"The Green Man!" Huin uttered in awe as he stared wide –eyed at the man in front of him.
Rand took a better look at the figure of legends. The man standing in front of him was bigger than Rand, much bigger. His hair was grass flowing towards his shoulders and his skin was vines and roots, his eyes huge hazelnuts, his fingernails acorns. Green leaves made his tunic, and his trousers were seamless bark. He was the epitome of life and growth, only marred by a scar that ran up his cheek and across his temple. Brown vines struggled to stay alive, or withered and died at that scar.
The Green Man bowed his head, smiling gently. As he smiled, flowers burst into bloom all across the green garden, trees swayed in contentment and the butterflies that hovered and flew around his head paused, as if feeling something that mere humans couldn't.
"I was surprised when the Gardens opened up at the very edges of Shayol Ghul itself," The Green Man remarked, gazing upon the group in front of him with a wise look in his…hazelnut eyes. "Ah, a man from the Borderlands. It has been a long time since one of you has been here. Have you come to view my gardens?"
Huin opened and closed his mouth several times, trying to work the words on his tongue. The Green Man shrugged slightly and moved his eyes over towards Tallanvor, who fidgeted where he stood.
"Another man, from the south." He murmured. "Have those from Parran Disen resurrected the old armies of the Dragon?"
Tallanvor blinked, confusing marring his features. "What…Parran Disen?"
The Green Man looked on the verge of saying something, but a lost look appeared on his face, confusion and sadness mingled together. "Forgive me," he murmured. "Those were times long ago. My memory is hazy and full of holes…sometimes it is hard to remember that now is now and then is gone."
"Parran Disen was one of the largest cities of the Age of Legends," Alanna said quietly, her eyes red and dull but her back straight and proud. "Home of the Hall of Servants, the White Tower of those times, and home of the Dragon, Lews Therin Telamon."
The Green Man nodded, his face brightening. "Yes, that is right! Forgive me, you have the look of one who was born in Parran Disen."
Tallanvor said nothing but he bowed his head reverently. The Green Man then switched to Alanna, who stared back at him regally.
"An Aes Sedai. I have not had a Little Sister in the Gardens for many years, not since…Moiraine…that was her name, Moiraine. Do you know of her?" The Green Man asked.
"She is an Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah." Alanna answered slowly. "I have never spoken to her,"
The Green Man nodded and walked forward, placing a gentle hand to lift Alanna's downcast head. "You are wracked with grief and loss, but do not be. Lives are spun in and out of the Pattern, and the Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills. Stay here and remember and mourn your loss, then leave and be strong again. Come Little Sister, come and be healed by the gardens."
Alanna looked wondrous as the Green Man handed her a crystal white flower that appeared from absolutely nowhere. The Green Man smiled gently and turned his eyes over to Jania and the other children and youths.
"Children!" The Green Man exclaimed and a bright smile appeared on his features. "It has been long has the garden seen the innocence of children, before it was only the bitterness and determination of warriors. Come little ones, come and play in my gardens. Enjoy them while you are here."
Jania exchanged looks with another child, an older boy with dark hawk-like eyes. Smiles appeared on most of the children's faces as The Green Man urged them towards the beautiful streams and rivers that bubbled contently in the fields and meadows. Without any further urging, they scampered forward, young as six and old as sixteen, smiles of joy and happiness of their faces and yells and giggles of laughter in their voices. Only Jania and the hawk-eyed boy stayed, sliding closer towards Rand.
The Green Man sighed as he watched the children play, their traumatic experiences almost forgotten. "I can tell that they have been through something horrible and dangerous. I pray my gardens help them find peace and acceptance." He turned his eyes over towards Aviendha and Enaila and his smile deepened, if that was at all possible.
"Da'shain Aiel, have you remembered the covenant? Have you come to serve once more? Once, the greatest of works of the Aes Sedai were only achieved by the support of the Da'shain Aiel. Do the Children of the Dragon remember?" The Green Man asked eagerly.
Aviendha and Enaila exchanged quick and unreadable looks.
"We do not understand you, bringer of life." Aviendha responded.
The Green Man sighed, and the wind sighed in the trees. "I did not think you would but I had hoped." He admitted. His eyes flickered over to Rand and they widened.
"Another Child of the Dragon…or…" The Green Man trailed off. "You wear a sword. That is of neither then or now, strange. Tell me Child of the Dragon, why is it that you came here?"
Rand stared at the Green Man with confusion. Children of the Dragon? Da'shain Aiel? Covenant? "We…are fleeing from Shayol Ghul," He answered slowly. "We came to rescue the children that are with us."
