Chapter Six: The False Dragon (Pt. 1)
"Nynaeve!" Alessia shouted. Seeing the Wisdom she stood up and hugged the woman.
"Where is everyone?" Nynaeve asked. There was a lot of tension between the two of them. Nynaeve was someone who didn't trust anyone outside of the village. Especially the Aes Sedai.
"What did she do to them?" Wisdom asked.
"I don't know. The Dark One is coming for your friends." Lan spoke. "She can't move. Let alone fight them. You're a healer." He added. Lan's eyes kept going between Moiraine watching her and back to Nynaeve.
"What makes you think I'll help her?" She asked.
"If you want to help your friends." Lan spoke before Lan spun on his feet and grabbed Nynaeve and tied her up with rope.
"Is that necessary?!" Alessia shouted at him.
"We can't risk her escaping nor harming us." Lan spoke as he hoisted Nynaeve onto a horse. Alessia frowned at her friend.
"You can trust her but not me?" Nynaeve asked Lan who ignored her. Picking of Moiraine gently onto his own horse. Alessia mounted Spot again. Knowing that they still had a long ride ahead of them.
"I trust Alessia because Moiraine cares for her." Lan suddenly spoke out in the silence. Hearing roars in the distance as Trollocs caught wind of them.
"We need to hide in a safe place." Lan spoke while taking the lead again. Alessia made sure the Wisdom was hanging on somehow before leading the third horse with Spot.
"We just got separated by the way. Rand, Egwene, Perrin, and Mat." Alessia spoke softly with a frown. Hoping the others knew to stick to the plan they had. Knowing Rand, he would probably go back to his home. Egwene however was the smarter one. She knew to head towards the Tower. The sun was starting to rise again. Alessia could feel the fatigue starting to hit her. She hadn't gotten proper sleep due to being worried about Moiraine. Knowing full well that her own body was going to betray her and give up if she didn't sleep soon.
The sun was up in the sky now. They had found a safe place that was lush in a green area in a forest area. There was moisture in the air since it had recently rained in the forest. The trees gave off a wonderful natural smell as did the moss. Alessia was sitting on her knees and took Moiraine's hand into her own. Gently squeeze it once in a while. She was still frowning.
"If only I could channel." Alessia spoke softly. She could feel her eyes sting as she fought back the tears. Moiraine was now extremely pale and her breathing was very low, she worried every time she didn't see the woman's chest rise and fall.
"Keep her warm." Lan whispered to Alessia as she nodded. He was looking at the wound again before walking over to Nynaeve. Alessia laid down next to Moiraine and pulled her close gently. Allowing her body heat to go towards the woman in blue. She watched Lan give the Wisdom some water. She could barely make out what they were saying. Lan just wanted Nynaeve to heal Moiraine. He had untied her and followed her into the area nearby. Alessia's attention was still on the blue ajah. Her face was still full of worry. She reached over and gently stroked the woman's hair. Humming softly to let the older woman know she was not alone. She sat back up as the Wisdom came back. Seeing Nynaeve mix herbs together to create medicine. Alessia moved aside the clothing covering the wound. It was badly infected and smelled. Alessia covered her nose with her wrist.
"I've heard stories about the Aes Sedai and their warders. They feel what she feels." Nynaeve spoke. Alessia looked over to Lan. He was also in pain. Seeing Moiraine in this state pained her as well. "So get ready because this is going to hurt." Nynaeve spoke as she squeezed the wound to get the green bile and pus out before putting the medicine on. She fought hard not to gag at the smell. Sighing a small relief as Moiraine's breathing had picked up a bit better. She took Moiraine's hand into her own again and looked down to the side.
"Now we give it time." Nynaeve spoke. Alessia did not like the sound of that and Lan didn't either as they both looked at her with worry.
"The poison. I worry. Never seen anything like it." Nynaeve spoke. Moiraine had let out a small whimper. Alessia frowned and squeezed the woman in blue's hand again. Kissing it softly. The Trolloc poison seemed to be finally taking her.
