Fanfic:Kanamai's Return

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Kanamai's Return
Author(s)
  • Kanamai Hukini (player)
Character(s)
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Kanamai Hukini Sedai was a woman of some determination, not normally known for running off in the middle of a training session. She had above average patience with young Marie, and did not think it unusual that the girl was inaccurate with her dagger throwing during the first lessons. The Green had steeled herself for a long morning of repetitious teaching when the messenger arrived.

It only took a moment to unfold the paper, scan the contents, understand the message and screw it tightly into an angry ball. In that moment Kanamai's priorities rearranged themselves so completely it was almost more than she could do to end the lesson and instruct her student how to clean and store the daggers. Her mind was already far away in Saldaea wandering the annals of memory and picking them over for facts, mannerisims and any clues that might help her to be certain of the truth. Then she ran, in her least Aes Sedailike manner, towards her rooms to pack..

Far away in the chilly green of Saldaea, Elon Venanderam squeezed his tight leather boots to the sides of a rangy Taikieri stallion. The horse responded with explosive speed, flying over the rolling hillside towards Kanamai's home. He had settled in rather nicely, met with very little resistance, and claimed that which would never be his by right but who was to know? Who would remember exactly what Kentam Hukini looked like when he left with his father for the Blight. The lad had not yet reached manhood. Who would be able tell how the boy might look forty years later? There was only an old man in charge of the Estate, and the heiress somewhere on the other side of the world, in the Grey Tower. Elan had researched his facts carefully, before becoming Kentam, and returning from the Blight.

It had been fairly simple. All the best plans were. He had caught the conversation while sitting in a tavern. An old man was showing a document to pretty young lass he was trying to impress - a document found in a pocket, somehow surviving whatever had disposed of the rest of its owner, on the edge of the Blight. Perhaps the wind had blown it there, or some animal had carried it, finally dropping it as inedible. The old man had it and was making free with it in a bid to win the woman's attention. It bore names and the markings of land once owned in the Blight when it was still Malkier. His interest sparked, Elon had pulled it from the man's pocket as he jostled his way through the crowd later in the evening. A few questions here and there, some shuffling through books and documents... it was easily done, and now he would be set up for life on an Estate, with a flourishing trade in warhorses, and a title to boot. It was just too easy.

"Where did you get this?" Kanamai demanded of the Accepted who had ensconced herself in the Aes Sedais's office.

"It came by the usual method," Aes Sedai, the young Brown replied, bowing politely. "The Gateway to your Saldaean Estate is opened at the full moon every month and your Estate Manager, Haran, passes through a basket with any urgent business for you to attend to"

Kanamai nodded curtly. The Accepted could be overly wordy at times. She cut her off, having obtained all the information she needed. If it was from Haran, it was genuine. She must leave immediately. Scribbling a note for her Warders, she opened a Gateway on the spot. There was no need for clothing. She had plenty in Saldaea. Tsorovanrei would be fine in the stables and Kira could bring him if she chose, on her return from the wilderness. Searching into the bond, she located her wolfkin Warder at a great distance. The woman was healthy, but she was certainly more wolf than human at the moment. It was possible she would never return. Janis was missing in action - alive, but missing, so she must go alone. A look of concentration briefly shone from her eyes and a hole appeared in the air. The young Brown shivered at the blast of icy air entering the office, watched as Kanamai stepped through, hand on sword hilt, and disappeared.

Elon was just dismounting when the Aes Sedai rounded the path from her small channeling yard and entered the stable courtyard. Handing the reins to a stable boy, he turned to face her.

Oh, Lady Kanamai!" the boy smiled, bowing and removing the necessity for an introduction. "I'll just call Haran for you."

He ran towards the house, the horse trailing behind, and leaving Kanamai to face a man who could have been Kentam's double. He was taller than her by a head, slim and confident looking, with long dark hair tied in the usual Malkieri way. There was no doubt of his national heritage, but she knew immediately that the man standing before her was not her brother. Kentam was dead and try as this man might to resurrect him, it was nothing more than a hoax. Nevertheless, she felt it prudent to draw him out and not give away her doubt. It is always wise to know one's enemy before making plans to depose him.

"Life is full of surprises," she smiled. "I thought I had lost my brother forever. Let's go and talk over a cup of tea."

Elon smiled and took her hand. Even the touch was foreign to Kanamai, but she bore it. He would keep. Let him think his ruse had succeeded. He would give himself away soon enough.

Several days later, a Gateway from Saldaea opened in the Channeling Yard. It closed behind an angry looking Aes Sedai.

"Where is my Warder, Kira?" she demanded. She could feel Kira's presence and the wolfkin had never been needed more.