The Green Man looked surprised, his eyes flicking over towards Alanna and back again at Rand. "It has been a long time since men dared to fight the shadow at the source, Dragon. Did Ba'alzamon find you…no, he has not been woven into the pattern again. Were the armies of old called to your side? Have the technology for Jo-cars and hoverflies been rediscovered? Were the weaves of old used once again? Tell me Child of the Dragon, come with me and tell me of your journey."
Rand shifted on his feet at the name, but followed the Green Man as he led Rand into a small clearing, where smooth black rocks made a bench and chairs. Nobody followed him as he sat down and began talking. The sun did not go down, the light remained constant as if the sun had been stopped in the afternoon. For some reason, Rand felt a kinship to the man…creature…whatever he was. Absolute trust and comfort swelled within him and his tongue loosened as he let words fly.
The Green Man listened to the story, nodding at some places and frowning at others. Rand told him everything, his heart bored open to this stranger he did not know. He told him of the Gentling, Two Rivers, Caemlyn, the Aiel Waste, Fal Dara, the Blight and Shayol Ghul. He told him of his feelings, his resentment of the Aes Sedai, his feelings of dread about the large Trollocs army, his anger at Alanna, the resentment Aviendha felt towards him, how much he missed Andor and Elayne, even of his old friend back in Baerlon, Min. When he was done, he felt as if a large burden had gone off his shoulders. He felt bare and empty, blessedly empty.
The Green Man smiled sadly at Rand, standing up. He held out a hand towards Rand, who took it, marvelling at the warmth of the roots and vines that made up the Green Man.
"Your destiny is far from over," The Green Man said sadly. "Oh, the pain and suffering you will feel in your life. It is enough to make me weep."
And sure enough, two twinkling drops of pure water dripped from the hazelnut eyes that stared sadly at Rand.
"Why do you call Aviendha, Enaila and myself…children of the Dragon?"
"It is ancient history, something that I will not reveal. I fear it would break the Aiel worse than any war would." The Green Man replied, gazing at the clouded sky with sadness. "Oh how things have changed when my kind walked the earth. Changed for the worse…"
"What are you?" Rand asked the Green Man, who sighed even more sadly, trees swaying in an unseen wind as another set of tears fell from his face. Above the trees, grey clouds grew and multiplied. From the sky, came a light splattering of rain. As rain dripped onto Rand, lightly belting
"Long ago, in the time you call the Age of Legends, my kind were numerous and plentiful. We were constructs of the One Power, created for peace and life. We grew beautiful, beautiful things for the Aes Sedai, our creators and masters. Crops never died, plants grew to full bloom and the Trees of Life grew on every street in every city. Then the War of the Shadow began, and my kind continued to grow and care for things. But we started dieing out…we were never designed to withstand the terrible chaotic powers of the Dark One, the powers that spread chaos and evil and kills and mutates all life. At the breaking of the world, I was the only Nym alive. That is our species name, the Nym. I created this garden as a hundred male and female Aes Sedai created the Eye of the World. I shielded and guarded the Eye, and I still do. In those times, the Blight did not exist as it does today. Now, it is a constant struggle against myself to protect these gardens, a struggle I cannot win but only delay."
Rand said nothing as the Green Man stopped crying, glancing up at the clouds with a frown.
"Now, the children will not like that," The Green Man muttered. Suddenly the clouds were blown away by an unseen wind and sunlight filtered down into the clearing. A multitude of colours glittered in the air as a rainbow formed, glowing in the sky.
"Can you take us to Shienar?" Rand asked as he and the Green Man walked back to the rest of the group.
"I can put you at the front of the Mountains of Dhoom." The Green Man answered, smiling lightly as he paused to stroke a withering flower. Something happened between the Green Man's hand and the flower, a sparkle or something, and suddenly the beautiful rose grew and grew, rising proudly as its petals bloomed.
"That would be good." Rand said. He touched the hilt of his sword briefly, shuddering slightly. "I don't think we could have defeated an army."
"No harm shall befall you in my gardens." The Green Man said firmly.
Rand didn't know how long he had been gone, but when he arrived back with the rest of the group, he found Tallanvor, Huin and Alanna sleeping, surrounded by tired and napping children. Aviendha and Enaila were leant up against a tree, their eyes dropping but still alert.
"Go to sleep Aviendha, Enaila." Rand advised. "We're safe here."
Aviendha said nothing, just staring at him, before she closed her eyes and fell immediately asleep. Enaila smiled softly at Aviendha and turned to Rand. "You worried her, she was fearful of your life when the shadowrunner stabbed you."
"Really?" Rand asked, casting his mind back to when he had been stabbed. He could only remember parts of it, but one memory stood in his mind. "She said that I had big ears and a long chin!"
