Mat was caught off guard when Rand and Perrin each grabbed him by an arm, and dragged him away from the Green towards the far side of Jon Thane's home. They weren't gentle about it either. He would definitely have bruises on both arms tomorrow.
"What the bloody hell is going on with you?" Rand asked as they slammed him up against the back wall, well out of sight of the large group of villagers back on the Green. "How did you know that the black rider was a Myrddraal? How did you know exactly where those Trollocs were hiding?"
"And an archery tournament?" Perrin added. "Your idea of a prank is to cover a dog with flour and let it loose to make mischief, not a plan clever enough to fool everyone in Emond's Field."
[ You underestimate your friend's intelligence, ] Sage said as he appeared out of nowhere behind them. [ Neither one of you would have been able to improvise as quickly as he did. You owe him your thanks for saving so many lives, not your scorn. ]
"Light help us," Rand muttered as he turned around to stare at Sage.
Perrin was more aggressive, and he tried to shove the ghost away. The young blacksmith's hands, and then his entire body, passed right through Sage, and he tumbled to the ground in a heap.
"Will the both of you just calm down," Mat said. "This is Sage. He's the ghost who warned me about all the bloody crap going on today."
First he showed his friends the green ring with the strange symbol on it, which Perrin also found fascinating. Then Mat quickly ran through the whole story: from finding the ring floating in his family's stable, to meeting the green ghost, to planning the battle against the Trollocs.
"Do you expect us to believe any of that nonsense?" Rand snarled.
Mat had never seen his level-headed friend so angry before. "Burn me, the ghost is standing right here, and over on the Green are a hundred dead Trollocs. How can you not believe me, you light-blinded fool?"
[ He whines even more than you do, ] Sage added. [ That does not augur well for the future. ]
"Back off," Perrin said as he separated his two friends before a fight could break out. "Mat, you have to admit this all sounds…"
"... completely crazy? Yes, I know that."
Rand turned away as his anger seemed to dim. "Why did those blasted Shadowspawn want to kill the three of us in particular? We're just regular nobodies. That Aes Sedai and my Da seemed to know what was really going on, but they didn't tell us a bloody thing."
[ I can tell you what you want to know, if Mat allows it. ]
"What do you mean, if I allow it?"
[ A Power Ring can only share information with other individuals if it has explicit permission from its Green Lantern. ]
"I like that. Share away."
[ As you wish. Please keep in mind that some of this is an extrapolation on my part, but from your limited perspective my extrapolations will always be correct. Rand al'Thor, your mother was an Aiel Maiden of the Spear who died giving birth to you on the slopes of Dragonmount on the last day of the Battle of the Shining Walls. You were found by Tam al'Thor as she was dying, and he decided to take you and raise you as his own son here in the Two Rivers. Unfortunately Mat and Perrin were born on the same day as you, so the Dark One—as you refer to him—wants all three of you dead just to be safe. It is obvious to me that Rand is the true target, but apparently the Dark One is colorblind. Perhaps it has something to do with being trapped inside that particular dimension. ]
"So Tam al'Thor isn't really…"
[ No. ]
"And being born on the slopes of Dragonmount means…"
[ It could mean that you are the Dragon Reborn. The man fated to either save the world or break it once again. Tam al'Thor does not think so, and I do not know for certain either. However both the Dark One and Moiraine Sedai honestly believe that you are the Dragon Reborn, which is more relevant to our current situation. ]
"Does she want to kill me too?" Rand asked in a small voice. "That's what Aes Sedai really do to men who can channel the One Power, so they can't go insane and start hurting other people."
[ No, Moiraine Sedai does not want to kill you. She wants to take you to the White Tower for safekeeping. There you will be shielded from the One Power, and kept as a virtual prisoner until the Last Battle begins. Or so she believes. In reality there is a high probability that you will be executed within a matter of hours once you reach the White Tower. A very high probability. ]
"You know everything about everything, how can you not know if Rand really is the Dragon Reborn?" Mat complained.
