A simple Trip, turned into more? (Atten: Carra)

[Sunny]

Amadie Laine A Shadow of Doubt Amadie kept her grip on Liri's hand as they tumbled through a confusing collection of unfamiliar locations and nightmares. The girl's ability to dodge the nightmares was impressive; she would certainly need training in her ability if -when- they got her back to the Tower.

Finally they stopped in a featureless room, with dirty walls and a wood floor. There were no windows, and only one door. Every bit of Amadie's being screamed for her to leave. NOW. The walls were shifting constantly, splatters of blood appearing and fading from moment to moment. A wooden chair appeared in a corner, then shifted to the center of the room, then fell on its side. The door opened, then closed again. Good; whoever uses this room goes there via the door, not Traveling. The next time it opened, Amadie threw herself at it, pulling Liri with her.

They stood in a dark hallway. She glanced around, then picked a direction and walked, Liri behind her. They climbed some stairs, went along another hall, and up more stairs. A door barred the top. Amadie hesitated a moment, then opened it.

For a brief moment she saw trees and sky, and then abruptly she stood in a small room, naked and shivering. Carra stood in front of her, face cold and hard. "You don't deserve to live," the other woman said. "You are a worm, a useless maggot, nothing more than a toy to play with." The other Aes Sedai pulled a knife from her belt, pulled Amadie's hand out, and slipped the point beneath her thumb nail. Amadie shrieked as that blade dug in, coherent thought lost as pure pain exploded in her mind.

She was pushed backward, and as she fell, she remembered Carra's face as she scolded Jaryd. Carra would never do this. Memory returned. Where was Liri? She fixed that door with the trees beyond in her mind, Liri behind her. That was real. This was not. She would NOT stay here. Carra vanished and the door reappeared. The pain in her hand remained, but Liri still stood with her, white faced with shock. She had not been present in that nightmare; it was all too likely that the Accepted had seen what happened and been unable to stop it. She took a long breath, then another, and stepped through the door.

Outside, nothing but trees. I need to know where I am. NEED.

Shift.

She and Liri stood atop a hill. Below them she could see a small structure. To her right marched the foothills of the Mountains of Mist. She twisted, and there, barely visible, she could see the roof tops of a town. A town she knew, had visited many times since becoming Aes Sedai. "We are south of Baerlon," she murmured.

Again the world changed. This time she stood in absolute darkness, but she knew without seeing that she had company. Cold hands brushed her body, and she shuddered. "That oathbreaking bitch didn't tell you what you are up against, did she?" A male voice murmured, the tone of his voice matching the seductive gestures of his hands. Amadie froze. "Amarisa just sent you in here to play her game like a good pawn, didn't she?" He laughed, and abruptly something sharp pressed hard against her neck just below her jawline. "You don't know the meaning of pain, little Aes Sedai. When I'm done with that silly girl out there, I will find you. Now- go tell Amarisa where I am. I am so looking forward to our next meeting. "

She stood on the hillside again, shaken. She had not removed herself form that nightmare...if nightmare it was. Whoever...or whatever....was out there, knew how to manipulate Tel'aran'rhiod very well indeed. "Liri," she said, unable to keep her voice from shaking. The Accepted looked at her. "I must leave you for a moment," she said, her voice sad. "I don't know what he will do with you while I am gone. I must tell Carra so she can come get you...soon." The last word was said after a moment of hesitation. The man's words still echoed in her head. Who was Amarisa? What had Carra and Jaryd kept from her?

She imagined herself back in her bed, and a moment later opened her eyes. The cuts stung, and the smell of burnt hair was strong in the air. Carra leaned over her, her expressionless face distorted into something close to frantic fear. She straightened and backed away as Amadie woke.

"Your "possible danger" can Dreamwalk," she said, her voice cracking on the last word as the horror of what she had experienced came back in a rush. "Liri is in a small house in the forest just south of Baerlon. There is a hill crowned with oak trees. If you go there, you can see the place." She shuddered, wiping her bleeding thumb on her shift. "I can't leave Liri with him, Carra. He will kill her, and then come for me." Carra tensed, but Amadie ignored it.

Something was not right in her head. It felt fuzzy and odd, and she could not stop herself from asking "Why didn't you tell me?" Hurt and guilt blossomed in her friend's eyes, but Amadie was already drifting. "Find Liri," she murmured, and then she was back in Tel'aran'rhiod. Take me to her.

---

OOC: Okay, there is NO WAY I could fit this into one post. If Carra could maybe post her response? Then I could post again, and then I'll be done.

[Siera]

Lirievin Tesiva Facing Death Liri followed the Aes Sedai as she first left the room and walked up the stairs. She was confused when she saw Carra in the dream saying such things, she had never known Carra to take that tone. But when the knife from Carra hit the Aes Sedai Liri had no idea what to think. She was just shocked and she had no idea how to help. Without staying anything, they suddenly moved. Liri looked around cautiously. They were on a hill with mountains off to their right. The Aes Sedai said something about being about
Baerlon, but she was so quite Liri couldn't quite make out what she had said.

They were there long before darkness took over. She couldn't see anything but Liri heard his voice. She had grown all to use to it in her room. Liri stayed still, conflicted. She knew he was dangerous and she wanted to help the Aes Sedai, but at the same time she had finally found a spot away from him and she didn't really want to draw his attention. As quickly as the darkness had arrived it vanished and they were back on the hill again, he was know where in sight.

