The Foretelling
Part One: Winternight
The Wheel of Time turns and the Ages come and go. In one Age, called the Third Age by some, an Age long past, an Age yet to come, a wind rose somewhere. Nobody really cared. So they just ignored it. The wind wasn't the beginning. There are no beginnings or endings in the turning of the Wheel. But it was a beginning.
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~~~ POV of Rand al'Thor, Dragon Reborn, Lord of the Morning, Kin-slayer, Bringer of Salvation, and all those other titles that I don't remember. Add them yourself. ~~~
Rand woke up suddenly. He was in a farmhouse. The last thing he remembered was trying to cleanse saidin with Nyneave. Then everything went black. He thought the room he was in looked familiar, but he wasn't sure. It was the crack of dawn, so he got out of the bed he was in, alert for any attack that may occur. What was there, or rather who, totally stunned him. Tam al'Thor was in front of him, getting dressed. Rand worked his mouth silently.
"Don't just sit there gawking, lad." Tam said "have you forgotten, we're going to the village today to deliver the cider for Bel Tine. Get ready."
Rand jumped to his feet. It was all a dream. He wasn't the Dragon Reborn after all! He had woken up. He was uncomfortably reminded of the Aiel saying: "life is a dream, and we all wake up sometime." As he was getting dressed, Tam left, and went to get Bela ready for the trip. Rand got to thinking. If that was really a dream, he couldn't channel. To test his rough theory, he assumed the Void. Then he reached out, and saidin flooded into him like water flowing into pool after it broke the dam that was stopping it. He nearly vomited. Hastily, he checked his hands. The herons weren't there. Still not convinced, he tried to slash at any Mirrors of Mist that someone might have woven around them. He couldn't find anything. He then checked his forearms. He couldn't find any Dragons. Bewildered, Rand went to the small kitchen, and ate a small breakfast of dry bread and water.
~~ A few hours later ~~
Rand was walking beside the cart, which was being pulled by Bela. Something made him look around. There, about 20 spans back was a black-cloaked rider on a black horse. Rand just stared at the Myrdraal. He still couldn't believe that he dreamt of the future, that he was the Dragon Reborn. He turned his back on the Fade deliberately. He felt more than heard the dead-black sword slide out of its sheath. He spun around again, seizing saidin. He heard Tam turn around to look at him in surprise, but Rand was already firing arrows at the charging Halfman. Although Rand hit with every arrow, the Eyeless was still moving, approaching. Having fired all his arrows, Rand fashioned himself that oh-so-familiar sword of solid fire. Just as he was done, the Myrdraal was on him. Whirlwind in the desert became parting of the silk, became cutting the wind. The Fade on his horse kept pushing at Rand, but he wasn't giving it any rest either. After a few minutes of dancing, the Myrdraal was half a heartbeat behind, and Rand slashed at its head. It fell kicking and twitching to the ground. Tam stared at the dieing Fade in amazement. Then he stared at Rand, who released the Source. He just shrugged and kept walking.
~~ Half an hour later ~~
The forest began to thin out as they approached the village of Emond's Field. Tam was still staring at Rand, who was wondering how long Tam could last until his eyes dried out. When they were abreast with the first stone buildings, Rand turned to his father:
"Tam, I must see to some business I have in the village. I'll meet you at the Winespring Inn to unload the cart."
"Yes, lad." Tam murmured, "we all must see to business. But I must ask you lad. Why are you calling me 'Tam' like some stranger?"
Rand was a little taken aback by the question. He had expected a question about the Fade. But he answered anyway.
"We both know you are not my real father." Tam looked more than a little flabbergasted "and I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention what happened on the road to anyone." All Tam could do was nod. With a grateful smile, Rand turned around and ran towards the Green; where he knew he's find Mat. Sure enough, as soon as he got there, he heard girls screaming, and women shouting. Apparently, Mat had loosed that old badger out on the Green. A few minutes later, he found Mat and Dav rolling on the ground, laughing.
"Mat, stand up. We need to talk." Rand said. But Mat just kept laughing.
"Come on, Mat. Don't make me use force. That ter'angreal wont help you against me."
That cut off Mat short. He just stared at Rand with wide eyes. "You… too?" he sputtered.
"Yes. We need to go talk to Perrin."
As they were walking towards the forge, they talked.
"I want to try something on you, Mat." Mat flinched away.
"Oh, no you don't." he said forcefully. "I don't want to get any more mixed up in this than I need to." Rand just laughed at this.
