Shadar Logoth had been a nightmare. The Trollocs had found them and the group were forced to run, and somehow they had been separated along the way, the place was evil, and she would certainly not forget the face of that.. spirit, or whatever it may be, that resided there. Mordeth. She shuddered at the memory.
Light but she had tried to drag Mat away. And now there was something wrong with him. She had only just been able to keep a grip of Mat's arm as they'd fled from the ruins. She'd twisted her ankle in the process, which had made their trip to Caemlyn slow at best. Luckily they had Thom, who had gotten them to Whitebridge, sacrificing himself so that they could once more escape, and from there they had headed to Caemlyn.
Rana could only hope that the others would meet them there. Could only hope that Moiraine would be able to help Mat. They had managed to get room in an inn called The Queen's Blessing. Master Gill, the innkeeper had been willing to let them stay when they'd mentioned Thom's name. Mat locked himself in his room, and Rana headed out to see the city, limping slightly. It was busy, probably moreso than usual since, according to the gossip, the false Dragon Logain Albar was being paraded through the city by the Aes Sedai. And Rana couldn't help but feel slightly angry at that.
She doubted he was an evil man, misguided and foolish yes, but not evil. He may not even had succumbed to the madness yet.
She sighed heavily to herself as she wandered through the city. She had, after some consideration, decided to keep her sword on her person, just in case she ran into trouble. And run into trouble she did. Unfortunately she was spotted by a group of Whitecloaks, and considering her past experience with them, she had tried to duck away and avoid them, a fact which they had taken to mean that she was a darkfiend, so they gave chase. And she fled, rushing up a hill and launching herself up the wall as fast as she could, not caring about where she was going, simply wishing to get away from the Whitecloaks pursuing her. When she reached the top of the wall they stopped, seeming to hesitate, whispering amongst themselves. And then, one of them bent down, finding a stone and picking it up and throwing it at her.
Rana had nowhere to run, perched as she was, and even if she had managed to dodge the stone she would have fell. But she didn't manage to dodge it. It hit the side of her head hard and she fell backwards, off of the wall, unconscious before she even hit the ground.
When she came though there was a man leaning over her, a frown on his lips. He was older by a good few years, with dark hair and eyes. He was probably handsome but for some reason Rana couldn't see him as such.
She groaned, staring up at him, hand instinctively groping for her sword, only to find it was gone. Her eyes widened and she sat up, though she quickly realised that it was a mistake, as her head spun and her stomach rolled.
He pushed her back down gently, holding out her sword so she could see, "It is here. I have not stolen it from you, though I'd quite like to know what a young girl like you is doing with a sword. You are lucky I haven't called the guards. Yet."
Rana blinked, "Where am I?" she managed after a moment. "Who are you? I... I climbed the wall to escape from the Whitecloaks."
The man's brows creased, "I saw the stone hit you and saw you fall, I did not know it was Whitecloaks that attacked you." he frowned at her. "Why were they chasing you."
"Because I tried to avoid being spotted." Rana admitted, "I have had some trouble with Whitcloaks in the past, not of my own doing but... all the same, I did not want trouble again."
The man nodded, his expression turning curious, "Do you know where you are?"
"No." Rana admitted, "I didn't bother looking where I was going, I was terrified. And I'm not from Caemlyn, I only arrived today."
"And where are you from, if not here?"
"The Two Rivers." Rana admitted after a moment, "A village called Emond's Field."
"Truly? We have never before had visitors from that far west." he stated, before frowning, "You know you have a familiar face."
"I do? I wouldn't know why. This is my first time leaving home." she let out a weak laugh, "And just look at the state of me."
"You are a mess." the man acknowledged, "But considering how far you fell you are lucky it is not worse. Tell me. What is your name."
"Rana al'Thor.." she hesitated, "And what is yours? And where am I?"
The man seemed almost amused, "I am Galad Damodred, Prince of Andor, and this is the Royal Palace."
And Rana stared up at him in shock, her eyes wide and she sat, this time her head did not spin quite so badly, "I cannot be here! I must go.. help me back up the wall again, please."
Galad frowned, "I will not harm you. You meant no harm... though you shouldn't be here..." he looked her in the eyes before stating, "And you have our mothers face." he lifted the locket, which Rana hadn't even noticed was missing, "She told me when I was young that she would one day give this locket to her firstborn daughter... and then the Aes Sedai told her she had to leave. And now you are here, with her face and her locket." he handed the locket back to her slowly, watching her fingers curl around it.
Rana stared at him for a moment before swallowing hard, "My father... he found me as my mother lay dying... he told me I had a brother... half brother I suppose."
Galad nodded, "I suppose." he stared at her, "You say mother died in childbirth... I always wondered." he shook his head, "But what is done is done..." he straightened, "But I will not let my sister be taken from me. I don't know how the Queen would react to your... well your existence though... but you are too hurt to climb the wall again."
It was at that point there was shouting and Galad cursed, "Someone must have spotted us." he pulled her to her feet, helping her stand as she swayed. "There's no way that you won't be recognised if anyone who knew mother sees you. You are the image of her." Then the guards were there, swords drawn, though they hesitated when they saw Galad, and one of them said, "My Lord, one of the maids said she saw an intruder on the wall."
"Technically I suppose." Galad stated smoothly, "This young woman was being pursued by Whitecloaks and she climbed the wall to escape from them. They threw a stone at her and she fell, she has commit no crime, at least, not on purpose."
The guard hesitated, "Perhaps not on purpose, but at the very least she has trespassed. The Queen must be informed and give her judgement."
Galad's face fell but he nodded, "If you insist. May I help her walk at least? She hit her head hard when she fell, and you can see where the stone hit her."
The guard nodded, "I suppose so. Let us head inside."