The Aes Sedai spoke to her, her voice shaking. She was leaving her. Liri did her best not to look panicked, it would after-all only make things harder. Liri nodded saying she understood and within seconds the Aes Sedai had disappeared. The moment she left, Liri's cuts came back along with the pain. The sudden shock of it brought her to her knees. Holding back any further tears Liri got up. She looked around, she wanted to wait for the Aes Sedai here, so she knew where to find her so she might as well do some sightseeing. Nothing really changed here, it wasn't like the room where she was being kept that was in a constant state of motion.

It wasn't long before Liri felt like there were eyes on her. She glanced around not seeing anyone but she couldn't shake the feeling. I need to get out of here she thought The Aes Sedai found me once, hopefully she can find me again. Closing her eyes, Liri pictured the stables at the Grey Tower, maybe the comfort of those would calm her. She wandered through that Stable, stopping once she got to Eclipse's stall, even thinking of him made her smile. As she entered the stall Liri once again felt eyes on her. She spun around only to see him.

Closing her eyes Liri tried to think of another place, the only place she knew well enough was the Tower. So in her mind she pictures the Gardens again. In moments she was there and she started running, well running as best as she could with a limp. She tried to find a place to hide in the bushes. Her safety only lasted a few moment before she felt the eyes on her back again. Before she could get away Liri felt something hit her skin, she looked down and saw blood trickling down her leg. Shaking her head to clear it Liri closed her eyes, pictured the Kitchens and attempted to move there. From there she went back to the Stables, then the Novice Quarters, and even the Inn in Hama Valon. No matter where she went him and his knifes followed. She couldn't stand it anymore, she was tired of running.Liri turned around to face him. At this point she had no idea when, or even if the Aes Sedai was coming back and she had to take matters into her own hands. She would either die here or die in that room, and she would rather do it where she was free.

[Sunny]

Amadie's mind cleared as she stepped into the Blue Ajah quarters in Tel'aran'rhiod. A moment later her body cleared of wounds, her hair grew long and luxurious, a delicately wrought net of gold chain and pearls gathering it a the nape of her neck. She wore her finest brocade riding gown, split for ease of movement and, if need be, to run. The hem was picked out with blue flames, a subtle reminder that she, Amadie Laine, was and always would be an Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah.

She stood for a moment, her mind flowed through novice exercises, bringing with them absolute serenity, inner strength, and poise. A rose blossomed and turned into a stream, which became a gentle wind, which became the insistent pulse of the tide on the sands of home. Saidar bloomed within her, and she held it with the same gentle strength she always had. It embraced and protected her, and for a moment, she remembered the very first time she had ever touched that sweetness. How young she had been, then, how naive. How certain she would become a legend.

****

We were once young and blessed with wings
No heights could keep us from their reach
No sacred place we did not soar
Still greater things burned within us

****

Carra. Her friend had always been an enigma, and yet Amadie had thought they were close, that she knew the Red's secrets as well as Carra knew her own. They had studied together, mourned Amora's loss together, plotted revenge for Jaryd's misdeeds together. Carra had trusted her with her intent to recreate the Red Ajah, and Amadie had trusted her with her secret ability to Dreamwalk. They had planned their future together, too, until Carra had been summarily raised to Amyrlin. Until now, she had trusted Carra implicitly.

Until now. "Who is Aramisa?" She asked out loud. She heard a familiar laugh; she turned to face the sound, but there was nothing to see. "Who are you?" She asked, her voice louder.

"Your worst nightmare, little Aes Sedai," a voice said- and then the sense of wrongness faded, as if whoever spoke had moved away.
 
****

I don't regret the choices that I've made
I know you feel the same

****

Amadie felt her back straighten as self-discipline and steel resolve filled her heart. Whatever Carra's secrets were, this man -creature!- was tormenting an Accepted for no reason other than to get Carra's attention. The Aes Sedai could not imagine a more reprehensible act. As her need to eradicate the menace that had so abruptly interrupted her life overtook her, she realized something terribly important. Something she abruptly realized she would never be able to speak aloud. It doesn't matter what you did. I will always love you.

Her resolve grounded by an unexpected inner peace, she closed her eyes and imagined Liri's face. "Where are you, Lirievin?" She asked aloud. Take me to her.

Shift

She stood in the Tower Gardens. No Liri. Shift. The stables. The kitchens. Novice quarters. An inn. The wrong feeling returned, and Amadie pulled saidar in, in preparation for whatever might come.

Shift.

She stepped into a corridor in the novice halls. Liri stood there, new wounds marking her fair skin, hands raised in a defensive position and her face set. She was terrified, yet fierce; in her state of detached calm, Amadie took note of her courage and her respect for the girl abruptly increased tenfold.

She realized then that the Accepted faced...a man in a fancloth cloak. This monster is a Warder? No. It could not be. He had killed a Warder, or stolen the cloak. No Warder, not even a Darkfriend, would do this. Would he?

Amadie channeled, flows of Fire and Air lashing out to wrap around the man's arms. For one exultant moment she bound him with the Power, and took a step towards him. In the next breath, her flows vanished as if they had never existed, and she stumbled, surprise breaking her calm. "Did you think you could catch me so easily, mouse?" The world around them started to shift, and she clamped down, hard, on what she knew reality to be.

"You won't catch me so easily this time," she said coldly. She concentrated, imagining a wall surrounding her assailant. The wall appeared, but she felt him touch it with a finger and it shattered. "Light," She breathed, "where did you learn? How have I not seen you before?"

"I had no need for you to see me before, mouse," the man said, eyes glittering. "What purpose would it have served? Since you are here now, shall we play a game?" Reality melted, replaced only by blinding pain. She screamed, arching her back, calm lost, saidar lost, the only thing in her mind the realization that somehow, some way, she had met her match.

