Disclaimer: I obviously do not own anything relating to Harry Potter or Wheel of Time. All properties therein are those of their creators. I am simply a writer trying to increase my skills with characters and worlds that I love.

Note: I've had some notes on the rushed first chapter. This was by design. Harry needed to grow in Emonds Field, but the story really takes off here.

Warning: This chapter contains lemons. They will be clearly marked, so if they aren't your thing they can be skipped.

Part Two - Winternight

The ringing of hammer on metal filled the air as Hadrian and Perrin worked on their last project. The final work on the platform was completed, and now they were just evening out the dents so they could furnish them out. The festival was set to start tomorrow, and it was truly a pleasure to be doing his part for his town.

"So," Hadrian commented over the ringing of steel, "Egwene should be putting her hair in a braid today. Do you think Rand is going to start courting her?"

Across the anvil Perrin shrugged. "I can't say for sure. I know he wants to, and he thinks she'll want him to, but the rest of us…" He trailed off.

"Go on little brother." Hadrian assured his partner.

He sighed, and stopped his hammering. "None of us think Egwene is going to stay in the village much longer. She's always wanted greater things than Emond's Field can offer. Rand just can't imagine anyone wanting anything more, so he's blind to it. We just think he's setting himself up for disappointment."

Hadrian stopped his own work to look his assistant in the eyes. "By 'we' I'm assuming you mean you and Matt?" When the younger man nodded he continued. "If you've already voiced your fears, and he doesn't want to listen, then you're out of options. Rand is going to make the mistakes he'll make. Just be sure you're there for your friend when the proverbial hammer drops." As an emphasis he raised the implement in his fist and brought it down on the anvil again as he resumed his work.

Meanwhile, Perrin stood and thought over his mentor's words for a few moments. Then he bobbed his head in understanding and resumed his own work. In just a few sentences Hadrian had managed to allay his worries; as he always did.

They worked for an hour more, and then the older man hung his hammer back on the wall with its brethren, signaling the end of the day.

Hadrian took a look outside and saw that the sun had not yet begun to set. "Perrin," he called to the retreating boy, "It won't be evening bell for a few hours yet. I know Rand and his pop were planning on making their way to town today, so they may have already arrived. If you, he, and Matt were to grab yourselves a few pints before tomorrow at the inn, I don't think anyone would say anything. You'll be men after the festival after all." Having finished saying his piece, the teacher set a few coins on top of the anvil where his assistant could see them, and then made his way into the house.

He wanted to wash, grab a quick bite to eat, and then head off to the river caves. Nynaeve was supposed to be cleaning up there after the hair braiding ceremony, and he wanted to offer her a hand.

So he did as planned, and proceeded to make his way down the village road as he had all those years ago when he first approached her. Things were different now of course. He was taller, the people he passed nodded his way with respect, and he was a married man. Life was truly good.

Something else different of course, was the two magnificent beasts visible from the inn stables. A stallion and mare took up the spaces and they were clearly well fed, maintained, and groomed. Horses such as these could only belong to three groups. Royalty, nobles, and aes sedai.

So Perrin had been right. He had no reason to believe the witch would be able to sense his presence, so his best bet to avoid trouble was simply to avoid her. That was a plan that proved more difficult to execute than expected as when he finally entered the cave system he was confronted by both his wife, and a strange woman of ageless beauty in a blue dress. She had pale skin, jet black hair, and a strange crystal hanging on the crest of her forehead. She'd backed his Nynaeve almost to the wall and was staring intently into her face.

There was no doubt this was the visiting aes sedai woman, but Hadrian couldn't just let her try to intimidate his wife. "Nynaeve!" He called as he made his way down to her level for a quick embrace. "I came to help you clean." his arms went around her and he whispered, "Is she giving you trouble?"

