Ygdis fidgeted as she sat next to Grenwin. The two of them had finally managed to convince Maia that she should have space set aside for herself now that the machines in her former bedroom were constantly in use.

Neither of them had expected her to work with Jinhe to build things underneath First Fork. It was one thing to talk about in the context of sewers, but living underground had seemed a thing for the Cavepeoples. So far, they'd cut a long sloping ramp, textured to be easily traverse even in the coldest weather, on the western side of the village, opposite the Lodge from the heart tree. It led directly to a flat stone wall, but Maia had done something to connect it to where her walking weapons rested.

Near the bottom of the ramp stood a reinforced wooden door, of a scale for Ogier, and beyond lay a simple atrium large enough to shelter everyone in the village. One door led to Jinhe's residence, and another to Maia's private rooms.

Everything was as richly decorated and furnished as the Lodge, enchanted wood intermingling with shaped stone to create elaborate frescos and friezes mimicking the natural shapes of a verdant summer forest, underbrush amidst ancient Sentinel trees. When seen out of the corner of Ygdis' eye, it was quite a convincing effect.

The interior was just as comfortable as the Lodge, lit with soft lights interwoven through the roof, seeming like the sun shining through a canopy of trefoil leaves. The air was refreshingly cool no matter how long Ygdis waited to adapt to it, and the fireplace set into the wall opposite where they sat radiated a gently warmth.

Grenwin shuffled, shifting the cushion she was sitting on. "What's taking her so long?" She grumbled, eyeing the door to Maia's sleeping chamber. "She said we'd train with her power, so what's she doing?"

"Dunno," Ygdis offered. "Why don't we start with that exercise from before? The one with the gem?"

Grenwin sniffed, "I've tried on my own and I can't get it."

Ygdis leaned over, giving the taller woman a reassuring one-armed hug. "Well, how about we give it a go together? I remember what she said and how she said it, and I think that part matters."

The former bear-wife gave her a pat on the back. "Sure, if you'd like." She adjusted herself as Ygdis released her, sitting comfortably.

Turning to face the older woman, Ygdis rested her hands atop her crossed legs. "Right, let's close our eyes."

Ygdis did not not like to close her eyes, not since Ebbo had been taken, always worried she'd see his terrified face calling out to her, disquieting blue lights gazing at her.

In the darkness, Ygdis reached out and took Grenwin's hand. "Okay. Remember Maia's gem? It's a small ball of cloudy quartz, like smoke caught in glass. Try to see it in your mind."

Grenwin squeezed her hand, "I think I have it."

"Remember the way it glimmered with light?" Ygdis could see it clearly, "Light rippling and shining like the sun through shallow waters. It was warm…"

Ygdis could almost feel the warmth again, stepping back into her past like this. "Focus on the light within the crystal," Maia intoned, "It shines with the light of Saidar. Look at the way it moves within."

Another squeeze from Grenwin, the other woman breathing deeply and evenly.

"Watch how the light circulates, dimming before brightening. That's Saidar flowing through this tiny gem, through me and through you. It's always here, waiting for our embrace."

The longer Ygdis relived the memory, the more real that imagined light and warmth seemed.

Maia's bedroom door opened with a crash, followed by a shrill, "What are you doing?"

The spell broken, Ygdis and Grenwin blinked their eyes open, turning to face the irate woman.

She came forward, kneeling before them, reaching out and placing a hand on each of their shoulders. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have snapped. I need you to both understand that trying to touch the True Source without guidance is dangerous. I've already weathered the dangers and risks, so I can teach you how to embrace Saidar safely, at least."

Grenwin shrugged, "What's the worst that can happen?"

Ygdis grunted, "Gren, don't tempt the Old Gods. You know how they love to twist challenges like that."

The bear-wife had the grace to look chagrined. "Sorry, yeah." To Maia, "We'll do it your way. Could've said something before, you know."

"…It wasn't important at the time." Maia said hesitantly after a moment's thought. "I was just so excited to share it with the two of you, I think I forgot about the pitfalls."

"What pitfalls?" Ygdis asked, "My Ma used to say that magic was like a blade without a hilt." She nodded at where Maia's sword rested over the fireplace, "Imagine trying to wield that by the blade."

Maia's eyes widened slightly, flicking towards the sword and back again. "That's apt, I think. If you fuck up with the One Power, you can harm or kill people around you, or yourself, or you might burn the ability to channel Saidar right out of you. That last one usually ends with the slow death of the channeler, unless they can find something to fill the loss with."

Grenwin shuddered, "You mean I might rip myself apart, like you do with trees?"

Maia nodded seriously, "Uncontrolled and untrained channeling is driven by emotion. If you felt enough self-hatred, who knows what you could do to yourself, or others around you?"

"What are the warning signs?" Ygdis asked, "What should we watch out for? You said yourself that there are those who can learn to touch the source, and those who will touch it."

