Chapter 10: Dreams
They group walked to the gates, which were closed but a little persuasion from Lan allowed them to be opened. Streets were filled with more people than the Two Rivers folk could imagine. They stopped at the back gate of an inn called The Stag and Lion. Lan used a small dagger to lift the latch from the outside.
When they did get in, two men came out saying that they needed to come in the front. Moiraine and Lan ignored them and kept walking, right then the owner came out.
The Aes Sedai turned to her companions. "Now remember, here I am known as Mistress Alys. Lan is Master Andra." They walked in.
"Well, if were going by different names I'll be Dratina." Said Ruby.
"Names? Hmm, I'll be Ryo." Replied Perrin.
Mat got caught in the joke and replied, "I'll be Lan." It took all their will power to not fall on the ground laughing. Shaking, 'Dratina, Ryo, and Lan' followed 'Mistress Alys and Master Andra.'
The inn was clean, but it was missing something. When they saw the rooms the figured it out. The innkeeper had claimed that all the rooms were full, but he still found three rooms for them. The rooms were not spacious, but not small either, if you were alone. The beds were hard compared to that of the Winespring inn. Master Fitch suggested they bathe. It seemed as one that they agreed and headed down stairs.
Moiraine stayed to ask the innkeeper a few questions, about someone named Min. Ruby and Egwene followed a girl to the women's baths while Mat, Perrin and Thom went the Men's. Both girls said a silent prayer as they entered.
The back of the stone room had really large pots filled with steaming water. Middle had five large tubs with stools next to them, as well as a brick of soap to match. The girl, Jessica, walked to the back and began taking buckets full of the hot water to the tubs.
Ruby rocked on her heels before asking, "You need any help with that?"
Jessica nodded right before she tripped and sent the water sailing toward her. Ruby was soaked, and Jessica kept asking if she wouldn't tell Master Fitch.
"I won't tell, I was going to take a bath anyway remember?" She then stripped off her clothing and threw them to the floor, picked up the bucket and finished filling the tub.
Jessica filled Egwenes bath and snorted when she didn't say thank you. She placed one bucket of water next to each girl and sat on a stool by the door.
"Is there anything else I can get you?"
"Yes, Jessica, can you go up to our rooms and get me a change of clothes?"
The girl nodded and left.
Ruby sat and tossed the soap in the air before catching it. "Egwene, I wanted to apologize for what I did at Bel Tine."
"You shouldn't tell me. You should apologize to Moiriane Sedai."
"What?! Why?"
Egwene sniffed and looked straight at the other girl. "Because you have treated her badly, you don't give her the respect she deserves and think nothing of it."
Ruby giggled, yep, she was losing it. "I only treat her better than she deserves. What I should have treated her was like an Aes Sedai and not an annoying brat. I should have woke her up early and smeared dirt in her face."
Egwenes' eyes were wide with shock. Ruby almost snarled. "And you are becoming just as bad as her." The remainder of the time was spent in silence as Jessica returned with the change and until 'Mistress Alys' walked in.
Ruby stood and dressed. She didn't like being with an Aes Sedai. It turned out Jessica had brought her the right clothes. She wore a dark brown blouse, with a skirt that fell to her knees. She slipped on her stockings that covered 5 inches above the ankle. Ruby wrung out her hair and re-braided it into a loose pigtail in the back. After she slipped on her soft-soled shoes, she headed upstairs.
She was restringing her bow. The thing had gotten soaked and loose. A low rumble sounded, and she blushed. Ruby was hungry. Mentally reminding herself lunch was to be served soon, she sat her bow back and pocketed the bowstring.
She stalked downstairs and saw Lan looking out the door. Does he EVER give up? She walked in and noticed an extra place set for her, between Mat and Perrin. Egwene spoke up as she cut a piece of meat off her chicken.
"I know you say not to trust anyone, but if you suspect the innkeeper why stay here?"
"I suspect him no more than anyone else, but until we reach Tar Valon, I suspect everyone. There I will only suspect half." Lan answered while Ruby, Mat, and Perrin all nodded and Mat mouthed the word 'paranoid'.
Moiriane said in calm voice, "He exaggerates, Master Fitch is a good man, honest and trustworthy. But he does like to talk, and with the best will in the world he might let something slip to the wrong ear. And I have never stopped at an inn where half the maids did not listen at doors and spend more time gossiping than making beds."