"And how will you do that, my dear Lord of Manetheren?"
"Who told you that?"
"Elayen. I think Brigette told her."
As they neared the forge, Mat slowed. "I don't think Alsbet Lahaun would like me in her house. I covered he dogs with flour and set them loose, remember?"
"Oh, yeah, I remember you telling me that." Rand walked up to the door and knocked. Mistress Lahaun answered. She looked angry and ready to chew rocks.
"Uh… could I talk to Perrin please? We won't take long." Rand said, as he pulled Perrin out from behind her. They left her there staring after them. As they were walking towards the Green to meet Mat, Rand asked Perrin if he had a weird dream last night.
"… One where you could talk to wolves?" he finished. Perrin paled by the word.
"H-how did you know? About the wolves, I mean." Rand just smiled.
"Actually, it was a guess. I saw Elyas' yellow eyes then yours so I guessed. And you just confirmed it." Perrin grimaced.
"Do you know what's going on with Mat? All I know is that he starts talking in the Old Tongue at odd intervals." Perrin asked.
"No, I don't. But I think it has something to do with Manetheren. The Light alone knows. Anyway, we must discuss what we will do tonight."
20 minuets later, while helping Tam al'Thor to unload the cart, the trio talked over what they will be doing.
"I killed a Fade on the way here." Rand said hoarsely.
"I don't think that would matter. They could get another Fade here in a matter of hours. Through the Ways." Perrin said.
Rand sighed. "I guess what we should do is like this. Before I leave with Tam, I'll make you a weird spear thing like the one you had." Rand told Mat. "And you, Perrin, you take that ax of yours. You two protect the village with the wolves and Lan and Moiraine."
"Moiraine," Mat breathed. "I forgot that she was alive." He suddenly grinned. "Do you think any of us could keep a strait face when we see Lan and Nyneave at the same time?" Perrin hid a smile.
"Yes." Rand looked irritated that they got off the subject. "Anyway, I will use the Power to kill the Trollocs that come to where I live. Don't forget the wolves, Perrin."
"You could just set up a ward around the village, Rand." Mat said. Rand gave him a look that said 'shut-up-you-know-that-I-can't-so-don't-pursue-the-subject' quite clearly.
"When we leave tomorrow night we should make more plans, Rand, not now." Mat said.
"Oh, all right."
As they exited the door, they saw a raven perched on the roof.
"Vile bird," Rand growled. He took hold of saidin and wove Air around the bird, so it couldn't move, and then he threw a stone at it. It put up a struggle against the barrier of Wind, and then died. He felt the hair stir on his arms, a feeling he only got when a woman was holding or channeling saidar. He turned around slowly and pretended to stare at Moiraine Damondred Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah.
"All ravens are vile." She said, "to be mistrusted at the best of times."
Rand stared at her smooth Aes Sedai face, and almost wove a shield to block her from the True Source, when he stopped himself. It would be no good to let her grow suspicious of a man channeling. It would also be a bad idea to weave a Mirror of Mist around himself, so that he would look like any other person in the Two Rivers, with dark eyes and hair.
"Good morning, Lady Moiraine." He said smoothly.
"Good morning, Lady Moiraine." Mat echoed.
She smiled, and suddenly Rand wondered if there was anything that he could do for her. He immediately knew that she wove Compulsion on himself and Mat and Perrin. He could see them torn between adoring her, and being very, very angry with her. He put an end to it by slashing at her weaves. All she did was blink, but she looked a little more jumpy. Mat and Perrin, free of the dreaded Compulsion, looked at her with menace. Lan walked out of the shadows casually, and stood beside Moiraine, pretending to look at the Green, where the women and girls were setting up the pole again and shooting Mat looks that could kill.
"You, know my name." She sounded surprised. "Then I must know yours."
"I am known as Perrin Aybara." Perrin said.
"I am Matrim Cauthon, my Lady." He put an emphasis on the last word, which was full of contempt.
"And I am… Rand al'Thor." He briefly wondered if he should have disguised his name.
"I will be staying in the village for a few days, and I will be needing assistance getting to know everyone. Will you three help me? I will pay you generously." She gave each of them a coin.
"Ah… Lady Moiraine, I'm sorry, but I am leaving the village soon with my father. I couldn't accept this." Rand said, as he slashed at the warding that she wove on the coins, and wove a warding of his own and gave the coin back to Moiraine. "I don't like being followed, treekiller." He added as an afterthought.
