Disclaimer: Jailene, Lysander, Kaesha, Aludari and the land of Snomaed's Abyss are all products of my warped imagination, all other characters and places are © their respective owners.

Confused before… prepare to be more so! Bwahahaha... erm, sorry.

Chapter three: Realisations

*

"So, we have an agreement?" Lysander asked, studying Moiraine over steeple fingers, a calculating look in his eyes.

"… We do." Moiraine bowed her head in acquiescence.

A slight smile turned up the corners of Lysander's lips, but those dark eyes did not change. "Good. I hoped you would be reasonable… it always helps when they are reasonable." There he went again: speaking softly to himself; not her- as if she did not exist--- it was as if he was speaking to some higher being.

The question was: 'who were they?' Did he mean the Aes Sedai? Women? Or just humankind in general? If that was so, he was clearly detaching himself from his kin- the man was a human, there was no disputing the fact- and working for some higher Power. What that power was, Moiraine could not quite work out; at first she had suspected him to be a Darkfriend, 

or simply one of the Forsaken using the One Power to disguise themselves. But for some unfathomable reason, she was positively sure this was not the case. Moiraine preferred hard fact to instinct, but there are times when you just have to go with your gut feeling. Like that time when she had forbidden Lan to cross that bridge over a deep chasm in North Saldaea. Oh, the bridge had looked sturdy enough, and the chasm was not wide, but something told Moiraine it was not safe. Lan had argued with her of course, saying it was the quickest way to Tvon--- which it was--- but she insisted they go round.  When the bridge collapsed before they were 20 paces away, she had looked to Lan with slight satisfaction; his face was set in stone naturally- the Warder never let his emotions show- but the bond had carried irritation and a slight sense of wonder, probably over how she had known…

"…and leave before the sun sets, the terrain we have to travel is treacherous even in daylight--- at night it would be nothing short of suicide." Lysander's deep voice brought her back to the present. She blinked; normally observant, Moiraine always listened carefully and stored away every bit of information—who knew when it might come in useful? —it was very unlike her to let her mind wonder.

"Well then." She said, rising gracefully from her chair and smoothing her grey silk skirts. "Why are we waiting?" She gestured imperviously for him to lead the way, and with that quirky smile he spun round with a swirl of his green cloak, and strode through the wall.

Without hesitation, Moiraine stepped quickly after him, shivering slightly as a small chill ran through her body as she passed through the wall- reminiscent of the Ways- and emerged into a bigger cave, more brightly lit- with torches thank the Light- and as much sign of an exit as the previous one had had.

Lysander was sitting in the middle of the floor- stone this time, not the white material from before- humming softly to himself, legs crossed and eyes closed. Without opening them he said "Much danger will cross our path, the Web of destiny weaves a dangerous road for us- for you especially. The weight of a peoples' hope lies deeply in your soul. Do you have the strength to face your responsibility, I wonder?"

"The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills" she replied soberly.

He opened one eye to give her a considering look. "You think so?"

Moiraine opened her mouth to answer and it hung there in shock. The wall on the opposite of the cavern rippled, and the ripples made their way down the wall and across the floor, like waves in the surf. She stumbled as it flowed under her feet. Catching herself, she glanced up to see Lysander leap to his feet yelping a surprised curse. "What is the name of… what is going on? Blood and Ashes!"

The ground beneath Moiraine's feet lurched again, more violently, and parts of the cave floor erupted up in fountains of earth and rubble. She coughed as dust clogged the air, eyes watering from the particles. Suddenly Lysander was beside her, gripping her arm almost painfully, supporting her, as even he struggled to keep his balance.

"What's going on?" she shouted, hoping he heard above the noise. He shook his head, and said something she didn't catch, and then hauled her into his arms. Indignation flared amidst the horror, but she hung onto his neck with both hands, if only to stop from falling.

Lysander fumbled with a tight fitting bronze bracelet that encircled his left wrist and pressed down on a black symbol, three triangles linked together. Moiraine felt something hiss past her left ear and suddenly a horizontal slash of glaringly bright light appeared in the air in front of them. It rotated, opening up until it was large enough to admit a fair sized man on horseback. The image inside of it was of a dusty barren plain, whose ground was thankfully not heaving about all over the place.

