The War of the Shadow - Of Darkness and Light

[Jehaine]

"Begin."

 

A simple word, though enough to send the hair in Scylla's neck on end. he room descended into an almost unnatural calm for a few seconds in which the Aes Sedai were reaching out to the Source and Linking, but then it felt as if a wave crashed into her, a wave of raw pain. The feeling had been so sharp, so massive that it felt as if the wind cut off her breathing, but the sound of leather straps under pressure echoed through the room.

 

It felt as if part of her soul was being torn away, only to be replaced with something else, and for a moment she was back in the cage, nowhere to run to as Aginor just stood there, laughing. She heard the clothes she wasn't wearing tear as her wings grew out of her body, clawed at the bars that were not keeping her captive. And then, as suddenly as it had all began, the feeling stopped, and she fell forward on the slab, sweating and breathing heavily.

 

"First miasma filled. Six remaining."

 

Scylla felt her sweat turn cold and her heart skip a beat as she heard those words. She wanted to protest, that this was more than she could handle, but then the next wave crashed into her, ignoring her feeble defenses and stabbing deep into her very soul. She screamed in pain, thrashing in her bonds as she instictively tried to get away, tail and wings trying to slash at the people standing just out of her reach. But again, just as she felt about to pass out from the pain, it stopped, and she heard that voice again.

 

"Second miasma filled, five to go."

 

She started crying, knowing they had barely begun, and managed to get a silent prayer out just before the third wave dug into her back in force. The sheer force of the spasm shook the bonds that held her, and she could barely register clawing at one of the Aes Sedai, torn off leather strap dangling from her bleeding wrist. Time seemed to flow differently, she could no longer understand the words that were spoken around her, her senses themselves felt dulled. One man was just sitting there, and she snarled at him, her mind not even registering who it was. Her vision turned black after that, and she hit the stone slab limp as a rag, her breathing ragged and shallow.

 

=====

 

"Well, she's a tough one, that's for sure. Having to go through this not once, but twice, and surviving is quite a feat."

 

Toram was shaken from what he had seen, and had his life as a healer not gotten him used to the sight of a battleground he didn't doubt his knees would have been trembling from the sight. Light, he wasn't too sure they weren't trembling now! Turning back to Jon, he took a deep breath, trying to regain some of his composure before telling him the outcome.

 

"As i said, she's alive. She's in a coma, kind of like an artificial sleep while her body is fixing things, though she's in no danger of dying last time we checked. We are keeping a close eye on her status, but can't wake her up until her body finishes the repairs. As for when she'll wake up... Possibly a week, maybe a month... It's hard to tell after this level of treatment. You are of course welcome to remain here if you wish, i'll have a room prepared for you just in case."

 

He stood there for a while to make sure Jon didn't have any further questions, or give him the opportunity to ask some if he had. He took a deep breath again, almost having his composure back, but he knew it would take him a couple of days to get himself over this.

 

 

Scylla

Asleep

[Winterwinds]

Jon just stood there in utter shock as the healing started, Scylla tried in vain time and time again to escape her leather bonds that held her to the table, and likewise Jon struggled with the bonds of air that held him in place. Scylla turned her head to look at him, her face painted with rage, although he knew it was not really her he still felt a stab of guilt as she suddenly blacked out. He did not end his relentless attempts to break free though. Not untill the final void was filled within her soul, he bounded to his feet but still stood there, waiting to see if he could go to her. His hands hurt and he looked down and notices that his palms were bleeding from having driven his fingernails into them the whole time. While he was looking at them, a tear suddenly hit his hand and he relised he was crying, not for his own pain, but the pain he had made Scylla suffer. Suddenly a hand appeared on his shoulder and a calm voice spoke "Well, she's a tough one, that's for sure. Having to go through this not once, but twice, and  surviving is quite a feat." She was alive, that was good news, he had been afraid..so afraid that he had put her to death with his choice. Then he heard the Aes Sedai sigh, and then continue "As i said, she's alive. She's in a coma, kind of like an artificial sleep while her body is fixing things, though she's in no danger of dying last time we checked." She was asleep, and would not wake for some time...he would wait here then, just incase they were wrong, which he doubted. The most important thing is she would not die, atleast not this day. "We are keeping a close eye on her status, but can't wake her up until her body finishes the repairs." He would also keep a close eye on her, he trusted the Aes Sedai, but only so far. "How...how long will she be asleep?" Jon asked in a voice that was suprisingly shakey, even he was surprised by how unsure he sounded. The Aes Sedai just went on as if he had not spoken, but still answeres Jon's question "As for when she'll wake up... Possibly a week, maybe a month... It's hard to tell after this level of treatment." A week, or a month, he would have to send word back to his unit to name a new captain in his absence, he would not leave Scylla's side. The next thing the Healer said made Jon think he had read his mind, "You are of course welcome to remain here if you wish, i'll have a room prepared for you just in case."