"Nothing I can't handle, darling." They released each other, but his wife still kept a hold on his arm. She didn't want him going off half cocked in front of the powerful woman. One whiff of his abilities and he'd have to leave the village. If she tried to remove his magic through the usual method of Gentling, and found out it didn't work, he could end up with an entire army of aes sedai after his head.

"I don't believe we've been introduced." The aes sedai's voice was nobly accented and clear, "I am Moiraine Damodred. Aes sedai of the blue adjah of the White Tower. And you are?"

"A man helping his wife clean." He waved the towel in his hand to bring emphasis to the act.

Moiraine was clearly not impressed. "Indeed." Her tone could curdle milk, "I was asking your name sir."

Before he could give another remark, his wife spoke for him.

"This is my husband, Hadrian. He runs the village smithy for his father."

The aes sedai raised a dainty eyebrow at her words. "That explains the size of your arms, but not the way you walked in here."

A shiver was slowly starting to make its way up the man's spine. "I'm sure I have no idea what you mean Ms. Damodred."

The raised eyebrow began to twitch. "First, the proper title is Moiraine Sedai. Second, from the moment you saw me in this cavern you've been on the balls of your feet, your muscles are coiled but not flexed, and you've not turned your back on me once. You've had training as a soldier."

Though still wary, Hadrian couldn't stop his annoyance. This woman was giving him serious Dumbledore vibes, and picking up on habits he'd developed during Voldemort's blood war was just creepy.

"Calling you Moiraine Sedai would be the same as admitting I recognize White Tower authority. I do not. Weather your kind believe it or not you are not queens or rulers. You don't have approved dominion over any country other than your island. You're advisors, so maybe start acting like it. As for training as a solider, you're mistaken. Ask anyone in this town and they'll tell you, I've never left."

Mount Moiraine was about to explode at the jibes against the White Tower, so Nynaeve stepped in. Honestly if the situation wasn't so serious she'd be laughing about the role reversal between her and her spouse.

"He's not a soldier Moiraine Sedai. What was it you wanted? You came in here for a reason I imagine."

Only the slight crinkling around the woman's eyes gave away her irritation. She was used to being, if not revered by those she met, then at least respected. This man was troublesome.

"As the village Wisdom, you have a unique perspective on the citizens of Emonds Field. I'm wondering if you've noticed anything strange from the male youth of this village. Specifically anyone between the ages of fourteen and fifteen?"

Hadrian couldn't stop himself if he tried. "So you're asking the village Wisdom, a woman trusted by all, to divulge potentially private information to a stranger? Have fun with that."

"Have I done something to offend you blacksmith?" She asked in a deceptively polite tone.

Nynaeve's hand gripped his arm in a warning but he ignored it. All plans of staying off the radar gone. "You personally… no, but what you represent… yes."

"What I represent?" She questioned.

"An all powerful magic society that thinks it has the right to dictate how others live their lives. You are said to be unable to tell a lie. The way I see it, that just means you're even more skilled at hiding the truth."

"I think you are being far too simplistic and judgmental in your views. We only try to help the world."

"I noticed you said the world, and not the people in it. You want our aid in your questions? Answer one for us first. You're clearly looking for someone in our village. If you find them, will they be safe?"

"I will of course work to protec-"

"From aes sedai?"

Moiraine's mouth snapped shut. "I'm sorry?"

"This boy that you're looking for. If you find him, will he be safe from aes sedai?"

"Why would you ask me that?" Her voice was starting to get tight. Hadrian took that as a sign that he was on the right track. This woman wanted one of his people for purposes of her own.

"Doesn't matter. Will you answer?"

Instead of responding, the woman simply smoothed her skirts, and then said, "Tower business is beyond the comprehension of those outside it. Will you tell me what I need to know or not?"

Nynaeve gave her husband a long look before answering. "No, Ms. Damodred. If you will not guarantee the safety of the one you seek then we can not help you. I think it's best you leave now. As you can see, we have work to do."

