attention to herself. She had not yet stretched her wings, yet another shield pressed upon the dark Sister. Amora Sedai's hands moved beneith her robes for a ring in one blue pouch . . .

"Brother," Amora Sedai referred to Durent of the Green Ajah, but her ageless eyes were locked on Eya Grenwyne with all her focus of saidar. He needed to know that there was a battle more important than this one, "our Father dies within the hour. If you insist on keeping this one for questioning, then you ought to save the Father yourself, for a Brother of Darkness lurks on his study like an Angel of Death. You can see his Illusions, I can not. Save our Father, and leave her to me. If possible, she will be captured. You have my word."

That was when Amora Sedai slipped the ring upon her finger. A black stoned ring, full of the power of Compulsion. Dark and illegal. She hoped she would not have to ask forgiveness from on high for using it this day.

Antar let out a grunt, and a suprised look crossed his face as he hit the rather solid wall of air and seemed to bounce (Yes bounce) off of it. Hitting the ground and sliding, it wasnt long at all before he was on his feet, preparing to try and ram into the shield when it hit him. It was like ice piercing his heart, forcing it to a standstill. Sinking to his knees and grabbing at his chest, his eyebrows crease in pain. Then, thank the light, as soon as the dagger of ice had pierced him, it was withdrawn and his heart again beat. Antar's face goes from one of pain, to one of fury. It was as if he had forgotten about the wall of air, woven by Saidin (which if im correct, was taken down a few moments ago). His hand darts to his right leg, where the Dirk given to him by the lord al'Kadar so long ago lay sheathed. Drawing it, Antar's face contorts rage, as he draws back and slings the weapon as if it were a Javelin, flying straight toward her stomach area. Let HER feel pain before she died. Pain like your heart being stopped suddenly and mercilessly in your chest as you tried to breathe. (You can say if it hits or not, Caden. Antar's a little p'oed at the moment)

Durent's own heart seemed to seize when he saw what he had done. He almost ignored his shield being cut when he realized the two men might die. Before he had too much time to think about it, Eya had unleashed her crude fireball. He unleashed the same defense he always did against fireballs, something that he'd learn to do almost without thinking. Sending waves of Air and Water, the fireball seemed to turn to ice, lose altitude and crash into the floor. Ice shards scattered everywhere along the floor. Then did the feelings of grief and guilt start to pour over the Void. When he looked back to Amora, her eyes were locked with Eya's, but she spoke to him.

"Brother," she said, "our Father dies within the hour. If you insist on keeping this one for questioning, then you ought to save the Father yourself, for a Brother of Darkness lurks on his study like an Angel of Death. You can see his Illusions, I can not. Save our Father, and leave her to me. If possible, she will be captured. You have my word."

Hearing that the M'Hael was in danger, Durent banished the feelings of guilt, You'll have time for that later. He sent very direct looks to Jolartin, Firredal and Aynaiss. If the wished to accompany him, all the better, if not, he would go alone. He quickly wove a small yet strong gust of Air, aimed it at Eya and released it. It would do nothing but distract her for a few moments, but it would have to be enough. After that, he gave a respectful nod to Amora, and turned out of the room...

Firredal came up from behind the bench - it had been small shelter at best - and sprinted after Durent. The Blue seemed to have things well in hand here, and she had men with her to guard her back. Durent would go alone, and who would watch his back?

I will, apparently. The Hall was wide, and Firredal followed a roundabout course, but years in the Yards had conditioned him. The Green Sitter had paused, and Firredal was halfway to him when he turned towards the door.

Aynaiss watched with barely suppressed awe, surprise, and worry at the scene of confronting forces. The use of the Power, unseen to her, was unnerving, and most likely with weaves she dared not know their use. Her heart beat quickly in her chest, yet her breath came with guarded meter and the slow of calm. The new candelabra was gripped with her fists, bony white, as her knuckles clenched the cold round metal with dread as she watched the Aes Sedai with growing apprehension. It all passed quickly, and by far the most strange, seemlessly, as if this all was another weave in the Pattern. Now, with the great threat to the Tower by the looming darkness, it seemed absolutely and riduculously mad to think that this had been constructed from fate. predestined, irreversible, and terribly undeniable.

