Lazaruss :" I'm going to do a bit of backtracking from now on, as there are things I haven't told yet.

PS : It had come to my attention that Cadsuane's forces would be the ones to reach Rand first. Here, I will attempt to explain why that didn't happen. "

Prologue 1.b ; Peaces

" We are too late. " Min whispered. " He is already here. "

Their little group was at the end of their strengths from speeding all the way to Ebou Dar, and yet Rand had beet them to it. There was little chance of another outcome ; He was of Aiel blood, the blood of runners and long-walkers but somehow she had still hoped that they would reach him in time. Before he'd level this entire city with balefire. Perhaps sensing her this close would still prevent that.

Through the bond, she could feel the turmoil which was now in him ; Sadness and guilt and rage on one side and determination on the other, moving in to crush him between them. Rand was a boiling pot ready to explode and about to do murder. No, not a pot ; that was way too small. A lightning storm. For weeks now, nothing but ice and coldness was coming from his end of the bond and now this avalanche of emotions corroded every scrap of him. There just wasn't anything else she could feel inside of him not even his wounds. The ice had finally broken, but the torrent thus unleashed was even more terrifying. All these poor people… If only they had Traveled closer to the city…

" The Tarasin Palace. " Nynaeve spoke. " If the Daugter of the Nine Moons had made her residence anywhere, it would be in Tylin's court. "

All four of them were holding the source and were linked in two circles but with their abilities masked and weaves inverted. And a good thing they were, as the city was full of damane and sul'dam. Min couldn't see them directly in the crowd, but Nynaeve and the other two Aes Sedai claimed they could sense random channeling being done from every direction. If one of them even suspected that three Aes Sedai were walking the streets… Stop your petty whining ! She told herself. Rand was here and he needed her. He needed them all. They were well masked and hidden and no one was going to point fingers at them. She wished she could stop repeating that to herself.

Still they were reasonably safe. On the way here they had discussed what to do should the worst happen ; the channelers were to escape leaving Min and Tam on their own and would meet up with them at a certain place outside the camps. Nynaeve had shown them how to strip an adam off a damane's neck to create a distraction while they flee, and had also stated that should anyone channel a thread unless their lives were on the line, they'd be lucky to let the Seanchan have them.

As they moved through the streets, Tam al'Thor and Karldin Manfor were blending in like they were a part of the crowd, while the four of them somehow managed to look more out of place than horses in trees, even with guises woven with the power. It was because they were in such a hurry. Everyone else was calmly pacing the streets, and the four of them were the only ones acting as if the Dark One was after them. Not the men, though. Their stride through the crowd was not slower than theirs, but they were somehow also managing to be indistinct. It was irking her ever since they passed the city gates. How were they doing it ? Was it something only men could do ?

One small fortune was that they were not the only outsiders freshly arrived to the city. The streets were packed with people of all nations, moving about and swarming like ants. Inns and taverns were most likely crammed to the roof with those and many camps were being erected all around the city walls for those yet to come. It was helpful when it came to their disguises, but it also made their progress painfully slow.

She also couldn't help but notice that even despite the number of people, order seemed to blossom here. Men and women were tranquil as they passed them by, going about their daily routines like nothing out of the ordinary was happening. It all seemed so very strange, more so to Min whose life had been deprived of that kind of peace for a long time now. None of these people knew or cared about the Forsaken or Tarmon Gaidon, and to most of them those things were still just the stuff of fables.

A woman in brocaded yellow skirts moved out of their way letting them pass with an insulted sniff but in that brief moment, Min saw a vision around her head and she knew.

" We will not reach him in time. " she spoke. " I saw her die amidst the chaos. "

Puzzled, Tam frowned at her, but Nynaeve just stiffened her pace. " We aren't beaten yet, and I don't intend to go back empty-handed. Move !"

