Nothing left to do, but say goodbye-Stay alive my love

[WhiteWolf]

At last the mountains were behind them, and before them lay the plains of Amadicia, which stretched as far as the eye could see, and the eyes of this group could see further than any normal persons, for this group were not your average travellers, they belonged to the Wolfkin and that brought advantages as well as disadvantages.

 

All of them were on horseback, and moved in single file, making it that much harder for anyone to estimate their number. They stayed away from hilltops, and ridges, often going out of their way to ensure they were not seen by anyone who had no reason to know of their passing. The leader, a pale skinned man, who’s eyes shown with a golden intensity, that marked him for what he was, held up his hand in silent signal for them to halt and motioned for the others to join him. “We have to be even more on our guard in these lands, there will be many unfriendly eyes and ears here, and we all know that the Whitecloaks hold sway over this territory. So if you see anything make sure you tell the rest of us, we do not need any unpleasant surprises now.”

 

With those words of caution the four of them started out again resuming single file, and keeping their voices low, if they spoke at all. Fortunately for them, the weather was over cast, and on the horizon they could see dark clouds that made it unlikely they would meet any other travellers, as they threatened rain and it was not the sort of weather that people ventured out in. They continued well into the night, taking their time to avoid any possible injury to their horses, although they could see well in the dark, with even the darkest night appearing as twilight to them, their horses were not so fortunate. All of them were experienced Rangers and could handle the rigors of the trail having been well trained in how to survive in the wilds. To them the wilds were their natural habitat and they excelled at the challenges this environment presented them. When they camped there shelters were well built and comfortable, keeping out all but the heaviest storms and rain. They could build a fire and cook a meal and leave no trace any human had ever been there, although if you were to refer to them as human they would have been offended as they saw anyone who was not Wolfkin as two-legs, people who were to be avoided at best, and tolerated at worst. They were not a prejudiced people, but they were a people that were prejudiced against and they had learnt many a bitter lesson at the hands of the two-legs, especially those who were called the Children of the Light.

 

They continued to travel across empty plains, keeping to the lesser used trails, where they appeared, and making their own when necessary, always travelling south east, only changing their direction to avoids detection. They were on a mission, a personnel mission for one of them, but that meant it was important to all of them, as it was the nature of the Wolfkin to offer support to each other without regard to any reward. They all knew that if they could not rely on each other, then they were lost, for truly they stood together or failed together.

 

The leader of this small group went by the name of Owen, and he had been their leader for a number of years now. He had trained the other three, John, with his loathing of bad cooking. Lorelai, full of self-doubt, yet strong of heart, and Sosumo, full of ideas on how to ease the lives of the Wolfkin. They had been through many trials and had fought side by side, often against odds that had seemed insurmountable, yet they had survived, and Owen knew each would lay their lives down for the other, as was the way of the Wolfkin Rangers, he just hoped it did not come to anything so drastic this time. They were searching for Owen’s partner, who had left their home to visit her parents, much against Owen’s better instincts she had insisted on going alone and he had to respect her wishes in that, but was now coming to regret not making her wait till he could have accompanied her.

 

Two more days it took them to reach the area Iris had mentioned to Owen, they lived on a large farm, which had been home to many generations of her family. Emerging from a small valley, Owen communicated with the others in a silent language that all the Rangers knew, and they quickly dismounted. Lorelai lead the horses off to one side and made sure their reigns were secured around a low branch before rejoining the others. Again Owen used the silent language they knew well, telling them there were at the location of the farm, it was on the other side of a small copse of trees, and Owen wanted to approach the farm unseen.

 

Quietly, so quietly that if you had not seen them you would not have known they were there, the four of them moved through the copse, each taking care, using all of their skills to leave no trail. When they emerged the scene that met their eyes was not one they had expected to find. There were no buildings, only the remains, soot blackened wooden beams lay everywhere. Some sticking out of the ground but cut off near ground level. Others were scattered haphazardly around, as if a great force had thrown them randomly about. It was a scene of utter destruction, and Owen could only stop and stare at the sight before him.

 

Eventually, he gathered his wits and signalled to the others to wait in the tree line while he went forward to try and discover what had occurred here. Carefully he moved through the debris, not wanting to disturb anything, just in case there were any clues to what had happened. Obviously this had been a prosperous farm, as there was enough debris to indicate several buildings, but it was all so blackened and burnt that it was hard to discern anything from the remains. Finally Owen signalled to the others to come out from the trees, and the three of them joined him, expressions of concern on their normally placid faces.

 

“Have you found any….” John stopped himself, realising that what he was going to say would be slightly tactless.

 

“Have I found any bodies John? No, I have not, but this fire, if that is what it was, burnt so hot it could have destroyed any remains. I am at a loss to know what to make of this, it is almost as if the place was hit by one of those fireballs our fiends in the Black Tower used to help us at the battle at Emonds Field. But why destroy a farm?” Owen paused and reached for his water skin; the air here had a thick quality to it, which quickly dried the lips and throat. Taking a few sips, Owen replaced the stopper and then ran his hand through his long white hair, turning around to scan the area one more time. “Start the search from here, fan out around the grounds and see if you can find a trail, or any evidence of what has transpired here” The others started to leave, but stopped as Owen continued to speak, his voice having now lost all emotion

 

“I am not leaving until we know for sure what has happened here. If she is alive, I want to know where she is and who did this. If she is not, then we will make they rue the day they crossed our path."

 

Owen

 

The WhiteWolf

 

Ranger Leader

[Winter Mist]

~Dilora~

 

It had been what Dilora termed as “one of those days.” The sun, when it deigned to peer from behind the molten metal of the overhead clouds was barely at zenith, indicating that by nightfall if she did not ensure she was back in her wagon, she would get wet. More than wet from the looks of it. If a sky could look as though it was going to fall, this one would splash when it landed. Not that Dilora minded rain. It would be nice to fill the bucket she carried tied to her wagon for washing water on the move. It would be nice to stand in it for a little while and smell the air, thick and fresh when the storm passed. It would be nice for the ground and the world to get a bit of life back into it. Too many village elders had told Dilora when she passed through that they needed the rains to come, and too many worried women had passed looks in her direction, dusty and careworn faces peering out of headscarves to keep the heat off, anxious that she had news of better times approaching. It was both disheartening and worrying. Still the clouds roiled, ponderous and forbidding. Dark days indeed…

 

Trudging around in the plains of Amadicia had not been one of her better ideas she had to admit. There was precious little in the way of finding items to trade, but everyone was receptive to her wares and her wagon was running light other than a few healing herbs that no one had any interest in. No one would, here. The cracked and scarred surfaces of the track had done nothing more than jar the axles of her wagon and coated her legs and boots with dust, and given poor Altie a tough time of finding grass to crop when they stopped for rest. A long meander from Ghealdan and skirting across the top of Altara had taken their toll on her sturdy companion and had resulted in having to find a blacksmith willing to work in a hurry to get new shoes while Dilora went off to find some fresh provisions for her wagon. She had mixed success. While some foods preserved acceptably, others did not, and Dilora really did not like eating pickled cucumbers constantly. Salt beef, well, that was another matter, but there was little in the way of fresh fruit and vegetables to keep her system running. And tea. There was always someone brewing a pot of tea around these parts…

 

The flyspeck little village she had passed dwindled into nothingness, a haze of chimney smoke from fires used purely for cooking in the heat of the day that lingered over the horizon when she looked over her shoulder. Something didn’t feel right today. The path that was winding ahead of her was no different to many she had rumbled down before, but it spoke of something out of place. Dilora adjusted the wide-brimmed hat she wore, looking up to see if the path ahead held any obstructions and saw plumes of smoke where surely there shouldn’t be any at this time of day, and it was far thicker than that of a cooking fire. Something was burning where it shouldn’t have been … did any survivors remain? Were they hurt? Were they likely to want to buy something to replace lost items, or medicine, or even food and fresh water? Dilora was momentarily shocked at herself for such a thought, but then the peddler that did not peddle did not get very far down the road. At any rate, they would be hurt, and that deserved attention more than the fattening of her purse. Clucking on Altie’s reins to get the mare moving a little faster, Dilora rumbled onwards towards the source of the smoke. She only hoped she could get there in time to help someone.

