Lazaruss :" Heh. It took me a while to complete my chores before I could sit down and writhe this. Hope you enjoy it.

PS : I think that Avienda will have to feel out the angreal storeroom in the Tower. "

Chapter 5.a ; The Taking

Running through scarcely populated corridors of the Tower Seaine's slippers gave off such loud clacking sounds on the marble floor she half wondered whether to lose them and continue on barefooted. But it was only a passing thought. What she had learned tonight still swarmed through her mind leaving room for nothing else. She had to let the others know. Elaida had to be stopped… somehow before she makes another disaster. No matter what, she could not be allowed to harm the girls. Not Egwene nor Selvina. Seaine had to gather the group immediately, and to the Pit of Doom with Elaida's orders to go straight to Silviana !

Abruptly, she stopped in the middle of the lamplight, utterly shocked by that thought. To the Pit of Doom with Elaida's orders ? Despite everything, Elaida was the Amyrlin and the Tower had to survive. The Tower had to recover… The Tower… She sighed. The Tower would never recover under Elaida's care. She was the reason the Tower was so shattered in the first place, and was even shattering it further, day by day. Seaine tried to ignore it, she tried to tell herself that it would be alright so long as they could hunt down and destroy the Black Ajah. But the truth was that even without the Black Ajah, Elaida would still be just as great a threat to the Tower, if not greater.

Such thoughts weren't anything new to her or to any other sister in the Tower, but they all kept sliding them under the rug without even taking them into consideration for the sake of grater good, or else for fear of other Ajahs. She too had thought it was the logical thing to do, but after only a few days of being the Keeper of Chronicles for that woman she was willing to smother her herself. Even so, Seaine was certain that she was the only one in Tar Valon right now actually willing to take action against their Amyrlin. Light, it was treason to even consider such things. What if the Tower doesn't survive the disposition of Elaida ? What if it shatters beyond any hope of restoration ?

Eventually though, there was no choice. She could not be allowed to remain the Amyrlin Seat no matter what. Selvine was right ; Elaida a'Roihan really was the last woman under the Light who should have been raised the Amyrlin Seat. What had the Tower become when a novice-child knew what truth was better than all the sisters together ! And having realized that, a grim determination came over Seaine. No. She would not allow the punishment of that child for being the only one brave enough to speak the truth. And to Elaida's face, no less. She was not going to allow anyone to so much as touch a hair on the girl's head. Not a single hair.

It seemed that they would have to deal with Elaida as soon as tonight. It was dangerous and risky, but there was no other way. The Black Ajah would have to wait. There certainly wasn't anything they could do about them now. Elaida was the pressing matter.

Taking a few deep breaths to settle down her beating heart, Seaine continued down the corridor towards Saerin's rooms. But somehow, her pace was not as urgent as it had been. It was all very fine, disposing Elaida a'Roihan, the Light help her, but who would be there to take her place ? Certainly not Egwene al'Vere. Frankly, she was amazed that the Rebels even considered the notion, let alone actually raise that girl to the Stole and the Staff. It was preposterous ! Alright ; the girl did poses certain… stubbornness, and she had made many miraculous discoveries, but she was a joke ! She was far too young to be the Amyrlin Seat let alone an Aes Sedai ! She was willful and… and… and there were millions of other reasons why she was out of the question ! No, someone else had to be found, and fast. She did not know how long they would have once Elaida was overthrown. If only she could think of someone…

The Whites' quarters were not quite the nearest to the Amyrlin's study, but Seaine was heading to inform Saerin first since she was of her own Ajah. A foolish notion to take comfort there, but she couldn't help it. It would have been better by far had she decided to head straight for Yukiri's rooms. That was much closer even though Saerin was the one giving orders in their little group, of a sort. Unfortunately, as she turned the next corner, she realized she was in the Gray Ajah quarters while being at the Whites' a moment ago. She must have been really shaken not to realize her heading sooner... Or maybe it were those shifting corridors again. Ether way, she was practically near Yukiri's rooms already.

The Ajahs' quarters were mostly empty with all of the sisters worrying of how to feed the island, and those who still occupied them were settled in their private rooms, getting some rest or maybe fearing to step outside. Light, with all that was happening, even the Aes Sedai were terrified. She resisted the urge to embrace the source here. It might alert the others of her presence.

But right on her doorstep, for a split moment she smelled something… foul and it made her stop in her tracks. As she turned her head she thought she had seen a strange man at the far end of the corridor but only for an instant. There was no one there. She was imagining things now ! He couldn't have just vanished under her eyes. Calm. She had to calm herself.

Like most of the sisters, the Whites were warding their rooms against listening and intrusion, for levels of distrust and dissatisfaction Elaida's decrees had spawned were practically inviting hostility between them. Light, how could it have gone so far already ? She tried to purge such thoughts. Combing her hair into place with her fingers, she knocked on the white wooden dour. She wasn't about to rush headlong into a ward. That would be most unpleasant. Was there a man there following her ? No, she would have seen him. He couldn't have just... disappeared. Light, the paranoia was getting to her too.