Maia thought for a minute, "Well, personally, if you're close to the point of burning yourself out, you'll feel a pain in your temples." She used her fingers to point at either side of her head, "It'll get worse and worse until something snaps and you lose the ability to reach out to Saidar. If you're keeping an eye out for the signs of others channeling…"

She blinked, "Well, people who have touched the Source tend to live longer lives. The more you channel, the longer you live, but even someone unknowingly using the Power would almost never fall ill, remain in excellent health their whole lives, and live for much longer than others. I suppose you could also look at whether or not someone has had a history of odd and inexplicable events surrounding them."

Ygdis listened closely, thought for a moment, "So, like Ellir?"

Maia shook her head, "No, I tried testing her and she lacks the ability entirely. Though… Old Gods and spirits, there's more to this world than just what I assume…" She shrugged, "Maybe there's something to that. We can ask her, I'm sure she wouldn't mind."

"You just want her to tell you more stories," Grenwin teased, grinning at Maia's sheepish nod.

"I like her stories," Ygdis offered, "When I was little, I thought it was all true. Now, I know some are just stories, but too many strange things have been happening lately for the rest to be anything but the truth."

Maia gave her a sympathetic look, "Your brother?"

Ygdis shivered, nodding. "I've never seen the river swell like that. Like something in the water was reaching up to take him from the shore…"

The next thing Ygdis knew, she was clutching Grenwin, drying tears with her tunic and sniffling. A reassuring hand rubbed her back, and Ygdis remained like that for a moment. Pulling away, "I'm fine, really."

Maia looked at her with a queer expression on her face. "No, Ygdis, I don't think you are." She was quiet for a long moment, "I still have nightmares about the slavers. About what we did to them. And you, Gren, I know you're still haunted by what happened to you, too."

Reaching over, Ygdis pulled the short woman into a hug. She was stiff, too stiff to be healthy. "Are you always so tense?" Ygdis asked.

Gradually, Maia relaxed. "Yeah." She admitted, "I wish I knew how Mance handled this. I'm only responsible for, what, less than two hundred people? I've been trying to bring everyone willing to help out up to speed, but there's so much locked away up here," She tapped her head, "I don't know if I can get it all out before something bad happens."

"What's the worst that can happen, Maia?" Grenwin inquired with genuine curiosity.

"The Others find a way to kill me, raise me as a wight, and use my skills and abilities against you." Maia said frankly, "I've given it thought. I wanted to try to talk to them, so I asked Symon about it, and he all but forbade me from doing so. I don't know if I agree with his reasons, but I agree that the act is far too dangerous."

"You were fighting that one, weren't you?" Ygdis suggested, "You lived then, so next time should be fine."

Maia pulled away from her, staring into Ygdis' eyes. "He was toying with me. While missing one hand." She looked at Grenwin, bowing low and placing her forehead against the ground. "I'm sorry, Grenwin. I should have listened to you. I won't ignore your advice again."

Ygdis looked between the two, gathering that something important had happened between them during the battle. Inwardly, she beamed, hoping it was as she hoped.

Grenwin reached over, pulling Maia up by her shoulders. Gently, seriously, she spoke. "Don't do that. I'll not have you treating me like some soft southerner who can't take offense without killing someone. You're your own woman, so do what you fucking want, yeah?"

Maia nodded slowly. "Okay."

Ygdis grinned broadly. "Hey, alright, let's get to the training now!" Poking Maia, "After we do your stuff, I'll show you a trick I've been working on with the spear." Oh, how she loved having someone to spar with that wouldn't stop! She could go all out against Maia where she had to restrain herself with Grenwin nowadays, and she relished that.

Maia nodded, pulling over a sitting cushion. "Right, so, this time we'll start with another exercise. This one is all about mental focus, so we're going to practice meditation techniques until you both can achieve a state of focused awareness of your own minds. Go ahead and sit comfortably, feel free to move around if you'd like while we practice."

Ygdis and Grenwin nodded, adjusting themselves.

"This exercise is called the Flame and the Void. It's unrelated to the One Power, but it has been used by channelers as a mental aid. Imagine a candle's flame in your mind's eye. Now, feed your thoughts into it, acknowledging them as they come, allowing them to fuel the flame…"

The two of them focused on her words, Ygdis closing her eyes to better shut away the outside world, leaving her alone with whirling thoughts and a warming mental flame.

***

Symon rubbed his goatee, studying the game-board Jinhe had brought. With careful consideration, he placed one of his black stones, capturing some of the Ogier's white.

The giant hummed appreciatively. "Hm, a considered move. I should expect you will find victory shortly, unless…" Large fingers gently placed a stone on the board, nullifying Symons advance.

"It was a gambit," Symon admitted. After the chaotic events of the previous day, he was more than happy to find time to speak with the young Ogier. Studying the board, he chose another likely spot to place a stone. "I've a question for you."

Jinhe leaned back from the board, smiling broadly. "Ask away, friend."

"How much do your people retain from the time before the Long Night?"

The Ogier's tufted ears fell slightly, eyebrows drawing together in thought. "Not nearly so much as we would like. Fragments of fragments remain, the writings of Elders speaking of previous works now lost to us."

