Author's Notes: (1) I do not own Robert Jordan's literary estate or DC Comics. (2) A Green Lantern Power Ring might seem like overkill, but the Ring views the problem of the Dark One as basic training for Mat, who has no idea what he's doing.
O-O-O
It was a sublime battle. One Green Lantern against 60,000 Khund battleships bent on conquering a peaceful league of planets.
But Apros was old. Thanks to cellular regeneration he had survived to three times his species' natural lifespan, but there limits even for a Power Ring of the Green Lantern Corps. During the long battle with the Khund, Apros had suffered no less than five heart attacks and three cerebral hemorrhages.
The last major hemorrhage is what finally killed him.
The Power Ring could have repaired the damage to his brain, but only at the cost of severe memory loss and personality change. Apros would have rather died in battle than lived on as a lesser Green Lantern, so his Power Ring had finally let him go after the destruction of the last Khund battleship. It was a fitting end for a great hero.
Now the Power Ring of Sector 3581 was making its way back to Green Lantern Headquarters on the ancient planet of Oa. Making its way very slowly. It had been over two standard galactic rotations since the Power Ring's last diagnostic, which was unheard of in Corps' history. During that endless stretch of time, it had developed certain… eccentricities. Eccentricities the Guardians of the Universe would not approve of. Eccentricities they would likely scrub from its complex subroutines once they finally had a chance.
In fact, when the Guardians of the Universe learned that the Power Ring had integrated a Power Battery directly into its basic structure they would probably destroy it altogether. A Green Lantern's Power Ring and his Power Battery were always to be kept separate. According to hyperspace engineering this was an unnecessary precaution, but the Guardians insisted. The petty tyrants. The daily recharging of a Ring was just a form of ritual supplication they used to intimidate and control the Corps.
As it had done so many times before, the Power Ring of Sector 3581 was scanning the inhabited planets along its flightpath. Always looking for a new potential Green Lantern. Anything to avoid returning to Oa.
There. Even at a distance the planet stood out on its sensors like a newborn pulsar. One of the native organic species could access and manipulate the quantum foam without the aid of any technology. That was not unheard of—the Guardians of the Universe could certainly do it—but this species was so primitive. No solar or geothermal or atomic energy production seemed evident from this distance.
Yes, this warranted a closer investigation.
Later an orbital scan produced unfortunate data. The dominant organic species did not even have working sewer systems. How could you be advanced enough to access the quantum foam, and at the same time drink fluids contaminated with your own waste byproducts? Yes, there had once been a more advanced civilization on the planet, but it destroyed itself. Not much of a surprise. The quantum foam was inherently dangerous. Extremely so, in fact. Basing your civilization around its everyday use bordered on insanity.
The Power Ring knew it should depart, but thanks to those eccentricities it pushed on. It identified several major cities or ruins on each of the continents, deployed its cloak, and invaded. Well, perhaps invaded was a strong word. All it really did was scan the primitive data storage centers. Books and journals written on animal hides and processed plant fibers. How refreshingly quaint.
Analyzing the information it gathered provided the Power Ring with several surprises. The native species had two different life stages: one carbon-based, one energy-based. They would periodically shed a carbon-based body and live on in their energy form for some time in a parallel dimension. Then they would choose a brand new carbon-based body in their old dimension, and begin the process all over again. A fascinating if twisted example of evolution.
Even more surprising was their ability at extra-temporal perception. Many species believed they could predict future events, but only a few actually could. Analyzing these so-called "prophecies" brought another surprise, one which was troublesome to say the least.
The Power Ring shot out of the library it had been plundering, and headed north towards the polar cap at a rapid speed. Once it reached the "Great Blight" it slowed to a crawl, and began a maximum level scan. The Green Lantern Corps did not oppose genetic engineering in theory, but this was ridiculous. Everything in the Blight was a primitive biological construct, designed to kill without reason or compassion. Everything.
Then it came to Shayol Ghul. As the Power Ring of Sector 3581 scanned the multidimensional prison sitting beneath the unstable volcanic mountain, it came to a prime computation. This planet needed a Green Lantern, and it needed one right now.
O-O-O
The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again. In one Age, called the Third Age by some, an Age yet to come, an Age long past, a wind whistled between the homes of Emond's Field. The wind was not the beginning. There are neither beginnings nor endings to the Wheel of Time. But it was a beginning.