[Nynaeve]

IC:

There wasn't a doubt in Lorelai's mind when Owen asked her to join the party to Ebou Dar. She didn't even need time to think it over. If Owen needed her, she was going to be at his side. She didn't even require a reason. But Owen provided one. Knowing it only made Lorelai even more convinced that she was doing the right thing. She understood Owen all too well. Iris had to be found.

 

In a way, Lorelai felt that the stedding meant to the wolfkin the same it did for Ogiers. They could stay away for years but if they didn't return, they died. The stedding was the wolfkin's home and Iris belonged there. With the Wolfkin. With Owen.

 

They departed early on horses. It was a long journey and Lorelai was rather restless throughout it. She liked horse riding but didn't enjoy long distanced rides. It wasn't just the back ache. It was the silence. The time to think. That alone drove Lorelai crazy. She didn't want time to reflect. She tried focusing at the mission at hand but her mind always wondered back to Kare'el. At some point she stopped fighting it, knowing it was a lost cause.

 

But as they got closer to Ebou Dar her mind started to get into focus. Two days after they found that they arrived at their destination. Owen wanted to make an unseen approach to the farm so the party dismounted and Lorelai lead the horses away and took care to keep them hidden. The way back without horses wouldn't be a nice one. Taking extra care to tie them properly, Lorelai did so and then rejoined the others.

 

They walked on foot, making sure not to leave any tracks when the view of the farm opened up to them. Lorelai wouldn't have called it a farm. It was long gone. Charred pieces of wood and piles of stones decorated the ground. There was still an aroma of smoke in the place. One that could probably not be detected by the two legged. By Lorelai's feeling, the destruction of the farm wasn't recent. That was not encouraging.

 

Owen was upset. Lorelai understood his concern. Nothing was clear right now. There were so many scenarios. Some where Iris and her family managed to get out. Ones where they didn't. Not knowing was probably driving him mad. "Start the search from here, fan out around the grounds and see if you can find a trail, or any evidence of what has transpired here. I am not leaving until we know for sure what has happened here. If she is alive, I want to know where she is and who did this. If she is not, then we will make they rue the day they crossed our path."

 

Lorelai nodded. "What are we waiting for?", she said and tugged John's hand to follow. She circled around to the right. Examining the ruins and the ground around her with special care. She crouched down a few times and exmined some items. A charred metal box, something that resembled a pot and a necklace with a broken clasp. Lorelai took the necklace. Perhaps Owen could make of it something.

 

After a second sweep, Lorelai got back to Owen. "There were no tracks that indicate that someone left the surroundings from the right side of the farm, Owen. But I wouldn't despair. The others might be luckier. But even if they're not, Iris and her parents might have not been here when the fire broke. Or perhaps, in the case of sabotage, they managed to escape but Iris covered their tracks so no one would know they managed to escape. We must not forget that Iris is one of ours. By making herself invisible to her enemies she might have accidentally hid herself from us as well."

 

Lorelai took out the necklace from her pocket and handed it to Owen. "I found it between the ruins. Does it mean anything to you?"

 

 

 

OOC: I kinda winged it, Owen. And well..I hope you don't mind the necklace touch...we can play it that it's Iris'...or Owen might just say it means nothing to him. Play it as you want :)

 

 

Lorelai

Ranger

[Andular]

The dark mood that hung over the small band of Wolfkin grew as they approached the charred remains of the farmhouse. Nightsfire had tried his best to keep an eye on his friend and mentor’s mood as they traveled. Owen was worried of that he was sure. The quiet Ranger leader hid his feelings better than most but Nights had known the man too long to not pick up on it.

 

During their long trip south Nights had done his best to keep a positive outlook and in turn keep Owen from slipping into a black mood. Now though standing next to the blackened ruins before them all pretence at a happy ending vanished. To say Owen’s mood darkened even further was an understatement.

 

Nights kept his mind on the matter at hand and let himself be led around the remains by Lorelai who began searching for clues. Reaching out with his senses Nights probed the ruins for some sign of life or tell tale sign for what had happened there. Nothing. No sign of a struggle, no charred remains of bones or weapons littered the debris.

 

Lorelai found a necklace and even that told Nights nothing. “Something is not right about all this.” Nights whispered to her softly. Together they found Owen who knelt down examining the rear of where the structure would have once stood. Lorelai handed him the necklace telling him where she had found it. A gust of wind blew across them and sent a shiver down Nights back. “Something is wrong here Owen. Nothing to do with the shadow but something bad has happened here and I can’t put my finger on it.”

[Ace of Spades]

OOC: Sorry I took so long to post… classes staring have left me somewhat strapped for time. now its time for "CSI: Ebou Dar"

 

IC: Though he had been somewhat surprised when he was asked to help search for Iris, Sosumo wasted no time in agreeing. Iris had been around for as long as he could remember. She had been there when Sosumo came to the Stedding. She had been there when Trollocs attacked. She had been there when the Wolfkin had helped save the mining camp from ruffians. She had been there through it all, and her absence in the stedding was painfully evident. Sosumo had accepted not only for Iris, but for Owen as well. Sosumo owed so much to the man who had trained him.

:::: Sosumo also thought that his invitation to join the group was another attempt by Owen to teach the scarred wolfbrother the meaning of being a ranger. Something he had apparently not yet understood. With this in mind he traveled with Owen, Nightsfire, and Lorelei.

:::: When they reached the farm that was supposedly Iris’ home Owen ordered for all four to approach silently. Sosumo understood his caution and asked no questions. He moved in toward the farm land as quietly as wolfishly possible. The sight that greeted his golden eyes was totally unexpected and stopped him in his tracks. The blackened charred remains of buildings and the thick quality in the air was evidence enough that something bad had happened here. The fact that not a living creature stirred across the entire farm was the next clue.

:::: Sosumo looked to Owen and saw for the first time clear signs that he was stricken with some kind of emotion. The signs were only there for a moment and Owen was impassive once again. “Start the search from here, fan out around the grounds and see if you can find a trail, or any evidence of what has transpired here” Sosumo started to leave, but stopped as Owen spoke again with an empty voice that would send a chill down the spine of the bravest men “I am not leaving until we know for sure what has happened here. If she is alive, I want to know where she is and who did this. If she is not, then we will make they rue the day they crossed our path."

:::: Sosumo surveyed the area and found the farm, sprawling and affluent though it once was, to be of the same lay out as any Andoran farm. He knew the layout of those farms having spent several months in a rural village before his howling. From this knowledge he deduced the most likely buildings to contain people. Even if the fire had obliterated the bodies there was always a greasy residue that could never be wholly removed, the scent of burned human flesh was distinct to a wolfkin nose for many days after, even though it became fainter and fainter as time passed. Judging from the quality in the air the smell would not have dissipated entirely yet, but Sosumo was going to have to put his nose very close to the ground to identify a any scent.

:::: Sosumo’s scars itched and he scratched at his burned face gingerly. He, more than most men, knew the smell of burning human flesh. Sosumo headed to what was most likely the main building and began poking through the ashes. The first thing he noticed was that the remains of the building indicated that an accelerant was used. The first thing that came to mind was kerosene, but even for such a compound the flames burned much hotter and spread much faster than any accidental fire. He was thorough and went over every square inch of the building, especially under heavy debris. The most likely place to find a body was pinned under wreckage. Strangely, Sosumo found no trace of human scent. He made his way to the nearby building which he assumed to be the servants quarters. He searched that area thoroughly as well and found one greasy stain on the ground that smelled of both dog and human, but the stain was so small that Sosumo could safely assume the remains belonged to a child and possibly a pet as well, but that was the only thing of interest he found.

