Part 3: Min and Barleon
(A note to Minodrin: here is the chapter you wanted, according to your demands. Now, I ask of you to release my sister, as we agreed. Thank you.)
(A note to FlashBack: that's just something I put in so Egwene and Nyneave will know what's happening, too. It's more interesting this way.)
~~~ Switch POV to Rand al'Thor (Light, I've had it with his bloody flaming titles! They can go to the Pit of Doom, for all I care!) ~~~
As the group descended down the hill towards Barleon, Rand noticed that Lan did not show any outward sign of surprise, while it was obvious that Moiraine was trying to compose herself from shock.
They walked down the slope towards Barleon, while Rand was tying off the weaves of Illusion he made, to make them look as if they were attacked by a pack of wild animals. Perrin and his wolves broke off from the group, and started walking around the city. They will all meet again together after a little time in Barleon, while Perrin scouted the way ahead, and carried their weapons, as not to attract unwanted attention inside the city. He had with him his own half-moon ax, Lan's sword, Mat's bow, and Rand's Power made sword that Tam al'Thor gave him.
Rand was looking forward to seeing Min again, and could hardly wait. As soon as the group approached the gate, Mat pulled the rope, alerting the watch guard that they wanted to enter the city. The guard looked over the wall to see what was happening, and as soon as he did, Rand wove Compulsion on him.
"How may I help you?" he said in a sickeningly sweet voice. "Would you like to enter the city?"
"If you would be so good." Rand answered. "We were attacked by a pack of wolves on our journey here from the Two Rivers. They got our horses, and our provisions, but most of our number came out alive." He explained to the guard as he opened the side gate.
As they walked along the streets of Barleon, Rand asked Moiraine and Lan a few questions.
"Which inn did you stay at when you were here before?"
Lan glanced at Moiraine. "We stayed at the Prancing Pony. Why do you ask?" Rand stopped in his tracks.
"You… you didn't stay at the Stag and Lion?" he asked uncertainly. Mat, Egwene, and Nyneave looked away.
Ran started running in the direction of said inn. Mat and Lan followed at a run. Moiraine, Nyneave, and Egwene preferred to walk.
When Rand reached the inn, he slowed down, and entered it. He walked up to Master Fitch, and put on a bright smile.
"Good morning!" Rand said loudly, and then dropped his voice. "I was wondering if you could help me." He put his hand in his coat, and pulled it out. He had made small coin-shaped Air weaves, and then wove Illusion around them to look like real coins. The innkeeper looked as interested as anyone confronted with large amounts of money. Rand continued, "I am looking for someone, my friend's sister. She likes to call herself Min Farshaw, and to dress like a man. Have you seen her lately?"
The innkeeper was still looking at the fake money. Rand sighed and put them back in his pocket.
"Now, about Min…" Rand looked at the innkeeper, who coughed apologetically.
"Oh… she's working for me. I hired her last week. Right now she's preparing a dining room for some gleeman or other." He looked expectantly at Rand's coat. Rand gave him a Power-made coin, and went in the direction that Master Fitch indicated, Mat and Lan on his heels.
When he entered the room, which contained a table set for two, the first person Rand saw was a woman totally unlike the Min he knew. She had light brown hair and eyes, as opposed to her usual dark brown hair and eyes. Also, she was dressed in a simple country dress, not trousers and a coat like she usually wore. Rand stared; unable to believe that someone he knew so well would look completely different than how he remembered them. Min cleared her throat.
"When you are done staring at Catala like a moonstruck lamb, you woolhead, perhaps we could be of some assistance to you?"
Rand slowly turned around and looked at his beloved Min.
Someone else in the room cleared their throat in a way that clearly meant that he was unwelcome in the room.
~~~ Switch POV to Thom Merrilin ~~~
Thom groaned.
Last night was bad. The entire last week was bad.
He was called down to some village in the Two Rivers, but he spent all the money they sent him on wine and gambling. Last night he drank so much. Too much. He couldn't count how many mugs there were, they kept doubling when he tried to. Usually, he is careful about how much he drinks, a reminiscent of the Great Game he used to play, before he became a gleeman. He will undoubtedly be called down to the village and pay them back. He wasn't looking forward to that.