Jon nodded, and then said, "Is there a room close to this one that I might use, I do not wish to stray to far from Scylla, I would want to be close incase she wakes....if there isnt, then I will just have a cot in here..." Before the Aes Sedai could say anything else, he grabed a chair, and put it next to Scylla, and just waited.

 

Jon

Settling in to wait.

[Jehaine]

Toram watched as the other Aes Sedai pulled the blanket further over Scylla's body before lifting her up with the Power and bringing her through a door at the other end of the room. Another door swung open without a hand touching it, and Scylla floated in, blanket still draped around her, followed by two Aes Sedai.

 

"I can't allow you to sleep in the same room in case her situation deteriorates, but i believe the room next to it is still free. I believe it has a connecting door as well, though it would be off limits after nightfall."

 

Before Jon moved to follow Scylla however, he felt Toram's hand on his shoulder again, and the Aes Sedai waited until the room was empty before starting to speak in private.

 

"Out of all the Shadowspawn we captured, dead or alive, she is by far the most advanced. More than just a mixture of human and animal parts, she is both at once, having the strengths of both and the weaknesses of neither. Under no circumstance may Aginor recapture her to use her results on his Trollocs. Not even her corpse may fall into his hands. This is the burden you must carry, Jon Valewind, to make sure no one ever finds her, even beyond death."

 

He stood up, walking past Jon towards the doorway the Aes Sedai had walked through carrying Scylla. It was clear that this last message was something he had not even wanted to share with the other Aes Sedai for risk of having them change their minds about leaving her alive. The Power was quite adept at making things disappear as well, though that was a tactic he preferred to keep as a last resort, if that.

 

"Come. Let's see about that cot i told you about."

 

 

Toram

Aes Sedai

[Winterwinds]

When the Aes Sedai removed Scylla from the room he started to follow only to have the same Aes Sedai that had gotten him when the procedure started put a hand on his shoulder to make him wait, then when the rest of the Aes Sedai had left he spoke, his voice grave. "Out of all the Shadowspawn we captured, dead or alive, she is by far the most advanced. More than just a mixture of human and animal parts, she is both at once, having the strengths of both and the weaknesses of neither. Under no circumstance may Aginor recapture her to use her results on his Trollocs. Not even her corpse may fall into his hands. This is the burden you must carry, Jon Valewind, to make sure no one ever finds her, even beyond death." Having him talk about Scylla in that way, talking as if she was just another weapions for the Shadow to play with, just another pawn that the shadow should never get its hands on, made Jon angery. How dare he talk about her that way. He was right about to turn and yell at the man when he thought better of it...he was right, but he did not have to poit it out Jon's face. He would already give his life for Scylla, of that he had no doubt, but now it became a duty more then ever to keep her safe. Until the shadow was defeated, until the Dark One was sealed again forever within his prision he would have to guard her. Even beyond death, perhaps beyond even his own death. The Aes Sedai then walked towards the door, and turned, his smile returning, "Come. Let's see about that cot i told you about." Jon followed him though the door into a hallway, ahead he could see the other Aes Sedai following the floating form of Scylla. They went on for a few seconds till they came to a door, the Aes Sedai went though one, and Jon and Toram went though the one next to it. It was a nice room, though the cot Toram had been talking about was really a actual bed, which made Jon smile inspite of himself, he would love to sleep in an actual bed. The room was not overly decorated, only enough to show that he was staying in the Yellow Ajah quarters as a guest, seeing as the healers had to be on hand incase Scylla turned for the worst. Then again, he was close for that reasion as well, if she took a turn for the worst he wanted to be the first to know. Walking over to the bed he tested it, and found it rather soft, though he had not doubted it would be. Turning towards Toram he asked "When can I go see Scylla?" As he waited for a responce he looked around the room, trying to take his mind off of what he had just seen.

 

Jon

Tired, and worried.

[Dracius]

Seeing an apparent shadowspawn hover within five feet of him, supported by the Power made Thallan worry now about what had happened in that room. As he was contemplating his thoughts, he saw the man in Captain Valewind with a half scared and half determined look on his face walk by and he followed him to the room they had started to prepare for him. Adjusting his swordbelt, he went over to the door connecting the room to another one just as a Yellow Sister whispered for him to stand there and make sure the door stays closed except when the Captain is going through it. Just as he turned around at his post he saw Jon sit down on his cot and said "When can I go see Scylla?" with a determined look on his face, yellow eyes relfecting on the light from the window. Realizing that Jainar had followed Thallan whispered to him "Do you think I can be the Captains escort through the halls if he needs to go anywhere outside of the two rooms? He will need a guide." Jainar thought to himself for a second and then said to Jon "Thallan here requested that if you will be going anywhere besides these two rooms, he be your guide. Is this acceptable Captain?"