"Wait here." Lan spoke.
"Where are you going?" Nynaeve spoke as Alessia sighed.
"To find something. Keep her alive. You need to." Lan warned the Wisdom. He took off on his horse.
"Don't be so sure! Do you have any idea where he went?" Nynaeve asked as Lan was already out of sight.
"There should be an Aes Sedai camp somewhere in this area." Alessia spoke. Remembering the Whitecloaks mentioning the Tower sending out sisters to find someone.
It seemed like it took hours or none at all. Alessia was still laying next to Moiraine to keep her warm.
"Why do you trust her?" Nynaeve asked to break the silence.
"She saved my life. Over and over again." Alessia replied.
"An Aes Sedai only does things to benefit themselves." Nynaeve.
"Then why would she save a ten year old?" Alessia asked looking at her friend. She understood the Wisdom not being trusting of strangers but this was a bit much.
"I don't know. Maybe ask her once she wakes up." Nynaeve said while sitting down. Looking away from them. "Will you tell me what happened? That night?" She asked.
"It was the day after my tenth name day. Mind you, there were two Aes Sedai in my life. Blue and red. Moiraine and Liandrin. Moiraine was there when it happened. It was late at night." Alessia spoke quietly. Knowing full well that Nynaeve was listening to her every word.
"It was dead silent in the city. In Andor. It seemed the maids had left for the night. I snuck out of my room late that night. I went into my father's office. I saw him there. A dagger plunged into his back. It was a white dagger with a blue stone. I cried because I did not understand. Something triggered inside of me. I caused some sort of explosion. Destroying my house in the process. Moiraine had found me. There were guards, Whitecloaks fighting each other as Moiraine defended me. She tried to rescue me but something happened to me. I was kidnapped." Alessia spoke softly. Her eyes were stinging at the memory.
"If you touched the One's Power, then how come Moiraine did not follow you?" Nynaeve asked.
"Something happened to me that night. Moiraine said there is some sort of block on me. She's taking me to the Tower to get it removed." Alessia replied.
"So, you can channel?" The Wisdom asked.
"So says Moiraine." Alessia shrugged. She looked over at her friend who was tending to the wound again.
"I fear she may only have a few hours left." Nynaeve spoke. Alessia gasped and bit her own lip. Fighting back the tears.
"No. She's strong. She'll survive this!" Alessia nearly shouted. Her body was shaking from the lack of sleep. Her head kept bobbing around as she fought it off. Wanting to stay awake no matter how long it took.
"You need to sleep." Her friend spoke. Touching her shoulder.
"I can't. Not now. Not until I know for sure." Alessia spoke. Referring to Moiraine.
"Si..uan" Moiraine mumbled so quickly that Alessia had barely just made out the words. She frowned at this. Knowing full well that Moiraine was completely out of it. She stroked the older woman's hair again gently. Humming softly again. Nynaeve was watching closely while checking on the wound every now and then. Making sure it stayed clean.
"I found what we are looking for. Can she ride?" Lan had finally come back. Alessia jumped out and gathered their stuff quickly. Getting the horses ready.
"The medicine gives her a few hours hopefully. After that." Nynaeve went silent as Alessia felt the color drain from her face.
"Then we need to get going. Now." She demanded. Seeing Moiraine open her eyes. Alessia gasped quietly. She walked over and took Moiraine's hand again.
"Alessia, where's Lan?" Moiraine asked weakly.
"I'm here. We need to get you up and going. I found it." Lan spoke. Moiraine nodded her head weakly. Alessia felt something weak and gentle take her hand and tried to squeeze it. It made Alessia smile weakly and kissed it again.
"Up you get." She spoke while wrapping one arm around her neck as Lan took the other. They lifted Moiraine up gently and Alessia held onto Moiraine as Lan mounted the horse. Pulling Moiraine up slowly and carefully. Alessia frowned again before mounting up Spot. Seeing Nynaeve mount up as well.