After a minute or two of eating, Moiraine asked Lan "What did you learn in the common room?"
"Little that's good. Avin was right as far as talk has it. There was a battle in Ghealdan, and Logain was the victor. A dozen different stories floating about, but they all agree on that."
Ruby paused in the middle of bringing the fork to her mouth. Logain, wasn't that the name of the false dragon? Thom said something about that. Perrin poked her side and she continued her thoughts.
"The Aes Sedai?"
"I don't know. Some said they were all killed, some say none. Some say they went over to Logain. There's nothing reliable, and I did not care to show to much interest."
"Yes, and what of our own circumstances?"
"There the news is better. No odd happenings, no strangers who might be trollocs. And the Whitecloaks are busy trying to make trouble for Governor Adan because he won't cooperate with them. They won't even notice us unless we advertise ourselves." (A/N Does this just scream foreshadowing?)
"Good. Gossip does have its points. We have a long journey ahead of us. The last week has not been easy either, so I propose to remain here tonight and tomorrow night, and leave in the morning. What does Master Andra say to that?"
Smiles were all around with the Emonds Fielders. Lan looked at them and said stiffly. "Fine, if they remember what I told them for a change."
Thom snorted. "These country folk, loose in a...city." After the meal, they all went to their rooms. Mat and Perrin shared one. Lan and Thom, for Lan didn't trust the Gleeman. The three girls shared a room. Ruby changed into a shift and was out like a light, sleeping was an art.
***Dream
She was walking down a hallway. The walls were set at strange angles; the sound of dripping water could be heard echoing. Ruby passed a few doors, all were locked, and she was thirsty and began to lick her lips. This place had to be dream, no normal building looked like this one.
One door had carvings on it, and it seemed like the origin of the water. She entered and saw a fireplace. She moved toward it, the stones that made it were slick despite the roaring fire.
Suddenly a man appeared next to fire. He was handsome, she could give him that. His clothing screamed Lord. He smiled and was facing the door, his words however were directed to her. "Once more we meet face to face." Then he turned and noticed she was standing there. His face contorted in confusion, and his eyes looked as if they were on fire.
She asked, "Is this a dream?" She could feel a headache coming on.
The man smiled at her ignorance. She was rubbing her temples.
"Does it matter? You seem thirsty, Drink." He waved a hand and a table and cup formed. She blinked and moved to examine the goblet, it was gold, and jewels were set in it. She raised the wine to her lips, a tingle ran down her spine. She set the cup down, that tingle meant something. "I'm not as thirsty as I thought," She turned back to the man, her headache was getting worse. "What do you want? Who are you?"
The man laughed. "I want to know who you are, some call me Ba'alzamon." Her eyes went wide and she searched for the door. Her mind hurt too much to think of what the name meant, but it was bad she knew. He continued talking as he sat in a chair. "You can't be the one. Impossible. But still, the fact you are here, means you are important somehow." He appeared to be talking to himself.
She was now tugging at the door that refused to open.
"Are you expecting glory? Power?" The man called Ba'alzamon continued. She spun and collapsed, that headache was starting to get unbearable. "Did they tell you the eye of the world would serve you? What glory or power is there for a puppet? The strings that move you have been centuries weaving. The Amyrlin Seat will use you until you are consumed, just as Davian was used, and Yurian Stonebow, Guaire Amalasan, and Raolin Darksbane. Just as Logain is being used. Used until there is nothing left of you."
Anger sliced through the pain. She looked up with her eyes seemingly on fire like those of the man. He was taken aback. "Used? I am not being used. I swear to light that I won't ever let the Aes Sedai use me."
Ba'alzamon smiled. It would be easy to manipulate this girl. She was shaking; a deep red glow sprung up around her and melted the floor.
"Girl. You will serve me, or dance Aes Sedai strings until you die. And then you will be mine. The dead belong to me!"
"No! I will never belong to you! I will not belong to anyone! " She ran toward the fireplace. And jumped into it. The flames around her canceled out the flames of the fireplace, and Ruby woke up in a sweat.
***Morning
Ruby couldn't get any sleep the rest of the night. Her head felt like someone had just filled it with wool a whole new meaning to the phrase 'woolhead'. She glanced out the window to determine the time. One phrase cut through everything and repeated itself over in her head. The Amyrlin Seat will use you.