She tossed her head and brought the candelabra up with narrowed eyes as Eya Sedia of the Black laughed and everything came with a blink of an eye. All she could do to guess was that it was Power. Bright light exploded and confusion ensued. She barely could cross a large marble flagstone before Amora Sedai stopped her with words. Directed even to Durent, she understood them as if she hadn't hidden the true meaning. An assasin for Caden? Aynaiss felt herself wanting to leave with the Durent and Firredal but still found her feet immobilized on the marble of the Hall...Somehow she could sense a feeling that she should stay.

With a last wishing look to her companions, she gave them a grim smile and wielding around to face the Black Ae--darkfriend-- No...not Aes Sedai. Aynaiss didn't believe that this saidar wench had the honor to hold a title such as Aes Sedai. Jerid, Beric, and Angel, give me strength and the luck I hope that I will never be pressed to rely on. Tightening her grip around candelabra with years of practice behind her, she took a step forward and followed with determined others around the side of the Black darkfriend.

...her mad smile plastered on her face, Eya had turned back to the Asha'man and just saw her cloud of Fire turn to ice and fall... shattering on the stone floor.

She did not have time to send another couple of her vide arsenal of weaves against the irritating man, for she spun back to Amora when the two sharp whips of Spirit she had woven against the two swordmen were sevevered and snapped back towards her. Neglecting the Asha'man completely, she managed to sever the thin weaves before they reached her... the ends and vanishing out of the air. With the same thick threads of Fire she had cut them with, she lashed forward against the Blue Ajah Sister. Her speed was remarkable, and she could have reached Amora with them if it had not...

...if it had not been for the fact that another Aes Sedai... someone in company with Amora judging by the direction the weaves came from... tried to unweave the Ward she had spent two hours on creating. "No!" she snarled and her cords of Fire fell down to cut the weaves that was doing it instead of reaching Amora - exchanging words with the Asha'man... words that implied that her daughter had betrayed the Great Lord and revealed the assassination-attempt against the M'Hael! The Ward was saved by the falling strike, and the ends of the unknown Aes Sedai's weaves snapped back violently against her. Yet in order to save the Ward, she submitted herself to the threat of the second Shield from the Light-blinded Amora en'Damier. As quickly as she could, she formed another sharp weave of Fire, but the Shield was coming too fast...

Yet then, her feet left the ground, and she flew sideways by a hard gust of wind from Durent Asha'man. Since he channeled saidin, he could not have know that he had saved her from being Shielded. The weave had missed and Eya had managed to swing the weave around to sever the Shield in mid-flight... sending the recoiling ends back at Amora Sedai.

Also, her flight saved her from a dagger which one the swordsmen threw, and it clattered harmlessly over the floor.

When she impacted with the ground, only her grief-stricken insanity after the loss of Ranno let her hold on to the True Source. She felt no pain, and her plastered and frantic smile turned into a small giggle as she folded her legs beneath her to rise again. She covered herself with a weave the Black Ajah taught its older members... a weave of Fire which was cloaked with Spirit. It would enter the Aes Sedai and make her explode in a rain of blood if it had not been for the shield she had already gotten into place. Failure, and the weave dissapeared out of the air.

"Clever," she mouthed as she watched the leaving Asha'man with her peripheral vision... not knowing is she implied the shield or how she now covered Durent's escape from the Hall... but then she shouted; "You're good! Just what I expected from a legend such as you!" She did not have to look at the advancing soldiers in borderlander livery, she wove one of her favourite defensive weaves... merely standing tall again after her fall and continuing; "Yet I'm just getting warmed-up!"

By her last word, she unleashed her Deathspray Weave - charged with fearsome potency.

The version she had shown the Dedicated who had placed the Ward on Caden Ives' body was nothing compared to the savageness of the one that now spun out and extended outwards from her body. To the common eye, the invisible tornado of razor-sharp blades of Air would merely rend bodies apart and continue outwards in an extending circling motion. The sharp blades could only be discerned by a non-channeler by the sparks that flew in its wake across the stone floor.

The borderlander men received the first impact, their limbs and cuts flying through the air in gusts of blood... then it would pass over the two swordmen, and then finally smite Amora and the other Aes Sedai behind her. Coaána would sadly die as well, yet she had betrayed their cause, so Eya would have to accept the loss like the true believer that she was. The thought was as brief as the life of a mayfly in the fabric of the pattern. Once the horrifying weave was released, she returned her attention to Amora, trying to probe that shield and rend it open with sharp talons of Spirit... certainly not minding if she would reach the flesh behind as well.

