Note: The character Dirk's real name is Kye. So either appellation refers to him.
Disclaimer: All profits to RJ, the man, the Legend.
Epilogue
The wind blew over the plains and around the imposing spire of Dragonmount. The wind had always blown over the huge open stretch and for over a thousand years it had swirled around Dragonmount and the White Tower. The wind didn't change it was constant but in a way it was always changing. Seemingly only he who continues to change can truly be constant.
The White Tower still stood battered from the wars that had raged within and around it but now despite hundreds of deaths it stood whole and filled. Its Amyrlin Seat, Egwene al'Vere, stood at the helm. A new hall had been called from the shattered fragments of the old. From the seven Ajahs had arisen the Ajah of Light. Now united the White Tower allied with the Black. Together under the leadership of the Dragon Reborn they were to travel to Tar'mon Gai'don, the Last Battle to be fought in the north.
All the nations of the land had sent men to this battle the one doom that would determine the fate of all men and women. The Aiel had crossed the Dragonwall, the Sea Folk had come ashore. Age-old hatreds between the Tear and Illian had been laid aside. All were gathered to one purpose. Such an army had never been seen Ogier with huge long handled axes, wolves prowling constantly around the Wolf King with his archer bodyguard. Men with oddly shaped metal tubes called dragons, which shot fire that exploded and hurled death upon all its foes.
In the midst of them all stood two people. No more or less than the thousands of others who had come to fight for the light. Kea Sedai of the Green Ajah, known as the Lady of Lightning, Battle Captain in the Third Wing and her Warder Dirk Steadysteel, veteran of Soremaine, Warder, member of the Illianer Companions, and husband to Kea Sedai. Yet as they listened to Rand al'Thor the Dragon Reborn explaining his plans to them their minds could not but stray. It had been a long road since the day of the purges. Under her shawl Kea wore a small badge of a black heart in-bedded with six daggers. On her forehead rested the Eye of Loyalty and in her hand a small wand of brittle wood, an angreal. Her face now seemed ageless and mysterious; she now was truly Aes Sedai.
He was a little older but his face was not hardened. He stood with the easy grace of a leopard at rest. His hand was laid atop a sword that had seen him through many dark times, Etched into that blade were the names of the battles that had forged him. Soremaine, the Purges, Siege of the Black Tower and others. He had marked a single T on it already for the battle to come. Kea said it was pure arrogance that he was assuming he would live to write the rest. He claimed it was not arrogance but a promise to her. That had been the right thing to say as he had later discovered. Still the sword was not his favourite weapon. His preferred weapon was his small dirk. The knife reminded him of a man named Giro who had once offered him the Gift of Trust and helped him to find a new name and a new life.
Between them they had several titles and accolades. Kea had proved herself a potent healer as well as a killer. A new form of healing discovered by a yellow Sitter called Nynaeve had proved perfect for her. At her husbands insistence she spent as much time healing as she did hurting. For Tar'mon Gai'don she had gone and gotten herself into plenty of credit for the death she intended to wreak this day.
Yes they had changed, become well known and more powerful and respected than they could have imagined. Yet it was not the battle and the honours of the day ahead that held their mind. Instead it was a small twenty-four pound baby only weeks old that was waiting for them at home. The titles that they truly cared for now were those of husband and wife, and more recently father and mother.
Today seemed to be all about death, but as the Dragon spoke it became clear that they weren't fighting to destroy anyone not even the Dark One. They were fighting for life. The future of all life and the memories that were worth keeping.
Thank you for reading my story. I know it was quite long but I hope I managed to keep your interest and provide you with some entertainment.
I love fantasy fiction and writing it, the Wheel of Time is too good a setting not to be used more often. I accept I have several short comings in my writing style and pacing For example the last chapter has been two months in coming.
If any of you have questions, thoughts, requests or reviews feel free to post them here or PM me.
My thanks go to Robert Jordan for creating this wonderful world with its rich history and culture and Viggen, just for being a great friend and help.
Once again thanks for reading.
Mask