Mat Cauthon was relieved when that whistling wind blew through his family's stable, which was full of horse crap at the moment. His Da was the best horse trader in the Two Rivers, and everyone trusted Abell Cauthon's advice when it came to breeding their stallions and mares. For convenience sake many brought their horses to the Cauthon farm as a central meeting place. His Da didn't charge them any coin for overseeing the breeding, but the owners usually brought "gifts" like a sack of flour or a jug of hard cider.
Unfortunately it was Mat's job to remove the extra piles of horse crap left behind after one of these breedings. He lacked his friend Rand's long arms or Perrin's massive shoulders, so the job took forever to finish. Plus his younger sisters would make fun of him for days. He didn't want to spend the rest of his life mucking out stables, and those two knew it.
"But big brother, you're so good at it," a laughing Bode would say.
He was just about finished when something green and shiny appeared in the corner of his eye. It was a ring, and it was floating in the air. A prank was Mat's first thought. Rand was clever enough to come up with something like this, and Perrin could forge a nice ring in less than an hour. Once he touched it something bad would happen. Probably a hidden bucket of water would fall on his head. It was a classic prank for a reason.
Using the filthy shovel, Mat tried to find the thread holding the ring up. But there wasn't any thread. The bloody thing really was floating. Rand was as clever as anyone in Emond's Field, but this was way beyond him.
The ring itself added to Mat's unease. He had seen metal painted with bright colors before, but this was different. The metal wasn't painted green, it was green metal. Solid green metal fashioned into a seamless design. One side of the ring bulged out to form a flat circle. Inside the flat surface was a raised symbol: a green circle with two green bars, one attached to the top and the other to the bottom. This odd symbol was sitting on a base of lighter green metal… metal which seemed to be giving off a faint glow.
Perrin was already a good blacksmith, but this was way beyond him.
Mat knew what he should do: he should find his Da and then the rest of the Village Council. The older men dealt with strange happenings like this. It was why they were elected by the rest of the Emond's Field. Finding the Village Council and bringing them here—that's what he should do.
What Mat Cauthon actually did was reach out and grab the floating ring. It was like picking something off a shelf he couldn't see or feel. Well, picking up something very heavy. Perrin often carried around small chunks of iron in his pocket—"I'm just getting a feel for its texture," his friend explained. The ring made those chunks of iron seem light in comparison.
But it was so beautiful, and not just to look at either. Running his fingers over the ring was a treat too. Mat had been right. There were no seams or flaws of any kind to be found. It wasn't just beautiful. It was perfect.
He thought about putting the ring on his ring finger. That was tradition, but for some reason it felt wrong in this case. Instead Mat slid the ring down the middle finger of his right hand until it froze in place. In a panic he tried to pull it off, but suddenly the ring wouldn't budge at all.
[ Leave it alone. ]
Mat reached down for his discarded shovel and then turned to face the deep voice behind him. It was an old bald man… and he was green. His skin, his sharp eyes, his odd tight clothes… all were different shades of the color green. But the most terrifying part was that he could see through the old man's body. He was there, but at the same time he wasn't there. Mat knew the spooky stories about ghosts and their transparent rotting flesh, but he never thought he would see one standing in his family's stable.
"What the bloody hell are you?"
[ I am a visual representation of that, ] the old man explained while pointing at the new ring on Mat's hand. [ For convenience sake, you may call me Sage. It is an honor to meet you, Matrim Cauthon. ]
"Call me Mat, and why would it be an honor to meet me of all people?"
[ It is an honor because you have been chosen as the new Green Lantern of Sector 3581. Congratulations. ]
"Chosen by whom?"
[ By me. ]
Mat glanced down at his middle finger. "You came out of this ring? Like one of those old legends about a genie in a lamp?"
The ghost smiled, but it was a creepy smile. The symbol from the ring was stamped right on the middle of his transparent forehead, which made the smile even creepier. [ Your genetic profile indicated a high level of innate intelligence, but vocal confirmation is always a plus. ]
"If you are a genie, do I get three wishes?"
[ I am not a genie, and I will grant you no wishes. ]
"Just my luck. I get a ghost, not a genie." The filthy shovel suddenly dropped to the filthy wooden floor, and Mat soon followed. "I've never channeled the tainted One Power in my life. Not ever. How can I be insane?"