Captain Thepon of the Tower Guard saw Firredal enter the Hall of Sitters again, rushing forward suddenly. Hidden as Thepon had been, he had not seen the Asha'man's implying look. Leaping past the fallen Dedicated Jolartin, he entered the Hall of Sitters with both his blades drawn.

Gaidin, where are you going!? The battle is here! he was about to shout after Firredal, then didn't since that would have alerted the woman on the floor.

Those would have been his last words, for when he turned away to rush at the back of unwary Black Ajah channeler, he saw sparks flying across the stone floor. The sparks and the humming noise in the air crossed the opening that Durent, Firredal and Aynaiss barely escaped through... and Thepon had only a moment to leap forward... out of harms way.

However, by a ufortunate twist of fate, he stumbled and almost fell... eyes widening in shock. No pain registered in his mind when Death passed over him... and he was torn to shreds.

A moment after two Warders fled the Hall of Sitters on the heels of the future M'Hael, Amora Sedai visibly winced at the sudden spray of flesh and blood that splattered against her shield. There was no thought as she extended her arms, and with it, the circumphrence of the bubble that was her ward. It expanded like a flare of light in the darkness and encompased those nearest her. Grek and Elisabet. Their captive, however, was eaten savegly by the tempest of air that cut through bone. There was one ear-piercing scream of agony that filled the Hall, and echoed seconds after the weave dissipated.

The legendary sister's cool forest green eyes flickered over her son and young protector. Already the shards of invisible air whiplashed back upon their caster. But she did not release the tense breath held in her gut. Such shields could not stand up to the One Power indeffinetly. Too, hands of Spirit pried like talons at her own ward, burrowing in with frantic insanity. If she did not abandon her attempt to Shield Eya Sedai, her son would suffer, and with her own death, their House by extension.

So, she has decided to make it personal. Very well then.

Amora Sedai's emerald eyes narrowed at the slight. She did not appreciate the attack on her family. And the Hall rose in protest.

The subtle gems in Amora en'Damier Sedai's hair had not been tested before, only modified after her first assasination attempt. But she was an expert creator of objects of power, and had faith in her art. Now they glowed against raven black like stars in midnight sky. She drew through those points of light for the One Power it rushed through her mind like thin streams woven into a river. She shivered with the force, tempted by the power at the risk of stilling. Her arms were already outstretched, exposing the irridecent blue of her cloak. Now it fluttered with the urprising wind in a closed room.

First papers and quills, then lit candleabras, followed by burning logs from the hearths that warmed the Hall, all were wrenched from their carefully arranged places and hurled towards Eye "Sedai". First smaller objects hovered in the air, then ziped towards her with the force of arrows. Then larger objects like guilded Sitter's chairs that riped from the stone floors with loud CRACK after SNAP. They rose into the air towards the agent of the Prince of Darkness like tools of a poltregeist. Blue, Green, Yellow, Brown, Grey, White, Indigo flung themselves at the Black witch one after the other in an attempt to bury her in legislation. Even long meetings tables creaked against the floor with the speed of rolling wooden horses, toppling over themselves.

Kadar first looked about himself with horror before stealing himself into focus on the task at hand: smiting his promised darkfriend. He was dripping in Shienarean blood, yet he signaled Antar unphased to position himself opposite the witch. A trail of blood shaped in the image of footsteps remained in his stead. Apparently he and Antar both would close in from each side as she faced Amora Sedai, who directed objects around them as best she could. If Eya was not broken and buried in the debris of the Hall of Sitters, surely she would be too distracted to notice two swordsmen decending upon her like the hounds of death they were.

Yet there was something . . unplanned. From the corner of Amora Sedai's eye, she saw unfamilar weaves emminate from behind her. Apparently, the potted plants that had crashed against the stone floor against the Hall of Sitters with the force of a table rising to meet Eya's face began to shimmer with green Spirit. They grew and twined towards her across the cold grey floor. Elisabet was finally making herself useful.

