Fanfic:Dances of Wolves

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Dances of Wolves
Author(s)
  • Andrew
Character(s)
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The Summons

The time was early, unsuitably so for most of the denizens of the Grey Tower when all was considered impartially. Time was not a factor for wolves, though, who lived in the present rather than the past or the future. Oh, they had memories, very long memories indeed, and impressions of ages gone and disappeared into the weaving of the pattern. For the most part they were simplistic creatures, concerned with current situations and needs. This was not to say that they were stupid, far from it Amelia had learnt. For when living in the here and now one could not be bothered by any of the 'what ifs' or the 'what will happens'. It was a truly tranquil way of living, which was possessed of fundamentally impractical connotations within human life.

Good thing I do no be entirely human then Amelia thought to herself as she sat in the Warder Yard's courtyard, her single golden orb glowing in the moonlight as the fake one of the same colour shimmered with a duller shade due to the shadows behind it.

No, she had learnt that in the small hours of the morning, when others chose to sleep, it was far more worthwhile to awake and relax, contemplating nothing but being alive. There was no fresher medicine and no better solution for the stressors of un-necessary human considerations. Soon she would change her mindset and walk within that world once more, but for now she enjoyed the feel of the breath in her lungs, the scents of morning dew collecting and the sound of faintly trickling water in the distance.

Crunch

The soft sounds of walking footsteps briefly broke her from her peaceful reverie, dragging her upwards from her tranquil state and into a reality she was not currently wishing to visit. She shrugged it off, telling herself that it was merely someone sneaking back to their quarters after a night at the ales of Hama Valon. It was usual for her to notice several such instances at this time in the morning, the sun not yet up and thus providing perfect clandestine cover, and yet late enough that it was a surety that merry times had occurred. Her eyes closed once more, her breathing returning to its deepest.

"Ahem," came the sound, from a throat this time and specifically designed to bring her attention to bear, "Amelia Freintas, an urgent message has arrived for you. To be seen to immediately and to be obeyed to the letter" the man, a Gaidin she reasoned from his bearing and stature, informed her as he passed her a small scroll.

She sighed and heaved herself up from her prone position, to her feet, and received the preferred scroll in her right hand before taking a look at the seal that held it closed rigidly. It was that of the Master of Arms, the first one they were taught to recognize in the Yards, even before being taught the use of weapons and the knowledge of tactics. Discipline was valued far higher than those trivialities. She broke it open carefully, not daring to break the seal, though it seemed a foolish thing to be concerned of. Still, small things were golden comforts to be embraced. She read it out lud to herself.

"Ji'dar Amelia Freintas. You are to accompany the bearer of this missive in humility and honour. Your presence is needed immediately for a most sensitive matter. You are forbidden to ask questions or talk of this to anyone. Obedience is to be immediate. Master of Arms" she finished, her brow furrowing as she read onwards, confusion setting in.

"Follow me," the Gaidin indicated, turning on his heel immediately and without a backwards glance. He knew she would obey the word of the Master of Arms. It was either that or be skinned alive by him.

He led her, through corridors and causeways, streets and courtyards, towards their final destination. He was quick, light on his feet and silent as he grave. He held as much warmth and compassion as the cold gruel served as rations to prisoners. There was not a backwards glance, a sudden twitch of interest, nothing. He was implacable and resolute in doing his duty. He would deliver her to where she was supposed to be and then forget her in a moment afterwards. She was of no import to him, and less to anything else. So she could not help but wonder upon why she had been summoned. They arrived, by the virginal light of dawn, into the Channelling Yards, the only occupants present apart from one other, a woman.

That do be an Aes Sedai she thought to herself, incredulity continuing to mount up with every strange activity.

As she came to a stop a shimmering light appeared in front of them all and a Gateway rippled into being, solid and bright as a spectre, its pale grey colour at once both blinding and yet dulled. She wondered if all things woven of the One Power were possessed of such contradictions. She looked from the Gaidin to the Aes Sedai and they both merely pointed to the new construct. She tilted her head, shook it silently and stepped forwards. There was no other option other than to hope that she was not about to be killed by something she did not understand in the slightest. As she put her boot through the horizon rippled, sucked in upon itself and gently pulled her into it, facilitating the rest of her journey.

The light became iridescent, brighter than the sun and especially blinding, painful to her wolfkin eyes. It began in a flash, and ended just as quickly. She heard the rushing of wind and could only presume that the Gateway has shut behind her, abandoning her in whatever place she was now in.

The Meeting

Open your eyes Sister, you have nothing to fear when I am with you came the thought pulse from Howler, jerking her eyelids open with shock and yet filling her with relief at a solid presence at the same time. She had been wondering where he had gotten to this day as he usually whiled away the mornings sitting with her under the sky and debating whether he was hungry enough to merit hunting.

How did you be getting here Brother? I did not be hearing anything from you about this! she asked him, a hint of reproach entering her voice as she fully opened her eyes and took the time to take a long look around where she had been transported to. So far it looked a little pointless on the whole. She had taken from the Grey Tower to a small, dark room somewhere else.