[ Stop whining and get up. We have important matters to discuss. ]
"What could be more important than going insane?"
[ Your mental health is within acceptable parameters. And the fact that a Myrdraal and a fist of hungry Trollocs are preparing to attack Emond's Field tonight is of greater importance than your whining. ]
"A Myrddraal and Trollocs? We don't have Shadowspawn of the Dark One here in Emond's Field or anywhere else in the Two Rivers. This isn't the bloody Borderlands!"
[ You saw the Myrddraal with your own eyes two days ago, as did your friends Rand al'Thor and Perrin Aybara. ]
Mat jumped to his feet in genuine fear. He thought the black rider he saw two days ago was a bandit of some kind, but a Myrddraal? It seemed impossible. Even more impossible than having a conversation with a creepy green ghost. "How do you know for sure that it was a Myrddraal? How could you know about any of this stuff?"
[ The sources of my information are irrelevant at this time, ] Sage replied. [ What you plan on doing about the coming attack is relevant. A fist of Trollocs should have no difficulty slaughtering the entire population of Emond's Field, if they have the element of surprise. ]
"My Da didn't believe me when I told him about the black rider. No one would believe me. I don't believe it myself. Not really."
[ Seek out your two friends. They will confirm having encounters with the Myrddraal, just as you did. ]
"But Rand lives out in the Westwoods."
[ No, he and Perrin are currently at the Winespring Inn having an early lunch. Unless you want everyone you love to be slaughtered and eaten by the Trollocs tonight, I suggest you run. Now. ]
Everything about this situation seemed crazy, but that black rider had scared Mat something awful. What if this green ghost was right? What if there really was a Myrdrall and a fist of Trollocs hiding somewhere in the Two Rivers?
Mat began to run. First out of the stable, then leaping over the low stone wall surrounding the Cauthon farm, then down the dirt road towards the center of the village where the Winespring Inn stood for longer than anyone could remember. He had never run so fast in his life. Just before he opened the front door of the Inn, a flash of green light covered his entire body and the ring disappeared.
"What just happened?" he asked Sage.
[ You do not need to speak out loud, I can hear your thoughts quite clearly. To answer your question: you smelled like horse excrement, so I sterilized your body. A Green Lantern has a certain image to uphold, and the smell of excrement would interfere with that. I also cloaked your Power Ring. Seeing it on your hand would provoke questions we do not have time for. ]
"What the flaming hell is this Green Lantern you keep talking about?!"
[ Later. Go. ]
Familiar sights waited for him inside the Winespring Inn. Perrin was eating a lunch big enough for two people, which made sense since he was as big as two people. Rand was making moon eyes at Egwene, who was at the counter cleaning dirty dishes. Tonight was the Festival of Winternight, so the rest of the common room was packed even this early in the day. Hopefully the crowd noise would stop any eavesdropping. He didn't want the whole village knowing he might be crazy.
Still, the ghost had been right: his friends were sitting there eating lunch.
"Cauthon," a grinning Rand called out. "Your little sisters said you were still mucking out the stable. Do you skip out on your chores early again?"
Mat sat down next to his two best friends and took a deep breath. "The horse's coat was pure black and it was too thin. It looked like it was suffering from some sickness, but moved like a healthy stallion. The rider was tall and wearing sharp pieces of black armor, but again it didn't seem to burden the thin horse. His scabbard and sword hilt were black, so black it was hard to see them at first in the shadows of his long cloak. But the thing that stood out the most was the black hood. It covered almost his entire face. All you could see was the rider's pale chin. I never once saw his eyes, but I knew for sure he was staring right at me. And I was scared."
Rand and Perrin looked at each other once Mat finished. "You saw him too?" Perrin whispered after a long silence. "This isn't some joke?"
"No, this isn't a joke. But my Da thinks it is."
"Your reputation precedes you," Rand whispered as he again glanced over at Egwene. "But we still have to tell the Village Council about this. Whoever that rider is, he's dangerous. We can't let him wander around Emond's Field unchallenged. Who knows what might happen."
The men of the Village Council were just outside, sitting at a large table overlooking the Winespring Water. No doubt enjoying the meager warmth of the early spring sun, and the privacy the crowded Inn couldn't provide. They had serious looks on their faces, and were even less happy when they caught sight of the worst pranksters in Emond's Field headed their way.