 

THallan

Wanting to help a person in need.

[Jehaine]

It had been a long day for Toram, first Healing the survivors from a major battlefield, followed by all the excitement about Scylla. The sight of a bed reminded him of it, but there would be time for that later. Fact remained, the Shadow had stumbled on to something during Aginor's experiments, and the Hall needed to know before the Army of Light would be facing it in the field.

 

"The Shadow cares little about the ones it uses to suit its needs. To them, she is a means to an end, her wishes ignorable at best. As Aes Sedai, our task is to fight the Shadow, but the way how is open to interpretation. Know that there are those in the Tower that would kill her without a second thought rather than to risk the Shadow recapturing her. I am well connected, and i will be able to keep this from them for as long as it takes her to heal, don't worry."

 

He turned around, looking at Jon. A man he hadn't even met until today, and already he was taking a gigantic risk of trusting him with a potential risk for the Light. He just hoped his hunch was right, and the little he had heard about Wolfkin was indeed because they were adept in evading people. It was a skill they would be needing.

 

"After that however, i will likely be sent out to other battlefields, and i will no longer be able to protect her from my more militant Brothers and Sisters. Though we don't know if the Shadow has a means of detecting her, they will most definitely be looking for her because of what she is, and until her soul has healed, entering a Stedding would dissipate the patches we made, killing her outright. I gave her my word i would not harm her, but it will be up to you after you leave this place..."

 

He looked around the room again, checking to see if everything was there before starting towards the door again. He rubbed his eyes, silently making a mental note about getting some sleep, but before he left he answered the question he had been asked, looking at Thallan before factoring him in with his plans as well. From what he could gather, the two of them knew each other, so he'd leave the talking to Jon this time: He disliked repeating himself.

 

"You three are free to visit her whenever you wish between sunup and sundown. I will arrange for Jon's food to be brought into her room as well, but keep this door closed. The less people know he is here the better, as it makes it easier for me to keep him out of sight. Only those i trust will be entering her room to check on her, but i cannot say the same for the corridor, and if he is spotted it would undermine everything. If he needs anything else, he'll have to rely on you both to get it. And remember, secrecy is key."

 

After that, he left, trusting Jon to know what the consequences would be if he were to be spotted. That, or he was simply too tired to explain them in detail. Regardless, Thallan and Jainar were Aes Sedai as well, Jainar of his own Ajah at that, and people wouldn't question why either of them were down here like they would have a non-channeler, and a Wolfkin to boot. Closing the door behind him, he wove a small ward that made the door appear as if it hadn't been touched in months, after which he started walking through the corridor, heading for his own room.

 

 

Toram

Can be sneaky too

 

OOC: Well, that about finishes the preparations i made for my LOA. Time for me to stop hogging the spotlight for a while (though i can still make minor posts) and give your brother a chance at some RP, eh? ;)

[Dracius]

OOC: Alright, lets see if i can do a good job of assimilating thallan into this....

 

IC: Listening to Toram fill him in with the details, and then having him say that he was going to be part of this dangerous but important plan made Thallan feel weary about what is to come. "If he needs anything else, he'll have to rely on you both to get it. And remember, secrecy is key."

was the last thing Toram said before leaving, and then weaving a ward for privacy. After exchanging looks with Jainar, Thallan looked at Jon and said "Well, this seems like you are indeed the person I thought you were. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask us. But in the mean time go ahead and visit your friend." Then turning to Jainar he whispered " Well I knew that something was going on, but THAT is just a little more than i anticipated." THen realizing that it had been well over a couple of hours and everyone around him looked weary he said "Captain, after you are done visiting your friend, i suggest you try to get some rest. You look tired" and with that THallan sat down in a chair near the door.

 

Thallan

Hoping his kind words will be gentle enough for a man in his time of need.

[Winterwinds]

OOC: Hehe, He is exited to RP a little, but since we live in the same house (We are bolth in highschool) I was afraid we would dominate the thread since we bolth can post as fast as the other can say "Im done" But back to the story at hand!

 

IC: Jon listened with only half his attention to what Toram was saying, he very well knew that there were people out there who wanted Scylla dead, and they would have to go though him first. Most of what Toram was saying was that he would try and protect Scylla and him as best as he could, but that would mean he would have to stay in these two rooms for the duration of their stay. He said that after Scylla got better he would likely be shipped off to another battlefield to help with the healing, something in his voice told Jon that he hated seeing blood and death all around him which any sain man should, and that after he left he could not protect them. The part that he listened to most was how he could vist Scylla as much as he wanted from sun up to sun down, which he was tempted to do right now, his meals would be taken to Scylla's room so no one would think that anyone else was there besides a Aes Sedai guarding a patient. He then said that secracy was key, that if Jon needed anything ask Thallan or Jainar for it, and they would try and get it. He then left, looking tired and worried. Jon motioned Thallan and Jainar over, and said "So, I guess you know about Scylla now Thallan, now you know why I would not tell you of what she suffered from." He then looked over to the connecting door as an Aes Sedai walked though and said that Scylla was settled in and he could visit her, though she said he should get some rest first, he looked about ready to fall down. When the Aes Sedai left Jon looked in a mirror and had to agree, but for now he would vist Scylla to make sure she was alright. He turned to the two Aes Sedai and told them if they wanted to talk to him, he would be in the other room. With that went to the other room, found a chair, put it next to Scylla's bed, and promply fell asleep as soon as he hit the chair.

