Hi!

I think I'm gonna follow certain parts of the book, and leave certain parts out. Oh, and all this is not necessarily in order. Hehehe please check out my other WoT fics too! J

*Sammy-Jo*

Chapter 2: The Amyrlin's Eyes and Ears

"What was that you said, daughter?" Sammy asked. She really did need to pay attention. The Forsaken could be dealt with later. She had not had a chance to speak with them, even. Well, if speaking could be called her ordering them, and them obeying. The group did not have a chance even to be sent to their chambers before she was called back to Salidar. With a start that did not show on her face, Sammy realized that Siuan was repeating herself.

"…bothering you, you're never like this, Mother. I was just telling you that my network of eyes and ears can only go so far. They cannot possibly head to Ebou Dar, Caemlyn, Cairhien and the Venir Mountains all at once. We must see what…the boy…" that was what all the sisters called Rand. "…is up to. As he can Travel, sp…watching him requires more than I ha…"

"I have my own network of eyes and ears, daughter. They reside in the places you've named, and send information back to me. Or do you suggest that I cannot handle it?" Sammy smiled inwardly at the thought of making the Forsaken do her will. Why had she not thought of that before? Well, she had not had time, of course. She needed them to scout, though, and best it be quick, as the Aes Sedai in Salidar needed to get moving. She had already sent Elayne and Nynaeve after the Bowl, and Lan as well, but really, the sisters were so stubborn! Sammy almost regretted not telling Siuan about it, but she had to keep it a secret. Perhaps Elayne, Nynaeve, Aviendha and even Min could know. Perhaps not. Sammy would have to read her dreams to find if that would lead to disaster, or even worse, if it was necessary.

"Of course not, Mother. It's just how can you have so many eyes and ears after…?" Siuan stood up as Sammy did.

"I will have no more talk of it then, daughter. This is a secret between us, sealed to the Flame. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Mother." Siuan knew a dismissal when she saw one and left, muttering something about silverpikes under her breath.

Sammy headed to her maids' tent. Kasey had better be there, right on cue, or she was going to get more than just an earful. She came to the tents just as Chesa came running up to her.

"Mother! You'll never guess what happened. That little rat Karigan returned. I told her she would be lucky if the Mother would allow her to stay. In my opinion, deserters like her should be left to live on their own!"

Sammy knew Chesa did not mean it, but it was heartening nevertheless. "I will speak to her alone please, Chesa." Chesa was off with a quick "Yes, Mother," and disappeared into the servants quarters.

As soon as Sammy walked into the tent, Kasey threw herself to the ground and kissed the hem of Sammy's skirts. Excellent. That would not be part of her training, but would certainly be a part of the others'.

"Please, Great Mistress, Mother! I beg forgiveness for running away! I was here on time, just as you said, and I…"

Sammy toned out The Spider's whining voice. Wordlessly, and to Kasey's horror, Sammy slipped a silver collar around Kasey's neck, and fastened a bracelet around her own. She seized the True Power, and felt life as she never knew it pouring into her. She tried not to feel it, disgusted that she should feel such emotions from the Dark One's own power, but it did come in handy. She made Kasey's collar unbreakable, something nearly impossible with saidar, but easy with the True Power.

"But Great Mistress! Surely I do not require one of these! After the other Chosen and I were placed in your custody. I will obey you! I would not go against one of the Great Lor--" she cut off in a series of shrieks and howls as Sammy sent sensations of switches all over her body. It was the last straw! How dare Kasey use words like Chosen and Great Lord in front of Sammy? But this would be the least of Kasey's problems, and compared to what the other Forsaken would go through, they would beg on bended knee for Kasey's treatment. But it was not required of Kasey, as the coward was almost broken already.

"You will call me Mother, not Great Mistress. I am not one of the Forsaken. There were words in your little speech that I do not like to hear, and I will never hear them again from your lips. Ask me if you want to know what they are." Sammy smiled ruthlessly. Kasey gulped.

"I understand, Mother," she rasped, meek as could be.