" Seaine. " Yukiri addressed her seriously when she opened the door. Small and slender with sharp nose and long black hair, Yukiri was a true depiction of a Gray, standing all poised like that in a white silken robe. " It's good that you are here. I was waiting for someone to come. Do come in. "

It was all Seaine could do not to blather out all she had right there but thankfully, she still had more sense than that. Once she closed the door, Yukiri embraced saidar briefly to reset her wards and than gestured her to take a seat. The room was sparkling clear with every ornament set in perfect place, enough to make Seaine swallow uncomfortably. Whites were very orderly by nature, but her own room had grown messy with her new duties as a Keeper. Tower's livery still visited but it just wasn't the same as by her hand. She barely had time to pay attention to a comfortable couch and a lacquered table with a silver tray upon it when she started to speak, but before she opened her mouth Yukiri overrode her :

" I have just learned that the Black received orders to put me and Doesine under strict watch until we can be taken and interrogated. "

" No !" Seaine gasped. " Light ! They know about the hunt ! They know ! How ? Were we betrayed ?"

" Blood and ashes, calm yourself Seaine !" Yukiri growled. Those curses always seemed more than odd coming from her. " They would have issued orders for more than just Doesine and me. I half expected them to grow impetuous once Talene goes into hiding. They might suspect, having seen us together probably, but nothing more. "

" Nothing more ?" it was hard to believe her voice was so pitched, but Seaine had had her fill of excitement for one night. " How can you be so calm when the Black Ajah is skulking around your door ! We must get you out of Tower somehow !"

" No ! That's the last thing we must do. " Yukiri said. " If they are skulking around my door, they can be spotted, and taken instead. Think of it ; all our efforts became worthless when we captured Marris weeks back. Since than we've been as good as standing in one spot arranging our skirts. This is just the chance we need to put an end to Black Ajah for good. "

Seaine sighed. It was only logical but she did not fancy the idea of Black Ajah coming after them instead. The very notion terrified her. Yet, Yukiri was right. All their investigating has come to a halt and this was the only thing left. " Does Doesine know yet ?" She asked.

" Atuan has only recently informed me. I've sent her to find Doesine as well. " Yukiri said. " It was fortunate you've chosen to pay me a visit tonight. "

That suddenly reminded Seaine that with all this talk of Black Ajah she had completely forgotten about Elaida. Light, she wasn't even sure she wanted to mention this now, but she had to. Light's mercy, she had to.

" We better sit, Yukiri. I have something to tell you too… " By the time she was finished retelling tonight's events, the other woman was almost gaping at her. Not quite but almost. Seaine couldn't blame her ; they were discussing treason after all. Standing up, Yukiri started to pace around the room as Seaine retold her conclusions. " You do realize that it's necessary. " She continued. " We can not simply stand by any more. The Tower is falling apart. Elaida must be unseated as soon as possible. "

" I was afraid of something like that. " Yukiri whispered and continued in a slightly louder tone. " Did it ever occur to you that Elaida was raised Amyrlin because the Black Ajah wanted her to be ?"

Seaine gasped. " You mean, they knew… They expected her to… "

" Maybe even guided her into all of this. " Yukiri said

" If that is so, how can we unseat her ?" Seaine sagged in her chair. " They already suspect us. If we remove Elaida, it will point us out to the Black sisters as surely as throwing raw meat to bloodhounds ! And we'll be the meat !"

" There isn't much time. " Yukiri faced her all resigned and determined. She was very brave at times and Seaine couldn't help but admire her. " First we unseat Elaida. After that we'll have to bulk our numbers against the Black, but Elaida comes first. "

" She went looking for Egwene… the real Egwene before I came to tell you. She… I don't think she'll merely send that child to Silviana this time. "

" Burn her, " Yukiri shrieked. It must have been her attempt of a shout. " the girl is stuffed with forkroot ! She'll be at Elaida's mercy ! We must save her ! Quickly !"

The two of them ran out of the room with Yukiri leading the way so fast they didn't even shut the door behind them. It didn't matter any more, not the door, or the clacking of Seaine's slippers or their obvious rush that could even get them into trouble with the other Ajahs. It was all Seaine could do not to berate herself. She should have gone to Saerin, burn her ! She should have gone to Saerin first, there would have been more time ! There would have been…

Something solid landed on the back of Seaine's head and she collapsed in a heap brushing the back of Yukiri's skirts. Someone embraced the Source. Seaine couldn't see very well, but she felt saidar being woven. And than someone gasped. A woman. As the white haze cleared a bit, Seaine saw Yukiri sprawled on the ground next to her, her eyes closed and a trickle of blood streaming down her template.

And than she noticed that same sense of filth and for an instant saw a man with a club in simple gray leather, his eyes dead and colorless. A man who kept sliding away no matter how hard she tried to see him, to keep him in her sight. A grayman ! It was him she glimpsed on her way to Yukiri's rooms. But… it was not possible ! The Tower was warded against Shadowspan. It was not possible to... The club landed again and than all was black.