Currently, he was sitting at a table in the common room of the Stag and Lion, trying to get rid of his hangover. He saw a tall man come into the inn, and walk up to the innkeeper. A murmured conversation passed between the two, and the newcomer pulled a few coins out of his pocket, and tempted the innkeeper with them. When he put them back in, Thom noticed, even in this state, that there was no metallic clink.
Thom followed the young man and two people, who he thought were his friends, into the room that was being prepared for him. He entered the room in time to hear a serving girl say something.
"When you are done staring at Catala like a moonstruck lamb, you woolhead, perhaps we could be of some assistance to you?"
The first young man spun around to stare at her. Thom cleared his throat in a way that clearly meant that the intruders were unwelcome in the room.
~~~ Switch POV to al'Lan Mandoragen, Dai'Shan, Uncrowned King of Malkier, Last Lord of the Seven Towers ~~~
The sheepherder, Rand al'Thor, turned to look at the gleeman that just came into the room. Lan, sensing that someone was about to draw steel, felt for the sword that wasn't there. The gleeman saw that, and took him in at a glance. He raised his eyebrows at his stone-faced complexion, and shifted his eyes to the two young men.
'Peace! He knows I am a warder.' Thought Lan.
Just then Moiraine and the Two Rivers girls entered. The younger women did not seem surprised to see the gleeman there, but Lan felt a large wave of shock coming from the holder of his bond, though she kept it well hidden.
~~~ Switch POV to Moiraine Damondred Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah ~~~
Moiraine was shocked. That man in a gleeman's cloak was someone she recognized. Wasn't he that one that she helped gentle? Maybe he was a relative. In any event, that man would recognize her as an Aes Sedai, with or without her Great Serpent ring.
"If you all would excuse me," the supposed gleeman said, "I would like to enjoy my meal in peace." When he saw the looks on the faces of Rand, Mat, Egwene, and Nyneave, he hastily added "But I would be honored if you chose to eat with me."
That Rand al'Thor had such a commanding presence. Even though she didn't have the Talent for seeing them, Moiraine was pretty sure he was Ta'veren. And a strong one, too.
She immediately started making herself comfortable at the head of the table. Min and Catala hurried out of the room to get more plates and cutlery. Thom, Rand, Egwene, and Lan didn't change their expressions. Only seasoned Players of the Great Game (and Warders, of course) would stay expressionless. She wasn't surprised to see Nyneave tug on her braid. Mat was looking out of the corner of his eye at Catala. Not staring, but it has been long since Moiraine could catch small details, such as the drool at the corner of Mat's mouth.
Rand walked to the other side of the table, and sat down opposite of her, businesslike. Mat snapped out of his reverie, and followed Rand's example, followed by Egwene, Nyneave, and Thom, though reluctantly.
Over a breakfast of eggs, bread, and milk, the group convinced Thom that they aren't on their way to Tar Valon, but are heading to the borderlands, instead. They had to convince Moiraine, too, but that was easier.
~~~ Switch POV to Matrim Cauthon ~~~
Mat had a bad feeling about this whole "go-to-Shainar-and-rescue-the-world-from-ultimate-distruction" plan. For one thing, those bloody flaming dice were rolling in his head again. They never started rolling so close to when they had stopped. It unnerved him. Rand and Egwene had done most of the talking and convincing of Thom and Moiraine. Thom looked as if he couldn't believe he was siding with an Aes Sedai. Rand spoke in such a way that it sounded as if he excepted them to agree without any argument, and Egwene spoke in icy calmness, Aes Sedai manner, as an Amrilyn Seat. From time to time, Moiraine would talk to Lan in whispers, as if consulting him. Every time they did, Nyneave would look disapproving, and tug on her braid.
After breakfast Mat and Rand were cornered by Min. Apparently, even without Moiraine telling her, she figured out that Rand and Mat were important. She glanced at Rand's waist, and blushed before mumbling about a sheepherder with swords. Rand smirked at Mat, and Mat smiled knowingly back at Rand who infuriated Min who "haurgmphed" away muttering about thickheaded wool-brained sheepherders.