She dressed in the same as yesterday and exited the room. The sun was up. Despite the dream she had slept in. Why was it when you had a good dream you woke up early but nightmares made you sleep in? She walked to the kitchen in time to here the cook arguing with the innkeeper.
When she entered, the cook, Sara gave her a bowl of broth and a slice of bread. Perrin was upstairs sick, while everyone else had already left. Saying her thanks, she left to the common room and finished it up. This was a city, and if Trollocs were about, it would be safest to have a weapon. Ruby rushed to the room she shared and buckled on her sword before heading out to find Mat.
The streets were filled with people. Ruby was about to go back to the inn when she heard a voice behind her. "A girl with a heron marked sword. That's almost enough to make me believe anything. What trouble are you in down country girl?"
Ruby whirled to see a shorthaired girl in breeches. She had brown eyes that rivaled Egwenes. Ruby smiled, this girl acted as if she had a head on her shoulders. She spoke more. "My name is Min."
"What makes you think I'm in trouble? The Two Rivers is all quite people. I'm Dratina, you can call me Ruby."
"Quiet? I have heard jokes about wooden headed sheepherders."
"What jokes?"
"Just the ones who know, say you walk around all smiles and politeness, just meek and soft as butter. Underneath you're all as strong as old oak roots."
"It was nice meeting you Min, I was going to head out." She turned, before she reached the street she called over her shoulder, "Min! I think your hair style is just great!"
The variety of people milling about was amazing. Some looked as if they could have easily fit in Two Rivers, others wore clothing that was as fine or of finer cut than Moirianes. A few people even resembled friends she knew. All in all nothing happened until she saw what looked like a man in the street.
He can't be... Master Fain? Ruby hurried over to the man. She had to push through the crowd, that got muffled curses, but she caught him before he turned the corner. "Master Fain! Wait!"
"Don't! Mention, Don't mention 'them' there be whitecloaks in this town!"
"Are you alright, we thought 'they' had gotten you. Thought you were dead."
"Dead? NO not dead, I know when to jump and where to land." With that he turned and ran off leaving a bewildered girl in the alleyway. She shrugged and started off, but then an unexpected obstacle blocked her route. It was a human body, Mat.
"Can't you watch where you're going?"
"Oh! Mat, sorry." Mat picked himself up off the muddy ground and glared.
"You must really be turning into a city girl, sleep all morning and run right over people."
"Mat, did you just see Padin Fain?"
"You saw him too? I tried to speak with him but he just kept running."
Ruby bit her lip. Thom had been in the common room performing, she really felt like telling someone about that nightmare. That man, (what had he called himself again?) made her uneasy.
"Mat did you have a nightmare last night? About a man, he had eyes like fire. Don't laugh."
Mat wasn't laughing. He was starring at her, then he got his balance back. "You too? In mine he broke a rats back."
"I didn't get that far."
"Really? How did you wake up? That man made me just, even more afraid than the fade."
"I...I jumped into the fire. He said they would use me. That I belonged to him, I just, couldn't take it and ran toward the fireplace. The door wouldn't open."
"Did you have any other dreams before this?"
"No."
"Lets ask Perrin, and talk to Thom."
"Of course." They turned and began walking back to the inn. They fought through the crowds. Most either ignored them or cursed, they would however just stare for a moment at Ruby. After all, since when did women carry swords that fine a make? When did women carry swords in the first place?
Mat and Ruby both noticed how whitecloaks got their own little space that seemed to move with them. Mat got that look in his eye and turned to his friend, he pointed at the children of the light.
"You don't suppose they are whitecloaks?" Mat said. Ruby nodded. She felt that headache coming back, and she stared at them.
"They look harmless to me, full of themselves aren't they?"
"They don't matter, we need to get back to the inn." She replied.
Mat pulled his sling out and glanced at a stack of barrels.
"Remember Eward Congar. Always had his nose in the air too. Remember he fell of the Wagon Bridge and had to tramp home dripping wet. Took him down a peg for a month. See that, Watch." Mat ducked into a shop to the left. For a moment Ruby stood there, wondering what he was up to, then it hit her like a brick.