They told me not to tell you, a wolfkin came to make sure. They said you would no longer be part of the pack of the place of stone if I did. I could not betray a member of the pack. They took your claws he finished, informing her much more than that with his thought and impressions of memory as they flowed into her mind's eye.

Her single eye moved to the table, her vision easily penetrating the gloom, her nose scenting a faint hint of mildew and damp. It gave her little information from which to reason out her location at present. The walls were solidly built of large stones, grey like the Tower's, though she was sure she was nowhere near where she had begun by now. She reached out her senses, searching for any hint of other wolves besides the two of them, trying to glean anything of import. There were some there, a long ways off she guessed from the strain it took just to sense them out. And they were drawing closer, but slowly and cautiously, as if careful not to disturb the land itself.

It is no use Sister, I have tried to find others of our kind, but they do not reveal themselves. They hide. It worries me, for what could cause wolves to tread lightly outside of the hunt? he asked her, and he was concerned, she could tell. She shrugged and tried not to think about that too much.

She set about keeping herself calm, trying to reassure Howler through her own actions, but she could sense he was still apprehensive. Wolves did not like to be cooped up after all, not to mention without knowing where they were or what purpose. Wolves were animalistic, but they were far from being soulless. The table contained all of her possession, besides her cloak - which she was already wearing. She slipped on her leather vambraces, pulling the thongs as tight as she could before knotting them and tucking the loose ends into the vambraces themselves. She tucked her knives into their locations in their ankle sheaths. The sword came next, the blade and its bandolier looped over her right shoulder so that it held in place upon her left hip. She checked her bow, testing the string for tension, and when finding it satisfactory clipped the quiver in place upon her right hip.

Next came her armour, what little of it she possessed. She had scrimped and saved, tried to find items from the armoury that were free and fit her, but she had come up with little still. However, it would be enough, she reasoned, or rather that it would have to be. It was all lightweight, as being an archer she needed to move fast and fluidly, without restriction of movement. Her boots were the ones she had been given so long ago, by the same love that had given her the bow with her last breath. Made of strong steel and hinged to provide flexibility, inlaid with leather and wool, they were both serviceable and comfortable. The only other item was the set of shoulder guards, mail overlaying hardened leather, the straps holding it in place as they twined around her chest. Gloves were there too, leather with small plates of steel upon them that allowed for movement, but some small protection. She had heard them called cestus, but she was not sure about the accuracy of that name. Still, she pulled them on, completing her preparations for whatever lay ahead.

We do be fine Brother, wolves do be survivors. We shall merely dance around our enemies, snapping at their heels until they are brought down for the kill she told Howler firmly, wishing she could send him some of the strength her training had instilled in her.

At that moment a door was opened to her right and bright light flooded in, signalling than at least an hour had passed. Either that or the light where she was usually was considerably brighter than that at the Grey Tower. She was inclined to think it was the former seeing as darkness usually threw off one's ability to guess at time. She had heard it did not affect the Sea Folk, but last she checked she was a simple Illianer woman. A man filled the doorway, nearly blocking out the first light they both had experience for some time.

"Come" he intoned severely, stepping aside and gesturing for them to follow, with an aside look at Howler at her ankles as if he did not trust him to not suddenly turn savage and rip out his throat. He certainly kept his distance as he led them both through a courtyard with a definitive martial aspect and into another, grander room.

Here stood five people, four of which she recognized immediately and gave the customary bows to, as tradition dictated. They were the Warder Council, her superiors and leaders in all things. To them she would owe her life and more, until she was Bonded, if that day ever came. The fifth figure was an Aes Sedai, one she did not recognize but was visibly of the Green Ajah and was certainly as comely as Amelia could ever have desired. She shook off those thoughts quickly and offered another bow for her before falling silent, awaiting whatever she had been summoned for. Her mind had now settled, almost sickeningly, upon the Test, the ultimate test that would either make her, or break her.

"Who comes before the Warder Council?" the Gaidin Captain intoned deeply, a wolfkin himself and his eyes sparkling slightly as he nodded at Howler beside her.

"I, Ji'dar of the Grey Tower come before the Council" she responded after taking a few moments to wet her suddenly dry throat with saliva. They, to a person all, nodded in unison. They had had little reason to suspect otherwise of course, but it was the tradition she had been taught by rote for just this occasion. The Master of training came forwards, Jip Gaidin she knew.

"You have trained in our ranks and have been deemed worthy of a final assignment," said the Master of Training. "Ji'dar," he continued, "you are called to prove yourself worthy of the fancloak in the wilds of the Blightborder. You have three chances to approach this task. If you choose to step down today, you may come before us twice more. Once you agree to continue your test, however, you may not turn back without immediate failure. Once you accept your test, you must complete the test or you will be put out of the Tower permanently. Do you wish to continue?" he asked her, his voice not the usual stutter she had been told he had. Obviously whilst on duty he was able to stop it somehow.