:::: After a thorough search of the remainder of the buildings sosumo found only some charred chicken feathers and the manure storage area, interestingly, had exploded. This did not surprise Sosumo.

 

:::: Sosumo returned to Owen just as Nightsfire said, “Something is wrong here Owen. Nothing to do with the shadow but something bad has happened here and I can’t put my finger on it.”

:::: “I did a thorough search of every building and I have several ideas regarding what you ‘cant put your finger on,’” Said Sosumo. “I checked every building that has the look of once having people or animals and I found nothing except in the place I think is the servants quarters I found the ashes and fluid remains of what I am fairly sure is a child and his dog that got trapped in the burning building. With your permission later I’d like to give the ashes a proper burial.” He saw a nod from Owen and concerned nods from the others. “Two things caught my attention other than that. First: the debris and the state of the remains show that the fire spread too quickly to be an accident except a freak of chance, and it was aided by an accelerant. Kerosene is the only one that comes to mind when I scented the wood ashes, but there might have been pitch or various types of resin all over the building for various reasons. Second: almost no human presence, and no livestock remains in the barn area is highly suspicious for a farm of this size.

:::: “In my mind I can come up with only two possibilities for what happened here: some dupe forgot to air out the manure stores and when in there with a lit lantern and blew the place to smithereens, spraying burning manure all over the farm and lighting all the buildings on fire while they were conveniently coated with flammable goop. Meanwhile everyone buta boy and his dog were on vacation and they took the animals with them.” Sosumo found that his attempt at levity was ill timed and cleared his throat, “The other is that some group of individuals rounded up everyone on the farm, took all the animals and proceeded to set everything ablaze. The boy was likely hiding with his dog and couldn’t escape. My guess is that the whitecloaks did it and took everyone in for questioning. If Iris returned here then her eyes would have started a few rumors. Also most of us don’t leave our homelands under the best of circumstances so her return may have sparked some trouble as well. If it wasn’t the whitecloaks then maybe it was renegade soldiers from a neighboring country, because burning a farm this efficiently takes a large and somewhat organized group of people.” Sosumo noted an eyebrow or two rising, “I realize this is all pure speculation, but I never tried to claim this as the unabridged and light-affirmed truth. Take my theory with a grain of salt, but don’t throw it out the window so quick. Chew on it for a while.”

 

OOC: as I said in the post and on the OOC thread: this is all theory. I’m not trying to dictate what happened.

[WhiteWolf]

Owen waited patiently while the others searched the ruins for any clues as to what had happened here, he tried to not let his thoughts slip into despair, but everywhere he looked there was nothing but devastation, and it was obvious to him that it would have taken a small miracle for there to have been any survivors from this conflagration. So hot had the fire burned that some of the wood had been turned iron hard, and Owen knew that it took a very intense fire for that to happen.

 

He was idly scuffing at the ground, trying not to dwell on the possibilities when Lorelai, hesitantly. approached him holding the remains of a necklace. Gingerly she handed it to him and Owen listened to her as she explained where she had found it, concern etched in her features. Turning it over in his hand, Owen sighed, this was not something he had ever seen Iris wear, but it was possible it could have been a present from her parents when she arrived, although he doubted that, she was not one for jewellery and I more likely belonged to one of her family. However, Owen slipped it into one of his pockets, hoping to be able to reunite it with it’s owner at some later date, a forlorn hope he thought, but it was better to hold onto that forlorn hope than to lose all hope.

 

Eventually, John and Sosumo returned and again Owen listened to what they had to say, Sosumo had some interesting theories on what could have happened, and although he was hesitant to voice them Owen encouraged him to speak. After a while his voice tailed off and all three of them looked to Owen to see what he wanted them to do next. Their obvious concern for him, and for Iris was very evident, but only a member of the Wolfkin would have known this. Outwardly their expressions were the same as Owen’s stoic fortitude, but inside there was a different matter. Underlying their concern was an obvious anger, and this would grow until answers and explanations were forth coming. All of them knew death would come to them at some point in their lives and they would all face it with the selfless attitude that their duties demanded of them, but that did not mean they could not sympathise with their friend, nor want retribution for the potential loss of an innocent life. Iris had been innocent as well, she might have had a playful streak, and a wilful one as well, but she had never harmed anyone who did not deserve it, and they had all admired the effect she had had on Owen. She had been one of the few who truly could say she had seen all of Owen and had survived that was no mean feat in itself.

 

Suddenly Owen’s head came up, and his raptor like gaze scanned the tree line on the fair side from them. Slowly, so as not to signal that he had spotted something, Owen signalled to Sosumo and John, using the silent hand talk that he had spotted someone lurking in the underbrush. “Lorelai, walk with me.” Was all Owen said, but the other two Rangers had understood what Owen had signalled and as soon as he turned away with Lorelai, they sprinted off towards the distant trees. While they went in pursuit of their prey, Owen and Lorelai went to where she had left the horses and they quickly gathered their mounts and made their way across the open ground, leading John and Sosumo’s horses.

 

Owen

 

The WhiteWolf

 

Ranger Leader

 

OOC: John, Sosumo, there is a villager in the tree line, obviously someone who has been tasked with keeping an eye out for anyone showing an interest in the farm. I suggest you work together to catch him and bring him back to Owen and Lorelai. We can then let Lorelai interrogate him, she should be good at that*ggls*

[Nynaeve]

"Lorelai, walk with me." Lorelai wrinkled her brow in confusion and turned her head just in time to see Sosumo and John sprinting off towards the woods. She turned as if to follow them, but Owen grabbed her arm. "But maybe they need me", said Lorelai in concern. "Don't worry, they will be all right. Join me. Lets go fetch the horses."

 

Lorelai nodded slowly. She felt a little guilty about not joining John and Sosumo but quickly let it go. She realized that leaving Owen alone at this situation wasn't a good idea either. He needed to be taken care of until they found Iris. And They were going to find her.

 

Lorelai lead Owen to where she hid the horses. He was silent all the way there, lost in thoughts. She couldn't sense his feelings. He was probably masking them. His expression was as stony as ever so whatever was going through his mind was his to know. None of the less, Lorelai could still tell that he was hurting.

 

Placing her hand on Owen's shoulder, Lorelai squeezed it warmly. "We are going to find her, Owen. Mark my words. And if anyone tried to put her in harm's way, we'll return the favor. I'm not leaving this place until we do." Owen and Lorelai started to lead the horses back in the direction where Sosumo and John went. Lorelai grinned. "You'd think two grown men wouldn't be pairing up to answer nature's call together, but when it takes them that long, you can't help but wonder." Lorelai winked at Owen.

 

 

 

Lorelai

Ranger

[Winter Mist]

~Dilora~

 

She continued on, the sun falling in the oppressive sky as the miles passed. Altie pulled the wagon along without a complaint, except for looking off the path every now and again towards a stream, or a particularly verdant stand of grass that beckoned to her. Smoke that spiralled upwards in malodorous streams filtered the storm-shot sky, blending dusk to dusk. And still Dilora continued to wonder. Still, she pondered the fates of those that had inhabited whatever stretch of ground was burning.

 

A stone flew up and hit her on the head, and it bounced into her lap. Was anything going to go right today? Consumed by haste to make sure the occupants were as unharmed as possible, Dilora ignored everything, and popped the stone into a little pouch she had at her waist. If her bad luck changed to good all of a sudden, there might be raw gold in it. Smiling at her hopefulness, she clucked the reins to try and make Altie go a little faster now that the trail had straightened out. If the wagon had been a bit lighter she would have made better time, but there was no way on this continent that Dilora would have left behind anything she could have sold. Knowing her luck today the item she had left behind for haste would have been the one item she had needed to heal someone or something like that.

