Head in the Clouds [Attn: Soldier Taesh Durlaen]

[Sean]

Chapter One: Summer's Wind

The Aryth Ocean was a thing viewed only in dreams, yet as Valadin shuffled in after the Grey Tower agents ahead he found the sight of it far more vivid than when seen under the veil of Tel’aran’rhiod. That so much water could exist in one place still confounded him despite having journeyed afar on patrols. This far west the climes were thick and humid though the telling of the heat would be difficult judging from the thick, decorated coats adorned by the denizens of the peninsula.

Val was glad for the solid feel of cobblestone. Even glancing west made him uneasy for all that could be seen was an endless stretch of blue that dizzied the senses if stared at too long. At the ports a forest of ships tarried as the comparatively insignificant sailors and dock men worked to unload cargo. The great masts bobbed with the ebb of the waves, the vessels size a minor factor to the might of the ocean’s current. I wish Nykk were here to see this.

Pining after the Blue Sister had lost some effect after the Bond had been gifted to him. Now though she was not with him physically he sensed the bundle of emotion that was the flaxen haired woman to whom he had given everything. Since the Bond it had been easier to endure long nights and hard days. The notion that she was but a daydream away soothed the spirit in a way Val had never known before. Ahead the carts stopped and he was snapped from his revere.

“Don’t stray. We’re in enemy territory.”

It was to the young man at his side that he spoke. A Soldier, freshly minted in Seizing the Power, Taesh Durlaen was peculiar in more ways than needed counting. Valadin had offered to continue overseeing the Soldier’s training fully expecting the excitable Seafolk lad to refuse him. Most people with good sense avoided him unless they could not. True to form, Soldier Durlaen happily agreed to accompany him on a mission during which a hailstorm of questions would befall Val.

The assignment itself was something of a disappointment. Mainly arranged by Blues a contingent of eyes-and-ears were dispatched into Toman Head—a place where the Grey Tower was sorely lacking an information network. The Seanchan occupation had been increasingly thorough in rooting out any weeds of subterfuge or reconnaissance further proving why they were an adversary to be leery of. Valadin’s role was to act as rearguard and cut a path to freedom should things go sideways; an insult to a Green if there ever was one. Still, he was forced to bear it as the one of the newest members of the Green…an order which had of late not seen the enlistment it boasted in the past. Perhaps that was why Taesh had been invited along. Maybe Val was serving his Brothers and Sisters by discerning where the young man’s mind lay in terms of Ajah selection.

Or I just couldn’t stand another instant in the Tower, he admitted to himself in a rare moment of honesty. The desire to be away from the stony monolithic symbol of the Light had become a familiar impulse, yet it was not one readily acceptable to those of rank. Valadin may chafe at the binds set upon him, but he had enough sense to know that to show his fangs was a foolish endeavor. Besides…what other cause could a man like him fight for?

Dressed in breeches that could make a Tinker envious and an equally bright-colored overcoat, Val felt foolish, but Taesh seemed unaffected by the ridiculous disguise he’d been forced to wear. If anything there was a slight bounce to the Soldier’s step. Light, help me, Val groaned inwardly as the procession continued on. Soon it would be time to separate.

“I’ll meet you at the docks. We can talk more freely there,” Val advised without looking over to see if the Soldier understood what he was saying.

So far no Seanchan were in sight. Valadin couldn’t decide whether to be heartened or disgruntled by this fact.

[Kenneth]

Taesh

Taesh had no clue why he had been asked on this mission. He was sure that there were much more skilled Soldiers, Dedicated, and Asha'man who could've accompanied the somber Green, but he was asked and so the Atha'an Miere had accepted. Partially because he was still so intrigued by Valadin; but also because of the destination. As soon as they arrived, everything else was made distant, and only one thing held the young Soldier's attention, and that was the sea.

From the first moment they stepped through the gateway and the smell of the ocean whipped into Taesh's nose, his mind was overcome. A longing that had before been but a dull ache suddenly became an overwhelming need. His body almost quivered with energy at just the smell of what was his first home, and second love after his parents. The breeze that came from the sea played around his body, and he wanted nothing more than to strip his colorful disguise off and allow the ocean born wind to caress him like a child returning home. A smile so strong that he could barely keep his eyes open dominated his face, and he could not help but to have a bounce to his walk. It was as if he was contemplating running directly for the ocean and diving in, no thought to his true mission, or the severity of the situation.

“Don’t stray. We’re in enemy territory.”