He wouldn't... Light he would... Mat appeared above her, half hanging out the window with sling whirling. Ruby was quietly giggling, she knew that what he was going to do was wrong, but she wanted it to hurry and happen. A sharp crack was heard as the children of the light came near the ally. The stone that came from Mat's sling had broken the shaft that held the barrels in place.
People dodged out of the way. The barrels came rolling and picking up speed as they went. Sometimes one went over a puddle, and splashed mud into the air. This happened near the whitecloaks, whose cloaks were now marred with mud. The children of the light, (cotl) had avoided the barrels, but the mud could not be avoided. A shopkeeper had come out and then turned back when he caught sight of the fuming cotl. Ruby couldn't help but start laughing. The whitecloaks attention shifted to her.
"You find something funny, yes?" The one who spoke appeared to be the leader. Her laughter was cut short. She looked around to find that the people were making themselves scarce. "Does the light hold your tongue?" He glanced at her sword hilt sticking out and scowled. "Perhaps you are responsible for this?" His gaze had turned into a loathing glare. Ruby was going to cover the sword, but instead brushed her cloak back to show it. A small smirk blossomed on her lips. "Accidents happen, even to the cotl." As one all the whitecloaks took on a dark look and the youngest mouthed the words 'Aes Sedai'. The leader narrowed his eyes. "You are that dangerous youngling?" "Heron mark lord Bornheld." One whispered. The man glanced at the sword again and his eyes widened. "She is too young. You are not from this place yes?" "I just arrived in Baerlon." She smiled sweetly. "You wouldn't happen to know the name of a good inn?" "You avoid my questions," Bornheld snapped, "What evil is in you that you will not answer me?" "A lot." His two companions moved to stand beside him and placed hands on sword hilts. Ruby rocked on her heels and giggled. Warmth had spread over her whole body, soothing aches she did not know were there, and suppressed all worries. "When the cotl ask questions, you gray eyed bumpkin, we expect answers or-" The Town Watch, a group of men carrying quarterstaffs, had arrived and were watching the exchange. "This town has lost the light! Baerlon stands in the shadow of the Dark One!" He turned his attention back to Ruby. "Darkfriends do not escape us, even in a town that stands in the shadow. We will meet again, you will be sure."
END...
They group walked to the gates, which were closed but a little persuasion from Lan allowed them to be opened. Streets were filled with more people than the Two Rivers folk could imagine. They stopped at the back gate of an inn called The Stag and Lion. Lan used a small dagger to lift the latch from the outside.
When they did get in, two men came out saying that they needed to come in the front. Moiraine and Lan ignored them and kept walking, right then the owner came out.
The Aes Sedai turned to her companions. "Now remember, here I am known as Mistress Alys. Lan is Master Andra." They walked in.
"Well, if were going by different names I'll be Dratina." Said Ruby.
"Names? Hmm, I'll be Ryo." Replied Perrin.
Mat got caught in the joke and replied, "I'll be Lan." It took all their will power to not fall on the ground laughing. Shaking, 'Dratina, Ryo, and Lan' followed 'Mistress Alys and Master Andra.'
The inn was clean, but it was missing something. When they saw the rooms the figured it out. The innkeeper had claimed that all the rooms were full, but he still found three rooms for them. The rooms were not spacious, but not small either, if you were alone. The beds were hard compared to that of the Winespring inn. Master Fitch suggested they bathe. It seemed as one that they agreed and headed down stairs.
Moiraine stayed to ask the innkeeper a few questions, about someone named Min. Ruby and Egwene followed a girl to the women's baths while Mat, Perrin and Thom went the Men's. Both girls said a silent prayer as they entered.
The back of the stone room had really large pots filled with steaming water. Middle had five large tubs with stools next to them, as well as a brick of soap to match. The girl, Jessica, walked to the back and began taking buckets full of the hot water to the tubs.
Ruby rocked on her heels before asking, "You need any help with that?"
Jessica nodded right before she tripped and sent the water sailing toward her. Ruby was soaked, and Jessica kept asking if she wouldn't tell Master Fitch.
"I won't tell, I was going to take a bath anyway remember?" She then stripped off her clothing and threw them to the floor, picked up the bucket and finished filling the tub.
Jessica filled Egwenes bath and snorted when she didn't say thank you. She placed one bucket of water next to each girl and sat on a stool by the door.
"Is there anything else I can get you?"