Enaila chuckled lightly, her eyes finally sliding shut as she rested.
"Rest," The Green Man commanded soothingly. "I shall guard you."
Rand nodded slowly. He was tired, and his arms were feeling heavy. He laid on the soft grass and instantly, he fell asleep.
He was woken up some time later by some inaudible feeling. Yawning, he opened his bleary eyes to see the form of the Green Man looking anxiously at something past a tall line of magnificent oak trees.
"What is it?" Rand asked the Green Man.
"There is something wrong." The Green Man muttered. "I must see to the Eye of the World."
Rand was fully awakened then, his mind flashing back to the words of Slayer. Light, he was a bloody fool to have forgotten!
"I'll come with you." Rand said, checking his sword and various knives. He made a note to include the hammer of heartstone with him. He joined the Green Man as they walked through the gardens. Though the sun was still up, the trees seemed to be asleep and the butterflies rested on flower petals. Only a faint breeze stirred any movement in the garden.
"You believe it was this Slayer, the one you told me of earlier." The Green Man asked as he led Rand into the heart of the garden. An arched opening at the side of the hill loomed, a simple arch made of white stone. On the stone, a circle was carved into it, divided by a line. One half was rough, the other smooth. Rand had seen this symbol before, but the Green Man pointed it out as they approached.
"The symbol of the Aes Sedai in times long past." He explained. They both approached the shadowed entrance and Rand tightened his grip on his sword.
"I do not like approaching this place." The Green Man confessed. "I can remember some of the making of it, Male and female Aes Sedai working together to create an enormous supply of untainted Saidin. There is enough pure Saidin in there for any man to channel for a year, two if they use it sparingly. Beautiful Katrina…she died first, burnt out from the middle as the circle lost control of the taint and it sapped her of her soul and strength. I remember burying her…" The Green Man trailed, lost in his memories.
"Should we go inside?" Rand asked, and the Green Man started. For a moment, Rand saw a person who was lost and confused, weary and weakened.
"Yes," The Green Man said slowly. He led Rand into the shadowed tunnel, which sloped downwards. The walls were pure white, and a light glowed from them, natural yet it made Rand's skin crawl. They followed the path for several hundred paces until they approached a domed cavern. Rand walked inside it, lost in the sheer beauty and magnificence of what he was seeing.
Crystals littered the dome roof, glowing and shining brightly. Some crystals glowed much more brightly than others, but the light touched Rand in a way that he never remembered before. Something sang inside of him at the mere sight of the domed roof. A path, maybe five paces wide, circled the carver, held above a giant pool. This giant pool contained a silvery glowing substance, a liquid that was not a liquid. If the very sight of the crystal light had made something sing inside of him, the sight of the slightly hypnotic pool if silvery liquid sent a burning throughout him, a deep seated warmth and glow. The pool was shaped in the oval shape of an eye, and while it was as clear as pure water, Rand couldn't see the bottom of it.
"It holds a certain appeal to it, doesn't it?" Said a cold mocking voice. Rand whirled around, his sword flying from his scabbard as a figure stepped out from the shadows. For a moment, Rand wondered how shadows could exist in the glowing crystal light as the man walked forward.
He was dressed in black clothes, dark trousers and a dark shirt, topped by a dark vest. He had dark hair and cold blue eyes, his face full of planes and angles. A stone would have been softer than this man and a maniacal glint burned in his eyes. Shadows seemed to flicker and warp around him and he had a black scabbard strapped to his waist, a gleaming silver hilt showing.
"I am Slayer." The man said, his voice sounding grated and odd. For a moment, Rand though he had heard two voices…one with a deep baritone and the other with a lighter voice.
"You are not welcome here!" The Green Man bellowed angrily. His hazelnut eyes were furious, his fists clenching. Rand knew that if he had been outside, the trees would be stiff and taught, the flowers tall and strong.
"Leave us," Slayer said dismissively. "Your kind is gone, dead to the world. You are the last…and I will destroy you and your garden if you are not gone from here!"
The Green Man's face was hard and angry. As he raised his arms, a large tremble ran through the cavern as vines snagged along the walls, growing in size as they moved. The ground rumbled menacingly as the Green Man stepped forward, a rumble for every footstep.
Slayer looked unimpressed and he waved a cloaked hand. Something dark and slithery, oily and black and full of rotting tainted power, rolled off him and suddenly from the shadows, three dark hounds stepped. Their bodies were large and thick, almost as big as ponies, and their teeth gleamed as they stalked forward, their eyes burning crimson.
"Kill the other humans in the gardens. Men, women, children, all of them." Slayer commanded.