A few excruciating moments later, he brought her back to the hall. She fell on her knees before him, gasping, and he arched an eyebrow. "You are not doing a good job at protecting your charge, mouse," he said. Fighting convulsions, Amadie turned her head, looking for Liri. The Accepted crouched some distance away, a new shallow gash across her shoulder.

"She is a child!" Amadie snapped, fury giving her strength. "Why do you torment her when she has done nothing to harm you?" She scrambled to her feet and embraced saidar. She needed to keep him busy for a little while. Just a little while. She gestured, and a fireball the size of a large dog erupted before her, speeding towards her companion.

If it hit, she never saw it. The pain returned, twisting her limbs until she fell to the floor, her shrieks echoing on the corridors. "You cannot...have her..." she gasped between cries, pushing herself off the floor. "You can NOT. You WILL not."

****

Moments lost, though time remains
I am so proud of what we were

****

It felt like hours passed as she struggled with him. She imagined him in a cage. She imagined a knife and tried to stab him. She tried to drown him, to burn him, to drop him off the highest peak she could think of. He countered every attempt as if toying with a child, and every move brought a new wound, a new source of pain, a new distraction for Amadie.

Finally, desperately, she channeled until she could channel no more. As she drew on saidar she remembered the lectures she had gotten as a novice- never draw too much, they had told her. The consequences are…terrible. She remembered testing her limits as an Accepted, and again as an Aes Sedai. That ache paled in comparison to the burn she felt now as she pulled in more and more of the Power. She had to defeat him, whatever the cost....but Light, oh Light it hurt. She released the flows- and they vanished, taking with them her last hope for victory. Laughing eyes stared at her as she fell into darkness and horror.

I was so young and naive.


****

No pain remains, no feeling
Eternity awaits

****

Something nagged at her, and pulled her back from oblivion. Something she still needed to do. She had a purpose? A girl. There was a girl she needed to protect. Someone was hurting a girl. Which girl? Who was hurting her?

She stirred, coughed. Red drops splattered the floor and she stared at them hazily, wondering where they came from.

A man's laughter rang in her ears, then his boot connected with her belly, replacing her grief with the physical agony of snapping ribs. Get up, she ordered herself. Somehow she staggered to her feet, bracing herself with hands on knees. A quick glance told her Liri lived, though she could not tell if this stranger had hurt her any more.

"Are you tired of playing yet, mouse?"

"Are you...tired...of hurting a child for petty revenge?" She panted. She scrambled for saidar and found only a whisper of light that faded faster than it had arrived. Tears burned her face.

"I almost like you, mouse," he said in a cordial tone, walking over to put a hand on her shoulder. His weight pressed down, grinding against bone; she bit her lip, tasting copper as her teeth punctured flesh. The pressure increased until she cried out, pushing at him ineffectually. "You don't look strong, but you just keep going. I could admire that, if only you weren't so close to Aramisa."

"Who in the bloody Creator's name is Aramisa?" Amadie gasped, contorting beneath him.

“A liar,” the man said, his voice abruptly savage, “a killer, a thief…and a dead woman, when I’m done with her.” He grinned. “I hear she decided to call herself Carraighdin when she started her new life. How is that working out for her?”

Amadie scowled. She had thought so, yet the confirmation of Carra’s lie still burned. “Everyone deserves a second chance,” she said coldly, ignoring the hurt. Light, how could she go on? She had to, somehow, until Carra could find Lirievin and take her to safey.

She saw his eyes shift, heard the Accepted cry out. She concentrated, imagining her fingernails growing to sharp points, the most change she could muster. Then she leapt at him, savaging his face and neck with her fingers, wrapping her legs around his and pulling him down, kicking, hitting, biting. He yelped –the first expression of surprise she had heard out of him, and fought to get her off him. She felt the burn of a blade , and ignored it.

“Oh!” The exclamation of surprise stopped both of them; as Amadie’s gaze shifted upward, Liri abruptly faded, and disappeared.

The strange man cursed, and threw Amadie away from him. She landed on her back on the floor, her head smashing on something sharp and hard as she fell. She stared up at him from where she lay, brows slightly furrowed in confusion. Everything was blurry, and she could hear the ocean in her ears as if she lay on its shores at that very moment.

He squatted next to her, ran his left fingers along her jaw line, his right hand running up the left side of her body in an almost loving gesture. “You put up a good fight, little mouse,” he said calmly, “but it’s time for the game to end.” Abruptly something cold, so cold, colder than anything she had ever felt in her life, slipped between her ribs. He stood then and strode away without another word, his fancloth cloak melting into the world around him until suddenly he vanished.

****

Grant me wings that I might fly
My restless soul is longing
No pain remains, no feeling
Eternity awaits

Amadie lay in silence after his departure, tears sliding unheeded down her cheeks. Her life played behind her eyelids even as it flowed from between her ribs. Slowly her vision faded, and she floated in gray, the agony she had endured for so long finally fading into the distance. A light glowed warmly above her, beckoning to her through the shifting mist. She looked behind her, and saw a line stretching into eternity. That thread ached and burned, but attached to it were memories of her friends faces, her family, the daughter she had known only inside a ter’angreal test, her hopes for the future.

The light beckoned again. With a sigh, Amadie turned away from the line. They would find her again, some day.

She flew.

[Carra]

Carraidhin Glaisne We made a pact and said forever For so long a fire had burned in her, touching her finger tips and daring to run over. Like embers of a cold fire or the riven earth below the calm earth, threatening to erupt and destroy all that lay in its path if unheeded. Carraidhin, sat beside her friend, the first she dared believe to be a true friend, as she fought to find yet another she had come to care deeply about. Cared, but kept at a distance. She did not know how to let anyone in. Not Amadie. Not Lirievin. Always at a distance, but that fire to burn smoldered in her, daring her to act. Begging her to pull out her blades and set aside her humanity.

