Fanfic:Illyria's Three Arches

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Illyria's Three Arches
Author(s)
  • Stasia
Character(s)
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The sul'dam were well protected, with experienced warriors guarding all around them, protecting them from the battle that waged on around them. The din of warfare clamored around her, her own fear was nothing compared to that of the damane's that was leashed to her. Looking at the pretty young woman, she saw that tears were streaming down her pale face and that she had stopped sending the fireballs into the ranks of the enemies of the Empire. She sighed, wishing that she had never agreed to take on a half-trained damane.

"Ziara," Illyria half-shouted, so that the damane could hear her over the battle around them, "This is no time for this!" She shook her head disapprovingly so that Ziara could see that she was clearly upset with her childish behavior.

"Ziara is sorry!" The half-trained damane cried, more tears spilling down her pale cheeks.

Illyria sighed, sorry to have to punish Ziara. But it had to be done. The field of battle was no place for the damane's antics.

"Ziara," Illyria snapped, giving the damane one last chance, "Right Ziara's behavior and I will not punish Ziara."

"Yes Sul'd" She tried to choke out, but a scream cut through it. A huge blade came down, and the damane had no chance. Another damane's fireball killed the wielder of the blade, but the damage was done. Ziara was gone.

Illyria did her best to keep calm, but she really couldn't believe that Ziara was dead. She had named her herself. She was the one that walked Ziara and gave her sweets when she behaved. The damane was dead. Illyria just stared at the body, for what seemed an Age. Suddenly, a horn blared, and Illyria turned to look, seeing that somehow reinforcements for the opposite army had arrived. But they had blocked all of the major roadways, it was impossible that there were more men.

Yet there they were, slaughtering the weakened Army that she was a part of.

The way will come back but once. Be steadfast.

That voice seemed so familiar, yet, it wasn't. Turning back to the battle, she knew she had to act quickly if she was going to retrieve Ziara's body. She dismounted her horse, and felt no remorse about bloodying her red paneled dress. Illyria kneeled by her damane and gently released her from the a'dam. She coiled the Leash around her arm, and held her horse steadily. Extra damane were with the der'sul'dam of the company.

The way will come back but once. Be steadfast. A glittering white Arch appeared, and Illyria knew that she had to enter it. She stood, and took a step towards it.

"Illyria, where are you going?" Illyria turned, and saw the der'sul'dam with an extra damane trailing her horse. Illyria turned back, unwilling to disobey a higher rank. But she had to get through that Arch. She took a step back, and the Arch faltered.

The way will come back but once. Be steadfast.

"Illyria, collect your damane and fight!" The der'sul'dam called sternly. She had to get to the Arch. Fighting herself, torn between the choices; Illyria felt her voice falter as she spoke.

"I..." She looked desperately between the der'sul'dam and the Arch. It was nearly clear now.

So many dead, and so much fighting, yet there was a clear path to the Arch. That Arch was meant for her. She had to get to it. She picked up her blue and red skirts, and made a run for the white Arch, feeling guilt stab at her while she ignored the calls of the der'sul'dam. The last thing she heard were the cries of dying men.

Illyria Corinye steps into the second arch....

Illyria walked quickly through the dark corridor, catching the distinct smell of earth.

Under the Tower She mused to herself, What would an Aes Sedai want with me down here?

Elyne Sedai was talking loudly, as if to make sure that Illyria could hear her.

"There are so few we can trust with this, only a select few of the Hall and those of the Indigo Ajah know of it." The Aes Sedai took a deep breath, and then continued, "Illyria, it is of utmost importance that you tell one the information I am about to share with you." She turned suddenly, and spoke in a low whisper, as if there were other people. "I have noted, that you always do what you are told, and won't disobey a direct order from a superior." Illyria felt uncomfortable as the Aes Sedai looked in her eyes, as if to confirm something.

"A young Dedicated was studying a very dangerous ter'angreal,"

Illyria felt her stomach drop.

"Unknown to us, it carried the taint with it, and he was...infected." She sighed, and then continued speaking, "The Aes Sedai surveying him, sent him the Yellow Ajah when he complained of nausea, not knowing that he held the source." Elyne Sedai paused, as if looking for the correct words to say.

