Day 2

Egwene stalked through the crowd of waiting Aes Sedai. Leanne stumbled as she tried to keep up, frantically rushing through the required announcement.

"The Amyrlin Seat has declared the Hall and Tower sealed. Staff and Stole, the Mother now guides us and guards us. May the Light shelter all that dwell here, and the Creator guide us to safety."

Egwene took her seat. Around the Hall, every sister crowded in. Every sister except the thirteen guarding…that man. No Warders would appear. No workmen hammered away, attempting to shore up the defenses of the Tower. Even Aes Sedai learn with time.

"Mother, why are we here? There is no need of this; the boy is caught, well and good. His army is no longer a threat, and his general has…taken leave of him. We should be north, fighting the Trollocs and Dreadlords."

Silence filled the hall, then gasps as the women began to realize a direct challenge had been issued. Cadsuane, last of those that felt free of Egwene's yoke, had dared to raise her voice. Standing defiant, she had lost none of her arrogance that had led to this disaster. Egwene turned, smilingly towards her.

"I have three announcements to make to the gathered sisters. First, the Keeper will conduct a search of the Tower rooms." Standing, the Keeper paled and slowly left the room. Murmurs began to rise within the crowd. "Any angreal found outside of the storerooms will be confiscated. The sister who possessed it will be publicly birched."

Cadsuane swayed and fainted. Egwene looked at her contently.

"Second, the Ajahs are hereby dissolved, as permitted under Tower Law. Sisters will now obey the orders of those stronger than them in the Power."

Shock, deeper than the first, began to circulate. The very foundations of the Tower were being torn down before their eyes.

"Third, the trial will begin now." Heads shook. It was too soon.

"The Last Battle is at hand, sisters. This man must be tried and gentled."

Alana raised her head.

"No, Egwene. We cannot allow it! The prophecies!"

"The prophecies say nothing about the Dragon needing to channel."

Min crept out of her room. Her clothing stuck to her, still faintly reeking of blood and ashes. Her hair, unwashed for the last week, hung down in tatters.

Min carefully placed a dagger in her boot. Rising with a grin, she began to slowly look for the way down.

Far away in Cairhein, a city appeared to burn. Aes Sedai fled the area, having heard what was occurring in Tear. Bands of looters roamed the countryside, and it was rumored that Davram had also gone mad, a victim of the taint.

Within the city, things looked different. Citizens went about their daily business, unconcerned as Towers toppled right through them, walking on unaffected.

Somewhere near the heart of the city, Logain sweated blood, as Flinn passed his hands over the body in front of him in an attempt to Heal Death itself.

Perrin looked up. Faile. Always out of reach, always tempting, always true…The axe flew straight. Faile died again.

With a start, he awoke. The nightmare would not go away, would not leave him alone. Was this all that was left to him? Did dreams truly tell one how to act?

Faile appeared in the door. She smiled at him through the bars.

"My sweet wolf. Once this is over, I'm certain you can come out and play with me again." She slid a tray of raw meat under the door. "Until then, remember that I did it for you."

A Myddraal appeared next to her.

"Your…Faile is delicious."

The Keeper entered Cadsuane's chamber. Weeping was heard below, in the Hall. Grimacing, she bent down to open the chest where the angreal were "hidden."

Siuan's dagger went in clean. The Keeper never even had time to gasp.

"Leanne, I'm so sorry…I'm so sorry."