 

Jon

<Beware sleeping guard dog>

[Dracius]

Seeing Jon fall asleep next to Scylla made Jainar and Thallan chuckle a little. "Well Jainar, I guess it is time to decide something. Who will go with them when they leave." After saying this Jainar looked slightly shocked but after a moment he sighed and said "I believe you should go my friend. You are after all of Green Ajah, the battle Ajah, and you know how to defend yourself better than most." smiling wearily from exhaustion he then said "But let us decide this in the morning. For now let us sleep, I for one am exhausted, and you looked tired. We can consult Jon about this in the morning." Thinking for a moment and deciding this was the best thing Thallan then replyed with "But at least lets decide what is to be done if the person is killed here. We should discuss what the plan for the Aes Sedai is, such as is it just to protect Scylla or everyone around her as well?" Giving it some though Jainar said "If whoever goes with her is killed, we shall ask Jon to signal someone to cotact us. But lets get some rest before discussing this morbid and life changing topic, fore who ever goes with them won't come back without some changes in them." And with that Jainar pulled up a chair and fell asleep within a few moments. Thinking his friend right, Thallan went over to a corner, pulled a chair underneath himself and wrapped his cloak around his body, and then fell into a dreamless slumber.

 

---

 

Light came shining through the window as Thallan awoke to find that Jainar was awake and Jon still in the other room. "Good morning Thallan, I trust you had a good sleep. Unlike me who has been worrying about what is to come." Was the first words of the morning. Thallan got up an aranged his clothing and put his sword back on his belt before saying "Morning! I got some sleep, and I too was worrying last night. Today could be the day shadow starts to win over us, but i hope that the Light shall prevail. It all rests on some people in this world and our friends in there are two of those special people. They are most certainly Taver'an*." ANd with that small speach Thallan walked over to the washbasin and splashed some water on his face. "That is a wise conclusion you have come about with. But niether of us have the gift to see Taver'an. But most likely you are correct. After spashing some water on his face, Jainar motioned THallan to follow him into the other room. Seeing Jon there laying with his face on the bed next to Scylla's wings. Thallan jumped slightly at his first actual time seeing Scylla, and Jainar just whispered "Don't worry she is very friendly. When she awakes you can meet her yourself." And with that they both went back into the other room and started playing stones to wait for Jon to awake. And to wait for anyone to come and discuss the plan for the safety of Scylla.

 

Thallan of the Green Ajah

Waiting for Jon wake up and smell the roses.

[Winterwinds]

Light streamed though the open window, Jon slowly roused himself from his fitful sleep, and found that he had indeed fallen asleep by Scylla's bedside, which made him smile. In the other room he heard Thallan and Jainar talking as they played stones, but he did not go into the room yet, instead he looked at Scylla who was peacefuly sleeping on the bed, her winds sort of folded aginst her body. He reached out and brushed a lock of her hair from her face, and smiled, she was indeed the most beuatyful thing he had seen in his life, even if she was part shadowspawn. "Sleep well my love, and dream of better days." He said as he rose from the chair he had slept in. Looking around he found that a tray of food had been brought to him while he was sleep, going to it he found that it was a bowl of porage with some freash fruit. Takeing it back to the chair he had just vacated he sat and ate quietly, not wanting the men in the other room to know he was awake just yet. As he ate he thought of what was to come next, it would be a long road, but not so much diffrent from the life he had already been living. He would ask as many of his troops who would come to acompany him and Scylla to his home village, which actualy happend to be Khor Springs, and hopefuly hide there, it was not a stedding, Scylla could not enter a stedding just yet, but it was a safe place. Sort of a Wolfkin fortress it consisted of atleast two or three hundred wolfkin, mostly townsfolk but it had a garrison nearby, as well as a stone wall about fifty feet high, incase the village was attacked. Near the town though was the actualy Khor Springs, haven for wolves. It consisted of a ruined tower that overlooked a small vally that held hotsprings which bolth wolves and wolfkin used, though the wolfkin used it more often. The ruined tower was an ancient citidel that had once been a Aes Sedai outpost, but now just a reminder of the war. Yes, that would be a good place to go. Finishing his food he replaced the tray were he found it and walked to the other room, looked at Thallan and Jainar and said "Morning, I trust you slept as well as I did?"