If the woman was put off by the lack of answers, or the sudden disrespectful lack of title, she didn't give any visible show of it. She just turned around and stalked out of the caves.

The moment she was gone Nynaeve spun on her husband. "What in the light's name was that Hadrian! I thought you wanted to avoid people like her?"

"I do, or rather I did, but I've met people like her Nynaeve, in my past life." The day he'd proposed, he'd told the woman everything about his past. He'd figured she deserved to have all of the facts before deciding on her future. "She'd let the world burn as long as she believed it was necessary to save some small scrap of it. We can't trust her. Least of all with one of our villagers."

The woman was silent for several moments as she thought about his words, and the older woman's actions. Then she nodded, took a towel out of her basket and started cleaning the rocks. A second later and Hadrian was right there beside her.

Clearing Outside The Caves

"Did you get the information you needed?" Lan asked from his position behind a nearby tree. As always, he was dressed practically, in black riding clothes, with a sword on his back. It was a startling contrast to Moiraine's elegant garments.

"No." She seethed, "The wisdom's husband showed up and completely derailed my line of questioning."

Lan was confused by that statement. "Husband? I thought village Wisdom's couldn't marry?"

The aes sedai waved a dismissive hand. "That's a common misconception. It's not that they can't marry, it's just that they tend not to in most cases."

A devious smirk appeared on the warrior's face then. "How exactly did he derail you Moiraine? I've never known you to lose control of a conversation."

"He was derogatory, argumentative, and…" She trailed off.

"And what?" The warder inquired.

"And, he trapped me. Do you know how rare that is? He asked me a question he knew I couldn't twist my way out of, and the two of them then refused to answer any questions I had unless I gave an approved response. He's the village blacksmith Lan, keep an eye on him will you? I have a feeling he's more than he appears."

The man raised a surprised eyebrow. "If you say so. Out of curiosity, what was the question he wanted answered?"

The aes sedai of the blue adjuh scowled at the memory. "He wanted to know that the person I was searching for would be safe from aes sedai. A generic question that required a complex answer. If I find the Dragon Reborn in this village, of course he'll be safe from me. I want to guide him, not destroy him. However, if any of the other adjuhs find him, such as the reds, then of course his life could be in jeopardy."

"It does seem like an impossible question." Lan agreed. "So what now?"

Moiraine sighed, "Approaching the wisdom is clearly not going to work. Let's head back to the town. The Dragon will certainly be Taviren, thus the pattern of reality should be shifting around him. If we are lucky, we'll see the effects and be able to identify him."

"Seems rather vague, but I don't have any better idea. At least the inn has a decently sized bath." The warder commented as he and his charge started their walk back to the village. Beside him, the shorter woman chuckled.

"Indeed, I was surprised by that as well. For such a small town, Emonds Field seems remarkably well equipped."

"That's a result of the blacksmith." Lan commented. Seeing Moiraine's curious expression he elaborated. "I've been asking around, and apparently that man is a wellspring of ideas. He creates gears, levers, and other mechanical devices that have continuously made this village more productive. The mayor sings his praises to any that ask about him. I imagine that serves as good advertising to other towns for his services, hahaha." His chuckling continued for several moments before he noticed the contemplative look on his partner's face.

"That man just keeps getting more interesting." She muttered.

"You don't think he's…"

"No. He's too old." The woman assured her warder. "We are looking for someone born on the slopes of Dragonmount fifteen years ago. From what I can gather, the blacksmith has missed that time frame by at least five years."

"But on to another topic, you've been ranging all morning., what have you discovered?" She inquired.

"Hm." The stoic man took a moment to organize his thoughts. "There are signs of animal mutilations and feeding."

"Trollocks?" The woman breathed.

"That would be my guess, but I can't tell how many." He looked to his aes sedai, "We need to let the town know Moiraine. If there is a band of Trollocks out there, then a big celebration, like Winternight, tomorrow, would serve the same purpose as ringing a dinner bell for them."