The hurricane of blood and blades of Air had shrieked across the stone floor and claimed the lives of many, but Eya Grenwyne found that Amora Sedai held her ground against the onslaught. The wind of death passed over the sphere in a rain of sparks, and even the two swordsmen between the two Aes Sedai of Light and Darkness remained unscathed... a fate that Eya's daughter, Lady Coaána of House Grenwyne, did not share.

Eya, with her smile plastered animatedly on her face, saw her daughter torn to shreds of flesh, bone and cloth. The high-pitched scream resounded against her, washed over her lake a wave, but she did not hear it. Her mind did not register the fate of her only child. All she saw was the coming end. Ranno waited for her on the other side of the abyss between the world of the living and the land of the Great Lord. It was too bad Ranno would never father a child with her. But at least they would be together. What happened to my Coaána? Where did the traitorous girl go? It did not matter, she would be waiting for her there as well if she in fact had died.

Her attempts to penetrate Amora's protective shield failed too, but it did matter. She was just forced to use another weave of the Black Ajah to reach her. Eya did not even realise that the balance shifted from her favour in the time of a few heartbeats... so blinded was she by the prospect of serving the Great Lord of the Dark into her death, and to see Ranno again. The only thing she would ever regret was that she had not been able to kill the one responsible for his death in this world.

It was when the objects that littered the edges of the Hall began to fly against her that she became aware of the counter-attack. Her smile froze as it was, but her eyes widened. Raising her hands out to the sides, palms extended outward, she created a shield of Air that shivered with the impacts of furniture and burning logs. Quills and parchments fastened and matted themselves the invisible surface. The impacts made the fabric of her weave buckle in and shiver, but it held her safe to begin with.

It was during those moments that her grey eyes fell upon the Ward she had placed upon the symbol of two tears. The Ward was still active, even though she had not been able to cloak it form the eyes of other Aes Sedai. As it was, the Ward was useless, for it was no way it would pass unnoticed before a session held in the Hall. Her mission there had failed the moment she had been interrupted. Now she found herself attacked by objects of which there were no weaves to sever, and she faced the possibility of defeat. It would be a shame for such a masterpiece as the Ward she had studied months to create become lost... become unravelled without ever showing the world its fearsome potential. No, even if the Sitters and Ajah Heads of the Hall will not be killed by it, I will make sure it will taste its share of blood.

Her eyes lifted to Amora's again, and her insane smile was radiant again. "She comes, she comes!" she screamed at the top of her lungs into the dome of the Hall... citing the ceremonial words that had opened sessions there for countless decades. In time with her words, the Ward began to shift and turn where it lay like a big jellyfish of threads. Yes! she thought like she addressed a pet, that's right, come on... She did not concentrate on the shield of Air that protected her from the debris flung at her. It did not matter. She was going to take her own life along with the survivors inside the Hall.

Yet she had to suffer for her nonchalance. A silver-tipped quill pierced through a soft spot in the shield and embedded itself in her thigh. Eya clenched her teeth hard and forced the pain away from her mind. She could not let pain get in the way for her channeling. Any Accepted knew how to neglect pain in order to channel. She continued with a sure voice, even though she did not stand upright anymore. "The Flame of the Grey Tower!" The call made the Ward levitate from the ground, the threads it was made of coiled angrily like a cloud of snakes... faster and faster. She did not even notice how the two swordsmen fanned out on each side of her.

Feeling complete, Eya opened her mouth to say the final words. Ranno, here I come my love. Be ready to embrace me!

But her shield gave out before any sound of her lips came, the strain was too great and her focus upon the weave to small. A chair hit her across her back and she lost her footing. She still managed to keep a hold of saidar somehow, but only until a burning log connected against her shoulder. Her dress caught fire and she rolled to the side. The One Power left her then, when she was disorientated and aflame. But she did not have to hold the Source to trigger the Ward. She rose hurriedly to her knees again and threw her arms out as if to embrace the dead Sa'ji'alantin she longed for.

Time distilled into fragile moments, and she closed her eyes. "The Amyrlin Se..!"

She did not know what stopped her from completing the final word, for she was already gone from the world before she realised what had happened.

Chapter Five: Where the Ripples End
~Ripple One: Meanings
~Ripple Two: The Hall
~Ripple Three: Decisions
~Ripple Four: The Messenger
~Ripple Five: Shadow
~Ripple Six: The Clawstone
~Riple Seven: The Claw Stone Aftermath
~The Final Ripple

Return to the Ripples Intro