The glow of saidin surrounded the blonde Soldier.
Andon wove spirit and slammed a shield around the man. He attempted to weave a second thread of Air, but this weave simply dissolved before having any effect.
"Blood and bloody ashes, son, but you're a strong one," Andon said through gritted teeth.
The other man stood, tensely at attention, but said nothing in response. He stared at the ground.
Andon felt the shield of Spirit bend, and then ease – for now it held. He found himself sweating.
The flame, become the flame. He felt the calm centre – the void – drain his anger, his fear and felt his control returning. But there were still black cracks – always there – cracks that threatened his control.
"Tell me your name, Soldier." He ordered.
The blonde man raised his eyes to glare back at Andol. Sweat also dripped down the side of his face.
"My name is Davin Philps, Dedicated."
"Well Davin, it is unfortunate circumstances that we find ourselves. Tell me – when did the M'Hael order that you kill me?" Andon ignored the man's shock look. "I presume it was as soon as I was distracted but whatever is written on this parchment?" He asked, holding up the sealed scroll.
"I… Dedicated… I know not what you are talking about. Light!" Stuttered Davin.
"Now, there is no need to bloody lie to me. I know the M'Hael plots to have me killed. I've been dodging him for months." Andon started pacing, "He's sent men looking for me. Messengers, Soldiers, even peddlers!"
"Dedicated, I was just told I was to accompany you, I-"
"Accompany me?! Another jackdaw offering bloody snake smiles and witticisms, all the while with a hidden knife to cut my throat and skin my..." He trailed off in a mutter.
"D-Dedicated! Read the scroll." Davin pleaded. "Please."
Andon, blinked and looked confused for a moment. Then he broke the black ink seal and slowly unrolled the scroll. He stared at it intently for several minutes.
Davin, kept still but found he was still breathing heavily.
Finally, Andon looked up. "It says we are to Travel to Kandor.".
"Yes, Dedicated". Davin said.
"It is the M'hael's will that we track down some deserters. Traitors! They must be, else why would they flee to the very edge of the Blight?" Andon asked.
He suddenly stepped forward and seized Davin by the shoulders. "Boy, listen carefully: we must not fail at this! Or string my guts up as a saddlecloth, the M'hael will send more of those jackclaws after me again. No, we must succeed… mustn't fail". He released Davin and began pacing again.
"May the Light send it is so, Dedicated". Davin said. "Dedicated, could you release me, now?" Davin tried to keep his voice calm, soothing even.
Andon stopped and looked uncertainly at him. "Burn me, you're not here to try and kill me then?" He asked.
"No, Dedicated". Davin responded.
"No sharp jab in the side, and fried liver and onions for dinner, then?" Andon asked.
"My orders were simply to accompany you and assist in any way you order, Dedicated. The, shield?" Davin prompted.
"What? Oh." Andon released the weave.
Davin closed his eyes and focused – every bloody shred of him desired to fill himself with the sickly-sweet, chaotic joy that is saidin. He resisted. Who knows what crackbrained response he would get.
"You know the weave for a gateway, Soldier?" Andon demanded.
"Yes, Dedicated". Davin responded.
"Then see to it." Andon said.
Davin seized the One Power. Saidin immediately filled him with bliss, and chaos - and the slight headache he always seemed to get whenever he channelled.
As Davin, weaved the gateway, he wondered whether insulting that Asha'man Neale Tromwin just might be the most Light-blinded mistake he would ever make.