"I wanted to ask you something, Min." Rand said quietly. Min stopped abruptly, and Rand chuckled. "no, no, nothing like that. Weeeeell, not yet." Min spun around so fast, Mat could swear he saw sparks on the floor. "we only wanted to know what you see when you look at us." Rand said quickly. Min's glare subsided.
"Oh, all right." She looked at Rand suspiciously. "I see two country bumpkins, too Lightblinded to notice anything outside of girls."
Rand sighed. "You know what I mean." Min's eyes widened.
"How'd you…?" Rand grinned at her. Min bristled. "okay, okay. The strongest thing I see are sparks coming off of you, and a pitch black darkness trying to swallow them up. There are supposed to be three of you, not only two." She looked at them quizzically. "Around you," she said to Rand "I see a golden crown of laurel leaves, blood on black stone, a sword that isn't a sword, you pouring water on sand, lighting striking from and at you, and three women crying over you on a funeral bier." She looked at him, and blushed. She moved on to Mat. "Around you I see a dagger with a ruby hilt," Mat scowled, "And a red eagle, an eye on a balance scale, and a weird black spear with ravens on it." Mat grimaced. "That's all I see right now."
"Thank you, Min. Now if you would follow me…" Rand and Min went off to one of the side rooms where they wouldn't be overheard. Although Mat wasn't psychic, he knew what Rand would be doing for the rest of the day. Mat shivered at the memory of himself in the same position with Queen Tylin. He just shook his head, and walked out of the inn.
Those bloody dice were still rolling in his head, not giving him a moment's peace. So he just walked around the streets, trying to ignore the only warning he had of anything life changing. He watched a few games of dice in the streets, but avoided playing, as not to attract unwanted attention.
Mat suddenly noticed a few Whitecloaks walking through the street. It was hard to miss, because the crowd parted for them, like anything making way for balefire. Mat sighed, and looked back at the game of dice. The Whitecloaks drew nearer, and the dice in Mat's head stopped rolling.
(A note to Minodrin: here is the chapter you wanted, according to your demands. Now, I ask of you to release my sister, as we agreed. Thank you.)
(A note to FlashBack: that's just something I put in so Egwene and Nyneave will know what's happening, too. It's more interesting this way.)
~~~ Switch POV to Rand al'Thor (Light, I've had it with his bloody flaming titles! They can go to the Pit of Doom, for all I care!) ~~~
As the group descended down the hill towards Barleon, Rand noticed that Lan did not show any outward sign of surprise, while it was obvious that Moiraine was trying to compose herself from shock.
They walked down the slope towards Barleon, while Rand was tying off the weaves of Illusion he made, to make them look as if they were attacked by a pack of wild animals. Perrin and his wolves broke off from the group, and started walking around the city. They will all meet again together after a little time in Barleon, while Perrin scouted the way ahead, and carried their weapons, as not to attract unwanted attention inside the city. He had with him his own half-moon ax, Lan's sword, Mat's bow, and Rand's Power made sword that Tam al'Thor gave him.
Rand was looking forward to seeing Min again, and could hardly wait. As soon as the group approached the gate, Mat pulled the rope, alerting the watch guard that they wanted to enter the city. The guard looked over the wall to see what was happening, and as soon as he did, Rand wove Compulsion on him.
"How may I help you?" he said in a sickeningly sweet voice. "Would you like to enter the city?"
"If you would be so good." Rand answered. "We were attacked by a pack of wolves on our journey here from the Two Rivers. They got our horses, and our provisions, but most of our number came out alive." He explained to the guard as he opened the side gate.
As they walked along the streets of Barleon, Rand asked Moiraine and Lan a few questions.
"Which inn did you stay at when you were here before?"
Lan glanced at Moiraine. "We stayed at the Prancing Pony. Why do you ask?" Rand stopped in his tracks.
"You… you didn't stay at the Stag and Lion?" he asked uncertainly. Mat, Egwene, and Nyneave looked away.