Lan was getting restless, and Rand gave Moiraine a knowing smile. She looked startled, then blushed. Rand walked away with Mat and Perrin at his heels, trying miserably to control their laughter.
"I wouldn't want to be in her shoes when Nyneave finds out." Mat snickered.
They heard a wagon coming, and Rand bit back an oath.
"What are we going to do about Padan Fain?" Perrin asked.
"Balefire?" Mat suggested.
"No, that would give us away." Rand objected. "I think we should let him go unnoticed until Fal Dara, so that the Fades don't get too suspicious of us. Then we kill him. Now act like mindless country bumpkins!"
~~ Half an hour later ~~
Padan Fain had gone into the Winespring Inn to be questioned by the Village Council about the news of the outside world. Rand had decided that now would be a good time to talk to Egwene.
Conveniently, she came around the corner of the nearest house, as Rand was talking.
"Talk about Ta'veren luck." Mat murmured. Egwene looked contemptuously at Mat, and coolly at Rand.
"So," she said with a look that came too close to an Aes Sedai look for Rand's liking. "The almighty Dragon decides to show up at last. What took you, you ungrateful lummox? I ought to let Nyneave Sedai box your ears!"
Rand let out a relieved sigh. He wouldn't have to tell his all-but-betrothed about his weird dream. "And you say that I'm arrogant?" she ignored this.
"Mother," Mat said nervously, bowing, and hastily checking his coat to make sure the fox-head ter'angreal wasn't really there. Perrin just blinked. Rand looked at Mat with surprise. He wouldn't act so nervous with Egwene around, unless she really was the Amrillyn Seat. He sighed again, this time with resignation.
"We must decide what we will do tonight, you three. Nyneave knows too, but she still can't channel freely." She added as an afterthought. Mat tried to stop from bursting into laughter at the mention of Nyneave. Rand had never heard a louder sound before. That brought the Wisdom to them, and Mat cut his laughter back with a choke. All the time, Rand felt the disturbing tingling in his arms.
"Nyneave Sedai, I never could thank you for helping me to cleanse saidin. I couldn't have done it without you. Unfortunately, it is still tainted. The bloody dream wasn't real!" he scowled.
"Rand al'Thor, watch your tongue! I don't give a bucket of horse sweat if you're the Dragon Reborn. You will keep a civil tongue in my presents."
They must have made a lot of noise, or maybe Moiraine followed them, because she stepped out of what must have been a weaving of bending light. Nyneave rounded on her, and unleashed her fury on her.
"You!" she shouted. "You will not take these boys out of here! They know very well what will happen, and so do I. you and your Warder can go to the pit of doom for all I care. Compared to the three of us linked, you are nothing but a speck, you insolent trolloc!" as she was shouting, Mat's grin broadened by the word, and Rand paled. When she was this angry, she could channel. And the tingling on his arm grew. Nyneave suddenly stared at Moiraine in anger. "You dare shield me?" she said slowly, getting a firm grip on her braid. Rand noticed a definite decline in the tingling in his arms.
Suddenly al'Lan Mandoragen stepped out of the shadows, and Nyneave rounded on him. "And you! I ought to box your ears for what happened between you and that Aes Sedai of yours! You are as despicable as her!" she said pointing at Moiraine. Mat hid his grin behind a hand as the Wisdom turned to go. Egwene looked horrified. Rand merely tsked and wove a weaving with saidin on both Moiraine and Lan to make them forget what they herd. It was a new weaving. He made it up himself. The stronger the weave, the more they forget. It came in useful in times.
Rand, Egwene, Mat and Perrin walked after Nyneave. She led them to her house. It was the same size as any other house. It had a thatched roof, and a fireplace.
"Do you mind if we had this discussion outside? I don't like cramped places." Rand said. Egwene looked sympathetic.
"Oh, all right." Nyneave grumbled. When they were all settled down on the ground behind Nyneave's house, Rand wove from saidin a shield against eavesdropping.
"Now that we are all assembled. We must decide what we will do tonight when the Trollocs come." Rand started. Mat grumbled under his breath that they already decided, but Rand silenced him with a look. "I think it's a good idea that Perrin, with his ax and his friends, fight the shadow-spawn. Mat can use his bow effectively. You two women can use balefire."
Egwene sighed. "Rand, the use of balefire is addictive." Rand grimaced.
