Chapter Two
Angrily, I stormed into my chambers in Paarad Disen. That fool-headed man would get us all killed, I thought. One of my servants came up to me warily as she saw that I was ready to snap off the head of anyone who came near me.
"Latra Sedai, the access keys have been finished, and I bring them to you." From behind her back, she produced two statues. They were a foot high, of a man and a woman. They were the ter'angreal that were needed to use the Choedan Kal. I had planned to use them with Lews, but now he was too set in his ways to change.
"Thank you Niaese." She was a pretty girl, one of the Da'shain, and a great singer. She was often picked to Sing alongside the Ogier and Nym. Carefully, I took these ter'angreal to a cellar beneath my chambers. I wove an Illusion around them, so that anyone who saw them would see an old box, and I inverted the weaves. I prayed to the Creator that these would be safe, for these were the only safe way to save the World from the Dark One.
As I walked up the stairs, there was a banging on the door of my chambers. As I opened them, Lews stormed in.
"Lews, how nice to see you. Please, come in." I said sarcastically as I shut the door. He ran his fingers through his hair as he spoke.
"Latra, what are you trying to prove to the World? If the Hall of the Servants is seen to be split, then the World will lose faith in us. We are Aes Sedai, servants to all. We must keep that up, even if it is only an illusion. I will not let the World think that has happened, Latra. Never." He took a deep breath and continued. "Mar Ruois has fallen to the Shadow. Every single person who would not turn to the Shadow was burned alive, Latra. Everyone. This is the work of the flaming Forsaken, I know, and every day, another Aes Sedai goes over to the side of the Shadow. At the moment, there are thirteen. Rumours say ten more, some say a hundred. But I can give you definite names. Elan Morin Tedroni has now been called Ishamael, the Betrayer of Hope. Tel Janin Aellinsar is now called the Destroyer of Hope. I gave him something to think about when I gave him that bloody scar. Joar Addam Nessosin, is now Asmodean. He was a musician, Latra, a bloody musician! Then there is the Daughter of the Night herself. Lanfear." He bit his lip at this point. I know he could not bear to say the name.
"Mierin Eronaile." I said softly, and he nodded. His previous lover, before he married his wife Ilyena. "Lews, we cannot save everyone on this World. Some people have to die. It needs to be balanced out. What happens, happens. You are ta'veren. You spin the Pattern round your neck like a noose. Whatever happens..." I stopped as I felt what I was sure was a tremor from the Earth. Then suddenly, Vaerlin stepped out of a Gateway. I was surprised. She usually sounded her chime before entering.
"Latra, Lews, we better get outside. The Betrayer and the Spider are attacking the city" I noticed that she was wearing all her Adornments. The various rings, bracelets, necklaces and the belt she was wearing were all ter'angreal, and for her own protection. She said the Betrayer and the Spider. Ishamael and Moghedian.
Lews and I ran outside, holding the One Power, ready to channel at any moment. Having two separate forces attacking the city was a cruel trick by the Creator. Hurriedly we ran, avoiding the blasts from shock-lances coming from the jo-cars and sho-wings. We made our way into the Hall of the Servants, where we found the rest of the Aes Sedai loyal to us. Hurriedly we made our plans.
"Vaerlin, take all those strong in Earth to the South side of the city. Skim onto the rooftops. We will need pitfalls, tremors and earthquakes everywhere we find a marching horde of the Shadow." I ordered, and Vaerlin took all the men and women into the city, ready to fight with guerrilla tactics.
"Jahrid, take all those who are strong in air. Let's make it a bit stormy for them as well, eh women!" Lews laughed. He was in his best moods during fighting. Jahrid took off with his group, which was made up of significantly more women than men. But air and water were more feminine Powers, compared to Earth and Fire. Spirit was equal.
"That leaves us with the people strongest in Fire and Spirit, Lews. How can we use these to their best advantage?" I was confused. I did not know any way that Spirit and Fire could be used, unless he meant to...
"Telamon," I said with mock severity, "are you planning to sever the channellers?" Lews Therin Telamon smiled at me. "My old friend, the channellers are the leaders. If we can sever them, then we can take away their confidence."
I was surprised. Lews Therin had thought of a good idea that did not include the slaughter of thousands of people.
If I had known how wrong I was, I would never had left my chambers with him.