Lazaruss : " My apologies. I did not know what Jordan said about Asmodean. I have modified this chapter accordingly. "

Prologue 1.e ; Peaces

Slowly sipping her spiced wine and maintaining the air of calmness, Ethenielle observed the little thief catcher kneeling before them. The silence which followed after his talk seemed to stretch on with them all trying to hold on to their composure but deep down she knew that all of them were as frightened as her. Surprisingly Tenobia was the one best managing to pull it off. Even lord Agelmar was nervously stroking his sword hilt.

The Far Madding High Council had been gracious enough to offer them accommodations within the council building, but they had refused for the sake of this meeting. And because they wanted to make sure there are no unwanted ears listening in on their plans. Tents had to serve the purpose for now, though a lot of grumbling could often be heard from Tenobia's tent, usually associated with her uncle Davram. Ethenielle could relate, though she was also happy that they were finally out of their saddles.

Unfortunately their respite here was not going to last much longer. Their coffers were only half full by now. Supply trains and wagons that were arriving were bringing les food every day and hunger had already spread throughout their ranks. Their time here was at an end and soon they would have to leave the benefits of Far Madding behind. A pity as it was on the crossroad of three great nations, a certain place to locate this Rand al'Thor. Also, the Aes Sedai's often absence was a welcoming comfort. If only there was a way to conclude their plans in the next few days… She looked back at master Hurin kneeling before them. It would be best to start packing now.

" You say you couldn't hear clearly what he was talking about with Nynaeve Sedai. " She addressed him. " Can you give us any hint at all ?"

The little thief-catcher's face was sagged and saddened as he lifted his eyes back to meet hers. He had been like that since he returned from the meeting with al'Thor. Understandable, if half the things he'd told them was true. " He… The Lord Dragon mentioned boxes… And chains. And I think I heard him say something about beating… Than there was light shining around him – I could see it clear as day – and I thought he spoke of fire. And… And Nynaeve Sedai went pale… " He stopped there, lowering his eyes again.

Back in the borderlands, Hurin was the source of much of their information, being the one lucky enough to actually spend time in al'Thor's presence and leave. Unfortunately, he was also speaking very highly of him, and often about Falme to the local soldiers and passing those stories over ale in taverns, and before they had finally gotten a hold of him, he had unknowingly started a stir which was still buzzing back home. And the worst part was that his stories seemed more true by the day. These times left little room for doubt.

" It must have been difficult seeing him like that. " Jagad's voice was strong yet comforting. " But it was inevitable. Such is the fate of men like him. Take hart in the knowledge that the madness does not consume him completely. "

" It must have been difficult… " Tenobia resumed, but her voice was anything but comforting. " … to tell us these things. After all, we all know how much you look up to him, and yet here you are, telling us a completely different story. "

" I have spoken nothing but truth !" Hurin stood up angrily, defiant and adamant. And after a moment adding. " My Queen. "

" I do not doubt that. " Tenobia smiled in her wine cup. How could she drink that stuff ? Even Paitar could no longer stomach that sour taste. " But I wonder if there might be something which you've… neglected to mention ? Something that slipped your mind, perhaps ?"

" Remember Master Hurin. " Ethenielle spoke. " We are trying to do the right thing, not just for us but for all the nations. The smallest of things can mean the difference between life and death for many of our soldiers. And for many others. "

Yes, now they could tell just by the look of him that he was holding something back. His innocence was betraying him even with the simplest things. An advantage, they knew they would have to exploit sooner or later.

" We mean him no harm, Master Hurin. " Paitar spoke softly. " But we must know all. We can't afford to make a mistake in our dealings with him. There's simply too much at stake. "

" The way… " Hurin had to stop and swallow, shifting his feet nervously. " The way he smelled… It was bad… Very bad. It… It was even worse than… It was murder and blood and pain. " He concluded. " I have never smelled anything like that. "

He dropped his eyes again, giving them a chance to exchange glances. Tenobia was pleased, with herself no doubt and from her look she was content that they had gotten all they could for now from the little thief-catcher. Jagad was frowning considering what he had heard, but if he had any more questions, he kept them to himself, and Paitar just seemed angry at al'Thor's message. Ethenielle could relate to that. She herself wanted to hear this tale all over again, but there would be time for that later, after their temper had cooled down. " Thank you, Master Hurin. You have done a great service today. Rest assured that your loyalty was well placed. You may leave us now. "

Slightly wide-eyed, Hurin bowed slowly and left the tent in a hurried pace. No doubt to drown his sorrows in a mug. In any case he would not get far from them now when all their soldiers had orders to stop him from leaving the camp. He was much too valuable and none of them had any intention to allow him to slip away.

Putting Hurin out of her mind for the moment she faced her three companions. " If Rand al'Thor can Travel, than all our plans are wasted. Not to mention the time we've spent chasing after him. " 'If they wish to return to their posts with honor' ? Hiding ? How dare he !

