Here's another chapter. Hope you like it. Also, once I get this story finished and everything, I'll be going back and fine tuning it, hammering out some of the rough spots that have been pointed out. But first the story must be posted...that's what the voices in my head are saying. I'm going to name those voices Skipper, Kowolski, Rico, and Private, because that's who they remind me of (if you know who/what I'm talking about, you get a pat on the back. I can't find the invisible cookies I made...).
I own nothing...so why do I have to keep saying this?...oh yeah...lawsuits...something called copyright protection...phooey...
The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass...
What was, what will be, and what is, may still yet fall under the Shadow...
Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time...
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Rand looked around the room he was in, finally able to make a decent attempt at walking. His back was still in a large amount of pain, but it had lessened considerably since Sylvanas had begun treating it.
He sighed when he realized that it was his mother's old room he was in. He began pacing around, suddenly restless with energy. He carefully slipped the open shirt he was wearing off and placed it on the bed. He then used saidin to move the table, opening a large area in the middle of the floor. He stood in the middle and slowly began doing a martial art kata, slowly stretching out his back.
Sylvanas opened the door to where Rand was staying and came to a halt when she saw him moving gracefully across the floor. Her heart skipped a beat and she had to shake herself. She waited patiently until he came to a stop, his arms and shoulders trembling with effort and exertion.
He suddenly collapsed and she grabbed him, both with a flow of Air and with her hands, gently helping him over to the bed. "You all right?" she asked.
"I've been better," he replied. He winced as he stretched out his shoulders.
"What was that you were just doing?" she asked.
"A form of hand-to-hand fighting from my home world. I feel so damn weak," he muttered, pulling on a loose shirt.
"I'm amazed you're alive. Few people, if any, could've survived what you did," she said to him. "The whip that was used must have been made in Shayol Ghul."
"That's where you go when you're tortured by the Dark One," Rand said.
"The Dark One tortured you?" she asked in amazement.
"The Dark One watched," Rand clarified. "I'll never be ready to face he…him," he said. "I only escaped through luck."
"Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good," Sylvanas told him. "How's your back doing?"
"Tender, but it's doing better," Rand replied.
"Glad to hear it. You should be able to get out of here in the next few days," she said to him.
"Cool," he said.
Sylvanas frowned. "Cool?"
"It's an expression from Earth. Means neat or that's good news," Rand explained.
"It's hard to believe travel to other planets is possible," she said.
Rand smiled. "Tell me about it. I thought it wasn't possible until I saw the Stargate and actually went through," he said. "Part of me wants nothing more to go back home and forget about all this, but I can't. This place needs me, whether they like it or not."
Sylvanas looked at him, a small smile on her face. "You are a good man Rand. If you were not the Dragon I'd ask you to be my Warder."
"Thanks…I…think…" he said. "Um…is there any food around here?"
Sylvanas laughed and rose to her feet. "I shall go get some."
"Thanks but…" Rand began but she had left. Rand let out a slow breath and rose to his feet. He walked over to a small mirror and picked it up. He irritably set it back down when he saw his scarred face.
"You're not that bad looking," Sylvanas said.
Rand looked over. "That was fast," he said as she brought the tray of food over.
"I had this in my room actually," she admitted, her face reddening ever so slightly. "I usually end up reading past mealtimes so I have it sent up to my room."
"Smart," Rand commented. He glanced at the mirror and turned it away.
"Aren't we being a little vain," Sylvanas teased.
"So what if I am?" Rand shot back.
She gently reached out and rested her hand on top of his. "Rand, I've seen worse. I know I've only been an Aes Sedai for two years, but I've been to the Borderlands. I've seen men more horribly scarred in body and in soul."
Rand looked down at her hand, his pulse thudding rapidly. "I don't want any pity," he said softly.
"Good, because I don't pity people unless they deserve it," Sylvanas returned. The two looked each other in the eye and began leaning in towards each other when Daniel suddenly burst in. The pair recovered and sat back up straight.
"Rand I…I am interrupting," he said. "Sorry," Daniel said, backing quickly out of the room.
"He has good timing," Rand said.
Sylvanas rose to her feet. "I um…I have some things I need to take care of. I'll see you tomorrow." She hurried out of the room and it took every ounce of self-control she had not to run to her own room. Once there she closed and locked the door. She walked further back into her room and opened a small passageway in her closet. She walked into the small room and opened a gateway.
She slowly stepped through and let the gateway close behind her. She took several steps forward and bowed in front of a throne. A figure slowly rose from the throne and stepped into view.
"My faithful little spy," Sam said. "What have you to report?"
"The Dragon is at the White Tower Mistress," Sylvanas said. "There is always at least one Asha'man or the new Aes Sedai named Kira with him. He is beginning to trust me though."
"Make sure you stay close to him," Sam ordered. "He will join us or die." She walked over to a large wall with carvings etched into the stone of ancient battles. "Have you anything else to report to me?"
"The Dragon is almost healed," Sylvanas said.
"No doubt you've helped there," Lanfear sneered.
"Enough Lanfear," Sam said. "Sylvanas is proving to be more valuable than you." Sam walked over to Sylvanas and lifted her chin. "Remain by his side. You might be proving yourself now, but you are nonetheless expendable."
"Yes Mistress," Sylvanas said.
"Now return back to the Tower before someone suspects you," Sam ordered.
Sylvanas curtsied and quickly left Shayol Ghul. She emerged back in her room and hid everything, her pulse beating rapidly as cold sweat clung to her skin. She dried off her skin and slowly calmed herself down.
Dragon Rising Dragon Rising Dragon Rising Dragon Rising Dragon Rising Dragon Rising Dragon Rising Dragon Rising Dragon Rising Dragon Rising Dragon Rising Dragon Rising
Lanfear watched the young girl flee through the gateway. She turned to Sam. "I don't trust her Mistress."
"You don't trust anyone," a man scoffed. He had dark hair and stood just over six feet tall. He was dressed completely in black and what was perhaps most amazing about him was the fact that his eyes seemed to be on fire.
"Don't start with me Ishamael," Lanfear growled.
"Don't make me laugh," he shot back.
"Enough!" Sam snapped. "Lanfear is right to be distrustful of her," Sam said. "The Oaths that held her to the White Tower may have been broken, but she has yet to prove herself loyal. What of the other Forsaken?"
"They are currently attempting to maneuver themselves into positions of power," Ishamael answered.
"Good. Let them know that if the Dragon is within their reach, take him. The one who brings me the Dragon first, alive, will be favored above the others," Sam said. "Now leave me." Lanfear and Ishamael bowed and left. Sam rose to her feet and walked into a sparsely decorated room. She slowly sat down on the bed and pulled out an old, worn picture of Jack.
"Once this world is mine, the Goa'uld will pay tenfold for their crimes…against you…and our son…" she whispered. She replaced the pictured and reclined on the bed, not letting the tears fall.
Plot twists! Hehehe. I hoped you all liked it. The plot is beginning to thicken...and so is my chocolate pudding...now where is the whipped cream?...