The Darkhounds yelped as they shot off into the tunnel, and the Green Man hesitated.
"Go to them!" Rand yelled as he stepped forward, his sword high.
The Green Man whirled around, running as a blur as he shot after the Darkhounds, leaving Rand alone with Slayer. Rand knew that the Darkhounds would rip through the sleeping group before the Green Man arrived. There was no way to warn them unless…his bond with Alanna. For a second, Rand concentrated on all of his fear and caution and danger, feeding everything else into his flame. His mind was alive with the emotions, and Rand had never felt so afraid as he pummelled the bundle of emotions in his mind. He only hoped that would work as he stepped forward to confront Slayer.
Alanna's eyes suddenly snapped open. Fear and caution rushed through her and her arms shook, her teeth chattering as she shivered violently. She had never been so scared and afraid in her life. For a moment, she though she was reliving Owein's and Ihvon's death, but it only took her a few moments to realise that she was feeling the effects of the Warder bond. If Rand was feeling that scared, then there was trouble. Suddenly an overwhelming sense of incoming danger overwhelmed her and she shot to her feet.
Nothing stirred in the forest, but the trees were tall and straight, far from the peaceful forms she had seen before. Anger and determination scented the air as Alanna watched, her dark eyes narrowed. Three fast moving figures were approaching from the trees, at speeds greater than a horse. As they came closer, Alanna suddenly felt the taint that accompanied Shadowspawn. She opened her mouth to yell something, just as the first of the Darkhounds leapt from the trees.
Alanna concentrated, embracing Saidar in an instant. She wove expertly and quickly, and suddenly the tree line exploded in roaring rumble of flames Lightning struck quickly after as the Darkhounds jumped to the left, one aiming for the sleeping children.
"What's going on?" Tallanvor grumbled as he opened his eyes. They flickered over at the standing Alanna and the Darkhounds leaping forward and he jumped up, his sword flying from his scabbard and into his hands.
"Up the swords!" Tallanvor shouted. "Shadowspawn! Up the swords Huin! Aiel, up the Spears!"
Aviendha and Enaila were on their feet a second later, a spear and bow in their respective hands. Two arrows flew even as Enaila was jumping up, striking one Darkhound in the flank. Huin grunted sleepily as he opened his eyes, yelping as he staggered backwards, fumbling for his short sword. Jania and the children were also awakening as Alanna flicked her fingers.
Loud roars accompanied bolts of lightning that exploded from her hands, lances of deadly power. One Darkhound yelped as it was struck, blown back off its feet and away from the children. A ball of fire erupted from Alanna's hand and another Darkhound had to dodged as it flew past, exploding on a large oak tree.
Suddenly the ground rumbled as a blur raced into the clearing, leaves flying wildly and trees groaning as a harsh wind blew fiercely, just as the blur stopped. The Green Man stood there, anger etched onto his kind face. He raised a hand and the wind turned into a gust, the gust into a gale. Trees creaked in protest the gale blew through the clearing, striking one Darkhound and sending it sprawling across the clearing with great force. Roots suddenly exploded from the ground, large and ancient roots of the old trees, which swayed with what seemed like approval as the roots shot out and encircled a second Darkhound. They charred and withered as they touched the tainted animal, but they continued to force it to the ground as more and more roots and vines burst from the ground to help. In seconds, a large mound stood where a Darkhound had. But it was quickly turning yellow and corrupted, as the Green Man turned to the third Darkhound, which had leapt for him.
For a moment, fear rushed into the Green Man's face as he lifted his hands, vines shooting from them. The vines turned brown, some bursting into flame, as the Darkhound touched them. It was only milliseconds before the Darkhound would strike the Green Man when a burst of lightning flew at it. The Darkhound howled angrily, the howl brutal and loud, as the lightning sent it sprawling away, lightning cackling over its fur. It got up, eyes burning brightly as the Darkhound that had been thrown away limped over. Suddenly fire burst from the root covered mound and the third Darkhound burst out of it covered in cuts and grazes. Black blood, oily and tainted, dripped to the ground, killing the grass as it touched it.
"Tallanvor, Huin, take Jania and go! You too Aviendha, Enaila!" Alanna shouted, her dark eyes burning with fury. She flicked her finger, Saidar leaping at her command, and to the others, one of the Darkhounds suddenly collapsed to the ground, staggering up only to collapse again as thick bars of air struck at its head.
Tallanvor, a gawping spectator to the fight, shook himself together and quickly ushered Jania and the children away. Aviendha and Enaila hesitated, the Aiel reluctant to flee from a battle even when they stood no chance.