Ran started running in the direction of said inn. Mat and Lan followed at a run. Moiraine, Nyneave, and Egwene preferred to walk.
When Rand reached the inn, he slowed down, and entered it. He walked up to Master Fitch, and put on a bright smile.
"Good morning!" Rand said loudly, and then dropped his voice. "I was wondering if you could help me." He put his hand in his coat, and pulled it out. He had made small coin-shaped Air weaves, and then wove Illusion around them to look like real coins. The innkeeper looked as interested as anyone confronted with large amounts of money. Rand continued, "I am looking for someone, my friend's sister. She likes to call herself Min Farshaw, and to dress like a man. Have you seen her lately?"
The innkeeper was still looking at the fake money. Rand sighed and put them back in his pocket.
"Now, about Min…" Rand looked at the innkeeper, who coughed apologetically.
"Oh… she's working for me. I hired her last week. Right now she's preparing a dining room for some gleeman or other." He looked expectantly at Rand's coat. Rand gave him a Power-made coin, and went in the direction that Master Fitch indicated, Mat and Lan on his heels.
When he entered the room, which contained a table set for two, the first person Rand saw was a woman totally unlike the Min he knew. She had light brown hair and eyes, as opposed to her usual dark brown hair and eyes. Also, she was dressed in a simple country dress, not trousers and a coat like she usually wore. Rand stared; unable to believe that someone he knew so well would look completely different than how he remembered them. Min cleared her throat.
"When you are done staring at Catala like a moonstruck lamb, you woolhead, perhaps we could be of some assistance to you?"
Rand slowly turned around and looked at his beloved Min.
Someone else in the room cleared their throat in a way that clearly meant that he was unwelcome in the room.
~~~ Switch POV to Thom Merrilin ~~~
Thom groaned.
Last night was bad. The entire last week was bad.
He was called down to some village in the Two Rivers, but he spent all the money they sent him on wine and gambling. Last night he drank so much. Too much. He couldn't count how many mugs there were, they kept doubling when he tried to. Usually, he is careful about how much he drinks, a reminiscent of the Great Game he used to play, before he became a gleeman. He will undoubtedly be called down to the village and pay them back. He wasn't looking forward to that.
Currently, he was sitting at a table in the common room of the Stag and Lion, trying to get rid of his hangover. He saw a tall man come into the inn, and walk up to the innkeeper. A murmured conversation passed between the two, and the newcomer pulled a few coins out of his pocket, and tempted the innkeeper with them. When he put them back in, Thom noticed, even in this state, that there was no metallic clink.
Thom followed the young man and two people, who he thought were his friends, into the room that was being prepared for him. He entered the room in time to hear a serving girl say something.
"When you are done staring at Catala like a moonstruck lamb, you woolhead, perhaps we could be of some assistance to you?"
The first young man spun around to stare at her. Thom cleared his throat in a way that clearly meant that the intruders were unwelcome in the room.
~~~ Switch POV to al'Lan Mandoragen, Dai'Shan, Uncrowned King of Malkier, Last Lord of the Seven Towers ~~~
The sheepherder, Rand al'Thor, turned to look at the gleeman that just came into the room. Lan, sensing that someone was about to draw steel, felt for the sword that wasn't there. The gleeman saw that, and took him in at a glance. He raised his eyebrows at his stone-faced complexion, and shifted his eyes to the two young men.
'Peace! He knows I am a warder.' Thought Lan.
Just then Moiraine and the Two Rivers girls entered. The younger women did not seem surprised to see the gleeman there, but Lan felt a large wave of shock coming from the holder of his bond, though she kept it well hidden.
~~~ Switch POV to Moiraine Damondred Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah ~~~
Moiraine was shocked. That man in a gleeman's cloak was someone she recognized. Wasn't he that one that she helped gentle? Maybe he was a relative. In any event, that man would recognize her as an Aes Sedai, with or without her Great Serpent ring.
"If you all would excuse me," the supposed gleeman said, "I would like to enjoy my meal in peace." When he saw the looks on the faces of Rand, Mat, Egwene, and Nyneave, he hastily added "But I would be honored if you chose to eat with me."