 

She sang songs to keep her mind amused and to distract her mind while the miles passed and the smoke got closer. Songs of high renown from the Fingers of the Dragon to Fal Moran that she had learnt to draw people to her both to sell them things and to make them remember her. Also, it was a good way to get people to talk to her, and tell her of local news or gossip. One never knew when some juicy little bit of information was going to come in handy… Yes, her mind was calculating and devious, but while she had a face like hers she would use it to best effect. And it wasn’t as if she used that art maliciously. She only ever used that information if people paid highly for it – sums of money that were appropriate to the magnitude of the information involved. Yet the songs kept her company while her horse remained silent. Altie didn’t say much. She’d noticed that horses never did.

 

By mid-afternoon she was about halfway there. By late afternoon she was hungry and, after stopping the wagon briefly to make herself something to eat, Dilora moved on. The hasty meal of cooked slices of bacon and some venison sausages was enough to fill the gap in her stomach, while Altie cropped at some grass a short ways off the road. Refilling her water bottle from the stream, and knowing she was headed towards a fire, Dilora dipped some lengths of towel into the stream to retain water. They should retain most of that dampness and could be useful for putting out smaller fires if necessary, or people could apply them to burns to try and limit the damage the cruel flames had done. Finally filling her rain bucket on the side of her wagon with fresh, clean water, Dilora climbed back into the wagon seat and set off with as much speed as she could muster towards the burnt horizon.

[Andular]

As soon as the two Rangers saw Owen gesture to them they moved on instinct. Skirting the opposite area of the burned farm that Owen and Lorelai began walking toward the two quickly disappeared into the trees. It was for this that Owen had spent years training them and they were ghosts as they moved silently through the forest. Reaching out Nights found Quickening.

 

~Someone watches in the trees can you find them and watch them for us until we arrive~ The big wolf indicated she would and the hunt was on.

 

His emotions flowing so that he was deep within the spring Nights moved like a cat running from tree to tree as they narrowed the distance between them and their as of yet unknown guest. The shadows the trees cast hid them as they ran and working to their advantage.

 

Quickening sent images of a man in hunters garb crouched behind a large oak watching over the ruined farmhouse. Nights and Sosumo slowed as they neared the place where the man hid. Flashing hand signals to one another the two men separated and began to circle so they would come in on either side of their quarry. The soft earth of the forest let the approach unnoticed and soon both Rangers were in position not ten feet from the man. Quickening came out of the shadows next to Nights who loosened his bastard sword quietly before stepping forward.

 

“Well met friend, looking for something or do you always crouch in the woods spying on people for no reason?”

 

The man jumped and whirled around at the sound of his voice. He was a large man with ragged black hair and a beard. He pulled a hunting knife from his belt and held it in front of him.

 

“I think you would be wise to put that down.” Sosumo came up from behind the man and put the tip of his sword against the man’s back. The hunting knife dropped to the forest floor and the spies eyes bulged at the sight of Quickening padding toward him. Putting his fingers to his lips Nights whistled letting Owen and Lorelai know they had the situation in hand.

 

“Why don’t you come with us my friend would like to ask you a few questions.”

[Nynaeve]

Lorelai politely asked Owen, John and Sosumo to leave so she could be left alone with the man they captured. She believed in setting a certain mood for interrogation. There were all kinds of tricks and wilds to get a person to talk. But the affect seemed to lessen if there were others near by watching.

 

When Lorelai was certain the others were far enough, she set her eyes on the man in front of her, his hands and feet bound. She crouched down next to him and simply smiled, her yellow eyes shining. The first thing that had to be conveyed was her confidence. Her casualness. She was in control and he simply was not. That was the first realization the man needed to achieve. And the fear in his eyes told her all to well that he came to terms with that.

 

Lorelai extended her hands and took off the piece of cloth John used to gag the man. "There, that's better isn't it? How can we get along without communicating? It would be very hard. That much I can tell you." Lorelai's laugh was very amused. She sat next to him, resting her hands on her lap. "What is your name?". It was best not to be too direct. If the man knew what she wanted right away, he would be too guarded. But keeping him confused might make him slip.

 

After giving him a long moment to answer, Lorelai smiled when he did not reply. "I think I'll call you Herold. You look like a Herold to me." The man blinked. "See Herold, this has been a pretty bad day for yours truly. Long journey, horse rides, bad weather and I even broke a nail. So as you can imagine it is a very emotional time for me." Lorelai examined her fingernails for a moment, seemingly lost in thought.

 

"Oh, are you married, Herold?". Lorelai didn't even give him a pause to answer, even if he meant to. "You seem like you've been through a world of pain, so I imagine you are. Marriage is very difficult to maintain. I mean it needs hard work. Sacrifice. And most importantly, love. Oh yes, Herold. Love is very important. I am sure you love your wife. You seem like the loyal type. And I am sure your wife loves you too. Which is probably why I might feel a pinch of guilt if I find myself in a position where I have to kill you."

 

The man suddenly started to breath heavily. Lorelai could smell his fear. The man was terrified. But was it enough? "Oh, don't fret, Herold. I will give you a fair warning before I do. Anyway, what was I saying? Oh yes. Love. See, there's a person me and my friends love. We came to visit her. But see, she's not here. Nor her parents. Not even her farm. Which is a damn shame. I mean, this property must cost a pretty penny." Lorelai looked around for a moment and decided it was time. "Where are they?". Her yellow eyes were locked on his.

 

Sweat started to trickle down the man's forehead. He still remain silent. "Not on the chatty kind of mood, are you?". Lorelai placed her arm around Herold's neck. "Come now, Herold. Haven't I been a good friend. Have I not treated you kindly? Have I not been polite? I mean, I haven't killed you yet. That must count for something, right?." The man stiffened.

 

An idea flashed through Lorelai's head. "Do you have children, Herold?". His fear intensified. Oh, he did have children. That was perfect. "If you do not tell me where our friend and her family is, I will personally track down each and every keen of yours and will proceed with ripping their hearts out. How's that for an offer? I mean, in fairness sake, I think I'm being rather reasonable."

 

The man finally spoke. It was just a whisper, but Lorelai could hear it all too well. He did not know Iris' exact location but he knew where the people who burn the farm were. It seemed there was a village near by. That was enough for now. A lead, that was all Lorelai was after. Crouching next to him, Lorelai gagged him again. She kissed his cheek and smiled. "Now I know what your wife sees in you, Herold." Winking at him, she called the others to join her and told them what she learned.

 

 

 

Lorelai

Ranger

[WhiteWolf]

Owen heard Lorelai’s performance with this Harold they had caught, but Owen’s mind was not fully focused on what she was saying, this situation was nothing like what he had secretly hoped for. He had hoped to find Iris with her family, a forlorn hope maybe, but the alternatives would lead him along a path he had tried so hard to avoid.

 

“Owen?”

 

Lorelai’s voice broke through his thoughts and he listened to her question and the information she had found out. “Very good Lorelai, I appreciate your efforts here, but why is he lurking around this area? That is something that is bothering me, and makes any information he gives us suspicious. This village he mentions could be an attempt to send us in the wrong direction.”

 

“Owen, I know how to tell when someone is lying to me, I should do by now after all the training I have had.” There was a note of indignation in Lorelai’s voice, and Owen could sense the annoyance in her. “I mean you no disrespect Lorelai, I am not saying he exactly lied to you, it could be he truly believes this village is responsible for this, he is a dupe I believe and is acting on information given to him rather than actually knowing this to be false.”