Taesh started, slowly realizing that he wasn't alone. He looked slowly over to Asha'man Valadin, as his mind tried to free itself from the lure of the sea and recall what was going on. It was hard, the ocean being so close, the sight of the ships in the docks something so familiar he almost walked away from the Asha'man right then. The Seafolk Soldier thought he had made his peace with leaving the sea; but apparently the sea had yet to release him. The smile on his face as slowly being replaced by a look of confusion. It was as if the moment he had seen that blue expanse, sparkling in the sun, thrilling in it's sounds; he had forgotten everything else.

“I’ll meet you at the docks. We can talk more freely there,”

Taesh's eyes opened in surprise, and he shook his head slightly. "I apologize Valadin Asha'man; but what am I suppose to be doing again?" the Atha'an Miere asked sheepishly. The sea was in his blood, and it was calling to him louder than it ever had before, it would be hard to focus today.

[Sean]

Receiving confirmation that the Soldier had not only been half-listening to his instruction, but had remained utterly oblivious to the objective at hand came as no great discovery. Since the inception of their mission the wool-head had airily been trouncing about, smile plastered upon his face like a giddy girl at her first Bel Tine.

Muttering an oath under his breath, Valadin fixed his charge with a severe look before replying. “The docks, Soldier. There all will be made clear.” In the statement was an implied promise of recompense for such lax behavior.

Ahead the group began to divide, mingling with the new entries to the peninsula. Most shop entrances were manned by civilian soldiers—appointees raised by the Seanchan to enforce and maintain order without the invading force expending additional resources to maintain control. Bloody clever, aren’t, Val thought while trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible. The eyes-and-eyes had already vanished amongst the people looking for all the world as if they’d lived by the Aryth ocean all their lives.

Passing by a meat cart, Val caught a suspicious glance from one of the citizen soldiers. The Fury fogged his mind briefly with images of how the one eyed man would look after his head had been split in twain. Smothering the blood haze took effort and the meek obeisance with which he deferred to the guard was harder still to stomach. Another day, an inner voice said before the Oneness quenched the fire in his gut momentarily.

This close to the port, the stink of body odor, spice, and fish met in a nauseating concoction that nearly forced Val back the direction he came. Daring not to Seize Saidin in the event any of the so-called damane were men, he continued on towards the stone piers which extended into the wide blue waters of the ocean. The weather proved accommodating for seafarers and the like—thinking of Taesh, most of the Seafolk would be in a daze as they basked in the glorious venturing weather. While admiring of the beauty, Val did not care to step foot aboard one of those floating planks. His maxim had always been to never tread where a horse dare not set hoof. As far as he knew the ocean was such a place.

A stream of children flowed past him, laughter lighting on the wind as they played. From their faces one could hardly tell this was the territory of a ruthless foreign entity come to enslave all with an edict granted by a long dead leader.

Once the pier in sight Valadin worried that Soldier Durlaen would get lost or more likely take to viewing the waters up close. Perhaps not clouting him over the head and hauling with me was a mistake… A young boy hawking an apple hurried past, stopping only at the flash of coin. “Where can I sit watch the waters in peace?” Val asked.

Tilting his head curiously the youth pointed towards the end of the quay where the water thrashed more forcefully against the stone and slicked the walkway each time its frothy white spray climbed the height of the docks. Nodding his thanks, Val paid his fare and went on his way. It seemed a good enough spot for a meeting save for the exposed area, but none were keen to risk a misstep—even the fisherman and sailors remained down towards the busier side of the pier.

Making his way far enough that it would be difficult for anyone to eavesdrop without approaching within sight Val found a seat along the stone quayside. Watching the waters move was mesmerizing, but the mission—and the possibility of Soldier Durlaen dallying about—made the experience far less enjoyable. When he’d eaten through to the core of his apple he cast about furtively hoping to catch sight of the Seafolk lad. The eyes-and-ears would do their work quickly and by Dark hour the signal for retreat would be given.

“Where are you, Soldier?”

[Kenneth]

“The docks, Soldier. There all will be made clear.”

Taesh heard the command, he felt it's importance and he held on to it. Valadin Asha'man was not one to be trifled with, the young Soldier knew that, and so he really tried to follow instruction. Still, as he moved about, separating from the Green and the attendant eyes-and-ears, the smile quickly crept back across his face. It had been so long since he had been to anywhere near a docking city, let alone the ocean, and his senses were overwhelmed. Everything about this place was familiar, although he had never been here before, not that he could remember. Every dock or harbor, and the city that ultimately grew from it, was different; yet there was always a thread of concordance. This place was no different. The smells, the sounds, it all reminded Taesh of times past, when he and his Cargomaster father had gone into similar towns to sell wares, make negotiations, pick up passengers and such.