She took the time to think, sensing that they were allowing her to. The decision was not a light one to be taken without a second's thought. She could refuse, come back another time when she was fully prepared. She could die this day, failing to protect the Aes Sedai she had been trained to protect. She looked down at Howler and found herself worrying for him also, he could die this day too and it was down to her decision, this very moment. It felt like too much to handle, but a decision was required. She took a deep breath and hoped she was doing the right thing.

Wolves never run came the whisper from Howler. She could fancy seeing a small quirk to the Gaidin Captain's mouth afterwards.

"I do" she forced herself to say calmly and forcefully. They all nodded once more in unison.

"Return with some token of your struggle; do not return to this fortress until you can bring some proof of your protection before the Council," he says simply. "If you return without such proof, or if you fail in your protection of this Aes Sedai - if she falls under your defense - you will be put out of the Tower permanently." The Master of Training intoned once more.

She nodded in response, a short and curt affair. There seemed little else that she could do now.

"Light guide your sword, and may your test be one of enduring strength." Came the last words as the doors shut behind Amelia, Howler and the Aes Sedai.

With that Amelia was hustled towards the massive gates of the Citadel, given horses and provisions and put, out of the Citadel firmly, all without so much as a word. She stood there a few moments, silently still bewildered and pondering whether she had made the right decision.

The Journey

For a few moments Amelia was lost to the world, her mind lighting up and fired as if filled with lightning, blazing with thoughts and considerations that flew through her skull as if they were blurs, popping and disappearing before she could grasp on to them with an iron mental grip. They shone brightly before fading, almost instantaneously, until her mind was but a dull wilderness, a bar of lead of no little to no interest. The world, where it had been bright and colourful a mere heartbeat hence, now faded to a tasteless expanse of meaningless nothingness. The landscape was just the landscape now, and her brain felt heavier than she had remembered, the knowledge of what lay before her sinking in as a stone being dragged into a swamp. Howler nudged her knee lightly with the side of his face, brushing her to try and rouse her from her reverie.

"Perhaps we should be going, Ji'dar, before they assume your heart to have failed and courage to have left you" came the words from the Aes Sedai, penetrating the fog that had clouded her momentarily.

"Yes. Yes, Aes Sedai," Amelia responded slowly, taking a few moments to mount her gelding and settle into the saddle for the long ride. She looked down at Howler, whose tongue lapped out as his head tilted. He was mocking her in his own wolfish way. She poked her tongue out in return before setting her face in a pale imitation of those expressions she had seen other Gaidar use. The smirk on the Aes Sedai's face told her it was far from a perfect one.

"My name is Persephone Sedai, you may use that rather than Aes Sedai. You are here to protect me, to obey me in all things. I am not yet quite sure if you are up to it, but I shall leave off chastisement for now," she informed Amelia with a stern caste to her face, "we are tasked with tracking down and eliminating a party of Shadowspawn, of medium size. A raiding party that sacked a village nearby and kidnapped some of its inhabitants, in fact. We are to rescue them if we can, and if not to provide retribution for their infringement upon our territories" she finished, and set off at a gallop with not a backwards glance.

Seems like it do be a long journey indeed she communicated with Howler as he set off beside her, keeping some distance from her mount so as not to panic it.

Do not worry Sister, your brother is here to look after you. Just let me take the bigger prey he sent back before increasing his speed to begin scouting ahead of them.

Filthy hound! she sent him as he began to disappear, and she could feel his amusement even from that distance.

Amelia spurred her gelding onwards so that it increased its speed so that it came to be level to Persephone Sedai's so that they could communicate more easily if necessary. However, silence reigned most forcefully for the next hour or so as they made their way across the plains of grass, heading on a roughly north-westerly bearing Amelia judged from the position of the sun in relation to their direction of travel. Regardless, she took the time of silence to survey the horizon and attempt to penetrate their surroundings for any signs of danger. As all things went it was a rather boring beginning to her final test. Nothing but the grassy expanse, stretching into the distance and towards that Mountains of Doom, met her gaze. The occasional lone tree of small clump of foliage came and went, peacefully. It was a paradox to her mind, the fact that she was closer than ever to the Blight and yet it was so tranquil in nature. Still, she knew better than to let it lull her into a false sense of security.

That was why, another hour later, when midday had reached its end and the slow slip towards the dark twilight hours had begun, as they approached the burnt out remains of the village Persephone Sedai had informed him of she had her recurve bow out and an arrow nocked for any signs of aggression to be met with a swift arrow through its throat. The sight was one she had seen before in her short stint along the blightborder, so many years ago it seemed now. The mangled animals and the few bodies of those villagers whom had resisted hacked to pieces and left in the dirt. Window shutter were torn off their frames and homely objects were strewn out in the open. There was little point in mounting a search, for there was plainly nothing left living or which could aid them in any way.

"A cruel sight to see this close to the Citadel. They are becoming more daring as time marches onwards, drawing the Last Battle ever closer. But they will learn not to stand against the Grey Tower without punishment in turn" Persephone Sedai stated, heated anger lacing her voice now. It was the first thing she had spoken out loud, and it was strange to hear it was tinged with such emotion.