"Then just use the One Power on them. Or whatever. I will defend my house with Tam. Now that that was decided, what shall we do about Padan Fain?"
"Why don't we kill him?" asked Perrin, with a wolfish smile on his face.
"Because, if we kill him, he will never find the dagger from Shadar Logoth. We won't follow him to Falme, and most importantly, Mat won't blow the Horn of Valerie. If we kill him, it will mess up time, and fate and stuff. It is too complicated."
~~ A few hours later ~~
Rand and Tam were home. After their share of doing chores, Tam was preparing dinner. Rand walked into their bedroom, and pulled the heavy trunk from under Tam's bed, and used the Power to unlock it. Inside was the sword that he used, will use, to wound Ishamael. When he brought the sword to the table, Tam didn't say a word. Maybe that was because he didn't see it yet, but that's beside the point. When he did turn around and look at it, he just buckled the sword-belt on.
A few minutes later, the teakettle was boiling, and there was a knock on the door.
And, knowing that bloodthirsty, goat-kissing Trollocs are on the other side, Rand seized saidin, and sang his favorite song:
"Wash the spears - while the sun climes high.
Wash the spears - while the sun falls low.
Wash the spears - who fears to die?
Wash the spears - no one I know!
Wash the spears - while life holds true.
Wash the spears - until life ends.
Wash the spears - life is a dream.
Wash the spears - all dreams must end."
Tam readied his sword. Rand got ready to weave Fire into every Light blinded shadow-spawn that came through the door. As if on cue, Narg, the smart trolloc with an IQ of 3, came bursting though the door. Before he could do anything, Tam's sword flashed and he died in a heartbeat. The next trolloc, who could have been another Narg for all Rand knew, charged in and was about to cut down Tam with his deformed weapon, when Rand cut off its head with Air. The next three Trollocs that came in died from Tam's heron marked sword, and from Rand's molten fire sword thing that he uses a lot.
By that time they were getting tired, so Rand just froze the rest of the Trollocs in their places. Tam was panting, but he rounded on Rand nonetheless.
"What was that, lad, some kind of trick? Making that sword of yours come out of nowhere. And how in the Light do you know that I'm not your bloody flaming father?!"
"Tam," Rand started, "I know that this will come as a shock to you, but I can channel."
Silence fell. It broke as it hit the floor. Tam looked like he was about to faint.
"That's a cruel joke to play on the person who brought you up, lad." He said faintly. "Even if I'm not your father, you shouldn't go around telling lies like that."
"It's no lie, Tam. Come, let's finish our work." He waved his hand and all the remaining Trollocs burst into flame. Rand thought that he herd a faint "Narg smart!" as they burned down, but he shrugged it off.
Silently, Rand opened a gateway to the village, to help kill the last of the invading Trollocs. He was earlier than he expected. He Traveled to the edge of Master Lahaun's forge, but it wasn't burning. When he looked toward the Inn, he saw Lan run out, shouting about Trollocs. Perrin stepped closer to him, gripping his ax.
"Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to defend your house?"
"The Trollocs came early, so we finished early. Now we are here."
"Who is 'we'?"
"Myself and Tam." Rand moved, and Tam al'Thor came into view.
"The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills." Tam muttered.
The village folk were just listening to Thom Merillin telling a story from The Hunt for the Horn when Trollocs came bursting out of everyplace. As soon as they appeared, it began to rain arrows from the top of the Winespring Inn, and some Trollocs burst into flame. Only some of those were Rand's work. The majority was probably from Nyneave and Egwene. Maybe also Moiraine. Perrin snarled and leapt out from the shadows, followed by Rand and Tam. Lan was already in the midst of battle.
"For the Seven Towers!" Lan shouted.
"*For the honor of the Red Eagle! For the Rose of the Sun! *" Mat cried from the rooftop. (a/n: the *'s mean he's talking in the Old Tongue.)
"What he said!" Rand yelled. Perrin just looked at him strangely.
"Do you have anything better to say?" Rand asked.
"I guess not."
Soon, not only were the villagers running away, but they also fought a little. Then wolves came running into the village, and jumped onto the Trollocs.
"What took them so long?" Rand asked Perrin.
"They were hunting. Or trying to. With no game to hunt, they were as hungry as newborn cubs."
The Emond's Fielders took heart when they saw Tam, Rand, and Perrin fighting beside the Warder, and Mat using his bow like there is no tomorrow. They didn't notice that Nyneave, Egwene, and Moiraine were channeling.