"Alessia, ride with me. You're about to fall over." Nynaeve spoke. Alessia didn't have the energy to argue. She nodded and mounted up behind her friend. Holding tightly as she took Spot's reins.
"Lead the way Lan." Alessia spoke. He nodded. Kicking his horse's side and taking the lead to the direction he came from. Alessia and Nynaeve followed. She could only hope the ride would be short. Feeling her eyes ache with tiredness. Hoping she would not fall off of her horse. Spot was not helping at all. He seemed to be on edge ever since they had left the village. Guess he hated the wild. He kept trying to tug away from them since he did not have a rider at the moment. It seemed the forest was never ending. Watching the trees fly past them. Fly? She was definitely falling out of it. It felt like her mind was turned into mush. She couldn't think straight anymore. She was mumbling nonsense now.
"Has she not slept yet?" Lan asked as he called from the front.
"No. She refuses to." Nynaeve spoke. "Too worried about your Aes Sedai." The Wisdom added. It sounded harsh the way she spoke.
"Well, you should have made her sleep." Lan added.
"You can't just force someone to sleep." Nynaeve protested. "She shouldn't be worrying about that woman at all." Her friend added. Alessia mumbled at this in response. Knowing full well they wouldn't hear her.
"They care about each other." Lan replied. They came upon a pathway in the forest now. Alessia let out a grunt as did Moiraine. The ride was bumpy since they were going as fast as they could to reach their destination.
They had slowed down as the sun was past noon now. Alessia mumbled and looked around. She could barely make out her surroundings.
"We've been heading southwest for three hours now." Nynaeve spoke. Alessia sighed at this. That was a long time.
"Moiraine. We need you now." Lan's words echoed in her ears. Alessia felt her eyes closing. She felt a jerk as she woke up.
"Moiraine Sedai." A familiar voice spoke so quietly, she could barely hear it. Alessia's eyes went wide as she looked around again. Not seeing where it came from. There were green ajah above them on the cliffs.
"Liandrin Sedai." Moiraine's voice spoke in response. 'So she is here!' Alessia told herself before her eyes began to blur. She yawned lightly. Holding onto Nynaeve tightly again.
"If you're here to help, you're too late." The voice spoke again. Alessia's eyes found Moiraine as the woman was now awake but barely. "Didn't you hear? We captured a man who calls himself the Dragon." Liandrin spoke. Alessia gasped at this. Her head against Nynaeve's back. She mumbled again. Something said along the lines of 'False Dragon.' Hearing a cage rattle. Alessia leaned over a little. There she saw a man in a cage. Being pulled by horses. The man was smiling at them with a look she did not like. A green ajah was sitting behind him. 'Probably shielding him.' Alessia thought.
"Can we make camp here?" Lan had asked. The other Aes Sedai were looking at each other in silence. They nodded their heads. "Moiraine needs healing." Lan added. There was talking among the sisters as Alessia mumbled.
"Stay on the horse." Lan instructed Nynaeve who nodded. Alessia on the other hand mumbled nonsense again before feeling a rush of air, hard cold ground and then blackness. She had fallen off the horse from being too weak and tired.
Feeling warmth spread through her as her eyes opened up. Seeing a woman in green leaning over her. Touching her forehead and shoulders.
"What happened?" Alessia groaned while sitting up.
"You overworked yourself. You fell off your horse when you passed out." The woman in green spoke. Alessia's vision was normal now. She looked around the area. She was inside a green tent. Hearing soft breathing, she turned to her left and saw Moiraine. She quickly got up and grabbed Moiraine's hand and knelt down beside her.
"She will be alright. I have just enough strength to heal you both." The woman spoke.
"What's your name?" She asked.
"Alessia." Alessia spoke as her eyes never left Moiraine. "What's yours?" She asked, looking back to the woman in green again.
"I am Kerene." The woman spoke. Alessia smiled weakly.