"Your "possible danger" can Dreamwalk,"

Cold dread filled her, fanning away the heat and leaving away the raw core within her. Carra couldn’t speak, there were no words to even say that could change things. The markings that were now coming with her from the dream world were a haunting reply that she wanted to fix but did not know how. These were not ordinary wounds.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

The pain Carra felt, and the words that almost slurred told her something more, something deeper and darker that only brought her shame. A past, a history that Carra had wanted to leave behind. Flickers of dark deeds and an unnatural desire to fill the holes in a damaged heart, Carra had hoped she had left it behind... Before she could even speak Amadie slipped away and only her body remained. Shallow breath the only sign of life.

“No…” Carra grabbed Amadie’s hand, squeezing it, shaking it, “Wake up!” He… Carra pushed at Amadie’s body, gave her face a hard slap. “Wake! Ama-” But the harder she fought to wake her the more damage seemed to show on her both, and Carra fell back to her knees with her hands to her mouth, stifling the cry caught deep in her throat. The very real feeling of cold died in her as she knew.. Carra knew…

On her knees, Carra crawled back to her friends bedside and took her hand carefully, reverently, in her own. Kissing it gently as a tear streaked down her face. “Come back to me, Amadie. ….” As futile as it was, Carra wished. Dared one last moment of hope that had forsaken her so viciously this night, “Please.. don’t leave me!” And that rare moment of ache for her friend became a moment of grief, that even if she returned something was lost to her, knowing that she these years they could have been together.. were but a wasted wish of some child Carra had no right to remember. Secrets and lies..

And it made her angry.

Standing from her watch, Carraidhin knew there was nothing she could do for Amadie sitting here. She could not wake her and now she dared not run for her Ter’angreal no matter the temptation. She would be but a biteme in a spiders net to a trained dreamwalker. She could not dare take the risk if she would ever get either Amadie or Lirievin back. A glance at a side desk mirror, Carra brushed away her tear, the cold resolve began anew as she started to hatch a plan.

If he wanted her that badly he will regret hunting for her. Carra never made for very good prey.



When you want me I am here
Then you change your mind again and disappear
So do me damage or do me right
We could be the ones who see the other side
We could be the only lovers left alive
[carra]~~~~8~@[/carra] Carraidhin & Jaryd Slipping out the door to Amadie’s private quarters, she looked up at Jaryd who stood quickly from his seat. Carraidhin’s face was pale and a light in her sea green eyes diminished, but her features calm and of stone, what emotion she had raged through in private no more showed in her eyes then had she just stubbed a toe or brushed her hair. The only real tell tale sign of her inner turmoil was the purse of her lips that were tight to keep away words that turned in her mind. She looked up, not sure what to catch in Jaryd’s eyes but her own green eyes felt lost while shame and pain seemed to reflect in hers. She didn’t want to search his face or find comfort in him, so she turned away. If her earlier displays of emotion had undone her, she dared not express more. There was no longer any affordance to anything less than action.

“We can do no more here. Let us return.” Her voice calm and strong.

Jaryd tilted his head, frowning slightly. "Amadie is sleeping, then?"

She gave a soft quick sigh, moving away from the door in serene calm. Each step took her away from Amadie even if she would rather run. “Yes. We don’t have much time. Lirievin’s life is on the line now.”

The Asha'man nodded sharply, his hands feeling over his body as if checking for something. Or perhaps many things. He seemed anxious, but it was impossible to tell whether his concern was for Amadie or for something else. Finally he gave another sharp nod. “I have everything I need,” he said. “Where you lead, I will follow.”

“I need to get dressed.” She replied, tugging her robe a little tighter before heading towards the door out of the Blue Sister’s quarters.

Jaryd flushed, nodding acknowledgment. “Of course.” He had been so lost in what was happening around them that he hadn’t even realized Carra wore only a robe. Now his face burned as he followed her away, and he tried to keep his eyes anywhere but on her.

Her steps quiet, they took the quickest route through the Blue Ajah Quarters, up various stairs and to the top of the Grey Tower that housed the officers of the Tower. She turned to the door that lead to her quarters and opened the door, allowing Jaryd to follow at his own pace. “Stay here. Don’t get too comfortable.” She said without waiting for him to even close the doors before she walked into her private rooms to change.

Shortly the Cairhien returned, dressed in what looked like black leather over a suit of chainmail. Her red hair braided pinned neatly at the nap of her neck. It was a custom piece that she had commissions through her private contacts when she was raised to Keeper and had a great deal of access to the Tower Contacts and connections, the suit fit well under her usual overdress which made it ideal, although not entirely standard wear. No sign of color on her aside the red tassels of her Jian on her hips, and untold thin daggers hidden away. Walking up to Jaryd, she noticed him shift under her gaze, but with a purpose in her mind she stayed her course.

“Give me your hand.”

Jaryd arched an eyebrow, but extended his hand, palm up, without hesitation.

Reaching out she dropped a coin into his hand, warm to the touch it held no special markings aside the Hama Valon flame and the face of the former Amyrlin. “This will help you find me when I need you to find me. I don’t know what will happen but just in case…” Her voice faltered a moment, a flicker of surprise as her heart skipped a beat with the idea of not coming back. Strange as she had spend years just wanting to leave. “So long as my heart beats, it will hum warm. With a small thread of spirit it will help point you in a direction I am in. But it won’t tell you distance. I could be in seanchan or the next room, so just be aware.” The coin was but a simple weave that she had modified in her spare time while she was alone. It took a few hundred coins to make the weave work properly even if it was temporary.