"In the end he was handed over to us, and now Indigo and Yellow Ajah are scrambling to find a cure."

As what Elyne Sedai had said sunk in, Illyria felt a horrible fear clutch her. Just when she had thought the male channelers safe.

"We need you, to guard him. The Aes Sedai that normally do the task are needed for the research, and we are fearful to let any Asha'man guard him because the taint might spread."

At this Illyria's face paled, and she was wordless. She had to do what the Aes Sedai said. She had to.

She dumbly followed Elyne Sedai the rest of the way down, in too much shock to speak, or even think. The waves of panic from her Novice days were threatening to rise again. Illyria did her best to fight them off, tried to reassure herself, but they continued to rise and wash over her. She did not even notice when the Aes Sedai stopped to open the doorway to the Dedicated. She nearly bumped into the plump Indigo, earning a disproving look. Illyria could not bring herself to care.

Swinging the heavy oak door open, the sister ushered her in, and showed her a chair to sit in. The Dedicated was sealed off, half of the room a thick wall of the Five Powers that she could see. He just sat there, rocking back and forth, mumbling gibberish.

"There is a Ward, over there." Elyne Sedai looked over to the wall across from her chair, but not behind the wall that protected her from the Dedicated. Illyria could see a simple red cord with a knob at the end, suspended in the air.

"Pull that cord, and you'll have someone down here to assist you." She looked at Illyria, and continued, "You will only pull that cord if something goes gravely wrong, which I pray doesn't." She turned to the door and Illyria heard her whisper,

"Love of Light I hope we can trust an Accepted with this."

The door shut with a resounding thud, sealing Illyria to her fate. She sat rigidly, and was trying to grasp saidar, but for the first time as an Accepted, it would not come to her. Her breath came in short sharp gasps, the panic had taken control. There was nothing else besides the fear. Nothing.

The Dedicated, still mumbling, seemed to have something irritate him severely, for he started shouting the gibberish that was impossible to understand. He began to rock back and forth faster and faster, clutching his legs to his chest, and tears streamed down his face. Suddenly, he stood, and Illyria leaped out of her chair, but was frozen where she stood.

I have to get to that cord! she panicked. His insane gaze was chilling. He threw back his head and laughed manically, and stepped through the thick wall of the One Power.

Illyria screamed louder than she ever had before. No one could hear her deep under the Tower. He took another step and she suddenly heard a familiar voice.

The way will come back but once. Be steadfast. Our Father, who art in GM Place, hockey be thy name. Thy will be done, GOLD to be WON on ICE as well as IN THE STANDS. Give us this day, our hockey sticks, and forgive us our penalties, as we forgive those who crosscheck against us. Lead us not into elimination, but deliver us to victory, in the name of the fans,... CANADA, and the HOLY PUCK. AMEN! The voice shook her, and she suddenly found herself able to move again. Thank the Light! She cried inwardly. Looking back at the Dedicated, a fresh wave of terror hit her, but she continued to the cord. She had to pull that cord. She began to move across the room when she heard the voice again.

The way will come back but once. Be steadfast.

The silvery Arch appeared, and to her horror, it was behind the Dedicated. She had to get through that Arch. The cord must be pulled. There was only time for one.

"Oh Light!" Illyria cried, not sure which to do. Elyne Sedai trusted her with this. She had to get through that Arch.

The Dedicated came closer, and was breathing heavily and muttering gibberish. Illyria screamed again, and found the strength to dodge around him, and dive to the floor. The madman turned more quickly than Illyria thought possible and tried to grab for her ankles.

Scraping her arms along the floor, Illyria tried to squirm away, but could not move as fast as she wished. The madman grabbed for her ankles again, and let out another terrifying laugh. Illyria kicked wildly, and heard a sharp crack when her foot made contact with his nose. Illyria turned back to see the damage she caused, and felt sick.

Blood was pouring from his nose, a river of red that made his fair skin look sickly pale. His face was contorted into an ugly expression of pure insanity. He let out a cry of anguish, and reached for Illyria's ankles again. Again she kicked, fighting her way to the blinding white light of the Arch.