"Thank you Kerene Sedai." Alessia nodded her head once at her to show her thanks. Kerene leaned over Moiraine and weaved her hands around and pulled out spirit to heal Moiraine. She watched as the wound healed quickly. Sighing a relief as Moiraine sat up. Folding her hands into her lap.
"Thank you Kerene." Moiraine spoke. Alessia's eyes caught Moiraine as she laughed lightly. Hugging the woman in blue tightly. She pulled back in time for Moiraine to cup her cheek gently and caressed it with her thumb.
"I'm glad you are alright." Moiraine spoke lightly.
"Hmph. You're the one to talk!" Alessia burst out before hugging the woman again. Hearing a sigh as Kerene poured herself something to drink. It seemed the woman was tired out.
"You're fought back armies. Healing a wound shouldn't have strained you." Moiraine spoke while looking worried at Kerene.
"It didn't. It was him." Kerene spoke. Alessia knew exactly what the woman in green was talking about. Seeing Moiraine was given a drink.
"I want to meet this false dragon." Moiraine added. Alessia looked at the woman in blue who nodded at her. "Come." She added as Kerene led the way outside the tent.
Alessia looked around the camp. It was huge. There were several tents up. Each representing the Aes Sedai that were there. There were many green ajah as there were a few reds. One day she would learn all their names. Alessia followed Moiraine in silence.
"He may be false but there are thousands following him. True believers." Kerene spoke as they walked down to the edge of the camp. Alessia was hanging onto every word that was being said.
"You don't believe it, do you?" Moiraine asked.
"Only Liandrin, Alanna and I are strong enough to shield him from using the One's Power." Kerene spoke. Alessia felt her heart race. So, Liandrin was here. They had entered a cave. Alessia saw in the center was the man in the cage.
"We have to work in pairs." Kerene added.
"Why not gentle him right here and now?" Alessia had asked as they were now in sight. She felt eyes upon her as she held her hands behind her back.
"No. He must stand trial in front of the Amyrlin Seat." Kerene spoke.
"Alessia?" Liandrin's voice spoke as she turned to face the woman in red. Her heart was racing against her chest so fast she swore others could hear it. She smiled at her. Giving the woman a bow.
"Can he hear us?" Moiraine spoke as Alessia's attention changed.
"Hello to you too. Who's the young beauty?" Alanna asked as she caught Alessia's eyes. She felt her cheeks flushed and looked away quickly.
"Alessia Solstice. Taking her to the Tower to become a Novice." Moiraine spoke as her eyes were on the false Dragon.
"So you can channel?" Liandrin asked.
"No." Alessia spoke. Her eyes were now on the false dragon as well. He looked up at her and laughed. Alessia was concerned about this. It seemed the madness had already taken him and he was already far gone.
"We plugged his ears with weaves of air." Liandrin spoke. 'Huh. Smart.' Alessia thought.
"So, why become a Novice if you cannot channel?" Liandrin asked.
"She can. I have seen it. She doesn't believe me. She's blocked from the One's Power for now" Moiraine spoke. "Leave us." Moiraine spoke towards Alessia. She nodded and turned her heels and left. Feeling a pair of eyes on her as she exited the cave. Letting the Aes Sedai deal with the false dragon. She could hear the voices of the sisters talking about gentling him.
Alessia looked around the camp again while she spotted Nynaeve who nodded at her once. She felt someone tap her shoulder. She looked over and saw Lan.
"Come. Let us get some firewood." He spoke while handing Alessia her cloak. She put it on and smiled. Following Lan out into the woods. Picking up good sticks and what not for the fire. Once they gathered enough, they went back to camp. Setting it down as Lan walked over to another man as they began to train with their chosen weapons. Alessia was alone while looking around again. There were many here. Knowing the green Aes Sedai took on more than one warder as well. Seeing Kerene come out as Moiraine took over for her. Alessia decided to walk around the edge of the camp. Keeping her eyes and ears opened while seeing a few of the red ajah looking at her before whispering among themselves. She frowned at this. Not sure what to take of it.
