Chapter Sixteen:
Loial sat around a large campfire with the other Ogier commanders. Although he was one of the Eastern Ogier, he was the overall commander of the Ogier army. He had learned much from the Ogier in the Deathwatch Guard, and although he had been fierce before when times needed it, now he was prepared to kill for the defence of his friends. Between them, the two, almost separately different breeds of Ogier had taught each other many different things.
Loial found that most of the Ogier from Seanchan had the ability to Treesing, so Loial had taught them everything he knew. They all swore that when the Last Battle would be over, if they still lived, they would replant the Groves, and that they would Sing to whatever tree they could, including the one at the grave of Treebrother.
The Ogier in Seanchan had in exchange for this gift, taught the Ogier from the East the art of Weaponry. The Ogier from the East had learned quickly and well. Many of them had said they preferred taking up a weapon and learning their art of defending themselves and their friends than deliberating at the Stump.
"Kelamin," Ogier spoke to the tallest Ogier from Seanchan, a full head taller than any of the others assembled. He was Captain of the Guard, and he went shirtless to show the black ravens tattooed on his shoulders "do you think that our fighters will be ready?"
"Loial, your Ogier have been trained by the best of my men. If they are not, then we will all fail. Most of them have been trained to the standard of the Deathwatch. We should easily be able to take out and Myrddraal that come across our path. Yours should be able to as well. Hopefully, any we kill will be leading a fist. That way we can take out between one hundred and two hundred Trollocs along with them."
"I hope so Kelamin. I hope so."
Perrin and Faile sat in their tent. Perrin looked at the armour on the dummy. Suddenly he remembered the dream he had, what seemed almost a lifetime ago. The armour was exactly the same. At his side, he carried the pitted and scared battle-axe made by Master Luhhan back in Emond's Field. What was Emond's Field, all the Two Rivers and parts of the countries surrounding them was now known as New Manetheren.
"What is wrong, Perrin?" Faile looked nervous at his nervous and pained look.
"Nothing, my love. I am just remembering a dream I had a long time ago. I am just thinking about what Elyas said. The only time I should throw away the axe is when I hated using it. When I rescued you from the Shaido, I hated them so much that I thought that then would be the time when I threw it away for good. But I did not. They were all traitors, the Shaido and the Mer'a'din. What they received from us was what they deserved. But I did not hate using it. That is what I found strange."
"Do not worry, my heart. It does…" she stopped as a messenger appeared outside the tent flap.
"My Lady Faile, Lord Perrin Goldeneyes, I bring grave news of Saldaea." Faile spoke sharply at the man.
"What is it, messenger. Tell me."
"My Lady, its is about your cousin and Queen of Saldaea." The man meant Tenobia. Although Faile did not get on well with her younger cousin, she still cared for her. And her tome was even more urgent now.
"In the name of the Light man, tell me!"
"Queen Tenobia of Saldaea has been killed, my Lady"