In contrast to his expectations, the shorter woman shook her head in the negative. "Travelers from the neighboring farms are all making their way to town for the festival Lan. If the Dragon is among them, then canceling the festival could send him back to his farm before we can locate him."

Lan was aghast, "You want to deliberately risk the lives of everyone in this town?"

"We don't know for sure that those monsters will attack." Moiraine defended her reasoning, "But if we don't find the Dragon then the world could very well be doomed. Sacrifices need to be made Lan."

The big man was silent for several minutes as they walked. Finally he said, "I will not agree with that Moiraine. When you start sacrificing innocents for your goals you are acting like one of the reds."

Moiraine felt as if she'd been slapped by the man. To hear her closest friend comparing her to those manhaters… was not a good feeling.

"I'm not like them Lan. Please try to understand-"

"I understand that you are asking me to standby and allow an atrocity to occur. You'll need to order my silence, or I'm going to tell the mayor."

The blue sister couldn't look her friend in the eyes as she said, "Lan Mondragoran, I hereby order you to say nothing of the Trollock signs you located to any citizen of Emonds Field." As always happened when she imparted an order to her warder, the aes sedai felt a twinge through their bond. As if it were settling around the man's neck. The woman hated feeling like she was collaring him, in any way.

The warder had felt it too, and his voice was raw from its effects. "Very well. But whatever deaths occur are on your head now."

"I'm prepared."

"That's the problem Moiraine. You're prepared for the losses, but no one else is. These people will have to suffer for your choices."

Three Hours Later - The Winespring Inn

"What are you three discussing now?" Hadrian asked as he and Nynaeve sat down beside Perrin, Rand al'Thor, and Matt Cauthon. Each of them had a full pint before them, so the blacksmith waved a finger at the barmaid and gestured to himself and his wife. Moments later they had fresh drinks of their own.

"We're lamenting the death of Rand's love life." Matt spoke with his usual lack of tact.

A shoulder bump from Perrin, that almost knocked him off his stool, didn't wipe the ironic smirk he was famous for from his face.

Hadrian gave the red haired boy a sad, and understanding, smile. "So she's leaving then?"

Rand nodded, before grabbing his mug and draining it. After putting it down, Hadrian waved for another, and the boy started to speak. "I brought her flowers, like you did for Nynaeve." The woman smiled at the reminder. "But she wouldn't take them. She said she did care about me, but she didn't want to stay here. Apparently, her parents had already made plans for her to study at the university in Caemlin next fall. She's leaving Emonds Field."

"Oh Rand," Nynaeve spoke softly, as her husband placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, "I know this seems painful now, but maybe it's for the best."

He looked up at her, "I thought you were training her as your successor. Why couldn't you make her stay?"

"Would forcing her to stay have made her happy? Would you be happy with someone that resented being forced to stay in one place when she wanted to be anywhere else?"

The red head's ears burned at her calm, and rational, argument. "I'm sorry Nynaeve. I shouldn't have snapped at you."

She smiled comfortingly at the young man. "It's alright Rand. You're hurting, and it's okay to let it out a little you know."

Distantly, they heard the ringing of a bell.

"Evening bell then boys." Hadrian commented after taking a sip of his ale. "What are your plans then?"

He always did this when he saw the three youth drinking. He knew how easy it was to lose track of your alcohol intake, and he wanted to make sure his adopted brother and his friends had a plan for the night.

Perrin spoke for the trio, "We're going to be drinking a few more pints I think. Rand certainly needs a few more drinks after the day he's had. Then we're gonna see if we can listen in on the gleeman practicing. Maybe get an idea what songs he'll sing tomorrow. Rand and his pop are staying at the inn tonight, but they'll be heading out again in the morning. Matt lives in town, so he's set, and I'll be back in the house sometime after midnight."

