Ripple Seven: The Claw Stone Aftermath
written by Caden Ives, Leanna Lisette Demodred, Neilan Davram, Miahala Sha'hal, Negrath Devir, Kile Durann, Bassal Toram, Saphire en'Damier, Leisha Lukonia, Kira al'Haram, Janis Tearsin, and Shyne

When the doorway which represented their escape appeared, Caden Ives swung his head around where he stood... leaning against the entrance of the tunnel... to face the horde of trollocs that would come through the opening soon. His Gaidin-eyes, though he only had one left now, made out the moving shapes in the darkness. It is to late, we won't make it. The shadowspawn were right upon them.

Mind fogged heavily by pain, he saw how the Black Powder came into place and were lit. "Now!" screamed Beatrise Sedai over the thunderous claps of chain mail and plated boots. The Gaidin Captain pushed himself upright and staggered towards the doorway, following the fatigued Aes Sedai. But the trollocs came, and Caden had to face them or receive a sword in his back. With a grating roar, he whirled about and cleaved the skull of a shadowspawn, almost loosing his own footing in the forceful momentum.

The other Trainees fought bravely... Kile Durann, Nykolai Deoddyn, Janis Tearsin, Negrath Devir, Bassal Toram, Dax Pohgi and Neilan Davram, together with the channeling-prevented Amyrlin Seat, Lieutenant Wilhielm and the remaining Tower Guard, they all made a solid stand against the onslaught for a few valiant moments. Moments when the fuses burned brightly. The Gaidin Captain was the last line of defense for Leanna, protecting her beyond the limitations of his present state.

Yet they did not hold, and among others, Beatrise was injured while they gradually fell back. Then, the Skim shivered after the blow had fallen. Caden recived a long cut over his shoulder and the black wings of death flapped in his peripheral vision.

Only then, Caden heard Lieutenant Wilhielm scream "Guards! By the Light and our hope of salvation, hold them back!" The Lieutenant plunged forward together with the armoured men of the Tower Guard and made a wall of dancing steel blades. Turning his head, the Borderlander met the eyes of those he were to save and knuckled a bloody gauntlet to his head. "For the Grey Tower! For the Amyrlin Seat!" he shouted as he turned his back, and his men took up the call. One by one died even before the call faded.

Their sacrifice would be one similar yet more acute than Luantar cen Thaal's, and remembered in great reverence. Caden would have stayed with them, but his Aes Sedai Leanna would still need his protection. Gripping her arm he whirled about and shouted in his torn voice; "Warders-to-be," he lunged for the doorway with his love held before himself, "Escape!"

They came though, but before the opening vanished, the explosion came and Caden was thrown forward, but his body protected Leanna, and the pain was no greater than he already felt. His single green eye saw Neilan Davram save Beatrise from falling of the Skimming platform, and then the door snapped shut behind them, leaving them in utter silence. Only Dax Poghi could not be found among the faces he saw as he pushed himself up on his arms, helping Leanna to her feet. Peace favour his soul, thought Caden, even though it was no certainty that the young man had died.

"Come," breathed Beatrise, "there is much to explain on the other side. I do not think I can hold this pinch of the pattern for long . . ." And the platform began to move forward, gliding through the darkness outside time and space.

Caden leaned on his blade, his respiration hoarse and his face clenched against the pain. He did not speak, he did not hear, he just had to know that the battle by the Claw Stone had not been lost. He acknowledged no one, not even Leanna. His good eye was motionless.

In a few moments, the platform arrived at an opening, and Caden staggered forward again, like a statue come-alive. Together with the rest, they stood in a battlefield of ashes and corpses, with rain pouring down over them. It was hard to make out anything, and he could not determine which side had won, until he litfted his scared face...

Fear seized Leanna's heart as the trollocs appeared. She had her dagger out in an instant, but she doubted it would do her little good. Saidar was still beyond her reach, and she positioned herself behind her Warder and the other trainees. The trollocs overcame them quickly, and the cries of those injured rose in the air.

Her own dagger flew through the air, and it landed with a loud thunk into the arm of a trolloc. If it hadn't been for Caden, fighting beyond his apparent capabilities, she would have been killed, if not only seriously wounded. As it was, she didn't earn a scratch.

When the guards surged forwards shouting their battle cries, Leanna's heart went out to them. The words, "For the Grey Tower! For the Amyrlin Seat!" rang in her ears as Caden suddenly gripped her arm, guiding her. They were headed for the doorway when the explosion thundered behind them. Flying fowards, Leanna let out a scream. She felt Caden against her back, and the pain he felt surged through the bond.