 

Owen walked over to where Lorelai had left Harold can crouched down in front of him. “My friend has indicated to you what is at stake here has she not?” At the sight of Owen crouching in front of him, Harold had obviously lost all power of speech, after all it was not every day that a snow white, golden-eyed man, appeared in front of you. “I need an answer Harold, otherwise I will be forced to extract one from you, and neither you nor I want to go that route. Now why are you watching this farm, and don’t tell me you are out here looking for food, or something, your hands are too soft for having worked in a field. The truth now, or you and I will have a problem.”

 

Owen watched as a bead of sweat appeared on Harold’s face and slowly rolled down his cheek, quickly followed by a second. Harold’s tongue flickered across his lips, as if searching for an answer there. Seeing the indecision in Harold, Owen let his hand fall to the large dagger he wore at his waste, and slowly he drew the blade from its sheath. The sun glinting on the blade slashed across Harold’s face, and again he licked his suddenly parched lips, then started to talk. Eventually Owen stood up, having sheathed his dagger some time before, and returned to where the others were waiting. “Either he is stupider than he looks, if that is possible, or he truly believes the tale he told Lorelai. He maintains that he knows nothing about the whereabouts of Iris and her family and that the village is the best place to enquire. As for what he is doing out here, he says he was just out looking around the farm and wanted to see who we were. I do not believe him; I think he is a dupe for someone else. Who that someone else is we will not discover here. It seems it is the village that is our next destination. Mount up and lets get there before dark. Lorelai, bring Harold along, I do not want him wandering around informing on us.”

 

With that, Owen, John and Sosumo mounted their horses while Lorelai went over to Harold and secured a length of rope to the rope at his wrists. She then mounted her horse, which Owen had brought over to her, and the five of them started to make their way in the direction of the village.

 

Owen

 

The WhiteWolf

 

Ranger Leader

[Winter Mist]

~Nynaeve~

 

They were on the move. Everyone mounted on their horses, they rode at a slow pace. Lorelai had to pull the rope a few times to quicken Herold's step. He was growing a little defiant. Lorelai smiled at Herold and leaned down to whisper to him. "Some say patience is a virtue, Herold. Sadly, it isn't one of my virtues. I trust you don't want to anger me. I mean, we are best friends after all, aren't we?". Herold nodded slowly. More out of confusion rather then agreement.

 

It wasn't too long when they started sensing the scent of a village up ahead. Lorelai moved her mare close to Owen's and spoke. "Owen, I think we should secure Herold before we reach the village. I doubt we'll find this village to be a fountain of information, but with us to walk in there with one of their people as a hostage won't help. Also if we find that Iris and her family has been captured we'll have some sort of leverage. Shall I?". At first Lorelai wasn't sure if Owen had heard her words. He seemed so lost. But after a moment's pause he nodded. "I will catch up with you swiftly."

 

Cutting to the side of the road, Lorelai lead Herold away from the route. When she decided she was deep enough in the woods, she found a solid oak tree and decided it would be enough to hold Herold. He was a big man after all. Doing multiple ties and double checking the bounds and the gag, she stood up, pleased. "Now you be a good boy, Herold. I promise that if you behave you'll get a jar full of cookies." Winking at the man she rode off and a few moment later rejoined the group.

 

The village soon revealed itself to them. The sun was already starting to set and the streets seemed to be empty. There was only one small child that bolted at the sight of them. Lorelai exchanged some looks with the others as they entered the inner part of the village. "I don't like this", Lorelai muttered under her breath.

 

The village was a very small one therefore it wasn't too surprising to find only one Inn there. The Bell of Light. Lorelai lead the horses to the stable yards as the others went in. She was quick to join the others, though. She felt too exposed on her own. When she entered, her friends were already seated at a table. Lorelai was quick to follow. As she sat down, she examined the common room. The place wasn't as full as she expected but the people that were there were openly gawking at them.

 

"What are we waiting for?", Lorelai asked the others. "The inn keeper will join us shortly. We're waiting for his arrival", said John. Lorelai nodded. A maid came with a tray of cups and places it on their table. "A drink for the weary ones?". No one answered the maid. Lorelai raised her eyes to meet hers. She seemed...tense. "The innkeeper?", asked Lorelai. "He will be here shortly", said the maid and curtsied.

 

Everyone seemed to be lost in thought. Lorelai was too, fingering her cup of mulled wine. Sniffing it, she smelled nothing. One could not be too careful being surrounded with so many enemies. Whoever took Iris and her family was still about. Which meant that this village was far from being welcoming to yellow eyed folk.

 

Raising her cup slightly, Lorelai focused her eyes on Owen. "To Iris, may she be found whole and well." Taking a long sip, Lorelai enjoyed the taste of the warm wine. After she finished emptying her cup, she stood up. "I'm going to see what's keeping the innkeeper, Owen. I don't like this wait. It feels off." Lorelai turned as if to head to the kitchen, when she suddenly froze. Half turning back, her eyes widened. "Something is wrong, Owen." Her eyes rolled up as she collapsed on the floor.

 

~Dilora~

 

The town she had stopped at definitely had a tavern. Well, it was the taproom of an inn, but it served ale, and that was enough for her. The Bell of Light, an auspiciously hopeful name for a place that might have been deserving of the name if it had been cleaner. Altie was settled carefully in the stables, and Dilora safely settled at a table with a tankard in hand and her eye on one of the prettier serving girls, and the memory of the dusty road behind her. It was enough to drive a woman to drink... Folks around here were not open to outsiders, and Dilora hoped to the Light that she blended in enough. She'd tried to be as normal as possible, going to her table and being as unobtrusive as she could hope to be. Someone here in the inn might have seen something, or knew something about the fire that she had seen on the horizon. Well, she amended to herself; maybe they knew something about the smoke…

 

Dark eyes studied her pint as she took cautious sips. It wouldn’t be doing to get drunk, not with this nagging feeling of suspicion that prickled between her shoulder blades and sent shivers down her spine. At least the ale was warming her from within. A party of travelers that looked as though they could handle themselves entered and sat at a table nearby, one of them ordering drinks from a passing maid. What was different about them? Something about their grim-looking faces did not seem to be normal. Were those eyes golden? Dilora rather thought it might be some medical condition if one person alone wore them, but for three people to be sat at the same table…? That had to be something out of the ordinary. Suddenly, Dilora started scanning the room, thinking it might be a troupe of players or some out of work actors having a lark at some unsuspecting drinker’s expense. The barkeeper was studiously polishing the bar; serving girls crossed the floor in a well-practiced dance that avoided feet or spillage.

 

The atmosphere made her want to hide, when taverns usually made her want to sing and do business, but Dilora would not have lasted as long as a peddler as she had if she hadn’t been able to accurately judge the atmosphere of a place and tailor her behaviour accordingly. A woman walked in and sat at the table with the golden-eyed companions; her gaze a mirror for theirs in terms of pigment and determination. Something had happened to these people.

 

Feet a-flicker, the serving maid brought over their tray, a delicate dance of serving grace. Depositing the tray on their table, she turned on her slipper-shod heel and turned back to the bar to fetch her next order. Dilora took another sip, a deeper draw this time, feeling the warmth turning the very tip of her nose slightly numb. Words spoken in a low voice, but a look that conveyed urgency from the new arrival to the other members of the abnormally-eyed party set the tone for the rest of them, one half raising in his chair, alert. The woman stood, turned as though to go, and then turned back with a strange expression on her face. What was wrong with the woman?

 

Dilora put her tankard down on the table suddenly, as the woman collapsed as though her bones had turned to water. Maybe it had been some sort of fever … in any case her companions were moving to help her. She ran through the inventory of healing herbs she had in her wagon and debated going to fetch them, but the others around the table seemed to have it in hand. Why were none of the other patrons doing anything to help? They were probably convinced it was not their place to intervene with freaks or anything that was outside their normal day-to-day lives. True, Dilora hadn’t moved from her spot, but she knew she had some room in her wagon that would be useful, and if the three other men around the table needed or looked as if they would appreciate any help, she would offer. It looked as though someone was coming over from the kitchen area to help them… Dilora subsided, keeping a close watch on proceedings without seeming to, but she did not touch her pint again. Just in case.