Hadrian raised a mug to the boys, as he and his wife stood. "Very good boys, I wish you a happy evening, and a headache free morning."

Perrin winced at those words. The first time he'd gotten drunk had been an accident. He'd been out with Rand and Matt, and one drink had somehow turned into ten. He'd woken to a spinning world, a horrible taste in his mouth, and a raging thunderstorm in his head. The whole experience had not been helped by Hadrian insisting he work the anvil that day. He'd never drank the night before work again.

Unknowing of his compatriot's inner thoughts, Hadrian took his wife by the waist and led her to the center of the room, where the new gleeman, Tom Marrilon, was strumming on a small guitar. He was contracted to sing at the festival tomorrow, but the owner of the inn had managed to convince him to play a little something in his common room as well. For a raise of course.

"My love," the blacksmith nuzzled the Wisdom's neck, "Will you dance with me?"

Nynaeve smiled up at him and took his hands in her own. "Of course Hadrian."

The two began to sway lightly to the music, as all around them more and more couples followed their lead. Soon enough, it seemed almost as though every couple in Emonds Field was on the floor with them. It reminded Hadrian quite a bit of his wedding day, when the entire village had shown up to support the young couple.

They danced song after song, until their feet were sore, and their skin shone with sweat. When they finally left the floor, it was to cheers and whistles from the couples still remaining. Nynaeve blushed lightly at the attention, but Hadrian just laughed and pulled her into a deep kiss. The cheers and whistles turned immediately into hoots and catcalls.

When he pulled away, Nynaeve smacked him in the shoulder, called him a dunderheaded blacksmith, and pulled him by the shirt out of the inn.

"Where are we going honey?" He asked lightly, already knowing the answer.

"Home." The strong willed woman huffed. "You got me all worked up with that dancing, and I have a lot of energy left to burn."

A dopey smile lit itself on the man's face. "Yes dear."

***Lemons Start***

They got through the front door of their house, and suddenly clothes were flying. Nynaeve's dress was on the floor, and Hadrian's shirt followed. Before anything else could join the pile, he picked the woman up and carried her to their bed, where he laid her down and admired her form, as if she were a piece of art.

To him she was. Unblemished skin, long thick hair in a tight braid, beautiful eyes, long toned, legs, and plump breasts that fit perfectly into his hands. He had no idea how this vision of perfection could agree to be with someone like him, but he thanked the gods every chance he had that she did.

His admiration however was cut short, by the woman waving her finger at him. He smiled, knelt before her on the edge of their bed, and pealed her nether garments off of her legs. Slowly, inch by inch, admiring the way the clothing skimmed along her skin.

Once they'd been removed, he ran his hands up and down her legs, loving the way her skin pebbled beneath his touch, and how her breath hitched from his ministrations.

"Hadrian," She moaned, "please."

Never one to make his wife beg for anything, the man dove forward and dug in. His tongue tracing patterns over her nether lips before darting inside for a taste, relishing the moans and whines his actions brought from his partner. Over and over he repeated this pattern, gradually introducing his fingers into the mix as well, until finally she gripped his head with both hands and forced it still as she shook from the force of the pleasure he'd given her.

Once she'd gotten a hold of herself again, she shot up, and practically ripped his pants off of him before gripping her prize. She used it as a leash and dragged him onto the bed beside her before climbing on top, and impaling herself with a moan.

Then she stopped, and just stared at her husband, one hand going to trace his face. Love shining bright on her own, as clear as daylight. No words were said, but the sentiment came through clearly for them both. Then she started to move.

The rhythm was slow at first. Tender and gentle. Then, she got faster, and faster, until the sight of her hips over his were near a blur. The room was filled with the sounds of Hadrian's grunts, and Nynaeve's shrieks of pleasure.

Finally, it became too much for both of them. Hadrian roared with his release as his wife fell onto his chest with the force of her own. For several minutes after, all the two could do was shiver with the aftereffects of their climaxes, and hold onto each other.