"Yes, Jessica, can you go up to our rooms and get me a change of clothes?"
The girl nodded and left.
Ruby sat and tossed the soap in the air before catching it. "Egwene, I wanted to apologize for what I did at Bel Tine."
"You shouldn't tell me. You should apologize to Moiriane Sedai."
"What?! Why?"
Egwene sniffed and looked straight at the other girl. "Because you have treated her badly, you don't give her the respect she deserves and think nothing of it."
Ruby giggled, yep, she was losing it. "I only treat her better than she deserves. What I should have treated her was like an Aes Sedai and not an annoying brat. I should have woke her up early and smeared dirt in her face."
Egwenes' eyes were wide with shock. Ruby almost snarled. "And you are becoming just as bad as her." The remainder of the time was spent in silence as Jessica returned with the change and until 'Mistress Alys' walked in.
Ruby stood and dressed. She didn't like being with an Aes Sedai. It turned out Jessica had brought her the right clothes. She wore a dark brown blouse, with a skirt that fell to her knees. She slipped on her stockings that covered 5 inches above the ankle. Ruby wrung out her hair and re-braided it into a loose pigtail in the back. After she slipped on her soft-soled shoes, she headed upstairs.
She was restringing her bow. The thing had gotten soaked and loose. A low rumble sounded, and she blushed. Ruby was hungry. Mentally reminding herself lunch was to be served soon, she sat her bow back and pocketed the bowstring.
She stalked downstairs and saw Lan looking out the door. Does he EVER give up? She walked in and noticed an extra place set for her, between Mat and Perrin. Egwene spoke up as she cut a piece of meat off her chicken.
"I know you say not to trust anyone, but if you suspect the innkeeper why stay here?"
"I suspect him no more than anyone else, but until we reach Tar Valon, I suspect everyone. There I will only suspect half." Lan answered while Ruby, Mat, and Perrin all nodded and Mat mouthed the word 'paranoid'.
Moiriane said in calm voice, "He exaggerates, Master Fitch is a good man, honest and trustworthy. But he does like to talk, and with the best will in the world he might let something slip to the wrong ear. And I have never stopped at an inn where half the maids did not listen at doors and spend more time gossiping than making beds."
After a minute or two of eating, Moiraine asked Lan "What did you learn in the common room?"
"Little that's good. Avin was right as far as talk has it. There was a battle in Ghealdan, and Logain was the victor. A dozen different stories floating about, but they all agree on that."
Ruby paused in the middle of bringing the fork to her mouth. Logain, wasn't that the name of the false dragon? Thom said something about that. Perrin poked her side and she continued her thoughts.
"The Aes Sedai?"
"I don't know. Some said they were all killed, some say none. Some say they went over to Logain. There's nothing reliable, and I did not care to show to much interest."
"Yes, and what of our own circumstances?"
"There the news is better. No odd happenings, no strangers who might be trollocs. And the Whitecloaks are busy trying to make trouble for Governor Adan because he won't cooperate with them. They won't even notice us unless we advertise ourselves." (A/N Does this just scream foreshadowing?)
"Good. Gossip does have its points. We have a long journey ahead of us. The last week has not been easy either, so I propose to remain here tonight and tomorrow night, and leave in the morning. What does Master Andra say to that?"
Smiles were all around with the Emonds Fielders. Lan looked at them and said stiffly. "Fine, if they remember what I told them for a change."
Thom snorted. "These country folk, loose in a...city." After the meal, they all went to their rooms. Mat and Perrin shared one. Lan and Thom, for Lan didn't trust the Gleeman. The three girls shared a room. Ruby changed into a shift and was out like a light, sleeping was an art.
***Dream
She was walking down a hallway. The walls were set at strange angles; the sound of dripping water could be heard echoing. Ruby passed a few doors, all were locked, and she was thirsty and began to lick her lips. This place had to be dream, no normal building looked like this one.
One door had carvings on it, and it seemed like the origin of the water. She entered and saw a fireplace. She moved toward it, the stones that made it were slick despite the roaring fire.
Suddenly a man appeared next to fire. He was handsome, she could give him that. His clothing screamed Lord. He smiled and was facing the door, his words however were directed to her. "Once more we meet face to face." Then he turned and noticed she was standing there. His face contorted in confusion, and his eyes looked as if they were on fire.
