Power and Anarchy

By Gahzskul

[Author's Note]

You'll have to excuse any errors on continuity between the prologue and the following chapters, as it's been several years between he prologue and this point. Thanks.

Chapter Three – Tension Springs

            Teron and Leslin hurried to the crest of the hill they were on, and looked down on the horror of the scene. Trollocs swarmed around by the hundreds, two Myrddraal sat on horses in the middle of the town square. All around people ran and got cut down. Teron felt the prickle in the back of his neck and knew Leslin was embracing Saidar. He drew his sword, unwilling to channel around the two Aes Sedai, though he knew not where Kura was.

Bloody…

Then he heard the crash and looked over to see Kura channelling. Lightning split the sky, causing Trollocs to fly through the air as it struck them. Leslin began throwing fire-balls at the creatures. Chaos broke loose.

One of the Myrddraal turned on his horse and began galloping towards where the Aes Sedai and Asha'man stood, his inky sword held ready to strike. Leslin froze.

Blood and Ashes!

Teron raised a hand and embraced Saidin. Then stood for a moment, stunned. It's clean… blood and ashes, it's clean! Teron nearly danced. Then he shook his head and glared at the Myrddraal. Leslin stared at him, astonished and confused. Then the look changed to that of horror as a small bar of bale-fire burst form his hand and destroyed the Myrddraal. Then he raised his other hand and sent a wave of fireballs into the mass of Trollocs in the square. She knew what he was now. It didn't matter, though. Teron ran quickly down the hill and used his sword and Saidin, killing Trollocs left and right. He then found himself facing the other Myrddraal, which had dismounted and so they clashed swords, the Myrddraal's ink-black blade against Teron's light long sword. The Trollocs steered clear of the two fighting. Everyone did.

            The blades clashed, parried, slashed, and thrust, the flow of the dance of death ran hard, and Teron and the Myrddraal fought with ferocity. The blades rang loud. Teron suddenly slammed the Myrddraal back, raised a hand, and balefire destroyed the shadowspawn. The Trollocs, seeing two Myrddraal destroyed and a good many of their number as well, ran off into the trees beyond the camp. Only a small group had come, but they had done damage, though they didn't seem to be looking for anything in particular.

            Then Teron's link to Saidin was cut-off, and he turned to see Kura and Leslin staring at him. They had him shielded. Teron cursed. Gendal moved up alongside Kura, sword drawn and dripping.