The Altaran took the coin, turned it in his fingers, then flipped it in the air high over his head and caught it as it came down. He grinned at her and started to put it in his pocket, then paused, thoughtful. “Do I have to be holding it in my hand?”

She had to think about it for a moment, “Where else would you hold it?”

He grinned again, pulled up his breeches leg, and made to slip it in his boot. She nodded, and he let it drop, tucking his breeches back in. “That way I can touch it even if I am otherwise incapacitated, my lady Amyrlin.” His eyes said he knew she had expected a joke, but otherwise he simply waited.

There was indecision in her thoughts and a hesitation before she gave a nod. “That will do.” She cleared her thoughts and throat lightly before continuing. “There is a small house in the forest just south of Baerlon. There is a hill crowned with oak trees. Amadie said that there was a little house there that Lirievin was being held. Are you familiar with that area?”

“Yes. I spent some time there before coming to the Grey Tower...and then some of the Greys thought I would benefit from….mercantile education. I don’t recall that specific hill as I spent most of my time in the town, but there aren’t many around Baerlon until the Mountains of Mist begin, so it shouldn’t be difficult to locate.” He was restless and eager to go, even with -or perhaps particularly because of- danger in the air.

“That is helpful and will save us time.” She made a quick movement to check her weapons and gave a nod. “I need you to make the gateway. I don’t know the area well enough and I will need my strength.” This time what humor or hesitation that addled her left as the seriousness in her tone came from the authority she had learned, become, is. “Once Sean has me, he won’t bother with Lirievin. I will make him chase me and that way you can come in and get Lirievin out. Wait a while and reopen your gateway and get her out. No heroics, no chasing me. Your priority will be Lirievin. Understand?”

That gave him pause; he hesitated for a very long moment, clearly lost in a personal struggle. “The Accepted must be returned to safety, and I can see that we may not be able to do it together,” he said finally, his voice strained, “But if you do not return, I will find you, if for no other reason than because you are the Amyrlin and I don’t want to run this place by myself.” Always the touch of humor, it was his shield when something hurt that he could not acknowledge.

For a moment her voice softened, a fraction of the care that had been there when she had talked to him as a dedicated, a remembered time of caring that she so quickly pushed away. “If I need you, the coin will grow hot for a fraction and the weave will disappear. You will know you need to find me, but what weave that is on there will be gone.” It was almost a whisper, gentle. If her life was in that great of a need then he may as well hunt for a body. Not that she would tell him that straight out. She needed him here, the Tower could not lose another Amyrlin, but even more it could not lose both a Father and a Mother.

“And Jaryd…” The hesitation back, knowing that there was no way she could avoid not telling him this, “He is a dreamwalker. If Amadie does not wake… Be sure to shield your dreams. Impress upon the others to do the same. I can not know how long it will take for me to return and that he is dead.”

Jaryd’s face grew dark as she spoke, putting the pieces together. “Light, you left her there,” he said. He ran his fingers through his short hair, unable to meet her eyes for a moment.

“I am not a dreamwalker. I can walk in dreams but I.. I would only be fodder for whatever games he wanted to play.”

He met her eyes then. “There is a saying in the Borderlands, Carra. Death is lighter than a feather, duty heavier than a mountain.” He turned towards an empty space in the room. “Let’s go show this jerk how heavy a feather can be.” He seized saidin, all five Powers flowing through his fingers to form a Gateway. It was lucky indeed that he had spent an afternoon discussing politics with his fellow leaders in this very room; the knowledge his hidden boredom had given him had given him the ability to Travel in this moment of need.

The door rotated open, into the twilight landscape surrounding Baerlon, and he stepped through, his face suddenly cold and hard from the Void.

Carra did not hesitate as she stepped through, following him through, the door leading them into underbrush and a night sky of diamonds and ebony dust.
[carra]~~~~8~@[/carra] Carraidhin Glaisne You can't outrun the wicked “There is a saying in the Borderlands, Carra. Death is lighter than a feather, duty heavier than a mountain.”

Jaryd’s words haunted her as the night sky bore witness to yet another change within her. A return to the dark heart that had felt nothing yet now bled with a cut far deeper than her skin. Looking to the unrelenting face of the moon, she knew that there was no time. What time there was wasted away like sands in a broken hourglass. Her only direction, the smoke that rose from the treetops not far from where Jaryd had left her. A silent prayer of thanks to Jenna who had taken such care in training her while she was still a novice. Carraidhin had learned much from the woman, even though there was much still that Carra had kept hidden.

The soles of her feet were padded, and carefully she stepped where the underbrush was soft with moss or brush. The light in the woods was a blessing with the moon so high, it fed her fire as she moved as quickly as she dared. He had to be expecting her, but Carra knew that Amadie could only buy her so much time. There was no knowing how time moved in Ter’aran’rhoid seconds could be hours could be days. A thought drifted in her mind, ‘you better survive this, Amadie… ‘ she thought, but Carra was no fool when it came to death. As she had left Amadie behind, reminders of the wounds bared witness that Sean would not play nice. Whatever his game was, Carra could only guess. Perhaps in the way she had gained what bit of humanity she had, was what he had lost.

A cabin was tucked away, light from a flickering candle teased through one of the windows, the rest dark. There was no movement outside the touch of the candlelight, but it told Carra very little. Asleep or away, the movement would not be so obvious. Taking care, Carra kept to the shadows, her dark leather suit blending with the shadows in the woods. The leather protecting her and keeping the chain underneath silent and still. Careful of traps, thread, or sticks randomly scattered on rise to the cottage, Carra approached.


Step. . .


. . . Step.