She was gripping her bride in anger, but even so Min would bet every one of her knives she was enjoying Cadsuane's absence. It was necessary – who'd knew what Rand would have done if he'd so much as smell that woman's presence – but that also meant that Beldeine and Corele had no choice but to accept Nynaeve's authority for now, however unofficially.

As soon as the gateway to Tear closed, the two Aes Sedai began discussing the matter of leadership amongst themselves completely ignoring everyone else which Nynaeve bravely endured for about about two full minutes before snapping. In no uncertain terms she had stated that they could ether shut up and follow or go back to Cadsuane which produced a most peculiar outraged expression from both of them. Unfortunately they had little choice in the matter when they realized that Min and Tam were both following Nynaeve, rather than them. Karldin managed to stay out of the thing, but he was biting his under lip a lot since than.

It had taken them a while to reach the city, and for all that time, Nynaeve was the one giving orders. Their basic plan of action was to go in, find Rand and get out, but there were also hundreds of details to work out along the way. Min was to guide them, of course, Karldin would give warning if Rand started to use the Access Key and the Aes Sedai would be an escort with their abilities masked and weaves inverted. Everyone who could have come had come, though Min and Tam were the only ones who had to reach Rand. The two of them were the ones who had to stop him. They had to try. Being captured by the Seanchan would mean nothing if they fail in that. Light, if they fail, there won't be a Seanchan left to capture them !

Unfortunately, their progress through the crowd was slow at best. Familiar Seanchan soldiers in stripped armor and insect-like helmets were moving around distributing food rations which was an added difficulty on top of the damane. A lifetime ago, she had seen their like at Falme, but now that seemed like a different age altogether. A different age with different people, but the same Seanchan which still made her skin crawl. They were still collaring women who could channel, using them like animals. Less than animals. Egwene was one of those unfortunate ones to taste the collar on her own neck. And shortly after they'd freed her, Rand was dancing the sword with the Dark One across the sky above Toman Head while the army of heroes of legend marched beneath bearing the Dragon Banner. Funny how familiar sights could bring back old memories like that.

Without warning, the nausea struck her, stronger than anything she had ever felt. The sensation was like her stomach was being ripped apart from the inside and she collapsed on the pavement desperately trying to hold on to her screams. It was Rand ! He had seized the Source ! Tam was there trying to lift her back on her feet, but she pushed him away. " Go ! Quickly !" She managed to utter through clenched teeth.

The rest of them ran towards the palace leaving her behind but she hardly noticed. Her head was ringing and her gut was tearing itself to shreds, and next to that she couldn't even notice concerned strangers that were trying to give her aid. All she could think about was Rand and what was in him, for if she was brought down to her knees there was no telling what he felt. He was about to devastate this city and they were too late. Tears streamed down her face that had nothing to do with the illness she felt.

" Please, Rand… " She whispered. " Please, don't do this… Not this… " Balefire. She could feel him getting ready to unleash it and that realization finally tore a scream out of her lungs.

And than, as abruptly as it struck, the sickness vanished leaving a strange sense of silence in its stead. Its absence came like a complete shock that left her dazed, confused and without a shred of understanding for what had happened. A concerned young man with dark eyes helped her back up and with the ground firmly beneath her, she tried to gather herself. The city was still there, unharmed and clueless to the danger it barely dodged. This stroke of luck was Light-sent and even though she understood little she allowed herself a sigh of relief. Her awareness of Rand had shrunk like he had suddenly transported himself away. Somewhere far away, but she couldn't quite say where.

Unfortunately a moment was all she had as people's screams reached her from the distant square. At first she'd thought that it was Rand destroying the city after all, but that wasn't so as he was not there any more. Men and women and Seanchan soldiers were fleeing towards her like an angry mob and she barely had time to duck and cover into a nearby alley and avoid being caught up in it. Or being trampled over. Despite the unpleasant odors, a large broken wooden crate and a barrel of rainwater served well for her hiding place and she even had space enough to peek through a crack and observe what was happening.