"So. You must be Alessia." One of them spoke as she approached. Alessia nodded her head lightly.
"I'm Tarna." The woman in red spoke as she held out a hand. Alessia shook it with a smile.
"Pleasure to meet you Tarna Sedai." Alessia gave the woman a bow. The woman was the shortest of the five of them.
"My sisters and I were curious about you. Liandrin spoke much about you." Tarna spoke with a smile as the other reds came up to her. She raised a brow at them.
"She is pretty." One of them spoke.
"We can see why Liandrin is fond of you." Another spoke. Alessia felt her cheeks flushed. 'What were they talking about?' She thought.
"I hope that one becomes a channeler." Tarna spoke as she laughed a little.
"Poor heart wouldn't handle it." The second one spoke.
"What are you going on about?" Alessia asked. She was now red faced.
"Red cheeks like roses. Didn't you give her roses?" Tarna asked while nudging her sister.
"I did. Why do you ask?" Alessia crossed her arms with a frown.
"Cause Liandrin is totally in l... sister." Tarna spoke as she cleared her throat.
"Not causing trouble are you dear sisters?" Liandrin's voice came up from behind her as she jumped.
"No Liandrin Sedai. We were just getting to know your flower here. She's a keeper." Tarna smirked before taking her leave with the other red ajah sisters. Alessia was still looking confused at them before sighing.
"I see you still have the cloak I gave you." Liandrin spoke while starting conversation.
"I'm surprised you even remembered me." Alessia spoke as she turned to face the red ajah. Looking into the blue eyes she had come to love.
"How could I forget?" The older woman asked. Gently grabbing Alessia's arm to lead her away from prying eyes.
They were back in the center of the camp as the sun was now setting. She was led into a red tent. They were alone now. Alessia could feel her heart racing again before looking around. It was much different. She felt Liandrin pulling her into a hug. Alessia stepped back a little. Seeing protest in the older woman's eyes.
"Sorry. I haven't bathed in several days. Or was it weeks?" Alessia sighed.
"I understand. I just wanted to. No worries." Liandrin spoke. Alessia smiled and hugged Liandrin anyway. Feeling the woman in red hug her in return tightly. Alessia felt her heart swell for the first time in many years. She had melted right into Liandrin's touch.
"Where have you been all these years?" The woman finally asked as Alessia frowned. "You don't have to talk about it now but I am glad you are safe and alive. I was worried. I had searched for you for a long time. Actually, I never gave up while searching for the false dragon." Liandrin spoke. Alessia's eyes went wide. So Moiraine wasn't the only one who searched.
"I was kidnapped. That night." Alessia started. Seeing Liandrin was listening closely. She sat down in a chair. "After what happened to my father. I destroyed my home somehow. Moiraine said it was me touching the One's Power. I don't believe her." Alessia spoke. She then felt a gentle hand touch her forehead and her chest near her heart.
"Hmm." Was all the woman in red said. Alessia was silent at the moment. Did she feel what Moiraine did?
"So, you were with Moiraine for a while now? How did she find you?" Liandrin asked.
"She came to the village I was living in. Trollocs attacked the village." She spoke.
"Trollocs. So you met them?" Liandrin asked.
"Yes, just like from the story you told me. I killed a few." Alessia spoke as Liandrin smiled proudly. She had lost her sword somewhere.
"I see. Well, glad you are alright. Not many live to tell the tale." The woman spoke. She was moving about the tent and handed Alessia some fresh clothes. Different shades of coloring. Knowing she wasn't allowed to wear a single color yet. There was also some soap for her to wash with and a sponge.
"Thank you." Alessia gave the woman a kiss upon the cheek before leaving the tent. Not seeing that Liandrin was red faced from blushing and touching her cheek.