 

Jon

Has decided on a course.

[Dracius]

Both Aes Sedai looked up at once, "Good morning Jon, I slept well but not as well as some nights." Said Thallan almost at once with Jainar saying "Yes, good morning Captain." And then while Jainar glanced back at the board to check his stones, Thallan stood up and walked over to Jon. "Captain Valewind, I have been giving this situation alot of thought. It is my belief that and Aes Sedai should accompany you and Scylla until either the war ends or you two...well" He pauses for a moment and then takes a deep breath and continues "...or if Scylla ends up dead." And with that he grimaces for the reply that will surely decide the fate of everyone around them

 

Thallan

O.o What have i set in motion.

[Winterwinds]

Bolth the Aes Sedai greeted Jon the way he though they would, with relitive smiles and assuranceses they had slept well. He had been right, they were playing stones. Thallan got up and walked over and put a hand on Jon's shoulder and said "Captain Valewind, I have been giving this situation alot of thought. It is my belief that and Aes Sedai should accompany you and Scylla until either the war ends or you two...well" Jon did not need to hear the end to know he was talking about bolth of them dieing in battle, "...or if Scylla ends up dead." The thought as always brought a stab of pain as it brought the unwelcome image of a grave with her name on it. He did not show the pain however, instead he smiled at Thallan and said "Your company would be most welcome by me, but were I am going I think you will have a hard time fitting in as an Aes Sedai," He turned his head so he was looking at Scylla again, "I plan on takeing her to Khor Springs, my home, and a Wolfkin fortress. Though Aes Sedai are a rare site there, the idea of them being there is not alien, for you see, there is a ancient Aes Sedai tower there. We do not know what it does, or even why it was built but you are welcome to acompany me to Khor Springs," He turned back to Thallan, "For protection, and possibly a little bit of battle." He smiled as Thallan smiled as he mentioned battle, Green's he had heard loved to do battle. "I trust you two have had something to eat, if not, I think one of you should go get something."

 

Jon

Is sure this will work

OOC: O.O What has Thallan set in motion!?

[Dracius]

Grinning with the thought of stabbing a Trolloc in the gut once again made him feel glad that he offered his service as a gaurd. "Protection is the most important." he said grinning. Then a thought came to him and he became somber."But the second most important thing i will need to do is make sure you know what to do if I should die. That I shall discuss with you when Scylla awakes, because I will give you some infortmation that will be..classified." Jainar gave Thallan a glare but only said "Give out what you deem important,anything else can be considered treason, which you know the punishment." And then with that Jainar got up and said "I'll be right back with some food. Don't leave here Thallan." And he made a gateway and left. Sighing Thallan put his thumbs in his belt and then another thought popped in his head. "Scylla will need a weapon, when she wakes I should see if she will want a weapon made for her, or she can just get one from you?"

 

Thallan

Now is talking as a Aes Sedai battle leader.

[Winterwinds]

"Protection is the most important thing" Thallan said with a smile, then his face turned somber, more towards thoughts that were not happy, "But the second most important thing i will need to do is make sure you know what to do if I should die." Thallan's tone was grim, as if he half expected his death to come at any moment, he then turned towards the still open door and looked at Scylla "That I shall discuss with you when Scylla awakes, because I will give you some infortmation that will be..classified." Jainar seemed a little distressed by this, and gave Thallan a sharp glare.

"Give out what you deem important,anything else can be considered treason, which you know the punishment." Jainar then stood and opened a gateway "I'll be right back with some food. Don't leave here Thallan." with that he stepped though and let the gateway wink out. Thallan just sighed and hooked his thumbs though his sword belt, then his face lit up with idea, or at least Jon thought it was an idea, "Scylla will need a weapon, when she wakes I should see if she will want a weapon made for her, or she can just get one from you?" This was indeed an idea, and a good one at that, but sadly Jon did not know what kind of weapon Scylla would like to use, if any at all.

"I think it would have to come from you, my own blade was made by Aes Sedai, and it serves me well, but I do not know what kind of weapon she would like to use, and as she is not able to speak for herself, then I think it would be best to wait till she is awake." With that small speech, Jon walked over to his bags, they had been brought to him late last night, removed a knife and retrieved some wood from the fire. The wood that he took was fine ash, strong and used mostly for bows, but it would serve his purpose just fine as well. Taking knife to wood he started to carve, something to at least pass the time seeing as he could not leave. Thallan looked sort of interested in what he was doing, but he would not tell him what he was doing until it was done, for really he knew not what he was carving himself. But, he knew who it was for, and that is all he needed to know. Jon worked silently for about an hour, and for that the silence in the room seemed to get thicker by the minuet.