Part One: Winternight
The Wheel of Time turns and the Ages come and go. In one Age, called the Third Age by some, an Age long past, an Age yet to come, a wind rose somewhere. Nobody really cared. So they just ignored it. The wind wasn't the beginning. There are no beginnings or endings in the turning of the Wheel. But it was a beginning.
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~~~ POV of Rand al'Thor, Dragon Reborn, Lord of the Morning, Kin-slayer, Bringer of Salvation, and all those other titles that I don't remember. Add them yourself. ~~~
Rand woke up suddenly. He was in a farmhouse. The last thing he remembered was trying to cleanse saidin with Nyneave. Then everything went black. He thought the room he was in looked familiar, but he wasn't sure. It was the crack of dawn, so he got out of the bed he was in, alert for any attack that may occur. What was there, or rather who, totally stunned him. Tam al'Thor was in front of him, getting dressed. Rand worked his mouth silently.
"Don't just sit there gawking, lad." Tam said "have you forgotten, we're going to the village today to deliver the cider for Bel Tine. Get ready."
Rand jumped to his feet. It was all a dream. He wasn't the Dragon Reborn after all! He had woken up. He was uncomfortably reminded of the Aiel saying: "life is a dream, and we all wake up sometime." As he was getting dressed, Tam left, and went to get Bela ready for the trip. Rand got to thinking. If that was really a dream, he couldn't channel. To test his rough theory, he assumed the Void. Then he reached out, and saidin flooded into him like water flowing into pool after it broke the dam that was stopping it. He nearly vomited. Hastily, he checked his hands. The herons weren't there. Still not convinced, he tried to slash at any Mirrors of Mist that someone might have woven around them. He couldn't find anything. He then checked his forearms. He couldn't find any Dragons. Bewildered, Rand went to the small kitchen, and ate a small breakfast of dry bread and water.
~~ A few hours later ~~
Rand was walking beside the cart, which was being pulled by Bela. Something made him look around. There, about 20 spans back was a black-cloaked rider on a black horse. Rand just stared at the Myrdraal. He still couldn't believe that he dreamt of the future, that he was the Dragon Reborn. He turned his back on the Fade deliberately. He felt more than heard the dead-black sword slide out of its sheath. He spun around again, seizing saidin. He heard Tam turn around to look at him in surprise, but Rand was already firing arrows at the charging Halfman. Although Rand hit with every arrow, the Eyeless was still moving, approaching. Having fired all his arrows, Rand fashioned himself that oh-so-familiar sword of solid fire. Just as he was done, the Myrdraal was on him. Whirlwind in the desert became parting of the silk, became cutting the wind. The Fade on his horse kept pushing at Rand, but he wasn't giving it any rest either. After a few minutes of dancing, the Myrdraal was half a heartbeat behind, and Rand slashed at its head. It fell kicking and twitching to the ground. Tam stared at the dieing Fade in amazement. Then he stared at Rand, who released the Source. He just shrugged and kept walking.
~~ Half an hour later ~~
The forest began to thin out as they approached the village of Emond's Field. Tam was still staring at Rand, who was wondering how long Tam could last until his eyes dried out. When they were abreast with the first stone buildings, Rand turned to his father:
"Tam, I must see to some business I have in the village. I'll meet you at the Winespring Inn to unload the cart."
"Yes, lad." Tam murmured, "we all must see to business. But I must ask you lad. Why are you calling me 'Tam' like some stranger?"
Rand was a little taken aback by the question. He had expected a question about the Fade. But he answered anyway.
"We both know you are not my real father." Tam looked more than a little flabbergasted "and I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention what happened on the road to anyone." All Tam could do was nod. With a grateful smile, Rand turned around and ran towards the Green; where he knew he's find Mat. Sure enough, as soon as he got there, he heard girls screaming, and women shouting. Apparently, Mat had loosed that old badger out on the Green. A few minutes later, he found Mat and Dav rolling on the ground, laughing.
"Mat, stand up. We need to talk." Rand said. But Mat just kept laughing.
"Come on, Mat. Don't make me use force. That ter'angreal wont help you against me."
That cut off Mat short. He just stared at Rand with wide eyes. "You… too?" he sputtered.
"Yes. We need to go talk to Perrin."
As they were walking towards the forge, they talked.
"I want to try something on you, Mat." Mat flinched away.
"Oh, no you don't." he said forcefully. "I don't want to get any more mixed up in this than I need to." Rand just laughed at this.