In moments, the street that was tranquil but moments ago was consumed in chaos of running, shouting and showing. Whatever it was that Rand did, it had them spooked pretty good… But what was it that he did other than transport away ? Why were they at once so terrified at seeing a gateway ? Granted that they had probably never seen a gateway before, but this was really too much. It was hard to discern any word from the jumble reaching her, but they appeared to have been shouting of the Dragon Reborn attacking…

It wasn't long before the mass of people began to grow noticeably thinner and through her-peek hole, Min could now recognize a silver leash and a dress with lightnings at the collar. The sul'dam was unaffected by the crowd as if there was an invisible barrier between her and the others and she was apparently welcoming the nearby Seanchan soldiers into that protective bubble. Before she moved on, the woman holding the leash raised her arm to the sky and for a moment it was consumed in green flames. Obviously, this was some kind of a Seanchan precaution in case of an attack, but Min couldn't for the Light of her make head nor tails out of it.

Fortunately, she managed to catch a sight of Nynaeve looking around at the place where Min had collapsed. There were definitely fewer people now and she managed to cross the path from the alley towards her without much difficulty. Tam and the others weren't with her, but at least she was and that gave her some comfort.

" What's going on ?" She managed once they were finally together. " What did he do ?"

" The fool !" Nynaeve grumbled. " They were afraid of him for weeks now ! He declares war on them and than drops a gateway right into their lap ! Of course it would turn the city upside down !"

Min felt a touch of relief – Rand wasn't going to do it after all – but that still left the question of why. What had changed his mind ? He was somewhere far away, to north and east, but beyond that, she could barely feel him.

" There you are. " Corele showed up all out of breath. " We must move and move fast. The Seanchan are mobilizing ; There are thousands of little groups combing the streets, each with a damane or two. Should they suspect us… "

" We will meet up with… " Nynaeve started.

" There is no time, girl !" Corele spouted, truly frantic. " I don't want to feel the Seanchan collar on my throat ! Make us a Gateway now !" The woman was out of her mind ! One gateway opening in Ebou Dar was bad enough, but another one would be far worse. Not to mention that they had to know a place well before hoping to Travel anywhere. Even Min knew that much. And on top of that she had managed to anger the one person she needed to spirit her away ; She wasn't strong enough to open a gateway on her own.

Tugging at her bride, Nynaeve took a deep breath before answering. " We stick to the plan. We will leave the city along with everyone else and meet up with the others at the agreed upon location. And if you don't like that option, I'll find one of those collars and lead you out of the city as a damane. " With that she turned and ran along with the onrushing masses. Min followed and so did Corele, grumbling to herself but having little choice in the matter.

Searing dry winds kept scratching her naked skin with sharp whips of sand, as Shanari Komaldan hanged by her ankles from the top of a tall wooden tripod made from rough planks simply tied by a peace of rope. An upside down image of her surroundings blurred to her weary eyes and not for the first time she groaned in pain. Her tormented body was lined with bruises and scars which burned even worse on that hot wind. Again she reached for the skin pouch of water, and again her fingers came short enough to brush the chilled surface of the bag, but nothing more than that. The very act of reaching over was like trying to lift a cart full of rocks and she just slumped back swaying helplessly. She wasn't able to cry any more, not being conscious enough for tears, a small mercy, considering how thirsty she was. Fires of thirst were making her want to howl on top of her lungs, but she was too weak except for an occasional squeal. She couldn't even cry.

For what seemed like a small eternity did she hang upside down in this desert, so long that she almost forgot the base camp she was in before. Not even pleasant and much too real visions of her tent could get to her any more. She was dying under the pain of by far the worst fate she could conceive, alone here in this inferno with no one of her own to honor her much less aid her. She couldn't see the molten sands or the cloudless sky any more, just blue below and yellow above. And the ever present heat. Oh, the heat !