[Andular]

Nightsfire did not like any sort of town that was not populated with Wolfkin. As they made their way toward the inn he could feel the oppressive weight of the town folks eyes on them. “I do not like this.” He muttered to no one in particular.

 

After stabling their horses and heading inside Nights took a chair that backed up to a wall. The acrid smell of tabac smoke hung over the common room and without thought he pulled his own pipe out and lit it. As they waited for the inn keeper the small group kept alert for any sign of trouble. The small gathering in the common room did not look like anything they could not handle but it was best to be on guard just in case.

 

As the young bar maid set drinks down and the four Rangers thanked her and drank from their cups. The wine had a hint of cloves to it and relaxing slightly Nights leaned back in his chair. Lorelai was clearly impatient and as she rose to go find the inkeep Nights draied the rest of his cup. Suddenly his head swam and he heard Lorelai say something then the woman fell to the floor. “Owen we have been tricked.” Was all he could manage to say as he tried to stand and reach for his sword on his back before blackness over took him.

[WhiteWolf]

The sound of John’s voice roused Owen from the lassitude the drug has engendered in him, and he tried to stand up. Gripping the edge of the table with white knuckled ferocity, Owen slowly climbed to his feet, only to crash back into his chair as the drug surged through his veins, waves of lethargy washing through him. Slowly, his brain registered the forms that were coming closer, but the signal that would have alerted Owen to the danger did not appear. Instead the blackness took him completely and he slumped to the floor, unconscious just like the other three.

 

As soon as they realised the four strangers were no longer a threat, the Inn seemed to fill with people, who quickly gathered around the fallen Rangers and started to strip them of their weapons and armour. Once this was completed they carried the unconscious forms out of the Inn and towards the small square that was used for festivals and gatherings. All except one of them, a female tinker remained in her seat and surreptitiously observed the events. Once the Inn had emptied, she got up from her seat and made her way to the door, being careful not to be observed. Peering through the still open door, Dilora checked that the street was clear then followed the town’s folk, being careful to keep to the shadows cast by the buildings. When she could observe the Square she noticed that the four Rangers had been placed inside a large iron cage that was mounted on the bed of a wagon.

 

 

Slowly Owen started to awake, with the sunlight burning his eyes, and the after effects of the drugs, his head felt ready to split open. Slowly he opened his eyes, and shut them again, the glare too much for his light sensitised eyes. After a moment he tried again, this time forcing his eyes to stay open, and waited for them to become accustomed to the bright light. Slowly Owen tried to raise himself from his supine position, but with his hands bound behind his back this was not an easy task, even more so with the lack of coordination caused by the drugs. Eventually he had managed to raise himself into a sitting position and looked around the cage he was in.

 

Sosumo, John and Lorelai were all in the cage with him, and just now starting to regain their consciousness, groaning almost in unison, at the soreness of their bodies, and minds.

 

“Well..” Owen tried to speak but his voice came out like a croak, his lips parched and his throat as dry as a desert. Licking his lips, Owen tried again and this time managed to make himself understood. “Well this looks familiar, I don’t suppose any of you have ever been in one of these contraptions before, but I have.” Owen fell quiet as the others started to realise what their surroundings were, and more importantly what they meant. “If one of you can slide over to me, I think they missed one of my daggers. Problem is it is attached to my wrist above the ropes they used to bind me.” Owen looked over at the other three and saw that Lorelai looked most clear headed of the three. “Lorelai can you see if you can get at this dagger?”

 

Owen

 

The WhiteWolf

 

Ranger Leader

[Nynaeve]

Lorelai's eyes opened to the bitter reality. Her legs were tied and her hands were bound behind her back. She tried flexing her elbows which caused a surge of pain to go up her back. It was evident that she's been tied for hours. Her muscles was screaming to be freed.

 

"Lorelai can you see if you can get at this dagger?". Lorelai moved her eyes and met Owen's. She suddenly realized they were in a cage. The four of them. Her eyes widened. There must have been something in the drink. It had to be. Drinking the wine was the last thing she remembered. She felt embarrassed. She never should have accepted such a curt offering from the very same people that evidently kidnapped Iris. She should have known better.

 

Dragging herself, she positioned herself so her back faced Owen's back. Moving her hand up his sleeve, she found the hilt of the blade. "I've located it Owen." Grabbing the hilt tightly, Lorelai tugged it to the right and smiled as she heard the fabric of Owen's sleeve rip. Taking the Dagger, she placed it between the ropes that were tied around Owen's wrists and started cutting through it slowly, as to not injure Owen. It was a hard task without being able to see, so she concentrated her senses on her touch.

 

 

 

Lorelai

Ranger

[Winter Mist]

~Dilora~

 

Whatever these people had done, surely they did not deserve this? Drugged and dragged through the streets, Dilora had had enough and had followed surreptitiously, watching them being locked into the iron cage. It had been mounted on a wagon bed so they could be moved easily. Moved where? Her mind railed at the injustice. Grateful to the Light that she had parked her wagon close by, Dilora walked back and got a few things that she thought she might need. She filled a large earthenware jug full of strong ale from the barrel by her door, and put a load of herbs into her belt pouch, in case anyone had injuries or was in serious pain. She could charge them later, if she survived. A final check to her appearance resulted in her top being tugged a little lower and a hasty hand ran through the fingers of her hair to make it look tousled. If she had not have had a drink to already have the rosy-cheeked blush, Dilora would have pinched them to make her look like a serving maid.

 

Everyone seemed to have gone back to his or her normal behaviour now the threat to their sleepy little town was safely locked in a cage. What right had they? No, not quite all of the townsfolk … a lone guard was sat with his eyes shaded a little ways off. An idea occurred to Dilora. Maybe she could get the keys off the guard and give them to the people in the cage… No, that would not really improve their situation at all. All four would fit in the back of her wagon quite nicely, and no one would think to stop a peddler of such renown as Dilora Fashelle. An idea forming in her mind, she crossed the road to him.

 

“Good day sir, it do be a tad warm here.” Dilora had no idea if she could pass for an Illianer with her voice, but given that no one except the innkeeper had heard her and this was not the same man, she figured she would be all right. “Might I interest you in a spot to drink to keep you cool?” One hand was on her hip, the other holding the jug of ale in one hand, and her sleeves were rolled up to reveal her rounded upper arms, pale despite the heat. He was eyeing her appreciatively as he nodded, utterly bewitched by her smile. She knew, because he told her over and over what a lovely smile she had, even though it didn’t look as though he was talking to her face. She offered him the jug to drink from, smiling encouragingly all the time and watching, as he grew more and more clouded in his face.

 

“It do be very warm today…” Dilora fanned herself with one hand and loosened the top edge of her blouse a little. “I’ve been standing most all day and would not mind a place to sit.” She did not even need to finish the sentence. He pulled her down onto his knee before Dilora had a chance to ask. Well, it wasn’t strictly what she had intended, but hey, beggars couldn’t be choosers. She suspected he had a good view, so she brought the jug up in front of her and offered him some more ale. While he was drinking, Dilora squirmed on his lap and reached down behind her for the keys … and managed to pull them off his belt.

 

She slipped them into her belt pouch while he was gazing adoringly at her and then she bent down to his ear, saying in hushed tones how she had a room at the inn on the first floor of which the door would be left open, waiting, if he wanted to meet her there. Dilora got off his knee and made pretence of straightening up while the man looked questioningly at her.

 

“Go on, I’ll be with you shortly. I just have to see to my … ahem … horse.”