Make your way to the docks Taesh said to himself, the voice in his head barely heard above the cry of seagulls. To many the sound of the seafaring birds was annoying, some called it harsh. To Taesh it was one of the sweetest sounds he could hear. It was alluring, he did not think even his mother's voice could match that call. On the waters the call of the seagulls meant that land was somewhere near by; but now that call spoke of the blue expanse that was in the Soldiers blood. He followed that call through the town, all but oblivious to where he was going. As he walked, his head tilted back in bliss enjoying the ocean breeze, his hands loosened the buttons on his shirt, exposing his chest to the sea air.

Before he knew it, not that he really knew it with his mind far out beyond the waves, Taesh had walked to the docks, and past them. Another sound called to him this time, and it was the sound of crashing waves. It was a sound that sung in the Atha'an Miere's blood. He barely remember anything that Valadin Asha'man had said about this venture, but he knew that he had a little time before the group would be signaled to return to the Tower. He just wanted to feel the water against his skin, just for a moment. There, at the end of the quay, where the power of the waves gloried in their might against the rocks. None really came that far, and he could be in the ocean's embrace, just briefly once more. Whatever trouble he might get in, it would be worth it. He walked, singularly intent on his personal mission, unaware that he was walking dead into the Asha'man who might be just sullen enough to refuse to Seafolk Soldier his desired dip.

[Sean]

When the Soldier appeared Valadin kept relief from marring his composure. It was somewhat vexing that there was even the slightest amount of concern for the breezy young man.

In the spirit of maintaining the foolish masquerade imposed on them, Val gave an affable wave and smile, the feeling of his lips pulling apart feeling alien without Nykk for a muse. Watching as Durlaen left the town limits and approached to pier Val thought of the how they would pass the time—it was really all that had been asked of him. The bulk of the work belonged to the eyes-and-ears…if one deigned to call carousing about and striking furtive conversations work. Nevertheless the value of their duty needed to be accepted if the Seanchan were a threat to the Grey Tower in the future.

His thoughts hadn’t fully completed their circuit before it became apparent that Durlaen was not headed in his direction. Rather the fool boy was intently striding towards the sea, eyes focused on the frothing waters with trance-like intensity.

Now Valadin was angry.

Springing to his feet with the sort of energy befitting a primed combatant he crossed the walkway and intercepted Taesh. Lines of heat pulsed at the edge of his vision as a heavy hand fell upon the boy’s shoulder. Outwardly he managed to keep his ire from becoming evident, but he could feel the flare of his nostril as he fixed the Soldier with a meaningful look. “When we return to the Tower you will spend months serving penance. That will be after the Master of Soldiers decides whether to keep an ox-brain sheep like you. Follow me and keep your wits about you before we attract attention!”

He wanted to say more, but dared not trust himself to speak further. Instead he kept his hand on Durlaen’s shoulder, somewhat briskly guiding him further down the quay. If the boy wished to be treated as a child then Val would have him know that some children suffered a great deal more than harsh words and a gentle paddling.

When they were what Val felt was far enough away from the sounds of shouting men and clambering dock work, Val stopped. He wanted to berate the Seafolk Soldier for being so frivolous, but knew that it would mean nothing to either of them. Instead he turned towards the Ayrth, studying the waves afar crashing upon themselves before saying, “Soldier Durlaen, penance aside we will resume your training now. Seize Saidin.”

[Kenneth]

So close, yet so far. The hand that grabbed Taesh's shoulder was like the hand waking someone from a much desired dream. It brought the Soldier back to where he didn't want to be, reality. He was led away from Valadin Asha'man, and he was all but bristling in frustration. Was the Asha'man completely devoid of emotion? Was that the price to pay to wield the One Power? Could Valadin Asha'man not understand what torture it was for the Athan'an Miere channeler to be so close to the sea, and refused it's embrace. All of this Taesh wanted to say, but he did not trust himself to say it respectfully, and he did not think Valadin Asha'man could be made to care.

The promise of penance rolled off of the dark-skinned Soldiers back like water on an oiled cloth. There was nothing worse that the Tower could do to him that what he was enduring now by being refused the touch of the ocean. If it was meant as some form of torture or punishment, it was working wonders.

“Soldier Durlaen, penance aside we will resume your training now. Seize Saidin.”

Taesh looked at Valadin Asha'man, and saying nothing seized the male half of the One Power. Over the time since his initial seizing it had become much easier for the Atha'an Miere to touch saidin. As easy as it could get at least when gripping a seeming living and incredibly powerful storm. Within the Oneness he released much of his frustration at the situation, and at his Asha'man teacher, and let the sweet sensation of saidin and the rightness it brought to the world erase the rest of his ire. He looked at the Aryth, all the more beautiful for the clarity and perception that saidin gifted, and waited for further instruction.