At first she thought she was hallucinating again, but as it went on, she found herself almost laughing, gurgling in the cool soothing gulps of fresh water. She chocked on it, wanting more, but the woman took the waterbag away sharply. Shanari was no longer hanging upside down, but she was still bound hands by feet, naked and bruised on hot sands which scratched her skin and flared against her opened wounds. But none of that metered. She somehow managed to scrape the last few drops of precious water from her face, without a care that her tongue picked up more sand than moisture, and after panting a considerable while, she managed to look at her tormentor.

The woman was old, though she possessed the ageless face, dressed in a leathery garb of her people and by her side were a leather shield and a long spear. Long red hair with a hint of gray hanged to her neck framing her grim face and pair of dark blue eyes. The merciless sun had darkened her skin to the color of bronze. Shanari knew her well, though not in this garb. The very presence of her here, free and un-collared, made her afraid to her toes. And worse still, she was at her mercy !

" The water must settle before you can get more. " the grim-faced Wiseone spoke to her. " Too much and you'll breath your life out. Be thankful that we have no interest in your death at this point. "

Now that her mouth were wet again, Shanari could find her words, though it was still such an effort to speak. " P… please… you mustn't do this... You're not… supposed to be… "

But one sharp frown cut her words short. " Would you like to hang a bit longer ?" It was enough to put a lump in her throat. She could just shake her head and drop her eyes. " Good. You Seanchan have less honor than any we have met thus far. An Ayiel child would have endured the Tripod twice as long as you have, and still wouldn't brake. You are soft, and you deserve no pity. " Shanari felt her cheeks getting wet. Despite the heat in the desert, tears were streaming down her face, precious water dripping down, vaporizing even before the sand would absorb it. With all her strength she forced her self to stop. Every drop was precious, and she was wasting them on tears. She would have failed, but the next words from her captor strengthened her " But the Shaido can be merciful to those who are faithful. Ether you will obey me, or I will leave you hear for good. "

Shanari wanted to say no. She wanted with all her heart, but instead the words that came out were " Yes, Wiseone. " A little louder than a whisper, but loud enough to be caught by the other woman's ears.

" So good. " her new mistress smiled grimly " I will take you back now… " the pain was gone momentarily along with any wound and bruise, and Shanari, though still very weak, found the strength to stand up on wobbly legs. Her shoulder still ached though, and when she looked, she found a black bruise over it, not mended like the rest.

" A reminder of this night. " the Wiseone spoke " And remember that I can take you here whenever I want. " And with those words she vanished

The light vanished. The desert and the heat vanished and Shanari jerked out of a soft bed in her tent. Beads of sweat glistened in the faint moonlight all over her skin and the only thing that stirred the silence was the drum-like pounding of her heart. It was a warm night in the late days of spring, and the thin edge of the moon was ducking under her tent flap. But she didn't have eyes for the night, only for her curved wooden nightstand with a big round mirror. Forcing herself to get up, she approached it and not pausing to pore a glass, she took the whole pitcher up and started gulping cold water thirstily. But somewhere down the middle of it, she stopped, almost dropping the thing down to gaze in the reflection before her. A big black bruise on her right shoulder peeked beneath the edges of her night gown. Even touching it wouldn't make it go away in a flash of dream. It was real… It was…

Tears of helplessness dripped from her cheeks, as a feeling of utter terror came over her, aand she slid down on the floor of her tent. It was unthinkable that a damane could do that to a Sul'dam. The worst kind of madness ! She felt sick to her gut with fear and despair, and worse still as an even more horrible notion came to her ; What if this was not the only one ? This marath'damane was collared along with 328 of the Shaido marath'damane that were captured in the glorious victory that general Tylee Khirgan won a few days ago in Althara. What if they all could… ? What if the other Sul'dam were going trough this exact same thing this very night ? Those dreadful thoughts kept racing trough her head and tired as she was, she couldn't nether move from the floor, nor get some sleep for the rest of the night. The morning found her in the same condition, vomiting yet again.

Lazaruss :" I'm sorry it took me so long to post this chapter, but i've had difficult exams. I'll try to update sooner. "