"Come on!" Tallanvor roared as lightning and fire burst into the clearing. Another gust of wind soared in, and explosions marred the background as Alanna and the Green Man used their powers to fight the almost invincible Darkhounds. Together, the group fled to from the clearing.
"You came. I am pleased." Slayer drawled, one gloved hand on his sword hilt while the other held something. Rand tried to get a look at the item, and Slayer noticed and proudly revealed it. It was a circular disc, with the ancient symbol of Aes Sedai imprinted on the front.
"This is one of the seals of the Great Lord's prison." Slayer boasted and Rand flinched as if he had been struck. There were seven legendary seals that held the Dark One in Shayol Ghul, and the Dark had one of them.
"Are you really my Uncle?" Rand asked the question that had been burning inside of him.
"I was your mothers brother." Slayer answered, his lips curved lightly as if recalling something funny. "Tigraine was a stubborn woman, you take after her."
"Why did you send Shadowspawn after me?" Rand asked, his mind burning that name into his thoughts. His mother's first name was Tigraine, not Shaiel.
"You are ta'veren," Slayer said scornfully. "Do you know what that is? The Wheel of time weaves life-threads, perhaps all of them, in favour of you to weave a web of destiny. And you are powerful, not as powerful as you will be when you grow older, but powerful nonetheless. If a ta'veren such as yourself were to join the Shadow…"
"What?" Rand interrupted angrily. "I will never join the shadow!"
Slayer nodded impatiently. "I know that now. You stood near the tunnel of enlightenment, where men and women are able to communicate to the Dark One. For a moment, the Great Lord quested to your mind. But you did not let him in, you were unable to let him in and commit yourself to the cause, you are bound to the Wheel of Time to resist and to fight. So now, you must die."
With movements that rivalled a Myrddraal, Slayer surged forward as he dropped the Seal, his sword flicking from his scabbard, and Rand ran forward to meet him. The blades clashed once, twice, thrice, as the swordsmen fought. Slayer was a Blademaster; Rand was certain of it, as the two fought, flowing through the forms as they dodged and spun around, blades clashing.
"I would attempt to sway you to the dark, but you would never join," Slayer said calmly as the two locked swords, both straining to push the other away. "If you surrender now, your death will be quick and swift. You will never defeat me, I have been given powers from the Great Lord that men dream of when they feal weak! I draw from His own magnificent power, so like yet different from the One Power! I draw mere droplets, yet it is enough to kill any man!"
As to prove his point, black tendrils suddenly shot from his left hand as he held the sword with his right. They were oily and black, evil and tainted and they hit him. Rand suddenly felt something strike him in the stomach and he grunted in pain, but stood strong. A second blow slashed his shoulders, and Rand felt warm blood trickle down his back. With a burst of strength, Rand pushed the other sword away and swung with his fist. It connected and Slayer staggered back, one hand to his bleeding nose.
"I will make your death slow and painful!" He hissed, his words a promise. He lifted his sword with his right hand, his left hand outstretched in front of him. Oily black tendrils of power surged from his fingertips, the pure evil and taint that Rand could feel almost making him sick.
Rand let out a strangled gasp, his back against a wall as he stepped back, his sword held out in front of him. He slashed at the tendrils feebly and was surprised when his blade sliced through them cleanly. The broken remnants of black power faded as both Rand and Slayer stared at the sword.
"A power-wrought sword, it must be." Slayer muttered. "How fortunate for you. Already you manipulate the Wheel of Time to bend to you when you need it to."
Rand said nothing as he gripped his sword with both hands, his feet moving into an offensive stance without him barely knowing it. The void pulsed in his mind, all emotion fed into the flame. But something lurked at the edge of his Void, near the broken chain that once let him channel. Rand could almost feel it; it was warm and full of light, eager to be summoned. But something stopped him; he couldn't reach out to it. There was no link between him and the light.
Slayer raised his hand again, another set of oily black tendrils firing out. Rand expertly slashed at them; River meets Cliff letting the fall swiftly. Eagle Soars saw another set of tendrils fade away as the sword swung gracefully to meet them.
The Slayer roared in anger as he jumped forward, his power forgotten as he swung his sword wildly. The two men met, swords flying about as they clashed. Whenever Slayers sword hit Rand's, a faded black aura would flicker into view, blue lightning cackling between the blades. Any other manmade blade would have chipped and blunted as Rand's sword struck Slayers like a hammer, Hammer meets Anvil forcing the Darkfriend back.
Suddenly a rumble ran through the ground and the sounds of explosions, dull roars in the background, could be heard. Slayer stepped backwards, smiling evilly as his dark blue eyes glinted.