 

“Oh, I couldn’t possibly…”

 

“Oh, come on…”

 

Dilora looked around to make sure there was no one else around, and then beckoned him over to a doorway. As soon as he turned his back on her, Dilora picked up the jug and brought it down on his head with a crash. Whatever remnant ale remained, she poured it over his face to make it look like he had been drinking, and then propped him in the doorway and prayed to the Light that no one was home. By now, the people locked in the cage seemed to be stirring. Crossing to the wagon bed, Dilora felt the weight of the keys in her belt pouch and the weight of something far greater. Walking up to the lock and the bars, Dilora put a smile and turned the key in the lock.

[Nynaeve]

After Owen's ropes were cut, he used the dagger to free Lorelai and started to work on John and Sosumo, who were still a little out of sorts from the drug that was put in their drink. Rubbing her wrists, Lorelai hissed. The red marks around them were going to take some time to heal.

 

Noticing movement up ahead, Lorelai jabbed Owen with her foot and they both quickly hid their hands behind their backs. They were still not even close to escaping so they had to be careful and play the cards they were dealt.

 

A woman appeared. Lorelai thought she caught a glimpse of her earlier in the inn. She was one of them. But what was she doing sneaking about? She probably wanted a closer look at the 'fiends'. Maybe throw some rotten tomatoes on them.

 

When the woman produced a key and unlocked the cage door, Lorelai blinked. It was the last thing she expected the woman to do. Scanning around and making sure no one was about to witness this, Lorelai leaped out of the cage. She grabbed the woman's arm and twisted it behind her back, using her other hand to circle around the woman's neck.

 

"This is our shot to get away. Owen, should we move out? There is nothing left for us here. They're obviously not a friendly bunch. We'd be wasting our time if we stay here."

 

 

Lorelai

Ranger

[WhiteWolf]

Owen did not waste any time, forcing his cramped legs to obey his will, he lept for the door as soon as it was open, dagger raised, and launched himself at the person who had opened the cage door. The momentum of his jump knocked Dilora clean off her feet and she landed with a perceptible Oof, as the wind was knocked out of her.

 

Owen sat astride her, dagger pressed up against her throat. “Lorelai, get the others up on their feet and out of that cage.” The tone of Owen’s voice left no room for questioning and Lorelai immediately did as he said. While she was helping John and Sosumo from the cage, Owen picked Dilora up from the floor and threw her against the wall of the cage. “If there is one thing I hate worse than Shadowspawn, it is wicked stupid people who imprison my family. Are you one of those, or are you someone who wants to continue breathing? Answer truthfully and quickly, otherwise you will wish you had never opened that particular door.” Owen spoke quietly, not wanting to alert anyone who might be near, his voice a toneless whisper, but that did nothing to diminish the underlying threat of his words.

 

Owen

 

The WhiteWolf

 

Ranger Leader

[Winter Mist]

~Dilora~

 

The keen edge was well maintained; if he were to end her life here, it would be swift, that was the only thing Dilora could hope for if she could not talk her way out of this. He did not press the blade further. Instead, she felt herself being launched at one of the walls of the cage, and she felt her face rebound off a bar where her arms were not quick enough to protect herself. More than a little dazed, she landed on the floor, the rescuer becoming the captive. Her back ached from where it had connected painfully with the wall of the cage and she was already beginning to wish she had never opened this particular door. She should have thrown the keys inside and left. So much for trying to help people!

 

“I am … no Darkfriend, Shadowspawn or … a wicked, stupid person trying to imprison your family. Why would I rescue you … knock out a guard and risk my own skin if I was part of this? More importantly, why would I waste a jug of good ale on that scum if it wasn’t going to help you?” She was breathing shallowly, her voice sounding out of breath and a little panicked to her own ears. What the others thought of her, Dilora had no idea, but they seemed content to let her be questioned in this manner. The woman, as hard as the bars that had held them, was looking after the other two occupants, who did not seem to have fully awoken to their freedom yet. The man stood balefully over Dilora, his gaze a dangerous rain of molten gold. He did not believe her.

 

She still had her own weapons about her person, but if Dilora had reached for them, the man’s cruel knife would have ended it quickly. They had their freedom; they did not need her … unless… It would be difficult for such a party, carrying two that were not fully conscious away from this place, and someone would return to survey their prisoners soon enough. Dilora had her wagon, and medicines in her wagon that would help. Some Andilay root and Flatwort tea would help clear any remaining grogginess they had. If she could persuade them to let her up…

 

“I am nothing to do with the people in this town. I’m from Baerlon – can’t you hear the accents on my tongue? I’m a peddler, for the Light’s sake!” She kept her voice low, but it was tinged with anguish. Dilora truly wanted the comfort of her horse and home about her wagon, rather than strangers and steel. “I have a wagon – your companions do not look very well. I can get you out of here, and help them should they need it. I’ll not tell you where it is though. I’m not having you steal my wagon.”

 

The thought had occurred to her that they would take it anyway, now that she’d mentioned it.

 

The Light burn her for a fool!

 

“Please, let me up and I’ll help you get out of here.” Her bronze stare met his golden one entreatingly, hoping for a shred of decency or gratitude in the man. At the end of the day, all there is left to cling to is hope.

[WhiteWolf]

Owen smelled the fear on this woman, but he also smelt the determination, and the self-doubt and that more than her words, convinced him to let her up. Replacing his dagger, he offered her his hand and easily pulled her to her feet, where she promptly sagged against Owen, her legs still la bit wobbly from the collision with the wall. Grabbing hold of Dilly, to stop her falling to the ground, Owen looked down at her. “I guess you do not want to hit the wall so hard next time.” Before she could answer him, Owen had picked her up and slung her over his shoulder, signalling to the to others to keep follow them, Lorelai indicated to Owen that she would make sure the other two kept up, and with that Owen started his way through the village looking for Dilora’s Wagon. Eventually they found the where Dilora had left the wagon, and Owen put Dilora down, a little bit dishevelled and breathless, but otherwise unhurt.

 

“You can take my friends with you, they know where they have to go.” Owen accepted the water skin from Lorelai, then after taking a sip, carried on talking.” But I am staying here, we still do not know what happened here, and are no nearer finding out where Iris is. I told all of you before I would not leave until I know what happened here and where she is.” The determination in Owen’s voice would have knocked over boulders, it was that obvious that he meant what he said and Dilora took a step back from him as his golden gaze swung around to her. “I would be grateful for any help you can give my friends in getting home, and if you have a dagger or knife I can have until I can get my own weapons back, I will trouble you no more.”

 

Owen removed the stopper from the water skin and drank some more, then poured the rest over his head, throwing his head back so the water flew from his long white hair. He knew this decision would not sit easily with the others, but it was no longer their problem, now was not the time for the niceties of questions and answers. Now was the time for fear, for fire, for anger. Owen could inflict the first, create the second, and had more of the third that he felt like nothing could withstand him. Totally immersed in the Spring, Owen stood stiff and straight, the predatory change slowly making it’s presence known, bringing with it an increase in anger, but tempered with cunning. He was no fool to just rush in blindly, he would not sell his life stupidly, he would find out the truth and make the guilty pay, no matter the cost.

 

Owen

 

The WhiteWolf

 

Ranger Leader

[Nynaeve]

Lorelai listened carefully as Owen spoke to the peddler woman. She still did not fully trust the woman. Who would be foolish enough to get themselves involved in something like this? And willingly at that. Even if she was telling the truth, people with a death wish weren't the type of people Lorelai trusted. These were hard days and whenever an offer for help seemed too good to be true, it usually was.

 

Lorelai's eyes widened as she heard Owen mentioning to that Dillora that he was going to stay behind. She couldn't allow that. Iris was obviously gone. She probably met the same fate they were going to meet if it wasn't for... Lorelai had to admit it. If it wasn't for Dillora. And Lorelai was going to be damned if she was going to let Owen put his life on the line. Especially when he had nothing to gain from it.

