Ripple One: The Grand Hall
written by Ashfalcon, Saphire en'Damier, Amora en'Damier, and Beatrise (NPC)

In the Grand Hall, the roar of the crowd reached its apex when the officers finally gave their speeches at the top of the stairs. All but the Gaidin Captain, who had vanished from their midst. As it were, it was unsure if they would deliver the harsh truth or try to cover the events with a sugarcoating of half-truths. Would they try to calm each and everyone by fooling them that the Shadow was no more among them? Would they say that something like this would not happen again? Could the young members of the Tower handle the truth? Could the truth be afforded to come out? What would happen to the reputation of the Grey Tower in the eyes of the courts of all Nations? How much could they afford to say?

In either case, they spoke of victory and the means to it, of bravery and sacrifice, and maybe even of the threat that still hung over them all. Below them, the survivors from the battle stood silent during the speeches, hearing the words with a more intimate knowledge of the truth or maybe even the falseness behind them. When the speeches were over, the crowd lingered for some time before it dissolved. Heated discussions broke out about the future, and how they could prevent this day from repeating itself. Those who had fought were questioned by Aes Sedai and new recruits alike, and all the time, people looked over their shoulders, wondering if the danger was really over.

Ashfalcon walked through the crowds, acknowledging the ones who greeted him. The Bond told him that Talia Sedai was safe, though she had felt the conflict earlier. Among Aiel, this would be a time to celebrate: the battle was over, and won. There would be other battles, and there was always danger, but that changed nothing.

The Warder Officers had explained their discoveries, sharing their understanding of the events that had occurred this day - including the battle outside his office. Of the man who had led that attack, and died in the attempt, he still knew very little. Another darkfriend, another member of the Black Ajah. How many more? When the Last Battle comes, how many will we face? A faint smile touched his lips. We have thinned their numbers, at least.

He needed to be here - to see, and be seen. It was a risk - the Shadow might still have agents waiting - but necessary all the same. The Tower needed to see that its M'hael was undamaged and unafraid. And when this is done, I need to spend a very long time with my wife.

It had been a long and trepedatious journey back. Sister Beatrise had still been too worn to weave a gateway back to the Tower, even one small enough for the highest ranking to return and check the state of the Tower. Had the collapsed tunnel haulted the shadowspawn bent on invading the Tower? Were there other similar attacks? Had Saphire not been so exhausted from her battle for the sky, and the resulting search for the leader and Miahala had cast into the tempest, she would have heeled her borrowed steed in a sprint back to the Tower with her Warders in her wake. Instead, she had settled for a fast walk back to their home, trailed with injured soldiers, none the least the Gaidin Captain.

"Caden!" Saphire had broken her careful climb down the side of the mountain overlooking the battlefield when she saw the Gaidin Captain. Last she had seen him, was a quick passing glance as she was led up towards the Executive Council for questioning of the incident she haad caused that day, seeing him alive and well. Now he was half-burnt and looked half-dead. Uncharacteristic of an Aes Sedai, she gripped his shoulder familiarly. "Burn me, what happened to you?? I thought I stuck my head in a noose to save you from burning, how did you manage to unweave balefire?!"

There were hasty explanations before she had been appraised of the situation. Her Ajah Head, Miahala Sedai, slumped with more exhaustion than could have been caused by the battle. Yet a familiar Sister, Beatrise Sedai, stood upright if worn. The Amyrlin Seat too, Leanna Sedai, Saphire's step-mother stood by the Gaidin Captain. Saphire swallowed, the reminder that she yet had a crime to answer for. Neilan in the shadows of the Captain's melted cloak, in the en'Damier livry! She cursed vehemently, what had she missed?

Impatiently, Saphire had waited for the Captain, Sister Beatrise, and the others to return from their search. Saphire had never seen the face of the man she and Miahala had smote, but she was certain he was dead, and that was enough to satisfy her. Now they approached the Tower. It loomed like dark column against the setting sun, basked in golden orange and blood red. They were victoreous, but had the war been won?

It was some time later, after the speeches, the questions, the tending of mild wounds, when the crowd mingled. Saphire's emerald eyes searched the crowd until she found someone familiar. She inclined her head to her Warders and wove through the packed people until she found an old friend, the once Third Sitter of the Green Ajah.

"Ash," she began, recalling how he avoided titles, but she could not avoid the nod of respect. "you look preoccupied. Do not tell me you are thinking of papers when you should be thinking of celebration. We have won."

"I completed the task, everything you asked."

Beatrise bowed her honey-colred head before Amora Sedai. The crown of her head was badly frazzled, her face and arms still bandaged, and dress torn in places. In a small clearing in the Blue Courtyard she held the somewhat blood-stained scroll to the hooded figure. "Everything I could. Captain Ives lives, but his face is scarred, just as you predicted." If only Elisabet Sedai had come. But then, who would have unwoven the pattern in the Hall of Sitters? "I brought him, several Trainees, and even the Amyrlin Seat, to the Claw Stone where Sister Saphire among others had won. "Your daughter is quite the warrior. She burnt the Dawn of Blood alive in his own skin and cast him up into the sky."

Amora Sedai too appeared weathered. Her breath came slow, and a deliberate hole had punctured through her best cloak. Grek still stood by her side, watching the rooftops. Kadar had immediately fled upon the arrival of so many channelers, and Elisabet had made her pardon to attend the safety of the Infirmiry.

Amora Sedai's cool composure regarded Beatrise as if weighing her sucess and failure. "Are you certain he is dead? Are you certain that was his body?"

Ashfalcon smiled. "Saphire. It pleases me that you still live." He paused, well aware that others would likely be listening to them, and that any listeners would attach extra weight to his words. "I am pleased with our victory. I only worry at the amount of... activity... we have seen." The kidnappings were some time ago, but I do not forget... and Talia and I have children now. How long until they become targets? "Celebrate. All other things can wait."

Epilogue: Beneath the Surface
~Ripple One: The Grand Hall
~Ripple Two: The Infirmiry
~Ripple Three: The Final Truth
~Ripple Four: A New Council Forms
~Ripple Five: The Ball of Raisings

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