"That would be the Aes Sedai vainly trying to combat my Darkhounds," He said. His eyes suddenly appeared like campfires, terrible power and evil rushing into them. His open mouth suddenly radiated searing heat and Rand dove to the side as an arc of oily black power sliced into the floor where he had been standing. It continued, slashing into the wall and breaking long and glowing crystals, as another one burst from the black aura that surrounded Slayer. Rand sidestepped, his hand reaching for one of his knives. He threw it with all the force he could muster as a third arc whizzed by.
Slayer waved his hand impatiently and a black tendril zapped forward, striking the spinning knife from the air. There was a smell of ozone and fire as the knife clattered to the ground, half melted. Slayer looked furious though, his eyes glittering as he curved his fingers and aimed them at Rand. Suddenly purple and black power that coursing and filthy, terrible and great, searing and akin to lightning, erupted. Rand bought his sword up and gave a cry in pain as the power struck the sword. He could feel tingles of the power cackle on his skin, leaving blisters and charred skin. But the sword held back the evil power, glowing and vibrating madly. For a moment, Rand thought he would drop it but he firmed his grip.
"You will be destroyed!" Slayer bellowed, once again his voice sounding like two. The power increased, the air filled with wild dark purple and black energy. Rand held the sword and felt himself get pushed back, his feet automatically stepping back as he leaned on the sword as much as he could. For a moment, he felt cold fear vibrate on the edge of his void but he forced it away. He was emotionless, he was calm and he was in control. The Void held him, giving him the strength to ignore the burns on his arms and face as he was pushed back.
Suddenly his back hit a wall. He could feel crystals pierce his skin, his blood dripping on the ground as he slumped to the ground, forced by the wall of unbreakable power. His sword wavered and wobbled as he first crouched, then sat as power was channelled around him. It stopped suddenly and Rand's sword glowed briefly as it repulsed the last of the tainted energy. He was exhausted, Light, he was exhausted.
Slayer also seemed tired, his head between his knees as he bent over, panting and wheezing loudly. His eyes were still fires, so bright and burning, and his mouth was curved in a mocking smile.
"I am far more powerful than you are!" Slayer hissed between pants and gasps for air.
Rand said nothing, groaning slightly as he tried to stand up. His limbs were heavy and aching, as if he had been running all day. He staggered to a crouch, his sword held limply in one hand. With forced slow movements, he threw another knife at Slayer, who used his sword to bat it away. The Darkfriend seemed to be regaining his strength as his eyes burned in an unholy light, walking forward slowly but firmly. Rand felt the ground for something to use, anything to use, and found one of the broken crystals. For a moment, Rand saw the light that glowed inside move as it fell from the cracks and into his bare hand. Power surged through him, weak power but power! Light filled him briefly as he hurled the light at Slayer, who ducked quickly as a streak of light burst from Rand's palm. The streak sizzled the air, burning past Slayer and impacting on the wall of the cavern, which exploded in a shower of rocks and left a small crater behind.
Rand froze as realisation swept through him, and Slayer seemed to think the same thing that he did. As Rand scooped up another puddle of glowing crystal light, he hurled it at Slayer as he dove for the Eye of the World. Slayer surged forward, the streak exploding in a shower of light and pure energy as Rand strained to reach for the liquid Saidin. His sword, held in his right hand, touched it first and Rand could suddenly feel every particle of the sword, every single atom and molecule that made it up. The sword was alive in his arm, connecting him with the light in his mind.
In the void, Rand sought the light and surged forward, embracing it instinctively. For a moment, he was in an avalanche of chaos and power, almost stumbling over. He fought for control, exhaustion meaning nothing as he gripped the power firmly. His left hand rose as Slayer raised both hands.
From Slayers hand came the purple and black power, cackling madly and wildly as Slayer desperately tried to stop Rand. A surge of energy burned through Rand, channelled through the sword as liquid Saidin floated into him. A weave of glowing threads, some red, blue and white, appeared from his left hand. Instinctively, Rand added a touch of yellow and brown and tied them all together, letting Saidin fill the glowing weave. Pure white energy cackled from his hands, lightning meeting lightning in a spectacular show of lights and power. Purple and Black energy met white, and the lights flared as they fought against each other.
For a moment, the struggle was deadlocked as the powers clashed wildly. But Rand's soon pushed away the evil and tainted powers, and Slayer gave a wild scream of desperation, sounding more like a wolf than a man. An arc of oily black power erupted from Slayers body, and Rand felt a flash of fear before he threw Saidin at it. A glowing blue circle, spinning rapidly from his body, shot forward. Both the arc and the circle exploded in a violent burst of energy and a wall crumbled from the after-effects, crystals falling to the ground and shattering. Another arc and another circle clashed, before tendrils of power shot towards Rand, swerving to avoid the clashing lights and powers in the middle of the two men. As the tendrils shot forward, Rand lunged out with his mind, and they suddenly withered and disappeared as he sliced through them with a single thought. A cylinder of flames suddenly appeared in the middle of the room as Rand though of killing Slayer, a high-pitched whine increasing in volume and pitch.