"Ahgg!" The madman cried, and stumbled backwards into the wall. Taking her chance, Illyria crawled quickly into the blinding light of the Arch, knowing it was her only chance of escape.

Illyria Corinye steps into the final arch.....

A dark void filled the place where her dreams would normally be, with no emotion, no feeling. It was everything, yet it was nothing. Illyria fought it, and after several attempts, finally broke free from her dream.

Opening her eyes, Illyria remembered who she was; it all came to her in a rush. Illyria Sedai of the Blue Ajah. Rubbing her eyes, she tried to think of what it was that needed doing, something important. There were her Eyes-and-Ears reports to look at, then there was that note...

"The note." She whispered to herself, remembering the thick white paper, folded in half on her desk. Pulling herself out of bed, her silken sift sliding off the sheets; Illyria felt a deep remorse inside her, growing. How much she had changed. She looked at herself in the mirror, and almost dropped her jaw in shock. She knew that she was Aes Sedai, but her face was ageless?

Hasn't my face always been ageless? she thought to herself. No matter, there are other things that need attending to.

Pulling a beautiful blue dress from the gilded chest at the end of her bed, she slid it on over her small frame easily. Fixing her hair as quickly as she could, Illyria crossed the room to her desk, and took a seat on the chair. Arranging her skirts comfortably, Illyria took the note, and carefully flattened the creases in the thick paper, scanning over it; she reviewed her orders from the head of her Heart.

Seek out the 'Captain-General, and dispose of her. You will then use your seat in the hall to strive to replace the 'Captain-General', with Aella Sedai of the Green Ajah. You will have this completed in a week or face the consequences.

Illyria had focused most of her thoughts on this order, since she had read it the eight days before, when it mysteriously appeared in her cloak. She had her suspicions, every sister had seriously been considered, and her list was down to two. Illyria did not have much time left. She neatly folded her letter, Warded it, and stood form her desk. There was so much to do. Keeping up with her cover was not often easy. Perhaps a visit to Saffiah would clear her mind, and give her ideas.

Gathering her Blue Shawl, she exited her apartments in the Blue Halls, and made her way to the Green. Knocking softly at Saffiah's door, she heard the same reply as always:

"Enter."

Opening the door, she walked into the spacious rooms that belonged to her dearest friend. Saffiah was at her desk, writing something.

"I would expect a more...Kind reply to one's dearest friend." Illyria smiled, and had the joyful feeling she often had with Saffiah, the weight of the Great Lord of the Dark lifted from her shoulders.

"Illyria," She cried, looking up from her work to smile at her, the Kandori's hazel eyes glittering with excitement. "I am sorry that I have been so busy, I have...duties."

Illyria walked over to Saffiah, and stood behind her friend's desk, and voiced her question.

"What are you working on sister?"

"Oh, nothing." Saffiah said, quickly hiding the documents from view, "Just Ajah business."

"Oh?" Illyria asked, genuinely curious.

"You and your meddling! I am sick of it Illyria!" The Green sister snapped, heat touching her eyes, and then it quickly faded, leaving a remorseful look across her face. Greens were known for their fiery tempers.

"I have been so busy, and have gotten almost no sleep, and having to act serene and cool around everyone isn't helping."

Illyria knew an apology from Saffiah when she saw one, and placed a hand on her the slim Kandori's shoulder. "Why are you so busy, it is not as if we are preparing for a trip?" That was always a hectic ordeal.

Saffiah sighed, and then seemed to reach some sort of decision. "I guess you might as well know. We aren't going on any more outings anytime soon." She took a breath, and then continued, "I have been voted Captain-General of the Green Ajah. There, I said it." She smiled, looking like she had a huge weight off her chest.

Illyria felt like a stone had just dropped in her stomach, all the way to her feet. She would have to dispose of Saffiah, her dearest friend. She didn't believe that she had the strength to.

Saffiah seemed to notice her discomfort, and offered to take a walk in the Gardens. All Illyria could do was nod her head in agreement, and follow the Captain-General of the Green Ajah.