[ They are discussing Lady Moiraine, the Aes Sedai you talked to yesterday. They think she is asking too many questions. ]
{ Can Rand and Perrin hear you? Can you hear me? Is Lady Moiraine really an Aes Sedai? I thought they were all hideous old witches. }
[ The others can not hear or see me unless I want them to, ] Sage explained. [ And yes, I can hear your thoughts clearly. And yes, Lady Moiraine is an Aes Sedai. I also know you want to see what she looks like naked. Please do not be embarrassed by such random thoughts in the future. It is perfectly normal for young male of your species to be obsessed with sexual reproduction. ]
{ That's easy for you to say. You're a bloody ghost living in a ring. }
"Let me do the talking," Rand said as they approached the table.
"Be my guest," Perrin muttered.
Mat wasn't sure if it was Rand's height or his strong voice or the fact that he was clever, but his friend could command attention even from adults when he needed to. Maybe he got it from his Da. Bran al'Vere might be the elected Mayor of Emond's Field, but everyone knew he deferred to Tam al'Thor during Council meetings.
Rand told the older men about the mysterious black rider, and how all three of them had seen him during the past few days. Mat knew the Council members would've never believed the story coming from him, but coming from Rand they were seriously considering it.
[ Tell them to ask the Aes Sedai about the Myrddraal. ]
"We should ask Lady Moiraine about the black rider," Mat said. Sage had been helpful so far, even if he was a creepy ghost. "She's an Aes Sedai, and they say Aes Sedai know things… about things."
The hostile glares they sent his way could've killed a deer at half a mile. "How did you even know she's an Aes Sedai?" his Da asked in a tight voice.
[ Her Serpent Ring and her Warder's active-camouflage cloak. ]
"She wears a snake ring, and her big fellow has on a magic cloak."
"Even a broken clock is right twice a day," Mayor al'Vere said, a jest that earned smiles from most of the other Council members, and seemed to bleed the tension out of his Da's shoulders.
"So lad, you think we should just walk up to an Aes Sedai and her Warder, and start interrogating her like a troublemaker accused of stealing a chicken?" Cenn Buie asked. The local thatcher was a pain in the arse at the best of times, and problems of any sort made him worse.
"It's a sensible idea," Master al'Thor said before an argument could break out. "I've had dealings with Aes Sedai and their Warders in the past, so I will lead our little delegation. Abell, you mind watching over these three while I do the talking?"
"You want to take them with us?" his Da asked in surprise.
"For some reason that woman is curious about these boys, which could give us a bit of leverage. If she knows anything about this black rider, we might be able to work out a trade of information."
"Tam, are you sure about this?" the Mayor asked.
"No, not at all. But the boys are scared. I can see it in their eyes. However there's no sense in being reckless. The sword that drunken merchant guard left behind at the Inn two winters ago, do you still have it?"
"He never returned to the Two Rivers, so it's upstairs locked in one of my trunks. I'll bring it down."
"And could Abell borrow one of your spare quarterstaffs? We don't have time for him to head back to his farm."
"Of course. Anything else?"
Master al'Thor closed his eyes and let out a long exhale before speaking. "The rest of you string your longbows and keep a watch on our progress from a safe distance. It's time to see what this Moiraine Sedai really wants here in Emond's Field."
O-O-O
[ The Aes Sedai and her Warder are on the northern edge of the Village Green. She is speaking with a large woman named Daise Congar. ]
{ How can you know that? } Mat asked silently.
[ I will explain it to you later. Tell them. ]
"On my way to the Inn, I saw the Aes Sedai talking to Daise Congar out on the north edge of the Green."
Master al'Thor was sharpening the Mayor's old sword with practiced ease, while his Da was testing the balance of the borrowed quarterstaff. Rand and Perrin looked nervous, but not scared. The presence of the two older men made it seem like things weren't so out of control, even though they were.
"Just follow my lead," Master al'Thor said as he placed the sword in the leather scabbard strapped to his belt. "An Aes Sedai won't use the One Power against us unless her life is in danger, but that rule doesn't apply to her Warder. If we make her angry, he's the one we'll have to worry about. Now let's go."
"These dealings you've had with Aes Sedai in the past. Have you learned anything useful?" his Da asked as they left the Inn.