 

Lorelai considered reasoning with him, but soon came to realize that it would have been a void attempt. He wasn't acting with his head. He was acting with his heart. He was full of hate. Of contempt. He was blind and no matter what Lorelai said, he wasn't going to open his eyes to the bitter truth. Iris was gone and there was nothing he could do to bring her back.

 

Left with one option, Lorelai did the only thing she thought she could do. Grabbing a staff Lorelai found in Dillora's wagon, she crept behind Owen. Taking a deep breath, she flung the staff as hard as she could, hitting Owen at the back of his head. Owen stiffened and turned long enough to give her a betrayed look, before collapsing on the ground."I'm sorry, Owen. But it must be done."

 

Lorelai shifted her eyes to John and Sosumo who were staring at her, stunned. "Don't stand there like fools, help me carry him into the wagon. We have to leave before they notice we are gone. Dillora, move it. NOW!"

 

 

Lorelai

Ranger

[Winter Mist]

~Dilora~

 

Such indignity! Being slung across his back, Dilora had an exciting view of the ground bouncing up towards her face and then retreating as they searched for her wagon. Altie caught her smell and whickered, and she knew they’d found her home. She was set down carefully and listened to the one that had threatened her ask about weapons so he could go off on his own. The others milled around, the two men still a little groggy, the woman with a dangerous look in her eye. All were looking around, trying to find something … anything … that didn’t fit in.

 

The whole situation was unnatural. Nobody gathered around Dilora’s red and gold painted wagon really fit in, and the expressions on their faces were like a kind of nightmare. The one that could have been their leader radiated grim determination. Dilora was still stunned, and a little scared really. What had she gotten herself involved with now? He wanted weapons … Dilora had some small arms in her possession, but nothing that could do any serious damage. She kept her quiver of arrows and her bow hidden, along with a couple of daggers and some cutlery …

 

The woman was moving. The staff from her wagon was moving too. It blurred in the woman’s hands, and then the tall man was dropping like a sack. And she was being asked to get things moving, while the two other men were helping lift the other into the back of her wagon. Without knowing why, Dilora climbed up into the wagon seat and reached underneath it for her bow. Altie was glad to be on the move again. So was Dilora, if truth be told. The wheels turned, and the village thankfully passing them by as it began to pass them by. The bizarre inhabitants of the village were going to be left behind now. She sighed, and began to sing a little song she knew.

[Andular]

As the wagon crept along the dirt road Night sat with his back to one of the walls of the wagon. His head pounded and his tongue felt like it was coated with fur from the foul drug they had drank. “Owen is going to be none to pleased with the stunt you pulled Lorelai.” The young woman stared back at him with a defiant look and Nights chuckled. “I am not saying it was not for the best, I am just saying you might want to be elsewhere when wakes.”

 

A cry in the distance announced that their escape had been discovered. The towns folk would soon be scouring the area looking for them. Poking his head outside the wagon Nights urged Dilora to get them off the road and find a place to hide until they could form a plan. The wagon creaked as the woman urged the horses on.

 

They were far from though with this mess and as it stood it could end very badly for them. For their sakes he hoped Dilora knew of a place to hide them. Surly the search party looking for them would check any wagons found traveling near the town.

 

Reaching out with his senses Nights felt wolves and told his brothers and sisters what had happened. Outraged at the two legs they agreed to stand ready to help if needed. Hoping it did not come to that the group of Wolfkin waited to see how events would unfold. On the floor of the wagon Owen groaned and began to stir.

[Nynaeve]

Lorelai had to be quick. Owen was coming to and if he recovered quickly from the blow, he would be heading back to the very place she was desperately trying to keep him away from. Grabbing one of the ropes Dilora had, she worked quickly, binding Owen's hands behind his back and tying up his feet. Running her hands over his arms, legs and waist, she made sure he didn't have any more concealed weapons.

 

Asking Dilora for some cold water and a rag, Lorelai sat herself next to Owen, just as he opened his eyes. Looking around him, he seemed rather dazed. Trying to move, he looked down, only then realizing that he was tied. With a dangerous look in his eyes, he spoke in a very cold tone. "Let me go. Now." Lorelai dipped the rag in the cold water, wringed it and pressed it against the back of Owen's neck. He hissed and struggled against the binds.

 

"You know I can't, Owen. I know that you might not see it now but I'm doing the right thing. I know that if I was in Iris' place, the last thing I would have wanted you to do is throw your life away. Your life is important. You matter. This is not your time to go."

 

Owen didn't say a word, instead he kept tugging at the ropes. "I won't let you lose yourself, Owen. We've had enough loses. And if this is what it takes to keep you alive then that is what i'm going to do. You can rip me apart when we get back home." Getting up, Lorelai spoke to John and Sosumo, making sure they kept their eyes open.

 

After a little wait they will have their window of escape. Lorelai just had to keep Owen contained until they could make their move. Lorelai walked up to Dilora and nodded in acknowledgement. "You are either the bravest person I've met, or the most foolish one. Either way you've proven that you are no foe. My apologies as to our behavior. I'm afraid we are suspicious by nature. I think the situation speaks for itself as to why. Now, I know we've troubled you enough but I'm afraid we will continue being an inconvenience for a while longer."

 

Lorelai scanned the area for a moment and then focused her eyes back on Dilora. "We are almost out of this tangle. But right now what I need from you is to find me your strongest sleeping herb. Brew the mixture for me, but keep the fire as low as possible. I don't want us to be detected." Turning around, Lorelai headed back to the wagon. She didn't want to leave Owen alone for too long. His mind was probably already racing, trying to figure out a way out.

 

 

Lorelai

Ranger

[Winter Mist]

~Dilora~

 

She had a fair few herbs kept in the strongbox under her seat where she kept her weapons, and Dilora had just the one in mind for the job. She’d need only a little, and the place in the trees she had parked the wagon would give enough cover for an adequate fire, maybe even enough to cook something warm for all of them. As the woman had effectively told her to keep the fire small, she must be certain indeed that they were not captured or spotted. Dilora gave a mental snort at the woman’s ideal of bravery. Most likely Dilora was just being silly rather than heroic, but she could not tolerate injustice. And besides, they might yet pay her for the carriage, and the herbs…

 

A person lived in hope, some days.

 

Still, as Dilora fed small twigs into a pile of sticks topped with dry leaves and moss, she couldn’t help but wonder if there were such things as heroes anymore. The Heroes for the Horn did not really count, as they were adventurers, seekers for some remnant of days gone past and far more likely to be out for glory rather than a desire to save the world. It was akin to being in a wolves’ den despite the wagon being hers. She dreaded to think what poor Altie was feeling, one minute eating a nice bag of oats in a stable, the next hurrying along roads and finally driven off the road to hide in some trees. It was a most unusual situation, even for a horse associated with Dilora. Crushed, dried leaves went into a small tin pot, and water boiled from her rain-bucket poured onto them, giving off a faintly herbal smell. She passed the cup, steaming slightly in the cooling air, to the young woman and pushed her hair back from her face.

 

As she did so, her fingers caught the patch where her face had connected with the cage. She winced. It would inevitably go down after a few days, but it did feel conspicuous for now, and Dilora would have put money on it looking red. A few days of hiding it with either a hat or a lack of peddling presence should make up for that, and she did feel like having a break for a while. Just to calm down.

 

“Here.” There wasn’t much that could be done for the taste, but Dilora had poured in a little honey and swirled it around with a teaspoon to try and disguise the draught’s intent. It would be like trying to get a horse to tap-dance, trying to get the restrained man to drink that. Dilora wished whoever’s job it would be the very best of luck, and once again wished she could reach her barrel of brandy. For medicinal purposes, of course! Curiosity was beginning to sink in as to what they would do next. They may have apologized for their behaviour, but they were not out of it just yet, and to all extents and purposes Dilora was effectively as much a captive as the one held by her ropes. “What do you want me to do now?”