They fell asleep that way. Naked, and holding each other through the lingering high of their joining.

***Lemons End***

The Next Morning

Nynaeve woke first, warm and safe in Hadrian's arms. She knew it was a bit cliched, but that was always the place she felt the most safe. It was, after all, the place she'd been when he saved her life all those years ago.

Slowly, as if with a mind of their own, her hands traveled down to her stomach, where they began to shift around in soft circles. 'Maybe this time.' she thought. Knowing that after all this time it was just as unlikely, but still unable to stop hoping.

"If it happens, it happens." The deep voice of her husband spoke up, one of his larger hands coming down to cover her own. "Worrying about it will only cause you stress."

Nynaeve tried valiantly to keep her voice from quivering, but wasn't quite successful. "We've been married for two years now Hadrian. That's two years that I've failed to give you a child."

"Hey now," The larger man turned her in his arms to face him, "sometimes it takes a while for it to happen. If that's the case then we just need to be patient. And if it truly does not happen for us, then I will never, could never, blame you."

"I know you want to be a father Hadrian." She whispered. "To pass on your trade, as your father taught you."

The man nodded, his beard tickling her face as he did. "Aye, someday I would like that. But we have time yet Nynaeve. Besides, if we do never have children, then Perrin is all set to take over after me."

He hugged her tight then. "I didn't know this was troubling you so much, my love. I'm so sorry I didn't see it earlier. Just know, please, that nothing could ever make me love you less. We don't have to have children to be happy. 'You' are enough for me."

Somehow keeping her tears inside, Nynaeve just gripped her husband tighter, and settled into a lazy morning of cuddling.

Later That Evening

The town center was full of life for the Winternight festival. The ribbon pole was high, with freshly braided women dancing around it in circles. The gleeman was set on his raised platform with his harp, as he sang ballads of ages and heroes long past. Bran al'Vere was even set up with three kegs of his best ale and brandy.

Everywhere Hadrian looked, he saw happy faces, proud shoulders, and general merriment. Until his gaze landed on the aes sedai and her warder. They just seemed… tensed. As if they knew something no one else did.

Against his better judgement, he left his wife with the chatting members of the village Women's Circle, and made his way over to them.

The look of suspicion and interest that the powerful woman gave him did not make the blacksmith feel any better about his decision. When he finally stopped, he was three feet away from the blue attired woman, while her warder stood to the side of them both. Easily poised to intercede if something were to go awry.

"You're not having a good time Ms. Damodred?" He asked sarcastically.

Internalizing her annoyance at the boy's continued lack of respect, and somewhat succeeding at ignoring the feeling of amusement from her warder's bond, the aes sedai said, "If you must insist on abstaining from my proper title, then just call me Moiraine. Ms. Damodred is my mother, and I am not yet that old."

The man nodded, and then waited. Clearly he was waiting for her response. So she tried to shirk him with the truth as she saw it. "I am indeed having a good time, but I am also missing my home at the White Tower." All true, just a different worry than the one currently assaulting her sensibilities.

Sadly she'd somehow forgotten the man's strange habit of seeing through her words.

"More half truths. I imagine that homesickness is a bother for you, but not the one facing you currently." His eyes scrutinized her, and Moiraine couldn't help but think he was seeing far more than he should. Finally, he said, "I'd recommend the brandy at Bran al'Vere's table." He pointed to the one in question, "It's simply divine. Goodbye Moiraine."

As he moved away, the aes sedai watched him with wide eyes.

"He saw much." Lan observed.

The dark haired woman nodded absently. "More than he should have. Much more."

As they discussed him behind his back, Hadrian made his way over to the still chatting women's circle and waved. When he had their attention, he said "The aes sedai is agitated. Tell the men to keep their eyes open, just in case something out of the ordinary happens." The women looked skeptical, but nonetheless agreed to let their menfolk know to be on the lookout.

