BATTLE THAT GUARDS:
Chapter One:
Rand, Mat and Perrin sat on the hillside, with their legs tucked into their chests, like they used to in the Two Rivers. They sat their smiling and talking like they used to before Moiraine and Lan took them out of the Two Rivers.
"Do you think that we are doing the right thing, Mat? I know I needed all the help I can get, against fighting the Dark One, but taking help from the Seanchan seems like making a pact with the Dark One to fight the Dark One." Mat fingered a plain gold band on his hand.
"I think, Rand, that the Seanchan only agreed to help us, because I am married to the flaming Daughter of the Nine Moons! But two hundred thousand soldiers is hardly what you would call a drop in the ocean." Rand nodded. Two hundred thousand soldiers were the amount of soldiers in the Aiel War. From every nation!
Rand sat back, and lay down on the grass, watching the clouds as they went by. Mat had married the daughter of the Empress a few months back, and since then, the entire nation of Seanchan had pledged themselves to Mat Cauthon, who was pledged to Rand al'Thor. Now he had in his army, all the able bodied men, and some women from every nation, the Children of the Light, (all of them!), the complete Tower Guards, all the Aes Sedai, now that they had all pledged themselves to Egwene al'Vere.
Then there was the army of Seanchan. One hundred and seventy-six thousand human warmen and twenty-four thousand of the fighting Ogier. Now Mat commanded the armies of Seanchan, and Loial commanded the Ogier. He also commanded the Ogier from the eastern side of the World as well. When Ogier introduced the Ogier of Seanchan to the Ogier that he knew, they both influenced each other. Loial's Ogier decided to become more dangerous and warlike, while the Seanchan Ogier promised to become more peaceful. Now that they had both compromised, both sides agreed to be commanded under Loial.
Perrin also commanded his own army, alongside Elyas Machera. His army consisted of six hundred and forty-five thousand wolves. Most of them knew that the Last Hunt would be the end for most of them, because they knew that the Shadowbrothers would possibly kill them all. But they were all willing to support Long Tooth and Young Bull.
They all got up from the hillside and walked down through the camp, which had enough inhabitants for ten cities, until they reached the "Commanders Tent." As they walked inside, they saw their commanders in the tent.
Moiraine and Thom were sitting in a corner of the tent, smiling and laughing with each other. It wasn't long since they were married, and they were married in the same ceremony as Mat and Tuon.
Lan and Nynaeve were smiling away and chatting with Elayne, Aviendha and Egwene. Galad, Elayne's half-brother was smiling at Berelain, who was head over heels for him. Loial stood over a map on a table with Gareth Bryne and Davram Bashere. Every one who commanded a part of the army was there now, and now, with the arrival of the three ta'veren, they were all there.
Rand rolled up the map of the country, and threw it onto a chair, and he climbed up onto the table. Then he spoke to everyone.
"Everyone, I know that this isn't the time for reminiscing, but bear with me. Ever since Moiraine and Lan took my friends and me out of the Two Rivers on a haphazard path of events, that have left us taking many things for granted. Throughout the last few years, I have encountered lots of people, and have done many things. Like getting these." He showed his palms with the heron-marks and the arms with the Dragons on them. "I also made a few mistakes in my life, and a few lucky breaks." He smiled at Elayne and Aviendha, who sat his six children on their laps. Four were Aviendha's; two were Elayne's. But in doing this, I have had to make sacrifices. In doing this, we have given half of this continent to the Seanchan, but they are allied to us now, through our companion, Mat Cauthon." He winked at Mat, who winked back. "We are now facing the greatest enemy, and we have the greatest army that has ever been formed. We have Aiel, Ogier, men and wolves, not to mention a few surprises of out own contriving." Rand's eyes glinted, and he nodded to Mat, who smiled, thinking of Aludra. "Tomorrow, we will lead our attack on Shayol Ghul. The Aes Sedai and the Asha'man will use an idea that should of been used three thousand years ago.