Sister! Their trail leads towards the peaks of stone. A Neverborn rides with them! The wolf pack we tried to contact, they are stalking them now and are wanting to rend the life from its body. They will wait for us to catch the, but not for long. Hurry! Howler pulsed at her, stronger than many he had sent her before, she thought, as it took her a moment to come back to herself, such was the urgency behind the sending.

"They will be punished Persephone Sedai, but they do no be here now. Howler says they be to the north of here, heading towards the Blight and the mountains. There do be a Neverborn with them, a Fade, be calling it" she informed the Aes Sedai quickly.

"Of course, you're a wolfkin. Well....let us ride then, to the hunt. How far are they do you know?" she asked her, a sliver of apprehension entering her voice, as if the sudden thought that Amelia was a wolfkin had disturbed her. Amelia shrugged it off, it no longer concerned her. Once it might have done, but now it was a constant companion, the dance of disgust she received from many. It was one of many dances she had become a professional at since her transformation.

"I do no be able to sense how far exactly, Persephone Sedai, but they do be close enough to be hunting them down. Closer to us than they be to the mountains, at least. We be able to catch them and be deciding how to crush them in an hour or two. Or at least, that do be what Howler do be thinking at the moment. Things may be changing" she stated simply, keeping emotions from her voice and trying to maintain the facade of being a fully fledged Gaidar.

"Then we should ride at a fast, but steady pace. We will rest the horses on the hour, every hour, until we catch them. When we do we will see about what is to be done. And," she paused, as if hesitant to continue, "I just wanted to say that so far you have been acceptable, Amelia Ji'dar" Persephone Sedai ringed out, though reluctantly, before setting off true to her words.

Amelia allowed a small smile to creep across her face, the first for some time and certainly the first since they had set out. To be told she was doing acceptably, though far from a compliment, filled her chest with a small smidgeon of pride. She squared her shoulders, tried to slap the veneer of stone across her countenance once more, and then set off behind her charge. She kept behind her slightly, remembering that if they were to encounter Trollocs then the Green would need to be able to see clearly to weave her ways into their mass. She kept up the steady but strong pace for roughly an hour as the sun began to sink in the sky, then walked them for around fifteen minutes or so before travelling at a gallop once more. As the sky was slowly becoming streaked with purple they finally caught up with their prey. In fact, they almost came upon them unawares, blundering through to them. If Howler had not sent Amelia a frantic pulse at that moment they would have.

Sister! They are but meters away, beyond the rise you are about to g over. Stop! Death by stupidity is not a good thing he veritably screamed at her, causing her mind to crumple a little under the onslaught.

"Stop" she hissed at Persehpone Sedai, whose face was a mixture of anger, worry and surprise.

"How dare you tell me wha-" she began, but Amelia cut her off testily.

"Howler says they are over this rise. If we just ride into them then we will both die" she snapped, massaging her temples with her free hand, the other having both the reins and her bow lodged within its grasp.

At that Persephone Sedai became deathly quiet, grabbing the reins from Amelia's hands and leading them stealthily back down to the bottom of the rise they were on and dismounting, almost dragging Amelia from the saddle bodily. An icy cold feeling slapped against her forehead and she gasped with the shock, clawing at it. It turned out to be a damp cloth that Persephone Sedai had placed across her forehead.

"Are you alright? I can't heal you right now, you see. The Myrdraal would sense it and we would have more than a head pain on our hands. Now, tell me, can your....Howler....tell us how many there are? If there are any human survivors amongst them? Where they are positioned?" she asked her, almost overwhelming Amelia's wounded consciousness.

"I...will try," she stated, "but can be promising nothing. I do not be knowing the extent of my abilities myself. I do be fine though, Howler's last communication did just be very forceful" she finished as the wolf himself came padding up to them, stopping at her feet and looking up at them both in turn.

Howler, do you be doing what we be facing over that rise? she asked him wearily.

There are twenty in your human numbers Sister, and one Neverborn. There are no humans like the mewling woman wishes. They were killed and eaten when they set up their camp. We are three, but the other pack number nine wolves. We are a match and more for this prey. They will not be suffered to exist for much longer Sister. The other pack moves in from the other side. They invite us to join the hunt beside them Howler relayed to her sombrely, respect for the others ingrained deep in his thoughts.

Amelia gave the information to the other woman, hoping for some reaction than what she received. She had hoped that the woman would take charge, tell her what to do and direct her accordingly. Instead she asked one simple question which threw her off balance completely.

"What should we do then?" Persephone Sedai asked her.

"Me?" Amelia spluttered, "You do be asking me?" she questioned, surprise overriding her manners this time. Persephone merely laughed like the chimes of small bells at her astonishment.

"You know more about the situation than I do. You're the contact with the wolves, our only allies here. You can see what awaits us in your own head. I am blind here. When battle is joined I can take the fight to the enemy, that is true, but right here and now you're more qualified to be in charge. Surprising really, but needs must. You've been trained for just this occasion, so use the training given to you Ji'dar" she finished before falling silent.

Amelia sighed, pulled the cloth from her head and tried to think as quickly as she ever had. From the look of the sky she had little time before they would be fighting in the blackness of night, and that would severely damage their chances.