An ear to the door, and Carra heard no noise. Knowing Sean had no talent in saidin, Carraidhin reached for that sun, the light and warmth of saidar and deftly pulled on a few threads and opened the door. Slowly it creaked open, the hinges protesting at such a rude late night awakening. Carefully, Carra inched forward glanced in seeing a desk, the candle upon it flickering by the window and a closed satchel carefully set aside. Looking in further, a table and chair and a bed. The bed was empty.

“I did not think it would take you long after you sent your little pawn to find me.” The voice warm and full of amusement. Smooth with a deep alto tune that promised musical lilts and broken promises. Reminding her again that she was not the only one that lied.

Standing, Carra walked out of the shadows to stand in the doorway. There was a look of appreciation in his eyes as he took his time looking her up and down. “My my. No formal gowns this time?”

A smile to lips, one of promises that didn’t quite seem to ring with truth. “I thought we could play a little game.” Her eyes could no more show him the fire as it could the cold. Stone and darkness, Carra was the hunter and that reflection only made Sean smile brighter. “It is what you wanted, isn’t it?”

“That little Aes Sedai you sent, she was quite fun. A good sport over all.”

Carra didn’t even flinch, Amadie now pocketed away to another memory, another part of her that could not be touched by him. “Enjoyed the hunt?” The hint of her smile and the tease in her voice. Carraidhin no longer there.

“Amisa. I have missed you.” He started to stride through the room towards her. Stopping barely a foot from her. He wasn’t too tall for an Andoran and Aramisa guessed that he never was a true blood like her, but still he towered over her small cairhien frame. “What sort of game did you have in mind?”

She gave a small shrug as a finger toyed on the hilt of her jian, there was a cruel warmth in her voice that she had not used in a very very long time. “Oh, you know. The one where we play tag.” He raised an eyebrow. Faking a step forward, Aramisa whispered, “And where you die.”

Blowing him a kiss and before he could grab her, Aramisa took off into the woods, the moonlight kissing her path. A laughter followed as it would only be moments before he followed. The slam of the hinge on the door echoed behind her as the tree’s beckoned her to climb, and she knew that he was behind her. Running with weapons of his own.

You won't hear the footsteps
But I'll be following
You won't feel the shadows
But they'll be closing in
You won't see me coming
But I'll rip you at the seams
You won't touch the silence
But you can hear the screams

[Siera]

Lirievin Tesiva Spellbound Liri was almost relieved when the Aes Sedai showed up again. The Aes Sedais' clothing was beautiful and made her seem even more serene. She must be from the Blue Liri though taking notice of the blue flames around the hem. Liri looked up at her face, the Aes Sedai seemed cool, and collected, which almost made Liri jealous, she tried to put on a face but she was absolutely terrified. It wasn't long before her captor spoke to the Aes Sedai and they started their fight.

The Aes Sedai started first trying to box him in, Liri could do nothing but sit and stare, entranced by what they were doing. She had no idea what could actually be done, but there they were making blow after blow. Liri knew she couldn't stand for it although the Aes Sedai was holding her own now, Liri knew the battle would be fought better if it was two against one. She took a step forward, determination all but written on her face. This Aes Sedai could have left her own her own to fight this man, but she came back to save her so Liri knew she had to help. Liri was just about to draw saidar and take her next step when she hit an invisible wall. He must have put it there to stop her from doing anything, anger flashed through her. From what she could see, it looked like he was soon going to overpower the Aes Sedai and now he had stopped her from even attempting to help. Maybe my weaves can make it through the barrier she thought. Drawing one saidar Liri warmed as it flowed through her. She didn't know any really weaves to hurt him, but she knew how to make balls of fire. Completely the weave Liri threw it at him, only to have to hit the barrier and denigrate, with a rebound tossing her back. Liri felt something cut her shoulder but at this point she was too tired and weak to even care.

Liri had no idea how long they had been fighting but she brought herself back to reality and stood up, she didn't really want to watch but maybe if she studied him she could figure out how to harm him if it came to that. Liri had stopped listening to their commentary but she heard them mention Carra which got her attention. She must know Carra but how did he know her?

At that moment they must have remembered her, or realized she was not dead. They both took a quick glance her way, then he sent shards of glass at her. She cried out in pain as they added dozens of more cuts on her body and dropped to her knees. How could she continue? The pain was unbearable, she almost wished she would just die here. She felt something strange then, like she was slipping away.

"Oh!" She said louder then she though she could muster. Something strange was happening. Her view of them faded, it went dark a moment and was replaced by a mans face. "Am I dead?" she asked him, she hoped not as her pain was still unbearable.

[Sunny]

Jaryd Kosari Ghosts in the night Jaryd stepped through the gateway into the depths of country twilight. It had been far too long since he left the confines of the Grey Tower; even though he knew danger lurked in that murky stillness, he felt the muscles in his shoulders relax. He released saidin and the door snapped shut, leaving them in shadow. He stretched, then looked at Carra, who was standing poised as if in thought. Or perhaps more akin to a hound on the trail. He looked where she did, and saw below them the house Amadie had described. How in the Light did I manage that?

Carra didn’t hesitate, seeming to forget his existence as she disappeared into the darkness ahead. The coin the former Red had given him rested against his ankle, an uncomfortable reminder that she expected them to be separated, expected there to be considerable danger. He accepted the reminder silently, then took another route toward their quarry, maintaining his grasp on saidin as he picked his way at a dangerously reckless speed through a labyrinth of trees, brush, and stones, relinquishing absolute silence in favor of absolute haste.

His mind roamed as he moved. Carra had left Amadie to fight a dangerous Dreamwalker on her own. Jaryd understood the necessity –how else were they to retrieve Lirievin, who was an innocent bystander drawn into something far beyond her means? – but the serenity with which Carra had done it troubled him. She had been genuinely distressed about Liri’s disappearance; perhaps Amadie’s involvement had simply been too much for her? The idea of anything being too much for Carra made him smile, but he knew even his stone-faced companion had a heart. He had seen it earlier that night, after all. Perhaps she simply regretted sharing so much with him?