"Have you lost any loved ones Thallan?" Jon said after a while, the carving had become automatic so he did not need to focus on it. He waited for Thallan's answer, wondering what the answer would be.

 

Jon

Just, carving.     

[Dracius]

The hour of silence gave them both to think, but all Thallan thought of was how he was going to protect them. Suddenly Jon said without looking up from carving "Have you lost any loved ones Thallan?" This caught Thallan completely off guard and he sort of stumbled back. "That is a topic I don't discuss often." He managed to say with more calm then he felt. "But, I guess I can tell you since we will be spending some time together." Taking a deep breath he begain telling the story of his loved one's death. "Twelve years ago, I fell in love with a woman from my town named Sady, she was the most beautiful woman I ever had met" He laughed and smiled "She and I had grown up together, and we knew from when we became teens we were going to be together. Eleven years ago I asked her to be my bride, I gave her all my land and possesion that I had to be mine, and in return she gave me her hand." A hazed look on his eyes came about and he became somber. "Then the Trollocs and Dreadlords came and attacked our town. The last thing she told me before I marched out to help fight was..." A tear came to his eye, " ...was that she was carrying my child." Taking a moment to compose himself, he went over to his bags and pulled a small barrel of mead. Taking the top off, he took a big drink. Then with small sips in between sentances he continued "I went and I defended our town. When they broke through I ran back to Sady with all the energy I had. I found her with a sword in her hand dueling with a darkfriend, oblivious to the trolloc sneaking behind her. I shouted a warning but it was too late. The trolloc stabbed her through her back....and then darkfriend's blade went through her left breast. Seeing my loved one die I...." Draining the last of the mead he brought forth a wine skin from his bag and then continued drinking, and telling the story. "I charged and killed the darkfriend with one blow, and then killed the trolloc with my bare fists after it disarmed me. PIcking up Sady and running as fast as i could to the outskirts of town, by the luck of the Creator i found and Aes Sedai. He Delved and tried healing her, only to say she was beyond help, her heart had been nicked and her left lung puntured. 'Thal....I am sorry. Please live on for my sake...' those were her last words." Then draining his wine skin he tossed it aside and finished his story with "SHe died in the Aes Sedai's arms and then I for the first time channeled. I killed half the army of the Shadow, then I passed out." Sitting down against the wall he started crying and then composed himself long enough to say "Most men see the flame and void when they prepare to channel. I see my wife with a fire of love around her..." Then not able to take it anymore he started to softly crying.

 

Thallan

The man with the biggest reason to want to die....Sady awaits him in the end.

OOC: I started to feel emotional.

[Winterwinds]

OOC: <Sniffle> That...that was one of the saddest things I have ever read....I mean not only did Thallan's wife and child die. BUT you also forgot to save Jon some of that mead!

 

Jon listend to Thallan's story without looking up, it was like so many of the stories he had heard told around the campfire of the unit he commanded, so many lives lost, so many lives. When Thallan spoke of how most male Aes Sedai see a flame and void when they channal, he only see's his wife surrounded by the light of his love, then Jon looked up from his carving to find Thallan crying. Putting aside his carving, it was starting to look like a wolf howling, he walked over to the Aes Sedai and put a hand on his shoulder, "My friend, such pain as this is beyond any that mortals should feel, to loose a loved one in your arms follows you for the rest of your life." He then turned his head to look though the door at the still sleeping Scylla, "I pray I never feel such pain as you, for if I do, the very heavens would shake at my fury, and I cannot even channel. But then, I figure, that we would have to make the Shadow pay together if that happened." He smiled and then helped Thallan to his feet, he liked him he wasnt like other Aes Sedia, who were all reserved and frosty. Thallan was alot like a normal man, who just happened to be able to shoot flames from his hands. "You should not drown your sorrows in mead and wine though, instead, when you are on the battlefield, let that fury and pain fuel you. There is nothing more dangerous then a man who has had his wife killed." Then with a laugh, "Well, nothing besides an angry mother." Jon then walked back to his chair and picked back up his woodwork, he hoped his words had at least given Thallan a little peace, but if not, there was always tommorow.

 

Jon

Never was a great comfort to people.

[Dracius]

Listeing to Jon's words made Thallan feel as if he had finally found a friend who could understand what true pain is. The pain of feeling your loved one's life fade away in your arms. Deciding that Jon was like no other soldier he met he forced himself to calm down. Being helped to his feet Thallan listend to Jon say "You should not drown your sorrows in mead and wine though, instead, when you are on the battlefield, let that fury and pain fuel you." and he laughed deeply at his next comment of "There is nothing more dangerous then a man who has had his wife killed.Well, nothing besides an angry mother." . Then watching Jon sit back down and go back to carving what now looked like a wolf head, Thallan went over to his chair in the corner and sat down. "I only drink like that when I see her in my mind...dieing. But do not worry, if it comes to it I shall not hesitate to use my anger to kill those shadowspawns." And then leaning back in his chair he silently calmed himself enough to stop feeling so sad. "Do you want to play some stones after you are done carving?" Was all he said to Jon after about an hour of silence.