She asked, "Is this a dream?" She could feel a headache coming on.
The man smiled at her ignorance. She was rubbing her temples.
"Does it matter? You seem thirsty, Drink." He waved a hand and a table and cup formed. She blinked and moved to examine the goblet, it was gold, and jewels were set in it. She raised the wine to her lips, a tingle ran down her spine. She set the cup down, that tingle meant something. "I'm not as thirsty as I thought," She turned back to the man, her headache was getting worse. "What do you want? Who are you?"
The man laughed. "I want to know who you are, some call me Ba'alzamon." Her eyes went wide and she searched for the door. Her mind hurt too much to think of what the name meant, but it was bad she knew. He continued talking as he sat in a chair. "You can't be the one. Impossible. But still, the fact you are here, means you are important somehow." He appeared to be talking to himself.
She was now tugging at the door that refused to open.
"Are you expecting glory? Power?" The man called Ba'alzamon continued. She spun and collapsed, that headache was starting to get unbearable. "Did they tell you the eye of the world would serve you? What glory or power is there for a puppet? The strings that move you have been centuries weaving. The Amyrlin Seat will use you until you are consumed, just as Davian was used, and Yurian Stonebow, Guaire Amalasan, and Raolin Darksbane. Just as Logain is being used. Used until there is nothing left of you."
Anger sliced through the pain. She looked up with her eyes seemingly on fire like those of the man. He was taken aback. "Used? I am not being used. I swear to light that I won't ever let the Aes Sedai use me."
Ba'alzamon smiled. It would be easy to manipulate this girl. She was shaking; a deep red glow sprung up around her and melted the floor.
"Girl. You will serve me, or dance Aes Sedai strings until you die. And then you will be mine. The dead belong to me!"
"No! I will never belong to you! I will not belong to anyone! " She ran toward the fireplace. And jumped into it. The flames around her canceled out the flames of the fireplace, and Ruby woke up in a sweat.
***Morning
Ruby couldn't get any sleep the rest of the night. Her head felt like someone had just filled it with wool a whole new meaning to the phrase 'woolhead'. She glanced out the window to determine the time. One phrase cut through everything and repeated itself over in her head. The Amyrlin Seat will use you.
She dressed in the same as yesterday and exited the room. The sun was up. Despite the dream she had slept in. Why was it when you had a good dream you woke up early but nightmares made you sleep in? She walked to the kitchen in time to here the cook arguing with the innkeeper.
When she entered, the cook, Sara gave her a bowl of broth and a slice of bread. Perrin was upstairs sick, while everyone else had already left. Saying her thanks, she left to the common room and finished it up. This was a city, and if Trollocs were about, it would be safest to have a weapon. Ruby rushed to the room she shared and buckled on her sword before heading out to find Mat.
The streets were filled with people. Ruby was about to go back to the inn when she heard a voice behind her. "A girl with a heron marked sword. That's almost enough to make me believe anything. What trouble are you in down country girl?"
Ruby whirled to see a shorthaired girl in breeches. She had brown eyes that rivaled Egwenes. Ruby smiled, this girl acted as if she had a head on her shoulders. She spoke more. "My name is Min."
"What makes you think I'm in trouble? The Two Rivers is all quite people. I'm Dratina, you can call me Ruby."
"Quiet? I have heard jokes about wooden headed sheepherders."
"What jokes?"
"Just the ones who know, say you walk around all smiles and politeness, just meek and soft as butter. Underneath you're all as strong as old oak roots."
"It was nice meeting you Min, I was going to head out." She turned, before she reached the street she called over her shoulder, "Min! I think your hair style is just great!"
The variety of people milling about was amazing. Some looked as if they could have easily fit in Two Rivers, others wore clothing that was as fine or of finer cut than Moirianes. A few people even resembled friends she knew. All in all nothing happened until she saw what looked like a man in the street.
He can't be... Master Fain? Ruby hurried over to the man. She had to push through the crowd, that got muffled curses, but she caught him before he turned the corner. "Master Fain! Wait!"
"Don't! Mention, Don't mention 'them' there be whitecloaks in this town!"
"Are you alright, we thought 'they' had gotten you. Thought you were dead."