The doorway behind them shut, and as Leanna straightened, she saw Beatrise Sedai nearly fall, only to see strong hands grip her, pulling her back onto the platform. Her blue eyes followed the arms to the body and to the face of her son, Neilan Davram. For the first time in her life, she saw her late husband, her late Warder shine through his face. His dark curls had grown, matching the length of hair is father had. His face was filthy, and he had blood stains on his uniform. She turned away, not wanting anger to seethe inside of her. When she met up with Amora Sedai . . .

Shaking herself from those thoughts, she turned to Caden. The Gaidin Captain leaned on his blade, and she winced at the sight of him again. She turned, staring out across the nothingness as they traveled on the platform. He had withdrawn into himself, and she decided to wait for him to come back out. Somehow, between now and then, she would have to come to grips with what had happened to him.

***

Neilan's blade was drawn, and it sliced through the air and against the blades of the trollocs as they poured forth. Sweat broke out across his forehead, beads of it trickling down his cheeks. He took injuries, slices across his left arm, down his right leg and a blow to his head would produce a swollen eye. He fought with the other trainees and Caden Ives, and flinched when a dagger flew by his head, landing in the arm of a trolloc.

The guard rushed forwards, raising cries for the Tower and the Amyrlin. He very nearly rushed forward himself, caught up in the middle, when he saw Caden's large hands, gripping his mother's arm and heading for the doorway into the world Beatrise Sedai had opened. He dropped back, rushing through the doorway and onto the platform. Caden and his mother came falling through as the firesticks exploded and the doorway winked closed.

Beatrise Sedai waivered and started to fall, and he reached out with both his hands, his sword clattering to the floor of the platform and seized her. He guided her back, refusing to look into the nothingness below. He didn't say a word, and crouched to retrieve his sword. Pain crept through his body, but he wasn't in danger of dying. His face clenched as he stared at his wounds.

His blue eyes flickered over to his mother's, but she too, was staring off across the pinch in the Pattern. Caden Ives leaned against his sword, seeming lost in his own thoughts. Neilan's gaze was fixed on the scars and burnt flesh. One eye was gone, one ear melted against the side of his head. He wished he could say something. The man had kept his mother alive. He listened to Beatrise Sedai, and waited anxiously to arrive at the Claw Stone.

***

When the doorway opened to the battle at the Claw Stone, they all stepped out, surely looking wearied and torn apart. Corpses were littered everywhere and rain was falling from the sky. The storm seemed to be ending, and Leanna's eyes immediately began searching for Saphire Sedai and her daughter, Kylara Sedai. She wanted to see her daughter alive, and then somehow, she had to save her once step daughter from a fate worse than death.

When the beastial faces came into view and the Guards rushed forward to meet them it was a frighteningly amazing sight. The pure loyalty and valor to do such a thing against so many foes was miraculous, but these men took it for granted. To die for the light was duty to them.

Before Kile could run though a wickedly hooked axe tore at him from the darkness. He drew and swung his sword, but being as it was already broken it merely deflected the axe inches or so. The pain in his right side was tremendous. He could feel the warm wetness run down his waist and leg, but the adrenaline and the Void conquered the pain. Stabbing into the dark he was rewarded by a trolloc scream, he was about to launch himself in for another attack when he heard the shouts. He ran as fast as his broken body would take him and barely caught the skim as it began to move. Kile looked around at the men on the platform floating in the neverending darkness and began looking for the men placed inder his command. All were present with exception to Dax. He said a silent prayer for the man and then he saw Caden. He was horribly burned, and seemed at the point of shock, but Kile was silent as they left the skim and stepped onto the battlefield. He raised his broken blade to the ready but there were no adversaries to fight.

His blade had been out and chopping almost before his concious mind had registered the hostile motion coming through the opening...
As he fought, his mind went perfectly blank for the first time in his life. There was only the blade and its intended destinations...and what destinations; he hardly needed to aim to wound or kill. By some miracle, he managed not to cause harm to his companions...prevented it, on a few occasions, but never caused it.
He was part of a united front, a line that were not to be broken...but one that could not stand.
Astounded out of his newfound void by the sacrifice of the guards, he was barely aware that his body turned at Caden's call, was curiously confused at the rush of relief that flooded his system at being allowed to get away, and was a casual observer to his appointed defendee being rescued from an eternal fall by another.
Gaze moving blankly over those left, he found he had nothing to say...and once again, his mind was empty, but for the nagging awareness of a mulitude of protests from aching joints, burning cuts, and pulsing bruises.
Moving forward to step off the platform again, he nearly fell, only catching himself by throwing the other foot forward, regaining balance.
More carefully, he followed the others through the new portal, into a scenario that surely were listed among the many stations toward the Dark One's victory.
Seeing women, Aes Sedai to be precise, he reckoned that at least it was a dead end.
He locked his legs, and resheathed his blade to cross his arms across his chest. Thusly in a semblance of overall balance, he stood silent, waiting to be given something to do...though he was hoping to be given some sort of help first; some of those protests were beginning to get rather intense...