Then he moved back to his wife and took her hand. Ever since that morning, he'd been loath to leave her side. He still couldn't believe he'd missed how upset she was. He should have remembered how seriously the women's circle in the town took parenthood. The expectation placed on Nynaeve's shoulders to bear a child must have been extreme.

His wife squeezed his hand lightly, and then leaned into his side, watching the people she looked after dancing and laughing.

"I love you Nynaeave." Hadrian said softly, loving the smile that adorned her face at the words.

"I know, and I love you too. I'm sorry I got so worked up this morning."

"Don't be. I won't pretend to understand what you feel, or what you are going through, but I'm here if you want to talk about it."

Her hand squeezed his own, but before she could respond a shrill scream breached the joviality of the night.

Whatever Hadrian had been expecting, it wasn't an eight foot tall amalgamation of beast and man. Nor was he expecting it be shoving a jagged slab of metal through a young man's torso.

Without conscious thought, Hadrian's magic filled his body, moving from his chest into his arms and legs. There was a twisting sensation in his gut and suddenly he was in the air above the creature, and driving his fist into its skull. By the time he landed on the ground, the monster's head was crushed pulp, and its body was just making a resounding thud onto the earth.

Behind him he knew the villagers were staring, but he couldn't stop to explain. He was too focused on the hoard of similar monsters racing towards them all.

"Men of Emonds Field!" He yelled, "To arms!" and then he charged.

Say what you will about the skill of provincial men, but you can never doubt their courage. With a roar they charged into the fray, right behind him. Some with hammers, others with boards of timber, and some with their bare fists and knives.

Harry was at the front, and with magic enhancing his body he was in range of the enemy in seconds. Then he started casting spells. Some he knew from his life, and others from Voldemort's recollections.

Killing curses dropped enemies by the dozens, cutting hexes tore limbs from bodies and evicerated intestines. Then he was among them, and he relied on his enhanced strength. He grabbed monsters by the head and slammed them into the dirt. He drove his fist through hearts, and screamed his rage as the villagers finally reached the fray.

As the fighting became a clash of armies, Hadrian noticed a few of the foe branching out to go around them. He countered that by casting twin inferni curses, surrounding them all in a ring of flame. The village would not suffer these abominations.

With both attack and retreat canceled, the monsters grew feral. And as villagers fell to their wrath, so too did Hadrian. His strength reached knew peaks, his spells struck with greater effect. Blades of energy left his fingers with a twitch, and before him the enemy fell like wheat during the harvest.

By the end, a few monsters tried to flee, but the fire gave no quarter, and they found themselves consumed in the conflagration. Then there was silence, and the audible feeling of dozens of eyes on Hadrian's back.

He raised his fist to the sky. "Victory!" he yelled, and all around him the villagers repeated the chant.

"Victory!"

"Victory!"

"Victory!"

As the menfolk kept themselves busy, the blacksmith waved his hands, and ring of fire vanished. Leaving them amongst the dead, with only the lights of the moon and festival to guide them as they made their way back.

The wounded were seen to by healers and their families, the dead were taken aside to be prepared for burial, and Hadrian was stomping toward the aes sedai and warder duo with Nynaeve falling into step beside him.

For her part, the shorter woman had a look of awe, and unease, as she saw the large man bearing down on her. She'd been prepared to access the Power, and assist in the defense of the town, but the blacksmith had made it unnecessary. He had shown remarkable leadership, strength, agility, and power. The power was what had left her uneasy. Her first thought upon seeing it was that he was channeling Saidin. That would have been a disaster, as men who could channel the male half of the one power always lost their minds. Except… no sister of the White Tower could sense Saidin, and she'd felt a shift of power the moment he'd begun to use it. As if some measure of pressure in the air had shifted. So if he was not using Saidin, then what was it? Was he safe?"

That question was answered a moment later, when Lan was tossed aside by some invisible force, and she found a giant hand driven across her face, driving her to the ground.