Slayer yelled something, a curse most likely, and as he was forced back another few steps closer to the curved wall as a solid dark glob of power surrounded him, distorting his features. The cylinder suddenly roared as it exploded, the fire spilling from its confines. Rand could feel a terrible heat that he ignored as the flames charred the floor and roof, but they were snuffed out as they touched the black power that Slayer held. The floor rumbled from the explosion, and for a moment Rand wobbled over the edge of the Eye of the World. He managed a single last burst of energy before he lost his balance, his fingers gripping something hard as he tried to hold onto it. But the object was not bound to the floor and he toppled in headfirst in the Saidin.
Light filled him, if he had though that the power that burned within him was grand, than this was unlimited. He was invincible, unstoppable. Power washed over his skin and his body, his nose easily able to breath. As he fought for control of the power, the void wavered several times. The power was too much! He was losing control! Suddenly, Rand felt the void slip from him and the power washed over his mind. In his eyes, a brilliant white light filled his vision and his mind slipped away as he sank to the bottem.
Lightning and fire burst upon the Green Man's gardens. Balls of blue flames destroyed trees; plants were incinerated into cinder by blasts of lightning. Still, the Darkhounds lived. No Aes Sedai had fought Darkhounds since the Trolloc Wars almost two thousand years ago, and few had survived to tell the tale. Those few who had survived, none had ever killed one before, let alone three.
Still, Alanna was an Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah, the Ajah that was always prepared for War and the Final Battle. She knew powerful weaves of war and destruction and she was using every single on of them.
An arc of lightning burst from Alanna's hand, flickering and glowing as it seared the air. The Darkhound dodged the blast and leapt forward, only to be suddenly be yanked from the air as a large root burst from the already cracked and broken ground. Tendrils of smoke and the smell of burning wood joined the smell of ozone and smoke in the air as the root withered. The Green Man flicked his hand and the root slammed the Darkhound into the ground, once, twice and again before the root crumbled into dead ash, life draining from it by the poisonous odour of the Darkhound. A mere drop of saliva from a Darkhound touching the strongest man in the world would kill him painfully, and this was not taking into account of an actual biting.
The Green Man roared, the wind roaring with him, and vines, weeds and fungi burst on a Darkhound. They withered and died as soon as they appeared, but the Darkhound howled with fury, while Alanna raised her hand. The weave of the most forbidden weapon of the One Power was formed and Alanna sent it hurling at the third Darkhound, who had just jumped for her throat with gleaming teeth.
From her hand, a bar of white-hot liquid fire erupted. The bar shimmered and glowed as it burst onto the Darkhound and for a moment the Darkhound appeared to turn into mist, before it was swallowed by the white-hot bar, liquid fire continuing on and searing a trench in the ground, disappearing as it ate up two trees.
The other Darkhound suddenly hesitated, just as the Green Man raised a tired hand. His own special powers of life coming into bear, a gigantic wind picked up and snagged the two Darkhounds in a tornado. Leaves, dirt, dust, smoke and flames tumbled in the air as they circled frantically, colliding with one another. The Green Man stood still and strong, holding the tornado for a minute as Alanna hurled fire and lightning at it, dirt exploding in violent fountains as the ground rumbled. When the tornado died down, the Darkhounds were gone. No trace of them remained and Alanna sighed in relief.
She still embraced Saidar as she collapsed to the ground, bone-deep exhaustion flitting in her mind. Also, a strange power floated at the edge of her consciousness…an avalanche of chaotic tumbling that threatened to overwhelm anybody who dared try use it. In the middle of this power, Alanna could feel Rand's determination, anger and fear.
"They are gone," The Green Man said, looking exhausted and ancient. The scar on his face was tight around his features as he stared grimly at the destruction of the battles. "Such a loss of life. Beautiful trees, three thousand years old. They were my friends, I sang them to life and nurtured them in growth."
Suddenly a violent explosion erupted at a small hill deep within the Eye of the World, and for a moment Alanna felt an unbearable wave of power sweep through the Warder Bond. She screamed in agony, clutching her head in her hands as the power raged and stormed. Fear ran through her, before it was suddenly snapped shut and the bond collapsed, leaving Alanna shaking and crying on the ground, the Green Man crouching next to her.