Beatrise reached for Negrath, who had helped her travel thus far through their quest of peril and pain. They stumbled out of the gateway onto a battlefield littered with corpses. Man, horse, Trolloc, wolf, Fade, intermingled like fallen dangers of death. They were all burned and quenched regardless. Thankfully, Beatrise released saidar and the Skim snapped shut behind them. Their party, now more than doubled, blinked in the dusky rain. They were too late to help, the battle was over. It was done.

But who won?

Beatrise blinked through sweat, rain, and exhaustion. She glaced right and left. Her honey hair hung in strands plastered to her face. She felt the sharp dull pain of of a slash across the back of her shoulder, but she was too tired to be concerned. Hazy figures surrounded them, far fewer than she would have expected. Where had the Tower Guard gone? Dimly she recognized the Amyrlin Seat and Captain Ives standing side-by-side. "We need to find the Light's remaining forces." she spoke softly, but did not know if they heard, or only Negrath who held her upright. Beatrise's head nodded in near-sleep, and she foced it on one jolt upright. "There is much to explain, the Dawn of Blood is here . . ."

And with the only explanation for why she had brought them here of all places, the Blue Sister's body quit, and pllumetted into a temporary sleep. Without a Warder to lend endurance, she slumped slowly to the ground like a puppet who's strings had been severed. Her knees no longer held her upright. Her energy was spent.

The screams and calls of the beastly horde coming at them echoed of the walls. Bassal fought with the strength he had left pain covering his body as weak muscles kept up the fight until he had nothing left. Try as he may he took injuries the cutting blades of the Trollocs scoring hits every so often. He was filled with a calm assurance that they couldn't win, they would fight but they couldn't keep it up not against this horde.

As he took another trolloc in the throat something happened he wasn't expecting a cry rose from the Tower Guards in the group as the rushed forward into the horde. The brave fools he was ready to join the rush when another call struck his ears "Warders-to-be, Escape." He gritted his teeth not liking to leave the men to die but understood that if he stayed their sacrafice would be for naught so he turned and made his way to the doorway. The shockwave of the explosion that soon followed threatened to throw himoff his feet but he managed through sheer will to stay upright and turn to see the doorway closing. His eyes scanned those on the platform and he noticed only one face missing, that of Dax and he cursed himself but not knowing trully why. He heard a voice again but couldn't comprehend it his mind flooding with thoghts and feelings but he felt the platform move.

When they arrived at another opening Bassal stepped forward and out, onto what seemed to be a slaughtering field, the smell of burned flesh came readily to his nostrils and he ashes and corpses littering the ground was the first thing his eyes took note of. Light what had happened? He stood unable to speak his strenght wavering even more, he swayed slightly but stood his ground waiting for orders.

Aching exhaustion crept in an upward charging formation through the taught muscles of Miahala's body. Not a single nerve kept from reverberating from it. A wash of fading smoke wafted by her on the retreating breeze as her eyes fell upon the scene. Darkened mounds glistened blackly across the ground, from their feet to where their eyes could not reach. Mia's shoulders heaved forward in a sigh, a sigh for what had been done and accomplished that day, but also for the fact that she did not feel ill at this sight.

She had never been the typical girl, squeamish at the sight of things 'unlady-like', but even the most hardened of souls may have felt some sickness at this, however she realized that she did not. She was too hard for that now. For what was, was no longer.

She stepped out of the 'channeling alcove' that had been created while the Aes Sedai fought their desperate battle for the sky. She did cry, though, inside herself for those warriors of the light who had this day lost their lives for that devotion. She ran a trembling hand, trembling for her fatigue, over her forehead and hair - the latter broken loose in a heavy, auburn cascade down her back for its effort and the brief rain that had trailed upon them, and the former sticky with sweat. Yes, even Aes Sedai...

A part of her noticed Saphire moving off and meeting with Sigmund Gaidin and the Gaidar Leisha Lukonia. She would have to thank them later, else Mia might have had a Fade's blade in her back, if not for the efforts of those Gaidar and Gaidin and those training to be. Nothing could have made her admire and appreciate the Yards more, for her life lived, but that was something she'd never forget. She added them to her memory's list of others she'd fought side by side with, would never forget and could never thank enough... She gave an approving nod and smile towards them, although she did not think they would see her. The smile was tinted by sadness for another thought on Saphire, but she had fought bravely and strongly, and for that alone, Mia would do all that she could when the time came... But for now, she would let all remain in this moment.