 

Thallan

A slightly drunk and emotional Aes Sedai that wants nothing more than to kill more Shadowspawn.

[Winterwinds]

After Thallan told his story and Jon gave his small speech the room grew quiet again, no one really wanted to talk, and Jainar had not returned, he had most likely been pulled off to heal some poor soul who had been dragged off a battlefield in need of healing. Then Thallan looked up at Jon and said,"Do you want to play some stones after you are done carving?" Jon looked up and smiled, "I have not played in some years, but why not." Looking back down at his carving he found it was almost done. It was a wolf howling towards the moon, which he figured he would make later and have one of the Aes Sedai enchant it to float above the wolf and glow, the wood itself provided the color of the fur which was a light gray color. It was not perfect detail but then it did not need to be. Setting his carving knife away along with the almost completed miniature wolf he walked over to the stones board that Jainar had vacated and re-set the stones. They played for about two hours, and really did not talk, both of them absorbed in there own strategies. A note came about halfway though saying that Jainar had indeed been called off to heal and was now resting in his own room, also there were instructions for Thallan to not leave the room to go to his own, the sender did not know who to trust at this moment. By the time they were done with their game it was getting late, and both were tired, Jon wandered into Scylla's room for about an hour before he went to his own bed, Thallan took a chair again with the oath to get a cot the next day.

OOC: Going to jump ahead here, to about a week later.

-------------One week later---------

The past week had gone by like water flowing though a river, Jon did not remember much of it, but knew it had been there. The one thing that stuck out in his mind was that he visited Scylla with any spare time he had, and watched over her with that time. He had finished his carving and had gotten Thallan to enchant a wooden ball, which Jon had made shortly after the wolf, to float about three inches above the wolf, it also glowed at night to provide a little light. He placed this gift on the table in Scylla's room, he knew she could not see it, but he felt better knowing something was there to watch over her when he could not be there. The rest of the time was spent playing stones with Thallan and talking of what to do next, which was really just a repeat topic of what if questions. Towards the end of the first week Jon had gotten Thallan to disguise Jon so he could use the Green Ajah traning area to practice swordsmanship, when he was outside the room he was the same height, but his hair color was diffrent, a sandy blond, and his skin tone was a little darker. In short he didnt look like himself, and often had beat trainees in practice combat. All the while he worried about Scylla, and how long she would be in a coma, he wished she would wake up, but knew that she had to rest and heal before she could. The worst part was just feeling helpless to help in the process of healing with her, but the Light would see her healthy and safely though this ordeal. And so Jon found himself sitting next to Scylla's bed, 12 days after he had arived wondering if he should challenge Thallan to a game of stones.

 

Jon

Waiting for a sign.

OOC: Do what ever you want after this, I am just moving things along.     

[Dracius]

The week went by quickly and was a little busy for Thallan. While not having notes brought to him by Jainar to instruct him on the obvious 'Don't leave the room' or 'Don't let Jon be seen' stuff or contemplating on how to keep Jon and Scylla safe, he was keeping Jon company. Jon asked him to even put a weave on his carving so it would have a moon float a few inches off it's front, and he even asked for it to glow. Thallan did all this and then some, without telling Jon he put ward on it so that if it was near Scylla or Jon and they were attacked he would know. After he was done with the carving, Jon asked if he could be disguised so they could go and practice with the trainees, "Well, we should practice. It's no good to have a sword if you don't practice to save your life with it." Was all Thallan said before putting an Illusion weave around Jon. He looked like a southerner but it would do. Over the week they practiced with not only each other but with all the people on the training fields. Jon defeated most of the people he fought, with him being defeated only by Thallan. Of course Jon managed to get a few wins off of Thallan also. By the 12th day of waiting Thallan had secretly measured Scylla and had put in an order, through Jainar, for clothing and armor to be made to fit Scylla exactly when she woke up. Clothing that would allow her to look normal without ripping her clothing. This would be a special gift to her for enduring the pain she had to feel to fix what Aginor had done. Now waiting for her to wake up is the only thing left to do. Thallan looked at Jon at Scylla's beside and wished them luck. Love like that comes along once a lifetime, and Thallan shed a tear for his wife.

 

Thallan

The best Aes Sedai friend you can find for he is still a good person. Doing what is right for the reason that its...right.