Tired and hungry, Doesine was heading back to her rooms at the Yellows' quarters, clinging to her yellow slashed green wool against the chill. She had been channeling throughout most of the day to finally lose the Source altogether right before she decided to retire. There was only so much she could take and for only so long, but tonight was particularly draining, as well as for every sister in the Tower. And since she was a Sitter that applied especially for her.

It seemed that the other Ajahs were expecting the Yellow to somehow miraculously fix the keeping wards and prevent the Tower's supplies dwindling to roth. Of course, it was also expected that the Whites take care of the food that was to be delivered frequently, - since the Blues were no more, along with their wide network of agents - and the Reds to dismantle the cuendillar chains from the harbors, yet nothing of that was being done. The Yellows wouldn't lift a finger to do anything that the Greens might profit on even if it meant preserving the food supply for the entire Tower, while the Whites and the Reds were too busy glaring at each other to be of much use anywhere else. And the fact that she also had to be mindful of the Black Ajah was like that extra mouthful of rotten turnips she had had for her supper - decidedly sickening.

Naturally, the reason none of the Ajahs was actually doing anything to solve their assigned problems was that they all had their own designs. Doesine had even overheard a group of Yellows discuss using some secret route none of the others knew of to try and bring a small amount of supplies for their Ajah alone. And she doubted the other Ajahs weren't up to similar schemes. The only good thing that came from it was that she was so frustrated she would almost completely forget how hungry she was. Most of the time. Light, her fellow sisters even called her a traitor for trying - really trying - to fix those wards ! Doesine sometimes thought she was the only sane woman left in Tar Valon.

As she was getting nearer to the Yellows' quarters, she began to notice fewer and fewer of clusters of sisters, even of her own Ajah. They were all scattered throughout the Tower or else hiding under their beds, but it seemed no one wanted to be seen looking for safety in her own Ajah's quarters. No one wanted to be labeled as lazy, or worse, useless. Ridiculous ! As if the other sisters were actually doing anything useful right now !

No, there was too much for her to puzzle out yet, rather than to give in to frustration. She had to calm herself. How to identify the remaining Black sisters ? How to find out if Elaida is one of them ? Why were the Ajahs' Heads meeting in secret ?

Focusing on those questions she absently followed a clear yellow-painted line on the left wall of the corridor that was leading her to her Ajah's quarters. Those lines were a new addition, as a sort of aid for the sisters to find their way throughout the Tower. The frightening fact that corridors often did not lead where they were supposed to was hard to conceal, even though some sisters kept denying it, and these markings that now littered the walls were a necessity. Doesine still found them horrid, though. They did little good, when one could be following a yellow line, only to turn around a corner to find herself following a gray line in another part of the Tower. That had actually happened to her yesterday.

Shuddering, she turned a corner and nearly bumped in Katerine Alruddin, a vulpine blond-haired trollop with a temper to match Elaida. But meeting her alone like this got Doesine wondering ; It was a tightly guarded secret that Katerine was one of the sisters sent to kidnap al'Thor at Elaida's behest. The Black knew of that too. How had the woman found her way back to the Tower was beyond Doesine's comprehension, since it seemed that all the others were held captive by al'Thor's Aiel wilders. She often wanted to round on the Red and shake the details of that little mess at Dumai's Wells out of her, but not now when she was unable to find the Source.

" Working late, Doesine ?" Katerine asked with a mocking smile. There was just no way to like the woman ! And why was she not standing guard on Egwene al'Vere ?

" I have been. " She replied with an equal amount of courtesy. " Someone still has to. Even if her duty is merely to guard a certain novice throughout the night. " She added with a touch of scorn.

" How responsible of you. " she smiled again, even more insufferably. " I've heard you've lost the Source completely for the night. Have you had any progress ?"

" Not yet. " What was the woman after ? Doesine really was too tired for some half-minded argument between the Red and the Yellow. Unless…

The light of saidar suddenly surrounded the other woman and a shield jumped on Doesine cutting her way to the True Source while flows of air gagged her and tightened around her hands and feet. Utter horror came over Doesine. There was only one explanation for this and it made her afraid to her toes ; Katerine was Black ! And they knew about the search !

" I like that look on your face, Doesine. " Katerine spoke amused. " It tells me that you indeed have a secret I should know about. " Taking out a small vile from her pouch, Katerine shifted the gag of air just enough to put her small funnel in her mouth and empty the vile down her throat. Light, it was the forkroot mixture ! Every Yellow knew of it by now ! The sight instantly begun to blur for Doesine. It must have been a stronger mixture… It must have… been…

Lazaruss :" I don't think that Mat will lose his eye. Even though it sort of makes sense so far, somehow it doesn't… sound… right to me. Mat's just too lucky for something like that.

Baaaaah ! I'll figure it out if it's the last thing I do !"