She stepped up next by Shyne and Kira, she believed she had heard their names were, although she did not know them. She smiled a small smile as she passed them, "You both fought well and your wolves were well met. I wish I could offer you the power of healing, but I am far too spent. However, you've earned a friend in the Green Halls." She smiled faintly again and gave a deep nod before moving off.

This battle had come upon them with such swiftness, that no preparation had been allowed. In the back of her mind, she sought out Toseth. He would be trying to find her, although with little luck. She would have some apologizing to do, but they both knew now that she was not an easy bond to keep... Didn't mean she wouldn't have to apologize yet. She smiled faintly for it, though, for she did not mind.

She began to move forward with slow grace, stepping around the rocky ground. She was taking a wide surveyance when a shiver rippled through her body and she saw the channeling. The storming wind was dying away, but one last effort on its part slapped her hair from her face.

She hardly noticed.

From a small distance, she watched her near-sister and near-nephew, Caden Gaidin and others she knew not well, all but stumble forward through the doorway in space and air. She almost wept outwardly for the sight of them. "Kyalara!" she called, her Saldean accent lying heavily on her words for how tired she was. After all these years, her homeland did not leave her. She cast a glance over her shoulder to find her Green Sister. She knew what mothers were like.

She also walked to them. Grateful to see them all alive. Her blue-green eyes shone intensely for the emotion hidden there within as she walked up, a slow follower to her Green Sister, of course. She knew what daughters were like. She knew her own, however, were both far from the Tower, and her songs as well. Stepping up, she kept apart yet near this group. She smiled that small smile, just for the sight of them. Her eyes fell upon Caden, with well concealed surprise that had not noticed earlier. Inwardly, she sighed, for he would have a hard road to travel, and she would know. Saving that thought for a future time, however, she moved forward again in to the group, to see them more and to speak with them...

Caden's good eye caught motions on the furthest side from the Claw Stone, and he guessed that the rest of the Grey Tower's forces were there. Have we really won? He swung around to face the trainees he had brought. With shaking hands, he sheathed his blade. The rain had seized to fall, and the winds no longer helped to keep the stank of death away. "Trainees, find commander Norén al'Thanell. He has physicians who can... stitch your wounds and give you water... I hardly think there are many channelers around who can Heal the whole lot of you after a battle such as this. Feel free to ask if you find anyone here though. You all did well, and you deserve your rest. You are all dismissed."

His single eye wandering over the corpses around him, his pain-stricken glare fell upon Miahala Sedai as she approached the group that had arrived from the Skimming portal. Then Beatrise said that the Dawn of Blood was present, and Caden's Domani anger flared. The Dedicated who had burned him was the Dawn of Blood, and Caden would definitely know him by sight. Yet Beatrise Sedai sank into unconsciousness, her body barely supported in time by Negrath Devir before it reached the ash and blood covered ground. The trainee was not even coherent enough to lower her into a more comfortable position.

Inclined to act, Caden straightened himself. He almost fell from the sudden movement, but he managed to keep his footing and pointed with his free hand towards the Green Ajah Head, "Heal her if you can, please, she has more to say," he rasped thickly, "Also, what happened? Did we won? Where is the Dawn of Blood? I need to see the body!"

When the Gaidin Captain dismissed them Kile snapped to attention and saluted before looking up into the sky. Shaking his head he decided that it was still the same late afternoon. The broken ribs in his side ached like nothing he'd ever felt, but the cuts all over his body were already dried of blood and they would heal with time. He thought of just going right back to the Tower, but mention of water had made him realize how dry his throat was. He stumbled off in the direction of the rim of the valley, looking for Commader al'Thanell.

It was over.

The Tower had been ripped apart from foundation to peak, painted with the blood of friend and foe alike, attacked by the very forces of darkness, and had almost succumbed to the onslaught. But, after all that, it was finally over.

Jan had been in battles before, had lived his life as a mercenary for many years, so he knew what battle was. But this... This had gone beyond anything he had ever seen. Even as Caden dismissed them all, he felt a cold hand grip his heart. Light, he had come so close to death, had come so close to losing himself and his home. And even as it stood now, he had lost many of his friends in that fight.

Jan could do nothing, could feel nothing, nothing except a cold realization that all had changed. The Tower had been wounded by the Dark, had been hurt more than it ever had been. And, as Jan's gaze roamed around the bloodied fields, he made a solemn vow. It would never be hurt in such a way again.

Not if he had any say about it.