The Gardens were peaceful, they were the only two there, aside from two Asha'man who seemed to be in deep conversation. Saffiah chattered on, Illyria was oblivious, numbed from the shock and pain of what needed to be done. She was dragged back to the world when she heard her name.

"Illyria, are you alright?"

"I...Yes, I am fine." She noticed a flicker of motion from the corner of her eye, and turned to look at the two Asha'man.

You have orders you scum! She told herself.

The Kandori seemed to be satisfied with her answer, and was bent over, admiring some yellow flowers. She was bent over just so, she would never notice a dagger in between her shoulders. No! How much have I changed over the years? How much has the Dark twisted me? Illyria felt such guilt, that she considered putting the dagger hidden in her sleeve into her chest.

"Illyria," Saffiah said, "You normally seem to speak more, are you sure there is nothing wrong?" The Kandori still remained bent, taking her time with the flowers.

"No," Illyria said sadly, "There is nothing wrong." The Asha'man seemed to be done with their conversation, and were looking at the two women, making Illyria feel uncomfortable. Saffiah had gone quiet again, leaving Illyria to think about what must be done. There was no avoiding it and her mind couldn't help but thinking that a body in the Gardens was less likely to be discovered.

Looking over at the Asha'man, she saw something that disturbed her. It looked as if he was mouthing 'Now. You can do it now.' She blinked a few times, and tried to tell herself that she had only imagined it.

The way will come back but once. Be steadfast. The voice called to her, and seemed vaguely familiar. It tickled the back of her mind, brushed against a memory, but then it was gone.

She was thinking about what it could have been, she slipped away from reality for a few moments, and was startled back to life when she heard Saffiah call her name.

"Illyria!" She called fearfully, "What under the Light are you doing?" Realizing where she was, Illyria saw that she was doing and felt afraid of herself. She was standing over the taller woman; the dagger had been drawn and was now pressed at Saffiah's throat.

What under the Light am I doing? She screamed at herself.

Illyria dropped the dagger, nicking the Aes Sedai's skin, and stood back. The sound of clapping hands made her turn suddenly and saw one of the Asha'man applauding her.

"Very good." He called to her, taking steps towards her. The other Asha'man followed closely behind. "You have done well Illyria." This stranger knew her name? How under the Light? The shock she felt must have shown on her face, for the Asha'man's face twisted into a sickly sweet smile, and he continued.

"Oh yes, I know all about your orders. Having the head of a Heart does do well for a bondmate."

"Illyria, tell me these lies that they somehow can speak aren't true!" Illyria looked down at Saffiah, the confused and disbelieving look on her face breaking Illyria's heart.

The way will come back but once. Be steadfast.

"We can take it from here." The Asha'man said, and Illyria felt herself lifted away from Saffiah, and set down behind her. Realizing what was happening; she fought it, and did her best to fight off his flows. It did nothing. A shining white Arch appeared, and Illyria felt compelled to enter it. His flows melted away, and Saffiah seemed to come to grips with what was happening. She began to scream, unable to protect herself. Illyria could feel that Saffiah was blocked from saidar, unable to perform the battleweaves that she had been taught.

There was only time for one. Illyria stood frozen, unable to choose which one to attend to. She couldn't leave Saffiah, but she had to get through the Arch.

"Illyria!" Saffiah screamed, and Illyria could see that she was crying from fear. "Illyria!" The emotion was so huge that she felt hot tears leak down her face, and found herself calling back, "Saffiah!"

The Asha'man were kneeled over her, their weapons drawn, ready to kill her if Illyria didn't intervene. She had to get through that Arch. Crying now; she turned her back on Saffiah, her closest friend, and took a step toward the shimmering Arch.

"ILLYRIA!!" Saffiah screamed, "Don't leave me!" Crying harder, Illyria didn't look back when she heard the Asha'man start laughing and Saffiah screaming louder. Screaming in pain along with Saffiah, her heart was shattered into a million pieces. Saffiah was her family. Her sister. Stepping fully into the Arch, Illyria let the hot light consume her.