That Rand al'Thor had such a commanding presence. Even though she didn't have the Talent for seeing them, Moiraine was pretty sure he was Ta'veren. And a strong one, too.
She immediately started making herself comfortable at the head of the table. Min and Catala hurried out of the room to get more plates and cutlery. Thom, Rand, Egwene, and Lan didn't change their expressions. Only seasoned Players of the Great Game (and Warders, of course) would stay expressionless. She wasn't surprised to see Nyneave tug on her braid. Mat was looking out of the corner of his eye at Catala. Not staring, but it has been long since Moiraine could catch small details, such as the drool at the corner of Mat's mouth.
Rand walked to the other side of the table, and sat down opposite of her, businesslike. Mat snapped out of his reverie, and followed Rand's example, followed by Egwene, Nyneave, and Thom, though reluctantly.
Over a breakfast of eggs, bread, and milk, the group convinced Thom that they aren't on their way to Tar Valon, but are heading to the borderlands, instead. They had to convince Moiraine, too, but that was easier.
~~~ Switch POV to Matrim Cauthon ~~~
Mat had a bad feeling about this whole "go-to-Shainar-and-rescue-the-world-from-ultimate-distruction" plan. For one thing, those bloody flaming dice were rolling in his head again. They never started rolling so close to when they had stopped. It unnerved him. Rand and Egwene had done most of the talking and convincing of Thom and Moiraine. Thom looked as if he couldn't believe he was siding with an Aes Sedai. Rand spoke in such a way that it sounded as if he excepted them to agree without any argument, and Egwene spoke in icy calmness, Aes Sedai manner, as an Amrilyn Seat. From time to time, Moiraine would talk to Lan in whispers, as if consulting him. Every time they did, Nyneave would look disapproving, and tug on her braid.
After breakfast Mat and Rand were cornered by Min. Apparently, even without Moiraine telling her, she figured out that Rand and Mat were important. She glanced at Rand's waist, and blushed before mumbling about a sheepherder with swords. Rand smirked at Mat, and Mat smiled knowingly back at Rand who infuriated Min who "haurgmphed" away muttering about thickheaded wool-brained sheepherders.
"I wanted to ask you something, Min." Rand said quietly. Min stopped abruptly, and Rand chuckled. "no, no, nothing like that. Weeeeell, not yet." Min spun around so fast, Mat could swear he saw sparks on the floor. "we only wanted to know what you see when you look at us." Rand said quickly. Min's glare subsided.
"Oh, all right." She looked at Rand suspiciously. "I see two country bumpkins, too Lightblinded to notice anything outside of girls."
Rand sighed. "You know what I mean." Min's eyes widened.
"How'd you…?" Rand grinned at her. Min bristled. "okay, okay. The strongest thing I see are sparks coming off of you, and a pitch black darkness trying to swallow them up. There are supposed to be three of you, not only two." She looked at them quizzically. "Around you," she said to Rand "I see a golden crown of laurel leaves, blood on black stone, a sword that isn't a sword, you pouring water on sand, lighting striking from and at you, and three women crying over you on a funeral bier." She looked at him, and blushed. She moved on to Mat. "Around you I see a dagger with a ruby hilt," Mat scowled, "And a red eagle, an eye on a balance scale, and a weird black spear with ravens on it." Mat grimaced. "That's all I see right now."
"Thank you, Min. Now if you would follow me…" Rand and Min went off to one of the side rooms where they wouldn't be overheard. Although Mat wasn't psychic, he knew what Rand would be doing for the rest of the day. Mat shivered at the memory of himself in the same position with Queen Tylin. He just shook his head, and walked out of the inn.
Those bloody dice were still rolling in his head, not giving him a moment's peace. So he just walked around the streets, trying to ignore the only warning he had of anything life changing. He watched a few games of dice in the streets, but avoided playing, as not to attract unwanted attention.
Mat suddenly noticed a few Whitecloaks walking through the street. It was hard to miss, because the crowd parted for them, like anything making way for balefire. Mat sighed, and looked back at the game of dice. The Whitecloaks drew nearer, and the dice in Mat's head stopped rolling.