Chapter 7: Asmodean

In the room Joar Addam had gotten in the inn at Laras, he sat on his bed and watched Kiara sleep on the other. Kiara Lisette, if what he had heard in Comelle was right. A month ago, he had made a trip to Shayol Ghul.

Immortality was what the Great Lord of the Dark had offered—an eternity to achieve the recognition of his greatness. An eternity would surely be enough. He was one of the Chosen—known by most as Forsaken. Soon after he pledged himself to the Dark One, discovered by Mierin Eronaile at the Sharom sixty years ago, men had already given him a name out of contempt and spite. Asmodean.

Kiara knew about Asmodean—he was sure of that. But she did not yet know who Asmodean really was. And in the morning, she would find out. She would find out and regret that she had wasted a hundred years searching for Asmodean. Joar Addam Nessosin was no more.

Perhaps it should not wait. Asmodean crossed the room, took hold of Kiara's shoulder and shook her awake. She sat up and stared at him in an annoyed fashion. "What is it?" she asked.

"Do you know of the Forsaken Aes Sedai?" Asmodean said softly.

"Elan Morin Tedronai, styled Ishamael. Ishar Morrad Chuain, styled Aginor. Ared Mosinel, styled Rahvin. Those are the three I know. Oh yes, and I have heard rumours of this … Asmodean. Why did Mierin drill the Bore?" she answered just as softly, with a lamenting note to her voice towards the end.

"What if I told you I was Asmodean?"

Kiara eyed him warily. "Is this some kind of a joke?" she demanded.

"No."

"Somebody save me," she murmured as she leaned against the headboard of the bed. "Are you certain this isn't a joke or prank?"

Asmodean sighed. "Positive."

"Joar Addam," she began. She paused when he flinched, then continued, "Asmodean, if you prefer. So you are Forsaken. Or Chosen, whatever you want to call yourself. What I want to know is why. No, I don't want to know that. Do you still love me, Asmodean? Tell the truth."

"What you need to know is that you cannot stay near me," he replied evasively. "It is dangerous. You will be caught between the Light and the Shadow, both refusing to shelter you, the former because you spend time in the company of one of the Chosen, and the latter because you walk in the Light."

"Answer the bloody question. Directly."

Asmodean sighed again. "Even if I say yes, it changes nothing."

"You still haven't answered the question."

Asmodean remained silent. They stared at each other for a long time.

"Fine. Don't answer it," Kiara snapped. "But I love you, whether you call yourself Joar Addam Nessosin or Asmodean or whatever. You can bind me hand and foot and have me sent away, but when I get free I'll just come after you again, whether it takes me another hundred or five hundred years to find you. I will hunt you down if you took shelter in the Pit of Doom."

Asmodean snapped. "Listen, you!" he burst out. "The Collapse has started. Famine and riots are common things everywhere. This will become a war soon, Kiara. And nothing will change that. There is nothing in this war that will allow for lovers from different sides of the war. Don't you understand? No matter what, it is over. We can never be together because of the choice I have made. For that, I apologise. But you must go."

Someone knocked on the door. Kiara threw Asmodean a dirty look and went to open it. The innkeeper stood there, dry-washing his hands. How much had the man heard? "Someone is here to see you, Kiara Sedai," the stocky man said. "A sun-haired Aes Sedai. Ilyena Sedai."

"Ilyena! She actually managed to track me here!" Kiara exclaimed in surprise. "I will see her immediately."

The moment she was out of the door, Asmodean left his money pouch on the bed and made a gateway for Travelling. A note he had written earlier in the night went with it. He looked at the harpcase wrapped in silk lying on the table. He picked it up and took it with him through the gateway.

Kiara went down to the common room, where she immediately spotted Ilyena sitting serenely at a table. "Ilyena," she greeted her friend with a forced smile as she approached and sat.

"Kiara," Ilyena said. "It is good to see you again."

"Married to the First among Servants, I hear," Kiara said. "To the great Lews Therin Telamon. A pity I'm not quite as lucky."