"Dead? NO not dead, I know when to jump and where to land." With that he turned and ran off leaving a bewildered girl in the alleyway. She shrugged and started off, but then an unexpected obstacle blocked her route. It was a human body, Mat.
"Can't you watch where you're going?"
"Oh! Mat, sorry." Mat picked himself up off the muddy ground and glared.
"You must really be turning into a city girl, sleep all morning and run right over people."
"Mat, did you just see Padin Fain?"
"You saw him too? I tried to speak with him but he just kept running."
Ruby bit her lip. Thom had been in the common room performing, she really felt like telling someone about that nightmare. That man, (what had he called himself again?) made her uneasy.
"Mat did you have a nightmare last night? About a man, he had eyes like fire. Don't laugh."
Mat wasn't laughing. He was starring at her, then he got his balance back. "You too? In mine he broke a rats back."
"I didn't get that far."
"Really? How did you wake up? That man made me just, even more afraid than the fade."
"I...I jumped into the fire. He said they would use me. That I belonged to him, I just, couldn't take it and ran toward the fireplace. The door wouldn't open."
"Did you have any other dreams before this?"
"No."
"Lets ask Perrin, and talk to Thom."
"Of course." They turned and began walking back to the inn. They fought through the crowds. Most either ignored them or cursed, they would however just stare for a moment at Ruby. After all, since when did women carry swords that fine a make? When did women carry swords in the first place?
Mat and Ruby both noticed how whitecloaks got their own little space that seemed to move with them. Mat got that look in his eye and turned to his friend, he pointed at the children of the light.
"You don't suppose they are whitecloaks?" Mat said. Ruby nodded. She felt that headache coming back, and she stared at them.
"They look harmless to me, full of themselves aren't they?"
"They don't matter, we need to get back to the inn." She replied.
Mat pulled his sling out and glanced at a stack of barrels.
"Remember Eward Congar. Always had his nose in the air too. Remember he fell of the Wagon Bridge and had to tramp home dripping wet. Took him down a peg for a month. See that, Watch." Mat ducked into a shop to the left. For a moment Ruby stood there, wondering what he was up to, then it hit her like a brick.
He wouldn't... Light he would... Mat appeared above her, half hanging out the window with sling whirling. Ruby was quietly giggling, she knew that what he was going to do was wrong, but she wanted it to hurry and happen. A sharp crack was heard as the children of the light came near the ally. The stone that came from Mat's sling had broken the shaft that held the barrels in place.
People dodged out of the way. The barrels came rolling and picking up speed as they went. Sometimes one went over a puddle, and splashed mud into the air. This happened near the whitecloaks, whose cloaks were now marred with mud. The children of the light, (cotl) had avoided the barrels, but the mud could not be avoided. A shopkeeper had come out and then turned back when he caught sight of the fuming cotl. Ruby couldn't help but start laughing. The whitecloaks attention shifted to her.
"You find something funny, yes?" The one who spoke appeared to be the leader. Her laughter was cut short. She looked around to find that the people were making themselves scarce. "Does the light hold your tongue?" He glanced at her sword hilt sticking out and scowled. "Perhaps you are responsible for this?" His gaze had turned into a loathing glare. Ruby was going to cover the sword, but instead brushed her cloak back to show it. A small smirk blossomed on her lips. "Accidents happen, even to the cotl." As one all the whitecloaks took on a dark look and the youngest mouthed the words 'Aes Sedai'. The leader narrowed his eyes. "You are that dangerous youngling?" "Heron mark lord Bornheld." One whispered. The man glanced at the sword again and his eyes widened. "She is too young. You are not from this place yes?" "I just arrived in Baerlon." She smiled sweetly. "You wouldn't happen to know the name of a good inn?" "You avoid my questions," Bornheld snapped, "What evil is in you that you will not answer me?" "A lot." His two companions moved to stand beside him and placed hands on sword hilts. Ruby rocked on her heels and giggled. Warmth had spread over her whole body, soothing aches she did not know were there, and suppressed all worries. "When the cotl ask questions, you gray eyed bumpkin, we expect answers or-" The Town Watch, a group of men carrying quarterstaffs, had arrived and were watching the exchange. "This town has lost the light! Baerlon stands in the shadow of the Dark One!" He turned his attention back to Ruby. "Darkfriends do not escape us, even in a town that stands in the shadow. We will meet again, you will be sure."
END...