[Sean]

As the Soldier seized the One Power, Valadin took it for himself as well. In the past the struggle had been frightening, the threat of tumbling over the abyss and losing everything striking panic in most instances where Saidin was necessary. Now that fight was a delight…one of the few left to him.

For all that Durlaen appeared harmless on the surface it did nothing to abate the menace inherent to a man channeling the Power was no less oppressive. There’s a lesson in that, Val decided.

Catching Taesh cast another glance at the sea and readied to chastise him again, but decided against it. “You’ve done well in learning to take hold of the Power so quickly. Now is the time to see where your strengths lie.”

Bidding the Seafolk to take a seat, Val joined in as well. The ocean side breeze rolled over them, ruffling their gaudy clothes. With their Power-blessed eyes they could see in the distance where schools of fish occasionally broke through the water’s surface their scales shimmering like jewels before vanishing into the rich blue-green of the sea. During times such as this Val found it difficult to remember where his anger had come from—or why he held to it so. The Void was close at hand, but so was the Fury, both forces waiting to overcome him at a moment’s falter. Distantly he wondered if this was perhaps were the beginnings of madness.

“I want you to reach out to Saidin. Attempt nothing…simply reach out with your mind and touch it. Then find the Flows of Power that are there. Sense what Fire, Air, Spirit, Water, and Earth mean to you. Pull on those lines gently to see what they would do in your grasp. That is beginning of understanding Weaves,” Val explained, calmly resting both hands upon his knee.

It was odd for him to feel no trace of tension in his skin. He found the sensation unsettling after countless days spent struggling with a myriad of problems. Stranger still was that this tranquility found him with this bothersome youth in tow. Was I ever that carefree? In those days…I can’t remember.

“There will be inclination to draw more of the Power into you,” he added wistfully, the rough edge usually present in his tone absent in the gentleness of the moment. “Do not indulge it. Begin.”

[Kenneth]

Taesh sat down as he was instructed, his mind full of the wonder of seeing the world through the lenses of saidin. This experience only made him fall in love with, and long for, the kiss of the sea all the more. Every nuance of the ocean, was visible to his sight, the sounds true and clear in his ears. He though that he knew the ocean, as much as one can know something that is always moving and vastly unpredictable. Now he understood that while he knew more than many, as most Seafolk did, he had barely touched the surface. Saidin gave him an intimate knowledge and feel for the ocean and shore, a deeper sense of knowing that he could have ever imagined.

“I want you to reach out to Saidin. Attempt nothing…simply reach out with your mind and touch it. Then find the Flows of Power that are there. Sense what Fire, Air, Spirit, Water, and Earth mean to you. Pull on those lines gently to see what they would do in your grasp. That is beginning of understanding Weaves,”

The Atha'an Miere continued to do as he was instructed. He reached out to the One Power with his mind, an act that had become very familiar. Now though, he scrutinized the Power more than before, and he could see the individual Powers. Strongest to his minds eye, the power that felt most familiar to him was Air. It was not just because there was a breeze playing across his skin, but Air called to him in a way the other Powers didn't, though Water came close. He gave Air the gentlest touch with his mind, and felt it respond immediately, almost in anticipation. He could sense what with that Power alone the wind would answer his summons. He had to resist pulling on the thread of Air in the moment, but it was twined about his mind, in a familiar embrace. It wanted to be used, and Taesh sensed that there was almost nothing he could not do with Air. The Atha'an Miere could try and blow a ship clear across the Aryth with just the wind, so strong was his connection with the power of Air.

Reluctantly he released the flow of Air and reached out for what next felt right, Water. The Power flowed into his mental touch, as if he had dipped his hand into a stream. His connection with Water was not as deep as that with Air, but still, with a little more concentration he could also make this Power bend to his will. Water reminded the Atha'an Miere of himself, choosing the course that was easiest to traverse, but making it's own way when needed. The flow of the Power washed over him, and he could see how easy it would be to call hidden waters from underground, or gather the hidden water in the air. He allowed the flow of Water to wash over his mental awareness for a moment longer before he moved on.

Next came Earth, and as similar as he was Water, and as familiar as the flow of Air was, Earth was as much the opposite. Earth resisted change, it was not stagnate but the change was slow and paced. Taesh touched the flow, and it was as if the Earth did not recognize or acknowledge. He felt the difficulty he would have getting this flow to follow his command, he did not truly understand the resistance; but he felt it all the same.

Spirit was next, even more difficult to grasp than Earth. It alluded his touch, fickle to his mind and almost slippery to his mental grasp. When he finally did manage to grasp and hold a thread of the Power, it still resisted, and Taesh understood very little of what he would be able to do with this Power.