Alessia made her way to the river as night had fallen. It was a perfect time to take a bath away from the others. She took off her dirty clothes and took out her hair. Slowly getting into the river and gasping at the coldness. She should have expected it. She had the sponge in her hands while lathering it with soap. She could hear voices from the camp. She began to scrub the sweat and dirt from her skin and hair. She waded deeper into the river as she could barely touch the bottom. Closing her eyes as she enjoyed the feeling of the water against her skin. The crickets rubbing their legs together as their sound carried through the wind. The birds were asleep as none were singing. A small wind was making the trees sing. Feeling the wind made her shiver as she quickly finished washing herself before slowly getting out. She dried off and changed into new clothes. They had fit her perfectly. 'Huh. Weird.' She thought. She started washing her dirty clothes. It took a good amount of time when she finished. Hanging them up to dry before making her way back to the camp. Her wet hair made her shiver again. Seeing Nynaeve laughing and giggling with the other warders there as they sat around the campfire.
"Well hello there." One of the men spoke. Alessia nodded at him and gave him a bow.
"Join us Alessia?" Lan had asked. Alessia started making her way before she was stopped.
"Ah Alessia. Come join me please?" Liandrin's voice came as she felt her hand taken and led away from the campfire. She was back in the red tent as the other red ajah were all talking and eating.
"You look good." Tarna spoke with a smile. She raised her glass to her before drinking it.
"Still long I see." Liandrin spoke as she moved her hands to weave wind gently through her hair to dry it.
"If I can channel, I want to learn everything I can." Alessia spoke as she was in awe at the woman's power.
"I'll mentor you myself." Liandrin spoke as she pushed Alessia into a chair.
"If the Mistress of Novices allows it." Tarna spoke. Hearing a grunt from her favorite Sedai as the others chuckled. They went back to eating their food while talking among each other. Alessia was handed a plate as she ate in silence. Not knowing Liandrin did her hair just like hers.
"Awe, how cute." Tarna spoke as she received a glare.
"Out. The lot of you!" Liandrin ordered. Hearing them laugh again before leaving.
"Don't you all share this tent?" Alessia asked as she finished. Seeing a woman clean up the table.
"Yes. Though most of them prefer to keep watch or sleep with the others." Liandrin spoke. Alessia nodded as she understood. She didn't know where Moiraine was now.
"I should probably find Moiraine and ask her about the sleeping arrangements." Alessia spoke as she stood up.
"Nonsense. Share my bed." Liandrin spoke. Alessia felt her face flush as she nodded. Avoiding eye contact. She yawned lightly this time.
"Didn't I sleep when I got here?" She asked as she was led to a smaller part of the tent. It was even more private.
"No. After you fell off your horse, Kerene brought you in right away to heal you. Gave me a scare there my flower." The older woman spoke. Alessia blushed with embarrassment.
"Yeah, that was embarrassing." Alessia laughed nervously while scratching the back of her neck. She sat down on the bed and touched her hair. She smiled at the work. Several braids in her hair that fashioned in different sizes and turned in different ways.
"You'll have to tell me of your adventure this time." Liandrin chuckled. Alessia nodded as she laid down. The bed was comfortable. Better than anything she had felt since she was a child. She crawled under the blanket and moved over towards the wall side. Feeling the bed shift as Liandrin laid next to her under the covers. Feeling an arm slid over her waist and pulled her close. It had been years since she was this close to the red ajah. She smiled softly before speaking.
"Why won't Kerene let you gentle that man?" Alessia asked, looking at Liandrin.
"She believes he deserves a trial. He is already too strong." The woman spoke with a sigh.
"If it were up to me, I would have gentled him already." Alessia spoke in a matter of fact voice.
"Spoken like a true red ajah." Liandrin spoke with a smile. Alessia blushed at this and turned onto her side to hide her face. Why did her face keep betraying her like this? What was this effect that the older woman had on her? Feeling the arm slide up to hold her close as Alessia felt her heart pounding against her chest again. She took Liandrin's hand into her own and felt it squeezed.
"Get some rest. I have to be up at first light." The woman in red spoke. Alessia nodded her head as she yawned again. Drifting off to sleep. For once, she felt completely safe and sound as she relaxed against her favorite Sedai.