"I was curious," Symon said, "Because I believe I may know where one of your Stedding lies below the Wall. Near a coastal town named Haunted Hill, far to the south, there is a great settlement buried beneath the sands. I was unable to access the greater structure in my short time there, but all surface indications suggest that it was scaled for your people, not mine."

Jinhe blinked, nodding slowly. "Every fragment agrees that our two peoples were as brothers. We once worked and lived alongside each other, and so it is no great surprise to hear that some signs yet remain."

"I think I'd like to visit your people, Jinhe. Maia seems dead-set on building ties between us, and I'm inclined to agree with her. To think, I'd thought the supernatural was limited to her and her alone." Shaking his head, "I cannot explain why First Fork and the lands around enjoy a fine Northern summer while the lands without are still in winter. Not with what I know of the world. Yet, you offered that the land itself has awoken somehow. I've heard others making similar claims. How much of that is literal?"

Jinhe quietly made his next move, capturing several of Symon's remaining stones while he thought. "I do not know. The Earth does not speak like we do, nor does it feel or think like we do. There is, however, an awareness to it. I was born fortunate, able to commune with the Stedding. Beyond our homes, the Earth may as well be deaf and blind to my calling." Gesturing out the open window at the meadow slowly taking shape outside the village, "I didn't think it was possible. Elder Hamgwyn has told me naught of it, and if he has not, he does not know that it might be possible. It is momentous news, but I think I shall wait to understand before returning and sharing this knowledge."

"So, when you shape the earth, you're communicating with it?" Symon asked.

The Ogier laughed, "No, no, nothing so simple. The Earth is stubborn. It would not move if I merely asked it to. I pit myself against the Earth, as it will only bend if I do not."

Scratching his beard, Symon waved at the board. "This victory is yours. Another?"

With a gracious nod, the giant reset the board, offering Symon the first move.

As the ex-maester placed his piece, "Bending the Earth. I believe I understand the philosophical underpinnings, that the world will move for you rather than you moving things yourself. Is that correct?"

"It's a fair summary," Jinhe nodded, taking his turn. "It is a measure of spiritual force of will. I am indomitable, because if I am not, the Earth would break me. It has happened to others, crippling their abilities for the remainder of their lives."

"What was it like, working with Maia? You both moved such quantities of stone and wood that I half thought a grand palace was being constructed." Symon leaned back, looking at the perfect cut-out the ramp made in the earth and the stone wall surrounding the sheer drop.

Chuckling, Jinhe took a sip of his tea. "It is fantastic. She supports the Earth as I bend it to my will, and together we accomplish in moments what would take five skilled Earthshapers days. If nothing else, the prospect that she is able to teach some of that to others is deeply interesting to me."

"Has she given you the book, yet?" Symon inquired. "City in the Image of Man. Fascinating read, though I struggle with the language Maester Soleri uses. A great settlement with nature shaped and turned towards supporting its inhabitants… And the populations! Oldtown is the most populous city in Westeros, and even it has a pittance compared to this Tokyo, or the City of New York."

Jinhe cocked his head. "She mentioned it. I believe she was going to transcribe it for me." He gave his coat pocket a pat, pulling out one of the tablets she'd been passing around.

"May I?" Symon offered, reaching for it. The Ogier handed it over, and it took Symon only a few moments to transfer the text and access it. Handing it back, "Here, it's worth a read. I believe it may represent a solution to what will happen to us once we make it below the Wall."

Examining the text, Jinhe asked, "What do you mean?"

"Centralization of everything, Jinhe. If castles could be built large enough to encompass the farms that feed them, a siege would be redundant. These arcologies, I believe we should adapt the concepts towards our defense and long-term survival. If all we need to safeguard is within the walls, we have more flexibility when it comes to negotiations with the King."

Jinhe's brows rose, "I do not know if the Kings of Winter can be reasoned with. When the Betrayer drove us from our homes, there was nothing we could offer to stop the madness. What little we've heard from the few humans that visit us, the Starks will stop at nothing to exterminate anything that tries to cross the wall. Human, Ogier, it did not matter before, so why should it now?" He ended the tirade, brows drawn together.

Symon leaned back from the angry Ogier, "Then we must stand as one. I should like to see your people return to Westeros, Jinhe. We can't right the atrocities of the past, only learn from them."

The giant slowly calmed, nodding. He leaned forward, "Symon. Would you accompany me back to Stedding Tsofu in five days' time? I think you will be quite welcome among us."

Symon considered, "I'll need to make arrangements, but yes, I graciously accept the invitation."

Jinhe nodded, "Good! I will show you the archives, with the Elder's permission. We will transcribe whatever information you find interesting for our return."

Excitement burbled in Symon's gut. "Fragments of fragments from the Dawn Era? That is far and beyond anything the Citadel has to offer on the subject." He nodded happily, extending his hand. "I've naught to give in return but my friendship, if you'll have it."

The Ogier carefully took his hand, giving it a firm shake. "Agreed. Now, I've a few ideas of my own if we're to bring my people…"

In the sunlit office, two friends exchanged ideas and hypotheses over the backdrop of an ancient game, mutually determined to build anew the ancient bonds between brother-races.