Finally came Fire. The Power did not resist his touch, but Taesh had an immediate aversion to It. At his mental stroke, he felt the destructive ability waiting within the Power. True every Power could be dangerous and destructive, he had known storms on the seas that made landfall and toppled towns. Yet the destructive capabilities within Fire was immediately prevalent to the young Soldier, and it completely turned him away. Taesh felt no great love for destruction and therefor felt no need to know Fire in more than the briefest of touches. He could not see himself weaving that particular Power too often.

[Sean]

During Durlaen’s meditation, Val was reminded of his time as Soldier. Seth Asha’man had been the first to teach him Saidin and the role he was to play in the coming days of war. At that time anxiety was the only thing that had been of concern. Wondering whether he’d become strong enough or reliable to do the tasks expected of him were constant sources of worry.

Hard to believe the future holds little else besides battle and blood for me now, he sighed inwardly, noting in the same instant that the Soldier had stirred from his reflections. Whatever had been learned, there was a seriousness that hadn’t been present before—one that only came with the understanding of the Power’s potential.

“My first time was jarring too,” Val explained knowingly. “Frightening…and exciting in the same breath. Makes you believe that you could do anything if you, but gave the thought form.”

On the far side of the port, ships were raising anchor. Seeing the massive creatures of wood bob elegantly on the crests of white tipped waves was not a sight that Valadin believed he’d ever grow used to. Looking back at Durlaen he imagined what the lad’s childhood had been like. Surrounded on all sides by the capricious ocean with only the hull of the ship for protection; just thinking about it made Val glad that Traveling had been discovered.

“The Power is wonderful,” he murmured, partially to Taesh, but more to himself. Prescient of the limited time they had he went on to say, “but there will be time when it must be used to defend or destroy; as with any weapon.”

At his words, Flows of Air responded were drawn upon into a simple Weave, the One Power appearing as a translucent ribbon of light streaming from a point just before him. Soldier Durlaen would be able to see the Flows as well—as well as any male channeler that might have been present, but for now they seemed safe. Air had always come easily to him with Spirit being the only other element with which he felt such kinship. Molding the Flow into a whip for Taesh to see he continued speaking, “I was once told that Asha’man means ‘Guardian’ in the Old Tongue. Even guardians must learn to fight.”

The water directly below them split as an invisible force slapped at its surface. Though the spray was great, few would notice the turbulent water while the waves lapped against the shore with increasing force on this end of the pier.

“Go on and try the Weave for yourself. Air is flexible and spacious. It’s all around you so it can be the most useful of the Powers, I think. Just remember it is your iron will that will subdue the winds into harkening to your call,” Val advised.

[Kenneth]

Taesh listened intently to Valadin Asha'man, more so than he had ever had before. The longing for the sea that had been awakened in him was completely replaced by the thrill of saidin, and a desire to learn more. Before his initial seizing and learning, he had thought that nothing would ever replace his love for the sea, but the feeling that the One Power gave him now topped his list. It opened his senses in a way that was downright intoxicating, and he found himself reveling in the feeling more and more. No matter the bargain, learning this had made it all worth it the dark-skinned Soldier thought to himself.

“The Power is wonderful, but there will be time when it must be used to defend or destroy; as with any weapon.”

This in fact did jar Taesh slightly. He did not like that thought, the need to defend, the need for destruction. He recognized the necessity, but death was no laughing matter; and anything that could not be laughed about was not something the Atha'an Miere held any interest for. He thought there were so many other ways that the Powers could be used, why learn the offensive applications first? Still, he was already in enough trouble as it was, the promised penance still lingering in the back of his mind; so the young soldier said nothing.

“I was once told that Asha’man means ‘Guardian’ in the Old Tongue. Even guardians must learn to fight.”

I suppose that if peace is threatened, and there is no other recourse, to protect it I would have to fight Taesh thought as the resulting spray from the whip of Air hitting the surface of the sea subsided. He resolved that he would learn some basic defensive uses of the Power, but that would not be all he learned. He knew that the Green was all about battle and preparation for the Last Battle, but that Ajah did not appeal to him in the slightest.

When it was his turn to attempt to weave, he breathed in as he reached out for Air, and it responded. Like Valadin Asha'man, Taesh felt most familiar and comfortable with Air. The Power responded to his mental touch quickly, and like he had seen his teacher do, he formed that Power into a whip, and sent it crashing down into an incoming wave, splitting the wave like a healers knife, sending a spray into the air like before. Taesh grinned, pleased with his result, his eyes dancing as he turned to the Asha'man.