" Not necessarily. " Jagad murmured coldly into his glass. " He has made contact, and it seams he does intend to go to the Blight eventually. Despite the madness that might hold him, he still knows what he's destined for. He still knows he's the Dragon Reborn. "

That brought about a hollow silence as the rest of them watched him unblinking. None of them had ever spoken those words up until now. They had always referred to him as al'Thor or Rand al'Thor, but never the Dragon Reborn. In turn, Lord Agelmar seemed completely unaffected by his statement. " Peace ! How can he not be ?" He asked all of them. " With all the strange things we've encountered thus far. These bizarre events are not caused by the One Power. We all know that now. The than Amyrlin Seat herself came to Fal Dara because of him, and left him ungentled. Tarmon Gaidon is indeed nigh, and it will come soon. "

The only sound in the tent was Tenobia's angry breathing. Lord Agelmar's talk must have reminded her on her unfortunate experience during one of her bathing sessions. Her servants were swearing that they had used only water, yet shortly after she began she realized she was neck deep in a tub of blood. She wasn't the only one who'd had such unfortunate experiences. A weak earlier a group of wash-maidens doing laundry by the river found themselves washing bloated human skins which brought about such chaos they were barely able to contain it. And yesterday, a soldier taking a mug of ale from a small barrel unleashed a flood of smelly black tar which spilled and flooded a good portion of their camp. All from that one small barrel ! Their men were still trying to clean up that mess. And Paitar had to buy new clothes after finding that a hoard of moths and bugs had devoured every scrap of fabric he owned.

There were many more, and most not nearly as harmless by far. About a month ago, a group of Ethenielle's soldiers was attacked by a vine growing on the city's wall. The thing suddenly came to life and chocked to death ten of her men and consumed three more before it was slain. She still shivered whenever she thought of that.

" Can any of you still doubt that ?" Agelmar resumed facing each of them in turn. Ethenielle averted her eyes angrily.

" Rand al'Thor is indeed the one true Dragon " Paitar spoke slowly. " and right now he holds the world by the throat. He shall stretch forth his hands to catch the Shadow and the world will scream in the pain of salvation. The world is certainly screaming in his grasp. "

" Than we must ensure that he catches the Shadow as swiftly as possible, " Tenobia concluded raining in on her temper. " before he burns us all to cinder. Reasoning with him is no longer an option, so we should figure out how to proceed from here. "

Each of them nodded silently as they began laying new plans instead of their old ones. There was no leaving for them yet.

Coated in black with the glittering dragons embroidered onto his sleeves, Mazrim Taim paced furiously along the hall of his Palace with a snarl on his face caused by his desperate attempts to figure out what to do next. The rest of the Chosen were dwindling like fading light bulbs, all extinguished by al'Thor, and he was still sitting stuck here and out of the Great Lord's sight like a discarded tool ! Killing al'Thor would certainly make his day, to do something no Chosen could manage so far, but most of all, he wanted to kill Demandred. He was the one who had made Taim's life into what it was now ; for all his power and influence, for all his might, he was still just a dog on a chain.

Alas, that chain was not very long and allowed little room for maneuvering. How could he deliver an army to the Great Lord when al'Thor scattered it all over the map ? And with the Source clean – he still couldn't believe that the Shadow had been purged from saidin – he had much weaker tools of persuasion to work with. Many in the Black Tower had joined the Great Lord seeking immortality and the protection from madness, under his careful supervision of course. But with the taint gone, his moves had to be a lot more subtle. New recruits were coming in every day to replenish those which al'Thore had taken from him but without the taint on saidin it would take more subtlety and time to turn them around. Time was in a short supply with the Day of the Great Lord's coming so close at hand. If only he could kill al'Thor somehow…

Burn it all, he had been promised greatness, he had been promised rewards greater than anyone ever had and yet he was not even allowed to attend the other Chosen. It was Demandred's doing ; he was holding him back. A pity the man was able to restrain him self from facing al'Thor or he might have ended up like Rahvin and Sammael and the rest. When he thought at how many Chosen had perished at al'Thor's hands he almost felt like smiling. But he didn't smile. Not any more, not since…

The dour to his throne room were unguarded. There were supposed to be two Asha'man standing guard but the corridor was empty. And that could mean only one thing. Burying his anger he released the source and walked in to find a gateway opened and waiting for him. No one was allowed to use Traveling within his throne room and his guards had been ordered to leave as soon as a single gateway opens. Only one person had the authority to summon him like that.

Clenching his jaw, he buried his anger deep inside of him forcing it to stay hidden and concealed and for a hundredth time he reminded himself that killing the man would not be as easy as he felt it would. He was stronger now with the aid he had obtained, but Demandred was more knowledgeable with the secrets of the Age of Legends at his disposal. More to the point, Demandred did not trust anyone, including him one inch beyond his own needs, and never without taking precautions. He was a very sly and calculated man and Taim was sure that challenging him upfront would only result in his own demise.