The powerful woman held her cheek in shock. In all her years as an aes sedai no one, except the Mistress of Novices at the White Tower, had dared to touch her, let alone strike her. Additionally, her warder had been thrown away as easily as a loose twig.

Her musings were interrupted by Hadrian growling, "You knew about these monsters." Around them, the motion of all those in earshot stopped, and wide eyes turned to the downed woman. "You've been on edge since this festival started, like you knew something was coming." His right fist ignited in green flame, "You can't lie aes sedai, so tell me I'm wrong."

Moiraine stared at her attacker, and at the hateful glares of all the townspeople behind him. This wasn't right. A man using any kind of power, even if it wasn't Saidin, should have been getting the glares, not her. Nor should he have been able to back her into a corner again as he had.

Finally she whispered, "I knew."

"What was that? Speak louder!"

"I knew an attack was possible, but by necessity I could not tell you people." She spoke, slowly twitching her fingers in a weave as she did.

"Whose necessity? Certainly not ours. But I guess the safety of regular people is of no concern to the glorious White Tower is it?" Hadrian growled.

In a flash he was pushed eight feet back as Moiraine released her weave, his feet digging a trough through the dirt. He took one look at what the woman had attempted, and his glare became murderous.

The man stalked slowly forward, killing intent clear in his gaze, but he was halted by a much smaller hand on his chest. Hadrian looked down, and Nynaeve was stopping him. Concern shone in her eyes.

"What's more important now Hadrian? Getting back at that treacherous woman, or helping your people?"

With a start, the blacksmith looked back around and saw the fear and pain on the faces of all around him. Though they'd managed to minimize the losses they could have had, there were many injured, and the healers needed as many able hands as they could get. With a fresh growl he broke off and held the nearest man down so his thrashing wouldn't hinder the stitches being put in.

"Thank you, Wisdom." Moiraine spoke as she stood. "I fear he would have-"

Her words were cut off by another slap to the face. This time by an enraged village Wisdom. "You knowingly endangered my people, Moiraine Damodred. Begone from this place by morning, or I will not hold my husband back again." With that, she turned on her heels, and marched over to the nearest healer to offer her support.

The aes sedai meanwhile, was once more shocked by the experience of being slapped down as she was. But not enough to yield her gaze from two targets, and her mind from a third. A trio of boys that over the previous days, had shown the proper signs. Her investigations had yielded the interesting fact that all three were taviren. Which meant they all had the potential to be the Dragon Reborn. She needed to get them out of here, for as long as they remained in Emonds Field they would be a draw for the Dark One's forces. More trollocks could invade.

She needed to assess them all and find out which was truly the Dragon. He would need her guidance to reach the destiny described in the prophecies. The boys would need to be convinced to leave, and they'd need to be convinced by morning.

The Next Morning

"What do you mean she took them?" Hadrian growled at the mayor. He'd just woken up, and gone to help with the repairs, but had found his frantic wife instead. She'd taken him to the mayor, and he'd told a story of the aes sedai coming to him with Perrin, Rand, and Matt, and saying to his face that as long as those three were in Emonds Field, danger would follow. She'd said it straight, so there was no room for misinterpretation.

"Exactly what I said Hadrian." Though he tried to keep from showing how nervous he was to be in the larger man's presence, he couldn't keep his eyes from fluttering rapidly away from his face while they talked.

"Hm. Aes sedai can't be trusted Bran." Hadrian groused, before standing. "I'm going after them. My father can look after the forge while I'm gone."

Though he tried to keep from acting too eager for the younger man to leave, he failed. And Hadrian was saddened by the fear he was inspiring. He knew what revealing his magic would entail, and he'd do it again, but it still hurt.

As he set off to his home to pack, Nynaeve took his hand. "You aren't going anywhere without me."

For the first time that day Hadrian smiled. "I never would have tried."