"And how will you do that, my dear Lord of Manetheren?"
"Who told you that?"
"Elayen. I think Brigette told her."
As they neared the forge, Mat slowed. "I don't think Alsbet Lahaun would like me in her house. I covered he dogs with flour and set them loose, remember?"
"Oh, yeah, I remember you telling me that." Rand walked up to the door and knocked. Mistress Lahaun answered. She looked angry and ready to chew rocks.
"Uh… could I talk to Perrin please? We won't take long." Rand said, as he pulled Perrin out from behind her. They left her there staring after them. As they were walking towards the Green to meet Mat, Rand asked Perrin if he had a weird dream last night.
"… One where you could talk to wolves?" he finished. Perrin paled by the word.
"H-how did you know? About the wolves, I mean." Rand just smiled.
"Actually, it was a guess. I saw Elyas' yellow eyes then yours so I guessed. And you just confirmed it." Perrin grimaced.
"Do you know what's going on with Mat? All I know is that he starts talking in the Old Tongue at odd intervals." Perrin asked.
"No, I don't. But I think it has something to do with Manetheren. The Light alone knows. Anyway, we must discuss what we will do tonight."
20 minuets later, while helping Tam al'Thor to unload the cart, the trio talked over what they will be doing.
"I killed a Fade on the way here." Rand said hoarsely.
"I don't think that would matter. They could get another Fade here in a matter of hours. Through the Ways." Perrin said.
Rand sighed. "I guess what we should do is like this. Before I leave with Tam, I'll make you a weird spear thing like the one you had." Rand told Mat. "And you, Perrin, you take that ax of yours. You two protect the village with the wolves and Lan and Moiraine."
"Moiraine," Mat breathed. "I forgot that she was alive." He suddenly grinned. "Do you think any of us could keep a strait face when we see Lan and Nyneave at the same time?" Perrin hid a smile.
"Yes." Rand looked irritated that they got off the subject. "Anyway, I will use the Power to kill the Trollocs that come to where I live. Don't forget the wolves, Perrin."
"You could just set up a ward around the village, Rand." Mat said. Rand gave him a look that said 'shut-up-you-know-that-I-can't-so-don't-pursue-the-subject' quite clearly.
"When we leave tomorrow night we should make more plans, Rand, not now." Mat said.
"Oh, all right."
As they exited the door, they saw a raven perched on the roof.
"Vile bird," Rand growled. He took hold of saidin and wove Air around the bird, so it couldn't move, and then he threw a stone at it. It put up a struggle against the barrier of Wind, and then died. He felt the hair stir on his arms, a feeling he only got when a woman was holding or channeling saidar. He turned around slowly and pretended to stare at Moiraine Damondred Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah.
"All ravens are vile." She said, "to be mistrusted at the best of times."
Rand stared at her smooth Aes Sedai face, and almost wove a shield to block her from the True Source, when he stopped himself. It would be no good to let her grow suspicious of a man channeling. It would also be a bad idea to weave a Mirror of Mist around himself, so that he would look like any other person in the Two Rivers, with dark eyes and hair.
"Good morning, Lady Moiraine." He said smoothly.
"Good morning, Lady Moiraine." Mat echoed.
She smiled, and suddenly Rand wondered if there was anything that he could do for her. He immediately knew that she wove Compulsion on himself and Mat and Perrin. He could see them torn between adoring her, and being very, very angry with her. He put an end to it by slashing at her weaves. All she did was blink, but she looked a little more jumpy. Mat and Perrin, free of the dreaded Compulsion, looked at her with menace. Lan walked out of the shadows casually, and stood beside Moiraine, pretending to look at the Green, where the women and girls were setting up the pole again and shooting Mat looks that could kill.
"You, know my name." She sounded surprised. "Then I must know yours."
"I am known as Perrin Aybara." Perrin said.
"I am Matrim Cauthon, my Lady." He put an emphasis on the last word, which was full of contempt.
"And I am… Rand al'Thor." He briefly wondered if he should have disguised his name.
"I will be staying in the village for a few days, and I will be needing assistance getting to know everyone. Will you three help me? I will pay you generously." She gave each of them a coin.
"Ah… Lady Moiraine, I'm sorry, but I am leaving the village soon with my father. I couldn't accept this." Rand said, as he slashed at the warding that she wove on the coins, and wove a warding of his own and gave the coin back to Moiraine. "I don't like being followed, treekiller." He added as an afterthought.