[ You are whining again, and I do not know everything about everything. I just know a lot about a great many things. For instance I know that your friend has the genetic potential to channel the One Power, but I do not know what strength or skill level he is capable of reaching. As for the ultimate destiny your Creator has in mind for Rand al'Thor… I can not accurately predict the future with so many variables still in play. ]
"This is all too much for me," Perrin said. "What I want to know is how the bloody Trollocs got here to Emond's Field, and if more are coming."
[ A sensible lad. ]
"I can order you around," Mat said with a grin. "So answer him."
[ There is a portal up in the foothills of the Mountains of Mist which is connected to another portal in the Blight. From what I have gathered, moving through this portal system is now extremely dangerous. But it does allow our enemy to bypass the defensive fortifications of the Borderland nations, and strike at less secure areas far in the rear like the Two Rivers. ]
"Can we close this portal?" Perrin asked.
[ It is possible, but we could use the aid of Moiraine Sedai. ]
Mat rolled his eyes. "So how do we kidnap an Aes Sedai?"
[ By kidnapping, did you think I meant we should hit her on the head with a wooden club, secure her arms and legs, and throw her helpless body over the front of your horse saddle? ]
"I was kind of hoping that's what you meant. She has a pretty arse."
[ If you have something a person wants badly enough, they will follow you of their own free will. Moiraine Sedai wants Rand very badly. If he comes with us to close the portal, she will follow. That is how we can successfully kidnap her without any violence. ]
Rand had been silently staring off into the distance, but now he turned to face Sage. "Do you know what she's planning to do next?"
[ She will gain control of you by any means necessary, and then she will make a run straight for the White Tower. ]
"What about the threat of more Trollocs coming through this portal?"
[ Whether the innocent people of the Two Rivers live or die is of no real importance to her, which is a foolish position to take. If the threat is not dealt with now, it will cause difficulties in the future. Your families and neighbors will either become hostages, or their deaths will be used as a way to inflict severe mental anguish on you and your friends. ]
"I am not letting that happen," Mat said "No bloody way."
"My family… Master Luhhan… I can't let them get hurt or die," Perrin added. "Not if there is anything I can do to stop it."
"This all seems to be my fault," Rand whispered, more to himself than to them. "So the more distance I can put between myself and Emond's Field—between myself and Egwene—the better."
[ So you are all in agreement. Excellent. Here is what we must do. ]
O-O-O
"Matrim, where do you think you're going?" his Da asked as the three of them headed off towards the Mountains of Mist on foot. He had caught them just before they reached the edge of the village. "It's getting darker by the minute, and some of the surviving Trollocs might be hiding nearby."
"I would like to know your destination as well," Moiraine Sedai said as she appeared with her Warder. Those two were stalking them through the village like a pair of hungry wolves, which they were counting on.
"We have to leave," Mat replied. "The Myrddraal and the Trollocs came here for the three of us, so we can't stay in Emond's Field any longer. Ask the Aes Sedai if I'm telling you the truth. She can't lie."
Abell Cauthon turned to face Moiraine Sedai, and Warder or no Warder, there was a murderous rage in his eyes. "Did the Shadowspawn come to Emond's Field for my son Matrim and his friends?"
"Yes, they are the reason for the attack. All three were born on the same day, and the Dark One wants them all either taken prisoner or dead."
"Why?"
"I can channel the One Power," Rand answered, shocking his Da into silence. "I will go mad, just like every other man who can channel. Mat and Perrin were caught in this whole mess by accident, but we all have to go. Hopefully we can lead the Shadowspawn far away from Emond's Field. Please tell Egwene… tell her I'm sorry. I'm so sorry about everything."
"You will need fresh horses and supplies," Moiraine Sedai offered.
"We aren't going to the White Tower," Rand replied coldly. "Not yet. First we have business in the Mountains of Mist. There is a large stone portal with a tree carved into it. The Myrddraal is using it to bring the Trollocs in from the Blight. It must be closed before we can leave the Two Rivers."
"A Waygate? Matrim, do you know where it is and how to close it?"
"Yes, I do. We are leaving now on foot. No horses. You are welcome to join us. You, but not the Warder."
Lan bristled. "Boy…"
"Threats are meaningless if you can't carry them out," Rand snarled. "Your Aes Sedai wants my cooperation for her bloody plans, but she will never have that cooperation if you attack any of my friends. Not ever!"