"Good." Sammy surprised Kasey and perhaps even herself by stroking Kasey's hair. Maybe there was more reason why the sul'dam treated their damane like pets than the fact that they treated them like animals. Suddenly, Sammy realized she had to get the bracelet off. It was a filthy thing, and she could not start thinking like one of the Seanchan. "Remember my policy on lying, stealing, misused words and anything else I consider bad behavior. Remember the policy I had before, and double it." Kasey fainted. Sammy clawed off the bracelet in disgust, just as Chesa came in.

"Mother! Are you ok? I heard shrieks, and then…" she stopped as she saw Kasey on the floor.

"I'm afraid she was a bit stressed out, Chesa. I could barely get a sane word out of her, but she has agreed to stay on minimum food supply with no pay."

"Excellent terms, Mother," Chesa nodded approvingly. "I will make sure she knows how kind you have been."

"See that you do," Sammy said with a smile and a glint in her eyes.

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Grendael paced her small room, trying to make the best of things as she always did, when suddenly a Gateway opened and a girl stepped through, wearing the stole the witches called the Amyrlin.

Grendael stared at the girl. Perhaps the witch was here to serve her. Grendael smiled welcomingly. Any would serve the Chosen, in any circumstances. It was a comforting thought. The girl did not smile, though.

"Is this any way to treat your mistress?" she spoke in cool tones. It was impossible to tell if she was mad or not.

"Mistress? I have no mistress. You will tell me what you are doing here and…"

She cut off as the girl stepped across the room, a silver collar and bracelet in her hand. "I am Mistress or Mother to you, but perhaps you have heard of me otherwise. I am Samantha Aes Sedai, the true Amyrlin seat. I walk in the Light, and you Forsaken must all obey me. You will find you do not like it if you do not obey my orders." Samantha snapped the bracelet around her own wrist, then clasped the necklace around Grendael's neck. Grendael nearly burst out laughing. Were these collars to mark her servants? The thought of Samael and Demandred walking around in silver necklaces was enough to make her burst. All that abruptly stopped when Samantha seized the True Power. Before Grendael could do anything, the witch had her bound spread-eagle against the wall, held up by the Power. It was not a very comfortable position, but if this was the worst she could do...

All thoughts came to and end at what the witch did next. First, Grendael felt each of her toes have the sensation of being ripped apart, skin, bone, nail, muscle and all. It was enough to make tears come out of her eyes, but she would not cry out for this woman. Strange to think of her as a woman now. Grendael groaned as the ripping spread up to her ankles and through her shins. Then, not only was the ripping happening all over her body, but she had the sensation of being dipped in boiling oil, and switches all over her raw skin. She couldn't hold it in any longer. She shrieked and wailed, more than she ever had in her entire life, and that was many Ages. Thinking this witch a softie did no good. Her shrieks seemed to have little effect on the woman, only to make the sensation's increase, and pinpricks were added to the pain, each pushing deeper than the last. Grendael could not help it. She howled, even louder than the shrieks, howled until her voice was hoarse, and still the witch just stood there. Perhaps pleading would work.

"Please! Mistress! Mother! I promise! I will obey you! Please! Ohhhhh please!" was what Grendael meant to say. It only came out in a series of sobs..

"I think I will leave you here until I come back tomorrow night. I do not have time for my servants to misbehave, and you have wasted my time. The pain will increase as you go on, and you will not pass out. Consider yourself lucky it is not for the week I am leaving you here." A smirk crossed Samantha's--her mistress's lips, the first sign of emotion shown. "Do you consider yourself lucky?" her mistress said in the tone fit for an infant…or for a dog.

"YES! Please release me! I will do anything, anything!"

"I'm sorry, but you've wasted my time already. Farewell."

Her mistress must have no emotions. Strange, for one who walked in the Light.

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Sammy gasped inside her tent, panting for air. Tears ran down her cheeks. You mustn't cry over the Forsaken about this, she chided herself. You must train them quickly. But she couldn't help it. She was proud of herself for showing no emotion, but…it was all she could do not to go back to Grendael and take her down off that wall. To distract herself, she visited Samael. You are calm as a rosebud and they will obey.