As he drew closer to the house, he pulled the curved dueling knife from his belt and increased his pace until he emerged from the trees into a clearing. The construct that stared at him from across a few paces of emptiness seemed little more than a glorified shed; he moved to the door and tried the handle. It was locked; he channeled Fire into the metal, heating it until it moved easily, then flows of Air pushed the deadbolt aside. He glanced around for Carra, but saw no sign. Either she had already been there, or had not yet arrived.

He hesitated a moment, then opened the door and went in, pulling it shut behind him. Utter darkness pressed around him. He channeled a slender flow of Spirit, and the air around him began to glow. The dim light showed him a hall that led to a set of stairs leading downward. He went down the stairs, and followed the long underground hall at their foot until he saw a light beneath a door to his left.

“No, you aren’t dead,” a woman’s voice said as the Altaran approached. The M’hael stopped in his tracks, staring at the door, willing his feet to move forward and yet unable to budge. That is impossible. That voice did not belong to Lirievin…it belonged to someone else entirely, someone he knew. Light, how? His reverie was broken by a cry of pain; he lunged forward and opened the door.

A fair-haired woman in the remnants of an Accepted dress sat on a makeshift bed opposite the door, her bruised face illuminated by a lamp set on a chair near the wall. Facing her were two figures in black, one male, one female. They were of average height, and their skin had been darkened with soot, so they were barely visible in the dim light. They turned as one to look at him, freezing him where he stood. Dark eyes met dark eyes, and all three pairs registered the same shock as the silence stretched. Jaryd fumbled for words, his dignity and nerve lost as he struggled for words. It could not be them. It could not be her.

Before he could open his mouth, the two drew knives from their belts and took a step forward in lockstep, their eyes going cold with purpose. Jaryd stumbled backward, coordination lost for long moments as he fought to regain control of his thoughts and avoid his assailants’ blades. Abruptly he felt a line of fire blossom on his back where the tip of a knife had pierced his coat, and the pain brought him back into the present with a jolt. The Void slammed into place, and Jaryd dodged to the side a moment before a curved blade sliced through where his face had been.

He danced, then, his slender form and touch on saidin giving him some advantage in the dark and narrow hall. He felt the woman moving behind him, and twisted, catching the blade on his own, then ducking away, slipping under the man’s arm and behind. He cannot be Sean. That was truly impossible. So then what was he doing there? And what about…?[/i]

He cut off that line of thought as he turned and threw his weight on the woman. She cursed, thrown off balance, and he shoved again, intent on knocking her over. She resisted and he broke away lest he be trapped between them. As he turned, her knife hooked through his coat and cut into his left arm. The pain felt distant, buffered by the Void.

He shook his hand as if to dispel the feeling, but in truth the motion released one of the knives he kept strapped to his wrists beneath his cloths. The hilt felt into his hand, and he flipped it out even as he raised his right arm to meet the man’s overhead attack. He pivoted, his knife holding the man’s in the air, his left hand swinging towards the man’s belly. The woman kicked him, and he stumbled, but he made it purposeful and fell, rolling back to his feet behind his male opponent.

Thus Jaryd Kosari faced two ghosts in the dark, fighting a battle he could not win. . Hampered by the hall, he felt the sting of their blades repeatedly as the long minutes of struggle dragged on. As he recovered from an unsuccessful attempt to disarm the woman, the man’s knife jab into his thigh; a few minutes later, as he blocked a thrust from the woman’s belt knife, she slide in with a hidden blade like his own, slashing across his belly. He threw himself backward to avoid being disemboweled, and stumbled, falling to one knee as the two rushed towards him.

He surged back to his feet, slamming his head into the bottom of the man’s jaw with all his strength. The man yelped and fell back, his knife catching on Jaryd’s sleeve and leaving a grazing cut from shoulder to wrist. The Void kept the pain of his wounds distant, but Jaryd knew his time was running out. If he did not end it soon, either they would kill him or Sean would discover them. Jaryd might have continued to fight anyway, but Carra, Lirievin, and Amadie all filled his mind, their faces sober and disapproving. Someday I will die, he thought, but not this day.

Saidin roared through him, flows of Air lashing out to catch the two by the wrists and fling them down the hall. They flew for a short time then fell, their curses ending abruptly in a crash and a thump as they hit the wall at the end of the corridor. He flinched, the familiar sick feeling in his stomach lessened by the knowledge that he had done what he must to save another’s life. Bemused, he turned and ducked back into the small room.

“We have not officially met,” he said, extending his hand to the Accepted. She had risen, and he suspected had intended –or attempted- to assist with his fight.. “I am Jaryd Kosari, the M’hael.” He glanced behind him. “I cannot Travel from here; we must get to a safe place to rest while we have the chance. Are you able to walk?”


OOC: The man who attacked is dead, or you can kill him as they leave. Please don’t kill the woman. 

[Siera]

Lirievin Tesiva A Savior? When the person answered that she was not dead Liri sighed, not even realizing she didn't recognize the vocice. She knew that death would not come as easy as that. She didn't quiet yet have the energy to get up and no one seemed in a rush to move, so she closed her eyes. She was ready for this nightmare to be over. Suddenly Liri heard motion, she attempt to sit up fast but the sudden, quick motion made her feeling lightheaded. She heard movement moving away from her she she knew she didn't have to panic yet. She sat on her makeshift bed, waiting until she felt more stable. By the time she looked up no one was left in the small room. Liri knew she should be grateful that she didn't have to fight, but curiosity got the better of her.