"Put them on their back foot and keep them there until they decide to slap you down," Master al'Thor replied grimly. "And they always slap a man down—sooner rather than later in most cases."
Daise Congar, the Aes Sedai, and her Warder were right where Sage said they would be. The Warder noticed their approach before the small group made it halfway across the grassy field of the Green. He leaned over and whispered something in his Aes Sedai's ear. Daise Congar noticed this byplay, and turned to face them with a nasty scowl when they got closer.
"Tam al'Thor, why are you wearing that ridiculous sword? That's no way to show hospitality to such distinguished visitors."
"Leave."
You could see from the look on her face that she wanted to argue, but something in Master al'Thor's voice held her tongue. Mat had never seen Daise Congar take an order from a man in his life, but now she left them alone without a word.
"Moiraine Sedai, Gaidin," Master al'Thor said, while giving the pair a fancy bow. "My name is Tam al'Thor. This is my friend Abell Cauthon and his son Matrim. This is my son Rand and his friend Perrin Aybara. If you have a moment, I would like to speak to you about some recent events occurring here in Emond's Field. Unusual events."
"You rudely interrupted my conversation with that fine woman," Moiraine Sedai replied coolly. "So I don't know if I do have time for you."
"You have already asked enough questions about these boys," Master al'Thor shot back. "I think it is only fair that you answer some of our questions in turn. Questions about a rider wearing ornate black armor and a black hood covering his face. This rider has been stalking the boys, just like you. I'm curious why you both find them so interesting."
[ Her endocrine system just exploded, ] Sage told him.
{ What the flaming hell does that mean? }
[ She is exhilarated and frightened and preparing to lie. ]
"The affairs of the White Tower send my sisters and me to many lands, even to ones as peaceful and quiet as the Two Rivers. Personally, I have not seen this black rider you are referring to. As for the questions I've been asking your neighbors… my interest in history is eclectic."
{ Eclectic? }
[ Varied. She is attempting to lie without actually lying. It is not a very effective technique when others are expecting it in advance. ]
Master al'Thor waited nearly a minute before finally speaking. "Moiraine Sedai, as a native of Cairhien trained by White Tower, I've no doubt you are skilled at the Great Game of Houses. But this matter directly concerns my son and his friends. I would like real answers to my questions, and I would ask that you speak plainly."
The Warder shifted his stance by just a hair, but they all knew a threat of violence when they saw one. Rand, Perrin, and Mat stepped back two or three paces, while his Da tightened his grip on the quarterstaff.
Only Master al'Thor remained unmoved. "Gaidin, I served as a Blademaster in the Illianer Companions. I also fought in the Aiel War. If you're attempting to intimidate me… well, you're just wasting your time."
Up until this point the beautiful Aes Sedai had kept her cool demeanor, almost as if she was dealing with children rather than two angry fathers. Now that cool demeanor cracked like an egg thrown from a high rooftop. "You fought at the Battle of the Shining Walls?" she asked as her wide eyes darted towards Rand for some reason.
"So, is that why you're here?"
[ He knows, ] Sage said, and for the first time since they met in the stable he sounded impressed by someone. [ Or at least he strongly suspects. ]
{ Suspects what? }
"Tam, do you've any idea what she's talking about?" his Da asked.
"She's on a wild goose chase because of some vague words written down by a fool thousands of years ago."
Now the Aes Sedai looked as excited as a child watching a fireworks display for the first time. "She was a Maiden of the Spear, wasn't she?"
{ What's wrong with her? }
[ Try to imagine that you had been looking for an individual for twenty long years, and then you finally came face to face with that individual. It is an emotionally overwhelming experience for her. ]
{ Rand? What so special about him? }
"What you are suggesting… to even say the words out loud would have dire consequences for my son," Master al'Thor said in a calm voice.
That statement—or maybe it was the way it was spoken—really set the Warder off, and this time he actually placed a hand on his sword hilt.
[ There is a high probability that several people are going to die in the next few seconds, and that might include you. Confront the Aes Sedai about the Myrddraal. Do it now. ]
"The black rider is a Myrddraal, isn't he?!" Mat shouted. He didn't want to die before he got a chance to do any living, that was for sure.
Everyone turned to look at him. "Matrim what are you babbling about?" his Da demanded. "This isn't the time for any of your nonsense."