The Scrapping

"We should target the Myrdraal forst," she finally concluded out loud, "it is the most dangerous opponent. Besides which if the Trolloc's are linked to him with whatever their bond is then the fight will be a short one and they all die with a few attacks" she continued simply, looking for the nod from Persephone Sedai before continuing. Yes, this was another test for her to pass.

"If the other pack of wolves attack from their lurking position then they will turn attention towards them, then we can slip over the rise and initiate our attacking contact. If we can see the Myrdraal then we aim for that, with arrows or the One Power" she pressed onwards, serving her words with a mirror of a simplistic drawing in the earth with her forefinger.

"If we can't initially see the prime target then at the very least we can down a few of the Shadowspawn before it reveals itself. If we are lucky then we will be able to end this without any bloodshed and without them even getting close to us" she finished.

She relayed the plan to Howler, who could better explain it to the other wolves, and after a time which seemed agonisingly long he told her they would move when he told them to and in the manner requested. They said they would not outright attack their prey, but would strike swiftly and retreat. Though their primal hatred was strong they realised that their survival would be better that way, and with Amelia's intervened insistence they stated that the Neverborn was her prey to take down. That done there seemed little else to do. She checked her weapons, as did Persephone Sedai, and they re-mounted.

Now, Brother she sent to Howler, and she could feel him send out his own message to the others.

A few seconds later they heard bestial roars and wolfish howls erupt in a cacophony of sound beyond the rise. Their waiting was done and they crested the rise at a trot, stopping just over the other side and scanning the field of combat quickly, eyes probing and searching for the Myrdraal. She spotted it and let loose her arrow, watching it bury itself in a hapless Trolloc's eye-socket as he stepped into the path of the arrow.

"Burn you!" she cursed loudly as a fireball sped from Persephone Sedai's palm and hit another Trolloc square in the chest, setting it alight to trip into another, leaving them both writhing in flames upon the ground.

The pace of combat had changed in those few moments, the wolves having initially attacked and then the Shadowpawn's confusion at the second assault from the opposite side. Now, with a conservative estimate of 16 of them left, the Myrdraal not included, they split into two groups and charged at their separate targets. Amelia could see the slug-like Myrdraal now, mounted and driving his minion towards the two of them. She raised her bow, pulled the string back and felled another beat, which catapulted another one that was behind it into the dirt as it became entangled between its goat-like legs.

"I can't get a good shot at it, can you?" she shouted the question as she skewered another Trolloc through the shoulder and watched it as it carried on though its arm was useless.

"No! But wait for the opportunity!" she screamed back at Amelia, sending lightning from her fingers to hit the one in front of the Myrdraal/ She watched as it laced out to consume and fell two more, either side of the first one. The way had been opened.

Amelia drew her bow once more, her aim true as it buried her arrow through the Myrdraal's skull. She drew and fired another through its chest, twice more just to be sure. A full two thirds of the Trollocs that were charging them fell to the ground, writhing as they shared the long death of their former master. The joyous ululation of howls a short distance away told her that those fighting with the wolves, including Howler, had fallen in the same manner and were now having their throats ripped to shreds by merciless jaws. Still, there were five more assaulting Amelia and her temporary ward, and they had to be despatched. One more fell to an arrow, another to a fireball. The other three closed the gap too quickly and charged in with cruel weapons in hand.

Amelia drew her sword, parrying, hacking and slashing with the strength born of the fear of death coursing through her veins. There was no finesse to this exchange, no graceful cutting of the sword. No, she merely hacked and slashed as Persephone Sedai affected a more delicate counter attack beside her with her spear. As Amelia sheared her blade through the chest of one of the Trollocs a second swung its axe towards her chest. Knowing all was lost she snarled, baring her teeth in animalistic hate, but it was not to be her death this day. Howler came bolting across the ground, a blur with his seep, a jumped upon its back, pitching it sideways s that its axe hit nothing but air before embedding in the soil. He ripped and tore at its back before being lashed off by the Shadowspawn's fists. As it aimed a kick at Howler's ribs Persephone Sedai's spear ran it through and Amelia watched in satisfaction as the last light of what passed for its life ebbed from its eyes.

The battle was over, she had completed half of her tasks, and she was bitterly tired. She merely sat her horse for a few moments whilst she regained her breath.

"You'll do, Ji'dar. You'll do" Persephone Sedai spoke out with a small smile upon her lips this time.

The Proof

As the fighting ended, the Myrdraal still silently writhing upon the floor, its Trolloc's joining him in quiet death, convulsing madly as their bestial features contorted into sickening rictus' of pain that seemed to Amelia a mockery of anyone's true suffering. They had shown no mercy to any of those killed in the raid for which this had been vengeance, she was willing to admit. Yet, here and now, she could not help but let a sliver of compassion enter her heart. Even though they had cost her everything dear in the past she could not help but wonder....something. She pushed it aside viciously, setting her jaw in a determined manner, upper and lower rows of teeth grinding against each other slowly but surely. She picked her way through the fallen, what ones there were. She estimated that they had destroyed around fifty of the Shadow's emissaries this day and for that she felt pride swell her chest and lift her spirits. It was an achievement to be sure, as she was willing to bet that few Ji'dar could claim they had helped to fell a Myrdraal in battle.