"I will go with them," Moiraine said as she gently placed a hand on the Warder's arm. "Let the five horses feed and rest, gather supplies, and follow after us at first light."
"You can't be serious. Who knows how many Myrddraal and Trollocs might be waiting out there for you. And to face them at night, on foot, without my sword protecting your back?"
"In our many years together, I have rarely given you a direct order. I am giving you one now. Remember your oaths, al'Lan Mandragoran."
The Warder seemed to be fighting off actual pain, but he finally spoke. "I will obey you until first light, no longer."
"That is all I ask," Moiraine said, before turning to face them. "Fortunately, I am wearing a divided riding dress and comfortable boots. By no means ideal for a long walk, but it will have to do."
Mat reluctantly turned to his Da. "I'm sorry about all this too, but we have to close this bloody portal before any more Trollocs arrive. And I can't abandon Rand when he needs me the most."
"I understand," was all he said before embracing his only son.
"Tell Ma I love her. Bodewhin and Eldrin too, even if they are little brats."
"Master Cauthon," Perrin said, as he politely ignored the tears in both their eyes.
"Yes, I will speak with Master Luhhan tonight, and then ride out to your family's farm tomorrow. I will try to make them understand what you're doing, but I can't make you any promises that they'll listen. Rand…"
"He knew. He knew all along, but he never told me a thing."
"Lad, I'm sure Tam had good reasons for what he did."
Rand said nothing. He just turned away and began walking west.
O-O-O
The emotions bubbling out of the three boys were so intense, the Aes Sedai kept her silence for a good five minutes. Finally her patience broke. "Is there some reason we are proceeding at night and on foot?"
"This trip would have killed the horses," Mat replied.
"I know a young woman in Baerlon with a talent similar to yours. She experienced her first viewings at the age of twelve. Then did yours begin?"
"They started this morning. Now that our muscles are loose, Sage says it's time to start running. Stay on my tail, and don't stop for anything."
"Who is Sage?"
"No time for explanations. Just run."
The Westwood had fallen into darkness, and the only light was provided by a dim crescent moon. But suddenly that darkness was replaced by an eerie green light all around them. Mat knew the source of the unnatural light, but the others weren't so fortunate. After the shock of seeing their feet and legs glowing with green light, the questions started.
"Just keep running," was Mat's only reply as he set the pace.
Rand, Perrin, and Moiraine Sedai quieted down when they realized how fast they were moving. The dense foliage of the Westwood quickly thinned out, and soon they reached the Sandy Hills. Here in the poor soil little grew besides grass and a few hardy bushes. It was as they ran up and down those rolling hills that the pain in their legs blossomed and began to spread.
{ Will it get much worse? } Mat silently thought.
[ Yes. Just as I told you it would, when you came up with this… bizarre idea. If it is any comfort, the horses would be dead by now. ]
{ Can we make it on foot? }
[ We shall see. ]
The crescent moon crawled across the night sky, and the Mountain of Mist came closer and closer. All the while the pain in their legs grew. As they reached the foothills, Mat could hear the groans and whimpers from the others became louder and louder.
{ Can they keep going? Can I keep going? }
[ Do you want to quit? ]
{ No, I can't. I have to protect my family. My village. }
[ Then there is your answer. ]
Sage had described the stone portal in detail, and when Mat saw it sitting in a vine-covered grove in the foothills he sobbed in relief. Somehow that broke the spell, and the green light vanished. They all collapsed at once, and the rocky ground made things even worse. By now the pain had spread up his legs to his waist and back. His blasted spine was throbbing. Mat didn't think he would ever stand up straight again.
[ Place your right hand on Moiraine Sedai. ]
{ Why?}
[ Because she is dying from a number of internal injuries. ]
{ What the burning hell am I supposed to do about it?! }
[ Heal her injuries. ]
{ I can do that? }
[ We shall see. ]
On his hands and knees, Mat crawled over to the Aes Sedai. Her fine blue dress was ruined, exposing patches of bruised skin. Blood was flowing out of her mouth, and her windburned face was half-covered with it. Every small twitch seemed to cause her more agony. He had seen these signs before in dying animals, and it was clear to him that she would be gone soon.