[Winterwinds]

It was about noon when Jon finally left Scylla's bedside, he had to eat and get some rest of his own he hadn't slept well last night. In fact he hadn't slept well for some time now, he could not stop worrying about Scylla no matter how much the Aes Sedai said she would be fine. He felt like a pack leader stuck in a strange place, cut off from his pack with an injured pack member to take care of. And he would do his best to see the injured pack member to safety. To this effect he walked to his room and sat down in a chair, picked up his sword, and started to sharpen it. The soft sound of he sharpening stone over his blade calmed his nerves some what, but did nothing to ease his worrying for Scylla. Thallan was sitting over on the other side of the room giving his sword a good look over, though he knew that it could not break or go dull. The counter-part to the carving he had made for Scylla sat next to Jon on the nightstand, the moon that floated over it casting a little light in the daylight hours, the only difference between this one and the one in the other room was the fur color of the wolf, a darker gray then the other. The sudden sound of raised voices snapped Jon out of his thoughts and he got up, walked over to the other room and listened to what was being said.

"....betrayed, I know you are keeping a shadow spawn in that room!"

"I do not know what you are talking about, we would never harbor shadow spawn." That was Jainar's voice.

"Look here you poor excuse for a Aes Sedai, everyone here knows you have a soft heart for those who are in need of healing," The voice was growing heated, "How do we know your soft heart doesn't extend to Forsaken experiments!" All this sounded rather bad to Jon, and he stepped back and got his sword into a battle ready position. Suddenly the sound of something hard hitting someone came though the door, then the door knob turned. Jon started praying he would not have to strike anyone down, but then the door opend and Jainar came in. He took one look at Jon, and Thallan who had by now walked though the connecting door with his sword drawn, and gave a small smile.

"Well glad to see your taking your job seriously." He then turned and grimaced at a figure who was sprawled limp on the floor, "He forced entrance into the Yellow quarters and demanded he be let into this room." Jon stepped forward to see who it was, he did not recognized the man though. He was about 5 or so feet tall had graying black hair, and was wearing Green robe. He was most likely from the green Ajah but Jon had not seen him before, perhaps a new arrival from the battlefields? Were ever he had come from, he posed a problem for Jon and the others who were guarding Scylla, if he knew, how many others did as well?

 

Jon

Faced with a problem

OOC: "Huston we have a problem" 

[Dracius]

Running over to the door with his sword drawn and the Power in him, Thallan barely managed to now blow Jainar up as he opened the door. Not paying attention to what he said Thallan ran over to the door and looked at the Green Aes Sedai on the floor. "He forced entrance into the Yellow quarters and demanded he be let into this room." Jainar said just before Thallan asked about it. "Did you kill him Jainar?" and Thallan then went and Delved into the man. "He is knocked out, but still alive. Jainar said grimacing from having to hurt another person. "Jon help me get him into our room, we need to get him out of the hallway before someone sees." Thallan ordered now angry at his fellow Green. Picking him up, Thallan and Jon got him into the room and Jainar wrapped him in Air Binds. "We have a problem." Jainar and Thallan said almost right one top of each other. "Ok there is not much we can do except pray that Scylla wakes before it is too late." Jainar said with a touch of dread in his voice. " And pray this loaf doesn' remember he was here or we can make it seem he was in a dream." Thallan stated pulling the man into a corner and facing him into it.

 

Thallan

Oh blood and ashes! We got a BIG problem!

OOC:Ok this would be a really convienant time for Scylla to wake up lol.

[Jehaine]

OOC: Sorry guys, in ten hours i'll be gone for two weeks. Jon can still carry her around though, not like she can try to fly off anyway, she'd still be too weak from the treatment even if she could somehow do that unnoticed.

 

Also, keep the blanket around her. We need to keep this PG-13 ^^;

[Winterwinds]

OOC: Thats alright, I am hopeing that the PSW will pick up again soon anyway. We can put this on hold till you get back if you want.

[Jehaine]

OOC: Not really, feel free to keep going. Even if she'd wake up on the spot, she'd still be too weak to do much of anything (like, for example, run away from Aes Sedai), even walking at that point would be something she'd need help with.

 

Don't worry about me, i'll pick up from where you ended up taking Scylla. I have my plot devices ;)

[Winterwinds]

OOC: Alright, if that is what you want, besides, you are right.

 

IC: Jon helped Thallan move the knocked out Aes Sedai to there room, were he was bound by air and faced into a corner. Jon knew they could not hold him forever, eventualy someone would miss him. "Ok there is not much we can do except pray that Scylla wakes before it is too late." Jainar said from the other room were he was guarding the door. Jon looked at him, and then at Scylla, he knew all too well that she was not ready to be woken up, but was she ready to be moved. Looking at the Yellow Jon said "If we informed your Ajah head, could we move her today? We may not even have that much time," Pointing to the bound Green, "If he knows, we may not have that much time. If we are to do anything, I vote we move her back to my unit, and we can start out to a safer location from there." He hoped the others had a better idea, because as he looked at Scylla, he feared it was to soon to move her. But, what choice did he have?

 

Jon

Fears for Scylla.