Never feel pity for Neverborn! Or you shall not be welcome with me again Sister. You mock the nature of wolves by doing so. They deserve nothing but swift death Howler interrupted her thoughts venomously, anger and pain lacing his pulses. She inclined her head and nodded briefly.

I am sorry Brother, I forgot myself. You are right, they are abominations and deserve nothing but death she replied heavily and with sorrow.

As she neared the still thrashing Myrdraal she could see that its hand had been severed, presumably by a Trollocs trying to stop it hacking it to pieces in its death-throws, one which had not been bonded to it, or whatever their infernal joining was. Nobody knew for certain. Its sword lay some few feet away, jet black blade seeming to absorb the light around it rather than reflect it, its hand still firmly grasping the hilt despite its detachment. She picked it up cautiously, holding the blade away from her, as far as she could. She knew what those blades were capable of, from just a tiny scratch. Wounds festered and spread, stayed open as poisoned the victim horribly. They died in minutes. She picked her way back to Persphone Sedai, who was watching her with a curious look upon her face. Amelia drove the blade into the ground to hold it as she collected as many of the Trolloc's tribal crests as she could. She went so far as to pocket a few of them from her own trophy remembrance. She got no objection from her companions.

"I must say, I have never heard of a Myrdraal blade being brought back before. I'm not sure if they will congratulate you or think you are mad! Still, it is a rarity. Perhaps the Indigo can study it. At the very least they can place it upon a wall in the Citadel for the look of the thing" Persephone Sedai smiled at that as she remounted her stallion. "Just don't expect me to bloody carry the thing! I shall ward it, but that is as far as I can go, and it's not much at that. You slice yourself and you're still likely to be dead, and if not that crippled for life" she finished.

"It do be that and the tribal badges or nothing. I do no be taking only part, but all. They do be knowing my abilities in full or what do be the point? Besides, I think they would be wanting to know that another Fade had been killed. Maybe they do be studying it, maybe not. That do be up to those who be knowing the better. I do just be the carrier of the damned thing" she responded with a stony expression.

She drew the blade and took it gingerly to Persephone Sedai who spent a few moments staring at it, a hint of a wince on her face, before nodding and looking exhausted though she still sat her horse straight-backed. Amelia then proceeded to wrap the blade in as many layers of cloth as she could before affixing it firmly to the back of her saddle, where it was least likely to cause any harm.

"Now, let's be getting the bloody Light out of this cursed place. We do be staying for long enough I suggest, Persephone Sedai" she said as she mounted smoothly and Howler began to trot off into the distance, a little awkwardly from the few scratches he had received during the brutal fighting. He would soldier on and keep up the scouting until they were safe, then he would let Amelia check and treat his wounds.

"Yes," she responded, tilting her head as if listening, "I think that is for the best. Lead on Amelia" she commanded, once more the regal Aes Sedai.

The Flight

A mere half an hour after they had left the field of battle, chunks of flesh and writhing bodies slowly fading into the distant landscape and beyond even Amelia's wolfkin augmented eyesight, the weather began to take a turn for the worse. It was at that point that Amelia began to suspect that Persephone had known it would happen before it even occurred. Her mind flashed back to that moment where her head had tilted to the side and the considering look had appeared across her face, her eyes distant. As the skies darkened and the storm closed in around them, black pillars blocking out the sun, such as was left, Amelia drew closer to Persephone Sedai, shouting over the growing winds.

"We need to be finding shelter! I do no be willing to drag you back half-drowned. I do no be thinking it would be acceptable, Persephone Sedai" she screamed into the woman's ear. She merely nodded back at her with a frown.

Amelia urged her mount onwards, through the wind itself, trying to cut a path. Persephone Sedai fell in behind her so that the wind was less troublesome to her sense. In this fashion they made their way forwards for the next half an hour whilst Howler tried to find them what he called a den site. He returned soon after he had set off, just before the rain started to fall, slowly at first but gradually increasing its frequency and density. By the time they had found their site of rest, which turned out to be a small cave cut into a large boulder, partially covered over with earth and some shrubs, they were both soaking and tired. Howler was even grumbling to himself inside his own skull, partially concealing his thoughts from Amelia but leaving his irritability easy to feel.

Persephone Sedai had already taken the saddle off of her own mount and begun to brush it down, feed it and place a blanket over its back. Amelia began to do the same as the tiredness of the past day and what it had contained began to eat away, slowly but surely, at her consciousness. Still, she forced her eyelids to stay open and tried to appear as alert as possible. When everything had been taken care of and she had thrown her saddlebags down to lie with her sleeping mat and blankets she took note that a fire had already been made, with the One Power she assumed for it had already begun to crackle merrily away at their store of dry kindling. Amelia walked around and found a few medium sized pebbles to ring it with before sitting down across the fire for Persephone.