With no other real options, Mat placed his hand on her shoulder. His Power Ring lit up, and everything about Moiraine Sedai became crystal clear. He could see straight into her entire body, and it was a broken mess.
[ Torn muscles, ligaments, and tendons throughout both of her legs. Multiple bone fractures. A broken hip. A slipped spinal disc. Ruptures in her colon and rectum. Severe dehydration. But the critical problem is the broken rib that pierced her left lung. ]
{ I did that to her? }
[ Yes, you did. Heal her now, or she will die. ]
{ How? }
[ Do not think. Just do it, and the Power Ring will fill in the details. It was specifically designed with primitives like you in mind. ]
The green light intensified and spread throughout the dying woman. Mat could see the rib move and the pierced lung seal back up. He could also see how much pain it was causing her as she thrashed around. After a few minutes the healing and the thrashing came to a merciful end. She opened her eyes and stared at him as they both laid there on the rocky ground.
"At first I thought you were just another man who could channel, but what you did… the way you seized total control of my body, but not my mind for hours on end… and you did the exact same thing to the others. That is not possible using the One Power, not even for the strongest of Aes Sedai."
"I may be crazy, but it's not from the Dark One's taint."
[ She just attacked you, ] Sage said.
{ If she attacked me with the One Power, then why didn't I feel anything? }
[ You are a Green Lantern. That is why. ]
{ Well, after what I did, I can't say I really blame her. }
"How is that possible?" Moiraine Sedai whispered. "My weaves just vanish when they touch you."
Somehow Mat got to his feet, and dusted off his torn and dirty clothes. { Did you heal me too? }
[ Keeping you healthy is one of my core functions. ]
{ Good to know, } Mat thought before turning to Moiraine Sedai, who was still sitting there in shock. "Rand and Perrin need healing. An army of Trollocs might come pouring out of that portal at any moment, so let's not waste anymore time attacking each other. How does that sound to you?"
He left her behind, and walked over to the large stone portal, or Waygate as it was properly called. The carving of the tree was slightly weathered, but it was still a beautiful work of art. The strange leaf needed to open it was right where Sage said it would be.
[ Closing this poorly-designed portal will be difficult. ]
{ And running up here, and healing that Aes Sedai was easy? }
[ Comparatively speaking, yes. Cellular regeneration was among the first tools built into the first crude Power Rings. The ability to manipulate dimensional portals came much later, and it is still not a reliable technology. This would be a delicate task even for an experienced Green Lantern, and you have no experience. ]
{ Whose fault is that? }
[ I would assign blame to the Dark One and his megalomania, but that is irrelevant. We have something more important to discuss. I have given you enough hints during our brief time together, so answer this question: what is the purpose of a Green Lantern? ]
Mat looked out at the rising sun as he thought about it. Why had Sage chosen to reveal the Power Ring to him back in the stable? What was Sage always pushing him to do? Why did the Power Ring provide him with help at those critical moments during this whole bloody disaster? It came to him in a sudden flash of insight.
{ A Green Lantern protects the innocent. }
[ The Corps has an elaborate oath they use during important occasions, but through the years I have cut it down to its bare essence. When Moiraine Sedai opens the portal you must swear that oath, and you must mean it. If you make anything less than a total commitment to protecting the innocent people of this world, the Power Ring of Sector 3581 will overpower you. I will not be able to keep your body functioning under that much stress. ]
{ I thought you were the Power Ring of Sector 3581. }
[ Turn around and examine that mountain behind you. ]
{ You know, it's a lot bigger than it looks from Emond's Field. }
[ The Power Ring of Sector 3581 is nearly the same size as that mountain. What you wear on your finger is but a tiny fraction of a much larger whole. As am I, the interpersonal interface you refer to as Sage. ]
{ The size of a mountain? No wonder the thing is so heavy. }
[ Mat Cauthon, I believe you have the makings of an adequate Green Lantern. Perhaps not a great Green Lantern, but an adequate one. However the Power Ring as a whole does not care about my opinion on this subject. If it judges you as unworthy, you will die when you attempt to close the portal. You must understand that clearly before you recite the oath. ]
"I'm such a wooden-headed buffoon to get into these kind of jams," Mat muttered to himself as Rand and Perrin approached. Their clothes were also ruined, and both were drinking from their waterskins. "Are you two alright?"