Lysander jumped through just as the ground beneath his feet erupted in a cloud of dirt and dust, and stumbled as he caught his footing on firm ground. The whole in the air vanished and suddenly everything was still. And quiet.

Shaking her head to stop the ringing in her ears Moiraine didn't really notice Lysander setting her to her feet and sliding to the ground himself, head between his knees.

That whole in the air… that was a gateway!

And that meant Travelling… a lost Talent… that required the One Power.

And the realisation hit her. Lysander could channel!

*

Moiraine caught herself, shock subsiding. Of course he could channel… it was so obvious now she looked back and thought about it: coming through the wall, the resonant voice; the chair; the wine… it all fitted into place. Why hadn't she thought of it before? Preoccupation, obviously. She gave Lysander a cool glance and raised an eyebrow when she saw he was still sitting on the floor, head bowed, breathing heavily. Surely the gateway hadn't taken that much out of him?

"Are you quite alright?" she asked, a little coldly. After all, the man had had no business manhandling her the way he had, even if he had been trying to save her life.

Lysander nodded his head, but made no reply. Moiraine was about to voice her concerns once more when-

"You… you mule-headed, light blinded FOOL of a man!" a young woman strode across the small clearing making both Moiraine and Lysander jump. The woman stopped in front of them, hands on her hips, a thunderous scowl on her face. She would have been pretty, if not beautiful had she not been glaring in such a manner as to make a rampant Trolloc think twice. Her hair, which hung loose about her shoulders was dark blonde, with strands shining golden in the light, much in the same manner as Lysander's; and her eyes were of the darkest blue, the colour of the deepest ocean waters. A large smudge of dirt stained her left cheek, mixed with a ting amount of blood from a small cut just above her eye, as if she'd had a nasty fall, and her clothes: tight fitting cream riding breeches and a loose white blouse with a brown sleeveless jacket were scuffed and torn at the knee. She didn't look happy.

"What in the blue blazes did you think you were doing, Ly? Going off alone like that! You could have gotten yourself killed—Light! You almost did!" snapped the girl, completely ignoring Moiraine, focusing her anger instead on Lysander, who winced at her shouts and climbed wearily to his feet.

"Jailene, I-"

"I don't want to here any excuses! Blood and ashes man, if I hadn't arrived when I did and felt your Calling, I would never have known to open the Gateway, and who knows what might have happened then!"

That shot Moiraine's eyebrows up. "You opened the gateway?" she said, incredulously.

The girl spared her a withering glance. "Oh, so he got you then? Looking as immaculate as always, so I see. It bloody figures." She then turned back to Lysander and began barraging him again with various insults and derogatory names; he let her go one for a minute before silencing her with a hand across the mouth. She gave him an indignant stare, and he sighed.

"As much as I am enjoying your little serenade Jailene, I think we have more important things to do, don't you?" he said pointedly. She gave him a sullen look, and he took his hand away from her mouth. "Good. Now, about the… phenomenon that just occurred, I think that it was one of His tricks again. Did you feel the strange pulsing when-"?

"Please excuse the interruption." Said Moiraine coolly. The man and woman turned to look at her in surprise; it was obvious both had forgotten she was even there. "But just what is going on, and who is your delightful friend." Lysander looked a little startled, but then he grinned.

"Forgive me." He said with a little laugh. "Moiraine, this is my friend and cohort, Jailene Allertron. Jailene this is-"

"I know who she is, Lysander!" snapped Jailene, waving an arm dismissively. "How bloody short do you think my memory is? Call me an idiot if you wish, but just what are we supposed to do with her now? It's not exactly like we can take her back to the temple is it? And obviously, we can't leave her here…" a glance from Lysander shut her up. He raised his eyebrows and inclined his head to the side, it obviously meant something to Jailene, because she pushed her lips out in a pout and crossed her arms just below her breasts, in the manner of a sulky child. "NO Lysander! We can't you know the rules! 'No mortal man of woman shall enter the Sacred Temple of Ezakimak until He that is Reborn comes to take the Secrets of Old and free the spirits of the Guardians.'"