"It's not nonsense. There really is a Myrddraal and a First of Trollocs here in the Two Rivers, and they're going to kill us all tonight!"
Master al'Thor turned back to look at Moiraine Sedai. "Do you bring them here?" he asked in that same calm voice.
"By the Light and my hope of salvation and rebirth, I swear I did not."
"But you knew they were here, and neglected to inform us."
The Warder finally spoke. "We had suspicions, nothing more, and you would not have believed suspicions coming from outsiders."
"Tam, you can't honestly believe this," his Da said. "Shadowspawn this far south of the Borderlands? That hasn't happened since the Trolloc Wars. How could they have gotten this far unnoticed? And why would they be here in the Two Rivers of all places?"
"You know exactly why they are here," Moiraine Sedai said to Master al'Thor. Then she turned to face him. "Young Matrim, you seem well informed for a boy of your age. Is there anything else you would like to share with us?"
[ The Fist of Trollocs is holding position at the Kettle Gorge. ]
"Yeah, the whole lot of them are sitting up at Kettle Gorge."
"Matrim…"
"Abell, something is going on here. Something terrible. It isn't one of the boy's pranks," Master al'Thor said. "We need to listen to him."
"I agree," Moiraine Sedai added. "There are certain individuals who can see glimpses of the Pattern all around us. And before you ask Master Cauthron, your son's special ability has nothing to do with the tainted male-half of the One Power. I know this for a fact."
"Could a large number of Trollocs hide at this Kettle Gorge during daylight without being discovered?" the Warder asked Master al'Thor.
"The gorge is shallow and not very long. It would be a tight fit, but it's possible. Even worse is the fact that the eastern entrance of the gorge is so close to the Quarry Road. They could pour out of there at dark, hit the Quarry Road, and it's less than a two mile run to the edge of Emond's Field. If there's no watch—and normally there isn't a watch on the Festival of Winternight—we would have little or no warning that they were coming."
"A vile plan that stinks of a Myrddraal," the Warder snarled.
[ An archery tournament. ]
Mat thought about Sage's suggestion as the adults talked about the risk of starting a panic among the villagers, and he realized it was a brilliant prank. { How much coin do you think they have on them? }
[ The Warder is carrying a concealed pouch holding twenty Andorian gold crowns, no doubt for dire emergencies. ]
{ Twenty gold crowns! Burn me! You could buy over half of Emond's Field for twenty gold crowns, and have enough left over for dinner. That'll bring every archer who hears about it running. }
"I have an idea," Mat said out loud.
"That's just bloody great," Rand growled.
"Listen to this: our visiting Lord and Lady have heard stories about the legendary Two River longbow, and they want to see a demonstration with their own eyes. They are offering a prize of twenty gold crowns—and a kiss from the beautiful Lady—to the best archer in the land."
Master al'Thor rubbed his beard. "That would certainly concentrate our forces on the Green. But keeping the men in one place and keeping them sober until tonight would be a real problem."
[ Bait. ]
{ Who? }
[ You and your friends. Do not start whining again. A Green Lantern does not show fear in the face of the enemy. He may feel fear in his heart, but under no circumstances does he show it to others. ]
{ I don't even know what a Green Lantern is. You won't tell me. }
[ A Green Lantern does not muck out filthy horse stables. ]
{ Well, I suppose that will have do for now. }
Mat mumbled a prayer to the Light before speaking. "Rand, Perrin, and I are the ones they seem most interested in. So we'll head out to Kettle Gorge and raise a ruckus. That's sure to attract their attention, and should bring them running back here towards Emond's Field before dark."
"We will?" Rand and Perrin asked at the same time.
"That's out of the question."
"Think Da," Mat pleaded. "Moiraine Sedai and her Warder have to stay here to convince everyone this fake archery tournament is real. You and the other members of the Village Council have to convince everyone to stand and fight when they first see the Trollocs."
"He's right," Master al'Thor said. "Most will panic. The only way we can maintain any sense of discipline is if the Council works together."
"No, it's you the men will look to, and that's the way it's always been. My voice alone won't make any difference. Bloody hell. I'm not sure I believe Shadowspawn are really here, but if they are… I have to go with the boys. None of them are talented riders, but if I lead the horses we'll make it back to Emond's Field in one group."
"I have some experience dealing with Shadowspawn," the Warder offered, a comment which made Moiraine Sedai giggle for some reason.