Mia took a deep breath, "I do not know if I can heal hear, Gaidin," she replied, "Half the damage of Earth and weather you see here was wrought by Channeling and I do not know if have the energy... but I will try." She took a deep breath and walked over to the woman, kneeling before her and taking a expansive look, speaking again though her eyes were on her fellow Sedai, "We have won the day, but I do now Know the Dawn of Blood but as a strong male channeler that took both Saphire Sedai and myself to win our storm from," she replied and then embraced Saidar and put her hands on Beatrise's fave, channeling the weaves of healing...

...Moments later, Mia pulled back, shaking all over and with tears lining her eyes from the sheer energy she pulled through and from herself that had not been there to pull. She refused to let her head hang, but her chest heaved with deep breaths as she waited to see if her feeble healing had taken.

Hearing the captain dismiss the lot of them, Negrath turned his head to look at him, then down at Beatrise. Not yet. Not for many days yet. Not until things were back to a touch of normalcy. Then he would consider himself permitted to relax properly. Until then...
Observing Mia give an attempt at calling 'his' channeler back to conciousness, he shifted his gaze back to Beatrise, waiting along with the other woman, even as an impulse worked its way to execution. Soon enough, he knew he'd gather the worn-out 'messenger' into his arms in preparation for taking her elsewhere. Whether he'd manage was another question...so he could only hope the other woman had it in her to get the lady on her feet. He could accept the role as support, so long as he wasn't made to carry her full weight. Already he longed for a chance to detach his swordbelt from his uniform.

Hearing Caden's voice snapped Bassal to alertness again, and the first thing he noticed was his sword was still drawn. With a grimace he smoothly sheathed his sword and turned to the Gaidin Captain at attention as saluted.

Bassal's eyes scanned the area quickly and noticed Kile walk of in the direction of the Valley, so he shrugged and followed suit. The pain in his face was subsiding, but it was probabley just going numb,and his muscled still throbbed but he ignored the pain and walked on.

As he had thought, the Healing had helped little. From what he understood, it was very likely that he added stress of recceiving the attempt had, if anything, made sure the woman remained unconcious.
"I am sorry you wore yourself out or nothing." he grated, unceremoniously hoisting Beatrise up into his arms, wavering slightly as he adjusted to the weight, then added, in a voice that belied his return to an fragile Void; "Can you point me to some place I might put her down on a more appropriate surface? Quickly, if you please."

"I am sorry you wore yourself out or nothing." Beatrise heard herself addressed dimly in the distant black fog of dreamless sleep, then abruptly she felt herself moved, and heard the Trainee who had accompanied her address someone else. "Can you point me to some place I might put her down on a more appropriate surface? Quickly, if you please."

Her blonde eyelashes fluttered open, first to the face of Negrath, then her head rolled to take in the others. Captain Ives, several lingering Trainees, and . . Sister Miahala?

She felt strength renewed in her limbs and mind. Had she . . of course. "That will not be necessary, young man. But my thanks." Beatrise struggled to stand, only to find a burnt husk of a man beneith her feet. She found her footing before making a respectful bow of her head to the Ajah Head of the Green Ajah. By honour, she addressed her first. "It is an honour to have been healed by you, Sister." Beatrise spoke with reference, and her eyes littered the field. "If I am not mistaken, the battle is won. But by whome?"

Beatrise clasped the scroll that had somehow remained in her grip even in the depths of a sleeping mind. She waited one moment as others arrived, Saphire Sedai, the First Green Sitter and Warder-Channeler Representative among them. She bore dark circles beneith her eyes. But it was the tired way in which that woman of steel bore herself that informed Beatrise that it had been no easy batttle. Her attention was drawn to the Captain who assumed a leader's role despite his half-dead state. "It it urgent we locate the Dawn of Blood. Surely it must have been an epic struggle to have defeated him this day, but he may yet survive and plot. I have his likeness in my hand. Captain? Sisters? If you would lead the way, I will follow, and we can end this day of blood."

Together they all made their way to the foot of the Claw Stone, Caden limping along with a determined glare in his eye. It took them a while to find the body among boulders and gravel, but when they began to think it was impossible, they stumbled upon it by chance. The body lay sprawled across what had been the thumb of the Claw, but what was left was no more than a torched carcass of roasted flesh and burned clothing. At the collar, a melted sword-pin was fastened, and it could be established that it had been a Dedicated's coat.

Caden looked at the sword-pin before turning to walk away. "It is him," he rasped with fortitude, "The man who burned me was the Dawn of Blood, and he was a Dedicated." He walked back towards the rest of the Tower's forces and the corpses of the battle paved each of his steps. He did not look back.

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