Lan was getting restless, and Rand gave Moiraine a knowing smile. She looked startled, then blushed. Rand walked away with Mat and Perrin at his heels, trying miserably to control their laughter.
"I wouldn't want to be in her shoes when Nyneave finds out." Mat snickered.
They heard a wagon coming, and Rand bit back an oath.
"What are we going to do about Padan Fain?" Perrin asked.
"Balefire?" Mat suggested.
"No, that would give us away." Rand objected. "I think we should let him go unnoticed until Fal Dara, so that the Fades don't get too suspicious of us. Then we kill him. Now act like mindless country bumpkins!"
~~ Half an hour later ~~
Padan Fain had gone into the Winespring Inn to be questioned by the Village Council about the news of the outside world. Rand had decided that now would be a good time to talk to Egwene.
Conveniently, she came around the corner of the nearest house, as Rand was talking.
"Talk about Ta'veren luck." Mat murmured. Egwene looked contemptuously at Mat, and coolly at Rand.
"So," she said with a look that came too close to an Aes Sedai look for Rand's liking. "The almighty Dragon decides to show up at last. What took you, you ungrateful lummox? I ought to let Nyneave Sedai box your ears!"
Rand let out a relieved sigh. He wouldn't have to tell his all-but-betrothed about his weird dream. "And you say that I'm arrogant?" she ignored this.
"Mother," Mat said nervously, bowing, and hastily checking his coat to make sure the fox-head ter'angreal wasn't really there. Perrin just blinked. Rand looked at Mat with surprise. He wouldn't act so nervous with Egwene around, unless she really was the Amrillyn Seat. He sighed again, this time with resignation.
"We must decide what we will do tonight, you three. Nyneave knows too, but she still can't channel freely." She added as an afterthought. Mat tried to stop from bursting into laughter at the mention of Nyneave. Rand had never heard a louder sound before. That brought the Wisdom to them, and Mat cut his laughter back with a choke. All the time, Rand felt the disturbing tingling in his arms.
"Nyneave Sedai, I never could thank you for helping me to cleanse saidin. I couldn't have done it without you. Unfortunately, it is still tainted. The bloody dream wasn't real!" he scowled.
"Rand al'Thor, watch your tongue! I don't give a bucket of horse sweat if you're the Dragon Reborn. You will keep a civil tongue in my presents."
They must have made a lot of noise, or maybe Moiraine followed them, because she stepped out of what must have been a weaving of bending light. Nyneave rounded on her, and unleashed her fury on her.
"You!" she shouted. "You will not take these boys out of here! They know very well what will happen, and so do I. you and your Warder can go to the pit of doom for all I care. Compared to the three of us linked, you are nothing but a speck, you insolent trolloc!" as she was shouting, Mat's grin broadened by the word, and Rand paled. When she was this angry, she could channel. And the tingling on his arm grew. Nyneave suddenly stared at Moiraine in anger. "You dare shield me?" she said slowly, getting a firm grip on her braid. Rand noticed a definite decline in the tingling in his arms.
Suddenly al'Lan Mandoragen stepped out of the shadows, and Nyneave rounded on him. "And you! I ought to box your ears for what happened between you and that Aes Sedai of yours! You are as despicable as her!" she said pointing at Moiraine. Mat hid his grin behind a hand as the Wisdom turned to go. Egwene looked horrified. Rand merely tsked and wove a weaving with saidin on both Moiraine and Lan to make them forget what they herd. It was a new weaving. He made it up himself. The stronger the weave, the more they forget. It came in useful in times.
Rand, Egwene, Mat and Perrin walked after Nyneave. She led them to her house. It was the same size as any other house. It had a thatched roof, and a fireplace.
"Do you mind if we had this discussion outside? I don't like cramped places." Rand said. Egwene looked sympathetic.
"Oh, all right." Nyneave grumbled. When they were all settled down on the ground behind Nyneave's house, Rand wove from saidin a shield against eavesdropping.
"Now that we are all assembled. We must decide what we will do tonight when the Trollocs come." Rand started. Mat grumbled under his breath that they already decided, but Rand silenced him with a look. "I think it's a good idea that Perrin, with his ax and his friends, fight the shadow-spawn. Mat can use his bow effectively. You two women can use balefire."
Egwene sighed. "Rand, the use of balefire is addictive." Rand grimaced.