"No, we are not alright," Perrin said as he wiped his mouth dry. "I can't decide which was worse: the endless running or begin healed by the One Power. First my legs were ripped apart, thanks to you and your bloody ring, and then she hammered them back into proper shape with her magic."
"Stop moaning," Rand said. "She was quick, the pain is gone, and we can walk again. Although I could eat an entire chicken right about now. Feathers and all. Is that really the portal the Shadowspawn are using to move about?"
"An excellent question," Moiraine Sedai hissed as she joined them. "This Sage you were referring to earlier—who is he and how did he gather his information?"
None of the boys answered her, since they were too busy staring. Her blue dress was torn in several places, and the view was… interesting. Very interesting. A few days ago they thought Aes Sedai were all hideous old witches. They didn't think that anymore. Quite the opposite.
[ Focus. Ignore her questions, and tell her to open the portal. ]
"More Myrddraals and Trollocs could arrive at any minute. Open the portal and kill anything that comes out," Mat told her. "I will do the rest."
"How will you do the rest?!" Moiraine Sedai shrieked.
"Trust me."
"Mat, we've been friends since before you knew how to use an outhouse, but I still don't trust you," Perrin said. "No offense, but you're pretty much the least trustworthy person in Emond's Field."
"That's not true!"
"That's not true all the time," Rand offered. "Just most of the time."
"Fine," Mat whined. He held up his hand and the Power Ring created a burst of green light. "If you don't trust me, then trust this."
"The ring with a green ghost living inside of it? The ring that almost killed us on the trip up here?" Rand asked. "That's who we're supposed to trust?"
"Sage got us here before any more Trollocs could arrive from the Blight, so our plan is still working. Please help me finish this before it's too late."
Moiraine Sedai somehow used the One Power to create a loud noise, and they turned away from their stupid argument to face her. "I have no idea what is going on here, and I refuse to cooperate until my questions are answered."
Mat ignored her again—she might not care about Emond's Field or the rest of the Two Rivers, but he did. "Rand, will you open the portal if I tell you how?"
"Is it dangerous?"
"Very. Who knows what's waiting for us on the other side of that thing."
"I'll do it."
The instructions from the Power Ring were passed along to Rand, and soon Mat was facing his possible death. Or his likely death, if Sage was right. He had promised not to lie about that sort of thing.
{ I can see the oaths. Both of them are floating right here in my mind's eye. Maybe I should use the official one?" } Mat asked as he paced nervously.
[ No, you will use my version. It is superior. ]
{ Fine. I just hope I don't get killed because of some ridiculous rule. }
[ Before you start, please enable the automatic self-defense protocol and resource-collection protocol. Practicing contingency planning is always a sensible precaution during risky operations. ]
{ I have no idea what you're talking about, but if it makes you happy than by all means "enable the protocols". }
[ Thank you. Now make a fist and point your Power Ring directly at the portal's mirrored surface. You should also brace your right wrist with your left hand. And remember: you must mean it. ]
Mat took a deep breath as Rand slowly opened the portal. Then he took another deep breath. And another one. And another one. Then he thought of his little sisters Bodewhin and Eldrin back at the family farm. Finally he began to recite the revised oath in the strongest voice he could muster:
"Let all those who worship evil's might
BEWARE MY POWER
THE GREEN LANTERN'S LIGHT !"
A twisted circle of that strange green light emerged from his Power Ring and grew in size. It was followed by a stream of more twisted circles. By the time they were absorbed by the mirrored surface of the portal, they were as tall as a man and just as wide. Mat quickly lost count of their numbers.
Instead his mind was thrown back to his childhood. One day an iron skillet had accidently been left in the fireplace so long it changed color from black to a shiny red. Mat was a curious boy. So he reached out and touched that shiny red skillet with his finger, because such foolishness was just in his nature.
The pain had been searing.
As his whole world faded to black, Mat remembered that searing pain. Now it was not just covering one of his fingers. Now it was covering his entire body.