Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or anything else associated with The Wheel of Time series.
Author's Note: First of all, this is my first story, so please everyone, be gentle. I should be able to update every day or every other day. I also appreciate any reviews or help. Don't hesitate to tell me if you think I should change something or add something. Thanks!
ALL BOLD TEXT IS DIRECT DIALOGUE FROM THE BOOKS AND DOES NOT BELONG TO ME. ALL BOLD TEXT COMES DIRECTLY FROM THE BOOKS AND IS OWNED BY ROBERT JORDAN.
Tam al Thor and Abell Cauthon trudged tiredly back into Edmonds Field, their horses following behind them. Everyone who saw them eagerly greeted them and attempted to ask questions about what they had discovered at Tar Valon, but Tam simply shook his downturned head at everyone who asked. That was answer enough, for everyone understood and attempted to comfort the devastated fathers.
Some offered a friendly pat on the back, while others offered words of comfort like, "I'm sure they're all right." None of this comforted Tam, who was still worried for his son, nor Abell, who was not only worried about his son, but was not looking forward to telling the rest of his family that he had not found anything out. Abell and Tam had traveled all the way to Tar Valon seeking information about their separated sons, and were met with nothing but doors in their face and no sign or mention of their lost family.
They finally made it to the stables outside of the Mayor's inn and worked on settling their horses in. They worked in silence: neither had said barely two words to one another after they started their journey home. It was complete silence until Abell hauled off and punched the wall next to him.
Tam jumped, surprised by the sudden movement and noise. Abell drew back his arm for a second punch, but Tam rushed to his side. He quickly grabbed Abell from behind, pulling his arms behind his back. Abell struggled to pull free, but Tam held on tight. Abell fell to his knees, sobs suddenly wracking his body. Tam took it all in stride, falling to the ground to pull his friend into a hug.
After a few moments, Abell pushed back from his friend, nodding gratefully, and tried to explain.
"I- I just wished I knew what happened to him, you know? E- Even if he is- d-dead, I just wish I- I knew. I can't deal with not knowing, and Natti is even worse, not to mention the girls. What do I tell them? How do I explain that their son, that their brother could be dead in a ditch and we'd never know?" He says in between sobs.
Tam nodded throughout Abell's little speech. "I know, Abell, I feel the same. There are a million different things that could happen to them, and we don't even know if they are alright. It's a terrible place out there, getting worse everyday, I just wish I knew that Rand was alright, that all of them were all right."
Abell opened his mouth to say something, but he was interrupted by a loud crack going through the air and a bright light flashing around them.
Both men jumped to their feet, drawing their weapons, searching the room frantically once the light died down. They were surprised to find that they were alone in the room, with nothing but their horses for company. That is, until Tam noticed a black package in the corner of the room.
"What the…" He mumbled, walking over to the package, Abell following behind him.
"That wasn't there before, was it?" Tam asked Abell, who shrugged his shoulders in answer
Tam shrugged and kneeled down next to the package. He picked up a nearby stick and softly poked the box. Both men flinched back as if it would blow up.
"What do you think it is?" Abell asked him in a slightly wobbly voice.
"Only one way to find out, I guess." Tam replied.
He softly sat on the ground with his legs crossed and dragged the heavy package into his lap. He slowly used his knife to cut open the tape holding the box shut. He slowly peeled open the lid of the box, Abell cautiously peering over his shoulder. Tam scrunched his eyebrows together when he saw what was inside.
"Huh." He mumbled to himself.
"What? What is it?" Abell asked him.
"It's a set of books." Tam said, just as confused as Abell.
Abell sat down next to Tam on the ground, reaching into the package and pulling the book on top out.
"The Eye of The World: Book One of The Wheel Of Time." He said, reading to himself.
Tam pulled out the rest of the books, sitting them on the ground in a row.
"The Great Hunt: Book Two of The Wheel Of Time. They all look to be a series." Tam told Abell.
"What do you think they're about?" Tam asked him.
Abell opened the first book and read the flap.
"The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. In the Third Age, an Age of Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.
"When The Two Rivers is attacked by Trollocs—a savage tribe of half-men, half-beasts— five villagers flee that night into a world they barely imagined, with new dangers waiting in the shadows and in the light." Abell read aloud.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Abell asked Tam.
Tam shrugged his shoulders uselessly, but then he noticed something.
"What's that?" Tam asked, pointing to a small slip of paper inside the book.
Abell pulled the piece of paper out and read it aloud.
"These books will tell the story of your sons' journey after the attack on the Two Rivers. The first three books have already happened, and the other books tell the stories of the future, that is, unless you fight to change it. Read these books at your own risk, for you will find out many things that you probably would rather not know. Pay close attention to what they say, for you will need this valuable information in the near future. Gather the following people and read the books, if you dare:
- Tam al'Thor (Rand's father)
- Abell Cauthon (Mat's father)
- Natti Cauthon (Mat's mother)
- Eldrin Cauthon (Mat's youngest sister)
- Bodewhin Cauthon (Mat's younger sister)
- Con Aybara (Perrin's father)
- Joslyn Aybara (Perrin's mother)
- Adora Aybara (Perrin's 16-year-old sister)
- Deselle Aybara (Perrin's 12-year-old sister)
- Paet Aybara (Perrin's 9-year-old brother)
- Bran al'Vere (Egwene's father)
- Marin al'Vere (Egwene's mother)
- Haral Luhhan (Blacksmith who trained Perrin)
- Alsbet Luhhan (Haral's wife)
- Cenn Buie (Village Council)
- Daise Congar (Women's Circle)
- Wit Congar (Daise's husband)
"So what? It's like the story of what happened after that night? What happened to our boys and the rest?" Tam asked incredulously, grabbing the book from Abell's hands.
"I guess. The question is, how accurate are the books? I mean, I don't want to read a story about the fate of my son if it is just a book full of lies." Abell asked Tam, who was busy flipping through the first few pages of the first book.
"From what I can tell, Abell, the books are accurate. The beginning of this one starts the night that the Trollocs attacked, while Rand and I were bringing the brandy and cider into town. The book has everything, even our conversations, down to a T." Tam explained to Abell, his eyebrows scrunched up in confusion.
"What do we do?" Abell asked Tam.
"Well… read them, I guess." Tam said simply.
"You go gather up your family and Perrin's and I'll get the rest of the list. We'll all meet at the Winespring Inn." Tam told Abell.
Abell nodded his agreement and stood, and left, leaving Tam alone in the stables with his thoughts.
Tam carefully stacked the books back into the box and set off to gather everyone, ready to figure out what happened to his son.
Little did either man know, even though they thought they were prepared to read about the events after the attack on Two Rivers, neither is truly ready for the secrets that would soon be brought into the light.