"Then just use the One Power on them. Or whatever. I will defend my house with Tam. Now that that was decided, what shall we do about Padan Fain?"
"Why don't we kill him?" asked Perrin, with a wolfish smile on his face.
"Because, if we kill him, he will never find the dagger from Shadar Logoth. We won't follow him to Falme, and most importantly, Mat won't blow the Horn of Valerie. If we kill him, it will mess up time, and fate and stuff. It is too complicated."
~~ A few hours later ~~
Rand and Tam were home. After their share of doing chores, Tam was preparing dinner. Rand walked into their bedroom, and pulled the heavy trunk from under Tam's bed, and used the Power to unlock it. Inside was the sword that he used, will use, to wound Ishamael. When he brought the sword to the table, Tam didn't say a word. Maybe that was because he didn't see it yet, but that's beside the point. When he did turn around and look at it, he just buckled the sword-belt on.
A few minutes later, the teakettle was boiling, and there was a knock on the door.
And, knowing that bloodthirsty, goat-kissing Trollocs are on the other side, Rand seized saidin, and sang his favorite song:
"Wash the spears - while the sun climes high.
Wash the spears - while the sun falls low.
Wash the spears - who fears to die?
Wash the spears - no one I know!
Wash the spears - while life holds true.
Wash the spears - until life ends.
Wash the spears - life is a dream.
Wash the spears - all dreams must end."
Tam readied his sword. Rand got ready to weave Fire into every Light blinded shadow-spawn that came through the door. As if on cue, Narg, the smart trolloc with an IQ of 3, came bursting though the door. Before he could do anything, Tam's sword flashed and he died in a heartbeat. The next trolloc, who could have been another Narg for all Rand knew, charged in and was about to cut down Tam with his deformed weapon, when Rand cut off its head with Air. The next three Trollocs that came in died from Tam's heron marked sword, and from Rand's molten fire sword thing that he uses a lot.
By that time they were getting tired, so Rand just froze the rest of the Trollocs in their places. Tam was panting, but he rounded on Rand nonetheless.
"What was that, lad, some kind of trick? Making that sword of yours come out of nowhere. And how in the Light do you know that I'm not your bloody flaming father?!"
"Tam," Rand started, "I know that this will come as a shock to you, but I can channel."
Silence fell. It broke as it hit the floor. Tam looked like he was about to faint.
"That's a cruel joke to play on the person who brought you up, lad." He said faintly. "Even if I'm not your father, you shouldn't go around telling lies like that."
"It's no lie, Tam. Come, let's finish our work." He waved his hand and all the remaining Trollocs burst into flame. Rand thought that he herd a faint "Narg smart!" as they burned down, but he shrugged it off.
Silently, Rand opened a gateway to the village, to help kill the last of the invading Trollocs. He was earlier than he expected. He Traveled to the edge of Master Lahaun's forge, but it wasn't burning. When he looked toward the Inn, he saw Lan run out, shouting about Trollocs. Perrin stepped closer to him, gripping his ax.
"Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to defend your house?"
"The Trollocs came early, so we finished early. Now we are here."
"Who is 'we'?"
"Myself and Tam." Rand moved, and Tam al'Thor came into view.
"The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills." Tam muttered.
The village folk were just listening to Thom Merillin telling a story from The Hunt for the Horn when Trollocs came bursting out of everyplace. As soon as they appeared, it began to rain arrows from the top of the Winespring Inn, and some Trollocs burst into flame. Only some of those were Rand's work. The majority was probably from Nyneave and Egwene. Maybe also Moiraine. Perrin snarled and leapt out from the shadows, followed by Rand and Tam. Lan was already in the midst of battle.
"For the Seven Towers!" Lan shouted.
"*For the honor of the Red Eagle! For the Rose of the Sun! *" Mat cried from the rooftop. (a/n: the *'s mean he's talking in the Old Tongue.)
"What he said!" Rand yelled. Perrin just looked at him strangely.
"Do you have anything better to say?" Rand asked.
"I guess not."
Soon, not only were the villagers running away, but they also fought a little. Then wolves came running into the village, and jumped onto the Trollocs.
"What took them so long?" Rand asked Perrin.
"They were hunting. Or trying to. With no game to hunt, they were as hungry as newborn cubs."
The Emond's Fielders took heart when they saw Tam, Rand, and Perrin fighting beside the Warder, and Mat using his bow like there is no tomorrow. They didn't notice that Nyneave, Egwene, and Moiraine were channeling.