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There did not seem to be much to do in the small, confined rooms but sleep. No food was brought. Apparently when his mistress thought he would be fed, he would be fed. Samael clenched and unclenched his fist. He would like to put them around the witch's neck. He had heard Grendael screaming through the paper-thin walls. Grendael never screamed. He had also felt great amounts of the True Power being woven. She had never been completely loyal to him, but there was no animosity between them either. He wanted to grasp saidin, but he knew he could not channel unless the girl gave him permission. He was abruptly awoken from his reverie at a sudden grasp on his arm, and realized it was his mistress. From hearing Grendael's screams, it must have meant she had shown no servitude, so Samael delivered a bow where his head nearly touched the floor, fit for a Queen's palace. He had no reaction from her that he could see. He rose and watched her. She still did not say a word. After griping his arm rather tightly, she made a fist and punched his chest. Samael nearly jumped. It did not hurt, but it was certainly unexpected. As he saw Samantha inspecting his legs, the first thought that came to mind was that she was looking him over as a suitable lover, but then he saw her eyes. There was nothing flirtatious in those deep brown pools. Then he knew what she was doing. She was…inspecting…him. Like a horse on market! Suddenly, she smiled, the first facial expression she had had the entire time. Surprisingly, it seemed genuine.

"Good muscle," was that admiration in her voice? She was certainly not coy. "Yes, I think you will be a good servant Samael. A bit stubborn, perhaps, but you are intelligent. You will learn quickly. Just be sure you do not waste my time."

Samael gasped as he felt the familiar sensation of saidar being woven. It lashed out at him quite painfully, and he fell to the ground. He was forced into a position with knees on the ground and his face on the floor.

"Your first lesson is respect for your mistress. You will call me either Mistress or Mother, whichever pleases you. That is one of the only decisions I will allow you to make. Whenever you see me, you will rush over to me, bend into this position, and kiss the ground repeatedly until I order you to stop. If I do not, you will continue." She looked at him wryly. "You will not like the consequences if you do not. Do you understand, or must I impress it upon you?"

"I understand, Mistress," he said in a voice he hoped was meek.

"Second lesson. I snap my fingers, you immediately get on all fours, and you will be my…chair…it shows your servitude towards me, not that a mistress needs to explain herself." Just like that! Just like Grendael's pets!

Samantha snapped her fingers. Samael made no move to get on all fours, much less be her chair. Samantha made a tsk sound and sat down on the narrow bed. Was she giving him no punishment?

"Now, Samael," her voice was dangerous now. "I thought you smart, but perhaps I was wrong. Must I make you be my horse as well." She smiled at the idea. Smiled! She snapped her fingers a second time. Slowly, Samael got down on all fours.

He screamed as she grasped the True Power. He had the sensation of being put through a meat grinder and being ripped to pieces. "Mistress!" he gasped. "I did what you asked."

"Apparently you are not as intelligent as I thought. You are to get down on all fours behind me right away. You wouldn't want me sitting on the ground, now would you?"

The meat grinder stopped. "But you were sitting on the bed!" The meat grinder started, only now there were twenty, and they were all over his body. He had never experienced such agony, much less lived it. He howled till he lost his voice.

"There are to be no excuses," Samantha said. "I'm afraid you've wasted my time as much as Grendael did. I had hoped you would learn quickly so I could release you to do my bidding. I will leave you here until I feel you have sufficiently learned your lesson." She stood up, and Traveled, without so much as a farewell. Of course, Samael hardly realized any of that.

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Sammy lay again in her tent, panting. They've turned me into a monster, she thought. Perhaps that is what the Dark One intended. I must not give in, but the Forsaken will learn their lessons. Once they learn, there will be no need for the harshness. Nonetheless, Sammy had had enough of the Forsaken for one day. She retired to her bed, hardly noticing Kasey kissing the hem of her skirt as she passed by.

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Semirhage paced her cramped room furiously. As Grendael screamed, she knew this witch was tougher than most. When Samael screamed, she knew she was done for. No matter. She would offer her services to the witch. In the short time she had to find out about Samantha, she had been hearing of headaches plaguing the girl. She would stand above all the Chosen in Samantha Aes Sedai's eyes.

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Hi all!

So….did you like it? I know, this one's a bit violent, but that's why I rated it pg-13! Not that you have to be 13 to read it or anything, but you get my point. The next chapters will not be as violent due to the fact that the other Chosen have learned from Sammy's examples, and obey without trouble. I hope you did like it, but flame if you want!

*Sammy-Jo*