"I will take first watch and tend the fire whilst you rest, Aes Sedai, if that is your wish" she spoke, though lethargy crept into her tone of voice.

"Nonsense Ji'dar! You can barely stand and no wonder. Toady has been full of surprises. Few go through what has happened in this test. I think you have earned some small respite. You can take the first turn sleeping and I shall watch over you for a while. Food will be ready when I wake you" she responded.

As she rolled out her mat and pulled her blanket over her Howler nosed his way underneath them beside her, to no complaint. His musky scent was a comfort to her, a shield against the world that could never be broken. Still, worry was within her mind when she thought of him. She should look to his wound, she knew, but she could find no strength in which to do so.

Do not concern yourself with me Sister. I am fine. You must rest or you will not be fine. It is simple he told her gently as her eyes slid shut and she slunk into sleep.


"Awake, Ji'dar. It is your turn to watch over me now. There is stew in the pot. I think that everything will be fine and we will see no trouble from now until we arrive at the Citadel. However, you could do with the practise of aiding Aes Sedai I think. I will sleep now. Wake me when first light is at its strongest" Persephone Sedai informed her as she began to lay down herself. Amelia shook her head, slapped her cheeks and dragged the grit from her eyes before sitting up and taking a look around their camp.

Persephone Sedai had already, seemingly, fallen asleep and her words had been as true as the Three Oaths which bound her. Over the fire, now a pile of smouldering ashes that leaked warmth still but little light, sat a small cast iron cooking pot. She did not care about the lack of light, her sight far better than most in the gloom at any time. Her enhanced sense of smell told her that there was beef stew to be had, however, which caused her mouth to begin watering. She squatted won, picked up the spare bowl and ladled out a portion for herself. Howler came up beside her and stuck his nose into the crook of her neck.

Meat? he asked tentatively.

Cooked meat Brother. I could be serving a bowl for you should you be desiring? she responded as she spooned a mouthful into her tongue and relished the taste. He sneezed violently and let his head droop in assent. She frowned and fetched it for him, placing it upon the floor for him to lap at his leisure.

You do be a faithful hound eating from a bowl, Brother. Do you be well? she asked him, troubled now at his lack of humour for once.

Fine, Sister. My wounds trouble me, but will heal. I am just too tired for jests and pride. I had forgotten what wolfish necessity really was. This ranging reminded me he told her, plainly wishing her to drop it afterwards. She left the issue alone, setting herself up against the wall of the small cave, next to the entrance. She ate her soup and made sure her sword was close to hand, just in case. It paid to be prepared.

The watching passed much like that as she traced the sun across the sky until it was fully above the horizon and it was time to awaken her charge and make for the Citadel. The weather had much improved, though the ground would be turned to mud she assumed. She busied herself by saddling the mounts and washing and packing away their possessions. The last task was the dispersing of the fire until nothing remained but a small, darker patch upon the cave floor where it had once been. That done she awoke Persephone Sedai, whom relatively leapt out of her blankets, packed her bedding away and was ready to ride beside Amelia in minutes.

"Lets us finally get home then, Ji'dar" she intoned, almost imperiously.

She nodded and followed her suit by mounting and kicking it into motion. It was a short journey, and one that almost made a mockery of their camping the previous night. Within two hours the Citadel was once more a giant only a short distance away. Their spirits were lifted momentarily as they urged their mounts into a swift gallop and rapidly closed the distance to their safe haven.

The Ceremony

Amelia led her gelding through the gates and into the courtyard at a full gallop, sending out a silent prayer that the gates had been opened with immaculate timing. She had thought for a few moments that they would not open and that she would run head-first into them and probably kill herself. Persephone Sedai followed her, but off to one side, where she dismounted and stood, still as a statue and as if she had never met Amelia, nor gone through what approximated to torture with her. In fact, she almost ignored her, but not quite. Her eyes looked her up and down with a newer light to them.

Do that be respect? She asked herself, but was too tired to carry on that line of reasoning for now. She was just happy to be alive, and could sense Howler's tired assent as he pitched himself sideways to the floor where he was taken away by a few men to a room unknown. He offered no resistance, he was too tired himself and to pained.

"Dismount, Ji'alantin" came the voice of the Master of Training. She followed the order, albeit slower than usual and with her feet hitting the ground heavily, her legs seemingly filled with lead for how heavy they felt.

"Do you come bearing proof of your success?" he asked her by rote once more.

She pulled the bag of tribal badges off of her saddle and offered it out to a nearby soldier whom was tasked with retrieving them from her and showing them to the Master of Training as per the tradition, which he completed. As the master of Training was about to speak Amelia walked to the back of her gelding and pulled the roll of blankets that contained probably the most dangerous thing in the courtyard free from the saddle with care. She knelt in front of the council and unwrapped it gently, tipping the sword to hit the floor with a dull metallic ring. The council's faces showed no reaction, and neither did Perspehone Sedai's, however the others took a step backwards from the prone blade.

"Very well, you have proven yourself here. We will handle the blade from now onwards," continued the Master of Training as if nothing had occurred, "take her away" he signalled, and then she was forgotten once more.