He had to bide his time a while longer. With a deliberate steady pace he stepped through the opening into a different palace chamber with tacky red walls and a blue ceiling. The Gateway didn't close as he passed providing a way back, and with his next step he fell to his right knee and bowed his head. A tacky mosaic covered the floor elaborately depicting a sailing ship on a sunny day. In this position he was more aware of the small green figurine in his pocket as well as his craving to use it and claim his rightful place but he fought the urge back. Demandred had surely had this room netted and inverted before opening a gateway. That was why the thing still stood opened allowing him to return without channeling.

" Events at Tar Valon are proceeding badly. " Demandred spoke, while lunging casually in a green leather sofa, sipping a crystal goblet of wine. Saidin filled him in a massive torrent revealing his distrust even now. He usurped Taim's authority with the Asha'man and even Taim's favored – those who knew – would disobey him on Demandred's command. After all, he was one of the Chozen, and Taim was… not. He seemed tense and angry. Discomforted, at best. And that was a happy thought. " Those girls will surely try to come after you now, as you are next on their list. It would be a shame if they'd manage to disrupt your work. "

So, Mesaana had failed, had she ? No wonder Demandred was so tense – he had no love for her, no more than Taim himself, but with Semirhage captured, he was left without allies. Except him. Perhaps that was the chance he needed ; with the rest of his allies gone, Demandred would have to rely on Taim more and that would surely provide some interesting opportunities. " If all else fails, I have hostages to use against them. " He said keeping the anger carefully in check. Those feelings were growing more difficult to contain by the day but this new possibility was helpful.

" Which is precisely why they'll make the attempt. " His fist landed loudly at the couch's arm. " Half-trained or not, they have become too numerous. It has emboldened them. You will have to work hard and undo your previous actions unless you want a hoard of mice to storm you to the ground. "

" I hear and I obey. " And the Shadow take him for having to speak these words. How he yearned to make Demandred eat them. Tricks and scraps was most of what Demandred hat thought him thus far, that and some devastating waves for weapons, and as for the rest, he was on his own. And there so much he wanted to know ; When he was saved from the clutches of the Red Ajah, he had witnessed some of the most amazing weaves he could have ever imagined, which caused such spectacular results those once proud Aes Sedai began to beg Demandred for mercy. Sometimes he fumbled on like a blind ferret trying to puzzle out those weaves and their making.

" Do not let this diminish your progress. I will call upon you when it is time to finish Mesaana's work, but in the mean time, you will accept them. " He stood up. " The Great Lord demands an army, and you will deliver. Now, what have you to report ?"

For the next few minutes Taim delivered his account with the most leveled voice he could manage, constantly aware of that fat little man angreal in his pocket almost singing to him to seize the source through it and crush Demandred into a pulp. And every time he fought that urge back.

Completing his report, he waited for Demandred to take a sip from his goblet before he spoke. " Perhaps it's time to make sure Logain Ablar meets with a fatal accident. I trust you can at least manage that ?" He arched a mocking eyebrow making him flush with helpless anger. What was, was ; he was Demandred's hound for now, meant for keeping an eye on al'Thor and gathering an army of men who could channel, loyal to the Great Lord.

" As you command. " He uttered even though his jaw was slow in unclenching. He had no idea which of the Chosen still livedbeyond what scraps had been shared in arrogance, but Demandred was the one placed above him and he was more than enough. If only he'd manage to spot a weakness in his defenses…

Suddenly he felt huge amounts of saidin being channeled far away, far to the north-west and both of them turned their heads in that direction. Al'Thor was touching that huge angreal again. The very prospect of that was terrifying and exhilarating at the same time as hunger for it and terror of it both gripped his heart. With that amount of power at his disposal, all his dreams would come true. But in al'Thor's hands, the thing was foretelling a grim future indeed. The man was not stable any more, if he ever was, and that kind of Power was too vast for one so unbalanced. Too vast for anyone, perhaps.

" Great Lord, he has become too dangerous. " he found himself saying. " Too much so to allow him to live. Why than… " Abruptly he settled himself as Demandred pointed back towards the gateway to Taim's palace.

" Yours is not to question. Carry out your orders with all haste. And continue your good work. The Great Lord is pleased with your efforts and informs you that your place by his side is secure. Now go. " With that dismissal, Taim had no choice but to withdraw and wait until the gateway closed shut behind him.

And once alone, he released his efforts to conceal his rage, seizing saidin in his fury ready to rain devastation. " Let the lord of chaos rule !" He snarled at the empty throne room. " Let the lord of chaos rule !"

A knock came at the door and a gray-haired Asha'man peeked inside licking his lips nervously. Taim very nearly lashed out to kill the fumbling fool. " Your pardon my lord M'hael, the lady Elayne had come. "

Lazaruss :" There. Hope that's better. The next chapter will be more… interesting. "