Disclaimer: I don't own any one. I'm broke. I can't even afford new clothes for summer. Oh well. Guess I'll have to stick to fan fics.
Chapter 2
Our dried voices, when
We whisper together
Are quiet and meaningless
As wind in dry grass
Or rats' feet over broken glass
In our dry cellar
An unnatural quiet seems to have descended upon Emond's Field since that night. All of the villagers speak in hushed voices, as if by not raising their voices they might never again call the Dark One's attention. As if anything they did had called it in the first place.
Around me especially they seem to fall quiet. Maybe, subconsciously, they sense that it was me that he was searching for that night. Maybe it was. I don't credit much of what that witch said though. Even if I can channel, what would the Dark One want with a sheepherder?
The effects of the dream are beginning to wear off. I feel the tension slowly leeching from my shoulders. Outside my window, the gray of predawn is giving way to the light of dawn. It is time to get up.
I shake myself out of my reverie and in affect the last lingering tension from my nightmare is gotten rid of as well. I pull on a shirt and my boots, walk over to the nightstand, splash some water on my face and head downstairs. As I enter the kitchen, Mistress al'Vere offers me a warm meat pie. I take it with a quiet thanks, and move to sit at the small table in the corner.
"Rand?" Her voice is quiet, but more in respect for the early hour than in the wariness so many others show. "Would you mind chopping some wood for the fires? There is still a chill at night, and we're nearly out."
"Of course, Mistress al'Vere." It was after all, the least I could do after she and her husband had opened their home to me. "I'll start as soon as I'm done eating."
"Thank you. What with Egwene gone, and all of the repairs to be done in town… things like that just sneak up on you. We really do appreciate all of the help you've bee. I know the others might not show it, but you know they're just still so scared. They'll come around, you'll see." With that she just turned around and returned to her morning routine. Trust Mistress al'Vere to know what I was feeling, and to try to mother it away. It would have worked to, if the villagers' animosity were all I had to contend with. But I also knew I could channel, and that was a constant weight upon me.
I don't think I'll stay here much longer. Maybe I'll move back out to the woods and rebuild the cottage. The longer I stay here the greater danger I represent to those around me. I will not allow them to be hurt because of what I am.
I quickly finish and move out into the back yard where the firewood is kept.
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My shoulders burn, and my arms, back and chest are once again slick with the sweat of exertion. Once again I am shirtless in the light of the morning sun. The repetition of the movements of my arms as they swing the axe with all the force I can muster wipes, for a time, the burdensome thoughts that I have carried for what seems like forever from my mind. All there is is the motion of the axe and the resounding crack of wood splitting in the open clearing.
Distantly I am aware of someone calling my name, but I put off the sound as I swing one last time and the piece in front of me splits apart. Some one calls my name, and as I stand there panting, some small part of my brain acknowledges that it is Perrin. I turn to greet him and see Mat with him. I raise my hand in greeting.
Somewhere in the woods, a raven crows.
Review Responses:
Dancing Fire, seishi, Psycho Goddess, Demensha, She Who Walks the Night: Thanks, I am glad you liked it.
Ilona: I know it was short. Was this at least a little better? Also, unless people stop reading I fully intend to finish everything I post. I now how aggravating it can be to star reading a fic and then wait forever just to realize the author has quit writing. I have made a vow to at least try to never be one of those authors.
To everyone who was curious as to where this fic is going: I honestly cannot tell you. I have some very vague ideas, but it is mostly writing itself.
A/N: As I said before, I don't really know where this fic is going. I do know that it will not be pretty. Already, my beta reader, Besa-sama, has said she will not read it. Doesn't like the dark stuff. So please forgive and inform me of any horrible mistakes. I will fix them as soon as I am made aware of them. Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I'll try to update son, but with AP exams, graduation, and my trip to Hawaii, it may not happen. I promise to update as soon as I get back, though, regardless of whether or not I manage before.
Ja ne