Ilyena embraced saidar and wove a warding against eavesdropping before continuing, "A war with the shadow is expected, Kiara," she said gravely. "Lews Therin wants every single strong channeler who walks in the Light to be summoned to the Hall of Servants. Of course I remembered you first. There are new threats now. A total of six Forsaken walk free. They number only the known."

"Six?" Kiara Lisette hissed. "I only know Ishamael, Rahvin, Aginor and Asmodean. Who are the other two?"

"Semirhage and Lanfear. And Kiara, I am very sorry about Joar Addam. You do know he is Asmodean?" Ilyena answered.

"Yes, I know. Who are Semirhage and Lanfear?" Kiara asked.

"You are not going to like this. Semirhage is Nemene Damendar Boann. She went over to the Shadow after her sadistic tendencies were discovered—it was news all over the world. Lanfear is Mierin Eronaile. I cannot say I have any liking for the woman—she has done much to aggravate both Lews Therin and me."

"Why is everyone around me turning to the Shadow? Nemene. Joar Addam. And now Mierin? This is …" Kiara trailed off.

"Will you come?" Ilyena pressed her, though the sun-haired Aes Sedai's hand grasped hers on the table in a gesture of companionship and sympathy.

"I will come," Kiara replied, "on one condition. For every strike led by Asmodean, I want to lead the counterattack. For any place governed by him, I want to lead in the retaking attempt. Anything to see him again. But I promise it will do nothing to affect my judgement."

Ilyena looked doubtful for just a moment. "I'm sure it can be arranged," she said finally. "We must hasten to Paaran Disen and the Hall of Servants."

"I will collect my things," Kiara said perfunctorily. She went upstairs. The room was empty. It was not at all unexpected. The harp was gone. In its place were Asmodean's money pouch and a note. She picked it up and read it.

"'No matter what I do, it is for your sake. I still love you, whatever it is I must do to protect you. I am sorry.' Oh, Joar Addam Nessosin, you fool," she murmured. She channelled Fire, and the note burned. She tucked the money pouch into one of her bags. She would return it to him one day.

Gathering her things, she went downstairs, made payment for the night's lodging and left with Ilyena. Once out of sight, the sun-haired woman made a gateway and they stepped through right into the Hall of Servants.

Kiara was brought before Lews Therin Telamon, a handsome man with brown hair. The Dragon, and the Lord of the Morning. A great man.

"This is Kiara Lisette Eronaile," Ilyena announced to the gathered Hall. "A qualified Aes Sedai, Restorer, Refiner, and dreamwalker, as well as a strong channeler."

"Thank you, Ilyena Moerelle," Lews Therin said formally. He opened his mouth to say more, but a fearful-looking Aiel ran in and threw himself on the floor before all of them.

"Forgive the intrusion, Aes Sedai, but this is terribly urgent news!" the man cried in alarm. "Three other Forsaken have declared themselves. Eval Ramman, who the people now call Balthamel. Saine Tarasind, now known as Mesaana. And the latest is Kamarile Maradim Nindar, now known as Graendal. Her announcement … caused an upheaval. The city of Devaille has been seized by Friends of the Dark, supported by the Forsaken Aginor's constructs, half-human, half-bestial creatures called Trollocs. This is war."

"This is war," Lews Therin agreed.

"I have a request, First," Kiara spoke up boldly. "I request to be at the head of every single counterattack or retaking attempt against the Forsaken Asmodean. The right is mine."

Lews Therin regarded her for a moment. He exchanged a brief look with Ilyena before saying, "It is indeed your right, so long as it does not cloud your judgement. Your request is granted."

Kiara curtsied. "I thank you, First among Servants. I will give my best to the fight against the Shadow."

"Call for Tel Janin Aellinsar, Duram Laddel Cham and Barid Bel Medar. A war counsel must commence. The High Council, the three mentioned earlier, Ilyena Moerelle Dalisar and Kiara Lisette Eronaile will attend."

The Aes Sedai not mentioned by Lews Therin filed out, while the Aiel who had reported the starting of the war ran to call Tel Janin, Duram Laddel and Barid Bel. Kiara Lisette watched them go. It was indeed war.