"However, there are exceptions." Stated Lysander calmly. "And she is one of them. I suggest you re-read the Prophecies. Check under reference 37:2, I think you will know what I mean…"

"Thirty seven point two..." mumbled Jailene, brow furrowed. "…Hmmm." She muttered something inaudibly under her breath. "Oh all right!" the girl conceded. Raising her hands in defence. "Once again you are right, and I am wrong, why am I always wrong? Life is not fair! Fine, fine… so she comes… great. I guess we can talk things over when we get back. If we get back." She added darkly. Lysander nodded, and turned to Moiraine. "We must cross the Snomaed's Abyss to reach the safety of Ezakimak, it is a dangerous journey, but with us you will be safe." He said.

"Do you just expect me to follow you wherever you say, like a puppy on its master's leash?" she asked evenly, as coolly serene as ever.

Lysander grinned, and he and Jailene exchanged glances. "Would you rather stay here?"

"I would rather know where we are going, and what we are going to do."

"We are going to the Sacred Temple of Ezakimak, Aes Sedai, a place where no mortal has stepped in well nigh three thousand years; you should feel honoured" snapped Jailene, rolling her eyes skyward. "The day grows old. Either stay here and face the perils of the Abyss or accompany us to safety. The choice is yours. I care not either way." Her tone was final, and she looked at Moiraine with raised eyebrows.

"Come with us Moiraine. There is nothing to fear. I promise." There was something about that man's voice that played with Moiraine's mind. She did not know why, but she felt as though she could trust him with her life and soul. It was disconcerting, but nevertheless she bowed her head in assent.

"Very well. I will join you."

"Fine! You will have to double up with Ly on Aludari, for we haven't a spare horse for you." Jailene indicated two horses; and they were the strangest animals Moiraine had ever seen. One was a slender mare, and the other a magnificent stallion, and they were coloured as if they were complete opposites: the mare was of a white so dazzling that the purest snow would have looked grey next to her, but her mane and tail were of the darkest black, like a shadow within a shadow. The stallion was the colour of a starless night, glossy and shiny, however his mane and tail were of the same colour as the mare's fur, bright white. It made for very odd viewing.

Jailene strode over and took the reins of the mare, checked the girth and swung gracefully into the saddle. She checked her stirrups, glanced at the other two people and said: "well? Are you waiting for a blue moon? We haven't got all day."

Lysander was quickly astride the stallion. It was a truly fine beast with a noble head and an arching neck; and it was also at least 17 hands at the withers. Moiraine wondered how she was supposed to get on to it. She walked over slowly, contemplating just making a mad leap.

That was not needed however; Lysander leant down and she took his arm, and he pulled her effortlessly up behind his saddle, as if she weighed nothing at all. She settled her skirts- they were divided for riding so that was not a problem- and placed her hands hesitantly around his waist.

"Hold on tight Moiraine," he warned. "Aludari's paced are smooth, but we will be moving at a speed and I have no wish for you to fall off." Sighing, Moiraine encircled his waist with her arms, and gripped tightly. And she was glad of it when Lysander swung the stallion around and heeled him in a canter, following Jailene who had set her mare off towards the East.

*

They travelled for a long time through a barren and still landscape and although nothing happened Moraine could feel the tense muscles in Lysnader's back as he and Jailene rode side by side quickly, heads turning; watching, as if they expected an attack at any time.

Finally, they left the unnerving waste behind, and rode through soft green meadows and woods, illuminated by the glow of the half moon, which was now fully up. The riders slowed their horses to a walk, and Lysander turned to Moiraine as they rounded a corner and came into view of a large and elaborate stone structure, with golden turrets and pale domes. Streams and fountains flowed around the perimeter, plants climbed the walls and flowered along the riverbeds and the soft scents of summer filled the night sky. Deer grazed in the trees and owls hooted in the branches.  Peace radiated from every corner.

"Welcome," said he. "To Ezakimak..."

*