Bedraggled and bemused Amelia was carried off to another room, the way Howler had been taken and left next to a bath tub filled, almost to the brim, with steaming water. Soap and cloth lay on a stool next to it and Howler slept in the corner, a few bandages across his body where he had been tended to. She was glad that he had been healed, or at least that his wounds had been attended to. She was too tired to see to it just now. She pulled her clothes sluggishly from her body, leaving armour and normal wear to lie in their piles upon the floor. Howler stirred but Amelia sent calming soothing thought to him as she slid into the water with a sigh. Her head disappeared beneath the surface and came back up with a spray and a rich laugh.

"I do no believe it! We made it" she whispered to herself with joy. Even if they considered her evidence too poor to justify a new rank they could not take that away from her. She had succeeded in protecting her Aes Sedai. And killed Trollocs, and Myrdraal to boot.

She enjoyed washing herself thoroughly, ridding herself of the sweat, grime and blood of the road. She was glad that she had managed the trip without injury, though Howler had taken some for her sake, as loyal and courageous as he was. When she was finished and she had towelled herself dry she was presented with a new set of clothes to wear as her previous garb was taken away from whence it had come in the first place. She pulled them onto her form and found them to be a perfect fit. Tunic, robe and doublet now clothing her she was led to the courtyard once more. The time had come.

There was a gathering now, of more men and women than she had seen previously. She was confused before she remembered that all Gaidin and Gaidar at the Citadel were present for any new arrivals into their rank. She could have laughed joyously, but held it in and followed the ceremony, walking slowly until she was in front of the Master of Arms, grizzled warrior that he was. He was a grotesque gargoyle, but he was the best the Warder Yards had ever seen too. It showed her that appearances counted for little indeed.

"Come forward and kneel" he rasped gratingly.

"Do you come before your assembled brothers and sisters with a noble and just heart, wishing to join us as a Gaidin of the Tower?"

"I do"

"Do you promise to uphold the Light in all you do, to live a life of duty, truth, and goodness?"

"I do"

"Do you swear to serve and guard the Grey Tower faithfully?"

"I do"

"And finally, do you vow to devote your life to this cause, to swear yourself to the Light, the Tower, and the pursuit of justice?"

"Under the Light, and by my hope of salvation, I do"

The Master of Arms was handed her sword. Taking it in both hands, he paused for a moment.

"May the Light bless this blade and its bearer, and may the Light illumine the path of this warrior" He finished before he handed to her slowly.

"Rise" he intoned as a package was handed to him by the Warder-Channeller Representative. Amelia recognized it as her Fancloak, the symbol of Gaidin and Gaidar everywhere and one of the most coveted of possessions for a Warder-in-Training. He unfurled it and it shimmered in the wind slightly, its colours and hues too many to count a blending in with its surroundings.

"I grant you the title of Gaidin; you are a Brother of Battle, and a Warder under the banner of the Grey Tower," he continued as he draped it across her shoulders losely and in a manner akin to ritual, "Welcome"

The faces that surrounded her were many and stony in expression for the whole ritual until that moment. In that moment they all loosened, some nodding, others smiling and others still holding the same expression but seemingly less so.

"By the power vested me by the Amyrlin Seat and M'Hael of the Grey Tower, I acknowledge and witness the raising of this Gaidin of the Grey Tower. You are entrusted to protect one Aes Sedai or Asha'man of your choosing to fulfill your destiny" stated the Warder-Channeller Representative, closing the traditional ritual off and finally sealing her destiny, and her title.

The Gaidar

The arrival back at the Grey Tower, stepping through yet another Gateway to get there, was filled with a series of mixed emotions and strange connotations for her. On the one hand she remembered the time she had been summoned as if it were yesterday, but also as if it had been years ago now also. It was a strange ambivalence of nature, a paradox of a quaint nature that filled her mind with unanswered questions and a sense of something lost that would never be recovered. She was different now, on some fundamental level she could not probe. There was a depth to it that said t was never-ending, this new Amelia Freintas - Amelia Gaidar. She would continue now, never the same and always changing, always improving, always striving. There she had a difference, she had something to live for now besides the lessons and the training.

I do be having a purpose once more she realised to herself as Howler loped off to find something to maul. She grinned, her good humour, which she thought lost forever too, returning from some once unknown recess of her soul. He needed it after what they had been through, though she would check his wounds later.

For now she walked the Warder Yards, her newly earned Fancloak streaming out behind her in the breeze, enjoying the sun on her face and the wind shifting her hair in multiple direction. She did not care overly much. She was lucky to be alive, and she knew it. Now she was appreciating it a little more than usual. That had not changed one iota.

Of course not! You will always be a wolf little Sister Howler scoffed at her before disappearing from her mind completely.

She could not help it, she laughed. She laughed so hard that she ended up on her rump on the grass. The tears streamed from her eye and the chuckles ripped from her chest. It was an unstoppable tide that had been building up for years, ever since that day she had had it torn from her by a Trolloc's axe.

She was whole once more.