Disclaimer: The perspectives of the two characters shall mark each chapter. The chapters will alternate between the their individual points of view.

Concepts, ideas, and characters (with the exception of original characters created for this fanfiction) are the creation and property of Robert Jordan and this story is loosely based off of his brilliant Wheel of Time series. He did such a thorough job of painting the Wheel of Time fantasy and this story will bear some inaccuracies as a consequence.

This chapter is written from Ker'ias' perspective.

A warm wind lifted the fringe of palms that surrounded the small balcony and Ker'ias sighed softly. The day was beautiful for these strange lands, but she couldn't help but miss her homeland. She was Seanchan, and being here far from home on these shores where marath'damane roamed freely made her homesick and uncomfortable. She regarded the silver leash that lay on the table before her and sighed once more. She was a sul'dam without a damane, a woman who served gratefully but had no way to do service.

She sipped her Kaf and smiled at the taste of home, closing her eyes to the sun that beat gently against her through the sparse trees they called palms. Her jet black hair was pulled back into a severe bun, and ice blue eyes were hidden by soft petal lids and long, thick black lashes. She had been considered for the empress's harem, but her talents as a sul'dam outweighed any personal interest the empress, may she live forever, had in her.

Ker'ias rose, smoothing her blue skirts that came just short of her ankle boots and patting her hair. She headed towards the damane barracks, checking the treats she had in her pockets. They had recently caught several marath'damane, and she was worried they wouldn't survive the adjustment to the leash. As she entered she straightened her back and the red panels with the forked silver lightning bolts on her dress. She always wished to appear as though she weren't less because she didn't have a damane on the end of her leash.

"Good afternoon, Ker'ias. Here for a turn at the leash?"

"Yes, Shai."

"Don't feed them too many treats today, Ker'ias. They are hard enough to control as it is without you treating them for their horrible actions."

Ker'ias sniffed and continued up the stairs. As she rose up the levels, she could hear the laughter and gentle voices of the Seanchan damane and sul'dam change to the weeping and wails of the captured marath'damane. She tsked as she approached and quickly snapped the bracelet of her leash over her right wrist. She barely contained the eagerness from her expression as she approached the rooms.

"Ker'ias," a voice called from behind and she turned with a sigh. "You are needed in the courtyard. The soldiers have heard of a group of traveling marath'damane nearby across the border in the place they call Arad Doman. You are to accompany them."

Ker'ias felt her heart catch in her throat and her eyes shone with happiness. Kel'neri, her sister, smiled as she took Ker'ias' hands.

"I will leave at once."

"It will be good to have you wearing the bracelet again."

She rushed as quickly as was seemly down the steps and to her quarters, quickly grabbing and packing what she would need into a small bag. She walked into the courtyard her heart pounding with excitement and gave a small nod to the captain in charge. He bowed low to her and his men followed example. She joined a small group of sul'dam whose eyes shone as eagerly as her own.

"It is an honor to have you among the sul'dam accompanying us, Ker'ias," the Captain's voice boomed softly, the low timbre of his tone ringing gently across the gathered group. She had known Berrand since they were children and she smiled briefly at him. He hadn't overstepped any bounds, but called her by name was tempting the barrier.

"Thank you, Captain. You have had my Mystir saddled?"

"Yes." He motioned and a young soldier with eyes that were older than her father's led her stallion to her who high-stepped and fought the bit. Under her hand he calmed and she could feel the admiring eyes upon her. She had always been the only one allowed to ride Mystir since they caught him upon these shores. Her secret she would never tell anyone was that she used gentleness and understanding to break him to her just as she would use on her marath'damane.

They mounted and after several orders given to the soldiers began to head out with the sul'dam in the middle. She couldn't stifle the excitement that bubbled inside of her, and she kept telling herself that she once she got her leash on a marath'damane she would be different than a lot of the sul'dam she saw. She would lavish praise and treats and in return would be given obedience and honor. Her thoughts drifted away as she rode, her mind daydreaming.