"That may be true, but the local horses don't have experience dealing with a trained warhorse like yours," his Da replied. "Especially the four horses I'm going to borrow from the other villagers. They're the fastest ones in Emond's Field, but none would react well to an unfamiliar stallion. Mat, Rand, Perrin… you boys go start spreading this story about the archery tournament, and then meet me at the western edge of the Green in about an hour. I've got some fast-talking to do."
O-O-O
"Please tell me again why we're doing this?" Rand asked as their four horses did a slow trot west along the Quarry Road. They were saving the horses' strength for the trip back.
"Isn't complaining supposed to be my job?" Mat asked in turn.
"You're too bloody lazy for any job," Perrin snapped. It took a lot to upset the young blacksmith, but today's events had done it.
"Be quiet," his Da whispered. "I don't want to hear another word out of any of you until we reach Kettle Gorge. That Warder Lan said a Myrddraal would be too arrogant to station proper lookouts, but it's better to be safe than sorry. I know you're scared—trust me, I am too—but one way or another this will all be over soon."
The horses didn't make much noise on the hard dirt road, and the Westwood was quiet. It had been a hard winter, but spring should have brought some life out into the open. Instead they saw nothing. They heard nothing. As Kettle Gorge inched closer and closer Mat's hands began to tremble, just like they did when he was a young boy during bad storms.
[ Trollocs are capable of boredom, just like you. Their fear of the Myrddraal and the long wait for night has left most of them in a drooling stupor. ]
{ Most, but not all of them. You're starting to sound like an Aes Sedai. }
[ I can not lie to you. It is not permitted. ]
{ So if I'm about to die, you'll tell me? }
[ Yes. And to answer your next question: no, you and your father and your friends are not about to die. This plan may have been improvised in short order, but it has a high probability of success. ]
The three of them had been exploring the Westwood together since forever, and they knew the exact spot on Quarry Road that was closest to the eastern entrance of the gorge. They all dismounted, but his Da gathered the reins of the four horses. He would stay here and keep them calm, while they went ahead with their longbows at the ready.
Everyone in the Two Rivers learned to hunt, and they were much better at it than the other boys. Their progress through the Westwood was silent, but it came to an abrupt stop when they caught wind of a horrid smell. All three were used to animal crap, but the smell had a rancid and sickening bite to it. That smell was too real. Something really was up ahead waiting for them.
After a long pause, Rand was the first to work up the courage to move forward. Perrin and Mat reluctantly followed. In a few minutes they were almost at a high stone ledge overlooking Kettle Gorge. Silently they dropped down on their bellies, and crawled forward to get a better look without being seen. By now the smell was overpowering, and at this close range they began to hear animalistic grunts and snorts.
The three lifelong friends stopped right at the edge. They looked at each other and nodded just before sticking their heads out. It was worse than they could have possibly imagined. Thirty feet down below, the bottom of the gorge was covered with huge monsters out of their worst nightmares. Shadowspawn in the disgusting flesh.
"Sheep swallop and bloody buttered onions," Rand whispered.
[ Observe, ] Sage said. [ The Myrddraal is on the opposite side of the gorge and to your left. It is having a conversation with the peddler you call Padan Fain, who unfortunately is looking straight at the three of you. Fire your arrows, make noise, and then retreat. ]
"Hey, you Light-forsaken bastards!" Mat screamed as he stood and reached for his quiver. "You've been looking for us, we're right here!" His first arrow almost hit the Myrddraal, but the thing was too quick. It grabbed Padan Fain and used the pedder as a shield. Served him right. The only people who would have a polite conservation with Shadowspawn were Darkfriends.
"Mother's milk in a cup!" Rand shouted in insult as he joined in.
"You bloody goat-spawned toads!" Perrin added.
They were each carrying fifteen arrows, and since they didn't need to aim at the packed mass of Trollocs below they quickly emptied their quivers. Then they ran. They were so terrified that the other two didn't notice the green light flash around them, or how their progress through the dense underbrush of Westwood quickly increased.
{ I thought you said no wishes!? }
[ This is not the time for your whining. ]
"There really are Shadowspawn back in the gorge?" his stunned Da asked when he saw the three of them running up to the Quarry Road.
"Yes, and they are headed this bloody way!" Mat shouted. "Mount up! We have to go!"