She stood up, ungracefully her body was riddled with more cuts from her adventures in Ter'aran'rhiod and they made her stiff. Before Liri took a step she knew something was wrong. Her ankle could barely support any weight. Looking down, Liri raised her dress to take a look, it was swollen and she could tell there was a more serious injury, the space of the ankle seemed very off compared to her other ankle. Liri shook her head, it was just one more thing to add to the plethora of other injuries she had.

Liri was just about to attempt to cross the room when a man entered, she tried to reach of saidar but she couldn't reach it, she felt like it was being blocked off from her. She glanced around quickly to see if there was something else she could use as a weapon, finding nothing Liri sighed inwardly. She just had to hope them man was a friend instead of a foe.

Liri looked suspiciously at the man, but his dark eyes gave away nothing.

“We have not officially met, I am Jaryd Kosari, the M’hael. I cannot Travel from here; we must get to a safe place to rest while we have the chance. Are you able to walk?”

Liri wasn't sure weather or not to trust him, he had extended a hand towards her but she didn't take it, not yet. "You are the M'hael of the Grey Tower? The one located by Hama Valon?" She questioned. She needed to hear him say the words. Asha'man swore Oaths that they could not say a word that wasn't true, and Liri was counting on him NOT being from the Black Ajah, so that she knew he could trust his word.

[Sunny]

Jaryd tilted his head sideways, giving the Accepted a quizzical look. After a moment, it dawned on him that had he been in her position, he would have had similar doubts regarding her identity.

He sighed, put away his knives, then reached into his pocket. Whn he pulled his hand out, he held the ring that had been passed to him when he became M'hael, the black Dragon's Fang mounted on a band of gold in the shape of a dragon. It was a rough approximation of the ring that had vanished when Jasrin vanished, although this one unfortunately did not possess the same potential for destruction. He hated wearing it, but any initiate of the Tower would instantly recognize it for what it was. "I swear by the Light and my hope of salvation and rebirth, I am Jaryd Kosari, formerly of the Red Ajah, M'hael of the Grey Tower," he said, presenting the ring to her.

Her cheeks flared red and her eyes dropped to the floor, stark humiliation evident in her posture. "I apologize, Father," she stammered, "I just had to be sure, I don't want to end up in another Nightmare."

He put his fingers under her chin, lifting her face to meet his eyes again. "Your caution is understandable, Lirievin," he said gently. "I am very young, you are in pain, and we are both in a strange place where nightmares lurk the halls." He pulled his hand away, glancing behind him as he dropped the ring back "Speaking of which, it's beyond time to be away."

She nodded, taking a step forward; as she placed weight on the extended foot she cried out, toppling forward. He caught her by the wrists as she fell, holding her up by sheer force of will. "My ankle," she said as she regained her balance. She tried to take another step, and Jaryd realized the young woman would not be able to walk unaided.

He held her up, thinking furiously. He didn't know if anyone who knew of the house could channel, and he had no desire to risk giving them the weave for Skimming. If he carried her, he would be hopelessly impeded if they encountered any further assailants. He placed one of her hands on his right forearm, then smiled reassuringly at her.

"I need my hands...in case," he said apologetically. "I will assist you as I may, but I'm afraid you will have to walk."

"I was planning on it anyway," she said, a certain bite to her voice that reminded him a bit of Carra. He actually found himself chuckling as he carefully led her out of the room.

Once outside, he enveloped himself in the Void, once more becoming a pillar of cold, emotionless stone. He could see two dark figures on the ground some distance away from the stairs. He stared at them for a long moment, thoughts barraging the outer limits of the Void; they were breathing, but not moving otherwise. After a long moment, he turned away and helped Liri up the stairs.

I'll think about this later.

[Siera]

Lirievine Tesiva Coming Home.. Liri felt awful when Jaryd proclaimed that he was the M'hael in words that would have to be true, and as added proof he has shown her the M'hael's ring. She was incredibly embarrassed but when he lifted her head and told her that he understood why she was so cautious she felt a little better. They didn't linger in the room long, but He first step turned into a tumble, which could have ended badly had Jaryd not caught her.

Readjusting Jaryd had Liri place one of her hands on his forearm to use as support, she was glad that he couldn't carry her. After everything she had gone through in this room she was glad that she could finally leave it all behind. Walking forward Liri tried to take the her steps putting as must weight on her injured foot as possible and lean on Jaryd as little as she could, but the further they got the more her resolve was fading. I have to make it out of this house on my own. she thought. If nothing else it could be symbolic. The stairs were the worst, but Liri refused to utter a sound, her face may have been contorted in pain but at least she didn't make a sound.

After what seemed like years of pain, they finally got up the stairs and out of the house, and even longer before they were an acceptable distance away so Jaryd could make a Gateway for them to travel back to the Tower. With her mind so focused on getting home to where she could be healed and through with the pain Liri didn't even think of asking where Carra was.

The gateway was created and together the stepped through it, Liri felt relieved. If she could be safe anywhere she figured the Tower would be the place. The pain continued to get worse and Liri knew she was gripping Jaryd's arm tighter and tighter but she felt if she let go that she would crumble to the ground and not get up for fear of more pain. They were safe and either one of them could have channeled but Liri refused to be carted into the infirmary, she had to stand tall and not let this injury get the best of her. So she walked in, supported by Jaryd, and walked over to sit cautiously on a bed. In an instant the Yellows were all over her, starting the process of delving her and healing her. Liri was forced to lie back and she lost sight of Jaryd, for an instance she almost panicked thinking she would be gone again, but she was forced to drink some concoction and soon fell asleep.