"No!" Alanna whispered in agony. "No, not again!"
"What is it?" The Green Man asked, anger and determination still in his voice.
Alanna felt a great loss; so different from the power and strength she had been feeling before. In vain, she tried to scrabble for Rand, but he was gone from her mind. "He is dead!" She breathed.
The Green Man looked startled, before sadness filled his features. "No," he whispered in dread. "It cannot be!"
"I can't feel him!" Alanna said hysterically as she started running for the cavern. The Green Man stood still as rage poured into him, anger twisting his peaceful features. With a blur, he grabbed Alanna and sped towards the Eye of the World.
Slayer panted in exhaustion and weariness, the Darkfriend on his hands and knees. Walls of crystals lay scorched and broken, craters hollowed out in several of them. Shards of rocks and crystals littered the ground, and a large hole was in the narrow pathway that curved the Eye of the World, which had been reduced in size. The boy was dead; nobody could have survived falling into liquid power like that. But he was not far from death; his body pained and exhausted, his mind doubly so. The burning addictive power of the Dark One held a high price for its use, insanity and mutations being the major.
As a blur speed into the room, stopping suddenly to reveal the Green Man and the Aes Sedai, the Slayer looked up, smiling viciously despite his tiredness and powerless condition.
"He is dead!" He spat, and used the last of his powers to surround himself into shadows and disappear.
"Where is Lord Rand?" Huin asked Alanna as she approached them at the end of the Green Man's garden. Her face looked as if it could have been carved from stone, her eyes stony and dull.
Tallanvor also looked anxious at the response, his sword out as he leant against a tree. "We saw lightning and fire and heard explosions." He remarked, a little awe struck at the Aes Sedai.
Aviendha and Enaila leaned forward as Alanna opened her mouth, their expressions intent and demanding. Jania, the unofficial leader of the children, rubbed her hands nervously as she awaited an answer.
"Rand al'Thor has fallen," Alanna whispered hoarsely, her throat raw from crying. She had no more tears to spill; she was numb to the world. "He is dead."
Huin flinched as if he had been struck, the sword wavering in his hands, as his eyes got wide. Tallanvor made a grunted noise, his expression stricken and shocked. Enaila dropped her head remorsefully but no tears appeared in her eyes. To her, Rand had awoken from the dream of life.
Aviendha suddenly dropped her spear, her blue-green eyes furious. "Do not lie!" She hissed as she advanced on Alanna. Alanna just stared at her so blankly and lost that she froze in mid-step as horror dawned on her face. She looked stricken, her mouth working furiously.
"It cannot be!" She whispered hoarsely as Jania started to sob. "He cannot be dead!"
"He is. I cannot feel him…I felt the warder bond snap as pure power destroyed him from the inside." Alanna said. She swayed on her feet and Tallanvor shook himself from his daze, quickly helping her stand. "Come, we can leave now. The Green Man will take us fifty leagues from Fal Dara."
"Why?" Aviendha said, snorting slightly through watery eyes. "You are Wetlanders, we came for the son of Shaiel."
"There is a Trolloc army that is approaching Tarwin's gap." Alanna said firmly, trying to draw herself up regally but failing miserably. "It will break through and destroy Shienar if we do not warn them."
"The swords of Andor will ride with Shienar." Tallanvor said grimly. His eyes held a fevered hate within them. "I will lead them myself if I have to."
Aviendha hesitated, but nodded slowly as she picked up her spear. "I…I will take what has happened here and bring it to the Wise Ones. Maybe the spears of the Aiel will join your…swords." She said the last word with disgust. "But we will go our own way."
Enaila nodded, the redhead checking her arrows.
"Huin?" Tallanvor asked. "Huin? Answer me?"
Huin shook himself out of his daze, his eyes lost and confused. "How could he be dead?" He asked softly.
Tallanvor grimaced as Alanna heaved a dry sob at the question. "Take care of Jania and the others." He ordered gently. The man blinked, but he nodded as he made his way to the crying Jania. As the group took a step away from the garden, they seemed to walk into a dark forest with twisted trees. The sun was barely up but they were out of the Blight.
The Green Man stroked a small sapling softly, crooning in a language long dead as it took root and grew. It kept growing until it was bigger than the Nym itself and branches shot out, thick green leaves taking life. The Green Man smiled softly, pleased at the new life he had created and stepped back to observe his work. A single tree stood in the centre of death and destruction. It grew on blackened ground that would never grow again unless the Green Man willed it so. For a moment, the Green Man though about banishing the death that lay here unbidden and unchecked.
"No," The Green Man said as the wind blew in the trees. "A fitting memorial, for one I will never forget,"