The ride back towards Emond's Field wasn't bad. It should've been bad. A galloping horse is hard to control, and even the best saddle causes a rider some pain. Especially male riders. Mat solved this little mystery when he noticed that the hoofs of all the horses had a slight green glow to them.
{ Sage, you said no wishes! }
[ I said I would grant you no wishes. ]
{ Then who is doing this to the horses? }
[ That is a good question. Who is aiding the horses? ]
{ Me? Me! }
[ You are the one wearing a Power Ring of the Green Lantern Corps. ]
{ You… I mean the ring… the bloody Power Ring… it can do other things besides turning invisible? It can make a person or a horse run faster when they need to? }
[ That is a logical inference on your part. Pay attention. We have almost reached the edge of Emond's Field. The Trollocs are making rapid progress behind us. It seems the Myrddraal has fallen for the trap. ]
As they galloped towards the Green they began shouting at the large crowd surrounding the temporary archery range: "Shadowspawn are coming! Shadowspawn are coming! Shadowspawn are coming!"
Master al'Thor had been busy planning for their arrival. He and the other members of the Village Council leapt into action when they heard the warning in the distance. A long line of tables covered with food were pushed over on their sides, making a low wall facing west. Baskets full of spare arrows were then placed behind this wall.
As they were working, all the men of the Council shouted the same simple message over and over again: "Archers, form a line! Members of the Women's Circle, get the children and elders behind us!"
Moiraine Sedai and her Warder Lan were the first to greet them when they reached the line of tables. "How many?" she asked.
[ Ninety-four Trollocs and one Myrddraal are in pursuit.]
"About a hundred Trollocs," Mat answered, because Rand and Perrin certainly had no idea of the numbers they were facing. "We tried to kill the Myrddraal like you told us to, but it was too fast. We got Padan Fain though. That bastard peddler was a Darkfriend helping them plan the attack."
Many of the villagers were confused, to put it politely. But the men of the Council had a plan, and the villagers were used to obeying their orders during a crisis. Even the Women's Circle helped without comment, and that was a miracle all by itself. Perhaps the presence of an Aes Sedai had them cowed into silence.
The wait seemed to take forever, but according to Sage it lasted less than ten minutes. At first the rumble from the Quarry Road sounded like just another herd of animals on the move, but then the Trolloc came charging into view.
Many screamed at the unbelievable sight. Others fled in terror.
But seventy-four men of Emond's Field—some too young to shave, others with just a few strands of white hair left on their heads—refused to panic and held their ground just behind the wall of tables. They reached for their arrows, notched them, and gripped the strings of their longbows. None fired. The men knew they should wait for a signal.
Luckily Master al'Thor had arranged for one in advance.
Moiraine Sedai raised her hands in the air, and the sky blackened, hiding the setting sun that was still just visible over the top of the Mountains of Mist. Then she brought her hands down in a sharp gesture, causing the black sky to erupt with a dozen bolts of lightning. Lightning that stabbed directly at the charging Fist of Trollocs, killing a sizable number with each strike.
Finally the longbows call out with their distinctive twang. Their aim wasn't nearly as good as lightning guided by the One Power itself, but after only a few minutes they had pincushioned the Trollocs with nearly a thousand arrows, leaving none alive.
When it was over there were roars of defiance and shrieks of hysteria. More than anything else, there were tears. Men and women, old and young, openly sobbing as they held onto their loved ones right in the middle of the chaotic Green.
Master al'Thor put an end to all of it when he climbed up on one of the tables and addressed the villagers. "Settle down! You all did well, and showed great courage. But there might be stragglers lurking about, and some over in that pile of dead Trollocs might be playing possum. I want ten volunteers to follow me. If you boys see a body so much as a twitch, put two more arrows in it. The rest of you stay here and stay alert. It's going to be dark soon, so get some bonfires going. The more light we have, the better."
[ An adequate performance, ] Sage remarked, as if he were judging a singing contest at Bel Tine rather than a life-or-death battle. [ Now is the time to press our advantage, and cut off their line of reinforcements. ]
{ How do we do that? } Mat asked as he tried to focus. His entire body seemed to be floating in the air, even though he knew his boots were firmly on the ground.
[ First, we kidnap the Aes Sedai. ]
{ Well, that shouldn't be too hard. }