As the captain led his team though the heavy forest he keep a slow pace. Surprise was the key. If they did not take care of the flankers quick enough or worse left one to escape on the first volley then all was for not. He knew all this and kept his men in check. After all, the commanding officer is the rock men lean on or the eagle men aspire to, whatever the case he was sure this was going to come out pretty well for them. He called his man to a halt with his raised hand. Motioning his hand to the ground he called for them to take cover. He was in position. All what was needed now was the prey.

Only after an hour or so he judged by how little the shadows of the trees moved. The captain spotted the enemy. He thought to himself, something is wrong, it is too easy. Remember if it is going to easy you are walking into am ambush. He leaned over to the nearest man next to him and whispered," Give the signal for the attack as soon as they are in range." After a couple of moments he heard the man mimicking the call of an eagle from Andor. That was the signal to draw bows. Notching his bow he took site on a solder that wore armor that resembles an insect. Hearing another of the eagle's calls he let the arrow fly. A quick snapping sound was released after six bows let arrows fly. Hitting his target he watched his prey go down after receiving an arrow though his throat. Before anyone hit the ground another volley was drew and launch to kill of anyone that survived the first.

He got up and signal for them to get into position to attack the many column. Moving swiftly through the forest while still being as silent as they were at firstmarch,they fell into the positions that gave them the highest chances for success. Every man took out several arrows and stuck it into the ground in front of them. Nervousness ran though every man, despite just being slightly outnumber. With the element of surprise, every man knew that if they do not take out those Aes Sedai in the first volley, then all is for not. The captain knew this, but a great strategy is a great gamble. He was notone for the dice, but stones on the other hand,he could make his own luck. The only thing he could not come to terms with is this he could out think most other people. This Seanchan he knows nothing about them, how can he out think some one with out knowing how they think. Perhaps a few prisons could change that, he thought to himself.

As the Seanchan column near he spotted the Aes Sedai in the middle of it. They were not his targets though as his and his teams' position was on a head on point with the column. Their targets were the first elements. By the banners that did not even stir as if the wind held its breath in grim silence for the slaughter that was about to unfold. The first ones who were to shot were the elements that had those Aes Sedai in their wretch. Their first volley was to be the opening signal for the attack. He knew the area they were around though not the exact position due to the fact that he could not scout the field as he normally does. The captain took a look around his men all wore a grim face. They were not scared. If you believe in the Light you have nothing to fear. That said he laughed to himself and thought. How long have I been at this? If you believe in the Light, yeah that's why any man who is sane will stop died in his tracks when the gaze of a fade lands on him. I am fearful for my men I am fearful of who I fight for. The creator gave me a mind to think with and my old age allows me to use it. I understand why I join for when I was younger, but now what do I have, a shallow believe in all but the fundamental truths? He could not answer himself. In truth some zealots that cause trouble in the Great Fortese could try him as a darkfriend. It was the fact that he won battles that had got him thus far. All his peers are either died or High Lord Captains of the light. Here he was just a lowly captain buying time with the lives of his men.

That was not important now; it was about time to start the slaughter. Either way it goes, to his favor or his enemies. It will be just that a slaughter. "Do light bless me hand this day" he prayed to himself," and let my men walk away in your favor…." As he was praying he heard the silt sound of bows snapping their arrows loose. This was it; he pulled back his bow's string to his chest and let it fly. At two hundred paces a horse bow was more for mass infantry, instead of single targets. Luck found its mark though the leader got hit and fell off his horse died, but he did not see. He had notched another arrow and took aim again. He let it fly; it caught the banner man in the thigh burring itself deep. The man screamed in pain. The banner flew to the ground, seeing this the banner man looked around. All around him people flew off their horses. In the back the wagons were cut off from the rest over the column by a wall of fire, several men were running around on fire. He could hear their screams, their horrid cries of help. As in an after thought he looked down from his mount to the banner. This is an ill omen he thought to himself. One last look back for the Damane could see that they were died. He looked back at the direction of the arrow that hit him came from. He could see a man coming out of the forest. A tall, well built man whose only armor was a breastplate. Notching an arrow back, he could see the man taking his aim on him. He started to say," blessed be the Empress, the light shi…." He never finished an arrow caught him in his throat.

Scanning the field the captain made a mental note of how well it all played out. Thinking out the details, he was interrupted by the champion. "Sir, want the after action being?" Having received a hand signal to go on he continued," Ivowan, we suffered only two wounded." He let out a hearty laugh and finished," Looks to me like they didn't know that the pointy end of the arrow goes toward the enemy. Other then that, we got enough supplies from them to last us another two weeks in the field. We took prisoner a captain, three Aes Sedai handlers or whatever the bloody ashes they call themselves. Of course all of the Aes Sedai died in the first volley." The captain waved him to silence. He sent a moment in thought then asked," Alwon, I got a good look at those Aes Sedai. What does not fit with the ones we have here?" The champion thought after awhile then answered," Sir, one of the very reasons why I hate them. Is that they pull strings, make men dance to their tones, well maybe not that. All woman make men dance. The Aes Sedai would make and can make the Lord Captain Commander himself dance if they wanted a show. Ashes, half of the ones I've seen I wouldn't mind a dance or two with them… all they have to do is asked… but they don't, the fact that they are so willing to control a nations course. Under the Light all men are made equal… those… woman think they are so mighty" He paused then got a another laugh with himself," Sorry, capt'n I lost my train of thought anyways those woman here are nothing more then trained pets… blood and ashes they are all on leashes." The captain thought this over. He was the type of man that weighed every bit of information and storied it away for future use. He turned to look at the setting sun and asked," So, is it safe to say that besides the fact they both can channel, they are nothing like the same." He paused to receive a nod," Then it is safe to say that we are in a world of hurt. Light shine on us. At least, Aes Sedai won't move to strike. Do you remember when I was a under-leiutenant and you were my sergeant?" Once again he nodded," Captain Brun, he had to nearly pinch that Aes Sedai's bottom to get her to fight. I don't believe ours Aes Sedai are evil… do you think the same… or will you do your duty as a Champion of the Light and see me back to the light? To take me to the Doom of Truth to be tried?" The champion thought it over with grim on his face he said," Sir, will you do your duty and rid the darkness from my soul?" The captain just laughed. For that was his champion the only man in a unit to openly question the Captain and any officer for that matter. Guess it is true if you fight with someone long enough it froms a bond stronger then brothers.

Ok another chapter...its 0200 in the morning and i have work at 0530. Hope i charified some things and as always R&R.